2009/2010 CRA SLM Champion Johnny VanDoorn and his crew chief brother Butch will take the #61 Kaos Motorsports Team and partner with Jegs.com to run for a third ARCA/CRA Super Series Championship in four years. Ben “Butch” VanDoorn had also served as the crew chief for Erik Jones in the team’s JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Championship season in 2011, but will not serve in that capacity in 2012.
Instead, Butch VanDoorn has been hired away by one of their JEGS Tour rivals. Team JEGS and its 16-year-old driver Cody Coughlin will now have the crew chief that led Jones to the JEGS Tour title and a surprising win in the Governor’s Cup 200 at New Smyrna in November.
Dirk Redder will also return to the KAOS Motorsports Team after a one year hiatus.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Michigan's Erik Jones Ranked 3rd in Power Poll
51's Short Track Power
Ranking the Best Out There - A 51 Original and Tradition
Rankings compiled from the voting of a panel of experts.
Story text by Matt Kentfield - Twitter @mattkentfield
Welcome to the fifth and final 2011 edition of the Speed51.com Short Track Power rankings. The season's big year-ending events have all seen their checkered flag. Some drivers went home with big paychecks. Others left the track with championship laurels. Everyone else just left the track hungrier for success in 2012.
But who has carried the most clout in the final weeks of 2011? Some drivers really turned the wick up when the big money was on the line late in the year. Others who won throughout the season went cold down the stretch. Others put together a final couple of months to stay in our list throughout the full year.
A panel of industry experts from all four corners of the country and Canada have voted on their choices for the first half Short Track Power poll. Drivers in all forms of short track racing, including Late Models, NASCAR Touring Series, ARCA, Dirt Late Models and Modifieds, NASCAR Whelen All-American Series or ASA Member Track program and everything in between were eligible. Drivers who have competed in at least half of a NASCAR National Series schedule this season were not eligible.
The rankings shown below were decided after polling our panel of experts in the industry. Rankings were based on overall number of votes, with more weight given to each vote the higher the vote. Example, a #1 vote would be more valuable than a #2, #3, etc.
Here are our power rankings for the final two months of the 2011 short track racing season:
1) CHASE ELLIOTT - Super/Pro Late Models
Winning the most prestigious Super Late Model event in the country is a feat that is not easily achieved. To do it in a relatively clean manner in a side-by-side thriller with an up-and-coming standout in the Super Late Model world is even tougher. To do it just a week or so after your 16th birthday is almost unbelievable. But then again, Chase Elliott has defined near-unbelievable over the past few seasons in a Late Model. The youngster from Dawsonville, Georgia continued his record-breaking ways on December 4th by winning the 44th Annual Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway. For that feat, our panelists selected him as the most Powerful racer of the final two months of the season. And why not? It’s hard to say that anything is more powerful than the winner of the Snowball Derby. But it wasn’t just the fact that he won. He overcame an early tangle where he suffered some cosmetic damage and rallied, with the aid of a few pit stops by a speedy crew, back to the front to wage an epic battle with DJ VanderLey down the stretch. One panelist who voted for Elliott at the top of the list said it simply: “A great Derby Weekend to end the year!”
2) BUBBA POLLARD - Super/Pro Late Models
If it wasn’t for Elliott winning at such a young age in the manner he did it, Bubba Pollard may have very well been this Power Poll’s #1. While the finishes may not have shown it, Pollard was the man in qualifying. He set fast time with a new track record in time trials for the Snowball Derby. The next night, he went out and won the pole for the Snowflake 100 Pro Late Model, as well. But, as one voter noted, “The fact that he got torn up in both races may not make people remember Pollard’s Derby weekend, but those who were there knew how dominant he was in qualifying.” But it wasn’t just the Derby qualifying feats that put him at #2 on this poll. According to one voter, “An emotional win in the Beau Slocumb (Memorial race during World Crown weekend at Gresham (GA)) helped put a sense of closure on his remarkable season.
3) ERIK JONES - Pro/Super Late Models
It’s always hard for an outsider to come into New Smyrna Speedway and have a shot to win against the local Super Late Model regulars. Guys like David Rogers, Tim Russell and Stephen Nasse, who each call Central Florida home and have spent many a night in Smyrna’s victory lane over the years, are always tough to beat. But, they didn’t intimidate 15-year-old Erik Jones one bit. The Michigan native continued his blistering pace through the Late Model scene in 2011 with a dominating upset win in the Governor’s Cup event in late November. Jones’ victory cemented a phenomenal year for Jones, who also clinched the inaugural JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Championship. As one panelist noted on his ballot, “In the time frame for this edition of the Power Poll, Jones won the Governor's Cup, had a great showing on World Crown weekend, and a great presence on Derby weekend in the Pro's (before an accident took him out).”
4) CHRIS WIMMER - ASA Midwest Tour/Super Late Models
One voter said it best…”We all pick on drivers for not traveling to races outside their comfort zones. Chris Wimmer not only invaded the World Crown 300 at Gresham Motorsports Park from the upper Midwest, he won it.” This year’s World Crown event featured several plot twists to keep the three-segment event thrilling. Well, maybe behind Wimmer they were thrilling, but the Wisconsin driver was the dominator. He won all three segments en route to the big payday. He may not have been a favorite going into the race, but Wimmer proved that he’s not only good in ASA Midwest. He’s a threat anywhere else he may take his racecar.
5) RYAN BLANEY - PASS South/K&N Pro Series
The final few weeks of the 2011 racing season were pretty good to Ryan Blaney. A slow start to the 2011 season on the PASS South Super Late Model tour led to a crew chief swap and a huge turnaround for the second half of the year. Victories and podium finishes, capped off by a runner-up finish at the Concord (NC) finale, led Blaney to his first-ever PASS South title. Those who were around the short track ranks knew Blaney had a bright future, but he introduced himself to the rest of the world by winning the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West finale at Phoenix (AZ) in November in his first start on that tour. “The live SPEED broadcast told everyone what we already knew – Ryan Blaney’s a wheelman,” said one voter.
6) MATT HIRSCHMAN - Tour-Type Modifieds
Mr. November did it again. One voter noted, “He won another North-South Shootout. How many is this? We’ve lost count.” Well, it’s actually four. Four out of the nine North-South trophies have made their way home to Northampton, PA with Hirschman. “Hirschman wins all the time in Pennsylvania and New York, but it’s like he doesn’t really make the big headlines until the money’s up for grabs at the end of the year,” another voter said.
7) AUGIE GRILL - Pro/Super Late Models
Augie Grill started a special club that likely will be the only one in for quite some time. The two-time Snowball Derby winner became a two-time Snowflake 100 winner earlier this month in the Pro Late Model prelim event. “With two wins in both of those premier events, Grill is something special,” said a panelist. Plus, as one voter pointed out, “He won the Snowflake and cars that he built in his GARC shop won the Derby and Snowflake poles (Pollard) and both races (with Elliott in the Snowball).”
8) ROSS KENSETH - Super Late Models
In his three attempts at the Snowball Derby, Ross Kenseth has been a major factor each time. He qualified second in his rookie attempt. Last year, he was in prime position to battle for the win before a crash inside of 100 laps to go. This year, he finished third. He was second at the World Crown 300 just a few weeks before this year’s Derby, too. But Ross Kenseth is tired of being oh-so-close. He wants to win one of these big races. “It won’t be long before he cracks into victory lane in a big show like that,” said a voter. Another panelist mentioned, “Whenever his car is on the track, everyone’s got a stopwatch on him. That’s power.”
9) BRIAN NESTER - Modifieds
Brian Nester is the second non-full-fendered driver to crack into the top-10 in this edition of the Tower of Power. While our panel had him ninth, if it was up to the open-wheeled Modified fans around the Midwest, it’d be an easy #1 pick. Nester won all the big shows that there were to win late in the season. “He won Modified races at the Winchester 400, North-South Shootout and Snowball Derby. Dominant,” said a voter. Nester didn’t just back into those wins, either. He put on a show at the front of the field en route to the victory. “Nester doesn’t get much credit because he’s not young and flashy, but he is a king right now,” said another voter.
10) COLT JAMES - Super Late Models
Texan Colt James doesn’t race every week. He’s not a regular in any particular series or racetrack. That doesn’t matter. When he does show up, he’s mixing it up for the win and usually comes out on top. James broke out his #15 Super Late Model and went to victory lane in a star-studded Mason-Dixon Meltdown/Thanksgiving Classic at Concord. “James gets it done, especially at Concord, where he won this race and the North-South Shootout a few years ago,” said a voter.
POSITIONS 11-20
11) Jimmy Blewett (Mods) - Turkey Derby sweep between Tour-Type & SK Mods.
12) DJ VanderLey (SLM/PLM) – Second in the Snowball Derby. Led laps 296 to 299.
13) Ben Rowe (PASS) – Won at Hickory to become PASS South win leader and took PASS National title.
14) Jeff Fultz (SLM) – Won North South Shootout Late Model portion.
15) Derek Thorn (SLM/KNPSW) – Won Las Vegas Open Show and trucked East to run Snowball Derby.
16) Corey LaJoie (UARA) – Dominated season ending show at Rockingham Speedway (NC).
17) George Brunnhoelzl III (Mods) – Won NASCAR Southern Modified title and was third at North-South.
18) Bryan Clauson (Midgets) – Won Battle at the Center. Clinched second-straight National Midget title.
19) Wayne Helliwell, Jr. (LM) – Swept Oktoberfest Late Model events he entered at Lee (NH).
20) Lee Pulliam (LMSC) - Won Martinsville and was in the mix at SoBo before tangle with Philip Morris.
ALSO RECEIVING VOTES
Andy Seuss
Barry Beggarly
Derrick Griffin
Chrissy Wallace
Kenzie Ruston
Travis Braden
Zack Franks
Keith Rocco
Brian Campbell
Eddie Hoffman
Blake Brown
Caleb Armstrong
Ty Dillon
Casey Smith
Boris Jurkovic
Becca Kasten
Geoff Morris
Tyler Miles
Steve Rubeck
Ranking the Best Out There - A 51 Original and Tradition
Rankings compiled from the voting of a panel of experts.
Story text by Matt Kentfield - Twitter @mattkentfield
Welcome to the fifth and final 2011 edition of the Speed51.com Short Track Power rankings. The season's big year-ending events have all seen their checkered flag. Some drivers went home with big paychecks. Others left the track with championship laurels. Everyone else just left the track hungrier for success in 2012.
But who has carried the most clout in the final weeks of 2011? Some drivers really turned the wick up when the big money was on the line late in the year. Others who won throughout the season went cold down the stretch. Others put together a final couple of months to stay in our list throughout the full year.
A panel of industry experts from all four corners of the country and Canada have voted on their choices for the first half Short Track Power poll. Drivers in all forms of short track racing, including Late Models, NASCAR Touring Series, ARCA, Dirt Late Models and Modifieds, NASCAR Whelen All-American Series or ASA Member Track program and everything in between were eligible. Drivers who have competed in at least half of a NASCAR National Series schedule this season were not eligible.
The rankings shown below were decided after polling our panel of experts in the industry. Rankings were based on overall number of votes, with more weight given to each vote the higher the vote. Example, a #1 vote would be more valuable than a #2, #3, etc.
Here are our power rankings for the final two months of the 2011 short track racing season:
1) CHASE ELLIOTT - Super/Pro Late Models
Winning the most prestigious Super Late Model event in the country is a feat that is not easily achieved. To do it in a relatively clean manner in a side-by-side thriller with an up-and-coming standout in the Super Late Model world is even tougher. To do it just a week or so after your 16th birthday is almost unbelievable. But then again, Chase Elliott has defined near-unbelievable over the past few seasons in a Late Model. The youngster from Dawsonville, Georgia continued his record-breaking ways on December 4th by winning the 44th Annual Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway. For that feat, our panelists selected him as the most Powerful racer of the final two months of the season. And why not? It’s hard to say that anything is more powerful than the winner of the Snowball Derby. But it wasn’t just the fact that he won. He overcame an early tangle where he suffered some cosmetic damage and rallied, with the aid of a few pit stops by a speedy crew, back to the front to wage an epic battle with DJ VanderLey down the stretch. One panelist who voted for Elliott at the top of the list said it simply: “A great Derby Weekend to end the year!”
2) BUBBA POLLARD - Super/Pro Late Models
If it wasn’t for Elliott winning at such a young age in the manner he did it, Bubba Pollard may have very well been this Power Poll’s #1. While the finishes may not have shown it, Pollard was the man in qualifying. He set fast time with a new track record in time trials for the Snowball Derby. The next night, he went out and won the pole for the Snowflake 100 Pro Late Model, as well. But, as one voter noted, “The fact that he got torn up in both races may not make people remember Pollard’s Derby weekend, but those who were there knew how dominant he was in qualifying.” But it wasn’t just the Derby qualifying feats that put him at #2 on this poll. According to one voter, “An emotional win in the Beau Slocumb (Memorial race during World Crown weekend at Gresham (GA)) helped put a sense of closure on his remarkable season.
3) ERIK JONES - Pro/Super Late Models
It’s always hard for an outsider to come into New Smyrna Speedway and have a shot to win against the local Super Late Model regulars. Guys like David Rogers, Tim Russell and Stephen Nasse, who each call Central Florida home and have spent many a night in Smyrna’s victory lane over the years, are always tough to beat. But, they didn’t intimidate 15-year-old Erik Jones one bit. The Michigan native continued his blistering pace through the Late Model scene in 2011 with a dominating upset win in the Governor’s Cup event in late November. Jones’ victory cemented a phenomenal year for Jones, who also clinched the inaugural JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Championship. As one panelist noted on his ballot, “In the time frame for this edition of the Power Poll, Jones won the Governor's Cup, had a great showing on World Crown weekend, and a great presence on Derby weekend in the Pro's (before an accident took him out).”
4) CHRIS WIMMER - ASA Midwest Tour/Super Late Models
One voter said it best…”We all pick on drivers for not traveling to races outside their comfort zones. Chris Wimmer not only invaded the World Crown 300 at Gresham Motorsports Park from the upper Midwest, he won it.” This year’s World Crown event featured several plot twists to keep the three-segment event thrilling. Well, maybe behind Wimmer they were thrilling, but the Wisconsin driver was the dominator. He won all three segments en route to the big payday. He may not have been a favorite going into the race, but Wimmer proved that he’s not only good in ASA Midwest. He’s a threat anywhere else he may take his racecar.
5) RYAN BLANEY - PASS South/K&N Pro Series
The final few weeks of the 2011 racing season were pretty good to Ryan Blaney. A slow start to the 2011 season on the PASS South Super Late Model tour led to a crew chief swap and a huge turnaround for the second half of the year. Victories and podium finishes, capped off by a runner-up finish at the Concord (NC) finale, led Blaney to his first-ever PASS South title. Those who were around the short track ranks knew Blaney had a bright future, but he introduced himself to the rest of the world by winning the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West finale at Phoenix (AZ) in November in his first start on that tour. “The live SPEED broadcast told everyone what we already knew – Ryan Blaney’s a wheelman,” said one voter.
6) MATT HIRSCHMAN - Tour-Type Modifieds
Mr. November did it again. One voter noted, “He won another North-South Shootout. How many is this? We’ve lost count.” Well, it’s actually four. Four out of the nine North-South trophies have made their way home to Northampton, PA with Hirschman. “Hirschman wins all the time in Pennsylvania and New York, but it’s like he doesn’t really make the big headlines until the money’s up for grabs at the end of the year,” another voter said.
7) AUGIE GRILL - Pro/Super Late Models
Augie Grill started a special club that likely will be the only one in for quite some time. The two-time Snowball Derby winner became a two-time Snowflake 100 winner earlier this month in the Pro Late Model prelim event. “With two wins in both of those premier events, Grill is something special,” said a panelist. Plus, as one voter pointed out, “He won the Snowflake and cars that he built in his GARC shop won the Derby and Snowflake poles (Pollard) and both races (with Elliott in the Snowball).”
8) ROSS KENSETH - Super Late Models
In his three attempts at the Snowball Derby, Ross Kenseth has been a major factor each time. He qualified second in his rookie attempt. Last year, he was in prime position to battle for the win before a crash inside of 100 laps to go. This year, he finished third. He was second at the World Crown 300 just a few weeks before this year’s Derby, too. But Ross Kenseth is tired of being oh-so-close. He wants to win one of these big races. “It won’t be long before he cracks into victory lane in a big show like that,” said a voter. Another panelist mentioned, “Whenever his car is on the track, everyone’s got a stopwatch on him. That’s power.”
9) BRIAN NESTER - Modifieds
Brian Nester is the second non-full-fendered driver to crack into the top-10 in this edition of the Tower of Power. While our panel had him ninth, if it was up to the open-wheeled Modified fans around the Midwest, it’d be an easy #1 pick. Nester won all the big shows that there were to win late in the season. “He won Modified races at the Winchester 400, North-South Shootout and Snowball Derby. Dominant,” said a voter. Nester didn’t just back into those wins, either. He put on a show at the front of the field en route to the victory. “Nester doesn’t get much credit because he’s not young and flashy, but he is a king right now,” said another voter.
10) COLT JAMES - Super Late Models
Texan Colt James doesn’t race every week. He’s not a regular in any particular series or racetrack. That doesn’t matter. When he does show up, he’s mixing it up for the win and usually comes out on top. James broke out his #15 Super Late Model and went to victory lane in a star-studded Mason-Dixon Meltdown/Thanksgiving Classic at Concord. “James gets it done, especially at Concord, where he won this race and the North-South Shootout a few years ago,” said a voter.
POSITIONS 11-20
11) Jimmy Blewett (Mods) - Turkey Derby sweep between Tour-Type & SK Mods.
12) DJ VanderLey (SLM/PLM) – Second in the Snowball Derby. Led laps 296 to 299.
13) Ben Rowe (PASS) – Won at Hickory to become PASS South win leader and took PASS National title.
14) Jeff Fultz (SLM) – Won North South Shootout Late Model portion.
15) Derek Thorn (SLM/KNPSW) – Won Las Vegas Open Show and trucked East to run Snowball Derby.
16) Corey LaJoie (UARA) – Dominated season ending show at Rockingham Speedway (NC).
17) George Brunnhoelzl III (Mods) – Won NASCAR Southern Modified title and was third at North-South.
18) Bryan Clauson (Midgets) – Won Battle at the Center. Clinched second-straight National Midget title.
19) Wayne Helliwell, Jr. (LM) – Swept Oktoberfest Late Model events he entered at Lee (NH).
20) Lee Pulliam (LMSC) - Won Martinsville and was in the mix at SoBo before tangle with Philip Morris.
ALSO RECEIVING VOTES
Andy Seuss
Barry Beggarly
Derrick Griffin
Chrissy Wallace
Kenzie Ruston
Travis Braden
Zack Franks
Keith Rocco
Brian Campbell
Eddie Hoffman
Blake Brown
Caleb Armstrong
Ty Dillon
Casey Smith
Boris Jurkovic
Becca Kasten
Geoff Morris
Tyler Miles
Steve Rubeck
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Beef OBradys Pre Race Derby Show
Beef OBradys Pre Race Derby Show
Listen to the Mike Garvey Interview from 1:57 - 2:13
Listen to Eric Jones Interview from 47.30 - 59:55
Listen to the Mike Garvey Interview from 1:57 - 2:13
Listen to Eric Jones Interview from 47.30 - 59:55
Monday, December 5, 2011
‘Twenty-Thousand Dollar’ Chase, Elliott Edges VanderLey at Line to Win 44th Snowball Derby
‘Twenty-Thousand Dollar’ Chase, Elliott Edges VanderLey at Line to Win 44th Snowball Derby
By Chuck Corder
It just keeps getting better.Few thought the Snowball Derby would ever live up to the drama and excitement created in 2010. And while the storybook ending of hometown girl Johanna Long racing to Snowball glory might never be topped, the 44th running’s finish was unparalleled
Sunday at Five Flags Speedway.Chase Elliott stood alone. Barely.The 16-year-old racing prodigy fought door-to-door in the closing laps with Five Flags stalwart D.J. VanderLey to win the nation’s most prestigious short-track race by less than a quarter of a second. The 0.229 margin of victory was the closest in Snowball history.
