Racin' & Different Stuff:

                                      By Tom Avenengo

                                         Volume # 132

                                                   03/28/2013

 

Late news – from Facebook:

 

Black Rock Speedway Cancels March 30th Rock Launcher

Black Rock Speedway owner Dean Hoag has canceled this Saturdays opener out of concerns for driver safety and equipment cost. We’ve got the track at about 70% but we really needed a few more warmer days and nights to get it to 100%. Turns three an four are just not drying as much as we would like and we feel that this will just cause the track to become to rough and become un-raceable. A suitable make up date has not been researched at this time. Keep checkinghttp://blackrockspeedway.com/ for info on this show and on our season points opener.

 

 

 

 

First:

 

From last weeks column:

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.”

Well, it seems to have worked pretty well.  Column came out with no major problems as far as weird fonts with bold and size problems.  I just had to re-type the headlines, so it seems.

 

 

Second:

I’m not going to say that I’m a know-it-all, but when I first started attending races, back in the mid 40’s, then into the 50’s and up, drivers didn’t have mirrors or spotters.  Betcha if Logano had no mirror or spotter, he would never have put a block on Stewart last Sunday.  If that had happened back in the day, Stewart would have made a clean pass of Logano.  OK, I realize that if you were to eliminate spotters and mirrors, and only had communication between the track and drivers – for safety announcements, like cautions and reasons for the cautions, some – quite a few, would lose their jobs – especially the spotters.

 

 

 

Third:

I’ve said it before and will continue to do so – no pitting under the yellow unless you’re the reason for the yellow.  I’m very much surprised that we have not had injuries – whether minor or major on pit road when you get anywhere from 30 cars pitting at once.  Just seems to me that the racing would probably be better if all pit stops were under green flag conditions.

 

 

Fourth:

Last Saturday, I accompanied my son, Eric, on a quick trip to Virginia, so he could drop off his son, Dillon so the little guy could spend a week with his mother in North Carolina.  We left my house around 7:15AM, got to the meeting spot a tad before noon, then made it back to my house a little after 4:30, or so.  Had a bit to eat, checked over the bills received in the mail, then headed to Middletown to see the Motor Sports show in the arena at the fairgrounds.  There was a decent crowd in attendance, especially when one has to figure that the Accord Speedway had its banquet on Saturday night.  A nice variety of cars was on hand to, although, as I expected, no midgets on display.  Heck, there ain’t no midget races around this area anymore.  I was kinda surprised that there were not more Micro Sprints there, to be honest.  Karts, too. 

 

 

Fifth:

While on our trip last Saturday, to Virginia and back, Eric and I talked mostly about racing.  We got on the subject of why one doesn’t see anymore two cycle Karts racing.  There up-keep is so much easier than a 4 cycle.  Heck, if something goes wrong in the engine department, it was usually a burned piston or a “C” clip breaking.  But in a 4 Cycle, many things can be the culprit – valves or valve springs, usually.  On top of that it seems the 4 cycle engines required more maintenance and refreshing.  Now I do, on occasion, get “Brain Farts” – hey, I’m OLD and they’re expected!  But while I was talking with Tim Hindley at the Motor Sports show last Saturday night and while we were talking about the demise of the 2 cycle class, Tim did remind me that California, some years ago, banned two stroke engines.  Gradually, that seems to have spread across the whole country.  Guess that’s the reason, huh?

 

 

 

Sixth:

Tony George reinstated to Hulman & Co board

http://www.wthr.com/story/21772279/tony-george-reinstated-to-hulman-co-board

 

 

 

Seventh:

 

Penske bristles at “petty” criticism toward Logano

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/penske-bristles-petty-criticism-toward-164735553--nascar.html

 

 

 

Eighth:

 

About the Denny Hamlin accident:  No idea as to why that wall was not a “Safer Barrier”.  Reading on the Internet, they have a couple of inside walls that are just plain concrete walls and not the safer barriers at that track.  Next, I noticed that just prior to hitting that wall, Hamlin’s car went up a short incline, which, more than likely, pushed him down into his seat and could probably have helped with him getting that compression fracture of the L1 vertebra at the lowest part of his back.

 

Hamlin has compression fracture in back, tweets picture

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2013/03/25/denny-hamlin-injured-joey-logano-nascar-sprint-cup/2018153/

 

                                                

Ninth:

While watching the Cup race this past Sunday, the wife commented on how many commercials there were.

Race and Commercial Breakdown of the 2013 Auto Club 400:

 

For those of you NASCAR fans that like stats and love to hate commercials, here is the breakdown for Sunday's race. Began recording the times at the Invocation of the race at 3:00 PM, and stopped at the waving of the checkered flag at 6:17 PM (all times are EST). I did not keep records for the pre- and post-race coverage. Fox was the broadcast team for this event.

Total number of commercials: 109

Total number of companies or entities advertised: 55

Number of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 102

Total number of companies or entities advertised: 54

Number of 'Side-by-Side' commercials during race broadcast (split-screen): 7 And one was cut short to return to racing action

Total number of companies or entities advertised: 6

Number of times Fox utilized 'Side-by-Side' commercials during this broadcast: 2 And one was cut short to return to racing action

Total number of brief promos of products/services during the race broadcast: 44

Total amount of time these brief promos take during broadcast: app. 5 min. 15 sec

Start time to record race/commercial periods: 3:00 PM

End time to record race/commercial periods: 6:17 PM

Total minutes of complete race broadcast: 197

Minutes of race broadcast: 146

Minutes of traditional commercials (not split-screen): 51

Minutes of 'Side-by-Side' commercials (split-screen): 4

Number of missed restarts: 0

Number of 'mystery cautions' (debris not shown): 1

Total race brdcst time 146 Total comm. brdcst time 51

See more, links and past races on my2013 TV Commcericials page.(3-25-2013)

 

 

Tenth:

Found this on Facebook:

Oakland Valley Speedway

Opening weekend POSTPONED until April 6th. We will still be doing an open practice for all divisions as well as the swap meet and a late Easter Egg Hunt!!!

