Mostly Racin' Stuff

                                      By Tom Avenengo

                                         Volume # 176

                                                   04/10/2014

 

Some personal/family stuff:

 

We got back here to the “frigid” country ok.  About the only problem we had was that once we got over an hour away from Cape Coral, and about to get on route 70 to head east to I-95, I realized that we had left my insulin in the refrigerator.  It was an unopened package of 5 FlexPens.  A quick call to a granddaughter and we had her wrap the insulin in foil then it was double bagged and mailed out to me.  She was told I’d get it Saturday.  I’m doing this on Monday night, and uh huh – still no insulin.  Now I’m not sure if it will be good or not.  On Tuesday, I spoke with my pharmacist and as long as it wasn’t frozen, it will be good.  It was delivered to our house on Tuesday.

Something else quite noticeable with both my wife and me was how much harder it was to breathe.  We have to figure it’s due to the cooler temps (blood thinker, maybe?) and the change of climate?  Time will tell.

 

Racin’ stuff:

 

I had a request to have the Brett Hearn interview that I did eleven years ago be put back on the Internet.  If you’re interested, you can see it in the link below.

http://newenglandtractor.com/racereport/ta/bretthearn.htm

 

Also, I’ve been working on some information on the ARDC midgets racing in New England from back in the day, for Dick Berggren and the forth coming museum that will be at the track in Loudon, New Hampshire.  An article and some photos that will also be included.

 

Note:  Hmmm – I received a message on Facebook, on Wednesday, that Mr. Berggren has more or less abandoned the Loudon location.  Seems there will be a meeting on April 19th at the Stafford Club house for an “important” update on future plans.

 

 

 

 

 

Race track schedules:

 

Not sure if you get the AARN or not, but they had a good amount of track schedules in last weeks issue.

 

 

Vintage Racing Celebration

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

Road Course Days: Aug. 1-2

Oval Days: Aug. 3-4

 

 

 

 

Former OVRP Dirt Oval runners:

 

There are some results to make mention of this week.

 

At OCFS in the Hard Clay Open, in the modified 50 lap feature, Tim Hindley was 2nd, Billy VanInwegen 6th, Anthony Perrego 16th (got a flat with a few laps to go while in top 3) and Danny Creeden 20th.  Mike Ruggiero, Tyler Dippel and Clinton Mills were all DNQ’s.  Dipple, was scheduled to start 3rd in a consi (3 qualified), but his car would not start.  Same as last year at ESW, so it seems.

In the Sportsman feature, Brian Krummel was first, Andrew Reeves 4th, John Illanovsky 6th, LJ Lombardo 7th, John Virgilio 19th and Matt Hitchcock 23rd.  Mike Traver was a DNQ.

 

Down in Delaware, at the Airport Speedway, Kyle Rohner was the winner in the wingless 600 Micro Sprint feature.

 

Note:  I did have a small article in last weeks AARN about some of those that ran at the Dirt Oval and how they’ve done in bigger forms of racing.  It was on page 33.  Space limits meant I could not put in all names – I guess that maybe there are at least 50 that have run at the Dirt Oval and have graduated to bigger things.

 

 

Chevy has not heard from Earnhardt about swap

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/chevy-not-heard-earnhardt-swap-221655700--nascar.html

 

 

 

 

Racing on TV:

 

http://tvracer.com/

 

 

 

A couple of things that were posted on the Dirt Track Digest by Brett Deyo:

 

Any NDRL Modified teams present at Orange County Fair Speedway on Sunday for the start of the NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP that failed to qualify for the main event: we will pay your car entry fee for the next series race, the Olum's Lightning on the Mountain presented by Rochinski Contracting Services & Husqvarna Tuesday, May 20 (rain date: May 21) at Thunder Mountain Speedway. Simply e-mail Deyo99H@aol.com and we will get you on the entry list.  Thanks again for the support on Sunday as we kicked off our inaugural tour!

 

 

Some thoughts from my end at Orange County Fair Speedway on the promoters’ side as we opened the NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP...

 

The bad: the track – the surface in turn four seemed to actually break apart. After taking a look Monday morning, it appeared the fourth turn area was the most effected by frost (there is fairgrounds drainage that runs through that area – thus it stayed frozen deeper, longer). I can tell you that two full pallets of calcium were used to prepare the track between Saturday and Sunday. The areas of the track that didn’t break up – most of the track - were the typical OCFS, hard, black and not dusty. However, the problem area of turn four definitely created took attention off the other three corners.

 

Would watering the track before the feature have helped? Not likely. The actual start of the race wasn’t terribly dusty – it reared its head on the 18th-lap restarts – and honestly we would have wasted the racers’ fuel drying it back up to the point where it immediately became dusty again with the sun beating down and 65-degree temperatures with a 2 p.m. start (1 p.m. hot laps).  I’ve been at a lot of races where the track is soaked right before the feature, cars waste $10 per gallon fuel and fans’ time running it in only to the point where it is dusty again on the start.

 

How do we fix it? I met with Michael Gurda on Monday morning and requested we find a date next spring when we could run in the evening, or start later so the Mod race is run after the sun goes down. That is something we will talk about again in September. I do think sail panel Modifieds under the lights would be really cool.

 

The good: the field! The race was exactly what I wanted: a whole bunch of weekly racers representing seven states, one Canadian province and Australia (thanks Peter!)  It was cool to see guys like Delaware driver Matt Jester, Bridgeport racers Ryan Watt and Eric Kormann, NES racer David Van Horn, short-trackers like Rich Ricci, Dom Roselli, Danny Tyler, a PA star like Duane Howard, Canadians Matt Billings and Tim Kerr, Lebanon Valley drivers like Donnie Corellis, Andy Bachetti and JR Heffner, Fonda runners Jimmy Davis, Craig Hanson and Elmo Reckner, Accord/OCFS regulars like Jeff Heotzler, Tim Hindley, Billy V, Tommy Meier etc. and a few superstar touring drivers like Danny Johnson, Brett Hearn  and Stewart Friesen sprinkled in.  DIRTcar does a great job with the Super DIRTcar Series. We are aiming to be a series where the weekend warriors can shine, and they did so.  59 cars to start out on a big five-eighths-mile was a pleasant surprise, particularly in a series aimed at short tracks and their drivers.

 

The GRIT Series also provided a nice diversity of 602 Sportsman drivers and a solid 37-car field.

 

The great: the crowd!  As someone who literally grew up at the Hard Clay, it was so awesome to see such a big turnout at the place again.  The buzz in the stands and drive-in was back.  Thank you to all the fans that turned out.

 

The new: the passing points system, albeit new and slightly confusing to traditional Modified folks, made its debut without any major issues. I received a really nice e-mail from Darwin Greene, who has raced at Penn Can, I-88 and Fonda, about the system. Here it is:

 

“Congratulations on a great show.  Lots of passing in heat and consi made it exciting for fans.  Even though we drew 93 out of bucket, the passing points gave us a fair chance to qualify.”

 

It was nice to see a little guy, per se, benefit.

