Racin' & Different Stuff:

                                      By Tom Avenengo

                                         Volume # 127

                                                   02/21/2013

 

 

First:

 

It bothers me when they say that Kevin Harvick is a three time winner of the Sprint Unlimited race.  Hell, they’ve only had ONE of them!  Also, it bothers me when they say Jeff Gordon has “x” amount of Sprint Cup Championships.

As an example – from Jayski’s website:

Harvick wins the Sprint Unlimited:

#29-Harvick led 40 of 75 laps and won the Sprint Unlimited Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway for his third event win.” 

 

 

Second:

Yes, there are some “Conspiracy theory” postings out there about Danica winning the pole for the Daytona 500.  In a way, I can see their point.  Uh, what if she wrecks on Thursday?  To the rear, right, for the 500?  As long as the weather in Daytona doesn’t screw up things next Sunday, I expect that TV viewership for the race will be close to record setting – as long as she’s on the pole, that is.

 

 

Third:

I said, previously, on the Internet, that I did not think the racing on the “new” track at Daytona would be any good.  Flat track does not allow for good racing and legitimate passing.  I fully expect a “Freight Train” type of race and in order to pass the car in front of you – you’ll have to bang your way through. 

Please note:  I’m doing this part of my column at 9:15 PM on Sunday.  They race on that new track on Monday and Tuesday nights.

On Monday:  NASCAR Whelen All-American Series UNOH Battle at the Beach from 7:00 to 8:30 PM on SPEED.

On Tuesday:  NASCAR Whelen All-American Series UNOH Battle at the Beach, again from 7:00 to 8:30 PM on SPEED, followed by NASCAR K&N Pro Series UNOH Battle at the Beach from 8:30 to 10:00 PM.

Please note:  I’m doing this part of my column on Tuesday at 1:15 PM.  Well, it was, in my opinion, basically a “Freight Train” race.  Some passing (clean) was observed, if a car could get under the car ahead of it, as they came out of a turn.  The pass for the lead and win, to me, was not the best racing, for sure.  As I said above, “you’ll have to bang your way through.”

I doubt that Kyle Larson, who I’ve had a lot of respect for, made many friends last night.  I’d venture to say that over 95% of those that posted on Facebook were not in favor of how he won the race.  I fully expected NASCAR to put him back a spot or two, but that didn’t happen.  Shame on NASCAR for that.  I’d love to know what Chip Gannasi might say or has already said to Kyle about the winning move.  It’s remarkable how so many compare that winning move to what the late Dale Earnhardt would have (and has) done. 

Note:  I’m doing this part on Wednesday a little after noon:

One can’t imagine the talk on Facebook on the racing on that new 4/10 mile track.  Most are against any races ever being run there, again – myself included.  Way too many cautions – in all races.  As far as attendance goes – quite a bit more for the Tuesday night races, although with two $20,000.00 to win races, no way the fans in the stands covered those purses.

Will the TV people ever get it through their damned heads to stay away from a driver that just got taken out, with a win in view – a $20,000.00 win?  Of course the driver will not be in the best form for an interview.

I think part of the problem with all they yellows on that small track has to do with some of the drivers – the younger ones.  14 & 15 year olds just up from racing somewhat smaller cars and being turned loose on a crummy, flat track that did not really allow legitimate passing.  Some say that the NASCAR fans of today are ok with all the crashing.  That could very well be true, since drivers, today, are so much safer than they were in the past.  Personally, I think if NASCAR had clamped down on Kyle Larson, in that Monday night race, things might have been somewhat different in the other races.  Once you let a driver take out another, with no penalty, well, you really can’t penalize other drivers that do the same, later on.

 

 

Fourth:

Who is Ricky Ehrgott?

 

Well, he finished 3rd in the ARCA race last Saturday.  He’s a former midget and sprint car driver who almost had his racing career cut short because of one accident – an accident that resulted in the tearing of an artery in his neck.  Here’s a little about him:

 

ARCA's Ehrgott takes laps at Daytona a year after career-threatening injury

 

http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20121216/sports/121219809

 

 

 

 

Fifth:

 

Hmmm, Indy Car in my backyard?  This track is less than ½ hour from my front door.

 

MMC intends to build up to 200 private garages, 70 condos, a larger clubhouse and make infrastructure that would enable the racetrack to host professional races, such as American Le Mans/Grand-Am and IndyCar. These include building longer pits, a parking paddock and a trolley to shuttle spectators.

 

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130214/NEWS/302140348

 

 

 

Sixth:

 

In case you missed it last week:

 

Racing on TV:

http://tvracer.com/

 

 

 

 

Seventh:

 

Last week, I had this in my column – picked up via news from the AARN:

 

Also, it looks like Donnie Wilson won’t be doing much racing in 2013, citing his being to busy during the off season to get his race car ready.”

 

Correction:

Apparently that news was in error, per Donnie, himself, on Facebook messages.

 

 

Eighth:

Looking at the results for the Midget races in the Kingsbridge Armory, in the Bronx, NY, I find that there are these race results left – the 1948-1949 season, which never made my columns.

 

1948-49

Dec. 4 1. Charlie Ethier Curtis Offy #8

2. Dutch Schaefer

3. Art Cross

4. Bob Disbrow

5. Larry Bloomer

6. Earl Krouza

7. Andy Van Heusen Mower #43

8. Jiggs Peters

9. Steve Yanigan

10. Tony Bonadies

25 laps 5:27.26

 

Dec. 11 1. Art Cross Wheeler Offy #21

2. Tony Bonadies Bourgnon Offy #5

3. Charlie Miller Paxson Ford #68

4. Charlie Ethier

5. Larry Bloomer

6. Vernon Land

7. Pickles Bickelhaupt

8.Jiggs Peters

25 laps no time

 

Dec. 18 1. Stan Disbrow Clark Ford

2. Pickles Bickelhaupt Frick Ford #1

3. Vernon Land Frankenfield Offy #8

4. Johnny Zeke Wozniak Offy #53

5. Art Cross Wheeler Offy #21

6. Bill Schindler Caruso Offy #3

7. Larry Bloomer

8. Harry Sheeler

9. Steve Yanigan

25 laps 5:31.51

 

1949

January 8 1. Bob Disbrow Trio Offy #5

2. Dutch Schaefer #6 (Kurtis Kraft)

3. Stan Disbrow

4. Johnny Zeke

5. Pickles Bickelhaupt

6. Vernon Land

7. Larry Bloomer

25 laps 5:21.08

 

January 15 1. Joe Barzda Black Barzda Ford #33

2. Stan Disbrow Clark V-8

3. Bob Disbrow Trio Offy

4. Larry Bloomer Allen Offy

5. Johnny Zeke Wozniak V-8

6. Bill Schindler Caruso Offy #3

7. Vernon Land

8. Dutch Schaefer

9. Art Cross

10. Pickles Bickelhaupt

25 laps 5:20.68

 

January 22 1. Larry Bloomer Allen Offy

2. Bill Schindler

3. Vernon Land

4. Bob Disbrow

5. Johnny Zeke

6. Art Cross

25 laps no time

 

January 29 1. Tony Bonadies Bourgnon Offy #5

2. Bill Schindler Caruso Offy #3

3. Larry Bloomer Allen Offy

4. Steve McGrath Falk V-8

5. Len Duncan

6. Vernon Land

7. Art Cross

8. Charlie Ethier

9. Bill Randall

10. Mike Nazaruk Golden Arrow Offy

25 laps 5:20.76

 

February 5 1. Russ Klar Maier Cycle #9

2. Charlie Ethier Clayton Young V-8

3. Vernon Land Frankenfield V-8

4. Bill Schindler Caruso Offy

5. Johnny Kay Pauley V-8

6. Len Duncan Fray V-8

7. Stan Disbrow

8. Art Cross Wheeler Offy

9. Joe Barzda Barzda V-8

10. Steve McGrath Falk V-8

25 laps 5:21.39

 

February 12 1. Stan Disbrow

2. Tony Bonadies

3. Vernon Land

50 laps

 

February 19 1. Steve McGrath

2. Johnny Zeke

3. Bill Schindler

25 laps

 

February 26 1. Bob Disbrow

2. Larry Bloomer

3. Bill Schindler

25 laps

 

March 5 1. Larry Bloomer Allen Offy #18

2. Bill Schindler

3. Bob Disbrow

4. Steve McGrath

5. Tony Martino

6. Stan Disbrow

7. Al Keller

8. Johnny Zeke

9. Vernon Land

10. Don Morris

25 laps 5:13.47

 

March 12 1. Al Keller Willetts Offy

2. Bob Disbrow

3. Ernie McCoy Vargo Ford #1

4. Larry Bloomer

5. Art Cross Golden Arrow Offy

6. Tony Bonadies

7. Russ Klar

8. Bill Schindler

9. Stan Disbrow

10. Johnny Zeke

25 laps 5:15.95

 

