*Alex Bruce Photo Attachment

Thorold, ONT –  August 2, 2010 – Just one year ago Matt Sheppard arrived at Merrittville Speedway on the brink of making his mark in the Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds. 

On Monday night ‘Super Matt’ continued his mastery of Merrittville’s racy one-third miler and is now on the verge of establishing himself as THE man to be beat in the bid for his first-ever overall Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Championship. 

Sheppard’s charge from 12th starting position to score his tour-best fifth ---and second straight at the storied Thorold, Ont. oval--- triumph in the nation’s premier Big-Block Modified series was worth $6,000 and more importantly extended his lead to 76 points over sixth-place finisher Jimmy Phelps in the title run after 14 rounds. 

“It was really special to win the last Trevor Wilkens Memorial here and its even more special to win the first Bob St. Amand race,” remarked Sheppard, 28, in familiar low-key fashion after staving off a late-race run by top Canadian finisher Stewart Friesen to head back to the states with a Northeast-high total of 13 Big-Block feature wins. “Just have to thank the St. Amand family along with the Bicknells and Williamsons that own this great speedway and offer such a great event.” 

“It was a little bit of a scare there but I ended up missing all of them. You hate to see that happen right in front of you when you’re leading but we were able to avoid it and hold on for the win,” commented Sheppard, who survived a tangle in the closing stages that forced him to contend with Friesen over the final 10 circuits. The margin between Waterloo, New Yorker Sheppard and Friesen from Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. under the final checkered flag was a scant .214-second, while Dale Planck from Cortland, N.Y. crossed the line a close third ahead of perennial rivals Danny Johnson from Rochester, N.Y. and reigning Mr. DIRTcar points king Brett Hearn hauling in from Sussex, N.J. 

Touring driver Ryan Phelps made contact with Merrittville weekly contender Scott Wood directly in front of Sheppard as the field navigated through turn four. The near-miss collision forced out the fifth and final yellow flag on lap 91 to set up the final international confrontation. And for the remaining 10 laps Sheppard clung to the low side while Friesen inched forward using the middle lane and frontstretch moat only to fall a half car-length short in the bid for his first career Super DIRTcar Series victory. 

“I knew Stew would be coming because when I got to lapped traffic I was struggling. I wasn’t much faster than they were so I knew he’d be right there at the end,” Sheppard figured. 

Sheppard was fifth quickest in Bilsten Shocks Time Trials and finished second in his qualifying heat, yet when it came time to draw among the top heat race finishers he grabbed the highest number --- 12. While fast timer Jimmy Phelps filed right alongside in 11th among the 30-car starting car field, it was his cousin Ryan Phelps that selected the pole to begin the century grind inside row one. 

Veteran open-wheel campaigner Steve Paine sprinted ahead at the drop of the opening green flag while Ryan Phelps faded from the front seemingly just as fast. Tour regulars Lance Willix II (lap 5) and Michael Storms (lap 26) slowed to bring out a pair of early cautions, and with a quarter of the race over Paine and Friesen led Billy Decker, Hearn and Planck. 

On lap 30 ---corresponding car number of the late Bob St. Amand--- Paine and Pete Bicknell hit the jackpot with the St. Amand family posting $250 bonus awards to the highest running Big-Block and Small-Block drivers. Paine’s effort to earn the $6,000 grand prize came to end a dozen laps later as Friesen bolted past low exiting turn four to complete lap 42. 

Friesen and Paine continued to pace the field at the halfway mark, with Hearn, Planck and Decker filling out the top-five as Jimmy Phelps and 21st starter Danny Johnson made their moves to the front. While Friesen opened up a comfortable advantage on the tacky track steering the red Pizza Logs no. 1 Jeff Daley & Sons Oil Service-Westmoreland Golf Club/TEO machine, a great four-wide battle brewed between Planck, Paine, Johnson and Sheppard materialized until the ‘Doctor’ drifted high over the turn four cushion to all but end any chance of claiming victory. 

When James Michael Friesen looped his mount in the fourth corner to incur a fourth caution period on lap 65, Sheppard had grabbed third and had his sights set on the front-running duo of Friesen and Planck. Soonafter Sheppard put his JB Motorsports no.9s Xtreme Lubricants/Bicknell special into second on lap 70 and the next time around nosed ahead of Friesen low across the line to forge what would be the third and final lead change of the night. 

Despite the late-race mishap involving Phelps and Wood, Sheppard never flinched as he held back Friesen to score his 17th career Super DIRTcar Series win, which ties him with Gary Tomkins for 11th on the all-time list. 

“I was a little worried there in the beginning, we didn’t take off very well at all,” Sheppard admittted. I was really just riding around, wasn’t going anywhere and guys were driving right by me. Then all of a sudden it seemed like about halfway that bottom (lane) really took off. I was just going to commit to it and putter around the bottom and hope I could hold on.” 

