Decker Dominates To Score 3rd Advance Auto Parts Super Series Win In DIRT's Return To Orange County.
Thu - July 13, 2006 -- Orange Co. Fair Speedway
Middletown, NY
Author: Tom Skibinski, DIRT NorthEast PR Director
From start to finish it was Billy Decker dominating the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series show Thursday night at Orange County Fair Speedway, closing out the 34th Cedar Ridge RV Center 100 Modified main event with a flag-to-flag victory on the Middletown ‘Hard Clay.’ Decker opened the program by besting the field of 54 open-wheel entries with a time of 21.697 sec. (103.701 mph) around the historic 5/8-miler to earn the Integra Shocks Fast Time Award then led all 100 laps en route to his second career AAP Super DIRT Series triumph at Orange County.
“This is easily the best car we’ve ever had at Orange County,” said Decker, 41, following his 35th career Advance Auto Parts SDS victory with his first OCFS tour win registered in the 1998 Eastern States 200. “We had good rhythm tonight and the car showed real good balance. John (Wight, owner) gives us the equipment and the crew makes everything work on race day. Tonight the traffic was fairly cordial and that was a big help getting around clean throughout the race.”
Weekly rival Tim Fuller created the only blemish on Decker’s otherwise perfect scorecard as he copped the first of six qualifying heats one spot ahead. Yet in the customary pre-race draw among top heat finishers, the Unadilla, N.Y. veteran selected the outside-pole. Decker then out-dragged front row partner Alan Johnson on the initial green to set the early pace, one he would maintain the entire race. “I don’t think Alan ran me too hard in the beginning, he’s one of the best at saving his car for the end of these longer races. With him not running too hard that allowed me to run easier as well,” Decker said.
Only three caution periods slowed the action with Johnson able to close the gap from as far back as 4-seconds in the early stages to less than a second in traffic over the final 10 laps. At the start Decker rolled out to a 10 car-length lead steering Wight’s potent Enders-powered no. 91 Gypsum Wholesalers-Stadium Int’l-Quality Hardwoods/Bicknell machine. Orange County past champion Chuck McKee and semi-regular Butch Tittle tangled exiting turn two to force out the first yellow flag. On the ensuing restart Middletown mainstay Jeremy Markle ended up sideways in the second corner to send caution lights flashing around the speedway. Back under green Decker regained his big advantage and reached traffic with a quarter of the race over.
The top-five runners settled into position up to the halfway mark with Decker and Johnson continuing to lead pre-race favorite Brett Hearn, Fuller and Mitch Gibbs. The biggest mover on the day looking to contend for the title was Jeff Heotzler, who started 11th on the 30-car grid and had rallied the no. 66 Atlas Paving-Behrent’s Performance Warehouse/Bicknell entry toward the front-five with 50-laps still to go. Heotzler twice swapped the fifth position with Gibbs on laps 60-61 before Gibbs suffered a flat right-rear tire and pulled his mount pitside for the remaining 33 laps following the third and final caution period. Of the 22 cars running, 15 remained on the lead lap with just a regular 30-lap distance left to cover.
Decker show little sign of ware in the closing stages although Johnson kept the leader in sight using lapped car traffic to offer an outside threat. The last chance came with five laps to go when Decker got bottled up behind the lapped car of Mike DePalma. But in the end all that changed was the exact margin of victory and the separation in the standings as Decker closed to within a single point of current AAP leader Johnson on the chart through 11 extra-distance races. Chasing the lead duo across the stripe were reigning overall Hoosier-Sunoco Mr. DIRT Champion Fuller and Heotzler, who ducked under track points leader Hearn on the final circuit to complete the top-five. Decker collected $6,000 after becoming the first three-time winner on the ’06 Advance Auto Parts Modified tour while the guaranteed starting berth in the Eckerd 200 Championship during Super DIRT Week XXXV, Oct. 4-8, at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse went to defending Orange County season champion Heotzler.
“Orange County is a real tough house to win in, so you gotta feel happy any time you can get away in one piece with a high finish,” added Decker, who went on to capture his lone Mr. DIRT Championship following the convincing ’98 Eastern States triumph. “We had a hard compound (tire) tonight and that seemed to do the trick. The track rubbered up a lot but there was still more than one lane open to get trough traffic when needed.”
While Decker stayed out front for the duration, Johnson clung to second all 100 laps with only eventual fifth-place runner Hearn posing a serious challenge the first half of the race. “First off I have to thank Jerry Higbie and his team for helping out after we lost the transmission in time trials,” divulged Johnson, 48, after logging his seventh top-five SDS finish aboard the no. 14j NativePoker.Com-WPC Associates,Inc.-Pine Line Auto Sales/Bicknell mount owned by Jeff Rudalavage and Tony Laughing. “His crew changed it faster than any team I’ve ever seen. We had another good car tonight, there’s nothing wrong with second especially to a guy like Billy. Jeff’s given me a competitive ride and you can’t ask for much more than to have a good chance to win every race. That’s a great position to be in and we’ll just try to keep it consistent the rest of the way.”
Drawing seventh to fill inside row four on the starting grid, Fuller was as consistent as Johnson biding his time as the laps dwindled. “It was great racing out there the first 20 laps or so and then the track locked down and you just didn’t want to get out of the groove,” said Fuller, 38, who is just 17 points behind Johnson in the Advance Auto Parts standings with his only win coming alongside Decker in the May doubleheader at Rolling Wheels. The Edwards, N.Y. pilot has registered a Series-high total of eight top-finishes driving a pair of no. 19 JL Motorsports(Native Poker)-Chiefs Tobacco&Gas-G&R Auto Parts/TEO rides. “We had a rough start at Hagerstown (finished 26th) but we’ve been bouncing back ever since and staying in the points hunt. You always want to win but running near the front is almost as good in a long series like this with points on the line. So much can happen in such a short time period so being around at the finish never hurts you in the long run,” added Fuller, who was fined 25% of his earnings following a post-race technical infraction.
Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series Race #11 – Orange County Fair Speedway, July 13, 2006 ‘Cedar Ridge RV 100’ Modified Event Summary
FIN STR CAR# DRIVER
1 2 91 Billy Decker/Unadilla,NY ($6,000)
2 1 14j Alan Johnson/Phelps,NY
3 7 19f Tim Fuller/Edwards, NY
4 11 66 Jeff Heotzler/Wallkill,NY
5 8 74 Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ
6 9 47 Jerry Higbie/Slate Hill,NY
7 3 93x Craig Mitchell/Wappingers Falls,NY
8 6 55 Gary Edwards,Jr./Bloomingburg,NY
9 12 77x Dale Planck/Cortland,NY
10 16 42p Pat Ward/Genoa,NY
11 10 33-1/3 Tommy Meier/Waldwick,NJ
12 18 44 Frank Cozze/Wind Gap,PA
13 21 27j Danny Johnson/Rochester,NY
14 29 44s Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY
15 14 8 Frank Jashembowski/Middletown,NY
16 28 1t Gary Tomkins/Clifton Springs,NY
17 27 24 Chris Shultz/Pawling,NY
18 25 98h Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY
19 26 73 Rick Mill/New Windsor,NY
20 20 118 Mike DePalma/Wallkill,NY
21 24 9 Mike Ketcham/Otisville,NY
22 17 53 Dave Franek/Wantage,NJ
23 4 22g Mitch Gibbs/North Norwich,NY
24 19 25L Rick Laubach/Quakertown,PA
25 22 19 Chuck McKee/Middletown,NY
26 23 r2z2 Butch Tittle/Saylorsburg,PA
27 13 79 Jeremy Markle/Port Jervis,NY
28 30 7x Steve Paine/Waterloo,NY
29 5 10 Rich Eurich/Warwick,NY
30 15 42 Jimmy Horton/Neshanic Station,NJ
LAP LEADER: Decker (1-100).
CAUTIONS: 3 for 4 laps.
ECKERD 200 QUALIFIER: Jeff Heotzler.
DID NOT QUALIFY(24)
OB’s-Ric Hill/Lafayette,NJ
1-Dave Werber/Brewster,NY
r2-Rusty Smith/Bethlehem,PA
6j-Joe Isabell/Pennellville,NY
6n-Drew Ricco/Bellmawr,NJ
7-Donnie Wilson/Ramsey,NJ
7j-Tom Sears,Jr./Clay,NY
7k-Kirk Horton/Eldred,NY
TEN-Randy Sherlock/Milford,PA
11-Kyle Jacobs/Hogansburg,NY
17jr.-Jeff Heotzler,Jr./Wallkill,NY
21m-Bob McGannon/Garnerville,NY
25-Mike Kolka/Middletown,NY
27-Rich Coons/Middletown,NY
32-Cliff Ehrmann/Mahwah,NJ
42b-Kevin Bates/Lake Ariel,PA
71-David VanHorn,Jr./Phillipsburg,NJ
73j-Ryan Jacobs/Hogansburg,NY
77-Jimmy Johnson/Bloomingburg,NY
88-Steve Dodd/Middletown,NY
93b-Steve Birchwale/Sussex,NJ
99-Carl Edwards/Columbia,MO
244-Chris Whitehead/Sussex,NJ
734-Jim Secor,Jr./East Fishkill,NY
QUALIFYING
FAST AVE
TIME MPH CAR# DRIVER
1 21.697 103.701 91 Billy Decker/Unadilla,NY
*$100 Integra Shocks Fast Qualifier Award
2 21.956 102.478 33-1/3 Tommy Meier/Waldwick,NJ
3 21.979 102.370 74 Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ
4 22.017 102.194 47 Jerry Higbie/Slate Hill,NY
5 22.022 102.171 66 Jeff Heotzler/Wallkill,NY
6 22.031 102.129 71 David VanHorn,Jr./Phillipsburg,NJ
7 22.072 101.939 19f Tim Fuller/Edwards, NY
8 22.075 101.925 93x Craig Mitchell/Wappingers Falls,NY
9 22.133 101.658 55 Gary Edwards,Jr./Bloomingburg,NY
10 22.134 101.654 14j Alan Johnson/Phelps,NY
11 22.137 101.640 10 Rich Eurich/Warwick,NY
12 22.139 101.631 22g Mitch Gibbs/North Norwich,NY
13 22.166 101.507 25L Rick Laubach/Quakertown,PA
14 22.170 101.488 118 Mike DePalma/Wallkill,NY
15 22.179 101.447 24 Chris Shultz/Pawling,NY
16 22.208 101.315 42p Pat Ward/Genoa,NY
22.208 101.315 53 Dave Franek/Wantage,NJ
18 22.210 101.306 73 Rick Mill/New Windsor,NY
19 22.256 101.096 79 Jeremy Markle/Port Jervis,NY
20 22.277 101.001 8 Frank Jashembowski/Middletown,NY
21 22.287 100.956 42 Jimmy Horton/Neshanic Station,NJ
22 22.288 100.951 OB’s Ric Hill/Lafayette,NJ
23 22.300 100.897 27j Danny Johnson/Rochester,NY
24 22.321 100.802 44 Frank Cozze/Wind Gap,PA
25 22.338 100.725 19 Chuck McKee/Middletown,NY
26 22.353 100.658 44s Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY
27 22.356 100.644 9 Mike Ketcham/Otisville,NY
28 22.365 100.604 244 Chris Whitehead/Sussex,NJ
29 22.371 100.577 7 Donnie Wilson/Ramsey,NJ
30 22.385 100.514 77x Dale Planck/Cortland,NY
31 22.402 100.437 98h Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY
