Return To Eldora Highlights Solid 2006 Advance Auto Parts Modified Series

By DIRT MotorSports PR

WEEDSPORT, N.Y. (January 15) – Highlighted by a return trip to Eldora Speedway over the summer, the 2006 Advance Auto Parts Modified Super DIRT Series schedule boasts one of the most expansive efforts put forth by DIRT MotorSports NorthEast officials in the new millennium. The Advance Auto Parts SDS remains a major component of the overall Hoosier Tire-Sunoco Race Fuels Mr. DIRT Modified Championship, which continues to be recognized as one of the most prestigious titles a driver can hold in auto racing today.

"The addition of Eldora makes the Advance Auto Parts Series even more attractive and its already got our teams and race fans excited for the start of the season up north," said Tonya Moschell, DIRT MotorSports NorthEast General Manager. "We had great runs the last two times there and it's hard not to expect more of the same when our top touring stars make another visit in August."

With the 31st Mr. DIRT Championship at stake, the 2006 edition of the Advance Auto Parts Modified Super DIRT Series will now be contested at 19 tracks throughout New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Ohio, along with the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Twenty-seven scheduled tour events will carry valuable points counting directly towards the coveted title, with the champion crowned after eight months of ground-pounding short-track activity.

"Track promoters have really stepped up to the plate this year to give teams more high-paying events to run and offer fans more chances to see their favorite drivers around
the entire circuit," Moschell added. "There's a good mix of new events combined with standard stops to entice even more fans in the Northeast to be part of our big show."

The tour opens for a second straight year with the Advance Auto Parts Florida Tour four-race mini-series at Volusia Speedway Park in February, with points awarded only towards the 35th Winter Nationals Championship. Farther north, Hagerstown is once again set to kick off the big-block points chase in late March. The traditional New York State lid-lifter is the 26th Annual DIRT Challenge Cup at Rolling Wheels in May while the DIRT Hall of Fame Classic fills out the festive Memorial Day Weekend card at DIRT NorthEast's hub in Cayuga County.

Making a return to the AAP Super DIRT Series line-up for the first time since Brett Hearn captured the 1998 special, Susquehanna is back on the schedule and paired with Lernerville in mid-June to comprise the initial tour doubleheader of the season in Pennsylvania. The first month of summer closes out in the Empire State with a second twin-bill hosted by Fulton in Central New York and Ransomville out west.

The Independence Day holiday leads off with the 37th Annual 'Firecracker 100' at Rolling Wheels followed on the Fourth of July by the big-block tour debut at Paul Kirkland's Brockville Ontario Speedway. The Canadian swing continues north of the border the second weekend in July with the popular Cornwall/Drummond double dip. Final Advance Auto Parts SDS events of the month run back-to-back at Grandview and Orange County, which will mark the 40th tour stop at the historic Middletown hard clay oval after a one-year layoff.

August action begins with a return engagement at the nationally acclaimed Eldora oval now owned by reigning Nextel Cup Champion Tony Stewart, who also owns one DIRT Modified victory at Lebanon Valley in the small-block ranks. Under the direction of legendary track owner Earl Baltes, Brett Hearn (2002) and Danny Johnson (2003) scored thrilling victories in the two Advance Auto Parts specials held at the highly regarded Western Ohio speedplant. Fast time trialer Hearn pitted prior to the halfway mark then charged back to overtake Bob McCreadie on lap 90 and cruise home for a dramatic victory in DIRT NorthEast's debut. The following season Johnson overtook rookie teammate Matt Sheppard with 14 laps left to triumph in the second Eldora Fall DIRT Big-Block 100.

Merrittville follows up Eldora with the first big-block event staged since 1992 as the Thorold, Ont. oval continues in celebration of its 55th successive season of operation. That same year Niagara Frontier favorite Ron Smoker pulled off a last turn-last lap pass of perennial power Hearn to win the dramatic Modified main event.

With Nextel Cup competitors in town at nearby Watkins Glen, Canandaigua hosts DIRT NorthEast's premier traveling tour the second Thursday in August. Consecutive mid-week appearances by AAP Super DIRT Series racers are slated for New Egypt in New Jersey and Brewerton back in New York to close out the final full month of summer.

Another traditional DIRT doubleheader arrives on the extended Labor Day Weekend with the 33rd Northeast 100 at Cayuga County piggy-backed by the 35th Petrocci Memorial at Rolling Wheels on Monday. The first post-regular season 200-lapper is scheduled at Lebanon Valley with double century grinds closing out the '06 open-wheel campaign at Rolling Wheels, Fulton, Syracuse and Orange County, where the champion will be declared during the 45th running of the Eastern States 200. Also in the autumn mix midway through September and October are 100-lappers at Canandaigua and Williams Grove.

Further additions to the big-block agenda are still pending at this time although the complete 2006 Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series is expected to be posted prior to the end of January.