Racin' & Internet Stuff:

By Tom Avenengo

Volume # 5

First things, first:

Did you catch any of the Cup race from Bristol this past Sunday? I caught some of it. Things look kind of bad don’t they – especially when one sees so many empty seats at a track that was always sold out, and almost impossible to get tickets for. It isn’t only NASCAR to blame, either. A good part of the blame has to be put on our economy, with a little on the weather and the forecast for the day. And, I’m pretty sure that I read that this was the first time at Bristol when smoking was not permitted. Another reason, maybe, for some of those empty seats? Might Jimmie Johnson also be part of the reason? Right now he seems unbeatable.

Later on, in this column, in “Some of my thoughts” section, I put in what my son, Eric, and I spoke about, on Sunday, as to a possible solution.

Insurance for racers:

I thought I’d put this in, again, in case anyone might have missed it, earlier. No, I don’t get anything out of it, just passing the information along.

http://www.stida.com/

Going back, in time:

Again, most of this info is taken from: http://www.wheelsofspeed.com/history.html

Note: Starting next week, this section will be greatly reduced in size and content.

This week - covering from March 22^nd to March 27^th in various years:

MARCH 22

1953

Bill Vukovich , driving the #45 Gerhardt Offy, won the AAA Midget race at the Kearny Bowl, Fresno, CA.

1964

A.J. Foyt drove his Offy powered Watson roadster to victory in the 100 mile USAC Championship race at Phoenix International Raceway, the first event for Indy Cars on the one mile paved oval.

1974

Peter Revson... Died ... Formula One and the Indy car driver. The nephew of Revlon Cosmetics industry magnate Charles Revson, he was an heir to his father Martin's fortune (reportedly worth over $1 billion). During a practice run for the 1974 South African Grand Prix in Johannesburg, he was killed as a result of suspension failure on his Shadow Ford DN3.

1986

Doug Wolfgang won the Super Sprint Car race at the Port Royal Speedway, Port Royal, PA. ( Click here for the race report. )

Doug Hoffman won the Small Block Modified Stock Car race at the Port Royal Speedway, Port Royal, PA. ( Click here for the race report. )

MARCH 23

1919

Roscoe Sarles drove his Duesenberg to victory in the 150 mile AAA Championship race at Ascot Speedway in Los Angeles, California. Sarles averaged 70.62 mph on the 1 mile dirt oval.

1937

Craig Breedlove... Born ... A five-time world land speed record holder. He was the first to reach 400 mph (640 km/h), 500 mph (800 km/h), and 600 mph (970 km/h), using several turbojet-powered vehicles that were all named "Spirit of America".

2009

Lloyd Ruby ... Died ... Ruby won seven times on the USAC Championship Car Series in his career and also had endurance racing victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona, the 12 Hours of Sebring and the United States Grand Prix. But he is best known for the race he didn't win. Ruby raced in 18 straight Indianapolis 500s from 1960-77, led in five of them and was out front for 126 laps. But he never won open wheel racing's most prestigious prize.

MARCH 24

1938

Will Cagle... Born ... Florida racer who made his name in Northeast Modified racing in the 1960's , 70's and 80's.

1957

Buck Baker, defending NASCAR Grand National champ, drove his factory backed Hugh Babb Chevy to victory in the 99 mile race on the 9/10 mile Orange Speedway in Hillsboro, North Carolina.

1960

Scott Pruett... Born ... An American race car driver who has competed in NASCAR, Champ Car, IMSA, Trans-Am and Grand-Am.

1963

A.J. Foyt won the 30 lap USAC Sprint Car race at the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway, Reading, PA. Roger McCluskey was second followed by Don Branson, Allen Crowe and Elmer George.

1970

Buddy Baker drove a Dodge Charger Daytona to a new World Closed Course Speed Record of 200.447 mph at Talledega International Speedway

1974

Cale Yarborough won the NASCAR GN 'Atlanta 500' at Atlanta International Raceway, the first race under new carburetor rules. Controversial restrictor plates were dropped in favor of smaller carburetors for engines over 366 cubic inches.

