<b>Compiled by Doc Lehman & Jarrod Lehman
Syndicated By DIRT AMERICA</b>
Updated: January 20, 2003
DRIVER NEWS:
Brian Daugerty is now crew chief for Dale Beitler’s team with driver DAVEY JOHNSON.
MATT MILLER will be running for Rookie of the Year with the Xtreme Dirt Car Series.
DIRT Modified stars TIM MCCREADIE and VIC COFFEY will be driving the Sweetner’s Plus Rockets at East Bay Raceway during Speedweeks. They will also be running the DIRT Modifieds shows at Volusia.
MIKE BALZANO unveiled two new additions to his racing family: primary sponsorship from "Smoker Friendly" and a newly designed Website. Earlier this month, Balzano and "Smoker Friendly" were able to seal a sponsorship deal for the 2003 Blazin´ Trails Tour. Smoker Friendly, based in Denver, Colorado, is the premier specialty tobacco shop in the U.S. with 263 stores in 30 states and is dedicated to providing legal aged customers with the best and friendliest service. This sponsor extension is just the first of many exciting changes being made for 2003 by the Balzano racing team. www.mikebalzano.com.
JACK HEWITT has announced the East Bay Raceway Park will be part the book signing of his book "Hewitt's Law". The Troy, Ohio driver who has been part of the American scene for over thirty years will be at all of the Sprint Car events. Jack Hewitt's skills have been tested in the open wheel ranks as a driver of the Midgets, Sprint Cars, the big Silver Crown Cars along with the Late Models and Modifieds. Hewitt is also known as the oldest rookie in the Indy 500 history. Hewitt has announced that he will attend the Ronald Laney Memorial on the 29th of January thru the 1st of February. He will then return on the 12th of February thru the 15th.
WENDELL WALLACE of Batesville, AR unveiled a new look for 2003. Wallace will switch to Ford and carry the number 88 on the side of his GRT "house Car" in 2003 in honor of his late father ‘Hootie’ Wallace. A Kuntz Ford engine will power the Taurus.
STEVE CAMPBELL, ’02 Port Royal champ, will defend his title in ’03.
BRIAN BIRKHOFER has an all-new website at: www.BrianBirkhoferracing.com.
Winston Cup star KEN SCHRADER of Fenton, MO has announced his plans to compete with the United Dirt Track Racing Association Pro DirtCar Series on February 4, 2003 and the Renegade Dirt Car Racing Series event on February 5, 2003 at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, FL. Schrader will drive his own Rayburn-chassis machine in the $5,000-to-win main event.
JIM BERNHEISEL, the ’02 Renegade Rookie of the Year, has been busy with his Lazer chassis company. “We are super busy getting cars built for next year,” informs the driver/builder. “We are just completing a car for Dan Stone, ‘The Thompson Tornado’, to race in Florida. In addition we are building two new Lazers for Scott ‘the Silver Shark’ James to debut at Speedweeks. Hagerstown frontrunner Marvin Winters is another recent addition to the Lazer team. His new mount will be ready for the Hagerstown Opener. We are in discussion with several other notable Late Model drivers to run Lazers in 2003.”
BILLY OGLE, JR., of Knoxville, TN was named the 2002 NATIONAL DIRT LATE MODEL DRIVERS POLL Rookie of the Year poll for series drivers during the 4th Quarter balloting for the National Driver of the Year.
BART HARTMAN has added a Russell Baker Racing Engine to his arsenal. Pics of his new Rocket can be found at: www.rickschwalliephotos.com.
ERIC 'Spud' MYERS will be on the road more and is considering Sunoco ALMS or MACS rookie run.
DONNIE MORAN will be on the Renegade Dirt Car Racing Series campaign in 2003 using Mastersbilt Race Cars and has unveiled a new website at: has announced the launching of a brand new website located www.donniemoran.com. Famed driver and engine builder Brad Malcuit will serve as crew chief for Moran.
At the recent Virginia Motor Speedway Awards Banquet LES HARE of New Park, PA was honored for the second year in a row as the Thurston Spring Service Super Late Model Champion. Hare received a $10,000 check for his Championship and an extra $2000 for Turbo Blue Racing Gasoline Contingency Award. Hare also received a Warrior Chassis frame from Goddard Performance Parts.