32 22.415 100.379 7x Steve Paine/Waterloo,NY
33 22.456 100.196 6n Drew Ricco/Bellmawr,NJ
34 22.472 100.125 7j Tom Sears,Jr./Clay,NY
35 22.474 100.116 11 Kyle Jacobs/Hogansburg,NY
36 22.493 100.031 32 Cliff Ehrmann/Mahwah,NJ
37 22.511 99.951 734 Jim Secor,Jr./East Fishkill,NY
38 22.529 99.871 r2z2 Butch Tittle/Saylorsburg,PA
39 22.543 99.809 73j Ryan Jacobs/Hogansburg,NY
40 22.591 99.597 17jr. Jeff Heotzler,Jr./Wallkill,NY
41 22.665 99.272 1t Gary Tomkins/Clifton Springs,NY
42 22.669 99.254 7k Kirk Horton/Eldred,NY
43 22.689 99.167 TEN Randy Sherlock/Milford,PA
44 22.710 99.075 1 Dave Werber/Brewster,NY
45 22.822 98.589 21m Bob McGannon/Garnerville,NY
46 22.823 98.585 88 Steve Dodd/Middletown,NY
47 22.825 98.576 r2 Rusty Smith/Bethlehem,PA
48 22.831 98.550 25 Mike Kolka/Middletown,NY
49 22.845 98.490 93b Steve Birchwale/Sussex,NJ
50 22.875 98.361 99 Carl Edwards/Columbia,MO
51 22.887 98.309 42b Kevin Bates/Lake Ariel,PA
52 22.922 98.159 77 Jimmy Johnson/Bloomingburg,NY
53 23.344 96.385 27 Rich Coons/Middletown,NY
54 23.583 95.408 6j Joe Isabell/Pennellville,NY
Heat Races (8 laps, top 3 finishers transferred to feature, top 2 went to re-draw)
#1: Fuller, Decker, Markle, Laubach, McKee, Phelps, Secor, Birchwale, Sherlock (DNS).
#2: Meier, Mitchell, Jashembowski, Sheppard, DePalma, Tittle, Werber, Paine, C.Edwards.
#3: Hearn, G.Edwards, J.Horton, Ketcham, Shultz, McGannon, Ricco, Bates, R.Jacobs.
#4: A.Johnson, Higbie, Ward, Hill, Whitehead, Dodd, Sears, Ji.Johnson, Heotzler Jr. (DNS).
#5: Eurich, Heotzler, Franek, D.Johnson, K.Jacobs, Wilson, Tomkins, Smith, Coons.
#6: Planck, Gibbs, Cozze, Mill, VanHorn, K.Horton, Kolka, Ehrmann, Jo.Johnson
Consolation Round (8 laps, top 3 finishers transferred to feature)
#1: Laubach, McKee, Phelps, Dodd, Ji.Johnson, Whitehead, C.Edwards, Sears, Secor, Jo.Johnson, Hill, Birchwale (DNS).
#2: DePalma, Tittle, Mill, K.Jacobs, Wilson, Tomkins, Bates, Smith, R.Jacobs, Sheppard, Werber (DNS), Sherlock (DNS).
#3: D.Johnson, Ketcham, Shultz, Kolka, VanHorn, Ehrmann, McGannon, K.Horton, Ricco, Coons, Paine, Heotzler Jr. (DNS).
Provisionals: Tomkins, Sheppard, Paine.
Advance Auto Parts Super Series Point Standings (through July 13, 2006)
No. Driver Points Diff Money Wins Top-5 Top-10 Starts
1 14J Alan Johnson 832 0 $24,225 2 7 7 11
2 91 Billy Decker 831 (1) $19,925 3 7 8 11
3 19 Tim Fuller 815 (17) $18,100 1 8 8 11
4 42p Pat Ward 741 (91) $11,000 0 3 9 11
5 20 Brett Hearn 719 (113) $17,750 2 4 6 11
6 1 Gary Tomkins 718 (114) $15,650 0 5 7 11
7 27J Danny Johnson 688 (144) $13,100 1 1 6 11
8 98h Jimmy Phelps 669 (163) $9,700 0 2 8 11
9 44s Matt Sheppard 667 (165) $8,900 0 1 6 11
10 77x Dale Planck 630 (202) $12,675 1 2 5 10
11 44c Frank Cozze 623 (209) $6,650 0 2 4 11
12 7x Steve Paine 606 (226) $6,550 0 0 5 11
13 10 Stewart Friesen 519 (313) $3,713 0 0 2 10
14 8J Tom Sears Jr. 495 (337) $4,925 0 1 2 10
15 11 Kyle Jacobs 435 (397) $3,825 0 1 1 9
16 32c Vic Coffey 426 (406) $5,775 0 2 5 7
17 3 Justin Haers 408 (424) $3,400 0 0 2 8
18 39 Tim McCreadie 308 (524) $6,950 0 3 4 5
19 Z Butch Tittle 262 (570) $1,500 0 0 0 7
20 42 Jimmy Horton 209 (623) $6,500 1 1 1 3
21 60 Kenny Stafford 199 (633) $1,200 0 0 0 4
22 6 Pat O’Brien 195 (637) $6,500 0 2 2 2
23 3b Chad Brachmann 188 (644) $2,600 0 1 1 4
24 90r Martin Roy 156 (676) $1,050 0 0 0 3
25 73 Ryan Jacobs 155 (677) $600 0 0 0 2
26 42B Kevin Bates 152 (680) $900 0 0 0 3
27 6J Joe Isabell 151 (681) $600 0 0 0 2
28 22g Mitch Gibbs 149 (683) $663 0 0 0 4
29 99 Ryan Phelps 133 (699) $900 0 0 0 4
30 62 Todd Burley 131 (701) $1,500 0 0 1 2
31 66 Jeff Heotzler 128 (704) $300 0 1 1 3
32 14 Rick Laubach 126 (706) $300 0 0 0 3
33 33.3 Tommy Meier 120 (712) $0 0 0 0 2
34 66 Kyle Dingwall 115 (717) $800 0 0 0 2
35 21 Yan Bussiere 111 (721) $625 0 0 0 2