1989

Doug Wolfgang won the second night of the SuperTex Speedweeks NCRA-USA Challenge Sprint Car race at the Battleground Speedway, Houston, TX. ( Click here for the race report. )

Brent Kaeding won the World of Outlaws Sprint Car race at the Tulsa Speedway, Tulsa, OK. ( Click here for the race report. )

MARCH 25

1925

Don Freeland... Born ... AAA / USAC driver from the 1950's & 60's. Freeland competed in the Indy 500 each year from 1953 to 1960.

1961

Bob Wente won the 100 lap USAC Midget race at the Chicago Ampitheater, Chicago, IL.

1962

Jim Hurtubise won the 30 lap USAC Sprint Car race at the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway, Reading, PA. Parnelli Jones was second followed by Don Davis, Bobby Marshman and Elmer George.

1973

Cale Yarborough led all 500 laps in the 'Southeastern 500' at Bristol International Speedway. Yarborough became the first wire-to-wire winner of a "major" NASCAR GN race since Darel Dieringer won at North Wilkesboro in 1967. Yarborough started on the pole in the Junior Johnson Chevrolet and lapped the field by lap 100. Richard Petty's Dodge finished second, 2 laps behind Yarborough.

Pancho Carter won the 40 lap USAC Sprint Car race at the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway, Reading, PA.

1982

Danica Patrick... Born

1989

Doug Wolfgang won the final night of the SuperTex Speedweeks NCRA-USA Challenge Sprint Car race at the Battleground Speedway, Houston, TX. ( Click here for the race report. )

Jac Haudenschild won the World of Outlaws Sprint Car race at the Tulsa Speedway, Tulsa, OK. ( Click here for the race report. )

Jimmy Spencer won the NASCAR Busch Grand National Mountain Dew 400 race at the Hickory Motor Speedway, Hickory, NC. ( Click here for the race report. )

Kenny Jacobs won the Sprint Car race at the Port Royal Speedway, Port Royal, PA. ( Click here for the race report. )

Steve Smith Jr won the Sprint Car race at the Lincoln Speedway, Hanover, PA. ( Click here for the race report. )

2009

It was just one year ago when we lost singer/songwriter Danny Wayland Seals,

who was also known as “England Dan”, at the young age of 61. Check out the

“Video” section, below.

MARCH 26

1950

Andy Linden won the 30 lap Pacific Coast AAA Sprint Car race over Cal Niday, Jim Rigsby and Joe James at the Carrell Speedway, Gardena, CA.

1955

Fonty Flock won the 100 mile race on the 1/2 mile dirt Columbia Speedway, (Columbia, South Carolina) in the Frank Christian Chevrolet. Flock got the ride when Christian's 1954 driver Hershel McGriff retired from racing . It was Chevrolet's first ever win in NASCAR Grand National competition.

1960

Frankie Schneider won the Modified Stock Car race and Buzzy Reutimann won the Sportsman race at the Sunshine Speedway, St. Petersburg , FL. ( Click here for the race report. )

Peewee Griffin won the Modified Stock Car race at the Hialeah Speedway, Miami, FL. ( Click here for the race report. )

1972

Gary Bettenhausen won the USAC Sprint Car race at the Penn National Race Course, Grantville, PA. Jim McElreath was second followed by Larry Dickson, Johnnie Parsons, Charlie Masters, Sammy Sessions and Joe Saldana.

Jan Opperman won the Super Sprint Car race at the Hagerstown Raceway, Hagerstown, MD. ( Click here for the race report. )

Rags Carter won the Modified Stock Car race at the Nazareth Speedway, Nazareth, PA. ( Click here for the race report. )

Bobby Gerhart won the Modified Stock Car race at the Reading Fairgrounds, Reading, PA. ( Click here for the race report. )

2006

Paul Dana... Died ... An American race car driver in the Indy Racing League.

