Mostly Racin' Stuff

                                      By Tom Avenengo

                                         Volume # 175

                                                   03/27/2014

 

Special note:

 

There will be no column next week, since we’ll be returning back to the “frigid country”.

 

Some personal/family stuff:

 

Ok, where to start?  The wife now has “four eyes” and she was able to read some fine print.  She’s quite happy now!

Around 1:00 in the afternoon, this past Sunday, we got a phone call from our son, Eric.  He, and our former son-in-law, Lou, were “opening” our house back up in advance of our returning home.  There was a slight problem.  It seems a fitting on a pipe that went upstairs came apart.  It was discovered pretty quickly once they had turned the water on.  The fitting was put back onto the pipe, then it was discovered that the fitting was cracked.  Thank God that the water had been shut off!  If we had left the heat on, there would not have been the need to shut the water off, so who knows?

 

We’ll be leaving Cape Coral next Tuesday, and will head to my sisters in Melbourne.  Will stay overnight there, then head north on Wednesday AM, with a planned arrival back in Port Jervis sometime in the afternoon on Thursday.

 

More for your health hints:

 

While down here in Florida, I've been using Crystal Light liquid iced tea that one adds to water.  That was until my grandson, John came over the other night and told me that it contained Aspartame, an artificial sweetener, which hasn't had too many good reviews.  Well it does not contain Aspartame, but does contain Acesulfame Potassium, which is darn near the same thing.  I stopped using it.

 

 

Acesulfame Potassium (K) was approved for use by the FDA as a safe artificial sweetener in July, l988. It is a derivative of acetoacetic acid. Unfortunately, several potential problems associated with the use of acesulfame have been raised. They are based largely on animal studies since testing on humans remains limited. The findings showed the following:

 

Acesulfame K stimulates insulin secretion in a dose dependent fashion thereby possibly aggravating reactive hypoglycemia ("low blood sugar attacks").

 

Acesulfame K apparently produced lung tumors, breast tumors, rare types of tumors of other organs (such as the thymus gland), several forms of leukemia and chronic respiratory disease in several rodent studies, even when less than maximum doses were given. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, it was petitioned on August 29, l988 for a stay of approval by the FDA because of "significant doubt" about its safety.

 

 

 

 

Some things I’ve noticed here in the Cape Coral area:

 

As mentioned previously, the foliage is so different down here.  What looks like a huge tree that goes from the ground up, is actually many smaller trees.  And, some of the “bushes” are also quite huge.  Check out my photo section for a photo of what is not one tree, but many.

Something I neglected to mention previously, is that there is an abundance of self storage places down here where we’ve been since last November.  The reason is that a high percentage of the homes down here do not have basements.  And, as I’ve driven past some homes – homes that might have their garage doors open, heh, heh, their garages have more stuff in them than I have in mine, back home.

 

Down here I notice that there are more people coming out of the stores pushing a shopping cart that has only one or two small bags in it, the I’ve seen back home.  Not only older folks, either.

 

 

Racin’ stuff:

 

While having my cup of coffee on Sunday AM, I looked through the March 11th issue of the AARN.  I found an ad for racing fuel.  I’ll not mention the name of who had the ad, suffice to say it had a Pennsylvania phone number. Methanol was selling for $3.40/gal and $3.30/gal if over 30 gallons.  Now the fin – Sunoco Supreme Blue - $8.85/gal or $8.75 if over 30 gallons.  Sunoco HCR - $10.95/gal.  Sunoco Maximal:  $10.85/gal.  Sunoco 260 GTX Unleaded - $8.45/gal.

Anyone have any idea why this gas cost so much?  How many race teams are forced to buy Sunoco gas?  Just who is getting rich at the race teams expense, anyway?

 

 

Fonda cancels for April 5

 

Per the track's Facebook page.

 

 

 

IndyCar Ups The Ante For 500-Mile Races

 

http://www.nationalspeedsportnews.com/indy/izod-indycar/indycar-ups-the-ante-for-500-mile-races/

 

 

EXCLUSIVE: NASCAR plotting horsepower reduction for 2015

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/exclusive-nascar-moving-toward-horsepower-reduction-in-15-032214?cmpid=tsmfb:fscom:nascaronfox

 

 

Stunt driver who portrayed Niki Lauda in ‘Rush’ killed in car accident

 

http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com/2014/02/16/stunt-driver-who-portrayed-niki-lauda-in-f1-epic-rush-killed-in-car-wreck-films-second-driver-to-die-in-four-months/

 

 

Fans who parked in free lot at Las Vegas had to wait to leave until after paid lot emptied

 

In part:  "Fans who parked for free in a Las Vegas Motor Speedway parking lot during Sunday's Sprint Cup race were forced to wait to leave until after fans in a paid parking lot left.

 

A man who wrote a letter to the speedway and local public officials was irate at what happened. He says that speedway parking attendants as well as Las Vegas Police and Nevada Highway Patrol officers prevented fans, including himself, from leaving until those who paid $59 to park had left.”

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/fans-who-parked-in-free-lot-at-las-vegas-had-to-wait-to-leave-until-after-paid-lot-emptied-165642646.html

 

 

NASCAR qualifying is nothing compared to Mint 400 off-road race; just ask Robby Gordon

 

http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/14/nascar-qualifying-is-nothing-compared-to-mint-400-off-road-race-just-ask-robby-gordon/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs

 

 

 

IndyCar-Verizon pact should be viewed with cautious optimism

 

http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/14/indycar-verizon-pact-should-be-viewed-with-cautious-optimism/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs

 

 

I picked this little tid-bit over on the DTD Forum:

 

“I think it's going to be a tough year for the RoC tour, There are over 20 drivers signed up to follow the Short Track Super Series, and over 20 drivers under contract to follow this year's Super DIRTcar Series, and unfortunately I've only heard of 5 drivers that had plans to follow the RoC Tour, and one of those wasn't even in attendance yesterday.

 

That might not be a bad thing, though. I really enjoyed the RoC Dirt Tour when it first started, because it was a completely different group of guys that followed that tour as opposed to anything else. Higbie, Colsten, Strada, Kinney, Bartlett, Shultz, Weaver, Gibbs, Varin, Crouse, etc were all regulars that first year or 2. This might entice some of those other teams to follow the RoC Tour again.”

 

Note:  It should prove to be interesting as far as the RoC dirt races go.

 

 

 

Some might find it hard to believe, but I’ve only been to the Williams Grove Speedway one time, and that was in 1951 for the Ted Horn Memorial race.  Later on, it became the Ted Horn/Bill Schindler Memorial race, from 1953 to 1974.

A list of all the Williams Grove “Sweepstakes” race winners: 

 

http://www.williamsgrove.com/winnerssweepstakes.htm

 

 

 

Lynda Petty, wife of 7-time NASCAR champ Richard, passes away

 

In part:  "Lynda Petty, the wife of seven-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Richard Petty and mother of a group of four children that includes former Cup driver and current NBCSN contributor Kyle Petty, has passed away at the age of 72.

 

The ‘First Lady of NASCAR’ was diagnosed with central nervous system lymphoma in 2010 and underwent treatments at Duke University Medical Center."

 

http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/25/lynda-petty-wife-of-7-time-nascar-champ-richard-passes-away/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs

 

 

And this, found on Jayski:

 

Sad News - Lynda Petty: Lynda Gayle Owens Petty, 72, one of the first women of NASCAR and its most beloved wife, mother and friend, passed away peacefully at her home in Level Cross, North Carolina today. She was surrounded by her family.

Affectionately known as "Mrs. Lynda" to so many, Lynda Petty set a standard for being a loving, supportive and, when needed, an authoritative wife and mother. She also set the benchmark for being a leader in her local community while raising a family in the fast-growing sport of stock car racing.

It was with strong will that Petty fought cancer over the past several years. It was the same determination that led her to make a difference as a Red Cross volunteer, a school volunteer, the president of the athletic booster club and a Girl and Boy Scout leader in her lifetime. She also served on the Randolph County School Board for 16 years and was on the board of the Randolph County Hospice.

Lynda helped start the Racing Wives Auxiliary and will always be remembered as the wife to Richard Petty. Their steadfast love endured trials that only a marriage of over 50 years can. Through triumph and heartache, Lynda Petty was the castle that supported a king in private and public moments.

Lynda is proceeded by grandson Adam K. Petty and is survived by her loving husband Richard; son, Kyle and daughters Sharon and husband Terry Farlow; Lisa and husband Charlie Luck; Rebecca and husband Brian Moffitt. In addition, she is survived by grandchildren Austin Petty and wife Sarah; Hannah and husband Brad Leonard; Montgomery and husband Randy Schlappi; Maggie and Kyle Farlow; Richard, Sarah and Margaret Luck; Helen, Thad and Harrison Moffitt, and great grandchildren Sullivan Mae Schlappi and Adam Christopher Stonewall Petty.

A private memorial service for family and friends will be held at Reverie Place in Randleman, North Carolina which Pastor Kenny Crosswhite will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following:

 

Petty Family Foundation

311 Branson Mill Road

Randleman, N.C. 27317

 

A public memorial service will not be held and the family asks for privacy at this time.

The family offered the following statement to the public:

"We wish to sincerely thank everyone who has supported us and our family throughout the years and at this time. We will forever love and miss a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend."

(Petty PR)

NASCAR Statement: "On behalf of the France Family and everyone at NASCAR, I want to offer sincere condolences to the Petty Family regarding the loss of their beloved matriarch, Lynda Petty," said Brian France, NASCAR Chairman and CEO. "Through the years, Lynda became an integral part of the NASCAR landscape. We have lost a true friend, who will be missed each and every day. Our thoughts and prayers will be with the Pettys throughout this difficult time."(NASCAR)

Austin Petty statement: Victory Junction's COO, Austin Petty, makes a statement on the passing of his grandmother, Lynda Petty:

"We have lost my grandmother, but my family and our Victory Junction family are grateful to have had her love and wisdom for so many years. It was no secret that she was the cornerstone of the Petty family; a woman of humility and extraordinary strength. While we mourn her death, we also celebrate her life and the profound impact she had on those who knew her. The pride she had in her children, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren was shared with us through her unconditional love. Her strong example of leadership outside of her home was most recently acknowledged by the Association of Fundraising Professionals when she, along with my grandfather, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement in Philanthropy Award for her personal commitment to seriously ill children and to our American troops. We honor my grandmother's legacy of inspiration and enduring love at Victory Junction today and always."PR)(3-25-2014)

 

 

 

 

Race track schedules:

 

Add on the Empire Lightning Sprints:

https://www.facebook.com/lightning.sprints.1

 

 

 

 

Getting ready for the Hard Clay Open:

 

Looking at the long range weather forecast, there is a chance of some “icy” stuff on the Thursday prior to April 6th.  And, as of Tuesday AM, March 25th, the long range forecast now for the Middletown area for March 6th – yup, showers., which has changed to “icy stuff” as of Wednesday AM.  That could really throw a monkey wrench into the Hard Clay Open and a possible other date, since most tracks open in April, and would be, after the 6th.

