Ten years doesn’t figure to be a very long time as one moves on in age and all the seasons seem to suddenly mesh together. For Billy Decker, the past decade chasing points on the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series rolled on at a snail’s pace as that’s exactly the amount of time its taken for the Unadilla, New York driver to climb back to the top of the DIRTcar Racing world in the no. 91 Gypsum Express. 

For the second time in his career, Decker moved to the forefront in Big-Block Modified racing as he was honored Saturday night as the overall Advance Auto Parts Series Mr. DIRTcar Champion to officially bring the curtain down on the 2008 race season. 

“Yes, it sure did seem like a very, very long time since the last (title),” remarked a charismatically low-key Decker, now 43, and firmly entrenched in the DIRTcar record book as one of the best ever to turn a wheel in the Northeastern Modified ranks. The seasoned open-wheel chauffeur finished his 23rd season of Big-Block competition atop the list with 22 feature wins after matching all-time Advance Series winner Brett Hearn’s single-season tour mark of 10 victories. “Every year we always had some good portions, just couldn’t put something together and keep it there for a whole season.” 

“We were definitely better prepared this year. We focused more on the Big-Block program, I think the late model events we ran a year ago took away from what we wanted to accomplish. And combined with a lot of different mechanical failures and some unlucky circumstances, it was just a frustrating time for everybody on the team. We certainly believe in Big-Block racing. The respect from everybody and the ability among all the competitors makes winning a championship like this so special. I feel blessed to be part of such a quality program,” Decker said. 

On Saturday, November 15 a solid turnout of over 450 drivers, owners, crew members, officials, media members and corporate VIPs filled the Turning Stone Casino Resort Events Center in Verona, New York to celebrate during the 33rd Annual DIRTcar NorthEast “Night of Champions” Awards Banquet. Customary inclusion of four Mr. DIRTcar winning cars ---parked triumphantly near center stage of the spacious dining room floor--- once again served as a formidable backdrop, offering plenty of photo opportunities both before and after the festive stage production. 

Familiar ‘voice’ of the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Shane Andrews emceed the program that was highlighted by captivating interviews with every major award winner throughout the night. World Racing Group Chief Executive Officer Brian Carter and WRG President and Chief of Operations Tom Deery also addressed the audience alongside Cory Reed, Director DIRTcar NE Competition & Track Sanctioning, while acknowledgements went out to Director of Operations Josh Wells, VP Public Relations Chris Dolack and Broadcast Services Manager Brian Dunlap that were in attendance from the World Racing Group on this special occasion. 

Straying slightly from the norm in this year’s festivities, recognition for many of the 2008 DIRTcar NorthEast touring division track champions kicked off the banquet agenda with Regional Racing Series Champions honored before the standard 6:30 p.m. dinner fare. 

Continuing in ‘08 with DIRTcar Northeast sanctioned tracks divided into regions for the Big-Block Modified, 358-Modified and Sportsman classes, Regional Racing Series point funds rewarded the top-15 drivers in each class, with total payouts equaling $45,150 for all nine open-wheel divisions. Recently crowned Regional champions earning $1,800 in the Big-Blocks were Decker (central), Brett Hearn (east) and Brian Swartzlander (west), Regional 358-Modified point winners collecting $1,000 were Kayle Robidoux (north), Jerry Higbie (east) and Pete Bicknell (west), while top point-getters in the Sportsman Regions receiving $800 were Chris Raabe (north), Todd Henderson (central) and James Michael Friesen (west). 

Top point-getters in the Advance Auto Parts Big-Block Modified, 358-Modified, Sportsman, Pro Stock and Street Stock classes were recognized during this popular seasonal celebration and in the end more than $400,000 in cash and contingency awards were handed out to over 200 drivers in DIRTcar NE's five major touring divisions. 

