Record Fifth Coors National 200 Advance Auto Parts SDS Title To Hearn At The Valley

Garden State standout Brett Hearn added to his resume Saturday night as he captured a record fifth career victory in the 37th Annual Coors National 200 Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series showdown at Lebanon Valley Speedway. The $10,000 victory was his third tour triumph of the season and improved his all-time series-high total to 87 extra-distance wins.

"This was an awesome team performance tonight and perfect execution of a 200-lapper," beamed Hearn, after holding off defending race winner Andy Bachetti by five car-lengths at the line. Hearn’s fourth big-block Modified feature win of the season at Lebanon Valley put a final exclamation mark on his fifth points championship on the high banks. "What a great pit stop the guys made. It proved to be the difference when it counted most."

The mandatory window for pit stops for the season’s first double century grind was once again established between laps 50 and 150. When Central New York invader Jeff Isabell slowed in turn two to bring out the sixth caution period of the race on lap 65, that was the cue for all but seven of the cars to turn pitside. Early leader Bachetti held nearly a straightaway advantage over Hearn before the yellow flag flew but following his only infield trip he returned eighth while Hearn charged back out in sixth behind only those drivers that elected to remain trackside during the slowdown.

Valley regular Ron Dwyer moved to the point after the mass migration to the pits and finally relinquished the lead to Hearn on lap 135, this time after Isabell’s JIR Motorsports mount came to a stop high in turn four. Bachetti shadowed Hearn the rest of the way as did Wayne Jelley, J.R. Heffner and current overall Hoosier Tire-Sunoco Race Fuels Mr. DIRT Championship points leader Tim Fuller, with the order remaining intact until the checkered flag waved.

After suffering problems with his own no. 98 Advance Water Technology/TEO ride the previous weekend, Eddie Marshall picked up a ride in the back-up no. 1g Gable Auto Stores/TEO entry as a teammate to Hearn and grabbed the coveted pole starting position in the customary pre-race draw. Second-generation pilot Marshall bolted out front and after just a handful of laps, second-fast time trialer Billy Decker had his no. 91 Gypsum machine go up in smoke to put him second to last on the final scoresheet. In the late afternoon Heffner had bested the 39-car field in time trials, posting a single-lap best clocking of 20.370 sec. around the big half-miler.

Tour regular Vic Coffey blew out a left rear tire to incur a second caution period on lap 18 and before the green lights reappeared Marshall made a surprising turn into the pits allowing Bachetti to inherit the stop spot. A chain-reaction turn two scuffle resulted in Series ’Elite 11’ member Steve Paine losing a shock and also two laps in the pits undergoing repairs.

The Valley boys were in command of the race with 50 laps scored as Bachetti opened up a comfortable margin over Donnie Corellis, Hearn, Jelley, Heffner and all-time Lebanon feature winner Kenny Tremont. Hearn slipped past Corellis soonafter before most of the pack performed routine pit stops on lap 67 to send the scorers reeling.

Despite a mal-functioning transponder throughout the main event, Dwyer was declared the race leader and he held it past the halfway mark to collect a $500 award from Boomer’s Performance for leading lap 115; another $500 went toward the Olivia Tremont Fund.

While attrition started to take its toll on a number of competitors, Dwyer ran flawlessly at the front of the pack with Hearn and Bachetti in hot pursuit. Once Dwyer pitted and dropped out of the picture with 65 circuits still remaining, the lead duo became immersed in their own battle as the lines were drawn. Hearn stretched out his margin to eight car-lengths by lap 165 until Bachetti closed back in using traffic. And when Bachetti pulled up to Hearn’s rear bumper on lap 180, the lapped car of Justin Haers got caught in the middle. Bachetti once again reeled in the leader but attempting to maneuver around Rick Laubach in traffic put a final halt to any bid that he could muster as the laps counted down.

"Brett was good but he was lucky tonight, too," said Bachetti, who just hours earlier had copped the 50-lap ’Race of Kings’ small-block special to kick off Saturday’s feature race action. "The pit stop was the only difference tonight. I don’t think Brett would’ve had anything for me if I had come out on the track first. As far as I’m concerned this is the best the car has run all year, it’s just too bad we couldn’t have left here with a win."

While frustration circled the face of runner-up Bachetti in post-race festivities, Hearn couldn’t have been more satsified with the final outcome. "I kind of got even with Andy after last year when the same thing happened to me, coming out behind the leaders after a mediocre pit stop. This time we came out ahead and I was able to bide my time behind Ron (Dwyer) not having to race him hard knowing a pit stop was coming. I was a little disappointed to see Tim (Fuller, series points leader) go over the scales (5th) because I really wanted to gain some big points on him out here. I thought this was an important stop toward regaining the Mr. DIRT title so we still moved up a little and that’s always good. Tim’s been hot everywhere this year and we’ll just have to take it race by race."

