Racin' & Different Stuff:

                                      By Tom Avenengo

                                         Volume # 161

                                                   10/31/2013

 

 

Please don’t forget:  Benghazi, The IRS Scandal and all the other scandals that seem to get put on the back burners every week.  When will anyone be “held accountable”, anyway?  Oh, don’t forget my description of “Held Accountable”:  Nothing will get done to anyone.

 

 

Don’t forget – this coming Sunday – we move time back an hour.

 

 

Ya know what's scary? How many have no idea that the Affordable Care Act and Obamacare are the same. Questions asked on the street show this. And, those that have no clue go out and vote on election day, and also multiply - having kids that more than likely will end up clueless, too. Supposedly only 2 out of 25 asked, in NYC, knew that both were the same.

 

 

 

Who said this:

 

'if you like your health plan, you will be able to keep your health plan,' was still saying in 2012, 'If [you] already have health insurance, you will keep your health insurance.' "  Uh huh!

 

 

 

Racin’ & short’ stuff:

 

Most definitely there will be no column next week, since we’ll be leaving for the Sunshine State this coming Sunday, at the latest.  Keep checking on future Thursdays for my next column.

 

 

Eastern States:

 

Due to some health issues, I had to forgo going on Sunday for the 200.  However I was able to “watch” what was going on via the Internet and on the Dirt Track Digest website.  I do not subscribe or order Dirtvision – too many complaints of it not working, both in audio and video, so DTD was where I was able to get the story as to what went on.

 

Photos I’ve seen, mostly on Facebook do show a packed house, both in the stands and in the drive-in section.  Things I’ve heard that are disturbing were the amount of time it took for the tow trucks to get on the track and to get where they were needed.  This I did see on Friday and Saturday.  Via the Internet, there were quite a lot of complaints on too many yellow flag laps.  Ad me to the list of complainers on that. 

 

I knew when certain cars were pitting, but I do not know how smoothly those pit stops went.  A new rule – no changing of tires on the first pit stop might have helped, so I’ve heard.  Previously, pit stops were a guaranteed “cluster”, with cars pitting in the middle of pit road and not in their respective pit boxes.  Cars running into other cars – you know the usual hectic goings on.

 

A problem on the backstretch between a couple of drivers developed, and “Security” intervened.  Reports are that an official was knocked down, via physical contact.  Rules on this are not very clear.  Most think the offending driver would be suspended from any DIRTcar events for up to a year.  When one reads the “rule”, one tends to think that, especially for a “name” driver, the punishment will be not much more than a fine and a slap on the wrist.  The rule book should be more definitive in what kind of punishments get dealt out.  My thoughts, of course.

 

Quite strange how some ran out of rubber during the race, while others were able to go the full 200 laps without a tire change.  Yes, there were some accidents, but thankfully no major injuries to speak of.

 

Some complaints by fans on exiting the fairgrounds, especially on Friday, when they were used to going out the top gate onto Carpenter Avenue.  That gate was locked – more than likely to stop any campers from coming onto the property free.  Some, on their way out, gave the new Moto-cross course a try out.  Me, I always enter and exit by the gate next to the speedway office.

 

When I was doing the race reporting for the Dirt Oval at OVRP, I found it quite remarkable how little some people know about racing and its heritage.  Quite a few had no idea about the “Champ Cars/Silver Crown Cars” of USAC – they being, at one time what raced at the Indianapolis Speedway in the 500.  Also they ran the “Championship Trail” with those cars.

 

A fan, sitting behind me this past weekend, a fan that goes to OCFS weekly, did not believe me when I informed him that the Sportsman Class at OCFS was (supposed to be) powered by legal “Crate” engines.  And, two weeks ago, when the wife and I visited our son Tom, Jr. and his family, up in Dexter, NY – on our way home we stopped at the rest area in Lisle, NY, on I-81.  We had passed and had been passed by a race hauler with a certain car number on it.  Since it was heading south, I knew they were not racing at Syracuse.  At the rest stop I made mention to a woman with that car number on her jacket, that I could see they were not going to Syracuse.  Her response:  “Oh, we only have a Sportsman with a Crate engine, so we couldn’t race there.”  Duh!  Pretty sure they normally run at Penn Can, weekly.

 

Interested in a majority of the times and results for ESW via MyLaps?  I say “majority” because there were a couple of errors.

 

http://www.mylaps.com/en/events/970209

 

 

On Friday I had the opportunity to have a chat with Accord Speedway owner Gary Palmer.  He informed me that for 2014, the Speedway will have Junior and Senior Slingshots racing every Friday night.  I neglected to ask him if he was going to drop either the 4 Cylinders or the Lightning Sprints, and on Saturday, I never saw him.  Sunday, as you know, I was not there.  So, I guess time will tell?

 

 

 

Former OVRP Dirt Oval runners:

 

How they qualified and how they finished in the features at ESW.  Feature finishes in ( ).