Open Practice – 12:00 – 5:00
$25.00 for practice which includes the pit pass
$12.00 pit pass – includes table set up fee
Motorcycles & Quads – flat track only

 

 

Eleventh:

 

Didn’t really mean for this item to appear in “Eleventh”, but this message came out on Facebook late Tuesday evening:

 

Joe Gibbs Racing

Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin was evaluated today by Dr. Jerry Petty of Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates after suffering an L1 Compression Fracture during an accident on the final lap of Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway.

Dr. Petty determined that Hamlin will not require surgery, but will need time to properly heal, which is estimated around six weeks time. Dr. Petty will make the determination when Hamlin will be able to return to racing this season.

No decision has been made on a replacement driver for Hamlin during his absence from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.”

 

 

 

Twelfth:

 

Monticello Motor Club looking at noise-lessening alternatives to wall

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130327/NEWS/303270339/-1/COMM

 

Note:  This track is only a few miles from where I live, in Port Jervis, NY.  The track has mentioned previously, and as mentioned in this article, that they are thinking of having some professional races during the summer.  Indy Car was mentioned in a previous article.

 

 

 

Thirteenth:

 

I picked this up on the Dirt Track Digest’s forum/message board:

 

Taxes and Racing

 

http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/index.php?/topic/46853-taxes-and-racing/

 

 

 

 

 

Found on Jayski’s website:

http://www.jayski.com/

 

Stewart-Logano conflict upstages Hamlin-Logano feud: 

 

After trading barbs on Twitter a week ago, #11-Denny Hamlin and #22-Joey Logano actually traded paint on Sunday, throwing away their chances to win the Auto Club 400 by banging each other into oblivion on the final lap at Auto Club Speedway. But it was Logano's row with #14-Tony Stewart that led to the most heated exchange of the season so far, first as Stewart tried to get a piece of Logano on pit road and later as the three-time champion roasted the 22-year-old with criticism that turned very personal.
The Hamlin-Logano feud, which began last week at Bristol when Hamlin's attempted bump-and-run sent Logano's Ford spinning into the wall, escalated at Fontana, as Hamlin drove to the outside of Logano to start the final lap and the drivers traded shots until they wrecked in Turn 3 -- to the benefit of Kyle Busch, who was running third at the time and won the race. Logano was credited with a third-place finish, but Hamlin's car slammed nose-first into the inside wall. Hamlin was airlifted to a local hospital for precautionary evaluation.
But it was Logano's block of Tony Stewart on the final restart on Lap 190 that had Stewart seething after the race, to the point where he nosed in front of Logano's car on pit road (stopping its progress), climbed out and confronted the young driver before crew members intervened. Logano acknowledged that the block was a deliberate attempt to win the race.
"I had to throw the block there," Logano said. "That was a race for the lead. I felt if the 14 (Stewart) got underneath me, that was going to be the end of my opportunity to win the race, so I was just trying to protect the spot I had. I was actually pedaling, because I couldn't keep the 18 (race leader Kyle Busch) aligned (in front of Logano's No. 22 Ford, as the rules require on a restart). I was actually faster than the 18 getting our tires hooked up. And then I'm trying to stagger myself making sure I don't beat him to the line, and then I had to block the 14 because I was pedaling it. I'll talk to him and we'll see what happens."
Stewart was having none of it.
"He's going to learn a lesson," Stewart said. "He's run his mouth long enough& He's nothing but a little rich kid who's never had to work in his life, so he's going to learn what us working guys who had to work our way up& how it works. He has the choice to do that. He's in control of his car. But if he ever turns down across in front of me again -- I don't care what lap it is -- he won't make it through the other end of it& I'm tired of these guys doing that stuff, especially out of a kid that's been griping about everybody else -- and then he does that the next week& send Denny to the hospital and screw our day up. He's talked the talk, but he hasn't walked the walk yet. He's always got his crew guys walking the walk for him."(
NASCAR Wire Service)(3-25-2013)

 

 

Hamlin injured in last lap wreck at Auto Club UPDATE & Statement: 

 

In a wild finish, #22-Joey Logano was leading the Auto Club 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Auto Club Speedway at the white flag and #11-Denny Hamlin was next to hm a few feet behind the #22. The two drivers raced hard and got into each other on the backstretch, sending Logano into the outside wall and #11-Hamlin hard into the inside wall, which has no SAFER (for some reason). After climbing from the car under his own power, Hamlin laid down and was put on a stretcher and then an ambulance and taken to the infield care center. Hamlin was them taken by helicopter to a local hospital. #18 crew chew chief Dave Rogers was interviewed by SPEED's Kenny Wallace and said that he talked to team owner J.D. Gibbs and supposedly Hamlin has some back pain and was taken to the hospital as a precaution.(3-24-2013)


UPDATE: 

 

