Kasey Kahne Racing Recap  
Riding an emotional high into Eldora Speedway on Friday night, Joey Saldana returned to the site of his greatest victories and scariest crashes with hopes of winning his second-consecutive World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series race since missing nine weeks to injury.
Joey Saldana, driver of the #9 Red Bull/Sage Fruit Maxim
Saldana dominated once again, winning for the second time this season at the historic half-mile dirt track that is beginning to define his career. Twice he has won the prestigious Kings Royal, but twice a potential championship run was decimated by injuries from a crash, most recently in July when he sustained a shattered arm, punctured lung and broken ribs that kept him out of the Kasey Kahne Racing Red Bull Maxim for nine weeks.
On Friday, just two days after winning at Hartford (Mich.) Motor Speedway his first race back, Saldana again was in victory lane at Eldora after leading 30 laps and holding off  Paul McMahan, to the checkered flag. It was his sixth win of the year overall.
"I have to thank God for this one," said Saldana."It was only three weeks ago that I could barely run on a treadmill and tonight I outlasted a very physical race track. That's a testament to my trainer at Pit Fit, Jim Leo. He ran me through my paces and pushed me harder and harder and it's paid off. I couldn't have imagined in a million years we would have won Hartford but now we've made it two in a row. It just shows how tough and good this team is. We were competitive earlier this season and they haven't missed a beat since."
On Saturday night at Lernerville, Saldana was going for his third win in a row and suffered engine trouble that resulted in a 23rd-place finish.
Paul McMahan, driver of the #83 HR Cattle/Roth Motorsports Maxim
McMahan kicked off the night with a fourth-place qualifying effort, a fifth-place finish in his heat and a win in the dash to put him on the front row for the A-main. Despite a strong effort, McMahan could only watch as Saldana powered to the front and held on through 30 circuits and two double-file restarts.
"You hate losing but if I had to lose to anyone, I'm glad it's my best friend," said McMahan, driver of the #83 Roth Motorsports/H.R. Cattle Maxim that's run out of Kahne's Mooresville, N.C., shop. "Joey just had an awesome car again tonight and it's great to have him back out here. We had a really good car all night long and maybe had a shot on the restarts. It's just a great night overall for Kasey Kahne Racing."
McMahan qualified 10th on Saturday at Lernerville, finished third in his heat and ninth in the A-main. He is still fourth in the point standings.
-Brad Sweet, driver of the #49 Ollie’s Bargain Outlet/Sage Fruit Maxim
On Friday night, Sweet qualified the #49 Ollie’s Bargain Outlet car in sixth, finished second in his heat, fifth in the dash and 15th in the A-main. Sweet was running third when a flat tire forced him to the pit area.
On Saturday night at Lernerville, Sweet qualified 17th, finished fifth in his heat and 10th in the A-main event.
-Cody Darrah, driver of the #91 Great Clips/Sage Fruit/ASE Maxim
Darrah made his presence known early on in the night with a second-place qualifying effort and a fifth-place finish in his heat. He finished third in the dash and from the onset of the A-main was looking strong. While running in the top five a flat tire would force Darrah to the pits and leave him with a 21st place finish.
On Saturday night at Lernerville, Darrah qualified 19th, finished sixth in his heat, third in the B-main and 15th in the A-main.
On Deck
All four KKR cars will go head-to-head with their heated rivals, the Pennsylvania Posse, next weekend at Williams Grove Speedway. The annual National Open weekend at the famed half-mile oval in Mechanicsburg, Pa., is Friday, Sept. 30, and Sat., October 1.

(BRASSTOWN, NORTH CAROLINA)  The "Tarheel Tiger" Ray Cook nabbed his sixth victory of the 2011 campaign on Saturday evening, September 17 at the Wythe Raceway in Rural Retreat, Virginia!  Ray set a New Track Record during Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series qualifying at the picturesque 1/2-mile oval to earn the pole position for the 40-lapper.  The driver of the Rockstar Energy Drink / Makita Industrial Power Tools / Hicks & Ingle Co. #53 MasterSbilt / Race Engine Design entry then dominated the feature event by leading flag-to-flag to record the $4,000 triumph over Kenny Compton, Jr., Dennis Franklin, Jeff Smith, and Ray Tucker!