MARCH 27

1939

Cale Yarborough... Born ... A businessman and former NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver and owner.

1949

Bill Holland , driving the Malamud #29, won the 20-lap AAA Eastern Sprint Car race on the 1 mile dirt Lakewood Speedway in Atlanta, GA.

1955

Cal Niday won the AAA Midget race at the Gardena Stadium, Gardena, CA.

1960

Bob Harkey won the Midget race at the Dinwiddie Speedway, Petersburg, VA. ( Click here for the race report. )

Bob Hamilton won both 25-lap TQ Midget races at the indoor State Fair Coliseum, Columbus, OH.

1966

Jim Hurtubise used an opportune yellow to win the NASCAR GN 'Atlanta 500' at Atlanta International Raceway.

Jud Larson won the 30 lap USAC Sprint Car race at the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway, Reading, PA. Red Riegel was second followed by Arnie Knepper, Roger McCluskey and Mario Andretti.

1968

Cale Yarborough, After he wrecked his primary race car in practice, drives a "show car" to victory in the NASCAR Winston Cup stockcar race at Atlanta, Georgia.

1971

Al Unser drove past brother Bobby with 10 laps left and went on to win the USAC Championship 'Jimmy Bryan 150' at Phoenix International Raceway. Al's win made him 3 for 3 in the 1971 Indy Car season, having taken both races at Rafaela, Argentina in February.

1977

Johnny Rutherford drove his Cosworth powered McLaren to victory in a contentious USAC Championship 'Jimmy Bryan 150' at Phoenix International Raceway.

1982

Steve Smith won both the Sprint Car race and Late Model race at the Port Royal Speedway , Port Royal, PA. ( Click here for the race report. )

1984

Joe Garson... Died ... AAA driver from the early 1950's.

Racing on TV - http://www.racefantv.com/USTV.htm

Friday, March 26^th:

1:30 AM to 3:00 AM on SPEED – Formula 1 practice from Melbourne, AUS

11:30 AM to 1:00 PM on SPEED – Cup practice from Martinsville

1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on SPEED – Truck practice from Martinsville

3:00 PM to 4:30 PM on SPEED – Cup qualifying

4:30 PM to 5:30 PM on SPEED – Truck qualifying

Saturday, March 27^th:

2:00 AM to 3:30 AM on SPEED – Formula 1 qualifying

10:30 AM to 11:30 AM on SPEED – Cup practice

11:30 AM to 1:00 PM on SPEED – Cup final practice

2:00 PM to 4:30 PM on SPEED – Truck race

7:00 PM to 9:00 PM on ESPN2 – NHRA Drag racing qualifying from Charlotte

10:00 PM to 11:00 PM on SPEED – AMA American Superbike part 1 from Fontana CA

11:00 PM to 12:00 AM on SPEED – AMA American Superbike part 2 from Fontana

Sunday, March 28^th:

1:30 AM to 4:00 AM on SPEED – Formula 1 race from Melbourne, AUS

12:00 PM to 1:00 PM on CBS – AMA Monster Jam Supercross from Jacksonville, Fl from Mar 27^th.

1:00 PM to 5:00 PM on FOX – Cup race

3:00 PM to 4:00 PM on SPEED – FIM World Superbike race 1 from Portugal

3:30 PM to 6:00 PM on ABC – Indycar race from St. Petersburg, FL

4:00 PM to 5:00 PM on SPEED – FIM World Superbike race 2 from Portugal

5:00 PM to 7:30 PM on ESPN2 – NHRA Drag racing from Charlotte

11:00 PM to 12:00 AM on SPEED – AMA American Superbike race 3 from Fontana

Monday, March 29^th:

12:00 AM to 1:00 AM on SPEED – AMA American Superbike race 4 from Fontana

Bus trip to Dover Cup race:

A gentleman named Erwin Benz (Benzee) usually has bus trips to some of the Cup races in this area – the Northeast. He has one coming up for the Dover race.

