News & Events

Ken Schrader Set to be Guest Instructor on April 25
 April 22, 2010

The Dirt Track Racing School is proud to feature NASCAR driver Ken Schrader as a guest instructor on April 25, 2010.

“We are excited that Ken Schrader is taking the time to be part of the school. It will be a fun deal to have the students be able to interact with him,” said Shawn Parker, President of the Dirt Track Racing School.

Known as a racer’s racer, Schrader started his career at dirt tracks in the Midwest and continues to fill his schedule with dirt races across the United States.

Schrader spent the past weekend in his home state of Missouri where he owns I-55 Raceway in Pevely and has a driving school.

“My school is more of a driving experience where you run some laps and see if you even have an interest in driving a car.”

“I’m impressed with what Shawn has done with his school. I’m looking forward to being a guest instructor at Carolina Speedway and having some fun.”

Schrader says there are definitely different ways of working with students depending on their experience.

“You watch the students and critique them. You try to answer their questions and help them with problems. You can definitely knock off some bad habits right off the bat.”

He has worked with many experienced drivers over the years, and also knows the initial reaction coming from asphalt to dirt.

“The car’s not going to be straight all the time. The car’s going to seem to be out of control and that’s how it is. That’s just the nature of the beast and something that they have to get used to.”

But he sees the draw of dirt and knows that some drivers take to it immediately.

“I’m partial to dirt and I can understand why anyone would be.”

The special Dirt Track Racing School class with Ken Schrader will take place on Sunday, April 25, 2010.

 

 

Erin Crocker Racing School Announces Schedule for Upcoming Class
 Feb 26, 2010

Coming off an extremely successful debut class, Erin Crocker and Dirt Track Racing School President Shawn Parker have set the dates for their second class, which offers a unique mix of classroom learning and hands-on experience behind the wheel.

The second Erin Crocker Racing School will be held April 10th and 11th, 2010. It will include one day of classes to be held at Ray Evernham Enterprises in Mooresville, NC and one day of on-track activity at nearby East Lincoln Speedway.

Classroom training on the first day will provide valuable information regarding driving techniques, safety, fitness, marketing and public relations. That evening each student will have the opportunity to attend the races at the East Lincoln Speedway. The entire second day will take place at the racetrack. Each student will turn laps in two different types of open wheel dirt cars, including a full-size Sprint Car. Crocker also will provide each student with a ride in a two-seat 410 winged sprint car.

Crocker and Parker started the school with the concept of running a special program where she could put her experience to use helping young drivers reach their goals. Crocker, the only woman to ever win a World of Outlaw Series race, has spent years racing on dirt tracks all over the world. She has also competed successfully in the ARCA series and the NASCAR's truck and Nationwide series.

“Erin & I were happy with our first class together last month, and we’re excited to follow it up with our second class in April,” says Parker. “We couldn’t have asked for a better group of students. They were all great to work with, and the feedback we got was terrific.”

Although Crocker plans to do plenty of Sprint Car racing in 2010, the development of the Erin Crocker Racing School remains a top priority. “In my opinion, racing a partial sprint car schedule this season myself, is only going to enhance the value of the school. Everything I do at the races will be fresh on my mind making it easier for me to educate the students.”

For pricing, availability and more information on the program, please call the Dirt Track Racing School at 704-728-2969.

 

Dirt Track Racing School and Tim Allen sign Jordan Anderson for 2010 Season  Feb 20, 2010

After a successful campaign on dirt in 2009, Jordan Anderson from Forest Acres, South Carolina has goals of making his sophomore season behind the wheel of a Dirt Late Model one to remember. Anderson will join forces with Tim Allen, who is a multi race winner in the Carolina Clash Series, along with Shawn Parker of the Dirt Track Racing School for 2010.

Jordan Anderson turned his first laps on dirt one year ago at the Charlotte, North Carolina based school. Little did he know that a year later his dirt racing career would come full circle. “The opportunity to team up with Tim and Shawn has me excited about what the season ahead holds. I’ve come to learn that life is all about making opportunities, and everyone involved in this program has done just that. I’m looking forward to taking advantage of the available resources and vying for victory.”

