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Trent Stephens crowned MSA Champion at 2011 banquet and awards celebration

January 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment
News from the Ohio River Valley and the Great Lakes

Todd Ridgeway
MSA Media
Jan. 15, 2012

The Midwest Supermodified Association (MSA) presented by Town Money Saver opened up their 2012 season with their annual awards banquet of the previous year in Westlake Ohio this past weekend in grand style. 2012 Driving points Champion Trent Stephens and the Steve Stout led ACME Racing Team where seated at the head table as honors where bestowed. Just like Charlie Schultz last year, this was the first for Stephens. However, for ACME Racing, it was their fifth time at the top spot. When the big award came down both Stephens and team owner Stout where quick to thank all in attendance for their support, as well as the MSA officials and board.

Stephens thanked his many supporters including his family, sponsors, and the Stout ACME Racing Team for putting him in the best equipment. He also said, “Thank you to team Stout for taking a chance on me three years ago and putting me in the best Supermodified out there. Without both them and my family I could not do this.” Stout also went on to thank his many supporters, his race team of loyal helpers, and the MSA for giving them a format to race on. [Read more...]

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Stephens Sweeps Season Championship Night at Sandusky Speedway

September 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Supermodified News from the Midwest

By Bob Stascak

092411_Sandusky_MSA_253

The ACME Racing team with driver Trent Stephens celbrate sweeping Sandusky and winning their 5th MSA Championship. Photo by Richard Lesiecki

The ACME Racing team with driver, Trent Stephens, wrapped up a season of highs and lows that came to a conclusion with a jubilant celebration this weekend at Sandusky Speedway.  Stephens and his experienced team swept the night by setting fast time, winning the heat and taking the checkers in the 30 lap feature race.

Stephens, who led the points chase nearly the entire season, was then able to seal his first Midwest Supermodified Association Championship just by starting the feature race, and took the ACME Racing Team to their fifth MSA title in the 11 year history of the sanction.

While the night may have seemed easy for the Ravenna, OH racer that won his first supermodified championship, that was not the case for some of the other 17 drivers that were in attendance.  On the warm up lap before the white flag was displayed for the feature, the field was brought to a halt when Dave McKnight encountered engine trouble then veered into the back straight wall. Others that were involved in the melee were Denny Fisher, Jon Henes and Matt Palmer. The supermodifieds were then pushed back into the pit area to allow the drivers that were involved to make repairs while the Street Stock feature was called up.

The MSA Supermodifieds were once again pushed out from the pit area to start their thirty lap feature. This time the race was started without a hitch, but it didn’t take long for trouble to start.  When the green flag dropped it was veteran driver Bobby Dawson with the lead from the outside pole followed by Dave Shullick Jr., Mike Lichty, Moe Lilje and Brandon Fisher. The caution flag was out on lap one when Jim Paller had a stuck throttle and shot off of turn four, Paller was not injured and would not rejoin the race.

On the restart there was another caution when Cord Ehrhard made contact with the front straight wall, Ehrhard was not injured and was out of the race. When racing resumed B. Fisher, who was running in the top five, went into the pit area as Dawson continued to lead followed by Shullick Jr., Lichty, Trent Stephens, and Lilje.

The last caution of the race came on lap eight when Shullick Jr. made contact with the backstraight wall. Shullick Jr. was not injured and was able to rejoin the race. Dawson opened up a two car length lead as Stephens was in hot pursuit of the leader. At the halfway mark the running order was Dawson, Stephens, Lichty, Lilje and Jack Smith. Stephens took the lead on the inside groove on lap eighteen. Lichty would also get past Dawson to move into second and give chase to Stephens.

Stephens would not be denied as he opened up a four car length advantage over Lichty with five laps to go. Stephens who was the evenings fast qualifier, took the checkered flag as he celebrated not only his birthday but won the 2011 Midwest Supermodified Association championship.

Midwest Supermodified Association (MSA) Season Championship Night at Sandusky Speedway September 24, 2011: Fast Qualifier – Trent Stephens  14.848 Heat # 1 – Moe Lilje (Vickery, OH); Mike Lichty (Innerkip,Ont.); Brandon Fisher (Amherst, OH); Dave Shullick Jr. (N.Ridgeville, OH); Jeff Banyas (Akron, OH); A.J.Lesiecki (Lorain, OH); Jim Paller (Amherst, OH); Cord Ehrhard (Antwerp, IN.)Heat # 2 – Trent Stephens (Ravenna, OH); Dave McKnight (Brampton,Ont.); Bobby Dawson (S.Amherst, OH);Kyle Edwards (Memphis,Tn.); Denny Fisher (Amherst); Jack Smith (Sandusky, OH) ;Matt Palmer (N.Olmsted, OH); Jon Henes (Lagrange, OH)Feature (30 laps) – Stephens; Lichty; Dawson; Lilje; Edwards; Smith; Banyas; Henes; Shullick Jr.; Lesiecki; Palmer; Mark Miller (Davisville,WV); B.Fisher; Paller; Ehrhard; McKnight; D.Fisher; Joe Armbruster (DNS)

