GRAVEL AND FRIESEN SCORE SUNDAY VICTORIES TO SWEEP WORLD OF OUTLAWS BRISTOL THROWDOWN
Sunday, April 25, 2021
David Gravel swept the weekend of racing Sunday in the NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series by taking the checkered flag in a thrilling feature race at the World of Outlaws Bristol Throwdown, the first time the “Greatest Show on Dirt” has visited BMS in nearly two decades. In other racing Sunday at dirt-transformed Bristol Motor Speedway, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series standout Stewart Friesen also made it a clean sweep for the weekend by taking the victory in the Super DIRTcar Series race. In the Outlaws feature, pole-sitter Logan Schuchart led 23 of the 25-lap feature race before Gravel reeled him in and passed him with two laps to go. Schuchart’s car then broke which brought out a late caution and set up a final two-lap dash for the cash between Gravel and fellow front-runner Donny Schatz, who was in hot pursuit of his milestone 300th career victory. On the restart, Gravel’s orange and black No. 2 machine got the jump and pulled away, grabbing his third win of the season and 60th of his career. |
Gravel, who won Friday night’s 25-lap feature race for $10,000, earned $25,000 for today’s victory and added another much sought after BMS Gladiator Sword from Thunder Valley to his trophy collection.
Gravel, who dominated Friday’s feature, had to navigate his way to the front today. He said his car was a bit sluggish early on.
“I slipped back to third early and didn’t know if I could pass them,” Gravel said. “Our car was a little lazy in the first few laps and just needed to get the momentum going. Logan had a hellacious pace going there and then when he got in lapped traffic he had to slow down and figure things out. He made a couple mistakes, I made a couple of mistakes and so did Donny too. I know Logan hadn’t broke when I passed him, but it must’ve been shortly after that.”
Gravel said he continued to keep his foot in the gas the entire race, he said he was aggressive the entire time as Schatz’ No. 15 car was filling his rearview mirror for most of the race.
“You never give up and just keep fighting and I’m happy it worked out,” Gravel said. “I don’t know what happened to Logan. I felt like we had a good chance with five to go. It seemed like it took a while for my motor to get going. Logan seemed to have more gear or something, but for me it just seemed like I needed time to get momentum built up.”
Schatz, who finished fifth on Friday, passed Gravel for second place at one point in the race and looked like he might power into the lead, but Gravel quickly moved back around him. The 10-time series champ said the track was in good shape despite having to race in the daylight after Saturday night’s racing was postponed due to weather. After a slow start to the season, Schatz’ two top-five Bristol feature finishes are very promising for he and his Tony Stewart-owned team.
“I wouldn’t say we are back, but we had a solid finish today, we had good speed,” Schatz said. “We changed so many things to make it right but that’s just the nature of the beast. The guys have done a great job with the car. I think we were a third-place car there, but we ended up second so we will take it.”
Aaron Reutzel finished third and was followed by Giovanni Scelzi and Paul McMahan in the top-five. Other notable finishers were Carson Macedo in sixth, points leader Brad Sweet at 11th, Sheldon Haudenschild at 14th and Schuchart ended up 19th after his late race issue. Kyle Larson, who posted a sixth place finish Friday, wasn’t able to compete Sunday in Paul Silva’s No. 57 as he had to travel to Alabama for the NASCAR Cup Series race.
Sam Hafertepe Jr. wowed the Bristol crowed by winning the World of Outlaws quick time award during Sprint Car qualifying with a stunning track record performance of 13.326 seconds at 142.098 mph, but his celebration was short-lived as he ultimately had issues early in the feature race and finished last.
In the Super DIRTcar Series feature race, Friesen scored his 28th career victory and third in a row for the season by holding off Demetrios Drellos in the closing laps to pocket another $10,000 payday.
“It’s a testament to this race team,” Friesen said. "All our guys are great. We just had a plan and it worked out for us. I had some speed when I could get in clean air. I needed a long run to get the tires to come in. This is the best afternoon track I’ve ever seen. It’s really cool. It’s unbelievable. This is awesome for Modified racing.”
Friesen has competed at BMS six times in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, made his NASCAR Cup Series debut here in the Food City Dirt Race in March and has also raced a Super Late Model at Thunder Valley during the U.S. Short Track Nationals in the past. He has wanted a BMS Gladiator Sword for a long time and now he has earned two in one weekend.
“It was very special to win here again,” Friesen said. “It was nice to have a day to celebrate in between and rest up and then come back and do it again. It’s a great weekend. I’m proud of the whole race team, it’s a pleasure to work with those guys.”
Drellos, who finished 25th on Friday night, showed some power in the Sunday feature by winning his heat race and then mounting a strong challenge to Friesen in the final two laps.
“If we had one more lap it might’ve been different,” Drellos said. “We did everything we could to get up there but it just didn’t fall our way. It was a roller-coaster experience for sure. I think the trick here at Bristol is that under-adjusting is your friend here. I think our lap notes from Friday really helped us this afternoon.”
Max McLaughlin finished third and was followed by early race leader Mike Mahaney, and Ryan Watt completed the top five. Tyler Dippel was sixth, Billy Decker took seventh and was followed by Jimmy Phelps, Mike Gular and Matt Sheppard.
Super DIRTcar Series top qualifier Chris Hile, who set a track record performance of 16.240 seconds at 116.601 mph, finished 20th.
Gravel, who dominated Friday’s feature, had to navigate his way to the front today. He said his car was a bit sluggish early on.
“I slipped back to third early and didn’t know if I could pass them,” Gravel said. “Our car was a little lazy in the first few laps and just needed to get the momentum going. Logan had a hellacious pace going there and then when he got in lapped traffic he had to slow down and figure things out. He made a couple mistakes, I made a couple of mistakes and so did Donny too. I know Logan hadn’t broke when I passed him, but it must’ve been shortly after that.”
Gravel said he continued to keep his foot in the gas the entire race, he said he was aggressive the entire time as Schatz’ No. 15 car was filling his rearview mirror for most of the race.
“You never give up and just keep fighting and I’m happy it worked out,” Gravel said. “I don’t know what happened to Logan. I felt like we had a good chance with five to go. It seemed like it took a while for my motor to get going. Logan seemed to have more gear or something, but for me it just seemed like I needed time to get momentum built up.”
Schatz, who finished fifth on Friday, passed Gravel for second place at one point in the race and looked like he might power into the lead, but Gravel quickly moved back around him. The 10-time series champ said the track was in good shape despite having to race in the daylight after Saturday night’s racing was postponed due to weather. After a slow start to the season, Schatz’ two top-five Bristol feature finishes are very promising for he and his Tony Stewart-owned team.
“I wouldn’t say we are back, but we had a solid finish today, we had good speed,” Schatz said. “We changed so many things to make it right but that’s just the nature of the beast. The guys have done a great job with the car. I think we were a third-place car there, but we ended up second so we will take it.”