 

The awesome: all the sponsors that kicked in to pay out almost $40,000 to Modified racers on hand for a 50-lap race. I created this breakdown of earnings for the top-10 finishers Sunday – this is all cash, not including product.

 

Winner – Andy Bachetti: $5,637

2nd – Tim Hindley: $4,960

3rd – Danny Tyler: $3,023

4th – Danny Johnson: $1,845

5th – Jeff Heotzler: $1,565

6th – Billy Van Inwegen: $1,802

7th – J.R. Heffner: $1,690

8th – Tommy Meier: $1,248

9th – Stewart Friesen: $1,100

10th – Jimmy Davis: $1,000

 

A big thanks to Ken Sands, Mike Gurda and the OCFS staff for allowing me to realize a dream and promote a race at my home track. They were all very accommodating.

 

I was also happy to see a good turnout at Big Diamond Sunday, as well. Even with the conflict, we both did well. Congrats to race winner Ryan Godown and Big D operator Jake Smulley on a great ‘Money in the Mountains’ race at Big D.

 

We move on to Thunder Mountain for Round No. 2 of the Super Series on Tuesday, May 20 - there are a few tweaks on our end we will make to make the show run smoother from a series perspective.  Looking forward to it – thanks again to all the fans, drivers, sponsors, etc. who took a chance on the “new series” and supported us at Orange County Saturday and Sunday.  Series suggestions are always welcome at Deyo99H@aol.com.

 

 

 

And this, too, on the DTD forum:

 

Tracks' inability to control dust lately

 

http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/index.php?/topic/50363-tracks-inability-to-control-dust-lately/

 

Note:  If you were at OCFS this past Sunday, towards the end of the show, it was very dusty - especially in turn 4.  There are some interesting comments on this thread.  I wonder what those that had complaints about the dust at OCFS would have done back in the day when the Champ cars, Sprint cars and Midgets, used knobby tires on the dirt tracks, and would throw “Rooster tails” for quite a distance.

 

 

 

A little about OCFS:

 

I found this on the Victory Speedway forum:

 

“I was doing some research tonight on the horse Harry Clay and didn't know that he was buried at the track in Middletown.

 

I saw a Middletown Times article from the 30's saying there was a stone somewhere "by the entrance of the fairgrounds".

 

Ken Sands verified this morning that the stone to memorialize Harry Clay is indeed right outside of the track's office.”

 

Note:  At one time the track was known as the Harry Clay Oval.

 

 

 

A little trip back in time:

 

Back to September 19, 1959.  Check how old some of the cars were!

 

http://www.ultimateracinghistory.com/race.php?raceid=4798

 

Note:  Yes, back then if ya didn’t qualify, ya didn’t race.

 

 

 

An interesting thread on the DTD forum –

 

Food at race tracks....

 

http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/index.php?/topic/50367-food-at-race-tracks-imo/

 

Note:  Personally, I loved the beef & onion and sausage & pepper sandwiches form JP’s at OCFS.  Wish they were still in business!

 

 

My plans:

 

I was not planning on going to the Accord Speedway this Friday – gonna wait until it warms up a little.  But, me, being “Mr. Negative” as many refer to me as, I see that the forecast for Accord for this coming Friday isn’t the best.

 

And I might accompany my son, Eric, on Saturday, down to Virginia, so that would knock out OCFS, which might get their show in, since it’s forecasted to be rainy on Friday, Friday night and into Saturday morning.

 

 

 

From Jayski:

http://www.jayski.com/

 

Hamlin discusses issue with eye at Fontana: Friday at Martinsville Speedway, #11-Denny Hamlin talked about the series of events that caused him to set out the race at Auto Club Speedway:

"I literally thought on Friday that I was starting to get a sty. It happened sometime during practice whether it came in through the car or through the air conditioning unit through the helmet -- something, it came in through somewhere, but I don't remember the exact time when it happened. Friday evening I definitely felt an agitation right in the corner to my upper eyelid so I thought I was getting a sty because it just felt like one. Then Saturday, I woke up and it was a little worse. I ran through practice and vision was fine, but just a lot of watering and I didn't see any swelling of the eyelid so I knew it wasn't a sty at that point. I didn't go to the infield care center until late on Saturday. Me and my girlfriend went to the mall -- we were shopping around and it was bothering me so much that I contacted one of the NASCAR liaisons and asked if anyone was still at the infield care center. They said they would wait on me so they waited on me. They looked at it, they dyed it, they put it under a black light -- didn't see any scratches, didn't see anything in the eye.

Immediately we started trying to figure out what would be causing it if there's nothing in it. The only thing I could think of is I was starting to actually get a little stuffy on my left hand side of my face and my nose was running a little bit. I mentioned to them in trying to cover all the possibilities that I showed them a CT scan from January where I had a really, really bad sinus infection -- it was the worst the doctor has ever seen and Dr. Petty has been around a really, really long time.

So the only other option, I went to bed Saturday night, woke up Sunday and felt twice as worse -- pain was twice as worse and vision was slightly impaired over where it was Saturday. So I stayed in the infield care center for a couple hours and we tried to go over all the possibilities of what it could be and really since they didn't see anything in it, the only thing we could do was get an optometrist to come to the race track, which it was too late into the day for that, it was too late for me to go to one and come back in time so everyone came to an agreement that the best thing for me was to go to the hospital and get scanned in case.

There's tons of different possibilities, whether it be a blood clot -- anything that affects because there's more to it, but any time wind would hit my eye it would shoot a pain right to my temple so they thought that there was something really bad going on behind the eye that they didn't have the equipment in the infield care center -- you need some pretty -- you need to get a CT scan. By the time I got to the hospital and the optometrist came in with her microscope, saw the metal, got it out -- a portion of it, she couldn't get the rust out she said -- it would need a couple more days for that to harden to get out. Once the metal came out, I felt a lot better. We went home, the CT scan showed that I was perfectly clear on the sinus part of it.

Long story short, it won't keep me from going to the infield care center at any point. I wanted to race of course, no matter what. I felt like if I was going to be a liability I would have pulled myself during the race, but there's protocols that we have to go through and it's not just my safety that has got to be taken into account. We're racing around other guys and that's one of the fastest tracks we go to. What if I caused a wreck early on? I don't need to be a liability out there and obviously with this new format we hardly lost anything in points."(Toyota Racing PR)(3-29-2014)

 

Note:  In my last column, there was mention of NASCAR cutting back on horsepower in Cup cars.

UPDATE:

NASCAR has another meeting scheduled in April with Sprint Cup engine builders to determine possible changes to the engine for next year, said Gene Stefanyshyn, NASCAR vice president of innovation and racing development. NASCAR has talked with teams since late last year about engine changes for 2015 that would reduce horsepower. "We're all working together to find the solution,'' Stefanyshyn told Motor Racing Network on Friday at Martinsville Speedway. "We have to make sure that the little guys, the smaller engine builders are OK with this and we don't hurt them financially. It's a balance, and we've probably got six different alternatives we're looking at. We're going to be needing to get to a decision here pretty soon.'' Engine builders expect NASCAR to reduce horsepower by about 100 or so for next year.(Motor Racing Network)(3-29-2014)

 

 

Latest on Biffle's contract status:

#16-Greg Biffle's contract with Roush Fenway Racing ends at the conclusion of the 2014 Sprint Cup Series season. Biffle answers a question concerning his contract status, taken from an interview with FrontStretch:

Neff: Your contract is up this year. Have you been talking about that or are you waiting to see how the year shakes out a little more?