Some info:

NASCAR Dover Bus Trip May 16th in the works. R/T Deluxe Motorcoach , Premium Reserved Seat , Hospitality Tent all day with Food and Drinks , Trackside Tour and meet and greet with NASCAR Driver Greg Biffle . Proceeds to support the FOP and the Law Enforcement Memorial in Wash DC. Approx cost $160 per . Interested PM me or email .

“Benzee” can be reached here: benzee95@hotmail.com

Track news:

Oakland Valley Speedway – formerly known as OVRP’s Dirt Oval – I found this over on the 4 Cycle forum:

“just went up, turns are moved out so straightaways are longer and looks like the clay from the infeild was used, its banked quite a bit, looks like shellhammers just bigger”

Did you get to see all the photos that Ralph Corwin took at the Middletown Motorsports show last week? They’re on the New England Tractor’s website.

http://newenglandtractor.com/racereport/

The History of the Sport:

Something completely different this week. Due to the length of my columns, and what with what I was going to do, I’ve decided to do a special article that will come out any where from Saturday to Monday, as long as Jeff Johnson, who runs the New England Tractor website has the time to get it posted. Sadly, there will be some photos to go along with the article, so it won’t appear on Dirt Track Digest. So, those of you that read my stuff on DTD – to see what the special article is about, you’ll have to go here: http://newenglandtractor.com/racereport/ So check out the website from Saturday on - no need to search all over for it, either, since it might be the top item on the website.

Former Dirt Oval runners:

Last Friday, down in Selinsgrove, Pa in the ROC 358 racing, Michael Storms had a 1^st in his heat and a DNF in the feature, placing 19^th. Danny Creeden had a DNF in his heat, placing 8^th, a 7^th in his consi, and a 12^th in the feature. Mike Mammana had a 5^th in his heat and a 3^rd in his consi. No idea as to why Danny was in the feature and Mike wasn’t.

On Saturday, in the ROC Big Block racing, Billy VanInwegen had a 5^th in his heat, a 9^th in his consi and a 10^th in the non-qualifiers race. Michael Storms had a 6^th in his heat, a 2^nd in his consi and a DNF in the feature, being placed 21^st.

Coming up:

The 20^th annual Vintage Race Car Meet up in Loudon, NH is coming up, and for the race cars, it’s Tuesday, May 18^th, Wednesday, the 19^th and Thursday, the 20^th.

Info on this can be found if you go here: http://www.vintagecelebration.com/

More racin’ stuff:

Are you interested in getting a youngster into racing, but not to sure about Go-Karts? How about Quarter Midgets?

http://www.quartermidgets.org/index2.asp

Some opening dates:

OVRP’s Dirt Oval - April 3^rd - Opening Weekend - Practice 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
EASTER EGG HUNT
April 9^th - Friday Night Practice -5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
April 10^th - 1st Go-Kart & Slingshot Points Race.

April 11^th - 1st Motorcycle & Quad Points Race

http://www.ovrpdirtoval.com/

Hamlin Speedway – April 10^th practice 2-6 PM

Opening night April 17^th.

http://www.hamlinspeedway.com/

Orange County Fair Speedway – Practice April 10^th with a rain date of the 11^th. This is FREE admission to the grandstands, folks!

Opening night – April 17^th.

http://www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net/

Wall Stadium - March 27^th – Paid Practice

April 3^rd – “THUNDER AT THE SHORE” Season Opener –

http://www.wallspeedway.com/

Accord Speedway - April 2^nd – practice with rain date April 3^rd . April 9^th Practice with rain date of April 10th. Opening night April 16^th.

http://www.accordspeedway.com/

Five Mile Point Speedway - Sat. 4/10 Open Practice – plus 2 seat Modified rides!

