2/8-21/07

FLORIDA'S NEW SMYRNA 2007 REVIEW FOR DELANGE RACING

 
DeLange Racing
Lockport, NY

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

Date: February 22, 2007

The DeLange Racing team is back at home in Lockport and preparations are already underway for the 2007 racing season up North. But the season began with the 41st Annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway in early February and assessing the team’s performance is a major part of planning for what lies ahead.

Driver Bobby Holmes of Lockport made his first trip to New Smyrna in the #22 Original Pizza Logs Modified a memorable one. In seven races he recorded two top-ten and four top-twelve finishes to go with three races he failed to complete due to accidents. It was good enough to garner a tenth place finish in the final point standings. All in all it was a solid inaugural performance against some of the best teams and drivers in Modified racing. That fact was acknowledged by both driver and team owner.

“I had a very good time racing at New Smyrna,” admitted Holmes. “It was a fun time and good experience for me. I was racing against some tough competition and I learned a lot. I haven’t done much time trialing in my career so that was a valuable lesson for the future. The competition was rougher than I had expected but it was just good, hard racing on a level above what I have been exposed to previously. It ended on a disappointing note with two crashes, but that is just part of racing.

“All in all, it was a good learning experience that will help advance my career to the next level. When you race against the best you had better learn and improve, because if you don’t you won’t be successful. That was my goal coming down here and I think we accomplished that. I can’t wait to put these lessons to use when the season starts here at home.”

Team owner Dave DeLange was equally satisfied. “This was a good experience for Bobby Holmes, something he needed. This was definitely moving up a level or two, racing against some of the top Modified drivers and teams. He had almost no experience at time trialing and got to work on that every night. The good thing was he got better each day and I am pleased with that. To be the best you need to race against the best and find out what you are made of. I think you will see the positive effects of this experience all season long.”

Look for announcements on the DeLange Racing schedule and drivers Bobby Holmes and Erick Rudolph very soon.

Date: February 18, 2007

WORLD SERIES ENDS ABRUPTLY FOR HOLMES

The 41st Annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing came to an end Saturday night at New Smyrna Speedway. Bobby Holmes and the DeLange Racing team were hoping to close on a high note with a top-five finish in the night’s 25-lap Modified feature. Unfortunately the end came in a sudden and unfortunate manner.

The DeLange crew worked feverishly all day to repair the racecar after a hard crash in the previous night’s race. Holmes qualified the #22 Original Pizza Logs Modified eighth fastest. After the redraw for starting positions he would line up for the main from the inside of the third row, his best starting spot of the World Series.

In the early laps Holmes settled into line as once again the racing was primarily one groove. The first caution of the race waved on lap 6 for a minor incident on the frontstretch. Holmes lined up for the restart in fifth, just ahead of NASCAR Modified Tour star Donny Lia. As the green flag waved, the 19-car field hurtled into turn one. Lia tried to make a pass to the inside and there was contact, sending the #22 into the concrete wall with significant force. Holmes climbed from the car unhurt but the damage was too extensive to continue racing.

It brought the World Series to a conclusion for Holmes and the DeLange team. In seven nights of racing they were consistent, with two top-ten and four top-twelve finishes, which produced a tenth place position in the final point standings. Racing against a very high level of competition was good experience for Holmes and the team which they hope will pay dividends in the remainder of the 2007 season.

Look for further details on the 2007 schedule for DeLange Racing coming soon.

Date: February 17, 2007

RICHIE EVANS MEMORIAL ENDS ABRUPTLY FOR HOLMES

Friday night at New Smyrna Speedway showcased the Modifieds in the annual Richie Evans Memorial 100. It is a race that every Modified drivers wants to win. A strong field of competitors was on hand, including such noted drivers as Ted Christopher, Eric Beers, Donny Lia, the Blewett brothers and Western New York standout Chuck Hossfeld. But DeLange Racing driver Bobby Holmes of Lockport was not intimidated and focused on fulfilling his own dream.

Race officials decided to use qualifying times from Thursday night’s rained out program. That placed the #22 Original Pizza Logs Modified of Holmes in the 14th starting position, on the outside of the seventh row. Holmes fell into line as the green flag waved and settled in for the extra distance race. Track conditions were slick after the rain and patience was critical to success. Holmes was making slow but steady progress toward the front of the field.

By the two-thirds mark in the race he was up to tenth. After a lap 74 restart he advanced to eighth and his best finish of the Series was within sight. On lap 84 he closed in on a fading John Blewett and tried to make a pass. There was contact between the two cars in turn one and the #22 slammed hard into the concrete wall, bringing out the red flag. Holmes was sore but otherwise unhurt, but the racecar was badly damaged and sidelined for the remainder of the race. He was credited with finishing 18th and dropped to 11th in the point standings with one race remaining.

The #22 Original Pizza Logs Modified will be repaired and ready to compete in tonight’s 25-lap feature, the final race in the 2007 World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway.