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Gosek spins, then comes from tail to win MSA Non Wing Challenge

September 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Supermodified News from the Midwest

Todd Ridgeway

Area Auto Racing News

September 18, 2011

091911_msa_sandusky5

Veteran driver Joe Gosek shares the winners circle with this MSA young superstar at Sandusky (OH) Speedway after he captured the MSA/Oswego Non Wing Challenge 50 lap feature race. Photo by Todd Ridgeway

Veteran Supermodified shoe Joe Gosek made the 400 mile tow and seven hour drive pay off as he sailed to the front of the MSA/Oswego Non Wing Challenge 50 lap feature race at Sandusky (OH) Speedway, after spinning at the mid point of the event, and hung on winning in convincing style. This was the second time Gosek has won the MSA annual event as he also took the checkers in 2009. Gosek was one of three drivers that broke the Sandusky track record in qualifying for non wing supermodifieds and started seventh in the 50 lap main event. With just 15 laps to go Gosek made the late race pass on the outside going into turn one of then leader Tim Ice to secure the victory.

Brandon Fisher and, the most recent winner on the MSA trail, Trent Stephens would bring the field to the drop of the green to get the marathon going. A restart would be ordered as the cars fell out of position well before the starting point. The second attempt was the charm as Stephens got a big start and rocketed into turn one sweeping down to the inside and easily coming off turn two with the lead as Fisher dropped in second and the rest of the field scattered in battles for position. However, Stephens lead was short lived as at the ten lap point Oswego invader Michael Barnes wrestled his way to the inside and got by Stephens to take over the lead. Meanwhile the May Motorsports teammates of Tim Ice and Charlie Schultz moved into third and fourth as fast qualifier D J Shullick Jr. rounded out the top five. The first caution would fly when Shullick Jr.’s mount came to a stop on track. A quick push back to the pit area and the field was realigned going back under the green flag. Just a short time later Gosek would loop his car in a spin in turn two while racing Schultz for the fourth position and was relegated to the tail for the insuring restart. As the action at mid pack was heating up the front two had checked out but was battling as well. With just 18 laps to go they would make contact as Stephens would bounce off the wall and Barnes would sail off turn three. This brought out a red flag as the track crew had work to do, both front runner Barnes and Stephens where done for the night and on the hook. Now with 18 laps to go suddenly last years winner Ice found himself in the top position with his teammate breathing down his headers. Moe Lilje was now scored in third and Gosek had recovered to move back into the fourth slot, clearly the fastest car on the track. Once the race went green it took just one lap for Gosek to dispose of Lilje, and the very next he went right on by Schultz. Ice was not as easy but once he caught up to the leader it did not take long. The only thing that prolonged the lead change was an untimely yellow flag just after Gosek took the point. Putting the field back to the way they where running at the last completed lap before the yellow the green would fly. And just like that Gosek went to the top and bingo, right to the front sweeping past Ice and laying down a fire trail to the checkers as he was clearly the class of the field. Ice, Schultz, Lilje, and Fisher rounded out the top five.

“We had a better car at the end then we did in the beginning,” stated Gosek. “We really fell behind; the car was really slipping and sliding. I don’t know, then I spun it out because it was so free and lose. Then we had the red flag and I was hoping something would change with the stager because the tires shrink and cool. I was just thinking maybe it will do something different. And then after the red it was a whole new car, unbelievable. Then it would run the outside, which I like to do here. But, we got it done; I didn’t think I really had a chance. I just stuck the car up there in turns one and two on the restart and by the time we got to three I was clear. From there I just tried to be smooth and consistent,” finished the happy winner.

Runner up Ice noted, “I was getting tight. Then when Joe went by I saw his line and moved up there and the car freed up. Early I could run with those guys up front, but I backed off they where being pretty dicey. I don’t know, Joe was just good,” finished Ice.

During post race inspection Lilje was moved into the third position after a disqualification. “I did not get a real good start, I got drug to the back a little bit,” started Lilje. “I just stayed clean and had some things fall my way as I moved into fourth. I won my heat race but I never pushed the car for all it was worth. I wanted to save the tires for the 50 laps. But, I brought it home with all four wheels on the ground and we will go onto next week. The future looks great in this car; we actually plan to build a new one for next year. Everything is working out great, The Reed Team is really good with me, I appreciate all the guys, they work hard,” finished Lilje.

The heat winners included Lilje and Barnes. Shullick Jr. set fast time with a 15.938 and new track record for non wing supermodified cars. The race itself was slowed by just four caution flags. September 24 at Sandusky Speedway will be the final race of the 2011 MSA campaign and the series Champion will be crowned. Due to a post race inspection infraction the No. 7 car of Schultz was disqualified and Lilje moved up to third with Fisher fourth and Bobby Dawson moved into the fifth slot.

