Mostly Racin' Stuff

                                      By Tom Avenengo

                                         Volume # 182

                                                   05/22/2014

 

Some personal/family stuff:

 

I usually start these columns on Sundays.  This week, I got started a day later.  The wife has had a “stomach bug” for a week now, and I felt like cr*p on Sunday.  Maybe it’s a good thing I didn’t plan on going to the WoO show at OCFS, huh?

So I’m going over the paperwork for the wife’s colonoscopy due this Thursday, and seems one can’t have anything to eat and/or drink that is red in color.  Of course I bought some Cherry and Raspberry Jello for her to eat the day before.  Then, with her “icky” stomach, she took a couple of Excedrin on Saturday and Sunday nights.  THAT’s something she is not allowed to take for a week prior to the deal.  So, now she’s waiting for a call back to make sure Thursday will still be a go.

And another thing on the wife – she’s been having it in her head that the cancer has returned, mainly because of the way her stomach has been feeling.  Lab work done a couple of weeks ago said that it hasn’t.  Head games – can be a big time problem at times.  Been there – done that, myself.

 

So, for supper on Wednesday night, since she can’t have solid foods, only clear liquids because of the colonoscopy due tomorrow AM, I fixed mom some chicken broth from some home made chicken soup that I made, and had put it in the freezer.  About the only other thing she had today was some Jell-O.  She had four table spoons full of the broth – mainly because it tasted so good.  Then, up it came.

Now, I’m really wondering, might she need her stomach checked out too, maybe with an Endoscopy?

 

 

Looks like I might miss most of the Indy 500 this Sunday.  Have an engagement party (son Eric’s) to attend.  I suppose it would be a lot worse if a majority of the drivers were more known to me?

 

 

Racin’ stuff:

 

 

Some sad news:

 

EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA

 

May 21, 2014

Leonard W. Stephens, 87

 

 

North Reading — Leonard W. “Gig” Stephens, 87, a lifelong resident of North Reading, died peacefully at his home on May 19, 2014. He was the son of the late Angelina (Borges) and Peter R. Stephens.

 

He was a 1941 graduate of the North Reading Public School System. He attained an MBA degree in national and international air cargo, rail, surface and waterway transportation from LaSalle University and Northwestern University.

 

Leonard was a U.S. Navy, World War II veteran, having served in the North Atlantic Theatre of Operations as a Gunners Mate aboard a “Liberty Ship.”

 

Gig was a 30-year airline executive, Massachusetts Registry official, and professional race car owner and driver. He was a former owner and founder of McDonalds Associates Detective Agency in Boston in 1960. He established the first “turbo-prop” scheduled all-cargo air service in New England, and appeared in Who’s Who in Aviation, 1973 Edition. He was Instrumental in Gov. Edward J. King’s election campaign, a life member of Boston Fireman’s Post No. 94, D.A.V Post No. 37 of Reading, USAC Charter Member (U.S. Auto Club), and an active member of several Republican committees in Washington that elected President George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004.

 

Gig’s love was in professional race car competition and antique car restoration. He completed his “Rookie Drivers Test” at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May of 1956. On July 26, 1959, he broke the world’s speed record for Midgets at Trenton New Jersey Speedway, starting in 33rd position.

 

Family members include his loving nieces, Marilyn “Peachie” Stephens Sakaleras of Bradenton, Fla., Paula Stephens Hammer of Lilburn, Ga., Shirley Stephens White of Bartlett, N.H., and Donna Stephens Lynch of Rochester, N.H.; a nephew, Thomas P. Stephens of Alton Bay, N.H.; and a very dear friend from Houston, Texas.

 

Memorial donations may be made in his name to Care Dimensions (Hospice), 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923. croswellfuneralhome.com.

 

ARRANGEMENTS: His funeral will be held from the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading, on Saturday, May 24, at 9:15 a.m., followed by a 10:30 a.m. funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s Church, 63 Winter St., Route 62, North Reading. Calling hours will be held Friday, May 23, from 4 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in North Reading.

 

Note:  Gig was exceptional on the paved mile at Trenton.

 

 

 

One of the reasons I was not that interested in going to the WoO race at OC this past Sunday, is the day the race is held -  Sunday.  It sure seems to me that a lot of the PA Posse just doesn’t want to come to OC on a Sunday night, especially when a good part of them have regular jobs and would have to be at work on Monday AM.  I read that there were only 22 WoO cars at OC.