Date: February 16, 2007

RAIN CANCELS RACING AT NEW SMYRNA

A rain shower that arrived at New Smyrna Speedway just as the Modifieds were pulling onto the racetrack for their 25-lap feature forced the cancellation of racing on Thursday night. The program will not be rescheduled. Racing returns on Friday night, featuring the Richie Evans Memorial 100 for the Modifieds.

With two nights of racing remaining in the 2007 World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing, DeLange Racing driver Bobby Holmes of Lockport is currently tenth in the Modified point standings. Holmes is coming off his best finish of the Series in Wednesday night’s 50-lapper, ninth place, and looks for a strong closing effort to boost him in the rankings.

Date: February 15, 2007

HOLMES FINISHES NINTH IN NEW SMYRNA 50

Wednesday night began the stretch run in the 2007 World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway. The Modifieds were scheduled for their first extra-distance event, a 50-lap feature race. It was a perfect time for DeLange Racing driver Bobby Holmes of Lockport to post his best result so far, a ninth place finish.

In qualifying, the Original Pizza Logs #22 was one of the first cars on the track. The surface was very slick and Holmes could only muster a lap of 17.587 seconds, good for the 18th starting position, his worst so far in the Series. But there was still optimism in the DeLange camp. It would prove to be well-founded.

Slotted on the outside of the ninth row, Holmes settled into line at the drop of the green flag. He drove a smart race, stayed out of trouble and took advantage of every opportunity to move up. At the checkered flag, the #22 sailed across the finish line in ninth place. It brought smiles to the faces of the entire DeLange crew.

“The crew has been making the car a little better each day,” explained Holmes. “We were a little off our pace in time trials, but I knew it was due to the track conditions. It was very slick; two of the first five cars out for qualifying hit the wall. I knew once the racing started the surface would improve. In the feature I just tried to be patient and take advantage of every opportunity to gain a position. I like the longer distance races. We did what we needed to do and we were rewarded with out best finish all week.”

Thursday night at New Smyrna the Modifieds will run a 25-lap feature. It will be the final tune-up for Friday night’s Richie Evans Memorial 100.

Date: February 14, 2007

HOLMES HAS ANOTHER SOLID FINISH AT NEW SMYRNA

The fifth night of the 2007 World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway saw the Modifieds reaching the midpoint of their schedule with a fourth appearance. Twenty-three cars started the 25-lap feature, which was won by NASCAR Modified Tour standout John Blewett III of Howell , NJ .

DeLange Racing driver Bobby Holmes of Lockport , New York , gave another sound performance. He posted another qualifying lap in the low 17-second range, good enough for 12th fastest. That put him on the outside of the sixth row on the feature starting grid.

As the green flag waved, Holmes settled into a comfortable spot. He drove a smooth, steady race in the #22 Original Pizza Logs Modified. With the checkered flag in sight he was running a very competitive tenth. On the final lap he got turned sideways by another driver and lost two positions, credited with a 12th place finish. That placed him a very respectable ninth in the point standings at the halfway mark.

“We had another competitive car tonight,” explained Holmes after the race. “Jim Rudolph (crew chief) and the crew have done a great job setting up the chassis and each night it gets a little better. The new pavement on the racetrack is still very slick and passing is very difficult. We had a top-ten finish locked up until another driver got me turned and I lost a couple of positions right at the end. This isn’t the first time I’ve had a problem with that driver this week. Hopefully it was the last time.

“Tomorrow night (Wednesday) is the first of the extra distance races. I’m looking forward to a good run and maybe a little better luck.”

Tonight the Modifieds will be running a 50-lap feature.

Date: February 13, 2007

HOLMES RECOVERS FROM NEAR DISASTER TO POST A SOLID FINISH

The third round of Modified racing at New Smyrna Speedway on Monday night underscored how DeLange Racing’s Bobby Holmes has matured as a driver. In only his second full season of Modified racing, Holmes recovered from a disappointing mid-race setback to post a solid 12th place finish.

The #22 Original Pizza Logs machine started from the 11th position. Holmes steadily worked his way forward from the initial green flag and by lap 10 was well up into the top-ten. But a bump from behind by another young racer sent him into a spin in turn two. Holmes kept the car from making any contact and under the caution flag fell back to the rear of the field.

Over the remaining laps Holmes kept his cool and focused on working his way forward once more. He methodically raced his way back through the field and at the checkered flag he was up to 12th, his second consecutive mid-pack finish after a crash on Opening Night. Rather than a disappointment, Holmes saw it as a learning experience.

“Every night I feel a little more comfortable in the racecar,” he noted. “The crew has worked hard on the setup and each night we get a little better. Tonight we were headed to our second consecutive top-ten finish and maybe more until we got spun out. Fortunately I was able to keep it off the wall and we were able to get a decent finish. I’m improving, the car is improving, and all we need is a little good fortune to finish up front. We’ll shoot for that tomorrow night.”

Tuesday night the Tour Modifieds will run a 25-lap feature on Night #4 in the 41st Annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing.

