by Bret Emrick
APPLE CREEK, Ohio (Nov. 12, 2002) - The recently concluded 2002 Renegade DirtCar Racing Series can best be described in one word - Competitive!!! Nineteen different drivers garnered series sanctioned main event victories in the 32 events that were held. Chub Frank of Sugar Grove,PA led the winners list taking five wins and more importantly secured his third consecutive series championship sewing up the title after the next to last event on the 2002 schedule. Four different drivers (Don O'Neal, Davey Johnson, Mike Balzano and Frank) led the point standings at one time or another throughout the 2002 season. And two drivers, Scott Rhodes and Tom Myers, captured their career first Renegade DirtCar Racing Series sanctioned main event victories.
A total of 38 sanctioned events were scheduled for the 2002 racing season with 32 events completed. The series completed their 19th season of sanctioning dirtcar (dirt late model) racing visiting 21 different tracks in a 10 state area stretching from Florida to New York and from Virginia to Iowa. And, six new tracks hosted their first Renegade series events in 2002 with that honor going to Virginia Motor (VA) Speedway, McKean County (PA) Raceway, Mountain Motor (KY) Racing Complex, LaSalle (IL) Speedway, 34 (IA) Raceway and Farley (IA) Speedway.
Total monies up for grabs during the 2002 Renegade series season exceeded $1,500,000 (includes purse, point fund and contingency monies). The total number of entered drivers for the 32 race season totalled 1,676 with 501 different drivers competing throughout the season averaging 51 cars entered per event. A whopping 138 BRODIX,INC. heat races, 32 ISKY RACING CAMS dash races and 63 MASTERSBILT RACE CARS "B" Main's were held during the 2002 Renegade series racing season
The 2002 season kicked off in February at East Bay (FL) Raceway with three nights of racing during the annual "Winternationals". Don O'Neal of Martinsville,IN dominated the Renegade series portion of the "Winternationals" (February 4,5 & 8) winning all three races pocketing over $42,000 in winnings. The points chase after the "Winternationals" saw O'Neal with the lead but with no plans to chase the series his point lead after Florida was inconsequential. Chub Frank left East Bay sitting fourth in points with Davey Johnson fifth, Steve Shaver eighth and Mike Balzano tenth.
The "northern" opener at K-C (OH) Raceway saw inclement weather delay the $10,000 to win "Spring 50" from April 6 to April 20. Jackie Boggs captured the victory and Johnson moved into the point lead with Frank taking third, Shaver sixth and Balzano seventh. The series then moved on to "The Rock" - Allegany County (MD) Speedway April 26 where Scott Rhodes upset the field taking the $5,000 to win "Free State 40". Hagerstown (MD) Speedway was all set to present the $7,000 to win "Stanley Schetrompf Memorial 50" April 27 but rain showers during warm-ups wiped out any chance of completing the program. Johnson continued to lead the points at the end of April with Balzano now third, Frank fourth and Shaver fifth.
May started off at Florence (KY) Speedway May 11 with the $7,000 to win "Ralph Latham Memorial 50". Steve Francis garnered that win and Johnson remained the point leader with Balzano up to second, Frank still fourth and Shaver still fifth. The series then headed to Virginia Motor (VA) Speedway for the very first time ever May 18. Frank captured the $10,000 to win "Spring Brawl 50" for his first win of the season and moved into third in the point standings behind Johnson and Balzano while Shaver moved into fourth. Next up was Muskingum County (OH) Speedway May 25 for the $10,000 to win "Dunn/Hartman/Lutz/Tanner Memorial 50". Bart Hartman pocketed the top prize in the rain-shortened event. A $7,000 to win event at Portsmouth (OH) Raceway Park scheduled for May 26 was canceled due to flooding. May 27 the series returned to M.C.S. for the "Memorial Day 35" paying $5,000 to win. Balzano captured his first victory of the season and with the win also moved into the point lead with Johnson second, Frank third and Shaver fourth.
McKean County (PA) Raceway hosted their first Renegade DirtCar Racing Series sanctioned event June 1 and Frank thrilled the SRO crowd lapping up to the seventh place car in the $7,000 to win "Tom Neamon-MAC Tools 50". Frank moved ahead of Johnson by 40 points in the point standings but trailed Balzano by 80 points as the series traveled to Eriez (PA) Speedway June 2 for the $5,000 to win "Conway & O'Malley's Goodyear 50". Johnson led all the way to pocket his first win, and what turned out to be his only Renegade series win of the season, and also regained the point lead by a narrow 20 point margin over Frank who was now second, 60 points ahead of Balzano.
