| Weekly Race Report & News |
| McLaughlin Motorsports |
6/3/08. Click on the link, and watch the audio show about how high fuel prices are effecting local race tracks.
upcoming 2010 racing season. Although it was posted in the Turkey Derby race report that McLaughlin was going to compete in the Slingshot race at the upcoming Boardwalk Hall Race Event down in Atlantic City for his third time; those plans have been scratched. Vern regrets having to make this announcement knowing that his fans were waiting anxiously to see him race again down at the indoor oval track where he has ran very good for the last two years. Vern feels that the cost to race in Atlantic City is very expensive and the funds could be saved for the program that the team is currently trying to put together. All three of McLaughlin's Outlaw Stock cars have been put up for sale as we move into the new year. Vern is sad about having to shut down the three car operation he ran in the 2009 season, but feels that the frustration, and drama that you have to put up with having other people drive the cars is too overwhelming and has wiped the fun right out of it. Vern stated that deep down inside, and in the very beginning , it was fun having teammates, and owning three cars that had sharp paint schemes identifying them as team cars. Working together and sharing information between the cars and experimenting with different setups was an advantage that not too may others had. Vern committed himself to making sure all three cars were ready to race every week providing anything that they needed. He made working on the cars and making sure they were ready for the next race his number one priority, even over his full time day job. There were many of times where Vern called out of work just to stay at his shop and work on all three cars. He made a valiant effort with his team and did something that many people thought was very tough in this days economy. But, at the end of the 2009 season Vern had realized that it just was not worth it anymore. He has stated that it is tough to find the right people to become part of the team that have the right qualities, the right amount of respect and show the right amount of commitment to become successful. Vern had been fielding multiple cars since 2005, and has gone through several different drivers over the years. Vern stated that his best driver that was actually the only one who posted victories in a McLaughlin Motorsports car was Richard Petey. Richard scored two victories in the #6 car at Wall Stadium the year Vern won the Championship in 2007. The team posted a total of seven victories that year. Richard's effort was a trial for one year to see if he liked racing at Wall Stadium, and he did. The following year he built his own car and has been successfully racing at Wall Stadium ever since. Vern wants to thank all of the individuals who did drive for him. Thank them for the time and effort that they did put in, and all the good memories that will last forever. With 2009 behind, and the Outlaw Stock program being shut down, McLaughlin sets his sights on bigger and better things for 2010. Plans are in the works right now for Vern to be behind the wheel this upcoming racing season. Behind the wheel of what you ask, and where? Well that will be announced later Vern stated, but he did mention that he has some very experienced, well-known people in his corner helping him put this all together. Hopefully he can make it happen. Stay tuned for further information coming out within the next several weeks.
December 3, 2009 Two years ago Vern McLaughlin III had to make a tough decision on where he was going to race after the sudden announcement of Wall Twsp Speedway closing its doors for good. McLaughlin had just won the Factory Stock Championship and was looking forward to coming back and defending that title, but with Wall's announcement, he had to choose another track to run and that's when McLaughlin decided to try out the dirt tracks after racing on asphalt since 1995. Vern had spent the last two years competing at New Egypt Speedway on their half mile dirt track. Being new to dirt track racing certainly did not have any effect on McLaughlin's winning ways as he has posted seven wins now in two seasons at New Egypt Speedway and contended for the Championship both years. This year McLaughlin came so close, loosing the Championship by a mere four points equaling one position in the final races finishing order. While racing at New Egypt, Wall Twsp Speedway suddenly announced that they had the funds and were going to open up operations at the race track again and for the future. McLaughlin could not bring his cars back to Wall after converting them into dirt track cars. McLaughlin Motorsports had grown to three cars in competition, but none of the three were going to be competitive nor legal to race at Wall Stadiums 2009 Turkey Derby Event. Now, Vern being the die hard racer that he is could not sit out of the years biggest event, so he started looking for a ride in someone else's car. McLaughlin is a winner, and needs to be racing in a winning car, and he knew there was only going to be one person that could provide him with a car that could win. That person, a winning veteran race car driver, and former teammate of Vern's was none other that Richard Petey. The two got together and confirmed the deal that Vern McLaughlin was going to be racing for Petey Enterprises in the #43V Chevy Monte Carlo in the 2009 Wall Stadiums Annual Turkey Derby Event. Petey along with his crew fully prepared the car for Vern to race leaving him with just a few minor adjustments to get the car dialed into his driving style. The McLaughlin Motorsports Pit Crew along with the Petey Enterprises Crew were all on hand to make sure that there drivers had cars that were set and ready to go for Friday nights Factory Stock race. The entire team, family and friends that attended were all very confident that McLaughlin and Petey were going to be major force in capturing the Turkey Derby Victory. Early Friday morning the team headed out onto the track for their first round of warm-ups which, unlike the dirt track where you would only get 3-5 laps of warm-ups in fear of tearing the track surface up. At Wall Stadium on the high bank asphalt track the Factory Stocks were given nearly 30 laps of warm-ups which really helped McLaughlin in getting his car dialed in with very precise adjustments that the team was able to learn by reading their tire temperatures and making air pressure changes to the tires. Of course monitoring the tracks temperature way key as well. Vern was very happy with the way the car was responding to throttle changes through the turns, and with the way the car handled with the steering response and weight transfer of the chassis. The team made some small air pressure adjustments and the line up for the first qualifier race had McLaughlin starting in the 13th position with 12 cars to qualify. He was making his way to the front, but was not having all that best of a run in the heat race finishing in the 6th position and posting a best lap time of 16.7 seconds. McLaughlin knew that the track would come around and his car would run better in the feature race. The Factory Stocks where scheduled to race last, and even though it was nightfall and the track temperature had cooled down some, McLaughlin knew that the exhaust from the other cars racing would steady the temperature, the track would have built allot of rubber by then, and it would be a matter of making sure you warmed up your tires. When race officials posted the line up for the Feature Race after all qualifiers were concluded, the 2007 Factory Stock Champion found himself starting on the pole position for the 30 lap main event in his Petey Enterprises #43V. Car owner/teammate Richard Petey was lined up to start in the 8th position. Throughout the day McLaughlin spoke of the confidence he had in his car and teammate Richard, and setting a goal to come out of here with a one - two finish. Wouldn't you know that's how the most exciting, breath-taking, spine-tingling, race of the entire weekend ended up. Thirty Factory Stocks lined up for their 30 lap Feature Race and every driver out there was itching to get started after all the excitement that builds up to this last big race weekend of the year. Coming around turn four lined up side by side the field took the green, and McLaughlin quickly took the lead of the pack, and let the rest of the field duke it out behind him. It was a good ten laps before the field saw their first caution, and on the restart McLaughlin quickly darted into the lead again. Lap traffic started to come into play soon after, but that did not slow Vern down as he was able to smoothly work his way through the traffic and maintain the lead. Vern later stated how pleased he was that everyone out their ran a smart race and were kind enough to give him lots of room when he needed to pass. Petey, in the meantime, was working his way up through the pack at a fast pace. By lap seven Petey in the #43 Chevy Monte Carlo made his way into the top five battling hard with some other fast cars. With McLaughlin still up front Petey was charging through the pack and on a mission. A mission to prove the confidence was for real moving himself into the second position on lap 17 and then showing up in McLaughlin's rear view mirror. Vern saw his teammate coming as he kept a close eye on the difference in lap times and how far Petey was behind him. It wasn't long before Petey was putting pressure on McLaughlin and the fans had the excitement building in what was about to become a fierce battle