00 GAZ Template (Page 1)

2015 SEASON PREVIEW
Bernadette
Griffith:
Age is no limit
Rusty Smith:
Staying closer
to home
April 22nd, 2015
2
April 22, 2015
Chenango Speedway to build
off success from last year
BY PATRICK NEWELL
SUN SPORTS EDITOR
[email protected]
NORWICH – Nearly
every type of vehicle with
a motor has competed on
the Chenango County
Fairgrounds in the fair's
long history.
Tractor pulls and the
demolition derby have
served as staple attractions during fair week,
but new attractions,
microd and lawnmower
racing, made successful
debuts last year, and will
be back again this summer.
Microd racing, geared
toward children 15-andunder, has grown by leaps
and bounds in Central
New York over the past
20 years; however, just
one track within a 30mile radius of Chenango
County - in Triangle offered weekly racing.
Dale Mudge, a member
of the Chenango County
fair board, visited the
Triangle track with his
daughter several years
ago, and came away
impressed with the effi-
ciency of the operation,
as well as the cooperative
teamwork of volunteers
and the all-around family
atmosphere.
"The racing was awesome to see," Mudge
said.
Early last year, Mudge
conceived the idea of
bringing microd racing to
the Chenango County
Fair. It would be a huge
undertaking from getting
fair board approval, gathering sponsors, designing
the track, and then placing proper safety barriers
around track’s borders.
Plus, like the Triangle
track, volunteers were
needed for flagmen, scoring, announcing, and a
number of other functions. Knowing he may
have been out of his
breadth in organizing the
new track, Mudge assembled a committee for
what would become the
Chenango Speedway.
"It's a committee of
family members and
members of the microd
track in Triangle," Mudge
said. "We came up with
all of the details about the
racing, the divisions,
number of laps... ."
Mudge also said that
the microd committee is
now operating independent of the Chenango
County Fair, that way it
could independent seek
out sponsors and avoid
the "double dipping" with
sponsors of the fair itself.
Perhaps the most significant and positive
development from this
first year of racing was
the donation to the MakeA-Wish
Foundation.
Southern Tier Mower
Sports, the local organization that oversees lawnmower racing, brought
that charitable element to
Chenango Speedway.
As a complement to the
microd racing, STMS
picks a cause in which to
donate funds through
proceeds of its races, and
it chose the Make-AWish Foundation last
year. Mudge and his committee jumped on that
bandwagon, and all told,
$1,600 was raised. The
monies received benefited the Collison family,
who had a backyard cas-
168TH ANNUAL • AUGUST 11th-16 th 2015
DEMOLITION
DERBY
Sunday
August 16th
East Main St., Norwich, NY • 607-334-9198
ale Mudge, president of Chenango Speedway, hands out awards to Troy
Braman, Brianna Fowlston, and Zoe Patterson after last year’s debut appearance of microd racing at the Chenango County Fair. This year’s races are
scheduled fair week on Friday, Aug. 14.
D
tle with a swing constructed for their special
needs daughter.
"We felt that was an
excellent idea," Mudge
said.
Chenango
Welding
Supply donated a welder
and impact gun for a raffle with total proceeds
equalling $1,100.
The first-year event at
the fair had no shortage
of sponsors, and a number of organizations participated in give-aways
the day of the race.
Norwich
Outdoor
Equipment and Shears
Express in Oneonta were
particularly valuable contributors, especially in the
storage of materials for
the track set-up.
Jim Fowlston Jr. of
Norwich is among the
board members on the
Chenango Speedway. A
parent of two microd racers himself – and a third
who will start racing
when she is old enough –
Fowlston was one of the
people Mudge enlisted in
the start-up process.
Fowlston has the
hands-on knowledge of
week-to-week
microd
racing, and he talked
about the close-knit
nature of the families participating.
“Everyone
gets along (at Triangle)
and everyone is there to
give a helping hand if
another person needs it,”
Fowlston said.
The
family-first
approach was the allure
for Mudge as it’s a key
component to racing at
the Triangle-based track,
and it’s the biggest reason
why the sport continues
to grow. Although there
were a couple of glitches
in the first year of races,
Fowlston expects to see
big improvements for the
second year of racing at
the fair, scheduled Friday,
Aug. 14.
“We know what happened last year, and plan
on fixing those things,”
Fowlston said, noting
improvements will be
made in the smoothness
of the track, along with
mixing up the racing program. “Being the first
year, no one knew how
things would turn out.
But now we know where
things needed to be
fixed.”
And with those fixes,
expect
racing
at
Chenango Speedway to
remain a fixture at the
Chenango County Fair
for years to come.
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3
Kyle Button
April 22, 2015
18
Driver name: Kyle Button
Car number: 18
Parents or spouse name: Eric and Jessica Button
Email address: [email protected]
Website (if applicable): www.buttonracing.weebly.com
Hometown: Chenango Forks
Occupation (or school): Greene Central School
Hobbies: Soccer, Fishing, Hunting, Camping
Number of years racing: 3; Class/division: TC-Cammer
Chassis model/year: 2015
Sponsors: T&K Harrington LLC., Lilley Farms Feeds & Needs, Molly
Nolan-Century 21 Sbarra and Wells, Beaver Bobs Meat Processing
Most memorable moments as driver: Winning the 2013 Finger Lakes
MicRod Club Championship Race
Career highlights, titles or victories: 2013 Championship Race, 3rd in
points
Career wins: 2013: 5 Wins 2014: 4 Wins
Tracks you race at: Tri-County MicRod Club
Favorite driver or mentor: Patti Simpson, Howell 04 IMCA Dirt Racer.
Mike Grover
688
Name: Mike Grover
Racing #: 688
Parents: Bobbie and Tom Grover
Email: [email protected]
Web: Facebook.com/Gearheadcycleshop
Hometown: Sherburne NY
Occupation: Owner of Gearhead Cycles
Number of years raced: 12
Class: 250 B, Open B, Collegeboy, plus 25 B
Model/year: 2014 KX250F
Sponsors: Gearhead Cycles, Grover's Auto Service,
Sherburne Sports
Memorable moments: First place NY State
Championship Plus 25B in 2014
Wins: 17 first places finishes
Tracks: Broome-Tioga, Unadilla, Thunder Ridge,
Frozen Oceans, Royal Mountain, Motomasters,
Favorite Rider: Justin Barcia
Brandon Clapperton
XX
Driver's name: Brandon Clapperton
Car number: XX
Spouse/Children: Girlfriend- Morgan
email address: [email protected]
Hometown: Sidney
Occupation: self employed contractor
Hobbies other than racing: fishing
Number of years racing: 14
Racing division: Empire Sport
Trucks
Chassis Model/year: 1987 Ford Ranger
Racing Sponsors: Chambers & O'Hara, Alpine
Roofing, Clapperton Carpentry
Career highlights, racing titles, victories: 2014
Thunder Mountain Speedway Track Champion
Career wins: 1 Wins in 2014:1
Tracks you compete at: I-88 Speedway
Thunder Mountain Speedway, Skyline Raceway,
Orange County Fair Speedway
Racing mentor or favorite driver: Tony Stewart
Adam Warner
56
Driver's name: Adam J. Warner
Car number: 56
Spouse/Children: Malcum & Carol Warner
Hometown: Middleburgh
Occupation: Top Sales & Mechanic Interstate Auto
Sales
Hobbies other than racing: Bowling
Number of years racing: 2 years
Racing division: Pro Stock
Chassis
Model/year: 2008 EMS
Racing Sponsors: Interstate Auto Sales and A & M
Towing
Career highlights, racing titles, victories: NYSSCA
and Fonda Speedway
Rookie of the Year 2014
Career wins: Soon
Wins in 2014:
Tracks you compete at: Fonda Speedway
Racing mentor or favorite driver: My Father (Malcum
S. Warner)
4
April 22, 2015
Big 2015 season planned at
Thunder Mountain
CENTER LISLE – In
the second season back
under the ownership of
Karl Spoonhower, Thunder
Mountain Speedway is
poised for a banner season
in 2015.
