Mostly Racin' Stuff

Mostly Racin' Stuff

By Tom Avenengo

Volume # 179

05/01/2014

Some personal/family stuff:

CAT scan results for the wife came back pretty good. Some small Gallstones were seen, and it looks like another CAT scan in three months to keep en eye on their size. Also, something about a “nodule” showing up.

So, I take two prescriptions to my pharmacy to have them transferred from Florida up to here, and get refills. One for the wife and one for me. No problem, right? Wrong! Problem was both the wife and I are on the same medication that I was trying to get refilled for me. Uh huh, they try to get the refill for HER. Uh uh! I go back to pick them up and only got the one that I wanted to get refilled for the wife. Mine? Uh huh! They tried to refill hers. Problem: Insurance will not pay because it’s being refilled to early. Yes, from now on I’ll know better than to try to get refills for both of us at the same time.

Racin’ stuff:

NASCAR Penalizes Mears & Ambrose

In part: "Ambrose, driver of the No. 9 car, and Mears, driver of the No. 13 car, were found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing), and 12-4.9 (Behavioral Penalty; involved in an altercation in the garage area after the race) as outlined in the 2014 NASCAR rule book. As a result, Ambrose has been fined $25,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until May 28, while Mears has been fined $15,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until May 28."

http://www.nationalspeedsportnews.com/nascar/sprint-cup-nascar/nascar-penalizes-mears-ambrose/

I’m kind of surprised that Dale Earnhardt, Jr. is not entered in the Nationwide race this coming weekend at Talladega.

There were twelve cars in an Indy Lights race on TV this past Sunday. Out of the twelve, nine were “Rookies”. This is the “Road to Indy”, folks. Betcha not a single one has ever raced on a dirt track.

From last weeks column:

“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/”

In case you missed it, here’s a link directly to it:

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

Over on the Dirt Track Digest was a thread titled: “Brett Hearn”. It was a question about how many wins has Brett had, per year, in his career. Well, that info was kind of hard to find on the Internet, believe it or not. But I figured if anyone would have that info, it would be John Snyder. An email to him resulted in this:

Brett Hearn's Career Wins...

Year Mod SBM/SPT Sprint Total
14 02 00 00 02
13 13 01 00 14
12 16 04 00 20
11 09 06 00 15
10 09 09 00 18
09 07 08 00 15
08 10 12 00 22
07 16 13 00 29
06 12 14 00 26
05 08 12 00 20
04 13 18 00 31
03 09 09 00 18
02 23 19 00 42
01 14 09 00 23
00 17 05 00 22
99 11 13 00 24
98 18 12 00 30
97 17 10 00 27
96 11 17 00 28
95 10 14 00 24
94 14 08 00 22
93 22 16 00 38
92 19 08 00 27
91 20 14 00 34
90 21 17 00 38
89 20 08 00 28
88 11 03 00 14
87 16 14 00 30
86 28 06 00 34
85 11 02 00 13
84 15 00 01 16
83 14 00 00 14
82 15 00 00 15
81 16 00 00 16
80 08 00 01 09
79 08 00 00 08
78 02 00 00 02
77 00 20 00 20
76 00 12 00 12
75 00 00 00 00

Totals: 505 333 02 840

Thank you, Mr. Snyder!

Former OVRP Dirt Oval runners:

Maybe you know this, maybe not, but both Brett Hearn and his brother, Bobby, raced at OVRP. Not on the Dirt Oval, but on the road course.

At Fulton, on the 25^th, Billy V was 18^th in the Modified feature.

Tyler Dippel was 5^th and Alex Bell 23^rd in the Modified feature at A/S.

Brad Szulewski was 12^th in the Sportsman feature at Accord, while Joey Bruning was 3^rd in the Spec Sportsman feature – the winning car did not pass fuel tech. Joey was originally shown to be 4^th. Wyatt Clark was 6^th in the Slingshot All Star feature. Other features will be rescheduled since “Mother Nature” interrupted the nights racing.

The Modified feature will be continued (from lap 2) this coming Friday (weather permitting), the Pure Stocks on 5/9 and the Pro Stocks on 5/16 – again, weather permitting.

Davie Franek was the 360 Sprint Car feature winner at Selinsgrove.

Bobby Morris was 2^nd in the Sportsman feature at Bethel. JB Morris was 8^th in the 4 Cylinder Advanced feature.

Note: Quite a bit being discussed on Facebook on the Sportsman feature that was won by Jackie Brown, Jr. It’s a “He said” & “He said” thing – one saying he passed tech while the other says the winner did not have a true Sportsman engine under the hood.

Anthony Perrego was 8^th at U/R in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Modified feature. AJ Filbeck won the NASCAR Whelen All-American Sportsman feature.

Brett Wright won the Sportsman feature at Glen Ridge, while Matt Hitchcock was 18^th. Jason Roe was a DNS in the Lightning Sprint feature.

Roger Coss had a 5^th place finish in the Modified feature at Mahoning Valley, while Tiffany Wambold was 22^nd in the Street Stock feature.

Jacob Hendershot win the 270 Micro Sprint feature at Hamlin. Charlie Lawrence was 2^nd and Tyler Pirone 3^rd in the All Star Slingshot feature. Danny Buccafusca was 3^rd in the Rookie Wingless 600 Micro feature.

Kyle Rohner was the 600 Wingless Micro Sprint feature at Airport Speedway.

Only 21 names this week. Quite a few tracks were rained out last Saturday.

OCFS:

Last Saturday was rained out. It was scheduled to be “Scouts Night”. Also the first of the Truck Series. I wonder if Scouts Night would be re-scheduled? No, it does not pay for me to inquire with OCFS, but maybe someone knows?

A little trip back in time – two excellent race drivers:

May 1, 1955:

As you can see, this column is coming out on May 1^st. Back on May 1, 1955, I was in attendance at the Langhorne Speedway for some AAA Sprint Car racing. Back then, on May 1^st, the Indianapolis Speedway always opened up for racing – to get ready for the 500 which was normally held on Memorial Day, back then – regardless of what day in the week it was. So, with quite a few of the drivers that ran the sprinters also running at Indy, one had no idea as to just whom might be at the big circle that day.

Mike Nazaruk was one of those drivers. His reason for going to Langhorne – needed the money. Yes, back then payoffs were nothing compared to what we see today. Well, in a way. A lot of drivers have as their biggest complaint – purses have not kept up with the expenses we have nowadays.

Later on in this weeks column there will be a photo of Mike Nazaruk. It was said that that particular photo was taken on his last lap – a lap that he was leading the race at that time.

