Weedsport, NY — February 4, 2008 – By Tom Skibinski, DIRTcar Racing NorthEast PR Director

Officials at Mohawk International Raceway, formerly known as Frogtown Int’l Speedway, have released an action-packed 2008 schedule highlighted by the return of the Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Championship Series to the popular Akwesasne (Hogansburg), N.Y. layout.

The inaugural running of the “Akwesasne 100” slated for Thursday, August 21 marks the 20th DIRTcar Championship event at Mohawk Int’l for the 358-Modifieds and the first Small-Block tour race scheduled there since 2005.

“The track name change and bringing back a Modified championship event tie together well for ushering in a new era of racing here,” said pro stocker turned promoter Jody Swamp, 42, now helping guide MIR for a fourth straight season. “We’ve had the same track management for the past 20 years so we’re looking at 2008 as a turning point in the presentation of a brand new facility to the public.”

“An immediate goal is to change the entire structure of the place and put to bed that image of an old, worn out track. We’re still waiting for final tribal approval to offer more specifics about the pending projects in place, but there will be a lot of remodeling going on once we get the green light. Hopefully, if things work out we can even book another Series stop next season,” added Swamp, who expects an official announcement to come sometime in March.

Right now, though, fans and competitors can circle August 21 on their calendar for one of the biggest events of the season in northern New York State. Some of the most recognized names ---including past race winners Brett Hearn, Alan and Danny Johnson, Steve Paine, Pat and Danny O’Brien, and Pete Bicknell--- in DIRTcar racing have ventured to Mohawk Int’l since its Small-Block Series debut in 1988, and a whole new generation of Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified title contenders awaits the first chance to take the checkers come summertime.

“Having an important event like this at Mohawk Int’l is a big boost for the local racers,” said Cory Reed, DIRTcar Racing NorthEast Director of Competition & Track Sanctioning. “Most of our track members have taken advantage of the opportunity available to host a Series show. All of our regions continue to be well represented in the 358-Modified division and the addition of MIR provides further strength to build on in the coming years.”

The 2008 season at MIR kicks off on Saturday, May 3 with the first running of the Mohawk 30 for DIRTcar 358-Modifieds, including 30 laps of heated feature race action boasting a cool $1500 to win. Racing will continue every Saturday night from May-September, with a number of special events sprinkled in along the way. Mohawk International Raceway www.mohawkintraceway.com is located just off Route 37 on Frogtown Road in Akwesasne, N.Y.

For additional tour information, please contact 358-Modified Series Director Gaston Salvas (450/655-5022 or 514/817-2270; e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or DIRTcar NE Director Cory Reed at the Weedsport office (315/834-6606) during normal business hours. Log into the DIRTcar homepage at www.superdirtcarseries.com to find out more about the entire circuit as the 2008 season approaches

2008 Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Championship Series Schedule
*All events subject to change.
DAY-DATE LAPS TRACK LOCATION
Sat-Apr 26 100 Merrittville Speedway Thorold, ONT
Fri-Aug 1 68 Ransomville Speedway Ransomville, NY ($6,800 to win)
Thr-Aug 21 100 Mohawk Int’l Raceway Akwesasne, NY
Sun-Aug 31 100 Cornwall Motor Speedway Cornwall, ONT
Sat-Sep 6 75 Brockville Ont Speedway Brockville, ONT
Sat-Sep 13 150 Autodrome Drummond Drummondville, QUE ($15,000 to win)
Fri-Sep 19 75 Canandaigua Speedway Canandaigua, NY
Fri-Sep 26 75 Rolling Wheels Raceway Elbridge,NY
Wed-Oct 8 75 Can-Am Motorsports Park LaFargeville, NY
Thr-Oct 9 75 Brewerton Speedway Brewerton, NY
Fri-Oct 10 100 Rolling Wheels Raceway Elbridge, NY
Sat-Oct 11 150 New York State Fairgrnds Syracuse,NY ($20,000 to win)
Sat-Oct 18 100 Orange Co Fair Speedway Middletown,NY ($7,500 to win)

The Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Advance Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tire and Sunoco Race Fuels. Promotional partners include AMB i.t., Rite Aid Corporation and the University of Northwestern Ohio and the contingency sponsors are Bert Transmission, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Crane Cams, Integra Shocks, MSD Ignitions, Motorsports Safety Systems, Penske Shocks and Wrisco Industries.

Weedsport, NY — January 29, 2008 – By Tom Skibinski, DIRTcar Racing NorthEast PR Director

The 37th Annual Alltel DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla. is just a few weeks away and another stellar field of Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series competitors is expected as the popular winter bash quickly approaches.

Atop the chart of 40 pre-race entries are seven drivers accounting for 17 Florida Tour point titles spread over the past quarter-century. That legendary list includes six-time champion Brett Hearn, Danny Johnson (3), Alan Johnson (2), Jimmy Horton (2), Billy Pauch (2), Pat Ward and Andy Bachetti, with 39 checkered flags shared along the way.

