Mostly Racin' Stuff

                                      By Tom Avenengo

                                         Volume # 170

                                                   02/20/2014

 

 

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.

 

No, I will not vote for Hillary or any Democrat.

 

 

Gotta love John Kerry.  He says that “Global Warming” is a “Weapon of mass destruction”!!

 

“The bottom line is this: it is the same thing with climate change. And in a sense, climate change can now be considered another weapon of mass destruction, perhaps the world’s most fearsome weapon of mass destruction.”

 

http://judithcurry.com/2014/02/17/john-kerrys-remarks-on-climate-change/

Note:  I wonder what he’s smoking?

 

 

Some personal/family stuff:

 

I got word the other day that my neighbor, Dorothy Greenhalgh, passed away on February 12th.  She was quite a remarkable woman, who usually could be seen outside tending to her flowers and yard.  I was in awe as to how she could bend over at the waist, and practically touch her head on the ground.  She did have a full life, having turned 98 years old this past December.  Yes, I’ll miss her and out little “chats”.

 

Things are steadily improving with me, health wise.  Same goes for the wife.  So far, as of this past Tuesday, no date set yet for the cataract surgery on her right eye.  Finally looks like we have a date – March 3rd.

 

 

 

Racin’ stuff:

 

What with all the snow that they’ve been getting back home – It’s piled up at least 6-8 feet in my back yard, I’m wondering if Brett Deyo will allow studded snows for the OCFS opener on 3/23?

 

 

Just wondering – How many dirt tracks got dug up at the end of last years racing season?  How many dirt tracks got new clay?

 

 

I just hope that there's passing during the heats at the Hard Clay Open. Usually, at OC in heat racing, it's "freight train" after they come out of the second turn after getting the green.   How would "passing points" help, if there's little or no passing?

 

 

 

Back when “The Road to Indy” included dirt tracks and the Silver Crown cars:

 

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

 

 

While watching some of the very little that I could watch, from Daytona, due to not having the proper TV channels, I did notice that one of the first things they were going to do in their renovation, is still standing – the backstretch stands.

 

Thanks to someone posting this on Facebook – practice crash at Daytona

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=0EHZk4C4LT4

 

 

 

Looks like the dirt modified teams have brought some of the northern weather with them, down to Barberville, Florida, where the Volusia track is.  Nice for Wednesday, but for Thursday, clouds and sun with a shower 83 degrees, with a low of 65.  Friday:  A PM thunderstorm is possible – 83 degrees and a low of 64.  Saturday:  Some sun, a shower possible.  80 degrees and a low of 63.  At least it won’t snow!

 

As of now, it looks like I’ll be going to Volusia with my grandson, John, on Saturday.  Then again, “Mother Nature” just might throw a Monkey Wrench into things with thunderstorms being predicted.  I would hate to take a four hour ride only to get rained out.

 

It would really suck if any of the four days that are scheduled were to get rained out.  Every day it seems there’s a chance of rain.  Regardless, it looks like no teams would come out ahead, financially, whether they got in all four days or not.  One would practically have to win every day to do so, I’d think.

 

 

After seeing just how much it would have cost Ted Christopher to come down to Florida to race – anywhere from 15 to 20 thousand, I wonder – how much does it cost the dirt modified teams?  Yes, they race less, - four races to about 6 for the asphalt guys.  And they possibly will spend less for tires, too.  Still, I’ll bet it is over 10 thousand.  I’m not sure if it’s really worth it.  Me thinks those monies would be better spent on the race car or maybe some new safety equipment – or even an insurance policy.

 

 

Former OVRP Dirt Oval runners:

 

Down at Volusia, with the Big Block modifieds, there are two drivers that ran at the Dirt Oval – Anthony Perrego and Billy VanInwegen.  They did pretty well in the three practice sessions held on Tuesday.  Perrego was fastest in the first two and third fastest in the third session.  It was his first time in a Big Block.  His times were:  17.005 in the first session, 17.350 in the second and 18.074 in the third.  Billy was fifteenth in the first session with a time of 18.226. He was better in the second session with seventh fastest at 17.732.  He dropped down to 13th in the third session with a time of 18.534.

I must note here – in the DIRTcar PR on the practices sessions, Matt Sheppard was mentioned as having the fastest time.  Well, he wasn’t close to the two fastest times Perrego turned in.  Matt was 18th in the first session, with a time of 18.357 and a fifteenth in the second, with a time of 18.115 and was tops in the third with a time of 18.018.  Guess ya gotta be a “name” to get mentioned in a DIRTcar PR, huh?

 

Wednesday nights feature, Perrego starting outside front row and Billy V back in 19th.  Perrego ended up 2nd.  Billy V was 21st.

 

 

Handicapping for OCFS in 2014:

 

HANDICAPPING PROCEDURES FOR ALL DIVISIONS _ OCFS 2014 SEASON

THE DRIVER RECEIVES HANDICAP POINTS NOT THE CAR

THE COMBINED MONEY WON FROM THE LAST THREE RACES WITH THE LOWEST MONEY

WON STARTING IN THE FRONT. WHEN HEAT RACES ARE RUN THE DRIVERS FINISHING IN

A HANDICAP POSITION ARE LINED UP FOR THE FEATURE USING THE SAME FORMULA.

DRIVERS FINISHING IN A NON HANDICAP POSITION OF THE HEAT RACE ARE LINED UP

HEADS UP BEHIND THE HANDICAPPED DRIVERS. AFTER A DRIVER HAS WON A FEATURE

RACE THE FURTHEST FORWARD THAT THEY CAN START IN A FEATURE IS FIFTH STARTING

POSITION.

WEEKLY POINT STANDINGS HAVE NO BEARING ON WEEKLY HANDICAPPING

WEEK 1 OF THE SEASON - ALL DRIVERS WILL DRAW FOR THEIR STARTING POSITION

IN HEAT RACES - FEATURE EVENTS WILL BE HEADS UP

WEEK 2 OF THE SEASON - HANDICAPPING WILL BE BASED ON THE REVERSE RESULTS

FROM WEEK 1 WITH THE WINNERS STARTING IN THE REAR AND DRIVERS WHO DID NOT

QUALIFY OR FINISHED IN THE REAR STARTING UP FRONT. ANY DRIVER THAT DID NOT

PARTICIPATE IN WEEK 1 WILL START IN THE REAR

WEEK 3 OF THE SEASON - HANDICAPPING WILL BE BASED ON THE COMBINED MONEY

WON DURING WEEKS 1 & 2, DRIVERS WITH THE LOWEST EARNED MONEY WILL START IN

THE FRONT AND HIGHEST MONEY WON IN THE REAR, WITH ANY NEW DRIVERS STARTING

BEHIND THEM.

WEEK 4 OF THE SEASON - REGULAR HANDICAPPING WILL BEGIN WITH THE 3 WEEK

MONEY EARNED LINEUP PROCEDURE, ANY NEW DRIVERS WILL START IN THE REAR

UNTIL THEY HAVE A 3 WEEK EARNINGS RECORD

A NEW DRIVER IS DEFINED AS SOMEONE WHO HAS NOT COMPETED IN AT LEAST 3

REGULAR POINT RACES IN THE DIVISION

IF A DRIVER MISSES 3 WEEKS IN A ROW, THEY MUST START THE 3 WEEK HANDICAP

PROCEDURE OVER

DNQ or DNS WILL RESULT IN ZERO DOLLARS TOWARD YOUR HANDICAP AMOUNT

DQ or NO SHOW WILL RESULT IN MAXIMUM HANDICAP POINTS PLUS 50

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS

FEATURE EVENTS WILL BE CALCULATED ON 100 POINT SYSTEM - SAME AS IN 2013

FOR 2014 WE WILL ALSO BE AWARDING HEAT POINTS AS FOLLOWS 5,4,3,2,1

 

 

Speaking of OCFS, this was posted back on December 3, 2013:

 

“NEW FOR 2014 – A Thunder Truck Division will be added to the racing schedule at OCFS during the 2014 racing season – This year will be an abbreviated 6 race schedule to see how the division does, rules for the new division can be found on the OCFS website….www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net if they are not posted yet, they will be up soon.”

 

Well, I’m so well liked at OCFS that I’m not allowed to post on their Facebook page, but I’m wondering, how has the response been for this new class?

 

 

Before you know it, this will be upon us:

Vintage Racing Celebration at New Hampshire

Friday, August 01 - Monday, Aug 04, 2014 | 9:00am - 5:00pm

Road Course Days: Aug. 1-2

Oval Days: Aug. 3-4

 

Note:  Kind of surprised to see the oval cars on Sunday & Monday.  As of now, it looks like #1 daughter, Judy, and I will be going.  We missed the show last year.

