Bev Perdue 47
Richard Moore 33
Dennis Nielsen 4
Richard Moore spent last week throwing every piece of mud he could find at Bev Perdue but it appears it's bouncing right off her and sticking back on him. This is the biggest lead she has shown since early March.
His campaign tried to erode Perdue's credibility with black voters by tying her to the Klan and 'confederate hats,' but Perdue is maintaining a 56-27 advantage with that group.
Meanwhile Perdue appears to be getting an Andy Griffith bounce, polling 53-29 with voters over 65, a much better performance than she has shown in most recent polling.
Perdue leads in every region of the state.
Full results here.
Monday, April 28, 2008
SOS: Bob Crawford 'One Man Army'
By Tommy Goudge - Southern Ontario Sprints.com
The 2008 season will mark Bob Crawford's 6th year of racing with the Southern Ontario Sprints, and if one word were to be used to define the first 5 years of his sprint car career, that word would be 'consistent.'
The 53 year old from Sutton, Ontario has never finished lower than 6th in SOS points standings, and has finished no worse than 4th in each of the last 3 seasons, including a 2nd place in 2006, just 18 points behind that year�s champion, Warren Mahoney.
Crawford came to the sprint cars from the Can-Am TQ Midget series, a division that has produced quite a few present-day SOS front runners. When asked, Bob will say the learning curve changing from asphalt to dirt was a steep, but it should be noted out that he scored a popular victory at Ohsweken Speedway on July 30, 2004, just halfway through his second season on the dirt.
Victory lane has eluded Crawford since that first visit in '04, but it is never a surprise to see Bob up front and in contention at any SOS venue, despite being what he calls a "One man army."
He does much of the work and upkeep on his car himself, and has help from just a single crew member on race days, as well as working with a smaller budget than many other front-running competitors, all of which makes what he has accomplished over the years that much more impressive.
Despite a season-best finish of 2nd at Brighton Speedway during the Labour Day Classic weekend, Crawford recalls another event at Brighton earlier in the season as his favourite moment of 2007: On June 9, Bob had a tough heat and was only able to muster a 6th place finish, but in the feature race things came together and Crawford charged from the 9th row on the grid to finish in 4th. This performance and a charge from 21st to 8th in another Brighton event in July were 2 key moments which helped to solidify his 4th place finish in the SOS points standings last season.
Due to unfortunate circumstances, two of Bob's long-time sponsors will not be returning this season, but Carstar has helped out and have the familiar red #10 looking great and ready for the entire SOS schedule, which begins at the Brighton Speedway in Brighton, Ontario on Saturday, May 10th.
A staunch supporter of the Southern Ontario Sprints since joining the sprint car division, Bob will also represent the club at selected events at Ohsweken Speedway throughout the season, including the Canadian Sprint Car Nationals in September. In what was an impressive performance, Crawford narrowly missed making the feature at the Nationals last season, despite having to repair damage from a rollover earlier in the evening.
To find out when and where to find Bob Crawford and the Southern Ontario Sprints this season, please visit http://www.southernontariosprints.com/.
The 2008 season will mark Bob Crawford's 6th year of racing with the Southern Ontario Sprints, and if one word were to be used to define the first 5 years of his sprint car career, that word would be 'consistent.'
The 53 year old from Sutton, Ontario has never finished lower than 6th in SOS points standings, and has finished no worse than 4th in each of the last 3 seasons, including a 2nd place in 2006, just 18 points behind that year�s champion, Warren Mahoney.
Crawford came to the sprint cars from the Can-Am TQ Midget series, a division that has produced quite a few present-day SOS front runners. When asked, Bob will say the learning curve changing from asphalt to dirt was a steep, but it should be noted out that he scored a popular victory at Ohsweken Speedway on July 30, 2004, just halfway through his second season on the dirt.
Victory lane has eluded Crawford since that first visit in '04, but it is never a surprise to see Bob up front and in contention at any SOS venue, despite being what he calls a "One man army."
He does much of the work and upkeep on his car himself, and has help from just a single crew member on race days, as well as working with a smaller budget than many other front-running competitors, all of which makes what he has accomplished over the years that much more impressive.