March 19 1. Vernon Land

2. Larry Bloomer

3. Johnny Zeke

25 laps

 

March 26 1. Bob Disbrow Trio Offy

2. Vernon Land Frankenfield Offy

3. Larry Bloomer Allen Offy

4. Len Duncan Bonadies V-8

5. Andy Van Heusen Mower V-8

6. Bill Schindler

7. Joe Barzda

8. Stan Disbrow

9. Ernie McCoy

10. Tony Martino

25 laps 5:29.44

 

April 2 1. Bob Disbrow

2. Bill Schindler

3. Al Keller

4. Johnny Zeke

5. Art Cross McIlrath Ford #16

6. Stan Disbrow

7. Larry Bloomer

8. Russ Klar

9. Andy Van Heusen

10. Don Morris

50 laps 10:32.38

 

April 9 1. Bill Schindler Caruso Offy #2

2. Stan Disbrow Chervanka V-8 #2

3. Tony Bonadies

4. Charlie Ethier

5. Bob Disbrow

6. Larry Bloomer

7. Vernon Land

8. Steve McGrath

9. Jiggs Peters

10. Ernie McCoy

25 laps 5:19.41

 

April 16 1. Steve McGrath Jolson Offy #5

2. Larry Bloomer Allen Offy

3. Bob Disbrow Trio Offy

4. Stan Disbrow Chervanka V-8

5. Bill Schindler Caruso Offy #2

6. Tony Bonadies

7. Art Cross

8. Andy Furci

9. Jiggs Peters

10. Russ Klar

75 laps

 

Champion: Larry Bloomer

 

 

 

Ninth:

 

A few weeks ago, down in Atlantic City, at the indoor races, there were 79 entrants in the TQ class.  Further down in this weeks column, in the AARN’s section, you’ll see what kind of a problem has come up in Atlantic City, and how it has been addressed. 

But what gets me is this:

79 entrants for a two day show – a show where there’s a pretty good chance you will not qualify for the feature, along with a pretty good chance of bringing your race car home in pieces, yet for the 2013 season, I don’t think there was one TQ race at any track here in the northeast that drew 20 cars.  Why?

 

 

Tenth:

Cooking tip:

You like French Toast?  How about Waffles?  You have a Waffle Iron/Maker?  Something that was on Facebook – make your French Toast in your Waffle Maker.  Hey, we’ve tried it – works great!

 

Eleventh:

A short story about two race drivers, both of whom competed in the Indy 500 – one ended up winning it three times -  Johnny Rutherford and Jim McElreath.

From an email on the subject:

There is a nice article about Jim McElreath and Johnny Rutherford celebrating Jim’s 85th birthday in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.”

“As the article states Rutherford and McElreath go way back together. I don't know all of the details but one old story is told about the two of them attending the Indianapolis 500 together as spectators for the first time in 1961. They were both running IMCA at the time and managed to get away long enough to drive to Indianapolis the night before the race. The 500 was on a Tuesday that year and McElreath had just won the Little 500 at Anderson the previous Saturday night. Apparently it was a last minute decision to attend and having no place to stay they ended up spending the night sleeping on the ground under picnic tables in Leonard Park in Speedway City. By the next year Jim would be the 500 Rookie of the Year and Johnny made his first 500 start one year later before going on to become a three time winner.”

http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/02/18/4628379/race-car-drivers-reunite-to-celebrate.html#storylink=misearch

 

 

Twelfth:

NASCAR's redesigned race cars receive rave reviews

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nascars-redesigned-race-cars-receive-223157204--nascar.html

 

Huh?  Rave reviews?  Damn!  I could have sworn that there were some “problems” with the new design cars as far as drafting goes.

 

 

 

Thirteenth:

 

NASCAR launches largest brand campaign ever

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nascar-launches-largest-brand-campaign-135500304--nascar.html

 

 

 

 

Found on Jayski’s website:

http://www.jayski.com/

 

Thursday race info:

 

http://www.jayski.com/news/stats/2013/story/_/page/2013-NASCAR-Sprint-Cup-Budweiser-Duels#lineup1

 

http://www.jayski.com/news/stats/2013/story/_/page/2013-NASCAR-Sprint-Cup-Budweiser-Duels#lineup2

 

 

Race is on for NASCAR TV rights:

 

The race is on to see which network fills the broadcast gaps of the next NASCAR Sprint Cup Series television deal. Fox Sports got the jump on its broadcast rivals by inking an eight-year extension, including the rights to the prestigious Daytona 500, worth $2.4 billion. The package includes rights to the first 13 Cup Series races of the season. It breaks down to approximately $300 million per season, up from the current $220 million a year deal. The current TV deal with all broadcast partners is worth $2.8 billion. The current NASCAR TV contract includes TNT, which lost its exclusive rights to NASCAR digital content on Jan. 1, and ESPN. TNT broadcasts six Cup Series races during the summer.(Daytona Beach News Journal), Fox's deal is thru 2022. ESPN's and TNT's is good thru the 2014 season.(2-16-2013)

 

 

Fourth Childress Car? 

 

The #78-Furniture Row Racing team that fields Kurt Busch's Chevrolets is based in Denver, Colo. Home to Richard Childress Racing is Welcome, N.C. Nevertheless, the two organizations have formed a bond that defies geography. Furniture Row's executive director of competition, Mark McArdle, doubles as director of racing operations at RCR, shuttling between the two shops. Asked whether he attends competition meetings with RCR drivers, Busch was adamant. "Absolutely," Busch said. "I was in Charlotte last year (for his first start with Furniture Row). The setups for all four cars were there on one sheet. The crew chiefs are in a meeting, the engineers are in a meeting, the drivers are in a meeting. You have all the top guys spread around into the meetings as well. It's like we're the fourth car. Instead of it saying '33' on the door, it says '78' and Furniture Row."(NASCAR Wire Service)(2-16-2013)

 

NASCAR will no longer provide attendance estimate: 

 

NASCAR will end its policy of providing estimated attendance figures in its race reports this season. Spokesman Kerry Tharp said tracks still will have the option of providing crowd estimates, but it will be their prerogative. "NASCAR's race reports generally becomes a box score for the media, and box scores from sporting events do not generally provide estimates," Tharp said. Of the 23 tracks that play host to races in NASCAR's premier series, 21 are owned by publicly traded companies such as International Speedway Corp. and Speedway Motorsports Inc. Officials with those tracks have said they don't provide attendance figures because they don't want to provide earnings guidance.(USA Today)(2-17-2013)

 

Chevy may have left NASCAR without Gen 6 car: 

 

Chevrolet may have pulled out of NASCAR had the governing body not developed the new "Gen 6" car that returns brand identity to the sport. "It would have been a good chance," team owner Rick Hendrick said on Saturday at Daytona International Speedway. "As a matter of fact, I'm sure they might have." Hendrick, the owner of Hendrick Motorsports and one of the top owners of automobile dealerships in the United States, made the comment during the unveiling of the 2014 Chevrolet SS production car that will debut in NASCAR this season.(ESPN)(2-17-2013)

 

New Fox camera's to debut at Daytona: 

 

As Speedweeks coverage begins this weekend, FOX Sports and SPEED announced plans to showcase exciting, never-before-seen looks of racing at Daytona International Speedway and the Great American Race, courtesy of newly deployed technologies. Coverage this year includes a collection of new cameras and graphics that are expected to add a dynamic new dimension to the viewing experience, including in-car Gyro-Cams, the FOX Super Zoom 4K camera, virtual 3D graphics and the return of a suspended cable camera over the length of pit road.


Gyro-Cam:

 

Gyro-Cam is a gyro stabilized, in-car camera mounted in the center of the cockpit that rotates as cars enter DIS's extreme 31-degree banked turns, keeping its view level with the horizon at all times. The resulting look demonstrates to viewers just how dramatic Daytona's turn angles are at race speed. Click here to see a simulation of Gyro-Cam in action.


FOX Super Zoom 4K:

 

Introduced last year during FOX Sports' coverage of MLB and the NFL, the 4K "Super Zoom" camera produces pictures with five times the resolution of normal HD cameras and captures the action at 300 frames per second. The resulting detail is remarkable and can zoom into an area of interest during the race with incredible detail.

 


VIZ-RT Encoded Camera:

 

The VIZ-RT encoded camera graphically places three-dimensional virtual objects on screen. These graphics include delineating the "restart box," where cars can accelerate toward the start/finish line during a restart and highlighting the entire track in yellow to emphasize that a race is under caution.