 

 

 

On July 2, 1961, there was a 250 mile midget race held at the paved one mile track in Trenton, N.J.   Bobby Marshman, in a midget owned by Bruce Homeyer, won the race.  Bill Randall was 2nd, Tony Bonadies 3rd, Gene Hartley 4th,  Bert Brooks 5th, Ernie McCoy 6th, Bill Homeier 7th, Bruce Jacobi 8th, Jiggs Peters 9th and Len Duncan 10th.  Jimmy Davies in the Howard Linne midget lost an engine on the 9th lap.  He later relieved Marshman on the 186th lap.  40 cars started and 22 were left running at the end, many of them with relief drivers.  It took 2:49:57 to go the 250 miles.  Average speed was 88.258 MPH.  Fastest time in time trials was 35.25 seconds – a shade over 100 MPH.

Note:  So, in reality, who won – Marshman or Davies, or both?

 

 

 

Did Dale Earnhardt ever try out an Indy car?  Kinda hard to figure out in this thread on the Track Forum:

 

IMS rumors - truth or fiction?

 

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?183546-IMS-rumors-truth-or-fiction

 

 

 

Daytona & TV this year:

 

Actually, not true:

 

Budweiser Duel moves to night in 2014 (from 2013):

Daytona International Speedway announced Thursday that the Budweiser Duel 150-mile qualifying races for the Daytona 500 will be moved next year to a night-time start and be televised by Fox. "To earn a coveted starting spot in the Daytona 500, the stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will have to perform under the lights and in front of a primetime audience in the Budweiser Duel,'' DIS president Joie Chitwood III said. "Moving the Budweiser Duel under the lights will add another dimension to Budweiser Speedweeks.'' The qualifying races join the Sprint Unlimited and the Camping World Truck Series race as night-time events during Speedweeks.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(2-21-2013)

 

See why?  Coverage of the Qualifying races the Budweiser Duel to make the Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway is scheduled for Thursday, February 20, 2014 at 7:00pm/et.

TV: FoxSports1 - 7:00pm/et

Yup, not regular FOX, but FOXSports1.

 

 

As for racing on TV - http://tvracer.com/

 

 

 

 

Starting Line Up by Row

Daytona International Speedway

Budweiser Duel #1

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

Provided by NASCAR Statistics

 

Pos    Car#  Driver         Manu / Sponsor   Reason

1        3        Austin Dillon #    Chevy         pole winner

2        16      Greg Biffle  Ford  3rd in qualifying

3        31      Ryan Newman     Chevy         5th in qualifying

4        88      Dale Earnhardt. Jr.        Chevy         7th in qualifying

5        17      Ricky Stenhouse. Jr.      Ford  9th in qualifying

6        9        Marcos Ambrose  Ford  11th in qualifying

7        43      Aric Almirola       Ford  13th in qualifying

8        22      Joey Logano         Ford  15th in qualifying

9        20      Matt Kenseth(PC5)        Toyota        17th in qualifying

10      5        Kasey Kahne        Chevy         19th in qualifying

11      18      Kyle Busch Toyota        21st in qualifying

12      4        Kevin Harvick      Chevy         23rd in qualifying

13      10      Danica Patrick      Chevy         25th in qualifying

14      47      AJ Allmendinger  Chevy         27th in qualifying

15      36      Reed Sorenson     Chevy         29th in qualifying

16      38      David Gilliland     Ford  31st in qualifying

17      30      Parker Kligerman #        Toyota        33rd in qualifying

18      14      Tony Stewart(PC3)        Chevy         35th in qualifying

19      55      Brian Vickers       Toyota        37th in qualifying

20      26      Cole Whitt #         Toyota        39th in qualifying

21      95      Michael McDowell         Ford  41st in qualifying

22      98      Josh Wise   Chevy         43rd in qualifying

23      87      Joe Nemechek(i)   Toyota        45th in qualifying

24      23      Alex Bowman #   Toyota        47th in qualifying

25      77      Dave Blaney         Ford  49th in qualifying

 

 

Starting Line Up by Row

Daytona International Speedway

Budweiser Duel #2

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

Provided by NASCAR Statistics

 

Pos    Car#  Driver         Manu / Sponsor   Reason

1        78      Martin Truex. Jr.  Chevy         outside pole

2        99      Carl Edwards       Ford  4th in qualifying

3        2        Brad Keselowski(PC2)  Ford  6th in qualifying

4        24      Jeff Gordon(PC6) Chevy         8th in qualifying

5        27      Paul Menard         Chevy         10th in qualifying

6        33      Brian Scott(i)       Chevy         12th in qualifying

7        48      Jimmie Johnson(PC1)    Chevy         14th in qualifying

8        13      Casey Mears        Chevy         16th in qualifying

9        7        Michael Annett #  Chevy         18th in qualifying

10      15      Clint Bowyer        Toyota        20th in qualifying

11      11      Denny Hamlin      Toyota        22nd in qualifying

12      42      Kyle Larson #      Chevy         24th in qualifying

13      21      Trevor Bayne(i)    Ford  26th in qualifying

14      41      Kurt Busch(PC4) Chevy         28th in qualifying

15      51      Justin Allgaier #   Chevy         30th in qualifying

16      40      Landon Cassill     Chevy         32nd in qualifying

17      66      Michael Waltrip   Toyota        34th in qualifying

18      35      Eric McClure(i)    Ford  36th in qualifying

19      1        Jamie McMurray  Chevy         38th in qualifying

20      34      David Ragan        Ford  40th in qualifying

21      32      Terry Labonte(PC8)       Ford  42nd in qualifying

22      52      Bobby Labonte(PC7)     Chevy         44th in qualifying

23      83      Ryan Truex #       Toyota        46th in qualifying

24      93      Morgan Shepherd(i)       Toyota        48th in qualifying

 

 

 

Race track schedules:

 

A few more:

 

New Egypt:

http://newegyptspeedway.net/2014schedule.html

 

URC:

http://www.urcsprints.com/schedule.php

 

Lincoln:

http://www.lincolnspeedway.com/artman/publish/2014_schedule.shtml

 

New Hampshire:

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

 

 

 

 

 

From Jayski:

http://www.jayski.com/

 

More possible suitors for a Kurt Busch Indy 500 run:

It's already becoming the "will he, won't he" saga of the run up to this year's Indianapolis 500. "It" is Kurt Busch's participation. The "will he" part is, as it was a couple weeks ago, still hovering at the 70 percent mark. He expanded on this at NASCAR Media Day in Daytona on Thursday, and said there were more potential teams in the frame than Andretti Autosport, with whom he completed Rookie Orientation in 2013. "My forecast hasn't changed from the other week when I said I was 70 percent sure that I would run the Indy 500 this year," Busch said, via the Indianapolis Motor Speedway website. "I'm still confident in that forecast. If I were a weatherman, I'd say bring an umbrella." The new teams identified are Chip Ganassi Racing, KV Racing and Ed Carpenter Racing, which all carry one thing in common: the Chevrolet bow-tie. Ganassi already has a four-car lineup but with the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship off between May 4 and May 31, it could have its sports car crew available to run a fifth car at the Speedway. KV team co-owner Jimmy Vasser said earlier this week it would prefer to run a veteran driver in its third car for the '500, a car which is very likely to materialize. Andretti's squad, which had run Chevrolets the last two years, has shifted to Honda power in 2014. Busch stays with Chevrolet in his new NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team at Stewart-Haas Racing in 2014, after he moves over from Furniture Row Racing. The manufacturer divide may be the stumbling block that prevents Busch's participation. Or, alternatively, it could be something both sides work through, which would be for the benefit of all parties.(NBC Sports)(2-15-2014)

 

 

Stewart Donates Custom Scooter to Darrell Gwynn Foundation:

The custom scooter three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion #14-Tony Stewart used to move around following an Aug. 5 sprint car crash that broke his right leg has been donated to the Darrell Gwynn Foundation. Stewart personally donated the scooter, complete with a special paint scheme that mimics the #14 Bass Pro Shops/Mobil 1 Chevrolet SS he drives in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, to the Darrell Gwynn Foundation. The Foundation, in turn, will auction the scooter at the upcoming Barrett-Jackson event April 11-13 in Palm Beach, FL. Stewart signed the scooter, as well as a 16x20 picture of him on the scooter. But in addition to the scooter, Stewart has created an overall package that will accompany the scooter's winning bid. It includes a race-worn Bass Pro Shops firesuit signed by Stewart and a trip for two people to be his guests at the July 3-5 Coke Zero 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Daytona International Speedway. Round-trip airfare, a three-night hotel stay and garage passes will all be covered by Stewart, and two reserved seats will be available on the #14 team's pit box for the winners to watch the Coke Zero 400. To make sure the scooter and accompanying prize package is a strong fundraiser for the Darrell Gwynn Foundation, Stewart will personally match the first $50,000 bid and donate it to the Darrell Gwynn Foundation.(TSC)(2-15-2014)

 

 

Entry List for the Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway is posted, 49 teams/drivers [for 43 spots] are listed, including: #33-Brian Scott, #32-Terry Labonte, #95-McDowell, #52-Bobby Labonte, #40-Cassill. Six drivers will miss the race. There are six teams that must race in via the Duel or by speed and do not have a regular provisional to use at Daytona [either no owners points or 43 teams ahead of them]: #26-Whitt, #41-Busch, #52-Labonte, #93-Shepherd, #77-Blaney and #95-McDowell. #41-Busch or #52-Labonte could use a past champions provisional if not used by another past champion ahead of them in rank.

