FULTON, NY, May 5, 2012 (By Dave Medler) – Billy Decker and Jeremy Pitcher served notice that they have no plans of giving up their 2011 track championships in the Tracey Road Equipment Big Block Modifieds and SUNY Canton Sportsman, as they grabbed opening night wins.

Each took a different road to get their victories. Decker totally dominated the Big Block Modifieds, while Pitcher used a last lap, last corner pass for his win.

Other winners on Ferris Mowers opening night were, Larry Wight, NAPA Late Models, Corey Barker, E&V Energy Novice Sportsman and Eric M Zirbel, Parts Plus Four Cylinder Stocks.

Jim Witko out ran Tim Sears Jr. and the rest of the field to lead the opening lap of the 35 lap Tracey Road Equipment Big Block Modified feature to kick off the 2012 season.

With 5 laps in the books, Witko still set the pace as Billy Decker, Tom Sears Jr., Tim Sears Jr. and Mike Mahaney chased the leader.

On lap 9 after chasing Witko in his tire tracks on the top of the speedway, Decker dove to the bottom in turn one and had the lead by time they exited turn two.

By lap 15 and no yellows, Decker built over a full straightaway lead on the field. Witko, Tom Sears, Tim Sears and Mahaney still fought for top-five spots.

With 20 laps showing on the scoring tower, Decker was still setting a fast pace alone out front, while Witko and Tom Sears were having a side by side fight for second. Rookie Tim Sears and now Ryan Phelps ran fourth and fifth.

On lap 25 and still no yellows to slow down the field, Decker had built-up almost a half-a-track lead as all eyes were still on the Witko and Sears battle for second in heavy traffic.

Over the remaining laps, Decker was in another zip code as he cruised to the over eight-second win over Tom Sears Jr.. Ryan Phelps, Jim Witko Jr. and Mike Mahaney rounded out the top-five. Tim Sears Jr. in his first ever modified start at Fulton held onto sixth, with Mike Bowman, Chad Phelps, Roy Bresnahan and Matt Fink completed the top-ten.

“This Gypsum Wholesalers Car was great tonight. It really helped having a great starting spot,” Billy Decker said in victory lane.

“I saw the top starting to go away and getting slick slowing Witko down a little. I went to the middle (turns one and two) where it was still brown, hoping my momentum would carry me in front of him, without making any contact. I didn’t feel anything,” Decker said about the winning pass.

In the SUNY Canton Sportsman, Bob Bennett led from the drop of the green and had a fight almost the entire race for the lead with his son Jordan Bennett till Jeremy Pitcher grabbed second with three-laps to go. A caution with one-lap to go, setup a shootout to the checkers.

On the restart, Bennett stayed on the bottom where he led the entire race, leaving Pitcher only one place to go, the top. Pitcher tossed his Troyer hard into three and four hoping it would stick keeping his momentum up. The move worked as he out raced Bennett to the checkers for a 0.534 of a second win. Jordan Bennett, Ron Davis III and Greg Mrzywka finished third through fifth.

Larry Wight grabbed the lead from Sean Beardsley on lap 4 of the NAPA Late Model feature and never looked back for the win. Bodie Bellinger, Tim Sears Jr., Sean Beardsley and Alan Fink chased Wight across the line.

Corey Barker who never raced anything but a microd before Saturday night won his first ever open wheel race taking the victory in the E&V Energy Novice Sportsman feature. Kyle Fink, Gary Hoppins, Dan Keyes and Nick Krause finished second through fifth.

Eric M Zirbel was the class of the field as he took the win in the Parts Plus Four Cylinder Stock feature. Keith Zirbel, Skip DeGroff, Mark Johnston and Jerry Herbert rounded out the top-five.

This coming Saturday May 12, WOLF Radio 105.1 presents, Girl Scouts OF NYPenn Pathways and McDonalds Family Night. On the race card will be the Tracey Road Equipment Big Block Modifieds, SUNY Canton Sportsman, NAPA Late Models, E&V Energy Novice Sportsman, Parts Plus Four Cylinder Stocks and Mod Lites.

Gates will open at 5:00 with racing at 7:00. Adult grandstand admission will be $12 with everyone 18 years old and younger admitted FREE to the grandstand.

Any questions about the upcoming season please contact Cory Reed at (315) 638-4056 or by e-mail at cory@fultonspeedway.com for all your questions.

