Racin'
& Different Stuff:
By Tom Avenengo
Volume # 153
08/22/2013
Racin’ & short’ stuff:
Normally I start these columns on
Sunday. However, with my “Baby sister”
up from
While at the Valley, I “splurged” and
bought four 50/50 tickets. Hey, ya never know, right?
No, I did not win the $5,025.00.
No, I didn’t win any of the other prizes, either. Figures!
The racing at the Valley wasn’t all that
bad. However, I’m not a fan of “group”
time trials, and time trials either.
What with the design of today’s Modifieds, the
rules packages, tires, etc, and the faster cars starting up front, basically,
the racing isn’t really racing anymore – to an extent. Hey, if time trials are what they use – how
about eliminating the re-draw and have an invert number somewhere between, say
10 and 12?
Question:
Do the announcers realize that as they’re racing on the track, one
really can’t hear what the announcers are saying? And another thing that bugs me – incorrect
pronunciations of drivers’ names. Mike
Ruggiero is constantly pronounced as ending with an “io”
at the end – like Ruggerio. And what about Rich Scagliotta? There
is an “I” in his last name, but every announcer I’ve heard mention his name
comes out with it as “Scaglotta” – like there’s no
“I” in his name. And, yes, my name gets
butchered up a lot too – like ending with a “gio” at
the end. Last I knew, “go” is go – right?
I see that car counts have dwindled down
some more – mostly all over. I did do a
special article about Kart counts at OVRP’s Dirt Oval
– comparing the 2005 season with this current season – roughly the same dates
in August. I figured counts would be
lower now, but not as much. As I’m
working on this column, I’m still undecided as to whether it will be on New
England Tractor only, or if I’ll also put it out on Dirt Track Digest. Is it the economy that has caused such a lower
Kart count, today? Is it the fact that a
lot of those that might race Karts, today, are now into other things – like
Micro Sprints, Midgets and Stock cars?
Granted, back in the day (2005) there were a few that would be racing
bigger things rather than Karts, but today, it’s almost the normal thing to do
– once a kid hits 12, 13 or 14, they leave Karts for bigger and more expensive
“toys”. That good or
bad?
Look for that Kart count article on New
England Tractor.
The truck race on Wednesday
night – seen on the same channel that SPEED used to be on, and there are two
non-qualifiers:
Did Not Qualify: # 84 Mike Harmon # 10 Jennifer
Jo Cobb.
Note # 1: Don’t these two have a little “History”? Probably best they’re on the sidelines,
tonight!
Note # 2: Yes, this from my # 142 column:
“Stolen
vehicles siezed from
Harmon's garage: Rowan County Sheriff's deputies are watching NASCAR driver
Mike Harmon closely, after recovering two cars and five trucks from his two
garages Tuesday afternoon. Deputies say Harmon stole the cars from racer
Jennifer Jo Cobb at the end of last year. The vehicles were seized from
Harmon's shop in Mooresville, and from a storage facility in
Watching (on occasion) the truck race from
And, yes, I’m completely against having
“Victory lane” in the infield, away from the fans in the stands. Yes, I know, it’s all about the TV audience,
but, personally, I’d rather have the victory celebration closer to the
track. Ain’t gonna happen, though, right?
After the race, with an interview with Brad
Keslowski, the subject turned to fuel pick ups in the
fuel cells. There’s a problem with the
banking and the cell, especially when there is only ONE pick up line. Isn’t it possible to have two pick up lines
that go into one?
Andretti talking to Montoya
about IndyCar return
In part: "Michael Andretti is trying to find a
sponsor to bring Juan Pablo Montoya back to IndyCar
with Andretti Autosport.
''I have talked to Juan about
IndyCar and told him 'Hell yeah, let's find a way to put something together,' '' Andretti told The
Associated Press on Monday. ''I've driven against him and I think he's one of
the best drivers I've ever driven against. It just comes down to sponsorship.
So we're looking, and if it's a possibility, we want to do something with him.''"
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/andretti-talking-montoya-indycar-return-164919683--irl.html
Tony Stewart out for the
season; Mark Martin, Austin Dillon to drive in the #14
Stewart-Haas Racing has
announced that Tony Stewart is out for the season due to a broken leg sustained
in a sprint car accident earlier this month. Mark Martin will drive the No. 14
car for most of the remaining races, with Austin Dillon handling
“After consulting with Tony’s doctors and speaking with Tony, we agreed it was
best for him to focus on his recovery,” said Greg Zipadelli,
SHR director of competition. “For the No. 14 team, our focus is on positioning
them for a run at the owner championship. Mark Martin and Austin Dillon give us
the best opportunity to do that, and we certainly appreciate Michael Waltrip Racing and Richard Childress Racing for making Mark
and Austin available to us."
“Obviously, I’m disappointed
to be out of the Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevy for so long, but the team is in
very good hands with Mark Martin and Austin Dillon,” Stewart said. “Mark is
someone I’ve looked up to my entire career and I have a tremendous amount of
respect for him.
Martin has been a reliable
part-time driver for Michael Waltrip Racing, most
recently coming within a few laps of winning Sunday's
The news comes as a blow to
Stewart's fans and sponsors, and surely to Stewart himself. Stewart knows how a
season can completely turn around at Chase time; just two years ago, he
proclaimed himself completely out of the Chase mix at
From the Internet – racing stuff:
BREAKING NEWS: SOURCES SAY
KURT BUSCH OFFERED RIDE AT STEWART-HAAS RACING
Published on August 18th,
2013
Sources have reported to FOX
Sports that Kurt Busch has been made a formal offer to join Stewart-Haas Racing
in 2014 as a 4th car.
Stewart-Haas Racing currently
has 3 cars officially lined up for the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Season,
the #4 of Kevin Harvick, #10 of Danica
Patrick and #14 of Tony Stewart. If the sources are correct and Kurt Busch
accepts the offer the #39 could be occupied by the 1-time Cup Champion.
No official comment has been
made to the press from either Kurt Busch or Stewart-Haas Racing.