IVEDENT LLOYD Racing and Delph Communications are excited to announce the opening of Ivedent’s new website at www.ivedentlloyd.com. Ivedent has been a local and regional hot shoe for years in the Florida-Georgia area in his Marion Machine & Tool #21 GRT Pontiac Grand Prix, and is now branching out to hit some of the bigger races out east and in the midwest. This year, Ivedent and his racing team will be hitting all the big southern shows, as well as competing in events including the “World 100,” “Dream 100,” Dirt Track World Championship,” and many other national shows. Ivedent has already picked up one victory this season as he won a $4,000 feature at Columbia Motorsports Park in Florida on January 5th, which was a “topless” dirt late model race on asphalt.
Flyin' RYAN MARKHAM will be on the road at big shows in '03 and might make a run at MACS title.
JIMMY MARS Racing and Delph Communications are excited to announce that the official Jimmy Mars Racing website has a fresh, new look. The new website will have frequent updates on Jimmy's quest to become the 2003 UDTRA champion. It is located at: www.jimmymarsracing.com.
CHUB FRANK, the three-time defednding Renegade DirtCar Racing Series Champion announced the launch of his redesigned Internet website at www.chubfrank.com. The new and improved site recently got a complete makeover by Seann Anderson of Panther Motorsports Graphics & Design. On Jan. 24-26, Chubzilla will be at Mark Richard's Rocket Chassis (Race Right Chassis School) held yearly in Shinnston, WV. where he will be a guest speaker.
ERIC SMITLEY, '02 Wayne County (OH) Speedway Sportsman rookie, will make a run at WCS Rookie of the Year in Late Models.
CARL GRAVES will again pilot the NINE Late Model at Silver Spring Speedway. The team is currently busy updating the 2002 Magnum Chassis in anticipation for the 2003 season. In 2002 the NINE Late Model qualified for every show and finished the season with an amazing 1 DNF. The team finished 6th in the points standings. 2003 will see the return of Kingsboro Asphalt Sealing, Ray's Yamaha, All Season's Motorsports, R&R Automotive, BTI Components and www.pennsylvaniajobs.com as sponsors. The team will consist of Ronnie Leinbach as crew chief and Ross Leinbach as assistant crew chief, Gayle Leinbach as team manager and Dave Mohler as head of maintenance. Returning crew members are Rick Kingsboro, Jared Davis and Sherry Kingsboro. Drag racer Jose Walker joins the team on a part time basis for 2003. The team will again race at Silver Spring Speedway and some traveling shows as the schedule permits.
DALE MCDOWELL joined the UDTRA Millionaire's Club during the 2002 season. McDowell's UDTRA career earnings are now at $1,137,420 and is second on the all-time list.
Denny Earl is putting a new team together with KEITH BERNER as the driver. The car will be #18.
DIRT AMERICA/DIRT-RACERS
www.dirt-racers.com
has been updated w/:
INTERVIEWS & FEATURES:
---EAST BAY PREVIEW – w/ interview, fan & driver guide
---CLINT ELKINS – Hired Gun!
---MACS – Jeff Geesey Interview
---BROWNSTOWN GOES WORLD WIDE – Chris Nunn interview
Updated NEWSLINE!
NEW COLUMNS:
---MIKE O’CONNOR – w/ thoughts & observations
---BRANDON MCCULLERS – on Justin Wakefield
---REV PAT EVANS – w/ his message & news
---DOC LEHMAN – w/ this, that ‘n the other
Coming Soon: Billy Moyer, Earl Baltes, Bill Frye, Mooney Starr, Donnie Moran & More!
http://www.dirt-racers.com
SANCTION NEWS:
Dave Kittey has taken a position with MACS. Kittey is the co-publisher & co-editor of RPM Racing News.
The United Midwestern Promoters (U.M.P.) is kicking off 2003 with a bang as they roll out an all new website for the 2003 season at: www.umpracing.com.
Renegade DirtCar Racing Series member driver applications are now available to any driver who may wish to join the organization for the 2003 racing season. The annual fee is $50 and entitles drivers to the point fund, sponsor contingency program and guarantee and participant programs offered by the Ohio-based dirtcar (dirt late model) sanctioning organization. Drivers do not have to become a member of the organization in order to compete in a Renegade DirtCar Racing Series sanctioned event. However, no points, sponsor contingency's or other benefits are awarded to "non-member" drivers. Drivers may become a Renegade DirtCar Racing Series member driver no later than July 1, 2003. Drivers may become a member driver after that date but will only be eligible for the sponsor contingency program. Season points and the ROCKET CHASSIS "Rookie of the Year" points will be awarded starting Feb. 3 with the season opener at East Bay Raceway Park. Drivers wishing to chase the "R.O.Y" title must become a member driver and declare their intentions prior to March 1, 2003. Member driver applications for the 2003 Renegade DirtCar Racing Series have been mailed to 2002 member drivers. Those wishing to receive a member driver application should contact the Renegade DirtCar Racing Series office by phoning 330-682-3053, faxing 330-682-7565 or e-mail to renegadedirtcar@bright.net.