CAMCAT:

 

Supported by two gigantic cranes outside the track, CAMCAT is an advanced, two-point flying camera system developed in Austria that skies over the tri-oval along pit road. Previously used to cover F1 and certain Olympic events, the camera is suspended at a maximum 140 feet in the air and dips to 45 feet above the track at its midpoint. The cameras can speed up to 85 miles per hour along a 2,900 foot long cable to offer never-before-seen shots of Daytona. FOX first employed a four point cabled camera system over pit road from 2005 to 2007. All the cables were suspended within the track, and the camera traveled at 15 to 20 miles per hour 30 feet above ground.
FOX Sports Media Group's new arsenal of enhancements is available and ready for coverage of Daytona Speedweeks this weekend.(Fox)(2-16-2013)

 

 

Problems with NASCAR's new laser inspection system on Sunday: 

 

NASCAR experienced issues on Sunday morning with its new laser inspection platform, which measures cars at the track. The software problem had most of the Daytona 500 qualifying field backed up outside of the inspection bay for more than an hour before officials elected to return to the manual route. "Early this morning, we experienced start-up issues with the laser inspection platform ... but the two systems parallel each other," NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said. "We're working through those things right now. Inspection went along fine. We got qualifying started on schedule, and hopefully we can have it back up and running the next time we need to use it. It is a new system. We put it through a lot of testing late last year  as a parallel test at Talladega, Martinsville, Charlotte. It's been at the R&D Center. Teams have used it. Sometimes you experience these things with a new device. We've got good people working on it that know what they're doing. Hopefully we'll get resolved sooner than later."(FoxSports)(2-18-2013)

 

 

 

Another Truex to make Sprint Cup debut: 

 

Ryan Truex, Martin Truex Jr's younger brother, announced on his twitter that he will make his NASCAR Sprint Cup debut at Richmond [in April], driving the #51 Phoenix Racing Chevy and could drive in some additional races.(2-18-2013)

 

 

First Wednesday practice for the Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway is over, most cars did drafting during this practice, after 90 scheduled minutes, top five and notes:
#26-Waltrip 198.347
#34-Ragan 198.133
#14-Stewart 198.133
#27-Menard 197.946
#18-Busch 197.511
slowest: #52-Keselowski 170.950 & #36-Yeley 186.027 (each only ran a lap)
31 of 45 cars have made a run.
no speed listed for #24 #35 #98
notes: #2-Keselowski lost power early in the practice and had to be pushed to the garage, Keselowski said there was some fuel system problem.
Fifteen minutes into the practice #39-Newman came down and #99-Edwards came up, making contact, the #39 spun around, the #39 has damage, slight damage on the #99 and some cosmetic damage to the #55. The #55 says they are done practicing for the day.
#88-Earnhardt lost an engine 50 minutes into practice, #88 goes to the rear for Duel only, not the 500.
See fastest speeds, laps run, best 10-lap averages on the 
Daytone 500 Practice 3 Speeds page (pdf).(2-20-2013)

 

 

 

Final Wednesday practice for the Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway is over, most cars did drafting during this practice, after 90 scheduled minutes, top five and notes:
#5-Kahne 197.737
#16-Biffle 197.702
#24-Gordon 197.628
#10-Patrick 197.555
#99-Edwards 197.507
slowest: #52-Keselowski 183.135 & #39-Newman 189.625 (1 lap)
only 27 of 45 cars have made a run, many teams have decided not to run in this practice.
#88-Earnhardt Jr. got back on track after the team made the engine change and ran the most laps with 34. #39-Newman, involved in a practice 1 wreck, got on the track with about 10 minutes to go to shake down the car.
See fastest speeds, laps run, best 10-lap averages on the 
Daytone 500 Practice 4 Speeds page (pdf).(2-20-2013)

 

 

Earnhardt Jr. loses engine in first practice on Wednesday: 

#88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. comments following engine failure during practice for the Budweiser Duel at Daytona Qualifying Races:


Q) WHAT HAPPENED?
Earnhardt Jr: "We broke a motor, it's as simple as that. They'll figure out what happen. I'm sure there is some logical explanation as to what happened, but, we'll just put a new one in and start at the back of the Qualifier tomorrow, and race up through there."


Q) WILL YOU GO TO BED A LITTLE WORRIED TONIGHT?
Earnhardt Jr: "No, it's just part of racing."


Q) IS THIS ANY SORT OF A SETBACK?
Earnhardt Jr: "Not really. Everything is good. We were just making some single car runs by ourselves. Everything seemed like it was working. Just trying to find a little more speed, and we found a few things that seemed to help the car. We'll try to get out in this next practice, and see what else we can learn, but everything should be fine."


Q) DID YOU HAVE ANY WARNING THAT IT WAS GOING?
Earnhardt Jr: "No."

 

Newman discusses drafting accident in Wednesday's practice: 

#39-Ryan Newman crashed during first practice run; will repair the car - not going to back-up.


Q) WHAT HAPPENED OUT THERE?
Newman: "I don't know. I want to watch first (after watching the replay). My car came around. I don't know if it was the air off of Carl's (Edwards) car or what. My car just came around. (Referring to the replay) You can see the backend getting light there. I think it's just an aero situation, but that was news to me. Carl (Edwards) came over and said 'hey man'& I said 'I don't even know what to tell you yet'. It was unfortunate for our Quicken Loans Chevrolet, but that is why we had practice. That was my first experience, but I guess my car just got light in the back going into the corner."

 


Q) HOW BADLY WOUNDED IS YOUR CAR?
Newman: "I think it's totally fixable, it's just a matter of time and getting practice and everything else. Matt (Borland, crew chief) and the guys are assessing the situation."


Q) CARL (EDWARDS) CAME OVER IMMEDIATELY TO TALK TO YOU. WHAT DID YOU GUYS TALK ABOUT?
Newman: "Just what happened. I didn't know what happened and he honestly admitted that he didn't know what happened. Just all of a sudden my car was going across his nose. He did say that he tried to come up and put the air brakes on me. I think in doing so it just made my car that loose. I hadn't been loose the entire time. It was just something new and a different characteristic of this car I guess."


Q) YOU HAVE NOT FELT THAT SIMILAR SITUATION WHY IS THAT DIFFERENT? A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT A WEIRD AERO DEAL THERE?
Newman: "I think some of it has to do with the huge shark fin that we have on that side. When you pack air up on that side it's not going to the spoiler it's getting blocked off from the spoiler. There are a lot of things to think about and talk about."


Q) YOU GUYS ARE PLANNING TO FIX THE DAMAGE RIGHT?
Newman: "We are going to fix it. It's a Catch-22 we brought this car for a reason. The engine is fine; it never spun backwards all that stuff is good. We don't think we will make it back out for the second practice, but we will be fine."


Q) EVEN IF YOU DID WOULD YOU PRACTICE DRAFTING OR DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DONE?
Newman: "No, we will still practice drafting. That is what it is going to take to win the (Daytona) 500."(Team Chevy)(2-20-2013)

 

 

Congrats - Jamie McMurray: 

 

#1-Jamie McMurray and wife Christy recently celebrated the birth of their second child. McMurray's and son Carter welcomed Hazel Leigh McMurray into the family on Monday February 11. Hazel weighed in at 6 pounds 15 ounces, mom and baby are doing great, and will be watching from home as dad makes his first start of the 2013 season.(EGR)(2-29-2013)

 

 

Daytona 500 to be Johnson's 400th start: 

 

The Daytona 500 will mark #48-Jimmie Johnson's 400th career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start, his 23rd career points-paying Sprint Cup start at Daytona and his 118th career points-paying start in a restrictor-plate race. In his first full Sprint Cup season in 2002, Johnson earned the pole in his very first race, the Daytona 500. Johnson has one win, six top-five finishes and nine top-10s in 22 starts. His only win came in the 2006 Daytona 500 with Darian Grubb as crew chief. Johnson's last top-five finish in the Daytona 500 was his win in 2006. His average start is 9.6 and average finish is 19.0. Johnson has completed 3,536 of 3,865 laps (91.5%) and led 60 laps in 22 starts.(HMS/Lowe's Racing)(2-19-2013)

 

Note:  I’m not sure if you’ve seen the video of Jimmie when he had his little “to-do” at Watkins Glen, back in 2000.  He’s one lucky son-of-a-gun, that’s for sure.  Video is towards the end of the column.