See the full entry list at my Jayski's Daytona 500 Entry List

 

http://www.jayski.com/news/stats/2014/story/_/page/01-Daytona-2014-

Entry-List

 

 

Gordon says he'll retire if he wins Sprint Cup title:

#24-Jeff Gordon said Thursday afternoon that he'll retire at the end of the season if he can finally capture his elusive fifth title this year. Gordon won his titles in 1995, '97, '98 and 2001 when Winston was the series sponsor, but in recent years has been unable to top teammate Jimmie Johnson, who won six titles between 2005 and 2013. "I go home and I look in my trophy room and I see four trophies that are championship trophies, but they say 'Winston Cup' on them," Gordon said at Thursday's NASCAR Media Day at Daytona International Speedway. "You can name me a four-time Sprint Cup (champion) for technical reasons all you want, but to me, I'm not. And I want that before my career is over." And if Gordon can do win a title this year, he'll call it quits. "If that happened, that would be all the reasons I need to say, 'This is it, I'm done,'" Gordon said. "Go out on a high note."(FoxSports)(2-14-2014)

 

 

Goodyear Expands Use of Multi-Zone Tread Technology in 2014:

Last year, Goodyear brought a tire concept to America's most popular motorsport that 2012 Sprint Cup champion Brad Keselowski has said could "revolutionize" the sport. That innovation was Goodyear's Multi-Zone Tread technology, which features two distinct compounds in one tire - creating one zone for enhanced traction and another for greater endurance. Goodyear first employed Multi-Zone Tread technology in passenger car tires like the Assurance TripleTred All-Season, which features three zones for superior traction in wet, icy and dry conditions.In 2013, Goodyear debuted its Multi-Zone Tread technology at two NASCAR races - Atlanta Motor Speedway and the fall event at Kansas Speedway. Because the two tracks were at opposite ends of the tire wear spectrum, the compound combinations were different for each.

"Atlanta is a unique track that presents several challenges for us as a tiremaker - it is extremely abrasive, but at the same time it's extremely fast," said Greg Stucker, Goodyear's director of race tire sales. "While the Gen-6 car added even more speed to the equation, thus putting more stress on the right side tires, just going to a harder compound wasn't a viable solution. The Multi-Zone Tread technology enabled us to maintain the tractive compound on the outside portion of the tread and toughen up the inside three inches to help protect the part of the right-side tire that sees a lot of heat. Kansas, on the other hand, was a little more than a year on this side of a repave. And while the track seemed to have lost some grip, it had not yet begun to wear tires. For this case, we chose to increase the grip on the left side of the car with a more tractive, single-compound tire. We paired that with a Multi-Zone Tread right-side that combined the same compound we'd run there since the repave on the outside for traction with a tougher, more heat resistant compound on the inboard three inches for endurance."

For 2014, Goodyear enters the season with plans to run its Multi-Zone Tread right-side tire at both Atlanta and Kansas again, as well as at Texas Motor Speedway and Richmond International Raceway. Several more tracks could be added, pending on-track testing during the season.(RPM2Night)(2-14-2014)

 

 

Yeley says he has a 2014 Cup ride UPDATE:

J.J. Yeley, who drove the #36 Tommy Baldwin Racing Chevy in 2013 posted on his Facebook that he has a 2014 Sprint Cup Series ride, but didn't say if full-time or which team. Reed Sorenson was named the driver of the #36 ride on Tuesday.(2-6-2014)

 

UPDATE:

Xxxtreme Motorsport announced renewed efforts to their Sprint Cup Series program and the 2014 NASCAR season. Beginning at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 9 the team will set out to compete full-time with J.J. Yeley as their new driver. "We've switched from Ford to Chevrolet and we're going out to complete full races," team owner John Cohen said. "It's a new team effort we've never shown before as far as running the full season." Yeley will pilot the team's #44 Chevrolet. "JJ and I have been friends since I came to NASCAR, we've always mentioned working together if we could. This opportunity came about when he mentioned he was available for this season and I knew that he was the driver to take our team to the next level. We've always said if we could do something together it would be pretty special," Cohen said. "JJ and I got together and we're going to try and do something special in 2014 and beyond." Xxxtreme Motorsport debuted back in the fall of 2012 with David Reutimann at Phoenix. Scott Riggs drove for the company during the 2013 season. Walter Giles will remain the team's crew chief while a sponsor will be announced before The Profit on CNBC 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.(140 Buzz)(2-13-2014)

 

 

Ambrose takes blame for late wreck in Sprint Unlimited:

#9-Marcos Ambrose - "We were actually in a pretty good position. I was trying to help Junior there and ended up hurting him and hurting myself. I feel bad for Junior, but we finished the race with the Stanley car, but we were just a little disappointed with our effort."

Q) DID HE SURPRISE YOU WITH HIS MOVE INSIDE?

Ambrose: "Yeah, I was trying to push him and there was a little bit of a zig and a little bit of a zag and the next thing you know I helped him in the fence. I apologize to Junior. I'll try and find him later on if he wants to talk to me, but that's just what happens here. You've got 10 laps to go in a race that only counts to win and I'm trying to push him to the front. Unfortunately, it was just a bad day."

Q) HE SAID HE WAS HAVING FUN WHEN HE HIT YOU ON THE BACKSTRETCH. I ASSUME YOU DIDN'T THINK IT WAS FUNNY.

Ambrose: "It's OK. He's entitled to do that. At the end of the day we didn't end up in the fence, so put the blame on me for that. We'll go to the next one and try not to make the same mistake."

Q) DALE JUNIOR SAID THERE WILL BE A LOT OF WRECKING IN THE 500 BECAUSE THE SIDE DRAFT STALLS THE CARS OUT. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT?

Ambrose: "Yeah, it certainly does. If you can get your nose to the guy's right-rear or left-rear quarter, you pull him back and you actually give yourself a little boost. It's like a little shot of nitrous and it can really make you run, so it makes cars really move around a lot trying to do that. I think he was trying to side draft someone came back across when I was trying to help push him and that's what happens."(Ford Racing)(2-16-2014)

 

 

Petty stands by Danica remarks:

Richard Petty said he is no sexist and defended his right to express his opinions a week after comments about Sprint Cup driver #10-Danica Patrick unleashed a backlash against the Hall of Fame driver and current team owner. At a trade show in Canada, Petty said Patrick, a second-year driver at NASCAR's highest level, could only win "if everybody else stayed home." Before the Sprint Unlimited on Saturday at Daytona International Speedway, Petty expressed his opinion on the firestorm. "What I said is what I said, and that's what I believe, OK?" he said. "What's unfair is the sexist part. If her name had been Danny, OK, nobody would have said anything about it. So y'all are bringing up the sexist part of it, not me." Petty added, "It was definitely not sexist, OK? Hey look, I've been married 55 years to the same woman. So I am not a sexist by any ways. I love women." Petty said Saturday he wouldn't hesitate to express his opinions in the future. He noted that his comments generated a national NASCAR news cycle in the lull before SpeedWeeks, oddly verifying Patrick's ability to generate publicity even while being critiqued. "There was nothing going on NASCAR racing. Nobody was talking about Daytona," he said. "Nobody was talking about nothing. Look at all the publicity NASCAR got and she got just for one little comment."(ESPN)(2-16-2014)

 

 

Stewart OK after slamming wall in wreck:

After waiting nearly seven months to get back in his #14 Mobil 1/Bass Pro Shops Chevy and race, Tony Stewart didn't waste any time getting racy in the Sprint Unlimited Saturday night at Daytona. Stewart, who broke his right leg in a sprint car crash on Aug. 5, 2013, waited only five laps before ducking to the inside lane to see how his car would react in the draft. For the next 30 laps, Stewart ebbed and flowed with the draft, dropping to as low as 17th before running as high as third. But on lap 35, a multicar crash consumed Stewart and six other drivers, three of whom were his Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) teammates - #4-Kevin Harvick, #41-Kurt Busch and #10-Danica Patrick. Only Harvick was able to continue in the race. For Stewart, Busch and Patrick, their race was over, with each one of their racecars a crumpled mess. All were evaluated and released from the infield care center.

