Racin'
& Internet Stuff:
By Tom Avenengo
07/12/2012
First:
I’ve been tossing things around in my head
about how to start this weeks column. A few things have taken up a majority of my
thoughts – OCFS, Accord Speedway and the “Big Show”.
Second:
OCFS:
Twice now, in the last few weeks, the racing
programs at OCFS have been canceled due to weather concerns. Some, me included, seem to think that the
cancellations were a tad bit too early.
I’m fairly certain that the first one cancelled due to weather concerns/forecast
– well it didn’t rain, I believe.
This past Saturday, I understand they did
have some rain, but if one thinks back, what happened Saturday would not have
caused a cancellation back a few years ago.
The race teams would have come, some fans would have come, and everyone
would wait it out then go racing. Why
cancel now?
So what might have happened to cause these
“early” cancellations? I’ve heard the
rumors, as maybe many of you have also heard, that OC was having a hard time
paying off the purses? Don’t know if
that’s true or not, but I was told that one team got to the payoff window a
little late a while back, the window was closed, and that team had not received
their monies as of six days later. Also,
keep in mind – last Saturday’s race was a $3,000.00 to win event. Might that have had caused a reason to
cancel? Will that race be
re-scheduled? I doubt it. The drive-in has had a decent amount of cars,
so I’ve been told. I’ve also been told
that the stands still have that “empty” look to them when the racing is going
on.
We all know the track and fairgrounds are for
sale. We’ve heard that there are some
that are “interested”, but so far no actual offers, as far as I know. I have to admit that I’ve only been to OC a
few times this season, but I really couldn’t see any “work” being done as far
as up-keep to the grounds, repairs to buildings (granted, they’ve taken some
down, like the Pizza place – maybe so no one would take it over?), the
roadways, and the dilapidated sound system all are gradually going down
hill. Oh, with the fair coming in, the
grass will be mowed, I suppose. It was
said, some years ago, when a lot of us stood up for the track at that Town of
Wallkill meeting about the supposed “dust” problem – the fair needs the track
to survive, and the track needs the fair.
That was said by Mr. Gurda. Ever since then it seems the place has gone
to hell, with closures of eating facilities being one of the main concerns of
the fans.
And there are rumors going around that those
that participate in the fair (4-H people?) are considering making a move to
another venue? What happens then? Hey, face it, it’s
almost no longer a fair but an oversized carnival.
The track does not advertise. Yes, I know it cost money to put ads in the
paper. But it seems quite odd that a
couple of guys can put on the car show, prior to the racing season, and
advertise it in the paper, yet the track can’t advertise – especially when they
had a veterans get in free night a few weeks ago, or the fact that the practice
sessions are FREE to the public.
Remember when you’d see posters in most every store and business in the
area that was advertising the racing at OCFS?
What ever happened to them? Has
any printing place offered to maybe print up some posters, for maybe some free
tickets – or is it just not worth it, money wise for them to do so?
I was told, when I asked about having a
Syracuse qualifier SDS race for OCFS that it looked like it would come down to DIRTcar promoting one – as they promoted the “Big Show”
last year, for Brett Hearn. So far,
nothing being said on that, and we’re almost to the middle of July. I’m trying to figure what OCFS has gained as
far as signing up with DIRTcar/WRG if they don’t even
have a
No idea about the new handicapping at OC, but
I believe that they’ve made a change, now?
Note:
The following came out in the Tuesday, July 10th edition of
the Middletown Times Herald-Record.
4-H won't be at
Orange County Fair
In part:
“TOWN OF
The whole 4-H barnyard menagerie — a popular attraction
at the fair for more than 60 years — is bolting for greener pastures.
The time for the departure is ripe, say 4-H officials and
members. Their complaints include late payments for fair prizes, fairgrounds
housekeeping lapses and a growing desire to show farm skills in a more
agricultural setting.
About 500 animals pass through the grounds during the
Orange County Fair and about 200 animals stay at the fair for the duration.
Fair principal Michael Gurda,
who is president of the Orange County Agricultural Society, said
"everything they've addressed we've take care of."
A common complaint last year was about late prize fees
paid to 4-H competition winners who earned cherished ribbons, which can send
them to the mecca of local 4-H fairs, the New York
State Fair in
Lucy Joyce, executive director of Orange County Cornell
Cooperative Extension, said this year's Orange County Fair is too long.
"We just can't do it," she said. "They've
increased the time from 10 days to 13 at the fair and that just burns out staff
and it burns out the kids."
Gurda recently wrote a letter reminding the
4-H organization that he can sue if it breaks the 99-year lease on its
fairgrounds building, which 4-H built in 1950 for $33,473. The 4-H organization
pays $1 a year to lease the building from the Orange County Agricultural Society.
The lease says 4-H must use the building or lose it.
4-H lawyer Rick Golden says 4-H will continue to make
legitimate contractual display use of the structure, including an ice-cream hut
during the fair.
More on this can be seen,
here:
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120710/NEWS/207100330
I wonder how this might affect things at the
track, now?
And this is what was said by Mr. Gurda at that “Dust” meeting, from the article I did on it
– from the article I did, back then:
“Next up to speak was Michael Gurda, officer and director of the Orange County
Agricultural Society (the owners of the property that the track and fairgrounds
are on). He first said that the track is
leased to DIRT Motorsports for Stock Car racing. He said that the proposed law, in it’s present form, would make it impossible for any
And also from
that meeting:
“It was requested, in the
beginning of the meeting that a certain individual be allowed to speak first,
when the time came for input from those in attendance. It was believed that what this first speaker
was going to say, could have a lot to do about what
might be said by others, when they addressed the board.
That speaker, Mike Sanchelli, was from
After Mr. Sanchelli
spoke, it was told to the people in attendance that there would be no vote
taken tonight. This was strictly a
public hearing. We will hear your
comments, but no vote will be taken. It
was then asked, of the council, if there might be a way they could “put this on
the shelf” for a period of time. It was
further asked of the board that they consider not even voting on this matter.”
Note:
Guess Boundless couldn’t come up with the dough, huh?
Third:
Accord
Even though I’ve been a fan of the racing at
OCFS for oh so many years, I think Accord has had a better show. Well, “had” is what I’d have to say now, what
with the handicapping system they put into effect for 2012. Due to issues at home, I’ve only made two
shows at Accord this season, opening night and a couple of weeks ago. Both nights had good crowds. A couple of weeks ago, I’d venture to say
that the fireworks might have brought a few more people to the track. As my grandson John,
and I were leaving that night, we could see cars were parked on the road next
to the track, so you know the fans were there.
But car counts have gone down, this season. I really can’t say much about the fan
turnout, since I haven’t been there. But
in my way of thinking, when you lose cars, you’ll lose fans, too.
