Mostly Racin' Stuff

By Tom Avenengo

Volume # 178

04/24/2014

Some personal/family stuff:

The wife had a CAT Scan this past Monday to check out how things are going with her and how things look, cancer wise. I think it took all of ten minutes. If there’s a problem, we can expect a call from the doctor – more than likely on Tuesday. If not, then I’ll have to call to get the results. We’re hoping that I’m going to have to make that call. So, I call on Tuesday – nothing. I’m told that the Doctor will more than likely have the results when she comes in on Wednesday AM. It is now 7:14 PM on Wednesday – have not had a call yet. Guess that’s good news?

Our granddaughter Leighann Goodchild had her baby girl earlier today, Wednesday. That’s great grandchild # 9 for us!

AAA Champ Car race – Syracuse, N.Y. September 8, 1951

A short time ago, I came upon some photos over on Facebook – photos posted by a John Lehmann. They were about an AAA Champ Car race that was held up in Syracuse in 1951 – a race I had attended with my father and brother. I did a small article about that day, with those photos, and I imagine it will come out on the New England Tractor/Race Report website in the near future.

Not sure just when that article will be published, but to see how much that track has changed – how much getting those Champ Cars to the track has changed, keep checking here:

http://newenglandtractor.com/racereport/

Racin’ stuff:

Something I’ve noticed – poor postings of race results on race track websites. Why? Heck, some track websites don’t even have a link to results. Here it is on Monday as I’m typing this, and a track fairly close to me still has mention of their opening on the 19^th of April, but – uh huh – no link to their results.

I’m gonna tell ya something – me and OCFS really do not get along. Heck, I can’t even post on their Facebook page – can just “share”. But, dammit, they have their results posted on Sunday morning from the previous nights racing. How come other tracks can’t do the same? I use those race results from the tracks to check up on how the former runners at OVRP’s Dirt Oval do, racing wise. Yes, I have had to, at times; go to the digital version of the AARN on Tuesday to get results, since they’re not on the tracks websites yet. Unreal!

Last Saturday at OCFS, Jeff Heotzler won the Modified feature – from the pole position. He started on the pole because he was, in effect, last in the previous weeks feature. In the Sportsman feature, Christian Rumsey started outside on the first row, took the lead on lap two and led the rest of the way. The previous week he was a DNQ due to mechanical problems. I don’t expect either to come home a winner this week, or whenever the next race is held at OC, in the future, using the track points. It’s the way they handicap the field. Personally, I’d rather see a draw for starting positions in the heats, then a re-draw for say the first 12 or so in the feature.

Also, it should be interesting to see just how many trucks enter at OC this coming Saturday. I’m going out on a limb here and saying less than six.

While on the subject of OCFS –

I did send an email to OCFS the other day to see if they can fix the link on their website for MyLaps. It seems to work on other track websites, but when I click on the OCFS link, this comes up: “Page not found!”

I’m taking bets – my email ended up in “file 13”.

Former OVRP Dirt Oval runners:

As I look at some results from various tracks, at times, a name will pop up that looks familiar. Going back to race reports from years ago, I have come across some names that looked familiar in those reports. Gee, I’d say at least fifty names now of drivers that have run at the Dirt Oval and have moved onto bigger forms of racing. And, looking at race results from the Dirt Oval, today, there are still some racing there from when I did those race reports, too – quite a few years ago.

Last week:

At Hamlin – Jacob Hendershot was 2^nd in the 270 Micros. Cole Hentschel (who I believe ran at the Dirt Oval) was 4^th in the Stage One Modifieds. Danny Buccafusca was 8^th in the Wingless 600 Micro feature.

At Mahoning Valley, Roger Coss was 6^th in the Modified feature, while both BJ and Tiffany Wambold were DNQ’s in the Street Stocks.

Note: The ATQMRA raced there – only 10 cars. Why? Where are all those indoor TQ’s?

Davie Franek was 4^th in the URC Sprint Car feature at Selinsgrove.

At Albany/Saratoga, Alex Bell was 16^th in the Modified feature. Brett Wright was first in the Sportsman feature, while Matt Hitchcock was 7^th and Hunter Bates 9^th.

Anthony Perrego was 2^nd, Danny Creeden 7^th, Tom Hindley 10^th and Tyler Boniface 14^th in the Modified feature at Accord. Brian Krummel was 11^th in the Sportsman feature, with Wyatt Clark 4^th in the All Star Slingshot feature.

Justin Grosz was 17^th in the ARDC Midget feature at New Egypt.

Danny Creeden was 7^th in the Modified feature at 5 Mile.

At OCFS, Bily V was 2^nd, Tim Hindley 4^th, Mike Ruggiero 15^th and Clinton Mills 20^th in the Modified feature.

Johnny Illanovsky was 2^nd, Matt Janiak 3^rd, LJ Lombardo 5^th, Joey Falanga 11^th, Andrew Reeves 16^th, Dom Roselli, Jr. (who I believe also ran at the Dirt Oval) 17^th, Zack Vavricka 18^th and Joe Conklin 21^st in the Sportsman feature.

Kolby Schroder was 5^th, Bobby Hackel, IV was 10^th and Kyle Armstrong 12^th in the Modified feature at Lebanon Valley. In the Sportsman feature, John Virgilio was 3^rd and Matt Pappa 8^th.