Kurt Busch currently drives
for Furniture Row Racing and is in a 1-year contract that expires at the end of
2013.
Please stay tuned to The 5th
Turn for more information as it comes.
http://the5thturn.com/breaking-news-sources-say-kurt-busch-offered-ride-at-stewart-haas-racing/
And, from Jayski:
Responding to reports that he
has a formal contract offer from Stewart Haas Racing to drive a fourth Sprint Cup
entry for the organization in 2014, Busch told ESPN.com that he has multiple
opportunities for next season. He did not address Stewart Haas Racing
specifically though he did say nothing was signed as of Monday morning.
"I've received offers from multiple teams," Busch said. "This
isn't a decision I'm taking lightly. I'm looking at what teams have planned
long term and want to be in a place where my opinion and input is valued. I
like to be involved in the process like I have been here at Furniture Row. At
the same time, I was hoping to not have this distraction while working with my
guys to get us in the Chase."(ESPN)(8-19-2013)
http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?179487-Humpy-Unleased
A video of what Humpy had to
say about NASCAR and racing, in general.
Some comments:
"The worst thing that
happened to NASCAR was the "driver development program", which was
just a nice way to say "youth movement". Instead of letting drivers
develop and gain experience driving for a "B" or "C" level
team and proving themselves before jumping into a Hendrick,
Gibbs or RCR level ride, drivers are signed young, move up young, then dropped
down to the "start and park" teams if/when they washed out.
Meanwhile, while they look (relatively) good in pictures, they have been
groomed and they lack the life experience that made the Cale
Yarlboroughs, Bobby Allisons
and Harry Gants or the world interesting.
The whole model that made NASCAR
compelling has been turned upside down and is now broken."
"When it took off in the
early 90's the 'heads' at NASCAR starting thinking things could get really big
and started with the changes. Along the way they thought wrong too often and
never rebooted to get those things back, instead they pressed on harder making
more changes and got farther from what had made the sport grow.
I don't think it was the old
fans leaving, time marches on and they aren't around, but not as many of the
new fans they were attracting were as devoted and the new fans weren't as
likely to stay for the long term. Still getting them still would have allowed
for growth but the mistake NASCAR made was continuing to believe there would be
a constant flow of new fans. That has them where they are now. They still have
more fans than when the growth began way back but the rate of adding new fans
has slower to closer to normal.
They also started to attract
a more sophisticated fan who saw how heavily the
marketing was aimed at them, and they didn't all like it. I always get back to
the diecasts. It's not like they're the finest
handcrafted by some $5 a week Malaysian worker collector pieces. But when every
top driver would have a special paint scheme for the Winston, or Brickyard or
individual races people who were buying every Earnhardt or Gordon car finally
realized the scheme was to get their money because they were so eager to buy a
different version of the same thing. Then when you add in the NASCAR Day pin,
the auto club, the automotive school, travel they were just trying to squeeze
every dollar a person was capable of spending out of them.
Rather than losing the
Southern fans what they did when they tried to overreach with NFL like dreams
was dilute the 'Southern flavor' of the sport to appeal to a more national
audience when what that national audience found appealing was the 'Southern
aspect' of the sport. Nobody latched on to NASCAR to see the latest
developments in technology or drivers who were going to get fined for swearing
over the radio or never failed to thank their sponsor, the boys back at the
shop and it was a good points day. When Hendrick,
EGR, Roush Yates and TRD build all the engines for the 43 Cup, 40 NNW and 32
CWTS teams and every chassis is so tightly regulated that there's probably a
template for cupholders they lose a great deal of
appeal.
What they should do is one or
two small things a month, and bigger things every year, work on getting back to
where they used to be. Is the Nationwide series so much better because it has
been to Mexico, Montreal, Road America and now Mid-Ohio but isn't at Milwaukee,
North Wilkesboro, Rockingham or Gateway? Quit trying to wear a tuxedo when the
overalls are what made you something. In Cup pass out bonus owners points to
teams that build their own engines and don't sell it to others. And more points
for teams that used the same chassis in multiple races instead of building new
ones for every track."
How NASCAR landed a
staggering TV deal despite ratings decline
Just a little from the
article:
"As NASCAR staged its
annual Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway July 28, it left many fans
with a sinking feeling as they saw thousands of empty seats and witnessed what
was for the most part an uninspiring race.
But just a few days earlier,
NASCAR announced part of a staggering television package — a jaw-dropping $8.2
billion, 10-year deal with NBC and Fox. For a sport supposedly on the decline,
it had just attracted its biggest windfall."
“Since the last NASCAR TV
deal negotiated in 2005, television ratings have fallen 47 percent for Sprint
Cup telecasts and admissions revenue for the publicly traded track companies
has plummeted 42 percent.
And yet NASCAR just landed a
new deal in which the rights fees went up 46 percent, from an average of $560
million a year to $820 million. That’s a boon for the sport, especially for
NASCAR and its tracks with even the teams getting a piece."
It’s being said that
unemployment is down, yet no one is being hired for full time jobs. So how can it be down? 77% of new jobs in 2013 were part time. 61% are low paying. We’re going negative, folks, negative. Things are
really looking bleak for the younger generation – our teenagers and those in
their early 20’s that are going to school and upon getting out – have zilch for
employment. Meanwhile “Obozo” send billions overseas? It sure seems that our (our governments)
priorities are kinda in the wrong place, huh?
Coming up:
HINCHLIFFE STADIUM RETURNS TO
THE RADAR SCREEN
Note: A poster for this show has been copied and
pasted, below. However, I doubt it will
appear on DTD, so as with my photos, you’ll have to go to the New England
Tractor/Race Report website to view.
OCFS:
SATURDAY AUG 24 - Accord
Speedway King of the Catskills Qualifier - Modifieds,
Sportsman, Small Block Modifieds and Street Stocks
will all be in action - Racing starts at 6:30pm
Sponsor: NISSAN OF
Accord:
Friday, August 23rd
Escape RV Night
Racing...