"From the replay, I don't know whether the #20 (Matt Kenseth) came down or the #22 (Joey Logano) got into him. You've just got to protect your spot," Stewart said after walking out of the infield care center. "I've always said I'm not a big fan of blocking, but unfortunately it's what you have to do here. It seemed like tonight it was a little easier to get stalled out, so if you got track position, you had to protect it. We just needed a couple more inches here and there and we would've gotten out of that. We hate to have that happen." Moments after the accident, many were uneasy for fear the impact may have reinjured Stewart's leg.

"I was a little nervous about it because I knew we were going to hit nose-first, but it doesn't feel bad at all," Stewart said. "It doesn't have any pain. We'll see when the adrenalin wears off here in about an hour, but so far it feels good."(SHR)(2-16-2014)

 

 

Daytona 500 qualifying at Daytona International Speedway:

1) #3-Austin Dillon 196.019mph - locked in, pole winner

2) #78-Martin Truex Jr. 195.852 - locked in, outside pole winner

3) #16-Greg Biffle 195.818 - locked in Daytona 500 at least by speed

4) #99-Carl Edwards 195.712 - locked in Daytona 500 at least by speed

5) #31-Ryan Newman 195.707 - locked in Daytona 500 at least by speed

6) #2-Brad Keselowski 195.296 - locked in Daytona 500 at least by speed

7) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. 195.211 - locked in Daytona 500 at least by owners points/provisional

8) #24-Jeff Gordon 195.042 - locked in Daytona 500 at least by owners points/provisional

9) #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr 195.004

10) #27-Paul Menard 194.919

11) #9-Marcos Ambrose 194.894

12) #22-Joey Logano 194.852

13) #33-Brian Scott 194.776

14) #43-Aric Almirola 194.658

15) #48-Jimmie Johnson 194.637 - locked in Daytona 500 at least by owners points/provisional

16) #13-Casey Mears 194.582

17) #20-Matt Kenseth 194.574 - locked in Daytona 500 at least by owners points/provisional

18) #7-Michael Annett 194.574

19) #5-Kasey Kahne 194.544

20) #15-Clint Bowyer 194.523 - locked in Daytona 500 at least by owners points/provisional

21) #18-Kyle Busch 194.502 - locked in Daytona 500 at least by owners points/provisional

22) #11-Denny Hamlin 194.477

23) #4-Kevin Harvick 194.422

24) #42-Kyle Larson 194.410

25) #10-Danica Patrick 194.380

26) #21-Trevor Bayne 194.334

27) #47-AJ Allmendinger 194.108

28) #41-Kurt Busch 194.078 - needs to race in via Budweiser Duel, no regular provisional available, BUT could use past champ if not used

29) #36-Reed Sorenson 194.066

30) #51-Justin Allgaier 193.815

31) #38-David Gilliland 193.736

32) #40-Landon Cassill 193.732

33) #30-Parker Kligerman 193.594

34) #66-Michael Waltrip 193.428

35) #14-Tony Stewart 193.365 - locked in Daytona 500 at least by past champions provisional

36) #35-Eric McClure 192.905

37) #55-Brian Vickers 192.798

38) #1-Jamie McMurray 192.695

39) #26-Cole Whitt 192.538 - needs to race in via Budweiser Duel, no provisional available

40) #34-David Ragan 192.328

41) #95-Michael McDowell 192.291 - needs to race in via Budweiser Duel, no provisional available

42) #32-Terry Labonte 192.135, could use past champions provisional if needed and not used

43) #98-Josh Wise 192.061

44) #52-Bobby Labonte 191.493 - needs to race in via Budweiser Duel, no regular provisional available, BUT could use past champ if not used

45) #87-Joe Nemechek 190.480

46) #83-Ryan Truex 190.347

47) #23-Alex Bowman 189.685

48) #93-Morgan Shepherd 189.542 - needs to race in via Budweiser Duel, no provisional available

49) #77-Dave Blaney no speed - needs to race in via Budweiser Duel, no provisional available

(2-16-2014)

 

 

 

Daytona Notebook:

· There have been 133 NASCAR Sprint Cup races since the track hosted its first race in 1959:

55 have been 500 miles, 51 were 400 miles and four 250 miles. There were also 23 qualifier races that were point races.

· Fireball Roberts won the inaugural pole at Daytona.

· Bob Welborn won the first race at Daytona, the 100-mile qualifying race for the Daytona 500.

· Lee Petty won the inaugural Daytona 500 on Feb. 22, 1959; he led 38 laps and won by 2 feet.

· Fireball Roberts won the first 400-mile race at Daytona, the 1963 Firecracker 400.

· 57 drivers have posted poles at Daytona.

· Cale Yarborough leads all drivers with 12 poles at Daytona.

· Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin lead all active drivers with three poles at Daytona.

· 56 drivers have won at Daytona.

· Richard Petty leads all drivers in victories at Daytona with 10.

· Jeff Gordon has six victories at Daytona, more than any other active driver.

· The Wood Brothers have won 15 races at Daytona, more than any other car owner.

· 17 full-length races at Daytona have been won from the pole; the last to do it was Jimmie Johnson in the 2013 Daytona 500.

· A driver has swept both the Daytona 500 and the July race only five times at Daytona International Speedway: Jimmie Johnson (2013), Bobby Allison (1982), LeeRoy Yarborough (1969), Cale Yarborough (1968) and Fireball Roberts (1962).(NASCAR)(2-18-2014)

 

 

Montoya could run the Brickyard 400:

Juan Pablo Montoya, former NASCAR driver [#42 Target Chevy], current driver of the #2 Verizon Indy car for Team Penske, met with members of the media on Orlando, FL and discussed his return to IndyCar among other topics, the transcript in part:

Q. Can you reflect a little bit on the NASCAR journey? What are your thoughts with Speedweeks going on? Does it feel odd at all that you're not there? Do you feel like you're where you belong?

JUAN PABLO MONTOYA: It's a feeling that I wasn't missing it probably. It was weird actually. A month ago when they did their first set, I was with my son racing at Homestead. I got a text from Chevy, We're missing you. I'm like, Why are you missing me (laughter)? I had no idea they were even testing. It's nice to do what I'm doing right now. I feel really happy. I'm really excited to be part of Team Penske. It's a tough challenge ahead of me. I know that. It seems weird because it seems like race speed is really good when we're in race trim. Our pace is really good. I was telling my guys, like my race engineer, If you really look at it, even on new tires, I'm not missing corners. There's a lot of room there for improvement and I know that. It's not bad. It's a process, I guess, I hope.

Q. You were talking about it being a difficult challenge. Obviously it was a difficult challenge when you moved over to NASCAR.

MONTOYA: It's completely different. The NASCAR one was one that it was like, Where the hell am I? The cars were very different. There was a lot of movement. This is the opposite because in NASCAR the limit of the car is very easy. You can get to the limit of the car very easy. The big thing is you're driving it too hard. In IndyCar, you can't drive it hard enough, or at least I can't yet. I'm leaving a lot on the table. I think that's the biggest thing.

Q. Having been successful in virtually every motorsports field you have taken part in, how do you look back and judge NASCAR?

MONTOYA: When we had good cars, we did good. When we had bad cars, we did bad. I think as a team we threw a lot of races away. It's part of the thing you always do. The point is when you're winning races, you throw a lot away and you still win a few. When you're not winning races, you notice the things you throw away. I think that's the biggest difference. The focus for me now is IndyCar 100%. I'm pumped about it. I feel like a complete rookie right now, so it's pretty cool.

Q. Roger (Penske) said with the right funding, he'd like to see you run the Brickyard 400. Is that something else you want to do? A fan on Twitter wants to know if you have any interest in running the NASCAR road courses as well?

MONTOYA: I think the Brickyard would be a good thing. I've been so close so many times, it would be a good way of closing that chapter with a good win there. I know Roger hasn't won there. If we could get the opportunity to do it, I think it would be pretty cool.

Q. Is there any consideration this year to try to run the Daytona 500 and Indy 500, to be the guy to win them both?

MONTOYA: No, unless Roger asks me.

Q. Have you asked him?

MONTOYA: No. I got enough things going on. No, no, no, no, no (laughter).(Team Chevy)(2-19-2014)

 

 

 

 

From Track Forum:

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

 

That "Big Black 3 Car",,, With Da Kid,,, Top Dog

 

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?183503-That-quot-Big-Black-3-Car-quot-With-Da-Kid-Top-Dog

 

 

Linda Vaughn

 

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?183137-Linda-Vaughn

 

 

 

 

From the AARN:

http://www.aarn.com/

 

This Week

In AARN

 

Dillon Takes 500 Pole,

Volusia UMP Mod Main

On ‘Super Sunday’

 

Silk Wins First Two At Smyrna;

Is Disqualified In Third Race

 

Suarez Dazzles K&N Fans

In New Smyrna Inaugural

 

Kinser Still King;

Claims Volusia WoO

Sunday Night Finale

 

BRP Modified Touring Series,

World Racing Group Sever Ties

 

For Safer Racing:

Special Safety & Trailer Issue

 

NEPA Mall Show

Successful Despite Snow;

Reading, P’Burg Up Next

 

Gerhart Angry

Over ARCA Pole DQ

 

Ageless Billy Moyer

Takes Two Lucas Oil LM Mains

At East Bay

 

From Ted Christopher via an interview with Lenny Sammons, and why he didn’t go to Florida this year to race:

 

Tire cost for the week:  $8,500.00.  $2,400.00 for tires just to run at Daytona for the one day show.  Tire cost per tire:  $201.50.