Yes, he was fatally injured in an accident. It’s hard to say just what caused it. I do know the last time he went past where I was sitting in the stands; he was wiping the oily dirt off of his goggles. It’s been said that he wasn’t feeling well that day, either. I can still visualize him being thrown out of that Aqua/White # 29 Sprint Car. Some things we just never seem to forget.

“He raced midget cars, sprint cars, and IndyCars. He was nicknamed "Iron Mike." He won the track championships at Staten Island, New York, and Rhinebeck, New York in 1947. He scored over twenty feature wins at Middletown, New York enroute to winning the 1948 track championship. Nazaruk was the 1949 American Racing Drivers Club (ARDC) midget car champion. [1] The series tours the East Coast of the United States. Nazaruk joined the AAA in 1950. He won 14 national midget tour events, including the 1950 Night Before the 500, and the first midget car event at Terre Haute Action Track in 1953. He finished fifth in the 1954 National Midget car points. Nazaruk finished second in his first Indianapolis 500 in 1951. He competed in two more Indianapolis 500, including a fifth place finish in 1954.”

Above, from “He raced midget cars” – etc etc is from: http://www.wheelsofspeed.com/history/may_1.html

And:

May 1, 1994:

If you’re a race fan, then I imagine this date just might mean something to you. That was the day the late Ayrton Senna took his last ride in a Grand Prix race. Wow! That was 20 years ago – already!

He’ll go down in racing history as one of the very best, that’s for sure.

A few things about Senna:

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

Senna – the movie:

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

Video – The last team mate – Damon Hill & Ayrton Senna video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=EFUZuMBPq9o

Nutley Velodrome:

From 1938 to 1939 used for Midget racing.

This track closed about two years after I was born. My brother was fortunate to have seen some races there. He says that the cars had to go through a tunnel to get from the pits to the track. He also said that to get to the stands, one had to go through the pit area. It was originally built for bicycle racing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4yATwN7lEuU

http://oldnutley.org/NutleyVelodrome.html

Note: I was kind of surprised that in the link above, one of my articles – “A Step Back in Time” is linked to.

Some interesting threads on the DTD forum –

Petition to DirtCar to reschedule Fulton SDS race

http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/index.php?/topic/50554-petition-to-dirtcar-to-reschedule-fulton-sds-race/

And this one is even more interesting:

Billy Pauch Disqualified

http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/index.php?/topic/50555-billy-pauch-disqualified/

Note: You can’t believe what’s being said on the South Jersey Dirt Racing message board, and/or on Facebook, about this DQ and the track and it’s “rules”.

And:

http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/index.php?/topic/50486-dqs-should-the-infractions-be-made-public-knowledge/

One comment that really makes sense!

“In a perfect world, the infractions should be made public and so should the penalties. But that's a perfect world. What pisses me off to no end is that when one track suspends a driver for rules infractions, the competing tracks welcome that driver with open arms.

The ONLY way you can stop blatant cheating is to honor each others suspensions. If Fulton dumps a Sportsman car for having counterfeit bolts, then Canandaigua, Fonda, Merrittville and whatever other Saturday night tracks there are within a reasonable travel distance should honor that suspension. Track promoters NEED to work together here, even if they are fierce rivals.

Why bother having rules at all if nobody is going to enforce them?”

And this one, too:

When competing in a midweek show, just qualifying for the main event can be a major challenge. Drivers attending the upcoming NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP event at Thunder Mountain Speedway Tuesday, May 20 (rain date: May 21) will be rewarded even if they don't make the Olum's 'Lightning on the Mountain' presented by Rochinski Contracting Services and Husqvarna starting field.

A number of prizes have been put together so many of our drivers on the DNQ list don't leave empty-handed:

*Drum of VP Racing Fuels (valued at more than $500)

*A complete set of bumpers and rubrails from Shiley Fabrication

*Two $100 cash bonuses from Manmiller Electric

*Three free pit passes to the Aug. 5 'Battle of the Bullring' at Accord Speedway

*100 credit for use at Bob Hilbert Sportswear

*$50 credit for Diversified Machine Inc./Bulldog Rear Ends

*FREE car entry for all drivers unable to qualify for Thunder Mountain at the next series race: Wednesday, July 23 at I-88 Speedway (note all drivers who did not qualify at Orange County in April will receive a free car entry at Thunder Mountain).

Drivers making the main event will be rewarded, as well, with the largest purse in track history. Some $29,968 in cash will be paid out including $500 just to take the green flag for 50 laps.

Sportsman (Opens and Crates) are on the card in a $1,000-to-win, $100-to-start 25-lap event.

www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com for more

http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/index.php?/topic/50581-not-in-the-main-not-a-problem-tuesday-may-20/

Brad Keselowski proposes dramatic overhaul of NASCAR schedule

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/brad-keselowski-proposes-dramatic-overhaul-of-nascar-schedule-145656428.html

NASCAR would consider midweek races, trucks at Knoxville

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/motor/auto-racing/2014/04/24/nascar-would-consider-midweek-races-trucks-at-knoxville/8125141/

Schedules:

It looks like Accord has done away with their “Mid Week Madness” shows that have been held on Wednesday nights. Looking at the tracks schedule, they now show racing on Saturday May 10^th, June 21^st, July 12^th and Aug 9^th for Flat Track Bikes & Quads.

From Jayski:

http://www.jayski.com/

This is rather interesting:

NASCAR meets with Michelin:

Just days after several Sprint Cup champion contenders had issues with where the rubber meets the road in Richmond, NASCAR officials met with representatives from Michelin at the R&D Center in Concord, NC. The timing of the Tuesday meeting is coincidental considering the rash of failures experienced by competitors in both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series last weekend. According to a Michelin source, however, it was a "mid-level meeting" that was scheduled before the Richmond race. "It was generally a get-acquainted and get-familiar with the tech center, and some relationship building," said the source. It likely also involved some regional and "grassroots" possibilities that could involve NASCAR and Michelin to partner. Michelin already supplies tires for the NASCAR Europe series, and also is a supplier for the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship's GT-Le Mans class. The TUDOR Championship is the NASCAR-controlled sports car series that was formed by combining Grand-Am and the American Le Mans Series.

