Concord Motorsports Park - November 3rd, 2007
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Jim Feeney Photos |
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AJ Russell, Clovis,
CA was the winner of the first annual East-West Supermodified
Shootout on Saturday, November 3rd at Concord Motorsports Park. Russell
beat
out supermodified dominator Chris Perley for the win. |
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WEST COASTER
RUSSELL TAKES THE SUPERMODIFIED SHOOTOUT AT CONCORD |
Concord, NC
–Competitors from the International SuperModified Assocation
(ISMA), the Midwest Supermodified Association (MSA) the
Englewood Racing Assocation (ERA) and the Western States
Supermodified Racing League (WSSRL) were invited to converge
on a neutral site at Concord Motorsports Park in NC to
battle for bragging rights. The race was billed as the first
annual East-West Shootout for supermodifieds and the racing
certainly lived up to the title. Thirty-eight of the best of
the best supermodifieds gunned it out for two days and when
the smoke finally cleared AJ Russell of Clovis, CA put the
notch in the win column for the West Coast contingent.
Finishing second was the dominator of the east, Chris Perley
with Charlie Schultz, MSA star, picking up third. The
promoters couldn’t have asked for a better ending! The win
was worth $3,800 plus lap money and was a career fourth for
the 24-year old driver who lists his occupation as Indy Pro
series driver.
Russell, a three-year super vet, put his father-owned small
block super into the lead on lap 26 of the Wirtgen 50, after
grabbing the point from Mooresville, NC driver Doug Didero.
Russell was dogged to the end by 12-race winner in 2007
Chris Perley, but Perley just couldn’t get by.
After hauling to a Berlin Raceway ISMA show in September,
Russell got an inkling of who he’d have to beat at Concord.
“You don’t come to an east coast race against these guys and
expect to win but you always have to come with the attitude
that you can win it,” said the California driver in victory
lane. “Everybody said Perley can’t be beat but guess what,
he just got beat. I’ve dreamed about a gathering of west and
east coast drivers coming together to duke it out just like
this. It turns out we were fairly even the way we finished
1-2-3. You couldn’t have asked for anything else.”
AJ described his Concord experience this way. “All weekend
long it looked like we weren’t all that quick at times. But
I knew the only place if we were going to dominate this
place is out of turn four. So we made sure we had a good car
out of turn four. It paid off. With five laps to go I
started running out of fuel. I was saying to myself, ‘I’m
going to run out of fuel while leading this thing.’ But it
didn’t happen.”
Facing a 43-hour trip back home, AJ laughed and said, “It’s
going to be a real nice ride back home. I’d like to thank a
couple people. Rick Cameron for letting me borrow this
motor. We blew one about a week before we left. And Ken
Coventry for building it. He builds one powerful bullet.”
The Rowley Rocket, Chris Perley set fast time, not
unexpectedly, but finished one spot out of the handicap spot
in the heats to start 15th in the field of 34. By lap 34 he
was up to second after battling through a tough, tough mix
of supers. But by then Russell owned the triangular
half-mile as the record crowd on hand could see. Russell’s
line was magnificent. And Perley acknowledged the fact in
victory lane.
“We came here to race and we raced. AJ did a good job. We
tried to make it close but he would just jackrabbit away. I
couldn’t catch him. You would think that motor wise – a 410
versus a 468 – that we’d out-horsepower him but we were
pretty even. It was a good race and it was fun to be here.
It’s a great track. I’m glad all the fans came out. Sorry we
took a little too long but I hope we put on a good show.”
Chargin’ Charlie Schultz completed the three-organization
triumvirate over the line. He was ecstatic to represent the
MSA portion of the contingent as he described his Concord
experience.
“We’ve never seen this place before and we struggled a
little bit in the first practice session. We got some
pointers from some of the guys who had run here before. We
worked on the car and got it real good for qualifying. We
ran real well in the heat race. We knew we had a raceable
car. We didn’t change a whole lot for the feature. The car
was really good up until about lap 30 and then it started
getting loose. The motor began overheating. I started
thinking ‘what else can go wrong?’ A flat tire? Getting
taken out by a lap car? But it turned out to be a heck of a
race. I think this says a lot for the supermodified
competition from all over the United States and Canada. To
have one of each of the different series finishing in the
top three.”
