Mostly Racin' Stuff

                                      By Tom Avenengo

                                         Volume # 171

                                                   02/27/2014

 

Some personal/family stuff:

Wow!  It’s almost the end of February already!  In another five weeks,, or so, we’ll be heading back home.  Where does the time go?

 

I’m pretty much in contact with family members back home.  On Tuesday, while on Facebook with my son, Eric, he happened to mention that he’s been waiting for a phone call from me that would have me saying that we would be staying here in Florida and not returning back home.  That is pretty hard to do right now, since we would have to sell our home before any big move.  But, in a way, this Cape Coral area has grown on me.  I’ve always liked the area.  True, we have yet to spend a summer here, but, man, did we pick the perfect winter to come down here.  Temps have been constantly in the 70’s to 80’s – a huge difference than what they’ve been getting back home.  I’ll admit, I’ve checked on some homes for rent down here, and there are still some that are pretty nice – 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 2 car garage for less than $900.00/month.  Yes, I’m giving it some serious thought.  I’m not sure just how that might affect my dong these columns, however, since there are not any race tracks close by – well tracks I might be interested in going to.  Not too many dirt tracks in this area!

 

Monday, 2/24: – Doctor appointment with the kidney specialist for both the wife and me.

He was really impressed as to how much I’ve progressed since the first time he saw me.  The last blood work, from last week, showed mostly excellent in everything.  He now has no concerns about the wife and her kidneys, too.

 

March 3rd:  Wife gets the cataract surgery on her right eye.  Now, I surely will not be able to get away with anything!

 

This past Saturday:  I went to East Bay Speedway with my grandson, John Rizzo, to see the 360 Sprint Cars and Florida “Mini Sprints”.  Actually, from what I could see, those “Mini” Sprints were actually what we call Micro Sprints, back home.  A good portion of them were using Kawasaki 636’s for power.  To me, Mini Sprints use 1200’s.

The 360’s took the top eight, point wise, from the Thursday and Friday races and locked them into the feature on Saturday.  On Saturday, they ran six heats with only the winner going to the main.  Three “B” features were run, and only the top two main the “A” main, giving them a 20 car field.  There were no provisionals added.  You didn’t qualify, you went home.

 

The major problem with this is that there wasn’t much passing.  It usually happens when the faster cars start up front.  That’s one of the main reason I don’t really care for time trials.

 

The track is, to me, kind of “D” shaped.  There was no dust at all.  Behind the track is a man made mountain (land fill) that’s high enough to have a red light on top of it so planes know it’s there.

 

As we drove in, there were a ton of race fans “tailgating”.  It reminded me of the Eastern States Weekends at OCFS.  About the only stands that weren’t really filled were the first turn bleachers, from what I could see.  We sat at the end of the front stretch, second row from the top. 

I’ve heard a few “horror” stories about Rico Abreu, the “Little” person that races – how he would crash his way to the front.  Well, in the “A” main, due to the points from Thursday & Friday, he started in third place.  He ran a good race and on many laps was challenging for the lead.  His best time for getting the lead was on the last restart with three laps to go.  He was under the leader as they got into the first turn, but the leader had the momentum and was able to keep his lead.  Rico did end up in second place.  I could see no evidence of any “dirty” driving on his part.

We thought it might be a problem, traffic wise, getting out after the races, but really there was none.  Would I go back to East Bay?  Yes, I think I would.  I think we would have seen a better show if the cars were wingless.  I think it would be an excellent track for wingless midgets.

 

Due to my grandson having to work on Sunday, we opted for East Bay – two hours away, rather than going to Volusia, - four hours away, to watch the DIRT Modifieds.  And, the weather forecast for possible thunderstorms didn’t help much, either.  Maybe next year.

 

Maybe it’s me, but yes, I do get rather upset when I see supposedly educated people using the wrong words, or miss spell words, when posting on the Internet.  I mean “are” for “our”???  And one can’t forget “of” used instead of “have”.  “Should of” instead of “Should’ve  - short for “Should have”.

 

 

Racin’ stuff:

 

I imagine the “Junior Nation” is quite a happy group about now.  I find it remarkable how the Cup drivers just seem to lose it at Daytona and Talladega, when the race gets towards the end, and major accidents happen. 

 

Did you watch the Daytona 500 on TV?  If so, then did you see the woman that was feeding her family some KFC for dinner?  Did you notice the huge bucket of chicken on the table?  She said it was nine pieces.  Must be pretty damn big pieces to fill that bucket!  Why not show what nine pieces actually fill?

 

Also a commercial for “A Need for Speed” movie.  Why must they constantly show fake car crashes?

 

 

We lost another former race driver to the Speedway in the sky:

HAROLD MONTANYE, JR.

 

March 23, 1934 - February 18, 2014

Accord, NY

Harold Montanye, Jr. of Accord, NY died suddenly on Tuesday, February 18, 2014. He was 79 years old. Harold was born on March 23, 1934 in Newburgh, NY; he was the son of Harold and Irene (Heller) Montanye.

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Mr. Montanye was an avid race car driver and was known as one of the best racers around. Later in life he enjoyed golfing and was an avid Horseman.

Harold is survived by his children: Phyllis Depuy and her husband, Butch of Milan, DE, Kirby Montanye and his partner, Robert of Prunedale, CA, Keith Montanye and his wife, Trish of Stephentown, NY, Sharon Cosgrove and her husband, Bob of Kerhonkson, Helen Depuy and her husband, George of Stephentown, NY and Kevin Montanye and his wife, Cindy of Kingston, NY; his brothers: George Montanya, Howard and Richard Montanye; his sister, Lillian Schoonmaker and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Harold was predeceased by his brother, William and sister, Maryjane Montanye.

Friends are invited to join in a celebration of Harold's life from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, February 22nd at the Accord Fire House, 22 Main St., Accord.

To send a personal condolence to Harold's family please visit humistonfuneralhome.com.

 

 

 

I’ve never heard of Aloe Blacc, but he did a very good job on our National Anthem prior to the Daytona 500.

 

 

Dale Earnhardt Jr.: 'This is our year'

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/dale-earnhardt-jr-39-39-193100366--nascar.html

 

 

 

Fox News reported the tape-delayed 2013 Daytona 500 playing on Fox as if it were live

 

https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/fox-news-reported-the-tape-delayed-2013-daytona-500-playing-on-fox-as-if-it-were-live-030847035.html

 

Note:  I’d have to say that those that thought Jimmie Johnson won this years Daytona 500 really are not race fans, but casual observers.

