Racin' & Different Stuff:

                                      By Tom Avenengo

                                         Volume # 147

                                                   07/11/2013

 

 

Racin’ & short’ stuff:

 

This past Monday the wife had an appointment to find out how her colonoscopy went.  Good news!  She got a double “Thumbs up”!  Yes, she had tears of joy in her eyes!

 

 

I’ve attended two Indy Car races on a July 4th.  The first – Darlington in 1951 for a 250 mile race.  That took 2:23:14 to run.  This past Sunday – Pocono for a 400 mile race which took 2:04 to run.  I’d say speeds have gone up some.

 

Link for the Darling information:

http://www.ultimateracinghistory.com/race.php?raceid=1135

 

 

Pocono – the good:

Fan turnout has to be #1 here.  I was quite surprised to see the photos that showed the stands.  Where we sat, Section V which was almost at the end of the stands towards the first turn, it was basically empty.  Reminded me of OCFS on a Saturday night.  Looking to our left it sure looked like a decent crowd on both sided of the S/F line.  Where we sat, it was bench seats, not “chairs”.

Fan friendly ranks # 2.  Everyone was very friendly and courteous. 

# 3:  You “Gotta go”?  Plenty of rest rooms for both women and men.

# 4:  We were fortunate to be able to park in the handicapped section, on pavement, behind the stands.  After the race, most cars had an 8x10 piece of paper under their windshield wipers.  It was to direct us onto the track, up the front stretch, around turn 3 and exit between turns 2 & 3.

# 5:  A safe race that took just a tick over two hours to complete the 400 miles.

# 6:  From what I’ve read, the Vintage cars were invited back for next years race, and were asked to bring more cars, if possible.

# 7:  Reports are that those that run Pocono were ecstatic as far as the fan turn out went, and it was over their expectations.

# 8:  Excellent speaker system!

# 9:  Need more than 24 cars for such a big track.

#10:  Only two yellows, which we expected to see very few of.  However, with the re-start after the second yellow, it was more “Hairy” on the front stretch.

# 11:  Indycar will be back to Pocono in 2014, for sure.  See “Found on Internet”, below.

 

# 12:  Found on the Internet:  After the race Sunday, the drivers were almost all positive. Several praised the fan turnout. Driver Simon Pagenaud said Pocono's distinctive three turns provided a worthy challenge. Charlie Kimball called the track "an incredible place."

 

And not surprisingly, Scott Dixon gushed about Pocono after taking the checkered flag.

 

"I love this place. Pocono, the fans, just everyone has been fantastic," Dixon said. "I hope we race here for many, many, many more years."

 

http://articles.philly.com/2013-07-09/sports/40446076_1_pocono-raceway-pocono-indycar-joseph-mattioli

 

 

 

 

Pocono – the bad:

# 1:  Seeing the driver you were rooting for lose it in the first turn on the first lap and cream the wall.

# 2:  Just a tad high on their food prices.  We brought my small gas grill and cooked hamburgers and ate prior to the race.

# 3:  As I mentioned above, where we sat it was bench seating.  Where my daughter, Judy, and I sat on Thursday, closer to the S/F line, and where we were restricted to sit, was “chair” seating.  Granted we were in those seats a lot longer than we sat on Sunday, but, to me, those “chairs” were rather uncomfortable.

# 4:  The Vintage Cars – I thought they would be on the track prior to the 400, during the pace laps, but they were on the track more like at 11:22 AM – while we were getting ready to eat, so we missed them.

# 5:  With 24 cars starting, and the track being two and a half miles around, a few more cars would help.

# 6:  Exiting the track – even though we were able to go onto the track while exiting, there were some delays, but definitely not like a NASCAR race!

# 7:  No idea as to what happened on I-80 East, but there was a huge back-up of traffic.  We had already planned on taking I-380 North off of I-80, but the back up on 80 was prior to the I-380 exit – more than a mile.  Once we got onto I-380, we could see more traffic backed-up on 380 South, for I-80 East.  Unfortunately, the track cannot control that.  Even if there was an exit from the track to I-80 as was thought of years ago, and planned, it would not have helped.

# 8:  No Vintage Cars behind the grand stands.  Quite a few of those in attendance were NASCAR fans, and were attending to see what these kind of races were like.  I think some Vintage Cars behind the stands would be neat and let the “Taxi” fans see real race cars – even if from the past.

# 9:  Numbers on the cars.  A pale yellow car with a white number?  Numbers are on the rear “fenders” behind the rear wheels, and too small.  It wasn’t all that long ago that the numbers were on the rear wing side panels and readable.  Ok, so the teams have transponders and get their times every lap, but the fans in the stands – they’d like to see numbers still, I think.

# 10:  With only 1.1 seconds separating the fastest from the slowest in time trials, I rather expected a closer race, not so much single file stuff.

 

Note:  From the Pocono Raceway, on Facebook, on Tuesday afternoon:

 

 

Pocono Raceway

 

RACEWAY STATEMENT REGARDING JULY RACE TRAFFIC:

 

The following is a statement from Pocono Raceway President and CEO, Brandon Igdalsky, regarding the race traffic before and after the Pocono INDYCAR 400 Fueled by Sunoco on Sunday, July 7.

 

“The entire staff at Pocono Raceway thanks everyone in attendance at the Pocono INDYCAR 400 Fueled by Sunoco Racing on Sunday, July 7. The number of race fans who witnessed the historic return of the IZOD IndyCar Series to “The Tricky Triangle” exceeded our expectations and we truly appreciated being able to share the experience with all of them. We would also like to express our gratitude to the INDYCAR teams, drivers and officials for putting on an amazing race.

 

Before and after the 400-mile open-wheel event, there was a large amount of traffic as fans tried to enter and exit our facility. After one of the most competitive races the Raceway has seen in years, fans expressed their disappointment, almost immediately, via social media posts, phone calls and through e-mails.

 

This week, we have meetings with state and local officials to find the exact reason for the breakdown and ensure these issues are resolved moving forward.

 

We sincerely apologize for the woes faced by dedicated race fans. As President and CEO of Pocono Raceway, I am making a solemn promise, to every race fan, we will do everything in our power to make the traffic situations better in the future.”

 

 

 

Some Pocono information:

 

Strong attendance for IndyCar at Pocono

 

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/auto_racing/20130708_Strong_attendance_for_IndyCar_at_Pocono.html

 

 

Official Box Score for the Pocono INDYCAR 400

 

http://www.indyracing.com/News/2013/07/7-7-Box-Score-Pocono-INDYCAR-400

 

 

IndyCar racing, and its fans, return to Pocono

 

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-pocono-indycar-fans-20130708,0,1896046.story

 

 

 

 

Check this out:

 

1998 Pro Stock OCFS Car Count

 

http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/index.php?/topic/48147-1998-pro-stock-ocfs-car-count/

 

Note:  Quite interesting to read.  Shows what's happened and maybe why.

 

 

 

How about this – also from DTD’s Forum:

 

Big D this Fri....FREE FREE FREE

 

People people people....It's almost here....FANdemonium @ Big Diamond Speedway this coming Fri night....This Fri night you'll have the reg 3 division show of SBM, SPTS and Road Runners on the card and the admission is FREE FREE FREE....Thats right, it ain't no joke, BDS is giving the fans a BIG THANK YOU for a GREAT season so far by having a FREE admission night....People always want or like somethin' for nothin', well this Fri at the Diamond you are actually going to get it, lol, NO BULL....On the tracks FB page it says that the track is asking the fans to buy their concessions if they want food ( I would hope fans would do so anyway), so no outside food will be allowed in the speedway....Also only smaller size coolers allowed with a 6 pack/beer per person rule in affect this week....I know it's only Monday, lol, but weather man saying Fri looks like the only day of the week with no chance of rain/storms, temps in the low 80's and much lower humidity this Fri....So things are truly shaping for this Fri to truly be FANdemonium and be a night to remember at BDS....The racing has been top notch this year so far, great track conditions have pretty much been the norm since opening day to allow this....Great point battles going on in all 3 of the tracks reg divisions, with CVD holding off Jeff Strunk, Meme Desantis and Doug Manmiller so far....Billy Moyer just took the top spot in the SPTS after last Fri, but Jared Umbenhauer is just 3 points behind, followed by Ray Woodall and Kevin Beach, with Beachy only being 99 points back....And the Road Runner points battle is a battle royal also with Chris Holland, Marc Berzowski and Jeremy 'Bad Boy' Becker all dukin' it out for the top spot in that division.

