Ruggiero Rallies For 2nd Straight Eastern States Sportsman Victory
Middletown, NY – October 18, 2008 – By Tom Skibinski, DIRTcar Racing NorthEast PR Director
Following in the tire tracks of 358-Modified winner Brett Hearn on Saturday of Eastern States Weekend at Orange County Fair Speedway, Mike Ruggiero scored his second straight Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman win in the 2008 track finale that covered 50 laps around the ‘Hard Clay’ oval.
Unlike last year when the Walden, New York pilot set fast time and led the entire distance to earn the biggest payday of his career, Ruggiero needed 39 laps to make his way to the front and forge the final lead change with near race-long front-runner Rich Coons en route to the convincing win.
“This one feels four thousand times better than anything,” remarked an elated Ruggiero, after becoming just the second driver since the ESW Sportsman event originated in 1988 to capture back-to-back titles. Tom Hall won in 1996-97 while current Big-Block pilots Tim Hindley and Chris Shultz also won two main events but not in consecutive years.
“Last year was awesome to get the first one, we got the pole, got everything. Today we stepped on it a little bit, qualified seventh and ran the heat. I knew the car was good and she came in a hurry,” said Ruggiero, who was crowned Orange County’s Sportsman division champion in September.
Port Colborne, Ontario invader Greg Panunte out-dragged fast time trailer and pole-sitter Rich Coons to set the early pace as the 50-lap feature took it’s first green flag under the lights. Fellow Canadian Justin Sharp slammed the wall exiting turn two to require a rare red flag and on the lap four restart Coons returned to the point as he charged around Panunte in the first corner.
Ruggiero was scored in the front-five after 10 laps with Coons pulling away from Panunte while 14 year-old Anthony Perrego ran third in the biggest race of his budding career. Ruggiero then ducked under Jimmy Spellmon for fourth and when Coons picked up the $300 bonus posted by Murphy’s Speed & Custom for leading at the halfway mark (lap 25), Ruggiero had improved one more position with his no. 4 Galati Home Improvements/TEO entry getting faster as the laps clicked off.
Panunte was the next to fall behind Ruggiero on lap 27, and a handful of laps later he was shadowing the leader with just 15 more to go. Ruggiero took the low line entering turn one and by the time he reached the second corner he had moved past Coons and just a dozen laps later was celebrating his fifth feature wi of the year in Middletown.
“I’ve raced with Richie for awhile now and I knew I couldn’t just show my nose and not get by him,” Ruggiero said. “So I had to do it that lap, that second or maybe not have the chance again. I was happy the lapped cars kinda got out of the way a little bit. Thank God for that (last) caution so we got some clean track ahead.”
“I wasn’t too convinced about these crate motors before we switched over. I have to thank Matt Hitchcock for getting me this motor and letting me use it. They’re definitely good,” Hitchcock pointed out.
Chasing Ruggiero across the line to end day #2 of the 47th Annual Eastern States Weekend at Orange County were Coons, Panunte, Bobby Hentschel and Jimmy Spellmon.
Eastern States Weekend activity continues on Sunday with a full program of DIRTcar UMP Pro Stock action, DIRTcar Big-Block Modified consolation round qualifiers and the 47th running of the Eastern States 200 Modified Championship finale. Pit gates and grandstands are slated to open at 8 am followed by the popular Race Against Drugs Pit Party that runs on the front stretch from 9:30-10:30 am.
Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Series Race #15 – Orange County Fair Speedway, October 18, 2008 Eastern States 50 Championship Event Summary
FEATURE
FIN STR CAR# DRIVER/HOMETOWN
1 7 4r Mike Ruggiero/Walden,NY
2 1 27 Rich Coons/Montgomery,NY
3 2 99p Greg Panunte/Port Colborne,ONT
4 6 4SL Bob Hentschel/Pine Bush,NY
5 3 1s Jimmy Spellmon/Butler,NJ
6 9 73 John Lieto/Mt.Kisco,NY
7 13 3 Erik Holmgren/Middletown,NY
8 14 14 Jeremy Pitcher/Fulton,NY
9 23 17t Todd Town/Jordan,NY
10 4 18 Anthony Perrego/Montgomery,NY
11 5 27v Frank Venezia/Fairfield,NJ
12 8 52 James Friesen/St.Catharines,ONT
13 17 98 Kevin Ward/Hyde Park,NY
14 11 33 Matt Hitchcock/Stony Point,NY
15 10 51 Cody McPherson/St.Catharines,ONT
16 18 55 Matt Hulsizer/Bridgeport,NY
17 21 7 Kyle Cicio/Wantage,NJ
18 30 19w Justin Wright/Piffard,NY
19 24 50x Sam Dwy/Pawling,NY
20 26 08 Mark D'Ilario/Smithville,ONT
21 29 6cv C.V. Elms/North Haverhill,NH
22 27 44x Shane Jablonka/Stanfordville,NY
23 22 6 Mat Williamson/St.Catharines,ONT
24 28 72 Ray Woodall Jr./Easton,PA
25 19 85 John Pietrowicz/Phoenix,NY
26 12 01 Chris Raabe/Napanee,ONT
27 16 17m Mark Olmstead Jr./Elbridge,NY
28 20 777 Tyler McPherson/St.Catharines,ONT
29 15 37j Matt Janiak/Warwick,NY
30 25 8s Justin Sharp/St.Catharines,ONT
EVENT SUMMARY:
LAP LEADERS: Panunte (1-3), Coons (4-38), Ruggiero (39-50).
