Racin' & Different Stuff:
By Tom Avenengo
Volume # 115
10/25/2012
Special notice: There will be no column next week, and columns
will be every other week, for a while.
First:
For some unknown
reasons, my columns, when on Dirt Track Digest, come up “weird”. They might start off okay, but then for
reasons unknown, not only to me, but also to those that run DTD, the fonts, sizes
and words go from regular to large and bold type, and these printing problems
come up in different parts of the columns.
Now I really hate to do this to those that run DTD, but I feel I must
tell you that my column also comes out on another website, which is: http://newenglandtractor.com/racereport/. Whether you go there, or not, would be up to
you, I’d say?
This week I’m changing each topic lead
words from bold to regular print and also a slightly larger spacing between
topics, to see if that helps any.
Note:
This is what Adam Ross had to say:
“Strange things happen with
your columns, and I don't get it!”
Second:
So, as forecast
earlier in the week, “Mother Nature” saw fit to mess up the Eastern States
Weekend. Rain, mostly all day Friday
raised havoc with the track, race teams, race fans, and even those that run the
place. Ya know
– I’m glad I was not the one running the show!
Now don’t get me wrong – I’m not backing up those that run the
place. In fact, I never went to the
track on Friday, mainly due to the rain and the forecast. I only know what I’ve read on the Internet
(yes we can believe all that, right?), and what I was told by others that had
been in attendance. My thoughts: Nothing should have been on the track on
Friday. The entire days activities
should have been cancelled and a new schedule for the weekend created, which,
in a way was done, but way too late.
Another part of the problem is that the teams have to get there on
Thursday, now. Hey, this ain’t Super Dirt Week, folks! Per the schedule that was put out, cars that
were due to race on Saturday, had to be at the track, first thing on Friday
morning!
Third:
Part of the problem at ESW, from what I see,
is that there are now too many classes.
Why so many? I can only guess –
to get more monies into the pit area to help pay the purses. By doing that, they can keep the cost - for
the fans, as they’ve basically been, over the last few years – maybe? Talking with a driver from the CRSA, on
Sunday, I was informed that the track was going to charge those with the Sprint
Cars $20.00 for each Quad. Really?
And, something else that I noticed, was that
in the article about the weekend of racing, in our local Middletown Times
Herald-Record, was that the results for the Sprint Car race was listed as the
CRSA 305 Sprint Car feature. Not
so. The CRSA was not associated with
that race. If so, I would imagine there
would have been a lot more than just 15 cars.
If you recall, in last weeks column, I made mention of there being 56
305 Sprint Cars a couple of weeks ago at Port Royal
and was wondering how many would be at OC.
Had I come out with what I thought, I would have been very close.
No idea as to how the CRSA was getting credit
for the Sprint Car race in the write-up in our paper. Either a failure to ask, by the reporter, or
a “failure to communicate between the track and the author of the article,
maybe?
Fourth:
I really didn’t get into watching
professional baseball and football until the 60’s, but I can never recall so
many players being hurt. Prior to the
60’s I was a Brooklyn Dodger fan, and darn, I still think the starting eight
played damn near every game – and most were in the daytime & under the hot
summer sun. Today, it drives me nuts
every time a batter has to adjust his Velcro on his gloves. Bunch of overpaid woosies!
Fifth:
At times all some of us need is a lucky
break. At times, those lucky breaks are
received due to someone else having misfortune.
As I was heading to my seat this past Sunday,
at OCFS, I came across former race driver Jimmy Maguire. He was sitting on the very front of the ½
covered stands, talking racing with another gentleman. This other gentleman was quite fascinated
with what Jimmy was telling him – Jimmy’s racing career and some of the races
he had run.
When Jimmy was just about done, I asked him a
question – “After you lost your arm, and were in the hospital, was it Clint Brawner that came to see you in the hospital”? (Clint was the mechanic on the Dean Van Lines
Indy cars). Jimmy said yes, it was
Clint. So I asked Jimmy – “Didn’t he ask
you -‘who should we put in the car’ – and what did you say”? Jimmy came right out and repeated what he had
told Clint Brawner on that day “Yes, Mario Andretti”.
As you can see, at times one just needs a
little break.
Sixth:
Do you go to the Dirt Track Digest’s
Forum? If not, you might want to check
this particular thread out –
THIS IS UNREAL DRIVERS & OWNERS
http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/index.php?/topic/46009-this-is-unreal-drivers-owners/
Seventh:
For some
unknown reason, it has been extremely difficult getting MyLaps
for certain tracks – one of which was OCFS.
I was furnished the following link from OCFS (via Facebook)
and I notice it has also been posted on the OCFS Facebook
page, too.
http://www.mylaps.com/results/showevent.jsp?id=851009
Eighth:
Ya know, if I had a kid like this, I’d be in jail,
today. How in the world can a parent
showcase such a brat? What’s worse, the
damn TV people think it’s cool/great/funny to have this trash on their
shows! You gotta
read some of the comments under the article!
“Meltdown”?
Honey Boo Boo has a meltdown on 'Dr. Drew'
http://tv.yahoo.com/news/honey-boo-boo-has-a-meltdown-on--dr--drew-.html
Ninth:
Since I have more in “I get
e-mails”, below, I thought I’d put this message from an e-mail, in here. True or not?
Who knows?
HOTEL KEY CARDS
Always take a small fridge
magnet on your
Holiday, they come in handy at the end of it.
Thought you all needed to
know this.
This is pretty good info.
Never even thought
About key cards containing
anything other
Than an access code for the
room!
HOTEL KEY CARDS
Ever wonder what is on your
magnetic keycard?
Answer:
A. Customer's name
B. Customer's partial home
address
C. Hotel room number
D. Check-in date and out
dates
E. Customer's credit card
number and expiration date!
When you turn them in to the
front desk your
Personal information is there
for any employee
To access by simply scanning
the card in the
Hotel scanner. An employee
can take a hand full
Of cards home and using a
scanning device, access
The information onto a laptop
computer and go
Shopping at your expense.
Simply put, hotels do not
erase the information
On these cards until an
employee reissues the
Card to the next hotel guest.
At that time, the
New guest's information is
electronically 'over-
Written on the card and the
previous guest's
Information is erased in the
overwriting process.
But until the card is
rewritten for the next guest,
It usually is kept in a
drawer at the front desk
With YOUR INFORMATION ON IT!
The bottom line is: Keep the
cards, take them
Home with you, or destroy
them. NEVER leave them
Behind in the room or room
wastebasket, and
NEVER turn them into the
front desk when you
Check out of a room. They
will not charge you for the card
(it's illegal) and you'll be
sure you are not leaving
A lot of valuable personal
information on it that could
Be easily lifted off with any
simple scanning device
Card reader.
For the same reason, if you
arrive at the airport and
Discover you still have the
card key in your pocket,
Do not toss it in an airport
trash basket. Take it home
And destroy it by cutting it
up, especially through the
Electronic information strip!
If you have a small magnet,
Pass it across the magnetic
Strip several times. Then try
it in the door, it will not
Work. It erases everything on
the card.
Tenth:
Hey, before you know it, it
will be December 25th. Here
are some links to various websites where you might find some interesting
things, gift-wise, for family and friends.
http://www.aarn.com/
(subscription)
http://www.coastal181.com/
http://www.davesracing.com/
http://www.emmr.org/
http://www.hotlapsracin.com/hotparts.htm
http://www.modelroundup.com/category-s/94.htm
http://www.ssspeedways.com/
http://www.pitstopbooks.com/videos-snyder.html
http://www.tbrwins.com/ (Kart items)
http://www.racerspreferredmodels.com/
Eleventh:
Rumors:
Sometimes they’re true, while
at other times, they prove to be false.
Some things heard last weekend at OCFS:
Michael (Suitcase) Sanchelli will not be back at OCFS for 2013.
Part of the cause for the
very small 305 Sprint Car field was that members of the CRSA were told that
they would be charged $20.00 for each quad.
CRSA did not have many cars for the show, that’s for sure. Only 15 305’s showed up and only 3 or 4 were
CRSA members. More was said as to why
the CRSA did not back the Sprint Car portion of ESW – how the track “went at it
all wrong”.
During the “action” on
Friday, or the lack of it, it was said that the Modifieds
would only get one lap in time trials, no heats and no consolation races. The 200 line up would be the fastest “x”
amount, from those time trials.
When that was announced, some
“name” drivers announced that they would load up and leave.
Harsh, nose to nose words
were made between some drivers and officials on Friday.
A driver/team owner was told
he was going to be penalized because he did not help to run in the track, on
Friday. Said driver/team owner could not
get into the pit area on Friday!
A driver was “moved down” in
speed/time wise in the qualifying time trials because he did not help run in
the track.
Really not a rumor, but the
purse, especially for the 200, was not as much for those that placed towards
the bottom, in the race, compared to some past 200’s. I don’t know about the other classes.
More not rumors, but my
having discussions with others, the consensus is that when, and if, the pit
area is moved outside of turns 3 & 4, some extensive excavating and grading
will have to take place. If that does
get done, I hope it isn’t a mud hole.
Twelfth:
An update on the wife:
Last Saturday, she completed
her two weeks on the Chemo pills. This
week she’s off every thing. She’s due to
start the pills again on Sunday. After
that, another two hours of IV Chemo, next Tuesday. Since she’s been home from the hospital stay,
her strength is gradually improving, and there have been no more bouts with
dehydration and/or diarrhea.
Thirteenth:
I see the Inside NASCAR show
is back on Showtime, on Wednesday nights.
In my area it’s on at 10:00 PM.
