Racin' & Internet Stuff:

                                                                                By Tom Avenengo

                                                                                     Volume # 15

 

 

First:

This coming weekend is the Memorial Day Weekend.  Sure, there’s lots of racing going on, but please don’t forget what the Memorial Day Weekend stands for.

From a Google search:

“Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (May 31 in 2010). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union  soldiers of the American Civil (it is celebrated near the day of reunification after the Civil War), it was expanded after World War I.”

Note;  For so many years it was always celebrated on May 30th, regardless as to what day in the week May 30th was.

 

 

Second:

There will be no column next week.  I’ll be between Florida and home, more than likely on the road, so no time to keep you informed.

 

 

 

Some of my thoughts:

 

I really don’t think this will happen – Formula One in my backyard.

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100525/NEWS/5250313

 

The above came out in my local paper on Tuesday.  Already it’s up to two pages long on the Track Forum.  No stands, no real what you’d call big roads into and out of the place.  Money needed, and who has it today?  Will there even be Formula One in a few more years?

The Track Forum link:  http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?137628-Another-proposed-site-for-the-USGP

 

Note:  No, it won’t happen according to this:

http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/formula-1-news/235535/texas-signs-10-year-deal-for-us-grand-prix/

 

 

Going back, in time:

Note:  The following information was mostly found here:  http://www.wheelsofspeed.com/history.html

 

Covering the days of May 28th to May 31st.  Yes, only four days, but wait until you see what’s covered.

 

MAY 28
1926

Marvin Panch ... Born

1927

Eddie Sachs ... Born

 1973

Salt Walther and 11 spectators are injured in a nasty crash at the start of the Indy 500. The race restart is delayed by rain. It would resume Wednesday, May 30th and won by Gordon Johncock.

1978

Al Unser won the Indianapolis 500

Darrell Waltrip won the World 600 over Donnie Allison at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, NC

1979

Rick Mears won the Indianapolis 500

1989

Emerson Fittipaldi won the Indy 500 with a thrilling ending . Al Unser Jr. took the lead from Fittipaldi and appeared to be well on his way to his first victory at the Brickyard. Fittipaldi, however, caught Unser in traffic on the second-to-last lap. As the two blazed into Turn 3 neck and neck, their cars converged, and Unser's spun and crashed into the concrete wall. Fittipaldi cruised to victory with ease, while Unser, uninjured from his crash, ran to the track's edge and applauded his triumphant teammate.

Darrell Waltrip won the Coca-Cola 600 over Sterling Marlin at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, NC

1995

Jacques Villeneuve became the first Canadian to win the Indianapolis 500. Because of a 2-lap penalty for passing the pace car, he covered 505 miles to get the win. Also in this race, Honda became the first Japanese engine to participate in the 500.

Bobby Labonte won the Coca-Cola 600 over Terry Labonte at Charlotte, North Carolina, for his first NASCAR Winston Cup victory.

2000

Juan Montoya dominated this Indy 500 by leading 167 of the 200 laps and winning for Chip Ganassi Racing. He was the first Rookie to win the coveted event since Graham Hill did it in 1966.

Matt Kenseth won the Coca-Cola 600 over Bobby Labonte at the Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord, NC

2006

Sam Hornish Jr. beat out the rookie Marco Andretti by 0.0635 of a second to win the Indianapolis 500

Kasey Kahne won the Coca-Cola 600 over Jimmie Johnson at the Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord, NC

 

 

MAY 29
1922

Joe Weatherly... Born

1939

Al Unser... Born ... Al is the younger brother of Bobby Unser and father of Al Unser, Jr.. He is the second of three men to have won the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race four times, the fourth of five to have won the race in consecutive years, and is the only person to have both a sibling (Bobby) and child (Al Jr.) as fellow winners. Al's brother Jerry and nephews Johnny and Robby have also competed in the 500.

1955

Ken Schrader ... Born

1971

Al Unser won the Indianapolis 500

1977

Richard Petty won the World 600 over David Pearson at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, NC

A.J. Foyt, driving the Gilmore Racing Team #14 entry, won the Indy 500 Classic. Janet Guthrie, the first woman to qualify for the Indy 500, started 26th and finished 29th.

