Buffalo, NY: The DeLange Racing Team was back at Lancaster Raceway Park on July 1, 2004 for the Firecracker 75 lap modified event. 33 cars showed up to attempt to qualify for the 27 spots available. The day did not start out as intended for Hossfeld and the #22 team. The team was unable to make the first practice session due to a clutch problem, and steering troubles led to missing the second practice as well.

All doubts and uncertainties from the lack of practice were quickly erased as Chuck went out in the first heat. Starting from 7th, he rapidly moved forward through the field and found himself leading at the half-way. Sege Fidanza (77) gave Hossfeld a good run the last few laps, though Hossfeld would retain the top spot as he won the 12-lap heat race.

The top 12 qualifiers redrew and as luck would have it Chuck redrew 12th for the race. From the drop of the green flag, all of the drivers showed remarkable skill and restraint as the full field ran the first 40 laps caution free.

Hossfeld, with Lancaster regulars Findanza (77) and Dave Wollaber (5) in tow, spent the first portion of the race in what looked like a sychronized dance as they steadily marched through the field. Hossfeld, who had moved into 2nd place at lap 33, had his hands full after he lost power steering sometime during the first half of the race. He still managed to maintain his position though as he piloted the #22 DeLange Racing modified towards the front. The young and talented Wollaber, fresh from a win the previous week, passed Hossfeld for second at lap 55. Meanwhile Fidanza, was involved in a prior incident and had to fight his way back up through the field.

The weather began to move in quickly as lightning could be seen in the distance and sprinkles began to fall.

Wollaber would move up to pass Tony Hanbury (45) who had led most of the race thus far. As he did, Hossfeld and Tom McGrath (12) both followed Wollaber through to occupy the top three spots. McGrath, with fresh rubber after previous pits stops on laps 40 and 46, was rocketing through the field. McGrath passed Hossfeld on lap 62 and leader Wollaber the following lap.

As Hossfeld battled with the steering problem, he lost a couple of positions and fell to fifth at one point. Hossfeld had moved back into fourth spot as caution flew for the last time on lap 68. Just as the field was preparing to restart, the skies opened up and the resulting downpour forced the premature finish of the race. McGrath was declared the winner followed by Wollaber in second, and Race Of Champions tour regular TJ Potrzebowski (72) in third. Hossfeld in fourth and Billy Putney (88) in fifth rounded out the top-five.

Considering the lack of practice and mechanical problems during the race, it was a great finish and hopefully a turning point for an otherwise disheartening season thus far for Hossfeld.

The DeLange Racing Team will be back at Lancaster on Saturday July 10, 2004. The team was previously scheduled to be in Thompson, CT for the Race Of Champions 100, however the decision was made this past weekend to race Lancaster.