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Brown Captures Regional Hilborn Tri State Race Saver Sprint Event at Bridgeport
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Tri-State Racesaver Series
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Sweedsboro, NJ August 13, 2016 - Dave Brown took the lead at the wave of the green flag and never looked back as he drove away from the competition to pick up a flag to flag win in the fifth hand of the Tanner Dairy Store/Thayer Performance 2016 Poker Series to pick up his first ace of the season. It was also a regional event for the Tri State Race Saver Sprints (TSRS) - a confidence builder for Brown who plans to travel to Nebraska in September for the national event. It was Brown's third win of 2016.
Brown had nothing but praise for his crew and sponsors. "If it wasn't for these guys," Brown indicated, "we wouldn't be able to run as competitively as we do!" Brown had high praise for his two man crew, made up of his dad and Damien and sponsors Ennis Oil, Fuels & Burner Service and D Capps Carpentry.
"We changed gears twice tonight," Brown explained. "The track was so heavy when we went out for warm-ups. It was kind of crazy - we ran our heats first and our feature last," Brown explained. "The track was completely different. I just watched the track."
Brown became the seventh different winner in Bridgeport TSRS competition and the fifth different winner in the Tanner Dairy Store/Thayer Performance Poker Series.
Mike Haggenbottom started outside Brown and finished second. After five hands in the 2016 Poker Series, Haggenbottom leads the way with three Kings. Haggenbottom has two Bridgeport wins this season - both Friday night races - but he has finished second on three different occasions in Saturday night events.
Haggenbottom was able to narrow the margin between first and second but Brown ran to the checkered unchallenged.
Eddie Wagner finished third after winning the first hand of the 2016 Poker Series. After all of the discussion throughout the day about the heat and humidity and the effect it would have on the drivers, Wagner claimed that when he's in the race car, he didn't even notice the heat. "I was actually hotter at six o'clock when I was grooving tires than I was in the race car," Wagner explained. "You don't even notice it while you're racing."
Tim Tanner was the fourth place finisher with the Tanner Dairy Store No. 18. In addition to competing with TSRS, Tanner brought his 360 sprint car along and took some hot laps in preparation for Tuesday night's Three for All event on the 5/8 mile track.
After running just outside the top five for most of the race, Joe Kay found himself behind the grandstand for the first time this season, picking up the fifth position in the final laps when Logan Diehl ran into mechanical difficulty.
Rick Stief, Brendon Poff, Diehl, Samantha Lieberman and Zach Burd rounded out the top ten.
The drivers of the Hilborn Tri State Race Saver Sprint Cars paid tribute to Bryan Clauson and Jim Campbell as they made their way around the 5/8 mile Bridgeport Speedway for the wave lap of their twenty lap main event on Saturday night. The "Missing Man" formation was used to honor both drivers. It was a day short of the one year anniversary of Campbell's fatal accident. Many of the cars carried bright green ribbons in honor of Clauson.
HILBORN TSRS 305 SPRINTS - 5th Hand of Poker Series (20 laps): 1. Dave Brown, 2. Mike Haggenbottom, 3. Eddie Wagner, 4. Tim Tanner, Jr., 5. Joe Kay, 6. Rick Stief, 7. Brendon Poff, 8. Logan Diehl, 9. Samantha Lieberman, 10. Zach Burd, 11. Bryant Davis, 12. Erika Palmai, 13. Douglas Snow
Steve Buckwalter Wins 50th ARDC Event
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STEVE BUCKWALTER RACES TO FIRST ARDC WIN OF THE SEASON
Steve Buckwalter made his first start of the 2015 season in American Racing Drivers Club (ARDC) competition when the wingless midgets of ARDC joined the wingless sprint cars of USAC at the Port Royal Speedway on Saturday night. After twenty laps of action, Buckwalter emerged with his first ARDC win of the year and the 50th of his career, tying him with six time ARDC Champion, Ray Bull in fourth on the All Time Feature Winners list.
Buckwalter was behind the wheel of the Mike Heffner owned, Lelands.com #27 midget. It was Heffner's third win of the season in midget competition with his third different driver. Danny Stratton picked up Heffner's first win on opening night and then Tim Buckwalter was the feature winner a few weeks later.