CAUTIONS: 6 (lap 5, lap 17, lap 43, lap 43, lap 45, lap 46); 1 RED FLAG (lap 3).
MURPHY'S SPEED & CUSTOM HALFWAY LEADER ($300): Rich Coons.
HOLLEY HARD LUCK: Chris Raabe.
HEAT WINNERS: Ruggiero, Friesen, Lieto, C.McPherson, Hitchcock.
CONSI WINNERS: Williamson, Town.
POLE WINNER: Rich Coons (22.574sec/99.672mph).
OUTSIDE-POLE WINNER: Greg Panunte (22.615sec/99.491mph).
CARS ENTERED: 57.
QUALIFYING
TIME TRIALS
FAST AVE
TIME MPH CAR# DRIVER
1 22.574 99.672 27 Rich Coons/Montgomery,NY
$125 – Pole Award
2 22.615 99.491 99p Greg Panunte/Port Colborne,ONT
$75 – Outside Pole Award
3 22.702 99.110 1s Jimmy Spellmon/Butler,NJ
4 22.708 99.084 18 Anthony Perrego/Montgomery,NY
5 22.757 98.871 27v Frank Venezia/Fairfield,NJ
6 22.763 98.845 4SL Bob Hentschel/Pine Bush,NY
7 22.843 98.498 4r Mike Ruggiero/Walden,NY
8 22.864 98.408 52 James Friesen/St.Catharines,ONT
9 22.874 98.365 73 John Lieto/Mt.Kisco,NY
10 22.907 98.223 37j Matt Janiak/Warwick,NY
11 22.934 98.108 33 Matt Hitchcock/Stony Point,NY
12 22.987 97.881 01 Chris Raabe/Napanee,ONT
13 23.029 97.703 3 Erik Holmgren/Middletown,NY
14 23.112 97.352 14 Jeremy Pitcher/Fulton,NY
15 23.126 97.293 51 Cody McPherson/St.Catharines,ONT
16 23.141 97.230 7 Kyle Cicio/Wantage,NJ
17 23.145 97.213 98 Kevin Ward/Hyde Park,NY
18 23.150 97.192 2x Ed Burgess/Wallkill,NY
23.150 97.192 55 Matt Hulsizer/Bridgeport,NY
20 23.158 97.159 777 Tyler McPherson/St.Catharines,ONT
21 23.184 97.050 17m Mark Olmstead Jr./Elbridge,NY
22 23.193 97.012 424 Jake Schlagel/Wanaque,NJ
23 23.202 96.974 17t Todd Town/Jordan,NY
24 23.212 96.933 6 Mat Williamson/St.Catharines,ONT
25 23.243 96.803 8s Justin Sharp/St.Catharines,ONT
26 23.274 96.674 38 John Aumick/Highland Lakes,NJ
27 23.293 96.596 50x Sam Dwy/Pawling,NY
28 23.321 96.480 08 Mark D'Ilario/Smithville,ONT
23.321 96.480 13 Al Archiere/Newtown,CT
30 23.343 96.389 11 Ben Wheeler/Genoa,NY
31 23.360 96.318 7L Mel Lewis/Maybrook,NY
32 23.394 96.179 111 Art Liedl/Flemington,NJ
33 23.396 96.170 88 Dion Naples/Bloomingdale,NJ
34 23.437 96.002 72 Ray Woodall Jr./Easton,PA
23.437 96.002 85 John Pietrowicz/Phoenix,NY
36 23.441 95.986 97 Steve Savoie/Acton Vale,QUE
37 23.453 95.937 44x Shane Jablonka/Stanfordville,NY
38 23.470 95.867 12k Kenny Hinsch/Pleasant Valley,NY
39 23.477 95.838 6cv C.V. Elms/North Haverhill,NH
40 23.511 95.700 69k Ken Boniface/Pine Bush,NY
41 23.520 95.663 1 John Odendahl/Pine Bush,NY
42 23.587 95.392 h2o Danny Hedges/Harriman,NY
43 23.627 95.230 19w Justin Wright/Piffard,NY
44 23.635 95.198 706 Mark Sasso/Highland Lakes,NJ
45 23.682 95.009 17f Alan Fink/Pennellville,NY
46 23.717 94.869 12 Dave Hinsch/Pleasant Valley,NY
47 23.819 94.462 213 Mike VanTassel/Hamburg,NJ
48 23.889 94.186 69 Tyler Boniface/Pine Bush,NY
49 23.921 94.060 93b Brian Papiez/Bellemead,NJ
50 24.514 91.784 93j Randy Davis/Voorheesville,NY
51 24.532 91.717 1a John Alimurat/Haskell,NJ
52 24.802 90.718 44 Tony Suozzo/New Paltz,NY
53 25.152 89.456 12x A.J. Williams/Port Jervis,NY
54 25.395 88.600 17 Marcus Dinkins/Watkins Glen,NY
55 -NT- ----- 17k Brian Krummel/Middletown,NY
56 -NT- ----- j73 Joe Conklin/Warwick,NY
57 -NT- ----- 827 John Harnage/Smithtown,NY
*Top-6 locked into feature race starting positions.