While most eyes were focused on the Hearn/Bachetti battle as they raced in and out of traffic down the stretch, local favorite Jelley quietly held his own as he secured third-place at the stripe. "We’ve had a great season and I probably learned something new just about every time out," said defending Syracuse Super DIRT Week 358-Modified Champion Jelley, who was recognized as the only driver to complete every lap of every big-block feature held at the Valley in 2005. "The biggest thing I’ve taken from our experience in the longer races is to stay calm and be patient. If you’re around at the end most of the time you’ll have a good chance to finish up front, and maybe even win like I proved at Syracuse."

Marshall rallied to move into sixth-place behind Heffner and Fuller with Corellis, Matt Sheppard and Stewart Friesen the last to be scored on the lead lap and Bert ’Hard Charger’ Russ Reckner filling out the top-10.

Advance Auto Parts Modified Super DIRT Series – Lebanon Valley Speedway, September 10, 2005 Coors National 200 Event Summary [*Official box score posted on www.dirtmotorsports.com by selecting DIRT NorthEast then choosing either the 358-Modified SDS, Sportsman SDS or Pro Stock SDS before clicking the ’Advance’ logo top left on homepage]

FEATURE

FIN STR CAR# DRIVER

1 10 1 Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ ($10,000)

2 5 4 Andy Bachetti/Sheffield,MA

3 11 45 Wayne Jelley/Pittsfield,MA

4 8 74 J.R. Heffner/Averill Park,NY

5 15 m1 Tim Fuller/Edwards,NY

6 1 1g Eddie Marshall/Ridgefield,CT

7 7 21 Donnie Corellis/Averill Park,NY

8 22 44s Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY

9 20 20 Stewart Friesen/Niagara-o-t-Lake,ONT

10 29 34r Russ Reckner/Nassau,NY

11 28 5 Rick Laubach/Quakertown,PA

12 18 3h Justin Haers/Phelps,NY

13 2 42p Pat Ward/Genoa,NY

14 25 8j Tom Sears,Jr./Clay,NY

15 19 34 Steve Hough/East Greenbush,NY

16 27 43 Keith Flach/Ravena,NY

17 12 88 Ron Dwyer/Bennington,VT

18 6 87 Hector Stratton/Bennington,VT

19 26 29b Jeff Brownell,Jr./Waterloo,NY

20 30 7j Jeff Isabell/Pennellville,NY

21 4 115 Kenny Tremont/West Sand Lake,NY

22 21 1t Gary Tomkins/Clifton Springs,NY

23 14 32c Vic Coffey/Leicester,NY

24 31 18 Sean Beardsley/Central Square,NY

25 16 3b Chad Brachmann/Wheatfield,NY

26 13 98h Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY

27 17 55 Mike King/Nassau,NY

28 23 87x Paul Gilardi/Pittsfield,MA

29 24 7x Steve Paine/Waterloo,NY

30 3 14j Alan Johnson/Phelps,NY

31 9 91 Billy Decker/Unadilla,NY

32 32 34L Dave Leckonby/West Sand Lake,NY

DID NOT QUALIFY(7)

OB’s-Oscar Boria/Middletown,NY

7-John Ruchel/Niverville,NY

29z-Steve Pesarek/Geneva,NY

35-Mike DePalma/Wallkill,NY

43k-Ken Aanonsen/East Greenbush,NY 48too-Dave Rauscher/Waterloo,NY

347-Skippy Fox/Springfield,MA

Lap Leaders: Marshall (1-22), Bachetti (23-67), Dwyer (68-134), Hearn (135-200).

Bert Hard Charger: Russ Reckner.