 

Sportsman:

Tylere Dippel 1 (1), LJ Lombardo 2, Anthony Perrego 3 (2), Brian Krummel 3 (5),  Joe Conklin 6 (10), Matt Janiak 10 (8), Brett Wright (13 (14), Andrew Reeves 31 (4), Zach Vavricka 33, Johnny Illanovsky 46, Tyler Boniface 48 19), Rich Coons 50, Joe Falanga NT

 

358 Modifieds:

Tyler Dippel 1 (DNS), Billy VanInwegen 15 (10), Tim Hindley 24 (14), Danny Creeden 37 (16), Brian Krummel 38 (27), Andrew Reeves 42, Joe Conklin 45, RJ Smykla 49, LJ Lombardo 51, Matt Hitchcock 60, Joe Falalnga 63

Note:  Electrical problems kept Dipple from starting the feature, from what I’ve heard,

 

Big Block Modifieds:

Tim Hindley 3 (3), Billy VanInwegen 4 (12), Clinton Mills 8 (23), Mike Ruggiero 32 (16), Danny Creeden 35 (26) Kyle Armstrong 47 (39)

 

 

 

 

IndyCar at Pocono goes to 500 miles:

 

http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com/2013/10/25/schedule-stuff-indycar-at-pocono-goes-to-500-miles-nascar-trucks-release-14-docket/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs

 

Note:  This past July, the 400 mile race took just a little over 2 hours to complete.  With an increase of an additional 100 miles, I’d like to see more cars than were at Pocono the last time – think it was 24.

 

 

 

 

 

Thought I’d post something about the Novemberfest Kart/Slingshot racing weekend being held this coming weekend at OVRP’s Dirt Oval, which is copied from a post on http://karting.4cycle.com/

 

NOVEMBERFEST 2013

OCTOBER 2, 2013 BY DENISE REISS

November 1st, 2nd & 3rd

Flathead Pro 350 lbs. – $1000 PURSE

(running Saturday Only)

$500 – 1st

$200 – 2nd

$125 – 3rd

$100 – 4th

$75 – 5th

10 Kart Minimum to guarantee purse & racer MUST run an additional class to be eligible for the Pro race

 

 

GUARANTEED $500 to WIN – Jr. Slingshot

sponsored by Morgiewicz Produce

GUARANTEED $200 for 2nd – Jr. Slingshot

sponsored by Think Fiberglass & Sherlock Racing

GUARANTEED $300 to WIN – Jr. Stock

sponsored by RRB Contracting

GUARANTEED $200 to WIN – Jr. 3

sponsored by RRB Contracting

GUARANTEED $100 to WIN – Jr. 2

sponsored by RRB Contracting

ALL OTHER PAYOUTS WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES

50% OF ENTRY FEE GOES TOWARDS PURSE

Friday November 1st - Practice

Gates Open – 2:00 pm

Registration until 7:00 pm

Open Practice – 4:00 – 9:00 pm

** We will take a 30 minute break **

Barbecue – 7:30 pm

 

Saturday November 2nd – Racing

Gates Open – 8:00 am

Registration until 10:30 am

Practice – 10:00 am

Beef & Pork Roast – 8:00 pm

If needed, we will take a break from racing for the Roast.

 

Sunday November 3rd – Racing

Gates Open – 8:00 am

Practice – 10:00 am

Racing to resume after practice

3 Rounds of Feature Races – 25 Laps Each

Every Race Counts towards Overall Finishes

Feature 1 lined up by Draw

Feature 2 lined up by invert of the Draw

Feature 3 lined up by Overall Points

Saturday Practice – 2 Rounds

Sunday Practice – 1 Round

Over 20 Entries will be divided into an A Main (75% of purse) & B Main (25% of purse) determined by time trials.

Pro Race – 3 lap time trial

Consolation races if over 20 entries

30 lap main event – 20 kart max.

Pro Entry Fee* – $75.00 MUST run another class

Entry Fee* – $75.00 per class – Includes Beef & Pork Roast

Friday Night Practice* – $25.00 – Includes Barbecue

1 Day Pit Pass – $15.00

2 Day Pit Pass – $25.00

3 Day Pit Pass – $35.00

Friday Barbecue – $10.00

Saturday Beef & Pork Roast – $15.00

 

*Price does not include pit pass & only one food pass per driver

WKA Engine Rules Apply – must have drilled head, carb, and side cover bold

BURRIS TIRE RULE – 33s or 55s only

Senior Clone can run Vega Yellow Tires as well

 

Classes Offered: (must have 5 or more entries) ~ Junior 1, Junior 2, Junior 3, Junior Stock, Sportsman 1 Champ, Sportsman 2 Champ (animal & flathead), Junior Champ (animal black plate), Lights, Mediums, Heavys, Super Heavies, Senior Stock, Animal Lights, Animal Heavies, Senior Champ, KT 100, Junior Slingshot, & Senior Slingshot

Kid Kart will be racing on Saturday Only – $25.00 entry fee (does not include pit pass)

 

 

 

 

Cheap tickets?

 

For game six of the World Series this past Wednesday night, it cost $1,860.00 for a ticket?  That comes out to about $600.00/hour.