Aaron Reutzel finished third and was followed by Giovanni Scelzi and Paul McMahan in the top-five. Other notable finishers were Carson Macedo in sixth, points leader Brad Sweet at 11th, Sheldon Haudenschild at 14th and Schuchart ended up 19th after his late race issue. Kyle Larson, who posted a sixth place finish Friday, wasn’t able to compete Sunday in Paul Silva’s No. 57 as he had to travel to Alabama for the NASCAR Cup Series race.
Sam Hafertepe Jr. wowed the Bristol crowed by winning the World of Outlaws quick time award during Sprint Car qualifying with a stunning track record performance of 13.326 seconds at 142.098 mph, but his celebration was short-lived as he ultimately had issues early in the feature race and finished last.
In the Super DIRTcar Series feature race, Friesen scored his 28th career victory and third in a row for the season by holding off Demetrios Drellos in the closing laps to pocket another $10,000 payday.
“It’s a testament to this race team,” Friesen said. "All our guys are great. We just had a plan and it worked out for us. I had some speed when I could get in clean air. I needed a long run to get the tires to come in. This is the best afternoon track I’ve ever seen. It’s really cool. It’s unbelievable. This is awesome for Modified racing.”
Friesen has competed at BMS six times in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, made his NASCAR Cup Series debut here in the Food City Dirt Race in March and has also raced a Super Late Model at Thunder Valley during the U.S. Short Track Nationals in the past. He has wanted a BMS Gladiator Sword for a long time and now he has earned two in one weekend.
“It was very special to win here again,” Friesen said. “It was nice to have a day to celebrate in between and rest up and then come back and do it again. It’s a great weekend. I’m proud of the whole race team, it’s a pleasure to work with those guys.”
Drellos, who finished 25th on Friday night, showed some power in the Sunday feature by winning his heat race and then mounting a strong challenge to Friesen in the final two laps.
“If we had one more lap it might’ve been different,” Drellos said. “We did everything we could to get up there but it just didn’t fall our way. It was a roller-coaster experience for sure. I think the trick here at Bristol is that under-adjusting is your friend here. I think our lap notes from Friday really helped us this afternoon.”
Max McLaughlin finished third and was followed by early race leader Mike Mahaney, and Ryan Watt completed the top five. Tyler Dippel was sixth, Billy Decker took seventh and was followed by Jimmy Phelps, Mike Gular and Matt Sheppard.
Super DIRTcar Series top qualifier Chris Hile, who set a track record performance of 16.240 seconds at 116.601 mph, finished 20th.
Husband & Wife Chasing Big-Block Mod Victories Together
May 18, 2017 •
At the race track the pits are full of supportive significant others cheering on their loved one as they tear up the track. In some rare cases, their significant other is battling it out with them on the race track.
Chris and Katelyn Hile of Syracuse, New York fall in that category, playing the part of husband and wife as well as teammates. The Hiles run Big-Block Modifieds in the Northeast together, but their history goes way back.
The two met in 2008 at the Gater Racing News Motorsports Expo at the NYS Fairgrounds, but it wouldn’t be until 2015 that they would tie the knot. Both credited their grandfathers for their love of racing which in turn could have lead them to each other.
“My grandfather actually raced a Hobby Stock way back when at LaFayette Speedway so racing has always been in my family. Growing up my father would always bring us to the track and racing was just something we enjoyed as a family. So now to be able to do it with my wife is pretty neat and its definitely a different dynamic,” Chris Hile told Speed51.com powered by JEGS.
Katelyn found her way to the race track in a similar manner, but when it came to her turn to get behind the wheel their stories differ.
“I grew up around racing and my grandfather owned a Modified team and I was always involved whether it was in the pits or at the shop. After he sold his team I still continued to go and spectate with him,” Katelyn said. “When I was sixteen I actually got sick with Leukemia and part of the whole way to get through it was that I could race when I got better, so it helped knowing I had a race car waiting for me and I started racing locally and then I met Chris.”
Not only did the two decide to take on the trials of life together, but they also decided to take on the challenges of the race track together. Previously their cars were based out of their own separate families garage. After getting married, Katelyn took a year away from the track to help with the finances so the two could merge the teams the following year.
“There are days where it can be a little hectic at times because we can be brutally honest with each other and if there is something she thinks I can be better at there is no sugar coating it and the same goes in return. At the end of the day it’s really neat and it’s something that we enjoy doing,” Chris stated.
For the couple, they see working together as teammates as an advantage because of the ability to have two minds at work while at the track. While Katelyn supplies the feedback, Chris helps play crew chief for both cars.
“It’s tough to explain it,” Chris commented about their on-track duties. “Outside of the car when the helmets are off I am just as tentative to her car as I am to my own. I want to know what she feels in the car and I try and help her with setups and the same in return. It’s neat though cause there is definitely an advantage there because you have another brain working with you constantly for set up and track conditions and things like that.”
When asked about if any on-track incidents had occurred between the two of them they both giggled and Chris insisted Katelyn tell the story.
“I happen to be starting on the pole of the feature that night and the car on the outside started to jump me on the initial fire so I kind of backed down, but unfortunately I backed down so fast that I bottle necked the whole field behind me and lucky Chris was the unlucky one that caught me square in the rear end and he blew out his front end and I completely blew out the back of my car.”
Thankfully the two didn’t have another story to share of wrecks involving the couple, but they did share the nickname that comes with it when it happens.
“When we are involved in the same wreck or we wreck each other it has been come to known as a ‘Hile Pile,’” Katelyn said. “Those are not a good weekend in the shop because then we have to fix both cars and the whole time we are up and down and on one side or the other with things.”
“It’s funny now because we can look back at that stuff now and laugh even though at the time it wasn’t that funny,” Chris commented.
The two look forward to a close to 50-race schedule this season as they take on the Big-Block Modified scene together. Race fans can find them competing regularly at Brewerton Speedway and Fulton Speedway in New York, as well as in select touring series events in the region.
Story by: Hannah Newhouse- Southeast Correspondent. Twitter: @hannahnewhouse
At the race track the pits are full of supportive significant others cheering on their loved one as they tear up the track. In some rare cases, their significant other is battling it out with them on the race track.
Chris and Katelyn Hile of Syracuse, New York fall in that category, playing the part of husband and wife as well as teammates. The Hiles run Big-Block Modifieds in the Northeast together, but their history goes way back.
The two met in 2008 at the Gater Racing News Motorsports Expo at the NYS Fairgrounds, but it wouldn’t be until 2015 that they would tie the knot. Both credited their grandfathers for their love of racing which in turn could have lead them to each other.
