August 25, 2008- Most exciting race of the night came from the Super Bombers…Again!!! After another unlucky draw for starting position; Sizemore was negated to the rear of the field Saturday night. Joey Kendall and Tate Nicholson would start on the front row with Kendall taking the quick lead from the drop of the flag. Early in the race KT would get tangled with Tate, causing damage to both cars. The following lap would find the 5 car checking up off of turn two to stay off of the 46 of Daniel Vineyard and Sizemore turning Taylor around. Taylor, the points leader, would have to go to the pits to change a flat right front. Over the next few laps Sizemore was able to pick his way through traffic to second position by lap 13 when the final caution flag fell. When the green flew again, Kendall pulled away from Sizemore and Vineyard by a couple car lengths before Sizemore ran him back down as they took the white flag. Through turns 1 and 2 on the final lap, the 20 car was able to gain an advantage on the bottom and pull along side the 77 down the backstretch. The 20 shot into turn 3 with the lead but the car slid up the track and allowed the 77 enough of an advantage to run off of turn 4 with the lead and take the checkered flag by a car length.
“That was a great race. I started so far back that I didn’t think I had a chance to get there with all of the fast cars between me and the lead. When I made it to second and the caution came out I knew my only chance was if Joey made a mistake. His car seemed to start pushing those last two laps and I was able to get a good bite off the bottom. When I pulled up next to him on the last lap I knew I had it but I hit a huge pot hole in the middle of three and four and it was all I could do to hang on to the car at that point. Congrats to Joey, he drove a good race. All we can hope for is to be in the position for the win coming to the checkered and that is what we had. I am sure we both had fun running for that one! ”
August 18, 2008- Nice rebound after a costly loss. One week after loosing the primary motor while dominantly leading the feature event Sizemore returns to competition. The top two in points, Chris Sizemore and Kenny Taylor, started side by side in row four behind very fast competition; Randy McConnell, Tom Cleghorn, Daniel Vineyard and Roy Patterson all started ahead of them. To begin the race, Daniel was able to take his car to the front of the pack and lead the opening 10 laps over the car of Tom Cleghorn. On lap ten, Vineyard made one mistake and that was all it took for Cleghorn to overtake him for the lead. On lap 12 the caution flew allowing Sizemore to pull along side Vineyard for the restart. Vineyard was more determined and proved to be faster than Sizemore holding off his charge on the high side for the final 3 laps. Cleghorn went on to victory, Vineyard finished second for the second week in a row and Sizemore finished third.
“I love racing side by side like that with a great friend. I tell everyone that Daniel can drive as good as or better than anyone out here and I think he proved it tonight. I had a hard time driving the first half of the race when Daniel was leading because I was cheering for him instead of focusing on racing. He will get a win soon; he continues to improve every week. Also, thanks to Randy McConnell for letting us borrow a motor. If it wasn’t for him I would not be able to be back out here competing for the win. He has always proven to be a friend any time I need something.”
August 11, 2008- Certain victory gets lost in cloud of smoke. The Super Bomber feature would see Chris Sizemore take a commanding lead at the start of their feature and look to be heading for an easy victory with the rest of the field trying to decide who would get second place. On lap eleven all that changed when Sizemore’s motor blew causing the yellow to be flown so the smoke could clear for drivers and officials to be able to see. When the green flag once again unfurled, Kenny Taylor found himself in first place and went on to add to his points lead over Sizemore. Following behind Taylor were Daniel Vineyard, Tate Nichelson, Zack Cleghorn and DJ Murdock.
“The car has felt so good all year that I keep wondering how fast it could really be if I pushed it to its limits. Well, I have yet to find the limit of the chassis but tonight we found the limit on the motor. The chassis has a lot more speed in it but we will have to gear back to a Rome gear to allow the motor to survive the chassis’ capabilities. It’s unbelievable what that car will do.”
ATTENTION ALL!!! NEW VIDEOS HAVE BEEN POSTED ON THE VIDEO PAGE. TAKE A LOOK AND EMAIL RECOMMENDATIONS TO CHRIS AT SIZEMORE@Z-TYRACING.COM OR PAUL AT KLR2M80@Z-TYRACING.COM . MORE WILL BE POSTED WHEN WE GET FEEDBACK. THANKS!!!
August 4, 2008- Past Dixie standout, Justin Wakefield, takes first win in PASS Series in the South Carolina Clash at Dillon Motor Speedway this past Saturday Night. For more information log on to www.racewithpass.com .
August 3, 2008- Strong storms move through and wash away Saturday nights racin' and reduces the races remaining in the championship chase to 6. A strong line of thunderstorms moved through the area right as the track was getting prepared for cars to be turned loose. The storm produced a lot of rain, hail, wind and lightening in a short period of time. The Bill Ingram Memorial and the Southern Allstar events will be rescheduled for August 23.
