Canandaigua, NY � September 18, 2009 � By Dave Medler, DIRTcar Racing Northeast Series
CorrespondentFriday night Canandaigua Speedway played host to a pair of Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Series 33 lap features. Jipp Ortiz and recently crowned track points champion Ryan Susice found themselves in victory lane, with Ortiz holding off Steve Gray to win by less than a half a car-length in round one, while Susice dominated that night cap winning by four seconds over defending Mr. DIRTcar Chris Raabe.
Ortiz outran front row partner Dave Marcuccilli to lead the opening lap of the "Land Of Legends 33" that was rain-delayed from July 21. The first yellow of the race flew on lap two for a multi-car tangle exiting in turn four.
Entering the event as the tour point leader. Greg Panunte sat at the top of turn four when it looked like all the cars would get by him. All that changed in a blink of an eye as Tom Keyes drilled the No.99p Bicknell. Panunte was somehow able to drive pit side for quick repairs, although his car was never the same as he headed to the pits late in the event.
When the green came back out, Ortiz still led with Marcuccilli and Justin Henderson giving chase. With five laps in the books Ortiz and Marcuccilli ran nose to tail with Ryan Susice who had closed in on the top two, while Henderson and Luke Whitteker showed in the top-five.
By lap 10 Ortiz still ran the bottom side and opened a 10 car-length lead as Susice and Marcuccilli ran side-by-side for second. Henderson and Whittteker were still a distant fourth and fifth.
A slowing Mark Chiddy in turn two brought out a caution period on lap 16. Just before the yellow, Susice had cut down Ortiz’s lead from three seconds to less than one, yet  on the ensuing restart Ortiz pulled away once again to build up more than a second lead as he continued to widen his strangle hold on the field.
With 20 laps showing on the scoreboard Ortiz ran almost a full straightaway ahead. Susice and Chris Raabe were in a tight fight for second as Steve Gray and Marcuccilli ran fourth and fifth. A quick yellow waved on lap 25, once again erasing the lead Ortiz built up of 2.5 seconds.
Before the field could get back up to speed the yellow quickly appeared again on lap 25 for a five-car tangle in turn four. All cars continued except for Matt Billings and Randy McCulloch, who was towed to the pits.
This time when the green came back out Ortiz didn’t pull away as Raabe moved into the runner-up slot and kept pace with the leader.
A late-race yellow dropped on lap 32 setting up a final shootout. Gray, who started 17th, was able to find bite on the top of the speedway, pulling even with Ortiz as the two drag-raced to the finish out of turn four. Ortiz held on for the win by less than a car-length over Gray as Raabe, Marcuccilli and Dan Wiesner rounded out the front-five.
"They sure made it exciting out there tonight," said Ortiz, after exiting his Pizza Logs no.0 Bicknell entry. "I was a little loose and the track was a little funny out there for me. I don’t run here as much as I’d like to but I really consider this my home track. This was a tough win for us."
When asked about a run at Syracuse in October, Ortiz said he wants to concentrate more on the tour and will put Kevin Wills in his car for Super DIRT Week. "I haven’t decided yet if I’m going to run, it’s a real brain drain. We’ll see how I’m doing, we still have a lot of tour races to go."
In the 33-lap nightcap, track champ Susice took advantage of a front row starting spot, blasting into the lead at the drop of the green and easily opening up a lead on the rest of the field. Alan Fink and Daryl Hilkert both went around front row starter Loren Lincoln to join in the early chase.
The first caution flew on lap four as Rob Bussey spun in turn four but would continue. With the field back up to speed, Susice once again pulled away from the pack as 10th-place starting Raabe moved into second. With 10 laps in Susice opened a two-second lead over Raabe as the rest of the field fought for positions.
At the halfway point Susice was easily slicing through lapped traffic as he built up a half straightaway lead over Rabbe. Gray moved into third with Hilkert and Fink running in the top-five.
When the starter gave the 10 to go sign and still no yellows, Susice was on cruise control a full straightaway out front leaving Raabe, Gray, Hilkert and Wiesner to settle in for top finishes.
Over the final laps and no yellows to tighten up the field, Susice was the first under the checkers four seconds ahead of runner-up Raabe with Gray, Hilkert and Wiesner remaining in order to complete the front-five.
"All night long we have had carburetor problems,” Susice remarked in victory lane alongside his Investors Service Company,no. 38s Bicknell machine. “The thing was missing and I was just not very good. But we got it fixed and changed the gears right before the feature. I’ve never had a car turn so good here. If it wasn’t for my crew I wouldn’t go this good so I really have to thank them."
