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FULL POWER: Fuller Crowned King of the Big Blocks at Bridgeport
Friesen and McLaughlin finish behind Fuller after 100 lap New Jersey clash
SWEDESBORO, NJ – With his first win since 2018, Tim Fuller, hero of the North Country, took over the race lead at the halfway point and never looked back. If he had looked back, Fuller would have seen the looming shadow of Stewart Friesen getting larger but after relegating Max McLaughlin to third, the #44 Halmar Racing Big Block failed to reel in the leader by the conclusion of the 100-lap, $10,000-to-win King of the Big Blocks.
Tim Fuller, from Watertown, NY, has now eclipsed the late Jack Johnson’s all-time Super DIRTcar Series win total with Series victory number 32 to his name. He did it after starting in the first position outside of the redraw, thirteenth, and dressing by the best Big Block Modified drivers around including fellow podium finishers Stewart Friesen and Max McLaughlin.
Early in the race, Fuller had to make some gutsy moves but he was so fast that he avoided taking big risks along the way. By the halfway point the #19 St. Lawrence Radiology Big Block was in the lead. Then he hit lapped traffic and that’s where experience became vital.
“I’ve been doing it so long that I’ve learned to be patient with lapped traffic and not rush it,” said Fuller. “I’ve seen people crash themselves out and lose the race because you are overdriving and it's stupid. I’ve lost them that way and I’ve won them that way. It’s your race to lose when you are leading. Protect the bottom and don’t get slid.”
By holding on for the victory, Fuller attained some redemption after allowing Friesen to pass him late in the Thousand Islands 100 at Can-Am Speedway in April this year. The Halmar driver went into Bridgeport with a historic three-race win streak to start the championship season.
“Friesen is the best in the business right now,” Fuller conceded. “There’s no question about it. He’s in the prime of his career. I remember being his age. He can still see very well! He has so much ability and he’s not going away for a while so anytime you can win one over him means you’re doing something right.”
The racing on the track was intense with three and four-wide moments everywhere. The Hoosier Racing Tire compound game was just as hotly contested as the side-by-side action on the speedway. It played a crucial role in the outcome of the race.
“I knew I had soft rubber on the left side and right front,” Fuller noted of his tire choices. “My right rear was as hard as you can get. I think the other guys were running the softer tire. I made a shock change on the right front before the Heat Race and I liked that. We just got better and better. The long-distance races here I’ll take them all day long.”
After redrawing the eleventh starting position, Friesen took his #44 up 10 spots to pick up the second-place finish.
“We were good,” said Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON driver Stewart Friesen. “We went as hard as we could get with the tire. I think some of those early cautions hurt us a bit when the tires got hot and cooled back off. We’ve got some momentum going and fast race cars. Big thanks to Halmar and Chris Larsen.”
He won last year’s King of the Big Blocks and many had him touted as the favorite to win the 2021 edition. Ten more laps or one more restart may have put the ball in his court but the race stayed green and Fuller put too many lapped cars between himself and the #44 for Friesen to challenge him.
Tire compound choice was vital.
“We have a good notebook from last year,” Friesen noted. “We went as hard as we could go last year too and the track was more abrasive then. Tonight, for whatever reason it stayed a little bit slicker. We were good at the end but we just didn’t fire at the beginning. If you look at those cautions it’s a woulda/coulda/shoulda scenario. We’ll chalk it up and roll on to the next one.”
Friesen steadily moved through the field to the front.
“It’s an awesome race track,” he said. “Super racy. If you enter on the bottom you can get in there good but then you lose all your momentum to the guys sailing on the outside. It was a little bit sketchy on the restarts going three and four wide. It was fun.”
Third-place finisher Max McLaughlin led the second-most laps of the race. The #32C started fifth but was soon mixing it up with the top 3 including pole-sitter and former HBR teammate Jimmy Phelps who had a strong night and ultimately finished fifth.
“These races are too long to count on anything early,” McLaughlin said of his early domination. “I knew when we fired well on the restart and drove right to the lead that I may have made the wrong.”
Again, the tire game in the pits made for an exciting Feature on the track.
“I ran a 400 right year and 300s in the other three,” McLaughlin said. “They were running 400s and 500s so they [Fuller and Friesen] were better on the long runs. Even though we picked the wrong tire we still ran really well. I think we can build on that.”
The Mooresville, NC native has one career Series win, the finale of DIRTcar OktoberFAST at Weedsport last October, but he’s been close to doubling up that total.
“My stuff was pretty burned out at the end,” McLaughlin lamented. “I was playing defense more than I was attacking. It was a lot of fun. It’s always good racing with these guys. I love racing with the Series and we’ll get another win here soon.”
Fourth-place finisher “Batman” Peter Britten was the hard charger award winner for advancing more positions than any other driver. He drove up 16 cars for his top 5 from twentieth.
Demetrios Drellos, driver of the #111 from Queensbury, NY was the only driver to run a 16.0 and that was good enough for the $100 Billy Whittaker Cars Fast-Time Award winner.
Young gun Alex Yankowski finished sixth against a field of elite Big Block drivers. He a $50 bonus from Ken Bruce for being the highest finishing Pennsylvania/Delaware/New Jersey driver plus a free Hoosier Racing Tire for drawing position number 12 in the redraw.
NEXT UP: The Super DIRTcar Series goes to Weedsport Speedway and Lebanon Valley Speedway for a doubleheader May 30-31. Bookmark SuperDIRTcarSeries.com to stay informed on all the Big Block action. Plus, race fans can follow along on Twitter, Facebook,
and Instagram.