In other action over the weekend, the #53 D&R Motorsports team competed in two Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series showdowns in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  At the Winchester Speedway in Winchester, Virginia on Friday night, Ray ran sixth in his heat race, third in his B-Main, and later passed eight competitors in the $10,000 to win feature to finish in the fourteenth position.  On Sunday afternoon at the pristine Virginia Motor Speedway in Jamaica, Virginia, Ray finished fifth in his 25-lap qualifying race before selecting too hard of a tire for the $15,000 to win 'USA 100.'  The Brasstown, North Carolina native wound up a disappointing twentieth in the rain-shortened 31-lap event.  Full results from the long weekend in Virginia can be accessed online at www.dirtondirt.com.

“That win at Wythe was a big one for our team, especially how the rest of the weekend shook out for us,” stated Cook following the long weekend.  “Our car was excellent at Wythe all night, but we just missed a little something at Winchester and Virginia Motor.  It seems like we do all of the right things in some of these non-Lucas Oil races, but then in the series events, we do the wrong thing to the car at the wrong time.  We will keep working hard at the shop and hope to make the right decisions this weekend at Brownstown!”

Next up for the D&R Motorsports team will be the 32nd Annual ‘Jackson 100’ at the legendary Brownstown Speedway in Brownstown, Indiana on September 23-24.  Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series time trials will headline Friday’s portion of the two-day program, while the heat races, consolation events, and the ‘Jackson 100’ will be held on Saturday evening at the 1/4-mile, semi-banked fairgrounds oval.  The winner of the 100-lapper on Saturday will receive $20,000, while the mega-event will pay $1,200 just to start.  Additional information on the huge weekend at Brownstown can be found by pointing your web browser to www.lucasdirt.com.

Ray Cook would like to thank all of his supporters including:  Rockstar Energy Drink, Makita Industrial Power Tools, D&R Motorsports, Hicks & Ingle Company, MasterSbilt Race Cars, Race Engine Design, PPM Racing Products, A+ Moving and Storage Company, K&N Filters, PRC Racing, Real Racing Wheels, Bill Elliott Racing, James Cook Construction, American Race Tire, Bert Transmissions, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Chizmark & Larson Insurance Agency, DBR Starters, Delph Communications, Demon Carburetors, Eibach Springs, FK Rod Ends, Frankland Racing Supply, GW Performance, Integra Shocks, ISC Racers Tape, JB Performance, Mason Racin', MSD Ignition, Peterson Fluid Systems, Schaeffer’s Racing Oil, Scott Performance Wire, Stealth Carburetors, Sweet Mfg., T&D Machine, Turbo Start Batteries, VP Racing Fuels, Wiles Driveshafts, and Wilwood.

The start of September for Menzies Motorsports meant one of the busiest months of the year. 5 rounds of short course racing in the TORCseries and heading back down to San Felipe, Mexico to defend our points lead in the SCORE desert racing series. It takes a tough crew filled with dedication and drive to accomplish so much together and thousands of miles apart.

TORC Rounds 9&10 (plus round 6 make up) Crandon
The biggest race of the season takes place at “The Big House” also known as Crandon. With over 30,000 fans filling the grass hill that looks out onto the 1.5mile track and where trucks reach over 100 mph by turn one.  Race day started Friday with the annual parade in Crandon, which draws hundreds of fans that come to get a close up view of the trucks and mingle with their favorite drivers. As the paradewrapped up the trucks and buggies made their way to the track where racing quickly began.

Pro 2/Pro 4 and Pro Light
Bryce Menzies was standing second in points right behind Rob MacCachren going into Crandon and his goal was to come out of the weekend with the points lead. As round 6 started, so did the rain but this time track workers were ready for the weather and to make sure the track was safe to race on. Pro 2’s lined up for the land rush start and as 9 trucks made their way into turn one all 9 came out clean and with clean racing it was Jeff Kincaid taking the win followed by Chad Hord and then the #7 truck of Bryce Menziesfinishing out the top 3. “ We may not have won this round, but we are right where we need to be going into the rest of the weekend. With just a few changes in the truck I’m confident we can make it to the top.” Said Bryce Menzies. The Next two days of racing were just what Bryce needed as he raced his way straight to the top both days, putting on a good show for the fans while battling with local favorite Chad Hord and also taking on one of the slowest races in the history of Crandon where the rain was relentless and hundreds of pounds of mud weighed down the trucks. Bryce walked away from the weekend with 2 first place finishes and 1 third, not only catching up with the current points leader, but also passing him and capturing the point’s lead.