MODIFIEDS - SPORTSMAN - SPEC
SPORTSMAN
PRO STOCK - PURE STOCK &
Lightning Sprints
Double Pro Stock Features
Spectator Gates Open at
5:00pm - Back Pit Gates Open at 4:30pm
Warm ups at 6:30pm and Racing
Starts at 7:00pm
Regular Show Admission:
Adults $14 (12yrs+)
Seniors $12 (65+yrs)
Kids $3 (11yrs & Under)
Family 4 Pack:
2 Adults + 2 Kids (11 +
under) plus $20 in food vouchers: $44
Indoor Reserved Seating: $20
- Outdoor Reserved Seating: $16
Heldover Feature Schedule
Pro Stock-8/23
From Jayski:
Saturday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup
Race to Air on Alternate Channels in Seven Markets: NASCAR fans in seven affected
markets will watch ABC’s telecast of Saturday night’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
race at Bristol Motor Speedway on alternate channels through arrangements made
by their local ABC affiliates. The ABC affiliates in the seven markets will be
airing NFL preseason games Saturday night rather than the NASCAR race but with
the alternate channels in each market, the race telecast will still be
available nationwide. ABC’s coverage begins with NASCAR Countdown at 7:00pm/et
with the race’s green flag at 7:44 pm. In six of the seven markets, the race
telecast will air on ESPN and several of the ABC affiliates also will air the
race on their Digital Tier channels. In
The affected markets:
Ty Dillon to move to #3 NNS
ride in 2014, Austin to move to Cup in 2014?: Richard Childress Racing has
partnered with D.G Yuengling & Son to be a
primary sponsor on the #3 Yuengling Light Lager
Chevrolet with driver Ty Dillon during the 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series
season. As part of their 185th anniversary of brewing great lager,
UPDATE:
From a Roush Fenway Racing
press release about AdvoCare sponsoring Trevor Bayne
the #6 NNS ride in 2014: "AdvoCare served as the
sponsor on the #3 car of Austin Dillon the past two seasons. With Dillon making
the move to full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing in 2014, the organization
began the process of diligently seeking out its best option moving
forward."(8-21-2013)
Deal could put Martin in #14
seat announcement today (Monday):
A deal is in the works that
would offer Brian Vickers more seat time in the #55 Aaron's Toyota and allow Mark Martin to pursue the
opportunity to drive the #14 for the injured Tony Stewart. On Saturday,
multiple sources told Fox Sports that Toyota offered Martin its blessing in
order to enable Vickers who was named
the full-time driver of the #55 Michael Waltrip
Racing Camry on Tuesday additional races
to gel with the team. Vickers is currently racing for the Nationwide Series
championship with Joe Gibbs Racing. He is fifth in the NNS point standings.
Before SHR inquired on Martin's behalf, the plan was for Vickers to race at
UPDATE:
Michael Waltrip
Racing and its sponsors are still trying to decide whether Mark Martin can
replace the injured Tony Stewart in his #14 Chevy. If Martin leaves MRW to fill
in for Stewart, Brian Vickers would complete the season in MWR’s
#55
UPDATE 2:
Mark Martin will be named
Tony Stewart's substitute in the #14 Stewart-Haas Racing car.
An announcement is set for Monday afternoon.(FoxSports)(8-19-2013)
Stewart Out for Remainder of
2013 Season:
Martin in for 12 races;
Dillon one: Tony Stewart is out for the remainder of the 2013 season after
suffering a broken right tibia and fibula in a sprint car crash Aug. 5 at
Southern Iowa Speedway in
After consulting with Tony’s doctors and speaking with Tony, we agreed it was
best for him to focus on his recovery, said Greg Zipadelli,
competition director, SHR. For the No. 14 team, our focus is on positioning
them for a run at the owner championship. Mark Martin and Austin Dillon give us
the best opportunity to do that, and we certainly appreciate Michael Waltrip Racing and Richard Childress Racing for making Mark
and Austin available to us.
Obviously, I’m disappointed
to be out of the Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevy for so long, but the team is in
very good hands with Mark Martin and Austin Dillon, Stewart said. Mark is
someone I’ve looked up to my entire career and I have a tremendous amount of
respect for him.
The #14 team is 13th in
[owner] points, 10 out of the top-10 and 160 behind the series-leading #48 team
of Hendrick Motorsports. The #14 team is first in
line to grab one of the two wild-card positions for the 12-team [Owners] Chase
for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.(SHR)(8-19-2013)
Stewart Plans to Keep Racing
Sprint Cars:
Tony Stewart says he will
return to sprint car racing next season, according to Kendra Jacobs, co-host of
Motor Racing Network’s Winged Nation. Jacobs visited Stewart on Monday night. She
said on Tuesday’s show that Stewart gave her explicit instructions to tell
Winged Nation listeners he will continue to race sprint cars despite breaking
his right tibia and fibula in a sprint car crash Aug. 5 at Southern Iowa
Speedway in
Is Larson ready for a Cup
ride?
Larson believes he is ready
for Cup: With Juan Pablo Montoya exiting the #42 Earnhardt Ganassi
Racing Chevy at the end of the season, speculation has quickly turned to
potential replacements. Kyle Larson, 21, is under contract to the organization
for eight years, but from an experience standpoint, he has less than one full
season of NASCAR Nationwide Series racing under his belt. The way #48-Jimmie
Johnson sees it, that may not be a big issue -- and Johnson ought to know.
After learning the sport with limited success in NASCAR Nationwide cars,
Johnson made the jump to NASCAR Sprint Cup and has dominated that division in
terms of race wins and titles since he joined the series full-time in 2002.
"When you look at Kyle's background (Sprint Cars), he's driving cars with
far more power than grip," Johnson said before Friday's practice. "I
think the Cup car will suit his style far better than a Nationwide
car. But you do need that foundation of knowing these tracks, because when we
show up, our fastest lap we'll run all weekend will probably be our first lap
right now. And if Kyle Larson wants to go to Cup next year, that's tough to do.
