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Alan Johnson Captures E-Z Oil 100 At Ransomville Speedway In Advance Auto Parts Series Showdown




Wed - June 21, 2006 -- Ransomville Speedway
Ransomville, NY

Author: Tom Skibinski, DIRT NorthEast PR Director

All-time DIRT MotorSports big-block Modified winner Alan Johnson took a summer drive on the first day of the new season Wednesday night to score a convincing win in the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series E-Z Oil 100 at Ransomville Speedway. The 40th career Advance Auto Parts SDS triumph for the Phelps, N.Y. pilot was worth $6,000 and earned him a guaranteed starting berth in the Eckerd 200 Championship ---a race he has won three times--- during Super DIRT Week XXXV, Oct. 4-8, at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse.

“The car has actually been great all year but we’ve just been snake-bitten on a few occasions,” said Johnson, 48, following his first Advance Auto Parts tour triumph in 2006. He opened the AAP Series with a pair of top-three finishes at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway and Rolling Wheels (NY) Raceway, and even led the initial 50 laps last week at Lernerville (Pa.) Speedway yet has placed out the top-10 the remainder of the way. All that changed at Ransomville as he ran up front all night aboard Jeff Rudalavage’s no. 14j NativePoker.Com-WPC Associates,Inc.-Pine Line Auto Sales/Bicknell entry, leading 50 more laps with the most important ones coming at the end. “Some of the guys were dropping out at the end so I was just hoping we didn’t have any of the same tire problems at the end.”

Johnson began the finale with fresh rubber and out-dragged front row partner Tim McCreadie but gave the lead back to the Watertown pole-sitter a half-dozen laps later. The track began to blacken up in the middle lane just 10 laps in with Matt Sheppard, tour points leader Billy Decker and Ransomville regular Todd Burley keeping pace with the leaders. It took four more laps for McCreadie to catch the tail end of traffic and with a quarter of the race complete Decker made the only improvement up front as he tookover third from ‘Super Matt.’

‘A.J. Slideways’ continued to shadow second-generation standout McCreadie and took his first breather when Series follower Jimmy Phelps looped his Troyer mount between the first and second turns to bring out the first yellow flag on lap 29. The top-five order remained intact midway through ---with only 17 minutes taken off the clock and 22 cars contending on the lead lap--- before Johnson moved to the point for good on lap 57. After just two more times around the narrowing 3/8-miler, Dale Planck slowed quickly to require a second caution period yet lost three laps in the pits during the slowdown. With 25 laps still to go Chad Brachmann cracked the front-five for the first time while the leader had methodically built a comfortable advantage of a dozen car-lengths and showed no signs of letting up.

Phelps slowed for a second time on lap 80 to send the yellow track lights flashing all around and Steve Paine incurred the fourth and final caution after his Tallmadge Tire-Terrell’s Potato Chips/TEO ride limped down the back chute with a soft right-rear tire and just 15 laps to go. Back under green flag conditions Brachmann disposed of Burley for the fourth slot but could not catch the lead trio as Johnson cruised home for a convincing victory in round number seven of the 28-race Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series that concludes in October with the crowning of the overall Hoosier Tire-Sunoco Race Fuels Mr. DIRT champion.

“You really had to be smoother the more slippery the track got at the end,” said Johnson, on the heels of his fourth victory of the season which improved his all-time DIRT-best count at Ransomville to 38 since 1980. He recorded his last big-block win on the ridge in 1989, the year before Ransomville switched its headline class to DIRT 358-Modifieds. “It really helped when the tires seemed to come in later on and the car just got better as the race went on. Until then I did all I could do to stay with up Tim. The guys really gave me a great car tonight, it was fast in time trials and stayed good right to the end. You couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Decker only wanted to more spots but Johnson and McCreadie denied him as the laps dwindled. The Unadilla, N.Y. pilot settled for third-place honors in the century grind finishing ahead of ’05 Ransomville regular Chad Brachmann while Burley dropped from fifth to eighth on the final circuit due to a shredded right-ear show. Pat Ward replaced the ‘Tornado ’in fifth followed by all-time Advance Auto Parts SDS race winner Brett Hearn and Matt Sheppard with Justin Haers and Stewart bottled up behind Burley at the line. Nineteen drivers completed the entire distance with big-block rookie Kenny Stafford fielding the final car on the lead lap.

