To get right to the point first off is, the whole rumors and talk about this event at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park. First off, DIRTcar had made the decision to run this event at Wheels. No matter what anyone thinks that is the way it is. With Rolling Wheels being a “Special Events” track, the decision was easy to put the event at the track. It was in their best interest to keep the “Weekend” as it was already branded into their advertising plan. This being my opinion, us as
fans have to just get over it and give them some slack, hopefully next year it will be a weekend event and get bigger in the future. Remember that we still all have to be thankful we have tracks, promoters, owners and sanctioning bodies that put races on for us, nowadays called entertainment. Off to the real deal and how my weekend began at Rolling Wheels.
Just after the races were over at Fulton Speedway on Saturday Night May 28th, Sam and I and also my friend Justin proceeded to travel south and figured we would set camp up at wheels. We arrived around 1am (Sunday morning), with not much in my car has I said before I packed very minimal for the weekend. Heck I didn’t even have any food except for a few sticks of beef jerky, besides the obvious of a cooler packed with cold beverages and a bunch of vitamin water and Coca-Cola (my favorite). To my surprise there was over a dozen of campers there already. We set up camp and started a fire and had a few cold beverages, the best thing about camping. You know how you never plan on doing what you actually set out to do, well we all stayed up for the entire night until about 7am just hanging out and talking racing. The sun was almost set to come up and I set out to bed and checked the radar one last time and no rain on the radar we are set to go racing!!!
Anyways I woke up to packer trucks and the water truck on the track working it in. My friend Richard Pelc Jr. who lives right in Auburn, N.Y. drives by the track everyday and told me that DIRTcar officials have been working on the track everyday that it wasn’t raining. Larry Fink is now in charge of the track duties at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park, The official Press Release can be found at end of article with a link to it. This was going to be a tough decision for many modified drivers either to come race at wheels or go to Utica Rome Speedway for their opener. I didn’t know what I was in for and was just excited that it wasn’t raining. It was good to see some old friends that I haven’t seen in awhile walking around the parking lot and camping area. I have some pictures that I took that I will be posting as well. As I was walking up to the gate to get tickets, I noticed a ton of different things that was catching my eye. There were a bunch of sponsor’s banners up all over the place as well as flags on top of the grandstands. The lawns were all mowed and the place looked really good and cleaned up. The VIP rooms were all sold out and there was one saved for the Hall of Fame members as well. If you have read any of my articles in the past, the best place to watch a race there is from the VIP rooms and on the roof of the tower.
I have been one to voice my opinion when something pisses me off on the forums as I always post under my real name and I have been known to slam some of DIRTcar’s ideas and formats on what they do. Now with that being said I went to this event to see how well things have changed and I was impressed. As soon as you get your tickets, the staff at the gate had an itinerary of what events and times on the nights racing action as well as a list of expected drivers in the Modifieds. Also in the VIP rooms they had about the same thing with a list of what food you were getting and when. (This is a huge improvement). Another major note was the Historic/Antique modifieds were on display as well as the big bounce house for the kids which was a huge hit with the children. There was more outside venders there, which gives us fans more to enjoy or to walk around and browse at what they have. Sponsor’s had displays up and Nutmeg Collectibles were there with all there racing apparel. There was also a food vendor there as well, along with new food items on the regular RWR concessions. There is no longer just dollar bills only, you can pay with whatever you have.. EXCELLENT!. This was the Super DIRTcar Series opener and now it was time to see how well the track guys did on the track and if it was going to hold up through out the night. Also racing was the DIRTcar sportsman and a special DIRTcar Pro Stock/Stock Car special, they did not have much of a car count and these are my favorite classes, I was a bit bummed out on this, but they still put on one heck of a race with Kevin Smith winning. It was also good to hear Shane Andrews and Joe Marotta announcing, they are great announcers and it was also fun to hear Shane getting the crowd into it and picking on a few fans… All in good fun and thanks Shane you didn’t get me this time...
