Evil E
03-24-2009, 02:50 PM
By Mark Kielblock
Felton, DE We pick up the story where we left it last week, there will be a new Champion in ARDC in 2009. The previous two Champions -- Andy Martin and Randy Monroe, Jr. -- will not be back to defend their titles. Those who finished close behind Monroe in a thrilling Championship battle in 2008 will be looking to add their names to an impressive list of Champions that has spanned 69 years of ARDC history. The quest begins this Saturday at Big Diamond Raceway.
Last year''s runner up, Frank Polimeda is already a compelling story going into the ''09 season. He is the walking definition of having "skin in the game" in terms of his racing career. He begins this season coming off a mind-numbing crash while battling for the last transfer spot in the second C-main at the Chili Bowl back in January. "I was battling with Bud Kaeding for the spot, I had my foot in it and started to wheelie off the last corner," Polimeda remembered. "I thought the start/finish line was only 50 ft. away, so I figured I would stay in it and set it down after I crossed the line. If I lifted I knew I would lose the spot."
Midget race cars can be na sty little beasts when they want to be, and Polimeda''s Neptune Research no. 44 was no exception this night. The car came out of the wheelie with a violent series of snap-rolls leaving Polimeda with a broken collar bone, middle finger and right wrist. Most serious of the injuries was a concussion. "Bones heal, but concussions are something to be concerned about," Polimeda said matter of factly.
With that in mind, Polimeda plans to be be back for the full ARDC schedule and another shot at the title. "When you run all the races, the Championship is always a goal. We want to try to win as many races as we can," Polimeda emphasized. Polimeda''s racing philosophy hasn''t changed. "I still say if you win races, the points will take care of themselves." Polimeda will go into the campaign with a familiar Spike/Mopar combination with Neptune Research backing.
Last year''s third place driver, "Slick" Nick Wean is another of many drivers who want to concentrate on winning races in ''09. He will go to the post in his no. 78 Spike chassis with a refurbished Gaerte/Chevy between the frame rails.
Last year''s fourth place driver, Drew Heistand has this to say about the upcoming season, "For the 2009 season the only thing I am worried about is winning. I am almost ready though, I rebuilt both my motor myself this year and plan on doing all the set-ups myself too. Last year we made a huge mistake and plan on going back to what we know works. The only help I really have is my dad and to be honest that is all I need. We have York Excavating, DonCin Transport and American Restoration back on board for 2009. I can’t wait!"
PJ Gargiulo rounded out the top 5 in the 2008 standings. His off-season included a win in the opening heat race of the ''09 Chili Bowl. Gargiulo came out of the sixth starting spot and bested the likes of Terry McCarl for the victory. Gargiulo will use the same Bill Jackson Chevy that powered him to that heat race victory between the frame rails of his GRP no. 51 going into the ARDC season. This year the team places a renewed emphasis on finishing races.
Veteran Steve Craig stayed sharp over the winter running his TQ midget at Atlantic City''s Gamblers Classic and the Indoor Races at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Rhode Island. He plans on running a full ARDC schedule along with some NEMA and ATQMRA events.
Andrew Hannula find his way into the 2009 ARDC Rookie class after experiencing the ups and downs of racing. He was rookie of the year in URC competition in 2007. After that, the road got a little rough. "I feel like in 2007, my rookie year with the URC Sprint Car series, I really turned some heads," Hannula stated via press release. "Going into 2008 it seemed as if everything was working out with a big ride in 360 sprints. My family operation pretty much sold everything all the way down to the truck and trailer. When the ride fell through before the season opener it left us with nothing."
After regrouping in ''08, Hannula is ready to tackle the Wingless Wars of ARDC. "As far as the 2009 season goes it is pretty much going to be my first year in the midget. We ran 3 shows last year but were new to the midgets and just working out the bugs," Hannula explained. "This year I believe we can be a pretty serious threat for the title. However, due to the lack of funding I have we may be forced just to race a limited schedule as the year goes. I''m interested in wins, and if we can get those then the title should be in reach. I don''t usually points race so you wont catch me doing that. I really am looking forward to the midgets and hope that the popularity will really rise this year with the excellent schedule we have," Hannula said.
