2012 Raceway 7 Opening Night
(Conneaut, OH May 4, 2012)….the 2012 season opener for Raceway 7 had 24 E-Mods signed into the pit area and among those was a radical looking car from the Clinger Built Race Team. The traditional 222 was not on the side of the car,but rather the Terminator 0 in a car dubbed the “Stealth Car ” and at the end of the evening was sitting in victory lane.
The Triple Deuce team work all winter putting this all new race car together and were not sure what to expect the first night on the race track. The 0 started fifth in the 8 lap an as running second going for the lead slid high to miss contact with the leader and lost a position to finish third in the heat. The redraw for the 20 lap feature had Dunn starting third and as the green flag was waived the Stealth tealth 0 had the lead coming out of turn two and set a blistering pace and in the process set the Raceway 7 E-Mod track record with a time of 19.209 seconds. Dunn lead all 20 laps giving the Clinger Built Team and the Stealth 0 their first victory of the 2012 season.
2012 Eriez Speedway Opening Night
(Hammet, PA)…..the 2012 season opener for Eriez Speedway had 15 E-Mods signed into the pit area and the Clinger Built Team was looking to keep the ball rolling after their win Friday night at Raceway 7. A light field of cars would would mean their would be two 8 lap heat races and saw Dunn starting third in his heat race The Stealth 0 rocketed to the lead by turn one and lead all 8 laps in a dominating performance picking up his first heat race win of the year.
Starting on the pole for the 20 lap feature Dunn once again was the car to beat and showed it during the first four lap. However after a restart the Stealth 0 fell victim to electrical problems and was forced to go the pits on lap 5 end the evening with a DNF 15th place finish. As the Wide World of Sports saying goes “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat ” sums up the Stealth 0 debut.
You can go Clinger Built Race Cars on Face book to view additional photos and videos of the team and www.Raceway7.com and www.Eriez-Speedway.com for full results of racing action. The 222 team will be back in action this weekend on Friday night at Raceway 7 and on Sunday at Eriez Speedway
Raceway 7 & Eriez Speedway Preview
Waterford, PA (May 4, 2012)…..mother nature has been the big winner in the thus far this season as the Deuces Wild Motorsports team has tried for the past three week to race at Sharon Speedway but rain and cold weather has forced the cancellation of races. Coming off a second place finish at Sharon Speedway on April 7th the only lap driver Russ Dunn has been able to make have been at a practice session at Raceway 7 on April 27th in the all new Clinger Built E-Mod Stealth Car. The black skull and cross boned design car will be the second of the two Clinger Built House Cars. The car will be powered by a Craiger Race Engine and will ride on American Racers. Car owner Jim Clinger was pleased with the practice and is looking for favorable results from the new car.
The team will head to Raceway 7 on May 4th for its season opener with its sites set on the 2012 season and looking to improve on last seasons runner up finish and maybe a point title to go along with the one in 2010. May 6th a stop at Eriez Speedway for its season opener were Dunn gained more experience and a sixth place finish in the points despite missing two races. Let’s all hope for a little sunshine to kick off what the team hopes to be another successful racing season.
2012 Sharon Speedway Opening Night
Hartford, OH (April 7, 2012)…..they say if you fall off your bike you need to get back on it and ride it, the Clinger Built # 222 took that saying to heart and the team and driver Russ Dunn were at Sharon Speedway for the tracks season opener. A field of 31 of the top E-Mod drivers were on hand with four heat races to decide the 24 car feature. Starting seventh in the second heat race and needing to finish in the top three, Dunn has his work cut out for a he lost power steering in the first lap but was able to finish third and make the redraw.
The invert was an invert 12 meaning Dunn would start third in the 15 lap feature.As the green flag flew the top five cars were putting on quite a race when the races first caution came out on lap six.
Having dropped back two positions Dunn began to work the high side of the track but was still fifth when the second caution came out on lap twelve. Still using the high side of the track Dunn was able to advance to third when the races final caution on lap fourteen setting up a green / white / checkers finish. On the bottom side for the restart Dunn was able to make the pass for second giving the Clinger Built # 222 its first top three finish of the year.
Photos courtesy of Gary Thayer
222 Season Opener Ends Abruptly
Mercer, PA (March 31,2012) …..The 2012 season opener for the #222 Deuces Wild Motorsports Team got off to a crashing halt as driver Russ Dunn was involved in a multi-car accident as he entered turn two on the first lap of the UEMS Chiller Thriller. Most of the damage was cosmetic, however, during the accident the right side header was damaged, and the team decided not to take a chance, and elected to call it a night. The result was a DNF 24th place finish. Heat race action saw Dunn finishing fourth.