He's going to need the whole session to get where he needs to, and then you're
five or six adjustments behind the fast guys."(NASCAR Wire
Service)(8-18-2013)
UPDATE:
Throughout the weekend at
Michigan International Speedway, several Sprint Cup drivers who had made the
move to the top NASCAR level at a young age were asked about the adjustment.
Those questions pertained to the possibility that Earnhardt Ganassi
Racing could move 21-year-old Kyle Larson into the No. 42 car starting next
season. Juan Pablo Montoya won’t return to the seat, and Larson is considered
one of the top young talents in the sport, but many fear
moving him to Cup could curb his development and ruin a bright future. Only in
his second full season of stock-car racing, Larson sits ninth in the Nationwide standings while driving for Turner Scott
Motorsports on loan from Earnhardt Ganassi Racing.
Larson has been lauded by Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon and others for his racing
ability, which has produced several major sprint-car victories as well as a truck win at Rockingham. The typically mild-mannered Larson
just went about his business of racing the Nationwide
car last week at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course a little bit oblivious of all
the talk about him in
I didn’t know that people had
been asking the Cup guys if they thought I was ready or not yet, Larson said in
a phone interview Monday. I thought it was really cool that a lot of people
thought that I was speculated about going in the 42. I think that says I’m
doing OK. I don’t know if it will happen or not, but I’m not really worried
about whether people think I’m ready or not. With several sprint-car races on
his schedule this summer and the full slate of Nationwide
races, Larson said he hasn’t had much time to think about his future. He
believes he could handle Cup as far as racing but would have to get used to a
schedule filled with longer events and several more sponsor and media commitments.
The races are longer so I might have to think about working out, Larson said. I
think I would handle it pretty well. I think I would get used to it. I think I
would race OK. Larson believes he could handle the mental stress that could
come with being a rookie at the major level.(Sporting
News)(8-21-2013)
Is Larson ready for a Cup
ride?
With Juan Pablo Montoya
exiting the #42 Earnhardt Ganassi Racing Chevy at the
end of the season, speculation has quickly turned to potential replacements.
Kyle Larson, 21, is under contract to the organization for eight years, but
from an experience standpoint, he has less than one full season of NASCAR
Nationwide Series racing under his belt. The way #48-Jimmie Johnson sees it,
that may not be a big issue -- and Johnson ought to know. After learning the
sport with limited success in NASCAR Nationwide cars, Johnson made the jump to
NASCAR Sprint Cup and has dominated that division in terms of race wins and
titles since he joined the series full-time in 2002. "When you look at
Kyle's background (Sprint Cars), he's driving cars with far more power than
grip," Johnson said before Friday's practice. "I think the Cup car
will suit his style far better than a Nationwide car.
But you do need that foundation of knowing these tracks, because when we show
up, our fastest lap we'll run all weekend will probably be our first lap right
now. And if Kyle Larson wants to go to Cup next year, that's tough to do. He's
going to need the whole session to get where he needs to, and then you're five
or six adjustments behind the fast guys."(NASCAR Wire Service)(8-18-2013)
Crew Member Suspended Due To
Violation Of NASCAR Substance Abuse Policy:
Eric Maycroft,
a crew member in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series [#56 MWR], has been indefinitely
suspended from NASCAR for violating the sanctioning body’s Substance Abuse
Policy. On Aug. 16, Maycroft was found to have
violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 19
(violation of the NASCAR Substance Abuse Policy) of the 2013 NASCAR Rule Book.(NASCAR)(8-20-2013)
UPDATE:
Michael Waltrip
Racing fired Eric Maycroft, front tire changer for
#56-Martin Truex Jr.’s
team, after NASCAR indefinitely suspended him Tuesday for violating the
sanctioning body’s Substance Abuse Policy. Maycroft
joined Truex’s team in May 2011. MWR issued a
statement on Maycroft: "Michael Waltrip Racing fully supports NASCAR's substance abuse
policies and those who complete the Road to Recovery program. MWR's zero tolerance policy has resulted in the immediate
termination of the employee."(Motor Racing Network)(8-21-2013)
Sad News - Floyd Ganassi: Statement from Chip Ganassi
Racing Teams on the Passing of Floyd Ganassi:
It is with heavy hearts that
everyone at Chip Ganassi Racing Teams offers our
condolences to Chip Ganassi and the whole Ganassi family on the passing today of Chip’s father, Floyd
Ganassi. Everyone that knew Floyd knew that he was
beloved at racetracks all across the country and leaves a long trail of great
friends. Floyd Ganassi will be sorely missed by us
all. Information on arrangements will be forthcoming.(CGR)(8-19-2013)
See full obit and service
info at Pittsburgh Tribune.(8-21-2013)
Ryan Truex
to make Sprint Cup Series debut at Bristol: Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM)
development driver Ryan Truex will make his NASCAR
Sprint Cup Series debut at the Bristol Motor Speedway during Saturday night's
500-lap race. Truex will drive the #51 entry for
Phoenix Racing. Truex signed a multi-year development
deal with RPM earlier this year and the team is currently working to secure
sponsorship funding. Ryan Truex, who had already been
working with Phoenix Racing with opportunities earlier this year, has a long
history of providing young drivers opportunities to race for their team. It was
also Phoenix Racing that helped Ryan's older brother Martin Truex
in the beginning stages of his career. The opportunity came for Phoenix Racing
to put Ryan behind the wheel this weekend. The Mayetta,
McMurray says he will be back
in the #1 car in 2014: #1-Jamie McMurray will return to Earnhardt Ganassi Racing next season. While it’s
company policy not to discuss contracts, McMurray told FOXSports.com at
Michigan Speedway that "you’re not going to see any changes between sponsors
or drivers on the 1 team. McMurray, 37, is 16th in the Sprint Cup point
standings. He has six-career Cup wins, including three in his past four years
of his second stint with Chip Ganassi.(FoxSports)(8-20-2013)
2013 Sprint Cup Driver
Championship Points Standings:
[after
1) #48-Jimmie Johnson [4
wins], 813
2) #15-Clint Bowyer, 772, -41
3) #99-Carl Edwards [1 win],
762, -51
4) #29-Kevin Harvick [2 wins], 749, -64
5) #18-Kyle Busch [3 wins],
706, -107
6) #20-Matt Kenseth [4 wins], 688, -125
7) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.,
679, -134
8) #2-Brad Keselowski, 667, -146
9) #78-Kurt Busch, 665, -148
10) #16-Greg Biffle [1 win], 663, -150
2012 Chase drivers not
currently in the 2013 Chase
#24-Jeff Gordon, 14th in
points (26pts out of 10th)
#14-Tony Stewart [1 win],
18th [missed 2 race so far], 69pts out of 10th
#11-Denny Hamlin, 25th
[missed 4 races with injury], 224pts out of 10th
Former OVRP Dirt Oval racers:
Note:
In a way, some names have kept popping up – names that I thought have
raced at the Dirt Oval, on occasion. Two of them – Brett Wright and Hunter Bates. Not being positive, I never included them in
this section. However, going over my
2005 Dirt Oval’s Novemberfest report, sure as heck,
both names were in it. More than likely
there are others that ran at the Dirt Oval that have moved on to bigger forms
of racing, but this writer isn’t aware of them.
