Rweb Note: Jason Shank has been going to races since he was three months old. You can frequently find him at Lernerville on Friday nights and PPMS on Saturday nights. Jason claims to have been almost everywhere north of the Mason-Dixon line. He raced go-karts in his younger days with folks like Kevin Schaeffer, Keith Barbara, Deana Barbara, Alex Ferree, and Jack Sodeman, Jr. You may reach Jason by e-mail at jasonshanksr@yahoo.com .

Dirt Late Model Power Rankings (April 4, 2006)

New to Dirt Track Digest in 2006 are the Dirt Late Model Power Rankings. This is going to be a weekly Top 10 list with a small description of why they are ranked and why they are ranked where they are. I hope you enjoy!

10. (Last Week – 6) #28 – Dennis Erb Jr. – Carpentersville, Illinois
Erb stays in the top 10 this week because of his strong Florida run, leading the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series points after Florida. Erb followed up his strong Speedweeks with a 21st place finish at Brownstown and is still sitting in the top five in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series points. Erb is 4th in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series points.

9. (8) #99 – Donnie Moran – Dresden, Ohio
Moran rebounded a bit from a bad week in Volusia with a solid 9th place finish at Brownstown in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series action. The 8th place finish moved Moran up to a tie for the point lead with Earl Pearson Jr. in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series points.

8. (7) #39 – Tim McCreadie – Watertown, New York
T-Mac had a solid 8th place finish in World of Outlaws Late Model Series action at Baton Rouge Raceway, also set fast time at Allegeny County Speedway with the Mid-Atlantic Championship Series this past Saturday, and posted a very exciting win at Challenger Raceway’s Spring Fest. McCreadie is 4th in World of Outlaws Late Model Series points.

7. (10) #44 – Clint Smith – Senoia, Georgia
“Cat Daddy” picked up his second win in World of Outlaws Late Model Series action at the Baton Rouge Raceway. The win gives Smith a 50 percent winning percentage with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series (2 wins in 4 races).

6. (5) #*1 – Chub Frank – Bear Lake, Pennsylvania
“ChubZilla” stayed strong with his new look at Baton Rouge Raceway with a 4th place finish. Chub has 3 top 10’s in 4 World of Outlaws Late Model Series events. Those finishes puts Chub in the fifth slot in World of Outlaws Late Model Series points.

5. (NR) #25 – Shane Clanton – Locust Grove, Georgia
Clanton jumps up to number 5 this week with very consistent runs with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series. Shane finished 3rd at Baton Rouge Raceway which gives him 3 top 5’s in 4 World of Outlaws Late Model Series events. Shane also picked up a win with the O’Reilly Southern All-Stars at North Georgia Speedway while the World of Outlaws Late Model Series was off. Clanton is 2nd in World of Outlaws Late Model Series points.

4. (3) #21 – Billy Moyer – Batesville, Arkansas
Billy Moyer set fast time and finished 7th at Baton Rouge Raceway with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series. Moyer also site 3rd in World of Outlaws Late Model Series points.

3. (4) #24 – Rick Eckert – York, Pennsylvania
Although Eckert is 9th in World of Outlaws Late Model Series points, he has had a few strong runs the past few weeks. “Scrub” picked up a win at Hagerstown in a non-sanctioned event, finished 9th at Baton Rouge Raceway in an World of Outlaws Late Model Series event, 7th in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series action at Brownstown, and also had a 6th place finish at Challenger Raceway this past Sunday.

2. (2) #15 – Steve Francis – Ashland, Kentucky
Francis had a very impressive 6th place finish at Baton Rouge Raceway with the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, also set fast time and had a finish of 13th in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series action at Brownstown. Francis is 3rd in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series points and is also the World of Outlaws Late Model Series point leader.

1. (4) #1 – Earl Pearson Jr. – Jacksonville, Florida
Earl Pearson continues to be the most impressive so far in 2006 picking up another win at Brownstown in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series action. The win also vaulted Pearson into a tie for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series point lead with Donnie Moran.

Honorable Mention:
#18 – Shannon Babb: Babb finished 10th in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series action at Brownstown.

#46 – Doug Horton: Horton continues to impress with another strong run in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series action at Brownstown finishing 6th. Horton also leads the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Rookie of the Year Point standings.