What is sadder is that at Williams Grove, for two WoO Sprint Car races, they sent home 19 & 15 cars that didn’t qualify for the main event.  At Lincoln, 20 went home.

From what I’ve read on the Internet (can’t believe everything, right?) the biggest problem at OCFS is tire wear.  Track just eats them up.  No, don’t look for new clay being put down, folks - at least not in my life time.  Sad!

 

Note:  I find it kind of ironic that OCFS can have their Saturday night racing results on their website on Sunday, yet, here it is Wednesday afternoon (4:45 PM), and no results from one of their biggest races of the year – the WoO from this past Sunday. 

Guess what?  The Sunday results are now listed, but in with the Saturday results.  Saw that at 5:00 PM on Wednesday.

 

Kurt Busch had an accident at Indy in his car on Monday, after turning a fast lap of 225.623 MPH.  From what I’ve heard on the live stream, the car was going to be repaired.  The next time Kurt will be in it will be on Carb Day – Friday.  As of 3:00 on Monday, the fastest time so far was turned in on Sunday by Mikhail Aleshin.  What?  You’ve never heard of him?  Neither have I.  But he’s the first Russian driver to run at Indy for the 500.  His speed:  232.917.

 

This past Saturday, at the Selinsgrove Speedway, during the ESS 360 Sprint Car feature, there was a serious accident that involved Jamie Collard, Shawn Donath and Duane Mausteller.  Donath was not injured, but Collard and Mausteller were, both with critical injuries.  From what’s on the Selinsgrove website, Collard has 2 broken vertebrae, broken ribs, bruised esophagus and more tests will need to be done to determine if there is any damage to his aorta.  Mausteller was air-lifted to the Geisinger Medical Center for treatment.  According to the Mausteller family, Duane was undergoing medical procedures to treat head injuries.

 

How about keeping both drivers in your thoughts and prayers, ok?

Any time I read and/or hear of a race driver getting hurt, I always wonder if they have any additional insurance, like STIDA.  http://www.stida.com/

 

More on the above:

As far as Randy Mausteller is concerned, that would be the last race for his son, Duane.

http://www.pahomepage.com/story/d/story/two-race-car-drivers-injured-at-susquehanna-speedw/18187/SDcFc2IixE-BrD1j56xg3w#.U3uWkqBMwb4.facebook

 

And this, from the DTD Forum, on Wednesday:

 

INJURED DRIVERS UPDATE

by STEVE INCH

DANVILLE, Pa. -- Sprint car driver Jamie Collard, 33, of Burford, Ontario, informed Selinsgrove Speedway officials Tuesday evening that he expects to be released from the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pa., today (May 21).

 

Collard was involved in a lap three crash in Saturday night’s 25-lap Empire Super Sprint-sanctioned 360 sprint car race at the half-mile oval. Collard was transported by ambulance to Geisinger, where he has been receiving treatment for injuries to his back and ribs.

 

Duane Mausteller, 41, of Bloomsburg, Pa., was also involved in the accident and remains in critical condition at Geisinger.

 

Shawn Donath, of South Onondago, N.Y., a third driver involved in the crash, was not injured.

 

 

Racing on TV:

http://tvracer.com/

 

 

 

Coming up:

 

This Sunday is the Indy 500 and the 600 mile race at Charlotte for the Cup cars.

 

The starting grid for the 98th Indianapolis 500

ROW 1

20-Ed Carpenter, 231.067

27-James Hinchcliffe, 230.839

12-Will Power, 230.697

 

ROW 2

3-Helio Castroneves, 230.649

77-Simon Pagenaud, 230.614

25-Marco Andretti, 230.544

 

ROW 3

34-Carlos Munoz, 230.146

67-Josef Newgarden, 229.893

21-JR Hildebrand, 228.726

 

ROW 4

2-Juan Pablo Montoya, 231.007

9-Scott Dixon, 230.928

26-Kurt Busch, 230.782

 

ROW 5

98-Jack Hawksworth, 230.506

19-Justin Wilson, 230.256

7-Mikhail Aleshin, 230.049

 

ROW 6

10-Tony Kanaan, 229.922

11-Sebastien Bourdais, 229.847

16-Oriol Servia, 229.752

 

ROW 7

28-Ryan Hunter-Reay, 229.719

15-Graham Rahal, 229.628

18-Carlos Huertas, 229.251

 

ROW 8

63-Pippa Mann, 229.223

14-Takuma Sato, 229.201

68-Alex Tagliani, 229.148

 

ROW 9

6-Townsend Bell, 229.009

83-Charlie Kimball, 228.953

5-Jacques Villeneuve, 228.949

 

ROW 10

33-James Davison, 228.865

41-Martin Plowman, 228.814

8-Ryan Briscoe, 228.713

 

ROW 11

22-Sage Karam, 228.436

17-Sebastian Saavedra, 228.088

91-Buddy Lazier, 227.920

 

Note #1:  Out of all the names above, I know of only one that has raced open wheel cars (Midgets Sprints and Silver Crown) on dirt and pavement, and that’s Ed Carpenter.