Sorry!
At Devil’s Bowl, Hunter Bates was 9th
and 7th in the two Modified features.
Paul Quear was 4th
in the 600 Micro feature at Borgers.
At Kutztown, Molly Chambers was 22nd
in one feature and a DNQ in another.
Danny Buccafusca
was 4th and 2nd in the two All-Star Slingshot features.
Jacob Hendershot
was 3rd in the wingless 270 feature and 19th in the
winged feature.
At Hamlin, Buccafusca
was 2nd and 3rd and Tyler Pirone
18th and 6th in the two All-Star Slingshot features.
Jacob Hendershot
was 2nd in the winged 270’s and 7th in the wingless.
Kyle Rohner was
4th n the wingless 600 feature.
Corey Ziegler was 13th in the
Rookie 600’s.
Danny Creeden
was 10th, Kyle Vanduser 12th,
Anthony Perrego 17th and Joey Bruning 19th in the Modified feature at Accord.
Tyler Boniface was 2nd and Mike
Traver 6th in the Spec Sportsman.
Thursday, at
Tyler Dippel was
3rd, Brian Krummel 8th, John Virgilio 12th and Brett Wright 27th
in the Sportsman feature.
On Saturday, at the Valley, Kolby was 5th, again, Armstrong 7th
and Hackel 11th in the Modified feature.
Alex Bell was 7th in the Small
Block feature.
Roger Coss was 9th
at
Ben Whitaker was 6th in the
Late Model feature at Susquehanna.
Kenney Johnson was 4th in the
NEMA Lights feature at
Josh Pieniazek
was 6th, Chuck Alessi 8th and
Emily VanInwegen 16th in the CRSA 305’s at
I-88.
Danny Creeden
was 20th and a DNS at Five Mile in the two Modified features.
Brett Wright was 8th in the
Sportsman feature at A/S
Brian Sobus was
9th in the Small Block Super Modified feature at
AJ Filbeck was 6th
on Wednesday and 7th on Sunday at U/R in the Sportsman features.
Tim Hindley was
4th, Clinton Mills 6th, Mike Ruggiero 13th and
Billy V 17th in the Modified feature at OCFS.
Brian Krummel
was 2nd, Joe Conklin 3rd, LJ Lombardo 5th,
Anthony Perrego 6th, Andrew Reeves 10th,
Joey Falanga 11th in the Sportsman
feature, while Matt Janiak was a DNS.
Kyle Vanduser
was 2nd in the Rookie Sportsman feature.
At Penn Can, in the RoC
Sportsman race on Tuesday, Anthony Perrego was 5th
and Brad Szulewski 9th.
Johnny Guarino
posted on Facebook that he finished 8th at
New Egypt, on Tuesday night.
Tyler Dippel won
the SUNY Canton Grit Series for 602 Sportsman 30 lap feature at
42 names?
From the AARN:
From their August 20th issue:
Sprint Car driver Damion Gardner failed in his attempt to go 200 MPH on the
I’ve been reading of some
real small car counts at the Shangri-La II Speedway. Last week there was a huge crash in the
Sportsman feature, and shortly after that, a power failure occurred. All attempts to start a generator that is
used for the majority of the lighting failed, and they had to cancel the
remaining racing events for the night.
There’s a full page ad on
page 19 on the “Friends of Mike” race – being held at the Bridgeport Speedway,
this year, on Thursday, August 29th.
Another ad – this one for the
Jack Rich Memorial Coalcracker 358 Modified, 72 lap,
$10,000.00 to win and $500.00 to take the green race at Big Diamond on
September 1st, is on page 39.
An ad, on
page 41, for the Super DIRTcar Series 100 lap race at
Rolling Wheels, on September 1st.
Another ad – this one on page
61, for the Indoor racing at Atlantic City on Friday and Saturday, January 24th
& 25th in 2014. Tickets
are now available, and you can call the AARN at 609-888-3618, at the Boardwalk
Hall Box Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets Online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling
1-800-736-1420.
Ernie Saxton:
Quite a bit of his column
this week deals with Tony Stewart, his broken leg, being done for the season,
will he cut back on racing Sprint Cars, and how it could/has affected his race
teams. Sponsors play a big part in
racing, today, and might some sponsors of Stewart want him to cut back or maybe
even stop his other racing?
Juan Pablo Montoya would love
to go from car # 42 to car # 24, in Cup racing.
He was comparing the two race teams and the help that each has.
Ernie (like me) does not
think much of Danica Patrick and her racing
accomplishments in NASCAR. Not only Danica, but others that have gone from rear engine Indy
Cars to NASCAR – and vice-versa. Ernie
makes note that Kurt Busch is still entertaining thoughts of running an Indy
Car at this years last race in
Note: rumors of Stewart talking to Kurt about
running a 4th car for Stewart’s team, in Cup – hmm, might Tony be
thinking of maybe letting Kurt run Indy IF he was part of the Stewart team?