This past Saturday, I contacted someone on Facebook who lives in Middletown, and asked him how the track & grounds were.  His response: 

 

"I went past there today after your message; it is about 95% snow free.  It is supposed to drop cold again and watching snow hoping it stays south for Tuesday Wednesday.”

 

 

And this, from Brett Deyo on Monday, March 24th:

 

Track crews and equipment have hit the track at the five-eighths-mile Orange County Fair Speedway oval today in preparation for the 'Hard Clay Open' presented by United Pump & Tank, East Coast Speed/ECS Auto and West Point Golf on Sunday, April 6.   A pair of interesting entries were received this weekend.  Pennsylvania 358-Modified star Duane Howard will be on hand with the Atlas Paving No. 66.  Matt Jester, the two-time champion at Delaware International Speedway, will make the long tow from Milford, Delaware for his first career Orange County start.

 

A diverse field is shaping up for both the inaugural NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP Modified event and the kickoff to the 2014 Dig Safely New York GRIT Series schedule.

 

And this, from the DTD Forum on Monday, March 24th:

 

The entry list as of today, March 24th, can be found below.  The drivers on the entry list are only those who have submitted an entry form and paid their fee. Any verbal commitments, etc. have not been included.  An asterisk (*) designates a full-year member that has paid for a full NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP season in advance. The list is sorted alphabetically by last name. At our events, it is only $5 more to register the day of the event, so many drivers and teams do not send in an entry form in advance. That is why we often do not release pre-entry lists. For example, last year at Five Mile Point for the SuperNationals, we had 27 cars pre-entered and the field on race day was 79.

 

 

 

Orange County Fair Speedway 'Hard Clay Open' Modified Entries *effective March 24, 2014            

 

Car No. First Name Last Name Hometown

16 Willy Auchmoody* Highland, NY

34 Andy Bachetti* Sheffield, MA

74 Matt Billings Brockville, ONT, Canada

6X Jackie Brown Jr. Hurley, NY

11/16X Danny Creeden* Middletown, NY

10 Tim Currier Auburn, NY

49 Donnie Elliott* Middletown, NY

31 Darrell  Ford* Middletown, NY

1F/1WGC Stewart Friesen Sprakers, NY

85 Justin Gozzi Brookfield, CT

20 Brett  Hearn Sussex, NJ

94 Tim  Hindley Fair Oaks, NY

280 Justin Holland* Kauneonga Lake, NY

66 Duane Howard Oley, PA

81 Ray Jashembowski* Howells, NY

62 Matt Jester Milford, DE

86J Danny Johnson Rochester, NY

25 Mike Kolka Jr. Circleville, NY

33 John Lieto Mt. Kisco, NY

33/21/77x Mike Mahaney* King Ferry, NY

21M Bob McGannon Garnerville, NY

33 1/3 Tommy  Meier* Waldwick, NJ

93X Craig Mitchell Poughkeepsie, NY

14 C.G. Morey Danby, VT

3 Bill Pascual Mahopac, NY

55 Anthony Perrego* Montgomery, NY

17 Elmo  Reckner* Ballston Lake, NY

406 Rich  Ricci Jr. New Paltz, NY

20X Rob Rowe* Walden, NY

673 Gary Tomkins Clifton Springs, NY

15 Brett Tonkin Carbondale, PA

97T Danny Tyler* Cottekill, NY

71 David Van Horn Jr. Harmony, NJ

14W Ryan Watt* Boyertown, PA

244 Chris Whitehead Sussex, NJ     

 

 

 

As of Wednesday, March 26th, at 9:00 PM, the long range forecast for Middletown, NY, per AccuWeather for Sunday, April 6th is:  Cloudy with a passing shower.  High:  46  Low:  26.

 

Hope it’s wrong!  Wish I had more room in the car so I could bring some nice warmer weather back north with us!

 

 

 

 

 

There was a question posed on Facebook about whether Rose Schindler, widow of racing great Bill Schindler, was still alive.  Sad to say, Rose is now spectating at the big speedway up above. 

Her Obituary:

Rose M. Schmitt aka Rose Schindler, born in Warwick, NY and long time resident of Lyndhurst, NJ died on Wednesday, November 3, 2010 after a long illness. Beloved wife of the late Robert F. Schmitt and "Bill" Schindler, famous midget race car driver. Devoted mother of Doris Lawmaster (Irving, TX) and the late Robert Schindler. Dear sister of Eleanore Prakopcyk (Huntington Station, NY) and Theresa Comer (NYC). She is predeceased by 4 sisters and 7 brothers. Cherished grandmother of 3 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Also survived by 11 nieces & nephews. Rose for many years was an active member and former president of the GFWC Woman's Club of Lyndhurst, the GFWC Woman's Club of Rutherford, sat on the board of the NJ State Federation of Women's Clubs GFWC and was a dedicated volunteer for the American Red Cross. A talented and accomplished seamstress, Rose designed and sewed gowns as well as clothing for dolls. These dolls were later given to needy children, much to their delight. She also worked for Ma Wooby's Inn in New Jersey as a talented mixologist. Funeral Saturday at 10 AM from the Ippolito-Stellato Funeral Home, 425 Ridge Road, Lyndhurst. Funeral Mass 11 AM Sacred Heart R.C. Church. Cremation private. Friends will be received Friday 5-9 PM. - See more at: http://www.stellatofuneralhomes.com/obituary/Rose-M.-Schmitt/Lyndhurst-NJ/853583#sthash.v80J3zKK.dpuf

 

 

In a way, some racin’ stuff:

 

While watching the Cup race from California this past Sunday, there was a commercial for Heinz catsup.  When we had a family gathering and BBQ last Sunday, I wanted to be a good host and went to buy some Heinz catsup.  I was about to do so until I read the label.  One of the main ingredients:  High Fructose Corn Syrup.  That, my friends is one of the worst things we can consume.  Worse than that, high Fructose Corn Syrup is in damn near everything.  Check out Campbell’s soups – like their Tomato.  Or most breads.  Uh huh!  Campbell’s Tomato Bisque soup, however, is free of that stuff.  Go figure.

 

While on the subject of commercials during the Cup race last Sunday:

Another KFC screw up.  The “mother” says the bucket has 20 pieces.  Her husband and two kids each have a piece.  Yet, the bucket is still full.  Gotta love how these commercial people are so far out of the loop while bringing in big bucks.

 

 

Former OVRP Dirt Oval runners:

Just one name to report on this week – Anthony Perrego.  He ventured down to the New Egypt Speedway for their race last Saturday, and was 20th in the Modified feature.

 

 

From Jayski:

http://www.jayski.com/

 

Vickers bringing awareness to blot clots with special scheme:

Brian Vickers has overcome blood clots twice in his life. He's taking steps to make sure others are just as fortunate. The Michael Waltrip Racing driver will pilot the #55 TREATMYCLOT.com Aaron's Toyota in Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Auto Club Speedway. He'll also kickoff Blood Clot Awareness Month with Janssen to enhance the public's understanding about the problem that twice sidelined his racing career. Vickers missed most of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup season recovering from blood clots in his legs and around his lungs. He returned to competition in 2011 and earned his third career victory driving the Aaron's Dream Machine in July 2013. In October, the discovery of a blood clot in his right calf, after wearing a walking boot, sidelined him for the final four races. He's returned full-time in 2014 on a mission to win races and help race fans know the warning signs and treatment for blood clots. Brian Vickers: "I want people to be mindful of what the signs and symptoms are. Visit www.TREATMYCLOT.COM to learn about the warning signs and if you experience any of the signs or symptoms talk to your doctor. That's the best thing to do. I'm always mindful and take precautions. When you're taking long flights, you stand up and you walk around. That's not just for me, everyone should do that. Obviously I keep an eye out for signs and symptoms, but my last incident was a provoked incident. I had to wear an ankle brace for a month, which is known to create clots. In those situations in the future, I will be more mindful and probably more careful and maybe try to get ahead of it. Other than that I just live my life and go racing."(Michael Waltrip Racing), see an image of the car on the #55 team paint schemes page.(3-19-2014)

 

 

Janssen Pharmaceuticals joins NASCAR as official partner:

NASCAR announced that it is teaming up with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., to help make a difference for racing fans who are at risk for or are living with blood clots. Janssen, the maker of XARELTO (rivaroxaban), an important medicine used to treat and help prevent blood clots, is now the Official Cardiovascular Partner of NASCAR. Blood clots have hit close to home for the NASCAR community. Brian Vickers, full-time driver of the #55 Aaron's Dream Machine Toyota for Michael Waltrip Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, recently overcame his second episode with the condition. Having completed his treatment with XARELTO and being cleared by his physician, Brian is now competing again in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and is currently 18th in points. 900,000 Americans experience blood clots every year2 that result in nearly 300,000 deaths. According to The National Blood Clot Alliance, many factors can increase a person's risk for developing blood clots, including age; being overweight; having other chronic diseases; immobility; hormones and pregnancy; long air travel; surgery; trauma or injury.(NASCAR)(3-22-2014)

 

 

Final ratings down for Las Vegas:

For the third straight week, ratings and viewership dropped for NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series. Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Kobalt Tools 400 from Las Vegas drew a 4.5 final rating and 7.2 million viewers on FOX, down 4% in ratings and viewership from last year (4.7, 7.5M), and down 14% and 15%, respectively, from 2012 (5.2, 8.5M). The 4.5 rating is the third-lowest in the history of the race (dates back to 1998), ahead of only 2010 (4.4) and 2000 (4.0). So far this season, all three Sprint Cup telecasts have had declines in ratings and viewership compared to last year. The races have each fallen to multi-year lows. As is typical, NASCAR was the top sporting event of the weekend. The final round of golf's WGC-Cadillac Championship was a distant second (2.8, 4.1M).(Sports Media Watch)(3-15-2014)

 

 

Open wheel split caused Toyota to look to NASCAR:

Had the CART-IRL split of the mid-1990s never occurred, Toyota might still be racing open-wheelers instead of having a huge presence in NASCAR. But according to Toyota's U.S. racing boss, the split diluted the value of Indy car racing so badly that it ceased being of interest to the automaker. "To demonstrate the lack of value ... in 2003, we won the Indy 500, we won the race in Japan, we won 13 out of 16 races that year, and that fall, we still had to sell to our management to stay in the sport," said David Wilson, president and general manager of TRD, U.S.A., the Costa Mesa, Calif.-based racing arm of Toyota. "As much as we loved it from an engineering standpoint, we also starting realizing that there were a lot of empty seats," said Wilson. "And open-wheel in the United States was not exactly catching fire, so that started our ... relationship with NASCAR."(Fox Sports)(3-22-2014)

 

 

Congrats to Paul Menard and his wife Jennifer on the birth of their daughter, Remi Barbara Christine Menard. Remi was born Tuesday night.(3-20-2014)

 

 

Crafton to sub for Menard Friday:

Matt Crafton will substitute for #27-Paul Menard in practice and qualifying Friday at Auto Club Speedway as Menard remains in North Carolina with his wife and newborn daughter. Menard, whose daughter was born on Tuesday, will arrive in California in time for practice Saturday and the race on Sunday. He will have to start at the rear of the field because he will miss qualifying. NASCAR requires a driver to either qualify or race the car for every event in order to be eligible for a Chase for the Sprint Cup based on wins. NASCAR officials have indicated that an injury waiver would not be available for a driver for the birth of a child.(Sporting News)(3-21-2014)

 

 

NASCAR ok with Fox moving Bristol race to FoxSports 1:

Fox Sports didn't break any agreements with NASCAR in moving the rain-delayed race at Bristol to Fox Sports 1 Sunday night. Once the Sprint Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway went past 7:00pm/et, Fox had the option of moving the remainder of the event to Fox Sports 1, according to NASCAR. Fox elected to use that option instead of keeping the telecast on network television and pre-empting its Sunday night lineup. The race started about 90 minutes late because of rain and then had a delay of 3 hours, 18 minutes because of more rain that pushed the final 376 laps to after 7:00pm. According to the SportsBusiness Journal, the last three-quarters of the Bristol race on FS1 drew a 1.8 overnight rating. According to the website TV By The Numbers, Fox's rating for ages 18-49 were 1.1 for Bob's Burgers, 1.4 for American Dad, 1.9 for the The Simpsons, 2.3 for Family Guy, and 2.0 for Cosmos. "We would prefer to start and finish race coverage on Fox," Fox Sports spokesman Erik Arneson said in an e-mail Wednesday. "Moving an audience from one channel to another is a disruption to fans, which we take very seriously."

"It's great to have broadcast partners who have multiple options so that we have a way to service the fans," NASCAR spokesman Scott Warfield said.(Sporting News)(3-20-2014)

 

 

Time Warner Cable on Kahne's car at Auto Club:

Time Warner Cable will adorn the hood of Kahne's #5 Chevy SS this weekend at Fontana, Calif., and will be the primary sponsor on the car for four more Sprint Cup Series races this year: Texas Motor Speedway on April 6, Charlotte Motor Speedway's All-Star Race on May 17, Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 27 and New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sept. 21.(Hendrick Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #5 team paint schemes page.(3-20-2014)

Note:  Hmmm?  Must be why Time Warner will be increasing their rates, as I've read on the Internet?

 

 

Hamlin to be further evaluated this week:

#11-Denny Hamlin remained in a local hospital Sunday afternoon undergoing a CT scan to see what may be causing severe headaches and vision problems his Joe Gibbs Racing team confirmed. Sam Hornish Jr. substituted behind the wheel of the #11 FedEx Toyota in Sunday's Auto Club 400 because in the hour before the green flag dropped NASCAR did not medically clear Hamlin to compete. "We do (go forward assuming Denny will be back next week.)," his crew chief Darian Grubb said after the race. "But it's going to be touch and go for right now obviously with him still in the hospital getting a CT Scan. Last I heard the vision was getting worse and the pain was getting worse so we're just going to wait and see what happens. Hopefully we'll get some good news this afternoon." Before the race, JGR President J.D. Gibbs said initially the team thought it was a sinus infection that was causing the headaches and vision issues. But Grubb said it soon became apparent, it may be more serious. "For him to go the infield care center, for one thing, it must have been pretty bad for him," Grubb said. "Then it got to where he couldn't see and was having trouble with vision in his left eye with all the pressure that was going on. At that point, NASCAR did some testing and knew he could not follow the finger going by his eyes as he should have been so they knew at that point,they weren't going to let him go. It wasn't just a headache, it was more serious than that. That's why they're doing the CT Scan now. He had them on the whole time and was just holding his head, it hurt him so bad. You could tell by the look on his face he was really worried." Team owner Joe Gibbs confirmed that Hamlin left the track immediately before the race started and that by late afternoon "they are still running tests. It will be later on before we get results."(NASCAR.com)(3-24-2014)

JGR Statement: Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denny Hamlin was not medically cleared in today's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Auto Club Speedway because of a sinus infection that affected his vision. Hamlin was taken to a local hospital near the race track for additional evaluation and released. He will be further evaluated this week in Charlotte.(Joe Gibbs Racing)(3-24-2014)

 

 

Tire failures impact many teams Sunday:

Sunday's Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway produced a massive number of tire failures, as Goodyear Eagles exploded with shocking regularity from the opening 20 laps until the end of the race. #48-Jimmie Johnson, #4-Kevin Harvick, #99-Carl Edwards, #16-Greg Biffle, #9-Marcos Ambrose, #2-Brad Keselowski, #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. and #15-Clint Bowyer were among the top drivers who saw their races go out the window because of tire failures. But afterward, most of the drivers weren't pointing the finger at Goodyear as the source of the problem. Instead, they pointed to changes with the cars and how they are set up for 2014. Last year, NASCAR loosened rules on how much air pressure the teams must run in their tires and how much camber they can run. This year, NASCAR added downforce with a new, larger rear spoiler.

Some teams got very aggressive by running extremely low air pressures on left-side tires -- 11 pounds per square inch in some cases, vs. the Goodyear recommendation of 22 psi -- and equally aggressive camber, which is defined as how much the tire slants away from vertical when viewing it from the front or back. Lower air pressures combined with aggressive camber make for extremely fast speeds, but it greatly increases the risk of catastrophic tire failure, which is what happened again and again and again on Sunday. "Last year we opened up the rules on camber for the rear end," added Robin Pemberton, NASCAR's vice president of competition and racing development. "I would say that a year ago at this time we were early in the process, and teams were probably not as aggressive as they wound up being as the season unfolded, as they got the mechanics better in their cars and the opportunity to be able to make parts and pieces live longer. Now, I think they're probably a little bit better prepared for that. So if they had too much camber -- they've got a lot of choices, so if they had too much and it abused the tire, that's what happens." Asked by FOXSports.com if he thought the tire failures were a Goodyear problem, Pemberton was clear. "No," Pemberton said. "We've talked to Goodyear. We have asked, the competitors have asked to bring more aggressive tires, to bring tires that they need to manage and want to -- how they use them and how they get the most out of them. At this point in time, I think Goodyear, it's the same tire that we've run on in the past. Just the car is a little bit different."(FoxSports)(3-24-2014)

 

 

Sad News - Bobby Waltrip:

Robert Lynn "Bobby" Waltrip, middle brother of NASCAR Hall of Fame driver and Fox Sports announcer Darrell Waltrip and NASCAR team owner and fellow Fox Sports announcer Michael Waltrip, died Sunday. It's unknown when Darrell and Michael Waltrip were informed of their brother's death. Both worked the Fox Sports' Sunday afternoon telecast of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Auto Club 400 race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. Michael, the youngest of the three Waltrip brothers, confirmed his brother's passing on Twitter Sunday evening. Moments later, Darrell, the oldest Waltrip brother, also paid homage to brother Bobby. Bobby Waltrip grew up in Owensboro, Ky., but had lived in the Concord, N.C. area the last 25 years. While he never followed his brothers into NASCAR as a race car driver - although he did work for Darrell in the late 1980s and early 1990s when the latter formed his own Winston Cup team - Bobby became a major force in the world of go-kart racing, first as a successful kart racer himself and later as an announcer and promoter in the sport in both the World Karting Association (WKA) and the American Karting Association (AKRA). He was believed to be in his early 60s at the time of his death.(NBC Sports)(3-24-2014)

 

 

Congrats to the Kenseths:

Joe Gibbs Racing's driver of the #20 Toyota, Matt Kenseth, and his wife Katie welcomed a new bundle of joy Tuesday evening with the birth of the couple's third daughter. Clara Mae Kenseth was born March 25 at 7:39pm/et weighing in at eight pounds and five ounces. Both mother and daughter are doing well as the family enjoys the latest addition who joins the couple's other daughters Kaylin and Grace, along with their son Ross. Kenseth will be able to spend a few days at home with his brand new baby girl before traveling to nearby Martinsville, Virginia for this weekend's STP 500 Sprint Cup Series event at the Martinsville Speedway.(JGR)(3-26-2014)

 

 

Earnhardt, Jr. wants NASCAR to address Hamlin's issue:

