Tim Fuller says today's Rite Aid 200 is all about survival. Fuller will start from the pole in the Advance Auto Parts big-block modified series at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. The race is scheduled to start at 2:15 p.m., bringing an end to the five days of racing during Super DIRT Week.

"The strategy is simple, just surviving the race and getting in and out of the pits as quickly as possible," Fuller said Saturday prior to competing in the small-block 150-lap championship race.

"Staying out of trouble is the key down here," Fuller said. "The track is really dry due to no rain. The track really isn't in good condition, plenty of stones."

Fuller has never been keen on racing at the fairgrounds. Most drivers complain that the narrowness of the track prevents them from passing during races.

On Friday, Fuller finished third in one of the Triple 30 modified races. He wasn't pleased with a decision that cost him the lead.

"They said I was caught jumping a restart," Fuller said. "How can that be? I was leading the race. How can you jump a restart when you are leading it? That's the first time anyone ever saw that happen down here."

DECKER TOPS FIELD

Billy Decker of Unadilla took the lead on lap 93 from Theresa's Lance Willix II en route to winning the Mr. DIRTcar 358-modified Series "Salute to the Troops" 150-lap race Saturday at the Syracuse fairgrounds. Decker held off Vic Coffey of Leicester for the victory. Willix finished 19th.

Pat Ward of Genoa; Mario Clair of St. Edmond, Quebec;, and Wayne Jelley of Pittsfield, Mass., finished in the top five.

RUDOLPH CLAIMS TITLE

Erick Rudolph of Ramsonville took the lead on lap five and went on to win the 30-lap Mr. DIRTcar sportsman race Saturday at the fairgrounds. Rudolph took the lead from Matt Hulsizer of Bridgeport who led for the first four laps. Hulsizer finished second. Kevin Ridley of Penn Yan finished third.

STEFANSKI TAKES POLE

Pete Stefanski of North Tonawanda will have the pole position for today's pro stock championship race at the fairgrounds. Stefanski was clocked in 35.961 seconds (100.108 mph) in Saturday's time trials.

Joey Ladouceur of Alexandria, Ontario, who recorded the second fastest time (36.010, 99.972), will be in the front row with Stefanski.

HEARN SETS PACE

Brett Hearn of Sussex, N.J., won his first Mr. DIRTcar 358-modified championship series race this season on Friday night at the Rolling Wheels Raceway in Elbridge. Hearn took the lead on lap five and held it for the next 95 laps.

Jimmy Phelps of Baldwinsville took second with Chad Bachman of Sanborn finishing third. Tim McCreadie of Watertown was eighth.