BIG DIAMOND HIGHLIGHTS FROM GSP VIDEO!

KYLE FOLLWEILER! (Bruce Thomas photo)

BILLY PAUCH JR'S GRANDVIEW RIDE! (Bruce Thomas photo)

AUSTIN LANGENSTEIN UPDATE!

Rifenburg Companies commit to primary sponsorship for Austin’s IMCA Dirt Modified Car for the 2010 Racing Season.

It was announced today the Rifenburg Companies of Troy, NY and Raleigh, NC, have agreed to


join KAR Racing as the primary sponsor on the #7 IMCA Dirt Modified Car, to be driven by

Austin Langenstein, for the 2010 IMCA Dirt Modified Series.


The sponsorship agreement will showcase the Rifenburg Companies logos on the hood and
rear quarter panels of the new Dirt Modified Car the team recently acquired from famed car
builder Larry Shaw. The car will be painted Rifenburg’s perennial red color with Austin’s #7 on
the side as he competes in IMCA sanctioned races at tracks in North and South Carolina and at
other race tracks in the Central Atlantic States.

“We are truly thrilled to have the Rifenburg Family and their companies as a major part of our racing team for the 2010 season”, said Charlie Langenstein, team owner. “I have enjoyed a long relationship with the Rifenburg’s and look forward to having them on board for Austin’s inaugural season competing in the IMCA Dirt Modified Series”.

“This is a major step in Austin’s racing career and the Rifenburg Family has had a rich and successful history in motorsports, especially in the dirt modified ranks”, noted Charlie. “At speedway’s like Lebanon Valley, and other tracks throughout New York State: with racing legends like Tommy Corellis and Kenny Tremont, along with up and coming star Donnie Corellis; Rifenburg Dirt Modified Cars have recorded hundreds of feature wins and numerous series championships over the past 20 years”, noted the elder Langenstein. “It will truly be an honor to have the Rifenburg name on my race car for 2010”, added Austin. “They understand what it takes to win championships”, he continued, “and I’m truly excited to have them with me as I move into the modified series”. “Being associated with legendary drivers like Corellis and Tremont can only make my transition to dirt modified smoother and help my development as a driver, which makes this deal even sweeter”, concluded Austin.

“The Rifenburg Companies are extremely excited to be a part of Austin’s move into the IMCA Dirt Modified Series,” remarked George Rifenburg, President of Rifenburg Companies. “We helped Austin some in 2009 and, after watching this young man progress as a driver, I am confident he will be a successful race car driver for years to come, no matter what he drives”. “He is very talented and our goal is to assist him in any way we can to achieve his goal of becoming an IMCA Dirt Modified Champion”, remarked Mr. Rifenburg.
“Austin shows a lot of promise and, if he continues to develop like we feel he will, we would love to give him an opportunity to drive one of our Northeast DIRTcar style cars this summer in upstate New York”, observed David Rifenburg, Vice President of Rifenburg Companies. “We’d start him out in a 358 small block car and then, as soon as he’s ready, move him up to the big block series”, Dave concluded.

“I’ve been around racing all my life and I know what it takes to be a successful race car driver and this kid’s got it”, noted Tommy Corellis, retired Rifenburg driver and former Northeast DIRTcar Modified Champion and Hall of Fame Inductee. “I watched this kid drive and he is an exceptional young talent who is mature beyond his years”, he added. “He is disciplined, focused and committed to his sport and I see a young man with a great future in motorsports”, concluded Tommy.

RIFENBURG COMPANIES – Founded in 1958 by Ken Rifenburg, this “family-owned” business has strived to satisfy customers with their dedication to the project, its emphasis on safety and its ability to take on big challenges while completing jobs responsibly, on budget and on time.

“Our father started the business with a dedication to customer service and high-quality work. Our reputation continues to be built on the satisfaction of our clients”, stated George Rifenburg, President. “Our employees are all family and every project we undertake is a labor of love.”

Over the years, the company has evolved from when, in 1972 the company consisted of approximately 60 people, and its projects included many small New York State Department of Transportation projects, to today where it employs more than 350 people and annually completes more than $90 million in projects for municipalities, state agencies and private companies including: industrial sites, commercial and residential developments, office parks and more.

Collectively, the Rifenburg Companies: Rifenburg Construction, Inc.; Rifenburg Contracting Corporation; Marcy Excavation Services, LLC; and Park East Sales, Inc.; provide their customers with a wealth of experience and services, including: highway construction and restoration, site development, landfill technologies, environmental clean-up, utilities installation, mining, aggregate sales, equipment sales, leasing, rentals, and airport maintenance and runway reconstruction.