July 30, 2008- The 2008 Chase for the Championship is down to 7 races. This year’s race for the 2008 Super Bomber Championship is far from over. The top two cars of Kenny Taylor and Chris Sizemore have separated themselves from the rest of the field and are only separated by 12 points. The 5 and the 20 have combined for nine wins of the twelve held at Dixie Speedway this year; an absolutely dominating feat by the duo. This dominance has only been broken by three other cars; Randy McConnell, Tom Cleghorn and Roy Patterson. Typically, the car that starts in front of the other makes it to the lead and is able to go on for the win. This time last year, the points split between first and second was well over 100 points and it was all but decided. Not this year…it looks to be an exciting finale to an outstanding season for the pair.
“It has been an awesome season for both of us. We have both been very good at both Dixie and Rome and we tend to swap off wins. It is very difficult to win in back to back weeks here because you have to start 8th or worse the following week and the other one typically draws better than 8th. So, we pretty much have swapped back and forth. This is the way championships should be. You have two fierce competitors going head to head every week. At the end of seven more weeks, we will see who ends up with the trophy. No matter which way it goes, you can’t deny this has been a very competitive, exciting and emotional season. I just can’t wait for Saturday night to see how it shakes out…these are the battles you dream of.”
July 28, 2008- Sizemore beat by less than a few trailing arm lengths. After starting in eighth position, Sizemore was able to charge to the front and make it a race coming to the checkered.
July 21, 2008- Rome race stopped at 12 laps????? The 20 team is awaiting the “Official” stance on why the race was called after only 12 laps of the scheduled 15 Sunday night. The team was told immediately following the race that it was called short since there were only four cars remaining in the race.
“I was upset last night with the officials call to not allow us to run the entire race. I have been through the rule book and can’t find a rule other than the race will run the published number of laps or the time limit, whichever comes first. We didn’t reach either of those last night. I felt we had a fast car, we would have reached the 5 by lap 15…I probably couldn’t have done anything with him but it would have been nice to have the chance. I know people will think I have a problem with the 5 but my issue is with the official; KT didn’t cut the race short.”
July 18-19, 2008- First two legs of the triple header weekend very successful. Ty got the weekend started right with a very strong run Friday night with his third place run. Ty started on pole and lead all but the final two laps of the heat race, falling to third before the checkered flag fell. He then started third in the feature making it up to second but finishing the race in third.
Saturday night Chris started on pole, like Ty, but never reliquished the lead. Sizemore was followed by Roy Patterson in second.
“I am so proud of Ty. He has come so far, especially over the past few weeks. I think he really loves to get out there and compete. He is on the brink of that first win and I get more excited watching him than when I race myself. It is so much more fun to see him go around. Love ya buddy...GREAT JOB!!!”
July 14, 2008- Looking forward to a big weekend of racing. This weekend of racing will get started on Friday night with Ty competing at Hendon Speedway. Last week Ty had his best driving performance of the season with a third place run, racing competetively against the best in class...Cole Jones.
Saturday night will see Chris in action at Dixie Speedway, trying to make a dent in the ever growing points lead of Kenny Taylor which grew to 28 after this past Saturday's race.
Sunday, the show will hit the road and travel to Rome Speedway for the battle on the big half mile clay track. Sizemore had a great car the last trip there but will hope to put it together with some luck to bring home the checkered for the first time in four years on this track.
July 13, 2008- Randy finally gets the beast to victory lane. McConnell has been trying all season to prove everyone wrong about the old beast, a Ford Torino, being able to make it to victory lane in Super Bomber. Saturday night he made it happen by starting on pole, leading all 15 laps and taking the checkers. He was followed by Carmen Vineyard who has been running great the past few races, Kenny Taylor, Daniel Vineyard, Roy Patterson and Chris Sizemore.
July 7, 2008- A great car went unrewarded at Rome Sunday. The 20 car was the best it has been in years at Rome but the luck of the draw bit the team again. Starting from dead last, Sizemore worked his way through the field along with Roy Patterson. The 20 was able to pull up along side the 17 many times but could not get a good enough run to complete the pass. As the duo of Sizemore and Patterson worked their way to 3rd and 4th; the 89 of Kirk Atkins spun exiting turn two…gathering Patterson and Sizemore. Sizemore’s night ended with a broken tie rod but Patterson was able to continue. Patterson was not only able to continue but was able to go on to make the last lap pass of Kenny Taylor for the exciting win. Roy was followed by Kenny Taylor, Blant Duke, Daniel Vineyard, Kirk Atkins and Chris Sizemore.
“It was just an unlucky night for us. I had a really good car which I have not had in a long time at Rome. I feel I could have battled for that win if it wasn’t for the tangle we got into. I should have also been a little more aggressive early in the race and I may have been in front of the mess instead of in it. I know now what my car needs again at Rome and we will come back in 2 weeks with something for them. I really want another Rome win bad. I wish KT could have held on for that win, he deserves it after the B.S. he has been dealing with the past week.”