Feature (100 Laps)
- 19-Tim Fuller [13][$10,000]; 2. 44F-Stewart Friesen [11][$5,000]; 3. 32C-Max Mclaughlin [5][$2,500]; 4. 21A-Peter Britten [20][$1,800]; 5. 98H-Jimmy Phelps [1][$1,600]; 6. 84Y-Alex Yankowski [12][$1,400]; 7. 7MM-Michael Maresca [3][$1,300]; 8. 9S-Matt Sheppard [7][$1,200]; 9. 2L-Jack Lehner [16][$1,100]; 10. 83X-Tim Sears [17][$1,000]; 11. 88W-Mat Williamson [14][$800]; 12. 35M-Mike Mahaney [25][$700]; 13. 99L-Larry Wight [2][$600]; 14. 1T-Tyler Dippel [6][$575]; 15. 8A-Duane Howard [23][$550]; 16. 5H-Chris Hile [24][$525]; 17. 126B-Domnick Buffalino [4][$500]; 18. 28M-Jordan Mcreadie [22][$500]; 19. 14W-Ryan Watt [21][$500]; 20. 91-Billy Decker [9][$500]; 21. 4R-Kevin Root [28][$]; 22. 3M-Sam Martz [29][$]; 23. 22W-Brandon Walters [27][$]; 24. 118B-Jim Britt [18][$500]; 25. 17D-Marcus Dinkins [26][$500]; 26. 26-Ryan Godown [10][$500]; 27. 111D-Demetrios Drellos [8][$500]; 28. 25R-Erick Rudolph [19][$500]; 29. 30W-Joseph Watson [15][$500]
Hard Charger Award: 21A-Peter Britten[+16]
FULL RESULTS
Contingency Awards:
Billy Whittaker Cars Fast-Time Award – $100 – Demetrios Drellos
Autism Awareness – $250 Tim Fuller
VP Race Fuels – $50 – Matt Sheppard
ASI Racewear -$50 – Matt Sheppard
ARP – $50 – Matt Sheppard
Cometic Gasket – $50 – Larry Wight
Drydene Performance – $50 – Matt Sheppard
COMP Cams – $50 – Larry Wight
Fox Racing Shocks – $50 – Jack Lehner
PHOTO: Quentin Young
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WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Friesen’s Win Streak at Three, Mahaney and Series stars want revenge at King of the Big Blocks 100
‘May the Fourth’ sets stage for New Jersey’s Bridgeport Speedway Star Wars battleground between the dominant Stewart Friesen and the tenacious Mike Mahaney
SWEDESBORO, NJ - On Tuesday, May 4 — aka Star Wars Day — the stars and cars of the Super DIRTcar Series will invade Bridgeport Speedway attempting to break the stranglehold Stewart Friesen has on the Big Block Modified universe in the King of the Big Blocks 100.
The sleek black-and-blue Halmar #44 has risen to the highest step on the podium in all three championship points races this season, starting with the Thunder in the Thousand Islands 100 at Can-Am Speedway and a historic sweep of the Bristol Throwdown at Bristol Motor Speedway.
It seems the Halmar juggernaut is unstoppable. A Dark Horse has been close, but still in Friesen’s Vader-esque shadow. Mike Mahaney and his trusty Huttig-owned Big Block has been in dogged pursuit of the #44 in every race.
With Friesen the Darth Vader of this saga, Mahaney has embraced the persona of a favorite scrappy, headstrong hero: Han Solo.
“I can relate a little more with Han Solo’s mechanical ability to keep the old Millennium Falcon ship up and running,” Mahaney said. “And make it go fast.”
Mahaney, of King Ferry, NY, has maintained pace with Friesen in every race, putting himself “on his six” in the standings. Many have pegged the pilot of the #35 as the chosen one to take Friesen down at Bridgeport.
He pulled two SRI Performance pole positions at Bristol Motor Speedway, but was unable to convert them into wins.
“We have shown that we can run with Friesen at times and sometimes ahead of him, but when it comes down to long runs at the end of the races his pace has stayed more consistent without falling off as much,” Mahaney noted of his battles at Bristol.
On the other side – the dark side perhaps – Friesen is closing in on Bridgeport with his sights set and engines at full power.
“I do feel like Darth Vader coming in right now,” Friesen said. “I mean I’m not a big Star Wars fan, but I’ll take it and keep going. We’re going to keep running the Series races until we can’t.”
Not only has he won the first three championship races but he also won the Series race at Bridgeport in 2020.
“The Halmar guys have been working really hard obviously with all the success,” Friesen noted. “It’s a well-oiled machine. This is my sixth year driving for Chris Larsen. Everything is rolling really smooth. We have a great notebook. We’ve been rolling along, had some good luck, made some great calls tire-wise, and that’s been it. Looking forward to Bridgeport.”
Bridgeport Speedway
Dick Tobias won the first Super DIRTcar Series race at Bridgeport Speedway in 1976 on the old 5/8th mile configuration of the track that full-time driver Rusty Smith originally helped build. Last year Stewart Friesen grabbed the first checkered flag on the new 3/8th mile, high-banked circuit.
“Bridgeport is one of the more exciting tracks we go to with the new configuration,” said the driver of the #44 Halmar car. “I had the win there last year so we have some notes to go off of. Maybe we can tune it up and be a little bit better.”
Drivers are looking forward to going back to Bridgeport after a successful Bristol Throwdown weekend of racing at Bristol Motor Speedway.
“Just like Bristol, Bridgeport has a lot of banking, a lot of right-side load, so coming out of Bristol we’ll probably have some stuff to make our car even better,” Friesen said.
More than 35 entries are expected for the King of the Big Blocks 100. The race pays $10,000-to-win and rewards the winning driver with a guaranteed start in the Billy Whittaker Cars 200 at NAPA Super DIRT Week in October at Oswego Speedway.
Championship Battle
The talent level of the Super DIRTcar Series puts it in a league of its own. On top of the full-time Series driver points is Mike Mahaney, who has two top fives and three top 10s so far in three Series races. Mahaney’s #35 is red hot coming off of a win at Albany-Saratoga Speedway in weekly racing competition. Coincidentally, Mahaney finished ahead of runner-up Billy Decker who is also one stop behind him in Series points.