Jacob Hendershot was 21^st at Linda’s in their 270 Micro feature.

Rick Casario was 13^th at the Greenwood Valley Action Track (GVAT) in their 270 feature.

Tyler Dippel was 5^th at the Hickory Motor Speedway, down in Carolina.

Ben Whitaker was 16^th at the Susquehanna Speedway’s Late Model feature.

Note: I see that at OCFS, Tim Hindley is leading in Modified points and Matt Janiak is leading in the Sportsman points.

Hoping I haven’t missed anyone!

38 names this week.

A little trip back in time:

In a way, this could be considered to be racing related. Taking you back to April 17, 1964 and the birth of the Ford Mustang. The link below will lead you to an article that came out in our local paper this past Monday. Did you know that when it first came out, a Ford Mustang was taken apart into four pieces and re-assembled on the observation deck of the Empire State Building? And for it’s 50^th birthday, the same happened again?

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140421/LIFE02/404210307

An interesting thread on the DTD forum –

Why can’t people afford to race?

http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/index.php?/topic/50493-why-cant-people-afford-to-race/

Lew Boyd:

Lew is associated with Coastal 181. He has quite a few articles on their website. Here is one of them:

IN THE MOMENT WITH JESSICA ZEMKEN

http://www.coastal181.com/nlm-working-April-2005/Tearoffs/tearoffs-0-2-10-14.htm

This coming weekend:

Well, per AccuWeather, showers are forecast for Friday and Saturday.

At OCFS and Lebanon Valley, in this area, race nights (for the Modifieds) will not be point races, since DIRTcar sees fit to schedule an SDS race for Saturday. Why they do that is beyond me.

Note # 1: On the OCFS Facebook page:

“This Saturday April 26 – The Modifieds will draw for their starting positions, the main event will be heads up, the following week May 3 regular handicapping will resume, the finishes from April 26 WILL NOT count toward your handicapping for May 3. Any driver that attends OCFS or the DIRT Series race at Fulton will receive 50 track points, if you do not attend either event, you will receive 0 Points however it will count as a no show for handicapping purposes.”

Note # 2: Darn! I was gonna go with Jeremy Markle to win this coming Saturday!

From Jayski:

http://www.jayski.com/

Keselowski recalls how Rick Hendrick left him heartbroken:

In a just-released video interview, #2-Brad Keselowski [2012 Sprint Cup Champion] - looking perhaps as somber as we've ever seen him, at times seemingly ready to break into tears - discusses how heartbroken, if not potentially betrayed he felt in 2009 when team owner Rick Hendrick picked Mark Martin to drive the #5 Chevrolet instead of giving Keselowski the opportunity, even though Bad Brad insists Hendrick had previously promised him that ride in 2010. Appearing on the syndicated "In Depth With Graham Bensinger," Keselowski also talks prominently about how Roger Penske approached him back in 2008, inquiring if the young talent would be interested in joining Team Penske. See full article at NBC Sports, with a link to the video interview there)(4-20-2014)

Jack Roush discusses possible engine changes:

With NASCAR officials focusing on engine changes in the Sprint Cup Series for 2015 that will result in a reduction of horsepower, such a move should involve "a restriction on the intake side," according to Sprint Cup Series team co-owner [#16, #17, #99] Jack Roush. Roush, an owner in the series since 1988, isn't suggesting the use of restrictor plates similar to those used at Daytona and Talladega. Instead, he said, a reduction of the throttle bore size "without a plate underneath" would accomplish the objective. "(It is) straightforward and it is easily reversible if you decided that the quality of the racing was hurt by it," Roush said. "If they want to take 100 horsepower off ... reduce horsepower significantly, the least expensive and most palatable way to do that is with a restriction on the intake side." Today's Cup engines, limited to 358 cubic inches, produce approximately 850 horsepower. Speeds have increased, in part due to a new rules package and the continued development of the Generation-6 car, now in its second year. While officials with the three auto manufacturers currently involved at the series' top level, Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota, have been a part of the discussions, they say it is too early in the process to respond to potential engine changes. "From an owner's standpoint, NASCAR has got to be mindful of ... what it costs," Roush said. "The race teams can only afford to change so many things at a time. With the expanding technology and the engineering costs that everybody has with the pressure for sponsorship and investment in the sport, a dramatic or unnecessary engine change would not be welcome in my world."(see full article at NASCAR.com)(4-20-2014)

Sprint Fan Vote continues:

It's time again for fans to vote their favorite Sprint Fan Vote-eligible driver into the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on Saturday, May 17 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Voting opened March 16 and closes at 7:00pm/et on Friday, May 16, one day before the green flag. Through the Sprint Fan Vote, fans can cast their ballots an unlimited number of times to help determine the starting lineup for the prestigious race. The driver receiving the highest number of votes will earn a starting spot in the annual event worth a $1 million payday, courtesy of Sprint. For the first time in its history, the Sprint Fan Vote will include a sweepstakes awarding one lucky voter a trip for two to any 2014 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup race of his or her choice, among other instant prizes.

NASCAR fans have three options to cast their Sprint Fan Votes:

Download the NASCAR MOBILE application. Votes cast through NASCAR MOBILE will count as double towards a driver's total.

Go to NASCAR.com/SprintFanVote

Visit The Sprint Experience, located in the midway at all NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.

