DIRT LATE MODEL NEWSLINE
 

Syndicated by Lehman Motorsports Services *

Terry Hartman Sr., 66, of White Cottage, OH, died Monday, Oct. 29, 2007, at the VA Medical Center in Dayton, after complications due to a recent surgery. Hartman was a former Late Model racer and brother to superstar Late Model racer Butch Hartman and uncle to racer Bart Hartman. He was also an avid motorcyclist all of his life and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

Dirt Late Model young gun Mike Knight, 20, of Ripley, NY, who scored his
career first Super Late Model point championship at Bobby Rohrer’s Eriez
Speedway in Pennsylvania this season in only his second year as a dirt
Late Model driver, has announced the launching of an all-new website
devoted to the popular New York driver and his racing team. The new
website has been designed and constructed and will be maintained by Bill
Blair’s MWB Graphics & Web Design. The new website is located at:
www.mikeknight9k.com

Mike Knight will appear on the Monday November 12 edition of Dirt
Nation™ presented by Lucas Oil radio show with host Dave Seay. Tune in
Monday night at 8:00 PM EST at: www.racetalklive.com or www.dirtnation.net

NASCAR regular J.J. Yeley will be pulling multiple duties the weekend of
the Checker Auto Parts 500 in Phoenix, AZ. Besides his regular Nextel
Cup ride, he will be racing over at Manzanita Speedway during the
Western World Championships. Race fans will have the opportunity to
watch the racing action from the Western World LIVE on the Internet as
brought to you by race/network (http://www.racenetwork.tv).

Joey Mack and his #97m team recently wrapped up their version of the
2007 racing season. The Benton, Missouri based Dirt Late Model team had
a very successful year, which was highlighted by capturing the inaugural
MidSouth Racing Association (MSRA) Championship. Joey finished ahead of Jeff Floyd, Dusty Johnston, Billy Moyer, Jr., and Jordan Jones in the
final series point standings, which will net him $5,000 and a plethora
of contingency awards at the Awards Banquet on November 30.

Dirt America....the book! Would you buy one?

After a month away from Dirt Late Model competition due to a broken
wrist suffered on October 5 at the Ponderosa (KY) Speedway, Justin
Rattliff will get back behind the wheel of his #16 C.J. Rayburn / Pro
Power entry this Saturday night In recent weeks, both Tim Tungate and
Don O’Neal have driven Justin Rattliff Racing entries.

In the Nov. ’07 CAR & DRIVER magazine there is a story on Chub Frank
featured.

16 year old rookie dirt Late Model driver Dillon Wood will soon be
re-launching his website which is located at www.dillonwood.com

Steve Casebolt has hired veteran crew member Chris Burton to help Steve
with his efforts on the 2008 Lucas Oil tour.

The Jimmy Mars Racing Team signed Baileigh Industrial, Inc. on board as
a major supporter of the #28 team. Baileigh Industrial, Inc., which has
its world headquarters based in Manitowoc, WI.

Lee Logan upheld his driver’s honor last Thursday night. Logan, the
chief mechanic for World of Outlaws Late Model Series champion Steve
Francis defeated nine rival crewmen to win the Integra Shocks ‘Crew
Chief Challenge’ on the opening night of the inaugural ‘Outlaws World
Finals’ at The Dirt Track @ Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
Showing off some of the behind-the-scenes talent that has helped Francis
win the WoO LMS championship, Logan changed the right-rear tire on
Francis’s car and got the star driver on his way in a time of 29.755
seconds, nipping Brian Shirley’s chief mechanic Zach Pointer (30.243
seconds) for the ‘Challenge’ top prize of $1,000.

Joe Gibbs Racing is hosting veteran dirt racer Dale McDowell for a
two-day seminar December 14th and 15th titled – Dirt Strategy, Set up &
Racing to Win. The seminar is open to all levels of dirt Late Model
racers and crew chiefs. The 2-day session will be held at the Joe Gibbs
Racing facility in Huntersville, NC and is presented by Joe Gibbs Driven
Racing Oil. Several top chassis manufacturers and drivers will be
represented so you’ll have the opportunity to interact with a panel of
experts representing chassis manufacturers such as – Rayburn, Rocket,
GRT, Master Built, and Warrior. In addition, topics such as driving
styles for different geographical regions, the best engine combinations
for certain tracks, how to manage tire rules, and even a segment on
marketing your team for success. For more information, please contact
Steve Boguski 704-944-5471.