Ya never been to BDS and wanted to check it out, don't get much better than FREE admission, COME CHECK THE PLACE OUT....If ya been to BDS before, well like Jake and Jasmine posted, this is a THANK YOU for your support....Make your plans now people, get there early, and enjoy and AWESOME NIGHT of racing for FREE, thanks to BDS, it's on them this week, lol.

 

 

 

 

A friendly reminder:

This was taken from the April 30th issue of the AARN, and was in column # 137, dated May 2nd.

 

JR Kennerup:

 

JR gives this travel hint – Traveling through the Binghamton area will be a nightmare.  All traffic going through the Rt 17 and I-81 connection will be reduced to one lane in all directions.  This will cause huge traffic delays so plan accordingly or find an alternate route.  The New York State Department of Transportation has stated that delays during peak driving hours could reach as high as three hours in all directions.

 

 

For the fans of the NY/NJ Giants:

 

Giants and Cruz agree to long-term deal

 

In part:

"The new deal is worth $43 million, according to media reports."

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/giants-cruz-agree-long-term-205714710--nfl.html

 

Note:  Personally, I don't care how good a player is - in any sport - the pay has gotten way out of hand.

 

 

 

Coming up:

 

Vintage at Loudon:

 

http://www.vintagecelebration.com/

 

23nd Annual Vintage Racing Celebration

July 30 - August 4, 2013

 

 

The 23rd Annual Vintage Racing Celebration returns to New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2013. In an effort to keep it out of the rainy spring weather, the event shifts from its traditional May schedule to the warm mid-summer sunshine of late July and the beginning of August. The event will add two more days from 2012 to further increase track time.

 

The Vintage Racing Celebration will begin with three Oval Days (July 30-Aug. 1), which will feature track sessions with vintage midget, modified, sprint, Indy and stock cars.

 

The Road Course Days will run more formalized races from (Aug. 2-Aug. 4) and will feature car races from the Vintage Racing Group and motorcycle races from the U.S. Classic Racing Association.

 

The Classic and Custom Car Show will be combined into the weekend. Car owners will bring their cars on Aug. 3 and 4 to compete in several different categories, including the coveted Best in Show prize.

 

For more information and entry forms click here:

 

http://www.nhms.com/events/vintage_racing_celebration

 

 

SAVE THE DATE!!!

 

Note:  My daughter Judy, and I had all intentions of going, but a couple of things kinda put a stop to it – my granddaughter, Samantha, is taking the big step (getting married) on the 27th of July, and I’m not comfortable with leaving the wife alone for three days.  Maybe next year – if they have it again.

 

 

 

Speaking of “Vintage” racing:

 

 

On July 9, 1948, there were six different tracks running Midgets in the NE area.  On the next day, the 10th, there were five different tracks.  On the 11th, four different tracks.  All that with no Interstate Highway system, too.  I wonder just how many midgets were there in the Northeast area, anyway?

 

 

Freeport Stadium, NY

9th July 1948

1 Ted Tappett

2 Harold Bickelhaupt

3 Johnny Peterson

ARDC Midget races.

 

Hinchliffe Stadium, NJ

9th July 1948

1 Mike Nazaruk

2 Bill Schindler

3 Bob Disbrow

Midget races

 

Lanham Speedway, MD

9th July 1948

1 Shorty McAndrews 25 laps

2 George Fonder

3 Larry Bloomer

ARDC Southern midget races

 

Mohawk Stadium, MA

9th July 1948

1 Lloyd Christopher

Midget races

 

Seekonk Speedway, MA

9th July 1948

1 Tony Bonadies

2 Chet Gibbons

3 Joe Sostilio

Midget races

 

Stafford Springs, CT

9th July 1948 – 1/5 mile paved oval

1 George Flemke 25 laps

2 Charlie Ethier Yacavone V8

3 Len Duncan

4 Johnny Kay

ARDC Midget races

 

 

 

Hey, as long as I’ve gone back in time, how about going back to July 10, 1856?  That’s the birth date for Nikola Tesla.  He was quite a remarkable human being – especially with electrics.  It’s mind boggling as to what he was able to do with electricity. 

 

One little thing:

 

But it is a mystery car once demonstrated by Nikola Tesla, developer

of alternating current, that might have made electrics triumphant.

 

Supported by the Pierce-Arrow Co. and General Electric in 1931, he

took the gasoline engine from a new Pierce-Arrow and replaced it

with an 80-horsepower alternating-current electric motor with no

external power source.

 

At a local radio shop he bought 12 vacuum tubes, some wires and

assorted resistors, and assembled them in a circuit box 24 inches

long, 12 inches wide and 6 inches high, with a pair of 3-inch rods

sticking out. Getting into the car with the circuit box in the

front seat beside him, he pushed the rods in, announced, "We now

have power," and proceeded to test drive the car for a week, often

at speeds of up to 90 mph.

 

As it was an alternating-current motor and there were no batteries

involved, where did the power come from?

 

See what I mean?

 

 

 

 

That plane crash in San Francisco – wonder why other channels didn’t show this video which clearly shows the plane skimming across the water before hitting that rock wall?

 

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/news/asiana-plane-crash-video-170857047.html

 

 

 

I get emails:

 

4 Simple Questions

 

1. Back in 1961 people of color were called 'Negroes.' So how can the Obama 'birth certificate' state he is "African-American" when the term wasn't even used at that time ?

 

2. The birth certificate that the White House released lists Obama's birth as August 4, 1961 & Lists Barack Hussein Obama as his father. No big deal, right ? At the time of Obama's birth, it also shows that his father is age 25 years old, and that Obama's father was born in " Kenya , East Africa ". This wouldn't seem like anything of concern, except the fact that Kenya did not even exist until 1963, two whole years after Obama's birth, and 27 years after his father's birth. How could Obama's father have been born in a country that did not yet exist? Up and until Kenya was formed in 1963, it was known as the "British East Africa Protectorate".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenya_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenya)

 

3. On the Birth Certificate released by the White House, the listed place of birth is "Kapi'olani Maternity & Gynecological Hospital". This cannot be, because the hospital(s) in question in 1961 were called "KauiKeolani Children's Hospital" and "Kapi'olani Maternity Home", respectively. The name did not change to Kapi'olani Maternity & Gynecological Hospital until 1978, when these two hospitals merged.  How can this particular name of the hospital be on a birth certificate dated 1961 if this name had not yet been applied to it until 1978?

http://http://http/www.kapiolani.org/women-and-children/about-us/default.aspx

(http://www.kapiolani.org/women-and-children/about-us/default.aspx)

Why hasn't this been discussed in the major media ?

 

4. Perhaps a clue comes from Obama's book on his father. He states how proud he is of his father fighting in WW II. I'm not a math genius, so I may need some help from you. Barack Obama's "birth certificate" says his father was 25 years old in 1961 when he was born. That should have put his father's date of birth approximately 1936-if my math holds (Honest! I did that without a calculator!!!) Now we need a non-revised history book-one that hasn't been altered to satisfy the author's goals-to verify that WW II was basically between 1939 and 1945. Just how many 3 year olds fight in wars? Even in the latest stages of WW II his father wouldn't have been more than 9. Does that mean that Mr. Obama is a liar, or simply chooses to alter the facts to satisfy his imagination or political purposes (still qualifies as a "liar"). --

 

This really dumbs it down to a level where even the liberals can understand it, (if they would just take the time to pull their head out of Obama's ass).

 

 

 

 

Found on the Internet:

 

Question: I’ve attend ever Indy Car race held at Pocono, but due to previous plans I’m unable to make it this year. Do you know if the contact includes next year? If so, I’d like to start make plans for 2014. (Jack, Centennial, Colo.)

 

Answer: Track president Brandon Igdalsky said it’s a three-year contract, but he was vague about the terms. My sense is, the first two years are guaranteed with there being an option for the third year. But to your point, yes, I expect there’s a 2014 race there, so start planning. Brandon understands an event needs time to grow.

 

 

 

 

From Facebook:

 

Sunday night – 7/7/13:

 

Pocono Raceway

Goodnight from "The Tricky Triangle!"

 

Thanks to the fans, IndyCar Series drivers, teams and all involved in what was an amazingly awesome race weekend!

