Column By: TOM WENNER / RPW – SUSQUEHANNA, PA – There was a lot of things happening Saturday night at the BAPS Motor Speedway. Here’s some news and notes from the pit area.
Tanner VanDoren #22
The TVD Racing Team invaded the BAPS season closer with their Orange County Small Block Modified. The young wheel twister is quickly gaining a following of fans as he expands his experience behind the wheel.
Tanner fresh off a popular 602 Sportsman feature win at Orange County Fair Speedway’s Eastern States Weekend is not afraid to travel and race at new places.
In 2021, Tanner won at Skyline Speedway in the 358 Spec Modified, Won in February at Bubba Raceway Park, and last week was behind the wheel of a powerful ATQMRA TQ Midget at Bethel Motor Speedway in NY. As the 21’ season winds down, Tanner has the following on his schedule for the 2022 season.
On Friday nights, Tanner is looking for a ride. He is open to any opportunities to help develop his driving ability. Saturday Nights you can find Tanner back at the famed Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, NY racing the family owned Leindecker Racing Engines powered Hig Fab #22.
The beautiful Keith Hoffman Owned Hig Fab #6 Over will be used for Brett Deyo Short Track Super Series 602 Sportsman events in 2022. The Tara & Michael Murray owned Dave Orange powered Lafler TQ #12 will be raced during the season at outdoor events as the schedule permits.
Dominick Buffalino #126
Dominick was in attendance at BAPS looking for the $4,000 pay day. He was wrapping up a successful season behind the wheel of the iconic Keystone Racing #126 owned by Glenn and Bonita Hyneman.
Dom raced to a 5th place finish on the night and talked about his plans for 2022 at this point.
The #126 team will be refreshing their fleet of Modifieds for 2022. The plans at this point for the Dom and the Keystone Racing Team are to race at Big Diamond Speedway on Friday Nights and return to Bridgeport Speedway on Saturday nights.
Visits to the Brett Deyo Short Track Super Series events in 2022 are also planned.
Billy Pauch Jr. #96
Billy had the powerful Rick Holsten Bicknell 96 in the pits at BAPS. He used Saturday to pick up 2 new Bicknell chassis frames from his powder coater who is not far the BAPS speedway.
One of the frames was sitting in a smaller Pauch family enclosed hauler in the pits, while the Rick Holsten chassis was on a open trailer in view of the pits all night.
Plans for 2022 are moving forward for the Pauch Jr. racing stable. Billy will race Big Diamond next season on Friday nights. It is undecided at this time if he will race the full season for points.
On Saturday nights, Billy will be racing the Rick Holsten 96. There is talk about Grandview Speedway & Bridgeport Speedway as the top choice, but no decision is confirmed. Billy mentioned weekly Kutztown racing mixed in as those plans are not fully confirmed.
The Kid’s Kid will continue to race the Brett Deyo Short Track Super Series South Region with the Holsten 96 team and keep the family-owned Pauch #15 Big Block Modified available when the time and events match up.
Doug Manmiller #44
It was awesome to have “The Handler” bring the Jason Miller Racing Team Bicknell #44 to BAPS for the final race of 2021. Doug is super popular with PA Spec 358 fans and always gives it a great run anytime he hits the track.
Manmiller was running very well on Saturday night driving up through the pack from his 15th starting spot before an issue took him from the event. He shared that the Jason Miller-owned team will be together again in 2022 racing a similar schedule as ’21.
Grandview Speedway will be the main focus of competition as Doug finished fifth in points this past season. The team will make trips to Big Diamond and other tracks when time and resources allow it.
They will freshen all of their equipment for next year. Also, word from Doug is that his son. Cody, will refresh his 602 Sportsman and run his same schedule in ’22.
The younger Manmiller is looking to continue building his racing resume and building his team for future racing activities.
Aleia Geisler & Dan Soloman
A surprise team entrant at BAPS on Saturday was Five Mile Point racers Aleia Geisler and Dan Soloman. Aleia was a first-time racer to BAPS and quickly adapted the fast red clay.
Geisler runs a #44 358 Modified at Five Mile Point weekly while her boyfriend, Soloman, races a team car #4 in Sportsman action at the Point.
On Saturday, The team strapped a Spec 358 Engine into the frame rails for competition for Dan to compete. Sadly, both drivers were unable to crack the BAPS 24-car Spec 358 field.
Danny Dietrich #48 410 Sprint Car
Danny created a bit of a buzz in the pit area when teams unloaded for competition. The #48 410 Sprint was unlettered and not numbered.
The team put a taped #1 on the wings and that created a buzz. When the car hit the speedway for timed practice, that number was removed and a white taped 48 was in place.
Danny was very fast all night and kept the fans on their feet in the Capitol Renegade 410 Sprint Showdown A-Main. The battle for the lead with Brent Marks in traffic was epic and simply worth the price of admission.
Special Thanks to BAPS Motor Speedway
A major kudos to the staff at BAPS on Saturday. Most tracks would have thrown the towel in and called it a day. It rained hard at the track for nearly two hours and left the place a mess.
With a 76 teams waiting to gain access to the facility, BAPS management forged ahead and pulled off an incredible November northeast dirt event.
BAPS was blessed with a full pit area of 410 Sprints, 358 Spec Mods and Enduro Cars. The fan support for the event in light of the rain and cold was simply amazing, Kudos to you, BAPS Motor Speedway!