“I’m very close to announcing a new associate sponsorship and the car has a new paint job, besides that everything is just about the same as last year,” said Hearn, 49, who also claimed a record-tying sixth overall Hoosier Tire-Sunoco Race Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Modified Championship last autumn. The Sussex, New Jersey superstar is DIRTcar Racing NorthEast’s all-time win leader with 508 (339 Big-Block) Modified victories. “I guess you can use the angle we’ve got strength in continuity so we’ll just try to carry over all the momentum stored away from a solid 2007 season.”

The traditional Florida Tour schedule for the ground-pounding Advance Auto Parts Big-Block Modifieds includes three 30-lap main events with a $5,000-to-win 50-lap finale closing out the '08 trip, February 13-16. An optional practice day has been saved for Tue., Feb. 12. Hearn has dominated the oval-track action like none other since the return of DIRTcar’s Norrheastern Big-Block Modifieds to the Sunshine State in 1998, racking up an Advance Auto Parts mini-series best 17 victories during the past 10 Februarys.

“We ended up last season pretty good but ironically it was one of our worst outings down south trying to overcome a lot of mechanical issues,” said Hearn, who will be back aboard the potent Madsen Motorsports no. 20 Wentworth Custom Homes-Kruger-WLR/TEO mount to kick off his 33rd consecutive season of open-wheel activity. Last February the 'Corporate Jet' settled for fourth in points after finishing no lower than second only once over the previous nine winters. “So far, we’ve been doing as much work on the truck as the cars lately.”

“We would like to start out like we did two years ago (2 wins, title), last winter was our first time without a win to take back home. Right now we’re trying to find another car that I really like. Other than Syracuse, I only used a back-up car twice all of last season in the twins at Can-Am and Rolling Wheels. But that might be something positive as it shows the other guys that just one car can still get the job done out on the road,” added Hearn, who has been the toughest right out of the box in Florida, placing first in five Alltel Nationals openers while copping three 50-lap feature race finales.

Joining Hearn in the all-star cast of past champions scheduled to make the haul south are perennial rivals Alan and Danny Johnson, along with two-time Florida feature winners Billy Decker and Jamie Mills. Danny is the defending Alltel Nationals Big-Block Champion and Alan is DIRTcar’s all-time Big-Block Modified feature winner, with both siblings boasting new rides to begin the 2008 campaign.

Volusia Speedway Park (386/985-4402) is located 15 miles west of Daytona Beach on State Road 40 in Barberville, Fla. For additional information, contact the DIRTcar NorthEast Office during normal business hours or log into www.superdirtcarseries.com. Reserved seat tickets for each night of the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals can be purchased online at www.VolusiaSpeedwayPark.com.

Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts is the second-largest retailer of automotive aftermarket parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items in the United States, based on store count and sales. As of October 6, 2007, the company operated 3,228 stores in 40 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The company serves both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets.

All-Time Florida Tour Big-Block Modified Point Champions: 1978-2007
*DIRTcar-sanctioned events.
YEAR CHAMPION (wins) TRACK(S)
*2007 Danny Johnson(2) Volusia Speedway Park
*2006 Brett Hearn(2) Volusia Speedway Park
*2005 Brett Hearn(1)/Andy Bachetti(1) Volusia Speedway Park
*2004 Pat Ward Volusia Speedway Park
*2003 Tim Fuller(1) Volusia Speedway Park
*2002 Brett Hearn(2) Putnam County, Volusia Park
*2001 Brett Hearn(3) East Bay, Volusia Park
*2000 Brett Hearn(3) Volusia Speedway Park
*1999 Jimmy Horton(1) Volusia Speedway Park
*1998 Brett Hearn(2) Volusia Speedway Park
1996-97 -no races-
*1995 Doug Hoffman(1) St. Augustine
1994 -no races-
*1993 -Invitational- Volusia County
1990-92 -no races-
*1989 Alan Johnson Volusia County
1988 Danny Johnson(1) Volusia County
*1987 Danny Johnson(3) Volusia County
*1986 Jimmy Horton(2) Volusia County
1985 Billy Pauch(3) Volusia County
1984 Kenny Brightbill(2)/Jack Johnson Volusia County
*1983 Alan Johnson East Bay, Volusia County
*1982 Jeff Kappesser(2)/Billy Pauch East Bay, Volusia County
*1981 Jack Johnson(1) Florida State Fairgrounds
*1980 Kenny Brightbill(3) Florida State Fairgrounds
1979 -no races-
1978 Walt Breeding(1) Volusia County

The Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Advance Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tire and Sunoco Race Fuels. Promotional partners include AMB i.t., Rite Aid Corporation and the University of Northwestern Ohio and the contingency sponsors are Bert Transmission, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Crane Cams, Integra Shocks, MSD Ignitions, Motorsports Safety Systems, Penske Shocks and Wrisco Industries.

Grove City, PA — January 28, 2008 — By Marcie Barlow, BRP Modified Tour PR

The BRP/Hoosier Race Tires Modified Tour honored the top 20 drivers in the 2007 Series point standings with an Open House and Social Gathering held on Saturday, January 26 at Big Daddy’s Speed Center.

For the third consecutive year it was a “King” who took the home the Series’ top honors as rising young star Russell King of Bristolville, OH captured the title his father, Rex, had held in 2005 and 2006. The personable college freshman was quick to credit his parents (Rex and Sis King), his grandparents and Crew Chief John Zdelar for all of their hard work during the year.

