2007florida.htm

QUICK RESULTS: Josh Richards Wins 360 OTC World of Outlaws Late Model Series Season Opener At Volusia

BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 17, 2007 -

Results of WoO Late Model Series (Finishing Position/Start/Driver/Laps Completed/Money Won):

1. (1) Josh Richards/50 $10,000

2. (6) Dan Schlieper/50 $5,000

3. (3) Earl Pearson Jr./50 $3,000

4. (4) Steve Francis/50 $2,500

5. (9) Scott Bloomquist/50 $2,000

6. (13) Clint Smith/50 $1,700

7. (5) Shane Clanton/50 $1,400

8. (8) Jimmy Mars/50 $1,300

9. (25) Chub Frank/50 $1,200

10. (11) Rick Eckert/50 $1,100

11. (18) Dennis Erb Jr./50 $1,050

12. (17) Chris Madden/50 $1,000

13. (16) Shannon Babb/50 $950

14. (7) Mike Balzano/50 $900

15. (27) Steve Shaver/50 $850

16. (19) Billy Moyer/50 $800

17. (14) Ricky Elliott/50 $770

18. (9) Jerry Rice/50 $750

19. (26) Darrell Lanigan/50 $730

20. (21) Darren Miller/50 $700

21. (20) Jimmy Owens/50 $700

22. (21) Michael England/49 $700

23. (2) Tim Fuller/49 $700

24. (22) Brandon Kinzer/49 $700

25. (15) Vic Coffey/49 $700

26. (24) Brian Birkhofer/29 $700

27. (12) Tim McCreadie/0 $700

Yellow Flags: None

Lap Leaders: Richards (1-50)

Rookie of the Race: Tim Fuller ($250)

Bonus Bucks Winner: Jimmy Mars ($500)

Provisional Starters: Frank, Lanigan, Shaver

Time Trial Results (Position/No./Driver/Hometown/Best Lap):

1. 44P-Earl Pearson Jr./Jacksonville, FL 16.70

2. 1-Josh Richards/Shinnston, WV 16.82

3. 19-Tim Fuller/Watertown, NY 16.91

4. 9-Dan Schlieper/Sullivan, WI 16.99

5. 24-Rick Eckert/York, PA 17.06

6. 15b-Brian Birkhofer/Muscatine, IA 17.09

7. 5-Eric Jacobsen/Santa Cruz, CA 17.12

8. 28M-Jimmy Mars/Menominee, WI 17.12

9. 11R-Jerry Rice/Verona, KY 17.12

10. T4-Damon Eller/Crumpler, NC 17.12

11. 15-Steve Francis/Ashland, KY 17.14

12. 25-Shane Clanton/Locust Grove, GA 17.15

13. 4J-Greg Johnsoon/Bedford, IN 17.18

14. 1d-Ronnie DeHaven Jr./Winchester, VA 17.21

15. 91-Billy Decker/Unadilla, NY 17.26

16. 0-Scott Bloomquist/Mooresburg, TN 17.30

17. 32d-Darren Miller/Milledgeville, IL 17.33

18. 39-Tim McCreadie/Watertown, NY 17.33

19. 44-Clint Smith/Senoia, GA 17.35

20. 18H-Ronny Lee Hollingsworth/Northport, AL 17.35

21. 16R-Justin Ratliff/Campbellsville, KY 17.36

22. 20-Jimmy Owens/Newport, TN 17.39

23. 44M-Chris Madden/Grey Court, SC 17.39

24. 29-Darrell Lanigan/Union, KY 17.39

25. 71-Don O’Neal/Martinsville, IN 17.42

26. 33-Tim Manville/Highland, IL 17.42

27. 42-Terry Casey/New London, WI 17.44

28. 30-Steve Shaver/Vienna, WV 17.44

29. 53-Ray Cook/Brasstown, NC 17.45

30. 4A-Ricky Arms/Moss, TN 17.48

31. E1-Mike Balzano/Parkersburg, WV 17.50

32. 23-John Blankenship/Williamson, WV 17.51

33. 32c-Vic Coffey/Leicester, NY 17.53

34. 5e-Michael England/Glasgow, KY 17.56

35. 58c-Garrett Durrett/Simsboro, GA 17.57

36. 21d-Dan Stone/Thompson, PA 17.63

37. 78-Jeff Alsip/Walton, KY 17.69

38. 1*-Chub Frank/Bear Lake, PA 17.77

39. 4b-Jackie Boggs/Grayson, KY 17.78

40. 18-Shannon Babb/Moweaque, IL 17.78

41. 49-Jonathan Davenport/Blairsville, GA 17.81

42. 28e-Dennis Erb Jr./Carpentersville, IL 17.81

43. 44H-Dave Hess Jr./Waterford, PA 17.81

44. 17M-Dale McDowell/Winston-Salem, NC 17.81

45. 28-Eddie Carrier Jr./Salt Rock, WV 17.84

46. 83-Scott James/Greendale, IN 17.84

47. 88-Wendell Wallace/Batesville, AR 17.87

48. 44J-Johnny Cloer Jr./Chatsworth, GA 17.87

49. 21-Billy Moyer/Batesville, AR 18.02

50. 23s-Patrick Sheltra/Indiantown, FL 18.07

51. 12s-Jason Smith/Laurel, MS 18.14

52. 7M-Matt Miller/Waterville, OH 18.16

53. 85-Mark Anderson/Blanchard, MI 18.20

54. 2-Joe Ramey/Ironton, OH 18.20

55. 18K-Brandon Kinzer/Allen, KY 18.29

56. 57J-Bub McCool/Vicksburg, MS 18.35

57. F9-Frank Ingram/Woodstock, GA 18.40

58. 12b-Jordan Bland/Campbellsville, KY 18.40

59. 14K-Kenny Adams/El Paso, IL 18.41

60. JO-J.O. Nobles/Nahunta, GA 18.43

61. A1-Duke Whiseant/Texarkana, AR 18.46

62. 44A-Adam Hensel/Barrow, WI 18.47

63. 21L-Ivedent Lloyd/Ocala, FL 18.53

64. 5s-Steve Sheppard Jr./New Berlin, IL 18.59

65. 32-Jeff Smith/Blain, PA 18.62

66. 21P-Larry Perry Jr./Lake City, FL 18.73

67. 55-Jeep VanWormer/Piconning, MI 18.74

68. 45-Ricky Elliott/Seaford, DE 18.83

69. 86-Mike Amell/Cincinnati, OH 18.85

70. 12d-Chuck Julien/Apopka, FL 18.86

71. 93-Roy Mitchell/Rensselaer, IN 18.86

72. 1c-Wayne Chinn/Tipp City, OH 19.00

73. 5x-Ed Bauman/New Berlin, IL 19.13

74. 99H-Sherri Heckenast/Orland Park, IL 19.13

75. 16H-Mike Hammerle/St. Charles, MO 19.16

76. 17-Don Mihelich/Paw Paw, MI 19.30

77. 25K-Rodney Kiker/Greenville, TN 19.70

78. 27R-Jake Redetzke/Eau Claire, WI 19.94

79. 3-Austin Dillon/Welcome, NC 21.84

80. 17x-Greggie Oliver/Jackson, OH N/T

81. 1L-Homer Leonard/Jacksonville, FL N/T

82. 71W-Chris Wall/Holden, LA N/T

Heat No. 1 (10 laps - Top 3 Transfer): Pearson, Balzano, C. Smith, Moyer, O’Neal, Kinzer, Hess, G. Johnson, Jacobsen, Whiseant, VanWormer, Alsip, Dillon, Bauman

Heat No. 2 (10 laps - Top 3 Transfer): Richards, Mars, Elliott, Hollingsworth, Blankenship, Manville, DeHaven, McDowell, Leonard, McCool, Sheltra, Frank, Hensel, Heckenast

Heat No. 3 (10 laps - Top 3 Transfer): Fuller, Rice, Coffey, Wall, Lloyd, Ratliff, Boggs, Amell, Decker, Casey, J. Smith, Hammerle, Carrier (DNS) Ingram

Heat No. 4 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Schlieper, Bloomquist, Babb, Owens, Shaver, England, James, Miller, Bland, Julien, Mihelich, Sheppard, Eller

Heat No. 5 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Francis, Eckert, Madden, D. Miller, Durrett, Davenport, Cook, Wallace, Anderson, J. Smith, Adams, Mitchell, Kiker

Heat No. 6 (10 laps – Top 3 Transfer): Clanton, McCreadie, Erb, Birkhofer, Stone, Arms, Chinn, Redetzke, Ramey, Nobles, Perry, Cloer, Lanigan

B-Main No. 1 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): Moyer, Kinzer, O’Neal, Whisenant, Jacobsen, DeHaven, G. Johnson, Sheltra, McDowell, Dillon, McCool, Alsip, Blankenship, Hollingsworth, Leonard, Frank, Bauman, Manville

B-Main No. 2 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): Owens, England, Ratliff, Miller, James, Boggs, Decker, Lloyd, Carrier, Cloer, Bland, Julien, Hammerle, Mihelich, Amell, Wall, VanWormer

B-Main No. 3 (12 laps – Top 2 Transfer): D. Miller, Birkhofer, Arms, Cook, Davenport, Wallace, Redetzke, Chinn, Durrett, J. Smith, Stone, Mitchell, Adams, Nobles

WEAVER REPEATS ON PRELIMINARY NIGHT THREE OF OWM AT EAST BAY

TAMPA, FL…..2/16/07……Kevin Weaver made history Friday night at East Bay Raceway Park in the 8th Annual Open Wheel Modified Winternationals when he became the first driver to score two wins on preliminary nights (Wednesday and tonight) of the four-day series.