The other three classes in the TUDOR Championship have Continental as the lone supplier. The GT-Le Mans series competitors can run whatever tire brand they choose. At the 24 Hours of Daytona, the tire of choice was Michelin. At the 12 Hours of Sebring, the only team that did not run Michelins was the Falken Tire-sponsored car. Michelin North America is based Greenville, S.C., about 100 miles south of NASCAR's Research and Development Center. Michelin reportedly is interested in bidding against Continental when the TUDOR Championship rights expire. Continental renegotiated its contract following the merger of the series and is in the first season of a multi-year deal. The exclusive Goodyear contract with NASCAR's top three touring series, including Sprint Cup, runs through 2017.(Motorsport)(4-30-2014)

NASCAR will look at Ambrose, Mears incident:

NASCAR will investigate a post-race incident that resulted in both #9-Marcos Ambrose and #13-Casey Mears being punched, but Robin Pemberton, NASCAR's vice president of competition, said "we don't think it was anything too severe." FOX caught the incident after Saturday night's Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond International Raceway. The network's video shows Ambrose and Mears talking to each other when Mears shoves Ambrose. Ambrose responds with a right cross to the left side of Mears' head. Ambrose is pulled away while Mears pursues. Then Ambrose is sucker-punched by someone else. Pemberton said that series officials did not meet with either driver after the race. Series officials met with Ambrose's crew chief, Drew Blickensderfer, and Sammy Johns, director of competition at Richard Petty Motorsports. Pemberton said officials watched footage of the incident. Pemberton said they would continue to investigate the situation. He was unaware of anything on the track that would have precipitated the confrontation. "We'll get all the footage that we can and look at it and see what happens from there," Pemberton said. "We've got to take our time and do everything. Sometimes there's things for us to look at that we don't have available right now, so to make any kind of statement or call on it (at this point), we'd be wasting everybody's time."(Motor Racing Network)(4-27-2014)

Note: As you can see, at the beginning of this weeks column, NASCAR has fined both drivers.

Several teams have tire issues at Richmond:

Several Sprint Cup drivers battled tire issues Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway, causing some cars to catch fire from the burning rubber. Among the drivers who had problems were #48-Jimmie Johnson, #99-Carl Edwards, #15-Clint Bowyer, #41- Busch, #17-Ricky Stenhouse Jr and #36-Reed Sorenson. Goodyear brought a new tire combination to Richmond, with its new multi-zone tire on the right side. The outward 10 inches of the right-side tire had the same compound as last year but the inside two inches of tread surface was designed for more endurance, with a tougher, more heat-resistant compound. It appeared the inside few inches of the tires were unraveling, causing the areas around the brakes and wheels to catch fire when rubber became entangled with wheel and suspension parts.

"There are a number of cars that don't have any issues at all and they have got a good balanced car and everything is fine," Goodyear Racing executive Stu Grant told Motor Racing Network during its race broadcast. "But what we're seeing is the inside shoulder of the right front is wearing through the tread and through the overlay. It's important to have a good balanced car, it's important to not have a lot of camber, and it's important to try to stay off that right front. But having said that, it looks like the operating window is pretty narrow for these guys. If they miss it by a little bit, you're going to get into that right front and we're going to have to work on that." Goodyear most likely will conduct a tire test and bring a new tire for the Richmond race next September, a pivotal event as the final race before the Chase for the Sprint Cup field is set.

"The tire was adjusted properly on many of the cars, and I think some of them took it overboard," NASCAR Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton said. "Goodyear being a good partner, they'll get together and if it's something we need to re-do before we get back in here in the fall, I'm sure Goodyear is more than happy to test and build another tire."(Sporting News)(4-27-2014)

NASCAR not planning additional SAFER barriers:

NASCAR has undergone significant format modifications this season in an attempt to bolster its reach, but additional major changes are unlikely. "More tweaks, if any at all are made, they'd be minor because we believe the current format we have is built to stand a long time," NASCAR chairman Brian France said Friday at a conference with sports editors.

France suggested that the changes to the championship structure has altered the way drivers race, forcing them to increase "taking risks" and being more aggressive in the pursuit of victories, as opposed to securing points. When weighing safety, however, France didn't indicate that more changes would be likely, despite several calls from drivers to install SAFER barriers that help absorb crash impacts to any parts of racetrack walls that have concrete. "We're going to put SAFER walls wherever it's necessary," France said. "There are parts of the track that we may determine aren't necessary for those walls. When and if we think they are, we'll obviously make sure that happens. We do add SAFER walls to the inside areas depending on if it's necessary. We'll do it wherever it's appropriate. Period. We already have. We've been clear about that. We don't think it's necessary, as an example, to do it on pit lane, because they're not running fast enough and it wouldn't make any sense to do that, so wherever it's appropriate, we'll do it."

Since each race track is different, there are challenges to installing SAFER walls in all places where cars are exposed to concrete. According to France, several factors determine whether or not the barriers are necessary.(USA Today)(4-26-2014)

Richard Petty expected back at Richmond: #43-Aric Almirola talked Thursday about Richard Petty's planned return to the track this weekend following the death of his wife, Lynda:

WHAT WILL IT MEAN TO HAVE RICHARD BACK AT THE TRACK THIS WEEKEND?

Almirola - "I think he's doing well. I think being back at the race track is gonna be good for our race team and good for him. I think it'll be good medicine. When something like that happens you kind of want to hide a little bit and just get your feelings straight, but he's been by the shop and been in good spirits and I think he's doing very well considering. We're looking forward to getting him back at the race track and getting him back into race mode. I've spent quite a bit of time with him over the last few weeks since Miss Lynda passed, and it's gonna be great to have our leader back at the race track. He's the name and the face of our company and all the guys on the race team, any myself included, look up to him and enjoy having him around at the race track and having him inside the hauler and talking to us after practice and getting his perspective on what he sees with other race cars and with our race cars throughout practice, so I'm excited about having him back at the race track and, like Trent said, I think it's gonna be good medicine for him. He comes to about 95 percent of the races every year, so for him to take the two or three weeks off that he's taken, I know he's itching to get back to the race track. He's been watching the practices and watching qualifying and watching the races and Dale Inman goes home on Sunday night and gives him the full report on what went down that weekend and how things went. He's still heavily involved and he's still been paying attention for sure, he just hasn't been at the race track. He knows everything that's been going on."(Ford Racing PR)(4-24-2014)

UPDATE:

Richard Petty met with the media Friday morning at Richmond:

WHAT IS IT LIKE FOR YOU TO BE BACK? "I just felt like I needed to sort of had a little time on our own so I have been gone for two or three weeks but I am back in the saddle again now. I am just learning to live all over again."

DO YOU THINK BEING AT THE TRACK WILL BE A GOOD DISTRACTION? "Yeah, doing the things we were supposed to do the last few weeks have been put off so starting Monday we were in Georgia and Tuesday we were in Tennessee and Wednesday in Wyoming and now here on Thursday. The busier they keep me the better off I will be."

HOW ARE YOU DOING? "I am surviving. It is going to be different I guess. After 55 years I have to start all over again. I was fortunate that all the kids came home for Easter. We had all the kids and grand kids home and that really made things work good."