It’s not censored, so maybe it’s a good thing it’s on rather late. Some B A D words do get said.
Coming up:
Oakland Valley’s Dirt Oval:
Last point race this Saturday, 10/26.
11/2, 11/3 & 11/4 Novemberfest
– Karts & Slingshots racing.
Note:
Methinks I had wrong dates, previously!
Novemberfest is held on Friday, Saturday and
Sunday!
November 11, 2012:
The annual Stan Lobitz Movie party, lunch, auction and sit down dinner,
with all of the proceeds going to the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing (EMMR).
Lobitz Caterin Hall – Route
940 Hazelton, Pa.
– located directly behind the Fairway Chevrolet dealership on Route 309 North.
One never knows who might
show up – like Eddie Sachs, Jr. or Arlen Kurtis, son
of noted race car builder Frank Kurtis – who have
been guests in recent years. A good time
is had by all with lots of bench racing and b*ll
busting being done throughout the day.
Vendors are also present.
Things get off to a somewhat
slow start at around 9:00 AM, and then it’s an all day thing that ends with the
sit down dinner usually a little after 5:00.
When I go, it’s I-84 West to
I-81 South. I get off on Route 80 East,
then hit Pa Route 309 South – the first exit after leaving I-81. From Port Jervis, N.Y.
it’s an hour and a half drive.
Best part: it’s FREE.
Note: Jimmy Maguire attends every one of these
affairs.
Found
on Jayski’s website:
http://www.jayski.com/
'The NASCAR season is
my priority' – shoulder surgery for Pastrana
Danica could be cut from GoDaddy
advertising:
Caution
lights are flashing for racing star Danica Patrick's
lucrative gig with Go Daddy. The advertising future of Go Daddy's go-to girl
appears to be in limbo as Go Daddy is about to announce the hiring of a new ad
agency, Deutsch NY, which will have freedom to drop the sexy racing star from
the Web domain company's Super Bowl ad lineup. Patrick, 30, has starred in more
Super Bowl spots - 10 - than any other celebrity, including Michael Jordan and
Cindy Crawford. Overall, she's appeared in 22 Go Daddy commercials since 2007
and is believed to earn upwards of $1 million annually for those commercial
efforts. But Patrick has not appeared in a Go Daddy spot for months, and the
company says it has no current plans to feature her in any spots at least through
January. "The question at hand is: Is she in the Super Bowl or not?"
says Barb Rechterman, chief marketing officer at Go
Daddy. "What we're trying to do is redefine sexy to be a small-business
owner running a successful business. So we want to explore options of how we
make our advertising new." Patrick's Q Score, which tracks likability, has
recently been heading south, falling from 29 in 2010 to 19 in 2012. The average
race car driver rates a 13 Q Score. "It raises a warning signal to evaluate
the strength of her emotional connection with consumers," says Henry
Schafer, executive vice president at The Q Scores Co.(USA Today)(10-18-2012)
UPDATE:
Danica Patrick is still Go
Daddy's girl, though she may not be featured in the company's Super Bowl spots
for the first time since 2007. Go Daddy on Thursday announced it had signed New
York agency Deutsch Inc. to produce its two 30-second Super Bowl spots, the
first time the website domain provider has gone outside for the ads it has done
itself since 2005. "We love Danica, our
relationship is perfectly fine," [Barb Rechterman,
chief marketing officer] said. "Danica, for us,
is a valued asset and we have her for the foreseeable future. We are very
excited for her upcoming first full season in the Sprint Cup Series, and Go
Daddy is looking forward to many more years together with her." Rechterman said Go Daddy is interested in discussing
opportunities with Patrick for the Indianapolis
500 next season. Patrick has said she'd like to run that race if she can
partner with a team that gives her a chance to win. But Rechterman
doesn't know if that means Patrick will kick off the year with a spot in the Super
Bowl, which is Feb. 3 in New Orleans.(Associated Press)(10-18-2012)
Prelude to a Dream will not
run in 2013:
According to a news release
issued Thursday by Eldora Speedway, the track will not host the Prelude to the
Dream next year. "Eldora's commitment to the best possible experience for
its loyal fans and competitors attending the Dirt Late Model Dream will result
in a schedule change to Dream Week. The logistics associated with the Dream's
expansion for the dirt Late Model teams that supplied the cars for the Prelude,
along with speedway officials who must transition the facility, prevents the Prelude
to the Dream from being included on the 2013 calendar. Advance ticket holders
to the 2012 event will retain their renewal rights for the next scheduled
Prelude to the Dream event going forward."(Eldora Speedway)(10-18-2012)
Truck race possible at Eldora:
NASCAR may be considering
adding a dirt race at Eldora Speedway to its Truck Series schedule. Multiple
sources within the series said they've been told a dirt track could be added to
the schedule in 2013. Sources also said a Richard Childress Racing truck was
prepared for a test at Eldora, owned by three-time Sprint Cup champion Tony
Stewart. The test was scheduled to take place Monday or Tuesday, the sources
said. Officials at Eldora could not be reached for comment. NASCAR officials
declined to address specifically whether Eldora was under consideration for a
truck race, but the series is looking at potential venues it hasn't been to
before. "We've made several site visits over the past few months to look
at possible future venues for our Nationwide and Camping World Truck
Series," spokesman Kerry Tharp said on Tuesday. "We expect the 2013
schedules for both of those series to be finished up and released within the
next couple of weeks."(ESPN)(10-17-2012)
Texas offering largest purse of Chase races:
Texas Motor Speedway and the
AAA Texas 500 once again will boast the largest purse of the 10 races in the
Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Texas Motor Speedway will award $6,969,209
among the 43 drivers competing in the AAA Texas 500 on Sunday, Nov. 4. The
purse increased more than $111,000 when compared to last year's AAA Texas 500
purse of $6,857,822. Since 2005, Texas Motor Speedway has played host to the
eighth race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, which annually features the
largest purse and largest-attended race of the 10 races in NASCAR's version of
the playoffs. Texas Motor Speedway's WinStar World
Casino 350 Camping World Truck Series and O'Reilly Auto Parts Challenge
Nationwide Series races also will include large payouts. The WinStar World Casino 350 on Friday, Nov. 2, features a
purse of $547,978 while the O'Reilly Auto Parts Challenge on Saturday, Nov. 3,
will award $1,116,776.(TMS)(10-18-2012)
Chevy to debut 2013 car at
end of November:
So far, every 2013 Chevy SS
NASCAR Sprint Cup car that's shown up for testing has looked like something
from a Rorschach test or maybe a psychedelic experiment from the 1960s gone
horribly wrong, but that's about to change. Up until now, Chevy has insisted
that the SS always run in a bizarre black-and-white wrap to conceal its true
appearance. Finally, on Nov. 29 at the Wynn Las Vegas, Chevy will show the SS
off in real race trim, minus the headache-inducing graphics. The street version
of the SS will be based on Australian Holden VE Commodore, a front-engine,
rear-wheel-drive sedan. The SS also bears a close resemblance to the late,
lamented Pontiac G8, another Holden-based sedan. GM will be the last of the
four automakers currently in NASCAR to formally unveil its 2013 car.(SPEED)see
images of the Chevy test car and other 2013 models on the 2013 Manufacturers
News and Images page.(10-19-2012)
Diet Mountain Dew cutting back sponsorship of Earnhardt, Jr.:
UPDATE:
#88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. won't
have Diet Mountain Dew as a sponsor for as many races in 2013 as he did in
2012, but he's not worried about Hendrick Motorsports
finding sponsors for those races. NASCAR's most popular driver will have
sponsorship from the Army National Guard for 20 races next year and Diet
Mountain Dew for an unspecified number. Mountain Dew sponsored 16 races this
year while another Pepsi product, Amp, sponsored four. The National Guard had
18 races this year. Earnhardt is not worried about having an unsponsored car at
Hendrick. The organization has had Hendrickcars.com
on Kasey Kahne's car for select races this year when
it didn't sell sponsorships. "We have more demand than we have supply
pretty much," Earnhardt said. "We've got a majority of the season
with the Guard and Diet Mountain Dew is going to back off a little bit and that
makes it a bit of a challenge to fill that small of a gap. If it were a bit
larger gap, it would be easier to fill."(Sporting News)(9-14-2012)
UPDATE: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
and his Hendrick Motorsports team are losing 15 races
of sponsorship next season as PepsiCo plans to cut back its sponsorship,
according to the SportsBusiness Journal. PepsiCo
committed to sponsoring Earnhardt for 20 races in 2012. PepsiCo is working on a
$10 million deal with Hendrick Motorsports that would
include five races annually with Earnhardt (Diet Mountain Dew and Amp), two
races with Jeff Gordon (Pepsi) and one with Kasey Kahne
(brand TBA). The beverage company had sponsored Earnhardt and his #88 team for
20 races and Gordon's #24 team for two in each of the past five years. This
season, the 20 Earnhardt races were split between Diet Mountain Dew (16 races)
and Amp (four races).(Sporting News)(10-22-2012)
Patrick, Cassill
differ on reason for wreck:
Danica Patrick vowed to stand up
for herself when the time was right, and she deemed Sunday's NASCAR race at
Kansas Speedway to be that time. Patrick, in her eighth Sprint Cup Series race,
spun Landon Cassill around the midway point of the
Hollywood Casino 400 as frustration over what she said were multiple incidents
with the BK Racing driver boiled over. "He got into me on the front
straight and said I was just in the way," Patrick said. "That's
really no good reason to hit me. If it's one time, I can imagine it's
frustration, but it's been quite a few times with him. At some point I have to
stand up for myself so this doesn't happen with other people. I chose
today."