It was a wild and crazy 25-lap feature with two previous leaders spinning out and Weaver making a switch to the high groove to lead the last three laps and collect the $l,500 prize.

When track announcer Chris Stepan reminded Weaver that he had just made history with repeat preliminary night wins, the subject quickly focused on the fact that Weaver had been the winner of the big finale in the very first OWM Winternationals in 2000 and there have been no repeat winners since then. Weaver said, “It would sure be nice to win that one again, but 75 laps is a different story and my focus will be on tire management.”

Once again Weaver and his crewmen, Mason Fisher and Josh Beebe, made very little changes on his Bob Pierce chassis which is powered by a Hixon engine, utilizing Bilstein shocks and Hoosier Tires. The car displayed sponsorship from Jimmy John’s Gormet Sandwiches and Rigsby Homes.

Finishing second in the second of 10 heats for the 88 cars on hand, Weaver was relegated to start in the sixth row of the A-Main. The front row starters were Jason Lakey and Steve Arpin, however, after pile-ups on the first two attempts to complete a lap, it was Arpin who jumped to an immediate lead once the race was officially underway.

A long string of green flag laps let Arpin build a four second lead over Shawn Peterson with 10 laps in the books. Three laps later, Arpin ran the high groove and passed lapped traffic at will to build a straightaway lead for himself. The lapped cars would be his downfall on lap 18 when he tangled with three of them in between turns one and two. Raymond Rogers had moved into second ahead of Peterson, Jamie Burrows, Weaver and Corey Connelly at this point and he inherited the lead when Arpin had to restart at the tail.

Rogers lead was short lived because on lap 21 he too was the victim of a spin to the inside in turn four and this gave the lead to Burrows on lap 22. Meanwhile, 21st starting Stan Donahoo discovered the fast outside lane and was making his way into the front four.

Weaver admitted, “I drove the wheels off this thing tonight. I looked at the high groove in one and turn turns and it look pretty hairy and choppy, but the top was definitely faster, so I went for it.”

The move to the top did it for Weaver who took the lead on lap 23 and headed Burrows, Peterson, Jeff Mathews and Ray Guss, Jr. at the finish. Next came Joey Jensen, Denny Schwartz, Donahoo, Arpin and Bobby Bittle with top ten finishes.

Matt Goulden and Dakota Stephens advanced from the lst C-Main while Frank Marshall and Brady Short went to the B-Main from the 2nd C-Main. In the 1st B-Main Donahoo and Justin Carlson advanced to the A-Main, but a tangle inside between turns one and two resulted in a hard hit to Julie McDermid who was transported to the hospital for observation. Charles Patrick and Guss earned starting spots in the A-Main after coming from the 2nd B-Main.

Thanks, Jean Lynch for East Bay Raceway Park

Qualifying Results:



1. 21A Nicholas Allen – 17.191; 2. T3 Dave Groves – 17.207; 3. B12 Kevin Weaver – 17.317; 4. 2 Devin Dixon – 17.326; 5. 3L Jeff Leka – 17.369; 6. 9 David Schmauss – 17.390; 7. 1X “Racin” Jason Jameson – 17.400; 8. 21W Dano Ostrander – 17.439; 9. 20 Mark Whitener – 17.441; 10. 8S Steven Miller – 17.448; 11. 112 Ray Guss, Jr. 12. 36 Brady Short – 17.458; 13. 61M Shawn Peterson – 17.481; 14. 21C Kenny Carlson – 17.508; 15. 00A Steve Arpin – 17.514; 16. 21S Denny Schwartz – 17.530; 17. 2C Dave Cain – 17.552; 18. 03 Rick Hensley – 17.554; 19. 00 Stan Donahoo – 17.556; 20. V2 Joey Jensen – 17.574; 21. 48H Wayne Hammond – 17.583; 22. 85D Mark Dotson – 17.590; 23. 1M Julie McDermid – 17.602; 24. 41G Matt Goulden – 17.603; 25. 707 Corey Conley – 17.613; 26. D3 Matt Dillon – 17.644; 27. M20 Mike Potoskey – 17.647; 28. 51 Travis Hair – 17.661; 29. J16 Jason Lakey – 17.680; 30. 31 Brian Hollifield – 17.681; 31. 119 Todd Gilpin – 17.682; 32. 01 Jamie Burrows – 17.700; 33. 3F Rob Fuqua – 17.713; 34. 46 Tim Rivers – 17.721; 35. 48 Raymond Rogers – 17.745; 36. 20L Anthony Huber – 17.757; 37. 10C Chad Ogle – 17.766; 38. 25 Charles Patrick – 17.778; 39. T16 Trevor Merrell – 17.801; 40. 89B Bobby Bittle – 17.802; 41. 89 Mike Spatola, III – 17.814; 42. 14 Rick Conoyer – 17.815; 43. 911 Perry Burk – 17.819; 44. 16 Justin Carlson – 17.842; 45. 7R Kent Robinson – 17.844; 46. 33 Jeff Mathews – 17.862; 47. 3X David Boerner – 17.940; 48. 47H Terry Hayes – 17.950; 49. 47 Tyler Ivey – 17.951; 50. 48X Kurt Allison – 17.984; 51. 13 Junior Nolan – 17.986; 52. 52 William Harrison – 17.993; 53. 225 Jesse Bitterling – 17.994; 54. 97 Arby Burton – 17.994; 55. 78 Shane Cottle – 18.000; 56. 1K Ken Riddle – 18.007; 57. 2* Corey Seckerson – 18.019; 58. M1 Brandon Morrow – 18.028; 59. 1* Nick Nelson – 18.032; 60. 12 Mike Sullivan – 18.033; 61. 23M Marty Hiser – 18.078; 62. 23 Terry Haven – 18.082; 63. 27N Nate Bregenzer – 18.110; 64. 72 JJ Patterson – 18.152; 65. 64 Austin Sanders – 18.172; 66. 89T Tony Molnar – 18.186; 67. 44 Bob Johnston – 18.197; 68. 96 Dennis Haven – 18.208; 69. 32 Roger Crouse – 18.211; 70. 12M Ken Myracle – 18.238; 71. 7 Brad DeYoung – 18.272; 72. 8M Matt Miller – 18.275; 73. 79 Dakotah Stephens – 18.282; 74. 4S Thomas Sigler – 18.298; 75. 88 Darrell George – 18.301; 76. 185 Ron Miller – 18.311; 77. 34 Jeff Ochs – 18.331; 78. 28M Frank Marshall – 18.465; 79. 53 Tex Erskine – 18.472; 80. 26 Chris Butler – 18.490; 81. 8 Brandon Carlson – 18.503; 82. 111 John Bradley – 18.583; 83. 58L Scott Carlson – 18.634; 84. 181 Aaron Ogle – 18.645; 85. 27X Joe Pendergrass – 18.913; 86. 22 Ron Burgess – 19.145; 87. 7A Asa Hovis – 19.227; 88. 10K Bobby Alexander, Jr. N/T



1st Heat – 1)Dave Groves 2)Joey Jensen 3)John Bradley 4)Marty Hiser 5)Austin Sanders 6)Ken Myracle 7)Mike Sullivan 8)Rick Conoyer 9)Mark Whitener

2nd Heat – 1)Jason Lakey 2)Kevin Weaver 3)Todd Gilpin 4)David Boerner 5)Shane Cottle 6)Stan Donahoo 7)Brandon Carlson 8)Perry Burk 9)Scott Carlson

3rd Heat – 1)Jamie Burrows 2)Brian Hollifield 3)Matt Miller 4)Justin Carlson 5)Thomas Sigler 6)Jeff Ochs 7)Matt Goulden 8)Ken Riddle 9)Anthony Huber

4th Heat – 1)Corey Conley 2)Mark Dotson 3)Mike Potoskey 4)Joe Pendergrass 5)Tim Rivers 6)Terry Hayes 7)Dakota Stephens 8)Nate Bregenzer 9)Asa Hovis

5th Heat – 1)Kent Robinson 2)Dave Cain 3)Devin Dixon 4)Julie McDermid 5)Jesse Bitterling 6)Ron Miller 7)Tony Molnar 8)Bob Johnston 9)Ron Burgess

6th Heat – 1)Roger Crouse 2)Chad Ogle 3)Charles Patrick 4)Ray Guss, Jr. 5)Terry Haven 6)Kurt Allison 7)Frank Marshall 8)Brandon Morrow 9)Bobby Alexander, Jr.

