Michigan Dirt Cup Modifieds Tour Championship Title Defense Begins This Weekend For Jacob Poel

Michigan Dirt Cup Modifieds Tour Championship Title Defense Begins This Weekend For Jacob Poel

Spring Lake, Michigan (Tuesday, May 1st, 2012): When the formation of the Michigan Dirt Cup Modifieds Tour became a reality on April 30th, 2011 with the inaugural race at I-96 Speedway in Lake Odessa, Michigan. 63 Teams answered the call for the brand new series. This was also the season opener at the fast 3/8s (0.375) mile high-banked dirt oval and little did Jacob Poel know, that the start of the 2011 campaign would be a race season only dreams are made of.

Now the Spring Lake, Michigan driver hopes a repeat is in the works as all of the same logistics are in place this Saturday, May 5th as I-96 Speedway hosts the 7th annual Ice Breaker / Opening Night 2012. In addition it’s also the 2012 Door Opener for the Michigan Dirt Cup Modifieds Tour. At the end of 2011, the 25-year-old would be crowned both the 2011 Michigan Dirt Cup Modifieds Tour Champion as well as the 2011 I-96 Speedway UMP Modifieds Track Champion.

"The 82 crew has built confidence in their program and is ready to take on the numbers the Dirt Cup will offer," Stated the Reigning UMP DIRTcar Racing Series Michigan State Champion. "We’re excited! The last couple weeks we have been really fine tuning the car and feel it’s going to be the best its’ been so far this season.” He added. In seven races he’s raced in early on in the 2012 season, Poel has recorded Two Feature Wins, Four Top Five’s, and Six Top 10 finishes.

“Having the first Michigan Dirt Cup race at one of our home tracks should play into our favor." Poel continued as he and the entire Jacob Poel Racing Team continue to prepare for the all-important first race of the season for the Flint, Michigan based series. "We want to start the MDC Tour out right and that means with a win and to be on top of the point’s right from the first race!" He ended.

Prior to the Michigan Dirt Cup Modifieds Tour Season Opener at I-96, Poel hopes to continue his quest for the 2012 UMP Modifieds Track Championship at Winston Speedway in Rothbury, Michigan on Friday nights and the team will head out to the 3/8s (0.375) mile semi-banked paved oval this Friday, May 4th. Poel is currently second in the season long points chase by just a single point behind current points leader, Andy Sprague.

In addition to repeating as UMP DIRTcar Racing Series Michigan State Champion as well as the Michigan Dirt Cup Modifieds Tour Champion and I-96 Speedway UMP Modifieds Track Champion, Poel’s primary goal in 2012 is the UMP DIRTcar Racing Series National Championship. He will also chase after the 2012 Winston Speedway UMP Modifieds Title and there’s a very good possibility of making as many shows as possible running with the Summit Racing Equipment Modifieds Nationals that supports the UMP Summer Nationals Hell Tour from Mid-June to Mid-July throughout the Midwestern United States

For the remainder of the 2012 racing season, Poel’s black #82 Rocket Chassis UMP Modified will carry the sponsorship colors of Poel’s own business, Poel’s PRO-ACT Welding & Fabrication as well as 22 Below Bar & Grill, Lakeshore Custom Services, Sweet Manufacturing, A&A manufacturing, Fitness Together, Dura-Tech Racing Engines, Integra Racing Shocks, Keyser’s Port City Racing, Trago Electric, Poel’s Blueberry Farms, Fewless Motorsports and M.P.H. Promotions.

To learn more about Jacob Poel and the entire Jacob Poel Racing Team and to inquire about every type of sponsorship opportunity available for the 2012 racing season, head over to the new Jacob Poel Racing Website at: www.jacobpoelracing.com. You can also go to the JPR Facebook Fan Page at: www.facebook.com and search “Jacob Poel Racing”

Campbell Wins Wild 7 Up 100

Toledo, OH (April 29, 2012) - On a cool day at Toledo Speedway the sun shined bright and the ARCA/CRA Super Series drivers put on a wild show that featured hard racing up front with Brian Campbell and Johnny VanDoorn racing for the lead for over 80 laps for the 7 Up 100. Behind them things were more traumatic with numerous cautions and a red flag for a ten car pileup that ended with a driver on his top on the 89th lap, with no one injured.