 

 

Guthrie congratulates Patrick on Daytona pole: 

 

Danica Patrick has found more than the success that eluded Janet Guthrie in her brief NASCAR stint. Patrick also has the acceptance in the garage that Guthrie never did. Guthrie struggled in an era when women were still viewed in stock car racing as unwanted outsiders. Guthrie, the first woman to race in NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 in 1976, received an icy reception from the sport's biggest drivers as she tried to build her career. It was in stark contrast to the scene on pit road moments after Patrick clinched her Daytona 500 pole - with a hug from Tony Stewart and a handshake from Jeff Gordon Guthrie congratulated Patrick on Sunday for becoming the first woman to win the top spot for any race in NASCAR's top circuit. But Guthrie was more proud of the way NASCAR's attitude toward women has evolved over the last 30 years. Guthrie was heartened at seeing a women succeed in a man's world. "It took time for that attitude to change, but it did change," Guthrie told The Associated Press by phone Sunday. "That was one of my biggest pleasures was seeing that attitude change." Guthrie was the previous best female qualifier in a Cup race. She started ninth at Bristol and Talladega in 1977. She was the first woman to drive in the Indianapolis 500 in 1977, that same year she became the first to run in the Daytona 500. A ninth-place finish at Indy in 1978 stood as the best by a woman until Patrick finished fourth in 2005, then third in 2009. "I'm ancient history," Guthrie said, from Colorado. "It's about time my little record got broken."(see full article at the Associated Press)(2-18-2013)

 

 

The entry list for the Daytona Nationwide race – 46 cars:

http://www.jayski.com/news/nationwide/2013/story/_/page/NNS-01-Daytona-Entry-List

 

The entry list for the Truck race – 39 entrants:

http://www.jayski.com/news/campingworld/2013/story/_/page/2013cts01daytona-entry

 

 

 

 

News from the AARN:

http://www.aarn.com/

 

Note:  Don’t forget – if you’re a subscriber to the AARN, you can have the free digital version.  That is available on Tuesday mornings.

 

From their February 19th edition – picked up from the Digital Service:

 

Next year, the AARN’s Moto Sports show will be a week earlier – January 10th – 12th, and the Atlantic City indoor races also a week earlier – January 24th – 25th.  Main reason:  The Super Bowl being played in New Jersey on the first weekend in February.

 

In the column by Lenny Sammons, he makes mention of “luck” in racing – like luck with weather.  He goes on to say how lucky they were that the indoor race a few weeks ago could have been a week later – in the middle of a “N’oreaster”.

Note:  Back in the late 50’s, when they raced indoors in the Teaneck, NJ Armory, with TQ’s, we never worried about the weather – to the point that when we left on Saturday night, after the races, we’d order our same tickets for the following Saturday.  Also, in all the race results that I have for the winter indoor racing in the Kingsbridge Armory, in the Bronx, NY, there is only one race being shown as having to be cancelled due to weather.  Today, a slight dusting and all hell breaks loose.  Why?

 

Also, in the Sammons column, he makes mention of Ray Evernham and his son, Ray J – who has successfully battled Cancer, but now, at 21, has Asperger’s syndrome.  Ray, with the help of others, made a special car – a 1964 Plymouth Belvidere ForPly – to be auctioned off at the Barrett-Jackson Auction.  A check for $280,000.00 was presented to the Autism Society of North Carolina to benefit IGNITE.  IGNITE is a program operated by the Autism Society of North Carolina, with founding support with the Evernham Family for a Reason.

 

There will be more than one full midget race in New York State in 2013.  The USAC Dirt Midget Association that ran at Bear Ridge last year, will now be known as the POWRi Lucas Oil Outlaw Midget Series.  Their cars are powered by Ford Focus, GM Quad 4 and Chevy Ecotec engines, along with other types.  Three races have been scheduled for this group at the Albany/Saratoga Speedway.

 

Sad news:  The Dirt 600 Micro Sprints will not be part of the racing program in Atlantic City in 2014.  Too many entrants for all four classes, and one class had to be dropped.  The State Fire Marshall was not happy with the aisleways and a change was mandated for 2014.  This past event, there were 79 entrants in the TQ class.  Yes, some were 600 Micro Sprints. 

 

The race results from that Monday night race were in this weeks issue – headlined by the crowd booing Larson for his win. 

Note:  Crowd?  OK, those backstretch stands at Daytona are HUGE, but I would not go as far as saying there was a CROWD in attendance.  From what I had seen, it looked like most of those in the seats were probably associated with some of the teams that were racing.

 

Brett Deyo will be involved with being the co-promoter to the “Crazy 8’s” Modified special at the I-88 Speedway on July 24th.  48 laps for Small and Big Block Modifieds with $4,888.00 to win, or $6,888.00 to win if one wants to “gamble”.

 

Lucas Wolfe has landed a Sprint Car ride with Todd LaHaise and his # 82 Sprinter.

Note:  Seems to me that Lucas was supposed to get into some open wheel road racing cars, too?  Pretty sure I made mention of that a couple of columns back.

 

Dave Blaney is looking to run more Sprint Car races in 2013.

 

Jason Leffler tried out a winged Sprint Car at Volusia, and loved it.

 

Lincoln Speedway in PA is scheduled to open this Saturday.  I guess that’s weather permitting, huh?

 

The “Clash at the Can”, a big block and small block race being held at Penn Can Speedway on June 11th, will have the following pay off:

1.     $5,000.00

2.     $4,000.00

3.     $2,500.00

4.     $1,800.00

5.     $1,500.00

6.     $1,400.00

7.     $1,300.00

8.     $1,200.00

9.     $1,100.00

10.                        $1,000.00

$500.00 to take the green.

 

Kevin Rice had this headline for his column:  “Modified teams were ready for Daytona’s “Short Track” Challenge.

Note:  Uh, I don’t think they were quite ready for the mayhem that occurred, though!

 

As of now, it looks like Jackie Brown, Jr.,  will be racing at Accord on Friday nights and OCFS on Saturday.  Depending on how things go, that is.

 

Keith Kauffman will be 63 on June 9th.  Yes, he’s planning on running all of 2013.

 

On Wednesday afternoon, via Facebook, I watched a video of the Sunday night Midget race at the New Smyrna Speedway, a race won by Kyle Larson.  I noticed just 14 USAC Midgets taking the green, although 18 are shown in the race run down.  I also noticed a rather small crowd, too.  No idea as to how many cars or how the crowd was for the Midget show on Monday night.  I’d venture to say that “back in the day” when one did not need a “Special” Midget for dirt or pavements, there would have been quite a few entrants from here in the northeast.  I do believe that NEMA had one driver – Randy Cabral, tow down for those races?

 

60 drivers showed up for ARCA practice at Daytona, but only 44 showed up for qualifying.

 

Quite a large article about insurance and racing that covered Waivers/Releases of Liability, Insurance, Motor Sports, Health, Disability and Life insurance, as well as legal documents.

 

Speaking of insurance, you might recall that on occasion I do put a link in for insurance for racers – those that have a cage and are belted in.  It saddened me to read of the slow progress that is reported in the AARN of Denny Decker, who was seriously injured, last June 24th.  He still has no feeling below his chest.  He’s able to move some fingers in his right hand, but can’t grip with it.  His left arm is weak and not very usable.  Doctors are not really sure how much he’ll improve.  Everyone is different, they say.  He says he can’t really do too much now except ride around in his wheelchair.  Financially now, thing are pretty tight for the Decker family.  There is no mention of how much insurance he had/has in the article, I should note.

 

There was quite extensive coverage of racing from Florida, along with some special features, like the one on insurance and the usual columns, to fill up the 63 pages.

 

 

Some of what was covered in this weeks edition:

 

Pitkat, Hossfeld Are Weekend 
New Smyrna Mod Winners 


Danica On The Pole For Daytona 500 


Don O'Neal Is Lucas Oil 
DLMS Champ At East Bay 


Pittman, McCarl, Lasoski 
Share WoO 410 Feature Wins 


Townley Wins ARCA; Gerhart Denied 


AARN’s Annual Trailer & Safety Issue:  
Value In Transport; 
Tips For Racing Health 


Kyle Larson: Second With ARCA, 
First In USAC Midget At Smyrna 


Santee Takes ‘For Sale’ Sign Down 
At Mahoning 


Lanigan Still WoO LM Man To Beat 
In Ocala

 

 

Press Releases:

 

NEWS RELEASE                                                        For Immediate Release

                                                                                                            

Contact:                                                                            Coastal 181

Cary Stratton                                                                     29 Water Street

info@coastal181.com                                                        Newburyport ,

978 462-2436 tel                                                                MA 01950

978 462-9198 fax                                                                           

                                                          

 

 

COASTAL 181 ACQUIRES ROSE RACING PUBLICATIONS’

OPEN WHEEL RACING BOOK INVENTORY

 

 

Newburyport, Mass., February 19, 2013 – Racing book publisher Coastal 181 announced today that it has acquired the inventory of Rose Racing Publications of Glendale, Arizona.

 

Buzz Rose built his publishing company into a highly regarded source for authoritative books on open-wheel racing in America .  He brought vast experience and a huge network to his titles, as he was himself a renowned sprint car road warrior .  His successes behind the wheel led to his induction into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in Knoxville , Iowa .

 

Rose Racing Publications’ titles include definitive histories on the East Coast’s URC, the California Racing Association (CRA), and IMCA, AAA, USAC, and CSRA.  The most recent w or k is the robustly researched but sobering volume, “RACERS AT REST: The Checkered Flag,” profiling the considerable number of drivers who have perished in open-wheel competition.