7th Heat – 1)Jeff Mathews 2)Bobby Bittle 3)Jason Jamison 4)Matt Dillon 5)Nick Nelson 6)Kenny Carlson 7)Corey Seckerson 8)Arby Burton 9)JJ Patterson

8th Heat – 1)Steve Arpin 2)Denny Schwartz 3)Nicholas Allen 4)Rick Hensley 5)Brad DeYoung 6)Mike Spatola, III 7)Chris Butler 8)Brady Short

9th Heat – 1)Shawn Peterson 2)Jeff Leka 3)Wayne Hammond 4)William Harrison 5)Rob Fuqua 6)Steven Miller 7)Darrell George 8)Dennis Haven

10th Heat – 1)Raymond Rogers 2)David Schmauss 3)Travis Hair 4)Dano Ostrander 5)Junior Nolan 6)Tyler Ivey 7)Trevor Merrell 8)Aaron Ogle 9)Tex Erskine




1st C – Main (Top 2 go to back of 1st B) – 1)Matt Goulden 2)Dakota Stephens 3)Perry Burk 4)Asa Hovis 5)Scott Carlson 6)Nate Bregenzer 7)Brandon Carlson 8)Tony Molnar 9)Bob Johnston 10)Ron Burgess 11)Mike Sullivan 12)Anthony Huber 13)Rick Conoyer DNS 14)Ken Riddle DNS 15)Mark Whitener DNS



2nd C – Main (Top 2 go to back of 2nd B) – 1)Frank Marshall 2)Brady Short 3)Brandon Morrow 4)Aaron Ogle 5)Dennis Haven 6)Corey Seckerson 7)Bobby Alexander, Jr. 8)Darrell George 9)JJ Patterson 10)Arby Burton 11)Chris Butler 12)Trevor Merrell DNS 13)Tex Erskine DNS



1st B – Main (Top 2 go to back of A inside row) – 1)Stan Donahoo 2)Justin Carlson 3)Mike Potoskey 4)Todd Gilpin 5)Thomas Sigler 6)David Boerner 7)Shane Cottle 8)Dakota Stephens 9)Jesse Bitterling 10)Marty Hiser 11)Jeff Ochs 12)Tim Rivers 13)Ken Myracle 14)Ron Miller 15)John Bradley 16)Matt Goulden 17)Austin Sanders 18)Joe Pendergrass 19)Devin Dixon 20)Matt Miller 21)Julie McDermid 22)Terry Hayes



2nd B – Main (Top 2 go to back of A outside row) – 1)Charles Patrick 2)Ray Guss, Jr. 3)Wayne Hammond 4)Brady Short 5)Rick Hensley 6)Nicholas Allen 7)Nick Nelson 8)Jason Jamison 9)Brad DeYoung 10)Kurt Allison 11)Junion Nolan 12)William Harrison 13)Frank Marshall 14)Matt Dillon 15)Terry Haven 16)Mike Spatola III 17)Tyler Ivey 18)Steven Miller 19)Travis Hair 20)Rob Fuqua 21)Dano Ostrander 22)Kenny Carlson DNS



A – Main (25 Laps) – 1)Kevin Weaver 2)Jamie Burrows 3)Shawn Peterson 4)Jeff Mathews 5)Ray Guss, Jr. 6)Joey Jensen 7)Denny Schwartz 8)Stan Donahoo 9)Steve Arpin 10)Bobby Bittle 11)Jeff Leka 12)Justin Carlson 13)David Schmauss 14)Kent Robinson 15)Jason Lakey 16)Charles Patrick 17)Brian Hollifield 18)Raymond Rogers 19)Corey Conley 20)Mark Dotson 21)Roger Crouse 22)Dave Groves 23)Dave Cain 24)Chad Ogle



STATS – OPEN WHEELMODIFIEDS - EAST BAY RACEWAY PARK – FRIDAY, 2/16/07
 

Darrell Lanigan Bags $10,000 UMP Late Model Win In Friday-Night Florida DIRTcar Nationals Action

BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 16, 2007 – Darrell Lanigan might have been destined to win Friday night’s 40-lap UMP DIRTcar Racing Late Model feature at Volusia Speedway Park.

After all, he picked his car number, 29, in the draw for time-trial positioning.

“It was a good luck charm, I guess,” smiled Lanigan after pocketing $10,000 for capturing the UMP Late Model finale of the 36^th annual Florida DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Mopar Speedshop.

Lanigan, 36, of Union, Ky., slipped by fellow 360 OTC World of Outlaws Late Model Series regular Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., to take the lead on lap 18 and never looked back en route to winning a caution-free event.

Richards settled for second place, about five car lengths behind Lanigan. Outside-polesitter Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga., was close behind Richards in third, producing a sweep of the top-three spots by drivers who will run the 360 OTC WoO LMS fulltime in 2007.

Completing the top five was Greg Johnson of Bedford, Ind., and eighth-starter Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., another 360 OTC WoO LMS regular.

Richards, 18, surged off the pole position to assume command at the start of the race in his Mark Richards Racing/Seubert Calf Ranches Rocket No. 1. When the inside groove of the half-mile, D-shaped oval began to be the choice lane just after the main’s one-quarter mark, the rising young star appeared to be in the catbird’s seat.

But Richards made one fatal mistake coming down to score lap 18. He slipped high off turn four as he approached lapped traffic, allowing Lanigan to guide his gottarace.com/Accu-Tex Rocket into the top spot for good.

Lanigan controlled the remainder of the distance, keeping Richards at bay by running a calm, patient line around the inside of the track. The ‘Bluegrass Bandit’ smartly refused the temptation to stray from the prime groove, as evidenced by his following Rick Eckert of York, Pa., for the final 13 laps rather than lapping him.

“The track never locked down (took rubber), but there was a fast groove right around the bottom,” said Lanigan, who started third. “About 15 laps in, I found the bottom when I started searching around the track a little bit. I don’t think Josh had really found the bottom yet, so he was running more in the middle and that left the door open for me to slip by him.

“I hate it for Josh, but I need a win too.”

The victory was Lanigan’s first ever at Volusia Speedway Park, where he had finished as high as second in the past. It also gave him plenty of momentum entering Saturday night’s season opener for the 360 OTC WoO LMS.

“We’re ready,” he said of the 2007 WoO schedule. “This is a great way to get ourselves going.”

Richards, meanwhile, mourned a missed opportunity.

“I was in perfect position to win,” said Richards. “It was a lack of experience, I guess, that did me in.

“The track never really took rubber; it just kinda got clean (on the inside) from everyone running there, so you couldn’t run anywhere else. But I kinda thought I should try to go around the lapped cars when I got to them, and that was a mistake.

“I moved up a little bit (in turn four coming to lap 18), and I started sliding. I knew that when I felt myself lose the front end, it was over.”

Richards got underneath Lanigan racing down the backstretch on lap 18, but he couldn’t pull ahead by turn three and thus had to back off. He stayed close but never offered Lanigan another serious challenge.

The runner-up finish was still Richards’s best ever at Volusia.

Finishing in positions 6-10 were Steve Shaver of Vienna, W.Va.; Darren Miller of Milledgeville, Ill.; Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky; Scott Bloomquist of Mooresburg, Tenn., who started 17^th after winning a B-Main; and Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla., who registered the fastest overall lap (16.679 seconds) of the night’s ‘group’ time-trial session.

The evening’s field numbered 90.

Heat winners were Richards, Clanton, Lanigan, Garrett Durrett of Simsboro, La., Johnson, Miller, Justin Ratliff of Campbellsville, Ky., and Frank. The B-Mains went to Bloomquist, Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., and Wendell Wallace of Batesville, Ark.

The four highest-ranked drivers in the week’s Florida DIRTcar Nationals UMP Late Model point standings who didn’t qualify were added to the feature field as provisionals. Those spots went to Patrick Sheltra of Indianatown, Fla., Eckert, Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., and Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y.

The UMP Late Model champion of the 2007 Florida DIRTcar Nationals will be determined with the results of Saturday night’s 50-lap 360 OTC WoO LMS event, which will be contested using UMP’s Hoosier 20/40 tire rule.

For more information on the Florida DIRTcar Nationals, visit www.volusiaspeedwaypark.com.

