FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PISTOL PETE SHOOTS DOWN THE COMPETITION IN EVANS MEMORIAL WIN
BY JR KENNERUP ( RoC MEDIA )
Oswego, NY .. Pistol Pete Brittain of Oakhurst, NJ led all 100 laps Saturday night at the Oswego Speedway to claim the Race of Champions ( RoC ) Dart Asphalt Modified Tour win in the annual Richie Evans Memorial race.
By no means was it an easy win for Brittain as he had to hold off the relentless challenges of four different drivers over the distance of the feature. The final challenger over the final two laps was Jan Leaty who fell four feet short at the checkers. With a near photo finish taking place for the win and even closer finish took place behind the leading duo. Tony Hirschman who challenged for the lead late in the race held on to third with Lee Sherwood nipping Bill Hebing at the line for fourth in the hotly contested feature.
“ It wasn’t easy at all as I had Matty there for a long time and he gave me all that I could handle “ said the $3,000 winner. “ Then Tony was there for a little bit and at the end Jan was there too. I just have to hand it to the Zacharias guys as the take care of the car. They maintain it and they just gave me one super racecar tonight. “
When the green dropped Pete out dragged outside pole sitter Daren Scherer to get the lead. Scherer would challenge for the lead a couple of times but each time Pete seemed to have a great car exiting turn two. This difference was the focal point for the win as no one had anything to contend with the rocket like exits of the Terry Zacharias prepared car. “ The last time we raced here ( May 13th ) we found a little something and what we found was awesome tonight “ recalled Pete. “ Forward bite coming off the corner really made the difference tonight plus we switched to Gail Clark Racing Engines over the winter and I think we found something with that too. The car was awesome, the motor was awesome, and the entire combination was awesome tonight. “
“ Everybody knows at Oswego during the first part of the year that the track is a low groove track and if someone is going to pass you on the outside they’re really going have to be hooked up “ said Pete. “ That was a tough win as I had some really good guys that I had to beat. The car was just awesome as it was just as good on the last lap as it was on the first lap. “
Around the quarter point of the feature Brittain opened up a large lead. “ Starting on the pole helped as I didn’t have to use the car up to get to the front like the other guys did “ said Pete. “ So when I opened up that big lead I really wasn’t pushing the car. I wanted to save the tires because I knew the other guys would be coming at the end of the race so I tried to save the tires the best I could. “
After Matt Hirschman got into second on lap 41 the race for the lead became intense. As after each restart Hirschman would be able to pull along side the car of Brittain for just about a lap and a half. Then after this period the Brittain car would then pick up its fast pace and retain the lead. Pete spoke about what was going on. “ My car was a little bit too tight for the first two laps after a restart and that is why Matty could get up and on the outside of me. Then after a couple of laps I could open up the lead on Matt. “
Pete also had another item to think about besides who was trying to pass him for the lead. The infamous sunset at the Oswego Speedway came into play which makes it hard to see exiting turn four and going down the homestretch. Pete was asked if this bothered him ? “ It was a problem for about ten laps coming off turn four “ answered Pete. “ You have to judge where you are coming out of turn four so you don’t hit the homestretch wall as you are blinded by the sun at that point. It’s an advantage at that time to be in the lead because everyone is in the same boat with the sun. “
“ I came here and watched races as a kid “ recalled Pete. “ I always said that I wanted to win here and I think this is my third or fourth win here. Each time we win here it gets better and better and now we just have to get ready for that big one at the end of the year. Then also it’s really special to win a race that is run in the memory of the greatest asphalt Modified driver of all time, Richie Evans. “
In the new format for the Race of Champions Dart Asphalt Modified Tour. This race was the first Combination Race which normally has been raced at the end of the year. The point totals from the Combination Races are added to the points earned in the Regions to determine the RoC Dart Overall Champion. With the win Brittain in reality is the current RoC Dart overall point leader. “ You have to win races to win the points deal. Right now we’re looking to win races and to have a good time. “
“ Finishing second is nothing to complain about “ said second place finisher Jan Leaty. “ I was just talking to Tony and we ran a lot of laps together today around here just like we did plenty of times before, it was fun racing like that tonight. As we raced each other hard and we didn’t touch at all racing.“
Jan started in 11th and raced like a veteran early in the race as he let the young drivers charge to the front. Just after the halfway mark was shown Jan said it was time to go as he bolted into fifth. Jan stayed right in the mix for the lead as he moved into fourth on lap 55 and into third on lap 83. With two laps to go Jan jumped to the outside to pass Tony Hirschman for second and tried to pass Brittain for the lead but feel four feet short at the line.