Motorsports Marketing Supervisor Mike Paris presented awards on behalf Advance Auto Parts, Bicknell Racing Products Vice-President Randy Williamson rewarded teams in the name of Hoosier Racing Tire while Larry Bishop was in attendance from Dig Safely New York, a long standing supporter of DIRTcar Racing and sponsor of the Modified Non-Qualifiers race at Super DIRT Week. Bill Shay from Ferris Industries was also a special guest of DIRTcar Racing in this season-ending event. 

In a special presentation made near the end of the night by Reed, Paris was recognized with a career achievement award. Paris received just the third-ever Glenn Donnelly Award of Excellence which was created in 2006 to honor individuals, teams, associates, sponsors and others within the DIRTcar Racing Northeast community who exemplify characteristics that Glenn himself displayed. Pride, professionalism, dedication, loyalty and a genuine desire to excel are some of the attributes that qualified Paris to receive this year’s prized award. 

“I might have received a lot of accolades from Cory (Reed, presenter) I’m not quite sure I deserve, its really all you guys that have made this program easy,” said a modest Paris, a native Virginian, whose devotion to Big-Block Modified racing has kept Advance Auto Parts in a prominent position within the Northeast automotive industry while many other company projects have come and gone since the DIRTcar association was formed in 1999. “There have been a lot of individuals with DIRTcar that have been able to make my job so much easier by watching over the program when I can’t be around. Without you, the fans ---our customers--- wouldn’t be coming out to the tracks.” 

A custom trophy was given to Paris and his name will also be inscribed next to 2006 award winners John Holland and Al Heinke from H&H Motorsports and ’07 recipient Tim Burger from Rite Aid on a special plaque that will be put on display in the Northeast Modified Hall of Fame & Classic Car Museum located on the Cayuga County Fairgrounds in Weedsport, New York. 

Along with the $50,000 Mr. DIRTcar cash jackpot collected by Decker, the Southern Tier speedster received an additional $1,000 "Gater Leads The Way" prize package from Gater Racing Photo News editor Joe Patrick after the ‘Franklin Flyer’ led the most laps during the Advance Auto Parts Series which included 26 extra-distance feature races held from April through October. 

“I have to start by thanking John and Laura Wight and the whole LJL Racing Team, they’ve provided us with a great foundation to build from,” Decker added. “And with any good program you’re surrounded by a good team and mine is led by Scott (Jeffery, crew chief). Everybody in this room needs no further proof of his abilities, they already know. He’s been a great team manager and just a lot of good people make things happen.” 

“Sometimes there’s a good second-place finish, maybe even a good third, but we always show up to win. That’s all we really think about and I’m probably speaking for the rest of the guys on tour so that’s what makes this (Advance Series) so competitive. We really don’t want to points race, we want to race each and every one to win and let the points take care of themselves.” 

For the first time since teaming with Decker and Jeffery in 2004,  John and Laura Wight were called up to the podium and the Phoenix, New York couple accepted the coveted car owner's award. The 2008 presentation marked their second Mr. DIRTcar Championship trophy with the first coming in ’04 when Pat Ward was the overall 358-Modified high points man. 

“I knew we could do it, I was actually a little disappointed we hadn’t done it the last three years so I kinda expected it,” divulged John, who settled for fourth-place Mr. DIRTcar runs with Decker behind the wheel in 2004-05 and climbed to second in ’06 then stood third last season with 11 Advance Series wins scored those previous four years. “But we just didn’t come through and we had some problems. This year things started rolling our way and everybody did a great job.” 

“It’s been a great season, really have to thank the crew for all the hard work they put into this. All I did was try and convey a desire to be number one, to win at whatever you do and to be the leader. I’m not someone who looks back and worries about what anybody else is doing and I think that’s the same for Billy. He never turns around to see who was just passed, he’s always looking ahead to see who he can get by next. Racing is just like business in that regard, it’s important to do the best with what you have control over and keep moving forward,” added Wight, a former owner of Can-Am Motorsports Park from 2001-03 before turning over the keys to current landlords Charlie and Billy Caprara. 