“I agree that the talent level continues to rise and there are a lot of teams who can compete,” said Mahaney of the points picture. “I think it’s early for me to even look at points. I like that we are running well and up towards the top but we will continue to focus on trying to get our first Series win.”
After Decker in points is Matt Sheppard, Peter Britten, and Mat Williamson. That’s a lot of talent and wins to see in the rearview mirror.
Series Stars vs. New Jersey/PA Favorites
Mike Gular, who was extremely fast at Bristol, will be on hand to try to take his first Series win. Drivers like Ryan Watt, Duane Howard, Ryan Godown, Jimmy Horton, Alex Yankowski, Dom Buffalino and more have made it known that they are ready to defend home territory.
Non-full-time Series regulars like Max McLaughlin, winner of the 2021 DIRTcar Nationals big gator trophy, Tim Sears Jr., who just picked up a DIRTcar 358 Modified win at Fulton and has looked strong in all Series races so far, plus Jordan McCreadie and Mike Maresca will also be strong contenders to watch for.
Race fans do not want to miss this ultimate clash of dirt modified worlds.
Tickets
Spectator Information & Pricing:
Pit Pass: $40
18+: $30
10-15: $15
Under 9: Free
More info at BridgeportMotorsportspark.com.
DIRTVision
If you can’t make it to the track then be sure to pick up your DIRTvision FAST PASS for all the Super DIRTcar Series, World of Outlaws, and DIRTcar Racing action live.
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PHOTO: Joe Grabianowski
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LEARNING CURVE: Weiss Optimistic About Future of Sniper Chassis
The Headingly, MB driver sits fifth in Points heading into Port Royal Speedway
CONCORD, NC – MAY 12, 2021 – Taking on a new journey can lead to many different emotions, especially in racing. For World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models driver Ricky Weiss, his third full season is a venture he’s never experienced before.
The Headingly, MB, Canada driver is pushing for his first championship behind the wheel of his own Sniper chassis.
He’s yet to reach Victory Lane in one of his cars, but The Manitoba Missile is starting to put together consistent runs. He has eight top-10 finishes in 2021, so far. Only Brandon Sheppard (12) and Chris Madden (11) have more.
Despite those consistent finishes, there’s also been nights he’s struggled.
Weiss knows it’s part of the ups and downs drivers deal with running a national tour.
“You’re going to have that roller coaster effect,” Weiss said. “The car’s been good, we just got some stuff as a team to work on, and I think we’ve got the speed.”
Speed is something that may come in handy as the Series moves to Port Royal Speedway. Weiss has had success at the 1/2-mile oval, finishing second to Mason Ziegler in 2019. He also led 17 laps in that race.
“It’s another big, fast track that becomes racy in the Feature,” Weiss said. “I think we’ll have a good car in the Feature, we just need to Qualify better and run our Heat Races better.”
Weiss enters Port Royal fifth in the points standing—156 points behind Sheppard. Even though he’s not too far behind, it’s not something he’s worrying about right now.
“I don’t really want to look at points until November, that’s always been my goal,” Weiss said. “There’s no doubt we’ve been struggling here and there, but you never know when that roller coaster effect could come around. I think the further we go we’re going to get better and better.”
Weiss’s success in his Sniper chassis isn’t his only focus in 2021. He’s been going to different racetracks helping customers move in the right direction.
“We’re working on getting some more cars out there, and that’s only going to help everyone as a team with feedback,” Weiss said. “Just like everything it’s hard to get materials, it’s hard to get anything right now. Once we get a few more cars out there and more people to work with, it’s only going to get better.”
The optimism Weiss is carrying through this journey, could be the key to unlocking more success on the path toward his first championship.
“The Manitoba Missile” and the rest of The Most Powerful Late Models on The Planet head to Port Royal Speedway May 21-22, for the Huey Wilcoxon and Billy Vacek Memorials.
If you can’t make it either night watch all the action live on DIRTVision with the annual Platinum FAST PASS subscription for $299/year or the monthly FAST PASS subscription for $39/month.
HOOSIER STATE HYSTERIA: World of Outlaws Set to Make Lone Trip to Indiana
The Series visits Circle City Raceway and Plymouth Speedway June 4-5
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MAY 5, 2021 – When you think of racing and Indiana, the Indianapolis 500 probably comes to mind. One weekend after “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models invade the Hoosier State for the only time in 2021.
It starts Friday, June 4, when the Series visits Circle City Raceway in Indianapolis. It’s the first time they’ll travel to a track inside the “Racing Capital of the World.”
The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet will run a 40-lap Feature, paying $10,000-to-win. It’s the third event in Circle City Raceway’s history, and the first time Super Late Models will touch the surface.
The World of Outlaws will be joined by the United CC Modlites and Pro Legends.
Tickets are $25 for adults, and Kids 12 and under are free.
BUY TICKETS HERE: https://bit.ly/3xLg5ia
Saturday June 5, the Series travels North to Plymouth Speedway in Plymouth, IN. It’ll be another 40-lap Feature, with Saturday’s winner also collecting $10,000.
The speedway’s Modifieds are also on the card.
Tickets are $35 for adults, and $10 for kids 12 and under.
BUY TICKETS HERE: https://bit.ly/3elptRV
Three-time and defending champion Brandon Sheppard already has a win at Plymouth Speedway, having won a DIRTcar Summer Nationals event in 2017.
The experience could help the “Rocket Shepp” in his chase for history. He’s one win away from his 70th career win and only nine wins away from tying Josh Richards for most all-time (78).
The New Berlin, IL driver also leads the points standings in his quest for a fourth title. But with drivers like 29-time winner Chris Madden, Tyler Bruening, who sits third in points, and recent winner Cade Dillard in the field, there won’t be an easy path to victory. Both races are sure to continue the Series’ streak of can’t-miss thrilling events.
