News Director 
Information By: ROB HAZER / KING OF DIRT – FONDA, NY – Several drivers have expressed their desire to chase after the first ever King of Dirt 358-Modified Series crown in 2017.
ALLISON RICCI GOING SMALL BLOCK RACING: Last season Allison Ricci had her plans to tour with KOD cut short with an early season accident at Orange County that put her Halmar Race Team behind early.
This season they announced on the Halmar Friesen Racing page the young lady racer would be on tour with the Elmo’s Speed Supply King Of Dirt Small Block Modified tour full time.
Ricci met with success on the KOD tour running well at Lebanon Valley and the Northeast Crate Nationals. Her next challenge is the stars and cars of the Small Block Modified division racing for the Halmar International race team.
SABIA READY TO DOUBLE DOWN: Michael Sabia has been a title contender for two straight seasons on the 1-800-GOT-JUNK? King Of Dirt Racing Sportsman Series presented by Dean’s Electrical and Dodson Construction. He’s earned 2016 Dirt Track Digest Lap Leader honors along with the 2015 Most Improved Driver.
Recently the team has purchased a DIRTcar W-16 358 Modified motor to compete in the Elmo’s Speed Supply King Of Dirt Small Block Modified division. With KOD rules allowing for drivers to compete in both Small Blocks and Sportsman with provisions and perimeters, Sabia will do double duty in 2017.
ROCKEFELLER TOUR READY: After a conversation earlier this off season with King Of Dirt Racing promoter Rob Hazer, Jeff Rockefeller will throw caution to the wind and test his might on tour with the Elmo’s Speed Supply King Of Dirt Racing Small Block Modifieds in 2017.
Rockefeller has multiple feature wins, despite his career being relatively young behind the wheel of a Modified. He’s already challenging himself this coming season after moving weekly racing operations on Friday nights to Albany-Saratoga Speedway and now he’ll face off with the talent rich tour regulars set to throw down for the first ever KOD Small Block crown beginning June 13th at Devil’s Bowl Speedway for the 40 lap Vermont Modified Mayhem.
STRATTON COMING TO PLAY: Last season saw the end of an era when well known successful Capital District driver Hector Stratton hung up his helmet after the season finale at the great race place. Fear not, as he’s been training a successor to carry on the Stratton racing tradition with his son Neil who will face his toughest challenge yet during his young dirt racing career when he goes touring with the Elmo’s Speed Supply King Of Dirt Racing Small Block Modified tour.
Neil Stratton has taken on the high banks of Lebanon Valley, battled elbows up at Albany Saratoga, and hit the occasional end of season events here or there. He’s had races he cherishes the memory and those he’d rather forget, but that hasn’t’ stopped him from challenging himself to grow. Neil will do just that as he throws down for the first ever Small Block Modified crown carrying the familiar family number 87 on his race rod.
The quest to be Small Block Modified king begins June 13th at Devil’s Bowl Speedway for Vermont Modified Mayhem, which a star studded field will vie for a spot in the KOD record books as the first ever Small Block Modified tour winner. Stratton is familiar with the Bowl, as he won the last Modified race there back in 2014.
KOD ON THE RADIO
HAAS & DELORENZO TO BATTLE FOR 358-MODIFIED CROWN: It’s King Of Dirt Week on Doug’s Dirt Diary and he recently chatted with two of our title contenders.
First, Doug talked with Brett ‘the threat’ Haas about his upcoming season at Lebanon Valley and his first ever touring series effort. Get your popcorn ready, click play, and have a listen to one of the Capital Districts young 358 talents.
Elkins then talked with Matty D,’ Matt DeLorenzo, about his plans weekly at the great race place, his plans to run Short Track Super Series North, and his excitement to follow the Elmo’s Speed Supply King Of Dirt Racing Small Block Modified tour this summer.
Don’t be scared; click, listen, and let the Diesel entertain the ear drums.