between two Champions. Coming hard out of turn two with McLaughlin on the inside, Petey puts a fender up along side of him going down the backstretch. McLaughlin was protecting the bottom and was not going to make it easy for Petey to make a pass. This side by side action for the win was what Vern and Petey had always hoped for when Petey was behind the wheel of the McLaughlin Motorsports #6 car. Now its becoming a reality with only ten laps remaining. The two raced side by side for a handful of laps before McLaughlin washed up the track coming out of turn two enough where Petey was putting his fender under McLaughlin this time down the back. McLaughlin knew that Petey had the position, and now found himself up on the outside. Trying to hold the top groove for a lap or two. McLaughlin lost the lead coming out of turn four down the front stretch. He had to fall in behind Petey and ride his rear bumper waiting for the opportunity to try and make a move back to take the lead. It was now lap 25 with five laps to go when Petey moved into the lead dropping McLaughlin to second, but Vern was hot on his tail. Threw it to the outside a couple times down the back stretch when he had picked up a good run coming off of two, but wasn't enough to make the pass before turn three. The two front runners were now coming up on some lap traffic which forced Vern to fall in behind Petey again and follow him around the traffic on the outside. With two laps to go running down the backstretch nose to tail, Petey got checked up behind some lap traffic just a bit up out of the inside groove, allowing McLaughlin to spot that hole and dive into it. Vern threw it into that hole hard, and expected some contact. Door slam to door Vern shot out of turn four regaining the lead with two laps to go. Petey was trying to counter attack with some contact going into turns one and two, flying down the backstretch, contact from Petey again in turn three sent both cars way sideways through the turn almost looking like both drivers were going to spin out, and the third place man would get the win. Not happening. Both well experienced drivers controlled their slides just like they were dirt track racing and McLaughlin held onto the lead with the white flag in the air showing one lap to go. The fans were on their feet as the two teammates battled each other hard for the win and in the end it was McLaughlin over Petey by 0.3 seconds at the finish line giving Vern McLaughlin III his first Turkey Derby Victory with Petey following second giving the team that one-two finish they were looking for. Vern McLaughlin III, absent for two years at Wall comes back and makes a statement at the biggest race of the seasons ending of New Jersey Asphalt racing. Weather its a high banked asphalt track, a flat half mile dirt track, or a super speedway 5/8 mile dirt track McLaughlin gets the job done. A fully committed, dedicated driver that only shows up to win races, and that determination is what breeds a Champion. Vern tried to make it two wins in one weekend entering into Sundays NEETS ENDURO Race. Vern started in fourth place for a 75 lap feature. Vern took the lead and held it for four laps until falling to second place. Running second for near 40 laps Vern's #6M Eagle Talon 4 cylinder blew a drive axle in the transmission resulting in a 12th place finish 34 laps down. Vern McLaughlin III wants to sincerely thank everyone that made it possible for the Turkey Derby Victory - Great friend, and car owner Richard Petey, Lisa Rivella, John Rivella, Nick Marcigliano, Howie Bott, AJ Wright, Jim Morton and Wall Stadium. This race concludes the 2009 Stock Car Racing Season. Next years race season will start sometime in May, and as of right now Vern does not have anything confirmed on what the McLaughlin Motorsports Team has planned for next year with the #06, #6, and #60 cars. One race that is confirmed for January 29 - 30 2010 is the Atlantic City Indoor Races where Vern will be competing for his third time in the Slingshot Division. November 19, 2009 Vern McLaughlin III took the trip down to Bridgeport Speedway with friend, and fellow competitor Doug Debray to try out the biggest dirt track around. Bridgeport Speedway is a fast 5/8 mile oval track that shows speeds well over 100 mph. Vern tailored his potent #06 Chevy Monte Carlo to the South Jersey track just to have one last run on the dirt for the year. Minutes after arriving at the track tech officials visited the McLaughlin pit to inform him that he was not going to be able to race along with Debray #7 because they did not have the right tires on the car. McLaughlin showed up with the same tires that he raced with all year at New Egypt Speedway not knowing that they were not allowed at Bridgeport. Now Bridgeport and New Egypt share the same rules with the Outlaw Stock Division, but apparently not with the tires. After conversing with track officials McLaughlin was able to convince them to let him race. After all, they had traveled two hours and paid nearly $400 to enter the pits with the amount of people that accompanied McLaughlin, and they just wanted to run some laps. The track officials agreed to let them race, but they were not going to be scored, and they would have to start at the rear of the field. McLaughlin had no problem with that at all. He was happy they were going to allow him on the track. Vern lined up in the 17th starting position with his Absolute Auto Salvage sponsored #06 Outlaw Stock which was deep in the field. Now McLaughlin did not look so good in the heat race, but when it came time for the Feature Race it seemed like he turned on the horsepower switch because when that green flag waved he swerved and darted through cars quickly making his way up towards the front. It was lap six when Vern put himself into the top ten, and lap twelve when he entered into the top five. By this time Vern was experiencing engine problems that had started at the beginning of the race and slowly started getting worse. When the #06 entered into the turns it was losing all power and stuttering in the turns. Once Vern came off the turns and headed down the straight-aways the cars power came back, but lost power again every time he went through the turns. Coming down to the final laps of the race Vern kept giving it all the car had and moved himself into the third position with only a few laps to go. This was Vern's first time racing on this very large super fast track and was now looking at a win coming from deep in the pack. Water temp was drastically climbing fast as the laps winded down. The #06 had gotten to its boiling point with two laps to go, and then the second place car wrecked causing the caution flag to come out. Now Vern was in second place with a chance to beat the leader on the restart, but warning lights were flashing in the car and the engine expired forcing McLaughlin to call it quits and pull it into the pits. It was later determined that Vern was running a two barrel carburetor and when the car entered the turns as fast as it did all the fuel in the carb had leaned to one side and one barrel was sucking air. Too much air as it leaned out the fuel mixture so much that it caused the engine to overheat and then final break. "Its a shame to loose such a great engine that Tischler Competition Engines provides for me, but it was the last run of the year and I was having a blast. I've never gone so fast and I was throwing that car into the turns harder then ever before. I was also planning on freshening up that engine anyway because we have raced four seasons on it now and it was due." McLaughlin stated. October 17, 2009 Sunday afternoon, Vern McLaughlin ventured west to Grandview Speedway in Pennsylvania for a 100 lap Enduro Race. This was to be Vern's first race on the 1/3 high bank dirt oval, and he brought with him his third car #60 which was raced by several individuals throughout the season in the Outlaw Stock Division at New Egypt Speedway. This was going to be Vern's first race in the #60 car as well. Starting from the 11th position when the green flag waved it seemed like many of the 48 cars were not going anywhere due to the fact that the water truck had soaked the track down so much that it was like riding on ice. Cars were just sliding in every direction, but Vern held it together. Once the track dried out speeds were up and the race was on. Two of Vern's previous drivers were battling for the lead while McLaughlin was slowing making his way to the front. Early leader Richard Petey was getting pressure from Richie Smith. Smith took over the lead, but by lap 20 McLaughlin slipped by Smith and took over the lead. Vern lead the field for a good 10 laps until being spun out by another competitor giving Vern a flat tire. Making his way into the pits where John and Doug were ready with the jack and a new tire. Once Vern made it back out onto the track he was turning laps faster than most others, but had fallen way behind from the pitstop. It was a strong effort by McLaughlin, but at the end of the 100 laps the Whitehouse Station driver finished in the 20th position. "Despite being taken out of the lead, I had allot of fun," McLaughlin stated. "It was extremely muddy early in the race, but once it dried out we were flying. I could not believe how well the #60 car ran and handled. It was certainly a surprise. Now I know I have three cars that are capable of winning races." Look for McLaughlin to be competing at Wall Twsp Speedway on Oct. 25th, as well as the Turkey Derby. Also on Halloween night all three of the McLaughlin Motorsports Cars will be in competition at Bridgeport Speedway in their Outlaw Stock Division.