“My grandfather actually raced a Hobby Stock way back when at LaFayette Speedway so racing has always been in my family. Growing up my father would always bring us to the track and racing was just something we enjoyed as a family. So now to be able to do it with my wife is pretty neat and its definitely a different dynamic,” Chris Hile told Speed51.com powered by JEGS.
Katelyn found her way to the race track in a similar manner, but when it came to her turn to get behind the wheel their stories differ.
“I grew up around racing and my grandfather owned a Modified team and I was always involved whether it was in the pits or at the shop. After he sold his team I still continued to go and spectate with him,” Katelyn said. “When I was sixteen I actually got sick with Leukemia and part of the whole way to get through it was that I could race when I got better, so it helped knowing I had a race car waiting for me and I started racing locally and then I met Chris.”
Not only did the two decide to take on the trials of life together, but they also decided to take on the challenges of the race track together. Previously their cars were based out of their own separate families garage. After getting married, Katelyn took a year away from the track to help with the finances so the two could merge the teams the following year.
“There are days where it can be a little hectic at times because we can be brutally honest with each other and if there is something she thinks I can be better at there is no sugar coating it and the same goes in return. At the end of the day it’s really neat and it’s something that we enjoy doing,” Chris stated.
For the couple, they see working together as teammates as an advantage because of the ability to have two minds at work while at the track. While Katelyn supplies the feedback, Chris helps play crew chief for both cars.
“It’s tough to explain it,” Chris commented about their on-track duties. “Outside of the car when the helmets are off I am just as tentative to her car as I am to my own. I want to know what she feels in the car and I try and help her with setups and the same in return. It’s neat though cause there is definitely an advantage there because you have another brain working with you constantly for set up and track conditions and things like that.”
When asked about if any on-track incidents had occurred between the two of them they both giggled and Chris insisted Katelyn tell the story.
“I happen to be starting on the pole of the feature that night and the car on the outside started to jump me on the initial fire so I kind of backed down, but unfortunately I backed down so fast that I bottle necked the whole field behind me and lucky Chris was the unlucky one that caught me square in the rear end and he blew out his front end and I completely blew out the back of my car.”
Thankfully the two didn’t have another story to share of wrecks involving the couple, but they did share the nickname that comes with it when it happens.
“When we are involved in the same wreck or we wreck each other it has been come to known as a ‘Hile Pile,’” Katelyn said. “Those are not a good weekend in the shop because then we have to fix both cars and the whole time we are up and down and on one side or the other with things.”
“It’s funny now because we can look back at that stuff now and laugh even though at the time it wasn’t that funny,” Chris commented.
The two look forward to a close to 50-race schedule this season as they take on the Big-Block Modified scene together. Race fans can find them competing regularly at Brewerton Speedway and Fulton Speedway in New York, as well as in select touring series events in the region.
Story by: Hannah Newhouse- Southeast Correspondent. Twitter: @hannahnewhouse
Hile Motorsports Fueled by 1911 Hard Cider
Hile Motorsports to Partner with 1911 Hard Cider for the 2017 Season
April 18th, 2017 Syracuse, NY- Just as the 2017 season is set to get underway, teams are finalizing their plans with their marketing partners. This year, the Hile Motorsports team consisting of both Katelyn and Chris Hile’s Big Block modifieds are set to hit the track with a new name on display; 1911 Established Hard Cider ®.
“It is a great opportunity to partner with a local brand who is rapidly growing in Central New York and beyond,” Katelyn says. “To be able to leverage our weekly racing as an opportunity to expose the 1911 brand to a new demographic, the weekly race chaser, is huge.”
“We are really excited to be able to be a brand ambassador for a company so deeply rooted in our own backyard, given the nature of what we do, anytime we can support Central New York is a win,” Chris points out. “We hope this is only the beginning of something big.”
Because of the partnership, look for many events this season both at the Brewerton and Fulton Speedways, on the Hile’s social media and even at the 1911 Established Hard Cider ® headquarters on Sunday June 18th from 1-5pm where both race fans and hard cider fans alike can take a glimpse of the Apple Hill Campus, see the 5H and 25H Hile Motorsports Big Block modifieds on display as well as enjoy a few 1911 inspired beverages.
In addition to the partnership, the Hile’s home tracks of the Brewerton and Fulton Speedway will also be carrying 1911 Hard Cider at their facilities so now fans and crews alike can additionally support this new partnership bridging two Central New York natives together; Hile Motorsports and 1911 Established ®. As always, please drink responsibly.
Be sure to keep up to date with all the events and giveaways happening this summer by visiting www.HileMotorsports.com
To see all the products the Lafayette, NY company has to offer please visit www.1911established.com
April 18th, 2017 Syracuse, NY- Just as the 2017 season is set to get underway, teams are finalizing their plans with their marketing partners. This year, the Hile Motorsports team consisting of both Katelyn and Chris Hile’s Big Block modifieds are set to hit the track with a new name on display; 1911 Established Hard Cider ®.
“It is a great opportunity to partner with a local brand who is rapidly growing in Central New York and beyond,” Katelyn says. “To be able to leverage our weekly racing as an opportunity to expose the 1911 brand to a new demographic, the weekly race chaser, is huge.”
“We are really excited to be able to be a brand ambassador for a company so deeply rooted in our own backyard, given the nature of what we do, anytime we can support Central New York is a win,” Chris points out. “We hope this is only the beginning of something big.”
Because of the partnership, look for many events this season both at the Brewerton and Fulton Speedways, on the Hile’s social media and even at the 1911 Established Hard Cider ® headquarters on Sunday June 18th from 1-5pm where both race fans and hard cider fans alike can take a glimpse of the Apple Hill Campus, see the 5H and 25H Hile Motorsports Big Block modifieds on display as well as enjoy a few 1911 inspired beverages.
In addition to the partnership, the Hile’s home tracks of the Brewerton and Fulton Speedway will also be carrying 1911 Hard Cider at their facilities so now fans and crews alike can additionally support this new partnership bridging two Central New York natives together; Hile Motorsports and 1911 Established ®. As always, please drink responsibly.
Be sure to keep up to date with all the events and giveaways happening this summer by visiting www.HileMotorsports.com
To see all the products the Lafayette, NY company has to offer please visit www.1911established.com
Chris Hile at Motorsports Expo 2017
Chris Hile remembered his run in last year’s Outlaw 200, how much fun he had coming from the back of the pack and showed off the new look on his Modified for 2017.
Hile Wins Fulton to Earn Final Spot in Bud Lite 200... 10/9/2016
FULTON, NY – Chris Hile snagged the win in Saturday night’s Win and You’re In feature at the Fulton Speedway meaning he has earned the final spot in the Bud Lite 200 at the Oswego Speedway as part of NAPA Auto Parts XLV.
Hile hard off late challenges by Bobby Varin to win the 25-lap event. Varin settled for second with Chad Phelps, Tom Sears and Ryan Susice completing the top five.
More info to come at press time.