UMP DIRTcar Racing Late Model Feature Finish (40 laps):

1. Darrell Lanigan

2. Josh Richards

3. Shane Clanton

4. Greg Johnson

5. Chub Frank

6. Steve Shaver

7. Darren Miller

8. Steve Francis

9. Scott Bloomquist

10. Earl Pearson Jr.

11. Billy Moyer

12. Don O’Neal

13. Shannon Babb

14. Garrett Durrett

15. Matt Miller

16. Tim McCreadie

17. Rick Eckert

18. Dennis Erb Jr.

19. Justin Ratliff

20. Patrick Sheltra

21. Jonathan Davenport

22. Christian Rayburn

23. Wendell Wallace

24. Jimmy Mars

DNQ: Adam Hensel, Tim Fuller, Scott James, John Blankenship, Ricky Arms, Jeff Alsip, J.O. Nobles, Frank Ingram, Don Mihelich, Damon Eller, Mike Balzano, Chris Wall, Eric Jacobsen, Clint Smith, Peyton Taylor, Jordan Bland, Jamie Eichholz, Ronnie DeHaven Jr., Eddie Carrier Jr., Stacy Boles, Dan Stone, Greggie Oliver, Dave Hess Jr., Rodney Kiker, Joe Ramey, Ricky Elliott, Jimmy Owens, Jeep VanWormer, Terry Casey, C.J. Rayburn, John Tindall, Jason McBride, Jerry Rice, Chris Madden, Ray Cook, Bub McCool, Chris Hackett, Ed Bauman, Jackie Boggs, Austin Dillon, Donnie Moran, Wayne Chinn, Jake Redetzke, Kenny Pettyjohn, Vic Coffey, Jeff Smith, Mark Anderson, Chuck Julien, Mike Hammerle, Ronny Lee Hollingsworth, Dan Schlieper, Ivedent Lloyd, Duke Whiseant, Michael England, Sherry Heckenast, Mike Amell, Homer Leonard, Billy Decker, Brian Birkhofer, Steve Sheppard Jr., Jason Smith, Mike Mataragas, Brandon Kinzer, Kenny Adams, Roy Mitchell

Thursday...rain

Shannon Babb Blasts Forward >From 13^th To Capture Wednesday’s Florida DIRTcar Nationals Main For UMP Late Models

BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 14, 2007 – Starting 13^th in Wednesday night’s 30-lap UMP DIRTcar Racing Late Model feature at Volusia Speedway Park didn’t hamper Shannon Babb.

Wheeling a one-week-old C.J. Rayburn car, Babb stormed forward to claim a $5,000 victory in the 36^th annual Florida DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Mopar Speedshop.

“This car has just been super-good every time we’ve raced it,” Babb said of his Billy Moyer Sr.-owned machine. “It’s a new-style 2007 Rayburn that has some little improvements on it, and we’re real happy with it.”

Babb, 33, of Moweaqua, Ill., made his key moves of the race following a lap-10 restart. Fifth when green-flag action resumed, he vaulted up to second in barely more than a lap, passing Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., and opening-night Florida DIRTcar Nationals winner Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla., in rapid succession.

Then Babb used the inside lane to slip by Dan Schlieper of Sullivan, Wis., for the lead on lap 18. The two-time defending UMP DIRTcar Racing Summernationals champion dominated the remainder of the distance, pulling away to defeat Frank’s Lester Buildings No. 1* by 3.335 seconds.

The pole-sitting Schlieper settled for third place after leading laps 7-17, while Darren Miller of Milledgeville, Ill., advanced from the 20^th starting spot to place a strong fourth and the 18-year-old Richards was fifth.

Babb felt that the race’s second caution flag, on lap 10, played a pivotal role in his first career UMP Late Model win at the half-mile, D-shaped oval. His only previous checkered flag at VSP came on Feb. 6, 2004, in a 360 OTC World of Outlaws Late Model Series event.

“I think I was a little quicker after the restart,” said Babb, whose car now sports a gray-and-red paint scheme rather than his customary red-and-yellow hues. “I was able to get by three guys real quick.”

Besting Schlieper was a bit tougher, but Babb pulled that off after searching the racy speedway for the fastest lane.

“The racetrack was awesome,” said Babb, who this season is using a powerplant from Bullock Racing Engines in Somerset, Ky., for the first time. “I moved around and found a pretty good groove where I could roll onto the backstretch and not lose any momentum.”

Frank, who turned 45 on Jan. 22, seized second from Schlieper on lap 22, but without a caution flag to bunch the field he never had a chance to challenge Babb.

“I don’t think in open track (Babb) was that much better than us,” said Frank, who started ninth behind the wheel of a Rocket car. “But he got through traffic better.”

Frank pointed specifically to the lap-10 restart, when Babb made a couple breathtaking moves to reach second place.

“I thought we were in good shape until Babb went flying by everybody,” analyzed Frank, a regular on the 360 OTC World of Outlaws Late Model Series. “It looked like we all got bunched up for a second, and he made the right move to go scooting by.”

The driver who might have been Babb’s biggest obstacle to victory was Chris Madden of Grey Court, S.C. But moments after Madden, who started 10^th, slid into second place on lap 10, his Bloomquist Chassis No. 44 came to a stop with terminal mechanical trouble.

Madden, who didn’t compete in the Florida DIRTcar Nationals opener on Monday night, looked like he was going to duplicate his dominant victory in last October’s 360 OTC WoO LMS ‘Gator 100’ at Volusia.

“It was a repeat of last October,” said Madden. “We ran the same car and the same motor, and it was perfect.”

Ricky Elliott of Seaford, Del., made a charge from 18^th to finish sixth. Pearson, who led laps 1-6 from the outside pole, faded to seventh at the checkered flag, ahead of Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., Jimmy Owens of Newport, Tenn., and 24^th-starter Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y.

An enormous 102-car field entered the second night of UMP Late Model competition during the Florida DIRTcar Nationals.

Justin Ratliff of Campbellsville, Ky., turned the fastest lap of the “group” qualifying sessions, circling the track in 16.239 seconds.

Heat winners were Schlieper, Pearson, Terry Casey of New London, Wis., Jonathan Davenport of Blairsville, Ga., Richards, Patrick Sheltra of Indiantown, Fla., and Jerry Rice of Verona, Ky. The B-Mains were captured by Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., Elliott, Lanigan and Miller.

The 360 OTC World of Outlaws Late Model Series takes center stage at the Florida DIRTcar Nationals on Thursday night (Feb. 15). A 50-lap event paying $10,000 to win will headline the program, which also includes the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series for big-block Modifieds.

For more information on the Florida DIRTcar Nationals, visit www.volusiaspeedwaypark.com.

UMP DIRTcar Racing Late Model Feature Finish (30 laps):

1. Shannon Babb

2. Chub Frank

3. Dan Schlieper

4. Darren Miller

5. Josh Richards

6. Ricky Elliott

7. Earl Pearson Jr.

8. Darrell Lanigan

9. Jimmy Owens

10. Tim Fuller

11. Patrick Sheltra

12. Dennis Erb Jr.

13. Donnie Moran

14. Steve Shaver

15. Justin Ratliff

16. Dave Hess Jr.

17. Jonathan Davenport

18. Rick Eckert

19. Damon Eller

20. Shane Clanton

21. Jerry Rice

22. Ronny Lee Hollingsworth

23. Chris Madden

24. Terry Casey

DNQ: Mike Jackson, Mark Anderson, J.O. Nobles, Peyton Taylor, Duke Whisenant, Wayne Chinn, C.J. Rayburn, Christian Rayburn, Mike Balzano, Homer Leonard, Mike Mataragas, Ronnie DeHaven, Joe Ramey, Austin Dillon, Ricky Arms, Jackie Boggs, Greg Johnson, Eric Jacobsen, Michael England, Steve Sheppard Jr., Matt Miller, John Tindall, Frank Ingram, Stacy Boles, Jordan Bland, Chuck Julien, Jason Smith, Mike Williams, Kenny Adams, Brian Birkhofer, Mike Hammerle, Terry Lumley, Don Mihelich, Dale McDowell, Greggie Oliver, Brandon Kinzer, Steve Casebolt, Dan Stone, Bill Howe, Ivedent Lloyd, Billy Moyer, Larry Perry Jr., John Blankenship, Rodney Kiker, Joe Denby, Jake Redetzke, Eddie Carrier Jr., Jimmy Mars, Vic Coffey, Jeff Smith, Chris Hackett, Tim Manville, Mike Marler, Kenny Pettyjohn, Tim McCreadie, Josh McGuire, Clint Smith, Adam Hensel, Ray Cook, Jeep VanWormer, Rhon Moon, Bub McCool, Garrett Durrett, Jamie Eichels, Don O’Neal, Chris Wall, Brian Claudnic, Jason McBride, Jeff Alsip, Scott James, Mike Amell, Wendell Wallace, Billy Decker, Roy Mitchell, Terry English, Sherri Heckenast, Johnny Johnson, Devin Sebree

Tuesday Night’s Florida DIRTcar Nationals Program Canceled After Heavy Rain Pounds Volusia Speedway Park

BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 13, 2007 – Thunderstorms and heavy rain struck Volusia Speedway Park late Tuesday afternoon, forcing the cancellation of Night 8 of the 36^th annual Florida DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Mopar Speedshop.

UMP DIRTcar Racing Late Model and open-wheel Modified action was scheduled for Tuesday night. The big-block Modifieds of the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series were also slated for practice runs in preparation for a four-night meet from Feb. 14-17.

With the cancellation of the week’s UMP Modified finale, Steve Arpin of Fort Frances, Ont., was named the division’s points champion of the 2007 Florida DIRTcar Nationals.

“We received a deluge of rain at the worst time,” said Harvey Fink, the general manager of Volusia Speedway Park. “With such a big field of cars on hand, attempting to run in the track surface and start the program late would have created an uncomfortable night for everyone.”