 

Coastal 181 is well known in the racing community as both a mot or sports publisher and distributor of racing books, DVDs, and mot or sports art.  The company has published 17 books to date and carries over 1000 additional titles on its website www.coastal181.com. The site is also visited frequently by readers of Lew Boyd ’s semi-monthly racing commentaries, “Tearoffs,” and the engaging “Photos of the Day,” which highlight interesting, colorful and often offbeat aspects of oval-track racing.

 

Both companies having strong racing backgrounds. Rose Racing Publications and Coastal 181 have collaborated closely over the years and plan to continue that association. Coastal 181’s Cary Stratton said, “We are very pleased to be able to continue to make Buzz Rose’s excellent titles available to the racing community.  We look f or ward to having him join us at various shows and entertaining all comers with his wonderful racing yarns.“

 

 

From Pocono Raceway:

 

Danica Patrick’s qualifying effort on Sunday, becoming the first female driver in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history to earn a pole award, has seen much attention worldwide in the media. But, we want to know what YOU, the fans, think. So…we came up with a ticket giveaway!

Simply click the question below and complete the form provided. This will automatically enter you into a random drawing where one fan will win (4) Terrace Club Tickets, including Pre-Race Pit/Paddock Passes, to one of Pocono Raceway’s two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events!

What does Danica Patrick’s historic feat at Daytona mean to you?

We also did a little research about female drivers in Cup Series competition at Pocono…

Only one female driver has ever competed in NASCAR’s top circuit at “The Tricky Triangle,” Janet Guthrie. Guthrie raced in three events here from 1977-1980 and recorded her highest finish of 11th during the 1977 Coca-Cola 500. What will Danica do when she makes her Pocono Raceway debut this summer?

Although we’ll have to wait until Sunday, June 9th to have this question answered, we’re putting the June 9th Cup Series race in your hands! We’ve teamed up with Walmart to allow YOU to rename the former Pocono 400! It’s all part of the Fan Driven 400 Program! Click here for details!

Additionally, all Concourse Grandstand Tickets have been reduced to just $25! Yes, you read that right…tickets start at just $25!!! 

Come see Danica Patrick and all of NASCAR’s top drivers at Pocono Raceway this June by clicking here to purchase your tickets today!

 

1-800-RACEWAY (722-3929)

Ticket Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9 am - 5 pm ET

www.poconoraceway.com

 

 

XCEL CHASSIS 600 MODIFIED FITS RACERS BIG AND SMALL

 

 

                The Xcel Chassis 600 modified may be classified as a small car until you see the speeds on any size race track and the same could be said for the competitors that drive them. The discussions over the years have been the  labeling of a small car and the perception that you have to be average size or below to be competitive.

            Doug Borger, founder of the 600 modifieds, wants to throw that idea out the window. " I can't tell you how many people come up to me and ask if they can fit in one of my cars.  As they put it, Can this fat boy get in the car and run up front? The best part is when I tell them some of the champions are some of the big guys in the series and I make it a point to have them talk to one of the drivers.  When you look at the numbers these guys have accumulated, you just can't deny the fact that one size does fit all when it comes to a 600 modified. Just like Harley Davidson has their Fat Boy motorcycle, we also have a FB set up but we don't call it fat boy, we call it "Forward Bite"

            Modifed stand out Brian "Big Daddy" Mady was the first to put the set up to the test and in his first year of racing garnered "Most Improved" followed up by a championship one year later. "I thought my height and weight would put me at a disadvantage until I hit the track. Once we figured out the set up I needed, there was no looking back. The minimum weight for the car and driver is 900 lbs. and I usually ran around 1100 the year I won the championship. The biggest fear for me was when I lost my weight how much it would affect the set up which I have to say  it never did. If you want to talk from one extreme to the other compare me, Eric Whitby and Aaron Bowes to Abbey Price or Steven Sherwood. It's kinda like have a Cadillac Escalade versus a Smart Car. Doug helped us a lot during our first year and now we start with the basic FB set up and go from there."

            Aaron Bowes easily one of the tallest drivers topping  out at 6'3" doesn't see his height as a problem. Just as Mady adjusted his car to his liking so has Bowes. " My dad actually bought the car Brian won the Championship from his owner Wayne Kuehn. After talking with them and Doug, my set up is really  not that far off the average guy. I run the average guy set up and move my seat back farther."

            " I think the best part of talking to the fans is when I tell them I drive the #12e at Lindas Speedway on a weekly basis," stated Eric Whitby, "and their jaw drops to the floor or when I point out guys like Brian and Aaron. It doesn't matter if you run a 1/4 mile track like Lindas or the 3/8 mile at Penn Can Speedway just like it doesn't matter how big or tall you are. If you spend the time working in  the garage and at the track, you're gonna run upfront every week."

            The Forward Bite or FB set up, as it's called in the shop, is nothing drastic compared to a basic set up. Borger took the time to explain the differences and slight adjustments drivers can easily adapt.    " The position of the seat has to be the biggest adjustment. You want to keep in mind to have the center of gravity close to the track so lowering the seat  and moving it back is sometimes the only thing you need. Most of the difference is in the spring package and the pan hard bar placement but you also take into account the driving style and track you run. We can also angle the steering shaft up or down from the standard placement right here at the shop.

             Every Monday I call the person who has the rental for the following weekend and I ask them height and weight and make the adjustments. When I started building the modified, the only time I wanted weight or height to be an issue was the minimum the car and driver must go over the scales after the race. It doesn't matter whether  your big or small, short or tall, we can accommodate anybody who wants to race."

            The Xcel Chassis 600 modified Series will open the 2013 season on April 7th at Five Mile Point Speedway located in Kirkwood, NY. The  following Sunday April 12th, the mighty modifieds will return to Minersville, PA  to tackle the high speeds at Big Diamond Speedway.

 

 

More from Pocono Raceway:

 

Walmart is putting race fans in the driver’s seat with the “Fan Driven 400” – an innovative, socially-driven program that gives fans a voice in branding the June 9, Pocono 400 race at Pocono Raceway. Starting today through May 27, fans can submit ideas and vote via Walmart’s Local Facebook pages on details including the official race name, a signature concession item and the pace car design.

 

Additionally, Walmart is also making the Pocono 400 race on June 9, 2013 more affordable by offering 16,000 Concourse Grandstand tickets at a discounted price of $25. Tickets can be purchased online starting Feb. 14 at www.walmart.com/NASCAR or through the Pocono Raceway website at www.poconoraceway.com.

 

If you already have Concourse Grandstand tickets, you’ll save too! A Pocono Raceway representative will be reaching out to you regarding a potential credit to your account.

 

Fan Driven 400

 

Beginning today through May 27, 2013, fans can vote online to customize the “Fan Driven 400” at walmarturl.com/fandriven. The timeline for voting on various race components will be as follows:

 

Race Name Submission (2/14 – 2/25): Customers can submit a name of their choice (32 character limit).

Race Name Vote (3/11 – 4/8): Vote for one of the three race name options and see the Facebook user’s name and photo who developed each submission.

Concession Item (4/9– 5/6): Vote for one of three types of pierogies, sourced via the Pocono Raceway Fan Council.

Pace Car Design (5/7 – 5/27): Users are allowed to vote on one of three designs for the Pace Car, sourced via Pocono Raceway.

 

In addition to the Fan Driven 400, Walmart will once again offer its $99 Walmart Family Track Pack, which includes four discounted race tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas– a savings of more than $100. Walmart will also be hosting in-store events with race car displays, racing simulator machines and special appearances by fan-favorite drivers in every NASCAR Sprint Cup series race market. For more information, please visit www.walmart.com/NASCAR.

 

Join the conversation on Twitter throughout the season with the hashtag #RaceTime, and follow us at @Walmart, @Walmartnewsroom, @NASCAR and @poconoraceway.

 

1-800-RACEWAY (722-3929)

Ticket Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9 am - 5 pm ET

www.poconoraceway.com

 

 

Contact: DIRTVision.com

Katie Boyer - Production Coordinator

kboyer@dirtcar.com | (704)707-0275

 

Don’t Miss LIVE Late Model and Big-Block Modified Coverage from the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit

 

WATCH LIVE AT DIRTVISION.COM. Off season is officially in the past, and after eight days are in the books, the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series and DIRTcar UMP Modifieds have vacated Volusia Speedway Park to welcome in the UMP and World of Outlaws Late Models and the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds. If you can’t be here in Florida to see the last four days of this event in person, you owe it to yourself as a race fan to catch all the action from home. DIRTVision.com offers both daily ($17.99) and package ($54.95) options to bring you great dirt racing coverage to the comfort of your own home. If you buy the package, you also have access to the archives from the full event!

