Racin' & Different Stuff:

                                      By Tom Avenengo

                                         Volume # 121

                                                   01/10/2013

 

First:

The sad thing about this time of the year is that there really isn’t much doing as far as auto racing goes, especially here in the northeast.  Yes, there are the three indoor TQ races here in the northeast over the course of a month, or so.  And some indoor midget races in the Midwest, ending up with the Chili Bowl out in Oklahoma later this week.  More sad – not a one is on live TV, yet we have crap shows on SPEED. 

Ah, but wait!  Daytona will have practice on SPEED starting on the 10th of January!  Hooray, we get to watch one car at a time circle that big, banked two and a half mile super speedway!

I wonder why there are no weekly indoor races here in the northeast, like they used to have back in the 40’s 50’s and 60’s – at places like the Kingsbridge Armory, in the Bronx, The Island Garden in West Hempstead,  NY,  Commack Arena in Commack, NY, Nassau Veterans Coliseum in Uniondale, NY, Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, NJ, and New Haven Veterans Coliseum in New Haven,  and the Teaneck Armory in Teaneck, NJ.

 

A little about the Kingsbridge Armory, and what MIGHT happen:

http://ny.curbed.com/tags/kingsbridge-armory

 

http://www.blackenterprise.com/small-business/kingsbridge-armory-closing-future-chelsea-market-real-estate/

 

http://www.nycmtb.com/?p=1291

 

From a column of mine from 12/29/2011:

http://newenglandtractor.com/racereport/ta/vol87.htm

 

The world's largest armory will be redeveloped into commercial space, including some community space among a big box retailer, a cinema, a bank branch, a fitness center and a local business incubator to fit within the armory’s 575,000 square feet.

The four-block square Northwest Bronx building was inherited by the city after the Army National Guard left in 1996.

The castle-styled building was constructed in 1912-17 to house the Eighth Artillery Rainbow Division but has had various civilian uses into the 1990s.

Local midget car promoter Jack Kochman leased 180,000 square feet of the armory and reopened it as Kingsbridge Speedrome Dec. 4, 1946.

Spectators filed into the 4,000 box seats to watch midgets and NASCAR-sanctioned stock cars race on a concrete one-fifth-mile oval under the armory’s 121-foot-tall roof on winters into 1962.”

Note:  So, really the track could have been bigger, I suppose?  180,000 square feet out of 575,000?

 

Second:

On the home front – this writer finally started feeling a little better the other day.  I guess I was thisclosetohaving the flu.  This past Tuesday, the wife, who is so damn lucky not to have caught what I had, had her next to last IV Chemo treatment.  Next one is on January 29th.

We had a nice small gathering for Christmas dinner at our place.  We’ve had a problem with our stove for quite a while – like the oven loses heat.  Well, that happened on Christmas day, too.  We cooked two turkey breasts, and even with a little extra time in the oven, they didn’t get fully cooked.  The wife had made mention of the oven problem to our grandson, Brett, and his wife, Susie.  Those damn kids took it upon themselves (after asking us, of course) to get us a brand new stove.  Bless them!

 

Third:

Over this past year, I’ve become friends with a Brian Caruso.  Brian is out in Las Vegas.  The “Caruso” name might ring a bell to some of you old timers out there – his grandfather was Mike Caruso, noted race car owner.  Brian, among other things runs a museum out there in Las Vegas – yes, about auto racing.

http://www.carusomidgetracing.com/

We’ve communicated back and forth quite a bit, but what he sent me, via an e-mail the other day, when he and I were comparing the ARDC of back in the day, to the ARDC of today, got me to thinking when he got back to me with this:


“Tom,

I know what you mean and back then they drove on 2 lane roads not interstates.

My Grandfather raced 8 times a week back in the day. Talk about dedication, I heard that my Grandmother used to take the engines apart and thought it was a joke. A few years ago I found out it was true. When my Grandfather got home late my Grandmother would take the Offy engine apart and wash the parts down with gasoline and lay the parts on sheets in the yard. When he got up it gave him a head start on rebuilding and they could race the next night. I am sure you could get a wife to do that today. LOL

 

Brian”

 

 

Fourth:

 

Archive for the ‘Jigger Sirois’ tag

Heroism, both on and off the track

 

In part:

 

Jigger Sirois qualifies without question as a hero of the Indianapolis 500, even though he never actually qualified to start the race. Now 76, he performs a different kind of heroism, one that dates from his earliest day, but let’s wait a minute for that. First, let’s discuss why Jigger holds an unshakable place in Brickyard folklore.

It dates to 1969, when Jigger was trying to qualify for his first 500. On Pole Day, rain washed out virtually the whole qualifying session until Jigger went out late in the day on a dry track, logging three timed laps at 161 MPH. His crew feared Jigger was too slow and waved off the attempt. The only other car to go out was Arnie Knepper, but rain poured down again during his run. Had Jigger completed his four qualifying laps, he would have won the pole for the 1969 race despite being among the slowest qualifiers. And if his time had not held up, and he had been bumped from the field by Peter Revson, then Jigger would have been the first and only pole winner to be bumped, based on the rule saying that at Indy, the fastest 33 cars start the 500.”

More on Jigger can be found here:  http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/tag/jigger-sirois/

 

 

Fifth:

 

Question:  Does anyone know just what a “Droid”  is?

 

 

 

Sixth:

 

Damned if I can find it, but a while back I came out and said I thought Kyle Larson would win the Chili Bowl.  Well, he won one of the races this past Tuesday night.  A short video of him doing victory donuts is in my Video section, towards the end of the column.

 

 

Seventh:

 

Interest high in first national-series dirt event since 1970

In part:

“It took Eldora Speedway three minutes to sell 1,500 tickets. In a half-hour, 6,500 were gone. By the end of the first day, the main grandstand was sold out. By the end of the weekend, only a few thousand reserved seats were left for the track’s inaugural NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event.

The first few days of ticket sales for NASCAR’s return to dirt racing were brisk ones, with purchases made by households in 48 U.S. states and seven Canadian provinces, track general manager Roger Slack said Monday. Tickets went on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, and roughly 48 hours later the facility had only 2,600 of its 17,700 reserved seats remaining.”

http://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2013/01/07/eldora-ticket-sales.html?eref=/jayski

 

 

Eighth:

 

Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne are among the NASCAR drivers entered in the 2013 Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals, traditionally one of the biggest Midget car events of the season.

Other NASCAR drivers:  J.J. Yeley, Cole Whitt, Kevin Swindell, Jason Leffler, Brad Sweet, Kyle Larson, Dakoda Armstrong and Justin Allgaier.

 

 

Ninth:

 

Jack Roush flies new driver Travis Pastrana in his P-51 Mustang

In part:

Extreme sports star Travis Pastrana has done some wild and daring things during his action sports career.

But one of the riskiest might have come recently when he flew with team owner Jack Roush in Roush’s P-51 Mustang.”

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nascar/story/2013-01-08/travis-pastrana-jack-roush-video-fly-mustang-roush-fenway-racing-nationwide?grcc2=0895a1b1735050aa3874eda7b41b26af~1357784518832~46ecb09adc92a29bc5142a779997297b~~1357784460000~570~0~0~0~0~0~0~0~7~3~10~109~611~8614817775531080604~~http%3A%2F%2Faol.sportingnews.com%2Fnascar%2Fstory%2F2013-01-08%2Fchili-bowl-2013-tony-stewart-kasey-kahne-kevin-swindell-kyle-larson~

 

Tenth:

Abandoned race tracks?

So far the thread is up to 9 pages in length.  Some interesting and famous  tracks that are no longer being raced on, and maybe with a little work, could be again.

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?165834-Abandoned-race-tracks

 

Eleventh:

Could this be true?  Imagine if it is?