- 57 Entries.
Heat Races (8 laps, top-3 transferred to feature)
#1: Ruggiero, Raabe, Ward, Dwy, Jablonka, Hedges, Liedl, VanTassel, Suozzo, Schlagel.
#2: Friesen, Holmgren, Hulsizer, Town, D’Ilario, Naples, Wright, K.Hinsch, T.Boniface, Williams.
#3: Lieto, Pitcher, Pietrowicz, Williamson, Elms, Papiez, Sasso, Burgess, Archiere, Dinkins.
#4: C.McPherson, Janiak, T.McPherson, Sharp, Woodall, Wheeler, Fink, K.Boniface, Davis.
#5: Hitchcock, Olmstead, Cicio, Lewis, Odendahl, Conklin, D.Hinsch, Savoie, Aumick, Krummel, Alimurat (DNS).
Consolation Round (8 laps, top 4 finishers transferred to feature)
#1: Williamson, Dwy, D’Ilario, Woodall, Fink, Hedges, VanTassel, Conklin, Wright, Savoie, T.Boniface, Dinkins, Lewis, Papiez, Burgess, Davis (DNS), Schlagel (DNS).
#2: Town, Sharp, Jablonka, Elms, Liedl, Wheeler, Williams, Suozzo, Alimurat, K.Boniface, Naples, Sasso, Odendahl, D.Hibsch, K.Hinsch, Archiere (DNS), Aumick (DNS), Krummel (DNS).
Guaranteed: Wright.
DID NOT QUALIFY (27)
1-John Odendahl/Pine Bush,NY
1a-John Alimurat/Haskell,NJ
2x-Ed Burgess/Wallkill,NY
h2o-Danny Hedges/Harriman,NY
7L-Mel Lewis/Maybrook,NY
11-Ben Wheeler/Genoa,NY
12-Dave Hinsch/Pleasant Valley,NY
12k-Kenny Hinsch/Pleasant Valley,NY
12x-A.J. Williams/Port Jervis,NY
13-Al Archiere/Newtown,CT
17-Marcus Dinkins/Watkins Glen,NY
17f-Alan Fink/Pennellville,NY
17k-Brian Krummel/Middletown,NY
38-John Aumick/Highland Lakes,NJ
44-Tony Suozzo/New Paltz,NY
69-Tyler Boniface/Pine Bush,NY
69k-Ken Boniface/Pine Bush,NY
j73-Joe Conklin/Warwick,NY
88-Dion Naples/Bloomingdale,NJ
93b-Brian Papiez/Bellemead,NJ
93j-Randy Davis/Voorheesville,NY
97-Steve Savoie/Acton Vale,QUE
111-Art Liedl/Flemington,NJ
213-Mike VanTassel/Hamburg,NJ
424-Jake Schlagel/Wanaque,NJ
706-Mark Sasso/Highland Lakes,NJ
827-John Harnage/Smithtown,NY
Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Series Point Standings (Through Oct. 18, 2008)
1. Chris Raabe 1,304
2. Greg Panunte 1,258
3. Mark D'Ilario 1,232
4. Jeremy Pitcher 1,188
5. Tyler McPherson 1,158
6. Mat Williamson 1,153
7. John Pietrowicz 1,148
8. Mike Bowman 1,106
9. Justin Wright 1,091
10. James Friesen 1,061
FINAL EVENT: The 19th Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Championship Series comes to a close on Saturday, October 25 as Can-Am Motorsports Park hosts the F.X. Caprara Car Companies 30. A finish of 13th or better at Can-Am locks up the coveted Mr. DIRTcar title for teenager Chris Raabe, yet if points runner-up Greg Panunte wins at Can-Am and Raabe is forced to settle for 14th-place then Panunte would steal away the trophy by two markers.
2008 Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Championship Series Schedule
*All events subject to change.
DAY-DATE LAPS TRACK LOCATION/WINNER
Sat-Apr 5 50 Black Rock Speedway Larry Wight
Mon-May 26 30 Rolling Wheels Raceway Dan Wiesner
Thr-Jul 3 20 Rolling Wheels Raceway Mark D’Ilario
Thr-Jul 3 20 Rolling Wheels Raceway Todd Town
Fri-Jul 4 30 Brewerton Speedway Chris Hile
Thr-Jul 10 30 Brockville Ont. Speedway Chris Raabe
Mon-Sep 1 30 Rolling Wheels Raceway Mike Ruggiero
Sat-Sep 6 50 Merrittville Speedway Brad Rouse
Fri-Sep 12 50 Ransomville Speedway Rain-Cancelled
Sat-Sep 13 30 Genesee Speedway Rain-Cancelled
Fri-Sep 19 50 Humberstone Speedway Greg Panunte
Sat-Sep 20 45 Canandaigua Speedway Kevin Ridley
Sat-Sep 27 30 Rolling Wheels Raceway Greg Panunte
Fri-Oct 4 30 Fulton Speedway Jeremy Wilder
Fri-Oct 10 30 Rolling Wheels Raceway Steve Gray
Sat-Oct 11 30 New York State Fairgrounds Erick Rudolph
Sat-Oct 18 50 Orange Co. Fair Speedway Mike Ruggiero
Sat-Oct 25 30 Can-Am Motorsports Park LaFargeville,NY
2008 EASTERN STATES WEEKEND EVENTS SCHEDULE
*All times/events subject to change.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19
Pit Gates & Grandstand Gates open, 8:00 am;
Race Against Drugs Eastern States Pit Party, 9:30-10:30 am;
Pro Stock Hot Laps, 11:00 am;
Big-Block Modified Hot Laps;
Pro Stock heat races, 12noon;
Big-Block Modified consolation races-2 (8 more qualify), 12:30 pm;
Pro Stock consolation race, 12:50 pm
Big-Block Modified consolation races-2 (8 more qualify), 1:00 pm;
Eastern States 25, Mr. DIRTcar Pro Stock Championship Series event, 1:30 pm;
47th Eastern States 200, Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series event (44 cars to start), 2:30 pm.
