Colorado Springs, CO – July 3, 2005 – By Chris Marquart, World Of Outlaws Stacker 2® LM Series
After close to 15 pounds of pop rivets, four acres of sheet metal and enough bolt on parts to build another car and a half, Eric Jacobsen and the Well Pict Berries no. 5WP Rocket Chassis wrapped up their New York tour with a positive tune, setting fast time Saturday night at the fast 3/8-mile Stateline Speedway in Jamestown, NY.
In four races, Jacobson, of Santa Cruz, CA, and the crew had to rebuild the nose their Rocket twice. On the way to Ransomville (NY) Speedway on Monday, Jacobson and the team covered over 3,300 miles and picked up a brand new car from Rocket Chassis in Shinnston, WV. Mark Richards, father of Josh Richards and proprietor of Rocket Chassis, said he would stay with the team for the New York/New Jersey swing as they learned the new car.
“Having someone like that traveling with you while you get seat time with a group like this means everything,” Jacobson said. “We drove the car – turn-key – onto the trailer and after that, we never had to adjust a shock or a spring. We went from flat tracks to short tracks to big tracks and the car was dead-on every time. I just got a little over my head early in the week at Ransomville.”
Jacobson knew he had a good piece on the Niagara Frontier’s tight Ransomville Speedway, and went out with the intentions of setting a fast time. The first turn of his first lap on the clock turned into a disaster; he piled into the wall and never made it back to the start finish line. Jacobson did not start his heat, the placed ninth in the first B-Main. Fulton saw Jacobson time sixth quick and he placed third in his heat behind Brett Rhenbergen and Scott Bloomquist. However, a turn four accident sheared the nose off the car again and he finished only six laps.
At Bridgeport, the sun began poking through the clouds that hung over ‘Muscle Beach.’ The no. 5WP timed 14th quick, he finished seventh in the heat and then won the consolation dash. Starting 19th in the 24-car field, Jacobsen drove up to 16th and was on the lead lap when the checkers fell. Stateline, the last event on the four-race gauntlet had Jacobson timing the fastest and he was then added to the field on a Promoter’s Option, taking the 25th spot on the grid. He finished 21st, one lap off the leader’s pace.
“This is a dream come true to run with these guys,” Jacobson said. “We’ll go back to California for a week, but we’ll be back with the tour around the last part of July.”
Jacobson works for a chemical application firm, and they said that so long as he hold up his end of the deal at the office, he will be able to work 10 days and take a week off to race the car all summer long. He hinted this may turn into something regular – like a full-time ride – but those are just whispers in the surf for the time being.
Shane Clanton Back to Racing in New York Swing
Shane Clanton had the SAE Parts Inc.-RSD Enterprises-M&S Concrete Rocket no. 25 Custom powered Pontiac Grand Prix in the top ten in each of the four Northeastern Swing events. It was his first time in a race car in nearly a month after undergoing surgery to repair a rotator cuff injury.
“I live to be in that race car,” Clanton said. “My arm feels great. The doctor did a great job fixing what was torn. He told me some stuff to do to make sure it doesn't happen again.”
Clanton injured the shoulder playing football in High School, and aggravated the injury in a race at Lernerville (PA) Speedway. He missed seven races, but the World of Outlaws Stacker 2® Late Model Series® has elected to award him 25 points for each of the seven shows he missed. As a member of the World of Outlaws Dirty Dozen®, management felt he would be provided the same consideration as Joey Saldana – a World of Outlaws Mean 15® Sprint Series® racer who broke his arm in a wreck. He was given 25 show points for the events he missed while recovering.
“We hope to get a win before the year is over,” Clanton said. “We're working on getting the car dialed in. Once we get closer to the front and can maybe win one of these dashes, we'll win one of them. It's tough to start where we've been starting and work our way up.”
Clanton took fourth at Ransomville after timing fifth, winning his heat and starting fourth. Fulton saw him race to 10th after starting last, needing a provisional to get in the A-main. Clanton’s sixth-place effort in his heat at Bridgeport sent him to the main, where he started 17th and finished eighth. Saturday at Stateline, he was riding the top groove and working on catching Billy Moyer and eventual winner John Blankenship.
“You have to run where your car is working,” Clanton said. “My car wasn’t working on the bottom. So I decided to try it out there and it took off.
“When the cars are stopping on the inside to protect the bottom, you can roll them on the outside. Once you could start a pass out there, you pretty much had the position.”
Clanton went from sixth to third in the final five tours.
Dale McDowell Sees Rollercoaster New York Swing
At Ransomville, the rear end cover was deflected back about 10-degrees from vertical as the center section blew out of the quick change. That bitter twist of fate – an unforeseeable and unpreventable maladie – shuffled McDowell to 19th at the finish. At Fulton, McDowell was ninth quick in qualifying, started the feature ninth and drove up to sixth in the Larry Shaw Race Cars/Rocket-Shaw/RaceTek/Pontiac Grand Prix no. 17M. The team was back behind the 8-ball as they placed 20th with a blown engine at Bridgeport. There was a fairly large hole in the oil pan, which is never a good sign when talking about engines. At Stateline, the team took 17th after starting 22nd on the grid. Passing was at a premium, so to gain five spots was a plus for the no. 17M crew.
