Daily Press Releases Feb 10

ECKERT WINS THE XTREME TIRE GAME AT EAST BAY
February 8, 2003

TAMPA, FL - Defending and two-time Xtreme DirtCar Series Champion Rick
Eckert of York, PA changed to the right tires at the right time to win the
100-lap finale of the East Bay Winternationals Saturday night for the Xtreme
DirtCar Series at East Bay Raceway Park.

It was Eckert's second win in the first three XDCS events of the season
driving the Raye Vest Rocket/Cornett Taurus. Eckert earned $21,500 during
the three-race EBRP swing.

"Early in the race I was running with a big pack of cars and running both
the high and low grooves," Eckert said. "I'd run up high and gain a few
spots, and then I'd try the bottom and loose a few spots. I knew early in
the race that I needed a caution flag to pit for harder tires."

Eckert got that opportunity, and it worked to his advantage. Eckert took
the lead on lap 66 and led the rest of the way. Every car that finished the
race pitted for tires at least once in an event that had more tire changes
than lead changes, and both were many.

Steve Francis of Ashland, KY had a rough night and failed to transfer to the
main event through heat and consolation race action. Francis had to take a
provisional and start 25th, but came on strong in the main event to finish
second in the Valvoline/Mopar Parts Rocket/Stanton Intrepid. Francis was
the Advance Auto Parts Hard Charger of the Race.

Randle Chupp of Mooresville, NC was another of the many drivers that came
from deep in the starting field to post a high finish. Chupp started his
Biscotti's Restaurant and Winery/Park Ohio Rocket/Race Tech Grand Prix in
the 21st spot, led the race for 20 laps, and finished third.

Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, IA was fourth in the Seubert Calf Ranches
Mastersbilt/Pro Power Grand Prix, and 1999 XDCS Champion Dale McDowell of
Rossville, GA came from the 24th starting spot to finish fifth in the J&J
Steel Rocket by Shaw/Custom Grand Prix. Jimmy Mars of Elk Mound, WI started
20th in his unsponsored Mastersbilt/Pro Power Monte Carlo and finished
sixth.

Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, FL led the first five laps of the race and
finished seventh in the Lucas Oil/Dunn-Benson Ford Rocket/Eatmon Taurus.
Another race leader, Don O'Neal of Martinsville, IN led for 15 laps and
brought the Petroff Towing Rayburn/Pro Power Monte Carlo home in the eighth
spot.

Terry English finished ninth in the C.J. Rayburn Race Cars Rayburn/Runyon
Monte Carlo, and Dan Schlieper of Pewaukee, WI debuted a new Miller Brothers
Coal Warrior/Pro Power Monte Carlo to round out the top ten after leading
the race for 25 laps.

At the start of the race, polesitter Donnie Moran of Dresden, OH raced the
outside front row starter Pearson side-by-side for the first two laps, with
Pearson grabbing the point outright on lap three. O'Neal drove around the
outside of Moran's QPI Tools Dirt Ripper Mastersbilt/Malcuit Monte Carlo for
the second spot on lap four, and then passed Pearson for the lead on lap
six.

O'Neal was in lapped traffic by lap 15, and Schlieper moved up to second on
lap 16 to pressure O'Neal for the lead on the outside. Pearson dove under
Schlieper to retake the second spot on lap 17, and then challenged O'Neal
for the front spot. Pearson passed O'Neal for the lead on lap 19, but a
caution flag negated the pass.

Rod Conley of Wheelersburg, OH spun his Conley Trucking Rocket/Draime Monte
Carlo in turn two to bring out the caution flag, which put O'Neal back in
front of Pearson for the double-file restart in front of the SPEED Channel
cameras. During the caution flag, Chupp was the first driver to pit for
tires, as the track started to take rubber on the inside groove.

Behind O'Neal and Pearson on the restart was Schlieper, Moran, Rob Blair in
the Bossard-Crawford Rocket/Draime Monte Carlo, Ray Cook of Brasstown, NC in
the Goodson Farms Mastersbilt/Cornett Taurus, Mike Balzano of Parkersburg,
WV in the Eddie's Auto Parts Rocket/Russell Baker Monte Carlo, English,
Birkhofer, and McDowell.

On the restart, Schlieper utilized his outside restart position to his
advantage, as he sailed up alongside O'Neal in the first turn. The two
raced side-by-side for two laps before Schlieper took the lead on lap 20.
That lead change was also negated when Kelly Boen of Denver, CO hit the
front straightaway wall and hit the flagstand.

That brought out the red flag, but neither Boen, nor EBRP flagman Julian
Mullis were injured. The same couldn't be said for Boen's Road Runner
Fabrication Larry Shaw/Dickens Grand Prix or the flagstand. Boen's car left
on the wrecker, and the track welder had to come out during the red flag to
repair the flagstand.

It was during the red flag period with the car stopped on the backstretch
that Eckert and several other drivers plotted their strategy.

"We were all sitting there on the backstretch during the red flag talking to
each other when I heard that Chupp took on harder tires during the last
caution," Eckert said. "I told Francis and Korte if Chupp drove by us on
his new tires when we back to green, and I was in front of them, I told them
to spin me out to bring out the caution flag so we could pit for harder
tires."

On the restart, Pearson raced along side O'Neal to battle for the lead, but
it was Schlieper who dove under both of them in turn four to take the lead
on lap 20. Schlieper was then able to pull away while Pearson and O'Neal
swapped the second spot back and forth for several laps. Behind the lead
trio, Moran held fourth and Cook was fifth.

