Racin' & Different Stuff:

                                      By Tom Avenengo

                                         Volume # 131

                                                   03/21/2013

 

 

First:

 

Normally I start these columns on Sunday afternoons.  Didn’t happen this week.  Got some things done somewhere around 11:30 PM and midnight.  During the afternoon, I attempted to print up some stuffed cabbage recipes.  Got one printed, then for some unknown reason, could not print up any more.  I figured the ink cartridge was empty.  Got a new one on Monday.  Why are the damned things so freakin’ expensive?  Installed new ink cartridge into my printer – after removing the protective tape.  Guess what?  No go.  Got zero out of the new cartridge, no alignment, test page – you name it.  Getting pizzed.  Did I tell you that my ‘puter “guru” is down in Florida?  AARRGGHH!!!

 

 

 

Second:

Will be trying something different in this weeks column as far as the weird printing that comes up on DTD.  It seems that if I copy and paste something – usually in the non racing news area, that’s where the fonts, size and boldness of the printing is effected.

 

 

 

Third:

Coming up this weekend – Saturday and Sunday, is the Middletown Motor Sports Show, in the arena on the fairgrounds property.

Show opens on Saturday at 11:00 AM and goes until 10:00 PM, Saturday night.  On Sunday it’s from 11:00 AM until 5:00 PM.  Admission is $8.00 for adults.  Children 12 and under are free.

 

 

Fourth:

What with so many things being so called “Politically Correct” nowadays, I really wonder why someone has not come out in an attempt to stop the televising of the Invocation that is telecast prior to every televised NASCAR race.

 

 

Fifth:

I see there still was a fly-over for the Bristol Cup race.  Nice that still happened.  Now if they would only open the doors to the White House (OUR House) so the tours can continue on!

 

 

Sixth:

Coming up:

Accord:

Practice session on April 5th with a rain date of April 6th.  Opening night is April 12th.  I see that Brett Hearn has Accord on his schedule for that night.  Opening night at Accord is always the Scott Harvey Memorial race.

 

Orange County Fair Speedway:

Race car show in the arena on the fairgrounds property is this Saturday and Sunday, as noted above.

Practice session on April 6th – 1:00 Pm to 6:00 PM

Opening night is April 13th, with $3,000.00 going to the modified feature winner.

Note:  Per a message on the OCFS website, new times for admittance to the pits will be 4:00 PM.  New times for admittance to the stands and drive-in will be 5:00 PM.

 

Hamlin Speedway:

Has “Bug Day” on April 13th, and their opening night is April 20th.

 

Bethel Motor Speedway:

Has two practice days – April 13th and 20th.  Their season starts on April 27th.

 

Lebanon Valley Speedway:

Practice on April 6th and opening night of racing on April 13th, with $3,000.00 going to the modified feature winner.

 

 

Seventh:

From a column of mine, back in 2006 when I was down in Florida, on vacation, and writing for John LeVan and Open Wheel Racing:

Will this ever happen?

While down in Florida, I checked back home, to our local paper, and came across this article, copied and pasted, below, with just a little “editing” done, like removing a photo, etc etc. Right now, I’m not sure if this would go over, if, indeed, it even gets off the ground. Kinda sucks when something like this would only apply to the “wealthy”. Location wise, this would be a very short distance from the Port Jervis, NY area – maybe 20 – 30 minutes, at the most. Then again, I doubt there is anyone in Port Jervis with this kind of dollars.

HIGH LIFE, FAST CARS

Thompson gets high-end racetrack

Herald-Record/MICHELE HASKELL

By Simon Shifrin


Times Herald-Record
December 07, 2006

Thompson — A $30 million racetrack for the ultra-rich is zooming this way.

Two weeks ago, work quietly began on The Drive & Race Club, an exclusive country club in the form of a high-end track, spread over 225 acres on the site of the former Monticello Airport on Cantrell Road.

After years of half-starts and waylaid plans to revitalize the airport, this one's for real. And the implications for Sullivan County could be enormous.

Jefferson Development Partners will formally break ground next week. The investors are planning a spring 2008 opening.

 

It's the latest trend in motorsports, with several tracks now catering to rich folks with no place to safely drive their fast cars. Club initiation at the Monticello track is $100,000, with annual dues of $7,500. Only 500 members from the region will be allowed.

A similar track opened near Chicago in 2005 and sold out within 18 months. Membership there is only $25,000.

But developer Michael Kaplan, formerly general counsel for Concord developer Louis Cappelli, says the Chicago market is one-tenth of the local market, where the track will be the only one of its kind near New York City. It's a 20-minute helicopter ride or 90-minute drive from Manhattan.

"There's such a pent-up demand for this out there in the world that all we have to do is identify our user and make contact," Kaplan says. "He already wants to do this."

The member also might want to stay in a hotel for the weekend, go to a show at Bethel Woods, stop for a bite to eat or even buy a second home.

"There's a lot of things you can do here," says Marc Baez, president of the Partnership for Economic Development. "The more you're building upon that, the more you'll see a rise in tourism."

 

Amenities at The Drive & Race Club

3.37-mile road course with 3/4-mile straightaway, a dozen turns and 75 feet of elevation changes

Luxury clubhouse with workout facility, conference rooms, dining rooms and overnight accommodations

Full-time staff of 25, including driving pro, driving instructor, mechanic, safety staff, private chef, sales rep

Heliport, with shuttle flights from Manhattan and Westchester County

Storage for personal cars and the latest demos.”

 

Note:  If you recall, this track most definitely did come to be.  Now, some folks are complaining of the noise generated by the cars while running on the track.  Also, if you recall, a few columns back I had mentioned that the track is thinking of now holding regular racing events – including up to Indy cars.

Time will tell, right?

 

 

Eighth:

 

Also from that column:

 

“Will this happen?

The race track that’s closest to my home, (and one I’ve never been to, believe it or not),  Catskill Speedway, looks like it might run again in 2007.  I found this little tid-bit:


”Catskill Speedway in Bethel NY has been sold to Billy Bartley and partners.

It is now call Bethel Motorsports Park (Near Woodstock)

The short term plans for 2007 is status quo with minor repairs to the speedway and to have a home for the Neets enduro's.

They will race on Sundays.”

 

 

Ninth:

Ruth Ann Steinhagen died last December 29th.  Her claim to fame:  She shot baseball player Eddie Waitkus.  I remember that day – or so I thought.  I could swear that she shot Eddie while he was next to first base, in Philadelphia.  Stories of her passing say she shot him in a hotel room.  Why does my mind play nasty tricks on me?

 

 

Tenth:

As for memories of things that happened but really didn’t – I’ll look you square in the eye and tell you that the late Bob Green grooved some Go Kart tires for my son, Eric, the night before Bob had that bad accident at Accord.  Yet, the first race Eric ever ran was indoors in Newburgh – a race for Bob Green, who was hospitalized from that Accord accident.  Why does my mind play nasty tricks on me?

 

 

Eleventh:

 

Insurance for racers.
Quite a lot of my friends are involved in auto racing.  If you race with a vehicle that has roll over protection (cage) and seat belts (including champ/cage Karts), you can get insurance.  Many times we hear of drivers and their families having hard times because they lacked good insurance or relied only on what a track might have, and in some cases, that might only cover a ride in a helicopter, if one is needed.  So check out this:

http://www.stida.com/

 

 

 

 

Twelfth:

 

Here’s an interesting read that I found over on Facebook, thanks to Ralph W. Stevens, Jr. for posting the link!

 

http://www.onedirt.com/features/an-inside-look-at-preparing-a-dirt-track-for-race-night/

 

 

 

 

Thirteenth:

 

We hear and read of how the influx of Mexicans into California are slowly bankrupting that state, what with the state having to “care” for them.  On Monday evening, NBC Evening News, with Brian Williams, there was a short segment at the end of the newscast showing how children are being helped out in California with getting eye exams and eye glasses.  I did not see one Caucasian or one black amongst the children, who sure as heck all looked kinda “Mexican”, to me.  Yes, it’s nice that those kids are getting glasses, still………………

 

 

 

 

Fourteenth:

 

As many of you know, I’m a member of the Yahoo! Race History Group.  It’s an excellent group to be in if you’re into racing from “Back in the day”.  At times, questions are asked, and in most cases, in time, someone in the group will come through with an answer.