Polesitter, Jim Radney led the first six laps of the main event, leading the field with his Hyper Racing #95. Buckwalter sliced his way to the front from his eleventh place start quickly, running third behind Radney and 2015 feature winner, Brett Wanner with just five laps scored. Buckwalter completed the pass by Wanner for second just one lap later and set his sights on the leader, Radney. Buckwalter raced into the lead on lap seven.
At the half way mark, Steve Buckwalter led Radney and Wanner. Trevor Kobylarz had just moved up to fourth ahead of Ryan Greth.
With Buckwalter pulling away from the field, Kobylarz closed in on Radney to set up a challenge for second. As the leaders were coming through turns three and four to complete lap fifteen, Kobylarz set up a cross over move to move ahead of Radney for second but his R/T Racing #14 caught a rut in the track, sending Kobylarz into a spin. Wanner, who was racing in fourth at the time, at nowhere to go and made hard contact with Kobylarz. Wanner got upside down and the red flag was thrown while the safety crews headed to turn four.
Kobylarz had enough damage from the contact to send him to the pits but Wanner had his #44 back on its wheels and asked for a push truck. In the spirit of "never say die", Wanner rejoined the back of the field to complete the feature event.
It was all Steve Buckwalter to the checkered flag as he led Radney and Greth to the finish line. Bruce Buckwalter, Jr. made a late race run to take fourth over Steven Drevicki,
Kobylarz and Greth were the winners of the qualifying races.
Western PA swing is next on the ARDC schedule with Bedford on Friday, June 19th and Pittsburgh's PA Motor Speedway on Saturday, June 20th.
RACE NOTES
Trevor Kobylarz, Brett Arndt & Tony DiMattia all competing in Eastern Storm competition this week. DiMattia missed Port Royal event due to illness. Kobylarz lost several positions late in the USAC thirty lap main at Port Royal to finish 16th. Interesting side note was that Kobylarz turned a lap of 19.240 in time trials for the USAC sprints. While leading the heat with his wingless midget, Kobylarz was turning laps of 19.750. Now stop and think about that! Arndt did a fine job, missing a transfer spot on Saturday night by just one spot while driving the Biasi #1a with only a 360 under the hood. Arndt was up to fourth in the midget feature before catching a rut that unsettled the car, allowing several cars to get by.
FEATURE RESULTS (20 LAPS)
1. Steve Buckwalter, 2. Jim Radney, 3. Ryan Greth, 4. Bruce Buckwalter, Jr. 5. Steven Drevicki 6. Brett Arndt, 7. PJ Gargiulo, 8. Brett Wanner, 9. Trevor Kobylarz, 10. Nick Wean, 11. Shawn Jackson, 12. PJ Pavlich, 13. Jim Jackson, 14. Brian Gilmore, DNS - Mark Gilmore
Tim Buckwalter is First ARDC Repeat Winner
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TIM BUCKWALTER IS FIRST ARDC REPEAT WINNER IN 2015
Buckwalter Overcomes Wild Finish for Second Win of the Season
Soon after Tim Buckwalter captured the 2012 American Racing Drivers Club (ARDC) Championship, he announced his plans to compete on the Pennsylavania Small Block Modified Circuit. The Grandview Speedway has become the second generation racer's Saturday night home and just maybe, all those laps logged on Grandview's third mile paid off in dividends for Buckwalter as he captured his second ARDC Midget win of the season in one of the wildest finishes in recent memory.
Tommy Kunsman and Ryan Greth led the starting field to the wave of the green flag with Kunsman jumping out in front for the first two laps. PJ Gargiulo quickly moved up to take second after starting in seventh with just one lap scored. Gargiulo took over the lead on lap three. Tim Buckwalter closed in on Gargiulo as the two drivers crossed the start/finish line side by side to complete lap five. Buckwalter moved ahead in turn one to take the lead on lap six.
