Racin' & Internet Stuff:

By Tom Avenengo

Volume # 106

08/23/2012

First:

So, this past Monday I take the wife to have her first IV Chemo. Appointment is for 10:00 AM, and we get there in time. She gets called in around 10:30. After a few minutes, we come to find that there is a slight problem with the newly installed “Medi-port”. The needle was in place, but the “Medi-port” would not accept anything. Try as she might, the woman wasn’t able to do the IV with it. So, it was IV in a vein time. One problem – wife left her veins at home, or they were doing a great job of hiding. Anyway, to make a long story short, the Chemo was finally put in. Some other “Meds” were also put in, meds to help with the wife cope with any effects from the Chemo. So, what should have been two and a half hours to maybe three, ended up being over five hours. The Chemo treatment is two hours.

Second:

I have no idea as to what might be going on with Eastern States this year. Will there be Sprint Cars? How about the Sportsman – two races for them – one for the “Open” engines and one for Crates? No schedule out yet, either, per the OCFS website – just shows the three days. Yes, I’ve given up as far as OCFS having a Syracuse qualifier SDS Big Block race. Sad when a track is sanctioned by WRG/DIRTcar – has one of the bigger fields of cars per week, and no qualifier. Yup – “Red Headed Step Child” is what OCFS seems to be, huh?

Third:

We hear and read about how the unemployment rate is 8% - or thereabouts, yet in reality, it’s maybe closer to 14 or 15%, if one figures in those that have given up or those that are not looking for work. In the area where I live, in Orange County, New York, the unemployment rate has doubled since 2007. Below is part of what was in our local paper this past Sunday, along with the link to the article:

Grueling job search appears not to have an end in sight

Nearly five years after the onset of the Great Recession, the light at the end of the tunnel is but a distant glimmer for the long-term unemployed.

Those fortunate enough to find jobs often end up working longer hours for less pay, making do until something better comes along. Many recent college graduates know that a degree doesn't guarantee a job, because there's so much competition these days.

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120819/NEWS/120819759&cid=sitesearch

Things sure do not look to promising, do they?

Fourth:

For the last 13 years, the “Turkey Night” Midget race has been held at the Irwindale, CA paved track. This year, it’s returning to the half mile dirt track at the Perris Speedway.

From the Track Forum:

Turkey Night 2012

"Announced last night at The PAS"

"72nd running of the annual Turkey Night Grand Prix will be at Perris Auto Speedway on November 22nd!!!!!"

"Be great if it was on live TV, wouldn't it?"

"You should be able to see it live on your computer (for a small fee) here:

http://media.usacracing.com/”

"“TURKEY NIGHT GRAND PRIX” RETURNS TO DIRT

ANNUAL MIDGET CLASSIC NOV. 22 AT PERRIS AUTO SPEEDWAY

The “Turkey Night Grand Prix” USAC Mopar National/Western Midget race is returning to a dirt track for the first time in 14 years! Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway will host the event November 22 which for the past 13 years has been contested at Irwindale Speedway. The feature event is 98 laps around the Perris half-mile in honor of long-time race organizer J.C. Agajanian, whose family now presents the annual classic.

Perris hosted the race in 1996 as Billy Boat scored the second of what would be three consecutive “Turkey Night” triumphs for him at three different tracks! The race’s last appearance on dirt came in 1998 at Bakersfield (Calif.) Speedway as Jay Drake took home the hardware.

“Turkey Night” has been held at nine different venues in its 78-year history. This year’s race marks the 72nd running of the race which began at Gilmore Stadium in Los Angeles in 1934, a race won by Bob Swanson. The ensuing years have seen the race held at Gardena Stadium, Ascot Park, 605 Speedway, Saugus Speedway, Bakersfield, Perris, Ventura Raceway and Irwindale.

Boat’s three victories have been eclipsed only by the remarkable Ron Shuman, who compiled eight wins in the yearly race!

Defending two-time USAC National Drivers Champion Bryan Clauson of Noblesville, Ind. hopes to join Boat this year in the three-time winner category. He is expected to be joined by defending race winner Caleb Armstrong of New Castle, Ind., who was the winner on the Irwindale pavement last November. Two other “active” race winners are Bobby East and Jason Leffler, while former race winners Dave Darland, Bobby Santos, Billy Wease and Tony Stewart remain active in the sport.

“We are absolutely delighted that Turkey Night is returning to the dirt,” offered USAC’s President/CEO Kevin Miller. “The race had a sensational history on the dirt at tracks like Ascot Park and others and we look forward to what promises to be a memorable 72nd running of one of America’s most revered races.”