Biffle: We've been working pretty diligently on that. It has been a pretty good negotiation so far. There are a lot of new people on both sides of the table so everyone is kind of getting a feel for the program and learning it. We feel pretty good that we'll have something to announce before we get to summer.(Frontstretch)(4-8-2014)

 

 

Earnhardt, Jr. Scores First Last-Place Finish Since 2007:

 #88-Dale Earnhardt, Jr. picked up the 7th last-place finish of his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career in Monday's Duck Commander 500 at the Texas Motor Speedway when his #88 National Guard Chevy was involved in a scary single-car accident after he completed 12 of the race's 340 laps. The finish was Earnhardt, Jr.'s first of the 2014 season and his first while driving for Hendrick Motorsports. It is also his first last-place finish in 225 Cup Series races, dating back to November 11, 2007 and the Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix. That day, in his next-to-last race in DEI's #8 Budweiser Chevy, Earnhardt, Jr. was taken out in another single-car crash after he completed 118 laps. He has never finished last in 130 NASCAR Nationwide Series races. After seven Cup Series races, we now have seven different race winners, seven different pole winners, and seven different last-place finishers.(see full post and stats at Lastcar)(4-8-2014)

 

 

Billy Standridge ill:

Former NASCAR driver Billy Standridge has cancer and is seriously sick but is in good spirits. Billy made 23 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts from 1993-1999 with a best finish of 14th in the 1995 Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. See more and leave a well wish / comment at Billy's blog: Billy's Battle, a site for posting and sharing information for Billy Standridge. Billy commented on the page: "I just want to thank everyone for their prayers and support. This has been a hard time but the support has lifted my spirits. Thanks again."

Jayski.com was the listed sponsor of the #47 Ford at Talladega in October 1997. I made a page back in 1997 with some notes and images at Jayski's Talladega Experience page.(4-5-2014)

UPDATE:

The three cars entered by the JD Motorsports with Gary Keller team in Friday's VFW Sport Clips Help A Hero 200 Nationwide Series race at Darlington Raceway will carry a decal honoring former NASCAR driver and team owner Billy Standridge. Standridge, who raced in the Nationwide Series from 1986 to 1993 and in Sprint Cup from 1993 to 1999, is battling cancer. He lives in Shelby, N.C., where his NASCAR team was based. JD Motorsports owner Johnny Davis formerly worked for Standridge as a crew chief, engine builder, truck driver and all-around mechanic. "Billy is a great guy who loves to race and who loves being around the sport," Davis said. "He put everything into that race team, and we ran full-schedule Busch (now Nationwide) racing out of that shop with just a few people and a lot of hard work. He has a lot of years in the sport." The Standridge decal will be carried on the C post of JDM Chevrolets driven by #01-Landon Cassill, #4-Jeffrey Earnhardt and #87-Kevin Lepage at Darlington and in other races this year, Davis said. Standridge, 60, ran 23 Cup races and 84 Nationwide events.(JD Motorsports)(4-8-2014)

 

 

Bud Moore recovering:

NASCAR Hall of Famer Bud Moore suffered a mild heart attack over the weekend and is recovering in a hospital near his home in Spartanburg, S.C. "He had a procedure done and is doing fine. He will be in the hospital a few days and is expected to be released later this week," said Winston Kelley, executive director of the NASCAR Hall. Moore, 88, a decorated veteran of World War II, was part of the Hall's second class in 2011.(Charlotte Observer)(4-8-2014)

 

 

Sad News - Ed Spencer:

Edgar Robert Spencer Sr., 85, of Salem Boulevard, Berwick, PA, died Thursday, April 3, 2014, at Fritzingertown Senior Living Community, Drums. Edgar owned and operated Ed Spencer's Auto Parts since 1957. He held racetrack championships at Bone Stadium, Selinsgrove, Port Royal and Rummages Drive-In Speedway. His nickname was "Fast Eddie" and he raced under the car number 24. Ed was the father of former NASCAR driver Jimmy Spencer. See full obituary at the Times Leader.(4-8-2014)

 

 

Earnhardt Jr. comments on his lap 12 wreck at Texas:

On lap 12 of the Duck Commander 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway, #88-Earnhardt Jr. went low on the front stretch, getting into the grass, which was wet. The left front of the car buckled and the left front tire blew sending the #88 up the track and into the outside wall hard. The car caught fire but Earnhardt Jr. got out and was fine. The car was not and retired from the race. Earnhardt Jr. comments via a Team Chevy transcript:

Q) ON WHAT HAPPENED:

Earnhardt Jr. "Just didn't see the grass. Didn't know the grass was down there. With the way the A-post is on these cars you can't really see that good to that angle. I just didn't have a good visual of where the apron and the grass was and got down in there pretty good. You can't run through there they way they have these cars on the ground like that. Just a mistake on my part. I just didn't know I was that close to the grass, and made a mistake."

Q) WHAT HAPPENED?

Earnhardt Jr. "I drove the car down there. I didn't know we were that close the grass and was following the #43 (Aric Almirola). I thought I was taking a decent line through the dogleg. We were going low around the No. 42 (Kyle Larson) so I was lower than normal and just misjudged it. It tears the car up pretty good when you run through the grass."

Q) SOME DRIVERS WERE COMPLAINING OF A WET TRACK AT THE OUTSET. WAS THAT A FACTOR?

Earnhardt Jr. "It was no factor. I just made a mistake."(Team Chevy)(4-7-2014)

 

 

Manager: Schumacher has 'moments of consciousness:

Michael Schumacher is now showing "moments of consciousness and awakening," more than three months after suffering serious head injuries in a skiing accident, the retired Formula One star's manager said Friday. Schumacher, 45, fell while skiing in France on Dec. 29 and hit the right side of his head on a rock, cracking his helmet. Doctors operated to remove blood clots from his brain, but some were left because they were too deeply embedded. Schumacher's condition stabilized after he was placed in a drug-induced coma. In late January, doctors at a hospital in the French city of Grenoble began the process of withdrawing sedatives to try to wake him up. "Michael is making progress on his way," Schumacher's manager, Sabine Kehm, said in a statement Friday. "He shows moments of consciousness and awakening." Schumacher earned acclaim for his uncommon and sometimes ruthless driving talent, which took him to a record 91 race wins. He retired from Formula One in 2012 after winning an unmatched seven world titles. The accident happened on a family vacation in the Alps as Schumacher was skiing with his 14-year-old son.(Associated Press)(4-5-2014)

 

 