QUALIFYING

FAST AVE

TIME MPH CAR# DRIVER

1 20.370 88.365 74 J.R. Heffner/Averill Park,NY

2 20.411 88.188 91 Billy Decker/Unadilla,NY

3 20.447 88.032 1 Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ

4 20.529 87.681 4 Andy Bachetti/Sheffield,MA

5 20.530 87.677 45 Wayne Jelley/Pittsfield,MA

6 20.617 87.307 98h Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY

7 20.646 87.184 1g Eddie Marshall/Ridgefield,CT

8 20.648 87.176 42p Pat Ward/Genoa,NY

9 20.694 86.982 87 Hector Stratton/Bennington,VT

10 20.704 86.940 44s Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY

11 20.730 86.831 m1 Tim Fuller/Edwards,NY

12 20.771 86.659 21 Donnie Corellis/Averill Park,NY

13 20.902 86.116 1t Gary Tomkins/Clifton Springs,NY

14 20.903 86.112 88 Ron Dwyer/Bennington,VT

15 20.951 85.915 14j Alan Johnson/Phelps,NY

16 20.972 85.829 3b Chad Brachmann/Wheatfield,NY

17 21.003 85.702 55 Mike King/Nassau,NY

18 21.011 85.669 32c Vic Coffey/Leicester,NY

19 21.041 85.547 34 Steve Hough/East Greenbush,NY

20 21.047 85.523 20 Stewart Friesen/Niagara-o-t-Lake,ONT

21 21.055 85.490 115 Kenny Tremont/West Sand Lake,NY

22 21.081 85.385 3h Justin Haers/Phelps,NY

23 21.097 85.320 34r Russ Reckner/Nassau,NY

24 21.105 85.288 7x Steve Paine/Waterloo,NY

25 21.108 85.276 8j Tom Sears,Jr./Clay,NY

26 21.201 84.902 7j Jeff Isabell/Pennellville,NY

27 21.247 84.718 87x Paul Gilardi/Pittsfield,MA

28 21.297 84.519 5 Rick Laubach/Quakertown,PA

29 21.300 84.507 43 Keith Flach/Ravena,NY

30 21.306 84.483 29b Jeff Brownell,Jr./Waterloo,NY

31 21.351 84.305 18 Sean Beardsley/Central Square,NY

32 21.383 84.179 34L Dave Leckonby/West Sand Lake,NY

33 21.480 83.799 48too Dave Rauscher/Waterloo,NY

34 21.546 83.542 7 John Ruchel/Niverville,NY

35 21.642 83.172 29z Steve Pesarek/Geneva,NY

36 21.751 82.755 35 Mike DePalma/Wallkill,NY

37 -NT- ----- OB’s Oscar Boria/Middletown,NY

38 -NT- ----- 43k Ken Aanonsen/East Greenbush,NY

39 -NT- ----- 347 Skippy Fox/Springfield,MA

*Top-2 locked into pre-race feature draw.

Heat Races (8 laps, top 5 finishers transferred to feature, top 3 went to re-draw)

#1:Hearn, Marshall, A.Johnson, Fuller, Hough, Gilardi, Reckner, Beardsley, Pesarek.

#2: Bachetti, Corellis, Ward, Brachmann, Friesen, Paine, Laubach, Leckonby, DePalma.

#3: Jelley, Stratton, Tremont, King, Tomkins, Flach, Sears, Fox, Rauscher, Boria (DNS).

#4: Phelps, Dwyer, Coffey, Haers, Sheppard, Brownell, Ruchel, Aanonsen, Isabell.

Consolation Round (8 laps, top 5 finishers transferred to feature)

#1: Gilardi, Sears, Flach, Reckner, Beardsley, Fox, Pesarek, Boria, DePalma, Rauscher (DNS).

#2: Paine, Brownell, Laubach, Isabell, Leckonby, Ruchel, Aanonsen (DNS).

OVERALL HOOSIER-SUNOCO MR. DIRT MODIFIED POINT STANDINGS

(through Lebanon Valley – September 10, 2005)