Last year, then-rookie #10-Danica Patrick, garnered nearly half-a-million votes to win the Sprint Fan Vote. Eligible for the vote again this year, Patrick will be vying for votes against the likes of #47-AJ Allmendinger, #15-Clint Bowyer, #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and rookies, #3-Austin Dillon and #42-Kyle Larson.

The winner of the 2014 Sprint Fan Vote will be announced in Victory Lane after the conclusion of the Sprint Showdown on Friday, May 16. In addition to accumulating the most votes, a Sprint Fan Vote-eligible driver must also finish the Sprint Showdown qualifying race with a car in "raceable" condition (as determined by NASCAR Competition) to earn a spot in the race field.

To date, 30 drivers are eligible for the 2014 Sprint Fan Vote. Eligibility for participation is restricted to those drivers who have been approved by NASCAR for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition and have met all other eligibility requirements. Amongst those eligibility requirements, drivers must have attempted to qualify for the 2014 Daytona 500 and race in the Sprint Showdown. Should any eligible Sprint Fan Vote candidate win a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Race during the 2014 season, and therefore automatically earn a spot into the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, the driver's name will be removed from the Sprint Fan Vote ballot and their existing votes will be voided.

Frontstretch tickets for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race are available for purchase and affordably priced at two for $99 (plus taxes and fees). Fans can obtain tickets by calling 1-800-455-FANS or buying online at CharlotteMotorSpeedway.com.

Tune in to the Sprint Showdown at 7:00pm/et on Friday, May 16 on FOX Sports 1, Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Then catch NASCAR's biggest stars in Sprint All-Star Race Qualifying at 7:00pm/et on Saturday, May 17 on FOX Sports 1, and the Sprint All-Star Race immediately following at 9:00pm/et on FOX Sports 1, Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

The 30 drivers (as of March 15) eligible for the Sprint Fan Vote include:

#51-Justin Allgaier, #47-A.J. Allmendinger, #43-Aric Almirola, #9-Marcos Ambrose, #7-Michael Annett, #21-Trevor Bayne, #77-Dave Blaney, #23-Alex Bowman, #15-Clint Bowyer, #40-Landon Cassill, #3-Austin Dillon, #38-David Gilliland, #30-Parker Kligerman, #42-Kyle Larson, #52-Bobby Labonte, #32-Terry Labonte, #35-Eric McClure, #95-Michael McDowell, #13-Casey Mears, #27-Paul Menard, #66/#87-Joe Nemechek, #10-Danica Patrick, #33-Brian Scott, #93-Morgan Shepherd, #36-Reed Sorenson, #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr., #83-Ryan Truex, #66-Michael Waltrip, #26-Cole Whitt, #98-Josh Wise. (CMS)(4-19-2014)

Lack of sponsorship could shut down Swan Racing:

Swan Racing [#26-Cole Whitt & #30-Parker Kligerman] issued the following statement Thursday afternoon: "Swan Racing is in the process of reviewing its current situation and the ability to continue to compete in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The team has been unable to secure the kind of sponsorship required to effectively operate the team. As a result, the team management is exploring every available option. We hope to be in position to provide a detailed update in the near future."(Swan Racing)(4-17-2014)

UPDATE:

Team spokesperson Ramsey Poston told Motorsport.com that Swan is assessing its current situation. Other sources familiar with the situation said it's unlikely that Swan will field more than one car -- if any -- for the Apr. 25-26 NASCAR events at Richmond International Raceway.(Motorsport)

UPDATE2:

The Swan Racing NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team released a number of employees today [Thursday] and may not compete in the circuit's next race at Richmond International Raceway On April 26. Team employees were reportedly informed today that the team is suspending operations, and many of them are already seeking employment with other teams. Sources say there is a possibility that Whitt's #26 Toyota could be absorbed into the existing BK Racing operation, if Swan Racing is unable to continue.(Godfather Motorsports)

UPDATE3:

Swan Racing co-owner Anthony Marlowe tweeted on Thursday afternoon: "My mission is to ensure @ColeWhitt races in every #NASCAR Sprint Cup event this season."(4-18-2014)

UPDATE 4:

Cole Whitt, a Sprint Cup rookie who is fourth among the 2014 rookie class at 33rd in the overall standings, is scrambling to find a ride for this weekend's race at Richmond. A representative for Fuel Sports Management Group confirmed that as of Monday morning, Whitt did not have a ride for Richmond.(Sporting News)(4-21-2014)

Swan Racing Restructures:

Swan Racing announced it has successfully restructured the company by finding solutions for the #26 and #30 teams in an attempt to save the jobs of the crews, the drivers, and to keep those teams competing throughout the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. As a result, Anthony Marlowe has merged his ownership of the #26 team into BK Racing, effective immediately. Cole Whitt will remain behind the wheel of the #26. The #30 team has been sold to John Cohen of XxxTreme Motorsports, which will operate the team going forward and intends to compete with veteran driver J.J. Yeley. Stephen "Bones" Lane will serve as crew chief and be joined by several other former Swan Racing crewmembers. Driver Parker Kligerman remains under contract with Swan Racing, which will seek to identify options for him to get back on track. Team owner Brandon Davis issued the following statement:

