The Big Block Modified Super DIRTcar Series is set to make its annual visit to the Ransomville Speedway on Friday evening. On the line for the drivers is a $6,000 pay day, as well as valuable points toward the Super DIRTcar Modified championship and various other incentives.
Easily the highlight event of the season on the local motorsports calendar, this race pits some of the best modified drivers in the country against the top talent the Niagara region has to offer.
Last year’s edition saw Lockport’s Robbie Krull come very near to pulling off the upset of the 2008 season. Krull led the event for several laps before surrendering the lead and held on for an outstanding second place finish. “All I can say is, we had the right setup for the track last year,” Krull said as he thought about the upcoming race.
The biggest disadvantage for the local drivers comes in the fact that they compete with Small Black engines, while series regulars race with Big Block engines, the difference being that the Big Block has an edge of about 250 horsepower.
“If you can get the Small Block to hook up, it’s set up right, and the track comes up dry and slick, we have a chance,” added the Lockport native. “If the track stays tacky we’re in trouble.”
Look for other Ransomville regulars such as Spencerport’s Todd Burley, St. Catharines’ Pete Bicknell, and Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Stewart Friesen to give the travelers all they can handle.
“We’re hoping to have a new car ready for this race as well as maybe a new engine,” grinned Friesen, who was last week’s Modified winner at the Big R. It’s no secret the local racers want to defend their territory.
Heading up the traveling contingent is Billy Decker of Unadilla, N.Y. Although he’s not the points leader, he is a terror on a slick hard track and proved it last year by winning this race, and he is an odds on favorite to repeat in 2009.
Friday also marks the return of one of the most popular drivers in Ransomville Speedway, “The Doctor” Danny Johnson. Johnson is a seven-time Modified champion at Ransomville Speedway with several wins to his credit. Nobody would be surprised it “The Doctor” had a prescription for victory Friday.
Other series regulars making their way to the Niagara County dirt oval include former five-time Ransomville modified champion and Johnson’s older brother, “A.J. Sideways” Alan Johnson. Brett Hearn of Kinnelon, N.J., runs well wherever he races and will also be a factor come Friday night.
The current point leaders for the Super DIRTcar series look like this: Brett Hearn, Danny Johnson, Jimmy Phelps, Billy Decker, Dale Planck, Matt Sheppard, Jeff Brownell Jr., Gary Tomkins, Justin Haers, Ryan Phelps, Mike Storms, Alan Johnson, Duane Howard, Billy Dunn, Larry Wight, Tim Fuller, Keith Flach, Andy Bachetti, Mitch Gibbs and Brian Berger.
Contact racing contributor Michael Bonesky at mbonesky@roadrunner.com
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