Dave Catalano won a NASCAR
Pro Modified feature a while back.
Finishing behind him was his wife, Amy and their son, Tommy. Ernie says he does not remember a husband,
wife and son finishing 1st, 2nd and 3rd in any
race. Do you?
Steve Barrick:
Steve writes about Luke Whitteker, a DIRTcar 358 Modified
driver, having been suspended for an alleged Traction Control use on his race
car. Changes made to the MSD box had
been found, following a random post-race technical inspection at the Brockville
Speedway.
Jack London:
Jack has his usual trip back
in time, but at the end of his column he does make note of the Marty Himes’
annual racing history “Open House” at the Himes Museum at 15 O’Neil Ave, Bay
Shore, LI, NY. being held this Sunday, August 25th. Info on this can be had if you call Marty
at: (631) 666- 4912.
John Snyder:
In this week’s column, John
also covers some of the point races in this area. Albany/Saratoga and
John goes on to say how he
misses those 200 lappers that usually were held at seasons end – Rolling
Wheels, the Valley, Fonda, Autodrome Granby,
Flemington and Nazareth. Today, there’s
Syracuse (SDW) and Middletown (ESW). The
Note: In my way of thinking, if things don’t pick
up a lot at OCFS, I would not be surprised if this coming ESW could be its
last. Car counts are down. Methinks little
This Week
In AARN:
Bachetti Is
John Blewett
III Memorial
At Wall Stadium
Taken By His Brother Jimmy
358 Modified DIRTcar
Driver Caught
With Traction Control
NASCAR Whelen
Modified Tour
Mastery At
Thompson
Damion Gardner's 200 MPH Sprint Run
At
Career Weekend For Schuchart:
Back To
Back At
Williams Grove,
Erick Rudolph
Scores Friesen Memorial
Cash At
Ransomville
Friesen & Sheppard
Square Off At Utica-Rome
Five Mile Mod Twin Twenties
Shared By Second Generation
Drivers
Keith Kauffman Honored For
Sprint Car Excellence At
This date in racing history:
Just some of the events on
August 22nd in:
1936
Wilbur Shaw won the AAA
sanctioned
1953
Sam Hanks won the AAA
sanctioned
Mike Magill won the URC
Sprint Car race at the Erie County Fairgrounds, Hamburg, NY.
Len Duncan won the ARDC
Midget race at the Freeport Speedway,
1954
Bob Slater won the IMCA
Sprint Car race at the Sedalias State Fair Speedway,
Don Freeland won the AAA
Sprint Car race at the Hawkeye Downs Speedway,
Al Herman won the Hut Hundred
AAA Midget race over Johnnie Tolan and Gene Hartley
at the Terre Haute Action Track ,
1964
A.J. Foyt
won the USAC sanctioned Tony Bettenhausen Memorial
100 on the 1 Mile Dirt Oval Illinois State Fairgrounds in
Bill Horstmeyer...
Died ... Bill Horstmeyer, a veteran of twelve years
of racing who sucessfully raced in Badger Midgets,
was entered as a rookie in his first Champ Car race in his newly purchased
"big car" - the former "Central Excavating" vehicle, which
he acquired from Pete Salemi. The race, a 100-mile
feature event at the 1964 Illinois State Fair's one mile dirt oval, was
dedicated to Tony Bettenhausen, who had been killed
in practice at
1965
Gordon Johncock
won the USAC sanctioned Tony Bettenhausen 200 on the
1 Mile Paved Oval The Milwaukee Mile in
1969
Richard Petty drove a Ford
Torino to victory in the NASCAR stockcar race at
1970
Al Unser won the USAC
sanctioned
1976
Al Unser won the USAC
sanctioned Tony Bettenhausen 200 on the 1 Mile Paved
Oval The Milwaukee Mile in
David Pearson won the NASCAR
Winston Cup Champion 400 over Cale Yarborough at the
Michigan International Speedway,
Press releases:
NEWS FROM
Orange County Fair
CONTACT
Mike Gurda
845-342-2573
FOR RELEASE ON SUNDAY, AUGUST
18
“KING OF THE CATSKILLS”
QUALIFIER AUGUST 24
AT ORANGE COUNTY FAIR
MIDDLETOWN, NY (August
18)……..The winner of the Saturday, August 24 30-lap Modified division feature
race at Orange County Fair Speedway will earn---in addition to the $2,500 top
prize---an automatic starting spot in the Accord Speedway “King of the
Catskills” Race of Champions Modified Series race to be held at that track on
Friday, September 20, 2013.
In addition to the DIRTcar Big-Block Modifieds,
Accord
Admission prices for the
August 24 race meet remain at $14 adults, $12 seniors, and free for children 12
and under. The full night of racing begins promptly at 6:30 pm.
Advance ticket sales for all
remaining 2013 races, including the September 21 Eve of Destruction, the
October 25-27 52nd Annual Eastern States Weekend, and track information are
available at the Orange County website, www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net, or
from the Track Office. Call 845-342-2573 during business hours.
UPCOMING EVENTS
August 31 – Howard
Johnson/Super 8 Motels Night (305 Sprint Cars added)
September 7 --- WLR
Construction Championship Night (Final night of points)
September 14 --- Breast
Cancer Awareness Night/Porco Energy Eastern States
Modified Qualifier
(Vintage Modifieds added)
September 21 --- All Steel
& Aluminum/Middletown Auto Wreckers EVE OF DESTRUCTION
Contact: Julia Foy
Promotions/PR Coordinator -
jfoy@dirtcar.com
315.834.2299
MEDIA ALERT: Media credential
requests for NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week XLII due by Friday, September 6
Requests must be submitted in
writing by supervising editor / publisher to cdolack@dirtcar.com
WEEDSPORT, N. Y. - Friday,
August 2, 2013 - Members of the media who wish to attain credentials for NAPA
Auto Parts Super DIRT Week XLII, which runs from Wednesday, Oct. 9, through
Sunday, Oct. 13, are encouraged to submit their
requests as soon as possible. All requests must be submitted in writing by
supervising editor or publisher to Chris Dolack
(cdolack@dirtcar.com) by Friday, Sept. 6.
