2015 Schedule March- May March 22- Practice 12-4pm *Open to any race car* 27- Steve Buch Memorial- 270 Sprints, Wingless Sprints, Slingshots April 3-270 Sprints, Wingless Sprints, plus ARDC Midgets (TT) 10-270 Sprints (TT), Wingless Sprints, Modifieds, Chargers, 125 Sprints 17-270 Sprints, Wingless Sprints, Chargers, plus Slingshots Tour Race 24-270 Sprints, Wingless Sprints, Slingshots, Xcel 600 Modifieds Tour
May 1- 270 Sprints, Wingless Sprints Iron Cowboy (TT), Modifieds, Chargers, 125 Sprints 8- 270 Sprints, 600 Sprints Twin 15’s, Slingshots, Legends, plus Rookie 270’s 15- 270 Sprints King of the Wing (TT), 600 Sprints, Slingshots, Chargers 22- 270 Sprints, 600 Sprints, Modifieds, Slingshots Twin 15’s, 125 Sprints 29- 270 Sprints, 600 Sprints (TT), Modifieds, Chargers Jonestown Throwdown
Barry Angstadt talks to both Billy Pauch Sr and Jr about Speedstr championships
An Interview with Australia Speedweek Champ Dale Shilleto
Coverage of the Speedway Ent/ Action Track banquet
Scheduling
“The High Groove” The Sonny Cooke story Part II
Slingshot Tour Preview The Tulsa Shootout coverage from 2015
Chase Gutshall is profiled
Cover Photo: Billy Pauch Sr tosses his Speedstr into the turn at Action Track (Mike Fry Photo) Index Photo: The Mod Lites Racing Hard (Photographer Unknown)
January 2015~ 5
One of the biggest challenges that face many racetrack promoters over the offseason is scheduling. Tracks are trying to produce a schedule that will excite drivers and fans alike. The consideration for touring divisions, cost of racing, and of course, other racetracks events are all thrown into the mix. What is working? There is a theory that no race should be the same as another race, but it seems that some tracks that offer the same classes with some added spice weekly can draw the biggest crowds. While, others work with different divisions almost every week. More races give the racers time to compete, but a limited schedule is easier on the budget. For example, each year Williams Grove hosts racing weekly on Friday & Saturday Nights, while Tri State Speedway hosts about ten to twelve races a year. Completely different avenues at different spots in the country, both are successful with their product. As a fan, I can honestly say I would rather see a "regular" show than a special disaster. (My Disclaimer: I have been on the promoter side of a special disaster; it is as bad from a promoter's seat) If it is billed to be special, it should have some special meaning. More money to the winner, invading drivers, added laps, or different formats are some of things that attract me to a race. I always feel a little cheated if something is billed as a special event, but it ends up being less exciting than a "regular" show. There is a fine line, because everyone would define special race differently. The best illustration that comes to my mind is the Linda's Speedway Modified Poker Series. The events are normal races weekly with a poker card given out to certain finishing spots. Although the races are the same as an average point race, in the end the driver with the best hand gets a reward; adding a little something to the interest level on those five nights. Is scheduling challenging? Yes it is. Not all decisions are popular ones or for that matter easy when creating a schedule. Take the time to give feedback when you see an event that you like. Appreciate the work and effort that went into making it possible. It was most likely a lot harder than it appears on the paper it's printed on. 6~ Driven Racing Magazine
Volume 2 Issue 1 Customer Service and other information: DrivenMagazine@usa.com Publisher: Michael Batz Copyright 2015 by Mike Co
Pioneer Pole Buildings Motorsports 2015 Racecar & Trade Show January 23rd-Jan 25th 30th Annual Reading Race Reunion and Car Show February 22nd-Feb 28th 2nd Motorsports Mania Lebanon Valley Mall February 8th-Feb 15th
The Inside Track assumes no liability or is not responsible for information contained in advertisements, articles, stories ect. The opinions expressed in this publication reflect those of the individual author and are not necessarily the view of The Inside Track. Reproduction of any content in any form without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Readers should also be made aware that some items listed for sale in advertisements may not be legal on all states.
Mike Fry Photo
January 2015~ 7
Over the final laps, Jankowiak remained perfect with Flores a solid and remarkable second, the eleventh and final time second place changed hands. Christopher was third, Mike Lichty a quiet fourth and Janisch fifth.
Provided by AARN.com
In the companion 20-lap Lentini Auto Salvage Slingshot finale, Gary Hieber raced to the win in a rugged race that saw the Langhorne, Pa., ace move in front at midrace, then pull away from the pack.