“We came here to win but when you fall short on the set-up you have to be happy with a top-three with such a talented group of drivers out here tonight,” said Decker, who extended his tour points lead to 69 with Gypsum teammate Ward the new AAP Series runner-up. Decker has posted a tour-high five top-five finishes in the opening seven extra-distances events. “With everybody so close we try a little something different at each race and hopefully it works out. You just try to keep good notes from race to race and use that experience to keep going as consistently as possible.”

Runner-up McCreadie has been a consistent competitor yet his commitment to the World of Outlaws Late Model Series forced him to miss last week’s Advance Auto Parts SDS doubleheader in Pennsylvania. In five events he has logged three front-five finishes to climb into 17th on the current points chart. “This is a ride I’ve always wanted to have and it didn’t matter who was in it tonight, it had a enough power to finish up front,” said McCreadie, 32, who hauled in his father’s no. 9 Kinney Drugs-Syracuse Frame Service/Bicknell machine and went on to score his best finish of the young season. “My dad’s had a few bad engines the last few years and I finally got smart and bought a used Finger Lakes from Jim Bechy. It’s great to finish up front with guys like Alan and Billy, they’re a class act. This was a trial run tonight, we’ll be back as long as the car is capable of winning.”

Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series Race #7 – Ransomville Speedway, June 21, 2006 E-Z Oil 100 Modified Event Summary
FIN STR CAR# DRIVER
1 2 14j Alan Johnson/Phelps,NY ($6,000)
2 1 9 Tim McCreadie/Watertown,NY
3 5 91 Billy Decker/Unadilla,NY
4 4 3b Chad Brachmann/Wheatfield,NY
5 7 42p Pat Ward/Genoa,NY
6 14 20 Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ
7 3 44s Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY
8 8 62 Todd Burley/Spencerport,NY
9 6 3 Justin Haers/Phelps,NY
10 18 10 Stewart Friesen/Niagara-o-t-Lake,ONT
11 11 19 Tim Fuller/Edwards, NY
12 12 27j Danny Johnson/Rochester,NY
13 10 42 Pete Bicknell/St.Catharines,ONT
14 20 32c Vic Coffey/Leicester,NY
15 23 1 Gary Tomkins/Clifton Springs,NY
16 9 44 Frank Cozze/Wind Gap,PA
17 22 11 Kyle Jacobs/Hogansburg,NY
18 28 8j Tom Sears,Jr./Clay,NY
19 15 60 Kenny Stafford/Homer,NY
20 13 7x Steve Paine/Waterloo,NY
21 21 21k Randy Chrysler/Lewiston,NY
22 17 42b Kevin Bates/Lake Ariel,PA
23 24 98h Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY
24 16 77x Dale Planck/Cortland,NY
25 27 44w Shannon Whaley/Pavilion,NY
26 26 19k Joe Kubiniec/Lockport,NY
27 19 12 Brian Sage/Brockport,NY
28 29 7ny Bill Torrisi/Pendleton,NY
29 25 xXx Todd Gordon/St.Catharines,ONT
DNS 30 26 Rick Richner/Niagara Falls,NY
LAP LEADERS: A.Johnson (1-6), McCreadie (7-56), A.Johnson (57-100).
CAUTIONS: 4 for 12 laps.
ECKERD 200 QUALIFIER: Alan Johnson.
DID NOT QUALIFY(5)
18-Rick Hoctor/Cheektowaga,NY
26-Rick Richner/Niagara Falls,NY
26s-Scott George/Wilson,NY
44v-Phil Vigneri/Elba,NY
73-Ryan Jacobs/Hogansburg,NY

