Column----Toby LaGrange----DIRT Florida Wrap-Up

The 2003 DIRT Motorsport’s season officially kicked off this past Monday, February 10th, with an on track practice session at Volusia Speedway Park in sunny Florida. Two ten minute sessions were held for the record 40 car’s that were on hand, with still more cars to check in. 

 

            The first official race took place the following night, Tuesday February 11th. The race, 30 laps, drew a record 44 DIRT Modifieds, a great count considering they were a thousand miles away from home. Making a statement, Barto, PA’s Craig VonDohren, driving the South Jersey Overhead Doors, Speed Palace chassied #0, led the entire distance, besting reigning Mr. DIRT Modified Champion Alan Johnson, Tim Fuller, Danny Johnson and Neshanic Station, NJ’s Jimmy Horton. Finishing sixth through ten were: Rick Laubach, Mike Adderley, Jim Rasey, Tim McCreadie, who was making his Sweetner's Plus debut and my 2002 Modified and 358 Modified driver of the year, Brett Hearn.  Notable drivers who failed to qualify were Doug Hoffman and “Barefoot” Bob McCreadie. 

 

            After taking Wednesday off the DIRT Motorsport’s gang headed back to Volusia Speedway Park for night number two of their four-race swing through the sunshine state. Another good field of 43 modifieds checked in to do battle on the half-mile oval. Genoa, NY’s Pat Ward took the early lead in the 30-lap affair holding it until lap three when Brett Hearn, piloting the Budweiser number three took over. On lap 13 Rochester, NY’s Danny Johnson, driving a Randy Chrysler machine, took over the top spot and went on to take the win. Tim Fuller was second followed by Ward, Hearn and a surprising Mike Adderley of Watertown, NY.  Ray Swinehart, night number one winner Craig VonDohren, Randy Chrysler, Rich Laubach and Tim McCreadie completed the top ten. Notable DNQ’s were Bobby Varin, Keith Hoffman and Butch Title.

 

            On Friday evening the field shrunk yet again, this time to 42 cars. Edwards, NY’s Tim Fuller took the early lead and held it until lap four when fellow northern New York State driver Tim McCreadie took over. On lap number eight Sussex, NJ’s Brett Hearn took the point and never looked back, winning over McCreadie, Fuller, night number two winner Danny Johnson and Matt Sheppard. Defending 2002 Mr. DIRT Modified Alan Johnson, Jimmy Horton, Steve Hulsizer, Ward and Keith Hoffman completed the top ten.

 

            All good things must come to an end, as was the case with the DIRT Motorsports Florida Tour for 2003 on Saturday evening. A tour low 40 cars attempted to qualify for the 50-lap finale. Pat Ward took the lead from the start, leading the first two laps before “The Corporate Jet”, Brett Hearn took over. Hearn led until lap eight when Ward resumed the top spot. The Genoa, NY veteran lost the lead on lap 26 when Tim Fuller took over, leading the remainder of the event.  Sweetner’s Plus teammates Tim McCreadie and Vic Coffey finished second and third with Hearn and Ward rounding out the top five. VonDohren, Matt Sheppard, Rick Laubach, Mike Adderley and Alan Johnson completed the top ten.  Notable DNQ’S were Ray Swinehart, Kevin Hirthler and Steve Hulsizer.

 

            Scoring the victory on the tour finale, Tim Fuller locked up the Florida Tour point’s title. Brett Hearn finished second, Tim McCreadie third and the Johnson brothers Danny and Alan completing the top five.

 

            Five Capitol District area drivers took part in the four-race swing. The most successful was J.R Heffner. The Lebanon Valley Speedway regular made all four shows with a high of 11th. Also on hand was Heffner’s fellow Lebanon Valley pilot Chris Moore, Fonda Speedway drivers Bobby Varin (high of 14th) and Chic Chandler, as well as Albany-Saratoga Speedway regular Mike Perrotte. 

 

            All in all another good Florida swing. The cars counts were high; averaging about 42 cars per race and the competition was competitive with four different winners in the four events. Let’s hope that the regular DIRT season is as competitive. Any news, notes or comments can reach me at tobylagrange@yahoo.com or by AIM at TbyLa. I hope to hear from you all soon and until next time, keep that racing on DIRT!

 

 



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