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F&F Racing's Frankie Guerrini Wins USAC Mopar Western Midget Race at Santa Maria Speedway

2 oct. 2012

17 year old Frankie Guerrini drives the number 63 car in the USAC Midget Series

It was nearly one year to the date that Francesco Ottavio Guerrini III, aka Frankie, created a disturbance on the race-scene radar when he clinched both his heats and then won the dirt 600's Main Event at Delta Speedway in Stockton, California. The San Rafael, California native was 16-years-old, and at the time, the young racer had his sights firmly set on making all the right moves in order to someday realize his dreams of making it large on the big-time race stage. If that particular accomplishment was one small step in the right direction, his latest triumph clearly amounts to one mega leap.

Frankie came out with a win at Santa Maria Speedway after leading all 30 laps

Last Saturday Frankie and the F&F Racing crew hit Santa Maria Speedway for the "Don Roberts Memorial" Mopar Western Midget race, and in what was only the fourth race of his rookie USAC season, the K&N backed wunderkind flat-out stole the show. Frankie led all 30 laps, finishing with more than half a straightway lead, despite having to survive five yellow flag restarts.

"Everyone told him not to expect a win in his first season, and that with some drivers it has taken years to get the first win," said Beth, Frankie's understandably proud mom. "He did not expect it, but he sure wanted it, and he was not going to give up his lead or the win once it was in sight! He was so excited that he jumped out of his car and stood on the top of the cage in victory!"

What makes his win even more impressive is that Frankie had to beat fast qualifier Ronnie Gardner, Randi Pankratz, Cole Carter, and series point leader Shannon McQueen to get it done.

"Frankie's dad (Frank) and I were overjoyed about his first win in the Midgets with USAC," adds Beth. "This is such a huge accomplishment at 17-years-old. He has been racing since he was five and a half years old, and was always successful in any form of racing he tried. He loves the midgets and couldn't wait to finally get to drive in the USAC series. We were extremely excited for him and the team."

Overall the 2012 race season has "gone pretty well" says Beth. "He has learned a lot about both the dirt and pavement cars. Other than the crash at Watsonville (which was in the race just before his win), it has been a good learning season and I would say a successful rookie season so far."

In his last dirt race in Victorville, which came before the ill-fated Watsonville race, Frankie started 18th and finished 10th. In what amounted to a shortened 20-lap race, his performance earned him the Hard Charger Award, for passing the most cars in that event.

The next race on pavement for Frankie and F&F Racing is at Madera Speedway this weekend September 14th. "We are looking to have a good result," said Beth. "The last race there, the car had engine trouble, and resulted in a DNF. He finished 6th in both races prior, and he will be looking to improve at this event." The following weekend the team will be back on the dirt at Bakersfield Speedway.

For the 2013 season Frankie has every intention of staying with the Midgets on both dirt and pavement. "If sponsorship permits, we may expand out of the West Coast, and go to a few National events next year," adds Beth.

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IHRA/NHRA Drag Racer Michael Beard Gains Another Victory for Duck Tape Racing

2 oct. 2012

Michael Beard makes some moves and comes up with a win in Atlana

Michael Beard makes some moves and comes up with a win in Atlanta

Attitude drives behavior. Make no mistake about it, by choosing your attitude properly you set the mood and send out a message that everyone comprehends, whether consciously or unconsciously. If you feel like a winner, you already are. Duck Tape Racing's Michael Beard feels like a victor every time he gets to compete, because he's doing something that gives him an unlimited source of bliss and fulfillment, and the sheer power in that is quantifiable. Beard found his mojo partway through 2012, and he's been on a roll ever since, marking his fourth win in the last five weeks. The string of success began with a Memorial Day Weekend Footbrake win at Rockingham Dragway, followed by a Stock win at the Pittsburgh Nitro Jam, then a Super Stock win at the Jackson, South Carolina IHRA Pro-Am.

Michael Beard's Duck Tape Volare had its NHRA Super Stock debut in Atlanta

Then at Atlanta Dragway's NHRA Division 2 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series (LODRS) event, Beard inked a victory on his résumé in his NHRA Super Stock debut. Atlanta also marked the beginning of the 2012-2013 JEGS Allstars points chase, so Beard grabbed the early lead there as well. And despite his late start on the NHRA tour, and with being four events behind, Beard still only trails the NHRA Division 2 Super Stock points leader by just over 150 points, while maintaining his commanding 142 point lead in IHRA Division 2 Super Stock.

