Racin' & Internet Stuff:

By Tom Avenengo

Volume # 105

08/16/2012

First:

I guess I could start off with “Damned if ya do” and “Damned if ya don’t” – or “Catch 22” – as far as what transpired this past Saturday and the Orange County Fair Speedway, and their cancellation of the nights racing – too some, a little too early.

Rain/thunderstorms were forecast for the Middletown, NY area. I live about 20 minutes from Middletown, in Port Jervis, NY. We had a brief, somewhat heavy shower mid morning. After that, gradual clearing and a rise in the temperature, for the remainder of the day. We never had anymore rain until around 11:30 PM when I took the “Beast”, Max, out for his usual “sniff & pee pee” walk.

On Saturday night, I went to the OCFS website, and later on, on Sunday, too. Here is what was said by various people about the cancellation – names taken out and a little “cleaning up” done, on my part:

“For what 5 minutes??? Like they dont sit there and water the sh*t outta the place while we are there! What a joke! Maybe they should start paying us back for our season passes! Rediculous!

Way to go OCFS!!! Another bad call in middletown!! Yet other times it rains all day and they wait till 3:20 to call it when you know its not gonna stop. Yet today it rains for all of 5 minutes and you call it....WTF....Maybe you should start buying the cars from people. We dont spend money to look at our cars in the garage!!! We come to race! LET US RACE!

maybe OCFS would like to give us an explanation why they cancelled.as the day went on the threat of rain became less and less according to weather.com. Like ***** said they need to start reimbursing the season pass holders or at least give them credit for next season

‎9p Still no rain or many clouds in the sky over track!!! BIG FAIL OCFS for tonight!!!

Who is the actual individual that decides?

‎10:30p past the track still no rain!! saw stars out over the track!!! Again OCFS BIG FAIL for tonight!!!

Was an honest effort made? Were the pits flooded? Somebody please explain? It looks like a slow and painful death of a once great track is coming to a close..So sad!

Saturday at 11:41pm ·

Its simple,with the threat of rain there are not enough spectators expected to cover the purse & expenses...In the past when they had big car counts and full bleachers they would do everything they could to get the show in...Back in the early 90's the pits were knee deep in water after a downpour and they still got the show in!!

Back in the 90s and before, the back gate paid for the purse. The front gate went towards the taxes, up keep and general bills. If you can't get the people in there and keep them coming back you are fighting a losing battle. Its time to sh*t or get off the pot. After over 40 years of going weekly it's a shame what is going on. It seems like the owners are lining their pockets for retirement and just letting the place go. We all hope the place will be around but the way it looks the time is short. In a way you can't blame Mr Gurda, if some one offered you 15 mil what would you do? Yup see ya, bye bye.

***, you hit the nail on the head. However, the question is why aren't the fans coming out? Well, the place has gone to hell, first off. If you want to buy food there, your stuck with Maxwells stuff. I was told that last week none of the writers showed up, and a request was made for a "fill-in". Ticket booth supposed to open at 4:00. We were still waiting, last week, until 4:30 - in the heat. Track surface sucks. This from Mr. Gurda, a year ago: "Anyplace you dig in the infield, you’ll find at least six feet of good quality clay that has built up over the past 60 years. It’s not the river bottom sandy clay." So why no clay on the track? Speakers and mics suck. Handicapping this year is a joke. Is there tech? One could go on and on, but it's after midnight.

***,not to look down on the modified field but face it,there are no big names to draw fans.Bring back the small block modifieds and it will bring in big names to run double duty like the good old days...The sportsman class is great to bring up future modified drivers,but I doubt many fans are traveling an hour+ to see them...Also,who wants to pay admission to watch a 10 car street stock and 8 car pro stock race??? If you cant draw an entry level full field you have big issues!!! Back when I raced the pits were completely full & there were 70+ pit pass paying street stocks along with all thier family/crew members! WHERE DID THEY ALL GO? Oh,and cut the freaking grass in turn 3&4,good grief!

We watched it with Nazareth and Flemington .I remember several occasions Flemington not racing because there was a 30% chance of showers and it ended up being a nice sunny day. Wonder what will be in its place the next time I visit .Don't need a Wal mart theres already one there ?

‎24HRs later.....thanks for the response OCFS.”

Good question is who makes the decision to cancel the races due to weather ,wed and no response.

funny how you delete my comment about canceling races 8 hrs before then nothing happens week after week and how your killin a once great track which is almost a pile a junk right now. whats the point of opening each year if half the season is wasted

Second:

I’m doing this on Monday, 8/13. As I made mention last week, the wife is due for a little surgery on Wednesday, time to be determined, for the insertion of the “Medi-port” so she can start the IV portion of the Chemotherapy – more than likely this coming Friday. So far (Knock on wood) the Xeloda pills have not affected her. She’s been taking 6 pills a day since last Wednesday. Her new Chemo drug is called Eloxatin. Talk about some possible side effects! One thing being stressed is how one is affected by COLD, when taking this particular drug.

Note # 1: Found out we have to be at the hospital at 11:30 AM. Also found out that the surgeon is having a “busy” day, too. Nice!

Note # 2: We left our house at 10:30 AM to insure that we’d get to the hospital in time. We got there about 11:10, and got “admitted” at 11:30. So far things looked good – so far. The procedure would take about one half hour. We got home at 7:30 PM. You figure it out. Also, what the medical people referred to it as a “Medi-port” is actually called a Power Port.

Of course, while we were at the hospital, there was a call made to our house from our local hospital, where the IV Chemo will be done. Looks like that will start on Monday, from what I’ve heard. Have to call them in the AM on Thursday to see what’s what.

Third:

Sheriff Joe Raids GNC Nutrition: 21 Illegals Using Stolen IDs (Including Those of Dead Americans)

He’s known as “America’s Toughest Sheriff”. But Joe Arpaio continues to show he deserves the moniker of “America’s JOBS Sheriff”. Because every time Sheriff Joe conducts a raid, he frees up jobs for legal American workers.

Yesterday was no exception, as Maricopa County Sheriff’s deputies raided the large General Nutrition Corporation (GNC) distribution warehouse in Phoenix. GNC is the dominant retailer of nutritional supplements in the U.S., with stores across the country.