When Anderson hits the red clay at Carolina Speedway in Gastonia, NC on March 13th for the 2010 season opener, he will have guidance from Kannapolis, NC’s Tim “The Toolman” Allen. Anderson will also have support from the Dirt Track Racing School throughout the racing season.

“Jordan is a talented driver with an incredible work ethic. When he made the switch to dirt from asphalt last year, I knew he would have a steep learning curve,” said Shawn Parker President of the Dirt Track Racing School. “I reached out to him early in 2009, and he turned his first laps on dirt at our school. He adapted really well to both the cars and the racing surface.”

Legendary promoter H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler who signed Anderson to a lifetime contract in the early months of 2009 will still be an integral part of the program. "Hooking up with Tim Allen will give Jordan the added impetus to become one of the best late model dirt racers in the country. Tim's background as a racer and crew chief is just what Jordan needs as he climbs racing’s big ladder."

Anderson wrapped up his 2009 season at Carolina Speedway with a win, and capped off the year with a strong run in the National Dirt Racing Association’s Championship race at Lancaster Speedway. “The first time that Jordan, Tim and myself really had a chance to work together was the NDRA season finale at Lancaster.” According to Parker, “Tim set the car up, Jordan drove the wheels off it and I knew that we had something special.”

Anderson and Allen stayed in touch throughout the off-season, and talked often about 2010. “Shawn and I had been talking about developing a racing program through the school,” said Allen. “We worked with Jordan at the end of 2009 to help his program, and it worked out great. Going forward, Jordan will play an important role as we begin to offer a Dirt Late Model leasing program & racing support through the Dirt Track Racing School.”

For 2010, the Dirt Track Racing School will be offering a lease program that provides race-ready Late Models at Carolina Speedway and various NDRA sanctioned races. “Providing fully-prepared Late Models is a natural progression for the school,” said Parker. “There are a lot of people like Jordan looking at dirt racing as a stepping stone in their driving career, and we can help speed up the learning process. Not only can we teach them driving techniques at the school, but we can also help them run competitively right out of the box.”

For more information on Late Model leasing options for the upcoming race season, please call 704-728-2969. To follow Jordan Anderson’s 2010 racing program, please visit www.JordanAndersonRacing.com.

 

Tim Allen Featured in Feb Issue of Dirt Late Model Magazine
Feb 1, 2010

Dirt Track Racing School Instructor Tim Allen will be featured in the February 2010 issue of Dirt Late Model Magazine. With 3 Carolina clash wins in 2009, Allen & his O’Dell Motorsports team caught the attention of both the fans & media.

“Tim has been a huge asset to the Dirt Track Racing School over the past two years”, said DTRS President Shawn Parker. “Not only was he our first instructor, but he’s also carried our name on his Late Model throughout the last two racing seasons.”

Allen, who is a two-time Carolina Speedway Late Model Champion & four-time Carolina Clash winner, will focus most of his energy on Super Late Model racing in 2010. With a new a new GRT racecar and support from DTRS, Aeroquip, Racing Optics, and Dominator Race Products, Allen will once again be taking on the cars & stars of the Carolina Clash.

Allen will begin testing in February with DTRS, and will kick off his 2010 Carolina Clash campaign at Carolina Speedway in March.

For more info on Tim Allen’s 2010 racing program, please visit www.DriveOnDirt.com

 

 

Erin Crocker & Dirt Track Racing School Team up for Open Wheel School
November 30, 2009

Erin Crocker and the Dirt Track Racing School have teamed up to offer a special two-day, open wheel driving school in January 2010. The program will include a mix of classroom learning and hands-on experience behind the wheel.

This unique program will be held January 16th and 17th, 2010. It will include one day of classroom to be held at Ray Evernham Enterprises in Mooresville, NC and a day of on-track activity at nearby East Lincoln Speedway.

Classroom training on the first day will provide valuable information regarding public relations, safety, fitness and marketing. The second day will take place at the racetrack. Each student will turn laps in two different types of open wheel dirt cars, including a full-size sprint car. Erin will be heavily involved in all activities and constantly providing feedback.

After Erin Crocker was introduced to Shawn Parker earlier this year, she knew she had an interest in getting involved with his program. Parker, a former driver as well, is the owner and operator of the Charlotte, NC’s Dirt Track Racing School.