Keep up with the tracks throughout the season by visiting www.brewertonspeedway.com and www.fultonspeedway.com, on each speedway’s Facebook accounts and on Twitter at twitter.com/Fultonspeedway and twitter.com/BrewertonSpdway.

(TRACEY ROAD EQUIPMENT BIG BLOCK MODIFIEDS 35 LAPS) – BILLY DECKER, Tom Sears Jr., Ryan Phelps, Jim Witko Jr., Mike Mahaney, Tim Sears Jr., Mike Bowman, Chad Phelps, Roy Bresnahan, Matt Fink, Larry Wight, Pat Ward, Willy Decker, Matt Hulsizer, Chris Hile, Steve Hulsizer, Joe August Jr., Shane Donath, Chuck Bower, Brian Murphy.

(SUNY CANTON SPORTSMAN 20 LAPS) – JEREMY PITCHER, Bob Bennett, Jordan Bennett, Ron Davis III, Greg Mrzywka, Beth Schneider, Matt Emmons, Matthew Parkhurst, Tom Juhl Jr., Dave Emmons, Tim Schneider, Rob Humphreys, Tony Finch II, Earl Rudy, Bob Reis, Sean McCarthy, Jim Spano, Scott Ford, Rocco Leone, Katelyn Kane, Jason Occhino, Joe Kline, Greg Kimball, Justin Lindsey, Doug Cook, Gregg Carner, Andrew Ferguson.

(NAPA LATE MODELS 15 LAPS) – LARRY WIGHT, Bodie Bellinger, Tim Sears Jr., Sean Beardsley, Alan Fink, Brandon Kidd, Lazlow Hollefeld, Rick Miller, Dave Talbot.

(E&V ENERGY NOVICE SPORTSMAN 15 LAPS) – COREY BARKER, Kyle Fink, Gary Hoppins, Dan Keyes, Nick Krause, Bailey Groves, Hillary Ward, Kris Van Norstrand, Brandon Ford, Derek Warren, Dustin Hanlon.

(PARTS PLUS FOUR CYLINDER STOCKS 15 LAPS) – Eric M Zirbel, Keith Zirbel, Skip DeGroff, Mark Johnston, Jerry Herbert, Matt Dawson, Josh Zirbel, Kevin Hendrix.

Courtesy of:

http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/11782/

LaFargeville NY… Chapman’s Can-Am Motorsports Park hosted the first full night of regular racing action on Saturday, May 5, 2012. Crystal clear skies filled the sky for fans and competitors at the ‘Nasty Track of the North.’ In racing action were the Big Block/Small Block Modifieds, Sportsman, Fastrak Late Models, Pro Street/Purestocks, Thunder Cars, and Mod Lites.

The Dig Safely NY, SUNY Canton, Junction Boyz Inc. Fastrak Late Models kicked off the nights feature racing action with Ken Rogers and Eric Cupernall leading the field to the green. Rogers quickly took the command of the field over Dale Caswell, Mike Trapp, Eric Cupernall and Billy Eisele. By lap five, Dale Caswell had positioned himself as the leader of the field with Eric Cupernall taking over second and Fastrak regular Wayne Robertson in third. At the halfway mark, Dale Caswell was leading the way making him eligible for the Bear World $25 halfway bonus, followed by Eric Cupernall, Wayne Robertson, Mike Trapp and Billy Eisele. Eisele would begin to show smoke as he came across the start finish line and would relinquish his fifth place running. Dale Caswell would go on to take the checkered flag in the caution free 20 lap feature event over Wayne Robertson, Mike Trapp, Eric Cupernall and Ken Rogers.

DIG Safely NY and SUNY Canton College Mod Lites were next on the docket with Tiger Chapman and Rich Rainville leading the field to the green flag. Tiger Chapman took over the lead of the field over Rich Rainville, Joel Hargraves, Bruce Broedel, and Johnny Chaulk. The first yellow flew on lap four when Johnny Chaulk looped his car around coming out of turn number two. When racing resumed, Chapman continued to hold the command of the field over Rich Rainville, Joel Hargraves, Bruce Broedel and Matt Rainville. Tiger Chapman continued to show the way at the halfway mark as Rich Rainville was trying to close the gap with Joel Hargraves, Bruce Broedel, and Matt Rainville filling out the top five. Tiger Chapman would show domination as he led from green to checkered to take the victory over Rich Rainville, Joel Hargraves, Bruce Broedel, and Matt Rainville.