Sun. 4/11*RoC Dart Dirt Sportsman 40 - $1,500 to win plus $500 to win SS, and LC

http://www.fivemilepointspeedway.net/

North Eastern Midget Association – March 27^th and 28^th – Waterford, Ct

http://www.nemaracing.com/

Stafford Motor Speedway – Saturday April 17^th practice with a rain date of the 18^th. Friday April 23^rd – Sunday April 25^th Spring Sizzler

http://www.staffordspeedway.com/

Whip City – April 24^th – practice. May 1^st Opening night

http://www.whipcityspeedway.com/

Wyalusing – April 24^th practice. May 1^st – opening night.

http://www.wvmpracing.com/

Bethel Motor Speedway – opening April 24^th.

http://www.bethelmotorspeedway.com/BethelMotorSpeedway/HomePage.html

Penn Can – Friday April 9^th and Friday April 16^th – practice.

Sunday April 18^th - LM C.Spts SS-Tour 4CYL Xcel Mods

Friday April 23^rd Mod LM C.Spts SS 4CYL "Can Opener"

http://www.penncan.com/

New Egypt Speedway – April 7^th and 14^th – practice. April 17^th opening night.

http://www.newegyptspeedway.net/

Lebanon Valley – April 10^th – practice. April 17^th opening night

http://www.lebanonvalley.com/

ARDC midgets – March 28^th – Big Diamond Raceway

http://www.ardcmidgets.com/

Some more websites:

Susquehanna Speedway Park - http://www.sspracing.net/

http://www.seekonkspeedway.com/

http://www.portroyalspeedway.com/

http://www.quartermidgets.org/index2.asp

http://www.mahoningspeedway.com/

http://www.lernerville.com/

http://www.grandviewspeedway.com/

http://fondaspeedway.net/index.html

http://www.fultonspeedway.com/

http://www.brewertonspeedway.com/

http://www.adirondackspeedway.com/

Eastern Museum of Motor Racing - http://www.emmr.org/

Coastal 181 – books and publishing etc etc - http://www.coastal181.com/

Any idea as to why?

Just a little story here – last Saturday, my son, Eric, and I, went to the ROC big block modified race down in Selinsgrove, Pa. On our trip we basically are mostly on two Interstate Highways – I-84 and I-81. Two things of interest on I-84:

First, as we were heading West I was doing a tad over 70 MPH, and some dude on a bike passed us like we were going backwards. Never did see him again. I think he was wearing a helmet – something that is NOT required in Pennsylvania, believe it or not.

Any idea as to why those idiots have to go so fast?

Second:

Then, on our way home, while heading East on I-84, maybe around 11:00 to 11:15, we passed a car that was over on the right shoulder with it’s 4-ways flashing. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but something weird as heck happened a few minutes later. On I-84, there’s quite a space between East and West bound lanes. Off in the distance I could see a set of headlights coming our way. I thought they were a shade to close – lane wise, for that car to be heading West – on the West bound side. I was right. That car was heading West on the left lane of the East bound lanes – coming right towards us. When I finally realized it, I slowed way down and constantly flashed my high beams at him. That made no difference, and he passed right past us.

Keep in mind; this is out in what could be called “no mans land”. So, what was he doing heading West in the East bound lanes? Then we had a thought – was he on his way to help that car that we passed – the one with the 4 way flashers on? After all, it is quite a distance between places where you might be able to make an illegal U-turn, you know? Yes, it was kind of scary.

Any idea as to why some people have to drive the wrong way on major highways?

Oh, and another thing – while heading West on I-84, on our way to Selinsgrove, we must have passed at least a dozen utility trucks, also heading West. They were all from Michigan, and I’d have to say that they were on their way back home from helping out some of the areas here in the Northeast that suffered some damage from the storm we had last week.

Video time:

It was back on March 25, 2009, when we lost, as far as I’m concerned, one of our finest singer/songwriters – Dan Seals, way to early in life.