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150199305532761

 

 

 

Found on Jayski’s website:

http://www.jayski.com/

 

35 teams testing at Daytona: NASCAR fans will get their first glimpse of the new sixth-generation NASCAR Sprint Cup Series cars on the storied Daytona International Speedway for three days this week at Preseason Thunder, the unofficial on-track start of the 2013 NASCAR season. This week's sessions will be the only test for the new car at Daytona prior to Speedweeks, which begins with The Sprint Unlimited on Feb. 16 and culminates with the 55th running of the Daytona 500 on Feb. 24.

"This test is an opportunity for the teams to prepare their cars for Speedweeks and the 55th running of the Daytona 500," said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition. "This is the teams' test and provides an excellent lead in to the upcoming 2013 season. There has been a lot of work put into the development of the Gen-6 car by the manufacturers, teams and NASCAR. It will be exciting to see the new cars on the track for Daytona Preseason Thunder."

After several tests for the new car, including one restrictor plate test at Talladega Superspeedway, the rules package has been set heading into Preseason Thunder.

The rules package for Daytona includes:

• Plate size - 29/32" (same plate size as 2012)

• Spoiler size - 4" high x 53" wide

• Spoiler angle - 70 degrees

• Front Grille size - 1-3/4" high x 23" wide

• Radiator Relief valve - 32 psi

Teams participating in the test are:

Car # Team Name          Driver

1        Earnhardt Ganassi Racing       Jamie McMurray

2        Penske Racing      Brad Keselowski

5        Hendrick Motorsports   Kasey Kahne

9        Richard Petty Motorsports     Marcos Ambrose

10      Stewart Haas Racing     Danica Patrick

11      Joe Gibbs Racing Denny Hamlin

13      Germain Racing   Casey Mears

14      Stewart Haas Racing     Tony Stewart

15      Michael Waltrip Racing Clint Bowyer

16      Roush Fenway Racing   Greg Biffle

17      Roush Fenway Racing   Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

18      Joe Gibbs Racing Kyle Busch

20      Joe Gibbs Racing Matt Kenseth

21      Wood Bros Racing        Trevor Bayne

22      Penske Racing      Joey Logano

24      Hendrick Motorsports   Jeff Gordon

27      Richard Childress Racing        Paul Menard

29      Richard Childress Racing        Kevin Harvick

31      Richard Childress Racing        Jeff Burton

33      Richard Childress Racing        Austin Dillon

36      Tommy Baldwin Racing          Dave Blaney

38      Front Row Motorsports          Josh Wise

39      Stewart Haas Racing     Ryan Newman

42      Earnhardt Ganassi Racing       Juan Pablo Montoya

43      Richard Petty Motorsports     Aric Almirola

47      JTG-Daugherty Racing  Bobby Labonte

48      Hendrick Motorsports   Jimmie Johnson

51      Phoenix Racing    Regan Smith

55      Michael Waltrip Racing Mark Martin

56      Michael Waltrip Racing Martin Truex

78      Furniture Row Racing   Kurt Busch

83      BK Racing  Travis Kvapil/David Reutimann

88      Hendrick Motorsports   Dale Earnhardt Jr.

95      Leavine Family Racing  Scott Speed

99      Roush Fenway Racing   Carl Edwards

 

Thurs, Fri, Sat.--- Live streaming on speed.com 9am-12 EST. Afternoon sessions 1pm-5pm EST are on Speed TV & then Race Hub Recap

 

 

 

Finch working on driver lineup for #51 UPDATE 3: 

 

Phoenix Racing team owner James Finch is close to settling on his lineup for 2013. Finch said Thursday that Regan Smith will run the Daytona 500 in the #51 Chevy. But with Smith concentrating on his new gig with JR Motorsports, there will be an opportunity for AJ Allmendinger as well. "Regan will go to Daytona for us, but I want to help AJ run some races, too," Finch said. "We're still working on the final schedule, but AJ will probably run Phoenix (International Raceway on March 3) for us." Allmendinger made his comeback with Phoenix Racing in October at Charlotte after completing NASCAR's "Road to Recovery" program for violating the sport's substance-abuse policy. His top result with the team was 24th in that race.(Fox Sports)(12-21-2012)


UPDATE: 

 

James (Finch) telling Newschannel 7 Sports he's committed to run at least 18 Cup races in 2013, starting with the Daytona 500. He says he's secured a sponsor for both Daytona races in February, but won't announce that sponsor until after the first. James says Regan Smith will drive for Phoenix in the Daytona 500. Finch will use Smith for some other Cup races, though he'll have to share Smith, since he will drive the Nationwide Series for JR Motorsports. Allmendinger is another driver Finch would like to use on the Cup Series. AJ ran the final four races of 2012 for Phoenix and James says he liked how AJ handled the car. Allmendinger though apparently considering some offers to race Indy cars. As for running the whole cup circuit, Finch says he's hoping for some early success and that more sponsorship will come along, making running a full slate more possible.(News Channel 7, Panama City Beach, FL)(12-28-2012)


UPDATE 2: 

 

As the clock winds down on 2012, Phoenix Racing, based in Spartanburg, is looking ahead to the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, and it's going to be a season full of changes. "One of the biggest changes is the change in the Chevy body styles," Hendersonville's Steve Barkdoll, general manager of Phoenix Racing, said. "Sprint Cup is going to the Chevy SS and Nationwide to the Chevy Camaro. For a small team like us, that creates a lot more work, and our guys in the shop are doing an incredible job. They've been working non-stop to get ready for the season, and we've already got a couple of new cars in the shop that look really sharp." Just like last year, Phoenix Racing will be using multiple drivers. "For Daytona, we'll be going with Regan Smith, who also drives for Dale Jr.'s Nationwide team. Since Regan is committed to the Nationwide Series, he won't be able to run a full Cup schedule with us. We'll be looking to other drivers throughout the year, including A.J. Allmendinger again."(Spartanburg Herald Journal)(12-30-2012)


UPDATE 3: 

 

Phoenix Racing will put Regan Smith in its car for the Daytona 500 and plans to have Smith and AJ Allmendinger share driving duties for its Sprint Cup team in 2013. It also hopes to reunite with Kurt Busch for Nationwide Series races. Team general manager Steve Barkdoll said Tuesday that the team plans to field a Cup car for the entire season and a Nationwide car for restrictor-plate events plus other select races. Smith will drive the Cup car at Daytona and possibly in seven to 10 races throughout the season. Barkdoll said he expects Allmendinger's first race to be at Phoenix. The team plans to announce sponsorship for the Cup events at Daytona and Las Vegas as well as the Nationwide race at Daytona soon. Barkdoll said the current plan is to run a full season in Cup but if no sponsorship materializes during the season, the schedule could be cut back. The team will use Hendrick engines all season, Barkdoll said. (Sporting News)(1-8-2013)

 

 

Phoenix Racing gets Daytona sponsor: 

 

Phoenix Racing announced that Guy Roofing Inc. will sponsor its #1 Chevy in the DRIVE4COPD 300 on Saturday, February 23 and its #51 Chevy in the Daytona 500 on Sunday, February 24. The events at the historic, high-banked 2.5-mile oval will mark the organization's first NASCAR sponsorship endeavors. Guy Roofing is a national full service residential, commercial, and industrial roofing contractor headquartered in Spartanburg, SC. They provide services in the 48 contiguous states. It is a family-owned corporation celebrating over 40 years in business.(Breaking Limits/Phoenix Racing), see an image of the Nationwide car on the #1 Nationwide team paint schemes page.(1-9-2013)

 

 

2013 silly season notes for 

 