Despite a season-best finish of 2nd at Brighton Speedway during the Labour Day Classic weekend, Crawford recalls another event at Brighton earlier in the season as his favourite moment of 2007: On June 9, Bob had a tough heat and was only able to muster a 6th place finish, but in the feature race things came together and Crawford charged from the 9th row on the grid to finish in 4th. This performance and a charge from 21st to 8th in another Brighton event in July were 2 key moments which helped to solidify his 4th place finish in the SOS points standings last season.
Due to unfortunate circumstances, two of Bob's long-time sponsors will not be returning this season, but Carstar has helped out and have the familiar red #10 looking great and ready for the entire SOS schedule, which begins at the Brighton Speedway in Brighton, Ontario on Saturday, May 10th.
A staunch supporter of the Southern Ontario Sprints since joining the sprint car division, Bob will also represent the club at selected events at Ohsweken Speedway throughout the season, including the Canadian Sprint Car Nationals in September. In what was an impressive performance, Crawford narrowly missed making the feature at the Nationals last season, despite having to repair damage from a rollover earlier in the evening.
To find out when and where to find Bob Crawford and the Southern Ontario Sprints this season, please visit http://www.southernontariosprints.com/.
Democratic Tracking Poll: President
Barack Obama 51
Hillary Clinton 39
Obama's lead has dropped after varying from 18-25 points in PPP's last five North Carolina polls.
The primary movement in the last week has been among white voters. Our last survey showed Clinton leading by only five points in the state with that group but now her margin is up to 56-35. Per usual Obama's overall lead comes from dominating the black vote, which he leads 83-9.
One piece of good news for Obama in the poll is that he has a lot more votes in the bank than Clinton. 14% of those surveyed said they had done early voting already, and with those folks Obama has a 63-31 advantage.
Obama continues to lead in every part of the state except the Mountains. PPP will have its final North Carolina Presidential poll next Monday.
Full results here.
Hillary Clinton 39
Obama's lead has dropped after varying from 18-25 points in PPP's last five North Carolina polls.
The primary movement in the last week has been among white voters. Our last survey showed Clinton leading by only five points in the state with that group but now her margin is up to 56-35. Per usual Obama's overall lead comes from dominating the black vote, which he leads 83-9.
One piece of good news for Obama in the poll is that he has a lot more votes in the bank than Clinton. 14% of those surveyed said they had done early voting already, and with those folks Obama has a 63-31 advantage.
Obama continues to lead in every part of the state except the Mountains. PPP will have its final North Carolina Presidential poll next Monday.
Full results here.
NASCAR Canadian Tire Series: Whitlock & NMT Together for Six Years
"We are proud of the relationship we have built with Dave Orosz of Nitrex Metal Technologies, his employees and customers," stated team owner and driver Dave Whitlock. "NMT have supported us through thick and thin and have gone far above all expectations, to support our race team. We couldn't be happier to welcome them back for year six."
Nitrex Metal Technologies Inc. is a family owned and operated company based in Burlington, Ontario. They place a strong emphasis on teamwork to achieve the utmost level of service and quality for their customers through the use of technology and innovation. With their focus being entirely on surface treatment of metal components, they have an extensive knowledge of the controlled gas nitriding process in particular and can offer a superior level of service to that of their competitors. The combined knowledge and expertise of the metallurgical and materials staff at both NMT and sister company H&S Heat Treating allow a unique and comprehensive applications design aid to their customers.
"Dave Whitlock and his team exemplify the values that reflect our company, some of those being teamwork, hardworking, fun loving and tenacious," commented NMT-Nitrex President Dave Orosz. "We at NMT-Nitrex value the relationship we have with the Whitlock Motorsports team and Dave Whitlock personally and that is why we are back for our sixth year. The Whitlock organization is first class, professional and always competitive, and are representative of the best there is in Canadian Motorsports. We know they have worked extremely hard during the offseason, have made significant investments in new equipment and we can't wait for the first race when Whit gets a chance to showcase all that effort out on the racetrack."
"Our main objective for the 2008 season is getting back to the winner's circle," stated Dave Whitlock. "We missed the top rung of the podium last year so we have been working hard during the offseason to remedy that. With Dickies Canada signing a two year contract extension in September 2007, we have been able to concentrate this off season on racing rather than sponsorship."