Note # 2:  Two drivers in that list above have raced on the road course at the Oakland Valley Race Park in Cuddebackville, NY, which is also where the OVRP’s Dirt Oval is located.  Any idea as to which two?

 

Note # 3:  Any idea as to which driver in the above list is only 19 years old?

 

I can be reached, via e-mail, at:  ygordad@yahoo.com with your answer, if ya have any idea!

 

 

 

June 7th is “Nostalgia Night” at OCFS.  I’ve seen up to 59 driver names listed as possible attendees.  ACOT (Atlantic Coast Old Timers) also come to OCFS on that day, too, with some members bringing their restored race cars with them.  Yes, they are supposed to get some track time.

Note:  A photo that I had taken some years ago at another “Nostalgia Night” is below in my “This week’s photo” section

 

 

 

Former OVRP Dirt Oval runners:

 

I missed this one last week:  At Waterford, in the NEMA Lights, RJ Tufano was 3rd in the feature on May 10th.

 

Ben Whitaker was 4th in the Late Model feature at Susquehanna.

 

At OCFS, on Saturday, in the held over Modified feature, Mike Kolka was 1st, Tim Hindley 2nd, Mike Ruggiero 5th, Clinton Mills 8th and Billy V 13th.  In the nights regular feature, Tim was 4th, Clinton 8th, Billy with another 13th, Kolka 15th and Ruggiero 19th.

On Sunday, with the Sportsman, Matt Janiak was 7th, Brian Krummel 8th, LJ Lombardo 9th, Joey Falanga 13th, Zack Vavricka 14th, Johnny Illanovsky 19th, Joe Conklin 21st and Andrew Reeves 22nd.

 

Kyle Armstrong was 3rd, Bobby Hackel, IV 11th and Kolby Schroder 14th in the Modified feature at Lebanon Valley.  In the Sportsman feature, Matt Pappa was 6th, John Virgilio 7th and LJ Lombardo 12th.

 

In CRSA 305 Sprint Car races, Joe Kata was 9th, Emily VanInwegen 10th, Billy V 13th and Josh Pieniazek 17th at Glen Ridge.

At Fonda, Josh was 1st, Kata 2nd, Emily 17th, while Dan Hennessey and Brittany Tresch were both DNS’s.

 

At Bethel, in the held over feature for Sportsman from May 3rd, Bob Morris was 2nd.  In the Sportsman last Saturday, Morris was 1st.  JB Morris was 3rd in the 4 Cylinder Advanced class.

 

Tyler Dippel was 7th in the Modified feature and AJ Filbeck 6th in the Sportsman feature at U/R.

 

Roger Coss was 7th in the Modified feature at Mahoning Valley.

 

Danny Creeden was 6th at Thunder Mountain.

 

At 5 Mile, Anthony Perrego was 9th and Mike Mammana 15th in the first Modified feature, while Perrego was 5th and Mike 21st in the second feature.

Brad Szulewski was 9th and Mike Traver 20th in the first Sportsman feature, while Brad was 7th and Mike a DNS in the second.

 

Anthony Perrego was 20th in the SpeedSTR feature at Kutztown, while Molly Chambers was 23rd in the wingless 600 Micros.  Danny Buccafusca was 3rd in the All Star Slingshot feature.

 

In URC Sprint Car racing, Davie Franek was 3rd at Delmar and 4th at Bedford.

 

Nick Pecko was 17th in the Modified feature at the Shangri-La II Speedway.

 

Tyler Pirone was 4th and Joey Lawrence 17th in the All Star Slingshot feature at Hamlin.  Jacob Hendershot was 2nd in the 270 Micro Sprints, while Danny Buccafusca was 4th in the Rookie 600 Micros.

 

Kyhle Rohner was 4th in the wingless 600 Micro feature at Airport Speedway.