-end-
WOODHULL RACEWAY WINDS UP 2008 SEASON WITH ONE NEW WINNER AND SEVERAL FAMILIAR FACES IN VICTORY LANE.
(Woodhull, NY) On a cold and blustery Saturday evening, the Woodhull Raceway capped off its longest race season it the tracks 44 year history. Having opened the year in mid-April the 28 event schedule was by far the most races ever run on the high banked one-third of a mile clay oval. Roger Williams, veteran Woodhull Raceway competitor and grandson of Woodhull’s founding father, George Williams has used the post season to bounce back and forth from the Open Sportsman to the 358 Modifieds back to the Open Sportsman. In both classes he has shown great consistency in running at or near the top in each special event. With numerous runner-up and top five feature finishes everyone knew it was just a matter of time before “Rocket Roger” would find victory lane. At the start of the 35 lap season finale for the S&W Awards and Photos Open Sportsman Division, Williams wasted little time and asserting himself to the top of the running order. Very few cautions slowed the event, however an early feature altercation involving Donnie Lawson and Dale Welty put the pair of Williams top rivals on the trailer for the night. From that point on all Williams had to do was keep his nose clean and hold off a late race rally by new comer, Jeff Crambo who nearly passed Williams coming to the checkered flag. For Williams it was a popular win as he had been shut out of victory lane for several years and for Crambo it must have seemed like a win having tamed the high banked oval in only his first ever trip. Ray Bliss drove his usually steady race to claim third at the checkered followed by Steve Watson, Scott Brown, Bob Buono, Bill Spoonhower, Frank Kline, Zach Sutton and Chris Silvers. Qualifying heats went to Brown and Williams.
The NAPA 360 Late Model Division had some great events over the course of the 2008 season. They also had their of struggles and this week was definitely an off night for the full fendered brigade as ten cautions and one long red flag period slowed the pace. The racing at the top of the field was tremendous throughout the entire 35 lap grind; however numerous spins and a 30 minute delay red flag to uncouple the hooked machines of Bruce Miller and Wayne Robertson marred any chance of this being a stellar feature event. By the time it was completed over half the original starting field was gone, but Glenn Whritenour will take them any way he can as he bolted into the lead after a fierce battle with Bob Buono Once in the lead Whritenour then opened up an insurmountable lead and withstood numerous restarts to claim the win. Jeff Chesebro who started last on the grid after qualifying heat problems was able to stay out of trouble and claimed the runner-up position at the finish followed by Mike Wonderling, Jason Knowles, John Waters, Fred Amann, Greg Young, Jason McGregor, Dan Guild and Jay McConnell. Larry Knowles, Jason Knowles and Wayne Robertson all won heat events.
The 2008 race season at Woodhull is now complete and the 2009 schedule of events is currently in the works with tentative plans posted on the track web site by January 1, 2009
WOODHULL RACEWAY RESULTS
10/18/08
Sportsman 35 lap feature: Roger Williams, Jeff Crambo, Ray Bliss Jr, Steve Watson, Scott Brown, Bob Buono, Bill Spoonhower, Frank Kline, Zack Sutton, Chris Silvers, Larry Keegan, Joe Dgien, Kreg Crooker, Tim Guild, Brandon Butler, Jamie Grammes, Tony Harris, Dale Welty, Donnie Lawson
NAPA 360 Late Models 35 lap feature: Glenn Whritenour, Jeff Chesebro, Mike Wonderling, Jason Knowles, John Waters, Fred Amann, Greg Young, Jason McGregor, Dan Guild, Jay McConnell, Dale Welty, Bob Buono, Jay McConnell II, Bryce Davis, Joe Buck, Larry Knowles, Wally Wade, Robert Stilson, Ron Baker, Bob Babbitt, Jeremy Wonderling, Bruce Miller, Wayne Robertson, Brandon Smith
Gray Earns Thrilling Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Series Win At Rolling Wheels
Elbridge, NY – October 10, 2008 – By Chris Dolack, DIRTcar VP Public Relations
Steve Gray and Mark D’Ilario waged an epic duel for 30 laps on Friday night at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park.