The season opener,
sponsored by Waymart
Building Center and
Sharkey’s Fuels, is set for
Saturday,
April
25.
Modifieds race 30 laps for
$1,992 to win, reflecting
on the year the speedway
was carved from hilltop
farmland
outside
of
Whitney Point, N.Y., some
25
miles
north
of
Binghamton.
Joining the Modifieds on
the Opening Night program are Open Sportsman,
Crate 602 Sportsman,
Rookie Sportsman (running April through June),
Street Stocks, XCel 600
Modifieds and FWD Four
Cylinders.
A year ago, Brent
Wilcox of Binghamton,
N.Y., took home a $1,992
payday at the opening
event and drove to his second career track championship. Wilcox collected
more than $5,000 at the
track’s November Awards
Banquet for his efforts in
the
headline
big-
block/small-block
Modified ranks.
Again in 2015, a minimum of $5,000 has been
posted for the Thunder
Mountain Modified champion.
And there is more. The
speedway now offers
Modified competitors the
opportunity to participate
in the $10,000 American
Racer
Southern Tier
Challenge Cup contested
between
Thunder
Mountain (Saturdays) and
neighboring
I-88
Speedway in Afton, N.Y.
on Friday nights.
The program, sponsored
by American Racer and
Lias Tire of Indiana, Pa.,
offers cash and tires during
the season and at year-end,
in addition to the posted
point funds at each track.
Also, the green money
for weekly events at the
speedway for the Modified
division has been boosted
to $150. The change goes
into effect starting with the
Season Opener.
The Open Sportsman
will compete for a $700
minimum winner’s share
each Saturday in ’15, with
second-place now offering
$400. The green money is
$100 for all events.
Additionally, American
Racer/Lias Tire will supply
six free American Racer
tires to be given away during the season. A minimum
of $1,000 has been
reserved for the ’15 Open
Sportsman track champion.
The
Crate
602
Sportsman division has
been added for the upcoming season with $400 minimum to win on a weekly
basis and a Northeast-leading $100 to take the green
flag!
Rookie Sportsman will
run from April through
June, at which point drivers will graduate into
their respective Open or
Crate 602 Sportsman division. The Rookie class
gives freshman some seat
time before joining more
experienced competitors in
the weekly classes. Rookie
points will be maintained
during the April-June
stretch.
The Street Stock division for the ’15 campaign
is sponsored by Barrett’s
Race Cars, with $500
going to the winner every
Saturday night. Other
Street Stock bonuses will
be announced throughout
the season.
Doug Borger’s XCel 600
Modifieds are now a weekly feature at both Thunder
Mountain and I-88 speedways. There will be six
“tour” events paying a
minimum of $1,000 to win
at Thunder Mountain during the season for the XCel
600 Modifieds.
The popular FWD Four
Cylinders complete the
Thunder Mountain weekly
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lineup. The Four Cylinders
will be featured in two
higher-paying events during the year.
Special events are plentiful on the ’15 schedule,
including the first ‘Small
Car Showcase’ on Sunday,
May 3, two Short Track
Super Series Fueled By HiTek Modified appearances
with the ‘Lightning on the
Mountain’ Sunday, June 28
and
Wade
Decker
Memorial on Sunday, Sept.
13 and the Lucas Oil ESS
360 Sprint Cars and CRSA
305 Sprint Cars headline
the second “Sprint Car
Saturday” program on
Saturday, Sept. 5.
For Thunder Mountain
Speedway general information and a complete
schedule, visit www.thundermtnspeedway.com.
BE A WINNER!!
57
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Dealer for Bert Transmissions
All major lines of oval track equipment
SALES & SERVICE •607-965-2111
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Tim Foote, General Sales Manager
5865 County Road 32, P.O. Box 350, Norwich, NY 13815
Phone 607-336-3113 • Fax 607-336-3118
Email: [email protected]
NEW HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 8 am-6:30 pm; Sat. 9 am-2 pm
We are not responsible for any printing errors with photos, prices and equipment.
“Licensed, pursuant to Article 11-B of the Banking Law, only for the purpose of engaging in
the business of acquiring agreements arising from retail installment sales.”
5
April 22, 2015
Malcum S. Warner
44
Driver's name: Malcum S. Warner
Car number: 44
Spouse/Children: Carol Warner, Malcum J. Warner and
Adam J. Warner
email address: [email protected]
Hometown: Schoharie Occupation: Auto Sales (Owner)
Hobbies other than racing: Gear Head
Number of years racing: Drag, Street and Dirt (Many
Years)
Racing division: Pro Stock. Chassis Model/year: 2000
Spraker
Racing Sponsors: Interstate Auto Sales
Most Memorable Moment as a driver: The crashes
Career Highlights, racing titles, victories: Racing with son
Adam. (Sometimes I let him win)
Career wins: n/a
Wins in 2014: n/a
Tracks you compete at: Fonda Speedway (The Track of
Champions)
Your racing mentor or favorite driver: Adam Warner #56
Pro Stock.
Gabe Irwin
150
Driver name: Gabe Irwin
Dirt bike #: 150
Parents: Wendy and Al Irwin.
Occupation: Student.
e-mail: [email protected]
Hometown: Sherburne, NY
Hobbies: Sports, Hunting, Fishing
Number of Years Racing: 1
Division: 12-15 Amateur
Model/Year: KTM SXS 85cc dirt bike
2014 wins: 0 Career Wins: 0
Tracks you compete at: CNY MRA tracks (Unadilla,
Broome-Tioga, Frozen Ocean, Thunder Ridge, Moto
Masters, Thunder Mountain)
Favorite Driver: Ken Roczen
Alissa Cody
21L
Driver's name: Alissa Cody
Car number: 21L
email address: [email protected]
Hometown: Cairo
Occupation: high school student
Hobbies other than racing: snowmobiling
Number of years racing: 9 years
Racing division: sportsman.
Chassis TEO Model/year: ‘06 teo
Racing Sponsors: JL Sealcoating, LBR Race Car
Bodies, K&K Gunite Pool Builders, Yvonne Best, Lutes
Family Racing.
Career highlights: Winning the 2013 rookie track
championship at accord speedway.
Racing titles: 2013 rookie track championship at
Accord speedway
Career wins: 9
Wins in 2014: 0
Tracks you compete at: Albany, Saratoga Speedway
& Lebanon Valley speedways
Racing mentor or favorite driver: John Lutes Jr.
Mark Reardon
3
Driver's name: Mark Reardon
Car number: 3
Spouse/Children: 1 daughter
email address: [email protected]
Hometown: Mohawk
Occupation: mechanic-car sales
Hobbies other than racing: Fishing-antiques
Number of years racing: 40
Racing division: Modified
Chassis
Model/year:1937chevrolet
Racing Sponsors: 4 Seasons Tire, Sanzos Auto
Repair, Fisher Auto Parts
Career highlights, racing titles, victories: over 20
wins.
Career wins: 20-plus
Wins in 2014: 2
Tracks you compete at: Latimore ValleyPa., Marion
County Fl.
Racing mentor or favorite driver: Lou Lazzaro, Wayne
Reutiman, Al Sanders.
6
April 22, 2015
After ‘walk-off grand slam,’
Smith staying closer to home
BY PATRICK NEWELL
SUN SPORTS EDITOR
[email protected]
OXFORD – For the past
three seasons, Oxford
native Rusty Smith felt like
a slave to his own success.
The price he paid for
winning was a weekly
sojourn to the Rochester
area during the summer
months
to
Spencer
Speedway – a roundtrip
each race weekend of better than five hours.
From 2012 to 2014,
Smith enjoyed the most
sustained success of his
better-than-two-decade
asphalt modified career
running
at
Spencer
Speedway in Williamson.
Racing is Smith's passion, but driving – especially a 140-mile commute
one way in order to race –
proved a grind. "A couple
weeks into the season (last
year), and we were already
burned out from the drive,"
Smith said.