Dropped Out:
#18 – Shannon Babb

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Dirt Late Model Power Rankings (February 20, 2006)

New to Dirt Track Digest in 2006 are the Dirt Late Model Power Rankings. This is going to be a weekly Top 10 list with a small description of why they are ranked and why they are ranked where they are. I hope you enjoy!

10. (Last Week – NR) #44 – Clint Smith – Senoia, Georgia.
Smith opened the 2006 World of Outlaws Late Model Series season with a win at Golden Isles. Since then Clint has qualified for 9 of the 13 events held during the swing in Georgia and Florida Speedweeks picking up 3 top 5’s, 5 top 10’s, and the one win.

9. (NR) #18 – Shannon Babb - Moweaqua, Illinois.
Shannon has been strong the past two weeks down south. After just missing the Top 10 last week, Babb makes his first appearance this week as he qualified for all but 1 of the 13 events run so far this season. Shannon collected 2 top 5’s and 4 top 10’s to start the season.

8. (1) #99 – Donnie Moran – Dresden, Ohio
Moran’s hot streak ended when he left East Bay. Donnie qualified for every show at Golden Isles and East Bay but made only one show at Volusia, Finishing 17th. Donnie finished speedweeks with 4 fast time awards, 5 top 5’s, and 7 top 10’s in 9 starts. Moran still sits 2nd win the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series points.

7. (6) #39 – Tim McCreadie – Watertown, New York
McCreadie stayed strong at Volusia collecting 4 top 10’s and a fast time award in the 6 events. “T-Mac” leaves Florida with 4 top 5’s, 8 top 10’s, and 2 fast times. Timmy is 4th in World of Outlaws Late Model Series points.

6. (2) #28 - Dennis Erb Jr. - Carpentersville, Illinois.
Erb also stayed strong as he qualified for all but 1 of the 13 events held down south. Erb is the Lucas Oil Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series point leader and has 3 top 5’s and 5 top 10 finishes so far in 2006.

5. (NR) #*1 – Chub Frank – Bear Lake, Pennsylvania.
“ChubZilla” picked up his second win of the season (first coming at Golden Isle) in U.M.P. action at Volusia. Chub had a solid but quiet speedweeks while starting 10 of 13 events. Frank finished the 2-week journey with 2 top 5’s, 6 top 10’s, and 2 wins and is 6th in World of Outlaws Late Model Series points.

4. (NR) #24 – Rick Eckert – York, Pennsylvania
Eckert was also one of the quiet ones down south until he picked up a win on Friday night in U.M.P. action. “Scrub” was another one who started in 12 of the 13 events finishing the week with 5 top 5’s, 8 top 10’s, and 1 win.

3. (9) #21 – Billy Moyer – Batesville, Arkansas
Moyer moves up to the three spot with solid runs at Volusia. Moyer had 3 top 10’s at Volusia to go along with his strong week at East Bay. Billy is another one of 5 drivers that qualified for 12 of the 13 events held during speedweeks. Billy had 5 top 5’s, 7 top 10’s and 1 win to go along with his 3rd place position in World of Outlaws Late Model Series points.

2. (3) #15 – Steve Francis – Ashland, Kentucky
Francis finished his week at Volusia much like he did at East Bay, with a win. Even though Francis only qualified for 10 shows, he made the most of those 10 starts with 3 wins, 5 top 5’s, and 8 top 10’s. Francis also goes home as the World of Outlaws Late Model Series point leader.

1. (4) #1 – Earl Pearson Jr. – Jacksonville, Florida
Earl Pearson has been the most consistent driver during speedweeks. Earl qualified for 12 of the 13 events posting 1 win (WoO at Volusia), 1 fast time, 6 top 5’s, and an astounding 9 top 10’s. Earl sits 5th in Lucas Oil Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series points and 9th in World of Outlaws Late Model Series points.

Honorable Mention:
#25 – Shane Clanton, 2 fast times and 2 top 5’s
#32 – Darren Miller, 1 win and 2 top 10’s

Dropped Out:
#7 – Matt Miller
#17m – Dale McDowell
#9 – Dan Schlieper
#46 – Doug Horton

Note: There will be no Power Rankings until March 20th. There are no sanctioned races scheduled.