(DIRTcar Modified Oswego Win & You’re In 25 Laps) – CHRIS HILE, Bobby Varin, Chad Phelps, Tom Sears Jr., Ryan Susice, Tim Kerr, Ryan Arbuthnot, Chuck Bower, Elmo Reckner, Roy Bresnahan, Katelyn Hile, Joe August Jr., Tim Schneider Jr., Robbie Bellinger, Kyle Weiss, Shaun Pangman, Rich Richner, Vinnie Vitale, James Sweeting, Jim Nagle, Tim Sears Jr., Andrew Ferguson.
Winner receives the 41st starting spot in the Oswego Speedway Modified Super DIRTcar Series Bud Lite 200.
Hile hard off late challenges by Bobby Varin to win the 25-lap event. Varin settled for second with Chad Phelps, Tom Sears and Ryan Susice completing the top five.
More info to come at press time.
(DIRTcar Modified Oswego Win & You’re In 25 Laps) – CHRIS HILE, Bobby Varin, Chad Phelps, Tom Sears Jr., Ryan Susice, Tim Kerr, Ryan Arbuthnot, Chuck Bower, Elmo Reckner, Roy Bresnahan, Katelyn Hile, Joe August Jr., Tim Schneider Jr., Robbie Bellinger, Kyle Weiss, Shaun Pangman, Rich Richner, Vinnie Vitale, James Sweeting, Jim Nagle, Tim Sears Jr., Andrew Ferguson.
Winner receives the 41st starting spot in the Oswego Speedway Modified Super DIRTcar Series Bud Lite 200.
Chris Hile will be hitting the track for the first time this week, starting 41st in today's Bud Light 200 @Hile5H @SuperDIRTWeek #NAPASDW pic.twitter.com/tBwoag09Xg
— Super DIRTcar Series (@SuperDIRTcar) October 9, 2016
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Chris Hile talked about his victory at Fulton Speedway on Saturday at the Win and You’re in race and wondered how long he would race on Sunday without a quick fill set up in the car... 10/9/2016
MAKIN TRACKS: OUTLAW WEEKEND 2016 – DTD EXCLUSIVE... 10/3/2016
By BILL FOLEY
Many Happenings in the 200
Chris Hile started at the tail end of his heat on Friday night and then appeared it would be a practice session, but he came home fifth.
The next draw his wife drew what turned out to be the pole for her heat and Chris had one of the worst numbers of the day and started 12th in his qualifier. He started 12th in his heat and finished seventh thus sending him to the consi where he at least started inside the second row and won. This gave him the 31st starting spot and at some portions of the race he was the quickest car out there as he eventually earned a deserving fourth place in the 200.
Many Happenings in the 200
Chris Hile started at the tail end of his heat on Friday night and then appeared it would be a practice session, but he came home fifth.
The next draw his wife drew what turned out to be the pole for her heat and Chris had one of the worst numbers of the day and started 12th in his qualifier. He started 12th in his heat and finished seventh thus sending him to the consi where he at least started inside the second row and won. This gave him the 31st starting spot and at some portions of the race he was the quickest car out there as he eventually earned a deserving fourth place in the 200.
YOU SAY THERE WAS A CHANCE? CHRIS HILE HAD A SHOT AT OUTLAW 200 CROWN... 10/2/2016
By DEAN REYNOLDS
When all the columns and result stories were written, you know that Jimmy Phelps won his second Outlaw 200 at the Fulton Speedway. It was his second $20,000 check for the veteran and don’t get me wrong, he flat out earned it.
Yes the race was shortened to 188 laps, yes Mike Mahaney was closing, yes Alan Johnson was doing his late race heroics, yes, a lap 188 restart was quickly shut down cause of track conditions. But, all the above had 188 laps to put themselves in the position that Phelps was in, plain and simple.
The Outlaw 200 has a long storied history, some of the best have held the crown since it’s 1986 inception. While most of the winners are considered or actually are Hall of Famers, the track itself still gives a chance to your average “Saturday nighter” to have a chance. That indeed happened last night.
Chris Hile, of Syracuse, N.Y., calls Fulton home every Saturday night. He likes it there, he runs well there and he welcomes the challenge of the outsiders coming to his house for the 200.
While he did go winless in 2016 at the high banked oval, a slew of top five’s and top ten’s saw him take sixth in the season long points.
A bad draw saw an uphill climb but he will tell you he had a good car. “We just started a little too far back (drew 147) in the heat so we just missed transferring by one spot,” he went on. “But I knew we had a good car so we just got ready for the consi and we won that with no issues.”
Starting in 31st, it was a hill to climb but the surface annually is conducive to passing so Chris knew he could bring the car to the front. “For some reason we seem to be really good with the sail panels, it seems to suit my driving style,” Chris continued. “You have to hand it to the track crew, they always have it so nice week in and week out. It’s slick and smooth so we know what to do for this race.”
In the first half of the race, Hile’s LJL/Kevlar powered Bicknell was up to ninth and many noticed. Of the top ten at the lap 101 break, he easily passed the most cars.
Then came the second half and without help from the yellow lights, Hile went to work. Seventh on lap 110, fifth on lap 130, passed Billy Dunn for fourth on lap 160, by Larry Wight for third on lap 168 with just Phelps and Mahaney ahead.
“It was tough to get by Billy (Dunn) the track got better down low from lap 130 on, everyone was the same speed. We didn’t change much at the break, just some wedge to get a little tighter off the corner,” said Hile. “We widened the car out in the corners to get up to the guys up front.”
Then on lap 185 the yellow light shined for the first time for a slowing car. Mother Nature was throwing her hat in the ring adding her twist to this story.
Several laps clicked were run under yellow with the lap counter saying 188. It was a virtual 50/50 on to continue the race. The lights were turned off and a restart was coming. To say this peeked the interest from the big crowd is quite an understatement.
The cars fired and you can see they had a hard time getting up to speed, the yellow lights quickly turned on. The one driver that threw out the ‘awe shucks’ was Chris Hile.
“First I didn’t really want to see the yellow, even though Alan (Johnson) got me I felt I had a car to get them in lapped traffic, I still could run anywhere on the track. But…that restart,” Chris went on with a smile, “We were staying in the middle while going around under yellow, it was pretty dry there. When we went green they (top 3) all went low and I just drove right around Alan but they threw the yellow.”
While he thought this was indeed his chance, he has been around a while. He knew the deal.
“Sure I was disappointed but what can you do. You just can’t control the weather and it put the track in a tough spot,” Chris went on about his accomplishment. “Hey, how can you be upset about fourth against these guys. We have been good in this race before but to be right there is kind of cool!”
When all the columns and result stories were written, you know that Jimmy Phelps won his second Outlaw 200 at the Fulton Speedway. It was his second $20,000 check for the veteran and don’t get me wrong, he flat out earned it.