CRS Trucking will again provide the power to haul the brand new 53' Featherlite race trailer. Not to be out done Stan Morrow from CRS has provided a new 2008 T660 Kenworth tractor with a large studio lounge/sleeper. Both units are expected in the Whitlock Motorsports yard any day now. Additionally, Wendell Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Kitchener have come on board to look after all the paint and body needs of the two car race team.
Two new team members have been added in the offseason. Ray McCaughey returns to the team after a two year hiatus. Ray will be working closely with Dave & Warren as a set up specialist, overseeing tire preparation & management and of course over the wall as rear tire changer. After helping Whitlock Motorsports with the # 29 Pierre Bourque car for the last couple seasons, Scott Van Camp comes on board for the 2008 season and will take on the tire preparation duties at the track as well as over the wall as tire carrier.
Whitlock Motorsports teammates Mark Dilley and Dave Whitlock will take to the track for the first practice session of the year at the annual Mopar Day. It takes place next week, Wed. April 30th at Kawartha Speedway just outside of Peterborough. Next up will be the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series open test session at Cayuga Motor Speedway on May 10th. This session is open to the public to come out and watch as well as camp. For more information on the test day and tickets for race event number one on May 24th, please visit http://www.cayugamotorspeedway.ca/
For more information on Dickies Canada please visit http://www.dickiescanada.com/
For more information on the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series please visit http://www.nascar.ca/
For more information on Whitlock Motorsports please visit http://www.whitlockmotorsports.com/
From Linda Jones // Wide Open Motorsport Solutions
NHRA: Coke's Full Throttle Energy Drink to Succeed POWERade as NHRA Title Sponsor in 2009
Atlanta, April 25, 2008 -- In the world of heads-up professional drag racing, perhaps nothing exemplifies the dog-eat-dog nature of the sport better than words, “Go Full Throttle or Go Home!”
Beginning in 2009, that’s exactly how NHRA’s top professional series will be branded, as Coca-Cola North America’s Full Throttle energy drink succeeds POWERade as the title sponsor of NHRA’s premier professional drag racing series. It’s the first major sports marketing play for the beverage Company’s lead energy drink.
The association between NHRA and Coca-Cola North America, with support from Coca-Cola Enterprises, includes a two-year partnership extension through the 2013 season, representing one of the longest running series sponsorships in motorsports. The new series will be called the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.
“It’s one of the great synergies of brand and sport,” said NHRA President Tom Compton, who orchestrated the original deal with Coca-Cola North America in 2001. “To have a title sponsor for what will be, at minimum, 12 years by the end of this current deal is a tribute to a great relationship between NHRA and Coca-Cola North America, Coca-Cola Enterprises, the POWERade brand and beginning in 2009, the Full Throttle brand.”
NHRA’s top professional series, the second most popular form of auto racing in America behind only NASCAR (source: ESPN Sports Poll), holds 24 races from February through November, all of which are broadcast by ESPN2 in HD.
“When you fuse the energy of Full Throttle with the speed and intensity of NHRA professional drag racing, you’ve got a combination that’s hard to beat,” said Rafael Acevedo, senior brand manager, Energy Drinks, Coca-Cola North America. “We mean it when we say, ‘Go Full Throttle or Go Home.’ We can’t wait to unleash the power of Full Throttle and cement the relationship between NHRA drag racing, NHRA fans and the ultimate energy drink.”
Full Throttle has been the official energy drink of NHRA since 2005 and currently sponsors the Full Throttle Pit Crew Championship, which awarded prize money in excess of $250,000 in 2007. Fully integrated marketing plans for Full Throttle and NHRA will include at-track activation, out-of-home media support, online presence, retail programs and sampling.
From NHRA
Beginning in 2009, that’s exactly how NHRA’s top professional series will be branded, as Coca-Cola North America’s Full Throttle energy drink succeeds POWERade as the title sponsor of NHRA’s premier professional drag racing series. It’s the first major sports marketing play for the beverage Company’s lead energy drink.
The association between NHRA and Coca-Cola North America, with support from Coca-Cola Enterprises, includes a two-year partnership extension through the 2013 season, representing one of the longest running series sponsorships in motorsports. The new series will be called the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series.