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT THE OUTPOURING YOU WILL RECEIVE AT THE TRACK TO BE LIKE? "It is great that so many people knew Lynda so well. Of course she had been around a long time too. She never met a stranger. Every once in awhile I would come in the house and see people I didn't even know. She would invite them in the house to spend the night or whatever. Again, it is just going to be different."(Ford Racing PR)(4-25-2014)

More on Kurt Busch and the Indy 500:

UPDATE:

Andretti Autosport unveiled Monday the black-and-white #26 car that Kurt Busch seeks to race in the Indianapolis 500, and Busch will drive that car Tuesday in the first day of rookie orientation at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Busch is attempting to become the fourth driver to race in the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in the same day. John Andretti, Robby Gordon and Tony Stewart have done it. Stewart finished in the top 10 in both races in 1999 and 2001. The double was last run by Robby Gordon in 2004.

Rookie orientation at Indianapolis Motor Speedway consists of three phases where drivers must maintain a consistent speed within a preset range. Typically the range is 200-210 mph, 210-215 mph and then 215 and above. Once they have met those standards while being judged by observers, they are cleared to practice for the Indianapolis 500.

A second day of testing will be May 5. Busch will be allowed to run that day regardless of if he completes the rookie requirements Tuesday, an IndyCar official confirmed. Busch is scheduled to return to Indianapolis Motor Speedway May 11 - the day after the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Kansas Speedway - for practice. Suretone Entertainment will be Busch's sponsor.(Motor Racing Network) (4-29-2014)

Found via a link on Jayski:

Tires on fire: Issues mar race for several drivers

http://www.timesdispatch.com/sports/motor-sports/nascar-cup/tires-on-fire-issues-mar-race-for-several-drivers/article_98a28287-9946-5773-a233-b83ecb7035ce.html

From Track Forum:

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

Genesis of the GWC?

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?185278-Genesis-of-the-GWC

emails – racing related:

One I sent:

To: ocfs1@yahoo.com <ocfs1@yahoo.com>;

Apr 21 at 1:06 PM

Might there be any chance of correcting the link to "MyLaps" on your website, so it would lead us directly to the lap times for OCFS?

Thanks in advance!

Tom Avenengo

Hmmm, as of 4/28 – still no go on the MyLaps link on the OCFS website, as you can see in the link below. No go as of 4/30, either.

http://www.mylaps.com/results/showevents.jsp?st=3&org=96380

Found on Facebook – racing related:

On 4/28:

Congratulations to Floridian Dave Steele on his induction into the Little 500 Hall of Fame. Steele won the Little 500 in 1996 and 2009.

And:

What's up with the tracks writing checks for pay out wtf ?

Think fonda does the same thing now

Yea... We should pay to get in with checks... See how they like that !

On 4/26:

Butler Charged With Embezzlement

by NSSN Staff

RALEIGH, N.C. — According to reports in the Raleigh News & Observer, Barbara Jean Butler, known in the racing community as Jeannie, was arrested April 23 on charges her husband Brian’s company Butlerbuilt Motorsports Equipment kept more than $400,000 in sales tax money and $261,000 in income tax money that had been withheld from employees’ checks dating back to 2003.

Butler, who serves as the company’s secretary/treasurer and bookkeeper, was named in three arrest warrants and was being held in Wake County Detention Center with a first court appearance scheduled for Thursday.

According to arrest records, Butler, 61, was arrested at her Harrisburg, N.C., home on Wednesday.

The North Carolina Department of Revenue charged Butler with two counts of embezzlement of state property and a single count of embezzlement by a public officer or trustee. According to the warrants, the embezzled money was used by the company, but not by Butler personally.

On 4/4:

“For 20 NEMA seasons, Dad and I spent our weekends doing what we loved most - together. Maybe we didn't have the countless checkered flags that we had always dreamed of, but I wouldn't change a damn thing! I got to spend all that time with my best friend. I look back now I realize what a lucky guy I am....To all the young guns out there that drive for their Dads: make sure every time you climb out of that seat, no matter if you finish first or last, make sure you thank him for all he's done...you'll look back some day and realize the time spent together is what its all about!”

On 4/29:

Rest in Peace Steve Hulsizer. Another driver taken way too soon.

Note: As of 8:00 PM on 4/29, there were a couple of postings on Facebook about his passing.

And I found this, too, on Facebook:

BREWERTON, NY – April 29, 2014 – John, Laura, Larry Wight and the entire Brewerton and Fulton Speedway staff pass on their sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers to the Hulsizer family and friends on the passing today of Steve Hulsizer.

Steve will not only be remembered as “Tough As Nails” on and off the race track but will always be remembered for his willingness to help anyone in their time of need in and outside of racing. Once you meant Steve you became instant friends from his infectious laugh and huge heart.

Once arrangements are made we will let it be known on both tracks websites and Facebook pages.

This is how Steve would want all of us to remember him, on the wings of victory last September 27, 2013. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4qEgf5EyjU&feature=youtu.be

Along with this, too – to go along with the above video link:

Those of us at DirtTrackDigest.com want to send our condolences to the family and friends of Steve Hulsizer. Steve passed away on Tuesday afternoon after battling illness. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.

Below is a story that appeared on DirtTrackDigest after Steve’s final career win last September at the Glen Ridge Motorsports Park.

Hulsizer Surprises Everyone with Feel Good Victory at Glen Ridge – DTD Exclusive

By MIKE MALLETT

Those who follow our sport know the tough hand that Steve Hulsizer was dealt earlier this season when he was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in the spring. His good friend Joe August stepped up and purchased a car, a former Jimmy Davis mount, for Hulsizer to drive when he felt up to it. They’ve competed seven to ten times this season, mostly at Fulton Speedway.

Hulsizer returned to the Glen Ridge Motorsports Park Friday night after being present for the initial Sowle 60 event back in early September. He competed in the first feature without much luck. The second feature is where Hulsizer would add another win to career win total.

Hulsizer was racing one day after receiving a chemotherapy treatment. One, which according to Hulsizer, takes a lot out of most but not out of him.

“The chemo I’m on is really strong, but it doesn’t faze me at all,” said the Bridgeport, N.Y., driver. “Most people it takes them four or five days to recover. The only thing it does it bother my hands a little bit. I get a tingling feeling in them for three or four days afterwards. Tonight under the cautions I kept rubbing them trying to get feeling so I could grab steering wheel.”

The win paid him $3,711, but it was more than just the money. It was the feeling of accomplishment considering his last win came in a car owned by Brian Murphy at the Utica-Rome Speedway back on July 24, 2011.

“I thought I would never race again,” said Hulsizer. “After the first diagnosis I didn’t even think I’d make it until now. It’s amazing to get back in the race car and have a good time. I get to see my kid race (Chris) and it’s fun. I can’t thank Joe August enough for this opportunity and what he’s done for me here.”

