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NEWS FROM THE 2009 SEASON
10/26/09
Frankoski Closes USAC Championship with 5th Win at Concord
Huntersville, NC (October 24, 2009) – Jeremy Frankoski won the 2009 USAC Ford Focus Carolinas Championship during the season ending double header held at Concord Motorsports Park in Concord, North Carolina. The USAC rookie, piloting the Calico Coatings All American Driver Challenge Midget also captured his fifth win of the season and led all 40 laps in the first of two races Saturday evening.
Frankoski took an immediate advantage in the Carolinas Ford Focus series earlier this year when each of his first three USAC starts ended in victory lane! He continued to lead the highly competitive series throughout the season posting three more second place finishes and a fourth win before returning to Concord to settle with challengers Scott Hunter (-42) and Eric Coomes (-43).
The “short-track” Concord Motorsports Park swing had proved to be a challenge for Frankoski who only posted a fifth and seventh place finish early in July before settling for two second place finishes later in the summer. “Finally winning at Concord was awesome,” summed up Frankoski. “I didn’t feel like I was really in contention there earlier in the year. To finally win at all three tracks, I think is a major accomplishment.”
Frankoski was followed by Eric Coomes (-28), Scott Hunter (-48), Steven Intravaia (-56) and Chris Lamb (-73) in the series.
Frankoski also won at Hickory (North Carolina) Motor Speedway on April 18th and June 6th as well as at Dillon (South Carolina) Motor Speedway on May 23rd and September 26th. Frankoski recalled, “I felt more comfortable at the bigger tracks where we can run faster and really set up the passes. I like the faster speeds we can get on the bigger tracks.”
In addition to his five season wins, Frankoski’s 2009 USAC Championship was supported by 6 pole qualifications and 10 top five finishes. “I owe so much of my accomplishments to the Calico Coatings team of Gary Huffman, Bradley Riethmeyer and Tracy Trotter,” praised Frankoski. “We all worked hard and took the competition seriously. The elevated work ethic here on and off the track is exactly what we needed to be able to win races and pull off the championship.”
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9/26/09:
Frankoski Guns Down 4th USAC Win at Dillon
Huntersville, NC (September 26, 2009) – Jeremy Frankoski took the checkered flag at Dillon Motor Speedway in the Calico Coatings All American Driver Challenge Midget and extended his season long lead in the USAC Ford Focus Carolina Series. The latest win marks the fourth in the series for Frankoski who now counts two wins at the Dillon, SC speed facility and two more at Hickory Motor Speedway (Hickory, NC). Frankoski was also the fastest qualifier of the evening and notched his fifth pole of the season.
After starting 6th in an inverted line up, Frankoski wasted little time making his way to the front. By lap 8 he was comfortably in second place behind race leader and series contender Scott Hunter. Oil on the track at lap 10 brought out a caution and Frankoski made his final pass for the lead after the restart.
Frankoski ran strong for the remainder of the 35 lap race and was followed by Hunter, Eric Coomes, Justin Hommel and Rick Fedrizzi. “The inverted line up makes it harder to win, but we always want to run as fast as we can, especially for qualifying,” commented Frankoski. “Winning is great, but winning from an inverted pole position is even more satisfying.”
Jeremy Frankoski jump started the Carolina Ford Focus Series earlier this year when he won his first three USAC races. He has maintained his series lead ever since and is currently being chased by Hunter (-25), Coomes (-32), Steven Intravia (-60) and Shane MacMillan (-123).
The win at Dillon also marks the team’s successful recovery from a major setback as the #2 midget that Frankoski has piloted all year was wrecked last week at the USAC Pavement Ford Focus National Championship Race at Columbus (Ohio) Motor Speedway. The wreck occurred on lap three of the National Race when three cars tangled directly in front of Frankoski and drove him hard into the wall in turn three. “We were really on top of our game at the National Race and were turning the fastest laps all weekend; we were the ones to beat,” groused Frankoski who posted several sub 14 second (fastest) lap times en route to winning his heat. “Loosing the race was one thing, but loosing the car really put us in a tough spot heading into Dillon.”