QUALIFYING
FAST AVE
TIME MPH CAR# DRIVER
1 16.771 80.496 91 Billy Decker/Unadilla,NY
*$100 Integra Shocks Fast Qualifier Award
2 16.774 80.482 3b Chad Brachmann/Wheatfield,NY
3 16.802 80.348 44 Frank Cozze/Wind Gap,PA
4 16.822 80.252 44s Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY
5 16.860 80.071 62 Todd Burley/Spencerport,NY
6 16.889 79.934 14j Alan Johnson/Phelps,NY
7 16.908 79.844 3 Justin Haers/Phelps,NY
8 17.004 79.393 77x Dale Planck/Cortland,NY
9 17.044 79.207 7x Steve Paine/Waterloo,NY
10 17.128 78.818 98h Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY
11 17.152 78.708 42p Pat Ward/Genoa,NY
12 17.184 78.561 27j Danny Johnson/Rochester,NY
13 17.222 78.388 19 Tim Fuller/Edwards, NY
17.222 78.388 42 Pete Bicknell/St.Catharines,ONT
15 17.252 78.252 1 Gary Tomkins/Clifton Springs,NY
16 17.272 78.161 9 Tim McCreadie/Watertown,NY
17 17.334 77.882 42b Kevin Bates/Lake Ariel,PA
18 17.336 77.873 20 Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ
19 17.363 77.752 73 Ryan Jacobs/Hogansburg,NY
20 17.369 77.725 6j Joe Isabell/Pennellville,NY
21 17.387 77.644 8j Tom Sears,Jr./Clay,NY
22 17.416 77.515 10 Stewart Friesen/Niagara-o-t-Lake,ONT
23 17.428 77.462 60 Kenny Stafford/Homer,NY
24 17.495 77.165 44w Shannon Whaley/Pavilion,NY
25 17.633 76.561 11 Kyle Jacobs/Hogansburg,NY
26 17.685 76.336 21k Randy Chrysler/Lewiston,NY
27 17.783 75.915 26 Rick Richner/Niagara Falls,NY
28 17.798 75.851 26s Scott George/Wilson,NY
29 18.016 74.933 xXx Todd Gordon/St.Catharines,ONT
30 18.053 74.780 19k Joe Kubiniec/Lockport,NY
31 18.194 74.200 12 Brian Sage/Brockport,NY
32 18.333 73.638 18 Rick Hoctor/Cheektowaga,NY
33 18.971 71.161 7ny Bill Torrisi/Pendleton,NY
34 -NT- ----- 32c Vic Coffey/Leicester,NY
35 -NT- ----- 44v Phil Vigneri/Elba,NY

Heat Races (8 laps, top 5 finishers transferred to feature, top 3 went to re-draw)
#1: Decker, Burley, Bicknell, Paine, Bates, K.Jacobs, Gordon, Torrisi, Sears (DNS).
#2: A.Johnson, Fuller, Brachmann, Hearn, Friesen, Chrysler, Phelps, Kubiniec.
#3: Cozze, Ward, Haers, Stafford, Sage, Tomkins, R.Jacobs, Richner.
#4: Sheppard, D.Johnson, McCreadie, Planck, Coffey, Isabell, Whaley, Hoctor, George.
Consolation Round (8 laps, top 10 finishers transferred to feature)
#1: Chrysler, K.Jacobs, Tomkins, Phelps, Isabell (DSQ), Gordon, Kubiniec, Whaley, Sears, Torrisi, Richner, Hoctor, R.Jacobs (DNS), George (DNS), Vigneri (DNS).