Hulsizer started the second feature from the fourth position. He lost a couple of positions early on before ultimately finding the middle to top groove before most others would risk taking a chance in that lane. He did what he had to do after the final caution of the race on lap 28 to drive by Mike Mahaney for the victory.

“I knew I once I got to second I had a chance at Mike (Mahaney) because he was getting loose,” stated Hulsizer. “I just had to slow down enough, get the front brake out of the car and roll the middle. I eased into turn one and two through the middle and then I blasted the top in three and four. I knew I could go around him. He was running pretty hard on the bottom. I was on the brake and gas at the same time, I got a big-block and this isn’t a big-block track. Once I got a hold of something on the top I could go really good and I was able to get by him.”

After the win Hulsizer also thanked long-time friend Pat Ward. Ward loaned him some gears and the right rear tire on the car. It was actually the same tire that had one the first feature earlier in the night on Ward’s car.

From the AARN:

http://www.aarn.com/

This Week

In AARN

Late Third Race Bump By Santos

Assures Stafford Spring Sizzler Win

Weikert Memorial At Port Royal

& $12,000 Plus Claimed By Hodnett

DIRTcar, Sowle Era Introduced

At Rejuvenated Glen Ridge

Pauch Is Disqualified

For Sail Panel Height At New Egypt;

Fourth Straight Win Denied;

Godown Declared Winner

Selinsgrove 360 Sprint Score

Is First In Four Years

For Davie Franek

Manmiller’s Grandview

358 Mod Win Spree Continues

Rainouts Continue To Bedevil

Promoters, Drivers, Fans;

Lucas Oil Series Loses

Both Eastern Events

Sammy Swindell Back

In World Of Outlaws Sprint

Winners Circle

Bethel Opens

Sportsman Pavement Season;

Dirt Champ Brown Wins Feature

Mahaney Opens

Utica Rome Season

With Mod Win;

NASCAR Makes Debut

As Sanctioning Body

Logano Tops

NASCAR Sprint Cup

Richmond Thriller

Lenny Sammons:

He has an article and tells us that the 305 Sprint Car group that runs at New Egypt have voted for less to win - $300.00, over a purse structure that had $500.00 to ein

He also tells us that with the tire contract that Billy Pauch has with New Egypt, Pauch has to be a weekly competitor.

Ernie Saxton:

One little part in his column deals with ethanaol and how when it's added to gas can damage internal combustion engines by increasing exhaust temperatures and indirectly causing component failures - per the AMA.

Todd Heintzleman:

He informs us that Shane Stewart is now driving a Sprint Car that is owned by Kyle Larson and Justin Marks.

Bill Utter:

Bill tells us that Jerry Higbie and his Hig-Fab business will turn out their 100th chassis this week.

Guy Smith:

Hard to believe it, but Guy has now been to 1,549 tracks.

Press releases:

XCEL CHASSIS ANNOUNCES BIGGEST SUMMER PAYOUT WITH PARTNERSHIPS BY HOOSIER TIRE AND FXG SIGN & LABEL

The last eight years has been about building trust and business relationships with sponsors and the pay off will benefit those drivers and owners that have stayed with the Xcel Chassis 600 modified program thru the good, bad and ugly.

The reality is that the Xcel Chassis 600 modifieds have teamed up with Mid-Atlantic Hoosier Tire and FXG Sign and Label to make 2014 the biggest summer payout at 6 different tracks in the northeast.

Doug Borger, series founder and promoter, announces the biggest single paying race in series history along with 5 big $1000 to win shows and a $750 to win event. "At the end of the season, I looked at the numbers and realized that the 600 modified series grew as a whole during a time when you were just looking to break even. I'm lucky to have the support of my drivers and owners for so many years. I wanted to show my appreciation to the tracks and their owners as well because without their cooperation, none of this would have become a reality."

After spending the following winter with Hoosier Tire and Chad Mullen of FXG, series kingpin, Borger is pleased to announce that the increased purses will have been paid out at 6 different tracks over the course of the summer. "It is just as important to include the tracks along with the series competitors. They host us all summer long. We work well together and try to bring the best racing possible to the fans that pay to see a show."

History will be made in two ways when the 600 modifieds pull into 3/8 mile high banked Lincoln Speedway, located in Abbottstown ,Pennsylvania on July 26th . Lincoln is celebrating their 60th year in racing and Xcel Chassis will join in the celebration. The winner of the first visit will take home an impressive $3000 payout and drivers taking the green will receive a cool $100 bucks. Chad Mullen of FXG knows the impact this summer will have on the 600 modified teams and is pleased to have a sponsorship role. "When Doug approached me with his idea for this summer, I was glad to be a part of it. Doug and his crew are always looking to make the racing competitive by keeping the series stock. Looking out for his drivers is always a key sticking point with him. In my opinion, the temperature just got hotter for the 2014 summer."

June 28th will start the high paying summer off at Path Valley Speedway Park. Some of the best racing has been at the track John Winsett and Jack Flowers take such pride in. The winner of the night’s event will bring home a check worth $1000 for their time and efforts.

July 12th has the 600 modifieds having their first 100 lapper in series history."Since the first day Roger Gettel and his crew have welcomed the series. Shippensburg Speedway now runs the 600 modifieds on weeks there is no tour and the drivers are looking forward to the summer there. The 100 lapper will pay the winner $1000 and drivers get $100 to take the green. What makes it more exciting is there will be no fuel stop or tire stop so conservation will also play a role in the outcome" stated Doug Borger.

The only double header big payoff weekend will be at Penn Can Speedway on July 18th and 20th. Reed Miller and Al Wilcox have been long time supporters of the series and are in their second year of running the mods weekly. Friday night will host the third $1000 to win show and again it will be $100 to take the green. On Sunday the 20th, the Xcel Chassis 600 modifieds will be a part of the ever popular Small Car Classic and the winner taking home $750 payday.

On August 9th, the mighty modifieds will pull into Five Mile Point Speedway to have a chance on bringing home a $1000 payday along with the checkered flag. Andrew Harpell has made it a priority to have the track in pristine conditions when the modifieds hit the track and is in their first year of running the 600 modifieds on a regular basis.

I-88 Speedway was such a huge hit with the drivers last year. They asked Doug Borger to reschedule some races there in 2014 and they got their wish. September 12th will have the modifieds back in upstate New York and the chance to bring home the Hoosier Tire, FXG Sign and Label, Xcel Chassis sponsored $1000 payday. The facilities are top notch and the grounds are kept phenomenal.