Track

No. Driver Bonus Points Total Diff Money Wins T-5 T-10 Starts

1 M1 Tim Fuller 300 1,384 1,684 0$57,700 6 12 14 17

2 3 Brett Hearn 292 1,353 1,645 -39$45,900 3 11 14 17

3 1 Gary Tomkins 300 1,264 1,564 -120$36,300 3 7 12 17

4 91 Billy Decker 296 1,249 1,545 -139$30,825 1 6 12 17

5 44s Matt Sheppard 288 1,160 1,448 -236$27,325 0 7 11 17

6 42p Pat Ward 292 1,152 1,444 -240$26,225 1 5 9 17

7 7x Steve Paine 296 1,065 1,361 -323$18,250 0 4 7 17

8 TEN Alan Johnson 300 987 1,287 -397$17,900 1 2 8 17

9 3h Justin Haers 262 980 1,242 -442$13,050 0 1 7 17

10 98h Jimmy Phelps 270 946 1,216 -468$13,825 0 2 6 16

11 3b Chad Brachmann 284 927 1,211 -473 $9,525 0 1 6 17

12 20 Stewart Friesen 274 931 1,205 -479 $8,850 0 0 6 17

13 32c Vic Coffey 292 804 1,096 -588 $8,200 0 1 4 14

14 8J Tom Sears Jr. 260 724 984 -700 $7,275 0 0 4 13

15 6J Andy Bachetti 288 668 956 -728$13,260 0 2 2 12

16 29B Jeff Brownell Jr. 244 643 887 -797 $5,220 0 0 2 13

17 9 Bob McCreadie 284 480 764 -920 $6,700 0 2 2 9

18 18 Sean Beardsley 202 529 731 -953 $3,475 0 0 1 10

19 99B Chuck Bower 256 459 715 -969 $5,300 0 0 5 7

20 7J Jeff Isabell 252 461 713 -971 $2,785 0 0 0 8

21 27z Ray Bliss 214 422 636 -1,048 $2,900 0 0 0 9

22 115 Kenny Tremont Jr. 284 334 618 -1,066$11,050 1 2 2 5

23 27J Danny Johnson 162 342 504 -1,180 $2,975 0 0 1 6

24151X Dale Planck 212 285 497 -1,187 $3,925 0 1 1 5

25 44 Frank Cozze 64 431 495 -1,189 $7,300 0 2 4 7

26 99 Ryan Phelps 250 234 484 -1,200 $1,750 0 0 0 5

27 74 J.R. Heffner 280 189 469 -1,215 $3,400 0 1 2 3

28 45 Wayne Jelly 292 175 467 -1,217 $6,000 0 2 2 2

29 39 Tim McCreadie 128 335 463 -1,221 $5,100 0 2 2 6

30 1J Bobby Varin 300 141 441 -1,243 $2,300 0 1 1 2

31 88h Steve Hulziser 228 212 440 -1,244 $1,500 0 0 0 5

32 98 Eddie Marshall 280 156 436 -1,248 $3,300 0 1 2 2

33 49 Billy Dunn 256 172 428 -1,256 $1,000 0 0 0 3

34 16 A.J. Romano 188 226 414 -1,270 $1,550 0 0 0 5

35 21 Donnie Corellis 276 137 413 -1,271 $2,200 0 0 2 2

36 85 Dan Vauter 186 204 390 -1,294 $1,425 0 0 0 4

37 22g Mitch Gibbs 184 205 389 -1,295 $4,000 0 2 2 3

38 56v Vinnie Vitale 232 152 384 -1,300 $900 0 0 0 3

39 2 Dave Axton 244 136 380 -1,304 $900 0 0 0 3

40 10 Karl Comfort 226 150 376 -1,308 $900 0 0 0 3

41 88 Jeff Strunk 26 348 374 -1,310 $2,900 0 0 2 7

42 34 Steve Hough 240 122 362 -1,322 $1,000 0 0 0 2

43 X Chad Phelps 196 166 362 -1,322 $1,200 0 0 0 4

44 62 Todd Burley 234 128 362 -1,322 $1,500 0 0 1 2

45 88d Ron Dwyer 256 98 354 -1,330 $760 0 0 0 2

46 777 Kevin Bolland 300 50 350 -1,334 $300 0 0 0 1

47 20d Del Rougeux Jr. 296 48 344 -1,340 $300 0 0 0 1

48 44 Dave Leckonby 260 80 340 -1,344 $700 0 0 0 2

49 12a Jack Johnson 60 279 339 -1,345 $3,400 0 1 2 5

50 55k Mike King 244 94 338 -1,346 $725 0 0 0 2

Skidmarks:

* With his record fifth Coors National 200 title in the bank, Brett Hearn now stands atop the legendary group of past champions at Lebanon Valley. Among the 22 winning drivers, Hearn ranks ahead of former Valley regular Billy Decker with four extra-distance triumphs followed by open-wheel veterans Jack Johnson and Danny Johnson each with three. All-time Valley champion Kenny Tremont, high banks hero Tommy Corellis and invaders Doug Hoffman and Bobby Gerhart both own two wins. Gerhart was the first repeat winner as well as back-to-back titlist in 1970-71 with Hearn (1983-84), Decker (1988-89), Jack Johnson (1993-94) and Tremont (1998-99) matching the feat in the decades to come. Inaugural winner Frankie Schneider (1965) followed up with three consecutive runner-up finishes while Decker won three of four events from 1988-1991. Decker (1989, 181 laps) and Rich Ricci, Jr. (1997, 109 laps) claimed the only rain-shortened 200-lappers while consecutive victories by Tremont (1998, 201 laps; 1999, 203 laps) and Decker (2000, 202 laps) surpassed the scheduled 100-mile distance. Joining Schneider and Ricci in the recordbook as one-time winners are Pete Corey, Jackie Evans, Carl VanHorn, Stan Ploski, Gerald Chamberlain, Mert Hulbert, Rene Charland, Kenny Coon, Jimmy Horton, Bob McCreadie, Alan Johnson and defending champion Andy Bachetti.