Hannula''s ARDC effort will be mainly a self-funded family affair. "My family and I all work regular jobs and sink every penny into our racing team to support our passion," Hannula shared. "It is a Stealth Chassis with a Scott Baylor Racing Engine. As far as crew members it is all about the family. I have my Mom, Dad, and my Uncle. This year I have lost support from my main sponsors due to the economy but have also picked up help from some great people. Scott Baylor and STB Performance have been a huge help to me and without him I don''t think I would have been able to be ready for the season. It should be a good 2009 season and I would keep an eye on the #89."
Last year''s Bryan Kobylarz wrenched ARDC Championship team will have a new look and line up for 2009. Kobylarz has teamed up with RT Racing''s Dyke Becker and Dyke''s son, driver Carey Becker. Sixteen year old Son Trevor will go to the post in a Stealth/Gaerte Chevy no. 05 in RT Racing colors. "Trevor''s in control of his own destiny," Bryan emphasized. "We''re on a limited budget, so he''s got to keep the car in one piece."
What does Kobylarz expect, going into the season as Dad/Crew Chief? "I think Trevor is tired of hearing advice," Kobylarz related. "It''s been a long off season and I think he''s just wants the season to start. I want to give him the benefit of my 30 years experience in racing and steer him away from some of the mistakes I made. Some times you have to let them make their own mistakes, though."
If there is any pressure applied, it wont come from dad. "He knows he''s not expected to set the world on fire," Kobylarz said. "Trevor''s got a good head on his shoulders."
Kobylarz is looking to help Carey Becker pull the pieces together for a successful season. Becker heads into the season with his familiar Becker Painting/Cafe Waldorf - backed Stealth/Hawk Chevy no. 20. "This is Carey''s fourth season doing this, and he hasn''t had the success he''s wanted," Kobylarz stated. "The equipment is there, I''m going to help him with setups and try to put it all together and get his first win and run consistently up front."
Felton, DE We pick up the story where we left it last week, there will be a new Champion in ARDC in 2009. The previous two Champions -- Andy Martin and Randy Monroe, Jr. -- will not be back to defend their titles. Those who finished close behind Monroe in a thrilling Championship battle in 2008 will be looking to add their names to an impressive list of Champions that has spanned 69 years of ARDC history. The quest begins this Saturday at Big Diamond Raceway.
Last year''s runner up, Frank Polimeda is already a compelling story going into the ''09 season. He is the walking definition of having "skin in the game" in terms of his racing career. He begins this season coming off a mind-numbing crash while battling for the last transfer spot in the second C-main at the Chili Bowl back in January. "I was battling with Bud Kaeding for the spot, I had my foot in it and started to wheelie off the last corner," Polimeda remembered. "I thought the start/finish line was only 50 ft. away, so I figured I would stay in it and set it down after I crossed the line. If I lifted I knew I would lose the spot."
Midget race cars can be na sty little beasts when they want to be, and Polimeda''s Neptune Research no. 44 was no exception this night. The car came out of the wheelie with a violent series of snap-rolls leaving Polimeda with a broken collar bone, middle finger and right wrist. Most serious of the injuries was a concussion. "Bones heal, but concussions are something to be concerned about," Polimeda said matter of factly.
With that in mind, Polimeda plans to be be back for the full ARDC schedule and another shot at the title. "When you run all the races, the Championship is always a goal. We want to try to win as many races as we can," Polimeda emphasized. Polimeda''s racing philosophy hasn''t changed. "I still say if you win races, the points will take care of themselves." Polimeda will go into the campaign with a familiar Spike/Mopar combination with Neptune Research backing.
Last year''s third place driver, "Slick" Nick Wean is another of many drivers who want to concentrate on winning races in ''09. He will go to the post in his no. 78 Spike chassis with a refurbished Gaerte/Chevy between the frame rails.