Russell acknowledged his brother, Rex Jr., who loaned him his race car for the event at the Tyler County Speedway after his own ride was destroyed at Lernerville Speedway on the eve of the first ever Mod Tour event at the West Virginia oval. In closing, the 2007 Series Champion also announced that he will not return to defend his crown as he will be driving a Late Model in 2008.

Ron Smoker and Del Rougeux Jr. tied for second-place in the Series final standings, with Brian Swartzlander and Rex King Sr. completing the top-five. Butler, PA veteran Carl Murdick captured the Series Hard Charger Award and Steve Feder, also of Butler, PA, was the Series Rookie of the Year.

Please visit www.modifiedtourinc.com on the internet for all of the latest information regarding the 2008 BRP/Hoosier Race Tires Modified Tour.

The BRP Modified Tour ‘07 would like to thank the following series sponsors: Bicknell Racing Products, Hoosier Race Tire, Sunoco Race Fuel, Bilstein Shocks, Ray’s Racing Collectibles, Approved Toilet Rental, Lowry Auto Body, Lake Erie Speed Specialties, Hall’s Safety Equipment, Engles Trucking, Big Daddy’s Speed Center, Precise Racing Products, Finishline Fabrication, Wilkinson Awards, McCool’s Signs and Graphics, Hands on Concepts, Waldo’s Towing, Hooter Chassis and Hobby, Jim’s Supermarket, Pennewell Sandblasting and Painting, Wedge Motorsports, Motorsports World and King Brothers.

The Modified Tour Inc. racing series is a non-profit organization established to give the V-8 Modifieds in the Western Pennsylvania area a chance to compete with one another for a higher purse structure and for a point fund for the races that are run. Started in 1998 by Tim Engles, Lon and Pam Baker and Randy Myers the Modified Tour has had great success at bringing the local cars together at the area racetracks.

Ransomville, NY — January 27, 2008 - By Tana Robinson, Ransomville PR

With the racing season just around the corner, Ransomville Speedway management continues to put the finishing touches on the 2008 schedule.

"After a recent meeting with John Kwiatkowski of Coors Light and Larry Placek of Certo Brothers Distributing, it is with great pleasure that we announce Coors Light as this years major sponsor of the Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Series ‘Alex Friesen Summer Nationals’ slated for Friday, August 1st," commented Marketing Director Tana Robinson. "Coors Light has been the title sponsor of the annual August event for the better part of 20 years, so we are thrilled to have them once again hosting this schedule highlight."

The event traditionally held the first Tuesday of August has been moved to the first Friday. In addition to the week day change, this years event will pay $6800 to the winner-one of the highest paying dollar amounts for a DIRTcar 358 event of this length. While most DIRTcar 358 Series events will be 100 laps in distance, Ransomville's main will boast 68 laps in memory of the Summer Nationals creator Alex Friesen.

CWM Chemical Services has recently signed an agreement to be the title sponsor of the Advance Auto Parts DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds in 2008. Having hosted the event a year ago, CWM Chemical will once again join forces with the ‘Big R’ as it welcomes the many DIRT stars planning to invade Western New York on Thursday, July 3. Expected to be in competition are local favorites Danny and Alan Johnson plus Brett Hearn, Steve Paine, Gary Tomkins and many more tour regulars. This year’s main event will be 100 laps in distance.

"CWM Chemical Services of Lewiston, NY has been a title sponsor at Ransomville Speedway for the past three seasons," Robinson added. "Many thanks are extended to Mike Mahar and Lori Caso for their continued support and dedication to the local racing scene."

Ransomville Speedway also welcomes Sprint as a major sponsor of two events in 2008. Wilson Automotive will provide the official 2008 Ransomville Speedway pace vehicle and has also signed an agreement to be the title sponsor of the July 4 program when the Street Stocks will take center stage in a 50 lap main. In addition, the Greater Niagara Newspapers, Modern Corporation, Destino's Pizzeria, Firth's Jewelers and Fantasy Island have resigned as sponsors of the upcoming season.

For information on company night sponsorships, billboard or program advertising, please call the speedway office at 716/791-3602. A tentative schedule will be released very soon, so stay tuned to www.ransomvillespeedway.com.

Trevose, PA — January 27, 2008 – By Tom Skibinski, DIRTcar Racing NorthEast PR Director & Ernie Saxton, EMPA President
*DIRTcar founder Glenn Donnelly (L) & DIRTcar NorthEast all-time feature winner Brett Hearn (Ace Lane Jr. Photo)

DIRTcar Racing took center stage at the 40th Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) working convention and awards banquet held January 25-27 at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, with organization founder Glenn Donnelly and all-time winningest driver Brett Hearn receiving special awards while World Racing Group President Tom Deery and WRG VP Public Relations Chris Dolack addressed area media that participated in the Saturday conferences.

Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series PR Director Tony Veneziano, World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director Kevin Kovac and Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series PR Director Tom Skibinski were in attendance throughout the annual weekend affair, answering specific questions and providing schedule information for the upcoming season.