The strategy worked, barely, though as Friesen was waiting to pounce if there was the slightest of mistakes made along the way. 

“Think we needed about 2-3 (laps) more, Matt was living and dying on the bottom,” said Friesen, who collected his first Series checkered flag in the opening 25-lap segment of the ‘All-Star 100’ at Cayuga County Fair Speedway in mid-July. “And he lived and got by us when we were rolling through the middle.” 

“We just had a great race car and it was a great race. He was dying on the bottom the last couple laps but it was only 100 laps, so it is what it is. I’m just happy, we’ve got an awesome race car.” 

“We just put this car together, it’s brand new and the results showed. We got a couple weeks to work on it and its gonna get faster. Everybody that’s helped out, its been huge and we just keep moving forward,” added Friesen, after advancing to 12th in the SDS point standings despite missing three events. 

Planck has competed in every show, remaining sixth on the points chart following his second straight third-place finish of the season on Canadian soil. 

“Can’t thank Bicknell enough, this is a pretty fresh (BRP) car with a fresh Kevlar engine,” said Planck, 40, who placed third on July 20 at Autodrome Drummond in Quebec. “Just been going back and forth with shocks trying to get a little bit closer to these guys running up front.” 

“We’re super happy, this is like a win for us the way I’ve been running on tour. The car worked awesome. Merrittville Speedway is awesome to race on, too. Always seems like you can go three-wide, way out on the cushion or down low near the barrier. So its always fun to race and the fans are great.” 

“Tonight Matt was on the bottom and Stewy was up a little bit and coming across kinda in the middle. So I figured it was only my duty to go way up top, and actually the car worked good up there,” added Planck, who scored his lone series win of the season at Fulton Speedway back in April buckled in behind the wheel of the black RezX Racing no. 77x Twin Leaf Express(Ft. Covington)/Bicknell entry. 

The final mid-week Super DIRTcar Series show lies three weeks ahead as the prestigious ‘Mr. DIRT Track U.S.A.’ title event takes place on the high banks of Lebanon Valley Speedway with a whopping $17,500 saved for the 100-lap winner on Thursday, Aug. 26. 

Super DIRTcar Series Race #14 – Merrittville Speedway, August 2, 2010 ‘Bob St. Amand Sr. Memorial 100’ presented by L. St. Amand Enterprises Big-Block Modified Event Summary

FIN   STR    CAR#     DRIVER

1          12        9s        Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY ($6,000)

2          3          1f         Stewart Friesen/Niagara-o-t-Lake,ONT

3          6          77x      Dale Planck/Cortland,NY

4          21        27j       Danny Johnson/Rochester,NY

5          5          20        Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ

6          11        98h      Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY

7          15        42p     Pat Ward/Genoa,NY

8          19        71        Mike Bowman/St.Catharines,ONT

9          10        42        Pete Bicknell/St.Catharines,ONT

10        7          91        Billy Decker/Unadilla,NY

11        9          99L     Larry Wight/Phoenix,NY

12        13        37s      Boyd MacTavish/Ransomville,NY

13        26        17c      Chris Steele/Fenwick,ONT

14        8          8          Rich Scagliotta/Bound Brook,NJ

15        4          62s      Tom Sears Jr./Clay,NY

16        28        96        Fred Carleton/Niagara-o-t-Lake,ONT

17        29        15j       Tim Jones/Sanborn,NY

18        1          99        Ryan Phelps/Fulton,NY

19        30        52        James Friesen/St.Catharines,ONT

20        20        76x      Gary Tomkins/Clifton Springs,NY

21        24        38        Scott Wood/Thorold,ONT

22        22        6m       Mat Williamson/St.Catharines,ONT

23        25        07        Tim Kerr/Picton,ONT

24        2          7x        Steve Paine/Waterloo,NY

25        16        16w     Lance Willix II/Theresa,NY

26        23        26        Rick Richner/Niagara Falls,NY

27        17        76        Travis Braun/Jordan Station,ONT

28        14        108     Bill Bleich/Port Robinson,ONT

29        27        17        Billy Dunn/Watertown,NY

30        18        4*        Michael Storms/Wantage,NJ

GATER RACING NEWS LAP LEADERS:   Paine (1-41), S.Friesen (42-70), Sheppard (71-100).                                                 

CAUTIONS:   5 for 18 laps.                                                 

HOOSIER TIRE HEAT WINNERS ($100):   J.Phelps, R.Phelps, Decker, Wight.                                

CONSI WINNERS:   Johnson, Williamson.                                               

BICKNELL RACING PRODUCTS WINNER AWARD:   Matt Sheppard.                                             

MSD IGNITION WINNER AWARD:   Matt Sheppard.                                          

SYRACUSE 200 QUALIFIER:   Stewart Friesen.                                                

SYRACUSE 358-MODIFIED QUALIFIER:   Mike Bowman.                                          

HALFWAY LEADER:   Stewart Friesen.                                                  

BERT/KSE RACING PRODUCTS HARD CHARGER AWARD:   Danny Johnson.                