Blankenship heat wins, dashes @ fulton, Wins Stateline
Inching closer to his 24th birthday one calendar square at a time, Blankenship improved all week as the tour traversed the northeast, culminating in his first-ever World of Outlaws Stacker 2 Late Model feature win before a packed house in Jamestown, NY.
“We’ve been waiting a long time for this,” Blankenship said. “Our right rear tire was just getting better and better.”
Blankenship kicked off the week with a mediocre outing at Ransomville where Blankenship missed the feature in the heats and took only third in the b-main to make the cut. Then, production started to pick up in the Busch Beer-Walker CAT pit stall. At Fulton, Blankenship was 12th on the clocks and drove to win his heat. In the Pole Dash, he placed second to eventual race winner Chub Frank, but fell to 17th in the feature, 10 laps off the pace.
“I thought we had the car to beat in Fulton,” Blankenship said. “Then in the main, we just fell backward and we couldn’t stop falling.”
Bridgeport was another moment of brilliance as he timed sixth quick, took second to Tim McCreadie in the heat, finished fourth in the pole dash and took fourth in the feature. That led to Saturday, where Blankenship collected his third ever late model win.
NOTES: Monday, June 27, 2005 – Ransomville Speedway -- Ransomville, NY
After missing four races with the World of Outlaws Dirty Dozen®, Scott Bloomquist towed the potent Miller Bros. Coal-Hawkeye Trucking no. 0 Bloomquist chassis to Ransomville Speedway with hopes of success in the first leg of the World of Outlaws Stacker 2® Late Model Series’ Northeastern Swing. Things panned out for Bloomquist, who arrived at the track only to find that his car was mired in thick Pennsylvania traffic. The car did make it to the event, where Bloomquist scored his first win of the 2005 season.
Chad Ruhlman placed fifth and the Bemus Point, NY racer made it clear that he would be a force in the New York swing. Plenty of ‘locals,’ or at least non-touring regulars attempted to make the cut. Nine were in the feature and Rhulman was the top finisher. Other locals included Brett Rhenbergen of Clymer, NY, who placed 12th and Bob Close (Eldred, PA) who took 13th. Pat Ward, the 2004 DIRT MotorSports 358-Modified Super DIRT Series champion and Northeastern Modified standout made his late model debut in the John Wight-owned no. 19 Rocket. He nearly made the main, but Blankenship nipped him in the B-main. Dan Stone (Thompson, PA) flipped in time trials, only to be followed by Randy Lobb (Frewsburg, NY) who also ended up on his lid.
Finishing Order: 6/27/05 – Ransomville Speedway, Ransomville, NY 60 Lap Feature - $10,000 To Win
1. Scott Bloomquist/Mooresburg, TN; 2. Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY; 3. Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR; 4. Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA; 5. Chad Ruhlman/Bemus Point, NY; 6. Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV; 7. Dan Schlieper/Sullivan, WI; 8. Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY; 9. Rob Blair/Titusville, PA; 10. Rick Eckert/York, PA; 11. Steve Francis/Ashland, KY; 12. Brett Rhebergan/Clymer, NY; 13. Bob Close/Eldred, Pa; 14. Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA; 15. Billy Decker/Franklin, NY; 16. Dave Hess/Waterford, PA; 17. John Blankenship/Williamson, WV; 18. Clint Smith/Senoia, GA; 19. Dale McDowell/Chickamauga, GA; 20. Steve Casebolt/Richmond, IN; 21. Miles Stitzinger/Warren, PA; 22. David Scott/Garland, PA; 23. Dick Barton/Ashville, NY; 24. Todd Andrews/Eldred, PA.
Time Trials Fast Qualifier: Billy Moyer, 17.432 mph/82.607 mph; Heat Race Winners: Clanton, McCreadie, Frank, Bloomquist; "B" Main Winners: Francis, Decker; Dash Winner: Bloomquist.
NOTES: Wednesday, June 29 – Harvey Fink’s Fulton Speedway – Fulton, NY
After a win Friday night at Lernerville Speedway, Chub Frank and the Lester Buildings-All Star Performance/Rocket/Custom/Chevrolet Monte Carlo team collected their first win on the World of Outlaws Stacker 2 Late Model trail this season. Frank led every lap, holding off Robbie Blair and then Scott Bloomquist for the victory. Bloomquist took second, but shook his back out of sorts while racing through a rough patch in the third turn. Blair held for third. Steve Francis debuted a new car and placed fourth ahead of northeaster late model star and Fulton quick-timer Todd Andrews. Tim McCreadie faded to 12th with an engine that was skipping. Points leader Billy Moyer placed 14th.
The locals again had a strong showing at Fulton, with 10 of them making the feature. Andrews set fast time and Brett Rhenbergen and Robbie Blair each won qualifying heats. Rhenbergen placed eighth in the main. Others on hand included Steve Casebolt (13th), ‘The Master of the Lazer Chassis” Jim Bernheisel (16th), Scott Haus (19th), Dan Stone (20th) and Hagerstown Speedway regular Alan Sagi (21st).