#88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. wants to know why there hasn't been more information about what caused #11-Denny Hamlin to miss Sunday's race at Auto Club Speedway. Hamlin was taken to a local hospital shortly before the race with what Joe Gibbs Racing said was a sinus infection that affected his vision. But Earnhardt wondered aloud why there has been no official NASCAR statement or further explanation from Hamlin on what happened. No further updates were expected from NASCAR or Joe Gibbs Racing on Tuesday and Hamlin has not been officially cleared for this weekend's race at Martinsville Speedway. Earnhardt said there were questions because he'd never heard of a driver being pulled from the race shortly before the start after not being cleared to race by NASCAR. "I'm worried the perception is bad for NASCAR and the perception is bad for Denny," Earnhardt said Tuesday. "... If Denny didn't race because his vision is blurred and he had a sinus infection, NASCAR should put out a release and say, 'This is the timeline of the events and this is why we made this choice and this is the protocol for going forward.' That answers everybody's questions. Don't you have questions? I have questions. We shouldn't have questions. We should all feel pretty comfortable with what happened." Hamlin is expected to see doctors in Charlotte this week. He cannot race until he is cleared by a NASCAR-approved doctor. If he does not qualify Friday at Martinsville or race on Sunday, he would need another medical exemption from NASCAR in order to remain eligible for the Chase for the Sprint Cup.(USA Today)(3-26-2014)

 

 

Hamlin cleared to return at Martinsville:

Joe Gibbs Racing driver #11-Denny Hamlin will race this weekend at Martinsville Speedway after NASCAR received official confirmation from his doctors that he has been medically cleared to return to regular racing activities. Hamlin first visited the infield care center at Auto Club Speedway Saturday night bothered with an irritation in his eye. He returned to the infield care center again on Sunday morning because his condition had worsened. It was at this time that it was determined by the medical team onsite that he would not be allowed to race due to a sinus infection that was impacting his vision. The doctors at the infield care center referred him to the local hospital for further evaluation. During the evaluation at the hospital a small piece of metal was also found to be in Hamlin's eye. Doctors were able to remove the sliver of metal and Hamlin felt immediate improvement to his condition. A CT Scan did not find any other complications and thus it is believed that the metal was actually the source of Hamlin's vision issues. He was released from the hospital Sunday afternoon and was given the doctor's approval to fly home. Hamlin was then evaluated by a doctor in the Charlotte area on Monday and was sent home to rest. He was instructed to return Wednesday for a follow-up examination. Following today's examination, his doctors provided the necessary approval for Hamlin to resume all racing activity without restriction. NASCAR has received official confirmation from his doctors clearing him to resume racing this weekend at Martinsville Speedway.(Joe Gibbs Racing)(3-26-2014)

 

 

 

 

 

Found via a link on Jayski:

Talent Outweighs Money - Larson Continuously Showing He Can Get the Job Done

 

http://www.frontstretch.com/acreed/44884/

 

 

Just a little bit from the article:

"Maybe he didn’t turn the heads of NASCAR’s followers at as young of an age as some that have excelled lately on their way up the ladder, but statistics like his certainly do not come around very often. On the other hand, there are many competitors of all ages that are putting up similar numbers on short tracks every year without getting the same recognition or opportunity. It has been that way for years, but seems to have been pushed to the forefront more recently for many fans. Perhaps Larson backing up his opportunity with his talent will result in a throwback of sorts to teams bringing drivers up the ranks based on what they can do behind the wheel, and not necessarily based on what money or sponsorship their family or they individually can bring to a development deal.

 

It has been pretty clear that Larson has not been able to bring an immense amount of financial backing and has seemingly had a different primary sponsor supporting him each step of the way, but it is what he gets done on the track that has given him the “Young Money” nickname. It is commendable to everyone that has given him that chance, and it needs to be seen more often from the grassroots all the way to the top."

 

 

 

From Track Forum:

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

 

“Joonyer” in an Indycar?  Will it happen?

 

Dale Jr & Graham Rahal Swap Rides @ IMS?

 

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?184324-Dale-Jr-amp-Graham-Rahal-Swap-Rides-IMS

 

And this, too, found on Jayski:

 

Earnhardt, Jr, Graham Rahal interested in ride swap:

Verizon IndyCar Series driver Graham Rahal believes the timing and circumstances are just too perfect not to do the much-ballyhooed car swap with his National Guard NASCAR counterpart, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Rahal attended the Auto Club 400 in Fontana on Sunday afternoon with girlfriend Courtney Force and her father, 16-time NHRA Funny Car champion, John and reached out to Earnhardt after the race, via Twitter, about the possibility of swapping rides somewhere down the line. For his part, Earnhardt seemed agreeable. Rahal says the Twitter exchange was calculated but "100 percent authentic" and something that the second-generation IndyCar ace has wanted to do for quite some time. "I wouldn't have said it if I didn't want it to happen," Rahal told Popular Speed. "Dale and I share a sponsor now (National Guard) and my dad (three-time champion, Bobby) and Rick (Hendrick) have always had a great relationship." Rahal believes the shared National Guard sponsorship makes for a great marketing opportunity for both himself and Earnhardt, allowing for Rahal to knock a machine off his personal bucket list - the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car. Rahal, who is pushing for the car swap to take place on the road course at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, is just looking forward to potentially hanging out with Earnhardt, believing that their similarities could establish a fast friendship.(Popular Speed)(3-25-2013)

 

UPDATE:

Dale Earnhardt Jr. said Tuesday he wants to swap race cars with Graham Rahal, but believes it won't be possible because they drive for rival manufacturers. Both drivers are sponsored by Army National Guard this season. Rahal reached out to Earnhardt on Twitter after Sunday's NASCAR race at Fontana, proposing they swap cars in an exhibition. Only Earnhardt drives a Chevy in NASCAR, and Rahal's car in IndyCar is a Honda. Because Chevy and Honda are direct competitors in IndyCar, and Earnhardt is so closely associated with Chevy, he said he doesn't think the swap is doable. "Well, he drives a Honda, which is more than just a speed bump," Earnhardt said during an appearance at Charlotte Motor Speedway. "If I wanted to drive an Indy car, I'm sure I could get with Penske or somebody who owned a Chevy and take a couple laps somewhere. But it would have been fun to do that with Graham because of the relationship with our sponsor and the history of our families. I look forward to meeting him one day, but I think the fact he has a relationship with a different manufacturer is going to make it challenging - if not impossible - for me to drive that particular car."(Associated Press)(3-26-2014)

 

 

 

Why do I hate allowing minors to race?

 

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?184308-Why-do-I-hate-allowing-minors-to-race

 

 

 

 

From the AARN:

http://www.aarn.com/

 

This Week

In AARN

 

Tri-City Speedway’s

Revival Plans Are Stalled

 

Jeremy Mayfield

Returns To Race

In KOMA Mod Bow At Hickory

 

Dan Harpell To Promote

Black Rock Speedway

 

Kentucky Lake Speedway

Cancels NDRLRace;

Signs UMP DIRTcar Deal

 

Fifteen Year Old, In First Race,

Is Killed At Bubba Raceway Park

 

Deyo Named GM, Publicist

For Thunder Mountain Raceway

 

RoC ModsRoll At New Egypt;

Godown Claims Top Prize

 

Central  PA Bug Driver

Bobby Brymesser Dies

 

Heimbach’s Opener Romp

Is His First 410 Win At Selinsgrove

 

Bridgeport (NJ)Speedway

To Open Saturday Night

 

 

An article from Lenny Sammons on the sale of Rolling Wheels:

 

Signed contracts have been received by the owners, the World Racing Group, but financial obligations have not been yet been satisfied.  A meeting for last Tuesday did not happen.  The AARN left a message on Laguzzo's cell phone, but no return call was made.  Should the proposed sale be terminated, then the WRG would continue to operate the track and continue with a "specials only" schedule.

 

Lenny Sammons:

He starts off this weeks column with the news that Andy Harpell announced last Saturday that the 2014 Dirt RoC champion will get $10,000.00.

Also, Danny Johnson has no idea as to where he'll be running weekly, taking it "day by day".

 

 

Ernie Saxton:

He opens with him saying he does not think it is right for Cup drivers to run in the Nationwide Series, but does see where they're coming from.  Yes, promoters like to advertise that some Cup drivers are in those races in an effort to bolster ticket sales.

Note:  Maybe it’s the economy, or maybe it’s just too damned expensive anymore to take in both races on a weekend when NASCR has their Nationwide and Cup events on a weekend at the same track.  Last Saturday, the stands at the Nationwide race were darn near empty.  Sunday, even though it was announced to be a sell out, some empty seats still could be seen during the telecast.

 

 

Don & JoAnn Davies:

At the end of their column, they made mention of some of the monies that were handed out at the Lebanon Valley Speedways banquet. Pro Stock champions Joe Corbin - $2,100.00.  Tyler Dippel the Budget Sportsman champion - $1,290.00.  Steve Hough, the Small Block champion $2,830.00.  Brett Hearn $9,000.00 for the Modified championship.

Note:  More and more tracks are not announcing monies won at their banquests.  I wonder why?

 

 

Brett Deyo:

Quite a bit of his column was about Brett Hearn.  One thing Hearn made mentin of was his getting that $9,000.00 for the LV championship.  On top of that he made mention he thought that 10th place in points recieved $4.195.00.  Hearn did make mention that he would miss a Saturday night race in 2014 - that being on the Memorial Day weekend when his daughter, Brooke will be graduating from college.  He said it's the only time he's ever done it, and that he's missed so many things over the years and it's probably a little too late.  Hearn is also looking for a crew chief now that Michael Storms has left that position.

 

 

Steven Bubb:

Steve started covering some of the history of the William Grove Speedway in this weeks column.  He covered the racing years 1939-1949, and some of the years previous to 1939.  Did you know that both the "Grove" and the Hershey (Pa.) Speedway both opened the same week in 1939?

 

 

Kevin Rice:

 

A good portion of his column dealt with the return to racing by Jeremy Mayfield.

 

An article about the Lebanon Valley banquet tells us that besides Brett Hearn winning that $9,000.00, Andy Bachetti got $5.140.00 for second and JR Heffner $5,020.00 for third place in Modified points.,

 

 

Toby LaGrange had a nice article about Dodge City Speedway, a Go Kart track located at Howes Caves in New York.  They've run Karts there for some 40 years now.  Some that got their start at the track are:  Ronnie Johnson, Jack Johnson, Dave Lape, Jeff Trombley, Tim Dwyer, Tim Clemmons, John Flach and Jeremy Wilder.