 

 

 

Danica Patrick's Daytona 500 came to an end with a hard crash

 

https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/danica-patrick-s-daytona-500-came-to-an-end-with-a-crash-in-the-trioval-050813182.html

 

 

 

Underdogs fail to upset the form book in Daytona 500

 

http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/25/underdogs-fail-to-upset-the-form-book-in-daytona-500/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs

 

 

I had a real nice chat on the phone the other night with Phil Cancel.  He is now out in Arizona, and like me, really does not have much desire to return to the northeast where it’s much colder – especially this past winter.  He’s involved with two different dirt tracks out there.  He’s a couple of years younger than me, but he, too, attended the midget races that were held in the Kingsbridge armory back in the late 1940’s.

 

 

 

Former OVRP Dirt Oval runners:

 

Anthony Perrego and Billy VanInwegen ran decent at Volusia.  In the final feature race on Saturday, Perrego was 9th and Billy V 26th.  In time trials for Saturday, Billy V timed second quickest with a lap turned in 17.602 seconds.  Anthony was 10th at a lap time of 18.118.  Point wise, for the three races that were run (Friday was a rain out), Anthony was 6th and Billy V 15th.

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Race track schedules:

 

Some more:

 

Lebanon Valley:

http://www.lebanonvalley.com/2014_LVS_Schedule.html

 

Orange County:

http://www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net/schedule.html

 

Note:  Looking at the OC schedule, I see there are 11 358 appearances, 6 for the Trucks (will they have enough trucks?) 4 for the CRSA 305 Sprint Cars and 4 for the Vintage cars.  Not shown is just what classes will be run for ESW.  Last year there were some unhappy people when the Vintage cars were not on the ESW schedule.   Last year they had only one Sportsman class for ESW (Crate), I imagine the same will apply for 2014.

 

 

 

From Jayski:

http://www.jayski.com/

 

If you’re interested, here’s a link to the entry list for the Cup race this weekend out in Phoenix.  Looks like three teams will be going home early, since there are 46 entrants.

http://www.jayski.com/news/stats/2014/story/_/page/02-Phoenix-2014-Entry-List

 

 

NASCAR looking into limiting drivers' double duty:

NASCAR said Saturday it is looking at potentially limiting the number of second- and third-tier event Sprint Cup regulars can run during the season. Officials have already talked about a potential rules adjustments. Maybe even a change. "We're definitely aware of the fan messaging we get," said Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR's senior vice president of racing operations. "There's a balance, especially talking to the tracks, of having a Cup driver or two in the Trucks or Nationwide. ... We have had discussions with the race teams about ownership and should Cup drivers get points and we've looked at should they be limited in the number of races. It's something we are really studying."(Associated Press)(2-23-2014)

 

 

Martin Truex Jr. Quote about backup car:

#78-Martin Truex Jr. ran 13 laps in his backup car during Saturday's Happy Hour practice session. It was the first time on the track for the new Furniture Row Chevy after crashing the primary car in the 2nd Budweiser Duel 150 on Thursday night. "I was definitely relieved to get some time in the car," said Truex. "Honestly, I am really excited about this race car. Without a shadow of a doubt this car is better than the one we ran the other night in the qualifying race. The Furniture Row guys did another good job. I even hate to call this car a backup because of how good it felt."(FRR)(2-23-2014)

Note:  Uh huh.  He was the first to drop out of the 500 due to engine failure.

 

 

NASCAR's Highest Paid Drivers 2014:

NASCAR driver salaries have been shaved in recent years with fewer dollars available as sponsors cut back on their financial commitments to teams. Drivers that once made $4-6 million in salary are getting re-signed to deals for $3 million in some cases. Guys on poorly funded teams are lucky to make seven figures. Licensing and endorsement money has also dried up for all but the very elite drivers. Endorsement deals that once paid $500,000 a clip are now $250,000 and many have disappeared completely. But for the sport's stars, the paychecks are nearly as big as ever and can reach eight figures in salary alone. The 10 highest-paid drivers pulled down $170 million in 2013 in cumulative salary, endorsements and their share of winnings and licensing income.

Leading the way for the sixth straight year is Dale Earnhardt Jr., who earned $25.6 million in 2013 by Forbes' count. Earnhardt's licensing income is down significantly from five years ago when he was making $30 million a year, but he is still the sport's biggest star with the biggest salary, as well as the top licensing and endorsement income, according to sources. Earnhardt's #88 Chevy carries the most expensive real estate in the sport. The Army National Guard spent $30 million in 2013 on sponsoring 20 races on the #88 car and activating around the sponsorship. Hendrick Motorsports entered the past two seasons with 13 races to sell on Earnhardt's car, but even if owner Rick Hendrick has to pick up the tab on a couple of races, the sponsorship revenue for Earnhardt's car is still the envy of the sport.

#48-Jimmie Johnson, ranks No. 2 with estimated earnings of $24.8 million last year. Johnson won his sixth Sprint Cup title, which carried bonuses and special awards of $5.8 million. Johnson's total prize money haul of $14.7 is twice as much as Earnhardt, but Johnson's endorsements and licensing income lag behind. #24-Jeff Gordon in third earning $18.2 million in 2013. His merchandise was the sport's second best seller, behind Earnhardt, in 2013, according to multiple sources. Gordon also benefits from his ownership stake in the #48 car. NASCAR's golden girl, Danica Patrick, ranks No. 9 with earnings of $13.5 million. See full report at Forbes.com.(2-22-2014)

 

 

The Most Valuable NASCAR Teams 2014:

Thirty years ago Rick Hendrick launched All-Star Racing with five employees and 5,000 square feet of workspace. Geoff Bodine raced the fledgling outfit's sole NASCAR Cup entry in the #5 car and finished ninth in the season long standings, including three victories. The company was rebranded Hendrick Motorsports the following year and a racing dynasty was born. Hendrick Motorsports today carries more than 500 employees in 430,000 square feet of workspace across a 140 acre campus in Concord, N.C. It has racked up 218 victories and a record 11 season titles in Sprint Cup, plus an additional 52 wins and four championships in the Nationwide and Truck series. The success has propelled Hendrick to the top of the NASCAR food chain. The team is worth $348 million, by Forbes' count, twice as much as any other NASCAR squad.

