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March
23rd, 2006
The Thunder Rolls
by Carol Houssock
(Owego, NY) A new SST-Modified team is storming on the scene, preparing
for Chemung Speedrome’s season-opening “Spring Fling 125”.
Car owner John Knowlton is bringing back a powerful competitor, but one
who is new to the division.
Roland “Rolling Thunder” Teed, one of the toughest and most popular
Late Model competitors ever to race at Tioga Speedway, will try his hand
at open wheel racing. Teed, who served as both a car owner and driver in
his heyday, won back-to-back titles at Tioga (1998 and 1999) before
completely walking away from the sport. “I haven’t even been to a
race track to watch a race since 1999,” Teed stated. “I had real
estate and other interests I pursued, so I don’t even know what the
Chemung track looks like”.
That’s a far cry from his involvement ten years ago. Teed then owned
the car Chris Cacialli drove to Tioga’s ’96 and ’97 Late Model
championships.
Knowlton is hoping for a rapid learning curve, given Chemung’s tough
layout and reputation as a racer’s racetrack. “We’ll be there for
practice, and it’s my belief that Roland will adapt very quickly to
both the car and the track,” the 2nd year car owner said. “I know
the car is good and I know Roland never lost the desire to compete.”
The ’96 Troyer is powered by a 350-cubic inch Gale Clark engine.
The team plans to run the full schedule at Chemung on Saturday nights.
“We’ll run there weekly and support the SST-Tour as well,”
Knowlton stated. “This worked well last year and will give Roland a
chance to run at some other tracks.”
Last season Knowlton and driver Tony Hanbury finished 2nd in points at
Chemung and drove away with the overall SST-Modified title. Knowlton
hopes this new combination will produce similar results in time. Joe
Faber serves as crew chief, assisted by Jake Nichols and Mike Flannigan.
The new Owego-based team faces tough competition but is eager to kick
off the season. “With all of the new teams forming and with the return
of so many others, this is shaping up to be a win-win season for
everyone at Chemung,” Knowlton predicted. “Our goal is to be highly
competitive and be a front-runner for Chemung’s championship.”
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