ICYMI: Silly Season in the world of Dirt Modifieds

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ICYMI: Silly Season in the world of Dirt Modifieds

By: Pete MacDonald

In case you missed it, this year’s ‘silly season’ in the world of North East Dirt Modifieds has been like no other. I’m going to try and recap it as much as I can, and I’m sure I’m missing a few things, but here it goes:

The Friesen family has sold Ransomville Speedway but will still maintain a management role for at least this year.

Brett Deyo, owner/promoter of the Short Track Super Series, has taken over the Georgetown Speedway in southern Delaware and running a special events only schedule in 2016, including two Short Track Super Series races.

Joe Skotnicki officially takes over the Race of Champions series, switches them to Hoosier tires, starts a ‘crate only’ RoC Sportsman series and plans a 200 lap race at Utica Rome on the same day as the $25,000 to win Freedom 76 at Grandview.
2015 Super DIRTcar Modified Champion Matt Sheppard and Heinke-Baldwin Racing part ways. HBR says they are cutting back to a single car effort to focus more time and energy into Weedsport Speedway.

After winning the Fonda Speedway title, Stewart Friesen will head a little further south and drive for the Halmar Race Team in a joint effort with Jeff Daley at the Orange County Fair Speedway.

Jimmy Horton who was a New Egypt Speedway regular in 2015 will join Friesen as a teammate at Orange County for Halmar in 2016.

Richie Pratt will not return to the seat of the Sal DeBruno No.0 at Bridgeport Speedway for 2016. CJ Jones will drive the familiar No.0 at the South Jersey oval in 2016.

Pratt will return to his family No.28 with financial backing from DeBruno. Also look for DeBruno to be involved at New Egypt Speedway in 2016 in a big way.

Matt DeLorenzo, former promoter at the Fonda Speedway has relinquished his keys to one of the most famous speedways in New York to spend more time with the family. The Fonda fair board has met with many parties to take over the speedway which include, car owner and successful business man, Jake Spraker.

Jeff Strunk’s name has been tossed around alot this Silly Season. Strunk will not return to the Dave Zubikowski ride for 2016. Instead Strunk will reunite with Glenn Hyneman to drive his No.126 machines weekly at Big Diamond and Grandview along with the Short Track Super Series South.

Doug Manmiller will replace Jeff Strunk in the Zubi’s Racing ride which will be renumbered from 88 to 00. Manmiller will pilot the Hig Fab Chassis weekly at Grandview in 2016.

Vinny Salerno announced that he is taking time away from the sport and has sold just about most if not all his equipment that Tim McCreadie ran for special events that didn’t conflict with his Late Model schedule.

Mike Mahaney will team up with Buzz Chew Racing for 2016 to run most of the Super DIRTcar Series and special events. The team will utilize Troyer Race Cars.

Bridgeport Speedway faithful Bob Sarkisian is calling it a career after 15+ years of competition. Bob was a many time Sportsman and Modified winner at the 5/8 Mile South Jersey oval throughout his career.

Vinny Vitale has hired Dale Planck to maintain his cars for the 2016 season. This will open the door for Planck to drive a few select shows for Vitale throughout the season. Planck was working for Carey Terrance and his Rez-X Racing team.

One of the biggest shockers is Billy Decker parting ways with John WIght’s Gypsum Wholesalers team. Decker who has driven for Wight since 2004 is currently looking for a ride for 2016. Rumor has it that Decker wants to spend more time running his family’s business and doesn’t want to race as much as he had been.

Keep an eye on RacersGuide.com for more information. I can be emailed at racersguide@gmail.com or found on Twitter @PMacDonald51. Thanks for reading!

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