"I want to first thank our employees, fans, and others in the NASCAR industry for their patience and understanding over the past several days while we work out the future of Swan Racing. As previously stated, the team is restructuring due to a lack of additional funding. However, over the past couple weeks we worked tirelessly to find an alternative to ending operations. Fortunately, we were able to find a home for the #26 team and the #30 team thanks to Anthony Marlowe and Jonathan Cohen respectively. "Anthony and Jonathan are both young and ambitious NASCAR enthusiasts. It is important to keep them in the sport for the long term. I am very relieved to know that the #26 and #30 teams will be in good hands and will continue to compete the remainder of the 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. Most importantly, most of the team members have the opportunity to continue their employment in the sport and to support their families. This was critically important to me. Swan Racing is exploring any and all options to keep Parker Kligerman on track throughout the season. We are encouraged by the response we have received from interested parties. Parker continues to be one of the most talented young drivers in NASCAR. He brought this racing team one of its strongest results in his first race with us, and we are certain of his success in the future.(Swan Racing PR)(4-23-2014)

Stremme back in the #33 at RIR with new sponsor:

Circle Sport Racing announced that Newtown Building Supplies, Inc. (NBS) will be the primary sponsor of the #33 Chevy driven by David Stremme April 26 in the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond International Raceway (RIR). This will be the first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series sponsorship for Newtown Building Supplies, which markets windows, doors, siding, installation and a range of building materials to commercial builders and residential home owners in Hampton Roads, VA.

D.J. "Jimmy" Rogers, the president and principal owner of Newtown Building Supplies (a member of the Tidewater Builders Association), has turned NBS - not even a year old - into a force among the building community in southeast Virginia. He's excited to partner with Stremme, a veteran racer with nearly 200 starts in the Sprint Cup Series. "NBS is thrilled to sponsor Circle Sport, the #33 car and David Stremme," says Rogers. "We are fierce competitors and know David is too. We believe he has what it takes to make a splash 'under the lights!'"

Known for its wide selection of building materials and superb customer service with builders, NBS is marking its foray into NASCAR with Circle Sport as a way to reach the Hampton Roads NASCAR community. "NASCAR is the perfect arena for Jimmy to showcase his entrepreneurial spirit and market Newtown Building Supplies to thousands of race fans and potential customers," says Stremme. "Richmond is not only the home track of NBS but also Little Joe's Autos, and I know that team owner Joe Falk has this race circled on his calendar. With the emphasis on this race from within the organization, we're looking forward to putting on a good show in front of the fans and all of our Virginia-based guests."(Circle Sport), see image of the scheme on the #33 Team Schemes page.(4-21-2014)

Hendrick pit coach is leaving for a job outside of racing:

One of the best pit coaches in NASCAR is leaving racing for work outside of the sport. As of Darlington two weeks ago, Hendrick Motor Sports pit coach Lance Munksgard will no longer be at HMS. Munksgard will be taking a new job in McGregor, Texas at Fourseventy Claim Management. Pit Talks talked with Coach Munksgard, he had this to say. "I was blessed to have been able to live a dream of working with the best mechanics and pit crew members in NASCAR over the years which was an unforgettable experience. I couldn't have asked for a better organization than HMS to finish my NASCAR career. HMS is a truly professional company that starts from Mr. Hendrick down through the management, crew chiefs, and through the pit crews. It was a true pleasure to work with a strong coaching staff and pit crew members at HMS and watch them progress each week. I will truly miss the competition on pit road each week and wish all the guys on pit road the best of luck."(Pit Talks)(4-21-2014)

UPDATE:

Greg Morin, who has been pit crew coach for the teams of Kasey Kahne and Jeff Gordon, and Chris Krieg, the assistant coach to Munksgard, will oversee the pit crews for Earnhardt and Johnson until a full-time replacement is hired.(MRN)(4-22-2014)

UPDATE 2:

Greg Morin and Chris Krieg were the 2 assistants for the #48/#88 pit crews will now be sharing duties until a replacement is hired for Munksgard. The #5/#24 pit coaches will remain the same.(4-23-2014)

Kurt Busch to undergo Indy 500 rookie orientation:

It's been 14 years since Kurt Busch was last called a rookie. And even though Busch has a Sprint Cup championship trophy at home, he's still a rookie open-wheel driver as far as the Indianapolis 500 is concerned. That's why Busch and four other drivers will take part in the rookie orientation or veteran driver refresher course to be eligible to compete in the May 25th Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the track announced Tuesday. Busch will join four other drivers - Mikhail Aleshin, Martin Plowman, Jack Hawksworth and 1995 Indy 500 winner and former CART and F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve - for the three-pronged orientation and driving program on Tuesday, April 29th and Monday, May 5th. Villeneuve will only have to complete the final two phases of the three-phase program to be recertified to race in the 500 because of his prior experience there. The orientation/refresher is designed that all five drivers can potentially complete all three phases in one day. If they are able to do so, the second day would be for practice - or if they need more instruction.(NBC Sports)(4-23-2014)

Congrats - Clint Boyer:

#15-Clint Bowyer is now a married man. Bowyer and his fiancee Lorra tied the knot in the Bahamas over the weekend.(FoxSports)(4-21-2014)

Found via a link on Jayski:

Family affair: Relationship between Elliotts reaches beyond racing

http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/family-affair-relationship-between-elliotts-reaches-beyond-racing-042014

At times, a “typo” can lead to different things for different people:

Case in point, from this, posted on the OCFS website:

“Any driver that attends OCFS or the DIRT Series race at Fulton will receive 50 track points, if you do not attend either event, you will receive 0 Points however it will count as a no show for handicapping purposes.”

