Dunn-Olivieri Racing

Conneaut, OH…There is a saying “third time is a charm”, that saying became a reality on a warm and sunny 4th of July on the 3/8 mile Raceway 7 oval as Dunn-Olivieri not only celebrated our nations birthday but they also got to celebrate the teams first victory of 2008. The team always like to visit Raceway 7 and was looking to improve on their June 6th and the third visit would prove to be the charm.

The holiday weekend brought both the fans and drivers out in high number as a total of thirty-five cars from New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania were pit side in what was going to be a very long night of racing, There would be a total of four eight lap heat races and two B-mains to set the field for the 20 lap feature. Starting fifth in the second heat race, Dunn was able to work his way into the redraw with a second place finish. The redraw would give Dunn the outside pole for feature.

As night turned into early morning (2:45 am), twenty four cars were ready to go racing. At the drop of the green flag Dunn rocketed into the lead and lead the first four circuits when the evenings first caution came out on lap 4. On the next restart there was confusion and for some reason the scores now had Dunn running second as the said he did not lead lap 5. It was now Dunn’s turn to plat follow the leader, and that he did for the next seven laps, Making an aggressive move in turn one on lap 12, Dunn was able to make the pass for the lead, Back in front again, Dunn clearly had the superior car and lead the remaining eight laps and when the checkers were waving (3:15 am) time really didn’t matter al that did was the teams first victory of 2008.

Dunn-Olivieri Racing (Dan, Russ & Dave) would like to dedicate this victory to a very wonderful person, Mary Lynn Nicholas. We know even if you not at the track that you are always rooting for us. Mary Lynn this one is for you.

Dunn-Olivieri Racing would like to thank their sponsors Dunn Trucking, Domhoff Racing Engines, Lias Tire American Race Tire, Frankland Racing Supply, Oyler Action Photos and Web Design, Vecennie Distributing (Straub & Iron City Beer).

Caditz, OH…Friday night Dunn-Olivieri Racing headed west to the newly opened 250 Speedway and when the evening was over the Fennelton, ,PA driver had the fans on their feet in what proved one very exciting finish.

Know as the “invader” Dunn and his team are living up to that title as Dunn-Olivieri racing has visited eight tracks this year (Mercer,Challenger, Sharon, Tri-City,Raceway 7, PPMS, 250 Speedway and Muskingum. The E-Mods are the featured division at 250 Speedway (250Speedway.Com) and eighteen were on had for the speedways third night of racing. There were three eight lap heat races, with Dunn starting on the pole in the second heat race. Using the starting position to his advantage, Russ was an easy winner. The reward for winning the heat race is you start in the position where you finished, so finishing 1st in the second heat race, Dunn would start on the outside pole for the 20 lap feature.

The start on the feature was slowed by two early cautions, but the next sixteen laps clicked off with out incident with Dunn leading all of them. The restart
on lap 17 would had the fans going crazy as Dunn and Tom Hagberg raced side by side for the next four laps. As the white flag was shown the two were still side by side when Dunn pushed a little high in turn two allowing Hagberg to gain a slight advantage going into turn three and Hagberg used it to his advantage as Dunn had to go high in turn four. It was a drag race to see who would get the win and even the scorers were not sure , but unfortunately for Dunn the win was given to Hagberg.

The last four laps of that race are captured on the following video:

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Dresden, OH … Saturday the team headed to Muskinum Speedway fo a $1500 to win E-mod special. There were a total of 34 cars pit side to battle for the top prize, but the only winner would be mother nature as after hot laps the rain came forcing the cancellation of the race until Saturday June 29th.

Imperial, PA…Tuesday night was the first of two topless Tuesdays at PPMS and Dunn-Olivieri Racing was present with the top on as the used the rare mid week race as a test and tune session.The team made many changes and Dirt’s Monster Half Mile would prove to be a worthy opponent.

A small field of eleven E-Mods were signed in to the pits, and nine of the eleven were PPMS regulars. There was one eight lap heat race and starting 9th,Dunn advanced to fifth. The fan re-draw was an invert ten meaning Russ was to start 6th in the fifteen lap feature. The start of the race saw the caution come out before the first lap was completed, allowing Dunn to move up one position to 4th. Not being a PPMS regular the test session was a favorable one as Dunn hung around the mid of the pack for the remainder feeling good about the changes that were made to the car. In the end, a strong fourth place finish was a step in the right direction the team was looking for on the slicker track surfaces.

One race down PPMS and two more to go 250 Speedway and Muskingum Speedway over the weekend lets see if the momentum can continue.