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Dirt Late Model Power Rankings (February 13, 2006)

This is going to be a weekly Top 10 list with a small description of why they are ranked and why they are ranked where they are. I hope you enjoy!

10. #46 - Doug Horton - Bruceton Mills, WV. This guy is a virtual unknown when it comes to the national late model scene but has opened some eyes during the Winternationals at East Bay. Horton raced his way into 4 of the 6 A-Main events at East Bay, picking up 2 top 10’s and 3 hard charger awards. Horton leaves Florida 9th in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series points.

9. #21 – Billy Moyer – Batesville, Arkansas. The 2005 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Champion starts 2006 in the 9th position in out Power Rankings. Moyer won night 2 at East Bay and followed that up with a strong 2nd place run the night after. Moyer sits 10th in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series points and 8th in World of Outlaws Late Model Series points.

8. #9 – Dan Schlieper – Sullivan, Wisconsin. The “Wisconsin Wild Man” opened up with a 4th place run in the WoO event at Golden Isles on the 4th then kept that hot hand at East Bay with a win on night one. Schlieper is 4th in World of Outlaws Late Model Series points.

7. #17m – Dale McDowell – Chickamauga, Georgia. Dale debuted a new look for his 17m Larry Shaw Rocket Chassis and it didn’t take long for him to reach victory lane. “Mac Daddy” hit victory late on night 3 at East Bay, one night after finishing 2nd to Billy Moyer. McDowell is 12th in World of Outlaws Late Model Series points.

6. #39 – Tim McCreadie – Watertown, New York. “T-Mac” followed up his “upset” win at the 2006 Chili Bowl with a 3rd place run in WoO action at Golden Isles Speedway and 2 more top 5 finishes at East Bay. Timmy sits 3rd in World of Outlaws Late Model Series points.

5. #7 – Matt Miller – Waterville, Ohio. Matt Miller took the win the first night of Lucas Oil Late Model Series points were awarded. Miller stayed consistent throughout the 2006 Winternationals as he qualified for all 6 A-Main events at East Bay. Miller departs Florida 4th in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series points.

4. #1 - Earl Pearson Jr. – Jacksonville, Florida. The 2005 Lucas Oil Late Model Series Champion had a very solid 2006 Winternationals as he made all 6 A-Main events finishing in the top 3 three times and 5th in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series points.

3. #15 – Steve Francis – Ashland, Kentucky. The “Kentucky Colonel” started the season in WoO action at Golden Isles with a second place finish. His week at East Bay started off much slower though as Steve did not qualify for a show until the 3rd night. Steve finished 8th that night and missed the show the next night. Francis didn’t take to kindly to that as he came out the final two nights and won both shows. Francis used a last lap pass to get around Don O’Neal for one of his wins and lead all but one lap in his other win. Francis is 2nd in World of Outlaws Late Model Series points and 3rd in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series points.

2. #28 – Dennis Erb Jr. – Carpentersville, Illinois. Dennis also qualified for all 6 A-Main events at East Bay and the U.M.P. and WoO events at Golden Isles. Erb Jr. had 4 top 5 finishes during the week including one 2nd and two 3rd place finishes. Dennis won the Winternationals weeklong point fund and leaves 1st the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series points.

1. #99 – Donnie Moran – Dresden, Ohio. The “Million Dollar Man” is at the top of the list this week because of his unbelievable consistency. Moran set fast time at Golden Isles in WoO action and set 3 fast times during the week at East Bay. Moran made all 6 A-Main events at East Bay along with both U.M.P. and WoO shows at Golden Isles. Moran had finishes of 8th and 5th at Golden Isles and a 16th, three 5th’s and a 4th. Donnie is 5th in World of Outlaws Late Model Series points and 2nd in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series points.

Honorable Mention -

#18 – Shannon Babb, qualified for all 6 A-Main Events at East Bay.
#71 – Don O’Neal, had 1 second place run and is 6th in Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series points.

Note: There will be no Power Rankings until March 20th after next week. There are no sanctioned races scheduled.

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A True Racing Fan

What makes a “True” Race Fan? Some people will say that it’s a person that is at the track every week. Some say it’s a person that receives racing publications in the mail. It could be a person that puts a few decals on their car of their favorite driver, a person that travels a few hours to get to a racetrack, a person that has a few racing t-shirts, a person that no matter what is going on they are in front of their TV on Sunday afternoons, a person that is at the track so often that every person at the ticket gate knows their name, There are numerous ways to describe a race fan, but how do you describe a “True” Race Fan?