Note:  Reading that little article has got me to thinking - I'm going to contact the AARN and see if I can write up something about the Dirt Oval at Oakland Valley Race Park in Cuddebackville, NY.  At times I've made mention of over 40 drivers in my columns of drivers that ran at the Dirt Oval and have graduated to bigger racing cars.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Press releases:

 

Devil’s Bowl Speedway Forms Alliance with Airborne Park Speedway

Devil’s Bowl owner Bruno accepts management position at Airborne

 

For Immediate Release                                                                                                                                                                         DBS-032314-2

 

PLATTSBURGH, NY – Two of the North Country’s prominent asphalt stock car racing tracks – Devil’s Bowl Speedway in West Haven, VT and Airborne Park Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY – will be closely aligned in 2014.  Devil’s Bowl owner Mike Bruno and Airborne owner Jamie Atkins have formed a partnership aimed at strengthening both tracks for the immediate and distant future.

Bruno has accepted a management position at the 4/10-mile, D-shaped Airborne Park Speedway.  Effective immediately, Bruno will assume the roles of Race Operations Manager and Competition Director at Airborne, working closely with Atkins, general manager Sherm Hamel, the veteran Airborne staff, and race teams in all divisions at the speedway.  Bruno plans to activate similar strategies at Airborne that have helped to significantly improve Devil’s Bowl Speedway since he took control of the track in October 2011.

Both tracks are sanctioned by the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, and both tracks feature similar racing classes with many of the same competitors in their weekly programs.  Bruno brings intimate knowledge of the NASCAR program and has many long-lasting relationships at the track from his years as a competitor; he won championships there in 1997 and 2006.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to the Airborne community, and at the same time I’m excited about the benefits for both Airborne and Devil’s Bowl as we work together,” Bruno said.  “My family’s history at the track goes back more than 30 years, so it’s a home away from home for me.  I can’t wait to help bring Airborne into the next phase of its future with Jamie Atkins and the staff.”

“I’m looking forward to working with Mike Bruno,” Atkins said. “Our challenge is to embrace the changing short track industry while building upon our strengths to keep the future of our sport exciting and affordable for fans and competitors alike.  Having both tracks pointed in the same direction will help us sustain Airborne as a family entertainment destination in the North Country.”

Airborne Park Speedway’s 61st season opens on Saturday, May 3, followed on Sunday, May 4 by Devil’s Bowl Speedway’s 48th season opener, the historic American-Canadian Tour Spring Green.  Devil’s Bowl runs weekly Friday night events during the summer, with Airborne running weekly on Saturday nights.

Airborne Park Speedway is located on Broderick Road in South Plattsburgh, NY, one mile from Exit 36 on Interstate 87.  For more information, call (518) 647-4444 or visit www.airborneparkspeedway.com.

Devil’s Bowl Speedway is located on Route 22A in West Haven, VT, four miles north of Exit 2 on U.S. Route 4.  For more information, call (802) 265-3112 or visit www.devilsbowlspeedwayvt.com.

-30-

Contact: Justin St. Louis                                                                                                                                                          Phone: (802) 355-3282

Email: devilsbowlspeedway@gmail.com

 

 

Devil's Bowl Speedway

Phone: (802) 265-3112

Email: devilsbowlspeedway@gmail.com

 

 

News from Thunder Mountain Speedway

 

Media Contact: Brett Deyo – thundermtnspeedway@gmail.com or 845.728.2781

 

For Immediate Release/March 23, 2014

 

Feel The Rumble, Hear The Roar: Thunder Mountain Speedway Is Back In 2014; Modifieds Headline Weekly Saturday Night Racing; ‘Grand Reopening’ Set For May 3, Headlined By $1,992-To-Win Modified Feature; 2014 Modified Champion Will Receive $5,000!

 

CENTER LISLE, NY – Feel the rumble. Hear the roar.  Thunder Mountain Speedway is back in a big way for 2014.

 

The three-eighths-mile oval in Center Lisle, N.Y., is set for a return to prominence this season. Speedway founder Karl Spoonhower is again Thunder Mountain’s owner after seven years away. The track will host Saturday night racing with the weekly race card once again headlined by the powerful big-block/small-block Modifieds.  Facility improvements and a general clean-up of the grounds have been underway since last fall including the resurfacing of the clay, a reworked entry road and more. New lighting has been purchased and will be hauled in from Indianapolis this week.

 

Brett Deyo of BD Motorsports Media LLC has signed on to handle weekly promotions, marketing and public relations for Thunder Mountain in 2014.  Among the priorities will be an emphasis on social media, press releases, community involvement, attaining sponsorship, scheduling and more. A new website will be unveiled prior to the start of the season.

 

The first announcement is a major one for Modified racers. The ’14 Thunder Mountain Speedway track champion is guaranteed $5,000 from the point fund.

 

The first official green flag of the ’14 campaign is set for Saturday, May 3 as the speedway hosts its ‘Grand Reopening’ event.  The Modifieds will race 30 laps for an increased $1,992 winner’s share, reflecting on the track’s inaugural season in 1992. Sportsman compete for $700 to win thanks to Howard Jones Logging & Firewood weekly at Thunder Mountain ’14, starting with the opener. Sportsman racers will receive $100 to take the green. Street Stocks, Empire Sport Trucks, Four Cylinders and Pure Stocks complete the Saturday night lineup.  Should interest permit, there could be Rookie Sportsman events on the card.

 

Admission for the opener and regular Saturday events this season is $10 for Adults and $8 for Seniors ages 65 and over and Students 10-17 years old. Kids nine and under are admitted free. Pit admission is $30.  No license is required.

 

For all Saturday events, gates open at 4:30 p.m., with hot laps at 6:30 p.m. and racing promptly at 7 p.m.

 

Weekly pay structures are as follows: Modifieds - $1,200 to win, $400 for fifth, $200 for 10th and $125 to start; Sportsman - $700 to win, $100 to start; Street Stocks - $400 to win, $50 to start; Pure Stocks - $150 to win, $20 to start; and Four Cylinders and Empire Sport Trucks - $125 to win, $20 to start.

 

Two practices are set for April 19 and 26 at 1 p.m. each day.

 

Saturday racing continues through the Sept. 6 Championship Night. Two non-points Sunday events are on the schedule: the Wade Decker Memorial set for July 13 and a Labor Day weekend Sunday night event Aug. 30.

 

The highest-paying race in Thunder Mountain Speedway history takes place on Tuesday night, May 20 (rain date: May 21) when the National Dirt Racing League (NDRL) Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP visits the speedway for the second round of a six-race series. Modifieds run 50 laps for $5,000-plus to win and $500 to start in the Olum’s ‘Lightning on the Mountain’ presented by Rochinski Contracting Services and Husqvarna. Sportsman will also be on the card in a 25-lap event paying $1,000 to win and $100 to start.

 

On Saturday of Labor Day weekend (Aug. 30), the 360 Sprint Cars of the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints (ESS) will invade Thunder Mountain for their first-ever appearance in a 25-lap, $2,000-to-win event. They will be joined by CRSA 305 Sprint Cars, Empire Lightning Sprints and SRP Sprints in a unique ‘Sprint Car Saturday’ event.

 

Both the ‘Lightning on the Mountain’ and ‘Sprint Car Saturday’ are Brett Deyo promotions.

 

Veteran announcer Leon Andrus, popular with fans and drivers in the Southern Tier region, has joined the Saturday night staff.  Andrus formerly announced at Thunder Mountain under the Spoonhower regime through 2004. He will continue to announce Friday events at I-88 (N.Y.) Speedway, as well.

 

Tire, fuel and parts service will be supplied by Al Wilcox of Trackside Products in Endicott, N.Y.

 

A complete ’14 schedule, rules and other information can be found online at www.thundermtnspeedway.com.  To learn more, e-mail thundermtnspeedway@gmail.com or call 607.657.8202.  The race day phone number is 607.849.7899. A complete website overhaul is in the works. Thunder Mountain Speedway is also on Facebook.

 

Thunder Mountain Speedway is located 25 miles north of Binghamton at 91 Hunts Corners Road Center Lisle, NY 13797. The three-eighths-mile clay oval features concrete hillside seating, free parking and camping, a variety of concession items, a family environment and more.

 

 

Borgers Speedway Is Ready To Go Green.

 

Borgers PR

Media Contact

Bob Snyder

bobsnyderphoto@enter.net

 

Snow has been removed from the speedway Saturday afternoon and the upper lot is almost bare and drying nicely.  We wanted to get a car on the track to make sure the surface did not change over the winter and this was a good time for Pat VanVarick to unveil his brand new Hyper TQ.  This is the first Hyper TQ built and it was fast out of the box.  Without making any adjustments the car was immediately turning laps under ten seconds.

 

We wanted to make sure there was no unforeseen problems with the track and the track passed with flying colors and is cleared for practice next Saturday March 29.  Gates open at 10:00 a.m. with practice starting at 1:00 p.m. and continuing until dark.  A $20 pit pass is required for anyone entering the pits.  No entry fee for cars and spectator grandstand admission is free.

 

Hopefully the weather will finally co-operate and we can get the 2014 racing season underway.

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                              MARCH 24, 2014

DICK JORDAN

 

 

"FULL FIELD" GEARING UP FOR "SUMAR CLASSIC;"

BAKERS DOZEN EYE HISTORIC SILVER CROWN #100

 

 

            More than a dozen drivers are scheduled to seek their initial USAC Silver Crown Championship victory April 6 when the "Sumar Classic" unfolds at the Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track. If one can find victory lane they will become the series' 100th different race winner in its 44 years! Pre-entries already suggest a "full field" for the 100-lap race.

 

            Former Silver Crown winners Bobby East, A.J. Fike, Tracy Hines, Chris Windom, Dave Darland, Aaron Pierce, Kody Swanson and Jerry Coons Jr. are among entered drivers at Terre Haute. East is the defending series champion and Windom became the 99th different series winner at last year's "4-Crown Nationals" in Ohio. Pierce holds the ultimate series race record of 159.211 mph, established at Homestead, Fla. in 2006.

 

            Competing for the title of 100th race winner will be drivers from Indiana, Illinois, Oklahoma, Michigan and Florida.