The sixth caution of the Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman event set up a thrilling two-lap sprint to the checkered flag. Gray charged hard into the first corner on the final restart, D’Ilario stayed with him. The two pulled away from the field, Gray’s momentum carried him high into the second corner, D’Ilario powered through a groove lower. They shot down the backstretch nose-to-tail and repeated the same line on the final lap. D’Ilario looked for any chance to pounce. Gray was near perfect, driving it into the corners so hard D’Ilario had no chance to get a wheel under him. They came off the final corner and rolled to the checkered flag, with Gray ahead by three tenths of a second for his first Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman victory at the 5/8-mile oval in Elbridge, N.Y.
“I expected him to be right there,” said Gray, of Rushville, N.Y. “When I came across the line with one to go I could have swore I heard him right behind me. If I hadn’t got him on that restart I think he would have pulled away and the race would have been his. I think whoever got out front first was going to get it. The kid is a great driver.”
The two started on the front row, with Gray grabbing the initial lead before D’Ilario charged to the front on a restart with two laps complete. On another restart with five laps down, Gray went back in front and held off D’Ilario to the finish.
“I was hard on the wheel the whole race, real close the whole time, but I just couldn’t get the momentum to go by him,” said D’Ilario, of Smithville, Ontario. “I was counting on another double-file restart to try to get by him on the outside like I had done earlier. A little bit of a different gear change and I think we would have had him coming off the corner.”
Gray clearly was excited to be in victory lane after such a dramatic victory in front of a huge crowd.
“It’s awesome to win here,” he said. “I was pushing extremely hard. I didn’t want to let up the slightest bit. I thought for sure he was going to be right there. I was almost flat-footing it all the way around here. This is my first win here at Rolling Wheels so it really comes as a surprise. Mark is wicked fast and he runs an awesome line. It was a crazy one. Restarts were really critical. If I didn’t get the jump on him he was going to be out front.”
Matt Williamson, Jim LaRock and Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Series leader Chris Raabe rounded out the top five. Raabe used those six cautions and some hard driving to advance from 11th on the grid to a top five that not only strengthened his position atop the Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman championship standings but also should be good enough to clinch the Rolling Wheels Raceway Sportsman crown.
Following Saturday’s event at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, the next event in the Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Championship Series is slated for Friday, Oct. 17, at Thunder Mountain Speedway in Center Lisle, N.Y.
Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Championship Series Race #13 – Rolling Wheels Raceway; October 10, 2008; “Super DIRT Week 30” Event Summary
Feature
FIN STR CAR# DRIVER
1 1 1F Steve Gray/Rushville, NY
2 2 08 Mark D’Ilario/Smithville, ONT
3 6 6 Matt Williamson/St. Catharines, ONT
4 7 58L Jim LaRock/Seneca Falls, NY
5 11 01 Chris Raabe/Napanee, ONT
6 4 38s Chris Susice/Ransomville, NY
7 8 5 Don Spatorico/Ransomville, NY
8 5 18 Brad Rouse/St. Catharines, ONT
9 20 0 Jipp Ortiz/Ransomville, NY
10 3 JV1 Jim Spano/Skaneateles, NY
11 16 54x Jeremy Pitcher/Fulton, NY
12 99p Greg Panunte/Port Colborne, ONT
13 21 24 Brandon Sweet/Watertown, NY
14 25 85 John Pietrowicz/Phoenix, NY
15 19 67G Eric Gugiere/Waterloo, NY
16 22 777 Tyler MacPherson/St. Catharines, NY
17 71 Mike Bowman/St. Catharines, NY
18 18 3k A.J. Kingsley/Fulton, NY
19 17D Tom Juhl/Weedsport, NY
20 9 6R Nate Reynolds/Newfane, NY
21 10 85H Robert Humphreys/Elbridge, NY
22 26 90 Ken Bearup/Redwood, NY
23 12 4SL Bob Hentschel/Pine Bush, NY
24 17 21J Jimmy Johnstone/Niagara-on-the-Lake, ONT
25 11J Justin Wright/Piffard, NY
26 14 11X Anthony Fiorentino/Watertown, NY
27 24 26h Luke Carleton/Port Colborne, NY
28 23 52 James Friesen/St. Catharines, ONT
29 17 2L Loren Lincoln/South Bristol, NY
30 13 M1 Dave Marcuccilli/Cayuga, NY
31 172 Bryan Davis/Voorheesville, NY
EVENT SUMMARY
LAP LEADERS: Gray (1-2, 6-30), D'lario (3-5).
CAUTIONS: 6 (lap 2, lap 4, lap 6, lap 10, lap 16, lap 28).
HEAT WINNERS: Spatorico, Spano, D’Ilario, Gray and Rouse.
CONSI WINNERS: Sweet, MacPherson.
CARS ENTERED: 50.
NEXT EVENTS: New York State Fairgrounds, Syracuse, N.Y., Saturday, Oct. 11.Thunder Mountain Speedway Center, Lisle, N.Y., Friday, Oct. 17.
2008 Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Championship Series Schedule
*All events subject to change.