Pro 4 driver Ricky Johnson has been battling with last years Pro 4 Champion Johnny Greaves all season going back and forth on not only points but also race positions.  Crandon had another plan though not just for Ricky but also Johnny. As all three Pro 4 races got underway, it was Adrian Cenni who would dominate the weekend. Ricky fought hard and found himself on the podium for rounds 6 and 9 with third place finishes. Round 10 captured Ricky and Cenni battling for the first place position when misfortune would have its way and brought Ricky into the pits and unable to finish the race.  “ It wasn’t the best weekend for the #48 Menzies/Red Bull truck but we still have 4 more rounds to go and hopefully we can make it up there.” Said the disappointed Ricky Johnson.

Pro Lights took to the track with over 15 trucks for the 3 days of racing and it was out on the track that Luke Johnson showed fellow drivers what he is capable of. Coming out of turn 1 with little damage and pushing his way through a track that was changing everyday from being muddy and slippery to dry and dusty. Luke finished 5th in round 6 just behind some of the fastest drivers in his class. Rounds 9 and 10 however Luke was not able to make it to the checkered flag in the top 5 again but he put aside the bad luck and finished out Sunday’s race after having to pull into the hot pits to get the truck worked on. “My crew works extremely hard for me to be able to race and if I cant finish on top it doesn’t mean I am going to give up, I am going to push as hard as I can to get a finish not only for me but for the guys who got me here.” Said Luke Johnson.

SCORE San Felipe Challenge Of Champions
Thousands of miles away from Crandon but only one day after claiming 2 wins in his Pro 2, Bryce Menzies made his way from the cool weather of the Midwest to the hot desert of San Felipe, Baja Mexico where temperatures reached over 115 degrees. It was time to continue his battle in the #70 Menzies Motorsports/Red Bull Trophy Truck and protect his point’s lead. “I’m leading in points right now and it is crucial for us to get a great finish at this race to maintain the lead.” Said Bryce Menzies as hundreds of fans surrounded his truck to get stickers, pictures and autographs.  

Not far behind in points is the same driver whom Bryce just took the points lead away from in the Pro 2 class of TORC Rob MacCachren. Fans from all around would be lining the course from start to finish and those that couldn’t be there in person would have to watch from their computers to see who would come out on top.

10th off the line Bryce Menzies and Co Driver Pete Mortensen started just nine minutes behind Rob who drew the first starting position. Having to follow in othersdust, Bryce knew it was important to get around those in front of him so hecould get to clean air but it wasn’t till around mile 24 that the chance came to gain positions. With the course opening up multiple lines, Bryce found his opportunity to pass Pete Sohren and found himself quickly catching Robbie Pierce but as the course went down to one line a clean pass could not be made. With the heat of the desert and humidity of the Sea of Cortez the crew decided to make an extra fuel stop at race mile 105 to get cool fuel into the truck so the chance of vapor-locking could be avoided. When race day came though temperatures dropped 20 degrees and a decision had to be made on whether or not to still stop at the added pit.  Having passed over 5 trucks the next move could set the tone for the rest of the race.

Pit 105 came up quick and Bryce decided to pull in, but what Bryce did not know was that coming up quickly were 3 trucks all battling to get to clean air. The crew finished fueling to get Bryce out before the trucks came by but as quick as he put the pedal down to go he found himself getting stuck in the soft desert sand. The Menzies crew quickly reacted and used the chase truck to pull him out but at this point it was to late and 3 trucks made their way in front of the #70 Truck. From there to the finish Bryce and Pete werestuck in the dust until coming up to their main fuel pit where they would get fresh BFG tires to take them to the finish. Passing broken trucks just miles away from the finish Bryce Menzies came to the finish line 3rd physically and also 3rd in time, just behind Rob and Gary Weyhrich. The Menzies, Red Bull, BFG, Fox Shox truck ran flawlessly and the Menzies team finished the race 5 minutes faster then they did in March. Bryce Menzies still leading in points will now prepare to take on his first ever Baja 1000 in November and race to the finish for the Championship, but not far behind him is Rob MacCachren also wanting to take home a Championship.