 

 

Monday, 7/8/13 – from Jackie Brown racing:

 

BATTLE AT THE BULLRING RACERS: We are trying to get a tire order together for this event so that we can have the tires you need prior to that week. If you could please leave us a comment or shoot us a message or see us at the track and let us know what compound tire you plan on running, we would appreciate it so that we can have what you need!! Please note, we will not be able to have Hoosiers available for purchase. Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

From Jayski:

http://www.jayski.com/

 

You’re gonna love this first one, folks!  Guess there were just too many race teams involved, huh?  What a joke NA$CAR has become.

 

No penalties after Daytona:

Following a thorough review, NASCAR announced Wednesday that it will not assess penalties to the teams that had to change out the spacers that support the hinge bar of the car's roof flaps last week at Daytona International Speedway. There were 16 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams and 15 NASCAR Nationwide Series teams that were involved. "We examined this from every aspect we possibly could and determined that there would be no penalties involved," said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition. "Based upon our inspection and subsequent review, it was our determination that the functionality and safety aspects of the roof flaps were not compromised and the on track competition would not be impacted. Moving forward we will work with the roof flap manufacturer and the race teams to evaluate and optimize the associated installation hardware, review the process in its totality and communicate in a timely manner to the garage area any revisions that we determine need to be made."(NASCAR)(7-10-2013)

 

 

 

Jeff Gordon heads to Pocono to take in Indy Car race:

#24-Jeff Gordon couldn't resist seeing Indy cars race at Pocono Raceway, which is why he made a stop at the track today on his way home from Daytona International Speedway, where NASCAR raced Saturday night. Gordon lives in New York City. "I can't even imagine coming down that long straightaway and bouncing into Turn 1," he said before today's Pocono 400. "Two hundred and 20 miles per hour around this place, that's why I'm here. I can't fathom that kind of speed." Marco Andretti's pole speed (221.273 mph) was more than 41 mph faster than Joey Logano's stock car track record set last year. Gordon couldn't remember the last IndyCar race he attended, but he figured it was before he reached the Cup Series in 1992. Gordon came to the track with his son, Leo, who will be 3 next month. Gordon said his wife, Ingrid, saw a television ad for the IndyCar race and encouraged him to witness it. So he worked out travel arrangements.(Indianapolis Star)(7-7-2013)

 

 

Football at Daytona International Speedway?

Is NASCAR's most famous race track ready for some football? Or basketball? Or even hockey? Daytona International Speedway president Joie Chitwood III thinks it will be after a $400 million renovation, and he is more than a little bit interested in making it happen. "We're spending $400 million improving our facility," Chitwood told Yahoo! Sports Saturday. "Why wouldn't we? We can look at soccer, football, music," he said. "We can do anything. The opportunities are limitless." The idea of football at the place made famous by the Daytona 500 seems far-fetched, with the emphasis on far: The Speedway is so mammoth  it seats more than 100,000 in the frontstrech  that it's tough to imagine being able to making out the numbers on the backs of players' uniforms from the sweeping grandstand. Yet Chitwood points out that when it holds Supercross events, fans are seated on the track here. So once the renovation is complete and the place is more intimate, he says, "the door is wide open."(Yahoo Sports)(7-7-2013)

 

 

From last weeks column in Jayski info:

 

Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence to be announced: NASCAR will announce the third recipient of the Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence on Saturday, July 6 at Daytona International Speedway. The recipient of the award, which is named after inaugural winners and NASCAR broadcasting legends Ken Squier and Barney Hall, will be honored during NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony festivities on Jan. 29, 2014 and featured in an exhibit in the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C.

One of the following nominees will receive the prestigious annual award:

Russ Catlin, one of the best-known early racing writers and historians, served as editor of Speed Age Magazine

Chris Economaki, known as the "Dean of Motorsports," spent more than 50 years as editor of National Speed Sport News

Shav Glick, covered motorsports for the Los Angeles Times for 37 years, bringing NASCAR coverage to the West Coast

Tom Higgins, the first NASCAR beat reporter to cover every race in a season, he covered motorsports for The Charlotte Observer for 34 years

Bob Jenkins, served as the lead NASCAR lap-by-lap anchor at ESPN from 1982-2000.

Bob Moore, spent more than 20 years as a NASCAR beat writer including stints with the Daytona Beach News-Journal and The Charlotte Observer

Benny Phillips, spent 48 years covering NASCAR for the High Point (N.C.) Enterprise, 27 years for Stock Car Racing and 12 years on TBS

T. Taylor Warren, best known for his three-wide photo of the 1959 Daytona 500 finish, he covered every Daytona 500 until his death in 2008.(NASCAR)(6-29-2013)

 

Note:  I'm betting on Economaki

 

 

Economaki Named Third Squier-Hall Award Recipient:

Known for more than 50 years as the "Dean of American Motorsports," the late journalist and broadcaster Chris Economaki has been named the third recipient of the Squier-Hall Award for NASCAR Media Excellence. Economaki will be honored during NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony festivities on Jan. 29, 2014 and featured in an exhibit in the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C.

Economaki, who died last year at age 91, was the editor, publisher and columnist for National Speed Sport News for more than 60 years, a weekly racing publication he began selling at race tracks at the age of 14. He began his television broadcast career with ABC in 1961 and with CBS Sports helped make the Daytona 500 one of racing's marquee events.

Economaki was among eight nominees voted upon by a panel comprised of NASCAR and NASCAR Hall of Fame executives, journalists, public relations representatives and former drivers. The Squier-Hall Award was created in 2012 to honor the contributions of media to the success of the sport. Legendary broadcasters Ken Squier and Barney Hall, for whom the award is named, were its initial recipients.

"Chris Economaki dedicated his life to covering motorsports, and his exceptional talent for storytelling brought NASCAR to millions of readers and viewers for more than 60 years," said Brian France, NASCAR Chairman and CEO. "Though we all miss seeing him at the race track every week, we're proud that Chris' legacy will continue to live through this well-deserved award."

The son of a Greek immigrant who was born in Brooklyn but spent most of his life in Connecticut, Economaki participated in the growth of automobile racing from its pre-World War II small-town and county fair circuits. He worked at the sport's grassroots, alongside many historic promoters  including NASCAR founder Bill France  and went on to cover most of the 20th and 21st centuries' greatest figures.

Economaki's National Speed Sport News "three-dot" column was a weekly must-read throughout the motorsports industry. He eschewed technology for decades, hammering out his copy on an old, manual typewriter while others in the media centers tapped on computer keyboards. Few, however, matched Economaki's insights  or his many reliable sources.

He appeared in several racing-themed motion pictures and was part of the CBS broadcast team that won a Sports Emmy for Outstanding Sports Special (the 1987 Daytona 500). He was awarded the 1990 NASCAR Award of Excellence and NASCAR Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998. Economaki is a member of several halls of fame including the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, the American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association (AARWBA) Hall of Honor, Eastern Motorsports Press Association (EMPA) Hall of Fame and the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) Hall of Fame.(NASCAR)(7-6-2013)

 

Note:  No, I had no inside info on this!

 

 

Shepherd to set record for oldest driver:

Brian Keselowski Motorsports will have Shepherd piloting the #52 in the NASCAR Sprint Cup event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the Camping World RV 301 on July 14, 2013. "This is truly a milestone, great opportunity and I thank all who are involved to help make this happen. My first Sprint Cup race since 2006. Will be good to be back for such a historical day. Plus I love racing at New Hampshire", said Shepherd. Shepherd will be making history by being the oldest NASCAR Sprint Cup driver ever to start a NASCAR Sprint Cup event. Shepherd is honored to carry the SupportMilitary.org on the #52 and is currently seeking additional sponsorship for this historical event.(MorganShepherd.com)

 

AND Morgan Shepherd is set to become the oldest driver to start a NASCAR Sprint Cup race this weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The 71-year-old Shepherd is listed as the driver of the #52 Toyota owned by Bob Keselowski. There are 43 cars listed on the preliminary entry list that NASCAR released Monday. Unless there are any additions, every car will make the field for Sunday's Camping World RV Sales 301. He would surpass Jim Fitzgerald as the oldest starter in a Cup race. Fitzgerald was 65 years, 6 months, 20 days when he ran at Riverside, Calif., in June 1987. He finished 17th. Shepherd last ran a Cup race in Sept. 2006 at New Hampshire, finishing 42nd. He's run in four Nationwide races this season with a best finish of 35th at Talladega and Kentucky.(Motor Racing Network), see Oldest & Youngest records and by track on my Youngest/Oldest Race/Pole Winners page.(7-9-2013)