#11-Denny Hamlin was airlifted to a hospital after a hard single-car crash at the inside wall on the final lap of Sunday's Auto Club 400. Hamlin was awake and alert in the infield care center before being transported, but was taken to the hospital for further evaluation. A helicopter was used due to post-race traffic. Hamlin was helped from his car after the hard hit and seemed to collapse outside his car after he had pulled the window net down. He was taken by ambulance to the infield care center, where crew chief Darian Grubb hurried inside to check on the driver. Hamlin's girlfriend,Jordan Fish, tweeted

 Sunday night: "Thank u everyone for your messages concerning Denny. Darian is keeping us posted. He's alert n awake, main concern is his back.(USA Today)


JGR STATEMENT: 

 

Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) driver Denny Hamlin was involved in an accident on the final lap of Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway. Hamlin complained of lower back pain at the track's infield medical center and was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation. Hamlin will remain at the hospital overnight for observation. No further updates are expected tonight.(JGR)(3-25-2013)

 

 

Penske defends Logano: 

 

Team owner Roger Penske staunchly defended #22-Joey Logano after his Sprint Cup driver was involved in a pair of controversies near the end of Sunday's race at Auto Club Speedway. "I'm 150% behind my driver, and I think he's a real star on the team," Penske told USA TODAY Sports in a phone interview Sunday night after returning to his home in Michigan. Logano wrecked with Denny Hamlin while racing for the lead in a final-lap incident that sent Hamlin to the hospital for overnight observation after his #11 Toyota sustained heavy right-front impact with an inside wall not covered by a SAFER barrier. Tony Stewart confronted Logano after the race because he was upset with being blocked on the bottom lane in the closing laps. "It's time he learns a lesson," Stewart said. "He's run his mouth long enough and done this double standard, but he's nothing but a little rich kid who has never had to work in his life." Racing for the lead on a restart with 10 laps remaining, Stewart felt that Logano blocked him low, forcing Stewart's Chevrolet all the way to the inside apron. The momentum shift ended up thwarting what looked to be Stewart's best finish of the season, and after drifting back, Stewart finished all the way back in 22nd place. "He has that right, he has the choice to do that. If he ever turns down across in front of me again, I don't care what lap it is, he won't make it through the other end of it," Stewart said.(USA Today))(3-25-2013)

 

 

Dale Jr recommends small change to Auto Club Speedway: 

 

From a Team Chevy post race press conferences transcript, #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. was asked:


Q. A lot has been said this weekend that the track hasn't been resurfaced or redone in a while. Some people are calling it character like Fenway Park or Wrigley Field. What's your take?


DALE EARNHARDT, JR.:

 

I think it's great. Do everybody a favor, whoever owns this place, and pave the back straightaway. If you pave the back straightaway, there's some real bad bumps, we all watched it on TV in the Nationwide race and I'm sure you saw it today. It's just going down the back straightaway. It probably doesn't cost much to pave the two lanes that we race in, and that would really cure any complaints that I got. I think the corners are perfect. I wouldn't pave anything or change anything about the turns. This place has got -- this is the age of asphalt that I think tracks strive for. This is what places like Michigan and Phoenix look forward to, you know, when they get a good 10, 15 years on their asphalt. This is really right in the ballpark, right in everybody's wheelhouse. I think everybody that runs in the Cup garage really likes the surface. It's just real bumpy down the back straightaway for some reason, and it doesn't have to be, and I think they can fix that with a couple lanes of asphalt on that outside toward the wall, and like I said, the corners, man, you couldn't ask for a better racetrack."(Team Chevy)(3-25-2013)

 

 

Sad News - "Jivie" Simpson: 

 

Mr. Torrence "Jivie" Simpson Jr., 76, of Concord, died Saturday, March 23, 2013, at Tucker Hospice House. He was born Sept. 29, 1936, to the late Torrence and Myrtle Craig Simpson. After serving in the U.S. Army, Jivie worked as a welder at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Racing was his life. He built the first Jet Truck, the first Code 3 Emergency Truck and the first Legend Car at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Jivie also built cars for David Smith Racing, Ernie Irvan Racing and J.D Gibbs Racing. Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord is serving the Simpson family. Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com. See more at Independent Tribune.(3-25-2013)

 

No penalties from Auto Club Speedway: 

Kerry Tharp, NASCAR Director of Communications, tweeted Tuesday, "NASCAR will issue no penalties from last weekend's events at [Auto Club Speedway]".(3-26-2013)

 

Hamlin released form hospital UPDATE2: 

#11-Denny Hamlin spent the night at a local hospital in the Fontana, Calif., area and was released on Monday to fly home to Charlotte, where Dr. Jerry Petty of Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates will evaluate him later in the week. Hamlin told reporters that it is too hard to say if he will be ready for the next Sprint Cup race as he walked out under his own power, according to one of his representatives. The Sprint Cup series has this weekend off, then resumes its schedule on April 7 at Martinsville Speedway. Dr. Petty declined to talk about Hamlin's case or compression fractions in general until he has met with Hamlin.(ESPN.com)(3-26-2013)


UPDATE: 

