Sports
Modifieds set for big event on famous Syracuse mile
The New York State Fairgrounds, affectionately referred to as just Syracuse, began Super DIRT Week XXXVII proceedings with technical inspections Wednesday afternoon for the storied modified event of the season.
The New York State Fairgrounds, affectionately referred to as just Syracuse, began Super DIRT Week XXXVII proceedings with technical inspections Wednesday afternoon for the storied modified event of the season.
DIRT Motorsports hosts the annual pilgrimage to the Salt City for the pro stocks, sportsman, 358 modifieds and big block modifieds at the fairgrounds mile dirt oval. With tech inspections followed by time trials Thursday afternoon, qualifying events are scattered through the schedule today leading up to Saturday’s Syracuse 150 for the 358 mods and the Towne Mechanical 30 for the sportsman cars.
On Sunday, the last chance race for the unqualified drivers in the Rite Aid 200 Big Block Modified Championship will be followed by the BNC Motorsports Pro Stock Championship and the Rite Aid 200 Big Block Modified Classic, which gets the green flag at 2:15 p.m.
Various satellite races dot the schedule during the nighttime hours around the “Moody Mile,” as Rolling Wheels Raceway and Cayuga County Fair Speedway host shows tonight and Saturday night.
The 358 mods and sportsman are at RWR tonight, while the ASCS Patriot Sprint Cars and street stocks are at Cayuga County tonight as well.
Rolling Wheels presents the ESS (Empire Sprint Series)/URC (United Racing Company)/ASCS (American Sprint Car Series) Patriots tomorrow evening, while Cayuga County hosts the “Win and You’re In” Twin 25s for big and small block modifieds, along with the BRP Late Model Series. The mod overall winner earns 45th starting spot in the Rite Aid 200 on Sunday.
Although the show will not be broadcast live as it has been in seasons past, SPEED TV will present the Rite Aid 200-lap fall classic on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. Popular on air talent Shane Andrews will handle play-by-play, while second generation driving sensation, Timmy McCreadie will offer color analysis.
Many have attempted to master the mile, but few have conquered it. Pennsylvania standouts, Kenny Brightbill (1988), Doug Hoffman (1996) and Richie Tobias Jr. (1992) have all stood on the victory podium collecting the winner’s circle accolades, but the stars of DIRT have a stranglehold on the big stage.
Brett Hearn leads all drivers with five victories, Billy Decker has 4 wins on the Moody Mile, while the Brothers Johnson — Alan and Danny — have three and two wins, respectively.Jack Johnson (no relation) also has two wins, while 2007 defending champion, Vic Coffey holds two victories in the Modified Classic.
Locally, Williams Grove Speedway will once again attempt to present the Cleveland Brothers National Open, paying $12,000 to the winner of the 40-lap event, Saturday night.
Originally slated to be a World of Outlaws-sanctioned event paying $50,000 to the winner, a suitable date was not available for the return of the touring series in 2008, so this edition will be an open event.
The first Williams Grove National Open was won by two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, Gordon Johncock in 1963. Over the years many of the best open wheel chauffeurs have attempted to score the history-rich event, but many of the sport’s elite have been unable to grab the brass ring.
Jan Opperman, Mitch Smith, Ray Tilley and Dick Tobias are just a few of the past greats who have not won the Open, while recently crowned, eight-time track champion Fred Rahmer, along with Todd Shaffer, Greg Hodnett and Keith Kauffman are still searching for the elusive victory. Former WoO champion Danny Lasoski is expected to be driving the Jim Nace-owned No. 6 Saturday night.
Gates open at 5 p.m. Time trials are at 6:45, and qualifying events and the 40-lap feature will follow.
Big Diamond Raceway presents its final event of the 2008 season with a two-day INEX Legends Dirt Nationals for the popular legends race cars. Gates open at 3 p.m. today, with qualifying for all classes starting at 6:45. Saturday, the gates open at 2 p.m., with the 30-lap legends features (semi-pro, pro and masters divisions) beginning at 6 p.m. The Nutty Buddy Enduro Series follows.
The NHRA/POWERade Drag Racing Series heads to Richmond this weekend for the 3rd annual Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park.
Following an off weekend, the NHRA tour heads into its final three events of the 2008 season, as the 8th annual AC Delco Nationals at Las Vegas (Oct. 30-Nov. 2) and the 44th annual Automobile Club of Southern California World Finals completes the season on the weekend of Nov. 13-16.
Doug Kalitta (top fuel), Gary Scelzi (funny car) and Dave Connolly (pro stock) are the 2007 event winners, while Tony Schumacher (top fuel), Tim Wilkerson (funny car) and Jeg Coughlin Jr. (pro stock) will look to extend their respective points leads as the series heads into to the final drive.