race which closed the gap and put him eight points behind the leader for the Championship. Saturday nights double points race was to determine the Championship. Vern started the feature race in 10th position, and finished in third , but was not enough to win coming up four points short in the final race of the 2009 season. September 12, 2009 The McLaughlin Motorsports Outlaw Stock Team did not get the chance to race this past Saturday due to excessive amounts of rain that we experienced Friday through Saturday, and New Egypt Speedway officials knew that they were not going to be able to prepare the track for racing conditions. Therefore, the race has been rescheduled for this Wednesday, Sept. 16th with gates opening at 5pm and racing starting at 7pm. Looking back at the previous race the McLaughlin Motorsports Team suffered some major setbacks. Vern McLaughlin III was holding the Championship point lead for the last couple months until an early wreck on lap three. Contact between McLaughlin and two other cars resulted in the #06 loosing all of its water out the radiator car which had come loose and overheated the engine. There were 17 laps remaining and McLaughlin was not giving up. His #06 Automotive Service Center sponsored Chevy Monte Carlo did continue to run for the remainder of the race and the team owner was able to salvage a 14th place finish unfortunately loosing the point lead and falling to second place now behind by 18 points with two races remaining. The engine was blown, and needed to be pulled out from the car and sent to the engine builders shop to be repaired. Now the engine is back in the car and sounding very good, and ready for the next race. McLaughlin can regain first place he just needs a little luck on his side going into these last two races. Mike Butler, who was driving the McLaughlin Motorsports #6 car since the start of the 2009 season has quit the team with only two races to go. He was holding 9th place in the point standings and looking to improve. The last race Butler noticed a noise coming from the engine early in the heat race, but assumed it was the transmission or the exhaust making the noise. Without consulting with car owner Vern McLaughlin III, Butler chose to enter the feature race knowing something was not right. During the race he noticed that the engine had lost allot of power and then lost most of the oil pressure. Choosing to continue to race instead of pulling in the pits the engine blew up and caused damage to the top end of the engine. After returning to the shop and determining what kind of damage we were dealing with Butler decided that he was not going to take responsibility for the choice that he made to continue to race the car, and was not going to help pay for the damages so with only two races remaining the driver of the McLaughlin Motorsports #6 car quit the team and will not be back behind the wheel for the last two races. The McLaughlin Motorsports Crew did repair the engine and has it running very good now with a surprise driver to finish out the rest of the season. This driver is a past Champion, and has experience racing on the dirt surface. With the #6 car and the #60 car out of the Championship hunt they will be out there doing whatever they can to help McLaughlin in the #06 regain that point lead and hopefully win his first Championship on dirt. Jason Kosch will be back behind the wheel of the #60 car for the Sept. 16th race. We will have to wait until Oct 3rd which is the last race to see who will be on top, but you can sure bet that McLaughlin will be doing everything in his power to regain that top spot. This upcoming Saturday Sept. 19th will be the annual Absolute Auto Salvage Customer Appreciation Day Picnic which will include live entertainment by SUNDOG, (Country/Rock Band) great food, prizes, and free giveaways. Everyone is invited which starts at 11 am - 12 noon The McLaughlin Motorsports Team will have the cars on display and will be giving away two FREE tickets to New Egypt Speedways last Outlaw Stock race which is Oct. third. So tell all your friends and spread the word to join us at Absolute Auto Salvage Of Middlesex, NJ for a fun filled Saturday afternoon. August 29, 2009 Trying to learn more about how to read the race track and knowing how to set up the car for the right track conditions is what Vern McLaughlin III tried to accomplish Sunday afternoon at New Egypt Speedway, but it did not work out to Vern's advantage. The point leader was trying to handle an ill handling car and was not running the way he normally does right from the beginning of the heat race as the two time feature winner barley qualified into the main event coming across the line in the eighth position. Feature time was not much better. McLaughlin was scheduled to start in the tenth position, and when the green flag waved on twenty six Outlaw Stocks McLaughlin found himself facing the wrong way and tangled up with two other cars on the third lap. The Short Load Concrete sponsored #06 Monte Carlo suffered major damage to the front end. Although Vern was able to continue on his troubles worsened as he was again hit by a lap car with only a couple laps left which had ripped off the rear bumper forcing Vern to make a pit stop and start from the rear of the field a second time. In the end McLaughlin was able to salvage a fourteenth place finish with an engine that was about to expire from the damage the car took on that lap three wreck. Mike Butler in the McLaughlin Motorsports #6 Monte Carlo suffered engine problems as well with two cylinders down the McLaughlin team mate was able to bring it home in the tenth position keeping the car together for the finish. Nick Marcigliano, a current McLaughlin Motorsports Pit Crew member, was behind the wheel of the McLaughlin Motorsports #60 car for the 50 lap Enduro race that was part of the speedway's show. Nick was running very well holding onto the third spot for the first half of the race, and even moved into the second position as well before having to pit for an overheating issue which resulted from Nick tagging the outside wall with the right front. The radiator support had gotten a bend in it and actually pressed up against the radiator cap and caused it to unscrew allowing all the water to leak out. Nick brought the car in for a pit stop before it had gotten too hot, and the team filled him up with water and got him back out there for the final part of the race allowing Nick to finish in the tenth position. Two more races to go before the 2009 racing season comes to an end for the McLaughlin Team at New Egypt Speedway. September 12, and October 3. Then the Championship will be decided.