Smith and his team often
talked about pulling out of
the points race at Spencer
Speedway. But in order to
that, something bad would
have to befall Smith – or
his car.
Fortunately, nothing bad
happened to Smith - nor to
his modified car - and he
continued to run at or near
the front. He won four feature races last year, and
was never out of the top
five. In three years, he had
double-digit wins, and
every single race over a
three-year span, he contended among the top six.
After a third straight
track title at Spencer
Speedway, Smith decided
he would stay closer to
home in future years. "If
you think about it, we're
leaving with a walk-off
grand slam," he said. "We
ran every lap last year, and
never finished outside of
the top five. That's an
impressive stat against the
greatest competitors in all
of New York. All of the
big-name
guys
from
Rusty Smith
Oswego to Buffalo run at
Spencer. To take that crown
three years in a row felt
good."
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Winning races is great,
but that is not the sole reason Smith straps into his
racing harness week after
week. He loves a challenge, and that's why he
decided to make a commitment to dirt track racing
this year.
Over the years he dabbled on dirt tracks, but he
could never sustain any
momentum. Less than 20
miles from Smith's home
resides one of the gems of
dirt track racing, I-88
Speedway in Afton.
After three years running at Spencer Speedway
on Fridays, Smith will now
run Fridays at I-88
Speedway on a dirt surface.
Because of the track's
proximity, he now has the
dual benefit of getting
home at a reasonable hour,
while also freeing up his
Saturday to race somewhere else.
"We really wanted to
race Saturday nights somewhere," Smith said. "There
was no way we could do
that running at Spencer and
getting home at 3 in the
morning.
"I remember looking at
the I-88 Speedway website
last year, and they already
had their results posted
before we had our feature
at Spencer. If we were running (at I-88), we'd be
home already before
Spencer Speedway finished its modified feature."
The commitment to dirt
track racing on Friday
nights will have Smith
home in bed much earlier,
but the sustained success
he enjoyed at an asphalt
driver will likely take some
time. Years of racing
against the same people
allowed Smith to accumulate knowledge of each driver's strengths and weaknesses. Because his experience against dirt modified
drivers is limited, he will
need to learn as he goes.
"We're always going into
the season with the goal of
winning a championship,"
Smith said. "We were
never set up for success
when we ran dirt races
before. We'd run two or
three weeks in a row, then
we'd have to miss some
time for the asphalt schedule. Getting into a new
class, you have to run it
weekly."
Running consistently
week in and week out,
Smith said, will help build
consistency. On a stage
where as many as 60 to 80
drivers attempt to qualify
for a modified feature, just
qualifying for the main feature at I-88 Speedway is a
victory unto itself. And
winning? "I need to
acquire the inside knowledge, and that comes from
running every week,"
Smith said. "That's something you take for granted
when you're running
against the same guys for
15 years."
That said, Smith reiterated his team is "in it to win
it," and he knows he doesn't have to win races to do
that. He just needs to place
consistently high week
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"I can't say we won't be
disappointed if we don't
win," Smith said. "We have
the resources and a car we
know we can drive. But it's
tricky. If we do finish outside the top five in points,
that would be a discouraging season for us."
Smith will also tour the
Race of Champions asphalt
modified tour, a 14-race
series running races from
Buffalo to New Jersey.
Without the move to Friday
racing in Afton, Smith and
his team could not entertain the thought of competing for the ROC points
title.
"We could only pick and
choose those races the past
three years, and you're not
going to win a points
championship
running
only two races," Smith
said. “It didn't make sense
(to run the ROC) once
you've missed a couple of
the races."
Now with his schedule
cleared and the stress of a
long drive to a track in his
rearview mirror, Smith can
focus on mastering dirt
track racing, while maintaining his typical excellence on asphalt.
"There are a lot of good
drivers over there (at I88)," Smith said. "If we
have to grind out top five
finishes, that's what we'll
have to do."
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7
April 22, 2015
2015 Five Mile Point
Speedway Schedule
Sat. April 25-Official 65th Season
Opener for Modifieds 30 laps $2,000
to win. Plus SM, SS, IMCA, LC,
Factory Stocks, Slingshots.
Tues., April 28-Racing program –
GRIT Series Crate Sportsman, RoC
Street Stocks, Slingshots, Tommy
Boy 20 for Factory Stocks and 4
Cylinder Open.
Sat., May 2- Modified Twin 20’s,
plus full weekly racing program.
Windsor Community Night – All
town residents admitted in to grandstand free with photo i.d.
Sat. May 9- No racing – spring
facility improvements and resurfacing.
Sat., May 16-Open Practice- 2
p.m.
Sun., May 17
Mod Spring
Championship $1,500 to win plus
full weekly racing program and RoC
Street
Stock
Tour.
- 4 p.m.
Saturday, May 23– Full weekly
racing
program.
Harpursville
Community Night – All town residents admitted in to grandstand free
with photo i.d.
Sat. May 30– Fan Appreciation
Night
–
FREE
Grandstand
Admission – Full weekly racing program plus ELS.
Sat., June 6–Full weekly racing
program plus Kiddie Rides and
Kirkwood Community Night –All
town residents admitted in to grandstand free with photo i.d.
Sat.,June 13–CRSA Sprint Cars
plus full weekly racing program.
Sat., June 20–Kids Bike Races
plus full weekly racing program.
Susquehanna, Pa. Community Night
– All town residents admitted in to
grandstand free with photo i.d.
Sat. , June 27– 51st Heath
Memorial for Modifieds 40 laps
$2,500 to win – plus Racer’s Reunion
BBQ.
Sat., July 4–No Racing.
Sat., July 11– Don’s Automotive
Mall “Pack the Track Night” - $2
admission night – full weekly racing
program.
Tues., July 14–DIRTCAR Super
Dirt Series 65 – plus RoC Sportsman
30 and Four Cylinder Open. (rain
date Wednesday, 7/15). 5 Greatest
Drivers to be added to all-time
Greatest 65. - 7:15 p.m.
Sat., July 18–Little Mike’s Race to
Win! - $1,000 to win IMCA
Modifieds plus weekly racing program plus ELS. Whitney Point
Community Night – All town residents admitted in to grandstand free
with photo i.d.
Sat., July 25–CRSA Sprint Cars,
Street Stocks - $1,000 to win plus
full weekly racing program.
Sat., Aug. 1-Sportsman $1,000 to
win plus full weekly racing program
and Kiddie Rides.Conklin
Community Night – All town residents admitted in to grandstand free
with photo i.d.
Sat., Aug 8– No Racing
Sat, Aug. 15–Modifieds $1,500 to
win plus full weekly racing program.
Sat., Aug. 22–CRSA Sprint Cars
plus Southern Tier Figure 8
Championship - $400 to win and
weekly racing program. (Factory
Stocks off).
Sat., Aug. 29–2015 Season
Championship Night (championship
points for all classes). Modified 50
lapper - $2,000 to win. Post race bonfire.
Sat., Sept 5–Season Championship
rain date if needed.
“The American Racer Cup
Championship Weekend” (raindate
Sunday 10/11 if needed)
Fri., Oct 9– Open Practice 5 – 7
p.m. RoC Sportsman $2,000 to win,
IMCA Empire State Series,
Slingshots,
American Racer Cup Sportsman
Dash – 15 laps $1,000 to win.- 7:45
p.m.
Sat., Oct. 10 Modified 50 plus
Tobias SpdSTR’s Tour, RoC Dirt
Street Stocks, Slingshot National
and 4 Cylinder Open. Mods Min.
$5,000 to win $500 to take the green.
American Racer Cup Modified Dash
– 15 laps $2,000 to win.- tba
National Quarter Mile Dirt Track
Championship Weekend
Fri., Oct 30 RoC Dirt Sportsman
100 Tour Finale $2,555 to win. 7:15 p.m. RaceSaver 305 Sprint
Quarter Mile Nationals – $1,000 to
win plus Factory Stocks.