June 14 found Mountain Motor (KY) Racing Complex hosting the Renegade series for the first time with a $5,000 top prize offered for the "Miller Bros. Coal Classic 40". Rain fell halfway through the program pushing the completion of the event to June 28. Jim Nier's K-C (OH) Raceway presented the $7,000 to win "Night The Stars Come Out 40" June 15 where series all-time career main event winner Donnie Moran grabbed the victory. The points chase after K-C Raceway was now a three driver race with only 140 points seperating Johnson from third place Balzano.
LaSalle (IL) Speedway hosted the Renegade DirtCar Racing Series for the first time June 19 which saw Earl Pearson Jr. win a thrilling battle over Rick Eckert in the $10,000 to win "Jeff's Engine Masters 50". Frank (4th place finish) pulled to within 10 points of Johnson (7th place finish) for the points lead after the LaSalle event while Balzano (16th place finish) continued to sit third in points. The series then headed to Cedar Lake (WI) Speedway June 21 but heavy rain and floods canceled that program. The series then returned to Mountain Motor (KY) Racing Complex June 28 for the completion of the rain delayed June 14 event where Balzano scored his second win of the year moving him closer into contention for the points lead. Portsmouth (OH) Raceway Park presented the $10,000 to win "Glockner Firecracker 100" June 29 and again it was Balzano in the winners circle for the second night in a row. Johnson suffered a DNF at P.R.P. allowing Frank to take the point lead and Balzano to move into the second spot, 130 points behind Frank and 10 points ahead of Johnson.
Seven races dotted the schedule for July starting off on Indpendence Day at Stateline (NY) Speedway where Frank captured the the $7,000 to win "Stars and Stripes 50" before his hometown fans. Frank's victory coupled with Balzano's runner-up finish pushed Frank's point lead to 150 markers. Johnson finished tenth dropping him 240 points behind Frank as the series headed to Thunder Valley (PA) Raceway July 5 & 6 for the $12,000 to win "Ol' Glory 100". Scott Haus ended a 7 year winless drought with the Renegade series holding off Frank by less than a car length for the win while Balzano finished third and Johnson suffered a DNF.
Heading for Hagerstown (MD) Speedway's July 12 $10,000 to win "55th Anniversary/Stanley Schetrompf Memorial 55" Frank carried a 160 point lead over Balzano while Johnson's chances of a points championship were close to being gone. Rick Aukland pocketed the victory with Balzano (9th place finish) cutting Frank's (16th place finish) point lead to 80 points. Johnson suffered another DNF ruining any chances he had at the series point championship.
First time ever appearances for the Renegade series in Iowa tightened up the points chase even more. Brian Birkhofer scored the $10,000 top prize in the "Burlington Bash 50" at 34 Raceway. Balzano (3rd place finish) regained the point lead from Frank (13th place finish) by 20 points as the series headed to Farley Speedway for the $10,000 to win "Farley 75". Rick Aukland scored his second win of the season with the points lead changing hands again. Frank used a provisional just to make the race and roared to the front for a third place finish while Balzano blew an engine seven laps from the finish to record a DNF. The results saw Frank retake the point lead by 120 points over Balzano. Johnson did not make the trip to Iowa handing the third spot in points to Shaver.
July wound down at Raceway 7 in Ohio July 26 where Dan Armbruster scored his first Renegade series win since 1993 taking the $5,000 to win "Jay's Auto Wrecking 50". Balzano (7th place finish) made up 10 points on Frank (8th place finish) as the series traveled to Muskingum County (OH) Speedway July 27. Balzano grabbed the win and the $7,000 top prize in the "Muskingum Valley 50" chopping into Frank's point lead to trail by 50 points. That would prove to be the closest Balzano would get to Frank for the series point championship the remainder of the racing season.
Frank opened up the month of August with a stirring win at Portsmouth (OH) Raceway Park August 3 taking the $10,000 to win "Cornett Clash 100" and increasing his point lead over Balzano (4th place finish) by 90 points. Thunder Valley (PA) Raceway's $7,000 to win "Thunder Valley 50" August 10 was taken by Tom Myers. Balzano (6th place finish) cut Frank's (8th place finish) point lead to 70 points.