Cassill, though, told SB Nation he didn't slam into Patrick
because she was in the way - he moved the #10 car because Patrick was
"driving like a maniac making it three-wide on a restart" when others
were "staying cool to keep from wrecking." While the leaders were
wrecking at the front of the field, Cassill said he
and other drivers racing around the back were "biding our time."
Patrick made it three-wide but didn't pass him - a move which irked Cassill. "If you're going to make it three-wide and
pass somebody, you've got to back it up," he said by phone after the race.
"But she didn't. She goes under there, and then she's sliding up the
racetrack and then jacks up the field, gets in the way. Then she lets two cars
go by, and when I get underneath her, she crowds me. So I was like, 'No! I've
been faster than you all day,' so I was going to move her. And I did. I didn't
hit her because she was in my way and I wanted to pick on her, I hit her
because she was driving like an idiot for 30th."(SB Nation)(10-22-2012)
Stewart says Danica's 2012 schedule will help next year:
Danica Patrick's foray into the
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series so far has been, to put it politely, a huge challenge.
When Stewart planned out Patrick's part-time Cup schedule for 2012, he
deliberately chose some of the toughest tracks and races for the former IndyCar star to run. The logic was that it was far better
to expose her to the most challenging tracks so she'll have a good baseline for
next year than to let her pad her statistics at the easier courses. The results
have been underwhelming. In six Cup starts this year, Patrick has not led a lap
and has an average finish of 28.17.
Despite the ups and downs of the season, Stewart
said Friday that he's sticking by his plans for Patrick. "We picked races
that were going to be hard," Stewart said. "They are not supposed to
be easy. Her scenario is a little different than a lot of other drivers. She
has been very eager to get to the Cup series and I still think more so than
some people do that she has the ability to be successful at this level. The
learning curve that she is going through has been a lot shorter than what it
probably should have been. But with that, that is why Ryan (Newman) and I are
here as a support system to her, why Greg (Zipadelli)
was chosen as her crew chief for this year." Stewart said picking
challenging tracks would accelerate Patrick's learning curve. "There
wasn't anything to learn by going to easy tracks this year on a partial
schedule," Stewart said. "The schedule she is going to have next year
she is going to have to go to these hard tracks. Being able to just have the
experience of going the year before even if it's a rough experience you at
least learn and get a base of that track anytime you do something for the first
time it's tough. The second time is always easier. I don't care what it
is."(SPEED)(10-20-2012)
Allmendinger taking it race-by-race:
AJ Allmendinger came back from a workout at his gym early last
Thursday morning to find four missed calls and five text messages on his cell
phone. He quickly returned the calls and by 9 a.m. had a job -- his first since
being reinstated by NASCAR following a three-month suspension for failing a
drug test. And after a 24th-place finish at Charlotte
last Saturday driving the #51 Phoenix
Racing Chevy, Allmendinger got another call this
Monday morning. And another job in the #51 this weekend at Kansas Speedway.
It's the new week-to-week, race-to-race reality for Allmendinger,
who couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity -- a chance made possible
because of the domino-effect of Kurt Busch leaving the team and Busch's initial
replacement, Regan Smith, getting a seat filling in for Dale Earnhardt Jr., who
is recovering from a concussion.
It's the small victories and feel-good moments
that count most these days. Allmendinger insists the
greatest lesson he learned while serving his suspension was that he needed to
re-prioritize his life, to find perspective. He completed NASCAR's Road to
Recovery program and maintains that his positive test came after he mistakenly
took an Adderall pill -- which is often prescribed
for attention deficit disorder. In his case, Allmendinger
insists there wasn't a substance-abuse issue. He needed to address his
decision-making. "This schedule is so insane, you don't ever have time to
fix anything away from the race track,'' Allmendinger
explained. "And if you do, all you're thinking about is fixing the stuff
at the race track. I'm by no means a perfect person, but I know I need to work
on it. Over the three months, it made me realize how much I really do enjoy
being here and how much I missed it. When it's going bad, I put so much
pressure on myself. And driving for Roger Penske was a dream come true and then
everything just wasn't happening right."
Allmendinger knows that his future is tenuous -- both short-term
and long-term. He said he is talking with teams about a ride in 2013, but there
simply aren't many vacant seats; certainly not many quality vacant seats. He
recognizes that his behavior has probably frightened some sponsors but is
hopeful his candor and repentance will attract a company ready to capitalize on
his second chance. In the near-term, he doesn't even know where he will be next
week. Phoenix Racing general manager Steve Barkdoll
was non-committal.(NASCAR.com)(10-22-2012)
Regan Smith expected in the
#51 if Earnhardt, Jr. cleared to race:
Don't
expect Phoenix Racing to jump the gun in announcing its driver lineup for this
weekend. However, should Earnhardt Jr. be cleared, Regan Smith will drive the #
51 Chevy. Smith posted his fourth top-10 finish of the season on Sunday subbing
in the #88 Hendrick Motorsports car. General manager
Steve Barkdoll said Monday morning that the
commitment had been made to Smith before AJ Allmendinger
filled in. Still Barkdoll, who spotted for Allmendinger during throughout Smith's absence, described
the experience as fun. "The way AJ performed the last two weeks, he
deserves to be in a full-time ride," Barkdoll
said.(Fox Sports)(10-23-2012)
UPDATE:
AJ Allmendinger will drive the #51 Phoenix Racing Sprint Cup
car Sunday at Martinsville Speedway. Allmendinger,
who was suspended earlier this season for violating NASCAR's substance abuse
policy, has driven the past two races at Charlotte and Kansas, where he
finished 24th and 35th, respectively. General manager Steve Barkdoll
said the decision to go with Allmendinger was based
on how he has performed over the past two weeks. Barkdoll
said it remains a race-by-race decision. He said Regan Smith would have been in
the car for the rest of the year had he not been called on to replace Dale
Earnhardt Jr. in the #88 the past two weeks. Barkdoll
did not rule out the possibility that Smith could be in the car in two weeks at
Texas.
Earnhardt is awaiting word later Tuesday on whether he will be cleared to
return from a concussion to race at Martinsville
this weekend.(ESPN) (10-23-2012)
Earnhardt, Jr. cleared to race
at Martinsville
Dale
Earnhardt Jr. will return to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series this weekend at Martinsville, Va.,
after being medically cleared for competition. Since being diagnosed with a
concussion following the Oct. 7 race at Talladega,
Ala., Earnhardt has participated in a
rehabilitation program directed by Charlotte
neurosurgeon Dr. Jerry Petty. Throughout the process, Petty consulted with Dr. Micky Collins, director of the University of Pittsburgh
Medical Center Sports Medicine Concussion Program.
"Dale Jr. has done everything asked of him," Petty said. "He
hasn't had a headache since Oct. 12, and we have not been able to provoke any
symptoms since that time. I have informed NASCAR and Hendrick
Motorsports that he is medically cleared for all NASCAR-related activity."
Earnhardt was evaluated by Collins on Oct. 16 in Pittsburgh. On Monday, Earnhardt ran 123 laps
in a Sprint Cup car during a test session monitored by Petty at the half-mile Gresham Motorsports
Park in Jefferson,
Ga. Petty cleared the driver Tuesday morning
following a final neuropsychological evaluation in Charlotte. (Hendrick Motorsports)(10-23-2012)
#49 team up for auction:
Gavel
Auction is scheduled to hold an auction of the complete assets of the #49
Robinson-Blakeney / American Israel team on October
30, 2012, including race cars, engines, hauler, EFI systems, shop equipment,
pit road boxes and more. For more info go to myRacing auctions, equipment, decals, helmets
and more news and links page
.(10-22-2012)
Regan Smith
without a ride at Martinsvile:
Regan Smith experienced two weeks
that most racecar drivers would love to experience, and he will follow that
with a weekend few would enjoy. After a two-week stint as the substitute driver
for Dale Earnhardt Jr., Smith is without a ride for the Sprint Cup Series race
Sunday at Martinsville Speedway. Smith said Tuesday he plans to go to the track
but does not have a ride as Earnhardt has been approved to race after having to
miss the last two weeks because of a concussion. On Tuesday afternoon, Smith
found out that, as expected, Earnhardt was cleared to race this weekend at Martinsville. Phoenix
Racing already had decided to keep AJ Allmendinger in
the car after a promising two weeks with him as its last-minute replacement.
Smith said he held no hard feelings toward Phoenix for not giving him an opportunity in
the car this weekend and there is a chance he could race that car later this
year. He couldn't commit to the team before Tuesday and the team had to make
plans for Martinsville.(Sporting News)(10-24-2012)
UPDATE:
Regan Smith and AJ
Allmendinger will share the driving duties for the
#51 Phoenix
Racing Chevy for the remainder of the 2012 season. Team owner James Finch
confirmed his driver lineup on Tuesday. Allmendinger
will continue behind the wheel this weekend in Martinsville and the following week at Texas
Motor Speedway. Smith will finish the season for Phoenix Racing at Phoenix
International Raceway and Miami-Homestead Speedway.(Fox Sports)(10-24-2012)
UPDATE:
JR Motorsports
announced it has reached an agreement with Regan Smith to drive the team's #5
NASCAR Nationwide Series entry full time in 2013. General Manager Kelley
Earnhardt Miller said Smith will make his JRM debut this year, as the company
will field three teams for the Nov. 17 race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Smith
will join teammates Cole Whitt and Danica Patrick in
the season finale. Smith has not competed in the Nationwide Series since 2007
when he tallied three top-fives, five top-10s, and a pole award at Kentucky
Speedway. Smith's #5 Chevy, to date, is the only JRM entry cemented for a
full-season slate in 2013. Earnhardt Miller said the goal of the organization
is still to run two full-time teams the #5 and #7 with addition to
Earnhardt Jr. competing in select Nationwide Series races in the #88 car.