VanDoorn was the fastest in practice nearly eclipsing his own track record of 15.437 seconds by turning a lap of 15.446. Brian Campbell in a glimpse of what was to come was a close second, setting up a battle that was to rage between the friends all day to be the fastest on the track.

Campbell set a new track record to take the EDCO Welding Fast Qualifier Award with a lap of 15.370 seconds, Chad Finley was second at 15.646 seconds with VanDoorn third, Eddie Van Meter fourth and Terry Fisher, Jr. fifth. Campbell then drew a five for the invert putting Fisher on the pole. Jeff Lane, driving for an injured Joe Beaver, won the last chance race leading every lap after just missing being the 20th qualifier and locked into the field.

Fisher took off early leading the first four laps, before Van Meter roared past to lead a few laps. As they battled up front, VanDoorn starting directly in front of Campbell stormed to the front pulling Campbell with him. VanDoorn took the lead on the eighth lap with Campbell behind him. Campbell took over for two laps on lap 14.
VanDoorn drove back past him on the 16th lap in a bold move getting the jump on Campbell as they exited the second turn and drove hard into the third turn. The move earned him the AR Bodies Cool Move of the Race Award.

VanDoorn held the lead until lap 62, when Campbell came back past after a caution. From there VanDoorn would pull up beside Campbell, even showing signs he could get around him, but Campbell held him off to get the win, surviving four restarts in the last 11 laps, each with VanDoorn nearly getting past him. Boris Jurkovic passed VanDoorn on the last lap to finish second after VanDoorn was unsuccessful in attempting to pass Campbell from his outside position on the restart. VanDoorn finished third, Alec Carll fourth and Becca Kasten earned her way in from the last chance race to finish fifth.

"This car was phenomenal on long runs." Campbell commented. "It had a hard time refiring after the cautions. The crew did a great job of getting this car ready."
Behind them things were a little more interesting with numerous cautions as drivers fought for every position.

The red flag flew for a 10 car pileup on the 89th lap. As the drivers restarted from a caution caused by a spin, Kenzie Ruston slid up the track as cars on the bottom slid higher coming out of the fourth turn. The car got loose, and as she started to slip, then came in contact with Nate Caruth. Both cars then slid down the track into traffic. In the ensuing melee Chad Finely was completely sideways on the track as Steve Dorer caught him in the right side door as the cars slid Finley's car tipped up on its side and ended up on its top. Finley climbed out uninjured to the cheers of the large crowd.

Campbell took home the Team Construction Clean Sweep Award for earning both the EDCO Welding Fast Qualifier Award and the win. He also earned the Ford Racing Award for winning using a Ford engine, and the VDL Fuel Systems Hot Lap of the Race Award for turning the fastest lap during the race.

VanDoorn earned the Turn One Lap Leader Award for leading the most laps and the RaceTrailerSales.com Hallfway Leader Award.

For moving from her 25th starting position to finish fifth Becca Kasten earned the Lane Automotive/ISKY Racing Cams Hardcharger Award and one of the Hoosier Racing Tire Performance Awards. Kasten also earned the Boyne Machine Company Rookie of the Race Award as the highest finishing Rookie. Steve Dorer started 20th as last driver locked in through qualifying and finished ninth despite being involved in the accident on lap 89 to earn the second Hoosier Racing Tire Performance Award.

The next event for the ARCA/CRA Super Series will be the Berlin 125 at Berlin Raceway in Marne, MI. The .400 mile track has been host to some very close racing for the ARCA/CRA Super Series with the father son team of Fred and Brian Campbell leading all drivers in wins at the track. Each has three wins for a total of six of the 13 ARCA/CRA Super Series races. A strong field is expected as drivers get tuned up for the Rowdy 251 scheduled at Berlin Raceway in June. For more information about the ARCA/CRA Super Series see www.craracing.net. To learn more about Berlin Raceway see www.berlinraceway.com.

VanderLey Suspended for 2012 Season

VanderLey Suspended for 2012 Season

Regular Season Does Not Include This Years Snowball Derby

Muskegon's Mike Mike Garvey might have won the race and broke a string of 13 wins by GARC chassis, but all the talk in short track racing has centered around defending 5 Flags Speedway Pro Late Model Champion D.J. VanderLey.

Five Flags Speedway PR
D.J. VanderLey has been suspended from competition for the the remainder of the 2012 regular season. The suspension comes on the heels of Friday Night’s 100 Lap Blizzard Series event for Super Late Models. The action was taken by Track Management following an incident under a lap 96 caution flag period with fellow competitior Grant Enfinger.

