For many people, me included, the much anticipated release of the 2010 IMCA Deery Brothers late model schedule is upon us. After scheduling a record 22 dates in 2009, the schedule isn't quite as full this year. Series director Kevin Yoder stated that the 2010 schedule will be "user friendly" for the drivers, meaning that "drivers only have to take off about 6 days of work to participate in the whole series." Sixteen stops are on the docket for 2010.
With fewer races, Yoder also hopes that more drivers will be able to compete at all the events, leading up to the series finale at 34 Raceway in Burlington for the Ironman challenge race.
While there are many familiar stops on the schedule, a new track has been added to the list. The Dubuque Speedway in Dubuque will host their first-ever Deery show on Sunday, April 18th. Dubuque's "sister track", the Farley Speedway, will also host an event this year. It is slated for Friday, June 18th. Farley hasn't been on the schedule since 2003.
For a complete rundown, check out www.imca.com/series.php?seriesid=2
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Local Drivers at the Next Level
When flipping through the channels Saturday night, I came across the SPEED channel. The NASCAR Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series were holding their annual awards ceremonies to culminate the 2009 race season. It was at that point that my uncle reminded me that a local driver, Michael Annett, ran in that series this year.
Michael Annett, a Des Moines native, had a solid rookie season in the NASCAR Nationwide series. Annett finished tenth in the final point standings. While Annett didn't make it to Victory Lane, he did finish with four top-10's in thirty-five starts. His best finish was sixth at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. Annett drove for Germain Racing, a team that also yields a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team with Todd Bodine behind the wheel. Annett is just 23 years old.
Another native Iowan, Brett Moffitt, also enjoyed a very successful season. Moffitt finished third in the NASCAR Camping World Series East while also taking home Most Improved Driver honors. In just thirteen starts, Moffitt finished in the top ten eleven times, including two wins and five top-5's. At the young age of 17 Moffitt broke many age-related records in the Camping World East Series, including youngest ever to lead the point standings, youngest pole sitter, and youngest to win a race. Moffitt drives the #44 Andy Santerre Motorsports Chevy Impala. Moffitt also had the opportunity to jump behind the wheel of Win-Tron Racing's ARCA car at Rockingham late in the season. Moffitt had never sat in a seat of an ARCA car and had never been at the Rockingham track, but that didn't phase the teenager as went home with a tenth place finish.
Another notable dirt track racer, Steve Arpin, also finished his rookie season in the ARCA series. He finished seventh in the final point standings on the strength of eleven top-10's. His best finish was a fourth-place at Pocono Raceway. Arpin is perhaps most noted as a driver of a dirt modified. Some of his accomplishments on dirt include winning the 2007 Florida Speedweeks UMP modifieds Nationals, winning the IMCA Dakota Tour championship in '07, Featherlite Fall Jamboree modified champion in '06, and winning the Wissota 100 at the Cedar Lake Speedway in 2002.
While many dirt track racing enthusiasts may not like asphalt racing much (I'm included in that group), it is neat to see many drivers from the local area and with dirt backgrounds make it to the next level. Obviously drivers like Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, and Ryan Newman have been extremely successful as well. But the success that Annett and Moffitt have attained so far, from the small state of Iowa, goes to show that the state does have talented drivers. They just need a little recognition to get to the next level.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
Michael Annett, a Des Moines native, had a solid rookie season in the NASCAR Nationwide series. Annett finished tenth in the final point standings. While Annett didn't make it to Victory Lane, he did finish with four top-10's in thirty-five starts. His best finish was sixth at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. Annett drove for Germain Racing, a team that also yields a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team with Todd Bodine behind the wheel. Annett is just 23 years old.
Another native Iowan, Brett Moffitt, also enjoyed a very successful season. Moffitt finished third in the NASCAR Camping World Series East while also taking home Most Improved Driver honors. In just thirteen starts, Moffitt finished in the top ten eleven times, including two wins and five top-5's. At the young age of 17 Moffitt broke many age-related records in the Camping World East Series, including youngest ever to lead the point standings, youngest pole sitter, and youngest to win a race. Moffitt drives the #44 Andy Santerre Motorsports Chevy Impala. Moffitt also had the opportunity to jump behind the wheel of Win-Tron Racing's ARCA car at Rockingham late in the season. Moffitt had never sat in a seat of an ARCA car and had never been at the Rockingham track, but that didn't phase the teenager as went home with a tenth place finish.
