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THE 2013 ARDC SEASON HAS
ARRIVED
ARDC Begins 74th Season of
Competition
The long awaited start of the American Racing Drivers' Club
(ARDC) for the 2013 season has finally arrived! The New Egypt Speedway will
host the 2013 ARDC Season Opener tonight (April 20th) -- just the first of three
appearances by ARDC at the New Egypt facility this season.
The winner of the 2012 season opener, Tim Buckwalter, was
crowned as the ARDC Champion at season's end. Will tonight's winner share the
same fate?
While Buckwalter pursues a full time commitment on the
Modified circuit, there are plenty of race teams who are looking to add their
names to the impressive list of ARDC champions! A new champion will be crowned
at season's end - Who will it be??
Trevor Kobylarz, the twenty year old second generation
driver from Birdsboro, PA finished second in driver points and captured the
owner's title for Dyke & Carey Becker of R/T Racing in 2012. Kobylarz
finished the season with two wins and eleven top five finishes in the nineteen
events held. Brenden Bright, the 2011 ARDC Rookie of the Year, will pursue the
title in 2013. Bright was a two time winner last season and will be looking to
expand on that success this season. Steven Drevicki of Reading, PA will
complete his college degree in just a few weeks and would like to add an ARDC
Championship to his resume'. Drevicki was a feature winner in 2012. Bruce
Buckwalter, Jr. Brett Arndt, PJ Gargiulo and Mark Gilmore are all in search of
the checkered flag that eluded them in 2012. Strong performances resulted in
top ten finishes for these drivers in the Championship chase last season and
they will all be looking to take on the challenge of 2013.
After joining the ARDC schedule late in 2012, Ryan Greth
returns to the Karen & Jerry Steward owned midget to challenge for the
season title. Greth came away with a second and third place finish with his
limited schedule a year ago. For 2013, Greth will pilot one of the new Hyper
midgets for ARDC competition.
Running a part time ARDC schedule, these drivers are a
threat whenever they join the wingless midgets for a night of side by side and
three wide racing. 2010 ARDC Champion, Steve Buckwalter, 2011 Champion, Drew
Heistand as well as 2012 Champion, Tim Buckwalter are expected to compete in
selected ARDC events. All three drivers know how to find Victory Lane and have
demonstrated those skills successfully in seasons past.
Alex Bright returns from a winter of competition in
Australia and New Zealand to compete with ARDC this season. Bright was the big
winner last year with four ARDC wins to his credit - including the race run at
the New Egypt Speedway.
Nick Wean finished third in points in 2012 with one win at
the Countyline Speedway. Wean was the winner of the first Bob Hilbert
Sportswear Award last season and will have child size T-shirts to distribute to
young fans whenever he competes in 2013. Wean will pick and choose his events
as the season plays out.
Rookie of the Year honors went to Brett Wanner of
Shoemakersville, PA last season. Wanner picked up his first ARDC win at
Winchester, VA and Wanner looks to improve upon his record in 2013 as do Brian
Gilmore and Jimmy Glenn who were embroiled in a tight race for the Rookie honor
in 2012. The new season finds new Rookie contenders as Austin Burke, John
Barnett, Tony DiMattia and Kyle Lick have all thrown their hats into the ring
for this honor.
The ARDC field will be marked by names that are rich in the
club's 74 year history. Names like Bull, Heistand, Jackson, Heydenreich, Craig
and Courtwright will continue to appear in ARDC lineups throughout the new
season.
Current ARDC president, Greg Fitzpatrick plans to return to
the cockpit this season as Jason Rice also makes a comeback to ARDC competition
this season. Joe Butera of Wampum, PA and Randy Reid of Severn, MD continue to
travel the longest distances to compete with ARDC.
Shane Penny hails from Nescopeck, PA and can be expected at
various tracks throughout the ARDC footprint. Carey Becker will debut a new
Elite Chassis for 2013 and return his car number to the #20. Dave Shirk and his
RAACE Foundation sponsored team led by Glenn Good will add Ryan Watt to the
roster for several shows in 2013. Watt had several strong outings last season
for Shirk/Good as they look to extend the opportunity again this season. Rick
Buckwalter will continue to offer a rental ride to interested competitors and
has several commitments lined up for the new season.
ARDC is rich in history. The roster of ARDC competitors
shows promise for the future. And ARDC is where you will find, side by side and
three wide racing! Let the 2013 season begin!
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