Super DIRTcar Series is Off Until Thursday, Sept. 1
Story By: MANDEE PAUCH / DIRTcar SERIES MEDIA
Photos By: DAVE DALESANDRO / RACERSGUIDE.COM
WEEDSPORT, N.Y. – Aug. 22, 2016 – Matt Sheppard and Stewart Friesen are leading the way in the championship standings but it’s the “Franklin Flyer” Billy Decker who is currently sitting third in points hoping to gain ground heading into September.
As Decker looks to gain ground he tells us how his Page Trucking No. 91 team has been doing this season.
How is the new team combination going with you and car owner Mike Payne?
“It’s going well. Obviously I’d like to win a little bit more, but overall it’s going well.”
Do you think it has helped you or hurt you going from racing two to three nights a week to one night a week and following the Super DIRTcar Series tour?
“We were running two nights a week, special shows and the Super DIRTcar Series before Mike. I think it can slow you down just a little bit. You’re probably not as sharp as you would be when you’re racing more. I think there’s a time when you can race more and a time when you don’t need to. For a while we probably could have raced a little bit more. When the series is in full swing like two weeks ago we were doing plenty of racing. We didn’t even need to run on the weekend.”
You’re notorious for being good at the end of a 100-lapper when the tracks get slick. What do you think is the key to that?
“Obviously it’s something to do with what I feel with the racecar. Personally I try to grind it out the best I can until the end. I like to think I’m competitive at the end of those races. That’s the time when you get your picture taken and get paid. Over the years for a long time we always focused our stuff on the end of the race. We targeted our setups to be competitive at the end. We base our guidelines off of that.”
You are currently third in points behind Sheppard and Friesen. You have one win, seven top five finishes, 13 top ten finishes and 16 starts. Last season you finished second in points, scored five wins, ten top five finishes and 16 top ten finishes out of 24 starts. You’ve been consistently there this year but only have one win….
“Well, we have a little bit of a different combination this year. You take the last two series races; I thought we had a car that was better, that could compete to win at Weedsport. I screwed up. I drove into the barrier and got a left front flat. So I had to run the rest of the race with a left front flat. There have been races when we haven’t been as good. I think I know why, but it’s a matter of being able to control a few things. I’m not saying that personally. We need to make a few adjustments to be dialed in.”
You scored five wins in 2015. Two of which were won at tracks we still have yet to race, Fonda and Brewerton Speedway. Do you think you can take those victories again?
“No, I’m not positive of anything. I’m confident that we have what it takes going in to win at those racetracks. Whether we can apply everything that would be cool. I think we’ll be okay and will be competitive. I don’t think we’re going to be uncompetitive anyplace we’re going to run until the end of the year. I’m a Super DIRTcar Series fan, and I like running the series. I like the format, and I like the way we race. I’m looking forward to them all.”
Coming Up Next
The Super DIRTcar Series is currently on a mid-summer break and will be back in action on Thursday, Sept. 1 at Lebanon Valley Speedway in West Lebanon, N.Y. for Mr. DIRT Track USA.
For more information on the Super DIRTcar Series, visit www.superdirtcarseries.com.
DRIVER INFO
The following Super DIRTcar Series drivers maintain websites:
Frank Cozze: frankcozze.com
Keith Flach: keithflachracing.com
Brett Hearn: bretthearn.com
Mike Mahaney: mikemahaneyracing.com
Max McLaughlin: maxmclaughlinracing.com
Jimmy Phelps: jimmyphelps.com
Erick Rudolph: erickrudolph.com
Matt Sheppard: matt-sheppard.com
For more driver information, visit: superdirtcarseries.com
SEASON WINNERS: Matt Sheppard – 6 (Williams Grove Speedway on June 22, Utica-Rome Speedway on Jul 3, Five Mile Point Speedway on July 12, Grandview Speedway on July 14, Autodrome Granby on July 27, Merrittville Speedway on August 1); Stewart Friesen – 4 (Cornwall Motorsports Park on June 26, Albany-Saratoga on July 6, Mohawk International raceway on July 7, Ransomville Speedway on August 2); Tim Fuller – 2 (Canandaigua Speedway on June 30, Eldora Speedway on July 19); Billy Decker – 1 (Fulton Speedway on April 30); Jimmy Phelps – 1 (Sharon Speedway on July 21); Frank Cozze – 1 (Autodrome Drummond on July 26); Gary Tomkins – 1 (Weedsport Speedway August 9)
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2016 STAT ATTACK
There have been 16 Super DIRTcar Series features this season.