“I think I’m going to carry it forever,” Elliott said of the Tom Dawson trophy he held close to his body. Elliott, who runs on NASCAR’s K&N Pro Series, earned the right to do whatever he wants. He outlasted VanderLey in a similar finish to the green-white-checkered theatrics last year.
VanderLey, just 19 himself, actually put his No. 4 in front of Elliott’s No. 9 for the first four laps following a late restart as the pair of teenagers raced side-by-side. VanderLey’s problem was he was on the outside. He never managed to clear Elliott. Instead, VanderLey fell in line behind Elliott between turn Nos. 3 and 4 with an eighth of a mile remaining. VanderLey was content on etching his name in Snowball lore another year.
“Anytime he wanted to, he could’ve turned us,” he said of Ellliott. “Running with Chase was a lotta fun. No one makes the outside work.”VanderLey nearly did. Ross Kenseth, whose father Matt is a current NASCAR star, took third. Kenseth is 18. So you’re your top three goes 16, 19 and 18. Just a bunch of teenagers dragging Main on a Sunday.
“I’m not gonna stop coming until I win one of these things,” Kenseth said after his third appearance produced the best finish. “Chase is one heck of a wheelman. I thought I could’ve given him a run for his money.”
Instead, Elliott accomplished something his famous father never did. Bill Elliott, part of NASCAR’s Mount` Rushmore, raced two Snowballs in the early 1980s with meager results.
“Million Dollar” Bill’s boy took home close to $23,000 on Sunday. The prize money seems only a parting gift compared to the immortality drivers deposit for winning the Snowball. Chase Elliott broke the bank Sunday.
“This is indescribable,” he said. “It’s unreal, not only to win this thing, but to win it with Ricky Turner on as crew chief, now that’s awesome.” Turner snatched Derby nirvana in 2002, beating five-time Derby king Rich Bickle. He watched his young driver Sunday get back up front after recovering from an early crash. Elliott passed cars on the outside, thought to be taboo at the famed half-mile, asphalt oval. But there he was sixth by Lap 163. Outside again, this time waving to Hunter Robbins as he passed him for third on 202. Elliott humbled Casey Smith for second on Lap 219 with VanderLey leading.
“Nerves, man, I can’t describe that,” Elliott said. “New tires with a whole lotta fresh on them, it was a great advantage helping me catch back up after the wreck.”
The irony to Sunday was he got out front without having to pass a single car. When a caution came out around Lap 220, the leaders decided to pit. Elliott, he with the Hendrick Motorsports pit team, enjoyed a perfect stop and beat everyone back to the speedway.
“Everybody worked so hard,” he said. “My guys did a great job.” A great job for a great driver in a great race to create a great result. Can it get any better?
Official Results for the 44th Annual Snowball Derby44th annual Snowball Derby
Super Late Models
Sunday at Five Flags Speedway
Pensacola, Fla.
Official resultsName Laps Difference
1 Chase Elliott 300 —
2 D.J. VanderLey 300 0.229
3 Ross Kenseth 300 0.528
4 Landon Cassill 300 1.159
5 Heath Hindman 300 1.163
6 Cale Gale 300 1.771
7 Boris Jurkovic 300 2.433
8 Grant Enfinger 300 2.643
9 David Rogers 300 2.701
10 Casey Smith 300 3.266
11 Hunter Robbins 300 3.442
12 Bubba Pollard 300 3.598
13 Ben Kennedy 300 3.928
14 Stephen Nasse 300 4.332
15 Dillon Oliver 299 1 lap
16 Donnie Wilson 298 2 laps
17 Stephan McCurley 298 0.368
18 David Ragan 298 0.983
19 Derrick Griffin 298 1.272
20 Jeremy Pate 298 7.136
21 Jeff Fultz 298 7.703
22 David Odell 297 3 laps
23 Josh Hamner 295 5 laps
24 Johnny Van Doorn 295 0.452 - Accident
25 Ken McFarland 291 9 laps
26 Jerry Artuso 280 20 laps
27 Dennis Prunty 220 80 laps
28 Chris Davidson 182 118 laps
29 Andy Loden 182 3:06.473
30 Kenzie Ruston 145 155 laps
31 Augie Grill 142 158 laps
32 Jeff Choquette 141 159 laps
33 Mike Garvey 134 166 laps - Steering Failure
34 Steve Wallace 131 169 laps
35 Erik Darnell 99 201 laps
36 Johanna Long 97 203 laps
Cautions: 12 for 107 laps.
Lead changes: 12 among seven drivers.
Margin of victory: 0.229 seconds, a Derby record.
Laps leader: Casey Smith led twice for a total of 73. Elliott led twice for a total of 72
By Chuck Corder
It just keeps getting better.Few thought the Snowball Derby would ever live up to the drama and excitement created in 2010. And while the storybook ending of hometown girl Johanna Long racing to Snowball glory might never be topped, the 44th running’s finish was unparalleled
Sunday at Five Flags Speedway.Chase Elliott stood alone. Barely.The 16-year-old racing prodigy fought door-to-door in the closing laps with Five Flags stalwart D.J. VanderLey to win the nation’s most prestigious short-track race by less than a quarter of a second. The 0.229 margin of victory was the closest in Snowball history.
“I think I’m going to carry it forever,” Elliott said of the Tom Dawson trophy he held close to his body. Elliott, who runs on NASCAR’s K&N Pro Series, earned the right to do whatever he wants. He outlasted VanderLey in a similar finish to the green-white-checkered theatrics last year.
VanderLey, just 19 himself, actually put his No. 4 in front of Elliott’s No. 9 for the first four laps following a late restart as the pair of teenagers raced side-by-side. VanderLey’s problem was he was on the outside. He never managed to clear Elliott. Instead, VanderLey fell in line behind Elliott between turn Nos. 3 and 4 with an eighth of a mile remaining. VanderLey was content on etching his name in Snowball lore another year.
“Anytime he wanted to, he could’ve turned us,” he said of Ellliott. “Running with Chase was a lotta fun. No one makes the outside work.”VanderLey nearly did. Ross Kenseth, whose father Matt is a current NASCAR star, took third. Kenseth is 18. So you’re your top three goes 16, 19 and 18. Just a bunch of teenagers dragging Main on a Sunday.
“I’m not gonna stop coming until I win one of these things,” Kenseth said after his third appearance produced the best finish. “Chase is one heck of a wheelman. I thought I could’ve given him a run for his money.”
Instead, Elliott accomplished something his famous father never did. Bill Elliott, part of NASCAR’s Mount` Rushmore, raced two Snowballs in the early 1980s with meager results.
“Million Dollar” Bill’s boy took home close to $23,000 on Sunday. The prize money seems only a parting gift compared to the immortality drivers deposit for winning the Snowball. Chase Elliott broke the bank Sunday.
“This is indescribable,” he said. “It’s unreal, not only to win this thing, but to win it with Ricky Turner on as crew chief, now that’s awesome.” Turner snatched Derby nirvana in 2002, beating five-time Derby king Rich Bickle. He watched his young driver Sunday get back up front after recovering from an early crash. Elliott passed cars on the outside, thought to be taboo at the famed half-mile, asphalt oval. But there he was sixth by Lap 163. Outside again, this time waving to Hunter Robbins as he passed him for third on 202. Elliott humbled Casey Smith for second on Lap 219 with VanderLey leading.
“Nerves, man, I can’t describe that,” Elliott said. “New tires with a whole lotta fresh on them, it was a great advantage helping me catch back up after the wreck.”
The irony to Sunday was he got out front without having to pass a single car. When a caution came out around Lap 220, the leaders decided to pit. Elliott, he with the Hendrick Motorsports pit team, enjoyed a perfect stop and beat everyone back to the speedway.
“Everybody worked so hard,” he said. “My guys did a great job.” A great job for a great driver in a great race to create a great result. Can it get any better?
Official Results for the 44th Annual Snowball Derby44th annual Snowball Derby
Super Late Models
Sunday at Five Flags Speedway
Pensacola, Fla.
Official resultsName Laps Difference
1 Chase Elliott 300 —
2 D.J. VanderLey 300 0.229
3 Ross Kenseth 300 0.528
4 Landon Cassill 300 1.159
5 Heath Hindman 300 1.163
6 Cale Gale 300 1.771
7 Boris Jurkovic 300 2.433
8 Grant Enfinger 300 2.643
9 David Rogers 300 2.701
10 Casey Smith 300 3.266
11 Hunter Robbins 300 3.442
12 Bubba Pollard 300 3.598
13 Ben Kennedy 300 3.928
14 Stephen Nasse 300 4.332
15 Dillon Oliver 299 1 lap
16 Donnie Wilson 298 2 laps
17 Stephan McCurley 298 0.368
18 David Ragan 298 0.983
19 Derrick Griffin 298 1.272
20 Jeremy Pate 298 7.136
21 Jeff Fultz 298 7.703
22 David Odell 297 3 laps
23 Josh Hamner 295 5 laps
24 Johnny Van Doorn 295 0.452 - Accident
25 Ken McFarland 291 9 laps
26 Jerry Artuso 280 20 laps
27 Dennis Prunty 220 80 laps
28 Chris Davidson 182 118 laps
29 Andy Loden 182 3:06.473
30 Kenzie Ruston 145 155 laps
31 Augie Grill 142 158 laps
32 Jeff Choquette 141 159 laps
33 Mike Garvey 134 166 laps - Steering Failure
34 Steve Wallace 131 169 laps
35 Erik Darnell 99 201 laps
36 Johanna Long 97 203 laps
Cautions: 12 for 107 laps.
Lead changes: 12 among seven drivers.
Margin of victory: 0.229 seconds, a Derby record.
Laps leader: Casey Smith led twice for a total of 73. Elliott led twice for a total of 72
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Chase Elliott Wins; VanDoorn 24th Garvey 34th at Snowball Derby
More Details Monday
Unofficial Results of 44th Annual Snowball Derby
1 Chase Elliott 300
2 D.J. VanderLey 300
3 Ross Kenseth 300
4 Landon Cassill 300
5 Heath Hindman 300
6 Cale Gale 300
7 Boris Jurkovic 300
8 Grant Enfinger 300
9 David Rogers 300
10 Casey Smith 300
11 Hunter Robbins 300
12 Bubba Pollard 300
13 Benjamin Kennedy 300
14 Stephen Nasse 300
15 Dillon Oliver 299
16 Donnie Wilson 298
17 Stephan McCurley 298
18 David Ragan 298
19 Derrick Griffin 298
20 Jeremy Pate 298
21 Jeff Fultz 298
22 David Odell 297
23 Josh Hamner 295
24 Johnny VanDoorn 295
25 Derek Thorn 294
26 Ken McFarland 291
27 Jerry Artuso 280
28 Dennis Prunty 220
29 Chris Davidson 182
30 Andy Loden 182
31 Kenzie Ruston 145
32 Augie Grill 142
33 Jeff Choquette 141
34 Mike Garvey 134
35 Steve Wallace 131
36 Erik Darnell 99
37 Johanna Long 97
Unofficial Results of 44th Annual Snowball Derby
1 Chase Elliott 300
2 D.J. VanderLey 300
3 Ross Kenseth 300
4 Landon Cassill 300
5 Heath Hindman 300
6 Cale Gale 300
7 Boris Jurkovic 300
8 Grant Enfinger 300
9 David Rogers 300
10 Casey Smith 300
11 Hunter Robbins 300
12 Bubba Pollard 300
13 Benjamin Kennedy 300
14 Stephen Nasse 300
15 Dillon Oliver 299
16 Donnie Wilson 298
17 Stephan McCurley 298
18 David Ragan 298
19 Derrick Griffin 298
20 Jeremy Pate 298
21 Jeff Fultz 298
22 David Odell 297
23 Josh Hamner 295
24 Johnny VanDoorn 295
25 Derek Thorn 294
26 Ken McFarland 291
27 Jerry Artuso 280
28 Dennis Prunty 220
29 Chris Davidson 182
30 Andy Loden 182
31 Kenzie Ruston 145
32 Augie Grill 142
33 Jeff Choquette 141
34 Mike Garvey 134
35 Steve Wallace 131
36 Erik Darnell 99
37 Johanna Long 97
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Garvey 21st, Jones 25th in Caution Filled Snowflake 100
Tonight's 100 lap event was more of a marathon than a sprint. After two hours and ten minutes it was Augie Grill winning the Snowflake for the second consecutive season. Grill was right where he needed to be all night leading 89 laps. The action behind could have been mistaken for a Demolition Derby. Fifteen cautions flew on the night. Fourteen yellow flags were waved in the second 50 laps of the race and six in the last 10 laps. To say there was a lot of carnage would be an understatement.
Muskegon Michigan Driver Mike Garvey ran in the top ten up until five to go. Garvey pulled into the pits for a fuel pickup problem under caution and was never able to get his car restarted. Garvey would finish 21st. For Byron Michigan young gun Eric Jones his 1st running of the Snowflake had its highs and lows. The 15 year old driver also worked his way into the top ten only to see his night ended after contact with Korey Ruble with 12 laps to go.
Sunday it will be Coopersville's Johnny VanDoorn and Garvey representing West Michigan in the prestigious Snowball Derby. Stay Tuned!
Unofficial Allen Turner Snowflake 100 Results presented by Racecar Engineering
1 Augie Grill
2 Brandon Odom
3 Brandon Johnson
4 Ben Kennedy
5 Tommy Rollins
6 Chase Elliott
7 Daniel Hemric
8 DJ VanderLey
9 Ross Kenseth
10 Matt Smith
11 Logan Boyett
12 Cody Coughlin
13 Willie Allen
14 Elliott Massey
15 Ryan Blaney
16 Justin South
17 Brandon Bendele
18 Bubba Pollard
19 Andy Loden
20 Jason Young
21 Mike Garvey
22 Korey Ruble
23 Kyle Benjamin
24 Chris Davidson
25 Erik Jones
26 Brandon Jones
27 Hunter Robbins
28 Dwayne Buggay
29 Kyle Bryant
30 Spencer Davis
31 Roger Lee Newton
32 Jerick Johnson
33 Jeff Choquette
34 Stephan McCurley
35 Dave Mader III
Muskegon Michigan Driver Mike Garvey ran in the top ten up until five to go. Garvey pulled into the pits for a fuel pickup problem under caution and was never able to get his car restarted. Garvey would finish 21st. For Byron Michigan young gun Eric Jones his 1st running of the Snowflake had its highs and lows. The 15 year old driver also worked his way into the top ten only to see his night ended after contact with Korey Ruble with 12 laps to go.
Sunday it will be Coopersville's Johnny VanDoorn and Garvey representing West Michigan in the prestigious Snowball Derby. Stay Tuned!
Unofficial Allen Turner Snowflake 100 Results presented by Racecar Engineering
1 Augie Grill
2 Brandon Odom
3 Brandon Johnson
4 Ben Kennedy
5 Tommy Rollins
6 Chase Elliott
7 Daniel Hemric
8 DJ VanderLey
9 Ross Kenseth
10 Matt Smith
11 Logan Boyett
12 Cody Coughlin
13 Willie Allen
14 Elliott Massey
15 Ryan Blaney
16 Justin South
17 Brandon Bendele
18 Bubba Pollard
19 Andy Loden
20 Jason Young
21 Mike Garvey
22 Korey Ruble
23 Kyle Benjamin
24 Chris Davidson
25 Erik Jones
26 Brandon Jones
27 Hunter Robbins
28 Dwayne Buggay
29 Kyle Bryant
30 Spencer Davis
31 Roger Lee Newton
32 Jerick Johnson
33 Jeff Choquette
34 Stephan McCurley
35 Dave Mader III
Radio Link for Snowflake 100 - Tonight 7:30
Catch the action from Speed 51 Radio. West Michigan drivers Mike Garvey and Eric Jones will be starting nose to tail mid pack in tonight's Snowflake 100.
Click on the Title to take you there.
Click on the Title to take you there.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Continous Coverage of the Snowball Derby by Speed51
As of 3:00 today Muskegon's Mike Garvey was a the top of the Speed Charts. Coopersville's Johnny VanDoorn and Byron's Erik Jones also are part of 66 other cars that have been getting their cars ready for the Snowball Derby and Snowflake events.Click on the Speed51 Banner to watch all of today's activities.
Monday, November 28, 2011
What West Michigan Drivers could win the Famed "Snowball Derby"?
Odds for the Snowball Derby – Who Would You Bet on?
It’s a Crapshoot, but 51 Pairs the Field Down
By Elgin Traylor - Twitter @ElginTraylor
The oddsmakers in Las Vegas are not going to bite on rating the drivers for the 44th Annual Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway (FL), so we here at Speed1.com will. The staff didn’t all agree with each other, but after averaging things out, this is what we’ve come up with.
And remember, this is for entertainment purposes only. At no time were we thinking of this as a way to disrespect anyone. So enjoy the odds and make your comments on our Facebook page.
50 to 1 - Allen Karnes, Cecil Chunn, Junior Niedecken, Matt Smith, Tim Martin, Bobby Knox, Tyler Miles, Cade Dillard and Tony Clark.
These drivers are the long-shots. They hope to make the show and then see what they can do. Karnes did have a top-three finish at Mobile Int’l Speedway, so don't count him out.
40 to 1 – Michael Lance, David Odell, Brandon Odom, Jeremy Pate, Thomas Praytor, and Stephen McCurley
These drivers have some wins in recent years and/or have run a bunch of laps at Five Flags Speedway. They would pay good money in the old two dollar bet.
30 to 1 – Randy Gentry
Randy Gentry is in the mix here because he’s one of those veterans you cannot dismiss. He’s a former winner on the old NASCAR All Pro circuit and had a fifth place finish recently in the North South Shootout in NC.
25 to 1 - Jerry Artuso
Jerry knows how to put a car together, just ask Augie Grill, who won in his Outlaw Super Late Model at the Glass City 200 at Toledo Speedway this year.
24 to 1 - Dennis Prunty
Wisconsin native will look to improve again this year.
23 to 1 - Dwayne Buggay
The Georgia Pro Late Model regular has run well in 2011, this could be a sleeper under the right conditions.
22 to 1 - Scott Carlson, Ken McFarland
Here are two veterans who would have been a better bet a few years ago, but maybe, just maybe, the magic is not quite gone yet.
21 to 1 - Korey Ruble
In the Pro Late Models and Mods he'd be up the betting ladder, but we’re not quite sure if his SLM plans are finalized yet.
20 to 1 - Clay Alexander
We just hope to see the second generation racer after a wild wreck at the World Crown at Gresham Motorsports Park a few weeks ago.
19 to 1 – Steve Dorer
Steve Dorer has always been tough in the mainland of Florida, but this year he really burst on the scene with a big win in the Redbud 300 at Anderson Speedway (IN). He also won a CRA Super Series race at M-40 Speedway in Michigan. Dorer is always fast, but he has a lot to learn about the marathon that is the Snowball Derby.
18 to 1 – Dennis Schoenfeld, Chris Davidson and Mason Mingus
CRA Super Series regular Mason Mingus finished in the top-10 last year and has racer Chuck Barnes Jr. guiding the way. Schoenfeld battled back from several laps down last year to finish fifth in the Derby. As for Davidson, he’s either fast or just a tad off, so it all depends on how he is first time he hits the track.
