Longtime Can-Am Midget Club racer Dan May killed in an automobile crash

Earlier today, I received the following note from Cindy Lorenz of the
Can-Am Midget Club. Inside Track offers its condolences to Dan May's
family and friends.

"I am sorry to report that longtime Can-Am Midget racer Dan May was
killed in an automobile accident on Friday in Ancaster (ON).

Visitations will be at the Dodsworth and Brown Funeral Home in Ancaster,
on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. on
Wednesday.

Dan May and his father Ross have been involved with the racing community
in stock cars and TQ Midgets for many years. He will be sorely missed."

Legendary NASCAR Vice President Jim Hunter Dies

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 30, 2010) – NASCAR Vice President of Corporate Communications Jim Hunter, whose career in motorsports spanned portions of six decades as both a journalist and public relations professional, died Friday night in Daytona Beach, Fla. following a 12-month battle with cancer. He was 71.

 “Jim Hunter was one of NASCAR’s giants,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. “For more than 40 years Jim was part of NASCAR and its history. He loved the sport, but loved the people even more. It seems as if everyone in the sport called him a friend. Jim will forever be missed by the NASCAR community. Our sympathies go out to his entire family.”

Added NASCAR President Mike Helton: “Jim was a uniquely talented man that cannot be replaced. He was a great friend and mentor to so many in the sport. His influence will remain with and be carried on by so many of the people he touched. This is a sad day for Jim’s family and his extended, NASCAR family.”

As a young man growing up in his native South Carolina, Hunter was a football and baseball player at the University of South Carolina. Those years preceded a future of being immersed in the sports world, primarily motorsports. Hunter learned motorsports from “both sides” by working as a newspaper reporter/editor and a public relations representative.

As a member of the media, Hunter was sports editor of the Columbia Record newspaper; he had an award-winning stint at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution; he was a columnist for Stock Car Racing magazine; and he authored a number of books, including a widely-read biography on NASCAR great David Pearson, entitled “21 Forever”.

On the public relations side, Hunter broke into that business in the 1960s, with Dodge’s motorsports operation. He handled public relations for a number of top IndyCar drivers before going on to become the public relations director at his beloved Darlington Raceway and Talladega Superspeedway.

In 1983, Hunter was named to his first executive position in his first NASCAR stint, becoming NASCAR’s vice president of administration. In 1993 he was named president of Darlington Raceway and corporate vice president of the International Speedway Corporation. He remained at Darlington until 2001 when he accepted an offer from then-NASCAR Chairman and CEO Bill France Jr. to return to Daytona Beach to lead an expanded public relations effort aimed at responding to the needs of burgeoning media coverage.

Hunter won numerous awards during his career, including: the Hugh Deery Memorial Award in 1988; South Carolina Ambassador for Economic Development in 1994; South Carolina Tourism Ambassador of the Year in 1997; the National Motorsports Press Association’s Joe Littlejohn Award in 2005; and the Buddy Shuman Award in 2006.

Hunter is survived by his wife of 48 years, Ann Hunter; his children, Scott Hunter and Amy McKernan and his grandchildren Dakota Hunter, and Hunter and Luke McKernan.

In lieu of flowers the family asked that donations be made to The NASCAR Foundation or Hospice of Volusia/Flagler County. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.

From NASCAR

CHAMPIONSHIP CELEBRATIONS SET FOR CASTROL EDGE DODGE TEAM

October 29, 2010. Just over a month ago Castrol Edge Dodge driver DJ Kennington claimed the 2010 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Championship after closing out the final event at Kawartha Speedway with a third place finish. The result from Kawartha was his ninth podium finish of a remarkable season that saw the team prove their mettle every weekend of the grueling thirteen race series that took competitors from coast to coast. And with the championship smiles still clearly visible on their faces, the Castrol Edge Dodge team is about to begin an off season of celebration!

Almost immediately after the final checkered flag closed out the season and the Castrol Edge Dodge driver was confirmed as the series champion the phone calls, text messages and emails of congratulations began pouring in for the popular driver. “I was overwhelmed by the number of people that called or wrote me a note after we won the title” said Kennington. “I’m glad I was able to have my family there with me after the race and for so many of the people from Castrol to be there was special. They’ve been with me since the beginning and are part of this family too” he added.

This off season promises to be much different than those of the past for the Castrol Edge Dodge driver and Kennington couldn’t be happier about it. “Normally we’d do some clean-up work around the shop and eventually start getting things ready again next spring” explained Kennington. “This year it’s a whole different ball game. We’ve got the cars cleaned up and ready to go because they’re going to be on display an awful lot over the winter” he smiled.

The first event for the 2010 Champion and the Castrol Edge Dodge team will be attending is the Canadian Recognition VIP Reception to take place in the Toronto Distillery district on November 10^th. Series sponsors and partners along with members of the media have been invited to this prestigious event. “This will be the first of many big events for the Castrol Edge team” said Kennington. “I’m proud of everyone involved with our team and I’m going to take every opportunity to recognize their contribution and say thank-you” said the driver.

Coming up later this year Kennington will be honoured on December 11^th at the NASCAR Night of Champions Touring Awards Gala to be held at the newly opened NASCAR Hall of Fame where he will receive his Championship Ring. “That is going to be a special time” smiled Kennington. “There’s almost a whole week of activities planned for us, we’ll have our Castrol Edge Dodge on display and to be part of that kind of event with all the history of NASCAR surrounding us will be a once in a lifetime experience…..well, actually I wouldn’t mind experiencing it again next year” he exclaimed.

It promises to be a busy off season for the Castrol Edge Dodge team and their many race fans can follow along through a number of different ways. Race fans should bookmark the team website www.djkracing.ca and also sign up to follow them on twitter, www.twitter.com/djkracing Fans are also encouraged to join the Facebook Group DJK Racing.