Yes the race was shortened to 188 laps, yes Mike Mahaney was closing, yes Alan Johnson was doing his late race heroics, yes, a lap 188 restart was quickly shut down cause of track conditions. But, all the above had 188 laps to put themselves in the position that Phelps was in, plain and simple.
The Outlaw 200 has a long storied history, some of the best have held the crown since it’s 1986 inception. While most of the winners are considered or actually are Hall of Famers, the track itself still gives a chance to your average “Saturday nighter” to have a chance. That indeed happened last night.
Chris Hile, of Syracuse, N.Y., calls Fulton home every Saturday night. He likes it there, he runs well there and he welcomes the challenge of the outsiders coming to his house for the 200.
While he did go winless in 2016 at the high banked oval, a slew of top five’s and top ten’s saw him take sixth in the season long points.
A bad draw saw an uphill climb but he will tell you he had a good car. “We just started a little too far back (drew 147) in the heat so we just missed transferring by one spot,” he went on. “But I knew we had a good car so we just got ready for the consi and we won that with no issues.”
Starting in 31st, it was a hill to climb but the surface annually is conducive to passing so Chris knew he could bring the car to the front. “For some reason we seem to be really good with the sail panels, it seems to suit my driving style,” Chris continued. “You have to hand it to the track crew, they always have it so nice week in and week out. It’s slick and smooth so we know what to do for this race.”
In the first half of the race, Hile’s LJL/Kevlar powered Bicknell was up to ninth and many noticed. Of the top ten at the lap 101 break, he easily passed the most cars.
Then came the second half and without help from the yellow lights, Hile went to work. Seventh on lap 110, fifth on lap 130, passed Billy Dunn for fourth on lap 160, by Larry Wight for third on lap 168 with just Phelps and Mahaney ahead.
“It was tough to get by Billy (Dunn) the track got better down low from lap 130 on, everyone was the same speed. We didn’t change much at the break, just some wedge to get a little tighter off the corner,” said Hile. “We widened the car out in the corners to get up to the guys up front.”
Then on lap 185 the yellow light shined for the first time for a slowing car. Mother Nature was throwing her hat in the ring adding her twist to this story.
Several laps clicked were run under yellow with the lap counter saying 188. It was a virtual 50/50 on to continue the race. The lights were turned off and a restart was coming. To say this peeked the interest from the big crowd is quite an understatement.
The cars fired and you can see they had a hard time getting up to speed, the yellow lights quickly turned on. The one driver that threw out the ‘awe shucks’ was Chris Hile.
“First I didn’t really want to see the yellow, even though Alan (Johnson) got me I felt I had a car to get them in lapped traffic, I still could run anywhere on the track. But…that restart,” Chris went on with a smile, “We were staying in the middle while going around under yellow, it was pretty dry there. When we went green they (top 3) all went low and I just drove right around Alan but they threw the yellow.”
While he thought this was indeed his chance, he has been around a while. He knew the deal.
“Sure I was disappointed but what can you do. You just can’t control the weather and it put the track in a tough spot,” Chris went on about his accomplishment. “Hey, how can you be upset about fourth against these guys. We have been good in this race before but to be right there is kind of cool!”
Chris Hile reflected on his best season to date, how finishing a season well can roll into next year and described what a hot box does to save engine wear... 9/30/2016
MOD 55: EVERY CAR HAS A STORY – DTD EXCLUSIVE... 9/13/2016
By BILL FOLEY
Every race car has a story, but they are seldom told.
Sunday night I looked through my “vision enhancers” and from the tower at Utica-Rome I saw a #55 sitting in the corner of the pits.
I mentioned it and someone said, “Must be Alan Johnson.”
I said, “It could be Kevin Bates.”
Well, I started walking to the pits and passed the Hile group. Chris had his helmet bag in hand so I asked the question that didn’t needed to be asked, “You driving?”
Quickly he came back “Yes, I got a call at 11 o’clock this morning.” As he walked further away he turned and shouted, “I’m in the 55.”
Ironically, the 55 was the first Modified that Kaitlyn Kane (now Hile) drove and she said to me, “It was that night here at Utica-Rome where I drove it for the first time that I decided I wanted to compete in a Modified.”
Reflecting on the car Chris noted, “Rob (Hile) drove this, Kaitlyn did and now me. The only one who hasn’t is my dad.”
Well, the 55 has been around for a long time and talking to Montreal area based Denis Frappier he explained how all things come to pass.
He noted, “I met the Hiles when I was with Wallace Stacey.”
About the car he said, “In fact it is one of the only Ford powered Modifieds around and the small-block in it won the track championship back in 2002 and 2003. Obviously, the motor has been refreshed.”
Continuing he said, “Alain LaFrance drove for me for nine years and Real LaFrance was also behind the wheel as was Leon Gonyo. I met Kevin Bates at Brewerton. His engine was illegal and I lent him my motor. Alan Johnson drove this car back in 2001-02. I lent him the car when he lost a ride when Sherlock quick racing. We’ve been friends ever since,” said Denis.
Add to the list of drivers Mario Clair and Luke Whittaker and this race car has seen numerous drivers over the years.
Today the car regularly runs along the St. Lawrence region. Frappier explained, “I really am in a perfect location. Sure it is a five hour drive here, but where I am In Saint-Hubert I am an hour from Granby, an hour from Drummond and an hour from Cornwall. “
It is obvious from the pairing of the Montreal area based car and a driver from Syracuse N.Y. that the racing family is large and widespread. The folks met back in the days when Frappier was involved with Wallace Stacey and “they’ve been friends ever since.”
Talking to Denis Frappier you get the feeling that he has many friends and that his 55 is the reason everyone comes together.
Every race car has a story, but they are seldom told.
Sunday night I looked through my “vision enhancers” and from the tower at Utica-Rome I saw a #55 sitting in the corner of the pits.
I mentioned it and someone said, “Must be Alan Johnson.”
I said, “It could be Kevin Bates.”
Well, I started walking to the pits and passed the Hile group. Chris had his helmet bag in hand so I asked the question that didn’t needed to be asked, “You driving?”
Quickly he came back “Yes, I got a call at 11 o’clock this morning.” As he walked further away he turned and shouted, “I’m in the 55.”
Ironically, the 55 was the first Modified that Kaitlyn Kane (now Hile) drove and she said to me, “It was that night here at Utica-Rome where I drove it for the first time that I decided I wanted to compete in a Modified.”
Reflecting on the car Chris noted, “Rob (Hile) drove this, Kaitlyn did and now me. The only one who hasn’t is my dad.”
Well, the 55 has been around for a long time and talking to Montreal area based Denis Frappier he explained how all things come to pass.
He noted, “I met the Hiles when I was with Wallace Stacey.”