17 to 1 - Kyle Benjamin
Kyle Benjamin still looks like he’s 13 years-old… wait, he just turned 14. Benjamin is a double-duty driver during the Snowball Derby week. He will be a serious challenger for the Allen Turner Snowflake 100 on Saturday night. On Sunday, the Snowball Derby is scheduled to be his first-ever Super Late Model start.
16 to 1 - Kenzie Ruston
The 19 year-old was 11th in the Snowflake last year, but she burst into the spotlight by becoming the first woman to win in the CRA Super Series this year at Lucas Oil Raceway Park (IN). We think it might be one year too early to consider her a safe bet.
15 to 1 - Derrick Griffin
It’s a one-race deal for the CRA SS champ who was winless this year. He was a car length away from the Winchester 400 and ran well in his first Derby attempt last year, so don't write him off. He’s now 20 years-old and looking like the up-and-coming hotshoe we always thought he was.
14 to 1 - Andy Loden
The North Carolina short track veteran was 22nd a year ago in the Derby, but the PASS standout has been focused on this race for weeks. In fact, he put his own cars aside for the Derby and lobbied for a ride to compete in the PASS South finale last weekend even though he was in contention for that title; that’s how much the Derby means to him.
13 to 1 - Johnny VanDoorn
We had to give Johnny VanDoorn the unlucky 13 number because his luck has been MIA all season. He’s a two-time CRA Super Series champion and he skipped the Winchester 400 just for another shot at the Snowball Derby. After a bout with mono earlier this year, VanDoorn is healthy and ready to go. He has struggled in a few Derby attempts, but his bound to breakout this year. VanDoorn’s only start in the race resulted in an 18th place finish.
12 to 1 - Josh Hamner and Casey Smith
Both of these guys, who are still relatively young (both in their 20s), are always fast no matter where they race in the Southeast. Hamner has been on the sidelines for a few weeks so we know he's hungry and the Snowball Derby means a lot to his family, led by veteran engine builder Jeff Hamner. Casey Smith was so strong at the World Crown that we might have him too low in the odds. His hurdle will be getting to the finish of the 300-lap race and not get in another fight in the infield during the closing laps of the race like he did with David Stremme last year.
11 to 1 - Stephen Nasse, Jeff Choquette, TJ Reaid, and Erik Jones
This is a dynamite group of speedsters. Stephen Nasse is a Derby rookie, but the teenager is fast and strong no matter where he races his Super Late Model. TJ Reaid looks to make the show with the family effort after competing for the Kyle Busch Motorsports team last year. Jeff Choquette at 12 to 1 could be a steal if they hit the set up. The reason we say “if” is because Choquette missed the show a couple years back; that’s how tough the Derby is. As far as Jones, word is he will not be able to run the Derby after a stellar victory in the Gov Cup partly due to the fact of the limited time to put his engine back together after it was torn down after his win at New Smyrna Speedway.
10 to 1 - Cale Gale, Ben Kennedy, and David Rogers
Cale Gale has two poles at the Derby, but nothing to show for it at the end of the race. We think Gale will focus more on surviving the fight than just being fast this year. Ben Kennedy took a top three finish last week at the Gov Cup and could be ready to challenge in his Super Late Model. Veteran David Rogers is always prime to pick off a victory… this Derby will be number-27 for him.
9 to 1 - Donnie Wilson, Hunter Robbins, DJ VanderLey
Donnie Wilson has not yet won this season, but after being second last year and fourth at the Gov Cup; he's got a good chance. Hunter Robbins will be tough if he can avoid trouble and DJ VanderLey is the Five Flags Speedway Pro Late Model champ.
8 to 1 - Ross Kenseth, Jeff Fultz, and Mike Garvey
It’s simple… Kenseth was second at the World Crown and always tough, Fultz won the North South Shootout as a Derby tune-up and Garvey is due. Some might argue that these guys could receive better odds, and honestly, we couldn’t agree more.
7 to 1 - Grant Enfinger, David Ragan, Steven Wallace
NASCAR driver David Ragan is taking this race very seriously in his own equipment this year. He raced for Richie Wauters last year, but was involved in a mess just past the halfway point. This year fellow NASCAR racer Steve Wallace returns behind the wheel of the Wauters machine, the very same team he won the Derby for back in 2004. Grant Enfinger has been strong all year at Five Flags in his infamous #82 machine. He has won the Derby pole and has recorded a runner-up finish in the Derby, but he wants the win this time around.
6 to 1 - Boris Jurkovic, Landon Cassill
Boris Jurkovic won the Winchester 400 with some thrilling late race heroics. The former CRA Super Series champ will be racing for Kyle Busch Motorsports at Five Flags Speedway. NASCAR driver Landon Cassill was a “nudge” away from winning the Snowball Derby one year ago. He was leading before getting the boot from Johanna Long with just a handful of laps to go. At 7 to 1 both are good picks and would pay off well in a horse race.
5 to 1 - Johanna Long and Chase Elliott
Both of these former Blizzard Series Champion are just a tick off the best bets. Chase Elliott's Late Model program was a little behind about a month ago, but they have rebounded quickly. His father Bill, a NASCAR Cup champion, had planned on racing the Derby with Chase until they destroyed a car in the North South Shootout. Last year’s Derby winner Johanna Long has struggled a little this year at the panhandle track, but she reminds us that they were just a “little off” going into the race one year ago as well.
4 to 1 - Bubba Pollard, and Augie Grill
The house says the best bets are with these two drivers. Augie Grill is a two-time winner of the Snowball Derby and this year’s Buddy’s Home Furnishings Blizzard Series champion. Bubba Pollard won more races in the Southeast Late Model scene this year than any other driver. In fact, two of those triumphs came in Blizzard Series races. Pollard led the Derby late in the going last year until being involved in an accident not to his own doing. Nobody would argue with you if you put your money on either one of these two guys.
It’s a Crapshoot, but 51 Pairs the Field Down
By Elgin Traylor - Twitter @ElginTraylor
The oddsmakers in Las Vegas are not going to bite on rating the drivers for the 44th Annual Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway (FL), so we here at Speed1.com will. The staff didn’t all agree with each other, but after averaging things out, this is what we’ve come up with.
And remember, this is for entertainment purposes only. At no time were we thinking of this as a way to disrespect anyone. So enjoy the odds and make your comments on our Facebook page.
50 to 1 - Allen Karnes, Cecil Chunn, Junior Niedecken, Matt Smith, Tim Martin, Bobby Knox, Tyler Miles, Cade Dillard and Tony Clark.
These drivers are the long-shots. They hope to make the show and then see what they can do. Karnes did have a top-three finish at Mobile Int’l Speedway, so don't count him out.
40 to 1 – Michael Lance, David Odell, Brandon Odom, Jeremy Pate, Thomas Praytor, and Stephen McCurley
These drivers have some wins in recent years and/or have run a bunch of laps at Five Flags Speedway. They would pay good money in the old two dollar bet.
30 to 1 – Randy Gentry
Randy Gentry is in the mix here because he’s one of those veterans you cannot dismiss. He’s a former winner on the old NASCAR All Pro circuit and had a fifth place finish recently in the North South Shootout in NC.
25 to 1 - Jerry Artuso
Jerry knows how to put a car together, just ask Augie Grill, who won in his Outlaw Super Late Model at the Glass City 200 at Toledo Speedway this year.
24 to 1 - Dennis Prunty
Wisconsin native will look to improve again this year.
23 to 1 - Dwayne Buggay
The Georgia Pro Late Model regular has run well in 2011, this could be a sleeper under the right conditions.
22 to 1 - Scott Carlson, Ken McFarland
Here are two veterans who would have been a better bet a few years ago, but maybe, just maybe, the magic is not quite gone yet.
21 to 1 - Korey Ruble
In the Pro Late Models and Mods he'd be up the betting ladder, but we’re not quite sure if his SLM plans are finalized yet.
20 to 1 - Clay Alexander
We just hope to see the second generation racer after a wild wreck at the World Crown at Gresham Motorsports Park a few weeks ago.
19 to 1 – Steve Dorer
Steve Dorer has always been tough in the mainland of Florida, but this year he really burst on the scene with a big win in the Redbud 300 at Anderson Speedway (IN). He also won a CRA Super Series race at M-40 Speedway in Michigan. Dorer is always fast, but he has a lot to learn about the marathon that is the Snowball Derby.
18 to 1 – Dennis Schoenfeld, Chris Davidson and Mason Mingus
CRA Super Series regular Mason Mingus finished in the top-10 last year and has racer Chuck Barnes Jr. guiding the way. Schoenfeld battled back from several laps down last year to finish fifth in the Derby. As for Davidson, he’s either fast or just a tad off, so it all depends on how he is first time he hits the track.
17 to 1 - Kyle Benjamin
Kyle Benjamin still looks like he’s 13 years-old… wait, he just turned 14. Benjamin is a double-duty driver during the Snowball Derby week. He will be a serious challenger for the Allen Turner Snowflake 100 on Saturday night. On Sunday, the Snowball Derby is scheduled to be his first-ever Super Late Model start.
16 to 1 - Kenzie Ruston
The 19 year-old was 11th in the Snowflake last year, but she burst into the spotlight by becoming the first woman to win in the CRA Super Series this year at Lucas Oil Raceway Park (IN). We think it might be one year too early to consider her a safe bet.
15 to 1 - Derrick Griffin
It’s a one-race deal for the CRA SS champ who was winless this year. He was a car length away from the Winchester 400 and ran well in his first Derby attempt last year, so don't write him off. He’s now 20 years-old and looking like the up-and-coming hotshoe we always thought he was.
14 to 1 - Andy Loden
The North Carolina short track veteran was 22nd a year ago in the Derby, but the PASS standout has been focused on this race for weeks. In fact, he put his own cars aside for the Derby and lobbied for a ride to compete in the PASS South finale last weekend even though he was in contention for that title; that’s how much the Derby means to him.
13 to 1 - Johnny VanDoorn
We had to give Johnny VanDoorn the unlucky 13 number because his luck has been MIA all season. He’s a two-time CRA Super Series champion and he skipped the Winchester 400 just for another shot at the Snowball Derby. After a bout with mono earlier this year, VanDoorn is healthy and ready to go. He has struggled in a few Derby attempts, but his bound to breakout this year. VanDoorn’s only start in the race resulted in an 18th place finish.
12 to 1 - Josh Hamner and Casey Smith
Both of these guys, who are still relatively young (both in their 20s), are always fast no matter where they race in the Southeast. Hamner has been on the sidelines for a few weeks so we know he's hungry and the Snowball Derby means a lot to his family, led by veteran engine builder Jeff Hamner. Casey Smith was so strong at the World Crown that we might have him too low in the odds. His hurdle will be getting to the finish of the 300-lap race and not get in another fight in the infield during the closing laps of the race like he did with David Stremme last year.
11 to 1 - Stephen Nasse, Jeff Choquette, TJ Reaid, and Erik Jones
This is a dynamite group of speedsters. Stephen Nasse is a Derby rookie, but the teenager is fast and strong no matter where he races his Super Late Model. TJ Reaid looks to make the show with the family effort after competing for the Kyle Busch Motorsports team last year. Jeff Choquette at 12 to 1 could be a steal if they hit the set up. The reason we say “if” is because Choquette missed the show a couple years back; that’s how tough the Derby is. As far as Jones, word is he will not be able to run the Derby after a stellar victory in the Gov Cup partly due to the fact of the limited time to put his engine back together after it was torn down after his win at New Smyrna Speedway.
10 to 1 - Cale Gale, Ben Kennedy, and David Rogers
Cale Gale has two poles at the Derby, but nothing to show for it at the end of the race. We think Gale will focus more on surviving the fight than just being fast this year. Ben Kennedy took a top three finish last week at the Gov Cup and could be ready to challenge in his Super Late Model. Veteran David Rogers is always prime to pick off a victory… this Derby will be number-27 for him.
9 to 1 - Donnie Wilson, Hunter Robbins, DJ VanderLey
Donnie Wilson has not yet won this season, but after being second last year and fourth at the Gov Cup; he's got a good chance. Hunter Robbins will be tough if he can avoid trouble and DJ VanderLey is the Five Flags Speedway Pro Late Model champ.
8 to 1 - Ross Kenseth, Jeff Fultz, and Mike Garvey
It’s simple… Kenseth was second at the World Crown and always tough, Fultz won the North South Shootout as a Derby tune-up and Garvey is due. Some might argue that these guys could receive better odds, and honestly, we couldn’t agree more.
7 to 1 - Grant Enfinger, David Ragan, Steven Wallace
NASCAR driver David Ragan is taking this race very seriously in his own equipment this year. He raced for Richie Wauters last year, but was involved in a mess just past the halfway point. This year fellow NASCAR racer Steve Wallace returns behind the wheel of the Wauters machine, the very same team he won the Derby for back in 2004. Grant Enfinger has been strong all year at Five Flags in his infamous #82 machine. He has won the Derby pole and has recorded a runner-up finish in the Derby, but he wants the win this time around.
6 to 1 - Boris Jurkovic, Landon Cassill
Boris Jurkovic won the Winchester 400 with some thrilling late race heroics. The former CRA Super Series champ will be racing for Kyle Busch Motorsports at Five Flags Speedway. NASCAR driver Landon Cassill was a “nudge” away from winning the Snowball Derby one year ago. He was leading before getting the boot from Johanna Long with just a handful of laps to go. At 7 to 1 both are good picks and would pay off well in a horse race.
5 to 1 - Johanna Long and Chase Elliott
Both of these former Blizzard Series Champion are just a tick off the best bets. Chase Elliott's Late Model program was a little behind about a month ago, but they have rebounded quickly. His father Bill, a NASCAR Cup champion, had planned on racing the Derby with Chase until they destroyed a car in the North South Shootout. Last year’s Derby winner Johanna Long has struggled a little this year at the panhandle track, but she reminds us that they were just a “little off” going into the race one year ago as well.
4 to 1 - Bubba Pollard, and Augie Grill
The house says the best bets are with these two drivers. Augie Grill is a two-time winner of the Snowball Derby and this year’s Buddy’s Home Furnishings Blizzard Series champion. Bubba Pollard won more races in the Southeast Late Model scene this year than any other driver. In fact, two of those triumphs came in Blizzard Series races. Pollard led the Derby late in the going last year until being involved in an accident not to his own doing. Nobody would argue with you if you put your money on either one of these two guys.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
VanDoorn the "Outsider" at the Derby
Five Flags Regulars Defend Their Turf Against Derby Invaders
Grill and Pollard Set to Take on “Out-of-Towners” Like VanDoorn
By Ally Fulson - Twitter: @allyfulson
One of the greatest accomplishments of the Snowball Derby is the quality of drivers and teams it draws year after year. Champions from all over the short track world will migrate south to Pensacola, FL for this winter classic. Among them this year is two-time CRA Super Series champion and former All American 400 winner Johnny VanDoorn. But he’ll have some still competition from the Five Flag Speedway regulars who are ready to defend their turf. Blizzard Series Champion Augie Grill and one of the hottest Super Late Model drivers in the Southeast, Bubba Pollard want to keep the Snowball Derby trophy in their area.
After posting three wins at the Florida half-mile in 2011 thus far, Bubba Pollard thinks he’ll certainly be able to use his experience at the track to his advantage as a solid starting ground, but knows it won’t be an easy task this year.
“It’s going to be hard because it’s going to be so different,” said Pollard. “We’re used to impound races (with the Blizzard Series) and we’re not going to have that anymore. And with weather having changed so much, that’s going to have a big impact on how the car drives. It won’t be like the races we ran there all summer. So you know it’s going to be almost a level playing field (with all the other drivers coming in). We might have a little bit of an edge when we get there, but all in all it’s going to be pretty much the same for everyone.”
And when it comes to drivers from all around the country coming south onto his turf seeking the Tom Dawson trophy, Pollard sees them all the same – just more competition to beat.
“It’s just more cars, more racers,” said Pollard. “It’s good to have different people come down and race with different guys to see how you stack up against different people.”
And while Pollard and his three wins in 2011 are hoping to rise to the top against the stiffest Super Late Model competition in the country, two-time Snowball Derby champion Augie Grill also has a pretty big vote of confidence going into the 300-lap main event.
“Having the championship this year and having won it before definitely don’t hurt,” said Grill. “But it does get harder and harder every year. That’s the reason we run down there all year though, to get that experience and those notes to help us when it comes down to Derby time. Now we’ve just got to use our hard work all year long to work against everyone else’s hard work and try to be the best.”
Meanwhile, from the opposite perspective, two-time CRA Super Series champion Johnny VanDoorn isn’t letting anyone else’s home track advantage slow him down, in fact, he’s actually benefitting from it.
“When it comes to a starting point, that’s where I might say I’m at a slight disadvantage,” said VanDoorn. “Anytime you have a home track advantage it’s a definite benefit. Knowing the tires and the track and all the little things that go along with it is huge. They (Grill and Pollard) are definitely going to be at a big advantage having been there all year, especially with a new tire. But I’ve got some notes to go off of from last year and some info from people who have been down there more than we have, that has given us a game plan to go off of. When you go down there once a year for the Derby you’ve got to be on top of your game because, in a way, you’re already a couple laps down because those guys have such a big advantage starting. You’ve really got to be on top of your game and be prepared for anything.”
VanDoorn, who has found bad luck in his past two Snowball Derby runs, is looking to improve upon those misfortunes to add his name to the historic Snowball Derby trophy with the knowledge he’s gained from those previous attempts. VanDoorn also corroborated Pollard’s excitement to pit the best of the best against each other to see how they truly stack up in the world of Super Late Model racing.
“I’m not exactly planning to do anything different this year than my normal routine,” said VanDoorn. “We’re just going to be more aware of certain things that we learned down there last year. We’ve worked on some things that will kind of give us a head start and I’m looking forward to going to the biggest late model short track race in the world. I mean, if you want to see how you stand or how you rank, this is the race. If you can be competitive and win the race you can walk away knowing you’ve beat the best and that’s just great.”
Grill and Pollard Set to Take on “Out-of-Towners” Like VanDoorn
By Ally Fulson - Twitter: @allyfulson
One of the greatest accomplishments of the Snowball Derby is the quality of drivers and teams it draws year after year. Champions from all over the short track world will migrate south to Pensacola, FL for this winter classic. Among them this year is two-time CRA Super Series champion and former All American 400 winner Johnny VanDoorn. But he’ll have some still competition from the Five Flag Speedway regulars who are ready to defend their turf. Blizzard Series Champion Augie Grill and one of the hottest Super Late Model drivers in the Southeast, Bubba Pollard want to keep the Snowball Derby trophy in their area.
After posting three wins at the Florida half-mile in 2011 thus far, Bubba Pollard thinks he’ll certainly be able to use his experience at the track to his advantage as a solid starting ground, but knows it won’t be an easy task this year.
“It’s going to be hard because it’s going to be so different,” said Pollard. “We’re used to impound races (with the Blizzard Series) and we’re not going to have that anymore. And with weather having changed so much, that’s going to have a big impact on how the car drives. It won’t be like the races we ran there all summer. So you know it’s going to be almost a level playing field (with all the other drivers coming in). We might have a little bit of an edge when we get there, but all in all it’s going to be pretty much the same for everyone.”
And when it comes to drivers from all around the country coming south onto his turf seeking the Tom Dawson trophy, Pollard sees them all the same – just more competition to beat.
“It’s just more cars, more racers,” said Pollard. “It’s good to have different people come down and race with different guys to see how you stack up against different people.”
And while Pollard and his three wins in 2011 are hoping to rise to the top against the stiffest Super Late Model competition in the country, two-time Snowball Derby champion Augie Grill also has a pretty big vote of confidence going into the 300-lap main event.