 

Here is what I found in my e-mail after dinner on Tuesday:

 

Hi Everyone,
This is the second request for information that has come to me in a week from family members with vintage midgets. This time it was a gentleman named Jim Wright who tells me that he has a pre-war midget built by Frank Kurtis. It is a rail frame, V8-60 powered car supposedly built in 1938. He heard a story from his father that Frank had seen the car at some point and said it was the second one he ever built and one of seven or eight built in that year. There are no dash plate ID's or other markings apparently.

Does anyone one have any information about Kurtis's early race cars? Should there be some kind of marking or ID on the car that would confirm the family story? I will post photos when I get them but just wanted to get the question out there.

Also, it appears the gentleman will want to sell the car. Any tips on where or how to find the best way to put it up for sale? Thanks.

 

Al Blixt
Ann Arbor, Michigan

 

 

“Al,
 

This is a true bit of history. Frank Kurtis built at least six of the rail Kurtis in 1938. Roy Russing recieved the first one, also Rex Mays orderded one. Mays did not race his, but hired other drivers, and the car passed through a few owners, and arrived here in Seattle in 1950. I drove it with a healthy Vic Edelbrock V 8 60 engine in 1951. It  was owned then by Homer Norman, who removed the Offy engine that Mays had orderded, and installed it in his later model Kurtis, chassis # 15. 
 
On the rear cover ov my book, Smoke, Sand, and Rubber, is a photo of the car when I was driving it. The best handling rail car I ever drove, and I was sorry to see it leave here. The last I heard it is somewhere in British Coulmbia. To my knowledge there was no chassis numbers on the rail cars. 

 
Mel Anthony
Shoreline, WA

 

Note:   Kinda remarkable, huh?

 

 

 

Fifteenth:

 

Found on the Track Forum:  Car into pits/fans at Marysville Speedway (CA)

 

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?174064-Car-into-pits-fans-at-Marysville-Speedway-(CA)

 

Quoting on of the postings – regarding Jeff Gordon:

 

“Marysville didn't run open wheel during that era. It was purely a stock car track for many years. NARC, Baylands, Kings and Santa Maria all ran sprints at the time.

 

What happened was John Bickford somehow got into the WARPA meeting in Reno and lobbied hard for them to make an exception solely for Jeff to race at age 15. The Baylands promoter and Kings promoter were all for it, but NARC and the Santa Maria promoter cited insurance concerns and that they couldn't make an exception for one person.

 

In wake of turning down Bickford's lobbying effort, the sprint car scene - which had just gone through a period of amazing co-operation - utterly imploded, with the Baylands promoter petulantly scheduling races in conflict with the others. Baylands would close a couple of years later.

 

Bickford was pissed, sulked and then "took his ball" to Indiana where he found people that he could con into helping his meal ticket. For years, Bickford and Jeff would talk constantly of how "there was no racing in California" along with other bad mouthing. The amount of ill will and negative impact coming from simply following the rules is staggering. Thanks to stepdad, he became a rolling chain letter. It's why I'm not a Gordon fan, though I have nothing against Jeff personally.

 

One season later, NARC lowered their minimum age to 16 to allow the son of a board member to race. Still, 16 isn't 15.

 

 

 

Sixteenth:

 

A while back, I was, more or less, kicked off of the South Jersey Dirt Racing forum for using “Dirt Track Digest” one too many times.  They even were able to put up another type of website, when I went to visit them (porn site), followed by a not too nice note to me about how that was done and worse would happen if I continued to mention “other” message boards etc etc. (I still have thoughts that is was someone form SJDR that hacked into my computer and deleted every single piece of e-mail that I had, along with my entire address book).

However, I do stop in on SJDR, occasion, just to read what’s going on.  On Wednesday, I came across this thread:  Will These Ever Return??? 

Take a guess as to what the thread was about.

 

http://theboard.southjerseydirtracing.com/DisplayMsg.asp?ForumID=27&Msgid=1958818&page=1&title=Will%20These%20Ever%20Return???

 

 

 

Seventeenth:

 

It seems that some new commercials are being made – for drivers from the NASCAR Nationwide Series, for now, in order to get them some recognition.  There was a “Preview” video out, and sad to say I missed some of the Nationwide race last weekend, so I don’t know if this video was played, or not.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=DelOdRyN5ZA

 

 

 

Eighteenth:

 

I found something interesting this past Tuesday – pretty sure it was n Facebook.  It was about a dying soldier and a letter he had written to President Busch and Vice-President Cheney.  It was rather harsh, to be sure, and the title to the link to the letter did have some vulgar words in it.  I have to figure that it’s mostly adult aged people reading my columns, so I thought I’d put the link up.  Then, on Wednesday, would you believe it, Yahoo! had an article about that soldier and his letter.  Sorry if anyone is offended by what’s below!

 

Here are both links:

 

 

 

From Yahoo!

 

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/iraq-war-vet-letter-bush-cheney-tomas-young-154541674.html

 

 

The letter, itself:

 

http://dangerousminds.net/comments/dying_vets_fuck_you_letter_to_george_bush_dick_cheney_needs_to_be_read

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Found on Jayski’s website:

http://www.jayski.com/

 

War of words between Logano, Hamlin: 

 

#22-Joey Logano was tired of getting pushed around by his former Joe Gibbs Racing teammate. So after Sunday's Sprint Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway, in which #11-Denny Hamlin spun him out with about 150 laps remaining, Logano decided to let him know it. But as Logano leaned into the window of Hamlin's #11 Toyota, a shoving match broke out between the crews of both teams. Logano quickly was restrained and retreated to his Penske Racing hauler. "We've got a freaking genius behind the wheel of the 11," Logano said. "Probably the worst teammate I ever had, so I learned that now. He chose to run into the back of me. Whatever. I have a scorecard and I'm not putting up with that. What goes around come around." Asked what Logano said to him at the car, Hamlin said, "He said he was coming for me. I usually don't see him, so it's usually not a factor." NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said no penalties were expected for either driver or team.
The feud continued on Twitter after the race with Logano writing, "Hey @dennyhamlin great job protecting that genius brain of yours by keeping your helmet on."
Hamlin answered: "Why's that ... What would u do?"(
ESPN)(3-18-2013)

 

 

Hamlin fine puts spotlight on Carl Long’s plight:

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/hamlin-fine-puts-spotlight-carl-192422053--nascar.html

 

 

Carl Long's fine still hanging over his head: 

 

#11-Denny Hamlin's recent refusal to pay his $25,000 fine has reawakened the plight of Carl Long, a driver who lacks the financial resources to settle his debt with NASCAR. Long's career as a Sprint Cup Series driver essentially ended when his team was penalized for having an illegal engine at the 2009 All-Star race. Long's crew chief was fined $200,000, an amount he was unable to pay. Under NASCAR rules, the fine was reverted to the car owner, which was Long's wife, DeeDee. Unable to drive until the fine is paid, Long was still able to work in the Sprint Cup Series garage because his wife was technically responsible for settling the debt. But last year, Long said NASCAR transferred the fine to his name and he's no longer allowed inside the Cup garage. "Last year at Daytona, they issued me as the driver the fine, and I couldn't pay $200,000, so I was escorted out of the Cup garage," Long said at Bristol Motor Speedway. "NASCAR basically let me know that anybody on the crew roster could be held responsible for the fine, all the way down to the tire guy. Anybody on the crew roster, they can leverage the fine against him, no matter who. Actually, no matter what, if you are signed in on a crew roster, you are hanging by a thread." Long is allowed to work in NASCAR in any other series, and he's currently a jack of all trades for Rick Ware Racing in the Nationwide Series. He's also a part-time Nationwide driver, and has made 37 starts since the All-Star race incident. But he said he's clearing just over $35,000 a year after paying all his expenses, which means he'll likely never be back in a Sprint Cup car because he lacks the means to clear his debt with NASCAR.(Associated Press)(3-17-2013)

 

 

Hamlin discusses dropping appeal of fine: 

 

From #11-Denny Hamlin's Friday media availability:


How do you feel about having this incident concluded?
"The biggest thing is I think that we won in the judge of the people and their opinion I think some of the peers of mine -- at least the ones that have a backbone had the nerve to stick up for what they know is right and wrong -- agreed. But what was the point in going another week or so. We've got bigger fish to fry than to argue over what I said just for $25,000 and it's better just to move on and let NASCAR get its credibility back and they're going to do that and I'm going to move on and just focus on a championship."


Is this something that Joe Gibbs helped to mediate?
"No, (Joe) Gibbs (team owner, Joe Gibbs Racing) really supported -- whatever I wanted to do, he was fine with it. Ultimately, I had some conversations with Brian France (NASCAR CEO) and we had a lot of the same ideas. And I think that in hindsight I really believe they (NASCAR) overreacted and I believe that they think they overreacted once they thought about it a little bit, but now we're at a point that we're good with each other and we're just going to move on from here."