MCSO’s Jeff Sprong says the vitamin distribution business employed as many as 21 suspects using false identifications to secure employment. Two suspects were using social security numbers belonging to dead persons, Sheriff Joe Arpaio said.

http://standwitharizona.com/blog/2012/08/10/sheriff-joe-raids-gnc-nutrition-21-illegals-using-stolen-ids-including-those-of-dead-americans/

Fourth:

The latest on the Hinchliffe Stadium “Racing Expo”:

“This years Hinchliffe Stadium Racing Expo scheduled for Sunday September 2 has been cancelled, We are trying to reschedule for Sunday October 7 of Columbus Day weekend. I apologize for any inconveniences this may cause. I will post any updates as soon as I find out. For more info you can contact me at (718)344-0502 Ronny Dennis”

Fifth:

There’s a thread on the Track Forum – “Breathless”. It pertains to the Cup race at Watkins Glen this past Sunday. Most of it pertains to the last couple of laps, oil on the track, whether the yellow should have or should not have been thrown. Some very interesting thoughts.

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?167895-Breathless

Sixth:

Personally, I’d like to see a couple more road races on the Cup schedule. Some are saying that they need a dirt track, but face it – there isn’t a dirt track in the country – any mile dirt track, that could hold the crowd that I think would want to see such an event. But I’d love to see a couple more races on regular road courses, not on parking lots or on city streets. Tracks where there might be ample places for passing and with good visibility where one could see most of the track.

Seventh:

Imagine if this happened in the Olympics?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70UF82nysIU&feature=player_embedde

Eighth:

Goodyear, Outlaws Ending Tire Agreement

In part:

“Tires were the talk of the town during the recent Knoxville Nationals and it was apparent Goodyear’s departure from the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series — and perhaps all of winged sprint car racing — was imminent.

Tuesday the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and the World Racing Group announced Goodyear will not continue as the official tire supplier of the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series beyond the 2012 season, ending a three-year relationship.”

Sponsored by Tyler Dippel Racing

Modifieds $1500 to Win

Sportsman-Spec Sportsman

Pro Stock-Pure Stock

Lightning Sprints

Pure Stocks will be running 2 features

Pit Gates 4:30 Spectator Gate 5:00 Warm ups 6:30 Racing 7pm

OCFS:

Saturday, August 18th //Sparta Trucking/Holiday Inn of Middletown // MODS, SPTS, ROOKIE, STREET

Other tracks:

Williams Grove on Friday, August 17^th: Twin 20’s – 410 Sprints

New Egypt on Tuesday, August 21^st: “Jersey Rush”. 410 Sprint Cars and Modifieds. Rain date: Wednesday August 22^nd.

Utica/Rome on Wednesday, August 22^nd: RoC Modified Series $10,000.00 to win. Plus $1,000.00 to win Sportsman Series. Also: Fireworks!

Selinsgrove on Sunday, August 26^th: WoO Late Models – 50 laps - $10,000.00 to win.

Found on Jayski’s website:

http://www.jayski.com/

Source disputes Allmendinger's defense:

It is highly unlikely that AJ Allmendinger's positive test for amphetamines came from a single pill taken one time as the suspended Sprint Cup driver recently stated, a source close to the situation told ESPN.com. It also is highly unlikely that Allmendinger will complete NASCAR's Road to Recovery program necessary for reinstatement by the end of August as the driver stated, according to the source. "That's not going to happen," the source said. The driver said last week that the positive test resulted from prescription Adderal that he was given by the friend of a friend two days before he was randomly tested at Kentucky Speedway on June 29. Adderall is administered medically to control symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, the source told ESPN.com that Allmendinger's one-pill defense is not consistent with the test results despite the fact Adderall can remain in a person's system up to 72 hours. And while Adderall contains compounds of amphetamines, experts in the field say there are other prescription drugs and illegal drugs that contain the same compounds. NASCAR denied ESPN.com's request to interview Dr. David Black, who heads up the Nashville-based Aegis Sciences Corp. that runs the drug testing program for the sport, regarding Allmendinger's claims. Allmendinger, according to the source, also did not reveal to the medical review officer during standard questioning given before the random test that he took anything given to him by another person that possibly could register a positive test. See more atESPN.com.(8-15-2012)

Sad News - Jerry Grant:

Jerry Grant, a 10-time competitor in the Indianapolis 500 and the first person to turn an official lap faster than 200 mph in an Indy car, died Sunday, Aug. 12. He was 77. Grant, a prominent American road racer, turned his historic 201.414-mph lap in 1972 at Ontario, Calif. But he is probably best remembered for nearly winning the 1972 Indianapolis 500. Grant led at the 188-lap mark when he had to pit to replace a tire which was losing air. Instead of pitting in his stall, he went to the adjoining one of Unser, who had retired much earlier in the day. Whether or not Grant actually took on any fuel from Unser's refueling tank is up for discussion, but the hoses were momentarily hooked up, and it became known that the tank in his own pit was apparently empty, the maximum allotment of 275 gallons having been exhausted. While Grant did finish the 500 miles, taking the checkered flag in second place behind Mark Donohue, officials subsequently disallowed Grant's final 12 laps, thus dropping him from second to 12th. Grant also raced in 19 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races from 1965-1974 with two top-five finishes in cluding the 1967 Daytona 500.(IMS)(8-13-2012)

Penske sons arrested for alleged break-in at Nantucket Yacht Club:

Two sons of auto racing mogul Roger Penske [#2 & #22 Dodges in Sprint Cup Series, NNS teams and IndyCars team among others] were arrested early Thursday morning by island police for an alleged break-in at the Nantucket Yacht Club after two women claimed they had been assaulted in the club's parking lot. Jay Penske, 33, the CEO of the digital media company PMC who owns the IndyCar racing team Dragon Racing and the web site Deadline.com, along with his brother Mark Penske, 35, were arrested just before 2 a.m. Thursday on South Beach Street. According to a police report, the incident was initially reported as an assault and battery when two women approached police on Broad Street, claiming they had been assaulted by two men, later identified as the Penske brothers, at the yacht club's parking lot. Their parents, Roger and Kathy Penske, own a waterfront home on Nantucket in Pocomo. The Penske brothers were not available for comment, according to a person who answered the phone at their parents' home.(full story at the Nantucket Inquirer and Mirror)(8-9-2012)

McMurray re-signs with Ganassi:

#1-Jamie McMurray confirmed Saturday that he has signed a contract extension with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing for 2013. "I'm set for here," McMurray said after qualifying at Watkins Glen International. "It's done. I haven't really made a big deal about it. Drivers take different approaches to that. Some like all the publicity taking about. I don't. & But everything is set for next year and I'm excited to be back here." McMurray didn't say how long his extension runs, but he apparently didn't test the free-agent market. Ganassi officials would not confirm nor deny that McMurray signed an extension. It is Ganassi policy not to comment on contracts.(Sporting News)(8-12-2012)

UPDATE: a quote by #1-Jamie McMurray after his accident at Watkins Glen on August 12th.