 

At Thunder Mountain, on Tuesday, in the NDRL Short Track Super Series 50 lap feature for the Modifieds, Tim Hindley was 17th, Billy V 22nd, while Mike Kolka, Anthony Perrego, Tyler Dippel and Danny Creeden were all DNQ’s.  Brian Krummel was 4th in the Sportsman feature.

Note:  There were 73 entrants for the Modified class.  Also among those that did not make the feature was Brett Hearn, who was involved in an accident in his heat race.

Looks like 44 names this week.  Some how the name Cole Hentschel comes to mind.  He ran at Hamlin and won the All Star Slingshot feature and was second in the Stage One Modified feature.  If so, that would be 45 names.  I’m wondering if there are any more I might have missed this week?

 

 

 

A little trip back in time – racing wise:

 

One of the best – Sir Jack Brabham!

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/formulaone/article-2632579/Sir-Jack-Brabham-knight-motor-racing-man-build-drive-car-Formula-One-glory-dies-aged-88.html

 

 

 

Some interesting threads on the DTD forum:

 

http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/

 

358 vs BB, from a fan's point of view.

 

http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/index.php?/topic/50767-358-vs-bb-from-a-fans-point-of-view/

 

 

 

Glens track:

 

My question is , If the state has a 3 million dollar grant for this fantasay track, why not put some of that money into the mile at the fairgrounds?

 

Last i heard the state fair wants the track gone to better utilize its real estate. Now that there's a proposed concert facility going in across 690, on the lake (on the back side of the fair parking) I'm guessing there is even less reason to keep the grandstand and the track at this point. So in turn Glenn's track would provide the perfect opportunity to move super dirt week to a state of the art facility. All of this is hypothetically speaking of course.

 

I've heard that Alfred State is interested in buying it and making it a technical college like ATI that you see advertised on TV and using the track as an apprentice program.

 

Alfred State would lease it from us, so they would not have a large capital outlay.  The goal is to have the motorsports, culinary and diesel mechanic programs housed here and use the track operations for classes and apprentice programs.  They turn away over 3,000 potential students a year, most of them from the CNY area.

 

This will add more jobs to the economy than the 150 that we talk about.

 

This is very interesting.  I teach at Alfred State in the Business program and this is the first any of us are hearing about this.  For the record, I love the idea however we might be pre-mature on releasing information. We are definitely researching this more.

 

I definitely think it would be cool to see happen and really be a big boost for the area. The Alfred State partnership would be a big benefit for both parties. I think sometimes people see the big dollars being handed out, and the company does the bare minimum and runs off with the rest or never does the work to begin with, and become leery of these types of things. But I totally agree with the trickle down effect. By supporting the wealthy the money will funnel down into the working class.

 

We have updated our website.  You can check it out at www.CNYRP.com

 

We will be submitting our Final EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) in early May.  We hope to begin construction by this summer.  Check our website for updates.

 

Will this partnership make CNYRP eligible for the Start-Up NY program?

 

This partnership with Alfred State, if it is able to come to fruition does not appear to  qualify under the Start-Up NY program.

 

We are interested in the program to develop an internship program for the project and to add qualified employees into the workforce to benefit CNYRP and our industry.  it will also help to build the economy in Oswego County, which has the second highest unemployment in NY State.

 

Central New York Raceway Park has submitted the Final EIS (Environmental Impact Study) to the Town of Hastings.  This document was over 1500 pages long with all of the supporting information. In addition we have submitted "no effect" letters from SHPO and the Corp of Engineers.  We have now come out of the SEQR process and the Town of Hastings, as the lead agency will act on our permit applications.

 

We are hoping to begin construction in around 20-30 days.

 

We will have more exciting news that we will release as the time is right..

 

John Lehmann

Vice President

Central New York Raceway Park

 

http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/index.php?/topic/41797-glens-track/page-6

 

 

 

 

From Jayski:

http://www.jayski.com/

 

Ganassi, McElreath, Mehl, Rahal, Simpson to be inducted into Auto Racing Hall of Fame:

The five 2014 Auto Racing Hall of Fame inductees who will be honored on Thursday night, May 22, as part of the annual Indianapolis 500 Oldtimers dinner at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Indianapolis are as diverse as any class in recent history. And with A.J. Foyt being recognized for not only his four Indianapolis 500 wins but his win 50 years ago in the 1964 Indy 500, it is sure to be an exciting and memorable evening. The five 2014 Auto Racing Hall of Fame inductees are Chip Ganassi, Jimmy McElreath, Leo Mehl, Bobby Rahal and Bill Simpson. The first induction class was recognized in 1952, and there are now 148 members in this elite fraternity. The Auto Racing Hall of Fame is located at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum. A very limited number of tickets for the event are still available. If interested, contact Ellen Bireley (317) 492-6784.(IMS)(5-20-2104)