Racing is scheduled to begin nightly at 6:00 p.m. EST, but DIRTVision will be on the air at 5:30 p.m. with a prerace show to break down the previous night’s event, and prepare you for the incredible racing scheduled for the night. Our events feature multi-camera coverage, a pit reporter, graphics and so much more. Plus, if you can’t watch every show live, the video will be available in the archive shortly after the event. By purchasing any of the races, you will have the access to come back and watch as many times as you’d like, all year long, at DIRTVision.com.

Here is what you have to look forward to through the rest of this week!

Date / Series

2/20 UMP Late Models Swamp King Championship/ Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds

2/21 World of Outlaws Late Models / Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds

2/22 World of Outlaws Late Models / Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds

2/23 World of Outlaws Late Models / Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds

Subscribe today at www.dirtvision.com!

 

 

News from the 28th annual Berks-Schuylkill Oil Association Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show

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

For Immediate Release/Feb. 19, 2013

28th Annual Berks-Schuylkill Oil Heat Association Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show Gets Underway Sunday (Feb. 24); Full Week of Activity Planned for Fairgrounds Square Mall

READING, PA – A full week of racing-related activity kicks off this Sunday (Feb. 24) at the Fairgrounds Square Mall.

The 28th edition of the Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show fills the shopping center, at the former site of the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway on 5th Street Highway in Muhlenberg Township, Pa., from Feb. 24-March 2. This year’s show features a new lead marketing partner in Berks-Schuylkill Oil Heat Association, with associate support secured from Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. and VP Racing Fuels.

Race cars of all shapes and sizes will be on display at show, which is free-to-the-public during mall hours, including big- and small-block Modifieds, Sprint Cars, Micro-Sprints, SpeedSTRs, ARDC Midgets, Late Models, Sportsman, Street Stocks, Slingshots, Quarter Midgets, XCel 600 Modifieds and more.

Fans of racing’s past will enjoy an expansive display of vintage and restored cars assembled by the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway Racing Historical Society. A room full of memorabilia will allow attendees to take a step back in time to the famed ‘Home of Champions’ which hosted its final event in June 1979.

Vintage cars from the Penn-Mar group and Blast from the Past Vintage club will also be on display.

Many of the area’s top speedways and sanctioning bodies will be on hand to distribute information and meet fans and racers during the weeklong show. For the first time, both New Jersey dirt tracks – New Egypt Speedway and Bridgeport Speedway – will be present at the show. The new JeffreyHogueRealtor.com Action Track USA of Kutztown, Pa., now led by Rich Tobias and Doug Rose, will assemble an expansive display.

Others planning to participate include Grandview (Pa.) Speedway/Thunder on the Hill Racing Series (featuring a wingless Sprint Car in their display), URC, ARDC, LANCO’s Clyde Martin (Pa.) Memorial Speedway, BD Motorsports Media LLC/Friesen-Deyo Promotions and the Montgomery County Quarter Midget Racing Club (Pa.’s Phoenixville Raceway).

The Checkered Flag Fan Club group will recruit new members and publicize their organization. The Reading Eagle newspaper – an avid supporter of local racing - also has plans to participate in the show.

There will be a number of vendors on hand selling memorabilia, photos and other novelties. Gary Silverman of GSP, will have DVDs on sale from the 2012 Pennsylvania 358-Modified Dual Track circuit and other special events, while events of yesteryear recorded on film will be sold by Snyder Video Productions.

Fast Action Motorsports Entertainment will be setting up their R/C track at the show all week. Up to 10 drivers can participate at one time. All those who race leave with a checkered flag. Big winners take home a trophy.

Mike Feltenberger will host his popular Alley Racing nightly through the show. Alley Racing was a popular addition to last year’s event and the recent Motorsports 2013 Race Car & Trade Show in Oaks, Pa.

Each night of the show has a theme: Open Wheel Night and a spotlight on Action Track USA on Monday (Feb. 25), Small Car Night hosted by Barry Angstadt Tuesday (Feb. 26), Late Model/Sportsman/Street Stock Night Wednesday (Feb. 27), Modified Madness Night Thursday (Feb. 27) and Legends Night/Reading Fairgrounds Speedway Reunion (March 1). Nightly activities begin in Center Court at 7 p.m.

There will be driver bartending at the Applebee’s adjacent to the mall (in the shopping center parking lot) on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights beginning at 9 p.m.

The BASH Awards Party is a show highlight. This year's edition is set for Friday, March 1 at 9 p.m. (after the show closes) at the Temple Fire Company of Temple, Pa. (4963 Kutztown Road Temple, PA 19560).

The BASH is a fun night out for fans of auto racing: get out and party with the racing community! Gary Silverman Productions shows highlights from past and present, including memorable moments from the most recent Pennsylvania 358-Modified season.

Show awards are distributed, including the prestigious Don Marks Memorial Contribution to Motorsports Award.

The Don Marks Memorial Contribution to Motorsports Award was first handed out in 2010 to honor the memory of late Grandview (Pa.) Speedway and Area Auto Racing News photographer Marks, who passed away in 2008. Previous award recipients include Bob Greene of Pioneer Pole Buildings (2012), car owner, fabricator and former racer Dennis ‘Chico’ Bailey (2011) and Area Auto Racing News publisher/promoter Len Sammons (2010).

The overall 'Best of Show' recognition for vehicles on display at the mall will be decided by a fan vote for the third consecutive year. The ballot can be found in the official Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show program book on sale at the show.

A number of divisional awards will be distributed as well, including Best Modified, Best Sportsman, Best Open Wheel, Best Late Model, Best Micro-Sprint, Best Restored Car, Best Quarter Midget and Best Go-Kart. Media members visiting the show vote on the divisional awards. The Sportsman classification is new for ’13.

The entertaining T.J. Fitzpatrick, known as 'TJ the DJ' has come on board to provide music for dancing at the BASH.

Snacks are provided, along with soda, at the BASH. There will be a cash bar. BASH tickets are just $10 and can be purchased at the door or at the apparel/program stand each night of the show.

This year’s show will pay tribute to a pair of prominent members of the local racing community lost recently. 2013 Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show apparel, designed by Bob Hilbert Sportswear, is a 'must-have' for fans of the sport. The shirt honors the racing career of dirt and pavement driver Doug Hoffman, who passed away unexpectedly on Christmas Eve 2012. Not only was Hoffman one of the Northeast's greatest drivers of all time, he also proved his meddle as a promoter at Mahoning Valley (Pa.) Speedway and Bridgeport Speedway.

The shirt features 10 of Hoffman's most memorable cars from his career ranging from his very first pavement Late Model for Dorney Park (Pa.) Speedway to the car he drove to his final victory: Sal DeBruno’s South Jersey Overhead Door No. 0.

Shirt pricing is set at $20 (tee shirts), $22 (long-sleeve) and $30 (hoodies/sweatshirts). Sizes 3XL and up add $3 extra for tee shirts, long-sleeve shirts and hoodies/sweatshirts.

Another area hero who passed away, the great 'Kutztown Komet' Freddy Adam, will be remembered with a photo tribute in the event program.

To learn more about the Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show, log onto www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com or e-mail Brett Deyo at Deyo99H@aol.com. BD Motorsports Media LLC is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BDMotorsportsMedia and Twitter @BrettDeyo.

28th Annual Racing Legends Reunion & Car Show Schedule of Events

Fairgrounds Square Mall, 5th Street Highway, Reading, Pa.

Sunday, February 24 - 28th Annual Opening Day

 

11 a.m. - Show Kickoff

Monday, February 25 - Open Wheel Night & Salute to ActionTrack USA

 

7 p.m. - Meet Drivers from ARDC, URC, SpeedSTR and more along with management representative from Action Track USA featuring Billy Pauch Jr., Ryan Smith, P.J. Gargiulo, Trevor Kobylarz and more

9 p.m. - Driver Bartending at Applebee's 5th Street Highway (adjacent to the mall): Ryan Smith, Billy Pauch Jr. & Brett Arndt

Tuesday, February 26 - Small Car Night

7 p.m. - Drivers representing the Micro-Sprint, Slingshot, XCel 600 Modified, Stage One Modified divisions featuring Richie Hartman, Jared Davis, Kevin Steele, Tim Carter, Christi Sweigart, Jessie Mohrer, Kim Enck, Doug Rose (Action Track USA co-promoter), Joe "Geezer" Fanelli, Dylan Hoch, Kassidy Kreitz, Dakota Kohler, Chloe Andreas, Amber Britto, William Mohring, B.J. Antonio, Richie Hitzler, Justin Schraden, Ronald Good and more

9 p.m. - Driver Bartending at Applebee's include Richie Hartman, Jared Davis, Kevin Steele, Tim Carter, Christi Sweigart, Jessie Mohrer, Kim Enck, Doug Rose, Joe "Geezer" Fanelli

Wednesday, February 27 - Late Model, Sportsman & Roadrunner/Street Stock Night

7 p.m. - Meet drivers from the Late Model, Sportsman and Roadrunner/Street Stock divisions featuring Paul Kline, Craig Whitmoyer, Jordan Henn, Chuck Schutz, Andy Haus, Kyle and Sean Merkel, Wayne Pfiel Jr. and more