Q) YOU HAVE EXTENDED YOUR CONTRACT WITH EGR?

McMurray: "It's been since May when that all went down. I haven't really talked about it. Nobody asked me and I didn't really volunteer it. You watch guys the way they handle that. Some like to make it very public and then there are others that just kind of go about their business."(Team Chevy Race Notes and Quotes)(8-13-2012)

Richard Petty talks about Ford

Richard Petty said Sunday after his driver, #9-Marcos Ambrose, won at Watkins Glen that his company would have to renegotiate with Ford after the season. "I seen some of the Ford people there today. I told them, `Me and Marcos won the race.' I had the contract in my pocket. I was going to let them sign it right there. I don't think it went over too good."(Associated Press)(8-13-2013)

Newman / SHR announcement next week?

#39-Ryan Newman is expected to remain at Stewart-Haas Racing with additional support from sponsor Quicken Loans. An announcement could come as early as next week.(FoxSports)(8-13-2012)

UPDATE:

A team spokesman said Monday that no announcement is scheduled, but reiterated that the team is focused on re-signing Newman and new sponsors. "Negotiations regarding retaining Ryan Newman as the driver of the #39 car are ongoing, as are discussions with various brands to partner with Stewart-Haas Racing and the #39 team," SHR spokesman Mike Arning said in an email. "Stewart-Haas Racing continues to negotiate with one driver and one driver only for the #39 car, and that driver is Ryan Newman."(Sporting News)(8-14-2012)

Penske hopes to name #22 2013 driver by Chicago:

Roger Penske hopes to name a driver for his #22 NASCAR Sprint Cup entry [will be Ford] for the 2013 season before the Chase for the Sprint Cup begins at Chicago on Sept. 16. "I've got five or six people that have contacted us," Penske said prior to the Finger Lakes 355 at The Glen on Sunday. "We're going to see how Sam (Hornish Jr.) does. We have a certain amount of loyalty to him. We're trying to assess where we're at." Penske says he's pleased with Hornish's progress in the #22 Dodge. Hornish replaced AJ Allmendinger on July 7 after Allmendinger tested positive for amphetamine. Hornish has posted two top-20 finishes in the Cup car. His best result was 16th at Indianapolis. Several free agents have been mentioned as candidates for the ride, including Joey Logano and Ryan Newman, who drove for Penske prior to joining Stewart-Haas Racing in 2009. As far Logano, who has been mentioned as a top candidate for the seat, Penske mentioned that the 22-year-old remains under contract to Joe Gibbs Racing.(FoxSports)(8-12-2012)

UPDATE:

Joey Logano appears to be the leading candidate to replace AJ Allmendinger at Penske Racing next year, but team owner Roger Penske says he has made no decision yet. Penske has had a couple of weeks to talk to candidates for the ride, but said Sunday he has made no decision. Logano has driven the last four years for Joe Gibbs Racing but the organization has not been able to put sponsorship together to keep him in a Cup car for 2013. Gibbs is expected to announce soon that it has hired Matt Kenseth to replace Logano in the #20 car for next season. Team officials have said they would like to keep Logano but fielding a full-time Cup car for him would depend on finding sponsorship to start a fourth team.
Ryan Newman and Brian Vickers also have been mentioned as possible candidates for the ride, but Newman has said he is focused on staying with Stewart-Haas Racing and the team is working on sponsorship for next season.(Sporting News)(8-14-2012)

Logano says he has two offers:

#20-Joey Logano is mulling offers for two full-time Sprint Cup rides next year, including one to remain at Joe Gibbs Racing, and expects to make a decision soon. "I've got a couple of offers," the 22-year-old driver said on Wednesday at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where he was promoting fall events. "I'm just trying to decipher what's the best for me. What's going to give me the most trophies and win the most races out of? I could be fairly close (to a decision). I could be a few weeks out. It all depends on the next couple of days, actually." Logano would not discuss the name of the other organization that has made an offer. The #22 at Penske Racing has been mentioned as a possibility since AJ Allmendinger was released following his suspension for failing a drug test. Penske Racing also might be considering adding a third team next year as it moves to Ford. Sam Hornish Jr. has been named Allmendinger's replacement for the foreseeable future. "There's only so many good teams out there," Logano said when asked directly about Penske Racing. He said he is not considering a part-time Cup ride. The Cup offer at Gibbs is dependent on finding sponsorship.(in part from ESPN)(8-9-2012)

Going back, in time at OVRP’s Dirt Oval:

From August 31, 2002:

http://www.whowon.com/Results.asp?TrackID=1904&StoryID=72836

Note: Some names from back then that are still in racing, but in vehicles bigger than Karts, today:

Zack Vavricka, Johnny Guarino, Kyle Armstrong, Justin Grosz, Matt Janiak, Joey Falanga, Matt Hitchcock, Rogr Coss, Brian Krummel, John Lodini, Wyatt Clark, David Webb, Mike Doty, Danny Creeden, Andrew Reeves and Mike Casario.

Going back, in time:

Another track that I went to with my father and brother back in the 40’s to watch the midgets race was the track in Danbury, Ct. Races from 1946 to 1951 are covered this week.

1946

June 1 rain

June 5 1. Dee Toran 2. Dutch Schaefer 3. Ted Tappett

June 8 1. Dutch Schaefer 2. Johnny Ritter 3. Tony Bonadies

June 12 1. Rex Records 2. Shorty McAndrews 3. Tony Bonadies

June 15 1. Len Duncan 2. Rex Records 3. Lew Volk

June 22 1. Ray Nestor 2. Larry Bloomer 3. Dutch Schaefer

Larry Bloomer crossed the line in first place but was penalized for

passing Ray Nestor under yellow. Oddly, Bloomer was still

credited with a 25 lap track record.

June 29 1. George Fonder 2. Dutch Schaefer 3. Ted Tappett

July 3 1. Dutch Schaefer 2. Ray Nestor 3. Len Fanelli 19 laps

July 6 1. Dutch Schaefer 2. Ted Tappett 3. George Fonder

July 13 1. Ted Tappett 2. Dutch Schaefer 3. Rex Records

July 20 1. Dutch Schaefer 2. George Fonder 3. Lou Volk

July 27 1. Ted Tappett 2. Larry Bloomer 3. Dutch Schaefer

August 3 1. Ted Tappett 2. Bill Schindler 3. Tony Bonadies

August 10 1. Ray Nestor 2. Larry Bloomer 3. Dutch Schaefer

August 17 canceled after heat races, wet track

August 24 1. Shorty McAndrews 2. George Fonder 3. Dutch Schaefer

August 31 1. Chet Conklin 2. Rex Records 3. Charlie Miller

Sept. 7 1. Bill Schindler 2. Tony Bonadies 3. Chet Conklin

Sept. 14 1. Len Duncan 2. Bob Disbrow 3. Bill Baker

Sept. 21 ?