 

At New Smyrna, there will be three 35 lap features.  $1,500.00 to win and $125.00 to start.  Another 76 lap race pays $2,500.00 to win and $200.00 to take the green.  A 100 lap race pays $3,000.00 to win and $300.00 to start.  To do those six races he would need three sets of tires for the features, plus a daily set for practice.  He says they should cost $120.00 each, but in Florida, they cost $187.00 per.  His tire bill would be another $6,000.00.  Between getting the car, truck and trailer down there, then paying for rooms, pit passes and other incidentals, you’re talking $15,000.00.  To go there, you really need to have someone that wants to step up and spend $20,000.00 to do it right.  I don’t want to go if I can’t do it right, so I stayed home.

 

 

Kyle Larson:

 

“Well, I ran the Chili Bowl” was Kyle Larson’s quick response to a question about his 2014 short track racing plans.  “If I needed a car, maybe after the (Sprint Cup) season is over, he (Rico Abreu) has sprints and midgets.  That’s who I was driving for.  The Sprint Car that I drove in Central Pennsylvania was Rico’s and Justin Marks’ cars.”

“I know I won’t be able to do a lot of racing beyond Cup and Nationwide, but I’ll keep up.  Maybe at the end of the year”.

 

Note:  I guess we all could see this coming?

 

 

Per Ernie Saxton – there are at least five people that were injured at Daytona last year, when Kyle Larson had his accident and debris flew into the crowd.  Some of those injured are a long way from settling, as some, according to the Daytona Beach News Journal, are still undergoing treatment and have suffered serious financial losses.

 

 

Per Brett Deyo – Thunder Mountain Speedway improvements:

 

Two to three feet on new clay put down.  The entrance road was re-worked.  Concession stands gutted and renovated.  The pit area was cleared of old equipment.  Work was done in the bathrooms, the grandstand mid-way area, and VIP towers.  Lighting will be upgraded and replaced.

 

 

Racers insurance:

 

CAP program offers racers $500,000.00 in excess benefits.  The deductible is $15,000.00 so one must make sure the track, or sanctioning bodies, have at least that much in insurance.  Motorcycles, Quads, Snowmobiles and ATV’s are not included. 

www.competitiveadvantageprogram.com - or call a CAP representative at:  855-369-0305.

 

And a reminder about this insurance, too:  http://www.stida.com/  It’s good as long as there is a roll cage on your racing vehicle.

 

Lincoln Speedway will wait until Thursday to decide if they’ll be racing this weekend.

Note: 

Found on the South Jersey message board on Wed:

 

I just called the track and the message said The Icebreaker is Postponed till next Saturday March 4th. According to my calendar its March 1st. Gates open at 12 Noon, Warm-ups at 1:30, Racing at 2pm. General Admission is $15.00. Hope this information helps.

 

Jeff

 

Lincoln Speedway PH #. (717) 624-2755

 

 

John Snyder:

 

I always enjoyed reading his columns in the AARN, even though we disagree on a lot of things (like Sail Panels and making OCFS a little smaller – for better racing, not ht e usual freight train stuff).

 

This week, there was no column from Mr. Snyder.  The reason:  He got married!  Yep, he married Cynthia “Jill” Brenner on February 15th, in Batavia, Ill.  Congrats to the new couple!

 

 

 

Press releases:

 

Damn!  Another foreign driver in Indycar, and he’s driving for AJ!!

 

Contact:  Anne Fornoro

   832.372.9912

Martin Plowman Is Set to Drive the Indy Double

WALLER, Texas Feb. 17, 2014—IndyCar rookie Martin Plowman will do the “Indy Double” this May, thus taking part in the IndyCar Series’ newest race and, two weeks later, its most historic competition at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The 26-year-old Englishman will drive the No. 41 Al-Fe Heat Treating Honda in the Grand Prix of Indianapolis and the No. 41 ABC Supply Honda in the Indianapolis 500 it was announced by the ABC Supply/AJ Foyt Racing team today.

The venture marks the first time that Al-Fe Heat Treating will be the primary sponsor of an Indy Car. The company began as an associate sponsor of the ABC Supply/AJ Foyt Racing team in 2011. The Ft. Wayne, Indiana-based company has continued to build its involvement in the IndyCar Series over the past three seasons; Al-Fe started as an associate sponsor of the No. 41 car in the Indy 500 and became a season long associate sponsor on the No. 14 car in the IndyCar Series.

"We, at Al-Fe Heat Treating, are very excited about being a primary sponsor with AJ Foyt Racing for IndyCar’s inaugural Grand Prix of Indianapolis in our home state and before our home crowd!” said Kurt Westman, President of Al-Fe Heat Treating.   “Larry [Foyt] and I have discussed this possibility over the last season and we feel this is the perfect venue for us to step-up with the team.

 

"Being part of bringing Martin back to IndyCar is special and having him run both races at Indianapolis will allow us to build momentum and teamwork going into the ‘500’.  I am looking forward to meeting Martin at this Wednesday’s practice at Sebring," Westman added.

 

Plowman, who will test for the team at Sebring International Raceway Feb. 19th, is thrilled about the prospects of returning to the IndyCar Series.

"Once my career took me to sports cars I was concerned that I would never get the chance to race at and win the Indy 500,” Plowman revealed. “Winning at Le Mans last year was an incredible feeling that can only be beaten by one day adding my face to the Borg Warner trophy. I've lived in Indianapolis for the last five years, and winning there is what I dream about.

“I have to say a massive thank you to Larry and A.J. Foyt, ABC Supply, Al-Fe Heat Treating and all who have made this opportunity possible,” Plowman added.  “A.J. Foyt is one of the greatest drivers to have lived and someone who I look up to a lot. It will be an honor to represent his team in May."

Plowman, who will make his Indy 500 debut, has competed on the 2.5 mile oval twice in the Indy Lights Series, finishing fifth in 2010 for Andretti Autosport. He went on to finish third in the series championship that year. In 2011, he competed for Sam Schmidt Motorsports in three IndyCar races, all of which were on road and street courses. His best finish was 11th in the Baltimore Grand Prix.

Team Director Larry Foyt is anticipating a smooth return to the Series by Plowman, who spent the past two years competing in sports cars. In 2012, Plowman finished second in the American Le Mans Series LMP2 division and then won the 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship along with the historic 24 Hours of Le Mans, also in the LMP2 division.

"I always kept an eye on Martin ever since I got to know him on the Indy 500 Centennial Tour,” said Foyt, who attended the 10-day visit to U.S. military bases in Europe and southwest Asia along with an IndyCar contingent of drivers, team owners and officials in 2011. “Martin did a nice job without much seat time in the few IndyCar races he participated in, and has had great results in a tough sports car division. I think he is a great fit for Al-Fe Racing and the ABC Supply/AJ Foyt Racing team--he brings the kind of attitude that helps everyone succeed. I'm looking forward to working with him and I think we can achieve good results for car 41.”

Plowman will test the Al-Fe Heat Treating Honda on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course along with regular ABC Supply driver Takuma Sato on April 30 when the IndyCar Series hosts an open test for all participants.

The Grand Prix of Indianapolis will be broadcast live by ABC-TV on May 10 starting at 3:30 p.m. ET. For the 50th straight year, the Indianapolis 500 will be broadcast by ABC-TV with the live pre-race show starting at 11:00 a.m. ET on May 25th.

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                        FEBRUARY 17, 2014

DICK JORDAN                                                                                                                                                     14-8

 

 

OCALA SPRINTS SPORT "NEW LOOK" FOR 2014 THIS WEEK

 

 

            The AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car Series debuts this week at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla. with new faces, new teams and new sponsors as participants begin their quest for USAC records and championships.

 

            The "Winter Dirt Games V," part of Bubba Raceway Park's 3rd Annual Bubba Army "Winter Nationals," features the top 2013 USAC drivers and some new stars in three consecutive nights of heart-pounding action on the D-shaped 3/8-mile dirt oval. A 30-lap feature caps Thursday, Friday and Saturday action.