36 99b Chuck Bower 109 (723) $600 0 0 0 2
37 11 Chris Jones 106 (726) $1,100 0 0 1 2
38 30 Jamie Mills 105 (727) $900 0 0 1 2
39 2 Ronnie Johnson 96 (736) $600 0 0 0 2
40 FX1 Frankie Caprara 95 (737) $625 0 0 0 3
41 18 Sean Beardsley 95 (737) $600 0 0 0 3
42 9 Bob McCreadie 90 (742) $600 0 0 0 3
43 151 Brian McDonald 89 (743) $600 0 0 0 2
44 88 Steve Hulsizer 89 (743) $600 0 0 0 3
45 115 Kenny Tremont Jr. 88 (744) $2,000 0 1 1 1
46 09 Alex Fortier 83 (749) $600 0 0 0 2
47 00 Doug Manmiller 83 (749) $600 0 0 0 2
48 21 Gary Edwards Jr. 81 (751) $0 0 0 1 1
49 95 Mark Hitchcock 81 (751) $600 0 0 0 2
50 22 Mario Clair 80 (752) $600 0 0 0 2
51 47 Jerry Higbie 79 (753) $0 0 0 1 1
52 17d Danny O’Brien 77 (755) $1,200 0 0 1 1
53 93x Craig Mitchell 75 (757) $0 0 0 1 1
54 2 Frederic Gamache 65 (767) $800 0 0 1 1
55 R2 Rusty Smith 62 (770) $300 0 0 0 1
56 71 David VanHorn Jr. 62 (770) $300 0 0 0 1
57 46 Kayle Robidoux 62 (770) $600 0 0 1 1
58 99 Mike Adderley 59 (773) $400 0 0 0 1
59 777 Kevin Bolland 58 (774) $300 0 0 0 1
60 49 Billy Dunn 58 (774) $300 0 0 0 1
61 42 Pete Bicknell 57 (775) $350 0 0 0 1
62 23x Danny Bilodeau 56 (776) $350 0 0 0 1
63 88 Jeff Strunk 56 (776) $350 0 0 0 1
64 12J Danny Williams 54 (778) $300 0 0 0 1
65 8 Frnk Jashembowski 53 (779) $0 0 0 0 1
66 8 Rich Scagliotta 53 (779) $300 0 0 0 1
67 39 Clement Therrien 52 (780) $300 0 0 0 1
68 66x Carey Terrance 50 (782) $300 0 0 0 1
69 19B Kenny Brightbill 50 (782) $300 0 0 0 1
70 20D Del Rougeux Jr. 50 (782) $300 0 0 0 1
71 24 Chris Shultz 48 (784) $0 0 0 0 1
72 44sf Sebastian Gougeon 48 (784) $300 0 0 0 1
73 3 Claude Brouillard 46 (786) $300 0 0 0 1
74 73 Rick Mill 45 (787) $0 0 0 0 1
75 10 Richie Eurich 45 (787) $0 0 0 0 1
76 66w Wallace Stacey 45 (787) $300 0 0 0 1
77 20h David Hebert 45 (787) $300 0 0 0 1
78 118 Mike DePalma 44 (788) $0 0 0 0 1
79 9 Mike Ketchum 43 (789) $0 0 0 0 1
80 53 Dave Franek 43 (789) $0 0 0 0 1
81 2 Todd Stewart 43 (789) $300 0 0 0 1
82 21k Randy Chrysler 43 (789) $300 0 0 0 1
83 32 Jim Rasey 43 (789) $300 0 0 0 1
84 15 Brett Tonkin 43 (789) $300 0 0 0 2
85 23 Laurent Ladouceur 42 (790) $300 0 0 0 1
86 79 Jeremy Markle 41 (791) $0 0 0 0 1
87 16 Lance Willix II 41 (791) $300 0 0 0 1
88 26 Ryan Godown 41 (791) $300 0 0 0 1
89 X Chad Phelps 41 (791) $300 0 0 0 2
90 19 Chuck McKee 40 (792) $0 0 0 0 1
91 11 Real LaFrance 40 (792) $300 0 0 0 1
92 72 Alain LaPlante 40 (792) $300 0 0 0 1
93 3 Bill Mullin 40 (792) $300 0 0 0 1
94 5 Dan Jalbert 40 (792) $300 0 0 0 1
95 115 Stephane LaFrance 40 (792) $300 0 0 0 1
96 73a Alain Boisvert 40 (792) $300 0 0 0 1
97 12 John Mulder 40 (792) $300 0 0 0 1
98 7J Jeff Isabell 40 (792) $0 0 0 0 0
99 44w Shannon Whaley 40 (792) $300 0 0 0 1
100 19k Joe Kubiniec 40 (792) $300 0 0 0 1
101 12 Brian Sage 40 (792) $300 0 0 0 1
102 7NY Bill Torissi 40 (792) $300 0 0 0 1
103 XXX Todd Gordon 40 (792) $300 0 0 0 1
104 357 Billy Pauch 40 (792) $300 0 0 0 1
105 86 Billy Pauch Jr. 40 (792) $300 0 0 0 1
106 12a Jack Johnson 40 (792) $300 0 0 0 1
107 37md Jer. Shingledecker 40 (792) $300 0 0 0 1
108 31 Jim Weller 40 (792) $300 0 0 0 1
109 2 Mark Flick 40 (792) $300 0 0 0 1
110 83 Brian Swartzlander 40 (792) $300 0 0 0 1
111 23 Jim Weller III 40 (792) $300 0 0 0 1
112 56 Vince Vitale 40 (792) $300 0 0 0 1
113 91d Kevin Hirthler 40 (792) $300 0 0 0 1
114 1H Tim Hindley 40 (792) $300 0 0 0 2
Advance Auto Parts DIRT Modified Entries – July 13 (54)
CAR# DRIVER / HOMETOWN TEAM (Sponsor / Chassis / Engine)
OB’s Ric Hill/Lafayette,NJ Boria High-Tech Auto/TEO/Precision
1 Dave Werber/Brewster,NY Stan’s Auto Body-Tony’s Automotive/TEO/Meserendina
1t Gary Tomkins/Clifton Springs,NY Honeoye Auto Parts-Pillsbury/Bicknell/Finger Lakes
r2 Rusty Smith/Bethlehem,PA Smith Excavating & Paving-Bourdeau Financial/TEO/David VanHorn,Sr.