Carlo needed to rebound from the previous week when he had dropped from third place to nineteenth from having his steering wheel fall off. McLaughlin is the current point leader, and from that incident the Whitehouse Station driver had lost ten points. So on this night he was on a mission to gain back what he had lost. From the fourteenth starting position McLaughlin started picking off cars and advancing his way towards the front. It turned out to be a very rough race as the first four laps produced four cautions. It had seemed like the field was just wrecking every lap, and Vern had carefully avoided those wrecks. McLaughlin had the #29 car, which is trailing him in second place of the point standings, right on his rear bumper for the first three or four laps. With McLaughlin hitting his brakes so much to avoid those wrecks early in the race it had seemed like the #29 car was loosing patience and decided to take Vern out coming out of turn four down the backstretch. it sent the #06 spinning around facing the wrong direction on the track and pulling out another caution. Luckily no one had collided into Vern and he had to restart at the tail end of the field while the #29 car was advancing towards the front. Race officials at this point started to threaten the field that they were going to shorten the race because of too many cautions in the early laps. This would have hurt Vern bad with him at the end of the pack and the #29 towards the front. Green flag racing resumed and McLaughlin was aggressively making his way back toward the front. By lap eight he was into the top ten and gaining fast. Coming up on teammate Mike Butler in the #6 car towards the closing laps, and Butler gave Vern all the room he needed to make the pass and then tried to hold off whoever was behind. With two laps to go McLaughlin was battling for fifth position with the always fast #82 car. With that driver protecting the bottom Vern knew his only chance to make one more position was to hang it up high and pass on the outside, and that is what he did coming out of turn two down the backstretch the #06 car was getting the traction it needed to make the awesome pass on the high side and come across the line under the checkered flag in the fifth position. The #29 car had finished two spots ahead in third resulting in another loss of points for Vern, but a top five was not as bad as it could have been if he had sustained damage from the earlier spin out. Mike Butler piloting the McLaughlin Motorsports/Absolute Auto Salvage sponsored #6 car had started on the pole position and held the lead for the first seven laps before fading back behind the faster cars. Many adjustments have been made to the #6 car for Mike and has begun producing better results. Butler was hanging on to the top five for most of the race having great battles with other competitors and was looking at a very good finish. This is what the McLaughlin teammate needed as he has had some terrible luck the last couple of races. "The cars felt better tonight then it ever has and I am able to drive it more comfortably," Butler later stated. Mike brought the car across the finish line in the eighth position picking up some valuable points with a top ten finish. Ken Wisenpacker was behind the wheel of McLaughlin's third car the #60 and started dead last in the twenty fifth position. Ken was having a blast just being out there and being able to run some laps. It was all fun for Ken and he did a great job for his first time out there driving the car across the finish line in the 20th position, and most importantly bringing the car home in one piece. It was actually a birthday present for Ken to be able to drive the McLaughlin Motorsports car, and we hope it will be a birthday he'll never forget thanks to his wife and kids for making it happen for him. The Outlaw Stocks have three races in a row now including this one so look forward to the McLaughlin Motorsports Team to be back in action again next week August 22nd for another hard core, action packed, thrilling 20 lap race. Vern McLaughlin III is still holding the point lead, but not by much. His comfortable lead that he had a few weeks back has shrunk so he needs to be on top of his game and try to have a better finish next week in the quest of becoming the 2009 New Egypt Speedway Outlaw Stock Champion. August 1, 2009 Last night New Egypt Speedway was a packed house. The biggest crowd thus far for the 2009 racing season at the half mile dirt track. Big money was at stake with ten thousand dollars going to the winner of the Modified race, and one thousand dollars going to the winner of the Outlaw stock race. Also, there was two hundred dollars to win the heat races. Normally there is no pay for winning a heat/qualifying race. Not only was there big money prizes on the line, but Championship points as well. The McLaughlin Motorsports Team needed a real good run, and team owner Vern McLaughlin III needed to increase his point lead as he finds himself at the top of the standings. Mike Butler, driver of the McLaughlin Motorsports #6 car needed to rebound from wrecking in the two previous races. The team worked very hard all week long to prepare for this big event. McLaughlin's #06 Short Load Concrete sponsored Chevy Monte Carlo has been dialed in and running like its on a rail for several weeks now so most of the concentration went into the #6 car for Butler. The team made big changes to the car, and also installed some more new equipment into the car hoping that it would result in a better finish for Butler. McLaughlin had all three Absolute Auto Salvage sponsored Outlaw Stocks in the pits with newcomer Jason Kosch behind the wheel of the #60 car. Two qualifying races were on schedule and the first one had Mike Butler in the #6 lined up on the pole position with McLaughlin further back in the 9th starting position. The qualifiers were eight laps with nine cars qualifying for the feature event. McLaughlin wasted little time coming from the back to take over the lead on lap four and never looking back as he collected the $200 cash prize to win the first qualifying race. Butler had dropped from the lead to the sixth position and qualified the #6 car for the feature event. Jason Kosch failed to qualify the #60 car in the second heat race, but then did qualify it in the consi race. So McLaughlin had all three cars qualify for the feature event. It was then time for the main event. The Outlaw Stock Feature Race had Mike Butler in the #6 starting on the pole. Vern McLaughlin III driving the #06 starting 12th, and Jason Kosch in the #60 starting 22nd out of 24 cars. Butler held the lead for a few laps while Kosch was cruising around at the back of the pack, but the one who was advancing quickly towards the front making daring three wide moves was the current point leader Vern McLaughlin III. The former asphalt Champion was on the move putting himself into the top five by lap seven. The closest competitor to Vern in the point standings had wrecked on the second lap and was out of the race so it gave Vern the chance to really capitalize on that and come out of this race way ahead in the point standings, but he did have some fast cars to contend with that were just ahead of him. Vern moved into fourth on lap fourteen and was putting allot of pressure on the third place car looking to get a top three with six laps to go. Going down the backstretch with three laps to go McLaughlin moved into the third position going into turn three. Coming out of turn four and down the front stretch McLaughlin had a serious problem. He was three wide on the outside and all of a sudden the car just darted completely to the left and Vern almost drove head on into the inside guard rail of the first turn, but was able to miss it and stopped in the infield of the track. He sat there for a minute as the car had stalled. He got it to refire and came out onto the track on the backstretch on the final lap dropping from the third position all the way back to finish 19th. We were informed right after the race came to an end that when McLaughlin was coming out of turn four full throttle down the front stretch that his steering column had broken and the steering wheel was sitting on his lap. He had no steering at all and no control over the car at that point. The very dangerous situation could have been allot worse, but Vern was able to keep it off the wall and not make any contact with any other cars. It was very unfortunate for Vern as he had an awesome opportunity to increase his point lead for the championship, but it all came to an abrupt stop almost on the final lap. Mike Butler in the #6 car crossed the finish line in the 11th position, while Jason Kosch brought the #60 car across the line in 21st. Although Vern did not get the chance to increase his point lead by a large margin, he did increase it by two points so it was not a complete loss. Vern still is the Championship Point Leader by 26 points over second place with five races to go for the 2009 season. The next Outlaw Stock race scheduled at New Egypt Speedway is August 15th where McLaughlin will again have all three cars at the track with another new driver in the #60 Dan Waisempacher.
