Mark Kielblock
Media Relations Director/Announcer
American Racing Drivers Club (ARDC)
kielblockm@aol.com

Bruce Buckwalter Grabs Career First at Dixieland
By Mark Kielblock

Elizabeth City, NC - ARDC's annual "Southern Swing" has been good for producing first time winners. The 2007 version saw Randy Monroe Jr and Brett Arndt achieve that career milestone. In the opening night of the 2008 "Swing" at Dixieland Speedway, Bruce Buckwalter Jr kept the trend alive entering the ARDC record book by scoring a dominating win in the 25 lap feature.

Buckwalter and Scott Zipp led the field to the green flag; right from the start Buckwalter served notice that it was going to be his night by opening a gap on the field. Zipp had a rough start as he slipped up in the first two corners and fell back to the middle of the pack. The only thing that drew the field back to Buckwalter's tail tank was a lap 5 yellow for Bobby Goerner who came to a stop between turns one and two in Fred Schell's no. 75 Hawk/Pontiac.

Shortly after the restart, Drew Heistand went high in turn one and clipped the wall with his right rear. Ironically this led to a left rear and right front flat on the DonCin Transport no.12. Quick work by the crew, aided by a another yellow allowed Heistand to get back in the race and eventually score a ninth place finish.

When the field settled into racing the top 5 shook out as Buckwalter, followed by Zack Martini, Tracy Readinger, Eric Heydenreich and Brett Arndt. Buckwalter clearly had the fastest car and began to stretch his lead. The only drama during the races long green flag run was when Buckwalter blew into turn one a little too hot and bounced his right rear off the wall. "After that, I was a little scared of the cushion and moved down to the middle for a lap or two to regain my composure," Buckwalter said after the race. "I had to move back up there though, because it was the fast way around."

The top groove was indeed the fast groove as the entire field danced on the edge of traction trying to gain an advantage. Last year's Dixieland winner, Randy Monroe Jr was one of the few who was able to make progress through the field moving from 10th at the start to challenge for a top 5 spot. He was the last driver to be bitten by the high groove as he slipped over the cushion and disappeared over the berm between turns one and two. Buckwalter resumed his lead on the restart and was able to pull away to a convincing win. Buckwalter thanked crew, both present and absent members. "Thanks to Davey, who couldn't make it tonight," Buckwalter said. "Also my Dad, Bruce Sr, Ryan, and 'Not-Too-Slick'. Also my cousin Stevie (15 time ARDC winner, Steve Buckwalter), he's really helped me alot."

Tracy Readinger who is well known for his bottom groove driving adapted well enough to the top side track to score a third place finish. "I bet you were surprised to see me up there, weren't you," he joked in victory lane. "I tried to go down low a couple of times, but it was obvious there was nothing down there." Readinger is a booking agent, board member and strong supporter of ARDC. Even with a third place finish, he was able to express enthusiasm for how the Club's recent races have turned out. "Another different winner and another first timer. Things are going great for the Club," Readinger enthused. Buckwalter was the 6th different winner in 9 ARDC races thus far in 2008. He was the third first time winner of the current campaign.

Pit Patter: It was a rough night on ARDC's traveling crew. Toughest of all on Brett Arndt's dad who was soaked in sweat and grease after changing a rear end on the Neptune Research no. 64. Arndt received much help in the task from Scott and Butch Zipp and Frank Polimeda's crew. Unfortunately he had to pull in after only a couple of laps in the feature. Stephanie Stevens had a throttle linkage break. Further complicating matters was the fact that some key linkage parts were lost on the track. Her dad was able to scrounge enough parts to get her out for the feature and a 11th place finish. Ryan Smith's Burke Truck no. 54 suffered from overheating problems in the heat race. Some tuning changes to the team's new Kriner motor were good enough to take him from a last place start in the feature to an 8th place finish. PJ Gargiulo had problems with a leaking radiator, but his crew was able to patch it together and he scored a 6th place finish. ARDC was well received by the Dixieland Speedway management and crowd; and much appreciation was expressed to ARDC for making the trip with the current fuel price situation.

Heat races were won by Scott Zipp and Eric Heydenreich

1) 83-Bruce Buckwalter 2) 29-Zack Martini 3) 86-Tracy Readinger 4) 11-Eric Heydenreich 5) 46-Brett Arndt 6) 51-PJ Gargiulo 7) 44-Frank Polimeda 8) 54-Ryan Smith 9) 12-Drew Heistand 10) 77-Nick Wean 11) 26-Stephanie Stevens 12) 99-Scott Zipp 13) 75-Bobby Goerner 14) 27-Randy Monroe Jr 15) 9-Steve Lenig 16) 25-Chris Zrinski 17) 64-Brett Conkling