I guess the Accord purse is based on how many
cars/teams sign in, as most tracks more than likely are? Does the amount of fans in the stands mean
anything? There have been “rumblings” on
the Internet about the purse at Accord being cut quite a bit,
that “X” amount would be paid out if “X” amount of cars signed in. I imagine that could be true. Last Friday night there were only 15 cars entered in the modified class. I have no idea as to how much Andy Bachetti got for winning the feature, but I’m wondering –
was it enough to cover the teams expenses for the night? How about the 5th place
finisher? 10th
place? One can see teams not
racing if it is more of a losing proposition that what it normally is, in
racing. You know, to make a million you
have to start out with two?
And in my way
of thinking, if a certain competitor is winning most every week, and due to the
“handicapping” system in effect at Accord, that competitor stands an excellent
chance of starting in the front row or up at the front, come feature time, well
I can see why the car count has gone down.
Possible fan count, too, maybe?
OK, yes,
today’s economy has probably hurt as far as race teams competing and fans
attending, not only at Accord and OCFS, but other tracks as well, in some
instances. I still read that
Albany/Saratoga and
Fourth:
The “Big Show”:
I’m being honest here – I was somewhat
disappointed when this event was moved away from OCFS and kept its name. Granted, it is the “baby” of Brett Hearn and
he can do whatever he wants to do with it.
With the moving of the event away from OCFS,
this has, more or less, meant that OCFS could very well not have an SDS
Syracuse qualifier, even though OC is a DIRTcar
sanctioned track. Kinda ridiculous, huh?
I have to figure that a majority of you that
read my stuff have also read, on the Internet, what’s being said about the “Big
Show” being held at the Albany/Saratoga Speedway. Things being said about the track (too narrow)
the stands (too small for such an event, and possibly having to sit in the
aisles, and some fans traveling hours to get there, only to be turned away
because the place is sold out). Can they
actually pull enough teams and fans in to pay that $30,000.00 purse? I dunno, since I’ve
never been to the place. Yes, we were
entertaining thoughts of attending this event, but we’d be some of those that
have to travel a few hours to get there, and well………..you see what I mean?
In a way I can see why Brett didn’t want to
hold it at
Fifth:
Normally, this would appear in non racing
news, but I already have some items there.
In part:
“Cash-strapped
A lawyer representing three unions told Scranton's Times-Tribune he will file several motions,
including one to hold Mayor Chris Doherty in contempt of court for violating a
judge's order to pay full wages.
Last week, Doherty abruptly cut pay for
all 398 city employees to $7.25 per hour, saying it was the only way to keep
According to the paper,
Roger Leonard, a city employee, told NPR he typically gets a $900 check for two
weeks of work. On Friday, it was $340.”
More on this can be seen, here,
below. And if you go to the article,
scroll down and read some of the comments, too.
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/scranton-minimum-wage-city-police-firemen-140229063.html
Sixth:
How popular is NASCAR?
Maybe not as popular as we’re led to believe. Case in point: One of their top stars, A. J. Allmendinger failed a drug test. He was not allowed to race at Daytona last
Saturday night, and as of now, is still not in the car for the Loudon race,
this coming weekend. But – not one word
did I see on any regular newscasts or “Gossip” shows like “Extra” or Access
Hollywood. Betcha
if he was a ball player (any kind) it would have made the news, though.
Note: There was
an article in my local paper this past Wednesday, along with other NASCAR news,
about Allmendinger.
Seventh:
Back in the day, there was what was called the “Triple
Crown” in Indy car racing – three 500 mile races. There are rumors now of the possible return
of the “Triple Crown” for 2013.
Check out what’s being said, here: http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?166914-Triple-Crown-to-Return-in-2013
Eighth:
Keeping with Indy cars:
It’s time to miss oval racing -
Some interesting comments
about oval track racing and Indy cars.
http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?166913-It-s-time-to-miss-oval-racing
Ninth:
(Re: Aerokits) Please tell me how ICONIC failed
Supposedly,
no “aero kits” for Indy cars for 2013.
Aero Kit Decision
http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?166552-Aero-Kit-decision
TV listings:
Mainly
NASCAR stuff.
http://www.jayski.com/pages/tv.htm
Coming up:
The fair is coming to
On July 19th,
there’s a 358 modified race at OCFS – 40 laps $2,5000.00
to the winner. Open tire rule, too.
Note: Will the Drive-in be open for that 358
race? Last year, for a Sportsman race,
it wasn’t, I believe.
On July 20,
21 & 22 MOTO & Monster Trucks at the fair.
The CRSA 305 Sprint Cars are
at OC on July 28th.
August 4th is
“Nostalgia Night” It’s always
interesting to see what old timers show up – usually Buzzie
Reutimann and quite a few others come up for this
show. The restored race cars of the
Atlantic Coast Old Timers will also be on hand.
Whether they get any track time or not, I don’t know. I do know in their listing of the days events they say it is a “running” show, meaning that
they’d get some laps on the track.
Also on July 28th,
is the “Friends of Mike” 100 lap modified race at the New Egypt Speedway.
There’s an
RoC 60 lap modified race and an RoC
40 lap Sportsman race at 5 Mile Points
On the Sunday of Labor Day
Weekend, September 2, 2012, the annual “Racing Expo” will be held at the Hinchliffe Stadium in
Just prior to my sending this
column out, I received the following from Ronny Dennis:
“We
are still looking for participants for this years show. We have an ample amount
of space to accommodate anyone that would like to be a part in the show. If you
would like to take part in the show, display a car, or exhibit please contact
Ronny Dennis (718)344-0502. It is FREE to enter the show
This years show will take place on Sunday
September 2, 2012 of Labor Day weekend
Gates open to participants at 10 am
Show starts at 12 noon and runs all day
Admission is FREE
Hinchliffe Stadium is located in Paterson, N.J., on the corner
of Liberty St. and Maple St. next to the Great Falls.
Come out and show your support for the Stadium.
While your there you can check out the Great Falls Festival. There is something
for everyone. See you at the
SHOW! Spread the word”
Found
on Jayski’s website:
Allmendinger
suspended for failing drug test:
NASCAR
announced 90 minutes before the race that #22-A.J. Allmendinger
has failed a random drug test and has been "temporarily" suspended.
He was randomly selected and tested following the
Official Announcement:
Driver
AJ Allmendinger has been temporarily suspended from
NASCAR competition based upon notification of a positive "A" test
NASCAR received from the Medical Review Officer as stated in Section 19-11B
(6,7) of the NASCAR Substance Abuse Policy. Pursuant to the rule book, Allmendinger has the opportunity to request within the next
72 hours that his "B" sample be tested. NASCAR will follow its
policies and procedures set forth in the rule book in dealing with this matter.(NASCAR)(7-7-2012)
Penske Statement:
"NASCAR
notified Penske Racing this afternoon that AJ Allmendinger
was administered a drug test earlier this week, and those results tested
positive. NASCAR has a strict drug testing program that Penske Racing fully
supports. Penske Racing will work with NASCAR through this process and its next
steps. Sam Hornish will drive the No. 22 car in
(Saturday's) Coke Zero 400."(Penske Racing)(7-7-2012)
UPDATE:
Roger
Penske considers his NASCAR driver AJ Allmendinger's
suspension for a failed drug test disappointing, but will await the results of
a second test before reaching any conclusions. Penske says it wouldn't be fair
to Allmendinger to make any further comments, and
adds he supports NASCAR's drug-testing policy.(Associated Press)(7-8-2012)
UPDATE 2:
A.J.
