Racin' & Different Stuff:

                                      By Tom Avenengo

                                         Volume # 149

                                                   07/25/2013

 

 

Racin’ & short’ stuff:

 

It’s gonna be a busy week for this old man.  I’m actually starting this on Friday, July 19th.  I have a granddaughter getting married this coming Saturday, and we’re having a pre-wedding BBQ at our house on Friday.  Both the bride and some of my family are coming up from Florida.  Five of them will be staying with us.  On top of that, I still have a few things to catch up on, things I held back on last week, due to the heat.  Then my car is due for inspection and “Old faithful” the “Check engine light” is on, so that has to be taken care of.  Thursday, it’s a trip to the airport in White planes to pick up someone.  Also, my usual shopping trips to the stores.  At least no doctor appointments for me or the wife!  Yay!

So, this might be a tad light, news wise.

 

 

 

Found on Facebook on Tuesday AM.  Ya know it is getting kinda ridiculous about what gets said, and then purposely gets omitted, like this, below:

 

Love of Christ

 

On the "Today Show", Matt Lauer interviewed one of the wives of one of the Navy Seals killed along with the US ambassador in Libya. He asked, "What she would say to her children about their dad and how she would want them to remember him." Her answer, and I quote, "His love for Christ", and then continued on with a few other things. Throughout the day and on MSN homepage, replaying the story they have edited the "Love of Christ" part out. Why? Because using the word Christ might offend someone! Well, I am a Christian and I am offended! I'm offended that they would edit it out. Offended that we as Christians are asked to tread lightly so as not to offend someone of another religion. I think anyone who missed the original broadcast that morning should know what NBC has done. THIS IS PROOF OF HOW BIASED NBC IS. This man loved his country and loved his God and gave his life for both, just as Christ gave His life for him. Please feel free to copy this and forward it to everyone on your email list. There are e-mails that go around saying, "If you believe in God" then forward this. Well, I am starting one right here, right now. I am not ashamed of God, but I am becoming more ashamed of my country. It is time to take a stand. GOD Bless America! God Bless us one and all... Please GOD, have mercy on us!

 

 

 

I was fortunate to see a video of the Street Stock race from OCFS that was held this past Thursday.  Also on the card were the Sportsman cars, with the winner getting 7th starting spot at Eastern States.  Needless to say, with the fair, extremely high temperatures, and being a mid-week show, fan count was extremely low.  The car counts were not all that great, either.  I believe the drive-in was closed, but I did notice two vehicles parked on one of the rows.  Somehow, you would think that they would open the drive in on all race nights during the fair.  The one that sent me the video did tell me that during the Sportsman feature, a bunch of busses pulled into the drive-in to discharge fair goers.  Still – I would think it should be open for race fans, especially those that don’t want to put up with the few fair goers that are behind the stands.

Way back, years ago, when there was a meeting in the Town of Wallkill Town Hall about the “dust” problem at the track, Mr. Gurda came out and said that the track needs the fair, to stay open, and the fair needs the track, so it can also stay open.  With the 4H’er’s pulling out of the fair, I wonder – how long will the fair continue, and how about the track, itself?  Fair attendance has been reported on the decline over these past few years, now it seems that more, besides the 4 H folks also have not returned.  I have to imagine that this past week, with such high temperatures, it has surely hurt fair attendance even more so.

 

Far be it for me to actually tell a track and or promoter how to run his speedway, but I’m beginning to think that OCFS would be much better off having no racing during the fair, from what I’ve seen fan wise.  Again, why they don’t open the drive-in for those mid week races (I take it it was not open last Thursday, since I could only see two cars in the video).  Stands were just as bad.  One can’t continue to do business like that I think.  And with car counts dropping, eventually the “back gate” won’t bring in enough green backs to pay the purse.

 

You go to the OCFS Facebook page and look at the questions that get asked.  Look at the responses.  There’s hardly any responses from OC.  Why have a place for questions if you’re not going to get back to the people?

 

 

Some thoughts/comments about OCFS, the racing, fans & fair came out on Facebook early this past Sunday morning.

 

Note:  It is quite lengthy!

 

To those that love the old place – read ‘em and weep:

 

I debated with myself whether to post this or not but I think it is something that we ALL need to think about.

 

WAKE UP CALL: A man brought his son to Middletown tonight to watch the races from the drive-in. He walked over to my friend Noah Feinstein as the modified feature was lining up on track and asked: 'Are these the modifieds?' Yes. Looking around he then asked: 'What has happened to this place? Is it because of the fair or is this sport just dying off?' We mumbled something about the fair but what could we really tell this gentlemen who took a look around and made a very astute observation of the current state of affairs. He admitted he had not been to the track in many years and obviously brought his young son out to show him something he had enjoyed in his youth.

 

Tell me how you would have honestly answered his question.

 

Comments:

 

"Its sad"

 

"Just wait until all of the "old" guys hang it up."

 

"To be fair, a VERRRRRY difficult question to answer in the 30 sec or so until the race went green... It is one that I could spend hours attempting to answer."

 

"The truthful answer is very short. The two hour answer is hardcore racer's such as you and I presenting facts and evidence to justify the current state of something we love. The simple answer is just a bitter pill we won't swallow. Just think for a moment about how we were adding up attendance figures tonight and convincing ourselves all was OK considering: (insert facts and justifications here). I don't want to be a person that puts down the sport I love, that would define me as insane for doing the same thing every week and then claiming I didn't enjoy it. Of course I love it. But the view tonight was very alarming to me. Yup it was hot, yup there might be rain, yup the fair is on, yup the sportsman weren't there, yup all the diehard' s were in the drive-in....

 

All that considered I am still very concerned."

 

"Oh, and to be clear Noah Feinstein I wasn't directing my question about how you would answer the man's question honestly at you personally, but rather the Facebook racing community as a whole. Or at least the very small part that reads my drivel."

 

"Many things....dad always worked a 40 hour shift to make ends meet and could race, mom didn't work. Today dad works 50 hours a week and barely eats, mom works 40, marriages are tough. On Saturday night there is little time and no money to go watch, let alone have a car. There are many other things to do, or not to do now. We can just order a pizza and watch NASCAR, or just follow FB for up to the minute results. And, for Oc specifically, why go watch? Long gone are the days of Brett, Danny, Jimmy, Doug, Frank,. These are the big guys of the 80's, my hay day. I can name another 20 others gone, not only gone as racers, but gone as fans. See, racing is a life choice, not a sport. It has become what you are, not what you do. I was up until 1 am checking race results of my friends, while still thinking about the night for me, what coulda been, what shoulda been. Now it's 6 am. I slept 4 hours yesterday after Accord, headache from the dust. I battled a tough handling car on a very underprepared track. As for the track at Orange County? I don't know where to begin or where to end. Look at the starting line up? How does it match the finish? Almost perfect. That's not racing! Trust me, I'm laying in bed right now with balls big enough to take up half this room. In the feature last night I coulda left em home. A nun on her way to the nunnery coulda kept up with the car in front of her at OC last night. I believe if you build it they will come. If you rest on it, forget it. The racetrack is old, it's worn out. It needs new money. It needs new people. It needs restructuring to get cars. It need Brett there to race, it needs the 4* car there, it needs the Smith Brothers car, it needs the Petruska car, it needs Cozze, heotzlerS, it needs Robbie Greens kid, it needs mike Ricci, rich Ricci jr, rich Ricci III, Alan Houghtaling, steve dodd. Realize, these cars all raced this weekend (except the 74 but would in a second). Realize all have the Orange County roots run deep and are runners that cut their teeth in Oc as owners or drivers. They all pass by the old house of speed. They know the old track is burned up. They know there is no passing, limited track prep, crappy tires, who knows on the handicapping. This is not an attack on the speedway, just reasons why the old girl will be gone in due time. Oh, and dust. We "mud the track in" until there is dust. From there, dust makes more dust. Race fans are covered in salt dust. As a racer, hardcore, it is heart wrenching. We are on the verge of losing Steve Dodd from mods, chuck McKee as well. Steve has a shore house now, a great plumbing business and now gets more satisfaction sitting on the beach. He was there last night, with generations of blood pumping through him watching no one pass anyone. He knows his old car, and old engine woulda just kept up, maybe. See, your hardest of hardcore racer needs to know they got a shot at winning a few races. Middletown is offering little of that, other tracks are offering little as well. I could go on and on, trust me all day. Dirt racing is in big trouble economically and socially."