 

 

Gordon in favor of mid-week races:

NASCAR will run its first race on dirt since 1970 in two weeks at Eldora Speedway, so is it time for series officials to consider another change some might call radical? A former series champion thinks so. #24-Jeff Gordon says he's for running mid-week races. "I would love to see that,'' Gordon said. "I think when "Monday Night Football' ends, we should start "Monday Night Racing.' But that is just me. Of course I came from "Thursday Night Thunder,' and ... (it) was ridiculously successful back in the day. I am not saying we need to do it every week, but if we could find the right week in the schedule and mix it up, make it special, and make it make sense for the fans at home as well as the ones that could attend, then I think it would be awesome.'' Gordon said he would be for returning the summer Daytona race to July 4, regardless of what day that is, instead of running it the Saturday night after the holiday. Gordon said he's not received as favorable response from NASCAR. The Camping World Truck Series will run three mid-week races this season. They competed June 27 (Thursday) at Kentucky. They'll run July 24 (Wednesday) at Eldora and Aug. 21 (Wednesday) at Bristol.(Motor Racing Network)(7-10-2013)

 

ISC to continue cutting track seats:

International Speedway Corporation already has decreased the capacity of its tracks by 17 percent from 2007-2012, cutting capacity from 1.1 million to 909,000. And it pledges more cuts. Daytona International Speedway, which once had 168,000 grandstand seats and currently seats 147,000, will seat a mere 101,000 (not including suites) by 2016. ISC, whose stock is primarily controlled by the NASCAR-owning France family, told financial analysts last week that it plans to decrease capacity at several more racetracks. Other tracks cutting capacity points to at least a 25 percent reduction from 2007. Company officials said seats without views of pit road don't deliver as good of an experience. Or seats too far from many of the midway areas or the prerace activities don't allow fans to take advantage of those amenities.

In order to create urgency and worry among ticket buyers, ISC will cut the number of seats available. They don't want fans to wait on the weather. They want fans nervous that if they don't buy early, at best they will end up disappointed with their seat, or at worst, out of luck because the race sold out. ISC's answer is to decrease the number of seats. In some ways, that is an acknowledgment that fewer people attend live sporting events overallpurchasing habits of sports fans have changed and packed grandstands at facilities that can hold 125,000 will never again exist.(Sporting News)(7-10-2013)

 

Waltrip participating in Goodwood Festival of Speed:

Michael Waltrip is ready to spread the NASCAR message across the Atlantic Ocean as the two-time Daytona 500 champion makes his second appearance in front of 150,000 global motorsports enthusiasts at the 20th annual Goodwood Festival of Speed in England. Waltrip will drive a 2012 # 15 5-hour ENERGY Toyota at the annual festival that features a hill climb by historic motor racing vehicles. The Goodwood Festival has become one of the largest and most diverse motorsports events in the world. The festival includes everything from modern concept cars to historical vehicles dating back to 1902, along with racecars from all disciplines. NASCAR stock cars, Formula 1 Grand Prix racers, Le Mans style cars and various forms of motorcycles will all make their run up the hill at Goodwood. The # 15 Waltrip will drive in England this month won three races in 2012 and finished second in the Chase for the Sprint Cup with Clint Bowyer behind the wheel.(MWR)(7-10-2013)

 

Late caution sends debris behind pit wall injury a crew member:

Saturday night was the usual when it comes to a Daytona finish. Drivers going 3 wide all the way thru the finish, and when that happens you can count on wrecking. Well, it didn't disappoint. As the cars were coming thru the tri oval and taking the checkers, there was a big spin that left multiple cars slamming into the wall and some even made their way down towards the front of pit road. What happened next was scary and dangerous. As the cars were spinning on the track, a few cars made there way down towards the front of pit road. The first three pit boxes were the 18, 22, and 13. As the cars were spinning, debris was flying all over the place. Front Tire Changer Jay Hackney of the #22 car was standing in front of their box watching the final lap. "I was up at the front where I usually stand to watch a race and I remember the cars wrecking right in front of us. About that time, me and a few other guys see this piece of debris come flying at our box." By the time the guys could turn their heads and take cover, it was to late. A piece of debris from one of the cars had broke lose and came flying at the #22 box like a bullet. The debris hit the box, then bounced off and caught Jay in the wrist. Rear Tire Carrier Trent Cherry was standing on the back part of the box. "I remember seeing a blur coming flying by and hearing it hit the box. The next thing I know I was looking at our Jack Man, who was right beside me, then looked farther down the wall and saw Jay holding his wrist." After everything calmed down Jay was able to check his wrist and make sure he was OK. The scary part was what could of happened. "This is one of those accidents where you think what if. If that piece of debris hits one of our guys in the chest or head, it wasn't going to be good. We got lucky tonight."(Pit Talks)(7-8-2013)

 

 

 

 

Former OVRP Dirt Oval racers:

 

Last Saturday at Hamlin – Jacob Hendershot was 7th in the 270 Micro’s.  Kyle Rohner was 5th in the Wingless 600’s.  Ben Whitaker was 6th, Tyler Pirone 24th and Joey Lawrence 25th in the All Star Slingshots.  Paul Tigue was 2nd in the Junior Slingshots.

 

At I-88 in the CRSA 305 feature, Emily VanInwegen was 12th and Josh Pieniazek 15th.  Brad Szulewski was 6th in the Sportsman feature.

 

Danny Creeden was 7th in the Modified feature at Accord, with Mike Doty 13th and Billy VanInwegen 16th.  Anthony Perrego was 2nd and Tyler Dippel 4th in the Sportsman feature.  Tyler Boniface won the Spec Sportsman feature with Mike Traver 11th.  Lex Burritt wn the Lightning Sprint feature (only 3 cars?)

 

Roger Coss won the Modified feature at Mahoning Valley.  BJ Wambold was 11th and his sister Tiffany 16th in the Street Stock feature.

 

Paul Quear was 3rd in the Wingless 600’s at Borgers.

 

Kyle Armstrong was 2nd, Kolby Shroeder 10th and Bobby Hackel, IV 11th in the Modified feature at Lebanon Valley.  Tyler Dippel was 3rd and John Virgilio 10th in the Sportsman feature.

 

Rich Coons won both of the Sportsman features at Bethel, while Bob Morris had a 2nd and a 3rd.

 

Mike Mammana was 21st in the Modified feature at Big Diamond.

 

Johnny Guarino was 12th in the 358 Modified feature at New Egypt.

 

Kyle Rohner was 4th in the Sportsman feature at Penn Can.

 

Nick Pecko was 13th in the RoC feature at Holland.

 

Davie Franek was 3rd in the URC feature at New Egypt.  In the PA 600 Speedweek race at the Clyde Martin Speedway, Molly Chambers was a DNQ.

 

At OCFS, Clinton Mills was 3rd, Mike Ruggiero 4th, Tim Hindley 5th and Billy V 12th in the Modified feature.  Danny Creeden was 4th, Billy V 12th, Andrew Reeves 16th and Brian Krummel 18th in the 358 Modified feature.  Tim Hindley was a DNS.  Krummel won the Sportsman feature, with Joe Conklin 2nd, LJ Lombardo 3rd, Andrew Reeves 8th, Anthony Perrego 15th, Joe Falanga 16th and Matt Janiak 20th.

 

Billy V was 25th in the Brett Hearn promoted “Big Show” SDS race at Albany/Saratoga on Tuesday night.

 

44 names this week.

 

 

 

 

From the AARN:

http://www.aarn.com/

 

From their July 9th issue:

 

 

 

Lenny Sammons:

 

Len makes mention that 55 year old Fred Rahmer completed his 38th consecutive feature this season in the top ten at Port Royal Speedway.

 

Bobby Santos, whose hometown is listed as Franklin MA, actually is living in Indianapolis, now, where he works in the construction business.

 

Rick Hendrick has not stopped Kasey Kahne from running 410 Sprint Cars, but it looks like Kasey has cut back driving them, himself.  More than likely the Jason Leffler accident weighs on Kasey’s mind.

 

 

Ernie Saxton:

 

Ernie asks if Kyle Petty is in any position to criticize Danica Patrick’s driving.  Petty raced in 829 Cup races and had 8 wins.  He finished in the top five in the final standings twice, and five times in the top ten.  He had 173 top ten finishes.  Ernie agrees with what Kyle had to say.