“We’re glad to be back here again with EMPA,” began Deery, now in his third full year helping guide the biggest short-track sanctioning body in the nation. He closed out the 45-minute morning session by responding to questions posed by members of the Northeastern press corps regarding the future of DIRTcar Racing; including the possibility of television coverage around the DIRTcar NE circuit, race track attendance and participation in light of ever-rising fuel costs, and the future of Orange County Fair (NY) Speedway which is currently leased by WRG.

“There are a lot of milestones to reach this season and we can’t wait to get into full gear. The Advance Auto Parts Sprint Series is celebrating it’s 30th Anniversary and the Advance Series for Big-Block Modifieds is in its 10th season. When the UMP Late Models took their first green flag this week it officially kicked off the 33rd straight year of DIRTcar operation. Bringing stability to short-track racing from coast to coast is something we’ve worked very hard for, and being able to protect and preserve tradition along the way is what we can be most proud of.”

Joining Donnelly in the diverse group of well known names in the motorsports industry that were inducted into the EMPA Hall of Fame during the Awards Dinner on Saturday night were Roger Penske, Parker Bohn, Tom Skinner, Tim Sullivan, Wally Parks, Ned Jarrett and Alan Kreitzer.

Penske cars have won 14 Indianapolis 500 races, more than 250 events in IndyCar, NASCAR and American LeMans competition; Bohn, now 90, is a past Modified champion at Wall Township (NJ) Speedway, one of the first stars at the old Old Bridge (NJ) Speedway; Skinner was the mechanical and motor wizard behind the legendary white and black-trimmed No. 659 GMC driven by Bohn; Sullivan was one of the most popular public relations figures in the industry for many years; Parks is the man who gets credit for making drag racing what it is today with the founding of the National Hot Rod Association; Jarrett is a two-time NASCAR Cup champion who went on to become a popular figure on TV and radio; and Kreitzer is regarded as one of the most successful promoters in the sport, considered by many to be responsible for the huge success of dirt track racing in Central Pennsylvania.

“This is certainly a great honor looking at the list of those who are being inducted tonight and all those recognized in previous years,” said Donnelly, 66, who was voted 1985 Auto Racing Promoter of the Year; short track racing’s most prestigious award. The New Jersey native and Central New York resident was inducted into The Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway 'Walk of Fame' in 2004 and more recently earned a place in the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. “Its nice to be here tonight with some of the same guys that were with me during this ride, like Ace (Lane), Ron (Hedger) and John (Snyder). Everybody in this room loves the sport, there’s truly a passion with a purpose, and that makes EMPA a very unique group.”

Starting with the idea of bringing rules uniformity and increased sponsorship to Modified stock car racing at a trio of Upstate New York dirt tracks, Donnelly built one of the most successful sanctioning bodies in the motorsports industry. His auto racing promotional efforts date back to 1970 when he purchased what was then known as Weedsport Speedway, a three-eighths-mile dirt track located 26 miles west of Syracuse. In autumn of 1972 he launched what has emerged as one of the premier dirt track events in the nation --- Super DIRT Week. In 1976, Donnelly joined forces with Bob and Don Petrocci, former co-promoters of Rolling Wheels Raceway in Elbridge, N.Y., to form Drivers Independent Race Tracks. The fledgling organization sanctioned, organized and promoted Modified races at Weedsport, Rolling Wheels and the New York State Fairgrounds.

Under Donnelly’s guidance for nearly 30 years, DIRT MotorSports grew into the top regional sanctioning body of short-track racing on dirt in the country; including 27 full-member tracks when he departed in 2004, with over 70 speedways raising the DIRT banner for both weekly and special events, as far west as Texas and southernmost in Florida. With the recent acquisition of the Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car and WoO Late Model Series, as well as Mid-America Racing Series (MARS) and United Midwestern Promoters (UMP) divisions, the now nationally recognized World Racing Group today organizes and promotes a dozen national and regional racing series and sanctions over 5,000 events at more than 120 member tracks across the United States and Canada.

“It’s a real honor to be selected Driver of the Year by the EMPA members, and even more special with this award named in honor of one of the greatest short track drivers of all time,” said Hearn, 49, after receiving the prestigious Richie Evans Memorial EMPA Northeast Driver of the Year honor for the third time, his first coming in 1986 and again in 2002. The Sussex, New Jersey speedster steered the Madsen Motorsports no. 20 Wentworth Custom Homes-Kruger-WLR/TEO ride to a record-tying sixth overall Hoosier Tire-Sunoco Race Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Championship for Big-Block Modifieds, posting a tour-best seven feature wins during the year. “Our motto all season was ‘the harder we work the luckier we get.’

“We had a good solid year, and I really appreciate the recognition. But it’s not just me, credit car owners Guy and Patricia Madsen, Vinny Salerno, Joe Knoth and Steve Hastings, and my own B.H. Racing Enterprises team for giving me outstanding race cars week in and week out. We hope to be back just as strong in ’08, I still have a few good years left. I don’t think you ever really lose that desire to win, its just the will to prepare that drops off and we’re quite a ways from reaching that point,” Hearn added.