 

            It marks the fourth straight year the USAC stars have competed at Ocala. Bryan Clauson, winner of last year's opener, will return to defend his 2013 AMSOIL National championship and will again face the challenge of two-time 2013 Ocala winner Tracy Hines and drivers Dave Darland and Kevin Thomas Jr., who, like Clauson, each scored seven feature wins last year. Darland wound up as the 2013 series runner-up, Thomas was fifth and Hines was sixth.

 

            Darland and Hines are actively pursuing the all-time USAC National Sprint Car victory mark, held for three decades by Tom Bigelow at 52. Darland has 47 and Hines 45. Darland also hopes to break the record of A.J. Foyt and Mel Kenyon, who each scored at least one USAC National win in 21 consecutive years. He previously topped the Foyt and Kenyon records with his 22nd straight year in a USAC victory lane earlier this year at Peoria, Ariz. but that was not in a National feature. In addition, Darland owns 99 total (National and Regional) USAC career wins, so he is eyeing the magic 100 this week. Only Foyt, Kenyon and Rich Vogler previously reached that figure.

 

            Jon Stanbrough, who was third to Clauson and Darland in the 2012 AMSOIL standings, will debut at Ocala with a new team, partnering with Kevin Thomas Jr. in a two-car assault on the title.

 

            Former USAC Champion Levi Jones, who holds the all-time record for consecutive series starts at a remarkable 227, will be on hand, not in a driving role, but as crew chief for Jarett Andretti as Jarett and his father John pursue USAC glory in the 2014 AMSOIL series.

 

            In addition to Clauson and Hines, previous Ocala USAC Sprint winners include Damion Garner and Darren Hagen. Gardner has three Ocala wins to his credit, while Clauson and Hines have two and Hagen one.

 

            Florida's spot in USAC history is solidified as it hosted the first-ever USAC Sprint race in 1956, won by Bob Sweikert, the previous year's Indianapolis 500 winner, at West Palm Beach.

 

            Advance tickets for "Winter Dirt Games V" are available at BubbaRacewayPark.com and live pay-per-view will be available through USACracing.tv! Stay tuned to both websites for more details. Practice night on Wednesday the 19th kicks off the action.

 

 

--USAC--

 

 

News from the Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. ‘Dirty Jersey 2’

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

For Immediate Release/February 16, 2014

Superstar Driver Stewart Friesen Ready For Second Foray Into Race Promotion Tuesday, June 17 At New Egypt Speedway; Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. ‘Dirty Jersey 2’ To Feature Blockbuster Doubleheader Of Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds & 360 Sprint Cars!

NEW EGYPT, NJ – Superstar driver Stewart Friesen will take part in more than 100 races over the course of the 2014 season.

But he has one date circled on his calendar above all others: Tuesday, June 17.

On that night, Friesen will not only enter the gates of New Egypt Speedway as a competitor. He will, for the second time, serve as a race promoter. Under the Friesen-Deyo Promotions banner, the 30-year-old Friesen partners with Brett Deyo for the Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. ‘Dirty Jersey 2’ at the Garden State facility.

The second edition of the ‘Dirty Jersey’ event should be a blockbuster.  The big-block Modifieds of the Super DIRTcar Series return for a 60-lap event paying $6,000-plus to the winner and an increased $400 to take the green flag. A new addition for ’14 is the ‘Turnpike 25’ for 360 Sprint Cars: a 25-lap event paying $3,000 to the winner and $250 to take the green flag.

“It’s going to be huge, probably the biggest race of the summer,” bottom-lined Friesen, who will compete in both the Modified and Sprint Car portions of the event. “Our Super DIRTcar Series field last year was awesome. We had cars from the series, Pennsylvania cars, New Jersey cars and even some from Delaware. It was an all-star race.  I think we’ll be even stronger this year with all the excitement about the series.

“Having the Sprint Cars on the same night gives fans the chance to watch two headline divisions on the same night.  It’s definitely a must-see show.”

Friesen-Deyo Promotions will again lease New Egypt – a racy D-shaped 7/16ths-mile clay oval – from facility owner Fred Vahlsing for the midweek special.

Last year, in conjunction with Deyo, Friesen made his promotional debut with the inaugural ‘Dirty Jersey’ event at New Egypt. Despite heavy rains that postponed the program 24 hours, a potent field of 45 big-block Modifieds filled the track’s pit area representing New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and the Canadian province of Ontario.

Rick Laubach of Quakertown, Pa., registered his first Super DIRTcar Series victory in the ’13 ‘Dirty Jersey’ with a dominant performance driving the Gary and Lori Herrmann-owned No. 7. He earned more than $7,000 in cash and contingencies. Friesen (Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.), who started the event from 15th, finished second, followed by Danny Johnson (Rochester, N.Y.), Ryan Godown (Ringoes, N.J.) and Frank Cozze (Wind Gap, Pa.).

“We fought the weather last year, but our first “Dirty Jersey’ was a success,” Friesen said. “We picked out some areas where we can improve our experience even more for fans and drivers this year.”

Friesen’s promotional roots run deep through his late grandfather Stan, late Uncle Alex, and his Uncle Joel and father Jamie, the operators of Ransomville Speedway in Western New York.

“It (event promotion) is intense,” Friesen said of event promotion. “So much goes into it behind the scenes. But I enjoyed it and I think this June, our race will be even bigger. We have a year in the books now. It’s only going to grow.”

A rules package has been devised for the 360 Sprint Car portion of the ‘Dirty Jersey’ program and has been posted at www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com in addition to a complete purse structure. Empire Super Sprint (ESS) officials will be working with Friesen-Deyo Promotions to manage the Sprint Car program.

The ‘Dirty Jersey’ marks the only appearances by the Super DIRTcar Series big-block Modifieds and 360 Sprint Cars at New Egypt in ’14.

Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. of Schuylkill Haven, Pa., for the second consecutive year, has signed on as a leading sponsor of the event. Pioneer Pole Buildings is the premier builder of post-frame buildings in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia and New York. To learn more about PPB, visit www.pioneerpolebuildings.com.

Additional marketing support is being sought. To learn more about options, contact Brett Deyo at 845.728.2781 or via e-mail at Deyo99H@aol.com.

The rain date for the ‘Dirty Jersey 2’ is Wednesday, June 18.

To learn more, contact Brett Deyo at 845.728.2781, e-mail Deyo99H@aol.com or visit the online home of Friesen-Deyo Promotions at www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com.

About New Egypt Speedway

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

About Friesen-Deyo Promotions

A collaboration between dirt Modified standout driver Stewart Friesen and special events promoter and motorsports writer Brett Deyo, Friesen-Deyo Promotions hosted its first event at New Egypt Speedway in 2013 with additional ventures planned for the future.

-----

Brett Deyo

BD Motorsports Media LLC

Phone: 845.728.2781

E-Mail: Deyo99H@aol.com

Web: www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BDMotorsportsMedia

Twitter: @BrettDeyo

 

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                        FEBRUARY 14, 2014

DICK JORDAN

 

 

INDIANAPOLIS SPEEDROME RETURNS WITH MAY 23 HPD MIDWEST MIDGETS

 

 

            The Indianapolis Speedrome, USAC's most active track through its first 58 years, returns May 23 after a three-year hiatus, hosting the USAC HPD Midwest Pavement Midget Series. The series will return to the one-fifth paved oval for a repeat performance August 30.

 

            A total of 496 USAC events have graced the facility since USAC's debut in 1956 and the track is expected to host its historic 500th USAC race in the near future. No other race track is close in terms of total USAC events.

 

            New ownership and a new race organizer are in place for the historic track, located on the southeast edge of the capital city. Former Indy-Car chief mechanic and team manager Larry Curry will handle the reins for co-owners Pete Watson and Jeff Hammel with an emphasis on returning the oval to prominence in the open-wheel racing community. Numerous improvements are planned, including resurfacing.

 

            "As the new managing partner of the Speedrome I would like to say we are all very excited about having the HPD USAC midgets on our schedule for two races in 2014," says Curry. "All of the new owners are very committed to returning the Speedrome to its prominence of years past where USAC was a large part of the midget racing. We all want this to be the start of a great new era of midget racing at the track."

 

            Gene Hartley, winner of USAC's inaugural event at Fort Wayne, Ind. in 1956, also had the distinction of grabbing the first USAC checkered flag at the Speedrome, in August of 1958. The ensuing years of various forms of USAC racing have produced 163 different winners, led by six-time Speedrome Midget Champion Michael Lang, who posted 53 victories. All-time USAC leaders Rich Vogler and Mel Kenyon recorded 32 and 21 victories respectively, while Ross Rankine grabbed the last Speedrome feature in 2011.

 

            "Obviously we are delighted to be able to return to the Indianapolis Speedrome," echoes USAC's Eric Rankine. "No track has as much USAC history as it does and it feels like home to be back. I'm, sure it will be a fun experience for us and our participants."

 

 

--USAC-

 

 

Contact: DIRTVision.com

Katie Boyer - Production Coordinator

kboyer@dirtcar.com | (704)707-0275

 

LIVE: Super DIRTcar Series Video THIS WEEK!

