Shangri-La II to hold Stars of NASCAR night

Shangri-La II Motor Speedway is proud to announce an all-star lineup of talent for its first "Stars of NASCAR Night" on Saturday, Aug. 7, the night before the Sprint Cup Series race at nearby Watkins Glen. Two Cup Series champions and two of NASCAR's most colorful personalities will make the night at the Concrete Castle one to remember.

Rusty Wallace, the 1989 Winston Cup champion and his brother Kenny Wallace, whose outspoken television personality sometimes overshadows his well-proven driving talent, will be joined by 2003 title winner Matt Kenseth and two-time Daytona 500 victor Michael Waltrip, who has become a TV favorite as well. Rusty will man the microphone while the other three compete in a match race series using the top cars in Shangri-La's popular ASA Late Model division.

Fans purchasing VIP tickets will have a chance for autographs and photos in a reserved tent at the track, with details to be announced in the near future. The night's schedule will be arranged to give fans attending the Saturday afternoon Nationwide Series event at Watkins Glen time to make the 45 to 50 minute trip to Shangri-La II in time for all the festivities. Of course, a full ASA Member Track racing program for the Modifieds, ASA Late Models, Sportsman Modifieds, and Street Stocks will be part of the evening.

"Putting this package together has been one of our highest priorities for the 2010 season, along with the installation of our lighting system," said track manager Amy Stilson. "Both projects are now well underway, and they will meet for a spectacular 'Stars of NASCAR Night' at Shangri-La II," she added.

Event schedule, pricing, and VIP ticket package details will be announced in the near future.

CHEMUNG SPEEDROME

It was a Friday night of "firsts" on Buckley's Automotive Night at WilliamsAutoGroup.com presents Chemung Speedrome. Terry Potrzebowski (Street Stocks) and Daren Scherer (INEX Legends) got their first 2010 wins, previously undefeated Legend ace Mike Alcaro lost his first race at the track this year, and Milton Price picked up a career first feature win in the 4 Cylinder division. Tony "Lightning" Hanbury (NASCAR Sunoco Modifieds) now has a handful of feature wins following his fifth trip to the Horseheads Pick-A-Part Victory Lane.

They'll all be back at it this Friday night at 7:30 p.m. Track Manager Jody Buckley announced a schedule change that moves this weekend's races from Sunday to Friday, June 18.

Tony Hanbury padded his point lead a bit with a sweep of the action in the NASCAR Sunoco Modifieds. He took the lead from Jr Kent on the 14th of 40 laps and never looked back.

Pole-sitter Zach Truesdail edged Zack Curren as the front row starters sailed off turn two on the opening lap. The scramble was on, for positions two through eight, with Bobby Osgood and Jr Kent diving underneath Curren to take over second and third. Hanbury, who started eighth, was advancing and was up to fifth when Justin Petcosky spun off turn four and slapped the front stretch wall. He retired with heavy damage.

The restart had Osgood beside Truesdail in the front row. Osgood had the advantage when the pair reached turn one but a tap from Truesdail turned the 09 around, and caution waved again. That brought Jr Kent and Hanbury up to the front row and Kent prevailed, but not for long. When he drifted high in turn four Hanbury was there and snuck underneath the 16. He completed the pass on the front straightaway and never got more than eight car lengths ahead of Kent.

Focus then shifted to a great battle for third between Daren Scherer and Jimmy Zacharias. Once Zacharias took third Scherer then had his hands full holding off Rusty Smith for fourth.

The win, Hanbury's fifth in the seven events this year, keeps him atop the point standings. Kent finished second, followed by heat winner Zacharias, Scherer and Smith.

Qualifying went well in the Street Stock division, with Derrick Tarbox and Chris Daugherty taking the wins. Then it was feature time and things changed. The 25-lap race included eight lead changes among five drivers, seven caution periods, and a black flag.

Ken Evans and Brandon Ameigh brought the field to the green and Evans led. Behind him Chris Daugherty, Terry Ostrander and Terry Potrzebowski went three-wide for third. Ameigh took over on lap two but he and Evans would swap that lead several times over the first seven laps. Caution came out with eight laps complete when Ameigh tapped Daugherty, who collected Derrick Tarbox. All continued, but at the rear.

Potrzebowski and Mike Nichols drag raced into turn one on the restart but Jeff Goodwin was right there in third. Following a restart Goodwin was outside Potrzebowski and the pair went side by side with Nichols a close third.

Things heated up just short of the halfway point when officials ruled that contact between Goodwin and Nichols, who spun, was deliberate and they black flagged Goodwin.