1982

Gordon Johncock won the Indianapolis 500

1983

Tom Sneva won the Indianapolis 500

Neil Bonnett won the World 600 over Richard Petty at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, NC

 1994

Al Unser Jr won the Indianapolis 500

Jeff Gordon won the Coca-Cola 600 over Rusty Wallace at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, NC

 

2005

Dan Wheldon won the Indianapolis 500

Jimmie Johnson won the Coca-Cola 600 over Bobby Labonte at the Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord, NC

 

MAY 30   

Indy 500 winners

1911 Ray Harroun,  1912 Joe Dawson, 1913 Jules Goux, 1914 Rene Thomas, 1916 Dario Resta, 1921 Tommy Milton, 1922 Jimmy Murphy, 1923Tommy Milton, 1924 Lora Corum, 1925 Peter DePaolo, 1927 George Souders, 1928 Louis Meyer, 1929 Ray Keech,  1930 Billy Arnold, 1931

Louis Schneider, 1932 Fred Frame, 1933 Louis Meyer, 1934 Bill Cummings, 1935 Kelly Petillo, 1936 Louis Meyer, 1938 Floyd Roberts, 1939

Wilbur Shaw, 1940 Wilbur Shaw, 1941 Floyd Davis, 1946 George Robson, 1947 Mauri Rose, 1949 Bill Holland, 1950 Johnnie Parsons, 1951

Lee Wallard, 1952 Troy Ruttman, 1953 Bill Vukovich, 1955 Bob Sweikert, 1956 Pat Flaherty, 1957 Sam Hanks, 1958 Jimmy Bryan, 1959

Rodger Ward,  1960 Jim Rathmann,  1961 A.J. Foyt,  1963 Parnelli Jones,  1964 A.J. Foyt, 1966 Graham Hill,  1968 Bobby Unser,  1969 Mario Andretti,  1970 Al Unser, Sr,  1973 Gordon Johncock, 1976 Johnny Rutherford, 1982 Gordon Johncock, 1993 Emerson Fittipaldi,  1999 Kenny Brack, 2004 Buddy Rice

 

1955

Bill Vukovich was killed in a chain-reaction crash while holding a 17-second lead on the 57th lap of the 1955 Indianapolis 500. Vukovich was exiting the second turn, trailing three slower cars , driven by Rodger Ward, Al Keller, and Johnny Boyd, when Ward's car swerved as the result of a strong gust of wind. Keller, swerving into the infield to avoid Ward, lost control and slid back onto the track, striking Boyd's car and pushing it into Vukovich's oncoming path. Vukovich's car struck Boyd's, became airborne, and landed upside down after going over the outside backstretch retaining wall and somersaulting several times, killing him.

Note:  Over the years I’ve had many favorite drivers, and Vuky was just about on top of the list.  On May 30, 1955, I was sitting at our picnic table in our back yard in Pearl River, NY, listening to the race on the radio, when I heard the news of his accident and death, as he was on his way to a third consecutive Indy 500 win – something that had never been done before.  It would have been four in a row except for a failed steering part in 1952 when he was leading with 8 laps to go.

Here’s a link to a very interesting article on Bill Vukovich and the day he left us – May 30, 1955.  I must warn you though, there are some photos in the article that are rather graphic.

http://www.vukovichaccident.com/

 

 

1958

Pat O'Connor... Died ... AAA / USAC driver from the 1950's. He was killed in the 1958 INDY 500.

1964

Eddie Sachs ... Died ... He was known as the "Caped Crusader of Auto Racing" and "Clown Prince of Auto Racing" for his personality at the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race. He was the father of racecar driver and NASCAR car owner Eddie Sachs, Jr. His career included eight USAC Championship Trail wins, 25 top-five finishes in 65 career AAA and USAC starts, including the 1958 USAC Midwest Sprint Car Championship. He won consecutive pole positions (1960-1961) for the Indianapolis 500, finishing second in 1961 for his best finish. Sachs and sports car driver and Indy rookie Dave MacDonald were killed on the second lap of the 1964 Indianapolis 500 in a fiery crash involving seven cars.