Susice also wanted to apologize to Greg Panunte for the accident in the first feature. He said it was just a racing deal as he said Panunte saw him under him and neither was going to lift. He finished by saying he wouldn’t intentionally take out anyone.
Top Hoosier-VP Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman Series point chasers return to action tomorrow at Genesee Speedway for round #12 of the 2009 champ trail. 

CANANDAIGUA, NY… Two time and defending BRP CanAm 360 Late Model Champion Jeff Chesebro found himself in victory lane at the Land of Legends when all was said and done in the 30 lap feature event. 31 competitors pulled into the Ontario County Fairgrounds and 26 made the feature call but before the heats were even on the racetrack three cars had difficulties including Neil Patterson who lost the handle of his racer in turn one and wound up on top of the turn one barrier. Neil was ok but the same could not have been said for the car.
Chesebro and “Mr. Excitement” Jeremy Wonderling led the field to the green flag with Chesebro getting his Cheez's Perf Exhaust-Three Miles Holsteins/GRT Monte Carlo/GM by Repine machine infront of the field and pulled out to early advantage. The first yellow of the night happened on lap two when Nate Daggett, Quinn Sutherland, Rich Karlnowski and Brian Hoffman came together in turn four. All were able to continue except for Daggett and Hoffman. Hoffman qualified for his first A-Main in only his second start on the tour via winning the B-Main and was up on cloud 9 but reality came striking down when Hoffman was riding on the back of the tow truck to the pit area.
When racing resumed Chesbro continued to pull away but the field would real him back in when Brian Kotarski slowed on the top of turn two after hitting the guardrail.
The car on a mission once racing resumed was four time race winner and current points leader Steve Dixon. Dixon started 12th and was working his way through the stout field and was involved in a great three car battle for several laps with recent high school graduate Bryce Davis and former Canandaigua Speedway Mr. DIRTcar Pro Stock Champion Jason Boyle.
Lap cars became a factor in the event when Chesebro came up on a slower Chris Peacock, Wonderling came right on Chesebro’s rear nerf bar. Wonderling would have one more crack at Chesbro after a lap 24 restart but Dixon got around Wonderling but ran out of time and real estate as Chesbro would lead all 30 laps to pick up his first series win in 2009 and also becoming the fifth different winner at the Land of Legends in series history including Jason Dupont, Paul Grisby, Scooter Pangrazio and Steve Dixon. With the win, Chesebro now has 10 total wins on the BRP CanAm 360 tour.
Steve Dixon would take home the runner up spot with Wonderling fading back to third. Davis and Jon Rivers would complete the top five with Boyle, Larry Knowles, Dave DuBois, JJ Mazur and Wayne Robertson completed the top 10.

Quick Results
Sportsman Modifieds Holdover 33 laps: (1) Jipp Ortiz, (2) Steve Gray, (3) Chris Raabe, (4) Dave Marcuccilli, (5) Dan Wiesner, (6) Ryan Susice, (7) Luke Whitteker, (8) Justin Henderson, (9) Justin Wright, (10) Rob Bussey, (11) AJ Lewis, (12) Eric Gugiere, (13) Adam Turner, (14) Loren Lincoln, (15) BJ Willard, (16) Gary Hotaling, (17) Kane Bristol, (18) Sammy Reakes IV, (19) Nick Guererri, (20) Matt Billings, (21) Randy MCCullock, (22) Greg Panunte, (23) Mark Chiddy, (24) Donnie Lawson, (25) Alan Fink, (26) Darryl Hilkert, (27) Tom Keyes
Street Stocks: (1) Andy Fisk, (2) Mike Welch, (3) Mike Rasbeck, (4) Chris Fisher, (5) #14, (6) Dave Mannise, (7) Nick Rizzo, (8) Leroy Lewis, (9) #99, (10) Bubba Burnell, (11) Bryan Faulkner, (12) #83, (13) Nate Peckham
Pure Stox: (1) Marc Minutolo (2) Floyd Bush, (3) Mike Minutolo, (4) Ross Lurcock, (5) Eric Chapman, (6) #88
Sportsman Modifieds Feature #2 33 laps: (1) Ryan Susice, (2) Chris Raabe, (3) Steve Gray, (4) Darryl Hilkert, (5) Dan Wiesner, (6) Jipp Ortiz, (7) Alan Fink, (8) Loren Lincoln, (9) Justin Wright, (10) Tom Juhl, (11) Justin Henderson, (12) Sammy Reakes IV, (13) Eric Gugiere, (14) Matt Hulsizer, (15) AJ Lewis, (16) Mark Chiddy, (17) BJ Willard, (18) Luke Whitteker, (19) Greg Cool, (20) Rob Bussey, (21) Adam Turner, (22) Bob Buono, (23) Rob Mullen, (24) Tom Keyes, (25) Dave Marcuccilli, (26) Randy McCullock, (27) Rob Humphreys, (28) Donnie Lawson, (29) Nick Guererri
BRP Late Models 30 laps: (1) Jeff Chesebro, (2) Steve Dixon, (3) Jeremy Wonderling, (4) Bryce Davis, (5) Jon Rivers, (6) Jason Boyle, (7) Larry Knowles, (8) Dave DuBois, (9) Josh Smith, (10) Wayne Robertson, (11) Greg Galligan, (12) Mike Wonderling, (13) Tracey Rhoads, (14) Brian Knowles, (15) Jim Johnson, (16) Quinn Sutherland, (17) Bob Bartlett, (18) Rich Karlnoski, (19) Butch Rhoades, (20) Chris Peacock, (21) Scooter Pangrazio, (22) Brian Kotarski, (23) John Waters, (24) Brian Hoffman, (25) Nate Daggett, (26) Dale Welty

Weedsport, NY � Saturday night at Canandaigua Speedway opened up to clear skies and a bevy of fans ready to watch championship racing as the final night of regular season racing kicked off.
