BURNELL TAKES 1ST AFTER SMITH DQ'D IN FULTON MR. DIRTcar STREET STOCK SERIES MAIN

Fulton, NY – September 28, 2007 – By Dave Medler, DIRTcar NorthEast Reporter

As Friday night turned into Saturday morning, Kevin Smith out of Stanley, NY outlasted the weather and over sixty Street Stocks to claim the 30-lap victory as part of Fulton Speedway’s "Victoria" Weekend. Smith outran fellow Canandaigua Speedway regular Frank Burnell Jr. to capture the apparent victory in the rain-delayed Caprara Bros. Outdoor Toy Store Mr. DIRTcar Street Stock Super Series program.

"This car was awesome tonight, it was perfect," Smith said from Victory Lane. "I could put the car anywhere I wanted, it was fast."

Gary Barton and Steve Reinhardt led the field down to start the 30-lap main. Fulton regular Barton grabbed the lead as the field exited turn two with Reinhardt right on the back bumper of Barton applying early pressure. Just as Reinhardt started to move around Barton the first yellow flag of the race waved on lap two to slow down the field.

On the restart Reinhardt once again found bite and was able to pull even with Barton with Kevin Smith right there ready to capitalize on any mistakes by the top two. Harold Humphrey and Mike Schultz were also right in the mix for the top spot.

On lap four the yellow flew for a spinning Adam Guilds and during the same caution period Series points leader Scott Smith had a tire go down and headed pit side. Smith would get the tire changed and rejoin the race without losing a lap.

On the restart the yellow would fly once again for a multi-cat tangle in turn one. Another top runner would head pit side, this time it was four-time Series race winner Adam DePuy. Like Smith, DePuy was able to rejoin the field.

As the race finally got up to speed, Barton still led while Kevin Smith moved up to second and closed in on Barton trying every move in the book to get around for the lead. While the battle for the top spot was going on, 23^rd starting Frank Burnell Jr moved into the top-five and would be a factor in the end.

On lap 10 Barton suddenly slowed and headed to the pits with a flat tire ending his chances for victory. Just before the halfway point, Smith held the top spot and was now getting challenged by Phil Marsden and Burnell as the trio ran side by side and nose to tail. Just when the battle was heating up, yellow lights appeared around the speedway on lap 15.

On the restart Smith got the jump on Marsden and Burnell, then opened a 10 car-length lead on the field. Mike Welch and Mike Schultz now joined the battle for the top spots before the final yellow flew on lap 19 to set up a 11-lap dash to the finish.

The top-three once again set the pace with Smith holding a few car-lengths advantage over Marsden and Burnell. Just when it looked like Smith would cruise the rest of the way, Marsden closed the gap and made a move for the lead. While Marsden was looking for the top spot, Burnell found some late race speed and moved around Marsden into second-place.

With five laps still to go, Burnell tried to use his experience of winning this race in ‘05 to grab the lead from Smith but to no avail. Smith was able to hold on for his first ever Victoria weekend victory. Burnell, Marsden, Ron Hawker and Mike Welch rounded out the top-five. Dave Mannise, Steve Crouse, Mike Schultz, Steve Reinhardt and Adam DePuy completed the top ten.

In the customary post-race inspection, initial winner Smith was penalized for a major motor infraction, thus losing all points and first-place money. As a result of Smith’s disqualification, the win was officially awarded to Frank Burnell.

Round number 11 in the 12-race Mr. DIRTcar Street Stock Super Series presented by Caprara Bros. Outdoor Toy Store opens up the final month of competition with a Super DIRT Week special at Cayuga County held on October 5 before the 2007 champion is crowned after the season finale at Black Rock on Oct. 20.

Caprara Bros. Outdoor Toy Store Mr. DIRTcar Street Stock Super Series Race #10 – Fulton Speedway, September 28, 2007 Victoria 30 Championship Event Summary

FEATURE (30-Laps) – FRANK BURNELL JR., Phil Marsden, Ron Hawker, Mike Welch, Dave Mannise, Steve Crouse, Mike Schultz, Steve Reinhardt, Adam DePuy, Dave Marcuccilli, Scott Smith, Steve Woodworth, Adam Guilds, Harold Humphrey, Ryan Wadforth, Shawn Letts, Frank Hyatt, Kurt Decker, Nick Rizzo, Gary Barton, Darl Ellis, Jim Wallace, Blaine Smith, Nathan Peckham, Darryl Krebs, Quentin Burton, Dan Hoffman Sr, Kevin Smith (DSQ).

Cautions: 4 (lap 2, lap 4, lap 15, lap 19)

HEAT WINNERS: Gary Barton, Steve Reinhardt, Kevin Smith, Harold Humphrey, Darryl Krebs, Mike Schultz.

CONSI WINNERS: Scott Smith, Nick Rizzo, Steve Crouse.

2007 MR. DIRTcar STREET STOCK SUPER SERIES SCHEDULE (12)
DAY-DATE    TRACK (LAPS)                                            LOCATION/WINNER

Sat-Apr 13     Black Rock Speedway (30)                        Adam DePuy

Thr-Jul 5        Cayuga County Fair Speedway (30)        Adam DePuy

Sat-Jul 21      Can-Am Motorsports Park (25)                  Nick Rizzo

Sun-July 22  Rolling Wheels Raceway (25)                   Scott Smith

Sat-July 28    Canandaigua Speedway (25)                   Mike Welch              

Fri-Aug 24     Brewerton Speedway (20)                          Nathan Peckham   

Mon-Sep 3    Rolling Wheels Raceway (20)                   Adam DePuy

Sat-Sep 15    Canandaigua Speedway (25)                   Adam DePuy

Fri-Sep 21     Rolling Wheels Raceway (25)                   Mike Welch

Fri-Sep 28     Fulton Speedway (30)                                Frank Burnell Jr.                

Fri-Oct 5         Cayuga County Fair Speedway                Weedsport, NY

Sat-Oct 20     Black Rock Speedway                                Dundee, NY

*All events subject to change.

The Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Advance Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tire and Sunoco Race Fuels. Promotional partners include AMB i.t., F.X. Caprara Car Companies, Rite Aid Corporation and the University of Northwestern Ohio and the contingency sponsors are Bert Transmission, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Integra Shocks, MSD Ignitions, Miller Electric Manufacturing Company, Motorsports Safety Systems, Penske Shocks and Wrisco Industries.