Photo: DJ Kennington in the #17 Castrol Edge Dodge at Kawartha Speedway

Photo Credit: John R. Walker www.oneword.ca

DIRTcar: Friesen On Fire For World Finals At Charlotte!

Concord, NC – October 29, 2010 – Stewart Friesen is the talk of the DIRTcar Big-Block Modified world.

A personable 27-year-old Canadian with a hard-charging style and an emotional bent, Friesen has won more Modified features than any other driver in the Northeast this season. He’s been especially spectacular during the month of October, winning the prestigious SEF Small Engine Fuels 200 Presented by Ferris/Snapper/Simplicity Big-Block Modified Championship at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse and nearly capturing the unsanctioned 49th annual Eastern States 200 at Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, N.Y.

Now the lanky racer is taking his red-hot act south to chase more acclaim and history Nov. 4-6 at The Dirt Track at Charlotte. He’s entering the inaugural Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified portion of the fourth annual Lowes Foods World Finals Presented by Presented by Bimbo Bakeries and Tom’s Snacks, a blockbuster weekend that also includes the World of Outlaws Sprint Car and WoO Late Model series.

“I’m really looking forward to the World Finals,” said Friesen, who has not competed at The Dirt Track since the Super DIRTcar Series last visited the four-tenths-mile oval in 2005. “We’ve had a great season and we’d love to end it with a win in an awesome event at a world-class facility.”

Friesen, a native of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., who now resides in Old Forge, N.Y., will be part of a star-studded Big-Block Modified field that also features Super DIRTcar Series regulars Matt Sheppard of Waterloo, N.Y., Jimmy Phelps of Baldwinsville, N.Y., Brett Hearn of Sussex, N.J., Billy Decker of Unadilla, N.Y., and Danny Johnson of Phelps, N.Y. Sheppard brings a 74-point lead over Phelps in the Super DIRTcar Series points standings into the season-ending double-feature meet as he looks to clinch his first-ever overall Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Modified title.

The addition of the Big-Block Modifieds to the World Finals program has produced plenty of anticipation among the division’s racers and fans. Friesen feels the enthusiasm and excitement surrounding the event, prompting him to put extra emphasis on the pair of 40-lap, $6,000-to-win A-Mains that will be contested at The Dirt Track.

“It’s gonna be huge,” Friesen said of the World Finals. “It’s probably the best event of the year for Modifieds other than Super DIRT Week (at the Syracuse Mile). Running in front of a big crowd and having the race televised (the program on Sat., Nov. 6, will be broadcast on SPEED starting at 8 p.m. ET) is a big shot in the arm for Modified racing.

“We’re taking the World Finals real seriously. We’re preparing our short-track car for Charlotte just like we prepared our Syracuse car. We want to put our best foot forward.”

Friesen’s Charlotte plans call for him to drive his red No. 1 car, a proven machine that he co-owns with Jeff Daley and carries power from a C.C. Performance big-block engine owned by Marty Burdick. He steered the machine to a third-place finish in the Outlaw 200 on Oct. 2 at Fulton (N.Y.) Speedway and feels he should have parked it in Victory Lane on Oct. 24 after the Eastern States 200; he led Orange County’s long-running event until a controversial – and, track officials would later admit, incorrect – scoring decision following a lap-184 caution period put Tim McCreadie ahead of him for the ensuing restart. Friesen and his crew did all they could to protest the call – the crowd went wild when Friesen stopped his car on the track and sat on its roof to get the officials’ attention and prevent the race from restarting – but the decision stood. Adding insult to injury, Friesen was black-flagged for the way he argued his case, though he was allowed to restart at the rear of the field and finished a very angry 20th as McCreadie went on to win.

The Orange County defeat was a bitter pill to swallow for Friesen, who would have become just the fifth driver – and first in 12 years – to win the SEF 200 at Syracuse and the Eastern States 200 in the same season. A victory would have put his name alongside Big-Block Modified superstars Buzzie Reutimann (pulled the double in 1972), Gary Balough (1977), Danny Johnson (1997) and Billy Decker (1998), cementing his status in the division’s hierarchy before even reaching the age of 30.

No one, of course, can take away what Friesen accomplished over Columbus Day weekend at the famed ‘Moody Mile’ in Syracuse. Driving the Teo-Pro No. 44 that Daley and Burdick also help him field, Friesen came back from a hard flip in Saturday’s 358-Modified Championship 150 to win Sunday’s 39th annual SEF 200, the most coveted prize in Northeast Big-Block Modified racing. He was brilliant on the division’s biggest stage, making just a single gas-on-go pit stop – on lap 68, which happens to be the old DIRTcar Sportsman number of his late uncle Alex Friesen, a rising track and event promoter who lost his life in a December 1996 snowmobile accident – and then milking his tires and tank of fuel for the remaining 132 circuits.

A third-generation dirt-tracker whose grandfather, Stan, finished 21st in the inaugural Syracuse Big-Block Modified extravaganza in 1972, Friesen understands the significance of winning at the historic track. But he also has come to the realization that it will take awhile for him to fully come to grips with his $50,000-plus accomplishment.

“Tim Fuller (the 2004 REF 200 winner) said winning Syracuse doesn’t really sink in until you go there again, have a chance to win and you fall out because something breaks or something happens,” said Friesen, who was victorious in just his fourth career start in the Super DIRT Week finale and became the first Canadian to win the event. “Once you win it you think it’s something you’ll do again and again, but it’s harder to win than you ever know. Everything has to fall your way.