#17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr. / Roush Fenway Racing: Two-time NASCAR Nationwide Champ Ricky Stenhouse Jr. moves up to the Sprint Cup level in 2013. Stenhouse Jr. will run for the Rookie of the Year and take over the #17 from Matt Kenseth, who ran the car since 2000. Scott Graves will lead the #17 team as the crew chief. Graves worked with Stenhouse Jr. in his three final Sprint Cup starts in 2012. Graves did a lot of R&D work for RFR on the 2013 car. Best Buy will be the sponsor for 12 races. Zest for an unknown number of races and Fifth Third Bank for four races. See images of the Best Buy, Zest and Fifth Third Bank schemes on my #17 Team Schemes page. See more about other teams on my 2013 Team / Driver Silly Season Chart.(1-8-2013)

 

 

Mayfield plea deal underway: 

 

A judge agreed Monday to keep open former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield's case in Catawba County Superior Court this week. Mayfield's Attorney David Freedman and the district attorney's office appear to be trying to work out a deal. "Communication is open," Mayfield said Monday. "We'll see how it goes." Mayfield said he will not take any kind of plea deal that would mean jail time. Mayfield was in court Monday on felony possession of methamphetamine, three counts of felony possession of stolen goods/property and felony obtaining property by false pretense. All five charges stem from a search investigators conducted on Mayfield's property on Hudson Chapel Road in Catawba on Nov. 1, 2011. Law enforcement found 1.5 grams of methamphetamine in a safe in Mayfield's home, as well as sound equipment and electronics, Red Bull Racing signs, tools and furniture that were reported stolen, according to indictments. Mayfield is also accused of selling a metal surface plate to a company for $1,200. The surface plate belonged to someone else. He has a court date in Caldwell County Superior Court Monday on four felony larceny counts. "I'm ready to put this behind me, and I'm ready to move on with my life," Mayfield said Monday before going into court. Mayfield said he knows he can't do anything with the charges hanging over his head. He would like to be reinstated in NASCAR and maybe do some drag racing.(Hickory Record)(1-8-2013)

 

Mayfield calls radio show to question France: 

 

An offseason NASCAR radio show took a bizarre turn Tuesday night when suspended driver Jeremy Mayfield called in to confront NASCAR CEO Brian France on the air. Mayfield, who spent more than three years fighting a NASCAR-imposed suspension after he tested positive for methamphetamines, placed a call to the Motor Racing Network's NASCAR Live show as France made a guest appearance.
The driver, who said he was considering a plea deal this week over multiple felony charges, got his call put through to France and host Eli Gold, who welcomed him to the show.
"I thought I would just call in and see how you guys were doing, Brian, Eli," Mayfield said. "Haven't been around much to talk to you guys lately, and just wanted to ask Brian if he's willing to accept the fact I'd like to come back racing and if we could sit down and talk about it and figure out what we need to do to make that work."
"Well, Jeremy, you know the path back for you  it's the path back for anybody," [France] said. "I've always hoped you would choose the right path and not litigation and a bunch of other things, but that's up to you and you have a welcome mat out anytime you want. There's a stated process that AJ Allmendinger just went through and we welcomed him back, and it's terrific. That's up to you."
Mayfield quickly got off the air after France's response. "OK, well, I appreciate that," Mayfield said. "I didn't mean to bother you on the show, but it's the only way I could get ahold of you and I figured it would be a great opportunity to do that."(
USA Today)(1-9-2013)

 

 

No DirecTV Hot Pass in 2013: 

 

DirecTV is doing away with its NASCAR Hot Pass programming this year. The decision brings an end to the five-year-old service that gave subscribers four channels of in-car-driver video and audio. The distributor opted to discontinue the service because of its cost. DirecTV also decided to end its sponsorship of NASCAR. It had been an official partner of the sport since '07. It is looking for other ways to stay involved in the sport and plans to set up displays at some racetracks this season. DirecTV Senior VP/PR Darris Gringeri said, "We tried to charge for the (Hot Pass) product a few years ago, but the demand for it was low. We decided to switch to a free service. It's been great and we've been happy with it. It's been a differentiator. But in the end, the production cost became too much to bear." The offering was expensive because DirecTV had to sublicense the video rights to in-car-camera footage from NASCAR rightsholders Fox, Turner and ESPN.(Sports Business Journal)(1-8-2013)

 

 

Allmendinger still working on 2013 plans: 

 

AJ Allmendinger tried to close the book on 2012 by going to bed early on New Years Eve and not celebrating the end of the year. But it was hard for him when just a few days later he drove through the tunnel at Daytona International Speedway. He couldn't help but remember last July when he drove through the DIS tunnel wondering if he would ever race again as NASCAR had just suspended him for a failed drug test the previous weekend at Kentucky Speedway. His return to Daytona Friday didn't have that type of drama as he set the fast time in testing for the Rolex 24 Hours At Daytona, which is scheduled for Jan. 26-27 on the track's road course. Allmendinger is driving for Michael Shank Racing, whose team he anchored in winning the sportscar event a year ago in perhaps Allmendinger's biggest win in his racing career. Allmendinger was fired by Penske Racing for the failed drug test. He drove two races for #51-Phoenix Racing following his reinstatement and while mentioned as a possible driver for select races for the team in 2013 Allmendinger said he has nothing set beyond the 24-hour race. "As of right now, this is the only race I've got planned," the 31-year-old Allmendinger said. "We know how this world works. It's crazy. & I definitely want to be back in the Cup Series because I have got a lot of unfinished business. It's not the way I want to go out like that. I'm open to all options  sportscar racing, IndyCar racing, Cup, Nationwide, trucks, whatever."(Sporting News)(1-6-2013)

 

 

News from the AARN:

http://www.aarn.com/

 

Nothing this week, and it’s doubtful I’d have an AARN by this weeks column, since they’re on vacation, and next issue is due January 8th.

Here are the entry lists for the Indoor Racing at Atlantic City on 2/2:

http://www.aarn.com/acindoorrace2013/acentrylists2013.html

 

Note:  The 600 Micros, Champ Karts and Slingshot classes have been filled.

Here’s what will be in this weeks issue, however:

 

What’s covered in this weeks issue from 1/8/2013:

In AARN 
This Week:

Racing World Mourns The Loss 
Of Many Who Died Over The Holidays


Ted Christopher Overcomes Tough Field, 
Freak Pitside Fire To Win 
Providence's Coffee Cup TQ Race


Lance Dewease, Mike Heffner 
Unite To Form 
Potent New 410 Sprint Team


Chili Bowl This Weekend 
Awaits ARDC Midget Onslaught


Ryan Godown Claims 
Lions Share Of New Egypt Speedway 
Cash At AC Fete


Eastern Motorsport Press Association 
Holds Convention; 
AARN Staffers Earn Key Awards


Richard Tobias Announces 
Bold Plans For Kutztown Track, 
SpeedSTR Class


VMRS Modified Teams Gather 
To Honor McKennedy, Barry


NASCAR Camping World Trucks 
To Race On Eldora's Dirt In 2013


Mike Dicely, TIm Buckwalter 
Among Tulsa Micro Shootout 
Eastern Stars.

 

 

Press Releases:

`Jeffrey Hogue Purchases Naming Rights to the Action Track USA at the Kutztown Fairgrounds

Myerstown, Pa. - When the new management team took over, they immediately changed the name of the track. Now, less than two months into their tenure as race organizers and about five months before the first chunk of clay will be tossed into the springtime evening air, that new name has already been altered - but for a very good reason...

In what is believed to be "a first" for this region's short track racing industry, co-promoters Rich Tobias and Doug Rose have announced that Wyomissing realtor Jeffrey Hogue has purchased the naming rights to Action Track USA at the Kutztown Fairgrounds in Kutztown, Pa.

While the details of the purchase were not disclosed, the deal has been confirmed by all parties and the new name of the speedway is officially the "JeffreyHogueRealtor.com Action Track".

Hogue, the number one realtor in Berks County (where the speedway is located), is looking to expand his market into the Allentown and Lancaster areas. He believes his involvement with the Action Track will greatly assist that expansion.

