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Jerry Bard Prepared for Late Model Assault in 2010
By Doug Watson
After spending the past five seasons in the late model sportsman ranks, Shippensburg Pa.'s Jerry Bard is set to take on his first full season in the highly competitive super late model division.
Once a dominator in the four-cylinder ranks, Bard made the switch to late model sportsman cars in 2005. In that span Bard has been a multi time feature winner with wins coming at Hagerstown, Path Valley, Hesston and Big Diamond. Armed with a 2009 Rocket chassis and a fresh Curt Hershey power plant, Bard is ready for the new challenge.
We're ready for a new experience." Bard stated. "We had a lot of success with the 358 car over the past five years but I feel the time is right for us to move on." The 358 late model division is loaded with young and experienced talent, however, Bard does have some reasons for moving up to the late models. "To tell you the truth, I'm kind of tired of getting torn up every week." Bard said with a laugh. "The 358 division is almost as expensive as the late models and it costs quite a bit of money to put the cars back together. I feel we have enough track time at the tracks we plan on racing, so I feel pretty confident that we could be a consistent car every week."
Bard has planned to compete at several different tracks in 2010. "The way it stands now we'll hit both practice day's at Hagerstown and Winchester with our season debut set for March 26th at Williams Grove. We will race weekly for points at Hagerstown and we'll also have some shows at Alleghany County, Grandview, Virginia Motor speedway, The "Three State Flyers" and the we will try to make as many speed week shows as we can."
Bard's season is already off to a fast start as his machine took top honors in the Valley Mall car show in Hagerstown, Maryland. "Yeah the car turned out pretty good." Bard remarked. "My wife did all the design work and Mort's Custom Graphics did the wrap for us and I put them on the car. Hopefully this will be a start of good things to come for us this season."
Big Changes in store for 2010
Jerry Bard has announced plans for 2010 to race in the Super Late Model Division. The team plans to race Hagerstown Speedway on a weekly basis for points. We will also be making visits to Williams Grove Speedway and Virginia Motor Speedway throughout the season.
This is an exciting year for Bard Racing. With help from B&F Homebuilders and Nitterhouse Masonry Products, we've built a brand new race shop to house the Late Model. All of the limited Late Model equipment has been sold and we're ready to take on the Super Late Model Division.
Our 2009 Rocket Chassis will be powered by a 430 Aluminum Hershey Racing Engine. Bill Hockenberry will be returning as the Crew Chief working with Robbie Allen Enterprises to fine tune the car.
The 2010 Mort's Wraps scheme will be revealed at the Valley Mall Car Show in Hagerstown. Custom apparel from Primo Designs will soon be available on our web site. The teams first race will be March 26th at Williams Grove Speedway.
We would like to thank our current sponsors for their additional support: Buchanan Auto Park, B&F Homebuilders, Hockenberry Floor Coverings, Booze Bros. Performance
, M&R Express, Mooney's Tax Service, and South Central PA SUBWAY Restaurants, Tarp America, and Nitterhouse Masonry Products. For additional information please visit our web site http://www.bardracing.com.
We are still seeking additional sponsors, If you are interested in advertising with Bard Racing, please contact Jerry at jbard26@gmail.com. We have sponsorship packages starting at $600, this includes your business name on the car, web site, distribution of 100 shirts, and 100 autograph cards. We are currently seeking a tire sponsor and product sponsors as well.
The 2009 racing season marks the tenth season for Bard Racing.
Jerry started racing in the mini-stock division at Path valley and Shippensburg Speedways, mid season in 1999. During his time in 4 cylinder mini-stocks, Jerry won 3 championships. He also came from last place to win the Tommy garland memorial race at Linda's speedway. Jerry won on a last lap pass, that same evening he scored fast time. He won races in the popular number 26 at Susquehanna Speedway, Path Valley, Shippensburg, Port Royal, and Linda's Speedway.
In 2005, Jerry moved up to the late model sportsman division. He started out with a 1998 rayburn chassis. His best finish was 3rd which was at Susquehanna Speedway, and he finished 7th in points at Hagerstown Speedway. In 2006, Jerry purchased his first Rocket Chassis. It was a 2004 chassis, and Jerry found his way to victory two times at the Hagerstown Speedway. In 2007, Jerry owned his #26 Rocket Chassis and also drove the number 41f for Bruce Fulton. He finished 3rd in points at Lincoln Speedway in the 41f, and had two victories in the number 26. One at Hagerstown Speedway, and he won the Diamond Nationals at Big Diamond Speedway. 2008 was an up and down season. He was involved in a few wrecks, but still managed to find victory lane twice at Hagersown and once at Path Valley. Jerry also finished 2nd quite a few times. This was the first year he had ever ran Cumberland Speedway and really liked the track. He managed to score a second place finish one evening, and always ran well there.
Now, the 2009 season is here and car shows are just around the corner. Plans are still up in the air as to where we will be running. We do plan to visit Lincoln, Path Valley, Cumberland, and Bedford. However, plans haven't been decided if we will travel, or pick a track to run for points. This is one of our biggest seasons ever. Bard Racing is hitting 2009 with the best sponsors and equipment. Jerry ordered a brand new, candy blue, 2009 Rocket Chassis. He will also be racing the 2004 Flourescent Green Rocket Chassis in which he ran at the end of the season last year. The team has two cars, two motors, and one driver. We hope 2009 is our most successful season to date.
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