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09/18/06

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RACE OF CHAMPIONS DIRT MODIFIED AND SPORTSMAN TOUR MAKE FIRST APPEARANCE TO THE NEW EGYPT SPEEDWAY THIS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21ST. THE “METAL FAB RoC ROCKET RUMBLE TO FEATURE 75 LAP MODIFIED SHOWDOWN.

BINGHAMTON, NY…Event number two of the Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour South Region is set to take place this Wednesday at the New Egypt Speedway in New Egypt, New Jersey. The “Metal Fab R.o.C Rocket Rumble” will feature the Big Block/Small Block Modifieds in a 75 lap event. The R.o.C Sportsman Southern tour will also be in competition with a 40 lap event. Race time is slated for 7:15 p.m.

When the R.o.C tour arrives at the New Egypt Speedway it will be for the first time but there has already been an impact made by the speedway regulars. The first R.o.C South region event on June 6th at the Big Diamond Raceway saw a number of New Egypt weekly stars in competition. Current NES point leader Jimmy Horton showed the way for the majority of the 75 lap event only to have a flat tire derail his hopes for the win. Billy Pauch went on to record his second consecutive R.o.C win at Big Diamond and at the same time helped show that the NES teams would be tough to beat at event two.

Other New Egypt teams that had strong outings in the first R.o.C South region event of the season included Frank Cozze (7th place), Billy Pauch Jr., (8th place) and Ricky Grosso (10th). Horton eventually rebounded from the flat tire in that event that set him to the pits to record an impressive sixth place finish at the stripe.

With race one in the books the New Egypt Modified teams have made it clear that they intend on running for the R.o.C South region title. A number of invaders will be looking to make their mark this Wednesday. Grandview Speedway talents Ray Swinehart, Duane Howard and Ryan Watt all had top ten finishes in the last R.o.C event. R.o.C North region point leader Alan Johnson is currently the only driver that is in the top five in both regions as he sits in fourth place in the South regional standings. Defending Race of Champions Modified Tour Co-Champion Bobby Varin has a brand new car ready to be debuted at New Egypt as well.

Fifty Modified teams took part in race number one and another strong contingent of Race of Champions stars will be gunning for the $4,000 top prize in the 75 lap “Metal Fab R.o.C Rocket Rumble”. Joining the Modifieds will be the R.o.C Sportsman in a 40 lap feature program. Current South region point leader and NES competitor Willie Osmun will be looking to pad his point lead. On Memorial Day Osmun became the first repeat Sportsman R.o.C winner since its inception last season. He opened the season by winning at Five Mile Point Speedway (NY) and then backed it up with the Memorial Day win at the Penn Can Speedway (PA).

The Race of Champions has a storied history in the state of New Jersey. The R.o.C Asphalt Modified 200 is the second oldest consecutive run auto racing event in the nation. Only the Indianapolis 500 has had more consecutive events. Trenton Speedway hosted the prestigious event between 1972 and 1976 on the asphalt. In later years the Flemington Fair Speedway held the annual fall classic between 1992 and 1995. In 1996 the event found a home in Oswego, New York where it is still held today.

The Race of Champions started on the dirt of the Langhorne Speedway in 1951 and last year it returned to its roots with the development of the R.o.C Dirt Series. Later this season the Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Tour will compete at the Wall Township Speedway.

The Race of Champions Dirt Modified and Sportsman events are set for this Wednesday, June 21st at the New Egypt Speedway. Race time is 7:15 p.m. For race tickets or race day weather please contact the New Egypt Speedway offices at (609) 758-1900 or log on to www.newegyptspeedway.net. For race rules or tour information please contact the Race of Champions offices at (607) 775-5555 or log on to www.rocdirt.com


Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour
Official Finish: South Region Race No. 1/Big Diamond Raceway (6-6-06)

Car # Driver/Hometown Start
1 357 Billy Pauch/Frenchtown, N.J. (9)
2 29 Ray Swinehart/Bechtelsville, Pa. (3)
3 4 Duane Howard/Oley, Pa. (6)
4 14J Alan Johnson/Phelps, N.Y. (10)
5 42H Jimmy Horton/Neshanic Station, N.J. (8)
6 6 Ryan Watt/Pottstown, Pa. (12)
7 44 Frank Cozze/Wind Gap, Pa. (27)
8 11D Billy Pauch Jr./Frenchtown, N.J. (24)
9 00 Doug Manmiller/Wyomissing, Pa. (22)
10 R24 Ricky Grosso/Belle Mead, N.J. (18)
11 8J Tom Sears Jr./Clay, N.Y. (17)
12 14 Rick Laubach/Quakertown, Pa. (21)
13 91D Kevin Hirthler/Green Lane, Pa. (15)
14 8 Rich Scagliotta/Bound Brook, N.J. (13)
15 00V Bobby Varin/Sharon Springs, N.Y. (28)
16 T102 Shawn Fitzpatrick/Pottsville, Pa. (16)
17 27 Steve Bottcher/Lehighton, Pa. (2)
18 9R Brian Weaver/Windsor, N.Y. (11)
19 W9 Colt Harris/Gordon, Pa. (26)
20 15T Brett Tonkin/Carbondale, Pa. (4)
21 72 Jeff Ebersole/Palmyra, Pa. (1)
22 5J Joey Grammes/Kunkletown, Pa. (7)
23 27J Danny Johnson/Phelps, N.Y. (19)
24 114 Doug Hendricks/Orwigsburg, Pa. (14)
25 93B Ryan Bartlett/Adams, N.Y. (20)
26 51 Mike Colsten/Binghamton, N.Y. (25)
27 1C Craig Von Dohren/Barto, Pa. (5)
28 6H Keith Hoffman/Whitehall, Pa. (23)

Entries: 50
Lap leaders: Ebersole (1-6), Von Dohren (7-17), Pauch (18-26), Horton (27-62),
Pauch (63-75)
Heat winners: Watt, A. Johnson, Pauch, Von Dohren, Howard, Swinehart
Consi winners: D. Johnson, Bartlett, Laubach

Did Not Qualify:
145 Alan Rudalavage/Newton Lake, Pa.
44H Gary Hager/Stewartsville, N.J.
97 Jerry Higbie Jr./Slate Hill, N.Y.
77 Bobby Trapper/Scranton, Pa.
9 Jason Andrews/Lehighton, Pa.
4B J.R. Crouse/Nazareth, Pa.
118 Sean Merkel/Boyertown, Pa.
19 Kenny Brightbill/Sinking Spring, Pa.
71 David Van Horn/Harmony, N.J.
3J Jason Smythe/Oley, Pa.
39X Scott Frack/Gilbertsville, Pa.
114 Carol Hine III/Boyertown, Pa.
42 Ed Strada Jr./South Canaan, Pa.
25 Ray Deemer/Phillipsburg, N.J.
27M Ken Eckert Jr./Minersville, Pa.
8F Stan Frankenfield Jr./Bridgewater, N.J.
97 Jimmy Reppert/Hamburg, Pa.
26 Ryan Godown/Ringoes, N.J.
7J Jeff Isabell/Pennellville, N.Y.
Y3 Ricky Yetter/Bethlehem, Pa.
93D Jim Davis/Ballston Spa, N.Y.
15 Mitch Gibbs/North Norwich, N.Y.


Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour
Official Finish: South Region Race No. 3/Big Diamond Raceway (6-6-06)

Car # Driver/Hometown Start
1 M1 Mike Lyons/Cranbury, N.J. (4)
2 5S Jeff Sechrist/Wernersville, Pa. (5)
3 21K Kyle Weiss/Hamburg, Pa. (10)
4 47 Gary Wagner Jr./Womelsdorf, Pa. (6)
5 15 Jason Hamilton/Erwinna, Pa. (8)
6 17D Mike Loney/Taylor, Pa. (2)
7 7A Gene Stravinsky/New Egypt, N.J. (9)
8 17 Billy Moyer Jr./Pine Grove, Pa. (7)
9 44 John McClelland/Martinsville, N.J. (14)
10 14 Willie Osmun/Bloomsbury, N.J. (19)
11 19B Brad Brightbill/Sinking Spring, Pa. (15)
12 16X Danny Creeden/Middletown, N.Y. (20)
13 71 Mike Mammana/Nazareth, Pa. (1)
14 14K Alex Konopka/Gouldsboro, Pa. (25)
15 9D Bill Deckelman/Fremont Center, N.Y. (12)
16 280 Justin Holland/White Lake, N.Y. (16)
17 044 Lou Farina III/Philadelphia, Pa. (11)
18 6 Jr. Kevin Beach/Llewellyn, Pa. (29)
19 M40 Mark Forte Jr./Blue Anchor, N.J. (30)
20 3 Craig Whitmoyer/Hamburg, Pa. (22)
21 46 Josh Biever/Orwigsburg, Pa. (26)
22 6J John Stangle/Neshanic Station, N.J. (18)
23 19U Jordan Umbenhauer/Richland, Pa. (3)
24 917 Jarrad Miller/Barto, Pa. (24)
25 42L Mike Lartz/Nicholson, Pa. (17)
26 4 Clay Butler/Milford, N.J. (27)
27 91 Billy Tanner IV/Newtown, Pa. (13)
28 611 Brad Grim/Coplay, Pa. (23)
29 26 Tom Brennan/Pottsville, Pa. (21)
30 72 Ray Woodall Jr./Pen Argyl, Pa. (28)

Entries: 48
Lap leaders: Loney (1-3), Lyons (4-40)
Heat winners: Sechrist, Umbenhauer, Weiss, Moyer, Deckelman, Farina
Consi winners: Osmun, Creeden, Brennan
Sherwood Racing Wheels Hard Charger: Alex Konopka (25th to 14th)

Did Not Qualify:
221 Rob Gibson/Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
10S John Salvatore/Martinsville, N.J.
57 Ricky Rutt/Phillipsburg, N.J.
1/64th Andy Miller/Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
14R Ricky Hendricks/New Ringgold, Pa.
13 James Morris/Riegelsville, Pa.
2 Steve Swinehart/Bechtelsville, Pa.
27 Andy Stout/Thornhurst, Pa.
8 Brad Force/Sellersville, Pa.
71D Frank Doty/Middletown, N.Y.
84 LeRoy Long/Womelsdorf, Pa.
110 John Deatrich/Pottsville, Pa.
95 Freddie Fisher/Sinking Spring, Pa.
43 Joe Masiado/Easton, Pa.
11 A.J. DeSantis/Temple, Pa.
3H Marc Herman/Windsor, N.J.
88M Mike Bent/Alpha, N.J.
31 Harry Landis/Nazareth, Pa.


Horton's Misfortune Plays Into Pauch's Hands In Big Diamond RoC 75-lapper
By BRETT DEYO

MINERSVILLE, PA - Jimmy Horton may have been the star of the show, but Billy Pauch collected the biggest check Tuesday night at Big Diamond Raceway.

Frenchtown, N.J.'s Pauch pounced on Horton's late-race misfortune to score the victory in the BPG, Inc. Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour 75-lap South Region opener. It marked the legendary driver's second straight RoC Dirt Mod Tour win at the Coal Region facility (he won there on Aug. 9, 2005). He collected $4,000 for his efforts and celebrated freely, doing "donuts" in front of the large crowd before heading to Victory Lane.

"Lapped traffic was the only way I would've had a shot at him (Horton) otherwise," Pauch, 48, admitted.

Driving Norm Hansell's Doug Meyers big-block powered No. 357 Bicknell, ninth-starter Pauch swiftly moved into contention, but it was Craig Von Dohren who set the early pace. Von Dohren moved his No. C1 from third to first on a lap-six restart, overtaking polesitter Jeff Ebersole for the point.

Pauch surged into the lead on the 17th lap when Von Dohren dropped off the pace on the backstretch.

"Even when I got the lead I was 'babying it.' I moved up a groove to try and save the tires," said Pauch, who felt the moisture in the outside groove of the three-eighths-mile oval's clay would help sustain his American Racer 50 compound right-rear tire. Very little rubber remained on the tire despite Pauch's strategy.

"I wanted to have something for the end."

Horton, meanwhile, came to life in Ricky Grosso's Tony Feil big-block-powered No. 42H Bicknell at the race's one-third mark. He took second on lap 24 and reeled in Pauch working a distinctly lower groove.

The Neshanic Station, N.J., driver nosed into the lead at the line for lap 27 and looked to have the victory within his grasp as he handily extended his advantage. Pauch watched calmly as Horton drove away.

"I was trying not to be aggressive with everybody," said Pauch. "When Horton got by, I let up and tried to keep the car straight. He was a little better than we were."

Horton's dominant night took a sour turn while negotiating lapped traffic on the 56th circuit.

Exiting turn four, Bobby Varin's No. 00 jumped sideways. Horton narrowly avoided the inside concrete barrier, but did smash together with Varin at the exit of turn four. The contact caved in the right side of Horton's car and cut the right-rear tire.

The tire developed a slow leak until ultimately exploding on the homestretch with 63 laps complete. Colt Harris couldn't slow his No.W9 and hit Horton's disabled car hard in the back bumper. Safety crews extricated the 19-year-old Harris, who was awake and alert but shaken up complaining of back pain. A 20-minute red-flag period ensued and Horton headed pitside for repairs.

Pauch snaked through the mayhem to assume the lead over Steve Bottcher and Duane Howard, both of whom would succumb to tire issues in the final 12 laps.

Bottcher's right-rear tire went down on lap 72 and, curtailing the Lehighton, Pa., driver's top-five run. Howard inherited second in the exchange, but his right-rear tire deflated exiting turn four on the final lap.

Ray Swinehart slipped beneath Howard and inherited second at the line. It marked the culmination of a remarkable run for the 53-year-old Bechtelsville, Pa., driver, returning to the Duane Guistwite No. 29 for the first time in 2006.

Swinehart was the first small-block across the stripe, collecting the $500 bonus. The Bicknell mount was powered by a CMS Racing Engines 9-to-1 compression engine.

The outcome was especially notable considering Swinehart lost his power steering early in the event.

"Entering turn one on lap 16, I lost power steering," Swinehart said. "I looked up at the lap counter and said to myself, 'I don't think I'm going to make it.'

"The car was really good or I wouldn't have been able to finish. I got a little bit of a break under the cautions (and the lap-63 red).

"We had a fourth-place car; I saw the one car blow the tire with three-to-go (Bottcher) and I said, "I'm going to get a third.' Then Howard's tire went down out of (turn) four and I mashed it."

Howard, of Oley, Pa., squeaked out a third-place finish, besting Alan Johnson by a bumper at the stripe. Johnson, of Phelps, N.Y., placed fourth in Jeff Rudalavage's No. 14J Bicknell.

Replacing the rear bumper and the right-rear tire, Horton tore through the pack in the final 12 laps to place fifth.

Heat winners for the 50 Modifieds in attendance were Von Dohren, Howard, Swinehart, Ryan Watt, Alan Johnson and Pauch. Danny Johnson, Ryan Bartlett and Rick Laubach topped the consolations.

New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway regular Mike Lyons of Cranbury, N.J., was victorious the Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour 40-lap main. Lyons earned $1,000 for the first RoC triumph of his career.

Fourth-starter Lyons put his Burnett-powered No. 1M into the lead on lap three. His most formidable challenge came in the final 10 laps in the form of Jeff Sechrist and Kyle Weiss, who ran tightly together with Lyons in a three-car lead pack.

Sechrist, driving the Bashore No. 5, peeked to the inside of Lyons several times in the waning laps, but couldn't unseat Lyons.

Weiss settled for third, with Big D regular Gary Wagner Jr. and defending RoC Dirt Sportsman champion Jason Hamilton filling out the front five.

Forty-eight Sportsman checked into the pit area. Sechrist, Jordan Umbenhauer, Weiss, Billy Moyer Jr., Bill Deckelman and Lou Farina III topped the heats. Willie Osmun, Danny Creeden and Tom Brennan were consolation victors.

The action heads to New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway on Wed., June 21 for the "Metal Fab presents the RoC Rocket Rumble" featuring the RoC Dirt Modifieds and RoC Dirt Sportsman in South Region events. Contact the RoC Dirt office at: (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.rocdirt.com for further information.

RoC DIRT NOTES: Horton confirmed that the lap-56 contact with Varin cut his car's right-rear tire; he didn't simply wear the tire out.

"The 00 (Varin) and I hit on the frontstretch," said a disappointed Horton, 49. "Then we started getting slower."

Horton, of course, was looking for a caution in the final 12 laps that would have put him back in contention for the victory....

Swinehart had less than a week to prepare his ride after getting a last-minute call from team owner Duane Guistwite to return to the seat of the car he drove regularly in 2005. Kenny Brightbill started the season driving for the team.

"I got the call last Saturday," Swinehart said from his J&L Speed hauler after finishing second in the Modified main....

Added to the field by Big Diamond Raceway, Frank Cozze made a dramatic advance in the final laps. Cozze, who started 27th, came on for seventh. The Wind Gap, Pa., star tossed his self-owned No. 44 around the track's extreme outside groove with reckless abandon....

Billy Pauch Jr. authored a solid drive to eighth position after starting 24th in the Dinatale No. 11D. Pauch made tracks late in the going when the track dried up. The reason: the big-blocks lost traction while his 9-to-1 small-block hooked up to the surface....

Alex Konopka of Gouldsboro, Pa., earned the Sherwood Racing Wheels RoC Dirt Sportsman Hard Charger Award. He started 25th and finished 14th....

Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour South Region Event No. 1 Feature Finish: BILLY PAUCH, Ray Swinehart, Duane Howard, Alan Johnson, Jimmy Horton, Ryan Watt, Frank Cozze, Billy Pauch Jr., Doug Manmiller, Ricky Grosso, Tommy Sears Jr., Rick Laubach, Kevin Hirthler, Rich Scagliotta, Bobby Varin, Shawn Fitzpatrick, Steve Bottcher, Brian Weaver, Colt Harris, Brett Tonkin, Jeff Ebersole, Joey Grammes, Danny Johnson, Doug Hendricks, Ryan Bartlett, Mike Colsten, Craig Von Dohren, Keith Hoffman.
Did Not Qualify: Alan Rudalavage, Gary Hager, Jerry Higbie Jr., Bobby Trapper, Jason Andrews, J.R. Crouse, Colt Harris, Sean Merkel, Kenny Brightbill, David Van Horn, Scott Frack, Carol Hine III, Ed Strada Jr., Ray Deemer, Ken Eckert Jr., Stan Frankenfield Jr., Jimmy Reppert, Ryan Godown, Jeff Isabell, Ricky Yetter, Jim Davis, Mitch Gibbs.

Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour South Region Event No. 3 Feature Finish: MIKE LYONS, Jeff Sechrist, Kyle Weiss, Gary Wagner Jr., Jason Hamilton, Mike Loney, Gene Stravinsky, Billy Moyer Jr., John McClelland, Willie Osmun, Brad Brightbill, Danny Creeden, Mike Mammana, Alex Konopka, Bill Deckelman, Justin Holland, Lou Farina III, Kevin Beach Jr., Mark Forte, Craig Whitmoyer, Josh Biever, John Stangle, Jordan Umbenhauer, Jarrad Miller, Mike Lartz, Clay Butler, Billy Tanner IV, Brad Grim, Tom Brennan, Ray Woodall Jr.
Did Not Qualify: Rob Gibson, John Salvatore, Ricky Rutt, Andy Miller, Rick Hendricks, James Morris, Steve Swinehart, Andy Stout, Brad Force, Frank Doty, LeRoy Long, John Deatrich, Freddie Fisher, Joe Masiado, A.J. DeSantis, Marc Herman, Mike Bent, Harry Landis.


Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour South Region Race No. 1 and Sportsman South Region Race No. 3/Big Diamond Raceway - Minersville, PA - Tuesday, June 6

Location: In Forestville, PA just NW of Minersville, PA and Pottsville, PA

Heading South On I-81
Take Exit 116 (Old #35) Minersville, follow Rt. 901 East (to Minersville) 4 miles-to Primrose, turn right, through Forestville 2 miles, track on left

Heading North on I-81
Take Exit 104 (Old #32) Ravine, Right at end of ramp stop. Left at next stop, follow Rt. 125 to Tremont, right at stop, take Rt. 209 North to Branchdale, Bear left entering town, then left at stop, 3 miles, track on right.

From Interstate 78
Take Rt. 61, 183, or 419 North to Rt. 209, 209 South to Rt 901 West. Follow Rt. 901 thru Minersville to Primrose, turn left at Forestville to track on left. To bypass town of Minersville use alternate route - while on 209 S./ 901 W., turn left at Turkey Hill onto 209 South. Follow 209 South to Branchdale, bearing left at next stop sign in Llewellyn. In Branchdale, take 1st right, track is 3.3 miles on right.

Phone Info: Track: (570) 544-1410/Office: (570) 385-0744/Fax: (570) 544-1790
Speedway Website: www.bigdiamondraceway.com
Pit Fees: $25
Pit Gates Open: 5 p.m.
Grandstand Prices: $20 for Adults; $18 for Youth (ages 11-17) and Seniors (over 60). Kids 10 and younger free!
Grandstand Gates Open: 5 p.m.
Practice: 7 p.m.
Race Time: 7:30 p.m.
Entry Info: Modified Pre-race entry (received prior to June 3rd): $15; Entry after above date: $20/Sportsman Pre-race entry (received prior to June 3rd): $10; Entry after above date: $15
Order of Events: Modified Heats, Sportsman Heats, Consolations, Mod Feature (75) and Sportsman Feature (40)
Modified Feature: 75 laps - cautions to count between laps 25 and 50. No more than 5 caution laps will be logged in a row.
Sportsman Feature: 40 green-flag laps
Tire Information: Tire Options - American Racer Compounds - Right-Rear Compound: 48, 50, 53 or D3B options; Left-Rear Compound: 44, 48 or D1B options; Fronts: Minimum 33 compound American Racers (may go harder). For tire information please call: 717-821-0523.
General Race Rules: The standard for motor, body, chassis and safety rules are based '04 DIRT rules.
Weight Info: Big-block Modifieds - min. 2,500 lbs no tolerance ('04 DIRT legal); Small-block Modifieds - min. 2,400 lbs. no tolerance ('04 DIRT legal); Big Diamond/Grandview 9-to-1 small-blocks - min. 2,400 lbs. no tolerance; Any other small-block combination must weigh min. 2,500 lbs. no tolerance. NO mixing and matching of rules.

For more information please contact the Race of Champions office at: (607) 775-5555 or log on to www.rocdirt.com.


RoC Dirt Mod Tour's South Region Set To Open At "All New" Big Diamond Raceway; Sportsman Set For South Race No. 3
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - Returning faces and newcomers to Big Diamond Raceway: expect to be wowed during the Tues., June 6 BPG, Inc. Race of Champions Dirt Tour program at the Minersville, Pa., track.

First, there is the facility, which has undergone major renovations since Buddy Biever, Barry Bashore and Dave Dissinger took the helm prior to the 2006 season.

Then, there is the flat-out action that develops on the racy three-eighths-mile track itself, which was resurfaced with rich, red clay in the turns and lined with inside jersey barriers designed to expand the racing groove.

Point blank, it's not the same old Big Diamond Raceway.

The rejuvenated track will roar to life with a doubleheader RoC Dirt Modified and Sportsman program, featuring the South Region opener for the big-block/small-block Mods and round three of the Sportsman Tour's South Region.

The Modifieds will run a 75-lap feature paying $4,000 to the winner, while the Sportsman teams will battle for 40-laps with a $1,000 top prize allotted.

"I think we'll have a good number in both divisions," noted Buddy Biever, adding, "The rules and the tires match up with what we run here.

"Being the first one (South race) for the Modifieds, it should be a full field, and the Sportsman have already brought in a lot of cars to their first two races."

A banner field of Modifieds is expected for the South Region opener. Tough Big D regulars Duane Howard, Jeff Strunk, Ryan Watt, Craig Von Dohren, Meme DeSantis, Doug Manmiller, Rick Laubach, Ray Swinehart, Billy Pauch Jr., Doug Hendricks and more are expected to challenge the touring RoC Dirt stars.

New Yorkers Bobby Varin and Mitch Gibbs, who tied for the '05 overall RoC championship, will make the haul to Pennsy's Coal Region to run at Big Diamond.

Varin will drive the No. 00 358-Mod he usually campaigns at Utica-Rome (N.Y.) Speedway on Sunday evenings, while Gibbs will pilot the Brad Grammes-owned No. 5 he wheels at Pa.'s Penn-Can Speedway on Fridays. Both drivers have visited Victory Lane this season in those respective rides.

Brian Weaver, the Penn-Can Modified champion for five consecutive seasons, will be on hand with the Decker Logging No. 9R. Weaver authored a strong outing on Sun., April 16 when he made a rare start in Big Diamond's Season Opener, placing sixth despite pitting for a flat tire mid-event.

Top Orange County (N.Y.) Fair Speedway talent Jerry Higbie Jr., also a winner at Afton (N.Y.) Speedway in 2006, will have his family-owned No. 97 at the ready to contend. Higbie is a former Friday-night regular at Big Diamond.

A number of the top drivers from New York's Southern Tier and Northeastern Pennsylvania are also expected to attend the event, complimenting a large New Jersey influence.

There may also be some surprises in the field, judging by the turnouts in RoC's first two Modified North Region shows. Brett Hearn, Pat Ward, Billy Decker, Tim Fuller, Alan Johnson, Matt Sheppard, Vic Coffey, Danny Johnson and more have already participated in '06 Race of Champions competition.

Two events have already been completed on the RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour's South Region and New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway regular Willie Osmun won them both: Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Speedway on Sun., April 9 and Penn-Can on Mon., May 29. The two events have averaged over 40 entries.

Osmun and current point runner-up Danny Creeden will lead a jam-packed field of Sportsman to Big D for the midweek special.

Big Diamond hosted two RoC Dirt Modified South Region races in 2005. Jeff Strunk won on June 7 over Rick Laubach, Meme DeSantis, Ray Swinehart and Doug Hoffman. Billy Pauch took the victory on Aug. 9, with Craig Von Dohren, Keith Hoffman, Strunk and Doug Hoffman in tow. Strunk went on to win the Tour's inaugural South Region championship.

The RoC Sportsman made two appearances at Big D in '05, as well. On June 28, former Big D champion Craig Whitmoyer took the win, fending off Arnie Slade, Jason Hamilton, Brad Brightbill and Tom Brennan.

The second stop, on Aug. 9, went to Slade. Jason Hamilton, Jeff Geiges, Doug Hendricks and Kyle Weiss.

Grandstand admission for the show is: $20 (Adults); $18 (Students 11-17 years old and Seniors over 60). Kids 10 and under are free.

Pit admission is $25. All competitors must register with RoC officials in order to participate. Entry forms are on the RoC Dirt website (www.rocdirt.com) and will be available at the track on race day.

Gates open at 5 p.m., with hot laps at 7 p.m. and racing at 7:30 p.m.

Big Diamond Raceway is located off I-81 Exit 35 (Heading South) or Exit 32 (Heading North) in Minersville, Pa.

For information or detailed directions to Big Diamond Raceway, contact the track office at: (570) 385-0744 or on race day: (570) 544-1410. The official website is: www.bigdiamondraceway.com.

The RoC Dirt Tour office can be reached by phone at: (607) 775-5555 or on the web: www.rocdirt.com.


Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour South Region Driver Roster
Updated After Penn-Can (5-29-06)

Car Number Driver Hometown
1/64th Andy Miller Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
2 Steve Babicek Binghamton, N.Y.
3 Erik Holmgren Middletown, N.Y.
3J Howard Jarvis Accord, N.Y.
4 Clay Butler Milford, N.J.
4SL Bobby Hentschel Pine Bush, N.Y.
4V Pat Votra Marathon, N.Y.
6N Drew Ricco Bellmawr, N.J.
7C Chris Wood Kirkwood, N.Y.
M7 Mike Nagel Jr. Susquehanna, Pa.
8 Ted DeGroat Dingman Ferry, Pa.
8F Brad Force Sellersville, Pa.
9 Butch Klinger Walton, N.Y.
9D Bill Deckelman Fremont Center, N.Y.
9T Ken Titus Kirkwood, N.Y.
10S John Salvatore Martinsville, N.J.
11 Dan Pompey Glenwood, Pa.
11J Jim Toy Madisonville, N.Y.
12C Dave Coene Chestnut Ridge, N.Y.
12E Eric Palmer Cresco, Pa.
13 David Bush Accord, N.Y.
14 Willie Osmun Bloomsbury, N.J.
14 Alex Konopka Gouldsboro, Pa.
R14 Rick Raisner Easton, Pa.
15 Jason Hamilton Erwinna, Pa.
16X Danny Creeden Middletown, N.Y.
17D Mike Loney Taylor, Pa.
19B Brad Brightbill Sinking Spring, Pa.
19H Joel Hilfiger Mountainhome, Pa.
21 Shaun Walker Masonville, N.Y.
21K Kyle Weiss Hamburg, Pa.
26M Derrick McGrew Ballston Spa, N.Y.
27 Andy Stout Thornhurst, Pa.
28 Mike Trautschold Parksville, N.Y.
31 Jim Kleedorfer Nazareth, Pa.
33Y Jamie Yankowski Throop, Pa.
33Y Danny Yankowski Sherburne, N.Y.
35M Rich Green Berkshire, N.Y.
39 Matt Hayes Susquehanna, Pa.
42L Mike Lartz Nicholson, Pa.
44 John McClelland Martinsville, N.J.
46 Josh Biever Orwigsburg, Pa.
47G Chris Grbac Iselin, N.J.
51Z Ryan Olsommer Waymart, Pa.
54 Paul Rooney Thompson, Pa.
57 Ricky Rutt Phillipsburg, N.J.
59 Ladd Yeomans Swan Lake, N.Y.
59J Jesse Kline Bangor, Pa.
71 Mike Mammana Nazareth, Pa.
71 Russ Zimmerman Tunkhannock, Pa.
71D Frank Doty Middletown, N.Y.
72 Nick Petrilak Greenfield Township, Pa.
74 Jeremy Holt Kirkwood, N.Y.
77 Jeff Crambo Throop, Pa.
77J Jeff Geiges Lawrenceville, N.J.
78X Grant Hilfiger Mountainhome, Pa.
79 Michael Storms Wantage, N.J.
84Y Jamie Yankowski Throop, Pa.
91 Billy Tanner IV Newtown, Pa.
91 Eric Griffin South Gibson, Pa.
99 Craig Whitmoyer Hamburg, Pa.
117 Alex Tonkin Carbondale, Pa.
151 Joey Colsten Binghamton, N.Y.
280 Justin Holland White Lake, N.Y.
414 Eric Stephens Jermyn, Pa.
611 Brad Grim Coplay, Pa.


Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour North Region Driver Roster
Updated After Utica-Rome (5-28-06)

Car Number Driver Hometown
1/64th Andy Miller Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
1X Casey Williams Utica, N.Y.
1Z Jessica Zemken Sprakers, N.Y.
04 Michael Teachout Bridgeport, N.Y.
3 Erik Holmgren Middletown, N.Y.
8M Tim Mayne New Berlin, N.Y.
09 Kyle Lewis Pennellville, N.Y.
9G Bill Shantel Canastota, N.Y.
9T Ken Titus Kirkwood, N.Y.
16 Alan Barker North Norwich, N.Y.
16X Danny Creeden Middletown, N.Y.
18 Danny Varin Sharon Springs, N.Y.
21 Shaun Walker Masonville, N.Y.
21K Kyle Weiss Hamburg, Pa.
27S Steve Way Vernon Center, N.Y.
31 Steve Kotary Rome, N.Y.
32V Jeremy Vunk Edmeston, N.Y.
33 Tom Perrego Newburgh, N.Y.
33X Matt Janczuk Sherrill, N.Y.
33Z Justin House Gloversville, N.Y.
39 Paul Carey Cassville, N.Y.
42L Mike Lartz Nicholson, Pa.
44X Shane Jablonka Poughquag, N.Y.
51 David Towns Rotterdam, N.Y.
52 Tim Nye Oneida, N.Y.
72 Bill Price Cassville, N.Y.
78A Brad Alger Oneonta, N.Y.
79 Michael Storms Wantage, N.J.
80X Mike Button Chittenango, N.Y.
84Y Jamie Yankowski Throop, Pa.
87 Shawn Donath South Onondaga, N.Y.
91 Billy Tanner IV Newtown, Pa.
244 Jeff Leslie Fly Creek, N.Y.
280 Justin Holland White Lake, N.Y.
318 John DeForest Norwich, N.Y.


Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour
Official Finish: South Region Race No. 2/Penn-Can Speedway (5-29-06)

Car # Driver/Hometown Start
1 14 Willie Osmun/Bloomsbury, N.J. (10)
2 16X Danny Creeden/Middletown, N.Y. (2)
3 21 Shaun Walker/Masonville, N.Y. (4)
4 9D Bill Deckelman/Fremont Center, N.Y. (14)
5 17D Mike Loney/Taylor, Pa. (3)
6 14K Alex Konopka/Gouldsboro, Pa. (1)
7 59 Ladd Yeomans/Swan Lake, N.Y. (5)
8 21K Kyle Weiss/Hamburg, Pa. (16)
9 91 Billy Tanner IV/Newtown, Pa. (11)
10 611 Brad Grim/Coplay, Pa. (20)
11 42L Mike Lartz/Nicholson, Pa. (12)
12 280 Justin Holland/White Lake, N.Y. (9)
13 19B Brad Brightbill/Sinking Spring, Pa. (6)
14 72 Nick Petrilak/Greenfield Township, Pa. (23)
15 3 Erik Holmgren/Middletown, N.Y. (21)
16 3J Howard Jarvis/Accord, N.Y. (28)
17 77 Jeff Crambo/Throop, Pa. (26)
18 151 Joey Colsten/Binghamton, N.Y. (7)
19 78 Grant Hilfiger/Mountainhome, Pa. (27)
20 10S John Salvatore/Martinsville, N.J. (15)
21 71D Frank Doty/Middletown, N.Y. (13)
22 4V Pat Votra/Marathon, N.Y. (24)
23 9T Ken Titus/Kirkwood, N.Y. (22)
24 71 Russ Zimmerman/Tunkhannock, Pa. (17)
25 74 Jeremy Holt/Kirkwood, N.Y. (19)
26 15 Jason Hamilton/Erwinna, Pa. (25)
27 33Y Jamie Yankowski/Throop, Pa. (29)
28 13 David Bush/Accord, N.Y. (18)
29 44 John McClelland/Martinsville, N.J. (8)

Entries: 39
Lap leaders: Konopka (1-25), Osmun (26-40)
Heat winners: Walker, McClelland, Brightbill, Osmun, Holland
Consi winners: Holmgren, Titus
Sherwood Racing Wheels Hard Charger: Howard Jarvis (28th to 16th)

Did Not Qualify:
27 Andy Stout/Thornhurst, Pa.
7C Chris Wood/Kirkwood, N.Y.
54 Paul Rooney/Thompson, Pa.
57 Ricky Rutt/Phillipsburg, N.J.
M7 Mike Nagel Jr./Susquehanna, Pa.
11 Dan Pompey/Glenwood, N.Y.
1/64th Andy Miller/Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
39 Matt Hayes/Susquehanna, Pa.
91 Eric Griffin/South Gibson, N.Y.
19H Joel Hilfiger/Mountainhome, Pa.


Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour
Official Finish: North Region Race No. 1/Utica-Rome Speedway (5-28-06)


Car # Driver/Hometown Start
1 27S Steve Way/Vernon Center, N.Y. (4)
2 80X Mike Button/Chittenango, N.Y. (8)
3 09 Kyle Lewis/Pennellville, N.Y. (9)
4 52 Tim Nye/Oneida, N.Y. (22)
5 1Z Jessica Zemken/Sprakers, N.Y. (15)
6 32V Jeremy Vunk/Edmeston, N.Y. (5)
7 9G Billy Shantel/Canastota, N.Y. (12)
8 16X Danny Creeden/Middletown, N.Y. (16)
9 21 Shaun Walker/Masonville, N.Y. (2)
10 91 Billy Tanner IV/Newtown, Pa. (26)
11 18 Danny Varin/Sharon Springs, N.Y. (27)
12 31 Steve Kotary/Rome, N.Y. (14)
13 9T Ken Titus/Kirkwood, N.Y. (21)
14 44X Shane Jablonka/Poughquag, N.Y. (7)
15 8M Tim Mayne/New Berlin, N.Y. (20)
16 21K Kyle Weiss/Hamburg, Pa. (18)
17 244 Jeff Leslie/Fly Creek, N.Y. (23)
18 78A Brad Alger/Oneonta, N.Y. (11)
19 33X Matt Janczuk/Sherrill, N.Y. (1)
20 3 Erik Holmgren/Middletown, N.Y. (17)
21 280 Justin Holland/White Lake, N.Y. (28)
22 1X Casey Williams/Utica, N.Y. (6)
23 16 Alan Barker/North Norwich, N.Y. (3)
24 87 Shawn Donath/South Onondaga, N.Y. (24)
25 39 Paul Carey/Cassville, N.Y. (10)
26 42L Mike Lartz/Nicholson, Pa. (13)
27 1/64th Andy Miller/Schuylkill Haven, Pa. (25)
28 51 David Towns/Rotterdam, N.Y. (19)

Entries: 35
Lap leaders: Janczuk (1-15), Way (16), Janczuk (17-18), Way (19-40)
Heat winners: Button, Shantel, Carey, Janczuk
Consi winners: Titus, Nye
Sherwood Racing Wheels Hard Charger: Tim Nye (22nd to 4th)

Did Not Qualify:
318 John DeForest/Norwich, N.Y.
84Y Jamie Yankowski/Throop, Pa.
04 Michael Teachout/Bridgeport, N.Y.
33 Tom Perrego/Newburgh, N.Y.
33Z Justin House/Gloversville, N.Y.
79 Michael Storms/Wantage, N.J.
72 Bill Price/Cassville, N.Y.


Willie Osmun Becomes First RoC Dirt Sportsman Repeat Winner
By BRETT DEYO

SUSQUEHANNA, PA – Willie Osmun made Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour history Monday afternoon at Penn-Can Speedway.

Capping off a two-win weekend, Osmun topped the RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour 40-lap main on a sun-drenched Memorial Day at the three-eighths-mile oval. The Garden State driver earned $1,000 for the victory in the second event of the Tour’s South Region. In the process, he became the first-ever repeat winner in the RoC Dirt Tour's existence.

“This car likes slick tracks for sure,” said Osmun, who won the South Region opener on Sun., April 9 at N.Y.’s Five Mile Point Speedway and was victorious at New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway on Saturday night. “It was a fun race; of course, they’re all fun when you have a good car.”

The 38-year-old started 10th in his Morgantini-powered No. 14 Troyer Max-Flex. The Bloomsbury, N.J., native found a home running the inner hub, while polesitter Alex Konopka held the early lead.

“Everyone was sliding up a little bit,” Osmun said of his ascent through the pack.

When the caution flew with 21 laps complete, Osmun sat third, behind Konopka and Danny Creeden, who battled for the lead.

Creeden darted to the inside of Konopka entering turn three on lap 22. The cars made slight contact and slid up the track, allowing Osmun to work by Creeden for the bridesmaid position.

Two laps later, Konopka opened the bottom groove in turns one and two. Osmun shot low and took the number one spot away.

“Danny (Creeden) overdrove the corner (turn three, lap 22) and opened the door for me,” Osmun reported. “Once I got the nose under the 14 (Konopka), he was done.”

Osmun motored away from Creeden, who was left to battle with an emerging Shaun Walker in the final laps.

Creeden, 23, of Middletown, N.Y., held on for a second-place payday in his Precision-powered Teo-Pro car No. 16X. He also finished second to Osmun at Five Mile Point.

“He is awesome,” Creeden said of Osmun. “I’m 90-percent smooth; he’s 150-percent smooth."

Creeden said he hit some accumulated moisture on the inside of the track when he and Konopka slid wide on lap 22.

“He (Konopka) hit the water; I hit the water and left the door wide open.”

Fresh off a Saturday-night win at Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Speedway, Walker placed third in his Clark-powered No. 21 Bicknell. Bill Deckelman of Fremont Center, N.Y., came from 14th to finish fourth and Mike Loney of Taylor, Pa., rounded out the top five. Konopka fell to sixth.

Heat winners for the 39 Sportsman in attendance were Walker, John McClelland, Brad Brightbill, Osmun and Justin Holland. Erik Holmgren and Ken Titus split the consolations.

The Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour's South Region will visit the renovated Big Diamond Raceway in Minersville, Pa., on Tues., June 6. For more information, contact the RoC Dirt office by phone at: (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.rocdirt.com.

RoC DIRT NOTES: It was Osmun's first trip to Penn-Can. He relied totally on Troyer's Billy Colton for a set-up, which worked to perfection....

The Sherwood Racing Wheels Hard Charger Award went to Howard Jarvis of Accord, N.Y., who started 28th and finished 16th in his PMC No. 3J. Jarvis worked the high line to move forward in the early laps….

In a bizarre incident prior to the start of the night’s first consolation, defending RoC Dirt Sportsman champion Jason Hamilton made contact with the turn-four wall. Hamilton, who was added to the field as a top-five driver in the South Region point standings, bent the front axle, demolished a right-front wheel and broke a tie-rod….

Alex Konopka admitted the cause of his drop from the lead (he paced laps 1-25) to sixth wasn’t a mechanical issue.

“Concentration,” Gouldsboro, Pa.’s Konopka said. “Once the first guy (Osmun) got by me, I started driving too hard.”….

The RoC Dirt Sportsman field was sent pitside on lap one for track preparation. The entire speedway was re-groomed for a complete restart, with better visibility resulting for the competitors and fans.

An 85-degree, sunny day took its toll on the surface….

Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour South Region Race No. 2 Feature Finish: WILLIE OSMUN, Danny Creeden. Shaun Walker, Bill Deckelman, Mike Loney, Alex Konopka, Ladd Yeomans, Kyle Weiss, Billy Tanner IV, Brad Grim, Mike Lartz, Justin Holland, Brad Brightbill, Nick Petrilak, Erik Holmgren, Howard Jarvis, Jeff Crambo, Joey Colsten, Grant Hilfiger, John Salvatore, Frank Doty, Pat Votra, Ken Titus, Russ Zimmerman, Jeremy Holt, Jason Hamilton, Jamie Yankowski, David Bush, John McClelland.
Did Not Qualify: Andy Stout, Chris Wood, Paul Rooney, Ricky Rutt, Mike Nagel Jr., Dan Pompey, Andy Miller, Matt Hayes, Eric Griffin, Joel Hilfiger.


Way Fends Off Button For U-R RoC Sportsman Triumph
By BRETT DEYO

VERNON, NY – Steve Way held his ground.

Fending off a determined late-race bid from experienced veteran Mike Button, Way scored the victory in Sunday night’s Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour North Region lid-lifter at Utica-Rome Speedway. Way collected $1,000 for the triumph in the 40-lap event.

"I don’t know if Mike (Button) was faster," said Vernon Center, N.Y.’s Way, a regular at the spacious Route 5 half-mile oval. "But we held on."

Way started fourth in his No. 27S as Matt Janczuk burst into the early lead from the pole. Taking advantage of caution flags that bunched the field in the opening laps, Way moved swiftly forward. He took second from Shaun Walker on the 10th lap and set his sights on Janczuk.

When the caution lights flickered on with 15 laps complete, Way got the opportunity he needed.

He inched into the top spot on the 16th lap up high, but Janczuk didn’t simply hand over the position. He battled back to lead laps 17 and 18 on the inside before Way’s momentum carried him to the front for good on the 19th go-round.

Working from eighth position in his No. 80X Bicknell, Mike Button took third on lap 28. Janczuk slowed on lap 33 with a left-rear flat tire to bring out the caution. That moved Button into second.

Running the track’s inner hub, Chittenango, N.Y.’s Button immediately went to work on the high-lining Way. A lap-36 caution gave Button one final opportunity. At the stripe for lap 38, the leaders were dead even.

However, Way didn’t falter. He roared back around the outside to hold on for his first career RoC Dirt Sportsmam win. In the process he became the 11th winner in the Tour’s history.

"I saw Mike down there and I didn’t know if the top was going away or the bottom was coming in," Way said. "I just held my line.

"It always seems to be when I’m in the lead, we have a bunch of cautions."

Button was pleased with his runner-up effort.

"It was close," he said. "We would’ve had to do some rubbing to get by him. I knew that last caution (on lap 36) was going to be my last chance."

Kyle Lewis of Pennellville, N.Y., placed third in the No. 09 using new Integra Shocks. Lewis came from ninth starting position. Tim Nye of Oneida, N.Y., raced from 22nd to finish fourth, picking up the Sherwood Racing Wheels Hard Charger Award and 15th-starter Jessica Zemken placed fifth.

Heat winners for the 35 Sportsman in attendance were Button, Billy Shantel, Paul Carey and Matt Janczuk. Ken Titus and Tim Nye split the consolations.

The Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour's North Region heads to Five Mile Point Speedway in Kirkwood, N.Y., on Wed., July 12 for the 56th Anniversary Special. For further info, contact the RoC Dirt office by phone at: (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.rocdirt.com.

RoC DIRT NOTES: Shaun Walker held second position for the event’s first nine laps before the right-rear tire on his Clark-powered No. 21 Bicknell went away. Walker, fresh off a Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Speedway victory on Saturday night, faded to ninth at the checkered….

Jamie Yankowski endured a wild crash in the first Sportsman heat, as he tangled with Erik Holmgren and impacted two of the infield light poles entering turn three. Yankowski was uninjured and returned to run the consolation….

RoC Dirt regular Danny Creeden rebounded nicely from a lap-four incident to place eighth….

Young gun Michael Storms and veteran Tom Perrego both suffered engine problems and were notables on the DNQ list….

Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour North Region Race No. 1 Feature Finish: STEVE WAY, Mike Button, Kyle Lewis, Tim Nye, Jessica Zemken, Jeremy Vunk, Billy Shantel, Danny Creeden, Shaun Walker, Billy Tanner IV, Danny Varin, Steve Kotary, Ken Titus, Shane Jablonka, Tim Mayne, Kyle Weiss, Jeff Leslie, Brad Alger, Matt Janczuk, Erik Holmgren, Justin Holland, Casey Williams, Alan Barker, Shawn Donath, Paul Carey, Mike Lartz, Andy Miller, David Towns.
Did Not Qualify: John DeForest, Jamie Yankowski, Michael Teachout, Tom Perrego, Justin House, Michael Storms, Bill Price.


Guaranteed Starters' Race Lineup For Penn-Can (May 29)
10-laps, 2 cars qualify (MUST HAVE 8 CARS PRESENT TO HOLD EVENT)

6N Drew Ricco
4 Clay Butler
71 Mike Mammana
57 Ricky Rutt
280 Justin Holland
7C Chris Wood
51Z Ryan Olsommer
33Y Danny Yankowski
414 Eric Stephens
8 Ted DeGroat
117 Alex Tonkin
R14 Rick Raisner
11J Jim Toy
47G Chris Grbac
4SL Bobby Hentschel
31 Jim Kleedorfer
28 Mike Trautschold
8F Brad Force


Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour North Region Race No. 1/Utica-Rome Speedway - Vernon, NY - Sunday, May 28

RACE INFORMATION

Location: Route 5 in Vernon, NY between Exits 32 and 33 off the New York State Thruway
Speedway Phone: (315) 829-4557 or (315) 725-5709
Speedway Website: www.uticaromespeedway.com
Pit Fees: $25
Pit Gates Open: 2:30 p.m.
Grandstand Prices: $18 Adults - $16 Students & Seniors - 9 & under free!
Grandstand Gates Open: 2:30 p.m.
Race Time: 5:00 p.m.
Entry Info: Pre-race entry (received prior to May 24th): $10; Entry after above date: $15
Qualifying Heats: 8 laps
Sportsman Feature: 40 laps
Tire Information: Tire Options - American Racer Front Tires and Left-Rear: 33 compound (may use harder compound providing it is a compound run at a participating speedway); Right-Rear compound options of 38, 44, 48 or 50.
General Race Rules: The standard for motor, chassis, body and safety rules are based on '04 DIRT rules. No mixing and matching of rules.
Weight Info: Utica-Rome/'04 DIRT legal: 2,450 lbs.; GM Crate ('06 DIRT): 2,350 lbs.; All other combinations: 2,550 lbs.
Other Divisions Running: Empire Super Sprints, CNYMS, 358 Modifieds, Pro Stocks and Pure Stocks.

For more information please contact the Race of Champions office at: (607) 775-5555 or log on to www.rocdirt.com.


Memorial Day Weekend Big For Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Teams
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - Memorial Day Weekend will play a vital role in setting the tone for the 2006 Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour.

RoC Dirt Sportsman racers will have two opportunities to earn points during the weekend, with events planned for the North and South Regions sweeping two states.

On Sun., May 28, the fast half-mile Utica-Rome Speedway in Vernon, N.Y., will host the lid-lifter for the RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour's North Region, while Penn-Can Speedway in Susquehanna, Pa., will be center stage for the second event of the South Region on Mon., May 29.

Both events will be 40-laps, paying $1,000 to the winner.

"We got off to a good start at Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Speedway on April 9," said RoC Dirt administrative director Andrew Harpell, referring to the solid 47-car turnout for the Sunday afternoon show.

"While we didn't want to see Penn-Can's April 23rd date rained out, it does set up an exciting weekend for the Sportsman."

Several RoC Dirt Sportsman stars including defending champion Jason Hamilton, Kyle Weiss, Shaun Walker, Jeff Geiges and Danny Creeden are expected to attempt the double-dip, while a compliment of regional racers should lead to jam-packed pit areas at both venues.

Of course, the local favorites will be on hand to contend at Utica-Rome, including Casey Williams, Alan Barker, Jessica Zemken, Kyle Lewis, Mike Button and many more. Paul Carey won last year's RoC Dirt Sportsman stop at U-R on Sept. 11.

At Penn-Can, the RoC Dirt racers will have to contend with Mike Loney, Grant Hilfiger, Mike Lartz and Jeff Crambo, among others. 2005 Penn-Can RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour winners were Brian Decker (May 30) and Kyle Weiss (Sept. 16).

Willie Osmun of Bloomsbury, N.J., won the '06 South Region opener at FMP. The New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway regular has indicated that he will follow the entire South Region. Creeden, Hamilton, Alex Konopka and Brad Brightbill rounded out the top five.

Joining the RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour at U-R on Sun., May 28 for the Memorial Day Weekend Special presented by Gates-Cole Insurance will be ESS Sprints, Central New York Mini-Sprints, 358-Modifieds, Pro Stocks and Pure Stocks. Pit gates open at 2:30 p.m., with racing at 5 p.m. Grandstand admission is $18, with pit admission set at $25.

Utica-Rome Speedway is located on Route 5 in Vernon, N.Y. For more information, contact the track office at: (315) 829-4557 or (315) 725-5709 or visit the website: www.uticaromespeedway.com.

The RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour will take part in Penn-Can's "Spring 125" with the BRC Lazer Late Model Series, Trackside Products Pro/Super Stock Series and Pure Stocks. Gates open at noon with racing at 2 p.m. Grandstand admission is $12 (Adults); $10 (Youth - Ages 13-17); $10 (Seniors - Ages 62 and over); and $3 (Kids - 12 and younger). Pit admission is $25.

Penn-Can Speedway is located conveniently off I-81 Exit 230 (Great Bend) or Route 17 Exit 79 (Windsor, N.Y.) on Route 171 in Susquehanna, Pa. For further information, contact the track office at: (570) 585-9928. The race day phone is: (570) 853-3434. Penn-Can Speedway is on the web at: www.penncan.com.

To find out more on the Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour, contact the office at: (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.rocdirt.com.


aaa

RoC Dirt Points - Modified - NORTH After Utica-Rome (5-14-06)

 

 

 

 

     FONDA  4/8/06

 

 

UTICA ROME 5/14/06

 

 

Driver

Total

Feature

Heat Pts

DNQ Pts

Feature

Heat Pts

DNQ Pts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Johnson, Alan  14J

104

44

 

 

60

 

 

Fuller, Tim  19

103

48

 

 

50

5

 

Gibbs, Mitch  22G

98

60

 

 

38

 

 

Ward, Pat 42P

97

55

 

 

42

 

 

Higbie, Jerry  97

77

32

5

 

40

 

 

Johnson, Danny 27J

74

46

 

 

28

 

 

Hearn, Brett 20H

69

20

5

 

44

 

 

Varin, Bobby  1J

68

15

5

 

48

 

 

DeLorenzo, Matt  3D

65

50

 

 

15

 

 

Burley, Todd  62

62

26

 

 

36

 

 

Flach, Jr., Mark  77F

62

40

5

 

17

 

 

Davis, James  73D

60

28

 

 

32

 

 

Decker, Billy  91

60

 

 

 

55

5

 

Romano, AJ  16

56

38

 

 

18

 

 

Friesen, Stewart  10

51

 

 

 

46

5

 

Kinney, Paul  19K

44

24

 

 

20

 

 

Odasz, Ryan  88

42

42

 

 

 

 

 

Bartlett, Ryan  93

38

23

 

 

15

 

 

Trombley, Jeff  21J

36

36

 

 

 

 

 

Ramsey, John  25R

35

 

 

 

30

5

 

Fusco, Michael  33F

34

34

 

 

 

 

 

Weaver, Brian  9R

34

 

 

 

34

 

 

Sears Jr., Tom  8J

31

16

 

 

15

 

 

Christian, Jamie  61

30

 

 

6

24

 

 

Decker, Willy  1X

30

15

 

 

15

 

 

Pepicelli, Tony  11A

30

30

 

 

 

 

 

Henry Jr, Bob  B2

27

 

 

8

19

 

 

Phelps, Chad  X

26

 

 

 

26

 

 

Schmidt, Gus  30

25

 

 

9

16

 

 

Lamb, Ted  17

23

 

 

 

23

 

 

Nelson, Erik  85

22

22

 

 

 

 

 

Orr, David  5

22

 

 

 

22

 

 

Hanson, Craig  20C

21

16

5

 

 

 

 

Lape, Dave  22

21

21

 

 

 

 

 

Bachetti, Andy  H24

21

 

 

 

21

 

 

King, Robert 1K

20

15

5

 

 

 

 

Johnson, Ronnie  2

19

19

 

 

 

 

 

Reckner, Elmo  17

18

18

 

 

 

 

 

Johnson, Jack  12A

17

17

 

 

 

 

 

Isabel, Jeff  7J

16

 

 

9

 

 

7

Camara, Dave  26

15

15

 

 

 

 

 

Mattison, Don  45H

15

 

 

5

 

 

10

Shantel Jr., Bill  99

15

 

 

 

15

 

 

Bates, Kevin  42B

15

 

 

 

15

 

 

Knoblock, Terry 109

11

 

 

5

 

 

6

Coffey, Vic  32C

10

 

 

10

 

 

 

Collins, Ancel  114

10

 

 

10

 

 

 

Sheppard, Matt  44

10

 

 

10

 

 

 

Planck, Dale  5J

10

 

 

 

 

 

10

Vedder, Robert  53

9

 

 

9

 

 

 

Kotary, Jeff  9

9

 

 

 

 

 

9

Murphy, Brian  42

9

 

 

 

 

 

9

Akers, Steve  27A

8

 

 

8

 

 

 

Meier, Tommy  33 1/3

8

 

 

8

 

 

 

Delaney, Dustin  39D

8

 

 

 

 

 

8

Taylor, Pete  6T

8

 

 

 

 

 

8

Crawn, Jim  J30

7

 

 

7

 

 

 

Purdy, Dustin  82

7

 

 

7

 

 

 

Wilcox, Brent  J30W

7

 

 

7

 

 

 

Roberts, Steve  63

7

 

 

 

 

 

7

Chandler, Chic  27M

6

 

 

6

 

 

 

Palmer, Alton  76

6

 

 

6

 

 

 

McGuire, Ken  6M

6

 

 

 

 

 

6

Bennett, Cass  72

5

 

 

5

 

 

 

Billington, Floyd  43

5

 

 

5

 

 

 

Gurney, Kory  69K

5

 

 

5

 

 

 

Hough, Steve  34

5

 

 

5

 

 

 

Pennock, Jerry  11

5

 

 

5

 

 

 

Pieneazek, Josh  44

5

 

 

5

 

 

 

Savoie, Kris  5

5

 

 

5

 

 

 

Towns, David  6

5

 

 

5

 

 

 

Zemken, Ray  1

5

 

 

5

 

 

 

Isabel, Joe  6J

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Race of Champions Dirt Mod Tour North Region Roster
Updated After Utica-Rome (5-14-06)    
     
Car Number Driver   Hometown
     
X Chad Phelps   Mexico, N.Y.
1J Bobby Varin   Sharon Springs, N.Y.
1K Robert King   Granville, N.Y.
1X Willy Decker   Vernon, N.Y.
1Z Ray Zemken   Sprakers, N.Y.
2 Ronnie Johnson   Duanesburg, N.Y.
B2 Bob Henry Jr.   Clay, N.Y.
3 Jeff Kotary   Rome, N.Y.
3D Matt DeLorenzo   Voorheesville, N.Y.
5 Kris Savoie   Fultonville, N.Y.
5 David Orr   Oneida, N.Y.
5J Dale Planck   Homer, N.Y.
6 David Towns   Rotterdam, N.Y.
6J Joe Isabel   Pennellville, N.Y.
6M Ken McGuire   Troy, N.Y.
6T Pete Taylor   Marcellis, N.Y.
7J Jeff Isabel   Pennellville, N.Y.
8J Tom Sears Jr.   Clay, N.Y.
9R Brian Weaver   Windsor, N.Y.
10 Stewart Friesen   Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.
11A Tony Pepicelli   Princetown, N.Y.
11J Jerry Pennock Jr.   Warrensburg, N.Y.
12A Jack Johnson   Duanesburg, N.Y.
14J Alan Johnson   Phelps, N.Y.
15 A.J. Romano   Johnstown, N.Y.
16 A.J. Romano   Johnstown, N.Y.
17 Ted Lamb   Clay, N.Y.
19 Tim Fuller   Edwards, N.Y.
19K Paul Kinney   Oneida, N.Y.
20 Craig Hanson   Tribes Hill, N.Y.
20 Brett Hearn   Sussex, N.J.
21J Jeff Trombley   Altamont, N.Y.
22 Dave Lape   Canajoharie, N.Y.
22G Mitch Gibbs   North Norwich, N.Y.
H24 Andy Bachetti   Sheffield, Mass.
25R John Ramsey   Rome, N.Y.
26 Dave Camara   Fair Haven, Vt.
27A Steve Akers   Altamont, N.Y.
27J Danny Johnson   Phelps, N.Y.
27M Chic Chandler   Charlton, Mass.
30 Gus Schmidt   Liverpool, N.Y.
J30 Jim Crawn   LeRaysville, Pa.
J30W Brent Wilcox   Whitney Point, N.Y.
32C Vic Coffey   Leicester, N.Y.
33F Mike Fusco   Amsterdam, N.Y.
33 1/3 Tommy Meier   Waldwick, N.J.
34 Steve Hough   East Greenbush, N.Y.
39D Dustin Delaney   Mayfield, N.Y.
42 Brian Murphy   Cicero, N.Y.
42B Kevin Bates   Lake Ariel, Pa.
42P Pat Ward   Genoa, N.Y.
43 Floyd Billington   Glens Falls, N.Y.
44 Josh Pieniazek   Rotterdam, N.Y.
44S Matt Sheppard   Waterloo, N.Y.
45H Don Mattison   Wells, Vt.
53 Bobby Vedder   Schoharie, N.Y.
61 Jamie Christian   West Winfield, N.Y.
62 Todd Burley   Spencerport, N.Y.
63 Steve Roberts   Watertown, N.Y.
69K Kory Gurney   Fort Johnson, N.Y.
71 Elmo Reckner   Ballston Lake, N.Y.
72S Cass Bennett   Mechanicville, N.Y.
73 Jimmy Davis   Ballston Spa, N.Y.
76 Alton Palmer   Howes Cave, N.Y.
77F Mark Flach Jr.   Coxsackie, N.Y.
82 Dustin Purdy   Delhi, N.Y.
85 Erik Nelson   Amsterdam, N.Y.
88 Ryan Odasz   Ballston Spa, N.Y.
91 Billy Decker   Unadilla, N.Y.
93 Ryan Bartlett   Adams, N.Y.
93D Jim Davis   Ballston Spa, N.Y.
97 Jerry Higbie Jr.   Slate Hill, N.Y.
99 Bill Shantel Jr.   Chittenango, N.Y.
109 Terry Knoblock   Warners, N.Y.
114 Ancel Collins   Sprakers, N.Y.

 


Alan Johnson Pleases Car Owner With U-R RoC Win; Special Event Commemorates Alex Friesen's Life
By BRETT DEYO

VERNON, NY - Jeff Rudalavage had two reasons to thank Alan Johnson following Sunday night's Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour event at Utica-Rome Speedway.

Not only did Johnson win the 68-lap "Remembering Alex" headliner and collect a $4,000 payday for his Pennsylvania-based car owner; he's the one that talked the team into racing at U-R in the first place.

"Nobody wanted to come here today," Johnson, 48, laughed following his first-career RoC Dirt victory. His previous best finish - a second - came in the inaugural event at Fonda (N.Y.) Speedway on April 9, 2005. The breakthrough triumph occurred in the RoC Dirt Tour North Region's second '06 race.

"They didn't want to buy the couple sets of (American Racer) tires, but I talked them into it. You could say I twisted their arms a little bit."

Debuting a freshly-minted Morrison big-block-powered Bicknell four-coil No. 14J (the car wasn't even lettered in time for the event - it was all white with duct tape numbers), Johnson bested Billy Decker to score the victory in a race that celebrated the life of the late promoter and racer Alex Friesen and marked the return of sail panels to the half-mile oval for the first time since 1998.

Johnson started the main seventh and demonstrated his trademark patience as defending RoC Dirt Mod Tour co-champion and North Region title winner Bobby Varin took the early lead from the outside pole.

Varin, wheeling Jake and Nancy Spraker's JPM-powered No. 1J Bicknell, led through lap 14. A fast-closing Billy Decker, meanwhile, emerged in second on the fifth circuit and pulled even with Varin on three occasions before slipping into the lead on lap 15.

Fanning out three-wide, Varin (high), Decker (middle) and Johnson (low) fought tenaciously for the lead. Johnson worked by Varin on lap 16 for second and nosed into the top spot for the first time on the 17th go-round.

Johnson ultimately cleared Decker exiting turn two on lap 19, but a spin by his sibling, Danny Johnson, brought out the caution on lap 22.

Using the high line on the double-file restart, Decker regained the lead in John Wight's Bicknell No. 91.

The Unadilla, N.Y., native couldn't fend off the advances of the methodical Johnson for long.

When Decker chose the inside on a lap-28 restart, Johnson built momentum on the topside to take a lead he wouldn't relinquish.

"We don't have a lot of laps here," Johnson said. "We had to guess on the set-up a little bit.

"The sail panels make the car tight. The front-end wants to wash out in the turns, so we had to compensate for that. Plus, this was our first time out with this car.

"The guys just got it done a few days ago."

As Johnson paced the event, Tim Fuller moved up to contend good buddy Billy Decker for the number two spot.

Fuller edged into second on lap 37, but one circuit later had to check up for two slower cars, allowing Decker to work by and reclaim the position.

As time wound down, Decker was the man to watch.

With the leader mired in traffic, Decker erased the margin quickly, pulling up to Johnson's back bumper in the final five laps.

But Johnson wasn't rattled, scoring the victory by a car-length.

"I felt like I was slowing a little bit," Johnson said. "I didn't know if anyone was there or not."

Decker, 41, believed his only shot to get by Johnson was a miscue in traffic.

"I think it was the traffic that let me close," Decker said. "Those guys were a little dicy, holding him up.

"I don't have a lot of experience with these tires. We were too loose, but hindsight is 20/20. Coming in here today, it was 'Greek' to me."

The 38-year-old Fuller, of Edwards, N.Y., placed third in his nativepoker.com Teo-Pro car, equipped with an Enders big-block engine.

"Third is third," Fuller surmised. "Alan was real good, but this was his kind of track. Billy and I were about the same. We needed to tighten it up a little more.

"This was the first time I've ever raced with sail panels," Fuller added. "You had to have them. They made a big difference."

Sharon Springs, N.Y.'s Varin placed fourth and Niagara-on-the-Lake Ont., native Stewart Friesen was fifth in Dave Thompson's No. 10 Kevlar-powered Troyer.

Heat winners for the 41 Modifieds in attendance were Friesen, Decker, John Ramsey and Fuller. Kinney and Ward split the consolations.

The Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour North Region rolls into Bruce Richards's Albany-Saratoga (N.Y.) Speedway on Tues., June 27. The South Region lid-lifter is slated for Tues., June 6 at Pa.'s Big Diamond Raceway.

Visit www.rocdirt.com or call the office at: (607) 775-5555 for further information.

RoC DIRT NOTES: Positive comments flowed from the pit area with regards to the smooth and wide Utica-Rome surface.
"This is what racing is supposed to be like," noted Tim Fuller. "There were four good lanes to race on out there. I am so impressed with what's been done here."
Brett Hearn echoed that statement.
"This is an awesome racetrack," he said. "It's changed so much - for the better."....
Former Utica-Rome announcer Shane Andrews delivered a moving tribute to Alex Friesen following the Canadian and American National Anthems, while the Modified field sat assembled on the frontstretch.
Stewart Friesen, Alex's nephew, delivered the "Gentleman, start your engines" command from the cockpit of his pole-starting No. 10.
"I was wiping the tears from my eyes," Friesen admitted following the main....
U-R general manager Dick Sweet waved the initial green on the 68-lapper....
Todd Burley was the first 358-Modified across the line, picking up the $500 small-block bonus and bringing his earnings to $1,000 for a 10th-place finish. The Spencerport, N.Y., driver was also the first car across the stripe running the conventional DIRT-legal windows, sans sail panels.
Why didn't Burley run the panels? "Just lazy," he cracked....
Pat Ward won the night's third heat in dominant fashion but parked his primary No. 42P when the engine spewed out all its water due to an apparent head gasket issue. He withdrew that car and rolled out the back-up.
While Ward insisted that both John Wight-owned cars are "good," the low-rack Bicknell is better on slick tracks.
Nevertheless, the Genoa, N.Y., native throttled from 22nd to finish seventh after winning the second consolation....
Johnson's car owner, Jeff Rudalavage, has a long history in sail panel events. The Olyphant, Pa., resident began his career as a driver at Pa.'s Moc-A-Tek Speedway and later raced in the New York Southern Tier/Northeastern Pennsylvania area, where the high sides are commonplace....
The Modified portion of the Mother's Day program was complete prior to 9 p.m., with the Pro Stocks and Pure Stocks following....
Alan Johnson became the eighth different Modified winner in RoC Dirt's two-year history....
Rain hovered within 20 miles of the speedway all day, prompting a barrage of phone calls to the speedway office. However, it never rained at the track until a few sprinkles fell during the night's final feature....
Two of the top-five finishers from Fonda on Sat., April 8 - Matt DeLorenzo (third) and Danny Johnson (fifth) - needed provisional starts for Sunday's feature....

"Remembering Alex" RoC Dirt Modified Tour Feature North Region Race No. 2 Feature Finish: ALAN JOHNSON, Billy Decker, Tim Fuller, Bobby Varin, Stewart Friesen, Brett Hearn, Pat Ward, Jerry Higbie Jr., Mitch Gibbs, Todd Burley, Brian Weaver, Jimmy Davis, John Ramsey, Danny Johnson, Chad Phelps, Jamie Christian, Ted Lamb, David Orr, Andy Bachetti, Paul Kinney, Bob Henry, A.J. Romano, Mark Flach Jr., Gus Schmidt, Bill Shantel Jr., Kevin Bates, Willy Decker, Tom Sears Jr., Matt DeLorenzo, Ryan Bartlett.
Did Not Qualify: Don Mattison, Bryan Murphy, Dale Planck, Pete Taylor, Jeff Kotary, Jeff Isabel, Dustin Delaney, Terry Knoblock, Steve Roberts, Joe Isabel, Ken McGuire.


Guaranteed Starters' Race Starting Lineup For Utica-Rome Speedway:
RoC Dirt Mod Tour North Region Race No. 2/May 14, 2006


10-laps, 2 cars qualify (MUST HAVE 8 CARS PRESENT TO HOLD EVENT)
32C Vic Coffey
44S Matt Sheppard
30 Gus Schmidt
53 Bobby Vedder
114 Ancel Collins
B2 Bob Henry Jr.
27A Steve Akers
7J Jeff Isabel
82 Dustin Purdy
J30 Jim Crawn
61 Jamie Christian
27M Chic Chandler
33 1/3 Tommy Meier
11J Jerry Pennock Jr.
J30W Brent Wilcox
45H Don Mattison
76 Alton Palmer
44 Josh Pieniazek
72S Cass Bennett
5 Kris Savoie
43 Floyd Billington
1Z Ray Zemken
34 Steve Hough
6 David Towns
69K Kory Gurney


*PLEASE NOTE: THE MINIMUM RIGHT-REAR TIRE COMPOUND IS 38. THANK YOU!

Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour Region Race No. 2/Utica-Rome Speedway - Vernon, NY - Sunday, May 14
RACE INFORMATION


Location: Route 5 in Vernon, NY between Exits 32 and 33 off NYS Thruway
Phone Info: Track: (315) 829-4557 or (315) 725-5709
Speedway Website: www.uticaromespeedway.com 
Pit Fees: $25
Pit Gates Open: 3:00 p.m.
Grandstand Prices: $15
Grandstand Gates: 3:00 p.m.
Race Time: 5:00 p.m. - Guaranteed Starters' event(s)
Entry Info: Pre-race entry (received prior to May 10th): $15; Entry after above date: $20
Qualifying Heats: 10-laps
Modified Feature: 68 green-flag laps.

Tire Information: Tire Options - American Racer Compounds: Right-Rear Compound: 38, 44, 48 or 50; Left-Rear and Front Compounds: 33 (may use harder compound providing it is a compound used at a participating speedway).

General Race Rules: The standard for motor, chassis and safety rules are based on '04 DIRT rules.
Body Rules: Sail panels will be permitted for this event. Rear quarter panels/sail panels can extend back to 48” maximum (measured from center of rear axle to rear of car including spoiler). Maximum height of sail panels is 65” measured from the ground to the highest point. Window/sail panels cannot extend forward beyond the back of the drivers seat and must mirror size and shape side for side.

Weight Info: Big-block Modifieds – min. 2,500 lbs no tolerance (’04 DIRT legal); Small-block Modifieds – min. 2,400 lbs. no tolerance (’04 DIRT legal); Big Diamond/Grandview 9-to-1 small blocks – min. 2,400 lbs. no tolerance; Any other small-block combination must weigh a min. 2,500 lbs. no tolerance.

NO mixing and matching of rules.

For more information please contact the Race of Champions Dirt office at: (607) 775-5555 or log on to www.rocdirt.com.


Penn-Can's "Spring 125" Postponed Until Memorial Day
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway's "Spring 125" won't be run in the season its name contains for the second consecutive year.

Dousing rains on Saturday and a continued gloom and doom weather forecast for Sun., April 23 forced Reed Miller and Al Wilcox, co-promoters of the three-eighths-mile oval, to postpone the four-division card, headlined by the Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour South Region Race No. 2.

Mirroring the 2005 season, the event will be run on its rain date: Memorial Day - Mon., May 29.

The BRC Lazer Late Model Series, Gary's U-Pull-It Pro/Super Stock Series and Pure Stocks will return on Mon., May 29 as well, joining the 40-lap, $1,000-to-win Sportsman main.

"It rained heavily all day yesterday and today's forecast doesn't look much better," Miller said on Sunday morning. "We had an excellent turnout on the rain date last year, so I expect the same this Memorial Day."

The '05 version of the "Spring 125" event pulled in 49 Sportsman entries.

With a solid field of 47 cars in the pit area for the Sun., April 9 RoC Dirt Sportsman South Region lid-lifter at Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Speedway, the Penn-Can pits should be jam-packed for the make-up.

N.J.'s Willie Osmun won the 40-lap South Region Race No. 1 at Five Mile Point over Danny Creeden, Jason Hamilton, Alex Konopka and Brad Brightbill.

For more information on the Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour, contact the office at: (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.rocdirt.com.

Penn-Can Speedway can be reached by phone at: (570) 585-9928. On the web: www.penncan.com.


Sail Panels Return To Utica-Rome For RoC Dirt Modified Tour Events
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - Sail panels are back at N.Y.'s Utica-Rome Speedway.

For two events, at least.

U-R general manager Dick Sweet announced last week that conventional body rules would be relaxed at the Vernon, N.Y., half-mile oval for the two Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour North Region events in 2006.

