KARL COMFORT AND RED ROCKET RACING READY TO BLAST TO THE FRONT AGAIN IN 2001

In 1987, DIRT Motorsports introduced the Sportsman division, an open wheel division that would be used as a stepping stone division to their premier division, the mighty Modifieds. Karl Comfort was just starting his racing career that same season at Canandaigua Speedway in what was then known as the Street Stock division. Little did Comfort realize in 1991 when he made the move to the junior open wheel division that he would eventually become one of the most successful Sportsman chauffeurs of all time at "The Land of Legends" and on the DIRT circuit with 27 career feature victories in his back pocket.

"My parents worked at Canandaigua Speedway, so I was around racing for a long time. I finally decided to give it a try, from there I was hooked," Comfort explained.

Today, Comfort is the 2 time defending Sportsman track champion at the speedway and well on his way to adding a new page to the record books by becoming not only the first Sportsman driver to three-peat with consecutive championships, but also the only Sportsman driver to garner more than two championships. Comfort is currently in a three-way tie with two drivers, (Mike Button '90 & '93, Kevin Long '95 & '96) for duplicate championship titles in Sportsman competition. With 15 career Sportsman victories, his first coming on August 20, 1994 at "The Land of Legends", Comfort is also in line to catch and pass current victory leader Mike Button who has 20 to his credit. Is this too much pressure for the 34-year-old labor foreman to handle throughout the 2001 campaign?

"Our goal this season is to earn that third consecutive title. We realize the competition is tough at Canandaigua, but we are confident that we have what it takes to make it happen. Not only do we want to take that 3rd championship, we'd really like to take over in Sportsman feature victories at the speedway as well. We'll just have to wait to see if it happens," Comfort would explain to me.

With all the success Comfort has had, you would think he would be overly confident, but instead, he is quiet and low key letting his performance on the racing surface speak volumes for him. In 2000, Comfort only earned 3 victories on the famed ½ mile oval at the Ontario County Fairgrounds, but with average finishes of 4th throughout the season, consistency earned him the points crown.

Comfort and his race team suffered a major loss last October when Doug Lietz, who co-owned the team with his wife Karen, died of cancer. Race fans asked many questions at that time regarding Comfort's future behind the wheel of a Sportsman, but all has been put in order with the start of the new season.

"I owe a great deal of thanks to Doug and Karen. They were on board as sponsors (K&D Gravel) for 5 years, in fact owning my equipment for the last 2 during our championships. With Doug gone, Karen decided to step back so I bought all of the equipment from her and now we have the options of doing some things that weren't options before. One of those things is to catch a few of the big 358 championship shows as the season winds down. I am excited about the new possibilities facing us," Comfort continued.

For 2001, Comfort and his "Red Rocket Racing Team" have a brand new 2001x Bicknell chassis to go along with the 1997 Bicknell that has brought them so much success in gaining the 2 points titles. Powered by a Finger Lakes Machine powerplant built by Doug Holmes, the team will not lack the horsepower to gain their share of checkered flags. On the sponsor side of things, C.L. Enterprises and Super Auto Lube are on board Comfort's #10 Bicknell helping to give him the advantage needed to succeed in his quest for the gold.

"We have an awesome car right now and the motor is so strong. We just need to tweak the chassis just a little and we will be very hard to beat. We campaigned with our last Bicknell since we purchased it new in '97 and look at how well we did. Can you imagine how good we are going to be once we get this new 2001x Bicknell sorted out? Our engine program has been fantastic as well thanks to Doug (Holmes). I can't say enough about our horsepower and I know that will be the case once again this season. C.L. Enterprises and Super Auto Lube have been welcome additions for the season. Already I have used the shops at C.L. Enterprises so frequently this year to work on our car and I am so grateful," Comfort would explain regarding his potent ride.

Comfort is quick to point out that the success he has gained is in a large part due to his dedicated and loyal crew. The Red Rocket Racing Team has been behind Karl for his entire career and without them he has made it clear that he wouldn't have attained even moderate success. The crew consists of Mike Joselyn, Jeff O'Brien, Matt Laursen, Mark Miller, Jamie Cole, and Rich Hulburt. Karl's girlfriend of 2 years, Lisa Wood has also been an important part of Red Rocket Racing and with a new baby set to arrive for Karl and Lisa within the next few weeks, the team will be expanding even more.

Comfort's plans for 2001 include his assault on the record books at Canandaigua Speedway, appearances at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park in Elbridge and the New York State Fairgrounds Mile in Syracuse, and a few limited shows at Cayuga County Fair Speedway in Weedsport. Karl also plans on following the entire 18 event 2001 "Dig Safely New York" Mr. DIRT Sportsman Super DIRT Series. The Red Rocket Racing Team will also toy somewhat with some of the more prestigious 358 Modified shows at various racing venues in hopes of eventually taking the next step towards a racing career behind the wheel of a big block DIRT Modified.

Asked why he chose Canandaigua Speedway and why it is his favorite competitive arena, he summarized, "Because the track is fast and the competition there is very even. That makes it a challenge to come from the back and finish up front on a weekly basis."

And you can expect to see Comfort do just that once again in 2001 as "The Red Rocket" #10 C.L. Enterprises/Super Auto Lube Finger Lakes Machine powered Bicknell chassis with Karl Comfort at the controls blasts it's way to the checkers and atop the season ending points standings once again.