Perris race organizer Don Kazarian is equally enthusiastic about the race returning to his facility: “We are very excited and honored to be hosting the annual running of the Turkey Night Grand Prix,” Kazarian said with a smile. “The Thanksgiving night tradition returns to the dirt with all of its prestige for the first time since 1998. The best Midget drivers in the world will be here. It is going to be a great night of racing and the fans are going to love it. I cannot wait.”

Perris Auto Speedway has hosted a total of 203 USAC events (as of August 20, 2012), including 145 Sprint races, as it has become the home of the popular AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Series. A total of 22 USAC Midget races have been held at Perris since the first 16 years ago.

The Agajanian family also is excited about the move back to the dirt. “My dad absolutely loved the event when it was part of our operations at Ascot Park,” says his son J.C. Jr., who now helps oversee the annual classic. “This race is so much a part of our family history and we are pleased to see it endure as it has. The Perris oval has always produced memorable events and this one will be no exception.”

Advance tickets for the 72nd running of the Turkey Night Grand Prix will go on sale on Monday, August 27. Fans can purchase tickets online or via phone at www.tix.com or 1-800-595-4849.

--USAC—"

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?168096-Turkey-Night-2012

Note: In a way, I’d love to see SPEED or another easily accessible channel show this race, live. Granted, it might be a tad late, hour wise, here on the Right Coast.

Fifth:

On Tuesday afternoon I received a phone call from my son, Eric. He told me the seats we wanted for ESW had already been sold. Later on he called me back and said we have the same numbered seats in the row behind the poles. Now if I can find our “Sawzall”, we should be in good shape.

Sixth:

At times I’d go to Jayski’s website and click on the links he has to various other websites. One of my favorites to read was always Matt McLaughlin. Sad to say, but Matt has given up the writing about Motor Sports.

In part:

“Regretfully, gentle readers, this will likely be my last commentary column, at least for the foreseeable future. I’ve been at this NASCAR writing gig for sixteen years now and trust me, it’s tough to walk away. For all my cynicism, bitching, and occasional panic if I’d be able to find anything interesting to write after a boring race, I’ve loved every minute of it, being able to provide many of you with a few minutes of enjoyment or making you think on various issues while reading my columns. Your comments, both positive and negative have made a better writer out of me after a near hopelessly amateurish start to my so-called career.”

“Truth be told, I slit my own professional wrists back in February of 2001. In the wake of Dale Earnhardt’s passing I wrote a column titled “Blood On Their Hands” stating basically that NASCAR® officials were responsible for Dale’s death with their refusal to install SAFER barriers and require the HANS device for all drivers at every track — even after the deaths of Adam Petty, Kenny Irwin and Tony Roper the previous season, all of which were caused by basalar skull fractures.”

“While we now accept SAFERbarriers and the HANS devices as a fact of life (and death), back in 2001 my opinions weren’t so popular — especially since I spent most of the week working various radio outlets repeating my opinion NASCAR had killed Earnhardt by sins of omission, not commission. No less a personage than Bill France, Jr. got in contact with my bosses and demanded that not only should my column be taken down, but I should be fired.”

“There was a logistical problem there in that no column, mine or anyone else’s had ever gotten as many hits as that one. I didn’t lose my job, but a few months later I was told at Pocono that despite having a letter stating my credentials were confirmed, I was no longer going to get into any NASCAR® race on a press pass — which makes it hard to work a paying gig in this biz. Then I kept writing anyway for free; as it turns out the ISC, sister company of NASCAR®, bought the site and had me fired days before the start of the season.”

See more on this here:

http://www.frontstretch.com/mmclaughlin/41124/

In his 2001 article, which came out right after the death of Dale Earnhardt, he more or less put the blame on NASCAR, citing that NASCAR has said they’ve done everything possible concerning safety. From there, it was kind of a battle between McLaughlin and NASCAR – for quite a while.

Note: If you’d like to see that article, e-mail me and I’ll send it to you. My address is always at the end of my column. It’s quite an interesting read, that’s for sure!

Seventh:

I still think that there should be performance clauses in all contracts with professional athletes. If we, or you (I’m retired now) were to perform as some of these so called athletes do, you’d be let go immediately – right?

Eighth:

I’ve been in conversation with another race fan and he kinda says the same thing as me – there’s a certain race track, quite local, that has a “Contacts” link, but when one sends them an e-mail we get no reply back. Why have a “Contacts” link, if you’re not going to respond?

Ninth:

Still no word on Eastern States Weekend with the Sportsman class – will they have two separate races again this ear as they did last year – one for Crates and one for Open engines? How about Sprint Cars at ESW? And so far, I have yet to see a schedule for ESW. Have you? Didn’t think so.

