ARCA Nation

Hey Dwight, good hearing from you. Can't wait to see you and Debbie at Pocono this weekend. I need a good photographer lol!!

YEA I SEE WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT, AND LOTS OF NEW NAMES ON LIST TOO. IT WILL BE GREAT WEATHER, A PAYBACK FOR THE OVEN WE HAVE BEEN LIVING IN FOR THE LAST MONTH.

SEE ALL OF YOU IN POCONO.

Dirt racers tackle Millville's NJMP today

By EDWARD VAN EMBDEN, Staff Writer | Posted: Sunday, June 20, 2010

MILLVILLE - Racing like this has never been seen before.

Today, New Jersey Motorsports Park is hosting a first-ever event called the Dirt Modified Fast 50. The event features dirt modified cars racing on a paved road course in competition for the first time, according to track officials.

Track official Don Fauerbach said that since the announcement of the event a few months ago, there has been a buzz in the dirt modified racing community and its fan base.
The race on asphalt, let alone a road course complete with left- and right-hand turns, should make for interesting results.
"We just happened to be the first one to think about it, the first ones to test the ability of the cars on this kind of track," he said.

Fauerbach said there are some minor adjustments needed but nothing major. As dirt mods typically ride on dirt ovals, one of the more significant changes is to the suspension. Crews have had to level out their rides to give them the ability to turn and drift around both left and right turns.
The track has hosted a few test sessions to allow drivers to get a feel for the track and the response from the drivers has been positive, Fauerbach said.

The event has already registered 35 drivers with the possibility of more joining. The track also commissioned a local metal smith, Kenny Smith, to make custom-designed trophies.
"All the guys want to be a part of this history," Fauerbach said.

The unique race was also featured on the Speed Network show "Wind Tunnel" last Sunday. "Wind Tunnel" is a nationally-televised program dedicated to all things motorsports.
The race will be held on the 2.25-mile Thunderbolt Raceway.

Toms River dirt mod racer Dwight Laird took his car out for a few test laps on the track Friday afternoon.
He's been racing for 16 years and racing dirt mods for the last three. This is the first time he's ever raced a dirt mod on a road course.
The first time he raced at NJMP was during an ARCA race. Those cars are designed specifically for road racing. This is something else all together.
"It took a little getting used to it, but it's awesome," he said. "We're learning as we go. We're all learning. We could look like total fools out there, but maybe we'll hold it together."


Contact Edward Van Embden:
856-649-2072
eVanEmbden@pressofac.com

Wanted everyone to know that we raced our Dirt Mod yesterday at NJ Motorsports Park and we had an awesome time! We finally got the car set and we finished 12th with 20 entries. We had no incidents and a few minor cautions but a clean race nonetheless.
A good time was had by all. I am going to try and post here the Atlantic City Press write ups about the race at Millville. Will also post pics here later.