Rinker Set To Defend Title
Two-time champion “Roars” into Bay City

Bay City, Mich. ~ If there was one driver who worked harder than anyone else leading up to the start of the 2005 ChampBoat season one year ago, it was Terry Rinker.  The 2003 champion suffered through a winless 2004, but started the season on a tear, winning three of the first four events, including a second place finish at the Bay City River Roar.

The AMSOIL/Rinker Boats driver from Tampa finished second at Bay City as part of a streak of five straight races he reached the podium, finishing either first or second. That streak served as a springboard to a title run that no other driver could catch.  Bay City was Rinker’s first “non win” on the series a year ago, and now he wants to atone for that at the longest continuous running event on the F1-ChampBoat calendar as the River Roar marks its 19th annual year on the weekend of June 24-25 at the waterfront of downtown Bay City.

“We have always done well at Bay City,” said Rinker. “Sure, we’ve had some spectacular moments, but our wins in 1998 and 2003 along with our second here in 2005 on this very rough course have been my most rewarding trophies in my career. I can’t wait to come back and try to win for the third time this week.”

Drivers from coast to coast are expected to arrive on Friday the 23rd and race throughout the weekend with Champ 2 and Champ Light classes running as well to make it a full weekend of racing action on the river front for the 19th Annual Bay City River Roar.

Super Team Sets Sights on Crandon
Team AMSOIL drivers go for gold in northern Wisconsin

Crandon, Wis. ~ The AMSOIL/Kumho Tires Super Team has had a month off to regroup, rebuild and refocus their quests to capture the Championship Off-Road Racing series titles.  The series turns its attention to the granddaddy of off-road short track racing, the Crandon International Raceway in Crandon, Wis.

Crandon, the home of the world championship races each September, will host the annual Forest County Potawatomi Brush Run Races on Saturday and Sunday.  Raceway officials report that more than 300 race pit spots have been sold for the two-day event.

Some of those pit spots have lifetime reservations by Team AMSOIL drivers Dan Vanden Heuvel, Scott Douglas, Mike Oberg and Dan Vanden Heuvel, Jr.  The four men will compete in three classes and will all take shots at the newly renovated 1.75 mile track.

Dubè Aces Arenacross

Nanaimo, British Columbia ~ Marco Dubè was determined to get his KTM back on track in the CRMC Pro National Motocross Series after a number of unfortunate crashes. So the Quebec native loaded his hauler and headed west to British Columbia for round three of the CRMC.

In his first moto, Dubè got out of the gate about mid-pack.  In the first corner, however, he noticed his clutch was dragging a little bit.  Despite having to downshift into first gear every time he entered a corner turn, he was able to keep the bike fired and pushed his way toward the front.  With three laps to go, Dubè had made his way up to sixth, where he would stay until the end of the race.

In the second moto, Dubè again started in mid pack.  The bike, however, was running much better, and he spent the next 20 minutes battling for the fifth spot.  When the checkered flag dropped, he was outside of the top five in sixth, but his overall results gave him his first top 10 of the season. 

Smith Finds Superior Success
Former champ returns home

Superior, Wis. ~ Team AMSOIL Late Model Driver Brady Smith was happy to be spending a June weekend near his Solon Springs, Wis. home last weekend.  The former World Dirt Racing League champion took part in a WDRL special at the Superior Speedway and another event at the Cedar Lake Speedway in New Richmond, Wis.

Smith ran a fourth place heat race last Thursday night in Superior, Wis.  His top finish allowed him to transfer directly into the feature, where the Deuce overcame some tough competition to finish sixth.

On Friday, Smith traveled to Cedar Lake Speedway for a NARA/WDRL special, but rain got in the way of all the riders as the night of racing was cancelled.  Smith spent the night in New Richmond to race in front of the SPEED Channel cameras.  Smith qualified for the main with a top five and went on to finish 11th in the feature.

Smith is back on the road this weekend as he travels east to the Virginia Motor Speedway in Saluda, Va.

Shryock’s Streak Stopped Short
Team AMSOIL driver earns second in Missouri

Monett, Mo. ~ Team AMSOIL driver Kelly Shryock’s onslaught of the Modified competition in the United States Modified Touring Series came to a brief halt last weekend in Monett, Mo. 

Shryock, who had won four of the last five O’Reilly USMTS events, made a last-corner effort on the final lap to get around Jason Hughes at the finish of Sunday's 35-lapper, but was denied his 10th win in 20 starts and had to settle for second-place money.

Shryock continues to lead the Southern Region standings, as well as the national points chase as he looks to secure his eighth straight USMTS national crown. The Fertile, Iowa veteran also leads in most other categories, including the Central Region standings, the Northeast Region standings and the AMSOIL Lap Leader Award.

Shryock has a full line-up of events this week, including the Adams County Speedway in Corning, Iowa on Thursday and the Rapid Speedway in Rock Rapids, Iowa on Friday.

Co-op Sponsorships

• Randy Hall Racing is showing strong in the BRP CanAm Series this summer.  Rookie driver Randy Hall is second in the series points standings after finishing third at Black Rock and fourth at Merrittville.   AMSOIL Dealer Larry Rosenthal sponsors Randy Hall Racing.

• Clint McKay is heading into their third weekend of racing, this time with their own car.  McKay, who runs for McKay Racing, snapped a chain in the first race, damaging the motor.  He was forced to run a back-up car in his second race, but lacked the top end speed to compete.  AMSOIL Dealer Tom Weiss sponsors McKay Racing.

• Nolin Race fans were happy to see their team race without rain last weekend.  The Nolin Race Team followed the ACT Tour to the White Mountains of New Hampshire.  Ryan Nolin drove the #31 car to a win in his qualifying heat, putting him in fifth for the start of the feature.  Despite getting sent to the back of the pack in the main, Nolin was able to move up to his original starting spot and secured a fifth place finish.  AMSOIL Dealer Ken Smith sponsors Nolin Racing.

• Team 94 Racing was also at the White Mountain event last weekend.  Shawn Martin was in second in his heat race when the third place car spun him out.  Martin was forced to start in the back for the feature, and made his way back up to 11th.  AMSOIL Dealer Greg Peace sponsors Team 94 Racing.

• Monday Motorsports was back in the saddle on June 8 for the weekly Thursday Night Thunder races at the Wisconsin International Raceway. 

• Late model driver Andy Monday qualified 13th and finished the 50-lap feature in fourth.On June 10, Monday posted the fastest overall time in qualifying and starting in the front row for the feature.  He would finish fourth, just behind the race leaders.  He is currently sixth in the Wisconsin Challenge Series points race after four events.  AMSOIL Dealer Rick Bahr sponsors Monday Motorsports.