Repairs have been made to the car and the #222 team will travel to Sharon Speedway on April 7th to try their luck in the season opener at the 3/8 mile Hartford, OH oval. For additional updates and photos you can follow the Triple Deuce on FaceBook at Clinger Built E-Mods.
222 E-mod Year End Review
Waterford, PA….looking to improve on the 2011 season Russ Dunn and the Jim Clinger owned # 222 Deuces Wild Motorsports again had their standards set high with trying to defend his 2011 Raceway 7 Championship and gain valuable seat time at Eriez were Russ has had limited starts.The start to the season was a rough one with two DNF and a 13th place finish in the first three races at Raceway 7. Rain was the big winner in May racing only once at both Raceway 7 and Eriez. June was not much beter at Raceway 7. June was no better to the team at RW7 with another DNF and a 16th place finish . Eriez was able to get three shows in with top 10 finishes in each race.
As on seasons past Dunn comes alive in the month of July, and this year was all the more special. A 4th place finish to start the month off at RW7. The following week Dunn was leading with one to go when he was wrecked by the second place car. The angry Dunn then ran off three feature wins in a row at RW7. now gaining seat time at Eriez, Dunn finished 2nd, 4th and 1st dring the month of July with the win being his first at Eriez.The dog days of August saw Dunn finish in the top five three times and a 7th place finish. Eriez was rained out three weeks in a row and saw Dunn with a top five in the only race at Eries during the month. Dunn ended the 2011 season at Raceway 7 just like it just like it started with a flat, this time it was both rear tires. In the lone race at Eriez Dunn closed out his first season at Eriez with a 6th place finish. In a season the big winner was the weather man, but despite many DNF’s Dunn recovered to finish 2nd in points at Raceway 7 and 6th in points at Eriez. The season saw the 222 pick up (15) heat race wins and (4) feature wins to top off a sesaon that Dunn take to the track 28 times with 15 top five finishes and 18 top tens.
Jim Clinger and Russ Dunn and the entire crew at the # 222 Deuces Wild Motorsports Team would like to thank all of their sponsors for the 2011 season, Clinger Built Race Cars, Jay’s Auto Wrecking, PPC Lubricants, Star Tree Service Inc, Craiger Race Engines, Afco Shocks, American Race Tires.
Aug 5 Conneaut,OH….. in the July heat it seems Russ Dunn comes alive. Going into Friday nights race Dunn has been on a role with two consecutive wins at Raceway 7 and a win last Sunday night at Eriez. Looking to keep the momentum Dunn and the Deuces Wild Crew were back in action with the thought of a three peat. A strong field of cars were on hand and starting 6th in his heat race Dunn was the victor in the 8 lap heat race his seventh of the season. The redraw net a third place start for the 20 lap feature. Running in the top three for the first 10 laps Dunn was running 2nd on laps 10 and lap 15 when the caution flags flew. The first part of the year Dunn had no luck, well luck was on his side as the leader made contact with a lapped car giving Dunn the lead on lap 16. It was no looking back as Dunn lead the final four laps for the giving him his third consecutive win at Raceway 7 and his fourth overall.
Aug 7 Hammett, PA ……coming off his first career win at Eriez and a 1st place finish at Raceway 7 on Friday Dunn was looking to keep the momentum going.Starting 6th in the second heat Dunn was able to advance to 4th despite breaking a right front wedge adjuster on a track described as a plowed field. Rain it the track after the second feature forcing a halt to racing for the evening. The rain out feature will be made up next next week to go along with the track regular racing action. Dunn will be starting 3rd in the 20 lap feature.
June 17th & 19th Raceway 7 and Eriez
Conneaut,OH….this was the make up for the UEMS race from June 12th when rain washed away the feature race. After a problem filled evening on the 12th, Dunn would have to stat the race in 15th with a stong field of cars Dunn mounted a charge thrrough the field and by lap 15 was inside the top 10. Running 7th with two laps to go Dunn had to take the car pitside and it began to over heat droping him to a 16th place finish.
Hammett, PA…checking te reason for the overheating it was found that the radiator was clogged with mud, Dunn was looking to make for the poor performance. Dunn was able to win the heat race his fourth of the year but despite a strong run Dunn started 8th in the feature and that is where he would finish.
June 24th & 26th Raceway 7 and Eriez
Conneaut, OH….Races were cancelled due to rain.
Hammett, PA …Trying to get a handle at Eriez ,Dunn was able to finish 3rd in his heat race and for the second week in a row had a finish otside the top five bringing the 222 home 7th .