“Having the championship this year and having won it before definitely don’t hurt,” said Grill. “But it does get harder and harder every year. That’s the reason we run down there all year though, to get that experience and those notes to help us when it comes down to Derby time. Now we’ve just got to use our hard work all year long to work against everyone else’s hard work and try to be the best.”
Meanwhile, from the opposite perspective, two-time CRA Super Series champion Johnny VanDoorn isn’t letting anyone else’s home track advantage slow him down, in fact, he’s actually benefitting from it.
“When it comes to a starting point, that’s where I might say I’m at a slight disadvantage,” said VanDoorn. “Anytime you have a home track advantage it’s a definite benefit. Knowing the tires and the track and all the little things that go along with it is huge. They (Grill and Pollard) are definitely going to be at a big advantage having been there all year, especially with a new tire. But I’ve got some notes to go off of from last year and some info from people who have been down there more than we have, that has given us a game plan to go off of. When you go down there once a year for the Derby you’ve got to be on top of your game because, in a way, you’re already a couple laps down because those guys have such a big advantage starting. You’ve really got to be on top of your game and be prepared for anything.”
VanDoorn, who has found bad luck in his past two Snowball Derby runs, is looking to improve upon those misfortunes to add his name to the historic Snowball Derby trophy with the knowledge he’s gained from those previous attempts. VanDoorn also corroborated Pollard’s excitement to pit the best of the best against each other to see how they truly stack up in the world of Super Late Model racing.
“I’m not exactly planning to do anything different this year than my normal routine,” said VanDoorn. “We’re just going to be more aware of certain things that we learned down there last year. We’ve worked on some things that will kind of give us a head start and I’m looking forward to going to the biggest late model short track race in the world. I mean, if you want to see how you stand or how you rank, this is the race. If you can be competitive and win the race you can walk away knowing you’ve beat the best and that’s just great.”
Monday, November 21, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Michigan's Erik Jones wins Florida's Governor's Cup!
Jones wins Governor's Cup
By Godwin Kelly, Motorsports Editor
SAMSULA -- Erik Jones, a 15-year-old driver from Byron, Mich., led every lap and kept veteran David Rogers at bay in a three-lap shootout to win the Florida Governor's Cup at New Smyrna Speedway on Saturday night.
Jones became the first driver not from Florida in 30 years to win the Super Late Model race, which dates back to 1965.
Rogers, the 1994 NASCAR short-track champion, tried to squeeze past the teen on final restart.
The cars touched fenders but Rogers was unable to rattle Jones, who recently captured the Jegs All-Star Pro Late Model Series championship.
"He gave us a run for the money on the last restart," Jones said in Victory Lane. "My car was flawless."
Rogers, a two-time Governor's Cup champion from Orlando, said Jones didn't race like a young driver.
"He was good; really smooth," Rogers said. "He never missed a lick. I didn't have anything for him."
Rogers was hoping Jones would make a mistake over the half-mile asphalt oval in the closing laps, but it didn't happen, even when the Late Models touched and caused sparks in Turn 1.
"Them 15-year-olds are tough, man," Rogers said. "You can't wear them out."
Bobby Good was third, followed by polesitter Ben Kennedy and Donnie Wilson.
"I can't be more thrilled with this team," Good said. "The car started out tight but came around at the end of the night."
Good was able to shoot past Kennedy on the final restart to get the final podium position.
The final of a dozen cautions was brought out when Tim Russell's car spun in heavy traffic in Turn 2. Seven other cars were involved in the melee, which produced a huge plume of white tire smoke.
Kennedy, the great grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., earned pole position honors and started at the top of the 33-car grid.
Only 15 cars were running at the checkered flag.
Jones won $5,000 for the victory.
By Godwin Kelly, Motorsports Editor
SAMSULA -- Erik Jones, a 15-year-old driver from Byron, Mich., led every lap and kept veteran David Rogers at bay in a three-lap shootout to win the Florida Governor's Cup at New Smyrna Speedway on Saturday night.
Jones became the first driver not from Florida in 30 years to win the Super Late Model race, which dates back to 1965.
Rogers, the 1994 NASCAR short-track champion, tried to squeeze past the teen on final restart.
The cars touched fenders but Rogers was unable to rattle Jones, who recently captured the Jegs All-Star Pro Late Model Series championship.
"He gave us a run for the money on the last restart," Jones said in Victory Lane. "My car was flawless."
Rogers, a two-time Governor's Cup champion from Orlando, said Jones didn't race like a young driver.
"He was good; really smooth," Rogers said. "He never missed a lick. I didn't have anything for him."
Rogers was hoping Jones would make a mistake over the half-mile asphalt oval in the closing laps, but it didn't happen, even when the Late Models touched and caused sparks in Turn 1.
"Them 15-year-olds are tough, man," Rogers said. "You can't wear them out."
Bobby Good was third, followed by polesitter Ben Kennedy and Donnie Wilson.
"I can't be more thrilled with this team," Good said. "The car started out tight but came around at the end of the night."
Good was able to shoot past Kennedy on the final restart to get the final podium position.
The final of a dozen cautions was brought out when Tim Russell's car spun in heavy traffic in Turn 2. Seven other cars were involved in the melee, which produced a huge plume of white tire smoke.
Kennedy, the great grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., earned pole position honors and started at the top of the 33-car grid.
Only 15 cars were running at the checkered flag.
Jones won $5,000 for the victory.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Arena Racing returning to DeltaPlex Arena, starting with Thanksgiving weekend
Arena Racing returning to DeltaPlex Arena, starting with Thanksgiving weekend
By Steve Kaminski | The Grand Rapids Press MLive.com
WALKER -- Area motorsports fans won’t have to wait until April to get their racing fix.
DeltaPlex Arena will be hosting five nights of Arena Racing through March, race director Jack Gritter of Zeeland announced Thursday. Action will begin with a Thanksgiving weekend doubleheader on Nov. 25-26.
"We are really excited about coming back to the DeltaPlex. We expect to have 250 cars here over Thanksgiving Weekend," Gritter said. "We will be having a memorial race on Nov. 25 for Walker police officer Trevor Slot, who was killed earlier this year.
"We have a big race coming on the Saturday, too. The Sprint feature winner will earn $1,500."
The 2011-2012 schedule includes racing Jan. 7, Feb. 4 and March 24. Gritter said there is a possibility of an additional race as well, with an announcement on that date coming later this month.
Each night will offer five classes of racing, including 600 Sprints, Arena Cars, go-karts, Midgets and Quarter Midgets.
DeltaPlex Arena officials introduced Arena Racing to West Michigan in 2008. The series ran for two seasons before officials cancelled the 2010-2011 season due to a small car count.
Gritter, a retired area stock car driver who serves as the pace car driver for the national ARCA Series, then brought racing back to the DeltaPlex last year on a limited basis.
Gritter made changes with the format, too, in an effort to bring in more cars. Racing is now contested on the DeltaPlex floor, which is coated with Pepsi Cola, instead of the aluminum track. That has enabled for a more diverse racing program.
"Before, we weren’t able to have the Sprints because they were too big for the track, and we couldn’t have go-karts because the track was too rough on them," Gritter said. "We will have Arena Cars, and we have opened the rules so that the outdoor cars can come and race with us.
"(DeltaPlex owner) Joel (Langlois) has spent a lot of money in improvements. We have a new floor and new lighting. I think fans are going to like it."
Gates will open at 3 p.m., followed by heat races at 3:30 and racing at 7 each program. Tickets are $10.
By Steve Kaminski | The Grand Rapids Press MLive.com
WALKER -- Area motorsports fans won’t have to wait until April to get their racing fix.
DeltaPlex Arena will be hosting five nights of Arena Racing through March, race director Jack Gritter of Zeeland announced Thursday. Action will begin with a Thanksgiving weekend doubleheader on Nov. 25-26.
"We are really excited about coming back to the DeltaPlex. We expect to have 250 cars here over Thanksgiving Weekend," Gritter said. "We will be having a memorial race on Nov. 25 for Walker police officer Trevor Slot, who was killed earlier this year.
"We have a big race coming on the Saturday, too. The Sprint feature winner will earn $1,500."
The 2011-2012 schedule includes racing Jan. 7, Feb. 4 and March 24. Gritter said there is a possibility of an additional race as well, with an announcement on that date coming later this month.
Each night will offer five classes of racing, including 600 Sprints, Arena Cars, go-karts, Midgets and Quarter Midgets.
DeltaPlex Arena officials introduced Arena Racing to West Michigan in 2008. The series ran for two seasons before officials cancelled the 2010-2011 season due to a small car count.
Gritter, a retired area stock car driver who serves as the pace car driver for the national ARCA Series, then brought racing back to the DeltaPlex last year on a limited basis.
Gritter made changes with the format, too, in an effort to bring in more cars. Racing is now contested on the DeltaPlex floor, which is coated with Pepsi Cola, instead of the aluminum track. That has enabled for a more diverse racing program.
"Before, we weren’t able to have the Sprints because they were too big for the track, and we couldn’t have go-karts because the track was too rough on them," Gritter said. "We will have Arena Cars, and we have opened the rules so that the outdoor cars can come and race with us.
"(DeltaPlex owner) Joel (Langlois) has spent a lot of money in improvements. We have a new floor and new lighting. I think fans are going to like it."
Gates will open at 3 p.m., followed by heat races at 3:30 and racing at 7 each program. Tickets are $10.
Erik Jones Boasts Top-10 Sweep in World Crown 300 Weekend
Jones Eighth in Slocumb Memorial and Fourth in First Super Late Model Race at GMP
CONCORD, NC (November 14, 2011) – Going into the World Crown 300 weekend at Georgia’s Gresham Motorsports Park, Erik Jones was riding the momentum of his recently captured JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour championship. With a successful weekend in Jefferson, Georgia now in his rear-view mirror, Jones will ride that success into this weekend’s Governor’s Cup at New Smyrna Speedway.
After starting on the pole in his first race at Gresham, the Beau Slocumb Memorial 100 Pro Late Model event, Jones and his team battled a tight racecar and pit strategy for an eighth-place finish.
"Gresham is a cool place," said Jones immediately after the race. "The long runs just killed us. The stagger closed way up; we couldn’t get what we wanted all weekend on that. It got really, really tight and we were hoping for a caution. We were going to come in earlier and free it up a little bit, but it just ended up being a lot cleaner race than we thought it was going to be. We had to come in on lap 75 and we freed it up as much as we could. We were still a little tight after that, but it helped a lot and made our way back up to ninth (eighth after technical inspection disqualified another competitor, moving Jones up one position)."
On Sunday, Jones started sixth in the Rheem World Crown 300 Super Late Model event and held on through three segments and 200 laps to battle it out down the wire with some of the toughest young talent in the country for his fourth-place finish.
"We definitely exceeded our expectations for this weekend," said Jones. "It’s my first Super Late Model race. The first time I was in this car was Thursday, so this is definitely better than what we would have ever imagined. Butch (VanDoorn, crew chief) gave me a great car and the team worked hard all day. They did great on pit road and made the right adjustments and we just ended up having a nice top-five run.
"Running against Chase (Elliott), and Ross (Kenseth), Stephen Nasse and Chris Wimmer – those guys, they’ve been at it for a while now, so to run against experience like that and run that well, that’s big."
With his first Super Late Model race under his belt, Jones is ready to turn around and do it again next week in the Governor’s Cup at New Smyrna Speedway. "The Super is a lot more rolling in the throttle - easy on the throttle, easy off. Where in the Crate car, it’s just hammer down and you go," explained Jones. "I definitely like the Super better. There’s a lot more to work with there. If you’re a little tight in the center you can use the throttle to help it turn. I went to New Smyrna two years ago in a Crate car and it was my first-ever Crate race, so that’s one of my favorite tracks. It’s a fun, racy track and I’m excited to get back there."
Next up for Jones and his Paragon Corvette Reproductions team will be a trip south to the 46th Annual Florida Governor’s Cup 200 presented by Bright House Networks at New Smyrna Speedway on Saturday November 19th. Penske Racing Shocks, Fram/Autolite and FLUIDYNE Radiators provide additional support to the Jones team.
CONCORD, NC (November 14, 2011) – Going into the World Crown 300 weekend at Georgia’s Gresham Motorsports Park, Erik Jones was riding the momentum of his recently captured JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour championship. With a successful weekend in Jefferson, Georgia now in his rear-view mirror, Jones will ride that success into this weekend’s Governor’s Cup at New Smyrna Speedway.
After starting on the pole in his first race at Gresham, the Beau Slocumb Memorial 100 Pro Late Model event, Jones and his team battled a tight racecar and pit strategy for an eighth-place finish.
"Gresham is a cool place," said Jones immediately after the race. "The long runs just killed us. The stagger closed way up; we couldn’t get what we wanted all weekend on that. It got really, really tight and we were hoping for a caution. We were going to come in earlier and free it up a little bit, but it just ended up being a lot cleaner race than we thought it was going to be. We had to come in on lap 75 and we freed it up as much as we could. We were still a little tight after that, but it helped a lot and made our way back up to ninth (eighth after technical inspection disqualified another competitor, moving Jones up one position)."
On Sunday, Jones started sixth in the Rheem World Crown 300 Super Late Model event and held on through three segments and 200 laps to battle it out down the wire with some of the toughest young talent in the country for his fourth-place finish.
"We definitely exceeded our expectations for this weekend," said Jones. "It’s my first Super Late Model race. The first time I was in this car was Thursday, so this is definitely better than what we would have ever imagined. Butch (VanDoorn, crew chief) gave me a great car and the team worked hard all day. They did great on pit road and made the right adjustments and we just ended up having a nice top-five run.
"Running against Chase (Elliott), and Ross (Kenseth), Stephen Nasse and Chris Wimmer – those guys, they’ve been at it for a while now, so to run against experience like that and run that well, that’s big."
With his first Super Late Model race under his belt, Jones is ready to turn around and do it again next week in the Governor’s Cup at New Smyrna Speedway. "The Super is a lot more rolling in the throttle - easy on the throttle, easy off. Where in the Crate car, it’s just hammer down and you go," explained Jones. "I definitely like the Super better. There’s a lot more to work with there. If you’re a little tight in the center you can use the throttle to help it turn. I went to New Smyrna two years ago in a Crate car and it was my first-ever Crate race, so that’s one of my favorite tracks. It’s a fun, racy track and I’m excited to get back there."
Next up for Jones and his Paragon Corvette Reproductions team will be a trip south to the 46th Annual Florida Governor’s Cup 200 presented by Bright House Networks at New Smyrna Speedway on Saturday November 19th. Penske Racing Shocks, Fram/Autolite and FLUIDYNE Radiators provide additional support to the Jones team.
Eric Jones Captures Top Five In World Crown 300
(In only his second start in a Super Late Model Byron Michigan Driver Eric Jones finished 5th against some of the toughest competition in the United States.)
Wisconsin’s Chris Wimmer Claims the 28th Annual Rheem World Crown 300 Victory at Gresham
JEFFERSON, GA (November 13th, 2011) – For the first time this century, a non-Georgia native has won the 28th Annual Rheem World Crown 300 at Gresham Motorsports Park. On Sunday, November 13th, Chris Wimmer, who hails from Wisconsin, was on point at the end of the first two segments of the 200-lap event, taking the checkered flag first by over Ross Kenseth and Chase Elliott.
“The car was perfect from the first lap and it was just awesome,” said Wimmer. “I was a little worried there with 25 to go. I wanted to put tires on, but when you’re leading it’s kind of hard to do. I thought it was a neat deal. It was neat to have the invert.”
The first 100-lap segment was fairly caution filled with the yellow flag flying eight times. Shortly after Stephen Nasse led the 34-car field to the green flag, Jeff Fultz and Clay Alexander got together and ended up hard into the inside wall on the front stretch. Two cautions later, Dwayne Buggay and Steve Legendre ended up in the wall high in turn one. Saturday nights’s Beau Slocumb Memorial 100 Pro Late Model race winner Bubba Pollard took over the top spot on lap 16. On lap 70 Pollard slowed suddenly and Wimmer went to the lead for the first time and held it until the end of the segment.
Based on a fan vote held on GreshamMotorsportsPark.com, the top-six cars were inverted for the start of the second segment. Daniel Hemric led the first few laps of the 75-lap segment before Wimmer regained the top spot. Pollard pulled into the pits on lap 127 after suffering a blown engine ending his chances of sweeping the weekend’s events.
On lap 160, Scotty Ellis rode the wall in turn one bringing out caution number nine of the race. Just a few laps later, Eddie Hoffman, Hemric, and Kenzie Ruston were three wide out of turn four with Ruston ending up in the front stretch wall with heavy front-end damage, ending her day early. After a two-lap dash, Wimmer won the second segment ahead of Elliott, who worked his way up to second from the tail-end of the field. Elliott was forced to start in the rear after flying in from Phoenix, Arizona, to start this race since he ran in the NASCAR K&N West Series finale Saturday night.
Wimmer dominated the final 25-lap segment. He pulled away and never looked back leaving Kenseth and Elliott to duke it out for second in the closing laps. The two drivers were side-by-side several times as the race wound down. The two racers bounced off one another on the front stretch with two laps remaining, but Kenseth kept the position and crossed the stripe two and a half seconds behind Wimmer. Elliott was third followed by Stephen Nasse, who recovered well from an early incident missing part of his right front, and Erik Jones, the 15-year-old driver from Michigan who sat on the pole for the Beau Slocumb Memorial 100 race Saturday night. Wimmer’s victory broke the Georgia-native winning streak that has continued since 1999.
For more information on the 28th Annual Rheem World Crown 300, visit the Gresham Motorsports Park website at www.greshammotorsportspark.com.
# # # #
Unofficial 28th Annual Rheem World Crown 300 Results
1. 52 Chris Wimmer
2. 25 Ross Kenseth
3. 9 Chase Elliott
4. 51 Stephen Nasse
5. 4 Erik Jones
6. 83G Cale Gale
7. 8 Eddie Hoffman
8. 98H Daniel Hemric
9. 97 Jimmy Garmon
10. 09 Randy Gentry
11. 00 Andrew Ponstein
12. 36 Rodney Benefield
13. 10 Steven Dorer
14. 91 David Quackenbusch
15. 1 Mike Garvey
16. 39 Kenzie Ruston
17. 99 Casey Smith
18. 83 Scotty Ellis
19. 29K Allen Karnes
20. 18 Bubba Pollard
21. 98 Russell Fleeman
22. 26 Johnny Henderson
23. 23 Dalton Grindle
24. 8D Mark Day
25. 91H Heath Hindman
26. 82 Donnie Wilson
27. 29 Andy Loden
28. 29T Austin Theriault
29. 45 Dwayne Buggay
30. 20 Steven Legendre
31. 71 Colt James
32. 84 Clay Alexander
33. 67 Jeff Fultz
34. 56 Gus Dean
Wisconsin’s Chris Wimmer Claims the 28th Annual Rheem World Crown 300 Victory at Gresham
JEFFERSON, GA (November 13th, 2011) – For the first time this century, a non-Georgia native has won the 28th Annual Rheem World Crown 300 at Gresham Motorsports Park. On Sunday, November 13th, Chris Wimmer, who hails from Wisconsin, was on point at the end of the first two segments of the 200-lap event, taking the checkered flag first by over Ross Kenseth and Chase Elliott.
“The car was perfect from the first lap and it was just awesome,” said Wimmer. “I was a little worried there with 25 to go. I wanted to put tires on, but when you’re leading it’s kind of hard to do. I thought it was a neat deal. It was neat to have the invert.”