TV ratings for Cup are still lagging.  The recent Kentucky race was the lowest watched race so far this year – on any network.

Sad news – Charlie Musselman, former Midget and Sprint Car driver from back in the day, is battling ill health down in Florida.  Charlie gained fame in a series of photos taken by Walter Chernokal when Charlie flipped the Sam Traylor # 77 Sprint Car at Langhorne, and Charlie was thrown out of the car, being tossed high in the air – over the flipping car, and landing on the track close to the fence. (He was as high in the air as I was in the stands).

Check my photo section, below for the photo series.  I hope it doesn’t come out too small!

 

In 2012, Danica Patrick made more than 15 million dollars.

 

NASCAR Team Properties have reached a licensing agreement with Touch by Alyssa Milano to create a line of apparel for female NASCAR fans.

 

No track should operate without a working ambulance on duty.  Every driver should check to make sure that is so.

 

 

 

JR Kennerup:

Along with his usual column, JR reported on the Asphalt RoC race at the Holland Speedway.  Pete Brittain won the race, but was DQ’d due to an altered LF tire.  That moved second place finisher, Matt Hirschman to the top spot, where he is now credited with the win and received first place monies.  On the final lap, a serious crash happened on the front stretch between Andy Jankowiak and Patrick Emerling, with both cars getting airborn as they approached the finish line.  Both cars became entangled with the wall and safety fencing with the Emerling car making heavy contact with the starters stand, destroying the platform.  Head starter John Nelson received a cut on his upper left arm.  His assistant, AARN news columnist Steve Kellogg grabbed Nelson and saved him from falling onto the racing surface, with a pack of cars heading for the finish line.  Later, Kellogg was quoted telling JR that was the final time he would ever be on a starters stand.

 

 

 

Brett Deyo:

 

In his column, he tells of Billy Pauch, Jr. running 13 different cars so far in 2013, starting with the Chili Bowl.  He’s driven Modifieds, Midgets, Micro-Sprints, Sprint Cars (360’s & 410’s) and SpeedSTR’s.

 

Johnny Guarino, 23, is back as a regular at New Egypt.  He sold the Big Block and bought a Small Block as he opted to continue as a regular at NE.  He resides in NYC while attending college at Manhattan College, where he’s 17 credits from graduating, and he’s been serving as an intern for an engineering firm in the city.  Due to school, Johnny missed the first five race programs at NE.

 

 

 

John Snyder:

 

John takes us back to September 28, 2002, when the DIRT Modifieds, then under Glenn Donnelly, ran at the Eldora, Ohio track.  The modifieds were paired with Late Models, and quite a crowd of race fans came to watch.    Both Donnelly and track owner Earl Baltes agreed that the event was a rousing success.  Baltes said it was the best damn show they had there all year.  When asked if he’d have the DIRT Modifieds back next year, he said:  “They can come back next week”.

 

Note:  I wonder why they have not returned?  Heck now the DIRTcar Modifieds race in Michigan – why not a return trip to Eldora?

 

I made mention of Pete Brittain being DQ’d from a win at the Holland Speedway and that Matt Hirschman got 1st place AND the first place monies.  That, as far as I’m concerned is how it should be done.  You ain’t legal, you get DQ’d, and second place gets the win and big bucks.  Sad to say, DIRTcar does otherwise.  A DQ’d driver keeps the win but not the monies.  Second place gets screwed out of the win and the winning monies.  It ain’t right!

 

 

An ad on page 11 shows that Tony Stewart will be racing his 410 Sprint Car at the Fonda, NY Speedway on Thursday, July 18th.

 

 

 

This Week

In AARN:

 

Michael Parent’s Twin Wins

Earn Him

First ESSCentral New York

Series Championship

 

 

Red Hot Ryan Preece

Wins At Stafford In SK,

At Riverhead In Tour Type Mod

 

 

Dixon Wins Fuel Economy Run

As Indy Cars Revisit Pocono

 

 

Consistent, Winless Hodnett

Named Pennsy Speedweek Champ;

Seven Races Yield Seven Winners

 

 

Starter Injured

In Holland RoC Tour Crash;

Brittain’s Apparent Win Nullified

By Tech

 

 

On The Block? 

Canaan’s Two Tracks Might Be Sold

 

 

‘Big Brother’ Dan Stone

Flies High To Win At Hesston

 

 

‘Old Veteran’ Jarvis Bests

VMRS Youths At Monadnock

 

 

 

 

 

This date in racing history:

 

Just a few of the events on July 11th in:

 

1911

Mel Hansen ... Born ... AAA driver . In 21 starts between 1939 and 1949, he won twice (1948 Atlanta in Ray Carter's '39 Wetteroth/Offenhauser, the 1941 Speedway winner, and 1949 Springfield in the '49 Bowes Lesovsky/Offenhauser), was second once (1949 Trenton) and fourth once (1947 Milwaukee). His best championship position was 9th in 1940. He was also a noted midget driver, and won the important Turkey Night Grand Prix in 1939 and the URA (blue circuit) Midget Championship in 1945. His career ended in 1949 after a bad midget crash in Detroit.

 

1930

Buddy Cagle ... Born ... AAA / USAC driver from the 1950's.

 

1948

Ted Horn won the AAA Sprint Car race at the Williams Grove Speedway,Mechanicsburg, PA.

 

1952

Art Cross won the AAA Midget race at the Blue Island, Chicago, IL.

 

1954

Johnny Thomson won the 100 lap AAA Midget race at the Williams Grove Speedway, Williams Grove,PA. Joe Barzda was second followed by Jiggs Peters, Johnny Bernardt and Tony Bonadies.

Pat OConnor won the AAA Sprint Car race over Eddie Sachs, Don Freeland, Mike Nazaruk and Larry Crockett at the Fort Wayne Speedway, Fort Wayne, IN.

 

 

1958

Al Herman won the ARDC Midget race at the Freeport Speedway, Freeport,NY.

 

1964

Dutch Schaefer won the ARDC Midget race at the Orange County Fair Speedway, Middletown,NY.

 

1965

Johnny Rutherford, in the Wally Meskowski # 9, won the USAC Sprint Car race at the Winchester Speedway, Winchester,IN. Gordon Johncock was second followed by Bobby Unser, Jud Larson and Roger McCluskey.

 

1967

Bobby Allison drove the J.D. Bracken Chevrolet to victory in the NASCAR Grand National 'Maine 300' on the 1/3 mile paved Oxford Plains Speedway in Oxford, Maine, as the annual GN Northern Tour continued. Allison's 4th win of the season would prove costly as it would lead to him losing his ride in Cotton Owens factory backed Dodge. Wanting to run the Northern tour events that Owens was skipping, Allison returned to the seat of the Bracken Chevy, a car he'd driven to two early season wins before accepting the Owens ride. Allison said Owens gave his approval, but apparently when word of his victory in a Chevy got to Dodge officials, they did not approve. In the race, Allison finished a lap ahead of Richard Petty's Plymouth with Jim Paschal 3rd, 3 laps back in the Friedkin Enterprises Plymouth. Pole winner James Hylton finished 4th in the Bud Hartje Dodge, also 3 laps back. 10,000 fans were on hand in threatening weather. .

 

1970

Dick Tobias, in the # 17 Ruppert Chevy, won the USAC Sprint Car race at the Williams Grove Speedway, Williams Grove,PA. Greg Weld was second followed by Gary Bettenhausen, Rollie Beale and Carl Williams.

 

1971

Pedro Rodriguez died when his Ferrari 512M crashed while leading the Interseries race at the Norisring in West Germany. He became the two-time world champion driver in the fearsome Porsche 917. He developed into one of the sport's greatest all-rounders, racing F1, CanAm, NASCAR, rallies and even becoming North American Ice Racing champion in 1970. In his NASCAR career, Rodríguez earned two top tens, including a 5th in the 1965 World 600.

 

1972

Bobby Isaac , 1970 NASCAR Grand National champ, drove his Dodge to victory in a 90.5 mile NASCAR Grand National East race on the 1/3 mile paved Albany-Saratoga Speedway in Malta, New York. Neil "Soapy" Castles finished 2nd, also in a Dodge. The NASCAR Grand National East division was created for short tracks dropped from the GN schedule after the 1971 "shakeout". It lasted for two seasons.