An avid supporter of dirt modified racing, the Rifenburg Family sponsors numerous Northeast Dirt Modified cars and annually sponsors a DIRTcar Modified Race at Lebanon Valley Speedway.
For more information about the Rifenburg Companies, visit their website at http://www.rifenburg.com/
For more information about Austin Langenstein, his team and sponsors, please visit the KAR Racing Team website at http://www.karracing.net/

RANDY STOUDT! (Bruce Thomas photo)

TODD MARBURGER/GRANDVIEW PRACTICE (Bruce Thomas photos)

JASON HAMILTON @ GRANDVIEW PRACTICE DAY! (Bruce Thomas photos)

The Bee was Buzzin'!

LUCAS WOLFE WINS WILLIAMS GROVE!

Williams Grove Speedway Feature Finishes - March 26, 2010

Sprint Car Feature - 25 laps - 1. Lucas Wolfe, 2. Brian Montieth, 3. Fred Rahmer, 4. Daryn Pittman, 5. Greg Hodnett, 6. Curt Michael, 7. Alan Krimes, 8. Lance Dewease, 9. Steve Buckwalter, 10. Chad Layton, 11. Tyler Walter, 12. Rick Lafferty, 13. Don Kreitz, Jr., 14. Doug Esh, 15. Adam Wilt, 16. Dave Ely, 17. Danny Dietrich, 18. Brent Marks, 19. Justin Henderson, 20. Pat Cannon, 21. Todd Shaffer, 22. Brian Leppo, 23. Cory Haas, 24. Mark Coldren

(Jason Walls photo)

CLASSIC OFFICE!

PRACTICE DAY IS FINALLY UPON US!!

GLENN STRUNK!

Tonite I had the pleasure to hang out with Glenn Strunk at the Washington Elementary father/daughter dance. Glenn and I chatted about racing years ago. Glenn is one hellava nice guy! Here are a few of Glenn's hot rods from a few years back! (Dave Fotki-Lew Brubaker-Bruce Thomas-3wide photos) Click pics to enlarge!

NAPOLEON DYNAMITE!

THE WINGED WARRIOR...DON LODER!

When I first started going to Grandview back in 1974, this was my favorite driver. The Chickenman, Don Loder in the 88x. Something about Don and his car got me to be a fan pretty quick. He had a real clean driving style and was always fast. Loved the gremlin body and the white, orange and black paint scheme. Ya gotta love that bubble shield on his helmet.

ERNIE SAXTON LIVE ON BCTV TONITE!

It will be a fast paced 60 minutes on Weds night as Ernie Saxton takes to the TV airwaves for the March edition of Strapped In.


It will be a viewer interactive show with phone lines opening at 9:05 (610-378-0426).

I will also be accepting questions by way of email at starterone@aol.com.

Randy Kane will be special co-host.

We will be talking about the upcoming season at Grandview,Ernie's journalistic endeavors,election into the Hall of Fame and his inclusion as a member of the NASCAR Charter Hall of Fame committee.

Plenty to talk about,feel free to be a part of it.

Livestream is http://www.bctv.org./Show can be seen at a later date and time on the website's Archived Show listing.

VINCE GAGLIARDO/JEFF STRUNK

I just want to thank Vince Gagliardo and Jeff Strunk for sporting the Cowpatty Nation sticker on their race cars this season! I also want to thank Joe Adams for getting the new stickers to Jeff after he lettered up the new machine's. Good Luck to Vince and Jeff this upcoming season! (Brent Smith photo)

ANDREA & BRANDON

Here we have Eric's wife Andrea and son Brandon hanging out last year with the Todd Marburger #18. Todd always has sweet looking rides! Can't wait to see what he has in store for us this season.

BUZZIE REUTIMANN!

Here is a cool picture of Buzzie Reutimann at Volusia County Speedway from a few weeks ago! Man, Buzzie is still gettin' after it at his age is amazing! Thanks to Randy Kane for the photo!

RYAN GODOWN/NORM HANSELL...IT'S OFFICIAL!

(Brent Smith photo)

MEG RACES AN AMISH GUY! (Hey...it's racing!)

JEFF STRUNK!

Sounds like Jeff Strunk had a tough go of it this weekend at Selinsgrove Speedway. I am sure Jeff will rebound quickly when he hits the local Cowpatty circuits of Grandview & Big Diamond. Sometime's ya just gotta get the bugs worked out! Here Jeff battles with Ronnie Johnson.