"We feel it is important for our sponsors, our fans, and even Dale to keep
his Nationwide Series number consistent with his Cup number," Earnhardt
Miller said. "His brand is associated with the #88. That's what makes him
distinguishable on the race track, so it's only natural that he drives the #88
all the time. To do that, we are making our #5 Chevy our full-time entry. We
hope to have Cole in the #7 full time in 2013, and we are working hard on
securing sponsorship for that.(JR Motorsports)(10-24-2012)
Nationwide Series
remaining in Canada?
The Nationwide
Series has perhaps not left Quebec,
Canada for
good, it could end up in Trois-Rivières, and, starting
next year. Discussions were initiated, according to sources, with
representatives from NASCAR to maintain a Canadian race on the schedule. The
mayor of Trois-Rivières has appointed the chairman of
the Grand Prix, Dominic Fugere to conduct these
talks. Also, there was some discussion of holding a Nationwide Series race at Mosport next year, but the track does not currently meet the crieteria necessary for a NASCAR race. NASCAR has not
disclosed the Nationwide schedule in 2013, which suggests that negotiations are
ongoing with various promoters.(Montreal Journal, article in
French, translated with Google Translate at edited)(10-24-2012)
Going back,
in time at OVRP’s Dirt Oval:
From April
16, 2005. Only nine, from that date,
that I know of, have moved up to more expensive racing vehicles.
http://www.whowon.com/Results.asp?TrackID=1904&StoryID=148018
Note: This will be the last, for this section, in
my columns for this season.
Going back,
in time:
Something a
little different this week – kinda goes along with
“Fifth”, in this weeks column. A little
known fact about Mario Andretti and his first road race win, along with the
first professional race for Mark Donohue.
A story I picked
up on the Internet – author unknown.
The Lime Rock
Formula Libre (‘run what you brung’)
Race was a landmark event. There is an account & photos of the event at
coldplugs.com
http://www.coldplugs.com/lime_rock_park01.htm
(Note: The above link no longer works.)
BTW: A zillion races at Lime Rock & just a few involving Midgets.
But in addition to Rodger Ward’s historic win, Mario Andretti’s 1st ever road
race win came in a midget @ Lime Rock.
And, in that same event, Mark Donohue was driving his first professional race.
Donohue drove a Cooper/Offy midget owned by…Ken Brenn. Donohue wrote of Ken Brenn
& the first money ($600) he made racing, on pages 22-26 in his book, ‘The
Unfair Advantage.
There were a couple of heats & Donohue wrote they were repairing the
Cooper-Offy & were going to miss the start, but
Dutch Schaeffer put his car on the grid & disappeared.
They were hunting & paging Dutch like crazy, but he didn’t get back from the
‘men’s room’ until the repairs on Brenn’s Cooper/Offy were completed.
So, the great Dutch Schaeffer made it possible for Mark Donohue to win his
first pro money.
More racing stuff:
I’ve been reading about some possible
changes coming with Indy Car. Quite
surprised at what’s going on, too. If
you’re into Indy Car racing, you might want to check these out:
http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?170046-I-Like-Cavin-s-Editorial
http://blogs.indystar.com/racingexpert/2012/10/23/indycar-should-be-about-unifying/
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20121023/INDYCAR/121029936
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20121022/INDYCAR/121029955
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20121019/INDYCAR/121019793
News from the
AARN:
http://www.aarn.com/
What with me being at ESW over the weekend, it kind of put
a crimp in time spend on the column, so if you don’t mind, I’ll not be touching
on any particular AARN writers this week.
The Oxford Plains Speedway, in Maine, has been sold to Tom Mayberry.
Old Dominion Speedway, in Virginia, is closing. A new track at a different location is being
proposed.
¼ Mile Dirt Track Championship Weekend at Five Mile Point
is this coming weekend – Friday the 26th and Saturday, the 27th. On Friday it’s RoC
Sportsman for 100 laps, RaceSaver 305 Sprint Cars,
Factory Stocks and the 4 Cylinder ¼ Mile Nationals. On Saturday it’s RoC
Modifieds and the Southern Tier 100, RoC Street Stock finals, IMCA Modified Empire States Series
finals and the 600 cc Modifieds.
“Brawl in the Fall” at Hagerstown will be held on Saturday, the 27th
and Sunday, the 28th. On
Saturday, it’s qualifying races, then on Sunday it’s feature time. In action:
Late Models, Modifieds, 410 & 358 Sprint
Cars.
Note: Checking out
the Internet, it looks like some pretty small car counts for that show,
especially in the Modifieds.
Freemont Speedway and Attica Raceway
Park have signed up with
Hoosier for their track tires, for five years.
FOX Sports Media Group (FSMG) has an eight year agreement
to televise NASCAR racing from 2015 to 2022.
NBC Sports Group will televise F-1 races for four years. GSMG will televise 13 consecutive NASCAR Cup
races starting with the Daytona 500.
They’ll also televise the Sprint All Star race, Daytona Shoot-out, Duel
at Daytona, the entire NASCAR Truck Series season, including practice and
qualifying.
Note: No mention of
FSMG and the Nationwide Series, though.
AARN’s Motor Sports
show in the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center will be held on January 18th,
19th & 20th.
Former
Oakland Valley Speedway (Dirt Oval) runners:
Well, it
looks like this might be the last of this section for this year.
I know I’m
probably missing some, this week.
Last week I
missed Davie Franek racing at Grandview
with the URC Sprint Cars – and his chance to end up the URC’s
champion for 2012. Well, he dropped out
of the feature, and was 17th.
No he didn’t get enough points to win the championship.
I see that
Kenney Johnson, even with car troubles, managed a 10th place finish
at the Lee, NH Speedway in the NEMA Lights feature.
Now for OCFS
and the Eastern States Weekend:
In the Crate
Sportsman racing, Brian Krummel won the feature. Tyler Dippel was 2nd,
Anthony Perrego 6th, Matt Janiak 7th, Andrew Reeves 16th and Joe
Conklin 20th. Not making the
feature were Joey Falanga, RJ Smykla,
Kayla Smykla, Brad Szulewski,
John Illanovsky and Rich Coons.
In the Open
Sportsman racing, Krummel also won that feature, with
Perrego 2nd, Dippel 3rd,
Janiak 4th, LJ Lombardo 16th,
Joe Conklin 22nd and RJ 23rd. Not qualifying were Illanovsky,
Mike Traver, Kayla and Joey.
In the 358 Modifieds, Michael Storms was 10th, Mike Ruggerio 17th, Billy VanInwegen
21st, Dippel 24th and Danny Creeden 30th.
Not making the feature were RJ, Tom Hindley,
LJ and Tyler Boniface.
In the Big
Block Modifieds, Billy V was 11th, Clinton
Mills 29th, Mike Ruggerio 38th,
Danny Creeden 39th and Tim Hindley 45th.
Not making the feature was Matt Hitchcock.
Note: As you can see, 15 year old Tyler Dippel ran three classes – all on Saturday. Looking at MyLaps,
I figure he ran at least 196 laps.
For anyone
interested, here is the link to MyLaps for Eastern
States:
http://www.mylaps.com/results/showevent.jsp?id=851009
Press Releases:
PLEASE NOTE THERE
WILL BE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES FOR THE XCEL CHASSIS MODIFIEDS ALSO. I CAN NOT
STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS MEETING. PLEASE REMEMBER IF YOU ARE NOT THERE,
YOU CAN NOT COMPLAIN.
Doug Borger's Big Announcement on October 28...Wingless 600 Drivers Take
Note...
On Sunday, October 28, starting at noon, there will be a meeting at the Polk
Township Fire House in Kresgeville, Pa.
Xcel 600 Modified creator and kingpin Doug Borger is hosting the meeting and,
while it is open to everyone, the main topic will not be geared specifically
towards the Xcel Mod crowd. Borger
has a big announcement, though, and he's allowing AARN and this column to break
the news first...
During the gathering on October 28, Borger
will unveil his plan for a new touring series for 600cc Micro-Sprints. The series
will make its debut in 2013, and here's the piece that many have been waiting,
and wanting, to hear...it will be Wingless.
Although Borger
intends to reveal many of the details surrounding his tour at the meeting, he
spilled some of the specifics in a telephone conversation on Monday, October
15.
It will be an eight-to-ten race schedule; he's already had discussions with
several area speedways who are willing to book the Wingless 600's. While no
dates have been confirmed, Doug says some of the tracks who have expressed
interest include Penn Can, Five Mile Point, Linda's, and Big Diamond (Little
Diamond?).
Borger
continues to hammer out the purse structure, but he's looking at a winner's
payout of $450-500, and $75 to take the green in the feature. Some of the purse
structure, he conceded, will depend on car count at each event.
The series will adhere to the rules set up by the U6SA organization, although
Borger is emphasizing that any one interested in competing in his new series
really should attend the meeting on the 28th because he's going to discuss (and
get racers' opinions on) a couple of U6SA rules that his touring group may not
adopt...
Borger wants to make his new Wingless 600 series as affordable as possible, and
he feels one of the ways to accomplish that goal is to limit the number of
cockpit adjustable devices. "I'm looking to cut down on all the knobs and
levers inside the cars," said Borger.
