NAPA Super DIRT Week Kicks Off with Hundreds of Campers at the N.Y. State Fairgrounds and High-Speeds on the Moody Mile

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DSC_0063NAPA Super DIRT Week Kicks Off with Hundreds of Campers at the N.Y. State Fairgrounds and High-Speeds on the Moody Mile

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Oct. 7, 2015 – The “Finale at the Fairgrounds” is finally underway. Wednesdaymorning hundreds of campers rolled into the New York State Fairgrounds to kick off the 44th NAPA Super DIRT Week, then Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Series drivers raced onto the Moody Mile for their first laps at the historic venue.

It was a bittersweet day for many of the racers. With every driver wanting desperately to be the final winner at the Mile on Sunday, Billy Decker topped the two-hour practice session with a lap around the Mile in 31.478 seconds.

“We need to be quick-time all week,” said Decker, a four-time Syracuse 200 winner. “It’s very similar to what we thought it would be, actually we went a little quicker than I thought you should go. Thursday is a new ball game, we’ll see what happens.”

On Thursday, drivers get their chance at being the final polesitter of NAPA Super DIRT Week during the qualifying time trials for the Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds and the DIRTcar 358-Modifieds.

While Decker says he doesn’t think this final event at the fairgrounds is “going to hit everybody for a while,” the young driver who was second quick on Wednesday, 22-year-old Larry Wight, would certainly like to close out this era of the event with his first Syracuse 200 victory.

“I’ve been coming here since I was 4 years old working on cars,” said Wight, the 2015 DIRTcar Nationals champion. “The last thing I want to think about is that we can’t come back. I always dreamed of being able to have my kids work on my car like I did for Pat (Ward) and everybody else. Hopefully it’s a good show for the fans.”

Wight looked strong on Wednesday afternoon, posting a lap around the Mile in 31.689 seconds that was second quickest.

“We’re excited about it, but you’re also nervous because you don’t want to be quick out of the gate and slow at the finish,” Wight said. “We were able to put it in the top two so that’s a good indication for us to try to get in the top six for time trials. The track was smooth all the way around. I was able to drive around the outside of guys who were slower than me so I think it’s going to race really well.”

Billy Dunn earned his first Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Series victory in the 2013 Syracuse 200 during NAPA Super DIRT Week so there’s little doubt how special this venue and event are to him. Dunn drove the third quickest car in the Wednesday practice session with a lap in 31.774 seconds as he also would love to close out the Mile with a victory.

“Like any of us, we’ve all been here since we’ve been kids and we have a lot of memories of being here,” Dunn said. “You think about things you saw or do when you were a kid, or even the last five or 10 years racing. We do feel really lucky we were able to win one, that takes a little bit of the pressure off us, we can just go out and try to do our best.”

For many racers, no victory is more special than the first one. For Dunn, his first victory coming on the sport’s biggest stage makes it even more special, but a win on Sunday might just change that.

“You know, me and Tim Fuller were talking about that,” Dunn said. “This is the one Syracuse race that if you win, it will mean more than your first win here. It’s a pretty big race. At least we do have that one win under our belt, we’ve won a couple of Triple 20s, had some really strong runs here so we don’t expect anything less this week. About lap 160 on Sunday we’ll know where we sit.”

For every driver in the pits this week, they hope to their name becomes part of Syracuse lore by Sunday. Through Wednesday afternoon, below are the drivers set to compete this week:

Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Roster

Car Driver Hometown
ONE David Hebert St. Damase, QC
X Edward Kitchell South Kingstown, RI
01 Chris Raabe Napanee, ON
1 Tyler Dippel Wallkill, NY
1 Justin Haers Phelps, NY
1M Mathieu Desjardins Sorel-Tracy, QC
1NY Gregory Atkins Keeseville, NY
FX1 Frankie Caprara Pulaski, NY
2RJ Ronnie Johnson Scotia, NY
2RJ Mark Kislowski Ballston Lake, NY
3J Marc Johnson Guilderland, NY
3A Kevin Albert Jr Lebanon, PA
3M Henry Maier Spencerport, NY
5 Billy VanInwegen Sparrowbush, NY
5* Tyler Siri Horseheads, NY
6 Jimmy Phelps Baldwinsville, NY
6 Mat Williamson St.Catharines, ON
7 Rick Laubach Hellertown, PA
7 Michael Maresca Hannawa Falls, NY
08 Mark D’Ilario Vineland, ON
8 Rich Scagliotta Hillsborough, NJ
11 Robert Bellinger Dexter, NY
12B Kevin Britten Port Byron, NY
13 Rick Regalski Slippery Rock, PA
R13 Ralph McBride Valencia, PA
14 Brian Swarthout Beaver Dams, NY
14 Brett Wright East Chatam, NY
14H Jeffrey Heotzler Wallkill, NY
17 Marcus Dinkins Montour Falls, NY
19 Jessey Mueller Olmstedville, NY
19 Tim Fuller Watertown, NY
20 Brett Hearn Kinnelon, NJ
21a Peter Britten Port Byron, NY
21M Bob McGannon Garnerville, NY
22c Mario Clair St.Edmond, QC
24 Patrick Dupree Saranac Lake, NY
25P Michael Parent Granby, QC
27J Danny Johnson Phelps, NY
28p Eldon Payne Jr Canandaigua, NY
29 Kyle Redner Middletown, NY
32c Vic Coffey Caledonia, NY
34B Andy Bachetti Great Barrington, MA
35 Frank Cozze Wind Gap, PA
39 Tim McCreadie Avon, NY
39 Alan Therrien Victoriaville, QC
M40 Mark Forte Jr Hammonton, NJ
42p Pat Ward Baldwinsville, NY
43 Keith Flach Ravena, NY
43x Keith Flach Ravena, NY
44 Stewart Friesen Sprakers, NY
45 Steve Feder Butler, PA
47 Bob Sarkisian Woolwich, NJ
49 Billy Dunn Watertown, NY
51M Dominick Buffalino Sayreville, NJ
56 Vince Vitale Cato, NY
62s Tom Sears Jr. Clay, NY
63 Adam Roberts Central Square, NY
66x Carey Terrance Hogansburg, NY
66 Duane Howard Oley, PA
71 Pierre Hebert St.Hyacinthe, QC
74 Dave Blaney Hartford, Ohio
74 JR Heffner Kinderhook, NY
75 Jeff Miller Sarver, PA
77 Bob Hamm Jr Windsor, NY
77B Roy Bresnahan Fulton, NY
87 Neil Stratton North Bennington, VT
88 Dave Allen Palmyra, NY
91 Billy Decker Baldwinsville, NY
96 Todd Milton Camillus, NY
96 Mike Turner Butler, PA
98 Eddie Marshall Ridgefield, CT
99 Mikael Labreche Ste Beatrix, QC
99L Larry Wight Baldwinsville, NY
115 Stephane LaFrance St.Andrews, ON
115 Ken Tremont Jr West Sandlake, NY
151KB Brian McDonald Cornwall, ON
220 John Ferrier Middletown, NY
747 Ryan Godown Ringoes, NJ
816 Jeffrey Rockefeller Ballston Spa, NY
999 Matt Sheppard Waterloo, NY
2848 Jimmy Maier Spencerport, NY

DIRTcar 358-Modified Roster

Car Driver Hometown
ONE David Hebert St.Damase, QC
01 Chris Raabe Napanee, ON
1 Tyler Dippel Wallkill, NY
1M Mathieu Desjardins Sorel-Tracy, QC
1NY Gregory Atkins Keeseville, NY
FX1 Frankie Caprara Pulaski, NY
3A Kevin Albert Jr Lebanon, PA
3B Scott Boudinot Dundee, NY
3J Marc Johnson Guilderland, NY
3M Henry Maier Spencerport, NY
6 Jimmy Phelps Baldwinsville, NY
7 Michael Maresca Hannawa Falls, NY
08 Mark D’Ilario Vineland, ON
8 Rich Scagliotta Hillsborough, NJ
12B Kevin Britten Port Byron, NY
14 Brett Wright East Chatam, NY
14 Brian Swarthout Beaver Dams, NY
17 JR Heffner Kinderhook, NY
17 Matt Janiak Warwich, NY
20 Brett Hearn Kinnelon, NJ
21 Yan Bussiere Drummondville, QC
21M Bob McGannon Garnerville, NY
21s James Henry Niagara Falls, NY
22c Mario Clair St.Edmond, QC
24 Patrick Dupree Saranac Lake, NY
25 Chad Jeseo Averill Park, NY
25 Erick Rudolph Ransomville, NY
25P Michael Parent Granby, QC
26 Ryan Godown Ringoes, NJ
29K Ryan Krachun Neshanic, NJ
32c Vic Coffey Caledonia, NY
R40 Ryan Forte Hammonton, NJ
44 Stewart Friesen Sprakers, NY
45 Wayne Jelley Pittsfield, MA
47 Bob Sarkisian Woolwich, NJ
49 Billy Dunn Watertown, NY
66x Carey Terrance Hogansburg, NY
73 Alain Boisvert Lachine, QC
76A Ronnie Johnson Scotia, NY
83x Tim Sears Jr Hastings, NY
87 Neil Stratton North Bennington, VT
91 Billy Decker Baldwinsville, NY
99 Mikael Labreche St Beatrix, QC
99L Larry Wight Baldwinsville, NY
111 Demetrios Drellos Queensbury, NY
115 Ken Tremont Jr West Sandlake, NY
115 Stephane Lafrance St Albert, ON
343 Randy Sweetman Middletown, NY
151KB Brian McDonald Cornwall, ON