Behind the top five, positions sixth through 14th were being exchanged like
gifts the day after Christmas. This went on for 15 laps, and Chupp was the
big mover in this pack, bolting up to the sixth spot. Just as was outlined
in the red flag summit meeting, Korte was the one that spun out in turn two
on lap 45 to bring out the caution flag.

McDowell, Eckert, Francis, and Birkhofer all pitted for the harder compound
tires during the caution period. Schlieper led Pearson, O'Neal, Moran,
Chupp, Mars, Balzano, and Cook back to the green flag. Chupp stepped to the
outside on the restart and went around the four cars in front of him to
challenge for the lead.

Chupp took the lead from Schlieper on lap 46, while Balzano moved up to the
third spot. O'Neal faded on the restart, and spun in turn two to bring out
the caution flag on lap 49. This time it was Mars, Pearson, Cook, Moran,
and O'Neal coming to the pits for harder compound tires. Chupp led
Schlieper, Balzano, Francis, and Eckert down for the restart.

In one lap, Eckert bolted from fifth to second, and Francis moved up to the
third spot on lap 52. Both Schlieper and Balzano were fading. Balzano spun
in turn four on lap 56 to bring out a caution. This time, it was Schlieper,
Balzano, and the top ten car of Jackie Boggs of Grayson, KY in the McDonalds
Swartz/T&H Monte Carlo that pitted for tires.

By this point in the race, the outside groove was gone, and everyone pretty
much committed to run in the rubber in the faster bottom groove of the
track. For the safety of the drivers, XDCS officials exercised their option
to forego the double-file restarts. Chupp led Eckert, Francis, Birkhofer,
McDowell, Mars, Cook, O'Neal, Pearson and English down for the restart.

Everyone ran single file for the next ten laps, but Eckert began to look
inside Chupp on lap 65, and then found enough room to drive under him on the
next lap to take the lead. Eckert was not challenged the rest of the way,
and Chupp was passed by Francis for the second spot on lap 99.

The win gives Eckert a four-point lead over Mars in the XDCS point standings
going into the next XDCS event, a 75-lap $15,000-to-win event on March 15 at
Thunder Valley Speedway in Glenmora, LA.

The surprise Ringers Gloves Fast Qualifier among the 69 entrants was Jason
Montgomery of Jackson, OH who broke Francis' three-year-old track record of
14.198 seconds. Montgomery drove his Montgomery Fabrication Rocket/Cropper
Grand Prix around the 1/3-mile clay oval in 14.151 seconds for an average
speed of 84.800 miles per hour. Montgomery failed to transfer to the main
event.

The 12-lap heat races were won by Balzano, O'Neal, Blair, Pearson, Schlieper
and Moran. The 6-lap Action Performance Dash for the heat race winners was
won by Moran followed by Pearson, O'Neal, Blair, Schlieper and Balzano.
Boggs, Mars and Chupp won the three 15-lap Consolation Races.

Saturday night's XDCS event at EBRP can bee seen on SPEED Channel on March 6
at 11 p.m. ET.

OFFICIAL RESULTS OF ROUND 3 AT EAST BAY RACEWAY PARK IN TAMPA, FL ON 2/8/03:

POS STRT CAR # DRIVER HOMETOWN CAR LAPS $ WON
1. 10 24 Rick Eckert York, PA Ford 100 $15,850
2. 25 m15 Steve Francis Ashland, KY Dodge 100 $8,250
3. 21 114 Randle Chupp Mooresville, NC Pont. 100 $4,000
4. 9 15b Brian Birkhofer Muscatine, IA Pont. 100 $3,000
5. 24 17m Dale McDowell Rossville, GA Pont. 100 $2,600
6. 20 28m Jimmy Mars Elk Mound, WI Chev. 100 $2,400
7. 2 1 Earl Pearson Jr. Jacksonville, FL Ford 100 $2,200
8. 3 71o Don O'Neal Martinsville, IN Chev. 100 $1,400
9. 11 96 Terry English Benton, KY Chev. 100 $1,200
10. 5 s9 Dan Schlieper Pewaukee, WI Chev. 100 $1,100
11. 7 53 Ray Cook Brasstown, NC Ford 100 $1,675
12. 1 99 Donnie Moran Dresden, OH Chev. 100 $1,050
13. 6 E1 Mike Balzano Parkersburg, WV Chev. 99 $1,025
14. 12 0 Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN Ford 99 $1,000
15. 18 88 Wendell Wallace Batesville, AR Ford 99 $1,000
16. 17 55 Jeep Van Wormer Picconning, MI Chev. 99 $1,000
17. 15 71r Rod Conley Wheelersburg, OH Chev. 97 $1,000
18. 16 7 Matt Miller (R) Waterville, OH Pont. 97 $1,000
19. 4 w11 Rob Blair Titusville, PA Chev. 97 $1,000
20. 8 0s Steve Shaver Parkersburg, WV Chev. 96 $1,000
21. 26 201 Billy Ogle Jr. Knoxville, TN Chev. 81 $1,750
22. 14 71 Delmas Conley Wheelersburg, OH Chev. 80 $1,000
23. 19 4b Jackie Boggs Grayson, KY Chev. 67 $1,000
24. 23 00k Randy Korte Highland, IL Pont. 67 $1,600
25. 13 07 Kelly Boen Denver, CO Pont. 19 $1,000
26. 22 19 Davey Johnson Greensburg, PA Pont. 18 $1,000