“Look at a guy like Frank Cozze – he ran the race for like 30 years before he finally won it (in 2008). I know I’m real lucky to have won it already.”

Friesen, a graduate of Ontario’s University of Windsor where he studied geology and physical geography, has already experienced the increased notoriety that accompanies a win at the Syracuse Mile.

“After you win it, you’re instantly more well-known,” said Friesen, who was a Super DIRTcar Series regular in 2005 driving for the Madsen Motorsports team but this year entered about three-quarter of the events as he searches for the right program to make a full-time effort. “If they didn’t know you before, now they do. It seems like everybody – Modified people, Sprint Car people, Late Model people – knows about Syracuse and pays attention to who wins it.”

Friesen will bring his new-found Big-Block stature to The Dirt Track for the Lowes Foods World Finals, where he hopes to continue his rise with another high-profile success. His two previous starts there resulted in a seventh-place finish in a DIRTcar 358-Modified event in 2004 (he led laps 3-18) and a 10th (from the 24th starting spot) in the 2005 Super DIRTcar Series feature.

“It’s going to be so cool to be in the same place with all the top Sprint and Late Model teams in dirt racing,” said Friesen, who started his 2010 season with a Big-Block Modified victory during the Florida DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville. “All the professional drivers in dirt racing will be running at Charlotte and it’s pretty neat to be on the same level as those guys. Hopefully we can put on a great show, turn some heads and make more people fans of Modified racing.”

The Lowes Foods World Finals Presented by Bimbo Bakeries and Tom’s Snacks kicks off on Thurs., Nov. 4, with two sets of heat races for the Big-Block Modifieds (one for Friday’s program, one for Saturday’s card) and two rounds of time trials for the WoO Sprint Cars and Late Models. The Modifieds will compete in consolation events on both Friday and Saturday to complete the fields for each evening’s 40-lap features.

From DIRTcar

Celebrity Welders and Welding Enthusiasts at Lincoln Electric’s Booth During the 2010 SEMA Show

What : Lincoln Electric will host television celebrities Chip Foose, Bryan Fuller and Jessi Combs as well as race driver Tony Schumacher in its booth 24113 at this year’s Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show, being held November 2-5, 2010, in Las Vegas.

When:
Chip Foose - Friday, November 5 10 am – 12 pm
Tony Schumacher - Tuesday, November 2 1 – 3 pm
Bryan Fuller - Periodic booth appearances Tuesday, November 1 – Friday, November 5 9 am – 5 pm
Jessi Combs - Wednesday, November 3 2 – 4 pm

Where: Lincoln Electric’s SEMA Booth 24113Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas
Foose, Combs and Schumacher will be available during the designated times at Lincoln Electric booth number 24113. Fuller will be available to sign autographs for fans on the show floor.

The Lincoln Electric Company, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is the world leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc welding products, robotic arc welding systems, fume extraction equipment and plasma and oxyfuel cutting equipment. The company holds a leading global position in the brazing and soldering alloys market. For more information, visit www.lincolnelectric.com.

Mosport Speedway Banquet

Port Perry, ON - Mosport Speedway officially closed the 2010 chapter of the record books with the annual year-end banquet held on October 23. Sponsors, supporters, drivers and teams were recognized at the celebration, their efforts rewarded with plaques, photographs and trophies detailing their accomplishments.

From the THORSONS EVT Six Or Less class:
Champion: #19 Kevin Pickford
Rookie of the Year: #89 Nick Mulders
Most Sportsmanlike Driver: #03 Kyle Hope
Most Improved Driver: #19 Kevin Pickford
Best Appearing Car: #26 Duane Jeffery 
Hard Luck Award: #79 Ryan Oosterholt.

From the Bob’s Towing Sportsman class:
Champion: #77 Brad Stevenson
Most Sportsmanlike Driver: #63 John Baker Jr.
Best Appearing Car: #77 Brad Stevenson
Hard Luck Award: #27 Terry Shaw.

From the R.P.Oil Ltd. Late Models:
Champion: #66 Jim Rossiter
Rookie of the Year: #66 Jim Rossiter
Most Sportsmanlike Driver: #01S Shannon Kimmerly
Most Improved Driver: #86 Terry Betts
Best Appearing Car: #29 Bryan Sudsbury
Hard Luck Award: #16 Amanda Connolly.

From J. Wally Nesbitt

NASCAR: Hamlin Wins TUMS Fast Relief 500 At Martinsville, Cuts Into Points Lead

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (October 24, 2010) – Denny Hamlin knew he had to have a perfect weekend in the TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway to take a big bite out of Jimmie Johnson’s lead in the Chase for the Sprint Cup.
       
And Hamlin was pretty near perfect Sunday afternoon winning the TUMS Fast Relief 500 and closing within six points of Johnson with four races left in the season. It is the closest Chase ever through six races.
       
Kevin Harvick remained within striking distance in third after a third-place run Sunday. Harvick gained 15 points on Johnson and is 62 behind the four-time defending champion.
       
Mark Martin overcame an awful start Sunday, battling back from two laps down to finish second.
       
It certainly wasn’t a surprise win for Hamlin. He has dominated the .526-mile oval the past couple of years. Sunday’s win was his third in a row on the historic track and fourth overall. It was also Hamlin’s series-leading seventh win of the year.
       
“Who said it was over?” Hamlin said of the Chase as he entered the media center after the race. “I told you it wasn’t over.”
       
Kyle Busch engaged in a hard battle with Harvick down the stretch and finished fourth, followed by Johnson. Rounding out the top 10 were Joey Logano, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Carl Edwards, Jeff Burton and Brad Keselowski.

Racing returns to Martinsville Speedway on April 3, 2011 with the running of the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race. Tickets may be purchased by calling 877.RACE.TIX or visiting www.martinsvillespeedway.com.