"I sell more homes than any other realtor in Berks County," said Hogue, matter-of-factly. "It's time to grow my business and spread into nearby areas like Allentown and Lancaster, and I was looking for a way to help get my name into those regions."

That's when Brad Reinert, a friend of Rose who is lending a hand in the marketing of the speedway, entered the picture. He queried Hogue about purchasing a billboard for the Action Track's first season under Tobias and Rose. Hogue checked out the track's Facebook page and noticed that it was possible to obtain the naming rights to the speedway. When Reinert confirmed that fact, Hogue said, "I'll write the check and get it to you tomorrow."

Admitting that his initial reason for the investment was "strictly for business reasons - my realty business," Hogue quickly became enamored with the facility's potential as he and the promotional team discussed their plans and goals for the speedway.

"As I talk to Doug and Rich and hear about everything they've got planned for this place, it's become a passion for me, too. I want to help make the Action Track a success. I told them to let me know if they need anything as they reconfigure the track."

Rose and Tobias were thrilled to find a marketing partner so soon, and Rose confirmed that one of his goals was to find someone who was interested in the naming rights to the speedway.

"One of the reasons we decided to call it "the Action Track" is because that name seemed to lend itself to adding a business name in front of it," said Rose. "We kicked around a bunch of other names, but that one seemed to work best if and when we sold the naming rights." 

Hogue is not a stranger to motorsports; in fact, he has a long and very interesting background in racing.

"I sat in the fourth turn bleachers at the Reading Fairgrounds. I couldn't get enough dirt in my soda, and I loved seeing those Modifieds wheeling through the corners," noted Hogue.

When he wasn't watching the action on the famous half-mile Fairgrounds oval, Hogue was racing models of his heroes in the alleys of Reading. But it was 1990, while working for a local uniform company, that he was offered what many would consider to be the opportunity of a lifetime.

"I was recruited by Penske Racing to work on Rick Mears' team. Their Indy Car teams were based in Reading at the time, and I guess they thought, for some reason, that I could help them out. I also worked on Danny Sullivan's crew, and for Emerson Fittipaldi, too."

Hogue was part of the crew that transported the cars, set up the pits, and did whatever was needed on the cars. "It was awesome," admits Hogue, "and I treasure all the photos I've got of my time with Penske. I was in victory lane with Danny Sullivan and Mears, and I got to know Fittipaldi pretty well. Those were great years."
Hogue was part of Penske's Indy Car program from '90 - '93, when he got married and delved into the real estate business.

Today, Hogue sells residential and commercial properties, and he also gets involved with sub-divisions and land development. He's also a professional photographer - "I've got a bucket truck that I use to take very unique photos of the properties that I'm selling; the photos offer prospective buyers a different perspective of the houses and properties," says Hogue.

Despite his busy schedule, Hogue says he will not be an absentee naming rights owner at the speedway. "Oh, you can bet I'll be there...I can't wait for the season to begin. And I'm bringing people with me, too. This is going to be exciting; Rich and Doug have a lot of ideas about making the racing great and keeping the fans entertained. We're gonna have some fun at the Action Track in 2013."

The SpeedSTR's will be the headline division at the JeffreyHogueRealtor.com Action Track, paying $2,000 to win the Wednesday night main events. Joining the SpeedSTR's will be the All Star Slingshots, wingless 600cc and winged 270cc Micro-Sprints.

For additional information on Hogue's realty business, log on to 
www.JeffreyHogueRealtor.com. 

Additional details regarding the 2013 racing season at the Action Track can be found at
www.actiontrackusa.com; www.speedwayentertainment.com; and at Facebook.com/ActionTrackUSA.

Media Contact:
Barry Angstadt, Media Information Director/Announcer

 

 

And:

 

NASCAR BUS TRIP  10TH ANNUAL 
 
Dover  " The Monster Mile "
 
Sun June 2nd , 2013 
 
R/T Deluxe Motorcoach 
 
Departs  Middletown and Monroe NY 
 
Reserved Premium Race Ticket 
 
Turn #1  $84 Value 
 
All You Can Eat Barbecue Lunch 
 
Served by J and A Caterers of Monroe 
 
 
ENTERTAINMENT 
 
Broken Dice Duo from America Got Talent - Pre Race at Motorcoach 
 
 
PRE RACE TRACKSIDE TOUR TIX 
 
Depending on availability - Tentative 
 
 
RAFFLES , DOOR PRIZES , AND MORE 
 
 
COST $165 PER PERSON  
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ALL ARE INVITED TO ATTEND 
 
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                        FACEBOOK - ERWIN BENZ OR BENZEE PROMOTIONS 
 
 
FUNDRAISER FOR  FOP LODGE  # 957 AND ACCESS #23  TV STATION 

 

 

Plus:

 

From SpeedSTR:

Banquet / AC & MoreMonday, 7 January, 2013 11:54 AM

From: "SpeedE61@aol.com" <SpeedE61@aol.com>Add sender to Contacts

To: speede61@aol.com

I want to thank everyone that attended the Awards Banquet on Saturday night,it was a great way to celebrate and honor our champions and top tour runners and special award winners.

Special thanks to Amy and Pete Knappenberger for manning the greeting table and for Amy's efforts in getting $731 in the Charity Auction ticket sales.

Thanks to "Dyno" Dave McCullough,John Bockhorn,Wendy Bieber,Rich Tobias,Debbie Rahmer,Ray Nemeth,Jr. and everyone that purchased tickets.

Muddy's BBQ did their fantastic job of supplying the food and PJKNAP Productions had the music for dancing."The Voice of Choice" Barry Angstadt did another superb job as MC and kept things moving throughout the awards ceremony with Carl Labonte adding the French translations.Myerstown Beverage supplied the beer and Rich made sure everyone had plenty of soda and some after meal cookies.

 

Maxime Plante did a wonderful job in showing his gratitude for the SpeedSTR Driver of the Year Award and National Champion.Brett Bieber's championship makes him the first 2 time National Champion and will be looking for a 3 peat in 2013.

 

The AC Thursday night 5 hour practice should have 3 rounds for each class,but you must be ready when called upon for track time.It is usually paid for when you sign in on Thursday.No fuel will be allowed to be brought inside Boardwalk Hall.Tires cannot be ground inside.Helmet is 2005 Snell and belts must be newer than 2/2011.

 

I will be heading to the Action Track USA on Weds.weather permitting to take a few updated photos.The March 17th Media Day is still on schedule.I'll post them on the Action Track USA and Speedway Entertainment Facebook Group pages.Just to make sure all Slingshot teams are in the know,there will NOT be a drop in the payout for 2013 at the Action Track,like some of the message board rumors have been telling us.Doug Rose is open for sponsorship proposals or suggestions.

 

The Canada SpeedSTR's have been a part of the SpeedSTR National points since it's inception and for 2013 the Slingshots are also running for the Elite 11 Slingshot National Championship.

 

Weikel's Sportswear will be getting a visit by me this week to design the 2012 Champions Shirts,again all track champions and the top tour and National finishers will be listed.

 

A question regarding the 2013 Slingshot points was emailed to me and the easiest way I can answer it is,if you attend a national and there are 26 cars entered ,the winner will get 146 points instead of 120 and if there are 9 cars entered the winner will get 129 points with all other spots also receiving the additional car entry total points.If a track starts 22 cars and there are 34 entered,I do look at the B Main or consi results and fill in the needed spots to get a 30 car finish with all other DNQ's getting at least 20 points.

 

Brenda Cordier of Shellhammers Speedway announced at the banquet that the Spring Spectacular will be starting later to give all Saturday night tracks a chance to get their race teams a chance to make it in time to race without burning the midnight oil to make changes and be there early.The Spring Spectacular will be held Sunday May 26th with it being a National and MA Gold Tour show.

