Asphalt Aspects-Dirt Digest Returns

Well, I certainly have been derelict in maintaining my blog.  I am hoping to rectify that and will try to post at least weekly.  A lot has happened since the end of last season, over the winter, and now at the start of the 2013 racing season.  A few highlights to bring you up to speed....

Crate Late Model Racing Explodes

This can be taken several ways.  First would be the proliferation of dirt crate Late Models that are competing in the Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, West Virginia, Maryland cluster.  Less than ten years ago, you would be hard pressed to find many.  Now that has exploded into over 300 competitors.   Credit that to the to the hard work, determination and dedication of Vicki Emig and Mike Leone, who brought the crate concept to the area through Stan Lester"s FASTRAK organization in the south, spearheading the group's FASTRAK NE region, and taking it to unheard of heights.  For six years, Emig and Leone's tireless promotion of the series and procurement of sponsors and contingencies brought untold rewards to competitors.  Each year saw more prizes, purses and professionalism.  A Manufacturers Night with $30,000 worth of hard product giveaways, and a GM 604 Crate Engine giveaway were highlights last year.

There were some strains however, especially after the National Weekly Points were eliminated in 2012.  That helped Emig and Leone decide to break out on their own, to better serve the tracks and drivers in their area. 

So, I guess that is the second explosion, as Emig and Leone announced the formation of the RUSH Dirt Late Model Series, and FASTRAK announced their intentions of staying in the region also.  A common chant in the area - for anything - is "support local businesses", and loyalty, so it was interesting to see what was to happen to the southern-based FASTRAK.  RUSH got the early edge in signing up tracks, and there were a few surprises - in my mind - that aligned with FASTRAK.  Under the RUSH banner are Sharon, Pittsburgh, Roaring Knob, The Rock, Bradford, McKean Co., Allegheny Mt., with weekly and Tour races also at Lernerville, Hagerstown and Hesston.  Going with FASTRAK are Raceway 7, Eriez, Dog Hollow, Marion Center, Tyler County, with Mercer having some Touring races.  Several drivers have already run both series....  Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC is a title sponsor for each series....  And Emig and Leone continue their knack for securing numerous contingencies and sponsors, topped off again with a $30,000 Manufacturer's Night giveaway and a Sweeney Chevrolet GM 604 engine giveaway.

It's going to be interesting to see how the season shakes out.  Stay tuned.


                                                                         

                                                                        vs

Midvale Madness

Midvale Speedway continues its re-invention, as owners Randy and Sue Smith continue with seemingly limitless renovations.  The third-mile paved facility is becoming one of the premier tracks in the state.  This year all new front-stretch grandstands are in place, with yards of freshly poured concrete the base of it all.  The amount of concrete and asphalt at Midvale is somewhat mind-blowing. 

Opening night was a huge success, with the headlining Outlaw Late Models having Bryant Smith and Doug McMillan going side-by-side for ten laps as Smith got an inches only victory.  Smith repeated the win last weekend, although a duel with Ryan Tedesco did not repeat the Smith/McMillan success.  Contact and a few frayed tempers made an appearance, but the two principals involved seem to be fine after a phone call between the two the following evening.

                                                 
                                                                         



New frontstretch stands at Midvale, shortly before completion



Midvale moment... Tedesco (70) and Smith (1) going for the lead

Main Event Series Set

One of my favorite series, The Main Event Racing Series, kicks off this Saturday, May 11 at Sandusky Speedway.  The asphalt Outlaw Super Late Models will share billing on the 1/2 track with the MSA Super Modifieds, for a grandstand shaking twin bill.  Two time defending Main Event Champion Bud Perry is set to go against Harold Fair, Jr., Scott Baker, Jimmy Carter, Tim Felver, Marcus Malcuit, Josh Smith, Brian Short, Jim Varney, Jr., and a host of others.


                                                                              

                                                                                   


Blast from the Past - Roger Black won Main Event race at Sandusky on July 3, 1995.




 

Sharon Speedway Sizzles

Sharon Speedway is ushering in what so far is quite a succesful season.  A full field of DIRT Big Block Modifieds each week so far - up substancially from last season - along with impressive counts for RUSH Late Models, Modifieds and EconoMods.  In addition to the regular shows, a ULMS Super Late Model/UEMS Modified show is also in the books.  Davey Johnson set a new Super Late Model track record of 14.994 at the ULMS show, going on to take a close 30 lap feature win over Mike Knight. 

The Modified (formerly EMod) division at Sharon has been a revelation this year.  The level of competition is staggering, and even if someone gets out front early, the outcome is still in doubt.  RUSH Late Models, too, have been putting on a whale of a show, and last week had two last lap passes - Dennis Lunger over Will Thomas for first, and Eric Wilson over Josh Double for third, while Matt Latta looked for an opening on the foursome's bumpers.

Some Photo Highlights

                                                                          


Dennis Lunger has the distinction of winning the first ever RUSH sanctioned Late Model feature - on opening day at Sharon Speedway.  Lunger won again last week, 5/4, and sits atop the RUSH/LM Sharon point standings




Sixteen year old Eric Wilson is off to a strong start at Sharon in the RUSH LMs, and is currently second in the points



Jim Weller Jr. took the DIRT Big Block Modified feature, over a large and strong field, at Sharon last Saturday.  Weller being interviewed by track announcer Jim Pollock.



Matt Latta awaits the RUSH Late Model feature call



Among the many strong Modifieds at Sharon is second generation driver Joe Gabrielson, who has been mixing it up at the front all season.   A strong start sees him tied for second in points.