From Mike Smith / Martinsville Speedway

DIRTcar: O'Brien Comes up Short in Bid for Mr. DIRTcar 358 Modified Championship

BROCKVILLE, ON - Entering the Global Warranty DIRTcar Fall Nationals at the Brockville Speedway last weekend, Danny O’Brien had a mere 10 point lead over his nearest competitor and was only 5 more points up on third place.  While O’Brien has 25 years of experience, and is a nine-time Brockville Speedway champion, winning this year’s Mr. DIRTcar 358 Modified championship was going to be no easy task with both Danny Johnson and Pete Bicknell look to pounce on any opportunity to take over the points lead on the final night of the series.

Time trials set the starting line up for the qualifying heats, and O’Brien turned the fastest time in his group, and fourth fastest speed overall out of the 48 358 DIRTcar Modifieds signed into the Brockville Speedway pit area.  Standard procedure for DIRTcar time trials is that racer with the fastest time selects a number from one to four, and with that, determines the number of cars in each group that would be inverted.  The number that was drawn was two, meaning the fastest car in each group would start second in his heat. 

Normally, O’Brien excels on the outside lane of the BOS, but on this day, the bottom was the place to be.  O’Brien failed to qualify through the heat race, but rebounded with a second place run in the days last chance qualifier, giving him the 23rd starting spot for the main event.  It was a struggle for O’Brien early, and when the caution came out on lap 19, O’Brien looked to pit road for some changes, and returned to the field hoping to move through the field.  As the race progressed, and the halfway indicator was given to the field, O’Brien was still marred back deep in the field.  In the late stages, the car began to come to life moving up towards the top ten.  With just two laps remaining, steering issues caused O’Brien’s car to drift high, up and over the banking in turn one and two.  O’Brien was credited with an 18th place finish, and ended the season third in the overall points.

“The track had one lane that was real fast, and it was tough to pass.  Not qualifying through the heat really put us back, and that’s just the way it goes.  We were quick in our group for time trials, and we did the inversion, and it put us on the outside, and we needed to be on the inside”, says O’Brien.

With Saturday’s events over with, O’Brien and his team went over the car in preparation for Sunday’s Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series race.  Using the same car and Small Block Motor from the previous day, O’Brien qualified 19th out of the 39 Big Blocks in attendance, and finished second in his qualifying heat, placing him into a redraw for one of the top 12 starting positions in Sunday’s 100 lap main event.  O’Brien drew the 11th position to start the race.  O’Brien pulled off early with mechanical issues, and finished 24th.

This concludes the 2010 season for Danny O’Brien and his Global Warranty, 1000 Islands RV, Pat’s Radiator, 103.7 BOB FM, Jackson’s Landscaping & Property Maintenance, Murdock’s Cement Finishing, Stover Bus Lines sponsored Kendrick Racing team.  Stay tuned for a season in review press release in the coming weeks.

For more information on Danny O’Brien and the 7* Global Warranty racing team, please visit our website, www.dannyobrien.ca.

PHOTO: Danny O’Brien sits patiently waiting for the command to fire the engines at the BOS last Saturday.  (Rick Young Photo) // By Craig Revelle – Finish Line Web Design

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Canadian DJ Kennington third overall in NASCAR's October 'Hunter Index' ...

Pete Shepherd III takes 8th, while Don Thomson Jr. earns Honourable Mention

DJ Kennington photo by Greg MacPherson / Inside Track

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 22, 2010) – Burt Myers knew going in to the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour season finale, he would have to put forth a dominant effort and get some breaks if he was going to come away with his first championship.

All Myers did was lead 149 of the 150 laps of the quarter-mile track on the frontstretch of Charlotte Motor Speedway. And when the dust settled from the various skirmishes that enveloped the other championship contenders, it was the Walnut Cove, N.C., driver standing in Victory Lane with the big trophy.

None of it would have been possible if not for Myers' effort in the previous two races – a third-place at Langley Speedway in Hampton, Va., and a win at Tri-County Motor Speedway in Hudson, N.C.

His incredible final run to the finish earned him one final honor.

Myers was voted as the top driver for the final 2010 edition of the Hunter Index, the monthly power poll designed to highlight the standout performances in the NASCAR Developmental Series.

The Hunter Index is a new feature in 2010 on NASCARHomeTracks.com. Drivers are ranked on their performance over the previous month. The rankings are compiled by a panel of auto racing writers and NASCAR representatives.

"This guy blew me away in the final few NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour races," said Adam Fenwick of National Speed Sport News. "Heck, he came from fourth in the standings to win the title in the last race. You never see that these days."

Earlier in the season, Myers won the Bill Plemmons RV World Modified Series championship at Bowman-Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C. It was the fourth Modified division championship at the historic track for the 34-year-old Myers, and it also helped him win his first NASCAR Whelen All-American Series North Carolina championship.

It was the final run to the tour championship, however, that netted him three of the six first-place votes.

Myers' narrowly edged out Ryan Truex, DJ Kennington and Eric Holmes for the top honors.

Truex finished out his second straight NASCAR K&N Pro Series East title with a win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and a third-place finish at Dover International Speedway. Like Myers, Kennington had a pair of wins and a third-place finish in his last three races. The difference for Kennington, who received two first-place votes, is he wrapped up the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 championship with a third in the finale.

"You had several drivers close out title runs with unbelievable performances, which made it a tough call for the voters," said Jason Christley, the NASCAR public relations representative on the panel. "In the end, being able to claim the championship while standing in Victory Lane is what separated Burt. The fact that every series is represented in the top 10 is a clear indication that the voters recognize the immense challenge of winning a championship at any level in NASCAR.