July5, 2008- Z-Ty Racing gets much needed vacation but didn’t get far away from racing. The kids had a blast at the Nationwide race in Daytona.
June 29, 2008- Rome rained out. Good luck with the draw washed away with rain.
"Spread the word to only perfect people...you spread the word to no one!"
June 28, 2008- New crew chief...same results. Erin King stepped up as the new head wrench turner this week and the 20 showed its strength by pulling off their third win of the season. The luck of the draw put Sizemore on the pole position and Kenny Taylor on the outside of the second row, setting up a Saturday night shootout between the two dominant cars of the Super Bomber class. From the drop of the flag Sizemore pulled out front and away from the field as KT tried to maneuver around the J4 who was bobbing and weaving all over the track...more like Sugar Ray Leonard than a racecar driver. KT was eventually able to overtake the third position but taking the second position proved to be a little more difficult due to a very fast Carman Vineyard holding his own. On lap six the caution came out, bunching the field for the restart. KT was able to get by the 96 of Vineyard but had nothing for Sizemore on this night. Sizemore went on to take the checkered, followed by Kenny Taylor, Carman Vineyard and Randy McConnell.
“I tell you, as fast as KT is this year...that is doing something to stay out front for 15 laps tonight. I saw him pop up on the scoreboard in second and was driving the car as hard and smooth as possible hoping we had enough and we did. I would like to congratulate Carman for a great run. I know he wanted that second spot and thought he should have had it. He is a great driver who has won a lot of races up here. I would love to see him get back to victory lane...I think he proved he has a car that can do it.”
June 25, 2008- Being LUCKY is good…Being GOOD is good…But I’ll be damned if KT isn’t LUCKY and GOOD!!! Kenny Taylor of Woodstock won for the fourth time this season and extended his points lead over Chris Sizemore and the rest of the division Saturday night. The victory was not without controversy though. Randy McConnell jumped out to an early lead and the battle for second began to heat up between the 119 of Tom Cleghorn and the 5 Taylor. A lot of beating and banging between the two escalated to little tolerance and lead to the contact and damage that occurred in the middle of the race. (The tail end of the touch was captured with the great shot by Kevin Prater below) Following the altercation, Cleghorn’s ride had to be carried off the track on the hook while KT’s car…amazingly…was able to continue. On the ensuing restart, the 5 powered to the lead past Randy McConnell and held on for the final laps. Taylor was followed by Randy McConnell, Lee McElwaney and Chris Sizemore.
June 24, 2008- Want free tickets for Saturday Night...Compliments of Kyle Bennett of the Woodstock Downtown Development Authority. The Woodstock Visitors Center is offering an opportunity to get free tickets to the June 28th race at Dixie Speedway. On Thursday, June 26th, the first twenty people who come to the Woodstock Visitors Center at Dean’s Store (8632 Main Street) and mention Dixie Speedway will receive two free tickets to the June 28th race program at Dixie. That night Dixie will be featuring a full racing program with Coca-Cola Fireworks Display and a Demolition Derby.
Don’t miss out on this special offer that the Woodstock Visitors Center and Dixie Speedway have made available to the public. Just come by the Visitors Center on Thursday and mention Dixie Speedway to get your two free tickets to the June 28th race at Dixie Speedway. The Visitors Center hours are 10am-4pm. The free tickets will not be available until 10am. For more information on the Visitors Center call 770-924-0406 or go to www.oldetownewoodstock.com . For more information on Dixie Speedway call 770-926-5315 or go to www.dixiespeedway.com
June 15, 2008- A good night of racing. For the second week in a row the 20 was forced to the rear of the field to start the 15 lap feature with some fast cars getting a head start by drawing in the front to begin the race. The 17 of Roy Patterson started on pole inside of the GA46 of Randy McConnell who started directly in front of points leader Kenny Taylor. The race began with Roy jumping to the lead early followed by the car of McConnell and Taylor who battled each other lap after lap while Patterson built a good lead. Sizemore was patiently working traffic to make his way close to the top five by the time the final caution came out around lap 8 but was unable to make up ground quickly after the green came back out. The top three of Patterson, Taylor and McConnell pulled out to a big lead by the time the 20 car made it to fourth. Sizemore spent the next several laps running down the GA46 for third position and made the pass as the white flag fell.
Patterson was able to hold off Taylor and Sizemore for the victory on the track and in the tear down pin.
“KT and I both respect Roy and his ability; protests are part of racing. If you suspect someone’s doing something you put the money down and you find out. A lot of people we race against don’t understand that. They would rather speculate every week about where we are cheating than to put up the money and find out for sure. Hopefully everyone saw tonight that protests can be done without getting upset or causing problems. No one should get mad because of a protest; it’s the only way we have to keep everyone honest out here…we need to use it more often.”