Nick Wean also made his way by Gargiulo on lap six as Buckwalter led Wean and Gargiulo. Two laps later, Gargiulo had plenty of company as Danny Stratton and 2014 ARDC Champion, Steven Drevicki closed in to challenge for the third spot. Brett Wanner, the feature winner in ARDC's last event, brought the yellow out as he came to a stop on the homestretch with mechanical issues.
Buckwalter was able to pull away from the field on the subsequent restart as Stratton closed in on Gargiulo around the half way mark. Wean began to show some muscle as he moved in on Buckwalter but a slip on lap sixteen allowed Gargiulo to take over second. Wean came back one lap later to regain the spot.
With just five laps remaining, everyone got serious as Wean closed in on Buckwalter and Stratton pressured Gargiulo for position.
The leaders took the two to go sign with Wean right on Buckwalter's tail. As the leaders ran through turns one and two, they closed in on the back of the field as Brian Gilmore loomed on their radar. It was the final lap and both Buckwalter and Wean needed to decide what route to take around the slower car. Everyone held their positions as they raced down the backstretch. Gilmore opened up the bottom of the track, allowing Buckwalter to go to the inside to make his pass. Buckwalter pulled even with Gilmore but just the slightest of hesitations allowed Wean the opportunity to stake his claim. Buckwalter and Wean raced into turn four with Wean moving to the bottom of the track to make his move. Contact was made between the two leaders. Buckwalter spun counter clockwise and up the track while Wean got out of shape on the bottom by the gurardrail. Buckwalter spun the car around and continued as Gargiulo shot through the opening ahead of Wean. Buckwalter got to the checkered flag first but the margin was narrowing as Gargiulo was quick to react. Wean made it to the line to take third with Stratton finishing fourth and Drevicki rounding out the top five.
After a long battle, Brenden Bright won the race for sixth followed by Tony DiMattia, Bruce Buckwalter, Jr., Trevor Kobylarz and Shawn Jackson.
Wean set fast time during timed warm-ups. He was the only ARDC competitor to break the fifteen second mark. Wean was also the Bob Hilbert Hard Charger recipient after he advanced from his eleventh place start to finish second.
Next event on the ARDC schedule is the Eastern Storm at the Grandview Speedway on Tuesday, June 2nd.
FEATURE (25 LAPS)
1. Tim Buckwalter 2. PJ Gargiulo 3. Nick Wean 4. Danny Stratton 5. Steven Drevicki 6. Brenden Bright 7. Tony DiMattia 8. Bruce Buckwalter, Jr. 9. Trevor Kobylarz 10. Shawn Jackson 11. Ryan Greth 12. Troy Betts 13. Brian Gilmore 14. PJ Pavlick 15. Austin Burke 16. Tommy Kunsman 17. Brett Wanner 18. Jim Jackson 19. Brett Arndt 20. Jim Radney DNS - Billy Courtwright
Wanner Tops ARDC Field on Bridgeport Quarter Mile
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WANNER TOPS ARDC FIELD ON BRIDGEPORT QUARTER MILE
Wanner Becomes Fourth Different Winner in ARDC Action
Brett Wanner of Shoemakersville, PA picked up the win in the twenty lap American Racing Drivers Club (ARDC) feature on the Bridgeport Speedway quarter mile on Friday night. Wanner became the fourth different driver in four races to capture a win in 2015 ARDC competition.
Wanner is in his fourth season of ARDC competition, having been named ARDC Rookie of the Year in 2012. Wanner picked up his first wingless midget win during his Rookie season. After dealing with mechanical issues during the three previous events, everything went Wanner's way as he drove to the win.
It was a different sort of Victory Lane for Bridgeport announcer, Jeff Ahlum since Wanner is hearing impaired but there was no denying his enthusiasm and celebration!
Brenden Bright and Wanner made up the front row for the start of the feature event. Bright jumped out to the early lead but action quickly came to a halt when several cars tangled in turn two and Ryan Greth rolled off the backstretch. As the field began to form for the restart, Bright's Presidential HVAC #92 was leaking fluid. When it was determined that Bright was losing fuel, he was sent to the pits for safety reasons.