ENTRIES: 69
PROVISIONALS: Francis and Ogle (2)
LEAD CHANGES: Four Among Five Drivers
LAP LEADERS: Pearson, 1-5; O'Neal, 6-20; Schlieper, 21-45; Chupp, 46-65;
Eckert, 66-100
LAPS LED: Eckert, 35; Schlieper, 25; Chupp, 20; O'Neal, 15; Pearson, 5
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS HARD CHARGER: Francis (started 25th and finished 2nd)
LUCAS OIL ROOKIE OF THE RACE: Miller
RINGERS GLOVES FAST QUALIFIER: Jason Montgomery, 14.151 seconds, 84.800
miles per hour (NEW TRACK RECORD - Old Track Record, Steve Francis, Feb.
2000, 14.198 second, 84.519 miles per hour)
CAUTIONS: 7
RED FLAG: 1
XTREME SHOOTOUT INVITEES: Chupp, O'Neal, Schlieper, Cook, Balzano, and
Shaver (Promoter's Choice)

QUALIFYING:

POS CAR # DRIVER HOMETOWN CHASSIS ENGINE 1ST LAP 2ND LAP TIME SPEED
1 21m Jason Montgomery Jackson, OH Rocket Cropper 14.498 14.151 14.151
84.800
2 71o Don O'Neal Martinsville, IN Rayburn Pro Power 14.592 14.417 14.417
83.235
3 w11 Rob Blair Titusville, PA Rocket Draime 14.441 14.533 14.441 83.097
4 1 Earl Pearson Jr. Jacksonville, FL Rocket Eatmon 14.634 14.467 14.467
82.947
5 s9 Dan Schlieper Pewaukee, WI Rayburn Pro Power 14.707 14.489 14.489
82.821
6 99 Donnie Moran Dresden, OH Mastersbilt Malcuit 14.633 14.498 14.498
82.770
7 E1 Mike Balzano Parkersburg, WV Rocket Russell Baker 14.646 14.509 14.509
82.707
8 71c R.J. Conley Wheelersburg, OH Rocket Draime 14.589 14.533 14.533 82.571
9 71r Rod Conley Wheelersburg, OH Rocket Draime 14.559 14.694 14.559 82.423
10 7 Matt Miller (R) Waterville, OH Rocket Russell Baker 14.604 14.625
14.604 82.169
11 24m Jeremy Miller Gettysburg, PA Rocket Hatfield 14.751 14.615 14.615
82.107
12 0 Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN Warrior Custom 15.038 14.634 14.634
82.001
13 M15 Steve Francis Ashland, KY Rocket Stanton 14.760 14.641 14.641 81.962
14 0s Steve Shaver Parkersburg, WV Rocket Malcuit 14.703 14.649 14.649
81.917
15 00 Freddy Smith Knoxville, TN Warrior Gaerte 14.843 14.653 14.653 81.894
16 24 Rick Eckert York, PA Rocket Cornett 14.740 14.669 14.669 81.805
17 96 Terry English Benton, KY Rayburn Runyon 14.732 14.673 14.673 81.783
18 6T Tim Dohm Charleston, WV Rocket Draime 15.089 14.677 14.677 81.761
19 53 Ray Cook Brasstown, NC Mastersbilt Cornett 14.805 14.684 14.684 81.722
20 12 Rick Aukland Zanesville, OH Rocket Malcuit 14.903 14.690 14.690 81.688
21 15b Brian Birkhofer Muscatine, IA Mastersbilt Pro Power 14.697 14.759
14.697 81.649
22 11p Kenny Pettyjohn Millsboro, DE Rocket SMS 14.700 14.823 14.700 81.633
23 1* Chub Frank Sugar Grove, PA Rocket Draime 14.706 14.706 14.706 81.599
24 21 Billy Moyer Batesville, AR Rayburn Dickens 14.807 14.710 14.710 81.577
25 07 Kelly Boen Denver, CO Larry Shaw Dickens 14.816 14.725 14.725 81.494
26 39 Tim McCreadie Watertown, NY Rocket CC Performance 14.773 14.736 14.736
81.433
27 1u Matt Urban Northeast, PA Rocket Custom 15.001 14.753 14.753 81.339
28 00k Randy Korte Highland, IL Rocket Race Tech 14.878 14.754 14.754 81.334
29 55 Jeep Van Wormer Picconning, MI Warrior Chevy 14.772 14.810 14.772
81.235
30 88 Wendell Wallace Batesville, AR GRT Craft 14.844 14.772 14.772 81.235
31 4b Jackie Boggs Grayson, KY Swartz T&H 14.954 14.773 14.773 81.229
32 83 Scott James Lawrenceburg, IN Lazer Dargie 14.780 15.240 14.780 81.191
33 18 Shannon Babb Decatur, IL Rayburn Dickens 14.807 15.180 14.807 81.043
34 28w Thomas Ware Cynthiana, KY Rocket Cornett 14.900 14.814 14.814 81.004
35 17m Dale McDowell Rossville, GA Rocket Custom 14.823 14.840 14.823 80.955
36 114 Randle Chupp Mooresville, NC Rocket Race Tech 14.876 14.828 14.828
80.928
37 19 Davey Johnson Greensburg, PA Mastersbilt Malcuit 14.841 14.937 14.841
80.857
38 71 Delmas Conley Wheelersburg, OH Rocket Draime 14.846 16.735 14.846
80.830
39 28 Dennis Erb Jr. Carpentersville, IL Rayburn Hedrick 15.042 14.864
14.864 80.732
40 32r Roger Crouse Plant City, FL Rocket Sullivan 14.966 14.891 14.891
80.586
41 11o Jimmy Owens Newport, TN Rayburn Rayburn 14.904 15.002 14.904 80.515
42 80 Troy Kuyoth (R) Stratford, WI Rocket Pro Power 15.778 14.961 14.961
80.209
43 02 Keith Nosbisch Valrico, FL Rocket ZRE 15.697 14.976 14.976 80.128
44 19h Mike Hawley Paint Lick, KY Rayburn Pro Power 14.995 15.113 14.995
80.027
45 32c Vic Coffey Leicester, NY Rocket CC Performance 15.046 15.005 15.005
79.973
46 75 Bart Hartman Zanesville, OH Rocket Russell Baker 16.471 15.025 15.025
79.867
47 1s Audie Swartz Memford, OH Swartz Cropper 15.029 NT 15.029 79.846
48 72 John Mason Millersburg, OH Rocket Malcuit 15.049 15.060 15.049 79.740
49 05 Roy Deese Jr. Laurel, MD Rocket Leggett 15.055 15.201 15.055 79.708
50 70 Jeff Choquette West Palm Beach, FL Rocket Progressive 53.158 15.067
15.067 79.644
51 28m Jimmy Mars Elk Mound, WI Mastersbilt Pro Power 15.072 NT 15.072
79.618
52 201 Billy Ogle Jr. (R) Knoxville, TN GRT Gaerte 15.448 15.116 15.116
79.386
53 21d Dan Stone Thompson, PA Burnheizel Rhodes 15.117 15.131 15.117 79.381
54 D65 Dwight Falcon Baton Rouge, LA Rayburn Marty's Auto. 15.374 15.117
15.117 79.381
55 56m Rohn Moon Greenwood, IN Rayburn Clements 15.627 15.118 15.118 79.376
56 T31 Shane Tankersley Morgonton, GA Rocket Race Tech 15.156 15.132 15.132
79.302
57 9z Jayme Zidar Greenfield, WI GRT Pro Power 15.372 15.139 15.139 79.265
58 3 Steve Smith Powell, TN Rayburn Draime 15.357 15.147 15.147 79.224
59 59 Bill Cunningham Jefferson, OH GRT Draime 15.186 15.185 15.185 79.025
60 11 Bobby Wolter Jr. (R) Lexington, KY Rayburn Bullock 15.898 15.237
15.237 78.756
61 70r Anthony Rushing Kosciusko, MS Rocket Dickens 15.370 15.269 15.269
78.591
62 J0 J.O. Nobles Nahunta, GA Warrior Custom 51.892 15.458 15.458 77.630
63 42 Marshall Austin Dover, FL Rayburn Nelson Bros. 15.496 17.966 15.496
77.439
64 21L Ivedent Lloyd Ocala, FL GRT Clements 16.530 15.535 15.535 77.245
65 24p David McCoy Franklin, NC GRT Clements 15.548 15.748 15.548 77.180
66 64 Ryan Dauber Tonica, IL GRT Sabbota 15.628 16.400 15.628 76.785
67 00H Chuck Harper Beverly, WV Rayburn Clements 15.725 15.726 15.725 76.312
68 4 Danny McGlothlin Somerset, KY Swartz T&H 15.851 15.951 15.851 75.705
69 1cj C.J. Rayburn Whiteland, IN Rayburn Rayburn NT NT NT NT