For me, it’s pretty easy. A “True” Race fan is a person that will leave a family reunion after about an hour to head to the track, a person that will get to work late every Friday while working third shift because he was at the races, a person that will attend annual awards banquets even though he is not a competitor or sponsor. Oh wait, I got a good one, a person that will skip his own son’s graduation because he was making his first trip to Eldora! A person that takes his son all over the east coast for hockey tournaments leave his son at the hockey rink and leaves to find a racetrack, come to think of it that was pretty much how every family vacation was. A person that HAD to have a three-course meal at home but had no problem eating a dust covered hot dog at the racetrack. A person that will not only support his favorite drivers sponsors but will advertise for them with an airbrushed mural of that drivers race car on the tire cover of his vehicle.

What about a person that makes sure they are at the track early enough not only to get a good seat but early enough to enjoy a smooth cigarette and a hot cup of coffee while watching the water truck circle the speedway. Someone that could have funded a small country with all of the money spent at racetracks.

By now I’m sure you readers realize that I know the “True” Race Fan that I am talking about. Just from reading this you may even know who it is. This person was a mainstay at the Lernerville Speedway, Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway, and Motordrome Speedway when it was dirt. This person was my dad, Jim Shank. Most people know my dad as the guy who drives the van with the Lynn Geisler tire cover. We would go to tracks all over the country and we would always run into someone that would know him or the van.

My dad was a long time Lynn Geisler fan. He followed Lynn from pretty much the beginning of his career. Lynn Geisler has won 104 Late Model feature events at the Lernerville Speedway and I bet my dad only missed three of them. Unfortunately, the three wins that he missed were the last three. About 3 months ago my father was diagnosed with an inoperable cancerous tumor. The tumor was right next to the optic nerve. It wasn’t long after he was diagnosed that the tumor started affecting his vision. The doctor’s started with radiation treatments and chemotherapy. After a few weeks of treatments we all noticed that my dad was not acting right. The doctors decided to keep him in the hospital. During his stay in the hospital he developed pneumonia.

A couple of weeks after my father was diagnosed with the illness, his favorite driver Lynn Geisler, won his 102nd feature event at Lernerville Speedway. Lynn dedicated the race to my dad as they were good friends outside of the racetrack. Lynn’s on-track interview with track announcer Dow Carnahan was pretty emotional. “I’ve got a fellow that is a real good friend of mine, Jim Shank, who is wheelchair bound and really doing some struggling and (emotional pause) I’d like to donate this race to him. He’s probably been to more races than I have. I can’t ever remember going anywhere without Jim showing up with his van and his plaque on the back (tire cover). I’m really going to miss him, I know he’s struggling.”

On June 24th my dad attended his final race. He borrowed a wheelchair from his brother so that he can see the Mid-Atlantic Championship Series (his favorite series) and the All-Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car Series. He watched Lynn Geisler win his heat, win the dash, sit on the pole and finish fourth in his final appearance at the Lernerville Speedway.

On Saturday morning, July 30th, less than a month after his last race, he passed away peacefully in his sleep.

Something ironic happened the night before my father’s passing. Lynn Geisler won his 103rd Late Model feature event at Lernerville. Lynn pulled into victory lane around 11:50 pm (give or take a few minutes). At about the same time, my dad, who had been pretty much immobile for about a week, had sat up and attempted to say something to my sister who was staying with him that night. That was the most he moved in over a week. It’s funny how it was at about the same time Lynn was pulling into victory lane.

On Wednesday, August 3rd, the day after we laid my father to rest, Lynn won his 104th feature event at Lernerville and again dedicated the race to my father.

So what is a “True” Race Fan? I think that someone that is so dedicated to the sport that if it started to rain on the way to the racetrack he would start calling other racetracks to see where it is not raining. Or someone that everyone would hide from if the races were rained out.

What will I think of when I hear True Race Fan? I will think of my father, and all the time I spent with my father at the racetracks and everywhere else. Nobody can take that time away from me.

From a Race Fan to a True Race Fan…Dad, I love you. I’ll make sure that water truck does its job!!!!

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