VSP officials announced that fans who purchased DIRTcar Nationals ‘Super Tickets’ for the six nights of Late Model racing can obtain a refund for their Tuesday tickets by mailing them to Volusia Speedway Park, 1500 East State Rd. 40, Deleon Springs, FL, 32130.

For further information, contact the Volusia Speedway Park office at 386-985-4402.

The Florida DIRTcar Nationals continues on Wednesday night with competition for the UMP DIRTcar Racing Late Models and Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series for big-block Modifieds. Race time is 7:30 p.m.

Canadian Steve Arpin Claims First-Ever Florida DIRTcar Nationals UMP Modified Points Title

BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 13, 2007 – Steve Arpin didn’t need any help.

But with rain washing out Tuesday night’s scheduled UMP DIRTcar Racing Modified finale of the 36^th annual Florida DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Mopar Speedshop at Volusia Speedway Park, the Fort Frances, Ont., standout effortlessly clinched the points title of the division’s week-long meet.

Arpin, a 23-year-old Canadian who maintains a residence in Rochester, Minn., claimed his first career Florida DIRTcar Nationals championship. He has been entering the annual winter racing extravaganza with his UMP Modified for the past four years.

This was definitely Arpin’s most successful visit ever to the half-mile, D-shaped Volusia oval. He won five of the week’s seven features – all consecutively from Feb. 7-11 – and also registered finishes of fourth (Feb. 6) and third (Feb. 12).

Arpin won the title by 66 points (550-484) over Brian Strand of Bemidji, Minn.

About the only thing that didn’t go right for Arpin all week was one of his Victory Lane celebrations. After climbing out of his car, the happy Arpin picked up the race queen – and promptly received a cut on his chin from the pointy wing of the eagle-shaped trophy that she was holding.

Arpin’s 1,500-mile-plus trip to Florida started on Feb. 2 and 3 with a sweep of the North Florida Winternationals at North Florida Speedway in Lake City. He plans to remain in Florida to compete for the remainder of the week in the UMP Modified Winternationals at East Bay Raceway Park in Gibsonton, Fla.

Final Florida DIRTcar Nationals UMP Modified Point Standings:

1. Steve Arpin 550

2. Brian Strand 484

3. Joey Kramer 482

4. Lee Hobbs 418

4. Ray Walsh 418

6. Kenny Wallace 392

7. Tom Seets Sr. 370

8. Brad Waits 366

9. Kevin Adams 354

10. Mark Dotson 336

11. Vance Wilson 330

12. Ron Barker 316

13. Austin Dillon 296

14. David McWilliams 286

15. Gary Clark 270

16. Blake Jetvig 250

17. David Cain 248

18. Julie McDermid 240

19. Gabe Menser 230

20. Adam Pierson 210

21. Bruce Takach 190

22. Ed Lenhardt 184

23. Mike Spatola 180

24. Scott Weber 178

25. Chad Evans 174

Joey Kramer Snaps Steve Arpin’s Five-Race UMP Modified Win Streak In Monday DIRTcar Nationals Action

BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 12, 2007 – Joey Kramer finally put together a flawless performance in Monday night’s 20-lap UMP DIRTcar Racing Modified feature at Volusia Speedway Park.

And as a result, the Hanover, Ind., driver snapped Steve Arpin’s five-race win streak in the 36^th annual DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Mopar Speedshop.

“Last night I made a boo-boo with tires and ended up not qualifying in my heat,” said Kramer, “so I had to come from the back to finish third. Tonight I finally got to start up front, and it’s unbelievable what track position does for you.”

Kramer glided by Fort Frances, Ont.’s Arpin to take the lead on lap 10 and never looked back. He easily outdistanced NASCAR Nextel Cup and Busch Series veteran Kenny Wallace, who overtook Arpin late in the distance to finish second.

Arpin, who was undefeated since finishing fourth in the DIRTcar Nationals opener on Feb. 6, settled for a third-place finish. He remained the points leader with one race left in the eight-event DIRTcar Nationals meet for UMP Modifieds.

Ray Walsh of St. Louis, Mo., was fourth and Denny Schwartz of Ashmore, Ill., took fifth.

Kramer’s $1,000 triumph was his first of the 2007 DIRTcar Nationals. He thanked a long line of people close to him for the victory.

“This is a real family operation,” bottom-lined Kramer, pointing at, among others, his father, uncle and girlfriend.

The UMP Modified action of the DIRTcar Nationals comes to a close on Tuesday night (Feb. 13) with a 25-lap championship event.

For more information on UMP DIRTcar Racing or the DIRTcar Nationals, visit www.umpracing.com or www.volusiaspeedwaypark.com.

UMP DIRTcar Racing Modified Feature Finish (20 laps):

1. Joey Kramer

2. Kenny Wallace

3. Steve Arpin

4. Ray Walsh

5. Denny Schwartz

6. Tom Seets Sr.

7. Brian Strand

8. Lee Hobbs

9. Blake Jetvig

10. Jeff Leka

11. Shawn Peterson

12. Kevin Adams

13. Brad Waits

14. David Cain

15. Mark Dotson

16. Jeff Sharp

17. Scotty Kincaid

18. Jesse Snyder

19. Ron Barker

20. Vance Wilson

21. Austin Dillon

22. Scotty Weber

23. Ed Lenhardt

24. Mike Wilson

Earl Pearson Jr. Dominates Monday’s DIRTcar Nationals Opener For UMP DIRTcar Racing Late Models

BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 12, 2007 – There was no doubt about Earl Pearson Jr.’s superiority in Monday night’s UMP DIRTcar Racing Late Model action at Volusia Speedway Park.

With his new car owner Bobby Labonte looking on, the Jacksonville, Fla., star ran roughshod on the field, easily winning the 25-lap feature that opened the Late Model portion of the 36^th annual DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Mopar Speedshop.

Pearson, who turned 35 on Jan. 29, fought off an early challenge from Tim McCreadie of Watertown, N.Y., and raced away to beat the reigning 360 OTC World of Outlaws Late Model Series champion by nearly a half-lap margin.

Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill., finished third, followed by 10^th-starter Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., and Steve Shaver of Vienna, W.Va.

“To get a win in front of my home fans is pretty exciting,” said Pearson, who won a 360 OTC WoO LMS event during last year’s DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia. “And Bobby Labonte is here watching tonight, so that makes it even more special.”

Pearson has quickly become acquainted with Labonte, the NASCAR Nextel Cup veteran who during the off-season purchased the assets of the Carlton Lamm-owned Dunn-Benson Motorsports team that Pearson starred with in recent years. He’s won twice in less than three weeks of competition behind the wheel of Labonte’s Lifelong Locks-sponsored No. 44.

Of course, it’s not like Pearson has had to make any significant adjustments since joining forces with Labonte.

“I tell everybody that I just changed colors, numbers and owners,” said Pearson, the defending champion of the prestigious UMP DIRTcar Racing-sanctioned World 100 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. “We’re still using the same truck, trailer and cars that I used last year, and we kept the same crew. They all do their jobs and are good at them.”

Pearson started from the pole position in Monday’s main, but after leading laps 1-2 he was overtaken by the rim-riding McCreadie. On lap six, however, Pearson hugged the inside of the half-mile oval to move back in front for good.

With the race running caution-free from start to finish, Pearson pulled away from McCreadie with virtual ease. He lapped all but the top-eight finishers in the event.

“I was worried about McCreadie because he’s always good here on the top,” said Pearson, who drove a MasterSbilt car powered by a Larry Wallace-built engine. “But when you get that many guys running up there the cushion moves so far out, and that makes the inside the place to be if you can run down there.

“Fortunately I could stay right in the moisture (on the inside), but we set the car up to do that. That’s my power point.”

McCreadie, who started second in Carl Myers’s Sweeteners Plus Rocket No. 39, was no match for the fleet Pearson.

“I was too tight (handling) everywhere,” said McCreadie, who recorded the overall fastest time (16.395 seconds) of the night’s eight “group” qualifying sessions. “But Earl was just so good tonight. He was definitely tough to beat.

“If we can get a little bit better, though, we’ll have some fun out there with him the rest of the week.”

With 92 cars on hand, heat winners were Pearson, McCreadie, Babb, Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va., Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., Shaver, Patrick Sheltra of Indiantown, Fla., and Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill. The B-Mains were captured by Scott James of Bright, Ind., Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky., Eddie Carrier Jr. of Salt Rock, W.Va., and Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark.

Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y., crossed the finish line first in the second B-Main, but he was disqualified after his Gypsum Express No. 19 weighed in light post-race.

NASCAR Nextel Cup and Busch Series standout Clint Bowyer was on hand driving the Richard Childress Racing Late Model normally steered by Dale McDowell, who is now heading up the in-house RCR Driver Development Program. Bowyer started fifth in his fifth, but failed to qualify for the feature.

UMP Late Model action continues at Volusia on Feb. 13, 14 and 16. The 360 OTC World of Outlaws Late Model Series takes center stage on Feb. 15 and 17.