“ The actions chosen by D. J. VanderLey on Friday Night were absolutely unacceptable, and will not be tolerated,” stated Speedway General Manager Tim Bryant, “and we believe only a penalty this severe will let D.J. and all other competitors know how serious we are about this.”

The suspension takes effect immediately, and includes any and all race events thru the season ending “Night of Champions” on September 29th.

West Michigan Drivers Dominate at Toledo in ARCA/CRA Events

ARCA/CRA Super Series 7-Up 100 UNOFFICIAL RESULTS

1. 20 Brian Campbell 100 Laps
2. 53 Boris Jurkovic 100
3. 61 Johnny VanDoorn 100
4. 05 Alec Carll 100
5. 51 Rebecca Kasten 100
6. 81 Terry Fisher Jr. 100
7. 72 Scott Hantz 100
8. 131 Nick Gullatta 100
9. 90 Steve Dorer 100
10. 41 Brent Jack 100
11. 84 Jay Niewiek 100
12. 65 Johnny Jenkins 100
13. 76 Nate Caruth 99
14. 5 Brett Robinson 98
15. 6 Brandon Hermiller 98
16. 101 Ed Szelagowski Jr. 98
17. 184 Martin Latulippe 98
18. 7 Jason Dietsch 97
19. 39 Kenzie Ruston 89
20. 01 Travis Braden 89
21. 15 Damon Ecoff 89
22. 42 Chad Finley 89
23. 139 Andrew Morrissey 89
24. 2 Kenny Tweedy 89
25. 23 Eddie VanMeter 68
26. 0 Jeff Lane 67
27. 26 Rick Turner 59
28. 118 Billy Leslie 37

ARCA Allegiant Air Glass City Gold Cup Outlaw Super Late Models Series UNOFFICIAL RESULTS

1. 37 Terry Senneker
2. 14 Steve Needles
3. 9 Mike Root
4. 16r J.R. Roahrig
5. 8 Dakota Carlson
6. 90 Dennis Strickland
7. 1 Barry Hartwell
8. 16 Claude Plante Jr.
9. 116 Jack Varney Jr.
10. 41 Brent Jack
11. 30 Craig Everage
12. 1 Harold Fair Jr.
13. 40 Mike Luberda Jr.
14. 86 Ron Allen
15. 40g Nick Grodi
16. 53 Jow Hawes
17. 72 Scott Hantz
18. 23 Mike Young
19. 41m Andrew Morrissey
20. 21 Steve Cronenwett Jr.
21. 26 Steve Peters
22. 10 Brian Nester

Garvey Navigates Cautions to Collect Emotional GARC Bounty, Papa John’s 100 Win28

By Chuck Corder

Five Flags Speedway hoped to add some heat to the Blizzard Series this week with a little cash incentive.

The nation’s elite Super Late Models were happy to oblige.

In one of the more heart-pumping Blizzard races in recent history, Mike Garvey rose above the aggressive 30-car field and a caution-plagued affair to capture the Papa John’s 100 on Friday.

Garvey collected the $513 bounty Five Flags put up for grabs to end the 13-race Blizzard streak that Grand American Race Cars had boasted.

“You just have to keep your focus and concentrate and hit your marks,” said Garvey, whose chassis is made by Port City Racecar. “Anything can happen on the restarts. I was nervous at the end. Thankfully, it all worked out.”

Thankfully, despite the 100 lapper being marred by 10 cautions. Garvey managed to avoid the lot of them, making his move on Augie Grill on Lap 75.

Grill was preoccupied with Casey Smith and when the pair couldn’t shake each other, Garvey pounced from his third position.

“Augie and Casey were beating the (heck) out of each other,” Garvey said. “The opportunity presented itself and I was just trying to get to the end of the race.”

Garvey held off T.J. Reaid and David Rogers for the checkered flag. Rogers, the veteran who has raced the Snowball Derby nearly 30 times, was looking for his first career victory at Pensacola’s high banks.

Rogers was running second down the stretch, but gave way to Reaid on the final restart.

Reaid made a valiant effort to catch Garvey on the final green flag dropped with 98 completed laps, but he failed to make it stick in any of the turns.

There were several sets of fireworks on the speedway all night. The first battle between Smith and Grill whet the appetite for drama later from another set of drivers.