Winners (7 Drivers)
Rank Driver, Hometown – Wins
1. – MATT SHEPPARD, Waterloo, N.Y. – 6
2. – STEWART FRIESEN, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. – 4
3. – TIM FULLER, Watertown, N.Y. – 2
4. – BILLY DECKER, Franklin, N.Y. – 1
5. – JIMMY PHELPS, Baldwinsville, N.Y.- 1
6. – FRANK COZZE, Wind Gap, P.A. – 1
7. – GARY TOMKINS, Clifton Springs, N.Y. – 1
Pole Positions (13 Drivers)
Rank Driver, Hometown – Poles
1. – TIM FULLER, Watertown, N.Y. – 3
2. – PETER BRITTEN, Brisbane, Australia – 2
3. – MAX MCLAUGHLIN, Mooresville, N.C. – 1
4. – GARY TOMKINS, Clifton Springs, N.Y. – 1
5.- DANNY JOHNSON, Phelps, N.Y. – 1
6.- VIC COFFEY, Caledonia, N.Y. – 1
7.- BILLY DUNN, Watertown, N.Y. – 1
8.- BRETT HEARN, Sussex, N.J. – 1
9.- MATT SHEPPARD, Waterloo, N.Y. – 1
10.- DAVE BLANEY, Hartford, O.H. – 1
11.- RYAN WATT, Boyertown, P.A. – 1
12.- BILLY DECKER, Waterloo, N.Y. – 1
13.- ERICK RUDOLPH, Ransomville, N.Y. – 1
Time Trial leaders (10 Drivers)
Rank Driver, Hometown – Quick Times
1.- LARRY WIGHT, Phoenix, N.Y. – 3
2.- BILLY DECKER, Waterloo, N.Y. – 3
3.- MATT SHEPPARD, Waterloo, N.Y. – 2
4.- BRETT HEARN, Sussex, N.J. – 2
5.- TOM SEARS, JR., Clay, N.Y. – 1
6.- MARC JOHNSON, Guilderland, N.Y. – 1
7.- RONNIE JOHNSON, Malta, N.Y. – 1
8.- MIKE MAHANEY, King Ferry, N.Y. – 1
9.- JIMMY PHELPS, Baldwinsville, N.Y. – 1
10.- TIM FULLER, Watertown, N.Y. – 1
Podium Finishes (19 Different Drivers)
Rank Driver, Hometown – Finishes in the Top-Three
1.- MATT SHEPPARD, Waterloo, N.Y. – 10
2.- STEWART FRIESEN, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. – 8
3.- TIM FULLER, Watertown, N.Y. – 6
4.- BILLY DECKER, Waterloo, N.Y. – 4
5.- JIMMY PHELPS, Baldwinsville, N.Y.- 3
6.- DANNY JOHNSON, Phelps, N.Y. – 2
7.- DAVE BLANEY, Hartford, Ohio – 2
8.- FRANK COZZE, Wind Gap, P.A. – 2
9.- PETER BRITTEN, Brisbane, Australia – 2
10.- DANNY VARIN, Sharon Springs, N.Y. -1
11.- BILLY DUNN, Watertown, N.Y. – 1
12.- JIMMY HORTON, Nashanic, N.J. – 1
13.- RYAN WATT, Boyertown, P.A. – 1
14.- LARRY WIGHT, Phoenix, N.Y. – 1
15.- MIKE MAHANEY, King Ferry, N.Y. – 1
16.- CHAD BRACHMANN, North Tonawanda, N.Y. – 1
17.- MIKE BOWMAN, St. Catherines, Ont. – 1
18.- GARY TOMKINS, Clifton Springs, N.Y. – 1
19.- ERICK RUDOLPH, Ransomville, N.Y. – 1
Heat Race Winners (28 Different Drivers)
Rank Driver, Hometown – Win
1.- MATT SHEPPARD, Waterlook, N.Y. – 11
2.- PETER BRITTEN, Brisbane, Australia – 6
3.- STEWART FRIESEN, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. – 5
4.- LARRY WIGHT, Phoenix, N.Y. – 5
5.- TIM FULLER, Watertown, N.Y. – 5
6.- BRETT HEARN, Sussex, N.J. – 5
7.- JIMMY PHELPS, Baldwinsville, N.Y. – 4
8.- DANNY JOHNSON, Phelps, N.Y. – 3
9.- BILLY DECKER, Waterloo, N.Y. – 3
10.- MIKE MAHANEY, King Ferry, N.Y. – 2
11.- REX KING JR, Bristolville, O.H.- 2
12.- LARRY WIGHT, Phoenix, N.Y. – 2
13.- STEVE BERNIER, Granby, Q.C. – 2
14.- FRANK COZZE, Wind Gap, Pa. – 1
15.- TOM SEARS JR., Clay, N.Y. – 1
16.- MAX MCLAUGHLIN, Mooresville, N.C. – 1
17.- CHRIS RAABE, Napanee, Ont. -1
18.- PAT WARD, Genoa, N.Y. -1
19.- ROB BELLINGER, Cicero, N.Y.- 1
20.- MARC JOHNSON, Guilderland, N.Y. – 1
21.- RONNIE JOHNSON, Malta, N.Y. – 1
22.- VIC COFFEY, Caledonia, N.Y. – 1
23.- MATT DELORENZO, Cropseyville, N.Y. – 1
24.- MIKE MAHANEY, King Ferry, N.Y. – 1
25.- DAVE BLANEY, Hartford, O.H. – 1
26.- CAREY TERRENCE, Hogansburg, N.Y. – 1