About the car he said, “In fact it is one of the only Ford powered Modifieds around and the small-block in it won the track championship back in 2002 and 2003. Obviously, the motor has been refreshed.”
Continuing he said, “Alain LaFrance drove for me for nine years and Real LaFrance was also behind the wheel as was Leon Gonyo. I met Kevin Bates at Brewerton. His engine was illegal and I lent him my motor. Alan Johnson drove this car back in 2001-02. I lent him the car when he lost a ride when Sherlock quick racing. We’ve been friends ever since,” said Denis.
Add to the list of drivers Mario Clair and Luke Whittaker and this race car has seen numerous drivers over the years.
Today the car regularly runs along the St. Lawrence region. Frappier explained, “I really am in a perfect location. Sure it is a five hour drive here, but where I am In Saint-Hubert I am an hour from Granby, an hour from Drummond and an hour from Cornwall. “
It is obvious from the pairing of the Montreal area based car and a driver from Syracuse N.Y. that the racing family is large and widespread. The folks met back in the days when Frappier was involved with Wallace Stacey and “they’ve been friends ever since.”
Talking to Denis Frappier you get the feeling that he has many friends and that his 55 is the reason everyone comes together.
Chris Hile had a ride for Sunday and told me what makes the car different from some of the others, why he thinks a small block should work well and his plans to run twice this coming weekend... 9/11/2016
Chris Hile described the fast racing surface he saw in his heat win and the hope for some slicker conditions while explaining how Sprint Cars affect how the surface changes when they are on the card... 9/2/2016
You know Chris Hile is just one of those guys you really don’t see until you check the stats the next day. He had a fifth at Brewerton and third at Fulton in the Mod mains. Solid team and he should be around for some time. This is where tomorrow’s drivers are coming from…8/30/2016
Chris Hile described a recent motor issue he had, how fortunate he was and the engine in the car now... 8/27/2016
Chris Hile changed motors overnight as cylinder head problems dropped him out of the Brewerton main… 8/24/2016
Chris Hile tells me what he did with his weekend off and the long dry spell we’ve had in CNY... 8/19/2016
Chris Hile enjoyed a ninth place finish and talked about being fast as soon as they unloaded... 8/9/2016
Modified drivers Larry Wight and Chris Hile were battling for position and tangled on the 27th lap at the Demon. Hile said, “I drove into Larry. I jumped his left front with my right front. It was a racing thing.” Hile got some air time in the accident… 8/1/2016
Chris Hile simply gets better as the race goes on and picked up several spots in the waning laps as he eventually finished third in the mods at the Demon... 7/26/2016
Chris Hile gained some spots late in his fourth place run and spoke about the line he was running as well as how happy he was to fast in the closing laps... 6/25/2016
Chris Hile Wins His First Ever Brewerton Speedway Modified Feature... 6/10/2016
By Dave Medler
BREWERTON, NY – June 10,2016 – Chris Hile from Syracuse, NY over the years has had many top five Brewerton Speedway finishes and led many features only to just miss victory lane in the Tracey Road Equipment DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds.
All that changed for Hile Friday in the 35 lap main, taking the lead on lap 5 restart and never looking back. Hile would hold off first Tom Sears Jr., survive caution periods and then a late race charge from Jimmy Phelps for his first popular trip to victory lane. Matt Sheppard, Tom Sears Jr. and Chad Phelps finished third through fifth. Larry Wight, Matt Hulsizer, Jim Witko Jr., Ryan Phelps and Rob Bellinger completed the top ten.
After parking his Lightning Management/Scott Jeffery’s Performance/Gypsum Express/LJL Kevlar Racing Engines/Team Dirt Dog/No.5H/Bicknell in victory lane Hile, surrounded by family and friends, talked about his first ever “D-Shaped Dirt Demon” win.
“That was a heck of a run. It always helps to start up front. I’ve got an awesome family that works so hard on this stuff. To finally get a win here at Brewerton is awesome. We have been trying for years. It’s a great start to the season here and we just got to keep it rolling.”
Hile went on to talk about his early season runs. “This car has been awesome. Bicknell Racing Products puts together a heck of a race car. We’ve been really good the start of the year here. We had a little mishap here and there that gave us some bumps and scrapes on the way but ever since we debuted this car at the end of last year this car has been awesome and continues on for us.”
Hile finished up by saying that finally getting a win for his amazing family owned team after years of trying and being so close so many times was awesome and couldn’t thank everyone enough that makes it happen.
BREWERTON, NY – June 10,2016 – Chris Hile from Syracuse, NY over the years has had many top five Brewerton Speedway finishes and led many features only to just miss victory lane in the Tracey Road Equipment DIRTcar Big Block Modifieds.
All that changed for Hile Friday in the 35 lap main, taking the lead on lap 5 restart and never looking back. Hile would hold off first Tom Sears Jr., survive caution periods and then a late race charge from Jimmy Phelps for his first popular trip to victory lane. Matt Sheppard, Tom Sears Jr. and Chad Phelps finished third through fifth. Larry Wight, Matt Hulsizer, Jim Witko Jr., Ryan Phelps and Rob Bellinger completed the top ten.
After parking his Lightning Management/Scott Jeffery’s Performance/Gypsum Express/LJL Kevlar Racing Engines/Team Dirt Dog/No.5H/Bicknell in victory lane Hile, surrounded by family and friends, talked about his first ever “D-Shaped Dirt Demon” win.
“That was a heck of a run. It always helps to start up front. I’ve got an awesome family that works so hard on this stuff. To finally get a win here at Brewerton is awesome. We have been trying for years. It’s a great start to the season here and we just got to keep it rolling.”
Hile went on to talk about his early season runs. “This car has been awesome. Bicknell Racing Products puts together a heck of a race car. We’ve been really good the start of the year here. We had a little mishap here and there that gave us some bumps and scrapes on the way but ever since we debuted this car at the end of last year this car has been awesome and continues on for us.”
Hile finished up by saying that finally getting a win for his amazing family owned team after years of trying and being so close so many times was awesome and couldn’t thank everyone enough that makes it happen.
Chris Hile earned his first Brewerton Speedway Modified win and thanked his family for all their help while describing how good his current car has been at the track... 6/10/2016
Chris Hile ran the outside to win the final Modified heat and talked about who he saw to the inside as well as how balanced he thought his racecar was... 6/10/2016
Chris Hile went from eighth to second and talked about having a very maneuverable racecar as well as how happy he was that the car didn’t fall off... 5/13/2016
Chris Hile talks about teaming up with his wife for a two car Modified team for the 2016 season as they showed off their racecars this past weekend at Motorsports Expo... 3/18/2016
Top 12 Dirt Modified Drivers Under 30
By: Pete MacDonald
There is going to come a day when Brett Hearn, Jimmy Horton, Billy Pauch, and Kenny Tremont are no longer able to compete on the level that they currently do now.