Hieber’s Slingshot win came in an event that slowed numerous times by spins. “Once I had a clear track, the only thing I had to worry about was lapped traffic,” Hieber said. Ricky Yetter was the runner-up followed by Kurt Bettler, Taylor Eccles and Nick Shaw, who thrilled the fans with his outside groove racing which brought him all the way to second only to fall back with a softening tire over the final laps.
Michael Fry Photo
Buffalo, N.Y. driver Andy Jankowiak started up front and finished there at the end of the 40-lap Battle Of Trenton TQ Midget feature Saturday night in Sun National Bank Center. Jankowiak was challenged by any number of racers who made it as far as second place only to be taken out by accidents or mechanical problems. Ryan Flores of Mooresville, N.C., was the eventual runnerup in the Len Sammons Motorsports Productions (LSRP) event.
Battle Of Trenton TQ Midget Feature (40 Laps): 1. Andy Jankowiak 2. Ryan Flores 3. Ted Christopher 4. Mike Lichty 5. Matt Janisch
6. John Gambuti 7. Geoff Sutton 8. Ryan Susice 9. Kyle Reinhardt 10. Carl Medeiros Jr
8~ Driven Racing Magazine
Indoor Point Standings After Trenton 1 - 13 Ted Christopher…….185 2 - 1 Mike Lichty …………..…165 3- 15 Ryan Flores …….......…145 4- 46 Geoffrey Sutton….…..140 5- 49 Andrew Jankowiak.…139
2 nd Annual
at the Lebanon Valley Mall
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Special Attractions Include: Driver Interviews
Autograph Sessions
Little Miss Motorsports Mania
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and of course All Your Favorite Race Cars For Information call Jasen at 717-673-1169
Corey Gibson Photo
Michael Batz sat down with Australia Formula Speedweek champion 500 Dale Shilleto to talk over an improbable comeback win at the last race for the title. MB: How does it feel to be the champ?!
DS: It is fantastic. It's still hard to believe, it's probably one of the best achievements I have had to date. I thought we had a very slim chance of winning it. I thought 30 points was a big gap to fill, I thought that 1st and 2nd would have to DNF the final for us to even have a chance. MB: Final night you start from pole. Staring from the pole is usually a good thing. But, there is a lot of added pressure with the points involved. Was it still the place to be? Were you nervous? DS: Wasn't evening going through my mind, I actually fell asleep in our transporter before the A main (laughs), at the time I thought we definitely had third in the series and just wanted to finish as high up as possible. MB: Was your plan to run the full week. You ran the Q1. What did that mean to carry the one for Queensland? DS: Yeah we planned to do the whole series, I thought having Q1 was a huge achievement and it's something I'm very proud of, but to get a speed week series win tops it all. It’s so hard to be consistently fast and up the front six nights in a row.
MB: What was your most challenging moment of the week? DS: Probably round two at Darlington. I've never been real good around that track and it caught me out again. We had to come out of the b-main and could only manage 13th. We thought for sure our hopes of winning after that we were slim.
January 2015~ 11
“I thought having the Q1 was a huge achievement and it's something I'm very proud of, but to get a speed week series win tops it all.” MB: How did the rain play a factor in the week for you, with the cancelation and the threat of rain for a couple of the races? Did the rain help make the track to your liking? DS: It didn't hinder us too much. I really love black slick tracks so less rain the better for me, it helped us get the win with the rain out though. I wouldn’t have minded a dry week though either. MB: You're running an Edge, are there a lot of them in Australia? How does it feel to get the win for them? DS: There's a few getting around now, it's great as I was the first person to import an Edge to Australia. They have given so much support since we started with them, they really are a class act as Susquehanna Valley Speed Shop.
MB: What track during the week were you most confident going into? DS: The last round at Laang. We have always been really quick there. Its good going into the last race at a track you are good at. MB: How was your season going before Speedweek? What are your plans for the rest of the season? DS: It's been the best year we have ever had. We switched to Adams performance engines and it's been the best decision we have made. We have won more races and been more consistent than ever before. MB: Who helped you get the championship...crew, sponsors, supporters? DS: My crew, my Dad Chris, Joel, JP, JNR, Jess, Aysha, Tyler and Kerri. My sponsors, Shilleto Diesel Repairs, Edge Chassis, Susquehanna Valley, Adams Performance, Maryborough Sports Club INC, DW Motorcycle Repairs, Jarrett Performance and Dyno Tuning, Klein Signs, Fine Food Butchery, Ronnie's Quality Meats, Direct Diesel Repairs, and DK Race Parts.