“It’s one of the great synergies of brand and sport,” said NHRA President Tom Compton, who orchestrated the original deal with Coca-Cola North America in 2001. “To have a title sponsor for what will be, at minimum, 12 years by the end of this current deal is a tribute to a great relationship between NHRA and Coca-Cola North America, Coca-Cola Enterprises, the POWERade brand and beginning in 2009, the Full Throttle brand.”
NHRA’s top professional series, the second most popular form of auto racing in America behind only NASCAR (source: ESPN Sports Poll), holds 24 races from February through November, all of which are broadcast by ESPN2 in HD.
“When you fuse the energy of Full Throttle with the speed and intensity of NHRA professional drag racing, you’ve got a combination that’s hard to beat,” said Rafael Acevedo, senior brand manager, Energy Drinks, Coca-Cola North America. “We mean it when we say, ‘Go Full Throttle or Go Home.’ We can’t wait to unleash the power of Full Throttle and cement the relationship between NHRA drag racing, NHRA fans and the ultimate energy drink.”
Full Throttle has been the official energy drink of NHRA since 2005 and currently sponsors the Full Throttle Pit Crew Championship, which awarded prize money in excess of $250,000 in 2007. Fully integrated marketing plans for Full Throttle and NHRA will include at-track activation, out-of-home media support, online presence, retail programs and sampling.
From NHRA
BENSON Autoparts 358 Dirt Modified Applefest Shootout presented by ImageFActor.ca
BRIGHTON, ON - Brighton Speedway is proud to announce that Benson Auto Parts has come on board as the Title Sponsor for the 2008 edition of the Benson Auto Parts 358 Dirt Modified Applefest Shootout presented by ImageFactor.ca. Now in it's fourth season the event is looking stronger than ever with its new title sponsor.
"Because of the support, every year we have been able to grow the event and 2008 will be no different," said event Coordinator and sponsor Greg Calnan of ImageFactor.ca. 2008 will again see an increased purse for the drivers and the fans will get to see a great field of 358's for the 50 lap main event. "Our only mistake in 2007 was the track prep" said Brighton Speedway Promoter Mark Rinaldi. "A dry, hot and windy day made it difficult to get good conditions and we ended up with an extremely dry track, we won't let that happen again" vowed Rinaldi.
2007 saw teams from all over Ontario, New York and Quebec attend the 358 Shootout, and the plan is to build off of that with a complete summer to plan and promote the Benson Auto Parts 358 DIRT Modified Shootout. Drivers like Pete Bicknell, Mark Hitchcock, and 2007 winner Mario Clair are already circling September 27th on their 2008 racing calendar.
For 2008 the Benson Auto Parts Applefest Shootout will see the winner race for a $2,000.00 top prize with the increase in purse for 2008 coming from positions 13 – 24 that will see the 24th place finisher take home $400.00 just to start the race. "The evenly dispersed payout that isn't top heavy and pays well right down to 24th is probably the biggest reason for the strong support by competitors in the first two runnings of the event" said Rinaldi.
Returning again for 2008 to join the main event is the Lucas Oil Clash for Cash. This popular event sponsored by Lucas Oil is just another example of their commitment to local short track racing. Lucas Oil will pit the best of the East against the best of the West in a 15 lap "Clash for Cash". Qualifiers for this event will comprise of the top three drivers from the Lucas Oil Canadian Series and the top three drivers from the Lucas Oil Summer Shootout 358 series, along with the winner of each qualifier on the eve of the 27th. 2007 Rookie Driver Chris Steele upset the field with a win over some of the finest drivers in the Northeast and will no doubt be looking to repeat in 2008.
This race will have a completely seperate purse paying the winner $1,500.00 with a total of $5,000.00 for 15 laps, above and beyond the scheduled 50 lap main event. All this means is that for 10 drivers on this night they will be guaranteed to take home no less than $650.00, and if one driver can put together a win in both the 15 lap "Clash for Cash" and the 50 lap main event that driver will leave Brighton Speedway with $3,500.00 in his/her pocket.
The Lucas Oil Canadian Series is a 5 race series made up of 2 Eastern Ontario and 3 Quebec tracks. Now in its fourth season the Lucas Oil Canadian Series hosts events at Autodrome Granby, Autodrome Drummond, Autodrome Edelweiss, Brockville Ontario Speedway and Cornwall Motor Speedway throughout June and July.