Michael England Racing announced that a new website has been launched
dedicated to the driver of the Young Oil Corporation sponsored
Bloomquist/Pro Power Monte Carlo #5E. You can view at
www.michaelengland5e.com

Matt Lux of Franklin, PA used strong, consistent finishes all season to
reach his goal of winning the Rookie of the Year title as well as
finishing the 2007 MACS tour fifth in the championship standings. Lux
will be back with MACS in '08.

The 2007 racing season has come to a close for Mike Spangler & the
Spangler Competition racing team. Along with Williams Grove and Lincoln
the team also raced at Susquehanna Speedway Park, Trail Way, Hagerstown & Port Royal speedways. The team ended up with two wins along with three top five and 11 top ten finishes. The team will take a few weeks off before starting to prepare for 2008. Spangler's Rocket Chassis was powered by Weaver Racing Engines and sponsored by Cedar Lake Campground, Baker Door Company, FRYECO Inc, Mann-i-cures.

Dirt America....the book! Would you buy one?

Bedford, Pa's Jack Pencil earned his fourth career Bedford Super Late
Model championship ('00, '02, '04, '07), and now only needs one more
championship to tie Tom Peck for the most Super Late Model career
championships at Bedford.

Scott James will take his racing talents out west this weekend, as he
will compete at the Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix, Arizona. The Western
Allstars Series will sanction a pair of Dirt Late Model events at
Manzanita starting Thursday, November 8. A $3,000 top prize is up for
grabs on Thursday, while a $5,000 winner's check awaits the victor on
Saturday night, November 10. James will be piloting a new 2007 Rocket
chassis owned by Rick Wyatt during the two-day show at Manzanita. The
silver/black #83 machine will have a 430 Keith Craft motor underneath of
the hood. You can learn more about these Western Allstars Series races
online at www.westernallstars.com

Wilsports Racing announced Josh Williams as the new pilot of their cars
in 2008. Williams, a native of West Harrison, Indiana, picked up a
feature win at Florence Speedway back on August 25th. The team plans to
make their debut at Florence Speedway for the Season Opener.

The Bedford Speedway Banquet will be held on Saturday December 1st at
the Bedford Elks Club. Tickets are available and must be paid for and
picked up by November 23rd. $28.00 per person. Driver, or someone
representing the driver, must be present to receive trophy and point
fund money.

We understand the new promoter of Elkins Motor Speedway in West Virginia will be Wayne Feathers.

C.J. Rayburn Race Cars’ 12th annual Open House will be held on Friday
November 23, 2007 at the Whiteland, Indiana manufacturing facility. As
in the past two years the Open House will be preceded by a Chassis
Clinic and Seminar. Cost is $150.00, and each paid attendee will receive
a gift certificate. Call the shop at 1-877-828-8232 to register or by
visiting the web at www.cjrayburn.com. The facility will be open for
self-guided tours throughout the day. Lifetime Service Awards will be
given in Memory of Terry Ray Egner, Chris Francis, Butch Wildermuth,
Owen Stephens, and Jerry Ross. The Open House is free and everyone is
welcome.

Edge Racing Engines and Chris Rhodes would like to cordially invite you
to their Second Annual Customer Appreciation ‘Open House’ that will be
held on Saturday, December 15th from 12pm to 5pm. Edge Racing Engines
has over 40 clients from six different states. Their client list
features the likes of National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame member Lynn
Geisler, Mid-Atlantic Championship Series regulars Jim Bernheisel and
Dan Stone, former Lernerville Speedway Champion Gary Lyle, former SMODA
Champion Doug Glessner as well as Bryan Bernheisel, Jim Pitkavich, Randy
Smithley, Scott Richwine, Ken Shaltenbrand, Rich Womeldorf, 2007 Dog
Hollow Speedway Champion Clate Copeman, and Jeff Compton to name a few.
For more information on Edge Racing Engines and their clients please
visit www.edgeracingengines.com

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series officials have released the updated
broadcast airdate schedule of 10 Series Events and a Season Recap show
to be aired on SPEED. The programs produced by Newave Productions will air Saturday Nights during the months December, January and February.

Dirt America....the book! Would you buy one?

Tri-City Speedway officials announced this weekend that Late Models have
been added to the weekly Sunday night card at the Venango County
half-mile oval. The Late Models will join the E Mods, Pro Stocks and
“Sunday Night Thunder” Cars in 2008. Tri-City’s Late Model division will
be based on economical motor rules with certain restrictions. Teams will
be allowed to use GM 602 or 604 engines. The remainder of the Late Model rules will be published at a later date.

