The 25-lap Super DIRT Week pro stock championship has just concluded, and that means only one race is left for this year’s edition of Super DIRT Week- that’s right, the Rite Aid 200. It’s about 2:45 p.m., and I’m hunkered down in the grandstands getting ready to cover 200 laps of full-throttle action at the Moody Mile. All of the brightly colored, high-powered big-block modifieds are lined up on pit road ready to go. It looks like things will be ready to go soon and the cars will be hitting the track shortly. I’m ready to go, that’s for sure.

Since I last posted, I hung out at the Gater News tent as I prepared to cover the big race today. I also strolled pit road as I watched the modified and pro stock futures races while also checking out the final modified practice and pro stock qualifying. The modified practice action was certainly fast and furious, as teams made last-minute preparations and performed practice pit stops. I looked on as the #39 Sweetener’s Plus Racing team of Tim McCreadie worked on the car and made some changes. I know the hopes are high for that team so we’ll see how things turn out in McCreadie’s return to Super DIRT Week. Hopes are high everywhere; pre-race is certainly an exciting time.

Following the modified practice, I did some running around as I tried to figure out where would be the best spot for me to fully cover today’s race. It came down to either the media center, which has a TV showing the camera feeds from around the track, or the grandstands, which allow me to see the whole frontstretch as well as the lap counter. The media center would’ve be nice, as it’s still chilly outside and it hasn’t warmed up like I had expected, and I would’ve been able to see all of the action from the TV screen. But, I’m a race fan, and if I’m at the track, I want to see the action up close. So, I quickly decided to head for the grandstands, even if it means I’ll be chilled throughout the rest of the day.

Pete Stefanski won the pro-stock championship while Mark Flach and Chucky Dumblewski won the modified and pro stock futures races respectively. It’s been a terrific day of racing so far at the Moody Mile, and it’s about to get even better, as pre-race festivities are underway as the clock strikes 3 p.m. Anticipation is high, and hopefully the green flag for the Rite Aid 200 isn’t too far off.

Today is Sunday of Super DIRT Week 2009. That means the big day has finally arrived, and the Rite Aid 200 big-block modified race is almost on. Though I have thoroughly enjoyed the first three days I’ve spent at Super DIRT Week - Thursday at Brewerton, the disappointing yet enjoyable washout on Friday, and the thrilling action-packed day on Saturday - today is Sunday, and this is the moment I have been waiting for all season long.

It really does feel like Christmas morning. I have that same excitement I had as a child waking up and knowing I was going to get that one toy I had really wanted after seeing it in the store or on TV. Today, I’ve got a really terrific present coming. We all do - I mean, hey, it’s Super DIRT Week and the big race is here. But, not only will I get to see the greatest dirt track race in the Northeast for my third time, but I will get to report on it for Gater Racing News for the very first time. It’s been a cool experience already, and I am simply excited.

I started the day off bright and early, waking up at 6:30 a.m. to get ready to head to the track. After taking a hot shower and drinking a nice cup of coffee to get myself awake, I was ready to go. I got to the track right around 8:15 and headed to the chaplain service at the Gater tent. That was a really uplifting service and got me even more ready for the big day. It’s close to 9:15 now, and I’m sitting in the media center taking more time to get prepared for the big show. In reality, I keep looking at my watch, wondering just how much longer I have to sit and wait before the green flag drops. There are still about five hours to go. Time is going to drag on, I know it.

The good news is that it is sunny and clear outside. After a washout on Friday and a rain delay yesterday, that is welcome news and has me even more eager for the green flag. The bad news is that it is really chilly outside, but it is still fairly early in the morning so I expect that will change. At least I hope it will because I plan to be outside for the race. It got to be pretty warm yesterday afternoon so I predict the same will happen today. It should be a fantastic fall day and a perfect day for racing. In all honestly, warm or chilly, if the Rite Aid 200 is on and the green flag is out, it’s always a perfect day for racing. Just a few more hours until the Moody Mile gets rolling.

Now comes the part where I talk about who I think is going to win the big race today. I really have no idea. The Rite Aid 200 is a long, long race, and between mechanical failures and pit strategies, it’s really a crapshoot and it’s really anybody’s race. Obviously, Billy Decker might be the heavy favorite as a multiple time past champion and after yesterday’s victory in the Salute to the Troops 150. Brett Hearn looked pretty strong yesterday as well, as did Tim Fuller, who will start from the pole today. But, behind them there plenty of good cars and plenty of confident drivers. Pat Ward feels good about his chances for today, as do Stewart Friesen, Chris Higgins and several of the drivers I talked to in the past two days. All I can say is, after 200 laps and 200 miles, we will see who ends up in victory lane.

Well, I think I’m out for now. I’m in the media center right now, but I suppose it’s time for me to brave the cold and head out to the pits to check out the early morning action. I’ll be sure to post if I have any updates or find out anything interesting.