The change allows the big- and small-block Modifieds to sport high sides at U-R for the first time since 1998 (a glimpse back to the track's "outlaw" days).

RoC Dirt Modified Tour North Region Race No. 2 is slated for Sun., May 14 at Utica-Rome. U-R will also host the North Region point finale on Sun., Aug. 20.

The May race at Utica-Rome carries special significance for many supporters of racing in the area. The "Remembering Alex" event will run 68-laps in honor of Alex Friesen, the ambitious racer and promoter who lost his life in a Dec. 1996 snowmobile accident.

The number of laps, 68, corresponds with Friesen's former car number. The event will pay $4,000 to the winner plus a $500 small-block bonus.

"'Remembering Alex is one of the reasons I have come to the conclusion to allow sail panels," said Sweet. "Alex loved the extra 'sponsor area' that is available with the sail panels."

The specs for the sail panels are as follows: "rear quarter panels/sail panels can extend back to 48 inches maximum (measured from center of rear axle to rear of car including spoiler). Maximum height of sail panels is 65 inches, measured from the ground to the highest point. Window/sail panels cannot extend forward beyond the back of the driver's seat and must mirror size and shape side for side."

Sweet added that running sail panels is an option and isn't mandatory. For teams choosing not to run them, standard body rules will be in effect.

Utica-Rome joins Pa.'s Penn-Can Speedway as the second track on the RoC Dirt circuit to allow sail panels. Penn-Can hosts a South Region event on Tues., Aug. 1 and a combined race on Fri., Sept. 15.

Tracks currently allowing sail panels on a weekly basis are: Accord (N.Y.), Afton (N.Y.), Penn-Can, Redline (Pa.) and Thunder Mountain (N.Y.).

The Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour's North Region opened at Fonda (N.Y.) Speedway on Sat., April 8 with a strong 55-car field pitside.

Mitch Gibbs of North Norwich, N.Y., took the win in the 50-lap "Ice Jam" over Pat Ward, Matt DeLorenzo, Tim Fuller and Danny Johnson.

Last year's RoC Dirt Modified North Region champion and overall co-champion Bobby Varin topped both RoC Dirt events at U-R in 2005.

For further information on the RoC Dirt Modified Tour, contact the office at: (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.rocdirt.com.

To contact Utica-Rome Speedway, call the track office/race day phone at: (315) 829-4557 or (315) 725-5709. On the web: www.uticaromespeedway.com. Utica-Rome Speedway is located on Route 5 in Vernon, N.Y.


RoC Dirt Sportsman South Region Points (After Five Mile Point 4-9-06)

RoC Dirt Points - Sportsman - SOUTH
  FIVE MILE PT  4/9/06    
Driver Total Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts
         
Osmun, Willie  14 65 60 5  
Creeden, Danny 16X 60 55 5  
Brightbill, Brad 19 51 46 5  
Hamilton, Jason 15 50 50    
Konopka, Alex 14 48 48    
Klinger, Butch 9K 44 44    
Grim, Brad 611 42 42    
Loney, Mike 17D 41 36 5  
McClelland, John  44 40 40    
Lartz, Mike 42L 38 38    
Salvatore, John  10S 34 34    
Whitmoyer, Craig 99 32 32    
Storms, Michael  79 30 30    
Tanner IV, Billy 91 28 28    
Weiss, Kyle  21K 27 22 5  
Doty, Frank 71D 26 26    
Walker, Shaun 21 25 20 5  
Biever, Josh  46 24 24    
McGrew, Derrick 17 23 23    
Titus, Ken 9T 21 21    
Colsten, Joey 151 19 19    
Green, Rich  35M 18 18    
Votra, Pat  4V 17 17    
Kline, Jesse 59J 16 16    
Babicek, Steve  2 15 15    
Coene, Dave 12C 15 15    
Geiges, Jeff 77J 15 15    
Palmer, Eric 12E 15 15    
Yankowski, Jamie 15 15    
Butler, Clay  4 10     10
Mammana, Mike 71 10     10
Ricco, Drew  6N 10     10
Holland, Justin  280 9     9
Rutt, Ricky 57 9     9
Yankowski, Danny 9     9
Olsommer, Ryan 51Z 8     8
Tonkin, Alex  117 8     8
Wood, Chris  7C 8     8
DeGroat, Ted  8 7     7
Grbac, Chris  47G 7     7
Stephens, Eric  414 7     7
Raisner, Rick  R14 6     6
Toy, Jim  11J 6     6
Force, Brad  8F 5     5
Hentschel, Bobby  4SL 5     5
Kleedorfer, Jim  31 5     5
Trautschold, Mike  28 5     5

 


RoC Dirt Modified North Region Points (After Fonda 4-8-06)

RoC Dirt Points - Modified - NORTH
       FONDA  4/8/06    
Driver Total Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts
         
Gibbs, Mitch  22G 60 60    
Ward, Pat 42P 55 55    
DeLorenzo, Matt  3D 50 50    
Fuller, Tim  19 48 48    
Johnson, Danny 27J 46 46    
Flach, Jr, Mark  77F 45 40 5  
Johnson, Alan  14J 44 44    
Odasz, Ryan  88 42 42    
Romano, AJ  16 38 38    
Higbie, Jerry  97 37 32 5  
Trombley, Jeff  21J 36 36    
Fusco, Michael  33F 34 34    
Pepicelli, Tony  11A 30 30    
Davis, James  73D 28 28    
Burley, Todd  62 26 26    
Hearn, Brett 20H 25 20 5  
Kinney, Paul  19K 24 24    
Bartlett, Ryan  93 23 23    
Nelson, Erik  85 22 22    
Hanson, Craig  20C 21 16 5  
Lape, Dave  22 21 21    
Varin, Bobby  1J 20 15 5  
King, Robert 1K 20 15 5  
Johnson, Ronnie  2 19 19    
Reckner, Elmo  17 18 18    
Johnson, Jack  12A 17 17    
Sears Jr., Tom  8J 16 16    
Camara, Dave  26 15 15    
Decker, Willy  1X 15 15    
Coffey, Vic  32C 10     10
Sheppard, Matt  44 10     10
Collins, Ancel  114 10     10
Schmidt, Gus  30 9     9
Vedder, Robert  53 9     9
Isabel, Jeff  7J 9     9
Akers, Steve  27A 8     8
Henry Jr, Bob  B2 8     8
Meier, Tommy  33 1/3 8     8
Purdy, Dustin  82 7     7
Crawn, Jim  J30 7     7
Wilcox, Brent  J30W 7     7
Christian, Jamie  61 6     6
Palmer, Alton  76 6     6
Chandler, Chic  27M 6     6
Bennett, Cass  72 5     5
Knoblock, Terry 109 5     5
Mattison, Don  45H 5     5
Pennock, Jerry  11 5     5
Pieneazek, Josh  44 5     5
Zemken, Ray  1 5     5
Savoie, Kris  5 5     5
Billington, Floyd  43 5     5
Towns, David  6 5     5
Gurney, Kory  69K 5     5
Hough, Steve  34 5     5

 


Penn-Can Order of Events For Sun., April 23 (4-17-06)

Penn-Can Speedway "Spring 125"
Sunday April 23, 2006 - ORDER OF EVENTS
Pit Admission: $25.00
12:00 - Pit Gates Open
12:30 - Grandstand Gates Open
1:10 - Hot Laps
Late Models/BRC Series
Sportsman/RoC Dirt Tour
Super Stocks/Trackside Products Series
Pure Stocks/Gary’s U-Pull-It Pure Stocks
1:45 - Drivers' Meeting
2:00 - RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour Guaranteed Starters' Race (10-laps)
2:10 - Heats
Late Models/BRC Series (8-laps)
Sportsman/RoC Dirt Tour (8-laps)
Super Stocks/Trackside Products Series (8-laps)
Pure Stocks/Gary’s U-Pull-It Pure Stocks (6-laps)
Consolations
Late Models/BRC Series (8-laps)
Sportsman/RoC Dirt Tour (8-laps)
Super Stocks/Trackside Products Series (8-laps)
Pure Stocks/Gary’s U-Pull-It Pure Stocks (6-laps)
Feature Events
Late Models/BRC Series (35-laps)
Sportsman/RoC Dirt Tour (40-laps)
Super Stocks/Trackside Products Series (25-laps)
Pure Stocks/Gary’s U-Pull-It Pure Stocks (25-laps)


Healthy RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour South Region Heads To Penn-Can Sun., April 23
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - The Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour's South Region opened at Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Speedway on Sun., April 9 with a strong field of 47 cars.

Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway, be ready.

Al Wilcox and Reed Miller's three-eighths-mile oval will host the South Region's second event on Sun., April 23, part of the "Spring 125," a program that also includes the BRC Lazer Late Model Series, Trackside Products Super/Pro Stock Series and Pure Stocks.

Pit gates open at noon, grandstand gates open at 12:30 p.m., with hot laps at 1:15 p.m. and racing at 2 p.m. A rain date of Mon., May 29 (Memorial Day) is in place.

The RoC Dirt Sportsman main will be 40-laps, paying $1,000 to the winner.

"Adding New Egypt (N.J.) and Bridgeport (N.J.) to the RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour's South Region for this year brought an added influence from the Garden State to our first race," said RoC Dirt administrative director Andrew Harpell.

"I'm sure the field at Penn-Can will offer that same mix of racers from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania."

Popular Willie Osmun of Bloomsbury, N.J., topped the lid-lifter at Five Mile Point, becoming the 10th winner in 10 RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour events ever contested. In Victory Lane, Osmun, a New Egypt Speedway regular, confirmed that he would chase South Region points in '06.

Middletown, N.Y.'s Danny Creeden placed second, ahead of Jason Hamilton, Alex Konopka and 20th-starter Brad Brightbill in the 40-lap event.

Top RoC Dirt contenders Kyle Weiss (18th), Shaun Walker (20th) and Jeff Geiges (27th), all top-five finishers in the '05 standings, will look to rebound at Penn-Can after tough showings at FMP.

Last year, Penn-Can Speedway hosted two RoC Dirt Sportsman events. Hometown driver Brian Decker won the Tour's inaugural event on Mon., May 30 over Arnie Slade, Hamilton, Weiss and Kevin Bates.

The second race, contested on Fri., Sept. 16, went to Weiss over Hamilton, Chad Cook, Paul Rooney and Slade. The two RoC appearances drew 49 and 38 entries, respectively.

Penn-Can Speedway is located conveniently off I-81 Exit 230 (Great Bend) or Route 17 Exit 79 (Windsor, N.Y.) on Route 171 in Susquehanna, Pa. For further information, contact the track office at: (570) 585-9928. The race day phone is: (570) 853-3434. Penn-Can Speedway is on the web at: www.penncan.com.

For further information on the RoC Dirt Tour, visit the website: www.rocdirt.com or contact the office at: (607) 775-5555.

NOTES: Grandstand admission prices for the "Spring 125" are: $12 (Adults); $10 (Youth - Ages 13-17); $10 (Seniors - Ages 62 and over); and $3 (Kids - 12 and younger). Pit admission is $25....
Competitors are reminded that the cut-off for early entries is Wed., April 19. Forms are available on www.rocdirt.com....
American Racer tire compounds are as follows: right-rear - minimum of 38; left-rear - minimum of 33; and minimum of 33 across the front....
The "Spring 125" will mark the first event contested at Penn-Can since the Susquehanna, Pa., oval was completely resurfaced following the final checkered of the '05 season. Over 20 inches of clay were spread across the entire racing surface...
Last year's RoC Dirt Sportsman champion Jason Hamilton is still searching for his first Tour win....
A 10-lap Guaranteed Starters' Race, featuring the DNQ cars from Five Mile Point, will run first (if eight of the eligible cars are on hand). The top-two finishers will earn guaranteed spots in the afternoon's feature should they fail to qualify through a heat or consolation....
The RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour's North Region opens on Sun., May 28 at Utica-Rome (N.Y.) Speedway....

Guaranteed Starters' Race Lineup
10-laps, 2 cars qualify (MUST HAVE 8 CARS PRESENT TO HOLD EVENT)
6N Drew Ricco
4 Clay Butler
71 Mike Mammana
57 Ricky Rutt
280 Justin Holland
7C Chris Wood
51Z Ryan Olsommer
33Y Danny Yankowski
414 Eric Stephens
8 Ted DeGroat
117 Alex Tonkin
R14 Rick Raisner
11J Jim Toy
47G Chris Grbac
4SL Bobby Hentschel
31 Jim Kleedorfer
28 Mike Trautschold
8F Brad Force


Sherwood Racing Wheels To Sponsor RoC Dirt Sportsman Hard Charger Award
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour competitors will have extra incentive to slice through traffic in 2006, courtesy of Sherwood Racing Wheels.

RoC Dirt administrative director Andrew Harpell announced the addition of the Sherwood Racing Wheels Hard Charger Award during last Sunday's South Region opener at Five Mile Point Speedway.

The driver who gains the most positions during each feature event this season (North, South and combined races) will receive a $75 product certificate from Sherwood Racing Wheels. Decals for display on RoC Dirt Sportsman cars were distributed at Five Mile Point and will continue to be available at upcoming Tour events.

"Having Sherwood Racing Wheels on board is a great boost for the Tour," noted Harpell. "It's a great deal for the racers and it should only make our racing that much more exciting for the fans."

The first Sherwood Racing Wheels Hard Charger Award went to Coplay, Pa.'s Brad Grim, who raced from 25th to seventh in the 40-lap main.

Sherwood Racing Wheels, based in Owego, N.Y., is owned by Lee and Al Sherwood. They can be contacted by phone at: (607) 687-2991 or fax: (607) 687-4931.

The RoC Dirt Tour heads to Penn-Can Speedway in Susquehanna, Pa., on Sun., April 23 for South Region Race No. 2, part of the three-eighths-mile oval's "Spring 125" program featuring the Sportsman, BRC Lazer Series Late Models, Trackside Products Super/Pro Stock Series and Pure Stocks. Gates will open at noon, with racing promptly at 2 p.m.

For further information on the RoC Dirt Tour, contact the office at: (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.rocdirt.com.


Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour South Region Driver Roster
Updated After Five Mile Point (4-9-06)


Car Number Driver Hometown
2 Steve Babicek Binghamton, N.Y.
4 Clay Butler Milford, N.J.
4SL Bobby Hentschel Pine Bush, N.Y.
4V Pat Votra Marathon, N.Y.
6N Drew Ricco Bellmawr, N.J.
7C Chris Wood Kirkwood, N.Y.
8 Ted DeGroat Dingman Ferry, Pa.
8F Brad Force Sellersville, Pa.
9 Butch Klinger Walton, N.Y.
9T Ken Titus Kirkwood, N.Y.
10S John Salvatore Jr. Martinsville, N.J.
11J Jim Toy Madisonville, N.Y.
12C Dave Coene Chestnut Ridge, N.Y.
12E Eric Palmer Cresco, Pa.
14 Willie Osmun Bloomsbury, N.J.
14 Alex Konopka Gouldsboro, Pa.
R14 Rick Raisner Easton, Pa.
15 Jason Hamilton Erwinna, Pa.
16X Danny Creeden Middletown, N.Y.
17D Mike Loney Taylor, Pa.
19 Brad Brightbill Sinking Spring, Pa.
21 Shaun Walker Masonville, N.Y.
21K Kyle Weiss Hamburg, Pa.
26M Derrick McGrew Ballston Spa, N.Y.
28 Mike Trautschold Parksville, N.Y.
31 Jim Kleedorfer Nazareth, Pa.
33Y Danny Yankowski Sherburne, N.Y.
35M Rich Green Berkshire, N.Y.
42 Mike Lartz Nicholson, Pa.
44 John McClelland Martinsville, N.J.
46 Josh Biever Orwigsburg, Pa.
47G Chris Grbac Iselin, N.J.
51Z Ryan Olsommer Waymart, Pa.
57 Ricky Rutt Phillipsburg, N.J.
59J Jesse Kline Bangor, Pa.
71 Mike Mammana Nazareth, Pa.
71D Frank Doty Middletown, N.Y.
77J Jeff Geiges Lawrenceville, N.J.
79 Michael Storms Wantage, N.J.
84Y Jamie Yankowski Throop, Pa.
91 Billy Tanner IV Newtown, Pa.
99 Craig Whitmoyer Hamburg, Pa.
117 Alex Tonkin Carbondale, Pa.
151 Joey Colsten Binghamton, N.Y.
280 Justin Holland White Lake, N.Y.
414 Eric Stephens Jermyn, Pa.
611 Brad Grim Coplay, Pa.


Race of Champions Dirt Mod Tour North Region Roster
Updated After Fonda (4-8-06)

Car Number Driver Hometown
1J Bobby Varin Sharon Springs, N.Y.
1K Robert King Granville, N.Y.
1X Willy Decker Vernon, N.Y.
1Z Ray Zemken Sprakers, N.Y.
2 Ronnie Johnson Duanesburg, N.Y.
B2 Bob Henry Jr. Clay, N.Y.
3D Matt DeLorenzo Voorheesville, N.Y.
5 Kris Savoie Fultonville, N.Y.
6 David Towns Rotterdam, N.Y.
7J Jeff Isabel Pennellville, N.Y.
8J Tom Sears Jr. Clay, N.Y.
11A Tony Pepicelli Princetown, N.Y.
11J Jerry Pennock Jr. Warrensburg, N.Y.
12A Jack Johnson Duanesburg, N.Y.
14J Alan Johnson Phelps, N.Y.
16 A.J. Romano Johnstown, N.Y.
19 Tim Fuller Edwards, N.Y.
19K Paul Kinney Oneida, N.Y.
20 Craig Hanson Tribes Hill, N.Y.
20 Brett Hearn Sussex, N.J.
21J Jeff Trombley Altamont, N.Y.
22 Dave Lape Canajoharie, N.Y.
22G Mitch Gibbs North Norwich, N.Y.
26 Dave Camara Fair Haven, Vt.
27A Steve Akers Altamont, N.Y.
27J Danny Johnson Phelps, N.Y.
27M Chic Chandler Charlton, Mass.
30 Gus Schmidt Liverpool, N.Y.
J30 Jim Crawn LeRaysville, Pa.
J30W Brent Wilcox Whitney Point, N.Y.
32C Vic Coffey Leicester, N.Y.
33F Mike Fusco Amsterdam, N.Y.
33 1/3 Tommy Meier Waldwick, N.J.
34 Steve Hough East Greenbush, N.Y.
42P Pat Ward Genoa, N.Y.
43 Floyd Billington Glens Falls, N.Y.
44 Josh Pieniazek Rotterdam, N.Y.
44S Matt Sheppard Waterloo, N.Y.
45H Don Mattison Wells, Vt.
53 Bobby Vedder Schoharie, N.Y.
61 Jamie Christian West Winfield, N.Y.
62 Todd Burley Spencerport, N.Y.
69K Kory Gurney Fort Johnson, N.Y.
71 Elmo Reckner Ballston Lake, N.Y.
72S Cass Bennett Mechanicville, N.Y.
73 Jimmy Davis Ballston Spa, N.Y.
76 Alton Palmer Howes Cave, N.Y.
77F Mark Flach Jr. Coxsackie, N.Y.
82 Dustin Purdy Delhi, N.Y.
85 Erik Nelson Amsterdam, N.Y.
88 Ryan Odasz Ballston Spa, N.Y.
93 Ryan Bartlett Adams, N.Y.
97 Jerry Higbie Jr. Slate Hill, N.Y.
109 Terry Knoblock Warners, N.Y.
114 Ancel Collins Sprakers, N.Y.


Borrowed Powerplant Does The Trick For Willie Osmun In South Region Opener At Five Mile Point
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - A borrowed powerplant did the trick for Willie Osmun in the 40-lap Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour South Region lid-lifter last Sunday afternoon at Five Mile Point Speedway.

Bloomsbury, N.J.'s Osmun lost his primary engine eight days earlier at New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway, his home track. Fellow racer Mike Bent loaned him an engine and Osmun took it to Victory Lane at FMP. He earned $1,000 for the win.

"I've got to thank Mike Bent," a happy Osmun reported. "Without him, we wouldn't have been here today. We lost our motor last week and he came through for us."

Driving his No. 14 Troyer "maxi-flex" chassis, Osmun raced methodically to the front from eighth starting position. He took second on lap 11 and closed on polesitter Alex Konopka, who led from the outset.

Osmun throttled to the outside of Konopka entering turn three on lap 14 and was never headed.

The popular Garden State driver reported that he would chase RoC Dirt points this season in the South Region.

Middletown, N.Y.'s Danny Creeden was a RoC-best second, driving his Precision-powered No. 16X Teo-Pro car.

Creeden took the position on lap 20, but didn't make up ground on the leader until the final five laps.

"He was fast," noted Creeden, an Accord/Orange County (N.Y.) Fair Speedway regular. "I gained on him at the end, but I couldn't do anything with him.

"I'm happy. It was a good day."

Defending RoC Dirt Sportsman champion Jason Hamilton of Erwinna, Pa., placed third after starting sixth.

"We were tight," noted Hamilton, 30. "We expected the track to get slick and it didn't. It was shoving the nose.

"We were a third-place car."

Konopka, of Gouldsboro, Pa., faded to fourth after leading the first 14 laps and 20th-starter Brad Brightbill was fifth.

A bizarre incident on lap four - during a caution-period - saw 10 cars stack up on the frontstretch. No one was injured in the melee, though a 15-minute red flag ensued.

Heat winners for the 47 RoC Dirt Sportsman in attendance were Creeden, Shaun Walker, Kyle Weiss, Mike Loney, Butch Klinger and Osmun. Eric Palmer, Brad Brightbill and Jesse Kline topped the consolations.

The Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour's South Region heads to Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway on Sun., April 23 for Race No. 2. For further information, contact the RoC Dirt office at: (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.rocdirt.com

RoC Dirt Notes: Brad Grim picked up the Sherwood Racing Wheels Sportsman Hard Charger Award. The Coplay, Pa., driver raced from 25th to seventh in the 40-lap feature....
Shaun Walker looked to be a threat early on, but his day went sour on lap 11 when his No. 21 Bicknell snapped to the right while battling for second. He impacted the turn-one concrete nose-first and retired from the event shortly thereafter....
Chris Grbac resurrected an engine that hadn't seen action since 1979 at Flemington (N.J.) Speedway. He was a DNQ....
Butch Klinger came to life late in the main, riding the high line to sixth. The Walton, N.Y., driver swept two extra-distance Sportsman events at FMP during the 2004 season....
It wasn't a good outing for Kyle Weiss, who pitted several times and finished 18th....

Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour South Region Race No. 1 Feature Finish: WILLIE OSMUN, Danny Creeden, Jason Hamilton, Alex Konopka, Brad Brightbill, Butch Klinger, Brad Grim, John McClelland, Mike Lartz, Mike Loney, John Salvatore, Craig Whitmoyer, Michael Storms, Billy Tanner IV, Frank Doty, Josh Biever, Derrick McGrew, Kyle Weiss, Ken Titus, Shaun Walker, Joey Colsten, Rich Green, Pat Votra, Jesse Kline, Eric Palmer, Steve Babicek, Jeff Geiges, Jamie Yankowski, Dave Coene.
Did Not Qualify: Drew Ricco, Clay Butler, Mike Mammana, Ricky Rutt, Justin Holland, Chris Wood, Ryan Olsommer, Danny Yankowski, Eric Stephens, Ted DeGroat, Alex Tonkin, Rick Raisner, Jim Toy, Chris Grbac, Bobby Hentschel, Jim Kleedorfer, Mike Trautschold, Brad Force.


Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour
Official Finish: South Region Race No. 1/Five Mile Point Speedway (4-9-06)

Car # Driver/Hometown Start
1 14 Willie Osmun/Bloomsbury, N.J. (8)
2 16X Danny Creeden/Middletown, N.Y. (5)
3 15 Jason Hamilton/Erwinna, Pa. (6)
4 14K Alex Konopka/Gouldsboro, Pa. (1)
5 19 Brad Brightbill/Sinking Spring, Pa. (20)
6 9 Butch Klinger/Walton, N.Y. (10)
7 611 Brad Grim/Coplay, Pa. (25)
8 44 John McClelland/Martinsville, N.J. (17)
9 42 Mike Lartz/Nicholson, Pa. (13)
10 17D Mike Loney/Taylor, Pa. (9)
11 10S John Salvatore/Martinsville, N.J. (4)
12 99 Craig Whitmoyer/Hamburg, N.J. (14)
13 79 Michael Storms/Wantage, N.J. (7)
14 91 Billy Tanner IV/Newtown, Pa. (18)
15 71D Frank Doty/Middletown, N.Y. (15)
16 46 Josh Biever/Orwigsburg, Pa. (27)
17 26M Derrick McGrew/Ballston Spa, N.Y. (29)
18 21K Kyle Weiss/Hamburg, Pa. (12)
19 9T Ken Titus/Kirkwood, N.Y. (24)
20 21 Shaun Walker/Masonville, N.Y. (3)
21 151 Joey Colsten/Binghamton, N.Y. (2)
22 35M Rich Green/Berkshire, N.Y. (22)
23 4V Pat Votra/Marathon, N.Y. (11)
24 59J Jesse Kline/Bangor, Pa. (21)
25 12E Eric Palmer/Cresco, Pa. (19)
26 2 Steve Babicek/Binghamton, N.Y. (23)
27 77J Jeff Geiges/Lawrenceville, N.J. (26)
28 84Y Jamie Yankowski/Throop, Pa. (16)
29 12C Dave Coene/Chestnut Ridge, N.Y. (28)

Entries: 47
Lap leaders: Konopka (1-13), Osmun (14-40)
Heat winners: Creeden, Walker, Weiss, Loney, Klinger, Osmun
Consi winners: Palmer, Brightbill, Kline
Sherwood Racing Wheels Hard Charger: Brad Grim (25th to 7th)

Did Not Qualify:
6N Drew Ricco/Bellmawr, N.J.
4 Clay Butler/Milford, N.J.
71 Mike Mammana/Nazareth, Pa.
57 Ricky Rutt/Phillipsburg, N.J.
280 Justin Holland/White Lake, N.Y.
7C Chris Wood/Kirkwood, N.Y.
51Z Ryan Olsommer/Waymart, Pa.
33Y Danny Yankowski/Sherburne, N.Y.
414 Eric Stephens/Jermyn, Pa.
8 Ted DeGroat/Dingman Ferry, Pa.
117 Alex Tonkin/Carbondale, Pa.
R14 Rick Raisner/Easton, Pa.
11J Jim Toy/Madisonville, N.Y.
47G Chris Grbac/Iselin, N.J.
4SL Bobby Hentschel/Pine Bush, N.Y.
31 Jim Kleedorfer/Nazareth, Pa.
28 Mike Trautschold/Parksville, N.Y.
8F Brad Force/Sellersville, Pa.


Five Mile Point Speedway April 9, 2006 Quick Results

Southern Tier Open Modified Feature Finish: RICH RICCI JR., Mike Ricci, Joey Grammes, Mitch Gibbs, Billy Pauch Jr., Brian Decker, Ryan Grim, J.R. Crouse, Doug Manmiller, Wade Decker, Brent Wilcox, Rich Keehle Jr., James Cornell, Jeff Kotary, Darin Schuler, Dan Hineline, Brian Weaver, Doug Hendricks, Barry Davis, Butch Getz, Dana Wagner, Jimmy Davis, Jim Crawn, George Hildebrant, Mike Colsten, Billy Pauch, Glenn Knapp, Alan Rudalavage.
Did Not Qualify: Mike Gular, Rick Laubach, J.R. Hurlburt, Brian Malcolm, Darwin Greene, Dave Calaman, Ray Deemer, Chris Ostrowsky, Allan Kellogg, Ken Eckert Jr., Gordie Isham, Ricky Yetter, Joel Batzel, Mike Doty.

Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour South Region Race No. 1 Feature Finish: WILLIE OSMUN, Danny Creeden, Jason Hamilton, Alex Konopka, Brad Brightbill, Butch Klinger, Brad Grim, John McClelland, Mike Lartz, Mike Loney, John Salvatore, Craig Whitmoyer, Michael Storms, Billy Tanner IV, Frank Doty, Josh Biever, Derrick McGrew, Kyle Weiss, Ken Titus, Shaun Walker, Joey Colsten, Rich Green, Pat Votra, Jesse Kline, Eric Palmer, Steve Babicek, Jeff Geiges, Jamie Yankowski, Dave Coene.
Did Not Qualify: Drew Ricco, Clay Butler, Mike Mammana, Ricky Rutt, Justin Holland, Chris Wood, Ryan Olsommer, Danny Yankowski, Eric Stephens, Ted DeGroat, Alex Tonkin, Rick Raisner, Jim Toy, Chris Grbac, Bobby Hentschel, Jim Kleedorfer, Mike Trautschold, Brad Force.

Late Model Feature Finish: DAVE ZONA, Billy Marvin, R.J. Windhausen, Randall Pazton, Jamie Griffiths, Allan Kellogg, Adam MacGeorge, Bud Phillips, Jim O'Hara, Brian Bernheisel, Tracy Gregory, Chad Hollenbeck, Lary DiLello, Keith Mudge.
Did Not Start: Jim Cummings.

Heldover BRC Lazer Series Late Model Finish From Nov. 6, 2005: RANDALL PAXTON, Dave Zona, Bud Phillips, R.J. Windausen, Allan Kellogg, Tracy Gregory, Chad Hollenbeck, Jamie Griffiths, Larry DiLello, Keith Mudge, Rich King, Chris Piasecki.

Pure Stock Feature Finish: DOUG STACK, Frank Chapman, Charlie Gilbert, Mahlon Shoemaker, Rich Talada, Kurt Decker, Jeremy Shaw, Mike Wilbur, Nick Robinson, Bill Cook, Denny Decker, Jamie Batzel, Floyd Peters, Tom Eiklor, Jason Bond, Jim House.


"Lucky" Mitch Gibbs Wins RoC Dirt Mod Tour's North Region Opener At Fonda
By BRETT DEYO

FONDA, NY - Mitch Gibbs leaned smugly on a jack handle in his pit area, looked over a crowd of well-wishers and smirked.

"You can call me "'Mr. Lucky,'" he cracked.

Indeed, good fortune did play into the hands of the North Norwich, N.Y., native en route to victory in Saturday afternoon's "Ice Jam" 50-lap Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour North Region opener at Fonda Speedway.

Gibbs calmly guided his Lance Kenyon-owned No. 22G to the front while a series of unfortunate events eliminated several top contenders.

For the 42-year-old driver, who tied Bobby Varin for the overall RoC Dirt Mod Tour championship in '05, it was his first RoC win. The $4,000 payday marked victory number one for Kenyon, entering his second season as a "special events" car owner for Gibbs.

Despite a runner-up finish in the sixth heat race, Gibbs didn't march forward from his 11th starting position in the feature.

"I couldn't even see those guys (the leaders) early on," Gibbs said. "The car was terrible at the start. It was loose - no drive at all."

While Gibbs settled into the second half of the top 10, front-row mates Bobby Varin and Brett Hearn broke away from the field in the early going. By lap 12, Sussex, N.J.'s Hearn turned up the wick, challenging Varin as the lead duo reached lapped traffic.

However, the man on the move was 10th-starter Matt DeLorenzo, wheeling his No. 3D Teo-Pro car with potent Enders small-block power.

Running one full second per lap quicker than the leaders on the half-mile oval's extreme outside groove, DeLorenzo took third on lap 19. By the halfway point, it was a three-car fight for the lead.

"I saw Brett and Bobby on the bottom," DeLorenzo said. "I went to the outside and I said, 'I'm catching these guys!'"

Hearn, who had edged out Varin to lead lap 24, fell to third two laps later. Varin reclaimed the top spot exiting turn two on lap 25 and DeLorenzo powered around the outside of the Madsen Motorsports No. 20 to take second on the 26th circuit.

Voorheesville, N.Y.'s DeLorenzo carried his momentum by Varin to pace lap 27 with a turn-four kamikaze run.

Shortly thereafter, Robert King spun in the second turn, collecting Varin, who sustained significant rear-end damage to the Jake Spraker-owned No. 1J. That get-together drew the caution on lap 28.

It was during the ensuing yellow-flag period that a left-front flat tire on DeLorenzo's car became apparent. He later said a brush with the inside wall during the first four laps of the race caused the tire to deflate.

With the lapped car of Todd Burley separating DeLorenzo and second-running Hearn, the Fonda regular opened up a straightaway advantage and maintained that edge until a slowing Tom Sears Jr. drew the caution on lap 36.

At that point, the left-front tire nearly peeled off the rim. Consequently, DeLorenzo couldn't build the necessary speed when racing resumed.

Hearn swiftly ducked low, swinging into the lead with an aggressive drive into turn three. Jerry Higbie Jr. slid into second on lap 37, coming from ninth starting position in his No. 97.

But the leaders didn't simply cruise to the checkered.

With five laps remaining, Elmo Reckner made significant contact with the tire barrier surrounding the pit opening in turns three and four. Reckner's No. 71 ricocheted into the racing groove, collecting Hearn, Higbie, Ronnie Johnson and Jimmy Davis.

Hearn, looking to win in his first RoC Dirt start, was shocked by the velocity of Reckner's incident.

"I watched it happen," bottom-lined the 47-year-old. "It was like a rubber band, the way he shot across the track. I never expected him to bounce in front of me like that.

"You carry so much momentum into three here, there was no way I could've avoided him."

DeLorenzo and Gibbs snaked through the carnage and restarted one-two.

For Gibbs, missing the wreck proved to be the race's turning point.

"I didn't even know where I was (running)," Gibbs said. "I figured I would come out of it third or fourth. I had made up quite a few spots before that caution. The track started coming to me. I could see something going on (when the incident began). I got right out of it."

Not only was Gibbs surprised when he lined up second, but DeLorenzo's flat tire only improved his outlook.

"They lined us up behind that blue car (DeLorenzo) and I saw the flat. I knew he wouldn't be able to go on the restart.

"I was worried about which way to go."

As the field charged into turn three, Gibbs maneuvered to the inside with his Enders-powered Bicknell, completing the pass on DeLorenzo by the flagstand.

Pat Ward followed suit but couldn't unseat the high-running Gibbs, who collected his first-ever Fonda big-block triumph.

"I didn't want to get up on the outside (of DeLorenzo) and have him push up. Then the third-place guy would go by both of us.

"Once I got the lead, I just concentrated on hitting my marks. There's no one I would rather have behind me than Pat Ward. He's a clean racer. If the race paid $100,000-to-win, he wouldn't get you with a cheap shot."

Ward, 49, of Genoa, N.Y., raced from 19th to finish second in John Wight's No. 42P, a fresh Enders/Bicknell combination.

"Starting further back may have been lucky for us," estimated Ward, who spent over a decade as a Fonda regular earlier in his career.

"But I wish I hadn't started the day off so far in the hole. We had a new carburetor on for the heat race and the car wouldn't run. We put an old one on for the consi it was a lot better.

Ward felt that his car was better on the longer runs; the five-lap dash to the finish didn't suit his needs.

"If I had 10 more laps, I might've been able to do something (with Gibbs)," he said. "We stayed the same when everyone else slowed down."

DeLorenzo, who led on two different occasions (laps 27-36 and lap 45), couldn't help but relish his performance, despite coming up two spots shy of victory. He earned the $500 bonus as the first small-block across the stripe.

"My arms are tired," said DeLorenzo, adding that he could see chunks of rubber peeling off his left-front tire.

"The tire killed me. If that caution hadn't come out (on lap 36) I would've been alright.

"I clipped the wall on lap four trying to get by the No. 77F (Mark Flach Jr.). The tire was down after that.

"I had nothing on the restarts. I just couldn't get up to speed. This was definitely a morale booster for everyone. It made my day to pass Varin and Brett."

Tim Fuller of Edwards, N.Y., rebounded from a lap-one, turn-one spin to finish fourth and Danny Johnson of Phelps, N.Y., completed the top five.

Fifty-five Modifieds signed into the pit area. Heat wins went to Hearn, Varin, Craig Hanson, Robert King, Mark Flach Jr. and Higbie. Ward, Jeff Trombley and Alan Johnson topped the consolations.

Kenny Gates scored his 32nd career Fonda win in the accompanying 25-lap, $1,000-to-win Pro Stock main. Gates took the lead on lap nine.

The Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour's North Region will visit N.Y.'s Utica-Rome Speedway on Sun., May 14 with the Mother's Day Special 68-lap "Remembering Alex" event in memory of Alex Friesen.

For further information on the RoC Dirt Modified Tour, contact the office at: (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.rocdirt.com.

RoC DIRT ICE CHIPS: Despite a raw wind and temperatures hovering in the upper 30s for much of the day, a respectable crowd filed into the "Track of Champions" for the kickoff to RoC Dirt's sophomore season....

Ward said he would make a good number of the RoC Dirt events this season. He thoroughly enjoyed returning to Fonda, his former Saturday-night stomping grounds.

"I talked to Jack (Johnson), Dave (Lape), Ronnie (Johnson) and everybody," Ward said. "It was a good day."....

Jerry Higbie Jr.'s fine run was spoiled by the Reckner incident on lap 45. The Slate Hill, N.Y., driver looked to be on the way to a solid runner-up finish.

"It was bad luck," said Higbie, who ended up 12th. "We got caught up in someone else's wreck. Then again, we've been here and just run 12th, so we were encouraged by the way we ran. The times and stuff were good."....

Despite the apparent severity of the incident, Hearn's car, the same Teo-Pro mount that he's driven successfully in Florida and Hagerstown (Md.), suffered only sheet metal damage and a bent front axle....

While DeLorenzo's 358-Mod garnered the lion's share of attention, Mark Flach Jr. did the small-block contingent proud in his first outing with a Bedell-powered PMC No. 77F.

The 22-year-old upset the heavies by besting Jack Johnson, Tim Fuller and Alan Johnson to win the day's fifth heat and placed a respectable eighth in the feature. It was his second Fonda start....

Checking in seventh was Ryan Odasz, who suffered front suspension damage in an opening-lap skirmish in heat four, missed qualifying in the consi and was added as a top-five Fonda point finisher from '05....

Drive shaft problems forced Willy Decker out of a top-10 position on lap 16....

Gibbs has nine 320-Modified wins at Fonda, in addition to the 1984 320-Modified championship....

Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour North Region Race No. 1 Feature Finish: MITCH GIBBS, Pat Ward, Matt DeLorenzo, Tim Fuller, Danny Johnson, Alan Johnson, Ryan Odasz, Mark Flach Jr., A.J. Romano, Jeff Trombley, Mike Fusco, Jerry Higbie Jr., Tony Pepicelli, Jimmy Davis, Todd Burley, Paul Kinney, Ryan Bartlett, Erik Nelson, Dave Lape, Brett Hearn, Ronnie Johnson, Elmo Reckner, Jack Johnson, Tom Sears Jr., Craig Hanson, Dave Camara, Bobby Varin, Robert King, Willy Decker.

Did Not Qualify: Vic Coffey, Matt Sheppard, Gus Schmidt, Bobby Vedder, Ancel Collins, Bob Henry Jr., Steve Akers, Jeff Isabel, Dustin Purdy, Jim Crawn, Jamie Christian, Chic Chandler, Tommy Meier, Jerry Pennock Jr., Brent Wilcox, Don Mattison, Alton Palmer, Josh Pieniazek, Cass Bennett, Kris Savoie, Floyd Billington, David Towns, Ray Zemken, Kory Gurney, Terry Knoblock, Steve Hough.


 

Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour    
Official Finish: North Region Race No. 1/Fonda Speedway (4-8-06)
       
  Car # Driver/Hometown Start  
1 22G Mitch Gibbs/North Norwich, N.Y. (11)  
2 42P Pat Ward/Genoa, N.Y. (19)  
3 3D Matt DeLorenzo/Voorheesville, N.Y. (10)  
4 19 Tim Fuller/Edwards, N.Y. (17)  
5 27J Danny Johnson/Phelps, N.Y. (7)  
6 14J Alan Johnson/Phelps, N.Y. (21)  
7 88 Ryan Odasz/Ballston Spa, N.Y. (25)  
8 77F Mark Flach Jr./Coxsackie, N.Y. (8)  
9 16 A.J. Romano/Johnstown, N.Y. (24)  
10 21J Jeff Trombley/Altamont, N.Y. (20)  
11 33F Mike Fusco/Amsterdam, N.Y. (26)  
12 97 Jerry Higbie Jr./Slate Hill, N.Y. (9)  
13 11A Tony Pepicelli/Princetown, N.Y. (4)  
14 73D Jimmy Davis/Ballston Spa, N.Y. (18)  
15 62 Todd Burley/Spencerport, N.Y. (22)  
16 19K Paul Kinney/Oneida, N.Y. (14)  
17 93B Ryan Bartlett/Adams, N.Y. (15)  
18 85 Erik Nelson/Amsterdam, N.Y. (28)  
19 22 Dave Lape/Canajoharie, N.Y. (29)  
20 20H Brett Hearn/Sussex, N.J. (2)  
21 2 Ronnie Johnson/Duanesburg, N.Y. (16)  
22 71 Elmo Reckner/Ballston Lake, N.Y. (27)  
23 12A Jack Johnson/Duanesburg, N.Y. (12)  
24 8J Tom Sears Jr./Clay, N.Y. (3)  
25 20 Craig Hanson/Tribes Hill, N.Y. (5)  
26 26 Dave Camara/Fair Haven, Vt. (23)  
27 1J Bobby Varin/Sharon Springs, N.Y. (1)  
28 1K Robert King/Granville, N.Y. (6)  
29 1X Willy Decker/Vernon, N.Y. (13)  
         
Entries: 55      
Lap leaders: Varin (1-23), Hearn (24), Varin (25-26), DeLorenzo (27-36),
Hearn (37-44), DeLorenzo (45), Gibbs (46-50)    
Heat winners: Hearn, Varin, Hanson, King, Flach, Higbie  
Consi winners: Ward, Trombley, A. Johnson    
       
Did Not Qualify:      
       
  32C Vic Coffey/Leicester, N.Y.    
  44 Matt Sheppard/Waterloo, N.Y.    
  30 Gus Schmidt/Liverpool, N.Y.    
  53 Bobby Vedder/Schoharie, N.Y.    
  114 Ancel Collins/Sprakers, N.Y.    
  B2 Bob Henry Jr./Clay, N.Y.    
  27A Steve Akers/Altamont, N.Y.    
  7J Jeff Isabel/Pennellville, N.Y.    
  82 Dustin Purdy/Delhi, N.Y.    
  J30 Jim Crawn/LeRaysville, N.Y.    
  61 Jamie Christian/West Winfield, N.Y.    
  27M Chic Chandler/Charlton, Mass.    
  33 1/3 Tommy Meier/Waldwick, N.J.    
  11J Jerry Pennock Jr./Warrensburg, N.Y.    
  J30W Brent Wilcox/Whitney Point, N.Y.    
  45H Don Mattison/Wells, Vt.    
  76 Alton Palmer/Howes Cave, N.Y.    
  44 Josh Pieniazek/Rotterdam, N.Y.    
  72S Cass Bennett/Mechanicville, N.Y.    
  5 Kris Savoie/Fultonville, N.Y,    
  43 Floyd Billington/Glens Falls, N.Y.    
  6 David Towns/Rotterdam, N.Y.    
  1Z Ray Zemken/Sprakers, N.Y.    
  69K Kory Gurney/Fort Johnson, N.Y.    
  109 Terry Knoblock/Warners, N.Y.    
  34 Steve Hough/East Greenbush, N.Y.

 


 

Overall Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour Career Wins  
     
OVERALL - NORTH, SOUTH AND COMBINED EVENTS  
     
Driver Wins First Win Most Recent Win
     
Bobby Varin 5 Fonda - 4/9/05 (North) Fonda - 9/25/05 (Combined)
Brian Weaver 2 Five Mile Point - 7/13/05 (South) Penn-Can - 9/17/05 (Combined)
Mike Ricci 1 Five Mile Point - 10/15/05 (Combined) Five Mile Point - 10/15/05 (Combined)
Alan Rudalavage 1 Penn-Can - 8/17/05 (South) Penn-Can - 8/17/05 (South)
Billy Pauch 1 Big Diamond - 8/9/05 (South) Big Diamond - 8/9/05 (South)
Jeff Strunk 1 Big Diamond - 6/7/05 (South) Big Diamond - 6/7/05 (South)
       
       
NORTH      
     
Driver Wins First Win Most Recent Win
     
Bobby Varin 4 Fonda - 4/9/05 Utica-Rome - 9/11/05
       
       
SOUTH      
     
Driver Wins First Win Most Recent Win
     
Alan Rudalavage 1 Penn-Can - 8/17/05 Penn-Can - 8/17/05
Billy Pauch 1 Big Diamond - 8/9/05 Big Diamond - 8/9/05
Brian Weaver 1 Five Mile Point - 7/13/05 Five Mile Point - 7/13/05
Jeff Strunk 1 Big Diamond - 6/7/05 Big Diamond - 6/7/05
       
       
COMBINED      
     
Driver Wins First Win Most Recent Win
     
Mike Ricci 1 Five Mile Point - 10/15/05 Five Mile Point - 10/15/05
Bobby Varin 1 Fonda - 9/25/05 Fonda - 9/25/05
Brian Weaver 1 Penn-Can - 9/17/05 Penn-Can - 9/17/05
       
 
Overall RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour Career Wins  
     
OVERALL      
     
Driver Wins First Win Most Recent Win
     
Mike Ketcham 1 Five Mile Point - 11/6/05 Five Mile Point - 11/6/05
Jamie Yannone 1 Accord - 9/30/05 Accord - 9/30/05
David Towns 1 Fonda - 9/24/05 Fonda - 9/24/05
Kyle Weiss 1 Penn-Can - 9/16/05 Penn-Can - 9/16/05
Paul Carey 1 Utica-Rome - 9/11/05 Utica-Rome - 9/11/05
Arnie Slade 1 Big Diamond - 8/9/05 Big Diamond - 8/9/05
Brad Grim 1 Five Mile Point - 7/13/05 Five Mile Point - 7/13/05
Craig Whitmoyer 1 Big Diamond - 6/7/05 Big Diamond - 6/7/05
Brian Decker 1 Penn-Can - 5/30/05 Penn-Can - 5/30/05

 


Chemung Speedrome Sets RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour Date
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - Scratch out the "TBA." Write Sun., July 16 in its place.

That's the date the Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour's South Region will make its asphalt run at Chemung (N.Y.)Speedrome.

RoC Dirt Tour administrative director Andrew Harpell recently confirmed the date with Chemung's promoter Chris Zacharias and owner Bob Stapleton.

A 30-lap main paying $1,000-to-win will highlight the day's events. Teams will not be permitted to make significant changes to their cars to run on the asphalt and only American Racer dirt tires will be allowed.

"We had agreed upon taking the RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour to Chemung a while back, but we just needed to get the specifics worked out," noted Harpell, who is anxious to see the dirt Sportsman tackle the first-class, three-eighths-mile paved track. Chemung had been listed on all RoC Dirt schedules with "TBA" for the date.

"Whoever wins the RoC Dirt Sportsman title this year will have earned it," Harpell said. "They can say they've conquered dirt and asphalt."

Chemung Speedrome was originally built as a quarter-mile dirt track in 1951 by the noted Bodine family. It closed in 1978.

After buying the track in 1985 the current owner, Bob Stapleton, started to rebuild the facility in 1997. In October 2000, Chemung had its "inaugural" race event.

The Speedrome, situated on over 38 acres, features all new TV-quality Musco lighting, a 3,000-seat main grandstand, a 28-stall paved pit lane and much more.

Chemung joins the famed "Steel Palace" Oswego (N.Y.) Speedway as the second paved track on the RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour. Oswego will host a North Region race on Wed., July 26.

For further information on the RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour, contact the RoC Dirt office by phone at: (607) 775-5555 or check out the official website: www.rocdirt.com. Chemung Speedrome, located off Route 17 Exit 59, is on the web at: www.chemungspeedrome.net. The track phone is: (607) 529-9998.


Bridgeport Speedway Adds Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Event On Sun., Aug. 27
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - The Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour will now make two pilgrimages to the Garden State in 2006.

RoC Dirt administrative director Andrew Harpell recently announced the addition of a Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman South Region event at Bridgeport (N.J.) Speedway on Sun., Aug. 27. The event will be 40-laps, paying $1,000 to the winner.

Earlier this off-season, N.J.'s New Egypt Speedway jumped on board, hosting a RoC Dirt Modified/Sportsman South Region doubleheader on Wed., June 21.

"We're pleased to be able to bring RoC Dirt to New Jersey," said Harpell. "There's an additional pool of talent we can draw from, and this will only strengthen our South Region.

"Dave (Adams, Bridgeport promoter) and Jay (James, track owner) have made a lot of positive strides at Bridgeport. This should be a showcase event on our Sportsman Tour."

Billed as "The Fastest Dirt Track in the East," Bridgeport Speedway is a spacious five-eighths-mile clay oval. Since Jan. 2004, James and partner Brian Ramey have completed extensive renovations at the track, including: 20 skybox suites, one of which is a spacious 30- x 15-foot suite; double-wide, comfortable grandstand seating; a 30- x 100-foot covered pavilion; new bathrooms (complete with showers); a new flagger's stand; and a new Victory Lane.

The improvements are ongoing. Every week, fans and racers are treated to another improvement at the South Jersey oval.

For further information on Bridgeport Speedway, contact the track office at: (856) 467-4407, or call the 24-hour information line: (856) 467-4408. On the web: www.thenewbridgeportspeedway.com.

The Race of Champions Dirt Tour office can be reached by phone at (607) 775-5555 or on the web: www.rocdirt.com.


This Year, Bobby Varin Doesn't Want To Share; RoC Dirt Modified Tour Opens Sat., April 8 at Fonda
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - Despite the best efforts of his grade school teachers, Bobby Varin isn't fond of sharing.
Especially when it comes to championships.
The Sharon Springs, N.Y., native ended in a deadlock with Mitch Gibbs for the 2005 Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour overall title. This year, he's looking to drop the "co" from his championship status.
The Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour opens its second season with the "Ice Jam" on Sat., April 8 at N.Y.'s Fonda Speedway, the historic half-mile fairgrounds oval known as the "Track of Champions."
The big-block/small-block Modifieds will compete in a 50-lap feature. Race one of the Tour's North Region will pay $4,000 to the winner plus a $500 small-block bonus.
Pit gates open at 10 a.m., grandstand gates at 11 a.m., with practice at noon and racing at 1 p.m.
Adult admission is $15 for the RoC Dirt Modified/Pro Stock doubleheader.
Varin launched into last season's prominence by driving to a victory in the 2005 running of the "Ice Jam" on Sat., April 9, besting a 58-car field on a sun-splashed spring afternoon.
He outdistanced a hard-charging Alan Johnson, who started 16th in Jeff Rudalavage's No. 14J 358-Modified. Jerry Higbie Jr. drove from 22nd to finish third, with Tony Pepicelli and Gibbs completing the top five.
"Ice Jam" glory was only the beginning of Varin's RoC Dirt prominence at Fonda. He led from green-to-checkered in a caution-free North Region event on Wed., July 27, besting Gibbs, Fonda legend Dave Lape, Ryan Odasz and Jack Johnson.
Varin's third Fonda RoC Dirt triumph - in the Sun., Sept. 25 McDonald's 100 - was the most remarkable. He raced from ninth into contention for the lead when contact with Jeff Trombley sent him spinning on a lap-14 restart.
The 35-year-old talent later ran out of fuel on lap 90 but still rallied in the waning circuits to collect the $7,500 triumph over RoC Dirt newcomer Tom Sears, Ronnie Johnson, Matt DeLorenzo and Gibbs.
The highlights of Varin's breakout '05 season included: Fonda big-block track championship; Albany-Saratoga (N.Y.) Speedway DIRT big-block Modified championship; RoC Dirt Modified overall co-championship; RoC Dirt Modified North Region championship (undefeated in North Region action); and a fourth-place finish in Utica-Rome (N.Y.) Speedway's 358-Modified standings.
Varin has stated his intentions to run for the '06 RoC Dirt Tour title and will begin his defense aboard Jake and Nancy Spraker's potent JPM-powered No. 1J Bicknell at Fonda, an event that should attract a field bulging with quality and quantity.
RoC Dirt administrative director Andrew Harpell expects a banner turnout for the first race of the Tour's sophomore season.
"Last year, Fonda set the tone for our season," Harpell said, reflecting on the inaugural race for his touring series in '05. "We got off to a great start there with the 'Ice Jam' and kept that momentum rolling through the season.
"This year should be no different. Ric and Laura (Lucia) have an awesome facility. The fan in me can't wait to watch that race."
For further information on Fonda Speedway, contact the track office during business hours at: (518) 382-3115, or on race day: (518) 853-4235. The official Fonda Speedway website is www.fondaspeedway.com
Fonda Speedway is located one mile off New York State Thruway (I-90) Exit 28 in Fonda, N.Y.
The RoC Dirt office can be reached by phone at: (607) 775-5555 or on the web: www.rocdirt.com.

RoC DIRT NOTES: If Fonda Speedway owes a RoC Dirt triumph to any one driver, it is Altamont, N.Y.'s Jeff Trombley.
The Capital District veteran returned from back injuries sustained early last season to lead 98 laps of the '05 McDonald's 100 on Sept. 25 only to run out of fuel, two circuits removed from a huge payday....
Incidentally, his teammate/car owner, Ronnie Johnson, relinquished second one lap earlier in that event, the victim of the same fate....
One driver to watch at Fonda is North Norwich, N.Y., driver Gibbs, the inaugural RoC Dirt co-champion. Gibbs's three finishes in RoC Dirt competition at Fonda last year: fifth on April 9 after leading 18 laps; second on July 27 with no power steering; and a 24th-to-fifth charge on Sept. 25.
The 42-year-old will be at the controls of Lance Kenyon's No. 22G at Fonda....
Rules, tire compounds and entry forms for the "Ice Jam" have been posted on the RoC Dirt website....
News circulated recently during the pre-season car shows that Ric and Laura Lucia would be in control at Fonda through 2010, offering added stability to the track....
The RoC Dirt Modified Tour South Region lid-lifter is slated for Tues., June 6 at Pa.'s Big Diamond Raceway, where continuous and extensive renovations are underway....


RoC Dirt Modified North Region Race No. 1 Information (3-24-06)
Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour North Region Race No. 1/Fonda Speedway - Fonda, NY - Saturday, April 8


RACE INFORMATION
Location: One mile off the New York State Thruway (I-90) exit 28 in Fonda, N.Y.
Phone Info: Track office: (518) 853-4235 or business: (518) 382-3115
Speedway Website: www.fondaspeedway.com 
Pit Fees: $20 with Fonda License/$30 without
Pit Gates Open: 10:00 a.m.
Grandstand Prices: $15
Grandstand Gates: 11:00 a.m.
Practice: 12 noon
Race Time: 1:00 p.m.
Entry Info: Pre-race entry (received prior to April 4th): $15
Entry after above date: $20
Modified Feature: 50 green-flag laps
Tire Information: Tire Options - American Racer Compounds
Right-Rear Compound: 48 minimal softness, may run Fonda 50 compound; Left-Rear Compound 44 minimal softness; Right-Front Compound: any American Racer Tire; Left-Front Compound: any American Racer Tire. For tire information please call: Jumpin' Jacks Speed Shop - (518) 355-5314.
General Race Rules: The standard for motor, body, chassis and safety rules are based '04 DIRT rules.
Weight Info: Big-Block Modifieds - min. 2,500 lbs no tolerance ('04 DIRT legal); Small-Block Modifieds - min. 2,400 lbs. no tolerance ('04 DIRT legal); '05 Big Diamond/Grandview 9-to-1 Small-Blocks - min. 2,400 lbs. no tolerance; Any other Small-Block combination must weigh a min. of 2,500 lbs. no tolerance. NO mixing and matching of rules.
For more information please contact the Race of Champions office at (607) 775-5555 or log on to www.rocdirt.com. The Race of Champions fax is (607) 775-3417.


Jason Hamilton Leads RoC Dirt Sportsman Squad To Five Mile Point Sun., April 9
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - Last year, Jason Hamilton was on top of the heap when the final Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour points were tallied.
But that was 2005. The slate has been wiped clean by a long winter and the challengers are ready.
Hamilton, 30, of Erwinna, Pa., begins his RoC Dirt Sportsman title defense in the '06 lid-lifter, slated for Sun., April 9 at Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Speedway. The event will mark the second consecutive springtime running of the Southern Tier Open at Five Mile Point.
Hamilton, a 270cc Micro-Sprint graduate, will strap into his familiar No. 15 Teo-Pro car for year three of Sportsman competition. Once again, he'll receive primary backing from Flurer Machine and Tool of Nazareth, Pa.
"I haven't won there, but Five Mile Point's been a good track to me," said Hamilton, who made his first appearances at the Point in '05. "We're looking to keep our positive momentum from last year rolling into that show."
The Sportsman division will take part in a 40-lap feature paying $1,000 to the winner. This year, the RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour is split into two regions; the FMP event will be the first event of the South Region. The North Region opener is scheduled for Sun., May 28 at N.Y.'s Utica-Rome Speedway.
"The interest for this race and the RoC Sportsman Tour in general has been unbelievable. I'm expecting a huge field of Sportsman that day," noted Andrew Harpell, RoC Dirt administrative director.
Harpell, who doubles as the Five Mile Point owner/promoter, spent the month of March attending pre-season car shows and was impressed by the quantity of positive feedback he received.
Five Mile Point hosted two RoC Dirt Sportsman events in 2005. Coplay, Pa.'s Brad Grim was victorious in a 40-lapper on Wed., July 13 over N.J.'s Jeff Geiges, Brian Puckett, Kyle Weiss and Jimmy Horton IV. Forty-one cars entered the midweek event at the racy quarter-mile oval.
The historic Kirkwood track also closed the curtain on year one of the RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour's existence. On Sun., Nov. 6, young Mike Ketcham outdueled Pennsy's Brett Tonkin in a thrilling 40-lap dash. Danny Creeden, Grim and Hamilton filled out the front five. Thirty-seven Sportsman racers checked into the pit area on a threatening autumn afternoon.
The 2006 season-opening Sportsman field is shaping up to be one of the most competitive yet.
Last year's Southern Tier Open victor Ryan Olsommer of Waymart, Pa., will return to FMP attempting back-to-back spring checkered flags. The Southern Tier Open winner from 2004, Jeremy Holt, will also be on hand, looking to kick the year off with a win.
Kyle Weiss, Danny Creeden, Jeff Geiges, Brian Puckett, Shaun Walker, Brad Grim, Michael "Kid Lightning" Storms, '05 Five Mile Point champion Eric Palmer and many more are expected to sign in as part of a talent-laden field.
Pit gates open at 10 a.m., with hot laps at 1 p.m. and racing at 2 p.m. Grandstand gates open at 11:30 a.m.
Joining the RoC Dirt Sportsman on the agenda will be open competition Modifieds in a 50-lap, $3,000-to-win main (big- or small-block Modifieds, gas or alcohol, sail panels, any 13 x 92-inch tire), plus a heldover BRC Lazer Late Model event from Nov. 6, 2005, a complete new Late Model program and Pure Stocks.
A tentative practice session is scheduled for Sat., April 8 at 2 p.m. The test and tune session will last four hours.
For more information on Five Mile Point Speedway, visit the official website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net or contact the track office: (607) 775-5555. RoC Dirt can be found on the web at: www.rocdirt.com.

RoC DIRT NOTES: Harpell said the mild winter has left the track in prime condition for the early opener. He expects to be working the surface beginning Mon., March 27....
RoC Dirt regular Danny Creeden recently took Best of Show honors at the March 17-19 Middletown Motorsports Car Show at the Orange County Fairgrounds Arena in Middletown, N.Y. Creeden said he would follow the entire Sportsman Tour again this season....
A newcomer to the '06 RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour is Wantage, N.J.'s Michael Storms, a second-year Orange County (N.Y.) Fair Speedway regular. Storms, 18, will be making his first Five Mile Point start on April 9....
What are the thoughts of Lawrenceville, N.J., driver Jeff Geiges as he prepares for year two of RoC Dirt Sportsman competition? "I can't wait!" exclaimed the New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway regular, who finished fifth in the '05 standings. Geiges will run the entire Tour this season with his Vengeance-powered Bicknell No. 77J....


RoC Dirt Sportsman South Region Race No. 2 Info (3-23-06)
Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour South Region Race No. 2/Penn-Can Speedway - Susquehanna, PA - Sunday, April 23 (Rain Date: Mon., May 29)


RACE INFORMATION
Location: Route 171 Susquehanna, PA 18847
Heading South On I-81
Take Exit 230 the first exit in Pennsylvania (GREAT BEND EXIT). At the stop sign turn left and go seven miles to the speedway on the right.
Heading North on I-81 from Scranton Area:
Take Exit 230 the first exit in Pennsylvania (GREAT BEND EXIT). At the stop sign turn right and go seven miles to the speedway on the right.
Phone Info: Office: (570) 585-9928/Track: (570) 853-3434 /Fax: (570) 585-9928
Speedway Website: www.penncan.com
Pit Fees: $25
Pit Gates Open: 11:30 a.m.
Grandstand Prices: $12 for Adults - Youth (ages 13-17) - $10; Seniors (62 and older) - $10; Kids 12 and younger $3.00; Children 6 and under Free.
Grandstand Gates Open: 12:30 p.m.
Practice: 1:15 p.m.
Race Time: 2 p.m.
Entry Info: Sportsman pre-race entry (received prior to April 19th): $10; Entry after above date: $15.
Sportsman Feature: 40 laps - all green flag.
Tire Information: Tire Options - American Racer Compounds Right-Rear Compound: 38 minimal softness; Left-Rear Compound: 33 minimal softness; Minimum 33 front tire compounds. For tire information please call Trackside Products: (607) 748-3322.
General Race Rules: The standard for motor, body, chassis and safety rules are based on '04 DIRT rules.
Weight Info: Minimum of 2,400 lbs.
For more information please contact the Penn-Can Speedway at (570) 585-9928 or Race of Champions office at (607) 775-5555 or log on to www.penncan.com or www.rocdirt.com.
Two-way radios are not permitted. The speedway frequency is 154.515 or RACECEIVER frequency 454.000 and will be operational. It is not mandatory to have the one-way frequency but is suggested if you already have an adjustable scanner.


RoC Dirt Sportsman South Region Race No. 1 Information (3-22-06)
Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour South Region Race No. 1/Five Mile Point Speedway - Kirkwood, NY - Sunday, April 9

RACE INFORMATION
Location: 100 Francis Street, Kirkwood, NY 13795

Heading South On I-81 or 17 East from Elmira:
Take Exit 2 on I-81 - (says Five Mile Point on green highway sign). Immediately get into left hand lane and take first left onto Francis Street. Track is located up the road about one-half mile on right hand side of the street.
Heading North on I-81 from Scranton Area:
Take Exit 2W (Industrial Park Exit) make first left hand turn onto Francis Street. Speedway is located up the road about one-half mile on right hand side of street.

Heading From Route 17W - Middletown:
Take Exit 75 past Windsor, NY (this exit is not an off ramp exit rather a merge). Road splits to the left. Once you have gone under the Exit 75 sign, take first left hand turn onto Francis Street. Speedway is located up the road about one-half mile on the right hand side of street.

Phone Info: Track Office: (607) 775-5555/Fax: (607) 775-3417
Speedway Website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net
Pit Fees: $30
Pit Gates Open: 10:00 a.m.
Grandstand Prices: $20 for Adults - Two Adult tickets for $35 (save $5); Youth (ages 13-17) - $10; Seniors (62 and older) - $10; Kids 12 and younger always free!
Grandstand Gates Open: 11:30 a.m.
Practice: 1 p.m.
Race Time: 2 p.m.
Entry Info: Sportsman pre-race entry (received prior to April 5th): $10; Entry after above date: $15.
Sportsman Feature: 40 laps - all green flag.
Tire Information: Tire Options - American Racer Compounds Right-Rear Compound: 48 minimal softness (may use 50 compound); Left-Rear Compound: 44 minimal softness; Minimum 33 front tire compounds. For tire information please call French's Auto Parts: (607) 774-4500.
General Race Rules: The standard for motor, body, chassis and safety rules are based on '04 DIRT rules.
Weight Info: Minimum of 2,400 lbs.

For more information please contact the Race of Champions office at (607) 775-5555 or log on to www.rocdirt.com.

Two-way radios are not permitted. The speedway frequency is 154.515 and will be operational. It is not mandatory to have the one-way frequency but is suggested if you already have an adjustable scanner.


Race of Champions Dirt Tour Introduces Convenient General Membership For Modifieds and Sportsman
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - Getting through the gate at Race of Champions Dirt Tour events just got easier.
Administrative director Andrew Harpell announced the advent of a General Membership for the RoC Dirt Modified and Sportsman Tours for 2006, which is being offered as an alternative to the entry fee posted at each event.
"Last year, we had teams filling out early entry forms for each event and getting it to us in advance by fax or mail, but that was a lot of paperwork," said Harpell, preparing for upcoming openers at Fonda (N.Y.) Speedway on Sat., April 8 for the Modified North Region and Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Speedway on Sun., April 9 for the Sportsman South Region.
"Then we had even more teams just filling out the entry forms at each event, which created a backlog at the pit gate. Buying this membership will be an automatic entry into every event."
The price of the entry fee reflects the designated early entry cost. Entry fees for RoC Dirt Modified events are $15 for early entry and $20 the day of the event. Sportsman prices are $10 for early entry and $15 for day of the event.
The Modified General Membership is $200. The Sportsman General Membership is $150. This one-time cost covers entry fees for the entire season in one step.
"Buying a General Membership is not mandatory," Harpell explained. "It's just a way to save time, save money and eliminate some paperwork down the line."
RoC Dirt General Membership Forms are available on the web at: www.rocdirt.com under the "Registration" page. Forms also may be obtained at any of the pre-season RoC Dirt car show appearances. The Race of Champions Dirt Tour office can be reached by phone at (607) 775-5555.
Please note that the General Membership does not cover the cost of a pit pass, just the entry fee.


Race of Champions Dirt Tours To Be Well Represented On Upcoming Show Circuit
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - It's showtime for the Race of Champions Dirt Tours.
Literally.
The RoC Dirt Modified and Sportsman Tours will be prominently represented at four auto racing trade shows during a whirlwind month of March for Andrew Harpell and his sophomore dirt-track traveling group.
"I always enjoy going to the shows and interacting with the racers and fans before the season starts," said Harpell from the Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Speedway office on Sun. afternoon, Feb. 26. In addition to his RoC Dirt duties, Harpell is the owner/promoter of Five Mile Point and the RoC Asphalt Modified Tour director.
"This year, RoC will certainly be 'out there' in a big way. We didn't have that opportunity in 2005 because we were just getting off the ground in February."
First on the agenda is the March 3-5 Southern Tier Speedworld presented by Mike Stolarcyk Chevrolet and Country Town Auto Service at the Oakdale Mall in Johnson City, N.Y. It is the third installment of the Paul Szmal/Robin Oltz-promoted show and an excellent opportunity for auto racing neophytes to become acquainted with the sport in their area.
On March 10-12, RoC Dirt will boast a display at the 20th Annual CarQuest Motorsports Expo. The pre-season, three-day gathering is held in the Cargill Exhibit Center at The New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, N.Y. A "must-see" for racers and fans, the CarQuest Expo traditionally draws huge throngs of race enthusiasts.
The weekend of March 17-19 will provide "double exposure" for the RoC Dirt squad, with simultaneous show appearances being coordinated.
For the first time, RoC Dirt will make an all-out assault at Ed and JoAnn Stevens's Middletown Motorsports Show, stationed at the Orange County Fairgrounds Arena in Middletown, N.Y. Highlighting the RoC Dirt booth at the 15th Annual event will be the immaculate No. 77F dirt Modified of Mark Flach Jr. Flach, 22, of Coxsackie, N.Y., will be a RoC Dirt regular in 2006.
Roughly two hours across Route 17, RoC Dirt will also be represented at the World of Racing Motorsports Show presented by Gary's U-Pull-It at the former Ames building (Northgate Plaza) in Binghamton, N.Y., an event promoted by Don Lane and Doug Gardner.
Information, schedules, registration forms and apparel/novelties will be available at each of the RoC Dirt show appearances.
RoC Dirt's initial '06 show presence took place in January during the Len Sammons-promoted Motorsports 2006 presented by VP Racing Fuels at the Fort Washington (Pa.) Expo Center.
The second season of RoC Dirt on-track action officially gets underway on Sat., April 8 at Fonda (N.Y.) Speedway with the "Ice Jam" for the Modifieds. It will be the first event of the Tour's North Region.
Then, the Sportsman South Region racers will have their lid-lifter at Five Mile Point on Sun., April 9. The Sportsman will compete as part of the popular FMP Southern Tier Open program.
For more information on the RoC Dirt Tours, call the office at (607) 775-5555 or log onto the official website: www.rocdirt.com. Entry forms for Fonda and Five Mile Point have already been posted under the "Registration" link.


Big Diamond Raceway Sets 2006 Race of Champions Dirt Dates
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - The dates are set.
Big Diamond (Pa.) Raceway officials and Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour administrative director Andrew Harpell have confirmed two stops apiece in 2006 by the RoC Dirt Modified and Sportsman Tours at the rejuvenated facility.
Running under the new managerial team of Buddy Biever, Barry Bashore and Dave Dissinger (BD Raceway, LLC) for the upcoming season, the three-eighths-mile oval will host two RoC doubleheader programs, featuring the RoC Dirt Modified Tour and RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour in South Region events on Tues., June 6 and Tues., July 25.
The Modified teams will compete in 75-lap features, while the Sportsman racers will run 40-lap mains.
"I'm happy to have Big Diamond back on board," said Harpell, enthusiastically entering year two of RoC Dirt promotion. "It's always good to see a track get new life, and that's exactly what the new management is doing with Big Diamond.
"There is potential for a great show there. I know Buddy (Biever) has spoken about the facility improvements being made. I'm pretty excited to see what they've done."
Similar to the 2005 season, the rules will be adjusted to equalize the mix of engine combinations eligible for Modified competition.
Last year, Big D hosted two RoC Dirt Modified South Region events.
On June 7, Jeff Strunk of Bethel, Pa., took the win over Rick Laubach (who raced much of the event with no power steering), Meme DeSantis, 26th-starter Ray Swinehart and Doug Hoffman.
Frenchtown, N.J.'s Billy Pauch wheeled Norm Hansell's No. 357 to the triumph in the Aug. 9 stop. Craig Von Dohren, Keith Hoffman, Strunk and Doug Hoffman trailed.
RoC Dirt Sportsman victories went to track regular Craig Whitmoyer (June 28) and New Yorker Arnie Slade (Aug. 9).
For further information on the RoC Dirt Tour, visit the official website: www.rocdirt.com or contact the office by phone at: (607) 775-5555. A full schedule is available on the web.
The RoC Dirt Tour will be represented on the upcoming car show circuit: Southern Tier Speedworld (March 3-5) Oakdale Mall/Johnson City, N.Y.; CarQuest Expo (March 10-12) New York State Fairgrounds/Syracuse, N.Y.; and Raceworld (March 17-19) Ames Building/Binghamton, N.Y.