June 7, 2008- Rollin'. Sizemore and the #20 team found themselves marred towards the back of the pack, in eighth position, to begin the race but would not stay there long after the green flag went down Saturday night. Sizemore patiently worked through traffic to move to third position behind Kenny Taylor and leader Randy McConnell. When instruction was given to choose high or low for the Delaware Restart, KT chose the bottom and the 20 was relegated to the topside. When the rag dropped again, Sizemore maintained on the outside of the 5 through 1 and 2 but got a great run off of turn 4 and was able to pull along side of the leader down the front straight away. Through 1 and 2 on lap 13; Sizemore was able to get the advantage and take the lead down the backside for the final lead change of the race. Sizemore went on to win his second race in a row followed by Randy McConnell, Roy Patterson and Kenny Taylor.
“I keep saying that this season is going to be fun and we are here to put on a show…I think that happened tonight!!! Tonight was the best race I have ever ran. To pass two friends in strong cars like we did on the high side goes to show what kind of equipment we have. I will be thinking about this win all week. It’s a long season and I look forward to every week of it. I used to just enjoy driving but it has gotten to where I love every aspect of racing…working on it every week and improving the setup with our own ideas and theories...driving the car is a very small part of what we do.”
May 31, 2008- The 20 car firing strong on all cylinders for first time this year!!! After a challenging start to the 2008 season the 20 team put it all together with a little luck Saturday night to lead all 15 laps of the feature race. Sizemore started outside front row alongside friend and competitor Daniel Vineyard. It took three attempts to get the start of the race right but finally the field of cars cooperated and saw Sizemore take the lead going into turn one. The 20 car was strong enough to pull away from the challenges of the field until the final caution with four laps to go. This pulled the field back together with hard charging Roy Patterson moving up to the second position. On the restart the 17 of Patterson stuck to the bumper of Sizemore but could not make a charge for the lead over the final laps. Sizemore went on to take the checkered for the first win of the 2008 season and was able to close the points gap to 16 behind close friend Kenny Taylor who has started the season in dominating fashion, winning the first three out of five races ran at Dixie.
Sizemore was followed by Roy Patterson, Randy McConnell, Daniel Vineyard and Kenny Taylor.
“This is going to be a fun season. This is the most competitive field of cars we see in any class…anywhere. There are six or seven of us that could win any given week. A lot of us are friends and we compete with each other for 20 minutes a week and go back to being friends. I look forward to every week and the battle that is shaping up between me and KT for this championship. Stay tuned, it’s going to be a show!!!”
May 29, 2008- Join the Z-TY Racing Team and Dixie Speedway as they remember and honor all of those who have fought and those still fighting for our freedom.
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April 25, 2008- Its that Time again to sign up for the 2nd Annual Classic Car and Bike Show. Brought to you by Z-TY Racing, Iron Horse Steakhouse and Jim's Auto Sales in Marietta. Sign up now online to reserve your spot and save 60%. Just click on the image below!
April 9, 2008- Lofty goals are set and we are ready to roll again!!! Following up an unbelievable season like what we had in 2007 will be tough to do but the Z-Ty Racing team is ready to reach as high as we can in 2008. The competition is getting better all of the time so the determination and hard work is going to have to step up once again to be able to meet the goals we have in place.
The word through the grape vine is that past champions will be making returns to Dixie in the Super Bomber class to make an already competitive field of 2007 winners Chris Sizemore, Randy McConnell, Kenny Taylor, Tom Cleghorn, Joey Kendall and Roy Patterson as well as other contenders in Daniel Vineyard, Randy Tatum, Spence Rackley and Robert Killian even stronger. “The addition of two more competitors the caliber of the ones we have returning will put this class up there as the best race to watch every Saturday night. We will have 6-8 guys that could win any given night,” said Kenny Taylor.
Returning to the team for 2008 is Ellison Manufacturing Co. continuing on this year as the primary sponsor along with Speedsters Inc., Advanced Power Systems and Miss Essie Mae's. Still in the works for renewal are ALBA Consulting Services and Jim’s Auto Sales Inc.. A new addition for 2008 is in the works as The Iron Horse Steakhouse is very close to finalizing a deal to join the team.
We are excited to get out and shake off the cobwebs this Saturday night at Dixie for the 2008 Practice Night and get to racing on opening night April 19.
We are all ready to get back to the track and make 2008 GREAT!!!!! See ya’ll at the track!!
Oh yeah...Introducing the new racer out of the Z-Ty Racing stable...The origin of Z-Ty and the 20...Ty Sizemore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See Ty compete on Friday nights at Hendon Speedway on Bells Ferry Road next to the Cherokee Batting Cages.
January 3-6, 2008