If you can’t make it either night watch all of the action live on DIRTVision with the annual Platinum FAST PASS subscription for $299/year or the monthly FAST PASS subscription for $39/month.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: World of Outlaws prepare for Dairyland Showdown Doubleheader
Sheppard, Gustin, Strickler, Bruening and More will battle for potential $40K payday
Fountain CITY. WI– MAY 3, 2021 – The World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models will make its first visit to Mississippi Thunder Speedway May 7-8, for the Dairyland Showdown presented by Dynamic Concrete Resurfacing.
The Fountain City, WI site is the 193rd track the Series will visit. It’s also the third straight weekend it’ll travel to a venue for the first time.
Drivers will chase another big payday, with one potentially walking away with $40,000 by the end of the weekend.
On Friday May 7, the Series will run a 40-Lap Feature, paying $12,500-to-win. The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet will return Saturday May 8 for a 60-Lap Feature, paying $22,500-to-win. If one driver wins both, they’ll get a $5,000 bonus from Dynamic Concrete Resurfacing.
The USRA Modifieds will join the World of Outlaws Late Models on both nights.
If you can’t make it either night, watch all the action live on DIRTVision with the annual Platinum FAST PASS subscription for $299/year or the monthly FAST PASS Subscription for $39/month.
Here are the top stories to follow this weekend:
A Long Road to 70: Three-time and defending champion Brandon Sheppard still hasn’t won an official Morton Buildings Feature. The closest he’s been to finding Victory Lane was last Friday when he finished second to Cade Dillard at Boone Speedway.
The next time Sheppard takes the checkered flag will be his 70th career World of Outlaws win.
It would put him eight wins behind Josh Richards for most all-time (78).
Even though a trip to Victory Lane has eluded the “Rocket Shepp,” he’s still at the top of the mountain in the standings—56 points ahead of Chris Madden.
Sheppard leads all drivers with 10 top-10 finishes in 2021. He also has five top-five’s, trailing only Madden who has six.
He’s had success at 3/8 mile tracks already in 2021. Sheppard won a Feature at Cherokee Speedway in March, but that did not count as an Official Series win.
Fear the Reaper: Since Rookie of the Year contender Ryan Gustin joined the Series, he’s been looking forward to racing at Mississippi Thunder Speedway. The Marshalltown, IA driver has a lot of laps at the track and raced there in a Regional Late Model Series last year.
“The Reaper” comes into this weekend eighth in the points standings-226 points behind Sheppard. He has six top-10 finishes in 2021, including one last Friday at Boone Speedway. Gustin is still looking for his first career World of Outlaws Late Models victory.
Consistency Is Key: A driver quietly working his way up the standings is Iowa’s Tyler Bruening. The rookie driver has taken over third place—94 points behind Sheppard.
Bruening has two top-five’s and eight top-10’s in 15 starts. He and Ricky Weiss are tied for the third-most top-10’s this season, behind Sheppard and Madden.
The Hawkeye State campaigner has also taken over the lead in the hunt for Rookie of the Year—10 points ahead of Kyle Strickler.
Bruening hopes to keep his consistency going, as the Series races close to his Decorah, IA home for the second straight weekend.
Breaking out of Bad Luck: It may sound like a broken record, but the bad luck continues for early-season points leader Kyle Strickler.
Since DIRTcar Nationals, “The High Side Tickler” hasn’t had a top-10 finish. He’s also dropped to fourth in the standings—104 points behind Sheppard.
Despite those results, there are signs he may be turning things around soon.
Strickler led a few laps in the Hawkeye 100, and had a top-five run going before he was involved in a crash.
The last time he raced on a track like Mississippi Thunder was at Cherokee Speedway in March. He was running in the top-five during that event until a flat tire forced him to pit late in the race.
The Mooresville, NC driver is tied for the most Series wins this season (2).
When and Where
May 7-8: Mississippi Thunder Speedway, Fountain City, WI
About the track
Mississippi Thunder Speedway is a high-banked, sweeping 3/8 mile oval.
Online: http://www.mississippithunder.com
On the Internet
World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models Series
Twitter – Twitter.com/WoOLateModels – @WoOLateModels
Instagram – Instagram.com/WoOLateModels – @woolatemodels
Facebook – Facebook.com/WorldofOutlawsLateModelSeries
YouTube – Youtube.com/WorldofOutlaws
DIRTVision – DIRTVision.com – Platinum annual FAST PASS for $299 or monthly FAST PASS for $39/month
Around the Turn: The World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Models head to Port Royal Speedway, May 21-22 for the Huey Wilcoxon, and Billy Vacek Memorials.
Feature Winners: (11 Drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins
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Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC-2
Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-2
Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-2
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Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL-1
Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1
Chris Madden, Grey Court, SC-1
Mike Spatola, Manhattan, IL-1
Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV-1
Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY-1
Cade Dillard, Robeline, LA-1
Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL-1
DRYDENE HEAT RACE WINNERS (29 Drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins
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Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-5
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Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY-4
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Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL-3
Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-3
Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA-3
Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC-34.
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Devin Moran, Dresden, OH- 2
Ross Bailes, Clover, SC- 2
Rick Eckert, York, PA-2
Ricky Weiss, Headingly, MB-2
Cade Dillard, Robeline, LA-2
Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL- 25.
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Dale Mcdowell, Chickamauga, GA- 1
Darell Lanigan, Union, KY-1
Parker Martin, Milledgeville, GA-1
Brandon Overton, Evans, Ga-1
Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN-1
Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-1
Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN-1
Ricky Thornton Jr., Chandler, AZ-1
Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-1
Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, TN-1
Brian Shirley, Chatham, IL-1
Ryan Unzicker, El Paso, IL-1
Taylor Scheffler, Waukesha, WI- 1
Mike Spatola, Manhattan, IL-1
Kevin Weaver, Gibson City, IL-1
Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV-1
Jimmy Owens, Newport, TN-1
Last Chance Showdown Winners (17 drivers)
Rank- Driver- Hometown-Wins
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Ricky Weiss, Headingly, MB -2
Dale Mcdowell, Chickamauga, GA-2
Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-2
Boom Briggs, Bear Lake, PA-22.