Finishing Order: 6/29/05 – Fulton Speedway – Fulton, NY 50 Lap Feature - $10,000 To Win
1. Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA; 2. Scott Bloomquist/Mooresburg, TN; 3. Rob Blair/Titusville, PA; 4. Steve Francis/Ashland, KY; 5. Todd Andrews/Eldred, PA; 6. Dale McDowell/Chickamauga, GA; 7. Dan Schlieper/Sullivan, WI; 8. Brett Rhebergan/Clymer, NY; 9. Rick Eckert/York, PA; 10. Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA; 11. Clint Smith/Senoia, GA; 12. Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY; 13. Steve Casebolt/Richmond, IN; 14. Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR; 15. Pat Ward/Genoa, NY; 16. Jim Bernheisel/Lebanon, PA; 17. John Blankenship/Williamson, WV; 18. Josh Richards®/Shinnston, WV; 19. Scott Haus, Hamburg, PA; 20. Dan Stone/Thompson, PA; 21. Alan Sagi/Hagerstown, MD; 22. Eric Jacobsen/Seacliff, CA; 23. Kirk Ryan/Lewisburg, PA; 24. Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY.
Time Trials Fast Qualifier: Todd Andrews 16.101 sec./83.846 mph; Heat Race Winners: Frank, Rhenbergen, Blair, Blankenship; "B" Main Winner: Schlieper; Dash Winner: Frank.
NOTES: Wednesday, June 30 – Bridgeport Speedway – Bridgeport, NJ
Scott Bloomquist benefited from Darrell Lanigan’s misfortune, winning his second race in three days. Lanigan’s left front control arm snapped, affecting the handling on the Lanigan Autosports-Gotta Race-Bert Transmission/Rocket/Cornett/Ford Taurus, leaving him helpless as Bloomquist motored on by. Josh Richrards had his best showing of the week, placing third behind Bloomquist. Bloomquist was taken to a chiropractor early in the day and twisted back into shape after battling back problems at Fulton.
Jim Bernheisel swapped to the no. 119 while putting Modified legend Billy Pauch in the no. 18D at Bridgeport. Pauch made the cut for the feature and placed 18th while the Bernheisel was able to scratch out a 21st place showing. Pauch was one of four Modified stars to try their hand at the Late Model. Pat Ward tallied 10th in just his third outing with the Late Model cars. Billy Decker (Undilla, NY) parked his no. 91D in the 14th spot, four positions behind his teammate. The most significant Modified transfer was Ricky Elliott. Elliott has two wins this season in the no. 91E, and set fast time, won his heat, won the dash and led the feature from the pole before bending a panhard bar and parking the car. He was scored 22nd. Tim McCreadie, the 2004 World of Outlaws Stacker 2 Late Model Series Rookie of the Year placed 17th; he won at Bridgeport in 2004 with a modified during an Advance Auto Parts Modified Super DIRT Series event.
Matt Hubbard made a pair of starts in the no. 12M, making the feature at Bridgeport. However, after expiring the second motor of the weekend, he was scored last.
Finishing Order: 6/30/05 – Bridgeport Speedway – Bridgeport, NJ 50 Lap Feature - $10,000 To Win
1. Scott Bloomquist/Mooresburg, TN; 2. Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY; 3. Josh Richards®/Shinnston, WV; 4. John Blankenship/Williamson, WV; 5. Steve Francis/Ashland, KY; 6. Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA; 7. Clint Smith/Senoia, GA; 8. Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA; 9. Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR; 10. Pat Ward/Genoa, NY; 11. Rick Eckert/York, PA; 12. Dan Stone/Thompson, PA; 13. Dan Schlieper/Sullivan, WI; 14. Billy Decker/Unadilla, NY; 15. Scott Haus, Hamburg, PA; 16. Eric Jacobsen/Seacliff, CA; 17. Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY; 18. Billy Pauch/Frenchtown, NJ; 19. Butch Champion/Collegeville, PA; 20. Dale McDowell/Chickamauga, GA; 21. Jim Bernheisel/Lebanon, PA; 22. Ricky Elliott/Seaford, DE; 23. Jason Miller/Germansville, PA; 23. Matt Hubbard/Seaford, DE
Time Trials Fast Qualifier: Elliott, 20.428 sec./111.122 mph; Heat Race Winners: Elliott, Frank, McCreadie; "B" Main Winner: Jacobsen; Dash Winner: Elliott.
NOTES: Saturday, July 2, 2005 – Stateline Speedway – Busti, NY
A pit full of 53 Late Models and a packed house watched John Blankenship hold off points leader Billy Moyer, parking the Busch Beer-Walker CAT Rocket in Victory Lane for the first time in his World of Outlaws Late Model racing career. Moyer tried every move he could on the slick track, but could not solve the youngster who celebrated his birthday Sunday (July 3).
Chad Ruhlman was on hand, racing into the feature and placing 25th. Ruhlman led a crop of regulars toe-to-toe with the touring stars. David Hess won his heat and the dash, and led the opening 18 laps before placing fourth. Dick Barton (Ashville, NY), the career Late Model win leader at Stateline placed fifth in the order. Dutch (7th) and Ron Davies rang up strong efforts; it was their first Late Model starts at Stateline Speedway in nine years. Doug Eck (Corry PA) and Bump Hedman (Sugar Grove, PA) also ran in the top 10, taking eighth and ninth, respectively. Todd Andrews (12th), Randy Lobb (15th) and Scott Johnson (16th) ran in the top 20, as well.