Grill started on the pole after fast-qualifier Bubba Pollard (16.713 second) rolled a six to set the invert. Smith wasn’t far back and quickly worked his way to Grill’s bumper.

The duo exchanged some unpleasantries earlier in the week and then exchanged paint all over the track Friday. The lead see-sawed between Smith and Grill for much of the race until Smith, running second at the time, came to pit row because of a flat tire.

“Pensacola one of those places you love to hate it,” Smith said earlier this week. “You almost dread to come here, but you know you’ve got to because it’s like going to Daytona.”

Smith rallied to finish sixth while Grill finished 17th because of tire issues himself late in the race, even having to stop at the top of Turn 4 late in the race that brought out the final caution.

A tactic that irked the night’s big winner.

“We probably should’ve been outta here a half-hour ago,” Garvey said. There was no reason for Augie to stop at the top of the track like that. I almost hit him.

The other ongoing melee that scarred the night came between two-time Allen Turner Pro Late Model series track champion D.J. VanderLey and Grant Enfinger, who boasts a NASCAR deal this season.

The two first got into each other and brought out the caution on Lap 73. Enfinger and VanderLey were in a close race for seventh and Enfinger ended up on the short end of it, spinning in Turn 4. It happened right in the middle of the turn and once again caused a chain reaction of cars sliding all around to avoid the yellow’s catalyst — a running theme throughout Friday evening.

While they were under caution, Enfinger’s No. 82 passed up his assigned spot to reach the side of VanderLey’s No. 4 up Turn 3 as sharing unpleasantries.

It didn’t end there, though. In fact, it only got worse. Much worse.

In the final laps, while the field was coasting under yet another yellow, VanderLey appeared to dive-bomb Enfinger in Turn 2.

“With four laps to go,” VanderLey said, “(Enfinger) was behind us off (Turn 4) and drove us into the wall until he hit us. I spun. I hit back under caution. It sucks it happened. Our car was great. We started 24th and had climbed up as far as (sixth). It was an extremely clean race for the most part for us.”

Things got even uglier between the two as track officials reported that as Enfinger was getting out of the car, VanderLey drove into him again.

“That’s about the hardest I’ve been hit in the back,” Enfinger said. “I was trying to get out from the guard rail and he fires it up and tries to hit me. I guess he was trying to hurt me. I tried to get in at him through the window, but he sped off of course.”

Enfinger, who finished 18th, was able to escape injury. VanderLey’s actions earned the Auburn honors college sophomore a disqualification for unsportsmanlike behavior.

Security had to be called to separate the two crews in the pits.

Garvey’s patience and ability to avoid any of the fracases brought tears to the eyes of car owner Tracy Goodson.

A choked-up Goodson watched his guy pose for photos with the winning trophy from his nearby golf cart.

“I can’t describe it,” said Goodson, who owns several local businesses. “We’ve had a hard couple of years.”

Garvey and Goodson have teamed up for the last three years, but Garvey’s recent relocation to Pensacola has turned things around for the team.

They won the Allen Turner Pro Late Model Series opener at the famed half-mile, asphalt oval last month.

“Mike’s killed himself working on these cars,” Goodson said. “I knew once he got down here full time, he’d get back going. Mike does what it takes to get the car to Victory Lane. I can’t say enough.

“He deserves it and the whole crew deserves it. It’s pretty awesome. He’s the best short-track racer in the nation.”

Garvey certainly backed that opinion up Friday night.

Papa John’s 100 Results—1. Mike Garvey, 2. T.J. Reaid, 3. David Rogers, 4. Bubba Pollard, 5. Austin Theriault, 6. Casey Smith, 7. Donnie Wilson, 8. Josh Hamner, 9. Dennis Schoenfeld, 10. Chris Davidson, 11. Kyle Benjamin, 12. Hal Martin, 13. Anthony Sergi, 14. Gary Sullivan, 15. Danny Bagwell, 16. Allen Karnes, 17. Augie Grill, 18. Grant Enfinger, 19. Michael Lance, 20. Daniel Webster, 21. Clay Alexander, 22. Jeremy Pate, 23. Troy Grisaffi, 24. Brandon Odom, 25. Dwayne Buggay, 26. Tyler Miles, 27. Logan Boyett, 28. Tony Clark, 29. Jimmy Garmon, DQ. D.J. VanderLey