Allmendinger was silent Sunday,
a day after NASCAR suspended him for failing a random drug test. Penske Racing,
which gave Allmendinger the biggest break of his
career this season, is withholding judgment until NASCAR's system has been
completed. Where that leaves the 30-year-old driver remains to be seen. There
is no second test coming for Allmendinger, who was
randomly summoned June 29 in
AND:
If A.J. Allmendinger's suspension
by NASCAR becomes indefinite, Sam Hornish Jr. wants
to continue his role as replacement. "If that's the case, then I want to be
back in the Cup Series," Hornish told
For more details on NASCAR's drug testing policy, see Jayski's Drug
Policy page and
in-depth articles at USA Today and Sporting News.(7-9-2012)
UPDATE 3:
Tara Ragan, Allmendinger's
business manager, said she couldn't comment much on the situation but did say Allmendinger is a health conscious person and that they are working with the race team
to go through the process. "It was shocking to us," she said.
"We're all a little bit shell-shocked and getting our heads around what
happened. We are working closely with the folks from Penske to work through the
procedure with NASCAR." Ragan said she could not comment on whether he
will ask for the B sample to be tested.(SportingNews)(7-9-2012)
Hornish
will remain in the #22 at
Penske Racing Statement: "Penske Racing is continuing to work with
NASCAR to follow its process and procedures related to the positive drug test
that AJ Allmendinger was notified of this past
weekend. While this process continues, Sam Hornish
Jr. will drive the #22 car in this week's Sprint Cup Series race at New
Hampshire Motor Speedway."(Penske Racing)(7-9-2012)
Allmendinger
requests testing of "B" sample:
Suspended Sprint Cup driver AJ Allmendinger on
Monday took the first step in trying to get his failed drug test reversed. The
Penske Racing driver, suspended prior to Saturday night's race at Daytona
International Speedway for failing a drug test taken the previous weekend at
Kentucky, issued a written request to have his "B" sample tested in
hopes that it will give a different result than the initial "A"
sample that came back positive for a banned substance. Allmendinger
had 72 hours from Saturday to ask for his "B" sample to be tested. It
will take approximately five days for NASCAR to get results from the second
test from the lab, Aegis Sciences Corporation in
Statement from AJ Allmendinger:
Charlotte, NC (July 10, 2012): "I have informed NASCAR that I have
requested that the "B" sample be tested, following the steps
according to NASCAR's 2012 rule book regarding this situation. I fully respect
NASCAR's drug usage policy and the reasons they have it. I am hoping this can
get resolved as quickly as possible so that I can get back to driving the #22
Penske Racing Dodge. I am sorry that this has caused such a distraction for my
Penske Racing team, our sponsors and fans. Obviously I would never do anything
to jeopardize my opportunity here at Penske Racing or to my fellow drivers. I
am very conscious about my training and health and would never knowingly take a
prohibited drug."(Walldinger Racing)
AND
Multiple sources say a second drug screening test has been conducted on
the urine sample collected last week from NASCAR driver AJ Allmendinger.
Penske Racing owner Roger Penske told Sirius/XM NASCAR Radio's The Morning
Drive today that he believes Allmendinger exercised
his right to request a test of the second, or "B" sample by Aegis
Laboratories, NASCAR's substance abuse testing agent. Sources speaking on the
condition of anonymity confirm that the test was conducted late yesterday at
Aegis'
Statement regarding Allmendinger's
sample:
a statement from Tara Ragan, Vice President, Walldinger Racing Inc.,
Dodge buying Penske's engine program?
For
those worried about Dodge perhaps folding its tent at the end of 2012, without
any teams yet on its 2013 NASCAR roster, the good news is that Chrysler
officials, according to company sources, have just ordered a full inventory of
Penske's NASCAR engine operation (80-men strong), with firm indications the
company will buy Penske's Dodge operation and go into the NASCAR 'customer
engine' business itself, just as Toyota does with its Los Angeles-based TRD
NASCAR engine building program. Such a move by Chrysler would open the door for
someone like Michael Andretti to venture into NASCAR with a new Sprint Cup team
(even though Penske himself has warned Andretti that running a NASCAR team
requires five times as many people and three times as much
money to operate as an Indy-car team). One Dodge question is whether the
Richard Petty two-car team, currently fielding Fords, with factory support,
would stick with Ford or move to Dodge.(MikeMulhern.net)(7-7-2012)
International Motorsports Hall of Fame Announces
Class of 2013:
The
International Motorsports Hall of Fame announces its inductees for 2013: Dale
Inman, Rusty Wallace, Rick Hendrick and Don
Schumacher.
Dale Inman
Dale Inman retired in 1998 as a NASCAR Grand National/Winston Cup crew chief.
He is best known for being the crew chief of Richard Petty for three decades.
Together they won 193 races, 129 poles and seven championships in 1964, 1967,
1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, and 1979. Inman was also crew chief for Terry Labonte when they won the 1984 championship.
Rusty Wallace
Rusty Wallace retired from NASCAR at the end of
2005 with a stellar resume. Wallace won the 1979 United States Auto Club Stock
Car Rookie of the Year award, the American Speed Association championship in
1983 and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship in 1989.
Rick Hendrick
Rick Hendrick is
current owner of the NASCAR team Hendrick
Motorsports, founder of the Hendrick Automotive Group
and Hendrick Marrow Program. Throughout his career as
a team owner, Hendrick has won 14 NASCAR
Championships including ten Sprint Cup Series, one Nationwide Series and three
Camping World Truck Series.
Don Schumacher
Don Schumacher owns nine NHRA drag racing
championships and 179 event titles. As a pioneering Plymouth Funny Car driver
from 1968 to 1974, he won five NHRA titles, nine IHRA titles and the
prestigious 1970 U.S. Nationals. Don's son, Tony, began racing NHRA sportsman
cars in the early 1990s. In 1998, Don Schumacher Racing was assembled with Tony
as one of seven drivers. The team currently competes in the NHRA Top Fuel class
and has won seven championships. In 2007, Don was inducted into the Drag Racing
Hall of Fame.(International Motorsports Hall of
Fame)(7-7-2012)
NASCAR
CEO Brian France met the media Friday at Daytona International Speedway to
assess the sport as the season hits the halfway mark. Among the topics
While NASCAR continues to develop the new 2013
Sprint Cup car there are other technical initiatives on the drawing board that
The current NASCAR television contract expires
at the end of the 2014 season and negotiations are ongoing with current network
partners FOX, TNT and ABC/ESPN with potential newcomer NBC reportedly also in
the mix. While some believe the sport may be in line for a drop in rights fees
in the next round of negotiations,
But France was firm in saying NASCAR has no
intention of creating mandatory caution periods for TV timeouts as was floated
last week by Speedway Motorsports Inc.'s Bruton
Smith.