The August 17th $10,000 to win "Conococheague 100" at Hagerstown (MD) Speedway saw Earl Pearson Jr. take the win and Frank really open up his point lead. A third place finish for Frank coupled with a 12th place finish for Balzano opened Frank's point lead to 160 points.
Florence (KY) Speedway August 23 saw Frank lead all the way in the $10,000 to win "North-South 50" while Balzano finished a disappointing 22nd pushing the point lead for Frank to 360 points. Interstate 79 (WV) Speedway saw Rick Aukland pocket the $10,000 winners share in the "Mountian State Thunder 75" while Frank (2nd place finish) increased his point lead over Balzano (5th place finish) to 390 points.
Billy Moyer opened September with a resounding win September 1 in the $15,000 to win "Pepsi 100" at Portsmouth (OH) Raceway Park. Balzano (3rd place finish) was able to cut into Frank's (6th place finish) point lead by 30 points. The September 21 & 22 "Pittsburgher 100" at Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania (PA) Motor Speedway found Rick Aukland taking the $22,000 top prize for his fourth Renegade series win of the season. Frank (4th place finish) increased his point lead over Balzano (9th place finish) to 410 points. Todd Andrews captured the September 28 & 29 $12,000 to win "Winchester 200" at Winchester (VA) Speedway while Frank inched ever closer to his third straight series point championship. After the Winchester event Frank (8th place finish) saw his point lead over Balzano (10th place finish) at 430 points with two races remaining on the schedule.
The $10,000 to win "Big Kahuna 50" at "The Rock" - Allegany County (MD) Speedway October 4 became a two-day event after rain during the second qualifying race pushed the completion of the event to October 6. Rick Eckert scored the victory to win the race while Frank's 13th place finish coupled with a Balzano DNF earned Frank enough points to sew up his third consecutive Renegade DirtCar Racing Series title. The season finished up October 19 & 20 at West Virginia (WV) Motor Speedway where Steve Lucas earned the $30,000 top prize in the "Charter Communications RaceFest World Championship". Both Frank and Balzano suffered DNF's at West Virginia Motor Speedway but the series point championship had been decided the week before.
APPLE CREEK, Ohio (Nov. 12, 2002) - The recently concluded 2002 Renegade DirtCar Racing Series can best be described in one word - Competitive!!! Nineteen different drivers garnered series sanctioned main event victories in the 32 events that were held. Chub Frank of Sugar Grove,PA led the winners list taking five wins and more importantly secured his third consecutive series championship sewing up the title after the next to last event on the 2002 schedule. Four different drivers (Don O'Neal, Davey Johnson, Mike Balzano and Frank) led the point standings at one time or another throughout the 2002 season. And two drivers, Scott Rhodes and Tom Myers, captured their career first Renegade DirtCar Racing Series sanctioned main event victories.
A total of 38 sanctioned events were scheduled for the 2002 racing season with 32 events completed. The series completed their 19th season of sanctioning dirtcar (dirt late model) racing visiting 21 different tracks in a 10 state area stretching from Florida to New York and from Virginia to Iowa. And, six new tracks hosted their first Renegade series events in 2002 with that honor going to Virginia Motor (VA) Speedway, McKean County (PA) Raceway, Mountain Motor (KY) Racing Complex, LaSalle (IL) Speedway, 34 (IA) Raceway and Farley (IA) Speedway.
Total monies up for grabs during the 2002 Renegade series season exceeded $1,500,000 (includes purse, point fund and contingency monies). The total number of entered drivers for the 32 race season totalled 1,676 with 501 different drivers competing throughout the season averaging 51 cars entered per event. A whopping 138 BRODIX,INC. heat races, 32 ISKY RACING CAMS dash races and 63 MASTERSBILT RACE CARS "B" Main's were held during the 2002 Renegade series racing season
The 2002 season kicked off in February at East Bay (FL) Raceway with three nights of racing during the annual "Winternationals". Don O'Neal of Martinsville,IN dominated the Renegade series portion of the "Winternationals" (February 4,5 & 8) winning all three races pocketing over $42,000 in winnings. The points chase after the "Winternationals" saw O'Neal with the lead but with no plans to chase the series his point lead after Florida was inconsequential. Chub Frank left East Bay sitting fourth in points with Davey Johnson fifth, Steve Shaver eighth and Mike Balzano tenth.