r2z2 Butch Tittle/Saylorsburg,PA Smith Excavating & Paving-Bourdeau Financial/TEO/David VanHorn,Sr.
6j Joe Isabell/Pennellville,NY JIR Motorsports-A&D Structures/Bicknell/Morrison
6n Drew Ricco/Bellmawr,NJ Growers Garden Center & Greenhouse/TEO/Precision
7 Donnie Wilson/Ramsey,NJ Diamond Hart-Wilson’s Auto & Truck/TEO/JPM
7j Tom Sears,Jr./Clay,NY JIR Motorsports/Bicknell/Morrison
7k Kirk Horton/Eldred,NY Olori High Reach-Shadow Shocks/PMC/Horton
7x Steve Paine/Waterloo,NY Tallmadge Tire-Terrell’s Potato Chips-Geneva Homes-J&M/TEO/Finger Lakes
8 Frank Jashembowski/Middletown,NY West Star Tech-Dutchess Overhead Doors-Lyons Paving/Bicknell/Precision
9 Mike Ketcham/Otisville,NY Ketchum Fence/Kim Simpson Roofing Company/TEO/Morrison
10 Rich Eurich/Warwick,NY Collier Motor Car-Lain’s Auto Parts-AZ Trucking/Bicknell/JPM
TEN Randy Sherlock/Milford,PA Cottage Auto Parts-Tri-State Roofing-Cedar Ridge RV/TEO/Morrison
11 Kyle Jacobs/Hogansburg,NY Quality Concrete-King Enterprises-Chiefs Tobacco & Gas/Troyer/Kevlar
14j Alan Johnson/Phelps,NY NativePoker.Com-WPC Associates,Inc.-Pine Line Auto Sales/Bicknell/Morrison
17jr. Jeff Heotzler,Jr./Wallkill,NY Atlas Paving-Adsit Custom Homes/Bicknell/JPM
19 Chuck McKee/Middletown,NY Perino’s Market-Frederick’s Excavating/Troyer/JPM
19f Tim Fuller/Edwards, NY JL Motorsports(Native Poker)-Chiefs Tobacco&Gas-G&R Auto Parts/TEO/Enders
21m Bob McGannon/Garnerville,NY Pine Bush Equipment-McGannon Excavating/Bicknell/Precision-Feil
22g Mitch Gibbs/North Norwich,NY Cossitt Concrete-Kenyon Press-Kenyon Racing/Bicknell/Enders
24 Chris Shultz/Pawling,NY Liberty Rock Crushing-TEO Fabrication/TEO/JPM
25 Mike Kolka/Middletown,NY Distinctive Hardwood Floors-Minisink Paving/Bicknell/Precision
25L Rick Laubach/Quakertown,PA Lincoln Auto Body-Jerry Simons Builders/TEO/Alpha Mills
27 Rich Coons/Middletown,NY Healey Bros.-Bob’s Gun Exchange-G&T Auto Parts/PMC/The Engine Shop
27j Danny Johnson/Rochester,NY JIR Motorsports-Oneidaview Pile Driving/Bicknell/Morrison
32 Cliff Ehrmann/Mahwah,NJ Mike Sparta Trucking-Shotmeyer Bros. Oil & Fuel/TEO/JPM
33-1/3 Tommy Meier/Waldwick,NJ Barry’s Lawn Service-F&S Automotive/Bicknell/Tommy & Frankie Meserendina
42 Jimmy Horton/Neshanic Station,NJ Millennium Car Wash-Grosso Trucking-Metal Fab Race Pro Shop/Bicknell/Feil
42b Kevin Bates/Lake Ariel,PA Blaise & Son Racing-The Ulster 4-Locklin’s Bottled Gas/Bicknell/Bedell & Murray
42p Pat Ward/Genoa,NY Gypsum Express,Ltd.-Stadium International/Bicknell/Enders
44 Frank Cozze/Wind Gap,PA Waite’s General Contr-Carquest Auto Parts-Bert Transmission/TEO/Feil-M2 Power
44s Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY BKS/G-U Hardware-Currier Pastics-Adam Ross Cut Stone/Bicknell-PMC/Enders