The most prolific driver in DIRTcar’s Big-Block traveling show, Hearn led an Advance Series high 630 laps in 11 main events while posting 17 top-five feature race finishes in 32 starts, setting Integra Shocks fast time on four occasions. The 30-year open-wheel veteran scored a circuit-high 14 DIRTcar Big-Block Modified feature wins at seven tracks throughout the Northeast, also taking a division-best seven checkered flags in DIRTcar 358-Modified competition.

The Garden State ace ranks first in Advance Auto Parts Series wins (98) and holds the Modified Tour mark of 10 wins in a single season (2002) with at least one Series victory registered in 23 different years. With extra distance events remaining his forté Hearn has captured five titles in the Rite Aid 200 on the Syracuse Mile, eight in the Eastern States 200 at Orange County and six in the Lebanon Valley 200 while logging four more in the Rolling Wheels 200.

In other special award presentations: Advance Auto Parts World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Champion Donny Schatz was named the Al Holbert Memorial/EMPA Driver of the Year Award; Speedway Motorsports Inc. Chairman Bruton Smith earned the Wayne T. Robertson Newsmaker Award; Pete Schnatz of the Philadelphia Inquirer received the Frank Blunk Memorial/EMPA Journalist of the Year Award; Bobby Santos III collected the John Blewett III Young Guns Award presented by John Holland from New England Fuels; NASCAR Modified car owner Bob Garbarino (championship won by his driver Donny Lia) was voted the Junie Donlavey Spirit of the Sport Award winner; long time photographer Ace Lane Jr. was presented the Art McHugh Memorial Award; and Howie Hodge accepted the Ace Lane Memorial/EMPA Photographer of the Year Award.

Ernie and Marilyn Saxton continued their tradition of presenting the Jerry Glase Memorial award to a deserving member of the EMPA. This award is named in honor of their long time friend who was a loyal supporter of the organization and worked with them at Grandview (PA) Speedway. Veteran announcer and journalist, as well as the EMPA Awards Banquet emcee, Earl Krause was honored for his outstanding efforts on behalf of the organization.

“The convention was one of our best,” said Saxton, who was elected to another two-year term as president of the EMPA organization that he helped found in 1969. He has served as president for all but one year. “It’s hard to believe that it has been 40 years since the organization was first formed. We are already busy working on the next convention. Our thanks goes out to all who participated.”

Cash prizes were awarded to the first and second-place finishers in the annual Valvoline/EMPA Writers Contest, with the winner in each category also taking home a commemorative plaque for their achievement. Individual winners were John Snyder for his column in Area Auto Racing News titled “It ain’t cheatin’ son…”, Rob Fisher for his feature article titled “Not Your Typical Race Shop” appearing in Circle Track Magazine, Dick Berggren for his “Remembering Bill France Jr.” personality profile in Speedway Illustrated, Dino Oberto for his “Martini cracks win column in ARDC” race report which appeared in the Hazleton, PA Standard-Speaker and Lenny Sammons for his News story in Area Auto Racing News titled “Szegedy Declared Winner In Race That Claims Life Of JB III.”

In the Brice’s Auto Supply/NAPA/EMPA Photography competition, top prizes (plaque and cash) went to Rev. Dan Schafer - Action Photo - South Jersey Dirt Racing.com, Don Marks - Action Sequence - Area Auto Racing News, Chris Budihas - Crash Action - South Jersey Dirt Racing.com, Dave Delasandro - Feature - Area Auto Racing News, Mel Stettler –Picture Story (Super DIRT Week) - Area Auto Racing News, Bob Yurko - Portrait Personality - Area Auto Racing News, Todd Dziadosz - Pure Art and Unpublished color, Dave D’Alessandro - Portfolio of the Year, and Rev. Dan Schafer - Best of Show.

Information on membership and other details about the EMPA is available by e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephone 215/752-7797.

Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts is the second-largest retailer of automotive aftermarket parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items in the United States, based on store count and sales. As of October 6, 2007, the company operated 3,228 stores in 40 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The company serves both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets.

The Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Advance Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tire and Sunoco Race Fuels. Promotional partners include AMB i.t., Rite Aid Corporation and the University of Northwestern Ohio and the contingency sponsors are Bert Transmission, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Crane Cams, Integra Shocks, MSD Ignitions, Motorsports Safety Systems, Penske Shocks and Wrisco Industries.

Weedsport, NY — January 22, 2008 – By Dan Kapuscinski, DIRTcar NE PR and Promotions Coordinator

Cayuga County Fair Speedway, Canandaigua Speedway and Rolling Wheels Raceway Park are fully committed to the crate engine program for many years to come, amidst false rumors that the factory sealed 350-horsepower #8602 engines will be eliminated by GM after 2008.

Bill Martens, Special Programs Manager for General Motors, has come forward after weeks of questioning to say that these rumors are absolutely false.

“GM Performance Parts will continue to supply factory-sealed 350 (8602), 355 (8603) and 400 (8604) horsepower circle track engines to the grassroots racing community in 2008 and into the indefinite future,” Martens said. “The program has grown every year for the past five, and with expanded interest in 2008, we fully expect this pattern to continue for many years in the future.”

Martens believes that simple rumors have spiraled out of control in recent weeks.

