Published: July 17, 2008 08:52 pm            

INSIDE TRACK: Ransomville’s Erick Rudolph has car problems

LOCKPORT — Mechanical problems took Ransomville’s Erick Rudolph out of last Saturday’s NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour 100-lap feature at Spencer Speedway as the Lockport DeLange Racing Team finished 24th.

Thirty-one modifieds were in the pits as two 25-lap qualifying heat races would determine the starting order. Rudolph was among the fastest cars in practice and lined up the No. 45 modified on the pole in the second heat race.

On the original start, Rudolph was black-flagged by officials for a procedural offense and assessed a penalty that put him at the rear of the field.

He failed to qualify for the feature but would be placed dead last on the 31-car starting grid for the Mason Farms 100.

Early on, Rudolph drove to front of the field, but was hampered by a vibration in the drive train.

He moved up just outside of the top-10, but his mechanical problems forced him into the pits, where the DeLange Racing crew found terminal problems with both the both the clutch and the rear end.

The DeLange Racing crew hits the road this Saturday night for the Parts Plus 100 Race of Champions Modified Tour event at Oswego Speedway.

• Big R

RANSOMVILLE — Todd Burley (448) of Spencerport and James Michael Friesen (488) of St. Catharines, Ontario, continue to lead in respective mofified and sportsman divisions at Ransomville Speedway, but there’s co-leaders in the street stocks class with Wilson’s Roger Israel and Chris Burek tied at 508 points.

Tim Durfy (182) of Terry’s Corners has moved up from sixth to fifth in th Fire Hall Enduro Series. Wilson’s Mark Brown continues to lead with 222 points.

Racing resumes tonight as Mark Cerrone, Inc. and Lockport WLVL 1340 AM Radio present the Lucas Oil Modified shootout, plus a full card of racing, a Mod Dash for Cash and the Bobcat of Buffalo Firehall Enduro Series. Racing begins at 7 p.m.

Meanwhile, the first Ransomville Speedway Mid-Season Car Show will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at Justin Tyme on Buffalo Avenue in Niagara Falls.

Drivers are invited to display their cars. Participating drivers will receive a $20 credit towards food and beverages.

Among the drivers expected to appear are Alex Morris, Marika Morris, John Panattoni and John Smith of Niagara Falls. For more information, call 791-3602.

• Dunn Tire Raceway

LANCASTER — Tonight, enjoy IHRA Drag Racing, featuring The Extreme Machine burning up the track at 200 m.p.h.

Pits open at 3 p.m. gates open at 4 p.m. with time trials beginning. Eliminations begin at 7 p.m.

Featured on Saturday are 4 cylinders, TQ Midgets, Street Stocks and Super Stock. The Street Stocks will be racing a 50-lap feature and will also be competing in a Dash For Cash.

Gates open at 3 p.m. with the first heat beginning at 6:30 p.m.

        

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