The O'Reilly Auto Parts Mid-America Racing Series (MARS) has had an official website hosted at Mid-South Racing Scene for several months. The Series has now registered an official domain name, and fans of the series can go to http://www.midamericaracingseries.com to get all the official news and updates for series events.
Mooney Starr, president of the O'Reilly Auto Parts Mid-America Racing Series (MARS) has released the schedule for the upcoming 2003 season. There will be 34 events, highlighted by a pair of season ending $10,000 to win races. Six new tracks dot the schedule that gets underway on Friday April 11. Drivers committed to the championship in 2003 will be racing for $30,000, which is the winners share of the point fund. Kuntz & Co. will once again back the rookie of the year competition that will pay the top rookie $3,000.
Scott French has left his position with the (UDTRA) Xtreme Dirt Car Series.
The King of the Mountain Dirt Racing Series is a newly proposed eastern Kentucky series that might see birth this season.
PolyDome Products of Litchfield, Minn., has been named the title sponsor of the World Dirt Racing League, a Midwest-based Late Model touring series, WDRL officials have announced. The series, now beginning its second season, is now known as the PolyDome Super Series, a World Dirt Racing League touring series, said Jim Wilson, of Blue Springs, the series founder and director. The PolyDome Super Series will open its 2003 run on Saturday, March 29, at the same track that hosted its inaugural race a year ago, the half-mile dirt Davenport (Iowa) Speedway, located at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds.
The U.M.P. Summer Nationals will visit 26 tracks in just 27 days in the heat of the summer all throughout the Midwest, providing the ultimate challenge that will test some of the best dirt late model teams in the country, designed and maintained by STLRACING.COM.
The all new www.TORAracing.com has been launched and will be a portal of information to all TORA fans, drivers, and officials for the 2003 season. A Fan Area is part of the new site. Another new feature is an online driver registration form that allows drivers to register online for the 2003 season. Driver Profiles, links, and other multimedia items are on tap also in the near future.
The King of the Mountain Dirt Racing Series is a newly proposed eastern Kentucky racing series for Late Models and Modifieds.
Southern All Stars will open their season on Feb 22-23 Green Valley Speedway-Glencoe, AL with a 75 lap-$10,000 to win event.
RACE TRACK NEWS:
KC (OH) Raceway celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2003.
Florence (KY) Speedway has already sold out of 2003 Season Passes.
The new Delta Bowl (MS) Speedway, currently under construction, can be seen at: http://midsouthracing.com/assortedpicturespage54.htm
Winchester (TN) Speedway owner Tim Smith is announcing the 1st Annual Winterfest for Saturday afternoon, February 15th is now scheduled. The race will utilize Southern All Star rules paying $3,000 to win and $100 to start.
Jim Varnell of Knoxville is the new owner of Atomic Motor Speedway. The 2003 racing season will be a transition year for the speedway. No major changes are planned for the track. But the racing program will be slightly changed. The track will no longer conduct its weekly races under the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series umbrella.
The 35th annual Lernerville Awards Banquet will be held, Saturday, March 1, 2003. John Flinner won the ’02 track title. Opening day will be Friday, March 28, 2003.
As part of a cross promotional effort between WVMS and East Bay Raceway, the feature winner of the February 8, 2003 X-treme DirtCar finale at East Bay will be given a guaranteed provisional for the October 18-19, 2003 Racefest World Championship at West Virginia Motor Speedway. The favor will then be returned with a guaranteed spot for the Racefest World Championship feature winner at the 2004 X-treme DirtCar season finale at East Bay Raceway. East Bay Raceway will be offering a total purse of more than $250,000 for the Dirt Late Model Speedweek, while the RaceFest World Championship will have a $107,000 total purse with $32,000 going to the winner.
Port Royal Speedway has secured major sponsorship for their Late Model Division. President and Race Director Tom Little announced that AB Auto Glass and Ramsey's Car Wash will now be the title sponsors for the highly competitive class. The large shows will be held on Saturday nights, the first likely to be added to the schedule during the month of May. At least two shows paying $ 2,000 dollars to win plus incentives will be run.