 

"With good racers there, with good racing there, lots of both, people will be there to take it in. Go to Grandview. They got it."

 

"Oh, and the fair, btw, nothing short of a Mexican Carnival."

 

"Wow, so much of what you said is already in my head Jerry, but the one that seems to resonate most, is new money. New blood. A new way of doing things.

 

As I pondered this question last night, I kept coming back to the lack of 'I give a fuck' mentality going on there (or so it seems). To me, it's 100% correct, that if we're happy with the way things are, we're going to sink. And, that seems to be the mentality going on, unfortunately.

 

Grandview is a great example; I'll take Lebanon Valley. Let's forget about the on-track product for a second... Why are those stands usually so full?? Perhaps there is less to do up there, but Howie seems to know how to get asses on the wood! To me, the racing is often comparable to what we have at OCFS, although they don't seem to suffer quite as badly with the racing in the summer months.

 

Reading the list of cars/names that once ran OC that Hig listed is rather upsetting. That's your short fields, that's your 95 people in the half covered (legit number; RS3 counted!), that's one reason the joint is probably on borrowed time. Every time I say/type/think that, it hurts... But unless some things change some, it's likely true. Might take 3 years, might take 10.

 

At least we won't have to deal with the carnival for another 50 weeks Ralph. While I know that it seems to be a necessity to 'maintaining' the grounds, when diehards don't go because of it, something's a bit off. I usually take the fair races and branch out some, but because if weather threats, I just stayed close to home yesterday."

 

"As much as i agree to what all of you say....you cant forget the fact when it come down to punishment. You guys have people who come and drive like idiots and wreck people week in and out and they eather dont get kicked out, they dont get put to the back. Or even if they do get kicked out... $100 later they're back.... I beleive howoe lets them fight at the valley?? ( i've never been there on a regular saturday).... Also you have people in that track that care about the place and some at the same time who dont. In all honesty, the guy in the food stand is the nicest guy in the world, (gives a shit) as noah would say and cares for drivers and fans.....i loved shooting ocfs even as it was boring some times, and honestly it was because i wanted.to get the track out there and get people to see it needs help. But getting in the car now and understanding all the facts all these drivers and teams do now "work, money, frusteration, sacrafice) for you to go to middletown its not worth it. But i give credit to anyone who still does, and i thank you for it. Without them we would literally have nothing. but i having a blast and thats honestly put alot of (charge back into my battery) so to speak.....but i tell you what, all three of you have amazong points.. If only some people would see and read and listen."

 

 

"This has been going on for to many years, and Every time someone try's to help they are USED and if it do's not go the way some people would like it to be, then your criticized and made a fool of. I have seen allot of great people who love this track come and TRY TO FIX the place up and go out of their personal life to try and get people and teams to race there, only to fall flat on their face and then get BASHED by the same people who run the track. Instaed of take what you have and BUILDING ON IT. But NO they reather BASH the people who are working real hard to bring this great track BACK."

 

"Sad.... end of story"

 

"Thank you to my usual group of friends and fb friends for laying it on the table as always. You are all 'lifers' in your own way.

 

You see what alarmed me the most was that for the first time in a very long time and for many of the reasons Jerry Higbie stated so well, I came very close to turning my back on the old girl. I was contemplating the possibilities of doing something else or changing my flavor of racing. I was feeling worn out and frustrated and asking why do I bother emotionally and financially. My investment is small compared to others but you invest what you can.

 

Thanks again for your thoughts, I knew this small group would be on the same page."

 

"When the back gate (the racer's) becomes the sole means of financial support to keep the track open, and it has been for quite some time at many tracks, you can not 'punish' anyone too severely for fear of losing their money. Car count has reached critical mass and you can't afford to lose anyone. Case in point Jackie Brown Racing gone. You should be at the back gate shaking every single persons hand and thanking them for coming to the track, but I don't see a lot of that either."

 

“Hay Jackie Brown was not the only one !!!! Many others, If I was running the track I would put a bounty on a racing team that is winning allot of races and Drew the cars & fans to the track. BUT they fined it better to wed out the people who MADE that track what it WAS. I know allot of us are not liked because of what He Said & She Said, I got nothing to be ashamed of, We have contributed allot to that track (jct motorsports) in the 45 years We have been going there. And so has allot of other people.....”

 

"Wow, lot's of great responses here! I gotta agree with each one of 'em. First off, I love OCFS, ever since I was a five year old kid and saw my first race there with my dad and older brother. I was hooked from the start and have attended just about every week from 1967 until today and will continue to come till the old girl shuts her gates for the last time. I don't know how to fix it......I don't know where to begin....but, SOMETHING has to be done. Fix it up? Promotion? A cheaper racing division? Lower admission? Lower pit gate cost? Open tire rule? And one more thing, the FAIR. I never go to Middletown during the FAIR. It's a mess, the crowd is down right scary, and I say it's not only me that stays away during this time. Why can't racing fans park in the drive-in and walk around to the stands? Why pay for the fair when we don't go to it?"

 

"Boy I miss the days with frank cozens in the 12t. Hearn ending up in the drive in with miller car . Heotzler and Horton hitting the inside tires in the dash for cash. And jimmy houser coming out of no where putting a sick show on these are just a couple things I remover and will never c again"

 

"Quite a few interesting thoughts and comments on this subject! However, as much as I've bitched, moaned and complained about OC and it's leadership, along with others, I don't think we'll be seeing any changes in the near future. Back when we had the big "Dust Meeting" years ago, I can still recall Mr. Gurda saying that the track needs the fair to survive. He also said the fair needs the track to survive. Unfortunately, it now looks like both are having a slow gruesome fall from the face of earth."

 

"The place has had an arrogance about for too long. They had the cars because for so many it was the closest track around. Now that has changed, Jerry is correct, there are too many other things to do on a sat nite. The track has to have all involved let go. It needs new blood and a new attitude. Get the cars out of the infield of the track. Make the track smaller so its not all about motor and equipment. Regulate the Sportsman class so it affordable. has anyone asked why there are less than 20 Sportsman signed in now? has anyone looked at Malta and see there are 40-50 Sportsman because they made it cost effective. I go to Malta,Accord and Bethel and they have great crowds with side by side racing. I know i only race a small car but as a driver I love racing on someone elses rubrail. racing with cars 20 ft apart is exciting to watch or participate in. I ran a small track for 3 years and we were successful because my thought process is for the fans and the drivers. It has to be a balance of each. Very few tracks get that. Go to malta and you will see how it should be done. Jerry, your words took balls to say for a sport you love but understand the realities of."

 

 

 

 

The Truck race at Eldora:

 

Mudsummer Classic?  Where was the mud, anyway?  Personally, I do not consider that track that was on TV on Wednesday night to be a DIRT track.  You see the one announcer hit the surface with a hammer?  Problem I see, most are gonna love it.  I think it was a very sad example of what DIRT track racing should be.  Hey, even our tracks here in the area where I live are exactly like Eldora was on Wednesday night.  Some owners just don’t want to take the time and work on them as they should be worked on.  My thoughts, of course.

 

 

Truck race at Eldora - from what was said on Facebook:

 

What follows is previous to the feature being run.

 

JR Heffner finishes 2nd in heat but still has to run consi! WTF?

 

Finished 2nd doesn't qualify bloomer finishes 7th and qualifies. Hmmm only NASCAR can f**k up a dirt track race. Locking guys in is just pathetic.

 

There should have been NO lock ins.

 

Can someone please send the announcers at the truck race a picture of Kokomo Speedway so they can see what a cushion really is.

 

The tracks not as wet as last night.

 

Nope. Tony said he wanted the track to be 'as much like asphalt as possible" for all the nascar yuppies.

 

Will tonight's NASCAR truck race be good, bad or make no difference for short track dirt racing?

 

it will give people the wrong idea since most of these guys are not dirt racers! so BAD!

 

 Bad race; good for dirt racing. Still looking forward to it.