XTREME LUBRICANTS SLICK MOVE OF THE RACE AWARD:   Matt Sheppard.                         

PENSKE POWER POSITION AWARD (21st):   Scott Wood.                                       

MSD IGNITION FINAL PLACEMENT AWARD:   Michael Storms.                                            

BILSTEIN SHOCKS FAST TIME AWARD:   Jimmy Phelps (15.306sec/78.401mph).                       

TOTAL PURSE:   $27,750.                                    

CARS ENTERED:   39.                                          

NEXT EVENT:   Lebanon Valley Speedway "Mr. DIRT Track USA 100" - August 26, 2010.

DID NOT QUALIFY(9)

1-Todd Gordon/St.Catharines,ONT

3b-Chad Brachmann/Sanborn,NY

8s-Justin Sharp/St.Catharines,ONT

12-Chad Chevalier/Port Colborne,ONT

69-Rob Pietz/Gasline,ONT

71s-Shawn Sliter/Port Colborne,ONT

72-Tommy Flannigan/St.Catharines,ONT

83-Darren Latimer/Wamuran,QLD

88s-Shayne Pierce/Wainfleet,ONT

QUALIFYING

            FAST              AVE               

            TIME               MPH               CAR# DRIVER

1          15.306            78.401            98h      Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY

*$100 Bilstein Shocks Fast Qualifier Award

2          15.326            78.298            91        Billy Decker/Unadilla,NY

3          15.369            78.079            20        Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ

4          15.392            77.963            1f         Stewart Friesen/Niagara-o-t-Lake,ONT

5          15.458            77.630            9s        Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY

6          15.495            77.444            42p     Pat Ward/Genoa,NY

7          15.582            77.012            99L     Larry Wight/Phoenix,NY

8          15.634            76.756            8          Rich Scagliotta/Bound Brook,NJ

9          15.636            76.746            27j       Danny Johnson/Rochester,NY

10        15.653            76.663            42        Pete Bicknell/St.Catharines,ONT

11        15.685            76.506            99        Ryan Phelps/Fulton,NY

12        15.703            76.419            7x        Steve Paine/Waterloo,NY

13        15.767            76.108            77x      Dale Planck/Cortland,NY

14        15.829            75.810            71        Mike Bowman/St.Catharines,ONT

15        15.956            75.207            62s      Tom Sears Jr./Clay,NY

16        15.997            75.014            6m       Mat Williamson/St.Catharines,ONT

17        16.003            74.986            37s      Boyd MacTavish/Ransomville,NY

18        16.035            74.836            07        Tim Kerr/Picton,ONT

19        16.097            74.548            108     Bill Bleich/Port Robinson,ONT

20        16.098            74.543            4*        Michael Storms/Wantage,NJ

            16.098            74.543            52        James Friesen/St.Catharines,ONT

22        16.105            74.511            16w     Lance Willix II/Theresa,NY

23        16.123            74.428            15j       Tim Jones/Sanborn,NY

24        16.125            74.419            71s      Shawn Sliter/Port Colborne,ONT

25        16.127            74.409            76x      Gary Tomkins/Clifton Springs,NY

26        16.129            74.400            76        Travis Braun/Jordan Station,ONT

27        16.132            74.386            3b        Chad Brachmann/Sanborn,NY

28        16.159            74.262            17        Billy Dunn/Watertown,NY

29        16.184            74.147            38        Scott Wood/Thorold,ONT

30        16.200            74.074            26        Rick Richner/Niagara Falls,NY

31        16.213            74.015            12        Chad Chevalier/Port Colborne,ONT

32        16.217            73.996            72        Tommy Flannigan/St.Catharines,ONT

33        16.297            73.633            96        Fred Carleton/Niagara-o-t-Lake,ONT

34        16.312            73.565            69        Rob Pietz/Gasline,ONT

35        16.345            73.417            1          Todd Gordon/St.Catharines,ONT

36        16.381            73.256            17c      Chris Steele/Fenwick,ONT

37        16.397            73.184            8s        Justin Sharp/St.Catharines,ONT

38        16.470            72.860            83        Darren Latimer/Wamuran,QLD

39        16.585            72.355            88s      Shayne Pierce/Wainfleet,ONT

Heat Races (8 laps, top-5 finishers transferred to feature; top 3 redrew)

#1: J.Phelps, Hearn, Paine, MacTavish, Braun, Johnson, Kerr, Gordon, Carleton, Pierce.

#2: R.Phelps, Planck, Bicknell, Bleich, Storms, Richner, Sliter, Dunn, Jones, Sharp.

