RGeeProductions
03-16-2014, 10:41 PM
Dirt Modifieds on Mahoning Valley Speedsway pavement have become a distinctive and exciting class
When former Mahoning Valley Speedway promoter Doug Hoffman came up with the idea to run dirt Modifieds on pavement as a weekly class it was met with some uncertainty. The cars had to run an all dirt track setup including the tires. However, once the cars got on track all doubts where quickly cast away as the racing became far more exciting than anyone could have imagined.
The original idea stemmed from a special year end show in 2005. It was well attended with a very respectable car count that numbered in the 30’s. The 50-lap feature was competitive throughout and Hoffman, who came from mid-pack, emerged as the winner.
“Actually that was a great test to how the dirt cars would work on an asphalt race track in dirt trim, pretty much the way they came off a dirt track, including dirt tires and what we learned from that show is dirt tires work fine on the blacktop and when you get those cars handling they become real comfortable to drive,” said Hoffman from 2009 when he incorporated the division at Mahoning Valley.
Five years after Hoffman’s foresight, the class has come into its own and 2013 was by far the most competitive to date. When Ricky Ross Jr., won the season ending Octoberfast 60 lap main he became the ninth different winner on the year which set a new single season record.
Meanwhile Jeff Parker and Ricky Yetter dueled right down to the wire for the track crown. They ended in a tie with Parker claiming the championship by virtue of a tiebreaker per more feature wins.
Aleia Geisler, JP Curry, Mike Stofflet, Dave Thomas, Kris Graver and Mark Levy all went to Victory Lane as well while a handful of others showed their merit including Dave Gorbatuk, Ray Deemer, Mark Martini and Billy Lowden Jr. Close racing and close finishes was the norm which made the Dirt Modified class of ’13 one to remember and a hard act to follow.
That should not be too much of a worry. Most of those drivers have committed to return with a number of others on the way.
“It’s a great class and every week was tough. We have a diverse group of drivers with some guys who have run dirt and some who never did so it all made for some exciting racing. You really have to get up on the wheel and go once the green drops,” said Parker.
“From what I’m hearing there will be most of all the same guys from last year and a number of new guys as well and I’m sure the heat will be turned up on everyone.”
And since Floyd Santee assumed the promotional reigns of the popular ¼-mile paved oval in Lehighton two years ago he has made every effort to build on Hoffman’s notion. Purse money was added last year based on car count and when he offered $3000 to win the Octoberfast race he was rewarded with 31 entries which was the most since the inaugural race in 2005.
“I feel that the money he (Santee) is paying and as a racer and a car owner knowing the amount of work that goes in the car, for the amount of money we’re racing for on asphalt, you don’t have to put as much in maintenance-wise as compared to dirt and that makes it a lot better for me and everyone else,” noted Parker.
So how do you one-up a year like 2013? Additional bigger paying races starting with Opening Night’s 40-lap feature paying $1000 to win. On June 14 the first place prize will be $1200 and 50 laps the distance while the Octoberfast 60 on October 26 will once again reward the victor with a yet to be announced hefty payout.
When Hoffman brought the dirt Modifieds to Mahoning one of his key thoughts was to give smaller funded teams a chance to race more often and not be burdened with cost. With the open rules and not having to rely as much on horsepower it gave the lesser financed racer the opportunity to get on track more often.
“I’ve talked to Dale and Tim Santee over the winter about the rules and feel they are really trying to keep it where the class is going to grow. Some other tracks are trying to add different rules and that excludes you to one track. Mahoning is doing a good job of trying to keep the average guy with the average race car can come in and be competitive and has a chance to win,” said Parker.
“I’m competitive every week and so is everyone else. The dirt cars at Mahoning Valley have become a great compliment to the program they offer.”
The 2014 season will get underway with Test and Tune days on March 22, 29 and April 5-6. Opening Night is slated for April 12 at 6:00 pm and will feature a 100 lap $4000 to win main for Modifieds, 50 lapper $1200 to win for Late Models, a $1000 to win 40 lap run for Dirt Mods, 50 laps and $1000 for the Street Stocks plus regular features for the Pro 4s and Hobby Stocks.
Mahoning Valley Speedway is located on PA route 443, two miles west of Lehighton. Additional info can be found on the track’s website at www.mahoningvalley-speedway.com Also on Facebook at Mahoning Valley Speedway.