DAY-DATE LAPS TRACK LOCATION/WINNER
Sat-Apr 5 50 Black Rock Speedway Larry Wight
Mon-May 26 30 Rolling Wheels Raceway Dan Wiesner
Thr-Jul 3 20 Rolling Wheels Raceway Mark D’Ilario
Thr-Jul 3 20 Rolling Wheels Raceway Todd Town
Fri-Jul 4 30 Brewerton Speedway Chris Hile
Thr-Jul 10 30 Brockville Ont. Speedway Chris Raabe
Mon-Sep 1 30 Rolling Wheels Raceway Mike Ruggiero
Sat-Sep 6 50 Merrittville Speedway Brad Rouse
Fri-Sep 12 50 Ransomville Speedway Rain-Cancelled
Sat-Sep 13 30 Genesee Speedway Rain-Cancelled
Fri-Sep 19 50 Humberstone Speedway Greg Panunte
Sat-Sep 20 45 Canandaigua Speedway Kevin Ridley
Sat-Sep 27 30 Rolling Wheels Raceway G. Panunte/Sammy Reakes IV
Fri-Oct 4 30 Fulton Speedway Jeremy Wilder
Wed-Oct 8 30 Can-Am Motorsports Park Rain
Fri-Oct 10 30 Rolling Wheels Raceway Steve Gray
Sat-Oct 11 30 N.Y. State Fairgrounds Syracuse, NY
Fri-Oct 17 40 Thunder Mountain Speedway Center Lisle, NY
Sat-Oct 18 50 Orange Co. Fair Speedway Middletown, NY
-end-
Rookie Rudolph Races To SDW Town Mechanical 30 Sportsman Riches
Syracuse, NY – October 11, 2008 – By Dave Medler, DIRTcar Racing NorthEast Series Correspondent
High School Honor Roll student and third-generation racer Erick Rudolph out of Ransomville, New York had never turned a lap at the Syracuse Mile coming into Super DIRT Week XXXVII. By time he left he turned in one of the most dominating performances ever seen in the Town Mechanical 30-lap Hoosier Tire Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Series event. The win was worth $4,000 and Rudolph padded his pocket by claiming Blue Moon Potatoes Rookie of the Race and Dig Safely New York Halfway Race Leader bonuses.
Rudolph took advantage of a miscue by early leader Matt Hulsizer coming out of turn four to complete lap five to forge the lone lead change. From there, even with a pair of caution periods and lapped traffic, Rudolph, in the Jipp Ortiz-owned no. 0 Pizza Logs-Lee-Heil-Ed’s Garage entry, put the car in overdrive winning by a half-mile at the checkers.
"That was amazing, I never expected this," said the excited Rudolph. “I really have to thank Jipp (Ortiz) for putting me in his car. The crew worked their butts off all week to get this car ready, I can’t thank them enough."
Fellow race rookie Hulsizer out-raced pole-sitter and 2007 TWI Super DIRT Week champion Sammy Reakes IV to the first turn to lead the opening lap of the 30-mile grind. Rudolph also slipped by Reakes and set his sights on Hulsizer by the time one lap was completed.
With three in the books, Hulsizer and Rudolph ran nose-to-tail, opening a two-second lead on the rest of the field. Reakes ran alone in third while Kevin Ridley and Mike Ruggiero fought it out in the top-five.
With Hulsizer running a steady pace and Rudolph in tow, the Street Wise No.55 of the runner-up suddenly exited turn four and got into the cinders losing traction as Hulsizer slid up the track. That was all Rudolph needed as he blasted by to be scored the leader on lap five.
By lap 10 Rudolph had opened up a full straightaway lead on the "Moody Mile" as Hulsizer and Ridley contested bumper-to-bumper and side-by-side for the runner-up spot. Reakes, Mike Ruggiero and Mark D’Ilario waged their own battle in the front-five.
At the halfway point, lap 15, Rudolph was making easy work out of lapped traffic while cruising out front by 3.0-seconds. Hulsizer and Ridley were still having a tight race for second with Ruggiero right there lap after lap. On lap 17 Ruggiero made contact with the back straight wall bringing out the first yellow of the race.
On the restart, James Friesen got into John McAuliffe’s mount going into turn one and the contact turned McAuliffe, forcing him into the turn one outside wall hard which resulted in heavy damage to his machine.
When the green came back out, Rudolph sprinted away to open up a 1.5 second lead on the field. Hulsizer and Ridley resumed their battle with D’Ilario still in the hunt.
With starter Dave Farney showing the field the 10 to go sign, Rudolph was on the hammer opening up the biggest lead during the race. Hulsizer was able to open some distance on Ridley for second as D’Ilario and Reakes ran a distant fourth and fifth.
On lap 22 Ridley closed the distance on Hulsizer, setting up on his back bumper and making this the tightest battle at the front of the pack. Three laps later Rudolph was cruising all alone on the track with his motor running almost wide-open even in the tricky and narrow Syracuse turns.
With four to go trouble suddenly struck current Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Series points leader Chris Raabe as he pulled his car onto the cinder track on the back straight and out of harms way. Raabe would be scored with a 21st-place finish.
With no yellows the rest of the way to tighten up the field, Rudolph was first under the checkers winning by almost a half a mile (13 seconds) at the finish. Hulsizer, Ridley, D’Ilario and Reakes complete dthe top five. The second five included Mat Williamson, Todd Town, Eric Gugiere, Ryan Forte and Corey Anderson. Rookie of the race Jean Boissonneault came home 11th after the Frenchman rallied from 30th on the original 32-car grid.