 

Bruce Thomas has banquet photos listed on www.southjerseydirtracing.com and Tim Krysiuk has them posted on Facebook,if anyone is interested.

 

Plenty of time to get your race car and sponsors out in front of the racing public and casual fan as the Motorsports and Reading Legends Reunion attract some of the biggest racing crowds in the area.Also in previous years the Middletown Race Show has been quite the place to be for seeing what's heading to the speedways come warm weather time.

 

Engine work currently done for Nemeth,Durling and Matt Miller.

 

Thanks,Mike

 

 

And this, too:

 

From the Accord Speedway:

 

Opening Night

April 12th

Practice April 5th

 

For the 2013 Season

Memberships

Season Pit Passes

Reserved Pit Parking

Spectator Season Pass

Indoor Seating Season Pass

 

Email accordspeedway@yahoo.com or call 845-626-1142 for further information

 

 

More, too:

 

NEWS FROM…

EASTERN MOTORSPORT PRESS ASSOCIATION

 

CONTACT:     RON HEDGER, PRESIDENT, 518-885-7481

                        DINO OBERTO, VICE PRESIDENT, 570-401-8168                                                                                               JOHN SNYDER, MEDIA OFFICE, 845-225-3560

                        ROBIN ERWIN, WEBMASTER, robinervin1@comcast.net

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

KESELOWSKI, HEARN, PENSKE, LARSON, AND ROBINSON EMPA AWARD WINNERS

King of Prussia, PA (Jan. 6)……..NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Brad Keselowski, DIRTcar Modified driver Brett Hearn, motorsports mogul Roger Penske, rising star Kyle Larson, and racing journalist and public address announcer Al Robinson received top honors at the Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) 2013 NASCAR Hall of Fame Banquet held during the annual EMPA Convention, January 4-6 at the Crowne Plaza Valley Forge Hotel in King of Prussia, PA.           

 

Selected by a vote of the more than 150 members of the EMPA, Keselowski was named the Al Holbert Memorial National Driver of the year; Hearn chosen the Richie Evans Memorial Nor the ast Driver of the Year; Penske honored as the T. Wayne Robinson Newsmaker of the Year for his pivotal role as the head Penske Racing, winning his first NACAR Sprint Cup title as team owner and taking his NASCAR team from Dodge to Ford products; Larson was named the John Blewett III Young Guns Award presented by New England Racing Fuels for his achievements in both NASCAR’s developmental division and his open-wheel prowess; longtime journalist and announcer Robinson  received the Junie Donlavey Spirit of the Sport Award for continuing participating in the sport despite serious medical issues.

 

Jim and Laura Allebach, owners of Lucas Wolfe’s car, received the Jerry Reigle Outstanding Contribution to Sprint Car Racing Award presented by the World of Outlaws.

 

EMPA members receiving special recognition included Robin Ervin (Art McHugh Memorial EMPA Service Award), Steve Barrick (Jim Hunter Memorial Writers Award), Dave Moulthrop and Todd Dziadosz (Ace Lane Sr. Memorial Photography Award), and Gary Rowe EMPA President’s Award).

 

Inducted into the EMPA Hall of Fame were drivers Tony Siscone and Doug Wolfgang, driver and speedway operator Stan Friesen, car owners Lou Cicconi Sr. and Ken Tremont Sr., and track operator Paul Kuhl.

 

A highlight of the evening was the awarding of prizes in the organization’s video and broadcasting, writing, and photography contests.  Winning first place in the American Honda Motor Company/EMPA Video and Broadcast Contest were Brian Unangst, Broadcast News Segment; Sean Siff, General Racing Programs; Brian Unangst, Single Event Coverage; Matt Thomas, Non-Broadcast Single Event; and Mel Thomas, Non-Broadcast General Racing

 

Winning top honors in the Pocono Raceway/EMPA Writers Contest were Bill Huneke, Race Report; Jim Donnelly, Personality Profile; Bruce Bennett, Feature; Herb Anastor, Column; and Dino Oberto, News Story

 

Photographers earning first place recognition in the Brice/NAPA/EMPA Photography Contest included Dave Dalesandro, Action; Tommy Hein, Action Sequence; Loren Carmen, Crash Action; Rebecca Eisele, Feature; Paul Arch, Picture Story; Brent Smith, Portrait and Personality; Bob Yurko, Pure Art; Dick Ayers, Unpublished Color.

 

Brent Smith captured the Portfolio of the Year, while Rebecca Eisele won Best in Show.  The Janice Brice “Honorable mention” Award went to Todd Dziadosz.

 

The EMPA Convention included press conferences, seminars, presentations by track and racing series promoters, as well as the video and broadcast, writing, and photography member contests, social interaction with all types of American motorsports personalities including Andretti Autosports developmental driver Zach Veach, and the NASCAR-sponsored Hall of Fame Banquet.  The late Dr. Joseph Mattioli, president of Pocono Raceway and a long time supporter of EMPA, was honored prior to the Saturday evening’s banquet.

 

A roundtable seminar on rights, responsibilities, and legal issues regarding blogs and postings on internet message boards was led by attorney, judge, and Modified race car driver Richard Yetter, internet guru Lewis Gruppo, and retired AP motorsports writer/reporter Mike Harris.

 

Sponsors of the EMPA Convention included NASCAR (represented by Tim Sou the rs et al); Dover International Speedway (Gary Camp); IZOD IndyCar (Kate Guerra); World Racing Group/DIRTcar (Chris Dolack et al); Pocono Raceway (Bob Pleban), American Honda Motor Company; and Brice Auto Parts, Inc./NAPA.

 

At the EMPA Annual Meeting, Len Sammons, Ron Hedger, and Dave Dalesandro were elected to the Board of Directors.  The Directors the n named Hedger, president, and Oberto, vice president, and appointed John Snyder, secretary, and Jeff Gromis, treasurer.  Committee chairs were also appointed.

 

American Honda Motor Company/EMPA Video and Broadcast Contest

Broadcast Division

NEWS SEGMENT (1) Brian Unangst, (2) Sean Siff

GENERAL RACING PROGRAMS (1) Siff, (2) Unangst, (3) Mike Feltenberger

SINGLE EVENT COVERAGE (1) Unangst, (2) Siff

Non-Broadcast Division

SINGLE EVENT COVERAGE (1) Matt Thomas

GENERAL RACING COVERAGE (1) Mel Thomas, (2) Unangst

 

Pocono Raceway/EMPA Writers Contest Award Winners

RACE REPORT (1) Bill Huneke, (2) Ron Hedger, (3) Dino Oberto

PERSONALITY PROFILE (1) Jim Donnelly, (2) Len Sammons, (3) Dave Reininger

FEATURE (1) Bruce Bennett, (2) Toby LaGrange, (3) Robin Ervin

COLUMN (1) Herb Anastor, (2) JR Kennerup, (#) Matt Noles

NEWS (1) Dino Oberto, (2) John Snyder, (3) Steve Barrick

 

Brice’s Auto Parts, Inc./NAPA/EMPA Photography Contest Award Winners

ACTION (1) Dave Dalesandro, (2) Pete MacDonald, (3) Pete MacDonald, (Hon. mention) Brent Smith

ACTION SEQUENCE (1) Tommy Hein, (2) Dave Pratt, (3) Julia Johnson, (Hon. Mention) Dick Ayers and Bill McGaffin

CRASH ACTION (1) Loren Carmen, (2) Bruce Bennett, (3) Paul Arch, (Hon. Mention) Mike Petrucci, Todd Dziadosz, Rick Sweeten

PICTURE STORY (1) Paul Arch, (2) Paul Arch, (3) Dave Dalesandro, (Hon. Mention) Paul Arch

PORTRAIT AND PERSONALITY (1) Brent Smith, (2) Dave Pratt, (3) Mike Petrucci, (Hon. Mention) Rick Sweeten and Rebecca Eisele

FEATURE (1) Rebecca Eisele, Pete MacDonald, (3) Todd Dziadosz, (Hon. Mention) Dave Pratt, Julia Johnson, Rebecca Eisele

UNPUBLISHED COLOR (1) Dick Ayers, Dave Dalesandro, (3) Loren Carmen, (Hon. Mention) Debbie Gastelu

PURE ART (1) Bob Yurko, (2) Brent Smith, (3) Bob Yurko, (Hon. Mention) John Lane , Todd Dziadosz

PORTFOLIO OF THE YEAR: Brent Smith

BEST OF SHOW: Rebecca Eisele

JANICE BRICE “HONORABLE MENTION” AWARD: Todd Dziadosz

 

 

Along with:

 

XCEL CHASSIS ANNOUNCES BIGGER PAYOUTS AND THE RELEASE OF THE 2013 SCHEDULE

 

            "Everybody can appreciate a winner. Xcel Chassis wants to show every driver who attends an Xcel Chassis modified race that they are appreciated." stated Xcel founder Doug Borger. You can understand what he means with the release of the 2013 tour race payout and the season points payout given at the year's end banquet.