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Ross Robinson, Georgetown, DE- 1
Brent Larson, Lake Elmo, MN-1
Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, TN-1
Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS-1
Brandon Overton, Evans, GA- 1
Dennis Erb, Jr., Carpentersville, IL-1
Mike Norris, Sarver, PA- 1
Stacy Boles, Clinton, TN-1
Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC-1
Rick Eckert, York, PA-1
Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL-1
Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA-1
Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-1
PODIUM FINISHES (26 drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – Podiums
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Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL-4
Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL-42.
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Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC – 3
Devin Moran, Dresden, OH-3
Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-3
Cade Dillard, Robeline, LA – 33.
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Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL – 2
Shannon Babb, Moweaqua, IL-24.
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Scott Bloomquist, Mooresburg, TN – 1
Darrell Lanigan, Union, KY – 1
Hudson O’Neal, Martinsville, IN – 1
Ricky Thornton, Jr., Chandler, AZ – 1
Dale McDowell, Chickamauga, GA – 1
Brandon Overton, Evans, GA – 1
Mike Marlar, Winfield, TN-1
Jonathan Davenport, Blairsville, GA-1
Ryan Unzicker, El Paso, IL-1
Mike Spatola, Manhattan, IL-1
Josh Richards, Shinnston, WV-1
Tim McCreadie, Watertown, NY-1
Ross Bailes, Clover, SC-1
Ricky Weiss, Headingly, MB-1
Scott James, Bright, IN-1
Billy Moyer, Batesville, AR-1
Frank Heckenast Jr.- Frankfort, IL-1
Tyler Bruening, Decorah, IA-1
HARD CHARGER (9 drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – H.C.
-
Brandon Sheppard, New Berlin, IL – 3
Ricky Weiss, Headingly, MB – 32.
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Chase Junghans, Manhattan, KS – 2
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Boom Briggs, Bear Lake, PA – 1
Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-1
Ricky Thornton Jr., Chandler, AZ-1
Jason Jameson, Lawrenceburg, IN-1
Logan Martin, West Plains, MO-1
Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-1
SLICK WOODY’S QUICK TIME Award (9 drivers)
Rank – Driver, Hometown – QTs
-
Kyle Strickler, Mooresville, NC – 2
Brandon Overton, Evans, GA-2
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Kyle Bronson, Brandon, FL – 1
Devin Moran, Dresden, OH – 1
Bobby Pierce, Oakwood, IL – 1
Donald McIntosh, Dawsonville, GA- 1
Taylor Scheffler, Waukesha, WI- 1
Dennis Erb Jr., Carpentersville, IL-1
Chris Madden, Gray Court, SC-1
Billy Moyer, Batesville, AR-1
2021 World of Outlaws Late Model Schedule & Winners
No./ Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Total Wins)
1. Thursday, Jan. 14 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Kyle Bronson (1)
2. Saturday, Jan. 16 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Kyle Strickler (1)
3. Wednesday, Feb. 10 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Kyle Strickler (2)
4. Thursday, Feb. 11 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Devin Moran (1)
5. Friday, Feb. 12 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Brandon Overton (1)
6. Saturday, March 6/ Smoky Mountain Speedway/ Maryville, TN/ Chris Madden (1).
7. Friday, March 26 / Cherokee Speedway / Gaffney, SC / Jimmy Owens/Brandon Sheppard
8.Friday, April 2/Farmer City Raceway/Farmer City, IL/ Mike Spatola(1)
9. Saturday April 3/ Farmer City Raceway/Farmer City, IL/Bobby Pierce(1)
10.Friday April 9/Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, TN/Josh Richards(1)
11. Sunday April 11/Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, TN/Devin Moran(2)
12. Friday April 23/Richmond Raceway, Richmond, KY/Tim McCreadie(1)
13. Friday April 30/Boone Speedway, Boone IA/Cade Dillard(1)/Shannon Babb(1)
14. Saturday May 1/Boone Speedway, Boone IA/Bobby Pierce(2)
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WHAT TO WATCH FOR: MARS Late Model Thaw Brawl Hits LaSalle Speedway May 7-8
DIRTcar stars Spatola, English with recent weekly Feature wins, Simpson with great track record
LASALLE, IL – May 4, 2021 – One of the biggest DIRTcar Racing events on the spring schedule hits LaSalle Speedway this weekend.
The MARS Racing Series opens its 2021 campaign this Fri-Sat night, May 7-8, with the running of the 10th annual Thaw Brawl. Originally scheduled to take place in its traditional spot at the end of March, rain forced its postponement to May – the latest on the calendar the event has ever been contested.
Joined by the DIRTcar UMP Modifieds and Stock Cars, the DIRTcar-sanctioned MARS Late Models will hit LaSalle’s quarter-mile surface for two consecutive nights or racing – twin 30-lap, $3,000-to-win Features on Friday followed by the 60-lap, $12,000-to-win finale on Saturday.
This is the first time since 2019 the event has been held; the 2020 edition was lost due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
Times and admission prices are as follows for both Friday and Saturday – Pit gates open at noon, followed by grandstand gates at 3pm. Hot Laps are scheduled for 6pm. Pit passes are $40 for adults, $25 for children.
Friday general admission tickets are $25; Saturday tickets are $30. Children 11-and-under are free.
Here are the storylines to follow and drivers to watch for this weekend…
OPIE’S STRONG START – Mike Spatola, of Manhattan, IL, has had a great start to his 2021 season thus far. He claimed his first career World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series victory last month in the preliminary night of the Illini 100 at Farmer City Raceway, besting both the Outlaws’ best and several drivers he’ll be competing against this weekend at LaSalle.
This past Saturday night in weekly action, Spatola ran down the defending Farmer City track champion Mike Glasscock in traffic and made the pass coming to the white flag to seal his second win in under a month.
