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Rolex 24 Standings Through 21.5 Hours (1pm EST)
posted by Phil Allaway
Sunday January 29, 2012
DP: GT:
Rolex 24 Standings Through 18.5 Hours
posted by Phil Allaway
Sunday January 29, 2012
DP: GT:
Rolex 24 Standings Through 11 Hours
posted by Phil Allaway
Sunday January 29, 2012
DP: GT:
Standings after 5 Hours 50 minutes
posted by Phil Allaway
Saturday January 28, 2012
DP: GT:
Standings After Regulation Sprint Race Distance (2 hours, 45 minutes)
posted by Phil Allaway
Saturday January 28, 2012
DP: GT:
Grand-Am to Add B-Spec Events Later in 2012
posted by Phil Allaway
Saturday January 28, 2012
On Saturday, Grand-Am Road Racing officially announced the creation of a new series that will act as the teritary division for the organization. The series will simply be referred to as “B-Spec.” The new B-Spec class is designed to be a very inexpensive way for brand new organizations to get involved with racing, and for existing organizations to cultivate new talent at a minimal cost. No professional drivers from any series will be allowed to participate in any B-Spec races. The B-Spec series will race four cylinder subcompact automobiles. Five manufacturers have already signed on to provide vehicles for the series. Those are Mazda with their 2, Honda with their Fit, Ford with their Fiesta, Mini with their Cooper and Kia with their brand-new Rio. As for how expensive these cars will be, Mazda would have prospective teams purchase a new Mazda 2. These start at roughly $15,000. From there, there would be a $2600 package that teams would have to buy from Mazdaspeed Motorsports. Finally, there would the all-important safety equipment (roll cage, racing seat, safety harness, fire extinguisher, etc.). The total cost per new car would be somewhere between $20,000-$30,000. Grand-Am brass are quite confident that the series will be a great fit in the organization. “This new form of Grand-Am racing will attract new racers and in the process, new fans,” said Mark Raffauf, Grand-Am’s Managing Director of Racing Operations. “The cars are cool and the competition will be door-to-door, which should be a lot of fun for everyone – a nice fit with what Grand-Am already has happening at every event.” The B-Spec class will race at six tracks later this season starting with Homestead at the end of April. Subsequent rounds would be held at New Jersey Motorsports Park, Mid-Ohio, Watkins Glen (during the Six Hour weekend), Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and Lime Rock Park. Events will be 30-45 minutes in length with no pit stops. The new series has been likened to the Renault Cup, a spec-series of Renault Le Car’s (and later Renault Alliances) back in the 1980’s. However, it more closely resembles IMSA’s International Sedan Series, which featured Acura Integras, Plymouth Horizons, Volkswagen Golfs, and the 1980’s version of the Dodge Charger, amongst others.
Ryan Dalziel Wins Overall Pole for Rolex 24, Brumos Racing on GT Pole
posted by Phil Allaway
Friday January 27, 2012
One of the sport’s legendary racetrack owners, spearheading the last independently-owned Sprint Cup facility has died. Dr. Joe Mattioli, 86, passed away Thursday afternoon at the Lehigh Valley Hospital Center after a lengthy illness. A dentist by trade, the patriarch of one of the most influential NASCAR families staked the biggest portion of his reputation on racing, constructing the 2.5-mile Pocono Raceway in Northeast Pennsylvania and convincing the most popular series in the country to stage races there. Constructed in the early 1960’s, the “Tricky Triangle” as it’s become known has hosted a total of 68 Cup Series events, beginning in 1974. Pocono Raceway is also home to a successful driving experience, a mainstay for the ARCA Series (two races per year) and has recently hosted one Camping World Truck Series event per season. Open-wheel cars also once graced the asphalt at a facility that has grown to hold over 100,000 fans. But Mattioli’s legacy reaches far beyond the racetrack. His land in Northeast PA is now home to a 25-acre solar energy system, made up of 40,000 American-made photovoltaic modules that will produce more than 72 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy over the next 20 years. Opened in 2010, it makes the raceway the largest solar-powered sports facility in the country, spearheading NASCAR’s push towards protecting the environment and renewable energy. A Navy medic during World War II, Mattioli went to Temple University in Philadelphia, PA through the G.I. Bill and established a successful dental practice in the area. Investing in real estate during the ensuing decades allowed him to accumulate wealth and establish the funding necessary to build the racetrack, which now has expanded to include nearby lodging year-round among other projects, past, present and future which have helped boost the economy in the Pocono Mountain Region. “‘Doc’ was a true leader in every sense of the word,” said the Mattioli family in a statement. “As a visionary, he brought an unknown sport into an alien place, where he along with his unstoppable will and undeniable tenacity built one of the biggest monuments of sports. His passion for his projects was only overshadowed by his deep love for his family, which he gave to all of us hand over fist.” For years, other corporations have looked to buy the speedway and the surrounding land but Mattioli would never sell. That leaves Pocono one of just three tracks on the NASCAR schedule not owned by NASCAR-linked International Speedway Corporation or Bruton Smith’s Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (Indianapolis and Dover are the other two). Mattioli also steadfastly clung to the track’s 500-mile distances, a tradition that was only recently changed for 2012. The good doctor leaves behind his wife Rose – the couple was married 63 years – three children, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. In August, 2011 he had retired from his role as President of the Raceway and left the day-to-day operations in the hands of grandchildren Brandon, Nick, and Ashley Igdalsky. There are no plans to sell the facility in the wake of his death; in fact, it was left in a trust so the track will remain in family hands for generations to come. “They can’t touch it,” he said last year in a conversation recounted by Brendan Gaughan Thursday on SiriusXM’s NASCAR channel. “They’re going to learn how to run it or starve.” Chances are, with the great teacher the grandkids had to learn from success, not starvation will be the modus operandi for years to come.