We have gotten reports that next month’s ICE BOWL race at the Talledega Short track will be broadcast live on the internet at: www.al.com
The Potomac Speedway has just announced that they will host the Racing Extravaganza on February 28, March 1, and March 2 at the St. Charles Towne Center in Waldorf, MD. The three day show will feature the regular competitors of the high banked clay oval as they all debut their new cars and paint schemes for the 2003 racing season. Anyone wishing to participate needs to email Mark Potter at markpotter@lycos.com as soon as possible as space is limited. There will be a drivers autograph and interview session on Saturday night in the Hecht's Court beginning at 7 pm. The mall is located just 15 miles off beltway exit 7A on Rt. 301 and is anchored by Hecht's, Sears, Kohls, JC Penney, and Hecht's Home.
Fairbury American Legion Speedway website has moved to bigger and better ground at it's new webspace and site URL at www.fairburyspeedway.com.
On Saturday evening, January 18, 2003, Miley Motorsports and Pittsburgh's PA Motor Speedway will be honoring their 2002 Track Champions at the 14th Annual Awards Banquet, which will be held at the Bradley House in Baldwin. The champions are: Al Atallah (Late Models) & Pete Loria (Limited Late Models),
DKM Motorsports and WRT Web Designs would like to announce that the new Bedford Speedway Web Site is going to have a new web address. Beginning Monday, January 6, 2003, www.bedfordpaspeedway.com will be the new home of the Bedford Speedway web site.
At Virginia Motor Speedway owner Bill Sawyer gave his annual State of Dirt address. Sawyer informed the gathering of some changes to the speedway, which will include a bigger competitor parking area, expanded crew and driver grandstand area in turn three and the formation of the Victory Lap Late Model $25K Challenge. “We have already announced that we have a four race Challenge Series for the Thurston Spring Service Super Late Models as of last night we now have a four race event for the Victory Lap Late Model Division,” commented Sawyer. “It will be called the Victory Lap Late Model $25K Challenge and will consist of four races all 40 laps and $1500 to win. Should a driver win two of the four races he will receive a $5000 bonus; if a driver wins three of four they will receive a $15,000 bonus and if someone can win all four they will receive a $25,000 bonus,” added Sawyer. Dates for the four race series have yet to be determined and will be announced in the next couple of weeks. The four races will be under VMS Late Model track rules and can be found online at www.vamotorspeedway.com.
Thunder Valley (PA) Raceway is having new clay put on the surface.
Macomb (IL) Speedway is set to honor its 2002 Season Champions at this year’s annual Awards Banquet. The annual banquet will be held on January 25, 2003 at the Macomb American Legion, located at 221 East Washington Street in Macomb. All drivers, car owners, sponsors, and race fans are encouraged and welcome to attend. Admission is $7.00 per person at the door. Social hour is from 6-7:00 p.m. Awards will follow at 7:15 with a short intermission at 8:30. Entertainment will follow from 9:30 to 11:30. For more information, contact Bill Goddard at (309) 836-9511 or Donna Davis at (309) 837-2891.
Tri City (PA) Speedway is looking into hosting a Late Model special in 2003.
The Potomac Speedway, along with Mark Richards Racing Enterprises, will be awarding the 2003 Potomac Speedway Super Late Model Champion a new Rocket chassis. The chassis, valued at more than $3000, will be awarded at the Banquet on November 15.
The St. Francois County (MO) Raceway is now offering 14'x20' concrete parking spaces for the 2003 racing season. These spaces are on a first-come, first-serve basis and are available for all classes. The cost per season is $250. To reserve a spot or to place an order contact Larry Minkel at (573) 756-1734 or Gary Montgomery at (573) 783-5851 as soon as possible.
Three tracks will be hosting a pre-Speedweeks weekend gala, Oglethorpe Speedway Park (Savannah, GA), Waycross Motor Speedway (Waycross, GA) and Golden Isles Speedway (Brunswick, GA). The special weekend of racing entertainment will get started at Oglethorpe Speedway Park when the green flag falls on this year's SpeedWeeks action on Friday, January 31st in a 40 lap $5,000 to win rumble on the coast at the 5/8-mile clay oval in Savannah, GA. Following the Friday night opener in Savannah, the Lucas Oil Triple Crown Championship Series travels to Waycross Motor Speedway for another 40-lap $5,000 to win main event on Saturday night, February 1st. The final event of the trifecta will take place on Sunday afternoon at Brunswick's Golden Isles Speedway with a special 60-lap $10,000 feature event on Sunday, February 2nd. As an added bonus Lucas Oil Products will present the driver with the highest average finish over the three-day affair with an extra $2,000.