“I love this track,” the Lorain, Ohio driver continued. “I
love tracks that really challenge you and make you think
about to race them and how to race people on the race track
itself. I hope we can come back next year. I’d like to thank
Dave and Lori May and the entire May Motorsports crew. Randy
Myers, R and P Chassis, PRP Shocks, Fisher Performance, AC
Delco, Performance Race Fuel, Outlaw Brakes – just the whole
package – it’s working great.”
After qualifying, with some mishaps along the way, 34 supers
came to the inaugural Wirtgen East-West supermodified green
with Rich Reid and Scott Martel leading the way. It was
Martel taking the first lead but yellow flew immediately as
a large group jumbled a bit on the green sending the 27 of
Californian Martin McKeefery into the wall.
Rich Reid took up the lead on the restart with several more
early yellows claiming the 97 of Rob Summers, the 16 of
Kelly Miller, Jim Shirey’s V-2, Larry Lehnert’s 92,
Colorado’s Rich Castor, Bob Dalton, Bob Dawson and Lou
Cicconi, all before six laps were complete.
With things beginning to sort out, Reid pulled away from
Doug Didero, Brad Noffsinger, Shultz, Timmy Jedrzejek and
Martel as green prevailed. On lap 15, the 40 of 62-year old
Colorado driver Harry Stone met with the wall, bunching the
field.
It was Reid, Didero, Schultz, Noffsinger and now Russell on
the restart with Timmy J’s motor fading on the 80 sending
him out of the top mix.
Lap 20 saw Didero pass by Reid at the line for the lead with
Schultz taking second shortly thereafter. Behind Reid and
Schultz was Chris Perley, methodically working his way
forward.
AJ Russell swapped his second place spot for first six laps
later, putting Didero second. On lap 30 the yellow flew as
Doug Didero suddenly headed pit side with hot liquid spewing
from the 61.
Russell had Schultz and Perley in tow as Reid, Mike Ordway
Jr., Noffsinger and Mike Lichty trailed the top trio.
Things slowed again on lap 34 when Joe Gosek’s 00 quit in
turn one. On this restart, Perley jumped Schultz for second
and he headed for Russell.
Another west coast car bit the dust and the wall on lap 36
when Jim Birges 32 brought out the flag.
The race went green the rest of the way with Perley trying
every thing to get by Russell but falling short. At the
checkered it was Russell, Perley, Schultz, Dale Lamborn and
Mike Lichty in the top five but Lamborn was moved to sixth
in the scoring for jumping the green on the previous
caution, giving fifth to Rich Reid.
ISMA’s Lichty, whose teammate Dave McKnight had lost a motor
after time trialing fifth fastest and qualifying third in
his heat, commented on his finish. “ I didn’t have much
practice after losing a motor on my car. We qualified
horribly. I think we were 22nd. We ran poorly in the heat
race but we got in the show. We started the race 12th and we
were loose from the get-go. The last ten laps or so the car
tightened up and we were actually pretty decent. To come out
of here with a fourth, we’ll definitely take it. I want to
thank everybody who put this program together: C n C
Promotions, Wirtgen and everyone. I love this place. It’s my
first time here and it’s a great racetrack. Hopefully we’ll
have more shows to run here.”
Reid, another MSA driver, was more than pleased with his
fifth. “A top five finish at Concord! Wow, what can I say?
The car was great for the first fifteen or so laps which we
led. Then the caution came there and we started to pick up a
push. By the end of the race we were crossed up off four. I
had a whole lot of wheel into it. I was very pleased with
what the guys on the crew did and I’m pleased with the
finish. I can’t complain. The crew busted their butts. We
weren’t very good when we got here but we were pretty decent
when we left.”
Lamborn, Ordway Jr., Mark Sammut, Martell and Noffsinger
then completed the top ten in that order. Joey Payne Jr.,
driving the Morton 46, was also caught following Lamborn on
a hasty green and he too was penalized back to 11th, the
tail of the lead lap.