We talked with Beard to get his take on 2012 up to this point, and to check on his mind-set in regards to racing.

From all indications you seem to enjoy racing about as much as anyone we've ever written about, would it be fair to say that your success in racing comes from your pure enthusiasm for what you do?

"I live for it. While it's not a fulltime job, I think you have to put that level of thought and effort into it. I really enjoy the thinking and strategy involved in our sport. You have to pay attention to details, not only in every aspect of your car, your staging and driving technique, and the weather conditions, but also your opponents. Knowledge is power."

How do you account for winning in "Hotlanta" your first time out in an NHRA event?

"It was a hot weekend and it lived up to the moniker, but the car ran phenomenal. It made seven laps within .011 seconds to the 1000' mark. We debuted the 5.9L DragPak engine in the Duck Tape Volare last summer, and have been sorting it out on the IHRA circuit. Gibbs Race Cars back-halved the car with a 4-link, Moser 60 rear, and 14x32 Mickey Thompson in May, and I've been working on the fuel injection tune-up in the FAST system. Although I've competed in NHRA before, I'll admit that it felt a little like going to my first race. By the end of the race, though, I'd gotten to know the tech and other officials better. It was a two-day event, and then they had a barbecue Friday night... it kinda felt like an IHRA race!

It was my first trip to Atlanta, and I have to say, I loved the track. With the new fiber optic Compulink, the rollout was nice and tight, how I like it, so I was comfortable with the tree right off the bat. I was really happy with the runs I was putting together, but it turned out that I didn't need them. It seemed like everyone I ran had put down good laps too, but then they all missed the tree when they got to me. Elisha Boyd got under his blinder in the finals, and caught a glimpse of the second bulb. He hung onto the button and was late, but he ran dead-on with a zero. Like you hear so many people say-it really was just my day!"

How is 2012 treating you overall up to this point?

"It was a bit of a learning year, as we discovered that we were overpowering the chassis, until we back-halved the car. We still had a few finals early in the season, but it's gotten even better since we made it a big-tire car. Overall, I've been in nine finals so far this year, with five wins. I won the IHRA Div. 2 Super Stock Championship, and qualified for the IHRA Summit Tournament of Champions in Super Stock, as well as in Stock with my buddy Terry Knott's Dart Sport. It's the car that we won the 2003 Stock World Championship with. I'm really looking forward to Memphis."

What are your short and long term goals for the rest of this season?

"There are a lot of really big races coming up, including the NHRA Northern Sportsnationals at Columbus, two $10K races at the Jim Harrington Footbrake Classic, and the IHRA Tournament of Champions. My partner Anthony Walton and I are also promoting a couple of big money bracket events of our own in November, each one a $5K-$20K-$5K race. One is an all-doorslammer box race at Fayetteville, and the other one is the Fall Footbrake Frenzy at Coastal Plains over Thanksgiving weekend."

You've raced since Atlanta; update us on how it went?

"I've recently moved from North Carolina (Seagrove) back to Ohio, so there are some different races on my schedule now. We had a successful weekend at the IHRA Northern Nitro Jam in Martin, Michigan. I had a runner-up in the national event in Stock with Terry Knott's Dart Sport, and then a runner-up in Super Stock with my Volare in the Pro-Am. The following week, I made it to the semis in Modified ET at Quaker City Motorsports Park, a track I used to work at many years ago. Ironically, the move to Ohio made the typical 2-hour drive to Darlington into a 12-hour ride, and I didn't do anything spectacular there, but I did well enough to hold onto the Division championship!"

What's up next and have you started thinking about the 2013 season yet?

"Moving and getting settled into a new place has taken a great deal of time, and made life so busy that I've hardly had time to think about where I'm going from one weekend to the next, but there's a rash of national events and big money bracket races coming up! Next year, I'll utilize the Gold Card to keep up with the IHRA circuit, but I also plan to run a lot more NHRA LODRS and National Events."

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Dirt Late Model Racer Chris Ferguson Sits Top 10 in the Southeast/Mideast Region Points

1 oct. 2012

Dirt Late Model driver Chris Ferguson drives the number 22 race car

Dirt Late Model driver Chris Ferguson continued a strong season in the hot summer months with a pair of big victories. The Mt. Holly, North Carolina, driver took home the checker flag at both Thunder Mountain Speedway in Hanover, West Virginia and at I-77 Speedway in Chester, South Carolina.

