ARDC MIDGETS OPEN THEIR 72nd SEASON AT SUSQUEHANNA SPEEDWAY PARK

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