thirteenth starting position, while Mike Butler, driving the McLaughlin Motorsports #6 car continues to have troubles with a fifteenth place finish. McLaughlin was up into the top five by half way, and putting pressure on the leaders, but it seemed like Vern could not get going enough after the final laps were resulting in caution after caution. He needed a long green flag run, and it just did not happen. Pat Priore rented the McLaughlin Motorsports #60 car for his first ever Outlaw Stock race and had a wonderful time. The McLaughlin Motorsports outlaw Stocks will be back in action again on August 1. July 12, 2009 The McLaughlin Motorsports team had the weekend off from New Egypt Speedway, but that did not stop hotshoe Vern McLaughlin III from continuing his winning ways. This time the team decided to head down to Wall Stadium for their 100 lap NEETS Enduro race. McLaughlin brought his Absolute Auto Salvage sponsored 1994 Eagle Talon back to what used to be his home track to put on a dominated performance. Weather it be dirt or asphalt, Vern gets the job done. The 2007 Wall Stadium Factory Stock Champion started outside of the front row along side fellow competitor, and friend Bob Wolgamuth. When the green flag waved McLaughlin did not get up to speed as quickly as the others and suddenly dropped back to fourth spot by the third lap, but was hanging on strong. It was only a matter of a few laps after where Vern's tires started to heat up allowing for more grip then the Champ started to pass cars like they were standing still. By lap ten Vern McLaughlin III had become the new leader and never looked back from there. He had the remaining 90 laps under his control as he was able to put the entire field a lap down. From there Vern had backed off his pace to try and cool the tires down some and save them for the end. The second place car #5 was able to get his lap back, then Vern trailed him for a while running side by side with the #5, and following his path for a while until Vern backed his pace off just a bit more and allowed the couple of cars to get well out in front of him so he could put himself into a safe spot to finish off the remaining laps and bring the #6M Absolute Auto Salvage Eagle Talon across the finish line the winner of the 100 lap event. This win makes it three in a row for Vern on New Jersey tracks. Next week the team will be back at New Egypt Speedway for another 20 lap Outlaw Stock Race where Vern has the chance to make it four in a row, and at the pace he is running we don't see it being impossible. Thanks to John Rivella and Mike Butler for helping prepare the #6M. "This win is for them," Vern stated. July 4, 2009 The Outlaws invaded New Egypt Speedway on a warm, pleasant Fourth of July night where the action was intense, the stands were full, and the sky was lit up with glistering lights. Outlaw Stocks, Modifieds, and URC Sprint Cars filled the schedule, with the Outlaws up first. Two qualifying races were to be held to determine the feature race line-up with nine cars in each allowing six to qualify. The McLaughlin Motorsports team headed by Vern McLaughlin III along with his teammate Mike Butler were focused on having good run this weekend. McLaughlin was fresh of his first feature win of the season from the previous week, but it was Butler who needed to rebound from last weeks wreck resulting in a DNF. The team put allot of hours into the #6 car, and focused on things to make the car perform better for Butler. The first qualifying race was up, and it had Mike Butler in the McLaughlin Motorsports #6 car lined up in the fifth position. Mike was having a good run, and peeked at taking over the lead of the 6 lap race a couple times. Then just before the end of the qualifier the #82 car made contact with the rear of the #6 car sending Butler into a spin, and then getting hit a second time by the #7 car resulting in major damage to the entire left side of the #6 car having to be towed back to he pits for repairs. Qualifying race number two had Vern McLaughlin III starting in the seventh position with six to qualify. When the race started McLaughlin started to pick up a couple spots in the first lap or two, then settled into a qualifying position of fifth and just cruised around for the final four laps. The Pit Crew scrambled to get the #6 car patched up and fixed an tried to get the car to be stable enough to start the feature race which had Mike Butler in the SUNDOG sponsored #6 Outlaw Stock lined up to be in the thirteenth position. McLaughlin behind the controls of the #06 was to start in the ninth position. The Outlaw stocks were called to the starting gate and Butler made it as far as that when the car died and suddenly did not have any spark to the ignition system and failed to make the start of the race. This was a hard blow to the team as they are trying their best to keep both cars in the top five point standings. It was up to McLaughlin to bring success and recognition to the team after suffering the loss of the #6 car from the race now two weeks in a row, and he did just that. When the green flag waved for the feature race twenty Outlaw Stocks raced into turn one with eight strong contenders towards the front already battling for the lead, and McLaughlin behind looking for holes to dart through. Action slowed a couple times early setting up some restarts where McLaughlin was strong. Battling his way towards the front of the pack it was not long before Vern McLaughlin III in his SUNDOG sponsored #06 Chevy Monte Carlo was at the head of the pack, and from there was no looking back. The determined driver from Whitehouse Station, NJ drove another very impressive race to capture his second feature win in a row and solidify himself as the new Outlaw Stock Championship Point Leader. Not only that, but McLaughlin put together a Frisbee toss for the Outlaw Stock division where all twenty drivers tossed their car numbers Frisbee into the stands, and one luck winner was going to win a prize. Well it was a young, lucky fan Shawn who was holding the #06 Frisbee and when Vern rolled into Victory Lane, Shawn was there waiting to congratulate his driver and collect his $300 cash prize generously donated by Vern McLaughlin III, Bill Miskoski, Mike Butler, and Clay Butler. "The Frisbee toss is great, it brings more attention from the fans to our division, and I am very happy to host it. I really have to thank everyone else involved in making it possible like Teri and Larry of Loumarc Signs, Bill, Mike, and Clay. All great people, and it was really great to see young Shawn so happy and smiling to be here in Victory Lane with us", McLaughlin stated. Next Race for Outlaw Stocks at New Egypt Speedway will be July 18th. Vern McLaughlin III will be competing at Wall Stadium next Saturday, July 11th in a 100 lap Enduro Race. Check http://www.wallspeedway.com/ for schedule and start times.
in 2008, Vern McLaughlin III drove a brilliant race Sunday afternoon to win the 20 lap Outlaw Stock Feature Race. The Whitehouse Station, NJ Team Owner had his Short Load Concrete sponsored #06 Chevy Monte Carlo dialed in, and he nearly led the entire race. It had been a month since the Outlaw raced at the 1/2 mile speedway because of a rain out of their previous scheduled race. McLaughlin and Butler were very anxious to get back out onto the track. Two 6 lap qualifying races were held, and Mike Butler in the McLaughlin Motorsports #6 mount was starting outside of the second row for qualifier number one with twelve cars and only seven to qualify for the feature race. Butler ran very well and showed some strength by almost winning the first race. Loosing the lead to the #914 on the last lap by a nose. This built more confidence in the team that Mike may have a good shot at a very good finish in the feature. Qualifier number two was up next with McLaughlin starting seventh out of twelve in the #06. When the green flag dropped it was clear then that McLaughlin was on a mission. Darting through the field in the early laps , and taking the lead by lap three from the #29 car and setting sail from there to take the win in the second qualifier race. Both the #6 , and the #06 car looked very strong, and were certainly favorites for Sundays feature event. Twenty five cars filled the Outlaw Stock field for their 20 lap feature event. Butler was starting fifth, while McLaughlin was a few rows back starting in the eleventh position. The green flag waved to start the race, and McLaughlin quickly started moving up through the field again. A few cars had gotten bottled up, and McLaughlin slipped by making daring moves to get to the front. Butler was battling hard up in the front at this time only to be taken out by a broken left rear axle on lap six. This parked the #6 car in the pits damaged, and unable to return to the race. Meanwhile, McLaughlin had moved from the eleventh starting position to third in two laps, and was breathing down the leaders neck on the next lap. The caution flag then waved for a wreck in turn four involving some of the fields top competitors. On