Joe Gibbs Racing ranks No. 2 with a value of $171 million, up 2% from last year. Roush Fenway Racing ranks No. 3 with a value of $157 million, down 6%. The team making the biggest jump is Stewart-Haas Racing, which ranks fourth with a value of $148 million, up 20%. #5 is Richard Childress Racing at $128 million; #6 is Team Penske at $108 million; #7 is Michael Waltrip Racing at $80 million; #8 is Chip Ganassi Racing at $69 million; #9 is Richard Petty Motorsports at $50 million. See full report at Forbes.com.(2-22-2014)

 

 

Budweiser Duel TV Ratings:

The amazing high-speed pile up that concluded the Budweiser Duel at Daytona International Speedway, one that saw the #15 Toyota of Clint Bowyer do an airborne 360, land on its wheels and the driver walk away unharmed, wasn't the night's only spectacular occurrence. The Budweiser Duel averaged 3.122 million viewers, making it the most-watched NASCAR "Duel" event since 2000 when CBS aired it on a Saturday (4.296 million). It is now the second most-watched program on FOX Sports 1 since launch behind Saturday's Sprint Unlimited (3,526,000 viewers).(FoxSports)(2-22-2014)

 

 

Stewart:

Richard Petty should race Danica.  During the first of two PRN Fast Talk Shows at Outback Steakhouse in Daytona with Doug Rice and Mark Garrow, Tony Stewart made it very clear how he feels about the negative remarks Richard Petty made recently about Danica Patrick. "I told her she should challenge Richard to a heads up race," said Stewart. "I think that would pretty much settle it once and for all, maybe get him to shut up a little bit too. He drove in an era when he had cars that were superior to what everybody else was running a lot. I think he forgets that, that NASCAR has changed a lot since he was a driver and how hard it really is now." Stewart added, "I will supply the cars, I don't care. If he wants to race her I'll make sure they have exactly the same set-up in the car and give him a chance. He can drive one of my 14 cars I don't care." It was then suggested if Danica ever won a race that she should ask Petty to autograph the checkered flag. Stewart, however, had another suggestion. "If I were her I'd take it over and cram it up his (bleep)...If it were me, that's just me." The second and final PRN Fast Talk show from the Daytona Outback Steakhouse will take place Thursday from 12-1 with Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick the special guests. Both shows can be heard at goprn.com.(PRN)(2-20-2014)

 

UPDATE: The Richard Petty-Danica Patrick-Tony Stewart saga just won't stop. Goaded by "Fox & Friends" hosts on Friday morning, Petty accepted Stewart's offer to set up a head-to-head race between Patrick and the NASCAR Hall of Famer. "I'm 76 years old, OK?" Petty said, grinning, during a live spot from Daytona International Speedway. "It's been 25 years since I've been in a race car. But I'll take that challenge." When pressed, he reaffirmed, "Oh, yeah. When is this going to happen?" When asked by Fox hosts about his critique of Patrick's career, he stated, "I judge by results."(ESPN)(2-22-2014)

 

 

Get Well Sam Bass:

Fox's Mike Joy mentions during coverage of the Budweiser Duels on Thursday night that NASCAR Artist Sam Bass is in the hospital, per Sam's Facebook: "We greatly appreciate all of your thoughts, prayers and wishes to Sam for a speedy recovery. He has been hospitalized since February 10, undergoing treatment for a severe blood infection, complicated by his diabetes. Sam sends you his sincerest thanks and wants all to know he would rather be in Daytona, but will be back at the drawing table very soon!"(2-22-2014)

 

 

Daytona 500 results:

 

http://www.jayski.com/stats/2014/pdfs/01dis2014results.pdf

 

 

 

From Track Forum:

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

 

Question about Danica and racing NASCAR

 

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?183596-Question-about-Danica-and-racing-NASCAR

 

 

 

13 years after Earnhardt’s death, head restraints not universally required

 

In part: 

“David Richardson’s HANS (head and neck support) device lay in the back of his truck, unused, like an exercise machine bought with good intentions, only to become part of a garage’s dusty clutter. The HANS, which is a head restraint, was discarded amid the sundry tools in his truck after he tried to wear it and found it too cumbersome. After a while, the HANS probably became a nuisance for Richardson — a nag, a technology that did not fit with his style.

 

Perhaps he was thinking that one of these days, he would try again to use it in his race car and get comfortable wearing it.

 

Or not.

 

On May 25, 2013, another race car barreled into Richardson’s dwarf car at the Reno Fernley Raceway in western Nevada, and his neck was fractured in two places. He was 63 years old when he died. When they took him away from the dirt track, his wife Kari Richardson said the HANS was where he always left it, which was in the back of that truck, still in its case.”

 

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/2/22/13-years-after-earnhardtsdeathheadrestraintsnotuniversallyrequir.html

 

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?183661-HANS-and-Your-Local-Track

 

 

Note:  Yes, it would be an additional expense, if tracks mandated their use, but one can see what could and/or might happen, by reading the above.  Some interesting things said on the Track Forum on this subject.  Worth reading.

 

 

 

Schmidt Peterson to announce Indy 500 entry for a "major championship-winning driver"

 

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?183705-SPM-to-announce-Indy-500-only-entry-on-Wednesday

 

 

Note # 1:  Quite a few names being thrown around on this thread!

 

Note # 2:  Looks like this name is the one:

 

Jacques Villaneuve back where he belongs!

 

http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/index.php?/topic/50134-jacques-villaneuve-back-where-he-belongs/

 

 

 

Initial Perception of Formula E (Electrically powered race cars):

 

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?182224-Initial-Perception-of-Formula-E

 

Note:  I’m not sure on this one.  Racing over the years has always had noise to an extent.  About the quietest race cars were the Turbines at Indy.  I think the lack of noise might be a turn off for today’s race fans.  And it’s said that during the race they would have to change cars due to the batteries running low?  Should prove to be interesting I suppose.