“We know that many of these rumors have been created by the same folks that have been trying to undermine the program, feeling threatened by the loss of customers who were no longer able to afford their products. What has been innuendo in the past has now moved to outright false statements.”

Developed six years ago, the GM Performance Parts crate engine #8602 program has strived to keep racers in the sport that can no longer afford to, while also assisting new racers into the sport that may not have major sponsorship dollars.

Since 2005, DIRTcar Racing has seen the effect that the crate engine program can have on weekly competition, and as a result several northeast facilities including Cayuga County, Canandaigua and Rolling Wheels have made the affordable application mandatory in their DIRTcar Sportsman divisions for 2008.

“This program offers our current drivers options to stay in the sport for an extended period of time, and offers new racers an affordable means to get started,” said Cayuga County, Canandaigua and Rolling Wheels General Manager Jack Deery.

For the first time, the 2008 Hoosier Tire-Sunoco Race Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Series will also make the #8602 crate engine mandatory.

“Crate engines have literally lifted our Sportsman program from near ruins to a thriving short track racing series in just the last three years,” said Cory Reed, DIRTcar NE Director of Series and Sanctioning. “I expect the same incremental gains to continue into the future. Cayuga County, Rolling Wheels and Canandaigua are just three examples of the success being felt throughout DIRTcar NE. It is sure refreshing to have DIRTcar sanctioned pit areas full of racecars while non-crate tracks, series and sanctions fight to maintain competitive fields.”

Weedsport, NY — January 21, 2008 – By Tom Skibinski, DIRTcar Racing NorthEast PR Director

Thirty years ago when Eastern New York racing legend Lou Lazzaro roared under the checkered flag to score his only victory at Volusia Speedway Park, those in attendance paid little attention to what was unfolding right in front of their eyes. In part, due to dusty track conditions that impaired their vision to see any history in the making which very likely clouded any enthusiasm to even spark a return visit to Florida the following year.

The date of February 10, 1978 merely meant the lead-off event in a nine-race swing for Big-Block Modifieds from the Northeast, with seasoned track promoter Benny Corbin able to lure an all-star cast for the inaugural winter time excursion to the storied Barberville oval.

Three decades later as the new millennium speeds on, so do the mighty Modifieds as a now pristine Volusia oval plays host to the Northeast’s premier traveling squad for a 21st season down south. The 2008 edition of the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals marks nearly a quarter-century of competition in the ‘Sunshine State’ for Advance Auto Parts Modifieds, with some of the top modern day heroes again planning to make the haul down I-95 in February.

The Alltel DIRTcar Nationals begins February 13 with a 30-lap Big-Block Modified feature headlining the program. Ground-pounding action continues with 30-lap feature events on Thursday and Friday before a big $5,000-to-win 50-lapper brings the curtain down Saturday, Feb. 16. An optional practice day has been set for Tuesday, Feb. 12.

Since Lazzaro first graced victory lane at Volusia, exactly 100 Modified features have been recorded with second-generation standout Danny Johnson from Rochester, N.Y. last honored in the winner’s circle for the 11th time following his 50-lap triumph on February 17, 2007. In just three more weeks Johnson will be joined in gator country by past Florida tour winners Brett Hearn (17), Jimmy Horton (5), Billy Pauch (4), Billy Decker (2), Jamie Mills (2), Alan Johnson and Andy Bachetti; all among the 40 drivers already registered for the upcoming Alltel DIRTcar Nationals.

Florida remains a winter haven for open-wheel star Hearn as the Sussex, N.J. veteran has captured Alltel DIRTcar Nationals high point honors on six occasions and taken checkered flags 16 times since the DIRTcar Big-Blocks returned south in 1998. Along with all-time winner Hearn and reigning points king Danny Johnson, also expect many of the top point-getters from a year ago back in competition during the ’08 speedfest.

Most proficient of the 42 drivers who participated at Volusia last February, the “Doctor” dominated the Big-Block action, posting a pair of feature wins and adding a runner-up finish to capture his third title. Dale Planck, Mills, Hearn and Horton filled out the front-five on the final points chart in 2007.

For those drivers wishing to add/update team information for the pre-race roster, please contact DIRTcar NorthEast PR Director Tom Skibinski (315/834-6606) at DIRT NE headquarters in Weedsport, N.Y. or through e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. correspondence. Volusia Speedway Park www.volusiaspeedwaypark.com is located 15 miles west of Daytona Beach on State Road 40 in Barberville, Fla. Mail is received at: 1500 E. Highway 40, DeLeon Springs, FL 32130.