Last year''s fourth place driver, Drew Heistand has this to say about the upcoming season, "For the 2009 season the only thing I am worried about is winning. I am almost ready though, I rebuilt both my motor myself this year and plan on doing all the set-ups myself too. Last year we made a huge mistake and plan on going back to what we know works. The only help I really have is my dad and to be honest that is all I need. We have York Excavating, DonCin Transport and American Restoration back on board for 2009. I can’t wait!"
PJ Gargiulo rounded out the top 5 in the 2008 standings. His off-season included a win in the opening heat race of the ''09 Chili Bowl. Gargiulo came out of the sixth starting spot and bested the likes of Terry McCarl for the victory. Gargiulo will use the same Bill Jackson Chevy that powered him to that heat race victory between the frame rails of his GRP no. 51 going into the ARDC season. This year the team places a renewed emphasis on finishing races.
Veteran Steve Craig stayed sharp over the winter running his TQ midget at Atlantic City''s Gamblers Classic and the Indoor Races at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Rhode Island. He plans on running a full ARDC schedule along with some NEMA and ATQMRA events.
Andrew Hannula find his way into the 2009 ARDC Rookie class after experiencing the ups and downs of racing. He was rookie of the year in URC competition in 2007. After that, the road got a little rough. "I feel like in 2007, my rookie year with the URC Sprint Car series, I really turned some heads," Hannula stated via press release. "Going into 2008 it seemed as if everything was working out with a big ride in 360 sprints. My family operation pretty much sold everything all the way down to the truck and trailer. When the ride fell through before the season opener it left us with nothing."
After regrouping in ''08, Hannula is ready to tackle the Wingless Wars of ARDC. "As far as the 2009 season goes it is pretty much going to be my first year in the midget. We ran 3 shows last year but were new to the midgets and just working out the bugs," Hannula explained. "This year I believe we can be a pretty serious threat for the title. However, due to the lack of funding I have we may be forced just to race a limited schedule as the year goes. I''m interested in wins, and if we can get those then the title should be in reach. I don''t usually points race so you wont catch me doing that. I really am looking forward to the midgets and hope that the popularity will really rise this year with the excellent schedule we have," Hannula said.
Hannula''s ARDC effort will be mainly a self-funded family affair. "My family and I all work regular jobs and sink every penny into our racing team to support our passion," Hannula shared. "It is a Stealth Chassis with a Scott Baylor Racing Engine. As far as crew members it is all about the family. I have my Mom, Dad, and my Uncle. This year I have lost support from my main sponsors due to the economy but have also picked up help from some great people. Scott Baylor and STB Performance have been a huge help to me and without him I don''t think I would have been able to be ready for the season. It should be a good 2009 season and I would keep an eye on the #89."
Last year''s Bryan Kobylarz wrenched ARDC Championship team will have a new look and line up for 2009. Kobylarz has teamed up with RT Racing''s Dyke Becker and Dyke''s son, driver Carey Becker. Sixteen year old Son Trevor will go to the post in a Stealth/Gaerte Chevy no. 05 in RT Racing colors. "Trevor''s in control of his own destiny," Bryan emphasized. "We''re on a limited budget, so he''s got to keep the car in one piece."
What does Kobylarz expect, going into the season as Dad/Crew Chief? "I think Trevor is tired of hearing advice," Kobylarz related. "It''s been a long off season and I think he''s just wants the season to start. I want to give him the benefit of my 30 years experience in racing and steer him away from some of the mistakes I made. Some times you have to let them make their own mistakes, though."
If there is any pressure applied, it wont come from dad. "He knows he''s not expected to set the world on fire," Kobylarz said. "Trevor''s got a good head on his shoulders."
Kobylarz is looking to help Carey Becker pull the pieces together for a successful season. Becker heads into the season with his familiar Becker Painting/Cafe Waldorf - backed Stealth/Hawk Chevy no. 20. "This is Carey''s fourth season doing this, and he hasn''t had the success he''s wanted," Kobylarz stated. "The equipment is there, I''m going to help him with setups and try to put it all together and get his first win and run consistently up front."