1971

Bobby Allison won the World 600 NASCAR Grand National race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, NC

1976

David Pearson won the World 600 NASCAR Winston Cup race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, NC

1982

Neil Bonnett won the World 600 NASCAR Winston Cup race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, NC

1993

Dale Earnhardt won the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Winston Cup race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, NC

1999

Jeff Burton won the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Winston Cup race at the Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord, NC

2004

Jimmie Johnson won the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Nextel Cup race at the Lowe's Motor Speedway, Concord, NC

 

 

MAY 31

1915

Ralph DePalma won the Indianapolis 500

1919

Louis LeCocq ... Died ... AAA driver from the early 1900's. LeCocq and his riding mechanic Robert Bandini were killed in the 1919 Indianapolis 500 after their "Roamer" had its fuel tank ruptured, and exploded.

Howdy Wilcox won the Indianapolis 500

1920

Gaston Chevrolet won the Indianapolis 500

1926

Frank Lockhart won the Indianapolis 500 (Called after 400 miles due to rain)

1937

Wilbur Shaw won the Indianapolis 500 in a Miller powered car of his own design.

1948

Mauri Rose won the Indianapolis 500.

1954

Bill Vukovich won the Indianapolis 500

1965

Jimmy Clark won the Indianapolis 500

1967

A.J. Foyt won the Indianapolis 500

 

1976

Elmer George... Died ... He drove in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1956-1963 seasons with 64 starts, including the Indianapolis 500 races in 1957, 1962, and 1963. He finished in the top ten 36 times, with one victory, in 1957 at Syracuse. George was also the 1957 USAC Sprint Car Series champion. Elmer George was married to Mari Hulman George, daughter of Tony Hulman, owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Elmer and Mari's son is Tony George, founder of the Indy Racing League, and current CEO of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. On race day, May 31, 1976, Elmer George argued by telephone with a horse trainer at the family farm near Terre Haute. After the race, George drove to the farm and confronted the trainer. George was shot and died the next day.

1977

Floyd Davis... Died ... Was the co-winner of the 1941 Indianapolis 500. Floyd Davis drove the first 72 laps of the 1941 race before being replaced by Mauri Rose, who completed the race in the lead.

1983

Tony Romit... Died ... Tony was an open cockpit driver from New Jersey, who raced midgets and sprint cars along the east coast from 1948 to the mid 1970's.

1986

Bobby Rahal won the Indianaplois 500 in a Cosworth powered March 86C. It was the first time the 500 was completed in less than 3 hours.

 

 

And, on May 31st, 1968, our 4th child and second son, Eric Martin Avenengo was born.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Friday, May 28th:

 

7:00 AM to 8:30 AM on SPEED – Formula 1 practice from Turkey

11:00 AM to 12:30 PM on Versus – Carb day from Indy – part 1

12:30 PM to 1:30 PM on Versus – Indy Lights race from Indy

1:30 PM to 4:00 PM on Versus – Carb day – part 2

8:00 PM to 10:30 PM on SPEED – WoO Late Model racing from Charlotte’s Dirt Track

 

Saturday, May 29th:

 

7:00 AM to 8:30 AM on SPEED – Formula 1 qualifying

9:30 AM to 11:30 AM on SPEED – Nationwide qualifying from Charlotte

11:30 AM to 12:30 PM on SPEED – Cup practice from Charlotte

12:30 PM to 2:00 PM on SPEED – Cup final practice

1:30 PM to 3:00 PM on CBS – American Le Mans Series from Monterey, CA

2:30 PM to 5:30 PM on ABC – Nationwide race from Charlotte

 

Sunday, May 30th:

 

7:30 AM to 10:00 AM on SPEED – Formula 1 Grand Prix from Turkey

1:00 PM to 4:30 PM on ABC – Indy 500 from Indianapolis

6:00 PM to 11:00 PM on FOX – Cup race from Charlotte.

 

Monday, May 31st:

 

2:00 PM to 5:00 PM on SPEED – Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car series from Lime Rock, Ct.