Denny Hamlin walked out of Loma Linda University Medical Center on Monday night under his own power, one day after sustaining a fractured L1 vertebra in a crash at Auto Club Speedway. Hamlin, wearing a thick back brace under a gray sweatshirt, had difficulty breathing as he spoke to two reporters, including one from USA TODAY Sports, upon his release. Hamlin said he immediately knew "I was in big trouble" after he felt a pop in his back following a violent collision with the wall  the result of a crash triggered by contact with rival Joey Logano as the two raced for the win on the final lap. "The position I was in, I couldn't breathe at all," Hamlin said. "I'm still having a hard time breathing. Literally, when I felt a pop, I couldn't move at all and I knew I had to get flat to my back to be able to breathe again. That's why I rushed out and just laid flat on the ground to start breathing again." Hamlin, who was en route to fly home to North Carolina, said he had to be 100% straight  no bending at all. Otherwise, he said, "I run out of breath." Though it's too early to tell whether Hamlin will miss any races, he seemed to understand there was a lengthy recovery in front of him. He tried to read up on the injury, he said, and nothing was very encouraging. Hamlin said he will meet with Dr. Jerry Petty near Charlotte on Wednesday or Thursday for further evaluation. "He's going to spend tomorrow looking at scans to distinguish what the next step is," Hamlin said. "We're kind of leaving the analyzing for him on what to do either surgery-wise or just stick with a brace and let it heal itself. Either way, obviously, both of them take a lot of time."(more at USA Today)

 

UPDATE2:

 

Asked specifically Monday night if Logano had tried to call him, Hamlin said, "No. I've heard from pretty much all my peers   which has been humbling to say the least. It makes me really happy and keeps your spirits up when you hear from all your peers and everything," he added. "That part of it has been very encouraging." So, does he view the incident as the product of hard racing or as a part of the rivalry between the two? "I think it's a little bit of both if I had to characterize it," he said. "I really went out of my way throughout the day to give the #22 (Logano) room in a lot of places. He raced me really hard for really the entire event   and obviously other guys as well. But at the end I think he saw I was going to win and wasn't going to let that happen."(FoxSports)(3-26-2013)

 

 

UPDATE 3: 

 

Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin was evaluated today by Dr. Jerry Petty of Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates after suffering an L1 Compression Fracture during an accident on the final lap of Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway. Dr. Petty determined that Hamlin will not require surgery, but will need time to properly heal, which is estimated around six weeks time. Dr. Petty will make the determination when Hamlin will be able to return to racing this season. No decision has been made on a replacement driver for Hamlin during his absence from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.(Joe Gibbs Racing)(3-26-2013)

 

 

Logano says he wasn't trying to wreck Hamlin:

 

#22-Joey Logano said he did not realize #11-Denny Hamlin was involved in a hard crash when he made televised comments suggesting the driver had it coming   nor did he mean to wreck his former teammate on the last lap of Sunday's Auto Club 400. Logano told USA TODAY Sports by phone Monday that he had "no idea" Hamlin was hurt or even that he hit the wall hard when he told Fox: "He probably shouldn't have done what he did last week (at Bristol), so that's what he gets."

"I just thought we were racing hard, you know?" Logano said Monday. "It happens. You don't ever want anyone to get hurt; you don't ever want anything to happen, especially to Denny. We were racing really hard there at the end of the race. I wish there was a SAFER barrier down there, and I wish I knew before I made any comments on TV also." Logano insisted he was not trying to wreck Hamlin "in any way, shape or form."(USA Today)(3-26-2013)

 

 

 

Sadler expected to fill in for Hamlin: 

 

Elliott Sadler has been chosen as the primary sub for Denny Hamlin. All that's preventing an official announcement, as of Wednesday morning is a few details to work out with sponsor Fed Ex. Sadler, who was long pegged as the likely choice is driving full-time for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Nationwide Series and was scheduled to drive a fourth Cup car in a limited schedule later this season. There are no conflicts on the Nationwide schedule that would affect Sadler until early June.(Frontstretch)(3-27-2013)

 

 

No penalties from Auto Club Speedway UPDATE: 

 

Kerry Tharp, NASCAR Director of Communications, tweeted Tuesday, "NASCAR will issue no penalties from last weekend's events at [Auto Club Speedway]".(3-26-2013)


UPDATE: 

 

Sprint Cup Series director John Darby addressed the media Tuesday afternoon and discussed the decision to not issue fines;


Q. Going back to the decision not to penalize anybody there, Stewart did cut off Logano on pit road, and started an incident there. Can you tell me why the governing body decided there was nothing wrong there? 


JOHN DARBY: Yeah, all of the post-race incidents, a few years ago, we backed away from micromanaging drivers' emotions. You would hope in today's world that if somebody didn't win a race, they would be upset about it for whatever reason. That's what our drivers do is they try to win races. So the emotions that follow a race sometime, as long as stuff -- and keep in mind, there's the checks and the balances, but a couple of drivers at the end of the race arguing a little bit doesn't create a foul in our world today. The crews did a great job of managing their drivers to make sure that it didn't cross the line to where there was physical violence or anything like that, and that's what you would hope. That's just another example of the state of competition in NASCAR racing, and the disappointments that come sometimes when you don't win the race. I don't see any foul there at all.(NASCAR)(3-27-2013)

 

 

France takes responsibility for decision to fine Hamlin: 

 

[NASCAR CEO Brian] France has been busier than usual to start the season. He met with reigning champion Brad Keselowski in late February to discuss questionable comments the Penske Racing driver made in a newspaper article. Then came a suspension of Nationwide Series driver Jeremy Clements for using a racial slur in front of an MTV reporter, followed by a $25,000 fine to Hamlin for criticizing the new Gen-6 car and the quality of racing at Phoenix. France acknowledged it was primarily his decision to penalize Hamlin, and he stood by that decision. "There's always going to be, when we make decisions that are not black and white per se, we're always going to have people all over the organization that may not have made that call," France said. "But I did. I'm crystal clear with everybody about where the line is, what we can accept, and about how the sport is going today. And that is we give more latitude than any professional sport to criticize, speak their mind and say whatever they want. We encourage it, actually, including criticism that gets directed at us. But when the driver . . . begins to call out the quality of the racing or the rules packages, we have to make that call or opinions will shape what may not be reality." France met with Hamlin, who dropped his right to appeal the fine, and believes they are on the same page now.(ESPN)(3-27-2013)