Street Stocks
Here comes Bubba!!! As the final moments of regular season racing ticked away, Bubba Burnell aboard his #57b Monte Carlo found his way to the top for the second consecutive weekend at Canandaigua Speedway. Lap 6 of the 20 lap feature was nothing short of exhilarating as Bubba exchange his fourth place spot for first passing Andy Fisk, Wayne Ellison, and then Leroy Lewis. Top Five: Bubba Burnell, Leroy Lewis, Andy Fisk, Wayne Ellison, and Nate Peckham
Despite Saturday night’s win at Canandaigua Speedway, Burnell wouldn’t have enough points left in the tank to beat out friend, competitor and now six time track champion Mike Welch, as the #00 driver would have to end his story book season in the cock pit of his team mate’s car after a hiccup during heat action left him car less. Pure Stox
As the green flag dropped on Pure Stox racing Saturday night, the trio of Corey Hunt, Alex Morris, and Marc Minutolo would all be in contention for championship standing but as the feature quickly developed it appeared the battle would come down to Minutolo and Morris for bragging rights.
From fourth to first, Minutolo worked up the pack gaining the lead spot from Hunt by the completion of the opening lap. Hunt would continue to fall back in the ranks thanks to an encounter with the #15 of Andrew Smith, sending the current points leader to the back of the field and out of championship contention. From there, it was all Minutolo as the #25b landed in victory lane but a third place finish from Alex Morris was all the #36 needed to secure his first track championship at Canandaigua Speedway. Top Five: Marc Minutolo, Ross Lurcock, Alex Morris, Andrew Smith, and Roger Bush.
Pro stocks
The Pro Stock division ended its run at Canandaigua Speedway with another commanding performance from Pete Stefanski as the veteran made some well improved changes to the rig, sending him into victory lane yet again.
Stefanski would steal the lead away from Jack Terrell on lap four and never look back as the veteran put a sizeable lead between himself and the remaining field. As the checkered flag waved, Stefanski had racked up a full five second lead as Allen Peters and Terrell rounded out the top three. Top Five: Pete Stefanski, Allen Peters, Jack Terrell, John Zimmerman, and Butch Zimmerman
Sportsman Modifieds
With three drivers in contention of the track title it seemed like the 25-lap Sportsman feature would be full of action but as the green flag fell, there was only one man who ranked a head of the class…
Justin Henderson rocketed past Randy McCullough to take the lead away from the polesitter in a matter of seconds and from there, it was shear power as the #18h showed clear domination of the half-mile track. And as competitors continued to struggle throughout the night with a handful of caution in the opening circuits of action, Henderson continued to lead with ease, putting space between himself and Rob Bussey currently running in second.
As the circuits continued to fall, Henderson maintained a half straightaway lead over Bussey and now the #38k of current points leader Ryan Susice. Bussey would soon concede to Susice’s ride but Henderson would fair too much for the Ransomville native as the #18h would set up shop in the winner’s circle. Susice finished the night off with a second place finish and track championship… not a bad night for the young gun. Top Five: Justin Henderson, Ryan Susice, Rob Bussey, Loren Lincoln, and Mark Chiddy.
Big Block Modified
In what could be considered an almost perfect season for the Xtreme Lubricants team, Matt Sheppard captured yet another victory at Canandaigua Speedway, locking in his second track championship for the Big Block Modified division. Just one night after capturing Brewerton Speedway’s track championship, Sheppard climbed aboard his #9s modified with the intention of doing the same at Canandaigua.