47 Jerry Higbie/Slate Hill,NY G&G Diesel Freightliner Trucks-Team Shaver/PMC/Precision
53 Dave Franek/Wantage,NJ Valley Mason Supply-Cedar Ridge RV Center/TEO/JPM
55 Gary Edwards,Jr./Bloomingburg,NY New York Truck Parts-YESSS Country Chevy/TEO/JPM
66 Jeff Heotzler/Wallkill,NY Atlas Paving-Behrent’s Performance Warehouse/Bicknell/JPM
71 David VanHorn,Jr./Phillipsburg,NJ Harmony Sand&Gravel-Diamond Hart Ent.-Art’s Radiator/TEO/D.VanHorn,Sr.
73 Rick Mill/New Windsor,NY Frank Stevens & Sons Roofing-Peak Racing Equipment/Bicknell/Simonek
73j Ryan Jacobs/Hogansburg,NY East End Auto Parts & Construction-Jacob’s Excavation/Bicknell/Enders
74 Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ Smith Bros. Concrete Foundations-Hudson Valley Concrete/TEO/Precision
77 Jimmy Johnson/Bloomingburg,NY Affordable Transmissions-Jim Johnson Electric/Bicknell/Precision
77x Dale Planck/Cortland,NY East End Auto Parts & Construction-Jacob’s Excavation/Bicknell/Enders
79 Jeremy Markle/Port Jervis,NY Len & Jo’s Restaurant-John Curtis Masonry/Bicknell/Precision
88 Steve Dodd/Middletown,NY Boyce Excavating-Todd Lyons Paving-Spiro&Spiro Electric/Bicknell/JPM
91 Billy Decker/Unadilla,NY Gypsum Wholesalers-Stadium Int’l-Quality Hardwoods/Bicknell/Enders
93b Steve Birchwale/Sussex,NJ J&J Auto Maintenance-Dom’s Towing-Forest Bldg Supply/PMC/RGB Performance
93x Craig Mitchell/Wappingers Falls,NY J&J Auto Maintenance-Dom’s Towing-Forest Bldg Supply/PMC/RGB Performance
98h Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY Mohawk Northeast-New England Race Fuels/Troyer/Bruneau-JanCen
99 Carl Edwards/Columbia,MO Cedar Ridge RV Center-Double D Racing-Ferriauolo Excavating/TEO/JPM
118 Mike DePalma/Wallkill,NY JR’s Service-Mike’s Getty/TEO/Precision
244 Chris Whitehead/Sussex,NJ Winters Auto-NAPA-Vernon Pool & Spa/Bicknell/Precision
734 Jim Secor,Jr./East Fishkill,NY RGH Construction-Lakeside Auto Cosmetics/TEO/Dan Bedell
SKIDMARKS
2006 Tour 12 Turnaround: For the second straight year DIRT MotorSports™ has signed up the best big-block Modified teams in the Northeast to compete in every Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series show. The list of a dozen contracted drivers (in alphabetical order) initially included past Eckerd 200 champion Vic Coffey, four-time and defending Eckerd 200 titlist Billy Decker, third-generation big-block upstart Stewart Friesen, reigning overall Hoosier Tire-Sunoco Race Fuels Mr. DIRT champion Tim Fuller, ’04 Rookie of the Year Justin Hears, all-time Advance Auto Parts SDS race winner Brett Hearn, DIRT’s winningest big-block Modified driver Alan Johnson, Canandaigua (NY) Speedway record-setter Steve Paine, second-year tour mainstay Jimmy Phelps, rising star Matt Sheppard, former Mr. DIRT champion Gary Tomkins and 30-year open-wheel veteran Pat Ward. In a role reversal from the ’05 campaign, Danny Johnson replaced Haers following the Canadian swing and at the conclusion of the Orange County event Frank Cozze was named to fill in for missing Friesen and Dale Planck moved into the slot recently left vacant by Coffey. Tomkins, Sheppard and Paine used their provisional starter status to rejoin the feature race line-up at OCFS.
Orange County Originals: With the Advance Auto Parts SDS return to Orange County, nearly 20 new drivers signed in for competition for the first time this season. A mix of big-block and small-block regulars participated in their first-ever big-block Modified special with Jerry Higbie (6th) the top placing local. Also making the feature race line-up in their initial attempt were Craig Mitchell (finished 7th), Frank Jashembowski (15th), Chris Shultz (17th), Rick Mill (19th), Mike DePalma (20th), Mike Ketcham (21st), Dave Franek (22nd), Chuck McKee (25th), Jeremy Markle (27th) and Rich Eurich (29th).
Edwards, Roush Meet & Greet: Another first-time visitor to the Orange County Fairgrounds was Nextel racer Carl Edwards, accompanied by his car owner Jack Roush. While Edwards has driven a DIRT Modified in the past, his debut at Orange County was chronicled racing the no. 99 Cedar Ridge RV Center-Double D Racing-Ferraiuolo Excavating/TEO entry. Edwards never found a handle on the brand new big-block entry fielded by Joey Barbagallo Jr., time trialing 50th fastest, finishing last (9th) in the second qualifying heat before settling for seventh in the consolation round. He was offered a provisional starting spot in the finale but turned it down stating that he didn’t earn it. “Local racing is where everything starts, some tracks just happen to be bigger and some cars faster but its all about racing and having fun,” said Edwards, as he addressed the appreciative crowd from the homestretch during intermission alongside Roush. “We ran an asphalt modified today at New Hampshire and we haven’t quite figured out this track yet. But its always good to go back on dirt. I remember the time when I used to sneak into tracks because I didn’t have the money to get in and then begging owners to let me drive. I’m pretty fortunate to be hooked up with Jack, he’s just as crazy as I am and now I can even go to the store and buy whatever I want. Not forgetting your roots is important no matter where you end up. Its great to see so many fans here supporting the racers, you never know who may turn out to be the next star in Nextel Cup.”