 

 

Logano, Hamlin exchange texts: 

 

Roger Penske said Wednesday that Joey Logano and Denny Hamlin have exchanged text messages since their final-lap crash at Fontana last weekend that left Hamlin hospitalized with a fractured vertebra. Penske said he's also sent text messages to Hamlin, who is expected to miss at least six weeks. Penske and Logano, one of his drivers, were playing in the pro-am leading up to his week's PGA Houston Open. Logano twice turned down interview requests. "I've texted back and forth with him and said that we're thinking about him," Penske said. "Obviously, we're hoping for a speedy recovery. It's never good to have a driver out for a period of time." He didn't know what Logano and Hamlin said to one another in their text messages. NASCAR returns to action April 7 at Martinsville Speedway, and Penske said it's time for everyone to "settle down."(Associated Press)(3-37-2013)

 

 

 

 

 

Former OVRP Dirt Oval runners:

 

Last Saturday, at New Egypt, in the modified feature, Danny Creeden was 22nd.  In the Sportsman feature, Anthony Perrego was 16th.  As I figured, track conditions were quite rough.

 

Note # 1:  An interview with Danny Creeden on Doug’s Dirt Diary from this past weekend: 

http://www.dougsdirtdiary.com/audioplayer.php?id=16859

 

Note # 2:  While I was at the Motor Sports show in Middletown, last Saturday night, I had a nice chat with Brad Szulewski.  Having read on Facebook that his schooling will carry into August, and that his fathers workload (construction) is quite full, chances of them running their car are basically slim to almost none.  So, if anyone is looking for someone to put in the seat of their race car, you might want to check out with Brad.  He’s on Facebook.  He’s a good “shoe”.

 

 

 

 

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 26th edition – picked up from the Digital Service:

 

I have no idea as to whether any of the other indoor TQ races might not be on the schedule, next year – 2014, but there will be a two day show in Trenton, NJ on February 7th and 8th – Friday and Saturday, in the Sun National Bank Center.  A different support program will be with the TQ’s on each night.

 

Lebanon Valley Speedway had their Banquet last weekend and handed out over $100,000.00 in point fund monies.  Brett Hearn, the modified champion received a check for $9,000.00.

Note:   I guess I can see why most banquets do not make mention of monies won.  I’ve heard it said the modified champion at a track close to my home gets a check equal to a modified feature win, which is quite a lot less than what Brett put in his pocket.  Hey, you have to hand it to the “Valley” – you no sooner get through the gate and you’re hit with 50/50 girls selling tickets.  Good looking young ladies, too, which surely does not hurt the sales.  On top of that they are continually going through the stands.  That’s something that a lot of tracks could improve on, as far as I’m concerned – 50/50 ticket sales with proceeds going towards the drivers point funds.

 

Did you hear about the F-1 race last weekend in Malaysia?  It seems Sebastian Vettel was told by his team to finish second behind his team mate Mark Webber.  Also, Lewis Hamilton finished third, but was pressured by his team mate, Nico Rosberg, who, while attempting to pass Hamilton was ordered not to. 

The FIA has frowned on team orders lately, but it wasn’t known if there would be an investigation, or if anything would happen.

Note:   I can recall, back in the day – the 50’s, when the Mercedes F-1 team manager, Neubauer, I think his name was, would tell his drivers prior to the start of an F-1 race just where they were supposed to finish – 1st, 2nd and 3rd.  In most cases they finished in those positions.

 

Down in Ocala, Florida, last Saturday, at Bubba Raceway Park, ageless Buzzie Reutimann won the nights UMP DirtCar Modified feature.  In doing so, Buzzie is now the point leader – the oldest ever, at the track.

 

 

Lenny Sammons:

 

In his column, he makes note of two appearances by the ESS at the Selinsgrove (Pa) Speedway – April 6th and May 18th.  The 6th race is a 360/358 Challenge race, while the 18th race is a stand alone race for the ESS.  The 358 Sprints will run a separate show that day.

 

Note:  How this writer would love to see the ESS at OCFS.  It almost happened, I believe, last year at Eastern States Weekend, except for one little problem (track wanting ESS to bring sponsor dollars with them).  At least that’s what I was told.  With them running at Selinsgrove, they sure can’t use an excuse that OCFS is too far for them to travel to.

 

 

Ernie Saxton:

 

Ernie had an excellent photo of his all time favorite driver, Johnny Thomson, in the Sam Traylor # 2 Sprint Car in his column. 

 

Note:  Back in the day, when that photo was taken, Indy drivers would run the local tracks – midgets and sprint cars.  That helped put butts in the stands, and on top of that, after the races, one could go into the pit area and “rub elbows” with the drivers.  Not so, today, unfortunately. 

 

And that was a good part of Ernie’s column – “Indy Car drivers need to become public figures for the division to soar”.

Ernie makes not of how Jeff Gordon thumbed his nose at Indy Car and went with NASCAR. 

 

Note:  Roger Penske has a little to do with that, folks, telling Gordon “no” when Gordon asked him if he could try out one of the Penske Indy Cars.