(Brent Smith photo)

SELINSGROVE BIG BLOCK FEATURE RESULTS!

SELINSGROVE SPEEDWAY RACE SUMMARY – 20 March 2010


Big Block Modifieds – 64 Entries

50-Lap A-Main: 1) 9 Matt Sheppard 2) 4 Duane Howard 3) 42P Pat Ward 4) 20 Brett Hearn 5) 27J Danny Johnson 6) 91 Billy Decker 7) 7 Rick Laubach 8) 14 Jimmy Horton 9) 66 Jerry Higbie, Jr. 10) 1X Willie Decker 11) 2G Mitch Gibbs 12) 1 Stewart Friesen 13) 10 Bobby Varin 14) 00 Doug Manmiller 15) 85L Ted Lamb 16) R10 Wade Hendrickson 17) 88C Billy Pauch Jr. 18) 01 Bret Ballard 19) 99L Larry Wight 20) 357 Ryan Godown 21) 4S Michael Storms 22) 0 Richie Pratt 23) 1W Billy Pauch Sr. 24) 51 Mike Colsten 25) 85 Dan Vauter 26) 44 Frank Cozze 27) 55 Kenny Brightbill 28) M40 Mark Forte 29) 1A Brian Weaver

Heat Winners: Daune Howard, Mark Forte, Matt Sheppard, Mitch Gibbs, Kenny Brightbill, Ryan Godown

Consolation Winners: Richie Pratt Jr., Billy Pauch Sr., Danny Johnson

Middleswarth Potato Chips Cash Dash Winner: Matt Sheppard

Middleswarth Potato Chips Non-Qualifiers Winner: Lance Willix
(BRENT SMITH PHOTOS)

WILLIAMS GROVE OPENING NIGHT!

1. Fred Rahmer, 2. Greg Hodnett, 3. Doug Esh, 4. Brian Leppo, 5. Todd Shaffer, 6. Chad Layton, 8. Dave Ely, 9. Mark Smith, 10. Rick Lafferty, 11. Curt Michael, 12. Brian Montieth, 13. Johnny Mackison, Jr., 14. Aaron Ott, 15. Brent Marks, 16. Chris Meleason, 17. Don Kreitz, Jr., 18. Alan Krimes, 19. A. J. Michael, 2.Davey Sammons, 21. Tyler Walker, 22. Adam Wilt, 23. Steve Buckwalter, 24. Ryan Taylor
(WRT Speedwerx photo)

SELINSGROVE SMALL BLOCK FINISH!