Date: February 11, 2007

A MUCH BETTER NIGHT FOR HOLMES AT NEW SNYRNA

The second night of racing was much better for Bobby Holmes and the DeLange Racing team in the 41st Annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway. After the previous night’s crash the crew spent most of Saturday making repairs to the #22 Original Pizza Logs Modified. But once it was time to go racing, Holmes showed he had learned a few things that he was able to put to good use.

In qualifying, Holmes improved his lap time by a full half-second over the previous night. That was good enough to place him 14th on the grid for the 25-lap feature.

Whelen Modified Tour star Donny Lia led the 25-car starting field to the green flag and grabbed the early lead. Holmes settled into line and began to work his way forward. He was up into the top ten by the halfway mark. On lap 15 he was running eighth when a bump from behind sent him into a spin and the caution flag was displayed. The car was undamaged and Holmes fell in at the rear of the field.

Holmes went back to work and began to move forward once again. He had managed to work his way back up to tenth when the checkered flag waved. His first top-ten finish in the World Series gave him reason to smile, but Holmes knew there was more work to be done.

“There was a lot of damage to the racecar when I wrecked last night,” he admitted after the race. “We started at eight o’clock this morning and worked all day to make the repairs. The crew did a great job and the car was really handling well tonight. We qualified five spots better than last night and gained a half-second on our lap time. In the race we had worked our way into eighth when I got bumped from behind and spun out. I was still able to get back up to tenth but I think we are capable of a better finish.

“I am getting more comfortable on the track. The new pavement has increased the speeds and tonight the track had more bite. Hopefully the outside groove will start to come in so you can pass more easily. I am just happy with how tonight ended up. We needed to finish the race and a top-ten was even better. More importantly the car is in one piece. Now we can focus on making it better instead of making repairs.”

The Modifieds have Sunday night off, but will return on Monday with a 25-lap feature.

Date: February 10, 2007

A BRIEF DEBUT FOR HOLMES AT NEW SMYRNA

The 41st Annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway began on Friday night, February 9. Bobby Holmes of Lockport was making his Florida debut for DeLange Racing in the #22 Original Pizza Logs Modified. It proved to be a short and unrewarding effort.

After afternoon practice, 21 Modifieds prepared to qualify for the night’s 25-lap feature event. Holmes ran a qualifying lap that placed him 19th fastest, scheduled to line up on the inside of the tenth row in the main. The Modifieds rolled out onto the track shortly after 9 p.m. for their feature. After three attempts at starting the race were aborted after minor spinouts, race officials made the decision to line the cars up in single file order for the next try.

Finally the race was underway and Holmes was moving forward. Then on lap three the DeLange machine lost traction and slammed hard into the turn two wall. The #22 Modified was towed to the pits with significant damage, where it would remain for the rest of the race. At the checkered flag polesitter Eric Beers of Northampton , Pennsylvania , a regular on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, ended up in Victory Lane . Holmes was credited with an 18th place finish.

The DeLange team is faced with a long day of repairs but will be ready in time for Saturday night’s racing.

Date: February 8, 2007

BOBBY HOLMES READY FOR FLORIDA ASSAULT

DeLange Racing and driver Bobby Holmes are headed south to compete in the 41st Annual World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway in Samsula , Florida . The racing begins on Friday night, February 9, and continues for eight nights, ending on Saturday, February 17. Holmes, of Lockport, will be making his first visit to the famed Sunshine State half-mile oval in the #22 Original Pizza Logs Modified.

Although a rookie at New Smyrna, Holmes will be backed up by an expert crew headed up by Western New York mechanical mastermind Jim Rudolph of Ransomville. Rudolph is a veteran of the World Series, having competed most recently with NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour standout Chuck Hossfeld. The DeLange team will field a completely rebuilt Troyer chassis powered by a fresh motor built by Bob Bruneau Engine Research of Bristol, Connecticut. The talented Holmes is eager to face this new challenge.

“It is the dream of every Modified driver to compete at New Smyrna against some of the top Modified racers,” says Holmes. “Last year I came down to watch guys like Ted Christopher, Donny Lia and the Blewett brothers and I was eager to see how well I could do against this level of competition. I am getting my first chance this year and I am anxious to get started. I know I don’t have the experience that most of these guys have but I have the best equipment available thanks to Dave and Laura DeLange and a top-notch crew behind me headed up by Jim Rudolph. It’s up to me to get the job done and I can’t wait to go racing.”

DeLange Racing wishes to congratulate team driver Erick Rudolph of Ransomville for being named the 2006 Rookie of the Year on Asphalt by the Friends of Auto Racing Fan Club at their recent annual awards banquet in Amherst. Rudolph was recognized for his first year accomplishments behind the wheel of the #12 Original Pizza Logs SST Modified. Rudolph also captured the 2006 season points championship for the Casey’s TQ Midget Series.

Source: Bruce Boucher/DeLange Racing PR
Compilation Posted: February 24, 2007