Statement On Dr. Joe Mattioli's Passing
posted by Thomas Bowles
Friday January 27, 2012
From the family of former Pocono Raceway owner and president, Dr. Joseph Mattioli… It is with the upmost remorse that we announce that Dr. Joseph Mattioli passed away this afternoon. His loss has left with each of us an unbearable sadness, which we’ll bear with us for the rest of our lives. “Doc” was a true leader in every sense of the word. As a visionary, he brought an unknown sport into an alien place, where he along with his unstoppable will and undeniable tenacity built one of the biggest monuments of sports. His passion for his projects was only overshadowed by his deep love for his family, which he gave to all of us hand over fist. Beyond our family, he had a true love and admiration for the wonderful members of his North Eastern Pennsylvania Community. He had a great respect for all of the great people that laid the foundations of prosperity before him, and an even greater hope for the future of our area, which he believed lies in its youth. He leaves not only his family, but also everyone he’s ever met with an insatiable desire to take life by the horns. He always lived life on his own terms He did it his way. “Every man’s life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another.” – Ernest Hemingway He died loved, respected, and admired.
SunTrust Racing, TRG fastest in Opening Practice for Rolex 24
posted by Phil Allaway
Thursday January 26, 2012
When the track opened up for practice at 10am Thursday morning, the teams were ready and raring to go. Many of the teams had new equipment to come to grips with, while others were using older, proven machinery. Unfortunately for Starworks Motorsport, their new equipment let them down before they even got onto the track. A failure in the Ford powerplant was found on pit road before the car even saw the track. As a result, they were forced to miss the first session while they changed the engine. The other 13 Daytona Prototypes managed to make their way onto the track and set times. The results more or less kept in line with the Roar Before the 24 test. The SunTrust Racing No. 10 Chevrolet Corvette DP driven by Max Angelelli turned in the fastest lap with a time of 1:41.952 (125.706 mph). This is about six-tenths of a second slower than the fastest test times. However, temperatures are just about 80 degrees at the track. Second was the No. 01 BMW Riley DPG3 for Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. The car, driven by Graham Rahal, posted a lap at 1:42.086 (125.541 mph), a tenth and a half slower than the Corvette. Third was the No. 99 Gainsco/Bob Stallings Racing Chevrolet Corvette DP driven by Alex Gurney with a 1:42.199 (125.402 mph). Juan Pablo Montoya in Ganassi’s No. 02 and John Pew in the Michael Shank Racing No. 60 Ford Riley DPG3 rounded out the top-5. In GT, Spencer Pumpelly in the No. 67 TRG Porsche 911 GT3 Cup set down the fastest lap of the session right at the end of the session. His lap of 1:49.867 (116.650 mph) was less than two-hundredths of a second faster than Dirk Muller in the No. 94 BMW M3 for Turner Motorsport. Third in class was the Paul Miller Racing No. 48 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup driven by former Porsche factory driver Sascha Maassen with a 1:50.078 (116.426 mph). Sebastian Asch in the No. 17 Burtin Racing with Goldcrest Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 Cup was fourth fastest, while Emil Assentato in the No. 69 FXDD Ferrari 458 Italia rounded out the top-5.