HEAT RACES: (12-Laps - Top 3 Finishers Transfer To Main Event):

1ST HEAT: 1. Balzano; 2. Cook; 3. Boen; 4. Montgomery; 5. Johnson; 6.
Nosbisch; 7. Rushing; 8. Harper; 9. Moon; 10. Deese; 11. Francis; 12. Boggs.

2ND HEAT: 1. O'Neal; 2. Shaver; 3. D. Conley; 4. James; 5. Choquette; 6.
Aukland; 7. McCreadie; 8. Hawley; 9. Tankersley; 10. Nobles; 11. R.J.
Conley.

3RD HEAT: 1. Blair; 2. Birkhofer; 3. Rod Conley; 4. F. Smith; 5. Mars; 6.
Erb; 7. Babb; 8. Urban; 9. Coffey; 10. Zidar; 11. McGlothlin; 12. Austin.

4TH HEAT: 1. Pearson; 2. Eckert; 3. M. Miller (R); 4. Pettyjohn; 5. Ware;
6. Hartman; 7. S. Smith; 8. Ogle; 9. Crouse; 10. Lloyd; 11. Korte.

5TH HEAT: 1. Schlieper; 2. English; 3. Van Wormer; 4. McDowell; 5. J.
Miller; 6. Frank; 7. Stone; 8. Swartz; 9. Owens; 10. Cunningham; 11. McCoy.

6TH HEAT: 1. Moran; 2. Bloomquist; 3. Wallace; 4. Moyer; 5. Chupp; 6.
Mason; 7. Kuyoth (R); 8. Dohm; 9. Falcon; 10. Dauber; 11. Wolter (R).

ACTION PERFORMANCE 6-LAP DASH: 1. Moran; 2. Pearson; 3. O'Neal; 4. Blair;
5. Schlieper; 6. Balzano.