Thaw Brawl starts: 4
Best finish: 7th (2018)
NEW DIRECTION – Tanner English, of Benton, KY, and the Riggs Motorsports team have found a new direction for their 2021 campaign and have been riding a big wave of momentum that they’ll carry into LaSalle this weekend.
English recently announced his plans to chase the DIRTcar Late Model national points championship, worth $25,000 for the victor, as well as the DIRTcar Summer Nationals Hell Tour, which kicks off June 15 at Brownstown Speedway in Indiana. Since his announcement, he’s already taken his #81E to Victory Lane twice in the last three weekends.
English took the checkers at Lake Cumberland Speedway on April 17 and again this past Saturday at Clarksville Speedway – one of four Feature wins he has in DIRTcar-sanctioned competition at Clarksville already this year.
This will be English’s first career appearance at the Thaw Brawl. His teammate, Jason Riggs, finished 5th at this event in 2014.
NUMBERS NEVER LIE – There’s not many drivers with a better average finish in Thaw Brawl history, than Oxford, IA’s own Chris Simspon.
Simpson finished runner-up three times (2013, 2015, 2017) before finally taking the checkers himself in 2018. He finished third in the most recent running of the event two years ago and led laps 41-63 in the then-75-lap contest, giving him an average finish of 6.14 – the third highest amongst all drivers with at least five starts in the event.
His most recent appearance at LaSalle is a telltale sign as well – finishing runner-up with MARS in their season-ending race last year.
Thaw Brawl starts: 7
Best finish: 1st (2018)
THE CHAMP IS HERE – Defending DIRTcar Late Model national points and MARS Racing Series champion Brian Shirley, of Chatham, IL, is projected to be on the roster, and if he attends will come into the Thaw Brawl among the frontrunners to win his second event title.
Shirley won the 2016 Thaw Brawl, completing a weekend sweep of the action at LaSalle with his preliminary Feature victory the night before. Since that night, he’s won three of his last nine career starts at the facility – two of which were Summer Nationals triumphs; the latter of which came just last year.
As of late, Shirley’s been heating up, notching two Feature wins in the six events he attended in April – one in DIRTcar action at Lincoln (IL) Speedway.
Thaw Brawl starts: 6
Best finish: 1st (2016)
EXPERIENCE MATTERS – Rich Bell, of Sheffield, IL, is the only driver on this list to have entered and started every Thaw Brawl since its inception in 2012.
Bell had a solid go in MARS competition last year, attending every race on the schedule and bagging a seventh-place finish in points.
Lately, Bell’s been a big threat in weekly DIRTcar competition, posting a runner-up and a third-place finish in his two starts at Peoria Speedway. Last Saturday night, he captured his first Feature win of the season at one of DIRTcar’s newest weekly Late Model tracks – Winston Speedway in Rothbury, MI – topping the 22-car field.
Thaw Brawl starts: 8
Best finish: 6th (2016)
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CBS to broadcast World of Outlaws Bristol special
The World of Outlaws Sprint Cars and Late Models return to national TV for an hour-long show
CONCORD, NC – May 12, 2021 – Race fans around the country will get to relive the World of Outlaws’ historic return to Bristol Motor Speedway when the premier dirt racing series returns to the CBS Television Network for the World of Outlaws: It’s Bristol Baby special on June 12 at 1:30pm (ET).
The nationally televised hour-long special will showcase record-setting speeds and eye-widening moments from the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series return to Bristol for the first time in 20 years and World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series’ debut at “The Last Great Colosseum.” It’ll also feature interviews from drivers like Kyle Larson, two-time Sprint Car champion Brad Sweet and three-time Late Model champion Brandon Sheppard.
“By stepping onto the stage at one of the most iconic racetracks in the country like Bristol Motor Speedway, we were able to showcase the best dirt car racing in the world to a new audience. And we gave them four amazing shows,” World of Outlaws CEO Brian Carter said. “We are grateful for CBS once again providing us with a platform to expand that audience further and continue to provide our current fans something special.”
The Bristol Bash, featuring the World of Outlaws Late Models, saw the best Super Late Model drivers in the country go wheel-to-wheel in two 40-lap Features. The first night featured a brawl among legends in the sport like Sheppard, four-time champion Josh Richards and multi-time winner Chris Madden. Then, the second Feature saw rising young guns Devin Moran, Ricky Weiss and Ross Bailes bring fans to their feet with their late-race battle.
When the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars took their turn during the Bristol Throwdown, drivers averaged speeds higher than 140mph and put on two shows worthy of the title Greatest Show on Dirt. The likes of 2019 Knoxville Nationals champion David Gravel, 10-time Series champion Donny Schatz, 2021 DIRTcar Nationals champion Logan Schuchart and 2019 Rookie of the Year Carson Macedo put the thunder in “Thunder Valley” with daring moves that brought fans to the edge of their seats.
Join the thousands of fans who witnessed these historic moments in motorsports history by tuning in to CBS on Saturday, June 12, at 1:30pm.
You’ll be able to catch additional World of Outlaws events throughout the year on CBS Sports Network, as well.
CBS Sports, a year-round leader in television sports, broadcasts a portfolio of events on the CBS Television Network, including THE NFL ON CBS; college football, including the SEC ON CBS; college basketball, including the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship; golf, including The Masters®, PGA Championship and PGA TOUR; and CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR. In addition, the division includes CBS SPORTS NETWORK, the 24-hour home of CBS Sports, and produces INSIDE THE NFL for SHOWTIME. CBS Sports Digital’s multi-platform offerings include CBSSports.com and the CBS Sports apps for mobile and connected TV devices; streaming sports news network CBS Sports HQ; 247Sports; MaxPreps; CBS Sports fantasy games; and SportsLine.
