New SpeedSTR Alliance – Weaver & Iulg Set To Compete At Kutztown’s Action Track USA
Kutztown, PA – “It’s kind of neat that three old Modified guys have come together to form this team.”
That’s how Tim Iulg, the youngest member of a new SpeedSTR alliance, described the joint venture between Wayne Weaver, Richie Pratt Sr., and Gary Iulg.
Tim, the Bridgeton, NJ 600cc Sprint veteran, will be the pilot of Pratt’s No. 28 as he makes his USAC Championship SpeedSTR debut at the JeffreyHogueRealtor.com Action Track USA when the clay oval on the Kutztown Fairgrounds opens for business on Wednesday, May 13.
Weaver, a staunch supporter of the Tobias built SpeedSTR’s over the past few seasons, and Pratt Sr. have been friends since Weaver’s days of racing Modifieds. In 2014, Gary Iulg began wrenching on Weaver’s South Jersey Overhead Door No. 0. The results were quickly evident, as the Vineland, NJ driver ran up front on a consistent basis and was knocking on the door, weekly, for his first SpeedSTR victory.
On most Wednesdays, Tim Iulg tagged along with his dad, lending a hand while developing a desire to strap into a SpeedSTR himself. Soon after the season ended, Weaver put a plan in motion with his buddy, Pratt Sr., and it wasn’t long before the new alliance became a reality. Pratt purchased a new frame and body panels and agreed that his car would be housed and maintained in Weaver’s shop. Both cars will also fit in Weaver’s enclosed trailer, enabling the team to travel together.
Gary Iulg, the DIRTCar Hall of Famer whose resume includes more than 200 dirt Modified feature wins, will serve as the crew chief for both cars.
Thirty-seven year-old Tim Iulg teaches Health and Phys. Ed. in the Vineland, NJ public school system. He’s competed in 270cc and 600cc Micro-Sprints, then Crate Sprint Cars. In addition to winning numerous 600cc features, Iulg captured a couple of Crate Sprint titles at Bridgeport. He also raced with the United Racing Club and ran some ASCS winged Sprint shows before placing his driving career on hold when he and his wife started a family. In 2012 and 2013, he teamed with Glen and Steve Kemery in a successful, two-car 600cc Micro-Sprint assault. Now he will steer Pratt’s yellow SpeedSTR, with the color and number a tribute to the car owner’s former Modifieds.
Iulg’s effort is sponsored by B&F Towing, Fred’s Trailer Repair, SinTec, Drissel’s Ace Hardware, Bennett Batteries, and Dennis Drain Property Maintenance.
Weaver, who got into Vintage Car activity after his stint in dirt Modifieds, is now at home in the SpeedSTR division. The Facilities Director will once again partner with Sal DeBruno’s South Jersey Overhead Door Company, and his re-bodied No. 0 sports a similar paint and graphics scheme as DeBruno’s big block Modified…which is driven by Richie Pratt Jr.
It’s easy to see that Tim Iulg’s description is accurate and appropriate – “three old Modified guys” have indeed joined forces to field a pair of SpeedSTR’s in 2015. The team plans to compete weekly at the JeffreyHogueRealtor.com Action Track USA in Kutztown and as often as possible when the SpeedSTR’s hit the road for several Tour Races at Thunder Mountain and Five Mile Point in New York, on the asphalt at PA’s Mahoning Valley, and for the season ending Fall Jamboree at the Grandview Speedway.
Photos Courtesy: Tim Iulg/Wayne Weaver