While Edwards arrived late due to his trip from New Hampshire, Roush arrived in the afternoon to sign autographs and pose for pictures as part of the meet & greet promotion held in the Fairgrounds’ Arena. “Orange County is a great track with all the support it gets from the fans and the racers,” said Roush later in the day as he watched the mighty DIRT Modifieds contend on the historic ‘Hard Clay’ oval. “I like going around to tracks like this with Carl, I realize what a good driver he really is and see some neat places where racing got its start. Everybody asks about our multi-car team but even if we win there’s still four losers in the shop. A lot of times I feel worse for the guys that didn’t do well than happy for our driver that actually won. That’s just the nature of the business nowadays, winning is everything because that’s what everybody wants.” The special appearance by Edwards and Roush was sponsored by the Cedar Ridge RV Center, along-time supporter of Super DIRT Week staged every autumn at the New York Fairgrounds in Syracuse. Company president Barbagallo was in attendance helping orchestrate activity both on and off the track as he supplies Roush with a demo motorhome and recently added Edwards to the comp list.
The Roush of DIRT Racing: Jeff Isabell has been recognized recently as the Jack Roush of DIRT racing as nearly a half-dozen cars have comprised his JIR Motorsports team this season. Headlining the list of first-string drivers following the Advance Auto Parts SDS are Danny Johnson, Tom Sears Jr. and Joe Isabell, the owner’s teenage son. A weekend warrior at Central New York ovals Brewerton and Fulton speedways, Jeff himself has entered select tour events and offered Series seat time to his Pennellville, N.Y. neighbors Dan Williams and Sterling Miller in early season short-track competition.
Cozze Comfortable But Not Content: Following his recent setback at the Super DIRT Series stop in Drummondville, Que., seasoned racer Frank Cozze returned to Advance Auto Parts action at Orange County without missing a beat. “I’m not bitter, just disappointed and more frustrated than anything,” said Cozze, who charged through the field to score an apparent 3rd-place finish at Autodrome Drummond on July 10. In post-race inspection his Waite’s General Contractor-Bert Transmission/TEO mount was measured to be six pounds light, thus relegating the Wind Gap, Pa. veteran to the bottom of the scoresheet with last place points and last place money. The combination of the feature being extended to 105 laps which burned additional fuel and rough track conditions that knocked parts from his car, were obvious factors that contributed to the discrepancy in weight when crossing the track scales. Cozze is the newest member on the list of a dozen DIRT Modified drivers committed to the AAP Series following the departure of young gun Stewart Friesen.
McGannon Modifies Schedule: Former DIRT Pro Stocker and Orange County champion Bob McGannon traded in his full-fender status over the winter months and arrived at the Fairgrounds in April sporting an open-wheel entry for the first time. “It’s a whole new sensation driving a big-block but a lot of fun learning the ropes,” said McGannon, who made his Advance Auto Parts Series debut Thursday aboard the no. 21m Pine Bush Equipment-McGannon Excavating/Bicknell machine. The Garnerville, N.Y. pilot has so far qualified for four Middletown main events posting a 16th-place best. “There’s just so much to pick up out there. With a Pro Stock you had enough time to see situations develop up in front but everything happens instantly in a Modified. There’s also a whole new group of drivers you have to get used to and just driving in traffic is a challenge. I’m getting used to the body pull with the big-block and now I’m driving with two feet. It’s a whole new ballgame but so far it’s still been a lot of fun.”
Orange County Updates: The last visit to Middletown for an Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT event was during Eastern States Weekend in October of 2004. Since that time the infield stage has been removed and across the street Frankie’s Sausage Bar and D.J.’s pub have been replaced by a new beauty parlor and strip mall. George Johnson, older brother of Modified racer Jimmy Johnson, replaced Cory Reed as OCFS Competition Director, a position Reed held during the ’05 race season until returning to his post at the DIRT NorthEast office in Weedsport.
Homepage Highlights: The Official DIRT MotorSports NorthEast Web site at http://www.dirtmotorsports.com/DirtNE/SDS includes Advance Auto Parts Series driver biographies with individual statistics and pictures, race-by-race statistics, detailed track information and race coverage, series news and team press releases. There are also specific links to the 2006 DIRT MotorSports Media Guide, the Official Rulebook and the 2006 DIRT MotorSports Membership form.
Get Out The Word First: With RACEceiver now recognized as the Official Driver Communicator of DIRT MotorSports™ in 2006, fans, as well as the competing drivers, were able to hear first hand everything that was happening throughout the entire Orange County show. A compact radio receiver that conveniently fits into a driver’s pocket, a RACEceiver allows each driver to hear directions from series officials, which greatly enhances the safety and timeliness of events. A similar version available to fans allows RACEceiver users to hear what information series officials are relaying to the drivers. For more information about RACEceiver, visit www.raceceiver.com, call 866/301-7223, or look for their sales trailers at various events.
Tracks Know The Score: In DIRT MotorSports™ ongoing effort to assist every sanctioned track with presenting the best possible race programs, DMS has teamed with AMB i.t. which continues to be recognized as the Official Timing System of DIRT MotorSports. AMB i.t. is the world’s leader in automatic race timing and scoring systems and the DIRT organization is proud to retain the company as a valued partner in the timing and scoring of all DIRT MotorSports events.