The first 100-lap segment was fairly caution filled with the yellow flag flying eight times. Shortly after Stephen Nasse led the 34-car field to the green flag, Jeff Fultz and Clay Alexander got together and ended up hard into the inside wall on the front stretch. Two cautions later, Dwayne Buggay and Steve Legendre ended up in the wall high in turn one. Saturday nights’s Beau Slocumb Memorial 100 Pro Late Model race winner Bubba Pollard took over the top spot on lap 16. On lap 70 Pollard slowed suddenly and Wimmer went to the lead for the first time and held it until the end of the segment.
Based on a fan vote held on GreshamMotorsportsPark.com, the top-six cars were inverted for the start of the second segment. Daniel Hemric led the first few laps of the 75-lap segment before Wimmer regained the top spot. Pollard pulled into the pits on lap 127 after suffering a blown engine ending his chances of sweeping the weekend’s events.
On lap 160, Scotty Ellis rode the wall in turn one bringing out caution number nine of the race. Just a few laps later, Eddie Hoffman, Hemric, and Kenzie Ruston were three wide out of turn four with Ruston ending up in the front stretch wall with heavy front-end damage, ending her day early. After a two-lap dash, Wimmer won the second segment ahead of Elliott, who worked his way up to second from the tail-end of the field. Elliott was forced to start in the rear after flying in from Phoenix, Arizona, to start this race since he ran in the NASCAR K&N West Series finale Saturday night.
Wimmer dominated the final 25-lap segment. He pulled away and never looked back leaving Kenseth and Elliott to duke it out for second in the closing laps. The two drivers were side-by-side several times as the race wound down. The two racers bounced off one another on the front stretch with two laps remaining, but Kenseth kept the position and crossed the stripe two and a half seconds behind Wimmer. Elliott was third followed by Stephen Nasse, who recovered well from an early incident missing part of his right front, and Erik Jones, the 15-year-old driver from Michigan who sat on the pole for the Beau Slocumb Memorial 100 race Saturday night. Wimmer’s victory broke the Georgia-native winning streak that has continued since 1999.
For more information on the 28th Annual Rheem World Crown 300, visit the Gresham Motorsports Park website at www.greshammotorsportspark.com.
# # # #
Unofficial 28th Annual Rheem World Crown 300 Results
1. 52 Chris Wimmer
2. 25 Ross Kenseth
3. 9 Chase Elliott
4. 51 Stephen Nasse
5. 4 Erik Jones
6. 83G Cale Gale
7. 8 Eddie Hoffman
8. 98H Daniel Hemric
9. 97 Jimmy Garmon
10. 09 Randy Gentry
11. 00 Andrew Ponstein
12. 36 Rodney Benefield
13. 10 Steven Dorer
14. 91 David Quackenbusch
15. 1 Mike Garvey
16. 39 Kenzie Ruston
17. 99 Casey Smith
18. 83 Scotty Ellis
19. 29K Allen Karnes
20. 18 Bubba Pollard
21. 98 Russell Fleeman
22. 26 Johnny Henderson
23. 23 Dalton Grindle
24. 8D Mark Day
25. 91H Heath Hindman
26. 82 Donnie Wilson
27. 29 Andy Loden
28. 29T Austin Theriault
29. 45 Dwayne Buggay
30. 20 Steven Legendre
31. 71 Colt James
32. 84 Clay Alexander
33. 67 Jeff Fultz
34. 56 Gus Dean
Berlin Raceway to Operate Under New Management in 2012
Berlin Raceway to Operate Under New Management in 2012
Passionate Short Track Minds Partner to Move Berlin Into the Future
Berlin Raceway PR
Berlin Raceway’s 2012 season will have a various number of changes starting with new management! As previously announced a group of investors led by Mr. Don Dewitt has purchased the lease from previous owner / promoter Mike Blackmer. The new ownership has recently begun assembling a new leadership team led by Mike Bursley, Kurt Dietrich and Brian Dewitt who have been working hard in establishing a new staff, new traditions and to continue the legacy of Berlin Raceway.
Bursley, 28, of Holland, MI a former track champion at Berlin Raceway was the former owner of Perfect Circle Racecars and is the current owner of Brian Campbell’s Super Late model racing team, which will be following the CRA Super Series schedule in 2012. Bursley purchased Perfect Circle Racecars in 2007 from the family of the late founder, Lee Anderson. The company has recently merged with Port City Racecars of Muskegon, MI.
“Our goal is continue the legacy of Berlin Raceway that was built by Chet Mysliwiec and his family. We have one of the premier short track facilities in the nation and our job is to bring it back to where it once was”, stated Bursley.
Dietrich, 33, of Grand Rapids is the owner of Speed Media a vehicle graphics and wrap company with deep roots in the motorsports industry. He is also a former member of Tim Steele’s racing team and has worked with drivers, Lee Anderson and Chris Anthony.
“What we look forward to doing is bringing Berlin Raceway back to a family fun entertainment venue. We are looking to build on the many improvements put into place by previous management and we have our work cut out as far as promoting the events and bringing not only the old fans out but attracting new as well, added Dietrich.
Dewitt, 42, who was on the previous Berlin staff will continue to manage the facilities of the raceway and maintain the integrity of one of the most outstanding short tracks in the USA.
One of the new traditions that we have started is beginning the season a week earlier with a later afternoon race called “ The Ice Breaker 100” which will be held on April 14th. Other featured schedule events are the Rowdy 251, featuring NASCAR star Kyle Busch as well as the ARCA presented by Menards Racing Series on August 11 . The new management will also bring back the ISMA modifieds and a huge end of the year event called “The Chet” Championship Weekend September 6-8.
Other notable changes will be within the Sportsman and Super Stock divisions. The Sportsman division, formerly Pro Stocks will undertake some changes to make it more of an entry level cost effective solution for racers looking to get in on the ground level. The Super Stock division will be looking to get a jumpstart on a mandatory 2013 rule change featuring the muscle car Chevy Camaro and Ford Mustang bodies. Any team looking to make the change early is eligible for certain benefits in both purchasing and rule wise.
The new website has been launched and features a tentative 2012 racing schedule as well as rules for all divisions except for the 4 cylinders, which will be making some small changes.
For more information and any questions please call the Berlin Raceway office at 616.662.2051 and keep checking for updates at www.berlinraceway.com
Passionate Short Track Minds Partner to Move Berlin Into the Future
Berlin Raceway PR
Berlin Raceway’s 2012 season will have a various number of changes starting with new management! As previously announced a group of investors led by Mr. Don Dewitt has purchased the lease from previous owner / promoter Mike Blackmer. The new ownership has recently begun assembling a new leadership team led by Mike Bursley, Kurt Dietrich and Brian Dewitt who have been working hard in establishing a new staff, new traditions and to continue the legacy of Berlin Raceway.
Bursley, 28, of Holland, MI a former track champion at Berlin Raceway was the former owner of Perfect Circle Racecars and is the current owner of Brian Campbell’s Super Late model racing team, which will be following the CRA Super Series schedule in 2012. Bursley purchased Perfect Circle Racecars in 2007 from the family of the late founder, Lee Anderson. The company has recently merged with Port City Racecars of Muskegon, MI.
“Our goal is continue the legacy of Berlin Raceway that was built by Chet Mysliwiec and his family. We have one of the premier short track facilities in the nation and our job is to bring it back to where it once was”, stated Bursley.
Dietrich, 33, of Grand Rapids is the owner of Speed Media a vehicle graphics and wrap company with deep roots in the motorsports industry. He is also a former member of Tim Steele’s racing team and has worked with drivers, Lee Anderson and Chris Anthony.
“What we look forward to doing is bringing Berlin Raceway back to a family fun entertainment venue. We are looking to build on the many improvements put into place by previous management and we have our work cut out as far as promoting the events and bringing not only the old fans out but attracting new as well, added Dietrich.
Dewitt, 42, who was on the previous Berlin staff will continue to manage the facilities of the raceway and maintain the integrity of one of the most outstanding short tracks in the USA.
One of the new traditions that we have started is beginning the season a week earlier with a later afternoon race called “ The Ice Breaker 100” which will be held on April 14th. Other featured schedule events are the Rowdy 251, featuring NASCAR star Kyle Busch as well as the ARCA presented by Menards Racing Series on August 11 . The new management will also bring back the ISMA modifieds and a huge end of the year event called “The Chet” Championship Weekend September 6-8.
Other notable changes will be within the Sportsman and Super Stock divisions. The Sportsman division, formerly Pro Stocks will undertake some changes to make it more of an entry level cost effective solution for racers looking to get in on the ground level. The Super Stock division will be looking to get a jumpstart on a mandatory 2013 rule change featuring the muscle car Chevy Camaro and Ford Mustang bodies. Any team looking to make the change early is eligible for certain benefits in both purchasing and rule wise.
The new website has been launched and features a tentative 2012 racing schedule as well as rules for all divisions except for the 4 cylinders, which will be making some small changes.
For more information and any questions please call the Berlin Raceway office at 616.662.2051 and keep checking for updates at www.berlinraceway.com
Eric Jones Earns Pole at Beau Slocomb Memorial 100, Finishes 9th
Bubba Pollard Wins Beau Slocomb Memorial 100 Victory at Gresham Motorsports Park
JEFFERSON, GA (November 12th, 2011) – Georgia-native Bubba Pollard gets an emotional victory in the Beau Slocumb Memorial 100 Pro Late Model feature on Saturday, November 12th, at Gresham Motorsports Park (GA) as part of the 28th-Annual Rheem World Crown Weekend.“I told them all earlier I’d give up all 18 wins this year for this one,” said Pollard in Victory Lane. “I told them was going to give it all I had. I know he’s (Slocumb) riding with me and it means a lot.”
Erik Jones, a 15-year-old driver from Michigan, earned the pole with a 16.454-second lap beating Pollard by five-hundredths of a second. Once the green flag flew, Pollard took the top spot with his No. 18 machine and lead the first lap. Colt James took the lead from Pollard briefly, but the No. 18 was back out front within a handful of laps.The first 75-lap segment of this event saw only two yellow flags. The first came on the initial start when Spencer Davis went for a spin in turn two. The second flew on lap 28 when Anderson Bowen got a piece of the wall on the backstretch while working his way through lapped traffic. Pollard was on point when the first segment was over. Those drivers on the lead lap, the first car one lap down, and a couple of provisional drivers continued on for the final 25-laps of the event.
The last segment went caution free as Pollard managed to hold off Willie Allen who charged all the way through the field after having transmission issues during qualifying. The No. 18 crossed the stripe three-tenths of a second ahead of Allen, who was followed by Michael Pilla, Dillon Oliver, and Eddie Hoffman.For more information on the 28th Annual Rheem World Crown 300, visit the Gresham Motorsports Park website at http://www.greshammotorsportspark.com/.
# # # #Beau Slocumb Memorial 100 Results
1. 18 Bubba Pollard
2. 6A Willie Allen
3. 4P Michael Pilla
4. 88 Dillon Oliver
5. 8 Eddie Hoffman
6. 15 Colt James
7. 45 Dwayne Buggay
8. 60 Tyler Speers
9. 4 Erik Jones
10. 33 Brandon Jones
11. 55 Mason Mitchell
12. 56 Gus Dean
13. 7 Tyler Edwards
14. 29 Spencer Davis
15. 98 Russell Fleeman
16. 10 R.S. Senter
17. 23 Dalton Grindle
18. 31 Fredrick Moore
19. 7M Donald McIntosh
20. 72 D J Vanderlay
21. 09 Daniel Bolden
22. 04m Michael Lance
23. 97 Tanner Berryhill
24. 76 Jerick Johnson
25. 36 Rodney Benefield
JEFFERSON, GA (November 12th, 2011) – Georgia-native Bubba Pollard gets an emotional victory in the Beau Slocumb Memorial 100 Pro Late Model feature on Saturday, November 12th, at Gresham Motorsports Park (GA) as part of the 28th-Annual Rheem World Crown Weekend.“I told them all earlier I’d give up all 18 wins this year for this one,” said Pollard in Victory Lane. “I told them was going to give it all I had. I know he’s (Slocumb) riding with me and it means a lot.”
Erik Jones, a 15-year-old driver from Michigan, earned the pole with a 16.454-second lap beating Pollard by five-hundredths of a second. Once the green flag flew, Pollard took the top spot with his No. 18 machine and lead the first lap. Colt James took the lead from Pollard briefly, but the No. 18 was back out front within a handful of laps.The first 75-lap segment of this event saw only two yellow flags. The first came on the initial start when Spencer Davis went for a spin in turn two. The second flew on lap 28 when Anderson Bowen got a piece of the wall on the backstretch while working his way through lapped traffic. Pollard was on point when the first segment was over. Those drivers on the lead lap, the first car one lap down, and a couple of provisional drivers continued on for the final 25-laps of the event.
The last segment went caution free as Pollard managed to hold off Willie Allen who charged all the way through the field after having transmission issues during qualifying. The No. 18 crossed the stripe three-tenths of a second ahead of Allen, who was followed by Michael Pilla, Dillon Oliver, and Eddie Hoffman.For more information on the 28th Annual Rheem World Crown 300, visit the Gresham Motorsports Park website at http://www.greshammotorsportspark.com/.
# # # #Beau Slocumb Memorial 100 Results
1. 18 Bubba Pollard
2. 6A Willie Allen
3. 4P Michael Pilla
4. 88 Dillon Oliver
5. 8 Eddie Hoffman
6. 15 Colt James
7. 45 Dwayne Buggay
8. 60 Tyler Speers
9. 4 Erik Jones
10. 33 Brandon Jones
11. 55 Mason Mitchell
12. 56 Gus Dean
13. 7 Tyler Edwards
14. 29 Spencer Davis
15. 98 Russell Fleeman
16. 10 R.S. Senter
17. 23 Dalton Grindle
18. 31 Fredrick Moore
19. 7M Donald McIntosh
20. 72 D J Vanderlay
21. 09 Daniel Bolden
22. 04m Michael Lance
23. 97 Tanner Berryhill
24. 76 Jerick Johnson
25. 36 Rodney Benefield
Friday, October 21, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
15 Year-Old Michigan Driver Erik Jones Is JEGS CRA All-Stars Tour Champ
A Team That Considered “Giving Up on the Series” Halfway Through the Season Claims Title
Michigan native Erik Jones may be only 15-years-old, but he is already a Late Model champion in a touring series. He accomplished that mission Saturday by claiming the prestigious JEGS CRA All-Stars Tour championship with a fourth place finish in the 100-lap season finale on the high-banks on Winchester Speedway (IN).
Jones survived a few scuffles on what turned out to be one wild night in his Paragon Corvette Reproductions, CG Financial, Penske Racing Shocks, Snap Fitness Chevy at the mid-Indiana racetrack. In the end, Jones beat veteran Eddie Hoffman (16th) by 12spots to secure his position as the inaugural JEGS CRA All-Stars Tour Champion.
“It was definitely a crazy night,” said Jones. “It felt like the full moon was out. We were working our way up there, just being patient; you know, not trying to get caught up in anything. A car got into us on the restart and ran us into the wall. We came in and the car was actually still ok, so we went back out and just started picking them off.”
Steadily back in the top-5, Jones’ crew kept him updated of the championship status throughout the remainder of the event.
“Actually,” explained Jones. “The crew came over the radio on about lap fifty or sixty and said there were only eighteen cars left and they just told me to open it up.”
At only 15 years old, Jones has accomplished something many grown men, some he’s even competing against, have only dreamed about. And he’s not going to let the splendor of it get away too quickly.
“Now that it’s finally over,” said Jones, “It’s really cool. It’s starting to sink in a little bit actually.
“It’s been a crazy year. We were at Anderson (Speedway, IN) about halfway through the year and thought we were just going to give up on the series because we were just not doing as well as we wanted to. So to come back from feeling like that and win the championship is amazing.
The season produced a pair of wins and seven fast time awards, including the finale at Winchester, to propel him to the top of the standings.
“This whole crew and all of our sponsors all came together to win this thing,” continued Jones. “It wasn’t just me. All the support my family has given me all the way through has been crucial. From when I was seven years old, all the way until now; they support me in everything I do.”
While Jones is only 15 years old his crew chief was also a youngster as 19-year-old Butch VanDoorn served as the winning crew chief all season long.
Now with a Late Model Touring Series title firmly stamped on his racing resume, Erik Jones will look forward to some exciting post-season racing action. Jones and his Paragon Corvette Reproductions #4 Chevy team will now prepare for two of the biggest short track races of the year, the Allen Turner Snowflake 100 and the Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway on December 3rd and 4th in Pensacola, Florida.
Michigan native Erik Jones may be only 15-years-old, but he is already a Late Model champion in a touring series. He accomplished that mission Saturday by claiming the prestigious JEGS CRA All-Stars Tour championship with a fourth place finish in the 100-lap season finale on the high-banks on Winchester Speedway (IN).
Jones survived a few scuffles on what turned out to be one wild night in his Paragon Corvette Reproductions, CG Financial, Penske Racing Shocks, Snap Fitness Chevy at the mid-Indiana racetrack. In the end, Jones beat veteran Eddie Hoffman (16th) by 12spots to secure his position as the inaugural JEGS CRA All-Stars Tour Champion.
“It was definitely a crazy night,” said Jones. “It felt like the full moon was out. We were working our way up there, just being patient; you know, not trying to get caught up in anything. A car got into us on the restart and ran us into the wall. We came in and the car was actually still ok, so we went back out and just started picking them off.”
Steadily back in the top-5, Jones’ crew kept him updated of the championship status throughout the remainder of the event.
“Actually,” explained Jones. “The crew came over the radio on about lap fifty or sixty and said there were only eighteen cars left and they just told me to open it up.”
At only 15 years old, Jones has accomplished something many grown men, some he’s even competing against, have only dreamed about. And he’s not going to let the splendor of it get away too quickly.
“Now that it’s finally over,” said Jones, “It’s really cool. It’s starting to sink in a little bit actually.
“It’s been a crazy year. We were at Anderson (Speedway, IN) about halfway through the year and thought we were just going to give up on the series because we were just not doing as well as we wanted to. So to come back from feeling like that and win the championship is amazing.
The season produced a pair of wins and seven fast time awards, including the finale at Winchester, to propel him to the top of the standings.
“This whole crew and all of our sponsors all came together to win this thing,” continued Jones. “It wasn’t just me. All the support my family has given me all the way through has been crucial. From when I was seven years old, all the way until now; they support me in everything I do.”
While Jones is only 15 years old his crew chief was also a youngster as 19-year-old Butch VanDoorn served as the winning crew chief all season long.
Now with a Late Model Touring Series title firmly stamped on his racing resume, Erik Jones will look forward to some exciting post-season racing action. Jones and his Paragon Corvette Reproductions #4 Chevy team will now prepare for two of the biggest short track races of the year, the Allen Turner Snowflake 100 and the Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway on December 3rd and 4th in Pensacola, Florida.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Spring Lake's Jacob Poel fuels bank account with Modified racing success
Spring Lake's Jacob Poel fuels bank account with Modified racing success
By Steve Kaminski | The Grand Rapids Press MLive.com
SPRING LAKE -- Jacob Poel has won more feature races than just about any Modified driver in the country this season, but his stomach was churning during his trip to Hartford Motor Speedway this fall.
The Spring Lake driver was scheduled to race in the Dirt Cup Modified Tour’s season finale, and the 2011 championship was on the line. But the Dealer’s Choice also paid $5,000 to win, and for Poel, who was laid off from his job in May, that would pay a lot of bills.
The problem, though, was that 66 cars were entered, including NASCAR veteran Ken Schrader, and that had Poel’s stomach in knots.
"I have raced with Ken Schrader probably 10 times in my career, and 90 percent of the time, I’m chasing him as hard as I can, and he’s out on a Sunday cruise," said Poel, 24.
But not even Schrader could cool off Poel.