Dan Jalbert and Brad Winters led the SUNY Canton, Dig Safely NY, Clarence Henry Coach Sportsman to the green flag with Dean Patterson jumping out from his third place starting position to lead lap one over Jalbert, Anthony Stockman, Chris Thurston and Josh Van Brocklin. The yellow flag waved on lap number two when Nolan Swamp stopped in turn number three. When racing continued, Dean Patterson continued to show the way over Dylan Eboy, Anthony Stockman, Chris Thurston and Brandon Hagan. At the halfway mark, Dean Patterson led the way over Dylan Evoy, Brandon Hagan, Chris Thurston, Josh Van Brocklin, Anthony Stockman, Dana Aikins, Steve Barber, Ryan Poole and Josh Rogers. On lap 12, the caution flag flew when Brad Winters slowed in turn number three. When green flag conditions resumed, Dean Patterson continued to lead the way over Dylan Evoy, Brandon Hagan, Chris Thurston and Josh Van Brocklin. By lap 17, Brandon Hagan had taken over the second position and was anxiously awaiting the perfect opportunity to peak under Patterson for the lead. Patterson, Hagan and Dylan Evoy drove around the track nose to tail and on lap 19 Brandon Hagan moved high around Dean Patterson coming out of turn number two to take the lead. The checkered flag would wave for Brandon Hagan, while Dylan Evoy picked up the second position coming out of turn number four by slipping under Dean Patterson who finished third. Chris Thurston and Anthony Stockman filled out the top five. Jessica Power won the North Country Custom Embroidery $100 bonus while Brandon Hagan will be eligible next week for the $100 back to back bonus sponsored by Thomas Trash Service.

Tom Conklin and Danny O’Brien led the SUNY Canton/Dig Safely New York Big Block/358 Modifieds to the green flag with Conklin taking the lead over Danny O’Brien, Andy Howard, Chris Raabe and Zach Aubertine. The yellow waived on lap one when Kevin Gamble and Lee Miller spun in turn three and four. When racing conditions resumed, Tom Conklin led the way over Danny O’Brien, Chris Raabe, Zach Aubertine and Andy Howard. On lap 14, caution waved when Christine Martin slowed on the front stretch. When racing resumed, the field reached the halfway mark with Chris Raabe sitting out front of Brian McDonald, Zach Aubertine, Danny O’Brien and Adam Roberts. The next caution came on lap 17, when Jordan McCreadie slowed on the front stretch. The next few laps were hampered by cautions which made Raabe vulnerable to the rest of the field as he was not able to put a solid lead on the rest of the field. Chris Raabe would be able to keep his competitors at bay as he went on to collect the win over Brian McDonald, Zach Aubertine, Danny O’Brien and Tom Conklin. Chris Raabe picked up a $100 bonus from our friends at Waite Toyota Scion while Brian McDonald picked up the $50 bonus from subway.

Rick Dusckas and Mike White led the Dig Safely NY, SUNY Canton Pro Street/Pure Division to the green. Mike White took over the lead of lap number one over Rick Dusckas, Pete Stefanski, David Rogers and PJ Peters. Dakota Sharp spun in turn number four bringing out the events first caution flag on lap number two. When green flag conditions resumed, Mike White continued to lead the pack over Pete Stefanski, David Rogers, Sid Harmer JR and Rick Dusckas. At the halfway Mike White was leading the way, making him eligible for the Massey’s Furniture Barn $25 bonus. Following White across the line was Pete Stefanski, Sid Harmer Jr., David Rogers and PJ Peters. The yellow flag quickly waived as the field crossed the line for the halfway mark as Kirk Stone spun out on the front stretch. When green flag racing conditions resumed, Mike White was showing the way over Pete Stefanski and Sid Harmer Jr. Stefanski was closing the gap on White as the laps began to click away. As the field was coming down for the checkered flag, Pete Stefanski pulled alongside Mike White and at the line Stefanski would come out on top collecting the win. Mike White finished second while Sid Harmer Jr., David Rogers and PJ Peters.

Dig Safely NY, SUNY Canton Thunder Car Division was led to the green by JR Durham and Chuck Monica for their first event of the 2012 racing season. JR Durham would take the lead of the field for lap number one over Racy Bechler, Jock Symonds, Larry Tefft and Chuck Monica. The yellow flag flew on lap three when Don Woodworth, Austin Smith, Shane Ray and Bob Tefft spun in turns one and two. When green flag conditions resumed, Ray Bechler continued to lead the way over Joe McNichols, Jock Symonds, JR Durham, and Chuck Monica. At the halfway mark, Ray Bechler led the way making him eligible for the Bear World halfway $25 bonus. Ray Bechler continued his domination of the field as he went on to collect the win over Joe McNichols, Jeff Trap, Jock Symonds and Chuck Monica.