the restart McLaughlin was strong, and was taking the lead coming out of turn two. Down the backstretch it was the #06 at the point and coming out of four the caution flag waved again, and with McLaughlin crossing the finish line first that put him in the lead. For the entire rest of the race the talented driver proved he was a force to be reckoned with as he dominated the rest of the 16 laps to cross the finish line for his first feature win of the 2009 season. The team was very happy that the owner of Short Load Concrete, was at the races to experience the win and the excitement as well. Next Saturday, the Fourth of July, Vern McLaughlin III will be donating $100 of his winnings to some luck fan that will be sitting in the stands. If 25 Outlaw Stocks show up to race then there will be 25 Frisbees thrown into the stands. One from each race team with their car number on it. After the race is completed, the lucky fan that is holding the winning car number on their Frisbee will win $200 cash courtesy of Vern McLaughlin III, and Bill Miskoski of New Egypt Speedway. So be sure to come out to New Egypt Speedway for the Fourth of July where there will be plenty of hard core, three-four wide racing action, a fireworks display, and a chance to win 200 bucks. June 20, 2009 This weekend Vern and Mike were not scheduled to race at New Egypt Speedway in the Outlaw Stock Division so the two "Hot Shoes" had to find somewhere else to race and decided to have Vern behind the wheel of the Butler #4 Slingshot at Snydersville Speedway in PA Friday night. This was going to be Vern's second time racing this season at Snydersville. Coming off a second place finish in the previous race, McLaughlin was determined to have better results this time out on the fifth mile dirt oval, but it did not work out the way he would have liked it to. The positions that Vern had during his qualifying heat race happened to be the same exact result in the 20 lap feature race. Starting on the outside pole for the 12 lap heat race Vern was fighting a loose condition coming out of the turns on a slippery track and finished third. This gave him an inside starting position for the feature race in the third slot. Green flag waved and Vern was able to pick up one spot and move into second challenging for the lead, but it wasn't long before the car developed a push resulting to a tight condition with the car. It was clear Vern was not going to pass the leader, and he then was having a hard time holding off the car behind him. At the end he did fall back one more spot and brought the Butler Slingshot across the finish line in the third position. Photos of all the action can be found by clicking here - PHOTOS Big thanks goes out to the crew who helped Vern through the night - Clay Butler, Mike Butler, John Rivella, and Doug Debray. June 13, 2009 Races at New Egypt Speedway were cancelled due to inclement weather. Next Outlaw Stock Race for the McLaughlin Motorsports Team is scheduled for Sunday 6/28/09. May 30, 2009 Vern McLaughlin III and Mike Butler were set and ready to go racing this past Saturday night at New Egypt Speedway. They were very anxious to get out onto the track after having the previous week off. The Outlaw Stock Division runs every other week at NES. McLaughlin opted to only bring two cars this week due to the #60 car being wrecked from the previous race, just was not ready in time. While some changes were made at the shop to get the #06 and the #6 car set up for the race, both drivers were paying attention as to what was going on with the track while they were there in the afternoon. The schedule had the Outlaw Stocks racing first Saturday night, and with that McLaughlin and his team spent more time in the pits making smaller changes to the cars hoping that they with hit the right set up. During the qualifier/heat races Butler was running fast, and consistent qualifying in the third position, but it was McLaughlin who shot out of seventh starting position to the lead within three laps only to give it up on the final lap eight by inches to the #914. The cars were fast and the track was right. McLaughlin and Butler knew they were going to be strong for the feature race, and needed to be as the competition is getting stronger every week. Twenty Four Outlaw Stocks were to start the race, and the feature line up had Vern McLaughlin in his #06 Absolute Auto Salvage Sponsored Chevy Monte Carlo in the seventh position, while Mike Butler behind the wheel of the #6 McLaughlin Motorsports, Absolute Auto Salvage Sponsored Chevy Monte Carlo started in the third position. Absolute Auto Salvage of Middlesex, NJ is Vern McLaughlin's main sponsor of his race team who has been very supportive over many years. When the green flag waved for the Outlaw Stocks feature event the cars raced down the front stretch going into turns one and two dueling for positions, and it was Mike Butler coming out of turns two with the lead in the #6 car. Butler was strong in the early going holding the lead through lap five of the twenty lap race until the third generation driver started to fade when passed by the #91 for the top spot. Meanwhile McLaughlin was coming through the pack fast moving into the top five by lap two. It was not long before the big dogs made there way to the front and then the show was about to get exciting. With the #91 leading the pack, McLaughlin was dueling for third position with the #82, the #914,and the 13x. It was around halfway when the race director who has communication with the drivers called for the caution flag to be displayed and had said the yellow was out. McLaughlin was coming out of turn four at the time and slowed while waving his hand in the air to warn the drivers behind he was slowing down for the caution, but the two cars behind never slowed and passed Vern down the front stretch. It was not until Vern was coming out of turn two when the yellow lights were displayed for the caution that was called almost a half of lap before. McLaughlin tried to claim his third position back while under caution, but track officials denied him and put the Whitehouse Station driver back in fifth position, and the two cars that Vern already had passed were back in front of him again which cost Vern lots of time when the green flag waved again because he had to pass them all over again. It looked like the #06 was strong on the bottom, and there is where he had slipped by both cars once the race restarted coming out of turn four taking over the second position and setting his sights on the leader. Butler was just behind battling for a top five spot while McLaughlin was working the leader nearly glued to his rear bumper at times or having his nose under him taking a peek for the lead. Again, strong on the bottom Vern had a big run coming up out of turn two down he backstretch and got up along the inside of the #91 going into three and four. Down the frontstretch it was Vern McLaughlin taking the lead with four laps to go and then the caution flag came out for the #7 car spinning in the turn which resulted in McLaughlin having to go back to second position for the restart. When the caution flag is displayed all cars must go back to the position they were in on the previous lap. In the final laps of the race Vern McLaughlin III and Joe Mongue in the #91 put on a hardcore battle for the lead as the duel these two drivers were having for the win spread excitement throughout the grandstands for the fans. McLaughlin was setting the #91 up for an inside move, and coming out of turn four for the checkered flag the two drag raced down the front stretch and the #91 won the race by 1 - 2 feet with McLaughlin coming across in second place and having a very impressive run. Mike Butler in the #6 car came across the finish line in eighth position and having another good top ten finish for his rookie season. McLaughlin holds onto the second position in the Championship Point Standings gaining some points on the #914 with this second place finish as the final finishing order was 91 - 06 - 82 - 13x - 914 - 23w - 14 - 6 - 54 - 29. At the end of the night New Egypt Speedway hosted the "FASTER PASTOR" races and Vern McLaughlin donated his #6 car for church pastor Dell Smith to race in the event. It was an six lap race with three cars and in the end Pastor Smith brought the McLaughlin's Motorsports #6 across the finish line in the first position and was declared the winner. This Thursday, June 4th, the McLaughlin Motorsports team will have the cars on display at the Somerset Patriots Baseball Stadium in Bridgewater, NJ. The Stadium is hosting NASCAR Night, and McLaughlin will be accompanying Representatives from New Egypt Speedway along with a bunch more teams having their cars on display as well. It all starts at around 5pm. Check www.newegyptspeedway.net or http://www. somersetpatriots.com/schedule/promotions/ for more information. Next McLaughlin Motorsports Outlaw Stock Feature Race - Saturday, June 13th