UMP DIRTcar Racing Late Model Feature Finish (30 laps):

1. Earl Pearson Jr.

2. Tim McCreadie

3. Shannon Babb

4. Chub Frank

5. Steve Shaver

6. Scott James

7. Josh Richards

8. Steve Francis

9. Rick Eckert

10. Justin Ratliff

11. Don O’Neal

12. Clint Smith

13. Michael England

14. Patrick Sheltra

15. Eddie Carrier Jr.

16. Mike Balzano

17. Darrell Lanigan

18. Dennis Erb Jr.

19. Jeep VanWormer

20. Wayne Chinn

21. Ricky Arms

22. Billy Moyer

23. Shane Clanton

24. Ronny Lee Hollingsworth

DNQ: Garrett Durrett, Terry English, Vic Coffey, Mark Anderson, Dan Stone, C.J. Rayburn, Jason McBride, Homer Leonard, Jimmy Mars, Chris Wall, Billy Decker, Chris Hackett, John Tindall, Jeff Alsip, Tory Erickson, Darren Miller, Tim Fuller, Clint Bowyer, Matt Miller, Brian Claudnic, Larry Perry Jr., James Echols, Joe Denby, Jonathan Davenport, John Blankenship, Mike Marler, Duke Whiseant, Johnny Johnson, Christian Rayburn, Roy Mitchell, Stacy Boles, Ivedent Lloyd, Bub McCool, Greg Johnson, Austin Dillon, Chuck Julien, Mike Hammerle, Terry Casey, Damon Eller, Ricky Elliott, Jackie Boggs, Adam Hensel, J.O. Nobles, Rodney Kiker, Don Mihelich, Brandon Kinzer, Steve Sheppard Jr., Freddy Smith, Jake Redetzke, Mike Mataragas, Tim Manville, Jerry Rice, Sherry Heckenast, Mike Amell, Kenny Pettyjohn, Wendell Wallace, Jordan Bland, Greg Oliver, Josh McGuire, Mike Williams, Jeff Smith, Kenny Adams

No Stopping Steve Arpin: Canadian Wins Fourth Straight UMP Modified Feature Of DIRTcar Nationals At Volusia

BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 10, 2007 – Can anyone stop Steve Arpin?

The Canadian star continued his joyride through the 36^th annual DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Mopar Speedshop on Saturday night, winning his fourth consecutive UMP DIRTcar Racing Modified feature at Volusia Speedway Park.

Arpin, 23, of Fort Frances, Ont., blitzed the field in the fifth race of the eight that make up Volusia’s annual UMP Modified meet. He steered quickly from the fifth starting spot to the lead in the 20-lap event and never looked back, showing as much dominance as he had all week.

Brad Waits of Zumbrota, Minn., finished a distant second, followed by Scott Weber of Festus, Mo., Lee Hobbs of Bedford, Ind., and Brian Strand of Bemidji, Minn.

The victory gave Arpin six wins in seven starts this month in Florida, including his sweep of the double-feature North Florida Winternationals on Feb. 2-3 at North Florida Speedway in Lake City. His only blemish remains a fourth-place finish in the DIRTcar Nationals opener on Feb. 6.

Arpin, who maintains a residence in Rochester, Minn., explains his rousing success in simple terms.

“We haven’t had much to do on the car,” he said of his No. 00 after his latest triumph. “You know that when a Larry Shaw Race Car comes out of the trailer it’s perfect, so we’ve just tweaked and tuned on it all week. It’s performed flawlessly.”

The checkered-flag outburst has already made Arpin’s winter trip to the Sunshine State a financial winner. He estimated that it would cost him roughly $7,000 to spend nearly three weeks racing in Florida, and with his $1,000 score on Saturday night his earnings are already pushing $8,000.

Arpin is also cruising toward the DIRTcar Nationals UMP Modified points title. With three events remaining he holds a 44-point edge (394-350) over Strand and 68-point bulge over Joey Kramer of Hanover, Ind.

Kramer entered Saturday night’s action tied with Strand for second in the point standings, 36 markers behind Arpin, after consecutive runner-up finishes. But he lost considerable ground thanks to a last-lap incident that left him with a 17^th-place finish.

Kramer, who started 15^th, was battling for the sixth spot on the final circuit when he made contact with Adam Pierson of Fairlee, Vt., knocking Pierson out of shape. Kramer was put back to 17^th in the final rundown while Pierson was credited with a sixth-place finish.

A field of 55 UMP Modifieds was on hand for the program – the division’s largest turnout of the DIRTcar Nationals to date.

For more information on UMP DIRTcar Racing or the DIRTcar Nationals, visit www.umpracing.com or www.volusiaspeedwaypark.com.

UMP DIRTcar Racing Modified Feature Finish (20 laps):

1. Steve Arpin

2. Brad Waits

3. Scott Weber

4. Lee Hobbs

5. Brian Strand

6. Adam Pierson

7. Blake Jetvig

8. Charlie McNichol

9. Dave Groves

10. Shawn Peterson

11. Kevin Adams

12. Steve Johnson

13. Bruce Takash

14. Mike Spatola

15. David Cain

16. Austin Dillon

17. Joey Kramer

18. David McWilliams

19. Shane Williams

20. Jesse Snyder

21. Tom Seets Sr.

22. Jeff Sharp

23. Gary Clark

24. Ray Walsh

DNQ: Jerry Muenster, Mark Dotson, Phil Sturm, Kevin Hupp, Darrell Lowe, Julie McDermid, Aaron Ogle, Mike Wilson, Rick Scott, Gary Brooks, J.E. Stadler, Arlan Coy, Cory Seckerson, Scotty Owens, Randy Owens, Brad Miller, Bill Tuckwell, Mike Lewis, David Ostrander, Vance Wilson, Ed Lenhardt, Jared Hawkins, Chad Evans, Bruce Bellard, Todd Ferber, Charley Phillips, Benji Lacrosse, Ron Barker, Gabe Menser, Scotty Kincaid, Shon Flanery

DIRTcar Nationals UMP Modified Point Standings (after 5 of 8 events):

1. Steve Arpin 394

2. Brian Strand 350

3. Joey Kramer 326

4. Brad Waits 300

5. Lee Hobbs 290

6. Ray Walsh 288

7. David McWilliams 266

8. Kevin Adams 258

9. Mark Dotson 248

10. Kenny Wallace 240

11. Vance Wilson 236

12. Tom Seets Sr. 230

13. Ron Barker 212

14. Gabe Menser 210

15. Gary Clark 206

15. Austin Dillon 206

17. Adam Pierson 190

17. Bruce Takash 190

19. Julie McDermid 182

20. Dave Groves 140

20. Charlie McNichol 140

22. Ed Lenhardt 138

23. Jeff Mathews 136

23. Shane Williams 136

25. J.E. Stadler 132

Steve Arpin Keeps Rolling In DIRTcar Nationals At Volusia, Wins Third Straight UMP Modified Main On Friday

 BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 9, 2007 – The Steve Arpin Express rolled along on Friday night at Volusia Speedway Park. 

Continuing his domination of UMP DIRTcar Racing Modified action this month, Fort Frances, Ont.’s Arpin made Friday’s 25-lap feature his third straight victory of the 36^th annual DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Mopar Speedshop. 

Arpin, 23, earned $2,000 for the extra-distance triumph – his fifth overall in six starts since making the over 1,500-mile trek to Florida from his residence in Rochester, Minn., one week ago. He also swept both nights of the North Florida Winternationals on Feb. 2-3 at North Florida Speedway in Lake City. 

With a fourth-place in the DIRTcar Nationals opener on Feb. 6 being his only loss so far in the Sunshine State, Arpin has earned a total of nearly $7,000 in one week of UMP Modified action. 

Arpin’s Friday-night win might have been his most difficult yet. He faced serious competition from Joey Kramer of Hanover, Ind., and Mark Dotson of Cameron, Mo. 

Arpin, who started third in his Action Engineering-powered Larry Shaw Race Cars No. 00, overtook race-long pacesetter Dotson for the lead on lap 11. But a restart slip by Arpin allowed Kramer to slip in front on lap 16. 

Dotson followed Kramer by Arpin and began bidding to regain command. On lap 23, however, Dotson’s hopes ended after contact with Kramer caused him to spin, forcing him to the rear of the field. 

Arpin then seized the moment, driving by Kramer for the lead on the ensuing restart. The talented Canadian paced the final two circuits to extend his win streak and pad his DIRTcar Nationals points edge. 

Halfway through the eight-race UMP Modified meet at Volusia, Arpin holds a 36-point advantage (314-278) over Kramer and Brian Strand of Bemidji, Minn., who are tied for second. 

Kramer settled for his second consecutive runner-up finish, several car lengths behind Arpin. 

Dave Groves of Morgantown, W.Va., finished third, followed by David Cain of Corcoran, Minn., and Lee Hobbs of Bedford, Ind. All three drivers registered their first top-five finishes of the DIRTcar Nationals. 

Finishing sixth was North Carolina’s Austin Dillon, the 16-year-old grandson of NASCAR team owner Richard Childress. It was the teenager’s first top 10 run of the week. 

For more information on UMP DIRTcar Racing or the DIRTcar Nationals, visit www.umpracing.com or www.volusiaspeedwaypark.com. 