The team worked hard all week tearing down the wrecked #2 and converting the team’s #11 midget for use by Frankoski. After a lot of hard work, the team was able to test the car at Hickory before making the race in Dillon. “We spent so much time in the shop this week, the only thing we didn’t do was sleep there,” joked Frankoski. “But it does show how hard you have to work to stay ahead of these guys in this series. I’m very grateful to Tracy Trotter and Gary Huffman for supporting me this season and for giving me such an outstanding opportunity to win races.”
The USAC Ford Focus Carolina Series heads back to Hickory Motor Speedway on October 3.
GET MORE ABOUT THE DILLON WIN:
Read K&N Filters Press Release: http://www.knfilters.com/news/news.aspx?ID=2293
Watch Jeremy win the race -- video here on YouTube
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July 1, 2009
For Immediate Release:
PR Contact: Annamarie Strawhand (980)329-9834
RACE 101 - PR pr@race101.net
RACE 101 Debuts with Scholarship Driver Jeremy Frankoski at Hickory Motor Speedway
Denver, NC….2009 RACE 101 scholarship recipient and program driver, Jeremy Frankoski will be making his debut in the RACE 101 Late Model Sunday, July 5th at Hickory Motor Speedway in the Independence 150. Jeremy is the first scholarship recipient as part of the RACE 101 Driver Scholarship program.
Frankoski, who is also currently leading the USAC Carolina Ford Focus Midget Series points, has already tested for RACE 101 in three times in preparation for his first late model race. Part of the RACE 101 program includes plenty of test time and coaching before a driver enters an event. RACE 101’s owner and crew chief, Tony Blanchard has been working personally with Jeremy at Hickory, and daily back at the RACE 101 shop, in Denver, NC.
Blanchard is well known with his work with drivers such as Joey Logano and Joey Pole, and founded RACE 101 on the premise to "Build A Better Driver".
“We started the RACE 101 program in an effort to help and teach deserving drivers like Jeremy how to better prepare themselves as a driver in all aspects.” Says Blanchard. Jeremy is the first scholarship recipient for RACE 101 because he exemplifies the type of driver we are looking to have in our program. He impressed me with his good attitude and his openness to learn and better himself as a driver, and the fact that he is trying to advance his career on his own with little outside help or funding. We believe Jeremy was a good choice for us to show what the program can do for a talented young driver looking to learn and move up in the sport, which he would not normally get because of his financial status.”
22 year old Frankoski is excited about being a part of the RACE 101 program. “It’s fantastic to finally have an organization like RACE 101 to help drivers like myself learn more as a driver, not just how to drive the car but how to understand the car better and to communicate with my crew and crew chief, plus the opportunity to drive and get seat time in a late model.” Says Jeremy. “I will be representing RACE 101 sponsors as well which is valuable experience, too. I feel very fortunate to be in this program, working with great people such as Tony, and I want to do a good job for RACE 101.”
Scholarship Driver Jeremy Frankoski with the RACE 101 late model program car at Hickory Motor Speedway
This summer, Race 101 will be searching for additional deserving drivers like Jeremy for their 2010-2011 Driver Scholarship Program, and are currently accepting applications.
Drivers can apply online at www.race101.net and based on information from the applications and similar to a college acceptance system, 10 scholarship recipients will be chosen.
The RACE 101 program will offer $75,000 worth of scholarships to drivers. The top graduate will earn a full ride in the RACE 101 Late Model for the 2011 season, as the team program driver.
Current RACE 101 sponsors and partners include; Drive-In Webdesign and Marketing, Victory Circle Communications, SponsorEdge.com, ISP (Innovative Safety Products), Performance Analysis, TJ's Motorsports Warehouse of Denver NC, Pruitt Performance, Mancuso's Graphics & Design, PPR Plus Annual Driver Advancement Marketing Summit, NCMA (North Carolina Motorsports Association), and the ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour.
Look for the RACE 101 late model with Jeremy Frankoski behind the wheel at selected late model events in 2009. Jeremy will also be working side by side with RACE 101 students and other scholarship recipients, and will assist on all levels of the program.
For more information please visit:
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6/6/09
FRANKOSKI MAKES IT 3 FOR 3 WITH MIDGET WIN AT HICKORY
Hickory, NC (June 6, 2009) - Jeremy Frankoski made his third consecutive trip to victory lane and extended his points lead in the USAC Ford Focus Carolina Series after winning the 35 lap feature held at Hickory Motor Speedway Saturday night. Frankoski also won his second Carolina Series pole with a fast qualifying time of 14.987 seconds.