TV listings:

Mainly NASCAR stuff.

http://www.jayski.com/pages/tv.htm

WoO Sprint Cars on SPEED

Sat Aug 25 @ 12:00pm ET

Knoxville Nationals

Coming up:

Accord:

August 24th

Frederick’s Excavating &

Mike Voss Trucking Night

A Night of Dirt Track Racing

to Benefit the Kids at St Jude Children’s Hospital

Free Ice Cream to the first 100 Spectators

Chances to Win Exciting Prizes

Sponsored by Tyler Dippel Racing

Modifieds $1500 to Win

Sportsman-Spec Sportsman

Pro Stock-Pure Stock

Lightning Sprints & Fireball 4 Cylinders

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

Adults $12 Kids $3

Family 4 Pack $40 ( 2 adults & 2 kids & $20 in food vouchers)

Indoor seating $20 Reserved outdoor seating $14

OCFS:

NEWS FROM

Orange County Fair Speedway

239 Wisner Avenue

Middletown, NY 10940

CONTACT

Mike Gurda

845-342-2573

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MODIFIED KING OF THE CATSKILLS QUALIFIER, POINT RACES HIGHLIGHT AUGUST 25 RACING PROGRAM AT ORANGE COUNTY FAIR SPEEDWAY

MIDDLETOWN, NY (Aug. 20)……..The winner of the 30-lap DIRTcar Modified feature race this Saturday, August 25 at Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, New York will go home with a trophy, $2,500 in prize money, and an automatic starting slot in the upcoming King of the Catskills race at nearby Accord Speedway.

In addition, drivers in all four Orange County racing division will be out to score as many points as possible as the point season rushes towards a close. With the track championships to be decided on Saturday, September 8, there are just three more nights of racing for drivers to improve their standings…perhaps even vie for a track crown.

In the headline Modified ranks, Jerry Higbie (1,222 points) has a relatively comfortable lead over Tommy Meier (1,170 points), while Tim Hindley, Jackie Brown, and Chris Shultz will battle for the “show” position.

Gary Edwards Jr. leads Jimmy Spellman by 30 points in Sportsman competition. That’s not a large enough difference to assure Edwards the title in this volatile division.

The Pro Stock drivers have but two more outings on their schedule to determine their champion. And this is the tightest point race of all. Ron Nuzzaro Jr. and Mike Dutka are tied with 654 points each; Troy Arnold trails them by just two markers. This one will go down to the final checkered flag.

With an 88-point lead, Charles Donald needs only to keep his car pointed in the right direction to garner the Street Stock championship. That’s not always easy in Street Stock competition.

Admission prices for the August 25 Accord Speedway Night remain at $14 adults, $12 seniors, and free for children 12 and under. Racing begins promptly at 6:30 pm.

Advance sale tickets for the October 19-21 Eastern States Weekend and additional information can be found at the Orange County Fair Speedway website, www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net , or from the Track Office. Call 845-342-2573 Monday through Friday during business hours.

Found on Jayski’s website:

http://www.jayski.com/

Keselowski says Hendrick teams may be bending rules:

#2-Brad Keselowski believes Penske Racing's refusal to bend the rules contributed to him not being able to challenge #48-Jimmie Johnson for the lead Sunday Michigan. Johnson was leading Keselowski with six laps remaining when his Hendrick Motorsports engine blew. #16-Greg Biffle won the race and Keselowski finished second. During the race, Keselowski made reference to Hendrick's "tricks" with their cars. Hendrick's Kasey Kahne and Dale Earnhardt Jr. finished third and fourth, respectively. The Hendrick cars appear to have different rear suspension setups than other cars, especially at intermediate tracks such as Michigan, Indianapolis and Pocono. "There's part and pieces on the car that are moving after inspection that makes the cars more competitive," Keselowski said after the race. "Some guys have it, some don't. There's a question as to the interpretation of the rule. Penske Racing errs on the safe side because we don't want to be the guys that get the big penalty." Keselowski said Penske will need to re-evaluate its setups. "As a group at Penske Racing, we have not felt comfortable enough to risk that name and reputation that Roger has over those parts and pieces. Others have, which is their prerogative," Keselowski said. "I'm not going to slam it. But it's living in a gray area. & We have to make a re-evaluation of that internally to decide if that's the right way to go."(Sporting News)(8-20-2012)

Bristol TV coverage affected in some markets:

NASCAR fans in six affected markets will be able to watch ABC's telecast of Saturday night's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway on alternate channels through arrangements made by the local ABC affiliates. The ABC affiliates in the six markets will be airing NFL preseason games Saturday night rather than the NASCAR race but with the alternate channels in each market, the race telecast will still be available nationwide. ABC's coverage begins with NASCAR Countdown at 7:00pm/et.
In four of the affected markets, the race telecast will air on ESPN, including Buffalo, Tulsa, Weslaco, Tex., and Quincy, Ill.
In Detroit, ABC affiliate WXYZ-TV will move the race telecast to its digital tier 2 channel and then join the race in progress when the Detroit Lions preseason game ends.
In Rochester, N.Y., ABC affiliate WHAM-TV will move the race telecast to its digital tier 2 channel.
ABC affiliates in Little Rock, Ark., Corpus Christi, Tex., and Omaha, Neb., will pre-empt NASCAR Countdown at 7:00pm/et for local news but will join the ABC telecast at 7:30pm/et. The race's green flag is scheduled for 7:43 pm/et.(ESPN)(8-22-2012)

Gordon unhappy with Earnhardt, Jr.

The Pure Michigan 400 had some shocking moments Sunday, including a verbal feud between Hendrick Motorsports teammates #24-Jeff Gordon and #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. "Tell the f------ 88 he can thank me later for not wrecking him," Gordon said on his radio during the race. "That was f------ stupid." Earnhardt had moved in front of Gordon midway through the race with a pass Gordon felt was a little risky. Team owner Rick Hendrick sided with Earnhardt: "Man, you didn't do anything. Just drive that thing to the front." Earnhardt finished fourth. Gordon finished a disappointing 28th after an engine failure, but later talked about the incident in the garage. "He took me four-wide, then slid up in front of me in Turn 2," Gordon said of Earnhardt's pass. "I had to check up and it could have wrecked all of us. It wasn't the smartest thing to do, especially to a teammate. But he chose to do it and it all worked out. I don't care who does it, I'm going to show my displeasure if they do something like that."(ESPN)(8-20-2012)

UPDATE:

#88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. has no regrets about how he drove against #24-Jeff Gordon on a restart Sunday at Michigan International Speedway, but NASCAR's most popular driver laments how radio chatter turned a difference of opinion between the Hendrick Motorsports teammates into a firestorm. "I personally carried on a little bit on the radio about it; just curious about it," Earnhardt told USA TODAY Sports during a Tuesday interview at Hendrick Motorsports. "In retrospect, to try not to let ESPN or anybody like that make a big deal out of it, I should have not said anything at all so there wouldn't be any footage worth editing. But truth be told, the fact that we were teammates allowed that conversation to happen. If it was Brad Keselowski and me, I would have never known he was mad. I would have never cared that another driver was upset with me because for the most part what happened between me and Jeff happens dozens of times in one race, but the drivers never play it out like me and Jeff did because the radio conversations and lines of communication aren't there." Earnhardt said he and Gordon are "fine" with each other and sorted it out with a text exchange after Sunday's Pure Michigan 400, and they met again at Hendrick's campus Tuesday for the team's weekly debriefing of drivers and crew chiefs.(USA Today)(8-22-2012)

Earnhardt Jr. wins vote to be on video game cover:

The face of NASCAR's new video game also happens to be the face of NASCAR. But that might not be the primary reason that Dale Earnhardt Jr. is a natural choice as the cover star of NASCAR The Game: Inside Line. "Even though I drive cars for a living, it's fun to do it with a reset button," Earnhardt told USA TODAY Sports about his avid interest in video gaming. "It's definitely not foreign to me, and you can see me just as easily picking up a controller and playing. It's comfortable and something I'll be able to speak intelligently about if I was in a room full of gamers. I think it's a good fit." Earnhardt was chosen as the game's primary ambassador via an online poll that drew more than 750,000 votes through heavy promotion in social media. He will be the focus of a marketing campaign launching next month before the game's November release.(USA Today)(8-22-2012)

#27 team and Menard penalized:

NASCAR could come down hard on the #27 Richard Childress Racing team after discovering irregularities with the frame rails on the car driven by Paul Menard last weekend at Michigan International Speedway. Menard's car was taken to the Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C. after finishing ninth in the Pure Michigan 400 Sunday (FOXSports).(8-22-2012)

UPDATE:

NASCAR has issued penalties, suspensions and fines to the #27 team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as a result of rules infractions discovered this week during post-race inspection at the NASCAR Research and Development Center following last Sunday's race at Michigan International Speedway.
The #27 team was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4K (race equipment that has been previously certified or previously approved by NASCAR for use in an event, pursuant to sub-section 8-12, has been altered, modified, repaired or changed in any manner. Intentionally modifying frame rails for the purpose of deceiving NASCAR's inspection gauges) of the 2012 NASCAR Rule Book.
As a result, crew chief Slugger Labbe has been fined $100,000, suspended from NASCAR until Oct. 3 and placed on probation until Dec. 31. Car chief Craig Smokstad has been suspended from NASCAR until Oct. 3 and placed on probation until Dec. 31, while crew member Grant Hutchens has also been suspended from NASCAR until Oct. 3 and placed on probation until Dec. 31. Driver Paul Menard and owner Richard Childress have been penalized with the loss of 25 championship driver and owner points, respectively.(NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications )(8-2-2012)

NASCAR Reinstates Driver Aaron Fike:

NASCAR has reinstated [former Truck Series] driver Aaron Fike upon his successful completion of NASCAR's Substance Abuse Policy Road to Recovery Program. Fike had been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR July 11, 2007 for actions detrimental to stock car racing.(NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications)(8-21-2012)

#18 JGR Team Penalized For Rule Infractions:

NASCAR announced penalties and fines to the #18 team that competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, as a result of rule infractions at Michigan International Speedway. The #18 Toyota was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4J (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20-2.3A (improperly attached weight) of the 2012 NASCAR rule book. The infraction occurred during practice on Aug. 18. As a result of the violation, crew chief Dave Rogers has been fined $25,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Oct. 3. In addition, car chief Wesley Sherrill has been placed on NASCAR probation until Oct. 3.(NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications)(8-21-2012)

Junior Johnson's house auctioned off:

A Lewisville woman who has deep roots in the North Carolina Christmas tree industry was the winning bidder for Junior Johnson's mansion and farm situated just north of the Iredell County line. Loretta Sides Shore, who owns Shore's Nursery, said Monday that she was the buyer of the house and 150-acre farm at the Aug. 7 auction. The identity of the buyer had been kept confidential. The winning bid was $2.3 million and the sale is scheduled to close this week. Shore's Nursery grows Fraser firs on more than a dozen farms it owns or leases in the Laurel Springs and Sparta areas of Alleghany County. Shore said she and her husband plan to make minor changes to Johnson's former home before moving in. The house was a dream home for Johnson, taking two years to build under his scrutiny. The black rails of the cattle fencing are a landmark on the north side of U.S. 421, just west of Interstate 77. Johnson, 81, raised cattle on the farm, but said his health issues meant he could no longer take care of the property. He and his wife moved to the exclusive Quail Hollow neighborhood in Charlotte. Johnson initially listed the house for $6 million and the price was dropped to just less than $5 million. When it didn't sell, Johnson decided to auction it.( Statesville Record & Landmark )(8-22-2012)

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

From September 1, 2002:

http://www.whowon.com/Results.asp?TrackID=1904&StoryID=72646

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 an indoor track in the Bronx, N.Y.

Its name: Kingsbridge Armory.

Since it was in the city, we really didn’t get there all that much. When I had these results sent to me, I was surprised just how many races they had in that huge building. I believe they used maybe 1/3 of it for the 1/5 mile track. Keep in mind, the majority of the races were held in the winter months. I only see one race night cancelled due to snow.

The results from the Armory will be broken up into three or four columns, they’re so long.

Back then, without the Interstate Highway system, it took a lot longer to get to the tracks. Imagine doing it in the winter months! Some of the drivers had to travel quite a bit to get to the Bronx. Check out where some had to come from:

Rex Records – Stamford, Ct., Johnny & George Rice – Milford, Ct., Bob Disbrow – Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Walt Fair, Norristown, Pa., Chet Conklin – Danbury, Ct., Joe Barzda – New Brunswick, N.J., Johnny Carpenter – Farmington, Ct., George Fonder – Lansdale, Pa.