27.- CHAD BRACHMANN, North Tonawanda, N.Y. – 1
28.- ERICK RUDOLPH, Ransomville, N.Y. – 1
Last Chance Showdown Winners (26 Different Drivers)
Rank Driver, Hometown – Wins
1. – PETE BICKNELL, St. Catherines, Ont. – 2
2.- PAT WARD, Genoa, N.Y – 2
3.- ROB BELLINGER, Cicero, N.Y. – 1
4.- JUSTIN HAERS, Phelps, N.Y.- 1
5.- DUANE HOWARD, Oley, Pa. – 1
6.- BRIAN MCDONALD, Cornwall, Ont. – 1
7.- CHRIS HILE, Syracuse, N.Y. – 1
8.- ALAN JOHNSON, Middlesex, N.Y. -1
9.- VIC COFFEY, Caledonia, N.Y. – 1
10.- BRETT HEARN, Vernon, N.J. -1
11.- JESSEY MUELLER, Chestertown, N.Y. – 1
12.- TIM FULLER, Watertown, N.Y. – 1
13.- MIKE MAHANEY, King Ferry, N.Y. – 1
14.- PETER BRITTEN, Brisbane, Australia – 1
15.- BILLY DECKER, Waterloo, N.Y. – 1
16.- MAT WILLIAMSON, St, Catharine’s, Ont. – 1
17.- CHAD BRACHMANN, North Tonawanda, N.Y. – 1
18.- LARRY WIGHT, Phoenix, N.Y. – 1
19.- PETER BRITTEN, Brisbane, Australia – 1
20.- STEVE BERNARD, Abbotsford, Q.C. – 1
21.- MARIO CLAIR, Drummondville, Q.C. – 1
22.- MATT SHEPPARD, Waterlook, N.Y. – 1
23.- DAVID HEBERT, Saint-Hyacinthe, Q.C. – 1
24.- FRANK COZZE, Wind Gap, P.A. – 1
25.- TOMMY FLANNIGAN, St. Catherines, Ont. – 1
26.- RYAN BARTLETT, Watertown, N.Y. – 1
2016 Super DIRTcar Series Schedule & Winners
No. / Day, Date / Track / Location / Winner (Number of Wins in 2016)
1. Saturday, April 30 / Fulton Speedway / Fulton, N.Y. / Billy Decker (1)
2. Wednesday, June 22 / Williams Grove Speedway / Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Matt Sheppard (1)
3. Sunday, June 26 / Cornwall Speedway / Ontario, Canada / Stewart Friesen (1)
4. Thursday, Jun 30 / Canandaigua Speedway / Canandaigua, NY / Tim Fuller (1)
5. Sunday, July 3 / Utica-Rome Speedway / Vernon, N.Y. / Matt Sheppard (2)
6. Wednesday, July 6 / Albany-Saratoga Speedway / Malta, N.Y. / Stewart Friesen (2)
7. Thursday, July 7 / Mohawk International Speedway / Akwesasne, N.Y. / Stewart Friesen (3)
8. Tuesday, July 12 / Five Mile Point Speedway / Kirkwood, N.Y. / Matt Sheppard (3)
9. Thursday, July 14 / Grandview Speedway / Bechtelsville, P.A. / Matt Sheppard (4)
10. Tuesday, July 19 / Eldora Speedway / Rossburg, O.H. / Tim Fuller (2)
11. Thursday, July 21 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, O.H. / Jimmy Phelps (1)
12. Tuesday, July 26 / Autodrome Drummond / Drummondville, Q.C. / Frank Cozze (1)
13. Wednesday, July 27 / Autodrome Granby / Granby, Q.C. / Matt Sheppard (5)
14. Monday, August 1 / Merrittville Speedway / Thorold, Ont./ Matt Sheppard (6)
15. Tuesday, August 2 / Ransomville Speedway / Ransomville, N.Y. / Stewart Friesen (4)
16. Tuesday, August 9 / Weedsport Speedway / Weedsport, N.Y. / Gary Tomkins (1)
The Super DIRTcar Series and DIRTcar Racing in the Northeast is brought to fans by many important sponsors and partners, including: Hoosier Racing Tire (Official Tire), VP Racing Fuels (Official Racing Fuel), Chevy Performance Parts and NAPA Auto Parts; in addition to contingency sponsors, including: ASI Race Wear, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Edelbrock, Fox Shocks, Henry’s Exhaust Systems, Intercomp, JE Pistons, JRI Shocks, KSE Racing Products, Mike’s Racing Heads, Motorsports Safety Systems, MSD, Pole Position Raceway, Superflow Dynos and Wrisco Aluminum; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Beyea Headers, Racing Electronics and TNT Rescue.