TORC Round 11 and Round 1 Make up Joliet (Pro 2 & Pro 4)
Just 2 days after returning from Mexico it was time to race short course again. The team headed just south of Chicago to Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, IL. Where they would be making up round 1, which got rained out in Red Bud, and then continuing the series with Round 11. The races took place the same week of Nascar, which would bring out many new fans to witness for their first time the “most punishing short course racing series on the planet!”-TORC

Pro Light/Pro 2 and Pro 4
Luke Johnson was ready to get back on the podium after a hard weekend in Crandon and for round 11 he finished practice with the second fastest time. Starting on the pole for Thursdays race gave Luke the perfectopportunity to runaway with a win, but with a stacked field of 19 trucks itwasn’t going to come easy. From the green flag dropping to the mandatory yellow Luke was staying within the top 5 and putting on a great race for the fans. At the restart Luke was running in second place next to RJ Anderson when along the backstretch and into turn 2 the underside of Luke’s truck engulfed into flames and quickly took over.  On his way to a possible podium finish Luke had to pull off the track and escape the flames as the safety crew arrived and put the fire out.  “Luke was doing so great and it is such a shame that he was not able to finish the race.” Said father, Ricky Johnson. Luke Johnson stands 10th in points right now and can hopefully make up a few more positions going into the last race of the season in Texas.

Qualifying 1st Bryce would be leading the Pro 2’s going into the green flag. After just a few fast laps though the #7 truck pulled to the side of the track with a damaged drive shaft. Running through the options with the crew they decided to continue the race and to just run slowly in the back. With many other trucks getting tangled up and broken this decision actually put Bryce in a good spot for Thursdays race where because of his 6th place finish Wednesday night he would get to start on the pole again for round 11. Even though Bryce did not get a win for the make up of round 1 he did walk away the with Oakley Bomb for fastest lap which now also puts him in the lead for total fastest laps of the season so far in the Pro 2 class.

After a cold and windy day of prepping the trucks, thewarmth of the sun fell behind the cornfields and the stands filled with fans ready to witness another night of fender to fender racing. Right after the Pro Light race on Thursday night the Pro 2’s rolled out onto the track with all the trucks and drivers to fight it out till the end in hopes that they could make it to the top of the podium, but it was the young Menzies in the Red Bull truck who took first place and ran away with it. Not even skipping a beat after the mandatory yellow, Bryce pulled himself away from the pack and ran a clean and fast race all the way to the checkered and claimed another win for Menzies Motorsports.

Ricky Johnson also qualifying 1st for Wednesday nights race set the pace for the Pro 4’s and made driving a Pro 4 look like a walk in the park. As soon as the green flag hit the air Johnson held his first place position after a good battle with Adrian Cenni and took that first place past half way and all the way to the finish. “I give it up to my team. They gave me the best truck out there. Now we’ll invert the top six for tomorrow night and you guys are really gonna see some great racing!” Said Ricky.

Thursday nights Pro 4 race was one for the books and all the drivers put on an amazing race, but it was Johnson and Greaves who the fanscouldn’t pull their attention away from. Mark Jenkins took the early lead and before he knew it Ricky and Johnny who started towards the back were right on his line and waiting for a clean pass. It was Ricky who took the lead away from Jenkins and held that lead to the mandatory yellow and gained one more point on Greaves. The trucks all lined back up for the restart and it was the Red Bull truck that took the lead again setting the pace. Not far behind though was Johnny Greaves and the racing that would take place between now and the finish had fans on their feet not knowing who would win. With contact that was made early in the race between Johnson and Jenkins causing a broken shock for the #48 Red Bull truck, Ricky had to be sure to stick to his lines, but it was in the rhythm section of the track that Greaves would gain on him. With only 5laps to go Johnny got by Ricky to take away the lead. Ricky didn’t give up and pushed the Menzies built truck harder than it has ever been pushed and was soon nipping at Johnny’s rear bumper. As Ricky passed the white flag and went into the turn one sweeper, the BFG’s hooked up even harder and pulled Ricky right around Johnny to take back first place and maintained the lead straight to the top of the podium.