#3: Decker, Sheppard, S.Friesen, Ward, Bowman, Williamson, Wood, Steele, Pietz, J.Friesen.

#4: Wight, Scagliotta, Sears, Willix, Braun, Chevalier, Latimer, Flannigan, Brachmann.

Consolation Races: (10 laps, top 3 finishers transferred to feature)

#1: Johnson, Richner, Kerr, Gordon, Carleton, Jones, Dunn, Sliter, Sharp, Pierce.

#2: Williamson, Wood, Steele, Chevalier, Brachmann, J.Friesen, Flannigan, Pietz, Latimer.

Added: Dunn, Carleton, Jones, J.Friesen.

Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified Point Standings (Thru Aug. 2, 2010)

Rank   No.      Driver                          Total  Series  Diff  Wins  Top-5 Top-10  Starts

1          9s        Matt Sheppard          1,274 1,274    0       5          12        14        16

2          98H     Jimmy Phelps            1,198 1,198 -76      3          11        14        16

3          91        Billy Decker               1,179 1,179 -95      1          10        15        16

4          20        Brett Hearn                1,102 1,102 -172    2          6          13        16

5          27J      Danny Johnson          1,011 1,011 -263    1          8          9          16

6          77x      Dale Planck               936     936     -338    1          4          7          16

7          49        Billy Dunn                   863     863     -411    0          2          8          16

8          99        Ryan Phelps              859     859     -415    0          1          6          16

9          62s      Tom Sears Jr.            793     793     -481    1          2          3          16

10        7x        Steve  Paine              785     785     -489    0          3          5          15

11        4*        Michael Storms         784     784     -490    0          2          5          16

12        1F       Stewart Friesen         722     722     -552    1          4          7          13

13        8          Rich Scagliotta          697     697     -577    0          1          2          16

14        99L     Larry Wight                618     618     -656    0          0          5          13

15        42P     Pat Ward                    589     589     -685    0          4          9          10

16        3T        Gary Tomkins            580     580     -694    0          2          3          13

17        16        Lance Willix II             497     497     -777    0          0          1          11

18        1J        Alan Johnson             428     428     -846    0          1          4          9

19        3H       Justin Haers               363     363     -911    0          0          5          7

20        66x      Carey Terrance         303     303     -971    0          0          2          5

21        8R       Rob Bellinger             246     246     -1,028 0          1          1          6

22        5H       Chris Hile                   223     223     -1,051 0          0          1          6

23        4T        Tim McCreadie         207     207     -1,067 0          3          3          5

24        32c      Vic Coffey                  202     202     -1,072 0          0          0          5

25        21a     Pete Britten                192     192     -1,082 0          0          0          6

26        7          Rick Laubach            189     189     -1,085 0          0          0          4

27        99B     Chuck Bower             183     183     -1,091 0          0          1          6

28        46        Kayle Robidoux         180     180     -1,094 0          0          1          3

29        10        Tim Currier                 180     180     -1,094 0          0          0          3

30        33        Mike Mahaney           178     178     -1,096 0          0          0          6

31        74        Tim Fuller                   176     176     -1,098 0          0          0          6

32        22c      Mario Clair                 171     171     -1,103 0          0          0          4

33        16        Mike Bowman           163     163     -1,111 0          0          0          6

34        21        Yan Bussiere             154     154     -1,120 0          0          0          3

35        90        Martin Roy                  153     153     -1,121 0          0          1          3

36        39        Ryan Bartlett              153     153     -1,121 0          1          1          5

37        10v      Bobby Varin               135     135     -1,139 0          0          1          2

38        21        Derrick Podsiadlo     131     131     -1,143 0          0          0          5

39        12a     Ronnie Johnson        124     124     -1,150 0          0          0          3

40        21K     Randy Chrysler          123     123     -1,151 0          0          0          3

41        1H       David Hebert             121     121     -1,153 0          0          1          2

42        37e     Eric Fisher                 119     119     -1,155 0          0          0          4

43        48T     Dave Rauscher         112     112     -1,162 0          0          0          2

44        54        Steve Bernard           108     108     -1,166 0          0          1          2

45        45m    Mike Ward                 107     107     -1,167 0          0          0          2

46        85v      Dan Vauter                104     104     -1,170 0          0          0          2

47        41        Boyd  MacTavish      103     103     -1,171 0          0          0          2

48        4H       Duane Howard          98        98        -1,176 0          1          1          1

49        49        Francois Bernier       95        95        -1,179 0          0          0          2

50        3b        Chad Brachmann      93        93        -1,181 0          0          0          3

51        10x      Willy Decker              92        92        -1,182 0          0          1          2

52        3          Claude Brouillard      90        90        -1,184 0          0          0          2

53        61        Jean Boissonneault  89        89        -1,185 0          0          0          2