While there are no significant changes expected
for the 2013 Sprint Cup schedule, there is a possibility of more events being
shortened in an effort to enhance competition and create better racing.(CBS Sports), read the full transcript of the press
conference.(7-6-2012)
ISC hopes NBC Sports Network bids on NASCAR TV
rights:
Officials
from the France-family controlled track-operating company International
Speedway Corp. hope that the recent rebranding of Versus
to the NBC Sports Network will drive up television rights fees by adding a
potential additional bidder in the negotiating room. The current eight-year,
$4.48 billion NASCAR television contract with FOX, TNT and ESPN/ABC runs
through 2014, and negotiations have begun for 2015 and beyond. NASCAR chairman
Brian France said in January that he hoped that all three of the current
partners extend their deals. But with recent changes at NBC Sports Group, which
is run by former Turner Sports president Mark Lazarus, there is a belief that
it could be a bidder. Versus owner Comcast took over NBC Universal in 2011 and this
year rebranded the network to the NBC Sports Network. NBC had televised NASCAR
races from 2001-2006 as part of the first NASCAR-bargained television rights
deals.(Sporting News)(7-6-2012)
Dillon's car fails post-race
inspection:
NASCAR officials announced that Austin Dillon's #3 Richard
Childress Racing car which won the NASCAR Nationwide
Series Feed The Children 300 at Kentucky Speedway failed postrace
inspection because the car's heights were too low in the rear. A penalty will
be issued [on Tuesday].(Kentucky Speedway)(6-29-2012)
UPDATE:
NASCAR has penalized the #3 team in the NASCAR Nationwide
Series as a result of rule infractions discovered during post-race inspection
last Friday at Kentucky Speedway. The #3 car was found to be in violation of
Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4J (any
determination by NASCAR officials that race equipment used in the event does
not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20A-12.8.1C (body height requirements
car failed to meet the minimum rear car heights) of the 2012 NASCAR rule book.
As a result, crew chief Danny Stockman Jr. has been fined $10,000, while owner
Morgan Shepherd and driver Austin Dillon have been penalized with the loss of
six championship owner and six championship driver points, respectively. In
addition, Stockman and car chief Robert Strmiska
continue to remain on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31.(NASCAR)(7-2-2012)
It's a boy for Kevin and Delana Harvick:
Kevin and DeLana Harvick welcomed son Keelan Paul Harvick (pronounced Keylan)
Sunday, July 8th, 2012. Keelan weighed in at 6.8 lbs.
and 19.5 inches. Throughout the pregnancy, the Harvicks
had jokingly referred to their son as "Baby Otis" on Twitter and in
public. "Waiting on Keelan was the longest nine
months of my entire life," Kevin Harvick said.
"But time literally stood still when I held our baby for the first time.
I've accomplished a lot in my life that I'm proud of, but those moments don't
hold a candle to becoming a father and seeing that little face looking up at
you. DeLana and I are just amazed by how special and
rewarding this is." Mother and baby are doing well.(Harvick PR)(7-8-2012)
Army to leave NASCAR as sponsor
after 2012 season:
The U.S. Army has decided not to renew its sponsorship with
Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) in 2013 as a primary sponsor of the #39 Chevy driven
by Ryan Newman due to a reallocation of its marketing budget that will not
include a presence in NASCAR. SHR is actively pursuing a strong brand to
partner with the team and its roster of sponsors that also includes Office
Depot, Mobil 1, Quicken Loans, GoDaddy.com, Haas Automation, Chevrolet, WIX
Filters, Outback Steakhouse, Aspen Dental, Tornados, Coca-Cola, Oreo, Ritz,
Bass Pro Shops and Code 3 Associates.
Brett Frood,
Executive Vice President, Stewart-Haas Racing: "The U.S. Army has been a great partner of
Stewart-Haas Racing since the team's inception. It has been a mutually
beneficial relationship, with the U.S. Army introducing training regimens that
improved our pit crews while instilling the mental, physical and emotional
strength of the U.S. Army Soldier in all of us. We remain very proud of our representation
of the U.S. Army and its brave Soldiers who are 100 percent committed to our
country. We will continue to activate on behalf of the U.S. Army for the rest
of 2012, while also growing our other dynamic partnerships at Stewart-Haas
Racing for the future."
John Myers, Director, Marketing Support
Element, Army Marketing and Research Group: "The U.S. Army has worked with Stewart-Haas
Racing in a mutually beneficial and highly successful relationship for the past
four seasons, and they've performed superbly as our partner on and off the
track. The same can be said of other members of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
family we have sponsored during the past 10 seasons. The sport, our drivers and
the passionate NASCAR fans embraced the Army's participation and created a
tremendous opportunity for Americans to learn more about the profession of the
Army Strong Soldier."(SHR)(7-10-2012)
Kenseth
remains mum on team switch:
For nearly two weeks, #17-Matt Kenseth
has been hounded by one question. And moments after guiding his Harley-Davidson
into Bristol Motor Speedway Tuesday afternoon, the NASCAR Sprint Cup points leader heard it again. Now that his profitable
14-year partnership with car owner Jack Roush is over, just what team will Kenseth drive for next season? Once again, Kenseth deftly danced around the answer. "We've been
together forever with Roush," Kenseth said.
"Three or four years ago we made a commitment to race together through
2012. That never got extended through 2013, so we will just race as hard as we
can until the end of this season." The hottest rumor involves Kenseth landing at Joe Gibbs Racing. Meanwhile, defending
Nationwide Series champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will
replace Kenseth in the familiar #17 Ford next season.
Kenseth was in
BUT
am hearing the Kenseth
will be in the #20 Joe Gibbs Racing
Going back, in time – in
racing history:
Note# 1: Most of the following information was found
here:
http://www.wheelsofspeed.com/history.html
Note: 2: Yes, most of this info is mostly from Open
Wheel racing from “Back in the day”.
Note:
What with me missing almost two months of columns, starting this week I’ll cover the
dates starting with the date of the column and cover up until the day before
the next weeks column, so this week I’ll cover from July 12th to
July 18th.
JULY 12
1949
Rick Hendrick... Born ...