After the race Jan spoke about the technical aspect of the feature. “ It’s a 100 laps, all green flag laps and you can only change one tire if you want to “ said Jan. “ I have found over time that changing one tire will sometimes hurt the car more than it helps it balance wise. I set out to make all 100 laps on one set of tires. “
“ You have to race the track, save the tires, same old, same old, be really careful and save something there for the end “ answered Jan to his strategy at Oswego. “ My brother kept asking me early if I wanted to come in and put a tire on. I told him that you have to trust me as the car is good, we’re going to be fine and I was going to wait for the right time to go. Truthfully I probably waited a little too long but you have to wait for everyone to soften up before you can go to the front. “
“ I would have loved to had a chance to mix it up a few laps more there at the end with Pete “ recalled Jan. “ I knew it was going to be really difficult there at the end racing Pete for the win. But I didn’t want to wreck the car again as we just got it put back together after wrecking it in early May. “
“ Real good run tonight for us as this was the first time back here in I don’t know how many years “ said third place finisher Tony Hirschman. “ This race we used as a tune-up for the 200 back here in September. We found a few things that we can do for that show to make the car better when we come back here. “
Tony who started tenth held back at the start of the race while the young drivers raced hard to the front. The young drivers were led by Tony’s son Matt who won the first race of the year here back on May 13th. Matt proved that there was an outside groove on this night with a variety of thrilling outside passes to work his way to the front.
Matt Hirschman moved into second on lap 41 and for the next 41 laps he tried every move that he knew in an attempt to pass Brittain for the lead. Matt got along side Brittain for the lead every time after a restart green but couldn’t that little extra to get the lead. After the green appeared on a lap 83 restart Matt jumped the right rear side of the rear bumper of the Brittain car. This got Matt out of the groove and with worn tires he hung to end up a disappointed seventh.
Tony Hirschman, who watched his son work on Brittain, had a ring side view as he moved into third on lap 54. Tony had this to say about Matt’s effort on this night. “ Matt he had the car to beat today; he gave Brittain everything he had. I think Matt ran too hard in his heat race and too hard early in the feature tonight. Other than that once he would have gotten by Pete he would have been gone. “
Qualifying for the 26 cars in attendance for the first of five Combined Races saw heat wins go to Tony Hirschman, Matt Hirschman, and Bobby Holmes.
STEEL PALACE NOTES; The next RoC Modified appearance at the track will be Saturday July 21st as it will be the third race in the Parts Plus sponsored series at Oswego. The field was cut down to 24 after hot laps as the Kluth Racing team had a terrible day. First Kevin Lewis who was driving the backup car broke the rear end in hot lap session one. Rick Kluth blew the motor in the primary car in hot lap session two and they loaded the cars up before the races and made the long trip back home. Once again Matt Clemens was wheeling the second John Markovic entry. Dutch Hoag in attendance watching his grandson Alex race. Bill Hebing pitted for a new right rear tire with 18 laps to go and had the fastest car at the end of the race. Teenager Erick Rudolph opening plenty of eyes with a solid sixth place finish. There will be a new RoC overall champion in 2007 as defending RoC overall champion Earl Paules skipped the show. Jan Leaty debuted the RoC Body of Tomorrow in hot lap session one that will be used for the first time in actual competition this upcoming Saturday at Chemung. Lap sponsorship for the Sunoco Race of Champions is now on sale by Marilyn & Don Toal. They can be reached at 585 – 663- 0004. Rain skirted the facility only dropping some light mist while it rained hard just west of Oswego.
RACE REPORT RACE OF CHAMPIONS DART ASPHALT MODIFIED TOUR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PISTOL PETE SHOOTS DOWN THE COMPETITION IN EVANS MEMORIAL WIN
BY JR KENNERUP ( RoC MEDIA )
Oswego, NY .. Pistol Pete Brittain of Oakhurst, NJ led all 100 laps Saturday night at the Oswego Speedway to claim the Race of Champions ( RoC ) Dart Asphalt Modified Tour win in the annual Richie Evans Memorial race.