12~ Driven Racing Magazine
January 2015~ 13
Part II: A Touch of Class…Sonny Cooke’s Retirement Leaves A Void In 600cc Racing
Twenty-one years of towing his Three-Quarter Midget all over the northeastern quadrant of the country provided Sonny Cooke with countless memories…mostly good ones, too, although that desperately sought-after TQ feature victory somehow eluded him and his cast of drivers. In the off-season prior to the 1993 campaign, Jon Holmquist Jr. – who was Cooke’s TQ throttle-jockey at the time, convinced his car owner to leave the ThreeQuarter Midgets and enter the world of Micro-Sprint racing. Sonny agreed that maybe it was time for a change, so he purchased “about $250 worth of tubing” and, with that chrome-moly steel and Holmquist’s assistance, the duo built a 270cc, two-stroke Micro. While Cooke went winless in 21 seasons of TQ competition, Holmquist quickly put his Micro-Sprint into victory lane at Airport Speedway in New Castle, DE. That first season at Airport also produced a point title, as the Holmquist/Cooke combo beat Jack Spence for the championship on the final night. Ironically, Spence would later drive for Sonny in what proved to be quite a formidable pairing. Holmquist steered Cooke’s 270 for six years, then Angelo Mercado took the wheel for a season. In the latter part of 1999, Spence filled the seat of Sonny’s No. 2, which was always immaculate with its gold-leaf numeral boldly emblazoned on a jet-black paint scheme. And the car ran as good as it looked, with Spence picking up another Airport 270cc point crown for his owner. And then, in 2001, it was time for yet another change…Sonny Cooke and Jack Spence moved up to the more powerful 600cc Micros. It was a new division, but success immediately followed the pair as Spence won a 600cc track championship on Airport’s tough little oval. Thinking maybe they needed a new challenge to whet their 600cc appetite, Cooke and Spence decided to become regulars at Lanco’s Clyde Martin Memorial Speedway when the 600’s became a weekly class at the Newmanstown, PA clay playground in 2005.
14~ Driven Racing Magazine
Spence ran well at the Clyde, contending for victories on a weekly basis. After the ’07 season, though, he told Cooke that he wanted to go racing with the ARDC Midgets in 2008, leaving Sonny to look for another “shoe” to fill his seat. The search didn’t take very long, and it was actually his wife who selected the next chauffeur of the Cooke Roofing No. 2. “We were watching the races one night, and Melverne (his wife) said, ‘I’ve been watching Heath Hehnly every time I come with you to the races, and I’m very impressed by him. If you ever need another driver, I want him in your car.’ So, when Jack left, I went after Heath and he said he would drive for me.” Melverne proved one thing: she can judge talent and, maybe more importantly, she knew that Hehnly would be a terrific fit for Cooke’s team. “Heath and his family became more than friends; they became part of our family,” said Sonny. To say that the Hehnly/Cooke combo clicked in a hurry would be an understatement. They grew into a weekly threat during their first season in 2008, then won their first of four point championships in Lanco’s 600cc division in 2009. Additional titles were earned in 2011, 2013, and in the pair’s final season together, 2014. Plenty of feature wins and top-five efforts were accrued along the way, and there were also successful trips to big races in the Midwest and Arkansas, too. And Hehnly won a couple of PA 600 Speedweek titles, too…sharing the week-long series championship with Shane Lewis in ’09 before winning it outright in 2010. While Cooke leaves with a boatload of 270cc and 600cc success, he also departs with the respect and admiration of his competitors and track officials throughout the northeast. He served as ATQMRA President and even flagged TQ events when necessary, but he never “got into the politics” of Micro-Sprint racing. “Even though Lanco is a club, I never got into the politics…in fact, in all my years of racing with Lanco, I only went to one club meeting. It was at the time when they were trying to get approval to get the transponder scoring system, and I wanted to make sure it got approved. But that was it; I just wanted to show up at the track, race and have a good time with everybody, then go home.” Last October, after the 25th National Open at Linda’s Speedway, Sonny Cooke went home to North Jersey, towing his racecar for the final time. Now it’s time for the grandkids (are a pair of Quarter-Midgets in Sonny Cooke’s future?), relaxing, and occasionally going to the races as a spectator. “I’ll still be at Lanco sometimes,” says Cooke, “because I can’t stay away. I love the place…and the people.” The people love you too, Sonny Cooke. You are, and always have been, a class act.