 

1973

Bobby Allen, in the # 1a Emrich Chevy, won the All Star Sprint Car race over Lynn Paxton, Jan Opperman, Jim Linder and Lou Blaney at the Fremont Speedway, Fremont,OH.

 

1975

Jan Opperman, driving the Smith # 4x, won the Sprint Car race over Don Maxwell, Butch Bahr, Dick Morris and Jerry Miller at the Midwest Speedway, Lincoln,NE.

 

1976

Bruce Jones won the ARDC Midget race over Johnny Coy, Jim Kirk, Lew Blair and George Ferguson Jr at the Grandview Speedway, Bechtelsville,PA.

Paul Pitzer won the Super Sprint Car race over Jim Edwards, Jay Myers, Steve Smith and Bobby Allen at the Reading Fairgrounds, Reading, PA.

Pancho Carter, in the Steve Stapp Chevy, won the USAC Sprint Car race at the New Bremen Speedway (1/2p), New Bremen,OH. Jan Opperman was second followed by Billy Cassella, Chuck Gurney and Gary Bettenhausen.

 

1980

Smokey Snellbaker won the KARS Super Sprint Car race over Lynn Paxton at the Williams Grove Speedway, Williams Grove,PA.

Rich Vogler won the USAC Midget race over Bob Wente, Sleepy Tripp, Lonnie Caruthers and Johnny Parsons at the Springfield Speedway, Springfield,IL.

 

 

 

 

 

Press releases:

 

World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series Invades Rolling Wheels July 23

"The Greatest Show on Dirt" Hits "The Fast Track"

 

ELBRIDGE, N. Y. - July 8, 2013 - With more than one late-race shakeup, the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series has seen a dramatic week. The drama will double when "The Greatest Show on Dirt" hits "The Fast Track," Rolling Wheels Raceway Park, Tuesday, July 23, and the 410 Sprint Cars maneuver the 5/8-mile oval with its famously fast long straightaways and wide curves.

Daryn Pittman continued to carry the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series point lead after a flat on the No. 15 took Donny Schatz out of the lead Saturday, July 6, at Dodge City Raceway Park widened the point gap. The night earlier, a last lap surge took Schatz to victory lane at Dodge City and on Wednesday, July 3, Tim Keading took the lead when Tony Stewart spun with five laps to go at Huset Speedway.

Now, the premier, nationally touring World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series is gearing up for the Brad Doty Classic Wednesday, July 10, at Limeland Motorsports Park in Lima, Ohio, the Knights Before the Kings Royal Friday and Saturday, July 12 and 13, at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, the Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup Twins Tuesday, July 16, at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Penn., Summer Nationals Friday and Saturday, July 19 and 20, at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Penn., and a visit to Lebanon Valley Speedway in West Lebanon, N. Y., Sunday, July 21.

Topping it off is the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Showdown at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park July 23, which marks the third of just four appearances by the series in New York State. The winged warriors battle it out on "The Fast Track" for what is bound to be the best sprint car action of the summer. DIRTcar Sportsman Modifieds round out the racing action for the night.

General admission tickets to Rolling Wheels Tuesday, July 23, are just $29 for adults, $10 for kids 10 to 17, and FREE for children 9 and under! Reserved seating is also available in the top two rows in the grandstands for just $35 per seat. Tickets purchased early also include a FREE Fan Pit Pass, so be sure to order tickets now by visiting www.dirtcar.com/tickets or by calling (877) 395-8606.

General parking and camping are FREE at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park, but VIP camping spots just outside turns 1 and 2 can be reserved for just $25 each. For more information about Rolling Wheels Raceway Park and the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Showdown, visit www.rollingwheelsraceway.com.

 

 

News from the Crazy 8s Special – Get Crazy At I-88

Media Contact: Brett Deyo – Deyo99h@aol.com or 845.728.2781

For Immediate Release/July 7, 2013

$29,298 And Growing: I-88 Speedway ‘Crazy 8s Special’ One Of The Summer’s Most Lucrative Dirt Modified Events; Contingency Awards Press Payout To $30,000-Plus; Fans Not Forgotten With Pre-Race “Fan Fest” Meet & Greet, $16 Adult Admission & Giveaways!

AFTON, NY – More than $30,000 for 48 laps of racing on a bullring…will be a reality!

Competitors, be ready for the ‘Crazy 8s Special’ at I-88 Speedway on Wednesday, July 24. One of the most lucrative big-block/small-block Modified events of the summer is shaping up at the Afton, N.Y., fairgrounds oval. The event is a first-time co-promotion involving Ron Ford and Jamie Page of I-88 Speedway and Brett Deyo of BD Motorsports Media LLC.

As of July 7, the cash total to be paid out for the 48-lap big-block/small-block Modified event at I-88 had reached $29,298 and growing. A number of product and contingency bonuses pressed the total well above $30,000 for just 48 laps around the 3/10ths-mile facility.

The racer-friendly payout includes a $27,012 posted purse, $888 Halfway Leader Bonus from Olum’s, a $248 Hard Charger Award sponsored by Racers Preferred Models and $88 to win each heat race from One Small Step.

Other lap money has been included. Laps remain on sale at $20/lap by contacting Brett Deyo at Deyo99H@aol.com or by phone at 845.728.2781. Posted lap money ($1,500-plus as of this writing), will be handed out via a ‘Crazy 8s’ distribution to drivers running inside the top eight positions during the main. This will put added cash in the hands of more racers during the event.

Race fans have not been forgotten in the planning of the ‘Crazy 8s Special’ event. Adult grandstand admission for the two-division show is just $16 for Adults: a bargain for a Modified special event plus the full-fender excitement of the traveling BRP CanAm Late Model Series.  Gary Montgomery’s 360 Late Models make their first-ever appearance at I-88 and furthest pilgrimage east in the history of the tour.

A pre-race “Fan Fest” is planned for the horse track starting at 5:30 p.m. and running through 6 p.m.  Early arriving fans will get an up-close view of many of the cars competing that evening in the ‘Crazy 8s Special’ event and collect autographs from the drivers. There will be ‘Crazy 8s’ apparel and a souvenir program book on sale. Also, plenty of giveaways will be tossed into the stands during the special night.

Drivers from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania have made inquiries about the event. The field should be diverse and filled with quality as racers compete for the huge payout.

Admission prices for the ‘Crazy 8s Special’ are as follows: Adults - $16 (ages 15 and older); Students (ages 9-14 years old) are $7; and Kids 8 and under are free. Pit admission is $30. I-88 Speedway members pay $25.

For the ‘Crazy 8s Special’ pit gates open at 4 p.m. Grandstand gates open at 5 p.m. with hot laps at 6:30 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m.  There is a rain date of Thursday, July 25.

Complete pricing and race information has been posted at www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com.

I-88 Speedway is located off I-88 Exit 7 in the Village of Afton, N.Y. (outside of Binghamton, N.Y.) and is easily accessible from the Capital District, southeastern New York, Pennsylvania/New Jersey, Central and Western New York. To learn more about the speedway, visit www.i-88speedway.com.

For more information and marketing opportunities, contact Brett Deyo of BD Motorsports Media LLC by phone at 845.728.2781 or via e-mail Deyo99H@aol.com. Visit www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com or “Like” BD Motorsports Media LLC on Facebook. Follow @BrettDeyo on Twitter.

The ‘Crazy 8s Special’ is presented by 88 BC Building Supplies, Olum’s, One Small Step, Racers Preferred Models, American Racer/Lias Tire, M.R. Grafix, BFP Specialty, S&D Bodyline, S&W Awards, Tim Long/Big Diamond Speedway, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, ‘Battle of the Bullring’ at Accord Speedway, BD Motorsports Media, Four Star Lettering and many other fine marketing partners.

I-88 Speedway Crazy 8s Special Awards & Bonuses

*As of July 7, 2013

88 BC Building Supplies Gambler’s Challenge:  Drivers posting a $25 “Gambler’s Fee” prior to the start of qualifying will be eligible for a $2,000 bonus should they win the 48-lap ‘Crazy 8s Special’ Modified main event. The winner’s share increases from $4,888 to $6,888 thanks to 88 BC Building Supplies of Nineveh, N.Y.