Syndicated By DIRT AMERICA</b>
Updated: January 20, 2003
DRIVER NEWS:
Brian Daugerty is now crew chief for Dale Beitler’s team with driver DAVEY JOHNSON.
MATT MILLER will be running for Rookie of the Year with the Xtreme Dirt Car Series.
DIRT Modified stars TIM MCCREADIE and VIC COFFEY will be driving the Sweetner’s Plus Rockets at East Bay Raceway during Speedweeks. They will also be running the DIRT Modifieds shows at Volusia.
MIKE BALZANO unveiled two new additions to his racing family: primary sponsorship from "Smoker Friendly" and a newly designed Website. Earlier this month, Balzano and "Smoker Friendly" were able to seal a sponsorship deal for the 2003 Blazin´ Trails Tour. Smoker Friendly, based in Denver, Colorado, is the premier specialty tobacco shop in the U.S. with 263 stores in 30 states and is dedicated to providing legal aged customers with the best and friendliest service. This sponsor extension is just the first of many exciting changes being made for 2003 by the Balzano racing team. www.mikebalzano.com.
JACK HEWITT has announced the East Bay Raceway Park will be part the book signing of his book "Hewitt's Law". The Troy, Ohio driver who has been part of the American scene for over thirty years will be at all of the Sprint Car events. Jack Hewitt's skills have been tested in the open wheel ranks as a driver of the Midgets, Sprint Cars, the big Silver Crown Cars along with the Late Models and Modifieds. Hewitt is also known as the oldest rookie in the Indy 500 history. Hewitt has announced that he will attend the Ronald Laney Memorial on the 29th of January thru the 1st of February. He will then return on the 12th of February thru the 15th.
WENDELL WALLACE of Batesville, AR unveiled a new look for 2003. Wallace will switch to Ford and carry the number 88 on the side of his GRT "house Car" in 2003 in honor of his late father ‘Hootie’ Wallace. A Kuntz Ford engine will power the Taurus.
STEVE CAMPBELL, ’02 Port Royal champ, will defend his title in ’03.
BRIAN BIRKHOFER has an all-new website at: www.BrianBirkhoferracing.com.
Winston Cup star KEN SCHRADER of Fenton, MO has announced his plans to compete with the United Dirt Track Racing Association Pro DirtCar Series on February 4, 2003 and the Renegade Dirt Car Racing Series event on February 5, 2003 at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, FL. Schrader will drive his own Rayburn-chassis machine in the $5,000-to-win main event.
JIM BERNHEISEL, the ’02 Renegade Rookie of the Year, has been busy with his Lazer chassis company. “We are super busy getting cars built for next year,” informs the driver/builder. “We are just completing a car for Dan Stone, ‘The Thompson Tornado’, to race in Florida. In addition we are building two new Lazers for Scott ‘the Silver Shark’ James to debut at Speedweeks. Hagerstown frontrunner Marvin Winters is another recent addition to the Lazer team. His new mount will be ready for the Hagerstown Opener. We are in discussion with several other notable Late Model drivers to run Lazers in 2003.”
BILLY OGLE, JR., of Knoxville, TN was named the 2002 NATIONAL DIRT LATE MODEL DRIVERS POLL Rookie of the Year poll for series drivers during the 4th Quarter balloting for the National Driver of the Year.
BART HARTMAN has added a Russell Baker Racing Engine to his arsenal. Pics of his new Rocket can be found at: www.rickschwalliephotos.com.
ERIC 'Spud' MYERS will be on the road more and is considering Sunoco ALMS or MACS rookie run.
DONNIE MORAN will be on the Renegade Dirt Car Racing Series campaign in 2003 using Mastersbilt Race Cars and has unveiled a new website at: has announced the launching of a brand new website located www.donniemoran.com. Famed driver and engine builder Brad Malcuit will serve as crew chief for Moran.
At the recent Virginia Motor Speedway Awards Banquet LES HARE of New Park, PA was honored for the second year in a row as the Thurston Spring Service Super Late Model Champion. Hare received a $10,000 check for his Championship and an extra $2000 for Turbo Blue Racing Gasoline Contingency Award. Hare also received a Warrior Chassis frame from Goddard Performance Parts.