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TRENT STEPHENS CAPTURES FIRST EVER MSA RACE AT MOTORDROME

September 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Supermodified News from the Midwest

By Dave Buchanan

September 10, 2011, Smithton, PA…It was a historical night for Trent Stephens of Ravenna, Ohio as he captured the Midwest Supermodified Association Piney Lasky Memorial 50 at the Motordrome Speedway.  It was the first ever Supermodified race contested at the fast ½-mile oval in Smithton, PA.

Stephens began the day etching his name in the record book during time trials as he set quick time with a lap of 15.332 seconds in the fastest lap ever run in Motordrome history. For the 50-lap feature the 22-year-old pilot of the ACME Racing #49 had a challenge ahead of him as he started 10th in the 13-car field.

Mike McVetta and Denny Fisher led the field to the initial green flag.  McVetta was a last-second replacement driver for the Paller Racing #64.  He was originally slated to maintain his points lead in the Buckeye Super Sprints at Sandusky Speedway but that event rained out.

McVetta led early on as a six-car pack that included McVetta, Charlie Schultz, Dave Shullick, Jr., Tim Ice, Kyle Edwards and Stephens broke away from the field.

The lead group remained in that order until the halfway point when Stephens decided to make a charge to the front.  He passed Edwards and Ice by lap 28 and caught McVetta just three laps later.

Stephens made a run around the outside of McVetta coming off turn four on lap 32 to take the lead in what turned out to be the race winning pass.  Stephens then stormed away from the field winning the event by a half lap as the 50-lap affair ran caution free much to the delight of the fans in attendance.

The second half surge by Stephens was not by design “I was trying to keep everyone in sight,” Stephens said, “I wasn’t very good the first 15 laps and I started playing with my line a little bit and the car got better.”

It was the second MSA win of the year for Stephens and it increases his point lead going into the final race of the year next weekend at Sandusky.  For Stephens it was a real treat to win the first ever MSA race at Motordrome.

“It was a really bumpy track but it was fun track race at,” Stephens said, “it was challenging because you could run two, three grooves and you had to go where your car wanted to work.”

It was one-two finish for ACME Racing as Dave Shullick, Jr. crossed the finish line behind his teammate.  The May Motorsports machines of Charlie Schultz and Tim Ice finished third and fourth.  Kyle Edwards rounded out the top five. Mike McVetta finished sixth after leading the first 31 laps.

The MSA will next race on September 17 at Sandusky Speedway in the third annual MSA/Oswego Non-Wing Challenge.  More information about this event and all MSA races can be found on www.MidwestSupers.com

Midwest Supermodified Association Piney Lasky Memorial 50 Finish – TRENT STEPHENS, Dave Shullick, Jr., Charlie Schultz, Tim Ice, Kyle Edwards, Mike McVetta, Brandon Fisher, Denny Fisher, Matt Palmer, Jon Henes, Jack Smith, Jeff Banyas, Cord Ehrhart DNS: AJ Lesiecki, Larry Lenhard

Heat Winners – Brandon Fisher, Charlie Schultz

Time Trials – Trent Stephens 15.332 (New Track Record)

——-

Press by:

Dave Buchanan
Host – WGR’s Fast Track
Sabres Radio Network Producer
(716) 207-1165
Twitter.com/WGRFastTrack
Facebook.com/WGRFastTrack

 

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Stephens Streaks to MSA Victory at Sandusky

June 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Supermodified News from the Midwest
Trent Stephens gets first win of 2011

Trent Stephens gets first win of 2011. Photo by Todd Ridgeway

Young driver Trent Stephens swept to the front late in the going of the MSA presented by Town Money Saver feature race at Sandusky (OH) Speedway last Saturday night and hung on to get the checkered flag. Coming into the third Sandusky event of 2011, and sixth race overall, Stephens was the series points leader with solid podium finishes all season long, but the win had escaped him until now. Coming from the back with less than ten laps to go the hard charging young gun shot past the cagey veteran racer Tim Ice to put his ACME Racing Stout team car in victory lane. This may have been the first checkers of 2011 for Stephens; however, it was team ACME racings third series victory of the season.

With an official roll of the dice the 30 lap feature inversion was set at ten putting Matt Palmer on the pole with Pennsylvania visitor Chris deRitis on the outside front row. Palmer’s pole position start was short lived as just after the green flag dropped a three wide move under the flag stand sent Palmer up the track hard into the outside barrier.  Palmer rode the wall in a spectacular shower of sparks all the way down to the track exit before coming to a stop. Jon Henes also spun, but miraculously no other cars were involved.  Palmer was uninjured in the accident, but his car sustained heavy damage.  The red flag waved over the speedway for a lengthy cleanup until a complete restart put Jack Smith outside of Chris deRitis on the front row.

The race was restarted and it didn’t take long for the action to get hot and heavy when  the 28 car of three time series winner this season Bobby Dawson would get crossed up in traffic and spin up the track in turn one, his night was finished with a broken racer. Once again the field formed up but this time in single file and Smith set a torrid pace with some outstanding lap times.