* The top-15 finishers in the ’Petrocci Memorial 100’ held on Labor Day at Rolling Wheels Raceway were at the head of the line to share in the unique $3,000 Winner’s Circle fund that has been set aside to be divided among the highest finishing drivers at each event. The distribution of this special $3,000 fund is based on the feature race finishing order: drivers placing in positions 1-5 each earn $100, 6th – 10th-place finishers receive $200 and 11th – 15th pocket $300. Competitors are required to attend and attempt to qualify for the next Advance Auto Parts SDS event to collect payment of the Winner’s Circle bonus.

By racing at Lebanon Valley, Gary Tomkins, Tim Fuller, Billy Decker, Jimmy Phelps and Matt Sheppard received $100, Brett Hearn, Jeff Brownell, Jr. and Sean Beardsley earned $200, while Chad Brachmann, Justin Haers and Vic Coffey pocketed $300. Chuck Bower, Ronnie Johnson, A.J. Romano and Danny Johnson were no shows. Upon attempting to qualify for the Paine Motorsports 200 during DynoMax World Series Weekend at Rolling Wheels Raceway on Sept. 18, Hearn, Andy Bachetti, Wayne Jelley, J.R. Heffner and Fuller will collect $100 each, Eddie Marshall, Donnie Corellis, Sheppard, Stewart Friesen and Russ Reckner will receive $200, with Rick Laubach, Haers, Pat Ward, Tom Sears, Jr. and Steve Hough in line for $300 bonuses.

* Super DIRT Series action continues this month with Rolling Wheels hosting the ’World Series of DIRT Track Racing 100’ on Sun., Sept. 18 before competition returns to New Egypt on September 24 for "Legends of the Fall" season finale. A raindate of Sun., Sept. 25 has been listed on the track schedule. A note to all teams planning their return to New Jersey for competition at either New Egypt on Sept. 24 or Bridgeport Speedway on Oct. 22-23. Even though the 2005 Official DIRT MotorSports NorthEast Rule Book recommends use of a five-point seat belt no older than five years, New Jersey State law mandates that no safety harness may be used that is older than two years. While the significance of this matter was stressed by a number of law enforcement agents on race night, the same individuals noted that direct action will taken against any teams failing to take heed of this particular warning.

* Vince Vicari was in attendance at Lebanon Valley prepping teams for the 3rd IMI Central Penn 100 at Williams Grove Speedway on October 16 that is now the only event taking center stage that weekend with DIRT’s “Elite 11” battling area stars from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware as well as previous winners Keith Hoffman and Meme DeSantis. Event promoter Vicari has also afforded traveling teams a special opportunity to practice on Saturday, Oct. 15. Additional monetary incentives have already been lined up, most notably $400 and $200 awards to the fastest two qualifiers from the R.M. Palmer Candy Company, one of the leading chocolate manufacturers in the country. Among the heat race sponsors awarding $200 to each winner are J & L Speed Supply, Tabloid Graphics and 4 Star Lettering.

* With RACEceiver now recognized as the Official Driver Communicator of DIRT MotorSports™ in 2005, fans, as well as the competing drivers, were able to hear first hand everything that was happening throughout the entire Lebanon Valley 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.

2005 ADVANCE AUTO PARTS MODIFIED SUPER DIRT SERIES SCHEDULE

Day-Date Track (Laps) Location

Sun-Sep 18 Rolling Wheels Raceway (200L)........................Elbridge, NY

Sat-Sep 24 New Egypt Speedway (100L).............................New Egypt, NJ

Sun-Oct 9 New York State Fairgrounds (200L)...................Syracuse, NY

Sun-Oct 16 Williams Grove Speedway (100L) .....................Mechanicsburg, PA

Sun-Oct 23 Bridgeport Speedway (200L) ............................Bridgeport, NJ

*NP = Non-Point event.

ADVANCE AUTO PARTS MODIFIED SERIES SPONSORS

The DIRT MotorSports™ Advance Auto Parts Modified Series is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Advance Auto Parts, Dynomax Performance Exhaust, Hoosier Racing Tire and Sunoco Race Fuels. Promotional Partners include Stacker 2®, AMB i.t., RACEceiver and Zippo Lighters and the contingency sponsors are DART Machinery, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, MSD Ignitions and Wrisco Industries.