By no means was it an easy win for Brittain as he had to hold off the relentless challenges of four different drivers over the distance of the feature. The final challenger over the final two laps was Jan Leaty who fell four feet short at the checkers. With a near photo finish taking place for the win and even closer finish took place behind the leading duo. Tony Hirschman who challenged for the lead late in the race held on to third with Lee Sherwood nipping Bill Hebing at the line for fourth in the hotly contested feature.
“ It wasn’t easy at all as I had Matty there for a long time and he gave me all that I could handle “ said the $3,000 winner. “ Then Tony was there for a little bit and at the end Jan was there too. I just have to hand it to the Zacharias guys as the take care of the car. They maintain it and they just gave me one super racecar tonight. “
When the green dropped Pete out dragged outside pole sitter Daren Scherer to get the lead. Scherer would challenge for the lead a couple of times but each time Pete seemed to have a great car exiting turn two. This difference was the focal point for the win as no one had anything to contend with the rocket like exits of the Terry Zacharias prepared car. “ The last time we raced here ( May 13th ) we found a little something and what we found was awesome tonight “ recalled Pete. “ Forward bite coming off the corner really made the difference tonight plus we switched to Gail Clark Racing Engines over the winter and I think we found something with that too. The car was awesome, the motor was awesome, and the entire combination was awesome tonight. “
“ Everybody knows at Oswego during the first part of the year that the track is a low groove track and if someone is going to pass you on the outside they’re really going have to be hooked up “ said Pete. “ That was a tough win as I had some really good guys that I had to beat. The car was just awesome as it was just as good on the last lap as it was on the first lap. “
Around the quarter point of the feature Brittain opened up a large lead. “ Starting on the pole helped as I didn’t have to use the car up to get to the front like the other guys did “ said Pete. “ So when I opened up that big lead I really wasn’t pushing the car. I wanted to save the tires because I knew the other guys would be coming at the end of the race so I tried to save the tires the best I could. “
After Matt Hirschman got into second on lap 41 the race for the lead became intense. As after each restart Hirschman would be able to pull along side the car of Brittain for just about a lap and a half. Then after this period the Brittain car would then pick up its fast pace and retain the lead. Pete spoke about what was going on. “ My car was a little bit too tight for the first two laps after a restart and that is why Matty could get up and on the outside of me. Then after a couple of laps I could open up the lead on Matt. “
Pete also had another item to think about besides who was trying to pass him for the lead. The infamous sunset at the Oswego Speedway came into play which makes it hard to see exiting turn four and going down the homestretch. Pete was asked if this bothered him ? “ It was a problem for about ten laps coming off turn four “ answered Pete. “ You have to judge where you are coming out of turn four so you don’t hit the homestretch wall as you are blinded by the sun at that point. It’s an advantage at that time to be in the lead because everyone is in the same boat with the sun. “
“ I came here and watched races as a kid “ recalled Pete. “ I always said that I wanted to win here and I think this is my third or fourth win here. Each time we win here it gets better and better and now we just have to get ready for that big one at the end of the year. Then also it’s really special to win a race that is run in the memory of the greatest asphalt Modified driver of all time, Richie Evans. “
In the new format for the Race of Champions Dart Asphalt Modified Tour. This race was the first Combination Race which normally has been raced at the end of the year. The point totals from the Combination Races are added to the points earned in the Regions to determine the RoC Dart Overall Champion. With the win Brittain in reality is the current RoC Dart overall point leader. “ You have to win races to win the points deal. Right now we’re looking to win races and to have a good time. “
“ Finishing second is nothing to complain about “ said second place finisher Jan Leaty. “ I was just talking to Tony and we ran a lot of laps together today around here just like we did plenty of times before, it was fun racing like that tonight. As we raced each other hard and we didn’t touch at all racing.“
Jan started in 11th and raced like a veteran early in the race as he let the young drivers charge to the front. Just after the halfway mark was shown Jan said it was time to go as he bolted into fifth. Jan stayed right in the mix for the lead as he moved into fourth on lap 55 and into third on lap 83. With two laps to go Jan jumped to the outside to pass Tony Hirschman for second and tried to pass Brittain for the lead but feel four feet short at the line.