IVEDENT LLOYD Racing and Delph Communications are excited to announce the opening of Ivedent’s new website at www.ivedentlloyd.com. Ivedent has been a local and regional hot shoe for years in the Florida-Georgia area in his Marion Machine & Tool #21 GRT Pontiac Grand Prix, and is now branching out to hit some of the bigger races out east and in the midwest. This year, Ivedent and his racing team will be hitting all the big southern shows, as well as competing in events including the “World 100,” “Dream 100,” Dirt Track World Championship,” and many other national shows. Ivedent has already picked up one victory this season as he won a $4,000 feature at Columbia Motorsports Park in Florida on January 5th, which was a “topless” dirt late model race on asphalt.
Flyin' RYAN MARKHAM will be on the road at big shows in '03 and might make a run at MACS title.
JIMMY MARS Racing and Delph Communications are excited to announce that the official Jimmy Mars Racing website has a fresh, new look. The new website will have frequent updates on Jimmy's quest to become the 2003 UDTRA champion. It is located at: www.jimmymarsracing.com.
CHUB FRANK, the three-time defednding Renegade DirtCar Racing Series Champion announced the launch of his redesigned Internet website at www.chubfrank.com. The new and improved site recently got a complete makeover by Seann Anderson of Panther Motorsports Graphics & Design. On Jan. 24-26, Chubzilla will be at Mark Richard's Rocket Chassis (Race Right Chassis School) held yearly in Shinnston, WV. where he will be a guest speaker.
ERIC SMITLEY, '02 Wayne County (OH) Speedway Sportsman rookie, will make a run at WCS Rookie of the Year in Late Models.
CARL GRAVES will again pilot the NINE Late Model at Silver Spring Speedway. The team is currently busy updating the 2002 Magnum Chassis in anticipation for the 2003 season. In 2002 the NINE Late Model qualified for every show and finished the season with an amazing 1 DNF. The team finished 6th in the points standings. 2003 will see the return of Kingsboro Asphalt Sealing, Ray's Yamaha, All Season's Motorsports, R&R Automotive, BTI Components and www.pennsylvaniajobs.com as sponsors. The team will consist of Ronnie Leinbach as crew chief and Ross Leinbach as assistant crew chief, Gayle Leinbach as team manager and Dave Mohler as head of maintenance. Returning crew members are Rick Kingsboro, Jared Davis and Sherry Kingsboro. Drag racer Jose Walker joins the team on a part time basis for 2003. The team will again race at Silver Spring Speedway and some traveling shows as the schedule permits.
DALE MCDOWELL joined the UDTRA Millionaire's Club during the 2002 season. McDowell's UDTRA career earnings are now at $1,137,420 and is second on the all-time list.
Denny Earl is putting a new team together with KEITH BERNER as the driver. The car will be #18.
DIRT AMERICA/DIRT-RACERS
www.dirt-racers.com
has been updated w/:
INTERVIEWS & FEATURES:
---EAST BAY PREVIEW – w/ interview, fan & driver guide
---CLINT ELKINS – Hired Gun!
---MACS – Jeff Geesey Interview
---BROWNSTOWN GOES WORLD WIDE – Chris Nunn interview
Updated NEWSLINE!
NEW COLUMNS:
---MIKE O’CONNOR – w/ thoughts & observations
---BRANDON MCCULLERS – on Justin Wakefield
---REV PAT EVANS – w/ his message & news
---DOC LEHMAN – w/ this, that ‘n the other
Coming Soon: Billy Moyer, Earl Baltes, Bill Frye, Mooney Starr, Donnie Moran & More!
http://www.dirt-racers.com
SANCTION NEWS:
Dave Kittey has taken a position with MACS. Kittey is the co-publisher & co-editor of RPM Racing News.
The United Midwestern Promoters (U.M.P.) is kicking off 2003 with a bang as they roll out an all new website for the 2003 season at: www.umpracing.com.
Renegade DirtCar Racing Series member driver applications are now available to any driver who may wish to join the organization for the 2003 racing season. The annual fee is $50 and entitles drivers to the point fund, sponsor contingency program and guarantee and participant programs offered by the Ohio-based dirtcar (dirt late model) sanctioning organization. Drivers do not have to become a member of the organization in order to compete in a Renegade DirtCar Racing Series sanctioned event. However, no points, sponsor contingency's or other benefits are awarded to "non-member" drivers. Drivers may become a Renegade DirtCar Racing Series member driver no later than July 1, 2003. Drivers may become a member driver after that date but will only be eligible for the sponsor contingency program. Season points and the ROCKET CHASSIS "Rookie of the Year" points will be awarded starting Feb. 3 with the season opener at East Bay Raceway Park. Drivers wishing to chase the "R.O.Y" title must become a member driver and declare their intentions prior to March 1, 2003. Member driver applications for the 2003 Renegade DirtCar Racing Series have been mailed to 2002 member drivers. Those wishing to receive a member driver application should contact the Renegade DirtCar Racing Series office by phoning 330-682-3053, faxing 330-682-7565 or e-mail to renegadedirtcar@bright.net.
