The 2010 season is here and the team is excited to get started. Buddy and the team celebrated their 9th Place finish for 2009 at the Night of Champions Touring Awards Gala in Charlotte on November 14th. The team had hoped to complete the full schedule in 2009, but had to miss the last two races at Ace and Caraway, after having trouble at Martinsville. We were happy with our 2009 results and hope to build on them for 2010. Our congratulations to the 2009 Champion, George Brunnhoelzl III
For 2010, we are pleased to announce that Ryan Jallick will assume Crew Chief duties for the #02. Buddy and Ryan have a good relationship and work well together on and off the track. We're also fortunate to have returning team members, Doug and Daniel Paasch, and to have Johnny Textiera, Gary Kellogg, Jim Johnson and Bob Whiting at selected races during the year.
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4/3: Race Recap - South Boston Speedway
Our second trip to South Boston with the #02 would come up short. Buddy would start the race 15th and would be plagued with clutch problems shortly after the green flag flew. With South Boston being such a narrow track, what you don't want to happen in front of you happened on Lap 76. Two cars got together in front of Buddy, and they turned side ways--blocking the backstretch. Buddy would spin to avoid them and would tag the wall, ending the day for Buddy and the #02. Congratulations to James Civali. Next Race: Friday, July 2nd at Caraway Speedway, Asheboro, NC "The Firecracker 150" - green flag 8:00 pm.
3/14: Race Recap - Caraway Speedway
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After the entire team worked hard on Saturday and Sunday, our first trip for the season to Caraway Speedway would come up short on Lap 132. Buddy would start the race 13th, working his way to 9th, before having to pit twice for adjustments. Buddy would trail John Smith (#25) and Frank Fleming (#40) who were battling for position. On Lap 132 the #25 and #40 would get together and spin. Unfortunately, the #40 would turn right and into the side of the #02, sending Buddy into the outside wall. The #02 sustained major damage to the right front and had to be towed to pit road, and would post a 17th place finish. Congratulations to the #47 Andy Seuss and Riggs Racing winner of the Spring Classic 150. Next Race: Saturday, April 3rd at South Boston Speedway, South Boston, VA "South Boston 150" double-header with the K&N Pro Series East - green flag at 4:30 pm.
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3/6: Race Recap - Atlanta Motor Speedway
On a chilly Friday morning, Buddy would post 13th in the first practice session. Second practice would be limited to a couple laps, as Buddy was involved in an incident on the tight 1/4 mile track and would sustain right front suspension damage. The team worked hard to repair the car in time for Buddy to qualify 13th with a lap of 14.892 seconds. The race would be filled with 5 cautions and the #02 sustained front-end damage during the early part of the race, but was able to continue and would come home 10th. Tommy and Connie would like to thank the team for making the long trip to Atlanta, driving from 5 to 17 hours. Jamie McMurrray visited the #02 pits after the race saying how much he enjoyed the race. Congratulations to Corey Lajoie winner of the Atlanta 150.
Next Race: Sunday, March 14th at Caraway Speedway, Asheboro, NC -- "Spring Classic 150" green flag at 2:00 pm (practice and qualifying on Saturday).
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9/25: Race Recap - Martinsville Speedway
Buddy qualified the #02 car in the 21st position for the race at Martinsville. Bad luck would strike Emory as engine trouble hit the car on lap 160 of 200, relegating Buddy to a disappointing 27th place finish.
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9/19: Race Recap - Caraway Speedway
Buddy continues his string of top-10 finishes with a 9th place finish at the Caraway Classic 150.
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9/12: Race Recap - Caraway Speedway
Progress continues to be made with the #02 car and it is shown at this race at Caraway. Buddy managed to qualify 2nd for the event with a time of 16.068. The race got a little hairy on lap 63 when Emory and L.W. Miller got together and brought out the second caution of the night. After a quick pit, Buddy managed to stay on the lead lap, and earned an 8th place finish.
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9/05: Race Recap - Myrtle Beach Speedway
A trip to the beach was a great weekend for the #02 team. Buddy qualified 4th for the event and after a few changes and conservation of tires, managed to finish third, the team's best finish to date.
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8/29: Race Recap - Caraway Speedway
Buddy's speed were great during the practice sessions for this event. Emory qualified in the top 10 and then managed to finish 8th.
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8/19: Race Recap - Bristol Motor Speedway
For the first time ever, the NASCAR Whelen Modifieds took to the track at the World's Fastest Half-Mile for the UNOH Perfect Storm 150. During both days of practice, the #02 car showed a lot of promise. Due to rain, the lineup was set by points...due to this also being a combined race of both the Northern and Southern Modified Tours, Buddy would start 20th on the grid. The night would end early for the #02 as the car was collected in a multi-car crash on the opening lap. Emory would finish the race 38th.
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8/01: Race Recap - Bowman-Gray Stadium
The #02 team went into Bowman Gray Stadium with high hopes. The car timed well in practice, being 11th fastest overall. As the race went green, Buddy managed to get into the top-10 running as high as 7th when gremlins attacked the car's fuel pump and ending their night. Emory finished 18th overall.
The #02 team travelled several hours to Georgia to Lanier Speedway on April 18th. We were looking forward to going back to Lanier after posting our first top-10 finish last year. During practice the car stayed consistent on old tires. After bolting the stickers on for qualifying, we made our best qualifying effort to date--4th! The redraw went against us, and we would start the race 8th. On the drop of the green, we would lose a few spots, but we were able to race our way back to a 6th Place finish--our best finish to date! Buddy was awarded the Featherlite Most Improved Driver Award for the race (improving 14 positions from his last race). NASCAR presented the award on July 3rd at Caraway Speedway along with the Grand Marshall of the race, the legendary Junior Johnson (pictured above)
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Race Recap - Lanier Speedway
The #02 team travelled several hours to Georgia to Lanier Speedway on April 18th. We were looking forward to going back to Lanier after posting our first top-10 finish last year. During practice the car stayed consistent on old tires. After bolting the stickers on for qualifying, we made our best qualifying effort to date--4th! The redraw went against us, and we would start the race 8th. On the drop of the green, we would lose a few spots, but we were able to race our way back to a 6th Place finish--our best finish to date! Buddy was awarded the Featherlite Most Improved Driver Award for the race (improving 14 positions from his last race). NASCAR presented the award on July 3rd at Caraway Speedway along with the Grand Marshall of the race, the legendary Junior Johnson (pictured above).