Sat. 10/31* RoC Dirt Modified
Tour Finale – Southern Tier 100 for
Mods - $5,555 to win - tba and RoC
Street Stock Championship – $2,000
to win and 4 Cylinder Cat Open.
GRIT Crate Series Championship.
(rain date Sun. 11/1).
Decker set to defend
Super DIRTcar title
WEEDSPORT– Super
DIRTcar
Big-Block
Modified Series champion Billy Decker will begin
his title defense at the
Highbank Holdup on
Saturday, April 25, at
Fulton Speedway.
"We've been gaining
races back in the series,"
Decker said. "I think more
races at a lot of tracks is a
good thing. It's nice to see
DIRTcar take them on. In
recent years, you couldn't
afford to have a bad race
and still compete for the
championship."
Decker earned the 2014
Super DIRTcar Series
crown by a six points over
Matt
Sheppard
of
Waterloo. Decker competes weekly on Fulton's
3/8-mile clay high banks
in the Gypsum Racing
No. 91, but he doesn't feel
that affords him a significant edge.
"I don't think the Fulton
regulars will have any real
advantage," Decker said.
"The top runners in the
series are all capable of
adjusting to any track
conditions. It will be
springtime racing."
Sheppard won three
consecutive titles in 20102012, and begins his third
season as a teammate to
Jimmy
Phelps
at
Weedsport-based HeinkeBaldwin Racing. New
Jersey's Brett Hearn, an
eight-time series champion with 861 career victories, and Stewart Friesen,
a three-time NAPA Super
DIRT Week Syracuse 200
winner, will also be
among the large field of
Big-Block
Modifieds
anticipated for the Fulton
opener,
which
also
includes the first race of
the DIRTcar Sportsman
Modified Series season.
One of the most versatile
drivers in the Northeast,
Friesen will be taking his
first shot at a series championship by racing the
series full-time in 2015.
As the event takes
shape on Saturday night at
Fulton, two key partners
will play a big role. The
first 12 positions on the
Highbank Holdup 100
starting grid will be set
during the Dig Safely NY
811 redraw following
qualifying heats, and the
driver clocking the fastest
lap in time trials will
receive the Pole Position
Raceway Fast Time
Award ($100).
"Dig Safely NY 811
and
Pole
Position
Raceway have been
ROLLING ANTIQUER’S OLD CAR CLUB
50th Anniversary
& Flea Market
Chenango County Fairgrounds - 168 East Main St., Norwich, NY 13815
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND 2015
SATURDAY, MAY 23
Muscle Cars
& Street Rods
SUNDAY, MAY 24
Antique
& Classic Cars
Be Our Next Success Story
Staffworks’ mission is to create innovative and flexible
staffing solutions to help them compete in the everchanging economy.
Our business is built around “Success Stories.” Please visit
our website and read some of the success stories from our
clients.
Stop in 24 Conkey Ave., Norwich
(in The Eaton Center, 1st Floor)
or call 334-5055 for details,
or apply online at: www.staffworkscny.com
tremendous partners to
DIRTcar Racing, stepping
up to enhance not only
NAPA Super DIRT Week
but every Super DIRTcar
Series event," DIRTcar's
Jeff Hachmann said. "We
look forward to their
involvement beginning at
Fulton and then each
event through the Bad
Boy Buggies World
Finals."
The Highbank Holdup
Weekend
at
Fulton
Speedway kicks off on
Friday, Aug. 24, with BigBlock Modifieds, NAPA
Late Models, Pro Race
Cars Mod Lites, E&V
Energy Novice Sportsman
and a DIRTcar Sportsman
Modified practice. The
Super DIRTcar Big-Block
Modifieds and DIRTcar
Sportsman Modifieds are
the focus on Saturday,
April 25, when grandstands are slated to open
at 3 p.m. with hot laps at
4:45 p.m., qualifying at
5:15 p.m. and racing at 6
p.m.
The Super DIRTcar
Series' second event of the
24-race tour is set for
Wednesday, May 20, at
Canandaigua Motorsports
Park.
Join Our
Saturday
Evening Parade
at 5 PM!
DRIVE YOUR ANTIQUE
OR CLASSIC VEHICLE!
Contact: Sewain at
[email protected]
et
OPEN DAILY 8 AM - 5 PM • Rain or Shine
General Admission $5 • Children under 12 Free
Rolling Antiquer’s Old Car Club,
Norwich Region AACA
Show Forms & Information at www.raocc.org
Pre-show Registration Due by May 1, 2015
• Antiques and
Collectibles
• Food & Beverages
• D.J. Music Service
• Antique Cars
• Free Shuttle Buses to
and from parking lots
• Camping
• No refunds
• No pets
• Military Vehicles
• Muscle Cars
• Street Rods
• Motorcycles
• Antique Engines
MUSCLE CARS
(2001 & Older)
Barb 607-334-8549
CAR PARTS
Milt 607-316-8146
ANTIQUE & CLASSIC
CARS
(1990 & Older)
Maurice
607-829-6268
GENERAL ANTIQUES
Sylvia 607-334-5038
ANTIQUE ENGINE
DISPLAY
Milt 607-316-8146
8
April 22, 2015
Abby Hacker
627X
Driver Name: Abby Hacker
Car Number: 627X
Parents: Bob & Sandy Hacker
e-mail: [email protected]
Hometown: Bainbridge, NY
Occupation: Student (8th grade)
Hobbies: Drag Racing/Tae Kwon Do (Red Belt)/Softball Pitcher
Number of Years Racing: 6 years
Class: Jr. Dragster & Pro Jr. Dragster
Chassis/Year:
Huddleston Performance 2014
Racing Sponsors: TEPCO Auto, Uni-Select Auto Plus, Highway 7 Bar &
Grill - all in Bainbridge.
Most Memorable: Rolling Over / First Win
Career Highlights: July 4th Win 2014 / Racing at the PDRA (Professional
Drag Racers Association) Inaugural Race in Rockingham, NC & VA.
Motorsports Park. Fastest time was 7.50 seconds @ 86 MPH in the 1/8th
mile.
Career Wins: 5
2014 Wins: 2
Tracks compete at: Skyview Drags Owego NY / ESTA Cicero NY
/ Pittsburgh Raceway Park / Rockingham, NC / Virginia Motorsports Park
Favorite Driver: Tony Schumacher & John Force.
Michael Smola
406
Brianna Fowlston
5
Driver's name: Brianna Fowlston
Car number: 5
Parents: Jim and Kristin Fowlston.
email address: [email protected]
Hometown: Oxford
Occupation: Student
Hobbies other than racing: Horseback Riding, Bowling, Soccer,
Basketball
Number of years racing: 4
Racing division: Novice
Chassis Model/year: Microd
Racing Sponsors: Timeless Threads Embroidery & Graphics,
Double "J" Western & Biker Shop, Nina's, Zuill Realty, Gray's
Landscaping, Creekside Auction and Tent Rentals, JB Stallions
Bulk Hay Delivery
Career highlights, racing titles, victories: Winning Triple Crown
Career wins: 7 Wins in 2014: 3
Tracks you compete at: Tri-County Microd Club, Chenango
Speedway
Racing mentor or favorite driver: Jeff Gordon
Destiny Oralls
2
Driver's name: Michael Smola
Car number: 406
email address: [email protected]
Hometown: Newcastle, Australia Occupation: QC Chemist
Hobbies other than racing: Movies, dining, surfing the interwebs
Number of years racing: 4
Racing division:+25/+30C - big bike, Stock 50cc "poorboy",Middle aged (25-34) and Fatboy (+185lb) on the minis http://www.stimilon.com/mom/
Chassis Model/year: 2002 Kawasaki KX2502001 Honduh XR50, Poorboy class. 2005 Kawasaki KLX110, Middle Aged/Fatboy
Classes
Racing Sponsors: Binghamton Honda look after me VERY well!; Arai and Pro Taper courtesy of Tucker Rocky, Troy Lee
Designs, Sunoco from new England Race Fuels and Burton Snowboards. I am also grateful for help from MotoOption and
MotowearUSA.