 

 

 

From the AARN:

http://www.aarn.com/

 

This Week

In AARN

 

Haers, Friesen, Sheppard

Open DIRTcar Mod Season

With Volusia Triumphs

 

Doug Coby Is Top

‘Battler At The Beach’;

Takes Daytona Mod Race

 

New Egypt Speedway

Postpones March 1

Opening Day Plans

 

Smooth As Silk: 

Ronnie Wins Three Of Six;

Named New Smyrna

Asphalt Mod Champion

 

Lincoln Loses Feb. 22 Opener;

Set For March 1 Bow

 

Pettyjohn, Roberts, Bronson

Among Volusia Dirt Late Model

First Time, Surprise Victors

 

Ten Grand 360 Sprint Nationals

Checkered Flag At East Bay

Falls To Wayne Johnson

 

Reading Mall Show Opens;

Phillpsburg Mall Show On Deck

 

Earnhardt, Jr. Is Popular 

Daytona 500

Weather-Delayed Winner

 

Knoxville Raceway

Reveals Expnsion,

Improvement Plans

 

Note # 1: 

A little something of interest – The Accord Speedway has dropped the RoC sanction for its “King of the Catskills” race on September 19th.  Gary Palmer has done this and says he’ll be able to reduce the car entry fee, and will be able to increase the purse with the monies saved.  A full increased purse will be announced as the event nears.

 

Note # 2: 

I really do wonder – are these “sanctioning fees” really worth it?  Face it; if the event is big enough, I imagine the top names would show up, anyway?  And really, must they be in the millions of dollars, too?

 

Note # 3: 

Dave Moody had a rather interesting small article about how NASCAR Botched up the "Tandem Drafting" new rule.  Seems some, like James Buescher were black flagged when he hooked (bumpers) up with Brad Keslowski.  TV showed them bumping bumpers, but never "locked" together.  NASCAR did say that if you bump off the car in front of you - there is no call. In the final laps, Keselowski, Kyle Busch, and others "Locked" bumpers for most of the final two laps.  No black flags there, however.

 

Hard to believe but this year marks the 20th year for the Kyle Petty "Ride Across America".

 

The 2014 racing season at the Grandview Speedway, will be its 52nd year of racing there.

 

As expected, there was a ton of race coverage for all the racing that went on down in Florida last week.

 

 

 

I get emails – racing related:

 

 

INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN ARDC OFFICIAL?

by admin

Anyone that would be interested in becoming an ARDC official please come to our general membership meeting on Sunday, March 9 or to contact Shawn Burke at 570-350-0385.

 

 

 

Press releases:

 

Found on the Dirt Track Digest Forum on Monday, 2/24/14, from Brett Deyo:

 

All 50 laps for the Modified portion of the 'Hard Clay Open' presented by United Pump & Tank, East Coast Speed/ECS Auto & West Point Golf have been sold, several twice, for the March 23 NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP opener at Orange County Fair Speedway. The total has climbed to $2,371. The lap money will cycle through the top-seven running order during the main event.

 

For those still looking to reserve a lap, we will double up.  Contact Deyo99H@aol.com to reserve one.

 

A number of bonuses have been posted for the special, which pays a minimum of $5,000 to win, $1,000 for 10th and $500 to take the green flag. Big- and small-block Modifieds are eligible to compete in the event, which kicks off the run for the $25,000-plus NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP point fund.

 

The 602 Sportsman event, opener for the Dig Safely New York GRIT Series, also has seen lap money raised for each of the event's 25 circuits, plus a list of special awards.

 

Entry forms and other info can be found at www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com. There is no additional, pre-race entry for the Sportsman division.

 

 

 

News from the Orange County Fair Speedway ‘Hard Clay Open’

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

For Immediate Release/February 26, 2014

 

Bang For Your Buck: Orange County Fair Speedway’s ‘Hard Clay Open’ Presented By United Pump & Tank, East Coast Speed/ECS Auto & West Point Golf Is March’s Most Lucrative Modified Event; Bonuses Posted Above  Mammoth $30,000 Base Purse; Every Lap Has Been Sold, Some Twice, For $2,371 Total At Sunday, March 23 Event!

 

MIDDLETOWN, NY – The richest dirt Modified event in the month of March continues to get more lucrative.

The inaugural ‘Hard Clay Open’ presented by United Pump & Tank, East Coast Speed/ECS Auto and West Point Golf – paying a base purse of $30,000 – heads the list of spring events for dirt Modified competitors on Sunday, March 23. The 50-lap National Dirt Racing League (NDRL) Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP big-block/small-block Modified event at Orange County Fair Speedway offers $5,000 to the race winner, but the strength of the payout is the balance throughout the 28-car starting field. Second place offers $4,000; fifth-place $1,500; 10th place $1,000; and $500 just to take the green flag!

The event, promoted by Brett Deyo of BD Motorsports Media LLC via an agreement with speedway promoters Michael Gurda IV and Howard Commander, holds added significance. The ‘Hard Clay Open’ serves as the opening round of the newly formed NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP, a six-race dirt Modified touring series offering a base point fund of $23,272.22, plus an additional $2,500 in attendance bonuses and a potential $2,500 increase via NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP ‘Super Fan Plan’ raffle ticket sales.

“Position-for-position, lap-for-lap the ‘Hard Clay Open’ is not only the richest pre-season springtime race, it’s one of the best-paying events for dirt Modified racers all year,” said event promoter Deyo, also the NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP coordinator. “A one-day show, paying a base purse of $30,000, plus all the product and cash bonuses, it’s going to be a great day for our racers.”

Lap sponsorships for the ‘Hard Clay Open’ have been on sale all winter. Each of the race’s 50 laps has now been sold – many twice – for a total of $2,371. That number could increase as laps are now being “doubled and tripled up” with lap money. The cash collected via lap sponsorships will be distributed through the top-seven running order during the 50-lap main.

Teo-Pro Car of Vernon, N.J., will reward the leader at the halfway mark – lap 25 – with a $500 product certificate in addition to the lucrative $400 Halfway Leader cash bonus posted by Rock Fantasy Smoke and Concert Shop and Pinball Room of Middletown, N.Y., and its owner Stephen Keeler.

The first Orange County Fair Speedway driver across the line in the ‘Hard Clay Open’ Modified event will receive a $250 cash prize from Simplicity Design proprietor Ryan Sacco. Should the first Orange County driver win the event, the incentive will increase to $500 cash.

Three ‘Judy Tuit Memorial’ Awards had been posted by Ray and Debbie Tuit and Mike Sparta Trucking Offering cash bonuses of $200, $150 and $150 to the third-, sixth- and seventh-place finishers, respectively, in the Modified event. According to the Tuits, those numbers could grow prior to race day.

