By Steve Williams
With Spring weather, right around the corner the drivers of the ARDC are chomping at the bit to get their 72nd season underway.
Led by their first time Club Champion, Steve Buckwalter, the traveling band of gypsies will invade Susquehanna Speedway Park for the first race of the season, Sunday April 10th, as part of the exciting “King of the Hill Spring Classic” along with the popular Central Pennsylvania 410 Sprint Cars.
Buckwalter, who brought a slim point lead into the final race of the 2010 season at Susquehanna, beat Ryan Smith and Drew Heistand in the final point standing. All three of these outstanding drivers will be back in competition along with Buckwalter’s cousin, Bruce Buckwalter Jr. who was ultimately the feature winner on that gorgeous Fall day. Buckwalter Jr. will be behind the wheel of his beautiful #83 which was voted the best appearing car at the recent Conventry Mall Show.
Also in competition will be another Buckwalter. Tim Buckwalter who was a two time winner last season and awarded the Rookie of the Year Award will be back behind the controls of his VRP Shocks number 52.
Looking to get in the win column, early in the season will be two ARDC veterans. The recently married Eric Heydenreich out of Bloomsburg has a high riding style that will bring the crowd to its feet. Heydenreich was a one time winner, last season, picking up the checkers in an exciting drive from the rear at the Lincoln Speedway. Topton’s, Brett Arndt will also be looking to park the Essay Racing 46 in Todd Fishers victory lane. Arndt, who was listed as fifth in points in the final 2010 total is looking to pickup his first club championship.
Alex Bright will make the long drive back to PA from Ohio where he is studying Mechanical Engineering. Bright, a 2010 rookie had some great runs last season and is almost certainly one of the cars that will be in the mix for a win in 2011.
PJ Gargiulo will make the tow up from his Morton, PA race shop and plans on having his Sperr’s Fuel Oil 51 running near the front of the pack as he always does when the Midgets race at Susquehanna.
These front running veterans will have to keep an eye over their shoulders as ARDC has a crop of at least 6 drivers registered to compete for the coveted Rookie of the Year Award. All six will be looking to impress early and get the chance to cut the yellow rookie streamer off the back of their roll cages.
The ARDC program will again consist of three heat races and a consolation race. All qualified cars will compete in a 20 lap feature to conclude the program.
Gates open at 6:00pm
PRESEASON NOTES: Stan Lobitz was again the host of the ARDC Spring meeting at his catering hall in Hazleton, PA. There were approximately 50 drivers, owners and officials in attendance. Dave Shirk, who won the 2010 ARDC Best Appearing Car won the same award in the Reading Fairgrounds Mall Show. He will be on hand in his RAACE Foundation 16. Slick Nick Wean was on hand at the Spring Meeting with a sharp looking paint job on his #78. The Susquehanna race will be the first of an impressive 23 race schedule that include speedways from ¼ mile to ½ mile in length and covers 4 different states. Joe Butera made the 4-1/2 drive from his Wampum PA home to attend the Spring Meeting. Butera previously drove a 410 Sprint Car and brags a World of Outlaw start.
2011 Rookie of the Year Candidates: Mark Gilmore, Hackettstown, NJ; Shawn Jackson, Bear, DE; Keith McIntyre Jr. Saylorsburg, PA; Brenden Bright, Collegeville, PA; Jimmy Glenn, Branchburg, NJ; JT Brotosky, Bethlehem, PA;
SEASON RESULTS
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Susquehanna Speedway Park
Friday, April 29, 2011
Williams Grove Speedway
Saturday, May 07, 2011
Port Royal Speedway
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Bridgeport Speedway (1/4 Mile)
Friday, May 27, 2011
Penn Can Speedway
Monday, May 30, 2011
Big Diamond Speedway
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Grandview Speedway (w/USAC Sprints)
Saturday, June 04, 2011
Port Royal Speedway (w/USAC Sprints)
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Bridgeport Speedway (1/4 Mile)
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Susquehanna Speedway Park
Saturday, July 09, 2011
Pittsburgh PA Motor Speedway (PPMS)
Friday, July 22, 2011
Big Diamond Speedway
Friday, July 29, 2011
Clinton County (Full show & Makeup Feature)
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Mercer Raceway Park
Friday, August 05, 2011
Southern Swing – Dixieland Speedway
Saturday, August 06, 2011
Southern Swing – County Line Raceway
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Winchester Speedway
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
New Egypt Speedway
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Port Royal Speedway
Saturday, September 03, 2011
Bridgeport Speedway (1/4 Mile)
Friday, September 16, 2011
Williams Grove Speedway
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Grandview Speedway (ToTH)
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Susquehanna Speedway Park
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Susquehanna Speedway Park (rain date)
2010 OFFICIAL FINAL DRIVER POINT STANDINGS
CAR #
DRIVER
POINTS
0
Steve
Buckwalter
2435
34
Ryan
Smith
2347
12
Drew
Heistand
2305
11
Eric
Heydenreich
1889
46
Brett
Arndt
1837
77
Alex
Bright
1793
52
Tim
Buckwalter
1750
83
Bruce
Buckwalter
1686
51
PJ
Gargiulo
1677
9
Steve
Lenig
1540
6
Dusty
Heistand
1533
78
Nick
Wean
1525
44
Frank
Polimeda
1509
49
Trevor
Koblarz
1352
19
Steve
Drevicki
1280
91
Donnie
Trent
1162
16
Dave
Shirk
1152
75
Ryan
Watt
1110
25
Chris
Zrinski
966
54
Billy
Pauch
959
2
Tracy
Readinger
934
84
Jimmy
Cammock
934
26
Stephanie
Stevens
930
17
Donnie
Hoffman
849
1
Steven
Bull
845
55
Steve
Craig
815
20
Carey
Becker
715
94
Brad
Cox
582
57
Jason
Rice
513
89
Andrew
Hannula
…