Career highlights, racing titles, victories: Author of 2 event stories published in RacerX magazine.2013 Stimilon rider of the
year. Rode last year with national champ Doug Henry. Despite him lacking the use of his legs he made all of us look like
hacks. Lapped by then current national riders Robbie Marshall and John Dowd at Southwick in an open 2 stroke race.
Career wins: 1x Class championship, 1 class win
Wins in 2014: 2014 Stimilon Masters of Mini Poorboy Class Champion, 1st Place Miles Mountain SX Pitbike Class
Tracks you compete at: Unadilla, Broome-Tioga, Cato MX, Miles Mountain Square Deal Riders, Milford Riders (CT), MX23 (MA),
Southwick (MA), Frozen Ocean, Motomasters, Rocky Hill (CT), Paradox MX.
Racing mentor or favorite driver: Doug Henry. And Jerry from Broome-Tioga has been there for me from the first time I sat on
a dirtbike in 2010.
Driver's name: Destiny Oralls
Car number: 2
Spouse/Children: Student, (Parents, Jim and Kristin
Fowlston).
email address: [email protected]
Hometown: Oxford
Occupation: Student
Hobbies other than racing: Sports & Horseback
Riding.
Number of years racing: 3
Racing division: Cammer
Chassis Model/year: Microd
Racing Sponsors: Timeless Threads Embroidery &
Graphics, Double "J" Western & Biker Shop, Nina's,
Zuill Realty, Gray's Landscaping, Creekside Auction
and Tent Rentals, JB Stallions Bulk Hay Delivery
Career highlights, racing titles, victories: First Win
Career wins: 1
Wins in 2014: 1
Tracks you compete at: Tri-County Microd Club,
Chenango Speedway
Racing mentor or favorite driver: Jimmy Johnson
9
April 22, 2015
Page family back again to
promote I-88 Speedway
BY PATRICK NEWELL
SUN SPORTS EDITOR
[email protected]
Some
off-the-track
family concerns had
Jamie Page thinking
strongly of leaving his
position as promoter of I88 Speedway. Page's partner when he became the
promoter five years ago,
Ron Ford, already made
his exit, and when Page
met with his staff at the
end of last season, it was
his intent to leave the
business.
"When I came out of
the meeting, we decided
to continue on," Page
said. "I told the guys that
I didn't have the money to
pay them. They said that
it's not about the money.
They enjoy doing the
work."
When you have that
type of staff making a
huge time commitment to
a race track, and doing so
on a volunteer basis, it's
no surprise that the speedway has developed a
well-known reputation for
its friendly staff, a clean
facility, and a pay structure on par with most dirt
tracks in New York State.
Perhaps
the
best
attribute of Afton is the
quantity of participants
complemented by the
quality of drivers.
"Participation
wise,
we've been growing every
year," Page said. "We're
probably getting some of
the largest counts in all of
the divisions in our market."
Numbers are consistently growing because of
a sterling reputation
developed by Page and
his staff. The promoters
gave the track a makeover
not only in its physical
presentation, but in how
drivers and their crews are
Thunder Mountain Speedway Schedule
All events on Saturdays unless otherwise
noted
2015 Weekly Divisions: Modified,
Sportsman, Crate 602 Sportsman, XCel 600
Modified, Street Stock & Four Cylinder –
Rookie Sportsman run April 25 through
June 20.
April 25 – Waymart Building
Center/Sharkey’s Fuels Season Opener:
$1,992-to-win Modifieds plus Full
Program.
May 2 – Full Program plus XCel 600
Modifieds (Tour Race) & Empire Lightning
Sprints.
Sunday, May 3 – Small Car Showcase:
NY6A winged 600cc Micro-Sprints, wingless 600cc Micro-Sprints, Empire Lightning
Sprints, XCel 600 Modifieds (Tour Race),
Slingshots (National & Empire State Race)
& 270cc Micro-Sprints (Rain Date: May
17) – BD Motorsports Media LLC
Promotion.
May 9 – Full Program: $1,000-to-win
Sportsman.
May 16 – Full Program plus SRP Sprints.
May 23 – Full Program plus Kids Bicycle
Races.
May 30 – Full Program plus SRP Sprints.
June 6 – Modifieds $1,500-to-win plus
Full Program & Southern Tier Mower
Sports Lawn Mower Racing – Fan
Appreciation Night.
June 13 – Full Program plus SRP Sprints.
June 20 – Full Program – Rookie
Sportsman Graduation.
June 27 – Full Program plus 600
Modifieds (Tour Race), Empire Lightning
Sprints, SRP Sprints, Empire Sport Trucks
& SpeedSTR practice (Four Cylinders Off).
Sunday, June 28 – ‘Lightning on the
Mountain’ Short Track Super Series Fueled
By Hi-Tek Modifieds $5,000 to win, $400
to start plus SpeedSTRs $3,000 to win,
XCel 600 Modifieds (Tour Race) & Four
Cylinders (Rain Date: June 29) – BD
Motorsports Media LLC Promotion.
July 4 – Full Program: $1,776-to-win
Modified ‘Red, White & Blue Special’ plus
Fireworks (XCel Modifieds Off).
July 11 – Full Program plus SRP Sprints.
July 18 – Full Program: $500-to-win
Crate 602 Sportsman.
July 25 – No racing (Broome County
Fair).
Aug. 1 – Full Program plus SRP Sprints.
Aug. 8 – Modifieds $1,500-to-win plus
Full Program.
Aug. 15 – Full Program plus SRP Sprints
& Midstate Vintage Stock Car Club.
Aug. 22 – Full Program: Street Stocks
$1,000-to-win.
Aug. 29 – Full Program plus SRP
Sprints.
Sept. 5 – Sprint Car Saturday: Lucas Oil
Empire Super Sprints (ESS) 360 Sprint
Cars (invite to United Racing Club), CRSA
305 Sprint Cars, Empire Lightning Sprints,
600cc Micro-Sprints – Feature Only For
Modifieds, Sportsman, Street Stocks, XCel
600 Modifieds & Four Cylinders – BD
Motorsports Media LLC Promotion.
Sept 12 – Championship Night $1,500to-win Modifieds plus XCel 600 Modifieds
(Tour Race) & Full Program – Final night of
points (rain date: Sept. 19).
Sunday, Sept. 13 – MjH Oilfield Wade
Decker Memorial Short Track Super Series
Fueled By Hi-Tek Modifieds $5,000 to win,
$400 to start, SpeedSTRs $3,000 to win,
XCel 600 Modifieds (Tour Race) & Street
Stocks (Rain Date: Sept. 20) – BD
Motorsports Media LLC Promotion.
professionally and courteously treated.
The racing side of the
business is as healthy as
ever, but the paid attendance is still in need of a
big lift. The lack of "butts
in the seats" last year was
not glaring, but paid
attendance was typically
down 100 to 200 people
per racing card. At $10 a
ticket (per last year's
price), the lack of income
adds up quickly.
"We were waiting for
the economy to finally hit
us, and it kind of got us
last year," Page said. "We
weren't alone; the industry as a whole was soft."
There are no guarantees
this year of improved
attendance and consequently improved revenue, but the schedule on
tap for the year has Page
optimistic.
"We don't want to count
our chickens before they
come through the gate,
but it's looking promising
this year," Page said.
"We've been working
with Brett Deyo on a bigger show to put us on the
map, and we have a purse
structure that is equiva-
lent to the bigger markets."
Brett Deyo has a shorttrack super series that
moves throughout New
York tracks, and features
the best drivers in New
York. The series comes to
I-88 Speedway July 23 in
what is billed the "Crazy
8s Special." The purse to
win is $8,888 making it
the most lucrative in-season event for I-88
Speedway.