            The biggest news coming from the Kunkletown, Pa shop is the money increase and sponsor awards  to the top ten in tour points. As the saying goes "Cash is King" and that's what you'll find in your envelope. Doug has secured additional incentives with Pyrotech, S&D Bodylines,  Kirkey  Seats and Real Wheels to sweeten the payouts.  Factor X Graffics donated $2000 towards the point fund given  to the top ten tour drivers.

            The champion will now walk out of the banquet $2000 richer and a new frame & body kit. This will put the total at $5300 making it the biggest payout in tour history  and it just doesn't stop there. Pyrotech will supply the second place finisher with a carbon fiber helmet, 2 layer suit, gloves and shoes then add in  the $1600 payout, that makes a $2906 paycheck. $1400 and an engine supplied by Xcel Chassis brings third place in points a total of $2600. 4th place will take home a new body supplied by S&D Bodylines and Xcel Chassis and $1200,totaling $1850, to start the year off. The fifth place will have a total of $1520 with a set of new rims provided by Real Wheels and $1000 in their pocket. Sixth and Seventh places will both receive a $250 certificate off of a Kirky race seat with 6th place bringing $800 home and 7th place a $600 payday. The totals for sixth place will be $1050 and seventh will be $850. Eighth place receives $400. Ninth receives $300 and 10th receives $200. Incentives will be announced shortly for these positions.

            "I am pleased on everything that has come together so early in the season. It started at the year end meeting held in October. I put together 3 payout options for the drivers that are running the tour where  the majority vote would decide the payout for the 2013 season. The option that was decided on will pay more money thru the entire field and includes $25 tow money to the non qualifiers with a $20 entry fee. The winner will bring home $355 after the car passes tech and everybody will get a pay envelope at the end of the night", explained Borger," You never know how the night is gonna end up but knowing you will get back the entry fee helps."

            The 2013 Motorsports Show held at the Greater Phila. Expo Center will be host to the first Autograph Night for the Xcel Chassis series. On tap to appear on Saturday Jan. 19th from 5pm till 6pm will be 2012 Champion Ryan Higgs, 2012 Rookie of the Year Abbey Price, 2011 champion Nick Mady, Most Popular driver Joe Fanelli, 2009 Champion Eric Whitby, 2012 Lindas Champion Justin Schraden, Borgers 2012 Champion Tim VanHorn Jr., 2012 Thunder Mt. Champion Will Eastman and 2008 Driver Champion  Brian Mady at the Xcel Chassis booth #820 thru #822. A variety of drivers will be available  thru out the weekend along with cars on display and hand outs full of information for the upcoming season and the series itself.

                        The most anticipated release over the winter is the schedule for the 2013 season. Xcel Chassis along with Penn Can Speedway and Lindas Speedway have released the 600 modified schedule. Penn Can  will host the mighty modifieds weekly for the first time this season and Lindas Speedway returns for a third season. Both tracks run under the Xcel Chassis sanction and rules except for weekly payouts, handicapping and the final points which are decided by the tracks themselves. The Xcel Chassis tour division will be returning  to some favorites and will add Path Valley Speedway Park along with Dunn Hill 2 Speedway. The tour division will see a 50 lapper return to Lindas and Shippensburg Speedway will  host the modifieds two times with the August race having increased laps and purse.  

            Doug Borger wants to remind everyone that all cars must be inspected by Xcel Chassis  and all motors must be resealed before opening day. No inspections will be done at any track and any car or motor not done will not be permitted to race at any Xcel Chassis sanction event." At the end of 2012, I decided to reseal all the motors. If your car currently has an old seal on it, you must still have the motor resealed or you won't be able to race. It's not a matter of you racing then be disqualified, the car will not be allowed on the track without an inspection sticker and a new seal. This includes all Xcel Chassis sanctioned events for the 2013 season. Everybody starts off the year on the same playing field and it's only fair to the guys that take the time to do it the right way. I tell everyone to call me and we can set up a time to have it done. Before you know it, the snow is gone and the season is here."  Car owners are also reminded to register your number for the 2013 season along with updating information.  There is no registration fee and is on a first come first serve basis. You can find the registration form  and schedule on the 600 modified forum board  @ xcel600modified.proboards.com  and while you're there sign up to be a member.

            Look for 2013 to be a bust out season for the 600modifieds. Xcel Chassis will have a booth at the Len Sammons 2013 Motorsports Show  Jan. 18th thru 20th and the Motorama Show  Feb. 16th and 17th. You can visit  xcel600modified.proboards.com  for the latest updates thru out the year.

 

 

And add:

News from BD Motorsports Media

Media Contact: Brett Deyo - Deyo99H@aol.com or 845.728.2781

For Immediate Release/January 6, 2013

BD Motorsports Media Sets 2013 Plans for Penn Can and Five Mile Point Specials at EMPA Convention; Rising Modified Star Mike Mahaney Outlines Benefits of Entering Southern Tier Specials

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA - Mike Mahaney may be the only driver to admit on record he didn't mind drawing 99 out of 100 for a dirt Modified race.

Mahaney, a 23-year-old rising dirt Modified star from King Ferry, N.Y., joked about his poor pick while addressing the media Saturday morning during the Eastern Motorsport Press Association Convention at the at the Crowne Plaza Philadelphia Valley Forge in King of Prussia, Pa.  EMPA is one of the largest motorsports media organizations in the nation. The organization holds the only annual working convention with seminars, press conferences, workshops and an annual Hall of Fame dinner.

Mahaney, a first time EMPA visitor, spoke to the more than 100 assembled members of the auto racing press as the BD Motorsports Media 2013 events at Penn Can (Pa.) Speedway and Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Speedway were outlined with a multimedia presentation in the facility's amphitheater.

Penn Can Speedway will host the 'Clash at the Can' on Tuesday, June 11 (rain date: June 12) and the 'King of the Can' on Friday, October 18 (rain date: October 20).  The sixth edition of the Short Track SuperNationals is planned for Five Mile Point Speedway on Saturday, October 12 (an open practice is planned for Friday, October 11).

"It's no fun when you go to a track and draw 99 like I did last year at the Short Track SuperNationals," Mahaney said. "But you don't mind when it's the same for everybody. When you go to those (BD Motorsports Media) races, their slogan is 'No BS. No Politics.' and that's the way those races are run.

"It doesn't matter if it's me or anybody else, every driver there gets treated fairly. That goes for the draw and everything that follows. You can't ask for anything better than that."

Mahaney had perfect attendance at BD Motorsports Media events last year and has the 2013 dates circled on his calendar.

"The great thing about those races is you don't have to win to have a good night financially," Mahaney said. "The races pay back through the field very well. There are always sponsors and bonus money handed out.  You could have a bad night and still leave with your trip paid for.