Jimmy Mars Racing, based out of Menomonie, Wisconsin, is currently
looking for a skilled and hard-working employee who is experienced in
sheet metal fabrication and welding. Racing experience is not required,
but is highly recommended. Please send a detailed resume highlighting
your skills and work experience to jimmymarsracing@inbox.com or mail it
to the following address: Mars Racing - N5471 648th Street - Menomonie,
WI 54751

Nationally respected engine builder Ross Lombardi, owner of Ross Racing
Engines, Niles, Ohio, will celebrate the 25th consecutive year that he
has built a special engine for the Parts Peddler Auction in Syracuse.
This engine will be sold Saturday afternoon November 17th along with the
brand new feature racecars. Lombardi will also give a free two hour
question and answer engine building, tuning and maintenance seminar on
Friday afternoon, November 16th from 1pm to 3pm. For more information
call 315-699-7583 or check website: www.partspeddlernews.net

While the roar of engines at Eldora (OH) Speedway may have subsided only
a few weeks ago, attention is already being drawn to the 2008 season.
Kicking off the slate of time-honored meets is the 14th annual Dirt Late
Model Dream over the weekend of June 6 & 7, featuring a winner’s payday
of $100,000. Eldora’s most prestigious event on the calendar takes place
the weekend of September 5 & 6 with the 38th annual World 100 for Late
Models. The most sought after prize in all of Late Model racing, the
famed World 100 globed trophy, will accompany a winner’s pay check of
$41,000 in 2008. Tickets go on sale Saturday December 1 at 9:00 AM. From that point forward tickets will be available around the clock on
Eldora’s website, www.eldoraspeedway.com, or by calling the track office
at (937) 338-3815 during normal business hours.

Four seminars have been added to the line-up for this year’s 32nd annual
running of the Dave Dayton Thanksgiving Weekend Racers Auction (TWRA) and Trade Show. Housed within the massive confines of the Indianapolis (IN) Convention Center, over the time period of Thursday, November 22 through Saturday, November 24, the annual affair is recognized as one of the off-season’s leading sources for buying and selling racing equipment, parts and complete race cars. This year’s topics include Late Model Chassis Set-Up and Vinyl Dirt Wrap on Friday, while Saturday’s agenda includes Oil 101 and Chassis and Shock Tuning. Jim Bernheisel will again head up the Late Model Chassis seminar. His down-to-earth approach towards racing, ability to communicate and willingness to share has earmarked his agenda as one of the most sought after seminars. Info at: www.americanracetires.com

The 2007 Awards Banquet for Lakeville Speedway will be held on Saturday, December 15th at the R &L Banquet Center at the corner of 5th Avenue and Route 30 in Mansfield. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased by sending a self addressed stamped envelope to Lakeville Speedway, 1528 Rummel Road, Lucas, Ohio 44843 or by calling Randy at 419- 512-2203. No tickets will be sold at the door and must be purchased by December 7th. All drivers must be present to receive their awards. Info:
www.lakevillespeedway.com

Skyline Speedway near Stewart, Ohio will run their "Foothills Fury" race
this Saturday with Late Models and Sprint Cars headlining. Gates open at
2:00 PM with racing beginning at 5:00 PM.

Following the inaugural "Crashing Through The Snow" on January 5, Mercer
Raceway Park will officially open the 57th anniversary season on
Saturday, March 29 with the running of the "Chiller Thriller". The event
will have a new twist and change of line-up as the Steel-Block Late
Models will highlight the show. Though the "Steel-Blocks" will be the
division name, the event will encompass all non-super/open Late Model
divisions throughout the region and more importantly will be a great
test for the new FASTRAK Late Models, which will appear weekly at Mercer in 2008. The 30-lap feature will pay $2,000 to-win.

Dirt America....the book! Would you buy one?

Steel Block Late Models will return as the weekly headliner at Lakeville
(OH) Speedway.

Sympathies go out to writers Keith Koval (Nat’l Dirt Digest) on the
recent loss of his mother-in-law and Terry Whetstone (RPM Racing News)
on the loss of his mother.

Send your team news to: Dirtracersradio@yahoo.com


*©2007 Lehman Motorsports Services*
©2007 Doc Lehman/Dirt America

DocLehman@sssnet.com