What is going to happen then? Who will fans cheer for? Who is the future of Northeast Dirt Modified racing?
1) Larry Wight – 23 Years Old from Phoenix, NY. Larry has been racing Modified cars since he was 14 years old. His father John, who is one of the most prominent car owners in the business, has owned Dirt Modifieds for many years and has had the likes of Billy Decker, Pat Ward, and even NASCAR star JJ Yeley drive his machines. In addition to owning the race team, John Wight also owns Brewerton and Fulton Speedways, located in central New York. Larry has driven everything from Big Block Dirt Modifieds to Super Late Models to 410 Sprint Cars over the course of his career. Wight is coming off of his best career season in 2015 where he won 12 races, with 45 Top-5s and 61 Top-10s in 91 starts.
2) Erick Rudolph – 24 Years Old from Ransomville, NY. Erick has been successful in anything he has driven from the time he was five years old. He comes from a racing background as well, which included his father Charlie Rudolph compete all the way up to the NASCAR Sprint Cup level. The first time Erick strapped into a dirt Modified-type car back in 2008, he won the biggest Sportsman race on the sport’s biggest stage at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, NY. Rudolph has also gone to compete on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and is one of the top Indoor TQ Midget racers in the country. During the 2015 season, Rudolph competed in 82 dirt Modified races, winning nine of them, with 38 Top-5’s and 56 Top-10’s.
3) Mike Mahaney – 26 Years Old from King Ferry, NY. Mahaney might fly under the radar, but he is still able to rack up wins just about everywhere. In 2015, Mahaney ran 83 Modified races, winning 14 of them–with 42 Top-5’s and 61 Top-10’s–along with track championships at the I-88 and Thunder Mountain Speedways in New York. The 2015 season led to Mahaney securing the ride in the Buzz Chew Chevrolet No.88 for the Super DIRTcar Series in 2016. The team will utilize Troyer Race Cars, with steam provided by Billy the Kid. Future possibilities seem endless for Mike Mahaney.
4) Billy Pauch Jr. – 28 Years Old – Milford, NJ. “The Kid’s Kid” is another one that seems like they have been racing Dirt Modifieds forever. Pauch Jr. got his start in Modifieds back in 2003 racing as a teammate to his legendary father. After bouncing around and racing literally anything–from Midgets to pavement Modifieds to ARCA cars–Pauch Jr. finally settled down behind the wheel of a dirt Modified and his results have been successful. In 2015, Pauch Jr picked up his first career 358 Modified Championship at the Big Diamond Speedway in Minersville, PA in addition to running third overall in 358 Modified points at the New Egypt Speedway in New Jersey. Look for Pauch Jr. to have even a bigger year in 2016.
5) Mat Williamson – 25 Years Old – St. Catherines, ONT. When your dad is Randy Williamson, it is kind of hard not to be good in this game. Mat Williamson is a chip off the old block. At the ripe old age of 25, Mat has already amassed over 350 dirt Modified starts–with 35 wins to date–in addition to a Track Championship at the Lernerville Speedway located in western PA. In 2015, Williamson competed 66 times with 10 wins, 34 Top-5’s and 43 Top-10’s. Mat is definitely one to keep an eye on in the future.
6) Peter Britten – 28 Years Old – Brisbane, Queensland, AUS. Britten, or “Batman,” as he is called, has been a mainstay for years in the dirt Modified world. After winning numerous races and championships in Australia, Britten moved to the US and set his sights on dirt Modified racing here. Britten has been a mainstay on the Super DIRTcar Series for a number of years and is still looking for that elusive first win stateside.
7) Keith Flach – 29 Years Old – Ravena, NY. “The Ravena Rocket,” as he is known, races weekly at the Albany Saratoga Speedway in Malta, NY, the Lebanon Valley Speedway in West Lebanon, NY, and on the Super DIRTcar Series. Flach competed 62 times in 2015 (his busiest season yet) with only one win, but when you are racing against Kenny Tremont and Brett Hearn weekly, that is still a big accomplishment.
8) Ryan Susice – 25 Years Old – Ransomville, NY. This young hot shoe seems like he is fast in anything he sits in, from TQ Midgets during the winter to dirt Modifieds during the summer. Ryan is coming off of a 2015 campaign that saw him compete 33 times in Modified competitions with two wins, one of them coming at the Historic Sharon Speedway in Ohio to go along with his 17 Top-5’s and 25 Top-10’s. While Ryan doesn’t win weekly, he is surely one of the most consistent up-and-comers there have been in a long time.
9) Anthony Perrego – 21 Years Old – Montgomery, NY. Anthony Perrego is a driver that deserves more attention focused on his talents. Coming out of the slingshot ranks, Perrego’s big break came when he was named the driver of New York Truck Parts No.55. Since then, Perrego has been one of the busiest drivers in dirt Modified racing. In 2015, Perrego ran 58 times in Modified competition, unloading just about everywhere, but garnering just two wins. However, bouncing around to many different speedways can only help Perrego get better as his career continues on.
10) Neal Williams – 26 Years Old – Pittsgrove, NJ. “The Wheel” –as he is proclaimed down in New Jersey–Neal Williams made 10th on our list. Not many people can say that they have both a Syracuse Eagle and a Florida Gator in their trophy case, but Neal has both, after winning the Sportsman portion of Super DIRT Week in 2011, followed by what he deems his biggest win against the Super DIRTcar Series at Volusia in 2015. Neal picked up two wins in 2015 in 32 starts with 13 Top-5’s and 21 Top-10’s.
11) Ryan Krachun – 17 Years Old – Neshanic Station, NJ – Be prepared to hear the name Ryan Krachun a lot here in the near future. The 17-year-old set the New Jersey Modified scene on fire last year, picking up a win at New Egypt in just his second 358 Modified start. Krachun would back that first win up with another in August. Ryan also headed to Syracuse and Eastern States where he timed very respectably inside the Top-6 at the Hard Clay.
12) Chris Hile – 28 Years Old – Syracuse, NY – I thought Chris Hile deserved to be on this list because of the caliber of who he races against week in and week out. Racing weekly at Brewerton and Fulton means racing against the Super DIRTcar Series with the likes of Matt Sheppard, Billy Decker, Pat Ward, Jimmy Phelps, Larry Wight, et al. While he didn’t have any wins in 2015, Hile still managed to pick up 6 Top-5’s and 20 Top 10’s during the season.
Other notables include Danny Varin, Tim Kerr and Robbie Bellinger.
Who do you think the next big thing is in the field of dirt Modified racing? I can be reached at [email protected] or found on Twitter @PMacDonald51. Thanks for reading!
- See more at: http://racersguide.com/top-12-dirt-modified-drivers-under-30/#sthash.QKq9nKfq.dpuf
There is going to come a day when Brett Hearn, Jimmy Horton, Billy Pauch, and Kenny Tremont are no longer able to compete on the level that they currently do now.