NASCAR team owner. Rick Hendrick drove in the
1987 and 1988 Winston Cup races at Riverside International Raceway, finishing
33rd (out with transmission problems after racing to the Top 10) and 15th. He
also had a single start in the Busch Series and the Craftsman Truck Series. He
had been a pit crew member for Flying 11 that Ray Hendrick
drove in the 1960s. Rick Hendrick is an owner of
several NASCAR stock cars and teams, as well as Hendrick
Automotive Group, one of the largest automotive chains in the
1958
Richard Petty, at the age of 21 , drove in his
first NASCAR stockcar race, a convertible series race at
JULY 13
1914
Sam Hanks ... Born ... He
won his first championship in 1937 on the West Coast in the AMA. He barnstormed
the country, racing on the board tracks at Soldier Field in Chicago and the Los
Angeles Coliseum Motordome. Hanks reportedly won the
first two board track races at Soldier Field in 1939. Hanks won the 1940 VFW
Motor City Speedway championship. After World War II, he captured the 1946 URA
Blue Circuit Championship. He won the 1947 Night before the 500 midget car race. He was the 1949 AAA National Midget champion. He won
the 1956
1968
Al Unser Sr won
his first USAC National Championship race, a 100 mile night race on the 1.12
mile dirt track in
1969
David Pearson averaged just
over 121 mph, and won the 300 mile NASCAR Grand National race at
1993
Davey Allison ... Died ...
A NASCAR race car driver, best known as the driver of the Robert Yates Racing
#28 Texaco-Havoline Ford. Born in
JULY 14
1957
Marvin Panch drove
the Herb Thomas Pontiac to victory in the 200 mile NASCAR Grand National race
on the 1.5 mile dirt Memph-Ark Speedway in
JULY 15
1932
Mickey Shaw ... Born ...
USAC driver from the 1960's.
1951
Charlie Ethier ... Died ... He was killed in his
first Sprint Car outing in a AAA race at the Salem
Speedway,
1967
Richard Petty drove the
Petty Enterprises Plymouth to victory in the NASCAR Grand National '
1972
Fonty Flock ...
Died ... NASCAR great and one of the central figures in the formative days of
NASCAR. He was the brother of NASCAR pioneers Tim Flock and Bob Flock, and the
second female NASCAR driver Ethel Mobley. The four raced at the July 10, 1949
race at the Daytona Beach Road Course, which was the first event to feature a
brother and a sister, and the only NASCAR event to feature four siblings. Ethel
beat Fonty and Bob by finishing in eleventh.
JULY 16
1906
Doc MacKenzie ... Born ... AAA driver from the
1930's. He was killed in a Sprint Car race on the 1.0-mile dirt oval Milwaukee
Mile,
1926
Wally Campbell ... Born ...
A stock car, midget, and sprint car racer from
1928
Jim Rathmann ...
Born ... (born Richard Rathmann from
1965
Ernie Borrelli ... Died ... ARDC Midget Car driver
died in a midget race at the Hatfield Speedway,
1966
Ron Lux ...
Died ... Ron Lux was a resident of
1917
Bill Randall ... Born ...
He raced sprint cars and midgets, winning the Eastern USAC Sprint Car title in
1957 and finishing third in the ARDC Midget Championship in 1961. In Champ Cars
he raced at Daytona in 1959 in the USAC event driving a Kurtis
500C Offy, finishing 14th. He tried to qualify for
the Indy 500 in 1961 but was unsuccessful. In 1962 he qualified for a race at
1954
Wally Campbell ... Died ...
A stock car, midget, and sprint car racer from
1995
Juan Manuel Fangio ... Died ... A driver from
Note: I have to consider myself
extremely lucky to have been able to see Fangio race,
in person – the Sebring 12 hour race in 1957, which he won, with Jean Behra as his co-driver.
In the “Video” section towards the end of this column is a link to Mr. Fangio and his racing history.
JULY 18
1909
Kathryn Cecilia Loughman, my
mother, was born. Later on in life she
would marry Lucien G. Avenengo, and together they had
two sons and two daughters. In the late
1940’s, they divorced. Kathryn later on Married John F. X. Clynes,
who was also born on a July 18th.
1911
Danny Oakes... Born ... In the 1940s and 50s, he was one of
Found on the Internet:
Found on Facebook:
“Ouch for the Super
Modified Fans at Oswego Speedway yesterday....."After qualifying, track
officials announced to the crowd that they would allow the two fastest ISMA Supermodifieds, Mike Lichty and
Rob Summers, a chance to reclaim the track record. Each driver was given
“gumball” tires that were far softer than the tires they qualified on in an
attempt to reclaim the record. To the disappointment of the Supermodified
faithful, the record would stand. It was now apparent to everyone in attendance
that the Sprint Cars are far superior and arguably the baddest
open wheel machines in the country, and now the Northeast."
In part:
“Disclosure forms reveal that Democratic National Committee
chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a member of Congress from
But disclosure forms reveal that in 2010, Wasserman Schultz invested between $1,001-$15,000 in a 401k retirement fund run by Davis
Financial Fund. As the fund discloses, it is invested in the Julius Baer Group Ltd. and
the State Bank of India GDR Ltd., as well as other financial, insurance,
bank institutions.
To be clear, there is nothing in Debbie Wasserman Schultz's
disclosure forms to suggest that the DNC chair invested in anything illegal.
But it is clear that some of her holdings had investments overseas, in Swiss
banks, foreign drug companies, the state bank of
The hypocrisy, though, is clear: The
Democrats, as well as President Obama, hope to paint Romney as an out of touch
man for holding money in overseas bank accounts, when in reality their own
chairman, Wasserman Schultz, had overseas investments.
All this comes in addition to Wasserman Schultz's refusal to disclose her own tax returns,
despite continuously calling on Romney to do so.
News
from the AARN:
From
the July 3rd issue:
Lenny
Sammons:
In
his column he makes mention of Jeff Brownell Sr. telling the AARN, last Wednesday
that a deal for him to purchase Rolling Wheels and Cayuga County Speedway
(Weedsport) has been agreed upon by the WRG.
Tyler
Siri was never able to close a deal with Dean Hoag
for the purchase of the Black Rock Speedway, but he hasn’t given up hope and is
still interested in making a deal with Hoag over this coming winter.
Matt
Sheppard was not at the special modified “Invitational” race held at
Canandaigua because his car owner, Jeff Brownell, Sr. felt the purse was not
enough, and that he was “at odds” with track owner Jeremie
Concoran because of it.
Ernie
Saxton:
Ernie
was wondering if there will be an F-1 race in
Look
for some major changes at the Dayton Speedway with a complete overhaul of the
entire front stretch grandstand, along with other changes.
Todd
Heintzelman:
Todd
makes mention of how happy Tyler Walker is to be racing with the 410 Sprint
Cars in
John
Snyder:
John
makes mention of some NASCAR people complaining about how long their season
is. Maybe some of them have forgotten
their “roots”? Good thing those that are
complaining don’t run with the WoO Sprint Cars, WoO Late Models of the Northeast Dirt Modifieds,
huh?