Holmes received the other first-place vote and finished fourth in the voting. Holmes was sixth on the road course at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah, and earned the win at All American Speedway in Roseville, Calif. He only needs to start the final race next month at Phoenix to clinch his third NASCAR K&N Pro Series West championship in five years.

Panelists rank their top 15, with first place receiving 15 points, second 14, third 13 and so on.

Bobby Santos III, who won his first NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour championship with a win and a sixth in the final two races, was fifth.
Brett Moffitt, the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East winner at Dover, was sixth, followed by German Quiroga (NASCAR Mexico Series), Pete Shepherd (NASCAR Canadian Tire Series), Tim Brown (NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour) and Philip Morris (NASCAR Whelen All-American Series).

Four drivers earned honorable mention, including Ted Christopher, who won the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour final race at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway and Dustin Ash, who won the final three races at The Bullring in Las Vegas to take home the track's Super Late Model title and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Nevada championship.

The Hunter Index is named for Jim Hunter, NASCAR's vice president of corporate communications and a longtime supporter of the weekly and touring series that make up the NASCAR Developmental Series.

The Index was designed in the off season as an opportunity to compare the top drivers from the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series all the way up to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series. It also encompasses drivers from the NASCAR Mexico Series, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour.

In addition to Myers, Morris (March), Paulie Harraka of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West (April), Christopher (May and September), Santos (June), NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national champion Keith Rocco (July) and Holmes (August) have also earned the No. 1 position in the Index.

The panel also included media members Shawn Courchesne of the Hartford (Conn.) Courant representing the Northeast, Fenwick from the Southeast, Tim Haddock of haddockinthepaddock.blogspot.com from the West Coast, and Spencer Lewis, representing the Canadian publication Inside Track Motorsports News. They are joined by Brett Bodine, who is the chairman of the NASCAR Resumé Committee and represents the NASCAR competition side on the panel, and Christley.

OCTOBER HUNTER INDEX

        1.      BURT MYERS

NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour
Why he's here: The Walnut Cove, N.C., driver capped an improbable comeback in the season finale, winning his second straight race to vault from fourth to first in the points standings and earn his first NASCAR touring series championship.

        2.      RYAN TRUEX

NASCAR K&N Pro Series East
Why He's Here: Matched his brother's NASCAR championship trophy haul with second straight East title thanks to a win at New Hampshire and third in finale at Dover.

        3.      DJ KENNINGTON

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1
Why He's Here: Emerged from year-long battle with JR Fitzpatrick with his first NASCAR championship thanks to two wins and a third in final three races.

        4.      ERIC HOLMES

NASCAR K&N Pro Series West
Why He's Here: Win at All American puts Escalon, Calif. on verge of third title; just needs to start at Phoenix – where he won earlier this year – to clinch.

        5.      BOBBY SANTOS III

NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
Why He's Here: First full year on the tour yielded four wins, four poles, and the record as youngest driver to win a tour championship.

        6.      BRETT MOFFITT

NASCAR K&N Pro Series East
Why He's Here: Added another "Monster" to his collection with a second straight win at Dover and finished his sophomore season second in the series points.

        7.      GERMAN QUIROGA

NASCAR Mexico Series
Why He's Here: Moved closer to successfully defending his championship with a third at Mexico City, a second at Queretaro, and a win at Puebla.

        8.      PETE SHEPHERD III

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series
Why He's Here: Made the most of a limited schedule with a third at Barrie before ending the season in Victory Lane at Kawartha.

        9.      TIM BROWN

NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour
Why He's Here: Talked of returning to tour full-time in 2011 following a win at Langley and second-place finish in Charlotte finale.

        10.     PHILIP MORRIS

NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
Why He's Here: Points season may be over, but three-time national champion picked up a pair of big Late Model wins in extra-distance affairs at Martinsville and South Boston.

HONORABLE MENTION: Dustin Ash (NASCAR Whelen All-American Series), Ted Christopher (NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour), Mike Stefanik (NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and Don Thomson Jr. (NASCAR Canadian Tire Series)

From Jason Christley, NASCAR Public Relations

PHOTOS: Sunday at Brockville Ontario Speedway's Fall Nationals

This is a photo gallery from Brockville Ontario Speedway's Fall Nationals (Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010). Photos by Greg MacPherson / ITMN

NASCAR: As soon as she could drive, Ashley Young started driving to Martinsville Speedway

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (October 20, 2010) – Ashley Young has been coming to two races a year at Martinsville Speedway since she became old enough to drive … which hasn’t been all that long, because she’s just 23.

But to call her an avid fan of Martinsville Speedway and Dale Earnhardt Jr. would be a gross understatement. That’s why it was only fitting that she won the Farm Bureau Insurance contest to be the honorary starter for Farm Bureau Insurance Pole Day on Friday. She will get to throw the green flag for the first car out in qualifying for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race and then get to have her picture taken with the pole winner.

“I can’t believe I won something like this. No words can describe how excited I am,” said Young. “I’ve been coming to Martinsville every since I’ve been old enough to drive myself. Everybody else wanted to watch on TV … I wanted to be there.”

It’s not like it’s a really long drive for Young. She lives in Ferrum, a little town tucked up under the Blue Ridge Mountains, about 30 miles from the race track. She makes the winding trip twice a year across some of the same roads that NASCAR’s original moonshine-running drivers got their start.

She was here last fall when all of the fans got a green flag to serve as honorary starter. Young has been practicing her flag-waving technique with it the last few days.

“I promise not to drop it,” she said. “The only thing that could make this better is if Dale Jr. wins the pole.”