DIRTcar Sportsman Modified Roster

Car Driver Hometown
0 Shane Pecore St Andrews, ON
00 Frank Holmes Gibbstown, NJ
00 Christopher Kokosa Belchertown, MA
1 Sam Reakes IV Fulton, NY
1f AJ Lloyd Canandaigua, NY
1J Rocky Warner Gloversville, NY
M1 David Marcuccilli Cayuga, NY
2 Chris Thurston LaFargeville, NY
3X John Behr Central Square, NY
4 Cody Clark Little Falls, NY
4 Greg Martin Wilson, NY
4T Tony Komuda Jr Warners, NY
8 Alan Fink Central Square, NY
09 Connor Cleveland Corinth, NY
11s Steven Lewis Jr Ransomville, NY
12 Taylor Caprara Watertown, NY
14x Scott Duell Ballston Spa, NY
15B Brianna Ladouceur Cornwall, ON
16 Earl Rudy Phoenix, NY
17J Jamie Platt Watertown, NY
17T Todd Town Jordan, NY
18jr Louie Jackson Jr Akwesasne, NY
21 Adam Gage West Lebanon, NH
21 James Henry Niagara Falls, NY
21L Alissa Cody Cairo, NY
22 Brett Martin Burt, NY
22 Matt Smith Canadaguia, NY
M22 Michael Dubois Highland, NY
23 John McAuliffe Ballston Lake, NY
23 Mike Stacey Kahnawake, QC
24k Nick Krause Parish, NY
29k Chris Cunningham Kirkville, NY
30 Brad Rouse St.Catharines, ON
33 Alex Lajoie St.Damase, QC
33H Matt Hitchcock Stony Point, NY
35 Chris Curtis East Canaan, CT
42 Brian Murphy Cicero, NY
44 Dave Conant Jr Lockport, NY
47 Brent Cross Cortland, NY
52 Jessica Power Kingston, ON
70 John Virgilio Pittsfield, MA
78A Brad Alger Oneonta, NY
85 Steve Abt Oswego, NY
86 Matt Steffenhagen Delevan, NY
88c Connor Dawdy Battersea, ON
92 Joey Ladouceur Alexandria, ON
96 Robert Maxon Pownal, VT
98 Dan Kapuscinski Fulton, NY
99 Brian Papiez Belle Mead, NJ
14s Austin Smith Thompson Ridge, NY
271 Tiger Chapman Cape Vincent, NY
314 Gordon Film Stillwater, NY
343 Randy Sweetman Middletown, NY
415 Andrew Wren Evans Mills, NY

DIRTcar Pro Stock Roster

Car Driver Hometown
00 Mike Welch Lyons, NY
08 Chad Arsenault Elizaville, NY
2 Peter Stefanski North Tonawanda, NY
2H Luke Horning Gloversville, NY
4 Dean Charbonneau Clifton Park, NY
07 Tom Harkins Hudson, NY
7 Rob Yetman Castleton, NY
7c Glenn Forward Morrisville, NY
7N Jim Normoyle Little Falls, NY
8 Jay Corbin Rensselaer, NY
11 Ed Thompson Castleton, VT
14 Kim Duell Port Corners, NY
15 Daniel Wood Watervliet, NY
17 Jocelyn Chicoine St Marc Richelieu, QC
17 Nick Hilt Averill Park, NY
22 Andrew Walters Gloversville, NY
24 Robbie Speed Hudson, NY
30 Steve Pesarak Geneva, NY
47 David Long Sault, ON
60 Joe LaFlamme Pittsfield, MA
81 Justin Knight St Johnsville, NY
93 Kenneth Martin Jr Scotia, NY
97 Daniel Older Ballaston Spa, NY
315 Jonathan Routhier Canaan, CT
322 Jay Casey Canaan, CT
324 Jason Casey Ashley Falls, MA
690 Sid Harmer Jr Gouverneur, NY
715 Gus Hollner Gloversville, NY
715N Nick Stone Schenectady, NY

USAC Silver Crown Roster Roster

Car Driver Hometown
2 Patrick Lawson Edwardsville, IL
3 A.J. Fike Galesburg, IL
8 Justin Grant Ione, CA
20 Jerry Coons Jr. Tucson, AZ
26 Aaron Pierce Muncie, IN
30 C.J. Leary Greenfield, IN
36 Chappy Knaack Bethesda, MD
48 Brady Bacon Broken Arrow, OK
53 Steve Buckwalter Royersford, PA
55 Casey Shuman Tempe, AZ
63 Kody Swanson Kingsburg, CA
71 Shane Cockrum Benton, IL
81 Shane Cottle Kokomo, IN
88 Chris Fetter Troy, MO
91 Austin Nemire Sylvania, OH
98 Chris Windom Canton, IL
99 Stewart Friesen Sprakers, NY
117 Richie Tobias Lebanon, PA

The Super DIRTcar Series and DIRTcar Racing in the Northeast Region is brought to fans by several sponsors and partners including Hoosier Racing Tire, VP Racing Fuels, Chevy Performance Parts, NAPA Auto Parts, Pole Position Raceway and Dig Safely New York. Contingency sponsors are ASI, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix, ButlerBuilt, Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, FX Caprara, Fox Shox, Impact Race Products, Intercomp, JE Pistons, JRI Shocks, KSE Racing Products, Mobil 1, Motorsports Safety Systems, MSD Performance, Racing Electronics, Superflow, TNT Rescue and Wrisco Aluminum.

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