Advance Auto Parts Super Series Point Standings (through June 21, 2006)
No. Driver Points Diff Money Wins Top-5 Top-10 Starts
1 91 Billy Decker 540 0 $17,300 2 5 6 7
2 42p Pat Ward 471 (69) $8,800 0 3 6 7
3 1 Gary Tomkins 456 (84) $10,350 0 4 5 7
4 19 Tim Fuller 453 (87) $11,600 1 4 4 7
5 14J Alan Johnson 449 (91) $12,525 1 3 3 7
6 32c Vic Coffey 426 (114) $5,775 0 2 5 7
7 7x Steve Paine 423 (117) $5,600 0 0 5 7
8 20 Brett Hearn 420 (120) $10,850 1 2 3 7
9 44s Matt Sheppard 404 (136) $6,000 0 1 4 7
10 27J Danny Johnson 403 (137) $9,300 1 1 3 7
11 44c Frank Cozze 388 (152) $4,350 0 1 3 7
12 98h Jimmy Phelps 388 (152) $5,200 0 1 5 7
13 10 Stewart Friesen 376 (164) $2,813 0 0 2 7
14 3 Justin Haers 368 (172) $3,100 0 0 2 7
15 8J Tom Sears Jr. 356 (184) $4,025 0 1 2 7
16 77x Dale Planck 340 (200) $5,875 0 1 3 6
17 39 Tim McCreadie 308 (232) $6,950 0 3 4 5
18 11 Kyle Jacobs 239 (301) $1,525 0 0 0 6
19 Z Butch Tittle 222 (318) $1,500 0 0 0 6
20 60 Kenny Stafford 189 (351) $1,200 0 0 0 4
21 3b Chad Brachmann 188 (352) $2,600 0 1 1 4
22 42 Jimmy Horton 168 (372) $6,500 1 1 1 2
23 99 Ryan Phelps 133 (407) $900 0 0 0 4
24 62 Todd Burley 131 (409) $1,500 0 0 1 2
25 6J Joe Isabell 131 (409) $600 0 0 0 2
26 99b Chuck Bower 109 (431) $600 0 0 0 2
27 30 Jamie Mills 105 (435) $900 0 0 1 2
28 22g Mitch Gibbs 105 (435) $663 0 0 0 3
29 42B Kevin Bates 102 (438) $600 0 0 0 2
30 2 Ronnie Johnson 96 (444) $600 0 0 0 2
31 18 Sean Beardsley 95 (445) $600 0 0 0 3
32 9 Bob McCreadie 90 (450) $600 0 0 0 3
33 88 Steve Hulsizer 89 (451) $600 0 0 0 3
34 115 Kenny Tremont Jr. 88 (452) $2,000 0 1 1 1
35 14 Rick Laubach 86 (454) $300 0 0 0 2
36 00 Doug Manmiller 83 (457) $600 0 0 0 2
37 777 Kevin Bolland 58 (482) $300 0 0 0 1
38 49 Billy Dunn 58 (482) $300 0 0 0 1
39 42 Pete Bicknell 57 (483) $350 0 0 0 1
40 88 Jeff Strunk 56 (484) $350 0 0 0 1
41 33.3 Tommy Meier 55 (485) $0 0 0 0 1
42 12J Danny Williams 54 (486) $300 0 0 0 1
43 8 Rich Scagliotta 53 (487) $300 0 0 0 1
44 R2 Rusty Smith 52 (488) $300 0 0 0 1
45 71 David VanHorn Jr. 52 (488) $300 0 0 0 1
46 73 Ryan Jacobs 50 (490) $0 0 0 0 0
47 19B Kenny Brightbill 50 (490) $300 0 0 0 1
48 20D Del Rougeux Jr. 50 (490) $300 0 0 0 1
49 21k Randy Chrysler 43 (497) $300 0 0 0 1
50 32 Jim Rasey 43 (497) $300 0 0 0 1
51 15 Brett Tonkin 43 (497) $300 0 0 0 2
52 26 Ryan Godown 41 (499) $300 0 0 0 1
53 X Chad Phelps 41 (499) $300 0 0 0 2
54 44w Shannon Whaley 40 (500) $300 0 0 0 1
55 19k Joe Kubiniec 40 (500) $300 0 0 0 1
56 12 Brian Sage 40 (500) $300 0 0 0 1
57 7NY Bill Torissi 40 (500) $300 0 0 0 1
58 XXX Todd Gordon 40 (500) $300 0 0 0 1
59 357 Billy Pauch 40 (500) $300 0 0 0 1
60 86 Billy Pauch Jr. 40 (500) $300 0 0 0 1
61 12a Jack Johnson 40 (500) $300 0 0 0 1
62 37md Jer. Shingledecker 40 (500) $300 0 0 0 1
63 31 Jim Weller Jr. 40 (500) $300 0 0 0 1
64 2 Mark Flick 40 (500) $300 0 0 0 1
65 83 Brian Swartzlander 40 (500) $300 0 0 0 1
66 23 Jim Weller III 40 (500) $300 0 0 0 1
67 56 Vince Vitale 40 (500) $300 0 0 0 1
68 91d Kevin Hirthler 40 (500) $300 0 0 0 1
69 FX1 Frankie Caprara Jr. 40 (500) $300 0 0 0 2
70 66 Jeff Heotzler 40 (500) $300 0 0 0 2