The racetrack conditions were talked about all night and the track was very smooth with no ruts in it and looked pretty good from where I was sitting behind the start/finish line. Like any dirt track, your bound to get some dust and with that said it did get a little dusty, but I could see the whole track so it wasn’t that bad or as I have seen it in previous years. The 7pm start time helped and it was better than racing in the afternoon as with the hot sun and wind I’m sure it could have been worse. I hate day races no matter where they are, so I am a fan of the late 7pm start. Good friend Bob Miller was on the roof setup with his video camera, so I knew already I couldn’t wait to see the highlight video he would be posting on the internet, which is an excellent way to promote racing. Thanks Bob and keep up the great work at all the tracks. With a big race on hand DIRTcar had Mike Hopkins, who is the assistant coach for the Syracuse men’s basketball team be the grand marshal of the event with the “gentlemen start your engines” line. The grandstands were packed from turn one to turn four and from top to bottom, I mean there were some seats left but this was the best crowd that I have seen in years like it used to be when the World of Outlaw Sprint cars were there. The pit grandstands were full as well. The staff was very helpful and maintained a professional manner all night and moved the show right along without any major intermissions. One of the biggest things that I love when I go to Wheels is watching the Junior Flaggers, these kids have DIRTcar uniforms on and even have their own flag stand. Which I have said this before they are the future of the sport and racetracks that do things with kids is more likely to get families to come out and enjoy a night of racing. Right into the racing action the Modifieds went 4-wide in a parade lap before the start of the race, which is really awesome treating them just like the outlaws. The main event was 60 laps for $6,000 to win and all the bench racers who hide behind screen names on the forums hate this idea, well oh well. I remember doing an interview with Jack Deery when he was with the company (DIRTcar) and he asked the drivers what they wanted and they said less laps for the same money, so I guess that is what it is and it’s a proven thing you just can’t please everybody. Tim Fuller won the race and it was one heck of a show. Tim mentioned in victory lane that that track was awesome and the crew did a great job. Very impressive run by Pete Britten who started on the front row and finished fourth. The sportsman race was very exciting with Sam Reakes IV and Tim Sears battling it out up front and near the end Dan Wiesner was running the highside and I’m thinking if he had 2 more laps he would have passed them both and won. However with a late race caution Wiesner ended up in the runner up spot with Reakes winning and Tim Sears Jr. taking third place. New to the event was the Safety-Kleen challenge for the DIRTcar Modifieds that was won by Billy Decker. I’ll rate all the nights racing action 8 out of 10 which is a real good show.
A few tidbits on my racing trip to Rolling Wheels Raceway Park. Jeff Hachmann who is the general manager at the raceway did a great job on this event as well as his staff and the entire DIRTcar crew. The track has made some real nice improvements and it showed. I hate to give a bad rating on the bathrooms, but bathrooms are 3 out of 10. They really need to be updated in my opinion, they have been there for many of years, but besides that I had a great time. I had to leave just before the heats started because my racing Buddy Sam did not want to listen to me and others that she needed to have sunscreen on so she was burned real good from the sun. This is the best part, the store down the road had no aloe and well had to go old-fashioned and bought some vinegar, I told her to suffer. When the sun is out be sure to wear sunscreen and I still can’t believe I had to leave during some racing, the things I do for people sometimes!! The fireworks display after the checkers fell were very exciting as well. Full results are below along with some links to check out. The next event at “The Fast Track” is the Robert N. Petrocci Memorial 'Stars & Stripes' 100 - Monday, July 4 at 7pm. For any and all info on the track visit the website here> http://www.rollingwheelsraceway.com .
LINKS
Larry Fink Overseeing Track Preparation at Rolling Wheels, N.Y. State Fairgrounds
Super DIRTcar Series
DIRTcar Racing
Super DIRTcar Series Statistical Report; May 29, 2011; Rolling Wheels Raceway Park; Elbridge, N.Y.
SUPER DIRTcar SERIES A-MAIN (60 laps/Pos., Car, Driver) - 1. (74F) Tim Fuller, Edwards, N.Y.; $6,000; 2. (91) Billy Decker, Unadilla, N.Y.; 3. (9s) Matt Sheppard, Waterloo, N.Y.; 4. (21a) Pete Britten, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; 5. (20) Brett Hearn, Sussex, N.J.; 6. (66) Danny Johnson, Rochester, N.Y.; 7. (77x) Dale Planck, Cortland, N.Y.; 8. (98h) Jimmy Phelps, Baldwinsville, N.Y.; 9. (8R) Rob Bellinger, Dexter, N.Y.; 10. (62s) Tom Sears Jr., Clay, N.Y.; 11. (3) Justin Haers, Phelps, N.Y.; 12. (673) Gary Tomkins, Clifton Springs, N.Y.; 13. (99L) Larry Wight, Phoenix, N.Y.; 14. (6x) Jackie Brown, Hurley, N.Y.; 15. (99) Ryan Phelps, Fulton, N.Y.; 16. (10) Tim Currier, Auburn, N.Y.; 17. (8) Rich Scagliotta, Bound Brook, N.J.; 18. (07) Tim Kerr, Picton, Ontario; 19. (23) Billy VanInwegen, Sparrowbush, N.Y.; 20. (99b) Chuck Bower, Lansing, N.Y.; 21. (7) Rick Laubach, Hellertown, Pa.; 22. (20d) Jerry Higbie, Newburgh, N.Y.; 23. (4*) Tim McCreadie, Watertown, N.Y.; 24. (48T) Dave Rauscher, Waterloo, N.Y.; 25. (7x) Steve Paine, Waterloo, N.Y.; 26. (32c) Vic Coffey, Leicester, N.Y.; 27. (37x) Tom Scheetz Jr., Boyertown, Pa.; 28. (63) Adam Roberts, Watertown, N.Y.; 29. (49) Billy Dunn, Watertown, N.Y.; 30. (zero3) Lance Willix II, Theresa, N.Y. Lap leaders: Bower, 1-13; Fuller 14-60.