Sept. 29 1. Len Duncan 2. Tony Bonadies 3. Bill Schindler

Oct. 5 1. Dutch Schaefer 2. Don Morris 3. Len Duncan

Oct. 12 rain

Oct. 19 1. Tony Bonadies 2. Dutch Schaefer 3. George Rice

1947

May 31 1. Rex Records 2. Al Keller 3. Dutch Schaefer

June 7 rain

June 14 rain

June 21 1. Tony Bonadies 2. Dutch Schaefer 3. Bill Troutwine

June 28 1. Dutch Schaefer 2. Ted Tappett 3. Tony Bonadies

July 5 rain

July 12 1. Bill Schindler 2. Ted Tappett 3. Len Wofsey

July 19 1. Rex Records 2. Lloyd Christopher 3. Len Duncan

July 26 1. Andy Van Heusen 2. Len Duncan 3. Bob Disbrow

August 2 1. Bill Schindler 2. George Fonder 3. George Rice

August 9 rain

August 16 rain

August 23 1. Tony Bonadies 2. George Rice 3. Ted Tappett

August 30 1. George Rice 2. Dutch Schaefer 3. Al Keller

Sept. 6 1. Ted Tappett 2. Al Keller 3. Tony Bonadies

Sept. 13 1. Al Keller 2. Henry Renard 3. Don Morris

Sept. 20 1. George Rice 2. Tony Bonadies 3. Mike Nazaruk

Sept. 27 1. Ted Tappett 2. Al Keller 3. George Rice

Sept. 28 1. Johnny Ritter 2. Art Cross 3. George Rice

Oct. 5 1. George Rice 2. Mike Nazaruk 3. Johnny Ringger

Oct. 11 1. George Rice 2. Johnny Ritter 3. Tony Bonadies 100 laps

Champion: George Rice

1948

May 1 1. Ted Tappett 2. Tony Bonadies 3. Len Duncan

May 8 1. Bill Schindler 2. Larry Bloomer 3. Tony Bonadies

May 15 1. Bill Schindler 2. George Rice 3. Dutch Schaefer

May 22 1. Rex Records 2. Henry Renard 3. Mike Nazaruk

May 29 rain

June 5 1. Stan Disbrow 2. Bob Disbrow 3. Henry Renard

June 12 1. Stan Disbrow 2. Buddy Chase 3. Bill Baker

June 19 1. Tony Bonadies 2. Rex Records 3. George Rice 40 laps

June 26 1. Don Morris 2. Joe Barzda 3. Henry Renard

July 3 1. Mike Nazaruk 2. Rex Records 3. Andy Van Heusen

July 10 1. Bob Disbrow 2. Vernon Land 3. Dutch Schaefer

July 17 1. Bob Disbrow 2. Henry Renard 3. Stan Disbrow

July 24 1. Steve McGrath 2. Henry Renard 3. Johnny Ritter

July 31 1. Tony Bonadies 2. Stan Disbrow 3. Art Cross

August 7 1. Bill Baker 2. B. Klar 3. Andy Furci

August 14 1. Len Fanelli 2. Tony Bonadies 3. Russ Klar

August 21 1. Stan Disbrow 2. Johnny Carpenter 3. Bob Disbrow

August 28 1. Steve McGrath 2. Larry Bloomer 3. Buddy Chase

Sept. 4 1. Steve McGrath 2. Larry Bloomer 3. Bob Disbrow 50 laps

Sept. 11 1. Henry Renard 2. Tony Bonadies 3. Buddy Chase

Sept. 18 rain

Sept. 25 1. Len Duncan 2. Henry Renard 3. Dutch Schaefer 100 laps

Oct. 2 1. Bob Disbrow 2. Len Duncan 3. Steve McGrath

1949

May 7 1. Vernon Land 2. Howie Moratti 3. Steve McGrath

May 14 ?

May 21 1. Stan Disbrow 2. Tony Bonadies 3. Vernon Land

May 30 1. Dutch Schaefer 2. Henry Renard 3. Johnny Zeke

June 4 1. Bob Disbrow 2. Henry Renard 3. Johnny Zeke

June 11 1. Henry Renard 2. Johnny Zeke 3. Vernon Land

June 18 1. Red Marlowe 2. Johnny Ringger 3. Henry Renard

June 25 rain

July 2 1. Larry Shurter 2. Red Marlowe 3. Russ Klar

July 9 1. Cy Sanders 2. Bob Disbrow 3. Henry Renard

July 16 1. Red Marlowe 2. Tony Bonadies 3. Dutch Schaefer

July 23 1. Nick Fornoro 2. Red Marlowe 3. Bill Schindler

July 30 rain

August 6 1. Dutch Schaefer 2. Tony Bonadies 3. Nick Fornoro

August 13 rain

August 20 1. Cy Sanders 2. Russ Klar 3. Tony Bonadies

August 27 1. Cy Sanders 2. Jimmy DiMarco 3. Russ Klar

Sept. 3 1. Tony Bonadies 2. Dutch Schaefer 3. Buddy Chase 50 laps

1951

ARA Midgets

Sept. 29

There was a two day midget race scheduled during the 1951 fair, I have the result for the ARA race somewhere, but it is not in my notebook.

ARDC Midgets

Sept. 30 1. Russ Klar 2. Fred Meeker 3. Bert Brooks

Note: One of the names mentioned, above, is that of Ted Tappett (Phil Walters). As the midgets died out, he went over to stock cars, and was very successful. After that, he hooked up with Briggs Cunningham and got into road racing – again, quite successful – to the point that he had signed a contract to driver Sports/Racing Cars and Grand Prix Cars for Ferrari, in 1955. While racing at LeMans, in 1955, (Still for Cunningham) he witnessed the carnage when Pierre LeVegh crashed his Mercedes into the crowd, killing almost 100 people. He retired from racing at that point.

Something of interest, on Tappett (Walters):

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20080924/FREE/809249997

News from the AARN:

http://www.aarn.com/

From the August 7^th issue:

Last week, it seems that the tire shortage with Goodyear in Pa, for the 410 Sprints, caused two tracks, Williams Grove and Port Royal to open up their tire rules.

On Saturday, August 4^th, the ATQMRA TQ’s raced at Mountain Speedway. Only 8 cars listed as having competed. Seems that when they raced at Bethel, they had about the same, car count, wise? What’s happened to the TQ’s? Borgers only gets a handful, too.