5:00 PM to 6:00 PM on SPEED – FIM World Superbike – Race 1 from Salt Lake City, UT,

6:00 PM to 7:00 PM on SPEED – FIM World Superbike – Race 2 from Salt Lake City, UT.

 

 

 

 

Track news:

 

For OCFS on June 5th – “Nostalgia Night”.  As of May 24th, there are over 4 dozen former drivers and car owners scheduled to appear at OC for autographs and interviews, they coming to OC to help the track celebrate it’s 61st consecutive year of weekly racing.  I expect to be back from Florida in time to meet and greet those that are coming.

Along with them the Northeast Vintage Modified Racing Club and the Atlantic Coast Old Timers (ACOT) will also be on hand.

Admission is the normal $14.00 for adults, $12.00 for Seniors and for children under 12, it’s free.  Racing starts at 6:00 PM.

Drivers and team owners expected (as of May 24):

Buzzie Reutimann, Billy Osmun, Bobby Bottcher, Gerald Chamberlain, Carl Van Horn, Tighe Scott, Larry Brolsma, Charlie Shire,   Archie Myers, Steve Bottcher, Bobby Decker, Anthony Ferraiuolo IV, Bud DePuy, Hank Goranson, Jr., Joe Romer, Jr., Del Buss,   Carl Reynolds, Rich Eurich, Steve Dodd, Robbie Green, Ed Davis, Chuck McKee, Sam Rogers, Sr.,   Sam Rogers, Jr.,   Jimmy Johnson, Ed D’Angelo, Ed Stevens, Jim Tuit, Ron Goodrich, Dickie Keiper, Stan Sherman, Keith Majka, Steve Makocy, Russ Meyer, Red Muir, Mike Petruska, Carl Pittenger, Bruce Quinn, Bob Schmidt, Bob Schoenberger, Greg Chelak, Bill Wilson, Dick Crumley,  Roger Horvath, Tony Ferraiuolo, Rich Marinelli, Lou  Innzeo, Larry Brolsma, Steve Bottcher and Rich Burgess.

Note:  On Tuesday, I was on Instant Messenger with Jerry Enright who is the flagger for OCFS.  Oh, that “Enright” name rings a bell, huh?  Yes, Jerry is a son of former race driver and flagger, “Tex” Enright.  Remember how “Tex” dressed when flagging?  Remember how he used to be on the track when waiving the green flag?  Well, on “Nostalgia Night” Jerry will do the same – dress up like his father used to, and start ‘em while being on the track.  Ah, sweet memories!

 

The History of the Sport:

Here is some more of what Peter Kessler has written about OCFS – for the Hard Clay racing program.

Do You Remember…? May 22, 2010

1963

Top Ten Hits:
1. Surfin' U.S.A.http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.77920072&type=2&subid=0, Beach Boys
2. Sugar Shack, Jimmy Gilmer and The Fireballs
3. The End of the Worldhttp://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.258619200&type=2&subid=0, Skeeter Davis
4. Rhythm Of The Rain, Cascades
5. Hey Paula, Paul and Paula
6. Blue Velvethttp://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.192966046&type=2&subid=0, Bobby Vinton
7. He's So Finehttp://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.276591983&type=2&subid=0, Chiffons
8. Fingertips II, Little Stevie Wonder
9. Washington Square, Village Stompers
10. So Much In Lovehttp://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=vFN65Lp0MHc&bids=146261.82116099&type=2&subid=0, Tymes

The Beatles were wildly popular in Great Britain, but virtually unknown in the United States. 

New for 1963:
Touch-tone phones, Learjets, Zip Codes, Lava Lamps.

Quick trivia question:  When were “Area Codes” for telephone service invented?  Answer coming soon, and you will be surprised.

Average Cost of new house $12,650.00
Average Income per year $5,807.00
Gas per Gallon 29 cents
Average Cost of a new car $3,233.00
Loaf of bread 22 cents

We are so accustomed to seeing the track and its surrounding structures and features; it’s difficult to imagine that it ever looked any different than it does today.  It did.