Both Ice and Mike Lichty where coming hard as the field sailed to the half way point. At the crossed flags it was Ice, Lichty, and Smith as the top three, with a bevy of racing throughout the pack. As Ice set the pace, Stephens now pulled up into fourth from his tenth starting position and began to pour it on as the laps clicked off. Once Stephens caught up to Ice the chess match was on. Lap after lap Stephens would try a new line and pull up beside Ice.

Finally, with just five laps to go Stephens was on the point and drawing away it seemed in cruise control. At the wire it was Stephens, Ice, Lichty, 2010 MSA Champion Charlie Schultz drove to fourth, and Smith held on to round out the top five.

Stephens set fast time on the night with a lap of 14.510 in his first lap and had to let the second lap go as he broke the right rear hub. “All I got to say is my car was awesome,” stated the happy winner. “Ice had a really good car, I just kept working the outside and working the outside figuring where my car would and would not stick. I finally got it right and when I finally got around him I never looked back. The car was perfect. I got the best crew in supers. They do anything I want, they fix anything, and do it probably faster than anyone. My car owner Steve ran back to our shop and welded something today because it broke and did it and was back here within 45 minutes. I have been so close this year; this is the first race I feel everything has gone right. Lets hope they keep coming. Everything went right and I drove a smart race so to hang on to this points lead now we have to keep finishing races,” finished the hard charger.

“He has been really running well this year, he has matured a lot,”said runner up Ice.

“Trent has matured and I think he has really got a feel for what he is trying to do. I would have had to really run him hard, he got there and I just didn’t have much for him. If I moved up where I really needed to be I got a little tight. I had to run right around the bottom and that was my best line. I was making some pretty good time and was just hoping nobody would get out there, but he did and I couldn’t hold him off. We had a good car and a good finish. We have just been struggling with a real tight race car this season, and no luck to go along with it. We did pretty good tonight, we made a big change just before the feature and it showed,” said the cagey veteran.

The 30 lap race was slowed by the one red flag on the initial start and two other cautions, both coming just before three laps where complete. The Adkins Glass heat race winners where Jack Smith and “Liquid” Lou Cicconi. In qualifying seven of the 18 cars on hand went under the 15 second mark.

The next event for the Midwest Supermodified Association presented by Town Money Saver will be the “King of the Wings” race on July 9 at Oswego Speedway. For more information about the MSA, it’s sponsors, teams and fans please visit MidwestSupers.com.

For more photos of this event click HERE

Official Finish Race 6 Midwest Supermodified Association presented by Town Money Saver 30 at Sandusky Speedway 06.25.11

Number/Driver/Hometown/Owner

  1. #19 Trent Stephens; Ravenna, OH-ACME Racing
  2. #77 Tim Ice; Seville, OH-May Motorsports
  3. #08 Mike Lichty; Innerkip, Ontario, Canada-Reed Salvage
  4. #7 Charlie Schultz; Lorain, OH-May Motorsports
  5. #09 Jack Smith;Sandusky, OH-Jack Smith
  6. #8 Dave Shullick, Jr.; North Ridgeville, OH-Reed Salvage
  7. #55 Rich Reid; New London, OH-Gary Lehnert
  8. #36 Jon Henes; Lagrange, OH-Ron Henes
  9. #64 Jim Paller; South Amherst, OH-Wayne Paller
  10. #14 AJ Lesiecki;Lorain, OH-Jonathan Lesiecki
  11. #66 Chris deRitis;Philadelphia, PA-Dan deRitis
  12. #3 Jeff Gibson; Richwood, OH-Jeff Gibson Racing
  13. #44 Mark Miller; Davisville, W. Virigina-Same
  14. #28 Bobby Dawson; Amherst, OH-Reed Salvage
  15. #49 Lou Cicconi; Aston, PA-ACME Racing
  16. #21 Matt Palmer; North Olmstead, OH-Wayne Palmer

NOTES:

  • It was a tough night for the Fisher family as neither Brandon nor Denny were able to start the feature after heat race incidents.
  • All drivers walked through the stands in an effort to collect money for fellow supermodified racer Vern Romanoski of Strong, ME who completely lost his supermodified in a hauler fire earlier this season.  Over $700 was generously donated by the Sandusky fans.
  • The 4th Turn Crazies fan club awarded $125 to 1oth place finisher AJ Lesiecki

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This Week at Sandusky Speedway

June 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

News from the MidwestBy Bob Stascak

This week at Sandusky Speedway the action starts on Wed. June 22 with an open practice for all divisions from 4 p.m. until dark. Grandstand admission is free and a pit pass is $10. Should the weather be a factor then Thurs. will be the rain date with times and prices remaining the same.