CONSOLATION RACES (15 Laps - Top 2 Finishers Transfer To Main Event):

1ST CONSY: 1. Boggs; 2. Johnson; 3. R.J. Conley; 4. Deese; 5. Harper; 6.
Nobles; 7. Nosbisch; 8. Hawley; 9. Tankersley; 10. Choquette; 11.
Montgomery; 12. Francis; 13. Rushing; 14. James; 15. Aukland; 16. McCreadie
(Disqualified From Event For Unsportsman-like Conduct).

2ND CONSY: 1. Mars; 2. Korte; 3. Erb; 4. Ogle; 5. Urban; 6. Austin; 7. F.
Smith; 8. Coffey; 9. Zidar; 10. Pettyjohn; 11. Ware; 12. S. Smith; 13.
Lloyd; 14. Babb; 15. Hartman; 16. Crouse.

3RD CONSY: 1. Chupp; 2. McDowell; 3. Moyer; 4. Frank; 5. J. Miller; 6.
Stone; 7. Cunningham; 8. Owens; 9. Swartz; 10. Mason; 11. Wolter (R); 12.
Falcon; 13. Kuyoth (R); 14. Dohm; 15. McCoy; 16. Dauber.

XDCS POINT STANDINGS THROUGH 2/8/03:

1. Rick Eckert - 489
2. Jimmy Mars - 485
3. Earl Pearson Jr. - 479
4. Donnie Moran - 451
4. Steve Francis - 451
6. Brian Birkhofer - 447
7. Don O'Neal - 385
8. Randle Chupp - 382
9. Terry English - 380
10. Rob Blair - 378
11. Dale McDowell - 375
12. Randy Korte - 362
13. Matt Miller (R) - 350
14. Rick Aukland - 348
15. Dan Schlieper - 343
16. Scott Bloomquist - 335
16. Mike Balzano - 335
18. Ray Cook - 334
19. Davey Johnson - 332
20. Chub Frank - 316

R - Denotes Lucas Oil Rookie of the Year Candidate

    Winchester Speedway will host the "Winterfest 40" on Saturday afternoon, February 15th.
    The race will be a Southern All Star rules race paying $3,000 to win. We will also run IMCA "Type" Open Wheels($600 to win), Super Stocks($300 to win), Outlaw Mini Stocks ($300 to win) and Mini Stocks($200 to win).$50 Entry Fee for LM's. We will not run 2-BBL Late Models on the 15th. Gates will open at 9:00 AM, drivers meeting at 11:45 with hot laps at Noon and first event about 1:00 - 1:30 PM.
    Rules clarification: A) 2002 SAS rules for engines, weights and Spoiler (12" for Spec engines) B) Rear Tires (only rear tires!) must stick at least 60 on durometer and any tire manufacturer is allowed on front or rear. ANY tire compound allowed on front. (P.S. That is essentially the same tire rules in effect at Winchester and Duck River"s "Big 10" series)
    The track is located in town about .5 miles (1/2 mile) west of Winchester, Tennessee town square just off route US 64 (Turn at "Speedway Market" for speedway entrance). We are 45 miles northeast of Huntsville, Alabama / 80 miles south of Nashville, Tennessee and 60 miles northwest of Chattanooga, Tennesee. For additional information you may contact: Tim Smith / 2725 Robertson Creek Road / Huntland, Tennessee 37345 Home phone number is: (931)469-7879 / (931)968-9334 or fax at 931)968-9324 You also may e-mail Dennis at: bowlingj@tnns.net or dcbowling@tva.gov / Track phone is: (931) 967-0066. Class rules for Open Wheel, Super Stock, Outlaw Pony and Mini Stocks may be viewed at: www.jeffhurstracing.com then go to "Message Board" and Winchester Speedway.
    Note: Traction Control devices are not "Legal" for Winchester Speedway. SAS allows them but we do not! Please leave them in the garage! Pit Gate admission will be $25 / Grandstands : $15 - 5 and under are free and 6 to 12 are half price.

Dennis Bowling

Historic Winchester (Tn) Speedway under new ownership

Tim and Jana Smith of Huntland, Tennessee purchased Winchester Speedway in January and have embarked on a major overhaul of speedway facilities and an ambitious racing schedule for the 2003 racing season.
While both Tim and Jana already had careers that kept them fully occupied (Tim is the proprietor of Smith’s Backhoe Service in Winchester while wife Jana is a school teacher in New Market, Alabama) they now have the task of running a speedway with a racing schedule that stretches from February to October.
The Smith’s have scheduled the biggest race held at the speedway in the last five years with the first annual "WinterFest 2003" on Saturday, February 15th. With less than six weeks between taking over the reigns at the speedway and the first event sixteen hour days have recently become the norm for the new owners.
Tim has already embarked on remodeling the main grandstand concessions building and construction of a new pit area concession stand and restroom facilities. Not only will the concessions have a new look come February 15th, but Tim is installing new race car scales, an ultra modern lighting system and a new sponsorship agreement with Coca Cola that will include an electronic scoreboard sponsored by Coca Cola. The lighting system and scoreboard are scheduled to be in place by the March 29 regular season opener.
Specal events and "Big Shows" have not been part of the speedway’s curriculum the last several seasons but the Smith’s intend to change that with not only the first ever WinterFest on February 15th but a Big 10 series schedule that in conjunction with another midstate speedway will see race and point fund payouts exceeding $100,000 for the Late Model division!
In years past Winchester Speedway hosted some of the biggest short track races in the south. The 1985 Rebel 100 saw Freddy Smith of Kings Mountain, North Carolina take home the lions share of the largest purse to that point in time in the tracks history while 1986 saw the first ever STARS (Short Track Auto Racing Series) sanctioned race south of the Mason-Dixon line. That North-South 100 was won by the legendary Larry Moore of Dayton, Ohio. Busch Grand National and Winston Cup racer Jeff Purvis has three Rebel 100 victories with Hav-A-Tampa National champion Dale McDowell also garnering one of the prestigious 100’s. Other "National" stars winning special events at Winchester have included, but limited to: Ronnie Johnson, Dick Potts (Indiana), Billy Moyer, Scott Bloomquist, Mike Head, Ray Godsey and Wayne Brooks (Arkansas).
Major shows and traveling drivers have been scarce at Winchester the past several years but that should change and very soon.
The February 15th WinterFest has already drawn regional and national interest with drivers from six states already planning on attending and just this week, Allen Brown from Michigan called to say he and his wife were planning on attending the "WinterFest 2003" this coming Saturday. Allen is the publisher of the National Speedway directory and national host for the racing promoters RPM workshop in Florida.
When Tim Smith took over the ownership at Winchester he stated that his goal was to provide fans a place to go to see great racing that was officiated without bias, provide a friendly family atmosphere and the best food available at any racetrack around. The 2003 racing schedule and staff are in place to provide the aforementioned services and Tim and Jana Smith are looking forward to greeting the fans and racers alike to a newly renovated Winchester Speedway. The Smith’s would like invite everyone to come on out in 2003 and witness a "Rock ‘em Sock ‘em sideways travelin’ dirt show". The type of action that only short track dirt racing can provide.