 

 

 

From Jayski:

http://www.jayski.com/

 

Schrader to retire from Cup racing:

ESPN's Allen Bestwick, during coverage of Sunday's race from Martinsville Speedway, said #32-Ken Schrader had told him that Homestead would be the last NASCAR Sprint Cup race he competes in.(10-27-2013)

 

 

Brian Vickers says he will return in 2014:

#55-Brian Vickers met with the media Sunday morning at Martinsville Speedway:

How are you feeling?

Vickers: "I feel like I could drive a race car, I just can't. I feel great. Still training, still exercising. I can't complain. I've got a great life and family and friends. I'm frustrated and I've been bummed since obviously all this happened again. I'm just kind of looking forward. Things happen in life -- that's part of it. You just keep fighting and have faith. That's all you can really do. I'm going to be out for three months and back in time for Daytona to race for a championship."

Have doctors explained why this happened and how long you will have to deal with it?

Vickers: "The answer is yes.. After the crash at Bristol, I had a mid-foot sprain and I was wearing a boot to kind of immobilize my right ankle to help with that foot sprain and that boot is what caused the clot. Pretty much right where the boot kind of constricted my calf. We know what caused it. I think the good news for me in both situations -- the first one and this one is that there were specific events -- kind of the perfect storm so to speak that created the clots. Because of that, I've never spontaneously produced a clot at random. That creates a completely different situation than someone who is just throwing clots all the time randomly. Going forward, pretty much every doctor I've met with has pretty much had the exact same conclusion, which is three months of anti-coagulation and then you're off. Whether I race or not, whether I decide to go racing or not is kind of irrelevant, the decision would still be the same.

What keeps you out of the car?

Vickers "It's not the clot and it's not that I can't race on blood thinners it's just that I can't crash. As long as I can promise my doctors that I will not crash then they're fine with me racing. Unfortunately, there's a lot of moving parts in a car that I can't control and 42 competitors that I can't control. I can't firmly commit to that so he would rather me not race. The risk is not even so much external injury like a cut or something, it's really more of an internal injury. They wouldn't be able to stop the bleeding."

(Toyota Racing PR)(10-28-2013)

 

 

Harvick rips Dillon brothers after truck race accident:

#29-Kevin Harvick unloaded on the Sprint Cup team he is leaving after a wreck with team owner Richard Childress' grandson, Ty Dillon, during Saturday's Camping World Truck Series race. Harvick, who was driving for another team in the Kroger 200, and Dillon were racing for second when their trucks collided and knocked both from contention. Harvick, who is leaving Richard Childress Racing after 13 seasons in Sprint Cup to join Stewart-Haas Racing, implied that nepotism and lineage were factors in his decision. Ty Dillon has raced in the Camping World Truck series the past two seasons and is moving into Nationwide next year to supplant his older brother, Austin, who is expected to move into Sprint Cup and effectively take over the ride being vacated by Harvick.

"(Dillon) just dumped me," Harvick said about the crash. "Exactly the reason why I'm leaving RCR because you've got those kids coming up, and they've got no respect for what they do in this sport and they've had everything fed to them with a spoon."

Dillon slammed Harvick several times during the ensuing yellow flag. Harvick's truck also stopped near Dillon's pit stall, where it was accosted by several members of Dillon's crew, one of whom appeared to hurl an orange hammer at it. MRN.com reported that Childress encouraged Dillon to hit Harvick's truck under yellow.

Childress told MRN.com and the Sporting News that Harvick would race Sunday at Martinsville in the #29 ("We're still rolling.") but also said he was "very disappointed" in Harvick. "That's all I can say," Childress said. "I've got too much class to say what I want to say right now. When I say it, I will say it to his face."(USA Today)(10-27-2013)

 

UPDATE:

Kevin Harvick apologized for his comments about teammate Ty Dillon during Sunday's NASCAR RACEDAY on FOX Sports 1. Harvick spoke to hosts John Roberts, Kyle Petty and Larry McReynolds.

What made you angry in yesterday's incident? "I think there was just a lot of emotion involved. I hate it for everybody at RCR. You go back and look at the things that happened, and sometimes you regret the things that you say for sure. Yesterday was definitely one of them. I hate it for my guys, and everybody working on the cars. Obviously, when those emotional situations come about; you say things that you really don't want to say. I just want to apologize to all of those guys, work hard today and try and do everything we can to win the race.

Were these comments a result of the frustration and the pressure? "I think yesterday was just some frustration on how the race ended. You never want to be in a situation like were in, and obviously, the short-track racing and everything that happened, you try to do the right things, and yesterday I didn't do the right thing. We just have to do what we have to do today to put ourselves in a position to be as successful as we can."