 

ha my wife asked when they were going to go green lol

 

Can't wait to see what Kyle Larson can do in the feature. That kids a wheel man!!

 

Patient he will WIN...Over agressive he will crash out....Thats My two cents...LOL

 

I hope this NASCAR Truck race encourages people to visit their local dirt tracks. These trucks were obviously not built for dirt. They're ungainly. It looks like a medium or lower division at a local track. It's fascinating in its way but dirt racing can be much better.

 

Maybe this is why NASCAR Left the dirt? The racing was greater in people's memory?

 

If you think you like the trucks at Eldora I would suggest you go there and watch a non wing sprint car race

 

exactly

 

Im NOT a track expert but I think if they WATER the bottom and leave the middle to the top alone this race could be EXCITING....... Anyone???

 

Wish a non wing sprint car race from Eldora could get this good of tv coverage

 

Ok maybe they should put these "premier drivers" in a street stock and then see how they can do!

 

anyone know if they are gonna dig it up before the feature?

 

You are kidding, right?

 

Come on Heffner! Hope he runs with this LCQ...

 

Should not be in there....should be starting 6th.... This is aggravating

 

JR lets freakin go. Show them what a northeast dirt driver can do.

 

He did that in te Heat race and should be starting 6th.....If he does not make this show its a SHAME ON NASCAR QUALIFYING!!!

 

Smoke has done a fantastic job making Eldora as close to asphalt as possible. Even get some late models out to lay down the rubber. Dirt race...LMAO!

 

 

Note:  Of course it had to end with the now famous NASCAR “Scripted Finish” -  green/white/checkered.  I do not think the yellows should have counted!  It sure seemed like they counted the yellow flag laps those last ten or so laps.

 

 

 

 

 

At Lebanon Valley this past Sunday, the WoO Sprint Cars made their annual visit.  The winner was due to get $10,000.00.  This was posted on Facebook around 10:00 PM on Sunday:

“50/50 for tonight was $ 10,059 dollars ! Now that's what I am talking about ! 59 dollars more then the woo winner will get tonight !”

 

 

While on the subject of the WoO at the Valley – looking at the results, every race winner came from the front row.  In all races except the feature, the cars that started on the front row finished 1st & 2nd.  In the feature, the winner started on the pole.  Must be why I’m not a fan of time trials.  We pass when the WoO go to the Valley.  And, it’s not better when they’re at OCFS, either.  Maybe if they’d take the wings (crutches) off – nah, ain’t gonna happen!

 

 

 

Trucks at Eldora – I watched some of the practice on Tues night.  Track sucked, as far as I’m concerned.  Way too hard & slick.  They’re supposed to dig it up after practice & maybe get some moisture into it.  So, why practice?  Well, it sure didn’t look like it was dug up, did it?

 

 

 

Again, if you want to see what kind of racing is on TV, go here:

http://tvracer.com/

 

 

 

Along with the above:

 

ESPN, Turner to drop NASCAR coverage

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/espn-turner-drop-nascar-coverage-183029494--nascar.html

 

 

 

 

I found this the other day, and while I was out running some errands last Saturday, and while waiting in line for the traffic light to go from red to green, I thought about this, below: 

 

Opinion: Add Standing Start to NASCAR All-Star Race

 

http://www.motorracingnetwork.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Sprint-Cup/News/Articles/2013/07/Opinion-Add-Standing-Starts-to-All-Star-Race.aspx

 

Note:  I just hope that if they ever do have a standing start, that it’s a helluva lot better than the “standing starts” we have on the roads today, especially when in traffic and the light turns green.  Seems that if you’re about the sixth car in line, it takes 30 seconds to get moving.  Imagine that in a standing start in the All-Star race?  Might as well wave the green and yellow at the same time!

 

 

Baseball:

 

I keep racking my brain - going back in the day - the 50's to 70's, when a majority of today's players would never have made the major leagues, and try to think - why weren't those players injured as much as these "pussy" players we have today, are?  Back then they played mostly out in the hot sun every day and double headers most every weekend.  Today's "athletes" have all kinds of training equipment and even "roids", too, but every time one picks up a paper - another is hurt and can't play for months.  Still draw full pay (way overpaid, in my way of thinking).  Somehow I think the “roids” have something to do with some of the injuries that have occurred and are re-occuring, lately.

Note:  Don’t be surprised of the Yankee organization is somehow going to stop “A-Roid” from playing again, and will weasel out of paying him that huge (not worthy) contract monies.

 

 

 

For all you Jeff Heotzler fans – this from Friday 7/19, on Facebook:

 

 

Jeff Heotzler Racing shared BD Motorsports Media & Friesen-Deyo Promotions's

We will be taking a couple of weeks off from weekly Accord racing to prepare for the Battle of the Bullring which takes place on August 6th. Next Saturday night (7/27) you can find The Jeffer at the Valley of Speed, Lebanon Valley Speedway, as he plans to test the Ron Robert's owned 14H big-block on the high-banks. If all goes well, then the team will be back at LV on August 15th in hopes to compete for The Jeffer's 3rd Mr. DIRT Track USA title!

 

 

 

 

Found on the Internet on auto racing:

 

On another racing forum on the Internet, there is a thread about how Big Diamond had their “Free admission” night.  What follows is a post by someone, and for his posting the information, he was blasted by other members of that forum.  Somehow, I fail to see how the poster bashed Big Diamond or anything else – just being informative.

 

“Deer Creek Speedway in MN has been giving the fans a free night of racing since I believe 2007 and they have 4 classes of racing most nights. The Queenslands have been Promoters of the Year and nominees almost every year they have been promoting the speedway.”

 

 

 

 

Ayrton Senna's and Nelson Piquet's contracts with Lotus

 

Senna: http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/sdm14j00/pdf

 

Piquet: http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/qgp51c00/pdf

 

 

 

 

 

A couple of items that were local news from my area this past Monday:

 

On I-84, on Sunday, four motorcyclists were clocked at 138 MPH.  Yes, as they were speeding along their merry way, further up the road, some troopers were waiting to slow them down.  They’ll be appearing in court very soon.

 

In a fairly good sized article in the Monday Middletown Times Herald-Record there is mention made of 27,000 free lunches being handed out over a 6-8 week period this summer, for children in the Newburgh, NY area.  To qualify, one must be under 19 or 21 if disabled.  Now I’m for making sure children are fed, but when one thinks about how so many are saying our last Presidential election was won by all the “free” handouts from our government, are we, in a way, feeding the fire with these children getting those free lunches and getting into their heads that handouts are the way to survive and will rely on them in their future?

 

 

 

 

Coming up:

 

Vintage at Loudon:

 

http://www.vintagecelebration.com/

 

23nd Annual Vintage Racing Celebration

July 30 - August 4, 2013

 

 

 

Accord - Tuesday, August 6th.

 

BD Motorsports Media LLC and Accord Speedway Co-Promotion

51 laps, $5,100 to win for the Modifieds

plus Sportsman (Opens and Crates) $1,000 to win.

 

 

 

OCFS:

 

MOTO & MONSTER TRUCK MADNESS

July 26, 27, 28, 2013

Firestone Bigfoot, Storm Damage and Tropical Thunder

and more to be announced.

Performances by the International Freestyle Motocross Association

200MPH jet car that will be doing a car burn at each show.

Meet and Greet

Friday and Saturday 5-6PM

Sunday 3-4PM.

 

Note:   No racing at OCFS this coming Saturday night.

 

 

 

A return of the “Racing Expo” at the Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, N.J. is scheduled for the Sunday of the Labor Day Weekend.

 

Some years ago, there were some racing oriented shows in the Paterson Museum which I found to be interesting.  Once Pete Kessler and I took Nick Fornoro there and when show organizer Joe Ruffilo said he was going to try to get a show at the stadium, the first thing Nick asked was:  “How’s the surface”?  As for Joe Ruffilo, I found out the other day that he has since passed away.  Damn nice guy!