Ford Racing unveils 2013 Ford Fusion
posted by Mike Neff
Tuesday January 24, 2012
In the biggest announcement so far of the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway, Ford Racing took the wraps off of their 2013 Ford Fusion. The car incorporates common areas agreed upon by all manufacturers with style components unique to the 2013 production car to give fans a race car that truly resembles the street version of the Fusion. While there are most likely going to be some tweaks to the design the car is definitely a much needed change from the current race car and a vast improvement toward bringing the STOCK back to stock car racing. The car was a collaborative effort across many different parts of the Ford organization. One of the key members of the project was Garen Nicoghosian, design manager for specialty vehicles. He was oozing with pride over the car as the assembled members of the media commented on the great looks. He’s a fan of the cars that used to race in the old Trans Am series and it shows in the end product. “I am a big fan of the flared fenders” Nicoghosian said. “The body style and the proportions we came up with lent itself to the flared fenders and the planted look that it gives to the car. It reminds you a lot of a Porsche 911 in how it just looks planted into the track.” While the other manufacturers have not yet unveiled their proposed cars for 2013, Ford has certainly set the bar high with their Ford Fusion. |
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Dixie Motor Speedway Results Press Release - Friday, June 26, 2009
Tuesday June 30, 2009
Eight different Feature Winners at Dixie Motor Speedway on Autograph
and Picture Night II.
By Matt Prieur and Chris Fobbe - Dixie Motor Speedway
Birch Run, Michigan (Friday, June 26, 2009): It was Autograph and
Picture Night II at the historic Dixie Motor Speedway on Friday, June
26th as in addition to the regularly scheduled program, two make-up
features from the June 19th rain out were also on the card for a total
of Eight Big Features scheduled for the evening.
The Top Notch Motorsports Pro Late Models were the first make-up
feature of the night as on June 19th they were able to get in seven
laps before the rains hit. Joe Hodgeson Jr., and three-time track
champion, Chad Bennett started on the front row back on June 19th.
Hodgeson Jr., led the first two laps before Bennett slipped by on Lap
Four to take over the top spot. On lap seven, the rains arrived
forcing postponement of the race.
Fast Forward to this past Friday, June 26th with Bennett in command as
the green flag flew to resume the race. Bennett pulled away from the
rest of the pack and seemingly was running away with the show. That
was until Fast Qualifier, Mark Welch got up to second from his ninth
starting spot and reeled in Bennett for the lead.
Welch tried all he could to get by the three-time champion, but
Bennett was up to the challenge as the Caro, Michigan veteran in his
B-C Auto Repair Chevrolet held off Welch to score his second feature
win of the season! Welch settled for second while Hodgeson Jr., Robbie
Johnson, Ed Doutre Jr., Tony Hoose, Marty England, 17-year-old Lonnie
Saumier, 16-year-old Blake Childers, and Curt Genow finished off the
Top 10.
Back on June 19th, Welch won his first fast qualifier award with a
16.277 while Timmy Near and Johnson won heat races.
In the regularly scheduled Top Notch Motorsports Pro Late Models
feature, 16-year-old Blake Childers, the 2008 Rookie of the Year, and
Curt Genow brought a stellar 20-car field to chief starter, Carl
Wanks' green flag and it would be Childers diving into the first
corner as the leader while the rest of the pack jockeyed for position
behind him.
Two-Time defending track champion and current points leader, Ed Doutre
Jr., slipped by Genow for second and followed Childers' tire tracks
all around the 4/10s (0.400) mile progressively banked paved oval,
looking for an opening to get around the teenager.
Doutre Jr., made his move on lap 20 coming out of turn four but
accidently got into the back end of Childers, sending him around.
Doutre Jr., "tapped out" and went to the rear of the field and giving
Childers his spot back as the leader. Only this time Fast Qualifier,
Mark Welch was on his back bumper in second place.
Welch immediately challenged Childers for the top spot when on lap 21,
they collided coming out of turn four sending both around while the
field behind them took evasive action to avoid the two cars. When all
was said and done, both suffered cosmetic damage and both went to the
rear of the field, giving the lead to Robbie Johnson.
The prodigal son and pride of Birch Run, Michigan made no mistake over
the last three laps as the driver of the Bus Stop Inn Chevrolet scored
the very popular feature win to the roar of the partisan crowd on
hand. It was Johnson's first feature win of the season at his home
track!
Genow finished a strong second as Norm Wilcox, Chad Bennett, Tony
Hoose, Joe Hodgeson Jr., Marty England, Brad Bilacic, and Doutre Jr.,
completed the Top 10. Welch was the fast qualifier for the second time
in two weeks with a 16.394 over the 22-car field while Jim Hardy and
Bilacic picked up heat race wins.
The Speedway Graphix Street Stocks make-up feature saw rookie points
leader, Aaron Spearling and Josh Hahn lead the field to the green.
Hahn led the first two laps until Curtis Hayden drove by on lap three.