            SPRINT CAR RULES AMENDED AT PORT ROYAL SPEEDWAY

                  GUARDRAIL WORK RESUMES AT RAPID PACE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
FEBRUARY 9,2003

Port Royal, PA Port Royal Speedway President Tom Little announced final
Sprint Car Rule changes have been made for the 2003 season. Consultation
with other area Promoters was included in the plan. Port Royal will not
have any tire rule for the new season. Teams will be permitted to run
whatever brand tire they want and will continue to receive two laps in
their feature event for a flat tire. No limit will be placed on the
amount of tires used. Race officials will monitor the situation and
communicate with other area tracks as they evaluate their new tire
rules. Another slight rule change will be in the top wing of the race
car. Port Royal will join other area tracks in removing the wicker bill
from the top of the wing. No other changes are planned at this time.
    Port officials considered the changes other race tracks are taking
carefully. Having been one of the area's first race tracks
to require track tires before, officials have already had experience
with some of the same issues other tracks are working on. Port Royal
officials understand where and why other area speedways are attempting
cost controls and applaud them for their efforts. Port Royal will watch
this situation closely and keep an open mind.
    In other news work crews are hard at work hanging new guard rail
around the speedways backstretch. Large work crews
gathered Saturday and Sunday February 8 & 9 to assist with work. Track
Maintenance man Tony Dalton and others have been working through the
week as weather permits. Additional posts have been secured and will be
arriving at the track this week.
    The upcoming Harrisburg Motorama Show will be held February 21-23 at
the State Farm Show Building. Port Royal Speedway will have a booth and
cars on display at the show. More details will be announced shortly.
    Bug Day, a practice session for all types of race cars is just over
one month away. March 15 is the date with track time available from
noon-4 p.m. General admission is free. Persons entering the pit area
must purchase a pit pass. The seasons first green flag comes on Saturday
March 22 with Aumiller's Insurance Sprint Cars and KARS 358 Sprint Cars
in competition. They will be joined by the Stong's Auto Parts Pro Stocks
on the daylight surface.Race time will be 1 p.m. with gates opening at
11 a.m. Both open wheel classes return one week later on March 29 and
are joined by the Pizza and Sub Shacks Enduro Cars for their first
program of the season. Daylight racing will continue through April 19.
The AB Auto Glass/Ramsey's Car Wash Late Models join the card Saturday
April 5.
    Make plans to be on hand at Port Royal Speedway where the excitement
of racing comes alive!

TRANSPONDERS TO BE MANDATORY AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY

BECHTELSVILLE, PA February 9, 2003 . . .NASCAR sanctioned Grandview Speedway, a one-third-mile, banked clay oval located in Bechtelsville, PA, is joining the move to "high technology" that is being offered at a number of speedways across the country.
When the season gets the green flag at the popular Saturday night Berks County sports attraction on Saturday, April 5th, AMB Scoring and Timing System technology will be in place and will be required on all the stock cars taking part in the NASCAR sanctioned events.
"Every once in a while we have a racer that feels he has not been scored properly. A review of the score sheets usually shows that is not the case. However with the AMB Transponders in place there will be no questions about the scoring. We will have the transponder system and the regular scoring system (manual scoring) in place," said event organizer Bruce Rogers. "We have experimented with it for a couple of our special events and it has worked very well."
Basically how it works is that the transponder, located in the right rear portion of the race car behind the right rear tire will send a signal to the scoring tube, when it crosses the start finish line that is buried under the speedway track surface.
When the scoring tube receives the signal from the car it will carry the information to the computer located in the scoring/announcers tower. The computer collects the information (lap time, speed of car, laps completed, etc.) for each car to be printed out at the end of the race.
Power for the transponders can be provided in two different ways. Either the transponder can be removed after each race night and put into a charger and readied for the next event, or the transponder can be wired directly to the race car's battery.
The AMB Scoring and Timing System offers benefits for the racers including there will be no question on what position the racer is in when a caution comes out on the track. That will make it a better show for the racers and the fans as lining up on restarts will be done much quicker.
The transponder will also be able to print out each car's individual lap times during the evening. This is important to a race team as they make chassis adjustments. In the past they had to rely on a hand-held stop watch.
With more and more speedways using transponder technology it is possible that racers will be able to use the same AMB System at other tracks where they are racing.
Each transponder will have a different serial number on the outside of it. The corresponding signal that is transmitted from the transponder will match up with the transponder serial number that is programmed into the computer at the track.
Every team will be responsible for registering their race car transponder serial number with Grandview Speedway officials at the pit office on or before opening night.
A free-to-the-public practice session is planned for Saturday, March 29th at 12 noon. This will give teams a chance to test their new and refurbished race equipment as they get ready for the 2003 season.
And on Saturday, April 5, 6 p.m. the 2003 stock car racing season gets the green flag with the running of the Patriot Bank NASCAR Weekly Racing Series presented by Dodge Modified and Late Model stock car doubleheader. The Modifieds will run in a special 40-lap feature event.
Grandview Speedway continues to offer some exciting marketing opportunities for area businesses. Complete information include a fact filled brochure is available by telephoning Ernie Saxton Communications at 215.752.7797. Race night sponsorships are available and can be divided between two or more businesses to make for an economical marketing opportunity reaching the thousands of fans that attend racing events at Grandview Speedway.
For information on racing at Grandview Speedway telephone 610.754.7688 or visit their website at www.grandviewspeedway.com.

Dresden, OH --- The Dirt Ripper is back on track! Donnie Moran, after an off-season devoted to regrouping his dirt Late Model racing team, has come out swinging at the start of the 2003 racing season with an impressive and productive week competing at the ‘27^th Annual East Bay Winternationals’ at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, FL with his QPI Tools/Eddie’s Sunoco/Mastersbilt Race Cars/Malcuit Racing Engines #99 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The six-race series, held from February 3-9 and sanctioned by both the Renegade Dirt Car Racing Series andthe Xtreme Dirt Car Series, found Moran a factor each night.

“I think we had a very productive week!” stated an enthused Moran immediately following Saturday night’s finale at East Bay. “Things are looking up and I even believe it’s all turned around (laughs)!”

During the six night stint, Moran started the week off on Monday with the Renegade series by qualifying 14^th out of 87 cars entered. Finishing second in the second heat, Moran started 12^th in the main event and finished 20^th. Night two found Moran in Xtreme action where he again qualified 14^th out of 86 cars, finished second in the fourth heat and crossed the checkers in seventh after starting tenth.

On night three the QPI Tools sponsored team qualified 12^th out of 87 cars with the Renegade series, finished second in the sixth heat but bad luck struck when, after starting 13^th in the feature, Moran was involved in a lap four accident which forced him to retire for the evening.

Night number four found Moran back with the Xtreme series where he set fast time for the night in qualifying over a stout 80 car field. Moran’s fast time put him on the pole for the second heat where he finished second. During feature race action, which was filmed by the SPEED Channel cameras, Moran started in the seventh position and by lap 13 had taken the lead which he maintained until lap 32 when Jimmy Mars went low on the race track and was able to take the lead. Moran brought his QPI Tools ‘Dirt Ripper’ #99 home to a solid third place finish.

During the Renegade series finale on Friday night Moran qualified 31^st out of 70 cars and finished sixth in the first heat. Regulated to the third B Main, Moran finished ninth and took a provisional to make the starting grid where he took the green flag from his 28^th position. While running 11^th in the feature he was spun out, pitted for new tires and came back through the field to place 14^th.

For the sixth and final night of the ‘Winternationals’, sanctioned by Xtreme, Moran came out like gangbusters, qualifying sixth fastest out of the 70 car field and winning not only the sixth heat but also taking top honors in the dash, which placed him on the pole position for the feature. During feature action Moran’s strong run was interrupted several times to make pit stops for new tires with Moran eventually coming across the checkers in 12^th place.

Despite no wins during the six-night marathon, Moran is pleased with his performance and is obviously confident and reinvigorated for the 2003 season after making an almost-complete overhaul of his racing operation.

After a somewhat dismal 2002 season, Moran restructured his racing program by selecting Mastersbilt Race Cars as his chassis of choice and bringing Brad Malcuit, famed racer, engine builder and owner of Malcuit Racing Engines, on board as not only his engine supplier but as his new crew chief. In addition, Moran returned to Carrera Shocks with Carrera’s Mike Farr lending a hand in an advisory role.

“Brad is so helpful it’s unbelievable,” commented Moran. “The guys all work real well with him and he and I communicated very good this week and made good decisions. We made a couple bad ones, but it’s a learning process.”

“The new car, the Mastersbilt, was excellent. I can’t say enough about what Keith and Tader (Masters) has done there at Mastersbilt for us. It’s going to take a little bit of tricks to learn to start winning some races but we had a fast time, we started on the pole, won a dash, ran third one night.”

Another positive in Moran’s corner is the strong sponsorship support he has in place.

“QPI Tools and Mark Gracy are behind us again this year,” explained Moran. “He didn’t get to come down here this week because they are working on some new things and new products, but we’re still the Dirt Ripper and they are behind us 100% and we’re just waiting to get up around the Ohio and Pennsylvania area so he can come and go with us and watch us race.”

“And Eddie’s Sunoco is back. They have been with us a long time. We just have a good group of supporters and we hope to make them proud of this team this year.”

