Archive for November 10th, 2010

Are You There Yet?

Published at November 10, 2010 in RWJM. 0 Comments

Do you remember those holiday trips, the ones to visit relatives you don’t even know? Maybe even those long road trips to distant races, do you remember that familiar refrain “Are we there yet?” The question comes to mind and with the additional refrain, Where is there? Greeting in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

This past week I made a trip down to the Charlotte area for a couple of races. This year we had things to do at both Concord Speedway and The Dirt Track at Charlotte. Mixed in with that we had several folks to meet with and shops to visit. The question came up, are we there yet? Where?

What day is it? What track am I at? No. I really don’t mind all the traveling. In fact we took the long way home and made some visits along the way.

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James Takes Wild North-South Shootout 125

Published at November 10, 2010 in Concord and North South Shootout. 0 Comments

Concord, NC — The CRA Super Series North-South Shootout 125 presented by WearCrete Diamond Concrete Polishing at Concord Speedway had a little of everything – a car on its top on the second lap and another on lap 106, the leader running out of fuel during a caution with only 14 laps left and a first time CRA Super Series winner, Colt James.

Bobby Measmer, Jr. WearCrete Racing with Jeff Fultz Fast Qualifier set fast time during qualifying on Friday evening with a time of 15.688 seconds, just ahead of Jimmy Weller who turned a lap of 15.700, putting Measmer on the pole for the start. The heat races used to set the lineup for 10th through 20th for the North/South Shootout 125 were cancelled due to inclement weather when rain settled in for the evening. The lineups were then set using qualifying times only.

The CRA portion of the North-South Shootout started just after the sun set on a cool night at Concord Speedway following a very exciting day that included a portion of the back stretch fence being torn down by a car in the first feature of the day.

[11/4 Charlotte Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto
[11/5 - North-South Shootout Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto
[11/6 - North-South Shootout Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto

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Nester takes North South Shootout 50 at Concord

Published at November 10, 2010 in Concord and North South Shootout. 0 Comments

“Yep, were good.” That’s exactly what USA Modified driver Brian Nester said after the very first practice session at Concord (NC) Speedway for the Indiana based group. And good he was, besting the 24 car field taking the front point at lap 21 passing then leader, 2010 USA Modified Series Champion, Brad Springer and never looked back. Nester fended off a hard charging Mike Stacy in the late stages to get the victory at the Series first ever visit to the Concord facility.

As first time competitors, and part of the 8th annual North South Shootout, the USA group was packed with a who’s who of Modified racers representing six different states with various track and series Champions on hand. In qualifying Springer set the fastest time with a lap of 16.722, followed by Modified Champion driver Chad Poole with a lap of 16.830, as Late Model Champion driver Stacy followed up with a lap of 16.837 making it an Ohio sweep of the top three. Nester qualified fourth with a lap of 16.902 around the unique tri angled shaped ½-mile track.

When the much anticipated green flag dropped for the start of the 50 lap duel Springer shot to the point from his pole position as Poole dropped in behind. It was short lived, however, as the yellow would fly when Brian Brewer spun up turn one on the start making slight contact with the wall. On the complete restart Springer once again shot out to the lead as Poole dropped in from his outside starting position. This time two laps got in before the caution would fly as several cars from mid pack got tangled up coming off the turn down the front stretch. This yellow turned red just briefly to clear the blocked track. Once realigned it was back to green flag conditions and just like a broken record Springer and Poole lead the field. As Springer began to open up on the field by several car lengths, Poole had his hands full of a very loose race car with both Nester and Stacy breathing down his tail pipes.

[11/4 Charlotte Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto
[11/5 - North-South Shootout Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto
[11/6 - North-South Shootout Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto

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Hirschman Earns Third North-South Shootout Victory; Rocco Caps off Dream Season with SK Victory; James, Nester, Sutton & Buxton Also Winners

Published at November 10, 2010 in Concord and North South Shootout. 0 Comments

Concord, NC — Matt Hirschman of Northampton, PA, turned a rollercoaster ride into his third victory in the Modified portion of the 109 U-Pull It eighth annual John Blewett III Memorial North-South ShootoutTM on Saturday, November 6, 2010. Keith Rocco of Wallingford, CT, used late race strategy to score the victory in the SK-Type Modified portion of the main event. Colt James of Newton, NC, the 2010 Concord Speedway Late Model champion, used the home turf advantage to score the victory in a slugfest in the CRA Super Series Late Models. Brian Nester of Edon, OH, scored the victory in the USA Modified Series debut at the North-South Shootout. Johnny Sutton of Harrisburg, NC, and Tommy Buxton of Raleigh, NC, shared the spotlight in Vintage action.

Matt Hirschman of Northampton, PA, became the first driver to win three North South Shootout victories during the event’s eight year history. Hirschman looked strong throughout the race taking the lead for the first time on lap 46. After heading down pit road on lap 62 for the mandatory pit stop, Hirschman charged back through the field to vie for the lead once again. An incident on lap 89 looked as if it may end Hirschman’s bid for victory. Quick work by his pit crew allowed Hirschman to regain the field. The repairs proved to be near perfection as Hirschman sailed through the field to regain the lead and the eventual win.

After setting fast time in qualifying on Friday, Chuck Hossfeld led the field to green for the start of the 125-lap main event for the Modifieds. The caution flew immediately for a spin by Corey Lajoie in turn one. On the complete restart it was once again Hossfeld in command. Second-running Bonsignore immediately had company in Matt Hirschman. Just outside of the top five things were heating up between Burt Myers, Eric Beers, James Civali, Ronnie Silk and Erick Rudolph.

[11/4 Charlotte Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto
[11/5 - North-South Shootout Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto
[11/6 - North-South Shootout Photo Gallery] by Nicholas Teto

Continue reading ‘Hirschman Earns Third North-South Shootout Victory; Rocco Caps off Dream Season with SK Victory; James, Nester, Sutton & Buxton Also Winners’