It’s nearly 8 o’clock on Saturday night, and today’s action at Super DIRT Week has just concluded, as Matt Billings took a commanding victory over John McAuliffe in the 30-lap sportsman championship.

Two vicious crashes marred the start of the race, as multi-car wrecks occurred in turn two then turn one before the race was even one lap old. Eventually, the race got under way, and Billings dominated from green flag to checkered flag. He won the race in his first-ever appearance and also picked up the rookie of the race award as a result.

What had been a sunny, warm day for the Salute the Troops 150 has turned in a dark, chilly night. Billy Decker played some pit strategy, as the whole field did throughout the 150 laps, and came away with the win over Brett Hearn and Kenny Tremont. I kept my eye on the action from right in the middle of pit road, and between cars suffering mechanical problems and other cars coming in for routine work, pit road was a frenzy throughout the event.

I was tweeting the action for another web site, and oftentimes I found myself hustling back and forth between pit stalls to keep up with what was going on. It was interesting to watch as some drivers pitted while others didn’t and then see who came back in for fuel and who was playing what strategy. Meanwhile, the attrition was high in the race, as the Moody Mile is always tough on equipment. The track held up well and should be in good shape for tomorrow. With his victory today, Billy Decker might be the guy to beat, though Brett Hearn and several others will undoubtedly give him a run for his money.

I was glad to finally get a full day of racing in at the Moody Mile after seeing no action at all yesterday. The schedule was delayed and pushed back because of the early morning rain and ensuing track preparation, but when the racing started at last it was a great show from start to finish for all the divisions. I was already really excited for the Rite Aid 200, but now I’m even more eager for tomorrow’s big race. The weather looks to be clear for the race so there ought to be some fast and furious action tomorrow with no problems.

Well, I’ve had a long day at the Moody Mile, and I feel like I’ve said everything I wanted to say so I think it’s time for me to head out. I’ll be sure to post in the morning before the Rite Aid 200. The big day is almost here!

Well, as anticipated, there has been plenty of action on the Moody Mile today. Since my last post, the skies have cleared and the sun is shining brightly. It was really chilly for awhile, but it’s warmed up as the day has passed.

The packer trucks diligently did their work to pack in the track, dry it up, and get the racing surface ready for action. Just before 1 p.m., sportsman cars made their way onto the track for some slow laps as they did their part to work in the surface. Soon after, they were up to speed for their hot laps session. After all the drivers had had a chance to run some laps, it was time for the small-block modifieds to head to the track for their delayed practice session. The track surface looked pretty good as far as I could tell, but I talked to a couple of drivers to see what they thought after their practice sessions.

There was some concern yesterday that the track, especially the frontstretch, would break up from all of the moisture once the cars finally got on it. That didn’t seem to be the case, though. Sportsman driver Josh VanBrocklin said he was concerned about some bumps in turn one, but other than that he said the track looks good overall. After the modified practice session, Pat Ward agreed, saying the track is in good shape and that it’s better than he thought it would be. He will be starting up front for both today’s Salute the Troops 150 and tomorrow’s Rite Aid 200, and he said he feels pretty good about both cars and likes his chances in the two races.

Before the action started, I had the chance to talk to Chris Higgins, who is making his second appearance in the Rite Aid 200. It was cool talking to him because he was my first interviewee when I wrote my first article for Gater News at the Motorsports Expo back in 2008. He will start 23rd tomorrow, which puts him in a better starting spot than last year. He had a good car last year, making his way up to second place before breaking late in the race, so he feels pretty confident heading into this year’s edition. He said this will be his last run at Syracuse before he moves to North Carolina, where he will look for a job in sports management and try to break into late model racing. Overall, he’s pretty proud of what his family team has accomplished while racing against the powerhouses. He took home second in modified points this season at Can-Am Motorsports Park.

Wayne Jelley paced the final 358 modified practice before the 150-lap race, which is coming up soon. Matt Billings took the pole for the 30-lap sportsman race, also coming up today, before the last chance qualifier for the small-block modifieds. Now, the second of two sportsman qualifiers is on the track, and then the Salute the Troops 150 will be on following that event. Stay tuned.

The 358-modified driver’s meeting has just concluded. The officials went over the standard race procedures and technical requirements. At the end, they said that packer trucks are on the track and will be working in the surface both on the track and on pit road. Crews were asked to stay out of the way on the pit road, unless they’re working on the cars, so that the packers can get pit road ready. Meanwhile, I’m in the media center but I’m hearing that the sun is out at the Moody Mile. That is certainly great to hear!

Well, that’s all I have for now. It’s time for me head back outside to see what’s going on and get ready to watch the practice and preparation for the Salute the Troops 150, scheduled for later today. I’ll be back later on to recap today’s action, as it looks like there will be action.