By Tom Skibinski

WEEDSPORT, N.Y. -- The 2005 Advance Auto Parts Modified Super DIRT Series Eckerd 200 will take the green flag at 12 noon on Saturday, Nov. 5 and a full field of big-block Modifieds is expected to roar down the New York State Fairgrounds' homestretch to conclude the 34th edition of Super DIRT Week.

Led by pole-sitter Billy Decker, nearly every car that was running when rain forced chief starter Dave Farney to throw the red flag on Oct. 9 is slated to fill in the running order that lists 38 of the 45 cars still on the lead lap. 1999 Mr. DIRT Sportsman champion Chris Shultz (1 lap down) stated he will return while '03 Eckerd 200 top rookie Doug Manmiller (2 laps down) does not plan to make the tow back from his Pennsylvania home. Five-time Eckerd 200 champion Brett Hearn should fill the void made by Manmiller, as he is the lone driver among five that are multiple laps down and has every intention of returning in November.

Among those not returning are Central New Yorker Steve Paine, Bridgeport (NJ) Speedway regular Rick Laubach, small-block standout Jeff Strunk and two-time race winner Jack Johnson, who was sidelined early on by a cracked engine block in his 33rd and possibly final Eckerd 200 appearance.

Paine was the first one out after he suffered motor trouble in his primary car prior to heat races on Friday (Oct. 7) and was relegated to using a back-up powerplant on Sunday. Pennsylvanian Laubach brought out the first caution period under racing conditions on lap 31 when his yellow no. 5 Lincoln Auto Body/TEO shredded a tire exiting turn three and crashed into the outside retaining wall. The water pump belts failed on fellow Keystone State pilot Strunk's no. 88 BPG Racing/TEO mount to incur a second slowdown on lap 38 before red lights flashed for continuing raindrops to stop racing on lap 52. Hearn had lost a motor after completing just 28 laps and can fall in at the rear of the field when trackside action resumes on lap 53.

Upon conclusion of the Eckerd 200, the Advance Auto Parts Modified Atlantic Coast Championship at Bridgeport (NJ) Speedway on Nov. 13 will be the final points event of the year to determine the overall 2005 Hoosier Tire-Sunoco Race Fuels Mr. DIRT Champion. Tim Fuller (1,864) currently holds a 58-point advantage over Hearn (1,806), followed by defending Mr. DIRT Gary Tomkins (1,749), Decker (1,661) and Gypsum teammate Pat Ward (1,604).




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