January 2015~ 15
While some drivers are all about winning championships, there are plenty of others who couldn’t care less about points…they just want to win races. Falling into the latter of these two philosophies, at least most of the time, are Billy Pauch Sr. and his son, Billy Jr. Season long point titles haven’t been very important to them. Ironically, both father and son Pauch captured championships in 2014, and the two wheeltwisters readily admit that these point crowns do indeed have some special meaning to them. We’ll begin with Billy Pauch Jr., who notched the USAC SpeedSTR point championship at the JeffreyHogueRealtor.com Action Track USA. It was redemption of sorts for the younger Pauch, who finished a very close runner-up to Kenny Brightbill in the 2013 SpeedSTR point chase. And his track title came with the kind of drama that only Hollywood could truly appreciate…he had to hold off his dad in order to claim the crown. “After seven or eight years of us racing at the same time, but not usually against one another, it was bound to happen,” said Billy Jr. as he explained the eventuality of facing his father in a point battle. “It’s probably amazing that it didn’t happen sooner. It’s not really that special, but it’s kind of cool,” he stated as he struggled to describe the situation of having to compete with, and eventually beat your dad for a track championship.
. “When I’m on the track at Kutztown and I look around me, there’s like 1,500 wins out there,” Billy Pauch Jr Talking about Action Track
Pauch Jr. did admit, though, that just winning the SpeedSTR crown at Action Track USA was, in fact, pretty special. “It’s because of the quality of the competition at that place,” he noted. “When I’m on the track at Kutztown and I look around me, there’s like 1,500 wins out there,” he said as he referred to the incredible statistics piled up by the drivers who line up, on a weekly basis, in their SpeedSTR’s at the Berks County oval. “That is top notch competition, and to beat all of them, including my dad, is a pretty great feeling.” The younger Pauch said that he’d never put much emphasis on winning championships. “I’d be in the hunt with my Modified, but then I’d miss a few races because I wanted to go to Indiana and run Midget Week or something like that. So it is nice to finally put a whole season together and have it pay off with a point title.” The elder Pauch, winner of more than 500 features during his illustrious career, has been very clear in his victory lane interviews (like his son, he was a three-time winner at Action Track USA during the ’14 campaign) that he is there to win races and he doesn’t care about points. January 2015~ 17
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On the SpeedSTR’s All Pro Touring Series, however, Pauch Sr. proved that if you win enough, the points will take care of themselves. The Frenchtown, NJ veteran ripped off a pair of Tour triumphs to end the All Pro season and the second one, at Speedway Entertainment’s Fall Jamboree at the Grandview Speedway, propelled him from fairly deep in the point chase to a surprising National SpeedSTR Championship. “Yeah, it is special,” he pointed out as he talked about the title. “It’s special because these cars are so difficult to drive. Ask any of the other drivers and they’ll tell you the same thing; these things (SpeedSTR’s) are a handful. But that’s what makes them so much fun, too. You really have to work hard when you’re racing these cars, so winning this championship means a lot.” “And of course, I get to race against my heroes,” he continued. “Guys like Kenny Brightbill, Jeff Strunk, and others who I have admired for years. To win a title against them is pretty special. I’ll tell you what, the competition in this class is better than what I race against on a Saturday night in my Modified. It’s unbelievable, and that makes it a lot of fun.” Pauch went on to explain why he is sold on SpeedSTR’s – the spec open-wheeled car developed by Speedway Entertainment’s Rich Tobias. “You can make money racing these cars. A race ready SpeedSTR costs about $18,000, and we race for $2,000 to $3,000 to win each week. And, as long as you don’t wreck real bad, it doesn’t cost a lot to maintain the cars, either.” As a point of comparison, Pauch talked about the last couple of engines he purchased for his Modified. “I got an engine – actually it was a Crate engine – and it cost $26,000. The last one we got was even more; it cost $32,000. And we’re running for about the same or even a bit less to win in the Modified, unless it’s a big race. So the SpeedSTR’s are definitely more economical; you can actually make some money with them.” January 2015~ 19
Chris Daley on his way to a Battle of Trenton Win in the Karts Michael Fry Photo Photographers: Supply your Âź Midget pictures for display in the Stars of Tomorrow section of the magazine by sending them to Theinsidetrack@usa.com 20~ Driven Racing Magazine
Quarter Midget Battle of Trenton
Michael Fry Photos January 2015~ 21
Borgers Speedway and ATQMRA align rules packages SAYLORSBURG, PA-January 11, 2015- It is no secret that the racing landscape has changed over the years. That change has stressed many local home tracks and regional tours to their breaking point.
