Chuck Hossfeld has developed quite a reputation as an accomplished asphalt modified driver, but on Friday May 6th he showed up at his hometown dirt track in Ransomville, NY to try his hand at a little dirt track racing.

The Hotshoe was to pilot the #68 Sportsman of Ray MacIver. The new car uses a Bicknell chassis and was put together by Ray and his crew during the off-season. The car looked great as it pulled into the pits awaiting to make it's debut.

The last time Hossfeld was on dirt, was in August of 2003 at Merrittville Speedway where he drove one of Pete Bicknell's Dirt Modifieds. That time he finished 17th as he was getting accustomed to the different handling characteristics of a dirt car. In only his third ever appearance on dirt, Hossfeld decided to take it easy in both hot laps and the heat as he reacclimated himself to sliding through the corners.

At the drop of the green flag it was evident how quickly Hossfeld was catching on to dirt racing. Starting in the back of the field, he had moved up into the top ten in no time at all. Passing cars on both the top and the bottom, the HotShoe looked more experienced with every lap. Chuck had worked his way up to 6th place and was looking hard at 5th when the checkers flew.

It was easy tell by his ear to ear grin after the race, that Chuck thoroughly enjoyed racing on dirt. Hats off to Ray and his crew who did a great job preparing the car for the race.

Hossfeld may have a few more opportunities this year to drive the #68, so stay tuned and keep your eye on the schedule. It's only a matter of time before the HotShoe picks up his first dirt win.