AUTOGRAPH SESSION: At least a dozen of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series top drivers will be in a free autograph session Friday at 6 p.m. The autograph session will be at the TUMS display in the main display area. Drivers committed so far include: Jennifer Jo Cobb, Ron Hornaday Jr., Timothy Peters, Johanna Long, Aric Almirola, Stacey Compton, David Starr and Mario Gosselin. Several more are expected to be added to the list before Friday.

TICKETS REMAIN: Good seats remain for the TUMS Fast Relief 500. Tickets begin at $25 and range to $77.
Tickets to the Kroger 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on October 23 are $30 in advance, with children 12 and under admitted free. Tickets for Farm Bureau Pole Day, which features practice and qualifying for both the Kroger 200 and the TUMS Fast Relief 500, are $15, children 12 and under admitted free.

From Mike Smith / Martinsville Speedway

FW: Star Mazda Drivers Test Indy Lights At Sebring

Pacoima, CA (Oct. 20, 2010) – Conor Daly, 2010 champion of the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear, will claim part of his career-enhancing prize package on the morning of Thursday, October 28th in Sebring, Florida when he climbs into the seat of an Andersen Racing Indy Lights car to begin a day of intensive testing to help prepare him for his next step up the open-wheel ladder.  The Andersen team expects Daly to run 150 test miles during the day.  2010 Andersen Racing Star Mazda drivers Tristan Vautier and Nick Andries will also test the team's Indy Lights cars at Sebring. 

Andersen Racing is the 2010 Star Mazda team champion and one of the leading development teams in North America; the team awards Firestone Indy Lights tests to its full-season Star Mazda drivers. 

Daly's test is being made possible by Performance Friction and is part of a previously-announced expansion of the Indy Racing League's 'Road to Indy' program in which the 2009 and 2010 Star Mazda series champion is guaranteed a test with a top Firestone Indy Lights team.  Andersen Racing is testing Vautier and Andries as part of its own development program.   

"I'm really looking forward to the test and expect to learn a lot," says Daly, who graduated from his Indianapolis high school earlier this year.  "Anytime a driver has the chance to get in a car with more horsepower, more downforce and more speed, it's both a pleasure and an opportunity.  I'd like to thank Star Mazda, Performance Friction and Andersen Racing for all the effort they're making to help me take my career to the next level."

Daly, the 2008 Skip Barber Nationals presented by Mazda champion, drove his first season of Star Mazda Championship competition with backing from the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Driver Development Ladder; this unique driver development program which reaches all the way from karting to the top levels of motorsports, awards champions at each level a fully-funded ride in the next series up the ladder. 

In his first season, driving for Andersen Racing, he won from the pole in Round 4 and scored six podiums to finish third in the championship.  Switching to the Juncos Racing team in 2009, Daly won seven races and broke the series' all-time record with nine starts from the pole.  His racing resume also includes winning the prestigious Walter Hayes Trophy at Silverstone, England in 2008 and the Stars of Karting Eastern TAG championship in 2007.

"Our goal has always been to provide our drivers with the most competitive, cost-effective and comprehensive opportunity to advance their careers," says Star Mazda Championship founder and CEO Gary Rodrigues.  "Conor is obviously a superb open-wheel racer destined to rise to the top of the sport and we're happy to help him take the next step.  This test is made possible by Performance Friction Company and Andersen Racing, and we'd like to thank them for their support."

The test is being conducted in cooperation with Performance Friction, the exclusive brake pad and disc supplier to both the Star Mazda Championship and the newly-announced Cooper Tires Presents USF2000 National Championship Powered by Mazda; Performance Friction is also the overwhelming brake component choice for teams competing in the Firestone Indy Lights.  All three series are part of the Indy Racing League's 'Road to Indy' program.  PFC also supplies a variety of open-wheel series in Europe, Japan, Australia as well as NASCAR, IZOD IndyCar Series, ALMS, FIA, ACO, JGTC, V8 Supercar and Grand-Am just to name a few.

"The Star Mazda Championship is a terrific series that produces some of the top racing talent in the sport today," says Don Burgoon, President of Performance Friction.  "Open-wheel racing is in our company DNA and we're doing all we can to support these rising stars as they climb the motorsports ladder.  It is our goal to support the Road to Indy program at every level and provide these drivers with the very best equipment on the way up."

Daly's Indy Lights test is one element of a comprehensive package of cash and prizes valued at more than $1.5 million for which drivers in the 2010 Star Mazda Championship were competing.  Another top prize is the VISITFLORIDA Cup, a 7-race championship-within-a-championship; the grand prize for the top-finishing driver in those events is a custom-designed dream vacation in Florida courtesy of VISITFLORIDA, the state’s official tourism marketing corporation and sponsor of the 2010 Star Mazda Championship television package which reached fans in more than 155 million homes worldwide. 

In addition to the MAZDASPEED Ladder, the Star Mazda Championship is also part of the IndyCar 'Road to Indy,' an innovative and high-profile new driver development program designed to bridge the gap between the premier open-wheel racing divisions and the entry level open-wheel series by creating a clear career path for aspiring racing drivers; Road to Indy series include Firestone Indy Lights, The Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear and the Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship powered by Mazda. 

“With Andersen Racing’s involvement in all steps on the Road to Indy ladder, we are delighted to work with Performance Friction and Star Mazda in providing Conor with a full-scale Firestone Indy Lights test," says Andersen Racing co-owner Dan Andersen.  "My long term relationship with the folks at PFC, coupled with our involvement in and support of the Star Mazda Championship for the past seven years, makes this an easy decision. So many Star Mazda drivers in recent years have successfully transitioned into Indy Lights, and now with the support of PFC, more drivers can sample the next step properly. We look forward to seeing what Conor can do at the wheel of one of our cars at Sebring.”