On Saturday June 25 the Midwest Supermodified Association presented by Town Money Saver will make their third appearence of the season. Joining the MSA will be the Modifieds, Street Stocks and Spectator Stocks. The pit gates open at 3 p.m., grandstand admission and hot lap sessions start at 4 p.m. Qualifying is at 5:30 p.m. and racing starts at 7 p.m. Admission is $17, $5 for ages 6-12, free for ages 5 and younger. A pit pass is $25 for members and $30 for non-members. Sandusky Speedway is located at 614 W. Perkins Ave. in Sandusky. Call ((419) 625-4084 or (440) 213-7003 or log on to www.sanduskyspeedway.com.

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Dawson Destroys Competition in MSA Portion of Fastest Short Track Show in the World at Toledo Speedway

June 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Supermodified News from the Midwest

By Bob Gangwer

Toledo, OH-June 17, 2011…Retirement hasn’t slowed Amherst, Ohio’s Bobby Dawson down one bit and his show of domination Friday night in the Midwest Supermodified Association presented by Town Money Saver 40 lap feature event at Toledo Speedway proves that some things do get better with age.

Starting from the pole, Dawson immediately jumped to the lead and never relinquished it for the entire race that went green to checkers without a caution and was over in just nine short minutes. “Louie who?” were the first words out of the mouth of the winner as a reference to the season long battle with Lou Cicconi, Jr. who is the only other driver to have won a feature event this year.

061711_toledo_vict_top3_0283 Even though he won his heat race, Dawson wasn’t satisfied with his Reed Salvage sponsored machine and decided that drastic changes were needed to be competitive in the feature event.  “We threw everything at it before the feature,” he began.  “We changed springs, moved the panhard bar, adjusted the shocks, you name it the only thing we didn’t change was the driver and the number.” It was enough to allow him to cross the stripe for the win with over a straight away lead back to second place Charlie Schultz.

Schultz was on the podium for the second race in a row and the 2010 MSA Champ said, “We got everything out of it that we could tonight and basically the car is used up.”  As smoke billowed from the May Motorsports machine, Schultz, who set fast time for the supers and shattered the track record for the sprint cars stated, “The last ten laps the car was vibrating so bad from the blistered tires that I could barely see, but before that I felt like I was catching Trent but I got as far as I could get then he went backwards and I was able to get by.”

Johnny Benson Jr has run two supermodified races this season and has now found himself on the podium in both events after a steady run to the front to claim third position.  In victory lane he jokingly said, “I think I might be getting the hang of this.”  Benson went on to explain, “These things are pretty tough to drive and pretty tough to set up so I’m real happy for the Patco Transportation team and Brad Lichty the car owner.”

The next Midwest Supermodified Association presented by Town Money Saver race will be at Sandusky Speedway this Saturday night 6/25/11.

For more information, schedules and photos concerning the Midwest Supermodified Association presented by Town Money Saver please visit MidwestSupers.com.

Official Finish Race 5 Midwest Supermodified Association presented by Town Money Saver 40 at Toledo Speedway Fastest Short Track Show in the World 06.17.11

Number/Driver/Hometown/Car Owner

  1. #28 Bobby Dawson/Amherst, OH/Reed Salvage
  2. #7 Charlie Schultz/Lorain, OH/May Motorsports
  3. #74 Johnny Benson, Jr./Cornelius, NC/Lichty Racing
  4. #84 Mike Lichty/Innerkip, Ontario, Canada/Lichty Racing
  5. #49 Lou Cicconi/Aston, PA/ACME Racing
  6. #64 Jim Paller/South Amherst, OH/Wayne Paller
  7. #77 Tim Ice/Seville, OH/May Motorsports
  8. #08 Moe Lilje/Vickery, OH/Reed Salvage
  9. #19 Trent Stephens/Ravenna, OH/ACME Racing
  10. #09 Jack Smith/Sandusky, OH/Jack Smith
  11. #78 Mark Sammut/London, Ontario, Canada/Sammut Racing
  12. #70 Michael Barnes/Mexico, NY/Gary Morton
  13. #8 Dave Shullick, Jr./North Ridgeville, OH/Reed Salvage
  14. #36 Jon Henes/Lagrange, OH/Ron Henes
  15. #21 Matt Palmer/North Olmstead, OH/Wayne Palmer

NOTES:

  • Charlie Schultz set fast time of 13.010 for the supers.
  • Adkins Glass Heat Winners were: Bobby Dawson, Lou Cicconi, Trent Stephens.
  • Kyle Edwards blew the engine in practice while Brandon Fisher and Rich Reid did the same in their heat.

See Exclusive Photo Content of this race HERE

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Cicconi Sweeps Up MSA South Bend Supermod Return

June 13, 2011 By 2 Comments
Cicconi in South Bend Victory Lane

For immediate release

Contact:

Bob Gangwer-Wing Side Up Media

wingsideup@gmail.com

June 12, 2011

Cicconi in South Bend Victory Lane

Lou Cicconi captured his second MSA win of the season on 6.11.11 at South Bend Motor Speedway. Photo by RG Design

News from the Midwest

By Bob Gangwer

South Bend, IN…Lou Cicconi, Jr of Aston, PA dug deep into his midget racing roots and used his bullring racing talent to take the win in the 40 lap Midwest Supermodified Association presented by Town Money Saver feature on June 11 at South Bend Motor Speedway.