Note # 1: Notice the words “Any driver”? Notice it really does not say “Any OCFS driver”? This was questioned on the Victory Speedway Forum:

“According to the track's web site, any driver who attends OCFS or Fulton on Saturday will get 50 show up points.

So,

Brett Hearn will get 50 points

Matt Sheppard will get 50 points

Jimmy Phelps will get 50 points

etc.”

Note # 2: And what if that SDS race gets rained out – or OCFS gets rained out?

emails – racing related:

About April 23, 1978:

36 years ago today, a small plane carrying eight officials of the United States Auto Club (USAC) crashed into a farm field near Arlington Indiana and killed all those aboard. The USAC officials were returning home following the USAC championship car race at Trenton New Jersey when the Pipe Navajo ran into a thunderstorm. Aboard the doomed flight were:

Frankie DelRoy- Chairman of USAC Technical Committee;Ray Marquette – USAC Vice-president of Public Affairs;

Shim Malone- USAC Midget division Supervisor and flagman at championship races

Don Peabody- USAC Sprint Car division supervisor who had recently joined USAC after 6 years as CRA President

Stan Worley- USAC registrar

Russ Teegarden- Assistant chairman of the USAC Technical Committee

Dr. Bruce White – a physician and USAC medical staff member

Judy Phillips- assistant to the USAC vice-president of public affairs

Don Mullen – the chartered plane’s pilot

The loss of these eight people profoundly affected USAC for years to come and in my opinion, changed the future of racing. USAC President Dick King, scheduled to have been on the flight but stayed in Trenton overnight, was left with a small staff to run USAC with the opening of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway only days away and did a tremendous job to hold USAC together following the tragedy.

Kevin Triplett

Walnut Creek CA

Found on Facebook – racing related:

On Facebook on 4/11:

Just curious - how many 1-mile dirt tracks are there still in operation?

There are 4. Two in Illinois, Springfield and DuQuion. One in Indianapolis and one in New York.

Sacramento?

Sacramento has an AMA motorcycle race scheduled in July...they are also scheduled at the Santa Rosa, California mile...never knew there was a mile track at Santa Rosa.

The AMA flat trackers run in August at Colonial Downs in VA which is supposedly a little bigger than a mile

Forgot about Colonial Downs....it is a 1.25 mile track mile.

Del Mar too, but I don't think they'll ever run cars on it again.

Tim, the AMA has cancelled the Grand National race at Sacramento in July. No reason given, as far as I know? And as for the mile at Santa Rosa, it is one of the most beautiful 1-mile dirt tracks in the country. AMA ran there 40+ years ago (besides 2 years ago); Gary Nixon broke his leg there in 1969.

What about Sedalia Missouri?

Mark, there's actually still quite a few 1-mile dirt tracks still around. What happens is, they go dormant for many years and then a promoter will take a chance and we'll get a race. A good example is, the above mentioned Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa (CA) and the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds in Stockton (CA). They ran a couple of motorcycle races there just a few years ago after a 35+ year lull.

No mile left at Sedalia, Mo. The fairgrounds removed the mile track I'm guessing fifteen years or so ago.

Well another possibility is setting up to run each of the routine miles available at least twice in a season. Couple that with big 1/2 miles like Eldora, Belleville, Knoxville even, Williams Grove (those PA 1/2 miles can be brutal) and you really could add something to it. More races wouldn't be a bad thing, especially at certain times of the year. I also think that having the other two open wheel divisions supporting would be more beneficial then modifieds or late models, though on some events it would break things up. You may get more cars, like you do at the 4 crown, that way.

I was wondering about Sacramento and Sedalia. i knew there had been big car races there in the past. I'm happy to hear about the Syracuse race during SuperDirt Week inOctober. They usually get good weather, so ihope there are a lot of teams that haul east for the show.

I thought insanity only prevailed in California because that's sad to know that the great 1-mile dirt track in Sedalia (MO) is gone? I believe they also had a half-mile inside the big track? Anyway sick, city/county leaders removed not only the grandstands but also the famous 1-mile dirt track, the 1/2-mile inside of it and also the 1/4 inside of that at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in San Jose (CA), the track that Walt James' brother, Joe James lost his life in a national championship race in 1952.

Insanity and greed, not restricted to California. Last time I was at Sedalia they had the mile, though it wasn't in good shape, that was the 80's. Same kind of attitude that has I70 speedway paved and sitting idle, a great track. America wanted to "grow up" and it did, and became a shadow of itself, and that includes our racing, why the major leagues of Auto Racing in this country are faltering, they got greedy.

Found on 4/20:

This years Hinchliffe Stadium Racing Expo will take place on Sunday Sept. 14, 2014. The date change will give many the opportunity to attend that couldn't attend previously. We have been working diligently to put this years show together.As you all know a lot has been going on around Hinchliffe Stadium. The stadium has made great strides in preserving it's history and building towards it's future. Stay tuned for upcoming announcements...

Found on 4/22:

Was wondering why we can bet on horse races,all stick and ball sports,but not auto racing.I can only imagine the ticket window line if Grandview had a window for betting like they do in horse racing,a win,place,show,exactas,trifectas and Superfecta's.Just think of Jeff Strunk going off at 4 to 1 odds or Terry Meitzler being 15 to 1.Could this be legal?