Summary 1st Annual Wirtgen East-West Shootout for Supers
Time Trials: Chris Perley,
fastest, 13.536. Lamborn, Belfiore, McKnight, Graham, Birges,
Gosek, Schultz, Ordway Jr., Barnes, McKeefery, Didero,
Payne, Noffsinger, Summers, Shirey, Jedrzejek, Coppo and
Martel (top 20 handicapped and inverted into heats) Barnes
stuck throttle after his second time trial run. Hospitalized
with bruises and cracked rib.
Heat 1: (6 qualify, 3
handicapped for feature) Reid, Gosek, Didero, Lichty, Lilje,
Belfiore, Brandon Fisher, Castor, Shirey
Heat 2: Martel, McKeefery,
Lamborn, Summers, Birges, Sammut, Cicconi,
Page, Pasquin
Heat 3: Noffsinger, Ordway Jr.,
Graham, Russell, Bellinger, Dalton, Sauer,
Coppo Jr., Miller
Heat 4: Jedrzejek, Schultz,
McKnight, Perley, Torrese, Stone, Lehnert,
Payne, Dawson
Consi (8 qualify) Cicconi,
Fisher, Lehnert, Shirey, Payne, Dawson, Sauer, Page, Coppo
Jr., Miller, Pasquin (checkered at 7 after Pasquin crash)
Coppo and Miller added to field by promoter
Wirtgen
Shootout 50:
1. AJ Russell (7), 2.
Chris Perley (11),
3. Charlie Schultz (17), 4. Mike Lichty (84), 5. Rich Reid
(55),
6. Dave Lamborn (48), 7. Mike Ordway Jr (10), 8. Mark Sammut
(78),
9. Scott Martel (14), 10. Brad Noffsinger (74), 11. Joey
Payne Jr. (46),
12. Ray Graham Jr. (3), 13. John Torrese (91), 14. Brandon
Bellinger (02),
15. Ernie Coppo Jr. (88), 16. Justin Belfiore (8), 17. Moe
Lilje (52),
18. Jim Birges (32), 19. Joe Gosek (00), 20. Howie Page
(18),
21. Sean Sauer (2), 22. Doug Didero (61), 23. Tim Jedrzejek
(80),
24. Harry Stone (40), 25. Rob Summers (97), 26. Lou Cicconi
Jr. (77),
27. Bob Dawson (28), 28. Bobby Dalton (36), 29. Jim Shirey
(V-2),
30. Rich Castor (21), 31. Larry Lehnert (92), 32. Kelly
Miller (16),
33. Brandon Fisher (12), 34. Martin McKeefery (27)
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WEST COAST'S AJ RUSSELL VISITS
the EAST COAST for a TEST DRIVE |
Oswego, NY - With
anticipation building for the East-West Supermodified Shootout
that will take place at Concord Motor Speedway on November 2 and
3 as part of the North-South Shootout action, A.J. Russell of
Clovis, CA made a long trip to do some testing recently. Russell
hauled his West Coast Super number 7 to Berlin Raceway on Sept.
29 to compete with the ISMA and MSA regulars. While not meeting
his expectations finish wise, Russell none-the-less gained some
insight into the east coast racing and he also enjoyed himself.
So much so that he will also compete at Thompson Speedway's
World Series of Racing on Oct. 13-14.
Russell, used to running tracks like Meridian (ID), Rocky Mt.
and Spokane (WA), Madera (CA), Douglas (OK) and TRP (AZ),
brought the slick number 7 out of the hauler in Michigan and
with the help of ISMA tech officials, made the car ready to
race. While there are similarities between the West and East
Coast built supermodifieds, there are differences - mainly that
of the minimum weight. That may not be an issue at Concord.
West Coast cars, according to their website, are defined as
follows: “ASA/WSS supermodifieds weigh between 1725 to 2000
pounds and are allowed no more than a 68% left side weight
ratio. These methanol fueled rockets are powered by aluminum
small block Chevrolets or Fords ranging in size from 360 to 454
cubic inches and with some big block engines at 488 cubic
inches, the engines deliver a range of 750 to nearly 900
horsepower.
With no starters, batteries, clutches or transmissions, the
car's power is transferred through a quick-change rear axle and
pushed to start. For traction, supermodifieds mount special
Hoosier racing slick tires.