Quick timer Eric Jacobson set fast time and though he did not qualify, started 25th along side Matt Urban (North East, PA) as two Promoter’s Options in the main. Jacobsen gained several fans in his stop at Stateline.
Chub Frank made a stop at his old home track; last Saturday (June 25), Frank won an E-Mod event at Stateline. In 1988, Frank won a track championship at the 3/8-mi oval. He had the no. 1* E-Mod on the track Saturday night. He was battling for the lead when both he and the leader spun in the third turn. While battling back, he was spun a second time and pulled into the pits to focus on his late model duties.
Finishing Order: 7/2/05 – Stateline Speedway – Jamestown, NJ 50 Lap Feature - $10,000 To Win
1. John Blankenship/Williamson, WV; 2. Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR; 3. Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA; 4. David Hess/Waterford, PA; 5. Dick Barton/Ashville, NY; 6. Steve Francis/Ashland, KY; 7. Dutch Davies/Warren, PA; 8. Doug Eck/Corry, PA; 9. Bump Hedman/Sugar Grove, PA; 10. Rick Eckert/York, PA; 11. Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY; 12. Todd Andrews/Eldred, PA; 13. Scott Bloomquist/Mooresburg, TN; 14. Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA; 15. Randy Lobb/Frewsburg, NY; 16. Scott Johnson/Wattsburg, PA; 17. Dale McDowell/Chickamauga, GA; 18. Dan Schlieper/Sullivan, WI; 19. Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY; 20. Josh Richards®/Shinnston, WV; 21. Eric Jacobsen/Santa Cruz, CA; 22. Clint Smith/Senoia, GA; 23. Matt Urban/North East, PA' 24. Jeff Hoffman/Clarendon, PA; 25. Chad Ruhlman/Bemus Point, NY; 26. Rich Gardner/Waterford, Pa.
Time Trials Fast Qualifier: Jacobson 17.025 sec./70.484 mph; Heat Race Winners: Moyer, C.Smith, Blankenship, Hess, Barton, Ruhlman; "B" Main Winners: Frank, Lanigan; Dash Winner: Hess.
TELEVISION
The cameras of SPEED Channel captured all the side-by-side, fast paced action of the $10,000 to win “Stacker 2 Classic” at Bridgeport Speedway. That event will be broadcast October 22nd at 3 pm (Easter).
World Of Outlaws Stacker 2® Late Model Series SPEED Channel Schedule
Race Date
Race Track
Location
Air Date
Time
4/29
Lernerville Speedway
Sarver,PA
7/9
2:00p.m. EDT
5/21
Tri-State Speedway
Haubstadt,IN
7/16
3:00p.m. EDT
6/6
Deer Creek Speedway
Spring Valley,MN
7/16
4:00p.m. EDT
6/6
Deer Creek Speedway
Spring Valley,MN
7/30
1:30p.m. EDT
6/30
Bridgeport Speedway
Bridgeport,NJ
10/22
3:00pm EDT
TBD = To Be Determined
Broadcast schedule subject to change.
2005 World Of Outlaws Stacker 2® Late Model Series Championship Point Standings
(as of 6/7/05)
Points Update
Plc # Driver/Residence Points off lead off next
1 21 Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR (2) 2216
2 24 Rick Eckert/York, PA (1) 2154 -62 -62
3 29 Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY (1) 2148 -68 -6
4 15 Steve Francis/Ashland, KY (1) 2146 -70 -2
5 1* Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 2124 -92 -22
6 1 Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 2094 -122 -30
7 39 Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY (2) 2086 -130 -8
8 17M Dale McDowell/Chickamauga, GA (1) 2086 -130 0
9 44 Clint Smith/Senoia, GA (2) 2042 -174 -44
10 9 Dan Schlieper/Sullivan, WI 2000 -216 -42
11 23 John Blankenship/Williamson, WV 1867 -349 -133
13 25 Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 1665 -551 -202
12 0 Scott Bloomquist/Mooresburg, TN (2) 1602 -614 -63
14 E1 Mike Balzano/Parkersburg, WV 906 -1310 -696
15 W11 Robbie Blair/Titusville, PA 840 -1376 -66
16 15B Brian Birkhofer/Muscatine, IA 784 -1432 -56
17 91D Billy Decker/Unadilla, NY 734 -1482 -50
18 19J Davey Johnson/Greensburg, PA 536 -1680 -198
19 32D Darren Miller/Milledgeville, IL 481 -1735 -55
20 18 Shannon Babb/Mowequa, IL 453 -1763 -28
21 0S Steve Shaver/Vienna, WV 435 -1781 -18
22 71 Don O'Neal/Martinsville, IN 406 -1810 -29
23 24 Jeremy Miller/Littlesville, PA 380 -1836 -26
24 4B Jackie Boggs/Grayson, KY (1) 375 -1841 -5
25 99 Donnie Moran/Dresden, OH 366 -1850 -9
After close to 15 pounds of pop rivets, four acres of sheet metal and enough bolt on parts to build another car and a half, Eric Jacobsen and the Well Pict Berries no. 5WP Rocket Chassis wrapped up their New York tour with a positive tune, setting fast time Saturday night at the fast 3/8-mile Stateline Speedway in Jamestown, NY.