In addition to his many monetary accolades, the World Racing Group provided a commemorative ring for the newest Mr. DIRTcar Modified Champion. Decker also carried off a rare and unique 38-pound hand-crafted “Tribute Trophy” that only World of Outlaws champions Donny Schatz (Sprint), Tim McCreadie (Late Model), Steve Francis (LM) and Darrell Lanigan (LM) plus 2006 Big-Block points king Hearn possess today for their own divisional championships. 

“Its always exciting celebrating the champions,” said Brian Carter, as he addressed the banquet gathering in the popular Turning Stone showroom. “This year we have some first-time champions, some long-time champions, some with their careers budding and others in their twilight. The common denominator is that all of these successes are shared by friends and families tonight which is what makes this so special.” 

“Our racing family continues to grow and our future looks quite strong. The numbers don’t lie showing so many new winners in all of our divisions and I’m darn happy about it. Racing has continued to survive and we’ve kept it entertaining by embracing our fans, sponsors and all the families that got us here. I’ve always felt what doesn’t kill you makes you that much stronger and with the weather this year we truly grew a lot stronger together. We’re very proud to carry forward the tradition begun by Glenn Donnelly. We have a lot of respect for what’s happening in the Northeast and DIRTcar Racing is a big part of what we have planned for the future beginning with 2009,” Carter concluded. 

Added WRG President Tom Deery, “People still seek to be entertained and our track operators continue to provide fabulous avenues of entertainment as (DIRTcar) certainly maintains a very strong presence in this area.” 

“Whenever there’s a challenge, racers always seem to reach out. This is our extended racing family here tonight and that’s what this sport is really all about. The great family that we are all a part of. We all have the same passion, we share the same love for dirt short-track racing and tonight is like our big family dinner. Above all, we care about each other and that’s what makes it so special getting together here tonight,” Deery noted. 

For the third time in his career, Pete Bicknell captured the overall Hoosier Tire Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Championship. While Bicknell at 53 emerged as the oldest driver to garner the organization’s top Small-Block title, fellow Canadian Chris Raabe was recognized as the youngest as the ‘Teenage Tornado’ grabbed the group’s highest Sportsman honor at the age of 17.  

“When I’m at the track until that first green flag drops I look at it from a promotor’s view now, but once the green lights come on I’m a racer and that’s all I’m here for,” said Bicknell, who also stands as co-owner of Merrittville Speedway and founder of internationally marketed Bicknell Racing Products based in St. Catharines, Ontario. “It’s a different perspective but that’s what makes it a lot of fun as you do learn a lot more. We did (Mr. DIRTcar) back in ’91 and ’94 so its great to win it again. We’re always so busy that we haven’t had a chance to travel too much so this year I said let’s do some traveling and try to go for it again.” 

“I have to thank my brother Art, without his push I wouldn’t be here. Years ago I was thinking about quitting but he talked me into staying, buying all my stuff so he’s really the true owner of the race car. He fell off a ladder Monday and broke his hip so he’s in a hospital right now instead of joining me up here. So is my wife Nancy who’s helping him out. She’s always been behind me since day one. I also have to thank my daughters Erica, Darlene and Kristin, whatever happens out on the track they still have to put up with a lot of the crap and they’re not even the ones doing anything bad,” Bicknell said. 

Teenage sensation Raabe from Napanee, Ontario earned $5,000 for his stellar performance in the Hoosier Tire Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman points chase after adding track titles at Brockville Ontario Speedway, Thunder Alley Speedpark and Rolling Wheels Raceway Park. 

“We had a terrific season with so many great people behind me along with some solid sponsors and the whole deal put together by Gary McColman,” said Raabe, after becoming the first driver from north of the border to claim the coveted Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Championship since the touring format was established in 1990. “Its been a tremendous opportunity.” 

“There was a little added pressure once we got out front but I try not to think about points too much. Just let things come to us. All year long I had that passion to succeed, I really love the sport and appreciate all the support I received. Not sure yet about next season, maybe some 358 or Big-Block racing. Don’t really have the finances right now but we’re looking to pick up some for next year, just nothing is set in stone at this point,” added Raabe, who led the entire DIRTcar NE Sportsman circuit with 19 feature wins. 