Have you had a conversation with Ty Dillon? "No. I think it's best for all of us to just cool down and have a sensible conversation about things that are going. I wish that's what I would have done yesterday. It's one of those situations that you don't want to be a part of, but I don't have anybody else to blame but myself." (Fox Sports PR)(10-27-2013)

 

UPDATE 2:

Richard Childress fiercely defended his two grandsons Sunday morning, a day after Childress driver Kevin Harvick called Ty Dillon "a punk-ass kid" after they wrecked at Martinsville Speedway. Harvick's job might be safe but the relationship with Childress, the owner of Richard Childress Racing, soured after he called Childress' grandsons Austin and Ty Dillon spoiled "punks" and "rich kids" following Saturday's race. "What happened on the track was one thing," Childress said, "but the comments afterwards is where I'm really upset. I'll never apologize for giving my grandsons an opportunity, just like the France family, the Earnhardt family, the Wood brothers. You go down the list of the people that have been given opportunities. All of them didn't make it. You've got to go out and earn what you've got, the opportunity in life to succeed. And these boys earned it." Childress, who talked with Harvick on Sunday morning, said he is committed to Harvick and the team sponsors for the final four races of the season. "We're going to give him everything humanly possible to win that championship," Childress said. "I'm committed to him for four more races, just like I committed to him the day that he said he was leaving. I shook his hand and committed I'd give him 100 percent, and I'm going to do it. But I'm not going to be backed into a corner."(Sporting News)(10-27-2013)

 

Note:  My thoughts - “They earned it”.  That’s the second time Childress has come out with that statement, that I know of.  Yes, they ran some dirt tracks when younger, down south, but I’ll betcha they had the very best and most expensive equipment to drive, too.  Earned it? 

It should be quite interesting when both young men are in Cup in a few years.

 

 

Hamlin has not decided on off-season surgery:

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

Q: Have you made any decision about surgery in the off-season?

Hamlin: "As far as surgery, I still haven't decided on it. I still haven't met with the doctors to figure out the best option. I have been feeling so much better this last month or so that I'd like to steer away from surgery if possible. Obviously, I don't want to just cover up the pain with the treatments that I've been doing. That just numbs you a little bit. We still have an issue there that we have to address in the next month or so."(Toyota Racing PR)(10-26-2013)

 

 

JTG Daugherty to Chevy?

And out here in the NASCAR garage, Brad Daugherty's long-time #47-Toyota team, which has Bobby Labonte at the wheel this year and will have AJ Allmendinger next season, may be changing to Chevys for 2014. If the Bobby Hutchens' run team does make the move, it will almost certainly become a satellite of the Richard Childress operation.(MikeMulhern.net)(10-26-2013)

 

 

National Guard extends sponsorship of Earnhardt, Jr.:

The Army National Guard will continue as the majority sponsor of the #88 Sprint Cup Series team with driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. after extending its relationship with Hendrick Motorsports through the 2014 NASCAR season. The National Guard will receive primary paint schemes in 20 Sprint Cup races, including the 2014 Daytona 500, and prominent brand placement during all non-primary events. "NASCAR is a critical marketing platform for the National Guard," said Lt. Col. Michael Wegner, marketing branch chief, Army National Guard. "This program touches recruiters, influencers, our own Citizen Soldiers and those interested in the Guard's many career opportunities and benefits. NASCAR fans in our target demographic are twice as likely to consider the military as a career option, and the overall fan base strongly advocates for military service. It's the right place for the Guard and has helped us recruit more than 400,000 Citizen Soldiers since 2007."

"It's an incredible privilege to work with and represent the Guard," Earnhardt said. "We have the opportunity to interact with those who serve our country and many who are considering military careers. I'm personally in awe of their sacrifices and feel a tremendous amount of pride in our relationship with them. The entire #88 team is looking forward to another season together."

PepsiCo's continuing support of the #88 Hendrick Motorsports team includes five primary races annually through the 2015 Sprint Cup season. Additional sponsorship will be announced at a later date.(Hendrick Motorsports), see an image of the 2014 scheme on the #88 team schemes page.(10-25-2013)

 

NASCAR considering changes to qualifying in 2014:

NASCAR told its competitors Thursday it is considering eliminating single-car qualifying next season in an overhaul to how the field is set. Drivers from all three national series met with top NASCAR officials for almost two hours at the R&D Center in Concord to discuss several things under consideration for 2014. Among the ideas being considered is a group qualifying format similar to what was used on road courses this year. NASCAR is considering using that qualifying procedure everywhere except Daytona at Talladega. NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp says the field would likely be set at Daytona and Talladega with an "open qualifying session" that would allow for a 60-minute drafting session. NASCAR will also hold a Dec. 9 test at Charlotte to continue work on its intermediate track package.(Associated Press)(10-24-2013)

 

UPDATE:

NASCAR is considering changing its qualifying procedure in 2014 to have multiple cars on the track at the same time, sanctioning body spokesman Kerry Tharp said Thursday. Already used on road courses, the proposed qualifying format would have cars in groups (it has been five or six) with each car released from pit road in intervals of a few seconds. The group would then have a certain amount of time to complete qualifying laps, with the best lap speed used to determine the starting order for the race. On restrictor-plate tracks (Daytona and Talladega), NASCAR is considering using a drafting session - likely 45-60 minutes - to determine the starting order. The Daytona 500 field would still be set primarily through qualifying races but whether the new format would be used to determine the Daytona 500 pole and the lineup for the qualifying races is still to be decided. "Nothing is set in stone yet," Tharp said. "We haven't determined how all that (throughout the season) would be administered. "We're still working through that but with the goal of providing a more enhanced qualifying experience for the fans that come there and watch it and the fans that watch it on television and, quite frankly, for the competitors."(Sporting News)(10-25-2013)