Did you drop the appeal once you knew they wouldn't suspend you?
"I was prepared either way, honestly. They (NASCAR) are ultimately not going to want to suspend -- that would be their last resort. I was prepared to do it and I let my sponsors and everyone know that it's a possibility, so everyone was behind me to do whatever I wanted to do. But, ultimately after talking with NASCAR and (Joe) Gibbs (team owner, Joe Gibbs Racing) and everyone and really thinking about it more, it just needed to end."


Did your conversation with Brian France end with you feeling you could talk to him?
"That was the biggest complaint I had was that if I was Jeff Gordon, Tony (Stewart), Dale (Earnhardt) Jr. or any Hendrick (Motorsports) driver -- let's just say that -- they would have had a conversation with me before. Just to slap the fine on me and not tell me anything is what really, really bugged me a lot. That felt like I had not earned my place in this sport and I've grinded it out here for eight years and I really feel like I've done what it takes to earn the respect of both my peers and NASCAR and I felt like if I had been somebody else the outcome may have been different."(Toyota PR)(3-15-2013)

 

 

Denny Hamlin felt disrespected by NASCAR fine:

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/denny-hamlin-felt-disrespected-nascar-183637906--nascar.html

 

 

Some charges against Mayfield dropped: 

 

Jeremy Mayfield's quest to race in NASCAR again has taken a positive turn as 10 felony burglary-related charges were dropped in Iredell County because the primary witness against him died in a motorcycle accident last year. Mayfield, suspended by NASCAR in May 2009 for a failed drug test, still faces nine felony charges in two other North Carolina counties. Some of the Iredell County charges  stemming from alleged burglaries at Red Bull Racing and Fitz Motorsports  were dropped in November and the final one was dropped March 6, according to the court file. The dismissal sheets state that there is insufficient evidence to warrant prosecution because "co-defendant/primary witness against defendant is deceased" and "witness who can establish property was stolen from alleged victim is deceased." The co-defendant in the case is John Kavann Franklin, who died following an aborted police chase on Sept. 16. Mayfield and Franklin were indicted April 2, 2012 on charges in Iredell County. Mayfield also was charged in those cases in Catawba County, N.C., because that is where he allegedly had the possession of the stolen goods. He faces three possession of stolen goods charges, one charge of obtaining property under false pretense and one methamphetamine possession charge in Catawba, while he faces four larceny charges  for stolen goods unrelated to the race-team property  in Caldwell County. Those two counties share a prosecutor's office. Mayfield's next court date is April 1 in Catawba County court. Mayfield has been discussing a possible plea deal the last few months but there has been no resolution and Mayfield has vowed not to make any plea that results in jail time.(Sporting News)(3-18-2013)

 

 

Cassill to sue BK Racing: 

 

Landon Cassill is suing BK Racing over what he alleges is $205,000 in unpaid winnings and other fees owed to him for racing for the team last year. Cassill also is asking for an unspecified amount of money for not being told until mid-January that he would not drive for the team in 2013. The lawsuit was filed last month in North Carolina Superior Court in Charlotte against BK Racing, which bought the assets of Red Bull Racing just prior to the 2012 season, and principal owner Ron Devine. Adam Ross, a Charlotte attorney representing BK Racing, said that there is a dispute over what is owed to Cassill but would not go into specifics. The team has until mid-May to file a legal response to the lawsuit.(Sporting News)(3-20-2013)

 

 

Smith to run the #51 at Martinsville: 

 

Regan Smith will pilot the #51 Phoenix Racing Chevy in the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Martinsville Speedway on April 7. AJ Allmendinger's two top-15 performances, at Phoenix and Bristol, helped solidify the team's early success this season. Allmendinger, who was originally tabbed to drive for team owner James Finch's Phoenix team at Martinsville, will make his IndyCar Series debut for Roger Penske at Barber Motorsports Park that weekend.(FoxSports), no word who will drive the #51 at Texas or Kansas. Ryan Truex is scheduled to run the #51 at Richmond in April and Dover in June.(3-19-2013)

 

 

Timmy Hill making 2013 debut in California: 

 

Timmy Hill will make his first 2013 series start on Sunday, March 24th, in the Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway. He will pilot the FAS Lane Racing #32 OXYwater Ford Fusion. "I've had quick success with FAS Lane Racing in the three 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts," said Hill. "We all gelled right away last year and we are all optimistic on what the 2013 season will bring." Hill will be racing 18 to 20 races of the 36-race schedule in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, splitting seat time with veteran NASCAR drivers Ken Schrader and Terry Labonte. Hill is a Rookie of the Year contender. "We have our eye on that Rookie of the Year award, but the main thing is for me to continue to grow as a driver and we as a team continue to improve each week. If last year's starts I had with FAS Lane Racing and this year's team performance is any indication, we should have a very successful season."(Hill PR)(3-19-2013)

 

 

 

Former OVRP Dirt Oval runners:

 

Last Friday at Selinsgrove, in the RoC 358 race, Danny Creeden is shown as placing 22nd.

 

 

 

 

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 March 19th edition – picked up from the Digital Service:

 

Lenny Sammons:

 

Jarett Andretti will be racing in some wingless 410 sprint car races in 2013 out in Indiana at Gas City, Lincoln Park, Lawrenceburg, Bloomington and Kokomo Speedways.  He’s scheduled to run about 30 races, with some also being USAC events.

 

The “City of Syracuse” Special will be making a return to the racing wars, with Dave Ely in the seat of a 360 sprint car.

 

 

Ernie Saxton:

 

His headline was:  “Sports Marketing Competition Is Tougher And Budgets Smaller For Sponsorship Dollars”.  Among things he mentions is that he does receive quite a few sponsorship proposals that are so poorly done that it is a waste of money, time and effort in using them in a sponsorship proposal.  Mr. Saxton comes out with quite a few hints on things to have in the proposal, along with what you should do if you should land a sponsor.

 

Also in his column was a hint that the New Jersey Formula One race could possibly be held – maybe mid 2014.

 

 

Steve Barrick:

 

Steve had quite a big article about that sprint car crash out in California that took two lives.  So far it looks like a car malfunction as the cause of the accident.  The driver, Chase Johnson, is 17 years old, and has been racing since he was four years old.

 

Note:  I found this on the Internet:  Marcus Johnson's father, Rob Johnson, said his nephew Chase told him the wheel detached from the steering column as he was heading into a corner at about 90 mph, according to KTVU-TV. The car hit a sloped wall, launched into the air and crashed about 150 feet from the track, striking his son.”

 

Steve also had quite a big article on Kyle Petty’s Charity Bike Ride Across America.

 

 

Earl Krause:

 

Earl tells us that Willie Osmun will be in the seat of the Norcia # 81 at the New Egypt Speedway, this year.  Norcia stock cars have been around since the 1950’s.  John Norcia, 82, spends some of his time in Florida, in “semi retirement”.

 

 

Dave Moody:

 

While reading Dave’s column, I was rather surprised to see that Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will not be racing in the Nationwide race at Talladega on May 4th, but the seat will be filled with Kasey Kahne.  Also, Jimmie Johnson says that in an effort to improve competition, too much time is spent on race car design, and not enough on the tracks, themselves.  Changes to some tracks (quite expensive) should be made.

 

 

Chuck Bollinger:

 

He makes note of a banquet he attended, and the fact that a lot of drivers did not show up to accept their awards.  Five out of the top ten, in all divisions, except the modifieds, showed up.

 

 

Don & Jo Ann Davies:

 

On their way home from the racing in Pennsylvania, they opted to stop of in Middletown to check out, for themselves, how the new pit area outside of turns 3 & 4 at OCFS was progressing.  From their column:  “Wow!  It takes actually seeing the leveling and other work being done to fully appreciate the excavation work that has been done.”

 

 

Mark McKeon:

 

His article had this, as its headline:  “Limited But Diverse Schedule Of New York Midget Races This Season”.    Racing on dirt and asphalt tracks, three clubs will stage six midget shows on four different tracks, from May to September.

 

Note:  True, the midget schedule for the state is pretty limited, but a hell of a lot better than a couple of years ago when there were no midget races held in the state.  That’s “Full” midgets, folks.