Ferguson, who drives the Barry Wright Race Cars Chevrolet Performance Late Model owned by Mike Mercer, was appreciative of the hard work his team put in, especially after overheating problems threatened to end his weekend before the event at I-77 even kicked off.

"I really appreciate all of my crew and supporters standing behind me and our team. I am blessed to have the opportunity to drive this car for Mike Mercer and his family and the sponsors that he has. I am proud to be a part of his program and to be able to win races for him.”

Ferguson and his team set sail for Carolina Speedway in Gastonia, North Carolina on the Friday before the win at I-77. After a poor qualifying run, Ferguson drove through the NDRA (National Dirt Racing Association) field and onto the lead in just 12 laps. But under yellow he noticed the engine running too hot and had to pull it in for the night.

"I sure hated to pull in but I didn't want to take any chance on hurting the motor. So we had to give up the lead. It was tough but it's just a part of racing. We will be back at Carolina (Speedway) again and it owes us one.”

The next day, Ferguson and his team decided against travelling to Eldora Speedway in Ohio and instead stayed local, not knowing if the motor had been seriously injured the night before. The decision paid off when Ferguson passed pole sitter Brett Hamm on lap one and went on to lead every lap while cashing in on a $1,200 pay day.

A few weeks later, Ferguson and the number 22 team once again found themselves in position to cash in on a big weekend. This time, Mother Nature would postpone the event at Thunder Mountain Speedway. The FASTRAK race, scheduled to pay $2,000. During Friday night qualifying, the rain dropped in and pushed action to Saturday. Inclement weather would once again move the race back a day. Because of this, the race lost its national points distinction, but Ferguson and a smaller field then intended stuck around and raced for the full purse on Sunday.

Ferguson once again had a poor start to the day, but on lap 7 made a pass for the lead and cruised to the victory, in the process cashing another stout check. The win made Ferguson just the third driver with multiple victories in the FASTRAK series in 2012. Despite only running a handful of FASTRAK events so far, Ferguson is still in the top 10 in the Southeast/Mideast region points.

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Super Street, Super Gas and Super Pro Drag Racer Steve Dillman

1 oct. 2012

Steve Dillman has been a household name in the Drag Racing community for over fifty years

In 1961, a young and energetic fella eagerly crawled behind the wheel of his dad's new dodge pickup, geared up and ready to embark upon the first legal NHRA event of his career. One might suspect that once the race was behind him, Steve Dillman had been bitten by the bug, and had aspirations of continuing to pursue the sport of drag racing. On the other hand, who would have fathomed that fifty-one years after his first race, at the Indianapolis Speedway, Dillman's passion for the sport would still be burning strong, and he would still be on the track, matching driving skills with fellow drivers.

One might also suspect that in the last half-century, Steve Dillman has seen his fair share of change, and rightfully so. "I've seen the sport go from flagman to our Christmas Tree of today," recalled the driver. "From no drag tires, to recap slicks that weighed thirty pounds per tire, to the tires of today; From racing just for trophies, to big-buck money races," he continued. "I am so glad to have lived in the era."

"I have met so many great people and families over the years, and became good friends with many from all over the country," he shared. "I have been so lucky to have really great sponsors that have become good friends."

Steve Dillman's recipe for success consists of a good car, the best products on the market and a dedication to the sport

Dillman has raced in various classes throughout his career. Although previously competing in the Sportsman classes, he presently races in the Super Street, Super Gas and Super Pro classifications.

"I have a 1967 Chevy II, with a 421 cubic-inch small block that was built by Steve Schmidt Competition Engines," explained the driver. "The car is all steel, except for the hood. It's a legal Super Stock body. This car belonged to my younger brother, who passed away in 1999, and I was able to buy it in 2006. It had changed hands twice. I sold my dragster in one week and in turn was able to purchase it."

Although Steve Dillman occasionally partakes in bracket racing, he predominantly competes in NHRA events. According to the driver, victories have been hard to come by thus far in the 2012 season, but he has managed to log several runner-ups. That said, Steve Dillman has earned his fair share of impressive victories throughout this tenure as a driver. When asked about his most prestigious victories, Dillman mentioned two events in particular. "My biggest win was at the Moroso 5-Day Bracket Championship, at West Palm Beach, Florida. I won the first night and won the overall points for the five days." The driver continued, "And the runner up at the Jegs Northern Sports Nationals."

Throughout the years, experience has played an essential role in Steve Dillman's overall success. That in mind, he is confident that the ingredients for his recipe to success are a good car, the best parts on the market, and last but not least, a dedication to the sport.