Teams to test at Michigan UPDATE2 - 215mph & 217mph: a few NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams will test (tires) at Michigan International Speedway on Tuesday, April 8 & Wednesday, April 9. Scheduled to test are: #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr., #16-Greg Biffle, #15-Clint Bowyer, #21-Trevor Bayne and #31-Ryan Newman. The Turn 1 grandstand seats will be open for fans free of charge on April 8-9.(MIS)(4-2/8-2014)

 

UPDATE: Greg Biffle's #16 Ford Fusion was first car on track at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn on Tuesday in a delayed start to the two-day Goodyear tire test there by several Sprint Cup teams. Four Cup outfits, led off by Biffle, who drives for Roush Fenway Racing, and #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. took the track mid- to late-afternoon after a lengthy delay due to moisture on the 2-mile oval thought to be originating from behind the concrete walls following a brutal winter. The problem was addressed by MIS staff and Goodyear personnel and testing finally cranked up around 4:00pm/et. It was scheduled to continue into early evening, or when it became too dark to run safely. #21-Trevor Bayne and #15-Clint Bowyer also participated in Tuesday's test. #31-Ryan Newman is expected to join in with the others at MIS Wednesday. Fans are welcome to watch the tire test free of charge Wednesday from the Turn 1 grandstand seats.(Detroit Free Press)(4-9-2014)

 

UPDATE 2: How fast is NASCAR's new Sprint Cup car with new aerodynamic rules on one of its fastest tracks? #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. topped 215 mph during a test Wednesday morning at Michigan International Speedway, one of NASCAR's fastest tracks. Track president Roger Curtis tweeted about Earnhardt's fast speed. Clint Bowyer, meanwhile, said he ran 217 mph during Wednesday's test.(Sporting News)(4-9-2014)

 

 

Found via a link on Jayski:

MIS uses jets dryers to melt snow in preparation for the 2014 season:

More than 80 inches of snow has fallen at Michigan International Speedway this year. And with just a week to go before NASCAR's fastest track opens its gates for a Goodyear Tire Test, it was time to call in the big guns to melt ice and snow from the track. Michigan International Speedway maintenance crews used old-fashioned know-how Monday, enlisting the help of jet dryers to melt snow drifts and sheets of ice on some areas of the racing surface. The ice was several feet thick in some places, especially in shaded areas of the track. And while temperatures are expected to be warmer this week and next, it was important to get a jump on melting the ice before cars test. The jet dryer was first used in the early-70s to melt snow at Michigan International Speedway. It evolved to eventually be the primary means NASCAR used to dry racetracks after rain-delays. Today, jet dryers have been replaced by NASCAR's innovative Air Titan technology. MIS President Roger Curtis expects all the snow and ice will be gone by next week.(MIS)(4-5-2014)

 

 

 

From Track Forum:

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

 

RIP Billy Coy; Second place Indy 500 finisher in the late '40s

 

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?184719-RIP-Billy-Coy-Second-place-Indy-500-finisher-in-the-late-40s

 

Note:  actually it is about the passing of Mickey Rooney, who played the Billy Coy part in the movie “The Big Wheel”.  A link to the complete movie is below in my Racing video section.

 

 

From the AARN:

http://www.aarn.com/

 

From last weeks edition:

 

AARN Pull Out Schedule Edition:

44 Pages Of Weekly Tracks,

Regional, National Series

 

 

Gerard McIntyre Is Upset Winner

Of Williams Grove 410 Season Opener

 

 

California Dreamin’: 

Gravel Claims Thrilling WoO Verdict

At Merced

 

 

Rainy Weekend

Shuffles Season Openers

For Dozens Of Speedways

 

 

Seekonk Speedway Matriarch

Irene Venditti Passes At  94

 

 

Asphalt Mod Season: 

NASCAR Whelen, Valenti MRS,

RoC Mod Tours Previewed

 

 

Granite State

Pro Stock Series Opener 

At Thompson This Weekend

 

 

Ageless LM Veteran Billy Moyer

On Top Of His Game

In WoO Little Rock Go

 

 

Robbie Emory

Tops Potomac Late Models

 

 

Martinsville

NASCAR Sprint Cup Score

Is Kurt Busch’s First

In Three Years

 

 

This Week

In AARN

 

Bonsignore Tops

NASCAR Whelen Mods 

At Thompson

With Late Race Icebreaker Charge

 

Heimbach Now Two-For-Two

In 410 Sprint Pennsy Starts;

Claims Port Royal Opener

 

Stewart Friesen

Puts Norm Hansell’s Mod

In Grandview’s Winners Circle

 

NDRL Super Series Inaugural

At Orange County Is Won,

Wire To Wire,  By Andy Bachetti

 

Pittman, Sweet

Provide Kasey Kahne

With California WoO Sweep

 

WoO Rainout Salvaged

By RickEckert

With Hagerstown Score

 

Billy Pauch Nets

First Win Of Season

At New Egypt

 

Keith Rocco’s

Wild Weekend:

Wins SK Thompson Race,

Waterford LM Test;

Loses Icebreaker LM Score

Post-Race

 

Veteran Jimmy Siegel

Grabs 410 Win At Lincoln

 

Godown Takes Big Diamond’s

Big Block / Small Block Challenge

And Wins

 

 

 

 

Press releases:

 

News from the NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP

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

For Immediate Release/March 29, 2014

Loyalty Will Be Rewarded In 2014 National Dirt Racing League (NDRL) Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP: Champion With Perfect Attendance Will Receive Mammoth $10,014 At Season’s End Thanks To Series Sponsor VP Racing Fuels; No Changes To Season Schedule Or Point Distribution

BOYERTOWN, PA – Loyalty will be rewarded on the 2014 edition of the National Dirt Racing League (NDRL) Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP.

Series title sponsor VP Racing Fuels has teamed up with NDRL Short Track Super Series coordinator Brett Deyo to present a ‘Loyalty Bonus’ paid to a championship-winning competitor entering all six points-paying series events and the “post-season” Oct. 17 ‘King of the Can’ special at Pa.’s Penn Can Speedway.

The NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP kicks off on Sunday, April 6 at N.Y.’s legendary Orange County Fair Speedway with the inaugural ‘Hard Clay Open’ presented by United Pump & Tank, East Coast Speed/ECS Auto and West Point Golf. 

The first five stops on the series – Thunder Mountain (N.Y.) May 20, I-88 (N.Y.) July 23, Accord (N.Y.) Aug. 5 and Penn Can (Pa.) Aug. 12 operate on 100-point schedules. Four of a driver’s best five finishes will be used to calculate point standings entering the season finale Alpine Building Supply Short Track SuperNationals presented by Olum’s at I-88 Speedway Oct. 10-11, which offers an increased 150-point schedule and is a must-attend event to receive point fund money. That means a driver may either skip an event or drop their worst finish from the first five races without penalty.

However, the new Loyalty Award should entice a driver to compete in every event.

The ’14 NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP championship is currently worth a cool $6,000. Should the driver who wins the title attend all six of the ’14 NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP events and return to compete at the “post-season” 15th annual ‘King of the Can’ on Friday, Oct. 17 at Penn Can, the championship take climbs to a mammoth $10,014!