Dino Oberto
When former Mahoning Valley Speedway promoter Doug Hoffman came up with the idea to run dirt Modifieds on pavement as a weekly class it was met with some uncertainty. The cars had to run an all dirt track setup including the tires. However, once the cars got on track all doubts where quickly cast away as the racing became far more exciting than anyone could have imagined.
The original idea stemmed from a special year end show in 2005. It was well attended with a very respectable car count that numbered in the 30’s. The 50-lap feature was competitive throughout and Hoffman, who came from mid-pack, emerged as the winner.
“Actually that was a great test to how the dirt cars would work on an asphalt race track in dirt trim, pretty much the way they came off a dirt track, including dirt tires and what we learned from that show is dirt tires work fine on the blacktop and when you get those cars handling they become real comfortable to drive,” said Hoffman from 2009 when he incorporated the division at Mahoning Valley.
Five years after Hoffman’s foresight, the class has come into its own and 2013 was by far the most competitive to date. When Ricky Ross Jr., won the season ending Octoberfast 60 lap main he became the ninth different winner on the year which set a new single season record.
Meanwhile Jeff Parker and Ricky Yetter dueled right down to the wire for the track crown. They ended in a tie with Parker claiming the championship by virtue of a tiebreaker per more feature wins.
Aleia Geisler, JP Curry, Mike Stofflet, Dave Thomas, Kris Graver and Mark Levy all went to Victory Lane as well while a handful of others showed their merit including Dave Gorbatuk, Ray Deemer, Mark Martini and Billy Lowden Jr. Close racing and close finishes was the norm which made the Dirt Modified class of ’13 one to remember and a hard act to follow.
That should not be too much of a worry. Most of those drivers have committed to return with a number of others on the way.
“It’s a great class and every week was tough. We have a diverse group of drivers with some guys who have run dirt and some who never did so it all made for some exciting racing. You really have to get up on the wheel and go once the green drops,” said Parker.
“From what I’m hearing there will be most of all the same guys from last year and a number of new guys as well and I’m sure the heat will be turned up on everyone.”
And since Floyd Santee assumed the promotional reigns of the popular ¼-mile paved oval in Lehighton two years ago he has made every effort to build on Hoffman’s notion. Purse money was added last year based on car count and when he offered $3000 to win the Octoberfast race he was rewarded with 31 entries which was the most since the inaugural race in 2005.
“I feel that the money he (Santee) is paying and as a racer and a car owner knowing the amount of work that goes in the car, for the amount of money we’re racing for on asphalt, you don’t have to put as much in maintenance-wise as compared to dirt and that makes it a lot better for me and everyone else,” noted Parker.
So how do you one-up a year like 2013? Additional bigger paying races starting with Opening Night’s 40-lap feature paying $1000 to win. On June 14 the first place prize will be $1200 and 50 laps the distance while the Octoberfast 60 on October 26 will once again reward the victor with a yet to be announced hefty payout.
When Hoffman brought the dirt Modifieds to Mahoning one of his key thoughts was to give smaller funded teams a chance to race more often and not be burdened with cost. With the open rules and not having to rely as much on horsepower it gave the lesser financed racer the opportunity to get on track more often.
“I’ve talked to Dale and Tim Santee over the winter about the rules and feel they are really trying to keep it where the class is going to grow. Some other tracks are trying to add different rules and that excludes you to one track. Mahoning is doing a good job of trying to keep the average guy with the average race car can come in and be competitive and has a chance to win,” said Parker.
“I’m competitive every week and so is everyone else. The dirt cars at Mahoning Valley have become a great compliment to the program they offer.”
The 2014 season will get underway with Test and Tune days on March 22, 29 and April 5-6. Opening Night is slated for April 12 at 6:00 pm and will feature a 100 lap $4000 to win main for Modifieds, 50 lapper $1200 to win for Late Models, a $1000 to win 40 lap run for Dirt Mods, 50 laps and $1000 for the Street Stocks plus regular features for the Pro 4s and Hobby Stocks.
Mahoning Valley Speedway is located on PA route 443, two miles west of Lehighton. Additional info can be found on the track’s website at www.mahoningvalley-speedway.com Also on Facebook at Mahoning Valley Speedway.
Dino Oberto