Only 26 Asphalt Modifieds signed in to race at the Seekonk Speedway for their “Open Wheel Wednesday” show that paid $10,000.00 to the winner of the 100 lap race.

Looking at all the Go-Kart results in the paper, I only see one track, the Orville Kart Club that runs 100cc Two Cycles- like Yamahas. Why is that? It seems to me that two cycles are so much easier to work on and run.

In the “News Briefs” at the end of the AARN’s pages, it mentions the Sail Panels returning to the Accord Speedway for the Modifieds. It also made mention that the Sail Panels were used at Accord, previously, for the Sportsman class to differentiate them from the “Spec” Sportsman. Huh??? I never saw that!

Exhibit space is now 1^st come, 1^st served for the AARN’s Motor Sports 2013 show on January 18^th to 20^th at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pa. Contact Tim Houge or Danny Sammons at 609-888-3618, or check out the AARN’s website.

Lenny Sammons:

Most of his column was on Tony Stewart and his racing locally in Sprint Cars.

He makes mention of John Brennfleck destroying his Sprint Car when hitting the steel guard rail on the 1^st turn at Port Royal, from what appears to be something breaking on the front end. The motor plate broke, causing the engine to run wide open, which resulted in it blowing up. They had just gotten the engine back from having it worked on.

Ryan Godown clinched the RoC South Series title at Grandview, when he finished 6^th. He also won the title in 2004 in the North East seven race series held on Wednesday nights – the “Super Stars of Racing”

Ernie Saxton:

He makes mention of the two different first place pay-offs for last Saturdays Forrest Rogers Memorial race at Grandview. If a Grandview regular won, he’d get $20,000.00. If an outsider won, they’d get $10,000.00. The winner would also get a guaranteed starting spot for the BPG Racing Freedom 76 race on September 15^th. That race will pay $50,000.00 to the winner, plus lap money and other rewards. Oh, Kevin Hirthler, a Grandview regular won the $20,000.00.

Dino Oberto:

Mahoning Valley will pay $5,000.00 to win their Fall Classic Modified race that will be held on October 18^th. That race will be 130 laps with 24 cars taking the green. $300.00 to take the green. A non-qualifiers race of 30 laps will pay $1,000.00 to the winner. Late Models will have a 75 lap race with $1,500.00 to win, while the Street Stocks will race for 100 laps and $1,800.00 to win & $200.00 to take the green.

Todd Heintzelman:

After 5 years of trying, Lucas Wolfe finally won a WoO Sprint Car race, that happening at the Bloomington Speedway on August 3^rd.

Over one million dollars are on the line for the Knoxville Nationals. $150,000.00 to win, $75,000.00 for 2^nd, $37,500.00 for 3^rd and $9,500.00 to take the green. Donny Schatz won that race, his sixth win in the last seven years!

News in this weeks issue – August 14th:

In AARN
This Week:

Grandview's Forrest Rogers $20,000
To Kevin Hirthler

Donny Schatz Wins
Sixth Knoxville Nationals
In Last Seven Years

Brett Hearn's Ready
To Get Back To Racing

Donny Lia Is Back
In NASCAR Mod Tour
Winners Circle
At Thompson

Ryan Taylor Impressive
In Port Royal 410 Romp

Stafford Adds
Dirt Crate Sportsman
To Aug. 26 Race;
Oswego Offers Test

Satterlee Leads Late Model
'Revolution' At Hesston

Shawn Solomito's Riverhead Win
Pushes Him Closer
To First Championship

Former Oakland Valley Speedway (Dirt Oval) runners:

Not too much to report on from this past weekend, thanks to “Mother Nature”

At Bethel, in the held over Sportsman feature, Rich Coons was the winner. He did not start the second feature.

Nick Pecko won the Modified feature at Mountain Speedway.

At Utica/Rome, AJ Filbeck was 4^th in the Sportsman feature.

At Five Mile, Danny Creeden was 9^th in the Modified feature and Brian Krummel 7^th in the Sportsman feature.

Man, did I miss a bunch last week!

Molly Chambers was 6^th at Kutztown and 13^th at Greenwood Valley Action Track in 600 Micros.

Dylan Izzo was 11^th at Bethel in the 50 lap Legends Feature.

Anthony Perrego was 11^th at Grandview in the RoC Sportsman race.

Brian Sobus was 9^th in the Super Modified feature at Oswego.

Roger Coss was 10^th at Mahoning Valley and 17^th at Seekonk in the Modifieds.

Mike Mammana was 26^th in the Sportsman RoC race at Grandview, 18^th in the 60 lap Bib Block RoC race at Grandview and 13^th at Big Diamond in the 358 Modified feature.

Note: To find out how the drivers do, it’s pretty easy to find results from OCFS and Accord. What gets a little difficult is tracks up north, south, east and west of my area.

More racin’ stuff:

New records set at Pikes Peak climb amid heart-stopping crashes

In part:

“This year's Pikes Peak International Hill Climb was bound to be the fastest ever in its 90-year history as environmental concerns had led to the paving of the road up to the 14,110-foot summit for the first time. Sure enough, records fell throughout the day, with champion Rhys Millen besting last year's fastest time with a 9 minute, 46.164 second run, a victory of two-hundredths of a second over the next runner. But the day was punctuated by two serious crashes that show just how dangerous the new Pikes Peak can be.

The Pikes Peak climb ranks among the world's most challenging race events, running a 12-mile course with 153 turns whose altitude changes saps power from engines and drivers. Unlike other races, there's few limits on what can be raced, with everything from motorcycles with sidecars to custom-built 1,000-hp race cars tackling the course every year.

Running a 700-hp turbocharged Hyundai Genesis coupe, Millen bested a field of gas and electric-powered competitors on Sunday, barely ahead of French driver and 24 Hours of Le Mans champion Romain Dumas in his Porsche 911. Last year's champion Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima, who had vowed to win the race in his custom-built electric car, saw his day end early after the car caught fire early in his run. Instead, the new electric record went to Fumio Nutahara in a Toyota-built race car, which shaved two minutes off the previous best time for an EV and placed sixth overall with a 10:15.380 run.

With 170 entries, crashes are inevitable, and this year Pikes Peak organizers tightened the safety rules anticipating the higher speeds on paved areas. Paul Dallenbach, one of the drivers favored to win the race, tested the limits of those precautions when the throttle stuck on his 1,400-hp unlimited-class race car, sending him flying into the trees at 130 mph. Dallenbach was not seriously injured, saying on Twitter laterthat there was "nothing left of the car. Took a flight 4 life ride but today was not my day to go. I am very sore."