Here’s one of my favorites of his, and, according to Dan, his, too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeXydLRaMJg&feature=related

Some of my thoughts:

Well, not really mine, but my son, Eric’s , and what he told me the other day. You won’t find a bigger race fan that Eric, and to see him more or less, shy away from watching NASCAR on TV is rather upsetting. So while he was in the proves of putting him dirt modified back together this past Sunday, we discussed what is wrong with NASCAR today.

The length of the races – you don’t see real racing over most of the event anymore – especially in 500 milers.

Maybe what should be done is to run some shorter races – an amount of set laps – say 50 laps at a time. Heck, even throw in a mandatory pit stop under green flag conditions. At the end of 50 laps – or whatever has been decided on, throw the checkered flag. Take a five-minute or ten-minute break so work can be done on the cars.

Invert all cars that were on the lead lap – regardless of how many, with lapped cars behind them. Race for another set amount of laps. Repeat what happened at the end of those first 50 laps. Points would be given for finishing positions in each segment, and at the end of all of the segments, all points earned over the course of the event would be added up, and that is how you would determine the race winner and following positions. Bonus points could be awarded to each lap leader, and also to each segment winner.

Set laps could also be of different amounts, too, with longer stretches at the beginning, middle, or end.

Is this true?:

This past Monday, while working on this column, I received this, in an e-mail:

“Some have said that the stimulus hasn't saved many jobs, but here is a case where at least one job was clearly saved.

According to an unnamed university source, Oregon State University Athletic Director Bob DeCarolis was considering firing their basketball coach, Craig Robinson after his poor 8-11 start to the season (2-5 in the Pac 10 conference).When word of this incipient situation reached Washington , Undersecretary of Education Martha Kanter was immediately dispatched to Corvallis , Oregon with $17 million in stimulus money for
Oregon State University . The source now says that Craig Robinson's job is safe for this year.

For the record, Coach Robinson just happens to be Michelle Obama's brother.”

Internet stuff:

Other forums/message boards and websites:

Note: In this section, from now on, I’ll be making mention of some certain things being said on the Internet, and will give you links to those items, along with links to various websites, message boards and forums. Hope you get a kick out of what some people are saying.

Track Forum: - http://www.trackforum.com/forums/

The “crowd” at Bristol looked a little down, to me, as I caught just glimpses of the Cup race last Sunday.

On TF, this was said: “They must have a lot of people in line waiting to be served keeping them from watching the race.
Or.... ” – it was just a little sarcasm about the fan turnout.

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=135049

As you might have heard, there was quite a serious accident at Bristol in the Legends race. Larry Pearson was “T-boned” by Charlie Glotzbach. A still photo of the impact, showing just how far one car went into the other, can be seen here, if you scroll down a little:

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=134895

Frontstretch.com: http://www.frontstretch.com/

Just a few things that Matt McLaughlin covers in his article:

“It was fun to watch Brad Keselowski and Carl Edwards race side-by-side, lap after lap without contact after the mess at Atlanta. My guess is a whole lot more was said in the NASCAR trailer than the fans will ever hear about.”

“Empty seats and vast tracts of them at Bristol, once the toughest ticket in all of sports to score? OK, it’s time to hit the panic button. Among those who weren’t in attendance were smokers who have been banned from the grandstands.”

“Having had an exclusive deal with NASCAR for over a decade and a half, wouldn’t you think that Goodyear could finally bring safe, competitive tires to every track?”

“You’ve got to love Jeff Hammond’s latest attempt at a column on the FOX sports site blasting internet writers for their take on the sport.

This is the same guy who memorably appeared with Chris Myers in a hot tub during a pre-race segment -

There’s more to check out and you can find it here:

http://www.frontstretch.com/mmclaughlin/28907/

And, how about: Did You Notice? … It’s Not Just The Economy, Stupid; Tony The Terrible? And Testing

Thomas Bowles has some very interesting figures about attendance at races and also other sports, along with some info and stats on Tony Stewart and how the testing went with the spoiler in place of the wing, on Cup cars.