Betting on auto racing and all other sports is legal in Nevada, I've bet on NASCAR races there. Sports betting (except horses) is officially banned in all the other states, although it certainly exists.

You know, if we allow betting, "the dark side" will enter and there will be teams letting other teams win because of betting money or even more intentional wrecking because of money. Human nature will rule as it does in many sports that have betting.

That's all we need - "fixing" races.

True...I guess honest people don't think along those lines, at least I wasn't.

It was proven over the years in boxing, happened with point shaving in basketball (NCAA & pro), hell in baseball they fixed the world series. It probably happens a lot more than we imagine. That's why I say the only truly honest sports are pro wrestling & roller derby. They are the only sports you actually know are not fixed because the outcome is somewhat determined we already know that ahead of time.

From Track Forum:

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

Helio on probation for Twitter comments

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?185104-Helio-on-probation-for-Twitter-comments

Note: What next?

From the AARN:

http://www.aarn.com/

This Week

In AARN

Rick Eckert Tabbed As New

‘Rocket House Car’ Driver

On WoO Circuit

Doug Esh Is Surprise Winner

Of Williams Grove 410 Sprint

‘Tommy Classic’

Huge Week For Ryan Watt:

Nabs Wins At Big Diamond,

Bridgeport

Holtgraver Doubles Up

In Western PA 410 Sprint Sweep

Yates County (Black Rock)

Will Host Race Of Champions

Modified Race

It’s Pennink

At Monadock In VMRS Mods

Pauch Wins Third Straight

At NES;

Vows To Fight Track’s

Newly Stated Impound Policy

ARDC Kicks Off 75th Season

With Steve Drevicki Winning

At New Egypt

Markovic Wins At Mahoning

A Week After Leaving Track

In Ambulance

Doug Manmiller

Is First Grandview

358 Mod Repeat Winner

New England Rite:

Stafford’s Spring Sizzler

Goes This Weekend

Also:

Rolling Wheels – A five race schedule was announced from DIRTcar. It seems that there’s a slight problem with that advertised sale of the track. Financial obligations have not been met, so DIRTcar has com eout with their “normal” Rolling Wheels schedule.

Billy Pauch – Not a happy camper since the management at New Egypt has come out and said they’ll take and impound any car that wins too much. Pauch said that those that run DIRTcar had their act together down in Florida, and he might run some of their events. Also, IF his car gets impounded, he’ll leave New Egypt.

Waterford Speedbowl – Wow! Track is up for sale. It’s about to be foreclosed on. Owner is looking for investors so he can keep it as a race track.

Kutztown – An increase in the 600 Micro purses are coming.

Note: It’s a shame they only race there when the college is closed for the summer.

Ernie Saxton – Tells us that there are some changes coming – lower costs, for race trailers/haulers.

Lenny Sammons - Tells us that Steve Buckwalter ran with the Sprint Cars at Port Royal last Saturday because the ARDC's engine rules this season has forced him to run his USAC engine with the ARDC, so he has to be careful as to how many times he runs that engine, with his budget. That's why he ran Port Royal instead of the ARDC show at New Egypt where he's won 7 of the 19 midget shows there.

Earl Krause - Earl informs us that at Wall Stadium, on Sundays, when they have practice for "Racers of the future" in Go-Karts, Bandeleros, Micro Stocks and wingless TQ's, at Wall, it is free to the public. And it's free admission to the Garden State Quarter-Midget Club oval, which is next to the Wall Stadium oval - also on Sundays.

Randy Kane - My how time flies! Randy makes mention that Meme DeSantis is now in his 41st year of racing. Also, Duane Howard is a young 50 years old now. Doug Manmiller is only 46. Doug Esh is 42.

Gary London - Gary takes us back to the Indy 500 in 1964. Ford had come out with their double overhead cam V-8, and had mandated that it use gasoline only as it's fuel. Rodger Ward took a couple of laps with his Ford V-8 powered car, pitted, got out and said he was "sitting in a bathtub surrounded by gasoline" and would not drive that car. Car owner Bob Wilke approached Ford about changing the fuel, to no avail. Wilke had mechanic AJ Watson change the car over to alcohol. If you recall, 1964 was the year that they had that huge accident with tremendous fire and we lost Dave McDonald and Eddie Sachs.

Don & JoAnn Davies - they tell us that at Lebanon Valley, there were 28 Modifieds. Six of them were Small Blocks. The 50/50 was $1423.00.

JR Kennerup - He tells us that this year, 2014, will be the final year for Penn Can co-promoters Reed Miller and Al Wilcox.

Hoosier is now the tire that the TQ's must use on all four corners, when they race indoors at Atlantic City and Trenton. Hmm - no mention of an indoor race in Rhode Island. Guess those ones are now history?

Note: I am not a fan of “Track tires” “Track fuel” etc etc. It surely does not lower any costs.

A photo of Parker Evans in his 360 Sprint Car during the practice session at Thunder Mountain shows that it sure looks like a Micro Sprint tail on his sprinter.

I've always been a fan of Bob Green, then his son, Robbie, and now his son, Randy. The first time I saw Randy in competition was at the Accord Speedway and, to be honest, he had a hard time getting out of his own way. He sure has progressed! Last Saturday at Five Mile Point, Randy had a 4th in the Sportsman feature. At I-88 he was 6th. Yes, I can see a feature win for the young man in 2014!