Guy
Smith:
Guy
attended a race at the Kirkistown Race Circuit,
Gary
London:
I’d
venture to say that Mr. London is about the same age as I am. He goes back quite a ways, as far as being a
fan of racing, and a writer, too. One
thing he commented on in his column last week was: Years ago, Modified meant “anything on
anything”. Times have changed!
He
also had some answers to some trivia questions that he had in a previous
issue. Some of them are:
Bobby
Bottcher gave Harold Cope his last feature win.
Joe
Ruttman was leading Winston Cup points in 1982, but
left his ride because team owner Jim Stacy never paid him.
Onteora Speedway in
The
head of tech for DIRT, Bob Dini, won the first TQ
feature race at N.J.’s Pine Brook Speedway, in 1962.
Wally
Dallenbach’s 1962 win at
Driving
in his first asphalt Modified race, dirt track regular Stan Ploski
was 2nd in the 1965 Langhorne Open.
Bob
Malzahn won features at the Polo Grounds, Wall
Stadium,
Junie Dunleavy’s Ford Modifieds
had
Nick
Fornoro, Sr. was the 1953 NASCAR Midget champion.
David
Haupt was “Joe Kelly” in a Modified, but was “Don
Allison” in a Midget or Sprint Car.
Russ
Klar, then a 61 year old Midget driving great, was
“Don Taylor” when he won the 1975 Islip Modified opener.
Writer
Mickey Spillane, creator of “Mike Hammer” raced at
Sprint
Car driver Bobby Marvin was the last victim of the Langhorne Speedway.
Last
week, the NEMA midgets ran at the Stafford Speedway. They had 23 cars. Meanwhile, the ARDC ran two shows down in
At
the Toledo Speedway last week, USAC had a double header – midgets and Silver
Crown cars. The results show only 18
midgets and only 15 Silver Crown cars. (Guess the days of using the dirt Silver
Crown cars on the pavement are all done?)
Doing double duty were: Bobby
East with a 5th in midgets and 2nd in SC, Bobby Santos,
III with a 6th and 3rd, Tanner Swanson with 9th
& 7th, Kody Swanson with 10th
and 4th, Tracy Hines with 11th & 15th and
Taylor Ferns with a 14th & 15th.
And, some of what will be covered in the July
10th issue:
AARN
This Week:
Sprint
Car Driver
Brian Steinman Injured
In Fiery Lernerville
Crash
Jessica Zemken
Suspended From ESS
After Rolling Wheels Fracus
Tyler Walker Goes
Beast At Grove;
Wins Two Days Later At Port
XREME Sprint Drivers
Shatter All Time One Lap
Track Records
Hot Pennsylvania
Speed Week Topics:
Tires & Track Conditions
Gruel, ISMA Sub,
Wins First Race For Car Owner
In 45 Years
Hebing Takes Two Of Three
ESS Sprint Features
Ryan Blaney Tests Mod
In Advance WMT Debut
At NHIS This Weekend
Woody Pitkat
Denied Thompson Sweep
By Rough Riding Call
Former
At Albany/Saratoga (
At Accord, Brian Krummel was and Danny Creeden 6th in the Modified feature, while
Anthony Perrego was 2nd, Tyler Dippel 3rd and Brad Szulewski
4th in the Sportsman feature.
In the “Spec” Sportsman feature, Perrego was 1st,
RJ Smykla 2nd, Dipple
3rd, Tyler Boniface 4th and Kyle VanDuser
8th. Jason Roe was 12th
in the Lightning Sprint feature.
At I-88 Speedway, in the CRSA 305 Sprint Car
feature, Josh Pieniazek was 2nd, Emily VanInwegen 11th, Billy VanInwegen
13th and Brittany Tresch 14th.
At
Mike Mammana had a 25th
in the first Modified feature and a 2nd in the second feature at Big
Diamond.
At Williams Grove, in the SpeedSTR feature, a “Billy
V” is listed as finishing 5th.
To me “Bill V” is Billy VanInwegen.
Davie Franek was 4th in the URC feature
at New Egypt. Johnny Guarino
was 3rd in his Modified heat.
The feature was rained out.
In the 48 lap “Heath Memorial” race at 5 Mile Point,
Danny Creeden was 3rd. In the Sportsman feature, Tyler Dippel was 12th.
Rich Coons was the Sportsman feature winner at
Nick Pecko was 4th
in the Sport Modified feature at Mountain Speedway.
At Hamlin, in the 100 lap Slingshot feature, Charlie
Lawrence was 5th, Tyler Pirone 17th
and Jacob Hendershot 28th. In the 270 Micro Sprint feature, Rick Casario was 8th, and brother
Mike was 16th. Kyle Rohner was 10th in the 600 Micro Sprint feature, while Joe Kata is listed
as a DQ.
A week ago, at
And, a week ago, at
Going back, in time at OVRP’s Dirt Oval:
Some of my old race
reports are still out there on the Internet, believe it, or not. Here are race results from:
July 10, 2004:
http://www.whowon.com/Results.asp?TrackID=1904&StoryID=125719
November 6, 2004:
http://www.whowon.com/Results.asp?TrackID=1904&StoryID=139069
November 7, 2004:
http://www.whowon.com/Results.asp?TrackID=1904&StoryID=139070
Some are still racing at the Dirt Oval today,
while others have moved up to bigger, faster and more expensive “toys”.
Taken from the Crocky Wright Hinchliffe Stadium book.
Top
three finishers:
June
23: Walt Fusco, Harry Felton & Babe
Bower
June
27: Bill Schindler, BabeBower
& Brad Stillwagon
July
7: Henry Renard,
Duke Nalon & Perry Grimm
July
14: Perry Grimm, Henry Renard & Babe Bower
July
21: Perry Grimm, Duke Nalon & Babe Bower
July
28: Perry Grimm, Bill Holmes & Babe
Bower
Aug
18: Babe Bower, Mel Hansen & Paul
Russo
Sep
1: Babe Bower, Henry Renard
& Hal Robson
Sep
15: Babe Bower, Mickey Lowack and Walt Fusco.
Races
were rained out on: June 30, Aug 25 and
Sep 8.
No
races on Aug 4 & 11 due to track being re-surfaced.
Tuesday
night races were discontinued as of July 4.
Hinchliffe Stadium
post war results
1945
Sept. 5 1. Bill Schindler 2. Dee Toran 3. Chet Gibbons
Sept. 12 1. Bill Schindler 2. Tony Bonadies 3. Chet
Gibbons
Sept. 19 1. Bill Schindler 2. Chet Gibbons 3. Larry Bloomer
Sept. 26 1. Red
Sept. 30 1. Shorty McAndrews 2.