In 1963, there was no drive-in section, only a grove of trees where cows once grazed.  On several occasions, the cows would take a leisurely stroll onto the backstretch. 

There were no concrete barriers along the backstretch or third turn.  If a driver left the track, he bumped and coasted through the bushes along the straightaway, or drove into a swamp off turn three.  What made the swamp so “inviting” was the fact that, for many years, it was the empty beer can depository for the speedway.  It must have been quite fragrant.

Frankie Schneider owned the 1963 season just as he owned the previous two seasons.  (In 1961, he won 13 features, a record that still stands.  In 1962, he won only eight and the inaugural “Eastern States 100.”)  He won the opener on April 13, won again a week later, and again the week after that; three in a row.  Schneider won again on June 8 and the 22nd.  From Ray Martin’s “The Hard Clay in Orange County-50 Years of Speed” comes the following story:

“June 29 and William Deskovick posted his second feature win for the season, but that’s all he would win despite some very fine driving.  Billy “D” is another race driver that has given the sport a lot of prestige with hard but very fair competition.  One night in ’63 when he and Schneider were fighting it out for the lead, they both had trouble in the third turn.  It looked from the stands as if Frankie had hit him.  Deskovick was over the bank and the race had to be stopped while Frank, somehow, went over the bank with him but kept going and then drove back up the bank and on the track.  This meant that both would go to the rear of the field on the re-start, giving them practically no chance to win since it was late in the race when this happened.  But Deskovick defended Schneider by telling exactly what happened, stating that Frankie did not contact his car and, since he kept going, he would not lose his place as the lead car on the re-start.  Schneider went on to win that feature, but only because of the honesty of Deskovick.”

Schneider went on to win 12 features, the 1963 points championship, and notched his second Eastern States 100 in the closest finish in that race’s history.

Another driver made his second appearance at the speedway in 1963.  The ARDC came to town in August, and on the driver roster was Mario Andretti.

After the big Eastern States race on October 27, fans went home to contemplate the 1964 racing season.  Their reverie was interrupted on November 22 when an assassin’s bullet ended the life of President John F. Kennedy.

 

 

 

For Sale:

Ad Number: 50935

14z Xcel chassis 600 Modified For Sale

 


2008 suzuki. Race ready. Kirkey full containment seat. Water Gauge. Fan. Xcel radiator. Dual bearing bird cage. 15' light weight aluminum steering wheel. All new bearings as of 2010. EXTRAS- 5 spare mounted tires with hubs. 2 brand new tires. Front axle. Rear axle. Gears ranging from 43-50. 13 tooth front sprocket. 3 chains, one still in box. Never used spare body. Front spindle and hub. Full assortment of axle spacers (tapered and straight). 2 Spare shocks and kits. Numerous bumpers and scrub rails. TRAILER- '04 Haulmark. 6 x 14. Electric brakes. New tires, including spare. Good condition. Just re-tiled and painted. 3rd place in points in 2009. Top 5 car throughout series. 3 Feature wins. Fast, reliable car. Car and new body only-$7,500. Car w/ extras- $8,500. Trailer- $1,800. $10,500 takes all. Trades are considered. Will send pictures. email: bszulewski@yahoo.com or reply via message board.

http://www.flag2flag.com/a_dirttrackdigest_Classifieds/CPViewItem.asp?ID=50935

 

 

 

Former Dirt Oval (Oakland Valley Speedway) runners:

 

Note:  In most cases, the names that appear in this section are names of those that have run at the Dirt Oval for an extended period of time.  And, in some cases, maybe some only had occasional appearances at the Dirt Oval, too.  And, yes, some I’m not even sure about!

 

Stafford:  David Webb was 5th and Lauren Cooper 21st in the SK Light feature.

Roger Coss was 13th in the Modified feature at Wall Stadium

Kolby Schroder was 8th and Kyle Armstrong 11th in the Sportsman feature at Lebanon Valley

At New Egypt, Johnny Guarino was 14th in the Modified feature and Jeff Gallup 9th in the SpeedSTR feature.

Michael Storms was 14th in the Modified feature at Brewerton.