Other cash incentives include a $210 Hard Charger Award posted by McGannon Excavating, a $50 17th-place bonus from Elmo’s Auto Body, and $200 spread amongst the final 10 finishers from Rochinski Contracting Services.

A long list of product/certificate awards will be distributed during the event, as well, from Schaeffer Racing Oil, American Racer/Lias Tire, Shiley Fabrication, DRACO Springs, Vahlco Wheels, Allstar Performance, ATL Fuel Cells, Finish Line Web Design, BFP Specialty, Bob Hilbert Sportswear and PM3 Digital Imaging.

A complete list of special awards for the NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP can be found at www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com.

Joining the NDRL big-block/small-block Modifieds are the 602 Sportsman of the Dig Safely New York GRIT Series in a 25-lap event paying $1,000 to the winner and $100 to start. The GRIT staff has secured lap money and contingency awards for the special event.

Due to high off-season demand, advance tickets – for the first time in BD Motorsports Media history – are offered. Tickets can be purchased in-person at the Orange County Fair Speedway office – located at 239 Wisner Avenue Middletown, NY 10940 – Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Phone sales, utilizing a credit card, can be completed during the same business hours by calling 845.343.2573. Checks, made payable to Orange County Fair Speedway, can be mailed to the speedway office address above.

Admission for the ‘Hard Clay Open’ is $20 for Adults, $18 for Seniors and $2 for Kids 12 and under. Pit admission is $35, with no license required.

Big- and small-block combinations are legal for this unique event with staggered minimum weights. American Racer and Hoosier tires are both legal, as well. Accepted tire compounds have been outlined in the race rules/information. 

For the first time ever at Orange County, sail panels are permitted for the ‘Hard Clay Open’ Modified event. Sail panels must be no taller than 65 inches when measured from the ground and must mirror each other in size and shape side-for-side. A four-inch roof spoiler is permitted, as well. All other Orange County/DIRTcar body rules will be in effect. Complete race rules, weights and tire compounds can be found online at www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com or www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net.

For qualifying, drivers will draw for their starting positions upon entry to the speedway. Heat-race finishes utilizing staggered passing points will be calculated to set the redraw participants and qualified cars from 10-lap heat races.  Consolations, 10 laps each, will set the remainder of the 28-car starting field via their order of finish. The heat-race finish/passing point combination will set the starting lineups for the consolations.

The passing points system, new to Modified racing but widely used in other forms of racing including Sprint Cars and the famed ‘Chili Bowl’ in Tulsa, Okla., aims to satisfy the desires of both racers and fans by easing the consequences of a poor draw for competitors and providing heat-race excitement for fans.

The ‘Hard Clay Open’ will be contested on a date that is conflict-free on the dirt Modified landscape. The Sunday afternoon lid-lifter should attract a cross-section of cars from the north, south, east and west. On Saturday of the weekend (March 22), New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway hosts an event, setting up a potential two-day swing south for traveling teams from Central New York and further north.

Fans can be assured pit-area parking will be laid out carefully to keep larger haulers toward the center, with only smaller trucks and trailers in the corners to ensure maximum visibility. The show will be fast-paced to allow fans and racers ample travel time on a Sunday night. 

The GRIT Series 602 Sportsman will draw for starting positions with a redraw of top qualifiers for the main event. Heats and consolations will be eight laps.  GRIT Series rules will be in effect on this event. Visit www.gritracingseries.com for further information.

For the 2014 ‘Hard Clay Open’ event, pit gates open at 8 a.m. Grandstand gates open at 10 a.m. A drivers’ meeting will take place at 1 p.m., with hot laps at 1:20 p.m. and racing at 2 p.m.  Fans can expect a pre-race autograph session/meet and greet in both the grandstand and drive-in areas.

The ‘Hard Clay Open’ will mark the second earliest Orange County opener since the speedway began hosting stock cars regularly in 1948, eclipsed only by March 18, 1984 when Larry Brolsma drove to victory. 

For further ‘Hard Clay Open’ information, contact Brett Deyo of BD Motorsports Media at Deyo99H@aol.com or by phone at 845.728.2781. BD Motorsports Media is on the web at www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com. “Like” BD Motorsports Media on Facebook or “follow” @BrettDeyo on Twitter.

Located at 239 Wisner Avenue Middletown, NY 10940 on the Orange County Fairgrounds, Orange County Fair Speedway is the oldest continuously operating dirt track in the United States. The first auto race was held at the speedway in 1919. The five-eighths-mile oval offers fully-covered and half-covered grandstands in addition to open bleacher seating on the frontstretch and turn one areas, with drive-in viewing on the backstretch. To learn more, contact the Orange County Fair Speedway office at 845.342.2573 or visit www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net.

In the event of inclement weather, the rain date is tentatively slated for Friday, March 28.

The regular season at Orange County is slated to get underway with an open practice on March 29 and the official Season Opener on April 5.

The ‘Hard Clay Open’ is presented by United Pump & Tank, East Coast Speed/ECS Auto, West Point Golf, Rock Fantasy Concert, Smoke Shop & Pinball Room, Simplicity Design, 673 Racing, Mike Sparta Trucking, Elmo’s Auto Body, Zubi’s Racing, McGannon Excavating, Teo-Pro Car, Rochinski Contracting Services, Bob Hilbert Sportswear & many other fine marketing and lap sponsors.

The National Dirt Racing League (NDRL) Short Track Super Series is presented by VP Racing Fuels, Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc., East Coast Speed/ECS Auto, Rochinski Contracting Services, Allstar Performance, American Racer/Lias Tire, Art’s Radiator, ATL Fuel Cells, BFP Specialty, Bicknell Racing Products, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, COMP Performance Group, DRACO Springs, Driven Racing Oil, ERK Steering, Finish Line Web Design, H.B. Steele & Son, Henry’s Stainless Steel Exhaust, Hig Fab Chassis, Jack’s Used Race Car Parts, Kirkey Racing Products, PM3 Digital Imaging, Quarter Master, Schaeffer Racing Oil, Shiley Fabrication, Teo-Pro Car, Troyer Race Cars & Vahlco Wheels.

-----

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

 

Note # 1:  As you are probably aware, I won’t be back up north in time to see this race.  One thing that might prove interesting is the “passing points” that will be awarded.  I’ve been to quite a few races at OCFS over the years, and lately, due to the “rules” it seems to me that once the modifieds get out of turn two after the green flag, there really isn’t much passing.  I sure hope that doesn’t hold true for this event!  Maybe those “sail panels” might help – although per the rules for them, both side have to be the same height.  I kinda think the left side sail panel should be a little higher than the right side – like the wings on sprint cars.