"Beating Ken Schrader by half-a-lap, and just the feeling of Ken Schrader coming down in Victory Lane and telling me that his crew was telling him that he was fast, but not as fast (as Poel), to hear from someone who has 42 years of racing experience, makes me feel like I have accomplished something," Poel said.
Actually, Poel has accomplished plenty in what has been a break-through season for the second generation driver.
Poel finished fourth this year in the UMP Modified national points standings after winning 21 feature races and 28 heat races. He locked up the Dirt Cup title that night in Hartford, and he won the track championship at I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa and the Michigan State Modified Championship as well. In all, Poel won feature races at six different tracks.
Poel’s father, Steve Poel, was an area racer, too. Poel started racing about nine years ago, and his father is a big help in the pits, along with crew members Matt Moore and Kenny Morris.
What is arguably most impressive about Poel, though, is not just what he did, but how he has done it. Poel decided in May, after he was laid off his job of two years as an auto mechanic, that he would turn racing into his full-time job while he continued to look for work.
JACOB POEL
Age: 24
Hometown: Spring Lake
Car: No. 82 Modified
2011 Highlights: Poel has won 21 feature races spread out at six tracks. He won the Dirt Cup Modified Tour and I-96 Speedway championships.
True, it has given him extra time to work on his Modified. However, with no steady income, he had to keep winning to make it to the next race.
"I have sat in this garage for hours and hours, trying to find small ways to take one-tenth of a second off my lap times," Poel said. "Last year, we won nine features. I went into this year saying I want to do better than last year. I want to win 10 features. Ten features came and went.
"I never thought in a million years that I could accomplish so much in one season. It just goes to show you, when your head gets low, if you work hard, it is possible to succeed at anything you want to do if you put your mind to it."
Poel plans to return to racing next year, with or without a job. He also is exploring the possibility of opening his own race car fabrication business.
Either way, racing will remain.
"He puts a lot of time and effort into it and makes sure every little detail, every little nut and bolt is where it needs to be," said his girlfriend, Kari Beutler, who he met at I-96 Speedway. "No matter how much time and effort it takes, he makes sure it is done and done in the right way rather than just throwing it together and just going."
By Steve Kaminski | The Grand Rapids Press MLive.com
SPRING LAKE -- Jacob Poel has won more feature races than just about any Modified driver in the country this season, but his stomach was churning during his trip to Hartford Motor Speedway this fall.
The Spring Lake driver was scheduled to race in the Dirt Cup Modified Tour’s season finale, and the 2011 championship was on the line. But the Dealer’s Choice also paid $5,000 to win, and for Poel, who was laid off from his job in May, that would pay a lot of bills.
The problem, though, was that 66 cars were entered, including NASCAR veteran Ken Schrader, and that had Poel’s stomach in knots.
"I have raced with Ken Schrader probably 10 times in my career, and 90 percent of the time, I’m chasing him as hard as I can, and he’s out on a Sunday cruise," said Poel, 24.
But not even Schrader could cool off Poel.
"Beating Ken Schrader by half-a-lap, and just the feeling of Ken Schrader coming down in Victory Lane and telling me that his crew was telling him that he was fast, but not as fast (as Poel), to hear from someone who has 42 years of racing experience, makes me feel like I have accomplished something," Poel said.
Actually, Poel has accomplished plenty in what has been a break-through season for the second generation driver.
Poel finished fourth this year in the UMP Modified national points standings after winning 21 feature races and 28 heat races. He locked up the Dirt Cup title that night in Hartford, and he won the track championship at I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa and the Michigan State Modified Championship as well. In all, Poel won feature races at six different tracks.
Poel’s father, Steve Poel, was an area racer, too. Poel started racing about nine years ago, and his father is a big help in the pits, along with crew members Matt Moore and Kenny Morris.
What is arguably most impressive about Poel, though, is not just what he did, but how he has done it. Poel decided in May, after he was laid off his job of two years as an auto mechanic, that he would turn racing into his full-time job while he continued to look for work.
JACOB POEL
Age: 24
Hometown: Spring Lake
Car: No. 82 Modified
2011 Highlights: Poel has won 21 feature races spread out at six tracks. He won the Dirt Cup Modified Tour and I-96 Speedway championships.
True, it has given him extra time to work on his Modified. However, with no steady income, he had to keep winning to make it to the next race.
"I have sat in this garage for hours and hours, trying to find small ways to take one-tenth of a second off my lap times," Poel said. "Last year, we won nine features. I went into this year saying I want to do better than last year. I want to win 10 features. Ten features came and went.
"I never thought in a million years that I could accomplish so much in one season. It just goes to show you, when your head gets low, if you work hard, it is possible to succeed at anything you want to do if you put your mind to it."
Poel plans to return to racing next year, with or without a job. He also is exploring the possibility of opening his own race car fabrication business.
Either way, racing will remain.
"He puts a lot of time and effort into it and makes sure every little detail, every little nut and bolt is where it needs to be," said his girlfriend, Kari Beutler, who he met at I-96 Speedway. "No matter how much time and effort it takes, he makes sure it is done and done in the right way rather than just throwing it together and just going."
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Pollard & Garvey Finish 1st and 2nd at Five Flags but lose Race & Title in Tech
Bendele & VanderLey On Top After Tech Spoils Great Race
By Daniel Vining - Twitter: @danielvining
Coming off of turn four for the final lap Friday night at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, FL, Bubba Pollard had Mike Garvey breathing down his neck and a hard-charging Brandon Bendele approaching fast. Pollard made it across the line first, and Garvey held off Bendele, who had been a contender all the way. Fans witnessed Pollard celebrating his 18th overall win of the 2011 season and the 2011 Allen Turner Pro Late Model series championship.
The three Pro Late Model drivers accepted their trophies in victory lane at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, FL, were interviewed by announcers and journalists and had their photos snapped by a throng of photographers. It was the end to a great Allen Turner Tune Up 100, a race that was delayed for two hours after rain showers swept through the area, that saw lapped traffic play a large role in the outcome, and saw two of the region’s best drivers, Pollard and Garvey, battle for over half of the race.
The teams then brought the cars to the tech shed, and remainder of the night’s line-up of racing action went on with everyone in the stands thinking that Bubba Pollard had won his 18th race of 2011 and his fourth championship this season.
After all the pageantry and fanfare, it was time to take the cars to post race inspection. The dreaded “Room of Doom” where the top three finishers would face the foray of templates, rules and gauges in the inspection arsenal of lead technical inspector Ricky Brooks and his team of officials.
Pollard isn’t a driver that gets overly excited about his accomplishments. The reactions on his face are usually understated and reserved. This night was no exception. Quickly, however, the mood in the tech room changed. Normally a fast-paced, get them in and out procedure seemed to start dragging on.
Team owner Ronnie Sanders stood by with an increasing look of worry on his face as Brooks and crew dug deeper into the motor of the first place finisher’s car. They used a machine that Brooks calls a Cam Doctor to measure the components in the valve train. It was soon apparent that something wasn’t right. The tone in the tech area changed from celebratory to muted as the tech inspection team dove deeper into the engine, ultimately requesting that more components be removed for further inspection.
The time drug on, and after all the feature races had been run, and all the fans in the stands were gone, the top three Pro Late Models were still impounded, second and third place yet to be inspected. Phone calls were made, pow-wows took place as crews waited.
As the process went on, only Mike Garvey was willing to offer a comment at the time.
“It looks like it’s similar to what happened in Mobile,” said Garvey.
Garvey’s team was busted earlier in the season for having an illegal camshaft and rocker arms. That disqualified him from the win in Mobile, and now he sat waiting to hear his fate in Pensacola along with Pollard and Bendele.
After the long inspection process had finally ended, The Ronnie Sanders Racing team with diver Bubba Pollard, and the Tracy Goodson Racing team with driver Mike Garvey were disqualified for rules infractions in their valve trains.
“Pollard’s cam was illegal and Garvey’s lifters were illegal,” said Ricky Brooks. “The Cam Doctor proved it was wrong, but I learned from Garvey’s deal in Mobile that I need the parts in my hand for proof later on. I'm going to send the parts to Audie Technologies, let them put them in the bench model and backup my file that way I’ve got proof in case anything was to be said later.”
The Cam Doctor is a device used with software to measure the camshaft components. The cam is rotated by hand and simultaneous lobe travel and rotation are captured by an interface card and software and then saved to a computer hard drive for analysis. The results can be compared lobe to lobe for an evaluation of machining quality, and to validate if the camshaft was manufactured as expected. Brooks has certain numbers that are provided by each manufacture and in the case of Pollard’s car, those numbers were 0.080” out of tolerance.
After hearing the news, a dejected Pollard came out of the tech shed and walked away for a bit to collect his thoughts. While he composed himself, Mike Garvey and company loaded up their car and went home. Pollard soon returned but had little to say.
“It is what it is,” said Pollard. “They’ve got to do what they have to do.”
On Tuesday, McGunegill Engine Performance, the builder of the powerplant on Pollard’s car sent Speed51.com a statement taking responsibility for the error. (CLICK HERE FOR THE MEP STATEMENT)
That shifted the focus to Brandon Bendele. The same process took place tearing apart Bendele’s engine in just the same manner as Pollard and Garvey. After coming out clean and clear, Five Flags Speedway declared Brandon Bendele the winner of the race.
“It’s a good feeling,” said a tired Bendele. “I’d definitely like to be celebrating in front of a packed grandstand. We all talked about it and we feel okay with it. The rules are the rules and I commend Ricky for what they do. It would’ve been different if we weren’t running well, but we were right there with the 18 and the 1 car at the end of the race, so we feel like we are pretty deserving of it.”
Finally, the championship. Going into the race there was a 10 point gap between Pollard and DJ VanderLey. That equated to four positions that VanderLey had to finish ahead of Pollard to take the title. After crossing the finish line in fourth, and behind Pollard, VanderLey and his family ran team packed up and headed back to Mobile (AL). They were mere moments away from unloading their car at home when the call came in that there were issues in tech inspection. With haste, DJ VanderLey and father Dan VanderLey drove back to Pensacola and to the attention of Ricky Brooks’ team of officials.
Just as with Pollard, Garvey and Bendele, the same inspection process took place on VanderLey’s car. All the while, Pollard sat watching the events unfold, even as his own team had already left the track. The two never spoke to each other, as VanderLey was busy helping his father tear apart their car.
Shortly before 3:30 AM on Sunday morning, the results were in, DJ VanderLey’s car was cleared, and he was crowned the Allen Turner Pro Late Model Series Champion. Just as with Bendele when he was declared the winner of the race, the stands lay empty, the infield bare of all but a small group of team members, reporters and track officials centered around the tiny tech shed.
“We’ll take it,” said VanderLey. “I think we’ve had one of the best cars here all year long. We just needed some things to fall our way. I think that we could’ve had this won straight-up if not for running out of gas late in one or the races earlier this year.”
We questioned the fact that VanderLey left the facility before tech results were official, then was called back. Both Ricky Brooks and VanderLey were fast to respond assuring that everything was on the up and up.
“I’d already seen the motor and it had all my seals on it from top to bottom,” said Brooks. “I used the Cam Doctor on it just like the others, pulled the oil pan, I even had Phil Harper here, an authorized rebuilder, as a back up.”
“We were at home, an hour away,” said VanderLey. “There’s no way we could’ve changed anything and had all the grease and oil, the heat still in the engine in that amount of time.”
After mother nature tried to foil the night’s plans, a great Pro Late Model race was held, featuring an epic battle between two of the region’s top drivers. Being only half of the story, however, the event was soiled by the same two drivers being disqualified for valve train infractions.
As a result, Brandon Bendele picked up his first win in Pensacola and solidified himself as a true threat heading into December. Finally, DJ VanderLey went home with his second Five Flags Speedway Pro Late Model championship in a row, and did so without a victory in the season. Bubba Pollard and Mike Garvey walked away empty handed, but still carry the momentum of impressive seasons into the prestigious Snowflake 100, to be held at Five Flags Speedway on December 3, 2011.
THE RACE
Final practice was scratched after rain showers dumped enough precipitation to throw the night’s schedule out of sync. The storms did, however, lower the air and track temperatures going into pole-qualifying. Qualifying took on an added importance for this race, as the fast qualifier receives 15 bonus points for first, and each position gets one point less down to zero. With the Allen Turner Pro Late Model Series title on the line, Bubba Pollard and DJ VanderLey needed every point they could get as there was only a nine point gap between the two.
The speeds were fast and the times were quick, with Mike Garvey busting out a near record-setting time. Pollard came in just behind to pick up 14 points, and DJ VanderLey was third quick, getting 13 points. With qualifying complete, there would be a gap of 10 points for VanderLey to overcome. That meant that VanderLey would need to finish at least four positions ahead of Pollard to win the championship. All that remained was the dice-roll, which put Brandon Bendele and Josh Hamner on the front row, and sent Garvey and Pollard to the third row.
At the start of the race, Brandon Bendele shot out of the pack like a cannon ball while Josh Hamner fell into the clutches of Chris Davidson. Davidson once again showed his early run might, however he would soon settle into a top five position. Pollard and Garvey quickly found themselves racing nose to tail behind Bendele. Bendele was able to stay out front for nearly half of the race, and was a threat for the win from the drop of the green flag.
“We were kinda pacing ourselves out in the lead,” said Bendele. “It was really cool because I’d never led here ever, so that was fun. We had a really good car, I felt like we had a car that was capable of winning.”
Lapped traffic soon became an issue as the leader came up on the slower car of Kevin Chase. He and rookie Madison Schneider were well off the pace throughout the night, with Chase initiating a very close moment on lap 44.
“Lapped cars were very difficult tonight,” said Bendele. We talked in the driver’s meeting earlier today about having them hold their line. We had one car that went into one; the car went up the race track and I was already committed down low, then he just came across our nose and allowed the 18 (Pollard) and the 1 (Garvey) to get by me.”
The three-wide, almost four-wide, moment going into turn one allowed Pollard to take the lead. Pollard recounted the dramatic moment after the race and racing around lapped traffic in general.
“The last race we had here we had some problems with lapped cars, and tried to discuss it in the driver’s meeting,” said Pollard. “Everyone’s out there to learn, it’s just hard racing between everyone. You get to a lapped car and you don’t know which way to go, or where they’re going to go. Brandon went to the inside, I went to the outside... I think me and Mike went three wide with a lapped car as well. It’s tough racing out there. These guys got to learn somewhere, it’s just part of racing.”
The lapped traffic kept the field separated enough to allow Pollard and Garvey to separate themselves from the rest of the pack, where a classic duel between the two greats unfolded. They fought neck and neck, nose to tail, lap after lap. Garvey stayed glued to the back bumper of Pollard waiting for the fellow Georgia native to make a mistake.
On lap 60, lapped traffic played a roll once again as Tyler Edwards held up Pollard just enough to let Garvey squeeze by on the inside. The lead was short lived as a caution fell just eight laps later. On the ensuing restart, Pollard was able to regain the lead and kept it for good. On the final lap, Garvey was mere inches from Pollard’s bumper as they crossed the line.
After the race, Pollard and Garvey both talked about how fun it was to race each other so hard for so long.
“Mike had a good car,” said Pollard. “He’s had a good car here and at Mobile the last couple of races and has just had some bad luck. He was a little better than me I think. We got out front after a restart after he had passed us. I felt like we had to be out front because our car wasn’t good enough to be in second, to make the pass for the win. I felt like I needed to be out front and let him chase me and see if he would use up some of his equipment. I think we both got every bit out of the cars as we could. I was really free and I think he was too. Just tough racing, it’s good to race with someone like that... he’s a good racecar driver.”
“The car was great all night long, we qualified on the pole,” said Garvey. “It took us about four or five laps to get up to speed, once we got up to speed we were about the same, then after 10 laps we thought we were a little faster than Bubba. Getting to him and passing him are two different things. I gave everything I had and he gave everything he had. It was close but we just couldn’t quite pull it off.”
Garvey also noted just how close the two driver’s cars were in the race.
“The cars were so close to being equal,” said Garvey. “Both cars were really, really good. Bubba is awesome, he’s a really good racer and is not going to mess up. I could get to him, I got underneath him a couple of times but I couldn’t pass him without running into him, and I’m not going to do that to pass him. Bubba is a good friend of mine, and I’ve got a lot of respect for him. I raced as hard as I could and the best I could do was second.”
Alas, the thrilling battle was all for naught, as race, and the championship, were truly decided in the tech shed.
By Daniel Vining - Twitter: @danielvining
Coming off of turn four for the final lap Friday night at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, FL, Bubba Pollard had Mike Garvey breathing down his neck and a hard-charging Brandon Bendele approaching fast. Pollard made it across the line first, and Garvey held off Bendele, who had been a contender all the way. Fans witnessed Pollard celebrating his 18th overall win of the 2011 season and the 2011 Allen Turner Pro Late Model series championship.
The three Pro Late Model drivers accepted their trophies in victory lane at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, FL, were interviewed by announcers and journalists and had their photos snapped by a throng of photographers. It was the end to a great Allen Turner Tune Up 100, a race that was delayed for two hours after rain showers swept through the area, that saw lapped traffic play a large role in the outcome, and saw two of the region’s best drivers, Pollard and Garvey, battle for over half of the race.
The teams then brought the cars to the tech shed, and remainder of the night’s line-up of racing action went on with everyone in the stands thinking that Bubba Pollard had won his 18th race of 2011 and his fourth championship this season.
After all the pageantry and fanfare, it was time to take the cars to post race inspection. The dreaded “Room of Doom” where the top three finishers would face the foray of templates, rules and gauges in the inspection arsenal of lead technical inspector Ricky Brooks and his team of officials.
Pollard isn’t a driver that gets overly excited about his accomplishments. The reactions on his face are usually understated and reserved. This night was no exception. Quickly, however, the mood in the tech room changed. Normally a fast-paced, get them in and out procedure seemed to start dragging on.
Team owner Ronnie Sanders stood by with an increasing look of worry on his face as Brooks and crew dug deeper into the motor of the first place finisher’s car. They used a machine that Brooks calls a Cam Doctor to measure the components in the valve train. It was soon apparent that something wasn’t right. The tone in the tech area changed from celebratory to muted as the tech inspection team dove deeper into the engine, ultimately requesting that more components be removed for further inspection.
The time drug on, and after all the feature races had been run, and all the fans in the stands were gone, the top three Pro Late Models were still impounded, second and third place yet to be inspected. Phone calls were made, pow-wows took place as crews waited.
As the process went on, only Mike Garvey was willing to offer a comment at the time.
“It looks like it’s similar to what happened in Mobile,” said Garvey.
Garvey’s team was busted earlier in the season for having an illegal camshaft and rocker arms. That disqualified him from the win in Mobile, and now he sat waiting to hear his fate in Pensacola along with Pollard and Bendele.
After the long inspection process had finally ended, The Ronnie Sanders Racing team with diver Bubba Pollard, and the Tracy Goodson Racing team with driver Mike Garvey were disqualified for rules infractions in their valve trains.
“Pollard’s cam was illegal and Garvey’s lifters were illegal,” said Ricky Brooks. “The Cam Doctor proved it was wrong, but I learned from Garvey’s deal in Mobile that I need the parts in my hand for proof later on. I'm going to send the parts to Audie Technologies, let them put them in the bench model and backup my file that way I’ve got proof in case anything was to be said later.”
The Cam Doctor is a device used with software to measure the camshaft components. The cam is rotated by hand and simultaneous lobe travel and rotation are captured by an interface card and software and then saved to a computer hard drive for analysis. The results can be compared lobe to lobe for an evaluation of machining quality, and to validate if the camshaft was manufactured as expected. Brooks has certain numbers that are provided by each manufacture and in the case of Pollard’s car, those numbers were 0.080” out of tolerance.