They say a promoters work is never done as Borger looks to improve the number of high paying shows for the 2014 season. " Just as the drivers and crews spend each week getting the cars ready for the next race and always are looking for the extra speed to win, I'm always looking to give back. You can never take for granted what they go thru to come to the track during the week. The tracks also spend the week getting ready to give the fans a show they won't forget. This will help add to the excitement and I hope to be announcing some races in the near future."

Look for more exciting news to come out of the Xcel camp over the next few weeks at www.xcelchassis.com or like us on facebook. The next race for the Xcel Chassis tour division will be at Big Diamond Speedway which is located in Pottsville,PA. better known as "Gods Country".

News from Thunder Mountain Speedway

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

For Immediate Release/April 27, 2014

Final Practice Complete, Attention Now Turns To Saturday, May 3 Thunder Mountain Speedway ‘Grand Reopening’ Event; $1,992-To-Win Modified Special Sees Top-Five Payout Positions Increased; Championship Battles Get Underway; Adult Grandstand Admission Just $10!

CENTER LISLE, NY – Following a pair of completed practice sessions, the stage is now set to officially open a new era of racing at Thunder Mountain Speedway.

On Saturday, May 3 the ‘Grand Reopening’ of the Center Lisle, N.Y., facility is set as speedway founder Karl Spoonhower returns to ownership following a seven-year absence. Countless improvements have been undertaken over the off-season with work expected to continue through race day.

Modifieds, big-block/small-block with sail panels, headline the ‘Grand Reopening’ program in a 30-lap main event paying $1,992 to the winner to commemorate the speedway’s first season of operation in 1992. Each of the top-five positions will see a purse increase for the opener over the regular Saturday night payout. This comes with no additional charge at the back or front gates and no extra laps in the main event.

The Modified division returns as a weekly attraction this season at Thunder Mountain racing for a hefty $5,000 track championship. There is also a rewarding American Racer/Lias Tire incentive program that will offer racers some 15 free tires plus other certificates during the course of the season.

Joining the Modifieds on the Opening Night card are Sportsman, racing for $700 to win and $100 to start weekly thanks to Howard Jones Logging & Firewood, Rookie Sportsman, Street Stocks, Empire Sport Trucks, Four Cylinders and Pure Stocks.

For the opener, all divisions will draw for their heat-race starting positions. The season-long point chases get underway in all divisions.

Gates will open an hour earlier than usual, at 3 p.m., for the pit area and grandstands. The drivers’ meeting is set for 5:40 p.m. Hot laps begin at 6 p.m. with racing at 7 p.m.

Admission is just $10 for Adults, $8 for Seniors (65 and over) and Students (ages 10-17) and kids under 9 are FREE. Pit admission is $30 with no license required.

Prior to the start of racing, fans will be treated to a variety of musical entertainment provided by ‘Russ the Big Guy’ and his unique POWER-pod that will be set up in the midway. There will be race cars on display, as well. Tilly’s Fried Dough, a popular food concession at the speedway during the prior Spoonhower era, returns weekly in ’14.

Saturday night racing continues regularly through Sept. 6.

Attendees of Saturday’s practice saw the progression of facility upgrades. New lights have been hung and wired on recently installed light poles. A general clean-up and repainting of the facility remains underway. The new clay surface has held up nicely during the two test-and-tune sessions, with smooth conditions for competitors.

Prior to a steady rain cutting Saturday’s practice session short, a number of competitors were on hand to test out their equipment on the Thunder Mountain oval, representing each of the track’s weekly divisions.

For rules, general information and a complete schedule, visit www.thundermtnspeedway.com. A new website has been launched. The speedway office number is 607.657.8202. On race day, call 607.849.7899. The speedway e-mail is thundermtnspeedway@gmail.com. “Like” Thunder Mountain Speedway on Facebook or follow @thundermtnspeed on Twitter.

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

Brett Deyo

Promotions, Public Relations & Marketing

Thunder Mountain Speedway

91 Hunts Corners Road Center Lisle, NY 13797

www.thundermtnspeedway.com

Cell: 845.728.2781

"Thunder Mountain Speedway" on Facebook

@thundermtnspeed on Twitter

ARDC MIDGET ACTION RETURNS TO SUNDAY NIGHTS AT THE GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY

by admin

It's been thirty years since Sunday night racing at the Grandview Speedway featured midget racing but that is all about to change this Sunday, May 4th with the Open Wheel Spectacular on the high banks of the Grandview Speedway! And what better timing than the 2014 season as the American Racing Drivers Club (ARDC) celebrates their 75th Anniversary.

In what will be the first of four doubleheader events, ARDC will team up with the Hilborn Tri-State Race Saver 305 Sprint Cars in a Sunday night program on the 1/3 mile speedway with both divisions featured in qualifying events and twenty-five lap features.

Bob Hilbert Sportswear will be offering several ARDC drivers some additional incentives this season. The Hilbert on the Hill Challenge will award the driver who accumulates the most points in the eight scheduled events at the Grandview Speedway with 100 White Express T-shirts with front and back imprinting. Hilbert will also present the 2nd through 5th place drivers in the series with $100 gift certificates. With the Grandview Speedway located in such close proximity to Hilbert's business, the pairing was just a natural combination.

After rain caused the cancellation of the second event on the ARDC 2014 schedule, ARDC teams are anxiously awaiting their next event at Grandview. Many of the ARDC teams consider the Grandview Speedway to be their home track. "Grandview is one my favorite tracks," 2013 ARDC Champion Trevor Kobylarz stated recently. "We consider Grandview to be our home track since it is the closest to home of anywhere we race. It gives us a chance to bring our sponsors to the track as well as family and friends." Kobylarz continued, "And with this being our (ARDC) 75th Anniversary, it connects us to a part of our history that was very popular. A lot of people have told me how they used to attend those Sunday night races at Grandview."

Many of the drivers share Kobylarz' sentiments and would like nothing better than to visit Victory Lane at the Grandview Speedway.

Kobylarz and regular Saturday night Grandview competitor, Tim Buckwalter were the winners of the 2013 ARDC events at Grandview and both will be in the field for the first Sunday night event in thirty years. Buckwalter moved into competition in the Small Block Modified ranks at Grandview after winning the 2012 ARDC Championship.

Kobylarz and Buckwalter will have plenty of competition from the likes of the winner of the 2014 season opener, Steven Drevicki, Bruce Buckwalter, Jr., Ryan Greth, PJ Gargiulo, Brett Arndt, Tony DiMattia, Alex Bright, Kyle Lick and Nick Wean as well as many more. Billy Pauch Jr. who has an ARDC win at Grandview in the Burke Trucking #54 will be doing double duty on Sunday nights as he races in both the sprint cars and midgets. Modified chauffeur, Ryan Watt will run a team car to Pauch as both drivers wheel entries owned by Jerry & Karen Steward.