Jacob Hendershot was 2nd and Rick Casario 7th in the 270 Micro Sprints at Wyalusing.

Mike Mammana was 5th in the Sportsman feature at Big Diamond.

Rich Coons was 7th in the Sportsman feature at Bethel.

Nick Pecko was 8th in the Modified feature at Sundance Vacation.

Billy VanInwegen was 4th, Josh Peiniazek 6th and Anthony Brennan 18th in the CRSA Sprint Car feature at Five Mile Point.

At Accord, in the Spec Sportsman feature, Kyle Rohner was 3rd, Jason Roe 12th and Kyla Smykla 17th.  In the Sportsman feature, Anthony Perrego was 2nd, Brian Krummel 3rd and Mike Ruggiero 19th.  In the Modified feature, Tom Hindley was 9th, while Lex Burrit, Danny Creeden, Greg Hastie, Jimmy Johnson and Clinton Mills all were DNQ’s.  Note:  Something like 36 Modifieds signed in at Accord.

AT OCFS, in the Sportsman feature, Brian Krummel was 5th, Matt Janiak 11th, Joe Conklin 12th, Bobby Hassenmayer 13th, Keith Still 20th and John Lodini 22nd.  In the held over Modified feature, Danny Creeden was 7th, Tim Hindley 15th, Clinton Mills 18th,Billy VanInwegen 19th and Mike Ruggiero 22nd.  In the nights regular Modified feature, Danny was 2nd, Timmy 3rd, Mike 10th, Billy 13th and Clinton 22nd.  Danny Creeden was the winner in the Modified Elimination races that were contested with the top 10 in track points.

 

Hope I didn’t miss anyone!

 

 

 

 

More racin’ stuff:

 

Sad news:

Jesse “The Rocket” Hockett – RIP

Twenty six year old reportedly electrocuted while working on his hauler.

http://www.onedirt.com/news/jesse-hockett-electrocuted-working-on-hauler/

 

 

 

 

Other forums/message boards and websites:

 

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

Are we better off? – Comparing some of today’s Indy drivers to some others that ran just a few years ago.

“As I look forward to Sunday with high hopes, I wonder how good/ better it might be if we still had Alex Barron, Sam Hornish, Scott Sharp, Buddy Lazier, Buddy Rice (to mention a few) all in the Starting Grid. I hope the new team is watching and I think it would make an impact at the gate.”

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?137893-Are-we-better-off

Some pics of DeltaWing from track yesterday

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?137775-Some-pics-of-DeltaWing-from-track-yesterday

Note:  I still can’t see how this “thing”  would be able to run on a road course.

Pole Day Crowd Photos?

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?137900-Pole-Day-Crowd-Photos

Note:  There was a time when the indy 500 was the biggest spectator drawing event in the world, and the second biggest was “Pole Day” for the 500.  Not anymore.  Over these last years – and quite a few of them, the place has been virtually “empty”.  It’s reported that there were more fans in attencance this year, but the photos shown sure do leave a lot to be desired, fan wise.

TK's advice to Danica

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?137838-TK-s-advice-to-Danica

Note:  Yes, Danica did “run her mouth” some, and Yes, I think what was said should have been said behind closed doors, not over the Public Address System.

 

 

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

 

Is the All-Star Format a Template for NASCAR’s Future?

 

http://www.frontstretch.com/dpeters/29536/

 

 

 

 

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

 

Entry list for the 600:  http://jayski.com/stats/2010/entries/13cms2010entry.htm

 

Event schedule:  http://jayski.com/next/2010/13cms2010.htm#event

 

Indy-Coke double takes herculean effort:  http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/racing/indycar/columns/story?columnist=blount_terry&id=5217834&campaign=link&source=JAYSKI

 

 

 

Video time:

How about some Indy 500 videos?

1960:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnSDVsR7qOk

1990:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ec2VlpshTc

1966:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkJ5g9_YdDY

1972: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqBGjk-BMkU

 

And, yes, some Indy crashes, too:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLxsZ6iLrxk&feature=related

 

 

 

 

 

Is this true?:

Sad to say but it sure looks like it is!