Pos No. Name Laps Total time Diff Best time In lap Best speed


1 42P PAT WARD 25 22:47.730 20.526 4 92.885

2 14M DOUG MANMILLER 25 22:49.683 1.953 20.929 11 91.097

3 2 RONNIE JOHNSON 25 22:51.454 3.724 20.966 12 90.936

4 7z DANNY JOHNSON 25 22:52.612 4.882 20.862 11 91.389

5 357 RYAN GODOWN 25 22:53.141 5.411 20.811 11 91.613

6 91 BILLY DECKER 25 22:53.704 5.974 21.012 11 90.737

7 33 RAY SWINEHART 25 22:53.745 6.015 20.619 3 92.466

8 19 TOM UMBENHAUER 25 22:54.226 6.496 20.996 11 90.806

9 5JP RICHIE PRATT JR 25 22:54.767 7.037 20.882 18 91.302

10 1 STEWART FRIESEN 22 17:20.150 3 Laps 22.414 4 85.061

11 99L LARRY WIGHT 25 22:55.760 8.030 21.155 13 90.123

12 16X DAN CREEDEN 25 22:56.591 8.861 21.352 15 89.292

13 19K PAUL KINNEY 25 22:57.317 9.587 21.515 12 88.615

14 112 ALAN RUDALAVAGE 25 22:58.318 10.588 21.528 17 88.562

15 7 COLT HARRIS 24 23:02.427 1 Lap 21.121 21 90.268

DNF 6 TROY WINK 22 21:54.092 4:33.941 21.444 17 88.909

DNF 1C CRAIG VONDOHREN 20 17:18.130 5 Laps 20.728 9 91.980

DNF 41 JEFF STRUNK 20 17:18.803 0.673 20.972 10 90.910

DNF 4s MIKE STORMS 20 17:19.286 1.156 21.191 13 89.970

DNF 21 KYLE WEISS 20 17:22.071 3.941 21.580 18 88.348

DNF 4 DWAYNE HOWARD 19 14:43.651 6 Laps 20.592 10 92.587

DNF 71 DAVID VANHORN 18 12:22.658 7 Laps 21.283 18 89.581

DNF 118 SEAN MERKEL 18 12:28.323 5.665 21.739 4 87.702

DNF 42B KEVIN BATES 17 12:06.514 8 Laps 21.959 12 86.824

DNF 88D MEME DESANTIS 16 11:45.076 9 Laps 21.794 12 87.481

DNF 10 BOBBY VARIN 4 4:47.164 21 Laps 22.556 4 84.526

DNF 1R RICK LAUBACH 0 1.077 25 Laps --:--:--.--- 0 -
(BRENT SMITH PHOTO)

THEY JUST KEEP COMIN' TIGER!

SELINSGROVE SPEEDWAY!

SELINSGROVE SPEEDWAY SET FOR MODIFIED OPENER THIS FRIDAY & SATURDAY

SELINSGROVE, Pa. – Selinsgrove Speedway officials are making final preparations for the 2010 season opener this Friday and Saturday, March 19-20, featuring the Race of Champions Dart Dirt Modifieds. This high-profile motorsports spectacular coupled with a weather forecast for unseasonably warm temperatures this weekend is building momentum as the speedway gears up for the start of its 65th year.


Friday night’s program will showcase the 358 modifieds in a 25-lap, $2,200-to-win main event. A complete series of heat and consolation races will be utilized to set the starting grid for the main event. The big block modifieds will also have several practice sessions during Friday’s program. Track gates on Friday will open at 5 p.m., with racing scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.

The speedway will swing back into action on Saturday at 4 p.m. with the Third Annual Insinger Performance Products Icebreaker 50 for big block modifieds. The 50-lap main event will pay $4,000 to win out of more than $20,000 in prize money and contingencies. Practice sessions will also be held for the 358 sprint cars. Track gates will open at 2 p.m. on Saturday. In the event of inclement weather, the rain date will be Sunday, March 21, at 2 p.m

SHANKWEILER'S DRIVE IN!

Here is a picture of Eric's daughter Alyssa posing with Brian Shuey's 2010 Grandview Late Model. She looks like she is having a great time! Just happens that the drive-in and Eric have the same last name. Too bad Eric doesn't get to reap any of the rewards from the nations oldest running outdoor movie theatre!

JASON HAMILTON!

Here a few cool touches on the Jones/Hamilton #15 Yellow Jacket race car this season! GOOD STUFF!

BPG RACE SHOP!

We had a GREAT time last night visiting the BPG Race shop (aka)... The Howard Farm. Duane was real cool to hang out with and we appreciate the time he took away from readying the cars to talk with us! Alan Finch and the guys were also good guys. I still would love to see Finch catch one of those peacocks! The team were getting ready for their assault on Selinsgrove Speedway this weekend. The white Troyer in the second picture is the big block, while the black Troyer will carry the small block. The beauty in the bottom picture still needs some work. That car is the one CVD drove in the beginning of last season at Grandview. The cars look spectacular! Joe Adams masterful work shines yet again!

We also got to chat with Chad Sinon via cell phone while at the shop. That was a surprise! Chad is nothing less than a pleasure to speak with. He even got the kids on the phone for a quick chat. Chad is a great advocate for the sport of dirt track racing. The sport would arguably have trouble finding a better ambassador.

The modifieds at the BPG facility will kindly carry the "CPN" stickers this season. I just want to thank Duane, Chad, Alan for allowing us the visit. The BPG team is a top shelf class act! We all had an excellent time. Good Luck this weekend and also in the upcoming year at Grandview & Big Diamond.

DUANE HOWARD!

Eric and I are taking the kids up for a visit with Duane Howard at the BPG race shop tonight. I am not sure who will have more fun, the kids or us?
(Brent Smith photo)

ENDLESS TIGER...ENDLESS!

JASON HAMILTON!

Here is a sneak peek pic of the BEER CITY #15 driven by Jason Hamilton. Jason will campaign this Bicknell chassis, Morrison powered yellowjacket at Grandview Speedway this season. Bert and Jason have really outdone themselves this year with this creation! WOW, I love it! I hope it goes as good as it looks...as I am sure that it will! Now to get a few "CPN" stickers on that rocket! (Jason Hamilton photo)(Click to enlarge)

NAME THIS DRIVER!