After hearing the news, a dejected Pollard came out of the tech shed and walked away for a bit to collect his thoughts. While he composed himself, Mike Garvey and company loaded up their car and went home. Pollard soon returned but had little to say.
“It is what it is,” said Pollard. “They’ve got to do what they have to do.”
On Tuesday, McGunegill Engine Performance, the builder of the powerplant on Pollard’s car sent Speed51.com a statement taking responsibility for the error. (CLICK HERE FOR THE MEP STATEMENT)
That shifted the focus to Brandon Bendele. The same process took place tearing apart Bendele’s engine in just the same manner as Pollard and Garvey. After coming out clean and clear, Five Flags Speedway declared Brandon Bendele the winner of the race.
“It’s a good feeling,” said a tired Bendele. “I’d definitely like to be celebrating in front of a packed grandstand. We all talked about it and we feel okay with it. The rules are the rules and I commend Ricky for what they do. It would’ve been different if we weren’t running well, but we were right there with the 18 and the 1 car at the end of the race, so we feel like we are pretty deserving of it.”
Finally, the championship. Going into the race there was a 10 point gap between Pollard and DJ VanderLey. That equated to four positions that VanderLey had to finish ahead of Pollard to take the title. After crossing the finish line in fourth, and behind Pollard, VanderLey and his family ran team packed up and headed back to Mobile (AL). They were mere moments away from unloading their car at home when the call came in that there were issues in tech inspection. With haste, DJ VanderLey and father Dan VanderLey drove back to Pensacola and to the attention of Ricky Brooks’ team of officials.
Just as with Pollard, Garvey and Bendele, the same inspection process took place on VanderLey’s car. All the while, Pollard sat watching the events unfold, even as his own team had already left the track. The two never spoke to each other, as VanderLey was busy helping his father tear apart their car.
Shortly before 3:30 AM on Sunday morning, the results were in, DJ VanderLey’s car was cleared, and he was crowned the Allen Turner Pro Late Model Series Champion. Just as with Bendele when he was declared the winner of the race, the stands lay empty, the infield bare of all but a small group of team members, reporters and track officials centered around the tiny tech shed.
“We’ll take it,” said VanderLey. “I think we’ve had one of the best cars here all year long. We just needed some things to fall our way. I think that we could’ve had this won straight-up if not for running out of gas late in one or the races earlier this year.”
We questioned the fact that VanderLey left the facility before tech results were official, then was called back. Both Ricky Brooks and VanderLey were fast to respond assuring that everything was on the up and up.
“I’d already seen the motor and it had all my seals on it from top to bottom,” said Brooks. “I used the Cam Doctor on it just like the others, pulled the oil pan, I even had Phil Harper here, an authorized rebuilder, as a back up.”
“We were at home, an hour away,” said VanderLey. “There’s no way we could’ve changed anything and had all the grease and oil, the heat still in the engine in that amount of time.”
After mother nature tried to foil the night’s plans, a great Pro Late Model race was held, featuring an epic battle between two of the region’s top drivers. Being only half of the story, however, the event was soiled by the same two drivers being disqualified for valve train infractions.
As a result, Brandon Bendele picked up his first win in Pensacola and solidified himself as a true threat heading into December. Finally, DJ VanderLey went home with his second Five Flags Speedway Pro Late Model championship in a row, and did so without a victory in the season. Bubba Pollard and Mike Garvey walked away empty handed, but still carry the momentum of impressive seasons into the prestigious Snowflake 100, to be held at Five Flags Speedway on December 3, 2011.
THE RACE
Final practice was scratched after rain showers dumped enough precipitation to throw the night’s schedule out of sync. The storms did, however, lower the air and track temperatures going into pole-qualifying. Qualifying took on an added importance for this race, as the fast qualifier receives 15 bonus points for first, and each position gets one point less down to zero. With the Allen Turner Pro Late Model Series title on the line, Bubba Pollard and DJ VanderLey needed every point they could get as there was only a nine point gap between the two.
The speeds were fast and the times were quick, with Mike Garvey busting out a near record-setting time. Pollard came in just behind to pick up 14 points, and DJ VanderLey was third quick, getting 13 points. With qualifying complete, there would be a gap of 10 points for VanderLey to overcome. That meant that VanderLey would need to finish at least four positions ahead of Pollard to win the championship. All that remained was the dice-roll, which put Brandon Bendele and Josh Hamner on the front row, and sent Garvey and Pollard to the third row.
At the start of the race, Brandon Bendele shot out of the pack like a cannon ball while Josh Hamner fell into the clutches of Chris Davidson. Davidson once again showed his early run might, however he would soon settle into a top five position. Pollard and Garvey quickly found themselves racing nose to tail behind Bendele. Bendele was able to stay out front for nearly half of the race, and was a threat for the win from the drop of the green flag.
“We were kinda pacing ourselves out in the lead,” said Bendele. “It was really cool because I’d never led here ever, so that was fun. We had a really good car, I felt like we had a car that was capable of winning.”
Lapped traffic soon became an issue as the leader came up on the slower car of Kevin Chase. He and rookie Madison Schneider were well off the pace throughout the night, with Chase initiating a very close moment on lap 44.
“Lapped cars were very difficult tonight,” said Bendele. We talked in the driver’s meeting earlier today about having them hold their line. We had one car that went into one; the car went up the race track and I was already committed down low, then he just came across our nose and allowed the 18 (Pollard) and the 1 (Garvey) to get by me.”
The three-wide, almost four-wide, moment going into turn one allowed Pollard to take the lead. Pollard recounted the dramatic moment after the race and racing around lapped traffic in general.
“The last race we had here we had some problems with lapped cars, and tried to discuss it in the driver’s meeting,” said Pollard. “Everyone’s out there to learn, it’s just hard racing between everyone. You get to a lapped car and you don’t know which way to go, or where they’re going to go. Brandon went to the inside, I went to the outside... I think me and Mike went three wide with a lapped car as well. It’s tough racing out there. These guys got to learn somewhere, it’s just part of racing.”
The lapped traffic kept the field separated enough to allow Pollard and Garvey to separate themselves from the rest of the pack, where a classic duel between the two greats unfolded. They fought neck and neck, nose to tail, lap after lap. Garvey stayed glued to the back bumper of Pollard waiting for the fellow Georgia native to make a mistake.
On lap 60, lapped traffic played a roll once again as Tyler Edwards held up Pollard just enough to let Garvey squeeze by on the inside. The lead was short lived as a caution fell just eight laps later. On the ensuing restart, Pollard was able to regain the lead and kept it for good. On the final lap, Garvey was mere inches from Pollard’s bumper as they crossed the line.
After the race, Pollard and Garvey both talked about how fun it was to race each other so hard for so long.
“Mike had a good car,” said Pollard. “He’s had a good car here and at Mobile the last couple of races and has just had some bad luck. He was a little better than me I think. We got out front after a restart after he had passed us. I felt like we had to be out front because our car wasn’t good enough to be in second, to make the pass for the win. I felt like I needed to be out front and let him chase me and see if he would use up some of his equipment. I think we both got every bit out of the cars as we could. I was really free and I think he was too. Just tough racing, it’s good to race with someone like that... he’s a good racecar driver.”
“The car was great all night long, we qualified on the pole,” said Garvey. “It took us about four or five laps to get up to speed, once we got up to speed we were about the same, then after 10 laps we thought we were a little faster than Bubba. Getting to him and passing him are two different things. I gave everything I had and he gave everything he had. It was close but we just couldn’t quite pull it off.”
Garvey also noted just how close the two driver’s cars were in the race.
“The cars were so close to being equal,” said Garvey. “Both cars were really, really good. Bubba is awesome, he’s a really good racer and is not going to mess up. I could get to him, I got underneath him a couple of times but I couldn’t pass him without running into him, and I’m not going to do that to pass him. Bubba is a good friend of mine, and I’ve got a lot of respect for him. I raced as hard as I could and the best I could do was second.”
Alas, the thrilling battle was all for naught, as race, and the championship, were truly decided in the tech shed.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
VanDoorn to Sit Out Winchester 400 for Snowball Derby
VanDoorn to Sit Out Winchester 400 for Snowball Derby
Two-time defending CRA Super Series Champion Johnny VanDoorn will sit out Sunday's 40th Annual Winchester 400. VanDoorn and his Kaos Motorsports team will be preparing for their final event of the 2011 season the 44th Annual Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway (FL) on December 4th.
Two-time defending CRA Super Series Champion Johnny VanDoorn will sit out Sunday's 40th Annual Winchester 400. VanDoorn and his Kaos Motorsports team will be preparing for their final event of the 2011 season the 44th Annual Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway (FL) on December 4th.
Monday, October 10, 2011
From 26th to Victory Lane; Terry VanHaitsma Wins first Ever CRA Super Series Race
From 26th to Victory Lane; Terry VanHaitsma Wins first Ever CRA Super Series Race
Berlin Regulars Beat Up the CRA Regulars
By Matt Prieur
After breaking a mechanical issue that forced him to skip qualifying, putting him 26th in the 27-car field at the start, Terry VanHaitsma pulled off a near-impossible run to the front to win his first ever Champion Racing Association (CRA) Super Series event the Keyser’s Port City Racing 125 at his home track, the historic Berlin Raceway in Marne, Michigan.
"We broke the right-front hub in the last practice session, so we weren't able to qualify and had to start in the back," stated the Hudsonville, Michigan driver. "This is the same car we drove in the JEGS/CRA/GM race last month and the car was just awesome, so fun to drive. We just had to focus on what we had to do and we got through there and got the win. This is awesome.”
The 31-year-old driver was forced to make the 30-minute trek back to his home located Southwest of Grand Rapids to retrieve a replacement hub from his Outlaw Super Late Model that he normally pilots on Saturday nights at Berlin.
“It’s a wide-five hub that we borrowed from our Outlaw car and our template car uses the five on five bolt pattern, so we had wide 5s on the front and the standard hubs on the back,” said VanHaitsma. “The car did drive a little different, but she was fast. All I could do was just bide my time, pass when I could and before I knew it, I was up towards the front, so we went for it.”
2011 Berlin Raceway Modified Track Champion, Dave Lake, driving the car normally piloted by Johnny Benson, Jr., who was not available due to prior commitments, and two-time defending CRA Super Series Champion, Johnny VanDoorn led the stout 27-car field to CRA Super Series Chief Starter, Brian Duncan’s green flag. As the field flew into turn one, VanDoorn used the momentum from the outside lane to grab the early lead.
VanDoorn, from near-by Coopersville, Michigan, paced the field for the first 12 laps until Peter Cozzolino, a former winner at Berlin in the old ASA National Tour back in 2003, drove around the outside of VanDoorn to take the lead for himself on lap 13. VanDoorn stayed with the Indianapolis, Indiana veteran and on lap 38, retook the point.
After the first of nine cautions on the night flew a lap later, Cozzolino would regroup and regain the lead on lap 44 only to lose it right back to VanDoorn the next lap. Again Cozzolino would reset and again the Hoosier State veteran would shoot past VanDoorn one more time on lap 49 and would bring former two-time Outlaw Super Late Models Track Champion and EDCO Welding Fast Qualifier (16.074), Tim DeVos, who started eighth, with him. On lap 51, DeVos took over the lead for himself and in turn, VanDoorn would himself regroup and also sweep past Cozzolino for second and he would refocus his efforts on DeVos.
On lap 62, VanDoorn flew past DeVos to take over the lead for the fourth time of the night. However, like Cozzolino did earlier, DeVos regrouped his efforts and steered his machine back by VanDoorn to create the eighth lead change of the race just past the halfway point on lap 66. Throughout the battles up front, VanHaitsma, who started 26th, had been methodically been picking off cars one by one and by lap 73 was up to seventh when the night’s most serious incident occurred.
Gabe Ensing, a regular in the tracks Premier Boyne Super Late Models Series, went for a wild ride off the backstretch before coming to rest in the midst of old tractor tires that are out of sight behind the turn three wall. Ensing collected 1997 CRA Super Series Champion, Kenny Tweedy in the melee. Both drivers were ok and Tweedy was able to continue while Ensing was done for the night.
On the restart, three-time Outlaw Super Late Models Track Champion at Berlin, Ross Meeuwsen, made his presence felt and began challenging DeVos for the lead after passing VanDoorn for second prior to the red flag. On lap 84 and while running third, VanDoorn suddenly slowed and pulled into the pit area done for the night and continuing the hard-luck season for the reigning two-time CRA Super Series Champion. This left DeVos and Meeuwsen to battle amongst themselves for the lead.
All the while VanHaitsma was still picking off cars one by one and on lap 91, he would pass current rookie of the year points leader and winner of the Speed Media Best Appearing Car Award earlier in the night, Derrick Griffin for third and set his sights on his fellow weekly competitors in the tracks Outlaw Super Late Models division, by lap 97 he was on both drivers’ back bumpers trying to figure out a way around them when on lap 99 VanHaitsma made a daring outside maneuver and passed them both in one sweeping motion to complete the 26th-to-first run.
From there, it was all VanHaitsma as he would lose both Meeuwsen, who also got by DeVos, and Chris Anthony, who passed DeVos late in the race for third. VanHaitsma pulled away to a two and a half second lead and would go on to win the Keyser’s Port City Racing 125. It was VanHaitsma’s second CRA sanctioned win in a month in Marne, Michigan as he also took the win in the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by GM Performance Parts event, the Berlin 100 Presented by JEGS.com back on September 10th.
Meeuwsen settled for second with Anthony, DeVos, and Alec Carll completing the top five. Griffin finished sixth and gained eight important points on CRA Super Series points leader, three-time Series Champion, Scott Hantz who finished seventh. Hantz and Griffin are separated by just seven points heading into the 40th annual Winchester 400 on Friday-Sunday, October 14-16th at the legendary Winchester Speedway in Winchester, Indiana. Cozzolino, Jordan Dahlke, and another two-time Outlaw Super Late Models Track Champion at Berlin, Tom Thomas wrapped up the final top 10.
Berlin Regulars Beat Up the CRA Regulars
By Matt Prieur
After breaking a mechanical issue that forced him to skip qualifying, putting him 26th in the 27-car field at the start, Terry VanHaitsma pulled off a near-impossible run to the front to win his first ever Champion Racing Association (CRA) Super Series event the Keyser’s Port City Racing 125 at his home track, the historic Berlin Raceway in Marne, Michigan.
"We broke the right-front hub in the last practice session, so we weren't able to qualify and had to start in the back," stated the Hudsonville, Michigan driver. "This is the same car we drove in the JEGS/CRA/GM race last month and the car was just awesome, so fun to drive. We just had to focus on what we had to do and we got through there and got the win. This is awesome.”
The 31-year-old driver was forced to make the 30-minute trek back to his home located Southwest of Grand Rapids to retrieve a replacement hub from his Outlaw Super Late Model that he normally pilots on Saturday nights at Berlin.
“It’s a wide-five hub that we borrowed from our Outlaw car and our template car uses the five on five bolt pattern, so we had wide 5s on the front and the standard hubs on the back,” said VanHaitsma. “The car did drive a little different, but she was fast. All I could do was just bide my time, pass when I could and before I knew it, I was up towards the front, so we went for it.”
2011 Berlin Raceway Modified Track Champion, Dave Lake, driving the car normally piloted by Johnny Benson, Jr., who was not available due to prior commitments, and two-time defending CRA Super Series Champion, Johnny VanDoorn led the stout 27-car field to CRA Super Series Chief Starter, Brian Duncan’s green flag. As the field flew into turn one, VanDoorn used the momentum from the outside lane to grab the early lead.
VanDoorn, from near-by Coopersville, Michigan, paced the field for the first 12 laps until Peter Cozzolino, a former winner at Berlin in the old ASA National Tour back in 2003, drove around the outside of VanDoorn to take the lead for himself on lap 13. VanDoorn stayed with the Indianapolis, Indiana veteran and on lap 38, retook the point.
After the first of nine cautions on the night flew a lap later, Cozzolino would regroup and regain the lead on lap 44 only to lose it right back to VanDoorn the next lap. Again Cozzolino would reset and again the Hoosier State veteran would shoot past VanDoorn one more time on lap 49 and would bring former two-time Outlaw Super Late Models Track Champion and EDCO Welding Fast Qualifier (16.074), Tim DeVos, who started eighth, with him. On lap 51, DeVos took over the lead for himself and in turn, VanDoorn would himself regroup and also sweep past Cozzolino for second and he would refocus his efforts on DeVos.
On lap 62, VanDoorn flew past DeVos to take over the lead for the fourth time of the night. However, like Cozzolino did earlier, DeVos regrouped his efforts and steered his machine back by VanDoorn to create the eighth lead change of the race just past the halfway point on lap 66. Throughout the battles up front, VanHaitsma, who started 26th, had been methodically been picking off cars one by one and by lap 73 was up to seventh when the night’s most serious incident occurred.
Gabe Ensing, a regular in the tracks Premier Boyne Super Late Models Series, went for a wild ride off the backstretch before coming to rest in the midst of old tractor tires that are out of sight behind the turn three wall. Ensing collected 1997 CRA Super Series Champion, Kenny Tweedy in the melee. Both drivers were ok and Tweedy was able to continue while Ensing was done for the night.
On the restart, three-time Outlaw Super Late Models Track Champion at Berlin, Ross Meeuwsen, made his presence felt and began challenging DeVos for the lead after passing VanDoorn for second prior to the red flag. On lap 84 and while running third, VanDoorn suddenly slowed and pulled into the pit area done for the night and continuing the hard-luck season for the reigning two-time CRA Super Series Champion. This left DeVos and Meeuwsen to battle amongst themselves for the lead.
All the while VanHaitsma was still picking off cars one by one and on lap 91, he would pass current rookie of the year points leader and winner of the Speed Media Best Appearing Car Award earlier in the night, Derrick Griffin for third and set his sights on his fellow weekly competitors in the tracks Outlaw Super Late Models division, by lap 97 he was on both drivers’ back bumpers trying to figure out a way around them when on lap 99 VanHaitsma made a daring outside maneuver and passed them both in one sweeping motion to complete the 26th-to-first run.
From there, it was all VanHaitsma as he would lose both Meeuwsen, who also got by DeVos, and Chris Anthony, who passed DeVos late in the race for third. VanHaitsma pulled away to a two and a half second lead and would go on to win the Keyser’s Port City Racing 125. It was VanHaitsma’s second CRA sanctioned win in a month in Marne, Michigan as he also took the win in the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by GM Performance Parts event, the Berlin 100 Presented by JEGS.com back on September 10th.
Meeuwsen settled for second with Anthony, DeVos, and Alec Carll completing the top five. Griffin finished sixth and gained eight important points on CRA Super Series points leader, three-time Series Champion, Scott Hantz who finished seventh. Hantz and Griffin are separated by just seven points heading into the 40th annual Winchester 400 on Friday-Sunday, October 14-16th at the legendary Winchester Speedway in Winchester, Indiana. Cozzolino, Jordan Dahlke, and another two-time Outlaw Super Late Models Track Champion at Berlin, Tom Thomas wrapped up the final top 10.
Hudsonville's Terry VanHaitsma savors first CRA Super Series win at Berlin Raceway
Hudsonville's Terry VanHaitsma savors first CRA Super Series win at Berlin Raceway
By Steve Kaminski | The Grand Rapids Press MLive.com
MARNE -- Terry VanHaitsma of Hudsonville earned his first career CRA Super Series victory Saturday night at Berlin Raceway, but he barely had the energy to celebrate.
VanHaitsma rallied from the rear of the field to take the checkered flag in Berlin’s season finale.