Join us on Saturday, May 12, 2012 for a night of full fender racing at the ‘Nasty Track of the North.’ Headlining the evening will be the first night of full fender action in the Big Block/Small Block Modified as they return to center stage. Also in action will be the Sportsman, Fastrak Late Models, and Prostreet divisions. The Thunder Car, Mod Lites and Purestocks will also kick off their 2012 season. General Admission for the event is $10, while the military get in free courtesy of Junction Boyz Inc. For more information on the 2012 season can also be found on the tracks website at www.canammotorsports.com or by contacting Chip Burdick at (315) 778- 3407.
SUNY Canton/Dig Safely New York Big Block/Small Block Modifieds (30 Laps)- Chris Raabe, Brian McDonald, Zach Aubertine, Danny O’Brien, Tom Conklin, Andy Howard, Kevin Gamble, Jason Potter, Terry Knoblock, Christine Martin, Lee Miller, Delbert LaGrow, Adam Roberts, Adam Ellis, Steve Bilow, Jordan McCreadie, Lance Willix, Brandon Sweet (DNS)

Heat Winners: Tom Conklin, Danny O’Brien

SUNY Canton, Dig Safely NY, Clarence Henry Coach Sportsman (20 Laps)- Brandon Hagan, Dylan Evoy, Dean Patterson, Chris Thurston, Anthony Stockman, Josh Van Brocklin, Steve Barber, Dana Aikins, Jessica Power, Ryan Poole, Josh Rogers, Cory Wheeler, Mike Arquiet, Cory Winters, Giles Godard, Nolan Swamp, Dillion Sallows, Louis Jackson, Tammy Jalbert, Dan Jalbert, Brad Winters, Doug Buzzell, Thomas Cook, Mike Prentice, Billy Cook, Brian Comeau (DNS)

Heat Winners: Dean Patterson, Josh Rogers, Dana Aikins

Dig Safely NY, SUNY Canton Pro Street/Purestocks (20 Laps) – Pete Stefanski, Mike White, Sid Harmer Jr., David Rogers, PJ Peters, Sid Harmer Sr., Kenny Hamm, Dave Seguin, Jeff Bannister, Marc LaLonde, Justin White, Rick Dusckas, Shawn Kirby, Mike Allen, Dion Oakes, Mike Durham, Jason Gilmore, Milt Combs – Steve Gilmore, Kirk Stone, Dakota Sharp, John Holder

Heat Winner: Marc LaLonde, Mike White

Dig Safely NY, SUNY Canton, Junction Boyz Inc Late Models (20 Laps) – Dale Caswell, Wayne Robertson, Mike Trapp, Eric Cupernall, Ken Rogers, Art Halliday, Ricky Thompson, Mike Vaughn, Billy Eisele

Heat Winner: Dale Caswell

Dig Safely NY, SUNY Canton Thunder Cars (15 Laps) – Ray Bechler, Joe McNichols, Jeff Trapp, Jock Symonds, Chuck Monica, Larry Tefft, John Stanley, Shane Ray, Brandon Tefft, Don Woodworth, Robert Martin, Justin Desrosiers, JR Durham, Bob Tefft, Austin Smith, Andy Sweet, OJ White (DNS), Nick Fielding (DNS)

Heat Winners: JR Durham, Chuck Monica

Dig Safely NY, SUNY Canton Mod Lites (20 Laps) – Tiger Chapman, Rich Rainville, Joel Hargraves, Bruce Brodel, Matt Rainville, Johnny Chaulk, Mike Rainville

Heat Winners: Tiger Chapman

Courtesy of:

http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/raabe-wins-can-am-motorsports-park-saturday/

Danny Johnson "The Doctor"

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. – April 7, 2012 – The first weekend in April marked the earliest season-opening in Canandaigua Motorsports Park history, a perfect time for ‘Land of Legends’ lifer Danny Johnson to once again rattle the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified record book at the hallowed Ontario County Fairgrounds half-mile on Saturday night in front of a packed house of sun-drenched fans.