Daryn Pittman won $20,000.00 when he won the Ted Johnson Memorial Sprint Car race at the Devil's Bowl Speedway out in Texas.

A photo on page 49 of Jeff Gordon, his wife, Ingrid, and their daughter, Ella, in a 1/4 Midget at her Quarter Midget event - uh, no where could I find "results" from that (her) event.

Florida Open Wheel

Remembering Marty Little – A Florida Racing Icon

By Richard Golardi

http://www.hoseheads.com/richard.html

Thank you to both Rex Hollinger and Ronnie Bacelo for their contributions to this article.

Also, this:

Found on Facebook on 4/23:

Posted by Rich Golardi:

TBARA has confirmed that Joey Aguilar has been suspended from TBARA competition for the remainder of the 2014, due to unsportsmanlike conduct during Winners Circle ceremonies on the front straight of Orlando Speedworld on April 19, 2014.

Note: Rich made mention that more would be said about this in his Hoseheads column. Maybe the link above will work?

Press releases:

NEWS FROM

Orange County Fair Speedway

239 Wisner Avenue

Middletown, NY10940

CONTACT

Mike Gurda

845-342-2573

FOR RELEASE BEGINNING SUNDAY, APRIL 20

RACING ACTION APRIL 26 ON SCOUT NIGHT

AT ORANGE COUNTY FAIR SPEEDWAY

MIDDLETOWN, NY (April 20)......Get ready for an exciting night of high-speed racing action on Saturday, April 26 at the historic five-eighths-mile “Hard Clay” Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, New York.

The evening’s schedule Includes a regular four-division racing program featuring DIRTcar-sanctioned Big-Block Modifieds, Small-Block Modifieds, Sportsman, and Street Stock race cars in qualifying heats and feature races. In addition, the new racing Thunder Trucks division will be making its Orange County debut. It’s also Scout Night and the Orange County Kid’s Club has activities planned for the youngsters in attendance. The evening’s program is sponsored by Jumpin Jake’s.

All Boy and Girl Scouts, Brownies and Cub Scouts and their leaders in uniforms will be admitted free on Scout Night. Scout groups are asked to inform the speedway office of their troop number, home town, and leaders’ names so that they may be recognized during the evening.

“Scouting has always been part of the true fabric of American life,” says speedway promoter Mike Gurda. “It’s an outstanding citizenship builder as well as being a great deal of fun. We’re happy to have all the scouts as our guests.”

Admission prices for the April 26 race meet remain at $14 adults, $12 seniors, and $2.00 for children 12 and under. The full night of racing begins promptly at 7:00 pm.

Looking ahead, the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars and racing Stars are returning to Orange County on Sunday, May 18. Tickets are now on sale at the Speedway Office for this special evening that will also include the Orange County Sportsman drivers and cars.

Information for all Orange County Fair Speedway action is available at the speedway website, www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net,

or from at the Track Office. Call 845-342-2573 during business hours.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. adds to race car graveyard

http://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2014/4/22/5641076/dale-earnhardt-jr-race-car-collection-house-graveyard

This week’s photos:

Note: Photos can only be seen on: http://newenglandtractor.com/racereport/

Taking you back in time to what Sprint Cars looked like back in the 50’s, with six photos:

Tommy Hinershitz, inside, Johnny Thomson, outside at Reading.

Duane Carter – Walt Imlay photo

Al Keller at Langhorne – Walt Imlay photo

Jud Larson – Walt Imlay photo

Joe Barzda in his stretched midget

Bill Schindler – Earl Beal Offy. The car he had his last ride in, and some 8 years later, Johnny Thomson also had his last ride in this car – both at Allentown, Pa.

Racing videos:

The Indy 500 winning Jim Clark car – on the track again. Look ma – NO WINGS!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ztap_zlbiU

And how about Champ Cars at Langhorne in 1964?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1ilCmFCNpBI

Not racing related:

It’s being said that an American man won the Boston Marathon. So, what constitutes an American, any way?

BOSTON -- American Meb Keflezighi won the Boston Marathon, a year after a bombing at the finish line left three dead and more than 260 people injured.

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/meb-keflezighi-wins-boston-marathon/story?id=23410216

Keflezighi and his family were refugees from a part of the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia that is now in Eritrea who came to the United States via Italy in 1987.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meb_Keflezighi

So how is he an American? To me, an American is one that’s born in America. Oh – forgot – he was must have been “Naturalized”. So why isn’t he an “Ethiopian/American – like blacks are African/Americans?

New York State:

I imagine you’ve seen the commercials where if a company relocates to New York State, they don’t have to pay taxes for ten years? Heck, they even have those commercials down in Florida! The “Start Up” New York stuff.

Question: What happens after those ten years and the company leaves the state? Anyone think of that? Are there any kind of “safeguards” on this?

Other stuff:

You’ve seen commercials for various kinds of drugs – where at the end the list of side effects etc etc is God knows how long, right? How about this – anytime they advertise some kind of foods – especially “junk” foods, maybe they should have a warning about how bad that stuff is for us, huh?

You watch baseball on TV? If so, then you know how “important” the pitch counts are, right? But, that pitch count does not take into the fact that the pitcher does have warm up- pitches and also throws to first base, etc etc.