Up next for Menzies Motorsports will be the final two rounds of TORC at the Infamous Cycle Ranch Motocross Park in Floresville, Texas. October 15th and 16th will determine who walks away with the championships and that is where the Menzies team will leave it all on the track, with Bryce Menzies leading in the Pro 2 points and Ricky Johnson only 4 points behind Johnny Greaves this will be one race you will not want to miss.

Along with the excitement of sweeping the Pro 4 class in Chicago and Bryce taking home 3 wins in September, the first ever live coverage of TORC aired for Thursday night’s race on Speed. With Luke leading in the Pro Light race, Ricky Dominating the Pro 4’s and Bryce stealing the early lead in the Pro 2’s, it was the Menzies Motorsports/Red Bull team that stole the show. Along with being live on TV the excitement also continued when AMA Supercross Champion James Stewart took to 4 wheels for the first time ever and quicklytook to the Menzies Prepped Pro Light. Fans lined the Menzies pit to check out Stewart’s truck and shake hands with the Red Bull Athlete. Stewart finished Thursday race in a respectable 6th place and walked away with the 3rd fastest lap time. “He’ll (Stewart) get better quick. He’s got a lot of things on his side that lend themselves to short course off-road racing.” Said Menzies driver, and also AMA Supercross Champion Ricky Johnson.

Kasey Kahne Racing Recap  
Joey Saldana triumphed at Hartford Motor Speedway in Michigan on Wednesday night after returning behind the wheel of the # 9 Red Bull Maxim for the first time since an injury sidelined him in July.
Joey Saldana, driver of the #9 Red Bull/Sage Fruit Maxim
Many people told him it was too soon. His family and friends cautioned him against it. Joey Saldana, though, knew Wednesday night at Hartford Motor Speedway he was ready to return to World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series action.
With support from car owner Kasey Kahne, Saldana climbed back into the #9 Red Bull Maxim for the first time in nine weeks, since suffering a shattered right forearm, a punctured lung and broken ribs in scary crash during the Kings Royal in July at Eldora Speedway. He never looked back. Saldana earned the pole position at the half-mile dirt oval and dominated the 25-lap feature for his fifth victory of the season and the most uplifting win of his career.
"This was way more than I expected tonight," said Saldana. "My family thought it was too soon but I kept telling them I was ready. I was working out very hard at Pit Fit in Indianapolis to get myself ready to come back. I wanted to come back and be competitive and build something for next year. That's why I came back for these races. I know and respect racing. Several drivers have been in accidents like mine and will never crawl back into a car. I'm very lucky and blessed to be here tonight and to come away with a win is huge."
An eight in the dash inversion draw put Saldana on the outside row for the 6-lap sprint that determines the first 10 starting spots of the main event. Saldana wrestled the lead away from four-time champion Donny Schatz to earn the right to start on the pole for the 25-lap feature.
Saldana raced away from the field at the drop of the green flag and held Schatz and the rest of the field at bay through three restarts.
Paul McMahan, driver of the #83 HR Cattle/Roth Motorsports Maxim
Paul had another solid night in the #83 HR Cattle/Roth Motorsports Maxim. He started out the night with a fourth-place qualifying effort and finished fourth in his heat. He finished seventh in the dash and eighth in the A-main event. He is still fourth in the point standings.
-Cody Darrah, driver of the #91 Great Clips/Sage Fruit/ASE Maxim
Cody qualified third, finished third in his heat and fifth in the Dash. After being involved in an on-track incident in the early stages of the A-main, Cody finished 19th. He is still 10th in the point standings.  
On Deck
Saldana will get another shot to conquer Eldora Speedway when the World of Outlaws returns to Tony Stewart's track on Friday night (Sept. 23) before heading Saturday to the Commonwealth Clash at Lernerville Speedway.