UMP DIRTcar Racing Modified Feature Finish (25 laps): 

1. Steve Arpin

2. Joey Kramer

3. Dave Groves

4. David Cain

5. Lee Hobbs

6. Austin Dillon

7. Ed Lenhardt

8. Brian Strand

9. David McWilliams

10. Shane Williams

11. Mark Dotson

12. Chad Evans

13. J.E. Stadler

14. Gabe Menser

15. Scotty Kincaid

16. Bruce Takash

17. Vance Wilson

18. Don Kiger

19. Kevin Adams

20. Ray Walsh

21. Gary Clark

22. Tom Seets Sr.

23. Julie McDermid

24. Brad Waits

DNQ: Scotty Owens, Jeff Sharp, Jerry Muenster, Bruce Bellard, Mike Lewis, David Ostrander, Blake Jetvig, Mike Spatola, Mike Phillips, Todd Ferber, Kenny Wallace, Brad Miller, Jeff Mathews, Jared Hawkins, Aaron Ogle, Greg Vandergriff, Shon Daughtrey, Adam Pearson, Benji Lacrosse, Ron Barker, Shawn Peterson, Roger Moser, Arlan Coy, Steve Johnson, Rick Scott, Randy Owens

DIRTcar Nationals UMP Modified Point Standings (after 4 of 8 events):

1. Steve Arpin 314

2. Joey Kramer 278

2. Brian Strand 278

4. Ray Walsh 254

5. Kenny Wallace 240

6. Mark Dotson 238

7. Vance Wilson 226

8. Brad Waits 222

9. David McWilliams 220

10. Lee Hobbs 216

11. Ron Barker 202

12. Gabe Menser 200

13. Kevin Adams 198

14. Tom Seets Sr. 190

15. Julie McDermid 172

16. Gary Clark 170

17. Austin Dillon 156

18. Jeff Mathews 136

19. Bruce Takach 134

20. Ed Lenhardt 128

21. Don Kiger 126

22. Jake Hawkins 122

22. J.E. Stadler 122

24. Adam Pearson 120

25. Roger Moser 114

It’s Steve Arpin Again In Thursday’s DIRTcar Nationals UMP Modified Action At Volusia

BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 8, 2007 - Steve Arpin is scrawling his name all over the 2007 UMP DIRTcar Racing Modified action in Florida.

The product of Fort Frances, Ont., ran his February performance record in the Sunshine State to four wins in five starts with a victory in Thursday night’s 20-lap event during the 36^th annual DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Mopar Speedshop at Volusia Speedway Park.

Arpin, 23, was triumphant for the second straight night of DIRTcar Nationals UMP Modified competition. He previously swept the two-race UMP Mod card during the North Florida Winternationals on Feb. 2-3 at North Florida Speedway in Lake City, so his fourth-place finish in Tuesday night’s DIRTcar Nationals opener is the only blemish on his ledger.

Clearly, the 22-hour, 1,500-mile-plus haul that Arpin made from his residence in Rochester, Minn., to race in Florida is paying off.

An entrant in Volusia’s DIRTcar Nationals for the fourth straight year, Arpin has stamped himself as the favorite to win the points title of the eight-race meet for UMP Modifieds. He took over the points lead from NASCAR Nextel Cup and Busch Series veteran Kenny Wallace, whose fifth-place finish on Thursday was his third top-five finish in-a-row while moonlighting as a dirt-track racer at Volusia.

Arpin did have to work a bit harder for his latest checkered flag. He spent much of the distance battling to take the lead away from Joey Kramer of Hanover, Ind.

Finally, with five laps remaining, Arpin slid his Action Engineering-powered Larry Shaw Race Cars No. 00 by Kramer to assume command for good.

Kramer settled for second place, his best finish of the week. Kevin Adams of Cameron, Wis., finished third, followed by Mark Dotson of Cameron, Mo., and St. Louis, Mo., native Kenny Wallace.

Forty-six cars were entered in the night’s UMP Modified action, which continues through Feb. 13 at the half-mile oval.

UMP DIRTcar Racing Modified Feature Finish (20 laps):

 

1. Steve Arpin

2. Joey Kramer

3. Kevin Adams

4. Mark Dotson

5. Kenny Wallace

6. Ray Walsh

7. Ron Barker

8. Brian Strand

9. Bruce Takash

10. Brad Waits

11. Don Kiger

12. Roger Moser

13. Vance Wilson

14. Shon Flanery

15. Gabe Menser

16. Jake Hawkins

17. Gary Clark

18. Austin Dillon

19. Tom Seets Sr.

20. Julie McDermid

21. Ed Lenhardt

22. David McWilliams

23. Todd Ferber

24. Lee Hobbs

Canadian Steve Arpin Outruns Kenny Wallace For Wednesday UMP DIRTcar Racing Modified Victory At Volusia 

BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 7, 2007 – Steve Arpin’s excellent winter adventure to Florida continued on Wednesday night. 

The native of Fort Frances, Ont., extended his Sunshine State tear to Volusia Speedway Park, capturing the second 20-lap UMP DIRTcar Racing Modified feature of the 36^th annual DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Mopar Speedshop. 

It was the third win in four Florida UMP Modified starts for Arpin, who started his trip south by sweeping both nights of the North Florida Winternationals on Feb. 2-3 at North Florida Speedway in Lake City. He finished fourth in Volusia’s DIRTcar Nationals opener on Tuesday. 

Arpin, 23, used his experience racing at the half-mile, D-shaped oval – this is the fourth consecutive year he’s entered the DIRTcar Nationals, and he owns several wins at Volusia – to outrun NASCAR Nextel Cup and Busch Series veteran Kenny Wallace to the checkered flag. 

Wallace, coming off a victory in the previous night’s DIRTcar Nationals opener for the UMP Modifieds, grabbed the lead at the start. But Arpin overtook the popular Midwesterner early in the distance and never looked back, pulling away to a convincing win in his Larry Shaw-built No. 00. 

Wallace settled for runner-up money with his St. Louis Cardinals-schemed No. 36, keeping him in the points lead after two of eight DIRTcar Nationals events for the UMP Modifieds. The open-wheel division runs every night at Volusia through Feb. 13. 

Ray Walsh of St. Louis, Mo., finished third, followed by Ron Barker of Dubuque, Iowa, and Gary Clark of Walker, Mo. 

Forty-eight cars were entered in the evening’s action.

 Among the new additions to the UMP Modified field on Wednesday night was 16-year-old Austin Dillon, the grandson of NASCAR team owner Richard Childress. Racing a car from the RCR Driver Development Program stable under the watchful eye of 360 OTC World of Outlaws Late Model Series standout Dale McDowell, Dillon finished 20^th in the A-Main. 

For more information on UMP DIRTcar Racing or the DIRTcar Nationals, visit www.umpracing.com or www.volusiaspeedwaypark.com. 

UMP DIRTcar Racing Modified Feature Finish (20 laps):

1. Steve Arpin

2. Kenny Wallace

3. Ray Walsh

4. Ron Barker

5. Gary Clark

6. Brian Strand

7. Kevin Adams

8. Mark Dotson

9. David McWilliams

10. Joey Kramer

11. Vance Wilson

12. Jeff Mathews

13. Brad Waits

14. Jake Hawkins

15. Steve Johnson

16. Adam Pearson

17. Gabe Menser

18. Charlie McNichol

19. Lee Hobbs

20. Austin Dillon

21. Tom Seets Sr.

22. Julie McDermid

23. Jerry Muenster

24. Dan Ostrander 

DNQ: Shane Williams, Roger Moser, Brett Chilsom, Shon Flanery, Aaron Ogle, Bruce Bellard, Phil Sturm, Mike Phillips, Chad Evans, Mike Spatola, Don Kiger, Billy Palmer, Brad Miller, Rick Scott, Mike Lewis, Gary Brooks, Ed Lenhardt, Scotty Kincaid, Dennis Richards, Blake Jetvig, J.E. Stadler, Joe Devall, Todd Ferber, Benji Lacrosse

TIM DOHM claims Night 3 of EAST BAY Winternationals

NASCAR Veteran Kenny Wallace Captures UMP Modified Feature On Opening Night Of DIRTcar Nationals At Volusia 

BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 6, 2007 – The Hermanator had some fun in the dirt Tuesday night at Volusia Speedway Park. 

NASCAR Nextel Cup and Busch Series veteran Kenny Wallace shined on opening night of the 36^th annual DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Mopar Speedshop, scoring a flag-to-flag triumph in the 20-lap UMP DIRTcar Racing Modified feature.

 Wallace, 43, drove his own distinctive No. 36 Modified, which sports a paint scheme honoring his beloved St. Louis Cardinals baseball club. He plans to enter the seven remaining UMP Modified events of the DIRTcar Nationals (nightly through Feb. 13) unless his Nextel Cup and Busch Series commitments at Daytona International Speedway alter his schedule. 

“It’s so much fun racing on dirt,” the always energetic Wallace said in Victory Lane. “With the Cup and Busch Series, the cars are so fast, there’s not much you can do. You’re just along for the ride. But on dirt, you gotta drive it, and that’s fun.” 