All-Time Florida Tour Big-Block Modified Race Winners: 1978-2007
(100 events / 5 tracks / 31 drivers)
WINS DRIVER FIRST WIN LAST WIN
17 Brett Hearn Volusia County, 2/11/93 Volusia Park, 2/18/06
11 Danny Johnson Volusia County, 2/9/87 Volusia Park, 2/17/07
9 Kenny Brightbill Volusia County, 2/13/78 Volusia County, 2/13/87
8 Doug Hoffman Volusia County, 2/18/84 Volusia Park, 2/14/98
6 Jack Johnson Tampa Fairgrnds, 2/14/81 Volusia County, 2/14/89
5 Jimmy Horton Volusia County, 2/12/86 Volusia Park, 2/15/06
5 Tim Fuller Volusia Park, 2/15/01 Volusia Park, 2/16/07
4 Billy Pauch Volusia County, 2/11/85 Volusia County, 2/8/88
3 Merv Treichler Volusia County, 2/13/82 Volusia County, 2/17/83
3 Doug Ingalls East Bay, 2/15/83 Volusia County, 2/16/84
2 Will Cagle Volusia County, 2/17/78 Volusia County, 2/18/78
2 Tommy Hager Volusia County, 2/16/78 Tampa Fairgrounds, 2/8/80
2 Gary Iulg Volusia County, 2/12/78 East Bay, 2/8/82
2 Jeff Kappesser East Bay, 2/7/82 Volusia County, 2/10/82
2 Kenny Tremont Volusia County, 2/13/93 Volusia Park, 2/12/99
2 Bob McCreadie Volusia Park, 2/10/99 Volusia Park, 2/16/01
2 Billy Decker Volusia Park, 2/12/04 Volusia Park, 2/16/05
2 Jamie Mills Volusia Park, 2/15/00 Volusia Park, 2/18/05
1 Lou Lazzaro Volusia County, 2/10/78
1 Walt Breeding Volusia County, 2/11/78
1 Kevin Collins Tampa Fairgrounds, 2/13/81
1 Ray Dalmata Volusia County, 2/15/84
1 C.D. Coville Volusia County, 2/16/85
1 Alan Johnson Volusia County, 2/11/86
1 Richie Tobias Jr. Volusia County, 2/13/89
1 Jeff Heotzler St. Augustine, 2/14/95
1 Steve Paine St. Augustine, 2/16/95
1 Tim McCreadie Volusia Park, 2/16/02
1 Craig VonDohren Volusia Park, 2/11/03
1 J.R. Heffner Volusia Park, 2/13/04
1 Andy Bachetti Volusia Park, 2/15/05

The Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Advance Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tire and Sunoco Race Fuels. Promotional partners include AMB i.t., Rite Aid Corporation and the University of Northwestern Ohio and the contingency sponsors are Bert Transmission, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Crane Cams, Integra Shocks, MSD Ignitions, Motorsports Safety Systems, Penske Shocks and Wrisco Industries.

Weedsport, NY — January 21, 2008 – By Dan Kapuscinski, DIRTcar NE PR and Promotions Coordinator

In honor of DIRT Motorsports’ inception in 1976, the annual Memorial Day Weekend Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series event on Sunday, May 25 at the Cayuga County Fair Speedway will now be run as the “Hall of Fame 76.”

The event was originally scheduled as a Twin 54-lap feature format.

“After reviewing the 2007 season and input from our competitors, we decided that a couple more long distance events would be good for our race teams,” said Cayuga County Fair and Canandaigua Speedway General Manager Jack Deery. “We wanted to keep the event in line with honoring the history of DIRT Motorsports on this important weekend, and making the event 76 laps fits the mold.”

The Hall of Fame Weekend will kick off at 7pm with DIRTcar Sportsman Modifieds, DIRTcar Street Stocks and the Mid-State Vintage Modifieds joining the exciting card of racing.

Cayuga County Fair Speedway will not be the only track to undergo a format change. The Canandaigua Speedway series event scheduled for Saturday, September 20 will also include a single feature race.

The highlight event of the Land of Legends Racefest will move from the Twin 50 format to the “Racefest 100” for Big-Block Modifieds. This race will serve as a tune-up for the following weekend at the Rolling Wheels Raceway, as the World Series Weekend Big-Block event will drop the Triple 50’s and revert back to the traditional 200-lap race with pit stops.

“The calendar gave us the ability to have a second series race this year at Canandaigua, and this affords our competitors another opportunity to tune up for Super DIRT Week,” Deery said. “We chose September 20th as a 100-lap event over our August series race to get the race teams geared up for the following World Series Weekend at Rolling Wheels.”

The Land of Legends Racefest will be a two-day affair starting Friday, September 19 at 7pm. Friday’s schedule will be highlighted by the Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modifieds “Land of Legends 75.” The UMP Street Stocks Big-Six Series will also be in competition.

The next evening will be a twin-bill of Mr. DIRTcar series action as the Big-Block Modified “Racefest 100” will be paired with the Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Series “Land of Legends 45.”

The Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series events scheduled at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park for Sunday, May 4 as a part of the 28th Annual DIRT Challenge Cup, and the Labor Day event on Monday, September 1 will remain as Twin 50 events.

“The Twins format has been a fan favorite,” Deery added. “So we have kept two of our Twin events intact at Rolling Wheels, as well as the August 9th show at Canandaigua.”

New to the Rolling Wheels Raceway schedule this season will be the “Firecracker Twins” for the Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Series on Thursday, July 3. The best of the best in Sportsman Modified racing will do battle in two separate 20-lap main events.

Cayuga County Fair Speedway will open for its 54th season on Sunday, April 13 while Canandaigua Speedway kicks off another exciting season of racing on Saturday, April 19.

The Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds will once again open the season at Hagerstown Speedway on Saturday, March 22.