In four races, Jacobson, of Santa Cruz, CA, and the crew had to rebuild the nose their Rocket twice. On the way to Ransomville (NY) Speedway on Monday, Jacobson and the team covered over 3,300 miles and picked up a brand new car from Rocket Chassis in Shinnston, WV. Mark Richards, father of Josh Richards and proprietor of Rocket Chassis, said he would stay with the team for the New York/New Jersey swing as they learned the new car.
“Having someone like that traveling with you while you get seat time with a group like this means everything,” Jacobson said. “We drove the car – turn-key – onto the trailer and after that, we never had to adjust a shock or a spring. We went from flat tracks to short tracks to big tracks and the car was dead-on every time. I just got a little over my head early in the week at Ransomville.”
Jacobson knew he had a good piece on the Niagara Frontier’s tight Ransomville Speedway, and went out with the intentions of setting a fast time. The first turn of his first lap on the clock turned into a disaster; he piled into the wall and never made it back to the start finish line. Jacobson did not start his heat, the placed ninth in the first B-Main. Fulton saw Jacobson time sixth quick and he placed third in his heat behind Brett Rhenbergen and Scott Bloomquist. However, a turn four accident sheared the nose off the car again and he finished only six laps.
At Bridgeport, the sun began poking through the clouds that hung over ‘Muscle Beach.’ The no. 5WP timed 14th quick, he finished seventh in the heat and then won the consolation dash. Starting 19th in the 24-car field, Jacobsen drove up to 16th and was on the lead lap when the checkers fell. Stateline, the last event on the four-race gauntlet had Jacobson timing the fastest and he was then added to the field on a Promoter’s Option, taking the 25th spot on the grid. He finished 21st, one lap off the leader’s pace.
“This is a dream come true to run with these guys,” Jacobson said. “We’ll go back to California for a week, but we’ll be back with the tour around the last part of July.”
Jacobson works for a chemical application firm, and they said that so long as he hold up his end of the deal at the office, he will be able to work 10 days and take a week off to race the car all summer long. He hinted this may turn into something regular – like a full-time ride – but those are just whispers in the surf for the time being.
Shane Clanton Back to Racing in New York Swing
Shane Clanton had the SAE Parts Inc.-RSD Enterprises-M&S Concrete Rocket no. 25 Custom powered Pontiac Grand Prix in the top ten in each of the four Northeastern Swing events. It was his first time in a race car in nearly a month after undergoing surgery to repair a rotator cuff injury.
“I live to be in that race car,” Clanton said. “My arm feels great. The doctor did a great job fixing what was torn. He told me some stuff to do to make sure it doesn't happen again.”
Clanton injured the shoulder playing football in High School, and aggravated the injury in a race at Lernerville (PA) Speedway. He missed seven races, but the World of Outlaws Stacker 2® Late Model Series® has elected to award him 25 points for each of the seven shows he missed. As a member of the World of Outlaws Dirty Dozen®, management felt he would be provided the same consideration as Joey Saldana – a World of Outlaws Mean 15® Sprint Series® racer who broke his arm in a wreck. He was given 25 show points for the events he missed while recovering.
“We hope to get a win before the year is over,” Clanton said. “We're working on getting the car dialed in. Once we get closer to the front and can maybe win one of these dashes, we'll win one of them. It's tough to start where we've been starting and work our way up.”
Clanton took fourth at Ransomville after timing fifth, winning his heat and starting fourth. Fulton saw him race to 10th after starting last, needing a provisional to get in the A-main. Clanton’s sixth-place effort in his heat at Bridgeport sent him to the main, where he started 17th and finished eighth. Saturday at Stateline, he was riding the top groove and working on catching Billy Moyer and eventual winner John Blankenship.
“You have to run where your car is working,” Clanton said. “My car wasn’t working on the bottom. So I decided to try it out there and it took off.
“When the cars are stopping on the inside to protect the bottom, you can roll them on the outside. Once you could start a pass out there, you pretty much had the position.”
Clanton went from sixth to third in the final five tours.
Dale McDowell Sees Rollercoaster New York Swing
At Ransomville, the rear end cover was deflected back about 10-degrees from vertical as the center section blew out of the quick change. That bitter twist of fate – an unforeseeable and unpreventable maladie – shuffled McDowell to 19th at the finish. At Fulton, McDowell was ninth quick in qualifying, started the feature ninth and drove up to sixth in the Larry Shaw Race Cars/Rocket-Shaw/RaceTek/Pontiac Grand Prix no. 17M. The team was back behind the 8-ball as they placed 20th with a blown engine at Bridgeport. There was a fairly large hole in the oil pan, which is never a good sign when talking about engines. At Stateline, the team took 17th after starting 22nd on the grid. Passing was at a premium, so to gain five spots was a plus for the no. 17M crew.