It had been 25 years since the supermodifieds had turned any competitive laps at the historic high banked quarter mile that was originally built for midget auto racing, but  Cicconi, who is a three-time ARDC Midget Champion made the return of the methanol breathing monsters a memorable one.  He set a new all time supermodified track record of 10.086, won his heat in commanding fashion and then beat his teammate Trent Stephens and third place finisher Charlie Schultz to the finish line by over half of a straightaway to take the feature before an estimated crowd of 1,100.

“Bobby who?” asked Cicconi jokingly as he removed his helmet in victory lane which was in reference to Bobby Dawson who is the only other driver to win in MSA competition this year and who was looking for his third MSA win in a row.

As easy as he made it look by marching to the front from eighth starting position, Cicconi claimed that it was not an easy task, “It was a fast race, at least those first 25 laps or so.  This place is challenging, really, to me, it’s similar to Kil-Kare, just with less turns.”  “What I mean is it was challenging and I think my experience racing indoors helped out a lot here because you have to know when to finesse it and when you have to be more aggressive because it’s really hard to pass here and I really didn’t think we had anything here at first then all of the sudden the car just came in and it was time to go,” he explained.

“I want to thank South Bend Motor Speedway for having us and all of these fans who came out here tonight after having to wait so long to see supermodifieds,” concluded the driver known as “Liquid” Lou.

The field of 15 was paced to the drop of flagman Bobby Hayduk’s green by Rich Reid of New London, OH and rookie Talon Stephens of Ravenna, OH.  Reid got the jump and immediately started to stretch his lead while a torrid battle erupted amongst the field behind him.

Reid would enjoy the front position with his purple #55 until lap 12.  He would fall victim to Cicconi’s daring bravado the very next lap when the eventual winner peaked outside in turn one then just as suddenly darted to the inside as the duo exited turn two.  They shot down the short backstretch side by side but by turn three Cicconi had put the Reid and the field behind him to take the lead for good.

As Cicconi stretched his lead to 10 car lengths, Reid started to feel the pressure of Brandon Fisher who was tailed closely by Trent Stephens.  Fisher worked high and low to get by Reid but couldn’t make the pass stick.  Stephens took advantage of Fisher’s troubles and blasted into third then went flying by Reid as well to take over second just past the half way point.

It was then Charlie Schultz’s turn to go to work on Reid and Fisher but before he could do that his teammate Tim Ice brought the crowd to their feet on lap 23 with an amazing slide through turn one towards the wall after contact with Chris deRitis of Philadelphia, PA.

Ice dirt tracked high then slid low into the turn two dirt.   With a rooster tail of South Bend sand flying high into the air behind his bright red May Motorsports entry, Ice somehow kept his roadster running and executed a perfect 360 then came back onto the track.  Amazingly the leaders were able to snake their way through as the rest of the pack scattered to miss the thrill show going on directly in front of them.  With great skill and no short order of luck, the pack bumped and rubbed but not one car was damaged.  Just as Ice and the field continued on, so did the race.

Schultz, not to be outdone made a daring one-two pass to dispose of Fisher and Reid by lap 25 and it was just in time as the only caution of the race came out on lap 26 for a fire that erupted on the car of Jim Paller after he had pulled it to the infield.

With Paller’s flames extinguished, and the field bunched up, the field took the green for the final time of the night.  While the top three would not change for the last 14 circuits, the action was far from over from fifth on back as pockets of cars were in constant battle all around the track.

Cicconi, Stephens, and Schultz did a masterful job of weaving through the battles and crossed the stripe 1, 2, 3 to the roar of the crowd.

In victory lane, Trent Stephens, who has finished in the top three every race this season and maintained his point lead said, “My car was real fast, especially once we finally got around everyone but it was just too late because Louie had run away.” Stephens thanked the series sponsors Town Money Saver and Adkins Glass then added, “I just want to say thank you to all these great fans, you guys are why we do this and I want to say thanks to South Bend Motor Speedway for having us, I hope we put on a good show for everyone.”

For defending MSA Champion Charlie Schultz, his third place finish was like a win the way his season has been going. “It feels good to finally get a podium.  We’ve struggled a lot so far this season, we even struggled in our heat race and it was a real challenge for having to come from that far back so I’m pretty happy with a third” said Schultz who started in 10th position.  Schultz, who also has a good deal of indoor racing experience added, “I just put my head down and worked through the field.  Hopefully we can come back here next year for all the fans that came out tonight.”

Track owner Steve Brown seemed pleased with the show and said, “I’ll tell ya what I was just as excited as everyone else, that was an incredible drive by Lou and just a wonderful race by the MSA, we were just so happy to have these guys here.  They run a professional show and MAN was that exciting!”