Written requests must include
the following information about the potential credential holder:
Full name
Job title (ie. Sports
Reporter, Photographer)
Email address
Description of the assignment
Tracks for which credentials
may be required (New York State Fairgrounds, Rolling Wheel Raceway, and/or
Weedsport Speedway)
Coverage dates
Level of access requested.
Media members seeking credentials for events at the New York State Fairgrounds
may choose from the levels of access listed below:
General admission only -
grants admission to general admission (yellow) areas of grandstands and
infield, but not the pits or media building
Pit access - grants admission
to general admission (yellow) areas of grandstands, infield, competitor pits,
and infield media building
Cinder track access with
photo vest - grants access to all areas covered under pit access, as well as
access to the cinder track for photographers. DIRTcar
photo vests must be checked out from the infield media building and returned on
last day of coverage.
Additional parking passes may
also be requested - either general parking or infield parking - and will be
approved at the discretion of event management.
Upon request approval,
requesting editor and individual credential holders will be notified via email.
Media members with access to the New York State Fairgrounds must check in at
the Gate 6 ticket booth upon their first coverage date to receive all their
wristbands for that track. Media members with access to Weedsport Speedway and
Rolling Wheels Raceway must check in for each event they wish to cover at the
pit entrance window. **CREDENTIAL VOUCHERS WILL NOT BE USED FOR MOST MEDIA THIS
YEAR**
Media outlets may be required
to supply tearsheets as part of the acceptance
process, and should be prepared to provide proof of coverage from the 2012 NAPA
Auto Parts Super DIRT Week or from the 2013 DIRTcar
Racing season if asked to do so.
For more information about
the media credential request process for NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week,
including the full media credential policy and sample request forms, visit
www.superdirtweekonline.com. Specific questions or concerns can be directed to
Julia Foy, DIRTcar Northeast PR/Promotions
Coordinator, at jfoy@dirtcar.com or (315) 834-2299 or Chris Dolack,
World Racing Group Vice President of Public Relations, at cdolack@dirtcar.com
or (704) 707-0223.
Weekly NAPA Auto Parts Super
DIRT Week media conference calls will begin on Tuesday, Aug. 27, at 3 p.m.
Eastern featuring a different guest each week who has particular insight into
the week at the Syracuse Mile. If you would like to participate in the calls, please
email Chris Dolack at cdolack@dirtcar.com.
Media Credential Request
Policy
Media credentials will be
issued only to recognized newspapers, news services, related trade
publications, television / radio networks, websites, and local television /
radio stations and must be requested by the editor or representative, sports
editor or sports director. To be considered for credentials, the media outlet
must met the following minimum requirements:
TV/Radio/Newspapers must
serve regional markets or individual track market directly; one-time exceptions
may be made for special interest subjects.
Trade/Industry publications
must be a site "of record" for the sport, or provide coverage of
events with a minimum of regular results coverage.
Annual publications will be
considered on a case-by-case basis.
All freelance media must be
on assignment and credentials should be requested by assigning editor.
All requests must be made in
writing even if individuals hold a valid 2013 DIRTcar
Series PRESS pass
Requests must be on company
letterhead and emailed to: cdolack@dirtcar.com
All media requests must be
submitted by the supervising editor / publisher and indicate the medium
represented, tracks (New York State Fairgrounds, Rolling Wheels Raceway and/or
Weedsport Speedway), the specific assignment, area of access required, and
coverage date. Please include the email address and / or phone number for the
person requesting credentials. Proof of coverage (tear sheets, video tape,
audio tape, high resolution photo disk, etc.) is required from all outlets.
Event management reserves the right to use submitted material for future
promotions.
Meeting credential
requirements does not guarantee a credential will be issued. Event management
reserves the right to deny any request.
Sign-in will be at the
"Gate 6" entrance to the New York State Fairgrounds at the ticket
booth.
Cinder track access will be
limited and it is required that photographers wear reflective vests. DIRTcar Racing will provide required vests for
photographers to sign out in the media room and return before the end of the
event.
Due to insurance and safety
considerations, all credential passes are very limited and will be assigned at
event management's discretion.
Next Friday night the SpeedSTRs make there first appearance at lindas speedway set up and gear will be the same as the
action track , gates open at 5 pm hot laps at 7pm . please let us know
if you plan on attending so i can put together a pre
race press release .This event will be
$800 to win Thanks Rich
Racing video:
Remember this from 13 years ago? Personally, I think this track and maybe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00OmJPBld-I&feature=PlayList&p=BCFED012F679B723&index=0
Photo of the week:
Note: Not available on DTD. To see the photo, you have to go to:
http://newenglandtractor.com/racereport/
This driver, Ed “Dutch”
Schaefer, pictured below in the famous “Golden Arrow” # 6 Offy
Midget, had a two lap lead with two laps to go in the 100 mile Midget race that
was held on the
I get emails:
From oil to plastic and back to oil?
http://www.youtube.com/embed/qGGabrorRS8?rel=0
And:
I WORRY MORE ABOUT THE FACT
THAT ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S
LARGEST
FOOD PRODUCERS HAS 700
MUSLIMS WORKING IN AND AROUND OUR FOOD SUPPLY
AND THAT THEY CARRY ENOUGH
CLOUT TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. NO MORE TYSON
FOR ME.
PLEASE, read this and pass it on! THANKS!
I for one,
will NOT buy anymore Tyson Foods! I am
SO glad they have
their name on
all their products. That will make it
much easier to
eliminate
picking up one their products by mistake.
The takeover continues, slowly but
surely. Tyson Foods eliminates
Labor Day in favor of a Muslim Holiday .
How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. How do you take over
to heed this
message.
Tyson Food in
paid holiday
in favor of the last day of Ramadan because they have 700
Muslim employees.
immigration. According to the 2010 Government Census more
Muslims are
flocking to
I will no longer purchase any Tyson
products. It's just one more
little chunk
of
me, then let
your e-mail friends know this. If we
don't stand up for
something we
will fall for anything. All it takes for
evil to triumph
is for good
men to do nothing.