 

 

 

 

From Jayski:

http://www.jayski.com/

 

Bruno Senna looking to test in NASCAR:

After stints in Formula One with HRT, Renault and Williams between 2010 and last year, Bruno Senna, the nephew of Grand Prix legend Ayrton Senna switched to sports care at Le Mans with Aston Martin for 2013. The 29-year-old has now told O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper that his options for 2014 are open. "Continuing with Aston Martin is one of the best options I have," said Senna. "But I also want to see if I can test in NASCAR. It was already supposed to happen at the beginning of the year. I am going to have some meetings to see what is the best way forward. I also have options for Indy (cars), stock and NASCAR. What is not lacking is open doors." Senna admitted to having some safety concerns with sports cars, particularly after his teammate Allan Simonsen crashed and died in the recent Le Mans 24 hours.(Autoweek)(7-19-2013)

 

 

Tyler Walker pleads not guilty in drug, high speed case:

A professional racing driver who allegedly led officers on a high-speed highway pursuit and his female passenger entered not guilty pleas on drug and evading police charges Tuesday in 5th District Court. Timothy Tyler Andrew Walker, 33, and Raelle Hann McDonald, 30, who both list the same Hermosa Beach, Calif., address with the court, waived an evidentiary hearing in the case and asked the court to accept the pleas through their attorney, Douglas Terry. Walker and McDonald didn't appear with Terry in court. Terry informed Judge Eric Ludlow that his clients are free on bail and asked the court to set a review hearing in the case. Ludlow scheduled the hearing for Sept. 5 at 10:30 a.m. Walker is charged with three felonies and five misdemeanors and McDonald is charged with two felonies and three misdemeanors stemming from their Jan. 30 arrests on an Interstate 15 ramp at Exit 6. Walker gained fame during the past decade as a driver in the World of Outlaws sprint car series, then as a NASCAR sprint car and truck series driver. After 28 runs with NASCAR, he was suspended from racing for reportedly violating the series' drug policy in 2007, but continued to race in other venues until the month of his arrest. Officers reported that during subsequent investigation they found evidence of marijuana, methamphetamine, hashish and an open bottle of vodka in the vehicle where both occupants might have had access to them, as well as multiple new and used pipes for consuming the drugs.(Spectrum of St. George)(7-18-2013)

 

 

 

Newman to run Truck race at Eldora:

Sprint Cup Series star and former Camping World Truck Series winner Ryan Newman will return to the NCWTS for the first time in over two years for the Mudsummer Classic at Eldora Speedway on July 24. Newman will pilot the #34 Oral-B/Aggressive Hydraulics/WIX Filter Silverado for Turner Scott Motorsports. Newman has four previous starts in the NCWTS, collecting one victory, one pole and four top-five finishes. Newman's most recent NCWTS start was at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the fall of 2011, where he started and finished fifth while competing for Turner Scott Motorsports. Newman participated in a recent test session for Turner Scott Motorsports on July 8 at 311 Motor Speedway in Pine Hall, N.C. Turner Scott Motorsports NASCAR Nationwide Series crew chief Chris Carrier will be calling the shots atop the pit box for Newman in the Inaugural Mudsummer Classic at Eldora Speedway.(Turner Scott Motorsports PR)(7-18-2013)

 

 

NBC Acquires NASCAR Rights, ESPN/TNT Out:

ESPN and Turner Sports will be out of the NASCAR business after next season, ending associations with the sport that go back three decades. NASCAR plans to announce this afternoon a new rights deal with NBC for the second half of the Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series seasons -- a package that previously had been held by ESPN. Beginning in 2015, NBC will share NASCAR coverage with Fox, which signed an extension with NASCAR last year. Financial terms of NBC's deal were not available, but sources familiar with it said it was as much as a 50% increase from what ESPN paid for the Sprint Cup series and half of the Nationwide Series. Turner's package of six Sprint Cup races, as well as the first half of the Nationwide Series, remain available, according to sources. Fox is considered a likely bidder for both those packages. Turner and ESPN, which are in the seventh year of eight-year agreements valued at $2.74B overall, had an exclusive negotiating window with NASCAR that ended July 14. When they did not finalize extensions, NASCAR turned to NBC. ESPN and Turner both were interested in keeping the rights, but were not willing to pay as much as NBC was offering, sources said. (full story at the Sports Business Daily)

 

UPDATE - announcement:

NASCAR and NBC Sports Group announced today they have reached a comprehensive agreement that grants NBCUniversal exclusive rights to the final 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, final 19 NASCAR Nationwide Series events, select NASCAR Regional & Touring Series events and other live content beginning in 2015. Financial terms of the agreement, which runs through the 2024 season, were not disclosed.

With this partnership, NBCs 20 Sprint Cup race schedule includes becoming the exclusive home to the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, NASCARs final 10 races of the season, including its season-ending championship event which will return to network television in 2015 for the first time since 2009. Of NBC Sports Groups 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events, seven will be carried on NBC annually, with 13 airing on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN). Four of NBC Sports Groups 19 NASCAR Nationwide Series races will air on NBC, with 15 airing on NBCSN.

In addition to rights to NASCAR Sprint Cup and NASCAR Nationwide Series races, NBC has also obtained exclusive rights to practice and qualifying sessions for NBCs national series events during their portion of the season, as well as rights to broadcast the NASCAR K&N Series, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NASCAR Toyota (Mexico) Series, the NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremony and NASCARs season-ending banquets. Further, NBC has been granted Spanish-language rights, certain video-on-demand rights and exclusive TV Everywhere rights for its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series events.

Summary of key NBC Sports Group Exclusive Rights  2015-2024:

· Final 20 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races (7 on NBC, 13 on NBCSN)

· Final 19 NASCAR Nationwide Series races (4 on NBC, 15 on NBCSN)

· NASCAR K&N Series and NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour events

· NASCAR Toyota (Mexico) Series events

· NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremony and season-ending banquets

· TV Everywhere live-streaming rights for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series

· Spanish-language broadcast rights on Telemundo and Mun2 for national series events and NASCAR Toyota (Mexico) Series.(NASCAR)

 

ESPN Statement on NASCAR Statement from John Skipper, President of ESPN:

ESPN has enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial relationship with NASCAR. We have tremendous respect for the France family, the drivers and all in the sport and wish them well. We will continue to serve NASCAR fans through SportsCenter and our other news platforms as we continue to enhance our industry-leading collection of quality assets. We are looking forward to the start of our Sprint Cup season and will continue with our deep commitment to the highest quality coverage.(ESPN)(7-23-2013)

 

UPDATE2:

NBC will pay $4.4B over 10 years for rights to ESPN's entire NASCAR package, plus half of Turner's six races, according to sources familiar with the deal. That represents a significant media rights increase for NASCAR over the more than $2.28B paid by ESPN and Turner Sports combined for the same number of Sprint Cup and Nationwide races in their current 8-year agreements. This comes after NASCAR received a more than 30% increase in its earlier deal with Fox that covers the first half of its season.(Sports Business Daily)(7-24-2013)

 

 

Sale of Phoenix Racing still pending;

Denial by Brandt:

The sale of #51-Phoenix Racing is not yet complete, but team general manager Steve Barkdoll said the organization is continuing to build cars for future races. Team owner James Finch had hoped to have completed the sale of his team by Monday. If he does not sell the team, he will close the shop in two weeks after the July 28 race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Barkdoll said he is confident the team will be sold and continue racing. AJ Allmendinger will drive for the team for the Brickyard 400 and if the team continues operating, the current plan is to have him in the car the following week at Pocono, Barkdoll said.(Sporting News)(7-16-2013)

 

UPDATE:

James Finch isn't one for counting unhatched chickens. "We're in a holding pattern until (Wednesday)," Finch said Tuesday as he tried to finalize the sale of his Sprint Cup racing team, Phoenix Racing. "They've sent in some paperwork today, and they're supposed to wire some money (Wednesday). Until then I don't have anything to say until (Wednesday). "Hopefully by (noon) or 1 o'clock I can tell you the deal." Rumors have persisted that Harry Scott, co-owner of Turner Scott Motorsports that competes on NASCAR's Nationwide Series and the Camping World Truck Series, is the potential buyer. Finch, however, neither has confirmed nor denied that, and he has offered few clues as to who the prospective buyer might be.(News Herald)(7-16-2013)

 

UPDATE 2:

It's sold. With those two words, James Finch announced the sale of Phoenix Racing on Wednesday. Finch declined to name the buyer, explaining that the new owner preferred to make an announcement of his own either Friday or Monday. "I can't tell you yet," Finch said. Finch added that he will assist the new owner through the Sprint Cup race at Atlanta on Sept. 1. That race will mark the end of Finch's 23-year run as a Sprint Cup and Nationwide team owner. "They wanted the help," Finch said. "They've never run any Cup races or anything like that, so I'm going to help them. I don't want to say a whole lot. They've got a sponsorship and a driver they want to introduce later in the year."(News Herald)(7-17-2013)

 

UPDATE 3:

Phoenix Racing owner James Finch confirmed Thursday night that he has sold his team - though he would not disclose to whom. Although Finch elected not to divulge the names of the new owners, FOX Sports reported on June 29 that Harry Scott, co-owner of Turner Scott Motorsports, will partner with a group that also includes current sponsor Brandt, which supports the racing efforts of NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Justin Allgaier, to buy the team. Brandt is an agricultural retailer and manufacturer based in Springfield, Ill., and has backed Allgaier since 2011. The 27-year-old Riverton, Ill. native, who is currently fourth in the NNS point standings, is expected to drive the #51 Chevy over the final 10 races of the season. While A.J. Allmendinger was expected to compete in six of the final seven races for Phoenix Racing, Finch said he wanted the opportunity to continue "showcasing the talent" of aspiring NASCAR racers as well. Australian Owen Kelly will make his Cup debut in the #51 Chevy at Watkins Glen on Aug. 11. Ryan Truex, 21, was scheduled to make his Cup debut with Phoenix at Dover prior to breaking his shoulder blade on March 31. Finch plans on running Truex at Bristol on Aug. 24.(Fox Sports)(7-20-2013)

 

UPDATE 4:

Brandt Chief Marketing Officer Karl Barnhart denied on Tuesday that Brandt is purchasing or has purchased Phoenix Racing. He said Brandt has no plans to make a formal announcement in relation to NASCAR in the coming days. We are incredibly happy with our NASCAR Nationwide program, he said. We are concentrating on winning a championship this year. (State Journal-Register)(7-24-2013)

 

 

 

 

 

Former OVRP Dirt Oval racers:

 

At Accord, Tyler Dippel was 7th, Danny Creeden 18th and Joey Bruning 19th in the Modified feature.

In the held over Sportsman feature, Anthony Perrego was 3rd and Dippel 14th.

In the regular nights Sportsman feature, Perrego was the winner.

In the Spec Sportsman feature, Perrego won again, with Tyler Boniface 4th.

 

At Hamlin, Jacob Hendershot won the 270 Micro feature with Rick Casario 7th.

Danny Buccafusca won the All-Star Slingshot feature and Tyler Pirone was 9th.

Kyle Rohner was 2nd in the Wingless 600 feature.

 

Kolby Schroder was 5th, Kyle Armstrong 8th and Bobby Hackel, IV 11th in the Modified feature at Lebanon Valley.

John Virgilio won the Sportsman feature while Tyler Dippel was 5th.

 

Tyler Dippel won the Sportsman feature at Thunder Mountain.

 

At OCFS on Thursday, Dippel was 3rd, Perrego 4th, Joe Conklin 6th, LJ Lombardo 7th, Matt Janiak 8th, Steve Reeves 11th Joey Falanga 13th and Brian Krummel 18th in the Sportsman feature.

Clinton Mills was 9th in the Street Stock race

At OCFS on Saturday, Clinton Mills was 4th, Tim Hindley 5th, Billy V 6th, Mike Ruggiero 9th and Danny Creeden 14th in the Modified feature.

In the Small Block feature, Creeden was 2nd, Krummel 3rd, Billy V 7th, RJ Smykla 11th, Reeves 18th and Hindley 20th.

 

Billy V was 17th in the SDS Modified race at Drummondville on Monday night.

 

Davie Franek was 2nd in the URC feature at Delaware International.

 

Johnny Guarino was 10th in the Modified feature at New Egypt.

 

In the Asphalt RoC race at Oswego, Nick Pecko was 8th.

 

AJ Filbeck won the Sportsman feature at Utica/Rome.

 

In the dirt Modified RoC race at 5 Mile Point, Tyler Dippel was 10th and Danny Creeden 27th.

 

At Oswego, in the Small Block Super Modified feature, Brian Sobus was 3rd.

 

Mike Mammana was 11th in the Modified feature at Big Diamond.

 

In the All-Star 410 Sprint Car race at Fonda, Josh Pieniazek was 21st – I figure with his 305, maybe?

 

Molly Chambers was 11th in the Wingless 600 Micro feature at Kutztown.

 

Jacob Hendershot was 8th and Rick Casario 11th in the 270 Micro feature at Penn Can.  Danny Buccafusca was 11th, Tyler Pirone 14th and Ben Whitaker 29th in the Slingshot feature.

 

Billy V was 23rd in the DIRTcar SDS race at Autodrome Granby on Tuesday night.

 

Danny Creeden was 5th in the RoC “Crazy 8’s” race at I-88 Speedway on Wednesday night.  Best I know, Billy V was a DNQ.

 

37 names this week.

 

 

 

 

From the AARN:

http://www.aarn.com/

 

From their July 23rd issue:

 

I hate to say this, but I’m just a tad too busy to go through the digital version of the AARN page by page, so I’m just putting in what the AARN is saying what some of the subjects this week are.  Sorry!

 

This Week

In AARN:

 

Schatz Runs Roughshod

With WoO At Grove, Leb. Valley

 

 

Hirschman First Outsmarts,

Then Outruns RoC Rivals

To Win Second Straight

Race Of Champions

 

 

All Stars No Match

For Pennsy Sprinters

InEmpire State:

Dietrich At Fonda;

Dewease At Fulton

 

 

Oxford Plains 250 P.A.S.S. Race

Is Travis Benjamin Benefit

 

 

Tony Stewart Shoulders Blame

For Wild Canandaigua Sprint Crash

 

 

ACT International 500 Win

Is Joey Polewarczyk's Biggest

 

 

Phelps Tops RoC FMP Field;

Johnson Disqualified

After Second Place Finish

 

 

Tour Champ Doug Coby

Is Seekonk Open Comp Winner;

Earns $10,000

 

 

America's Motorsports Park's

410 Inaugural Claimed

By Bobby Howard

 

 

Borger's Open TQ Midget Race

A Big Hit; AC Winner Sesely

Takes The Win

 

 

 

 

 

This date in racing history:

 

Just some of the events on July 25th in:

 

 

1911

Len Duncan... Born ... Len Duncan, of Lansdale, PA, had a racing career spanning seven decades, beginning in 1928 and continuing into the 1980s in TQ midgets! In 1953, 1954 and 1955, when AAA had a working agreement with the American Racing Drivers Club (ARDC), he was the AAA Eastern Midget Champion, and during the thirteen years between 1955 and 1967, he won the ARDC title eight times. During World War II, Len had the honor of being assigned as President Truman's driver during one of his visits to England. He drove in the Indianapolis 500 in 1954 and had relief from George Fonder. The pair completed 101 laps and placed 31st. Mario Andretti credits Duncan with having a great influence on his professional life.

Note:  A photo of Len in a Mike Caruso Midget will be in my photo section, below.

 

George Marshman... Born ... Race car driver, builder and promoter. Father of Bobby Marshman, 1961 Indianapolis 500 Co-Rookie of the Year.

 

1948

Tommy Hinnershitz won the AAA Eastern Sprint Car race at the Selinsgrove Speedway,Selinsgrove, PA.

Ted Horn won the AAA Sprint Car race at the Winchester Speedway,Winchester, IN.

 

1953

Joe Barzda won the AAA Midget race at the Bone Stadium, Pittston,PA.

 

1954

Jimmy Davies won the AAA sanctioned Indianapolis Sweepstakes race on the .5 Mile Dirt Oval Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Jimmy Bryan was second followed by Jimmy Reece, Rodger Ward and Don Freeland.

Mike Nazaruk won the AAA Sprint Car race at the Dayton Speedway, Dayton, OH.