 

 

Ron Mentus:

 

“Mergers – the ‘road’ to success”?

 

An interesting read that made mention of the merger of CART and Indy Car which has helped the car counts to an extent.  But the increase of road courses to ovals – 10 to 6 this year, seems to have hurt some.  He also mentions the merger of the American Le Mans Series and the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series – more than likely caused by dwindling car counts over these past few years as a main reason for the merger.

 

Ron is questioning sportsmanship in racing, noting how there’s been an increase in verbal and physical goings on lately.  He also wonders what has happened to Danica Patrick.  Her average finish, after five races is 27th.

 

 

Steve Barrick:

 

He had an article about the OCFS Motor Sports Show.  Bethel Speedway is introducing a new class – Beginners Legends.  Gary Palmer had the Accord Speedway Banquet on Saturday night so he could only make his annual appearance on Sunday.  The show, cut down from three days to two, had almost as many visitors as past shows, for the two days.

 

Steve also had another article in this weeks paper – one about Wingless Sprint Car racing on TV.  Jackslash Media, MAV-TV Network, along with some folks from Lucas Oil will be telecasting some races from Indiana.  No, not nationally – yet.  And, they’re not televising USAC events.

More info on this can be found if you go to:

www.jackslash.com and www.mavtv.com

 

 

Steve was quite busy last week, and a third article makes mention of 21 year old Aaron Ott making a return to Sprint Car racing with his dad, Don Ott.  If you recall, young Aaron had a second neck injury early on in 2012, which put him out of racing.  They’ll be making a return running with the URC.  Don expects to have a 410 ready for the Lincoln Speedway’s WoO show.

 

 

 

Todd Heintzelman:

 

You’ve heard that Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahn, among others, own race teams, right?  Well, last week, at Lincoln Speedway, Cole Duncan won the Sprint Car feature.  The owner of the car:  Bobby Labonte.

 

 

Don & Jo Ann Davies:

 

Most of their column was about the RoC race last Saturday at the New Egypt Speedway.  As I figured, what with new clay being put down just two weeks prior to the race, and with the cool temps, it was going to be a rough day/night at New Egypt.  On top of that, some teams from upper New York State encountered some rather not so nice road conditions on their way south, with some reporting near misses – accident wise.

Twenty-seven cars started the Modified 60 lap feature.  Eleven managed to survive the rough track conditions. 

 

 

Herb Anastor:

 

So what do Marshall Teague, Dick (born James) Rathmann, Paul Goldsmith, Bobby Johns, Cale Yarborough, LeeRoy Yarbrough, Donnie & Bobby Allison all have in common?  They were former NASCAR drivers that ran in the Indy 500.  A few drivers that tried to make the 500 were Curtis Turner, Robert “Red” Byron, Junior Johnson and Robert Glenn Johnson, Jr.

 

If you’re into the history of auto racing in this country, Herb usually has some interesting tid bits and columns devoted to “Back in the day”.

 

 

Russ Conway:

 

Russ had an article pertaining to the late Charlie Elliott.  Mr. Elliiott passed away on March 20th at the age of 96.  Mr. Elliott built what is known as Star Speedway, in New Hampshire.  He was also involved with the Hudson and Lee Speedways.  He had many jobs in his lifetime, from race driver to mechanic to welder.  He built the first rear engine race car that ran on an oval track.  He was the first to operate Supermodified races in Florida, beginning in the late 60’s.

 

 

John Snyder:

 

John covers some of the history of OCFS in this weeks issue.  Rocky DiNatale won the first stock car race at OC on September 18, 1948.  Tex Enright won on April 15, 1950, on the small track.  Indy racer Ira Vail ran at OC and won his first race at OC in 1921.  Vail also won the first race at the Flemington, NJ track.  Due to weather problems, the 1986 Eastern States race was held on April 25, 1987.  Rich Eurich won his first opening night race in 1982.  OC has had 37 different opening night winners in 63 years, with Brett Hearn having 9 opening night wins.

 

 

Gary London:

 

Gary, as usual, went back in time, again.  Back in the day, when the midgets were big, a regular show consisted of three heats, two semi finals, maybe a class “B” race and/or a consolation, and a feature.  That even held true when the stock cars replaced the midgets.  With some extra time, other things were added, like “Thrill Shows”.  Earl “Lucky” Teter started thrill shows in 1934.  One thing he came up with was the ramp-to-ramp jump with a car.  With the U.S. at war at the end of 1941, Teter had two shows booked for 1942.  He used a 1938 Plymouth sedan for the ramp-to-ramp jump, a car that wasn’t running right.  The jump failed, and “Lucky” Teter died of a broken neck.   Mrs. Teter sold the show to Jack Kochman.

Gary also makes mention of the ridiculous fine imposed on NASCAR driver Carl Long – Long using a borrowed engine that measuredthismuchtoobig was fined $200,000.00 by NASCAR, and with his wife listed as the car owner, she was responsible.  The fine was later transferred to Carl, and since he has not paid it, he cannot go into the pit area during a Cup race.