 

 

John Snyder:

 

John, like me, isn’t too happy with what’s going to happen to racing and TV in the near future.  Already, one of the best auto racing shows on TV, Wind Tunnel, has been cut fro a full hour to one half an hour.  Don’t be surprised to see that show completely gone once SPEED makes its change to covering mostly stick and ball sports.

John also makes mention of some problems for Bruton Smith – remember he complained about the “Strart & Park” cars a while back?  Seems that fan attendance at Las Vegas and Bristol, two of Mr. Smiths tracks was down quite a bit.

 

Note:  My thoughts – If Bruton Smith was 10, 20 to 30 years younger, I would not be surprised to see him attempt to start up another stock car racing organization.

 

 

Guy Smith:

 

Guy didn’t have too good a time “race chasing” last week.  He hit up Shippensburg Speedway on March 9th – no races, was at Selinsgrove on March 10th for the sprint car racing, back to Shippensburg on the 16th – no races, followed by Port Royal on the 16th – no races and ended up at Hagerstown on the 17th – again, no races.  Hagerstown has re-scheduled for this coming Sunday, which just happens to be the opener for Big Diamond.  Per Guy, that has caused some grumblings on the boards.

 

 

Some things covered in this weeks edition:

 

Duane Howard Claims 
Selinsgrove RoC 
358 Mod Season Opener


It's Kahne In Cup, 
Kyle Busch In Nationwide At Bristol


Bub McCool Returns 
With World Of Outlaws LMS 
For Second Season


Sixth Annual IRCO 
Phillipsburg Mall Show 
Wraps Up Successful Week


Dollansky, Kaeding Are West Coast 
World Of Outlaws Stars


$10,000 Win For Blankenship 
In Bulls Gap DIrt Late Model Race


Jason Myers 
Makes Most Of Rivals' 
NASCAR SWMT Woes


Kyle Petty's 
'Ride For Charity' Takes Shape


America's Motorsports Park 
Ready For Grand Opening

 

 

 

 

Press Releases:

Jimmy Kite Ready to Launch 2013 Must See Xtreme Sprints with Mike Blake Racing

Indy Car Veteran Returns South to Run Paved Winged Sprint Car Series

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., March 18, 2013 - Jimmy Kite made his name in open wheel racing by driving midgets, sprints and champ cars in the Midwest. While best known for his five Indianapolis 500 starts and dramatic 1997 USAC Silver Crown Copper World Classic victory, it is his passion for intense competition that draws Kite, who lives in Indianapolis but considers Stockbridge, Ga. his home, to racing. Nowhere is the competition more extreme than the TRUFUEL Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Car Series. The 34-time Indy car starter will run the No. 81 Mike Blake Racing winged sprint car at the Must See season-opening rounds of Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida on Friday, March 22 and Mobile (Ala.) International Speedway on Saturday, March 23.

 

Kite pursued his open-wheel dreams which led him to the Midwest before taking him to national prominence in the Indy Racing League, ARCA and NASCAR. The pair of 30-lap races in Florida and Alabama, collectively known as the "Southern Shootout", will be Kite's first time in years to return to racing a sprint car in the traditionally stock car-focused South. Kite's last open wheel start below the Mason-Dixon line was in a winged-sprint car on pavement nearly a decade ago.

 

While he has extensive experience in racing cars from quarter-midgets to 220-mph Indy cars, Kite has never been to either of the tracks making-up the Must-See opening rounds. Both tracks are a half-mile in length with Five Flags sporting 15-degree banking and Mobile International at 12 degrees in the corners. Both venues promise quick lap-times and rapid-fire competition.

 

Despite making his first official start in the Must See Xtreme Sprint Car Series in 2013, Kite is not completely new to the series which utilizes 410-cubic inch V8 engines and traditional winged sprint car chassis on racing slick tires. In 2012, Kite was scheduled to run the final three races of the year with Mike Blake Racing. However, events kept the former USAC Silver Crown Rookie of the Year from taking the green flag at any of the planned events.

 

Most often thought of as a dirt track specialty, on pavement winged sprint cars are as physically and mentally demanding as any vehicle in the world. The high speeds and g-forces generated by the massive wings - both overhead and on the nose - and wide racing slicks will require Kite to draw back on his experience of racing an Indy car. It will be the third series in which Kite has driven a winged-sprint car on asphalt in his career. However, the first two series were with smaller 360 cubic inch engines. The larger displacement generates more horsepower and increased challenges to the driver on the high-banked short tracks.

 

The TRUFUEL Must See Xtreme Sprint Car Series runs a 14-race schedule on paved ovals. The Series enjoys an impressive television package bringing 10 events to over 125 million households on FOX Sports Net (FSN) as well as online at MotorSportWorld.TV.

Quotes

Jimmy Kite:

On returning to the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Car Series with Mike Blake: "Mike is such a fun car owner. He puts all his heart and soul into his racecars. And I'm excited to be driving for him this year. I love sprint cars. And I love wings! And being in a 410, is just an added bonus of fun! Mike has won the championship before in this series. He's used to having his cars upfront. So, I better do my job and give him some good finishes."

 

On racing in the South again: "I always enjoy racing in the South. Those are the fans I grew up racing in front of. I have many great memories on those highways and racetracks in the South. I can't wait to get back down there, enjoy some sweet tea and some really good racing."

 

On learning two new tracks: "It'll be fun to add two more tracks to my list, especially such historic Southern tracks as Five Flags and Mobile. I hope they pack the stands with fans! I know they'll get a great show when the Must See Sprint Cars roll into town."

Jimmy Kite can be found on Facebook at Jimmy Kite and on Twitter at  @JimmyKite

 

 

 

Devil’s Bowl Modifieds To Make Thunder Road Debut

Dirt-style Modifieds to run at Memorial Day Classic

 

 

DBS-031913-1

 

BARRE, VT – The ground-pounding Bond Auto Parts Modified stock car division from Devil’s Bowl Speedway will be hitting “The Road” this year – Thunder Road International Speedbowl, that is.  The legendary Barre, VT bullring has invited the dirt-style, center-seat Modifieds to compete in a 50-lap event during the 51st Annual Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic on Sunday, May 26 at 1:30pm.

The site of the famous People’s United Bank Milk Bowl, Thunder Road has hosted a variety of open-wheel events throughout its history, but never with the “dirt on asphalt” Modified rules package that has been so popular at Devil’s Bowl in recent years.  The race will be held as a companion event to the traditional 100-lap Late Model event at the Memorial Day Classic, along with Thunder Road’s regular Tiger Sportsman and Street Stock divisions.

Devil’s Bowl Speedway drivers are excited about the creation of the Thunder Road event.  Two-time defending Devil’s Bowl champion Ron Proctor will make the long haul from Charlton, NY to compete.

“I’ve heard a lot of stories about how small and tight Thunder Road is.  It really makes you leery of how much contact there might be,” Proctor said.  “But for now it’s all stories, and I can’t judge until I race it.  I know I’ll have a lot of competition from Vince Quenneville, Jessey Mueller, Hunter Bates, and those guys.  Since I’ve never raced there it will be a clean slate of sorts, but I’m hoping I can find the adjustments a little quicker than them because of my racing experience.”

Vince Quenneville, Jr. of Brandon, VT has never raced at Thunder Road, but the 2012 Devil’s Bowl runner-up knows all about it.  Quenneville’s father competed there some 40 years ago, and his employer, Todd Stone, raced there with the American-Canadian Tour.

“I’ve been a Vermonter all my life, so I’ve heard an awful lot about Thunder Road.  I know some of the guys in NASCAR today have competed there, and when guys like Robbie Crouch, Jean-Paul Cabana, the Dragons, Stub Fadden, and Ricky Craven have raced there, it excites me even more,” Quenneville said.  “Todd Stone used to run an ACT Late Model, and he told me what a tough track it was to figure out.  My father raced there in the 1970s with the old NASCAR North Tour, too.  I’m going to do a lot of asking around, and I think I can adjust faster than a lot of these guys.  A win would mean a lot to me up there.”

The Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic at Thunder Road International Speedbowl is scheduled for Sunday, May 26. Devil’s Bowl Speedway opens its season with the ACT Spring Green 113 and the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series on Sunday, May 5.  For more information, call (802) 244-6963 or visit www.thunderroadspeedbowl.com, or call (802) 265-3112 or visit www.devilsbowlspeedwayvt.com.