 

            Christopher Bell of Norman, Okla. won last year's Honda USAC National Midget Dirt title and finished eighth in his Silver Crown debut at DuQuoin in 2013. Taylor Ferns of Shelby Township, Mich. is the winningest female driver in USAC history and won the 2011 USAC D1 Midget crown. Ferns was 4th at Rossburg, Ohio and 5th at DuQuoin in 2013.

 

            Joe Liguori of Tampa, Fla., grandson of long-time USAC driver Ralph Liguori, won USAC's 2009 Midwest and USAC/UMARA Ford Focus titles and finished seventh in last year's "4-Crown" Silver Crown finale.

 

            Jarett Andretti, son of John Andretti, competed in five events last year and notched an eighth-place at Pikes Peak International Raceway.

 

            Caleb Armstrong of New Castle, Ind., winner of USAC's 2011 "Turkey Night Grand Prix" Midget spectacular, is slated for his initial Silver Crown start at Terre Haute, along with Jake Simmons of Terre Haute, Dakota Jackson of Elizabethtown, Ind., John Hunt of Tulsa, Okla. and Grant Simpson of Avoca, Ill.

 

            Jacob Wilson of Crawfordsville, Ind. is a former "Joe James-Pat O'Connor" Sprint Car winner and has previous series experience, as do Illinois drivers Randy Bateman of Murphysboro and Shane Cockrum of Benton. Cockrum strung together "top-5" finishes in the final three Silver Crown races of last year.

 

            Illinois driver Patrick Lawson of Edwardsville posted a 10th at Rossburg, Ohio last year in his third series start.

 

 

--USAC—

 

 

 

In part:

 

Contact: Lillian Bell

(717) 292-1696

-FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

SSP Cancels Wednesday’s Test & Tune; Next Up on Saturday, March 29

“New” Jr. Road Warrior Division for 14-18 Year Olds Starts This Season

 

Newberrytown, PA (March 25, 2014) – The Susquehanna Speedway Park has cancelled its first Test & Tune on Wednesday, March 26 due to the frigid cold weather forecasted.  The next Test & Tune will be on Saturday, March 29.  The gates will open at 5:00 p.m. with practice sessions rotating for each class from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

 

The cost is $12.00 per person for pit passes and a $20.00 fee for each racecar entering the pit area ($32.00 per car & driver combination).  Gates will open at 5:00 p.m. with open track time from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. by class.  Each session will be 6 – 8 laps per session.  The grandstands are open and free to the public.  Each class will receive 4 to 5 rounds of 6/8 laps each or more if time permits.  The fuel pumps from Miller’s Racing Parts will be open along with their parts trailer.  The main concession stand will also be open throughout the night. 

 

If needed, the raindate for Saturday’s Test & Tune will be Sunday, March 30 from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.  Gates will open at 3:00 p.m. 

 

There will also be one more pre-season Test & Tune on Wednesday, April 2 before the first race of the season.  The gates will open at 5:00 p.m. with practice sessions rotating for each class from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.   The first Test & Tune for the “Outback Track” will be Friday Night, April 11.

 

 

 

NEWS FROM                                                                                                             

Orange County Fair Speedway                                                                                    

239 Wisner Avenue                                                                                                    

Middletown, NY10940 

 

CONTACT

Mike Gurda

845-342-2573

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

APRIL 12 ORANGE COUNTY FAIR SPEEDWAY OPENER MARKS

65 CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF WEEKLY STOCK CAR RACING

 

MIDDLETOWN, NY (March 21)……..The winning driver in the Modified feature on Opening Night at Orange County Fair Speedway will continue a tradition that first began in 1950. While automobile racing traces its Orange County roots back to 1919, weekly stock car racing---the precursors of today’s Modifieds---began on April 16, 1950 and has continued uninterrupted since that memorable date.

 

The first weekly racing program was held on a small one-fifth-mile asphalt-surfaced track that was located inside the famed five-eighths-mile Hard Clay speedway. Tex Enright, who later gained fame as a colorful race starter was the day’s winner, his only Orange County victory of record. Since then, 37 other drivers have won season openers, led by all-time track record holder Brett Hearn, who has tasted first night victory champagne nine times.

 

Other multi-time Opening Night winners include Carl Van Horn who captured four Modified features; three-time Opening Night victors Bobby Bottcher, Will Cagle, Rich Eurich, and Jeff Heotzler; with Frank Cozze, Danny Creeden, Bud Marl, Chuck McKee, Frankie Schneider, Al Tasnady, and Bill Wimble each winning two openers.

 

Drivers who have raced at Orange County on a weekly basis some or all of their careers have won the vast majority of Opening Night feature races. But that hasn’t always been the case. The first outside invader to take home the season opener top prize was Hartford, Connecticut driver Dick Fletcher back in 1954. Then in the 1960s, Flemington (New Jersey) Speedway great Al Tasnady won two Orange County openers, as did Fonda (New York) Speedway champion Bill Wimble.

 

In 1983, C.D. Coville, from Upstate New York, ushered in the DIRT Motorsports era by winning the first race under Glenn Donnelly’s reign. “Barefoot” Bob McCreadie, from Watertown, New York, took the local boys to task in 1985, while Jack Johnson, whose home track was also Fonda Speedway, won in 1995, the last outside invader to win on Opening Night.

 

Winning Opening Night Modified features the past six years were Brett Hearn (2008 and 2010), Danny Creeden (2009 and 2011), Chris Shultz (2012), and Jerry Higbie (2013). With early season bragging rights on the line, more than three-dozen top Modified drivers are looking to start 2013 weekly racing with a victory. And who knows, there’s always the possibility an outside invader will pull into the Orange County pits and win the Opening Night top prize money.

 

It will all play out on Saturday, April 12, 2014 and the start of the 65th consecutive season of weekly stock car racing at Orange County Fair Speedway. Will a new Opening Night winner’s name be added to the long list of great Orange County drivers? Or will one of the previous victors take the checkered flag once again? Racing gets under way at the new 7:00 P.M starting time at the historic Middletown, New York five-eights-mile “Hard Clay” surfaced speedway. Opening Night will include four divisions of race cars---Modifieds, Small-Block Modifieds, Sportsman, and Street Stocks---in qualifying races and main events with the evening’s program sponsored by Middletown Auto Wreckers.

 

Advance ticket sales and additional information is available at the Track Office. Call 845-342-2573 during business hours. Fans and competitors are reminded to visit the speedway website for the latest track news: www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I get emails – racing related:

 

If you recall, I made mention of a Phil Harms and his historical writings, along with others, as having been difficult to view, today.

 

Here’s another email on the subject that kind of explains things.

 

To RacingHistory@yahoogroups.com

Mach 24th at 12:29 PM

I’ve been following the discussions on historical collections with some interest and may be able to add some clarity.  For 21 years I was Curator of Transportation at Henry Ford Museum, retiring in December 2012.  I was very involved in bringing the Henry Austin Clark, Phil Harms, Dave Friedman, and Bobby Unser collections to the museum.

 

The Austin Clark collection is a good place to start.  First off, the collection was huge—it took two semi-trailers to haul it from Long Island to Dearborn, and total weight of the material was 25 tons.  A major portion was printed material—books, periodicals, automobile product literature, programs from races and car shows.  Books were catalogued with Dewey decimal numbers and shelved with the library’s other books.  Periodicals were filed alphabetically with other periodicals.  Product literature was integrated into an already extensive file, arranged alphabetically by maker and year.  Programs were filed with other programs, by event and year.  Thus any researcher using Wilbur Shaw’s Gentleman Start Your Engines, Horseless Age, Hot Rod, a 1938 Oldsmobile brochure, or a program from Bridgehampton could be using the Austin Clark collection without actually realizing it.

 

Photographs presented a different challenge.  The extensive group of Locomobile glass plate negatives was filed together with their own catalog.  Many of Austie’s photos—some taken by him, some copied from other collections, some acquired—were filed by Austie in scrapbooks by subject or sometimes by date.  Most of these photos had separate negatives as well.  The scrapbooks were filed together and the negs were filed together.  Austie had his own numbering system to link the two.

 

Paper collections like Locomobile records or Austie’s own records of the cars he had owned were grouped together and catalogs created for each.  Everything is stored on shelves in a climate-controlled facility adjacent to the reading room where researchers work.  There is no remote warehouse or basement.  

 

Phil Harms’ collection was easier to deal with because it was much smaller. Printed materials were filed as described above, but most of Phil’s paper was grouped together and a written finding aid is in production and will be done shortly.  “Finding aid” is archivist jargon for a written catalog that tells researchers what boxes contain what material.

 

Now a few words about using the material.  All these collections are in the Benson Ford Research Center, a purpose-built building finished in 2002.  The BFRC is open Tue-Fri, 9:30am-5:00pm.  It is open to anyone who walks through the door.  No collections are restricted to any select group or individuals.  Researchers work in a reading room and boxes, books, periodicals or other materials are brought to them by BFRC staff.  The collections are so huge that it is simply not practical to allow researchers into the stacks.  Those stacks are on three levels and are immediately adjacent to the reading room.  Because of the huge volume of material it is usually not efficient to ask to see a particular collection.  A better approach is to tell the reading room staff what questions or topics you want to research.  They can then guide you to the best sources, which may include collections you don’t even know about.  If you call ahead or e-mail and make an appointment the staff can have a research path laid out when you arrive.

 

Some questions have been raised about fees.  There is no fee to use the reading room and you can take all the notes you want for no cost.  Xeroxing will cost, like any other library.  But the real cost is for photos.  If you simply want something for your own information a Xerox may do.  Prints for your own use are more expensive, and prints for publication are more expensive yet.  The full explanation on fees and terms of use can be found at http://www.thehenryford.org/pdf/photo.pdf.   Photos are not cheap, but running an archive is an expensive business.  Actually, it’s a lousy business because it is a money loser—there is no way to recoup the costs of acquiring, processing, conserving, storing, and providing access to a huge body of archival material.  Using books, periodicals and other paper materials costs researchers nothing unless they make copies.  Photo fees are the only source of income and those fees don’t come close to covering the cost of operating the facility.   But museums view maintaining and providing access to archival collections as part of their mission as not-for-profit operations and cover the costs in other ways—like renting parts of their facilities for weddings or charging high prices for hot dogs.