Since paving Borgers Speedway in 2012, the flagship program of the Speedway is and will continue to be the Asphalt 600 / TQs. There is no other class that electrifies the night sky the way Asphalt 600 / TQ’s do. For many years the ATQMRA brought that same electricity to Borgers and a few select tracks in the Northeast. Recently, Borgers Speedway and the ATQMRA have idled on growth. In hopes of stimulating the class for both organizations, the two have joined forces. Now, the same fans who venture out in the winter months to see these gladiators battle indoors will be able to see them almost every Saturday this summer at Borgers Speedway in Saylorsburg, PA. Together, Borgers Speedway and the ATQMRA have agreed to present a unified rule package that will now allow the Borgers Speedway U6SA powered Asphalt 600’s and the shaft driven ATQMRA 750 to compete together on a weekly basis at Borgers and elsewhere. Specifically, Borgers Speedway will increase the Asphalt 600 weight from 785lbs to 800lbs. The Asphalt 600 rear width will remain unchanged at 60” (outside LR to outside RR ).
For specific rule changes and details please plan on attending the 2015 Borgers Speedway Rules meeting that will occur in the coming weeks. Borgers Speedway is a 1/7th mile asphalt oval in Saylorsburg Pennsylvania. Opened in 1999 to fill the void left by the closing of Nazareth Speedway, Borgers has been hosting wheel to wheel racing for the Poconos and Lehigh Valley for 16 years. Borgers served as the launching pad for racing careers with its youngest competitors starting at 5 and its most season veteran coming in at 82 years old. The Speedway features TV quality lighting, heated / air conditioned bathrooms, full concession stand and picnic area, free parking and family friendly fun. Racing runs from April until November. 22~ Driven Racing Magazine
"This is a testament to the strong relationship between the ATQMRA and Borger’s Speedway and our shared commitment to bringing some of the best wheel to wheel asphalt racing to the Poconos and the Lehigh Valley. This will ensure that our fans at Borger’s will see a spectacular show every Saturday night. We are very excited about the future of TQs and 600 racing!“ - General Manager Darin Bartholomew
Borgers splits Kart/Big Car Shows SAYLORSBURG, PA-January 8, 2015-As Borgers Speedway prepares to honor their champions this Sunday, track operator Brendan O'Connor and General Manager Darin Bartholomew are excited to announce a new format for all race days in 2015. Under the new format the show will be separated into two entirely separate racing programs. The Go-Karts will run an... entire race program beginning at noon. At 3PM sign in will begin for the evening program with the program starting at 5PM. The evening program will be made up of the Hoosier Asphalt 600 /TQ midgets, All Star Slingshots, Junior Slingshots and select touring and Go-Kart classes that will be announced with the release of the 2015 schedule prior to the annual Motorsports show at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center on January 23-25th. Track operator Brendan O'Connor says this decision has been something that supporters have asked about doing for 2 years. "We have received great support from all divisions when the show was run together. This move will allow us to continue to grow and provide a great experience for both the fans and the race teams."General Manager Darin Bartholomew is excited about the new opportunities this will bring for the speedway. "We have always had a good and efficient combined show but by breaking the classes up we can have two fantastic shows that will allow us to focus on each kind of racing offered and cater each show to the specific needs of our competitors and fans."
January 2015~ 23
Another CR Graphics helmet. This time it’s wingless ace Eddie Strada Shown in action in a Amy Williams Photo
It's Pauch At Speedway Entertainment/Action Track USA Awards Banquet by Barry Angstadt Macungie, PA - Bear Creek Mountain Resort in Macungie, Pa provided the setting on Saturday, January 10, as a crowd of 220 gathered to salute the 2014 champions of Speedway Entertainment's three Touring Divisions, along with the top point earners at the JeffreyHogueRealtor.com Action Track USA. The Pauch family of Frenchtown, NJ certainly enjoyed the festivities, as Billy Pauch Sr. was crowned USAC SpeedSTR National Champion while his son, Billy Jr., accepted the hardware and cash for his SpeedSTR point title at Action Track USA. The elder Pauch was also named as the SpeedSTR division's Driver of the Year. "At this point in my career, I'm only concerned with winning races," said Billy Pauch Sr. "But this championship is special because these cars are so difficult to drive...they're a handful, and all the drivers will tell you that. But that makes them fun to drive, and the caliber of the competition in this class is unbelievable. I get to race against my heroes like Kenny Brightbill and Jeff Strunk, so that makes it (the National Championship) pretty special, too. And I'll tell you what, you can make money racing these cars. An entire SpeedSTR, race ready, is about $18,000, and we race for $2,000 or $3,000 to win every week. That's why I'm involved in this division." Joining Pauch Sr. as the Speedway Entertainment National Champions for 2014 were Dylan Hoch (All Star Slingshots) and Damon Paul (Junior Slingshots). Both teens were well-spoken and poised as they addressed the banquet attendees and posed for photos.