More on this, and links to some wicked crash videos can be found here:

http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/records-set-pikes-peak-climb-amid-heart-stopping-130045334.html

Press Releases:

Super DIRTcar Series Invades Lebanon Valley Speedway

Drivers Compete with Two-Time Consecutive Winner JR Heffner for $17,500 Prize

WEST LEBANON, N. Y. - Challenge awaits traveling Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modified drivers as they move into the series' eighth round Thursday, Aug. 16, at Lebanon Valley Speedway and battle for the hefty $17,500 winner's award.

The past two years the series has invaded the speedway's high banked, half-mile clay oval, local star JR Heffner piloted his #74 A. Colarusso/Bicknell Chassis/Bedell horsepower machine to beat out the likes of Brett Hearn, also a Lebanon Valley regular, current two-time defending series champion Matt Sheppard, and four-time series champion Danny Johnson.

Although the father of four from Pittsford, Mass., rarely travels with the series, Heffner made winning a series event look easy, leading all 100 laps at last year's Lebanon Valley Super DIRTcar Series event.

"I'm honored to win the last two years in a row. I look forward to the race," Heffner said. "Lebanon is a very tough track and then you bring the Billy Deckers and the Matt Sheppards there - it's really going to be tough competition among the guys who are already tough competition."

Despite these former successes and a good 2012 season putting him fourth in points at Lebanon Valley, Heffner said he cannot predict a third consecutive victory at the "Mr. DIRT Track U.S.A" 100 lapper.

"I can promise I will give i120 percent to make it happen, but given the competition and circumstances, I can never predict that happening," Heffner said. "The only thing we can do is bring our A game and see where the cards fall.

Gates open at 5 p.m. and racing is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. for Thursday's event, which is presented by Gendron's Truck Center and Hoosier and includes a Budget Sportsman show.

For the latest updates on DIRTcar racing, "like" the Facebook page or follow the Super DIRTcar Series Twitter feed, @SuperDIRTcar.

EVENT DETAILS:
What: Super DIRTcar Series round eight, "Mr. DIRT Track U.S.A" 100-lap event
Who: Super DIRTcar Series drivers and teams
When: 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, gates open at 5 p.m.
Where: Lebanon Valley Speedway, 1746 US Route 20, West Lebanon, N. Y.

The Super DIRTcar Series and DIRTcar Racing in the Northeast Region is brought to fans by several sponsors and partners including Hoosier Racing Tire, VP Racing Fuels, Chevy Performance Parts, Gander Mountain, NAPA Auto Parts, Nationwide Insurance, and Safety-Kleen. Promotional partners include the University of Northwestern Ohio. Contingency sponsors are ASI, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix, ButlerBuilt, Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, Intercomp, JE Pistons, Klotz Synthetic Lubricants, KSE Racing Products, Motorsports Safety Systems, MSD Ignition, Penske Shocks, Racing Electronics, Superflow, Vicci Racing Apparel, WIX Filters, Wrisco Industries, and Xtreme Lubricants.

NEWS FROM Orange County Fair Speedway

239 Wisner Avenue Middletown, NY10940

CONTACT

Mike Gurda

845-342-2573

ORANGE COUNTY FAIR SPEEDWAY DRIVERS BATTLE FOR POINTS AS SEASON WINDS DOWN

MIDDLETOWN, NY (August 10)……..When the exhaust fumes settle from Saturday’s race meet at Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, New York, the re will be just four more weeks of competition before the track point champions are crowned. For drivers in each of the speedway’s stock car divisions this makes the Saturday, August 18 racing program even more important as point championships include trophies, cash bonuses, and all-important bragging rights get closer to being determined.

Three of the four racing divisions---Modifieds, Sportsman, and Street Stock---will be in action on the 18^th, with a full program of qualifying and feature races. In addition, the Rookie Sportsman drivers will compete in the ir own “learning session” feature. The Pro Stock division will not be racing on August 18. Holiday Inn of Middletown and Sparta Trucking are the night’s sponsors.

In the headline Modified division, the point battle is between 2009 and 2010 champion Jerry Higbie and defending titlist, also two-time champion Tommy Meier. Higbie and Meier have a significant point edge over third-place Chris Shultz, so it appears the se two veteran campaigners will fight it out for the Modified championship.

In Sportsman competition, 2011 champion Gary Edwards Jr. currently holds the top spot with Jimmy Spellman his closest pursuer. Brian Krummel, the 2010 Top Dog in the Sportsman division, is in third place.

The closest point race is in the Pro Stock division where Ron Nuzzaro Jr., Mike Dutka, and Troy Arnold locked in a tight battle that won’t be decided until September 8, the final point race of the season.

In the Street Stock division, Charles Donald has a comfortable lead over Ron Constable and Matt Burke. But in Street Stock racing, anything can happen…and usually does.

Admission prices for the August 18 race meet remain at $14 adults, $12 seniors, and free for children 12 and under. The exceptionally full night of racing begins promptly at 6:30 pm.

Advance ticket sales for all remaining 2012 races, including the October 19-21 51^st Annual Eastern States Weekend, and track information are available at the Orange County website, www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net, or from the Track Office. Call 845-342-2573 weekdays during business hours.

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 25 --- Accord Speedway Night (Modified King of the Catskills Qualifier)

September 1 --- Howard Johnson/Super 8 of Middletown Night

Aug. 21 DIRTcar 358-Modified Asphalt Race Canceled

LANCASTER, N. Y. – The DIRTcar 358-Modified Asphalt Series race originally set for Tuesday, August 21, at Dunn Tire Raceway Park has been removed from the schedule.

The event, which was the third round in the four-race series, will not be rescheduled.

The final 358-Modified Asphalt Series event, set for Sunday, Sept. 9, at Airborne Park Speedway in Plattsburgh, N. Y., remains unchanged.

Collaborative and supportive partnerships remain essential to continuing to build an asphalt program for DIRTcar racers.

Preferred Super DIRT Week starting positions will be available for DIRTcar Sportsman Modified competitors at Oswego Speedway in Oswego, N. Y., during Classic Weekend, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, and Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford Springs, Conn. More details for these events will be forthcoming.

DIRTcar 358-Modified Asphalt Series Schedule

Date Track Location Laps Points Winner

Wednesday, June 20th Airborne Park Speedway Plattsburgh, NY 50 100 Todd Stone

Tuesday, June 26th Dunn Tire Raceway Park Lancaster, NY 50 100 Pat McGrail

Sunday, September 9th Airborne Park Speedway Plattsburgh, NY 50(x3) 150

News from Bridgeport Speedway's 'Poker Series'

Promoter: Doug Hoffman - 610-398-4923
'Poker Series' Publicity: Brett Deyo - Deyo99H@aol.com or 845.728.2781

For Immediate Release/August 14, 2012

Bridgeport Speedway Management Moves 'Poker Series' Event to Thursday, Aug. 30, Avoids Big Diamond Speedway Date Conflict

BRIDGEPORT, NJ - Taking the best interest of racers and fans into consideration, Bridgeport Speedway promoters Doug and Gena Hoffman announced the 'Hand Four' segment of the five-race 'Poker Series' is now planned for Thursday night, Aug. 30.