 

 

Biffle would like to have handled frustrations with Johnson differently:

If #16-Greg Biffle could go back to Sunday, when he grabbed #48-Jimmie Johnson by the collar and spun him around to confront him, he'd probably reach for the five-time champion's arm. And he would maybe ask for a private conversation rather than interrupting Johnson during post-race interviews. For the way it actually transpired, Biffle said, he plans to apologize to Johnson. But that's where it ends. Biffle remained adamant that Johnson rammed into the back of his car at Martinsville Speedway, causing heavy damage to Biffle's rear bumper cover and preventing him from his first career top-three finish at the track. "Maybe I overreacted a small amount, but I wanted him to know I was not happy with what took place," Biffle said Tuesday during an appearance at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.(Associated Press)(10-30-2013)

 

 

Female crew member leaves MWR:

Christmas Abbott, who in February became the only woman employed in NASCAR as a full-time pit crew member, has left her Michael Waltrip Racing team without ever changing a tire in a race. Abbott's departure was confirmed on Tuesday night by a MWR spokesman. The team declined to release any other details regarding her departure. In February, Abbott, an elite-level fitness athlete whose journey to become a full-time pit crew member has been well-chronicled, was named to MWR's Sprint Cup organization's traveling pit support team. Abbott, however, never made it into a race with the MWR organization and in recent months wasn't seen at the track on race day.(Charlotte Observer)(10-30-2013)

 

 

Truex, Furniture Row still finalizing deal:

When is a deal with terms acceptable to all parties not quite a done deal? When the parties involved have accepted those terms, but haven't yet put pen to paper to confirm those acceptable terms. Other than that small detail, it's a done deal and in this case, everyone knows it. That's the situation at Furniture Row Racing, the home of Martin Truex Jr. after this NASCAR season. According to knowledgeable sources close to and inside the Denver, Colo.-based Sprint-Cup company, Truex and team owner Barney Visser have agreed to terms. They just haven't gotten around to signing the contract to make it official. Thus the delay in formally announcing what everyone knows is eventually coming. Broadcasters and bloggers have reported for weeks that Truex is going to Furniture Row and the announcement will be made & well, any day now. Last weekend, at Martinsville Speedway, team general manager Joe Garone said most of the details are done and acceptable to everyone. But he added that Truex has one small detail to clear up before moving forward. "I don't know where people are getting their information," Garone said. "Yes, we've agreed to terms, but we just haven't signed anything yet. The timing isn't a big priority because we know it's going to happen. It might even get done by the end of next week [when the tour is in Fort Worth]."(Autoweek)(10-29-2013)

 

 

Larson returns to the #51 at Texas:

Phoenix Racing will partner with the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau for this weekend's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway. Kyle Larson will return to the #51 to pilot the Visit Dallas Chevy SS for Phoenix Racing. The Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau is an independent, non-profit organization that promotes Dallas as a meeting, convention and leisure destination. Dallas is the ninth-largest city in the nation and is part of the fourth-largest metropolitan area. Each year, more than 30 million people visit the area, making the surrounding metropolitan area the top visitor destination in Texas. Larson will be making his third NSCS start at Texas Motor Speedway, after making his debut at Charlotte Motor Speedway two weeks ago and competing at Martinsville Speedway this past weekend. Larson will also compete in the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Texas on Saturday, driving the # 32 Chevy Camaro for Turner Scott Motorsports, which is co-owned by Scott.(Phoenix Racing), see an image of the car on the #51 team paint schemes page.(10-29-2013)

 

 

Bowyer comfortable with position MWR is in:

After a turbulent couple of months, #15-Clint Bowyer believes Michael Waltrip Racing has turned the corner. Though the recent news that teammate Brian Vickers would miss the rest of the season with blood clots was another reminder of how much adversity the organization has faced since being embroiled in a team orders scandal. "I don't know if everyone's at a good place, but the biggest thing is we have a good game plan," Bowyer said Monday. "I'm very proud of where we're at considering all the circumstances," he said. "With all the distractions, all the melees going on with our organization, it would have been very easy to take our eye off the ball and lose focus and not be a factor at all. I'm pleasantly surprised by the dedication, hard work and drive of everybody." Bowyer's contract runs through the 2014 season, and he believes MWR will remain strong next year with two cars and despite the absence of Truex, who has been freed from his contract. "I've found a good home," Bowyer said. "It's a young organization. Mistakes have been made and we've learned from them. We damn sure learned a lot this year, but all those mistakes only make you stronger in the future. The setback of losing Martin Truex - he's not only a good teammate, he's a good friend - not having him around is tough.(USA Today)(10-29-2013)

 

 

 

From Track Forum:

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/forum.php

 

Indy 500 videos – yes all of them:

 

http://openwheelamerica.com/videos/

 

 

 

From the AARN:

http://www.aarn.com/

 

Special items in this weeks edition:

 

This Week

In AARN:

 

Zeiner Wins Rich 'Octoberfast'