Buckled in behind the wheel of the blue #27J Page Trucking-Honeoye Auto Parts-Waste Management/Bicknell entry equipped with a Mike Mastin-prepared powerplant, Johnson dominated the 2nd Annual Jan Corcoran Memorial to kick off the 2012 Super DIRTcar Series points chase and collect a hefty first-place prize of $6,400 in the 64-lap Modified main event.

“To win the final two shows last year and come out and win tonight is just awesome,” said Johnson, 52, following his 73rd career Big-Block Modified victory at Canandaigua and 71st in series competition. “What a great hotrod I had tonight, can’t thank all the guys that work on this car enough.

“The car was really good tonight, to be honest, I couldn’t believe it could be so good out there. It was certainly a pleasure to drive the way things turned out, getting to the front fast and being able to stay there.”

Johnson held off a late-race rally by rival Brett Hearn, the only driver taking home more Super DIRTcar Series trophies (107) than Johnson, a second-generation racer from nearby Rochester.

Johnson led Hearn across the stripe by a comfortable dozen car-lengths while fairgrounds front-runners Justin Haers and Matt Sheppard swapped spots on the last lap to salvage third and fourth on the final scoresheet. Series star Jimmy Phelps rounded out the Top-5 after starting 10th.

Looking to improve on his third-place finish in last June’s inaugural Corcoran Memorial, popular pilot Tim McCreadie charged past pole-sitter Larry Wight on the opening circuit with Johnson following the same outside line after starting fourth on the 31-car grid. The ‘Doctor’ shadowed McCreadie in Vinny Salerno’s Four Star/TEO mount, ducking underneath to forge the final lead change as the talented twosome reached the end of the back chute on lap seven.

It took Johnson only 10 times around the ultra-smooth oval to reach traffic and with 18 complete had left 25 drivers on the lead lap. With a third of the race scored, he opened up a commanding lead over Wight and fast time trialer Justin Haers while McCreadie, Sheppard and Phelps battled three-wide further back.

The capacity crowd on hand for the track’s 49th annual opener, honoring promoter Jeremie Corcoran’s mother, got a short break to catch its breath when former Canandaigua regular Tim Fuller slowed on lap 35 to incur the initial caution. Sheppard took advantage on the ensuing restart and grabbed second from Wight while Haers and Phelps continued to figure in the front-five ahead of 17th starting and surging Hearn.

Back under green with plenty of heat in his tires, Hearn sped past Phelps for fifth on lap 38, dropped Haers into fourth on lap 39 and snatched third away from Wight on lap 40 before Billy Dunn suffered a flat right-rear tire to force out a second yellow flag on lap 43. Phelps stole third from Hearn on the restart but Hearn quickly regained the show position on lap 47 and wrestled away second from ‘Super Matt’ by the end of lap 51.

Turn three contact suddenly slowed Chad Homan off the pace, resulting in the fourth and final caution period with just a handful of laps left and affording Hearn his last clean shot at overtaking Johnson. But that was the closest the ‘Corporate Jet’ could get as Johnson pulled away for his first sixth tour triumph in Canandaigua.

“It seemed like a long race to hold the lead, I just kept seeing second-place changing (scoreboard) and didn’t know what I was going to have to compete with at the end,” added Johnson, who last won a series show at Canandaigua steering the potent Freightliner Trucking no. 6 machine to a convincing victory in 1995, that year leading the entire 95-lap distance and in another flawless performance.

“We got a new sponsor – Page Trucking – and it’s all coming together well for us right now. Mike (Payne, crew chief), Doug (Dulen) at Honeoye Auto and everybody that helps out is the reason we’re here in victory lane tonight,” said Johnson, who opened the season with a win in Florida during February to start the string.

Seven-time overall Mr. DIRTcar titlist Hearn was content with his 2102 series debut aboard the BH Racing Enterprises #20 Madsen Motorsports-Don Kruger Motorsports/TEO ride, coming up just short in his bid for a fourth series win in Canandaigua.

“Been so darn close here, car was awesome tonight running really well come feature time,” said Hearn, 53, who finished second to Billy Decker in last June’s first Corcoran Memorial. “We started so far back and worked our way to the front with very little help and had a really good car right there right up until the end.

“On that last restart (lap 59) the motor went sour. Thought it was going to shut off going through (turns) three and four, then it cleared out a little but still kept back-firing. Something happened but I’m not really sure if horsepower would’ve been the answer anyway. The 27J car was fast tonight, don’t think we had anything for him but I still feel pleased with such a strong run.”