-30-

Contact: Justin St. Louis                                                                                                                                                          Phone: (802) 355-3282

Email: devilsbowlspeedway@gmail.com

 

 

 

NEWS FROM                                                                                                  Orange County Fair Speedway                                                                  

239 Wisner Avenue                                                                         Middletown, NY10940  

 

CONTACT

Mike Gurda

845-342-8573

 

                                                                                           

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

APRIL 13 ORANGE COUNTY FAIR SPEEDWAY OPENER MARKS

64 CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF WEEKLY STOCK CAR RACING

 

Winner of Modified feature to take home $3,000

 

MIDDLETOWN, NY (March 21)……..The winning driver in the Modified feature on Opening Night at Orange County Fair Speedway will continue a tradition that first began in 1950. While automobile racing traces its Orange County roots back to 1919, weekly stock car racing--- the precursors of today’s Modifieds---began on April 16, 1950 and has continued uninterrupted since that memorable date.

 

The first weekly racing program was held on a small one-fifth-mile asphalt-surfaced track that was located inside the famed five-eighths-mile Hard Clay speedway. Tex Enright, who later gained fame as a colorful race starter was the day’s winner, his only Orange County victory of record. Since then, 36 other drivers have won season openers, led by all-time track record holder Brett Hearn, who has tasted first night victory champagne nine times.

 

Other multi-time Opening Night winners include Carl Van Horn who captured four Modified features; three-time Opening Night victors Bobby Bottcher, Will Cagle, Rich Eurich, and Jeff Heotzler; with Frank Cozze, Danny Creeden, Bud Marl, Chuck McKee, Frankie Schneider, Al Tasnady, and Bill Wimble each winning two openers.

 

Drivers who have raced at Orange County on a weekly basis some or all of their careers have won the vast majority of Opening Night feature races. But that hasn’t always been the case. The first outside invader to take home the season opener top prize was Hartford, Connecticut driver Dick Fletcher back in 1954. Then in the 1960s, Flemington (New Jersey) Speedway great Al Tasnady won two Orange County openers, as did Fonda (New York) Speedway champion Bill Wimble.

 

In 1983, C.D. Coville, from Upstate New York, ushered in the DIRT Motorsports era by winning the first race under Glenn Donnelly’s reign. “Barefoot” Bob McCreadie, from Watertown, New York, took the local boys to task in 1985, while Jack Johnson, whose home track was also Fonda Speedway, won in 1995, the last outside invader to win on Opening Night.

 

Winning Opening Night Modified features the past six years were Mike Kolka (2007) Brett Hearn (2008 and 2010), Danny Creeden (2009 and 2011), and Chris Shultz (2012). With a $3,000-to-win feature race set for the headline Modified division, more than three-dozen top Modified drivers are looking to start their 2013 season with a victory. And who knows, there’s always the possibility an outside invader will pull into the Orange County pits and win the Opening Night top prize money.

 

It will all play out on Saturday, April 13, 2013 and the start of the 64th consecutive season of weekly stock car racing at Orange County Fair Speedway. Will a new Opening Night winner’s name be added to the long list of great Orange County drivers? Or will one of the previous victors take the checkered flag once again? Racing begins at 6:30 P.M at the historic Middletown, New York five-eights-mile “Hard Clay” surfaced speedway. Opening Night will include four divisions of race cars---Modifieds, Sportsman, Rookie Sportsman, and Street Stocks---in qualifying races and main events with the evening’s program sponsored by Nissan of Middletown.

 

Advance ticket sales and additional information is available at the Track Office. Call 845-342-2573 during business hours. Fans and competitors are reminded to visit the speedway website for the latest track news: www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net.

 

 

 

News from the Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc.-VP Racing Fuels Short Track SuperNationals – ‘The Working Man’s Race’

 

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

 

For Immediate Release/March 20, 2013

 

Lias Tire-American Racer Sets 2013 'Road to the SuperNationals' Comprising 10 Speedways In Three States; Sixth Anniversary 'Working Man's Race' Set For Oct. 11-12, 2013 At Five Mile Point

KIRKWOOD, NY - The sixth running of the Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc.-VP Racing Fuels Short Track SuperNationals is set for Oct. 11-12, 2013 at Five Mile Point Speedway.

Launched in 2006 at N.Y.'s Afton Speedway, the Short Track SuperNationals was devised as a year-end spotlight event for the weekend racer: a race offering a lucrative purse that a Friday, Saturday or Sunday night racer could attain.  Mission accomplished.

After five editions - now hosted at the historic Five Mile Point venue centrally located in Kirkwood, N.Y. - the Short Track SuperNationals remains "The Working Man's Race" of dirt Modified racing. It is a destination weekend for competitors and race fans in the Southern Tier region.

For the second consecutive season, Lias Tire of Indiana, Pa., the regional distributor for American Racer Tires, has signed on to sponsor the 'Road to the SuperNationals' which kicked off last Friday night, March 15, at Selinsgrove (Pa.) Speedway. Duane Howard of Oley, Pa. took the victory in the 'Icebreaker' 358-Modified 25-lap event with a pass of Ryan Godown and became the first SuperNationals guaranteed starter of '13.

The Lias Tire-American Racer 'Road to the SuperNationals' is comprised of qualifiers held 10 facilities situated in three states (New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania) across the Northeast. The winner of each event earns a guaranteed starting berth in the Columbus Day weekend Short Track SuperNationals Modified feature event which offers $455 to take the green flag for 50 laps of racing!

As has been the case in recent SuperNationals events, guaranteed starters will not take away from the field of cars to qualify on race day.

The 2013 Short Track SuperNationals is slated for Fri.-Sat. Oct. 11-12, 2013. The event is headlined by a 50-lap big-block/small-block Modified feature. All racing is held on Saturday (Oct. 12), with an open practice set for Friday evening (Oct. 11). Associate marketing partners include Alpine Building Supply and Small Engine Fuel. Support divisions will include Race of Champions Street Stocks and Four Cylinders.

"The American Racer/Lias Tire 'Road to the SuperNationals' allows us to give back to the weekly racers and the speedways who have been helpful in promoting the Short Track SuperNationals during its five-year existence," SuperNationals promoter and founder Brett Deyo said. "Last year, the 'Road to the SuperNationals' was well received and generated a buzz at each of the qualifiers.

"We're proud to have American Racer and Lias Tire back on board to support our event again."

Next up on the 'Road to the SuperNationals' is Big Diamond Speedway in Minersville, Pa. New speedway owner and promoter Jake Smulley hosts the Coal Region oval’s Season Opener on Sunday (March 24).

Other facilities hosting SuperNationals qualifiers include New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway (July 6); Utica-Rome (N.Y.) Speedway (July 10); Grandview (Pa.) Speedway (July 13); Five Mile Point (July 16); Bridgeport (N.J.) Speedway (Aug. 3); Penn Can (Pa.) Speedway (Aug. 23); I-88 (N.Y.) Speedway (Aug. 30); and Accord (N.Y.) Speedway (Sept. 13).

In its five-year existence, the SuperNationals developed a reputation as a racer- and fan-friendly event. A healthy purse and open rules package annually attracts a diverse cross-section of talented weekend racers to do battle at Five Mile Point, which has undergone widespread renovations under the direction of owner and promoter Andrew Harpell.  New backstretch grandstands, upgraded fencing and additional lighting greeted October ’12 SuperNationals attendees.

Last year, Accord Speedway regular Danny Tyler of Cottekill, N.Y., thrilled the crowd with a stunning late-race pass of New Jersey legend Billy Pauch Sr. to earn his first Short Track SuperNationals victory. The leaders fanned out three-wide in the final laps as Tyler, then just 22 years old, held off Capital District talent Bobby Varin (Sharon Springs, N.Y.), Southern Tier star Brian Weaver (Windsor, N.Y.) and Pauch (Frenchtown, N.J.).

Previous event winners include Howard (2011), Justin Holland (2010), Kevin Hirthler (2009) and Mike Ricci (2006, at Afton Speedway).

Lap sponsorships and other marketing opportunities are available by contacting event promoter Brett Deyo of BD Motorsports Media.  For further information on the Short Track SuperNationals, contact Deyo by phone at 845.728.2781 or via e-mail: Deyo99H@aol.com. SuperNationals info is on the web at www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com. BD Motorsports Media can also be found on Facebook (www.facebook.com/bdmotorsportsmedia) and Twitter (@BrettDeyo).

The sixth anniversary Short Track SuperNationals is presented by VP Racing Fuels, Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc., Lias Tire/American Racer, Alpine Building Supply, Shiley Fabrication, Small Engine Fuel, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, BFP Specialty, S&W Awards and many other fine marketing partners.