 

1959

Rodger Ward defeated the creme of US sportscar racers when he won the Formula Libra race at Lime Rock in an Offenhauser powered Kurtis midget.

 

Note:  More on this event at the end of this section.

 

 

1963

Chuck Rodee won the USAC Midget race at the Seekonk Speedway, Seekonk,MA.

 

1965

Mario Andretti drove his Dean Van Lines Ford powered Brawner-Hawk to victory in the 150 mile USAC Championship race on the Indianapolis Raceway Park 1.875 Mile Paved road course. Bobby Unser was second followed by Roger McCluskey, A.J. Foyt and Jim McElreath.

Rags Carter won the Modified Stock Car race and Wally Dallenbach won the ARDC Midget race at the Nazareth Speedway, Nazareth,PA.

Johnny Roberts ... Died ... NASCAR Modified Champion died as a result of a crash at the Lincoln Speedway in Hanover, Pa on July 24, 1965.

 

 

1969

Johnny Coy won the ARDC Midget race at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway, Malta,NY.

 

1970

Bobbie Adamson, in the Al Hamilton # 77, won the Super Sprint Car race over Jan Opperman, Gene Kohr, Jim Sheaffer and Gene Varner at the Selinsgrove Speedway, Selinsgrove,PA.

Jim Kirk won the ARDC Midget race at the Reading Fairgrounds, Reading,PA. Jim Maguire was second followed by Tommy McAndrew, Earl Halaquist and Bing Metz.

Bobby Allen won the Super Sprint Car race over Gus Linder, Irvin King and Kenny Weld at the Lincoln Speedway, Hanover,PA.

Johnny Grum won the Super Sprint Car race over Elmer Ruby, Don Kimberling, Joe Lingle and Red Dysinger at the Port Royal Speedway, Port Royal,PA.

 

1976

George Ferguson, Jr. and Frankie Holz won the Steve Howard Memorial ARDC Midget feature races at the Grandview Speedway, Bechtelsville,PA.

 

1981

Pancho Carter won the Norton Michigan 500 CART race on the 2 Mile Paved Oval Michigan International Speedway. Tony Bettenhausen Jr was second followed by Rick Mears, Bill Alsup and Tom Bigelow.

 

1993

Dale Earnhardt won the NASCAR Winston Cup DieHard 500 over Ernie Irvan at the Talladega Superspeedway, Talladega, AL.

 

1999

Tony Kanaan won the U.S. 500 CART race on the 2 Mile Paved Oval Michigan International Speedway. Juan Montoya was second followed by Paul Tracy, Michael Andretti and Dario Franchitti.

Bobby Labonte won the NASCAR Winston Cup Pennsylvania 500 over Dale Jarrett at the Pocono Raceway, Pocono, PA.

 

The Lime Rock Formula Libra racing results:

 

USAC Formula Libra Race - Lime Rock - July 25, 1959

 

Heat 1 - 20 laps

1 - George Constantine - 4.2 Aston Martin

2 - Rodger Ward - 1.7 Offy

3 - Chuck Daigh - 2.5 Maserati GP

4 - John Fitch - 2.0 Cooper Monaco

5 - Pedro Rodriguez - 3.0 Maserati

6 - Lance Reventlow - Cooper F2

7 - Russ Klar - 1.7 Offy

8 - Dick Thompson - 4.9 Sting Ray

9 - Bob Colombosian - 2.0 Lister Bristol

10 - Vic Meinhardt - 1.5 Porsche RS

11 - Ray Saidel - Jomar F2

12 - Loyal Katskee - 3.0 Ferrari Monza

13 - Denise McCluggage - 1.5 Porsche RS

14 - Bert Brooks - 1.7 Offy

15 - Gordon MacKenzie - 3.5 C-Jaguar

16 - Jokko Maggiacomo - 4.9 Ferrari-Corvette

17 - John Grimaldi - 3.4 D-Jaguar

18 - Paul O'Shea - 4.6 Bocar-Corvette

19 - Duane Carter - 1.7 Offy

 

Heat 2 - 20 laps

1 - Ward

2 - Constantine

3 - Daigh

4 - Fitch

5 - Rodriguez

6 - Reventlow

7 - Tony Bettenhausen (in Klar's midget)

8 - Colombosian

9 - Thompson

10- Brooks

11- McCluggage

12 - Saidel

13 - Maggiacomo

14 - Katskee

15 - D.Carter

16 - Grimaldi

17 - MacKenzie

18 - Meinhardt

19 - O'Shea

 

Final - 60 laps

1 - Ward

2 - Daigh

3 - Rodriguez

4 - Fitch

5 - Colombosian

6 - Brooks

7 - Thompson

8 - Reventlow

9 - Maggiacomo

10 - McCluggage

11 - Katskee

12 - Saidel

13 - D.Carter

14 - MacKenzie

15 - Boyle (in Grimaldi's car)

 

 

Promoters were given wide leeway in whether or not you opened up their events to just sports cars (as per CSI Appendix C, basically) or Libra (which allowed the single-seaters), and in 1962 the option of also adding ICF (Inter-Continental Formula) machines was added, as was done at Bossier City and IRP that year.

 

And this, too:

 

July 25, 1959

 

In the Fall of 1959, Lime Rock held a USAC-sanctioned Formula Libra race. It was "run what ya brung." And one of those appearing for the race was Indy winner Rodger Ward in his Kurtis-Offy midget, alcohol fuel and all. Only politeness kept the Sports Car set from howling with laughter and falling on the ground in hysterics. Tony Bettenhausen, Russ Klar, Brett Brooks, and Duane Carter also had midgets on hand for the race. With some adjustments to the torsion bar suspension to allow turns to the left and right, different cams in the engines, and the alterations to the gearboxes and rear end gears, they were pretty much as raced on the midget circuits.

The entries that were expected to do well were Chuck Daigh in a Maserati 250F just acquired from Joakim Bonnier by Camoradi USA, Lance Reventlow (of Scarab fame) in a F2 Cooper, George Constantine in a Aston Martin 4.2 DBR2, as well as John Fitch's literally just off the boat Cooper Monaco, and teenager Pedro Rodriguez in a 3-litre Maserati, as well as Denise McCluggage in Porsche RSK. It was an excellent entry for such a relatively minor race, but the lure of dollars brought out the entries.

The race was run in a format of two 20-lap heats and a 60-lap final. Jaws literally dropped as Ward grabbed the pole from Constantine by nearly a second. And in sixth place on the grid was Klar. In the first heat, as the flag dropped on the rolling start, Ward got caught lagging the revs and Constantine went past into the lead. Once Ward had the engine really revving, he took off after Constantine. Passing Daigh's Maserati, he was at the bumper of the Aston very quickly. Although the Aston finished ahead of the midget, Ward trailed by only two seconds. And Klar managed to bring his midget home in seventh.

Ken Brenn, Ward's entrant, managed to perform a gear change in the 20 minutes between the heats to the astonishment of the Sports Car crowd. Tony Bettenhausen replaced Klar in the Caruso midget. At the start of the second heat, Ward made sure that he didn't get caught again and was first into the first corner. Constantine passed Ward several laps later and started to pull out a slight lead, but at the Esses Ward had an off course excursion and since he never lifted was once again right on the rear bumper of the Aston. Constantine was surprised to see Ward there since he assumed that Ward would have flown off into the countryside. At the halfway point, Ward passed the Aston and pulled away to win the heat.

In the final, Constantine and Daigh made sure that they elbowed Ward out of the way at the start as they shot off ahead of the field. They traded the lead until the Aston pitted with a rear axle stub bearing failure. Ward closed on Daigh and passed him with ten laps to go and drew away for a very convincing win. Needless to say, it was a shock to the Sporty Car crowd.

In mid-October, USAC sanctioned another Formula Libre event, this time at Watkins Glen. Although it was a crushing victory for Stirling Moss - five laps ahead of second place - what was significant was that the second place car was driven by Eddie Johnson at the wheel of his Jerry Zello midget. The midget was clear of all the sports cars and, except for Moss, the fastest car on the circuit - and this despite rain, sleet and snow that fell during the race.