The Lucas Oil Summer Shootout is a separate 5 race series that takes place in Western Ontario and Western New York State. In its third season the series will hold events at Ransomville Speedway, Genesee Speedway, Merrittville Speedway, Humberstone Speedway and Ohsweken Speedway.
"Seeing the top drivers from these two great series compete at Brighton Speedway in the "Lucas Oil Clash for Cash" will be one of my 2008 highlights" claims Brighton Speedway Promoter Mark Rinaldi. "There has been a lot of cooperation between promoters to make all these series and events happen but Lucas Oil is a major contributing factor with their support of dirt racing!"
For more info on the Benson Auto Parts 358 DIRT Modified Shootout presented by ImageFactor.ca or the "Lucas Oil Clash for Cash" visit www.imagefactor.ca/applefestshootout or www.brightonspeedway.com
From: Brighton Speedway
"Because of the support, every year we have been able to grow the event and 2008 will be no different," said event Coordinator and sponsor Greg Calnan of ImageFactor.ca. 2008 will again see an increased purse for the drivers and the fans will get to see a great field of 358's for the 50 lap main event. "Our only mistake in 2007 was the track prep" said Brighton Speedway Promoter Mark Rinaldi. "A dry, hot and windy day made it difficult to get good conditions and we ended up with an extremely dry track, we won't let that happen again" vowed Rinaldi.
2007 saw teams from all over Ontario, New York and Quebec attend the 358 Shootout, and the plan is to build off of that with a complete summer to plan and promote the Benson Auto Parts 358 DIRT Modified Shootout. Drivers like Pete Bicknell, Mark Hitchcock, and 2007 winner Mario Clair are already circling September 27th on their 2008 racing calendar.
For 2008 the Benson Auto Parts Applefest Shootout will see the winner race for a $2,000.00 top prize with the increase in purse for 2008 coming from positions 13 – 24 that will see the 24th place finisher take home $400.00 just to start the race. "The evenly dispersed payout that isn't top heavy and pays well right down to 24th is probably the biggest reason for the strong support by competitors in the first two runnings of the event" said Rinaldi.
Returning again for 2008 to join the main event is the Lucas Oil Clash for Cash. This popular event sponsored by Lucas Oil is just another example of their commitment to local short track racing. Lucas Oil will pit the best of the East against the best of the West in a 15 lap "Clash for Cash". Qualifiers for this event will comprise of the top three drivers from the Lucas Oil Canadian Series and the top three drivers from the Lucas Oil Summer Shootout 358 series, along with the winner of each qualifier on the eve of the 27th. 2007 Rookie Driver Chris Steele upset the field with a win over some of the finest drivers in the Northeast and will no doubt be looking to repeat in 2008.
This race will have a completely seperate purse paying the winner $1,500.00 with a total of $5,000.00 for 15 laps, above and beyond the scheduled 50 lap main event. All this means is that for 10 drivers on this night they will be guaranteed to take home no less than $650.00, and if one driver can put together a win in both the 15 lap "Clash for Cash" and the 50 lap main event that driver will leave Brighton Speedway with $3,500.00 in his/her pocket.
The Lucas Oil Canadian Series is a 5 race series made up of 2 Eastern Ontario and 3 Quebec tracks. Now in its fourth season the Lucas Oil Canadian Series hosts events at Autodrome Granby, Autodrome Drummond, Autodrome Edelweiss, Brockville Ontario Speedway and Cornwall Motor Speedway throughout June and July.
The Lucas Oil Summer Shootout is a separate 5 race series that takes place in Western Ontario and Western New York State. In its third season the series will hold events at Ransomville Speedway, Genesee Speedway, Merrittville Speedway, Humberstone Speedway and Ohsweken Speedway.
"Seeing the top drivers from these two great series compete at Brighton Speedway in the "Lucas Oil Clash for Cash" will be one of my 2008 highlights" claims Brighton Speedway Promoter Mark Rinaldi. "There has been a lot of cooperation between promoters to make all these series and events happen but Lucas Oil is a major contributing factor with their support of dirt racing!"