"I think a limit of two cockpit adjustable devices is sufficient; maybe a panhard bar adjuster and one additional device, but that's
it." He believes that cutting back on such devices will not only decrease
expenses for the teams, but will also help the drivers devote more of their
focus to the cars around them. "I really think that a lot of the accidents
in these races are due to drivers reaching down, twisting and turning knobs
inside the car and not concentrating on the cars in front of and around them.
And it's about $120 every time you add an adjustable device, and that cost
really adds up after a while."
Borger is also
adamant in his belief that taking the wings off and limiting the cockpit
adjustable devices "puts the driver back into the equation; it's not all
about motors and who can spend the most money."
Even though he may not comply with every single rule in the U6SA book, Borger will stick to the
engine stipulations developed by that organization, and he wants all the racers
to know that he will do tech inspections at each event. "I tech my Xcel Modifieds and I'm not afraid to disqualify anyone in that
group; we will share that philosophy in this Wingless 600 series, too," he
stated.
Borger wants to
hear from competitors who are interested in participating in his new series;
that's why he is encouraging attendance at his meeting on the 28th. While he
will listen and carefully consider the driver's and car owner's opinions, he
made it clear that any final decisions will be his, and his alone. "Just
like I do with the Xcel Mods," he said, "I
listen to everyone's recommendations, then make decisions based on what's best
for the entire series."
Regarding any pending changes for those popular and successful Xcel 600 Modifieds, Borger
explained that he's switching shocks for next season. "We're changing to Bilstein shocks for next year; we've run Pro Shocks in the
past but, after testing the Bilsteins for a month or
so, I feel they're the way to go in 2013."
He's also waiting to see what happens at Kutztown next year; his Xcel Sportsman
class has run weekly at the Berks County oval for the past two seasons but rumored
plans for the one-fifth mile of clay do not include Borger's restrictor plate division.
"I've got another track lined up to run the Sportsman," he noted.
"But I need to see what happens at Kutztown first...I really think that
place, and that night, is a good fit for those cars."
The wingless 600cc Micro-Sprint tour is an idea that has gained momentum over
the past few seasons. When the 600 Pro Series ceased to exist in 2012, the
notion of a wingless tour gained even more steam; even Borger himself thought about getting it
started last winter. He decided against it, however, when he weighed the time
needed to develop a new series against all the items already on his proverbial
plate. Now, though, the time appears to be right and Borger is ready and anxious to make his
Wingless 600 Traveling Series a reality.
The Polk Township Fire Hall is located just off Route 209 in Kresgeville, Pa. Borger says it's just about a mile from
his Xcel Chassis shop, and interested parties can call him for directions at
610-681-2689.
NEWS FROM FIRST
MARINER CENTER INDOOR AUTO RACES
Promoter: Len Sammons, Len Sammons Motors ports Productions
609.888.3618
Media Contact: Ernie Saxton Communications, Inc.
Esaxton144@aol.com
215.752.7797 - office
267.934.7286 - cell phone
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PLEASE WITH OUR THANKS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ENTRY FORMS, RULES FOR BALTIMORE, PROVIDENCE INDOOR AUTO RACES NOW AVAILABLE ON
LINE, BALTIMORE TICKETS ON SALE OCT. 29
BALTIMORE, MD October 23, 2012 .
. . Exciting Indoor Auto Racing is coming to the 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore on Saturday,
December 8. Tickets for the first time event in Baltimore are slated to go on sale Monday,
October 29 at noon at all Ticketmaster locations and the arena box office.
The show will feature the exotic TQ (Three Quarter) Midget race cars and
agile Champ Karts that have put on many exciting indoor racing shows for a
number of years under Len Sammons Productions.
Other Indoor Racing events are scheduled for the Dunkin’ Donuts
Center
in Providence, R.I.,
on December 31, 2012 and at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.
for two consecutive days, February 1-2, 2013.
The 1st Mariner Arena is near the very popular Camden Yards
baseball
stadium and in the middle of Baltimore’s trendy
Inner Harbor area, a tourist mecca with dozens of shops, restaurants and attractions.
“Baltimore
is a great location for an indoor race,” said event organizer Len Sammons. “It
is easily accessible from central Pennsylvania,
Delaware and New Jersey. We expect the event to be
as popular as our Atlantic City and Providence races have
become in its very first year.”
Each class will compete against the clock in time trials that will
determine starting positions in a series of qualifying heat races. The heat
races will narrow the entries down to twenty-two starters for a 40-lap TQ
Midget A-Main and a 25-lap Champ Kart feature event.
Grandstand gates will swing open at 6:00 p.m. with racing starting
one
hour later beginning with qualifying heat races.
Ted Christopher of Plainville, Ct., a many time NASCAR Whelen
Modified
champion, and a multi-time Indoor race winner in both Providence
and Atlantic City, is the first official
entrant for the Baltimore and Providence races. Other well known drivers
such as Lou Cicconi Jr. and Joey Payne are expected
to lead the TQ-Midget entries in the inaugural event.
Previous Indoor Champ Kart race winner Norman Hynes of Linthicum, Md.
is expected to be a fan favorite as he bids for a home state victory
opportunity.
Competitors intending to enter the Baltimore
or Providence
events may
do so now on line.
Technical rules and race procedures for both events are available on
line at www.aarn.com or by calling
(609)-888-3618.
The entries are limited to 60 TQ-Midgets and 42 Champ Karts.
A host hotel for the Baltimore
event will be announced in the very
near future.
The Clarion Inn in Seekonk,
Mass. will serve as the host
hotel for the
Providence Indoor race. Located less than ten minutes from the Dunkin’ Donuts
Center, Clarion guests will enjoy the ease of parking their vehicles at no
charge in a
secured area. Guests of the Clarion Inn will appreciate comfortable
interior
corridors that provide safe and easy room access. Reservations, available at a
reduced nightly rate of $89.00, may be made by calling l-508-336-7300. With
making reservations, ask for the “Indoor Racing” special rate.
The hotel restaurant, Di Parma Italian Table is open for lunch and
dinner. Di Parma also provides room Service and a complimentary
continental breakfast.
A gala post-race New Years’ Eve Party has been planned at the
Clarion,
featuring beef and turkey carving stations, fruit and cheese displays,
complimentary beer and wine from 11 p.m. until the stroke of midnight
and a champagne toast to herald the arrival of 2013.
Title and associate event sponsorships are being sought for the
three Indoor Race events.
-End-
ERNIE SAXTON COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
MOTORSPORTS MARKETING - SPONSORSHIP CONSULTANT
PUBLIC RELATIONS - JOURNALIST - BROADCASTER
215.752.7797 - OFFICE
267.934.7286 - CELL/TEXT
ESAXTON144@AOL.COM
MARILYN'S DIRECT LINE -215.752.2392
www.saxtonsponsormarket.com
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
all weekend news can be found at www.fivemilepointspeedway.net
TWO MODIFIED GUARANTEED STARTER RACES
TO HELP SET FIELD FOR 43RD RUNNING
OF THE SOUTHERN TIER 100 AT FIVE MILE POINT
SPEEDWAY ON SATURDAY,
OCTOBER 27TH.
KIRKWOOD, NY…Five Mile Point Speedway is
readying for the biggest two days of racing the 62 year old quarter mile
speedway has seen to date. The
National Quarter Mile Dirt Track Championship will take place on Friday,
October 26th and
Saturday, October 27th. Once again two Modified Guaranteed
Starter events will help set the field for the 43rd running of the Southern Tier 100 on
Saturday (10/27).
Five Mile Point Speedway and RoC Dirt Series Promoter Andrew Harpell
came up with the Guaranteed Starters race concept a few years ago and it has
remained very popular with the race teams that support the speedway. All the Modified drivers that failed
to qualify for the recently held Short Track SuperNationals
will have an opportunity to race in one of two 12 lap Guaranteed Starter races
prior to traditional qualifying for the Southern Tier 100. The two 12 lap events will start the
racing program on Saturday with the race winner in each transferring to the
Southern Tier 100. All of
the teams including the two guaranteed starters will still go through
traditional heat races to qualify and/or better their starting position in the
feature event.
Harpell commented on the
concept, “Each year we put these two races on to show our appreciation for
supporting our late season events at Five Mile Point Speedway.” “A driver may have had tough luck at
the last event but now has an opportunity to turn that in to a great race day
for the Southern Tier 100.”
Any of the non-qualifiers from the
Short Track SuperNationals that take the green in
either of the two Guaranteed Starter races will get a $50 bill for their
participation. The two race
winners will have ensured themselves of $300 by making it in to the 43rd Southern Tier 100 starting
field.
The National Quarter Mile Dirt Track
Championship Weekend will take place on Friday, October 26th and Saturday, October 27th at Five Mile Point Speedway. Racing on Friday evening will get
underway at 7 p.m. with racing set to get underway at 3:45 p.m. on Saturday. There
will be free camping, free parking and kids 12 and younger will be admitted
free of charge. For further
information please phone 607-775-5555 or log on to www.fivemilepointspeedway.net.
Guaranteed Starter Race Lineups
GURANTEED STARTERS RACE NUMBER 1
LINEUP: Glenn Knapp, Jeff Crambo, Elmo Reckner, Brent
Boyer, Chris Wood, Jamie Batzel, Don Lawson Jr.,
Chris Grbac, Joey Colsten,
Mike Clapperton, Tommy Meier, Bob Hamm, Tom Collins,
Mike Austin, Dan Hineline, Eric Williams, Richard
Krum, Danny Bouc.
