Big-Block Series, Regional & Track Champs Rewarded At Super DIRT Week

 

Weedsport, NYMarch 7, 2007 By Tom Skibinski, Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series PR Director

 

Every autumn when the leaves begin to fly so do the Mighty Big-Block Modifieds as the industrial city of Syracuse and the entire Central New York area becomes a mecca of motorsports. The Eckerd 200 during Super DIRT Week XXXVI, Oct. 3-7, is the main attraction while qualifying events leading up to the New York State Fairgrounds finale help set the stage over the summer months.

 

Guaranteed starting berths in the Eckerd 200 are once again up for grabs and in 2007 more drivers than ever before will be able to earn preferred starter status throughout the season for the richest DIRT Big-Block Modified event in the world.

 

Winners of the 25 scheduled Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series races and those among the top-12 in overall Hoosier Tire-Sunoco Race Fuels Mr. DIRT Modified Championship points heading into Super DIRT Week comprise the core group of drivers receiving guaranteed starting positions in the Eckerd 200. Preferred starters are the next eligible drivers finishing behind an Advance Auto Parts SDS race winner that is already locked into the Eckerd 200 starting grid, as well as all three DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Regional point champions and every licensed Big-Block Modified track champion crowned this year.

 

“This is a brand new format created by all the interest shown from race teams wanting a chance to run the Syracuse Mile,” said DIRTcar Racing Director of Competition & Track Sanctioning Cory Reed. “It continues to reward every Advance Auto Parts winner and our loyal Series followers with guaranteed spots, yet without diminishing some great single race performances, we now offer preferred status for those finishing next in line. And giving preferred spots to our weekly regional and track champs further recognizes the best in Big-Block racing as they all come together on neutral ground for a truly all-star event that remains the essence of Super DIRT Week.”

 

In order to take advantage of their guaranteed starting positions in the Eckerd 200, Advance Auto Parts SDS race winners and top-12 Mr. DIRT point-getters must run time trials. Any guaranteed driver that fails to qualify through time trials or a Triple 20 will be added to the Eckerd field in order of heat race results. Those drivers holding preferred status are afforded up front starting positions in the Dig Safely New York last-chance qualifier on Sunday, Oct. 7 if unable to qualify while running under the clocks or in heat race competition.

 

The balance of the Eckerd 200 line-up is filled in from the Dig Safely New York Shootout with the 45th starting spot going to the best overall finisher in Cayuga County Fair Speedway’s ‘Win & You’re In’ Twin 25s on Sat., Oct. 6. Carrying on with a long-standing tradition, the Petrocci Memorial feature winner at Rolling Wheels Raceway on Sept. 3 automatically secures seventh-place on the 44-car starting grid and for the first time in Super DIRT Week history, the winner of the Coors National 200 at Lebanon Valley Speedway (Sept. 8) will start outside the fourth row.

 

For further questions regarding qualifying procedures for the Eckerd 200 or any Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series event, please contact Cory Reed in the DIRTcar Northeast Office (315/834-6606) during normal business hours or log into the DIRT homepage at www.dirtmotorsports.com to find out more about the entire circuit. While online check out http://www.superdirtcarseries.com to find the latest news and notes about the 2007 Advance Auto Part Super DIRT Series as well as many special features as the season swings into full gear.

 

The DIRTcar Advance Auto Parts Modified Series is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Advance Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tire and Sunoco Race Fuels. Promotional partners include AMB i.t., F.X. Caprara Car Companies and the University of Northwestern Ohio and the contingency sponsors are Bert Transmission, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Holley HP Carburetors, MSD Ignitions, Miller Electric Manufacturing Company and Wrisco Industries.