July 1st & 3rd Raceway 7 and Eriez
Conneaut, OH…doing double duty in the E-Mod and the Ctate Late Dunn would have work hard for every thing this evening. Starting on the outside pole Dunn was involved in a first lap accident. Having the back up car with them Dunn would start last 18th on the field. Over the course of the 20 lap feature Dunn was able to bring the back up car all the way to 4th.
Hammett, Pa ,,,,,a second place finish in the heat race, had Dunn looking to crack into the top five for the first time since opening night. Dunn would come close as he finished 6th .
July 8th & 10th Raceway 7 and Eriez
Conneaut, OH…if there ever is a time in a season that creates a spark, this may have been the evening. Winning his 5th heat race of the year Dunn was still looking for his first victory of the year. Racing with the leader for most of the race Dunn was able to pass the leader as the white flag was waving, as Dunn entered turn as the leader he was wrecked by the second place car causing Dunn to retire to the pits and start off a wave of confussion as to what happened and has yet to be resolved. The result of the accident caused Dunn to finish 11th.
Hammett, Pa ….fresh off the fireworks from Raceway 7, Dunn was determined to have a strong run at Eriez. Looking for a top five the 222 would finish 3rd in the heat and for the first time in almost a month came home with a 2nd place finish.
July 15th & 17th Raceway 7 and Eriez
Conneaut, OH…The say good things happen if you wait. After having a chance at a win last week Dunn was bound and determined to make for what happened. It started in the heat race with Dunn winning his 6th of the year. Drawing the pole for the feature the 222 led all 20 laps in route to a $1000 payday and his first win of 2011.
Hammett, PA…riding high from fridays win Dunn was looking for a strong run at Eriez. A 4th place finish in the heat and a 4th place finish in the feature now had given Dunn two top five finishes in the past two weeks.
July 22nd & 24th Raceway 7 and Eriez
Conneaut, OH… Races were cancelled due to Rain
Hammett, PA ….sometime you have one of those nights and this was one of them. Running second in the the 222 experienced suspension problems causing a DNF in the heat race. Things did not get any better in the feature as Dunn experienced a flat tire on lap 10 sending him to the pits with a DNF.
July 29th, 30th.& 31st Raceway 7, Stateline and Eriez
Conneaut, OH… the 2010 Track Champion seems to come alive in July and the past three weeks have have shown that desire. A second place finish and the redraw saw Dunn starting 4th in the 20 lap feature.Running in the top three for 10 laps saw the 222 move into 2nd on lap 11. A caution on lap 15 had Dunn Starting on the leaders bumper, and by the end of the lap had Dunn into the lead and at the end of lap 20 his second win of the year and a repeat win at Raceway 7.
Busti, NY…traveling to Stateline Speedway for the $5000 to win UEMS a field of 60 cars showed for a 24 car starting field. Finishing 3rd in his heat race Dunn was able to qualify for the 40 lpa feature. Starting 15th Dunn had a tight race car and could only muster a 13th place finish.
Hammett, PA ….running well over the past few weeks at Eriez., Dunn and car owner Jim Clinger were having a good weekend with a first friday night at Raceway7 a 2nd and 13th at Stateline. Not happy with his car at Stateline Dunn and Clinger worked on the car Sunday morning making changes that would help the car get more forward bite. The main show at Eriez on Sunday was the World of Oulaws Late Models and all other divisions would run featues only. The 20 lap feature had Dunn starting 3rd however a spin by the leader on lap 1 gave Dunn the pole on the restart. Dunn would take advantage and lead the first four laps when the caution flag was waved. The next 16 laps went green and as the checkers were shown Dunn picked up his third win of the year and his first at Eriez Speedway.
June 10th and 12th – UEMS at Raceway 7 and Eriez
Conneaut, OH…The Deuces Wild Motorsports had the engine shipped out to Craiger Race Engines and the news was not good as the engine was repairable but it would be a few weeks before the engine would be repaired. Dave Olivieri from Dunn-Olivieri racing offered the use of their motor to car owner Jim Clinger so Dunn could continue to drive one of the Clinger Built E-Mods. The engine was installed and it was off to Raceway 7 for the second UEMS race at the Conneaut power plant. Starting 5th in the second heat race and only the top two making the redraw Dunn had his work cut out for him. Not having a chance to test the motor in race condition Dunn experienced a problem with the carb and the result was a 5th place finish in his heat race. The poor finish in the heat had Dunn starting 12th in the 25 lap feature, however as the feature was about to take the track a rain shower over the track intensified forcing the cancellation of the UEMS race until June 17th.