 

Note # 2:  The GRIT Series for the Sportsman – will that be their only time at OCFS, or might they be back for ESW?  Anyone know?  No, it doesn’t usually do me any good asking OCFS – Heck, I can’t even post on their Facebook page.

 

 

 

Going back, in time to February 27th in:

 

1910

Ted Horn... Born ... AAA driver from the 1930's and 40's. Ted Horn has the best 9-year streak of finishes in Indianapolis 500 history. Over his Indianapolis 500 career, Ted Horn completed 1944 out of a possible 2000 laps (97%).

 

1939

Peter Revson... Born ... Formula One and the Indy car driver. The nephew of Revlon Cosmetics industry magnate Charles Revson, he was an heir to his father Martin's fortune (reportedly worth over $1 billion). During a practice run for the 1974 South African Grand Prix in Johannesburg, he was killed as a result of suspension failure on his Shadow Ford DN3.

 

1945

Steve Chassey... Born ... USAC/Cart sprint and Indy car driver.

 

1949

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida .... A NASCAR sanctioned racing program at the 2 mile paved Broward Speedway featured Roadsters, Sports Cars and the first NASCAR race for a class of passenger cars known as Strictly Stocks, a class that would evolve into the Grand National division. Ft. Lauderdale's Benny Georgeson won the 5 lap Strictly Stock race in a Buick. The featured 100 mile Roadster race was won by Atlanta's Bob Flock with future Indy Car star Jim Rathmann 2nd. Tom Demetry won the 25 mile Sports Car race.

 

1954

Bobby Ball... Died ... AAA driver from the early 1950's. On January 4, 1953, he was involved in midget car accident at Carrell Speedway, Gardena Calif., which left him with terrible head injuries. He remained in a coma and died 14 months later.

 

1960

Bobby Marshman won the 35-lap TQ Midget race at the Teaneck Armory, Teaneck, NJ.

Race report:  http://www.wheelsofspeed.com/report/2_27_60-1.html

 

Note:  Yes, I was in attendance that night.  My future wife and I took my "baby" sister with us.  When Lacy had his accident, he headed right for us, backwards, hit the 12x12 "guard rail" and flipped over.  His cars frame was quickly straightened out by putting one of the front wheels on the 12x12 and a couple of crew members jumping on the other side.  It worked pretty good, as far as getting it straightened out!

 

1966

Richard Petty overcame a day filled with tire problems to win the Daytona 500. Chunks from disintegrating tires shattered the windshields of top contenders Curtis Turner, Dick Hutcherson and Marvin Panch, knocking them out. Petty's Plymouth was in front when a heavy rain forced the race to be flagged two laps early. Petty became the first repeat winner of the 500.

 

 

Some more February & March dates:

 

FEBRUARY 26

 

1956

Tim Flock drove one of the Kiekhaefer Chrysler entries to the win in the NASCAR Grand National race on the Daytona beach & road course. Flock was 57 seconds ahead of Billy Myers' Mercury when the race was halted two laps early because of high tide. It was Flock's second straight win at Daytona.

 

1967

Mario Andretti won the Daytona 500 in a Holman-Moody Ford. Andretti took the lead to stay on lap 168 and held a 22 second lead over teammate Fred Lorenzen when a caution came out with two laps to go, ending the race under caution. James Hylton finished third in a Dodge.

 

2001

Duke Nalon ... Died ... AAA midget, sprint and Indy car racer

 

FEBRUARY 25

 

1961

Davey Allison ... Born ... A NASCAR race car driver, best known as the driver of the Robert Yates Racing #28 Texaco-Havoline Ford. Born in Hollywood, Florida, he was the eldest of four children born to NASCAR driver Bobby Allison and wife Judy. The family moved to Hueytown, Alabama and along with Bobby's brother Donnie Allison, family friend Red Farmer, and Neil Bonnett, became known in racing circles as the Alabama Gang. Davey Allison died as a result of a helicopter crash at Talladega Superspeedway on July 13, 1993. Racing legend Red Farmer was a passenger in the helicopter and survived the crash.

 

2001

Alfred "Pee Wee" Southcott ... Died ... He was one of Western New York's racing pioneers. From his early days racing a jalopy in some of the dirt rings of the area in the 30's, to his career in Midgets and Sprint Cars, he was always considered as a threat to win, no matter where he competed.

 

FEBRUARY 28

 

1940

Mario Andretti... Born ... One of the most successful Americans in the history of auto racing. He has competed and won in many different types of auto racing, including stock cars, midget cars, sprint cars, IndyCars, drag racing cars, sports cars, and single-seater Formula One cars. During his career, Andretti won four IndyCar titles, the 1978 Formula One World Championship, and IROC VI (the 1978 - 1979 IROC). To date, he remains the only driver ever to win the Indianapolis 500 (1969), NASCAR's Daytona 500 (1967), and the Formula One World Championship. Andretti had a long career in racing. He was the only person to be named United States Driver of the Year in three decades (1967, 1978, and 1984). He was also one of only three drivers to win races on road courses, paved ovals, and dirt tracks in one season, a feat that he accomplished four times. At his final IndyCar win in April 1993, Andretti became the first driver to win IndyCar races in four decades and the first to win races in five decades.

Singer Joe SDouth was born.

 

1960

Richard Petty, 22, wins his first of what would be 200 Grand National/Cup races, when he guides his 1959 Plymouth to victory in a 200-lap race at Southern States Fairgrounds in Charlotte, N.C. Petty's average speed on the half-mile dirt track is 53.404 mph. Petty wins by six car lengths over Rex White before a crowd of 7,849. The victory comes in his 35th race.

 

1964:  This was the day that this writer got out of the US Army!

 

1966

Joe Gaerte... Born ... World of Outlaws sprint car driver.

 

FEBRUARY 29

 

1932

Masten Gregory... Born ... Masten Gregory was born in Kansas City, Missouri and raced in Formula One between 1957 and 1965, participating in 43 World Championship races, and numerous non-Championship races.