Another notable dirt track racer, Steve Arpin, also finished his rookie season in the ARCA series. He finished seventh in the final point standings on the strength of eleven top-10's. His best finish was a fourth-place at Pocono Raceway. Arpin is perhaps most noted as a driver of a dirt modified. Some of his accomplishments on dirt include winning the 2007 Florida Speedweeks UMP modifieds Nationals, winning the IMCA Dakota Tour championship in '07, Featherlite Fall Jamboree modified champion in '06, and winning the Wissota 100 at the Cedar Lake Speedway in 2002.
While many dirt track racing enthusiasts may not like asphalt racing much (I'm included in that group), it is neat to see many drivers from the local area and with dirt backgrounds make it to the next level. Obviously drivers like Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, and Ryan Newman have been extremely successful as well. But the success that Annett and Moffitt have attained so far, from the small state of Iowa, goes to show that the state does have talented drivers. They just need a little recognition to get to the next level.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
Friday, December 4, 2009
Jason Hughes Pilots to Victory at Winternationals
Jason Hughes came into last night's event at Houston Raceway Park trailing Kelly Shryock by eight points in the USMTS Southern Series point standings with three races remaining. But when all was said and done last night, Hughes picked up a win and took over the point lead with two races left on the slate.
While neither driver made the redraw, both were able to qualify out of the heat races via passing points. Hughes started ninth with Shryock on his rear bumper in eleventh. Randy Timms led the first lap after starting on the pole, but he was soon challenged by Sam Haftertepe, a regular late model pilot. Haftertepe gained command of the race on lap four as he dove to the inside of Timms. Meanwhile, Shryock and Hughes were making their way forward with Shryock advancing to third. A caution flag came out, allowing Jason Hughes to get a great restart and get by Shryock and Timms to snag the third spot.
Ryan Gustin, who finished second in the National Tour Hunt this season, also made the trip south for his first ever Southern Series event. Gustin finished second to Hughes in his heat race and easily won one of three b-main events. Gustin started eighteenth on the grid, but he quickly used every line en route to the front. By around lap eight Gustin had already advanced to the top ten. Hughes and Shryock engaged in a heated battle for the runner up spot before another caution flag waved. Hughes would take advantage of the yellow as he got by Haftertepe on the restart to take command of the race. Howard Willis, the USMTS Southern Series race winner two weeks ago at Battleground Speedway near Highlands, was also on the move as he raced under Jon Tesch for the fourth position. However, his luck would run out as he spun in turn one. As luck would have it, Dereck Ramirez was unable to avoid Willis and clipped his front bumper on the way by, sending Ramirez in a "gentle" roll.
At that point, Hughes was leading the way ahead of Haftertepe, Shryock, Tesch, Rodney Sanders, and Gustin. Gustin's good run would end early as he suffered a left rear flat tire. He was running fifth at the time. Haftertepe would also be a victim of bad luck as he spun in turn four late in the race, giving up the runner up spot. Bumper Jones, involved in a wreck early in the race, did a great job of recovering as he rebounded nicely to finish seventh. But up front it was all Jason Hughes as he not only took the win, but took over the point lead as well. Jon Tesch finished second, Kelly Shryock third, Rodney Sanders fourth, and Randy Timms rounded out the top five.
1. 12 Jason Hughes
2. 14 Jon Tesch
3. 3 Kelly Shryock
4. 20 Rodney Sanders
5. 5T Randy Timms
6. 33z Zack VanderBeek
7. 111 Bumper Jones
8. E Howard Willis
9. c8 Timothy Culp
10. 9 Shane Hebert
11. 5R Morgan Bagley
12. 88xx Bobby Malchus
Also on the card last night were the limited modifieds. Derek Ross led from the start, but he would lose the handle and spin through the infield to hand the lead over to Shane Hebert. Hebert would hold off challenges from Howard Willis and Paul White to take home the big paycheck ahead of Willis and White.