Despite besting 41 open-wheel entries in time trials and placing second to Decker in his qualifying heat, luck of the draw put Haers outside row three to start the 64-lap headline event and ultimately just out of reach of that first career series victory.

“The car would go on some restarts, on others the tires just wouldn’t go,” said Haers, 31, who finished runner-up to Sheppard in the final 2011 CMP point standings and added a pair of feature wins along the way strapped into the Haers Bros. Racing #3 Phelps Cement Products-Sweeteners Plus-Classics & Customs/Bicknell mount. “That last restart we didn’t go, but then got some heat in (tires) and started coming forward. Matt and me got together a little bit in turn four but that’s a racing deal.

“This is our first race of the year, a lot of the guys here have already run a couple so we’re pretty happy. Right out of the box to come and set fast time and pretty much be in contention for a win the whole race is definitely something to build on.”

Round two of the 2012 Super DIRTcar Series moves to the forefront during the first holiday of the race season with Rolling Wheels Raceway Park in Elbridge, N.Y., hosting All-Star Weekend on Sunday, May 27.

Super DIRTcar Series Statistical Report; Jan Corcoran Memorial; Canandaigua Motorsports Park; April 7, 2012

A-main (64 laps): 1. (4) 27j-Danny Johnson ($6;400); 2. (17) 20-Brett Hearn; 3. (6) 3-Justin Haers; 4. (5) 9s-Matt Sheppard; 5. (10) 98h-Jimmy Phelps; 6. (1) 99L-Larry Wight; 7. (12) 91-Billy Decker; 8. (18) 8r-Rob Bellinger; 9. (3) 7x-Steve Paine; 10. (20) 10j-Alan Johnson; 11. (14) 77x-Dale Planck; 12. (7) 21a-Peter Britten; 13. (8) 99b-Chuck Bower; 14. (16) 21k-Randy Chrysler; 15. (23) 49-Billy Dunn; 16. (11) 62s-Tom Sears Jr.; 17. (2) 4*-Tim McCreadie; 18. (15) 89b-Todd Burley; 19. (25) 1jr.-Mike O’Brien; 20. (29) 48too-Dave Rauscher; 21. (9) 21-Derrick Podsiadlo; 22. (24) 8-Rich Scagliotta; 23. (22) 10-Tim Currier; 24. (28) 72-Tommy Flannigan; 25. (26) 23-Billy VanInwegen; 26. (19) 91h-Chad Homan; 27. (21) 74-Tim Fuller; 28. (27) 22-Gil Tegg Jr.; 29. (30) 96-Mike Turner; 30. (31) 20x-Gary Tomkins; 31. (13) 56-Vince Vitale.

Heats (8 laps, 5 Qualify, Top-3 redraw)

#1: Decker, Haers, Phelps, Vitale, Hearn, Dunn, Fuller, Wright, Payne, Mangiarelli(DNS).

#2: Wight, Britten, Sears, Planck, Bellinger, O’Brien, Tegg, Rauscher, Bresnahan, Hilkert.

#3: Sheppard, Bower, Podsiadlo, Burley, Homan, VanInwegen, Turner, Siri, Chappius, Tomkins.

#4: D.Johnson, McCreadie, Paine, Chrysler, A.Johnson, Currier, Scagliotta, Flannigan, Allen, Willix, Dinkins.

Consolations (10 laps, 5 Qualify)

#1: Fuller, Dunn, O’Brien, Tegg, Rauscher, Wright, Bresnahan, Hilkert, Dinkins, Payne, Mangiarelli (DNS).

#2: Currier, Scagliotta, VanInwegen, Flannigan, Turner, Allen, Siri, Willix, Chappius, Tomkins (DNS).

Added: Tomkins.