They certainly needed one, but that did not seem to work out. Track conditions for the Outlaw stock Feature Race were terrible. The Modifieds tore the track up leaving monster size ruts and holes all over the surface. This resulted in Vern McLaughlin blowing a right front tire on lap 4 in the #06. Bobby Butler in the #60 almost flipped the car as he entered into turns one and two he could not avoid the large hole in the track which broke the right rear axel, threw the car up in the air, and landed straight down on its nose collapsing both frame rails. Major damage was done to the front and the rear of the #60 due to the conditions of the track. Mike Butler, behind the wheel of the #6 car was doing ok until he was turned around by the #7 car, which forced Mike to have to restart from the rear of the field with only a few laps to go. The holes in the track were causing allot of damaged race cars and cautions, yet track officials announced that the Outlaw Stock race was taking too long and they cut the race short four laps. So all in all seems like the Outlaw Stock Division was cheated out of having a good track surface and the originally scheduled 20 laps. McLaughlin started 11th finished 6th M. Butler started 10th - finished 9th B. Butler started 19th - finished 20th May 2, 2009 New Egypt Speedway hosted their second Outlaw Stock race of the season this past Saturday night, and the McLaughlin Motorsports Team headed by Vern McLaughlin III, Mike Butler, and brother Bobby Butler were coming off a strong opening night finish looking to back it up with a better performance this time around. The Team worked hard all week long getting the cars prepared and making adjustments to get them more dialed in for the track. Many different factors come into play with a dirt track race car setup including weather and temperature which can change at any time. The team did their best to set the cars up for the Saturday nights race. Heat races were on the schedule for tonight, and the top seven finishers would qualify for the feature event. Mike and Bobby were in the first heat race finishing fifth and seventh. Vern McLaughlin started in the number eight spot of heat race #2, and was able to get to the front and win the five lap qualifier. Feature race time had Bobby Butler in the McLaughlin Motorsports #60 car starting in the 9th position. Young Gun Mike Butler piloting the Short Load Concrete Sales sponsored #6 Chevy Monte Carlo was lined up in the 7th spot, and team owner Vern McLaughlin III behind the wheel of the very fast Absolute Auto Salvage sponsored #06 Chevy Monte Carlo scheduled to start in the 12th position. The green flag waved and twenty Outlaw Stocks raced side by side going into the first turn. Twenty laps was the distance, and it wasn't long before the team cars started making their way to the front. Mike and Bobby consistently ran in the top ten for the entire race battling side by side with other competitors for different positions, but it was Vern McLaughlin who had another very impressive run giving it all he has to get that first win of the season. Coming from the 12th starting position McLaughlin was slicing through the field working his way into the top five within just a few laps after the drop of the green flag. Along with McLaughlin came the #914, the #11, and the #182 as well. Catching up to the leader which was the #13 car it seemed the fastest five cars were going to duke it out for the top spot, and this now had become the most exciting part of the race for all the race fans who packed the grandstands on this night. McLaughlin and the #914 were swapping third position back and fourth a few times, and then the #11 had slipped by both off them into the second position. McLaughlin was determined to get to the front in his lightning fast #06 car and moved past the #914 and the #11 coming out of turn two on the bottom. Then McLaughlin had his sights on the leader #13 and started closing in on him when a caution had come out for another incident. It was then a single file restart with McLaughlin glued to the back bumper of the leader. At times The #06 had his nose under the #13 coming out of turn four, and that is where it seemed McLaughlin was gaining and he was going to make his move there. A few laps later again coming out of turn four down the front stretch McLaughlin had his nose under the leader and even got half way up along side of his car going into the first turn. Vern never lifted. The fearless driver threw it into the turn hoping to claim the top spot then all of a sudden the two made contact which left McLaughlin facing the wrong direction on the track and out came another caution flag. With three laps to go Vern had to restart from the tail end of the 15 car field and when the green flag waved he powered his way back into the top five bringing home a respectable fifth place finish. It was also within those last few laps where Vern had to hammer down to make up the positions he had lost, he posted the fastest lap of the night of all competitors. Mike Butler in only his second race thus far in a big car came home with another impressive finish of seventh, and can only get better for the new driver as in time he will get his first win. Bobby Butler brought the #60 car home in 11th place. The #60 car needs some more work to get the car to handle better, and it is down on horsepower. Once the team is able to get the #60 car more competitive look for Bobby to be running at the front as well. The Outlaw Stock races are getting more and more exciting as the goes on with a handful of drivers that can win at any time. The cars are faster and the battles are intense. Outlaw Stocks race on and every other week basis so if you want to see some of the most action packed races that New Egypt Speedway, and the Outlaw Stocks produce come on down to our next race which is scheduled for May 16th. Check New Egypt Speedways website for the full 2009 schedule and the schedule of special events throughout the season as well which you will find on the links page. April 18, 2009 Opening night at New Egypt Speedway was almost a perfect night. The weather was fantastic, and the track surface was very good and fast, the stands were packed with anxious fans that have been waiting months for this night. Along with the McLaughlin Motorsports Team being very anxious to get onto the track. The Team was set and ready to go. Warm up round turned out to be very dusty, and the drivers only ended up getting a couple of laps in. Next was the timed dashes where ten cars were spread out onto the track to run three laps and the track officials were to time their laps which was going to determine their starting position. All three McLaughlin Motorsports cars were running very well. Feature time had rookie stand-out Mike Butler behind the wheel of the Automotive Service Center sponsored #6 car lined up in the sixth position. Team owner Vern McLaughlin behind the wheel of his fast #06 Chevy Monte Carlo lined up in the ninth slot, and Bobby Butler piloting the #60 car started 14th. The Butler brothers are new drivers for McLaughlin this year, and the Whitehouse Station Team owner/driver has these cars looking very sharp this year sporting new paint schemes along with a few new sponsors. When the green flag waved McLaughlin charged his way to the front quickly and ran right on the rear bumper of the leader for at least a dozen laps right to the finish with Vern crossing the finish line in second place after making a hard charge at the lead, and could not quite get it done. A very bad push in turns three and four is what happened to the #06 late in the race, and a possible right front brake caliper hanging up but Vern gave it all he had and came home with a very respectable opening night finish. Meanwhile Mike Butler was on the move charging through the pack as well. From what was seen, it is not going to take the rookie driver long to adapt to racing the big cars on a half mile track. Mike made several passes taking control of the fifth position and keeping it to the finish for his first top five in his first start. Brother Bobby Butler came home with a very respectable finish also. With McLaughlin not being sure how the new #60 car was going to hold up against the rest of the pack. Bobby came home with a surprising finish of seventh place. With that gave the McLaughlin Motorsports Cars all top ten finishes, and a very good start to the 2009 season. Vern McLaughlin III - #06 started 9th - finished 2nd Mike Butler - #6 started 6th - finished 5th Bobby Butler - #60 started 14th - finished 7th The Absolute Auto Salvage sponsored McLaughlin Motorsports Outlaw Stocks will be back in action again at New Egypt Speedway on May 2, 2009 Come out and visit New Egypt Speedway to witness the action packed thrilling Outlaw Stocks race for the checkered flag. April 8, 2009 Vern McLaughlin III and his McLaughlin Motorsports Outlaw Stock Race Team are getting ready for their second year at New Egypt Speedway with some big changes made to the structure of the team, along with big changes at the track as well. Vern and his crew of great helpers spent the winter completely rebuilding the