Mod Main At Mahoning Valley

 

Tenth Eastern States 200

Triumph For Brett Hearn

 

Thompson Speedway World Series

Sunoco Mod DQs Announced

 

New Management Team

Would Bring Late Models Back

At Hagerstown

 

Trevor Kobylarz Crowned

ARDC Midget Driving Champion

 

Greg Hodnett, Ryan Smith

Land New 410 Sprint Car Rides

 

Gregg Satterlee Sweeps

Twin Features At Winchester

 

Harvick Erupts In Fury

At Ty Dillon

At End Of Martinsville

NASCAR Truck Race

 

Pennsy Sprint Changes:

Selinsgrove Moves To 360s,

Others Stay With 358s

 

Holtgraver, Swartzlander,

Ferree Lead Lernerville's

Steel City Stampede

 

 

 

Press releases:

 

XCEL CHASSIS RELEASES NEW POINT SYSTEM AMD RULES TO A PACKED CROWD

 October 27th was the beginning of new ideas, tweaking old ones and new faces joining the ranks. The

Xcel Chassis 600 modifieds held an open door meeting to discuss the upcoming 2014 season. "Every year

promoters start getting ready for the next year. I already have 95% of my schedule done and should

have it finalized within the next two weeks. I have this meeting every year so I can have feedback

from the drivers and owners. I can't be every where all the time and this is a way to get back to basics.

Teams will now know which direction the rule book is taking and can start planning the off season

and the on season." explained Doug Borger

 The first item on the agenda would be the new point system for the tour division. Heat races will

not be awarded points and more emphasis will be on attendance. It starts at 150 for the win and works

down in 5 increments to 11th place then falls to 2 number increments to 24th. 25th and down

will now get 50 points. There is no more perfect attendance bonus at the end of the season and drivers

will have now have 2 drop races included in the final total.

 A new LR offset rule was introduced and changed after the majority voiced their opinins.

The original rule was to to be a maximum of 17 inches from the bottom rail of the frame. After it was

pointed out the older cars would not have room to change set up, the 18 inch rule came into effect.

"This is why I attend the yearly meetings, there are no hidden agendas and any questions you have

can be answered or even voted on." stated Tim VanHorn Jr. after the meeting.

 New to the racing format will be cone races. Just as the leader gets to choose the top or bottom

lane so will every driver in the feature. A cone is placed at the flaggers stand and as the car comes to it

 they must decide the top or bottom side on the restart. It will be at certain tracks on the schedule and

will be announced at the drivers meeting held at the track. It should be interesting when 90% of the cars

run the bottom and who will venture to the top side.

 Restarts have determined outcomes of races from the very beginning and now its time to go back to

what works. Xcel Chassis will have a 2 cone starting zone where the leader will start the race. No driver

will be able to pass until they reach the second cone. A fifteen to eighteen foot clearance will not

bunch the field or give a driver an advantage by jumping the start.

 A reminder was also given about Bilstein shocks. Last year it was implemented that by the year 2014

every 600 modified must have 2 Bilsteins on any corner of the car and by 2015 all cars will have the

dependable Bilsteins on all four corners. Bilsteins shocks are a proven shock for the series.

 The Xcel Chassis 600 modifieds have one last race at Five Mile Point Speedway this Saturday Nov. 2nd

and will offcially close out the season with a banquet on Dec.7th held at the Polk Township Firehouse.

Doors open at 5 with dinner being served at 6. You can purchase tickets thru Doug by calling

him at 610-681 2689 and check out all the latest at xcelchassis.com

 

 

 

 

Going back, in time to October 31st, in:

 

1902

Wilbur Shaw... Born

 

1925

Peter DePaolo won the AAA sanctioned Autumn Classic 250 on the 1.25 Mile Board Oval Rockingham Speedway in Salem, New Hampshire.

 

1933

Hugh Randall... Born

 

1939

Tom Bigelow... Born

 

1954

Mike Nazaruk won the AAA Sprint Car race at the Langhorne Speedway, Langhorne, PA.

Note:  Photo of Mike, at Langhorne, in photo section, below.

 

1967

Buddy Lazier ... Born

 

1988

Dick Mealy ... Died .

 

1999

Greg Moore... Died .

 

 

 

 

On Facebook:

 

WHEN I was a kid, I couldn't understand why Eisenhower was so popular. Maybe this will explain why.

 

General Eisenhower Warned Us.

[

It is a matter of history that when the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, General Dwight Eisenhower, found the victims of the death camps he ordered all possible photographs to be taken, and for the German people from surrounding villages to be ushered through the camps and even made to bury the dead.

 

He did this because he said in words to this effect:

 

'Get it all on record now - get the films - get the witnesses - because somewhere down the road of history someone will get up and say that this never happened.'

 

This week, the UK debated whether to remove The Holocaust from its school curriculum because it 'offends' the Muslim population which claims it never occurred. It is not removed as yet. However, this is a frightening portent of the fear that is gripping the world and how easily each country is giving into it.

 

It is 70 years next year since the Second World War ended in Europe.