Hoch, from Mertztown, Pa, thanked his sponsors and family for all their support and assistance throughout the season. He rallied late in the year and clinched the National Tour's title by winning the Fall Jamboree at Grandview - which was the final race of the campaign. "I'm so pumped up and anxious for the new season," related Hoch, "I just want to get out there and try to win this thing again."
Paul, the driver from Stony Point, NY, credited his dad for working tirelessly on his No. 144 so it was always fast and ready for battle on the Junior Slingshot Tour. Paul triumphed in four of the Junior Tour's nine events in 2014. During his championship speech, the diminutive but charismatic racer revealed his plans for '15...he'll move up to the All Star Slingshot Class and also make his debut in a SpeedSTR at Action Track USA. The All Star Slingshots Regional Tour Champions were also recognized at Saturday's awards gala. Picking up the big hardware and cash prizes were Louden Reimert (Mid-Atlantic Silver); Dylan Hoch (Mid-Atlantic Gold); Brian Toby (Empire); and Jim Chisholm (Great Lakes). Larry Raifsnider was saluted as the Slingshot Speedweek Champion. Hoch was named as the All Star Slingshot Driver of the Year, while Paul received the same award in the Junior Slingshot division. The S.E. Rookies of the Year included Tim Buckwalter (SpeedSTR's); Jared LaBagh (All Star Slingshots); and Kyle Smith (Junior Slingshots). 28~ Driven Racing Magazine
Samantha Bowen Photo
Mike Feltenberger Photo
Rich Tobias, President of Speedway Entertainment and Action Track USA, completed his second season as a race promoter along with partner Doug Rose at the oval located on the Kutztown Fairgrounds. Their weekly classes - SpeedSTR's, Wingless 600cc Sprints, and All Star Slingshots produced another year of outstanding competition and constant wheel-to-wheel action during the Wednesday night racing programs. After a close runner-up finish in the 2013 point standings, Billy Pauch Jr. claimed the '14 USAC SpeedSTR title. He narrowly defeated his dad, Billy Sr., for the crown, as both father and son notched three victories to lead all other drivers in the SpeedSTR division.
"To be successful in racing, you've got to surround yourself with good people. I've got a great car owner in Bob Lesko and a great crew...they are the reason I'm standing here right now," summed up Pauch Jr. Jay Hartman of Flagtown, NJ registered his second consecutive point title in the always exciting and extremely popular Pioneer Pole Building Wingless 600cc Sprint class. He and brother Jeff have now captured the last five track championships on the Kutztown clay in the Wingless 600cc division. Hartman was best in class as 107 drivers earned points in 2014, and 13 Wingless 600cc features produced nine different winners. Another of the Action Track USA's point chases that went right down to the wire occurred in the NAPA Auto Parts All Star Slingshot division. The Rockaway Rocket, Danny Buccafusca, prevailed on the final night of racing to win his second straight point crown at the Berks County speedway. Driving Randy Smith's S&S Speedways No. 55, Buccafusca outpointed Larry Raifsnider and Brett Bieber for the title. The Junior Slingshots competed at Action Track USA on five occasions during the '14 slate of events, with Damon Paul winning the last four of those races. That was more than enough to wrap up the Junior Slinger track championship, a nice compliment to his Junior National title. Jeffrey Hogue, who owns the naming rights to the hugely successful oval, addressed the crowd and thanked Tobias and Rose for all their hard work and efforts to make the Wednesday night events so popular with racers and fans. He pledged his continued support because he's loved the sport ever since he attended races at the Reading Fairgrounds as a youth. "I was hooked immediately, and I've been a dirt track fan ever since," he admitted.
Samantha Bowen Photo
January 2015~ 29
Rich Tobias also presented his annual "State of Speedway Entertainment Address", stating that there will be some cosmetic changes to the facility in Kutztown and the entry to turn three (at the end of the backstretch) has been widened to hopefully lessen the chances of cars being "pinched" into the wall at that point.
Tobias also expressed his admiration for all of the 2014 Champions and thanked all of the race teams for their support of Speedway Entertainment and Action Track USA. He expressed great optimism over the growth of the SpeedSTR division as orders for new cars - from drivers who have terrific credentials in other classes - continue to pour in to S.E. Headquarters in Myerstown, Pa.
While details of the 2015 Action Track USA schedule will be released at the upcoming Motorsports Show in Oaks, Tobias did inform the banquet attendees that the Wingless 600cc Sprints will have three events that will pay $1,000 to win.
Mike Feltenberger Photo
The complete schedule will be available at Motorsports 2015 and on the speedway's website, www.actiontrackusa.com.
30~ Driven Racing Magazine
Samantha Bowen Photo
Amy Williams Photo
It may not be the pit area we are used to, but here the fire crew at Trenton getting together and ready for a night of intense action.