"I don’t think I have enough energy to do a flip after all the work we had to do today," VanHaitsma said, moments after climbing out of his Late Model stock car in Victory Lane. "The right front hub broke in the last practice, and we didn’t get to qualify, so we had to start dead last. I knew we had a good car and I knew it was a long race. I didn’t know if we would get up in position there through the mid-part of the race, but we just kept picking them off one at a time.
"We were sitting up there in the top 10, the top five, and then we were leading the thing. That car was awesome. It was fun to drive."
VanHaitsma competes in Berlin’s weekly Premier Boyne Super Lates division as well as the track’s Late Models division. He finished fourth in Super Lates and 10th in Late Models this season.
Saturday’s 125-lapper featured nine lead changes, which was three shy of a series record. VanHaitsma, who was making his sixth career CRA start, didn’t take over the lead until lap 99, but once in front, there was no stopping him.
VanHaitsma led the final 26 laps and beat out Ross Meeuwsen of Zeeland by 2.5 seconds, followed by Chris Anthony of Walker and Tim DeVos of Comstock Park.
"This is awesome," VanHaitsma said. "I was really happy winning in this car a couple of weeks ago in the Jegs Tour, but this one was even better."
U.S. 131 MOTORSPORTS PARK
Lucas Fischer outran Andy Wroblewski in the Top Eliminator division finals in Martin on Saturday when the dragstrip hosted its final bracket race of the season. Fischer ripped off a pass of 152.6 mph in 8.3 seconds to collect the $1,200 first-place cash prize.
Stan Jones Jr. was the big winner in Modifieds, defeating Tracy Mulcher, while Steve Town beat out Roger Knight in Street. Felicia Coe won Junior Dragster Advance and Emily Whitehead took top honors in Junior Dragster Beginner.
By Steve Kaminski | The Grand Rapids Press MLive.com
MARNE -- Terry VanHaitsma of Hudsonville earned his first career CRA Super Series victory Saturday night at Berlin Raceway, but he barely had the energy to celebrate.
VanHaitsma rallied from the rear of the field to take the checkered flag in Berlin’s season finale.
"I don’t think I have enough energy to do a flip after all the work we had to do today," VanHaitsma said, moments after climbing out of his Late Model stock car in Victory Lane. "The right front hub broke in the last practice, and we didn’t get to qualify, so we had to start dead last. I knew we had a good car and I knew it was a long race. I didn’t know if we would get up in position there through the mid-part of the race, but we just kept picking them off one at a time.
"We were sitting up there in the top 10, the top five, and then we were leading the thing. That car was awesome. It was fun to drive."
VanHaitsma competes in Berlin’s weekly Premier Boyne Super Lates division as well as the track’s Late Models division. He finished fourth in Super Lates and 10th in Late Models this season.
Saturday’s 125-lapper featured nine lead changes, which was three shy of a series record. VanHaitsma, who was making his sixth career CRA start, didn’t take over the lead until lap 99, but once in front, there was no stopping him.
VanHaitsma led the final 26 laps and beat out Ross Meeuwsen of Zeeland by 2.5 seconds, followed by Chris Anthony of Walker and Tim DeVos of Comstock Park.
"This is awesome," VanHaitsma said. "I was really happy winning in this car a couple of weeks ago in the Jegs Tour, but this one was even better."
U.S. 131 MOTORSPORTS PARK
Lucas Fischer outran Andy Wroblewski in the Top Eliminator division finals in Martin on Saturday when the dragstrip hosted its final bracket race of the season. Fischer ripped off a pass of 152.6 mph in 8.3 seconds to collect the $1,200 first-place cash prize.
Stan Jones Jr. was the big winner in Modifieds, defeating Tracy Mulcher, while Steve Town beat out Roger Knight in Street. Felicia Coe won Junior Dragster Advance and Emily Whitehead took top honors in Junior Dragster Beginner.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
VanDoorn's Bad Luck Continues, Grill Wins
Augie Grill Takes Glass City 200 Title Back to the South
Two-Time Snowball Derby Winner Adds Outlaw Late Model Triumph
By Matt Prieur
Birmingham, Alabama invader, Augie Grill made the 11-hour trip north to the ARCA Sanctioned Toledo Speedway in Toledo, Ohio worthwhile.
The two-time Snowball Derby Champion, driving for Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada veteran, Jerry Artuso, made the most of his first ever appearance in the Buckeye State and first time driving an Outlaw Bodied Super Late Model by winning the 23rd running of the Glass City 200 Presented by Great Lakes Helicopters and become the first driver ever to win both the Snowball Derby and the Glass City 200.
There were 41 teams on the grounds at the fast half-mile high-banked paved oval located just south of the Michigan / Ohio state line on a cold and blustery afternoon and evening that saw the temperatures never got above 50 degrees, and at night get done to just above freezing. In turn, this forced teams to alter their strategies throughout the race and in turn, attrition would become a factor throughout the 200-lap affair.
Plymouth, Indiana veteran, J.R. Roahrig started the day off by shattering the all-time Toledo Speedway Outlaw Super Late Models Track Record as he toured the fast ½ mile at a 14.718 which measured out to 122.229mph. The Overall Outlaw Super Late Model Track Record was set by Derrick Griffin back on April 17th, 2010 as he went a 14.809 while the Glass City 200 Track Record was set one year ago by Scott Hantz who went a 14.815. Roahrig destroyed both records in one ultra quick lap. The Top 20 in Qualifying were locked into the show.
The field was competitive from top to bottom as three-time Glass City 200 champion and Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame member, Steve Sauve would have to start on the pole of the 25-lap B Main to transfer into the 200-lap Feature. The Saginaw, Michigan veteran easily won to earn the 21st starting spot in the race. George Rangel, Justin May, Derek Wiley, Marcus Malcuit, and Howard Kelley, Jr., would also transfer as well.
Provisionals awarded included the top three in the final 2011 ARCA Gold Cup Super Late Model Series (A five race series between ARCA sanctioned tracks, Flat Rock and Toledo) points standings as Joe Hawes and Steve Cronenwett, Jr., would be awarded the first two. Originally there would be three ARCA Gold Cup points provisional’s awarded, but the third place provisional featured a tie between veteran Rick Sheppard and Angola, Indiana veteran, three-time CRA Super Series Champion, Scott Hantz, who was enroute to the track after qualifying for the Seal Wrap Repair Tape Fall Brawl Weekend down at Lucas Oil Raceway in Clermont, Indiana.
ARCA Officials elected to add both drivers and in turn, add an extra starting spot to the Glass City 200 starting line-up. Hantz would fly in and get to the track only five minutes prior to Driver Introductions. In addition, a 2011 Flat Rock Speedway, Toledo’s sister track to the north in Flat Rock, Michigan, was awarded a provisional as well and that went to former Flat Rock Track Champion Paul Pelletier. This would set the 31-car starting field.
Roahrig drew a 13 for an inversion. Berlin Raceway regular, Barry Hartwell and Toledo favorite, Jake Francis would lead the massive field to the green flag to start the race and as the field drove into turns one and two, contact between Pro Cup racer Brad Rogers and Brent Jack sent the field scattering to bring out the first of a whopping 15 cautions that would be waved throughout the race. As a result, several cars pitted for repairs and came back out. In the end, only two cars were done for the night and ARCA officials ordered a complete restart.
On the ensuing restart, Francis would grab the point while the rest of the field sorted themselves out behind him. Augie Grill, who qualified fourth fastest and would start 10th after the inversion, quickly maneuvered his way through the field and by lap 12, was up to second and reeled in Francis, who had built up a sizable lead.
The next lap, Grill drove underneath the Buckeye State driver to take over the top spot officially on lap 13 and he then tried to build up a sizable lead himself over the rest of the pack. Francis and Mike Luberda, Jr., the winner of two recent 100-lap shows at Owosso Speedway in Ovid, Michigan and Auto City Speedway in Clio, Michigan and 2011 ARCA Gold Cup Super Late Model Series Champion, Dennis Strickland battled amongst themselves for second through fourth while Grill pulled away.
Francis went spinning to bring out another caution and a few laps later, Luberda., who was running second, lost a motor and was done for the night. This placed Strickland in second and he tried to keep up with Grill’s torrid pace. Soon, two-time defending CRA Super Series Champion, Johnny VanDoorn, who started 11th, worked his way up to third and was on Strickland’s back bumper as Grill would lead the field into the lap 101 halfway break. Grill, Strickland, VanDoorn, Johnny Beloit, and former three-time ARCA Trucks Series Champion Chad Guinn were the top five heading into the break.
On the restart, VanDoorn quickly drove around Strickland for second and set his sights on Grill. The two stout competitors put on an epic battle before VanDoorn would take the lead on lap 124 and try to pull away from Grill and the rest of the field, Grill tried to keep pace with VanDoorn before eventually losing ground to the Coopersville, Michigan driver.
As VanDoorn continued to pull away, an oil pump broke on his mount on lap 136 and smoke poured out of the back of his #61 Port City Racecars machine, ending his night and ending his chances at winning. This gave the lead back to Grill who once again had Strickland on his back bumper. On the next restart, Grill would again try to pull away from Strickland and the rest of the pack which was low on numbers due to attrition, but Strickland would never let Grill stray too far out in front, but could never quite get close enough to muster a challenge.
After all was said and done, Grill, who was in Canadian veteran, Jerry Artuso’s #5 Algoma Industrial Supplies /Grand American Racecars machine, would lap all but the top five cars on the track and would take the checkered flag to win the 23rd running of the Glass City 200 Presented by Great Lakes Helicopters and take home a nice payday of $7,850 from the $57,000 total purse.
"The car was just flawless all night long. I thought for sure we would've had a great fight on our hands with the 61 car (Johnny VanDoorn)," stated the Birmingham, Alabama driver in Victory Lane. "When I saw him go high and slow down, I knew I just had to keep running my line and we'd be alright."
“That 90 car (Dennis Strickland) just wouldn’t go away," laughed the 34-year-old who in addition to winning the Snowball Derby twice, also has won the Snowflake 100, the World Crown in Georgia, and is considered one of the top stars in Southern Super Late Models racing. “I have to thank Jerry and all the guys with the team for giving me a great car. These Outlaw cars are a lot of fun to drive and I hope I can come back next season and do this more often.”
Strickland finished second while Belott, Guinn, and Dakota Carlson were the top five and the only cars remaining on the lead lap. Jack Varney Jr., finished sixth as Steve Cronenwett Jr., Ricky Kargel, Barry Hartwell, and Nick Grodi would finish off the top 10.
“I’m so happy with our finish, especially after the way yesterday went.” Strickland stated during post-race ceremonies. The day before during the optional practice at the track, the rear spoiler on Strickland’s #90 MichWiFi.net entry came loose and he lost control of the car and made contact with the turn two wall causing extensive damage. “The crew worked all night long getting this car fixed and it was actually better than it has been all season. This Port City car is great and it’s been a great season for us.” The Carelton, Michigan driver added.
Also finishing on the podium would be Mt. Morris, Michigan driver, Johnny Belott who would steer his #0 John Belott & Sons Auto Purchasing entry to a third place finish in only his second start behind the wheel of an Outlaw Super Late Model this season after taking the last two seasons off.
“We worked hard tonight that’s for sure. Had a good battle going there with the 5 car (Chad Guinn).” He explained. His only other appearance in 2011 was two weekends previous at Owosso Speedway in Ovid, Michigan. Before that, he last raced in the 2009 Glass City 200. “We didn’t qualify too well, but we hung around in the top 10 and top five all day, so we’ll take it and move on to next season.”
Grill joins an impressive list of previous winners of the Glass City 200 including; Joy Fair, Joe Ruttman, Bob Senneker, Danny Byrd, John Anderson, Jim Bickerstaff, Ed Cooper, Tim Felver, Tim Ice, Junior Hanley, Steve Sauve, John Doering Jr., Jack Landis, Brian Campbell, Dave Kuhlman, and Harold Fair Jr.
Two-Time Snowball Derby Winner Adds Outlaw Late Model Triumph
By Matt Prieur
Birmingham, Alabama invader, Augie Grill made the 11-hour trip north to the ARCA Sanctioned Toledo Speedway in Toledo, Ohio worthwhile.
The two-time Snowball Derby Champion, driving for Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada veteran, Jerry Artuso, made the most of his first ever appearance in the Buckeye State and first time driving an Outlaw Bodied Super Late Model by winning the 23rd running of the Glass City 200 Presented by Great Lakes Helicopters and become the first driver ever to win both the Snowball Derby and the Glass City 200.
There were 41 teams on the grounds at the fast half-mile high-banked paved oval located just south of the Michigan / Ohio state line on a cold and blustery afternoon and evening that saw the temperatures never got above 50 degrees, and at night get done to just above freezing. In turn, this forced teams to alter their strategies throughout the race and in turn, attrition would become a factor throughout the 200-lap affair.
Plymouth, Indiana veteran, J.R. Roahrig started the day off by shattering the all-time Toledo Speedway Outlaw Super Late Models Track Record as he toured the fast ½ mile at a 14.718 which measured out to 122.229mph. The Overall Outlaw Super Late Model Track Record was set by Derrick Griffin back on April 17th, 2010 as he went a 14.809 while the Glass City 200 Track Record was set one year ago by Scott Hantz who went a 14.815. Roahrig destroyed both records in one ultra quick lap. The Top 20 in Qualifying were locked into the show.
The field was competitive from top to bottom as three-time Glass City 200 champion and Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame member, Steve Sauve would have to start on the pole of the 25-lap B Main to transfer into the 200-lap Feature. The Saginaw, Michigan veteran easily won to earn the 21st starting spot in the race. George Rangel, Justin May, Derek Wiley, Marcus Malcuit, and Howard Kelley, Jr., would also transfer as well.
Provisionals awarded included the top three in the final 2011 ARCA Gold Cup Super Late Model Series (A five race series between ARCA sanctioned tracks, Flat Rock and Toledo) points standings as Joe Hawes and Steve Cronenwett, Jr., would be awarded the first two. Originally there would be three ARCA Gold Cup points provisional’s awarded, but the third place provisional featured a tie between veteran Rick Sheppard and Angola, Indiana veteran, three-time CRA Super Series Champion, Scott Hantz, who was enroute to the track after qualifying for the Seal Wrap Repair Tape Fall Brawl Weekend down at Lucas Oil Raceway in Clermont, Indiana.
ARCA Officials elected to add both drivers and in turn, add an extra starting spot to the Glass City 200 starting line-up. Hantz would fly in and get to the track only five minutes prior to Driver Introductions. In addition, a 2011 Flat Rock Speedway, Toledo’s sister track to the north in Flat Rock, Michigan, was awarded a provisional as well and that went to former Flat Rock Track Champion Paul Pelletier. This would set the 31-car starting field.
Roahrig drew a 13 for an inversion. Berlin Raceway regular, Barry Hartwell and Toledo favorite, Jake Francis would lead the massive field to the green flag to start the race and as the field drove into turns one and two, contact between Pro Cup racer Brad Rogers and Brent Jack sent the field scattering to bring out the first of a whopping 15 cautions that would be waved throughout the race. As a result, several cars pitted for repairs and came back out. In the end, only two cars were done for the night and ARCA officials ordered a complete restart.
On the ensuing restart, Francis would grab the point while the rest of the field sorted themselves out behind him. Augie Grill, who qualified fourth fastest and would start 10th after the inversion, quickly maneuvered his way through the field and by lap 12, was up to second and reeled in Francis, who had built up a sizable lead.
The next lap, Grill drove underneath the Buckeye State driver to take over the top spot officially on lap 13 and he then tried to build up a sizable lead himself over the rest of the pack. Francis and Mike Luberda, Jr., the winner of two recent 100-lap shows at Owosso Speedway in Ovid, Michigan and Auto City Speedway in Clio, Michigan and 2011 ARCA Gold Cup Super Late Model Series Champion, Dennis Strickland battled amongst themselves for second through fourth while Grill pulled away.
Francis went spinning to bring out another caution and a few laps later, Luberda., who was running second, lost a motor and was done for the night. This placed Strickland in second and he tried to keep up with Grill’s torrid pace. Soon, two-time defending CRA Super Series Champion, Johnny VanDoorn, who started 11th, worked his way up to third and was on Strickland’s back bumper as Grill would lead the field into the lap 101 halfway break. Grill, Strickland, VanDoorn, Johnny Beloit, and former three-time ARCA Trucks Series Champion Chad Guinn were the top five heading into the break.
On the restart, VanDoorn quickly drove around Strickland for second and set his sights on Grill. The two stout competitors put on an epic battle before VanDoorn would take the lead on lap 124 and try to pull away from Grill and the rest of the field, Grill tried to keep pace with VanDoorn before eventually losing ground to the Coopersville, Michigan driver.
As VanDoorn continued to pull away, an oil pump broke on his mount on lap 136 and smoke poured out of the back of his #61 Port City Racecars machine, ending his night and ending his chances at winning. This gave the lead back to Grill who once again had Strickland on his back bumper. On the next restart, Grill would again try to pull away from Strickland and the rest of the pack which was low on numbers due to attrition, but Strickland would never let Grill stray too far out in front, but could never quite get close enough to muster a challenge.
After all was said and done, Grill, who was in Canadian veteran, Jerry Artuso’s #5 Algoma Industrial Supplies /Grand American Racecars machine, would lap all but the top five cars on the track and would take the checkered flag to win the 23rd running of the Glass City 200 Presented by Great Lakes Helicopters and take home a nice payday of $7,850 from the $57,000 total purse.
"The car was just flawless all night long. I thought for sure we would've had a great fight on our hands with the 61 car (Johnny VanDoorn)," stated the Birmingham, Alabama driver in Victory Lane. "When I saw him go high and slow down, I knew I just had to keep running my line and we'd be alright."
“That 90 car (Dennis Strickland) just wouldn’t go away," laughed the 34-year-old who in addition to winning the Snowball Derby twice, also has won the Snowflake 100, the World Crown in Georgia, and is considered one of the top stars in Southern Super Late Models racing. “I have to thank Jerry and all the guys with the team for giving me a great car. These Outlaw cars are a lot of fun to drive and I hope I can come back next season and do this more often.”
Strickland finished second while Belott, Guinn, and Dakota Carlson were the top five and the only cars remaining on the lead lap. Jack Varney Jr., finished sixth as Steve Cronenwett Jr., Ricky Kargel, Barry Hartwell, and Nick Grodi would finish off the top 10.
“I’m so happy with our finish, especially after the way yesterday went.” Strickland stated during post-race ceremonies. The day before during the optional practice at the track, the rear spoiler on Strickland’s #90 MichWiFi.net entry came loose and he lost control of the car and made contact with the turn two wall causing extensive damage. “The crew worked all night long getting this car fixed and it was actually better than it has been all season. This Port City car is great and it’s been a great season for us.” The Carelton, Michigan driver added.
Also finishing on the podium would be Mt. Morris, Michigan driver, Johnny Belott who would steer his #0 John Belott & Sons Auto Purchasing entry to a third place finish in only his second start behind the wheel of an Outlaw Super Late Model this season after taking the last two seasons off.
“We worked hard tonight that’s for sure. Had a good battle going there with the 5 car (Chad Guinn).” He explained. His only other appearance in 2011 was two weekends previous at Owosso Speedway in Ovid, Michigan. Before that, he last raced in the 2009 Glass City 200. “We didn’t qualify too well, but we hung around in the top 10 and top five all day, so we’ll take it and move on to next season.”
Grill joins an impressive list of previous winners of the Glass City 200 including; Joy Fair, Joe Ruttman, Bob Senneker, Danny Byrd, John Anderson, Jim Bickerstaff, Ed Cooper, Tim Felver, Tim Ice, Junior Hanley, Steve Sauve, John Doering Jr., Jack Landis, Brian Campbell, Dave Kuhlman, and Harold Fair Jr.
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