The event had been slated for a rare Friday night on the five-eighths-mile on Aug. 31 when a review of speedway schedules showed no Modified conflicts in the Pennsylvania-New Jersey region on that date. However, Big Diamond (Pa.) Speedway has since scheduled a points-paying event for Aug. 31, prompting the change to Aug. 30. Micro-Sprints will now race on the Bridgeport quarter-mile on Aug. 31.

Doug Hoffman said he didn't want to force racers and fans into a decision over which event to attend. A number of Big Diamond 358-Modified regulars are already embroiled in the five-race 'Poker Series' run for the money.

“We are not in the business of going head-to-head with other tracks,” Hoffman, a first-year promoter at Bridgeport and talented former Modified star, said. “We don’t want drivers to have to choose where they are going to race. It isn’t fair to the drivers or the fans. Gena and I apologize to all for the date change, but we felt this was in the best interest of our event.”

The 40-lap big-block/small-block ‘Hand Four’ Modified event will offer a $4,000 winner's share. Fifth-place pays $1,000, with $500 reserved for the 10th-place finisher and $300 to take the green flag.

Crate Sportsman in a 30-lap ‘Hand Four’ event offering a ‘Poker Series’ purse - a $700 winner's share and $75 to start - plus Outlaw Stocks in a 15-lap feature join the Modifieds on the program.

The 'Poker Series' event will get its first green flag at 7:30 p.m. Gates open at 5 p.m. and hot laps are planned for 7 p.m.

Grandstand admission is $25 for Adults and $23 for Seniors (65 and over) and Students (with ID). Kids 12 and under are admitted FREE. Pit admission is $30 for Bridgeport members and $35 for non-members.

Modified weight rules are as follows for the event: PA-legal (Big Diamond/Grandview) 358 engines: 2,350 lbs.; all other small-blocks under 361 cubic inches: 2,400 lbs.; all engines above 361 cubic inches: 2,500 lbs. The tire rule is as follows: right-rear 48 or harder; left-rear 44; 33 or harder across the front.

Three of the five 'Poker Series' races have been contested. New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway's Ryan Godown of Ringoes, N.J., won the first hand on March 31. Delaware International Speedway's Jamie Mills of Milford, Del., was the May 27 winner. Richie Pratt Jr. of Woodbury Heights, N.J., topped the July 25 event, defending his home turf. Pratt earned a hefty $4,680 including lap money for 43 laps of work in Sal DeBruno's No. 0.

At each Modified 'Poker Series' event, the winner receives an Ace (A), second a King (K), third a Queen (Q) and so on down to the 13th-place finisher receiving a Deuce (2). Following the completion of the five-race series, the driver with the best poker hand earns $2,500, second $1,500 and third $1,000. The driver with the worst five-card hand receives $1,000. Drivers must participate in all five events to be eligible for a point fund.

Track regular Rick Laubach of Quakertown, Pa., has earned three second-place finishes and as a result has three 'Kings' heading into the final two events.

The final 'Poker Series' Modified event is planned for Sat., Nov. 10. Plans are being put into place for a two-day 'Wild Card Weekend' at Bridgeport Nov. 9-10. Details will be released in the coming days. The 'Wild Card Weekend' will also include the final hand of the Crate Sportsman 'Poker Series' battle.

For further information on Bridgeport Speedway, visit www.bpspeedway.com. Bridgeport Speedway, located just minutes from Pennsylvania and Delaware off I-295 Exit 14, is a state-of-the-art auto racing facility with a five-eighths-mile clay oval and a quarter-mile clay oval embedded in the center.

Borgers PR

Media Contact

Bob Snyder

bobsnyderphoto@enter.net

Borgers News.

Plans for the Borgers six race fall series starting September 22 are in full swing. Brendan OcConnor in charge of Borgers marketing has already secured some major sponsorship and more is on the way. We should have most of the details in place by September 1.

Plans are to hold a Borgers Kid Kart Nationals either September 22 or 29 in conjunction with the fall series. We are planning some big events for the future stars of Borgers Speedway which include a 30 lap feature with a tire changing pit stop on the infield , driver interviews, autograph session, plus special awards.

All Big Car feature winners are urged to bring their cars to Victory Lane after the last feature. Photos will be taken and posted on Facebook and the speedway web-site. Hopefully this may allow us to get more winners photos in Area Auto Racing News.

Our goal at Borgers Speedway is to bring back the glory days of Pine Brook Speedway. While nothing will ever replace Pine Brook we are looking at a great new comeback for the TQ’s and MicroStocks which filled the pits of the North Jersey oval each Friday night for many years. Our TQ’s are building and our MicroStockBig Show produced by Don Boonstra and Dave Parker was proof with 35 entries there is a big interest inMicroStock racing. Our goal at Borgers Speedway is to become a home track for TQ’s and MicroStocksproviding weekly shows with a good purse and no need to travel long distances with today’s high gas prices.

My right hand man, race director, and chief scorer Darin Bartholomew tried a new race format which worked very well this past week. This allows more time for practice and time between races plus allows us to set definite times. This will be discussed at the driver’s meetings this week and if accepted will be put into place August 25. The format is listed below and please feel free to comment.

11:00 a.m. Gates Open

1:30 p.m. Early Warm-ups for all classes.

2:00 p.m. Kart and MicroStock Driver’s Meeting.

Kart and MicroStock Warm-Ups

Kart and MicroStock Heats.

Early Big Car Warm-Ups.

Kart and MicroStock Features.

Big Car Driver’s Meeting.

Big Car Warm-Ups

Big Car Heats.

Short Break to line up features.

Big Car Features.

Times may vary depending on Kart and MicroStock car counts but the big Car driver’s meeting should not start before 3:30 p.m.

Special thanks to Trina Bechtold and Beth Shupp the girls in the office who did a tremendous job withsignins, heat line ups, and payouts for the two complete shows we ran last Saturday. Great job ladies.

Please note. The office will close one half hour after the last feature is checkered flagged. So please pick up your payout and return transponders as soon as possible. Everyone is welcome to hang around afterwards but get your payout taken care of first.