Check out what he has to say, here: http://www.frontstretch.com/tbowles/28928/

Jayski: - http://www.jayski.com/

How about some of these subjects:

Joonyer and his crew chief having some “nice” discussions on the radio during the Bristol Cup race – McGrew and Dale Jr. on the radio at Bristol: Crew chief Lance McGrew didn't hold back the tough love with driver #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. on Sunday. The first snipe came after Junior complained about a loose car following pit stops during the fifth caution on Lap 205. Lots more, with many “expletives” being shown, and you can read what was said (almost all), below.

How about: “More changes coming to the COT?”

Or - Ford Racing Notes and Quotes - Jack and Carl: #99-Carl Edwards and car owner Jack Roush participated in a meeting with NASCAR officials and Penske Racing owner Roger Penske and driver #12-Brad Keselowski. Both Roush and Edwards commented on the meeting during Nationwide Series qualifying on Saturday.

And:

The NASCAR-Edwards-Keselowski Meeting - Keselowski: from a Dodge Motorsports PR, #12 Penske Racing driver Brad Keselowski discusses the meeting between NASCAR, the #99 Roush Fenway / Penske Racing drivers / owners:

Note: I had read where Keselowski was going to ask NASCAR just what they could and could not do, as far as NASCAR telling them to “Go at it boys”.

Read about all the above, here:

http://jayski.com/cupnews.htm#news88mon

And:

No sellout for Bristol, first since 1982, Talladega Superspeedway Takes the Headache Out of Tailgating, Charlotte Motor Speedway Introduces Race Fan Stimulus Plan and Tickets on Sale for 2010 Events at North Wilkesboro

The above can be read if you go here:

http://jayski.com/cupnews.htm#news-bms

Hoseheads: - http://www.hoseheads.com/

What with there being an Indycar race down in St. Petersburg, Fl. this coming weekend, I suspect my friend, Richard Golardi, will have something to report on, next week. Just scroll down to where all the columns are listed and look for “Florida Open Wheel”.

http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/forum/index.php

Some funny stuff about C.D. Coville, one of the best in dirt track racing, can be read about if you go here:

http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=33738

VP Not Backing up their Promises

Another very interesting subject – “VP Not Backing up their Promises” – some not to happy racers out there that are looking for something that they feel are due them, and some outrageous prices for a gallon of gas, for racing. Read it all, here:

http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=33770

NASCAR’s rule book called into question –

By Jay Hart, Yahoo! Sports Mar 16, 10:05 am EDT

A couple of e-mail topics sent to Mr. Hart:

“Is there really a NASCAR rule book, or do they just make it up as they go along?”

“Do you think the penalty would have been more severe if Edwards wasn’t employed by Roush/Fenway?”

I put these two emails(above) back to back because I think it’s important to note that it’s a lot easier to govern from the sidelines when you don’t have to factor in all the variables.

The continuum of NASCAR’s survival is as follows: teams showing up to the track —> sponsors supporting said teams —> said teams investing sponsorship money back into the competition —> the competition creating competitive races —> fans showing up and tuning in to watch competitive races.

The real enforcer of the behavioral expectations of drivers has spoken. Scotts, Carl Edwards’ sponsor of the car at Atlanta, (Scotts) has issued the following statement:

Note: A worthy read.

Quite a few interesting things said, and they can all be seen if you go here:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news;_ylt=AnaykqM3dftrPEaTKHq63njov7YF?slug=jh-happyhour031610

Additional racing news:

To say I’m very disappointed about the lack of any news about the 12-hour race that was held last Saturday, down in Sebring, Fl. would be – well, the truth. Not one word about it in our “local” paper. What is even more disturbing is that over on the Track Forum, there’s a special section just for Sports Cars, ALMS, Grand-Am and SCCA. No actual results there, either.