The D&R Motorsports team visited victory lane for the fifth time in the 2011 racing season on Saturday night, September 10 at the ultra-fast Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Tennessee.  Ray Cook laid down a lap of 12.385 seconds during the qualifying session to earn Fast Time honors and the pole position for the Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series feature event.  Aboard his Rockstar Energy Drink / Makita Industrial Power Tools / Hicks & Ingle Co. #53 MasterSbilt / Race Engine Design machine, Ray led flag-to-flag in the sixty lapper to claim the $5,000 top prize over Ross Bailes, Jonathan Davenport, Chad Ogle, and Zack Mitchell.  Full results from "The Gap" can be located by clicking on www.volunteerspeedway.com.

“It was good to get back into victory lane, especially at Bulls Gap,” exclaimed Cook this week.  “We have had an up and down season, but maybe things are starting to turn around for us a little bit.  I flipped a car at Batesville a few weeks ago and then tore another car up at Wheelersburg over Labor Day weekend, so that got us kind of behind on things at the shop.  Hopefully, this win will reenergize everyone heading into the homestretch of the season!”

Ray and the #53 team will jump back on the ultra-competitive Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series tour on September 16-17 in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  The Winchester Speedway in Winchester, Virginia will play host to a $10,000 to win series showdown on Friday night, while the pristine Virginia Motor Speedway in Jamaica, Virginia will hold the annual ‘USA 100’ on Saturday evening, which boasts a $15,000 payday.  Ray comes into the doubleheader weekend ninth in the latest version of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series point standings.  Additional information on these races can be accessed by pointing your web browser to www.lucasdirt.com.

Ray Cook would like to thank all of his supporters including:  Rockstar Energy Drink, Makita Industrial Power Tools, D&R Motorsports, Hicks & Ingle Company, MasterSbilt Race Cars, Race Engine Design, PPM Racing Products, A+ Moving and Storage Company, K&N Filters, PRC Racing, Real Racing Wheels, Bill Elliott Racing, James Cook Construction, American Race Tire, Bert Transmissions, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Chizmark & Larson Insurance Agency, DBR Starters, Delph Communications, Demon Carburetors, Eibach Springs, FK Rod Ends, Frankland Racing Supply, GW Performance, Integra Shocks, ISC Racers Tape, JB Performance, Mason Racin', MSD Ignition, Peterson Fluid Systems, Schaeffer’s Racing Oil, Scott Performance Wire, Stealth Carburetors, Sweet Mfg., T&D Machine, Turbo Start Batteries, VP Racing Fuels, Wiles Driveshafts, and Wilwood.