54        12        Clayton Benedict       87        87        -1,187 0          0          0          2

55        22J      Gino Clair                   85        85        -1,189 0          0          0          2

56        24        Jim Witko Jr.              81        81        -1,193 0          0          1          2

57        23        Dany Bilodeau           80        80        -1,194 0          0          0          2

58        14        Jimmy Horton            80        80        -1,194 0          0          0          2

59        1H       Dave Heaslip             80        80        -1,194 0          0          0          2

60        1H       Tim Hindley                76        76        -1,198 0          0          1          1

61        26        Ryan Godown            75        75        -1,199 0          0          1          1

62        63        Dominic Dufault         70        70        -1,204 0          0          1          1

63        71        Mike Bowman           68        68        -1,206 0          0          1          1

64        21m    Bob McGannon         68        68        -1,206 0          0          1          1

65        42        Pete Bicknell             66        66        -1,208 0          0          1          1

66        160     Johnny Hill                  66        66        -1,208 0          0          0          1

67        02        Roy Bresnahan          66        66        -1,208 0          0          0          1

68        23        Laurent Ladouceur    63        63        -1,211 0          0          0          1

69        6          Pat O'Brien                63        63        -1,211 0          0          0          1

70        74        Fredric Gamache     62        62        -1,212 0          0          1          1

71        37md  Jer. Shingledecker    61        61        -1,213 0          0          0          1

72        97        Michel Chicoine        60        60        -1,214 0          0          0          1

73        12        Brian Sage                59        59        -1,215 0          0          0          1

74        61J      Martin Gagne             58        58        -1,216 0          0          0          1

75        17c      Chris Steele               56        56        -1,218 0          0          0          1

76        7          Patrice Demers         56        56        -1,218 0          0          0          1

77        115     Stephane  LaFrance 56       56        -1,218 0          0          0          1

78        X         Chad Phelps              55        55        -1,219 0          0          0          1

79        27        Michel Dusseault       52        52        -1,222 0          0          0          1

80        79        Jeremy Markle           52        52        -1,222 0          0          0          1

81        96        Fred Carleton            50        50        -1,224 0          0          0          1

82        95        Alex Boisvert             50        50        -1,224 0          0          0          1

83        38        Luke Whitteker          50        50        -1,224 0          0          0          1

84        55        Mike King                   50        50        -1,224 0          0          0          1

85        1x        Todd Stone                50        50        -1,224 0          0          0          1

86        124     Pierre Dagenais       49        49        -1,225 0          0          0          1

87        15J      Tim Jones                 48        48        -1,226 0          0          0          1

88        8J        Dean Pearson           48        48        -1,226 0          0          0          1

89        14        Lee Ladouceur          48        48        -1,226 0          0          0          1

90        39        Clement Therrien      46        46        -1,228 0          0          0          1

91        57        Donnie Corellis         46        46        -1,228 0          0          0          1

92        55        Perry Francis             46        46        -1,228 0          0          0          1

93        52        James M. Friesen     45        45        -1,229 0          0          0          1

94        47        Simon Perreault        45        45        -1,229 0          0          0          1

95        71        David  Van Horn Jr.  45        45        -1,229 0          0          0          1

96        42B     Kevin Bates               45        45        -1,229 0          0          0          1

97        44        Sebastien Gougeon 44        44        -1,230 0          0          0          1

98        172     Andre Gauthier          44        44        -1,230 0          0          0          1

99        66        Jerry Higbie               44        44        -1,230 0          0          0          1

100     38        Scott Wood                43        43        -1,231 0          0          0          1

101     29        Jeff Brownell Jr.         43        43        -1,231 0          0          0          1

102     56        Vince Vitale               43        43        -1,231 0          0          0          1

103     6          Mat Williamson          42        42        -1,232 0          0          0          1

104     44        Casey Swamp           42        42        -1,232 0          0          0          1

105     7*        Danny O'Brien           42        42        -1,232 0          0          0          1

106     49er    Johnny Guarino         42        42        -1,232 0          0          0          1

107     07        Tim Kerr                     41        41        -1,233 0          0          0          1

108     09        Alex Fortier                41        41        -1,233 0          0          0          1

109     72        Todd Stewart             41        41        -1,233 0          0          0          1

110     31        Tom Jock Jr.              41        41        -1,233 0          0          0          1

2010 Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified Roster (39)

Car#     Driver/Hometown         Team (Sponsor / Chassis / Engine)

07            Tim Kerr/Picton,ONT                The Bronskill Group-Loewen Window Center-Hubert Kerr Construction/Bicknell/Enders

1              Todd Gordon/St.Catharines,ONT Blue Moon Potatoes-Spats Graphics-Buona Pizza/Bicknell/ERD(Terry Vince)

1f             Stewart Friesen/Niagara-o-t-Lake,ONT Pizza Logs-Jeff Daley & Sons Oil Service-Westmoreland Golf Club/TEO/Enders