Kingsbridge Armory

Bronx, NY

1946-47

Nov. 30 1. Art Cross

2. Johnny Ringger

3. MIke Nazaruk

Called a "dress rehearsal", full program without spectators

Dec. 4

1. Bill Baker

2. Art Cross

3. Johnny Ringger

Dec. 11

Dec. 14 1. Chet Gibbons Hough #82 V-8

2. Bill Schindler

3. Johnny Ringger

4. Rex Records

5. Art Cross

6. Johnny Rice

7. Ray Nestor

8. Disbrow

9. Len Duncan

10. Walt Fair

25 laps no time

Dec. 18 1. Andy Furci

2. Art Cross

3. Bill Baker

25 laps no time

Dec. 21? 1. Art Cross

2. Chet Conklin

3. Dutch Schaefer

4. Joe Barzda

5. Bill Schindler

6. Tony Bonadies

7. Don Morris

8. Chet Gibbons

25 laps no time

Dec. 28 1. Bill Schindler

Jan. 4 1. Ray Nestor John Schloeder #10 cycle

2. Bill Schindler

3. Johnny Carpenter Hough #80

4. Chet Conklin

5. Bill Baker #35 black

6. Walt Fair

7. Johnny Rice #5

8. Herb Heldt

9. Joe Barzda

10. Bud Tatro

25 laps no time

Jan. 8 1. Ted Tappett Bourgnon cycle

2. Andy Furci

3. Johnny Carpenter

25 laps 5:44.28 NTR

Jan. 18 1. Johnny Ringger

2. Bill Schindler

3. Len Duncan

4. Bert Brooks

5. Johnny Carpenter

6. Eddie Shaw

7. Joe Barzda

8. Charles Kiphut

25 laps 6:18.48

Jan. 22 1. Al Keller V-8 60

2. Johnny Ringger

3. Bud Tatro

4. Rex Records

5. Art Cross

25 laps 6:18.00

Jan. 25 1. Art Cross

2. Johnny Ringger

3. Johnny Rice

4. Chet Gibbons

5. Jeep Colkitt

6. Andy Furci

7. Bill Baker

8. Harry Sheeler

9. Johnny Carpenter

25 laps 5:56.46

Jan. 29 1. Rex Records

2. Johnny Ringger

3. Art Cross

4. Tony Bonadies

5. Dutch Schaefer

25 laps 5:48.92

Feb. 1 1. Johnny Ringger

2. Johnny Rice

3. George Fonder

4. Dutch Schaefer

5. Johnny Carpenter

6. Ted Tappett

7. Rex Records

8. Ernie McCoy

9. Don Morris

10. Chet Conklin

25 laps 6:13.52

Feb. 5 1. Joe Barzda #33

2. Rex Records

3. Don Morris

4. Andy Furci

5. Johnny Rice

25 laps 6:20.40

More to come next week!

News from the AARN:

http://www.aarn.com/

From the August 14^th issue:

Lenny Sammons:

Makes mention that Kevin “Bobo” Manion will not use the NASCAR Spec engine in his Modified. Mainly because of the cost – engine she’s already spent monies on would just sit if he changed.

Ernie Saxton:

Ernie says he was tempted to throw a brick through his TV during the telecast of the Cup race at Pocono. Too much with top drivers being mentioned during the rain delay, while the down time might have been better used by maybe talking to drivers like JJ Yeley, Casey Mears, Joe Nemecheck and David Reutimann. I agree.

He makes note of the lack of respect when our National Anthem is played – not only for fans, but at Pocono, the track driers were in use, and men could be seen walking around in the pit area, with their hats on.

He also, like I did last week in my column, is questioning the car counts with the TQ’s today.

He also is making another mention of the “Pennsylvania 400 Memorial Fund” that’s been created to help those that were involved with the lightning strikes at Pocono. If you’d like to help out, you can send your donation to:

Pocono Raceway

1234 Long Pond Road

Long Pond, PA. 18334

Todd Heintzelman:

Made mention that Logan Schuchart, grandson of Bobby Allen, has now run on 28 tracks and run 64 races so far in 2012, in Sprint Cars.

Kevin Rice:

Said that some teams would not be going to the Modified race at Bristol (Held on 8/22) due to cost. As an example: Fuel – going and coming back, for the hauler - $1,200.00 to $1,400.00. Three sets of tires - $2,400.00. Add in motel costs, food, flight or team members. It all ads up, and ends up being a losing proposition.

Look for smaller restrictor plates on the Spec engine for Loudon.

Other news:

Coming up:

WoO Late Models at Selinsgrove on 8/26 – 50 laps, $10,000.00 to win.

WoO Late Models at Little Valley Speedway, Little Valley, NY on Wednesday, 8/29.

DIRT 602 Crate Sportsman added to the PASS Super Late Model program at the Stafford Motor Speedway – a 40 lap feature, on Sunday, 8/26.

Note: I kinda think they’ll have a low car count with that one.

NEMA is celebrating its 60^th year. Its first race was on Memorial Day (Remember that holiday?) in 1953 at Seekonk. Fred Meeker was the race winner. Three tracks that NEMA raced on back then, still hold NEMA races today – Seekonk, Waterford Speedbowl and Stafford. Some o fthe NEMA driving champions: Bill Eldridge (the 1^st), Drew and Nokie Fornoro, Bobby and Mike Seymour, Billy and Johnny Mann, Joe Csiki, Dave Humphrey, Russ Stoehr, and Randy Cabral – the current champion.

