WHAT TO WATCH FOR: DIRTcar Sportsman North, East Regions Resume Championship Chase
The North Region races at Brockville Ontario Speedway, while the East Region battles at Afton Fairgrounds Speedway
Weedsport, NY(May 24, 2024) – The road to the DIRTcar Sportsman Series championship continues as two of the four regional Series are in action.
The North Region resumes its 2024 schedule with its second race on Saturday, May 25, at Brockville Ontario Speedway. Drivers will battle in a 40-lap Feature paying $1,300-to-win (Canadian).
Then, the East Region is back in action for its third event on Tuesday, May 28, at Afton Fairgrounds Speedway. Another $1,000 is on the line in a 30-lap race.
For more on the DIRTcar Northeast, follow the DIRTcar Facebook page and the Series’ X/(Twitter) page.
Here’s a look at what to watch for this weekend:
NORTH REGION
Ready For Round 2: The DIRTcar Sportsman North Region kicked off the road to Brockville’s Fall Nationals at Can-Am in April, with Tyler Corcoran scoring the win.
However, a new driver is projected to take the top spot as Corcoran typically pilots his No. 64 at Land of Legends Raceway on Saturday.
Shane Pecore, who finished fifth at Can-Am in April, has momentum entering Saturday’s event after winning Brockville’s season-opener last weekend. The Cornwall, ON driver is chasing his second DIRTcar Sportsman Series title and 11th Series victory. Two of those victories have come at Brockville, winning in 2014 and 2022.
Gavin Eisele and Cedric Gauvreau are two drivers aiming to keep Pecore out of Victory Lane after podium finishes at Can-Am.
Eisele finished second in the regional opener and traveled to Brockville last Saturday, finishing third behind Pecore and Bobby Herrington. The LaFargeville, NY driver is searching for his first Series victory.
Gauvreau, who finished third at Can-Am, is no stranger to DIRTcar Sportsman Series Victory Lane after winning at the World Short Track Championship at The Dirt Track at Charlotte in November.
The Chelsea, QC driver is a four-time Series winner and has momentum after winning the season opener at Autodrome Drummond two weeks ago.
Brockville’s Best: To win this weekend, Pecore, Gauvreau, and Eisele must contend with Brockville’s best to reach Victory Lane.
Jessica Power and Brennan Moore earned top 10 finishes in the North Region opener, with Power finishing fifth. Moore, who leads the points standings at Can-Am, also had a top 10 in Brockville’s season opener a week ago, finishing eighth.
Meanwhile, Power, who finished fourth in the overall DIRTcar Sportsman Series standings in 2023, has a DIRTcar Sportsman Series victory at Brockville that came last season.
They’ll both be chasing Bobby Herrington, who earned seven wins and the track championship at Brockville in 2023. The Elginburg, ON driver is searching for his third Series win—his last coming at Brockville’s Fall Nationals in 2022.
DIRTcar Sportsman Series North Region Schedule
Friday, April 26, Can-Am Speedway- Tyler Corcoran
Saturday, May 25, Brockville Ontario Speedway
Wednesday, July 3, Can-Am Speedway
Saturday, Aug. 3, Autodrome Drummond
EAST REGION
Gray Leads The Way: After two DIRTcar Sportsman East Region races, Jason Gray leads the points standings with two top-five finishes.
The East Thetford, VT driver finished second in the region opener at Bear Ridge Speedway and backed it up with a fourth at Glen Ridge Motorsports Park. He has a 12-point lead over Jeremy Huntoon, who finished sixth in both Series events.
Chasing both drivers is D.J. Robinson, who drove from 11th to second at Glen Ridge after finishing 13th at Bear Ridge two weeks ago.
A 24-Year Wait: Afton Fairgrounds Speedway is uncharted territory for the top three in points, as it’s the first DIRTcar Sportsman Series race at the Afton, NY track since Rick Swarthout won in 2000.
Tyler Ward won the opening DIRTcar Sportsman Feature at the track with Blaine Klinger and David Dickey rounding out the podium.
Tavien Blowers was another of the 27 drivers who started the event and is the only driver in that field with a DIRTcar Sportsman Series East Region start in 2024. He finished 17th in last week’s race at Glen Ridge.
DIRTcar Sportsman Series East Region Schedule
Saturday, May 11, Bear Ridge Speedway- Max Dolliver
Sunday, May 19, Glen Ridge Speedway- Cody Ochs
Tuesday, May 28, Afton Fairgrounds Speedway
Saturday, July 20, Bear Ridge Speedway
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Sources: Mike Warren, DIRTcar Northeast Racing PR