 

DIRTVision.com will broadcast LIVE VIDEO from week two of the DIRTcar Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, FL. The Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds kick off their week here tonight with open practice and the series will battle on the track Wednesday-Saturday. You can see it all for just $69.99 for the package, or you can purchase nightly passes for $21.99. Not only will you see the big blocks, you’ll all see the DIRTcar Late Models and the World of Outlaws Late Models because every night is a double header! Don't miss watching the season kick off for the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds. We will feature a six-camera shoot, providing all the best angles of action, as well as a pre-race show, replays and pit reporters. If you can't make it out to Volusia, let DIRTVision.com bring you a front row seat in the comfort of your own home.Click here to get registered now. For any questions or concerns, email us at DIRTVision@dirtcar.com.

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                        FEBRUARY 18, 2014

DICK JORDAN

 

CLAUSON READY FOR DEFENSE, SEEKS ELUSIVE 3RD-STRAIGHT TITLE

 

            Only three drivers in the history of the AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship have achieved the feat of back-to-back-to-back titles, but Noblesville, Indiana's Bryan Clauson will start the 2014 season on Thursday at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Florida with that exact result in mind.

 

            After recovering from four missed races due to other commitments to win his first championship with the Corey Tucker/BCI/Curb-Agajanian Racing #7 in 2012, Clauson stepped into the Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing #20 for 2013 and picked up where he left off. Seven wins each season and both championships now present him with the opportunity to join Steve Butler, Robbie Stanley, and Levi Jones as the only drivers to take three-straight.

 

            "Walking into an organization like that, where they have a tradition of winning championships, is a lot of pressure. To step in and go through the process, with the downs and ups of the season, it was satisfying and a lot of fun to work ourselves into form and contend for the championship. I'm excited about some changes we made through last season and in the offseason, so hopefully we can come out even stronger and defend it," Clauson said.

 

            The TSR operation was no stranger to success and championships, as Jones won four-of-five championships before Clauson broke through in 2012. The 2013 season posed a legitimate test, however, as the team saw changes in nearly every area. In addition to the change in the seat, only Brad Mariscotti remained from the crew, and the team switched to Beast Chassis. For the first race of the year, car builder Bob East joined the team as an advisor and Warren Beard completed the crew assembled by race director Jimmy Carr. East would become a full-time addition early in the season.

 

            Despite winning their first race out of the box in a spirited battle with Dave Darland, the beginning of the season was self-described as "challenging." Still, the group found enough footing for Clauson to take his second-straight "Eastern Storm" title in early June using consistent finishes, as a second win on the season was still lacking.

 

            "Each driver is so different. The characteristics of the way Bryan drives a car versus Levi before him are just not the same. Luckily, we meshed together pretty well from the start. It took us a little while to marry everything together and figure out exactly what Bryan likes, and that's when we started to see better results," Mariscotti said.

 

            The wins finally flooded in when the biggest week of the season came, as Clauson took back-to-back wins to close "Indiana Sprint Week" at Putnamville and Bloomington and steal the week-long championship. Two races later, he opened up "Sprint Car Smackdown" at Kokomo (IN) Speedway by slicing from 14th to win without the aid of a caution. By the time Clauson won at Little Rock, Arkansas in early September, he had tied Darland for the point lead.

 

            To close out the championship, they backed up a big win in the final Midwest race of the season at Lawrenceburg (IN) Speedway with another in the first night at Canyon Speedway Park in Peoria, Arizona. As Darland had difficulties, Clauson was steady and dueled with Darland at the "Oval Nationals" as he narrowly missed a win in the final race of the season while clinching the title in the process.

 

            Not only was it Clauson's fourth career National title (joining his two National Midget championships), it was the first Sprint Car title for former racer East, who has achieved numerous titles in both Midget and Silver Crown competition as crew chief and team manager.

 

            "The Sprint Car title was definitely a focus, after we got going. It was the only one that I hadn't won, and I wanted to do that. It was a lot of fun; it's the first series in so long where I had no other cars (chassis customers) competing, so I could totally concentrate on our team. It was a great group to race with. We believed in each other, and confidence makes a big difference," East said.

 

            Clauson, who now sits tied for 16th all-time with 25 career National Sprint Car wins, also relished the opportunity to win with his new group.

 

            "I always dreamed of working with Bob, but never really thought it would be on the sprint car side. When I was coming up, he was king of the midgets. To have an opportunity to work with him and get the chance to win the sprint car championship with him was cool. The chemistry he and Brad had, being friends even outside of racing, helped a lot. Bob wasn't necessarily supposed to work with us all year, but after Ocala it was obvious that we would be good together," Clauson said.

 

            For Mariscotti, it was a slightly different point-of-view, but the level of satisfaction was similar.

 

            "It meant a lot for me, personally, as the only guy still there from all our other championships. And we were able to win the Silver Crown championship, too, with Bobby (East). To be able to go out with a new driver and a really small team, it felt great to do it again," Mariscotti said.

 

            As the top six pairings from last season remain intact for 2014, along with some strong additions pursuing the full schedule, Clauson knows a target will be on them as they try to defend the crown with their Chevrolet Performance - Curb #20 Beast/Kistler.

 

            "It looks like the National Sprint Car bunch is as strong as I can remember it being, and we know that other teams have gotten better in the off-season, so we'll have to start a little quicker and be even better than last year to do it again," Clauson said.

 

            Thursday's season opener at Ocala kicks off "Winter Dirt Games V," which is preceded by a practice night Wednesday evening. Tickets are still available for advance purchase at BubbaRacewayPark.com while an online pay-per-view is offered at USACracing.tv and further information about the race, including post-race coverage, will be found at USACracing.com.

 

 

--USAC--

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                        FEBRUARY 19, 2014

DICK JORDAN

 

 

OCALA WEBCAST STARTS WITH FREE PRACTICE VIEW TONIGHT!

 

 

            Race fans locked into their homes by the extreme weather which has engulfed the Midwest recently can sit back tonight, relax, and enjoy the heart-pounding excitement of AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Cars as they prepare for the "Winter Dirt Games V" at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla.

 

            The special four-night presentation of the opening USAC National racing event of the 2014 racing season begins with a free look at tonight's practice session from the 3/8-mile dirt oval. Per-per-view starts Thursday and continues Friday and Saturday on the USAC website at usacracing.com.

 

            Single race nights are priced at $19.99 per night, while a special three-night package is priced at $39.98. Special pricing for USAC Racing TV subscribers is available at $14.99 per night or $29.98 for the three-night package, which means the third night is virtually free.

 

            Signup is now open for Bubba Raceway Park pay-per-view. If you are currently a USACRacing.TV subscriber you will need to visit www.usacracing.tv/S-PPV_BubbaRacewayPark.html to sign up for the PPV program. You will need to go back to this URL each night that you want to watch.

 

            If you are currently not a USAC Racing.TV subscriber, you will need t visit www.usacracing.TV/S-PPV_BubbaRacewayPark.html to sign up for the PPV Broadcast. You will need to go back to this URL each night that you want to watch.

 

            Defending AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car Champion Bryan Clauson will open defense of his title in the "Winter Dirt Games V" against the nation's top open-wheel pilots.

 

 

--USAC-

 

 

 

 

Going back, in time to February 20th in:

 

1907

Tony Willman ... Born ... AAA driver 1926 to 1941, died in a midget race at Thompson, CT on October 12, 1941.

 

1934

Bobby Unser ... Born ... One of the greatest Indycar racing stars of all time, Unser was twice the USAC/Indy Car champion (1968 and 1974) and three times winner of the Indianapolis 500. The brother of Al Unser and Jerry Unser, the father of Robby Unser, and the uncle of Al Unser, Jr. and Johnny Unser. He was the undisputed king of the Pikes Peak hillclimb, winning the championship 13 times. An accomplished Sprint Car driver he also ran in 19 Indy 500's He is one of nine drivers to win the Indianapolis 500 three times, and one of only two to have won the 500 in three different decades (1968, 75, 81).

 

1937

Roger S. Penske ... Born ... A national sports car driving champion (1964); established the Penske racing team in 1961; co-founder of Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART). Penske Racing has won 12 Indianapolis 500s and 9 CART points titles.

 

1959

Scott Brayton ... Born ... USAC/CART driver 1981 to 1996. Scott tragically lost his life in a fatal crash during practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Six days before the accident, Scott captured his second consecutive Indy 500 pole position.