DNQ: Dan Humes, Mike O'Brien, Dave Allen.
HEAT RACE WINNERS: Justin Haers, Jimmy Phelps, Tim McCreadie, Larry Wight
QUALIFYING (Pos., Car, Driver, Time, Speed) - 1. 98h Jimmy Phelps, 20.483 (109.847); 2. 3 Justin Haers, 20.504 (109.735); 3. 4* Tim McCreadie, 20.661 (108.901); 4. 91 Billy Decker, 20.669 (108.859); 5. 99 Ryan Phelps, 20.702 (108.685); 6. 99b Chuck Bower, 20.717 (108.606); 7. 99L Larry Wight, 20.738 (108.496); 8. 8 Rich Scagliotta, 20.785 (108.251); 9. 66 Danny Johnson, 20.790 (108.225); 10. 20 Brett Hearn, 20.848 (107.924); 11. 74F Tim Fuller, 20.875 (107.784); 12. 21a Pete Britten, 20.894 (107.686); 13. 77x Dale Planck, 20.922 (107.542); 14. 9s Matt Sheppard, 20.974 (107.276); 15. 32c Vic Coffey, 20.989 (107.199); 16. 7x Steve Paine, 21.022 (107.031); 17. 8R Rob Bellinger, 21.036 (106.959); 18. 7 Rick Laubach, 21.042 (106.929); 19. 48T Dave Rauscher, 21.044 (106.919); 20. 49 Billy Dunn, 21.070 (106.787); 21. 10 Tim Currier, 21.070 (106.787); 22. 62s Tom Sears Jr., 21.102 (106.625); 23. 20d Jerry Higbie, 21.108 (106.595); 24. 23 Billy VanInwegen, 21.151 (106.378); 25. 1Jr Mike O'Brien, 21.201 (106.127); 26. 6x Jackie Brown, 21.201 (106.127); 27. 673 Gary Tomkins, 21.235 (105.957); 28. 37x Tom Scheetz Jr., 21.366 (105.307); 29. 7 Tim Kerr, 21.538 (104.467); 30. 88 Dave Allen, 21.543 (104.442); 31. 0 Dan Humes, 21.589 (104.220); 32. 3 Lance Willix II, 21.622 (104.061); 33. 63 Adam Roberts, 21.896 (102.758)
MR. DIRTcar BIG-BLOCK MODIFIED SAFETY-KLEEN CHALLENGE (25 Laps/Pos., Car, Driver) - 1. (91) Billy Decker; 2. (99L) Larry Wight; 3. (9s) Matt Sheppard; 4. (20) Brett Hearn; 5. (66) Danny Johnson; 6. (77x) Dale Planck; 7. (7x) Steve Paine; 8. (6x) Jackie Brown; 9. (99) Ryan Phelps; 10. (49) Billy Dunn; 11. (98h) Jimmy Phelps.
DIRTcar SPORTSMAN MODIFIED A-MAIN (30 Laps/Pos., Car, Driver) - 1. (1s) Sammy Reakes IV; 2. (66)Dan Wiesner; 3. (83x)Tim Sears Jr.; 4. (777)Tyler McPherson; 5. (5)Don Spatorico; 6. (1J)Jim Spano; 7. (55c)Jesse Cotriss; 8. (19w)Justin Wright; 9. (7)Cody MacPherson; 10. (3a)Adam Hilton; 11. (28)Jimmy Spellmon; 12. (12h)Brandon Hagan; 13. (33)Matt Hitchcock; 14. (25G)Nick Guerierri; 15. (10m)Brett Martin; 16. (11)Ben Wheeler; 17. (4)Greg Martin; 18. (20X)Kevin Ridley ; 19. (1m)Jim Maher; 20. (10V)Josh VanBrocklin; 21. (0)Jipp Ortiz; 22. (3E)Tim Schneider; 23. (81)Christine Martin; 24. (17d)Tom Juhl; 25. (34)Andrew Ferguson; 26. (m1) Dave Marcuccilli. Lap leaders: Reakes IV 1-19, 27-30; Sears Jr. 20-26.
DIRTcar PRO STOCK/STOCK CAR CHALLENGE A-MAIN (15 Laps/Pos., Car, Driver) - 1. (272) Kevin Smith; 2. (93) Dick Parkhurst; 3. (57b) Frank Burnell; 4. (00R) Mike Rasbeck; 5. (715) Mike Cooper; 6. (143) Tim Hettis; 7. (2) Pete Stefanski. DNS: (00JR) Joe Reeves. Lap leaders: Stefanski 1-6; Smith 7-15.