Blankenship heat wins, dashes @ fulton, Wins Stateline
Inching closer to his 24th birthday one calendar square at a time, Blankenship improved all week as the tour traversed the northeast, culminating in his first-ever World of Outlaws Stacker 2 Late Model feature win before a packed house in Jamestown, NY.
“We’ve been waiting a long time for this,” Blankenship said. “Our right rear tire was just getting better and better.”
Blankenship kicked off the week with a mediocre outing at Ransomville where Blankenship missed the feature in the heats and took only third in the b-main to make the cut. Then, production started to pick up in the Busch Beer-Walker CAT pit stall. At Fulton, Blankenship was 12th on the clocks and drove to win his heat. In the Pole Dash, he placed second to eventual race winner Chub Frank, but fell to 17th in the feature, 10 laps off the pace.
“I thought we had the car to beat in Fulton,” Blankenship said. “Then in the main, we just fell backward and we couldn’t stop falling.”
Bridgeport was another moment of brilliance as he timed sixth quick, took second to Tim McCreadie in the heat, finished fourth in the pole dash and took fourth in the feature. That led to Saturday, where Blankenship collected his third ever late model win.
NOTES: Monday, June 27, 2005 – Ransomville Speedway -- Ransomville, NY
After missing four races with the World of Outlaws Dirty Dozen®, Scott Bloomquist towed the potent Miller Bros. Coal-Hawkeye Trucking no. 0 Bloomquist chassis to Ransomville Speedway with hopes of success in the first leg of the World of Outlaws Stacker 2® Late Model Series’ Northeastern Swing. Things panned out for Bloomquist, who arrived at the track only to find that his car was mired in thick Pennsylvania traffic. The car did make it to the event, where Bloomquist scored his first win of the 2005 season.
Chad Ruhlman placed fifth and the Bemus Point, NY racer made it clear that he would be a force in the New York swing. Plenty of ‘locals,’ or at least non-touring regulars attempted to make the cut. Nine were in the feature and Rhulman was the top finisher. Other locals included Brett Rhenbergen of Clymer, NY, who placed 12th and Bob Close (Eldred, PA) who took 13th. Pat Ward, the 2004 DIRT MotorSports 358-Modified Super DIRT Series champion and Northeastern Modified standout made his late model debut in the John Wight-owned no. 19 Rocket. He nearly made the main, but Blankenship nipped him in the B-main. Dan Stone (Thompson, PA) flipped in time trials, only to be followed by Randy Lobb (Frewsburg, NY) who also ended up on his lid.
Finishing Order: 6/27/05 – Ransomville Speedway, Ransomville, NY 60 Lap Feature - $10,000 To Win
1. Scott Bloomquist/Mooresburg, TN; 2. Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY; 3. Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR; 4. Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA; 5. Chad Ruhlman/Bemus Point, NY; 6. Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV; 7. Dan Schlieper/Sullivan, WI; 8. Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY; 9. Rob Blair/Titusville, PA; 10. Rick Eckert/York, PA; 11. Steve Francis/Ashland, KY; 12. Brett Rhebergan/Clymer, NY; 13. Bob Close/Eldred, Pa; 14. Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA; 15. Billy Decker/Franklin, NY; 16. Dave Hess/Waterford, PA; 17. John Blankenship/Williamson, WV; 18. Clint Smith/Senoia, GA; 19. Dale McDowell/Chickamauga, GA; 20. Steve Casebolt/Richmond, IN; 21. Miles Stitzinger/Warren, PA; 22. David Scott/Garland, PA; 23. Dick Barton/Ashville, NY; 24. Todd Andrews/Eldred, PA.
Time Trials Fast Qualifier: Billy Moyer, 17.432 mph/82.607 mph; Heat Race Winners: Clanton, McCreadie, Frank, Bloomquist; "B" Main Winners: Francis, Decker; Dash Winner: Bloomquist.
NOTES: Wednesday, June 29 – Harvey Fink’s Fulton Speedway – Fulton, NY
After a win Friday night at Lernerville Speedway, Chub Frank and the Lester Buildings-All Star Performance/Rocket/Custom/Chevrolet Monte Carlo team collected their first win on the World of Outlaws Stacker 2 Late Model trail this season. Frank led every lap, holding off Robbie Blair and then Scott Bloomquist for the victory. Bloomquist took second, but shook his back out of sorts while racing through a rough patch in the third turn. Blair held for third. Steve Francis debuted a new car and placed fourth ahead of northeaster late model star and Fulton quick-timer Todd Andrews. Tim McCreadie faded to 12th with an engine that was skipping. Points leader Billy Moyer placed 14th.
The locals again had a strong showing at Fulton, with 10 of them making the feature. Andrews set fast time and Brett Rhenbergen and Robbie Blair each won qualifying heats. Rhenbergen placed eighth in the main. Others on hand included Steve Casebolt (13th), ‘The Master of the Lazer Chassis” Jim Bernheisel (16th), Scott Haus (19th), Dan Stone (20th) and Hagerstown Speedway regular Alan Sagi (21st).