 

This has been a very long post but I hope it has cleared up some confusion and answered some questions.  Since I am no longer a museum employee I will pass along the contact info for the BFRC Archivist.  His name is Terry Hoover and he can be reached at research.center@thehenryford.org.

 

If you are still with me after all this, thanks for listening.

 

Bob Casey

 

Dearborn, Michigan

 

 

 

 

Found on the Internet – racing related:

 

Seems like this was maybe a "No-no"?

 

Kyle Larson did a burnout without a steering wheel after winning his first Nationwide race

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/kyle-larson-did-a-burnout-without-a-steering-wheel-after-winning-his-first-nationwide-race-014415927.html

 

 

In part:

"After he beat Harvick and Busch to the checkers, Larson spun his car around and around in the infield at ACS as he held his steering wheel out the window, a celebration he says NASCAR asked him not to do after winning a truck race in 2012."

 

And:  "If NASCAR did tell Larson it didn't want him doing the style of celebration, the reprimand certainly didn't stop the sanctioning body from promoting it on Twitter after the race."

 

 

 

From some not too happy race fans on the last Cup race:

 

I watch NASCAR once a month or so, but yesterday was the last time. Not really a big Gordon fan, but you shouldn't be able to wreck yourself from behind causing a caution just to keep the leader from winning. With the communications and the team play for Gordon to go from winning to 13th place is ridiculous. It's not about winning a race anymore, its about being in the lead at the right moment. And if you are not, blow up the race in desperation to see if you can help your teammate out. Maybe I'll use that time to watch golf now.

 

 

First of all, there is not such thing as a "near miss"... it is a miss or a hit. Now, near collision is more accurate... but I digress. I watched yesterday's race and the Saturday practice. It should have been obvious to NASCAR and Goodyear there was an issue with the left rear tires and the amount of cambe allowed after Brad K. lost FOUR tires in practice. Yet, the tire and the camber setting were kept for the race which resulted in 19 tire failures. Twice Kevin Harvick had raced up to the top three and was plagues with a flat left rear. Bowyer, Ambrose and even six-time Jimmy Johnson all paid a price for this #$%$ decision. This race was decided by tires and not racing. NASCAR should apologize to the fans at the track and to those at home. This race was a train wreck. BTW, if it was a sell-out as declared by NASCAR and the track, why were there so many empty seats? NASCAR is just not making any friends this year...

 

 

Cant believe NASCAR cant get the caution lights, pit road lights under control. However here we have another Boyer spin at a critical moment and NASCAR throws a caution!!! lots of other cars blew tires but kept them straight and on to pit road with NO caution but I think NASCAR saw a chance to have a Green white checker finish and couldn't resist. Or maybe they were just checking to see if they could throw it without having to lean on it or get caught in a fence. Jeez what a Mickey Mouse operation

 

 

Somebody bumped into the caution light button last week, the official can't reach the pit signal this week.

 

The average local dirt track is better organized than this multi-million dollar 'sport'.

 

 

2 laps to go and Gordon Gets screwed with the late caution. However you never know his tires may have gone away in those last 2 laps. What killed him was his pit stop on not getting out in front of the other cars. Maybe he should have just taken 2.

 

However the real issue I have is that Bowyer looked to me like he knew His tire was going down could not make it to the pits with out loosing more positions so spun the car know the caution would come out and give him time to pit take 4 tires and finish better. Look at JJ who had a tire down just before Bowyer and he did not spin or bring out a caution yet he finished well behind Bowyer.

 

Nascar is a joke now even if there was not a tire issue Nascar would have found something to throw the caution for in the last 10 laps.

 

 

Big miss NASCAR, you need to put some engineers on your staff that understand the laws of Physics. You build a new car with more downforce and offer the teams the capability for more camber. Do your homework the tires and suspension(yes tires can be part of the suspension) are going to take additional force. Don't blame Goodyear, you outsource your tires to them but you still own the process and you created this situation. I am #$%$, while I like the fact that my driver got a chance to race for a win I am still upset on the potential race we missed.

Learn from your mistakes, its like Indy all over but worse. Some of the drivers need to give the middle finger to officials and say you drive the ticking time bomb yourself. I will park and live.

We had four and five wide racing can you only imagine if you got it right how awesome the race would have been,

 

 

At some point NASCAR needs to consider letting teams choose their own tire manufacturer. Goodyear too often determines who wins the race. 2 laps to go and you need tires? From an advertising standpoint I don't see how this helps Goodyear. Yes, I realize that these cars are heavy and they go 200 mph. But the tire lasts 25 miles and is worn out? That is not the kind of advertising I would want for my product. More manufacturers would create more competition.

 

 

 

 

 

Racing insurance:

 

Again, if your race vehicle has a roll cage and you’re strapped in (Yes, this includes Champ Karts), here’s a link to a website that has insurance:  http://www.stida.com/

 

 

 

 

Found on Facebook - racing related:

 

Nabors To Sing 'Indiana' For The Final Time at 2014 Indianapolis 500

 

http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/default/news/show/52543-nabors-to-sing-and-39-indianaand-39-for-the-final-time-at-2014-indianapolis-500/

 

 

In part:  "Nabors’ rendition of the song became a beloved tradition of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” since he first performed it in 1972. Always accompanied by the Purdue “All American” Marching Band and thousands of fans singing in unison throughout the massive facility, Nabors has performed the song 34 times in person at IMS."

 

 

 

This is something that should be started at the end of last years racing season:

Facebook  3/22:

 

looking for sponsors for the 2014 racing”

 

Note:  Believe it or not, having a familiar “Name” is a big plus.  Been there, found this out.

 

 

This weeks quiz:

He wasn't allowed to race in 2 diff series so he uses the name of his brother and the street he lived on.  His “fake” name was Bob Dunham.  What is his real name?

 

 

From 3/23:

 

More blizzard talk tues n weds

so tired of this snow

 

Just grabbed a set of American Racers,,,, studded.

 

 

Show some respect Darrell. It's the National Anthem, for Pete's sake! Shut up already!

 

 

From 3/24:

 

It is with a heavy heart that all of us from Bubba Raceway Park pass on our continued prayers and deepest condolences to the family of Niokoa Johnson who we have just learned has passed away as a result of the severe injuries she suffered in a tragic accident yesterday evening at Bubba Raceway Park. Please keep Niokoa and her entire family in your prayers for strength and guidance during this difficult and sorrowful time. We will be coordinating significant Charitable efforts to ensure the memory and spirt of Niokoa are long remembered. As we are able to provide more information we will do so here. Thank you to everyone for your continued support of this family during this most difficult time. May Niokoa rest in peace.

 

https://www.facebook.com/bubbaracewaypark/posts/537271836305061

 

Note:  The young lady was all of 15 years old.

 

Now I do not know exactly how the accident happened or what injuries the young lady received.  However, I did see (can’t find it now) a post in all the messages of condolences that accompanied the above message, that asked how many more have to die by not wearing a HANS device.  Might the one that posted that have some inside information?  Sad, if true.  More sad because safety equipment is priced so high that there are drivers/teams that can’t afford them.  Then, on the other hand, should tracks require safety items like the HANS device?

 

And this, which was on Facebook:

“Sad news from Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Florida. 15 year old Niokoa Johnson was making her first career start last night when she hit the wall head on suffering severe head trauma. She was taken off life support today. Godspeed Niokoa...”

 

Along with this:  http://www.mynews13.com/content/news/cfnews13/news/article.html/content/news/articles/cfn/2014/3/23/ocala_racetrack_cras.html#.Uy-Iq8UbuBQ.facebook

 

And, in regards to the above, there was a small piece in this weeks AARN about that tragedy mentioning that prior to having her go onto the track, her father was tightening her helmet.  Niokoa told her father “I got it”, and no sooner did she say that, she was waved onto the track.  Another thing mentioned – it was track personnel that removed her from the car, not EMT’s, who supposedly were not even there yet.

 

 

Going back, in time to March 27th, in:

 

1939

Cale Yarborough... Born ... A businessman and former NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver and owner. He was the first driver in NASCAR history to win three consecutive championships.

Maurice Petty ... Born ... A former NASCAR driver from Randleman, NC. He was the chief engine builder at Petty Enterprises and the lead mechanic for brother Richard Petty.

 

1982

Will Cagle won the Late Model Stock Car race at the East Bay Raceway , Gibsonton, FL.

 

1984

Joe Garson... Died ... AAA driver from the 1940's and 1950's.

 

 

 

Going back, in time to other March dates:

 

MARCH 26

 

1960

Frankie Schneider won the Modified Stock Car race and Buzzy Reutimann won the Sportsman race at the Sunshine Speedway, St. Petersburg , FL.

Note:  Buzzie is still racing down in Florida

 

2006

 

Paul Dana... Died ... An American race car driver in the Indy Racing League. After competing in 3 Indycar series events, Dana suffered a spinal fracture while practicing for the 2005 Indianapolis 500 and missed the rest of the season, replaced by Jimmy Kite. He returned to the series to race for Rahal Letterman Racing after he recovered from his injuries. In the practice session for the first race of the 2006 IRL season, at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Dana collided with Ed Carpenter's disabled car after Carpenter's tire went flat, thrusting the car into retaining wall, before sliding to the bottom of the track. Paul Dana, in the Rahal-Letterman car, was told to "go low" by his spotter. Slow-motion footage showed that Paul had hit debris from Ed's car just before impact, which caused damage to the right-front suspension. ABC/ESPN's telemetry indicated Dana's car hit Carpenter's car at about 176 mph, while Scott Sharp, who was running alongside Dana, reported that he had slowed to approximately 50 mph by the time of Dana's impact. Dana was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

 

 

MARCH 28

 

1935

Sonny Ates... Born ... USAC midget, sprint and championship car driver from the 1960's & 70's.

 

 

1964

Rolla Vollstedt buys the first Offenhauser engine built for rear-engine application. It was put in the Bryant Heating Special which finished 15th in the Indianapolis 500 with Len Sutton at the wheel.

 

1971

Mario Andretti, driving an F1 Ferrari 312B, won the F1/F5000 Questor Grand Prix at Ontario Motor Speedway in California.