Thursday, February 28 - Modified Madness Night

7 p.m. - Drivers representing the area's big- and small-block Modified divisions and recognition of Pennsylvania and New Jersey Modified racing at Big Diamond, Grandview, Bridgeport and New Egypt speedways featuring Duane Howard, Jeff Strunk, Neal Williams, Ryan Godown, Doug Manmiller, John Willman, Andy Burkhart, Ryan Watt, Nate Christman, Ryan Grim, Jordan Umbenhauer, Kyle Weiss, Barry White and more

9 p.m. - Driver Bartending at Applebee's 5th Street Highway (adjacent to the mall): Ryan Godown, Kyle Weiss, Neal Williams & Doug Manmiller

Friday, March 1 - Salute to the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway & Past and Current Car Owners

6:30 p.m. - Meet drivers from the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway which hosted its final event in 1979 and celebrate car owners of the past and present who keep our favorite drivers on the track

9 p.m. - BASH Racing Party - Temple Fire Company - Tickets are $10 (purchased at the door or at the show apparel table) - Show awards presented including fan vote Best of Show, divisional awards and Don Marks Memorial Contribution to Motorsports Award. Racing films by Gary Silverman of GSP Video and music provided by 'TJ the DJ' T.J. Fitzpatrick

Saturday, March 2

All Day - 28th annual Curtain Closer - Let's Go Racing!

Alley Model Racing organized by Mike Feltenberger runs throughout the week

R/C Racing by Fast Action Motorsports Entertainment will run throughout the week

- Mall Hours: Sunday 11 a.m-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. -

 

 

 

Championship Trio To Pilot Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Entries in USAC Silver Crown and Sprint Car Series

Bobby East, Levi Jones and Bryan Clauson Form Potent Three-Car Lineup in 2013

 

INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 19, 2013) – With a decorated driver roster for the 2013 U.S. Auto Club (USAC) season, Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing has set its sights on adding to the 12 championships its already earned in the ultra-competitive, open-wheel racing series.

 

The team will field three entries – two in the USAC Silver Crown division and one in the USAC Sprint Car Series – with drivers Bobby East, Levi Jones and Bryan Clauson.

 

East will return to the seat of the No. 22 Chevrolet Performance/Curb Records entry to defend the Silver Crown title he earned last year. The 2004 USAC Midget champion was the only driver to score feature victories in all three USAC National Series in 2012, winning in Sprint Car, Midget and Silver Crown.

 

Joining East in the Silver Crown ranks is Jones, who is a seven-time USAC champion, with five Sprint Car titles (2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011) and two Silver Crown championships (2010, 2011). Jones had season-ending surgery in early September and was forced to miss the final three events of the 2012 season, but the time off has him well-positioned for a strong return in 2013 behind the wheel of the No. 10 Chevrolet Performance/Curb Records machine.

 

Clauson will be the lone representative for Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing in the USAC Sprint Car ranks. He’ll pilot the No. 20 Chevrolet Performance/Curb Records Maxim as he defends his 2012 Sprint Car championship. In addition to his Sprint Car title, Clausen is a two-time USAC Midget champion (2010, 2011) and a three-time USAC National Drivers champion (2010, 2011, 2012), where USAC tallies a driver’s best 25 finishes among its top-three touring series – Sprint Car, Midget and Silver Crown – to recognize an overall champion.

 

East closed his first season for Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing in thrilling fashion by winning the Sumar Classic 100 at the Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track, which enabled him to clinch the USAC Silver Crown title. He won twice and finished inside the top-five six times in nine starts driving the No. 22 Chevrolet Performance/Curb Records machine. The 28-year-old from Pittsboro, Ind., will begin his title defense in April on the same half-mile oval where he hoisted the championship hardware last October.

 

“It was a tremendous honor to win my first Silver Crown championship last season,” East said. “The support I got from everyone involved with Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing was incredible. Whether it was the people from Chevy Performance, my crew guys and even my teammate Levi Jones, it was unbelievable to accomplish what we did last year. We kind of set the bar pretty high, and I’m really excited to go out and see if we can be champions again.”

 

Now fully healed, Jones will join East at Terre Haute in April when the 2013 USAC Silver Crown season begins.

 

“We’re excited about the chance to go out and try to win another Silver Crown championship for Chevy Performance and Curb Records,” said Jones, who hails from Olney, Ill. “I’m feeling great after the surgery and I’m excited about the opportunity to earn Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing another USAC championship.”

 

In the 2010 and 2011 seasons, Clauson was a teammate of Jones in the Silver Crown division and, this season, he’ll be looking to rejoin Jones as a USAC champion driving a Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing machine. Jones won Sprint Car titles in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011, but it was Clauson who claimed the Sprint Car championship in 2012. Clauson, a participant in last year’s Indianapolis 500, won seven times en route to the Sprint Car title. The Noblesville, Ind., native also win the USAC National Drivers championship for a third consecutive season.

 

“It’s really exciting to take over the reins of the No. 20 car,” Clauson said. “I’ve got some big shoes to fill with all the success Levi and the team have had the in the past. It’s a special opportunity for me to come back to Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing as the driver of the No. 20. I’m looking forward to continuing the success the team has had with Chevrolet Performance and Curb Records the past few years and to keep growing the team’s tradition of winning.”

 

All three drivers will be racing machines backed by Chevrolet Performance and Curb Records, continuing a longstanding relationship between Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing and one of the world’s largest car brands.

 

The success of Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing in USAC has come with the help of many partners. In 2005, Jones carried the Chevrolet bowtie on his Sprint Car and brought Chevrolet its first USAC championship. Last season, Chevrolet Performance and Curb Records served as co-primary sponsors on the machines of Jones and East. This season, the Chevrolet Performance brand will again be a co-primary sponsor on Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing’s USAC Sprint Car and Silver Crown entries.

 

“Chevrolet’s association with Tony Stewart Racing gives us a direct link to loyal, passionate short-track fans who have a tremendous appreciation for performance,” said Jim Campbell, U.S. Vice President, Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “This relationship provides us a great opportunity to expose the fans to Chevrolet’s performance vehicles, high performance parts and accessories.”

 

The team continues its partnership with renowned car owners Mike Curb and Cary Agajanian. For the past three seasons, Tony Stewart Racing has been joined by Curb-Agajanian Racing in its USAC Silver Crown effort. In 2012, that relationship expanded to include both the Silver Crown and Sprint Car entries. In 2013, the team again carries the historic Curb-Agajanian name as a co-entrant with its storied USAC program.

 

“We are proud to continue our relationship with Tony Stewart Racing where we have shared three consecutive USAC Silver Crown National Championships with drivers Levi Jones and Bobby East,” said Curb, President, Curb Records. “We are also excited to defend our USAC Sprint Car Championship with Bryan Clauson moving to our program.  We are also proud to be involved with Donny Schatz and Steve Kinser in the World of Outlaws Series and most of all to be partnered with Tony Stewart.”

 

“Our goal when we formed Tony Stewart Racing was to create a grassroots motorsports program that would compete for wins and championships while promoting qualified drivers to the next level, as well as providing them with an opportunity to leave their mark on the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series and among the USAC National Series,” said Stewart, who captured four USAC national championships early in his career, including the elusive Triple Crown in 1995 when he earned titles in each of USAC’s top divisions – Sprint Car, Midget and Silver Crown. “We’ve been successful but, in order to remain successful, we needed partners committed to us and committed to motorsports. We’ve found the perfect partners in Chevrolet Performance and Curb Records.

 

“I’m really proud to work with Mike Curb and Cary Agajanian again this season, not only as co-entrants with our USAC program, but as a sponsor on our World of Outlaws program. They both have such a storied and diverse history in the sport. It’s an honor to work with them.”

 

Kicking off the season in Florida has become commonplace for many forms of motorsports. Florida Speedweeks brings the best in the business to the Sunshine State and, for the third straight season, USAC will begin its season in Ocala at Bubba Raceway Park. It is where Clauson will make his debut in the No. 20 Chevrolet Performance/Curb Records Feb. 21-23.

 

For more information regarding the 2013 USAC National Sprint Car or Traxxas Silver Crown Series, visit www.usacracing.com.

 

Additional information regarding Stewart and TSR can be found at www.tonystewart.com or www.tonystewartracing.com.

 

Follow Tony Stewart Racing on Facebook at Tony Stewart Racing, and on Twitter at @tonystewart_rcg.

 

 

 

I get e-mails:

 

Drug tests for Welfare recipients.  A good thing?  Any idea as to how many recipients might be on drugs – say in the state of Florida?  Is it even constitutional?

http://www.snopes.com/politics/medical/welfare.asp

 

 

 

Found on Facebook:

 

About the race on Saturday night:

 

Look, I've seldom, if ever, seen a race that wasn't interesting in some way. NASCAR is a victim of expectations it has itself raised. But fans have every right to be demanding. Their allegiance costs them a lot.