 

 

Kligerman headed to Indy to search for IndyCar ride:

Parker Kligerman, who filled-in Kurt Busch in the #41 Chevy on Friday for Sprint All-Star race practice, is headed to Indianapolis on Sunday. "I'm going to be meeting with some people," Kligerman said Friday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. "That will be fun. ... We'll see (about my future)." The 23-year-old Kligerman, who started the year driving for Swan Racing before it discontinued operations last month, will be on standby for Stewart-Haas Racing's Kurt Busch at Charlotte for the Coca Cola 600, although Busch should be at all practices and qualifying sessions. Kligerman will have to drive the car in practice to have a few laps in case Busch doesn't get from the Indianapolis 500 to Charlotte in time as he attempts both big races on the same day. "I'm just very grateful and honored to have the opportunity and for someone like Kurt, a champion in our sport, to give me that call and have the belief in me and do this for him," Kligerman said. After these two weeks, Kligerman said he wants the best opportunity. He had planned to be in Indianapolis all this weekend until the call two weeks ago to be on standby for Busch. "It's all in the working stage, building stage and some of that is going out to Indy meeting some of those people and those sorts of things going on," Kligerman said about his future. "My sole focus right now is when an opportunity comes it's the right opportunity. ... I've got time on my side. I feel like making sure the opportunity is the right one, it's the one I want to do, it's one I am enthused about and hopefully that can forward my career and I can do good job in."(Sporting News)(5-18-2014)

 

 

Kahne Frustrated With NASCAR over wreck:

#5-Kasey Kahne watched $1 million slide away in Saturday night's Sprint All-Star race when he said a patch of oil sent him into the wall. Kahne won two of the first three 20-lap segments before pancaking the wall and ruining his chances for the win in the fourth segment. Instead, he finished 14th, while Jamie McMurray won the race. "NASCAR just didn't clean the track,'' Kahne said in the garage after the race. "They cleaned it after that session. (Ryan) Newman hit it harder than I did. I hit it right behind him. We're trying to race. These short runs, you've got to go, go, go and the track is not capable. I don't mean to point too many fingers. That's not our deal, that's their deal.'' Kahne said the oil came from the incident with Jeff Gordon, Martin Truex Jr. and Greg Biffle earlier in the fourth segment. "They put speedy dry down and they didn't clean it off and you could also see the oil through the speedy dry,'' said Kahne, who led 20 of the race's 90 laps. "When we got up there, we're all racing two or three-wide. That's where I ended up and Newman and we shot into the wall like we hit ice. They cleaned it after the fact.''

NASCAR issued a statement in response to Kahne's comments, stating: "The caution came out and the track had oil and debris on the surface in Turn 4 onto pit road. Oil was covered up by two clean up trucks and broomed in by the same. Vacuumed up and then blown by jets. Competitors drove past the area in question twice at reduced speed under caution. No drivers or crew chiefs passed along any reservations of the restorations. NASCAR Officials in the pace car confirmed the track was ready. The race was restarted.''(Motor Racing Network)(5-18-2014)

 

 

Is Joe Gibbs Racing ready to expand? with Edwards?

With silly season in full swing, it's not surprising that Joe Gibbs is in the middle of it. Over the last month, the rumors of Carl Edwards considering a move to JGR have picked up considerably. But Coach says it would take a lot for JGR to add a fourth team. "I'm not going to guess on stuff and the rumors and everything," Gibbs said. "We get into this every year and there's a period we kind of got to go through, I've come to feel." When asked specifically about Edwards, Gibbs would not offer a definitive answer. "Anything that's going on right now, to me, is kind of that rumor time - and I don't think I need to be commenting on it," Gibbs said. "So many times when the top guys come up, everybody in the sport kind of looks at it. There's a couple of guys this year - that are on their last year, so it kind of happens." JGR expanded to three full-time teams in 2005, but moved to three full-time drivers with the addition of Denny Hamlin in 2006. Inevitably, it's a question as to whether a fourth team makes sense for JGR. "We have said for the last five years that when things come up we have always looked at it," Gibbs said. "But it's hard to do. Like I've said, it's extremely hard to do cause you've get so many things to work to make it happen. I'd say for the last four to five years we've looked at it, but it's hard to do and we haven't been able to think it's best for us."(Motorsport)(5-18-2014)