Two drivers who competed for Andersen Racing in the 2010 Star Mazda Championship will also test Indy  Lights cars at Sebring.  French racer Tristan Vautier (right), a veteran of several European open-wheel series, won two Star Mazda races this season and finished 5th in the championship.  Nick Andries, who made his Star Mazda debut at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, ran nine of 13 races, finished in the top-10 four times, including a 6th-place finish in the season-ending race at Road Atlanta.  And, competing in the Skip Barber Pro Series concurrently with his Star Mazda effort, he won the season finale at Road Atlanta and finished 6th in that championship.

Firestone Indy Lights is the premier ladder series for drivers and teams striving to compete in the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500. Run in conjunction with the IZOD IndyCar Series, the Firestone Indy Lights’ 13-race schedule features eight races on road courses/street circuits and five races on ovals, including the famed 2.5-mile circuit at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Teams compete for nearly $4 million in prize money in cars that are second only in speed to the IZOD IndyCar Series at most tracks they visits.

"The Star Mazda race car is just the right vehicle, with the right horsepower and driving characteristics, to produce drivers ready to hit the ground running in Firestone Indy Lights," says Roger Bailey, Executive Director of Firestone Indy Lights.  "And this test for the Star Mazda Champion is just the sort of opportunity that the Road to Indy was designed to create, both for the driver in the car and the company sponsoring the test.  This is the first of many more such things to come for the Road to Indy program."

About Performance Friction Company: At Performance Friction, every employee has a "passion for the product."  And it shows. PFC brakes are the top choice in motorsports and the company also makes applications specific upgrades for hundreds of domestic and import models.  PFC brakes are specified on more fleets nationwide including 40,000 police cars in North America.  From NASCAR to emergency response vehicles, Performance Friction's mission is to deliver the absolute best brakes on the market.  For further information, visit www.performancefriction.com or contact Darrick Dong / Director of Motorsports / Performance Friction / DDong@PerformanceFriction.com / (803) 222-8128.

About Andersen Racing: Andersen Racing provides a unique program utilizing multiple entries in both the Firestone Indy Lights Championship and the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear.  The team also operates a Pro karting team and organizes the newly-revived USF2000 National Championship.  In 2010 Andersen Racing, with sponsorship from Allied Building Products Corp., fielded multiple entries in 26 races in 20 states and provinces at some of the best facilities on the continent, including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.  For further information, visit www.andersenracingteam.com or contact Linda Mansfield / Restart Communications / 317- 201-0729 / LKMRestart@gmail.com.

About the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear: For 2010, its 20th anniversary season, the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear featured an 11-weekend, 13-race schedule, most on major race weekends with American Le Mans and the Indy Racing League.  Rising stars from around the world competed for prizes valued at $1.5 million and benefitted from two driver development programs, including the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Driver Development Ladder and the Indy Racing League's 'Road to Indy' program.  The Star Mazda Championship features standing starts, wheel-to-wheel racing at 160 mph and budgets a fraction of other top open-wheel ladder series. For more information, please visit www.starmazda.com or contact Peter Frey / Communications Director / 818-398-5733 / StarMazdaPR@aol.com.

About the Road to Indy: The Road to Indy is the Indy Racing League’s developmental ladder system for drivers who wish to reach the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500. Made up of Firestone Indy Lights, the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear and the Cooper Tires Presents the USF2000 National Championship powered by Mazda, the system is designed to create a defined career path for young, career-minded race and to teach them the skills needed to advance to the highest level of open-wheel racing on and off the track.  For more information, please visit www.indycar.com or contact Arni Sribhen / Firestone Indy Lights media coordinator / (317) 492-8531 / asribhen@indycar.com.

DIRTcar: SEF 200 Champ Canadian Stewart Friesen on Raceline Radio

Weedsport, NY – October 19, 2010 – Super DIRTcar Series SEF Small Engine Fuels 200 Presented by Ferris/Snapper/Simplicity winner Stewart Friesen takes another parade lap around his homeland when he is the feature interview the week of October 24 across the Raceline Radio Network in Canada.

Friesen, 27, joins host Erik Tomas “live” Sunday, Oct. 24 on the Raceline Radio Network with the one-hour session beginning at 8 p.m. EST from Network flagship AM 900 CHML Hamilton, then on the balance of the Network's 20 stations including Toronto’s The FAN 590: www.fan590.com, Monday night and throughout the week. Boasting over 450,000 listeners every week, Raceline Radio can be heard live online while a podcast of the show will also be posted for “on-demand” listening afterwards.

Next week’s segment will focus on Friesen’s recent rise to star-status in the world of dirt track racing, culminating with him becoming the first Canadian driver in the 39-year history of Super DIRT Week to capture the nation’s premier Big-Block Modified event on the Syracuse Mile. The third-generation pilot from Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. will discuss navigating around the storied Salt City oval for 132 laps on one tank of fuel and the same tires, his sudden ascent to the top of the ranks that encompasses a tantamount three-car effort, and reveal plans for the upcoming 4th Annual Lowes Foods World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte on Nov. 4-6.

Carried coast-to-coast in Canada on 20 stations, including major markets Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Halifax, Raceline Radio is Canada’s first and only nationally syndicated motorsport radio show, with 2010 marking its 18th consecutive season on air. Western New York listeners are encouraged to tune into AM 900 CHML Hamilton at 8 p.m. on Sunday.

Log into http://www.fan590.com/onair/more.jsp?content=20090119_164431_37496 for additional times and station affiliates as the show will be re-aired throughout the week.

Erik Tomas, a 37 year broadcast veteran, anchors and produces Raceline Radio. Tomas has also provided commentary for Super DIRT Week broadcasts on SPEED and has covered nearly every form or motorsport over the years. For more information on The Raceline Radio Network Canada and to listen to archived podcasts visit http://www.900chml.com/Station/RacelineRadio.aspx.