The last half of the 25-lap feature boiled down to family bragging rights. Nichols worked over Potrzebowski and passed him for the lead on the 16th lap. Potrzebowski stayed right with him, knowing that no one had passed Nichols while out in front all year. That changed on lap 21, as the veteran driver found an opening in turn four and slipped underneath in his race-winning pass. Nichols was second, finishing ahead of Daugherty, Ostrander and Evans.

The INEX Legends seem to never disappoint at the Speedrome. Strong in numbers with 21 entries, the unknown was whether anyone could handle the Mike Alcaro factor. The New Jersey driver entered the 25-lap feature undefeated in the six races he'd run at Chemung this year. He headed home defeated, by his own motor. Daren Scherer headed home a winner, having fought from his last starting spot.

It took three tries to get the Legends feature underway, but when it did it was Corey Mosher who led after starting third. Cody Frantz ran with Mosher and took over the lead on the third lap. He held the top spot through lap 12 and had Jason Urso right behind him.

Urso took over on the 13th lap, just before some drama. A huge puff of smoke from the No. 88 spelled disaster for Mike Alcaro, running third at the time. He was done, and Urso had Justin Petcosky beside him and Scherer behind him for the restart. It only took two laps for Scherer to pass Urso, bringing to mind many races in seasons past between the pair. Scherer won, followed to the line by Urso, point leader Richie Vanderpool, and Frantz. Tony Hanbury, filling in for the ill Matt Priscott in the No. 22, finished fifth. Heat wins went to Urso, Vanderpool and Petcosky.

Frank Morich won the 4 Cylinder heat race and earned the pole for their 20-lap feature. Milton Price won the respect of his competitors in this one. While Morich led the way, Archie Haner went three-wide with Price and Paul Burns for third. The only caution came as a result of the close, three-wide racing. With Morich out front and three laps in the books, the trouble occurred in turn two. While going for the same spot Joe Lane, Phil Haner and Archie Haner got together, and Phil rode on just his left tires for a moment. Archie's damage ended his night. Phil tried to continue but was well off the pace and he retired a lap after the race restarted.

Three laps later Milton Price dove underneath Morich in turn four and took away the lead. He held the top spot over the remaining laps, leaving Morich in a battle with Lane and Gene Purvis for second. When it was over Price enjoyed his first trip to victory lane, and the crowd gave him and his team something to remember. Morich finished a solid second, with Purvis, Lane and Burns rounding out the top five.

This weekend Advance Auto Parts sponsors the Friday night program of NASCAR Sunoco Modifieds (running twin-30's), Street Stocks, 4 Cylinders and INEX Legends. Pits open at 4 p.m., with practice and grandstand gates opening at 5:30 p.m. The first heat hits the track at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for seniors and kids ages 5-16, and always free for kids under age 5. Fans are reminded to bring their ticket stubs from June 4 for a $2 discount.

Anyone wanting more information can call track manager, Jody Buckley, at (607) 738-1125 or check the track's Web site, www.chemungspeedrome.net. WilliamsAutoGroup.com presents Chemung Speedrome, part of the NASCAR Whelen All American Series - Short Track Racing At Its Best!

Mother Nature spoils race at Dunn Hill 2

The track crew did a great job at preparing the track for Sunday's racing program, but mother nature had other plans. Showers off and on did not put a damper on the day's racing schedule. It was the final event on a regular basis for racing. The pits filled in with a couple of Sportsman Modifieds, 4 cylinder Mini Stocks, 4 cylinder FWD, Factory Stocks, Pro Stocks and Enduro cars. Unfortunately a heavy shower cancelled the show.

Starting this Friday night, Dunn Hill 2 will make a change in their racing program. The Sportsman Modifieds will be replaced with the IMCA style modifieds. The rest of the divisions that will be racing under the lights will remain the same. The change was made after much consideration by Mark Spencer and his entire staff. The dust and track conditions were very difficult to control during the Sunday afternoon shows. Moving to Friday nights they are hoping it will be much easier to control. The change to the IMCA style modifieds was made due to the low car count of the Sportsman. There are many of the IMCA style mods in the area. Many of the local drivers will be making Dunn Hill 2 their home. Special event winner Eddie Sites will be making the change to Dunn Hill. He had been traveling to another facility, but the travel took a toll on the team. With Dunn Hill 2 in his back yard it will much easier for his family and fans to be able to attend the racing events.

In honor of Father's Day, it will be the Father's Day Spectacular, with a regular show in all divisions. Gates will open at 5 p.m. with racing at 7 p.m. For those of you who were in attendance on Sunday your grandstand admission tickets and pit wrist bands will be honored. Upcoming events for June include a regular show on the 25th with Kiddie Rides. The staff is working on some other special events, but for the time being it will be regular shows on Friday nights.