This e-mail is being sent as a memorial chain, in memory of the six million Jews, 20 million Russians, 10 million Christians, and 1,900 Catholic priests who were murdered, raped, burned, starved, beaten, experimented on and humiliated' while many in the world looked the other way!

 

Now, more than ever, with Iran, among others, claiming the Holocaust to be 'a myth,' it is imperative to make sure the world never forgets.

 

[

This e-mail is intended to reach 400 million people! Be a link in the memorial chain and help distribute this around the world.

 

How many years will it be before the attack on the World Trade Center

 

'NEVER HAPPENED',

 

Because it offends some Muslims?

 

Do not just delete this message; it will take only a minute to pass this along.

 

FREEDOM ISN'T FREE...SOMEONE HAD TO PAY FOR IT!

 

 

 

 

 

I get emails:

 

Check this out:

 

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/10/30/bankrupt-solar-panel-firm-took-stimulus-money-left-toxic-mess-says-report/

 

 

 

 

Interesting stats regardless of your political persuasion.

 

 

Well worth reading all the way to the end.

 

 "A State with No Republicans!"

 

Very interesting...Makes ya wanna move there, doesn't it? (Not!) A wonderful state with zero Republicans  - The State of Illinois.

 

Some interesting data on the 'state' of Illinois...  There are more people on welfare in Illinois than there are people working. Chicago pays the highest wages to teachers than anywhere else in the U.S.averaging $110,000/year. Their pensions average 80-90% of their income. Wow, are Illinois andChicago great or what? Be sure to read till the end. I've never heard it explained better. Perhaps theU.S. should pull out of Chicago?  Body count: In the last six months, 292 killed (murdered) in Chicago.   221 killed in Iraq; AND Chicago has one of the strictest gun laws in the entire US.

 

Here's the Chicago chain of command:  President: Barack Hussein Obama · Senator: Dick Durbin · House Representative: Jesse Jackson Jr. · Governor: Pat Quinn · House leader: Mike Madigan · Atty. Gen.: Lisa Madigan (daughter of Mike) · Mayor: Rohm Emanuel · The leadership in Illinois - all Democrats. · Thank you for the combat zone in Chicago. · Of course, they're all blaming each other. · Can't blame Republicans; there aren't any! · Chicago school system rated one of the worst in the country.  Can't blame Republicans; there aren't any!

 

State pension fund $78 Billion in debt, worst in country.  Can't blame Republicans; there aren't any!

 

Cook County (Chicago) sales tax 10.25% highest in country. Can't blame Republicans; there aren't any!

 

This is the political culture that Obama comes from in Illinois. And he is going to 'fix' Washington politics for us?

 

George Ryan is no longer Governor, he is in the prison.

 

He was replaced by Rob Blajegovitch who is that's right, also in the prison.

 

And Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. resigned a couple of weeks ago, because he is fighting to not be sent to...that's right, prison.

 

The Land of Lincoln, where our governors make our license plates.  what?

 

As long as they keep providing entitlements to the population of Chicago, nothing is going to change, except the state will go broke before the country does.

 

"Anybody who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the Government take care of him; better take a closer look at the American Indian."

            Don’t forget Detroit another good example.

 

PART 2

 

Some of you might find these data interesting. ALL SHOULD.

There are actually two messages here.  The first is very interesting,

but the second is absolutely astounding -- and explains a lot!

                        

A recent "Investor's Business Daily" article provided very interesting statistics from a survey by the United Nations International Health Organization.

 

Percentage of men and women who survived a cancer five years after diagnosis:

              U.S.                      65%

             England                46%

             Canada                 42%

Percentage of patients diagnosed with diabetes who received treatment within six months:

              U.S.                      93%

             England                15%

             Canada                 43%

 Percentage of seniors needing hip replacement who received it within six months:

              U.S.                      90%

             England                15%

             Canada                 43%

 Percentage referred to a medical specialist who see one within one month:

             U.S.                      77%

             England                40%

             Canada                 43%

 Number of MRI scanners (a prime diagnostic tool) per million people:

              U.S.                       71

             England                 14

             Canada                  18

 Percentage of seniors (65+), with low income, who say they are in "excellent health":

              U.S.                     12%

             England                2%

             Canada                 6%

 And now for the last statistic:

 

National Health Insurance?

              U.S.                     NO

             England               YES

             Canada                YES

 

And check this last set of statistics!!

 

The percentage of each past president's cabinet who had worked in the private business sector prior to their appointment to the cabinet.....

 

You know what the private business sector is.  A real-life business, not a Government job.

 

Here are the percentages:

            T. Roosevelt................... 38%

            Taft.................................40%

            Wilson ........................... 52%

            Harding.......................... 49%

            Coolidge........................  48%

            Hoover ...........................42%

            F. Roosevelt................... 50%

            Truman...........................50%

            Eisenhower....................  57%

            Kennedy......................... 30%

            Johnson..........................47%

            Nixon..............................53%

            Ford................................42%

            Carter.............................32%

            Reagan...........................56%

            GH Bush.........................51%

            Clinton  ..........................39%

            GW Bush........................55%

            Obama............................. 8%

 

This helps to explain the incompetence of this administration: only 8% of them have ever worked in private business!