Found on the Internet:

When ‘Liking’ a Brand Online Voids the Right to Sue

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/liking-brand-online-voids-sue-005550389.html

In part: "Might downloading a 50-cent coupon for Cheerios cost you legal rights?

General Mills, the maker of cereals like Cheerios and Chex as well as brands like Bisquick and Betty Crocker, has quietly added language to its website to alert consumers that they give up their right to sue the company if they download coupons, “join” it in online communities like Facebook, enter a company-sponsored sweepstakes or contest or interact with it in a variety of other ways.

Instead, anyone who has received anything that could be construed as a benefit and who then has a dispute with the company over its products will have to use informal negotiation via email or go through arbitration to seek relief, according to the new terms posted on its site.

In language added on Tuesday after The New York Times contacted it about the changes, General Mills seemed to go even further, suggesting that buying its products would bind consumers to those terms."

Emails – not racing related:

If you take 1 minute to read this prayer, imagine how many prayers are going up for our country.

Hi Lord, it's me.

We are getting older and things are getting ...bad here.

Gas prices are too high, no jobs, so much corruption, food and

heating costs too high. We've lost the way. I know you were

taken out of our schools, government and even Christmas,

but Lord I'm asking you to come back and re-bless America.

We really need you! Badly.

There are more of us who want you than those who don't!

Thank You Lord, I Love You.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

And:

Please read before deleting - If you are not a veteran please send this to those that you know who are, or to those who may know veterans.

(The 2014 United States elections will be held on Tuesday, November 4,

2014. During this midterm election year, all 435 seats in the United

States House of Representatives and 33 of the 100 seats in the United

States Senate will be contested in this election. Get out and

VOTE!!!!)

A movement has been started by our armed forces to get out the vote in

2014. They are organizing themselves, but this can be done by all of

us.

The President, the Commander in Chief, has made the Rules of

Engagement (ROE) so difficult, that our troops are often killed before

they can even get permission to fight. Nothing has been done to stop

our troops from being murdered by the Afghanis they are training,

either.

Now, the President wants the US to sign on to the UNs

International Criminal Court (ICC), which would allow the UN's ICC to

arrest and try US troops for War Crimes, without the legal protections

guaranteed under US Law, and from which there is no appeal.

The President, with his Democratic control of the Senate, has nearly all

the power. If the Non-Establishment Republicans, and Conservatives,

can take back the Senate in 2014, our troops can once again be

protected from unnecessary danger. Please consider this, and send it

on to your mailing lists. Thank You

Interestingly enough, when GWB was president you heard about the

military deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan almost daily. With Obama in

the White House, the mainstream media has been strangely quiet. ---

More than 1,000 American soldiers have lost their lives in Afghanistan

in the last 27 months. This is more than the combined total of the

nine years before. Thirty have died in August. During the last month,

over 50 additional NATO and US servicemen have been murdered, inside

jobs by those who are hired to be a force for good in Afghanistan ..

The commander in chief is AWOL. Not a peep, although he ordered the

White House flag flown at half-staff for the Sikhs that were killed.

There is a deep disgust, a fury, growing in the ranks of the military

against the indifferent incompetence of this president.

It has taken on a dangerous tone. No one knows what to do about him,

but the anger runs deep as the deaths continue with no strategic end

in sight to the idiocy of this war. Obama has had 4 years to end this

futile insanity, during which time he has vacationed, golfed,

campaigned, and generally ignored the plight of our men and women in

uniform. But, there is now a movement afoot in the armed services to

launch a massive get out the vote drive against this president.

Not just current active duty types, but the National Guard, Reserves,

the retired, and all other prior service members. This is no small

special interest group, but many millions of veterans who can have an

enormous impact on the outcome of the November election if they all

respond.

The one million military retirees in Florida alone could mean an

overwhelming victory in that state if they all show up at the polls.

It might not keep another one hundred U.S. troops from dying between

now and November, but a turn out to vote by the military against this

heart breaking lack of leadership can make a powerful statement that

hastens a change to the indifference of this shallow little man who

just lets our soldiers die.

Veterans: Please forward to your lists. High Priority!

Music videos:

Country Singer Kevin Sharp Dead at 43

https://celebrity.yahoo.com/news/country-singer-kevin-sharp-dead-43-211900765.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6sPUo09jWk&feature=player_embedded

Joke of the week:

Found on Facebook:

My Gun:

To the editor:

Today I swung my front door wide open and placed my Remington 870 right in the doorway. I gave it four shells and left it alone and went about my business.

While I was gone, the mail gal delivered my mail, the trash man picked up the trash, a girl walked her dog down the street, and quite a few of my neighbors drove past.

Well, after about an hour, I checked on the gun. It was still sitting there, right where I left it. It hadn’t killed anyone, even with the numerous opportunities it had been presented to do so. In fact, it hadn’t even loaded itself.

Well, you can imagine my surprise, with all the media hype about how dangerous guns are and how they kill people.

Either the media is wrong, and it is the misuse of guns by criminals, or I have one of the laziest shotguns ever made.

I must hurry now and check my spoons. I hear they are making people fat.

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.

Oh, one more thing – Hillary did not “Dodge” that flying shoe. It was way past her when she realized it had been thrown. Was it a “set up”? I think so.

Until my next column – next week

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