New Egypt Joins RoC Dirt Fold; Garden State Track To Host Modified and Sportsman on Wed., June 21
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - Momentum continues to build.
The sophomore season of the Race of Champions Dirt Modified and Sportsman Tours took another leap forward when RoC Dirt administrative director Andrew Harpell announced the addition of N.J.'s New Egypt Speedway to the 2006 lineup.
Harpell made the New Egypt/RoC Dirt agreement public at last weekend's (Jan. 27-29) Eastern Motorsport Press Association Convention in Trevose, Pa.
Set for Wed., June 21, RoC Dirt's inaugural visit to New Egypt, dubbed "Metal Fab presents the RoC Rocket Rumble," will include the 75-lap RoC Dirt Modified Tour South Region lid-lifter, plus 40 laps of RoC Dirt Sportsman action in South Region race number three.
"I'm very pleased to have New Egypt on the schedule," noted Harpell, who has already brought Albany-Saratoga (N.Y.) Speedway (Modified North) and Oswego (N.Y.) Speedway (Sportsman North) on board with RoC Dirt during a full-bore off-season. A visit to Chemung (N.Y.) Speedrome by the RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour is also pending.
"The racing at New Egypt is second-to-none, and I feel we can put on an awesome show by adding the RoC stars to New Egypt's established field."
NES public relations director Buffy Swanson said the RoC Dirt doubleheader was a perfect fit for a midweek opening on their schedule.
"Some of the guys from our track went on tour with RoC last year," Swanson explained. "They were interested in having a show on their home turf and we had a hole on our schedule.
"We like to get involved with people who are enthusiastic. Andy (Harpell) is definitely enthusiastic."
Last year, NES regulars Billy Pauch, Jimmy Horton and Frank Cozze dabbled in RoC Dirt Modified competition. Pauch won a 75-lap South Region main on Aug. 9 at Pa.'s Big Diamond Raceway, while Horton and Cozze finished sixth and seventh, respectively, in the Tour's South Region points.
Multi-time NES winner Jeff Geiges made the haul from Lawrenceville, N.J., to compete in every '05 RoC Dirt Sportsman event, finishing a respectable fifth in the final point tally.
New Egypt's American Racer tire rule clearly facilitates hosting a RoC Dirt event. NES regulars won't have to buy tires specifically for the special, which race director Jim Swanson believes should lead to high car counts in both divisions.
The Grosso family completely rebuilt New Egypt Speedway in 1997. The former paved oval transformed from a state of near-ruin into a half-mile clay short-track showcase reveled by racers and fans. From the bathrooms to the concession stands, everything at New Egypt is first-class.
Included in the "top notch " category is the Garden State oval's potent weekly Modified roster, headlined by '05 champ Cozze, Pauch, Keith Hoffman, Kenny Brightbill (confirmed as a regular at NES in '06), Horton, Ryan Godown and many more.
"It will be a different mix-up," Buffy Swanson said of the night's anticipated field. "Will the RoC drivers be up to going against Pauch, Horton, Cozze and the rest on their home turf?
"We'll have to wait and see."
For more information on New Egypt Speedway, contact the track office at (609) 758-1900 or visit the official website: www.newegyptspeedway.net.
RoC Dirt can be contacted by phone at (607) 775-5555 or on the web: www.rocdirt.com.

NES NOTES: Buffy Swanson is particularly enthused about one RoC Dirt regular's return to New Egypt: Brian Weaver. The Southern Tier standout developed a huge fan base at NES when he made the long haul from Windsor, N.Y., to compete there weekly in 2001.
Weaver, incidentally, was a feature winner at NES on April 14, 2001....
New Egypt looks to become the first track to host RoC Dirt and the Advance Auto Parts big-block Modified Super DIRT Series in the same season. "We're an independent track," Swanson said. "For us, it's not political."....
The Modified schedule is now comprised of 13 events: five South, five North and three combined. The Sportsman schedule boasts 15 events: six South, five North and four combined....
Officials at Big Diamond (Modified and Sportsman) and Chemung (Sportsman) remain committed to RoC Dirt but have not yet chosen their dates....
Harpell's presentation at the EMPA Convention centered on RoC's priority of the weekly racer and its emphasis on the fans (no time trials)....
The next event on the RoC Dirt agenda is the Southern Tier Speedworld show presented by Mike Stolarcyk Chevrolet and Country Town Auto Service Fri.-Sun. March 3-5 at the Oakdale Mall in Johnson City, N.Y. An expansive display with information, schedules, etc., will be set up....


RoC Dirt Releases 2006 Tentative Schedules; Albany-Saratoga Joins Modified Fold, Oswego To Host Sportsman
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - New venues, returning facilities and convenience for the weekly racer highlight the 2006 tentative schedules for the Race of Champions Dirt Modified and Sportsman Tours.
Administrative director Andrew Harpell released the recently-inked slates during the Jan. 13-15 Motorsports 2006 presented by VP Racing Fuels in Fort Washington, Pa.
The RoC Dirt Tour boasted an eye-catching display at Motorsports showcasing Jason Hamilton's championship-winning No. 16 Sportsman and the No. 8JR small-block Modified of Keystone State talent J.R. Crouse.
"Right now, RoC Dirt Tour dates are in demand for the Sportsman and Modifieds, which is a great thing," Harpell said while reflecting on a successful first season.
"I've been very careful with the placement and number of dates, because this has been about the weekly racer from day one. We need to have just enough races to keep teams and fans interested, but not too many where the Friday- or Saturday-night racers can't afford to run the whole Tour."
Tentatively, the RoC Dirt Modified Tour boasts 12 events at six different tracks. Big Diamond (Pa.) Raceway, Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Speedway, Fonda (N.Y.) Speedway, Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway and Utica-Rome (N.Y.) Speedway, participants in the '05 inaugural RoC Dirt Tour, have re-upped for 2006.
An addition to the fold is N.Y.'s popular Albany-Saratoga Speedway. The Bruce Richards-promoted four-tenths-mile oval will host a RoC Dirt Modified North Region event in conjunction with the Empire Super Sprints (ESS) on Tues., June 27.
"Bruce (Richards) is excited to have us," Harpell offered. "I know it will be a great show. Albany-Saratoga is a racy track with a quality field. When the RoC Dirt stars invade, it should be one to remember.
"Having Albany-Saratoga join our other facilities is a big boost to the RoC Dirt Tour."
The North Region will begin at Fonda with the "Ice Jam" 50-lap event Sat., April 9. Utica-Rome (68-lap Mother's Day special) Sun., May 14; Albany-Saratoga (75-laps) Tues., June 27; Five Mile Point (75-lap 56th Anniversary Special) Wed., July 12; and Utica-Rome (75-laps) Sun., Aug. 13 complete the North Region schedule.
Confirmed South Region events include Penn-Can (75-lap "Hot Summer Nights" special) Tues., Aug. 1 and Five Mile Point (75-laps) Wed., Aug. 9. Big Diamond's new Biever/Bashore/Dissinger management team has agreed to host a pair of South Region events; dates are pending and will be announced shortly.
The three combined point events, integral races in the RoC Dirt Modified overall championship fight, are set for Penn-Can ("King of the Can" 100) Fri.-Sat. Sept. 15-16; Fonda (McDonald's 100) Sat.-Sun. Sept. 23-24; and Five Mile Point (Southern Tier 100) Sat., Oct. 14.
The RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour is currently comprised of 13 dates at seven tracks. As announced previously, the Tour will be split into North and South Regions.
Tracks returning from '05 include Accord (N.Y.) Speedway, Big Diamond, Five Mile Point, Fonda, Penn-Can and Utica-Rome. The legendary "Steel Palace" Oswego (N.Y.) Speedway jumps on board for '06. The five-eighths-mile paved oval will host the RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour's North Region on Wed., July 26.
Sportsman North Region events are planned as follows: Utica-Rome (40-laps) Sun., May 28; Five Mile Point (40-laps) Wed., July 12; Oswego (30-laps) Wed., July 26; Penn-Can (40-laps) Tues., Aug. 1; and Utica-Rome (40-laps) Sun., Aug. 6.
Five Mile Point will launch the South Region with a 40-lap headliner on Sun., April 9. Penn-Can (40-laps) Sun., April 23, two events at Big Diamond (dates TBA) and an asphalt event (TBA) will fill out the South Region calendar. More information will be released shortly.
Combined events are slated for Penn-Can (40-laps) Fri., Sept. 15; Fonda (40-laps) Sat., Sept. 23; Accord (40-laps) Fri., Sept. 29; and Five Mile Point (40-laps) Fri., Oct. 13.
For further information on the RoC Dirt Tour, contact the office by phone at (607) 775-5555 or visit the official website: www.rocdirt.com. The office fax number is (607) 775-3417.

RoC DIRT NOTES: Think the tentative '06 schedule suits the needs of the weekly racer? "That (schedule) hits the spot," Jerry Higbie Jr., fourth in '05 overall RoC Dirt Modified points, said after a quick glance of the upcoming season's agenda.
"The races are spaced out well, we're back at some good tracks and I'm looking forward to racing at Albany-Saratoga. I think it's great."....
The number "68" in Utica-Rome's Sun., May 14 68-lap RoC Dirt Modified North Region event carries special significance: it was the car number of the late racer and promoter Alex Friesen....
Veteran Pennsylvania driver Frank Cozze is another driver looking forward to running RoC Dirt events in '06. While his focus will be the South Region, expect Cozze to venture north for the Albany-Saratoga event....
Harpell didn't rule out one or two additional events on the RoC Dirt Modified Tour. He hopes to "beef up" the South Region in coming weeks....
The likely candidate for the RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour's South Region asphalt event is N.Y.'s Chemung Speedrome. Chemung promoter Chris Zacharias said he is searching for the right date to host the event....

Tentative 2006 Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour Schedule
Date Track/Location Laps Region
Sat., April 8 Fonda Speedway/Fonda, N.Y. 50 North
Sun., May 14 Utica-Rome Speedway/Vernon, N.Y. 68 North
Tues., June 27 Albany-Saratoga Speedway/Malta, N.Y. 75 North
Wed., July 12 Five Mile Point Speedway/Kirkwood, N.Y. 75 North
TBA Big Diamond Raceway/Minersville, Pa. 75 South
Tues., Aug. 1 Penn-Can Speedway/Susquehanna, Pa. 75 South
Wed., Aug. 9 Five Mile Point Speedway/Kirkwood, N.Y. 75 South
Sun., Aug. 13 Utica-Rome Speedway/Vernon, N.Y. 75 North
TBA Big Diamond Raceway/Minersville, Pa. 75 South
Fri.-Sat. Sept. 15-16 Penn-Can Speedway/Susquehanna, Pa. 100 Combo
Sat.-Sun. Sept. 23-24 Fonda Speedway/Fonda, N.Y. 100 Combo
Sat., Oct. 14 Five Mile Point Speedway/Kirkwood, N.Y. 100 Combo

Tentative 2006 Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour Schedule
Date Track/Location Laps Region
Sun., April 9 Five Mile Point Speedway/Kirkwood, N.Y. 40 South
Sun., April 23 Penn-Can Speedway/Susquehanna, Pa. 40 South
Sun., May 28 Utica-Rome Speedway/Vernon, N.Y. 40 North
Wed., July 12 Five Mile Point Speedway/Kirkwood, N.Y. 40 North
TBA Big Diamond Raceway/Minersville, Pa. 40 South
Wed., July 26 Oswego Speedway/Oswego, N.Y. 30 North
Tues., Aug. 1 Penn-Can Speedway/Susquehanna, Pa. 40 North
Sun., Aug. 6 Utica-Rome Speedway/Vernon, N.Y. 40 North
TBA Big Diamond Raceway/Minersville, Pa. 40 South
Fri., Sept. 15 Penn-Can Speedway/Susquehanna, Pa. 40 Combo
Sat., Sept. 23 Fonda Speedway/Fonda, N.Y. 40 Combo
Fri., Sept. 29 Accord Speedway/Accord, N.Y. 40 Combo
Fri., Oct. 13 Five Mile Point Speedway/Kirkwood, N.Y. 40 Combo


RoC DIRT BULLETIN - JANUARY 15, 2006

All phone calls regarding the Race of Champions Dirt Modified and Sportsman Tours should be directed to (607) 775-5555, the RoC Dirt/Asphalt and Five Mile Point Speedway home office.

Thank you for your cooperation.


RoC Dirt's First Season Concludes With Awards Banquet: Varin, Gibbs, Strunk and Hamilton Honored
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - Their seasons couldn't have been more opposite.

Bobby Varin was high profile. He charged hard, won races and thrilled crowds with his go-for-broke driving style.

Mitch Gibbs was the quiet one. He avoided melees, racked up top-five finishes and cruised under the radar.

But they were equally successful.

Before a full house at the Binghamton Regency Hotel and Conference Center, Gibbs and Varin were honored as the inaugural Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour overall co-champions at a classy Awards Banquet on Saturday night.

The festive gathering served as a fitting conclusion to year one for Andrew Harpell's RoC Dirt Modified and Sportsman Tours.

Brett Deyo worked the microphone for the RoC Dirt awards ceremony following a delicious dinner, as the top point-getters collected their share of $100,000 in point fund money paid out during the full slate, which also included year-end awards for the Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Tour and Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Speedway.

The RoC Dirt Modified title fight came down to the Tour's final event, the 36th running of the Southern Tier 100 at Five Mile Point on Oct. 15.

Gibbs finished second after trading the lead with Mike Ricci eight laps from the finish; Varin was sixth. Both drivers won their heat events, collecting the accompanying five-point bonus.

After 11 events (eight regional, three combined) and 841.5 laps of feature racing, Gibbs and Varin ended in a deadlock with 664 points.

Varin, of Sharon Springs, N.Y., dominated the North Region, winning all four events - two at Fonda (N.Y.) Speedway and two at Utica-Rome (N.Y.) Speedway - driving Jake Spraker's JPM-powered No. 1J Bicknell.

He finished fifth in the South Region standings driving the Magsarus No. 93 PMC mount.

The 35-year-old missed the first combined event at Penn-Can (Pa.) on Sept. 17 due to a Saturday-night commitment at Fonda, but he rallied back to win the McDonald's 100 at "The Track of Champions" on Sept. 25, despite spinning from the lead on lap 15 and running out of fuel 10 laps from the finish.

The sixth at FMP combined with first-place regional points, 25 accrued heat points and 25 points for perfect attendance in the regional races vaulted Varin into a tie for his fourth championship of '05 (RoC overall, RoC North, Fonda and big-block at Albany-Saratoga (N.Y.) Speedway).

Varin, who struggled financially to field his own equipment during his career's formative years, couldn't thank his backers enough.

"The equipment makes such a difference," Varin said. "I'm thankful to have so many good people behind me. Jake and Nancy (Spraker) have given me a great opportunity. Ed (Munger) helped me out a lot, too.

"When I go to the track, whether it's a RoC race or a Saturday at Fonda, I know I've got a car to win. That is a great feeling."

While Varin made no secret that he would have liked sole possession of the RoC Dirt crown, he acknowledged Gibbs's efforts, those of his competition and RoC Dirt management.

"It's an honor to be up here with Mitch, he is an accomplished driver who I have a lot of respect for.

"But that's the great thing about this RoC deal, you race with such quality competition, it's rewarding to win one of these races. It definitely helps your confidence."

Varin affirmed that he would return to RoC Dirt in 2006 to defend his title.

Gibbs, of North Norwich, N.Y., scored three top-five finishes in the Tour's trio of combination events. The 42-year-old placed fourth at Penn-Can on Sept. 17, fifth at Fonda on Sept. 25 and second at FMP on Oct. 15. He earned 10 heat points and the 25-point perfect attendance bonus for the regional events.

A Can-Am (N.Y.)/Utica-Rome regular, Gibbs tallied second, behind Varin, in the North Region standings and came home third in the South Region rundown.

He split the Tour between his own team, featuring Moshier small-block-powered No. 2G Bicknell cars, and Lance Kenyon's Enders big-block-powered No. 22G Bicknell.

"It was nice having the two cars, especially running two nights per week with our own stuff like we did this year," Gibbs related. "Did it help us on the RoC Tour? Absolutely. We were prepared wherever we went.

"I am very happy with our year. I would've liked to get a (RoC Dirt) win, but we were consistent."

A 26-year "weekend warrior" with 10 track championships, Gibbs appreciated the opportunities RoC Dirt presented: larger purses, longer races and limited traveling for a healthy point fund.

"It was a perfect deal for me," he said. "I'll be back next year for sure."

Brian Weaver of Windsor, N.Y., who won the first combined event at Penn-Can on Sept. 17, was third in the overall standings, 21 points out of the lead. Jerry Higbie Jr. of Slate Hill, N.Y., and second-generation driver Ronnie Johnson of Duanesburg, N.Y., completed the front five.

Finishing sixth through 12th were Jeff Strunk of Bethel, Pa., Ted Lamb of Clay, N.Y., Mike Gular of Harleysville, Pa./Ryan Bartlett of Adams, N.Y., (tie) Jack Johnson of Duanesburg, N.Y., Willy Decker of Vernon, N.Y., and Rick Laubach of Quakertown, Pa.

The top 12 drivers in the overall RoC Dirt Modified standings collected point fund money and hardware.

*****

Bobby Varin led the list of North Region point-earners with his four victories (he also won all but one heat race in North Region action). Varin ultimately held a 79-point edge on runner-up Gibbs.

Ronnie Johnson, Higbie and Jack Johnson were third through fifth, respectively. Decker, Tony Pepicelli, Lamb, Weaver and Bartlett completed the top 10.

The top 10 finishers in the RoC Dirt Modified North Region championship battle received point fund money and hardware.

*****

Jeff Strunk was honored as the South Region champion. The full-time driver, who secured Grandview (Pa.) Speedway's NASCAR Modified championship for the fifth time in '05, won the Region's June 7 lid-lifter at Big Diamond (Pa.) Raceway.

The 36-year-old notched two additional top-five finishes, taking advantage of engine woes for chief rival Brian Weaver in the final point event at Penn-Can Aug. 17 to snatch the title by 11 points with a second-place finish to Alan Rudalavage.

"To race a series like this is refreshing," Strunk remarked. "You're competing with guys you don't usually race with and you get out to some different tracks.

"I enjoyed it a lot."

Weaver, Gibbs, Laubach and Varin rounded out the top five. Jimmy Horton, Frank Cozze, Gular, Bartlett and J.R. Crouse finished sixth through 10th, respectively.

The top 10 RoC Dirt Modified South Region drivers received point fund money and hardware.

*****

Jason Hamilton received his recognition as the 2005 Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour champion.

Erwinna, Pa.'s Hamilton recorded five top-five and eight top-10 finishes in the nine-race Tour, including runner-up efforts at Big Diamond Aug. 9 and Penn-Can Sept. 16. He completed every possible feature lap and earned 25 heat points, besting Arnie Slade by 32 markers.

A graduate from the 270cc Micro-Sprint ranks in only his second Sportsman season, Hamilton showed remarkable versatility when visiting different venues.

How did he prepare for new tracks?

"I made a lot of phone calls," Hamilton suggested. "I wasn't afraid to ask questions. Fonda and Utica-Rome were the two places I had never seen before this year.

"I hadn't raced a lot at any of the other tracks with the exception of Big Diamond."

The 29-year-old strapped into two Burnett-powered cars en route to the title: his self-owned No. 15 Teo-Pro car and Doug and Ann Flurer's No. 16 Teo-Pro car.

Mt. Upton, N.Y.'s Slade, the '05 Penn-Can champion, was second. Kyle Weiss of Hamburg, Pa., Shaun Walker of Masonville, N.Y., and Jeff Geiges of Lawrenceville, N.J., completed the front five.

Finishing sixth through 10th were Danny Creeden of Middletown, N.Y., Brad Grim of Coplay, Pa., Brian Decker of Susquehanna, Pa., Frank Doty of Middletown, N.Y., and Craig Whitmoyer of Hamburg, Pa.

The top 10 RoC Dirt Sportsman drivers received point fund money and hardware.

The RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour boasted nine winners in nine events, with 178 different drivers attempting to qualify for at least one show.

*****

Brian Weaver (Modified) and Frank Doty (Sportsman) earned the RoC Dirt Hard Luck Awards.

Weaver watched a potential South Region championship slip away when engine troubles sidelined Randy Decker's No. 9R in the Region finale on Aug. 17 at Penn-Can, a track he has dominated in recent seasons.

Doty made repeated long hauls from his Middletown, N.Y., home to every RoC Dirt Sportsman event despite repeated on-track mishaps.

Jeff Strunk's black, orange and yellow BPG No. 88 (Modified) and Kyle Weiss's orange, day-glow yellow and blue No. 21K (Sportsman) earned Best Appearing Car recognition.

D.J. Drew provided dancing and entertainment at the conclusion of the awards ceremony.

For more information on the Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour, contact the RoC Dirt office at (607) 238-0432 or visit the website: www.rocdirt.com.

RoC DIRT BANQUET NOTES: RoC Dirt administrative director Andrew Harpell summed up the 2005 season with one word during his opening remarks: "wow."

Harpell alluded amount of talent assembled in the room, referencing the RoC Dirt and Asphalt competitors and Five Mile Point's weekly stars. He discussed the continued success of the Asphalt program, quick growth of the Dirt program and the planned improvements for Five Mile Point....

Earlier in the afternoon, Harpell held an informal meeting with RoC Dirt competitors to reflect on '05 and look ahead toward the '06 season.

Harpell said American Racer would return as the official tire of RoC and he expects no changes in Modified or Sportsman rules. He added that he is working toward a DART-head 358 engine package for the future in both RoC Dirt and Asphalt Modified competition....

All the tracks that participated in the 2005 RoC Dirt Tour have indicated they would be on board for the upcoming season, with the anticipated Modified (North Region) opener set for Fonda in early April....

There have been conversations between Harpell and the new management at Big Diamond, and all talks have been "positive."....

According to Harpell, the Sportsman Tour will be divided into regions, North and South. The point distribution, etc. will mirror the Modified Tour....

Each region of the Sportsman Tour will include one event on asphalt. American Racer dirt tires will be mandated and teams will be restricted to a set number of tires for the event to limit cost....

Harpell said Mercer (Pa.) management was interested in hosting a RoC Dirt Modified Tour event in early September. He asked for input from competitors with regard to the long tow....

Harpell said he plans to rely more on his own tech team rather than track officials next season....

Schedules and other information will be available at the Jan. 13-15 Motorsports 2006 presented by VP Racing Fuels....


2006 RoC Dirt Modified and Sportsman Tours Coming Together
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - Forget the sophomore jinx.
Admittedly "one year the wiser," Andrew Harpell reports making great strides with the 2006 versions of Race of Champions Dirt Modified and Sportsman Tours.
Taking full advantage of an early start, Harpell looks to build on the success of 2005, when RoC Dirt transitioned from a virtual unknown to a major player in the dirt Modified world.
The RoC Dirt concept wasn't announced until late February last year. In that regard, Harpell, a 36-year-old who also directs the Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Tour and owns/promotes N.Y.'s Five Mile Point Speedway, is ahead of the game.
"I've spoken with a number of different promoters already and I expect all the tracks that were with us last year to be back on board," Harpell, the RoC Dirt administrative director, said.
"I got nothing but positive feedback at PRI (the auto racing trade show held recently in Orlando, Fla.). The racers can look forward to more contingency sponsors next season."
Harpell said the RoC Dirt Modified Tour would again feature a mix of big- and small-block engines. The highest finishing 358-Modified will again be eligible for a $500 bonus in all RoC Dirt Modified events.
A regional breakdown of North and South will remain in place.
While there is the possibility of added dates at additional venues (Harpell is in negotiations with several different promoters looking at the RoC route for '06), he reiterated that he would stick to his focus of keeping RoC Dirt feasible for the weekly racer.
"I can't see adding that many more dates," Harpell said. "We're looking to expand, but not to the extent where you need to be a full-time racer to follow the RoC Tour. I want to stay within three or four dates of what we last year."
Similar to its Modified counterpart, the RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour will be split into North and South Regions, with a series of combined races in the autumn to decide the overall champion.
"It's an example of what we said at our first meeting (held at the CarQuest Expo in Syracuse, N.Y., last March). You can race as much or as little as you want. I'm giving the Sportsman teams the option of focusing on one region.
"But I'd love to see some teams try and do every race."
Harpell said it was likely that both regions of the RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour would include one event on asphalt, namely at Chemung (N.Y.) Speedrome and Oswego (N.Y.) Speedway.
"I've had a lot of interest in the Sportsman Tour with the recent developments," noted Harpell, referring to the decision by DIRT NorthEast to downsize its Sportsman Super DIRT Series.
"I think it will be exciting in its own right."
American Racer will again be the official tire for all RoC Dirt events, Modified and Sportsman.
The RoC Dirt and RoC Asphalt Modified Tours will be represented at Motorsports 2006 presented by VP Racing Fuels at the Fort Washington (Pa.) Expo Center Jan. 13-15. Show attendees can gather more information on the '06 season at the expansive display, which will include a dirt Modified, dirt Sportsman and asphalt Modified.
"Right now," bottom-lined Harpell, "I'm pretty comfortable with where we're at."
For further information on the RoC Dirt Tour, contact the office by phone at (607) 238-0432 or (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.rocdirt.com.

RoC DIRT BANQUET NOTES: Tickets for the upcoming Jan. 7 RoC Dirt and Asphalt/Five Mile Point Awards Banquet at the Binghamton Regency Hotel and Conference Center in downtown Binghamton, N.Y., are selling quickly. Contact the RoC office to purchase tickets. They are $35 each.
Reserved rooms at a discounted rate are available by calling the Binghamton Regency Hotel and Conference Center directly at 1-800-723-7676 or locally (607) 722-7575....


RoC Dirt/Asphalt and Five Mile Point Awards Banquet Set For January 7; RoC Dirt Tour Will Return In '06
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - The Binghamton Regency Hotel and Conference Center in downtown Binghamton will be abuzz with activity on Sat., Jan. 7.
The top point-getters from the 2005 season on the Race of Champions Dirt Modified and Sportsman Tours, Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Tour and Five Mile Point Speedway will be honored at a gala Awards Banquet.
Numerous special awards will also be handed out, along with point fund monies.
Tickets are $35 each and must be purchased by Jan. 1. No tickets will be sold at the door. A group of 10 tickets purchased together comprises a reserved table.
"It's definitely going to be a sellout," said Andrew Harpell, Five Mile Point promoter/owner and the director of both RoC Dirt and Asphalt. "It's important to get your tickets as soon as possible. I'm looking forward to a festive night with a wide variety of people getting together."
Meal choices for the evening include 8 oz. Prime rib, Chicken Cordon Bleu and Pasta Primavera.
For those planning to stay at the Binghamton Regency after the Banquet, there are a limited number of dramatically reduced rooms available.
Please phone the hotel directly at 1-800-723-7676 or locally (607) 722-7575 and make mention of the Race of Champions/Five Mile Point Awards Banquet to receive the discount.
Banquet forms have been mailed to Five Mile Point and RoC competitors. For further information, contact the FMP/RoC office at (607) 775-5555 or (607) 238-0432.
Competitors must be present at the Banquet to receive their awards.
Matt Hirschman of Northampton, Pa., will be honored as the RoC Asphalt Modified overall champion. The son of NASCAR Modified standout Tony Hirschman also topped the Tour's North Region. Zane Zeiner of Bath, Pa., won the South Region title.
Bobby Varin of Sharon Springs, N.Y., and Mitch Gibbs of North Norwich, N.Y., tied for the RoC Dirt Modified Tour overall championship. Varin was the North Region champ and Bethel, Pa.'s Jeff Strunk topped the South Region.
Erwinna, Pa.'s Jason Hamilton earned the RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour title in his second season driving a full-size stock car. Hamilton was previously a 270cc Micro-Sprint regular.
2005 Five Mile Point Speedway champions include Brian Weaver (Modified), Eric Palmer (Sportsman), Kevin Cole (FMP Modified), Bill Trego (Street Stock) and Mahlon Shoemaker (Pure Stock).
News and other information on RoC Dirt, RoC Asphalt or Five Mile Point can be obtained on the web at www.rocdirt.com, www.raceofchampions.net or www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.
*****
Yes, the Race of Champions Dirt Modified and Sportsman Tours will return in 2006.
Andrew Harpell confirmed that fact while in Florida last week at the Performance Racing Industries show.
"I've already started working on next year's schedule," said Harpell, the Tour's administrative director. "You can expect more information to be out in the coming weeks, probably after the holidays."
Harpell was pleased with the Tour's inaugural '05 season and expects a similar schedule to be in place for the coming year.
He added that the Sportsman Tour would most likely be divided into two regions, similar to the RoC Dirt and Asphalt Modified schedule.
"There will be a few surprises and new ideas," he said. "But we will build on what we accomplished in year one."


Final RoC Dirt Points - Sportsman (Top 50)
PENN CAN 5/30/05 BIG DIAMOND 6/28/05 FIVE MILE 7/13/05 BIG DIAMOND 8/9/05 UTICA ROME 9/11/05 PENN CAN 9/16/05 FONDA 9/24/05 ACCORD 9/30/05 FIVE MILE 10/14/05 Pos.
Driver Total Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts Feature Heat DNQ Feature Heat DNQ Feature Heat DNQ Feature Heat DNQ Feature Heat DNQ Feature Heat DNQ Feature Heat DNQ Feature Heat DNQ

Hamilton, Jason 15 433 50 50 5 44 55 5 26 55 5 38 44 5 46 5 1
Slade, Arnie 22B 401 55 5 55 5 32 60 5 28 46 26 40 44 2
Weiss, Kyle 21K 391 48 40 48 46 46 5 60 5 15 36 42 3
Walker, Shaun 21 355 44 19 42 5 34 32 38 50 5 48 38 4
Geiges, Jeff 77J 312 21 21 55 5 50 30 28 32 34 36 5
Creeden, Danny 16X 292 32 5 30 15 42 20 32 28 38 50 6
Grim, Brad 611 226 34 32 5 60 16 8 18 5 48 7
Decker, Brian 9B 212 60 5 38 30 18 19 5 32 5 8
Doty, Frank 71D 198 19 28 36 5 21 9 30 5 21 24 9
Whitmoyer, Craig 99 189 5 60 19 22 34 17 32 10
Ketcham, Mike 9K 172 28 7 21 5 46 60 5 11
Loney, Mike 17D 152 7 9 34 32 40 30 12
McGrew, Derrick 17 148 28 5 36 5 19 55 13
Towns, David 133 55 5 60 5 8 14
Horton IV, Jimmy 43 126 10 44 46 26 15
Jagger, Dusty 48 119 9 24 42 18 7 19 16
Miller, Andy 1/64 109 6 24 10 36 10 23 17
Brightbill, Brad 19 103 48 5 22 28 18
Titus, Ken 9T 102 38 40 24 19
Puckett, Brian 41 97 50 21 26 20
Yannone, Jamie 21Y 90 30 60 21
Hendricks, Doug 8 84 36 48 22
Zemken, Jessica 1Z 83 16 20 42 5 23
Rutt, Ricky 57 80 5 18 19 38 24
Wagner, Luke 3 76 15 18 15 23 5 25
Konopka, Alex 14 71 40 5 26 26
Rooney, Paul 54 71 18 5 48 27
Lewis, Kyle 68 34 34 28
Lippincott, Larry 515 66 26 10 20 10 29
Carey, Paul 65 60 5 30
Masiado, Joe 43M 64 34 17 5 8 31
Apgar, Tim 98 61 26 30 5 32
Mills, Shawn 71 61 10 15 36 33
Farina, Louis 044 60 5 15 40 34
Tonkin, Brett 15 60 55 5 35
House, Justin 57 15 42 36
Palmer, Eric 12E 57 17 40 37
Slavin, Whitey 57 15 42 38
Ballestero, Michael 27B 55 55 39
Raisner, Rick R14 55 30 20 5 40
Hohenforst, Josh 53 5 48 41
Bates, Kevin 42B 51 46 5 42
Cook, Chad 50 50 43
Ruggiero, Mike 4R 50 50 44
Way, Steve 50 50 45
Munson, Jeremiah 48 48 46
Brennan, Tom 26 46 46 47
Dwyer, Tim 21B 46 46 48
Lartz, Mike 42L 46 7 8 5 9 17 49
Crambo, Jeff 44 44 50


Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour Year in Review
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - Born in early March as a stepchild of the Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour, year one of the RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour's existence was a success story in its own right.

With nine events on the schedule at six different venues, competitors turned out in droves for the first season; over 150 drivers took part in at least one event. The races paid $1,000-to-win and ranged from 30- to 40-laps.

The competitors that followed the entire Tour provided a unique blend of drivers from typically mutually exclusive different areas.

When was the last time, for example, a Sportsman regular from Pennsylvania's Big Diamond Raceway paid a visit to a year-end event at Fonda Speedway, located in upstate New York?

In 2005, the RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour made it happen.

Keystone State driver Jason Hamilton etched his name as the Tour's first champion. The Erwinna, Pa., native didn't win a RoC event, but consistency was his biggest ally.

The second-year Sportsman driver scored five top-five finishes and was outside of the top 10 only once, at Utica-Rome (N.Y.) Speedway on Sept. 11. A ninth-place finish at Fonda was a key to Hamilton's championship; Kyle Weiss was an early casualty when he lost a right-front wheel and Arnie Slade was 15th.

Finishing fifth in the Nov. 6 finale at Five Mile Point sealed the title for Hamilton, 29, who split the Tour between his own No. 15 Teo-Pro car and Doug Flurer's No. 16.

It was his second career championship, having won the 2004 New Egypt (N.J.) Rookie Sportsman title after making the move up from the 270cc Micro-Sprint ranks.

Trailing Hamilton (433 points) were Arnie Slade (401), Kyle Weiss (391), Shaun Walker (355) and Jeff Geiges (312).

The top point-getters from the RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour will be honored at the Binghamton Regency in Binghamton, N.Y., on Sat., Jan. 7 as part of the RoC Awards Banquet.

For further information, contact the RoC Dirt office at (607) 238-0432 or visit the website: www.rocdirt.com.

Race No. 1 - Penn-Can Speedway/Susquehanna, Pennsylvania (Mon., May 30): Postponed from its original April 24 date, the Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour's inaugural race took place on Memorial Day at Penn-Can Speedway, with 49 cars in the pit area. In the end, it was track regular Brian Decker who motored around Arnie Slade on a key restart 19 laps into the 40-lap main. Slade and Jason Hamilton ran with Decker in the race's second half, but the hometown driver held on for the historic $1,000 top prize. Slade, Hamilton, Kyle Weiss and Kevin Bates rounded out the top five.

Entries: 49
Lap leaders: Slade (1-19), Decker (20-40).
Heat winners: Bates, Paul Rooney, Slade, Decker, Alex Konopka, Danny Creeden.
Consi winners: Brad Grim, Ryan Olsommer, Jessica Zemken.

Race No. 2 - Big Diamond Raceway/Minersville, Pennsylvania (Tues., June 28): Two-time Big Diamond champion Craig Whitmoyer drove an unlikely combination, a Troyer four-coil car with a sealed 9-to-1 compression engine, to the victory in the 40-lap main. Whitmoyer rode the high line from eighth to second in five laps. When early leader Mike Lyons pushed wide on lap 11, the Hamburg, Pa., driver took command. A restart on lap 36 put New Yorker Arnie Slade on Whitmoyer's bumper, but he held on for the $1,000 payday. Slade, Jason Hamilton, Brad Brightbill and Tom Brennan trailed.

Entries: 43
Lap leaders: Lyons (1-10), Whitmoyer (11-40)
Heat winners: Hamilton, Brad Grim, Slade, Brightbill.
Consi winners: Jordan Umbenhauer, Frank Doty.
Guaranteed Starters Race winner: Brent Boyer.

Race No. 3 - Five Mile Point Speedway/Kirkwood, New York (Wed., July 13): Chalk this one up as the biggest win in Brad Grim's career. Two months after notching his first-ever win, Grim returned to the limelight in the 40-lap RoC Dirt Sportsman stop at Five Mile Point. New Jersey's Jeff Geiges and Grim swept around Brian Puckett on lap 13 to run one-two. Grim, driving his No. 611 Dirt Wheels chassis, hounded Geiges until diving to the inside in turn three on lap 29. Slight contact was made and Grim took a lead he wouldn't relinquish en route to a $1,000 payday. Geiges, Puckett, Kyle Weiss and Jimmy Horton IV filled out the front five.

Entries: 41
Lap leaders: Puckett (1-12), Geiges (13-29), Grim (30-40).
Heat winners: Shaun Walker, Rick Raisner, Frank Doty, Geiges, Mike Ketcham.
Consi winners: Jesse Kline, Danny Creeden.
Guaranteed Starters Race winner: Mike Loney.

Race No. 4 - Big Diamond Raceway/Minersville, Pennsylvania (Tues., Aug. 9): This time, Arnie Slade was one position better. Improving on a runner-up spot in his first Big Diamond appearance (on June 28), he won the 40-lap event at the three-eighths-mile oval in August. Slade picked the pole in the post heat-race draw and used it to full advantage. Slade's biggest challenge came in the form of 11th-starter Jason Hamilton, who took over second on lap 12 and made several low-line bids over the remaining distance. Hamilton couldn't unseat Slade for the $1,000 top prize and finished second, ahead of Jeff Geiges, Doug Hendricks and Kyle Weiss.

Entries: 40
Heat winners: Hamilton, Slade, Tim Apgar, Bobby Lilick.
Consolation winners: Ricky Rutt, Danny Creeden.
Guaranteed Starters Race winner: Andy Miller.

Race No. 5 - Utica-Rome Speedway/Vernon, New York (Sun., Sept. 11): Utilizing two distinctly different grooves on the speedway, Paul Carey and David Towns thrilled the fans at Utica-Rome Speedway in the 30-lap event. Coming from seventh, Carey set his sights on Fonda (N.Y.) Speedway regular Towns, who blasted off from the pole. Carey, holding the low line, pulled even with the high-running Towns on lap 16 and seven laps of side-by-side racing ensued on the fast one-half-mile oval before Carey nosed ahead. Towns finished second, ahead of Steve Way, who came from 19th, Jeremiah Munson and Kyle Weiss.

Entries: 43
Lap leaders: Towns (1-22), Carey (23-30).
Heat winners: Weiss, Jessica Zemken, Paul Carey, Derrick McGrew, Towns, Jeremy Vunk.
Consi winners: Steve Way, Mike Button, Jim Bowman.

Race No. 6 - Penn-Can Speedway/Susquehanna, Pennsylvania (Fri., Sept. 16): On a night when weather was the major story, Kyle Weiss underscored Mother Nature by winning his first career RoC Dirt event at Penn-Can. With rain delaying the program and a slippery, wet track in place for the feature, Weiss started the main third in his orange No. 21K and took the lead on a lap-10 double file restart from Paul Rooney. Jason Hamilton worked by Rooney for second on lap 12. His best opportunity to take command came on lap 31. Weiss and the lapped car of Brian Puckett became momentarily entangled on the frontstretch. Hamilton dove three-wide into turn one and hit a slick spot, causing him to slide up the track. Weiss went on to win over Hamilton, Chad Cook, Rooney and Arnie Slade.

Entries: 38
Lap leaders: Titus (1-4), Rooney (5-10), Weiss (11-35).
Heat winners: Brian Decker, Weiss, Hamilton, Luke Wagner.
Consi winners: Craig Whitmoyer, Mike Lartz.

Race No. 7 - Fonda Speedway/Fonda, New York (Sat., Sept. 24): David Towns wasn't about to let a second RoC victory slip from his grasp. After being out-dueled by Paul Carey at Utica-Rome, Rotterdam, N.Y.'s Towns was dominant at Fonda, leading from green to checkered in the 40-lap affair. Cautions on laps 25, 30 and 24 allowed Mike Ballestero to close, but second was his peak. Shaun Walker, Josh Hohenforst and Tim Dwyer rounded out the top five.

Entries: 32
Lap leaders: Towns (1-40)
Heat winners: Drew Fallis, Towns, Shaun Walker, John McAuliffe.
Consi winner: Derrick McGrew.

Race No. 8 - Accord Speedway/Accord, New York (Fri., Sept. 30): It may have been a high-profile race, but the RoC Dirt Sportsman 40 at Accord Speedway was business as usual for Jamie Yannone. The Accord regular started second. However, contact from polesitter Mike Ruggiero on the opening lap relegated him to fourth. Yannone found the topside to his liking by the halfway point. He took second from Ruggiero on lap 21 and drove around McGrew with 15 laps remaining to score the $1,000 payday. McGrew, Ruggiero, Shaun Walker and Mike Ketcham trailed.

Entries: 34
Lap leaders: McGrew (1-24), Yannone (25-40).
Heat winners: Steve Krom, Dave Coene, Brad Grim, Jason Hamilton.
Consi winners: Arnie Slade, Jeff Richardson.

Race No. 9 - Five Mile Point Speedway/Kirkwood, New York (Sun., Nov. 6): Switching from an outdated Troyer to a newer Teo-Pro car, Mike Ketcham scored his first career victory in the 40-lap RoC Dirt Sportsman finale at Five Mile Point. Ketcham was quick in a heat-race victory and picked the pole for the feature. It wasn't a Sunday afternoon cruise for the Otisville, N.Y., driver. Pennsylvania's Brett Tonkin emerged from a seesaw battle with Danny Creeden on lap 22 and chased Ketcham to the checkered, trying valiantly to wrestle away the top spot. Ketcham's first win was worth $1,000. Tonkin, Creeden, Brad Grim and Jason Hamilton were second through fifth, respectively.

Entries: 37
Lap leaders: Ketcham (1-40)
Heat winners: Brian Decker, Tonkin, Hamilton, Ketcham.
Consi winners: Kyle Weiss, Shaun Walker.


2005 Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour Year in Review
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - The Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour emerged in late February 2005, boasting a name immersed in auto racing history and enormous potential.
Led by Andrew Harpell, the RoC Dirt Modified Tour blossomed into the crown jewel of the weekly racer, a series that pitted top Friday, Saturday and Sunday night heroes against each other in extra-distance, high-paying events.
Two geographical regions kept traveling to a minimum, while a three-race combined series at season's end put the best from across the Northeast in one championship fight.
Boasting solid car counts and a growing fan base, the RoC Dirt Modified Tour's inaugural season was a success.
Mitch Gibbs of North Norwich, N.Y., and Bobby Varin of Sharon Springs, N.Y., ended in a dead tie atop the RoC Dirt Modified overall point standings with 664 points.
Gibbs earned his status through consistency, finishing fourth, fifth and second in the three combined events at Penn-Can (Pa.), Fonda (N.Y.) and Five Mile Point. Varin, meanwhile, missed the Penn-Can show due to a prior commitment, but won at Fonda and finished sixth at FMP.
Brian Weaver (643), Jerry Higbie Jr. (575) and Ronnie Johnson (540) completed the top five.
Varin swept the Tour's North Region to snag the championship with Jake Spraker's potent JPM-powered No. 1J. Varin (255) won two events apiece at his home tracks, Fonda and Utica-Rome (N.Y.).
Finishing second through fifth were Gibbs (176), Ronnie Johnson (168), Jerry Higbie Jr. (165) and Jack Johnson (160).
Bethel, Pa., star Jeff Strunk secured the RoC Dirt South Region title driving for Chad Sinon's BPG Racing operation. Strunk (184) won the Tour's June 7 stop at Pa.'s Big Diamond Raceway.
When Brian Weaver experienced engine troubles in the South Region finale at Penn-Can, Strunk pounced. He took the title by 11 points.
Weaver (173), Gibbs (170), Rick Laubach (163) and Varin (154) completed the top five.
Preparations are already underway for the '06 RoC Dirt Modified Tour.
The 2005 Awards Banquet will be held on Sat., Jan. 7 at the Binghamton Regency in Binghamton, N.Y.
For more information, visit the RoC Dirt website at www.rocdirt.com or contact the office at (607) 238-0432.

RoC Dirt Modified
COMBINED

Combined Race No. 1 - Penn-Can Speedway/Susquehanna, Pennsylvania (Sat., Sept. 17): Demonstrating a veteran's maturity and knowledge of his Friday night home track, Brian Weaver became RoC Dirt's first combined race winner in the 100-lap "King of the Can" event at Penn-Can Speedway. Weaver raced patiently from 11th position into contention, sweeping by Mike Gular on the 70th circuit of the century grind. But Doug Hoffman had other ideas. Wheeling his Dennis "Moose" Eisenhard-owned No. 77, Hoffman took second on lap 81 and battled ferociously with Weaver in the final 19 circuits. The two cars made significant contact exiting turn two on lap 96, as Hoffman tried an outside pass, but Weaver maintained the lead. A lap-99 caution set up one final opportunity. Weaver took the win in Randy Decker's No. 9R. Hoffman was second and earned the $500 small-block bonus. Gular, Mitch Gibbs and Rick Virkitis, who started 21st, was fifth. Weaver's win was worth $5,000.

Entries: 38
Lap leaders: Gibbs (1-14), Gular (15-35), Grammes (36-50), Gular (51-70), Weaver (71-100).
Heat winners: Mike Colsten, Joey Grammes, Gular, Alan Rudalavage.
Consi winners: Rick Virkitis, Rich Keehle Jr.

Combined Race No. 2 - Fonda Speedway/Fonda, New York (Sun., Sept. 25): Even Bobby Varin couldn't believe this one. In a truly bizarre, unpredictable McDonald's 100-lapper at Ric Lucia's Fonda Speedway, Varin ended up victorious in unlikely fashion. Varin actually raced from his ninth starting position into the lead on a lap-14 restart, but contact from Jeff Trombley sent him spinning in turn one. Restarting from dead last, he was back in the top five when he ran out of gas 10 laps from the finish. Varin ducked pitside, got fuel and returned on the lead lap. Second-running Ronnie Johnson lost power on lap 97, out of fuel, bringing out the caution. During the yellow period, Trombley (who had led laps 1-98) saw his run go sour with a dry fuel cell. That put Varin, who passed Tom Sears Jr. for third on lap 95, back into the lead. He raced on for the $5,000 win. Sears finished second in his first RoC start, ahead of Ronnie Johnson, Matt DeLorenzo and Mitch Gibbs. Trombley's eighth-place finish netted him the $500 small-block bonus.

Entries: 48
Lap leaders: Trombley (1-98), Varin (99-100).
Heat winners: A.J. Romano, Danny Johnson, Steve Akers, Trombley, Tim Clemons, Varin.
Consi winners: Tony Pepicelli, Jerry Higbie Jr., Ronnie Johnson.
Non Qualifiers Race winner: Mike Fusco.

Combined Race No. 3 - Five Mile Point Speedway/Kirkwood, New York (Sat., Oct. 15): One lap on the quarter-mile Five Mile Point Speedway ended up the deciding factor in not only the 36th running of the Southern Tier 100, but the RoC Dirt Modified overall championship as well. Polesitter Mike Ricci, driving a PMC chassis for owner Jim Winchell, battled with veteran Mike Colsten in the race's first half. However, contact on a lap-45 restart between the pair sent Colsten spinning. FMP kingpin Mitch Gibbs made his presence felt by lap 85, when he took second. Gibbs actually slid by Ricci to lead at the line for lap 92, but Ricci promptly regained the top spot with an inside pass in turn two. The rebound for Ricci not only changed the race's outcome, it also played a pivotal role in the RoC point standings. Gibbs ended up second and tied with Bobby Varin, who was sixth, for the title. Jeff Trombley, Craig Terrell and Ted Lamb rounded out the top five in the race. Ricci's earnings topped out at $5,900 including the $500 small-block bonus and $400 for leading halfway.

Entries: 52
Lap leaders: M. Ricci (1-91), Gibbs (92), M. Ricci (93-100).
Heat winners: M. Ricci, Colsten, Vic Coffey, Gibbs, Varin, Ronnie Johnson.
Consi winners: Alan Rudalavage, Craig Terrell, Chris Ostrowsky.

RoC Dirt Modified
NORTH REGION

North Region Race No. 1 - Fonda Speedway/Fonda, New York (Sat., April 9): Under bright sunny skies, the Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour contested its very first event, North Region event No. 1, at "The Track of Champions." Setting the tone for his career-best season, Sharon Springs, N.Y., driver Bobby Varin carved from sixth starting position to unseat a high-running Mitch Gibbs for the lead on lap 24 with his Jake and Nancy Spraker No. 1J. Varin fought off a methodical Alan Johnson, who finished second and picked up the $500 small-block bonus, to score the $4,000 triumph in the 50-lap main. 22nd-starter Jerry Higbie Jr., 19th-starter Tony Pepicelli and Gibbs rounded out the top five.

Entries: 58
Lap leaders: Gus Schmidt (1-5), Gibbs (6-23), Varin (24-60).
Heat winners: Erik Nelson, Gibbs, Varin, Ronnie Johnson, Gus Schmidt, Ryan Odasz.
Consi winners: Pepicelli, Ray Zemken, Bobby Vedder.

North Region Race No. 2 - Utica-Rome Speedway/Vernon, New York (Sun., May 8): Starting 12th, Varin flexed his muscles at the half-mile oval, earning laurels in the Mother's Day 66 1/2-lap special at Utica-Rome Speedway. Polesitter Ronnie Johnson burst into the lead at the start and paced the first 19 laps, but Varin methodically moved into contention, taking a lead he wouldn't relinquish lap 20. U-R regular Willy Decker contended in the waning laps, finishing second in Tom Cullen's No. 1X. He picked up the $500 small-block bonus. Jason Barney, Johnson and Mitch Gibbs trailed at the finish.

Entries: 36
Lap leaders: R. Johnson (1-19 1/2), Varin (20-66 1/2)
Heat winners: Jamie Christian, Todd Burley, Varin, R. Johnson.
Consi winners: Paul Jensen, Alton Palmer.
Guaranteed Starters Race winner: Paul Kinney.

North Region Race No. 3 - Fonda Speedway/Fonda, New York (Wed., July 27): Making a pre-race phone call to Bicknell's Randy Williamson for set-up advice, Varin blasted off from the outside pole, outgunning fellow front-row starter Bob McCreadie to lead green-to-checkered in a caution-free 50-lap main. The feature took 18 minutes, eight seconds to run and all 26 starters finished. Mitch Gibbs ran the final 21 laps without power steering, but came out on top of an intense second-place battle. Dave Lape, Ryan Odasz and Jack Johnson trailed. Seventh-place A.J. Romano earned the $500 small-block bonus.

Entries: 33
Lap leaders: Varin (1-50)
Heat winners: Bob McCreadie, Craig Hanson, Jerry Higbie Jr., Lape.
Consi winners: Ted Lamb, Bobby Vedder.

North Region Race No. 4 - Utica-Rome Speedway/Vernon, New York (Sun., Sept. 11): When Bobby Varin slid by Willy Decker and Mitch Gibbs on the 14th circuit of the 75-lap to take the lead, it looked like it would be an easy Sunday Utica-Rome ride. On lap 30, however, Varin made a miscue in turns three and four, sailing off the top of the speedway and necessitating the caution. Dropping to dead last in the running order, Varin battled back. He regained the lead on lap 63, taking advantage of mechanical woes for Todd Burley and Jamie Christian, then powering around Ted Lamb to sweep the North Region and win the title. Lamb, Chad Phelps, Jack Johnson and Willy Decker completed the front five. Decker collected the $500 small-block bonus.

Entries: 31
Lap leaders: Decker (1-10), Gibbs (11-13), Varin (14-29), Gibbs (30-31), Burley (32-40), Christian (41-43), Burley (44-48), Christian (49-53), Burley (54-56), Lamb (57), Burley (58-60), Lamb (61-63), Varin (64-75).
Heat winners: J. Johnson, Christian, Decker, Varin.
Consi winner: Brian Weaver.

RoC Dirt Modified
SOUTH REGION

South Region Race No. 1 - Big Diamond Raceway/Minersville, Pennsylvania (Tues., June 7): Jeff Strunk demonstrated his prominence on the PA Dual-Track circuit in the 75-lap RoC Dirt Modified South Region Race No. 1, labeled the "School's Out Special" at Big Diamond Raceway. Driving a No. 88 Teo-Pro car for owner Chad Sinon, Strunk started seventh and patiently raced forward. His "taking it easy" strategy worked to perfection. He drove by early leader Brian Weaver on a lap-23 restart. Though Strunk said the car "didn't feel that good," he raced to his first Big D triumph since May 11, 2001. Rick Laubach finished second, overtaking Jimmy Horton on lap 53 despite battling a car with no power steering. Meme DeSantis, 26th-starter Ray Swinehart (in Jeff Ebersole's big-block) and Doug Hoffman trailed. Hoffman was the $500 small-block bonus recipient.

Entries: 36
Lap leaders: Weaver (1-23), Strunk (24-75).
Heat winners: Mike Gular, Kevin Hirthler, Meme DeSantis, Mitch Gibbs.
Consi winners: Barry Davis, Bobby Trapper.

South Region Race No. 2 - Five Mile Point Speedway/Kirkwood, New York (Wed., July 13): Brian Weaver defended his home turf in the South Region's second race, a 75-lap main at Five Mile Point Speedway. A regular at the quarter-mile oval, Weaver came from 22nd starting position after qualifying through the consolation. Jimmy Horton appeared to be the dominant force in the Wasson No. 51M, but the New Jersey veteran became the victim of a lapped traffic jingle on lap 39. Weaver took command on lap 40 and repelled furious charges from Mitch Gibbs, who started 23rd, and Jim Crawn for the $4,000 payday. Gibbs (who earned the $500 small-block bonus), Crawn, Bobby Varin and Joel Batzel filled out the front five.

Entries: 48
Lap leaders: Batzel (1-15), Horton (16-20), Mike Ricci (21), Horton (22-39), Weaver (40-75).
Heat winners: Ricci, Horton, Rick Holgate, Alan Rudalavage, Jeff Strunk, Varin.
Consi winners: Russell Hendrickson Jr., Rick Virkitis, Randy Chrysler.

South Region Race No. 3 - Big Diamond Raceway/Minersville, Pennsylvania (Tues., Aug 9): Making his first-ever RoC Dirt start, Billy Pauch proved why he is known as the Northeast's most versatile driver. Pauch became the first driver to win a RoC-sanctioned race on both dirt and asphalt, as he graced the Big Diamond clay in the 75-lap main. Driving Norm Hansell's No. 357, Pauch started second and grabbed the lead on lap 12 when unheralded Shawn Fitzpatrick piled into a slowing Brian Malcolm on the frontstretch. Craig Von Dohren closely pursued Pauch, but settled for second. Keith Hoffman, Jeff Strunk and Doug Hoffman were third through fifth, respectively. Hoffman was the $500 small-block bonus recipient.

Entries: 29
Lap leaders: Fitzpatrick (1-12), Pauch (13-75).
Consi winner: Mike Gular
Guaranteed Starters Race winner: Billy Pauch Jr.

South Region Race No. 4 - Penn-Can Speedway/Susquehanna, Pennsylvania (Wed., Aug. 17): In one of the season's most popular victories, Pennsylvania's own Alan Rudalavage brought the fans to their feet in the 75-lap "Hot Summer Night" South Region finale at Penn-Can Speedway. The "Quaker Shaker" Rick Laubach set a torrid pace early on, leading the first 35 circuits around the three-eighths-mile before Rudalavage took command on lap 26. The Newton Lake, Pa., racer then fought off the valiant charge of Jeff Strunk to pick up the $4,500 victory (including the $500 small-block bonus). Strunk, Laubach, Frank Cozze and Butch Tittle trailed.

Entries: 42
Lap leaders: Laubach (1-35), A. Rudalavage (36-75).
Heat winners: Bobby Varin, Bill Huff, Jeff Rudalavage, Joey Grammes, Billy Thornton.
Consi winners: Mike Ricci, Rich Keehle Jr.


Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour
Official Finish: Race No. 9/Five Mile Point Speedway (11-6-05)


Car # Driver/Hometown Start
1 9K Mike Ketcham/Otisville, N.Y. (1)
2 15 Brett Tonkin/Carbondale, Pa. (5)
3 16X Danny Creeden/Middletown, N.Y. (3)
4 611 Brad Grim/Coplay, Pa. (4)
5 16 Jason Hamilton/Erwinna, Pa. (8)
6 22B Arnie Slade/Mt. Upton, N.Y. (13)
7 21K Kyle Weiss/Hamburg, Pa. (17)
8 12E Eric Palmer/Cresco, Pa. (19)
9 21 Shaun Walker/Masonville, N.Y. (18)
10 77J Jeff Geiges/Lawrenceville, N.J. (6)
11 09 Kyle Lewis/Pennellville, N.Y. (25)
12 9B Brian Decker/Susquehanna, Pa. (12)
13 17D Mike Loney/Taylor, Pa. (9)
14 414 Eric Stephens/Jermyn, Pa. (20)
15 41 Brian Puckett/Old Forge, Pa. (26)
16 TEN Frank Doty/Middletown, N.Y. (15)
17 169 Joshua Purcell/Owego, N.Y. (23)
18 32Y Danny Yankowsi/Sherburne, N.Y. (2)
19 94X Bob Mills/North Norwich, N.Y. (22)
20 84 Eddie White/Candor, N.Y. (11)
21 48 Dusty Jagger/Port Crane, N.Y. (7)
22 KT3 Corey Renninger/Llewellyn, Pa. (21)
23 X27 Jeremy Holt/Kirkwood, N.Y. (10)
24 11 Kevin McCoy/Piscataway, N.J. (24)
25 49 Tim Howell/Moscow, Pa. (16)
26 917 Jared Miller/Barto, Pa. (14)

Entries: 37
Lap leaders: Ketcham (1-40)
Heat winners: Decker, Hamilton, Tonkin, Ketcham
Consi winners: Weiss, Walker

Did Not Qualify:
39 Tom Cremer/Sinking Spring, Pa.
515 Larry Lippincott/Riegelsville, Pa.
31 Jim Kleedorfer/Nazareth, Pa.
4V Tim Votra/Marathon, N.Y.
96 Scott Allen/Cortland, N.Y.
43M Joe Masiado/Easton, Pa.
3D Jamie Yankowski/Throop, Pa.
59 Justin Holland/White Lake, N.Y.
151 Joe Colsten/Binghamton, N.Y.
17 Billy Moyer Jr./Pine Grove, Pa.
99 Craig Whitmoyer/Hamburg, Pa.


New Teo-Pro Car Does Trick For Ketcham, Wins Career-First In FMP Sportsman RoC 40
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - A long ride to Ohio is beginning to play dividends for Mike Ketcham.

After making the late-season haul to purchase a Teo-Pro car from Sharon (Ohio) Speedway regular Jim Sherwood, Ketcham parlayed a boost in performance into career win number one.
Ketcham won the 40-lap Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour finale Sunday afternoon at Five Mile Point Speedway. An Accord (N.Y.) Speedway regular from Otisville, N.Y., Ketcham earned $1,000 for the triumph.
Jason Hamilton finished fifth and took the RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour title in his second season of full-size stock car competition. He held a 32-point edge on Arnie Slade in the final tally.
The 29-year-old from Erwinna, Pa., was the '04 New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway Rookie Sportsman champion.
Ketcham, a Go-Kart graduate in his rookie Sportsman season, offered nothing but praise for the new ride.
"This car is awesome," he said. "I love this Teo."
Following a dominant heat win, the 25-year-old picked the pole for the feature in the redraw.
Ketcham grabbed the lead on the start with his Morrison-powered No. 9, while Danny Creeden and Brett Tonkin swapped second position. Tonkin took the spot on lap seven, while Creeden regained it in traffic on lap 16.
Fulton (N.Y.) regular Tonkin moved around Creeden for good on lap 22 and reeled in Ketcham, who had been running in the track's upper groove.
Tonkin worked inside Ketcham in turns three and four on lap 27, but Ketcham held his line and the lead. A second challenge from Tonkin on the 28th circuit forced Ketcham to change his line, moving lower on the track.
"When the 15 (Tonkin) put his nose under me, I had to tighten it up and hold the bottom," Ketcham said. "I actually had better laps once I did that."
A final caution flew on lap 32, but Ketcham didn't falter.
Tonkin, of Carbondale, Pa., was second despite losing his power steering halfway through the main.
"I saw five-to-go and I just wanted to hang on," said Tonkin, making his first start at FMP of the season. "I thought I had something for him in traffic, but he was fast."
Middletown, N.Y.'s Creeden placed third, ahead of Brad Grim and Hamilton.
Heat winners for the 37 Sportsman in attendance were Brian Decker, Hamilton, Tonkin and Ketcham. Kyle Weiss and Shaun Walker split the consolations.
RoC Sportsman NOTES: Kyle Lewis, using a buy-in from Utica-Rome (N.Y.) Speedway, fared well in finishing 11th after starting 25th in his Stadium International No. 09....
Tonkin is a former regular at Five Mile Point....
Seven drivers competed in every RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour event: Jason Hamilton, Arnie Slade, Kyle Weiss, Shaun Walker, Jeff Geiges, Danny Creeden and Frank Doty....
The win for Ketcham comes one week after he set a new Sportsman track record at Orange County (N.Y.) Fair Speedway during Eastern States Weekend....

Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour Race No. 9 Feature Finish: MIKE KETCHAM, Brett Tonkin, Danny Creeden, Brad Grim, Jason Hamilton, Arnie Slade, Kyle Weiss, Eric Palmer, Shaun Walker, Jeff Geiges, Kyle Lewis, Brian Decker, Mike Loney, Eric Stephens, Brian Puckett, Frank Doty, Joshua Purcell, Danny Yankowski, Bob Mills, Eddie White, Dusty Jagger, Corey Renninger, Jeremy Holt, Kevin McCoy, Tim Howell, Jared Miller.
Did Not Qualify: Tom Cremer, Larry Lippincott, Jim Kleedorfer, Tim Votra, Scott Allen, Joe Masiado, Jamie Yankowski, Justin Holland, Joe Colsten, Billy Moyer Jr., Craig Whitmoyer.


Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour Driver Roster
Updated After Accord (9-30-05)


Car Number Driver Hometown
1/64th Andy Miller Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
1 Bill Deckelman Fremont Center, N.Y.
M1 Mike Lyons Monroe Township, N.J.
1M Mark Mortensen Glenville, N.Y.
1R Richard Quick Scotia, N.Y.
1X Casey Williams Utica, N.Y.
1Z Jessica Zemken Sprakers, N.Y.
2 Randy Davis Vorheesville, N.Y.
2 Rich Stankiewicz Laureldale, Pa.
2T Michael Taylor Milford, N.J.
2X Lee Maulik Walden, N.Y.
3 Luke Wagner Grantville, Pa.
3 Mark Kislowski Ballston Lake, N.Y.
3D Jamie Yankowski Throop, Pa.
3H Marc Herman Windsor, N.J.
3J Howard Jarvis Accord, N.Y.
K3 Steve Krom Neversink, N.Y.
KT3 Corey Renninger Llewellyn, Pa.
04 Michael Teachout Bridgeport, N.Y.
4 Jim Rothwell South Plymouth, N.Y.
4R Mike Ruggiero Walden, N.Y.
5 John Sundlof Danbury, Conn.
B5 Brian Bray Elmhurst, Pa.
5G Joe Giachinta Cold Spring, N.Y.
6 John Stangle Neshanic Station, N.J.
6 David Towns Rotterdam, N.Y.
6H Josh Hohenforst Gloversville, N.Y.
7 Cliff Pierce Spencer, N.Y.
7A Gene Stravinsky New Egypt, N.J.
7A Bobby Lane Harpursville, N.Y.
7B Bob Conklin Thompson, Pa.
7M Mike Marold Jr. Honesdale, Pa.
8 Rich Scagliotta Bound Brook, N.J.
8 Doug Hendricks Orwigsburg, Pa.
8 Gary Hunsinger Scranton, Pa.
8Jr. Warren Floyd Jr. Milford, N.J.
09 Kyle Lewis Pennellville, N.Y.
9B Brian Decker Susquehanna, Pa.
9G Boyd MacTavish Fenwick, Ontario
9K Mike Ketcham Otisville, N.Y.
9KL Butch Klinger Walton, N.Y.
9T Ken Titus Kirkwood, N.Y.
11 Rick Yard Stockton, N.J.
11T Tim Votra Marathon, N.Y.
12C Dave Coene Chestnut Ridge, N.Y.
12E Eric Palmer Cresco, Pa.
13 James Morris Riegelsville, Pa.
13 David Bush Accord, N.Y.
13 Mike Barney Syracuse, N.Y.
14 Alex Konopka Gouldsboro, Pa.
R14 Rick Raisner Easton, Pa.
15 Jason Hamilton Erwinna, Pa.
15B Jim Bowman Baldwinsville, N.Y.
16 Rick Brown Dalton, Pa.
16 David Bush Accord, N.Y.
16 Jason Hamilton Erwinna, Pa.
16B Mike Bowman Baldwinsville, N.Y.
16X Danny Creeden Middletown, N.Y.
17 Derrick McGrew Ballston Spa, N.Y.
17 Billy Moyer Jr. Pine Grove, Pa.
17B E.J. Harrington Pittstown, N.J.
17D Mike Loney Taylor, Pa.
J17 Jesse Marks Napanoch, N.Y.
17T Ryan Grim Laurys Station, Pa.
18 Danny Varin Sharon Springs, N.Y.
18 Geoff Arnold Kingsley, Pa.
19 Bubba Folk Hallstead, Pa.
19 Brent Boyer Bloomsburg, Pa.
19 Pat O'Hanlon Duanesburg, N.Y.
19B Brad Brightbill Sinking Spring, Pa.
19U Jordan Umbenhauer Richland, Pa.
20 Danny Tyler Cottekill, N.Y.
21 Shaun Walker Masonville, N.Y.
21B Tim Dwyer Sprakers, N.Y.
21K Kyle Weiss Hamburg, Pa.
21Y Jamie Yannone Newburgh, N.Y.
22B Arnie Slade Mt. Upton, N.Y.
23 John McAuliffe Ballston Lake, N.Y.
23 Chris Grispin South Salem, N.Y.
24F Ken Ferrier Middletown, N.Y.
25 Ray Deemer Phillipsburg, N.J.
26 Tom Brennan Pottsville, Pa.
27 Andy Stout Thornhurst, Pa.
27B Mike Ballestero Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
27S Steve Way Vernon Center, N.Y.
Z28 Brian Lilick King of Prussia, Pa.
31 Steve Kotary Rome, N.Y.
31 Jim Kleedorfer Nazareth, Pa.
T31 Drew Fallis Johnstown, N.Y.
32V Jeremy Vunk Edmeston, N.Y.
33 Luke Munroe Duanesburg, N.Y.
33P Skip Pickwick Bainbridge, N.Y.
33X Matt Janczuk Sherrill, N.Y.
33Z Justin House Gloversville, N.Y.
34J Josh Beierle Newfoundland, Pa.
35 Ben Donaruma Flemington, N.J.
36R Jeff Hager Cornwall, N.Y.
37S Jimmie Becker Rensselaer, N.Y.
39 Tom Cremer Sinking Spring, Pa.
39 Paul Carey Bridgewater, N.Y.
39B Lowell Snyder Erwinna, Pa.
M40 Mark Forte Jr. Haddon Township, N.J.
41 Brian Puckett Old Forge, Pa.
42 Mike Lartz Nicholson, Pa.
42B Kevin Bates Lake Ariel, Pa.
42C Craig Pope Mt. Upton, N.Y.
43 Jimmy Horton IV Folsom, N.J.
43M Joe Masiado Easton, Pa.
044 Lou Farina Philadelphia, Pa.
44 Butch Reiter Sherrill, N.Y.
44X Shane Jablonka Poughquag, N.Y.
44X Robbie Fairweather Westbrookville, N.Y.
Z44 Jeff Leslie Fly Creek, N.Y.
48 Dusty Jagger Port Crane, N.Y.
50 Jeff Richardson Goshen, N.Y.
51 Jeremiah Munson St. Johnsville, N.Y.
51 Sam Wescott Jr. Grenloch, N.J.
51Z Ryan Olsommer Waymart, Pa.
52 Tim Nye Oneida, N.Y.
53 Whitey Slavin Petersburgh, N.Y.
54 Paul Rooney Thompson, Pa.
56 Brian White Candor, N.Y.
57 Alan Barker Norwich, N.Y.
57 Ricky Rutt Phillipsburg, N.J.
57A Keith Van Oyan Pine Bush, N.Y.
57B Alan Barker Norwich, N.Y.
58 Jeremy Howe Binghamton, N.Y.
59 Ladd Yeomans Swan Lake, N.Y.
59J Jesse Kline Bangor, Pa.
60 Bruce Evans Jr. Greenfield Township, Pa.
60 Ken Stafford Homer, N.Y.
61 John Leindecker Allentown, Pa.
61S John Scarborough Bomoseen, Vt.
71 Mike Mammana Nazareth, Pa.
71 Russ Zimmerman Tunkhannock, Pa.
71C Chad Cook Deposit, N.Y.
71D Frank Doty Middletown, N.Y.
71J Chris James Mahrsville, Pa.
71M Shawn Mills Windsor, N.Y.
72 Bill Price Clayville, N.Y.
73 Darrel Herman Allentown, Pa.
74 Jeremy Holt Kirkwood, N.Y.
74 Robert Perry Amsterdam, N.Y.
74B Brian Decker Susquehanna, Pa.
76 Brett Graham Accord, N.Y.
76 Bob Lilick King of Prussia, Pa.
77 Scott Brady Whitney Point, N.Y.
77 Jeff Crambo Throop, Pa.
77J Jeff Geiges Lawrenceville, N.J.
77M Rick Mill New Windsor, N.Y.
78A Brad Alger Oneonta, N.Y.
80X Mike Button Chittenango, N.Y.
91 Billy Tanner IV Newtown, Pa.
95 Freddie Fisher Sinking Spring, Pa.
96 Scott Allen Cortland, N.Y.
96J Josh Ainey New Milford, Pa.
97 Keith Still Middletown, N.Y.
98 Tim Apgar Milford, N.J.
99 Craig Whitmoyer Hamburg, Pa.
114 Rick Whitney Montrose, Pa.
124 Dave Constantino Amsterdam, N.Y.
144 Don Miller Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
151 Joey Colsten Binghamton, N.Y.
157 Andy Fayash Jr. Mary-D, Pa.
169 Josh Pursell Owego, N.Y.
176 Garth Tonkin Jr. Carbondale, Pa.
213 Mike Van Tassel Hamburg, Pa.
318 John DeForest Norwich, N.Y.
515 Larry Lippincott Riegelsville, Pa.
611 Brad Grim Coplay, Pa.
712 Kevin Beach Llewellyn, Pa.
563 Steve Kyzer Sussex, N.J.
1450 Greg Weiland Port Carbon, Pa.


FINAL Race of Champions Dirt Mod Tour COMBINATION Points After FMP (10-18-05)

RoC Dirt Points - Modified - COMBINATION
START PENN CAN 9/17/05 FONDA 9/25/05 FIVE MILE PT 10/15//05 Position
Driver Total Regional Heat Pts Attendance Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts Feature
Heat Pts DNQ Pts
Varin, Bobby 1J/93 664 500 25 25 60 5 44 5 1
Gibbs, Mitch 22G 664 475 10 25 48 46 55 5 1
Weaver, Brian 9R 643 475 5 25 60 36 42 3
Higbie, Jerry 97 575 450 5 25 36 44 15 4
Johnson, Ronnie 2 540 460 10 50 15 5 5
Strunk, Jeff 88 515 500 5 10 6
Lamb, Ted 82 490 395 26 23 46 7
Gular, Mike 53 470 395 5 50 5 15 8
Bartlett, Ryan 93 470 380 25 32 15 18 9
Johnson, Jack 12A 461 440 5 16 10
Decker, Willy 1X 451 425 5 21 11
Laubach, Rick 5 450 450 12
Crouse, JR 4B 440 365 25 7 24 19 13
Horton, Jimmy 42H 435 425 10 14
Pepicelli, Tony 11A 430 410 20 15
Ricci, Mike 17 418 320 5 28 60 5 16
Cozze, Frank 44 415 410 5 17
Rudalavage, Alan 145 414 350 5 16 5 38 18
Barney, Jason 39 391 350 5 17 19 19
Hoffman, Doug 77 390 335 55 20
Schmidt, Gus 30 370 335 5 9 21 21
Palmer, Alton 76 333 305 28 22
Christian, Jamie 61 330 320 10 23
Swinehart, Ray 33 305 305 24
VonDohren, Craig DR1 295 290 5 25
Mattison, Don 10 290 290 26


Five Mile Point RoC Dirt Sportsman/T3 All-Star Series/BRC Lazer Late Model Tripleheader Postponed Until Sun., Nov. 6
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY – Jason Hamilton’s nerves will have to endure three more weeks after unexpected rains postponed Sunday’s Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour finale at Five Mile Point Speedway.

Hamilton’s shot to clinch the RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour title won’t come until Sun., Nov. 6 when the Sportsman stars do battle in a 40-lap, $1,000-to-win main.

The T3 All-Star Series 358-Modifieds and BRC Lazer Series Late Models will also decide their ’05 champs when the twice-postponed program goes green at 2 p.m. Gates open at 11:30 a.m., with practice slated for 1 p.m.

The three-division card was scheduled to kick off Five Mile Point’s National Quarter Mile Dirt Track Championship Weekend on Fri., Oct. 14. Rain nixed that plan and the show was moved to Sunday.

However, significant winds and heavy lake-effect showers forced RoC Dirt administrative director/FMP promoter Andrew Harpell to reschedule the show for the second time.

“You just never know, it (Nov. 6) might be shorts weather,” said Harpell, shortly after pulling the plug at 9:30 a.m. “That’s the most feasible date right now, after looking over the schedule of remaining races in the area.”

Hamilton, of Erwinna, Pa., takes a 25-point lead into the ninth event of the RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour. Arnie Slade, Kyle Weiss, Shaun Walker and Jeff Geiges round out the top five.

For more information on the Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour or Five Mile Point Speedway, call (607) 775-5555 or (607) 238-0432 or on the web: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net or www.rocdirt.com.


Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour
Official Finish: Combined Race No. 3/Five Mile Point Speedway (10-15-05)

Car # Driver/Hometown Start
1 17 Mike Ricci/Rosendale, N.Y. (1)
2 2G Mitch Gibbs/North Norwich, N.Y. (6)
3 21 Jeff Trombley/Altamont, N.Y. (5)
4 56 Craig Terrell/Windsor, N.Y. (20)
5 L82 Ted Lamb/Clay, N.Y. (10)
6 93V Bobby Varin/Sharon Springs, N.Y. (12)
7 9R Brian Weaver/Windsor, N.Y. (26)
8 26 Glenn Knapp/Johnson City, N.Y. (8)
9 145 Alan Rudalavage/Newton Lake, Pa. (19)
10 12E Eric Palmer/Cresco, Pa. (3)
11 J30 Jim Crawn/LeRaysville, Pa. (30)
12 27 Joel Batzel/Kirkwood, N.Y. (31)
13 51 Mike Colsten/Binghamton, N.Y. (4)
14 5J Joey Grammes/Kunkletown, Pa. (22)
15 73 Jim Davis/Ballston Spa, N.Y. (16)
16 41 Bobby Puckett/Old Forge, Pa. (18)
17 55 Rich Ricci Jr./New Paltz, N.Y. (15)
18 6H J.R. Hurlburt/Otego, N.Y. (23)
19 30 Gus Schmidt/Liverpool, N.Y. (33)
20 21Jr. Russ Hendrickson Jr./Harpursville, N.Y. (13)
21 4B J.R. Crouse/Nazareth, Pa. (28)
22 93B Ryan Bartlett/Adams, N.Y. (32)
23 32C Vic Coffey/Leicester, N.Y. (7)
24 21K Randy Chrysler/Lewiston, N.Y. (17)
25 5B Brian Decker/Susquehanna, Pa. (14)
26 7 Bob Hamm Jr./Windsor, N.Y. (2)
27 97 Jerry Higbie Jr./Slate Hill, N.Y. (27)
28 17T Ryan Grim/Laurys Station, Pa. (24)
29 19 Rich Keehle Jr./Windsor, N.Y. (29)
30 29 Chris Ostrowsky/Conklin, N.Y. (21)
31 9 Bob McCreadie/Watertown, N.Y. (25)
32 2 Ronnie Johnson/Duanesburg, N.Y. (11)
33 7J Danny Johnson/Rochester, N.Y. (9)*
*Changed cars, started last

Entries: 52
Lap leaders: M. Ricci (1-91), Gibbs (92), M. Ricci (93-100)
Heat winners: M. Ricci, M. Colsten, Coffey, Gibbs, Varin, R. Johnson
Consi winners: Rudalavage, Terrell, Ostrowsky

Did Not Qualify:
8J Tom Sears Jr./Clay, N.Y.
39X Scott Frack/Quakertown, Pa.
1A Chris Weaver/Binghamton, N.Y.
21 George Kostelansky/Susquehanna, Pa.
119 Brian Malcolm/Lake Ariel, Pa.
6 Rick Holgate/Kingsley, Pa.
38 Tim Harris/Hannibal, N.Y.
7J Jeff Isabell/Pennellville, N.Y.
213 Steve Walsh/Callicoon, N.Y.
8A Darwin Green/Susquehanna, Pa.
2J Chad Cook/Deposit, N.Y.
77V Rick Virkitis/Richmondale, Pa.
61C Craig Hawley/Windsor, N.Y.
314 Tony Kawalchuk/Accord, N.Y.
30+ Bobby Trapper/Scranton, Pa.
25W Dana Wagner/Trout Creek, N.Y.
S1 Steve Babicek/Binghamton, N.Y.
51X Joey Colsten/Binghamton, N.Y.
88 Herb Wright/Addison, N.Y.


Mike Ricci’s Determination Results In Southern Tier 100 Victory; Varin and Gibbs RoC Dirt Co-Champs
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY – How did Mike Ricci react to losing the lead nine laps from the finish in Saturday night’s Southern Tier 100 at Five Mile Point Speedway?
By promptly regaining the top spot.
In a show of grit and determination, Ricci stormed to victory in the 100-lap Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour finale, the last of three combined events. The Rosendale, N.Y., native earned $5,900 for the triumph in the 36th running of the fall classic - $5,000 for the win, $400 for leading halfway and a $500 small-block bonus.
Mitch Gibbs and Bobby Varin, meanwhile, ended in a deadlock for the overall RoC Dirt title and were crowned co-champions.
“Mitch slid by so quick,” said an ecstatic Ricci, who split his '05 racing calendar between Accord (N.Y.) Speedway and Afton (N.Y.) Speedway. “I didn’t know if I could get it back. Man, this is awesome!”
Making his third start aboard a Jim Winchell-owned PMC chassis, Ricci started the century grind from the pole, thanks to his brother Rich Jr.’s pre-race redraw.
“I was down at my trailer mounting tires and I never heard the call for the draw,” Ricci said. “I was getting ready to go and little brother came down and said he drew number one.
“It’s the best night for drawing spots that I’ve ever had (Ricci also started his heat from the pole).”
A faulty restart on lap five put Bob Hamm Jr. into the lead on the track (though officials planned to penalize Hamm on the next caution), with Ricci and an emerging Mike Colsten in tow.
Colsten nearly worked by Ricci on lap 17 between turns one and two, but Ricci fended off the challenge. Five laps later, an outside bid by Colsten resulted in contact with the homestretch wall.
“When Bobby (Hamm) jumped me on that restart, he set an awfully fast pace,” Ricci said. “And Colsten was fast, too.”
Ricci cleared Hamm to put the No. 17 back out front on lap 23. Colsten made a duplicate pass two laps later.
A two-time winner of the Southern Tier 100, Colsten’s Jim Gabriel-built big-block powerplant challenged Ricci through two caution periods before a lap-45 restart changed the race’s complexion.
Ricci, opting for the inside on the double-file restart, got together with Colsten as they battled for racing room between turns three and four. Colsten spun wildly to the outside of the speedway, collecting Ryan Bartlett.
Ricci motored away unscathed.
“Bob Hamm already jumped me, and I thought he was going to get away with it,” Ricci said. “Colsten tried to jump, and I wasn’t gonna let him.”
With Colsten relegated to the rear of the field, fifth-starter Jeff Trombley assumed the runner-up spot when the race went green on lap 47.
On lap 49, Gibbs cleared the lapped car of J.R. Crouse and cruised comfortably in third spot with his Nice ‘n Easy Grocery Shoppes No. 2G.
A caution on lap 75 set the stage for Gibbs, who ran a conservative race after starting sixth.
He sized up Trombley, looking high and low for 10 trips around the quarter-mile oval before moving into second.
But Ricci was expecting him.
“I knew the guys with the harder tires would be coming,” Ricci said, noting that he opted for the American Racer SD 48, the softer of the compound choices for the right-rear. “I figured Mitch would be there. He’s always fast here, and he knows this place.”
Gibbs rapidly reeled in Ricci, making it a nose-to-tail fight out front by lap 88.
With nine laps remaining, he made his move. Heading down the backstretch, the veteran driver from North Norwich, N.Y., pulled his Moshier-powered Bicknell even with Ricci. They rubbed rails through turns three and four, and Gibbs led at the line for lap 92.
Entering turn one, his car skated up the track. The savvy Ricci darted low and regained command on the backstretch.
“Mitch is a clean racer,” Ricci said. “We went into three and four and we both hit. It was just hard racing. He got me, but when he went into (turn) one, he slid up. I knew I had to be in the middle of the track, and it came right to me.
“My car stayed perfect every lap.”
Ricci snaked through the slower cars in the final laps, including a key pass of Russell Hendrickson Jr. with two laps remaining, to fend off Gibbs’s challenges and earn his first FMP victory since 2003.
Gibbs finished second, but was sickened at the thought that the turn-one miscue cost him sole possession of the RoC Dirt crown.
“Can’t I do that lap over?” Gibbs, 42, joked. “Honestly, I thought I had a flat tire. I felt the wheel jerk when I got under Mike, and I thought maybe I cut the right-rear.
“I went into one and I picked up a push.
“I ran the 50 compound tire, and part of my strategy was to wait until the end to go. That’s how you win races here. I just wish I had that lap to do over again.”
Trombley, of Altamont, N.Y., finished third in Ronnie Johnson’s No. 21 Teo-Pro car, equipped with his own Enders big-block engine.
“We were good early,” said Trombley, who began his career at FMP in a Four Cylinder Modified. “But we lost a little at the end.
“The left-rear tire was shot.”
Consolation winner Craig Terrell of Windsor, N.Y., throttled from 20th starting position to finish fourth, despite a failing engine in the final laps. Ted Lamb of Clay, N.Y., rounded out the top five.
Heat winners for the 52 Modifieds in attendance were Mike Ricci, Colsten, Vic Coffey, Gibbs, Varin and Ronnie Johnson. Alan Rudalavage, Terrell and Chris Ostrowsky took the consolations.
George Catanzano of Ghent, N.Y., won the 30-lap Empire State Series IMCA-Modified main event, fending off Mike Stolarcyk III to clinch the Empire State Series title. Stolarcyk III stayed within striking distance, but couldn’t unseat the stout Catanzano at the front of the field.
Former FMP Four Cylinder Modified regular Danny Ody was third, ahead of Dale Caswell and Brian Rhodes.
Glenwood, Pa.’s Dan Pompey capped his full-fender career at FMP with a victory in the 25-lap Street Stock Quarter-Mile Championship. Pompey took the lead from Chris Strohl on a lap-five restart, but fought off the fierce charges of Bill Trego, including a stout bid on lap 21, to score his seventh win of the season.
Pompey announced that he would move to the Sportsman ranks in 2006.
Trego, a late arrival to the speedway after blowing a transmission at Utica-Rome (N.Y.) earlier in the afternoon, then making repairs in the FMP parking lot, was the runner-up after starting 17th. Strohl, Matt Roberts and Ken Taugher rounded out the top five.
Denny Decker of Afton, N.Y., won a crash-marred, time-shortened 17-lap Northeast Pure Stock Championship. Decker’s No. 99 was out front when officials stopped the event. Mike Wilber, John Glezen, Rob Loucks and Shane Wolf rounded out the top five.

COUNTER POINTS: Once the skies cleared, 52 Modifieds, 36 IMCA-Modifieds, 17 Street Stocks and 42 Pure Stocks (a total of 147 cars) jammed both the regular pit area and the turn-two overflow….
Think heat-race points don’t matter? Both Gibbs and Varin won their qualifiers on Saturday, earning five bonus points. Had one of them finished second, it would have made the difference in the RoC Dirt championship….
Colsten felt that Ricci "crowded him" on the pivotal lap-45 restart....
Engine woes kept Danny Johnson from starting the Southern Tier 100 in Roger Heroux’s No. H24, but he picked up the ride in Jeff Isabel’s No. 7J. Johnson pulled out on lap three with drive line problems….
Mike Ricci’s win served as a bookend on the season for the Ricci family. Rich Jr. won the Southern Tier Open to kick-start the 55th season at the quarter-mile oval on April 17….
Randy Chrysler’s top-five run ended on lap 70 when Bob Hamm Jr. got loose in turn one, causing Chrysler to impact the inside dirt berm. Chrysler later landed on his side in a lap-76, turn four tangle….
Track crews worked tirelessly to salvage the surface after 10 straight days of rain that thoroughly soaked the oval's fresh clay....

Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour Combined Race No. 3 Feature Finish: MIKE RICCI, Mitch Gibbs, Jeff Trombley, Craig Terrell, Ted Lamb, Bobby Varin, Brian Weaver, Glenn Knapp, Alan Rudalavage, Eric Palmer, Jim Crawn, Joel Batzel, Mike Colsten, Joey Grammes, Jim Davis, Bobby Puckett, Rich Ricci Jr., J.R. Hurlburt, Gus Schmidt, Russell Hendrickson Jr., J.R. Crouse, Ryan Bartlett, Vic Coffey, Randy Chrysler, Brian Decker, Bob Hamm Jr., Jerry Higbie Jr., Ryan Grim, Rich Keehle Jr., Chris Ostrowsky, Bob McCreadie, Ronnie Johnson, Danny Johnson.

Did Not Qualify: Tom Sears Jr., Scott Frack, Chris Weaver, George Kostelansky, Brian Malcolm, Rick Holgate, Tim Harris, Jeff Isabel, Steve Walsh, Darwin Green, Chad Cook, Rick Virkitis, Craig Hawley, Tony Kawalchuk, Bobby Trapper, Dana Wagner, Steve Babicek, Joey Colsten, Herb Wright.

RoC Dirt Modified Combined Point Standings (Top 5): BOBBY VARIN and MITCH GIBBS (664 – TIE); Brian Weaver (643); Jerry Higbie Jr. (575); and Ronnie Johnson (540).

Empire State Series IMCA-Modified Feature Finish: GEORGE CATANZANO, Mike Stolarcyk III, Danny Ody, Dale Caswell, Brian Rhodes, Kevin Cook, K.C. Cole, Bob Brodt, Lyle Smith, Sean Lias, Brad Wall, Jo Jo Donato, Gary Dence, Bob Banks, Joe Cole, Aaron Jacobs, Mike Stoddard, Ken Rodgers, Mike Smith, Scott Bennett, Danny Ballard, Ken Klinkowsky, Mark Griffen, Rich Townsend, Rich Riggs.
Did Not Qualify: Bob Ridgeway, Tyler Stoddard, Ed Wilson, Tom Eiklor, Bill Anderson, Josh Sawyer, Bob Chapman, Brad Whitt, Eric Weir, Pete Neff, Gary Roberts.

Street Stock Quarter-Mile Championship Feature Finish: DAN POMPEY, Bill Trego, Chris Strohl, Matt Roberts, Ken Taugher, Darwin Green, Les Gillette, Ken Hineline, Dave Luff, Paul Strohl, Darren Stout, Nick Petrilak, Joe Thomas, Randy Tyler, Jerry Tonti, Jason Bartsch, Carl Heater.

Northeast Pure Stock Championship Feature Finish: DENNY DECKER, Mike Wilber, John Glezen, Rob Loucks, Shane Wolf, Steve Deinhardt, Clayton Ingrham, Joe Rafferty Jr., Jeremy Shaw, Mahlon Shoemaker, Dick Stark, Eric Beach, Chad Stone, Ernie Martin, Mike Codington, Charlie Gilbert, Don Russell Jr., Jonathan Carpenter, Tom Garren, Doug Nelson, Phil Retter, Max Moshier, Chris Wood, Cliff Moss, Matt Jilson.
Disqualified: Jamie Batzel.

Did Not Qualify: Teto Velez, Mike Morris, Toby Sparks, Ernie Martin, Phil Retter, Tom Eiklor, Randy Richards, Josh Towner, Toby Lehr, Dan Babcock, Paul Carpenter, Jeff Whitt, Lou Ross, Joe Cisney, Bill Hubbard, Jason Rhodes.


Race of Champions Dirt Mod Quick Results From Five Mile Point (10-15-05)

Rosendale, N.Y.’s Mike Ricci won Saturday night’s Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour Southern Tier 100 at Five Mile Point Speedway. Ricci led from the outset in his Jim Winchell-owned No. 17 PMC mount, but momentarily lost the top spot on lap 91 to Mitch Gibbs. Gibbs slid high in turn two on lap 92, allowing Ricci to reclaim the lead. He earned $5,900 - $5,000 for the win, $400 for leading lap 50 and a $500 small-block bonus.

Mitch Gibbs (second) and Bobby Varin (sixth) tied for the overall RoC Dirt Modified point championship.

Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour Combined Race No. 3 Feature Finish: MIKE RICCI, Mitch Gibbs, Jeff Trombley, Craig Terrell, Ted Lamb, Bobby Varin, Brian Weaver, Glenn Knapp, Alan Rudalavage, Eric Palmer, Jim Crawn, Joel Batzel, Mike Colsten, Joey Grammes, Jim Davis, Bobby Puckett, Rich Ricci Jr., J.R. Hurlburt, Gus Schmidt, Russell Hendrickson Jr., J.R. Crouse, Ryan Bartlett, Vic Coffey, Randy Chrysler, Brian Decker, Bob Hamm Jr., Jerry Higbie Jr., Ryan Grim, Rich Keehle Jr., Chris Ostrowsky, Bob McCreadie, Ronnie Johnson, Danny Johnson.
Entries: 52.
Heat winners: M. Ricci, Colsten, Coffey, Gibbs, Varin, R. Johnson.
Consi winners: Rudalavage, Terrell, Ostrowsky.

RoC Dirt Modified Combined Point Standings (Top 5): BOBBY VARIN and MITCH GIBBS (664 – TIE); Brian Weaver (643); Jerry Higbie Jr. (575); and Ronnie Johnson (540).


RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour
Guaranteed Starters Race For Five Mile Point (10-14-05)

2X Lee Maulik
213 Mike Van Tassel
5G Joe Giachinta
36R Jeff Hager
24F Ken Ferrier
6 David Towns
48 Dusty Jagger
57A Keith Van Oyan
5 John Sundlof

RoC Dirt Modified Tour
Guaranteed Starters Race For Five Mile Point (10-15-05)

53V Bobby Vedder
22B Billy Osta
8 Frank Jashembowski
30 Gus Schmidt
11J Jerry Pennock Jr.
74 Robert Perry
473 John Alberti
1Z Ray Zemken
24 Chris Shultz
M2 Todd Morey
20 Craig Hanson
85 Erik Nelson
44 Josh Pieniazek
78M Eric Mack
1P Billy Pauch
9 Bob McCreadie
22 Mario Clair

*Guaranteed Starters Races will only be run with an adequate car count.


Great Field Assembling For Five Mile Point Weekend; Bob McCreadie, Danny Johnson, Ronnie Johnson Join All-Star Cast
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - Anticipation continues to build for this Friday and Saturday's National Quarter Mile Dirt Track Championship Weekend at N.Y.'s historic Five Mile Point Speedway.
A large, talent-laden field will take to the 55-year-old facility on Saturday, when the Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour decides it inaugural champion in the 36th running of the Southern Tier 100.
This year's event, run for the first time under the RoC Dirt banner, will offer a $5,000 top prize and a $400 Smith Halfway Lap Leader Bonus. The race will take place on a completely reworked surface boasting 20 loads of new clay.
"We've worked hard to make an awesome racing surface," said RoC Dirt administrative director and Five Mile Point owner/promoter Andrew Harpell. "The new clay will make for multi-groove racing this weekend."
Among the drivers who will compete in Saturday's Southern Tier 100 is dirt Modified legend Bob McCreadie.
The Watertown, N.Y., native is no stranger to racing at Five Mile Point. McCreadie, who started his big-block career at FMP in 1979, won the fall classic in 1995 when the race was run as a 200-lapper. He'll look for a repeat performance driving his Kinney Drugs No. 9 in his third RoC Dirt appearance of the '05 season.
Danny Johnson of Phelps, N.Y., will be on hand for both Friday night's T3 All-Star Series 40-lapper and Saturday's RoC Dirt Modified showdown. Johnson won the Southern Tier 100 in 1991 and finished second in his only Five Mile Point start this season on Aug. 4 to Mitch Gibbs in a T3 All-Star Series special.
Popular second-generation talent Ronnie Johnson of Duanesburg, N.Y., currently fifth in the RoC Dirt combined point standings, plans to make his first-ever appearance at the quarter-mile. The Fonda (N.Y.) Speedway regular has watched his father, Jack Johnson, win countless races at FMP over the years.
All the top RoC touring stars will congregate at the Kirkwood oval, including current RoC Dirt combined point leader and North Region/Fonda champion Bobby Varin of Sharon Springs, N.Y., who will run for the title with the Magsarus No. 93.
Varin will have to contend with 2005 Penn-Can/Five Mile Point champ Brian Weaver of Windsor, N.Y., in Randy Decker's No. 9R, North Norwich, N.Y.'s Mitch Gibbs with his proven Nice 'n Easy Grocery Shoppes No. 2G, and '05 Orange County (N.Y.) Fair Speedway 358-Modified champion Jerry Higbie Jr. in the family-owned No. 97.
Northcountry runners Ryan Bartlett of Adams, N.Y., and Jason Barney of Constantia, N.Y., will make the haul south on I-81 to compete at the Point, while RoC regular and FMP runner-up J.R. Crouse of Nazareth, Pa., will have Ed Tauschman's No. 4B in the pit area.
2002 Five Mile Point champion Gibbs, Danny Johnson, and McCreadie are just some of the past Southern Tier 100 winners who will be in the field.
1998 winner Jim Crawn will have his Tom and Terry Coar No. J30 on hand, while Southern Tier veteran Mike Colsten of Binghamton, N.Y., the event's 1990 and 1993 top gun, has entered his Don's Automotive Mall No. 51.
Other notable early entries include Afton (N.Y.) Speedway standout "The Heavyfoot" J.R. Hurlburt of Otego, N.Y.; Aug. 17 Penn-Can RoC Dirt South Region winner Alan Rudalavage of Newton Lake, Pa.; local favorites Glenn Knapp of Johnson City, N.Y., and Rich Keehle Jr. of Windsor, N.Y.; multi-time Fonda Speedway Modified winner Jim Davis of Ballston Spa, N.Y.; and the "Heavy Hauler" Gus Schmidt of Liverpool, N.Y.
*****
The Friday portion of the weekend will include the point finale for the T3 All-Star Series (40-laps), the championship-decider for the RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour (40-laps) and the first '05 appearance by the lightning fast Late Models in the BRC Lazer Late Model Series point season culminating 30-lapper. Race time on Friday is 7 p.m. Pit gates open at 4:30 p.m., grandstands open at 5 p.m. and hot laps are at 6:15 p.m.
The Southern Tier 100 for the RoC Dirt Modified Tour will headline the Saturday portion. Also on the card will be the point season finale for the IMCA Empire State Series, plus a 30-lap Street Stock Quarter Mile Championship and 25-lap Northeast Pure Stock Championship. Race time on Saturday is 5 p.m. Pit gates open at 2:30 p.m., grandstand gates at 3 p.m., with practice at 3:45 p.m.
The top-finishing small-block in the Southern Tier 100 that also competed in Friday's T3 show will receive a $500 bonus. A second $500 bonus will be awarded for the highest-finishing small-block (participation in Friday's T3 show not mandatory).
Camping and parking are free all weekend.
For more information, contact the speedway office at (607) 775-5555 or the RoC Dirt office (607) 238-0432. On the web: www.rocdirt.com or www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.


Five Mile Point To Decide Inaugural RoC Dirt Point Champs Oct. 14-15
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - History will be made on Oct. 14-15 as the inaugural Race of Champions Dirt Modified (overall) and Sportsman champions are decided at Five Mile Point Speedway.
A tradition-laden quarter-mile oval celebrating its 55th consecutive year of operation, the "Home Speedway of the Southern Tier" will host seven divisions of competition, deciding five series titles in the span of the two-day National Quarter Mile Dirt Track Championship Weekend.

"The National Quarter Mile Dirt Track Championship Weekend should be nothing short of huge," said RoC Dirt administrative director and FMP owner/promoter Andrew Harpell. "This weekend is developing into a true 'event' on the fall racing schedule.
"We encourage fans to camp, spend the weekend and enjoy what should be an exciting two days of racing on the quarter-mile."
The action will get underway on Fri., Oct. 14 with a three-division card of T3 All-Star Series 358-Modifieds, Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman and BRC Lazer Series Late Models. Race time is 7 p.m.
Serving as the host of the RoC Dirt Sportsman finale, the Tour's first ever champion will be crowned in Kirkwood, N.Y.
With eight of nine events complete, Erwinna, Pa., native Jason Hamilton (382 points) sits atop the standings. Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway champion Arnie Slade (357) is second, 25 markers back. Kyle Weiss (349), Shaun Walker (317) and Jeff Geiges (276) complete the top five.
The Sportsman racers will compete in a 40-lap main paying $1,000 to the winner.
Brad Grim of Coplay, Pa., won the RoC Dirt Sportsman visit to FMP on July 13, besting Jeff Geiges, rookie Brian Puckett, Kyle Weiss and Jimmy Horton IV. Forty-one cars entered the program.
Kenny Shupp's T3 All-Star Series has enjoyed a successful first season since its debut in mid-April at Black Rock (N.Y.) Speedway. The high car counts and competitive racing should continue in the second T3 visit to the Point, with the small-block stars competing in a 40-lap foray paying $1,500-to-win.
Mitch Gibbs took the first '05 T3 event on Thurs., Aug. 4 over Danny Johnson, Joel Batzel, Rich Keehle and J.R. Crouse.
The BRC Lazer Series for the Late Models will certainly thrill the crowd as the high-speed machines go all-out for every point in their '05 finale.
A post-race bonfire with complimentary hot dogs and hamburgers (and beer on sale) will be held on the backstretch at the conclusion of the night's on-track action.
Saturday, Oct. 15's program will be highlighted by the 36th running of the Southern Tier 100 for the RoC Dirt Modifieds, offering a $5,000 top prize, along with a $400 Smith Halfway Lap Leader Bonus (to the leader of lap 50).
Joining the Modifieds on the card will be the Empire State Series for the IMCA Modifieds in a championship-deciding headliner, Street Stocks (25-laps) and Pure Stocks (25-laps). Race time is 4 p.m.
Entering the year's final RoC Dirt Modified combined event, Sharon Springs, N.Y., racer Bobby Varin sits at the head of the class with 615 points. Varin swept the Tour's North Region en route to that title and won the combined race at Fonda (N.Y.) Speedway on Sept. 25.
Only 11 markers back in second is 2002 FMP track champion Mitch Gibbs (604). 2005 Five Mile Point and Penn-Can champ Brian Weaver is third with 601 points.
Weaver, the winner of the first combined event at Penn-Can on Sept. 16, also topped the competitive South Region event at FMP on July 13 over Gibbs, Jim Crawn, Varin and Joel Batzel. That event drew 48 entries.
Jerry Higbie Jr. (560) and Ronnie Johnson (520) complete the top five in the RoC combined Modified standings.
Past winners of the Southern Tier 100 include Gibbs, Billy Decker, Brett Hearn, Bob McCreadie, Mike Colsten, Danny Johnson, Jack Johnson, Chuck Akulis, Kenny Brightbill, Stan Ploski, Gerald Chamberlain, Dave Kneisel, Don Beagell and many more.
A huge, talent-filled field will descend on a completely resurfaced facility looking to add their name to the race's prestigious list of winners.
Small-block drivers competing in both Friday's T3 show and Saturday's RoC Dirt Modified program will have an extra incentive. There will be a $500 bonus to the top finisher in Saturday's event (using a small-block) that also competed in Friday night's 40-lapper.
Camping is free for the weekend.
For more information on the huge weekend of competition at Five Mile Point Speedway, contact the track office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.
RoC Dirt Tour info can be found by calling the RoC office at (607) 348-0432 or visiting the website: www.rocdirt.com.
Full rules, prices and entry forms are available on both websites.


RACE OF CHAMPIONS DIRT MODIFIED TOUR – COMBINATION FINALE SATURDAY, OCT. 15TH – FIVE MILE POINT SPEEDWAY – KIRKWOOD, NY

Location: 100 Francis Street, Kirkwood, NY 13795
Heading South On I-81 or 17 East from Elmira
Take Exit 2 on I-81 – (says Five Mile Point on Green highway sign) Immediately get into left hand lane and take first left onto Francis Street. Track is located up the road about a ˝ mile on right hand side of the street.
Heading North on I-81 from Scranton Area
Take Exit 2w (Industrial Park Exit) make first left hand turn onto Francis Street. Speedway is located up the road about a ˝ mile on right hand side of street.
Heading From Route 17W – Middletown
Take Exit 75 past Windsor, NY. (this exit is not an off ramp exit rather a merge). Road splits to the left. Once you have gone under the Exit 75 sign, take first left hand turn onto Francis Street. Speedway is located up the road about a ˝ mile on the right hand side of street.
Speedway Phone: Track office: (607) 775-5555 Fax: (607) 775-3417
Speedway Website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net
Pit Fees: $35
Pit Gates Open: 2:30 p.m.
Grandstand Prices: $20 for Adults – Two Day Ticket (Fri. – Sat. $35) save $2; Youth (ages 11-17) - $15; Seniors (62 and older) - $15 – Two Day Ticket - $25; Kids 10 and younger always free!
Grandstand Gates: 3:00 p.m.
Practice: 3:45 p.m.
Race Time: 5:00 p.m.
Entry Info: Modified Pre- race entry (received prior to Oct. 10): $15; Entry after above date: $20.
Qualifying Heats: 5:00 p.m.
Modified Feature: 100 laps – cautions to count between laps 25-75. (no more than 5 caution laps will be logged in a row). Drivers will not lose laps under yellow flag conditions.
Tire Information: Tire Options: American Racer Compounds - Right Rear Compound: 48 minimal softness (may only use 50 compound as right rear harder
option); Left Rear Compound: 44 minimal softness; May use minimum 33 front tire compounds.
For Tire Information please call: French’s Auto Parts (607) 774-4500.
General Race Rules: The standard for motor, body, chassis and safety rules are based ’04 DIRT rules.
Weight Info: Big-block Modifieds – min. 2,500 lbs no tolerance. (’04 DIRT legal);
Small-block Modifieds – min. 2,400 lbs. no tolerance. (’04 DIRT legal); Big Diamond/Grandview 9-to-1 small-blocks – min. 2,400 lbs. no tolerance; Any other small block combination must weigh a min. 2,500 lbs. no tolerance. NO mixing and matching of rules.
For more information please contact the Race of Champions office by phone at (607) 238-0432 or log on to www.rocdirt.com.
Two-way Radios are not permitted – the speedway frequency is 154.515 and will be operational. It is not mandatory to have the one way frequency but is suggested if you already have an adjustable scanner.


RACE OF CHAMPIONS DIRT SPORTSMAN TOUR – POINT FINALE FRIDAY, OCT. 14TH – FIVE MILE POINT SPEEDWAY – KIRKWOOD, NY

Location: 100 Francis Street, Kirkwood, NY 13795
Heading South On I-81 or 17 East from Elmira
Take Exit 2 on I-81 – (says Five Mile Point on Green highway sign) Immediately get into left hand lane and take first left onto Francis Street. Track is located up the road about a ˝ mile on right hand side of the street.
Heading North on I-81 from Scranton Area
Take Exit 2w (Industrial Park Exit) make first left hand turn onto Francis Street. Speedway is located up the road about a ˝ mile on right hand side of street.
Heading From Route 17W – Middletown
Take Exit 75 past Windsor, NY. (this exit is not an off ramp exit rather a merge). Road splits to the left. Once you have gone under the Exit 75 sign, take first left hand turn onto Francis Street. Speedway is located up the road about a ˝ mile on the right hand side of street.
Speedway Phone: Track office: (607) 775-5555 Fax: (607) 775-3417
Speedway Website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net
Pit Fees: $30
Pit Gates Open: 4:30 p.m.
Grandstand Prices: $17 for Adults – Two Day Ticket (Fri. – Sat. $35) save $2; Youth(ages 11-17) - $12; Seniors(62 and older) - $12 – Two Day Ticket - $25; Kids 10 and younger always free!
Grandstand Gates: 5:00 p.m.
Practice: 6:15 p.m.
Race Time: 7:00 p.m.
Entry Info: Sportsman pre-race entry (received prior to Oct. 10): $10; Entry after above date: $15
Qualifying Heats: 7:00 p.m.
Order of Events – Sportsman, Late Models, T3 Modifieds. Consolations and
features – same as above.
Sportsman Feature: 40 green flag laps.
Tire Information: Tire Options: American Racer Compounds - Right Rear Compound: 48 minimal softness (may only use 50 compound as right rear harder option); Left Rear Compound: 44 minimal softness; May use minimum 33 front tire compounds.
For Tire Information please call: French’s Auto Parts (607) 774-4500.
General Race Rules: The standard for motor, body, chassis and safety rules are based ’04 DIRT rules.
Weight Info: Sportsman – min. 2,400 lbs no tolerance. NO mixing and matching of rules.
For more information please contact the Race of Champions office by phone at (607) 238-0432 or log on to www.rocdirt.com.
Two-way radios are not permitted – the speedway frequency is 154.515 and will be operational. It is not mandatory to have the one way frequency but is suggested if you already have an adjustable scanner.


RoC Dirt Points - Sportsman
PENN CAN 5/30/05 BIG DIAMOND 6/28/05 FIVE MILE 7/13/05 BIG DIAMOND 8/9/05 UTICA ROME 9/11/05 PENN CAN 9/16/05 FONDA 9/24/05 ACCORD 9/30/05

Driver Total Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts Feature Heat DNQ Feature Heat DNQ Feature Heat DNQ Feature Heat DNQ Feature Heat DNQ Feature Heat DNQ Feature Heat DNQ
Hamilton, Jason 15 382 50 50 5 44 55 5 26 55 5 38 44 5
Slade, Arnie 22B 357 55 5 55 5 32 60 5 28 46 26 40
Weiss, Kyle 21K 349 48 40 48 46 46 5 60 5 15 36
Walker, Shaun 21 317 44 19 42 5 34 32 38 50 5 48
Geiges, Jeff 77J 276 21 21 55 5 50 30 28 32 34
Creeden, Danny 16X 242 32 5 30 15 42 20 32 28 38
Whitmoyer, Craig 99 189 5 60 19 22 34 17 32
Grim, Brad 611 178 34 32 5 60 16 8 18 5
Decker, Brian 9B 175 60 5 38 30 18 19 5
Doty, Frank 71D 174 19 28 36 5 21 9 30 5 21
McGrew, Derrick 17 148 28 5 36 5 19 55
Towns, David 133 55 5 60 5 8
Horton IV, Jimmy 43 126 10 44 46 26
Loney, Mike 17D 122 7 9 34 32 40
Miller, Andy 1/64 109 6 24 10 36 10 23
Ketcham, Mike 9K 107 28 7 21 5 46
Brightbill, Brad 19 103 48 5 22 28
Titus, Ken 9T 102 38 40 24
Jagger, Dusty 48 100 9 24 42 18 7
Yannone, Jamie 21Y 90 30 60
Hendricks, Doug 8 84 36 48
Zemken, Jessica 1Z 83 16 20 42 5
Rutt, Ricky 57 80 5 18 19 38
Wagner, Luke 3 76 15 18 15 23 5
Konopka, Alex 14 71 40 5 26
Puckett, Brian 41 71 50 21
Rooney, Paul 54 71 18 5 48
Carey, Paul 65 60 5
Apgar, Tim 98 61 26 30 5
Mills, Shawn 71 61 10 15 36
Farina, Louis 044 60 5 15 40
House, Justin 57 15 42
Slavin, Whitey 57 15 42
Lippincott, Larry 515 56 26 10 20
Masiado, Joe 43M 56 34 17 5
Raisner, Rick R14 55 30 20 5
Ballestero, Michael 27B 55 55
Hohenforst, Josh 53 5 48
Bates, Kevin 42B 51 46 5
Cook, Chad 50 50
Ruggiero, Mike 4R 50 50
Way, Steve 50 50
Munson, Jeremiah 48 48
Brennan, Tom 26 46 46
Lartz, Mike 42L 46 7 8 5 9 17
Dwyer, Tim 21B 46 46
Crambo, Jeff 44 44
Lilick, Bob 76 44 44
Rothwell, Jim 44 44
Scarborough, John 61S 44 44
Lyons, Mike M1 42 42
Tonkin Jr, Garth 176 42 42
Nye, Tim 40 40
Constantino, Dave 124 40 40
Mammana, Mike 71 38 38
Stafford, Ken 38 38
Jablonka, Shane 44X 36 6 30
Jarvis, Howard 3J 36 20 16
Mill, Rick 77M 36 36
Perry, Robert 74 36 36
Lewis, Kyle 34 34
Mortensen, Mark 1M 34 34
Barker, Alan 57B 33 17 16
Bush, David 13 33 8 10 15
Stravinsky, Gene 7A 33 23 10
Boyer, Brent 19 31 9 22
Colsten, Joey 151 31 7 15 9
Harrington, E.J. 17B 29 7 22
Kline, Jesse 59J 29 6 23
Fayash Jr, Andy 157 28 22 6
Marks, Jesse J17 28 28
Vunk, Jeremy 28 23 5
Krom, Steve K3 27 22 5
Marold, Mike 26 26
Richardson, Jeff 50 26 26
Cremer, Tom 39 25 5 8 6 6
Coene, Dave 12C 24 19 5
Grispin, Chris 23 24 24
Janczuk, Matt 24 24
Miller, Jarrad 917 24 24
Wescott Jr, Sam 51 24 24
Quick, Rich 1R 24 24
Kyzer, Steve 563 23 23
Olsommer, Ryan 51Z 23 23
Umbenhauer, Jordan 19U 23 15 8
Vard, R. 11 23 23
Bray, Brian 22 22
O'Hanlon, Pat 19 22 22
Teachout, Michael 21 21
Kislowski, Mark 3 21 21
Deemer, Ray 25 20 5 10 5
Hadlick, Chad 32H 20 20
Stout, Andy 20 20
Tanner IV, Billy 91 20 20
Bowman, Mike 19 19
Holt, Jeremy 74 19 9 10
Button, Mike 18 18
Pursell, Josh 18 18
DeForest, John 17 17
Moyer Jr., Billy 17 17 8 9
Palmer, Eric 12E 17 17
Pope, Craig 17 7 10
Tyler, Danny 20 17 17
Weiland, Greg 1450 17 17
Forte Jr., Mark M40 16 16
Lane, Bob 7A 16 16
Renninger, Corey KT3 16 16
Varin, Danny 16 8 8
McAuliffe, John 23 16 16
Alger, Brad 15 15
Bowman, Jim 15 15
Deckelman, Bill 1 15 15
Fisher, Freddie 95 15 15
Price, Bill 15 15
Williams, Casey 15 15
Fallis, Drew T31 15 5 10
Brown, Rick 14 5 9
Stankiewicz, Rich 2 14 7 7
Morris, James 13 13 7 6


Jamie Yannone Tops RoC Sportsman Tour's Visit To Accord Speedway
By BRETT DEYO

ACCORD, NY - A racy track surface did the trick for Jamie Yannone in the Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour event Friday night at Accord Speedway.
The '05 Accord champion rode the high line to a $1,000 victory in the 40-lap event, race number eight of the nine-race Tour. For Yannone, it marked his sixth Big A triumph of the season and a career-first on the RoC Tour.
"Man, I've got to thank (promoter) Gary Palmer for giving us a good track," an enthused Yannone said.
"These guys are tough. I knew if I was going to get them, I had to go to the top. There was a lot of track out there."
Starting second, the 25-year-old got shuffled back to fourth in the early circuits, as Derrick McGrew raced into the lead on the first lap with his Parillo Services No. 17.
McGrew proved to be a formidable opponent, holding the top spot through a slew of restarts and a red flag on lap eight for Howard Jarvis, who flipped his No. 3J on the frontstretch.
Moving his groove up on the tacky quarter-mile oval, Yannone came to life at the halfway point. He worked by Mike Ruggiero for second on lap 21. After four laps of nose-to-tail action, Yannone put his Moshier-powered Teo-Pro car into the lead on lap 25 exiting turn four.
With the exception of restarts on laps 28-30, Yannone cruised home unchallenged for the biggest win of his career.
Ballston Spa, N.Y.'s McGrew was second, ahead of Orange County (N.Y.) Fair Speedway regular Mike Ruggiero. Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway/RoC Sportsman standout Shaun Walker of Masonville, N.Y., was fourth and Mike Ketcham was fifth.
Thirty-four Sportsman entered the event. Heat winners were Steve Krom, Dave Coene, Brad Grim and Jason Hamilton. Arnie Slade and Jeff Richardson split the consolations.

RoC SPORTSMAN NOTES: A multi-car tangle on the opening lap could have spelled disaster for RoC Dirt Sportsman point leader Jason Hamilton, but the Erwinna, Pa., native rallied in a big way.
Restarting 24th, Hamilton piloted Doug Flurer's No. 16 Teo-Pro car to a sixth-place finish, extending his lead to 25 markers entering the Oct. 14 finale at Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Speedway....
Arnie Slade qualified through the consolation after a heat race incident and raced from 21st to eighth in his first Accord visit....
Nice run for Whitey Slavin, who made extensive repairs to his No. 53 Teo-Pro car after a crash on Sept. 11 in the Utica-Rome (N.Y.) Speedway RoC event. Slavin drove from 20th to finish seventh....
Howard Jarvis was uninjured following his wild flip on the fronstretch. Contact with Kyle Weiss sent Jarvis up the track on a lap-eight restart, and he was the victim of a four-wide situation, climbing the boilerplate before executing two barrel-rolls....
The field was by far the largest for the Sportsman division at the tight quarter-mile oval this season....

Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour Event No. 8 Finish: JAMIE YANNONE, Derrick McGrew, Mike Ruggiero, Shaun Walker, Mike Ketcham, Jason Hamilton, Whitey Slavin, Arnie Slade, Danny Creeden, Kyle Weiss, Jeff Geiges, Craig Whitmoyer, Shane Jablonka, Jesse Marks, Jeff Richardson, Chris Grispin, Steve Kyzer, Steve Krom, Frank Doty, Chad Hadlick, Dave Coene, Brad Grim, Danny Tyler, Howard Jarvis.
Did Not Qualify: Ken Ferrier, David Towns, Lee Maulik, Keith Van Oyan, Mike Van Tassel, Joe Giachinta, John Sundlof, Jeff Hager, Andy Miller, Dusty Jagger.


Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour
Official Finish: Race No. 8/Accord Speedway (9-30-05)


Car # Driver/Hometown Start
1 21Y Jamie Yannone/Newburgh, N.Y. (2)
2 17M Derrick McGrew/Ballston Spa, N.Y. (3)
3 4R Mike Ruggiero/Walden, N.Y. (1)
4 21 Shaun Walker/Masonville, N.Y. (5)
5 9 Mike Ketcham/Otisville, N.Y. (15)
6 16 Jason Hamilton/Erwinna, Pa. (9)
7 53 Whitey Slavin/Petersburgh, N.Y. (20)
8 22B Arnie Slade/Mt. Upton, N.Y. (21)
9 16X Danny Creeden/Middletown, N.Y. (11)
10 21K Kyle Weiss/Hamburg, Pa. (12)
11 77J Jeff Geiges/Lawrenceville, N.J. (6)
12 99 Craig Whitmoyer/Hamburg, Pa. (18)
13 44X Shane Jablonka/Poughquag, N.Y. (23)
14 J17 Jesse Marks/Napanoch, N.Y. (16)
15 50 Jeff Richardson/Goshen, N.Y. (22)
16 23 Chris Grispin/South Salem, N.Y. (13)
17 563 Steve Kyzer/Sussex, N.J. (17)
18 K3 Steve Krom/Neversink, N.Y. (7)
19 71D Frank Doty/Middletown, N.Y. (24)
20 32H Chad Hadlick/Matamoras, Pa. (19)
21 12C Dave Coene/Chestnut Ridge, N.Y. (4)
22 611 Brad Grim/Coplay, Pa. (8)
23 20 Danny Tyler/Cottekill, N.Y. (10)
24 3J Howard Jarvis/Accord, N.Y. (14)

Entries: 34
Lap leaders: McGrew (1-24), Yannone, (25-40)
Heat winners: Krom, Coene, Grim, Hamilton
Consi winners: Slade, Richardson

Did Not Qualify:
24F Ken Ferrier/Middletown, N.Y.
6 David Towns/Rotterdam, N.Y.
2X Lee Maulik/Walden, N.Y.
57A Keith Van Oyan/Pine Bush, N.Y.
213 Mike Van Tassel/Hamburg, N.J.
5G Joe Giachinta/Cold Spring, N.Y.
5 John Sundlof/Danbury, Conn.
36R Jeff Hager/Cornwall, N.Y.
48 Dusty Jagger/Port Crane, N.Y.
1/64th Andy Miller/Schuylkill Haven, Pa.


RoC Dirt Points - Sportsman After Fonda (9-24-05)
PENN CAN 5/30/05 BIG DIAMOND 6/28/05 FIVE MILE 7/13/05 BIG DIAMOND 8/9/05 UTICA ROME 9/11/05 PENN CAN 9/16/05 FONDA 9/24/05

Driver Total Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts Feature Heat DNQ Feature Heat DNQ Feature Heat DNQ Feature Heat DNQ Feature Heat DNQ Feature Heat DNQ
Hamilton, Jason 15 333 50 50 5 44 55 5 26 55 5 38
Slade, Arnie 22B 317 55 5 55 5 32 60 5 28 46 26
Weiss, Kyle 21K 313 48 40 48 46 46 5 60 5 15
Walker, Shaun 21 269 44 19 42 5 34 32 38 50 5
Geiges, Jeff 77J 242 21 21 55 5 50 30 28 32
Creeden, Danny 16X 204 32 5 30 15 42 20 32 28
Decker, Brian 9B 175 60 5 38 30 18 19 5
Whitmoyer, Craig 99 157 5 60 19 22 34 17
Grim, Brad 611 155 34 32 5 60 16 8
Doty, Frank 71D 153 19 28 36 5 21 9 30 5
Horton IV, Jimmy 43 126 10 44 46 26
Towns, David 125 55 5 60 5
Loney, Mike 17D 122 7 9 34 32 40
Miller, Andy 1/64 109 6 24 10 36 10 23
Brightbill, Brad 19 103 48 5 22 28
Titus, Ken 9T 102 38 40 24
Jagger, Dusty 48 93 9 24 42 18
McGrew, Derrick 17 93 28 5 36 5 19
Hendricks, Doug 8 84 36 48
Zemken, Jessica 1Z 83 16 20 42 5
Rutt, Ricky 57 80 5 18 19 38
Wagner, Luke 3 76 15 18 15 23 5
Konopka, Alex 14 71 40 5 26
Puckett, Brian 41 71 50 21
Rooney, Paul 54 71 18 5 48
Carey, Paul 65 60 5
Apgar, Tim 98 61 26 30 5
Ketcham, Mike 9K 61 28 7 21 5
Mills, Shawn 71 61 10 15 36
Farina, Louis 044 60 5 15 40
Lippincott, Larry 515 56 26 10 20
Masiado, Joe 43M 56 34 17 5
Raisner, Rick R14 55 30 20 5
Hohenforst, Josh 53 5 48
Bates, Kevin 42B 51 46 5
Cook, Chad 50 50
Way, Steve 50 50
Munson, Jeremiah 48 48
Brennan, Tom 26 46 46
Lartz, Mike 42L 46 7 8 5 9 17
Crambo, Jeff 44 44
Lilick, Bob 76 44 44
Rothwell, Jim 44 44
Lyons, Mike M1 42 42
Tonkin Jr, Garth 176 42 42
Nye, Tim 40 40
Mammana, Mike 71 38 38
Stafford, Ken 38 38
Mill, Rick 77M 36 36
Lewis, Kyle 34 34
Barker, Alan 57B 33 17 16
Bush, David 13 33 8 10 15
Stravinsky, Gene 7A 33 23 10
Boyer, Brent 19 31 9 22
Colsten, Joey 151 31 7 15 9
Harrington, E.J. 17B 29 7 22
Kline, Jesse 59J 29 6 23
Fayash Jr, Andy 157 28 22 6
Vunk, Jeremy 28 23 5
Marold, Mike 26 26
Cremer, Tom 39 25 5 8 6 6
Janczuk, Matt 24 24
Miller, Jarrad 917 24 24
Wescott Jr, Sam 51 24 24
Olsommer, Ryan 51Z 23 23
Umbenhauer, Jordan 19U 23 15 8
Vard, R. 11 23 23
Bray, Brian 22 22
Teachout, Michael 21 21
Deemer, Ray 25 20 5 10 5
Stout, Andy 20 20
Tanner IV, Billy 91 20 20
Bowman, Mike 19 19
Holt, Jeremy 74 19 9 10
Button, Mike 18 18
Pursell, Josh 18 18
DeForest, John 17 17
Moyer Jr., Billy 17 17 8 9
Palmer, Eric 12E 17 17
Pope, Craig 17 7 10
Weiland, Greg 1450 17 17
Forte Jr., Mark M40 16 16
Lane, Bob 7A 16 16
Renninger, Corey KT3 16 16
Varin, Danny 16 8 8
Alger, Brad 15 15
Bowman, Jim 15 15
Deckelman, Bill 1 15 15
Fisher, Freddie 95 15 15
House, Justin 15 15
Price, Bill 15 15
Slavin, Whitey 15 15
Williams, Casey 15 15
Brown, Rick 14 5 9
Stankiewicz, Rich 2 14 7 7
Morris, James 13 13 7 6
Beach, Kevin 712 10 10
Fairweather, Robbie 10 10
Grim, Ryan 17T 10 5 5
Klinger, Butch 9K 10 10
Reiter, Butch 10 10
Yankowski, Jamie 10 10
Allen, Scott 9 9
Herman, Daryl 73 9 9
Pierce, Cliff 7 9 9
Taylor, Michael 2T 9 9
Becker, Jimmie 37 9 9
Beierle, Josh 34J 8 8
Graham, Brett 8 8
Kotary, Steve 8 8
MacTavish, Boyd 9 8 8
Miller, Don 144 8 8
Snyder, Lowell 39B 8 8
Still, Keith 97 8 8
Arnold, Geoff 7 7
Floyd Jr, Warren 8JR 7 7
Leslie, Jeff 7 7
White, Brian 56 7 7
Davis, Randy 2 7 7
Barnery, Mike 6 6
Folk, Bubba 19 6 6
Herman, Marc 3H 6 6
Jablonka, Shane 44X 6 6
Lilick, Brian Z28 6 6
Zimmerman, Russ 71 6 6
Pickwick, Skip 33P 6 6
Ainey, Josh 5 5
Conklin, Bob 5 5
Donaruma, Ben 35 5 5
Evans Jr, Bruce 5 5
Howe, Jeremy 5 5
Hunsinger, Gary 5 5
James, Chris 71J 5 5
Kleedorfer, Jim 5 5
Leindecker, John 61 5 5
Scagliotta, Rich 8 5 5
Stangle, John 6 5 5
Votra, Tim 11T 5 5
Whitney, Rick 5 5
Yoemans, Ladd 59 5 5
Munroe, Luke 33 5 5 0


RoC Dirt Points - Modified - COMBINATION After Fonda (9-25-05)
START PENN CAN 9/17/05 FONDA 9/25/05

Driver Total Regional Heat Pts Attendance Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts
Varin, Bobby 1J 615 500 25 25 60 5
Gibbs, Mitch 22G 604 475 10 25 48 46
Weaver, Brian 9R 601 475 5 25 60 36
Higbie, Jerry 97 560 450 5 25 36 44
Johnson, Ronnie 2 520 460 10 50
Strunk, Jeff 88 515 500 5 10
Gular, Mike 53 470 395 5 50 5 15
Johnson, Jack 12A 461 440 5 16
Bartlett, Ryan 93 452 380 25 32 15
Decker, Willy 1X 451 425 5 21
Laubach, Rick 5 450 450
Lamb, Ted 82 444 395 26 23
Horton, Jimmy 42H 435 425 10
Pepicelli, Tony 11A 430 410 20
Crouse, JR 4B 421 365 25 7 24
Cozze, Frank 44 415 410 5
Barney, Jason 39 391 350 5 17 19
Hoffman, Doug 77 390 335 55
Rudalavage, Alan 145 376 350 5 16 5
Ricci, Mike 17 353 320 5 28
Schmidt, Gus 30 349 335 5 9
Palmer, Alton 76 333 305 28
Christian, Jamie 61 330 320 10
Swinehart, Ray 33 305 305
VonDohren, Craig DR1 295 290 5
Mattison, Don 10 290 290


Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour Driver Roster
Updated After Fonda (9-24-05)


Car Number Driver Hometown
1/64th Andy Miller Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
1 Bill Deckelman Fremont Center, N.Y.
M1 Mike Lyons Monroe Township, N.J.
1M Mark Mortensen Glenville, N.Y.
1R Richard Quick Scotia, N.Y.
1X Casey Williams Utica, N.Y.
1Z Jessica Zemken Sprakers, N.Y.
2 Randy Davis Vorheesville, N.Y.
2 Rich Stankiewicz Laureldale, Pa.
2T Michael Taylor Milford, N.J.
3 Luke Wagner Grantville, Pa.
3 Mark Kislowski Ballston Lake, N.Y.
3D Jamie Yankowski Throop, Pa.
3H Marc Herman Windsor, N.J.
3J Howard Jarvis Accord, N.Y.
KT3 Corey Renninger Llewellyn, Pa.
04 Michael Teachout Bridgeport, N.Y.
4 Jim Rothwell South Plymouth, N.Y.
B5 Brian Bray Elmhurst, Pa.
6 John Stangle Neshanic Station, N.J.
6 David Towns Rotterdam, N.Y.
6H Josh Hohenforst Gloversville, N.Y.
7 Cliff Pierce Spencer, N.Y.
7A Gene Stravinsky New Egypt, N.J.
7A Bobby Lane Harpursville, N.Y.
7B Bob Conklin Thompson, Pa.
7M Mike Marold Jr. Honesdale, Pa.
8 Rich Scagliotta Bound Brook, N.J.
8 Doug Hendricks Orwigsburg, Pa.
8 Gary Hunsinger Scranton, Pa.
8Jr. Warren Floyd Jr. Milford, N.J.
09 Kyle Lewis Pennellville, N.Y.
9B Brian Decker Susquehanna, Pa.
9G Boyd MacTavish Fenwick, Ontario
9K Mike Ketcham Otisville, N.Y.
9KL Butch Klinger Walton, N.Y.
9T Ken Titus Kirkwood, N.Y.
11 Rick Yard Stockton, N.J.
11T Tim Votra Marathon, N.Y.
12E Eric Palmer Cresco, Pa.
13 James Morris Riegelsville, Pa.
13 David Bush Accord, N.Y.
13 Mike Barney Syracuse, N.Y.
14 Alex Konopka Gouldsboro, Pa.
R14 Rick Raisner Easton, Pa.
15 Jason Hamilton Erwinna, Pa.
15B Jim Bowman Baldwinsville, N.Y.
16 Rick Brown Dalton, Pa.
16 David Bush Accord, N.Y.
16 Jason Hamilton Erwinna, Pa.
16B Mike Bowman Baldwinsville, N.Y.
16X Danny Creeden Middletown, N.Y.
17 Derrick McGrew Ballston Spa, N.Y.
17 Billy Moyer Jr. Pine Grove, Pa.
17B E.J. Harrington Pittstown, N.J.
17D Mike Loney Taylor, Pa.
17T Ryan Grim Laurys Station, Pa.
18 Danny Varin Sharon Springs, N.Y.
18 Geoff Arnold Kingsley, Pa.
19 Bubba Folk Hallstead, Pa.
19 Brent Boyer Bloomsburg, Pa.
19 Pat O'Hanlon Duanesburg, N.Y.
19B Brad Brightbill Sinking Spring, Pa.
19U Jordan Umbenhauer Richland, Pa.
21 Shaun Walker Masonville, N.Y.
21B Tim Dwyer Sprakers, N.Y.
21K Kyle Weiss Hamburg, Pa.
21Y Jamie Yannone Newburgh, N.Y.
22B Arnie Slade Mt. Upton, N.Y.
23 John McAuliffe Ballston Lake, N.Y.
25 Ray Deemer Phillipsburg, N.J.
26 Tom Brennan Pottsville, Pa.
27 Andy Stout Thornhurst, Pa.
27B Mike Ballestero Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
27S Steve Way Vernon Center, N.Y.
Z28 Brian Lilick King of Prussia, Pa.
31 Steve Kotary Rome, N.Y.
31 Jim Kleedorfer Nazareth, Pa.
T31 Drew Fallis Johnstown, N.Y.
32V Jeremy Vunk Edmeston, N.Y.
33 Luke Munroe Duanesburg, N.Y.
33P Skip Pickwick Bainbridge, N.Y.
33X Matt Janczuk Sherrill, N.Y.
33Z Justin House Gloversville, N.Y.
34J Josh Beierle Newfoundland, Pa.
35 Ben Donaruma Flemington, N.J.
37S Jimmie Becker Rensselaer, N.Y.
39 Tom Cremer Sinking Spring, Pa.
39 Paul Carey Bridgewater, N.Y.
39B Lowell Snyder Erwinna, Pa.
M40 Mark Forte Jr. Haddon Township, N.J.
41 Brian Puckett Old Forge, Pa.
42 Mike Lartz Nicholson, Pa.
42B Kevin Bates Lake Ariel, Pa.
42C Craig Pope Mt. Upton, N.Y.
43 Jimmy Horton IV Folsom, N.J.
43M Joe Masiado Easton, Pa.
044 Lou Farina Philadelphia, Pa.
44 Butch Reiter Sherrill, N.Y.
44X Shane Jablonka Poughquag, N.Y.
44X Robbie Fairweather Westbrookville, N.Y.
Z44 Jeff Leslie Fly Creek, N.Y.
48 Dusty Jagger Port Crane, N.Y.
51 Jeremiah Munson St. Johnsville, N.Y.
51 Sam Wescott Jr. Grenloch, N.J.
51Z Ryan Olsommer Waymart, Pa.
52 Tim Nye Oneida, N.Y.
53 Whitey Slavin Petersburgh, N.Y.
54 Paul Rooney Thompson, Pa.
56 Brian White Candor, N.Y.
57 Alan Barker Norwich, N.Y.
57 Ricky Rutt Phillipsburg, N.J.
57B Alan Barker Norwich, N.Y.
58 Jeremy Howe Binghamton, N.Y.
59 Ladd Yeomans Swan Lake, N.Y.
59J Jesse Kline Bangor, Pa.
60 Bruce Evans Jr. Greenfield Township, Pa.
60 Ken Stafford Homer, N.Y.
61 John Leindecker Allentown, Pa.
61S John Scarborough Bomoseen, Vt.
71 Mike Mammana Nazareth, Pa.
71 Russ Zimmerman Tunkhannock, Pa.
71C Chad Cook Deposit, N.Y.
71D Frank Doty Middletown, N.Y.
71J Chris James Mahrsville, Pa.
71M Shawn Mills Windsor, N.Y.
72 Bill Price Clayville, N.Y.
73 Darrel Herman Allentown, Pa.
74 Jeremy Holt Kirkwood, N.Y.
74 Robert Perry Amsterdam, N.Y.
74B Brian Decker Susquehanna, Pa.
76 Brett Graham Accord, N.Y.
76 Bob Lilick King of Prussia, Pa.
77 Scott Brady Whitney Point, N.Y.
77 Jeff Crambo Throop, Pa.
77J Jeff Geiges Lawrenceville, N.J.
77M Rick Mill New Windsor, N.Y.
78A Brad Alger Oneonta, N.Y.
80X Mike Button Chittenango, N.Y.
91 Billy Tanner IV Newtown, Pa.
95 Freddie Fisher Sinking Spring, Pa.
96 Scott Allen Cortland, N.Y.
96J Josh Ainey New Milford, Pa.
97 Keith Still Middletown, N.Y.
98 Tim Apgar Milford, N.J.
99 Craig Whitmoyer Hamburg, Pa.
114 Rick Whitney Montrose, Pa.
124 Dave Constantino Amsterdam, N.Y.
144 Don Miller Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
151 Joey Colsten Binghamton, N.Y.
157 Andy Fayash Jr. Mary-D, Pa.
169 Josh Pursell Owego, N.Y.
176 Garth Tonkin Jr. Carbondale, Pa.
515 Larry Lippincott Riegelsville, Pa.
611 Brad Grim Coplay, Pa.
712 Kevin Beach Llewellyn, Pa.
318 John DeForest Norwich, N.Y.
1450 Greg Weiland Port Carbon, Pa.


Race of Champions Dirt Mod Tour Combined Roster
Updated After Fonda (9-25-05)


Car Number Driver Hometown
00 Rod Hunsinger Montrose, Pa.
1A Chris Weaver Binghamton, N.Y.
1J Bobby Varin Sharon Springs, N.Y.
1K Robert King Granville, N.Y.
M1 Wade Decker Afton, N.Y.
1P Billy Pauch Frenchtown, N.J.
1X Willy Decker Vernon, N.Y.
1Z Ray Zemken Sprakers, N.Y.
2 Ronnie Johnson Duanesburg, N.Y.
2G Mitch Gibbs North Norwich, N.Y.
2J Chad Cook Deposit, N.Y.
3D Matt DeLorenzo Cropseyville, N.Y.
4B J.R. Crouse Nazareth, Pa.
5J Joey Grammes Kunkletown, Pa.
7 Matt Smith Endicott, N.Y.
7J Danny Johnson Rochester, N.Y.
8 Frank Jashembowski Middletown, N.Y.
8J Tom Sears Jr. Clay, N.Y.
9 Bob McCreadie Watertown, N.Y.
9R Brian Weaver Windsor, N.Y.
W9 Colt Harris Bethel, Pa.
11 Billy Thornton Jr. Old Forge, Pa.
11A Tony Pepicelli Princetown, N.Y.
11J Jerry Pennock Jr. Warrensburg, N.J.
12 Bill Huff Tunkhannock, Pa.
12A Jack Johnson Duanesburg, N.Y.
14R David Towns Rotterdam, N.Y.
14W Ryan Watt Pottstown, Pa.
16 A.J. Romano Johnstown, N.Y.
17 Mike Ricci Rosendale, N.Y.
17 Elmo Reckner Ballston Spa, N.Y.
JR17 Jeff Heotzler Wallkill, N.Y.
19 Rich Keehle Jr. Windsor, N.Y.
20C Craig Hanson Tribes Hill, N.Y.
21Jr. Russ Hendrickson Jr. Harpursville, N.Y.
21J Jeff Trombley Altamont, N.Y.
22 Mario Clair St. Edmond, Que.
22B Billy Osta Schenectady, N.Y.
22G Mitch Gibbs North Norwich, N.Y.
24 Chris Shultz Holmes, N.Y.
25W Dana Wagner Trout Creek, N.Y.
27A Steve Akers Altamont, N.Y.
28 Steve Poirier St.-Mathieu Belveil, Que.
30 Gus Schmidt Liverpool, N.Y.
J30 Jim Crawn LeRaysville, Pa.
30+ Mike Frost Factoryville, Pa.
30+ Tom Oleski Scranton, Pa.
34 Steve Hough East Greenbush, N.Y.
39 Brian Decker Susquehanna, Pa.
41 Bobby Puckett Old Forge, Pa.
44 Josh Pieniazek Rotterdam, N.Y.
51 Mike Colsten Binghamton, N.Y.
53 Mike Gular Harleysville, Pa.
53V Bobby Vedder Schoharie, N.Y.
68 Bobby Trapper Scranton, Pa.
72VT Mike Fusco Amsterdam, N.Y.
73D James Davis Ballston Spa, N.Y.
74 Robert Perry Amsterdam, N.Y.
76 Alton Palmer Howes Cave, N.Y.
77 Doug Hoffman Allentown, Pa.
77S John Siedlecky Windsor, N.Y.
77V Rick Virkitis Richmondale, Pa.
78M Eric Mack Amsterdam, N.Y.
79 Amanda Spotts Pennsburg, Pa.
81 Bob Ferguson Jr. Jessup, Pa.
L82 Ted Lamb Clay, N.Y.
85 Erik Nelson Amsterdam, N.Y.
85 Dan Vauter Forest City, Pa.
87 Jason Barney Constantia, N.Y.
88 Ryan Odasz Ballston Spa, N.Y.
88 Jeff Strunk Bethel, Pa.
93B Ryan Bartlett Adams, N.Y.
93T Tim Clemons Schenectady, N.Y.
97 Jerry Higbie Jr. Slate Hill, N.Y.
145 Alan Rudalavage Newton Lake, Pa.
473 John Alberti Schodack Landing, N.Y.


Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour
Official Finish: Race No. 7/Fonda Speedway (9-24-05)


Car # Driver/Hometown Start
1 6 David Towns/Rotterdam, N.Y. (1)
2 27B Michael Ballestero/Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (5)
3 21 Shaun Walker/Masonville, N.Y. (3)
4 6H Josh Hohenforst/Gloversville, N.Y. (12)
5 21B Tim Dwyer/Sprakers, N.Y (16)
6 61S John Scarborough/Bomoseen, Vt. (6)
7 33Z Justin House/Gloversville, N.Y. (22)
8 124 Dave Constantino/Amsterdam, N.Y. (2)
9 16 Jason Hamilton/Erwinna, Pa. (11)
10 74 Robert Perry/Amsterdam, N.Y. (23)
11 1M Mark Mortensen/Glenville, N.Y. (14)
12 77J Jeff Geiges/Lawrenceville, N.J. (20)
13 21Y Jamie Yannone/Newburgh, N.Y. (24)
14 16X Danny Creeden/Middletown, N.Y. (4)
15 22B Arnie Slade/Mt. Upton, N.Y. (15)
16 1R Rich Quick/Scotia, N.Y. (19)
17 1/64th Andy Miller/Schuylkill Haven, Pa. (25)
18 19 Pat O'Hanlon/Duanesburg, N.Y. (18)
19 3 Mark Kislowski/Ballston Lake, N.Y. (10)
20 3J Howard Jarvis/Accord, N.Y. (13)
21 17M Derrick McGrew/Ballston Spa, N.Y. (21)
22 48 Dusty Jagger/Port Crane, N.Y. (17)
23 99 Craig Whitmoyer/Hamburg, Pa. (26)
24 23 John McAuliffe/Ballston Lake, N.Y. (7)
25 21K Kyle Weiss/Hamburg, Pa. (9)
DNS T31 Drew Fallis/Johnstown, N.Y. (8)

Entries: 32
Lap leaders: Towns (1-40)
Heat winners: Fallis, Towns, Walker, McAuliffe
Consi winner: McGrew

Did Not Qualify:
37S Jimmie Becker/Rensselaer, N.Y.
18 Danny Varin/Sharon Springs, N.Y.
2 Randy Davis/Voorheesville, N.Y.
33P Skip Pickwick/Bainbridge, N.Y.
71D Frank Doty/Middletown, N.Y.
33 Luke Munroe/Duanesburg, N.Y.


Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour
Official Finish: Combined Race No. 2/Fonda Speedway (9-25-05)


Car # Driver/Hometown Start
1 1J Bobby Varin/Sharon Springs, N.Y. (9)
2 8J Tom Sears Jr./Clay, N.Y. (13)
3 2 Ronnie Johnson/Duanesburg, N.Y. (21)
4 3D Matt DeLorenzo/Cropseyville, N.Y. (3)
5 22G Mitch Gibbs/North Norwich, N.Y. (24)
6 97 Jerry Higbie Jr./Slate Hill, N.Y. (20)
7 7J Danny Johnson/Rochester, N.Y. (1)
8 21J Jeff Trombley/Altamont, N.Y. (2)
9 16 A.J. Romano/Johnstown, N.Y. (8)
10 9R Brian Weaver/Windsor, N.Y. (25)
11 78M Jeff Heotzler/Wallkill, N.Y. (31)
12 88 Ryan Odasz/Ballston Spa, N.Y. (15)
13 34 Steve Hough/East Greenbush, N.Y. (4)
14 76 Alton Palmer/Howes Cave, N.Y. (22)
15 73D Jim Davis/Ballston Spa, N.Y. (18)
16 4B J.R. Crouse/Nazareth, Pa. (28)
17 L82 Ted Lamb/Clay, N.Y. (23)
18 25W Dana Wagner/Trout Creek, N.Y. (14)
19 1X Willy Decker/Vernon, N.Y. (12)
20 11A Tony Pepicelli/Princetown, N.Y. (19)
21 87 Jason Barney/Constantia, N.Y. (30)
22 72VT Mike Fusco/Amsterdam, N.Y. (26)
23 93T Tim Clemons/Schenectady, N.Y. (11)
24 12A Jack Johnson/Duanesburg, N.Y. (5)
25 28 Steve Poirier/St. Mathieu-Belveil, Que. (7)
26 1K Robert King/Granville, N.Y. (17)
27 27A Steve Akers/Altamont, N.Y. (6)
28 93B Ryan Bartlett/Adams, N.Y. (27)
29 53 Mike Gular/Harleysville, Pa. (29)
30 14R David Towns/Rotterdam, N.Y. (16)
31 17 Elmo Reckner/Ballston Spa, N.Y. (10)

Entries: 48
Lap leaders: Trombley (1-98), Varin (99-100)
Heat winners: Romano, D. Johnson, Akers, Trombley, Clemons, Varin
Consi winners: Pepicelli, Higbie, Johnson
Non Qualifiers Race Winner: Fusco

Did Not Qualify:
53V Bobby Vedder/Schoharie, N.Y.
22B Billy Osta/Schenectady, N.Y.
8 Frank Jashembowski/Middletown, N.Y.
30 Gus Schmidt/Liverpool, N.Y.
11J Jerry Pennock Jr./Warrensburg, N.Y.
74 Robert Perry/Amsterdam, N.Y.
473 John Alberti/Schodack Landing, N.Y.
1Z Ray Zemken/Sprakers, N.Y.
24 Chris Shultz/Holmes, N.Y.
M2 Todd Morey/Hydeville, Vt.
85 Erik Nelson/Amsterdam, N.Y.
78M Eric Mack/Amsterdam, N.Y.
22 Mario Clair/St. Edmond, Que.
1P Billy Pauch/Frenchtown, N.J.
44 Josh Pieniazek/Rotterdam, N.Y.
9 Bob McCreadie/Watertown, N.Y.
20C Craig Hanson/Tribes Hill, N.Y.


Home-Track Advantage Plays Into Hands of David Towns In Fonda RoC Sportsman Stop
By BRETT DEYO

FONDA, NY – This time around, home-track advantage played into the hands of David Towns.
Two weeks after losing out to Paul Carey at N.Y.’s Utica-Rome Speedway, Towns rebounded on familiar terra firma, scoring the Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman victory on Saturday afternoon at Fonda Speedway.
The Rotterdam, N.Y., native earned $1,000 for the triumph in the 40-lap main, the seventh event of the ’05 Tour.
“I had the home field advantage here,” said Towns, Fonda’s winningest Sportsman driver this season.
By luck of the draw, the 42-year-old started from the pole in his Groski-powered Teo-Pro car No. 6 and committed to the inside line of the half-mile oval.
“This took me out of my element today,” noted Towns. "During the season, I always run the top here. Usually, they water the top right before our feature and that's where I go. Running in the daytime is a whole different thing.
"I never moved off the bottom in 40 laps. It was slick out there - like driving on ice in a rear-wheel drive car with no studs."
Albany-Saratoga (N.Y.) Speedway regular Michael Ballestero, who started fifth, burst into second running the extreme outside groove and closed on Towns. However, Ballestero lost footing in the upper lane as the race wore on.
The only obstacle for Towns in his green-to-checkered run was lapped traffic.
"It was tough for me because they were running on the bottom," Towns offered.
Following three successive cautions (laps 25, 30 and 34), Ballestero challenged again briefly, but Towns marched away to score his fifth triumph of the season.
"I didn't think he could get around me," he said. "If I saw Mike up there, I would have changed my groove."
Ballestero, 46, of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., was the runner-up in his third '05 start at Fonda aboard his self-owned No. 27B Teo-Pro car.
"It was a good run, considering the year we've had," said Ballestero, referring to engine related setbacks endured during the summer.
"At first we reeled him in on the outside," he said. "But the bottom took rubber and the top went away. I could stay with him for a little while (after a restart), but that was it."
Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway regular Shaun Walker of Masonville, N.Y., finished third, the best of the RoC Dirt regulars. It was his first-ever Fonda start.
"The set-up was awesome," quipped the talented teenager. "We could've actually used a little more gear. The car was dogging on the straightaways.
"I dropped back a little bit in the beginning, but once I found my groove, we were good."
Josh Hohenforst of Gloversville, N.Y., was fourth after starting 12th and veteran Tim Dwyer of Sprakers, N.Y., was fifth.
Heat winners for the 32 Sportsman were Drew Fallis, Towns, Walker, and John McAuliffe. Derrick McGrew won the consolation.

RoC SPORTSMAN NOTES: Towns set his race strategy after watching Matt DeLorenzo low-line his way to victory in the 50-lap 358-Mod open earlier in the day. "After I watched Matt and drew the pole, we took some gear out."....
Towns's two career RoC starts: second at Utica-Rome and first at Fonda...
Pa.'s Kyle Weiss, who led the RoC point standings entering Fonda, was 25th after losing the right-front wheel on lap seven.
Weiss, running sixth at the time, said a broken spindle was the cause."I think a bearing seized up in the right-front," he said. "Then the metal center pulled out."....
With two events remaining, Jason Hamilton (who finished 9th) takes the point lead with 333 markers. Arnie Slade (317) and Kyle Weiss (313) trail....
Ignition problems forced Jeff Geiges pitside during the first hot lap session....

Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour Race No. 7 Feature Finish: DAVID TOWNS, Michael Ballestero, Shaun Walker, Josh Hohenforst, Tim Dwyer, John Scarborough, Justin House, Dave Constantino, Jason Hamilton, Robert Perry, Mark Mortensen, Jeff Geiges, Jamie Yannone, Danny Creeden, Arnie Slade, Rich Quick, Andy Miller, Pat O'Hanlon, Mark Kislowski, Howard Jarvis, Derrick McGrew, Dusty Jagger, Craig Whitmoyer, John McAuliffe, Kyle Weiss.
Did Not Start: Drew Fallis.
Did Not Qualify: Jimmie Becker, Danny Varin, Randy Davis, Skip Pickwick, Frank Doty, Luke Munroe.


RoC Dirt Points - Modified - COMBINATION
START PENN CAN 9/17/05 FONDA 9/25/05 FIVE MILE PT 10/15//05 Position


Driver Total Regional Heat Pts Attendance Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts
Weaver, Brian 9R 565 475 5 25 60 1
Gibbs, Mitch 22G 558 475 10 25 48 2
Varin, Bobby 1J 550 500 25 25 3
Higbie, Jerry 97 516 450 5 25 36 4
Strunk, Jeff 88 515 500 5 10 5
Johnson, Ronnie 2 470 460 10 6
Gular, Mike 53 455 395 5 50 5 7
Laubach, Rick 5 450 450 8
Johnson, Jack 12A 445 440 5 9
Bartlett, Ryan 93 437 380 25 32 10
Horton, Jimmy 42H 435 425 10 11
Decker, Willy 1X 430 425 5 12
Lamb, Ted 82 421 395 26 13
Cozze, Frank 44 415 410 5 14
Pepicelli, Tony 11A 410 410 15
Crouse, JR 4B 397 365 25 7 16
Hoffman, Doug 77 390 335 55 17
Rudalavage, Alan 145 376 350 5 16 5 18
Barney, Jason 39 372 350 5 17 19
Ricci, Mike 17 353 320 5 28 20
Schmidt, Gus 30 340 335 5 21
Christian, Jamie 61 330 320 10 22
Palmer, Alton 76 305 305 23
Swinehart, Ray 33 305 305 24
VonDohren, Craig DR1 295 290 5 25
Mattison, Don 10 290 290 26


Race of Champions Dirt Mod Tour Combined Roster
Updated After Penn-Can (9-17-05)


Car Number Driver Hometown
00 Rod Hunsinger Montrose, Pa.
1A Chris Weaver Binghamton, N.Y.
M1 Wade Decker Afton, N.Y.
2G Mitch Gibbs North Norwich, N.Y.
2J Chad Cook Deposit, N.Y.
4B J.R. Crouse Nazareth, Pa.
5J Joey Grammes Kunkletown, Pa.
7 Matt Smith Endicott, N.Y.
9R Brian Weaver Windsor, N.Y.
W9 Colt Harris Bethel, Pa.
11 Billy Thornton Jr. Old Forge, Pa.
12 Bill Huff Tunkhannock, Pa.
14W Ryan Watt Pottstown, Pa.
17 Mike Ricci Rosendale, N.Y.
19 Rich Keehle Jr. Windsor, N.Y.
21Jr. Russ Hendrickson Jr. Harpursville, N.Y.
J30 Jim Crawn LeRaysville, Pa.
30+ Mike Frost Factoryville, Pa.
30+ Tom Oleski Scranton, Pa.
39 Brian Decker Susquehanna, Pa.
41 Bobby Puckett Old Forge, Pa.
51 Mike Colsten Binghamton, N.Y.
53 Mike Gular Harleysville, Pa.
68 Bobby Trapper Scranton, Pa.
77 Doug Hoffman Allentown, Pa.
77S John Siedlecky Windsor, N.Y.
77V Rick Virkitis Richmondale, Pa.
79 Amanda Spotts Pennsburg, Pa.
81 Bob Ferguson Jr. Jessup, Pa.
82 Ted Lamb Jr. Clay, N.Y.
85 Dan Vauter Forest City, Pa.
87 Jason Barney Constantia, N.Y.
88 Jeff Strunk Bethel, Pa.
93 Ryan Bartlett Adams, N.Y.
97 Jerry Higbie Jr. Slate Hill, N.Y.
145 Alan Rudalavage Newton Lake, Pa.


Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour Driver Roster
Updated After Penn-Can (9-16-05)


Car Number Driver Hometown
1/64th Andy Miller Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
1 Bill Deckelman Fremont Center, N.Y.
M1 Mike Lyons Monroe Township, N.J.
1X Casey Williams Utica, N.Y.
1Z Jessica Zemken Sprakers, N.Y.
2 Rich Stankiewicz Laureldale, Pa.
2T Michael Taylor Milford, N.J.
3 Luke Wagner Grantville, Pa.
3D Jamie Yankowski Throop, Pa.
3H Marc Herman Windsor, N.J.
KT3 Corey Renninger Llewellyn, Pa.
04 Michael Teachout Bridgeport, N.Y.
4 Jim Rothwell South Plymouth, N.Y.
B5 Brian Bray Elmhurst, Pa.
6 John Stangle Neshanic Station, N.J.
6 David Towns Rotterdam, N.Y.
6H Josh Hohenforst Gloversville, N.Y.
7 Cliff Pierce Spencer, N.Y.
7A Gene Stravinsky New Egypt, N.J.
7A Bobby Lane Harpursville, N.Y.
7B Bob Conklin Thompson, Pa.
7M Mike Marold Jr. Honesdale, Pa.
8 Rich Scagliotta Bound Brook, N.J.
8 Doug Hendricks Orwigsburg, Pa.
8 Gary Hunsinger Scranton, Pa.
8Jr. Warren Floyd Jr. Milford, N.J.
09 Kyle Lewis Pennellville, N.Y.
9B Brian Decker Susquehanna, Pa.
9G Boyd MacTavish Fenwick, Ontario
9K Mike Ketcham Otisville, N.Y.
9KL Butch Klinger Walton, N.Y.
9T Ken Titus Kirkwood, N.Y.
11 Rick Yard Stockton, N.J.
11T Tim Votra Marathon, N.Y.
12E Eric Palmer Cresco, Pa.
13 James Morris Riegelsville, Pa.
13 David Bush Accord, N.Y.
13 Mike Barney Syracuse, N.Y.
14 Alex Konopka Gouldsboro, Pa.
R14 Rick Raisner Easton, Pa.
15 Jason Hamilton Erwinna, Pa.
15B Jim Bowman Baldwinsville, N.Y.
16 Rick Brown Dalton, Pa.
16 David Bush Accord, N.Y.
16 Jason Hamilton Erwinna, Pa.
16B Mike Bowman Baldwinsville, N.Y.
16X Danny Creeden Middletown, N.Y.
17 Derrick McGrew Ballston Spa, N.Y.
17 Billy Moyer Jr. Pine Grove, Pa.
17B E.J. Harrington Pittstown, N.J.
17D Mike Loney Taylor, Pa.
17T Ryan Grim Laurys Station, Pa.
18 Danny Varin Sharon Springs, N.Y.
18 Geoff Arnold Kingsley, Pa.
19 Bubba Folk Hallstead, Pa.
19 Brent Boyer Bloomsburg, Pa.
19B Brad Brightbill Sinking Spring, Pa.
19U Jordan Umbenhauer Richland, Pa.
21 Shaun Walker Masonville, N.Y.
21K Kyle Weiss Hamburg, Pa.
22B Arnie Slade Mt. Upton, N.Y.
25 Ray Deemer Phillipsburg, N.J.
26 Tom Brennan Pottsville, Pa.
27 Andy Stout Thornhurst, Pa.
27S Steve Way Vernon Center, N.Y.
Z28 Brian Lilick King of Prussia, Pa.
31 Steve Kotary Rome, N.Y.
31 Jim Kleedorfer Nazareth, Pa.
32V Jeremy Vunk Edmeston, N.Y.
33X Matt Janczuk Sherrill, N.Y.
33Z Justin House Gloversville, N.Y.
34J Josh Beierle Newfoundland, Pa.
35 Ben Donaruma Flemington, N.J.
39 Tom Cremer Sinking Spring, Pa.
39 Paul Carey Bridgewater, N.Y.
39B Lowell Snyder Erwinna, Pa.
M40 Mark Forte Jr. Haddon Township, N.J.
41 Brian Puckett Old Forge, Pa.
42 Mike Lartz Nicholson, Pa.
42B Kevin Bates Lake Ariel, Pa.
42C Craig Pope Mt. Upton, N.Y.
43 Jimmy Horton IV Folsom, N.J.
43M Joe Masiado Easton, Pa.
044 Lou Farina Philadelphia, Pa.
44 Butch Reiter Sherrill, N.Y.
44X Shane Jablonka Poughquag, N.Y.
44X Robbie Fairweather Westbrookville, N.Y.
Z44 Jeff Leslie Fly Creek, N.Y.
48 Dusty Jagger Port Crane, N.Y.
51 Jeremiah Munson St. Johnsville, N.Y.
51 Sam Wescott Jr. Grenloch, N.J.
51Z Ryan Olsommer Waymart, Pa.
52 Tim Nye Oneida, N.Y.
53 Whitey Slavin Petersburgh, N.Y.
54 Paul Rooney Thompson, Pa.
56 Brian White Candor, N.Y.
57 Alan Barker Norwich, N.Y.
57 Ricky Rutt Phillipsburg, N.J.
57B Alan Barker Norwich, N.Y.
58 Jeremy Howe Binghamton, N.Y.
59 Ladd Yeomans Swan Lake, N.Y.
59J Jesse Kline Bangor, Pa.
60 Bruce Evans Jr. Greenfield Township, Pa.
60 Ken Stafford Homer, N.Y.
61 John Leindecker Allentown, Pa.
71 Mike Mammana Nazareth, Pa.
71 Russ Zimmerman Tunkhannock, Pa.
71C Chad Cook Deposit, N.Y.
71D Frank Doty Middletown, N.Y.
71J Chris James Mahrsville, Pa.
71M Shawn Mills Windsor, N.Y.
72 Bill Price Clayville, N.Y.
73 Darrel Herman Allentown, Pa.
74 Jeremy Holt Kirkwood, N.Y.
74B Brian Decker Susquehanna, Pa.
76 Brett Graham Accord, N.Y.
76 Bob Lilick King of Prussia, Pa.
77 Scott Brady Whitney Point, N.Y.
77 Jeff Crambo Throop, Pa.
77J Jeff Geiges Lawrenceville, N.J.
77M Rick Mill New Windsor, N.Y.
78A Brad Alger Oneonta, N.Y.
80X Mike Button Chittenango, N.Y.
91 Billy Tanner IV Newtown, Pa.
95 Freddie Fisher Sinking Spring, Pa.
96 Scott Allen Cortland, N.Y.
96J Josh Ainey New Milford, Pa.
97 Keith Still Middletown, N.Y.
98 Tim Apgar Milford, N.J.
99 Craig Whitmoyer Hamburg, Pa.
114 Rick Whitney Montrose, Pa.
144 Don Miller Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
151 Joey Colsten Binghamton, N.Y.
157 Andy Fayash Jr. Mary-D, Pa.
169 Josh Pursell Owego, N.Y.
176 Garth Tonkin Jr. Carbondale, Pa.
515 Larry Lippincott Riegelsville, Pa.
611 Brad Grim Coplay, Pa.
712 Kevin Beach Llewellyn, Pa.
318 John DeForest Norwich, N.Y.
1450 Greg Weiland Port Carbon, Pa.


Modified Guaranteed Starters Race Lineup For Fonda (9-25-05)

88 Jeff Strunk
21 Jr. Russ Hendrickson Jr.
41 Bobby Puckett
30+O Tom Oleski
77S John Siedlecky
W9 Colt Harris
4B JR Crouse
79 Amanda Spotts
81 Rich Ferguson Jr.
30+F Mike Frost
00 Rod Hunsinger

Sportsman Guaranteed Starters Race Lineup For Fonda (9-24-05)

1/64th Andy Miller
42C Craig Pope
151 Joey Colsten
16B Rick Brown
611 Brad Grim
19U Jordan Umbenhauer
18 Geoff Arnold
2 Rich Stankiewicz
39Z Dan Frack
13 James Morris
31 Jim Kleedorfer
7B Bob Conklin
96J Josh Ainey
8 Gary Hunsinger

*Races will be 10-laps with 2 cars to transfer. Subject to change based on participation.


RACE OF CHAMPIONS DIRT MODIFIED TOUR -
COMBINATION EVENT #2
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH - FONDA SPEEDWAY - FONDA, NY


Location: One mile off the New York State Thruway (I-90) in Fonda, N.Y.
Speedway Phone: Track office: (518) 853-4235 or Business: (518) 382-3115
Speedway website: www.fondaspeedway.com
Pit Fees: $30
Pit Gates Open: 9:00 a.m.
Grandstand Prices: Adult: $25, Child: $5, Reserved Seat: $30
Grandstand Gates: 10:00 a.m.
Practice: Noon
Race Time: 1 p.m.
Entry Info: Pre- race entry (received prior to Sept. 21st): $15/Entry after above date: $20
Qualifying Heats: Order of events TBA
Modified Feature: 100 green flag laps
Tire Information: American Racer Compounds: Right Rear - minimum softness - 48 compound, may run Fonda 50 compound or Bridgeport hard (D3B) compounds only; Left Rear - minimum softness - 44 compound; Right Front - any American Racer tire; Left Front - any American Racer tire.
For tire information please call: Jumpin' Jacks Speed Shop - (518) 355-5314.
General Race Rules: The standard for motor, body, chassis and safety rules are based '04 DIRT rules.
Weight Info: Big-block Modifieds - min. 2,500 lbs no tolerance. ('04 DIRT legal); small-block Modifieds - min. 2,400 lbs. no tolerance. ('04 DIRT legal); Big Diamond/Grandview 9-to-1 small blocks - min. 2,400 lbs. no tolerance; any other small-block combination must weigh a min. 2,500 lbs. no tolerance. NO mixing and matching of rules.
For more information please contact the Race of Champions office at (607) 238-0432 or log on to www.rocdirt.com.


RoC Dirt Points - Sportsman After Penn-Can

PENN CAN 5/30/05 BIG DIAMOND 6/28/05 FIVE MILE 7/13/05 BIG DIAMOND 8/9/05 UTICA ROME 9/11/05 PENN CAN 9/16/05
Driver Total Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts Feature Heat DNQ Feature Heat DNQ Feature Heat DNQ Feature Heat DNQ Feature Heat DNQ

Weiss, Kyle 21K 298 48 40 48 46 46 5 60 5
Hamilton, Jason 15 295 50 50 5 44 55 5 26 55 5
Slade, Arnie 22B 291 55 5 55 5 32 60 5 28 46
Walker, Shaun 21 214 44 19 42 5 34 32 38
Geiges, Jeff 77J 210 21 21 55 5 50 30 28
Creeden, Danny 16X 176 32 5 30 15 42 20 32
Decker, Brian 9B 175 60 5 38 30 18 19 5
Grim, Brad 611 155 34 32 5 60 16 8
Doty, Frank 71D 148 19 28 36 5 21 9 30
Whitmoyer, Craig 99 140 5 60 19 22 34
Horton IV, Jimmy 43 126 10 44 46 26
Loney, Mike 17D 122 7 9 34 32 40
Brightbill, Brad 19 103 48 5 22 28
Titus, Ken 9T 102 38 40 24
Miller, Andy 1/64 86 6 24 10 36 10
Hendricks, Doug 8 84 36 48
Zemken, Jessica 1Z 83 16 20 42 5
Rutt, Ricky 57 80 5 18 19 38
Wagner, Luke 3 76 15 18 15 23 5
Jagger, Dusty 48 75 9 24 42
McGrew, Derrick 17 74 28 5 36 5
Konopka, Alex 14 71 40 5 26
Puckett, Brian 41 71 50 21
Rooney, Paul 54 71 18 5 48
Carey, Paul 65 60 5
Apgar, Tim 98 61 26 30 5
Ketcham, Mike 9K 61 28 7 21 5
Mills, Shawn 71 61 10 15 36
Farina, Louis 044 60 5 15 40
Towns, David 60 55 5
Lippincott, Larry 515 56 26 10 20
Masiado, Joe 43M 56 34 17 5
Raisner, Rick R14 55 30 20 5
Bates, Kevin 42B 51 46 5
Way, Steve 50 50
Cook, Chad 50 50
Munson, Jeremiah 48 48
Brennan, Tom 26 46 46
Lartz, Mike 42L 46 7 8 5 9 17
Lilick, Bob 76 44 44
Rothwell, Jim 44 44
Crambo, Jeff 44 44
Lyons, Mike M1 42 42
Tonkin Jr, Garth 176 42 42
Nye, Tim 40 40
Mammana, Mike 71 38 38
Stafford, Ken 38 38
Mill, Rick 77M 36 36
Lewis, Kyle 34 34
Barker, Alan 57B 33 17 16
Bush, David 13 33 8 10 15
Stravinsky, Gene 7A 33 23 10
Boyer, Brent 19 31 9 22
Colsten, Joey 151 31 7 15 9
Harrington, E.J. 17B 29 7 22
Kline, Jesse 59J 29 6 23
Fayash Jr, Andy 157 28 22 6
Vunk, Jeremy 28 23 5
Marold, Mike 26 26
Cremer, Tom 39 25 5 8 6 6
Janczuk, Matt 24 24
Miller, Jarrad 917 24 24
Wescott Jr, Sam 51 24 24
Olsommer, Ryan 51Z 23 23
Umbenhauer, Jordan 19U 23 15 8
Vard, R. 11 23 23
Bray, Brian 22 22
Teachout, Michael 21 21
Deemer, Ray 25 20 5 10 5
Tanner IV, Billy 91 20 20
Stout, Andy 20 20
Bowman, Mike 19 19
Holt, Jeremy 74 19 9 10
Button, Mike 18 18
Pursell, Josh 18 18
DeForest, John 17 17
Moyer Jr., Billy 17 17 8 9
Palmer, Eric 12E 17 17
Pope, Craig 17 7 10
Weiland, Greg 1450 17 17
Forte Jr., Mark M40 16 16
Renninger, Corey KT3 16 16
Lane, Bob 7A 16 16
Alger, Brad 15 15
Bowman, Jim 15 15
Deckelman, Bill 1 15 15
Fisher, Freddie 95 15 15
House, Justin 15 15
Price, Bill 15 15
Slavin, Whitey 15 15
Williams, Casey 15 15
Brown, Rick 14 5 9
Stankiewicz, Rich 2 14 7 7
Morris, James 13 13 7 6
Beach, Kevin 712 10 10
Fairweather, Robbie 10 10
Grim, Ryan 17T 10 5 5
Klinger, Butch 9K 10 10
Reiter, Butch 10 10
Yankowski, Jamie 10 10
Allen, Scott 9 9
Herman, Daryl 73 9 9
Pierce, Cliff 7 9 9
Taylor, Michael 2T 9 9
Beierle, Josh 34J 8 8
Graham, Brett 8 8
Kotary, Steve 8 8
MacTavish, Boyd 9 8 8
Miller, Don 144 8 8
Snyder, Lowell 39B 8 8
Still, Keith 97 8 8
Varin, Danny 8 8
Floyd Jr, Warren 8JR 7 7
Leslie, Jeff 7 7
White, Brian 56 7 7
Arnold, Geoff 7 7
Barnery, Mike 6 6
Folk, Bubba 19 6 6
Herman, Marc 3H 6 6
Jablonka, Shane 44X 6 6
Lilick, Brian Z28 6 6
Zimmerman, Russ 71 6 6
Donaruma, Ben 35 5 5
Evans Jr, Bruce 5 5
Hohenforst, Josh 5 5
Howe, Jeremy 5 5
James, Chris 71J 5 5
Leindecker, John 61 5 5
Scagliotta, Rich 8 5 5
Stangle, John 6 5 5
Votra, Tim 11T 5 5
Whitney, Rick 5 5
Yoemans, Ladd 59 5 5
Kleedorfer, Jim 5 5
Conklin, Bob 5 5
Hunsinger, Gary 5 5
Ainey, Josh 5 5


Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour
Official Finish: Race No. 6/Penn-Can Speedway (9-16-05)


Car # Driver/Hometown Start
1 21K Kyle Weiss/Hamburg, Pa. (3)
2 16 Jason Hamilton/Erwinna, Pa. (7)
3 71C Chad Cook/Deposit, N.Y. (5)
4 54 Paul Rooney/Thompson, Pa. (1)
5 22B Arnie Slade/Mt. Upton, N.Y. (10)
6 77 Jeff Crambo/Throop, Pa. (9)
7 48 Dusty Jagger/Port Crane, N.Y. (16)
8 17D Mike Loney/Taylor, Pa. (14)
9 21 Shaun Walker/Masonville, N.Y. (4)
10 71 Shawn Mills/Deposit, N.Y. (20)
11 99 Craig Whitmoyer/Hamburg, Pa. (21)
12 16X Danny Creeden/Middletown, N.Y. (17)
13 71D Frank Doty/Middletown, N.Y. (24)
14 77J Jeff Geiges/Lawrenceville, N.J. (8)
15 7M Mike Marold Jr./Honesdale, Pa. (13)
16 9 Ken Titus/Kirkwood, N.Y. (2)
17 3 Luke Wagner/Grantville, Pa. (11)
18 B5 Brian Bray/Elmhurst, Pa. (6)
19 41 Brian Puckett/Old Forge, Pa. (15)
20 27 Andy Stout/Thornhurst, Pa. (19)
21 9B Brian Decker/Susquehanna, Pa. (12)
22 169 Josh Purcell/Owego, N.Y. (18)
23 42L Mike Lartz/Nicholson, Pa. (22)
24 7A Bobby Lane/Harpursville, Pa. (23)
DNS 611 Brad Grim/Coplay, Pa.
Entries: 38
Lap leaders: Titus (1-4), Rooney (5-10), Weiss (11-35)
Heat winners: Decker, Weiss, Hamilton, Wagner
Consi winners: Whitmoyer, Lartz
Did Not Qualify:
1/64th Andy Miller/Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
42C Craig Pope/Mt. Upton, N.Y.
151 Joe Colsten/Binghamton, N.Y.
16 Rick Brown/Dalton, Pa.
19U Jordan Umbenhauer/Richland, Pa.
18 Geoff Arnold/Kingsley, Pa.
2 Rich Stankiewicz/Reading, Pa.
39Z Dan Frack/Promised Land, Pa.
13 James Morris/Riegelsville, Pa.
31 Jim Kleedorfer/Nazareth, Pa.
7B Bob Conklin/Thompson, Pa.
96J Josh Ainey/New Milford, Pa.
8 Gary Hunsinger/Scranton, Pa.


Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour
Official Finish: Combined Race No. 1/Penn-Can Speedway (9-17-05)


Car # Driver/Hometown Start
1 9R Brian Weaver/Windsor, N.Y. (11)
2 77 Doug Hoffman/Allentown, Pa. (15)
3 53 Mike Gular/Harleysville, Pa. (4)
4 2G Mitch Gibbs/North Norwich, N.Y. (2)
5 77V Rick Virkitis/Richmondale, Pa. (21)
6 J30 Jim Crawn/LeRaysville, Pa. (19)
7 19 Rich Keehle Jr./Windsor, N.Y. (22)
8 39 Brian Decker/Susquehanna, Pa. (3)
9 12 Bill Huff/Tunkhannock, Pa. (6)
10 97 Jerry Higbie Jr./Slate Hill, N.Y. (10)
11 51 Mike Colsten/Binghamton, N.Y. (12)
12 93 Ryan Bartlett/Adams, N.Y. (14)
13 5J Joey Grammes/Kunkletown, Pa. (7)
14 17 Mike Ricci/Rosendale, N.Y. (18)
15 L82 Ted Lamb/Clay, N.Y. (25)
16 14W Ryan Watt/Pottstown, Pa. (1)
17 11 Billy Thornton Jr./Old Forge, Pa. (16)
18 M1 Wade Decker/Afton, N.Y. (23)
19 7 Matt Smith/Endicott, N.Y. (17)
20 68 Bobby Trapper/Scranton, Pa. (9)
21 2J Chad Cook/Deposit, N.Y. (13)
22 85 Dan Vauter/Forest City, Pa. (8)
23 87 Jason Barney/Constantia, N.Y. (20)
24 145 Alan Rudalavage/Newton Lake, Pa. (5)
25 1A Chris Weaver/Binghamton, N.Y. (24)
DNS 88 Jeff Strunk/Bethel, Pa.
Entries: 38
Lap leaders: Gibbs (1-14), Gular (15-35), Grammes (36-50),
Gular (51-70), Weaver (71-100)
Heat winners: Colsten, Grammes, Gular, Rudalavage
Consi winners: Virkitis, Keehle
Did Not Qualify:
41 Bobby Puckett/Old Forge, Pa.
21Jr. Russ Hendrickson Jr./Harpursville, N.Y.
30+ Tom Oleski/Scranton, Pa.
77S John Siedlecky/Windsor, N.Y.
W9 Colt Harris/Bethel, Pa.
4B J.R. Crouse/Nazareth, Pa.
79 Amanda Spotts/Pennsburg, Pa.
81 Bob Ferguson Jr./Jessup, Pa.
30+F Mike Frost/Factoryville, Pa.
00 Rod Hunsinger/Montrose, Pa.
2G Mitch Gibbs/North Norwich, N.Y. (2nd car)
9R Brian Weaver/Windsor, N.Y. (2nd car)


Weiss Finally Reaches RoC Dirt Sportsman Victory Lane At Penn-Can
By BRETT DEYO

SUSQUEHANNA, PA - Kyle Weiss has been the master of consistency in 2005 on the Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour.
Finally, he added his name to the winner's list.
The Hamburg, Pa., native tip-toed to victory Friday night at Penn-Can Speedway, waiting out a two-hour rain delay and surviving tricky track conditions to win the 35-lap RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour headliner, the sixth event of the nine-race odyssey.
Weiss moved into the point lead with the $1,000 victory at the three-eighths-mile oval.
"Our consistency has been there," said Weiss, a NASCAR Modified regular at Pa.'s Grandview Speedway. "But we wanted to win."
The 31-year-old driver started third, but didn't immediately surge forward. Ken Titus blasted into the lead on the start. He paced only the first four circuits before sliding high in turn one, where he made significant contact with the outside dirt embankment.
With the caution displayed for the Titus incident, Paul Rooney inherited the lead over Weiss and seventh-starter Jason Hamilton.
Weiss's No. 21K bounced off the outside wall on the restart, allowing Hamilton to momentarily take second.
Hamilton pushed wide in the first turn and Weiss ducked low to regain the runner-up position. That proved to be a key move in the race's outcome.
"I was lucky Jason pushed up there," Weiss said. "He would have been tough to get back around."
Weiss took advantage of a double-file restart on lap 10 to nose around Rooney into the top spot with his B&Y Machine-powered Bicknell.
"I was concerned starting up high after the first time when I hit the wall," he said. "But we got a great start. I was almost afraid I might have jumped."
Hamilton drove under Rooney on lap 12 to take second and set his sights on Weiss.
Lapped traffic nearly played a major role in the event's outcome.
On lap 31, Weiss's left-front wheel became momentarily hooked on the slower car of Brian Puckett on the frontstretch, causing both cars to slide wildly into turn one.
As Weiss bobbled, Hamilton made a go-for-broke inside run. In a three-wide scramble, Hamilton pulled even with Weiss, but couldn't get the bite on the oval's wet inside groove.
Weiss maintained the lead over the final four circuits to post the win.
"I didn't mean to get into the lapped car (Puckett) like that," Weiss said. "I had to get him out of the way. I think that would've been it; Hamilton would've got us.
"It was so wet, any little mistake could cost you."
Hamilton, 29, of Erwinna, Pa., settled for second in Doug Flurer's No. 16 Teo-Pro car, equipped with a fresh John Burnett engine.
"The only way we could've gotten Kyle would have been lapped traffic," he said. "We needed more of it.
"I was trying to make something happen on the bottom (on lap 31), but guys were getting down real low and kicking water on the track. That got on my tires and I was just sliding."
Former Afton (N.Y.)/Thunder Mountain (N.Y.) Sportsman champion Chad Cook of Deposit, N.Y., was third in a second Shawn Mills No. 71, a Bicknell chassis the Mills team purchased from Cook prior to the '04 season.
"This car just doesn't have the power," Cook said. "This is their second car, basically it's just a bunch of spare parts. The car handled awesome, we we're just hoping for some luck."
Rooney was fourth and '05 Penn-Can champion Arnie Slade rounded out the top five.
Heat winners for the 38 Sportsman included Brian Decker, Weiss, Jason Hamilton and Luke Wagner, Craig Whitmoyer and Mike Lartz split the consolations.

PENN-CAN NOTES: Mother Nature turned the evening into a marathon following two heavy showers....
Hamilton nearly missed the call for his heat race when a fuel pick-up problem surfaced....
Brian Decker, who won the first RoC Dirt Sportsman stop at Penn-Can on May 30, went pitside with a broken left-front shock tower on lap 12....
The opening laps were tricky with the surface still extremely wet....
The point battle tightened up entering the Sept. 24 event at Fonda (N.Y.) Speedway. Weiss (298) now leads Hamilton (295) and Slade (291)....

RoC Dirt Sportsman Race No. 6 Feature Finish: KYLE WEISS, Jason Hamilton, Chad Cook, Paul Rooney, Arnie Slade, Jeff Crambo, Dusty Jagger, Mike Loney, Shaun Walker, Shawn Mills, Craig Whitmoyer, Danny Creeden, Frank Doty, Jeff Geiges, Mike Marold Jr., Ken Titus, Luke Wagner, Brian Bray, Brian Puckett, Andy Stout, Brian Decker, Joshua Purcell, Mike Lartz, Bobby Lane.
Did Not Start: Brad Grim.
Did Not Qualify: Andy Miller, Craig Pope, Joe Colsten, Rick Brown, Jordan Umbenhauer, Geoff Arnold, Rich Stankiewicz, Dan Frack, James Morris, Jim Kleedorfer, Bob Conklin, Josh Ainey, Gary Hunsinger.


Brian Weaver Makes It Official: He Is "King of the Can"
By BRETT DEYO

SUSQUEHANNA, PA - If seven Modified track championships weren't enough, Brian Weaver made it official on Saturday night.
He is the "King of the Can."
Weaver, 42, bested Doug Hoffman in a 100-lap thriller at Penn-Can Speedway, etching his name in the record books as the first-ever combined race winner on the Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour.
The Windsor, N.Y., driver earned $5,000 for the triumph, his second in RoC Dirt competition. He won the South Region event at Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Speedway on July 13.
"This feels really good," said Weaver, the '05 champ at both Penn-Can and Five Mile Point. "Starting 11th with a lot of good cars in front of me, I was fearing for my chances a little bit."
Heading into the event with an extra-distance mindset, Weaver settled into the back half of the top 10 and rode there for much of the race's first half. He was content to let the field thin out before mounting a charge.
"I wanted to be around at the end, so we took it easy," he said. "We didn't get too many challenges - Hoffman passed us early, but that was it. The car was loose, so where was I going anyway?"
Outside polesitter Mitch Gibbs motored into the lead on the start and paced the first 14 circuits before young Mike Gular, who started fourth, took over the lead on a 15th-lap restart.
With Gular out front, Joey Grammes blasted into contention, taking second from Gibbs on lap 30.
A caution on lap 31 put Grammes on Gular's back bumper. The race restarted on lap 35 and it took only one trip around the three-eighths-mile oval for the Kunkletown, Pa., native to take command, sweeping high on lap 36.
Taking advantage of a lap-46 caution, Gular retook the top spot from Grammes, while Weaver and 15th-starter Hoffman made their presence felt in the top five.
"During that caution, I told myself 'It's time to get moving.' I wanted to see what was available on the outside and take a chance a little bit," Weaver said. "There is a window here when you can do your passing on the top.
"You have to do it in the middle of the race."
On lap 53, Weaver put his Randy Decker-owned, Wally Fiehl big-block-powered No. 9R Bicknell into third. Hoffman followed him into fourth two laps later.
Weaver ducked under Grammes on lap 66 and methodically ran down the hard-running Gular, whose No. 53 began to skate up the track in the corners.
Exiting the fourth turn on lap 70, Gular's car broke loose and Weaver took full advantage, driving into the lead.
"One of the things I do is watch the cars in front of me, looking for a weakness," Weaver said. "I definitely was watching Gular spin his tires. I believe he saw me there and he pushed a little too hard."
A lap-72 caution bunched the field, with Weaver leading Gular and Hoffman. Once the race went green, Hoffman went to work for the runner-up spot, moving his Dennis "Moose" Eisenhard-owned No. 77 into second on lap 81.
Then he set his sights on Weaver.
When the caution lights flickered on with 89 laps complete, it gave Hoffman an opportunity and set up a battle that had the large crowd on its feet.
Using the track's middle groove to build momentum, the '05 Big Diamond (Pa.) champion forged several spirited challenges as the laps wound down, pulling even with Weaver through the corners nearly every lap.
Hoffman's most serious bid came on lap 96. Sticking the nose of his car up high exiting the second turn, the lead pair made contact as Weaver slid up the track, forcing Hoffman to roll out of the throttle.
"Doug actually showed himself when the caution came out on lap 89," Weaver reported. "He came up alongside of me under yellow. When I knew it was him, it gave me a better idea of what I had to do to keep him behind me.
"Coming out of the corners here, you need to drift out to the wall to cut off the opportunity for the guy on the outside with the run. I came off the bottom to block his lane .
"He was all over me; if it takes using up some track to hold the lead, you'll use up some track."
A multi-car incident on lap 99 forced a green-checkered finish. Weaver was up to the task, acing the restart to score the win.
Hoffman, 47, of Allentown, Pa., settled for a runner-up finish with his Big Diamond/Grandview (Pa.)-legal H&G Associates-built Ford 9-to-1 powerplant on alcohol. Hoffman received the $500 small-block bonus, bringing his earnings to $2,900.
"I had the car to beat him, I just couldn't get by him," Hoffman said. "Late in the race, I found the middle groove. The car drove real good there.
"He squeezed me, but I don't blame him. I would've done the same thing. I wouldn't give up the lead easy for five grand to win.
"Even with the race track he was giving me, there was still enough room, but I had to be next to him. I was so close to being there. I needed to snooker him and I wasn't able to."
The 22-year-old Gular of Harleysville, Pa., finished third in Chad Sinon's Main Engines big-block-powered Bicknell.
"When the 9R (Weaver) started pressuring me, that's when I started to go hard," Gular reflected. "Maybe I went too hard and burned the tires off, because it was loose at the end.
"When you're leading like that, you don't have the advantage of seeing what the other guys are doing.
"I'm happy with third. Brian's tough here and Doug, he's one of the best."
North Norwich, N.Y.'s Gibbs finished fourth and 21st-starter Rick Virkitis of Richmondale, Pa., was fifth.
Heat winners for the 38 Modifieds in attendance were Mike Colsten, Grammes, Mike Gular and Alan Rudalavage. Rick Virkitis and Rich Keehle Jr. split the consolations.

PENN-CAN NOTES: Dark clouds hung over the speedway for much of the afternoon, with a shower forcing a 30-minute rain delay during the Pure Stock heats....
Hoffman felt his car running out of fuel in the waning laps, prompting him to signal to officials to speed up the clean-up from the lap-99 yellow. "Fuel was an issue. I kept feeling it on the straightaways. It must have sucked some air. The fuel was so low it was splashing around."....
Engine problems kept Jeff Strunk from starting the feature....
Utica-Rome (N.Y.) Speedway regular Ted Lamb rallied from dead last - 25th - to run inside the top three before rear-end problems sidelined him one lap from the finish....
Mike Colsten relinquished third on lap 89 with a flat right-rear tire....
A left-rear flat was the downfall for Grammes. He pitted during the lap-72 caution....
Weaver was running his big-block engine after losing his primary 413 c.i. piece in the previous Sunday's RoC Dirt show at Utica-Rome....
Jerry Higbie Jr. skipped an event at Orange County (N.Y.), his longtime home track, to race at Penn-Can. He finished 10th....
The RoC Dirt Modified Tour rolls into Fonda (N.Y.) Speedway on Sun., Sept. 25 with a 100-lap, $7,500-to-win show....

Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour Combined Race No. 1 Feature Finish: BRIAN WEAVER, Doug Hoffman, Mike Gular, Mitch Gibbs, Rick Virkitis, Jim Crawn, Rich Keehle Jr., Brian Decker, Bill Huff, Jerry Higbie Jr., Mike Colsten, Ryan Bartlett, Joey Grammes, Mike Ricci, Ted Lamb, Ryan Watt, Billy Thornton Jr., Wade Decker, Matt Smith, Bobby Trapper, Chad Cook, Dan Vauter, Jason Barney, Alan Rudalavage, Chris Weaver.
Did Not Start: Jeff Strunk.
Did Not Qualify: Russell Hendrickson Jr., Bobby Puckett, Tom Oleski, John Siedlecky, Colt Harris, J.R. Crouse, Amanda Spotts, Rob Ferguson Jr., Mike Frost, Rod Hunsinger, Mitch Gibbs (second car), Brian Weaver (second car).


RoC Sportsman and Modifieds To Invade Fonda Sept. 24-25
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - A season-ending two-day event is nothing new for Ric Lucia and his staff at New York's Fonda Speedway.

But 2005 brings a host of changes to the popular year-end weekend at the half-mile oval. The most noticeable: The date. After being embattled by Mother Nature for years, gone is the chill of mid-October. It has been replaced by a much warmer Sept. 24-25.

"We've struggled with the weather so much," said Fonda general manager Marty Beberwyk, alluding to consecutive cancellations of the big-block curtain-closer in '03 and '04. "This year, if it rains, at least it won't freeze!"

Operating as an independent track this season, Fonda will host the Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour in a combined 100-lap event on Sun., Sept. 25 paying a healthy $7,500-to-win, in addition to a trio of small-block bonuses: $750 for the first 358 across the line, $500 for the second and $250 for the third. McDonald's sponsors Sunday's action.

The century grind will be the second of three combined events in the RoC Dirt Modified Tour, meaning stars from the North and South Regions will be on hand to vie for the inaugural title.

The first combined event is set for Sept. 17 at Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway, while Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Speedway wraps up the season on Oct. 15.

The RoC Dirt Sportsman will also be an integral part of Fonda's weekend. "The Track of Champions" will host a 40-lap event paying $1,000 to the winner on Sat., Sept. 24 when Coors Light and Morris Ford-Mercury present the seventh event on the RoC Dirt Sportsman trail.

Already, Fonda Speedway has been a major player in the first season of the Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour competition.

The fairgrounds track held the first-ever event on April 9, with 58 Modifieds signing in for RoC North Region Race No. 1. Bobby Varin began his championship season with the win over top-finishing small-block Alan Johnson, 22nd-starter Jerry Higbie Jr., Tony Pepicelli and Mitch Gibbs.

The Tour's second trip to Fonda on Wed., July 27 was equally memorable. In a green-to-checkered 50-lapper that was contested in just over 18 minutes, Varin piloted his No. 1J to victory with Mitch Gibbs, Dave Lape, Ryan Odasz and Jack Johnson in tow.

Varin's two wins at Fonda, coupled with a pair of triumphs at Utica-Rome (N.Y.) Speedway propelled the Sharon Springs, N.Y., racer to the RoC Dirt North Region title, while Grandview (Pa.) Speedway champion Jeff Strunk topped the Tour's South Region. Strunk won the June 7 event at Pa.'s Big Diamond Raceway.

With the slate wiped clean following the regional finales, the overall RoC title is up for grabs, though the top 10 finishers in the North and South Regions will receive point fund money at the RoC Awards Banquet.

Varin will have to contend with Jack and Ronnie Johnson, Brian Weaver, Mitch Gibbs, Tony Pepicelli, Strunk, Rick Laubach, Willy Decker, Jerry Higbie Jr. and many more in the combined races.

The Sportsman title fight is equally intense. Already this season, over 100 drivers have attempted to qualify for a RoC Dirt Sportsman event. Now, the competition heats up for the crown as time ticks toward the Oct. 14 finale at Five Mile Point.

All track champions from Accord (N.Y.), Afton (N.Y.), CVRA, DIRT, Five Mile Point, Lebanon Valley (N.Y.), Orange County (N.Y.), Utica-Rome and Penn-Can are guaranteed starters in their respective classes for the Fonda weekend.

Accompanying the RoC Sportsman on Saturday will be a 50-lap 358 Open, a 30-lap IMCA Modified event and a 20-lap Street Stock Open. Pit gates open at 9 a.m., front gates at 10 a.m. and warm-ups at noon. General admission is $22 for Adults, $5 for Children. Reserved seats are $24 and pit admission is $30.

The RoC Modifieds will headline the Sunday card with the Pro Stocks in a 30-lap Open. An additional 20-lap Non-Qualifiers Race will be run transferring two additional starters to the 100. It will pay $500 for first, $300 for second and $200 for third - top finishers have the option of taking the purse money or transferring to the feature.

Pit gates open at 9 a.m., front gates at 10 a.m. and warm-ups at noon. General admission for Adults is $25 and $5 for Children. Reserved seating is $27 and pit admission is $30.

Tire rules, technical information and pre-entry forms are available at www.rocdirt.com.

Fonda Speedway is located one mile off New York State Thruway Exit 28. For more information, contact the speedway office at (518) 382-3115. The race day phone is (518) 853-4235. The official website of Fonda Speedway is www.fondaspeedway.com.

More information on the RoC Dirt Tour can be obtained by calling the office at (607) 238-0432 or checking out the website: www.rocdirt.com.


Race of Champions Dirt Mod Tour North Region Roster
Updated After Utica-Rome (9-11-05)


Car Number Driver Hometown
X Chad Phelps Mexico, N.Y.
0 Rodney Hunsinger Scranton, Pa.
1J Bobby Varin Sharon Springs, N.Y.
1X Willy Decker Vernon, N.Y.
1Z Ray Zemken Sprakers, N.Y.
B2 Bob Henry Jr. Clay, N.Y.
2 Ronnie Johnson Duanesburg, N.Y.
2G Mitch Gibbs North Norwich, N.Y.
M2 Todd Morey Bromseen, Vt.
3 Jeff Kotary Rome, N.Y.
3D Matt DeLorenzo Vorheesville, N.Y.
3W Donnie Wetmore Jr. Weedsport, N.Y.
4 Andy Bachetti Sheffield, Mass.
4B J.R. Crouse Nazareth, Pa.
5 David Orr Oneida, N.Y.
06 Eric Mack Perth, N.Y.
6 C.V. Elms North Haverhill, N.H.
7 Bill Wilson Ramsey, N.J.
9 Bob McCreadie Watertown, N.Y.
9D Barry Davis Accord, N.Y.
9R Brian Weaver Windsor, N.Y.
10 Don Mattison Wells, Vt.
10% Tim Clemons Gloversville, N.Y.
11A Tony Pepicelli Princetown, N.Y.
11J Jerry Pennock Jr. Warrensburg, N.Y.
12 Mark Tily Jamesville, N.Y.
12A Jack Johnson Duanesburg, N.Y.
14J Alan Johnson Phelps, N.Y.
15 A.J. Romano Johnstown, N.Y.
16 A.J. Romano Johnstown, N.Y.
16 Ken McGuire Troy, N.Y.
JR17 Jeff Heotzler Jr. Wallkill, N.Y.
17 Elmo Reckner Ballston Lake, N.Y.
18 Tony Farone Rotterdam, N.Y.
19K Paul Kinney Oneida, N.Y.
20 Ken Hanson Tribes Hill, N.Y.
20C Craig Hanson Tribes Hill, N.Y.
20H Tim Hindley Monticello, N.Y.
21J Jeff Trombley Altamont, N.Y.
21K Randy Chrysler Lewiston, N.Y.
22 Dave Lape Canajoharie, N.Y.
22B Billy Osta Schenectady, N.Y.
22C Mario Clair St-Edmond, Quebec
22G Mitch Gibbs North Norwich, N.Y.
23 John Marsh Jr. Johnstown, N.Y.
24 Chris Shultz Holmes, N.Y.
25 Mike Kolka Jr. Middletown, N.Y.
25R John Ramsey Rome, N.Y.
25W Dana Wagner Trout Creek, N.Y.
26 Dave Camara Fair Haven, Vt.
26 Jerry Higbie Jr. Slate Hill, N.Y.
27A Steve Akers Altamont, N.Y.
26M Derrick McGrew Ballston Spa, N.Y.
28 Ed Harris Harpersfield, N.Y.
28 Ron Holmes Oneida, N.Y.
29 Chris Ostrowsky Conklin, N.Y.
30 Gus Schmidt Liverpool, N.Y.
30B Gordie Button Kirkville, N.Y.
33F Mike Fusco Amsterdam, N.Y.
39 Jason Barney Constantia, N.Y.
39 Tyler Bartlett Adams, N.Y.
44 Josh Pieniazek Rotterdam, N.Y.
45M Mike Ward Genoa, N.Y.
51 Mike Colsten Binghamton, N.Y.
51M Jeremiah Munson Ephratah, N.Y.
53 Bob Vedder Schoharie, N.Y.
55 Rich Ricci Jr. New Paltz, N.Y.
57 Paul Jensen Edmeston, N.Y.
61 Jamie Christian West Winfield, N.Y.
62 Todd Burley Spencerport, N.Y.
70 Joe Duncan Medusa, N.Y.
71 David Van Horn Jr. Harmony, N.J.
71 Ron Holmes Oneida, N.Y.
72C Cass Bennett Mechanicville, N.Y.
72VT Randy Snyder Fultonville, N.Y.
72VT Mike Fusco Amsterdam, N.Y.
73 Jim Davis Ballston Spa, N.Y.
73 John Marsh Johnstown, N.Y.
74 Robert Perry Broadalbin, N.Y.
76 Alton Palmer Howes Cave, N.Y.
77F Mark Flach Jr. Coxsackie, N.Y.
L82 Ted Lamb Clay, N.Y.
82 Dustin Purdy Delhi, N.Y.
85 Erik Nelson Amsterdam, N.Y.
87 Jason Barney Constantia, N.Y.
88 Ryan Odasz Ballston Spa, N.Y.
89B Todd Burley Spencerport, N.Y.
93 Ryan Bartlett Adams, N.Y.
97 Jerry Higbie Jr. Slate Hill, N.Y.
99 Jeremy Matthies Germantown, N.Y.
99Z Dave Zona Montrose, Pa.
109 Terry Knoblock Warners, N.Y.
145 Alan Rudalavage Newton Lake, Pa.


Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour Driver Roster
Updated After Utica-Rome (9-11-05)


Car Number Driver Hometown
1/64th Andy Miller Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
1 Bill Deckelman Fremont Center, N.Y.
M1 Mike Lyons Monroe Township, N.J.
1X Casey Williams Utica, N.Y.
1Z Jessica Zemken Sprakers, N.Y.
2 Rich Stankiewicz Laureldale, Pa.
2T Michael Taylor Milford, N.J.
3 Luke Wagner Grantville, Pa.
3D Jamie Yankowski Throop, Pa.
3H Marc Herman Windsor, N.J.
KT3 Corey Renninger Llewellyn, Pa.
04 Michael Teachout Bridgeport, N.Y.
4 Jim Rothwell South Plymouth, N.Y.
6 John Stangle Neshanic Station, N.J.
6 David Towns Rotterdam, N.Y.
6H Josh Hohenforst Gloversville, N.Y.
7 Cliff Pierce Spencer, N.Y.
7A Gene Stravinsky New Egypt, N.J.
8 Rich Scagliotta Bound Brook, N.J.
8 Doug Hendricks Orwigsburg, Pa.
8Jr. Warren Floyd Jr. Milford, N.J.
09 Kyle Lewis Pennellville, N.Y.
9B Brian Decker Susquehanna, Pa.
9G Boyd MacTavish Fenwick, Ontario
9K Mike Ketcham Otisville, N.Y.
9KL Butch Klinger Walton, N.Y.
9T Ken Titus Kirkwood, N.Y.
11 Rick Yard Stockton, N.J.
11T Tim Votra Marathon, N.Y.
12E Eric Palmer Cresco, Pa.
13 James Morris Riegelsville, Pa.
13 David Bush Accord, N.Y.
13 Mike Barney Syracuse, N.Y.
14 Alex Konopka Gouldsboro, Pa.
R14 Rick Raisner Easton, Pa.
15 Jason Hamilton Erwinna, Pa.
15B Jim Bowman Baldwinsville, N.Y.
16 Rick Brown Dalton, Pa.
16 David Bush Accord, N.Y.
16 Jason Hamilton Erwinna, Pa.
16B Mike Bowman Baldwinsville, N.Y.
16X Danny Creeden Middletown, N.Y.
17 Derrick McGrew Ballston Spa, N.Y.
17 Billy Moyer Jr. Pine Grove, Pa.
17B E.J. Harrington Pittstown, N.J.
17D Mike Loney Taylor, Pa.
17T Ryan Grim Laurys Station, Pa.
18 Danny Varin Sharon Springs, N.Y.
19 Bubba Folk Hallstead, Pa.
19 Brent Boyer Bloomsburg, Pa.
19B Brad Brightbill Sinking Spring, Pa.
19U Jordan Umbenhauer Richland, Pa.
21 Shaun Walker Masonville, N.Y.
21K Kyle Weiss Hamburg, Pa.
22B Arnie Slade Mt. Upton, N.Y.
25 Ray Deemer Phillipsburg, N.J.
26 Tom Brennan Pottsville, Pa.
27S Steve Way Vernon Center, N.Y.
Z28 Brian Lilick King of Prussia, Pa.
31 Steve Kotary Rome, N.Y.
32V Jeremy Vunk Edmeston, N.Y.
33X Matt Janczuk Sherrill, N.Y.
33Z Justin House Gloversville, N.Y.
34J Josh Beierle Newfoundland, Pa.
35 Ben Donaruma Flemington, N.J.
39 Tom Cremer Sinking Spring, Pa.
39 Tom Cremer Bridgewater, N.Y.
39B Lowell Snyder Erwinna, Pa.
M40 Mark Forte Jr. Haddon Township, N.J.
41 Brian Puckett Old Forge, Pa.
42 Mike Lartz Nicholson, Pa.
42B Kevin Bates Lake Ariel, Pa.
42C Craig Pope Mt. Upton, N.Y.
43 Jimmy Horton IV Folsom, N.J.
43M Joe Masiado Easton, Pa.
044 Lou Farina Philadelphia, Pa.
44 Butch Reiter Sherrill, N.Y.
44X Shane Jablonka Poughquag, N.Y.
44X Robbie Fairweather Westbrookville, N.Y.
Z44 Jeff Leslie Fly Creek, N.Y.
48 Dusty Jagger Port Crane, N.Y.
51 Jeremiah Munson St. Johnsville, N.Y.
51 Sam Wescott Jr. Grenloch, N.J.
51Z Ryan Olsommer Waymart, Pa.
52 Tim Nye Oneida, N.Y.
53 Whitey Slavin Petersburgh, N.Y.
54 Paul Rooney Thompson, Pa.
56 Brian White Candor, N.Y.
57 Alan Barker Norwich, N.Y.
57 Ricky Rutt Phillipsburg, N.J.
57B Alan Barker Norwich, N.Y.
58 Jeremy Howe Binghamton, N.Y.
59 Ladd Yeomans Swan Lake, N.Y.
59J Jesse Kline Bangor, Pa.
60 Bruce Evans Jr. Greenfield Township, Pa.
60 Ken Stafford Homer, N.Y.
61 John Leindecker Allentown, Pa.
71 Mike Mammana Nazareth, Pa.
71 Russ Zimmerman Tunkhannock, Pa.
71D Frank Doty Middletown, N.Y.
71J Chris James Mahrsville, Pa.
71M Shawn Mills Windsor, N.Y.
72 Bill Price Clayville, N.Y.
73 Darrel Herman Allentown, Pa.
74 Jeremy Holt Kirkwood, N.Y.
74B Brian Decker Susquehanna, Pa.
76 Brett Graham Accord, N.Y.
76 Bob Lilick King of Prussia, Pa.
77 Scott Brady Whitney Point, N.Y.
77J Jeff Geiges Lawrenceville, N.J.
77M Rick Mill New Windsor, N.Y.
78A Brad Alger Oneonta, N.Y.
80X Mike Button Chittenango, N.Y.
91 Billy Tanner IV Newtown, Pa.
95 Freddie Fisher Sinking Spring, Pa.
96 Scott Allen Cortland, N.Y.
97 Keith Still Middletown, N.Y.
98 Tim Apgar Milford, N.J.
99 Craig Whitmoyer Hamburg, Pa.
114 Rick Whitney Montrose, Pa.
144 Don Miller Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
151 Joey Colsten Binghamton, N.Y.
157 Andy Fayash Jr. Mary-D, Pa.
176 Garth Tonkin Jr. Carbondale, Pa.
515 Larry Lippincott Riegelsville, Pa.
611 Brad Grim Coplay, Pa.
712 Kevin Beach Llewellyn, Pa.
318 John DeForest Norwich, N.Y.
1450 Greg Weiland Port Carbon, Pa.


RoC Dirt Points - Modified - COMBINATION
START PENN CAN 9/17/05 FONDA 9/25/05 FIVE MILE PT 10/15/05 Position
Driver Total Regional Heat Pts Attendance Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts

Varin, Bobby 1J 550 500 25 25 1
Gibbs, Mitch 22G 510 475 10 25 2
Weaver, Brian 9R 505 475 5 25 3
Strunk, Jeff 88 505 500 5 4
Higbie, Jerry 97 480 450 5 25 5
Johnson, Ronnie 2 470 460 10 6
Laubach, Rick 5 450 450 7
Johnson, Jack 12A 445 440 5 8
Horton, Jimmy 42H 435 425 10 9
Decker, Willy 1X 430 425 5 10
Cozze, Frank 44 415 410 5 11
Pepicelli, Tony 11A 410 410 12
Bartlett, Ryan 93 405 380 25 13
Gular, Mike 53 400 395 5 14
Lamb, Ted 82 395 395 15
Crouse, JR 4B 390 365 25 16
Barney, Jason 39 355 350 5 17
Rudalavage, Alan 145 355 350 5 18
Schmidt, Gus 30 340 335 5 19
Hoffman, Doug 77 335 335 20
Christian, Jamie 61 330 320 10 21
Ricci, Mike 17 325 320 5 22
Palmer, Alton 76 305 305 23
Swinehart, Ray 33 305 305 24
VonDohren, Craig DR1 295 290 5 25
Mattison, Don 10 290 290 26


RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour
Guaranteed Starters Race Lineup for Penn-Can Speedway
September 16, 2005


*10-laps/2 cars transfer

44X Robbie Fairweather
44 Butch Reiter
42L Mike Lartz
18 Danny Varin
3D Jamie Yankowski
42C Craig Pope
96 Scott Allen
71D Frank Doty
13 Mike Barney
76 Brett Graham
31 Steve Kotary
6H Josh Hohenforst
Z44 Jeff Leslie

*Race length and number of cars to transfer may be altered based on participation.


RACE OF CHAMPIONS DIRT MODIFIED TOUR - COMBINATION EVENT #1 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH - PENN CAN SPEEDWAY - SUSQUEHANNA, PA

Speedway Phone: Track office: (570) 585-9928/Race Day: (570) 853-3434
Speedway Website: www.penncan.com

Pit Fees: $35
Pit Gates Open: 4:00 p.m.
Grandstand Prices: $18 adults, $16 for seniors

Grandstand Gates: 4:30 p.m.
Race Time: 6:30 p.m.
Entry Info: Modified Pre- race entry (received prior to Sept. 13th): $15/Entry after above date: $20

Modified Feature: 100 laps - cautions to count between laps 25 and 75. (no more than 5 caution laps will be logged in a row). Cars will not go down laps in the pit area during yellow flag periods. The only ways that a car will go down a lap is to be passed by the leaders or to be in the pit area during green flag laps.

Tire Information:
Tire Options: American Racer Compounds - Right Rear Compound: 38 minimal softness; Left Rear Compound: 33 minimal softness; May use minimum 33 front tire compounds.

General Race Rules: The standard for motor, chassis and safety rules are based on '04 dirt rules. Body rules based on Penn Can rule book (sail panels permitted).

Weights: Minimum Weights, including driver- no fuel added: Under 361 cu. in. on gas or 9-to-1 compression sealed (Grandview or Big Diamond engine/carburetor combination) on gas or alcohol -2450 lbs; Under 358 cu. in. small-block on alcohol - 2550 lbs.; Big-block or small-block over 361 cu.in., Gasoline only - 2550 lbs; NO mixing and matching of rules.

Any Big Diamond/Grandview small-block that runs any variation from their weekly rules will have to weigh a minimum of 2550 lbs. and will not be eligible for the small block bonus.

For more information please contact the Race of Champions offices at (607) 238-0432 or log on to www.rocdirt.com.

Two Way Radios are not permitted - the speedway frequency is 154.515 and will be operational. It is not mandatory to have the one way frequency but is suggested if you already have an adjustable scanner.


RoC Dirt Points - Sportsman
PENN CAN 5/30/05 BIG DIAMOND 6/28/05 FIVE MILE 7/13/05 BIG DIAMOND 8/9/05 UTICA ROME 9/11/05
Position
Driver Total Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts

Slade, Arnie 22B 245 55 5 55 5 32 60 5 28 1
Hamilton, Jason 15 235 50 50 5 44 55 5 26 2
Weiss, Kyle 21K 233 48 40 48 46 46 5 3
Geiges, Jeff 77J 182 21 21 55 5 50 30 4
Walker, Shaun 21 176 44 19 42 5 34 32 5
Decker, Brian 9B 151 60 5 38 30 18 6
Grim, Brad 611 147 34 32 5 60 16 7
Creeden, Danny 16X 144 32 5 30 15 42 20 8
Horton IV, Jimmy 43 126 10 44 46 26 9
Doty, Frank 71D 118 19 28 36 5 21 9 10
Whitmoyer, Craig 99 106 5 60 19 22 11
Brightbill, Brad 19 103 48 5 22 28 12
Hendricks, Doug 8 84 36 48 13
Zemken, Jessica 1Z 83 16 20 42 5 14
Loney, Mike 17D 82 7 9 34 32 15
Rutt, Ricky 57 80 5 18 19 38 16
Titus, Ken 9T 78 38 40 17
Miller, Andy 1/64 76 6 24 10 36 18
McGrew, Derrick 17 74 28 5 36 5 19
Konopka, Alex 14 71 40 5 26 20
Carey, Paul 65 60 5 21
Apgar, Tim 98 61 26 30 5 22
Ketcham, Mike 9K 61 28 7 21 5 23
Farina, Louis 044 60 5 15 40 24
Towns, David 60 55 5 25
Lippincott, Larry 515 56 26 10 20 26
Masiado, Joe 43M 56 34 17 5 27
Raisner, Rick R14 55 30 20 5 28
Bates, Kevin 42B 51 46 5 29
Puckett, Brian 41 50 50 30
Way, Steve 50 50 31
Munson, Jeremiah 48 48 32
Wagner, Luke 3 48 15 18 15 33
Brennan, Tom 26 46 46 34
Lilick, Bob 76 44 44 35
Rothwell, Jim 44 44 36
Lyons, Mike M1 42 42 37
Tonkin Jr, Garth 176 42 42 38
Nye, Tim 40 40 39
Mammana, Mike 71 38 38 40
Stafford, Ken 38 38 41
Mill, Rick 77M 36 36 42
Lewis, Kyle 34 34 43
Barker, Alan 57B 33 17 16 44
Bush, David 13 33 8 10 15 45
Jagger, Dusty 48 33 9 24 46
Stravinsky, Gene 7A 33 23 10 47
Boyer, Brent 19 31 9 22 48
Harrington, E.J. 17B 29 7 22 49
Kline, Jesse 59J 29 6 23 50
Lartz, Mike 42L 29 7 8 5 9 51
Fayash Jr, Andy 157 28 22 6 52
Vunk, Jeremy 28 23 5 53
Mills, Shawn 71 25 10 15 54
Janczuk, Matt 24 24 55
Miller, Jarrad 917 24 24 56
Wescott Jr, Sam 51 24 24 57
Olsommer, Ryan 51Z 23 23 58
Rooney, Paul 54 23 18 5 59
Vard, R. 11 23 23 60
Colsten, Joey 151 22 7 15 61
Teachout, Michael 21 21 62
Deemer, Ray 25 20 5 10 5 63
Tanner IV, Billy 91 20 20 64
Bowman, Mike 19 19 65
Cremer, Tom 39 19 5 8 6 66
Holt, Jeremy 74 19 9 10 67
Button, Mike 18 18 68
DeForest, John 17 17 69
Moyer Jr., Billy 17 17 8 9 70
Palmer, Eric 12E 17 17 71
Weiland, Greg 1450 17 17 72
Forte Jr., Mark M40 16 16 73
Renninger, Corey KT3 16 16 74
Alger, Brad 15 15 75
Bowman, Jim 15 15 76
Deckelman, Bill 1 15 15 77
Fisher, Freddie 95 15 15 78
House, Justin 15 15 79
Price, Bill 15 15 80
Slavin, Whitey 15 15 81
Umbenhauer, Jordan 19U 15 15 82
Williams, Casey 15 15 83
Beach, Kevin 712 10 10 84
Fairweather, Robbie 10 10 85
Grim, Ryan 17T 10 5 5 86
Klinger, Butch 9K 10 10 87
Reiter, Butch 10 10 88
Yankowski, Jamie 10 10 89
Allen, Scott 9 9 90
Herman, Daryl 73 9 9 91
Pierce, Cliff 7 9 9 92
Taylor, Michael 2T 9 9 93
Beierle, Josh 34J 8 8 94
Graham, Brett 8 8 95
Kotary, Steve 8 8 96
MacTavish, Boyd 9 8 8 97
Miller, Don 144 8 8 98
Snyder, Lowell 39B 8 8 99
Still, Keith 97 8 8 100
Varin, Danny 8 8 101
Floyd Jr, Warren 8JR 7 7 102
Leslie, Jeff 7 7 103
Morris, James 13 7 7 104
Pope, Craig 7 7 105
Stankiewicz, Rich 2 7 7 106
White, Brian 56 7 7 107
Barnery, Mike 6 6 108
Folk, Bubba 19 6 6 109
Herman, Marc 3H 6 6 110
Jablonka, Shane 44X 6 6 111
Lilick, Brian Z28 6 6 112
Zimmerman, Russ 71 6 6 113
Brown, Rick 5 5 114
Donaruma, Ben 35 5 5 115
Evans Jr, Bruce 5 5 116
Hohenforst, Josh 5 5 117
Howe, Jeremy 5 5 118
James, Chris 71J 5 5 119
Leindecker, John 61 5 5 120
Scagliotta, Rich 8 5 5 121
Stangle, John 6 5 5 122
Votra, Tim 11T 5 5 123
Whitney, Rick 5 5 124
Yeomans, Ladd 59 5 5 125


FINAL RoC Dirt Modified South Region Points
RoC Dirt Points - Modified - SOUTH
BIG DIAMOND 6/7/05 FIVE MILE 7/13/05 BIG DIAMOND 8/9/05 PENN CAN 8/17/05 Position
Driver Total Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts

Strunk, Jeff 88 184 60 16 5 48 55 1
Weaver, Brian 9R 173 44 60 42 5 22 2
Gibbs, Mitch 22 170 42 5 55 26 42 3
Laubach, Rick 5 163 55 18 40 50 4
Varin, Bobby 93 154 16 48 5 36 44 5 5
Horton, Jimmy 42H 132 22 20 5 44 5 36 6
Cozze, Frank 44 131 40 38 5 48 7
Gular, Mike 53 122 36 5 15 28 38 8
Bartlett, Ryan 50 113 23 34 30 26 9
Crouse, J.R. 4B 110 40 26 21 23 10
Rudalavage, Alan 145 95 30 5 60 11
Hoffman, Doug 77 92 46 0 46 12
Ricci, Mike 17 89 44 5 40 13
Swinehart, Ray 33 82 48 0 34 14
VonDohren, Craig DR1 80 20 55 5 15
Manmiller, Doug 00 71 15 32 24 16
DeSantis, Meme 88C 70 50 5 15 17
Kinney, Paul 19K 67 30 19 18 18
Colsten, Mike 51 65 8 15 22 20 19
Shultz, Chris 24 61 28 28 5 20
Pauch, Billy 357 60 60 21
Crawn, Jim J30 59 50 9 22
Fitzpatrick, Shawn T102 57 34 0 23 23
Hoffman, Keith 6SR 56 6 50 24
Higbie, Jerry 97 55 15 8 17 15 25
Holgate, Rick 6 55 42 5 8 26
Keehle, Jr, Rich 19 52 24 28 27
Brightbill, Kenny 19 48 32 0 16 28
Watt, Ryan 14W 47 15 32 29
Batzel, Joel 27 46 46 30
Tittle, Butch Z 46 46 31
Ostrowsky, Chris 29 44 24 0 10 10 32
Hirthler, Kevin 17 43 38 5 0 33
Pauch Jr, Billy 15 41 17 9 15 34
Strada, Ed 42 41 26 0 15 35
Ebersole, Jeff 72 39 7 32 36
Thornton, Billy 11 39 34 5 37
Chrysler, Randy 21K 38 38 38
Knapp, Glenn 26 36 36 39
Zona, Dave 99Z 31 7 24 40
Nagel, Carl 7N 30 30 41
Hendrickson Jr, Russ 21JR 29 21 8 42
Walsh, Steve 213 28 23 5 43
Trapper, Bob 66 27 21 6 44
Grammes, Joey 5J 26 21 5 45
Davis, Barry 9D 25 19 6 46
Malcolm, Brian 119 25 10 15 47
Rudalavage, Jeff 145X 24 19 5 48
Wagner, Dana 25W 23 6 17 49
Huff, Bill 12 23 18 5 50
Jackson, Mike 88M 22 22 51
Virkitis, Rick 77V 21 15 6 52
Umbenhauer, Tom 88C 20 20 53
Weaver, Chris 1A 20 5 15 54
White, Eddie 20 20 5 55
Merkel, Sean 118 19 19 56
Strickler, Kyle 86 19 9 10 57
Scagliotta, Rich 8 18 18 58
Savoie, Bob 18 17 17 59
Bunker, Marty 42 16 9 7 60
Nagel, Mike 7M 16 16 61
Reppert, Jim 7JR 15 15 62
Mitchell, Craig 93X 15 15 63
Balthaser, Travis 11D 10 10 64
Biever, Josh 83 10 10 65
Grim Ryan 17T 10 10 66
Hendricks, Doug 10 10 67
Kellogg, Allan 99 10 10 68
Schaeffer, Sammy 71S 9 9 69
Sechrist, Jeff 42 9 9 70
Franko, Brian 14A 9 9 71
Grbac, Chris 47G 8 8 72
Hatt, Ken 2H 8 8 73
McGurrin, Tom 4 8 8 74
Hamilton, Jason 16 7 7 75
Hamm Jr., Bob 77 7 7 76
Harris, Ed 28 7 7 77
Jenkins, Billy 47B 6 6 78
Gervasi, Tom 0 5 5 79
Hildebrant, George 18 5 5 80
LaGrange, Pierre 11 5 5 81
VanHorn, David 71 5 5 82
Taylor, Ryan 20 5 5 83
Weaver, Brad 1 5 5 84


Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour
Official Finish: North Region Race No. 4/Utica-Rome Speedway (9-11-05)


Car # Driver/Hometown Start
1 1J Bobby Varin/Sharon Springs, N.Y. (5)
2 L82 Ted Lamb/Clay, N.Y. (18)
3 X Chad Phelps/Mexico, N.Y. (9)
4 12A Jack Johnson/Duanesburg, N.Y. (11)
5 1X Willy Decker/Vernon, N.Y. (1)
6 97 Jerry Higbie Jr./Slate Hill, N.Y. (7)
7 19K Paul Kinney/Oneida, N.Y. (12)
8 30 Gus Schmidt/Liverpool, N.Y. (8)
9 11A Tony Pepicelli/Princetown, N.Y. (14)
10 10 Don Mattison/Wells, Vt. (13)
11 25W Dana Wagner/Trout Creek, N.Y. (27)
12 25R John Ramsey/Rome, N.Y. (17)
13 30B Gordie Button/Kirkville, N.Y. (10)
14 B2 Bob Henry Jr./Clay, N.Y. (22)
15 93 Ryan Bartlett/Adams, N.Y. (23)
16 22G Mitch Gibbs/North Norwich, N.Y. (3)
17 89B Todd Burley/Spencerport, N.Y. (6)
18 2 Ronnie Johnson/Duanesburg, N.Y. (16)
19 61 Jamie Christian/West Winfield, N.Y. (4)
20 9R Brian Weaver/Windsor, N.Y. (21)
21 87 Jason Barney/Constantia, N.Y. (2)
22 H24 Danny Johnson/Phelps, N.Y. (20)
23 145 Alan Rudalavage/Newton Lake, Pa. (26)
24 24 Chris Shultz/Holmes, N.Y. (15)
25 17 Elmo Reckner/Ballston Lake, N.Y. (25)
26 4B J.R. Crouse/Nazareth, Pa. (24)
27 45M Mike Ward/Genoa, N.Y. (19)

Entries: 31
Lap leaders: Decker (1-10), Gibbs (11-13), Varin (14-29), Gibbs (30-31), Burley (32-40), Christian (41-43),
Burley (44-48), Christian (49-53), Burley (54-56), Lamb (57), Burley (58-60), Lamb (61-63), Varin (64-75)
Heat winners: J. Johnson, Christian, Decker, Varin
Consi winner: Weaver

Did Not Qualify:
39 Tyler Bartlett/Adams, N.Y.
21K Randy Chrysler/Lewiston, N.Y.
JR17 Jeff Heotzler Jr./Wallkill, N.Y.
109 Terry Knoblock/Warners, N.Y.


Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour
Official Finish: North Region Race No. 4/Utica-Rome Speedway (9-11-05)


Car # Driver/Hometown Start
1 1J Bobby Varin/Sharon Springs, N.Y. (5)
2 L82 Ted Lamb/Clay, N.Y. (18)
3 X Chad Phelps/Mexico, N.Y. (9)
4 12A Jack Johnson/Duanesburg, N.Y. (11)
5 1X Willy Decker/Vernon, N.Y. (1)
6 97 Jerry Higbie Jr./Slate Hill, N.Y. (7)
7 19K Paul Kinney/Oneida, N.Y. (12)
8 30 Gus Schmidt/Liverpool, N.Y. (8)
9 11A Tony Pepicelli/Princetown, N.Y. (14)
10 10 Don Mattison/Wells, Vt. (13)
11 25W Dana Wagner/Trout Creek, N.Y. (27)
12 25R John Ramsey/Rome, N.Y. (17)
13 30B Gordie Button/Kirkville, N.Y. (10)
14 B2 Bob Henry Jr./Clay, N.Y. (22)
15 93 Ryan Bartlett/Adams, N.y. (23)
16 22G Mitch Gibbs/North Norwich, N.Y. (3)
17 89B Todd Burley/Spencerport, N.Y. (6)
18 2 Ronnie Johnson/Duanesburg, N.Y. (16)
19 61 Jamie Christian/West Winfield, N.Y. (4)
20 9R Brian Weaver/Windsor, N.Y. (21)
21 87 Jason Barney/Constantia, N.Y. (2)
22 H24 Danny Johnson/Phelps, N.Y. (20)
23 145 Alan Rudalavage/Newton Lake, Pa. (26)
24 24 Chris Shultz/Holmes, N.Y. (15)
25 17 Elmo Reckner/Ballston Lake, N.Y. (25)
26 4B J.R. Crouse/Nazareth, Pa. (24)
27 45M Mike Ward/Genoa, N.Y. (19)

Entries: 31
Lap leaders: Decker (1-10), Gibbs (11-13), Varin (14-29), Gibbs (30-31), Burley (32-40), Christian (41-43),
Burley (44-48), Christian (49-53), Burley (54-56), Lamb (57), Burley (58-60), Lamb (61-63), Varin (64-75)
Heat winners: J. Johnson, Christian, Decker, Varin
Consi winners: Weaver

Did Not Qualify:
39 Tyler Bartlett/Adams, N.Y.
21K Randy Chrysler/Lewiston, N.Y.
JR17 Jeff Heotzler Jr./Wallkill, N.Y.
109 Terry Knoblock/Warners, N.Y.