Steve Kinser failed to qualify for the A Main at the Knoxville Nationals. Same goes for Sammy Swindell. For Kinser, that ended a string of 34 consecutive A Mains for that event.

Some of the 50/50 pay outs:

Night # 1: $5,944.00, night # 2: $8,725.00, night # 3: Split into two equal amounts of $5,982.00, and the final night (hope your’e sitting down, readers!) $18,360.00. Oh, and the total purse for all four days - $1,000,435.00. The race had three full pages devoted to it, and the monies won for all 98 drivers was listed, too.

Allen Crowe, a USAC driver, died in 1963 from injuries received while racing a Sprint Car. The “Allen Crow 100” celebrates its 50^th anniversary when the ARCA cars head to the dirt mile at Springfield, Ill. That will be the 346^th dirt track race for ARCA since ARCA started back in 1953.

In AARN
This Week:

Hirschman Stays On Track
As Rivals Pit;
Earns Chemung RoC Victory

From Hospital Bed
To Victory Lane:
Brett Hearn Wins
'Mr. Dirt ' Lebanon Valley Classic

Glen Ridge RoC
Goes To
First Time 'Ridge Starter
Ryan Godown

Heart Attack Claims Life
Of New Egypt Sportsman Driver
Scott Doty

Goodyear, WoO Split;
Owner Ott Organizing Owners
To Make Voices Heard

Friesen Claims Ransomville Race
Dedicated To Memory Of Uncle Alex

ARDC Oddity:
Potomac Race
Rained Out In Progress;
Finished At Winchester Next Night

Busy ISMA Supermod Sched
Sees McKennedy, Summers
Win At Lee, 'Bowl

Georgetown Speedway
Reopens In Delaware

Five Mile Point Mod Championship
Within Justin Holland's Reach

Former Oakland Valley Speedway (Dirt Oval) runners:

At Lebanon Valley last Thursday, in the 100 lap SDS race, Kolby Schroder was 11^th and Kyle Armstron 25^th. Every place I checked for results for the Sportsman race only covered the Modified race, but I recall Tyler Dippel, John Virgilio and Bobby Hackel, IV in competition. Sorry if I forgot anyone else. Last Saturday, at the Valley, in the Modifed feature, Kolby was 6^th and Kyle 9^th.

In double features at Fonda, Alex Bell had a 24^th and a 20^th, in the Modifieds.

Brian Sobus was 20^th in the Super Modified feature at Oswego.

At Penn Can, in the Sportsman feature, Kyle Rohner was 2^nd and Corey Ziegler 9^th.

At the Ridge – Tyler Dippel was 8^th and Anthony Perrego 18^th in the Sportsman feature at the RoC event for Modifieds.

Justin Grosz ventured out to Macon, Ill. for the POWRI Midget Series and was 18^th on 8/18. He did have a 3^rd place in his heat. ON 8/17, he was at Lincoln, Ill. And was not listed in the feature run down, but was 7^th in his heat and 5^th in the Semi.

Last Wednesday, at Accord, Wyatt Clark won the All Star Slingshot feature while Tyler Dippel was 2^nd.

Rich Coons won the Sportsman feature at Bethel, with Bobby Morris 5^th.

At Waterford, in the NEMA Lights feature, RJ Tufano was 2^nd while Kenney Johnson was 14^th.

Nick Pecko was 3^rd in the Modified feature at Mountain Speedway.

At Hamlin, Charlie Lawrence was 23^rd in the All Star Slingshot feature. Jacob Hendershot was 3^rd, Tiffany Wambold 5^th and Rick Casario 9^th in the 270 Micro Sprint feature. Kyle Rohner won the 600 Micro Sprint feature, while Jacob was 23^rd.

Danny Creeden was 9^th and 1^st in the double features at Five Mile Point.

At OCFS, in the Modified feature, Tim Hindley was 3^rd, Mike Ruggiero 8^th, Clinton Mills 9^th, Matt Hitchcock 15^th and Billy VanInwegen 25^th. Brian Krummel was 4^th, Tyler Dippel 5^th, Anthony Perrego 8^th, Matt Janiak 9^th, RJ Smykla 12^th, Andrew Reeves 14^th, LJ Lombardo 16^th, Keith Still 18^th and Zack Vavricka 20^th in the Sportsman feature, while Johnny Illanovsky was a DNQ, as well as Mike Traver. In the Rookie Sportsman feature, Joey Falanga was 8^th.

At the Kutztown Fair Week Nationals, Molly Chambers was 20^th in the 600 Micro feature.