Wanner took the lead on the restart as PJ Gargiulo zipped between several cars to take over second at the end of the first lap. A move in turn four one lap later, had Gargiulo facing the wrong way as the caution came out for the Morton, PA driver who restarted at the rear of the field. Wanner led the way over Jimmy Radney, Bruce Buckwalter Jr., Tim Buckwalter and Nick Wean.
Wanner began to put some distance on the field as Tim Buckwalter moved up to third and Trevor Kobylarz moved into the top five. Kobylarz was on the move as he moved up to challenge Tim Buckwalter as the Wanner led Radney to the crossed flags to complete lap ten.
Mechanical issues found Tim Buckwalter stopped in turn three on lap twelve, setting up a single file restart. Wanner led Radney, Kobylarz, Bruce Buckwalter, Jr. and Steven Drevicki with nine laps remaining.
Kobylarz tried to make a move to the inside of Radney on the backstretch but Radney held his position. Kobylarz slid by Radney on lap thirteen to take over second and set his sights on Wanner who had begun to pull away from the field.
With five laps to go, Kobylarz was closing on Wanner as Radney ran third followed by Bruce Buckwalter, Jr. and Nick Wean. Kobylarz tried to slide Wanner for the lead in turn four but was unable to clear the leader. After contact was made, Wanner stretched as lead as Kobylarz continued in second. Bruce Buckwalter Jr. raced Radney for the third spot as Wean moved in to challenge.
With two laps remaining, Kobylarz had a rear axle break in turn two, setting up a two lap shootout to the finish. Wanner his lead as Wean began to advance through the top five. Radney pulled off the track with mechanical woes just a lap short of the finish as Wanner led Wean, Bruce Buckwalter, Jr., Steven Drevicki and Gargiulo to the checkered flag.
Bright and Gargiulo won the two qualifying heats.
ARDC action moves to the Grandview Speedway and the Thunder on the Hill opener on Sunday, May 24th.
FEATURE FINISH (20 LAPS)
1. Brett Wanner 2. Nick Wean 3. Bruce Buckwalter, Jr. 4. Steven Drevicki 5. PJ Gargiulo 6. Tony DiMattia 7. Carey Becker 8. Jim Radney 9. Trevor Kobylarz 10. Tim Buckwalter 11. Shawn Jackson 12. Brett Arndt 13. Tommy Kunsman, Jr. 14. Brenden Bright 15. Ryan Greth
Stratton Opens ARDC Season with a Win
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STRATTON PICKS WIN IN ARDC OPENER AT LINDA'S
Linda's Host First Race in Short Track Series
Danny Stratton achieved a lot of "firsts' with his win on Friday night in the season opener for the American Racing Drivers Club (ARDC) at Linda's Speedway. The Batz family hosted what was the ARDC season opener as well as the inaugural event of ARDC's short track series and Stratton made sure that his name would be part of those milestones when he captured the win in the twenty-five lap main event.
While Stratton captured the glory it was Bruce Buckwalter Jr. who captivated the attention up until lap twelve of the feature event.
Buckwalter set fast time during opening night time trials. After starting fourth in the second qualifying heat, Buckwalter took the lead at the half way mark and posted the win in heat race. His qualifying efforts coupled with his fast time put him on the pole for the feature event.
Buckwalter looked like the man to beat as he powered his BDB Construction/Fastener Specialties #83 out in front at the start. Stratton raced Tony DiMattia for second as PJ Gargiulo moved up to third with 2013 ARDC Champion, Trevor Kobylarz in hot pursuit.
As Stratton closed the gap on Buckwalter, Gargiulo and Kobylarz waged a heated battle for third. Kobylarz slid by Gargiulo to take the spot on lap six but Gargiulo came right back to regain the position. Kobylarz would make his pass stick on lap nine as Buckwalter led Stratton, Kobylarz, Gargiulo and Shawn Jackson with ten complete.
It was a perfect night for Buckwalter until the field came down the homestretch to complete lap eleven. Buckwalter slowed with a puff of smoke. As Stratton took the lead, Buckwalter exited through the turn two gate.
Stratton set the pace as Kobylarz set his sights on the leader. A three way battle was being waged for third with Gargiulo, 2014 ARDC Champion, Steven Drevicki and Shawn Jackson all racing for the same real estate.