Eckerd Store Specials: Eckerd Pharmacies in New York and Pennsylvania will give away close to 1,000 free tickets for Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series/Eckerd 200 Qualifier Races held throughout the 2006 season. The popular Eckerd program is part of the promotion for the Oct. 8 Eckerd 200 Championship race at Super DIRT Week in Syracuse, N.Y. Each Eckerd Pharmacy promotion will feature DIRT driver appearances, race cars, the Eckerd “cut-away” Modified, free autograph cards and free tickets to Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series/Eckerd 200 Qualifier Races. Fans can find more information on the Eckerd promotion by visiting Eckerd Pharmacy online at www.eckerd.com. For race information, please visit www.dirtmotorsports.com.
DATE TRACK (PHONE) DRIVER/APPEARANCE ECKERD STORE ADDRESS
Wed-Jul 19 Grandview Speedway (610/754-7688) Brett Hearn / 12noon-2:00pm 1140 Town Square Rd - Pottstown, PA
Thr-Aug 10 Canandaigua Speedway (585/394-0961) Vic Coffey / 12noon-2:00pm 539 North Main St – Canandaigua, NY
Wed-Aug 30 Brewerton Speedway (315/668-6906) Pat Ward / 12noon-2:00pm 8379 Thompson Road – Cicero, NY
Sun-Sep 3 Cayuga Co. Fair Speedway (315/834-6606) Matt Sheppard / 11:00am-1:00pm 113 Downer Street – Baldwsinville, NY
Mon-sep 4 Rolling Wheels Raceway (315/689-7809) Steve Paine / 11:00am-1:00pm 153 Grant Avenue – Auburn, NY
Sat-sep 9 Lebanon Valley Speedway (518/794-9965) Kenny Tremont / 10:00am-12noon 463 Albany-Shaker Rd – Loudonville, NY
Sat-Sep 30 Fulton Speedway (315/593-6531) Vic Coffey / 9:00am-11:00am 503 South Second St. - Fulton, NY
Mon-Oct 9 Super DIRT Week XXXV WINNER / 10:0am-12noon Eckerd, TBA
Next Event: Following six days off from mid-week activity, the Advance Auto Parts SDS continues with a return trip to Pennsylvania for the 9th Traffic Jam 100 at Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville on Wednesday, July 19. The $6,000-to-win 100-lap main event offers valuable points towards the overall Hoosier-Sunoco Mr. DIRT Championship plus a guaranteed starting berth in the Eckerd 200 Championship during Super DIRT Week XXXV on the Syracuse Mile in October.
2006 Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series Schedule
NP=Non-Point event.
DAY-DATE LAPS TRACK WINNER/LOCATION
Wed-Feb 15 30-NP Volusia Speedway Park JIMMY HORTON
Thr-Feb 16 30-NP Volusia Speedway Park TIM FULLER
Fri-Feb 17 30-NP Volusia Speedway Park BRETT HEARN
Sat-Feb 18 50-NP Volusia Speedway Park BRETT HEARN
Sat-Mar 25 100 Hagerstown Speedway BRETT HEARN
Sun-May 7 50 Rolling Wheels Raceway BILLY DECKER
Sun-May 7 50 Rolling Wheels Raceway TIM FULLER
Sun-May 28 100 Cayuga Co Fair Speedway DANNY JOHNSON
Wed-Jun 14 100 Lernerville Speedway BILLY DECKER
Thr-Jun 15 100 Susquehanna Speedway JIMMY HORTON
Wed-Jun 21 100 Ransomville Speedway ALAN JOHNSON
Wed-Jun 28 100 Fulton Speedway Rain-Cancelled
Mon-Jul 3 100 Rolling Wheels Raceway Rain-Cancelled
Tue-Jul 4 100 Brockville Ont Speedway ALAN JOHNSON
Sun-Jul 9 100 Cornwall Motor Speedway DALE PLANCK
Mon-Jul 10 100 Autodrome Drummond BRETT HEARN
Thr-Jul 13 100 Orange Co Fair Speedway BILLY DECKER
Wed-Jul 19 100 Grandview Speedway Bechtelsville,PA
Sat-Aug 5 100 Eldora Speedway Rossburg,OH
Mon-Aug 7 100 Merrittville Speedway Thorold,ONT
Thr-Aug 10 100 Canandaigua Speedway Canandaigua,NY
Wed-Aug 16 100 New Egypt Speedway New Egypt,NJ
Wed-Aug 30 100 Brewerton Speedway Brewerton,NY
Sun-Sep 3 100 Cayuga Co Fair Speedway Weedsport,NY
Mon-Sep 4 100 Rolling Wheels Raceway Elbridge,NY
Sat-Sep 9 200 Lebanon Valley Speedway West Lebanon,NY
Fri-Sep 15 100 Canandaigua Speedway Canandaigua,NY
Sat-Sep 23 200 Rolling Wheels Raceway Elbridge,NY
Sat-Sep 30 200-NP Fulton Speedway Fulton,NY
Sun-Oct 8 200 New York State Fairgrnds Syracuse,NY
Sun-Oct 15 100 Williams Grove Speedway Mechanicsburg,PA
Sun-Oct 22 200 Orange Co Fair Speedway Middletown,NY
*All events subject to change.
The DIRT MotorSports™ Advance Auto Parts Series is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Advance Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tire and Sunoco Race Fuels. Promotional partners include AMB i.t. and the University of Northwestern Ohio and the contingency sponsors are Bert Transmission, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix Cylinder Heads, DART Machinery, Holley HP Carburetors, Integra Shocks, MSD Ignitions, Miller Electric Manufacturing Company, Penske Shocks and Wrisco Industries.