Advance Auto Parts DIRT Modified Entries – June 21 (35)
CAR# DRIVER / HOMETOWN TEAM (Sponsor / Chassis / Engine)
xXx Todd Gordon/St.Catharines,ONT Blue Moon Potatoes-Commercial Auto Electric/Bicknell/ERD
1 Gary Tomkins/Clifton Springs,NY Honeoye Auto Parts-Pillsbury/Bicknell/Finger Lakes
3 Justin Haers/Phelps,NY Phelps Cement Products-SMV Motorsports-Jeff Jolly Masonry/Bicknell/Finger Lakes
3b Chad Brachmann/Wheatfield,NY Original Pizza Logs/Bicknell/JanCen
6j Joe Isabell/Pennellville,NY JIR Motorsports-A&D Structures/Bicknell/Morrison
7x Steve Paine/Waterloo,NY Tallmadge Tire-Terrell’s Potato Chips-Geneva Homes-J&M Roofers/TEO/Finger Lakes
7ny Bill Torrisi/Pendleton,NY Camair Tire Management/Bicknell/Torrisi
8j Tom Sears,Jr./Clay,NY JIR Motorsports-Commercial Roofing & Sheet Metal,Inc./Bicknell/Morrison
9 Tim McCreadie/Watertown,NY Kinney Drugs-Syracuse Frame Service-F.X. Caprara Car Co./Bicknell/Finger Lakes
10 Stewart Friesen/Nia.-o-t-Lk,ONT Quality Concrete-King Enterprises-Chiefs Tobacco & Gas/Troyer/Kevlar
11 Kyle Jacobs/Hogansburg,NY Quality Concrete-King Enterprises-Chiefs Tobacco & Gas/Troyer/Kevlar
12 Brian Sage/Brockport,NY Sweeting Enterprise/Troyer/Enders
14j Alan Johnson/Phelps,NY NativePoker.Com-WPC Associates,Inc.-Pine Line Auto Sales/Bicknell/Morrison
18 Rick Hoctor/Cheektowaga,NY Able Agency Insurance-AA-1 Auto Parts/Hoctor/Hoctor
19 Tim Fuller/Edwards, NY JL Motorsports(Native Poker)-Chiefs Tobacco&Gas-G&R Auto Parts/TEO/Enders
19k Joe Kubiniec/Lockport,NY Kubiniec Plumbing-MGA Research Corp/TEO/Nichols&Hepp
20 Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ Madsen Mtrsports-Wentworth Custom Homes-BPG Racing-Kruger-WLR/TEO/Enders
21k Randy Chrysler/Lewiston,NY Randy’s Smoke Shop-Arrow’s Express-Seneca Brand/Bicknell/Enders
26 Rick Richner/Niagara Falls,NY Niagara Maintenance Contracting-Lazy Lakes Camping Resort/Bicknell/Gor-Den
26s Scott George/Wilson,NY Original Pizza Logs-EZ Oil/Bicknell/K-S Machine
27j Danny Johnson/Rochester,NY JIR Motorsports-Oneidaview Pile Driving/Bicknell/Morrison
32c Vic Coffey/Leicester,NY Sweeteners Plus-CME,Inc./Bicknell/C.C. Performance-Finger Lakes
42 Pete Bicknell/St.Catharines,ONT Chevron-Texaco-Merrittville Speedway-Bicknell Race Products/Bicknell/Glasgow
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
44v Phil Vigneri/Elba,NY Oak Orchard Turf Farms-M&T Racing/Bicknell/Enders
44w Shannon Whaley/Pavilion,NY Davis Trailer World-D&M Precision/Bicknell/Mastin
60 Kenny Stafford/Homer,NY HS Edinger Trucking-Amsoil-Fast Line Performance/TEO/Chevy
62 Todd Burley/Spencerport,NY Mullen Industrial Handling Corp.-Trackman Replacement Rubber/Bicknell/JanCen
73 Ryan Jacobs/Hogansburg,NY East End Auto Parts & Construction-Jacob’s Excavation/Bicknell/Enders
77x Dale Planck/Cortland,NY East End Auto Parts & Construction-Jacob’s Excavation/Bicknell/Enders
91 Billy Decker/Unadilla,NY Gypsum Wholesalers-Stadium Int’l-Quality Hardwoods/Bicknell/Enders
98h Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY Mohawk Northeast-New England Race Fuels/Troyer/Bruneau-JanCen

