DON’T MISS THE ZOOMERANG WHEN THE ARDC MIDGETS RETURN TO THE MONSTER HALF MILE AT PITTSBURGH PENNSYLVANIA MOTOR SPEEDWAY

From Steve Williams

The ARDC Wingless Midgets will return to Dirt’s Monster Half Mile, Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway this Saturday night for The Zoomerang along with the Super Late Models, Pro Lates, E-Mods, Cadets, Hobby and Young Guns on Twin State Racing Club Nite.

When the Mighty Midgets last visited the Steel City in 1987 Hank Rogers Jr. was the winner, back when top wings where the order of the day. Since then ARDC has taken off the sheet metal which will surely provide some exciting side by side 3-wide racing.

Drew Heistand is anxious to get back behind the wheel of his DonCin Transport 12 and pickup where he left off with a win at Susquehanna Speedway Park in ARDC’s last race. Heistand, from Wrightsville, PA, picked up his first win of the season by about half a wheel over Steve Drevicki with an exciting last lap, pass. Heistand currently leads the points by just 15 over “Slick” Nick Wean of Phillipsburg, NJ.

Wean, who has yet to win this season, has been the picture of consistency driving for his dad Rick, in the Wean Heating 78, In ARDC’s last outing he had a strong fourth place showing at Susquehanna. Wean, who cut his teeth in the Micro’s also had a fifth place finish on the half mile at Port Royal earlier in the season.

Currently sitting third in points is Bruce Buckwalter Jr. Buckwalter who is a short track specialist, really got his “Big Track” program in line and was the winner the last time ARDC raced on a half mile at the Port Royal Fairgrounds. Buckwalter’s BDB Graphics, “Captain America” 83 provides the graphics for a lot of the ARDC racers which are distinct in their design and eye catching colors.

After leading the early season points, Brett Arndt suffered mechanical woes in back to back races and currently holds down the fourth position. The “Topton Tornado” will be looking forward to parking the E. Schneider and Sons 46 in the Monster Half Mile’s Victory Lane. Like so many of the ARDC regulars Arndt comes from the Micro ranks and still competes regularly in the Wingless 600’s.

Rounding out the top five in points is one time feature winner, Alex Bright. After the Collegeville, PA resident completely destroyed his racer at Port Royal he returned to Bridgeport Speedway with a brand spanking new shiny and clean, Lightcap Electric 77 and parked it in victory lane. Bright has spent his off weekends racing in the Mid West with a good degree of success.

Looking forward to finally getting a home game is Wampum, PA resident Joe Butera. After several years behind the wheel of a 410 Sprint Car, Butera decided last season to try his hand at Wingless Midget racing and with the majority of the ARDC schedule taking place in Eastern PA and New Jersey there have been many long trips in the hauler so a short 45 minute drive home will be a real treat.

Gates for the Zoomerang open at 5:00pm and racing gets underway at 7:00pm.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sunday, April 10

Susquehanna Speedway Park

Steve Buckwalter

Friday, April 29

Williams Grove Speedway

Steve Buckwalter

Saturday, May 07

Port Royal Speedway

Bruce Buckwalter Jr

Saturday, May 21

Bridgeport Speedway (1/4 Mile)

Alex Bright

Friday, May 27

Penn Can Speedway

Steve Drevicki

Monday, May 30

Big Diamond Speedway

Ryan Smith

Tuesday, May 31

Grandview Speedway (w/USAC Sprints)

Steve Buckwalter

Saturday, June 04

Port Royal Speedway (w/USAC Sprints)

RAIN

Saturday, June 11

Bridgeport Speedway (1/4 Mile)

Ryan Smith

Sunday, June 12

Susquehanna Speedway Park

Drew Heistand

Saturday, July 09

Pittsburgh PA Motor Speedway (PPMS)

Friday, July 22

Big Diamond Speedway

Friday, July 29

Clinton County (Full show & Makeup Feature)

Saturday, July 30

Mercer Raceway Park

Friday, August 05

Southern Swing – Dixieland Speedway

Saturday, August 06

Southern Swing – County Line Raceway

Saturday, August 13

Winchester Speedway

Tuesday, August 16

New Egypt Speedway

Saturday, August 20

Port Royal Speedway

Saturday, September 03

Bridgeport Speedway (1/4 Mile)

Friday, September 16

Williams Grove Speedway

Saturday, October 15

Grandview Speedway (ToTH)

Saturday, October 29

Susquehanna Speedway Park

Sunday, October 30

Susquehanna Speedway Park (rain date)

CURRENT POINT STANDINGS

POS

#

DRIVER

PTS

1

12

Drew Heistand

905

2

78

Nick Wean

890

3

83

Bruce Buckwalter, Jr.

877

4

46

Brett Arndt

874

5

77

Alex Bright

825

6

33

Ryan Smith

785

7

19

Steven Drevicki

770

8

88

Brenden Bright

762

9

6

Dusty Heistand

737

10

8

Keith McIntyre, Jr.

729

11

01

Steven Bull

717

12

51

PJ Gargiulo

704

13

55

Steve Craig

674

14

0

Steve Buckwalter

669

15

52

Tim Buckwalter

644

16

16

Dave Shirk

598

17