3b            Chad Brachmann/Sanborn,NY Mighty Taco-Power Trip Energy Drink-Grelak Mechanical/Bicknell/Honest Abe's

4*             Michael Storms/Wantage,NJ   Keizer Aluminum Wheels-Four Star Transmissions/TEO/Morrison

6m           Mat Williamson/St.Catharines,ONT Optional Hose & Hydraulics-Jasen Enterprises-S&W Service Centre/Bicknell/ERD

7x            Steve Paine/Waterloo,NY        Swarthout Recycling-Tallmadge Tire-Terrell's Potato Chips/Bicknell/Finger Lakes

8              Rich Scagliotta/Bound Brook,NJ Central Jersey Trailer & Hitch Depot-Adamsville Maintenance/Troyer/Feil

8s            Justin Sharp/St.Catharines,ONT Extreme Custom Exhaust-Blue Moon Potatoes/Bicknell/Balancing Act

9s            Matt Sheppard/Waterloo,NY   Xtreme Lubricants/Bicknell/C.C. Performance

12            Chad Chevalier/Port Colborne,ONT Home Hardware-Remarkable Renovations-Black Panther Jiu-Jitsu/Bicknell/ERD

15j           Tim Jones/Sanborn,NY           DA Jones Trucking-King Petroleum/Bicknell/Nichols Hepp

16w         Lance Willix II/Theresa,NY      SUNY Canton-Nor-Shir Construction/Bicknell/Morrison

17            Billy Dunn/Watertown,NY       Brian's Tire-Cosco Haulage-Humberstone Speedway/Bicknell/Luke's Racing Engines

17c          Chris Steele/Fenwick,ONT      Cosco Haulage-Brian's Tire-Humberstone Speedway/Bicknell/Luke's Racing Engines

20            Brett Hearn/Sussex,NJ           Madsen Mtrsprts-Wentworth Custom Homes-Benjamin Moore Paints/TEO/Enders

26            Rick Richner/Niagara Falls,NY Pizza Logs-Jetport Lounge-Lazy Lakes Camping Resort/Bicknell/Gor-Den

27j           Danny Johnson/Rochester,NY Rochester Americans-Waste Management-Honeoye Auto Parts/Bicknell/Mastin

37s          Boyd MacTavish/Ransomville,NY Gaston's Auto Sales-Boltworks/Bicknell/JanCen

38            Scott Wood/Thorold,ONT        Henderson's Pharmasave-Dilt's Piston HydraulicsBicknell/Fioravanti

42            Pete Bicknell/St.Catharines,ONT Lucas Oil Products-Merrittville Speedway/Bicknell/ERD

42p          Pat Ward/Genoa,NY                Gypsum Express,Ltd./Bicknell/Kevlar

52            James Friesen/St.Catharines,ONT Weekend Motorsports-Rockway Glen Golf Course/Bicknell/Larry Czinege

62s          Tom Sears Jr./Clay,NY            Summit Auto Group-Mullen Industrial-Trackman Equipment/Bicknell/Morrison

69            Rob Pietz/Gasline,ONT            Bas Farms Storage-Rob Pietz Heating/Bicknell/ERD(Terry Vince)

71            Mike Bowman/St.Catharines,ONT Seaway Fluid Power Group-PVM HydraulicsEaton Aeroquip/Bicknell/ERD

71s          Shawn Sliter/Port Colborne,ONT Modern Corp.-CMH Leasing/Bicknell/C.C. Performance

72            Tommy Flannigan/St.Catharines,ONT Kane's Vending-CMH Leasing/Bicknell/New Generation

76            Travis Braun/Jordan Station,ONT Biedas Powersports-Brian's Tire Repair-DBN Drywall/Bicknell/DSE1

76x          Gary Tomkins/Clifton Springs,NY Biedas Powersports-Brian's Tire Repair-DBN Drywall/Bicknell/DSE1

77x          Dale Planck/Cortland,NY         RezX Racing-Twin Leaf Express(Ft. Covington)/Bicknell/Kevlar

83            Darren Latimer/Wamuran,QLD Latimer & Sons Transport-Prolube-Foy's Auto Electrical/Bicknell/Morrison

88s          Shayne Pierce/Wainfleet,ONT Pro Act Roofing-A-Z Expediting/Bicknell/New Generation

91            Billy Decker/Unadilla,NY          Gypsum Wholesalers-Stadium Int'l-Quality Hardwoods/Bicknell/Kevlar

96            Fred Carleton/Niagara-o-t-Lake,ONT Turn 4 Collision-Brian's Tire-Jac-M-Up Race Gear/Bicknell/New Generation