The next Midwest Supermodified Association presented by Town Money Saver race is Toledo Speedway’s “Fastest Short Track Show in World” this Friday June 18 where the MSA will be joined by the Auto Value Super Sprints for a race that no open wheel fan should miss.

For more information, schedules and photos concerning the Midwest Supermodified Association presented by Town Money Saver please visit MidwestSupers.com.

 

Official Finish Midwest Supermodified Association presented by Town Money Saver 40 at South Bend Motor Speedway 6.11.11

Number/Driver/Hometown/Owner

1.      #49 Lou Cicconi; Aston, PA-Stout Racing

2.      #19 Trent Stephens; Ravenna, OH-Stout Racing

3.      #7 Charlie Schultz; Lorain, OH-May Motorsports

4.      #12 Brandon Fisher; Amherst, OH-Denny Fisher

5.      #8 Dave Shullick, Jr.; North Ridgeville, OH-Reed Salvage

6.      #9 Talon Stephens; Ravenna, OH-Stout Racing

7.      #28 Bobby Dawson; Amherst, OH-Reed Salvage

8.      #66 Chris deRitis; Philadelphia, PA-deRitis Racing

9.      #55 Rich Reid; New London, OH-Rich Reid

10.   #36 Jon Henes; Lagrange, OH-Ron Henes

11.  #77 Tim Ice; Seville, OH-May Motorsports

12.   #21 Matt Palmer; North Olmstead, OH-Wayne Palmer

13.  #14 A.J. Lesiecki; Lagrange, OH-Jonathan Lesiecki

14.  #09 Jack Smith;Sandusky, OH-Jack Smith

15.  #64 Jim Paller; South Amherst, OH-Wayne Paller

 

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Dawson, Two in a Row in Ohio MSA Action

June 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Lou Cicconi congratulates Bobby Dawson in Sandusky Victory Lane

News from the MidwestTodd Ridgeway
Area Auto Racing News
June 5, 2011

South Amherst Ohio resident Bobby Dawson went into Sandusky (OH) Speedway last Saturday night and blasted his way to the front getting the win in the 30 lap Midwest Supermodified Association (MSA) presented by Town Money Saver feature race. The third race of the 2011 schedule this was Dawson’s second of the young season as he also won the first Sandusky visit just two weeks ago. This was the third MSA career victory for Dawson and the No. 28 Reed Salvage led team.

Race winner Bobby Dawson celebrates his MSA win @Sandusky Speedway on 6.4.11 with his Mother and Father. Photo by Todd Ridgeway

With the possibility over bad weather in the area, the Sandusky Speedway management wasted little times in get the action off. No sooner heats where completed than the feature races started. The MSA feature was the second event on tap as the 15 car field was pushed to life. A few pace laps later, a wave to the fans and the race was on as pole sitter Denny Fisher went straight to the point like a bullet while outside front row starter Jim Paller dropped in second. Just a short way into the race the pace was slowed as a caution would fly when Rookie driver A J Lesiecki found himself stopped at the top of turn three with a broken race car. The No. 8 car of Dave Shullick Jr. also went pit side for some pit crew attention. However, Shullick Jr. did rejoin the field at the tail. Just a quick clean up on this night and it was back to racing action. Fisher continued to set the pace as the field scattered for positions behind him. Dawson, who had started seventh in the field, was working his way to the front picking off one car at a time. The two Stout Team cars of Liquid Lou Cicconi and fast qualifier Trent Stephens where both coming as well at a very fast pace.

Bobby Dawson Takes the Lead at Sandusky Speedway 6.4.11

Bobby Dawson (28) sails to the lead past Denny Fisher (81) in MSA action @Sandusky Speedway 6.4.11. Photo by Todd Ridgeway

As laps where laid down at a staggering pace, Dawson would sail past Fisher going into turn one and off of turn two he was the leader just before the halfway point. Once in front in clean air Dawson could now settle down and run his line. Both Cicconi and Stephens would move into contention to challenge for the top spot. But Dawson would have nothing to do with it, as he held his own. At one point Cicconi had a shot as lapped traffic came into play and he and Dawson rubbed tires. But, it was just not meant to be as Dawson went on to get a very popular victory with the Ohio fans taking the checkered flag. Cicconi finished second, Stephens grabbed third, Fisher, and Paller rounded out the top five. Stephens’s fast time of the day was 14.592 around the famed oval. The two heat winners included Fisher and Jon Henes. The 30 lap feature race was slowed by just one yellow flag.

“You know something, I have to thank my crew, all the guys, the Reed’s for everything, level

Lou Cicconi congratulates Bobby Dawson in Sandusky Victory Lane

Liquid Lou Cicconi was the first to congratulate Bobby Dawson on his big Sandusky MSA victory. Photo by Todd Ridgeway

performance, that thing was again on rails,” stated the happy winner. “We made a little spring change on it before the feature and the car just hooked up and went anywhere I wanted. We come up on some lapped cars there at the end and Lou snuck a tire in on me, we bumped a little bite, but like he said that’s just hard racing. To win two in a row is just fantastic. The really came to me, I mean it just got so comfortable. I went by Paller on the low side, Denny on the high side, and I knew when I put the car there it was going to stick. I drove it in a ton, it just planted and came off the corner. It was just smooth sailing from there,” finished Dawson.