For other information about the track, such as directions and pit rules please check out the Web site for the track at www.dunnhill2speedway.com. Don't miss the first night under the lights on the hill where the racing will be fast and furious.

DUAL TRACK

COMPETITIION

Hunts Auto Service has partnered up with the Thunder Mountain Speedway in Center Lisle, N.Y. and the Skyline Raceway in Blodgett Mills, N.Y. to present the Dual Track Competition for the Modified Sportsman division.

This competition will consist of 2 feature events with a distance of 35-laps. The first event will be held on Friday, July 2 at the Thunder Mountain Speedway and the second event will be held on Saturday, July 10 at the Skyline Raceway.

These events will both be $1,000 to win and then the normal weekly payout for the respective tracks, the events are being held at will complete the payout. Points will be kept and the driver with the best points average after both events are held will receive a $500 bonus.

"I am very excited about this challenge," said Dick Stark. "Frank Payne and myself both feel that this competition will be great not only for the drivers but it will make for some great racing for the fans as well."

It was announced that the rules will follow the Modified Sportsman rules from Thunder Mountain Speedway and the sail panels will be allowed for both shows.

For more information, visit www.thundermountainspeed.com or www.skylineracewayny.com.

THUNDER MOUNTAIN

A warm summer atmosphere brought a great group of cars and spectators to the 3/8 mile oval called Thunder Mountain Speedway for a dirt track thrill ride on Friday, June 11. Victories went to Kenny Hammond (Modified Sportsman), Nick Nye (Hurricane Street Stocks), K.C. Cole (IMCA Modifieds), Dan Wood (Road Bandits), Wayne Ross (Road Warriors) and Brett Smith (Stage One Modifieds). Billy Spoonhower (Modified Sportsman) and George Brown (Road Bandits) posted wins in the make up features from June 4.

Richie Hillis and Billy Spoonhower led the field of Modified Sportsman to the green flag for the make up 25-lap feature event from June 4. R. Hillis would hold control of the top spot until lap 16 when outside pole starter Spoonhower took it away. Spoonhower would drive smooth for the remaining nine laps en-route to his first win of the 2010 racing season. Brian White suffered mechanical problems coming to the checkered flag and finished second with Eddie White, Gary Card Jr. and R. Hillis completing the top five. R. Hillis and Spoonhower posted heat wins back on June 4.

Kenny Hammond was involved in an early race accident in the make up feature from June 4 but he bounced back in the regular scheduled 25-lap Modified Sportsman feature event to scored his first win of the season. Hammond would lead all 25-laps after starting from the pole position with Eddie White, Jim LaRock, Larry Hillis and the rest of the field trying to chase him down. Hammond would shut down there chances by taking the checkered flag below chief starter Sam Folk. E. White finished 2nd ahead of Gary Card, Jr., LaRock and L. Hillis. Hammond and LaRock scored wins in the eight-lap heat races.

Outside pole sitter Nick Nye snagged the top spot from pole sitter Jason Beebe on lap six of the 20-lap Hurricane Street Stock feature event to score his career first win in the division. Norm Whittemore and Rich Talada came across the line in a photo finish for second place with Whittemore taking it over Talada, Kevin Boynton and Earl Zimmer who rounded out the top five finishers. Beebe and Whittemore posted win the heat races.

K.C. Cole scored an emotional first win since 2006 in the 20-lap feature event for the IMCA Modified division. Cole held off Jerry Lobdell Jr. who finished second with Eddie Sites, Brad Weaver and Matt Roberts completing the top five. Lobdell Jr. and Mike Wilbur Sr. posted wins in the heat races held for the division.

George Brown won the 15-lap Road Bandits feature event from June 4 with Andy Dorman and Dan Wood completing the top three. Wood scored the win in the regular scheduled feature event ahead of Joe Fichett and Brown.

Wayne Ross picked up his second win of the season in the Road Warriors feature event over Ken Winn and Harold Walburn.

The Stage One Modifieds by Smith Fabrications had a 12-lap feature event that was won by Brett Smith. Bill Fisher finished second and Chris Eckert finished third. Bill Fisher won the six-lap heat race held for the division.

The racing action continues on Friday, June 18 with a Big Six Show for the Modified Sportsman, Hurricane Street Stocks, IMCA Modifieds, Crate Sportsman, Road Bandits and Road Warriors. Gates Open at 5 p.m., Practice: 6:45 p.m., Racing at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.thundermountainspeed.com. Thunder Mountain Speedway - Feel the Rumble, Hear the Roar!