Samantha Bowen Photo
January 2015~ 31
Michael Fry Photo
Michael Fry Photo
“This year I'd say was better than last year. We made both shows again, but we improved our finishes. We went to California to race last year. We met some guys from California that run Edge Chassis and we talked about how I never been out there and wanted too. They asked me to come out a few months later and we had a great time. I have to thank the Timmons family for there hospitality and the opportunity. We ended up 4th so it was a successful weekend out there too.�
Michael Fry Photos 34~ Driven Racing Magazine
“I'm only as good as the guys around me. I'm lucky to have in my corner the best in the business. Stan Fleming assembled both Cars in two weeks, Scott Spahr provides me with the best engines, Jeff long wrenches and makes my job easy, mom n dad who pay the bills and support me 100% and my wife and friends. Everyone I mentioned came through for me the whole week and we all represented PA in a strong way and gave it all we had. Couldn't be more proud.” Michael Fry Photo
“I say it like that because I've gone to Tulsa 3 years and this was the first time the whole team went together. This whole team is a family and having the comfort of them being there is why we ran so strong”
Race Results from Outlaw Classes Outlaw Winged A Feature (55 Laps): 1. 7J-Michael Faccinto[5]; 2. 10J-Cory Eliason; 3. 21R-Raio Morgan; 4. 37H-Nicholas Howard; 5. 62-Jonathan Beason; 6. 41-Giovanni Scelzi; 7. 29K-Kevin Swindell; 8. 8-Chris Andrews; 9. 00-Grady Chandler; 10. 1B-Austin Brown; 11. 14W-Tyler Walton; 12. 9L-Layne Himebaugh; 13. 29S-Scott Sawyer; 14. 12A-Alex Panella; 15. 27T-Tucker Klaasmeyer; 16. (DNF) 91-Kevin Bayer; 17. (DNF) 79J-Jerrod Wilson; 18. (DNF) 51B-Joe B. Miller; 19. (DNF) 73Tyler Thomas; 20. (DNF) 15D-Andrew Deal; 21. (DNF) 22C-Curtis Jones; 22. (DNF) 1Z-Brock Zearfoss; 23. (DNF) 122-Travis Senter Jr; 24. (DNF) 41S-Dominic Scelzi
Michael Fry Photo
Outlaw Non Wing A Feature (25 Laps): 1. 32T-Trey Marcham[2]; 2. 2J-Ronnie James; 3. 34-KJ Snow; 4. 36-Jonathan Beason; 5. 91-Kevin Bayer; 6. 75X-James Morris; 7. 1X-Jeffrey Newell; 8. 92-Jordan Herrman; 9. 73M-Jason McDougal; 10. 14J-Jadon Rogers; 11. 8-Brian Lunsford; 12. 22C-Curtis Jones; 13. 16-Billy Cribbs; 14. 1B-Austin Brown; 15. 155-Travis Harris; 16. 93S-Raleigh Shepherd; 17. 44A-Ayrton Gennetten; 18. 38-Jimmy Wood; 19. 7C-Chris Cochran; 20. 27-Tyson Hall; 21. (DNF) 41S-Dominic Scelzi; 22. (DNF) 29T-TJ Smith; 23. (DNF) 7G-Cord Dodson; 24. (DNF) 22H-Jeesse Holt
36~ Driven Racing Magazine
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It’s not often you see a Micro Sprint in a furniture story. Brandon Edgars was there in this Dennis Takacs Photo.
38~ Driven Racing Magazine
Michael Fry catches the Pennsylvania and Maryland drivers at the Tulsa Shootout
January 2015~ 39
The 2015 Slingshot tours will see some new stops from beginning to end and some track operators are really excited about their event slotting for this season.