Two wings that create down force, from 3000 to 5000 pounds of
pressure, control the aerodynamics. One 2400 to 4000 square inch
wing is mounted to the roll cage and the second is attached to
the nose and is generally 500 square inches.
These specialty cars require parts that can only be individually
fabricated, creating a single car's value to an estimated
$150,000.”
Russell had a good time at Berlin despite his 20th place finish.
Afterwards he commented, “It was a pretty good run. Coming from
California we knew we had engine problems when we left Colorado.
We got here and took it to the dyno but unfortunately that
didn't work out for us today. We still had the same problems we
had before. Racing with such a great group of people - I had a
blast. We started in the back, made some ground there halfway
through the race and ended up having to retire with motor
problems. All in all I would say it was a pretty good
experience. Concord is going to be a blast!”
More Westerners have entered the competition at Concord and the
list is growing. Besides AJ Russell, Jim Birges, Fresno, CA;
Harry Stone, Bloomfield, CO; Dale Lamborn, Carson City, NV, and
Richard Castor, Bennett, CO have sent entries.
The 5th Annual North-South Shootout™is set for November 2&3,
2007 at Concord Motorsport Park. The 100-lap Modified event will
highlight an action-packed two-day racing event that will also
feature the inaugural East-West Supermodified Shootout ™ SK-type
Modifieds, Crate SK-Type Modifieds, Four Cylinders, and Vintage
Modifieds and Vintage Sportsman. |
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North-South Shootout Contingency Program
Grows More Lucrative |
Lexington, NC (October 7,
2007): Early this year when C&C Racing Promotions announced the
addition of the Supermodifieds to the already-exciting race card
of the 5^th Annual John Blewett III Memorial North-South
Shootout, the decision was quickly made to appoint Chuck Handley
of Oswego, NY to the post of Director. The choice already has
proven to be an effective one.
After working tirelessly with the various Supermodified groups
that will be represented at the East-West Supermodified
Shootout, a fair and equitable set of rules were developed.
Handley worked with officials and competitors from the
International Supermodified Association (ISMA), the Midwest
Supermodified Association (MSA), the Western States
Supermodified Racing League (WSSRL) and the Englewood Racing
Association (ERA). Further, Handley has assembled an elite group
of professionals to serve as the officiating staff for the
November 2nd & 3rd event. With the same cooperative spirit, the
race procedure has been set for the inaugural East-West
Supermodified Shootout portion of the 5th Annual North-South
Shootout.
FULL STORY AT THE SHOOTOUT SITE HERE |
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North-South Shootout Contingency Program
Grows More Lucrative |
Lexington, NC: The
competitors at this year’s North-South Shootout (TM) featuring
the East-West Supermodified Shootout(TM) will vie for over
$124,000 in prize money. With the support of a several notable
companies, the teams will also be eligible for over $11,000 in
contingencies.
National companies like the Joie of Seating, PRO-formance Shocks
and RH2Way, regional giants like Sherwood Racing Wheels and DMC
Auto Exchange along with small businesses like Clean-Up Supply
and Shadow’s Candle Company have all joined forces with C&C
Racing Promotions to reward the teams competing in the annual
North-South Shootout (TM)
“We enjoy a continuing relationship with these great companies,
many of which have been with us since the first year,” said Dale
Wolbrink of C&C Racing Promotions.
This year, even the fans have pledged their support to the teams
of the North-South Shootout(TM) and East-West Supermodified
Shootout(TM). A donation from an anonymous fan will put an added
$1,500 in the prize winnings.
Many of the competitors of the North-South Shootout(TM) have
already reaped the benefits of the involvement of the Joie of
Seating. Since May, the Joie of Seating has presented 21 coupons
valued at $200 to the qualifying race winners in the Modified,
SK-Type Modified, and Supermodified divisions. Recipients have
included the likes of Todd Szegedy, Ted Christopher, Brian King,
Burt Myers, Chris Perley, Greg Furlong, Tony Hanbury and Woody
Pitkat among others. A full list of qualifying race winners is
available online at www.northsouthshootout.com.