Hammett, Pa….after missing the second race of the year at Eriez Speedway,Dunn was back at the track for the UEMS looking to keep a strong start going after his second place finish in week one. A strong field of 35 cars saw Dunn starting 7th in the 3rd heat race with the top two going to the redraw and top four to the feature, Russ was able to solve Fridays carb problem and finished 4th in his heat race giving Dunn a 15th place start for the 25 lap feature. Unlike week one this UEMS race was full of cautions and those cautions helped Dunn. Working the high side of the track Dunn was able to crack the top ten by lap nine. By lap 23 Dunn was now up to 6th and when the checkers flew 6th is where he would finish .
June 3rd – Raceway 7
Conneaut, OH…after a rough opening night driver Russ Dunn was looking to bounce back with a strong performance. Starting third in the third heat race Dunn had a strong heat race finishing 2nd. The redraw had Dunn starting 7th and like in week one he had to check up going into turn one on lap one. Dropping back to as far as 10th. Russ began his march forward. Lap by lap he inched closer to the top 5. A lap 15 caution now saw Dunn in 5th, by lap18 Dunn was battling for a top 3 and getting ready to take the white flag when something let go in the motor dropping Dunn to a disappointing DNF and a 16th place finish.
UEMS at Raceway 7 and Eriez
Conneaut, OH……May 20th became the season opener for Raceway 7 after three straight rain outs and the UEMS was on hand for the opener. The opener was a tough one for the 2010 track champion for Dunn as he finished a disappointing 13th.
A forty plus field of cars saw Dunn starting 7th in his heat race, however the 222 never made it out of turn one as he was involved in a first lap accident causing a left front flat and a trip to the pits and also having to run a B-Main. Finishing 2nd in the B-Main gave Dunn the 20th starting position in the 25 lap feature.
The start of the feature saw Dunn move up to 15th on lap one, however under caution a valve stem came off the right front tire forcing Dunn to the pits and when he returned found himself mired back in 24th. The remainder of the race went green and without the help of a caution Dunn was only able to advance to 13th.
Hammet, PA…..May 22nd was the third stop for the UEMS at Eriez Speedway and the out come for Dunn and the 222 team was a more favorable one as Dunn recorded a 2nd place finish.
A strong field of 36 plus e-mods were in the pits and would have Dunn starting from the pole in heat four. Unlike Friday Dunn made it through turn one and led all eight laps in route to his third heat race win of the of the year. The redraw gave Dunn the pole for the 25 lap feature and he would hold that position for 20 laps before getting passed on lap 21 by race winner Dave Hes,Jr and finishing in second place gave the 222 its first top three finish of the year.
Weather Dominates Early Season Racing for 222 Team
April 29
Mother Nature has been the big winner during the month of April and May causing the Deuces Wild Mototorsports team to take to the track only twice. April 15th at Raceway 7 for a practice session and on April 30th at Sharon Speedway. The season opener saw close to 40 cars on hand and saw driver Russ Dunn pick up his first heat race win in 2011leading all 8 laps. Starting 10th in the 20 lap feature saw Dunn work his way in to the top five at the halfway point of the race when a car in front of him got loose causing Dunn to slow and the result was the car being hit in the rear and pushed into another car damaging the front end and the tire. The damage could not be fixed quickly and Dunn was relegated to a DNF 19th place finish.
May 7
The Triple Deuce Team and driver Russ Dunn came to Sharon to help and test the # 53 Jim White owned car that was built by chassis builder Jim Clinger. Dunn would find out quickly how and what the car would do as he won the heat race ( 2nd of year at Sharon). Starting 11th in the 20 lap feature Dunn for the second week in a row get caught up in a racing mishap. This time there was no damage and the only draw back was that Dunn had to begin the restart from the rear of the field. Working his way through traffic, Dunn over the remaining laps was able to work his back to a 5th place finish
Clinger 222 Race Team prepares for 2011
Waterford, PA ….The 2011 Deuces Wild Motorsports Race Team will begin their 2011 racing season April 15, 2011 with a practice session at Raceway 7 from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm at the Conneaut, OH oval. This will be the first opportunity for drivers Russ Dunn and Mike Knight to shake down their Clinger Built E-Mods. The team had both cars prepared for the UEMS “Chiller Thriller” however that event was canceled due to extremely cold weather and will be made up as a weekday show June 22, 2011 at Mercer Raceway Park. Car owner Jim Clinger will monitor the practice session and converse with both drivers to see if they need to head back to the track for a second practice April 22, 2011.
You can also view the the Triple Deuce and the Two Two Square Race Cars and Clinger Built Race Cars on face book at Clinger Built E-Mods.