Three Weeks ago in the 'Ville...

Intro to 2010...

Our 12th season of coverage is.... ready, set.... GO!

After an extended winter break... the snow plows have cleared the dirty streets of Circlesville for another exciting season of coverage from across the country.

It's been an interesting off-season, and we'll dive right in to the coverage here and now with Moulton, Alabama highlights and a special look at the USA vs South Africa tour this week and next on the 'Ville but before that we want to alert to two new features for '10.

We've pretty much left the standard press release function to other message boards and sites. But as the LONGEST, CONTINUOUS running dirt focused site and the demise of several other sites and the continued performance issues of other message boards we have partnered with CircleTrackTalk.com to furnish a place for the PR releases we receive weekly and allow posting by PR reps for their use. You can visit the independent www.CircleTrackTalk.com and find a section labeled Circlesville.com - we welcome any submission by email to us here or directly posting of PR releases on that section. We will however use our standard editing philosophy.. so attention PR Reps.. we could care less when your driver used the bathroom this past week... tireless PR releases telling your driver finished fifth in a $10,000 to win event to us is not newsworthy enough to warrant a weekly press release. Sign a new sponsor, win an event or some unordinary happening during the weekend event... fine and good, We welcome it! But we won't overload the reader with nothing more or nothing less.

2010 will also see more commentary on the 'Ville. Our racing - dirt racing - is in need of some changes, some leadership and some different voices. Next week we introduce a new commentary/blog format that will weekly address the sport. We'll save that intro for next week - but put your seatbelts on... get ready... its time to go racing!

 

Mears Returns to Old Ways..

After what has been a couple of frustrating seasons, last year highlighted by just a couple of feature wins, The Decatur Raider Mark Mears returned to old form Saturday afternoon Feb 20th to take the $2,000 to win Super Late Model season opener at Moulton (AL) Speedway in a just completed MasterSbilt.

The win wasn't as easy as leading from a front row start however. Mears was in a side by side duel with Daniel Miller #16 (below) as the duo lapped Brandon Browns car in the first and second corners with contact between Mears and Brown bringing out the caution. Mears was spared any sidelining damage and returned to the lead spot and finished out the laps in front of Miller for the win.

Dueling Chads as Chad Winkles #12 noses inside Chad Thrash #1.

Ross Campanovo #18 and Steve Bryan #K9 duel early in the special.

Donnie Moore claimed the Late Model Stock feature.

Tony Gray took the Open Wheel Modified main. (Richard Cunningham Photos)

Additional Photos HERE

Event Rescheduled - Now March 28th - Details on the website - UMP Mods and E-Mods

USA vs South Africa Tour...

Jake Knowles shares the victory podium atop the V-8 Late Model South African winner in the USA vs South Africa three weekend challenger. Jake won the opening weekend main with his dad Wade (far left), and Lee Sutton, (Second from left) also garnering podium status as they are being joined by Riley Hickman on the South African tour.

The USA contingent of Jake's #27 out front during the Super Late Model event.

One of the team of cars for the USA's tour.

Jake and his Larry Shaw Race Cars #27.

A look at the backstretch and turns three and four of the opening weekend of USA vs South Africa tour.

VIP Towers and a sandy clay await action.

Turn two of the South African oval.

Worchester Motorklub hosted the opening weekend event.

A full grandstand turned out for the Saturday evening event highlighting the USA Team.

Knowles victory was his second in a row in South Africa, as the Georgia racer made a preliminary trip down last fall and won the feature during a one weekend visit to put with this Saturday Feb. 13th victory.

Out of the seat for a few years, veteran Wade Knowles put on a suit and joined Jake, Lee and Riley in racing the Super Late Models.

Wade signs a South African racer t-shirt.

Another of the Super Late Model team rigs and car.

Inside the teams home away from home racing garage.

Team USA makes midweek plans while preparing their cars. (Cindy Knowles Photos)

Next week we'll have week two of the USA vs South Africa Tour.

Weaver Inherits Crate Wins...

Randy Weaver #116 collected a trio of runner-up positions in the NeSmith Crate Series go at East Bay Raceway Park over the weekend Feb 19-20th, but in post race inspections the winner of the final two events was declared illegal giving Weaver a pair of wins and a runner-up and nearly $7,000 for his three night Florida go.

Weaver ran a Warrior by Weaver out of his own shop for the races, not to be confused with a new Super Late Model effort the Crossville, TN driver has for 2010 above as he races under Keith Nosbisch #101. (NeSmith Crate Series Photos/Brian McLeod Photo)

 

 

 

Shan Smith celebrates his Friday night NeSmith Crate Series win at East Bay Raceway Park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Devin Dixon #33 lost Thursday and Saturday night's wins after his motor was declared illegal in Saturday night's post race tear down. Here he sets up Doug Horton for a pass. (NeSmith Crate Series/Brian McLeod Photos)

Winter Nationals Highlights...

 

Defending Lucas Oil Series champion Scott Bloomquist only won one series victory last season but kick started the '10 season by taking a victory during the week long action the first week of February

Mike Marlar drove the Stephens Racing #34 to an early week win in the Lucas Oil Series action at East Bay Raceway Park in a car that basically had sit idle since last winter's WinterNationals at the Tampa, FL area track.

Don O'Neal #71, one of the mainstays in East Bay competition, steered the MasterSbilt House Car to a victory during the week.

Tim Dohm made a solid run as the driver of the #17 during the week as here he races Matt Miller in the #7. (Rick Schwallie Photos)

Cruise with the Champions...

Getting married Saturday Feb. 27th, Racer Steve Francis and fiancée Amanda Ferrell - both regulars to the Cruise with the Champions - were toasted frequently in a pre-honeymoon, pre-speedweek trip for the Kentucky couple.

Drivers pose for a group photo from the 16th Annual Cruise with the Champions.

Mark Vineyard gets ready to wheel a dune buggy during one of the groups excursions during the port stop in Yucatan, Mexico.

Jeremy Clements (Oakley shirt right) was front and center of a tour group of CWTC goers that was site-seeing during the Yucatan and Cozumel cruise.

Young guns Chris Ferguson (left) and Jake Knowles (right) soak up some sun during the Caribbean cruise port stop during the January cruise. The 17th Annual Cruise with the Champions schedule is set for a 7 day trip to port of calls including Miami, St. Thomas, San Juan, Nassau and Grand Turk leaving on Jan 2, 2011. Complete information is on www.cruisewiththechampions.com (CWTC Photos)

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