SKIDMARKS
2006 Tour 12: 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) includes 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.

New Ridge Runners: The roster of drivers registered for Advance Auto Parts SDS competition increased by 10 in round six at Ransomville with a number of host track small-block regulars participating in the big-block Modified special. Canandaigua (NY) Speedway BB campaigners Phil Vigneri (#44v) and Shannon Whaley (#44w) joined the pack along with Sportsman standout Brian Sage plus weekly ridge runners Pete Bicknell, Todd Gordon, Rick Hoctor, Rick Richner, Scott George, Joe Kubiniec and the ageless Bill Torrisi. Half the group qualified for the 100-lap finale with Bicknell (10th), Sage (19th), Gordon (26th), Kubiniec (26th), Whaley (28th) and 71 year-old Torrisi (30th) finding their place on the 30-car starting grid.

Sophomore Series Seat Time: Last year the talented trio of Matt Sheppard, Justin Haers and Stewart Friesen were hand-picked as part of the ‘Elite 11’ group of big-block Modified chauffeurs that chased the Advance Auto Parts Series throughout the Northeast. Designated among the prized list of ‘contracted drivers’ on the 2006 traveling tour, they remain vital components with one more year of big-block experience tucked away safely under their belt.

“I thought it might be a little easier coming into the season but so far we’ve struggled early getting the program going in the right dircection,” said Haers, 25, who scored the big 50-lap season opening victory at Cayuga County Fair (NY) Speedway in April steering the Haers Bros. No. 3 Phelps Cement Products-SMV Motorsports-Jeff Jolly Masonry/Bicknell machine. But only a pair of top-10 tallies in Advance Auto Parts events have highlighted his tour travels to date. “A lot of the tracks are still either brand new to us or we’ve only seen them one or two times. The possibility of a final top-five in points crossed our minds over the winter but it’s been tough early on. We’ve tried to get back to the basics lately and gotten a little better lately. Hopefully, it can continue as we’ve got a long way to go to enough to get into the top-10 right now.”

“This season is the fastest that I’ve ever had picking up four wins,” said Sheppard, 23 who has shared time with Bicknell and PMC chassis so far in ’06 with BKS/G-U Hardware-Currier Pastics-Adam Ross Cut Stone adorning the side panels. The recent Rochester Institute of Technology graduate (Mechanical Engineering Technology) has already reached victory lane twice at both Cayuga County and Brewerton speedways although he finally registered his first SDS top-five finish in seven attempts last week at Susquehanna (Pa.) Speedway Park. “I started off a lot better last year but it leveled off as the season went on. Despite a couple early wins on the weekend this time around I’ve been pretty lousy so far in Series races. We’ve been up and down since day one so hopefully we’ll start string together some more front-fives and get back to where we belong.