A Meet & Greet will allow fans access to two drivers from each organization prior to the Sunday night events. Drivers will be available for pictures and autographs beginning at 5pm on race night, just outside the track's main entrance.

It's been a part of midget history and now will become apart of the present.

Racing begins at 7:30pm. Adult admission is $15 with children 6-11 just $3. Children under 6 are free.

Contact - Deb Smith

phone (610) 972-6176

email - dsfotog@aol.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 28, 2014

DICK JORDAN 14-54

"DOUBLE POINTS" FOR SATURDAY'S DMA MIDGET OPENER

This Saturday night's opening race of the USAC DMA Midget Series at Bear Ridge Speedway in Bradford, Vt. offers "double" points, so it will be pivotal in the early battle for the 2014 championship.

Joe Krawiec, the defending series champ, who also won the series championship debut in 2011, will again be among 2014 title hopefuls, along with 2012 king Kevin Chaffee.

Krawiec leads the all-time winners' list with seven career wins, while Adam Pierson has five and Scott Holcomb has four. Chaffee has won three times.

--USAC--

At times, race tracks do listen to their fans!

The Southern California

Home of Major league Sprint Car Racing

Perris Auto Speedway

18700 Lake Perris Drive

Perris, CA 92571

(951) 940-0134

http://perrisautospeedway.com/

For further information contact Scott Daloisio (909) 226-7768 or mailto:racesatthepas@aol.com

For Immediate Release

DUE TO FANS INPUT PERRIS MAKES CHANGE IN RACE NIGHT FORMAT!

(Perris, CA, April 24, 2014) Due to input from the racing fans, there will be a change in the race night format when the Amsoil USACCRA Sprint Cars, PAS Senior & Young Gun Sprints and the California Lightning Sprint Cars return to the “Southern California Home of Major League Sprint Car Racing,” Perris Auto Speedway, on May 3rd.

The USAC/CRA main event has traditionally been the fourth and final main of the night. Starting next Saturday it will be the second of the four main run. A majority of the crowd comes to watch the USAC/CRA portion of the show and many of them travel long distances from as far away as Nevada, Arizona, Utah and Northern California. Many would like to get an earlier start on their journey home.

“In an effort to provide our loyal fans a better experience at the speedway, the main event lineup for May 3rd will be as follows,” Kazarian said on Wednesday morning. “PAS Senior Sprints, will run first followed by USAC/CRA, PAS Young Guns and California Lightning Sprints. This will allow those fans who are there for USAC/CRA only to not have to wait until the end of the night.”

Normally PAS shows are over in a timely manner, but every so often, a show will run late. That was the case with the 2014 season opener. Numerous fans made contact with track management and also voiced their opinion on social media venues. First word of the change on Wednesday drew a lot of attention on social media watering holes and it did ruffle a few feathers.

“There were a few people who were unhappy when they heard of the change,” said longtime track announcer and publicist Scott Daloisio. “They have to understand that about 80% of the fans are there for the USAC/CRA portion of the show. Without those fans there, USAC/CRA would not be there and without USAC/CRA there would not be a sprint car show. I talked to several people about it yesterday and when explained why the change was being made, they seemed to understand.”

Open wheel shows are subject to delays when cars flip.

“Flips in sprint car and midget racing are a part of the sport,” Daloisio said. “That is something nobody has control over and it causes more time lost than anything else at all tracks. When a car gets upside down even under the best circumstances it averages about 12 minutes until you are racing again. The safety crew comes out and checks on the driver. Then the car is picked up and taken back to the pits. All of the remaining cars have to be pushed off to restart. If it happens five times a night, that is one hour. Once again, sprint cars getting upside down is part of the sport.”

Before the May 3rd sprint car show, The PAS will host “Night of Destruction #2” this Saturday, April 26th. The wild and crazy program will feature Figure 8 races, Figure 8 Trailer racing Democross and Spectator races. Gates will open at 5:00 PM. There will be an on track autograph & photo session at 5:30 and the first race will be at 7:00.

For more information on The PAS call: (951) 940-0134.

Camping for all events at The PAS is available for $25.00 per night. The campground will open at noon on Friday. Tailgating in the spectator parking lot will begin at 1:00 PM for all PAS events as well.

Perris Auto Speedway wants to thank its corporate sponsors for the 2014 season. 1-800LoanMart, 777 Racecars, All Coast Construction, Amsoil, Ayers Hotel and Spa, BlueLine Rental, Budweiser, CamGuard, Champion Towing, City of Perris, Daytona Boat & RV Storage, Edelbrok, Engine Pro, HD Industries, Hoosier Tires, K&N Engineering, Pep Boys, P.I.P.E., Pepsi-Cola, Pick-A-Part Auto Salvage, Prolong Super Lubricants, Running Waters Hospice, Scott Sales, Shaver Racing Engines, Sherwin Williams, Showtime Motorsports, Sprint Car Driving Experience, Square H, Swedish Speed, Trench Shoring, US Foods and Valley Auto Salvage.

To keep up with all of the latest Perris Auto Speedway news, photos, gossip and receive special offers, sign up at The PAS Facebook site at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Perris-Auto-Speedway/113876798686480?ref=hl

You can also keep up with the latest news and receive special offers from The PAS Twitter site: http://twitter.com/perrisautospdwy.

Video and DVD productions of all racing events at Perris Auto Speedway are available from Loudpedal Productions. For more information on these productions you can contact them by calling (805) 844-3854, E-mailing mailto:trtruex@gmail.com or you can visit the web site http://www.loudpedalvideo.com/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 29, 2014

DICK JORDAN

62ND "HUT HUNDRED" AT GRANITE CITY MAY 9;

OPENS BIG ILLINOIS USAC MIDGET WEEKEND

One of America's most revered short-track motorsports events unfolds for the 62nd time on Friday night, May 9 at Tri-City Speedway in Granite City, Ill. It's the "Hut Hundred," a spectacular 100-lap race featuring a scheduled classic three-abreast 33-car starting field on one of the country's most exciting dirt ovals.

It kick-starts a weekend which includes Saturday's May 10 "Belleville Bash" for USAC and POWRi Midgets at the banked Belle Clair Speedway in Belleville, Ill.

Debuting in 1954 at the Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track, the historic Hut Hundred has generated its share of memories in its 60-plus years.

Winners of the prestigious race have included Indianapolis 500 winner A.J. Foyt, whose 1961 victory from the last starting position is legendary. Other winners include drivers who graduated onto NASCAR stardom, like Tony Stewart, Jason Leffler and Jeff Gordon and USAC Hall of Famers Rich Vogler, Gary Bettenhausen, Pancho Carter, Mel Kenyon, Don Branson, Tony Bettenhausen and St. Louis-area standout Bob Wente.