When asked his strong point as a driver, the Greenwood, Indiana native said, I've been doing this since 1961, and have had good friends like David Rampy and Edmond Richardson helping me over the years."

Referring to the importance of his team, Dillman continued, "I race with my sons. Ryan is the youngest, and Brandon is the middle son. Ryan runs Super Gas, and we can compare info. When bracket racing, we all three help and compare info. Can't have enough of it," he explained. "My wife, Frosty, is my main crew. We travel together, and she dials the car and helps me with everything. We have traveled a lot of miles together."

Along with family and team, Steve Dillman considers maintenance of utmost importance. "You have to stay on top of things with a race car," stated the driver. "Every week I go over a check-list. You have to use the best products out there." That in mind Dillman is an advocate of depending upon K&N products to keep the internal components of his engine contaminant free. In fact the driver uses K&N air and oil filters on the race car, as well as K&N air filters for their tow truck.

"While on vacation in California, I was able to tour the K&N plant, and see what goes into production and the research they do," recalled the driver. "I was amazed! They are the best on the market today. At the races, I set up a display at my trailer during the entire event, and display products and literature for people to see. I have K&N flags flying, and pass hats out to kids, as well as decals and patches. I enjoy talking to people about their products. It's easy to do when you believe in the product. "

As the season winds down, Steve Dillman and his team are still enthused about their final races of 2012. When asked what fans can expect, his response was short and to the point. "I hope to win a few of the last races of the season."

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K&N's Dalton Millican Caps 2012 with Strong Showing at Loretta Lynn's ATVMX 450A Event

1 oct. 2012

The smart money rides on Millican to regain his position at the head of the class in 2013

A quote from the 1998 comedy classic, The Big Lebowski, aptly sums up the two-edged nature of motorsports racing – "Sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes the bear eats you." In racing sometimes parts inexplicably break, engines indiscriminately misfire, confidence gets too liberally dosed with enthusiasm and the familiar flow of success becomes elusive. Last year Dalton Millican clinched the 450A class National Championship in the AMA ATV National Series after only nine of the 11 scheduled races. Overall he started 18 races last season, and he owned 15 of those with hole-shots. This year, as it’s prone to do, the yin has temporarily swung to yang. Nonetheless, with a racer as skilled as Millican, you can bet dollars for donuts that the pendulum will swing back, and that bear will once more be a regular part of his diet.

Last season Dalton Millican had 18 starts, 15 were hole-shots

"Loretta Lynns is our last race of the year, so it is kind of one of those deals were you are happy it’s the last race, and at the same time, sad that the season is done, when you have a year like I have had," Millican acknowledged. "2012 has been a real eye-opener and a huge learning experience. Moving up to Pro-Am was a big jump in the level of competition."

Millican and his K&N sponsored Nitro Fish ATV capped off the 2012 season on a high-note with strong top-ten finish at the biggest and final event of the year-Loretta Lynn’s Dirt Days. The property owned by the world famous Coal Miner's Daughter, Loretta Lynn, is the oldest race on the ATV national circuit and draws some of the best riders from all corners of the country. Lynn’s Dude Ranch is only 140 miles from Millican’s home in Drummonds, Tennessee, and he considers it his home track, so he was feeling good headed into the weekend. When moto 1 got underway Millican made the first turn mid-pack, he continued to battle heavy competition throughout the race and held on for an 8th place finish.

In the second moto, and his last start of the year, Millican once again found the magic to his great race starts, entering the first turn in the second spot. At the mid-way point of the race though the bear took a big bite out of his performance, Millican made a slight mistake in a corner and lost six positions. He finished the moto in the 9th spot, which gave him a 7th place overall for the weekend.

"Well, 2012 had a few positives one of them being my starts, they were good," Millican remarked. "I don't know what it is, but when I am setting behind that starting gate I am happy. I just love that moment of having the motor on the rev-limiter waiting for the gate to drop. I was also happy with my training program. I usually had faster lap times at the end of the race. That just tells me that part was good."

In regards to his short and long term goals for the rest of this season, and then looking forward towards next year, Millican says, "I am about to get my preseason training started and I have a lot of big changes that I am planning on making, and a lot more testing to do, and that should really help improve my racing for the 2013 season. I am just staying positive and ready to take on and endure whatever I may need to do to be back on top. Now that the race season is over I have a normal job and I am trying to save money, and I’m counting the days until I am setting behind the gate with the motor on the rev-limiter."

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