*And the best way to send them the
message that they made the wrong
decision is to
not buy Tyson chicken products!*
This was verified:
Please pass this on.
Found on the Internet – non
racing:
Unease at
Kerry Reinstates
In part: "Secretary of State John Kerry has
determined that the four State Department officials placed on administrative
leave by Hillary Clinton after the terrorist attack on the U.S. mission in
Benghazi do not deserve any formal disciplinary action and has asked them to
come back to work at the State Department starting Tuesday.
Last December,
Former Deputy Assistant
Secretary of State Raymond Maxwell, the only official from the State
Department’s Near Eastern Affairs bureau to lose his job over the
“No explanation,
no briefing, just come back to work. So I will go in tomorrow,” Maxwell
said."
Note: You do realize what this is, right? PROTECTION for HILLARY!!!
So, who in the hell is going
to be held “Accountable”? Remember what
I said a few columns back – being held accountable
means NOTHING will be done.
From Facebook
– non racing stuff:
Found on 8/19:
So now the Muslim Extremists
have joined the Muslim Brotherhood in their fight against Egyptian security
forces Hmmmm and the Brotherhood has no link to
terrorism and our President who sent the Brotherhood tons of money is not a
Muslim sure OK.
White House Jokes About Christians Being Murdered in
In part:
"The White House’s
deputy press secretary today downplayed Muslim attacks on Christians in
Press secretary Josh Earnest
was asked by Fox News’ correspondent, Ed Henry, if President Barack Obama has a
“red line” beyond which he would act against Muslim attacks on Egyptian
Christians.
“Well, I didn’t bring my red
pen out with me today,” Earnest joked."
http://www.capitalisminstitute.org/murdered-christian-jokes/
Non racin’
stuff:
Unemployment rates rise in most US states in July
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/unemployment-rates-rise-most-us-144157045.html
Congressman Calls for Eric
Holder to Be Immediately Fired
http://www.capitalisminstitute.org/congressman-calls-for-eric-holder-to-be-immediately-fired/
Note:
This came out after I posted the above:
Music video:
At times, videos are removed from You Tube
– on occasion, never to be seen, again.
Other times, they re-appear. Why
this happens, I have no idea. Here are a couple that have been taken down, but somehow, are now
back up. Go figure!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwy5uqemp6c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCk-fa4Aphk
As for the 2nd
video, above, here are the words – with a couple of extra verses not in the
video:
Whiter
Shade Of Pale
We
skipped the light fandango
Turned cartwheels cross the floor
I was feeling kinda
seasick
The crowd called out for more
The room was humming harder
As the ceiling flew away
When we called out for another drink
The waiter brought a tray
And so it was that later
As the miller told his tale
That her face, at first just ghostly,
Turned a whiter shade of pale
She said,
there is no reason
And the truth is plain to see.
But I wandered through my playing cards
And would not let her be
One of sixteen vestal virgins
Who were leaving for the coast
And although my eyes were open
They might have just as wellve
been closed
And
so it was that later
As the miller told his tale
That her face, at first just ghostly,
Turned a whiter shade of pale
She said, I’m home on shore leave,
Though in truth we were at sea
So I took her by the looking glass
And forced her to agree
Saying, you must be the mermaid
That took neptune for
a ride.
But she smiled at me so sadly
That my anger straightway died
And
so it was that later
As the miller told his tale
That her face, at first just ghostly,
Turned a whiter shade of pale
If music
be the food of love
Then laughter is its queen
And likewise if behind is in front
Then dirt in truth is clean
My mouth by then like cardboard
Seemed to slip straight through my head
So we crash-dived straightway quickly
And attacked the ocean bed
And
so it was that later
As the miller told his tale
That her face, at first just ghostly,
Turned a whiter shade of pale
And
so it was that later
As the miller told his tale
That her face, at first just ghostly,
Turned a whiter shade of pale
Note: Words are from an extended video of this
song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYBqv3NIqho
Click on this comment: “Uploaded on Dec 26, 2008”
And, remember this one?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OssiGtO6QoI
Joke of the week:
Subject: Fwd: Gotta Love this Policeman
A motorcycle police officer
stops a driver for shooting through a red light.
The driver is a real b*stard, steps out of his car and comes striding toward the
officer, demanding to know why he is being harassed by the Gestapo!
So the officer calmly tells
him of the red light violation. The motorist
instantly goes on a tirade, questioning the officer's ancestry,
sexual
orientation, etc., in rather explicit offensive terms.
The tirade goes on without
the officer saying anything.
When the officer finishes
writing the ticket he puts an "AH" in the lower
right corner of the
narrative portion of the ticket. He then hands it to
The 'violator' for his
signature. The guy signs the ticket angrily, and
when presented with
his copy points to the "AH" and demands to know
what it stands for.
The officer says,
"That's so when we go to court, I'll remember that you're
an asshole!"
Two months later they're in
court. The 'violator' has a bad driving record
with a high number of points and is in danger of losing
his license, so he hired a lawyer to represent him.
On the stand the officer
testifies to seeing the man run through the red light.
Under cross examination the defense attorney
asks; "Officer is this a
reasonable facsimile
of the ticket that you issued to my client?"
Officer responds, "Yes,
sir, that is the defendant's copy, his signature and
mine, same number at
the top."
Lawyer: "Officer, is
there any particular marking or notation on this ticket
you don't normally
make?"
"Yes, sir, in the lower
right corner of the narrative there is an "AH,"
underlined."
"What does the
"AH" stand for, officer?"
"Aggressive and
hostile, Sir."
"Aggressive and
hostile?"
"Yes, Sir.
"Officer, are you sure
it doesn't stand for asshole?"
Well, sir, you know your
client better than I do.
~~~~ How often can one get an
attorney to convict his own client~~~~
Until the next column!
I can be reached, via e-mail, at: ygordad@yahoo.com