The school began operating in March 2008, and offers students the chance to drive in a variety of different dirt cars. Parker and the school are off to a great start, having already provided schooling for NASCAR Sprint Cup driver David Ragan’s development drivers as well as H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler’s “Humpy’s Heroes” program.

As Erin Crocker and Shawn Parker had the chance to sit down and brainstorm, they came up with the concept of running a special program where Erin could put her experience to use helping young drivers reach their goals. Erin, the only woman to ever win a World of Outlaw Series race, has spent years racing on dirt tracks all over the world. She has also competed successfully in the ARCA series and the NASCAR’s truck series and Nationwide series. 

“I really believe this is a chance for me to give back to the sport. I enjoy trying to help others reach their goals”, says Crocker. “I’ve already experienced most of the things young drivers will face if they are pursuing a career in racing, and I’m confident I can help speed up their learning curve on and off the track.”

“We’re excited to work with Erin on this unique school”, says Parker. “Erin has an impressive driving resume and significant experience working with sponsors. Her perspective on racing will provide valuable insight into what it takes to pursue a career in racing.”

For more information the program, please call the Dirt Track Racing School at 704-728-2969. You can also visit them online at www.DriveOnDirt.com.

 

Jordan Anderson & Dirt Track Racing School Join Forces for Remainder of 2009 November 4, 2009

Jordan Anderson and the Dirt Track Racing School will team up for remainder of 2009 season. The school will prepare Anderson’s dirt Late Model, and provide trackside support for the young, up-and-coming driver.

Jordan Anderson’s racing career has always been driven by innovation. In 2007, he signed the City of Forest Acres, his hometown, as a sponsor. Then he signed a lifetime contract with legendary promoter H.A. ‘Humpy’ Wheeler.  Anderson, the 2007 and 2008 Summer Shootout Legends Car Pro division Champion on asphalt, switched to a Dirt Late Model for 2009, which has led to a multi-race program with the Dirt Track Racing School, beginning November 14 at Lancaster Speedway in the National Dirt Racing Association (NDRA) Finals.

After two Legends Car championships, Anderson became friends with Shawn Parker, owner and founder of the Dirt Track Racing School. The school holds driving classes at Carolina Speedway in Gastonia, North Carolina.  Anderson turned his first laps on dirt in one of the school’s Late Models, giving him a head start on the 2009 racing campaign.

After winning the season-ending race at Carolina Speedway, Anderson will now drive a car prepared by the Dirt Track Racing School and two-time Carolina Speedway Late Model Champion Tim Allen for the remainder of the year. Working with Anderson will lay the groundwork for a trackside support & rental program that Parker and Allen are creating for 2010. The program will help young drivers gain racing experience in full-size Dirt Late Models.

“The opportunity to work with Shawn, Tim and the Dirt Track Racing School is certainly a blessing and I’m looking forward to it,” said Anderson. “To be a successful driver, one must always look for ways to improve and gain experience, and it will also strengthen their program for next year.”

Tim Allen had a superb season with the Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series with three victories and fifth place in the final points standings. Allen also ran weekly at Carolina Speedway in the Late Model division, where he picked up four wins.

“Tim Allen has been a huge part of our success with the Dirt Track Racing School,” said Parker. “He has been an instructor at the school since our grand opening in 2008, and was instrumental in securing our role as the only dirt track portion of the prestigious “Humpy’s Heroes” driver development program operated by H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler and NASCAR star David Ragan.”

To see race results and the latest on Anderson and his racing career, check out www.JordanAndersonRacing.com. For more information on the Dirt Track Racing School, visit www.DriveOnDirt.com or call 704-728-2969.

 

Tim Allen Grabs Third Carolina Clash Win of 2009
October 12, 2009

Dirt Track Racing School Instructor Tim “The Toolman” Allen won his third Carolina Clash race of this season this past weekend at Lancaster Motor Speedway. The win tightened up the points, and Allen now sits just 25 points outside of third place in the championship hunt.