98h          Jimmy Phelps/Baldwinsville,NY HBR Motorsports-Wave Energy Drink-Mohawk Northeast/Troyer/Bruneau

99            Ryan Phelps/Fulton,NY           Big Red Towing-Dave Miller Auto Body/Bicknell/Enders

99L          Larry Wight/Phoenix,NY          Gypsum Express,Ltd./Bicknell/Kevlar

108          Bill Bleich/Port Robinson,ONT  Baron Roofing & Siding-Frontier Auto Dismantlers/Bicknell/ERD

SKIDMARKS

Australian Influence: Australian Peter Britten from Brisbane, Queensland has been in the pits all season, most often serving as crew chief for Rich Scagliotta while mixing in a half-dozen Super DIRTcar Series starts on special occasions. Making his debut at Merrittville and Ransomville Speedway the past two weekends was fellow Aussie Darren Latimer, himself a top V-8 Modified runner in the land downunder. “It’s a whole different deal her in the U.S.,” said Latimer, 38, who teamed with Pete Bicknell in Australia last year. He failed to qualify for the series show at Merrittville although the Latimer & Sons Transport no. 83 Prolube-Foy's Auto Electrical/Bicknell car will be shipped across the globe upon his departure. “At home we have an entirely different tire stagger and never let up in the turns. The tracks are more tacky but also rougher, and there’s more single-file racing while probably only a handful of guys can win. We don’t have any adjustments in the car so whatever you set-up you have at the start you’re stuck with the whole race.” Not only were the U.S. and Canadian national anthems sung, the Latimer family ---his wife Melissa (who also races a Modified at home), their 2 kids and 2 crewmen--- in attendance were honored with a recording of the Australian anthem.

Hearn Cools Off In Canada: Prior to departing for Merrittville, Brett Hearn traveled to Cornwall (Ont.) Motor Speedway on Sunday night and rode away with his third 100-lap win of the season at Ron Morin’s popular quarter-miler. Add in three more extra-distance victories at Autodrome Granby and the Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified main in May at Merrittville and the ‘Jet’ had landed in the winners’ circle seven times in nine races run north of the border in 2010. When the annual Civic Holiday in August marked the arrival of the Syracuse Super DIRT Week qualifying date at Merrittville Speedway, Brett Hearn reached victory lane for the first time in 1986. The event was named in memory of the late Trevor Wilkens in the 1990s and Hearn again cracked the winner’s circle. He claimed the Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Championship show on Victoria Day back in May this year yet was forced to settle for fifth-place in his latest attempt on Monday.

*Niagara Frontier Feeds: Fans were kept informed throughout the Super DIRTcar Series Civic Holiday show at Merrittville with their ‘Twitter’ connection providing Big-Block updates both on-line and through text messages on cell phones. Along with the brief bulletins offered Twitter ‘followers' of the SDS during each race night, fans can also expect to receive breaking news and interesting notes between tour stops. To sign-up as a SDS Big-Block ‘follower' on Twitter and receive updates anywhere at anytime, visit http://www.twitter.com/SuperDIRTcar.

*Pot Holes: Jimmy Phelps’ third Fast Time of the year Monday certainly showed his versatility, posting a quick lap at Merrittville (1/3-mile) following best times at Cayuga County (3/8) in May and Orange County (5/8) in June … Back in Series action on Monday was Ryan Phelps who suffered burns on Saturday at Fulton Speedway after picking up his first Big-Block win of the season Friday at sister track Brewerton Speedway. Phelps was treated for 2nd and 3rd-degree burns on his right leg after a fitting on the power-steering line cracked 10 laps into the feature; one in which he hung on to finish ninth before being transported to the hospital …. In competition fresh off their feature wins over the weekend were Tommy Flannigan (Ransomville-Fri.) and Boyd MacTavish (Merrittville-Sat.) … Danny Johnson buckled into the back-up no. 27J Honeoye Auto Parts/Bicknell mount for heat after experiencing a vibration in the primary BRP ride carrying the Rochester Americans monikor …Top-3 feature starters were also scheduled to compete in a special kid’s bike race on the front straightaway with pole-winner Ryan Phelps unable to participate due to his leg injury and replaced by Billy Decker, who went on to defeat Steve Paine and Stewart Friesen in the home stretch dash … Small-Block incentive provided all track regulars with $4,000 shared among all qualified cars that completed a minimum of 90% of the feature race laps; which ened up including 11 drivers … Nearly $5,000 in lap bonuses was also generated on this special night celebrating the life and times Bob St. Amand Sr., with no less than a dozen laps rewarding drivers with at least $100 … Hoosier Tire Canada chipped in with $100 for each heat race winner, with Jimmy Phelps, Ryan Phelps, Billy Decker and Larry Wight taking a C-Note back to the states … The DIRTcar Racing community sends its condolences to the family of Mary Mullen, who passed away in July. Mary, wife of Jerry Mullen ---chief backer of the no. 62s Mullen Industrial-Summit Auto Group-Trackman Equipment/Bicknell entry--- passed away during All-Star Weekend at Cayuga County Fair Speedway the same time driver Tom Sears Jr. captured the second 25-lap segment of the headline ‘All-Star 100’ on July 17.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Its back to the states for Super DIRTcar Series stars as they return to New York’s Capital District to close out the month in the big $17,500-to-win ‘Mr. DIRT Track U.S.A.’ title event presented by Carquest Auto Parts, General Tire and Budweiser at Lebanon Valley Speedway on Aug. 26. After a 10-day break DIRTcar Racing Northeast charter member Cayuga County Fair Speedway hosts its fourth and final stop over the Labor Day holiday as the traditional ‘fall’ season gets underway on the DIRTcar NE circuit.