After the race Jan spoke about the technical aspect of the feature. “ It’s a 100 laps, all green flag laps and you can only change one tire if you want to “ said Jan. “ I have found over time that changing one tire will sometimes hurt the car more than it helps it balance wise. I set out to make all 100 laps on one set of tires. “
“ You have to race the track, save the tires, same old, same old, be really careful and save something there for the end “ answered Jan to his strategy at Oswego. “ My brother kept asking me early if I wanted to come in and put a tire on. I told him that you have to trust me as the car is good, we’re going to be fine and I was going to wait for the right time to go. Truthfully I probably waited a little too long but you have to wait for everyone to soften up before you can go to the front. “
“ I would have loved to had a chance to mix it up a few laps more there at the end with Pete “ recalled Jan. “ I knew it was going to be really difficult there at the end racing Pete for the win. But I didn’t want to wreck the car again as we just got it put back together after wrecking it in early May. “
“ Real good run tonight for us as this was the first time back here in I don’t know how many years “ said third place finisher Tony Hirschman. “ This race we used as a tune-up for the 200 back here in September. We found a few things that we can do for that show to make the car better when we come back here. “
Tony who started tenth held back at the start of the race while the young drivers raced hard to the front. The young drivers were led by Tony’s son Matt who won the first race of the year here back on May 13th. Matt proved that there was an outside groove on this night with a variety of thrilling outside passes to work his way to the front.
Matt Hirschman moved into second on lap 41 and for the next 41 laps he tried every move that he knew in an attempt to pass Brittain for the lead. Matt got along side Brittain for the lead every time after a restart green but couldn’t that little extra to get the lead. After the green appeared on a lap 83 restart Matt jumped the right rear side of the rear bumper of the Brittain car. This got Matt out of the groove and with worn tires he hung to end up a disappointed seventh.
Tony Hirschman, who watched his son work on Brittain, had a ring side view as he moved into third on lap 54. Tony had this to say about Matt’s effort on this night. “ Matt he had the car to beat today; he gave Brittain everything he had. I think Matt ran too hard in his heat race and too hard early in the feature tonight. Other than that once he would have gotten by Pete he would have been gone. “
Qualifying for the 26 cars in attendance for the first of five Combined Races saw heat wins go to Tony Hirschman, Matt Hirschman, and Bobby Holmes.
STEEL PALACE NOTES; The next RoC Modified appearance at the track will be Saturday July 21st as it will be the third race in the Parts Plus sponsored series at Oswego. The field was cut down to 24 after hot laps as the Kluth Racing team had a terrible day. First Kevin Lewis who was driving the backup car broke the rear end in hot lap session one. Rick Kluth blew the motor in the primary car in hot lap session two and they loaded the cars up before the races and made the long trip back home. Once again Matt Clemens was wheeling the second John Markovic entry. Dutch Hoag in attendance watching his grandson Alex race. Bill Hebing pitted for a new right rear tire with 18 laps to go and had the fastest car at the end of the race. Teenager Erick Rudolph opening plenty of eyes with a solid sixth place finish. There will be a new RoC overall champion in 2007 as defending RoC overall champion Earl Paules skipped the show. Jan Leaty debuted the RoC Body of Tomorrow in hot lap session one that will be used for the first time in actual competition this upcoming Saturday at Chemung. Lap sponsorship for the Sunoco Race of Champions is now on sale by Marilyn & Don Toal. They can be reached at 585 – 663- 0004. Rain skirted the facility only dropping some light mist while it rained hard just west of Oswego.
RACE REPORT RACE OF CHAMPIONS DART ASPHALT MODIFIED TOUR
COMBINED RACE # 1 RICHIE EVANS MEMORIAL @ OSWEGO
FINISH; Pete Brittain, Jan Leaty, Tony Hirschman, Lee Sherwood, Bill Hebing, Erick Rudolph, Matt Hirschman, John Markovic, Chris Finocchario, Phil Slater, Mike Leaty, Doug Reaume, Andy Szapacs, Eric Beers, Daren Scherer, Billy Putney, Bobby Holmes, Larry Jackson, Vern LaFave, Ken Canestrari, Tommy Kinsella, Matt Clemens, Alex Hoag, Mark Tynchowicz.
DNS; Rick Kluth, Kevin Lewis.
LAP LEADERS; Brittain ( 1 – 100 )
GATER RACING NEWS DRIVER BONUS DRAW $500: Slater
DART MACHINERY AWARD SET OF HEADS: Beers
HOOSIER RACING TIRE HARD CHARGER AWARD: Sherwood ( 21st to 4th )
HOOSIER RACING TIRE HARD LUCK AWARD: Scherer ( 2nd to 15th )
NEXT RoC / DART EVENT; Saturday June 2nd – North Region Race # 1 – Chemung Speedrome, Chemung, NY – Gates open at 4 pm, racing at 6:30 pm