Columnists

STEWART FRIESEN: Once is good, twice is controversial

By MATT NOLES

In a manner of speaking, addiction can be quickly defined as a physical or psychological dependence on a substance. More often than not, this word is generally considered to be a bad and sometimes awful way to describe something. To be addicted to something does not always have to equate to an object of a chemical sense. However, sometimes the resulting outcome is the same.

For one man, it is neither liquid nor mineral that he chases after. It is instead glory and immortality, a chance to achieve greatness and rewrite history. Winning seems to be what this one driver has done more of in the past two seasons than even he can fathom. This driver who has become hooked on winning would be none other than the newly, and controversially crowned two time champion of the mile, Stewart Friesen.

To win one race at Syracuse is quite an accomplishment to say the least; to win twice in a row is almost improbable. With Billy Decker pitching a perfect game heading into Sunday’s SEF 200 on the mile, it almost seemed that the “Franklin Flyer” was unstoppable. Fate stepped in during the last out in what can truly be considered the ninth inning and due to Friesen’s unwillingness to lose; Decker came just short of perfection.

BILLY DECKER: His Dominance Continues

^{THEY'RE ALL CHASING HIM: Billy Decker has been THE story at Super DIRT Week this year. He has the potential to do what no one has done before: sweep every pole, heat and feature for big and small blocks. (MIKE PETRUCCI / RPW)}

By MATT NOLES

People are obsessed about attaining perfection. Albeit obsessed may not be the choice word to use in describing a part of human nature, yet whatever adjective is chosen, we do seem to be consumed by it. Very seldom do we get to be a part of such an event; it is not often that we are able to witness what seems to be unattainable. To put this into perspective one only needs to look at the amount of perfect games pitched throughout the history of Major League Baseball. In the 135 years since the sports inception there have only been 20 perfect games pitched. Of the 20 masterpieces, only 18 have occurred in the modern era between 1900 and the present. However impressive this statistic is, there is another example of complete and utter dominance unfolding at this very moment. The possible complete sweep, and virtual competitor shut-out of Super Dirt Week XL is nearly finished; the “Franklin Flyer” is merely a single brush stroke away.

THE TRIPLE DOUBLE: A night at the Mile

By MATT NOLES

“Stand up and be counted, for what you are about to receive.” On November 23, 1981, a small rock band from Australia would release one of the greatest anthems of a generation. This seemingly perfect string of guitar chords and screaming vocals did not pull its inspiration from modern times; instead one has to look back to the period of the ancients. Back to a place in world history where men did not fight to win, they did not fight for something as fleeting as glory. Instead they fought merely for survival, for the right to retain the air in their lungs and the heartbeat in their chest. On dirt floor arenas and in massive towering coliseums they fought, and inevitably they died. For some it may have been the only way out, for others it was a sad end to a life never fulfilled. For all intents and purposes, these gladiators should not have had to salute those in attendance; it truly should have been the exact opposite. It is interesting to see how times have changed, and yet in a manner of speaking, have not.

What is Syracuse?

^{For most people who attend, Syracuse is still the biggest event on their racing calendar. (Rodney Rescott photo)}

An RPW feature by MATT NOLES

Sometimes in life all it takes is one word to describe something, one word that can spark a seemingly endless fire of memories and passion. To achieve this level of notoriety is difficult to say the least, yet every once in a while it happens.

Every once in a great while, a place of such profound importance is able to stamp itself into our minds and gain a permanent foothold in our souls. In the world of auto racing, the same can be said for many of the locations we hold dear, yet for a select few only minimal syllables are required to gain our attention.

NASCAR has Daytona and rightfully so. There are no other words that mean as much to that sport as the beach in Florida. Then there is Indianapolis, where just one miniscule yard of bricks can bring people to their knees both in joy and in anguish.

Yet for the dirt racing community, these aforementioned items do not mean nearly as much. For us there is one Holy Grail and it is found in the land of the People of the Hills, an area where warriors have been present for over 4,000 years; Syracuse.

The Search is On For SDW XL

By Mike Feltenberger
One of the most exciting drivers to ever strap into a race car at the Moody Mile in Syracuse,is still among the many looking for a ride.1992 winner Rich Tobias,has become a fan favorite,by more than just his home state Pennsylvania fans.

His ability to put a modified on parts of the race track that no other driver would dare to venture has given new meaning to "racing where they ain't".His constant reminders to crew and friends that he cannot pass anyone if he runs behind them, has put his most recent ride the Lineman USA-1 in the top 5 and even leading during some portion of the last 2 events.

Coffey Eyes WoO LM Victory In SDW Special at RWR

ELBRIDGE, NY - Vic Coffey’s greatest moments as a DIRTcar big-block Modified driver have come during Super DIRT Week. He’s hoping that this year’s edition of DIRTcar Northeast’s premier event will provide his crowning achievement behind the wheel of a dirt Late Model as well.

With the World of Outlaws Late Model Series headed to Rolling Wheels Raceway Park on Thurs., Oct. 6, for its first Super DIRT Week date since 2004, Coffey can’t help but feel that the stars might be lining up perfectly for his full-fender breakthrough.