Finishing Order: 6/29/05 – Fulton Speedway – Fulton, NY 50 Lap Feature - $10,000 To Win
1. Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA; 2. Scott Bloomquist/Mooresburg, TN; 3. Rob Blair/Titusville, PA; 4. Steve Francis/Ashland, KY; 5. Todd Andrews/Eldred, PA; 6. Dale McDowell/Chickamauga, GA; 7. Dan Schlieper/Sullivan, WI; 8. Brett Rhebergan/Clymer, NY; 9. Rick Eckert/York, PA; 10. Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA; 11. Clint Smith/Senoia, GA; 12. Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY; 13. Steve Casebolt/Richmond, IN; 14. Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR; 15. Pat Ward/Genoa, NY; 16. Jim Bernheisel/Lebanon, PA; 17. John Blankenship/Williamson, WV; 18. Josh Richards®/Shinnston, WV; 19. Scott Haus, Hamburg, PA; 20. Dan Stone/Thompson, PA; 21. Alan Sagi/Hagerstown, MD; 22. Eric Jacobsen/Seacliff, CA; 23. Kirk Ryan/Lewisburg, PA; 24. Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY.
Time Trials Fast Qualifier: Todd Andrews 16.101 sec./83.846 mph; Heat Race Winners: Frank, Rhenbergen, Blair, Blankenship; "B" Main Winner: Schlieper; Dash Winner: Frank.
NOTES: Wednesday, June 30 – Bridgeport Speedway – Bridgeport, NJ
Scott Bloomquist benefited from Darrell Lanigan’s misfortune, winning his second race in three days. Lanigan’s left front control arm snapped, affecting the handling on the Lanigan Autosports-Gotta Race-Bert Transmission/Rocket/Cornett/Ford Taurus, leaving him helpless as Bloomquist motored on by. Josh Richrards had his best showing of the week, placing third behind Bloomquist. Bloomquist was taken to a chiropractor early in the day and twisted back into shape after battling back problems at Fulton.
Jim Bernheisel swapped to the no. 119 while putting Modified legend Billy Pauch in the no. 18D at Bridgeport. Pauch made the cut for the feature and placed 18th while the Bernheisel was able to scratch out a 21st place showing. Pauch was one of four Modified stars to try their hand at the Late Model. Pat Ward tallied 10th in just his third outing with the Late Model cars. Billy Decker (Undilla, NY) parked his no. 91D in the 14th spot, four positions behind his teammate. The most significant Modified transfer was Ricky Elliott. Elliott has two wins this season in the no. 91E, and set fast time, won his heat, won the dash and led the feature from the pole before bending a panhard bar and parking the car. He was scored 22nd. Tim McCreadie, the 2004 World of Outlaws Stacker 2 Late Model Series Rookie of the Year placed 17th; he won at Bridgeport in 2004 with a modified during an Advance Auto Parts Modified Super DIRT Series event.
Matt Hubbard made a pair of starts in the no. 12M, making the feature at Bridgeport. However, after expiring the second motor of the weekend, he was scored last.
Finishing Order: 6/30/05 – Bridgeport Speedway – Bridgeport, NJ 50 Lap Feature - $10,000 To Win
1. Scott Bloomquist/Mooresburg, TN; 2. Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY; 3. Josh Richards®/Shinnston, WV; 4. John Blankenship/Williamson, WV; 5. Steve Francis/Ashland, KY; 6. Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA; 7. Clint Smith/Senoia, GA; 8. Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA; 9. Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR; 10. Pat Ward/Genoa, NY; 11. Rick Eckert/York, PA; 12. Dan Stone/Thompson, PA; 13. Dan Schlieper/Sullivan, WI; 14. Billy Decker/Unadilla, NY; 15. Scott Haus, Hamburg, PA; 16. Eric Jacobsen/Seacliff, CA; 17. Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY; 18. Billy Pauch/Frenchtown, NJ; 19. Butch Champion/Collegeville, PA; 20. Dale McDowell/Chickamauga, GA; 21. Jim Bernheisel/Lebanon, PA; 22. Ricky Elliott/Seaford, DE; 23. Jason Miller/Germansville, PA; 23. Matt Hubbard/Seaford, DE
Time Trials Fast Qualifier: Elliott, 20.428 sec./111.122 mph; Heat Race Winners: Elliott, Frank, McCreadie; "B" Main Winner: Jacobsen; Dash Winner: Elliott.
NOTES: Saturday, July 2, 2005 – Stateline Speedway – Busti, NY
A pit full of 53 Late Models and a packed house watched John Blankenship hold off points leader Billy Moyer, parking the Busch Beer-Walker CAT Rocket in Victory Lane for the first time in his World of Outlaws Late Model racing career. Moyer tried every move he could on the slick track, but could not solve the youngster who celebrated his birthday Sunday (July 3).
Chad Ruhlman was on hand, racing into the feature and placing 25th. Ruhlman led a crop of regulars toe-to-toe with the touring stars. David Hess won his heat and the dash, and led the opening 18 laps before placing fourth. Dick Barton (Ashville, NY), the career Late Model win leader at Stateline placed fifth in the order. Dutch (7th) and Ron Davies rang up strong efforts; it was their first Late Model starts at Stateline Speedway in nine years. Doug Eck (Corry PA) and Bump Hedman (Sugar Grove, PA) also ran in the top 10, taking eighth and ninth, respectively. Todd Andrews (12th), Randy Lobb (15th) and Scott Johnson (16th) ran in the top 20, as well.