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Week #1
Tuesday, June 15 | Brownstown Speedway | Brownstown, IN
Wednesday, June 16 | Peoria Speedway | Peoria, IL
Thursday, June 17 | Kankakee County Speedway | Kankakee, IL
Friday, June 18 | Tri-City Speedway | Pontoon Beach, IL
Saturday, June 19 | Fairbury Speedway | Fairbury, IL
Sunday, June 20 | Plymouth Speedway | Plymouth, IN
Week #2
Wednesday, June 23 | LaSalle Speedway | LaSalle, IL
Thursday, June 24 | Spoon River Speedway | Canton, IL
Friday, June 25 | Sycamore Speedway | Maple Park, IL
Saturday, June 26 | Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 | Pevely, MO
Sunday, June 27 | Jacksonville Speedway | Jacksonville, IL
Week #3
Wednesday, June 30 | Beaver Dam Raceway | Beaver Dam, WI (Late Models only)
Thursday, July 1 | Davenport Speedway | Davenport, IA (Late Models only)
Friday, July 2 | The Dirt Oval at Route 66 | Joliet, IL
Saturday, July 3 | Fayette County Speedway | Brownstown, IL
Sunday, July 4 | Lincoln Speedway | Lincoln, IL
Week #4
Thursday, July 8 | Macon Speedway | Macon, IL
Friday, July 9 | Farmer City Raceway | Farmer City, IL
Saturday, July 10 | Highland Speedway | Highland, IL
Sunday, July 11 | Tri-State Speedway | Haubstadt, IN
Week #5
Wednesday, July 14 | Circle City Raceway | Indianapolis, IN
Thursday, July 15 | Thunderbird Raceway | Muskegon, MI
Friday, July 16 | Hartford Speedway | Hartford, MI
Saturday, July 17 | Oakshade Raceway | Wauseon, OH
Sunday, July 18 | Terre Haute Action Track | Terre Haute, IN (Modifieds only)
Week #6
Wednesday, July 21 | Open
Thursday, July 22 | Springfield Raceway | Springfield, MO (Late Models only)
Friday, July 23 | Open
Saturday, July 24 | Clarksville Speedway | Clarksville, TN
Sunday, July 25 | Open
Fri-Sat, July 30-31 | Fairbury Speedway | Fairbury, IL (Modifieds only)
Week #7
Wed-Sun, Aug. 11-15 | Make-Ups
Week #8
Wednesday, Aug. 18 | Butler Motor Speedway | Quincy, MI
Thursday, Aug. 19 | I-96 Speedway | Lake Odessa, MI
Friday, Aug. 20 | Tri-City Motor Speedway | Auburn, MI
Saturday, Aug. 21 | Merritt Speedway | Lake City, MI
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2021 Super DIRTcar Series schedule
Tuesday, Feb. 9 - Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, FL - DIRTcar
Nationals
Wednesday, Feb. 10 - Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, FL -
DIRTcar Nationals
Thursday, Feb. 11 - Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, FL -
DIRTcar Nationals
Friday, Feb. 12 - Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, FL - DIRTcar
Nationals
Saturday, Feb. 13 - Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, FL -
DIRTcar Nationals
Saturday, April 10 - Can-Am Speedway, La Fargville, NY -
$7,500-to-win Thunder in the 1,000 Islands
Friday, April 23 - Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, TN -
$10,000-to-win Bristol Throwdown
Saturday, April 24 - Bristol Motor Speedway. Bristol, TN -
$10,000-to-win Bristol Throwdown
Tuesday, May 4 - Bridgeport Speedway, Swedesbro, NJ -
$10,000-to-win King of the Big Blocks
Sunday, May 30 - Weedsport Speedway, Weedsport, NY - $7,500-to-win
Heroes Remembered 100
Monday, May 31 - Lebanon Valley Speedway, West Lebanon, NY -
$13,500-to-win Mr. DIRT Track
Tuesday, June 22 - Albany-Saratoga Speedway, Malta, NY -
$7,500-to-win
Sunday, June 27 - Cornwall Motor Speedway, Cornwall, ON -
$7,500-to-win
Monday, June 28 - Le RPM Speedway, St. Marcel, QC - $7,500-to-win
Thursday, July 1 - Land of Legends Raceway, Canandaigua, NY -
$7,500-to-win Liberty 100
Monday, July 5 - Ohsweken Speedway, Ohsweken, ON - $10,000-to-win
25th Anniversary
Tuesday, July 6 - Ransomville Speedway, Ransomville, NY -
$7,500-to-win
Monday, July 19 - Autodrome Granby, Granby, QC - $7,500-to-win
Tuesday, July 20 - Autodrome Drummond, Drummondville QC -
$7,500-to-win
Sunday, July 25 - Weedsport Speedway, Weedsport, NY -
$10,000-to-win Hall of Fame Weekend
Wednesday, July 28 - TBD
Thursday, July 29 - Orange County Fair Speedway, Middletown, NY -
$10,000-to-win Battle of the Midway
Tuesday, Aug. 3 - Thunder Mountain Speedway, Center Isle, NY -
$7,500-to-win
Wednesday, Aug. 4 - Land of Legends Raceway, Canandaigua, NY -
$7,500-to-win
Saturday, Sept. 4 - Lebanon Valley Speedway, West Lebanon, NY -
$25,500-to-win Mr. DIRT Track USA
Saturday, Sept. 11 - Weedsport Speedway, Weedsport, NY -
$7,500-to-win Cavalcade Weekend
Sunday, Sept. 12 - Weedsport Speedway, Weedsport, NY -
$10,000-to-win Cavalcade Weekend
Saturday, Sept. 18 - Land of Legends Raceway, Canandaigua, NY -
$10,000-plus-to-win Gerald Haers Memorial
Saturday, Sept. 25 - Albany-Saratoga Speedway, Malta, NY -
$10,000-to-win Massive Malta Weekend
Sunday, Oct. 10 - Oswego Speedway, Oswego, NY - $50,000-to-win
Billy Whittaker Cars 200
Thursday, Nov. 4 - The Dirt Track at Charlotte, Concord, NC - Can-
Am World Finals
Thursday, Nov. 5 - The Dirt Track at Charlotte, Concord, NC -