 

1976

Richard Petty wins the only Cup race run on February 29 (leap day), winning the Carolina 500 at Rockingham by two laps over Darrell Waltrip. Finishing 33rd in his first Cup race is a 20-year-old rookie named Bill Elliott. Elliott, who is not quite Awesome Bill from Dawsonville, completes 32 of 492 laps before engine problems end his day. Finishing 23rd that day: Richard Childress.

 

MARCH 1

 

1903

Harlan Fengler ... Born ... AAA driver from 1923 to 1927. Fengler acted as Chief Steward of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from 1958 until 1974.

 

2008

 

Buzzie Reutimann won the Modified Stock Car race at the East Bay Raceway , Gibsonton, FL.

Brett Hearn won the Big Block Modified Stock Car race at the Hagerstown Speedway , Hagerstown, MD. Ryan Godown finished second followed by Rick Laubach, Joey Grammes, Jeremiah Shingledecker and Billy Pauch.

Jeff Van Dusen won the Sprint Car race at the Charlotte County Motorsports Park , Punta Gorda, FL.

 

MARCH 2

 

1913

Duke Nalon ... Born ... AAA midget, sprint and Indy car racer .

 

2004

Louie Unser... Died ... He was the twin brother of Jerry Unser, who in 1958 became the first of the famed racing family to qualify for the Indy 500. Louie served as chief mechanic for Jerry in that race and handled the same duties for younger brother Al Unser's 500 debut in 1965.

 

 

 

Found on Facebook - racing related:

 

Sunday, 2/23:

 

I see Frankie Schneider is in the hospital with kidney failure. On dialysis

 

Frankie Schneider Update

 

(February 23, 2014) – Frankie is very chatty, he's in room 230 at St. Luke's Anderson. First exit off 33 north Bethlehem. No dietary restrictions. Pray for kidney function!

 

Status from one of Frankie's daughters.

 

 

 

Can fox have anymore commercials ? Really everybody waited all night for this shit!!! Unbelievable. Every 5 min commercial

 

Jimmy Johnson's been getting text messages congratulating him on winning the Daytona 500 because they showed last years on tv during the delay! How dumb are people!?

 

 

Sarah Strickland – daughter of George Rice.  She broke both ankles last week.

Hi everyone, this is David.. I spoke to Sarah yesterday & she said ty for all your thoughts & prayers.. She's in no pain & her breathing is much better since they finally found a mask that works as good as the one she has at home.. She will be getting a lap-top in the next few days, so she'll be on & off Facebook whenever possible.. I will continue working her Farmtown for as long as she's in the Rehab Center.. & longer if she needs me to.. I too also want to thank all of you for your prayers for Sarah.. She's a strong women & I'm sure she'll be up & around in no time.. ty, David Nelipowitz...

 

 

 

On 2/26/14:

 

OK to all my racing friends and those who own racing product companies; Deb Glockner Marvuglio who coordinates the Shane Hammond Believe Foundation is looking for donations for the foundation. Please contact Deb for specifics. The Foundation provides assistance to drivers who can not afford to purchase safety equipment. Very worthy foundation and its a worthy cause.

 

Shane Hammond Believe Foundation   www.shanehammond.org

 

 

 

Found on the Internet – racing related:

 

Richard Petty takes challenge to race Danica Patrick

 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2014/02/21/richard-petty-says-hell-race-dancia-patrick/5702169/

 

Note:  Think this will ever happen?

 

 

 

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Causes Big Crash After Daytona NASCAR Nationwide Series Race Ends

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/dale-earnhardt-jr-causes-big-crash-daytona-nascar-220400492--nascar.html

 

 

 

Some non-racing stuff:

 

Ok, since I’ve been down here in Florida, since early November, a majority of our health issuers have been taken care of.  Our daughter, Sandy, with whom we’ve been staying with, is employed with the Lee County Health System, working in a hospital.  She has gotten to know a lot of the doctors down here, and with her help, both the wife and I have seen some very good ones.  I will admit, we have recie3ved some VIP treatment, if you know what I mean.  My losing of 30 pounds of excess weight, with Sandy acting as our “Warden”, and having a built in “NO!” whenever I mention having something that isn’t really good for us, is a major factor in the weight loss, along with the excess water I’ve been carrying around.  And, yes, I’ve become quite “health” conscious, too.  While shopping the other day, and looking for things for a planned family get together and BBQ prior to us heading back north, I thought I’d pick up some Heinz catsup.  Nope!  Second ingredient is High Fructose Corn Syrup – one of the worst things that one can consume.  Hell, it’s in damn near everything!  Same went for any BBQ sauce – High Fructose Corn Syrup in all of ‘em.  Yes, even white bread, his it, believe it or not.  Yes, a good part of my shopping time is checking labels for that and also the sodium content.  Items that do not have the High Fructose Corn Syrup in them do specify that on their labels.  Well worth checking out, folks!

 

 

 

Found on the Internet – not racing related:

 

Smaller Army: Hagel proposes cuts in 2015 budget

 

http://news.yahoo.com/smaller-army-hagel-proposes-cuts-2015-budget-183621471--politics.html?vp=1

 

Note:  BIG mistake!  Need I say more?

 

 

 

Why Half of Wal-Mart's Groceries Are Banned by Whole Foods

 

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/02/21/why-half-of-wal-marts-groceries-are-banned-by-whol.aspx

 

 

 

 

 

 

Found on Facebook – not racing related:

 

Found on 2/24:

Anyone else see a problem with a system that if you work you have to pay taxes to the government, yet if you don’t work, the government pays you?

 

 

This is close to where I live.  I have seen what a village like this can do – especially like in the town of Monroe, New York, in Orange County.  It seems like they can get away with everything the do due to them having a huge voting block.

 

Hasidic Development Plans Spark Bitter Feud in Upstate N.Y. Town

 

http://m.forward.com/articles/193129/hasidic-development-plans-spark-bitter-feud-in-ups/?p=1

 

 

 

 

 

 

I get emails – not racing related:

 

CALL THEM THE LUCKY, LUCKY CREW....

 

This story is confirmed in Elmer Bendiner's book, The Fall of

Fortresses

 

Elmer Bendiner was a navigator in a B-17 during WW II. He tells this

story of a World War II bombing run over Kassel, Germany , and the

unexpected result of a direct hit on their gas tanks. "Our B-17, the

Tondelayo, was barraged by flak from Nazi antiaircraft guns. That was

not unusual, but on this particular occasion our gas tanks were hit.

