DICK BARTON WANTS TO TACKLE TRI-CITY IN HIS LATE MODEL
by Brian Spaid

August 16, 2003

                Late Models will come back to Tri-City Speedway on Aug. 31 as part of the Oil Region Labor Day Classic in the Good Tire Service/Em's Broidery "The Return" 30, and one driver is ready to tackle the Venango County half-mile oval once again.

                Veteran Dick Barton of Ashville, N.Y., is a favorite to win the 30-lap event for the full-bodied racers. In fact, if pre-race betting odds existed, Barton would be as popular as Funny Cide was at the Belmont Stakes.

                “I love Tri-City,” said Barton. “I was very disappointed when they dropped our class after the 1997 season. This is our chance to return and run at one of the top tracks in the area, where you can race side-by-side all the time.”

                Barton, 48, often leads the pack at Late Model tracks throughout the region. Heading into this weekend, Barton has 193 career win in the Late Models, and he is on pace to score 200 by the end of the season.

                Despite his success, Barton does not take his competition lightly.

                “On any given night, because this sport is so difficult, and there are so many variables, anyone can win. There are a lot of guys in our area that have also proven themselves capable of winning at the national level.”

                While men like Chub Frank of Sugar Creek and Robbie Blair of Hydetown have excelled in the Renegade DirtCar Series, Barton sticks to the local tracks. Not only does he have dozens of wins, he also has 37 track championships. These include titles at Eriez Speedway and McKean County Raceway in Pennsylvania, Little Valley Speedway and Stateline Speedway in New York, and Raceway 7 and Sharon Speedway in Ohio. He’s also been a bridesmaid in the title chase at Lernerville Speedway three times and Tri-City in 1997.

                Among those tracks, Raceway 7 is owned by Barton’s car owner, Ron Neilson. The Conneaut, Ohio, dirt oval is one of Barton’s favorites, but he feels no pressure racing there.

                “It’s no different to race at Ron’s track. I fully understand the situation and know what I’m up against (with allegations of favoritism). I’ve built my career on being a clean racer. I race just as hard there as anywhere else.”

                One element at Raceway 7 that eliminates any problems for Barton and other drivers is the AMB electronic computerized scoring system. In 2003, Neilson instituted mandatory use of the system by drivers in all classes. This required each team to purchase a transponder to be mounted in the race car. Non-regular teams can rent one from the track. The transponder sends a signal that is recorded each time the car passes over an antenna buried in the track surface at the start-finish line. Tri-City has the same system installed, but its use is optional for the racers.

                “That system revolutionizes dirt track racing. Ron Neilson is an innovator. All the other tracks were afraid to institute the change to electronic scoring due to the cost to racers. Yet, all the elements of human error are put to rest on scoring.”

                Barton also credits Neilson for his bold purse structure, which puts considerable pressure on the Meadville man to increase fan and car counts each Friday night.

                “Ron was the first guy to pay $2,000 to win the feature and $450 for tenth in this area. He’s put it on the line for us racers, and I’m proud to be his driver.”

                Although Barton was discouraged about Tri-City’s decision to delete Late Models from their weekly program six years ago, he is thrilled to get another opportunity to race there.

                “I’m excited that the track is at least considering to have Late Models back, and I expect the support to be good. We loved running there before, and we directed a lot of our energy to racing at Tri-City. But, it will be a little different this time.”

                Since the last Late Model race at the track, new clay was added and the track configuration was altered, especially in turns one and two. As a result, Barton acknowledges that his old notebook will be useless.

                “The track slicks up a little more than it used to, which means we’re going to have to run different tire combinations and chassis setups. The car will drive differently, but all of us will be on the same page. We’ll all have to adjust.”

              Barton and his crew will work intently the entire week before the show to make a strong run to victory lane. It will be no surprise if Barton wins his sixth career victory at “The Return” of the Late Models.

              Barton's two GRT chassis No. 28B are sponsored by The Bolt Place of Meadville, Raceway 7 of Conneaut, Ohio, Shawbucks and Qwik Lube Oil & Filter of Jamestown, N.Y., as well as Carrera Shocks.