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Border Patrol – A weekly Look At Racing from both sides of the 1000 Islands

Craig Revelle – October 4, 2009

As the checkered flag will soon waive on the 2009 racing season, the month of October remains one of the biggest for drivers and fans alike. The month started out with the 24^th Annual Fulton 200, presented by SUNY Canton, one of the biggest events of the season, and an unofficial kick off to Super DIRT Week for many race teams, and fans.

The Fulton 200 weekend was scheduled to begin on Friday evening, as the MR. DIRTcar Sportsman series took center stage for the night. The Sportsman cars were accompanied by the IMCA Modifieds as well as the Street Stocks. Persistent rain most of the day Friday postponed this portion of the event until Sunday.

The rain moved out of the area by Saturday, and the 24^th running of this great race was set to take place. Over 80 cars signed into the pit area for this prestigious event. After 8 qualifying heat races, and 5 consolation races, the field was narrowed down to make up the 44-car feature event.

Matt Sheppard, Brett Hearn, Ryan Phelps, Pat Ward, Billy Decker, Dave Rauscher, Bobby Varin and Dale Planck were the heat race winners, and would redraw for the first 8 starting spots for the 200-lap event. Danny Johnson, A.J. Romano, Jimmy Phelps, Brad Alger and Alan Barker were the consolation race winners.

Dave Rauscher, from Waterloo, New York, one of the eight heat race winners on the evening, drew the pole position for the 200-lap event. Rauscher lined up alongside of Billy Decker, a multi time DIRTcar Champion, and past winner of the Fulton 200. Decker took the lead early, and held it through the majority of the first 100 laps. During the halfway break, the track crew did some major repairs on the race track, as the rain from the previous day, left the clay very soft, leading to a very rough racing surface.

As the cars entered the track for the beginning of the final 100 laps, Billy Decker resumed the lead with Dale Planck, Brett Hearn, Bobby Varin and Jimmy Phelps. The rough race track continued to play a huge role in the event, as attrition started take its toll on some of the front runners. First, it was Brett Hearn pulling off the track, and then later it was Dale Planck having to end his night early. Bobby Varin also had his troubles, but would later rebound for a solid finish.

With less than 50 laps remaining, Jimmy Phelps began to show some strength, as the 2008 Fulton Speedway champion began to use the outside of the track to his advantage, and then passed Decker for the lead on lap 161. Phelps began to pull away, masterfully navigating around the lapped traffic, lap after lap. Phelps appeared well on his way to a $20,000 pay day, until the lapped traffic started to play havoc on the race leader, holding Phelps up for several laps before the race leader slammed into the side of the lapped car, nearly costing him the race lead. While Phelps tried to regain his composure, a late race caution set up a two lap dash to the win and it was Billy Decker regaining the lead back as they came down for the final lap. Decker went on to collect the $20,000 payday, while Phelps had to settle for second.

“Jimmy was checked out, he was gone. If it wasn’t for that last caution we weren’t going to do anything”, says the race winner, Billy Decker.

Phelps went on to explain what happened with his car. “We had brake issues for the last 60 laps or so. We broke a right rear brake rotor and it was dangling around the axle tube. Fortunately, I had a line by myself, and I could run the thing without the brakes. Lapped traffic was just killing me. I apologize to Billy Dunn, I didn’t mean to hit him, I tried to get underneath and get the car rotated, but I just drilled him in the left rear. We are just lucky to be second as beat up as this car is.”

With Saturday’s race in the record books, there was some unfinished business left, as Sunday was the rain date for the Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman series, IMCA Modifieds and Street Stocks.

A total of 58 Sportsman cars signed into the pit area on Sunday afternoon. Heat race wins went to Timmy Sears Jr., Billy Clark, John Pietrowicz, Tom Juhl Jr., Greg Panunte and Alan Fink. Christine Martin, Mark Chiddy and Jipp Ortiz were the winners of the last chance qualifiers.

After 30 laps, it was Ryan Susice picking up his second Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman feature win, with current point leader Chris Raabe finishing second. Fulton Speedway regulars John Pietrowicz, Matt Hulsizer and Tom Juhl Jr. rounded out the top five spots.

Action heats up this week, as it’s the biggest week of the year for DIRT racing fans around the area. Super DIRT Week officially kicks off on Tuesday at the New York State Fairgrounds for tech inspection for the Big Block Modifieds. On track festivities begin on Wednesday as cars hit the track for practice, before heading up to Can Am Motorsports Park for the 358 Super DIRTcar Series event as well as a MR. DIRTcar Sportsman race.

Racing at the Fairgrounds continues on Thursday for more practice and Time Trials. The 358 Series continues Thursday night at the Brewerton Speedway.

Friday offers fans several opportunities to get their racing fix. Friday Morning, the New York State Fairgrounds hosts more practice and qualifying events for Big Block Modifieds, Small Block Modifieds, Sportsman and Pro Stocks, as well as a four car World of Outlaw exhibition race that will see a return of the Sprint cars to the mile long track, including a visit by the King of the Outlaws, Steve Kinser.

Friday night offers multiple choices for race fans, as the Sprint cars will be in action at the Cayuga County Fair Speedway, while just up the road, in Elbridge, New York, the 358 Modifieds resume their series racing, as well as a Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman.

Saturday the Small Block Modifieds and Sportsman battle it out at the most prestigious venue on the schedule. The New York State Fairgrounds, in Syracuse, New York will host a series race for both classes. On Saturday night, it is back to Elbridge, New York for the invasion of the World of Outlaw Sprint Cars.

On Sunday it’s the biggest DIRTcar race in the Northeast, the Rite Aid 200. 200 laps of racing at the mile long track. This race will be the 38^th annual event, and is the richest paying race on the schedule for big block Modifieds. $50,000 will go to the winner of the historic race.

Brockville Speedway remains closed for another week as Speedway prepares for their season ending DIRTcar Northeast Nationals on October 17^th and 18th. Saturday night, the Sportsman tour will be on the card, as well as the Sprint Cars and qualifying for the 358 Modified Super DIRTcar Series. Sunday, the 100-lap 358 Modified series race will be decided, and the Pro Stocks and Street Stocks will join them on the schedule. Saturday night, the Kirkland’s family owned track will also host the Fall Fest Party, which will include a BBQ, Live Band, and Bon Fire.

That is all for this week. Thanks for reading. All comments can be sent to crevelle@ripnet.com

Photo Attachment - Billy Decker and Car Owner/Track Owner John Wight in Victory Lane at Fulton Speedway - Rick Young Photo

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