Quick timer Eric Jacobson set fast time and though he did not qualify, started 25th along side Matt Urban (North East, PA) as two Promoter’s Options in the main. Jacobsen gained several fans in his stop at Stateline.
Chub Frank made a stop at his old home track; last Saturday (June 25), Frank won an E-Mod event at Stateline. In 1988, Frank won a track championship at the 3/8-mi oval. He had the no. 1* E-Mod on the track Saturday night. He was battling for the lead when both he and the leader spun in the third turn. While battling back, he was spun a second time and pulled into the pits to focus on his late model duties.
Finishing Order: 7/2/05 – Stateline Speedway – Jamestown, NJ 50 Lap Feature - $10,000 To Win
1. John Blankenship/Williamson, WV; 2. Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR; 3. Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA; 4. David Hess/Waterford, PA; 5. Dick Barton/Ashville, NY; 6. Steve Francis/Ashland, KY; 7. Dutch Davies/Warren, PA; 8. Doug Eck/Corry, PA; 9. Bump Hedman/Sugar Grove, PA; 10. Rick Eckert/York, PA; 11. Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY; 12. Todd Andrews/Eldred, PA; 13. Scott Bloomquist/Mooresburg, TN; 14. Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA; 15. Randy Lobb/Frewsburg, NY; 16. Scott Johnson/Wattsburg, PA; 17. Dale McDowell/Chickamauga, GA; 18. Dan Schlieper/Sullivan, WI; 19. Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY; 20. Josh Richards®/Shinnston, WV; 21. Eric Jacobsen/Santa Cruz, CA; 22. Clint Smith/Senoia, GA; 23. Matt Urban/North East, PA' 24. Jeff Hoffman/Clarendon, PA; 25. Chad Ruhlman/Bemus Point, NY; 26. Rich Gardner/Waterford, Pa.
Time Trials Fast Qualifier: Jacobson 17.025 sec./70.484 mph; Heat Race Winners: Moyer, C.Smith, Blankenship, Hess, Barton, Ruhlman; "B" Main Winners: Frank, Lanigan; Dash Winner: Hess.
TELEVISION
The cameras of SPEED Channel captured all the side-by-side, fast paced action of the $10,000 to win “Stacker 2 Classic” at Bridgeport Speedway. That event will be broadcast October 22nd at 3 pm (Easter).
World Of Outlaws Stacker 2® Late Model Series SPEED Channel Schedule
Race Date
Race Track
Location
Air Date
Time
4/29
Lernerville Speedway
Sarver,PA
7/9
2:00p.m. EDT
5/21
Tri-State Speedway
Haubstadt,IN
7/16
3:00p.m. EDT
6/6
Deer Creek Speedway
Spring Valley,MN
7/16
4:00p.m. EDT
6/6
Deer Creek Speedway
Spring Valley,MN
7/30
1:30p.m. EDT
6/30
Bridgeport Speedway
Bridgeport,NJ
10/22
3:00pm EDT
TBD = To Be Determined
Broadcast schedule subject to change.
2005 World Of Outlaws Stacker 2® Late Model Series Championship Point Standings
(as of 6/7/05)
Points Update
Plc # Driver/Residence Points off lead off next
1 21 Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR (2) 2216
2 24 Rick Eckert/York, PA (1) 2154 -62 -62
3 29 Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY (1) 2148 -68 -6
4 15 Steve Francis/Ashland, KY (1) 2146 -70 -2
5 1* Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 2124 -92 -22
6 1 Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 2094 -122 -30
7 39 Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY (2) 2086 -130 -8
8 17M Dale McDowell/Chickamauga, GA (1) 2086 -130 0
9 44 Clint Smith/Senoia, GA (2) 2042 -174 -44
10 9 Dan Schlieper/Sullivan, WI 2000 -216 -42
11 23 John Blankenship/Williamson, WV 1867 -349 -133
13 25 Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 1665 -551 -202
12 0 Scott Bloomquist/Mooresburg, TN (2) 1602 -614 -63
14 E1 Mike Balzano/Parkersburg, WV 906 -1310 -696
15 W11 Robbie Blair/Titusville, PA 840 -1376 -66
16 15B Brian Birkhofer/Muscatine, IA 784 -1432 -56
17 91D Billy Decker/Unadilla, NY 734 -1482 -50
18 19J Davey Johnson/Greensburg, PA 536 -1680 -198
19 32D Darren Miller/Milledgeville, IL 481 -1735 -55
20 18 Shannon Babb/Mowequa, IL 453 -1763 -28
21 0S Steve Shaver/Vienna, WV 435 -1781 -18
22 71 Don O'Neal/Martinsville, IN 406 -1810 -29
23 24 Jeremy Miller/Littlesville, PA 380 -1836 -26
24 4B Jackie Boggs/Grayson, KY (1) 375 -1841 -5
25 99 Donnie Moran/Dresden, OH 366 -1850 -9
