American Dirt Modified racing driver (1970–2024)
Dale Planck (July 16, 1970 – June 22, 2024) was an American Dirt Modified racing driver, credited with over 200 career wins at tracks in the Mid-Atlantic (United States) and two Canandian Provinces.[ 2] [ 3]
Racing career
Planck began his racing career in 1985 in a 4-cylinder mini-mod at Dundee Speedway and by 1988 he had moved to the 358-modified class.[ 2] He was soon competing successfully at the toughest venues in the Northeast, including Afton Park Speedway New York, Big Diamond Speedway in Pottsville Pennsylvania, Brewerton Speedway , Canandaigua Speedway , Hagerstown Speedway , Kutztown Speedway, Merrittville Speedway , Orange County Fair Speedway , Rolling Wheels Raceway , the Syracuse Mile , and the Weedsport Speedway .[ 4] [ 5] [ 6] [ 7] [ 8]
Planck won the first of three consecutive NASCAR regional modified championships in 1994, captured the 2009 and 2012 DIRTcar 358-Modified touring series , and was the Mr. Dirt 358-modified titlist in 2012. Along the way, he claimed track championships at Fulton Speedway and Utica-Rome Speedway .[ 9] [ 10] [ 11]
Planck was inducted into the New York State Stock Car Association Hall of Fame with the class of 2024 and the Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame in 2025.[ 12]
Plank died on June 22, 2024, at the age of 53.[ 3] [ 13]
References
^ "Cars, Drivers & Events – Dale Planck" . Auto Racing Research Associates. Retrieved October 14, 2024 .
^ a b Szczerba, Ron (May 1, 2024). "New York State Stock Car Association To Induct Five Into Prestigious Hall Of Fame Sunday" . Race Pro Weekly. Retrieved June 18, 2024 .
^ a b "Dale J. Planck" . Donald Barber Funeral Home . Retrieved June 28, 2024 .
^ Landry, C.J. (September 19, 1995). "Revolving format keeps track workers hustling" . The Daily Item . Sunbury, Pennsylvania. p. 14. Retrieved June 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "3 Firsts at Afton" . Press & Sun-Bulletin . Binghamton, New York. August 10, 1996. p. 3D. Retrieved June 19, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ Hill, John (April 28, 2008). "Planck starts strong by winning 358-series race" . The Post-Standard . Syracuse, New York. p. 16. Retrieved June 18, 2024 – via NewspaperArchive .
^ "Dale Planck a winner at Action Track in Kutztown" . Reading Eagle . Reading, Pennsylvania. August 2, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2024 .
^ "Dale Planck/Results/Year-By-Year- The Third Turn" . The Third Turn. Retrieved June 18, 2024 .
^ Weidner, Nolan (April 12, 1997). "Running on Memories" . The Post-Standard . Syracuse, New York. p. C6. Retrieved June 18, 2024 – via NewspaperArchive .
^ "DIRTcar 358-Modified Series: 2012 season recap" . DIRTcar. December 4, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2024 .
^ Clifford, John (February 3, 2019). "Racing legend to return to the track" . Daily Sentinel . Rome New York. Retrieved June 18, 2024 .
^ "Howard, Planck & Van Pelt selected to NE Dirt Mod HOF" . Speed Sport . January 22, 2025. Retrieved January 22, 2025 .
^ "Cortland man dies in I-81 crash" . Cortland Standard . NY. June 24, 2024. Retrieved June 24, 2024 .
External links