Hannula Is Ready for 2012 Season!

It would be hard to imagine anyone more anxious for the start of the 2012 racing season than Andrew Hannula. Hannula returns to wingless competition this season, driving his family owned equipment in ARDC events. Hannula will forego his signature #89 in favor of a single digit car number this season. The black, silver and fluorescent red #9 will bear Hannula’s name for the 2012 season. Hannula has been racing as long as any 22 year old could. Starting with quarter midgets in 1994 at Wall, NJ, Hannula won over 200 events as he and his family traveled to various tracks to compete. Looking for a new challenge, Hannula “graduated” to Slingshots and then 270 Micro competition in 2002 at Borger’s Speedway. In 2005, Hannula moved up to 600cc Micro competition. Hannula collected many Micro Sprint feature wins while competing on tracks throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Hannula moved into the sprint car ranks with URC in 2007 and won Rookie of the Year honors from the club that season. A strong performance found the rookie driver in the top five in URC points but a flip at the New Egypt Speedway sidelined the team for several weeks, dropping Hannula from points contention. Hannula moved to the Indianapolis area following the 2008 season to pursue his interest in wingless competition. Hannula is a fortunate young man. “My parents have poured every penny and every hour they have into making my dreams a reality,” Hannula explains of his family’s support. Now he also has the full support of his of his financee’, Kayla Hulcher and her family. “Kayla’s entire family is a racing family and they support me as well. Kayla loves it just as much as me,” Hannula explains. “Just having our own team back together is quite an accomplishment!” The young couple has plans for a wedding before the end of 2012. Hannula’s ARDC entry is a “little unique.” The car was originally built by Stealth and was former ARDC Champion, Andy Martin’s back-up car. It was also Steve Buckwalter’s ride in his first A Main at the Chili Bowl. The #9 will be powered by a Gaerte Ford prepared by J & D Performance, a connection that Hannula made while living in the Indianapolis area. While Hannula continues to search for a major sponsor, the #9 is supported by several product sponsors. CSI Shocks, J & D Performance, DMI & Dave Ely and the Radical Design Group who have just completed the “look” for Hannula’s 2012 ride. Hannula expects to compete in most of the events on the ARDC schedule this season but knows that his work commitment will prevent him from some of the shows out of the area. Employed as a car salesman by Muller Toyota in Clinton, NJ, Hannula works on Saturdays and will go directly to the track from there. The nine Saturday night shows at Big Diamond Speedway were a welcome addition to this year’s schedule for Hannula. Still looking for that first ARDC victory, Hannula has come close on several occasions. One of the highlights of his racing career has been the first laps that he ran at the Williams Grove Speedway – a track where Hannula continues to perform well. With three ARDC races scheduled at Williams Grove, Hannula looks forward to returning to one of his favorite tracks for multiple events this season. The wrong choice in tires might have cost the 22 year old racer a possible win at the Grove last season. Hannula hopes to take all that he has learned and put it to use this season with the hopes of finding Victory Lane! #####

Ryan Smith Wins Doug Craig Hard Charger Award

When Matt Janisch spun in turn two of the first lap of the Gambler Classic, Ryan Smith was right behind him.  After pitting for a flat right rear tire, Smith returned and restarted at the back of the field.  When the checkered flag waved, Smith had raced his way into second in the Jason VanDoren owned #22 600 cc Micro.

The Doug Craig Hard Charger Award is sponsored by ARDC, ATQMRA and Ray McCabe and paid a $555.55 bonus to Smith.  While the #55 is derived from Craig family racing history, the numbers are also rich in the Smith family racing heritage.  Ryan’s grandfather fielded a #555 Modified for drivers like Freddy Adam, George Sleight & Warren Mutter back in the day.  The “Triple Nickel” was later raced at Nazareth and Orange County by Richie Smith, Ryan’s uncle while Ryan’s dad, Randy competed with the #55.

Smith set 9th fastest time on Friday and then won his heat race over fast time man, Joey Payne.  Smith finished fourth in Friday’s main event.

Tim Buckwalter set 12th fastest time on Friday but struggled throughout the day with a variety of problems – including being in the wrong place at the wrong time.  After starting deep in the Saturday night line-up, all of Buckwalter’s hard work and determination paid off when he brought the #25 home in fifth during the 40 lap Gambler’s Classic.

Steve Craig had the #55 in contention throughout the weekend with a ninth place finish in the Saturday night main event.  Congrats to all!! (photo courtesy of David Gehman – Racer’s Edge Photos)