"My dad (Charlie Rudolph, 1986r Mr. DIRT Big-Block Champion) is such a big influence on my life both on the track and off,” added Rudolph, after a most successful maiden voyage on the Moody Mile. “I’m so glad he could be here to see this.”
Round number 15 of the Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Championship Series is slated for Thunder Mountain Speedway on October 17 before teams close out the trail the next night in the Eastern States finale at Orange County Fair Speedway.
Hoosier Tire Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Series Race #14 – New York State Fairgrounds, Oct. 11, 20011 “Town Mechanical Inc. Super DIRT Week Sportsman Championship” Event Summary
FIN STR CAR# DRIVER
1 3 0 Erick Rudolph/Ransomville,NY®
2 2 55 Matt Hulsizer/Bridgeport,NY®
3 5 20X Kevin Ridley/Penn Yan,NY
4 6 08 Mark D'Ilario/Smithville,ONT
5 1 17K Sammy Reakes IV/Fulton,NY
6 8 6 Mat Williamson/St.Catharines,ONT®
7 7 17T Todd Town/Jordan,NY
8 10 67G Eric Giguere/Waterloo,NY®
9 9 B40 Ryan Forte/Blue Anchor,NJ®
10 21 96 Corey Andersen/Mullica Hill,NJ®
11 30 61X Jean Boissonneault/Granby,QUE®
12 17 44 John McClelland/Martinsville,NJ
13 15 17M Mark Olmstead Jr./Elbridge,NY®
14 25 10 Tim Currier/Auburn,NY
15 20 85 John Pietrowicz Jr./Phoenix,NY®
16 28 99$ Anthony Rizzardo/Jordan Station,ONT®
17 12 52 James Friesen/St.Catharines,ONT®
18 11 16A Aaron Jacobs/Frankfort,NY®
19 19 44V John Venuto/Elba,NY®
20 23 05 Anthony Marro/Saratoga Springs,NY®
21 18 01 Chris Raabe/Napanee,ONT®
22 24 2K Rob Knapp/St.Catharines,ONT
23 13 23 John McAuliffe/Ballston Lake,NY
24 4 4R Mike Ruggiero/Newburgh,NY®
25 31 18R Brad Rouse/St.Catharines,ONT®
26 32 19W Justin Wright/Piffard,NY®
27 14 71 Mike Bowman/St.Catharines,ONT®
28 29 29G Steve Gray/Middlesex,NY
29 22 3P Greg Panunte/Port Colborne,ONT
30 27 777 Tyler McPherson/St.Catharines,ONT
31 16 14P Jeremy Pitcher/Fulton,NY
32 26 7 Gino Postrivo/Mantua,NJ®
DNS 33 18H Todd Henderson/Canandaigua,NY
EVENT SUMMARY:
LAP LEADERS: Hulsizer (1-4), Rudolph (5-30).
CAUTIONS: 2 (lap 17, lap 17).
ELAPSED TIME: 30 mins. 36 secs.
AVERAGE SPEED: 58.808 mph
MARGIN OF VICTORY: 13.027 secs.
ROOKIE OF THE RACE: Erick Rudolph.
HALFWAY LEADER: Erick Rudolph.
HARD CHARGER: Jean Boissonneault.
BEST APPEARING CAR: #17T - Town Town.
NYSSCA 'TOP MEMBER' AWARD: Aaron Jacobs.
HARD LUCK AWARD: John McAuliffe.
P&M FABRICATION POLE WINNER: Sammy Reakes IV (33.508 sec/107.437 mph).
MOTORSPORTS SAFETY SYSTEMS OUTSIDE POLE WINNER: Matt Hulsizer (33.639 sec/107.437 mph).
DIG SAFELY NEW YORK LAST CHANCE QUALIFIERS: Tim Currier, Gino Postrivo.
RACE ROOKIES®: 20.
CARS ENTERED: 56.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Action during the 19th Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Series continues in October with the final two races scheduled back-to-back at Thunder Mountain Speedway and Orange County Fair Speedway, Friday, Oct. 17 and Saturday, Oct. 18.
2008 Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Championship Series Schedule
*All events subject to change.