Time Trials: 1. Justin Haers 17.881 sec (100.665 mph), 2. Billy Decker 17.964, 3. Jimmy Phelps 18.046, 4. Vince Vitale 18.072, 5. Matt Sheppard 18.142, 6. Brett Hearn 18.185, 7. Tim Fuller 18.237, 8. Peter Britten 18.476, 9. Billy Dunn 18.483, 10. Justin Wright 18.504, 11. Larry Wight 18.686, 12. Tom Sears Jr. 18.699, 13. Dale Planck 18.715, 14. Rob Bellinger 18.786, 15. Eldon Payne Jr. 18.854, 16. Mike O’Brien 18.856, 17. Derrick Podsiadlo 18.872, 18. Gil Tegg Jr. 18.935, 19. Tim McCreadie 18.950, 20. Steve Paine 19.028, 21. Todd Burley 19.031, 22. Chuck Bower 19.145, 23. Chad Homan 19.155, 24. Randy Chrysler 19.180, 25. Danny Johnson 19.269, 26. Tommy Flannigan 19.378, 27. Daryl Hilkert 19.415, 28. Tim Currier 19.424, 29. Billy VanInwegen 19.491, 30. Chris Mangiarelli 19.648, 31. Mike Turner 19.781, 32. Tyler Siri 19.808, 33. Dave Allen 19.822, 34. Marcus Dinkins 19.841, 35. Dave Rauscher 19.964, 36. Colton Chappius 20.768, 37. Rich Scagliotta, 22.581, 38. Alan Johnson (NT), 39. Gary Tomkins (NT), 40. Roy Bresnahan (NT), 41. Lance Willix II (NT).

(COURTESY OF DIRT TRACK DIGEST http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/the-doctor-danny-johnson-claims-superdirtcar-series-glory-in-the-jan-corcoran-memorial-at-canandaigua/)

MILTON,
Fla. (March 16, 2012) –
Reigning track champion Joseph Joiner, 18, of Milton, Fla., resumed his
winning ways Saturday night at Southern Raceway, scoring a $1,000 victory in
the regular season opener at his hometown racetrack. The win marks Joiner’s
first visit to victory lane of 2012 and first victory since teaming up with
Moss Point, Miss., racer Larry Cifra over the offseason.

The
second-starting Joiner jumped to the lead on the start of the 25-lap race, but
his first stint out front was short lived as fast qualifier Tracy Sutton of
Flomaton, Ala. dove under Joiner in turn four and pulled ahead to lead lap one.

Joiner
fell into line in the second position and followed Sutton for the first three
trips around the 3/8-mile oval, nearly making a pass for the lead on lap three
when Sutton slipped out of the groove exiting turn four. Sutton left the bottom
open again on the next lap, allowing Joiner to capitalize and make the pass for
the lead on lap four.

“I
wasn’t too worried about losing the lead,” said Joiner, a 12-time winner
at Southern Raceway last season.” I knew we had a fast car and after
seeing him slip up the first time I figured he’d probably give me a few more
chances to make a clean pass.”

Once
he cleared Sutton, Joiner set a blistering pace and built more than a
straightaway lead before a lap-21 caution slowed the field. Joiner pulled away
from second-running Chad Thrash of Meridian, Miss. on the restart, leading the
final four laps without a serious challenge. Thrash held off Sutton to finish
second while Randy Polk of Harold, Fla., and Craig Turner of Flomaton, Ala.,
rounded out the top five.

“This
was a good win for us. It’s always nice to get the first win of the year out of
the way early,” said Joiner, who nearly won Southern’s Winter Nationals
event Feb. 25, but was knocked out by mechanical problems while leading.
“Hopefully we’ll win a few more this year.”

One
reason Joiner is optimistic about the remainder of the season is the help he is
receiving from sponsor and teammate Larry Cifra, who himself is a coming off a
championship in the Crate Late Model division at Deep South Speedway in Loxley,
Ala., last season. The two drivers have combined their racing efforts and plan
to compete in regional Super and Crate Late Model events this year.

Saturday’s
race was Joiner’s first start since installing Cifra’s Pro Tech engine in his
MasterSbilt Race Car. Joiner was excited about the performance of the engine as
well as the opportunity the new race team has this year.

“I
was surprised by how strong this motor ran,” Joiner said. “I’m
thankful that Larry’s letting us run it and I’m excited about the rest of the
season. I feel like we’re in a good situation and we both have a good chance to
win a few races this year.”

Joiner
plans to make his first road trip of the season Saturday to enter the
$3,000-to-win Southern Regional Racing Series season opener at East Alabama
Motor Speedway in Phenix City, Ala. Meanwhile, Cifra will make his first start
of the season in the season opener for the Crate Late Model division at Deep
South.

Joiner
and the Kingdom Power Sports/Joiner Racing Team would like to thank sponsors twelve23.org, Genesis Racing
Shocks, MasterSbilt Race Cars, Valken Racing, Concept Graphics and Suspension
Spring Specialists. For more information, please visit www.JoinerRacing.com.