7/29/06

DELANGE RACING MIDSEASON REPORT

 
DeLange Racing
Lockport, NY

Media Contact:
Bruce Boucher
(585) 598-3242
modscene@rochester.rr.com

The 2006 season-to-date has been a very successful one for the DeLange Racing Young Guns. Bobby Holmes, age 21, in the #22 Original Pizza Logs Modified has posted two victories and several top-ten finishes racing weekly at Lancaster Raceway Park and the Race of Champions Modified Tour. Dave Wollaber, age 22, in the #45 Visteon Modified has yet to capture a checkered flag but has posted four top-five finishes. Teenager Erick Rudolph has driven the #20 Original Pizza Logs TO Midget to five victories at Lancaster as well as the Casey’s Midget Series and has recently added the #12 SST/Sportsman to his schedule at Wyoming County International Speedway.

Team owner Dave DeLange recently commented on his team’s performance in 2006. He also offered his views on what the remainder of the season would offer.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with how everything has gone so far this season,” said DeLange. “We have a talented group of young drivers and they have performed very well, probably beyond my expectations headed into the year. They are making the most of the opportunity we have provided for them and I can’t find fault with either their effort or results.

“Bobby Holmes and Dave Wollaber are each talented drivers in their own right, but with two very different styles. Bobby is very aggressive while Dave has a more conservative and calculated approach, but each has been successful and they work very well together. Bobby has won a couple of races, including a RoC race at Lancaster, and has been very competitive in every event. Dave has yet to win this year, but has consistently run very well and posted some good finishes. Probably the only difference between them has been a matter of luck, not performance. Dave has been in a position to win but has yet to get the right break at the right time. I believe it is only a matter of time until he starts winning races. Both drivers are in the running to win the Modified championship at Lancaster and Bobby is in the top-five in the RoC North Region. I couldn’t be more pleased with either of them.

“Erick Rudolph has probably been a surprise to me. His talent and demeanor are well beyond his age. He has been a dominant force in the TQ Midget with five wins, including four in a row. He leads the Casey’s Series points and is moving up in the Lancaster standings. He recently started driving in the SST/Sportsman division and has posted three top-four finishes in as many races. You can see him progressing each time he races. I truly believe Erick is a star of the future.

“I cannot say enough about how well the crews have performed. Each car has their own crew and everyone is working hard to win races. They all strongly support each other. We are very fortunate to have Jim and Charlie Rudolph with us. Jim lends his technical support to the crews and his guidance to the drivers. Charlie is the crew chief for Erick and also works with the Modified teams and drivers as his schedule allows. Combine that with our outstanding roster of sponsors: Original Pizza Logs, Visteon, Copcam Technologies, WDX Logistics, Halfway Auto Parts, Global Abrasive Products, Englewood Collision, Adams Door, CRB Electric, Dennis Haslam, Joie of Seating, Prime Tyme Motorsports and Brigham Concrete Construction. It all adds up to a winning team.

“As good as our performance has been so far in 2006, I think we are positioned to do even better in the second half of the season. Our equipment is in great shape. At the end of August, with the big season-ending races coming up, we will have a fresh Jim Rudolph motor for the #22 Modified and a fresh Bob Bruneau motor for the #45 Modified. I expect Erick will continue to run well in the TQ Midget and he gains experience and knowledge each week in the SST/Sportsman.

“It has been a great year so far, but I think the best is yet to come.”

Source: Bruce Boucher/DeLange Racing PR
Posted: July 30, 2006