ESPN2 will provide one hour of qualifying coverage Saturday at 7 p.m. and three hours of eliminations on Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
(Kaminski writes about auto racing for The News-Item)
DIRT Motorsports hosts the annual pilgrimage to the Salt City for the pro stocks, sportsman, 358 modifieds and big block modifieds at the fairgrounds mile dirt oval. With tech inspections followed by time trials Thursday afternoon, qualifying events are scattered through the schedule today leading up to Saturday’s Syracuse 150 for the 358 mods and the Towne Mechanical 30 for the sportsman cars.
On Sunday, the last chance race for the unqualified drivers in the Rite Aid 200 Big Block Modified Championship will be followed by the BNC Motorsports Pro Stock Championship and the Rite Aid 200 Big Block Modified Classic, which gets the green flag at 2:15 p.m.
Various satellite races dot the schedule during the nighttime hours around the “Moody Mile,” as Rolling Wheels Raceway and Cayuga County Fair Speedway host shows tonight and Saturday night.
The 358 mods and sportsman are at RWR tonight, while the ASCS Patriot Sprint Cars and street stocks are at Cayuga County tonight as well.
Rolling Wheels presents the ESS (Empire Sprint Series)/URC (United Racing Company)/ASCS (American Sprint Car Series) Patriots tomorrow evening, while Cayuga County hosts the “Win and You’re In” Twin 25s for big and small block modifieds, along with the BRP Late Model Series. The mod overall winner earns 45th starting spot in the Rite Aid 200 on Sunday.
Although the show will not be broadcast live as it has been in seasons past, SPEED TV will present the Rite Aid 200-lap fall classic on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. Popular on air talent Shane Andrews will handle play-by-play, while second generation driving sensation, Timmy McCreadie will offer color analysis.
Many have attempted to master the mile, but few have conquered it. Pennsylvania standouts, Kenny Brightbill (1988), Doug Hoffman (1996) and Richie Tobias Jr. (1992) have all stood on the victory podium collecting the winner’s circle accolades, but the stars of DIRT have a stranglehold on the big stage.
Brett Hearn leads all drivers with five victories, Billy Decker has 4 wins on the Moody Mile, while the Brothers Johnson — Alan and Danny — have three and two wins, respectively.Jack Johnson (no relation) also has two wins, while 2007 defending champion, Vic Coffey holds two victories in the Modified Classic.
Locally, Williams Grove Speedway will once again attempt to present the Cleveland Brothers National Open, paying $12,000 to the winner of the 40-lap event, Saturday night.
Originally slated to be a World of Outlaws-sanctioned event paying $50,000 to the winner, a suitable date was not available for the return of the touring series in 2008, so this edition will be an open event.
The first Williams Grove National Open was won by two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, Gordon Johncock in 1963. Over the years many of the best open wheel chauffeurs have attempted to score the history-rich event, but many of the sport’s elite have been unable to grab the brass ring.
Jan Opperman, Mitch Smith, Ray Tilley and Dick Tobias are just a few of the past greats who have not won the Open, while recently crowned, eight-time track champion Fred Rahmer, along with Todd Shaffer, Greg Hodnett and Keith Kauffman are still searching for the elusive victory. Former WoO champion Danny Lasoski is expected to be driving the Jim Nace-owned No. 6 Saturday night.
Gates open at 5 p.m. Time trials are at 6:45, and qualifying events and the 40-lap feature will follow.
Big Diamond Raceway presents its final event of the 2008 season with a two-day INEX Legends Dirt Nationals for the popular legends race cars. Gates open at 3 p.m. today, with qualifying for all classes starting at 6:45. Saturday, the gates open at 2 p.m., with the 30-lap legends features (semi-pro, pro and masters divisions) beginning at 6 p.m. The Nutty Buddy Enduro Series follows.
The NHRA/POWERade Drag Racing Series heads to Richmond this weekend for the 3rd annual Virginia Nationals at Virginia Motorsports Park.
Following an off weekend, the NHRA tour heads into its final three events of the 2008 season, as the 8th annual AC Delco Nationals at Las Vegas (Oct. 30-Nov. 2) and the 44th annual Automobile Club of Southern California World Finals completes the season on the weekend of Nov. 13-16.
Doug Kalitta (top fuel), Gary Scelzi (funny car) and Dave Connolly (pro stock) are the 2007 event winners, while Tony Schumacher (top fuel), Tim Wilkerson (funny car) and Jeg Coughlin Jr. (pro stock) will look to extend their respective points leads as the series heads into to the final drive.
ESPN2 will provide one hour of qualifying coverage Saturday at 7 p.m. and three hours of eliminations on Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
(Kaminski writes about auto racing for The News-Item)
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