Not Such a Great Night at Roaring Knob

The Saturday night qualifying heat race started out great on Sat June 19th.  Jeremy moved his way from near last up to fourth in his heat.  He was to start 8th out of 22 in the feature.  All started well.  He was working his way around the dirt track when he was slammed into and knocked into the side metal railing.  Several other cars were involved in the collision, but after going to the pits, most of them recovered.  Jeremy's crew checked out his car.  It was pretty banged up, but after evaluating it, he went out on the track to try to finish the race.  He made one lap around the track, keeping up with everyone when all of a sudden he pulled off to the right of the track and stopped, triggering another yellow flag.  This time he left the track not to return.

He said that the brakes weren't working right.  He was correct.  When he had a chance to look at his car once he returned home, he found that the brake line was severed and there was other internal damage as well.  He wasn't able to get the parts he needed in time for the next dirt track racing event at Roaring Knob this past Saturday, June 26th, but hopes to be racing this coming Saturday, July 3rd if he can fit it into his work schedule. 

Accidents on the track are costly and disappointing and they are not always caused by the driver whose car is damaged.  The way the rules work though, regardless of who causes the accident, all of the drivers have to move to the back of the line.  It doesn't seem fair, but it must work as these rules have been in place for years.  It was obvious that Jeremy didn't cause his own accident, but the end result made for a bad night at the dirt track for him.

At least the announcer gave his sponsor, Joy Mining a great plug while his crew was looking over his car.  They described the wrap and named the company and gave it a thumbs up.

Hopefully July 3rd will bring a better result.  We know Jeremy has it in him to win.  It's just a matter of time and racing more often. 

Jeremy's Dirt Track Racing Schedule 2010

SCHEDULE 2010 ALL ROARING KNOB SPEEDWAY EXCEPT MARKED WITH TRACKS NAME




May 22 -- 5 Division Action Racing & E-Mod Make-up Feature from April 24 - Kid's Bike Races
 May 29 -- 5 Division Action Racing & Super Late Model Make-up Feature from April 24

June 5 -- 5 Division Action Racing - 2nd Shoot-Out Roaring Knob vs. Bedford (Super Lates) - Tornados Night / Ryan Newman Show Car on Display

June 12 -- "UFo Laurel Highlander" - UFo Super Late Model Championship (King of the Knob Point Series Qualifier, Race #1) 38 Laps - $2,500 to win! & other 4 Divisions


June 13 (Sun.) -- (Rain Date for June 12 - Start Time 1 hour earlier)


June 19 -- 4 Division Action Racing (No Super Late Models) - 2nd Shoot-Out Roaring Knob vs. Dog Hollow (FASTRAK)

June 20 Tri City Speedway 4-Star Racing and Mini Stocks/Non-Point Event for FASTRAK Late Models (T.J. Car Care & Best Car Care Night)


June 26 Hesston Speedway LLM, CL, SS, HS, MS


July 3 -- 5 Division Action Racing / Classic Cars plus Holiday Fireworks

July 10 -- Twin 12's for Modifieds & other 4 Divisions

July 17 -- "UFo Supernational Road" - UFo Super Late Model Championship (King of the Knob Point Series Qualifier, Race #2) 40 Laps - $3,000 to win! & other 4 Divisions

July 25 Tri City Speedway 4-Star Racing/Lowry Auto Wrecking Demo Derby (Joy Employee Fund Night)

JULY 30 Dog Hollow Speedway FRANK MAYAK MEMORIAL TROPHY NIGHT—TOP DOG FASTRAK/CRATE SHOOTOUT(1ST=$444/2ND=$100)

July 31 -- Twin 10's for Street Stocks & other 4 Divisions


Aug. 14 -- 5 Division Action Racing - Ladies Powder Puff (Chargers & Street Stocks) & Pittsburgh Circle Track Club Night

Aug. 21 -- Twin 10's for Chargers & Other 4 Divisions - 3rd Shoot-Out Roaring Knob vs. Elkins sponsored by Tri-City Electric/Fairmont WV (Super Lates / FASTRAK / Modifieds)


Aug 28 Hesston Speedway LLM, 305's, CL, SS, HS, MS


SEPT 3 Dog Hollow Speedway TRICO WELDING TROPHY NIGHT-3rd Shoot-Out Dog Hollow vs. Roaring Knob (FASTRAK)--TOP DOG POINT RACES

Sept. 4 -- 5 Division Action Racing - 3rd Shoot-Out Roaring Knob vs. Dog Hollow (FASTRAK) plus Holiday Fireworks

Sept. 5 (Sun.) -- 4th DEMO DERBY sponsored by Sprout's Pick-A-Part - Double Points plus 4-Cylinder Factory Stocks, 40-lap Feature - Gates Open Noon, Start Time 2:00pm

Sept. 11 -- "UFo King of the Knob" UFo Super Late Model Championship, Area 51-laps - $5,000 to Win, plus other 4 Divisions

Sept. 12 (Sun.) -- (Rain Date for King of the Knob)



Oct. 7 (Thurs.) -- OPEN PRACTICE for Fall Fest

Oct. 8 (Fri.) -- "The UFo Ultimate" - UFo Super Late Model Qualifying Heats. "Spectacular FallFest Championships" for FASTRAK Pro-Lates Northeast Tour (heats) and other divisions TBA.


Oct. 9 (Sat.) -- "The UFo Ultimate" Super Lates ~ $7000 to Win plus B-Features. "Spectacular FallFest Championships" for FASTRAK Pro-Lates Northeast Tour ~$2000 to Win (feature and consolations) and other divisions TBA.