Moran is also impressed with his crew and their dedication and work ethic. Members of the Donnie Moran Racing crew working under Moran and crew chief Malcuit areTim Marshall, Joe Mathu, Rusty Redman and Jim Martin.

As for Moran’s plans for the remainder of the season, he has not made a commitment to run a series or take the independent route. Moran plans to make his decision in the next couple months.

“If you come out of Florida with the way the points are looking it’s looking more towards Xtreme but I don’t know yet,” said Moran. “I should be in the top ten in points there. We’re not too bad of shape with Renegade’s points once you pullout the guys who won’t be running their deal, so we’re setting pretty good either way. I’ll just have to wait and see what happens and decide where I want to go and can run the best and have the best year and where Brad can go and help me the most too.”

Up next for Moran will be the Xtreme Dirt Car Series event, 75-lap $15,000-to-win event on March 15 at Thunder Valley Speedway in Glenmora, LA.

Make no mistake, Moran is pumped, primed and ready to go and get the full 2003 season underway.

“Oh yeah! I’m ready to go anywhere!” quipped Moran. “I’m ready to go here, there or anywhere. After this week and making the races and running good and qualifying good I’m just going to say ‘let’s do it’.”

For additional information on Donnie Moran and Donnie Moran racing visit his website at: www.donniemoran.com.

CHUB FRANK RIDES THE EAST BAY ROLLERCOASTER

Bear Lake, PA --- Chub Frank, defending Renegade Dirt Car Racing Series champion, pulled into East Bay Raceway in Tampa, FL last week for the ‘27^th Annual East Bay Winternationals’ to kick off his 2003 season and experienced a rollercoaster week of highs and lows, with the highlight coming on Wednesday February 5 when he won his first Renegade feature event of the season which also marked his career first feature win at East Bay Raceway Park driving his Corry Rubber/Corry Laser/Nystrom's Auto Sales/Draime Racing Engines/Rocket Chassis/Pierotti Motorsports/Farr MotorSports Chevrolet Monte Carlo #1*.

Frank participated in the six-race ‘Winternationals’ speed week with three nights sanctioned by the Renegade Dirt Car Racing Series and the Xtreme Dirt Car Series that was held from February 3 – 8.

On night one for the Renegade opener Frank qualified 34th out of 87 cars and then started sixth in the fourth heat, and finished fourth from the tail after getting spun out. He then went to the second B-main and finished third, falling one spot shy of making the A Main forcing him to take a provisional for the A Main where he started 26^th and finished 13^th, receiving the ‘Hard Charger Award’ for the race.

On day two for the Xtreme debut Frank qualified 16th out of 86 cars and then started third in the fourth heat where he finished third.^Hethen started 16th in the main event where he finished 14^th.

On night number three the Renegade series returned to action where Frank qualified 33^rd out of 87 cars and started sixth in the third heat. Frank came across the checker in third which lined him up in 15^th for the feature. After pitting for tires on lap 27, Frank eventually took the lead on lap 47 and held on for his first Renegade victory of the season and his career first feature win at East Bay Raceway.

“Well, it was lucky (laughs)!” chuckled Frank on his win. “It was lucky. We didn’t have the right tires on to start the race but we were one of the first ones to get into the pits and get them changed before everybody else did so that kind of gave us a little bit of advantage, other than (Brian) Birkhofer and (Ray) Cook, they both had the right tires on to start with. It took the rest of us a little time to get there.”

“That was definitely a good thing, winning our career first here. We led a couple here but it’s just one of them places where you cant seem to get a win but we finally did and we’re glad we did. Definitely a tough place.”

Night number four found Xtreme returning and Frank qualifying 22^nd out of 80 cars. Frank started fourth in the fourth heat and finished third that placed him in the 16^th starting slot for the A Main. After pitting twice for tires Frank was only able to muster a 17^th place finish. The fifth day of action brought the Renegade forces back in where Frank qualified 48^th out of 70 cars. Finishing ninth in the sixth heat, Frank then placed ninth in the third B Main. Taking another provisional, Frank started 26^th, pitted for tires early, and finished 16^th.

The sixth and final night of the ‘Winternationals’ found Frank qualifying 23^rd during time trials, finishing sixth in the fifth heat, and fourth in the second B Main, just two spots shy of making the starting field.

“We can’t get anything going except for that one night,” stated Frank upon reviewing his week. “We can’t get anything going the rest of the nights. We’re making the races, except for the Renegade nights I had to take two provisionals. The Xtreme deal we’ve been making those races, except Saturday, but haven’t been running very good.”

“I thought I had a good car on Monday night and we had to pit and we started on the tail and got back up to 13^th. I thought the car was pretty good but the rest of the week the car hasn’t been worth a darn. Even the night we won it was more of a rubbered up deal and the car didn’t handle that well. It was just one of them deals where we got out first and kind of manhandled the car around the race track and the rubber.”

This week Frank will head over to Volusia County Speedway near Barberville, FL for their series of races where Frank captured an impressive win last season.

“This (new) car acts like it runs good in the rubber and that place likes to rubber up so maybe we’ll be good there,” observed Frank. “We’ve won a race there every year we’ve been there. So hopefully we can keep that streak alive.”

The three-time Renegade champion currently resides in sixth place in the Renegade national point standings. Assisting Frank on his crew are crew chief Boom Briggs, Steve Briggs and Bruce Repine.

For additional information on Chub Frank visit the Chub Frank website at: www.chubfrank.com.