From Tom Skibinski / DIRTcar PR

KARTS: Waterloo Regional Kart Club Oktoberfest Grandprix Race Results

With the season coming to a close some of the best kart racers in Ontario descended on the Waterloo Regional Kart Club (WRKC) track at Flamboro Speedway to lay claim to one of the most coveted prizes in karting, an Oktoberfest Grandprix feature win. This plus a history of great prizes ensured the grid was full in every class.  As a bonus, this year’s event also featured a junior rotax class.  The race was sponsored by Paris Jewellers.  The club would like to thank them for sponsoring the day, and for providing the much coveted gift certificates that were awarded to 1 racer from every class.  Adding to the excitement for this year’s race was a late announcement that the F1200 Drivers Association would be awarding a test ride for one of the senior or master’s racers.    

 

As could be expected with a winner takes all one day race format the competition would be tough.  The start order for the final race would be determined based on finishing order from 2 heat races.  By the time the green flag waived for the first feature race the excitement from the first 2 races had created a lot of anticipation for the fans and drivers.  In the cadet class it was Ciarra Collison adding her first Oktoberfest Win to the long list of Collison wins over the years.  She did so in a convincing fashion with a flag to flag to run.  Madison Colling was never far behind claiming the 2nd place trophy; Nolan Quinton was 3rd with Tristan Da Silva in 4th and Austin Wadham in 5th place.

 

In the Novice class Jordan Howse led from the pole and managed to hang on for the victory.  In fact there were no changes in order among the top 3 as Noah Bray started and finished in 2nd, and Kaitlin Neely started 3rd and that is where she also finished.  There was a great battle for the next 2 spots between Brandon Lowry who started in 4th, Taylor Wassink who started in 5th and Hudson Turpin starting 6th.  When they crossed the start finish line for the last time it was Turpin finishing in 4th with Wassink less than a kart length behind in 5th.  The Junior Light race was won by Austin Bisschop who only a couple of weeks before had clinched the season points race for the Novice class.  His new competitors in the Junior Light class didn’t make it easy for him with Darren Dryden and Bisschop staging a great battle that saw Dryden lead for laps 1 through 10.  It was on the 11th lap that Bisschop managed to get past for the race win.  Dryden hung on to finish 2nd, Joshua Shantz was 3rd, Matteus Makos was 4th and Matthew Scannell finished in 5th.

 

One of the best races of the day was the Junior Heavy race.  Justin Collison set the fastest lap of the race and led for the first 4 laps.  On lap 5 Scott Nagel managed to get buy for the lead.  Collison wasn’t going to let Nagel win without a battle. Despite a number of very brave passing attempts by Collison and some great very close racing it was Nagel who claimed the win.  James Moore wasn’t going to just sit back and watch either in 3rd place as he was on Collison’s bumper pushing hard for the last few laps.  When the race was over Collison was 2nd, Moore 3rd, with Craig Willis and Dominique Smith 4th and 5th respectively.  In Senior Light it was another season points champion moving up a class to take the win.  Tristan Gill the newly crowned Jr. Heavy champion moved up to the senior class to find himself starting from the 6th spot on the starting grid.  He patiently worked his way up through the field taking the lead on lap 9, and managed to hang on to the lead for the win.  Ryan Brutzki with a smart drive from the 4th spot on the starting grid finished 2nd, Eric Rier was 3rd, Jonathon Treadwell finished 4th and the 5th spot on the podium was claimed by David Miller.

 

The Senior Heavy race was another close hard fought battle, Adrian Stahle was the winner, with T.J. Marshall close behind. Dave Patrick finished in 3rd, David Miller in 4th, and Tristan Gill made his second appearance on the podium with a 5th place finish.  The Masters class was won by no stranger to Oktoberfest Grandprix wins as veteran racer Steve Lyons staged a win from the pole position, Paul Draganac finished in 2nd fighting off John Dryden in another close battle, Darryl Skinner was 4th, and James Tait was 5th.  The Junior Rotax race was won by Jamie Lockwood.  Brayden Seberras claimed the 2nd spot on the podium, Jazmin Webster was 3rd, Dominique Smith also made her 2nd appearance on the podium with a 4th place finish and T.J. Guest was 5th.

    

In addition to all of the race winners the day ended with 9 lucky racers going home with gift certificates from sponsor Paris Jewellers.  The podium finishers from the 2 senior classes and the master’s class were all eligible for the F1200 Test day.  The lucky winner was Senior Light racer Eric Rier.  The day drew to a close with lots of prizes, smiles, and great racing stories to share.  This year’s running of the Oktoberfest Grandprix was a great way to finish a great season of racing.

 

For more information contact:  Brad Buckler 416-209-4058  // Website www.wrkc.on.ca // Email brad.buckler@emerson.com

PHOTOS: Flamboro Speedway Octoberfest by Dave Franks

These are photo galleries from the recent Octoberfest race weekend at Flamboro Speedway. Thanks to Dave Franks for sharing his work! You can see Dave's website here.

Flamboro Octoberfest

October 17, 2010

MINI STOCKS



LTD. LATE MODELS



LATE MODELS



THUNDER CARS



SPECIAL INTEREST



F4



OCTOBER 16, 2010

MINI STOCKS



LUCAS OIL SPORTSMAN CUP



LATE MODELS



LTD LATE MODELS

PHOTOS: North East Fall Nationals at the BOS

Photos from Brockville Ontario Speedway's DIRTcar Fall Nationals, courtesy of Rick Young ... www.rickattheraces.com. Thanks Rick!