Later, as I reflected on the miracle of a 20 millimeter shell piercing

the fuel tank without touching off an explosion, our pilot, Bohn Fawkes,

told me it was not quite that simple. "On the morning following the

raid, Bohn had gone down to ask our crew chief for that shell as a

souvenir of unbelievable luck. The crew chief told Bohn that not just

one shell but 11 had been found in the gas tanks. 11 unexploded shells

where only one was sufficient to blast us out of the sky. It was as if

the sea had been parted for us. A near-miracle, I thought. Even after 35

years, so awesome an event leaves me shaken, especially after I heard

the rest of the story from Bohn. "He was told that the shells had been

sent to the armorers to be defused. The armorers told him that

Intelligence had picked them up. They could not say why at the time, but

Bohn eventually sought out the answer. "Apparently when the armorers

opened each of those shells, they found no explosive charge. They were

as clean as a whistle and just as harmless. Empty? Not all of them! One

contained a carefully rolled piece of paper. On it was a scrawl in

Czech. The Intelligence people scoured our base for a man who could read

Czech. Eventually they found one to decipher the note. It set us

marveling. Translated, the note read:

 

*"This is all we can do for you now..."*

 

"Using Jewish slave labor is never a good idea."

 

 

 

And this one, too.  Sorry for it’s length, but I just had to put it in this column!

 

Kilroy was here: - a bit of history:

 

He is engraved in stone in the National War Memorial in Washington, DC - back in a small alcove where very few people have seen it.  For the WWII generation, this will bring back memories.  For you younger folks, it's a bit of trivia that is a part of our American history.  Anyone born in 1913 to about 1950, is familiar with Kilroy.  No one knew why he was so well known - but everybody seemed to get into it.

So who was Kilroy?

 

In 1946 the American Transit Association, through its radio program, "Speak to America" sponsored a nationwide contest to find the real Kilroy, offering a prize of a real trolley car to the person who could prove himself to be the genuine article.  Almost 40 men stepped forward to make that claim, but only James Kilroy from Halifax , Massachusetts, had evidence of his identity.

 

'Kilroy' was a 46-year old shipyard worker during the war who worked as a checker at the Fore River Shipyard in Quincy .  His job was to go around and check on the number of rivets completed.  Riveters were on piecework and got paid by the rivet.  He would count a block of rivets and put a check mark in semi-waxed lumber chalk, so the rivets wouldn't be counted twice.  When Kilroy went off duty, the riveters would erase the mark.

Later on, an off-shift inspector would come through and count the rivets a second time, resulting in double pay for the riveters.

 

One day Kilroy's boss called him into his office.  The foreman was upset about all the wages being paid to riveters, and asked him to investigate.  It was then he realized what had been going on.  The tight spaces he had to crawl in to check the rivets didn't lend themselves to lugging around a paint can and brush, so Kilroy decided to stick with the waxy chalk.  He continued to put his check mark on each job he inspected, but added 'KILROY WAS HERE' in king-sized letters next to the check, and eventually added the sketch of the chap with the long nose peering over the fence and that became part of the Kilroy message.

 

Once he did that, the riveters stopped trying to wipe away his marks.  Ordinarily the rivets and chalk marks would have been covered up with paint.  With the war on, however, ships were leaving the Quincy Yard so fast that there wasn't time to paint them.  As a result, Kilroy's inspection "trademark" was seen by thousands of servicemen who boarded the troopships the yard produced.

 

His message apparently rang a bell with the servicemen, because they picked it up and spread it all over Europe and the South Pacific.

 

Before war's end, "Kilroy" had been here, there, and everywhere on the long hauls to Berlin and Tokyo.  To the troops outbound in those ships, however, he was a complete mystery; all they knew for sure was that someone named Kilroy had "been there first." As a joke, U.S. servicemen began placing the graffiti wherever they landed, claiming it was already there when they arrived.

 

 

Kilroy became the U.S. super-GI who had always "already been" wherever GIs went.  It became a challenge to place the logo in the most unlikely places imaginable (it is said to be atop Mt. Everest , the Statue of Liberty, the underside of the Arc de Triomphe, and even scrawled in the dust on the moon.)

 

As the war went on, the legend grew.  Underwater demolition teams routinely sneaked ashore on Japanese held islands in the Pacific to map the terrain for coming invasions by U.S. troops (and thus, presumably, were the first GI's there).  On one occasion, however, they reported seeing enemy troops painting over the Kilroy logo!

 

In 1945, an outhouse was built for the exclusive use of Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill at the Potsdam conference.  It`s first occupant was Stalin, who emerged and asked his aide (in Russian), "Who is Kilroy?"

 

To help prove his authenticity in 1946, James Kilroy brought along officials from the shipyard and some of the riveters.  He won the trolley car, which he gave to his nine children as a Christmas gift and set it up as a playhouse in the Kilroy yard in Halifax , Massachusetts .

 

And The Tradition Continues...

 

EVEN Outside Osama Bin Laden's House!!!

 

 

 

 

 

This weeks photo:

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

 

Here’s a photo of the great Ted Tappett (Phil Walters) after he won a race in the Kingsbridge Armory, in the Bronx, N.Y.  Back in the day, the Armory ran twice a week, during the winter season, and I could only find one meet cancelled due to weather.  It’s a shame that there’s no such a facility today that can offer weekly indoor racing.  Notice the crowd?

 

 

 

 

 

Racing videos:

 

How about some crashes?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAKL7ao1cuA

 

 

 

 

 

Music videos:

 

Remember Jay Black?

 

From “Back in the day”:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sFy5_kmEi4&feature=related

 

And, more recently:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oFW6rmtUXY

 

 

 

 

Joke of the week:

 

Shortly after a British Airways flight had reached its cruising altitude, the captain announced: 

 

"Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your captain.  Welcome to Flight 293, non-stop from London Heathrow to New York. The weather ahead  is good, so we should have a smooth uneventful flight. So, sit back,  relax, and . .. .OH MY GOD!"*

 

Silence followed.

 

Some moments later, the captain came back on the intercom. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm sorry if I scared you. While I was talking to you, a flight attendant accidentally spilled coffee in my lap. You should see the front of my pants!"

 

From the back of the plane, an Irish passenger yelled . . . "For the luva  Jesus . . . you should see the back of mine!"

 

 

 

 

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.  She is an evil woman!

 

 

Until the next column – NEXT WEEK!!!

 

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