I was fortunate to have attended the 12-hour race at Sebring, back in 1957. Back then, these world ranked drivers competed, not only at Sebring, but also in Formula One – something we just don’t see happening, anymore:

Juan Manuel Fangio, Jean Behra, Ssir Stirling Moss, Harry Schell, Mike Hawthorne, Masten Gregory, Mike Collins, Maurice Trintignant, Alphonso de Portago and Luigi Musso.

Other (non racing) news:

BofA to start reducing mortgage principal –

Bank of America Corp. is giving some of its most troubled mortgage borrowers relief from the threat of foreclosure.

The bank, the largest mortgage servicer in the country, said Wednesday it will forgive up to 30 percent of some customers' total mortgage balances. The homeowners must have missed at least two months of mortgage payments and owe at least 20 percent more than their home is currently worth.

Read more on this, here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100324/ap_on_bi_ge/us_bank_of_america_mortgages

FACT CHECK: Spinning the new health care law:

In part:

The tumultuous health care debate that brought you death panels and socialism has spun off a catalog of popular myths that will keep growing as President Barack Obama and all sides battle toward the midterm elections this fall.

Facts are stubborn, the saying goes. But myths about the legislation are likely to persist as well. And a lot of people don't agree on which is which.

Much more on this, and you can read it, here:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100323/ap_on_bi_ge/us_health_overhaul_fact_check

Disputed isle in Bay of Bengal disappears into sea:

NEW DELHI - For nearly 30 years, India and Bangladesh have argued over control of a tiny rock island in the Bay of Bengal. Now rising sea levels have resolved the dispute for them: the island's gone.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100324/ap_on_sc/as_india_disappearing_island

Closing with these:

The difference between the North and the South - clearly explained....  at last – continued from last week:

The North has the rust belt; the South has the Bible Belt . 

FOR NORTHERNERS MOVING SOUTH . . ...... In the South : If you run your car into a ditch, don't panic. Four men in a four-wheel drive pickup truck with a tow chain will be along shortly. Don't try to help them, just stay out of their way. This is what they live for. 

Don't be surprised to find movie rentals and bait in the same store... Do not buy food at this store. 

Remember, 'Y'all' is singular, 'all y'all' is plural, and 'all y'all's' is plural possessive 

Get used to hearing 'You ain't from round here, are ya?' 

Save all manner of bacon grease. You will be instructed later on how to use it.

Don't be worried at not understanding what people are saying. They can't understand you either.   The first Southern statement to creep into a transplanted Northerner's vocabulary is the adjective 'big'ol,' truck or 'big'ol' boy. Most Northerners begin their Southern-influenced dialect this way. All of them are in denial about it. The proper pronunciation you learned in school is no longer proper . 
Be advised that 'He needed killin..' is a valid defense here.
If you hear a Southerner exclaim, 'Hey, y'all watch this,' you should stay out of the way. These are likely to be the last words he'll ever say. 

If there is the prediction of the slightest chance of even the smallest accumulation of snow, your presence is required at the local grocery store. It doesn't matter whether you need anything or not.  You just have to go there. 

Do not be surprised to find that 10-year olds own their own shotguns, they are proficient marksmen, and their mammas taught them how to aim. 

In the South, we have found that the best way to grow a lush green lawn is to pour gravel on it and call it a driveway. 

AND REMEMBER: If you do settle in the South and bear children,don't think we will accept them as Southerners...After all, if the cat had kittens in the oven, we ain't gonna call 'em biscuits. Send this to four people that ain't related to you, and I reckon your life will turn into a country music song 'fore you know it.    Your kin would get a kick out of it too!

May “Guardian Angels” sit on the shoulders of all of our race drivers and race fans, and guide them safely around the tracks!

Drive safe!

As usual, you can reach me at: ygordad@yahoo.com