Can-Am World Finals
Thursday, Nov. 6 - The Dirt Track at Charlotte, Concord, NC - Can-AmWorld
Finals
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DIRTcar eSports Tour Season 3
Schedule
March 24 – Big Block Modifieds at Weedsport Speedway
(50 Laps)
March 31 – UMP Modifieds at Bristol Motor Speedway
(40 Laps)
April 7 – Big Block Modifieds at Williams Grove
Speedway (50 Laps)
April 14 – Pro Late Models at The Dirt Track at
Charlotte (40 Laps)
April 21 – Big Block Modifieds at Lernerville
Speedway (50 Laps)
April 28 – Midgets at Lanier National Speedway (30
Laps)
May 5 – Big Block Modifieds at Cedar Lake Speedway
(50 Laps)
May 12 – 360 Sprint Cars at Kokomo Speedway (30 Laps)
May 19 – 358 Small Block Modifieds at USA
International Speedway (40 Laps)
May 26 – Big Block Modifieds at The Dirt Track at
Charlotte Motor Speedway (50 Laps)
Chevy Performance Street Stock League Season 3
Schedule
March 24 – Knoxville Raceway (20 Laps)
March 31 – Limaland Motorsports Park (25 Laps)
April 7 – Eldora Speedway (20 Laps)
April 14 – Fairbury Speedway (25 Laps)
April 21 – Cedar Lake Speedway (25 Laps)
April 28 – Lernerville Speedway (25 Laps)
May 5 – Limaland Motorsports Park (25 Laps)
May 12 – Eldora Speedway (20 Laps)
May 19 – Williams Grove Speedway (20 Laps)
May 26 – The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway
(25 Laps)
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2021 DIRTcar 358 Modified Series Schedule
*Subject to Change*
Sunday, July 11 - Cornwall Motor Speedway, Cornwall, ON
Monday, July 12 - Mohawk International Raceway, Akwesasne,
NY
Friday, September 10 - Can-Am Speedway, LaFargville, NY
Friday, September 17 - Mohawk International Raceway,
Akwesasne, NY
Wednesday, October 6 - Weedsport Speedway, Weedsport, NY
Thursday, October 7 - Brewerton Speedway, Brewerton, NY
Saturday, October 9 - Oswego Speedway, Oswego, NY -
$20,000-to-win
Saturday, October 16 - Brockville Ontario Speedway,
Brockville, ON - $10,000-to-win
TBA - Autodrome Drummond, Drummondville, QC
TBA - Le RPM Speedway, St. Marcel, QC
2021 DIRTcar Pro Stock Series Schedule
*Subject to Change*
Friday, June 18 - Autodrome Granby, Granby, QC
Sunday, July 4 - Cornwall Motor Speedway, Cornwall, ON
Sunday, July 25 - Glen Ridge Motorsports Park, Fultonville,
NY
Friday, September 10 - Can-Am Speedway, LaFargeville, NY
Saturday, September 11 - Weedsport Speedway, Weedsport, NY
Saturday, September 18 - Mohawk International Raceway,
Akwesasne, NY
Saturday, September 25 - Albany-Saratoga Speedway, Malta, NY
Sunday, October 10 - Oswego Speedway, Oswego, NY
World Short Track Championship
*No points*
Thursday, October 28 - The Dirt Track at Charlotte, Concord,
NC
Friday, October 29 - The Dirt Track at Charlotte, Concord,
NC
Saturday, October 30 - The Dirt Track at Charlotte, Concord,
NC
2021 DIRTcar Sportsman Modified Series Schedule
*Subject to Change*
Central Region
Wednesday, June 30 - Can-Am Speedway, LaFargeville, NY
Tuesday, August 4 - Thunder Mountain Speedway, Center Lisle,
NY
Wednesday, August 5 - Land of Legends Raceway, Canandaigua,
NY
Friday, September 10 - Can-Am Speedway, LaFargville, NY
Saturday, September 18 - Land of Legends Raceway,
Canandaigua, NY
TBA - Weedsport Speedway, Weedsport, NY
North Region
Saturday, May 1 - Airborne Speedway, Plattsburgh, NY
Thursday, June 24 - Mohawk International Speedway, Akwesasne,
NY
Friday, June 25 - Autodrome Granby, Granby, QC
Thursday, August 26 - Cornwall Motor Speedway - Cornwall, ON
Saturday, September 18 - Mohawk International Raceway,
Akwesasne, NY
West Region
Tuesday, July 6 - Ransomville Speedway, Ransomville, NY
Saturday, July 31 - Genesee Speedway, Batavia, NY
Friday, August 13 - Ransomville Speedway, Ransomville, NY
Friday, September 10 - Freedom Motorsports Park - Delevan,
NY
Saturday, September 11 - Merrittville Speedway, Thorold, ON
Friday, September 24 - Brighton Speedway, Brighton, ON
Saturday, September 25 - Brighton Speedway, Brighton, ON
East Region
Saturday, May 1 - Airborne Speedway, Plattsburgh, NY
Saturday, May 15 - Bear Ridge Speedway, Bradford, VT
Sunday, June 27 - Glen Ridge Motorsports Park, Fultonville,
NY
Friday, September 10 - Albany-Saratoga Speedway, Malta, NY
Sunday, September 12 - Glen Ridge Motorsports Park,
Fultonville, NY
Fall Championship Challenge
Friday-Saturday, October 1-2- Fulton Speedway, Fulton, NY
Wednesday, October 6 - Weedsport Speedway, Weedsport, NY
Thursday, October 7 - Brewerton Speedway, Brewerton, NY
Sunday, October 10 - Oswego Speedway, Oswego, NY
Saturday, October 16 - Brockville Ontario Speedway,
Brockville, NY
World Short Track Championship
*No points*
Thursday, October 28 - The Dirt Track at Charlotte, Concord,
NC
Friday, October 29 - The Dirt Track at Charlotte, Concord,
NC
Saturday, October 30 - The Dirt Track at Charlotte, Concord,
NC
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