CRAIG VON DOHREN!

By Brett Deyo

Reading Eagle correspondent

Craig Von Dohren traded the spotlight for garage lights this offseason.
The circuit's all-time 358-modified winner didn't issue a press release outlining his plans for 2010. He opted not to display a car in any of the recent car shows.
Craig Von Dohren, right, will run in a self-owned car this season for the first time since the late 1980s.

Questions surrounding Von Dohren's future lingered on racing Internet message boards.
Von Dohren's low profile, however, shouldn't be received as a harbinger of a dismal season to come.
When Big Diamond Raceway (April 2) and Grandview Speedway (April 3) open their 358-mod point seasons, Von Dohren will be a force, as he has been for the last 30 years.

The driver known as "CVD" has worked hard to assemble a formidable team, albeit under the radar, this offseason.
A professional dirt modified racer by trade, Von Dohren was brimming with enthusiasm last autumn when Bob Greene of PPB Racing offered him a ride with his top-shelf team for 2010.
Less than a month after their deal went public in September, a sagging economy forced Greene to shut down his racing efforts to focus on business.
Von Dohren, who had already bid adieu to '09 team owners Chad Sinon and Mike Harvey, was on the outside looking in.
"It was an unfortunate turn of events," Von Dohren reflected. "I understand Bob's point of view. We're still friends, and we all talk."
As for his situation, Von Dohren was looking at desperate times. "I was kind of left high and dry," he said.
Fortunately for Von Dohren, he has a strong circle of support in the racing community - a group that was willing to step up to the plate when he needed it.
For the first time since the late 1980s, Von Dohren will strap into a self-owned car regularly on Saturday nights this season in Grandview's NASCAR Whelen All-American Series 358-modified division.

Von Dohren will be listed as the sole owner of the No. 1c. However, he won't be going at it alone. Businessmen Carl Felty, John Sharman and Scott Kauffman offered financial sponsorship assistance should Von Dohren make a go of it on his own. So he took the leap.
"They made it possible," Von Dohren said. "They stepped up to do this for me, so I decided to give it a try."
The 46-year-old has a new Teo-Pro car set to go in search of a seventh Grandview title.
Critics say paying the bills may take its toll on Von Dohren's driving. He disagrees.
"It's all the same when you're on the track," he said. "It's not going to matter."

For Friday racing at Big Diamond, Von Dohren finds himself in a familiar seat: aboard a car owned by Harvey of Millville, N.J. A law enforcement officer in his hometown, Harvey has backed Von Dohren's racing efforts in varying degrees since 2006.
Harvey was willing to get back involved when Greene's opportunity fell through.
Harvey's car, the same Teo-built machine run at Big D last year, will be maintained in Von Dohren's Oley race shop alongside his own.
"Mike has been with me for a while now, and he's always there when I need him," Von Dohren said. "I appreciate him helping out with Fridays this year."
Jason Bashore returns to provide at-the-track consultation for both nights.
A select schedule of big-block events is a possibility for the team later in the year.
Von Dohren plans to enter the 358-mod event at Selinsgrove Speedway March 19 and will run his small-block with the big-block teams at Big D March 28 to get the year started early.
"We've been quiet this winter, mainly because we got a late start," Von Dohren said. "We've got to come out strong and get this thing off on the right foot."
(Brent Smith Photo)

THE SHIZZLE BRO'S!

CAN YOU NAME THIS HOTSHOE?

HOW FITTING!

KORY FLEMING...NEWEST "CPN" CAR!

Thanks to Kory "Smoke" Fleming for being the newest addition to Cowpatty Nation's ever growing member list! Tell me this ride is nothing less than,"spectacular"! Kory will be back at Grandview Speedway full-time this season with hopes on picking up his first win at the high banked 1/3 mile clay oval. Kory is pumped for the season to begin. We wish Kory a lot of luck this season in the late model wars! Thanks again for sporting the "CPN" stickers.

KELSEY & BRANDON

Here's a shot of Kelsey and Brandon when I won the Grandview's biggest fan contest, thanks to my wife, Karen! The kids are enjoying the a/c and some good front row seats for racing!

AUSTIN SHAKING IT DOWN!

Here is Austin Langenstein taking his first run aboard a Dirt IMCA car at a racing school in North Carolina.

They were kind enough to let Austin use their car so he can train and get some experience until his new car is finished. He was very fast right out of the box.

(Click on the pics to enlarge)