GUARANTEED STARERS RACE NUMBER 2
LINEUP: Billy VanPelt, Alan Barker, Steve Babicek, Alan Johnson, Nate Christman,
Kyle Merkel, Jesse Kline, Joey Grammes, Sammy Martz,
Brett Graham, Joe Eisenhauer, Byron Worthing, Ryan Beltz, Nick Rochinski, Richard Smith, Chad O’Hara, Brad Grim.
XCEL CHASSIS RELEASES BANQUET
INFORMATION FOR 2012 SEASON
That time of year is here where
champions are crowned and recognition is given. The swapping of racing stories
that one day might lead to racing history. Banquet information has been
announced by Doug Borger, creator of the Xcel Chassis Series.
"December 1st we will be
honoring three divisions within the series. The tour division as always and for
the first time we will be honoring Kutztown Fair Speedway drivers along with
the Borgers Speedway drivers, stated Doug, I can't emphasize enough that drivers
must be present to win any and all awards. This will be the biggest banquet to
date with the additions of Kutztown and Borgers
participants and everybody is looking forward to a great night."
The banquet will be held at the Polk
Township Firehouse located on Route 209 just south of Doug's shop. Doors open
at 5 with dinner being served at 6:00. Tickets will be $25.00 per person and
are available thru Doug. He will have them at Five Mile Point this Saturday and
on Sunday at the yearend meeting being held at the same firehouse starting at
noon. If you can't make either, please call Doug at 610-681-2689 to reserve
your tickets.
Saturday, October 27, 2012 – Candy
Bowl VIII Time Schedule
(Subject to Change)
(Raindate:
Sunday, October 28, 2012 – Same time schedule)
11:30 a.m. Pit Gates Open: Pit
Passes: $25.00.
12:00 p.m. Grandstands Gates Open: General
admission: Adults (18 & older) – $15.00; Seniors (60 &
older) & Young Adults (11–17) - $13.00;
Children (10 & under) – Free
1:00 p.m. Driver’s Meeting – All
Divisions (Turn One Pit Grandstands)
1:15 p.m. Track Prep Laps Begin
Rotation: Sportsman Modifieds
ARDC Wingless Midgets
Lincoln Thundercars
600cc Micro Sprints
Legends Cars
Sidewinder Sprints
2:00 p.m. Welcome,
Invocation and National Anthem
Sportsman Modified Heat Races (8 laps)
ARDC Wingless Midget Heat Races (8 laps)
600cc Micro Sprint Heat Races (6 laps)
Legends Cars Heat Races (6 laps)
Sidewinder Sprint Heat Races (6 laps)
Consolation Races – if
necessary
Lincoln Thundercars Feature (25 laps) – all cars entered to start the feature
Pro Sign & Design Mini Van
Feature (15 laps)
Trick or Treating – All Cars to Frontstretch
ARDC Wingless Midget Feature (20 laps)
Sportsman Modified Feature (20 laps)
600cc Micro Sprint Feature (20 laps)
Legends Cars Feature (20 laps)
Sidewinder Sprint Feature (20 laps)
· Top Three Finishers Required to be in Victory Lane after
Every Feature - $200.00 Fine for Failure to Report.
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/Oct. 24, 2012
Two-Day 'Wild Card Weekend' To Conclude Bridgeport
Speedway Season
Nov. 9-10; Small-Block Modified Championship Rules Have Been Set
BRIDGEPORT, NJ - One action-packed weekend remains for Bridgeport
Speedway in 2012 under the leadership of Doug and Gena
Hoffman.
The two-day 'Wild Card Weekend' is set for Friday-Saturday Nov. 9-10
featuring a plethora of divisions on the Logan Township
five-eighths-mile oval. The weekend is headlined, of course, by a 40-lap
big-block/small-block Modified event paying $5,000 to the winner on Saturday
(Nov. 10) that will decide the overall 'Poker Series' point title.
Topping the Friday (Nov. 9) program is a 30-lap Small-Block Modified
Championship paying $3,000 to the winner and $225 to take the green flag. The
following weight/engine rules have been established for the event:
Pennsylvania-legal spec head (2,350 lbs.); DIRTcar-legal
spec head (2,350 lbs.); Open 339 cubic inches (2,400 lbs.); Open 363 cubic
inches or ported spec head (2,450 lbs.); NASCAR-style 363 cubic inches or less
(2,500 lbs.).
The tire rule is as follows for both the big- and small-block events:
American Racer right-rear 48 or harder; left-rear 44 or harder; 33 or harder
across the front.
"The goal is to keep this event open to as many teams as
possible," Bridgeport
promoter and former driving talent Doug Hoffman said. "We looked into the
many combinations of small-block engines and put together a rules package we
believe will be fair to everyone."
The event will be the only "small-block only" race held at Bridgeport this season.
A number of drivers have already set plans to participate in the
small-block program including Billy Pauch of Frenchtown,
N.J., Pennsy star Mike Gular
of Green Lane, Pa., former Bridgeport champion Ryan Watt of Boyertown, Pa.,
Ryan Godown of Ringoes,
N.J., Bridgeport Modified winner Eric Kormann of
Vineland, N.J., recent Delaware State Dirt Track Championships small-block
victor Richie Pratt Jr. of Woodbury Heights, N.J., and many more.
Joining the Small-Block Modifieds on Friday
night is the final hand of the Crate Sportsman 'Poker Series' with a 30-lap
event paying $1,000 to the winner and $75 to take the green flag. Crate Sportsman featuring New Egypt
(N.J.) Speedway
and Delaware International Speedway seals are legal for this event.
Travis Hill of Barnsboro, N.J., has won three of the
four ‘Poker Series’ events contested thus far for 602 Crate Sportsman: Aug. 30,
June 9 and May 12. Ryan Anderson of Nottingham,
Pa., won the other event on July
25.
Outlaw Stocks complete the card with a 20-lap feature. Joe LaClaire of Black Flagged Racing will coordinate special
lap money and bonus awards for the full-fender contingent.
Additionally, the rain-postponed Outlaw Stock feature from Sept. 22 will
determine the division's overall champion on Friday night.
Competitors looking to secure practice laps in advance of Saturday's
events will be permitted to do so on Friday night.
For Friday night, gates open at 5 p.m. with hot laps at 7 p.m. and racing
promptly at 7:30 p.m.
On Saturday (Nov. 10), attention turns to the finale of the five-race
'Poker Series' for big-block/small-block Modifieds.
The fifth and final hand of the series offers a $5,000 top prize should the
winning driver post a $20 "gambler's fee" prior to the start of
qualifying ($4,000 without). A full Race of Champions purse is set for the
remainder of the field: $1,000 for fifth, $500 for 10th and $300 to take the
green flag.
Saturday Modified weight rules are as follows for the event:
Pennsylvania-legal spec head or DIRTcar spec head
engines: 2,350 lbs.; all other small-blocks under 363 cubic inches: 2,400 lbs.;
all engines above 363 cubic inches: 2,500 lbs.
The overall Modified 'Poker Series' payout is lucrative. 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.
‘Poker Series’ winners thus far in 2012 have been Ryan Godown of Ringoes, N.J., (March
31), Jamie Mills of Milford, Del.
(May 27), Richie Pratt Jr. of Woodbury Heights, N.J. (July 25) and Billy Pauch
of Frenchtown, N.J. (Aug. 30). Pratt is the only Bridgeport regular to
have won a 'Poker Series' race this season.
2012 Bridgeport champion Rick Laubach of
Quakertown, Pa., won eight races at Bridgeport this season and leads the 'Poker
Series' overall title fight with three 'Kings' resulting from a trio of
runner-up finishes and a 'Queen' from a third-place result. Laubach
is coming off victories at New Egypt Oct. 13 in the 'Rocktoberfest'
and the big-block portion of the Delaware State Dirt Track Championships at
Delaware International Oct. 20.
Bridgeport will welcome the region's 'Open Sportsman' division for
a 30-lap main with $1,500 at stake for the race winner and $100 to take the
green flag. Crate Sportsman competitors are invited to take part in the
Saturday event.
The popular TSRS 305 Sprint Cars (20 laps) and Garden State Vintage Stock
Cars will join the show.
Gates open Saturday at noon. Hot laps are planned for 2:30 p.m. with
racing to follow at 3 p.m.
Weekend camping is encouraged on the speedway grounds. A post-race party
and bonfire is in the works post-race on Saturday.
A release with complete pricing will be distributed later this week.
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.
ABBEY "THE ABBINATOR" PRICE
MAKES HISTORY AS FIRST FEMALE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR FOR XCEL CHASSIS 600 MODIFIED
SERIES
Goals have always been
a part of the life of Abbey
Price. What is most important are these goals have always been realistic and
within reach. When I first met Abbey I was impressed with the way Abbey was not
afraid to ask questions but also listen and take the advice to heart. I asked
her what she expected and her first words being 'I want to be Rookie of the
Year and the first girl to do it" with such conviction it wouldn't
surprise me at all.
The Xcel Chassis tour division offered
Abbey the opportunity to develop her driving skills while running thru out the
northeast . One of the most popular drivers in the series was impressed how
Abbey improved week in and week out. "Abbey was full of questions all
season. Kids her age don't necessarily take the advice but each week I saw her
improve and be more confident at each race." said modified driver Brian Mady," She's a great ambassador to the series and
racing in general."
When you take a look at her racing
resume and all she has accomplished in such a short racing career makes you
wonder how far she can go. In her first year of quarter midgets she accumulated
13 wins and 23 top 3's. By her second year, she was the Pennsylvania Quarter
Midget Jr. Outlaw Regional Champ. In 2011 she moved to the sling shots and
garnered herself 2 rookie titles, Wyalusing Jr. Champ and the Tobias Slingshot
Jr., in one year.