Western New York Pro Stock standout Pete Stefanski took home $2,000 after collecting a record third straight full-fender title, winning a division-high 12 features to secure his second consecutive track points crown at Genesee Speedway. 

“All I can say is that we wouldn’t be here without having the caliber of drivers we’ve got in this class, they run you clean everywhere we go,” said Stefanski, 38, after becoming the first driver in any division to lock up three successive Mr. DIRTcar Championships since the fledgling motorsports operation originated in 1976. “That’s the most important thing right now, being able to come from the back to the front without getting wrecked.” 

“About 90% of this whole deal is my brothers Rob and Jim, the other 10% is me as they’re the ones that give me a car to win and I couldn’t do it without them. (4th title) would be great if it happened but that’s a long way off and we’re not sure if it could be pulled off. Whatever the outcome we’ll just go out and keep having fun, that’s what keeps us going,” Stefanski said. 

The second full-fender honoree was Nathan Peckham, also 38 years old, although his title run was chronicled in just the second season of crowning and overall Mr. DIRTcar Street Stock Champion. “I never worry too much about the points, never do, if they come they come,” figured Peckham, who placed eighth in the inaugural Street Stock points chase held in 2007 and actually opened up the ’08 campaign sporting a Sportsman Modified entry on the Central New York circuit. “All the guys I race against are the fastest Street Stocks around so to win it (Mr. DIRTcar) feels real good. I’ll put this trophy right with the rest of my toys I have at home.” 

Four rookie drivers were honored at the banquet and presented special achievement awards for their first-year success. An additional $7,000 in cash and prizes, including Extreme Mufflers and a ButlerBuilt Seat, were shared by 2008 Motorsports Safety Systems/G-FORCE Racing Gear DIRTcar Northeast Rookies of the Year award winners Larry Wight (Mod & 358), Dave Marcuccilli (Spt) and Bruno Cyr (Pro).

 ‘Llive' entertainment provided by the band Phatalyss closed out the gala evening in the events center while race teams, sponsors, track operators and guests were all invited back up to DIRTcar’s 4th Floor hospitality room for an after hours soiree to officially draw the curtain on DIRTcar’s 33rd season of auto racing promotion. 

The start of 2009 is now only 88 days away as Volusia Speedway Park leads off down south with the 38th Annual DIRTcar Nationals by UNOH opening for Big-Block Modifieds on February 11. Check out www.superdirtcarseries.com often as further information for Volusia's popular Winter tour events will be posted right up to race time.  

Skidmarks: Holley Carburetor ‘Hard Luck’ Awards were also handed out during the evening, with Billy Dunn (Big-Block), Tommy Flannigan (358-Modified), Eric Giguere (Sportsman) and Dion Oakes (Pro Stock) rewarded for their perseverance throughout the season. Winnings continued to pile up for Dunn as he accepted a special Sportsmanship Award after making every event in the Advance Series ….. An informal Saturday afternoon media gathering in DIRTcar’s 4th Floor lounge pre-empted the dinner banquet with Cory Reed offering some brief notes about what transpired during the promoters' meetings held Friday while corporate VP Media Chris Dolack and DIRTcar Racing Northeast PR Director also remained available to answer questions regarding the upcoming race season. 

Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts, a leading automotive aftermarket retailer of parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items in the United States, serves both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets As of April 19, 2008, the Company operated 3,291 stores in 40 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Additional information about the Company, employment opportunities, customer services, and on-line shopping for parts and accessories can be found on the Company's web site at www.advanceautoparts.com.  

The Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Advance Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tire and Sunoco Race Fuels. Promotional partners include AMB i.t., Rite Aid Corporation and the University of Northwestern Ohio and the contingency sponsors are Bert Transmission, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Crane Cams, Integra Shocks, MSD Ignitions, Motorsports Safety Systems, Penske Shocks and Wrisco Industries.