Borger’s Garage is now open for business. Glenn does Pennsylvania car, truck, and trailer inspections so if you need inspection service see Pap and he will take care of you.

Look for more details shortly for the fall series and many exciting plans for the 2013 racing season atBorgers Speeedway.

I get e-mails:

STP Becomes World of Outlaws Sprint Cars Title Sponsor

Multi-year agreement between storied racing brands begins with 2013 season

CONCORD, N.C. (Aug. 9, 2012) - STP® and the World of Outlaws, two of the most storied brands in motorsports history, are excited to announce a multi-year title sponsorship agreement. Beginning in 2013, the series title will be the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series.

STP brings more than 40 years of racing history to 34 years of the World of Outlaws barnstorming dirt tracks across the country, making this sponsorship a perfect fit to showcase STP to the dedicated fans that follow the premier sprint car series in the world.

"We've worked with the World of Outlaws for the past three seasons and have been extremely pleased with our ability to engage fans and tell the STP story," said Jamie Kistner, Senior Brand Manager of STP. "We are excited to leverage STP's racing heritage with such a strong community as the World of Outlaws and to continue to grow our racing portfolio."

STP is already a familiar fixture at World of Outlaws events. Its visibility will increase beginning with the season-opener in February at Florida's Volusia Speedway Park. STP will be launching aggressive activation efforts around World of Outlaws events from coast to coast, including broadcast integration and at-track activity.

"We have had a great relationship with STP and are very excited they are joining as the new title sponsor of the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series," said Ben Geisler, CMO of World Racing Group, which owns the World of Outlaws. "STP has been a tremendous partner of ours dating back to 2009 and we can't wait to become more closely associated with the brand beginning next season."

The 2013 World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series schedule will be announced in early December and is expected to include more than 85 events across the United States and Canada.

For more on the World of Outlaws, click WorldofOutlaws.com, go toFacebook.com/WorldofOutlaws or follow on Twitter @ WorldofOutlaws.

To learn more about STP and its storied history, click STP.com, go to Facebook.com/STP or follow on Twitter @STPracing.

About Armored AutoGroup

Armored AutoGroup Inc., headquartered in Danbury, Conn., is primarily comprised of the Armor All® and STP® brands. The current Armor All product line of protectants, wipes, tire and wheel care products, glass cleaners, leather care products and washes is designed to clean, shine and protect interior and exterior automobile surfaces. The STP product line of oil and fuel additives, functional fluids and automotive appearance products has a broad customer base ranging from professional racers to car enthusiasts and "Do-it-Yourselfers".

Armored AutoGroup has a diversified geographic footprint with direct operations in the United States, Canada, Australia and the U.K. and distributor relationships in approximately 50 countries.

About World Racing Group

World Racing Group, Inc., a sports entertainment company, is a world leader in the sanctioning and promotion of dirt track auto racing. WRG, based in Concord, N.C., owns and operates the three highest profile national touring series for dirt track racing in the United States:

The World of Outlaws® Sprint Car Series

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series(SM)

The Super DIRTcar Series™ Big-Block Modified Series

World Racing Group sanctions more than 4,900 local and regional dirt track racing events in the United States and Canada at 126 tracks each year under the DIRTcar™ Racing brand. In addition, World Racing Group owns and/or operates four premier dirt track speedways. WRG races can be heard online at DIRTVision.com ®. To learn more about World Racing Group, visit WorldRacingGroup.com.

Just wondering:

Will anything come of this?

House sues Holder in Fast and Furious gunwalking case

In part:

“A House committee filed suit against Attorney General Eric Holder Monday in federal court. The suit attempts to force Holder to turn over key documents relating to the Justice Department's Fast and Furious gunwalking program during the Bush and Obama administrations, when as many as 1,000 guns ended up in the hands of Mexican cartels in a botched attempt to capture higher-ups in the organizations.”

A little more on this can be found here:

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/house-sues-holder-fast-furious-gunwalking-case-164053784.html

Some non-racing stuff:

FACT CHECK: Social Security adds to budget deficit

Now that Social Security is paying more in benefits than it collects in taxes, there is a fierce debate among politicians, academics and advocates about whether those shortfalls are adding to the federal budget deficit.

The issue is important because the federal government's annual deficit already exceeds $1 trillion, making any more borrowing tough to swallow. If Social Security is adding to the government's financial problems, it becomes even more urgent to fix it.

"Over 77 years and now through 13 recessions, Social Security has not added one penny to our deficit or our debt," Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif., said at a recent hearing by the House Ways and Means Social Security subcommittee. Becerra is the top Democrat on the panel.

http://news.yahoo.com/fact-check-social-security-adds-budget-deficit-161813776.html

Social Security surplus dwarfed by future deficit

As millions of baby boomers flood Social Security with applications for benefits, the program's $2.7 trillion surplus is starting to look small.

For nearly three decades Social Security produced big surpluses, collecting more in taxes from workers than it paid in benefits to retirees, disabled workers, spouses and children. The surpluses also helped mask the size of the budget deficit being generated by the rest of the federal government.

Those days are over.

http://news.yahoo.com/social-security-surplus-dwarfed-future-deficit-161448481.html

Social Security cheap compared with Europe's

Compared with most public pension systems in Europe, Social Security is downright frugal.

On average, European pensions are more much generous than Social Security, providing retirees with benefits that come closer to matching the wages they earned when they were working. Americans are expected to rely more heavily on private pensions and savings when they retire.

European workers also have been able to retire earlier than American workers, though many European countries are retreating from those policies, a subject that has caused more than a little unrest.

http://news.yahoo.com/social-security-cheap-compared-europes-160413483.html

‘Deferred action’ applications for young illegal immigrants now online

In part:

“Dreamers are finally getting their dream--or at least part of it. Starting on Wednesday, illegal immigrants aged 30 or younger who were brought to the country as children may apply for relief from deportation and a two-year, renewable work permit under President Barack Obama's deferred action program.

As many as 1.7 million people could qualify, though only 700,000 of them are older than 17,according to a Pew Hispanic Center analysis. The three application forms required are already posted on a government website. But only people who have graduated from or are enrolled in high school and have no criminal records will be accepted. And there's a $465 fee to apply.”

Young illegal immigrants can seek deportation reprieve

In part:

“U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said the program opens the door for fraud and unleashes a torrent of unemployed workers at a time when the country's 8.3% unemployment rate is already making life difficult for U.S. citizens and legal residents.

"President Obama and his administration routinely put partisan politics and illegal immigrants ahead of the rule of law and the American people," Smith said in a statement. "With this track record, it's looking more likely that even President Obama may lose his job in this economy when Americans go to the polls this November."