Hayden had Hahn glued to his back bumper the entire race that featured
only one caution flag.
On the lone restart, Hayden quickly pulled away from Hahn and the
Clio, Michigan driver in his McFall's Collision Chevrolet went on to
score his first feature win of the season. Hahn finished second while
Dewey Romans Jr., Maverick Morrow, and Ed Newman Jr., were the top five.
2007 Track Champion, Mike Walther finished sixth ahead of Jason
Hitsman, Al Boitel Jr., Rob Sullivan, and Spearling wrapped up the top
10. Back on June 19th, Newman Jr., set fast time around the adjoining
1/3 (0.333) mile semi-banked paved oval with a 16.552 while Hahn won
the heat.
In the regularly scheduled feature, Josh Hahn, Rob Sullivan, and Jason
Hitsman exchanged the lead four times over the first five laps before
2007 Track Champion, Mike Walther picked off all three drivers and
took the lead for himself on lap six. Walther brought Michigan
Motorsports Hall of Fame driver, Jay Woolworth and the battle was on.
The 72-year-old Woolworth tried every trick he possessed in his 50
plus years of racing experience, but Walther was up to the task and
the Montrose, Michigan veteran in his Savoy Bar and Grill Chevrolet
drove to victory lane after winning his first feature of the year.
Woolworth finished a season high second while Hitsman, Ed Newman Jr.,
Maverick Morrow, Hahn, Dewey Romans Jr., Al Boitel Jr., Jake Caverly,
and Sullivan were the top 10. Morrow was the fast qualifier for the
first time this season with a 16.546 while Caverly and Woolworth won
heat races.
The first regular feature of Autograph and Picture Night II was for
the RacingPartSales.com Bombers division as pole-sitter, C.J. Davis
led the field for the first three laps until Chad Congdon drove by on
lap four and the Flint, Michigan driver made no mistake all race long
as the driver of the American R.V. Chevrolet cruised to his first
feature win of the 2009 racing season.
Current points leader, Jeff Roethlisberger Jr., inherited second while
Davis, Cam Hiltz, Andrew Burton, Mike Wines, Ray Derminer, Jim
Wirsing, Kyle Callahan, and Mike Wirsing wrapped up the top 10.
Congdon out qualified the 20-car field in qualifying with an 18.118 as
Joyce Derminer and Holtz picked up heat race victories.
The Wieland Contracting Modifieds Short Track Series Round II saw Jeff
Reamer and Todd Matheson battle for the top spot until Reamer took the
lead for himself on lap three. Matheson, a three-time track champion
on the adjoining 1/3 mile regrouped and began applying pressure to
Reamer.
Matheson overtook Reamer on lap 10 and from there, the Mt. Morris,
Michigan veteran in his O'Guinn Family Funeral Homes Chevrolet held
off a late charge from veteran, Buck Harsen to win his first feature
at Dixie since the 2001 racing season!
Harsen settled for second while Round I winner, Travis Eddy was third.
Reamer finished fourth over USA Modifieds Series regular and Fast
Qualifier, Brian Nester, who was making his first career start at
Dixie, completed the top five.
Rick Wiecorek, Nick Clemens, 17-year-old C.J. Harsen, Rod Laney, and
Robbie Johnson finished off the Top 10. Nester was the fastest
qualifier as the Edon, Ohio invader toured the 1/3 mile oval at a
15.593 while Matheson won the heat race.
The Auto Value / Bumper to Bumper Michigan Legends Series made there
second and final appearance of the season as part of the Michigan
Summer Regionals Day I. Tyler Rycenga and Columbus, Ohio visitor,
Bryan Nuckles brought the field down to the green flag for the start
of there feature.
Rycenga paced the field for the first four laps until 16-year-old
Chance Rice, the winner at Dixie back on May 29 in the Michigan Spring
Regionals, grabbed the lead. Rice is beginning to like Dixie Motor
Speedway a lot as the Charlotte, Michigan teenager in his Bishop
Performance Ford would go on to sweep the two races held at Dixie this
season!
Rycenga finished second while Brandon Mahoney, Nuckles, Ben Rouster,
Levi Rouster, Tony Monge, Roy Nicholson, Gary Joppich, and Chris
Brunet were the top 10. The Michigan Legends Series did not qualify
but instead drew for starting positions as Rice, Mahoney, and Monge
won heat races.
Finally to close out the night, the eighth feature of the evening was
for the Checkered Flag Promotions Figure 8s division. Gerry Persails
Jr., started on the pole but was quickly overtaken by John Hitsman.
Ray Derminer also drove by Persails Jr., and challenged Hitsman for
the top spot.