9/15/11 (BG Motorsports PR) – The final 2 day weekend of the 2011 IRA season, seen Bill Balog take on 2 different Northern Wisconsin speed plants. First up was the Amsoil Speedway in Superior, WI for the Annual Northern Nationals. Bill began the night by setting his 3rd Quick Time in a row by turning a lap of 13.182 seconds, which averaged out to 102.412 mph around the high banked oval. By virtue of the qualifying effort, Bill would start 6th in heat race #1. Once the heats finally went trackside, Bill got to work & began the march towards the front. By the midway point (lap 5) he had worked his way up to the 3rd spot. He wasn’t done there as he was up to 2nd shortly after that & that’s where he would finish the 10 lap event. The #3 pill was once again drawn for feature inversion which meant the Maxim Chassis / A&E Collision 17B would line up 6th in the 30 lap Northern Nationals main event. As the field was beginning to take shape on the track, the car who was suppose to start 4th ended up spinning prior to the green flag & would have to go to the tail, which meant the 17B would move up a row & start 4th.  When the racing action commenced Bill took of like a rocket & by the 4th lap was up to 2nd when the races 2nd caution waved. Once the field was back to racing, Bill was right on the leaders back bumper, it took a few laps to navigate his way around but on lap 8 he took the point & quickly opened up a sizeable lead. Bill had to endure 2 more caution / red flag periods during the race, but proved to be to strong for the competition as he would go on to claim his 11th IRA win of the year & 2nd Northern Nationals in a row.
The 2nd night of the double header weekend took place at the Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, WI for the $5000 to Win Jerry Richert Memorial. 36 strong teams were on hand for this event, the night didn’t start off well as the 69 pill was drew for qualifying which meant Bill would be the last & final car out to turn a lap. When Bill finally hit the track for his turn in qualifying, he was able to muster up a lap time of 11.627 seconds which ended up being the 5th fastest time of the night. He would pilot the Saldana Racing Products 17B from position #5 of the 1st 10 lap heat race. When the green flag waved, Bill got an excellent start & moved up to the 4th position right away. It took the next few laps to make his way past the 3rd place car & quickly began closing in on the 2nd place car. Once he was able to reel in 2nd place, he spent a few laps waiting to make his way around him; once Bill did he set his eyes on the race leader who had opened up a straight away lead. With 2 laps to go, Bill had closed the gap between himself & the leader. On the white flag lap, Bill made a bold move in turn 1, as he threaded the needle between a lapped car & the race leader. He was able to over take the leader & go on to claim yet another heat race win. The #3 pill was once again drawn for the feature inversion, which would place the B Squared Motorsports 17B outside front row for the $5000 to Win 30 lap feature. At the drop of the green, Bill jumped out to the lead & began to open up a sizeable lead on the field.  An early caution would bunch the field back up, but Bill proved to be the class of the field & soon re-opened up a sizeable lead. Bill would have to endure a few more cautions, but every time he would go unchallenged & retain the lead. As the race wore on the track began to take rubber in turns 3 & 4 which meant tires & passing would be come an issue. As Bill was trying to make his way around a lapped car late in the race, he had to move off the rubber which allowed 2nd place, Mark Dobmeier to make his way past Bill & lead lap 28. Bill fought back & reclaimed the lead going in to turn 1; from that point on he would go unchallenged & go to claim the prestigious Jerry Richert Memorial Trophy & the $5000 reward that went along with it.
This week Bill & the B Squared Motorsports team will be in action with the IRA at the Plymouth Dirt Track in Plymouth, WI for the Frank Filskov Memorial. Bill was the winner of this event 1 year ago & also visited victory lane at this track in June of this year.
To keep up on all the latest news regarding the team be sure to visit the team website at www.b2motorsports.com. You can also follow the team on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bsquaredmotorsports or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/bsqdmotorsports.
Sponsorship for the 2011 season comes from the following companies: Buesser Concrete, Hoeft Builders, Hepfner Racing Products & HRP Wings, Diversified Machine Inc., XYZ Machining Inc., Allstar Performance, K&N Engineering, Astro Titanium, Super Shox, BLZ, FK Rod Ends, B Squared Visual Solutions, Weld Racing, Outerwears Inc., Race Gear X, Gleason Racing Equipment, Maxim Chassis, Competition Driveline, Saldana Racing Products, Fibrestar Industries, A&E Collision and Service, and Xtreme Stainless, LLC.

From the 100+ degree temperatures in California the Big Game Treestands #7 team made the 1800 mile tow to the Upper Midwest and mid-50 degree temps in Spencer, Iowa where racing resumed on Friday as Craig Dollansky and wife Julie once again promoted the Arnold Motor Supply Shootout at Clay County Fair Speedway.

Sporting the Aggressive Hydraulics #7 colors at the 3/8-mile track, Dollansky was fast right out of the box posting the 2nd fastest time of the night among the 33 cars in the pit area.  Heat races would see teams battle the tricky cushion in turns one and two as the Karavan Trailers Maxim started fourth and finished 4th to transfer into the dash.  An inversion of eight put 'The Crowd Pleaser' inside of row four for the 6-lap race where the #7 finished 7th.

When the green flag dropped on the 30-lap A-Main Dollansky worked the bottom to race past Jason Sides and run sixth by a lap 2 caution.  The ensuing double-file restart saw Kerry Madsen spin and flip in turn two and collect Lucas Wolfe.  Now running in the fourth, Dollansky wouldn't hold the position for long as he powered the Eaton's Aeroquip Performance Products #7 around Kraig Kinser on the restart to take third and come after the top two cars.  The top three cars would race nose-to-tail through lapped traffic with Dollansky racing past Donny Schatz and then coming after the leader, a position the Elk River, Minnesota native would take from Bill Rose just after the halfway point. 