 

 

Some of the things covered in this weeks edition:

 

Horton's $10,000 
New Egypt Win Prolongs 
His Racing Career


Selinsgrove Announces 
Late Model Purse, 
Point Fund Hikes


Unrelenting Winter Weather Wreaks 
Havoc Nationally, Regionally


Len Sammons Motorsports Productions 
Announces 2014 Indoor Race In Trenton


Lincoln 410 Upset:  
Buckeye Cole Duncan 
Stuns Central Pennsy


VonDohren's Big Diamond Win 
Gets Year Off To Good Start


Wingless Indiana Sprint Racers 
Are Going In Television


McMahan, Larson Win 
WoO West Coast Mains

 

 

 

Press Releases:

News from Friesen-Deyo Promotions – Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. ‘Dirty Jersey 60’

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

For Immediate Release/March 20, 2013

Avis, Serving The Jersey Shore, “We Try Harder” Award Set For Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. Super DIRTcar Series Event At New Egypt Speedway Tuesday, June 18; Bonus Awards Begin To Add Up

NEW EGYPT, NJ For one driver whose night didn’t start out as they would have liked during the first Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. ‘Dirty Jersey 60’ there will be some redemption.

Avis Car Rentals has signed on to support the “We Try Harder” Award at the ‘Dirty Jersey 60’ which marks the return of Super DIRTcar Series big-block Modified racing to the Garden State 7/16ths-mile oval on Tuesday, June 18 (rain date: June 19). The first-ever Friesen-Deyo Promotions event, co-promoted by Stewart Friesen and Brett Deyo, is headlined by a 60-lap Super DIRTcar Series main event – the first at New Egypt since 2007 – with the ‘Turnpike 25’ for Open vs. Crate Sportsman serving as the supporting act.

The Avis “We Try Harder” Award offers $300 cash and a commemorative plaque to a Modified competitor who struggled to qualify for the main, advanced toward the front via a consolation starting spot or overcame obstacles during the feature to post a respectable finish.

“This is an award to a driver who put in the effort and persevered,” said event co-promoter Friesen. “Thanks to Avis, we are able to hand out some extra cash and a plaque to reward them for their hard work.”

Avis, serving the Jersey Shore with locations in Monmouth, Ocean and Burlington counties, is the presenting sponsor of the unique “We Try Harder” Award.

Already, Shiley Fabrication of Williamstown, Pa., stepped up as the ‘Hard Luck Award’ sponsor for the ‘Dirty Jersey 60’ program. The ‘Hard Luck Award’ recipient in the Modified ranks – selected by media members and race officials - will take home a complete set of bumpers and rubrails.  

The Modified ‘Dirty Jersey’ program will offer full Super DIRTcar Series points and a $6,000 winner's share from a hefty $27,500 total purse. Matt Sheppard of Waterloo, N.Y., a former New Egypt Speedway champion (2007), secured the Mr. DIRTcar Modified title during each of the last three years. He earned more than $35,000 in point fund cash for his championship in 2012.

Sheppard, 30 years old, owns two Super DIRTcar Series Modified victories at New Egypt: the first came on Sept. 24, 2005 in a 100-lap grind. The second came during the most recent Super DIRTcar Series visit to New Egypt on Oct. 13, 2007. Sheppard won the first of Twin 50s contested that evening. Keith Hoffman of Whitehall, Pa., won the second. 

The Super DIRTcar Series has visited New Egypt on 11 occasions (12 events) from June 1998 through Oct. 2007. 

The ‘Turnpike 25’ for Sportsman joins the Super DIRTcar Series on the program. The event is 25 laps and offers a minimum of $750 to win (plus bonuses and lap money). Crate and Open Sportsman teams are eligible to compete.

Marketing opportunities remain for the ‘Dirty Jersey 60’ inaugural event. Lap sponsorships are on sale for the Modifieds ($25 per lap) and Sportsman ($20 per lap). In the Modified event, lap 52 has been set aside in memory of the Stan Friesen and lap 60 is dedicated to racer and promoter Doug Hoffman. The racing community lost both over the winter months. All contributions for the two special laps will be pooled.  To inquire about lap or bonus award sponsorships, contact Brett Deyo at Deyo99H@aol.com or by phone: 845.728.2781.

For the ‘Dirty Jersey 60’ pit gates will unlock at 4 p.m.  Spectator gates open at 5 p.m. Hot laps are planned for 6:30 p.m. and Modified qualifying begins at 7 p.m.  A rain date for Wednesday, June 19 has been established.

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

The ‘Dirty Jersey 60’ is presented by Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc., Avis Rental Car, Shiley Fabrications, VP Racing Fuels and many other fine marketing partners

About New Egypt Speedway 
Located in New Egypt, N.J., New Egypt Speedway features a daylight-quality lighting system and excellent sightlines from any seat in the house. There are clean, heated restrooms, a monitored playground area for young fans and restaurant-quality concession stands serving up a full menu at family style prices. The racy, 7/16ths-mile clay oval hosts tight, wheel-to-wheel, all-out competition. New Egypt Speedway’s GPS address is 720 Route 539 New Egypt, NJ 08533 and the speedway website is www.newegyptspeedway.net.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

I get e-mails:

 

The Quote of the Decade: "The fact that we are here today to debate raising America 's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure.  It is a sign that the US Government cannot pay its own bills.  It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government's reckless fiscal policies.  Increasing America's debt weakens us domestically and internationally.  Leadership means that, "the buck stops here.'  Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren.  America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership.  Americans deserve better." ~ Senator Barack H. Obama, March 2006

 

Pass it on and on and on until it comes back to you!  Then send it out again!

 

(It was so nice of him to give us this great quote for posterity!)

 

SO, USE IT!!! Only 86% will send this on.

 

Should be a 100%.

 

Please send it on if only to one person.