It will mark the debut of the race at Tri-City Speedway, which suffered a rainout last year. The race finds a new home this year after visiting Indiana tracks like Terre Haute, the Indiana State Fairgrounds, Lincoln Park Speedway, Lawrenceburg Speedway and Tri-State Speedway.

Tri-City Speedway, which has been transformed into an exciting 3/8-mile track in recent years, has hosted 61 USAC races since 1961 when Danny Frye won the inaugural USAC race there. The "Gold Crown Midget Nationals" has now become a fixture at the track and Rico Abreu, Bryan Clauson and Christopher Bell all found victory lane there last year.

Brady Bacon won the most recent Hut Hundred, in 2012, and the race has featured 11 different winners in the last 11 runnings!

The May 9 program includes UMP Modifieds with $700-to-win. Tickets are a bargain at $20, with kids 12 and under free. Gates open at 5 pm.

--USAC-

Note: I wonder why such a prestigious race has to move from one track to another?

This week’s photos:

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

As I said above, here’s a photo of the late Mike Nazaruk – supposedly on his last lap at Langhorne on May 1, 1955. Notice the oily dirt on his helmet and windshield.

I’m not sure if this will work, but if you right click on the photo, then click on “Format picture” then click on “size”, then go down to
height” and by clicking on either of the arrows, you can make the photo larger or smaller, by clicking on “OK” once you think you have the height size – in inches.
.

Racing videos:

Not a racing video, but an interview with Kurt Busch about his up-coming run in the Indy 500:

http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/103123-racer-video-kurt-busch-indy-500-unveiling?fb_action_ids=315101905307012&fb_action_types=og.likes

Not racing related:

From Facebook:

On 4/30:

Sure hope this works!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=709217669120004&set=vb.303805692994539&type=2&theater

On 4/27:

http://blog.petflow.com/what-would-you-do-if-this-happened-to-you-at-a-green-light-this-is-hysterical/

Good friends don't judge you or ask a lot of questions. They help you move the body and never speak of it again.

On 4/28:

The first five days after the weekend are always the hardest!

We keep hearing how Social Security is running out of money. How come we never hear about Welfare running out of money?

What's interesting is that the first group worked for their money, but the second group didn't.

With all this “Gun Control” talk, I haven’t heard one politician say how they plan to take guns away from criminals, just law abiding citizens.

I wish mosquitoes sucked fat instead of blood, then we could sit outside and eat donuts all day!

You see an item you want to buy and it cost $97.00.

You don’t have the cash, so you borrow $50.00 from your father and $50.00 from your mother.

That makes $100.00

You buy the item and now you have $3.00 change.

You give your dad $1.00 and your mother $1.00.

You keep the other $1.00

You now owe your father $49.00 and your mother $49.00.

That comes to $98.00.

You have that $1.00

This makes it $99.00

What happened to that other $1.00?

From 4/30:

Never understood how people get stuff handed to them for nothing when they dont do anything to deserve it. But the ones that work hard and try hard to get and do something they have passion for get absolutely nothing.

Music videos:

Same entertainer – Gene Watson– same song – years apart:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agmXzGnR3LA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtT-ATGCRQ8

Joke of the week:

ABSOLUTELY A TRUE STORY HEARD ON A WISCONSIN RADIO STATION REPORTING ON THE INCIDENT.

A guy buys a new Lincoln Navigator for $42,500.00 with monthly payments of $560.00. He and a friend go duck hunting in upper Wisconsin .

It's mid-winter and of course all of the lakes are frozen.

These two guys go out on the ice with their GUNS, a DOG, and of course the new NAVIGATOR

They decide they want to make a natural looking open water area for the ducks to focus on, something for the decoys to float on.

Now making a hole in the ice large enough to invite a passing duck, is going to take a little more power than the average drill auger can produce.

So out of the back of the new Navigator comes a stick of dynamite with a short 40 second-fuse.

Our two Rocket Scientists afraid they might slip on the ice while trying to run away after lighting the fuse decide on the following course of action:

They light the 40 second fuse; then, with a mighty thrust, They throw the stick of dynamite as far away as possible.

Remember a couple of paragraphs back when I mentioned the NAVIGATOR, the GUNS, and the DOG...?

Let's talk about the dog:

A highly trained Black Lab used for RETRIEVING; especially things thrown by the owner. You guessed it. The dog takes off across the ice at a high rate of speed and grabs the stick of dynamite, with the burning 40-second fuse just as it hits the ice.

The two men swallow, blink, start waving their arms and, with veins in their necks swelling to resemble stalks of rhubarb, scream and holler at the dog to stop. The dog, now apparently cheered on by his master, keeps coming. One hunter panics, grabs the shotgun and shoots the dog. The shotgun is loaded with #8 bird shot, hardly big enough to stop a Black Lab.

The dog stops for a moment, slightly confused, then continues on.

Another shot, and this time the dog, still standing, becomes really confused and of course terrified, thinks these two geniuses have gone insane!!!!!!

The dog takes off to find cover, UNDER the brand new Navigator.

The men continue to scream as they run. The red hot exhaust pipe on the truck touches the dog's rear end. He yelps, drops the dynamite under the truck and takes off after his master.

Then KA BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

The truck is blown to bits and sinks to the bottom of the lake, leaving the two idiots standing there with 'I can't believe this just happened' looks on their faces.

The insurance company says that sinking a vehicle in a lake by illegal use of explosives is NOT COVERED by the policy. And the owner still had yet to make the first of those $560.00 a month payments.

The dog is okay....doing fine.

And you thought all Rednecks lived in the South.......

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.

Note: On Benghazi:

Benghazi scandal tied to White House

In part: "As the result of a Freedom of Information Act battle waged by the conservative group Judicial Watch, new documents have emerged tying the messaging of the Sept. 11, 2012 attack in Benghazi, Libya, to the White House. Judicial Watch reports:

[The documents] include a newly declassified e-mail showing then-White House Deputy Strategic Communications Adviser Ben Rhodes and other Obama administration public relations officials attempting to orchestrate a campaign to “reinforce” President Obama and to portray the Benghazi consulate terrorist attack as being “rooted in an Internet video, and not a broader failure of policy.” Other documents show that State Department officials initially described the incident as an “attack” and possible kidnap attempt.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2014/04/29/benghazi-scandal-tied-to-white-house/

Now the question is: What the hell will be done about this? Also, more came out on this on Tuesday/Wednesday.

Yes, the White House Did Tell Susan Rice To Lie About Benghazi

http://dailycaller.com/2014/04/29/yes-the-white-house-did-tell-susan-rice-to-lie-about-benghazi/

Until my next column – next week

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