"This year at the 'King of the Can' race I had engine trouble and didn't qualify for the feature. But I still left the track with a set of bumpers and rubrails from Shiley Fabrication. Going out and getting those sponsors takes a lot of time and effort but it means so much to us as racers."

The fourth 'Clash at the Can' 60-lap big-block/small-block event at Penn Can features a restructured, non top-heavy purse: a minimum of $5,000 for the winner, $1,500 for fifth, $1,000 for 10th and $500 to take the green flag. 

"I'm really looking forward to that race," Mahaney said. "For us, we get more excited to race for a payout like that, where the whole field benefits, rather than $10,000 to win and you don't break even finishing outside the top five.  It's a big deal to keep people coming back."

The 'Clash at the Can' will feature a Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour sanction in '13. Penn Can is one of only three tracks to host a RoC Dirt Modified event every year since the tour's inception in 2005, joining Five Mile Point and Utica-Rome (N.Y.) speedways.

Again this season, the 'King of the Can' will be an unsanctioned event paying $5,000 to the winner (minimum) as a 50-lap headliner for the big-block/small-block Modifieds. The 14th edition of the 'King of the Can' will offer $314 to take the green flag and the winner will take home a signature 'toilet trophy' that was a huge hit last October.

Five Mile Point Speedway plays host to the 'Working Man's Race' Short Track SuperNationals for the fourth time in the race's five-year history in '13. The big-block/small-block Modifieds headline the program in a 50-lap independent event.  A number of qualifying events on the American Racer/Lias Tire 'Road to the SuperNationals' will lead up to the show.

Mahaney, the son of New York driving icon Jim 'the Workshoe' Mahaney, put himself on the map with victories at Fonda (N.Y.) Speedway (April Ice Jam and September Tribute to the Champions 112-lapper), I-88 (N.Y.) Speedway (Race of Champions event), Can-Am (N.Y.) Motorsports Park and Fulton (N.Y.) Speedway.

This season, he'll chase his first checkered in a BD Motorsports Media event.

"We will be at all of them," he said. "They aren't easy races to win. Sometimes you get close to 80 cars. You've got to work hard. The rules are set up so you can go with what you have, no matter where you race, and be competitive.

"To win one of those races would be a highlight for me. We'll definitely be trying."

To learn more about BD Motorsports Media and the 2013 events, visit www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com or "like" BD Motorsports Media on Facebook.

 

 

 

And also:

 

News from Friesen-Deyo Promotions – Dirty Jersey 60’

Media Contact: Brett Deyo – 845.728.2781 or Deyo99H@aol.com

For Immediate Release/January 6, 2013

Stewart Friesen, Promoter, Address Auto Racing Media Members at Eastern Motorsport Press Association, Outlines Plans for First Super DIRTcar Series 'Dirty Jersey 60' at New Egypt Speedway June 18

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA - Stewart Friesen is no stranger to media interaction via his prospering driving career.

On Saturday morning, as part of the annual Eastern Motorsport Press Association Convention at the Crowne Plaza Philadelphia Valley Forge in King of Prussia, Pa., Friesen spoke publicly as a race promoter. EMPA is one of the largest motorsports media organizations in the nation. The organization holds the only annual working convention with seminars, press conferences, workshops and an annual Hall of Fame dinner.

Friesen, who will co-promote the first 'Dirty Jersey 60' Super DIRTcar Series big-block Modified event at New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway on Tuesday, June 18 with Brett Deyo (rain date: June 19), addressed more than 100 media members with a multimedia presentation outlining the inaugural effort by Friesen-Deyo Promotions.

The 60-lap event marks the return of the Super DIRTcar Series to New Egypt, a first-class 7/16ths-mile D-shaped facility, for the first time since 2007. The race will offer Super DIRTcar Series points and a $6,000 winner's share from a purse totaling $27,500.

"Our sport is missing those 'best of the best' events that pit DIRTcar drivers like Brett Hearn, Jimmy Phelps, Matt Sheppard and Billy Dunn against the Pennsylvania and New Jersey drivers like Jimmy Horton, Billy Pauch and Duane Howard," Friesen told those in attendance in the large amphitheater. "That's what I'm so passionate about.

"New Egypt has the perfect location to bring all these drivers together. And it's a state-of-the-art venue."

Friesen, 29, a Canadian who now resides in Sprakers, N.Y., hopes the 'Dirty Jersey 60' will rekindle old rivalries and ignite new ones.

"It can be Brett Hearn versus Billy Pauch: who is the 'king of New Jersey' that night?" Friesen said. "Or maybe some of you Modified history buffs will remember Brett Hearn and Jimmy Horton at Lebanon Valley (N.Y. Speedway, when a tangle during the 1987 Lebanon Valley 200 led to Horton waiting for Hearn to initiate contact that led to a pit area scuffle). It will be nice to get those two together again - maybe not waiting for each other on the track - but racing hard. That's what it's all about.

"Some of the newer DIRTcar Series drivers will be racing at New Egypt for the first time. This race is going to something pretty special for the fans. What we didn’t know at the time that we booked this event was the move New Egypt was making to run small-block Modifieds weekly. Now, our show will be even more exciting with the return of the big-blocks."

Friesen, who won more headline features (27) than any other driver in 2012, has a family background of promoters. His late grandfather Stan, who was inducted into the EMPA Hall of Fame on Saturday evening, was a pioneering and influential figure not only in his home region of Western New York and Canada, but across the Northeast. Friesen's father Jamie and Uncle Joel promote weekly racing at Ransomville (N.Y.) Speedway.

Friesen's uncle Alex, still regarded as one of short track racing's brightest minds, was taking the Northeast by storm prior to his tragic passing in December 1996.

"My family has been involved on the promotional side of the sport since I can remember," Friesen said. "I was selling programs for my Uncle Alex when I was just a kid. I've seen a lot over the years with my grandfather, my Dad and Uncle Alex when he was going out and leasing tracks to hold special events.

"A lot of what I've been able to learn can be brought to New Egypt to make this a special show. We are in the entertainment business and giving the fan's an event - not just a race - is so important."

Friesen told the press corps that he does plan to race in the 'Dirty Jersey 60' event thanks to a well-prepared staff. Friesen won at New Egypt for the first time in March 2012 when the facility hosted its annual Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour event.

"I'll strap on my helmet once it's race time," he said. "New Egypt is a challenging place and I really enjoy racing there."

Next up for Friesen-Deyo Promotions is Motorsports 2013, the area's largest auto racing trade show, Jan. 18-20 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pa. Hot-off-the-press 'Dirty Jersey 60' apparel designed by Bob Hilbert Sportswear will be available, along with New Egypt event information. New Egypt 2012 champion Ryan Godown's No. 747 and the Norm Hansell Motorsports No. 357 will be part of the expansive display in Booths 216-218 and 316-318.

On Saturday at the show, Friesen will announce the 'Dirty Jersey 60' support division when he is honored as the 2012 Top Northeast Winner by Area Auto Racing News at 7:30 p.m.

To learn more about Friesen-Deyo Promotions or the 'Dirty Jersey 60' long onto www.bdmotorsportsmedia.comor "like" BD Motorsports Media on Facebook.

About New Egypt Speedway 
Located in New Egypt, N.J., New Egypt Speedway features a daylight-quality lighting system and excellent sightlines from any seat in the house. There are clean, heated restrooms, a monitored playground area for young fans and restaurant-quality concession stands serving up a full menu at family style prices. The racy, 7/16ths-mile clay oval hosts tight, wheel-to-wheel, all-out competition.

About Friesen-Deyo Promotions 
A collaboration between dirt Modified standout driver Stewart Friesen and special events promoter/motorsports writer Brett Deyo, Friesen-Deyo Promotions anticipates its first event at New Egypt Speedway in June 2013 with a goal of additional events in the future.