two primary cars #06 and #6 for the start of the 2009 season. Along with that they were able to find the time to put together a third car for this year which will be the #60 car, but have not been able to find a full time driver for the seat. For now it will be raced on a part time basis with all three cars to compete on New Egypt Speedways opening night of events on April 18th. Vern McLaughlin III again will be piloting the #06 Chevy Monte Carlo, and is sure to be a serious threat to win on any given night. Vern's focus and determination to improve from the year before has never been stronger. He has stepped up his program tremendously. This years newest member of the team who will be behind the controls of the brand new #6 car will be 17 year old Mike Butler of Milford, NJ. Mike comes from a large family of racing including his Grandfather, Father, Uncle, and two brothers which all but his Grandfather are still racing at New Egypt Speedway. The Butlers are well known by their red #4 Sportsman car that was made famous by their Grand Father Oliver Butler.Mike and brother Clay still carry the same number and paint scheme on their cars. This will be Mike's first time driving a full size race car. His previous experience comes from racing Slingshots at tracks such as Snydersville, Borgers, Reading, and others. Mike is the 2006 and 2008 Slingshot Series Champion at Snydersville Speedway, and has well over 50 feature wins to his credit thus far. He was also named the 2006 Slingshots Rising Star throughout the entire country. With that, the team is hoping Mike will adapt to driving a big car pretty quickly, and McLaughlin believes Mike could be a winning driver in the #6 car which has been built to win. Just going to take a little time to get dialed in. Vern and Mike just recently went door to door with each other fighting for the number one position for several laps in this past Atlantic City Indoor Races where McLaughlin started on the pole position with Butler to his outside in the Slingshot Division. They both had a blast racing against each other in January and find themselves teammates going into the 2009 season at New Egypt Speedway now. This Saturday, April 11th the team is heading down to the track to shake down the cars. All three cars are to be expected to turn some laps to get them dialed in for opening night on the 18th. Vern McLaughlin, along with the team pit crew are real excited to have Mike driving the #6 car and are looking forward to having a great time this year. The competition definitely has something to look out for as these two fierce drivers, and past Champions, will be coming on strong this year. Vern McLaughlin III is very proud to announce that some of his most loyal sponsors have again signed up to support the teams efforts in 2009. Absolute Auto Salvage of Middlesex, NJ - SUNDOG Rock & Roll band of Hillsborough, NJ - Loumarc Signs of Somerville, NJ - Automotive Service Center / Barker Bus of Whitehouse, and Bridgewater NJ - Curtismotion Restorations of Lebanon NJ. - Ace Lane Photography of Perth Amboy, NJ The team is also happy to have two new sponsors come on board this year which are - SHORT LOAD Redi-Mix Concrete Co. of Bridgewater and Paterson NJ. They offer quick same day service on concrete deliveries, sand and stone deliveries, and retaining wall blocks which are manufactured in their shop. Look for their website on the links page. Red Bank Sleep Shop of Red Bank NJ. Owner Stu Par has agreed to sponsor the #06 car this year. His mattress and box spring company guarantees to beat any price. Call them at 732-212-9600 to see. The Team would also like to thank Bill Miskoski, owner and promoter of New Egypt Speedway for donating race tickets for the Trivia Game again this year. So be sure to stay tuned every week for your chance to win two FREE tickets to New Egypt Speedway This is going to be a very exciting race season this year for McLaughlin Motorsports. New Egypt Speedway spent the past few months reconstructing and resurfacing the track for better racing so everyone be sure to come visit the speedway on Saturday nights where you will catch the McLaughlin Motorsports Outlaw stock team tearing up the dirt and racing for that checkered flag from April through October.
Atlantic City for Vern McLaughlin's second appearance at Boardwalk Hall for the Atlantic City "Gamblers Classic" Indoor racing event. Thursday's schedule consisted of some practice time and the time trials which were going to be run to determine the top six qualifiers to be locked in for Saturdays main event. Pill draw determined the line-up for the time trials, and McLaughlin drew fifth starting spot, ran his three lap time trial and was 19th fastest on the charts which resulted in Vern having to run Friday night heat races to qualify for the feature. Vern did not mind this too much as he was more experienced with qualifying through heat races than time trials. McLaughlin strapped himself into the immaculate prepared #121 Cannock Motorsports Slingshot starting second in the third and final heat race of the night. The green flag waved and they were on their way. Officials were only taking 6 out of 12 cars to feature. Vern had slipped back to fourth after a couple laps, but quickly made some aggressive moves to get himself back up into the second position and that is were Vern finished in the heat race. Officials stated that the top 2 of every heat race was going to get the opportunity too redraw their starting positions along with the top 6 who had locked themselves in through Thursdays time trials for Saturdays Feature Event. With McLaughlin finishing second, he had that opportunity, and boy did it pay off big. Saturday came, and fan fest was a big success as the McLaughlin Motorsports team had many different items to give away to the fans. The kids were all surrounded around Vern's car, along with their parents, where they were very happy to be able to choose from boxes full of New HOTWHEELS die cast cars. Candy and photographs were available free to the fans as well. Then during the "Fan Fest" the announcer called the top 12 qualifiers to the center stage to re-draw for their starting positions. Vern was lined up to pick out of the hat last. All 11 other drivers has picked from the hat and filled positions 2 through 12, which only left one position left to be chosen, and yes Vern McLaughlin III received the pole position for the starting grid of the Slingshot Feature Event. "I was very lucky to have gotten the pole position, and this is the type of luck I am going to need to win the race," McLaughlin stated. Twenty four Slingshots were lined up and ready to go for their 25 lap Feature Race with McLaughlin leading the way, the green flag waved. Down the front stretch into the tight turns one and two it was McLaughlin and Butler running side by side for a while until the first caution came out. Again on the re-start it was McLaughlin leading the way down the front stretch, but as they got to turns one Butler in the #4 car got the jump into the turn and came out of two the new leader. McLaughlin stayed glued to his bumper until the next caution flew just a couple laps later. McLaughlin was in second, but chose to line up in third, and give the #66 car second spot. The green flag waved and McLaughlin was hanging on strong down in the low groove. A lap later the first and second place had made contact and slowed while McLaughlin snuck underneath to reclaim the top spot for another couple laps. Another caution flag came out for a major pile-up of cars on the backstretch which put Butler right up along side of McLaughlin again for the re-start. The green flag waved and Butler got the jump to lead coming out of turn two. Vern was again glued to the rear bumper of Butler and running very strong. Vern looked like he could very well win the race until a few laps later, it was all over. McLaughlin got a little side ways coming out of turn one, and slowed drastically coasting around turns one and two until coming to a stop on the back stretch which then had brought out the caution flag. Vern needed to be towed into the pits. It was later discovered that the axel sprocket which the chain goes around and stripped all the teeth right off the gear, and the car would not move at all. When it was all over Vern McLaughlin III had ended up finishing in the 19th position." We had a very good run going, but it was a car failure with the sprocket stripping. It's funny because I had doubted the sprockets capability to being able to hold up earlier in the week, and wouldn't you know that's the part that broke. I'm certainly not happy about it, but I guess that's racin," Vern later stated. 2008 Race Report Archive |
New Egypt Outlaw Stocks Final
Standings 2009
1 Shanon Mongeau 646 points
2 Vern McLaughlin 642 points
3 PJ Oliver 616
4 John Carpenter 614
5 Rich Mongeau 584
6 Joe Mongeau 523
7 Billy Wroble 467
8 Doug Debray 437
9 Jason Saredy 434
10 Jay Bundy 372
| Rest in Peace |
| Saturdays at 5PM April through October |
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