“I’ve been in racing all my life but the Super DIRT Series is a lot more work than you would ever think, something that requires a seven day a week commitment from a lot of guys on your team,” said Friesen, 22, the Quality Concrete-King Enterprises-Chiefs Tobacco & Gas/Troyer first-string player while teammate Kyle Jacobs has recently proven to be a very capable driver. “Last year we hadn’t figured out anything, at least this season we’re in the same ball park. “We certainly have the equipment to run up front and definitely enough experience now to back it up. Our goal is still to get a win and move closer to the top-five in points. You just have to start out with a solid base line and your team has to make the proper adjustments from then on. Everybody’s in the same boat starting yet the guys with more track time seem to figure things out.”

Kinney Kinship: The familiar no. 9 Kinney Drugs-Syracuse Frame Service/Bicknell ride was trackside at Ransomville, only with Bob McCreadie resting at home while his son Tim took control of the wheel in the Wednesday night showdown. ‘Tenderfoot’ Tim qualified third in the fourth and final heat and when it came time for the customary pre-race re-draw the #1 frisbee was left waiting for him to turn over and award him the pole-position start. “It all begins tonight,” proclaimed the younger McCreadie as he prepped for the tour debut in his father’s car. “I’m in this to win and make some money, points are of no concern right now. We just picked up the Finger Lakes motor and don’t even know if it will last. Getting rid of my father’s old engine was a start, if we can get some good finishes we’ll keep coming back. We’ll definitely be at Fulton next week and take anything after that race by race.”

Prayers Pour In For Jack Veach: Diagnosed last season with a treatable case of cancer, the disease has spread quickly and long-time DIRT track official Jack Veach is now receiving in-home hospice care. Veach was named as a Leonard J. Sammons, Jr. Memorial Award winner in recognition of his outstanding service to motorsports during DIRT NorthEast Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in May of 2000 on the Cayuga County Fairgrounds. Veach began as a mechanic among a group of friends fielding a jalopy at the old Civic Stadium in Buffalo, N.Y. in the late 1950s and that experience was the catalyst for his life-long involvement with auto racing in and around the Niagara Frontier. The Tonawanda, N.Y. resident picked up his first track job working the sign-in booth at Lancaster Speedway, then followed up quickly with officiating stints at Merrittville (Ont.) and Ransomville speedways before expanding to work events at the Niagara Falls Convention Center, Holland, Perry, Genesee, Bismark, Humberstone and the New York State Fairgrounds under the DIRT banner. Jack’s family joined in the pitside party with wife Bonnie occupying the sign-in booth and son John manning the flagstand while daughter Dawn currently orchestrates VIP Tower activity at Ransomville. Despite donning official apparel for the past 40 years, Jack once said it best, "I’m a race fan first and foremost."

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 Ransomville 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
Mon-Jul 3 Rolling Wheels Raceway (315-689-7809) Matt Sheppard / 11:00am-1:00pm 153 Grant Avenue - Auburn, NY
Thr-Jul 13 Orange Co. Fair Speedway (845/342-2573) Brett Hearn / 12noon-2:00pm 701 Rte 211 East - Middletown, NY
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: Tour competition closes out the month of June in Central New York when Fulton Speedway hosts its first of two Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series shows on Wednesday, June 28. The 9th Showdown at Sundown 100 title event pays $6,000-to-win and offers valuable points towards the overall Hoosier-Sunoco Mr. DIRT Championship.

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 Fulton,NY
Mon-Jul 3 100 Rolling Wheels Raceway Elbridge,NY
Tue-Jul 4 100 Brockville Ont Speedway Brockville,ONT
Sun-Jul 9 100 Cornwall Motor Speedway Cornwall,ONT
Mon-Jul 10 100 Autodrome Drummond Drummondville,QUE
Thr-Jul 13 100 Orange Co Fair Speedway Middletown,NY
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 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.