Hitsman, a veteran of many seasons of Figure 8s racing at Dixie was
determined to win and the Millington, Michigan driver in his Hitsman
Motorsports Chevrolet held Derminer to win his first feature in four
seasons!
Derminer was second while current points leader Andrew Burton grabbed
third over Persails Jr., Tony Williams, Mike Wines, Troy Shinabarger,
Ed Doutre Jr., Ricky Dinius Jr., and Ricky Dinius Sr., were the Top
10. The Figure 8s don't Qualify or run Heat Races as they draw for
their starting position in the Feature.
Dixie Motor Speedway will celebrate the Fourth of July Holiday Weekend
in style with two nights of races and two nights of FIREWORKS
beginning on Friday, July 3rd and ending on Sunday, July 5th.
The cars and stars of the "World's Fastest Short Track Cars," the fire
breathing, winged warriors of the Auto Value / Bumper to Bumper Super
Sprints Series will kick off the weekend on Friday, July 3rd for there
first of three appearances of the 2009 racing season.
Joining the Super Sprints on the 4/10s (0.400) mile progressively
banked d-shaped paved oval will be the Teamtech Motorsports Sportsman
who will run Double Features in order to make up there rained out
Feature from June 19th.
Also on the card, the RacingPartSales.com Bombers will be racing on
the adjoining 1/3 (0.333) Mile Semi-Banked Paved Oval and the
Checkered Flag Promotions Figure 8s are also part of the action to
help celebrate the countries' 233rd birthday.
Grandstand Admission Prices for Friday, July 3rd are: Adults (18-59):
$18.00 - Seniors (60 and Over): $16.00 - Students (13-17): $14.00 -
Kids (6-12): $7.00 - Children (5 and Under) are always FREE. Pit
Passes are always $25.00.
The Pit Gates for Friday, July 3rd will open at 1:00p.m. Rotating
Practice begins at 3:00p.m., while the Grandstand Gates Open at
5:00p.m. Qualifying will start at 5:30p.m. Racing gets underway at
7:30p.m.
Then on Sunday, July 5th, the Original, the One and Only EVE OF
DESTRUCTION returns for Round II as the always exciting night of
carnage will complete the Fourth of July Holiday Weekend. On Tap will
be the School Bus Figure 8s, Figure 8 Trailer Race, Chain-Gang Race,
Dixie Crash Cars, the all new and exciting Flagpole Race, and
Spectator Drags will highlight the evening of carnage and destruction.
Also in action will be the first of two appearances by the Vintage
Racing Organization of America (V.R.O.A.) Modifieds who will tackle
the 4/10s (0.400) mile progressively banked d-shaped paved oval while
a special Street Stocks Invitational will also be conducted on the
adjoining 1/3 (0.333) mile semi-banked paved oval.
Although the Street Stocks Invite is a "Non-Points" race, all
participants who are in attendance will receive 15 "Show-Up" points
for there efforts.
For Sunday shows only, the Pit Gates will open at 12:00p.m. The
Grandstand Gates Open at 2:00p.m., as Rotating Practice for the oval
track divisions begins at 3:00p.m. Qualifying for the Street Stocks
and V.R.O.A. Modifieds will start at 4:00p.m., and Racing gets
underway at 5:00p.m.
Grandstand Admission Prices for Sunday, July 5th are: Adults (18-59)
$15.00 - Seniors (60 and Over) $13.00 - Students (13-17) $12.00 - Kids
(6-12) $6.00 - Children (5 and Under) are always FREE. Pit Passes are
always $25.00.
For more information, please call: 1 (989) 624-9778 or 1 (989)
709-6113. You can also log onto the website as well at:
www.dixiemotorspeedway.com
This Week on the Frontstretch:
Mirror Driving: Rebuilding Denny Hamlin, Kurt Busch, Penske, And The NASCAR Banquet’s Future
The Only Thing Mutual? Penske, Kurt Busch Both Stand to Lose Big
Who Gets An Early Christmas Gift? Sorting Through Potential Busch Replacements
Burned At The YouTube Stake: How Technology Brought Busch Down
2011 NASCAR Driver Review: Justin Allgaier
2011 NASCAR Driver Review: A.J. Allmendinger
2011 NASCAR Driver Review: Aric Almirola
2011 NASCAR Driver Review: Marcos Ambrose
2011 NASCAR Driver Review: Michael Annett
2011 NASCAR Driver Review: Greg Biffle
2011 Driver Review Schedule
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This report was provided by an outside PR source and posted by Beth Lunkenheimer.
©2000 - 2008 Beth Lunkenheimer and Frontstetch.com. Thanks for visiting the Frontstretch!