All eyes were on “Superman” Matt Sheppard as he took to green flag action in the eleventh spot as Brian Swarthout beat out Paul Habeck for the top spot. And as the laps begin to fall, Sheppard began working his way up the ranks… lap 4 � Sheppard takes sixth… lap 6 � Sheppard cracks the top five, now fourth by lap 7.
Two laps later, the number 9 would come into effect yet again in this story book season as Sheppard blasted by Swarthout in his #9s modified for the lead, securing another night in the winner’s circle but this Saturday night, the Waterloo native would have a little bit more to cheer about as he brings home another Big Block Modified track title! Top Five: Matt Sheppard, Steve Paine, Gary Tomkins, Chad Homan, and Justin Haers.
Results
Big Block Modifieds: (1) Matt Sheppard, (2) Steve Paine, (3) Gary Tomkins, (4) Chad Homan, (5) Justin Haers, (6) Rob Bellinger, (7) Derrick Podsiadlo, (8) Brian Swarthout, (9) Dave Rauscher, (10) Eldon Payne Jr, (11) Paul Guererri, (12) Rich Scagliotta, (13) Paul Habeck, (14) Mike Ward, (15) Roger Chrysler, (16) Charlie Donk, (17) Ron Cartwright, (18) Don Slover, (19) Glenn Peters
Sportsman Modifieds: (1) Justin Henderson, (2) Ryan Susice, (3) Rob Bussey, (4) Loren Lincoln, (5) Mark Chiddy, (6) Anthony Rizzardo, (7) Eric Gugiere, (8) Dan Wiesner, (9) Greg Cool, (10) Randy McCulloch, (11) AJ Lewis, (12) Gary Hoteling, (13) Darryl Hilkert, (14) Nick Guererri, (15) Tom Keyes, (16) Steve Paserak, (17) Greg Birosh, (18) Kane Bristol, (19) Joe Cook Jr, (20) Mike DeMaille, (21) Steve Gray, (22) Tom Jansch
Pro Stocks: (1) Pete Stefanski, (2) Alan Peters, (3) Jack Terrell, (4) John Zimmerman, (5) Butch Zimmerman, (6) Byron DeWitt, (7) Mike Rasbeck, (8) Scott Stolzenberg, (9) Ron Richter, (10) Andrew Northrup, (11) Mike Martin
Street Stocks: (1) Bubba Burnell, (2) Leroy Lewis, (3) Andy Fisk, (4) Wayne Ellison, (5) Nate Peckham, (6) Chris Fisher, (7) Mike Welch
Pure Stox: Top Five: (1) Marc Minutolo, (2) Ross Lurcock, (3) Alex Morris, (4) Andrew Smith, (5) Roger Bush 

Quick Results
Big Block Modifieds: (1) Matt Sheppard, (2) Steve Paine, (3) Gary Tomkins, (4) Chad Homan, (5) Justin Haers, (6) Rob Bellinger, (7) Derrick Podsiadlo, (8) Brian Swarthout, (9) Dave Rauscher, (10) Eldon Payne Jr, (11) Paul Guererri, (12) Rich Scagliotta, (13) Paul Habeck, (14) Mike Ward, (15) Roger Chrysler, (16) Charlie Donk, (17) Ron Cartwright, (18) Don Slover, (19) Glenn Peters
Sportsman Modifieds: (1) Justin Henderson, (2) Ryan Susice, (3) Rob Bussey, (4) Loren Lincoln, (5) Mark Chiddy, (6) Anthony Rizzardo, (7) Eric Gugiere, (8) Dan Wiesner, (9) Greg Cool, (10) Randy McCulloch, (11) AJ Lewis, (12) Gary Hoteling, (13) Darryl Hilkert, (14) Nick Guererri, (15) Tom Keyes, (16) Steve Paserak, (17) Greg Birosh, (18) Kane Bristol, (19) Joe Cook Jr, (20) Mike DeMaille, (21) Steve Gray, (22) Tom Jansch
Pro Stocks: (1) Pete Stefanski, (2) Alan Peters, (3) Jack Terrell, (4) John Zimmerman, (5) Butch Zimmerman, (6) Byron DeWitt, (7) Mike Rasbeck, (8) Scott Stolzenberg, (9) Ron Richter, (10) Andrew Northrup, (11) Mike Martin
Street Stocks: (1) Bubba Burnell, (2) Leroy Lewis, (3) Andy Fisk, (4) Wayne Ellison, (5) Nate Peckham, (6) Chris Fisher, (7) Mike Welch
Pure Stox: Top Five: (1) Marc Minutolo, (2) Ross Lurcock, (3) Alex Morris, (4) Andrew Smith, (5) Roger Bush