After twenty laps of non-stop racing, Jackson clipped the wall on the homestretch and got upside down going into turn one. The driver was uninjured and was pushed back to the pits while the field realigned for a five lap shootout.
Kobylarz threw everything he had at Stratton in the final laps, sliding under the leader several times but Stratton was always able to drive off the top to maintain his advantage.
Stratton took the win over Kobylarz, Gargiulo, Drevicki and Brett Arndt at the checkered.
Heat races were won by Kobylarz and Buckwalter.
FEATURE FINISH (25 LAPS)
1. Danny Stratton 2. Trevor Kobylarz 3. PJ Gargiulo 4. Steven Drevikci 5. Brett Arndt 6. Eric Heydenreich 7. Tyler Brehm 8. Shawn Jackson 9. Tony DiMattia 10. Bruce Buckwalter, Jr. 11. Brett Wanner 12. Jared Esh 13. Jim Radney DNS - Ryan Greth, Brenden Bright and Tommy Kunsman
ARDC Is Chili Bowl Bound!
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ARDC COMPETITORS PREPARE FOR CHILI BOWL COMPETITON
Area Will Be Well Represented in Tulsa, OK
As final preparations are completed and trailers are being loaded, all eyes turn to Tulsa, OK for what is frequently referred to as 'the Super Bowl' of midget racing as the 29th Annual Chili Bowl gets underway on Monday, January 12th.
The American Racing Drivers Club will be well represented in the 2015 Chili Bowl competition as fifteen drivers with ties to the organization have registered to compete in this year's event - certainly the largest presence ARDC has ever had in Tulsa. The delegation of ARDC competitors represents a broad cross section of the organization - from rookies to seasoned veterans.
John Heydenreich who hails from Bloomsburg, PA was the winner of the 1990 Chili Bowl and is a former ARDC competitor, ranking ninth on the ARDC All Time Feature Winners List. Heydenreich last competed with ARDC during the 2013 season. While the entries have reached record levels for the 2015 event, Heydenreich maintains that the competition has always been tough in Tulsa. "It's all about preparation and opportunity," Heydenreich states. "You've got to get your elbows up and be ready to take advantage of whatever opportunities come your way."
Collegeville, PA driver, Alex Bright knows all about those opportunities. Bright qualified for last year's Chili Bowl by finishing 3rd in the A Main on his qualifying night while racing for his grandfather, Joe Hemler in his Lightcap Electric #77. Racing the same car that he used in ARDC competition, Bright battled with Christopher Bell and Kevin Swindell right down to the wire in last year's event to finish fourth. This year, Bright will have a Mike Heffner owned midget at the Chili Bowl, with Sean Michael turning the wrenches. A second Heffner entry will be piloted by 8 time URC Sprint Car Champion, Curt Michael who will make his first Chili Bowl appearance.
The "Royersford Rocket", Steve Buckwalter has raced in five Chili Bowl main events. Buckwalter's best finish to date has been a ninth in the Saturday night main event along with a third place finish on his qualifying night.
Now making his home in Berks County, Danny Stratton joined the ranks of ARDC competitors this season as the driver of the Jerry & Karen Steward owned #33. Stratton has raced midgets throughout the country and boasts a fourth place finish in the 2012 Chili Bowl as his best performance to date. Stratton will field a second Andy Bondio entry at this year's Chili Bowl, joining team mate, Tim McCreadie - the winner of the 2006 event.
2014 ARDC Champion, Reading, PA driver, Steven Drevicki leads a host of ARDC competitors who return to completion in Tulsa this year. Drevicki carries the momentum to Tulsa that took him to the top of the ARDC competitors this season. Drevicki and DeGre Engineering Race Team took everything they learned the season before and rolled it into a championship season. Brenden Bright chased Drevicki throughout the season and travels to Tulsa on the heels of one of his most successful seasons in midget competition after finishing second in points. Milford, NJ driver, Nick Wean returns to Chili Bowl competition this year and looks to improve upon his 11th place finish on his qualifying night. After finishing 8th in points on the ARDC schedule, PJ Gargiulo of Morton, PA heads west and hopes to make his first A Main on his qualifying night. Shawn Jackson of Bear, DE will debut his new Elite Chassis, Esslinger powered #7 in Tulsa this week. Jackson was the first driver from the First State of Delaware to compete at the Chili Bowl. Tyler Brehm returns to compete in a second Steve Buckwalter entry. Brehm raced in Tulsa last year after only taking a few practice laps in a midget before the Chili Bowl. In 2014, Brehm raced the Jim Jackson owned #97 in ARDC competition and his headed to Tulsa with a lot more seat time and experience under his belt.