Yes, a $10,014 championship pay envelope for just seven events!

“Nothing has changed with regards to our point distribution or schedule,” series organizer Deyo said. “A driver can still miss one of the first five events and win the championship. However, we want to reward the drivers who run every one of our series races and come back the week after the Short Track SuperNationals to race in the ‘King of the Can’ at Penn Can. If our champion demonstrates this amount of loyalty with their attendance, they will earn $10,014!  If the champion does miss an event, they will still take home a very hefty $6,000.

“This is a win-win for our racers and fans. For the racers, it provides extra cash for their support. For fans, it ensures all the talent will make it a point to attend every one of our events.”

The bonus check will be presented at the Penn Can ‘King of the Can’ event prior to the start of racing Oct. 17. It will provide Penn Can fans the opportunity to hear from the inaugural NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP champion!

The ‘Loyalty Award’ is just one of many attendance bonuses this season.  Drivers with perfect attendance up to – and including – the Aug. 12 Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. ‘Hot Summer Night’ at Penn Can Speedway will be eligible for a pair of $250 cash drawings to be held at the drivers’ meeting.

Drivers who finish outside the top-12 points-paying positions in the final NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP standings will be eligible for a $250 perfect attendance bonus.

Drivers in the top-10 in the final point standings returning to Penn Can Speedway for the ‘King of the Can’ will each receive a $200 check at sign-in for their support.  The ‘King of the Can’ is a Brett Deyo co-promotion with track operators Reed Miller and Al Wilcox. It is a 50-lap event paying $5,015 to the winner and $315 to start.

“The success of our first-year series depends on racer loyalty and support,” Deyo said. “We want to make sure the drivers and car owners who stand by us will be rewarded as such, whether they are the inaugural champion or a low-budget racer who just missed out on the top-12 in points but attended every show.”

The inaugural NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP boasts a $25,000-plus point fund and a long list of contingency and product award sponsors.  To learn more, visit www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com under the Super Series tab.

NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP point fund raffle tickets are currently on sale for $50 each. Those who purchase tickets will be eligible for a pair of $1,250 cash drawings. To purchase a ticket, contact Brett Deyo at Deyo99H@aol.com.

The season gets underway Sunday, April 6 at Orange County Fair Speedway with the $30,000-plus ‘Hard Clay Open’ featuring NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP big-block/small-block Modifieds in a 50-lap event paying $5,000-plus to win, $4,000 for second, $1,500 for fifth, $1,000 for 10th and $500 to start. The Dig Safely New York GRIT Series 602 Sportsman will run an accompanying 25-lap event offering $1,000 to win and $100 to start.

Pit gates open at 8 a.m. Grandstand and drive-in gates swing open at 10 a.m. The pre-race drivers’ meeting begins at 12:45 with hot laps at 1:05 p.m. The first green flag will drop at 2 p.m.

Grandstand and drive-in section admission is $20 (Adults), $18 (Seniors) and $2 (Kids 12 and UNDER). Pit admission is $35 with no license required. Modified competitors can register their cars on race day for just $20, a mere $5 increase from the early entry fee.

Orange County will host an open practice on Saturday, April 5 from noon-5 p.m. Pit admission is $25 and grandstand admission is FREE.

To learn more about the ‘Hard Clay Open’ or the NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP, contact Brett Deyo by e-mail at Deyo99H@aol.com, by phone at 845.728.2781 or on the web: www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com.  Find 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 features covered grandstands and half-covered grandstands in addition to open bleacher seating and unique drive-in viewing on the backstretch. To learn more, contact Orange County Fair Speedway at 845.342.2573 or visit www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net.

 

 

News from the Thunder Mountain Speedway ‘Lightning on the Mountain’

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

For Immediate Release/April 9, 2014

Record-Breaker: Huge, Record-Setting Purse Set For Tuesday, May 20 Olum’s ‘Lightning on the Mountain’ NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP Event At Thunder Mountain Speedway; Payout Tops $27,000, Plus Bonuses & Lap Money Offered For 50-Lap Modified Spectacular

CENTER LISLE, NY – Records will not only fall – they will be shattered – when Thunder Mountain Speedway hosts the Olum’s ‘Lightning on the Mountain’ presented by Rochinski Contracting Services and Husqvarna on Tuesday, May 20.

The National Dirt Racing League (NDRL) Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP big-block/small-block Modifieds invade the Center Lisle, N.Y., three-eighths-mile oval for a first-time 50-lap special boasting a record payout for the facility, which held its first event in 1992. More than $27,000 has been posted for the NDRL Modified division purse: $5,100 to win (including a $100 bonus from Simplicity Design of Middletown, N.Y.), $1,500 for fifth, $1,000 for 10th and $500 just to take the green flag.

Additionally, there will be lap money, contingency awards, bonuses and product certificates distributed at the unprecedented event promoted by Brett Deyo of BD Motorsports Media LLC and speedway owner Karl Spoonhower.

“No, we’ve never had a race like this before,” asserted Spoonhower, a 59-year-old Berkshire, N.Y., businessman who constructed the speedway from hillside farmland just outside of Whitney Point, N.Y., in the early 1990s. “We’ve had a few big races over the years – some midweek shows and our ‘King of the Mountain’ race – but this is unheard of for the track.

“I can tell you we’ve been working all winter on the place. We’ll have it nice for that night for sure.”

Spoonhower, who sold the speedway in 2006, reacquired Thunder Mountain last fall and has implemented countless improvement projects including the resurfacing of the track, new lighting, a reworked entry road, clean-up of the grounds and buildings and much more. Spoonhower brings the big-block/small-block Modifieds back as a Saturday night headliner after several seasons away in 2014.

The NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP kicked off its inaugural season April 6 at Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, N.Y., with the ‘Hard Clay Open’ event won by Massachusetts driver and Lebanon Valley (N.Y.)/Accord (N.Y.) star Andy Bachetti over a 59-car field. Bachetti – in addition to other podium finishers Tim Hindley (defending Orange County champion) and Danny Tyler (a short-track ace who competes at Accord) have already set plans to “climb the mountain” for the May 20 special (rain date: May 21).

“This will be our first event at Thunder Mountain and I couldn’t be more excited,” said event co-promoter and Short Track Super Series organizer Deyo. “I’ve been to the track this off-season and seen the work Karl has done. The speedway has been resurfaced and many of the attendees from the last few years won’t recognize the place.

“The ‘Lightning on the Mountain’ will be one heck of a show. Many of the drivers planning to race that night have never even seen the track. I guarantee they will love it. Karl is known for having an awesome surface. The size, layout and banking should produce some up-on-the-wheel action.”

A diverse field is expected to attend the Thunder Mountain event, as the battle continues for the $10,014 NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP championship. The Thunder Mountain event is round No. 2 of six on the first-year series which also includes the aforementioned Orange County event and stops at I-88 (N.Y., twice), Penn Can (Pa.) and Accord speedways.

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 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 system made its debut at Orange County.