Olum’s Halfway Leader Award: Olum’s will reward the leader of lap 24 in the Modified feature with a cash bonus of $888! Olum’s Campus Plaza store in Vestal, N.Y., has served as a major retailer in the Southern Tier since 1914. For 97 years, Olum’s has offered customers a selection of home furnishings, appliances and audio-video equipment. To learn more, visit www.olums.com.

Racers Preferred Models Hard Charger Award: The Modified driver advancing the most positions from their official starting position to the finish of the ‘Crazy 8s Special’ will receive a cash bonus of $248 from Racers Preferred Models. Racers Preferred Models is the ‘home of the 1/16th-scale dirt Modified car’ and can be found on the web at www.racerspreferredmodels.com.

One Small Step Heat Race Winners: The winner of each Modified heat race will take home $88 courtesy of “One Small Step” for Prader-Willi Syndrome.  The I-88 ‘Crazy 8s Special’ race is an awareness event for the “One Small Step” walk to be held in Sauquoit, N.Y., on Aug. 3. To learn more about “One Small Step” log onto: http://onesmallstep.fpwr.org/dw/walking

Bob Hilbert Sportswear Top-Three Incentives: Each of the top-three finishers in the Modified ‘Crazy 8s Special’ will receive $100 credits toward the purchase of Custom or Express tees from Bob Hilbert Sportswear in Boyertown, Pa. To learn more about Bob Hilbert Sportswear and apparel options, visit www.bobhilbert.com.

Shiley Fabrication Hard Luck Award: The driver voted by media and race officials to receive the Hard Luck Award at the ‘Crazy 8s Special’ will receive a set of bumpers and rubrails courtesy of Shiley Fabrication in Williamstown, Pa.  To learn more about Shiley Fabrication, visit www.shileyfabrication.com.

BFP Specialty $500 Body Credit: A ‘Crazy 8s Special’ Modified driver finishing 11th on back in the main event and all drivers failing to qualify will be eligible for a $500 credit toward the purchase of a body at BFP Specialty in Bethel, Pa. The recipient will be decided by a random drawing after the event. BFP Specialty is on the web at www.bfp-specialty.com.

American Racer/Lias Tire Giveaway: A drawing of the 11th-15th-place drivers in the Modified ‘Crazy 8s Special’ will reward one driver with an American Racer tire courtesy of Lias Tire Company in Indiana, Pa. Lias Tire is online at: www.liastireonline.com.

Big Diamond Speedway Bonus: The first driver across the line representing Big Diamond (Pa.) Speedway will receive a cash bonus of $50 courtesy of Tim Long.  A driver must have entered more than half of the Big Diamond events to that point of the season to receive the bonus.

M.R. Grafix I-88 Speedway Highest Regular Award: The first I-88 Speedway regular across the stripe at the ‘Crazy 8s Special’ earns a $188 certificate from M.R. Grafix in Afton, N.Y.  To learn more about M.R. Grafix, visit www.mrgrafix.net.

S&D Bodyline Bonus: One driver failing to qualify for the Modified ‘Crazy 8s Special’ will receive a $100 credit toward the purchase of a new body from S&D Bodyline in Bath, Pa.  All drivers not qualifying will be entered into a random draw.  The official S&D Bodyline website is www.sdbodyline.com.

S&W Awards Custom Trophy: The ‘Crazy 8s Special’ Modified winner will take home a custom trophy courtesy of S&W Awards in Lindley, N.Y. S&W is the official trophy supplier of BD Motorsports Media.

 

 

 

News from the New York Truck Parts ‘Battle of the Bullring’ at Accord Speedway

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

For Immediate Release/July 7, 2013

Incentives Grow for New York Truck Parts Battle of the Bullring at Accord Speedway on Tuesday, August 6; Joe Winne Memorial Modified Dash for Cash To Pay $555 to the winner!

ACCORD, NY – Incentives and excitement continue to grow for the first New York Truck Parts ‘Battle of the Bullring’ event at Accord Speedway on Tuesday, August 6.

For the first time in 10 years, the “elbows-up” Accord Speedway quarter-mile oval hosts a midweek special Modified special. The big-block/small-block Modifieds will battle in a 51-lap event paying a minimum of $5,100 to win, $1,000 for fifth, $500 for 10th and $300 to take the green flag plus lap money, awards and bonuses.  Sportsman (Open vs. 602 Crates) run 25 laps for $1,000-plus to win. Both purses are guaranteed and at least 24 cars will start each main event.

The event is a co-promotion involving Brett Deyo of BD Motorsports Media LLC and Accord Speedway owners Gary and Donna Palmer.

Former Accord champion Joe Winne, who passed away during the 2000 running of Eastern States Weekend at Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, N.Y., will be remembered with a special Joe Winne Memorial Modified Dash for Cash. Modified heat winners will be included in the 5-lap Dash, which will pay $555 to the winner. Modified heat winners will draw for their starting positions in the Dash event.

Winne was just 45 years old when he lost his life from an apparent heart attack. He started his career at Accord Speedway driving a Late Model in 1974. Three seasons later, he progressed into small-block Modified racing and later found success in big-blocks throughout the area. Winne collected 40 wins at Accord and earned his first DIRT 358-Modified championship at the quarter-mile oval in 1999 after a season-long battle with Rich Ricci Jr.

Prior to the start of racing, there will be a chicken barbecue set up in the grandstand area. Racers and fans can enjoy a meal of chicken, baked beans and macaroni salad for an affordable price.

Complete ‘Battle of the Bullring’ race information and rules have been posted to the official BD Motorsports Media LLC website at www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com.  For Modifieds, both big- and small-block engine combinations are legal. Teams may utilize Hoosier or American Racer tires (compounds have been outlined). Sail panels are permitted.

Sportsman may run open or 602 Crate engines with aluminum or steel wheels. Hoosier, American Racer and Goodyear tires are permitted (compounds have been outlined). Sail panels are not permitted.

Registration for the event is now underway on the BD Motorsports Media website. Pennsylvania driver Brett Tonkin, who races at I-88 (N.Y.) Speedway, filed the first entry.

New York Truck Parts, based in Wurtsboro, N.Y., recently signed on as the title ‘Battle of the Bullring’ sponsor. To learn more about New York Truck Parts, log onto www.newyorktruckpartsinc.com.

For the New York Truck Parts ‘Battle of the Bullring’ pit gates will open at 5 p.m. with hot laps at 6:45 p.m. and racing at 7:15 p.m.  Pit admission is $35. Adult grandstand admission is $20 with Seniors (65 and over) $16 and Kids (11 and under) $5. Indoor tower seating is $25.

There is a rain date of Wednesday, August 7 for the ‘Battle of the Bullring’ event.

Since the event was formally announced on June 13, the promotional team has been hard at work setting up contingency awards and bonuses.

Art’s Radiator of Flemington, N.J., has signed on to donate a radiator and shroud package – worth $750 – which will be given away to a Modified racer via a random draw. Gary Shiley, the proprietor of Shiley Fabrication in Williamstown, N.J., will sponsor a Hard Luck Award to include a full set of bumpers and rubrails. S&D Bodyline of Bath, Pa., has contributed a $100 credit toward the purchase of a body.

The 40th lap of the Modified feature will pay $150 cash to the leader in memory of late car owner Rene Downes, who was an avid supporter of racing at Accord and other Capital District facilities for many years. Joe Grasso of Stone Ridge Discount Tire has pledged $50 to the leader of lap 19.

Keep posted for updates on added special awards and bonus money. Lap sponsorships are on sale at $20/lap for the Modifieds. Contact Brett Deyo at Deyo99H@aol.com to get involved. Additionally, marketing partnerships for the ‘Battle of the Bullring’ are now available starting at $500. To get a business involved in a “once in a decade” event at Accord, reach out to Brett Deyo by phone at 845.728.2781 or via e-mail: Deyo99H@aol.com.

The last midweek show at Accord Speedway took place on Wednesday, May 14, 2003. The 75-lap event - run in three 25-lap segments - was won by Rich Ricci Jr. of New Paltz, N.Y. His brother Mike Ricci of Rosendale, N.Y., finished second and Robbie Green of Wallkill, N.Y., placed third. Wind Gap, Pa., invader Frank Cozze dominated the event, winning the first two segments, but suffered a flat tire in the third segment. He was scored fourth overall.

Accord Speedway, a neat-and-tidy quarter-mile clay oval nestled in the hills of Ulster County, is located at 299 Whitfield Road Accord, NY 12404. The speedway is on the web at www.accordspeedway.com.