During the 2011off season Chip,
Abbey's dad, and Abbey sat down and mapped out her 2012 season. They decided
the 600 modifieds would help advance Abbey in her
racing career and still maintain a level of affordability. " Abbey is
always learning life lessons thru her racing," exclaimed Chip," As
her father I try to teach her you can reach your goals and you will make
mistakes along the way. It's how you handle those mistakes that will define
you."
After clinching the Rookie of the Year
title with 5 races left into the season I asked Abbey what her next goal would
be. "My goal is to finish in the top ten in the races we have left this
year. The rest of the year will be to get ready for the 2013 season with the
Patios 4 You sponsored #9 and to hit some of the shows over the winter. My dad
and I have secured sponsorship with a bunch of companies. I need to thank
Signature Structures, N&P-P Co., Huntington Oil Co., Hat Creek Retrievers,
Joel Renner Power washing D C Helms Inc., Don's Racing Websites, Dr. Kathleen
Fallon Kline, Owl's Nest Gun & Bow Shop and of course my family."
Abbey is committed in bringing
awareness to autism with her involvement with Autism Awareness and is putting
together a fundraiser as we speak. School is always a part of Abbey's everyday
life participating in all aspects of music while maintaining some of the highest
grade averages. "I'm always doing something and keep pretty busy. My
racing takes me to different places and I'm always meeting new people. I hope
when I'm older I can look back and know that somehow some way I made a
difference."
As far as I can tell she has already
made a difference and look
forward to following her career in racing and beyond. To support her charity of
choice and keep up to date with Abbey's progress go to her website
abbeyprice.com.
Contact: Julia Foy
Promotions/PR Coordinator - DIRTcar NE
315.834.6606 office
315.224.2522 mobile
315.834.9734 fax
Super DIRTcar Series Takes Pilgrimage Charlotte
Competitors prepare for November’s season finale, PEAK Motor Oil World of
Outlaws World Finals presented by NAPA Auto Parts
CONCORD, N. C. - Oct. 24, 2012 - With
only two feature events left in the Super DIRTcar Series,
Big-Block Modified competitors are prepping for one of the biggest dirt racing
events of the year, PEAK Motor Oil World of Outlaws World Finals presented by
NAPA Auto Parts at The Dirt Track at Charlotte
Thursday, Nov. 1, through Saturday, Nov. 3.
Not only is PEAK Motor Oil World of Outlaws World Finals presented by
NAPA Auto Parts one of only three events that hosts the three premier dirt
track series, the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, the
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, and
the Super DIRTcar Series, but it is the last event of
the season for all three.
"It's almost like the Mecca
of dirt track racing," said Jimmy Phelps, of Baldwinsville, N. Y.,
currently second in points in the Super DIRTcar
Series. "You've got the three major traveling series all on the same
property in front of a huge crowd. It's an unbelievable facility."
Performing well at the two Super DIRTcar Series
features at The Dirt Track at Charlotte,
set for Friday, Nov. 2, and Saturday, Nov. 3, is especially vital for Phelps,
who trails the series point leader and two-time defending champion Matt
Sheppard by just 92 points. Points are awarded for each 40-lap race according
to a 150-point schedule.
"It's the end of the year and everything's on the line," Phelps
said.
In addition to gearing up for the climactic finale, the last chance for
teams to make it to the top, the Super DIRTcar Series
competitors are also looking forward to three days of exhilarating racing in
front of thousands of fans.
"There's nothing like
racing under the lights in Charlotte in front of
a packed house," said Sheppard, of Waterloo,
N. Y.
"That's a great, spectacular event that we always look forward
to," said Brett Hearn, currently third in points and coming off two big
series victories at Super DIRT Week in
Syracuse, N. Y., and Eastern States Weekend in
Middletown, N. Y. "It's great to be part of the three major World Racing
Group series all at one place at one time, and Charlotte has a lot to offer
besides great racing. It's a great place to go visit."
For tickets and more information about PEAK Motor Oil World of Outlaws
World Finals presented by NAPA Auto Parts one, visit the Charlotte Motor
Speedway website at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/dirt.
Follow @SuperDIRTcar on Twitter for the latest news
and updates about the Super DIRTcar Series, including
race results.
2012 Point Standings, after Orange
County Fair Speedway, October 21, 2012
|
No.
|
Driver
|
Total
|
Series
|
Bonus
|
Diff
|
Home Track
|
Wins
|
Top 5
|
Top 10
|
Starts
|
1
|
9s
|
Matt Sheppard
|
2,201
|
1,201
|
1000
|
0
|
Canandaigua
|
3
|
7
|
11
|
11
|
2
|
98H
|
Jimmy Phelps
|
2,109
|
1,134
|
975
|
-92
|
Canandaigua
|
1
|
9
|
11
|
12
|
3
|
20
|
Brett Hearn
|
2,093
|
1,093
|
1000
|
-108
|
Albany/LVS
|
3
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
4
|
3
|
Justin Haers
|
1,951
|
976
|
975
|
-250
|
Canandaigua
|
0
|
4
|
9
|
12
|
5
|
27J
|
Danny Johnson
|
1,893
|
908
|
985
|
-308
|
Canandaigua
|
2
|
3
|
6
|
10
|
6
|
49
|
Billy Dunn
|
1,882
|
927
|
955
|
-319
|
Canandaigua
|
0
|
4
|
7
|
12
|
7
|
8R
|
Rob Bellinger
|
1,704
|
776
|
928
|
-497
|
Canandaigua
|
0
|
1
|
6
|
12
|
8
|
8
|
Rich Scagliotta
|
1,701
|
777
|
924
|
-500
|
Canandaigua
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
12
|
9
|
21a
|
Pete Britten
|
1,697
|
767
|
930
|
-504
|
Canandaigua
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
12
|
10
|
84
|
Gary Tomkins
|
1,606
|
666
|
940
|
-595
|
Canandaigua
|
0
|
2
|
2
|
8
|
11
|
56
|
Vince Vitale
|
1,555
|
623
|
932
|
-646
|
Canandaigua
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
9
|
12
|
10
|
Tim Currier
|
1,550
|
632
|
918
|
-651
|
Canandaigua
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
12
|
13
|
48T
|
Dave Rauscher
|
1,527
|
605
|
922
|
-674
|
Canandaigua
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
11
|
14
|
5*
|
Tyler Siri ®
|
1,467
|
553
|
914
|
-734
|
Canandaigua
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
10
|
15
|
115
|
Kenny Tremont Jr.
|
1,309
|
324
|
985
|
-892
|
Albany Saratoga
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
4
|
16
|
34b
|
Andy Bachetti
|
1,248
|
283
|
965
|
-953
|
Lebanon Valley
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
17
|
57
|
Donnie Corellis
|
1,230
|
245
|
985
|
-971
|
Lebanon Valley
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
3
|
18
|
7x
|
Steve Paine
|
1,203
|
268
|
935
|
-998
|
Canandaigua
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
4
|
19
|
10J
|
Alan Johnson
|
1,194
|
249
|
945
|
-1,007
|
Canandaigua
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
2
|
20
|
97
|
Jerry Higbie
|
1,162
|
162
|
1000
|
-1,039
|
Orange County
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
21
|
2RJ
|
Ronnie Johnson
|
1,157
|
192
|
965
|
-1,044
|
Albany Saratoga
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
22
|
43
|
Keith Flach
|
1,148
|
216
|
932
|
-1,053
|
Lebanon Valley
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
23
|
98
|
Eddie Marshall
|
1,141
|
166
|
975
|
-1,060
|
Lebanon Valley
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
2
|
24
|
1h
|
Tim Hindley
|
1,093
|
118
|
975
|
-1,108
|
Orange County
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
25
|
23
|
Billy VanInwegen
|
1,072
|
144
|
928
|
-1,129
|
Orange County
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
26
|
17
|
Elmo Reckner
|
1,067
|
135
|
932
|
-1,134
|
Albany Saratoga
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
27
|
19w
|
Justin Wright ®
|
1,063
|
143
|
920
|
-1,138
|
Canandaigua
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
28
|
21m
|
Bob McGannon
|
1,055
|
125
|
930
|
-1,146
|
Orange County
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
29
|
21
|
Derrick Podsiadlo
|
1,055
|
139
|
916
|
-1,146
|
Canandaigua
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
30
|
33 1/3
|
Tommy Meier
|
1,041
|
56
|
985
|
-1,160
|
Orange County
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
I get e-mails:
NOT POLITICALLY CORRECT
TOP-10 "Only In America"
Observations ~ by a Canadian
1) Only in America, could
politicians talk about the greed of the
rich at a $35,000.00 a plate
campaign fund-raising event.
2) Only in America, could
people claim that the government still
discriminates against black
Americans when they have a black President, a
black Attorney General, and
roughly 18% of the federal workforce is black
while only 12% of the population
is black.
3) Only in America, could
they have had the two people most
responsible for our tax code,
Timothy Geithner, the head of the Treasury
Department and Charles Rangel who
once ran the Ways and Means Committee,
BOTH turn out to be tax cheats who
are in favor of higher taxes.
4) Only in America, can
they have terrorists kill people in the name
of Allah and have the media
primarily react by fretting that Muslims might
be harmed by the backlash.
5) Only in America, would
they make people who want to legally
become American citizens wait for
years in their home countries and pay tens
of thousands of dollars for the
privilege while actually considering letting
anyone who sneaks into the country
illegally just 'magically' become
American citizens.
6) Only in America,
could the people who believe in balancing the
budget and sticking by the
country's Constitution be thought of as
"extremists."