Drivers, Ryan Greth and Jim Radney, are hoping that they can convert what knowledge they gained while competing in the Tulsa Shootout just ten days before the start of the Chili Bowl as they head to Tulsa with their Hyper Racing midgets for their second Chili Bowl experience.
In addition to Curt Michael who makes his first Chili Bowl appearance, 2014 ARDC rookie, Tommy Kunsman of Northampton, PA will be behind the wheel of a second Rick Wean owned entry. Kunsman has been a spectator in Tulsa for the last eight years and looks forward to seeing the event from the other side of the fence. Jamie Spears of New Holland, PA will also make his Chili Bowl debut. Both rides - Kunsman's ride in the Wean #78 Spike chassis and Spear's #74 Stealth - are up for sale and looking for new owners to take possession in Tulsa!
First things first as qualifying gets underway on Tuesday night. Everyone's goal is to make the A Main on qualifying night. Qualifying takes place Tuesday through Friday with final qualifying all day Saturday before the main event.
Follow all the Chili Bowl news and ARDC results on Facebook. There will be live updates throughout the competition with daily results posted on our web site at www.ardcmidget.com.
ALEX BRIGHT IS NOMINATED BY EMPA
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ALEX BRIGHT IS NOMINATED BY EMPA
Bright Is Nominee for John Blewett III Young Gun Award
As Collegeville, PA driver, Alex Bright prepared to head to the 'land down under' he received word that he is one of five nominees for the John Blewett III Young Gun Award presented annually by the Eastern Motorsports Press Association (EMPA).
Bright, who races a midget with the American Racing Drivers Club (ARDC) has received recognition on both a national and international level during the past year.
Bright came to ARDC in 2010 as the driver of his grandfather's, Joe Hemler, Lightcap Electric #77. The new team picked up their first win the following season and have been a threat ever since.
Last January, Bright and Hemler drew national attention when Alex wheeled the #77 to a podium finish on his qualifying night for the 2014 Chili Bowl. His third place finish placed Bright in the redraw for what is often referred to as the Super Bowl of Midget racing on Saturday night. After dropping back in the early going, Bright fought his way back to battle with Christopher Bell and Kevin Swindell in the closing laps of the Chili Bowl. While Bryan Clauson raced to the checkered, Bright raced to a fourth place finish. After five days of competition and nearly three hundred competitors, Bright raced the same car that he uses in ARDC competition to achieve one of the highest finishes ever by an ARDC driver in the main event in Tulsa.
Just one year ago, Bright garnered international headlines when he captured the Magic Man 34 while racing on the Speed Car circuit in Australia. The Magic Man 34 is one of the most coveted races in Australia as it pays tribute to former Speed Car competitor, Mike Figliomeni. Bright and four time Magic Man 34 winner, Davey Ray, exchanged the lead back and forth and had the fans in the Perth Motorplex on their feet until Ray was finally sidelined seven laps from the checkered. Bright went on to take the win - certainly one of the biggest of his career.
Bright returned to Australia just a week ago to prepare to race a brand new entry for car owner, Graham Jones.
"I was really surprised to be selected as a nominee for this award," Bright related. "I had a lot of bad luck this year (motor issues) but at the same time, I made all the races I did finish count!" Bright finished fourth in the ARDC points chase for the 2014 season, collecting 5 wins, including three consecutive wins during July and August. Bright collected ten podium finishes in fifteen scheduled events.
The winner of the John Blewett III Young Gun award will be decided by members of EMPA and will be honored at the annual EMPA Convention weekend in Valley Forge on January 2-4, 2015.