Lew Volk 3. Dee Toran
Oct. 10 1. Bill Schindler 2. Jeep Colkitt
3. Red Redmond 75 laps
Oct. 17 1. Charlie Breslin 2. Johnny
Jars 3. Art Cross
Oct. 28 1. Red
1946
April 21 1. Chet Gibbons 2. Bill Schindler 3. Len Wofsey
April 28 1. Walt Fair 2. Larry Bloomer 3. Red
May 5 1. Johnny Jars 2. Johnny Ritter 3. Harry Gasell
May
12 rain
May 15 1. Shorty McAndrews 2.
Bill Holmes 3. Rex Records
May 19 1. Johnny Swier 2. Dutch
Schaefer 3. Dee Toran
May 22 1. Art Cross 2. George Fonder
3. Charlie Breslin
May 26 1. Johnny Ritter 2. Red
May 29 1. Walt Fair 2. Al Duffy 3. Bill Baker
June
2 rain
June 7 1. Rex Records 2. Shorty McAndrews
3. Johnny Ritter
June 9 1. Johnny Ritter 2. Don Morris 3. Dee Toran
June
14 rain
June 16 1. Lew Volk 2. Tony Bonadies 3. Rex Records
June
21 rain
June 23 1. Lloyd Christopher 2. Bill Schindler 3. Mike Josephs
June 28 1. Shorty McAndrews 2.
Rex Records 3. Mike Joesphs
July 5 1. Rex Records 2. Ted Tappett 3. Charlie Miller
July 12 1. Jeep Colkitt 2. George Fonder 3. Rex Records
July 19 1. Jeep Colkitt 2. Art Cross 3. Dutch Schaefer
July 26 1. Lloyd Christopher 2. Bill Schindler 3. Charlie Miller
July 30 1. Ted Tappett 2. Bill Schindler 3. Dutch
Schaefer
August 2 1. Bill Schindler 2. Ted Tappett 3. Len Duncan
August 6 1. Ted Tappett 2. Bill Schindler 3. Dutch
Schaefer
August 9 1. Bill Schindler 2. Johnny Ritter 3. Tony Bonadies
August
13 rain
August
16 rain
August 20 1. Johnny Ritter 2. Bill Schindler 3. Jeep Colkitt
50 laps
August 23 1. Lloyd Christopher 2. Bill Schindler 3. Charlie Breslin
August 27 1. Bill Schindler 2. Lloyd Christopher 3. Charlie Breslin
August 30 1. Bill Schindler 2. Rex Records 3. Johnny Ritter
Sept. 3 1. Johnny Ritter 2. Jeep Colkitt
3. Lloyd Christopher
Sept. 6 1. Charlie Miller 2. Art Cross 3. Jeep Colkitt
Sept. 10 1. Lloyd Christopher 2. Don Morris 3. Jeep Colkitt
Sept. 13 1. Bill Schindler 2. Tony Bonadies 3. Al Keller
Sept. 17 1. Lloyd Christopher 2. Dee Toran 3. Art Cross
Sept. 20 1. Al Keller 2. Dutch Schaefer 3. Ted Tappett
Sept.
24 rain
Oct. 1 1. Don Morris 2. Charlie Breslin 3. Bill Schindler
Oct. 4 1. Len Duncan 2. Al Keller 3. Johnny Carpenter
Oct. 8 1. Ted Tappett 2. Len Duncan 3. Tony Bonadies
Oct. 15 1. Johnny Ritter 2. Mike Josephs 3. Rex Records
Oct. 15 1. Johnny Ritter 2. Art Cross 3. Rex Records 50
laps
Champion:
Johnny Ritter
Note: A photo of Ritter in his Outboard powered
midget is towards the end of this column.
Hinchliffe Stadium results for 1947, 48, 49 & 50 will be in next weeks column.
Press Releases:
NEWS FROM
CONTACT Mike Gurda 845-342-2573
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DRIVERS EYEING
POINT POSITIONS ON THE FIRST WEEKEND OF THE 172NDORANGE COUNTY FAIR
MIDDLETOWN, NY (July 9)……..When inclement
weather forced cancelation of the July 7 racing program at Orange County Fair
Speedway, it gave competitors a respite from the seven-month schedule of weekly
races. But they’ll be back in action this coming Saturday, July 14, the first
weekend of the 172nd Orange
County Fair.
The point races in two of the track’s four
racing divisions are exceptionally tight. In Sportsman competition, Gary
Edwards Jr., the defending champion, has a slim 12-point lead over Jimmy
Spellman. The o the r close point chase is in the Pro Stock ranks. There Troy
Arnold is but two points ahead of both Run Nuzzaro
Jr. and Bobby Schade.
In the headline Modified division,
two-time champion Jerry Higbie has a 42-point edge over
2004 and 2011 titlist Tommy Meier. Jackie Brown is third in the standings, 12
points behind Meier.
Finally in the unpredictable Street Stock
division, Charles Donald leads Ron Constable by 34 points.
Advance sale tickets for the July 14
racing program are available at $14.00, including Fair admission. Day of show
tickets are $12.00 plus Fair admission. Advance
Advance ticket sales for the 51st Anniversary Eastern States Weekend and
additional track information are available at the
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 15 ---
July 19 --- Bacada
Investments 40-lap 358 Modified race, $2,500 to win
Open Tire Rule (Eastern States Weekend
Qualifier-Outside Pole)
July 20-22 --- MOTO AND MONSTER TRUCKC
MADNESS!!!
July 28 --- McGannon
Excavating/JHM Tree Service
Modified, Sportsman, Pro Stock, Street Stock, 305
Sprints
On Sunday, September 2nd, the Sunday of the
Labor Day Weekend, the “Racing Expo” that’s been held at the Hinchliffe Stadium in
Just prior to my sending this column out, I received the following, from Ronny Dennis:
“We are still looking for
participants for this years show. We have an ample amount of space to accomodate anyone that would like to be a part in the show.
If you would like to take part in the show, display a car, or exhibit please
contact Ronny Dennis (718)344-0502. It is FREE to enter the show
This years show will take place on Sunday
September 2, 2012 of Labor Day weekend
Gates open to paticipants
at 10 am
Show starts at 12 noon and runs all day
Admission is FREE
Hinchliffe Stadium is located in Paterson, N.J., on the corner
of Liberty St. and Maple St. next to the Great Falls.
Come out and show your support for the Stadium.
While your there you can check out the Great Falls Festival. There is something
for everyone. See you at the
SHOW! Spread the word”
I
get e-mails:
I imagine you’ve received quite a few of this one?
“Try to fathom the hypocrisy of a
Government that requires every citizen
To prove they are insured... but not prove
they are a citizen.”
And:
Lesson
of the Day
The Food
Stamp Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is
proud to be distributing the greatest amount of free meals and food stamps
ever.
Meanwhile, the
National Park Service, administered by the U.S.Department
of the Interior, asks us to "Please Do Not Feed
the animals". Their stated reason for the policy is because the
animals will grow dependent on handouts and will not learn to take care of themselves.