FORT WORTH, Texas – A Texas man with no military experience tricked the Army into letting him enter a reserve unit as a noncommissioned officer earlier this year, a deception that placed an untrained soldier in a leadership position in a time of war, an Associated Press investigation has found.

The revelation comes just months after the Army drew criticism for failing to flag the suspicious activities of the Army psychiatrist now charged with killing 13 and wounding dozens of others at Fort Hood.

The case, detailed in court records and other documents examined by the AP, raises more questions about the Army's ability to vet soldiers' backgrounds as it faces continued pressure from Congress over its screening and records system. While the soldier never deployed overseas, some say the case demonstrates how easily someone could pose as a member of the U.S. military.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_army_infiltrator

 

 

 

 

Other (non racing) news:

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama will send 1,200 National Guard troops to boost security along the U.S.-Mexico border, officials said Tuesday, pre-empting Republican plans to try to force votes on such a deployment.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100525/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_national_guard_border

WASHINGTON – BP readied yet another attempt to slow the oil gushing into the Gulf on Tuesday as a government report alleged that drilling regulators have been so close to the industry they've been accepting gifts from oil and gas companies and even negotiating to go work for them.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100525/ap_on_bi_ge/us_gulf_oil_spill

Where some of our taxes go:

The city that I live in has a forum.  Lot’s of “idiotic” things are said by a few, but just prior to sending this column in, I checked out the forum and found this;

“I will never care for the deerpark supervisor or others for the matter, but it seems according to all the educated cpa's, and whatnots, they are serious about controlling taxes in the long haul. I did not realize for a typical retiree the town will pay over a million dollars in health care benefits if they live 25 years past retirement, which the town has no control over!”

 

 

Closing with this:

 

No, not a joke this time, in a way.

The other day my wife received a letter from Social Security/CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services).  That letter was mentioning two different ways she MIGHT be able to get help with Medicare costs.  If she is single, she’d have to make a little less than $1,200 a month.  If married, then it would be $1,660.00 a month.   Huh???  A little over $400.00/week!

Also:  Her resources – money in the bank, stocks and bonds cannot total more than a little over $8,000.00 if single, and $12,000.00 if married and living together.  Oh, yes, forgot – her house, car and $1,500.00 in burial expenses (per person) do not count as resources.

There’s also some extra help for Medicare Prescription Drug Plan costs IF her income is less than about $1,350.00 ($16,000.00+ a year) a month and she’s single, or about $1,800.00 a month if married and living together ($21,000.00+ a year)

Resources cannot total more than $12,500.00+ if single or about $25,000.00 a year if married and living together.

 

So I’m asking, just who in the hell are they helping out with those figures, above? 

 

Kind of like me trying to get some assistance for the Prescription Drug Onglyza through the maker – Bristol-Myers Squibb.  I filled out all the paperwork, and then figured I should call to see what kind of assistance they give.  Found out that if you made $36.000.00 a year and had two in the household, one would qualify for a full years worth of prescriptions FREE.  When I informed the person I was talking too that I’d have to see just how much we did make, since I don’t make enough to have to file Income taxes, she said that I would qualify because of that.  WRONG!

 

I checked out two Pharmacies on the cost of Onglyza.  One was a Pharmacy in the world’s biggest retailer, and I suppose you know whom that is, right?  30 day supply:  $230.78.  90 day supply:  $639.32.  That comes out to about $7.7 per pill for 30 days and $7.1 per pill for 90 days.  Another Pharmacy – at Price Chopper, was a little cheaper - $189.08 for 30 and $559.73 for 90.

 

On top of that, Bristol-Myers Squibb has an “Onglyza Value Card” that would give one UP TO $50.00 of on a prescription – those that don’t qualify for the freebies, that is.  Guess what?  I’m not taking Onglyza.  Seems to me that if they can give away FREE for a year to some, and UP To $50.00 off on a prescription, then they are sticking it to those that can’t get those “Freebies”.

 

And, no, I’m not in favor of the “Health Plan” that our government is trying to tell us that it will be so much better for us.  If it’s so damn good then why isn’t every politician and their families not being put into it?

 

 

 

 

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