The ‘Battle at the Bullring’ is presented by New York Truck Parts, Art’s Radiator, Shiley Fabrication, S&D Bodyline, BD Motorsports Media and other fine marketing partners.

 

 

 

NEWS FROM                                                                                                              

Orange County Fair Speedway                                                                                   

239 Wisner Avenue                                                                                                     

Middletown, NY10940 

 

CONTACT

Mike Gurda

845-342-2573

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

THREE NIGHTS OF STOCK CAR RACING ON TAP DURING THE

173rd ANNUAL ORANGE COUNTY FAIR

 

MIDDLETOWN, NY (July 6)……..Three evenings of stock car racing on the five-eighths-mile Hard Clay speedway will be run during the 173rd Annual Orange County Fair in Middletown, New York.

 

First up on Saturday, July 13, Steve Dodd Plumbing and lawyers Dupée & Monroe, P.C. present a four-division stock car racing program anchored by the DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds competing for the top prize of $2,500 in a 30-lap feature race.  Also on the card are the Sportsman, Rookie Sportsman, and Street Stock divisions in qualifying and feature event races. And as a special attraction, the CRSA 305 Sprint Cars are making a return appearance to the famous Orange County Hard Clay.

 

Then on Thursday evening, July 18, the Sportsman division takes center stage for an Eastern States Qualifier. The winner of the Sportsman feature race will earn a guaranteed seventh starting position in the October Sportsman Championship race during Eastern States Weekend. Included on the Thursday night program, the always unpredictable Street Stocks will be racing in a special 40-lap Shootout.

 

Saturday, July 20 the Small-Block Modifieds return to action, joining the DIRTcar Modifieds, Rookie Sportsman, and Street Stocks for a double track points night sponsored by Frank Stevens & Son Roofing and Rock Fantasy. Adding to the evening’s racing excitement, Dr. RV and Escape RV are backing a special Small-Block Modified elimination race.

 

Speedway admission prices during Fair events at $14 adults, $1.00 children under 12 with advance purchase tickets including Fair admission. Racing begins promptly at 6:30 pm. Fair admission applies to same day speedway attendance. Advance Speedway tickets must be purchased at least one day prior to the scheduled race meet to include Fair admission.

 

Ticket prices, starting times, and o the r important information for Orange County Fair are available at www.orangecountyfair.com/entertainment/grandstand.

 

Advance ticket sales and track information for all remaining Orange County Fair Speedway race dates, including the 52nd Annual Eastern States Weekend, can be found at the Orange County website, www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net, or from the Track Office. Call 845-342-2573 during business hours.         

 

 

 

 

Racing video:

 

Hold on!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-DnrLhj3bI

 

 

 

 

 

Photo of the week:

Note:  Not available on DTD.  To see the photo, you have to go to:

 

http://newenglandtractor.com/racereport/

 

As mentioned above, the Charlie Musselman flip series at Langhorne, taken by Walter Chernokal:

 

 

 

Note:  Had he not been thrown out, he surely would have been fatally injured since the frame broke when the car landed on it’s tail, closing the cockpit area.

 

 

 

Non racin’ stuff:

 

6 Obamacare Facts You Need to Know

 

Will I be affected?

 

What if I’ve been turned down before?

 

What kind of coverage can I get?

 

Will I be eligible for a subsidy?

 

Is my employer required to provide insurance?

 

Still have questions?

 

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/6-obamacare-facts-know-104026958.html

 

 

 

 

STATE DEPT: OOPS, WE LIED, KERRY WAS YACHTING DURING EGYPT COUP

 

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2013/07/05/State-Department-lied-Kerry-boat

 

 

 

 

Republicans accuse Obama of exceeding authority

 

http://news.yahoo.com/republicans-accuse-obama-exceeding-authority-213330676.html

 

 

 

 

 

Music video:

 

Yes, Country Music has changed over time.  But it seems that those singers from “Back in the Day” are just as good today, as they were in the past.  I have to agree with this comment, below, one that was under this video.

 

“Gene Watson just pisses me off. Every singer has a bad song. What the hell did he do with his. Bury it in the backyard? We didn 't get a chance to hear it. Every freakin song this man put out seemed to be better than the one before. And just to pimp slap us, along came " Farwell Party". I m looking for that one bad song. Can t find it. Mr Watson, thank you for being truly great. And for being COUNTRY”

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dFE2_NSdaA

 

Note:  How I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall when these singers sang some of their hits for their fellow entertainers!

 

 

 

 

 

This week I’m continuing the last of the five part series of things about our bodies.  Enjoy!

 

SOME FACTS ABOUT YOU THAT YOU PROBABLY DIDN'T KNOW

 

The human body is a treasure trove of mysteries, one that still confounds doctors and scientists about the details of its working. It's not an overstatement to say that every part of your body is a miracle.

 

Here are 41 through 50 of the fifty facts about your body, some of which will leave you stunned...

 

41.  A human head remains conscious for about 15 to 20 seconds after it has been decapitated.

 

42.  It takes 17 muscles to smile and 43 to frown.

 

43.  Humans can make do longer without food than sleep.   Provided there is water, the average human could survive a month to two months without food depending on their body fat and other factors.  Sleep deprived people, however, start experiencing radical personality and psychological changes after only a few sleepless days.  The longest recorded time anyone has ever gone without sleep is 11 days, at the end of which the experimenter was awake, but stumbled over words, hallucinated and frequently forgot what he was doing.

 

44.  The most common blood type in the world is Type O.  The rarest blood type, A-H or Bombay blood, due to the location of its discovery, has been found in less than hundred people since it was discovered.

 

45.  Every human spent about half an hour after being conceived, as a single  cell.  Shortly afterward, the cells begin rapidly dividing and begin forming the components of a tiny embryo.

 

46.  Right-handed people live, on average, nine years longer than left-handed people do.

 

47.  Your ears secrete more earwax when you are afraid than when you aren't.

 

48.  Koalas and primates are the only animals with unique fingerprints.

 

49.  Humans are the only animals to produce emotional tears.

 

50.  The human heart creates enough pressure to squirt blood 30 feet in the  air.

 

 

 

 

Joke of the week:

 

Not actually a joke this week, but in a way, how the US is becoming one!

From an email I received on Wednesday:

 

This pretty much tells the story......

 

This is what other countries think of us, in this case Canada. Do we look like idiots or what?

 

 

 A Canadian's Version of David Letterman's Top 10.

 

10) Only in America...could politicians talk about the greed of the rich at a $35,000.00 a plate campaign fund-raising event.

 

9) Only in America...could people claim that the government still discriminates against black Americans when they have a black President, a black Attorney General, and roughly 18% of the federal workforce is black while only 12% of the population is black.

 

8) Only in America...could they have had the two people most responsible for our tax code, Timothy Geithner (the head of the Treasury Department) and Charles Rangel (who once ran the Ways and Means Committee), BOTH turn out to be tax cheats who are in favor of higher taxes.

 

7) Only in America...can they have terrorists kill people in the name of Allah and have the media primarily react by fretting that Muslims might be harmed by the backlash.

 

6) Only in America...would they make people who want to legally become American citizens wait for years in their home countries and pay tens of thousands of dollars for the privilege, while they discuss letting anyone who sneaks into the country illegally just 'magically' become American citizens.

 

5) Only in America...could the people who believe in balancing the budget and sticking by the country's Constitution be thought of as "extremists."

 

4) Only in America...could you need to present a driver's license to cash a check or buy alcohol, but not to vote.

 

3) Only in America...could people demand the government investigate whether oil companies are gouging the public because the price of gas went up when the return on equity invested in a major U.S. oil company ( MarathonOil) is less than half of a company making tennis shoes (Nike).

 

2) Only in America...could the government collect more tax dollars from the people than any nation in recorded history, still spend a trillion dollars more than it has per year - for total spending of $7-million PER MINUTE, and complain that it doesn't have nearly enough money.

 

1) Only in America...could the rich people - who pay 86% of all income taxes - be accused of not paying their "fair share" by people who don't pay any income taxes at all.

 

and my favorite:  The U.S. Senate wants to grant amnesty to 22 million illegals and their families after a background check when the FBI can't perform a background check on a Muslim terrorist in Boston despite the Russian government telling them he is a TERRORIST.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until the next column!

 

I can be reached, via e-mail, at:  ygordad@yahoo.com