BlackRockSpeedway.com

Apr 8, 2007 10:40 PM EDT

Rock Launcher Night Ready To Roll Off Friday

Things may have not kicked off according to plan for the 2007 Black Rock Speedway Schedule, with snow covering the ground on April 7; but all systems will be ready to go for April 13 for another top-level night of racing.

Swarthout Recycling will presented the first night of racing in New York State this year, which will include the T-3 All Star 358-Modified Series and Mr. DIRTcar Street Stock openers.

Once again, BRS plays host to the T-3 Series season opener, presented by Troyer Race Cars. This series brings in the best 358-modified competitors in New York’s Southern Tier to Dundee, NY to compete for the first checkered flag of the year.

In 2005, Dylan Dewart kicked off the Hoag era at Black Rock with a popular win. Last year, Billy Van Pelt rallied from early afternoon problems to win the feature event from 22nd place. Van Pelt is the two-time and only champion of the T-3 Series, but there will be a number of other top names battling to start of 2007 as the point leader.

Included in the top contenders is the night sponsor, two-time and defending Black Rock 358-modified champion, Brian Swarthout. Once again piloting his familiar red and yellow Swarthout Recycling No. 14 in 2007, the Beaver Dams, NY driver will look to grab his first career win in T-3 competition at his home track.

Gil Tegg seemed to have the 2006 track championship in hand early last year, but slipped back late in the season. Look for Tegg to be back in top form once again this season. He has historically done well in T-3 races at Black Rock, including a 4th in April and a near-win 2nd place finish in September.

Steve Paine was driver that took that win away from Tegg in September of last year. “The Hurricane” is always a favorite at Black Rock and this Friday should be no different for the multi-time track champion.

The list of other potential winners does not end there. Other names like Ron Cartwright Jr., Dave DuBois, Donnie Lawson, Aaron Jacobus, Bryan Terwilliger and Ron White expect to be heard in the late stages of the full night of racing.

It will be attempt number two for the Mr. DIRTcar Street Stock Series to see if they can get their inaugural season off the ground. This event, which will pay $1,000 to win, has taken the place of the first Regional Truck Street Stock/ Pro Truck race of the season.

The other four classes running on Friday, April 13, beginning at 6:45 p.m., will be weekly divisions kicking off their points campaign. Included in this will be the first crate-only DIRT Sportsman race at Black Rock. The Hoselton Automotive Sportsman has been growing in popularity over the winter, and even though the big race was snowed out, the focus will turn to see what competitor will be able to get out of the “crate” the best on night one. Names like Dave Yehl, Greg Hixson, Todd Henderson, Brady Fultz and Derrick Paddock are just some of those that will contend for this historic victory.

The Freedom Village USA Super Stocks have plenty of momentum heading into their first race of 2007, fresh off the announcement of the new additions to their point fund prize pool. Jeremy Wonderling won the 2006 Champion and is definitely a favorite to win it again this year, but Dave DuBois, Quinn Sutherland and Donnie Smith already have plans on changing that on night one.

The Signs Plus of Kanona 4-Cylinders will also have their 2006 Champion returning to go after the title again this season. Jack Ayers was unsure if he would run at Black Rock again this season, but has decided to go after it once again. The Dundee resident, headlines a list that includes his younger brother Chad, Jeremy Potrzebowski and a number of others go after top honors.

The Black Rock Bandits will be running the first feature of the year, with their 10-lap feature-taking place in the evening. This amateur class expects to have an increased car count this year, which will increase the intensity even more. With defending champion Brad Rathbun running his No. 91 in the adult 4-cylinder division, drivers like C.J. and Chad Winslow and Erica Bell will again be running for wins and the overall title.

As mentioned, racing action kicks off this and every Friday at 6:45 p.m. This great event will be just $12 General Admission. Don’t forget about the open practice session from 6:00-9:00 p.m. on Thursday and the technical inspection session from 2:00-6:00 p.m. on Friday afternoon. Don’t forget to sign up for the text message and/or e-mail alerts to be up to speed with the fastest entertainment in the Finger Lakes!

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