Sportsman (Open vs. Crate) will also be featured on the ‘Lightning on the Mountain’ card in a 25-lap event paying a minimum of $1,000 to the winner and $100 to take the green flag. Sportsman will qualify via a traditional draw/redraw format.

Complete rules, general information and pricing have been posted on the BD Motorsports Media LLC website – www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com – under “Events” and “Lightning on the Mountain” from the main menu.

The ‘Lightning on the Mountain’ is the first major midweek event at Thunder Mountain since John Wight leased the speedway for a T3 All-Star Series event in August 2008.

Gates will open at 4 p.m. for the ‘Lightning on the Mountain’ special. A drivers’ meeting takes place at 6:20 p.m. Hot laps begin at 6:40 p.m. with a 7:15 p.m. start time planned. The rain date is Wednesday, May 21.

Adult grandstand admission is $20. Seniors (ages 65 and over) and Students (ages 10-17) pay $18. Kids nine and under are FREE. Pit admission is $35, with no license required.

Lap sponsorships, $20 per lap, are currently on sale by contacting Brett Deyo via e-mail at Deyo99H@aol.com.  All lap money collected will be distributed directly to the racers.

For further ‘Lightning on the Mountain’ information, contact Brett Deyo of BD Motorsports Media via e-mail 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.

Thunder Mountain Speedway is located approximately 25 miles north of Binghamton at 91 Hunts Corners Road Center Lisle, NY 13797. The race day phone is 607.848.7899. To learn more, visit www.thundermtnspeedway.com, like “Thunder Mountain Speedway” on Facebook or follow @thundermtnspeed on Twitter. Fans will enjoy spacious concrete seating, a family atmosphere and a spectacular view off the backstretch as they ‘Feel the Rumble, Hear the Roar’ of Modified racing at Thunder Mountain!

Thunder Mountain Speedway ‘Lightning on the Mountain’ NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP Modified Payout (50 Laps): 1. $5,100; 2. $3,250; 3. $2,250; 4. $1,800; 5. $1,500; 6. $1,350; 7. $1,200; 8. $1,100; 9. $1,050; 10. $1,000; 11. $700; 12. $650; 13. $600; 14. $550; 15. $525; 16. $515; 17. $510; 18. $505; 19-Last: $500.

Note: Provisional starters, two highest in NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP points unable to qualify, receive $250 to start.

 

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

 

 

 

SUNDAY NIGHT OPEN COCKPIT SHOWS COMING TO GRANDVIEW

by admin

SUNDAY NIGHT RACING RETURNS TO THE GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY

 

Follow us on Facebook!

 

On Sunday night, May 4th, an old tradition will return to the high banks of the Grandview Speedway when the first of four doubleheader shows are offered featuring the Hilborn Tri-State Race Saver Sprint Cars and the wingless warriors of the American Racing Drivers Club Midgets. 

   

      For the midgets of ARDC, it will be a return to a tradition when for nearly fifteen years, midgets raced weekly at Grandview on Sunday nights, beginning in the late 60s and extending into the early 80s.  With ARDC celebrating their 75th Anniversary this season, the timing couldn't be better for a return to the high banks of the Grandview Speedway.  TSRS Sprint Cars made their first appearance at Grandview last season which led to the introduction to this new series for the 2014 season.  

  

     When the Grandview Speedway opens its gates for its 2014 season opener this Saturday night, April 5th, race fans will have an opportunity to meet two of the headliners from the upcoming Sunday night schedule.  Mike Haggenbottom and Trevor Kobylarz, both 2014 Champions, will be on hand to greet fans prior to the night's racing events.

   

     Haggenbottom, the Hilborn TSRS 2014 Champion, will have his #24 on display.  Haggenbottom had three wins on his way to the TSRS Championship while driving a car owned by his brother, John.  The brothers captured back to back championships in 2013-14.

   

     Kobylarz will have his RT Racing #1 on display.  Kobylarz earned four victories en route to the 2014 ARDC Championship.  The second generation racer from Birdsboro, PA picked up wins at Susquehanna, Potomac, Bedford and the Grandview Speedway.

 

     Both drivers will be on hand in the first turn pavilion area to meet and talk to fans prior to the season opener on Saturday night at Grandview.  Driver interviews will be conducted by Low, Down and Dirty of  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/.  Season schedules will be available for both ARDC and TSRS for the coming season.

Contact - Deb Smith                                                                                                                                           

 

phone (610) 972-6176

 

email - dsfotog@aol.com

admin | March 31, 2014 at 11:20 am | URL: http://wp.me/p3gxvk-zC

 

 

 

Opening Day at Borgers April 12, 2014                                                                                       

 

This Saturday April 12th, 2014 we will open our third year as the premier 1/7th mile banked asphalt oval in Northeast PA.    Opening day in any sport is a special day.   Teams come recharged, loaded with stored energy.   One thing is for sure, there is only one 2014 Opening Day and a few of us will go home as the first winners of 2014!   The driver who has slain Goliath, the driver that many will admire or hate for at least the first week!  Teams and drivers can say  -  “it’s a long season, it’s the war that needs to be won”, etc. etc. etc.  All of that may be true, however, those same drivers are the drivers who already finished 2nd on opening day. 

 

All of us love the sting of the battle, the heat of the moment, that last lap side by side battle.  The David beating Goliath.  It’s that feeling we rationalize the arrangement of our summer so it doesn’t interfere with our racing season.  Often sports disciplines tend to look at racing as a sub division of a sport, or a sort of sport.   They obviously never felt what we feel  every Saturday and especially that feeling we feel on Opening Day. 

 

Opening Day is a day when the thought of losing is buried the deepest it will be all season.  Every driver rolls out on Opening Day- no matter where they are starting with the idea that today, today they have a shot, a good shot at being David, if at least for week #1!

 

Since, paving our battlefield, we have had a few David’s.  In 2013, some of the fastest drivers were defeated by David’s!   Those few David’s have went on to become the real hero’s at Borgers Speedway.  Our heroes are the ones who sat mid field on opening day but fought through the doubts and their own fears and slayed Goliath.

 

Behind every David is a team.  It takes a team to organize, all working and committed to a common cause to overcome the adversity and start and end a year as a Champion.  That team may be Mom and Dad, Grandpa, some can be vastly bigger and operate on priceless budgets. However, one thing is for sure, no matter how deep the pocket of the team may be, Borgers Speedway is the “Great Equalizer”.  It is the track were anyone can win especially on Opening Day!

 

As a staff, we are excited to again provide the very best platform for each driver and team to perform on.  Our commitment to give “David” the opportunity to slay Goliath has not change since day 1.  Glenn and Ruth Borgers carved up the earth in hopes of festering that feeling that makes all want to be David and makes us do what we do.  Our commitment to asphalt racing in the Northeast has not strayed off course.

 

The staff at Borgers Speedway, Glenn and Ruth Borger, Bob Snyder and myself welcome everyone new and returning to the 2014 Racing Season.   Many media outlets and seasoned racers continual push the notion that this will be a break out year for Borgers Speedway- We believe them and will continue our push and not disappoint the believers!