Varin Rebounds From Miscue To Seal RoC Dirt North Title With Utica-Rome Win
By BRETT DEYO

VERNON, NY - Bobby Varin wasn't about to let one get away like that.
Rebounding from a mid-race trip over the fourth turn embankment while leading, Varin marched through the field to win Sunday night's Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour North Region 75-lap headliner at Utica-Rome Speedway.
The 35-year-old pocketed $4,000 for his 10th overall victory of the 2005 campaign. The Sharon Springs, N.Y., star clinched the North Region title after sweeping all four events - two at Utica-Rome and two at New York's Fonda Speedway.
"I couldn't be any madder at myself," Varin said of his miscue.
"If there was something to stab myself with in the car I would have. If I didn't get back to the lead, I couldn't have faced these guys (his crew) when I came back in."
Starting fifth in the black Jake and Nancy Spraker-owned No. 1J Bicknell he used in special events this season, Varin raced quickly forward.
The recently-crowned Fonda/Albany-Saratoga (N.Y.) big-block Modified champion emerged from a three-car fight to take command for the first time on lap 14, slipping under Willy Decker and Mitch Gibbs in turn one.
Varin pulled away handily and appeared to be on track for an easy victory.
That took a drastic change on lap 30. Extending a full straightaway advantage, Varin's car slid wide sailed off the top of turn four. Varin couldn't get the car back on the track quickly enough, necessitating a caution that forced him to the rear of the field.
"I was just trying to figure things out so I didn't screw up later on (in lapped traffic)," Varin explained. "I went in a little low and the right-rear slid up too high. I still didn't think it was a problem at that point.
"The frame on the right-rear dug in and it shot me over. I was trying to 'blend in' where I came back on the track, but I couldn't do that because the caution came out for me."
With Varin out of the picture momentarily, an intense battle for the lead developed between Mitch Gibbs, Todd Burley, Jamie Christian and an emerging Ted Lamb.
Running on the extreme upper lip of the fast half-mile oval, Burley drove around Gibbs to lead lap 32. Working the low line, Jamie Christian began a methodical inside charge, pulling even with Burley on lap 40.
Christian and Burley engaged in a lead swapping battle for 14 laps before Christian's night ended with mechanical problems on lap 54.
Ted Lamb, who started 18th, was next to challenge Burley. Lamb low-lined his way by the Spencerport, N.Y., native to lead for the first time on lap 57.
While the leaders fought it out, Varin picked his way back through. He cracked the top five on lap 47 and sat patiently in third behind the Burley/Lamb battle for over 10 laps.
"When Burley and Teddy (Lamb) were racing each other, I was just kind of waiting," Varin said. "I'd let them do what they were gonna do and hopefully fall single file. I didn't want to race the two of them at the same time.
"I was just kind of taking it easy, watching what was going on."
Moments after Burley regained command, his car went up in smoke entering turn three on lap 62 due to a faulty oil line. With his No. 89B stopped in turn four, the caution flag waved with 13 circuits remaining.
That was the opportunity Varin needed. Lamb committed to the low line, leaving the top wide open for Varin.
On lap 63, the lead pair raced side-by-side. By lap 64, Varin was gone
"We had enough time to work our way back to the front if we had enough car," Varin reflected. "Turns out, we were good enough.
"People complain about this place because it gets slick, but you can find bite out there and it's wide. I love racing here."
Lamb, 49, of Clay, N.Y., brought his No. L82 Morrison/John McCoy-powered Dirt Wheels mount home second.
"I'm ecstatic," said Lamb, a U-R regular. "Bobby's been red hot all over. I didn't dare move up (on the final restart) because I felt like I was real good down there in (turns) three and four.
"I wasn't very good in (turns) one and two. That hurt us. The thing with the big-block, he could get the initial run off the start.
"If I could've had another lap or so to get wound up, I might've held him off."
Talented Sportsman graduate/big-block Modified rookie Chad Phelps of Mexico, N.Y., nosed out Jack Johnson for third.
For the 31-year-old driver, it matched his career-best Modified finish achieved earlier this season at Fulton (N.Y.) Speedway.
"Jack (Johnson) is one of the best," said Phelps, who drove a Morrison-powered Bicknell. "It was a thrill to beat him out at the end.
"My car was geared for the bottom, so I committed myself to running down there. At the end, the motor was laying down. She wasn't coming off the corners like I wanted but I'm happy.
"I've run here in a Sportsman before, but this is a first in a Modified."
Johnson, of Duanesburg, N.Y., was fourth and '05 U-R champion Willy Decker of Vernon, N.Y., was fifth. He earned the $500 small-block bonus (Lamb used a bigger carburetor and ran under big-block weight).
Heat winners for the 31 cars in attendance were Jack Johnson, Christian, Decker and Varin. Brian Weaver won the consolation.
Paul Carey ended his championship year in style, representing his home turf with a victory in the Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour 30-lapper. Carey earned $1,000 for his fourth victory this season at U-R.
Fonda regular David Towns drew the pole and set a torrid early pace running the extreme outside in his No. 6, while Carey sucked the inner hub to move up from the seventh starting position to challenge for the lead by lap 12.
When the race resumed following a multi-car incident and red flag on lap 16, Carey pulled even with Towns, setting up seven laps of door-to-door racing before the Bridgewater, N.Y., native took the lead for good on lap 23.
"This is awesome," said Carey. "During that red flag one of his (Towns's) buddies was telling him to move down. He did change his line, but it was too late."
Towns settled for second, ahead of a hard-charging Steve Way, Jeremiah Munson and Pennsylvania's Kyle Weiss.
Forty-three Sportsman signed into the pit area, with heat wins going to Weiss, Jessica Zemken, Carey, Derrick McGrew, Towns and Jeremy Vunk. Way, Mike Button and Jim Bowman topped the consolations.
Other winners on the night included: Jerry Holmes (Pro Stock); George Catanzano (IMCA Modified); and Russ Marsden (Pure Stock).

UTICA-ROME NOTES: Danny Johnson took a hard series of barrel rolls on the backstretch on lap 36. His Roger Heroux-owned No. H24 made an abrupt right into the wall when the mount's steering failed.
After impacting the wall, the car tumbled approximately 40 feet toward turn three and landed on its roof with the nose perched on the guardrail. The Phelps, N.Y., driver walked away uninjured....
The second car to get upside down was Bob Henry Jr., who rolled precariously into the pit entrance on lap 65 after contact with Ryan Bartlett on the frontstretch....
Ronnie Johnson relinquished a top-five position when the rear-end failed on his No. 2 late in the distance....
Burley was disgusted after losing what he felt should have been a $4,500 payday (he was running an '04 DIRT-legal small-block). "It's just something stupid - a broken oil line," he said. "We were too loose to run the bottom, but we were real good up high."....
Burley reported that he would run the asphalt Race of Champions 200 at Oswego (N.Y.) Speedway on Sept. 17....
Varin came within five points of a perfect season in the RoC Dirt North Tour. He failed to win one heat event (finishing second) on July 13 at Fonda....
Varin's biggest challenge coming through the field? "Jack Johnson...the guy's tough!" he shot back quickly. "We ended up banging together out of (turn) four (on lap 47), because that was my one chance to get him."....
U-R champion Willy Decker was dominant in heat action, but he failed to capitalize on picking number one in the redraw. "Loose!" Decker said of his No. 1X in the main. "We were loose the whole race. Thank god for those guys dropping out or we would have been way back."
Decker was looking to pick up a victory for car owner Tom Culler, who lost his mother during the week....
General manager Dick Sweet handled the flagging duties on the night....
Weiss gained significant ground in the RoC Dirt Sportsman title fight with a fifth. Point leader entering the night, Arnie Slade, took a provisional and finished 14th, while Jason Hamilton nursed his mount home with fuel pump problems in 15th....
Penn-Can Speedway in Susquehanna, Pa., will play host to the first Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour combined show on Sept. 17 with a 100-lap, $5,000-to-win event. The RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour will compete on Sept. 16 in a $1,000-to-win headliner....

Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour North Region Race No. 4 Finish: BOBBY VARIN, Ted Lamb, Chad Phelps, Jack Johnson, Willy Decker, Jerry Higbie Jr., Paul Kinney, Gus Schmidt, Tony Pepicelli, Don Mattison, Dana Wagner, John Ramsey, Gordie Button, Bob Henry Jr., Ryan Bartlett, Mitch Gibbs, Todd Burley, Ronnie Johnson, Jamie Christian, Brian Weaver, Jason Barney, Danny Johnson, Alan Rudalavage, Chris Shultz, Elmo Reckner, J.R. Crouse, Mike Ward.
Did Not Qualify: Tyler Bartlett, Jeff Heotzler Jr., Randy Chrysler, Terry Knoblock.

Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour Race No. 5 Feature Finish: PAUL CAREY, David Towns, Steve Way, Jeremiah Munson, Kyle Weiss, Jim Rothwell, Jessica Zemken, Tim Nye, Ken Stafford, Derrick McGrew, Kyle Lewis, Shaun Walker, Jeff Geiges, Arnie Slade, Jason Hamilton, Matt Janczuk, Jeremy Vunk, Craig Whitmoyer, Michael Teachout, Danny Creeden, Mike Bowman, Mike Button, John DeForest, Alan Barker, Brad Alger, Justin House, Whitey Slavin, Jim Bowman, Casey Williams, Bill Price.
Did Not Qualify: Robbie Fairweather, Butch Reiter, Mike Lartz, Danny Varin, Jamie Yankowski, Craig Pope, Scott Allen, Frank Doty, Mike Barney, Brett Graham, Steve Kotary, Josh Hohenforst, Jeff Leslie.


RACE OF CHAMPIONS DIRT MODIFIED TOUR - COMBINATION EVENT #1 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH - PENN CAN SPEEDWAY - SUSQUEHANNA, PA

Speedway Phone: Track office: (570) 585-9928/Race Day: (570) 853-3434
Speedway Website: www.penncan.com

Pit Fees: $35
Pit Gates Open: 4:00 p.m.
Grandstand Prices: $20 adults, $18 for seniors
Grandstand Gates: 4:30 p.m.
Race time: 6:30 p.m.
Entry Info: Modified Pre- race entry (received prior to Sept. 13th): $15/Entry after above date: $20
Modified Feature: 100 laps - cautions to count between laps 40 and 60. (no more than 5 caution laps will be logged in a row). Cars will not go down laps in the pit area during yellow flag periods. The only ways that a car will go down a lap is to be passed by the leaders or to be in the pit area during green flag laps.

Tire Options: American Racer Compounds: Right Rear Compound - 38 minimal softness; Left Rear Compound - 33 minimal softness; May use minimum 33 front tire compounds.

General Race Rules: The standard for motor, chassis and safety rules are based on '04 DIRT rules. Body rules based on Penn Can rulebook (sail panels permitted).

Weights: Minimum Weights, including driver- no fuel added: under 361 cu. in. on gas or 9-to-1 compression sealed (Grandview or Big Diamond engine/carburetor combination) on gas or alcohol -2450 lbs; under 358 cu. in. small-block on alcohol - 2550 lbs.; big-block or small-block over 361 cu. in., Gasoline only - 2550 lbs. NO mixing and matching of rules.

For more information please contact the Race of Champions office at (607) 238-0432 or log on to www.rocdirt.com.

Two-way Radios are not permitted - the speedway frequency is 154.515 and will be operational. It is not mandatory to have the one-way frequency but is suggested if you already have an adjustable scanner.


"Kings Weekend" At Penn-Can Boasts Two Days of RoC Dirt Action
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - Penn-Can Speedway will host two days of Race of Champions Dirt Tour action during its highly-touted Sept. 16-17 "Kings Weekend."

The Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour will tackle the three-eighths-mile oval on Fri., Sept. 16, running a 40-lap, $1,000-to-win main event. The first of three Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour combined 100-lap bouts is set to take place at Al Wilcox and Reed Miller's facility on Sat., Sept. 17.

This year's "King of the Can" Modified victor will collect a $5,000 payday in addition to a guaranteed spot in the All-Star Race during Fulton (N.Y.) Speedway's Victoria 200 Weekend. A $500 small-block bonus is up for grabs as well.

The top guns from both the North and South Regions will converge on the Susquehanna, Pa., oval as drivers from across the Northeast look to become the first-ever RoC Dirt champion.

Jeff Strunk of Bethel, Pa., clinched the South Region title at Penn-Can on Aug. 17, off the strength of a second-place finish in the "Hot Summer Night" 75-lapper. Strunk won the first RoC Dirt trip to Big Diamond (Pa.) Raceway on June 7.

The RoC Dirt Modified Tour North Region champion will be decided on Sun., Sept. 11 at New York's Utica-Rome Speedway. Bobby Varin is the leader entering that event.

Once the North standings are tabulated, drivers from both regions will be assigned point values. Then, they'll square off for the overall crown beginning with the "King of the Can." Fonda (N.Y.) Speedway on Sept. 25 and Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Speedway on Oct. 15 are the other combined events.

Forty-two Modifieds entered the RoC Dirt Modified South event at Penn-Can on the August Wednesday night. Local favorite Alan Rudalavage of Newton Lake, Pa., took the $4,500 top prize (including the small-block bonus) over Jeff Strunk, Rick Laubach, Frank Cozze and Butch Tittle.

The inaugural RoC Dirt Sportsman event was contested at the Can on May 30, with Susquehanna, Pa.'s Brian Decker emerging victorious from a 49-car field. Arnie Slade, Jason Hamilton, Kyle Weiss and Kevin Bates trailed in the competitive 40-lap feature.

Slade, Hamilton, Weiss, Jeff Geiges, Jimmy Horton IV, Brad Grim, Danny Creeden, Shaun Walker and many more will be back to do battle at the Can on Sept. 16 as the point race tightens up.

Joining the RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour on Friday night will be the Central New York Mini-Sprints in a $1,000-to-win "Fall Foliage" Qualifier. The Late Models will compete topless in the fifth event of the BRC Late Model Series with a $1,000 winner's share and the popular Super Stocks will take part in a Gary's U-Pull-It Series event.

Gates open on Friday at 5 p.m. The first green flag will fly at 7:15 p.m. General admission is $13 for Adults. Pit admission is $30.

The RoC Dirt Modifieds will have the headline on Saturday night with the Pure Stocks taking part in a Victoria 200 Weekend Qualifier and the IMCA-style Modifieds in the division's second '05 appearance.

Gates open on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Race time is 6:30 p.m. General admission is $20 for Adults. Pit admission is $35.

Both camping and parking are free for the weekend.

Penn-Can Speedway is accessible from Route 17 Exit 79 and I-81 Exit 230 on Route 171. For more information, contact the speedway office at (570) 585-9928. The race day phone is (570) 853-3434. The speedway's official website is: www.penncan.com.

For further info on the Race of Champions Dirt Modified or Sportsman Tours, contact the RoC office at (607) 238-0432 or visit the website: www.rocdirt.com.


RACE OF CHAMPIONS DIRT MODIFIED TOUR – NORTH REGION EVENT #4 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH - UTICA ROME SPEEDWAY – VERNON, NY

Location: Rt. 5 in Vernon, NY between exits 32 and 33 off NYS Thruway Speedway Phone: Track - 315-829-4557/315-725-5709
Speedway Website: www.uticaromespeedway.com.
Pit Fees: $25
Pit Gates Open: 3:00 p.m.
Grandstand Prices: $15
Grandstand Gates: 3:00 p.m.
Race Time: 5:30 p.m.
Entry Info: Pre- race entry (received prior to Sept 10th): $15 Mods/$10
Sportsman. Entry after above date: $20 Mods/$15 Sportsman
Qualifying Heats: 10-laps
Modified Feature: 75 green flag laps.
Sportsman Feature: 30 green flag laps.
Tire Information: Tire Options (Sportsman and Mod): American Racer compounds as listed below: Front tires – no softer than 33 compound; LR tire – no softer than 33 compound; RR tire – no softer than 38 compound.
General Race Rules: The standard for motor, body, chassis and safety rules are
based on ’04 DIRT rules.
Weight Info: Big-block Modifieds – min. 2,500 lbs no tolerance. (’04 DIRT legal); small-block Modifieds – min. 2,400 lbs. no tolerance. (’04 DIRT legal); Big Diamond/Grandview 9- to-1 small blocks – min. 2,400 lbs. no tolerance; Any other small-block combination must weigh a min. 2,500 lbs. no tolerance. NO mixing and matching of rules.
For more information please contact the Race of Champions office at (607) 238-0432 or log on to www.rocdirt.com.


RoC Dirt Mod Tour Set For Sept. 11 Return Trip To Utica-Rome
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - How successful was the Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour's first stop at Utica-Rome (N.Y.) Speedway on May 8?

They want to do it again, if that's any indication.

When RoC Dirt administrative director Andrew Harpell and Thunder Alley (N.Y.) Speedpark promoter Charlie Caprara came to a mutual decision to drop the Evans Mills, N.Y., track's Sun., Aug. 28 date, Utica-Rome general manager Dick Sweet was quick to act.

"We can't wait to host RoC again," said Sweet, who has personally attended numerous RoC Dirt events as a spectator this summer. He also served as the starter for the Aug. 9 doubleheader at Big Diamond (Pa.) Raceway.

"I'm expecting an awesome show with our drivers taking on the RoC Dirt regulars."

The fast half-mile oval in Vernon, N.Y., will roar to life on Sun., Sept. 11 with a RoC twinbill featuring the fourth and final event of the RoC Dirt Modified Tour's North Region, along with the fifth race of the RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour.

Gates open at 3 p.m., with racing promptly at 5:30 p.m. Grandstand admission is $15 and kids nine and under are free. Pit admission is $25.

The Modifieds will do battle in a 75-lap main, paying $4,000-to-win plus a $500 bonus for the first small-block across the line, as the inaugural North Region champ will be crowned. A Victoria 200 All-Star Race starting spot will also be up for grabs. Sportsman teams will race for a $1,000 top prize in a 30-lap feature.

The Pro Stocks (under "Pumpkin Pie" rules), IMCA Modifieds and Pure Stocks will complete the card.

"Utica-Rome is one of the premier dirt tracks in the Northeast," offered Harpell. "I think we proved ourselves with a great show there last time. It can only be better the second time around."

Bobby Varin of Sharon Springs, N.Y., topped the 66 1/2-lap RoC Dirt feature held at U-R on Mother's Day driving Jake Spraker's potent JPM-powered Bicknell No. 1J. Hometown driver and top finishing 358-Mod Willy Decker was second, ahead of Jason Barney, Ronnie Johnson and Mitch Gibbs.

With three victories to date in the North Region (Fonda (N.Y.) April 9 and July 27, U-R May 8), Varin (190) holds a 38-point advantage on Gibbs (152). Ronnie Johnson (146), Jerry Higbie Jr. (121) and Tony Pepicelli (108) round out the top five.

Utica-Rome will be the final regional event before the overall RoC Dirt champion is decided through three "combined" events: Sept. 17 at Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway, Sept. 24-25 at Fonda (N.Y.) Speedway and Oct. 15 at Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Speedway.

Bethel, Pa.'s Jeff Strunk clinched the RoC Dirt South Region title at Penn-Can on Aug. 17 by 11 markers over Brian Weaver.

In the Sportsman title fight, Mt. Upton, N.Y., driver Arnie Slade (217) leads Jason Hamilton (209), Kyle Weiss (182), Jeff Geiges (152) and inaugural winner Brian Decker (151).

Modified and Sportsman tire rules for Utica-Rome are as follows: American Racer - fronts (no softer than 33 compound); left-rear (no softer than 33 compound); and right-rear (no softer than 38 compound).

For further information, contact the RoC Dirt office at (607) 238-0432 or (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.rocdirt.com.

Utica-Rome Speedway is located just miles from New York State Thruway exits 32 and 33 on Route 5 in Vernon, N.Y. For more information or directions, contact the speedway office at (315) 829-4557 or on race day: (315) 725-5709. On the web: www.uticaromespeedway.com.


Fulton's Victoria 200 To Feature RoC Dirt Tour Stars
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - It's only fitting that the premier "open" dirt Modified race should include representation from a series designed for the weekly racer.

Thanks to a joint effort between Fulton (N.Y.) Speedway officials and Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour administrative director Andrew Harpell, the 20th Annual Dynomax Victoria 200 on Sat., Oct. 1 will feature stars from the RoC Dirt Modified Tour.

All '05 RoC Dirt Modified Tour winners will be starters in the All-Star Race leading up to the prestigious Victoria 200.

The first runner-up to a duplicate RoC Dirt winner (i.e. Bobby Varin) will also receive a starting berth in the All-Star Race.

Current All-Star Race RoC representatives are: Bobby Varin (Fonda (N.Y.) Speedway - April 9); Willy Decker (Utica-Rome (N.Y.) Speedway - May 8); Jeff Strunk (Big Diamond (Pa.) Raceway - June 7); Brian Weaver (Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Speedway - July 13); Mitch Gibbs (Fonda - July 27); Billy Pauch (Big Diamond - Aug. 9); and Alan Rudalavage (Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway - Aug. 17).

All-Star Race starting positions will also be available in upcoming RoC Dirt Modified events at Utica-Rome (Sept. 11), Penn-Can (Sept. 17) and Fonda (Sept. 24-25).

The top RoC Dirt Tour driver in the combined point standings entering the Victoria 200 weekend who fails to qualify will have a "buy-in" opportunity as well.

"I've always admired the Victoria 200 as a top-notch event and I'm glad RoC Dirt will be represented in the field," said Harpell.

This year's Victoria 200, paying $20,000-to-win, is open to any dirt Modified powered by a 500 cubic inch engine or less. A standard weight of 2500 lbs. will be set. Gas or methanol may be used. DIRT body rules will be in place and DIRT Hoosier soft tires must be used.

For more information on the Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour, contact the office at (607) 238-0432 or (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.rocdirt.com.


Race of Champions Dirt Mod Tour South Region Roster
Updated After Penn-Can (8-17-05)


Car Number Driver Hometown
Z Butch Tittle Saylorsburg, Pa.
00 Doug Manmiller Wyomissing, Pa.
Zer0 Tom Gervasi Madison Township, Pa.
1A Chris Weaver Binghamton, N.Y.
1B Brad Weaver Windsor, N.Y.
DR1 Craig Von Dohren Oley, Pa.
1K Billy Pauch Jr. Frenchtown, N.J.
2G Mitch Gibbs North Norwich, N.Y.
2H Kenny Hatt Sinking Spring, Pa.
4 Tom McGurrin Newton Lake, Pa.
4B J.R. Crouse Nazareth, Pa.
5 Rick Laubach Quakertown, Pa.
5H Keith Hoffman Whitehall, Pa.
5J Joey Grammes Kunkletown, Pa.
6 Rick Holgate Kingsley, Pa.
6 Sr. Keith Hoffman Whitehall, Pa.
7 Jr. Jimmy Reppert Hamburg, Pa.
7M Mike Nagel Susquehanna, Pa.
7N Carl Nagel West Windsor, N.Y.
8 Rich Scagliotta Bound Brook, N.J.
9D Barry Davis Accord, N.Y.
9R Brian Weaver Windsor, N.Y.
11 Pierre LaGrange Mongaup Valley, N.Y.
11 Billy Thornton Old Forge, Pa.
11D Travis Balthaser Bernville, Md.
12 Bill Huff Tunkhannock, Pa.
14A Brian Franko Dalton, Pa.
14W Ryan Watt Pottstown, Pa.
15 Billy Pauch Jr. Frenchtown, N.J.
16 Jason Hamilton Erwinna, Pa.
17 Mike Ricci Rosendale, N.Y.
17T Ryan Grim Laurys Station, Pa.
18 Bob Savoie Broadalbin, N.Y.
18H George Hildebrant Nazareth, Pa.
19 Kenny Brightbill Sinking Spring, Pa.
19 Rich Keehle Jr. Windsor, N.Y.
19K Paul Kinney Oneida, N.Y.
20 Ryan Taylor Perkasie, Pa.
20 Eddie White Candor, N.Y.
21Jr. Russ Hendrickson Jr. Harpursville, N.Y.
21K Randy Chrysler Lewiston, N.Y.
22G Mitch Gibbs North Norwich, N.Y.
24 Chris Shultz Holmes, N.Y.
25W Dana Wagner Trout Creek, N.Y.
26 Glenn Knapp Johnson City, N.Y.
27 Joel Batzel Vestal, N.Y.
28H Ed Harris Harpersfield, N.Y.
29 Chris Ostrowsky Conklin, N.Y.
J30 Jim Crawn LeRaysville, Pa.
33 Ray Swinehart Bechtelsville, Pa.
42 Ed Strada Jr. South Canaan, Pa.
42B Marty Bunker Conklin, N.Y.
42H Jimmy Horton Neshanic Station, N.J.
42S Jeff Sechrist Womelsdorf, Pa.
44 Frank Cozze Wind Gap, Pa.
47B Billy Jenkins Waymart, Pa.
47G Chris Grbac Iselin, N.J.
50 Ryan Bartlett Adams, N.Y.
51 Mike Colsten Binghamton, N.Y.
51M Jimmy Horton Neshanic Station, N.J.
53 Mike Gular Harleysville, Pa.
66 Bob Trapper Scranton, Pa.
71 David Van Horn Harmony, N.J.
71S Sammy Schaeffer Hamburg, Pa.
72 Jeff Ebersole Palmyra, Pa.
77 Doug Hoffman Allentown, Pa.
77 Bob Hamm Jr. Windsor, N.Y.
77V Rick Virkitis Richmondale, Pa.
83B Josh Biever Landingville, Pa.
86 Kyle Strickler Sinking Spring, Pa.
88 Jeff Strunk Bethel, Pa.
88C Meme DeSantis Temple, Pa.
88C Tom Umbenhauer Richland, Pa.
88M Mike Jackson Addison, N.Y.
93 Bobby Varin Sharon Springs, N.Y.
93B Ryan Bartlett Adams, N.Y.
93X Craig Mitchell Wappingers Falls, N.Y.
97 Jerry Higbie Jr. Slate Hill, N.Y.
99 Allan Kellogg Mt. Cobb, Pa.
99Z Dave Zona Montrose, Pa.
T102 Shawn Fitzpatrick Pottsville, Pa.
114 Doug Hendricks Orwigsburg, Pa.
117 Kevin Hirthler Green Lane, Pa.
118 Sean Merkel Boyertown, Pa.
119 Brian Malcolm Lake Ariel, Pa.
145 Alan Rudalavage Newton Lake, Pa.
145X Jeff Rudalavage Olyphant, Pa.
213 Steve Walsh Hankins, N.Y.
357 Billy Pauch Frenchtown, N.J.


Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour
Official Finish: South Region Race No. 4/Penn-Can Speedway (8-17-05)


Car # Driver/Hometown Start
1 145 Alan Rudalavage/Newton Lake, Pa. (12)
2 88 Jeff Strunk/Bethel, Pa. (10)
3 5 Rick Laubach/Quakertown, Pa. (2)
4 44 Frank Cozze/Wind Gap, Pa. (7)
5 Z Butch Tittle/Saylorsburg, Pa. (11)
6 93 Bobby Varin/Sharon Springs, N.Y. (8)
7 2G Mitch Gibbs/North Norwich, N.Y. (4)
8 17 Mike Ricci/Rosendale, N.Y. (20)
9 53 Mike Gular/Harleysville, Pa. (5)
10 51M Jimmy Horton/Neshanic Station, N.J. (19)
11 11 Billy Thornton/Old Forge, Pa. (6)
12 14W Ryan Watt/Pottstown, Pa. (17)
13 7N Carl Nagel/West Windsor, N.Y. (13)
14 19 Rich Keehle Jr./Windsor, N.Y. (21)
15 93B Ryan Bartlett/Adams, N.Y. (14)
16 99Z Dave Zona/Montrose, Pa. (15)
17 4B J.R. Crouse/Nazareth, Pa. (25)
18 1AX Brian Weaver/Windsor, N.Y. (28)
19 5J Joey Grammes/Kunkletown, Pa. (9)
20 51 Mike Colsten/Binghamton, N.Y. (24)
21 145X Jeff Rudalavage/Olyphant, Pa. (1)
22 12 Bill Huff/Tunkhannock, Pa. (3)
23 25W Dana Wagner/Trout Creek, N.Y. (18)
24 7M Mike Nagel/Susquehanna, Pa. (16)
25 93X Craig Mitchell/Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (23)
26 97 Jerry Higbie Jr./Slate Hill, N.Y. (26)
27 42 Ed Strada Jr./South Canaan, Pa. (22)
28 1A Chris Weaver/Binghamton, N.Y. (27)

Entries: 42
Lap leaders: Laubach (1-35), A. Rudalavage (36-75)
Heat winners: Varin, Huff, J. Rudalavage, Grammes, Thornton
Consi winners: Ricci, Keehle

Did Not Qualify:
99 Allan Kellogg/Mt. Cobb, Pa.
14A Brian Franko/Dalton, Pa.
29 Chris Ostrowsky/Conklin, N.Y.
6 Rick Holgate/Kingsley, Pa.
J30 Jim Crawn/LeRaysville, Pa.
21Jr. Russ Hendrickson Jr./Harpursville, N.Y.
42B Marty Bunker/Conklin, N.Y.
20 Ryan Taylor/Perkasie, Pa.
47B Billy Jenkins/Waymart, Pa.
213 Steve Walsh/Hankins, N.Y.
77V Rick Virkitis/Richmondale, Pa.
71 David Van Horn/Harmony, N.J.
24 Chris Shultz/Holmes, N.Y.
1B Brad Weaver/Windsor, N.Y.


Alan Rudalavage Earns Biggest Win of Career, Tops RoC 75 at Penn-Can; Strunk South Champ
By BRETT DEYO

SUSQUEHANNA, PA - It wasn't the fact that Alan Rudalavage notched the biggest victory of career that was so satisfying.

It was how he did it.

Starting 12th, Rudalavage carved through an all-star field Wednesday night at Penn-Can Speedway to win the fourth event of the Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour's South Region.

The Newton Lake, Pa., driver earned $4,500 for the win in the 75-lap headliner after he was the recipient of the $500 small-block bonus.

Jeff Strunk, meanwhile, used his runner-up finish to clinch the RoC Dirt South Region point title by 11 markers over Brian Weaver.

Rudalavage's triumph in the extra-distance affair served as a milestone in his career, which has centered mainly on Friday night action at the Can.

"We had the best of the west here tonight," Rudalavage, 40, smirked. "We started 12th and passed guys like Cozze, Varin, Strunk and Laubach and some tough local guys too, like Billy Thornton and Grammes.

"It feels good that we didn't start first or second and lead all the way. We earned it."

Using a Finger Lakes '04 DIRT-legal small-block in his No. 145 Bicknell, Rudalavage didn't make a redraw spot in the heat when the track was heavy.

However, he was confident the conditions would come to him in the feature.

"In the heat we could've used some more gear to get us a better starting position," he said. "We made a decision not to touch the car after that. Jeff (Rudalavage, his older brother), beat us with the big-block in the heat, but I knew the small-block would shine come feature time."

While Rudalavage picked his way forward early on, outside polesitter Rick Laubach took command in Dieter Schmidt's No. 5. By lap six, Laubach began to feel pressure from ninth-starter Joey Grammes, setting up a battle that spanned the first third of the race.

Working the high line, Laubach repelled all of Grammes's inside attempts until disaster struck the Kunkletown, Pa., racer on lap 20.

Craig Mitchell's No. 93X broke directly in the path of the leaders in turn four. Laubach skirted by, making slight contact. Left with no place to go, Grammes climbed the left side of Mitchell's car and launched into the air, sheering the right-front shock off his No. 5 Bicknell.

Grammes headed pitside and Rudalavage was next to challenge Laubach. He held second on the lap-20 restart and turned up the wick when the lead pair hit lapped traffic.

Rudalavage saw his opportunity on lap 35. Laubach slid up the track in turn two, becoming momentarily trapped behind the slower car of Carl Nagel. Diving to the inside, Rudalavage moved by to take command on the backstretch.

"He (Laubach) was running a little higher than we were," Rudalavage said. "Our car was running great on the bottom; we kind of went for it.

"We had a plan that we wanted to be leading by halfway. It was time to go. At that point, we had control of the race."

Rudalavage steadily increased his advantage over Laubach, who fell into the clutches of a hard-charging Jeff Strunk.

The Bethel, Pa., star took fourth on lap 42, third on lap 59 and motored inside Laubach on the 64th circuit, narrowly missing the turn one marker tire as he completed the pass.

When the caution flew for the final time on lap 67, three lapped cars separating first and second gave Rudalavage the cushion he needed.

A determined drive in the final five circuits allowed Strunk to close within two car-lengths from a straightaway back coming to the checkered, but Rudalavage held on to thrill the hometown fans.

"Brian (Weaver) won for hometown fans at Five Mile Point (N.Y., in the July 13 RoC event). I brought it home for them here tonight."

Strunk, 37, was satisfied with the runner-up cash after steadily moving forward in his Chad Sinon-owned No. 88, a 2005 Teo-Pro car equipped with a Doug Meyers-built Ford 9-to-1 engine.

"I really couldn't have asked for anything better," Strunk said. "We knew coming here with the 9-to-1 we'd give something up in the beginning, but the car could go anywhere.

"The top stayed the whole race, and that helped us because we could go in on top and drive to the bottom. Maybe I could have got him in 2-3 more laps, I don't know. The track position's what hurt us."

Laubach, 32, of Quakertown, Pa., was third in the second P-C appearance of his career.

"We were decent early on," Laubach remarked. "It got tight after a few laps. I had all I could to keep it turned. I'd get on the gas and it would shove the nose bad.

"The tires went away in the end and that made me loose. It's one of those deals where you've got to know the track. I was only here once four or five years ago with (Keith) Roussey's car.

"It was a good night, really."

Seventh-starter Frank Cozze of Wind Gap, Pa., was fourth and Saylorsburg, Pa.'s Butch Tittle made a late ascent to finish fifth after starting 11th.

Heat winners for the 42 Modifieds in attendance were Bobby Varin, Bill Huff, Jeff Rudalavage, Grammes and Billy Thorton. Mike Ricci and Rich Keehle Jr. split the consolations.

Kyle Weiss of Hamburg, Pa., won the accompanying 30-lap Sportsman All-Star Challenge.

Weiss, a PA Dual-Track regular making a rare start at the Can, wrestled the top spot away from Jason Hamilton following a lap-18 restart, leading the remainder of the distance for a $1,000 payday.

Hamilton finished in the runner-up spot, with Penn-Can point leader Arnie Slade, Bill Deckelman and Shaun Walker rounding out the top five.

PENN-CAN RoC NOTES: How did Strunk feel about becoming the first-ever RoC Dirt South Region champion?
"It's just awesome," he said. "I didn't think I had a shot at Brian (Weaver) coming here to his home turf, but he had some problems. I've known Andy (Harpell, RoC administrative director) for a long time. This is a neat deal."....
"Problems" could be an understatement to describe Weaver's night. Terminal engine issues sidelined the Randy Decker No. 9R following his heat race. He drove son Brad's car in the consolation, then took the seat of the No. 1A normally driven by his brother Chris (who actually qualified and gave up the ninth starting position) for the main.
Weaver had been working quietly forward in the unfamiliar ride until lap 55, when he was got jostled in a turn-four tangle and went pitside, only to return several laps down. He finished 18th....
A caution flew in the Modified feature on lap 52 for a brake rotor on the backstretch. The car missing it: Bobby Varin.
The Sharon Springs, N.Y., driver brought the Magsarus PMC No. 93 home sixth with no rotor on the right-rear. "I thought we misjudged on the tires," Varin said moments after the crew discovered the problem. "But that'll do it."....
Butch Tittle's return to Penn-Can was successful. Making his first start at the track since 2003, the multi-time champ surged forward late in the event for a top-five....

Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour South Region Race No. 4 Feature Finish: ALAN RUDALAVAGE, Jeff Strunk, Rick Laubach, Frank Cozze, Butch Tittle, Bobby Varin, Mitch Gibbs, Mike Ricci, Mike Gular, Jimmy Horton, Billy Thornton, Ryan Watt, Carl Nagel, Rich Keehle Jr., Ryan Bartlett, Dave Zona, J.R. Crouse, Brian Weaver, Joey Grammes, Mike Colsten, Jeff Rudalavage, Bill Huff, Dana Wagner, Mike Nagel, Craig Mitchell, Jerry Higbie Jr., Ed Strada Jr., Chris Weaver.
Did Not Qualify: Allan Kellogg, Brian Franko, Chris Ostrowsky, Rick Holgate, Jim Crawn, Russell Hendrickson Jr., Marty Bunker, Ryan Taylor, Billy Jenkins, Steve Walsh, Rick Virkitis, David Van Horn, Chris Shultz, Brad Weaver.

Sportsman All-Star Challenge Feature Finish: KYLE WEISS, Jason Hamilton, Arnie Slade, Bill Deckelman, Shaun Walker, Ken Titus, Danny Creeden, Jimmy Horton IV, Andy Stout, Bobby Lane, Dusty Jagger, Lou Farina, Mike Lartz, Joey Colsten, Brian Decker, Steve Babicek, Cliff Pierce.
Did Not Start: Josh Beierle, Craig Pope.


RACE OF CHAMPIONS DIRT MODIFIED TOUR SOUTH REGION RACE No. 4 PENN-CAN SPEEDWAY SUSQUEHANNA, PA RACE INFORMATION FOR WEDNESDAY AUGUST 17, 2005

Track office: (570) 585-9928
Race day: (570) 853-3434
Speedway website: www.penncan.com
Pit Fees: $30
Pit Gates Open: 5:15 p.m.
Grandstand Gates Open: 5:15 p.m.
Grandstand Prices: $17
Entry Info: Modified pre- race entry (received prior to August 14th): $15. Entry after above date: $20
Modified Feature: 75 laps – cautions to count between laps 30 and 50. (no more than 5 caution laps will be logged in a row). Cars will not go down laps in the pit area during yellow flag periods. The only ways that a car will go down a lap is to be passed by the leaders or to be in the pit area during green flag laps.
Tire Information: Tire Options: American Racer: right-rear compound: 38 minimal softness; left-rear compound: 33 minimal softness; fronts: may use minimum 33 tire compounds.
General Race Rules: The standard for motor, body, chassis and safety rules are based on ’04 DIRT rules.
Weights: Minimum Weights, including driver- no fuel added: under 361 cu. in. on gas or 9-to-1 compression sealed (Grandview engine/carburetor combination) on gas or alcohol - 2450 lbs; under 358 cu. in. small block on alcohol - 2550 lbs.; big-block or small-block over 361 cu. in., gasoline only - 2550 lbs. NO mixing and matching of rules.
For more information please contact the Race of Champions office at (607) 238-0432 or log on to www.rocdirt.com.
Two-way radios are not permitted – the speedway frequency is 154.515 and will be operational. It is not mandatory to have the one way frequency but is suggested if you already have an adjustable scanner.


Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour Driver Roster
Updated After Big Diamond (8-9-05)


Car Number Driver Hometown
1/64th Andy Miller Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
1 Bill Deckelman Fremont Center, N.Y.
M1 Mike Lyons Monroe Township, N.J.
1Z Jessica Zemken Sprakers, N.Y.
2 Rich Stankiewicz Laureldale, Pa.
2T Michael Taylor Milford, N.J.
3 Luke Wagner Grantville, Pa.
3H Marc Herman Windsor, N.J.
KT3 Corey Renninger Llewellyn, Pa.
6 John Stangle Neshanic Station, N.J.
7 Cliff Pierce Spencer, N.Y.
7A Gene Stravinsky New Egypt, N.J.
8 Rich Scagliotta Bound Brook, N.J.
8 Doug Hendricks Orwigsburg, Pa.
8Jr. Warren Floyd Jr. Milford, N.J.
9B Brian Decker Susquehanna, Pa.
9G Boyd MacTavish Fenwick, Ontario
9K Mike Ketcham Otisville, N.Y.
9KL Butch Klinger Walton, N.Y.
9T Ken Titus Kirkwood, N.Y.
11 Rick Yard Stockton, N.J.
11T Tim Votra Marathon, N.Y.
12E Eric Palmer Cresco, Pa.
13 James Morris Riegelsville, Pa.
13 David Bush Accord, N.Y.
14 Alex Konopka Gouldsboro, Pa.
R14 Rick Raisner Easton, Pa.
15 Jason Hamilton Erwinna, Pa.
16 Rick Brown Dalton, Pa.
16 David Bush Accord, N.Y.
16X Danny Creeden Middletown, N.Y.
17 Derrick McGrew Ballston Spa, N.Y.
17 Billy Moyer Jr. Pine Grove, Pa.
17B E.J. Harrington Pittstown, N.J.
17D Mike Loney Taylor, Pa.
17T Ryan Grim Laurys Station, Pa.
19 Bubba Folk Hallstead, Pa.
19 Brent Boyer Bloomsburg, Pa.
19B Brad Brightbill Sinking Spring, Pa.
19U Jordan Umbenhauer Richland, Pa.
21 Shaun Walker Masonville, N.Y.
21K Kyle Weiss Hamburg, Pa.
22B Arnie Slade Mt. Upton, N.Y.
25 Ray Deemer Phillipsburg, N.J.
26 Tom Brennan Pottsville, Pa.
Z28 Brian Lilick King of Prussia, Pa.
34J Josh Beierle Newfoundland, Pa.
35 Ben Donaruma Flemington, N.J.
39 Tom Cremer Sinking Spring, Pa.
39B Lowell Snyder Erwinna, Pa.
M40 Mark Forte Jr. Haddon Township, N.J.
41 Brian Puckett Old Forge, Pa.
42 Mike Lartz Nicholson, Pa.
42B Kevin Bates Lake Ariel, Pa.
43 Jimmy Horton IV Folsom, N.J.
43M Joe Masiado Easton, Pa.
044 Lou Farina Philadelphia, Pa.
44X Shane Jablonka Poughquag, N.Y.
48 Dusty Jagger Port Crane, N.Y.
51 Sam Wescott Jr. Grenloch, N.J.
51Z Ryan Olsommer Waymart, Pa.
54 Paul Rooney Thompson, Pa.
56 Brian White Candor, N.Y.
57 Ricky Rutt Phillipsburg, N.J.
57B Alan Barker Norwich, N.Y.
58 Jeremy Howe Binghamton, N.Y.
59 Ladd Yeomans Swan Lake, N.Y.
59J Jesse Kline Bangor, Pa.
60 Bruce Evans Jr. Greenfield Township, Pa.
61 John Leindecker Allentown, Pa.
71 Mike Mammana Nazareth, Pa.
71 Russ Zimmerman Tunkhannock, Pa.
71D Frank Doty Middletown, N.Y.
71J Chris James Mahrsville, Pa.
71M Shawn Mills Windsor, N.Y.
73 Darrel Herman Allentown, Pa.
74 Jeremy Holt Kirkwood, N.Y.
74B Brian Decker Susquehanna, Pa.
76 Bob Lilick King of Prussia, Pa.
77 Scott Brady Whitney Point, N.Y.
77J Jeff Geiges Lawrenceville, N.J.
77M Rick Mill New Windsor, N.Y.
91 Billy Tanner IV Newtown, Pa.
95 Freddie Fisher Sinking Spring, Pa.
97 Keith Still Middletown, N.Y.
98 Tim Apgar Milford, N.J.
99 Craig Whitmoyer Hamburg, Pa.
114 Rick Whitney Montrose, Pa.
144 Don Miller Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
151 Joey Colsten Binghamton, N.Y.
157 Andy Fayash Jr. Mary-D, Pa.
176 Garth Tonkin Jr. Carbondale, Pa.
515 Larry Lippincott Riegelsville, Pa.
611 Brad Grim Coplay, Pa.
712 Kevin Beach Llewellyn, Pa.
1450 Greg Weiland Port Carbon, Pa.


Race of Champions Dirt Mod Tour South Region Roster
Updated After Big Diamond (8-9-05)


Car Number Driver Hometown
00 Doug Manmiller Wyomissing, Pa.
Zer0 Tom Gervasi Madison Township, Pa.
1A Chris Weaver Binghamton, N.Y.
DR1 Craig Von Dohren Oley, Pa.
1K Billy Pauch Jr. Frenchtown, N.J.
2G Mitch Gibbs North Norwich, N.Y.
2H Kenny Hatt Sinking Spring, Pa.
4 Tom McGurrin Newton Lake, Pa.
4B J.R. Crouse Nazareth, Pa.
5 Rick Laubach Quakertown, Pa.
5H Keith Hoffman Whitehall, Pa.
6 Rick Holgate Kingsley, Pa.
6 Sr. Keith Hoffman Whitehall, Pa.
7 Jr. Jimmy Reppert Hamburg, Pa.
8 Rich Scagliotta Bound Brook, N.J.
9D Barry Davis Accord, N.Y.
9R Brian Weaver Windsor, N.Y.
11 Pierre LaGrange Mongaup Valley, N.Y.
11D Travis Balthaser Bernville, Md.
14W Ryan Watt Pottstown, Pa.
15 Billy Pauch Jr. Frenchtown, N.J.
16 Jason Hamilton Erwinna, Pa.
17 Mike Ricci Rosendale, N.Y.
17T Ryan Grim Laurys Station, Pa.
18 Bob Savoie Broadalbin, N.Y.
18H George Hildebrant Nazareth, Pa.
19 Kenny Brightbill Sinking Spring, Pa.
19 Rich Keehle Jr. Windsor, N.Y.
19K Paul Kinney Oneida, N.Y.
20 Eddie White Candor, N.Y.
21Jr. Russ Hendrickson Jr. Harpursville, N.Y.
21K Randy Chrysler Lewiston, N.Y.
22G Mitch Gibbs North Norwich, N.Y.
24 Chris Shultz Holmes, N.Y.
25W Dana Wagner Trout Creek, N.Y.
26 Glenn Knapp Johnson City, N.Y.
27 Joel Batzel Vestal, N.Y.
28H Ed Harris Harpersfield, N.Y.
29 Chris Ostrowsky Conklin, N.Y.
J30 Jim Crawn LeRaysville, Pa.
33 Ray Swinehart Bechtelsville, Pa.
42 Ed Strada Jr. South Canaan, Pa.
42B Marty Bunker Conklin, N.Y.
42H Jimmy Horton Neshanic Station, N.J.
42S Jeff Sechrist Womelsdorf, Pa.
44 Frank Cozze Wind Gap, Pa.
47G Chris Grbac Iselin, N.J.
50 Ryan Bartlett Adams, N.Y.
51 Mike Colsten Binghamton, N.Y.
51M Jimmy Horton Neshanic Station, N.J.
53 Mike Gular Harleysville, Pa.
66 Bob Trapper Scranton, Pa.
71S Sammy Schaeffer Hamburg, Pa.
72 Jeff Ebersole Palmyra, Pa.
77 Doug Hoffman Allentown, Pa.
77 Bob Hamm Jr. Windsor, N.Y.
83B Josh Biever Landingville, Pa.
86 Kyle Strickler Sinking Spring, Pa.
88 Jeff Strunk Bethel, Pa.
88C Meme DeSantis Temple, Pa.
88C Tom Umbenhauer Richland, Pa.
88M Mike Jackson Addison, N.Y.
93 Bobby Varin Sharon Springs, N.Y.
93B Ryan Bartlett Adams, N.Y.
97 Jerry Higbie Jr. Slate Hill, N.Y.
99Z Dave Zona Montrose, Pa.
T102 Shawn Fitzpatrick Pottsville, Pa.
114 Doug Hendricks Orwigsburg, Pa.
117 Kevin Hirthler Green Lane, Pa.
118 Sean Merkel Boyertown, Pa.
119 Brian Malcolm Lake Ariel, Pa.
145 Alan Rudalavage Newton Lake, Pa.
213 Steve Walsh Hankins, N.Y.
357 Billy Pauch Frenchtown, N.J.


Brian Weaver Leads RoC South Brigade To Penn-Can Aug. 17
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - With 12 track championships and a pair of mini-series titles behind him, Brian Weaver knows how to get the job done when it comes time to count every point.

He'll have to put those skills to good use on Weds., Aug. 17 when the Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour decides its inaugural South Region champion at Pa.'s Penn-Can Speedway.

Weaver, of Windsor, N.Y., will lead a talent-laden RoC Dirt cast to the Susquehanna, Pa., three-eighths-mile for the midweek special, featuring a 75-lap, $4,000-to-win headliner, a clash of big-blocks vs. small-blocks, gasoline vs. alcohol and sail panels vs. windows. A $500 bonus will be paid to the first small-block across the line.

Race time for the highly-anticipated event is 7:15 p.m.

A six-time Penn-Can Modified champion (including the past four seasons) and the oval's current point leader, Weaver gets the nod for home-track advantage heading into the RoC Dirt South Region finale as he straps behind the wheel of Randy Decker's potent Wally Fiehl-powered No. 9R Bicknell.

The 41-year-old driver holds a 22-point edge on Pennsylvanian Jeff Strunk, the distinguished chauffeur of Chad Sinon's BPG Motorsports No. 88, himself a multi-time champion at Grandview and Big Diamond, the rough-and-tumble ovals of the NASCAR PA Dual-Track circuit.

And Strunk has proven he's no slouch at Penn-Can. A feature winner in limited starts at Al Wilcox and Reed Miller's facility in the past few seasons, the Bethel, Pa., star has his sights set on a RoC championship.

With big money and bigger pride on the line, Weaver and Strunk will fight tooth-and-nail to etch their name in the RoC Dirt history books, while recounting a controversial run-in during the track's 2003 "King of the Can" race.

Running one-two in that event's final lap, the two cars made contact sending Strunk, who had dominated the event, spinning. He then re-fired his car and made heavy contact with Weaver's car during the ensuing caution period.

Weaver and Strunk may be the headline-makers, but North Norwich, N.Y., driver Mitch Gibbs sits third, only one point behind Strunk in the point tally.

Bridgeport (N.J.)/Big Diamond hotshoe, "The Quaker Shaker" Rick Laubach and RoC Dirt North Region dominator Bobby Varin remain within striking distance in fourth and fifth, respectively.

Outside of the point battle, Penn-Can's field is sure to be chock-full of talent. Big Diamond Aug. 9 RoC winner Billy Pauch announced his intentions to bring Norm Hansell's No. 357 to the Can.

He'll be joined by Jimmy Horton, Frank Cozze, Mike Gular, Doug Manmiller, Alan Rudalavage, Joey Grammes, Meme DeSantis, Tom McGurrin, Mike Colsten, Jerry Higbie Jr., Carl Nagel, Billy Pauch Jr., Ryan Bartlett, J.R. Crouse and many more.

Race fans in attendance the event will be treated to an all open-wheel program, as the Sportsman will be featured in a $1,000-to-win, 30-lap All-Star Challenge.

The top four in the RoC Dirt Sportsman point standings and the top four from all RoC Dirt member tracks (Accord (N.Y.), Big Diamond, Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Fonda (N.Y.), Penn-Can and N.Y.'s Utica-Rome) along with The New Afton (N.Y.) Speedway and Thunder Mountain (N.Y.) Speedway will be guaranteed starters for the event.

A bonus will be paid for the highest-finishing three-man team of drivers representing their home track.

Sportsman technical questions should be directed to (607) 748-3322.

Adult admission is $17, Students/Seniors are $14 and Youth are $5. Both camping and parking are free.

The Race of Champions Dirt Modified and Sportsman Tours will visit Penn-Can Speedway on Sept. 16 -17 as part of the "King of the Can Weekend." The Modified portion will be the first of the combined races, which will serve to decide the overall RoC Dirt champ.

Penn-Can Speedway is located just minutes off I-81 Exit 230 (Great Bend) on Route 171. The track is also easily accessed from Route 17 Exit 79 (Windsor).

Penn-Can can be found on the web at www.penncan.com. The race day phone is (570) 853-3434. The track office can be reached at (570) 585-9928.

For more information on RoC Dirt, contact the office at (607) 238-0432 or visit the website at www.rocdirt.com


ROC Dirt Points - Modified - SOUTH After 8/9
BIG DIAMOND 6/7/05 FIVE MILE 7/13/05 BIG DIAMOND 8/9/05
Driver Total Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts

Weaver, Brian 9R 151 44 60 42 5
Strunk, Jeff 88 129 60 16 5 48
Gibbs, Mitch 22 128 42 5 55 26
Laubach, Rick 5 113 55 18 40
Varin, Bobby 93 105 16 48 5 36
Horton, Jimmy 42H 96 22 20 5 44 5
Hoffman, Doug 77 92 46 0 46
Bartlett, Ryan 50 87 23 34 30
Crouse, J.R. 4B 87 40 26 21
Gular, Mike 53 84 36 5 15 28
Cozze, Frank 44 83 40 38 5
Swinehart, Ray 33 82 48 0 34
VonDohren, Craig DR1 80 20 55 5
Manmiller, Doug 00 71 15 32 24
DeSantis, Meme 88C 70 50 5 15
Kinney, Paul 19K 67 30 19 18
Pauch, Billy 357 60 60
Fitzpatrick, Shawn T102 57 34 0 23
Hoffman, Keith 6SR 56 6 50
Shultz, Chris 24 56 28 28
Crawn, Jim J30 50 50
Ricci, Mike 17 49 44 5
Brightbill, Kenny 19 48 32 0 16
Holgate, Rick 6 47 42 5
Batzel, Joel 27 46 46
Colsten, Mike 51 45 8 15 22
Hirthler, Kevin 17 43 38 5 0
Pauch Jr, Billy 15 41 17 9 15
Higbie, Jerry 97 40 15 8 17
Ebersole, Jeff 72 39 7 32
Chrysler, Randy 21K 38 38
Knapp, Glenn 26 36 36
Rudalavage, Alan 145 35 30 5
Ostrowsky, Chris 29 34 24 0 10
Trapper, Bob 66 27 21 6
Strada, Ed 42 26 26 0
Davis, Barry 9D 25 19 6
Malcolm, Brian 119 25 10 15
Keehle, Jr, Rich 19 24 24
Walsh, Steve 213 23 23
Jackson, Mike 88M 22 22
Hendrickson Jr, Russ 21JR 21 21
Umbenhauer, Tom 88C 20 20
Strickler, Kyle 86 19 9 10
Merkel, Sean 118 19 19
Scagliotta, Rich 8 18 18
Savoie, Bob 18 17 17
Virkitis, Rick 77V 15 15
Watt, Ryan 14W 15 15
Reppert, Jim 7JR 15 15
Balthaser, Travis 11D 10 10
Biever, Josh 83 10 10
Grim Ryan 17T 10 10
Hendricks, Doug 10 10
Bunker, Marty 42 9 9
Schaeffer, Sammy 71S 9 9
Sechrist, Jeff 42 9 9
Grbac, Chris 47G 8 8
Hatt, Ken 2H 8 8
McGurrin, Tom 4 8 8
Hamilton, Jason 16 7 7
Hamm Jr., Bob 77 7 7
Harris, Ed 28 7 7
Zona, Dave 99Z 7 7
Wagner, Dana 25W 6 6
Gervasi, Tom 0 5 5
Hildebrant, George 18 5 5
LaGrange, Pierre 11 5 5
Weaver, Chris 1A 5 5
White, Eddie 20 5 5


ROC Dirt Points - Sportsman After 8/9
PENN CAN 5/30/05 BIG DIAMOND 6/28/05 FIVE MILE 7/13/05 BIG DIAMOND 8/9/05
Driver Total Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts Feature Heat Pts DNQ Pts

Slade, Arnie 22B 217 55 5 55 5 32 60 5
Hamilton, Jason 15 209 50 50 5 44 55 5
Weiss, Kyle 21K 182 48 40 48 46
Geiges, Jeff 77J 152 21 21 55 5 50
Decker, Brian 9B 151 60 5 38 30 18
Grim, Brad 611 147 34 32 5 60 16
Walker, Shaun 21 144 44 19 42 5 34
Horton IV, Jimmy 43 126 10 44 46 26
Creeden, Danny 16X 124 32 5 30 15 42
Doty, Frank 71D 109 19 28 36 5 21
Brightbill, Brad 19 103 48 5 22 28
Whitmoyer, Craig 99 84 5 60 19
Hendricks, Doug 8 84 36 48
Loney, Mike 17D 82 7 9 34 32
Rutt, Ricky 57 80 5 18 19 38
Titus, Ken 9T 78 38 40
Miller, Andy 1/64 76 6 24 10 36
Konopka, Alex 14 71 40 5 26
Ketcham, Mike 9K 61 28 7 21 5
Apgar, Tim 98 61 26 30 5
Farina, Louis 044 60 5 15 40
Masiado, Joe 43M 56 34 17 5
Lippincott, Larry 515 56 26 10 20
Raisner, Rick R14 55 30 20 5
Bates, Kevin 42B 51 46 5
Puckett, Brian 41 50 50
Wagner, Luke 3 48 15 18 15
Brennan, Tom 26 46 46
Lilick, Bob 76 44 44
Tonkin Jr, Garth 176 42 42
Lyons, Mike M1 42 42
Mammana, Mike 71 38 38
Zemken, Jessica 1Z 36 16 20
Mill, Rick 77M 36 36
Stravinsky, Gene 7A 33 23 10
McGrew, Derrick 17 33 28 5
Jagger, Dusty 48 33 9 24
Bush, David 13 33 8 10 15
Boyer, Brent 19 31 9 22
Kline, Jesse 59J 29 6 23
Harrington, E.J. 17B 29 7 22
Fayash Jr, Andy 157 28 22 6
Mills, Shawn 71 25 10 15
Wescott Jr, Sam 51 24 24
Miller, Jarrad 917 24 24
Rooney, Paul 54 23 18 5
Olsommer, Ryan 51Z 23 23
Vard, R. 11 23 23
Colsten, Joey 151 22 7 15
Tanner IV, Billy 91 20 20
Lartz, Mike 42L 20 7 8 5
Deemer, Ray 25 20 5 10 5
Holt, Jeremy 74 19 9 10
Cremer, Tom 39 19 5 8 6
Weiland, Greg 1450 17 17
Palmer, Eric 12E 17 17
Moyer Jr., Billy 17 17 8 9
Barker, Alan 57B 17 17
Renninger, Corey KT3 16 16
Forte Jr., Mark M40 16 16
Umbenhauer, Jordan 19U 15 15
Fisher, Freddie 95 15 15
Deckelman, Bill 1 15 15
Klinger, Butch 9K 10 10
Grim, Ryan 17T 10 5 5
Beach, Kevin 712 10 10
Taylor, Michael 2T 9 9
Pierce, Cliff 7 9 9
Herman, Daryl 73 9 9
Still, Keith 97 8 8
MacTavish, Boyd 9 8 8
Beierle, Josh 34J 8 8
Snyder, Lowell 39B 8 8
Miller, Don 144 8 8
White, Brian 56 7 7
Stankiewicz, Rich 2 7 7
Morris, James 13 7 7
Floyd Jr, Warren 8JR 7 7
Zimmerman, Russ 71 6 6
Jablonka, Shane 44X 6 6
Herman, Marc 3H 6 6
Folk, Bubba 19 6 6
Lilick, Brian Z28 6 6
Yoemans, Ladd 59 5 5
Whitney, Rick 5 5
Votra, Tim 11T 5 5
Stangle, John 6 5 5
Scagliotta, Rich 8 5 5
Leindecker, John 61 5 5
James, Chris 71J 5 5
Howe, Jeremy 5 5
Evans Jr, Bruce 5 5
Brown, Rick 5 5
Donaruma, Ben 35 5 5


Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour
Official Finish: South Region Race No. 3/Big Diamond Raceway (8-9-05)


Car # Driver/Hometown Start
1 357 Billy Pauch/Frenchtown, N.J. (2)
2 DR1 Craig Von Dohren/Oley, Pa. (6)
3 5H Keith Hoffman/Whitehall, Pa. (12)
4 88 Jeff Strunk/Bethel, Pa. (18)
5 77 Doug Hoffman/Allentown, Pa. (14)
6 51M Jimmy Horton/Neshanic Station, N.J. (11)
7 9R Brian Weaver/Windsor, N.Y. (8)
8 5 Rick Laubach/Quakertown, Pa. (22)
9 44 Frank Cozze/Wind Gap, Pa. (9)
10 93 Bobby Varin/Sharon Springs, N.Y. (5)
11 33 Ray Swinehart/Bechtelsville, Pa. (7)
12 72 Jeff Ebersole/Palmyra, Pa. (4)
13 93 Ryan Bartlett/Adams, N.Y. (27)
14 53 Mike Gular/Harleysville, Pa. (21)
15 2G Mitch Gibbs/North Norwich, N.Y. (19)
16 00 Doug Manmiller/Wyomissing, Pa. (15)
17 T102 Shawn Fitzpatrick/Pottsville, Pa. (1)
18 51 Mike Colsten/Binghamton, N.Y. (25)
19 4B J.R. Crouse/Nazareth, Pa. (24)
20 88C Tom Umbenhauer/Richland, Pa. (16)
21 118 Sean Merkel/Boyertown, Pa. (23)
22 19K Paul Kinney/Oneida, N.Y. (10)
23 97 Jerry Higbie Jr./Slate Hill, N.Y. (3)
24 119 Brian Malcolm/Lake Ariel, Pa. (20)
25 19 Kenny Brightbill/Sinking Spring, Pa. (17)
26 7Jr. Jimmy Reppert Jr./Hamburg, Pa. (13)
27 1K Billy Pauch Jr./Frenchtown, N.J. (26)

Entries: 29
Lap leaders: Fitzpatrick (1-12), Pauch (13-75)
Heat winners: Horton, Cozze, Weaver, Von Dohren
Consi winners: Gular
Guaranteed Starters Race winner: Pauch Jr.

Did Not Qualify:
86 Kyle Strickler/Sinking Spring, Pa.
114 Doug Hendricks/Orwigsburg, Pa.


Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour
Official Finish: Race No. 4/Big Diamond Raceway (8-9-05)


Car # Driver/Hometown Start
1 22B Arnie Slade/Mt. Upton, N.Y. (1)
2 15 Jason Hamilton/Erwinna, Pa. (11)
3 77J Jeff Geiges/Lawrenceville, N.J. (9)
4 8 Doug Hendricks/Orwigsburg, Pa. (8)
5 21K Kyle Weiss/Hamburg, Pa. (17)
6 76 Bobby Lilick/King of Prussia, Pa. (3)
7 16X Danny Creeden/Middletown, N.Y. (22)
8 044 Lou Farina/Philadelphia, Pa. (14)
9 57 Ricky Rutt/Phillipsburg, N.J. (21)
10 1/64th Andy Miller/Schuylkill Haven, Pa. (7)
11 21 Shaun Walker/Masonville, N.Y. (12)
12 17D Mike Loney/Taylor, Pa. (20)
13 98 Tim Apgar/Milford, N.J. (2)
14 19 Brad Brightbill/Sinking Spring, Pa. (13)
15 43 Jimmy Horton IV/Folsom, N.J. (24)
16 917 Jared Miller/Schuykill Haven, Pa. (6)
17 11 Rick Yard/Stockton, N.J. (19)
18 17B E.J. Harrington/Pittstown, N.J. (5)
19 71 Frank Doty/Middletown, N.Y. (25)
20 515 Larry Lippincott/Riegelsville, Pa. (18)
21 99 Craig Whitmoyer/Hamburg, Pa. (16)
22 74 Brian Decker/Susquehanna, Pa. (23)
23 43M Joe Masiado/Easton, Pa. (4)
24 611 Brad Grim/Coplay, Pa. (10)
25 3 Luke Wagner/Grantville, Pa. (15)

Entries: 40
Lap leaders: Slade (1-40)
Heat winners: Hamilton, Slade, Apgar, Bo. Lilick
Consi winners: Rutt, Creeden
Guranteed Starters Race winner: A. Miller

Did Not Qualify:
7A Gene Stravinsky/New Egypt, N.J.
712 Kevin Beach/Llewellyn, Pa.
73 Darrel Herman/Allentown, Pa.
17 Billy Moyer Jr./Pine Grove, Pa.
39B Lowell Snyder/Erwinna, Pa.
144 Don Miller/Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
13 James Morris/Riegelsville, Pa.
8Jr. Warren Floyd Jr./Milford, N.J.
Z28 Brian Lilick/King of Prussia, Pa.
39 Tom Cremer/Sinking Spring, Pa.
25 Ray Deemer/Phillipsburg, N.J.
17M Derrick McGrew/Ballston Spa, N.Y.
35 Ben Donaruma/Flemington, N.J.
42L Mike Lartz/Nicholson, Pa.
17T Ryan Grim/Laurys Station, Pa.


Pauch Snares Big Diamond RoC Win; Slade Tops Sportsman
By BRETT DEYO

MINERSVILLE, PA - The year of resurgence continues for Billy Pauch.
Turning around an off-key 2004, Pauch is back this season. He solidified his return to prominence Tuesday night at Big Diamond Raceway, where the Frenchtown, N.J., star won the Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour 75-lap event, race three of the Tour's South Region.
The $4,000 payday came in Pauch's first-ever RoC Dirt start.
"Yeah, it feels good," said Pauch, just three days removed from his sixth '05 victory at New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway, his Saturday night home track.
"We definitely had a good car tonight," he continued. "But it was tough in lapped traffic for sure."
Picking the outside pole in the post-qualifying redraw, Pauch took a back seat to polesitter Shawn Fitzpatrick early on.
Wheeling a Big D-legal car with a 9-to-1 small-block engine, the Pottsville, Pa., driver actually opened up a half-straightaway lead on Pauch, who settled into second.
Disaster struck the upset-minded Fitzpatrick on lap 12, however.
Brian Malcolm's No. 119 slowed dramatically as he was attempting to return to the pit area. Running amidst a pack of slower cars, Fitzpatrick made contact with Malcolm, puncturing his right-front tire and bringing out the caution.
Fitzpatrick's misfortune handed the lead to Pauch.
"We were going down the frontstretch and I saw the car slow up and said 'whoa,'" reflected Pauch. "I got on the brakes and went for the bottom. He (Fitzpatrick) just got into it. I drove right through."
While Pauch led driving Norm Hansell's Doug Meyers-powered Bicknell No. 357, a stout Craig Von Dohren entered the picture, running second after starting sixth.
Several restarts throughout the mid-portion of the event kept Von Dohren in contention. But the Oley, Pa., driver turned up the wick in the final 25 laps.
With Pauch mired in a pack of lapped traffic, Von Dohren erased his advantage, driving the No. DR1.
By lap 56, Von Dohren was there.
"I was running the top," Pauch said. "The lapped cars, a lot of them were running up there in the loose stuff and kicking up dust. Where I was on the track, it was getting hard to see my groove.
"Those guys (the lapped cars) were racing one another. They weren't staying in one line at all."
Von Dohren made his final run on Pauch with five laps remaining. A group of slower cars occupying the inside of the speedway actually aided Pauch, who kept his car wound up in the three-eighths-mile oval's upper groove.
Ultimately, Pauch held off Von Dohren by three car-lengths, picking up his first Big D victory since July 25, 2003.
"I saw somebody stick the nose in there once or twice," Pauch said of his tussle with Von Dohren. "In the end there, the lapped cars worked out, cause I needed them to block the track on the bottom."
Von Dohren, 41, in his 26th season of competition, settled for a $2,250 runner-up finish.
"It was a matter of who got there (to the lead) first," said Von Dohren, making a return to Big D after he was suspended from Friday-night competition for two weeks. "I think we were about the same speed.
"With the way the lapped traffic was running, we had to follow him a little bit."
Keith Hoffman of Whitehall, Pa., raced from 12th to finish third, taking the spot on lap 66 with the Bashore No. 5.
"I don't know if we had anything for those guys (Pauch and Von Dohren)," Hoffman said. "They were rolling the top pretty good.
"We came a long ways, maybe a caution at the end would've given us a shot."
Bethel, Pa.'s Jeff Strunk rallied from 18th starting position to finish fourth in the BPG Motorsports No. 88 and Doug Hoffman of Allentown, Pa., bounced back from a lap-18 trip off the backstretch for fifth.
Heat winners for the 29 Modifieds in attendance were Jimmy Horton, Frank Cozze, Brian Weaver and Von Dohren. Mike Gular won the consolation.
New Yorker Arnie Slade is taking a liking to Big Diamond Raceway.
The Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway regular followed up a runner-up finish in his first start at the Minersville oval in June with a victory in his second trip. Mt. Upton, N.Y.'s Slade topped the 40-lap RoC Dirt Sportsman event.
He picked up $1,000 for the win in the fourth event of the '05 Tour.
"I really like this place," said Slade, who extended his RoC point lead - albeit slightly - with the victory. "It's great to come to a different track and win. It definitely feels good as a driver."
Slade's win didn't come easily. Eleventh-starter Jason Hamilton emerged in second by lap 12 and turned up the heat following a restart with five laps remaining.
Hamilton ducked low on several occasions, but Slade repelled each attempt en route to his first RoC victory.
Hamilton settled for second, ahead of a hard-charging Jeff Geiges, who rebounded for third after several early-race scrapes. Doug Hendricks and Kyle Weiss filled out the front five.
Sportsman heat winners included Hamilton, Slade, Tim Apgar and Bob Lilick. Ricky Rutt and Danny Creeden split the consolations. 40 Sportsman entered the event.
Kevin Holland of Pine Grove, Pa., topped the 15-lap Roadrunner feature.
Guaranteed Starters Race winners were Billy Pauch Jr. (Modified) and Andy Miller (Sportsman).

BIG D NOTES: Pauch became the first driver to win RoC events on both dirt and asphalt. The versatile driver won the 1993 Sunoco Race of Champions at New Jersey's Flemington Speedway....
The $500 small-block bonus went to Doug Hoffman, driving the Dennis "Moose" Eisenhard 9-to-1 No. 77....
Weather was a factor in the Andrew Harpell-promoted event. Dark clouds hung over the speedway and a brief shower moved over just past 6 p.m. A decent crowd turned out despite the conditions....
Tom Umbenhauer drove the Rick Clay No. 88C normally piloted by Meme DeSantis. Blood poisoning kept DeSantis out of the seat - he was released from the hospital on Tuesday morning....
A seventh-place finish allowed Brian Weaver to maintain RoC South Region point lead heading into the Aug. 17 event at Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway....
Rick Laubach put on a stirring drive up the outside groove in the Dieter Schmidt No. 5. The Quakertown, Pa., driver started 22nd and finished eighth....

RoC Dirt Modified Feature Finish (South Region Race No. 3): BILLY PAUCH, Craig Von Dohren, Keith Hoffman, Jeff Strunk, Doug Hoffman, Jimmy Horton, Brian Weaver, Rick Laubach, Frank Cozze, Bobby Varin, Ray Swinehart, Jeff Ebersole, Ryan Bartlett, Mike Gular, Mitch Gibbs, Doug Manmiller, Shawn Fitzpatrick, Mike Colsten, J.R. Crouse, Tom Umbenhauer, Sean Merkel, Paul Kinney, Jerry Higbie Jr., Brian Malcolm, Kenny Brightbill, Jimmy Reppert Jr., Billy Pauch Jr.
Did Not Qualify: Kyle Strickler, Doug Hendricks.

RoC Dirt Sportsman Feature Finish (Event No. 4): ARNIE SLADE, Jason Hamilton, Jeff Geiges, Doug Hendricks, Kyle Weiss, Bobby Lilick, Danny Creeden, Lou Farina, Ricky Rutt, Andy Miller, Shaun Walker, Mike Loney, Tim Apgar, Brad Brightbill, Jimmy Horton IV, Jared Miller, Rick Yard, E.J. Harrington, Frank Doty, Larry Lippincott, Craig Whitmoyer, Brian Decker, Joe Masiado, Brad Grim, Luke Wagner.
Did Not Qualify: Gene Stravinsky, Kevin Beach, Darrel Herman, Billy Moyer Jr., Lowell Snyder, Don Miller, James Morris, Warren Floyd Jr., Brian Lilick, Tom Cremer, Ray Deemer, Derrick McGrew, Ben Donaruma, Mike Lartz, Ryan Grim.

Roadrunner Feature Finish: KEVIN HOLLAND, Dave Miller, Tom Hablett, Tory Jenkins, Jason Sherman, Kevin Beach, Cory Sechrist, Eric Pinkerton, Jeremy Becker.


Harpell To Promote RoC Doubleheader At Big Diamond
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - Running two regional touring series and a thriving Saturday night dirt track would be exhausting to most.

Not to Andrew Harpell.

The 36-year-old Harpell added more ammunition to his promotional arsenal this past weekend when he inked a deal to promote the Tues., Aug. 9 Race of Champions Dirt doubleheader at Big Diamond Raceway in Minersville, Pa.

Harpell, the RoC Dirt administrative director, will lease the three-eighths-mile Coal Region facility from the Roehrig family for the event, which will feature race three of the RoC Dirt Modified Tour's South Region, the fourth event of the RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour and a midweek special for Big D's Roadrunner class.

The Modifieds will compete in a 75-lapper paying $4,000-to-win, while a $1,000 top prize will be offered for the Sportsman 40-lap main. Race time is 7:30 p.m. Adult admission is $20.

"I'm excited to have the opportunity to work out a deal like this with Fritz and JoAnn Roehrig. They have an excellent facility," said Harpell, who is the promoter of N.Y.'s Five Mile Point Speedway and also runs the Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Tour.