 

 

 

 

I get e-mails:

 

The second amendment is not about duck hunting.

 

 

Subject: Little known American Historical Fact

 

This story was in the VFW magazine several years ago and I read it.  Hard to believe it happened as I never heard it on the news in 1946.

 

 Ike

 

IT CAN HAPPEN IN THIS COUNTRY!!

 

 

 FUTURE ELECTION CLEAN-UP FOR U.S.A.?  

 

This is a true story, made into a movie. Be sure to look at actual photos after the short movie clip. WHEN AMERICANS HAVE HAD ENOUGH, CORRUPTION WILL END. this real battle was fought by WW II veterans and citizens, with experience. They invoked the 2nd Amendment.

 

 

Little known American Historical Fact

I was completely unaware of this event that took place in Athens , TN in 1946. I did not know an armed revolt on American soil by WWII veterans ever took place during our lifetime. A very sobering video to say the least.

Now the second amendment should be a little clearer to everyone.

This movie lasts less than four minutes and is well worth the time.

 

MOVIE CLIP:

 

 http://voxvocispublicus.homestead.com/Battle-of-Athens.html

 

 

                  Link to actual story:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Athens_(1946)

 

 

 

We read all the jokes and forward the good ones but I just wonder who will pass this one on.

How about you sending it on and back to me if you got the guts to do so.

I am and just wonder how many I will get back?

AND very happy to be of the 1%.

 

Someone please tell me what the HELL's wrong with all the people that run this country!!!!!!

 

Both Republicans & Democrats

 

We're "broke" and can't help our own Seniors, Veterans, Orphans, Homeless, etc.,???????????

 

In the last years we have provided direct cash aid to:

 

                        Haiti - 1.4 B,

                        Hamas - 351 M,

                        Pakistan - 2 B,

                        Libya 1.45 B,

                        Egypt - 397 M,

                        Mexico - 622 M,

                        Russia - 380 M,

                        Haiti - 1.4 B,

                        Jordan - 463 M,

                        Kenya - 816 M,

                        Sudan - 870 M,

                        Nigeria - 456 M,

                        Uganda - 451 M,

                        Congo - 359 M,

                        Ethiopia - 981 M,

                        Pakistan - 2 B,

                        South Afrika - 566 M,

                        Senegal - 698 M,

                        Mozambique - 404 M,

                        Zambia - 331 M,

                        Kazakhstan - 304 M,

                        Iraq - 1.08 B,

                        Tanzania - 554 M,

 

with literally Billions of Dollars and they still hate us!!!!

 

Our retired seniors living on a 'fixed income' receive no aid nor do they get any breaks while our government

and religious organizations pour Hundreds of Billions of $$$$$$'s and Tons of Food to Foreign Countries!

 

We have hundreds of adoptable children who are shoved aside to make room for the adoption of foreign orphans.

 

AMERICA: a country where we have homeless without shelter, children going to  bed hungry, elderly going without needed medication and mentally ill

without treatment -etc.

 

YET.......................

 

They have a 'Benefit' for the people of Haiti on 12 TV stations, ships and planes lining up with food, water, tents clothes, bedding, doctors and medical supplies.

 

Imagine if the *GOVERNMENT* gave 'US' the same support they give to other countries.

 

Sad isn't it?

 

99% of people won't have the guts to forward this.

 

I'm one of the 1% --

 

I Just Did =

 

 

 

Found on Facebook:

 

Today as I did payroll for our employees, (according to the Govt: "working people", "middle class", etc) they all lost quite a bit of money. Rich? I think not, but non the less, atleast a tank full of gas each, every week now. Nicely done. Everyone is just so happy...oh, and "doing their share"...yea.

 

Got my first paycheck yesterday for the new year n guess what ? I got more taxes taken outta of it ----yaaaaaayeee . Gonna add up to almost 500.00$ a year . Great like I can afford that :(

 

 

Ken Reed shared OCFS Motorsports Show's status update.

OCFS Motorsports Show

The 2013 OCFS Motorsports Show is scheduled for March 23-24 with set-up being on the 22nd. We will have car entry forms and vendor forms available in the coming weeks. Anyone interested in entering a car or setting up a vendor spot please contact us and we will send you a form as soon as they are ready. We thank everyone for their continued support and are looking forward to another exciting show.

 

 

 

 

 

Some non-racing stuff:

 

McConnell Says "Tax Issue Is Finished"

http://news.yahoo.com/sen-mitch-mcconnell-tax-issue-finished-151934787--abc-news-politics.html

 

White House considers broader U.S. gun control: report

http://news.yahoo.com/white-house-mulls-broader-gun-control-washington-post-154313906--finance.html

 

Gun owners push back: a former Marine's letter to Dianne Feinstein

http://news.yahoo.com/gun-owners-push-back-former-marines-letter-dianne-210043517.html

 

Analysis: Obama may turn Medicare reform into wider health debate

http://news.yahoo.com/analysis-obama-may-turn-medicare-reform-wider-health-161415492.html

 

Did Nancy Lanza Handle Her Guns Responsibly? ‘You’ll Be Surprised,’ Police Spokesman Says

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/01/07/did-nancy-lanza-handle-her-guns-responsibly-you-ll-be-surprised-police-spokesman-says.html

 

 

'The President is going to act': Joe Biden guarantees Obama will bypass reluctant Republicans and cement new gun control laws

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/joe-biden-guarantees-presiden-obama-bypass-reluctant-republicans-cement-new-gun-control-laws-article-1.1237010#ixzz2HXC4agO0

 

 

Robert Griffin III has surgery to repair the LCL, ACL in right knee

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/robert-griffin-iii-surgery-repair-lcl-acl-knee-184614669--nfl.html

 

 

 

Sandy victims get limp answers from local FEMA chief on Twitter

 

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/sandy_victims_get_limp_answers_from_hrvKzaePJ4l1F3WNQKhD6H?utm_medium=rss&utm_content=%0a%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20Local

 

 

 

Judgment day: Steroid era dealt first big blow

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/judgment-day--steroid-era-dealt-first-big-blow-002553763.html

 

 

 

Fast-Food Chains Cut Worker Hours, Blame Obamacare

http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/the-exchange/fast-food-chains-cut-worker-hours-blame-obamacare-224911846.html

 

Note:  I expect this to be just the tip of the iceberg, folks.

 

 

 

 

 

Video time:

 

Kyle Larson, after a win this past Tuesday night at the Chili Bowl.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEe_nbuhQfk

 

 

 

 

Photos:

Note:  The photos are not available on Dirt Track Digest, only on New England Tractor - http://newenglandtractor.com/racereport/

One of the very best drivers to have raced in Midgets and later on, at Indy.  Bill Vukovich in the Gerhardt # 45 Offy Midget:

 

 

 

 

Closing with these:

TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU'VE EVER BEEN,

YET THE YOUNGEST YOU'LL EVER BE -

SO - ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS.

 

 

~Your kids are becoming you......but your grandchildren are perfect!

 

~Going out is good.. Coming home is better!

 

~You forget names.... But it's OK because other people forgot they even knew you!!!

 

~You realize you're never going to be really good at anything.... especially Golf.

 

~The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do, but you really do care that you don't care to do them anymore.

 

~You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV blaring than in bed. It's called "pre-sleep".

 

~You miss the days when everything worked with just an "ON" and "OFF" Switch..

 

~You tend to use more 4 letter words ... "what?"..."when?"... ???

 

~Now that you can afford expensive jewelry, it's not safe to wear it anywhere.

 

~You notice everything they sell in stores is "sleeveless"?!!!

 

~What used to be freckles are now liver spots.

 

~Everybody whispers.

 

~You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet.... 2 of which you will never wear.

 

~~~But Old is good in some things: Old songs, Old movies, and best of all, OLD FRIENDS!!

 

 

 

 

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