2013 Lias Tire-American Racer 'Road to the SuperNationals'

Friday, March 15, 2013 – Selinsgrove Speedway/Selinsgrove, PA - DUANE HOWARD

Sunday, March 24, 2013 – Big Diamond Speedway/Minersville, PA

Saturday, July 6, 2013 – New Egypt Speedway/New Egypt, NJ

Wednesday, July 10, 2013 – Utica-Rome Speedway/Vernon, NY

Saturday, July 13, 2013 – Grandview Speedway/Bechtelsville, PA

Tuesday, July 16, 2013 – Five Mile Point Speedway/Kirkwood, NY

Saturday, August 3, 2013 – Bridgeport Speedway/Bridgeport, NJ

Friday, August 23, 2013 – Penn Can Speedway/Susquehanna, PA

Friday, August 30, 2013 – I-88 Speedway/Afton, NY 

Friday, September 13, 2013 – Accord Speedway/Accord, NY

 

Short Track SuperNationals Event History

 

Oct. 6, 2012 (Five Mile Point, 50 laps): DANNY TYLER – Bobby Varin – Brian Weaver – Billy Pauch Sr. – Mitch Gibbs

Oct. 7, 2011 (Five Mile Point, 50 laps): DUANE HOWARD – Danny Tyler – Billy Pauch Sr. – Jeff Strunk – Jeff Heotzler

Oct. 9, 2010 (Five Mile Point, 50 laps): JUSTIN HOLLAND – Billy Pauch Jr. – Kevin Bates – Brian Weaver – Danny Tyler

Oct. 10, 2009 (Five Mile Point, 50 laps): KEVIN HIRTHLER – Mike Ricci – Mike Gular – Sean Merkel – Joey Grammes

Oct. 7, 2006 (Afton, 50 laps): MIKE RICCI – J.R. Hurlburt – Brian Weaver – Joey Grammes – Davie Franek

 

 

 

 

Borgers 2013 Schedule

Additional events to be added as sponsorship is secured.

 

Regular Show Consists of TQ Midgets/Asphalt 600 Sprints,  Wingless Dirt 600 Sprints,  Slingshots, Karts,  MicroStocks, Quarter Midgets.

Schedule Subject To Change

 

March 23 Open Practice 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

 

March 30 Open Practice  11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

 

April 6  Season Open  All Divisions  TQ’s Start 2:00 p.m.

 

April 13  All Divisions  Points Start plus Champ Kart King Of The Asphalt  Race 1

 

April 20  All Divisions  “Spring Fever”  Double Points  All Divisions.

 

April 27  All Divisions plus Micro Stock Racing Series MicroStocks 2:00 p.m. start.

 

May 4  All Divisions plus ATQMRA Winged Event

 

May 11  All Divisions

 

May 18  All Divisions plus Champ Kart King Of The Asphalt Race 2.

 

May 25   All Divisions plus   Mini Indy 50 for Wingless Dirt 600 Sprints  plus  Micro Stock Racing Series MicroStocks 2:00 p.m. start.

 

June 1  All Divisions  TQ’s Start 2:00 p.m.

 

June 8  All Divisions

 

June 15  All Divisions plus Champ Kart King Of The Asphalt Race 3.

 

June 22  All Divisions plus AllStar Slingshot MA Gold Tour

 

June 29  All Divisions  plus Scout Night.  All scouts in uniform free admission.

 

July 6  All Divisions plus Champ Kart King Of The Asphalt  Race 4.

 

July 13  All Divisions  TQ’s Start 2:00 p.m.  plus Micro Stock Racing Series follow TQ heats.

 

July 20  All Divisions

 

July 27  All Divisions  Christmas In July Under The Lights  Hunter Smith Motorsports Presents Race For The Cures 30  Lap   AllStar Slingshots.  plus   Wingless Dirt 600 Sprints Hot Dog Race,  Starting Time 4:00 p.m.

 

August 3  All Divisions

 

August 10  All Divisions  TQ’s Start 2:00 p.m.

 

  August 17  All Divisions plus ATQMRA Wingless Event and Vintage TQ Club All Divisions plus Micro Stock Racing Series MicroStocks 2:00 p.m. start.

 

August 24  All Divisions  “Good Bye Summer”  Double Points All Divisions

 

August 31  All Divisions  No TQ’s plus Champ Kart King Of The Asphalt Finale Race 5.

 

September 7  All Divisions  Points End.

 

September 14  All Divisions.  Plus Kid Kart Back To School 25 and Queen Of The Asphalt Powder Puff

 

September 21  OctoberFest  Race 1

 

Spetember 28  OctoberFest  Race 2.

 

October 5 *** Rumble On The Ridge  TQ  Super Nationals  35 Laps.  Wingless Dirt 600 Sprints Super Nationals 35 Laps.  Rain Date October 12.***  NO OTHER DIVISIONS.

 

October 12  OctoberFest Race 3  Or Rumble On The Ridge Raindate If Needed.

 

October 19 OctoberFest  Race 4

plus  AllStar Slingshot No Dirt Nationals  MA Silver National Tour and Junior Slingshot Nationals.

 

October 26  OctoberFest Race 5.

 

 

November 7  All Divisions  OctoberFest Raindate If Needed

 

November 14  All Divisions

 

November 21  All Divisions

 

December 14  Borgers Speedway Awards Din

 

 

 

 

I get e-mails:

 

 

“Hello Tom,

 

I enjoyed your article this week as per usual.

 

Yesterday I created a new blog site for myself to talk about the racing at OCFS this season.  I'll be adding to it on a weekly basis and hope someday you'll stop by and check it out.

 

I hope that this note finds you well.

 

Take care,

 

Jeff Lambert

 

Here is the link:  http://jeffersonlambert.weebly.com/

 

Note:  I checked it out, folks.  I think you’ll like it, too.

 

 

 

 

 

Found on Facebook:

 

Who died before they could draw their Social Security

 

 

KEEP PASSING THIS AROUND UNTIL EVERY ONE HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO READ IT...

THIS IS SURE SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT!!!!

THE ONLY THING WRONG WITH THE GOVERNMENT'S CALCULATION OF AVAILABLE SOCIAL SECURITY IS THEY FORGOT TO FIGURE IN THE PEOPLE WHO DIED BEFORE THEY EVER COLLECTED A SOCIAL SECURITY CHECK!!!

WHERE DID THATMONEY GO?

Remember, not only did you and I contribute to Social Security but your employer did, too.

It totaled 15% of your income before taxes.

If you averaged only $30K over your working life, that's close to $220,500.

Read that again.

Did you see where the Government paid in one single penny?

We are talking about the money you and your employer put in a Government bank to insure you and I that we would have a retirement check from the money we put in, not the Government.

Now they are calling the money we put in an entitlement when we reach the age to take it back.

If you calculate the future invested value of $4,500 per year (yours & your employer's contribution) at a simple 5% interest (less than what the Government pays on the money that it borrows), after 49 years of working you'd

have $892,919.98.

If you took out only 3% per year, you'd receive $26,787.60 per year and it would last better than 30 years (until you're 95 if you retire at age 65) and that's with no interest paid on that final amount on deposit!

If you bought an annuity and it paid 4% per year, you'd have a lifetime income of $2,976.40 per month.

Another thing with me.... I have two deceased husbands who died in their 50's, (one was 51 and the other one was 59 before one percent of their social security could be drawn.

I worked all my life and am drawing 100% on my own social security).

Their S.S. money will never have one cent drawn from what they paid into S.S. all their lives.

THE FOLKS IN WASHINGTON HAVE PULLED OFF A BIGGER PONZI SCHEME THAN BERNIE MADOFF EVER DID.

Entitlement my foot, I paid cash for my social security insurance!

Just because they borrowed the money for other government spending, doesn't make my benefits some kind of charity or handout!!

Remember Congressional benefits? --- free healthcare, outrageous retirement packages, 67 paid holidays, three weeks paid vacation, unlimited paid sick days.

Now that's welfare, and they have the nerve to call my social security retirement payments entitlements?

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

Yet in the last few months we have provided aid to Haiti, Chile and Turkey.

And now Pakistan......home of bin Laden.

Literally, BILLIONS of DOLLARS!!!

And they can't help our own citizens in New York and New Jersey!

They call Social Security and Medicare an entitlement even though most of us have been paying for it all our working lives, and now, when it's time for us to collect, the government is running out of money.

Why did the government borrow from it in the first place?

It was supposed to be in a locked box, not part of the general fund.

Sad isn't it.