The O'Reilly Auto Parts Mid-America Racing Series (MARS) has had an official website hosted at Mid-South Racing Scene for several months. The Series has now registered an official domain name, and fans of the series can go to http://www.midamericaracingseries.com to get all the official news and updates for series events.
Mooney Starr, president of the O'Reilly Auto Parts Mid-America Racing Series (MARS) has released the schedule for the upcoming 2003 season. There will be 34 events, highlighted by a pair of season ending $10,000 to win races. Six new tracks dot the schedule that gets underway on Friday April 11. Drivers committed to the championship in 2003 will be racing for $30,000, which is the winners share of the point fund. Kuntz & Co. will once again back the rookie of the year competition that will pay the top rookie $3,000.
Scott French has left his position with the (UDTRA) Xtreme Dirt Car Series.
The King of the Mountain Dirt Racing Series is a newly proposed eastern Kentucky series that might see birth this season.
PolyDome Products of Litchfield, Minn., has been named the title sponsor of the World Dirt Racing League, a Midwest-based Late Model touring series, WDRL officials have announced. The series, now beginning its second season, is now known as the PolyDome Super Series, a World Dirt Racing League touring series, said Jim Wilson, of Blue Springs, the series founder and director. The PolyDome Super Series will open its 2003 run on Saturday, March 29, at the same track that hosted its inaugural race a year ago, the half-mile dirt Davenport (Iowa) Speedway, located at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds.
The U.M.P. Summer Nationals will visit 26 tracks in just 27 days in the heat of the summer all throughout the Midwest, providing the ultimate challenge that will test some of the best dirt late model teams in the country, designed and maintained by STLRACING.COM.
The all new www.TORAracing.com has been launched and will be a portal of information to all TORA fans, drivers, and officials for the 2003 season. A Fan Area is part of the new site. Another new feature is an online driver registration form that allows drivers to register online for the 2003 season. Driver Profiles, links, and other multimedia items are on tap also in the near future.
The King of the Mountain Dirt Racing Series is a newly proposed eastern Kentucky racing series for Late Models and Modifieds.
Southern All Stars will open their season on Feb 22-23 Green Valley Speedway-Glencoe, AL with a 75 lap-$10,000 to win event.
RACE TRACK NEWS:
KC (OH) Raceway celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2003.
Florence (KY) Speedway has already sold out of 2003 Season Passes.
The new Delta Bowl (MS) Speedway, currently under construction, can be seen at: http://midsouthracing.com/assortedpicturespage54.htm
Winchester (TN) Speedway owner Tim Smith is announcing the 1st Annual Winterfest for Saturday afternoon, February 15th is now scheduled. The race will utilize Southern All Star rules paying $3,000 to win and $100 to start.
Jim Varnell of Knoxville is the new owner of Atomic Motor Speedway. The 2003 racing season will be a transition year for the speedway. No major changes are planned for the track. But the racing program will be slightly changed. The track will no longer conduct its weekly races under the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series umbrella.
The 35th annual Lernerville Awards Banquet will be held, Saturday, March 1, 2003. John Flinner won the ’02 track title. Opening day will be Friday, March 28, 2003.
As part of a cross promotional effort between WVMS and East Bay Raceway, the feature winner of the February 8, 2003 X-treme DirtCar finale at East Bay will be given a guaranteed provisional for the October 18-19, 2003 Racefest World Championship at West Virginia Motor Speedway. The favor will then be returned with a guaranteed spot for the Racefest World Championship feature winner at the 2004 X-treme DirtCar season finale at East Bay Raceway. East Bay Raceway will be offering a total purse of more than $250,000 for the Dirt Late Model Speedweek, while the RaceFest World Championship will have a $107,000 total purse with $32,000 going to the winner.
Port Royal Speedway has secured major sponsorship for their Late Model Division. President and Race Director Tom Little announced that AB Auto Glass and Ramsey's Car Wash will now be the title sponsors for the highly competitive class. The large shows will be held on Saturday nights, the first likely to be added to the schedule during the month of May. At least two shows paying $ 2,000 dollars to win plus incentives will be run.