 

Daytona Beach ... The first races on the 2.5 mile Daytona International Speedway took place, twin 100 mile qualifiers for the first 'Daytona 500'. One for Convertibles and one for Hardtops. The Convertible race started 21 cars with Glen Wood, Richard Petty, Marvin Panch and Shorty Rollins pulling clear of the field. The foursome swapped the lead 5 times in the last 9 laps before Rollins edged Panch by a bumper for the win. In the Hardtop 100, Bob Welborn moved his Chevy from 7th starting to the lead by lap 2, but couldn't shake Denver's Fritz Wilson. Welborn beat Wilson's T-Bird by a half car length to take the win. Peruvian driver Eduardo Dibos finished 5th.

 

1960

Dick Peterman won the TQ Midget race at the Teaneck Armory, Teaneck, NJ.

Note:  Chances are that my future wife and I were in attendance that night.

 

1969

David Pearson and Bobby Isaac won the twin 125 mile NASCAR Grand National qualifying races at Daytona International Speedway. Pearson earlier had become the first driver to break the 190 mph barrier at Daytona.

 

1972

A.J. Foyt drove the Wood Brothers Mercury to an easy win in the Daytona 500. In a field already weakened by the factories pull-out, other contenders suffered problems. When leader Richard Petty retired with engine trouble on lap 81, Foyt took over and led to the checkered. Foyt finished nearly 2 laps in front of Charlie Glotzbach, driving the Cotton Owens Dodge.

 

1977

Cale Yarborough was unbeatable, winning the 125-mile qualifying race, the International Race of Champions event and the 500. The only thing he didn't win was the pole position, which went to Donnie Allison.

 

1983

Cale Yarborough rebounded to win the Daytona 500 after earlier crashing the Rainier Racing Monte Carlo on his second qualifying lap. Yarborough took the lead from Buddy Baker on the last lap and pulled to a five length win as Bill Elliott edged Baker and Joe Ruttman across the line in a three wide battle for second. Ruttman led the most laps in the Benfield Chevy.

 

2008

Buster Warke... Died ... AAA driver from the 1930's , 40's to the mid 1950's.

 

 

Some more February dates:

 

FEBRUARY 19th  

 

1921

Ernie McCoy... Born ... Eastern midget, sprint and Indy car driver.

 

1928

Malcolm Campbell set a Land Speed Record of 206.956 MPH in his Bluebird at Daytona.

 

 

FEBRUARY 18th  

 

1928

Jim McElreath ... Born ... USAC/CART driver. He raced in the 1961-1983 seasons, with 178 combined career starts, including 15 in the Indianapolis 500 in 1962-1970, 1973-1974, and 1977-1980. He finished in the top ten 101 times, with five victories.

 

1962

Scott Kalitta ... Born ... American drag racer and son to veteran NHRA driver and crew chief Connie Kalitta, and is cousin to teammate Doug Kalitta.

 

1976

Jimmy Kite ... Born ... USAC midget, sprint, silver crown and Indy car driver.

 

2001

Dale Earnhardt, Sr.... Died ...Earnhardt is known for his success in the Winston Cup Series, now known as the Sprint Cup Series. He won seventy-six races (including his only Daytona 500 victory in 1998), and his seven championships are tied for most all-time with Richard Petty. His highly aggressive driving style made him a fan favorite and earned him the nicknames "Ironhead", "Mr. Restrictor Plate", "The Man in Black" and most famously, "The Intimidator." Earnhardt died in a last-lap crash during the 2001 Daytona 500.

 

 

FEBRUARY 21st  

 

1964

Daytona ... Dodges and Plymouths equipped with the new hemi engine dominated the twin 100 mile NASCAR GN qualifying races at Daytona International Speedway. Junior Johnson did not lead a lap until pulling off a "slingshot" move to pass Buck Baker off the final turn to win the first race. Johnson's Ray Fox Dodge crossed the line one car length ahead of Baker, who was in a Petty Engineering Plymouth. Paul Goldsmith, who won the pole for the '500' at a record 174.910 mph, led the first 17 laps in the Nichels Plymouth, but blew the engine after 28 laps. In the second 100, Richard Petty ran out of fuel with a half lap lead, setting up one of the wildest finishes in Daytona history. As Petty coasted on the apron, the Ray Nichels Dodge of Bobby Isaac and Jim Pardue's Burton-Robinson Plymouth came roaring toward the checkered side by side. Pardue got slightly out of shape as the cars crossed the line three wide. It took a photo finish and three hours before Isaac was declared the winner.

 

1965

Jean Marcenac ... Died ... Veteran race mechanic died of a heart attack.

 

 

FEBRUARY 22nd  

 

1911

Emil Andres ... Born ... AAA driver from 1935 to 1950

 

1921

Marshall Teague... Born ... NASCAR, AAA and USAC driver. Finished 7th in the 1957 Indy 500.

 

1933

Malcolm Campbell drives his Napier-Campbell to a One-Mile Speed record of 272.109 mph on the beach at Daytona, Florida

 

 

On February 22, 1914, race driver George Rice was born.

On February 24, 1927, my sister, Rosemarie was born.  She’s still at it.

On February 26, 1932, Johnny Cash was born

On February 26, 2003, George Rice passed away.

 

 

Found on Facebook - racing related:

 

NDRL Short Track Super Series Operating procedures:

http://bdmotorsportsmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/NDRL-Short-Track-Super-Series-Fueled-By-VP-Standard-Operating-Procedures.pdf

 

 

 

 

Found on the Internet – racing related:

 

Updated: Jimmie Johnson’s car fails pre-qualifying inspection for being 1/10,000th of an inch too wide

 

http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/16/jimmie-johnsons-car-pulled-from-qualifying-for-being-too-wide-too-long/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs

 

 

Note:  If you check out the link, check out the comments.

 

 

 

Isn't it interesting that Danica comes to NASCAR in a media buzz last year and sits on the Pole at Daytona. Then this year all the buzz is for the #3 car coming back to NASCAR and Dillon sits on the pole...... Hmmmmm who would have guessed that would have happened?

 

 

 

 

 

Found on the Internet – not racing related:

 

US auto union in major defeat as VW plant declines to join

 

http://news.yahoo.com/uaw-suffers-major-defeat-vw-workers-reject-us-034203325.html

 

UAW May Challenge Volkswagen Vote Results

 

http://screen.yahoo.com/uaw-may-challenge-volkswagen-vote-134702141.html

 

 

Welfare Payouts Top $20 Per Hour In Eight States

 

http://downtrend.com/robertgehl/welfare-payouts-top-20-per-hour-in-eight-states/

 

 

 

Really?  He was/is kidding, right?

 

Opposition mounts to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposal that would provide free college courses to state prison inmates.

 

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=MEDIA09

 

 

 

 

Found on Facebook – not racing related:

 

On 2/16: 

Seriously, I don’t know exactly when the UFO landed and dropped off all these stupid people, but apparently they aren’t coming back for them!

 

On 2/17:

If we’re not meant to have midnight snacks, then why is there a light in the refrigerator?

 

And:

My parents spanked me as a child.  As a result I now suffer from a psychological condition known as “Respect for others”

 

 

Along with:

Does anyone know how I can become an illegal?  I really could really use the benefits!

 

 

This one, too:

To insure the uninsured, first we make the insured uninsured.  Then we make the formerly insured pay more to become re-insured, to insure the uninsured for free. – Guess that’s how Obamacare works?

 

 

 

 

I get emails – not racing related:

 

Subj: Your shoe size can tell your age

 

THIS REALLY BLEW MY MIND!!!

 

 Your shoes can tell you your age - fun!!

[Just who thinks this stuff up?]  As if you didn't have anything else to do!!

 

This is mind boggling - the flipping thing works. Your shoes can really tell you your age.

TRY IT,  YOU WILL BE SHOCKED!!:

 

1. Take your shoe size (only whole sizes).

2. Multiply it by 5.

3. Add 50.

4. Multiply that number by 20 ...

5. Add 1013.

6. Subtract the year (xxxx) you were born.

 

Result: The first digit is your shoe size, while the last 2 digits are your age.

 

If anyone figures out the secret, kindly let me know.

 

 

 

 

 

This weeks photo:

Note:  Photos not available on DTD.  Can be seen here:  http://newenglandtractor.com/racereport/

 

George Rice was mentioned above, with the dates of his birth and death.  Here’s a photo of him from back in his racing days.

 

 

Note:  To me, those cars back then sure beat today’s cars as far as looks go.

 

Racing videos:

 

Back to a Thursday Night Thunder USAC Regional midget race held at the Indianapolis Speedrome on August 20, 1987:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=yq18ZL300p0

 

 

 

 

 

 

Music videos:

 

I guess something by Johnny Cash would be appropriate, this week?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCqpPj87ekE&feature=related

 

 

 

 

Joke of the week:

 

I was in Scottsdale, AZ, the other day.

I saw a bumper sticker on a parked car, it read: "I miss Chicago".

 

So I broke a couple of windows, stole the radio, shot out two of the tires, added an Obama bumper sticker and left a note that read, "I hope this helps!"

 

 

 

Until the next column – NEXT WEEK!!!

 

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