 

 

 

 

 

Press releases:

 

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 21, 2013

Bullring Buzz: Excitement Builds For Tuesday, August 6 New York Truck Parts ‘Battle of the Bullring’ At Accord Speedway; Tremont, Friesen, Pauch Jr., Mahaney Among Early Invaders To Commit; List Of Marketing Partners Grows

ACCORD, NY – The buzz surrounding the return of midweek Modified racing at Accord Speedway continues to grow.

Big-block/small-block Modifieds will rumble in the Catskill Mountains on Tuesday, August 6 (rain date: August 7) when New York Truck Parts presents the first ‘Battle of the Bullring’ at the Ulster County quarter-mile. Modifieds race 51 laps for $5,100 to win and Sportsman (Open vs. 602 Crate) compete in a 25-lap main paying $1,000 to the winner. The anticipated open-wheel doubleheader is the first midweek Modified event contested at Accord in 10 years.

Drivers are beginning to commit to the event, which offers a lucrative payout for 51 laps of short-track racing ($1,000 for fifth, $500 for 10th and $300 to take the green from a guaranteed purse). The special event is a co-promotion involving BD Motorsports Media LLC and Accord Speedway management.

The New York Truck Parts ‘Battle of the Bullring’ is more than just a race. On-track action will be preceded by a chicken barbecue in the grandstand area. A mechanical bull will also be on site offering rides to those courageous enough to take the challenge.

Capital District star Kenny Tremont of West Sand Lake, N.Y., a leading competitor at Lebanon Valley (N.Y.) and Albany-Saratoga (N.Y.) speedways, has filed his entry for the ‘Battle of the Bullring’ event. Tremont has signed on to drive as a teammate to Accord Modified point leader Jackie Brown Jr., a three-time winner at the speedway this season.

Stewart Friesen, one of the Northeast’s hottest Modified drivers, plans to attend the ‘Battle of the Bullring’ driving a Tadd Parks-fielded No. 1 Teo-Pro car. The Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., native who lives in Sprakers, N.Y., has never won a feature at Accord but has taken aim at the August 6 top prize.

Versatile Billy Pauch Jr., who has participated in Modified, Sprint Car, Micro-Sprint, SpeedSTR and Midget competition this season, entered with his self-owned No. 15 small-block. The Frenchtown, N.J., driver shook down his new ride recently at New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway and has it ready for the Accord event.

Mike Mahaney, a 24-year-old rising star who competes in New York State at Albany-Saratoga, Fonda and Utica-Rome speedways weekly, will be among those challenging for an Accord triumph. Mahaney attended the ’12 ‘King of the Catskills’ event and immediately developed an affection for the facility.

Long renowned as the ‘King’ of Modified racing at Accord, 10-time track champion Rich Ricci Jr., is back with fresh equipment. The New Paltz, N.Y., resident recently completed an all-new HigFab No. 406 small-block. Ricci plans to dial in the car over the next two Friday nights at the Big A in advance of the high-paying ‘Battle of the Bullring’ event.

The invaders will face a tough Accord cast that includes Hurley, N.Y.’s Brown, Jerry Higbie of Newburgh, N.Y., (who will field two cars at the event, the second being driven by Sportsman standout Anthony Perrego), Andy Bachetti of Sheffield, Mass., Tommy Meier of Waldwick, N.J., Mike Ricci of Tillson, N.Y., Jeff Heotzler of Wallkill, N.Y., Danny Tyler of Cottekill, N.Y., teenage sensation Tyler Dippel of Wallkill, N.Y., and many more.

Marketing partners continue to sign on for the special.  New York Truck Parts of Wurtsboro, N.Y., serves as the primary event sponsor. Now, Alex’s Marine Plus of New Windsor, N.Y., has committed as an associate supporter of the program.

A growing list of contingency/product/bonus sponsors promises to spice up the event.  Incentives include:

·         Joe Winne Memorial Dash for Cash for Modified heat winners paying $555

·         A guaranteed ‘King of the Catskills’ redraw position for the Modified winner

·         A complete radiator and shroud courtesy of Art’s Radiator ($750 value) distributed via a random draw of all Modified drivers excluding the winner

·         A Last Chance Race presented by Superior Remodeling offering a 25th-starting position in the Mod main ($300 value)

·         A $500 certificate toward the purchase of a body from Jack’s Used Race Car Parts & More (sixth-place Modified finisher)

·         $200 cash to the Modified Halfway Leader courtesy of HigFab

·         Hard Luck Award sponsored by Shiley Fabrication to include a set of bumpers and rubrails

·         $150 cash to the leader of lap 40 in the Modified event in memory of late car owner Rene Downes

·         A $100 gift card to Behrent’s Performance Warehouse for the last Modified on the lead lap

·         A $500 gift certificate to D&D NAPA for a Modified driver finishing 11th to the back of the field

·         A $100 certificate to S&D Bodyline given away via random draw of Modified racers

·         $50 cash to the highest finishing Big Diamond (Pa.) Speedway Modified regular

·         Lap money for both the Modified and Sportsman divisions

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.

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.

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 still 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 of the Bullring’ is presented by New York Truck Parts, Alex’s Marine Plus, D&D NAPA Auto Supply, Shiley Fabrication, Art’s Radiator, Superior Remodeling, HigFab, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Jack’s Used Race Car Parts, S&D Bodyline, S&W Awards & Photos, Big Diamond Speedway/Tim Long, BD Motorsports Media LLC & many more marketing partners

 

-----

Brett Deyo

BD Motorsports Media LLC

Phone: 845.728.2781

E-Mail: Deyo99H@aol.com

Web: www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BDMotorsportsMedia

Twitter: @BrettDeyo

 

 

 

 

Fishers Take Over Central PA Dirt Trackin’ Show in York from Larry Miller

 

Newberrytown, PA (July 23, 2013) – Ownership of the long standing and popular Central PA Dirt Trackin’ show held every January in York has changed hands once again.  Todd and Rhonda Fisher, owners of the Susquehanna Speedway Park, have purchased the rights and assets of the wintertime racecar show from Larry Miller of Mechanicsburg.

 

Miller is taking a step back from the racing scene in a few aspects due to personal reasons.  Miller approached the Fishers about taking over the management and ownership of the 2014 show and they agreed.

 

“I appreciated the opportunity to help bring the Dirt Trackin’ Show back to the racers and race fans in 2013.  I want to thank all the vendors and racers who displayed their vehicles at the last year’s show. I could not have done it without their support.” Miller said concerning his involvement last year.

 

Miller continued, “Also a big thank you to all of the seminar speakers which was a great opportunity for racers and race fans also to obtain some valuable information.  It was a great opportunity for me to work with a lot of great people.”

 

In terms of the Fishers, Milled added, “I know they will do a fine job to carry on this great show which is in its 31st year. They will have all of my support and also my help if they want it.”

 

“Also a big thank you to Dave Zortman for his endless hours of help making last years show a success.  Thanks to all who helped me last year and best of luck to Todd and Rhonda for many successful years in the future with a great racing show.” Miller concluded.

The 31st Annual Central PA Dirt Trackin’ Show at the York Expo Center (Memorial Hall) will begin on Friday, January 24, 2014.  The three-day show will conclude on Sunday, January 26.  The set-up day will be Thursday, January 23.   The York Expo Center is located at the York Fairgrounds in York, Pennsylvania. 

The website can be found at www.dirttrackinshow.com.  More information about the show and updated forms will be forthcoming and released in the near future.

For anyone wishing to contact the Fishers concerning the show, they may call 717-292-1696 or email sspracing@hotmail.com.

 

 

 

 

Racing video:

 

Alysha Ruggles & Family Speak Out on Smoke Shootout Wreck.

 

http://www.bigmotormedia.com/blog/alysha-ruggles-family-speak-out-on-smoke-shootout-wreck/

 

 

 

 

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, a photo of Len Duncan in a car that ran only one race while Mike Caruso owned it.  On this particular day, a race fan made Mike “an offer he couldn’t refuse” and Mike sold the car to him. 

 

 

 

 

 

I get emails:

 

Short Quiz

I bet you miss all of these.

COMMUNISM IS CREEPING IN ONE STEP AT A TIME, EXACTLY AS PLANNED.