The Joie of Seating, founded by New England native Randy LaJoie,
the Joie of Seating has gained prominence in all levels of stock
car racing for their innovations in safety technology., will
continue their involvement throughout the duration of the event
by providing coupons valued at $250 to the winners in the
Modified, SK-type Modified and Supermodified main events.
Finally, to help ease the pain of the teams that may find
misfortune during the weekend, the Joie of Seating also agreed
to provide coupons worth $200 to the last place finishers in the
Modified, SK-type Modified, and Supermodified main events.
Several drivers from this year’s Shootout will get the
opportunity to utilize the superior technology of PRO Shocks
when they redeem their gift certificates. The winners of the
Modified, Supermodified, and SK Modified main events will each
receive a gift certificate valued at $200 each courtesy of Pro
Shocks. Three (3) gift certificates valued at $100 each will be
presented to one additional competitor from the Modified,
Supermodified, and SK-Type Modified divisions. In 2006, the
teams that traveled the furthest distance were provided with the
additional certificates.
Sherwood Racing Wheels will present $100 gift certificates to
the winners in each of the Modified, SK-Type Modified,
Vintage Modified, and Vintage Sportsman features.
The second-place finishers in each of the divisions listed above
will receive $75 gift certificates while the third-place and
last place finishers in each will receive $50 gift certificates
Lee Sherwood, a vital part of the family business, is a regular
competitor with the Race of Champions. The matriarch of the
Sherwood Racing Products, LLC, Betty is integral to the success
of the Spaulding Foundation for Injured Drivers
The lucrative contingency program at the 5th Annual North-South
Shootout(TM) featuring the East-West Supermodified Shootout (TM)
also includes some well-paying pole awards. The $500 DMC Auto
Mart of King Pole Award will be presented to the competitor
turning the fastest lap in Modified time trials. C&C Racing will
add to the pole awards by presenting $500 to the highest
qualifiers from the three additional touring series, not already
represented in the DMC Pole Award. The eligible Series include
the Whelen Modified Tour, the Whelen Southern Modified Tour,
Race of Champions Modified Tour and the True Value Modified
Racing Series.
A total of $1,500 will be on the line during Supermodified time
trials. S&R Motor Company will present $500 to the competitor
turning the overall fastest lap in the Supermodifieds. C&C will
again supplement the award by presenting $500 to the highest
qualifier from the Series not already represented by the overall
pole winner. The eligible Series include the International
Supermodified Association (ISMA), the Midwest Supermodified
Association (MSA), and a combination of the Englewood Racing
Association and the Western State Supermodified Racing League
The awards will be presented not only before and after but also
during the feature events. With the DMC Auto Exchange Halfway
Leader Bonus, the leader at halfway of the Modified 100 will
receive $500 while the leaders at lap 25 of the Supermodified
and SK-Type Modified features will each receive $250 bonuses.
Clean-Up Supply, an automotive reconditioning and appearance
products supplier serving the Winston-Salem (NC) area, will
award $350 in product to the Best Appearing Southern Modified,
Northern Modified, Supermodified and SK-Type Modified during the
5th Annual North-South Shootout(TM). In addition, Clean-Up
Supply will contribute an additional $500 in product to the
winner of the Modified 100, Supermodified 50 and the SK-Type
Modified 50.
This strong contingency program is another way that C&C Racing
Promotions and the sponsors that support the event reward the
competitive nature of the teams that continue to participate in
the annual North-South Shootout(TM).
“The fields of competitors grows each year and so does the
commitment of really great companies,” said race promoter,
Charles Kepley of Lexington, NC. “We are very fortunate to have
a roster of truly talented drivers and a family of sponsors of
such noted companies.”
The 5th Annual North-South Shootout(TM) is set for November 2 &
3, 2007 at Concord Motorsport Park. The 100-lap Modified event
will highlight an action-packed two-day racing event that will
also feature the inaugural East-West Supermodified Shootout(TM),
SK-type Modifieds, Crate SK-Type Modifieds, Four Cylinders, and
Vintage Modifieds and Vintage Sportsman. For complete
information on the North-South Shootout(TM) visit
www.northsouthshootout.com.
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