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

I'm in the 1% --

I just did.

 

 

Even as Big Sis continues to cry poverty and use the phony "sequester" argument to releases criminal illegal aliens and furloughs border agents, the DHS is on a spending spree - hiring big salaried new staff and funding questionable projects having little to do with 'national security'. Yesterday, we saw the outrageous $50 million TSA purchase of new uniforms - enough to cancel planned furloughs on 1/3 of the Border agents being cut. As Napolitano complains of "budget cuts" DHS just posted help wanted ads for 100 new positions many paying well over $100,000 plus mega benefits. TSA is also going ahead with numerous conferences, none of which will even be scaled back. 
And documents released show just how "wisely" Big Sis has spent your tax dollars. Here's an example: over the past 4 years, DHS has spent $184 million on new FURNITURE. Those purchases include the hiring of a New York interior designer and upscale furniture retailer purchases. The inmates are truly running the asylum at DHS.
http://freebeacon.com/department-of-misplaced-priorities/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Found on the Internet:

 

Found on the Track Forum:

 

USAC HALL OF FAME EXPANDS BY 8; 4 MORE TO GO;

4 DRIVERS, 1 CAR OWNER, 1 MECHANIC, 1 OFFICIAL & 1 RACE ORGANIZER

 

Eight additional inductees into the USAC Hall of Fame have been announced, joining the 12 inaugural inductees announced in 2012. The new class includes four drivers, one car owner, one mechanic, one official and one race organizer. An additional four inductees will be selected by popular vote from a list of 16 eligibles released this week through social mediums.

 

The second annual USAC Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will be held May 18 at Raceway Park in Indianapolis, Ind. in conjunction with the annual USAC “Hall of Fame Classic” Traxxas Silver Crown Championship race.

 

The eight-member class of inductees announced today include (alphabetically) Earl Baltes, Henry Banks, Pancho Carter, Al and Bobby Unser, A.J. Watson, Don White and Bob Wilke.

 

Earl Baltes built the famed Eldora Speedway in 1954 and in 2003 hosted the richest Sprint car race in the world – the “Mopar Million” – the USAC event which offered a total purse of one million dollars. Serving as a race organizer at seven different race tracks in Ohio and Indiana, Baltes presented a remarkable 287 USAC races and was twice honored as the USAC “Race Organizer of the Year.”

 

Henry Banks, who passed away in 1994, left a significant legacy with the United States Auto Club. He served as USAC’s Competition Director during the formative years between 1959 and 1969. His driving career began in 1932 and he earned the 1941 ARDC Midget title before winning the 1950 AAA National Driving Championships. He was a six-time starter in the Indianapolis 500 and the 1962 winner of the prestigious Eddie Edenburn Award made a cameo appearance in the racing classic Roar of the Crowd. He is also a member of the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame.

 

Pancho Carter, the son of 2012 USAC Hall of Fame inductee Duane Carter, earned 70 USAC National feature victories in various series and became USAC’s inaugural Triple Crown Champion, winning the 1972 Midget, 1974 and 1976 Sprint Car and 1978 Silver Crown titles. The 1974 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year posted 17 Indianapolis 500 starts, winning the pole in 1985 and finishing third in 1982. A member of both the National Sprint Car and Midget Halls of Fame, he won the 1981 Michigan 500 at Michigan International Speedway.

 

Al Unser, one of only three four-time winners of the Indianapolis 500 (1970-71-78-87), posted a total of 48 wins in USAC National competition. A three-time USAC National Driving Champion, he also won the 1973 Silver Crown title and strung together a remarkable four consecutive Hoosier Hundred wins between 1970 and 1973. The 1978 International Race of Champions king, Al continues to lead all drivers in terms of Indianapolis 500 laps led at 612. He also won races in the USAC Stock Car and Formula 5000 Championship.

 

Bobby Unser is the only driver to win USAC feature events in five different decades! He capped his career with the 1993 title in the USAC Fast Masters after scoring three wins in the Indianapolis 500 (1968, 1975 and 1981). A two-time USAC National Driving Champ, he also won the 1975 IROC title and totaled 43 USAC feature wins in a variety of categories during his career. Part of his legend includes a sensational 13 victories in the prestigious Pikes Peak Hill Climb in Colorado.

 

A.J. Watson’s expertise as a car builder and mechanic earned his cars seven victories at the Indianapolis 500. Drivers Bob Sweikert, Pat Flaherty, Rodger Ward, Jim Rathmann, Parnelli Jones and A.J. Foyt all piloted Watson creations to victory lane. A member of the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, Watson scored 27 wins as a USAC Sprint Car owner and is also a member of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame. In 1958 Rathmann piloted a Watson-built car to victory in the “Race of Two Worlds” 500-mile event at Monza, Italy. A.J. was awarded USAC’s Eddie Edenburn Award in 1983 and Lincoln Electric Mechanical Achievement Award in 2006. Between 1961 and 1969 A.J. participated as a member of the USAC Board of Directors.

 

Don White is the winningest USAC Stock Car driver of all time. Known as the “Richard Petty of the North,” White earned 53 victories in the USAC ranks and posted a remarkable 14 wins at the famed Milwaukee Mile. The iconic leader of the Keokuk, Iowa racing clan, he competed in NASCAR races between 1950 and 1972 and in 1966 finished third in a 100-miler behind Paul Goldsmith and Richard Petty at Daytona Beach, Fla.

 

Patriarch of the famed Wilke Racing family, Bob was Rodger Ward’s car owner at the 1959 Indianapolis 500 and returned with Ward to win in 1962. He also added a 1968 victory at Indy with Bobby Unser. The Wilke family holds the all-time lead in terms of USAC feature race wins – 145 – with 31 different drivers earning National wins in their cars, which also earned numerous USAC car owner championships. In 2003 the family was awarded USAC’s Jim Blunk Award in recognition of their contributions to Midget auto racing.

 

The inaugural 12 inductees announced in 2012 included (alphabetically) J.C. Agajanian, Mario Andretti, Gary Bettenhausen, Tom Binford, Jimmy Bryan, Duane Carter, A.J. Foyt, Tony Hulman, Parnelli Jones, Mel Kenyon, Roger McCluskey and Rich Vogler.

 

Online voting for the final four inductees is now available by accessing the following link: http://apps.facebook.com/my-polls/erwcl.

 

Note:  The above was posted over on the Track Forum by Danny Burton.  He is questioning the “Race Organizer” as opposed to “Promoter”.  Me too.

 

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?174118-Race-organizer-Why-not-quot-promoter-quot

 

 

 

Some non-racing stuff:

 

QB Manning considers reworking contract for Cruz

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/qb-manning-considers-reworking-contract-193347042--nfl.html

 

 

 

A provision buried inside Obamacare will force many employers to pay an extra $63 per employee next year.  Analysts say most of the cost will likely be passed on to workers.

 

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/03/15/Employers-And-Unions-Outraged-By-63-Per-Worker-Obamacare-Fee

 

 

White House forced to consider reinstating TA (Tuition assistance for troops).

 

http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2013/03/navy-white-house-petition-tuition-assistance-031813/#.UUkGq5pxJhA.facebook

 

 

Senate votes to restore tuition assistance

 

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2013/03/military-senate-votes-to-restore-tuition-assistance-032013w/

 

 

Republican lawmakers question government on Ft. Hood massacre

 

http://news.yahoo.com/republican-lawmakers-government-ft-hood-massacre-212524871.html

 

 

 

Might this be true?  It came to me via an email on Wednesday:

 

This may be removed by FB. Read it quick: Hillary for President?

 

The Five on Fox (Fans)

... FB Gestapo is censoring the Hillary History. COPY this and share it, FAST!

 

Many "friends" of the Clintons.

 

1- James McDougal - Clintons convicted Whitewater partner died of an apparent heart attack, while in solitary confinement. He was a key witness in Ken Starr's investigation.

 

2 - Mary Mahoney - A former White House intern was murdered July 1997 at a Starbucks Coffee Shop inGeorgetown .. The murder happened just after she was to go public with her story of sexual harassment in the White House.

 

3 - Vince Foster - Former White House councilor, and colleague of Hillary Clinton at Little Rock's Rose Law firm. Died of a gunshot wound to the head, ruled a suicide.

 

4 - Ron Brown - Secretary of Commerce and former DNC Chairman. Reported to have died by impact in a plane crash. A pathologist close to the investigation reported that there was a hole in the top of Brown's skull resembling a gunshot wound. At the time of his death Brown was being investigated, and spoke publicly of his willingness to cut a deal with prosecutors. The rest of the people on the plane also died. A few days later the air Traffic controller commited suicide.