 

Six trivia questions to see how much history you know. Be honest, it's kinda fun and revealing. If you don't know the answer make your best guess. Answer all the questions (no cheating) before looking at the answers.

Who said it?

1) "We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good."

A. Karl Marx

B. Adolph Hitler

C. Joseph Stalin

D. None of the above

 

2) "It's time for a new beginning, for an end to government of the few, by the few, and for the few...... And to replace it with shared responsibility ,,,,,for shared prosperity."

 

A. Lenin

B. Mussolini

C. Idi Amin

D. None of the Above

 

3) "(We) .....can't just let business as usual go on, and that means something has to be taken away from some people."

 

A. Nikita Khrushev

B. Josef Goebbels

C. Boris Yeltsin

D. None of the above

 

4) "We have to build a political consensus and that requires people to give up a little bit of their own ... in order to create this common ground."

 

A. Mao Tse Dung

B. Hugo Chavez

C. Kim Jong Il

D. None of the above

 

5) "I certainly think the free-market has failed."

 

A. Karl Marx

B. Lenin

C. Molotov

D. None of the above

 

6) "I think it's time to send a clear message to what has become the most profitable sector in (the) entire economy that they are being watched."

 

A. Pinochet

B. Milosevic

C. Saddam Hussein

D. None of the above

Scroll down for answers

 

Answers

(1) D. None of the above. Statement was made by Hillary Clinton 6/29/2004

(2) D. None of the above. Statement was made by Hillary Clinton 5/29/2007

(3) D. None of the above. Statement was made by Hillary Clinton 6/4/2007

(4) D. None of the above. Statement was made by Hillary Clinton 6/4/2007

(5) D. None of the above. Statement was made by Hillary Clinton 6/4/2007

(6) D. None of the above. Statement was made by Hillary Clinton 9/2/2005

Wanna know something scary? She may be the next socialist president if you don't forward this to everyone that you know.

""Life is like a book, everyday has a new page with adventures to tell, things to learn, and tales to remember" The Notebook

 

 

 

 

Found on the Internet – non racing:

 

OUTRAGE: Arizona Nursing Student Suspended for Requesting Instruction in ENGLISH; Sues College

 

In part:

 

"As if it isn’t enough we have to battle BOTH parties to keep tens of millions of illegal aliens from being handed amnesty, we also have to fight just to maintain our common language.

 

An Arizona college is being sued for labeling a student a “bigot” and punishing her with a long-term suspension after she requested that English be used in her nursing studies class so she could learn the subject.

 

The action was filed against Pima Community College on behalf of student Terri Bennett, who alleged that school officials created a “learning environment [that] was hostile to her as an English-language speaker.”

 

According Bennett’s legal complaint, she started nursing classes at PCC in January 2013. During classroom hours, she and her fellow students were divided up into smaller groups, and she was “the only first-language English speaker” in her group. The other students in her group “spoke primarily in Spanish.”

 

The students were asked to fill out class evaluations in March and were told their answers would remain anonymous. Thus, Bennett indicated on her evaluation she would prefer “there were no Spanish in the classroom.”

 

Bennett’s complaint alleges that, after she told nursing director David Kutzler of her struggles, he accused her of “discriminating against Mexican-Americans” and of being a “bigot and a bitch.”

 

Arizona’s constitution is crystal clear on this matter:

 

Article 28 of Arizona’s state constitution establishes English as “the official language of the state.” Section 3 states: “A person shall not be discriminated against or penalized in any way because the person uses or attempts to use English in public or private."

 

http://standwitharizona.com/blog/2013/07/20/outrage-arizona-nursing-student-suspended-for-requesting-instruction-in-english-sues-college/

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Facebook:

 

On Facebook on 7/18:

 

The Official Accord speedway

The Accord Speedway New York Truck Parts 'Battle of the Bullring' list of incentives has grown nicely as the race approaches on Tuesday, Aug. 6 (rain date: Aug. 7). Modifieds run a 51-lap event paying $5,100 to win and Sportsman (Opens and 602s) run a 25-lap main with $1,000 reserved for the victor.

 

*Superior Remodeling has signed on to sponsor a Last Chance Race, which will had a 25th starter to the field.

 

*Jerry Higbie's Hig Fab business is now offering $200 cash for the Mod halfway leader.

 

*The Joe Winne Memorial Dash for Cash will pay $555 for 5 laps (heat winners included).

 

*Behrents Performance Warehouse is providing a $100 certificate to the last Mod on the lead lap.

 

*Jackie Brown's parts business is offering $500 off the purchase of a body to the driver placing sixth in the Mod main.

 

*Art's Radiator has donated a shroud and radiator worth $750 which will be given away via a draw.

 

*Shiley Fabrications offers bumpers and rubrails to the Hard Luck Award winner.

 

*There will be a $100 credit to S&D Bodyline given away via draw.

*A driver 11th on back in the Mod race will take home a $500 certificate to D&D NAPA.

 

*The 40th lap of the Modified feature will pay $150 in memory of car owner Rene Downes.

 

Lap money continues to roll in... Lap sponsorships are selling for both the Mods and Sportsman.

 

 

 

 

I found this on Facebook on Tuesday afternoon:

 

Doesn’t make much sense, does it?

 

In our country, the United States of America,, the homeless go without eating.  The elderly go without needed medicines.  The mentally ill go without treatment.  Our troops go without proper equipment.  Our Veterans go without benefits that were promised.

Yet, we (actually not us, but our government) donates billions to other countries and excessive immigration before helping our own first.

 

Doesn’t make much sense, does it?

 

 

 

 

Non racin’ stuff:

 

I was buying a car from a Penske dealership and they requested my social security number so they could report my puchase on some Department of Justices Terrorism Asset program. They said this wasn't a government requirement but rather a corporate policy.

Anyone know anything about this?

Thanks!

 

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?178711-Penske-Dealership-Question

 

 

 

Why McDonald's Employee Budget Has Everyone Up In Arms

 

http://www.forbes.com/sites/laurashin/2013/07/18/why-mcdonalds-employee-budget-has-everyone-up-in-arms/?partner=yahootix

 

 

 

Congressman: State, Defense forced Benghazi survivors to sign non-disclosure agreements

 

http://hotair.com/archives/2013/07/18/congressman-state-defense-forced-benghazi-survivors-to-sign-non-disclosure-agreements/

 

 

 

 

OBAMA’S PAID LIAR JAY CARNEY SAYS IMMIGRATION REFORM WILL ‘RAISE WAGES’ AS PRESS BUSTS OUT IN LAUGHTER

 

http://www.tpnn.com/jay-carney-says-immigration-reform-will-raise-wages-as-press-busts-out-in-laughter/

 

 

 

 

IRS Lawyer Met With Obama Two Days Before New Tea Party Attack

 

In part:

 

"The Obama appointee implicated in congressional testimony in the IRS targeting scandal met with President Obama in the White House two days before offering his colleagues a new set of advice on how to scrutinize tea party and conservative groups applying for tax-exempt status.

 

IRS chief counsel William Wilkins, who was named in House Oversight testimony by retiring IRS agent Carter Hull as one of his supervisors in the improper targeting of conservative groups, met with Obama in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on April 23, 2012. Wilkins’ boss, then-IRS commissioner Douglas Shulman, met with Obama on April 24, 2012, according to White House visitor logs.

 

On April 25, 2012, Wilkins sent Hull and fellow Washington-based IRS official Lois Lerner “additional comments on the draft guidance” for approving or denying tea party tax-exempt applications, according to the IRS’ inspector general’s report."

 

http://www.capitalisminstitute.org/obama-behind-it/

 

 

 

 

 

Music video:

 

A couple of legends – Willie and Merle

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxzJAF1BxP4&feature=related

 

 

 

Joke of the week:

 

Three boys are in the school yard bragging about

their fathers.

The first boy says, 'My Dad scribbles a few words

on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem,

they give him $50.'

The second boy says, 'That's nothing. My Dad

scribbles a few words on a piece of paper,

he calls it a song, they give him $100.'

The third boy says, 'I got you both beat. My Dad

scribbles a few words on a piece of paper,

he calls it a sermon, and it takes eight people to

collect all the money!'

 

 

 

 

 

Until the next column!

 

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