7) Only in America, could
you need to present a driver's license to
cash a check or buy alcohol, but
not to vote.
8) Only in America, could
people demand the government investigate
whether oil companies are gouging
the public because the price of gas went
up when the return on equity
invested in a major U.S. oil
company (Marathon
Oil) is less than half of a
company making tennis shoes (Nike).
9) Only in America, could
the government collect more tax dollars
from the people than any nation in
recorded history, still spend a Trillion
dollars more than it has per year
- for total spending of $7-Million PER
MINUTE, and complain that it
doesn't have nearly enough money.
10) Only in America, could
the rich people - who pay 86% of all
income taxes - be accused of not
paying their "fair share" by people who
don't pay any income taxes at all.
And this one, too:
Bill Clinton was disbarred from practicing law in Arkansas and was also disbarred from
practicing law in front of the Supreme Court over the Lewinski incident.
He also paid a $25,000.00 fine over the Lewinski incident.
He also paid an $850,000.00 settlement over the Lewinski incident.
He was also fined $90,000 for giving false testimony in the Paula Jones
case.
So Bill Clinton, a disbarred lawyer, a President who was fined for lying
under oath, asks the American people to believe him when he says the best thing
for the Country is 4 more years of Obama.
Just wanted to make sure I had it right!
Found on Facebook:
Three-time Indy 500 starter dies
The second-oldest living Indianapolis
500 driver, Eddie Russo, died at the age of 86 on Oct. 14.
Russo was tied with Chuck Weyant, the oldest living
Indy 500 starter, for having the earliest "500" start (1955) among
living drivers.
Russo was born in Chicago
and came from a racing family. He qualified for the 500 in 1955, 1957, and
1960, however, he did not finish in any year. In the 1956 Indy 500, he served
as a relief driver. His father was Joe Russo, who lost his life at Langhorne, Pa.,
less than two weeks after placing fifth in the 1934 "500," while Paul
Russo was his uncle.
Between 1952 and 1960, Eddie Russo made 21 National Championship starts. In
1960, he ended his career after an excursion into the outside wall in Turn 2
resulted in the loss of his eye.
“The Donald”
On his official Facebook page, Donald Trump
posted a letter today (10/24) offering a deal to President Barack Obama. If the
president releases his college and passport records to the public, Trump will
write a $5 million check to the charity of the president’s choosing. What’s
your take on this unusual proposal?
http://cnynews.com/trump-trumps-his-previous-trump/
Note: On NBC News, on Tuesday evening, Brian
Williams was publicizing the fact that Donald Trump was coming out with
something about President Obama, on Wednesday.
Conveniently, Mr. Williams was touring the country with you-know-who,
and was not on the News show on Wednesday evening. Lo, and behold, not ONE word mentioned about
what “The Donald” came out with. Guess
we all know why, huh?
Some
non-racing stuff:
Note: Just titles and links from now on.
http://news.yahoo.com/obama-inflated-jobs-claim-184609682--politics.html
Mexican
attorney general: “Obama more involved in Fast & Furious than admitted!”
http://www.citizens4freedom.com/Articles/tabid/1387/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/8174/Mexican-attorney-general-Obama-more-involved-in-Fast-Furious-than-admitted.aspx#.UIC417nyY6o.facebook
CNN's Candy
Crowley: Romney Was Actually Right On Libya
http://news.yahoo.com/apnewsbreak-co-conducts-more-citizenship-checks-003647376--election.html
http://news.yahoo.com/white-house-told-militant-claim-two-hours-libya-010758099.html
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/treason-and-possible-prison-beck-breaks-down-obamas-lying-on-libya-in-fiery-segment/
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/palin-accuses-obama-shuck-jive-schtick-212555554--politics.html
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/trade-deadline-approach-expect-tim-tebow-trade-talk-183956709--nfl.html
http://health.yahoo.net/experts/dayinhealth/seafood-safety-tainted-imports-are-fishy
http://news.yahoo.com/congressmans-son-leaves-campaign-wake-video-235322231--election.html
Could this be
true:
Tropical Storm Sandy could slam N.J. as
nor'easter with hurricane-force winds, forecasters say
Stephen Stirling/The Star-Ledger
Posted:
10/23/2012 3:56 PM
If you thought
last year’s crippling late October snowstorm was a handful, this year’s
pre-Halloween horror show might just make your head spin.
State officials
and weather forecasters are growing concerned that a powerful nor’easter,
formed from Tropical Storm Sandy and an approaching cold front, could wreak
havoc in the Garden
State early next week,
potentially causing extensive flooding as well as damage from hurricane-force
winds.
Sandy formed in the
southern Caribbean Monday, and forecasters
say it is expected to track up the east coast in the coming days potentially
making landfall in the New Jersey/Long Island area early on Monday or Tuesday.
“This storm has
the potential to be very dangerous,” said Gary Szatkowski,
the meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service’s Mount Holly
office. “When you bring a tropical system into a situation like this, it’s like
adding fuel to a fire. You can get some incredibly powerful
storms and this one has the potential to be very strong.”
While Sandy is expected to lose it’s tropical characteristics by
the time it arrives, Szatkowski said it has the
potential to explode into a massive Nor’Easter, the
effects of which New Jersey
could start experiencing as early as Sunday.
“The fact that it
wouldn’t be a hurricane might be misleading to people, but this could be very
serious,” he said.
Szatkowski likened the
situation to “the Perfect Storm,” a incredibly powerful Nor’easter that in 1991
absorbed Hurricane Grace, killed 13 people and caused upwards of $200 million
in damage along the East Coast.
“The latest
guidance has got a 946 millibar low off the coast of Cape Hatteras on Sunday,” said Henry Margusity,
a senior meteorologist at Accuweather. “That would be
a category 2 hurricane. If that’s true and it comes in like that. That’s a very
bad situation. This would be a very destructive storm.”
The state Office
of Emergency management is monitoring the situation closely and has started
warning emergency management officers around the state of the potential threat.
“We’re still in
the monitoring stage at this point. Every day we’re going to look at it and
we’ll ramp up efforts as needed,” said Mary Goepfert,
spokesperson for the state OEM.
Szatkowski was quick to
point out, however, that there is a considerable amount of uncertainty with how
the scenario will play out. Some forecast models show Sandy
getting kicked out to sea, making the impacts on New Jersey fairly minimal.
Regardless, the
storm needs to be monitored closely in the coming days.
“Remember that the
forecast maps are guidance, not gospel. The storm center could easily track
closer to the coast or further out to sea,” Szatkowski
wrote in a briefing package issued today. “The takeaway message is that our
region could be close to the path of a very dangerous storm.”
http://news.yahoo.com/halloween-scare-hurricane-sandy-shows-similarities-perfect-storm-170646481.html
Note: Looking at the extended forecast, as of
10/24, next week is rain every day with a chance of freezing rain on Friday,
where I live.
Video time:
From 10/18/12
Mitt Romney
Jokes and One Liners at Al Smith dinner with President Barack Obama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kSznL29JyhQ#!
President
Barack Obama Jokes and One Liners at Al Smith Dinner with Mitt Romney
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-Gy3a50vVSk
Photos:
Note: The photos are not available on Dirt Track
Digest, only on New England Tractor - http://newenglandtractor.com/racereport/
This gentleman, below, wasn’t on the
starters stand this past weekend at OCFS, but his son was. Pictured is the late “Tex” Enright. His son, Jerry has followed in his fathers
foot steps. I feel for those that never
saw “Tex”
flag a race. You really missed
something!

Closing with
these:
Punography
I changed my I Pod name to Titanic.
It's syncing now .
Jokes about German sausage are the wurst .
A soldier who survived mustard gas
and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran .
I know a guy who's addicted to brake
fluid . He says he can stop any time .
How does Moses make his tea ? Hebrews
it .
I stayed up all night to see where
the sun went. Then it dawned on me .
This girl said she recognized me from
the vegetarian club, but I'd never met herbivore .
I'm reading a book about anti-gravity
. I can't put it down .
I did a theatrical performance about
puns. It was a play on words .
They told me I had type A blood, but
it was a Type-O.
A dyslexic man walks into a bra .
Why were the Indians here first ?
They had reservations .
Class trip to the Coca-Cola factory .
I hope there's no pop quiz .
Energizer battery arrested . Charged
with battery .
I didn't like my beard at first .
Then it grew on me .
How do you make holy water ? Boil the
hell out of it !
Did you hear about the cross eyed
teacher who lost her job because she couldn't control her pupils ?
When you get a bladder infection,
urine trouble .
What does a clock do when it's
hungry? It goes back four seconds .
I wondered why the baseball was
getting bigger. Then it hit me !
Broken pencils are pointless.
I tried to catch some fog. I mist.
What do you call a dinosaur with
extensive vocabulary? A thesaurus .
England has no
kidney bank, but it does have a Liverpool .
I used to be a banker, but then I
lost interest .
I dropped out of communism class
because of lousy Marx .
All the toilets in New York's police stations have been stolen.
Police have nothing to go on.
I got a job at a bakery because I
kneaded dough.
Haunted French pancakes give me the
crepes .
Velcro - what a rip off !
Cartoonist found dead in home.
Details are sketchy.
Venison for dinner? Oh deer!
Earthquake in Washington obviously
the government's fault .
I used to think I was indecisive, but
now I'm not so sure .
Be kind to your dentist. He has
fillings, too .
Again - Special notice: There will be no column next week. And columns will be every other week, for a
while.
Wishing all race fans, drivers,
teams, team owners and sponsors to remain safe and out of harms way!
As usual, you can reach me at: ygordad@yahoo.com