 

That's right!  Only eight percent -- the least, by far, of the last 19 presidents!  And these people are trying to tell our big Corporations how to run their business?

 

How can the president of a major nation and society, the one with the most successful economic system in world history, stand and talk about business when he's never worked for one?  Or about jobs when he has never really had one?  And when it's the same for 92% of his senior staff and closest advisers?

 

They've spent most of their time in academia, Government and/or non-profit jobs or as "community organizers."  They should have been in an employment line.

 

Pass this on because we'll NEVER see these facts in the mainstream media.

 

"One of the penalties of not participating in politics is that you will be governed by your inferiors."  - Plato

 

 

 

 

 

This weeks photo:

 

Mike Nazaruk at Langhorne on May 1, 1955.  He wasn’t feeling all that well, and really was supposed to be at Indianapolis for opening day, but his excuse was he needed the money to feed the family.  This photo was captioned “His last lap”.  I remember that day quite well.  Some ya just don’t forget.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Racing video:

 

At times, tempers flair:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9jAOIKczYp4

 

 

Not racing, but a scary one!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tB8D2QZ9lA4

 

 

 

Non racing stuff:

 

Former Ambassador: Benghazi “Stand Down” Order Came from Obama

 

http://www.capitalisminstitute.org/stand-down-orders/

 

 

 

 

Here's Why So Many Americans Are Getting Letters Saying Their Health Insurance Is Canceled

 

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/heres-why-many-americans-getting-204446320.html

 

 

 

NBC News: Obama Knew Up to 75% Would Have Their Insurance Canceled

 

In part:  "Earlier today, we reported that the White House finally admitted that many wouldn’t be able to keep their healthcare plans. Now, it turns out that Obama knew all along that up to 75% would lose their insurance.

 

The source of this isn’t some right-wing website… it’s NBCNews.com, one of the most liberally-biased news sites on the Internet. When even they’re reporting that Obamacare is completely based on lies, you know it’s bad."

 

President Obama repeatedly assured Americans that after the Affordable Care Act became law, people who liked their health insurance would be able to keep it. But millions of Americans are getting or are about to get cancellation letters for their health insurance under Obamacare, say experts, and the Obama administration has known that for at least three years.

 

Four sources deeply involved in the Affordable Care Act tell NBC NEWS that 50 to 75 percent of the 14 million consumers who buy their insurance individually can expect to receive a “cancellation” letter or the equivalent over the next year because their existing policies don’t meet the standards mandated by the new health care law. One expert predicts that number could reach as high as 80 percent. And all say that many of those forced to buy pricier new policies will experience “sticker shock.”

 

None of this should come as a shock to the Obama administration. The law states that policies in effect as of March 23, 2010 will be “grandfathered,” meaning consumers can keep those policies even though they don’t meet requirements of the new health care law. But the Department of Health and Human Services then wrote regulations that narrowed that provision, by saying that if any part of a policy was significantly changed since that date — the deductible, co-pay, or benefits, for example — the policy would not be grandfathered.

 

Like Dr. Ben Carson said, this was NEVER about healthcare. It’s about control.

 

If this doesn’t end Obama’s presidency and get people demanding an Obamacare repeal, then nothing will. Please share this on Facebook and Twitter. Please get the word out.

 

http://www.capitalisminstitute.org/millions-lose-insurance/

 

 

And this, too, about the above:

 

http://news.yahoo.com/obama-administration-knew-millions-wouldn-t-be-able-to-keep-insurance--report-222249311.html

 

Note:  Some excellent postings along with the above article!

 

Here is just one of them:

“I am amazed at the amount of people who are stunned by what this law is doing to them. And at the fact the President knew people would lose there insurance. For the past 4 years people such as Sean Hannity , Charles Krauthammer and Sarah Palin have been talking about the things that are happening right now. They have been lambasted by the liberals and main stream media who said they were lying. Meanwhile most of America blindly followed and believed this administration's every word. Well now that the reality is hitting home maybe you will pay attention to what really matters in this country. Next election just remember it was 100% the Democrats who shoved this down your throats. Remember Pelosi... We have to pass it find out what's in it. And remember the Dems voted 100% in the house and senate for this bill. They own it. You can't vote for them and expect them to change it!!!”

 

 

 

Joke of the week:

 

Lovemaking Tips For Seniors

 

 

1. Wear your glasses to make sure your partner is actually in the bed.

 

2. Set timer for 3 minutes, in case you doze off in the middle.

 

3. Set the mood with lighting.. (Turn them ALL OFF!)

 

4. Make sure you put 911 on your speed dial before you begin.

 

5. Write partner's name on your hand in case you can't remember.

 

6. Use extra polygrip so your teeth don't end up under thebed.

 

7. Have Tylenol ready in case you actually complete the act.

 

8. Make all the noise you want....the neighbors are deaf, too.

 

9. If it works, call everyone you know with the good news!!

 

10. Don't even think about trying it twice. .. ... . . . . . . . . . . .. .

 

 

 

Until the next column – probably in two weeks!

 

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