 

 

 

 

Found on Facebook:

 

Mel Kenyon fans....on April 15th, Mel will be 80 years old. We would like to see him receive a minimum of 80 birthday cards from fans (how about 800?). If you would like to participate, send your card (feel free to add a personal note or photo) to: Mel Kenyon c/o Joy Kenyon (so she will know it is a card for Mel), 2645 South 25 West, Lebanon, IN 46052. Pass the word along to any Mel fans you may know. Let's make this a great gift for one who has given so many thrills to his fans and given so much to the sport.

 

 

 

 

 

Found on the Internet:

 

From the Track Forum:

 

Protection against vertical G-forces?

 

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?174436-Protection-against-vertical-G-forces

 

 

 

 

 

Some non-racing stuff:

 

 

Taxpayers to subsidize NY’s higher minimum wage

 

http://news.yahoo.com/taxpayers-subsidize-nys-higher-minimum-143533956.html

 

 

 

 

Editorial:  State (NY) needs to get priorities straight

 

http://poststar.com/news/opinion/editorial/editorial-state-needs-to-get-priorities-straight/article_9ee64478-9684-11e2-9666-0019bb2963f4.html

 

In part:

New York will shell out millions to improve the Buffalo Bills’ stadium, while cutting services for disabled people, but that’s OK, according to the Cuomo administration, because the state will be able to use a luxury box at the stadium to promote upstate to employers.

We suggest, instead, the box be reserved for disabled people, since the budget paying for it is being balanced on their backs.

Beyond the team’s sad performance — it hasn’t made the playoffs since 1999 — is a principle that should be fundamental to government operations: The state should not give taxpayer dollars to successful businesses to keep doing what they are already doing.

New York should not have contributed tens of millions of dollars to construction of new stadiums, which opened in 2009, for the Yankees and the Mets.”

 

 

 

Little hope seen for millions priced out of health overhaul

 

http://news.yahoo.com/little-hope-seen-millions-priced-health-overhaul-213934894--business.html

 

 

 

 

Our massively one-sided Immigration debate

 

http://www.cnbc.com/id/100593528?__source=yahoo%7Cheadline%7Cquote%7Ctext%7C&par=yahoo

 

 

 

 

Gun control:  Public support is waning, poll finds

 

http://news.yahoo.com/gun-control-public-support-waning-poll-finds-204331892.html

 

 

 

 

 

Army Captain “DHS Acquisitions are ‘bold threat of war’ against the American people.

 

http://www.teaparty.org/retired-army-captain-warns-dhs-acquisitions-are-bold-threat-of-war-against-the-american-people-22057/

 

 

 

 

Video time – racing stuff:

 

How about a video of how the work has progressed on the new pit area at OCFS – video taken this past Sunday, March 24th, by Jeff Lambert.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=dkxFtDa_nws

 

 

Video time - music videos:

 

It was on March 25, 2009, when we lost Dan Seals.

 

Dan Seals, who as part of the duo England Dan and John Ford Coley sang the hit "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight" and other 1970s soft-rock touchstones, has died. He was 61.

His death was caused by complications related to lymphoma, said Marty Martel, a talent agent who worked with Seals. The singer died at his daughter's home in Nashville, the Associated Press reported.

http://articles.latimes.com/2009/mar/27/local/me-dan-seals27

 

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

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dVTW1ZHuNc

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKpn-GYsKSc

 

Same song, but in person:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXZQTIVc5sg

 

 

 

 

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 Lloyd Christopher, one of the top midget drivers from the late 40’s.  If you look close, down from the word “Special”, towards the bottom of the car, you’ll be able to see his left shoe, right behind where the front radius rod connects to the chassis, where the bottom sheet metal ends.

 

 

 

 

Closing with these:

 

I tried to catch some fog, but I mist.

 

When chemists die, they barium.

 

Jokes about German sausage are the wurst!

 

A soldier who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.

 

I know a guy who's addicted to brake fluid. He says he can stop any time.

 

How does Moses make his tea?  Hebrews it.

 

I stayed up all night to see where the sun went. Then it dawned on me!

 

This girl said she recognized me from the vegetarian club, but I'd never met herbivore.

 

I'm reading a book about anti-gravity. I can't put it down.

 

I did a theatrical performance about puns. It was a play on words.

 

They told me I had type-A blood, but it was a Type-O.

 

A dyslexic man walks into a bra…

 

PMS jokes aren't funny, period.

 

Why were the Indians here first? They had reservations.

 

Class trip to the Coca-Cola factory. (I hope there's no pop quiz.)

 

Energizer bunny arrested. Charged with battery.

 

I didn't like my beard at first... but it grew on me.

 

Did you hear about the cross-eyed teacher who lost her job because she couldn't control her pupils?

 

When you get a bladder infection, urine trouble.

 

What does a clock do when it's hungry? It goes back four seconds.

 

I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me!

 

Broken pencils are pointless.

 

What do you call a dinosaur with an extensive vocabulary? A thesaurus.

 

England has no kidney bank, but it does have a Liverpool.

 

I used to be a banker, but then I lost interest.

 

I dropped out of communism class because of lousy Marx.

 

All the toilets in New York's police stations have been stolen. Police have nothing to go on.

 

I got a job at a bakery because I kneaded dough.

 

Haunted French pancakes give me the crepes.

 

Venison for dinner? Oh, deer!

 

Earthquake in Washington, obviously government's fault.

 

I used to think I was indecisive, but now I'm not so sure.

 

Be kind to your dentist. He has fillings, too.

 

Velcro ... what a rip off!

 

Cartoonist found dead in home. Details are sketchy.

 

 

 

Until next week, folks!

 

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