What is going to happen then? Who will fans cheer for? Who is the future of Northeast Dirt Modified racing?
1) Larry Wight – 23 Years Old from Phoenix, NY. Larry has been racing Modified cars since he was 14 years old. His father John, who is one of the most prominent car owners in the business, has owned Dirt Modifieds for many years and has had the likes of Billy Decker, Pat Ward, and even NASCAR star JJ Yeley drive his machines. In addition to owning the race team, John Wight also owns Brewerton and Fulton Speedways, located in central New York. Larry has driven everything from Big Block Dirt Modifieds to Super Late Models to 410 Sprint Cars over the course of his career. Wight is coming off of his best career season in 2015 where he won 12 races, with 45 Top-5s and 61 Top-10s in 91 starts.
2) Erick Rudolph – 24 Years Old from Ransomville, NY. Erick has been successful in anything he has driven from the time he was five years old. He comes from a racing background as well, which included his father Charlie Rudolph compete all the way up to the NASCAR Sprint Cup level. The first time Erick strapped into a dirt Modified-type car back in 2008, he won the biggest Sportsman race on the sport’s biggest stage at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, NY. Rudolph has also gone to compete on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and is one of the top Indoor TQ Midget racers in the country. During the 2015 season, Rudolph competed in 82 dirt Modified races, winning nine of them, with 38 Top-5’s and 56 Top-10’s.
3) Mike Mahaney – 26 Years Old from King Ferry, NY. Mahaney might fly under the radar, but he is still able to rack up wins just about everywhere. In 2015, Mahaney ran 83 Modified races, winning 14 of them–with 42 Top-5’s and 61 Top-10’s–along with track championships at the I-88 and Thunder Mountain Speedways in New York. The 2015 season led to Mahaney securing the ride in the Buzz Chew Chevrolet No.88 for the Super DIRTcar Series in 2016. The team will utilize Troyer Race Cars, with steam provided by Billy the Kid. Future possibilities seem endless for Mike Mahaney.
4) Billy Pauch Jr. – 28 Years Old – Milford, NJ. “The Kid’s Kid” is another one that seems like they have been racing Dirt Modifieds forever. Pauch Jr. got his start in Modifieds back in 2003 racing as a teammate to his legendary father. After bouncing around and racing literally anything–from Midgets to pavement Modifieds to ARCA cars–Pauch Jr. finally settled down behind the wheel of a dirt Modified and his results have been successful. In 2015, Pauch Jr picked up his first career 358 Modified Championship at the Big Diamond Speedway in Minersville, PA in addition to running third overall in 358 Modified points at the New Egypt Speedway in New Jersey. Look for Pauch Jr. to have even a bigger year in 2016.
5) Mat Williamson – 25 Years Old – St. Catherines, ONT. When your dad is Randy Williamson, it is kind of hard not to be good in this game. Mat Williamson is a chip off the old block. At the ripe old age of 25, Mat has already amassed over 350 dirt Modified starts–with 35 wins to date–in addition to a Track Championship at the Lernerville Speedway located in western PA. In 2015, Williamson competed 66 times with 10 wins, 34 Top-5’s and 43 Top-10’s. Mat is definitely one to keep an eye on in the future.
6) Peter Britten – 28 Years Old – Brisbane, Queensland, AUS. Britten, or “Batman,” as he is called, has been a mainstay for years in the dirt Modified world. After winning numerous races and championships in Australia, Britten moved to the US and set his sights on dirt Modified racing here. Britten has been a mainstay on the Super DIRTcar Series for a number of years and is still looking for that elusive first win stateside.
7) Keith Flach – 29 Years Old – Ravena, NY. “The Ravena Rocket,” as he is known, races weekly at the Albany Saratoga Speedway in Malta, NY, the Lebanon Valley Speedway in West Lebanon, NY, and on the Super DIRTcar Series. Flach competed 62 times in 2015 (his busiest season yet) with only one win, but when you are racing against Kenny Tremont and Brett Hearn weekly, that is still a big accomplishment.
8) Ryan Susice – 25 Years Old – Ransomville, NY. This young hot shoe seems like he is fast in anything he sits in, from TQ Midgets during the winter to dirt Modifieds during the summer. Ryan is coming off of a 2015 campaign that saw him compete 33 times in Modified competitions with two wins, one of them coming at the Historic Sharon Speedway in Ohio to go along with his 17 Top-5’s and 25 Top-10’s. While Ryan doesn’t win weekly, he is surely one of the most consistent up-and-comers there have been in a long time.
9) Anthony Perrego – 21 Years Old – Montgomery, NY. Anthony Perrego is a driver that deserves more attention focused on his talents. Coming out of the slingshot ranks, Perrego’s big break came when he was named the driver of New York Truck Parts No.55. Since then, Perrego has been one of the busiest drivers in dirt Modified racing. In 2015, Perrego ran 58 times in Modified competition, unloading just about everywhere, but garnering just two wins. However, bouncing around to many different speedways can only help Perrego get better as his career continues on.
10) Neal Williams – 26 Years Old – Pittsgrove, NJ. “The Wheel” –as he is proclaimed down in New Jersey–Neal Williams made 10th on our list. Not many people can say that they have both a Syracuse Eagle and a Florida Gator in their trophy case, but Neal has both, after winning the Sportsman portion of Super DIRT Week in 2011, followed by what he deems his biggest win against the Super DIRTcar Series at Volusia in 2015. Neal picked up two wins in 2015 in 32 starts with 13 Top-5’s and 21 Top-10’s.
11) Ryan Krachun – 17 Years Old – Neshanic Station, NJ – Be prepared to hear the name Ryan Krachun a lot here in the near future. The 17-year-old set the New Jersey Modified scene on fire last year, picking up a win at New Egypt in just his second 358 Modified start. Krachun would back that first win up with another in August. Ryan also headed to Syracuse and Eastern States where he timed very respectably inside the Top-6 at the Hard Clay.
12) Chris Hile – 28 Years Old – Syracuse, NY – I thought Chris Hile deserved to be on this list because of the caliber of who he races against week in and week out. Racing weekly at Brewerton and Fulton means racing against the Super DIRTcar Series with the likes of Matt Sheppard, Billy Decker, Pat Ward, Jimmy Phelps, Larry Wight, et al. While he didn’t have any wins in 2015, Hile still managed to pick up 6 Top-5’s and 20 Top 10’s during the season.
Other notables include Danny Varin, Tim Kerr and Robbie Bellinger.
Who do you think the next big thing is in the field of dirt Modified racing? I can be reached at [email protected] or found on Twitter @PMacDonald51. Thanks for reading!
- See more at: http://racersguide.com/top-12-dirt-modified-drivers-under-30/#sthash.QKq9nKfq.dpuf