"The Brett Deyo series
brings in a lot of the big
names," Page said, who
noted the championship
race at the end of the season will also be held at I88 Speedway. "It's something that will help put us
on the map."
In addition to its regular card, Xcel 600 modifieds will make several
appearances throughout
the season as will CRSA
Sprints, ESS Sprints, and
Midstate Antiques. Of
course, as is the case with
every track, racing could
be at the mercy of Mother
Nature.
Of note, the ESS
sprints, competing on
Tuesday, Aug. 26, will
double as the Earl
Halaquist Memorial to
recognize the late driver
who was a presence on
the local racing scene for
many many years.
Life-altering events in
his personal life nearly
took Page from the promoting business, and that
would indeed have been a
shame for I-88 Speedway
supporters. The track was
in the depths of despair
and in need of repair and
restoration over five years
ago. Now it is again a
prominent force on the
Central New York racing
scene.
Page and his wife, who
handle the business
together as a husbandand-wife team, are taking
it on year-to-year basis,
and one can only hope
they stay on as long as
possible. "Our outlook on
things changed this year,
and we just need to be
smarter about everything," Page said.
Track
information,
schedules, and updated
points and scoring can be
found on the track's website at www.i-88speedway.com.
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10
Allan Hodge
April 22, 2015
7H
Driver's name: Allan Hodge
Car number: 7H
Spouse/Children: none
email address: [email protected]
Hometown: Sherburne
Occupation: Pizza Maker
Hobbies other than racing: Hunting , Fishing
Number of years racing: Two
Racing division: Empire Sport Truck.
Chassis Model/year: ‘94 Dodge Dakota
Racing Sponsors: Shear Looks, Top Varity
Hardware, Clapperton Carpentry, Norwich Dodge.
Career highlights, racing titles, vio. Overall Points
atThunder Mountain, Best Appearing, NYSSCA
Rookie Of The Year.
Career wins: 2
Wins in 2014:
2
Tracks you compete at: I-88, Thunder Mountain,
Skyline
Racing mentor or favorite driver: Duane Knapp –
mentor.
Derek Northrup
68
Driver Name: Derek Northrup
Car Number: 68.
Parents: Jerry & Deb Northrup.
Email Address: [email protected]
Hometown: Sidney
Occupation/ School: Sidney Central School
Hobbies: racing, video games, computer gaming.
Number of Years Racing: 2 years
Race Class: MR1
Sponsors: C.A.R.S Racing for a Cause, Orlando Florida,
Russells Garage, Harpursville N.Y, Jamies Paint, Trout
Creek N.Y. Timeless Threads, Coventry N.Y
Most Memorable Moment as a Driver: Doing a barrel roll
and ending up on the rear end of car looking up at the
sky, and my first win!
Career Highlights/ Titles/ Victories: 1 win, and finished
second in the Championship Race
Career Wins: 1 2014 Wins: 1
Tracks you race at: Tri County Speedway
Favorite Driver/ Mentor- Jimmie Johnson/ Nascar, Joey
Bob Hacker
SX74
Driver: Bob Hacker
Car Number: SX74
Spouse/children: Sandy Hacker (wife), children Abby, Aaron, Christian
and Dustin
email: [email protected]
Hometown: Bainbridge
Occupation: Supervisor TEPCO / Owner Hacker Trucking LLC
Hobbies: Drag Racing (with Family) Family Time and watching Abby pitch
at softball.
Years Racing: Since 1974
Class: Super Pro / Top Dragster
Chassis: Quay Dragster
Sponsors: TEPCO Auto & Paint / Uni-Select Auto Plus
Most Memorable: Win over my Son Aaron @ night under Fire Show.
Highlights: First Win / Night Under Fire win / Runner-up in IHRA Pro Am
race / Runner-up in IHRA Iron Man.
Career Wins: 5
2014 Wins 1 (Gambler Race) Took season off to travel
with Abby Racing
Tracks: Skyview Drags / ESTA Cicero / Pittsburgh Raceway Park / Quaker
City Ohio
Favorite driver: Courtney Force Funny Car Driver
Sandy Hacker
9x18
Driver: Sandy Hacker
Car Number: 9X18
Spouse/children: Bob Hacker Husband, Abby & Dustin children.
e-mail: [email protected]
Hometown: Bainbridge
Occupation: Secretary/bookkeeper TEPCO Auto & Paint
Hobbies: Drag Racing / Gardening / My dogs
Years Racing: 7 years
Class: Pro Model/year:
1964.5 Ford Mustang
Racing Sponsors: TEPCO Auto & Paint / Uni-Select Auto Plus /
Hacker's Packers Inc.
Most Memorable: First win was over a Top Rated Driver. And
my only win this year a memorial race for the loss of a good
friend to cancer. I gave the trophy to the family.
Highlights: Finishing 4th in 2011 & 2012 and 7th in 2014 out
of 45+ cars a week. Also Most improved driver for 2014
Career Wins: 4
2014 Wins: 1
Tracks: Skyview Drags / Esta Cicero / Pittsburgh Raceway
Favorite Driver: Jack Beckman Funny Car driver.
11
April 22, 2015
Utica-Rome Speedway ushers
in new era in 2015
VERNON – Last fall, it
was announced that after
guiding the Utica-Rome
Speedway successfully
for over a decade that
Gene and Gloria Cole
agreed to sell the legendary oval to Bill and
Kim Shea. Sunday, April
19, the Shea era began
with an exciting show of
NASCAR Whelen AllAmerican Series racing
that feature Twin 20 lap
features for the Stampede
Steakhouse Modifieds
plus a regular show of
602 Sportsman, Open
Sportsman, and Pro Street
Stocks presented by Tri
Valley beverage.
Both Bill and Kim Shea
have been involved for
years at the track as both
spectators and car owners, most recently for former champion Willy
Decker. Now as they
takes the reins of the popular Sunday night track,
they look to continue the
high standards that the
Coles started. Several
changes were made during the offseason, including the switch to Hoosier
which are used at the surrounding tracks for the
Modifieds. The Open
Sportsman will still use
the American Racer tire
and are eligible for the
American Racer Cup for
Sportsman. Also the sail
panels for Modifieds will
no longer be allowed.
Probably one of the most
significant changes will
be on the spectator side of
the fence. Taking what
Gene Cole experimented
with at the end of the
2014 season, the Sheas
have expanded on the
admission pricing for
children with kids 16 and
under admitted for free
every Sunday with the
exception of the Night of
Legends on Aug. 16.
Over the past two seasons at the Utica-Rome
Speedway,
Stewart
Friesen
and
Matt
Sheppard have finished
first and second in the
point standings, with
Friesen taking the championship both times on
his way to five consecutive titles. The most
impressive part is that
when facing each head to
head during that span, the
duo is only separated by a
mere 10 points over two
seasons.
That rivalry will continue on April 19 as
Sheppard will be looking
to break through to claim
the $13,000 plus track
championship, his first
2015 Utica-Rome Speedway Schedule
since his 2002 rookie season at the Vernon oval.
While much of the focus
has been on the top two,
there will a host of other
drivers
looking
to
Friesen’s stranglehold on
the championship. One of
them is Pat Ward, a twotime UR Modified champion, along with his
young teammate Larry
Wight. Second generation
racer Mike Mahaney also
plans to be in the mix as
well. There is an influx of
drivers expected this season to compete for the
lucrative point fund,
which last season totaled
near $50,000 for the
Stampede
Steakhouse
Modified division when
combined
with
the
NASCAR Whelen AllAmerican Series contribution. Friesen pocketed
over $27,000 after also
earning the NWAAS New
York State title along with
his track title. This year’s
field could rival the fields
of the speedway’s asphalt
heyday when the likes of
Richie Evans, Jerry Cook,
Lou Lazzaro, Maynard
Troyer, and more found
themselves competing
weekly at the speedway.