The "northern" opener at K-C (OH) Raceway saw inclement weather delay the $10,000 to win "Spring 50" from April 6 to April 20. Jackie Boggs captured the victory and Johnson moved into the point lead with Frank taking third, Shaver sixth and Balzano seventh. The series then moved on to "The Rock" - Allegany County (MD) Speedway April 26 where Scott Rhodes upset the field taking the $5,000 to win "Free State 40". Hagerstown (MD) Speedway was all set to present the $7,000 to win "Stanley Schetrompf Memorial 50" April 27 but rain showers during warm-ups wiped out any chance of completing the program. Johnson continued to lead the points at the end of April with Balzano now third, Frank fourth and Shaver fifth.
May started off at Florence (KY) Speedway May 11 with the $7,000 to win "Ralph Latham Memorial 50". Steve Francis garnered that win and Johnson remained the point leader with Balzano up to second, Frank still fourth and Shaver still fifth. The series then headed to Virginia Motor (VA) Speedway for the very first time ever May 18. Frank captured the $10,000 to win "Spring Brawl 50" for his first win of the season and moved into third in the point standings behind Johnson and Balzano while Shaver moved into fourth. Next up was Muskingum County (OH) Speedway May 25 for the $10,000 to win "Dunn/Hartman/Lutz/Tanner Memorial 50". Bart Hartman pocketed the top prize in the rain-shortened event. A $7,000 to win event at Portsmouth (OH) Raceway Park scheduled for May 26 was canceled due to flooding. May 27 the series returned to M.C.S. for the "Memorial Day 35" paying $5,000 to win. Balzano captured his first victory of the season and with the win also moved into the point lead with Johnson second, Frank third and Shaver fourth.
McKean County (PA) Raceway hosted their first Renegade DirtCar Racing Series sanctioned event June 1 and Frank thrilled the SRO crowd lapping up to the seventh place car in the $7,000 to win "Tom Neamon-MAC Tools 50". Frank moved ahead of Johnson by 40 points in the point standings but trailed Balzano by 80 points as the series traveled to Eriez (PA) Speedway June 2 for the $5,000 to win "Conway & O'Malley's Goodyear 50". Johnson led all the way to pocket his first win, and what turned out to be his only Renegade series win of the season, and also regained the point lead by a narrow 20 point margin over Frank who was now second, 60 points ahead of Balzano.
June 14 found Mountain Motor (KY) Racing Complex hosting the Renegade series for the first time with a $5,000 top prize offered for the "Miller Bros. Coal Classic 40". Rain fell halfway through the program pushing the completion of the event to June 28. Jim Nier's K-C (OH) Raceway presented the $7,000 to win "Night The Stars Come Out 40" June 15 where series all-time career main event winner Donnie Moran grabbed the victory. The points chase after K-C Raceway was now a three driver race with only 140 points seperating Johnson from third place Balzano.
LaSalle (IL) Speedway hosted the Renegade DirtCar Racing Series for the first time June 19 which saw Earl Pearson Jr. win a thrilling battle over Rick Eckert in the $10,000 to win "Jeff's Engine Masters 50". Frank (4th place finish) pulled to within 10 points of Johnson (7th place finish) for the points lead after the LaSalle event while Balzano (16th place finish) continued to sit third in points. The series then headed to Cedar Lake (WI) Speedway June 21 but heavy rain and floods canceled that program. The series then returned to Mountain Motor (KY) Racing Complex June 28 for the completion of the rain delayed June 14 event where Balzano scored his second win of the year moving him closer into contention for the points lead. Portsmouth (OH) Raceway Park presented the $10,000 to win "Glockner Firecracker 100" June 29 and again it was Balzano in the winners circle for the second night in a row. Johnson suffered a DNF at P.R.P. allowing Frank to take the point lead and Balzano to move into the second spot, 130 points behind Frank and 10 points ahead of Johnson.
Seven races dotted the schedule for July starting off on Indpendence Day at Stateline (NY) Speedway where Frank captured the the $7,000 to win "Stars and Stripes 50" before his hometown fans. Frank's victory coupled with Balzano's runner-up finish pushed Frank's point lead to 150 markers. Johnson finished tenth dropping him 240 points behind Frank as the series headed to Thunder Valley (PA) Raceway July 5 & 6 for the $12,000 to win "Ol' Glory 100". Scott Haus ended a 7 year winless drought with the Renegade series holding off Frank by less than a car length for the win while Balzano finished third and Johnson suffered a DNF.