2010 Super DIRTcar Series Schedule

NP=Non-Point event; SP=Show-Up point event;   

DAY-DATE    TRACK                                               WINNER/LOCATION

*** FLORIDA DIRTcar NATIONALS ***              

Wed-Feb 10  Volusia Speedway Park-np              Stewart Friesen     

Thr-Feb 11     Volusia Speedway Park-np              Matt Sheppard

Fri-Feb 12      Volusia Speedway Park-np              cancelled

Sat-Feb 13    Volusia Speedway Park-np              Matt Sheppard

Sat-Mar 27     Hagerstown Speedway                    Billy Decker            

Sat-Apr 10     Fulton Speedway                              Dale Planck

Sun-May 30   Cayuga County Fair Speedway      Matt Sheppard       

Tue-Jun 15     Grandview Speedway                      Craig VonDohren

Wed-Jun 16   Orange County Fair Speedway       Jimmy Phelps

Wed-Jun 23   Mohawk Int’l Raceway                      Jimmy Phelps

Sun-Jul 4        Rolling Wheels Raceway Park        Matt Sheppard

Sun-Jul 11      Cornwall Motor Speedway               Brett Hearn             

 *** ALL-STAR WEEKEND ***                 

Thr-Jul 15       Brewerton Speedway                       Matt Sheppard       

Fri-Jul 16        Cayuga County Fair Speedway      Jimmy Phelps        

Sat-Jul 17       Cayuga County Fair Speedway      Matt Sheppard       

 *** GREAT CANADIAN TOUR ***                      

Mon-Jul 19     Autodrome Granby                           Brett Hearn                         

Tue-Jul 20      Autodrome Drummond                     Danny Johnson                 

Mon-Aug 2     Merrittville Speedway                       Matt Sheppard                   

Thr-Aug 26     Lebanon Valley Speedway West Lebanon,NY

Sun-Sep 5      Cayuga County Fair Speedway      Weedsport,NY

Sat-Sep 18    Mohawk Int’l Raceway                      Akwesasne,NY

Sat-Oct 2        Fulton Speedway-sp                          Fulton,NY

 *** SUPER DIRT WEEK ***                     

Sun-Oct 10     New York State Fairgrounds           Syracuse,NY

 *** DIRTcar FALL NATIONALS ***                    

Sun-Oct 17     Brockville Ontario Speedway          Brockville,ONT

 *** WORLD FINALS ***                

Thr-Nov 4       The Dirt Track at Charlotte(qual.)    Concord,NC

Fri-Nov 5        The Dirt Track at Charlotte               Concord,NC

Sat-Nov 6       The Dirt Track at Charlotte               Concord,NC

DIRTcar Racing Northeast main office is located in Weedsport, New York on the Cayuga County Fairgrounds, home of DIRTcar All-Star Weekend in July. DIRTcar Northeast’s crown jewel event ---Super DIRT Week at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse runs annually in October featuring Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Championship Series events for Big-Block Modified, 358-Modified, Sportsman and Pro Stock divisions. Ticket and schedule information is available by contacting the Weedsport office (315/834-6606) during the day or logging into www.allstar100weekend.com and www.superdirtweekonline.com anytime.

The Big-Block Super DIRTcar Series is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Hoosier Racing Tire www.hoosiertire.com and VP Racing Fuels www.vpracingfuels.com. Promotional partners include the University of Northwestern Ohio www.unoh.com and Chizmark & Larson Insurance www.chizmarklarson.com, and contingency sponsors are Bicknell Racing Products www.bicknellracingproducts.com, Bilstein Shocks www.bilstein.com, KSE Racing Products www.kse-racing.com, Motorsports Safety Systems www.motorsportssafetysystems.com, MSD Ignition www.msdignition.com, Penske Shocks, www.penskeshocks.com, Racing Electronics www.racingelectronics.com, Vicci Racing Apparel www.vicci.com and Wrisco Industries www.wrisco.com.