 

 Brendan O’Connor

 

This weeks Races

 

Season Opener.

 

April 12, 2014

Triple $500 To Win

 

Borgers AllStar TQ/Asphalt 600 Sprints

Entry Fee $ 50.00  ( min 12 cars for $500 to Win )

Bonus Money – From SPL Fuels and Brendan O’Connor Fire Protection LLC

 

AllStar Sr. Slingshots

Entry Fee $ 50.00 (min 12 cars for $500 to Win )

Bonus Money – From Slinger Warehouse

 

Briggs Senior Champ Karts.

Entry Fee $ 50.00  ( min 12 cars for $500 to Win )

 

MSRS MicroStock Tour.

 

Clone Wars Round One

$ 250 to Win ( $ 50.00 entry fee -  8 Kart min )

( Sr. Clone - Unrestricted, Open Clutch, Big pipe )

 

Regular show of Wiingless Dirt 600 Sprints, Junior Slingshots,and  Karts.

 

Mr. Brendan O'Connor

570-856-6234

 

 

Borgers Updated 2014 Schedule

Each week consists of a regular show which is TQ’s, 600 Sprints, AllStar and Junior Slingshots, and Karts unless otherwise noted.  All below listed events are in addition to the regular show.

 

Schedule Is Subject To Change.

 

April 5, 2014.  Practice Only.

No entry Fee – Pit Pass Only – Gates Open @ 10am – Practice till Dusk

 

*Season Points Start 04-19-2014

“Spring Forward” 2:00pm Start Time

Season Opener.  April 12, 2014   Triple $500 To Win for  Borgers AllStar TQ/Asphalt 600 Sprints, AllStar Slingshots, Briggs Senior Champ Karts.

MSRS MicroStock Tour.

Clone Wars Round One and Regular show of Wiingless Dirt 600 Sprints, Junior Slingshots,and  Karts.

Week #3 April 19, 2014 King of Asphalt Round #2, MicroStock Racing League tour Race.

Week #4 April 26, 2014 Clone Wars Round #2

“Money Making May” 2:00pm Start Time

Week#5 May 3, 2014 ATQMRA 50 Laps $500 to Win

HYPER 600 sprints Cash Dash.

Winged Jr Sportsman Champ Young Guns

Week#6 May 10, 2014 Vintage ATQMRA

Week#7 May 17, 2014 Briggs Flathead – Heavy

MSRS MicroStock Tour

$ 650.00 To Win

Week#8 May 24, 2014 Sons of Anarchy Round #1

Week#9 May 31, 2014 Clone Wars Round #3

“A June To Remember”

SUMMER SCHEDULE STARTS -- 4:00pm Start Time

Week#10 June 7, 2014 ATQMRA WINGED 50 Laps   $500 to Win

HYPER 600 Sprints Cash Dash

King of Asphalt Round #1  ( MAKE UP FROM Week #1 )

 

TQ’s $500 to Win 50 Laps

 

Clone Wars Round #1 ( MAKE UP FROM Week #1 )

 

Week#11  June 14, 2014 Clone Wars Round #4

Week#12  June 21, 2014 King of Asphalt Round #3

Slingshot Tour JR and SR

NO TQ’s

Week#13  June 28, 2014 Allstar TQ Memorial Race $ 2000.00 To Win

75 Lap Feature presented by COPART.com and Weis Markets

-ATQMRA Dates will run ATQMRA Club Rules – All Other dates will be run under Borgers Speedway Rules

-Dirt 600 events are TBA.

-TQ Sportsman / Rookie Presented by Green Flag Driving Experience dates will follow.

“Hot Summer Nights” -- 4:00pm Start Time

Week#14  July 5, 2014 ATQMRA 50 Laps $500 to Win

HYPER 600 Sprints Cash Dash.

Microstock Firecracker 40

Briggs Flathead Heavy $500.00 To Win

Fireworks Show presented by Blue Ridge Hook and Ladder

Week#15 July 12, 2014 OFF WEEK – NO RACING

Week#16  July 19, 2014 Briggs Sr Champ $500.00 to Win

Week#17 July 26, 2014   MicroStock Racing League Tour Race.  TBA

“Git R Done” August -- 4:00pm Start Time

Week#18  Aug 2, 2014 King of Asphalt Round #4

ATQMRA Winged

HYPER 600 Sprints Cash Dash.

Week#19 Aug 9, 2014 Slingshots $500.00 to Win

Karts Double Points

Week#20 Aug 16, 2014 Sons of Anarchy Round #2

Week#21 Aug 23, 2014   Stage One Modifieds Tour Race,  Clone Wars Round #5

Week#22 Aug 30, 2014 Briggs Heavy Sr Champ $750.00 to Win

“Month of Champions” August -- 4:00pm Start Time

Week#23 Sept 6, 2014 Kid Kart - Back 2 School 25

JR Back 2 School Spectacular

No TQ’s

Week#24 Sept 14, 2014 Championship Saturday

King of Asphalt Round #5

**** End of Season Points****

Week#25 Sept 20, 2014 All Divisions

Octoberfest Series Points 2:00pm Start Time

Week#1 Sept 27, 2014 TBA

MSRS MicroStock Tour.

Week#2 Oct 4, 2014  MicroStock Racing League Tour Race  TBA

Week#3 Oct 11, 2014 TBA

Week#4 Oct 18, 2014 Slingshot Tour JR and SR ,  MicroStock Racing League Tour Race.

Week#5 Oct 25, 2014 No TQ’s

Week#6 Nov 1, 2014 TBA

“Run What Ya Brung” November 2:00pm Start Time

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                  APRIL 7, 2014

DICK JORDAN                                                                                                                                                   14-34

 

 

SPRINTS EYE ELDORA'S "BRANSON/LARSON" APRIL 19;

GRANT TAKES LAWRENCEBURG SPRINT

 

 

            The "Don Branson/Jud Larson Classic" is next up for the AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car Series, slated April 19 at the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio.

 

            Dave Darland, the 2013 series runner-up, holds a one-point lead over Justin Grant in the latest standings after Grant and Darland finished 1-2 in Saturday night's midwestern opener at Lawrenceburg (Ind.) Speedway.

 

            Grant, of Ione, Calif., who scored his initial USAC victory two years ago at Lawrenceburg, got past Jon Stanbrough on a 28th-lap restart and paced the final three laps in his Mark Hery Racing S & H Nerf Bars DRC/Claxton Chevy. Darland, who led the first nine laps of the race, took second ahead of Jerry Coons Jr., Brady Bacon and Stanbrough, who led 18 laps of the feature.

 

            Stanbrough, who appeared headed for victory until the final restart, would have tied Darland as the winningest USAC Sprint drivers at Lawrenceburg had he won the race.

 

            Tracy Hines, who failed to finish at Lawrenceburg, enters the April 19 Eldora race as the defending "Branson/Larson" winner, since he won in 2012 and last year's race was rained out.