We have gotten reports that next month’s ICE BOWL race at the Talledega Short track will be broadcast live on the internet at: www.al.com
The Potomac Speedway has just announced that they will host the Racing Extravaganza on February 28, March 1, and March 2 at the St. Charles Towne Center in Waldorf, MD. The three day show will feature the regular competitors of the high banked clay oval as they all debut their new cars and paint schemes for the 2003 racing season. Anyone wishing to participate needs to email Mark Potter at markpotter@lycos.com as soon as possible as space is limited. There will be a drivers autograph and interview session on Saturday night in the Hecht's Court beginning at 7 pm. The mall is located just 15 miles off beltway exit 7A on Rt. 301 and is anchored by Hecht's, Sears, Kohls, JC Penney, and Hecht's Home.
Fairbury American Legion Speedway website has moved to bigger and better ground at it's new webspace and site URL at www.fairburyspeedway.com.
On Saturday evening, January 18, 2003, Miley Motorsports and Pittsburgh's PA Motor Speedway will be honoring their 2002 Track Champions at the 14th Annual Awards Banquet, which will be held at the Bradley House in Baldwin. The champions are: Al Atallah (Late Models) & Pete Loria (Limited Late Models),
DKM Motorsports and WRT Web Designs would like to announce that the new Bedford Speedway Web Site is going to have a new web address. Beginning Monday, January 6, 2003, www.bedfordpaspeedway.com will be the new home of the Bedford Speedway web site.
At Virginia Motor Speedway owner Bill Sawyer gave his annual State of Dirt address. Sawyer informed the gathering of some changes to the speedway, which will include a bigger competitor parking area, expanded crew and driver grandstand area in turn three and the formation of the Victory Lap Late Model $25K Challenge. “We have already announced that we have a four race Challenge Series for the Thurston Spring Service Super Late Models as of last night we now have a four race event for the Victory Lap Late Model Division,” commented Sawyer. “It will be called the Victory Lap Late Model $25K Challenge and will consist of four races all 40 laps and $1500 to win. Should a driver win two of the four races he will receive a $5000 bonus; if a driver wins three of four they will receive a $15,000 bonus and if someone can win all four they will receive a $25,000 bonus,” added Sawyer. Dates for the four race series have yet to be determined and will be announced in the next couple of weeks. The four races will be under VMS Late Model track rules and can be found online at www.vamotorspeedway.com.
Thunder Valley (PA) Raceway is having new clay put on the surface.
Macomb (IL) Speedway is set to honor its 2002 Season Champions at this year’s annual Awards Banquet. The annual banquet will be held on January 25, 2003 at the Macomb American Legion, located at 221 East Washington Street in Macomb. All drivers, car owners, sponsors, and race fans are encouraged and welcome to attend. Admission is $7.00 per person at the door. Social hour is from 6-7:00 p.m. Awards will follow at 7:15 with a short intermission at 8:30. Entertainment will follow from 9:30 to 11:30. For more information, contact Bill Goddard at (309) 836-9511 or Donna Davis at (309) 837-2891.
Tri City (PA) Speedway is looking into hosting a Late Model special in 2003.
The Potomac Speedway, along with Mark Richards Racing Enterprises, will be awarding the 2003 Potomac Speedway Super Late Model Champion a new Rocket chassis. The chassis, valued at more than $3000, will be awarded at the Banquet on November 15.
The St. Francois County (MO) Raceway is now offering 14'x20' concrete parking spaces for the 2003 racing season. These spaces are on a first-come, first-serve basis and are available for all classes. The cost per season is $250. To reserve a spot or to place an order contact Larry Minkel at (573) 756-1734 or Gary Montgomery at (573) 783-5851 as soon as possible.
Three tracks will be hosting a pre-Speedweeks weekend gala, Oglethorpe Speedway Park (Savannah, GA), Waycross Motor Speedway (Waycross, GA) and Golden Isles Speedway (Brunswick, GA). The special weekend of racing entertainment will get started at Oglethorpe Speedway Park when the green flag falls on this year's SpeedWeeks action on Friday, January 31st in a 40 lap $5,000 to win rumble on the coast at the 5/8-mile clay oval in Savannah, GA. Following the Friday night opener in Savannah, the Lucas Oil Triple Crown Championship Series travels to Waycross Motor Speedway for another 40-lap $5,000 to win main event on Saturday night, February 1st. The final event of the trifecta will take place on Sunday afternoon at Brunswick's Golden Isles Speedway with a special 60-lap $10,000 feature event on Sunday, February 2nd. As an added bonus Lucas Oil Products will present the driver with the highest average finish over the three-day affair with an extra $2,000.