Tim Allen is a two-time defending Carolina Speedway Late Model Champion and an instructor at the Dirt Track Racing School. In addition to his three wins with the Carolina Clash in 2009, Allen & the Odell Motorsports team captured five wins in the Late Model division at Carolina Speedway.

Allen was very pleased with his racecar Saturday night at Lancaster. “The car was wicked”, said Allen. “We passed several cars to get to the lead, and then brought home the win. It felt great.”

The next race for Allen and the Odell Motorsports team will be Wednesday night at the Dirt Track at Lowes Motor Speedway. He will take on the stars of the World of Outlaws & several NASCAR regulars in the Topless Showdown.

 

Humpy’s Heroes” to Attend Dirt Track Racing School
June 17, 2009

“Humpy’s Heroes,” a group of 10 development drivers between the ages of 16-22, will attend the Dirt Track Racing School Wednesday, June 17. The group is a part of a program developed by famed racing promoter H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler and The Wheeler Company in conjunction with leaders in the motorsports industry, including Sprint Cup driver David Ragan, former NASCAR competition director Gary Nelson, Rockingham Speedway owner and former racer Andy Hillenburg, and NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace. This will be the only dirt track segment of the “Humpy’s Heroes” program, designed to develop and nurture young racing stars.

The drivers will each get a chance to drive a Dirt Track Racing School Late Model racecar (approx. 400 hp) at the historic Carolina Speedway in Gastonia, NC. The top two drivers for the day will also have an opportunity to drive the 650 hp GRT Late Model of 2008 Carolina Speedway champion Tim Allen on the 4/10-mile dirt oval.

“We are really excited to be part of the Humpy’s Heroes program,” said Shawn Parker, President of the Dirt Track Racing School. “We’re looking forward to getting these up-and-coming drivers on the dirt in high-horsepower cars. The techniques they’ll be learning will definitely help them develop better car control & make them more comfortable driving a loose racecar.”

The same Late Models used for the Humpy’s Heroes program are available to customers at the Dirt Track Racing School on a weekly basis. The DTRS offers “arrive & drive” programs for racers or students of dirt track racing. DTRS students can also choose to drive a Legends Car, or open-wheeled Modified and Sprint Car.

Humpy’s Heroes recently visited the “Little Rock” test track at Rockingham Speedway to drive ARCA cars with Andy Hillenburg’s FAST TRACK High Performance Driving School. The participants will also be running several Summer Shootout races in Legends Cars at Lowes Motor Speedway over the next couple of months.

For more information on the Dirt Track Racing School, visit www.DriveOnDirt.com or call 704-728-2969.

 

NASCAR Star David Ragan Visits DTRS
July 23, 2008

NASCAR star David Ragan came by the Dirt Track Racing School this past Sunday for some laps behind the wheel of a dirt Late Model. Ragan looked very comfortable behind the wheel & turned some quick laps around Carolina Speedway in Gastonia, NC.

Also on hand were two INEX Legends drivers that that work with David Ragan. Both drivers were extremely fast & adapted well to driving on dirt.

To see additional photos, please visit the Dirt Track Racing School MySpace profile at www.myspace.com/dirttrackracingschool.

 

Congrats to Carolina Clash Winner Tim Allen
June 7, 2008

The Dirt Track Racing School would like to congratulate Tim “The Toolman” Allen and the entire Odell Motorsports team on their June 6 Carolina Clash Super Late Model victory at Carolina Speedway.

The defending Carolina Speedway Late Model Champion and instructor at the Dirt Track Racing School, has run a handful of races with the Carolina Clash in 2008. After suffering from bad racing luck in the early part of their 2008 campaign, the Odell Motorposrts team bounced back in a big way Friday night at the Gastonia, North Carolina oval.

Allen battled with 2007 Carolina Clash Champion Ricky Weeks in the early stages of the race, and then held of veteran Jeff Smith to capture the checkered flag. The popular victory in front of the home track fans left Tim elated. “I can’t believe we did it” replied Tim when asked about the victory.

Allen battled with 2007 Carolina Clash Champion Ricky Weeks in the early stages of the race, and then held of veteran Jeff Smith to capture the checkered flag. The popular victory in front of the home track fans left Tim elated. “I can’t believe we did it” replied Tim when asked about the victory.