Since announcing the
addition of the 602 Crate
Sportsman to the weekly
lineup at the Utica-Rome
Speedway banquet last
fall, there has been a lot
of excitement from the
drivers that previously
had only a few opportunities to compete at the
speedway a few time a
year. Full fields are
expected with all the
interest and it is anybody’s guess who will be
the first ever champion in
the
division.
Matt
Janczuk should be the
favorite though with his
experience at the Vernon
oval in the more powerful
Open Sportsman and
Modified
division,
including championships
in the Sportsman. Rocky
Warner should also be
considered a favorite as
he is a top runner wherever he shows up. The
championship picture will
be a lot clearer in a couple
months and it should be
an exciting race to the finish.
In the Open Sportsman
class, defending champion Jeremy Vunk will
return to defend his title
but
young
Claude
Hutchings Jr. is looking to
add his name to the champions list. A few other
expected to part of the
weekly field include Jack
Miller,
Steve
Way,
Michael Richmond and
more.
With the combining of
the Pro Stocks and the
Pure Stocks into one
combined Pro Street
Stocks, it should be a
wide open affair in the
popular full fendered
division. One thing is certain though is that the
division will put on the
great side by side action
that has been the norm for
the past few seasons.
For more information
on the “Action Track of
the East”, please log on to
www.uticaromespeedway.com or call the
speedway at (315) 8294557. We can also be
found on Facebook and
on
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@UR_Speedway.
LLC
At the light in Downtown Oxford
Good Luck
Rusty Smith
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12
April 22, 2015
Pushing it to the limit: Griffith
hopes to one day become a pro rider
BY PATRICK NEWELL
SUN SPORTS EDITOR
[email protected]
GREENE – The last
time Bernadette Griffith
appeared in these pages,
she was hobbling around
on crutches after shattering her ankle and breaking
her fibula.
An admitted adrenaline
junkie, the then-32-yearold was living life to the
max participating in one
of the many outdoors
sports that occupy her free
time. Griffith was also
chomping at the bit to get
back on her motocross
bike.
"I had to get a doctor's
note to go back (to racing),"
Griffith
said
remembering the start of
the 2011 season.
What the doctors didn't
know is that Griffith was
on the bike perhaps a
smidge before she got the
official okay. But we
won't tell anyone about
that slight indiscretion if
you won't.
If you were as successful as Griffith, you would
be eager, too, to get back
to the track. In the seasons
subsequent to that injury,
Griffith has become a staple on the District 3 racing
circuit.
And 2014 was her best
season yet. She won not
one, but two championships
taking
the
women's class, while also
claiming the 30-year-oldplus novice class.
Griffith said that the
women's class is an open
division
that
might
include teen-aged girls,
prospective professionals,
and of course every-day
working women like herself.
On the novice 30-plus
side, any one of 200 riders
in the district may take to
the track, and Griffith was
just one of a handful of
women among that 200.
"Sometimes it's harder
in the women's class
because I might be racing
against girls 20 years
younger
than
me,"
Griffith said. "Against the
men, I am pretty much the
only woman. I ride better
because I have to be
tougher."
Growing up in the
Binghamton area, Griffith
was one of those kids who
had her finger in a number
of pies. She was involved
in athletics, she played an
instrument in the band,
and even spent time as a
cheerleader.
Watching from the sidelines, however, is not really part of Griffith's DNA.
Aside from the motocross
circuit, Griffith is an avid
equestrian, she snowboards, and kayaks.
Any one of those activities might satisfy an outdoorsy type's need to feel
that rush. While they all
have their place and
Griffith loves all of those
activities, she said there is
nothing like motocross.
"There's no way to really explain that feeling
when the gate drops and
you take off," Griffith
said. "I haven't felt anything like that in any of
those other sports."
By now, you might be
wondering why a woman
in her mid-30s is driving
herself so hard in what is
essentially a hobby. She
already owns two businesses and makes extra
money working part-time
at the Sherwood Inn. She
ernadette Griffith, now living in Norwich, has amassed quite a trophy collection in six short years as a motocross rider.
B
“Best of Luck on Race Day”
has suffered so many
injuries, you could play a
game of "Operation" with
all of the parts that have
been mended.
"There is always room
for
improvement,"
Griffith said.
Well, it might be hard to
improve on the impressive
statistics she posted last
year. Riders in Griffith's
class are rated nationally
on a an RPV scale through
the American Motocross
Association. Of 1,100
rated riders last year,
Griffith's 2014 results
placed her sixth in the
novice class.
"I would bet there were
less than 10 women
(among that 1,100),"
Griffith said. "It's nice to
know where you stand."
Where Griffith stands
now is in a different racing class. While the
women have a one-sizefits-all class, the men have
a number of levels based
on skill level and performance, and Griffith's 2014
season earned her a promotion from novice to
amateur.
That may not sound like
much of an increase to the
layman, but Griffith
knows better. All aspiring
motocross riders with the
goal of becoming a professional have the same
climb up the ladder. So, it
would be no surprise if
Griffith is running against
a 15-year-old boy this
coming year who could be
the next Ryan Villopoto.
"It's a whole new class
with much better competition," Griffith said. "I'm
hoping to learn a lot this
year and get a lot of seat
time."
Just like she did in the
novice class, Griffith
intends to succeed at her
new level, although
expectations - this year at
least - are not as high as
they were the past two
years.
But at age 36, her window is closing, and she
still has a few things to
button up before she
moves on to her next
endeavor. "There are still
a few things left to tick off
(in racing) before I feel
like I'm really good at it,"
she said. "I'll be 37 later
this year, and my goal
(long term) is to become
the oldest woman to earn
her pro card."
Bernadette Griffith in action
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13
April 22, 2015
Madeline Polachak
100
Driver Name: Madeline Polachak
Car Number:100
Parents: Tom and Amy Polachak
email: [email protected]
Hometown: Easton PA
Occupation: student
Hobbies: go cart racing, girl scouts, swimming
Number of years racing: 2
Class/ Division: Kid Kart
Chassis Model/ Year: Coyote kid kart
Racing Sponsors: Mom and Dad
Most memorable moment: first race at age 5
Career wins: 7
2014 wins: 7
Tracks compete at: Oreville, Borgers, Nicholson
Favorite Driver: Dad
Brett Belden
81
Driver name: Bret Belden
Car number: 81
spouse/children: Brenda (wife) Ashley(daughter) Jason Porter(son-in-law) Siena Porter (grand daughter)Alexis Porter (granddaughter)
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bretskiracing.com
Hometown: West Edmeston Occupation: Titan Homes
Hobbies: Golf & Bowling
Number of years racing: 33
Class/Division: Crate Late Model
Chassis Model/Year: 2008 Rocket Chassis
Racing Sponsors: Keith Pylinski Appraisals, Enchanted Forest Water Safari, Marsh Construction, Broedel
Energy, Ryno Graphics,Unique E Cigs, Miscedra & Associates.
Most memorable moment : Modified win at Fulton speedway in rookie season
Career Highlights, Titles, Victories : 6 time track champion-3 brewerton speedway, 3 Utica Rome Speedway
Career wins: Over 90 wins 2014 wins : 1
Tracks you compete at: Go Nuclear Late Model Series-Mohawk International Raceway, Cornwall Speedway,
Brighton Speedway, Brockville speedway, Humberstone Speedway, Black Rock Speedway, Utica Rome
Speedway, Weedsport Speedway, Can Am speedway, Oshweken Speedway, Fulton Speedway.
Your Racing mentor or favorite driver: The late Davey Allison
Payton Talbot
4
Driver: Payton Talbot
Car number: 4
Parents: Kelly & Tyler Talbot
Email: [email protected]
Home: Gilbertsville
Hobby: Go Kart Racing
Years racing: 1 1/2
Division: Jr 2 Restricted
Sponsors: Ed & Sally Wilson, Carol & Steve Kochis,
Gary & Joanne Talbot
Most memorable Moment: First checkered flag
Highlights: Track Champion Lebanon Valley, 2nd place
at Caroga Creek Speedway, 2nd in the Montenaro Cup
Tracks you compete at: LVS Speedway, Caroga Creek
Raceway, Dodge City
Favorite Driver Tony Stewart
John Roese
28
Driver name: John Roese
Car number: 28
Spouse/children: none
Hometown:
Middleburgh
Occupation: Equipment Operator.