DAY-DATE LAPS TRACK LOCATION/WINNER
Sat-Apr 5 50 Black Rock Speedway Larry Wight
Mon-May 26 30 Rolling Wheels Raceway Dan Wiesner
Thr-Jul 3 20 Rolling Wheels Raceway Mark D’Ilario
Thr-Jul 3 20 Rolling Wheels Raceway Todd Town
Fri-Jul 4 30 Brewerton Speedway Chris Hile
Thr-Jul 10 30 Brockville Ont. Speedway Chris Raabe
Mon-Sep 1 30 Rolling Wheels Raceway Mike Ruggiero
Sat-Sep 6 50 Merrittville Speedway Brad Rouse
Fri-Sep 12 50 Ransomville Speedway Rain-Cancelled
Sat-Sep 13 30 Genesee Speedway Rain-Cancelled
Fri-Sep 19 50 Humberstone Speedway Greg Panunte
Sat-Sep 20 45 Canandaigua Speedway Kevin Ridley
Sat-Sep 27 30 Rolling Wheels Raceway Greg Panunte
Fri-Oct 4 30 Fulton Speedway Jeremy Wilder
Wed-Oct 8 30 Can-Am Motorsports Park Rain
Fri-Oct 10 30 Rolling Wheels Raceway Steve Gray
Sat-Oct 11 30 New York State Fairgrounds Erick Rudolph
Fri-Oct 17 40 Thunder Mountain Speedway Center Lisle,NY
Sat-Oct 18 50 Orange Co. Fair Speedway Middletown,NY
-end-
Reakes Starts Where He Left Off With Fastest SDW Sportsman Qualifying
SUPER DIRT WEEK XXXVII SPORTSMAN TIME TRIALS
FAST AVE
TIME MPH CAR# DRIVER
1 33.508 107.437 17K Sammy Reakes IV/Fulton,NY
$500 - P & M Fabrication Pole
2 33.639 107.019 55 Matt Hulsizer/Bridgeport,NY
$250 - Motorsports Safety Systems Outside Pole
3 33.645 107.000 0 Eric Rudolph/Ransomville,NY
4 33.655 106.968 4R Mike Ruggiero/Newburgh,NY
5 33.798 106.515 20X Kevin Ridley/Penn Yan,NY
6 33.963 105.998 08 Mark D'Ilario/Smithville,ONT
7 34.010 105.851 17T Todd Town/Jordan,NY
8 34.052 105.721 6 Mat Williamson/St.Catharines,ONT
9 34.078 105.640 B40 Ryan Forte/Blue Anchor,NJ
10 34.099 105.575 67G Eric Giguere/Waterloo,NY
11 34.152 105.411 16A Aaron Jacobs/Frankfort,NY
12 34.153 105.408 23 John McAuliffe/Ballston Lake,NY
34.153 105.408 52 James Friesen/St.Catharines,ONT
14 34.166 105.368 71 Mike Bowman/St.Catharines,ONT
15 34.172 105.349 17M Mark Olmstead Jr./Elbridge,NY
16 34.298 104.962 14P Jeremy Pitcher/Fulton,NY
17 34.328 104.871 44 John McClelland/Martinsville,NJ
18 34.343 104.825 01 Chris Raabe/Napanee,ONT
19 34.356 104.785 44V John Venuto/Elba,NY
20 34.392 104.676 85 John Pietrowicz Jr./Phoenix,NY
21 34.394 104.669 96 Corey Andersen/Mullica Hill,NJ
22 34.396 104.663 3P Greg Panunte/Port Colborne,ONT
23 34.401 104.648 05 Anthony Marro/Saratoga Springs,NY
24 34.409 104.624 2K Rob Knapp/St.Catharines,ONT
25 34.411 104.618 777 Tyler McPherson/St.Catharines,ONT
26 34.440 104.530 7 Gino Postrivo/Mantua,NJ
27 34.450 104.499 88 Phil LaVare/Clifton Springs,NY
28 34.472 104.433 99$ Anthony Rizzardo/Jordan,ONT
29 34.480 104.408 10 Tim Currier/Auburn,NY
30 34.522 104.281 10 Dean Patterson/Watertown,NY
31 34.531 104.254 51 Cody McPherson/St.Catharines,ONT
32 34.596 104.058 61X Jean Boissonneault/Granby,QUE
33 34.712 103.711 74 Matt Billings/Brockville,ONT
34 34.781 103.505 14 Scott Duell/Ballston Spa,NY
35 34.809 103.422 1/64th Andy Miller/Orwigsburg,PA
36 34.814 103.407 33 Matt Hitchcock/Stony Point,NY
37 34.826 103.371 22Z Zach Amo/Ogdensburg,NY
38 34.932 103.057 MR18 Brad Rouse/St.Catharines,ONT
39 35.026 102.781 2 Matt Smith/Canandaigua,NY
40 35.091 102.590 18H Todd Henderson/Canandaigua,NY
41 35.164 102.377 29G Steve Gray/Middlesex,NY
42 35.216 102.226 11M Christine Martin/Wellesley Island,NY
43 35.331 101.894 24 Brandon Sweet/Watertown,NY
44 35.338 101.873 4SL Bob Hentschel/Pine Bush,NY
45 35.348 101.845 M1 David Marcuccilli/Cayuga,NY
46 35.530 101.323 28W Sandy Pembleton/Lewiston,NY
47 35.541 101.291 84 Richard Quick/Scotia,NY
48 35.745 100.713 81 Shawn Cassidy/Bethel,VT
49 35.763 100.663 4 Daryl Hilkert/Middlesex,NY
50 35.829 100.477 11J Alan Fink/Pennellville,NY
51 36.230 99.365 20 Jack Gentile/Ballston Lake,NY
52 36.895 97.574 93J Randy Davis/Voorheesville,NY
53 38.505 93.494 44 Rick McCready/Watertown,NY
54 -NT- ----- 17 Marcus Dinkins/Watkins Glen,NY
55 -NT- ----- 19W Justin Wright/Piffard,NY
56 -NT- ----- 26 Derrick McGrew/Ballston Spa,NY
*Top-24 locked into front 12 rows; 56 Cars Entered.