Now holding the top spot Dollansky masterfully worked through lapped traffic with the laps winding down until a caution with two laps to go.  A big wreck on the restart was followed with a single-file restart where Dollansky would never be touched as he cruised to his series-leading 9th victory of the season.  Teammate Sammy Swindell would steal second by the checkers to mark the third time this season Big Game Treestands cars have finished 1-2.

"This Aggressive car has been good to us this year," said Dollansky.  "Win #9 is not easily done out here on this tour.  Monday night I felt like I gave one with three laps to go leading but this is a strong team and my crew dug deep this week getting this car ready.  This is great team with DJ, Luke, Troy, and Tyler.  It's a long trip back here so to come here and win the Arnold Motor Supply Shootout is pretty cool.  We had a good race car and I felt good in lapped traffic.  For this entire race team to get nine wins on the season and probably should have a few more but you never give up and have to keep digging.  From Big Game Treestands, Aggressive Hydraulics, Karavan Trailers, Aeroquip, our great motor builder Brian Morrison, and Maxim race cars we have a great team.  Anytime you win is a team effort and to win this way after traveling this far and building a new race car I'm just happy for them."

Racing continues tonight at Deer Creek Speedway a few hours across the border in Dollansky's home state of Minnesota. 

Crandon, WI 9/4/2011 – Aside from getting his first pro-light win, Brad Lovell could not have had a better weekend at the World Championships in Crandon, WI. Including a makeup round from the spring, the pro-light class faced 3 races that were wedged between dousing rainstorms.

Action started Friday afternoon on a near perfect track. Lovell got a good run at the start and held leader Andrew Caddell for the entire race. The two trucks separated from the pack but Lovell was unable to put the AMSOIL Nissan in passing position. The effort landed the team their second runner-up finish at Crandon. Brad adds, “We made some risky decisions in the shop this month about where to invest our time (rock racing or shot course) and it paid off. We’re running with the big dogs now!”

Saturday’s weather dampened spirits and cancelled qualifying. After studying the radar, TORC officials perfectly timed a lapse in rain and got the track in great shape for the pro-light race. Starting 4th (based on points) in a field of 20 trucks, Lovell got a great run and passed Hubinette in turn #1. “I had such a strong run I could have taken the lead into turn 2 but got boxed out. I was again chasing Caddell, the truck felt perfect, and I knew I could catch him.” Lovell pushed hard but also faced a battle from a hard charging Brian Deegan who would eventually pass Lovell for 2nd. The top 3 trucks had again pulled away from the field and the AMSOIL / Torchmate Nissan easily gained another podium finish.

With brimming confidence, the team made adjustments to ready the truck for what would be the wildest race of the weekend. Rain had annihilated the track which was now a slick blue groove with a harsh slimy shoulder. “We had two sets of BFG’s ready and didn’t make the call until just before the race,” comments Brad, “It paid off and I got a good start but was somehow smashed by another truck. It hit so hard it blew the air tube off my helmet. I collected the truck but was in the back of the pack. I was fighting traffic and got a little nudge in a turn which sent me completely off the track. I drove on the right two wheels for an eternity trying to save a roll and find the course. When I got back on I was way back and knew I faced a fight. I kept picking them off and a few guys spun. Before I knew it, I was looking at the leaders again!” Lovell made an amazing comeback and would again finish on the podium to round out the team’s best weekend yet.

To cap it all off, Lovell moved from 6th to 2nd in series points. “I can’t believe it,” added Brad, “I am fortunate to have an amazing group of volunteer friends and family that are behind me. Roger made it out for this event which added to an already stellar crew. To be sitting 2nd at this point in my pro-light career is a big confidence booster because we are catching the big teams even though they are outspending us. I can’t wait for Chicago!” The team would also like to congratulate fellow AMSOIL / Nissan / BFGoodrich / Fox teammate Chad Hord for capturing the AMSOIL Cup.

The next round of TORC racing is only a week away at the Route 66 Raceway in Chicago, IL. The midweek race will open for the first NASCAR Sprint Cup chase race at the adjoining speedway. TORC trucks will race the evenings of 9/14 and 9/15. Racing will be live on the SPEED Channel Thursday 9/15 from 8 pm to 10 pm CST. Otherwise follow Lovell Racing on Facebook and watch AMSOILRacing.com for live coverage of the races.