Last week, at Hamlin, Charlie Lawrence was 14^th in the All Star Slingshot feature. Rick Casario was 12^th and Jacob Hendershot 16^th in the 270 Micro feature. Kyle Rohner was 3^rd, Jacob 20^th, and Molly Chambers 24^th in the 600 Micro feature. Paul Tigue was 4^th in the Junior Slingshot feature.

More racin’ stuff:

Might the Indy Car Series be for sale – or is it just that there are some car owners that want to buy it?

On the Sunday, August 19 edition of Speed TV’s Wind Tunnel, a sport coat wearing Robin Miller was co-hosting and gave voice to the rumor that a few series owners were planning/conspiring to purchase the IndyCar series from IMS. If anyone actually read this blog, I might take credit for starting the rumor that IndyCar was for sale. Just scroll down to last week’s post, “IndyCar’s Endless Summer,” and read the “God Only Knows” section. Sure, I suggested that NASCAR would be the deep pockets that would step up and take this slightly used series off IMS’s hands, but this sounds like a variation on a theme. The big question is whether IMS would really sell the series.

More of the above can be seen here, along with other interesting topics:

http://newtrackrecord.com/

Press Releases:

XCEL CHASSIS FORCED TO CANCEL THIS SATURDAYS SUMMER HEAT SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 25TH

Summer Heat scheduled for August 25th has been cancelled due to scheduling conflicts. Doug Borger, co-promoter, explained the short notice. "Dick Stark, owner of Thunder Mountain Raceway Park, called me today and cancelled the date after realizing numerous scheduling conflicts in the area that weren't taken into earlier consideration. Unfortunately I feel that finding a venue on such short notice would put the race teams and fans, who already committed, on a scheduling nightmare. I would like to thank all the teams and fans who made plans to attend this Saturday and look forward to rescheduling the show at a later date."

Championship Night Moved to September 7 at Devil’s Bowl Speedway

Weather-related postponement shuffles schedule, adds extra week

For Immediate Release

WEST HAVEN, VT – Mother Nature threw a kink in the stock car racing plans at Devil’s Bowl Speedway last week, but the resulting shuffling of schedules will allow race fans to enjoy an added week of NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action.

The twin 20-lap features for the J&S Steel Late Model division that were scheduled to be run at last week’s Green Mountain Water Environment Association/Sunoco Race Fuels Night have been moved to Sugar & Spice Night, this Friday, August 24, along with the postponed 75-lap Enduro for 4- and 6-cylinder cars. Also on the card for Friday are regular events for the Bond Auto Parts Modified, Renegade, and Bomber divisions, a pancake eating contest, and the summer’s second round of Spectator Racing. All street-legal vehicles are welcome to compete in the spectator races; vehicles must be registered, inspected, and insured, and drivers must wear a helmet.

Regular general admission for Sugar & Spice Night is just $10 for adults, $9 for seniors (62+), and free for children 12 and under. Gates open at 5:00pm, racing begins at 7:30pm.

The make-up date for Green Mountain Water and Sunoco Race Fuels will be Friday, August 31 at 7:30pm, which includes a full card for the weekly NASCAR divisions along with a special ladies-only Powder Puff event using 4-cylinder Bomber division cars.

Championship Night, presented by Brown’s Quarried Slate and Brown’s Orchard & Farm Stand of Castleton, VT, has been moved from its original date on August 31 to Friday, September 7 at a special early start time of 7:00pm. The event will be the final point-counting race for all weekly divisions and features extra-distance races of 50 laps for the Modifieds and 40 laps for the Late Models. Special general admission is $12 for adults and free for children 12 and under.

Ron Proctor of Charlton, NY holds a slim three-point lead on Brandon, VT’s Vince Quenneville, Jr., as he chases his second-straight NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Bond Auto Parts Modified championship at Devil’s Bowl Speedway. Eight-time winner Craig Bushey of Fairfax, VT has a comfortable 52-point cushion on Bryan Town of Charlestown, NH in the J&S Steel Late Models, with Northfield, VT’s Matt White another three points behind. Robert Gordon of Milton, VT has 16 points on Pittsford, VT’s Ryan Keith in the Renegade division, and rookie Josh Masterson of Bristol, VT enjoys a 58-point lead in the entry-level Bomber class.

Devil’s Bowl Speedway is located on Route 22A in West Haven, VT, four miles north of Exit 2 on US Route 4. For more information, call (802) 265-3112 or click www.devilsbowlspeedwayvt.com. Devil’s Bowl Speedway is on Facebook atfacebook.com/devilsbowlspeedway