 

5 - C. Victor Raiser, II - Raiser, a major player in the Clinton fund raising organization died in a private plane crash in July 1992.

 

6 - Paul Tulley - Democratic National Committee Political Director found dead in a hotel room in Little Rock , September 1992. Described by Clinton as a "dear friend and trusted advisor".

 

7 - Ed Willey - Clinton fundraiser, found dead November 1993 deep in the woods in VA of a gunshot wound to the head. Ruled a suicide. Ed Willey died on the same day his wife Kathleen Willey claimed Bill Clinton groped her in the oval office in the White House. Ed Willey was involved in several Clinton fund raising events.

 

8 - Jerry Parks - Head of Clinton's gubernatorial security team inLittle Rock .. Gunned down in his car at a deserted intersection outside Little Rock Park's son said his father was building a dossier on Clinton He allegedly threatened to reveal this information. After he died the files were mysteriously removed from his house.

 

9 - James Bunch - Died from a gunshot suicide. It was reported that he had a "Black Book" of people which contained names of influential people who visited prostitutes in Texas and Arkansas

 

10 - James Wilson - Was found dead in May 1993 from an apparent hanging suicide. He was reported to have ties to Whitewater..

 

11 - Kathy Ferguson - Ex-wife of Arkansas Trooper Danny Ferguson, was found dead in May 1994, in her living room with a gunshot to her head. It was ruled a suicide even though there were several packed suitcases, as if she were going somewhere. Danny Ferguson was a co-defendant along with Bill Clinton in the Paula Jones lawsuit Kathy Ferguson was a possible corroborating witness for Paula Jones.

 

12 - Bill Shelton - Arkansas State Trooper and fiancee of Kathy Ferguson. Critical of the suicide ruling of his fiancee, he was found dead in June, 1994 of a gunshot wound also ruled a suicide at the grave site of his fiancee.

 

13 - Gandy Baugh - Attorney for Clinton's friend Dan Lassater, died by jumping out a window of a tall building January, 1994. His client was a convicted drug distributor.

 

14 - Florence Martin - Accountant & sub-contractor for the CIA, was related to the Barry Seal, Mena, Arkansas, airport drug smuggling case. He died of three gunshot wounds.

 

15 - Suzanne Coleman - Reportedly had an affair with Clinton when he was Arkansas Attorney General. Died of a gunshot wound to the back of the head, ruled a suicide. Was pregnant at the time of her death

part 2. 16 - Paula Grober - Clinton's speech interpreter for the deaf from 1978 until her death December 9, 1992. She died in a one car accident.

 

17 - Danny Casolaro - Investigative reporter. Investigating Mena Airport and Arkansas Development Finance Authority. He slit his wrists, apparently, in the middle of his investigation.

 

18 - Paul Wilcher - Attorney investigating corruption at MenaAi...rport with Casolaro and the 1980 "October Surprise" was found dead on a toilet June 22, 1993, in his Washington DC apartment. Had delivered a report to Janet Reno 3 weeks before his death.

 

19 - Jon Parnell Walker - Whitewater investigator for Resolution Trust Corp. Jumped to his death from his Arlington , Virginia apartment balcony August 15, 1993. He was investigating the Morgan Guaranty scandal.

 

20 - Barbara Wise - Commerce Department staffer. Worked closely with Ron Brown and John Huang. Cause of death unknown. Died November 29, 1996. Her bruised, nude body was found locked in her office at the Department of Commerce.

 

21 - Charles Meissner - Assistant Secretary of Commerce who gave John Huang special security clearance, died shortly thereafter in a small plane crash.

 

22 - Dr. Stanley Heard - Chairman of the National Chiropractic Health Care Advisory Committee died with his attorney Steve Dickson in a small plane crash. Dr. Heard, in addition to serving on Clinton 's advisory council personally treated Clinton's mother, stepfather and brother.

 

23 - Barry Seal - Drug running TWA pilot out of Mena Arkansas, death was no accident.

 

24 - Johnny Lawhorn, Jr. - Mechanic, found a check made out to Bill Clinton in the trunk of a car left at his repair shop. He was found dead after his car had hit a utility pole.

 

25 - Stanley Huggins - Investigated Madison Guaranty. His death was a purported suicide and his report was never released.

 

26 - Hershell Friday - Attorney and Clinton fundraiser died March 1, 1994, when his plane exploded.

 

27 - Kevin Ives & Don Henry - Known as "The boys on the track" case. Reports say the boys may have stumbled upon the Mena Arkansas airport drug operation. A controversial case, the initial report of death said, due to falling asleep on railroad tracks. Later reports claim the 2 boys had been slain before being placed on the tracks. Many linked to the case died before their testimony could come before a Grand Jury.

 

THE FOLLOWING PERSONS HAD INFORMATION ON THE IVES/HENRY CASE:

 

28 - Keith Coney - Died when his motorcycle slammed into the back of a truck, 7/88.

 

29 - Keith McMaskle - Died, stabbed 113 times, Nov, 1988

 

30 - Gregory Collins - Died from a gunshot wound January 1989.

 

31 - Jeff Rhodes - He was shot, mutilated and found burned in a trash dump in April 1989.

 

3 2 - James Milan - Found decapitated. However, the Coroner ruled his death was due to natural causes".

 

33 - Jordan Kettleson - Was found shot to death in the front seat of his pickup truck in June 1990.

 

34 - Richard Winters - A suspect in the Ives/Henry deaths. He was killed in a set-up robbery July 1989.

 

THE FOLLOWING CLINTON BODYGUARDS ARE DEAD:

 

36 - Major William S. Barkley, Jr.

 

37 - Captain Scott J . Reynolds

 

38 - Sgt. Brian Hanley

 

39 - Sgt. Tim Sabel

 

40 - Major General William Robertson

 

41 - Col. William Densberger

 

42 - Col. Robert Kelly

 

43 - Spec. Gary Rhodes

 

44 - Steve Willis

 

45 - Robert Williams

 

46 - Conway LeBleu

 

47 - Todd McKeehan

 

Quite an impressive list! Pass this on. Let the public become aware of what happens to friends of the Clintons!

 

Note:  Just for the heck of it, I did a search on # 8, above – Jerry Parks, and was quite surprised at what turned up:

 

Who Murdered Jerry Parks?  His wife knows!

 

http://terpsboy.com/Articles/JerryParks.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video time:

 

We lost Country singer Jack Greene on March 15th at the age of 83.  Here’s a video of him from five years ago, when he was 78, singing to a group of some well known country singers.  Wish I had the CD’s/DVD’s of those shows!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH7DLuzuPeo

 

 

 

 

Photos:

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

Here’s a photo of the late Bill Vukovich, with his wife, Esther – photo taken after he had a hard day at the office.

 

 

 

 

Closing with this:

 

In the year 2013, the Lord came unto Noah, Who was now living in America and said:

"Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me." "Build another Ark and save 2 of every living thing along with a few good humans."

 

He gave Noah the blueprints, saying:

"You have 6 months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights."

Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard - but no Ark."Noah!," He roared, "I'm about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?"

 

"Forgive me, Lord," begged Noah, "but things have changed."

"I needed a Building Permit."

"I've been arguing with the Boat Inspector about the need for a sprinkler system."

 

"My homeowners association claim that I've violated the

Neighborhood by-laws by building the Ark in my back yard and exceeding the height limitations. We had to go to the local Planning Committee for a decision."

 

"Then the City Council and the Electricity Company demanded a shed load of money for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the passage for the Ark's move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear none of it."

 

"Getting the wood was another problem. There's a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the Greater Spotted Barn Owl."

"I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls - but no go!"

 

"When I started gathering the animals, PETA took me to court. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodations were too restrictive and

it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space."

 

"Then the Environmental Protection Agency ruled that I couldn't build the Ark until they'd conducted an environmental impact study on Your proposed flood."

 

"I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities I'm supposed to hire for my building crew."

 

"The Immigration Dept. Is checking the visa status of most of the people who want to work."

"The labor unions say I can't use my sons. They insist I have to hire only union workers with ark-building experience."

 

"To make matters worse, the IRS seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species."

"So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this ark."

 

"Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine and a rainbow stretched across the sky."

 

Noah looked up in wonder and asked, "You mean you're not going to destroy the world?"

 

"No," said the Lord. " The Government beat me to it."

 

 

 

Until next week, folks!

 

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