Hobbies: n/a.
Number of years racing: 23
Class/division: Pro Stock
Chassis Model/year: '97 Thunderbird, RKR Chassis.
Racing sponsors: Kendall Oil, Cummings Auto
Machine, ZMZ Mfg.
Most memorable moment as a driver: Racing with my
father.
Career highlights, titles, victories: 2013 track champion.
Career wins:
35
2014 wins: 3
Tracks you compete at: Accord.
Racing mentor or favorite driver: My dad/Bill Elliott.
14
Frank Hempstead III
April 22, 2015
199
Rider name: Frank Hempstead III
Bike number: 199
Email: [email protected]
Hometown: Westerlo
Hobbies: working on cars and trucks and pretty much anything that is fast and loud.
Number of years racing: 2015 will be my 5th.
Class division: 250 expert, open expert, collgeboy.
Bikes: 2015 kx450f, 2015 kx250f, 2013 yz250
Racing sponsors: mom and dad, M Maza Paving, Lawson Lake Mechanical, in need
of some more
Most memorable moment: last race of 2013 I swept all 3 classes open and 250b and
Collegeboy
Career highlights: some of my highlights are 2012 open b and schoolboy champ,
qualifying for Loretta regional for open b mod and two stroke in 2014 season. And
my most memorable would be moving up to expert class and being able to compete
with the top guys battling for the podium.
Career wins: 78. 2014 wins : 20
Tracks you compete at: Unadilla, Echo Valley, Twister Valley, Royal Mountain,
Southwoods, Southwick, Diamondback, AK Farms
Racing mentor: Ryan Villipoto just for his dedication and dominance over his
career.
Jim Rothwell
4
Driver Name: Jim “Rocky” Rothwell
Spouse/Children: Jeremy Rothwell
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
Hometown: Plymouth
Occupation: Used car dealer & repair shop
Hobbies: Racing/NASCAR
Number of Years Racing: 35
Class/Division: Sportsmen
Chassis Model/Year: 2014 Bicknell/2011 Bicknell
Racing Sponsors: Uni-Select Auto Parts/ Rothwells
Used Auto Sales/ Upstate Auto Glass/ Tom Moore LLC
Career Highlights, Titles or Victories: All of them.
Career Wins: Too old to remember.
Tracks You Compete at: Skyline/ Utica-Rome
Your Racing Mentor or Favorite Driver: Dave Kneisel/
Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Bennett Melita
74
Driver Name : Bennett Melita
Dirt bike # 74
Parents: Steve and Heather Melita
Email Address: [email protected]
Hometown : Johnstown
Occupation: student
Hobbies: Dirt biking, baseball, football and skiing
Number of years racing: 3
Class/Division: 65cc 9-11 Bike Model/year: 2015
Kawasaki KX65
Racing Sponsors: Fran Ivancic, Hohenforst Splitting,
Whitey's Deli, Sanders Motor Sports
Most Memorable Year Racing :2014
Career Highlights: First 50 cc dirtbike in history to
make it to the top of the Royal Mountain Hill
Climb. 2014 50cc Senior Champion Royal Mountain
Supercross, Finished 2nd in CNYMRA District 3
points 50 cc Senior for 2014
Tracks you compete at: Royal Mountain, Twister
Valley, Moto Masters, Thunder Ridge
Cory Pike
6
Driver Name: Cory Pike
Car number: 6
email address: n/a
Hometown: North Norwich
Number of years racing: 3 years
Racing division Sportsman Modified
Chassis Make: ‘07 Bicknell, ‘09 Bicknell
Racing sponsors: Jenkins Electric, ICare Repair,
Percivals Garage, Mike Mahaney Racing Shocks,
North Norwich Motors and RJ mobile homes
Career highlights: 2014 First win at I-88 speedway
Career wins: 1
Track we compete: I88 speedway Utica Rome
Speedway ROC sportsman Tour
Racing mentor: Mike Mahaney, Jim Mahaney, Mitch
Gibbs
Favorite driver: Danny Johnson
15
April 22, 2015
Rusty Smith
34
Driver name: Rusty Smith
Car number: 34
Spouse/children: Julie; Taylor, Gordon
email address: [email protected]
Personal website:
Smith Racing on Facebook.
Hometown:
Oxford
Occupation: Self-employed.
Hobbies: Bowling.
Number of years racing: 22
Class/division: Modified dirt/asphalt
Chassis Model/year: 2015 Bicknell; 2015 Troyer.
Racing sponsors: Blueox Energy Products, Oxford Motors, Smith
Production, Lyle's Transmission, Family Recreation Lanes,
Cummings Auto Machine, All Spec Finishing, Al Smith Rigging.
Most memorable moment as a driver: Three straight NASCAR track
championships at Spencer Speedway.
Career highlights, titles, victories: Five modified track titles.
Career wins: 34
2014 wins: 4
Tracks you compete at: I-88 Speedway, ROC Asphalt Tour.
Racing mentor or favorite driver: Kyle Busch.
Jamie Warner Jr.
77
Driver name: JamieWarner Jr.
Car number: 77
Spouse/children: Bea; Jamie Lee, Makayla, Tim III.
Hometown: Gilboa
Occupation: Laborer
Hobbies: Racing, fishing.
Number of years racing: 10
Class/division: Pro stock.
Racing sponsors: B&C.
Most memorable moment as a driver: Flipped four
times at Glenn Ridge.
Career highlights, titles, victories: Second in points at
Glenn Ridge, fourth in points in street stock division.
Career wins:
4
2014 wins: 0
Tracks you compete at: Glenn Ridge, Fonda.
Racing mentor or favorite driver: Richard Petty.
Jamie Lee Warner
53
Driver name: Jamie Lee Warner
Car number: 53
Spouse/children: Kraig Cummings.
email address: Personal website: On
Facebook.
Hometown: Gilboa
Occupation: Student.
Hobbies: Sports.
Number of years racing: 4
Class/division: 4 Cylinder
Chassis Model/year: 2000 Dodge Neon.
Racing sponsors: Dad and Kraig.
Most memorable moment as a driver: Second place
in Aug. 2014 at Glen Ridge.
Career highlights, titles, victories: Fourth in points at
Glen Ridge last year; youngest girl driver.
Career wins:
0
2014 wins: 0
Tracks you compete at: Glen Ridge and Fonda
Speedway.
Racing mentor or favorite driver: Bobby Vedder..
Cody Olenicicz
11C
Driver name: Cody Olenicicz
Car number: 11C
Parents: Kevin and Heather Olenicicz
email address: [email protected]
Hometown: Greene
Occupation: student
Hobbies: Camping, fishing, NASCAR.
Number of years racing: first
Class/division: Junior Novice
Chassis Model/year: Microd
Racing sponsors: Mirabito Energy Products, Harold's
Auto Repair, TK LLC Borderwork.
Most memorable moment as a driver: rookie this
year.
Tracks you compete at: Tri-County Microd Club,
Triangle.
Racing mentor or favorite driver: Cory Pike, Harold
Humphrey.
16
April 22, 2015
You’re Ready For McCredy!
These were the days...
1958 McCREDY
MOTORS
RACE TEAM
Driver Billy Wimble
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Coverage is subject to limits and exclusions; see written limited
warranty available at this location for details.
You’re Ready
2014 CHEVROLET
IMPALA 2LTZ
2012 CHEVROLET
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607-334-3234 or 607-674-2971
Monday - Friday, 8 am to 6 pm; Saturday 9 am-3 pm or by app’t.
SALES STAFF: Spencer McCredy, Mike McCredy, Tom Morrone, Hank Scudder, Stacy Gage
www.McCredyMotors.com
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