 

 I'm sorry but all the hype and build up to that finish, by the FOX team and to have 2 commercial breaks in the last 15 laps is outrageous. The fact that the finish fell flat just made them all look like a bunch of know nothings.

 

Same old! Same old! Single file racing and tough to pass! Zzzzzzzzz!

 

That race was a real snoozer!

 

More commercials than racing

 

I really think Super speedway racing is nearing it's end. That was awful. These cars will work well on 1 1/2 mile tracks and shorter. Danica had the top speed at Daytona today. IF she win's the pole tomorrow the 500 will have a short field too!

 

Lot of follow the leader til the money lap.zzzzzzzzzzz

 

Supercross time.... a REAL race!

 

Ah...AMA Super Cross LCQ's and mains. Thank god Nascrap didn't interrupt some real racing!

 

Sprint Unlimited was a total waste of time. How much of segment 2 did you see? I heard about it but didn't see it.

 

NASCAR...product sucks, simple as that.

 

 

Ive seen better finishes with the old car.... So far NOT a fan. I think i'll stick to dirt racing.

 

These cars look a lot better but that race sucked!! Can't get close enough to the guy in front of you to be able to draft.

 

I give em credit to try and put "stock" back into stock cars... But these cars are garbage. All they are is plastic cars with templates.

 

Have to take all their high tech computers away and stop being conservative and really race again. The Cup guys have to race like the truck do!

 

The trucks by far put on the best racing!!

 

Another terrible race, or should I say parade!!!!!! I've seen better racing on the interstate !!!!!! Looks like another single file year again. PATHETIC !!!!!

 

We can only hope it gets better!

 

Sure can't get any worse

 

that was a race i only watch that and half of the 500 then none of the rest of the year is sh*t

 

Terrible race!!! what a wasted night..

 

Smoke took out Gordon Johnson both Busch's, Hamlin, Martin and a few others in 1st segment. The rest of race was just a bore basically single file no passing Harvick won.

 

that was thrilling. cant wait til the real nascar season starts at phoenix on march 3rd.

 

Note to FOX/Speed: if you're going to spent untold hours of hot air 'talking' about an event, then at least SHOW it. If I were you, I would be prepared for some very poor TV ratings, again, for the Daytona 500. Your coverage is equivalent to watching an NFL game and breaking away just before a missed field goal attempt, only to return from commercial to 'tell' your viewer about it and eventually coming up with a replay. Poor. Hint: go back to the archives and watch a lot of old TNN NASCAR coverage until you 'get it'.

 

I couldn't agree with you more

 

Note:  What is above really can’t compare to the negative comments on Facebook about the Modified race and other races that were held on the 4/10 mile track that was put in on the backstretch of the big track.

 

 

 

Already there are some that are saying NASCAR rigged the time trials so Danica would get the pole and would help sell the race out. So many teams have their own timing devices so that might make it hard but it shows how little regard people have of NASCAR.

 

It’s a double edged sword being Danica, on one hand its great she gets all the attention that she does but on the other hand all the attentions she gets is over the top and upsets some of the old schoool fans. Get over it, better to hear abour Danica than declining attendance and ratings.

 

 

Also, on Facebook:

 

From the USAC Midget race at New Smyrna on Sunday:

 

Kyle Larson wins tonight at New Smyrna over Hagen Hines Swanson D.Armstrong C.Armstrong Bell O'Gara Carter Santos Byrne Pierce Cabral

 

 

 

Erwin Benz shared an event.
Anyone interested in attending our Dover NASCAR Bus Trip on Sun June 2nd please let me know soon . Reservations are comin in quicker than past years . This is the 10th Annual and includes R/T Deluxe Motorcoach , Reserved Premium Ticket , All you can eat Barbecue , Entertainment , Refreshments , Raffles and more . PM me for reservations and more info

 

 

 

 

Found on the Internet:

 

Actually, I had forgotten about this section of the column, so I went to Yahoo! for some news.  Hey, Yahoo! is on the Internet, right?

 

Here Comes The Boom: CMS Slashes Medicare Advantage; 'Disarray For Many Seniors'

 

http://www.forbes.com/sites/aroy/2013/02/19/here-comes-the-boom-cms-slashes-medicare-advantage-disarray-for-many-seniors/?partner=yahootix

 

In part:

Though Democrats denied it during the 2012 campaign, Obamacare cut Medicare by $716 billion in order to partially fund $1.9 trillion in new entitlement spending over the next ten years. A big chunk of those Medicare cuts came from the market-oriented MedicareAdvantage program. Cleverly, the Obama administration postponed the Medicare Advantage cuts until after the election, so as to persuade seniors that everything would be just fine. But the election is over. On Friday, the administration announced that it would be significantly reducing funding for the popular program. Obama’s proposal, according to one analyst, “would turn almost every plan in the industry unprofitable.”

 

 

Some non-racing stuff:

 

 

Obama did not talk to Libyans during Benghazi attack

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/obama-did-not-talk-libyans-during-benghazi-attack-185052644--politics.html

 

 

White House says Obama called day after attack

http://news.yahoo.com/white-house-says-obama-called-day-attack-183409072.html

 

 

White House: Leaked Immigration Bill Draft Is Plan B

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/white-house-leaked-immigration-bill-draft-plan-b-164823361--abc-news-politics.html

 

 

McCain claims ‘massive cover-up’ on Benghazi

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/mccain-massive-cover-benghazi-193426972--politics.html

 

 

David Axelrod joins NBC News: Is the White House running MSNBC?

 

http://theweek.com/article/index/240310/david-axelrod-joins-nbc-news-is-the-white-house-running-msnbc

 

 

Pentagon notifies Congress of likely furloughs

 

http://news.yahoo.com/pentagon-notifies-congress-likely-furloughs-150850941.html

 

 

 

Majority of U.S. citizens say illegal immigrants should be deported

http://news.yahoo.com/majority-u-citizens-illegal-immigrants-deported-010930979.html

 

 

 

NJ's newest casino, Revel, to file for bankruptcy

http://news.yahoo.com/njs-newest-casino-revel-file-005235068.html

 

 

 

 

Video time:

 

The Jimmie Johnson Watkins Glen problem in 2000:

 

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

 

And this one, too: 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbkIBWEp91Q

 

 

 

Photos:

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

I have a feeling this photo will be pretty big, too.  One of the best ever – Johnny Thomson and his # 2 Sprint Car.

 

 

 

Closing with this:

A man goes to a public golf course. He approaches the man behind the counter in the pro shop and says, "I would like 18 holes of golf and a caddie."

The man behind the counter says, "The 18 holes of golf is no problem, but all of the caddies are out on the course..

What I will do for you is this: We just received 8 brand new robot golf caddies. If you're willing to take one with you out on the course and come back and tell me how well it works, your round of golf is on me today."

The golfer obviously accepted the man's offer.. He approached the first tee, looked at the fairway and said to himself, "I think my driver will do the job."

The robot caddie turned to the man and said, "No sir. Use your 3 wood. A driver is far too much club for this hole." Hesitantly, the golfer pulled out his 3 wood, made good contact with the ball, and the ball landed about 10 feet to the right front of the hole on the green.

The golfer, delighted, turned to the robot and thanked him for his assistance.

As the golfer pulled out his putter he said, "I think this green is gonna break left to right." The robot then again spoke up and said, "No sir. I do believe this green will break right to left."

Thinking about the last time the robot corrected his prediction, he decided again to listen to the machine. He made his putt and birdied the hole thanks to the robot and his advice. But his luck didn't end there.

His entire game was the best game he ever played, thanks to the assistance of the new robot golf caddie.

Upon returning to the clubhouse, the man behind the counter asked, "How was your game ?"

The golfer stated, "It was, by far, the BEST game I ever played. Thank you very much for letting me take one of your robots. See you next week."

A week passed, and excited, the golfer returned to the pro shop. Upon entering, he turned to the man behind the counter and said, "I would like 18 holes of golf and one of those robot golf caddies, please."

The gentleman from behind the counter turned to the man and said, "Well the 18 holes is no problem. However, we had to get rid of the robots. We had too many complaints."

"COMPLAINTS? Who in the heck could've complained about those robots? They were incredible"

The man sighed and said, "Well, it wasn't their performance. It was that they were made of shiny silver metal, and the sun reflecting off them was blinding to other golfers on the fairway."

The golfer said, "So then why didn't you just paint them black?"

The man nodded sadly and replied, "We did. Three of 'em didn't show up for work, two filed for welfare, one of them robbed the pro shop, one married a Swedish girl and called himself Tiger, and the other thinks he's the President."

 

 

 

Until next week, folks!

 

As usual, you can reach me at:  ygordad@yahoo.com