Weedsport, NY — January 20, 2008 – By Tom Skibinski, DIRTcar Racing NorthEast PR Director
*Newly crowned Ms. Motorsports 2008 Tiffany Skias Poses At DIRTcar Display (Bob Armbruster Jr. Photo)

The Len Sammons Productions Motorsports 2008 at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, N.J. attracted thousands of automotive enthusiasts over the past weekend, January 18-20, with DIRTcar Racing NorthEast well-represented as it kicked off its 33rd season of operation in grand fashion.

Company officials answered questions and discussed the upcoming season with track promoters, sponsors, racers and fans throughout the three-day off-track affair beside the spacious DIRTcar display that featured ’07 video tape highlights running non-stop to entertain hundreds more.

“This show was a great starting point for the busy season ahead,” said Cory Reed, DIRTcar Racing NorthEast Director of Competition & Track Sanctioning, who was joined during the weekend by World Racing Group President and Chief Operating Officer Tom Deery, DIRTcar Racing NorthEast Public Relations Director Tom Skibinski, World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director Kevin Kovac, and Orange County Fair Speedway officials Peter Reynolds and Kenny Sands. “The excitement is building for the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals in Florida in February and all the series action planned for 2008. We handed out plenty of tour schedules and provided some rule book updates so we know the interest is growing with our racers and fans as well.”

The immaculate blue & white Madsen Motorsports no. 20 Wentworth Custom Homes-Kruger-WLR/TEO entry steered by reigning Mr. DIRTcar Big-Block Modified champion Brett Hearn along with the black no. 41 Vince's Automotive & Towing-Kochel Equipment/Bicknell Big-Block Modified driven by last year’s Rite Aid 200 rookie of the race Shawn Reimert for owner Vince Gagliardo Sr. were popular bookends at the DIRTcar information booth; strategically located right next to the Hagerstown Speedway display and directly across from the Virginia Motor Speedway set-up. Hagerstown hosts the ’08 Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series opener on March 22 while Advance Auto Parts’ 10th Anniversary Big-Block Modified Series celebration continues at VMS with the $10,000-to-win Paul Sawyer Memorial on May 1.

VMS PR Director Dave Seay promoted the highly anticipated event in the ‘Old Dominion’ state on his Dirt Nation™ radio show incorporating “live” interviews with DIRTcar Big-Block Modified drivers Jimmy Horton, Matt Sheppard, Jimmy Phelps and Phelps’ car owner John Holland from H&H Motorsports to fill the bill. Dirt Nation will re-air those same Friday and Saturday shows on Monday, January 21 from 8 pm-12 midnight, then again on Friday, 8-10 pm and Saturday, 10pm-12 midnight. Dirt Nation™ presented by Lucas Oil traditionally airs from 8-10 pm EST every Monday and can be accessed over the internet at www.racetalklive.com and www.dirtnation.net.

Nationally recognized voice of the Advance Auto Parts Series, Shane Andrews, also made his annual trip to the Atlantic Coast, serving as emcee for the Ms. Motorsports pageant in the Convention Center and working trackside indoors during the Gambler Classic conducted Friday and Saturday at the nearby Boardwalk Hall. Listed among 98 Midget entries, ‘07 Orange County Eastern States 200 winner Jeff Heotzler qualified for the 40-lap Gambler A-Main before retiring pitside with throttle trouble prior to the halfway point. Richie Tobias Jr., who finished third in the Rite Aid 200 to close out Super DIRT Week last autumn, made a late race move to cop the Slingshot finale on the Boardwalk in front of a capacity crowd.

While the Madsen/Hearn and Gagliardo/Reimert cars flanked the DIRTcar display, Dieter Schmidt’s no. 5 Lincoln Auto Body/Troyer car, H&H/Phelps no. 98H Mohawk Northeast-New England Race Fuels/Troyer machine and no. 93x FPHATS.com-J&J Auto Maintenance-Dom's Towing/PMC ride of Craig Mitchell were also highly visible during the 23rd edition of the Sammons Motorsports ’08 extravaganza in the Garden State.

Hearn, Phelps, Sheppard and Horton are among the 40 pre-race entries for the Alltel DIRTcar Nationals with the return trip to Volusia kicking off with an optional practice day on Tuesday, Feb. 12. VSP opens for racing on Wednesday and concludes Saturday, Feb. 16 with a big $5,000-to-win 50-lapper while two more Advance Auto Parts Big-Block shows are scheduled in between on Feb. 14-15. Volusia Speedway Park www.volusiaspeedwaypark.com (386/985-4402) is located 15 miles west of Daytona Beach on State Road 40 in Barberville, Florida.

Please contact the DIRTcar NorthEast Office (315/834-6606) during the week to find out additional schedule information and order tickets for the upcoming race season. The DIRTcar homepage www.superdirtcarseries.com provides news about the entire NE circuit 24/7 including all major traveling tours run in 2008.

The Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Advance Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tire and Sunoco Race Fuels. Promotional partners include AMB i.t., Rite Aid Corporation and the University of Northwestern Ohio and the contingency sponsors are Bert Transmission, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Crane Cams, Integra Shocks, MSD Ignitions, Motorsports Safety Systems, Penske Shocks and Wrisco Industries.