The April 18th MA Gold Tour at Airport Speedway in New Castle, Delaware is the first race on that tour schedule. Airport hosted an exhibition event last October and the track personnel took to the Slingshots and have placed the Slingshots on their schedule with the Gold Tour event and an All Star National on October 3rd. Brett Deyo has added the Slingshots to the May 3rd Small Car Spring Fling at Thunder Mountain in Center Lisle, NY. The event will be a point race for the MA Gold, Empire Region and an All Star National. The 1st place prize has been announced as at least $500. Five Mile Point Speedway in Kirkwood, NY has slotted the Slingshots as a regular weekly class on the fast 1/4 mile clay oval and in addition to their weekly spot,they have been added to the tour schedule with an Empire Region event slated for April 12th and has accepted the Super Dirt Week National date of October 10th after a successful event that went non-stop in October of 2014 which was won by Danny Buccafusca. The annual Spring Spectacular at Shellhammers Speedway will move to a new date this year as the Cordier family will slot in the well liked National and Junior National on the day after the 3rd annual Slide at the Clyde at Lanco which will see the Slingshots take to both 1/8th mile speed plants on June 27th at Clyde Martin Memorial Speedway and June 28th at Shellhammers. Two fine paying races back to back that should see many teams looking to gain national points and some big prize money that weekend. Penn Can Speedway will also have weekly Slingshot racing and they will also keep their July 19th date for national and regional points. Mahoning Valley Speedway has 2 Slingshot tour dates readied for 2015 with a MA Silver regional on April 25th and the Roundy Round National on October 24th at the circular speedway near Lehighton, PA. Long time Slingshot regular speedways, Linda’s, Hamlin, Borgers and Selinsgrove have their regular tour dates on their schedule with Selinsgrove using their Speedweeks date of August 7th as also a regional and National date. The Juniors will also visit Selinsgrove that night for a Junior National.Button Buck Speedway in Spring Meadow, MN has added a few dates to the tour schedule due to losing 6 races in 2014 to weather related issues. Accord Speedway will also continue their support of the Slingshot classes with an Empire Region race on June 26th,A September 4th All Star National and the Junior National slated for September 19th Linda’s Speedway will be the 1st regular track to host a tour race as the April 17th event will be the Friday after Five Mile Point which is also a 1/4 mile track giving all race teams a chance to get dialed in for the Jonestown,PA oval. Linda’s also will continue the Lebanon Valley 100 tradition on September 19th.
40~ Driven Racing Magazine
The Action Track USA will again have the Dutch Classic slated for July 29th,Reading Fairgrounds has the Nostalgia National and Junior National on August 3rd,Borgers will host the No Dirt National on October 17th with the Juniors sharing the bill and Greenwood Valley has kept the Slingshots on their 2015 calendar with a stop on August 22nd. Hamlin Speedway will be the site of 4 tour races with 3 regionals and a September 12th National.They will also host the Junior National Tour on the Friday night of their 2 day weekend on June 19th.The 1/5 mile Smith Family run operation had over 35 cars entered for their 2014 national show. The final slot on the tour schedule will be the annual Fall Jamboree which will again be run at the high-banked 1/3rd mile of Grandview Speedway in Bechtelsville,PA.Dylan Hoch and Damon Paul clinched their championships at this special points race. There are over 60 tour races for all race teams to select from,even the weekly racer that wants to take a night or 2 and battle the road warriors.The Elite 11 All Star National drivers and the Great 8 Junior National drivers will again be running for a point title that has come down to the last race of the season for 6 straight years.
January 2015~ 41
John Diffenderfer Photo
Chase Gutshall is a racer. He races, he races with his family, and on the side, he races! Gutshall started racing in quarter
midgets where he racked up quite a few wins at Susquehanna's Outback track and other area tracks. Gutshall has 105 career wins in total. Not too shabby for a kid turning 15 this year. Recently Gutshall has climbed behind the wheel of a Micro Sprint. Starting with the 125 class and more recently has taken the leap into the 270’s. Although Gutshall has run strong in almost every showing in the 125, he has been held winless; something that is an adjustment for the 14 year old throttle jockey. In his spare time Gutshall races radio controlled cars, and has 42~ Driven Racing Magazine
and has a full amount of wins there too. The kid is flat out used to winning. On the outside, we would assume he would unhappy. But, Gutshall is having fun, and he says that’s his goal each night. The wins will come. This young guy has racing in his blood. His pap, uncle, and dad have all slid on a helmet at one time or another. Gutshall looks at racing as a family affair. The number he carries was used by both his dad and uncle. He says one of his most enjoyable moments outside of racing is a family trip to Charlotte, North Carolina for the World Finals each year.
Car Number: 1a
Home Town: Middletown, Pa Date of Birth: Sept 19, 2000
Sponsors: Wendy's, Gutshall's Automotive, Danny Tezak, Tool Shed of America, Macco of Middletown Pa, Snap on, Thompson's Lawncare, Bell Helmets, Hidden Hangar Hobbies
Shred Racing Photo
Gutshall says trying to race into the Linda’s Speedway National Open was one of the most memorable moments of his racing career. He also notes racing at Eldora’s Little E speedway. 2015 plans include chasing a Track title. Gutshall wants to try to win a track championship before moving into the Super Sportsman ranks at Williams Grove one day.
Type of Car: 125/270 Micro Sprint RTS Chassis
“Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 January 2015~ 43
Lenny Slemmer Jr doing everything to get “that shot�
Dennis Takacs Photo
46~ Driven Racing Magazine