Wallace, who expects to make nearly two dozen Modified and more than 15 dirt Late Model starts in between his NASCAR racing in 2007, took a congratulatory cell-phone call during the post-race ceremonies from fellow NASCAR standout and Missouri native Kenny Schrader. Schrader was also racing on dirt on Tuesday night, competing on the other side of the state in the Dirt Late Model Winternationals at East Bay Raceway. 

“He’s racing with the Late Models,” Wallace said of his buddy Schrader. “I’m here winning with the Modifieds.”

 The victory was Wallace’s first ever in UMP Modified competition at Volusia Speedway Park, but he had previously experienced the glory of a checkered flag at the half-mile, D-shaped oval. He won a NASCAR Busch Series 200 at the track in 1991, when the speedway was paved. 

Wallace, whose heat-race win earned him a front-row starting spot for the feature, was never seriously challenged. He crossed the finish line ahead of Oconto Falls, Wis.’s Julie McDermid, whose second-place run was her career-best in DIRTcar Nationals UMP Modified action. 

McDermid, who celebrated her 25^th birthday on Feb. 4, is using the UMP Modified events in Florida to make her return to the driver’s seat. She was sidelined for much of the 2006 season after suffering a back injury and subsequently undergoing surgery. 

Brian Strand of Bemidji, Minn., finished third, followed by Steve Arpin of Fort Frances, Ont., and Brad Waits of Zumbrota, Minn. 

Forty-nine cars were entered in the first of eight consecutive nights of UMP Modified racing during the DIRTcar Nationals. 

For more information on UMP DIRTcar Racing or the DIRTcar Nationals, visit www.umpracing.com or www.volusiaspeedwaypark.com. 

UMP DIRTcar Racing Modified Feature Finish (20 laps): 

1. Kenny Wallace

2. Julie McDermid

3. Brian Strand

4. Steve Arpin

5. Brad Waits

6. Tom Seets Sr.

7. Lee Hobbs

8. Ray Walsh

9. Vance Wilson

10. Joey Kramer

11. Jeff Mathews

12. Joe Duvall

13. David McWilliams

14. Todd Ferber

15. Adam Pearson

16. Ron Barker

17. Gabe Menser

18. J.E. Stadler

19. Chad Evans

20. Mike Spatola

21. Mark Dotson

22. Benji Lacrosse

23. Roger Moser

24. Brad Miller 

DNQ: Shane Williams, Billy Palmer, Ed Lenhardt, Steve Johnson, Shon Flanery, Charlie McNichol, David Ostrander, Blake Jetvig, Aaron Ogle, Kevin Adams, Brett Chilsom, Vic Vandergrift, Kevin Huff, Don Kiger, Mike Lewis, Scotty Kincaid, Bruce Bellard, Darrel Herbert, Dennis Richards, Bruce Takach, Jerry Muenster, Phil Sturm, Gary Clark, Jake Hawkens, Mike Phillips

by: Terry Young

Earl Pearson delivered the first win to Bobby Labonte for the newly formed team which he will drive for this 2007 season. In addition, despite several national championships over the last few seasons, this was also the first win in Pearson's homestate at the East Bay Raceway as the Lucas Oil Late Model Series completed night 2 of the 31st Annual EAST BAY Winternationals.

Pearson took the Life Long Locks, LUCAS Oil, Mopar ponied, Hoosier Racing Tire shod, Sunoco fueled Mastersbilt Chassis from his pole starting berth to the win in the 30 lap $5,000.00 to win A-Main event.

90 entries signed in for qualifying efforts and when the qualifying had ended it was Illinois native Billy Drake who emerged with the Life Long Locks Fast Time honors.
Drake would spin a 3 on the wheel of fortune sending the fastest three qualifiers in each heat in inversion.

Heat races were won by Shannon Babb from the fifth slot over Donnie Moran, Terry Casey from the fourth slot over Anthony White, Matt Miller over Steve Casebolt, Pearson, Jr. over Dennis Erb, Jr. from the sixth position, Dan Schlieper from hole number four over Billy Moyer, Steve Francis also from the fourth starting slot over Damon Eller, Don O'Neal over Josh McGuire and Ricky Arms over Dean Carpenter.

Consi events were claimed by Josh Richards over Jimmy Mars, Terry English over Scott James, Steve Shaver ahead of Tim Dohm and Patrick Sheltra over Chuck Harper.

The strawberry dash would see Rick Eckert take the flag and the entry into the 30 lap A-main.

Feature action was plagued by caution after caution and seen the Delaware double file restarts set to the side after lap 4 and the 4th caution .

Following Pearson to the flag were Steve Francis, Ricky Arms, Don O'Neal, Shannon Babb, Dan Schlieper, Matt Miller, Josh Richards, Anthony White and Donnie Moran rounding out the top 10.

Feature Finish 30 Lap A-Main $5,000.00 to WIN
Starting position in parenthesis
1. (1) Earl Pearson
2. (3) Steve Francis
3. (4) Ricky Arms
4. (7) Don O'Neal
5. (6) Shannon Babb
6. (5) Dan Schlieper
7. (8) Matt Miller
8. (17) Josh Richards
9. (10) Anthony White
10. (9) Donnie Moran
11. (18) Terry English
12. (25) Rick Eckert
13. (15) Josh McGwire
14. (19) Steve Shaver
15. (24) Chuck Harper
16. (20) Patrick Sheltra
17. (14) Damon Eller
18. (16) Dean Carpenter
19. (23) Tim Dohm
20. (2) Terry Casey
21. (11)  Steve Casebolt
22. (22) Scott James
23. (13) Billy Moyer
24. (12) Dennis Erb
25. (21) Jimmy Mars

LAKE CITY, Fla. (Feb. 4) -- So far, so good for Steve Arpin 

After a 21-hour, 1,400-mile haul to Lake City, Fla., from his residence in Rochester, Minn., Arpin got his 2007 season off to a perfect start as he swept both nights of the inaugural North Florida Winternationals at the North Florida Speedway. For his efforts, the 23-year-old Modified racer from Fort Frances, Ont., Canada, pocketed $2,500 behind the wheel of his familiar No. 00 Larry Shaw Modified powered by Action Engineering.

 Arpin earned the outside front row starting spot for Friday's main event by virtue of coming from the third row to win his heat race. Missouri's Gary Clark paced the first three circuits from the pole before relinquishing the lead to the hard-charging Arpin. Arpin went unchallenged for the remaining 22 laps to pocket the $800 top prize, while fellow O'Reilly Auto Parts United States Modified Series competitors Mike Wedelstadt and Julie McDermid finished second and third.

 On Saturday, Arpin had his work cut out for him with a third-row start for the 25-lap finale at the 3/8-mile clay oval. He was up to the task, however, as he picked his way through the field and grabbed the lead on lap 10. From there, Arpin was never headed as he led Dave McWilliams, Wedelstadt and Wisconsin's Buzzy Adams to the checkered flag and a $1,000 payday. 

With the sweep of the North Florida Winternationals, Arpin earned a $700 bonus to bring his weekend take to $2,500. 

Arpin's fourth straight year of chasing checkered flags in Florida will continue at the Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla., as the Modifieds will battle for eight consecutive nights from Feb. 6-13. The first seven evenings will be topped by 20-lap features, with a 30-lap Championship event bringing the meet to an end on Tues., Feb. 13. The Speedweeks saga continues Feb. 14-17 at the East Bay Raceway Park in Gibsonton, Fla., where big money is the lure for Arpin and dozens of other Modified racers from across the United States. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, the main event winner will pocket $1,500 while Saturday's victor will pocket a cool $8,000. 

Arpin has tasted success during past Speedweeks events, including numerous feature wins at Volusia. Last season, Arpin claimed a Carolina Clash Series win at Brunswick, Ga., as well as topping the Young Guns Shootout in Savannah, Ga. 

Upon his return home, Arpin will get ready for 1st Annual Race Wise Chassis Seminar with Mark Bush in Rochester, Minn., March 2-4.

 For 2007, Arpin is piloting a pair of brand new Modifieds on a Larry Shaw chassis as he seeks to pad his ever-glowing resumé. Both Modifieds will adorn the familiar No. 00 with power provided by Action Engineering of Rochester, Minn. Other sponsors helping to put Arpin into victory lane in 2007 include New Vision Graphics, BSB Manufacturing, Bassett Racing Wheels, Fast Shafts, Cornwell Tools (dealer Tyler Rubin of Rochester, Minn.), Hess Technology, Pinewood Sports and Reich Concrete. Arpin is also welcoming aboard new sponsors for this year's campaign, including Comp Cams, Valvoline, Dyers Rods and Schoenfeld Headers. 

Beginning March 9-10 at the Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Neb., Arpin will begin his quest for the O'Reilly USMTS national championship. More than 60 dates are expected on this year's O'Reilly USMTS calendar. In September, 2006, Arpin captured his career-first O'Reilly USMTS main event win with a thrilling victory at the 8th Annual Featherlite Fall Jamboree at the Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minn. 

For more information about Steve Arpin, visit his website at www.stevearpinracing.com.