Jeremy Frankoski pilots Tracy Trotter’s Calico Coatings Ford Focus Midget at Hickory Motor Speedway. Photo by Debra Slater-Manter
“We weren’t great in warm ups and I knew we needed to make some changes,” said Frankoski. “Bradley Riethmeyer made a spring change and it really did the trick to improve our lap times.”
However, the line up was inverted to sixth place after time trials and with the other top six qualifiers separated by less than a tenth of a second; the race was looking more like a traffic jam for Frankoski. Steven Intravaia (15.256) and Eric Coomes (15.212) shared the front row while Scott Hunter (15.200) and Michael Sboro (15.185) were positioned in row 2. Shane MacMillan (15.183) started inside row 3 with Frankoski on the outside.
Intravaia took the green flag and the lead, but was overcome by Sboro on Lap 3. Frankoski wasted little time getting to the front and completed the pass for second by lap 4. Sboro led for 14 laps with Frankoski looking him over, unable to see any easy passing.
“Mike was really fast tonight and I had to work hard to get around him,” praised Frankoski. “I realized that the race was getting to the halfway point and I knew I had to do something.” On lap 16, Frankoski set up a move coming out of turn four, getting down low on Sboro who drifted higher coming out. Driving hard into turn one, Frankoski gained an inside advantage and completed the pass as they exited turn two. Racing out onto the back stretch, Frankoski never looked back.Jeremy Frankoski continues to lead the Carolina Series with MacMillan (-32), Hunter (-41), Coomes (-55) and Intravaia (-60) completing the top five.
The USAC Ford Focus Carolina Series heads to the ¼ mile oval at Concord Motorsports Park on June 17 for the first of 6 races that also make up the Concord Midget Championship.
Please visit www.jeremyfrankoski.com for more information.
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5/23/09
FRANKOSKI GOES TWO FOR TWO
Dillon, SC (May 23, 2009)- The Carolina Ford Focus series held their second race of the season at Dillon Motor Speedway. Jeremy Frankoski and the Calico Coatings Team were able to pick up the win and make it two for two at the beginning of this season. Crew chief Gary Huffman had prior obligations to be in Indiana for the ORP midget race but was on call for anything that the team needed. Former Champion Bradley Riethmeyer filled in for crew chief duties once again and did an outstanding job.
The team qualified in the second position and started third after a top 4 invert. Jeremy dropped back to the fourth position on the original start but then proceeded to work his way to the front. By lap five, he was setting up the pass to take over the lead. He had the top position by lap six and led the last 30 laps to bring home the win in the 35 lap race.
Jeremy contributes their early success to the team’s preparation and determination from all members on the team.
“ It takes a lot of hard work to win a race in any series. To win the first two races in the Carolina Ford Focus series not only shows how hard everyone has worked but also how well we work together.” Stated Frankoski
Jeremy would like to thank Tracy Trotter, Gary Huffman and Bradley Riethmeyer for all of their hard work and support. Also, he would like to thank his loyal sponsors Calico Coatings, K & N Air Filters and Drive-In Webdesign for their continued support.
The next race will be June 6th at Hickory Motor Speedway.
Please Visit: www.jeremyfrankoski.com for continued updates.
More Links To This Story:
USAC Article link: http://www.usacracing.com/ford_index/news_ff/2391.html
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4/18/09
FIRST USAC START FOR FRANKOSKI ENDS IN VICTORY LANE
Huntersville, NC (April 18, 2009) - Jeremy Frankoski took his first USAC green flag and raced all the way to victory lane at the historic Hickory Motor Speedway. He was also the fastest qualifier for the 35 lap race and after winning the pole in time trials started 4th in an inverted line up. Completing a pass for the ultimate win on lap eight, he finished with a seven car length lead at the checkered flag.
Frankoski made his USAC debut driving the number 2 Calico Coatings, K & N Sponsored Ford Focus Midget owned by Tracy Trotter. “The car was awesome all day and the Calico Coatings team really made it all come together for this win,” said Frankoski. “I really want to thank Tracy Trotter for giving me the opportunity to drive for him this season.”