1. 9 Shane Hebert
2. 461 Howard Willis
3. 216 Paul White
By my count, 73 modifieds and forty limited modifieds were in competition last night. The track did get pretty rough as the night progressed, but that is understandable considering all the rain the Baytown area had received earlier in the week. As I type this blog, snow is coming down. According to the Weather Channel, schools are letting out early and the reporter mentioned the town does not have snowplows. The snow has let up here lately, and I was informed last night that the track crew does everything in their power to get the show in.
Speaking of the track, one of the diehard race fans in attendance last night mentioned that Houston Raceway Park will not be running a weekly show next year. Rather they are going to hold about eight special events throughout the season. That is a shame to hear as Houston Raceway Park is a top-notch facility.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
While neither driver made the redraw, both were able to qualify out of the heat races via passing points. Hughes started ninth with Shryock on his rear bumper in eleventh. Randy Timms led the first lap after starting on the pole, but he was soon challenged by Sam Haftertepe, a regular late model pilot. Haftertepe gained command of the race on lap four as he dove to the inside of Timms. Meanwhile, Shryock and Hughes were making their way forward with Shryock advancing to third. A caution flag came out, allowing Jason Hughes to get a great restart and get by Shryock and Timms to snag the third spot.
Ryan Gustin, who finished second in the National Tour Hunt this season, also made the trip south for his first ever Southern Series event. Gustin finished second to Hughes in his heat race and easily won one of three b-main events. Gustin started eighteenth on the grid, but he quickly used every line en route to the front. By around lap eight Gustin had already advanced to the top ten. Hughes and Shryock engaged in a heated battle for the runner up spot before another caution flag waved. Hughes would take advantage of the yellow as he got by Haftertepe on the restart to take command of the race. Howard Willis, the USMTS Southern Series race winner two weeks ago at Battleground Speedway near Highlands, was also on the move as he raced under Jon Tesch for the fourth position. However, his luck would run out as he spun in turn one. As luck would have it, Dereck Ramirez was unable to avoid Willis and clipped his front bumper on the way by, sending Ramirez in a "gentle" roll.
At that point, Hughes was leading the way ahead of Haftertepe, Shryock, Tesch, Rodney Sanders, and Gustin. Gustin's good run would end early as he suffered a left rear flat tire. He was running fifth at the time. Haftertepe would also be a victim of bad luck as he spun in turn four late in the race, giving up the runner up spot. Bumper Jones, involved in a wreck early in the race, did a great job of recovering as he rebounded nicely to finish seventh. But up front it was all Jason Hughes as he not only took the win, but took over the point lead as well. Jon Tesch finished second, Kelly Shryock third, Rodney Sanders fourth, and Randy Timms rounded out the top five.
1. 12 Jason Hughes
2. 14 Jon Tesch
3. 3 Kelly Shryock
4. 20 Rodney Sanders
5. 5T Randy Timms
6. 33z Zack VanderBeek
7. 111 Bumper Jones
8. E Howard Willis
9. c8 Timothy Culp
10. 9 Shane Hebert
11. 5R Morgan Bagley
12. 88xx Bobby Malchus
Also on the card last night were the limited modifieds. Derek Ross led from the start, but he would lose the handle and spin through the infield to hand the lead over to Shane Hebert. Hebert would hold off challenges from Howard Willis and Paul White to take home the big paycheck ahead of Willis and White.
1. 9 Shane Hebert
2. 461 Howard Willis
3. 216 Paul White
By my count, 73 modifieds and forty limited modifieds were in competition last night. The track did get pretty rough as the night progressed, but that is understandable considering all the rain the Baytown area had received earlier in the week. As I type this blog, snow is coming down. According to the Weather Channel, schools are letting out early and the reporter mentioned the town does not have snowplows. The snow has let up here lately, and I was informed last night that the track crew does everything in their power to get the show in.
Speaking of the track, one of the diehard race fans in attendance last night mentioned that Houston Raceway Park will not be running a weekly show next year. Rather they are going to hold about eight special events throughout the season. That is a shame to hear as Houston Raceway Park is a top-notch facility.
- Racing may be a hobby, but it's DEFINITELY addictive!!
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