 

 

2014 AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car Standings: 1-Dave Darland-183, 2-Justin Grant-182, 3-Chase Stockon-171, 4-Bryan Clauson-169, 5-Brady Bacon-167, 6-Jon Stanbrough-146, 7-Tracy Hines-138, 8-Chris Windom-118, 9-Robert Ballou-113, 10-Hunter Schuerenberg-108.

 

Note:  It’s a shame when some “Memorial” races are held for a short time, then kind of disappear from the scene.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From my last column:

 

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?

Note:  I’m wondering – how many read my columns, since not one person got back to me on this question.

Answer:  Wally Dallenbach

 

 

From my column in volume # 174:

 

“Midgets used to start Thompson 3 wide - max 33 cars.

 

I did a few of those starts. Being in the middle of the pack and in the middle of the row was always something to write home about.

 

We did those at Flemington too.

 

Yeah, I had heard at a Flemington race a certain driver passed damn near the whole field on the first lap

 

On BOTH SURFACES TOO...lol

 

 Right.

 

Note:  Fifth comment was by yours truly.  Sixth comment by the driver that did it.  Any idea as to who that driver was?”

 

Again, no one attempted to answer the above question.

Answer:  Nick Fornoro, Jr.

 

 

 

Going back, in time in:

Note:  Effective with this column, I’m dropping this section.

 

 

This week’s photo:

 

Art Cross, a former stand out driver here in the northeast in midgets, from back in the day, sprint cars, then an Indy driver later on, left us on April 15, 2005, at 87 years old.  He only raced in the 500 four times, finishing 5th in 1952 and getting the RoY award.  In 1953 he was second to the great Bill Vukovich, with Vukie, Art and another eastern midget driver, Ernie McCoy being the only drivers to run the full 500 miles without relief on that hot day.  He led the 500 in 1954 and 1955, with finishing positions of 11th in ’54 and 17th in ’55.  He retired from racing in 1955.

 

A photo of him taken at Indianapolis in 1954.

 

Note:  My friend, Rich Boteler (Racer Rich) was pretty close to Art when Art lived in Indiana.  Rich has a nice article about Art and it can be seen here:  http://www.thevintageracer.com/artcross/art_cross.htm

 

A record of some of his races:  http://www.ultimateracinghistory.com/racelist2.php?uniqid=1710

 

 

 

 

 

Racing videos:

 

The Big Wheel – almost an hour and a half long.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_OFRxh5D2Q

 

RIP Mickey Rooney aka:  Billy Coy

 

 

 

Found on the Internet – not racing related:

 

I wasn't the most engaged student in school because I was bored, but in my school they had an advanced program for kids like me, I learned the material taught the old fashioned way and went on to get both a physics and engineering degree. Watching my nephews go through school, there have been many efforts to "improve" education and all seem to have focused on taking the education part out of it. This mess above is an attempt to take the math out of math and allow a quick form of guessing the answer. With my nephew, they took all the literacy requirements out of english and wouldn't correct grammar or spelling because it "discouraged" him. The dumbing down of the system coupled with higher and higher marks helps nobody, and when they do something to correct it it is always of the "No Child Left Behind" sort of thing that exacerbates the problem and leaves all behind. Like I said, school wasn't perfect for me, but to fix it I'd go back to the material of thirty years ago and boot computers and electronics out of the classroom. Rather than try to info-tain the students, let them tough it through the core material and if they can't pay attention, give those who can't focus opportunity for after school tutoring and offline help. Don't slow down everyone else because books don't have enough bright lights to hold the attention of a few.

 

 

I am afraid of a future world ran by these children that never learned what it is like to lose a game or fail a class. Coddling them sets them up for misery later in life.

 

 

 

Emails – not racing related:

 

Got this one on April 9th:

 

A very interesting story.   True  Story.............

 

 

Too often we judge people by the way they look and not by what is in their heart.

A lesson on pre-judging................

 

THE GINGHAM DRESS

 

A lady in a faded gingham dress and her husband, dressed in homespun threadbare suit, stepped off the train in Boston, and walked timidly without an appointment into the Harvard University President's outer office.

    

The secretary could tell in a moment that such backwoods, country hicks had no

business at Harvard & probably didn't even deserve to be in Cambridge.

    

"We'd like to see the president," the man said softly.

    

"He'll be busy all day," the secretary snapped.

    

"We'll wait," the lady replied.

 

For hours the secretary ignored them, hoping that the couple would finally

become discouraged and go away. They didn't, and the secretary grew frustrated

and finally decided to disturb the president, even though it was a chore she

always regretted.

 

"Maybe if you see them for a few minutes, they'll leave," she said to him!

He sighed in exasperation and nodded. Someone of his importance obviously

didn't have the time to spend with them, and he detested gingham dresses and

homespun suits cluttering up his outer office. The president, stern faced and with dignity, strutted toward the couple.

    

The lady told him, "We had a son who attended Harvard for one year. He loved Harvard. He was happy here. But about a year ago, he was accidentally killed.

My husband and I would like to erect a memorial to him, somewhere on campus."

 

The president wasn't touched. He was shocked.

 

"Madam," he said, gruffly, "we can't put up a statue for every person who attended Harvard and died. If we did, this place would look like a cemetery."

 

"Oh, no," the lady explained quickly. "We don't want to erect a statue.

We thought we would like to give a building to Harvard."

 

The president rolled his eyes. He glanced at the gingham dress and homespun

suit, then exclaimed, "A building! Do you have any earthly idea how much a

building costs?  We have over seven and a half million dollars in the

physical buildings here at Harvard."

 

For a moment the lady was silent.  The president was pleased.

Maybe he could get rid of them now.

 

The lady turned to her husband and said quietly, "Is that all it cost to

start a university?  Why don't we just start our own?

 

Her husband nodded. The president's face wilted in confusion and bewilderment.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Leland Stanford got up and walked away, traveling to Palo Alto,

California where they established the university that bears their name,

Stanford University, a memorial to a son that Harvard no longer cared about.

 

You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who they

think can do nothing for them. ----

  

A TRUE STORY By Malcolm Forbes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Music videos:

 

The Lion Sleeps Tonight – remember it?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwy5uqemp6c

 

 

 

Joke of the week:

 

Distracted Driving Incident

Everyone reading this will enjoy it - no matter which gender you are.........

 

This morning on the Interstate, I looked over to my left and there was a Woman in a brand new Cadillac doing 65 mph with her face up next to her rear view mirror putting on her eyeliner.

I looked away for a couple seconds...to continue shaving, and when I looked back, she was halfway over in my lane, still working on that makeup.

As a man, I don't scare easily. But she scared me so much; I had to put on my seat belt and I dropped my electric shaver, which knocked the donut out of my other hand.

In all the confusion of trying to straighten out the car using my knees against the steering wheel, it knocked my Cell Phone away from my ear, which fell into my coffee which was between my legs, splashed, and burned Big Jim and the twins.  Ruined the damn phone, soaked my trousers, and disconnected an important call.

 

Damn women drivers!

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

Until my next column – next week.

 

 

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