Heading for Hagerstown (MD) Speedway's July 12 $10,000 to win "55th Anniversary/Stanley Schetrompf Memorial 55" Frank carried a 160 point lead over Balzano while Johnson's chances of a points championship were close to being gone. Rick Aukland pocketed the victory with Balzano (9th place finish) cutting Frank's (16th place finish) point lead to 80 points. Johnson suffered another DNF ruining any chances he had at the series point championship.
First time ever appearances for the Renegade series in Iowa tightened up the points chase even more. Brian Birkhofer scored the $10,000 top prize in the "Burlington Bash 50" at 34 Raceway. Balzano (3rd place finish) regained the point lead from Frank (13th place finish) by 20 points as the series headed to Farley Speedway for the $10,000 to win "Farley 75". Rick Aukland scored his second win of the season with the points lead changing hands again. Frank used a provisional just to make the race and roared to the front for a third place finish while Balzano blew an engine seven laps from the finish to record a DNF. The results saw Frank retake the point lead by 120 points over Balzano. Johnson did not make the trip to Iowa handing the third spot in points to Shaver.
July wound down at Raceway 7 in Ohio July 26 where Dan Armbruster scored his first Renegade series win since 1993 taking the $5,000 to win "Jay's Auto Wrecking 50". Balzano (7th place finish) made up 10 points on Frank (8th place finish) as the series traveled to Muskingum County (OH) Speedway July 27. Balzano grabbed the win and the $7,000 top prize in the "Muskingum Valley 50" chopping into Frank's point lead to trail by 50 points. That would prove to be the closest Balzano would get to Frank for the series point championship the remainder of the racing season.
Frank opened up the month of August with a stirring win at Portsmouth (OH) Raceway Park August 3 taking the $10,000 to win "Cornett Clash 100" and increasing his point lead over Balzano (4th place finish) by 90 points. Thunder Valley (PA) Raceway's $7,000 to win "Thunder Valley 50" August 10 was taken by Tom Myers. Balzano (6th place finish) cut Frank's (8th place finish) point lead to 70 points.
The August 17th $10,000 to win "Conococheague 100" at Hagerstown (MD) Speedway saw Earl Pearson Jr. take the win and Frank really open up his point lead. A third place finish for Frank coupled with a 12th place finish for Balzano opened Frank's point lead to 160 points.
Florence (KY) Speedway August 23 saw Frank lead all the way in the $10,000 to win "North-South 50" while Balzano finished a disappointing 22nd pushing the point lead for Frank to 360 points. Interstate 79 (WV) Speedway saw Rick Aukland pocket the $10,000 winners share in the "Mountian State Thunder 75" while Frank (2nd place finish) increased his point lead over Balzano (5th place finish) to 390 points.
Billy Moyer opened September with a resounding win September 1 in the $15,000 to win "Pepsi 100" at Portsmouth (OH) Raceway Park. Balzano (3rd place finish) was able to cut into Frank's (6th place finish) point lead by 30 points. The September 21 & 22 "Pittsburgher 100" at Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania (PA) Motor Speedway found Rick Aukland taking the $22,000 top prize for his fourth Renegade series win of the season. Frank (4th place finish) increased his point lead over Balzano (9th place finish) to 410 points. Todd Andrews captured the September 28 & 29 $12,000 to win "Winchester 200" at Winchester (VA) Speedway while Frank inched ever closer to his third straight series point championship. After the Winchester event Frank (8th place finish) saw his point lead over Balzano (10th place finish) at 430 points with two races remaining on the schedule.
The $10,000 to win "Big Kahuna 50" at "The Rock" - Allegany County (MD) Speedway October 4 became a two-day event after rain during the second qualifying race pushed the completion of the event to October 6. Rick Eckert scored the victory to win the race while Frank's 13th place finish coupled with a Balzano DNF earned Frank enough points to sew up his third consecutive Renegade DirtCar Racing Series title. The season finished up October 19 & 20 at West Virginia (WV) Motor Speedway where Steve Lucas earned the $30,000 top prize in the "Charter Communications RaceFest World Championship". Both Frank and Balzano suffered DNF's at West Virginia Motor Speedway but the series point championship had been decided the week before.