For more info on the Benson Auto Parts 358 DIRT Modified Shootout presented by ImageFactor.ca or the "Lucas Oil Clash for Cash" visit www.imagefactor.ca/applefestshootout or www.brightonspeedway.com
From: Brighton Speedway
ACT: Rolfe Holds Cyr Off for Oxford ACT Victory
OXFORD, ME – Home track stock car favorite Ricky Rolfe of Albany Twp., ME held off a fast-closing Jean-Paul Cyr to win the American-Canadian Tour (ACT) New England Dodge Dealers 150 at Oxford Plains Speedway on Saturday. Cyr’s late charge was enough to bring him alongside Rolfe’s Race Basics/Swasey Excavation #51 Ford with less than ten laps remaining, but the former track champion won by about two car lengths.
"We lapped a lot of cars early, but when the field started to catch up, I had to try some new lines around the track,” said Rolfe. “We found that the upper groove was the place to be, and it worked.”
Cyr recovered from a lap 49 spin with John Donahue to earn his podium finish. Both drivers spun in oil dropped on the track by another car, and were given their running positions back by race control during the caution period.
Rolfe earned a “+5” handicap to earn the pole starting position. Seven-time and defending ACT Late Model Tour Champion Cyr, of Milton, VT, started fifteenth in the field of 33 cars. Brent Dragon, also of Milton, VT, drove from 24th place to finish third. Rowley, MA driver Eddie MacDonald and Donahue, of Graniteville, VT, rounded out the top five.
Unofficially, the top ten was completed in order by Turner, ME’s Shawn Martin, Montreal driver Patrick Laperle, Quebec City’s Donald Theetge, Cris Michaud of Northfield, VT, and Ben Rowe of Turner, ME.
The ACT Late Model Tour victory was the second of Rolfe’s career, his first since 2002. Only two caution periods slowed the New England Dodge Dealers 150, which was completed in just over 54 minutes. Fifty Late Model cars from four U.S. states and two Canadian provinces attempted to qualify.
The ACT Late Model Tour travels to Barre, VT’s Thunder Road Int’l Speedbowl for the 10th Annual Merchants Bank 150 on Sat./Sun., May 3/4. For more information, call (802) 244-6963 or visit www.acttour.com.
UNOFFICIAL FINISH – New England Dodge Dealers 150
ACT Late Model Tour – Oxford Plains Speedway, Oxford, ME
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Pos.-(Start)-Car No.-Driver-Hometown (# - denotes rookie)
(1) 51 Ricky Rolfe, Albany Twp., ME
(15) 32 Jean-Paul Cyr, Milton, VT
(24) 55VT Brent Dragon, Milton, VT
(17) 17 Eddie MacDonald, Rowley, MA
(3) 26 John Donahue, Graniteville, VT
(2) 94 Shawn Martin, Turner, ME
(12) 91 Patrick Laperle, St-Denis, QC
(18) 80 Donald Theetge, Boischatel, QC
(7) 6 Cris Michaud, Northfield, VT
(8) 10NH Ben Rowe, Turner, ME
(9) 78 Ryan Nolin, Georgia, VT
(22) 11 Claude Leclerc, Lanoraie, QC
(29) 7VT Eric Williams, Hyde Park, VT
(4) 70 Scott Dragon, Milton, VT
(5) 9ON #Jonathan Urlin, London, ON
(21) 25 Shawn Knight, South Paris, ME
(30) 89 Scott Payea, Milton, VT
(25) 97 Joey Polewarczyk, Jr., Hudson, NH
(10) 05 Ron Henry, New Gloucester, ME
(27) 56 Dale Verrill, Paris, ME
(32) 02NH Randy Potter, Groveton, NH
(16) 5ME Leon Heckbert, Wilton, ME
(13) 07 Scott Luce, Strong, ME
(28) 85 Dennis Demers, Shelburne, VT
(20) 7ME Glen Luce, Turner, ME
(14) 16 Joe Becker, Jeffersonville, VT
(19) 41VT Pete Potvin, III, Graniteville, VT
(23) 61 Tommy Ricker, Poland, ME
(26) 83 Alan Tardiff, Lyman, ME
(31) 18 Jamie Fisher, Shelburne, VT
(11) 15 Ben Ashline, Pittston, ME
(33) 86 Travis Stearns, Auburn, ME
(6) 03 Travis Adams, Canton, ME
From Justin St. Louis // ACT Tour
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