This ends
today's lesson.
Plus:
I was in
So I broke the window, stole the radio and
left a note that read,
"I hope this helps".
And:
Tale Of Two Patients..
Two patients limp into two
different medical clinics with the same complaint. Both have trouble walking
and appear to require hip surgery.
The FIRST patient is examined
within the hour, is x-rayed the same day and has a time booked for surgery the
following week.
The SECOND sees his family
doctor after waiting 3 weeks for an appointment, then waits 8 weeks to see a
specialist, then gets an x-ray, which isn't reviewed for another week, and
finally has his surgery scheduled for 6 months from then, pending the review
boards decision on his age and remaining value to society.
Why the different treatment
for the two patients?
The FIRST is a Golden
Retriever taken to a vet.
The SECOND is a Senior
Citizen on Obama care.
In November, if Obama and his
Czars get another term, we'll all have to find a good vet.
Just wondering:
#
1: Be a helluva
thing if this stuff is true, huh?
In part:
“Right now the United Nations is meeting and negotiating in
What does this
treaty do? It doesn’t just
control heavy weaponry used by our military but reaches right into the homes of
gun owning Americans by controlling pistols, rifles and ammunition with the
full backing of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and a readied signature from
President Obama.
-Enact
tougher licensing requirements, creating additional bureaucratic red tape for
legal firearms ownership.
-Confiscate
and destroy all “unauthorized” civilian firearms (exempting those owned by our
government of course).
A
lot more on this can be seen if you go here:
http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2012/07/09/obamas_coming_gun_control_through_the_un
#2: So
you’re the 8th to 10th car in line waiting at a red
light. The light goes green. Why does it take up to 40 seconds for you to
move? Didja
ever watch the standing start of a Formula One race?
#3:
When the insanity will end. What
am I talking about? The
overboard salaries that are being announced on TV with players in the NBA. Really – how can any one individual be worth
what they’re getting paid, when you hear of millions being paid out. Sad thing is, none of those contracts have any kind of “performance
clauses” in them. No idea as to what
happens when a player in a multi-year contract gets injured in the first year
and can’t play anymore.
#4: Lotsa talk going around about “Obamacare”. Some are
for it, some against. But is there more
to it than what we’ve been told?
Probably so, from the e-mails I’ve received. Things you can’t imagine, too. Funny how the news media does not come out
and tell us what is really in that bill, huh?
Some non-racing stuff:
I
guess we could all see this coming, huh?
In part:
“The Class of 2012 may have few reasons to celebrate this
year. Along with the long-term unemployed, experts say their prospects are the
bleakest among all job-seekers.
The
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/the-jobless-class-of-2012.html
Note: Not taken into consideration – those that
graduated high school and didn’t head to college. And, it was said a while back, that only
about 1/3 of those that were heading to college after graduating high school
this year, are “college material”.
And
this, too:
In part:
“AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - Texas Governor Rick Perry said
on Monday his state will not implement a Medicaid expansion or health insurance
exchange, two provisions of the federal healthcare law upheld last month by the
U.S. Supreme Court.
Perry joined fellow Republican governors in states such as
"I will not be party to socializing healthcare and
bankrupting my state in direct contradiction to our Constitution and our
founding principles of limited government," Perry said in a statement.”
More can be seen, here: http://health.yahoo.net/news/s/nm/texas-governor-rejects-two-provisions-of-health-law
Video time:
As
mentioned, above, here is the link to a documentary on Juan Manuel Fangio:
http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?166124-Fangio-documentary
Photos:
Note: The photos are not available on Dirt Track
Digest, only on New England Tractor - http://newenglandtractor.com/racereport/
Below is the 1946 Hinchliffe Stadium driving champion for the 1946 racing
season, Johnny Ritter in his # 163 Outboard. I can recall that the number seemed to me to
be printed out on something like a paper shopping bag, and taped to the
tail. One can see “wrinkles” where the
number is, if you look closely.
Closing with these:
I would like to
share an experience, about drinking and driving.
Some of us have been known to have had brushes with the authorities on our way
home over the years.
Last night, I was out for a few drinks with some friends and had a couple of
vodkas, and some red wine.
Knowing full well I may have been over the limit, I did something I've never
done before: I took a bus home.
Sure enough I passed a police road block but as it was a bus, they waved it
past.
I arrived home safely without incident, which was a real surprise; as I have
never driven a bus before and am not sure where I got it.
And:
Subject:
Who's on first
They
were one of the most popular comedy teams of the 1940's and 1950's.
(Today our Government is the comedy team.)
COSTELLO: I want to talk about the unemployment
rate in
ABBOTT: Good subject. Terrible
times. It's about 9%.
COSTELLO: That many people are out of work?
ABBOTT: No, that's 16%.
COSTELLO: You just said 9%.
ABBOTT: 9% Unemployed.
COSTELLO: Right 9% out of work.
ABBOTT: No, that's 16%.
COSTELLO: Okay, so it's 16% unemployed.
ABBOTT: No, that's 9%...
COSTELLO: WAIT A MINUTE. Is it 9% or 16%?
ABBOTT: 9% are unemployed. 16% are out of work.
COSTELLO: If you are out of work you are
unemployed.
ABBOTT: No, you can't count the "Out of
Work" as the unemployed. You have to look for work to be
unemployed.
COSTELLO: But ... they are out of work!
ABBOTT: No, you miss my point.
COSTELLO: What point?
ABBOTT: Someone who doesn't look for work, can't be counted with those
who look for work. It wouldn't be fair.
COSTELLO: To who?
ABBOTT: The unemployed.
COSTELLO: But they are ALL out of work.
ABBOTT: No, the unemployed are actively looking
for work... Those who are
out of work stopped looking. They gave up. And,
if you give up, you are no longer
in the ranks of the unemployed.
COSTELLO: So if you're off the unemployment roles, that would count as
less unemployment?
ABBOTT: Unemployment would go down. Absolutely!
COSTELLO: The unemployment just goes down
because you don't look for work?
ABBOTT: Absolutely it goes down. That's how you
get to 9%. Otherwise it
would be 16%. You don't want to read about 16%
unemployment do ya?
COSTELLO: That would be frightening.
ABBOTT: Absolutely.
COSTELLO: Wait, I got a question for you. That
means they're two ways to
bring down the unemployment number?
ABBOTT: Two ways is correct.
COSTELLO: Unemployment can go down if someone
gets a job?
ABBOTT: Correct.
COSTELLO: And unemployment can also go down if
you stop looking for a
job?
ABBOTT: Bingo.
COSTELLO: So there are two ways to bring
unemployment down, and the easier
of the two is to just stop looking for work.
ABBOTT: Now you're thinking like an economist.
COSTELLO: I don't even know what the hell I just
said!
And now you know why Obama's unemployment
figures are improving!
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