Oct 21-23 Lernerville Speedway DIRTcar Round Up Steel City Stampede 2010

Last Race of the Season at Roaring Knob

The last race of the season took place at Roaring Knob dirt track on Saturday September 12th. It was a beautiful, crisp, cold fall-like night. There were a few sprinkles off and on, but that didn't dampen the spirit.

Jeremy drove his late model and after the warm ups was placed in the top 10. He was driving well and more aggressively than in his last race. A yellow flag was evident several times throughout the race but Jeremy was holding his own. Then on the last lap, another yellow flag. The race started back up for the last lap for the late models and Jeremy got a flat tire 3/4 of the way through the last lap. He went from 9th to last place in the heat. That was a tough break.

His dad, Jim Zufall drove in the charger division and finished 10/13. His uncle Dale drove his first lap and had oil pressure problems and had to drop out. Dirt track auto racing is truly a family affair.

Overall, Jeremy was grateful that he was able to get out at least a few times this past summer. He is working on lining up sponsors for next year and he may or may not be driving the same car. This was the first time he had ever driven a late model car. He likes driving and is looking forward to next year when he can get on the track sooner in the season and move up in the ranks against his competition.

Zufall Finishes 10th At Roaring Knob Aug 15 2009

Dirt Track Auto Race Late Models at Roaring Knob August 15, 2009. Zufall places 10th. 7 laps to go in this video. Crank up your speakers. The video isn't the greatest and will be better next time with an actual video camera. I just wanted you to get a feel for the sights and sounds on the dirt track. If you can make it out, Jeremy is #20 and his car is bright blue, with a black hood and orange numbers. His car is in 10th place on this video. They started with a field of 22, had four wrecks, and 13 late models made it across the finish line.




The sunny day was hot with beautiful clear blue skies. As evening approached and the hot laps were finished, it was the start of a perfect evening and night for racing on Sat Aug 15th 2009 at Roaring Knob. If you've never been to Roaring Knob to watch a dirt track auto race, you need to take your family. It's only $10 per person to get in and children under 10 are free. It's a great evening of family entertainment and you will get your money's worth.

The track was packed down with mud and clay with near perfect conditions. Two weekends before, the dust was so thick you could barely see the track. Today was special. It was autograph day at the track. The kids (and of course moms, dads, grandmas and grandpas) all hit the dirt track with their flags, hats, t-shirts and anything they wanted signed. They were given free programs by the track. The event was run so well. The drivers lined up on the track by their dirt track cars and handed out goodies, autographed post cards, and took pictures with their fans.

Jeremy was on the track for the second time this season. His goal was to finish in the top 10 and he did. He needed some adjustments on his car and tires, but in spite of a few technical difficulties, he managed to do well. In addition, he was thankfully able to avoid four accidents.

Here's the happy dirt track auto racing family and Jeremy's car. See you at the track!

The Low Down on Roaring Knob Dirt Track Auto Race Sat Aug 1st

Yes, it's official. We actually had a beautiful weather day without rain. Hot, sunny, muggy, and DRY!

We made our long journey to Roaring Knob. Jeremy had no problems getting checked in. We had a great space right at the end of the track where we could see the racers close up.

There were a record number of dirt track racers on this particular Saturday because they had a special event with the super late models (incredibly exciting and so much more so than boring Nascar). The payout was about $3,000 for the winner. Even though that's not a lot of money compared to Nascar, these super late model drivers can make a killing.

It was an exciting night. This was the second time this summer Jeremy was able to get on the track. He did his hot lap rounds like everyone else. The next race for him was the heat race. He started last and ended up making the finals, moving up a few cars.

In the finals, he started at 23/27 cars and finished at 16/27 cars. Not bad for his first time completing a dirt track race in a new, virtually untested modified late model. He kept up with the pack all the way and because there were so many cars on the track, they seemed to all stick together.

He did make a few dollars for finishing 16th, but he was just happy that he was able to finish the race and see what more he needs to make his car better so he can move up a few places next time. His take is that he needs new shocks (about $2,000) and a few other items for about $4000 to get his car up to speed with the winners on the track. Jeremy has proven in the past that he has what it takes, but you also need a good dirt track car to be a winner.

Here's a picture of his modified late model and as you can see, it's bare. If you are interested in promoting your small business to a bunch of loyal dirt track auto racing fans, then why not consider sponsoring Jeremy? He has the talent, the drive, and the interest. He has dirt track racing in his and his family's blood and now, he has a new family that can't wait to see him accomplish his goals.

If you are interested or just have questions, please email him at dirttrackcarrace@aol.com and put sponsorship in the subject line.

Oh yes, another interesting side note. . . there was a driver who, while racing in the super late models, kept clashing with and bumping another driver. They were playing a very dangerous game because they had their own little "tiff" going on. As a result, they were both disqualified.

The one driver left peacefully but the other driver put the field crews and the other drivers in a lot of danger. He took off wildly around the track, revving up his engine and weaving in and out of the other drivers. He refused to leave the track. The stand off ended with him being blocked in by several tow trucks. Even then, as he left the track, he caused even more problems. Word is that his car was badly damaged in the pits by a few angry people. It's a shame. I've never seen anything like this happen. The police became involved and he won't be racing at Roaring Knob anytime soon. Other than making for a little excitement, most drivers follow the rules and even though they are competitive, they don't cause this kind of trouble.

I'm telling you. . . you need to go see a dirt track auto race. Bring a blanket, some glasses, and wear old clothes because the dirt will get you!