 

 

MARCH 29

 

1925

Johnny Coy... Born ... ( His real name was John Barbaro) Coy raced everything from jalopies to modifieds, but it was in the midgets where he excelled. He started running midgets in the late '40's at Freeport.

 

1944

Bill Vukovich Jr. ... Born ... A former driver in the championship car division of USAC and CART Championship Car series. He was named the 1968 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, a result of his 7th place finish. Vukovich raced in the 1965-1982 seasons, with 158 combined career starts, including the Indianapolis 500 in 1968-1977, 1979-1980. He finished in the top ten 85 times, with one victory in 1973 at Brooklyn. He also had 23 National midget car victories in his career, and drove for part of his career in Christopher J.C. Agajanian's midget car. He was inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1998. Bill Jr. is the son of 2-time Indy 500 Winner, Bill Vukovich and the father of Bill Vukovich III, both of whom were killed in racing accidents.

 

1961

Doug Heveron... Born ... An American race car driver from Liverpool, New York. He has driven supermodifieds, modifieds, Indy cars, NASCAR Winston Cup cars, NASCAR Busch Grand National cars, sprint cars, late models and midgets.

 

2006

Bob Veith... Died ... AAA and USAC driver. Ran the Championship Car series, racing from 1955 to 1968 with 63 starts. He finished in the top ten 37 times, with a best finish of 2nd twice, both in 1958. Veith qualified for his first Indianapolis 500 in 1956, finishing 7th that year to win the Rookie of the Year award. After another top 10 finish the next year, he qualified 4th in 1958 but was knocked out of the race in a first lap accident that killed Pat O'Connor. He competed in the 500 eight more times, with his last start coming in 1968.

 

 

MARCH 30

 

1959

Jim Reed from New York, showed why he was considered such a short track ace, as he started 20th after missing time trials, but drove his Ford through the field to take the win in the 200 lap NASCAR Grand National race on the flat, 1/4 mile paved Bowman-Gray Stadium oval in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Lee Petty finished 2nd in an Olds.

 

1969

George Follmer drove a stock block V8 Chevy powered car to a stunning upset victory in the USAC Championship 'Jimmy Bryan 150' at Phoenix International Raceway. After earlier leaders Al Unser and Mario Andretti retired, Bobby Unser took the lead and built a big advantage until his engine blew on lap 122. Follmer then took over and went on to take the checkered flag 3 laps ahead of 2nd finisher Wally Dallenbach with Lloyd Ruby third.

 

 

MARCH 31

 

1956

Kevin Cogan... Born ... A former racecar driver who drove in Formula One and Indy cars. He ran the Indy 500 twelve times with a best finish of 2nd in 1986.

Ralph DePalma... Died ... AAA driver from 1909 to 1933. Ran the Indy 500 ten times and won in 1915.

 

1993

Chip Mead... Died ... USAC / CART driver from the 1980's.

 

1998

Tim Flock... Died ... One of NASCAR's early pioneers, and a two time series champion. He was a brother to NASCAR's second female driver Ethel Mobley and NASCAR pioneers Bob Flock and Fonty Flock.

 

 

 

 

 

This weeks photo:

 

This photo is one of a bunch of smaller tress that looks like it could be one huge tree.  No, you won’t find me going “inside” to check it out.  There has to be all types of “crawlies” in there!

 

 

 

 

Racing videos:

 

Jim Clark and Dan Gurney in a “Champ” car or “Silver Crown” car.  Wish they had taken a few laps!

 

Champ car video with Clark & Gurney:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=I5JfGr7sr6w

 

 

 

 

 

Found on the Internet – not racing related:

 

What your car really costs you

 

http://autos.yahoo.com/news/what-your-car-really-costs-you-183738243.html

 

 

 

A-Rod's choice: Pay lawyers or secrets come out

 

http://www.csnbaltimore.com/blog/orioles-talk/rods-choice-pay-lawyers-or-secrets-come-out?p=ya5nbcs&ocid=yahoo

 

 

 

Trey Gowdy

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Fs1YVh2kBZY&list=UUVvxvugtuNZSygB4z4aVfsg

 

I don’t know, but the “polls” show Hillary to be ahead as far as running for President in 2016.  It kinda looks like way over 90% of those that post in the remarks in the link, below, are 100% against her.

http://wallstcheatsheet.com/politics/hillary-clinton-polls-look-promising-for-2016-but-will-she-run.html/2/

 

 

 

Only the beginning, folks!

 

Obamacare plans bring hefty fees for certain drugs

 

http://news.yahoo.com/obamacare-plans-bring-hefty-fees-certain-drugs-154823920.html

 

 

 

SCRIPTED!

 

Catherine Anaya, a three-time Emmy Award-winning journalist and news anchor with CBS-5 in Arizona, says that Obama Press Secretary, Jay Carney, told her yesterday that he receives questions from the press in advance of his daily press briefings.

 

Additionally, Carney told Ms. Anaya that he often provides reporters with his answers in advance of the briefings. In other words, Jay Carney’s press conferences are completely scripted:

 

http://www.tpnn.com/2014/03/20/scripted/

 

 

Is Jay Carney Packing His Bags and Running From Obama Too?

 

http://gopthedailydose.com/2014/03/18/is-jay-carney-packing-his-bags-and-running-from-obama-too/

 

 

 

Obamacare sign-up deadline delayed. Is the mandate effectively gone?

 

In part:

"The long-touted March 31 deadline to enroll in health coverage via the federal online marketplace is effectively gone, following a decision by the Obama administration to allow Americans more time to enroll.

 

The decision, scheduled for announcement Wednesday, will give people until mid-April to sign up for insurance. All they need do is check off a box on HealthCare.gov indicating that they tried to enroll by March 31. The government will not check to see if people are telling the truth. The decision to allow more sign-up time was driven by an anticipated last-minute surge in enrollments, which could leave people unable to finish the process, The Washington Post reports."

 

http://news.yahoo.com/obamacare-sign-deadline-delayed-mandate-effectively-gone-161445220.html

 

 

 

Found on Facebook – not racing related:

 

Mar 22:

 

Seniors:

We're speeding because we have to get to where we're going before we forget where we're going.

 

 

So if your a felon and locked away in prison Cuomo has said you can get a college education for only 5K. Now he and the legislature want to offer financial aid illegals. This jackass needs to be voted out come November.

 

A comment or two:

 

Kinda makes me a tad nausious....

 

Pisses me off.. There is no reason at all that somebody here illegally should get any kind of financial aid package. As a matter of fact they should get a bill when they get deported

 

I actually applied to OCC when i was 28 or 29...applied for financial aid..to become a nurse...i was denied financial aid becasue according to them i made too much money....i made just enough to get by.....very sad....you can come here to this country illegally and they want to give you shit but the hardworking people that were born here are denied...ass backwards...

 

Cross the border from Mexico and shoot somebody. You can have the American Dream

 

I have no problem with people getting help that need it but not to people breaking the law.

 

 

 

Good news... the state of Louisiana just banned welfare benefits going to tattoos, lingerie, and jewelry to fight people who are abusing it. About time!

 

 

 

BREAKING: Louisiana just banned welfare money going to tattoos, jewelry, and lingerie. Please SHARE this and spread the word.

The real question is why this was legal in the first place... this is a classic case of welfare abuse, whether the media pretends it doesn't exist or not. Good for Louisiana.

 

 

 

If you’re in the Hudson Valley (New York) area, maybe you can help, or know someone that can?

 

Shelter Fires Leaves the HVSPCA in Desperate Need

 

http://www.petcaring.com/nonprofits/shelter-fires-leaves-the-hvspca-in-desperate-need/37725

 

 

 

 

 

From March 25th:

 

Note:  Not really suited for kids due to language.

 

A big thanks to that POS running our country I just picked up my monthly prescriptions and they have pretty much doubled explain to me how beating the average working person to f*cking death to fund your illegal aliens and lazy free loaders helps this Country and helps the economy. I know people who are giving up there prescriptions that they need cause that son of a bitch made it to expensive but if I was one of his sh*tbag followers I'd be getting the best care and prescriptions for free.

 

 

 

I get emails – not racing related:

 

TOP 10 REASONS TO VOTE DEMOCRAT

 

#10. I vote Democrat because I love the fact that I can now marry

whatever I want. I’ve decided to marry my German Shepherd.

 

#9. I vote Democrat because I believe oil companies' profits of 4% on

a gallon of gas are obscene, but the government taxing the same gallon

at 15% isn’t.

 

#8. I vote Democrat because I believe the government will do a better

job of spending the money I earn than I would.

 

#7. I vote Democrat because Freedom of Speech is fine as long as

nobody is offended by it.

 

#6. I vote Democrat because I'm way too irresponsible to own a gun,

and I know that my local police are all I need to protect me from

murderers and thieves. I am also thankful that we have a 911 service

that get police to your home in order to identify your body after a

home invasion.

 

#5. I vote Democrat because I'm not concerned about millions of

babies being aborted so long as we keep all death row inmates alive

and comfy.

 

#4. I vote Democrat because I think illegal aliens have a right to

free health care, education, and Social Security benefits, and we

should take away Social Security from those who paid into it.

 

#3. I vote Democrat because I believe that businesses should not be

allowed to make profits for themselves. They need to break even and

give the rest away to the government for redistribution as the

Democratic Party sees fit.

 

#2. I vote Democrat because I believe liberal judges need to rewrite

the Constitution every few days to suit fringe kooks who would never

get their agendas past the voters.

 

…And the #1 reason I vote Democrat is because I think it's better to

pay $billions$ for oil to people who hate us, but not drill for our own

because it might upset some endangered beetle, gopher or fish here in

America. [Evidently] we don't care about the beetles, gophers or fish in those other countries.

 

 

 

 

Music videos:

 

Waylon Jennings Live in Austin, Texas. April 1, 1989

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZvqQMeOEd8

 

 

Note:  A little over 56 minutes in length.

 

 

 

 

Joke of the week:

A woman is standing nude looking in the bedroom mirror. She is
not happy with what she sees and says to her husband, 'I feel horrible; I look old, fat and ugly. I really need you to pay me a compliment.'
The husband replies, 'Your eyesight's damn near perfect.

 

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!

 

 

Remember – No column next week!

 

 

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