Jeremy Frankoski takes the pole with a 15.207 fast lap around Hickory Motor Speedway (Photo by Debra Slater-Manter)
Frankoski also pointed out that the team has been well schooled by long time crew chief Gary Huffman who was unable to attend the team’s first race due to prior personal commitments. In Huffman’s absence, Bradley Riethmeyer, last year’s Carolina Ford Focus Series Champion agreed to step in as crew chief. “Bradley helped me work on my lines and our set up at the track,” commented Frankoski. “He told me about his past experiences and was a key part of why we did so well.”
“I want to personally thank Tracy Trotter, Gary Huffman, Bradley Riethmeyer and the team for all their hard work and support,” praised Frankoski. “I also want to recognize our sponsors Calico Coatings, K& N Air Filters, Microwave Circuit Technology and Drive-In Web Design. Without all of them this win would not have been possible.”
(l to r) Brian Moates, Jeremy Frankoski & Tracy Trotter in Victory Lane (Photo by Debra Slater-Manter)
READ MORE ABOUT JEREMY'S WIN:
http://www.usacracing.com/ford_index/news_ff/2234.html
http://www.knfilters.com/news/news.aspx?ID=1970
http://www.owegopennysaver.com/site/news.cfm?brd=2564
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3/31/09
Jeremy Frankoski To Drive For Calico Coatings In 2009
Huntersville, NC (March, 31, 2009) – After two successful seasons racing midgets in the northeast, Jeremy Frankoski has been called to North Carolina to drive the Calico Coatings All American Driver Challenge (AADC) Midget in the 2009 USAC Carolina Ford Focus Series. Calico Coatings team owner Tracy Trotter and crew chief Gary Huffman plan to “reload” with Frankoski at the wheel after two consecutive championship seasons in 2007 and 2008.
“This is not any arrive and drive program,” stated Gary Huffman who has led the Calico Coatings teams in their successful quests for back to back championship titles. Instead, the veteran crew chief insists that his drivers “arrive ready to work hard, learn a lot and win. We don’t go to the race track prepared to run second!”
First generation racer Jeremy Frankoski thinks he will be a good match for Huffman’s expectations. “I’ve been working hard putting in long hours on my race programs since I was nine,” declared the 22 year old who already counts 41 feature wins in his young racing career. “My father wouldn’t let me race if I didn’t take care of all the car prep during the week. I had to index plugs, set valves and scale my cars long before I could legally drive the hauler.” To support his team’s efforts, Jeremy has relocated to North Carolina.
Frankoski actually got his first shot in a midget behind the wheel of Calico’s AADC Ford Focus car in March 2007 during the All American Driver Challenge finals at historic Hickory Motor Speedway (Hickory, NC). “My first hot laps were a little uncomfortable,” understated Frankoski who had spent the previous 4 years driving slingshots and micro sprints on dirt. “But after only 20 laps on pavement in an unfamiliar car, I was able to turn some competitive lap times that seemed to get the judges attention.”
The 2007 AADC judges were certainly impressed with Jeremy Frankoski. They interviewed him a second time and deliberated for two hours more before ultimately awarding the honors to Tanner Swanson. As the AADC Champion, Swanson went on to win the 2007 USAC Carolina Ford Focus Series championship with the Calico Coatings team.
Fueled from that first midget ride at Hickory, Jeremy Frankoski put together two successful seasons in the highly competitive Northeastern Midget Association (NEMA) series where he tallied one win, 8 top five and 17 top ten finishes with 5 additional heat wins. He also set a new NEMA record in 2007 when he won his first feature after only 6 races! Frankoski then joined only two other NEMA racers (Howie Bumpus & Bobby Santos III) who in more than 50 years of NEMA racing history scored wins in their rookie season. Jeremy also received honors when he was named the 2007 NEMA Rookie of the Year.
Frankoski follows Bradley Riethmeyer (the 2006 AADC Champion) who drove the Calico Coatings AADC midget in 2008 and became the first driver to capture both the Carolina Series and Concord Midget Championships simultaneously.
The complete USAC Carolina Ford Focus series schedule includes 16 races and begins with a National Series event at Columbus Motor Speedway in Columbus, Ohio on April 4. The regional schedule will get underway at Hickory Motor Speedway in Hickory, North Carolina on April 18 when Frankoski will make his debut.
The All American Driver Challenge is a driver search and competition that is geared toward fostering the best up and coming talent, ages 15 – 23 for a future career in a professional American racing series.
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