“We had a good run actually,” said runner up Cicconi. “We where struggling all night, we tried something with the car that was totally different, and it worked real good. We worked good on the outside, which is a first for us. When I won at ACE (NC) I was making fun of Bobby Dawson saying he was to old. I will never do that again, because he is kicking my butt. I was just trying to drive smooth and fast hoping for lapped traffic because I knew that was the only chance I had to pass him,” finished Cicconi.

Third place Stephens has finished in top three of all the first three MSA 2011 races. “We just seem to be missing it by .01 seconds,” stated Stephens. “I mean, I can’t complain, three top three finishes that’s real good. But, the crew is working just as hard as they ever had, eventually we will hit it right. Hopefully we will win one here sometime. I could tell I was keeping up with them, and if I got a good turn in I could catch them a little, I was hoping for more cautions. 30 laps just wasn’t long enough to run them all the way down,” finished Stephens.

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Sandusky Speedway Action

June 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

 

News from the MidwestBy Bob Stascak
Reeds Salvage presented “The Open Wheel Special” on Saturday night June 4, 2011 at Sandusky Speedway. The Midwest Supermodified Association (MSA) made their second appearence in as many weeks. Trent Stephens topped the field with a qualifying time of 14.592. The MSA heat race winners were veteran drivers Denny Fisher and Jon Henes.
The thirty lap Midwest Supermodified Association feature saw veteran driver Denny Fisher lead from the pole followed by Jim Paller, Tim Ice, Brandon Fisher and Bobby Dawson. Fisher opened up a two car length lead over Paller before the yellow waved on lap eight for A.J. Lesiecki who broke in turn three.
When the green flag waved the top five running order was D.Fisher, Paller, Dawson, B.Fisher and Jon Henes. Lou Cicconi advanced into the top five using both the high and low sides of the track to his advantage. Bobby Dawson however was also gaining ground on D.Fisher and took the lead on lap fifteen as Cicconi moved into second followed by Trent Stephens. D.Fisher and Paller would round out the top five positions.
The top three cars of Dawson, Cicconi and Stephens set a torrid pace and had opened up a front straight advantage over the rest of the field. The leaders did an incredible job as they wove through the back markers as the laps counted down. Just as he had done two short weeks ago, veteran driver Bobby Dawson brought home the checkered flag to score his second Midwest Supermodified Association feature win in a row.
Other Action
The Buckeye Super Sprints made their first Sandusky Speedway appearence of the season and their thirty lap feature was up first this evening. Danny Shirey and Talon Stephens led the thirteen car field to the green flag. Stephens took the lead before the yellow flag waved for a tangle involving Frank Neill and Danny Shirey.
The restart saw Joey Wyckoff bring out the caution for a broken stabilizer arm. On this restart Stephens took to the outside groove to shoot into the lead. Mike McVetta advanced into second from his sixth starting spot and was followed by D.Shirey, Joe Speakman and Frank Neill. The race was red flagged on lap five as Mike Kunz made hard contact with the front straight wall, he was not injured.
When the race resumed it was a battle for the lead between Stephens and McVetta as the lead duo pulled away from the rest of the pack. Stephens took command of the lead followed by McVetta, D.Shirey, Neill and Kevin Shirey to round out the top five running order.
Stephens and McVetta had nearly a full straightaway lead over third place D. Shirey as they wove their way through the lap cars. When the checkered flag waved it was Talon Stephens taking the win with Mike McVetta finishing second after putting up a strong challenge for the lead.
The thirty lap Modified feature saw Nick Chmara and John White lead the field to the green flag with Chmara taking the lead before a multi car tangle on the back stretch that involved Matt Marlowe, Bernie Cook and Dave Beverly. None of the drivers were injured and Beverly was the only car that wasn’t able to return to the line up. On the restart it was Amsdell who took the lead followed by Chmara, Mario Diano, John White and Jim Blagg. Amsdell had opened up an impressive lead at this early stage of the race. Blagg gave chase to Amsdell as he moved into second position on lap eight. Mario Diano held third followed by Matt Marlowe and Chmara. Amsdells lead was erased when Klinect had a flat tire on lap eleven. The side by side battle for the lead between Amsdell and Blagg was brought to a halt on lap thirteen when Marlowe came to a stop on the front straight. Amsdell and Blagg resumed their battle for the lead with Blagg working the outside groove. Kenny Phillips brought out the yellow on lap seventeen for his spin in turn one. Amsdell and Blagg opened up an eight car length advantage over third place Diano with Chmara and Jason Drew rounding out the top five running order. With three laps to go Blagg pulled along side of Amsdell and took command of the lead on lap twenty eight. Blagg held off Amsdell for the final two circuits to win tonights action packed Modified feature race.

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