"I'm anticipating an excellent show at Big Diamond and I'm looking forward more opportunities like this in the future."

Brian Weaver of Windsor, N.Y., (104), the winner of the July 13 RoC stop at Five Mile Point, holds a two-point edge over Mitch Gibbs (102) in the RoC Dirt Modified South Region point battle.

They will fight it out for the point lead in a field that will include Frank Cozze, Jeff Strunk, Kenny Brightbill, Doug Manmiller, Bobby Varin, Jerry Higbie Jr., Rick Laubach, Mike Gular, Ryan Bartlett, Meme DeSantis, Jimmy Horton, Billy Pauch Jr. and more.

A large Sportsman field is also expected to descend on Big D, with top point men Arnie Slade (152) and Jason Hamilton (149) separated by three points.

There will be a random draw held rewarding one Big Diamond Sportsman regular in attendance a $250 bonus. All the names of the Big D regulars on hand will be entered into the draw, and one name will be picked to receive the extra cash.

The RoC Dirt Modified South Region opened at Big Diamond on June 7, with Strunk taking the win in a 75-lap that was slowed by only two cautions. Rick Laubach, Meme DeSantis, Ray Swinehart and Doug Hoffman rounded out the top five.

Former champion Craig Whitmoyer of Hamburg, Pa., won the Sportsman event on June 28 over Slade and Hamilton. Well over 40 cars signed in to compete in the event.

For more information on the RoC Dirt Tour, visit the website at www.rocdirt.com or contact the RoC office at (607) 238-0432.

RACE OF CHAMPIONS DIRT MODIFIED TOUR - SOUTH REGION EVENT #3 TUESDAY, AUGUST 9TH - BIG DIAMOND RACEWAY - MINERSVILLE, PA 17954

Location: In Forestville, PA just NW of Minersville, PA and Pottsville, PA

Heading South On I-81: Take Exit 116 (Old #35) Minersville, follow Rt. 901 East (to Minersville) 4 miles-to Primrose, turn right, through Forestville 2 miles, track on left

Heading North on I-81: Take Exit 104 (Old #32) Ravine, Right at end of ramp stop. Left at next stop, follow Rt. 125 to Tremont, right at stop, take Rt 209 North to Branchdale, Bear left entering town, then left at stop, 3 miles, track on right.

From Interstate 78: Take Rt.61, 183, or 419 North to Rt. 209, 209 South to Rt 901 West. Follow Rt. 901 thru Minersville to Primrose, turn left at Forestville to track on left. To bypass town of Minersville use alternate route - while on 209 S./ 901 W., turn left at Turkey Hill onto 209 South. Follow 209 South to Branchdale, bearing left at next stop sign in Llewellyn. In Branchdale, take 1st right, track is 3.3 miles on right.

Speedway Phone: Track office: (570) 544-6434 - Fax: (570) 544-6720
Race of Champions: Office: (607) 238-0432 - Fax: (607) 775-3393 or 3417
Race of Champions Website: www.rocdirt.com
Speedway Website: www.bigdiamondraceway.com
Pit Fees: $30
Pit Gates Open: 5:00 p.m.
Grandstand Prices: $20 for Adults
Grandstand Gates: 5:30 p.m.
Practice: 6:50 p.m.
Race Time: 7:30 p.m.
Entry Info: Pre- race entry (received prior to August 6th): Mods - early: $15/late: $20
Sportsman - early: $10/late: $15
Qualifying Heats:
TENTATIVE ORDER - Modified Heats, RR Heats, Sportsman Heats, Modified
Consolation(s), RR 15 Feature, Sportsman Consolations, Modified 75, Sportsman 40.
Modified Feature: 75 laps - cautions to count between laps 25 and 50 (no more than 5 caution laps will be logged in a row).
Tire Information:
Both Modified and Sportsman Tire rules
Tire Options: American Racer Compounds: Right Rear Compound: 48 minimal softness (may use 50 compound); Left Rear Compound: 44 minimal softness; May use minimum 33 front tire compounds.
For tire information please call: Hoffman Bros. Speed and Performance at (610) 760-6274 or (610) 760-2946.
General Race Rules: The standard for motor, body, chassis and safety rules are based on '04 DIRT rules.
Weight Info: Big-block Modifieds - min. 2,500 lbs no tolerance ('04 DIRT legal); Small-block Modifieds - min. 2,400 lbs. no tolerance ('04 DIRT legal); Big Diamond/Grandview 9-to-1 small blocks - min. 2,400 lbs. no tolerance; any other small block combination must weigh a min. 2,500 lbs. no tolerance. NO mixing and matching of rules.


Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour North Region Point Standings (After Fonda 7-27-05)

Driver Total
Varin, Bobby 1J 190
Gibbs, Mitch 22G 152
Johnson, Ronnie 2 146
Higbie, Jerry 97 121
Pepicelli, Tony 11A 108
Johnson, Jack 12A 107
Decker, Willy 1X 97
Weaver, Brian 9R 94
Barney, Jason 39 78
Palmer, Alton 76 77
Bartlett, Ryan 93 75
Odasz, Ryan 88 71
Lape, Dave 22 70
Trombley, Jeff 21J 60
Christian, Jamie 61 59
Lamb, Ted 82 59
Pennock, Jerry 11 58
Romano, AJ 16 57
Johnson, Alan 14J 55
Camara, Dave 26 51
Reckner, Elmo 17 50
Crouse, JR 4B 49
Schmidt, Gus 30 47
Burley, Todd 62 47
Hanson, Craig 20C 47
Davis, James 73 44
Nelson, Erik 85 43
DeLorenzo, Matt 3D 43
McCreadie, Bob 9 41
VanHorn, Dave 71 39
Zemken, Ray 1 39
Vedder, Robert 53 39
Mattison, Don 10 38
Osta, Billy 22 37
Marsh Sr., John 73 35
Fusco, Michael 33F 33
Kinney, Paul 19K 31
Ostrowsky, Chris 29 28
Akers, Steve 27A 26
Schultz, Chris 24 22
Jensen, Paul 57 21
Ramsey, John 25R 18
Morey, Todd M2 17
Snyder, Randy 72 16
Kotary, Jeff 3 16
Pieneazek, Josh 44 16
Hanson, Ken 20 15
Clemons, Tim 10% 15
Holmes, Ron 71 14
Clair, Mario 22 10
Matthies, Jeremy 99 10
McGuire, Ken 16 10
Marsh Jr., John 23 10
Farone, Tony 18 9
Davis, James 73 9
Colsten, Mike 51 8
Ricci, Rich 55 8
Orr, David 5 8
Tily, Mark 12 8
Perry, Robert 74 8
Duncan, Joe 70 8
Hindley, Tim 20C 7
Wetmore Jr, Donnie 3W 7
Flach, Jr, Mark 77F 7
Bachetti, Andy 4 7
Bennett, Cass 72 6
Harris, Ed 28 6
Zona, Dave 99Z 5
Munson, Jeremiah 51 5
McGrew, Derrick 26 5
Mack, Eric O6 5
Wilson, Bill 7 5
Purdy, Dustin 82 5
Hunsinger, Rodney O 5
Kolka, Michael 25 5
Elms, C.V. 6 5


Race of Champions Dirt Mod Tour North Region Roster
Updated After Fonda (7-27-05)


Car Number Driver Hometown
0 Rodney Hunsinger Scranton, Pa.
1J Bobby Varin Sharon Springs, N.Y.
1X Willy Decker Vernon, N.Y.
1Z Ray Zemken Sprakers, N.Y.
2 Ronnie Johnson Duanesburg, N.Y.
2G Mitch Gibbs North Norwich, N.Y.
M2 Todd Morey Bromseen, Vt.
3 Jeff Kotary Rome, N.Y.
3D Matt DeLorenzo Vorheesville, N.Y.
3W Donnie Wetmore Jr. Weedsport, N.Y.
4 Andy Bachetti Sheffield, Mass.
4B J.R. Crouse Nazareth, Pa.
5 David Orr Oneida, N.Y.
06 Eric Mack Perth, N.Y.
6 C.V. Elms North Haverhill, N.H.
7 Bill Wilson Ramsey, N.J.
9 Bob McCreadie Watertown, N.Y.
9D Barry Davis Accord, N.Y.
9R Brian Weaver Windsor, N.Y.
10 Don Mattison Wells, Vt.
10% Tim Clemons Gloversville, N.Y.
11A Tony Pepicelli Princetown, N.Y.
11J Jerry Pennock Jr. Warrensburg, N.Y.
12 Mark Tily Jamesville, N.Y.
12A Jack Johnson Duanesburg, N.Y.
14J Alan Johnson Phelps, N.Y.
15 A.J. Romano Johnstown, N.Y.
16 A.J. Romano Johnstown, N.Y.
16 Ken McGuire Troy, N.Y.
17 Elmo Reckner Ballston Lake, N.Y.
18 Tony Farone Rotterdam, N.Y.
19K Paul Kinney Oneida, N.Y.
20 Ken Hanson Tribes Hill, N.Y.
20C Craig Hanson Tribes Hill, N.Y.
20H Tim Hindley Monticello, N.Y.
21J Jeff Trombley Altamont, N.Y.
22 Dave Lape Canajoharie, N.Y.
22B Billy Osta Schenectady, N.Y.
22C Mario Clair St-Edmond, Quebec
22G Mitch Gibbs North Norwich, N.Y.
23 John Marsh Jr. Johnstown, N.Y.
24 Chris Shultz Holmes, N.Y.
25 Mike Kolka Jr. Middletown, N.Y.
25R John Ramsey Rome, N.Y.
26 Dave Camara Fair Haven, Vt.
26 Jerry Higbie Jr. Slate Hill, N.Y.
27A Steve Akers Altamont, N.Y.
26M Derrick McGrew Ballston Spa, N.Y.
28 Ed Harris Harpersfield, N.Y.
28 Ron Holmes Oneida, N.Y.
29 Chris Ostrowsky Conklin, N.Y.
30 Gus Schmidt Liverpool, N.Y.
33F Mike Fusco Amsterdam, N.Y.
39 Jason Barney Constantia, N.Y.
44 Josh Pieniazek Rotterdam, N.Y.
51 Mike Colsten Binghamton, N.Y.
51M Jeremiah Munson Ephratah, N.Y.
53 Bob Vedder Schoharie, N.Y.
55 Rich Ricci Jr. New Paltz, N.Y.
57 Paul Jensen Edmeston, N.Y.
61 Jamie Christian West Winfield, N.Y.
62 Todd Burley Spencerport, N.Y.
70 Joe Duncan Medusa, N.Y.
71 David Van Horn Jr. Harmony, N.J.
71 Ron Holmes Oneida, N.Y.
72C Cass Bennett Mechanicville, N.Y.
72VT Randy Snyder Fultonville, N.Y.
72VT Mike Fusco Amsterdam, N.Y.
73 Jim Davis Ballston Spa, N.Y.
73 John Marsh Johnstown, N.Y.
74 Robert Perry Broadalbin, N.Y.
76 Alton Palmer Howes Cave, N.Y.
77F Mark Flach Jr. Coxsackie, N.Y.
82 Ted Lamb Clay, N.Y.
82 Dustin Purdy Delhi, N.Y.
85 Erik Nelson Amsterdam, N.Y.
87 Jason Barney Constantia, N.Y.
88 Ryan Odasz Ballston Spa, N.Y.
93 Ryan Bartlett Adams, N.Y.
97 Jerry Higbie Jr. Slate Hill, N.Y.
99 Jeremy Matthies Germantown, N.Y.
99Z Dave Zona Montrose, Pa.


Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour
Official Finish: North Region Race No. 3/Fonda Speedway (7-27-05)


Car # Driver/Hometown Start
1 1J Bobby Varin/Sharon Springs, N.Y. (2)
2 22G Mitch Gibbs/North Norwich, N.Y. (8)
3 22 Dave Lape/Canajoharie, N.Y. (11)
4 88 Ryan Odasz/Ballston Spa, N.Y. (12)
5 12A Jack Johnson/Duanesburg, N.Y. (4)
6 2 Ronnie Johnson/Duanesburg, N.Y. (7)
7 15 A.J. Romano/Johnstown, N.Y. (6)
8 26 Jerry Higbie Jr./Slate Hill, N.Y. (9)
9 3D Matt DeLorenzo/Voorheesville, N.Y. (19)
10 9 Bob McCreadie/Watertown, N.Y. (1)
11 73D Jim Davis/Ballston Spa, N.Y. (3)
12 20C Craig Hanson/Tribes Hill, N.Y. (5)
13 11A Tony Pepicelli/Princetown, N.Y. (18)
14 72VT Mike Fusco/Amsterdam, N.Y. (13)
15 9R Brian Weaver/Windsor, N.Y. (14)
16 76 Alton Palmer/Howe's Cave, N.Y. (15)
17 87 Jason Barney/Constantia, N.Y. (10)
18 11J Jerry Pennock Jr./Warrensburg, N.Y. (17)
19 27A Steve Akers/Altamont, N.Y. (16)
20 17 Elmo Reckner/Ballston Lake, N.Y. (23)
21 82 Ted Lamb/Clay, N.Y. (21)
22 53 Bobby Vedder/Schoharie, N.Y. (22)
23 M2 Todd Morey/Bromseen, Vt. (20)
24 1Z Ray Zemken/Sprakers, N.Y. (26)
25 93 Ryan Bartlett/Adams, N.Y. (24)
26 4B J.R. Crouse/Nazareth, Pa. (25)

Entries: 33
Lap leaders: Varin (1-50)
Heat winners: McCreadie, Hanson, Higbie, Lape
Consi winners: Lamb, Vedder

Did Not Qualify:
23 John Marsh Jr./Johnstown, N.Y.
73 John Marsh Sr./Johnstown, N.Y.
85 Erik Nelson/Amsterdam, N.Y.
74 Robert Perry/Broadalbin, N.Y.
44 Josh Pieniazek/Rotterdam, N.Y.
70 Joe Duncan/Medusa, N.Y.
24 Chris Shultz/Holmes, N.Y.


Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour Updated Point Standings (After Five Mile Point 7-13-05)

Driver Total
Slade, Arnie 22B 152
Hamilton, Jason 15 149
Weiss, Kyle 21K 136
Decker, Brian 9B 133
Grim, Brad 611 131
Walker, Shaun 21 110
Geiges, Jeff 77J 102
Horton IV, Jimmy 43 100
Doty, Frank 71D 83
Creeden, Danny 16X 82
Titus, Ken 9T 78
Brightbill, Brad 19 75
Konopka, Alex 14 71
Whitmoyer, Craig 65
Ketcham, Mike 9K 61
Raisner, Rick R14 55
Bates, Kevin 42B 51
Loney, Mike 17D 50
Puckett, Brian 41 50
Brennan, Tom 26 46
Tonkin Jr, Garth 176 42
Lyons, Mike M1 42
Rutt, Ricky 57 42
Miller, Andy 1/64 40
Mammana, Mike 71 38
Mill, Rick 77M 36
Zemken, Jessica 1Z 36
Hendricks, Doug 8 36
Lippincott, Larry 515 36
Masiado, Joe 43M 34
Bush, David 13 33
Wagner, Luke 3 33
Jagger, Dusty 48 33
Boyer, Brent 19 31
Mills, Shawn 71 30
Kline, Jesse 59J 29
Fayash Jr, Andy 157 28
McGrew, Derrick 17 28
Apgar, Tim 98 26
Wescott Jr, Sam 51 24
Olsommer, Ryan 51Z 23
Rooney, Paul 54 23
Stravinsky, Gene 7A 23
Colsten, Joey 151 22
Tanner IV, Billy 91 20
Farina, Louis 044 20
Holt, Jeremy 74 19
Barker, Alan 57B 17
Weiland, Greg 1450 17
Palmer, Eric 12E 17
Renninger, Corey KT3 16
Forte Jr., Mark M40 16
Deemer, Ray 25 15
Fisher, Freddie 95 15
Umbenhauer, Jordan 19U 15
Deckelman, Bill 1 15
Lartz, Mike 42L 15
Cremer, Tom 39 13
Klinger, Butch 9K 10
Taylor, Michael 2T 9
Pierce, Cliff 7 9
Still, Keith 97 8
MacTavish, Boyd 9 8
Moyer Jr., Billy 17 8
Beierle, Josh 34J 8
Stankiewicz, Rich 2 7
White, Brian 56 7
Harrington, E.J. 17B 7
Zimmerman, Russ 71 6
Herman, Marc 3H 6
Folk, Bubba 19 6
Jablonka, Shane 44X 6
Votra, Tim 11T 5
Brown, Rick 5
Howe, Jeremy 5
Whitney, Rick 5
Evans Jr, Bruce 5
Leindecker, John 61 5
Scagliotta, Rich 8 5
Stangle, John 6 5
Grim, Ryan 17T 5
James, Chris 71J 5
Yoemans, Ladd 59 5


Varin's Phone Call Leads To Fonda RoC Victory
By BRETT DEYO

FONDA, NY - One phone call made the difference for Bobby Varin.

When his Jake and Nancy Spraker-owned No. 1J Bicknell wasn't performing to his liking during the pre-feature hot lap session, Varin dialed up Bicknell's Randy Williamson for a consultation.

The result was a dominant victory in Wednesday night's caution-free Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour 50-lap main at Fonda Speedway.

The 34-year-old Varin is now three-for-three in the Tour's North Region after winning at Fonda on April 9 and Utica-Rome (N.Y.) Speedway on May 8.

"We made a call to Bicknell right before the feature," Varin said. "After hot laps (run following the Mod consolations), I wasn't happy with the way the car was running. It was a little loose. I told Randy on the phone I thought we had a decent car, but not the car to win.

"He suggested the changes based on the way I told him the car was handling. We trusted him and the car felt great.

"You're only as good as the horse you ride," Varin smiled. "We've got a good one."

The Sharon Springs, N.Y., talent outgunned polesitter Bob McCreadie to take the lead before the first lap could be scored. Using his potent JPM big-block powerplant to its full potential, Varin set a blazing pace in the half-mile oval's tacky outside groove.

While Varin pulled away, Jack Johnson slid into second on lap four and Mitch Gibbs took third with 20 circuits complete.

By the time Varin reached the halfway mark, the battle on the track was for second. He had amassed a full straightaway lead.

"I wanted to try different lines, but the way we were going, I didn't want to differentiate from where we were," Varin said. "I didn't know how big of a lead I had. The lapped cars were good tonight. They got down out of the way, much better than a Saturday night."

Driving Lance Kenyon's Enders-powered No. 22G big-block, Gibbs turned up the wick as the race wore on, pressuring Johnson. On lap 29, Gibbs, who started eighth, made his move for second in turn two.

With 20 circuits remaining, Ryan Odasz and Dave Lape, who started together in row six, made it a four-car battle for the runner-up spot.

Just 10 laps from the finish, Gibbs' car began to falter. Man-handling the ailing mount with no power steering and wisps of smoke showing from a leaking rear-end, the North Norwich, N.Y., driver tucked the car down to the inside.

Lape, Fonda's defending Modified champion, took fourth from Odasz on lap 45. Two laps later, he worked by Johnson and set his sights on Gibbs.

Switching lanes in his familiar Bicknell-chassied No. 22, Lape actually nosed into second on the outside in turn one with 48 laps complete, but Gibbs found a patch of moisture down low in the second turn, surging ahead on the backstretch.

Varin handily took the checkered, collecting a $4,000 payday and extending his points lead, while Gibbs held on for second in an admirable effort.

"The power steering started going in and out when I passed Jack (on lap 29)," said the 42-year-old Gibbs. "It seemed like a hundred laps. I'm in pretty good shape, but that was tough. I couldn't feel my fingers or anything.

"I was holding off the dogs in the last 10 laps. I just slowed way down so I could steer it. I said 'I may as well go to the bottom where I could get some bite.' That's how I held off Dave (Lape with two-to-go). I got in a tacky patch out of turn two."

Gibbs, who classified the $2,250 second-place finish as a "good points night," felt he had a car that could have challenged for the win given the right circumstances.

"I think we had a strong car," Gibbs continued. "I definitely had a car that was capable of running with Varin."

Lape, 58, of Canajoharie, N.Y., matched his season-best finish in third with the Malcuit big-block-powered ride.

"I think the car just came on," Lape said. "It actually felt better the further we went.

"I really thought I could've gotten by him (Gibbs), but every time I got a shot, I'd run up on a lapped car or another car would be in the way. This year, we've been struggling with the switch to the American Racer tires.

"I'm happy with third."

Ryan Odasz of Ballston Spa, N.Y., was fourth and Duanesburg, N.Y.'s Jack Johnson rounded out the top five.

Thirty-three cars entered the event. Heat winners were Bob McCreadie, Craig Hanson, Jerry Higbie Jr. and Dave Lape. Bobby Vedder and Ted Lamb split the consolations.

Fonda RoC Notes: The buzzword in the pit area was rain. Dark clouds circled the speedway and a brief shower hit just before the gates opened at 4 p.m., but Fonda remained dry.

According to promoter Ric Lucia, it was raining in Schenectady, Albany, Syracuse, Troy and almost the entire surrounding area....

The caution-free 50-lap feature took 18 minutes, 8 seconds to run. All 26 starters finished the event....

Track conditions were ideal: smooth, tacky and racy....

A.J. Romano picked up the $500 small-block bonus driving a John Grant-powered '04 Bicknell owned by brother Mike. It is the car Romano drives on Friday nights at N.Y.'s Albany-Saratoga Speedway.

"We've been struggling bad with the big-block at Fulton (N.Y.)," said Romano, 42, of Johnstown, N.Y. "I wanted to be here, so Mike said 'Why don't we take the small-block?' We just missed on the set-up, but I'm happy."

Romano's seventh-place finish was worth $1,150....

Jerry Higbie Jr. was at the wheel of the Camara Slate No. 26 for the night.

Slate Hill, N.Y.'s Higbie was scaling his own car at his shop on Tuesday night when he got the call from Dan Camara, the brother/crew chief for Dave, who is out of commission due to a pinched nerve in his neck.

Higbie, who finished eighth, said PMC's Pete Chuckta made the connection. Higbie runs a PMC car in 358-Modified action at Orange County (N.Y.) Fair Speedway and the Camara team recently made the switch to PMC....

A fourth-place finish was rewarding for Ryan Odasz after he demolished his No. 88 two weeks earlier in a hard crash at Fonda. The 26-year-old thanked Finish Line Welding, who installed a front and rear clip on the Teo-Pro car.

"Only the cockpit is the same," noted Odasz, who said he felt "much more comfortable" in the RoC show than the previous Saturday's feature....

Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour Finish (North Region Race No. 3): BOBBY VARIN, Mitch Gibbs, Dave Lape, Ryan Odasz, Jack Johnson, Ronnie Johnson, A.J. Romano, Jerry Higbie Jr., Matt DeLorenzo, Bob McCreadie, Jim Davis, Craig Hanson, Tony Pepicelli, Mike Fusco, Brian Weaver, Alton Palmer, Jason Barney, Jerry Pennock Jr., Steve Akers, Elmo Reckner, Ted Lamb, Bobby Vedder, Todd Morey, Ray Zemken, Ryan Bartlett, J.R. Crouse.

Did Not Qualify: John Marsh Jr., John Marsh Sr., Erik Nelson, Robert Perry, Josh Pieniazek, Joe Duncan, Chris Shultz.


Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour South Region Points (After July 13 at Five Mile Point Speedway)
Next Event for South Region - Tuesday, August 9 - Big Diamond Raceway

Driver Total
Weaver, Brian 9R 104
Gibbs, Mitch 22 102
Strunk, Jeff 88 81
Laubach, Rick 5 73
DeSantis, Meme 88C 70
Varin, Bobby 93 69
Crouse, J.R. 4B 66
Bartlett, Ryan 50 57
Gular, Mike 53 56
Shultz, Chris 24 56
Crawn, Jim J30 50
Kinney, Paul 19K 49
Ricci, Mike 17 49
Swinehart, Ray 33 48
Horton, Jimmy 42H 47
Manmiller, Doug 00 47
Holgate, Rick 6 47
Hoffman, Doug 77 46
Batzel, Joel 27 46
Hirthler, Kevin 17 43
Cozze, Frank 44 40
Chrysler, Randy 21K 38
Knapp, Glenn 26 36
Rudalavage, Alan 145 35
Fitzpatrick, Shawn T102 34
Ostrowsky, Chris 29 34
Brightbill, Kenny 19 32
Trapper, Bob 66 27
Strada, Ed 42 26
Pauch Jr, Billy 15 26
Davis, Barry 9D 25
Keehle, Jr, Rich 19 24
Higbie, Jerry 97 23
Colsten, Mike 51 23
Walsh, Steve 213 23
Jackson, Mike 88M 22
Hendrickson Jr, Russ 21JR 21
VonDohren, Craig DR1 20
Scagliotta, Rich 8 18
Savoie, Bob 18 17
Watt, Ryan 14W 15
Virkitis, Rick 77V 15
Biever, Josh 83 10
Balthaser, Travis 11D 10
Malcolm, Brian 119 10
Grim Ryan 17T 10
Schaeffer, Sammy 71S 9
Sechrist, Jeff 42 9
Strickler, Kyle 86 9
Bunker, Marty 42 9
Hatt, Ken 2H 8
McGurrin, Tom 4 8
Grbac, Chris 47G 8
Hamilton, Jason 16 7
Ebersole, Jeff 72 7
Zona, Dave 99Z 7
Hamm Jr., Bob 77 7
Hoffman, Keith 6SR 6
Hildebrant, George 18 5
Weaver, Chris 1A 5
White, Eddie 20
Wagner, Dana 25W
Gervasi, Tom 0
Harris, Ed 28
LaGrange, Pierre 11


Bobby Varin Leads RoC Dirt Mod Tour North Region To Fonda
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - Can anyone stop Bobby Varin?

That's the question Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour teams will look to answer on Wed., July 27 when the North Region of the RoC Dirt Tour makes its second trip of the '05 season to Fonda (N.Y.) Speedway.

Fans will be treated to a 50-lap soiree involving RoC Dirt's best, who will challenge Fonda regulars and Capital District invaders for a $4,000 top prize plus a healthy $500 bonus for the highest finishing small-block in race three of the Tour's North Region.

Racing is scheduled to get underway at 7 p.m. Pit gates open at 4 p.m. and front gates open at 5 p.m. Grandstand admission is $15.

The full-fendered excitement of the Fonda Street Stocks will complete the Coors Light/Morris Ford Mercury-sponsored program at the half-mile oval.

Varin bested a field of 58 to win the inaugural RoC Dirt event on April 9 at "The Track of Champions." Alan Johnson, 22nd-starter Jerry Higbie Jr., Tony Pepicelli and Mitch Gibbs trailed Varin's Jake Spraker-owned No. 1J at the finish of the 50-lap showdown, contested under sunny skies.

The Sharon Springs, N.Y., talent made it two straight RoC Dirt North victories on May 8 at Utica-Rome (N.Y.) Speedway, taking the checkered first in the 66 1/2-lap "Mother's Day Special." Local favorite Willy Decker, a hard-charging Jason Barney, Ronnie Johnson and Mitch Gibbs rounded out the top five.

Varin, who tops Fonda's championship battle, leads the North Region standings with 130 points over Ronnie Johnson (102), Gibbs and Decker (97) and Tony Pepicelli (78).

A banner field of big- and small-block Modifieds is expected to tow past Fonda's famed "Cow Palace," led by RoC Dirt stars Varin, Jack and Ronnie Johnson, Gibbs, Brian Weaver, Jerry Higbie Jr., Pepicelli, Chris Shultz, Jason Barney, Ryan Bartlett, Decker and Paul Kinney.

Legendary Bob McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., has filed an entry for the Fonda event. It will mark his first-ever start in RoC competition. McCreadie is a past winner at Ric Lucia's fairgrounds oval, and will be a chief contender for RoC glory.

Fonda hotshoes expected to challenge the invaders include Jimmy Davis, a two-time '05 winner in Fonda big-block action after jumping up from the Sportsman ranks, Ryan Odasz, Dave Lape, Matt DeLorenzo, Ray Zemken, Craig Hanson and many more.

Invaders from nearby Lebanon Valley (N.Y.) Speedway and Albany-Saratoga (N.Y.) Speedway are expected to take part in the midweek special.

"Our first event at Fonda was excellent, even in daytime conditions," said RoC Dirt administrative director Andrew Harpell. "Under the lights, it should be a fast-paced show with quick lap times and a lot of passing.

"It will be a 'must-see' for race fans!"

Pre-entry forms are available for race teams on the official Race of Champions Dirt Tour website: www.rocdirt.com under "Registration." Questions can be directed to the Race of Champions Dirt office at (607) 238-0432.

Fonda Speedway is located one mile off New York State Thruway Exit 28. For more information on Fonda Speedway, contact the speedway office (from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) by phone at (518) 382-3115 or visit the website: www.fondaspeedway.com. The race day phone is (518) 853-4235.


RACE OF CHAMPIONS DIRT MODIFIED TOUR - NORTH REGION EVENT No. 3 RACE INFORMATION
WEDNESDAY, JULY 27: FONDA SPEEDWAY - FONDA, NY

Location: One mile off New York State Thruway (I-90) in Fonda, N.Y.
Speedway Phone: Track office: (518) 853-4235 or business: (518) 382-3115
Speedway Website: www.fondaspeedway.com
Pit Fees: $25 with membership, $30 without membership
Pit Gates Open: 4:00 p.m.
Grandstand Prices: $15
Grandstand Gates: 5:00 p.m.
Practice: 6:00 p.m.
Race Time: 7:00 p.m.

Entry Info: Pre-race entry (received prior to July 25): $15. Entry after above date: $20
Qualifying Heats: Modified only qualifying events.
Modified Feature: 50 green flag laps

Tire Information: American Racer only. Right Rear - Minimum softness - 48 compound; Left Rear - Minimum softness - 44 compound; Right Front - Any American Racer Tire; Left Front - Any American Racer Tire. For tire information please call: Jumpin' Jacks Speed Shop at (518) 355-5314.

General Rules: The standard for motor, body, chassis and safety rules are
based on '04 DIRT rules.

Weight Info: Big-block Modifieds - min. 2,500 lbs no tolerance. ('04 DIRT legal);
Small-block Modifieds - min. 2,400 lbs. no tolerance. ('04 DIRT legal); Big Diamond/Grandview 9-to-1 small blocks - min. 2,400 lbs. no tolerance; Any other small-block combination must weigh a min. 2,500 lbs. no tolerance. NO mixing and matching of rules.

For more information please contact the Race of Champions office at (607) 238-0432 or log on to www.rocdirt.com.


Race of Champions Dirt Mod Tour South Region Roster
Updated After Five Mile Point (7-13-05)


Car Number Driver Hometown
00 Doug Manmiller Wyomissing, Pa.
Zer0 Tom Gervasi Madison Township, Pa.
1A Chris Weaver Binghamton, N.Y.
DR1 Craig Von Dohren Oley, Pa.
1K Billy Pauch Jr. Frenchtown, N.J.
2G Mitch Gibbs North Norwich, N.Y.
2H Kenny Hatt Sinking Spring, Pa.
4 Tom McGurrin Newton Lake, Pa.
4B J.R. Crouse Nazareth, Pa.
5 Rick Laubach Quakertown, Pa.
6 Rick Holgate Kingsley, Pa.
6 Sr. Keith Hoffman Whitehall, Pa.
8 Rich Scagliotta Bound Brook, N.J.
9D Barry Davis Accord, N.Y.
9R Brian Weaver Windsor, N.Y.
11 Pierre LaGrange Mongaup Valley, N.Y.
11D Travis Balthaser Bernville, Md.
14W Ryan Watt Pottstown, Pa.
15 Billy Pauch Jr. Frenchtown, N.J.
16 Jason Hamilton Erwinna, Pa.
17 Mike Ricci Rosendale, N.Y.
17T Ryan Grim Laurys Station, Pa.
18 Bob Savoie Broadalbin, N.Y.
18H George Hildebrant Nazareth, Pa.
19 Kenny Brightbill Sinking Spring, Pa.
19 Rich Keehle Jr. Windsor, N.Y.
19K Paul Kinney Oneida, N.Y.
20 Eddie White Candor, N.Y.
21Jr. Russ Hendrickson Jr. Harpursville, N.Y.
21K Randy Chrysler Lewiston, N.Y.
22G Mitch Gibbs North Norwich, N.Y.
24 Chris Shultz Holmes, N.Y.
25W Dana Wagner Trout Creek, N.Y.
26 Glenn Knapp Johnson City, N.Y.
27 Joel Batzel Vestal, N.Y.
28H Ed Harris Harpersfield, N.Y.
29 Chris Ostrowsky Conklin, N.Y.
J30 Jim Crawn LeRaysville, Pa.
33 Ray Swinehart Bechtelsville, Pa.
42 Ed Strada Jr. South Canaan, Pa.
42B Marty Bunker Conklin, N.Y.
42H Jimmy Horton Neshanic Station, N.J.
42S Jeff Sechrist Womelsdorf, Pa.
44 Frank Cozze Wind Gap, Pa.
47G Chris Grbac Iselin, N.J.
50 Ryan Bartlett Adams, N.Y.
51 Mike Colsten Binghamton, N.Y.
51M Jimmy Horton Neshanic Station, N.J.
53 Mike Gular Harleysville, Pa.
66 Bob Trapper Scranton, Pa.
71S Sammy Schaeffer Hamburg, Pa.
72 Jeff Ebersole Palmyra, Pa.
77 Doug Hoffman Allentown, Pa.
77 Bob Hamm Jr. Windsor, N.Y.
83B Josh Biever Landingville, Pa.
86 Kyle Strickler Sinking Spring, Pa.
88 Jeff Strunk Bethel, Pa.
88C Meme DeSantis Temple, Pa.
88M Mike Jackson Addison, N.Y.
93 Bobby Varin Sharon Springs, N.Y.
93B Ryan Bartlett Adams, N.Y.
97 Jerry Higbie Jr. Slate Hill, N.Y.
99Z Dave Zona Montrose, Pa.
T102 Shawn Fitzpatrick Pottsville, Pa.
117 Kevin Hirthler Green Lane, Pa.
119 Brian Malcolm Lake Ariel, Pa.
145 Alan Rudalavage Newton Lake, Pa.
213 Steve Walsh Hankins, N.Y.


Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour Driver Roster
Updated After Five Mile Point (7-13-05)


Car Number Driver Hometown
1/64th Andy Miller Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
1 Bill Deckelman Fremont Center, N.Y.
M1 Mike Lyons Monroe Township, N.J.
1Z Jessica Zemken Sprakers, N.Y.
2 Rich Stankiewicz Laureldale, Pa.
2T Michael Taylor Milford, N.J.
3 Luke Wagner Grantville, Pa.
3H Marc Herman Windsor, N.J.
KT3 Corey Renninger Llewellyn, Pa.
6 John Stangle Neshanic Station, N.J.
7 Cliff Pierce Spencer, N.Y.
7A Gene Stravinsky New Egypt, N.J.
8 Rich Scagliotta Bound Brook, N.J.
8 Doug Hendricks Orwigsburg, Pa.
9B Brian Decker Susquehanna, Pa.
9G Boyd MacTavish Fenwick, Ontario
9K Mike Ketcham Otisville, N.Y.
9KL Butch Klinger Walton, N.Y.
9T Ken Titus Kirkwood, N.Y.
11T Tim Votra Marathon, N.Y.
12E Eric Palmer Cresco, Pa.
13 David Bush Accord, N.Y.
14 Alex Konopka Gouldsboro, Pa.
R14 Rick Raisner Easton, Pa.
15 Jason Hamilton Erwinna, Pa.
16 Rick Brown Dalton, Pa.
16 David Bush Accord, N.Y.
16X Danny Creeden Middletown, N.Y.
17 Derrick McGrew Ballston Spa, N.Y.
17 Billy Moyer Jr. Pine Grove, Pa.
17B E.J. Harrington Pittstown, N.J.
17D Mike Loney Taylor, Pa.
17T Ryan Grim Laurys Station, Pa.
19 Bubba Folk Hallstead, Pa.
19 Brent Boyer Bloomsburg, Pa.
19B Brad Brightbill Sinking Spring, Pa.
19U Jordan Umbenhauer Richland, Pa.
21 Shaun Walker Masonville, N.Y.
21K Kyle Weiss Hamburg, Pa.
22B Arnie Slade Mt. Upton, N.Y.
25 Ray Deemer Phillipsburg, N.J.
26 Tom Brennan Pottsville, Pa.
34J Josh Beierle Newfoundland, Pa.
39 Tom Cremer Sinking Spring, Pa.
M40 Mark Forte Jr. Haddon Township, N.J.
41 Brian Puckett Old Forge, Pa.
42 Mike Lartz Nicholson, Pa.
42B Kevin Bates Lake Ariel, Pa.
43 Jimmy Horton IV Folsom, N.J.
43M Joe Masiado Easton, Pa.
044 Lou Farina Philadelphia, Pa.
44X Shane Jablonka Poughquag, N.Y.
48 Dusty Jagger Port Crane, N.Y.
51 Sam Wescott Jr. Grenloch, N.J.
51Z Ryan Olsommer Waymart, Pa.
54 Paul Rooney Thompson, Pa.
56 Brian White Candor, N.Y.
57 Ricky Rutt Phillipsburg, N.J.
57B Alan Barker Norwich, N.Y.
58 Jeremy Howe Binghamton, N.Y.
59 Ladd Yeomans Swan Lake, N.Y.
59J Jesse Kline Bangor, Pa.
60 Bruce Evans Jr. Greenfield Township, Pa.
61 John Leindecker Allentown, Pa.
71 Mike Mammana Nazareth, Pa.
71 Russ Zimmerman Tunkhannock, Pa.
71D Frank Doty Middletown, N.Y.
71J Chris James Mahrsville, Pa.
71M Shawn Mills Windsor, N.Y.
74 Jeremy Holt Kirkwood, N.Y.
77 Scott Brady Whitney Point, N.Y.
77J Jeff Geiges Lawrenceville, N.J.
77M Rick Mill New Windsor, N.Y.
91 Billy Tanner IV Newtown, Pa.
95 Freddie Fisher Sinking Spring, Pa.
97 Keith Still Middletown, N.Y.
98 Tim Apgar Milford, N.J.
99 Craig Whitmoyer Hamburg, Pa.
114 Rick Whitney Montrose, Pa.
151 Joey Colsten Binghamton, N.Y.
157 Andy Fayash Jr. Mary-D, Pa.
176 Garth Tonkin Jr. Carbondale, Pa.
515 Larry Lippincott Riegelsville, Pa.
611 Brad Grim Coplay, Pa.
1450 Greg Weiland Port Carbon, Pa.


Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour
Official Finish: Race No. 3/Five Mile Point Speedway (7-13-05)


Car # Driver/Hometown Start
1 611 Brad Grim/Coplay, Pa. (7)
2 77J Jeff Geiges/Lawrenceville, N.J. (1)
3 41 Brian Puckett/Old Forge, Pa. (2)
4 21K Kyle Weiss/Hamburg, Pa. (14)
5 43 Jimmy Horton IV/Folsom, N.J. (19)
6 15 Jason Hamilton/Erwinna, Pa. (20)
7 21 Shaun Walker/Masonville, N.Y. (3)
8 9 Ken Titus/Kirkwood, N.Y. (28)
9 71 Mike Mammana/Nazareth, Pa. (29)
10 71D Frank Doty/Middletown, N.Y. (5)
11 17D Mike Loney/Taylor, Pa. (25)
12 22B Arnie Slade/Mt. Upton, N.Y. (11)
13 9B Brian Decker/Susquehanna, Pa. (24)
14 17 Derrick McGrew/Ballston Spa, N.Y. (30)
15 14 Alex Konopka/Gouldsboro, Pa. (16)
16 48 Dusty Jagger/Port Crane, N.Y. (13)
17 59J Jesse Kline/Bangor, Pa. (21)
18 19B Brad Brightbill/Sinking Spring, Pa. (4)
19 9K Mike Ketcham/Otisville, N.Y. (10)
20 R14 Rick Raisner/Easton, Pa. (9)
21 57 Ricky Rutt/Phillipsburg, N.J. (12)
22 3 Luke Wagner/Grantville, Pa. (27)
23 12E Eric Palmer/Cresco, Pa. (15)
24 M40 Mark Forte Jr./Haddon Township, N.J. (8)
25 151 Joey Colsten/Binghamton, N.Y. (6)
26 16X Danny Creeden/Middletown, N.Y. (22)
27 1 Bill Deckelman/Fremont Center, N.Y. (23)
28 044 Lou Farina/Philadelphia, Pa. (18)
29 71M Shawn Mills/Windsor, N.Y. (17)
30 16 David Bush/Accord, N.Y. (26)

Entries: 41
Lap leaders: Puckett (1-12), Geiges (13-29), Grim (30-40)
Heat winners: Walker, Raisner, Mills, Geiges, Ketcham
Consi winners: Kline, Creeden
Guranteed Starters Race winner: Loney

Did Not Qualify:
515 Larry Lippincott/Riegelsville, Pa.
17B E.J. Harrington/Pittstown, N.J.
1/64th Andy Miller/Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
19 Bubba Folk/Hallstead, Pa.
44X Shane Jablonka/Poughquag, N.Y.
34J Josh Beierle/Newfoundland, Pa.
56 Brian White/Candor, N.Y.
42L Mike Lartz/Nicholson, Pa.
59 Ladd Yeomans/Swan Lake, N.Y.
7 Cliff Pierce/Spencer, N.Y.
74 Jeremy Holt/Kirkwood, N.Y.


Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour
Official Finish: South Region Race No. 2/Five Mile Point Speedway (7-13-05)


Car # Driver/Hometown Start
1 9R Brian Weaver/Windsor, N.Y. (22)
2 2G Mitch Gibbs/North Norwich, N.Y. (23)
3 J30 Jim Crawn/LeRaysville, Pa. (12)
4 93 Bobby Varin/Sharon Springs, N.Y. (7)
5 27 Joel Batzel/Vestal, N.Y. (2)
6 17 Mike Ricci/Rosendale, N.Y. (4)
7 6 Rick Holgate/Kingsley, Pa. (3)
8 44 Frank Cozze/Wind Gap, Pa. (18)
9 21K Randy Chrysler/Lewiston, N.Y. (21)
10 26 Glenn Knapp/Johnson City, N.Y. (5)
11 93B Ryan Bartlett/Adams, N.Y. (14)
12 00 Doug Manmiller/Wyomissing, Pa. (28)
13 145 Alan Rudalavage/Newton Lake, Pa. (6)
14 24 Chris Shultz/Holmes, N.Y. (9)
15 4B J.R. Crouse/Nazareth, Pa. (24)
16 19 Rich Keehle Jr./Windsor, N.Y. (25)
17 213 Steve Walsh/Hankins, N.Y. (1)
18 88M Mike Jackson/Addison, N.Y. (16)
19 21Jr. Russ Hendrickson Jr./Harpursville, N.Y. (19)
20 51M Jimmy Horton/Neshanic Station, N.J. (8)
21 19K Paul Kinney/Oneida, N.Y. (27)
22 5 Rick Laubach/Quakertown, Pa. (26)
23 18 Bob Savoie/Broadalbin, N.Y. (10)
24 88 Jeff Strunk/Bethel, Pa. (11)
25 77V Rick Virkitis/Carbondale, Pa. (20)
26 51 Mike Colsten/Binghamton, N.Y. (17)
27 53 Mike Gular/Harleysville, Pa. (15)
28 88C Meme DeSantis/Temple, Pa. (13)

Entries: 48
Lap leaders: Batzel (1-15), Horton (16-20), Ricci (21), Horton (22-39), Weaver (40-75)
Heat winners: Ricci, Horton, Holgate, Rudalavage, Strunk, Varin
Consi winners: Hendrickson, Virkitis, Chrysler

Did Not Qualify:
119 Brian Malcolm/Lake Ariel, Pa.
17T Ryan Grim/Laurys Station, Pa.
29 Chris Ostrowsky/Conklin, N.Y.
1K Billy Pauch Jr./Frenchtown, N.J.
86 Kyle Strickler/Sinking Spring, Pa.
42 Marty Bunker/Conklin, N.Y.
97 Jerry Higbie Jr./Slate Hill, N.Y.
4 Tom McGurrin/Newton Lake, Pa.
99Z Dave Zona/Montrose, Pa.
47G Chris Grbac/Iselin, N.J.
66 Bobby Trapper/Scranton, Pa.
9D Barry Davis/Accord, N.Y.
77 Bob Hamm Jr./Windsor, N.Y.
18 George Hildebrant/Nazareth, Pa.
1A Chris Weaver/Binghamton, N.Y.
20 Eddie White/Candor, N.Y.
25W Dana Wagner/Trout Creek, N.Y.
Zer0 Tom Gervasi/Madison Twship, Pa.
28H Ed Harris/Harpersfield, N.Y.
11 Pierre LaGrange/Mongaup Valley, N.Y.


Weaver Makes Hometown Fans Proud With FMP RoC Win
By BRETT DEYO

KIRKWOOD, NY - Brian Weaver thrilled the hometown crowd last Wednesday night at Five Mile Point Speedway.
The FMP regular from nearby Windsor, N.Y., conquered a talent-laden Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour field at the Kirkwood quarter-mile, topping the second race of the Tour's South Region.
Weaver picked up $4,000 for the triumph in the 75-lap contest, scoring his first-ever RoC win and second consecutive checkered at the Point.
"It's pretty special when we can win one of these at our home track," an enthused Weaver commented. "For years and years, I came here or to Penn-Can (Pa.) as a kid and the locals always got beat by the high-dollar teams in the specials.
"We're proud of the team we've got here. It's really neat to beat some of the teams with a lot more money than we've got."
Piloting Randy Decker's No. 9R, the 41-year-old started 22nd after qualifying through the first consolation. Taking advantage of six caution periods in the first 10 laps, Weaver charged forward. By the 13th circuit, he cracked the top five, as outside polesitter Joel Batzel led from the outset.
"A couple wrecks took out quite a few cars. We were fortunate to make it through some of the problems in (turns) three and four there early on. We were also fortunate to start on the outside, because the outside line was much faster.
"I think I passed four or five cars on every time I had an outside start. I was pretty surprised at how quickly we got to the front."
While Weaver advanced, Neshanic Station, N.J.'s Jimmy Horton emerged as the class of the field. Wheeling the Chris Wasson-owned No. 51M Bicknell, Horton found a home in the extreme outside groove, taking second from Mike Ricci on lap 15. One lap later, he drove around Batzel with ease to take command.
With the exception of a lap-20 restart when Ricci momentarily snatched the top spot, Horton looked untouchable.
That all changed in lapped traffic on lap 38. Horton grazed a three-car tangle that occurred in turn four, directly in the path of the leaders.
As he circled the speedway under yellow, the car's left-rear wheel was clearly pushed back into the quarter panel. The contact chewed the spindle bolts and spun the birdcage, ending Horton's night.
The benefactor: Weaver, who had taken second from Ricci on lap 25 in the Decker Logging Bicknell, carrying a 413 c.i. powerplant built by Wally Fiehl.
"We were fortunate that Horton dropped out because he was smokin' fast," Weaver said. "I knew it (Horton's car) was broke and I said 'Man I don't think he can go much longer.' Right after that, he pulled in."
Horton's misfortune didn't just hand Weaver an easy victory.
He had to contend with Mitch Gibbs, a former track champion who sliced through the field from 23rd starting spot.
When the race restarted on lap 41, Gibbs initiated a relentless assault on Weaver, running high and low in his Nice 'n Easy Grocery Shoppes No. 2G. Gibbs momentarily pulled even with Weaver in turn four on lap 49, but Weaver's outside momentum carried him back to the lead out of turn two.
A key move for Weaver came on lap 63.
The multi-time Penn-Can (Pa.)/Thunder Mountain (N.Y.) champion squeezed between a pair of lapped cars on the frontstretch, giving himself momentary breathing room on Gibbs, who couldn't complete the same maneuver.
"I heard a car and I saw a flash of a nose and I said to myself 'I better start running a little harder,'" Weaver said. "I was taking it a little easy before I saw his (Gibbs') nose.
"That deal in lapped traffic (on lap 63) was cool. You've got to be lucky to get the waters to part like that. Those cars split and I found some room there."
Rebounding from a flat left-rear tire on lap three, Jim Crawn joined the lead fight, taking third on lap 65 and running down the lead duo.
With two laps remaining, Gibbs made a bid up high on Weaver, simultaneously opening the low line for Crawn, who looked to take second away.
As the battle for second heated up, Weaver crossed the stripe with a three car-length lead to score the popular victory.
North Norwich, N.Y.'s Gibbs narrowly edged out Crawn for the runner-up spot, driving a Moshier small-block-powered '05 Bicknell that hadn't seen action since a hard crash on April 15 at The New Afton (N.Y.) Speedway.
Gibbs, 42, collected $2,500 for second, but felt he had the better car in the closing circuits.
"Brian ran a smart race, but I think I had the better car," Gibbs remarked. "Those two accidents in turns three and four (in the race's first 10 laps) cost me. I was a little too conservative.
"I went way wide and lost a bunch of spots. I was actually by Brian once, but I lost a lot of ground there."
More importantly, Gibbs said Weaver's line prevented him from making a move.
"He was diamonding the corners. He was just running enough in my line that it was screwing me up. That one time he bobbled (lap 49) and got under him. He lost a little momentum there, but I couldn't get him."
Two-time champion Crawn drove Tom and Terry Coar's Clark-powered No. J30 to third. Seventh-starter Bobby Varin finished fourth in Ed Monger's No. 93 PMC mount and early leader Joel Batzel was fifth.
Forty-eight Modifieds signed in. Heat winners were Mike Ricci, Horton, Rick Holgate, Alan Rudalavage, Jeff Strunk and Bobby Varin. Russell Hendrickson Jr., Rick Virkitis and Randy Chrysler won the consolations.
Brad Grim notched his first career victory at FMP on May 14. After Wednesday night, he has a new career highlight.
The Coplay, Pa., third-generation driver won the 40-lap Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour companion event, recording the biggest victory of his budding career for a $1,000 payday.
Starting seventh in his Dirt Wheels-chassied No. 611, Grim patiently worked forward as Brian Puckett set a torrid early pace.
Garden State hotshoe Jeff Geiges swept into the lead on lap 13, powering by Puckett. Grim hounded Geiges until making his move on lap 29.
Entering turn three, Grim drove to the bottom, initiating slight contact as he motored by. From that point on, the 27-year-old marched on to the victory.
"We were both tight," Grim said of his duel with Geiges. "I got into him a little bit between three and four. My car just pushed up into him."
Geiges, of Lawrenceville, N.J., finished second, ahead of rookie Brian Puckett, Kyle Weiss and an impressive Jimmy Horton IV.
Sportsman heat winners included Shaun Walker, Rick Raisner, Shawn Mills, Geiges and Mike Ketcham. Jesse Kline and Danny Creeden split the consolations.
Mike Loney of Taylor, Pa., outdistanced David Bush to win the 10-lap Sportsman Guaranteed Starters Race.
The Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour North Region's third race is set for Weds., July 27 at Fonda Speedway in Fonda, N.Y. It will be the Tour's second stop at Fonda this season.
The Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour South Region and Dirt Sportsman Tour will resume on Tues., August 9 at Big Diamond Raceway in Minersville, Pa., with a huge double-header program.
For more information on RoC Dirt, contact the office at (607) 238-0432 or visit the website: www.rocdirt.com.

COUNTER POINTS: Former Mr. DIRT Sportsman champion Randy Chrysler made his first Five Mile Point start, towing four hours from Lewiston, N.Y., to compete in the RoC event.
A consolation winner, Chrysler ran a smooth race from 21st to finish ninth in his No. 21K Bicknell....
Batzel's fifth-place run came with a borrowed small-block engine from Doug's Speed Shop after the Vestal, N.Y., driver "cooked" his primary Enders powerplant on Saturday at FMP....
Rick Laubach, who entered the night second in RoC Dirt South points, had to use a provisional to make the feature field and retired to the infield on lap 23 with carburetor problems on Dieter Schmidt's No. 5....
Big Diamond (Pa.) RoC winner Jeff Strunk headed pitside early, the victim of the numerous tangles in the early laps....
Varin estimated it was his first FMP start in some 12 years. It was his first full race in the freshly-minted Magsarus ride after he was an early DNF at Big D....
Kudos to Jimmy Horton IV, who followed up a steady drive at Big Diamond on June 28 with a late rally to fifth in the Sportsman event, as the Folsom, N.J., teenager climbs the RoC point ladder....
Local favorite Glenn Knapp climbed into the top three early, but faded to 10th with a right-rear tire losing air....

Race of Champions Modified Tour South Region Race No. 2 Finish: BRIAN WEAVER, Mitch Gibbs, Jim Crawn, Bobby Varin, Joel Batzel, Mike Ricci, Rick Holgate, Frank Cozze, Randy Chrysler, Glenn Knapp, Ryan Bartlett, Doug Manmiller, Alan Rudalavage, Chris Shultz, J.R. Crouse, Rich Keehle Jr., Steve Walsh, Mike Jackson, Russell Hendrickson Jr., Jimmy Horton, Paul Kinney, Rick Laubach, Bob Savoie, Jeff Strunk, Rick Virkitis, Mike Colsten, Mike Gular, Meme DeSantis.
Did Not Qualify: Brian Malcolm, Ryan Grim, Chris Ostrowsky, Billy Pauch Jr., Kyle Strickler, Marty Bunker, Jerry Higbie Jr., Tom McGurrin, Dave Zona, Chris Grbac, Bobby Trapper, Barry Davis, Bob Hamm Jr., George Hildebrant, Chris Weaver, Eddie White, Dana Wagner, Tom Gervasi, Ed Harris, Pierre LaGrange.

Race of Champions Sportsman Tour Race No. 3 Finish: BRAD GRIM, Jeff Geiges, Brian Puckett, Kyle Weiss, Jimmy Horton IV, Jason Hamilton, Shaun Walker, Ken Titus, Mike Mammana, Frank Doty, Mike Loney, Arnie Slade, Brian Decker, Derrick McGrew, Alex Konopka, Dusty Jagger, Jesse Kline, Brad Brightbill, Mike Ketcham, Rick Raisner, Ricky Rutt, Luke Wagner, Eric Palmer, Mark Forte Jr., Joey Colsten, Danny Creeden, Bill Deckelman, Lou Farina, Shawn Mills, David Bush.
Did Not Qualify: Larry Lippincott, E.J. Harrington, Andy Miller, Bubba Folk, Shane Jablonka, Josh Beierle, Brian White, Mike Lartz, Ladd Yeomans, Cliff Pierce, Jeremy Holt.


Guaranteed Starters Races To Start Five Mile Point Speedway's RoC Double-Header On July 13
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - A pair of Guaranteed Starters Races will serve as the kick-off to Five Mile Point Speedway's anticipated Race of Champions Dirt Tour double-header this Weds., July 13.

A 10-lap Guaranteed Starters event for the RoC Dirt Modified South Tour will feature the drivers who failed to qualify for Big Diamond (Pa.) Raceway's "School's Out Special" 75-lapper on June 7.

The RoC Dirt Sportsman drivers on the DNQ list from Big Diamond's June 28 event, race two of the inaugural '05 Tour, will take part in a 10-lap Guaranteed Starters event as well.

Both races will offer two guaranteed starting positions for that night's feature, serving as a safety net for those drivers in the event that they encounter problems in their heat and/or consolation races.

A fast quarter-mile oval in Kirkwood, N.Y., Five Mile Point Speedway is set to host one of the summer's most exciting programs with the RoC midweek twinbill. Race time is 7:30 p.m.

For more information on Five Mile Point Speedway, a 55-year-old facility, contact the track office at (607) 775-5555 or visit the website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.

The Race of Champions Dirt Tour can be found on the web at: www.rocdirt.com.

RoC Dirt Modified Guaranteed Starters Race Lineup: Josh Biever, Travis Balthaser, Sammy Schaeffer, Jeff Sechrist, Ken Hatt, Mike Colsten, Jason Hamilton, Jeff Ebersole, Keith Hoffman.

RoC Dirt Sportsman Guaranteed Starters Race Lineup: David Bush, Ray Deemer, Mike Loney, Michael Taylor, Billy Moyer Jr., Tom Cremer, Mike Ketcham, Marc Herman, Rich Stankiewicz, John Leindecker, Andy Fayash Jr., John Stangle, Rich Scagliotta, Lou Farina, Ryan Grim, Chris James.


Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour South Region Points
After Big Diamond (June 7, 2005)


Driver Total
Strunk, Jeff 88 60
Laubach, Rick 5 55
DeSantis, Meme 88C 55
Swinehart, Ray 33 48
Gibbs, Mitch 22 47
Hoffman, Doug 77 46
Weaver, Brian 9R 44
Hirthler, Kevin 17 43
Gular, Mike 53 41
Crouse, J.R. 4B 40
Fitzpatrick, Shawn T102 34
Brightbill, Kenny 19 32
Kinney, Paul 19K 30
Shultz, Chris 24 28
Strada, Ed 42 26
Ostrowsky, Chris 29 24
Bartlett, Ryan 50 23
Horton, Jimmy 42H 22
Trapper, Bob 66 21
VonDohren, Craig DR1 20
Davis, Barry 9D 19
Scagliotta, Rich 8 18
Pauch Jr, Billy 15 17
Varin, Bobby 93 16
Higbie, Jerry 97 15
Watt, Ryan 14W 15
Manmiller, Doug 00 15
Biever, Josh 83 10
Balthaser, Travis 11D 10
Schaeffer, Sammy 71S 9
Sechrist, Jeff 42 9
Hatt, Ken 2H 8
Colsten, Mike 51 8
Hamilton, Jason 16 7
Ebersole, Jeff 72 7
Hoffman, Keith 6SR 6


RACE OF CHAMPIONS DIRT MODIFIED TOUR – SOUTH REGION EVENT NO. 2 WEDNESDAY, JULY 13 – FIVE MILE POINT SPEEDWAY – KIRKWOOD, NEW YORK

Location: 100 Francis Street, Kirkwood, NY 13795
Heading South On I-81 or 17 East from Elmira
Take Exit 2 on I-81 – (says Five Mile Point on Green highway sign) Immediately get into left hand lane and take first left onto Francis Street. Track is located up the road about a ˝ mile on right hand side of the street.
Heading North on I-81 from Scranton Area
Take Exit 2w (Industrial Park Exit) make first left hand turn onto Francis Street. Speedway is located up the road about a ˝ mile on right hand side of street.
Heading From Route 17W – Middletown
Take Exit 75 past Windsor, NY. (this exit is not an off ramp exit rather a merge). Road splits to the left. Once you have gone under the Exit 75 sign, take first left hand turn onto Francis Street. Speedway is located up the road about a ˝ mile on the right hand side of street.
Speedway Phone: Track office: (607) 775-5555/Fax: (607) 775-3417
Speedway Website: www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.
Pit Fees: $30
Pit Gates Open: 5 PM
Grandstand Prices: $20 for Adults – Two Adult Tickets for $35 (save $5)
Youth (ages 11-17) - $10; Seniors (62 and older) - $10
Kids 10 and younger always free!
Grandstand Gates: 5:30 PM Practice: 7:00 PM Race Time: 7:30 PM
Entry Info: Modified Pre- race entry (received prior to July 9th): $15
Entry after above date: $20 - Sportsman Entry: $10 and $15
Qualifying Heats: Modified Heats, Sportsman Heats, Modified Consolations, Sportsman Consolations, Track grooming – Modified Feature (75) Sportsman Feature (40).
Modified Feature: 75 laps – cautions to count between laps 30 and 50 (no more than 5 caution laps will be logged in a row).
Tire Information:
Tire Options: American Racer Compounds
Right Rear Compound: 48 minimal softness (may use 50 compound).
Left Rear Compound: 44 minimal softness.
May use minimum 33 front tire compounds.
For Tire Information please call: French’s Auto Parts (607) 774-4500.
General Race The standard for motor, body, chassis and safety rules are
Rules: based ’04 DIRT rules.
Weight Info: Big Block Modifieds – min. 2,500 lbs no tolerance. (’04 dirt legal)
Small Block Modifieds – min. 2,400 lbs. no tolerance. (’04 dirt legal)
Big Diamond/Grandview 9 to 1 small blocks – min. 2,400 lbs. no tolerance
Any other small block combination must weigh a min. 2,500 lbs. no tolerance
Sportsman – minimum of 2,400 lbs.
NO mixing and matching of rules.
For more information please contact the Race of Champions offices at (607) 238-0432 or log on to www.rocdirt.com.
Two-way radios are not permitted – the speedway frequency is 154.515 and will be operational. It is not mandatory to have the one-way frequency but is suggested if you already have an adjustable scanner.


Huge RoC Double-Header Set For July 13 At Five Mile Point
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - Five Mile Point Speedway is set to host one of the summer's biggest double-headers as the Race of Champions Dirt Modified and Sportsman talent head to the quarter-mile oval on Wednesday, July 13.

The RoC Dirt Modifieds will gun it out in a 75-lapper paying $4,000-to-win with a 40-lap RoC Sportsman feature on tap, offering $1,000 to the winner. Race time is 7:30 p.m.

The 55-year-old facility will once again play a major role in the Northeast Modified racing as the Race of Champions Dirt Tours invade Kirkwood, with South region Race No. 2 for the Modifieds and the third leg of the RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour.

This will mark the first-ever trip for RoC Dirt to the Southern Tier oval, but many of the area race fans are familiar with the Race of Champions name.

The Race of Champions Asphalt Modified Tour began at the nearby Tioga (N.Y.) Motorsports Park and has seen numerous area events at that facility and the Chemung (N.Y.) Speedrome.

Area race fans will be treated to one of the most diverse fields to assemble at any dirt speedway in the northeast this season.

The Modified event will be a South region point race but due to the speedway's central location, many of the top North region teams are set to invade as well.

The competition every Saturday night has been intense as there have been seven different winners in as many weeks in the Point's Modified division this season. Combine the local talent with the invaders and this will be a "must see" event.

"This will be huge," said RoC administrative director Andrew Harpell, also the owner and promoter of Five Mile Point. "I anticipate one of the largest turnouts to date for this show."

The first RoC South Region event took place at the Big Diamond (Pa.) Raceway on June 7 and the field was filled with all-star talent.

Multi-time Grandview (Pa.) Speedway/Big Diamond champion Jeff Strunk of Bethel, Pa., recorded the popular win and will make his return to Five Mile Point for the first time since 1995.

All of the top ten finishers from the Big Diamond "School's Out Special" are expected to visit the "Home Speedway of the Southern Tier." That list includes: Rick Laubach, Meme DeSantis, Ray Swinehart, Doug Hoffman, Brian Weaver, Mitch Gibbs, J.R. Crouse, Kevin Hirthler and Mike Gular.

Two-time RoC North region race winner Bobby Varin of Sharon Springs, N.Y., has already entered and is looking to make a strong return to the Point.

The "Sensational" Jimmy Horton will return for the first time since 1996 and his son Jimmy Horton IV will be making his first-ever FMP start in the Sportsman RoC 40. The younger Horton was impressive at Big Diamond, racing from 18th to finish sixth in Sportsman action.

Other notable drivers that were in action at Big Diamond in the RoC show include: Kenny Brightbill, Craig Von Dohren, Billy Pauch Jr., Jerry Higbie Jr., Keith Hoffman, Barry Davis, Ed Strada Jr. and more.

Five Mile Point Speedway continues to showcase one of the largest fields of big- and small-block Modifieds on a weekly basis with some of the most intense competition in recent memory. Weekly standouts like Jim Crawn, Brian Weaver, Rich Keehle Jr., J.R. Crouse and George Hildebrant will be looking to fight off the invading talent.

Large fields are expected for both events in what should be an efficient, two-division midweek program.

The RoC Sportsman Tour boasts its own brand of talent, with drivers like Brian Decker, Jason Hamilton, Jessica Zemken, Horton IV, Craig Whitmoyer, Arnie Slade, Shaun Walker, Danny Creeden, Mike Ketcham, Jeff Geiges and several others.

For additional information please contact the speedway offices at (607) 775-5555 or log on to www.fivemilepointspeedway.net for more.

Free parking and camping is always available, kids 10 years old and younger are always admitted free.
2005 Race of Champions Dirt Winners
Modified:
April 9 - Fonda Speedway/Fonda, N.Y. (North Race No. 1): Bobby Varin
May 8 - Utica-Rome Speedway/Vernon, N.Y. (North Race No. 2): Bobby Varin
June 7 - Big Diamond Raceway/Minersville, Pa. (South Race No. 1): Jeff Strunk

Sportsman:
May 30 - Penn-Can Speedway/Susquehanna, Pa. (Race No. 1): Brian Decker
June 28 - Big Diamond Raceway/Minersville, Pa. (Race No. 2): Craig Whitmoyer


Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour Driver Roster
Updated After Big Diamond (6-28-05)


Car Number Driver Hometown
1/64th Andy Miller Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
3 Luke Wagner Grantville, Pa.
M1 Mike Lyons Monroe Township, N.J.
1Z Jessica Zemken Sprakers, N.Y.
2 Rich Stankiewicz Laureldale, Pa.
2T Michael Taylor Milford, N.J.
3H Marc Herman Windsor, N.J.
KT3 Corey Renninger Llewellyn, Pa.
6 John Stangle Neshanic Station, N.J.
7A Gene Stravinsky New Egypt, N.J.
8 Rich Scagliotta Bound Brook, N.J.
8 Doug Hendricks Orwigsburg, Pa.
9B Brian Decker Susquehanna, Pa.
9G Boyd MacTavish Fenwick, Ontario
9K Mike Ketcham Otisville, N.Y.
9KL Butch Klinger Walton, N.Y.
9T Ken Titus Kirkwood, N.Y.
11T Tim Votra Marathon, N.Y.
13 David Bush Accord, N.Y.
14 Alex Konopka Gouldsboro, Pa.
R14 Rick Raisner Easton, Pa.
15 Jason Hamilton Erwinna, Pa.
16 Rick Brown Dalton, Pa.
16 David Bush Accord, N.Y.
16X Danny Creeden Middletown, N.Y.
17 Billy Moyer Jr. Pine Grove, Pa.
17D Mike Loney Taylor, Pa.
17T Ryan Grim Laurys Station, Pa.
19 Brent Boyer Bloomsburg, Pa.
19B Brad Brightbill Sinking Spring, Pa.
19U Jordan Umbenhauer Richland, Pa.
21 Shaun Walker Masonville, N.Y.
21K Kyle Weiss Hamburg, Pa.
22B Arnie Slade Mt. Upton, N.Y.
25 Ray Deemer Phillipsburg, N.J.
26 Tom Brennan Pottsville, Pa.
39 Tom Cremer Sinking Spring, Pa.
42 Mike Lartz Nicholson, Pa.
42B Kevin Bates Lake Ariel, Pa.
43 Jimmy Horton IV Folsom, N.J.
43M Joe Masiado Easton, Pa.
044 Lou Farina Philadelphia, Pa.
48 Dusty Jagger Port Crane, N.Y.
51 Sam Wescott Jr. Grenloch, N.J.
51Z Ryan Olsommer Waymart, Pa.
54 Paul Rooney Thompson, Pa.
57 Ricky Rutt Phillipsburg, N.J.
57B Alan Barker Norwich, N.Y.
58 Jeremy Howe Binghamton, N.Y.
59J Jesse Kline Bangor, Pa.
60 Bruce Evans Jr. Greenfield Township, Pa.
61 John Leindecker Allentown, Pa.
71 Russ Zimmerman Tunkhannock, Pa.
71D Frank Doty Middletown, N.Y.
71J Chris James Mahrsville, Pa.
71M Shawn Mills Windsor, N.Y.
74 Jeremy Holt Kirkwood, N.Y.
77 Scott Brady Whitney Point, N.Y.
77J Jeff Geiges Lawrenceville, N.J.
77M Rick Mill New Windsor, N.Y.
91 Billy Tanner IV Newtown, Pa.
95 Freddie Fisher Sinking Spring, Pa.
97 Keith Still Middletown, N.Y.
98 Tim Apgar Milford, N.J.
99 Craig Whitmoyer Hamburg, Pa.
114 Rick Whitney Montrose, Pa.
151 Joey Colsten Binghamton, N.Y.
157 Andy Fayash Jr. Mary-D, Pa.
176 Garth Tonkin Jr. Carbondale, Pa.
515 Larry Lippincott Riegelsville, Pa.
611 Brad Grim Coplay, Pa.
1450 Greg Weiland Port Carbon, Pa.


Whitmoyer's Unique Combination Tops Big D RoC Sportsman Stop
By BRETT DEYO

MINERSVILLE, PA - Score one for the non-conformists.
Driving an "antiquated" Troyer four-coil car with a 9-to-1 engine, Craig Whitmoyer upset the heavies Tuesday night at Big Diamond Raceway to win the second event of the Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour.
The two-time Big D track champion earned $1,000 for the victory in the 40-lap main, his second trip to Victory Lane of 2005 at the Coal Region three-eighths-mile oval.
"Everybody says these Troyer four-coil cars don't work anymore," Whitmoyer laughed. "And I've got my (Larry Lombardo-built) Big Diamond-legal engine in tonight, which probably gives up 50-70 horsepower to a good DIRT-type set-up."
Starting eighth in his No. 99, Whitmoyer found a home in the outside groove early on. By lap five, the Hamburg, Pa., talent climbed to second behind Garden State hotshoe Mike Lyons, who darted into the lead on the start.
"In the beginning, I went to the outside and went from eighth to fourth in a lap or two," Whitmoyer said. "When you run here with a lot of good cars that all run the bottom, you've got to do something different."
Following a lap-nine restart, Whitmoyer ducked to the inside of the high-running Lyons. He made his move on lap 11. When Lyons slipped wide in turn four, the 29-year-old Whitmoyer drove by to take command.
"After a yellow, he (Lyons) would get tight," Whitmoyer remarked. "I knew if I could stay on his tail, I could get a run on him."
The strong run for Lyons went sour on a lap-28 restart. The New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway regular drifted high in turn one and fell to eighth, handing second to New York invader Arnie Slade.
A caution with four laps remaining gave Slade, a Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway frontrunner, a shot at Whitmoyer.
Slade, of Mt. Upton, N.Y., stayed on Whitmoyer's bumper for the final circuits, but couldn't pull off the pass.
"He has a good Penn-Can engine," Whitmoyer said of Slade's run.
"He could stay with me, but I knew my car was handling perfect. I was able to keep some momentum up and stay out in front of him."
Slade, 33, was thrilled with second in his first Big D appearance aboard his No. 22B Moshier-powered Bicknell, considering a brake problem hampered his run.
"I lost the front brakes about lap nine," Slade said. "I cranked it all the way to the rear, but I really had to be careful. I really wish we had our brakes.
"I think I could have done something with him. On that last restart (lap 36), I could stay with him, but I'd only get three good laps out of it before the rotors would get hot."
It marked Slade's second runner-up finish in two RoC Sportsman events this season.
Sophomore driver Jason Hamilton of Erwinna, Pa., raced from seventh to finish third in his self-owned, Dave Van Horn-powered No. 15 Teo-Pro car.
"The car was loose coming off," Hamilton, 29, said. "He (Slade) was hugging the bottom bad, so I couldn't get around him. I wanted to pass him clean.
"Coming off the corners, the car would kick out and scrub off all the speed I had. I guess I should have been more aggressive early."
Brad Brightbill of Sinking Spring, Pa., was fourth and defending Big Diamond Sportsman champion Tom Brennan of Pottsville, Pa., was fifth.
Brent Boyer of Bloomsburg, Pa., won the 10-lap Guaranteed Starters race over Jimmy Horton IV.
Forty-three cars entered the event.
Heat winners included Jason Hamilton, Brad Grim, Arnie Slade and Brad Brightbill. Consolation victors were Jordan Umbenhauer and Frank Doty.
The RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour swings back into action on Weds., July 13 in a huge double-header with the RoC Dirt Modified Tour's South region at the quarter-mile Five Mile Point Speedway in Kirkwood, N.Y.
For more information, contact the RoC Dirt office at (607) 238-0432 or visit the website: www.rocdirt.com

BIG D NOTES: Masonville, N.Y.'s Shaun Walker saw his poor night get worse during a lap-23 caution period when he relinquished fourth spot with an engine problem. It was only the second race on the team's Gail Clark-built engine.
"The car was getting better," Walker, 20, said. "During the caution, I had no power, and when we got it back to the pits it had no oil pressure."
Walker was a late arrival to Big D after blowing two tires on his team's hauler en route to the track....
Slade, who lives only minutes from The New Afton (N.Y.) Speedway, passed up a Sportsman event paying $1,000-to-win at Afton in favor of the RoC stop at Big Diamond....
Jessica Zemken endured a rough night. The Sprakers, N.Y., up-and-comer spun in a backstretch incident on lap nine and later headed pitside with a snapped right-rear axle after a lap-28 three-car get-together....
Working closely with Penske's Dave Reedy, Jimmy Horton IV turned heads with his impressive drive from 18th to finish sixth in a car carrying the No. 43 originally used by his grandfather and father....
Kyle Weiss was disqualified after a runner-up finish in the fourth heat when RoC Dirt officials found an American Racer SD 44 right-rear tire on his No. 21K (the minimum softness was SD 48).
Weiss, who cited an honest mistake, squeaked in through the second consolation and authored a solid drive from 24th to eighth....
RoC Dirt Sportsman inaugural winner (Penn-Can/May 30) Brian Decker relied on a provisional, but salvaged a ninth-place finish....
Ricky Rutt's No. 57 was momentarily ablaze on lap 23 when the car's powerplant detonated. The former Big D regular from Phillipsburg, N.J., hopped from the Troyer mount quickly when flames shot into the cockpit....

Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour Race No. 2 at Big Diamond Raceway Feature Finish: CRAIG WHITMOYER, Arnie Slade, Jason Hamilton, Brad Brightbill, Tom Brennan, Jimmy Horton IV, Mike Lyons, Kyle Weiss, Brian Decker, Doug Hendricks, Joe Masiado, Brad Grim, Danny Creeden, Frank Doty, Tim Apgar, Andy Miller, Gene Stravinsky, Brent Boyer, Jeff Geiges, Jessica Zemken, Shaun Walker, Ricky Rutt, Greg Weiland, Corey Renninger, Luke Wagner, Freddie Fisher, Jordan Umbenhauer.

Did Not Qualify: David Bush, Mike Loney, Billy Moyer Jr., Mike Ketcham, Marc Herman, John Leindecker, John Stangle, Lou Farina, Chris James, Ray Deemer, Michael Taylor, Tom Cremer, Rich Stankiewicz, Andy Fayash Jr., Rich Scagliotta, Ryan Grim.


Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour
Official Finish: Race No. 2/Big Diamond Raceway (6-28-05)


Car # Driver/Hometown Start
1 99 Craig Whitmoyer/Hamburg, Pa. (8)
2 22B Arnie Slade/Mt. Upton, N.Y. (4)
3 15 Jason Hamilton/Erwinna, Pa. (7)
4 19B Brad Brightbill/Sinking Spring, Pa. (5)
5 26 Tom Brennan/Pottsville, Pa. (10)
6 43 Jimmy Horton IV/Neshanic Station, N.J. (6)
7 M1 Mike Lyons/Monroe Township, N.J. (2)
8 21K Kyle Weiss/Hamburg, Pa. (24)
9 9B Brian Decker/Susquehanna, Pa. (25)
10 8 Doug Hendricks/Orwigsburg, Pa. (14)
11 43M Joe Masiado/Easton, Pa. (23)
12 611 Brad Grim/Coplay, Pa. (1)
13 16X Danny Creeden/Middletown, N.Y. (3)
14 71D Frank Doty/Middletown, N.Y. (22)
15 98 Tim Apgar/Milford, N.J. (19)
16 1/64th Andy Miller/Schuylkill Haven, Pa. (20)
17 7A Gene Stravinsky/New Egypt, N.J. (13)
18 19 Brent Boyer/Bloomsburg, Pa. (16)
19 77J Jeff Geiges/Lawrenceville, N.J. (11)
20 1Z Jessica Zemken/Sprakers, N.Y. (17)
21 21 Shaun Walker/Masonville, N.Y. (6)
22 57 Ricky Rutt/Phillipsburg, N.J. (15)
23 1450 Greg Weiland/Port Carbon, Pa. (26)
24 KT3 Corey Renninger/Llewellyn, Pa. (26)
25 3 Luke Wagner/Grantville, Pa. (12)
26 95 Freddie Fisher/Sinking Spring, Pa. (9)
27 19U Jordan Umbenhauer/Richland, Pa. (21)

Entries: 43
Lap leaders: M. Lyons (1-10), Whitmoyer (11-40)
Heat winners: Hamilton, Grim, Slade, Brightbill
Consi winners: Umbenhauer, Doty
Guranteed Starters Race winner: Boyer

Did Not Qualify:
16 David Bush/Accord, N.Y.
17D Mike Loney/Taylor, Pa.
17 Billy Moyer Jr./Pine Grove, Pa.
9K Mike Ketcham/Otisville, N.Y.
044 Louis Farina/Philadelphia, Pa
3H Marc Herman/Windsor, N.J.
61 John Leindecker/Allentown, Pa.
6 John Stangle/Neshanic Station, N.J.
71J Chris James/Mahrsville, Pa.
25 Ray Deemer/Phillipsburg, N.J.
2T Michael Taylor/Milford, N.J.
39 Tom Cremer/Sinking Spring, Pa.
2 Rich Stankiewicz/Laureldale, Pa.
157 Andy Fayash Jr./Mary-D, Pa.
8 Rich Scagliotta/Bound Brook, N.J.
17T Ryan Grim/Laurys Station, Pa.


Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour Race No. 2
Big Diamond Raceway (Minersville, Pa.) Tues., June 28


Track Office/Race Day Phone: 570-544-6434

Directions:
Heading South On I-81
Take Exit 116 (Old #35) Minersville, follow Rt. 901 East (to Minersville) 4 miles-to Primrose, turn right, through Forestville 2 miles, track on left
Heading North on I-81
Take Exit 104 (Old #32) Ravine, Right at end of ramp stop. Left at next stop, follow Rt. 125 to Tremont, right at stop, take Rt. 209 North to Branchdale, Bear left entering town, then left at stop, 3 miles, track on right.
From Interstate 78
Take Rt.61, 183, or 419 North to Rt. 209, 209 South to Rt. 901 West. Follow Rt. 901 thru Minersville to Primrose, turn left at Forestville to track on left. To bypass town of Minersville use alternate route - while on 209 S./ 901 W., turn left at Turkey Hill onto 209 South. Follow 209 South to Branchdale, bearing left at next stop sign in Llewellyn. In Branchdale, take 1st right, track is 3.3 miles on right.

Website: www.bigdiamondraceway.com.

Pit Gates Open: 5 p.m.
Racing: 7:30 p.m.
Qualifying: Draw for heat race qualifying positions when you enter the track. Top heat qualifiers redraw for feature starting spots.
Grandstand General Admission: $20 for adults
Pit Fees: $25

Entry: $15
Tire Specifications: Fronts – American Racer SD 33 or harder; Left-Rear American Racer SD 44 or harder; Right-Rear – American Racer SD 48 or harder.

Race Distance: 40 green flag laps
General Race Rules: The standard motor, body, chassis and safety rules, based on 2004 DIRT rules. Call if questions.

The top five drivers in the point standings following the May 30 event at Penn-Can Speedway will be eligible for provisional starting spots (Brian Decker, Arnie Slade, Kevin Bates, Jason Hamilton, Kyle Weiss). Drivers are allotted one provisional spot per season. A maximum two provisional starters will be added to each race in order of position in the point standings.


Race of Champions Dirt Mod Tour South Region Roster
Updated After Big Diamond (6-7-05)


Car Number Driver Hometown
00 Doug Manmiller Wyomissing, Pa.
DR1 Craig Von Dohren Oley, Pa.
2H Kenny Hatt Sinking Spring, Pa.
4B J.R. Crouse Nazareth, Pa.
5 Rick Laubach Quakertown, Pa.
6 Sr. Keith Hoffman Whitehall, Pa.
8 Rich Scagliotta Bound Brook, N.J.
9D Barry Davis Accord, N.Y.
9R Brian Weaver Windsor, N.Y.
11D Travis Balthaser Bernville, Md.
14W Ryan Watt Pottstown, Pa.
15 Billy Pauch Jr. Frenchtown, N.J.
16 Jason Hamilton Erwinna, Pa.
19 Kenny Brightbill Sinking Spring, Pa.
19K Paul Kinney Oneida, N.Y.
22G Mitch Gibbs North Norwich, N.Y.
24 Chris Shultz Holmes, N.Y.
29 Chris Ostrowsky Conklin, N.Y.
33 Ray Swinehart Bechtelsville, Pa.
42 Ed Strada Jr. South Canaan, Pa.
42H Jimmy Horton Neshanic Station, N.J.
42 S Jeff Sechrist Womelsdorf, Pa.
50 Ryan Bartlett Adams, N.Y.
51 Mike Colsten Binghamton, N.Y.
53 Mike Gular Harleysville, Pa.
66 Bob Trapper Scranton, Pa.
71S Sammy Schaeffer Hamburg, Pa.
72 Jeff Ebersole Palmyra, Pa.
77 Doug Hoffman Allentown, Pa.
83B Josh Biever Landingville, Pa.
88 Jeff Strunk Bethel, Pa.
88C Meme DeSantis Temple, Pa.
93 Bobby Varin Sharon Springs, N.Y.
97 Jerry Higbie Jr. Slate Hill, N.Y.
T102 Shawn Fitzpatrick Pottsville, Pa.
117 Kevin Hirthler Green Lane, Pa.


Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour Driver Roster Updated After Penn-Can (5-30-05)

Car Number Driver Hometown
1/64th Andy Miller Schuylkill Haven, Pa.
1Z Jessica Zemken Sprakers, N.Y.
9B Brian Decker Susquehanna, Pa.
9G Boyd MacTavish Fenwick, Ontario
9K Mike Ketcham Otisville, N.Y.
9KL Butch Klinger Walton, N.Y.
9T Ken Titus Kirkwood, N.Y.
11T Tim Votra Marathon, N.Y.
13 David Bush Accord, N.Y.
14 Alex Konopka Gouldsboro, Pa.
R14 Rick Raisner Easton, Pa.
15 Jason Hamilton Erwinna, Pa.
16 Rick Brown Dalton, Pa.
16X Danny Creeden Middletown, N.Y.
17D Mike Loney Taylor, Pa.
19 Brent Boyer Bloomsburg, Pa.
21 Shaun Walker Masonville, N.Y.
21K Kyle Weiss Hamburg, Pa.
22B Arnie Slade Mt. Upton, N.Y.
25 Ray Deemer Phillipsburg, N.J.
39 Tom Cremer Sinking Spring, Pa.
42 Mike Lartz Nicholson, Pa.
42B Kevin Bates Lake Ariel, Pa.
43 Jimmy Horton IV Folsom, N.J.
48 Dusty Jagger Port Crane, N.Y.
51 Sam Wescott Jr. Grenloch, N.J.
51Z Ryan Olsommer Waymart, Pa.
54 Paul Rooney Thompson, Pa.
57 Ricky Rutt Phillipsburg, N.J.
57B Alan Barker Norwich, N.Y.
58 Jeremy Howe Binghamton, N.Y.
59J Jesse Kline Bangor, Pa.
60 Bruce Evans Jr. Greenfield Township, Pa.
71 Russ Zimmerman Tunkhannock, Pa.
71D Frank Doty Middletown, N.Y.
71M Shawn Mills Windsor, N.Y.
74 Jeremy Holt Kirkwood, N.Y.
77 Scott Brady Whitney Point, N.Y.
77J Jeff Geiges Lawrenceville, N.J.
77M Rick Mill New Windsor, N.Y.
91 Billy Tanner IV Newtown, Pa.
97 Keith Still Middletown, N.Y.
99 Craig Whitmoyer Hamburg, Pa.
114 Rick Whitney Montrose, Pa.
151 Joey Colsten Binghamton, N.Y.
157 Andy Fayash Jr. Mary-D, Pa.
176 Garth Tonkin Jr. Carbondale, Pa.
515 Larry Lippincott Riegelsville, Pa.
611 Brad Grim Coplay, Pa.


Brian Decker Leads RoC Sportsman Squad To Big D June 28
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY – Southern Tier Sportsman standout Brian Decker showed patience and skill on his home turf when he won the inaugural Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman event at Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway on May 30.

Now, he’ll tackle the division’s best on the road.

Tucked away in Pennsylvania’s Coal Region, Big Diamond Raceway will play host to the second race of the 2005 RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour on Tues., June 28.

The Sportsman 40-lapper, paying $1,000-to-win, will accompany the 410 Sprints as part of Cindy Rowe Auto Glass Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek. Race time is 7:30 p.m.

“Our first RoC Sportsman show was an unquestionable success,” said RoC Dirt administrative director Andrew Harpell of the Memorial Day program, which attracted 49 cars representing three U.S. states and Canada. “The Modified race at Big Diamond (June 7) was a great show.

“This is shaping up to be a huge event.”

Currently, Decker sits atop the point standings with 65 points. Arnie Slade (60), Kevin Bates (51), Jason Hamilton (50) and Kyle Weiss (48) round out the top five.

Decker used a lap-19 restart to wheel around race-long leader Slade at Penn-Can. He drove on to the victory, which he credited as the biggest of his career, over Slade, Hamilton, Weiss and Bates.

If any of the top five cars run into trouble at Big Diamond and do not qualify, they will be eligible for a provisional in order of their position in the standings. Competitors are allowed one provisional per season, and a maximum of two provisional starters will be added to each event.

On a weekly basis, Big Diamond, part of the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Racing Series, boasts one of the most competitive Sportsman fields in the Northeast.

Erwinna, Pa.’s Hamilton, who battled from ninth to finish third in the RoC inaugural, has visited Victory Lane twice in ’05, leading the division in that category. He won first on April 15, and repeated on June 10.

Joining Hamilton as Big D winners this season are Gary Wagner Jr. (April 10); Billy Moyer Jr. (May 6); Ebby Ridge (May 13) and Craig Whitmoyer (May 27).

A large field of invaders is expected to descend on the three-eighths-mile, including talented upstate New York Sportsman racer Jessica Zemken, Orange County (N.Y.)/Accord (N.Y.) hotshoe Danny Creeden, Accord rookie Mike Ketcham, Five Mile Point (N.Y.) top runners Rick Raisner, Brad Grim and Jeremy Holt, Sportsman veteran Rick Mill, and New Egypt (N.J.) Opening Night winner Jeff Geiges.

Tire specifications for the event are as follows: Fronts – American Racer SD 33 or harder; Left-Rear – American Racer SD 44 or harder; Right-Rear American Racer SD 48 or harder.

General race rules for weight, body specifications, etc. will follow 2004 DIRT rules.

Two Guaranteed Starters Races are slated to kick off the evening. Featuring all the drivers who didn’t qualify at Penn-Can, the winner of each race will earn a guaranteed spot into the night’s feature, regardless of their performance in the heat race and consolation.

For any questions on rules, contact the Race of Champions Dirt office at (607) 238-0432 or visit the website: www.rocdirt.com. The pre-race entry form is available on the RoC Dirt website.

Big Diamond Raceway is located off Route 901 in Minersville, Pa. It is easily accessible off Route I-81. For directions or track information, visit: www.bigdiamondraceway.com or call (570) 554-6434.

A complete information sheet on the event will be forthcoming.

Guaranteed Starters Race Lineups For Big Diamond June 28:
Race No. 1: Butch Klinger, Jimmy Horton IV, Jeremy Holt, David Bush, Boyd MacTavish, Mike Loney, Russ Zimmerman, Andy Miller, Craig Whitmoyer, Ricky Rutt, Ray Deemer, Rick Whitney.
Race No. 2: Shawn Mills, Brent Boyer, Dusty Jagger, Keith Still, Mike Lartz, Joey Colsten, Jesse Kline, Tim Votra, Tom Cremer, Rick Brown, Jeremy Howe, Bruce Evans Jr.


Guaranteed Starters Races To Kick-Start Big Diamond’s June 28 RoC Sportsman Show
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY – Forty-nine teams signed into the Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway pit area for the inaugural Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour event on Memorial Day.
The large contingent that didn’t make the cut for the 40-lapper will have the opportunity to seal a more positive fate at the Tour’s next stop, Big Diamond Raceway in Minersville, Pa., on Tues., June 28.
A pair of Guaranteed Starters Races will kick-start Big Diamond’s program. All drivers who failed to qualify at Penn-Can have been split into two events by their consolation finish.
The winner of each event will earn a guaranteed spot for the night’s RoC Sportsman headliner, regardless of their heat race or consolation performance.
“We had a quality field of Sportsman cars at Penn-Can,” said RoC Dirt administrative director Andrew Harpell.
“We are well aware that there were many good drivers that missed the show, and we want to give them a chance to race their way in at Big Diamond before regular qualifying begins."
The RoC Sportsman event will compliment the Cindy Rowe Auto Glass PA Sprint Speedweek show at Big D, a three-eighths-mile oval nestled in Pennsylvania’s Coal Region. Race time is 7:30 p.m.
The top-five finishers from Penn-Can will have the opportunity to take a provisional at Big Diamond, in order of their position in the point standings. A maximum of two provisional starters will be added to each RoC Dirt Sportsman event. A driver may use only one provisional during the season.
Big Diamond Sportsman cars are legal and are encouraged to participate in the RoC Tour event, which offers a $1,000 winner’s share.
In the inaugural RoC Dirt Sportsman show, Big Diamond’s own Jason Hamilton raced to a third-place finish. Other area drivers that qualified for the main included Kyle Weiss (fourth), Larry Lippincott (15th) and Andy Fayash Jr. (18th).
For more information on the Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour, visit the website at: www.rocdirt.com or call the RoC Dirt office at: (607) 238-0432.
Big Diamond Raceway information can be found on the web at: www.bigdiamondraceway.com.
Entry forms are available on the RoC Dirt and Big Diamond websites.

Guaranteed Starters Race Lineups For Big Diamond June 28:
Race No. 1: Butch Klinger, Jimmy Horton IV, Jeremy Holt, David Bush, Boyd MacTavish, Mike Loney, Russ Zimmerman, Andy Miller, Craig Whitmoyer, Ricky Rutt, Ray Deemer, Rick Whitney.

Race No. 2: Shawn Mills, Brent Boyer, Dusty Jagger, Keith Still, Mike Lartz, Joey Colsten, Jesse Kline, Tim Votra, Tom Cremer, Rick Brown, Jeremy Howe, Bruce Evans Jr.


Strunk Roars To Race of Champions South Triumph At Big D
By BRETT DEYO

MINERSVILLE, PA – Jeff Strunk’s No. 88 appeared dominant from all angles but one: inside the cockpit.
Driving a car he later said “didn’t feel that good,” Strunk dominated Tuesday night’s Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour South region lid-lifter at Big Diamond Raceway.
The Bethel, Pa., star pocketed $4,000 for his win in the 75-lap “School’s Out Special.” It was his first trip to Victory Lane at the Schuylkill County oval since May 11, 2001.
“Honestly, the car didn’t feel that dominant,” admitted Strunk, a four-time Big Diamond small-block Modified champion. “But that’s the thing about this place, when the track gets slick, you have to go slower to be faster.”
At the wheel Chad Sinon’s Morrison big-block-powered Teo-Pro car, Strunk was clearly the class of the field. The 36-year-old started the main seventh and carefully picked his way through traffic.
“I was taking it easy early on,” Strunk said. “There was no big hurry in coming up through – I knew those guys (the front row) would take off.”
Brian Weaver outgunned polesitter Jimmy Horton on the start and set a torrid pace in the event’s first third, driving Randy Decker’s No. 9R Bicknell. Weaver and Kevin Hirthler checked out, while Strunk inched forward.
He took third on lap six and began to chip away at the lead pair.
With Weaver and Hirthler encountering slower traffic by lap 10, Strunk’s job was easier. He slid by Hirthler on lap 13 as the Green Lane, Pa., driver was attempting to lap Ryan Bartlett.
Strunk didn’t immediately gain on Weaver, however. The Southern Tier standout maintained a five car-length advantage while darting through the back-markers.
“I could see I was gaining on those two when I wanted to, so I wasn’t worried,” Strunk stated. “I watched in the heat and he (Weaver) wasn’t that good on the restarts. I was pretty confident I could get him if we had a caution.”
Strunk’s prophecy came to be on lap 23 when Kenny Brightbill spun in turn two, necessitating a yellow.
When the green dropped, Strunk launched off the outside groove and beat Weaver into turn one.
“The way they do the restarts here, out of (turn) four almost on the straightaway you have to go,” Strunk explained. “I was a little better there. I just wanted to get far enough in front of him to run a clean line through one and two.”
Weaver’s fine ride started to go sour by the halfway point. Difficulty in lapped traffic allowed Jimmy Horton and eighth-starter Rick Laubach to slide into second and third, respectively, on lap 40.
Laubach hounded Horton until diving low in traffic on lap 53, then switching grooves to power around the slower machines in Dieter Schmidt’s No. 5. Horton fought back on the inside for two circuits, but Laubach retained second up high.
By that time, Strunk was on the opposite side of the three-eighths-mile oval.
“I didn’t know I had that much of a lead,” Strunk said. “That’s the thing, without having the two-way radios, you don’t know. I had to run hard (through lapped traffic) because I just didn’t know if anyone was there.”
The race’s second and final caution flew on lap 70 for North Country driver Ryan Bartlett, who stalled and pulled off the backstretch.
Five lapped cars separated the leaders on the single-file restart and Strunk cruised to the victory unchallenged.
The win marked his first-ever big-block Mod win at Big Diamond, and his breakthrough win in a big-block since making the switch to Bobby Hearn’s Teo-Pro cars.
“I’ve known Andy (Harpell, RoC promoter) for a long time, back when Alex (Friesen) was still around,” Strunk said. “He’s a great guy. I’m glad I could win one of the first on this Tour.
“Heck, it’s always cool to win one of these extra-distance races!”
As impressive as Strunk’s victory was, it shouldn’t overshadow the Herculean performance of runner-up Rick Laubach. The “Quaker Shaker” wrestled the Simonek Performance-powered Teo-Pro car for the final 65 laps with no power steering.
“I’m telling you, I think we had the car to win if we had power steering,” offered Laubach, 32, of Quakertown, Pa.
“I really didn’t want to push it,” Laubach said. “Horton was loose off. When he left the bottom open, I shot in there (for second on lap 53). That was the deal - if I had the chance, I’d go for a position.
“I couldn’t press the issue. I couldn’t set the car in the turns like I wanted to,” the Bridgeport (N.J.) Speedway standout continued. “I’d ride the brake, let it push and turn the car down.
“I could see Strunk (at the end). That’s what killed me.”
Veteran Meme DeSantis of Temple, Pa., finished third in Rick Clay’s Gechter and Trout big-block powered No. 88C Bicknell. It was the second outing for DeSantis in the car.
“We’ve had a miserable year, so I’m happy with this,” uttered the 49-year-old DeSantis, whose podium run was actually his best ’05 finish.
“I broke the brake shut-off valve right at the beginning and I ran the whole race with three-wheel brakes,” DeSantis said. “I panicked after the heat so I set it that way, then I couldn’t correct it.
“I could get around the bottom okay, but I couldn’t go up top.”
Ray Swinehart of Bechtelsville, Pa., rallied to fourth after starting 26th in Jeff Ebersole’s No. 72. Swinehart’s own car was eliminated earlier in the night with mechanical problems.
Defending Big D champ Doug Hoffman of Allentown, Pa., was fifth in the Dennis “Moose” Eisenhard No. 77. He earned the $500 small-block bonus.
Weaver and Mitch Gibbs were the final two cars on the lead lap at the finish.
Heat winners for the 36 Modified entrants were Mike Gular, Kevin Hirthler, Meme DeSantis and Mitch Gibbs. Barry Davis and Bobby Trapper were consolation victors.
BIG D NOTES: The two-division show was in the books by 9:45 p.m. on a work night….
Bobby Varin, the winner of both RoC Dirt Mod North events contested in ’05, was a retiree on lap 13. The Sharon Springs, N.Y., driver reported a broken axle on the Magsarus No. 93….
RoC Tour regular Jerry Higbie Jr. headed pitside with engine problems on the 10th circuit….
Polesitter Jimmy Horton ran amongst the top three with Rick Grosso’s No. 42 until encountering an unpleasant experience: hot power steering fluid spraying on him. Horton pulled to the infield on lap 50 and promptly climbed from the car….
Mitch Gibbs was a late arrival after suffering a flat tire on his hauler en route to the track….
The field offered an interesting mix of big-block veterans, talented PA Dual-Trackers and capable short-track racers….

“School’s Out 75” Feature Finish (Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour South Region Race No. 1): JEFF STRUNK, Rick Laubach, Meme DeSantis, Ray Swinehart, Doug Hoffman, Brian Weaver, Mitch Gibbs, J.R. Crouse, Kevin Hirthler, Mike Gular, Shawn Fitzpatrick, Kenny Brightbill, Paul Kinney, Chris Shultz, Ed Strada Jr., Chris Ostrowsky, Ryan Bartlett, Jimmy Horton, Bobby Trapper, Craig Von Dohren, Barry Davis, Rich Scagliotta, Billy Pauch Jr., Bobby Varin, Jerry Higbie Jr., Ryan Watt, Doug Manmiller.
Did Not Start: Keith Hoffman.
Did Not Qualify: Josh Biever, Travis Balthaser, Sammy Schaeffer, Mike Colsten, Jason Hamilton, Jeff Sechrist, Kenny Hatt, Jeff Ebersole.


RACE OF CHAMPIONS DIRT MODIFIED TOUR – SOUTH REGION EVENT No. 1 TUESDAY, JUNE 7 – BIG DIAMOND RACEWAY – MINERSVILLE, PA 17954

Location: In Forestville, PA just NW of Minersville, PA and Pottsville, PA
Heading South On I-81
Take Exit 116 (Old #35) Minersville, follow Rt. 901 East (to Minersville) 4 miles-to Primrose, turn right, through Forestville 2 miles, track on left
Heading North on I-81
Take Exit 104 (Old #32) Ravine, Right at end of ramp stop. Left at next stop, follow Rt. 125 to Tremont, right at stop, take Rt. 209 North to Branchdale, Bear left entering town, then left at stop, 3 miles, track on right.
From Interstate 78
Take Rt.61, 183, or 419 North to Rt. 209, 209 South to Rt. 901 West. Follow Rt. 901 thru Minersville to Primrose, turn left at Forestville to track on left. To bypass town of Minersville use alternate route - while on 209 S./ 901 W., turn left at Turkey Hill onto 209 South. Follow 209 South to Branchdale, bearing left at next stop sign in Llewellyn. In Branchdale, take 1st right, track is 3.3 miles on right.
Speedway Phone: Track office: (570) 544-6434/Fax: (570) 544-6720
Speedway Website: www.bigdiamondraceway.com
Pit Fees: $25
Pit Gates Open: 5 p.m.
Grandstand Prices: $20 for Adults
Grandstand Gates: 5:30 p.m.
Practice: 7:05 p.m.
Race Time: 7:30 p.m.
Entry Info: Pre- race entry (received prior to June 3): $15
Entry after above date: $20
Order of Events: TENTATIVE – Modified Heats, RR Heats, Modified Consolation(s), Break/Intermission, Modified 75, RR 15.
Modified Feature: 75 laps – cautions to count between laps 25 and 50. (no more than 5 caution laps will be logged in a row).

Tire Information:
Right Rear: American Racer SD 48 (minimum softness). May use American Racer SD 50 compound.
Left Rear: American Racer SD 44 (minimum softness).
Fronts: American Racer SD 33 compound (minimum softness).
To purchase tires, contact Hoffman Brothers Speed and Performance at (610) 760-6274 or (610) 760-2946
General Race Rules -
The standard for motor, body, chassis and safety rules are based on ’04 DIRT rules.
Weight Info -
Big-block Modifieds – min. 2,500 lbs no tolerance (’04 DIRT legal); small-block Modifieds – min. 2,400 lbs. no tolerance (’04 DIRT legal); Big Diamond/Grandview 9-to-1 small blocks – min. 2,400 lbs. no tolerance; any other small block combination must weigh a min. 2,500 lbs. no tolerance. NO mixing and matching of rules.
For more information please contact the Race of Champions office at (607) 238-0432 or log on to www.rocdirt.com.


RoC Dirt Modified South Region Battle To Begin On June 7 At Big Diamond Raceway
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY – Race fans in Central New York were treated to first-class Modified shows when the Race of Champions Dirt Tour’s North region swept through Fonda Speedway and Utica-Rome Speedway.
Now, Keystone State race enthusiasts have their turn to revel in the action.
The Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour’s South region will get underway on Tues., June 7 at Big Diamond Raceway in Minersville, Pa., with the “School’s Out Special 75,” offering a $4,000 winner’s share and a $500 small-block bonus.
Big Diamond’s popular full-fender division, the Roadrunners, will accompany the RoC headliner. Race time is set for 7:30 p.m.
Big Diamond/Grandview (Pa.) 9-to-1, alcohol-powered Modifieds are legal and welcome to compete in the event.
Entries are pouring in anticipation of the Big D event, according to RoC Dirt administrative director Andrew Harpell.
“There is so much talent in Pennsylvania and New Jersey Modified racing,” offered Harpell. “Add in some of the New York drivers who will be coming down and it’s shaping up to be a great field for Big Diamond.”
Bobby Varin, the winner of both RoC Dirt North region events, will be on hand with Ed Munger’s PMC-chassied No. 93. The Sharon Springs, N.Y., driver has also excelled in weekly competition this year, scoring two Saturday night wins at Fonda Speedway, his home turf.
Last year’s Big Diamond champion Doug Hoffman of Allentown, Pa., has indicated that he will enter the Dennis “Moose” Eisenhard No. 77 Teo-Pro car in the event. Hoffman is confident his Big D-legal car will be more than competitive with the outsiders.
Perennial Grandview (Pa.) Speedway champion Jeff Strunk of Bethel, Pa., will be in the field with Chad Sinon’s BPG Motorsports No. 88, along with his protégé and teammate, young Modified standout Mike Gular of Harleysville, Pa.
Rick Laubach of Quakertown, Pa., a feature winner at both Big Diamond and Bridgeport (N.J.) Speedway in ’05, plans to compete with the Dieter Schmidt-owned Lincoln Auto Body No. 5.
David Van Horn Jr. was victorious in his only Big Diamond appearance. The talent from Harmony, N.J., topped a 50-lap Sportsman event on a sun-splashed Sunday afternoon in Sept. 2002. He’ll be back at Big D for the first time since that win for the RoC event with his potent family-owned No. 71.
New Yorker Jerry Higbie Jr. is a former Big D Friday-night regular. He’ll head south with his No. 97 big-block Mod for the 75-lapper. Higbie finished third in the inaugural RoC North race at Fonda on April 9.
Big Diamond’s potent field of weekly Modifieds includes Craig Von Dohren, Doug Manmiller, Keith Hoffman, Meme DeSantis and a host of others. They’ll look to defeat the RoC invaders with their home track advantage.
Tire specs for the event are as follows: right rear – American Racer SD 48 (minimum softness), may use American SD 50; left rear – American Racer SD 44 (minimum softness); fronts – American Racer SD 33 (minimum softness).
The standard for motor, body, chassis and safety rules are based on the ’04 DIRT rulebook. Weight information is as follows: big-block Modifieds – min. 2,500 lbs no tolerance (’04 DIRT legal); small-block Modifieds – min. 2,400 lbs. no tolerance (’04 DIRT legal); Big Diamond/Grandview 9-to-1 small blocks – min. 2,400 lbs. no tolerance; any other small block combination must weigh a min. 2,500 lbs. no tolerance. NO mixing and matching of rules.
There is a rain date in place for the RoC event of Weds., June 15.
For more information on the Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour, visit the website at www.rocdirt.com or call the RoC Dirt office at (607) 238-0432.
Big Diamond Raceway information can be found on the web at: www.bigdiamondraceway.com or by phone at (570) 544-6434.

Big Diamond Raceway RoC Rules Information:
Tire Options -
Right Rear: American Racer SD 48 (minimum softness). May use American Racer SD 50 compound.
Left Rear: American Racer SD 44 (minimum softness).
Fronts: American Racer SD 33 compound (minimum softness).
General Race Rules -
The standard for motor, body, chassis and safety rules are based on ’04 DIRT rules.
Weight Info -
Big-block Modifieds – min. 2,500 lbs no tolerance (’04 DIRT legal); small-block Modifieds – min. 2,400 lbs. no tolerance (’04 DIRT legal); Big Diamond/Grandview 9-to-1 small blocks – min. 2,400 lbs. no tolerance; any other small block combination must weigh a min. 2,500 lbs. no tolerance. NO mixing and matching of rules.


Restart Propels Brian Decker To First RoC Sportsman Win
By BRETT DEYO

SUSQUEHANNA, PA – It all came down to one restart for Brian Decker.
Decker utilized a lap-19 double-file restart to snatch the race lead en route to a historic victory Monday evening at Penn-Can Speedway. The Susquehanna, Pa., native became the first Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour victor with his $1,000 triumph in a competitive 40-lap main.
“This is the biggest win ever for me,” an ecstatic Decker offered. “I’ve won some of the Hot Summer Nights races and I got a North-South win, but this one, it just rocks!”
Decker started from second position in his Wally Fiehl-powered Bicknell, but polesitter Arnie Slade launched into the lead on the start.
Slade checked out in the event’s first half, opening up a half-straightaway lead with ease over Decker.
That all changed on lap 19.
A caution gave Decker the opportunity he needed. Keeping momentum up on the outside groove, he powered by Slade to take the top spot at the halfway point.
“I had a wheel on him (exiting turn four) and I saw him lunge,” Decker explained. “I was waiting for him to go; he said he got bumped. That’s all I needed.
“Honestly, I never would have gotten him if it wasn’t for that restart.”
Slade’s best attempt to reclaim the lead came on a lap-26 restart. The Mt. Upton, N.Y., Sportsman veteran drove hard to the inside and pulled even with Decker for two laps around the three-eighths-mile oval.
Decker’s topside momentum carried him back to the lead by lap 28 and he was never headed.
Rim-riding up against the cushion, the 29-year-old Penn-Can/Five Mile Point (N.Y.) regular cruised to his first victory of the 2005 season.
“The top came in great at the end,” Decker said. “The outside was so superior I wasn’t worried about anyone getting the bite down low.”
Slade settled for a disappointing runner-up effort in his Moshier-powered No. 22B Bicknell.
“I got clocked in the back just before we went green,” Slade said. “Brian saw my car go and he got out ahead of me. The truth is, he didn’t do anything wrong.
“Once he got in front of me, he was gone. He was in the outside groove where I needed to be to pass him.”
Slade’s night nearly came to an early conclusion on lap 30 when he collided with Billy Tanner IV’s stalled car in turn three. RoC and track officials ruled that Slade’s contact occurred after the caution had been displayed and he was placed back in his position for the restart.
Jason Hamilton of Erwinna, Pa., rallied from ninth position to finish third. The Big Diamond (Pa.) Raceway regular overtook Kevin Bates for the position with a dramatic slide-job on a lap-34 restart.
“On that restart, the slide-job was the only way to get him,” Hamilton said. “The car kind of came to me, but we started too far back. By the time we got to the front, it was too late.”
It was Hamilton’s first Sportsman start at Penn-Can.
Kyle Weiss of Hamburg, Pa., finished fourth and Kevin Bates rounded out the front five.
Forty-nine Sportsman competitors signed in. Heat winners included Kevin Bates, Paul Rooney, Arnie Slade, Brian Decker, Alex Konopka and Danny Creeden. Brad Grim, Ryan Olsommer and Jessica Zemken won the consolations.
Other winners included Dan Stone, who fended off the fierce challenge of Tracy Gregory in the 40-lap BRC Lazer Shootout Series Late Model event; Chris Strohl (Gary’s U-Pull-It Super Stock 35-lapper); and Chad Stone (Pure Stock Hurricane Qualifier);
The RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour will hold its second event on Tues., June 28 at Big Diamond Raceway in Minersville, Pa. in conjunction with the PA Sprint Speedweek program.
The RoC Dirt Modifieds will be in competition at Big Diamond on Tues., June 7 with the “School’s Out Special 75” to kick off the South region point battle.

RoC NOTES: The start of the Memorial Day program was delayed by two hours following a pair of heavy showers just as the cars entered the oval for hot laps. The Sportsman feature was in the books by 7:45 p.m. despite the inclement weather….
Boyd MacTavish of Fenwick, Ont., a Merrittville Speedway regular towed the furthest but failed to qualify. New Jersey drivers Jeff Geiges, Sam Wescott Jr., Jimmy Horton IV, Ricky Rutt and Ray Deemer were on hand….
Among the event’s early retirees was Jessica Zemken. The Sprakers, N.Y., talent headed pitside on lap two with a broken right-front shock tower….
Orange County (N.Y.) Fair Speedway point leader Rick Mill charged from 23rd to finish 10th in his second Penn-Can appearance….
Decker gave special thanks to his crew, which consists of Dale McDonald, Sean McDonald, Billy Collins and Matt Holmes….

RoC Dirt Sportsman Race No. 1 Official Finish: BRIAN DECKER, Arnie Slade, Jason Hamilton, Kyle Weiss, Kevin Bates, Shaun Walker, Garth Tonkin Jr., Alex Konopka, Ken Titus, Rick Mill, Brad Grim, Danny Creeden, Rick Raisner, Mike Ketcham, Larry Lippincott, Sam Wescott Jr., Andy Fayash Jr., Jeff Geiges, Billy Tanner IV, Frank Doty, Paul Rooney, Alan Barker, Jessica Zemken.

Did Not Qualify (Guaranteed Starters Race Lineup For Big Diamond June 28): Butch Klinger, Shawn Mills, Jimmy Horton IV, Brent Boyer, Jeremy Holt, Dusty Jagger, David Bush, Keith Still, Boyd MacTavish, Mike Lartz, Mike Loney, Joey Colsten, Russ Zimmerman, Jesse Kline, Andy Miller, Tim Votra, Craig Whitmoyer, Tom Cremer, Ricky Rutt, Rick Brown, Ray Deemer, Jeremy Howe, Rick Whitney, Bruce Evans Jr., Scott Brady.


Penn-Can RoC Sportsman Event Set For May 30
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY – Race fans, schedule those Memorial Day Weekend barbecues for Sunday, because Monday’s inaugural Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman event will be one to remember.
The RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour will go green with its first ever event on Mon., May 30 at Penn-Can Speedway in Susquehanna, Pa. The event was originally scheduled for Sun., April 24 but was postponed due to rain. Race time is 2 p.m.
RoC Dirt administrative director Andrew Harpell believes the May 30 date should free of conflicts for Sportsman competitors throughout the Northeast, so a huge field of cars is expected for the show.
“I am anticipating some of the best Sportsman racers in the area,” Harpell said. “It should be a great show.”
The RoC Sportsman 40-lap, $1,000-to-win event will headline a card of Late Models (40 laps), Super Stocks (35) and Pure Stocks (35) at the three-eighths-mile oval.
Four drivers have visited Penn-Can Sportsman Victory Lane in 2005, including Shaun Walker, Arnie Slade, Ken Titus and Alex Konopka. They’ll be on hand to challenge the invaders in the extra-distance contest.
All 2004 track champions from RoC Dirt member tracks are guaranteed starters for the event. They include: Kevin Duryea (Accord (N.Y.) Speedway); Tom Brennan (Big Diamond (Pa.) Raceway); Rodney Hart (Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Speedway); John McAuliffe (Fonda (N.Y. Speedway); Rick Mill (Orange County (N.Y.) Fair Speedway); Kevin Bates (Penn-Can); and Jessica Zemken (Utica-Rome (N.Y.) Speedway).
American Racer compounds SD 33, 38, 44 and 48 will be permitted with no stamp required. The 2004 DIRT Hoosier Sportsman tire and the Five Mile Point 10-inch Hoosier tire will also be allowed. Hoosier Modified tires are not permitted. Standard engine, body, chassis and safety rules will be in place (based on ’04 DIRT specs).
Heat race starting positions will be determined by a draw for position, with a redraw format in place for the feature.
Gates will open at noon. Grandstand admission is $12 and pit admission is $25.
Penn-Can Speedway is located on Route 171, off the I-81 Great Bend exit. The track is also accessible from Exit 79 (Windsor) off Route 17. For more information, contact the speedway office at (570) 585-9928 or on race day: (570) 853-3434. The official website is www.penncan.com.
The RoC Sportsman Tour boasts nine events at six different venues in its first season. The second event will mark a return trip to the Keystone State when the Tour visits Minersville, Pa.’s Big Diamond Raceway, joining the 410 Sprints on Tues., June 28.
For a complete RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour schedule or further information, contact the RoC Dirt office at (607) 238-0432 or visit the website: www.rocdirt.com.

PENN-CAN NOTES:
Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour Race No. 1
Penn-Can Speedway (Susquehanna, Pa.)
Monday, May 30
Track Office: 570-585-9928
Race Day: 570-853-3434
Website: www.penncan.com
Gates Open: Noon
Racing: 2:00 p.m.
Qualifying: Draw for heat race qualifying positions when you enter the track. Top heat qualifiers redraw for feature starting spots.
Grandstand General Admission: $12
Pit Fees: $25
Pre-Race Entry: $15
Tire Specifications for May 30 race only: American Racer: SD 33, 38, 44, or 48 (No stamp needed). Call if you have questions. Hoosier: 2004 DIRT or FMP 10-inch Sportsman tire. (No Hoosier modified tires allowed).
Race Distance: 40 green flag laps
General Race Rules: The standard motor, body, chassis and safety rules, based on 2004 DIRT rules. Call if questions.
All 2004 Sportsman champions from participating tracks are guaranteed starters for the first race at Penn-Can. They include: Kevin Duryea (Accord); Tom Brennan (Big Diamond); Rodney Hart (Five Mile Point); John McAuliffe (Fonda); Rick Mill (Orange County); Kevin Bates (Penn-Can); and Jessica Zemken (Utica-Rome).


RoC Dirt South Region A Perfect Fit For PA Dual-Track Racers
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY – Attention PA Dual-Track regulars: the Race of Champions Dirt Tour’s South region is a perfect fit for you.
History indicates that regulars from Big Diamond (Pa.) Raceway and surrounding tracks excel in trips to the Twin Tiers region.
This year, a solid performance at the historic Five Mile Point Speedway in Kirkwood, N.Y., or Penn-Can Speedway in Susquehanna, Pa., could mean a hefty payday and a boost toward the lucrative RoC Dirt South region title.
The fight for the RoC Dirt Tour’s South region championship begins on Tues., June 7 at Big Diamond with the “School’s Out Special” 75-lap event, paying $4,000-to-win plus a $500 small-block bonus.
Other RoC Dirt South events are slated for Five Mile Point on July 13, Big Diamond on Aug. 9 and Penn-Can on Aug. 17.
As is typical in all RoC Dirt events, rule concessions will be made to ensure the balance between the big- and small-block Modifieds and the alcohol 9-to-1 cars.
“We want to see participation from the Pennsylvania Modifieds and our rules reflect that,” said RoC Dirt administrative director Andrew Harpell. “There is a wealth of talent in that area, some great weekly racers that would shine on the RoC Dirt Tour.
“The Pennsylvania drivers have already shown how well they can do at Penn-Can and Five Mile Point.”
In last year’s “King of the Can” special at Penn-Can, it was Big Diamond’s own Doug Hoffman racing to the win in Dennis “Moose” Eisenhard’s No. 77. He passed Brian Weaver’s big-block to take the win. Bethel, Pa.’s Jeff Strunk finished third and Keith Hoffman posted a ninth-place finish.
Meme DeSantis finished a solid second in the ’04 running of the Southern Tier Open at Five Mile Point, just a narrow margin behind former track champion Mitch Gibbs. Ray Swinehart was a top-six car in the 40-lap contest before a spin on the final lap negated that effort.
Kyle Weiss also achieved success at FMP in 2004, as the Hamburg, Pa., pilot topped the Sportsman portion of the National Quarter Mile Dirt Track Championship Weekend.
Weiss will be among those drivers entering RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour events this season. The first is scheduled for Mon., May 30 at Penn-Can Speedway. Big Diamond will host the second race of the RoC Dirt Sportsman season on Tues., June 28 during the Cindy Rowe Auto Glass Pennsylvania Sprint Car Speedweek.
Entry forms for both the RoC Modified and Sportsman visits to Big Diamond are available at www.rocdirt.com. Full rules for both events will be posted shortly. More information on RoC Dirt can be obtained by contacting the office at (607) 238-0432.


2005 Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour Membership Entry Sheet
South Region Event No.1: Big Diamond Raceway – Tues. June 7th


Applicant Name: ___________________________________________ Car #: _____________
(car numbers will not be assigned until roc office receives receipt of paid entry application)

Applicant Address: _____________________________________________________________
    (please print and fill out completely)

__________________________Zip Code: ______________ S.S #: _______-______-______

Birth Date: ____/____/____ Phone Numbers: (h) __________________ (w) _________________

Cell Phone Number: ___________________ Email Address: __________________________

Driver Website: ______________________ Other Car # Choices: _____________________

Car Owner: ____________________________ S.S #: _______ - _______ - _______

Owner Address: _____________________________________________ Zip Code: __________

Phone Numbers: (h) ____________________ (w) __________________ (c) ___________________

THE PERSON THAT ANY PURSE OR POINT FUND MONIES ARE PAID TO SHOULD BE LISTED
ABOVE AS CAR OWNER WITH COMPLETE INFORMATION PROVIDED.

Every driver competing in one or all events must file a tour entry sheet prior to each race.

Early Entry Fee: $15 _________ (must be received prior to June 3rd, 2005)

Late Entry Fee: $20 _________ (received after June 3rd, 2005)

IN CONSIDERATION of the acceptance of this Race of Champions Modified Tour Entry Form, I for myself, my heirs, next of kin, personal representatives and assigns, FOREVER RELEASE, REMISE and FOREVER DISCHARGE and AGREE TO HOLD HARMLESS and INDEMNIFY the promoters presenting races or other events, the owners (lessors) of the premises at which these events are held, the participants, theron, and the owners, sponsors and manufacturers of all racing equipment used in any of these events, the officers, directors, agents, employees and servants of all of them, including officials and Race of Champions Modified Tour participants, of and from all liability, claims, action and of possible causes of action whatsoever. Including negligence of any of the foregoing, that may accrue to me or my heirs, next of kin and personal representatives from every and any loss, damage and injury, including death, that may be sustained by my person and property while in or about and enroute into and out of any Race of Champions Modified Tour event.

By Signing this 2005 Race of Champions Modified Tour membership Form I acknowledge that I have read the entire form and understand its contents. The Race of Champions Modified Tour has consent to use driver name and likeness for promotional and souvenir materials. This Race of Champions entry may be revoked at any time for failure to adhere to tour rules, implied or assessed. Entry must be filed at each event in order to compete.

Applicant Signature: _____________________________ Date Signed: _______________

Checks may be made payable to: Race of Champions, P.O. Box 2828 – Binghamton, New York 13902. Forms may be faxed to (607) 775-3393 however car numbers will not be assigned until payments are received at the r.o.c offices. For further information please phone: (607) 238-0432 or log on to www.rocdirt.com. Cell phone and email information is requested to help inform members if the situation of an event rainout or cancellation should occur.


Penn-Can RoC Sportsman Event Rescheduled For May 30
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY – While North Carolina houses the Coca-Cola 600 and the state of Indiana welcomes the Indianapolis 500, Pennsylvania will host its own major event on Memorial Day Weekend.
The Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour will officially go green with its inaugural event on Mon., May 30 at Penn-Can Speedway in Susquehanna, Pa. The event was originally scheduled for Sun., April 24 but was postponed due to rain.
“I was certainly disappointed that we had to cancel because we were expecting a large field of cars,” said RoC Dirt administrative director Andrew Harpell. “I feel that we’ve found a suitable make-up date that should work for everyone.”
Harpell believes the May 30 date should be conflict-free for Sportsman competitors throughout the Northeast.
The RoC Sportsman 40-lap, $1,000-to-win event will headline a card of Late Models (40 laps), Super Stocks (35) and Pure Stocks (35) at the three-eighths-mile oval. Race time is 2 p.m.
The RoC Sportsman Tour boasts nine events at six different venues in its first season.
The second event will mark a return trip to the Keystone State when the Tour visits Minersville, Pa.’s Big Diamond Raceway, joining the 410 Sprints on Tues., June 28.
For a complete RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour schedule or further information, contact the RoC Dirt office at (607) 238-0432 or visit the website: www.rocdirt.com.


RoC DIRT MODIFIED TOUR POINT FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SOUTH REGION
1. $1,350
2. $1,000
3. $900
4. $850
5. $750
6. $500
7. $500
8. $500
9. $500
10. $500
Total: $7,350

NORTH REGION
1. $1,350
2. $1,000
3. $900
4. $850
5. $750
6. $500
7. $500
8. $500
9. $500
10. $500
Total: $7,350

OVERALL CHAMPIONSHIP
1. $4,000
2. $2,000
3. $1,500
4. $1,350
5. $1,150
6. $1,000
7. $1,000
8. $1,000
9. $1,000
10. $1,000
11. $1,000
12. $1,000

Total: $16,950 SUPER FAN PLAN BONUS
(awarded to top 12 in final points)

1. $1,000
2. $1,000
3. $1,000
4. $1,000
5. $1,000
6. $1,000
7. $1,000
8. $1,000
9. $1,000
10. $1,000
11. $1,000
12. $1,000

*Total: $12,000

Super Fan Plan Bonus Money is based on all 240 tickets being sold.

*The Super Fan Plan will see 240 point fund tickets being sold throughout the summer. $12,000 will be awarded among lucky winning ticket holders and $12,000 will be paid as bonus money to tour drivers.

*Super Fan Plan money will be distributed based on ticket sales. Winning lucky ticket holders will be paid first - remaining money will be split among top 12 drivers.

TOTAL POINT FUND: $43,650

RoC TOUR SCHEDULES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Modifieds
Date Site Event Laps Region
Sat. 4/9 Fonda Speedway Ice Jam 50 North
Sun 5/8 Utica Rome Speedway Mothers Day Special 66 1/2 North
Tues 6/7 Big Diamond Raceway Schools Out Special 75 South
Wed 7/13 Five Mile Point Speedway 55th Anniversary Special 75 South
Wed 7/27 Fonda Speedway 75 North
Tues 8/2 Ransomville Speedway Alex Friesen Summer Nationals 75 North
Tues 8/9 Big Diamond Raceway 34th Anniversary Special 75 South
Wed 8/17 Penn Can Speedway Hot Summer Nights Special 75 South
Sun 8/29 Thunder Ally Speedway 75 North
9/16-9/17 Penn Can Speedway Kings Weekend 100 Combo
9/23-9/25 Fonda Speedway McDonald's Weekend 100 Combo
10/14-10/15 Five Mile Point Speedway National 1/4 Mile Championship 100 Combo

Sportsman
Sun 4/24 Penn Can Speedway Spring 150 40
Tues 6/28 Big Diamond Raceway 40
Wed 7/13 Five Mile Point Speedway 55th Anniversary Special 40
Tues 8/9 Big Diamond Raceway 40
Sun 9/11 Utica Rome Speedway 40
Fri 9/16 Penn Can Speedway Kings Weekend 40
Sat 9/24 Fonda Speedway McDonald's Weekend 40
Fri 9/30 Accord Speedway 40
Fri 10/14 Five Mile Point Speedway National 1/4 Mile Championship 40


Sportsman Ready To “RoC” In April 24 Penn-Can Opener
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY – The Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour made a whirlwind debut at Fonda (N.Y.) Speedway on April 9, touting competitive racing, full grandstands and a huge car count.
Now it’s the Sportsman division’s turn.
The RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour invades Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway on Sun., April 24 with a 40-lap, $1,000-to-win event. The inaugural RoC Sportsman event will be part of a banner “Spring 150” program at the three-eighths-mile oval featuring Late Models (40 laps), Super Stocks (35) and Pure Stocks (35). Race time is 2 p.m.
“I’ve gotten a tremendous amount of feedback on the Sportsman Tour,” commented RoC Dirt administrative director Andrew Harpell. “I’m looking forward to some excellent racing from the Sportsman drivers this year.”
The RoC Sportsman schedule includes nine events at six different tracks.
Throughout the Northeast, the Sportsman division boasts the highest car counts of any open-wheel class. Such is the case at Penn-Can, where local talents Arnie Slade, Ken Titus, Mike Loney, Mike Marold Jr. and Ryan Olsommer will challenge the large contingent of RoC point-chasing invaders.
All 2004 track champions from RoC Dirt member tracks are guaranteed starters for the event. They include: Kevin Duryea (Accord (N.Y.) Speedway); Tom Brennan (Big Diamond (Pa.) Raceway); Rodney Hart (Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Speedway); John McAuliffe (Fonda); Rick Mill (Orange County (N.Y.) Fair Speedway); Kevin Bates (Penn-Can); and Jessica Zemken (Utica-Rome (N.Y.) Speedway).
The warm spring afternoon temperatures should be pleasant for race teams and fans alike, as Penn-Can opens its doors for the ’05 campaign.
“With the weather always a factor in the early season, we wanted to try something a little different this year. We decided on a Sunday afternoon show,” explained Penn-Can Speedway co-promoter Al Wilcox.
“Reed (Miller) and I are starting our ninth season at Penn Can and are really excited about the 2005 season. This Sunday show is something the fans should really enjoy and hopefully the weather won’t be a factor.”
American Racer compounds SD 33, 38, 44 and 48 will be permitted with no stamp required. The 2004 DIRT Hoosier Sportsman tire and the Five Mile Point 10-inch Hoosier tire will also be allowed. Hoosier Modified tires are not permitted. Standard engine, body, chassis and safety rules will be in place (based on ’04 DIRT specs).
Heat race starting positions will be determined by a draw for position, with a redraw format in place for the feature.
Gates will open at noon. Grandstand admission is $12 and pit admission is $25.
Penn-Can Speedway is located on Route 171, off the I-81 Great Bend exit. The track is also accessible from Exit 79 (Windsor) off Route 17. For more information, contact the speedway office at (570) 585-9928 or on race day: (570) 853-3434. The official website is www.penncan.com.
For more information on the Race of Champions Dirt Tour, contact Andrew Harpell at (607) 238-0432 or visit the website: www.rocdirt.com.
The Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour North region race No. 2 is set for Sun., May 8 at Utica-Rome (N.Y.) Speedway. The 66 ˝ -lap contest will offer a $4,000 top prize and a $500 small-block bonus as Bobby Varin looks to back up his Fonda victory under the lights at “The Action Track of the East.”

PENN-CAN NOTES:
Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour Race No. 1
Penn-Can Speedway (Susquehanna, Pa.)
Sunday, April 24
Track Office: 570-585-9928
Race Day: 570-853-3434
Website: www.penncan.com
Gates Open: Noon
Racing: 2:00 p.m.
Qualifying: Draw for heat race qualifying positions when you enter the track. Top heat qualifiers redraw for feature starting spots.
Grandstand General Admission: $12
Pit Fees: $25
Pre-Race Entry: $10 (if received prior to April 24); $15 after that date.
Tire Specifications for April 24 race only: American Racer: SD 33, 38, 44, or 48 (No stamp needed). Call if you have questions. Hoosier: 2004 DIRT or FMP 10-inch Sportsman tire. (No Hoosier modified tires allowed).
Race Distance: 40 green flag laps
General Race Rules: The standard motor, body, chassis and safety rules, based on 2004 DIRT rules. Call if questions.
All 2004 Sportsman champions from participating tracks are guaranteed starters for the first race at Penn-Can. They include: Kevin Duryea (Accord); Tom Brennan (Big Diamond); Rodney Hart (Five Mile Point); John McAuliffe (Fonda); Rick Mill (Orange County); Kevin Bates (Penn-Can); and Jessica Zemken (Utica-Rome).


Penn-Can Speedway Race of Champions Sportsman Information

Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Series
04/11/05 - Penn Can Speedway

Route 171
Susquehanna, Pa.
Sunday, April 24
Gates Open: 12:00 noon
Racing: 2:00 p.m.
Qualifying: Draw for heat race qualifying positions when you enter the track. Top heat qualifiers redraw for feature starting spots.
Grandstand General Admission: $12
Pit Fees: $25
Pre-Race Entry: $10 (if received prior to April 24); $15 after that date.
Tire Specifications fo April 24 race only:
American Racer: SD 33, 38, 44, or 48 (No stamp needed). Call if you have questions.
Hoosier: 2004 DIRT or FMP 10 inch Sportsman tire. (No Hoosier modified tires allowed).
Race Distance: 40 green flag laps
General Race Rules: The standard motor, body, chassis and safety rules, based on 2004 DIRT rules. Call if questions.
All 2004 Sportsman champions from participating tracks are guaranteed starters for the first race at Penn-Can. They include: Kevin Duryea (Accord Speedway); Tom Brennan (Big Diamond); Rodney Hart (Five Mile Point); John McAuliffe (Fonda); Rick Mill (Orange County); Kevin Bates (Penn-Can); and Jessica Zemken (Utica-Rome).
Speedway Telephones:
Track office: 570-585-9928
Race Day:  570-853-3434
www.penncan.com


Varin Gives Car Owner Jake Spraker Initial RoC Glory At Fonda
By BRETT DEYO

FONDA, NY – Ask Jake Spraker why he tapped Bobby Varin as his driver for the 2005 season and he’ll give you a simple answer.
“He gives 100 percent every lap. Bobby drives his heart out.”
Varin emphatically affirmed Spraker’s words last Saturday afternoon at Fonda Speedway, using his home track advantage to win the 50-lap McDonald’s “Ice Jam” feature. The event served as race one of the Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour’s North region point battle.
The Sharon Springs, N.Y., talent collected $4,000 for the historic triumph, etching his name in the record book as the first-ever RoC Dirt winner. A huge sun-splashed crowd took in the inaugural event at “The Track of Champions.”
“This is great,” exclaimed a visibly enthused Varin, who teamed with Spraker, owner of Jake Spraker Used Cars and Trucks in Johnstown, N.Y., during the off-season. Varin, the ’00 Fonda champion, fielded equipment on a limited budget at Ric Lucia’s facility last year.
“I couldn’t have picked a better way to start out with a new team and a new series. What a day!”
Varin rolled off sixth in Spraker’s JPM big-block powered No. 1J, but Mitch Gibbs emerged as the dominant force early on. Running against the outside cushion, North Norwich, N.Y.’s Gibbs powered from fourth to second on lap four, then drove by polesitter Gus Schmidt on the fifth circuit to grab the lead in turn two.
Piloting Lance Kenyon’s big-block No. 22G, Gibbs accrued a straightaway advantage while Varin slipped into second on lap seven.
Shortly thereafter, Varin, 34, joined Gibbs on the topside in a cat-and-mouse lead battle. As the leaders diced through heavy lapped traffic, Varin made his presence felt. He trailed Gibbs by only three car-lengths when A.J. Romano slowed on lap 23 to necessitate the caution that changed the complexion of the race.
“I knew I needed to get out front because my car wasn’t handling just right,” Varin said. “I felt like I was gaining on him before that caution, but I couldn’t get close enough in the traffic to make a serious run.”
When Gibbs opted for the outside on the double-file restart, Varin put his years of Fonda experience to work. Timing the green perfectly, he was able to sweep by Gibbs in turn three.
“Knowing what you can pull off on restarts,” Varin offered. “That’s the advantage of running here weekly.”
As Varin led, 16th-starter Alan Johnson methodically moved forward in the Jeff Rudalavage-owned No. 14J. Using Morrison small-block power in the Bicknell, Johnson cleared Gibbs following a lap-24 restart to claim second.
The Middlesex, N.Y., veteran immediately chipped away at Varin’s lead, running around the inner hub of the fairgrounds half-mile. By lap 37, Johnson had erased the advantage completely, making a bid for the lead entering turn three.
However, Johnson encountered a blockade in the form of Bobby Vedder, who hugged the preferred inside groove. Before Johnson could clear Vedder, Varin adjusted his line to match the changing track conditions.
“I moved down in (turns) one and two,” Varin recounted. “The bottom of one and two started taking rubber, but I was able to stay on the top through three and four. The car wasn’t exactly too my liking; it was tight through the center and loose off, so I had to use all of the racetrack.”
By lap 40, Varin’s lead stabilized and he drove to the biggest victory of his career since the Oct. 2003 Eastern States 200 at Orange County (N.Y.) Fair Speedway, during his stint with the H&H team.
The win was obviously a morale booster for Varin, but he was reluctant to take the credit.
“This is a good car,” he said of the mount, a 2004 Bicknell that was driven by Alan Johnson at The New York State Fairgrounds and Eastern States at OCFS last autumn. “Everything on it is brand new. I just have to thank Jake and Nancy Spraker for the opportunity.”
Johnson, 47, finished roughly a half-straightaway back in second. He picked up the $500 bonus as the first small-block across the line. It marked his second runner-up finish for the Rudalavage team this year. Johnson trailed Brett Hearn at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway on March 20.
“He (Varin) gets around here,” Johnson said. “He can drive this place better than I can. It helps being here every week.
“It would have been a better race without the lapped traffic. On the bottom, I was good, but I couldn’t run up top like he could to get around the slower cars. I can’t complain about it.
“The thing that hurts us running a small-block is the qualifying. To come out of here second, I’m pretty happy.”
Johnson added that he plans to enter RoC events for the Eynon, Pa.-based team throughout the summer.
Jerry Higbie Jr. of Slate Hill, N.Y., charged from 22nd to finish third in his family-owned Precision-powered Bicknell No. 97. The 32-year-old OCFS regular took over the final podium position five laps from the finish.
Higbie shelved his primary car after hot laps when he discovered a severe miss in the engine. He pulled out his back-up car and sustained a flat tire in heat race competition that forced him to qualify via the consolation.
“I think we were steady throughout,” Higbie said. “It didn’t matter where the guy was in front of me, it seemed like I could get around them high or low. That’s how good the car felt.
“It was pretty awesome. I’m glad I can be ‘the show’ at sometimes.”
Tony Pepicelli of Princetown, N.Y., finished fourth after starting 19th and Gibbs, who led laps 5-23, rounded out the top five.
Ronnie Johnson, Willy Decker, Jeff Trombley, Alton Palmer and Schmidt completed the top 10.
Fifty-eight cars entered the event. Heat winners included Erik Nelson, Mitch Gibbs, Bobby Varin, Ronnie Johnson, Gus Schmidt and Ryan Odasz. Tony Pepicelli, Ray Zemken and Bobby Vedder topped the consolations.

FONDA NOTES: Was the first RoC event a success?
“Absolutely,” affirmed Fonda general manager Marty Beberwyk. “I was happy with the car turnout (58) and there was a good fan turnout. I only saw a few seats in the bottom rows. Granted the weatherman helped us out, but this was a big boost for the series.”….
Two horrific-appearing accidents marred the third consolation. The first occurred on lap three when Jim Davis made contact with Ronnie Holmes, sending Holmes into the outside wall in turn one, roll cage first. Holmes walked away, but was finished for the day.
The second incident came on a latter attempt to complete lap three (after the caution had been displayed). CVRA regular Derrick McGrew hopped Bobby Vedder’s right-rear tire entering turn three and slammed the end of the outside tire barrier, sending him flipping. McGrew was uninjured….
Mitch Gibbs held the lead for 18 laps, but it took one off-key restart to begin his decline back to fifth. “We had a little stumble,” Gibbs said. “The carburetor stuttered on me, like four or five times. That allowed him (Varin) to get out on me.”….
The Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour visits Utica-Rome (N.Y.) Speedway on Sun., May 8 for a 66 ˝-lap contest. For the teams that did not qualify at Fonda, there will be a “Non Qualifiers Race” at U-R offering two spots into the feature field….
Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway will host the Race of Champions Dirt Sportsman Tour on Sun., April 24, featuring a 40-lap, $1,000-to-win main event….

“Ice Jam” Feature Finish (Race of Champions North Region Race No. 1): BOBBY VARIN, Alan Johnson, Jerry Higbie Jr., Tony Pepicelli, Mitch Gibbs, Ronnie Johnson, Willy Decker, Jeff Trombley, Alton Palmer, Gus Schmidt, Brian Weaver, Dave Camara, Elmo Reckner, Erik Nelson, John Marsh, Ryan Bartlett, Ray Zemken, Jamie Christian, Bobby Vedder, Billy Osta, J.R. Crouse, Ryan Odasz, Jack Johnson, Randy Snyder, A.J. Romano, Ken Hanson, Dave Lape, David Van Horn Jr.
Did Not Start: Matt DeLorenzo.
Did Not Qualify: Tony Farone, Steve Akers, Chris Ostrowsky, Ed Harris, Jamie Christian, C.V. Elms, Eric Mack, Derrick McGrew, Jeremy Matthies, Tim Hindley, Mario Clair, Ronnie Holmes, Mike Fusco, Jeremiah Munson, Paul Kinney, Dave Zona, Dustin Purdy, Mike Kolka Jr., Jerry Pennock Jr., Jim Davis, Chris Shultz, Craig Hanson, Jason Barney, Bill Wilson, Cass Bennett, Donnie Wetmore Jr., Rodney Hunsinger, Rich Ricci Jr., Mike Colsten.


The Anticipation Is Over:  Race of Champions History To Be Made This Saturday, April 9 At Fonda
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY – An off-season full of hype and anticipation will culminate this Sat., April 9 at Fonda Speedway.
Ric Lucia’s historic half-mile oval will host the first event of the Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour’s inaugural season. The “Ice Jam” 50-lap event, offering a $4,000 winner’s share and $500 small-block bonus will serve as the first point race of the North Region.
Racing is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Pit gates open at 10 a.m. and grandstand gates open at 11 a.m. Hot laps will hit the track at noon.
“The Race of Champions has a storied history,” remarked RoC Dirt administrative director Andrew Harpell, referring to the Race of Champions origin, which dates back to 1951 at the Langhorne (Pa.) one-mile dirt track.
“What better place to begin the first season of the RoC Dirt Tour than Fonda, a track that boasts so much tradition in dirt racing?”
A banner field of big-block/small-block Modifieds is expected to descend on “The Track of Champions,” led by invaders David Van Horn Jr., Mitch Gibbs, Brian Weaver and Alan Johnson, along with Fonda top guns Bobby Varin, Jeff Trombley, Tony Pepicelli, Mike Romano and Matt DeLorenzo.
Capital District legends Dave Lape (2004 Fonda champion) and Jack Johnson will be joined by a number of top stars trying to contend for RoC glory as well.
Young Ryan Bartlett of Adams, N.Y., a Thunder Alley (N.Y.)/Can-Am (N.Y.)/Brockville (Ont.) regular was the first official entry for the Fonda event. The RoC Tour will visit Fonda twice more in ’05: Weds., July 27 and the annual McDonald’s Weekend on Sept. 24-25.
Last year, 57 competitors took part in the “Ice Jam” with Watertown, N.Y.’s Tim McCreadie garnering the victory. McCreadie rebounded from an accident in hot laps to pilot teammate Vic Coffey’s car to the win over Pat Ward, Brett Hearn, Tim Fuller and Matt Sheppard.
An equally talented field is expected to descend on Fonda for this year’s lid-lifter.
“There is no sense in waiting,” Fonda promoter Ric Lucia commented. “The first race of the RoC Tour will be at Fonda on April 9. So if you are going to be in the running for the roses you better be there.”
Following the Fonda event, the RoC Sportsman Tour takes center stage at Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway on April 24, and the RoC Modified Tour rolls into Utica-Rome (N.Y.) Speedway on May 8 for a 66 ˝-lap contest.
Fonda Speedway is located one mile off New York State Thruway Exit 28 in Fonda, N.Y. The business phone is (518) 382-3115 and the race day line is (518) 853-4235. For more information, visit the Fonda website at www.fondaspeedway.com.
For further RoC info, contact Andrew Harpell at (607) 238-0432 or visit the RoC Dirt website: www.rocdirt.com.
FONDA NOTES:
Grandstand General Admission: $15
Pit Fees: $25
Pre-Race Entry: $15 (if received prior to April 5); $20 after that date.
Tire Information: American Racer compounds 50, 48 or 44. Left-front: Any tire option for this event. Contact Jumpin’ Jack’s Speed Shop at (518) 355-5314 for tire information.
Race Distance: 50 green flag laps
General Race Rules: The standard motor, body, chassis and safety rules, based on 2004 DIRT rules.
Weight Information: Big-Block Modifieds – min. 2,500 lbs no tolerance (’04 DIRT legal);
Small-Block Modifieds – min. 2,400 lbs. no tolerance (’04 DIRT legal); Big Diamond/Grandview 9-to-1 small blocks – min. 2,400 lbs. no tolerance; any other small block combination must weigh a min. 2,500 lbs. no tolerance; NO mixing and matching of rules.
Guaranteed Starters: Tommy Meier (Orange County (N.Y.) Fair Speedway); Dave Lape (Fonda); Brian Weaver (Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway); Don Hart Jr. (Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Speedway); Doug Hoffman (Big Diamond (Pa.) Raceway); Steve Paine (Thunder Alley (N.Y.) Speedpark); Stewart Friesen (Utica-Rome (N.Y.) Speedway) and Pete Bicknell (Ransomville (N.Y.) Speedway).


First Entries Received For RoC Dirt Openers; Fonda April 9 and Penn-Can April 24 To Open Inaugural Season
By BRETT DEYO

BINGHAMTON, NY - Ryan Bartlett and Jeremy Holt have forever etched their names in the Race of Champions Dirt Tour record book.

The two young drivers became the first pre-race entries for their respective RoC Dirt Tour Season Openers.

The RoC Dirt Modified Tour will begin its inaugural year at Fonda (N.Y.) Speedway on Sat., April 9. The RoC Dirt Sportsman Tour's first event is slated for Sun., April 24 at Penn-Can (Pa.) Speedway.

Bartlett, 22, of Adams, N.Y., will be part of a talent-laden cast ready to descend on the historic half-mile Fonda oval for the "Ice Jam" 50-lap feature paying $4,000 to the winner plus a $500 small-block bonus.

Bartlett finished ninth in the point standings at Can-Am (N.Y.) Motorsports Park and Brockville (Ont.) Speedway in 2004, while posting a top-five effort in Thursday competition at Thunder Alley (N.Y.) Speedpark.

Other confirmed entries for the first of three visits to "The Track of Champions" include dirt Modified star Alan Johnson of Phelps, N.Y., who will pilot a Jeff Rudalavage-owned No. 112 Bicknell and Mitch Gibbs of North Norwich N.Y., in Lance Kenyon's big-block Modified.

Fonda's quality field of regulars, led by defending Modified track champion Dave Lape of Canajoharie, N.Y., legendary Jack Johnson of Duanesburg, N.Y., and former Eastern States 200 winner Bobby Varin of Sharon Springs, N.Y., will try to defend their home turf against the invaders.

All 2004 Modified champions from RoC Dirt member tracks are guaranteed starters for Fonda.

They include: Tommy Meier (Orange County (N.Y.) Fair Speedway); Dave Lape (Fonda); Brian Weaver (Penn-Can); Don Hart Jr. (Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Speedway); Doug Hoffman (Big Diamond (Pa.) Raceway); Steve Paine (Thunder Alley); Stewart Friesen (Utica-Rome (N.Y.) Speedway) and Pete Bicknell (Ransomville (N.Y.) Speedway).

Entries are pouring into the Race of Champions office by the day and a full list of those expected to compete will be made available prior to the event.

Race time at Fonda is 1 p.m.

Holt, of Kirkwood, N.Y., scored his first ever Sportsman victory in the Southern Tier Open last October at Five Mile Point Speedway. He did so in his rookie season of Sportsman competition driving for Roger Batzel's Country Town Auto Service team.

In fact, Holt had never driven anything prior to the '04 campaign at Five Mile Point. His ability to adapt to the quarter-mile turned heads all season.

Holt will try to score high-profile victory number two when the RoC Sportsman Tour contests its 40-lap, $1,000-to-win feature, part of Penn-Can Speedway's unique "Spring 150" promotion.

A large contingent of Sportsman racers from across the Northeast is expected to descend on Al Wilcox and Reed Miller's three-eighths-mile track for the Sunday afternoon special.

The first green flag of the "Spring 150" is set to fly at 2 p.m.

RoC officials reported a great amount of interest in both the Modified and Sportsman Tours after a successful March 12 meeting during the CarQuest Motorsports Expo held at the New York State Fairgrounds.

The Race of Champions Dirt Tour website, created by MJM Website Design, is up and running at www.rocdirt.com. Rules, regional breakdowns, schedules and other pertinent information regarding the inaugural season will be available there soon.

Fonda Speedway is located one mile off the New York State Thruway (I-90) in Fonda, N.Y. For more information, contact the speedway office at (518) 382-3115 or visit the website: www.fondaspeedway.com.

Penn-Can Speedway is just minutes off Route I-81 on Route 171 in Susquehanna, Pa. Information can be obtained by calling the office at (570) 585-9928 or visiting the website: www.penncan.com.


Copyright © 1998-2006 by South Jersey Dirt Racing/ToddJ All Rights Reserved.  Born on date April 21, 1998