 

 

Earnhardt Jr. not in a rush to push Elliott to Cup:

#88-Dale Earnhardt Jr met with media on Friday at Charlotte Motor Speedway and was asked about Chase Driver who drives for JR Motorsports in the Nationwide Series:

Q) REGARDING CHASE ELLIOTT, DO YOU FEEL YOU NEED TO SPEED UP HIS PREP BASED ON WHAT HE HAS BEEN DOING, OR DO YOU FEEL YOU NEED TO SLOW DOWN HIS PREP?

Earnhardt Jr.: "I don't think you do either one. I think you just set a plan from the start, and you stick with it. We have like a two-year plan I suppose, that he runs in the Nationwide Series and I think you just stick with the plan regardless of the success he is having. You have the commitments in line with sponsors and what have you, so I think it will suit him well to relax and not have to worry about that and just follow the plan that he has had in front of him from the start. He is really young too, so he has a lot of time on his hands and time to get to Cup level to realize that potential, one day. But yes, I think he can just sit there and relax knowing what we tried to set out to do from the start and not really adjust."(Team Chevy)(5-18-2014)

 

 

2015 NASCAR Hall Of Fame Class Announced:

NASCAR announced the inductees who will comprise the 2015 class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The five-person group - the sixth in NASCAR Hall of Fame history - consists of Bill Elliott, Fred Lorenzen, Wendell Scott, Joe Weatherly and Rex White. In addition, NASCAR announced that Anne B. France won the inaugural Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR. Next year's Induction Day is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 30, 2015, broadcast on NBC Sports Network from Charlotte, NC. The NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel met today in a closed session in Charlotte to vote on both the induction class of 2015 and the Landmark Award. NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France made the announcements this afternoon in the NASCAR Hall of Fame's "Great Hall."

Next year's class was determined by votes cast by the Voting Panel, which for the first time included the reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion - in this case, Jimmie Johnson. The panel also included representatives from NASCAR, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, track owners from major facilities and historic short tracks, media members, manufacturer representatives, retired competitors (drivers, owners, crew chiefs), recognized industry leaders and a nationwide fan vote conducted through NASCAR.com - which counted for the 54th and final vote. In all, 54 votes were cast, with two additional Voting Panel members recused from voting as potential nominees for induction (Jerry Cook and Robert Yates). The accounting firm of Ernst & Young presided over the tabulation of the votes.

Voting for next year's class was as follows: Bill Elliott (87%), Wendell Scott (58%), Joe Weatherly (53%), Rex White (43%) and Fred Lorenzen (30%). The next top vote-getters were Jerry Cook, Robert Yates and Benny Parsons.

Results for the NASCAR.com Fan Vote, in order of votes received, were Wendell Scott, Bill Elliott, Benny Parsons, Rex White and Terry Labonte.(NASCAR)(5-21-2014)

 

 

Vickers crashes in Kentucky test, is OK:

#55-Brian Vickers crashed at Kentucky Speedway Wednesday during a Goodyear Tire test. The #55 Aaron's Toyota crashed in turn 3, supposedly a right front wheel came apart. Vickers reports he is sore but OK and has already logged 10 laps in other car.(Brian Vickers Twitter / Michael Waltrip Racing Twitter)(5-21-2014)

 

 

Final Sprint All Star Race TV Ratings:

Ratings and viewership for NASCAR's All-Star Race were the lowest ever on Fox Sports 1 (previously Speed Channel). Saturday's NASCAR Sprint Cup All-Star Race drew a 2.1 U.S. rating and 3.4 million viewers on FS1, down 9% in ratings and 5% in viewership from last year (2.3, 3.7M), down 5% and 7%, respectively, from 2012 (2.2, 3.8M), and the lowest rated, least-viewed All-Star Race ever on the network (eight telecasts dating back to 2007). This year marked the first All-Star Race since Speed Channel became FS1 last August. The race ranks as the network's second-most watched program since rebranding, trailing only the NASCAR Sprint Unlimited on February 15 (3.5M). The top three programs have all been NASCAR races, with the conclusion of the March 16 Food City 500 ranking third (3.2M). In other All-Star weekend action, Friday's NASCAR All-Star Showdown drew 1.2 million viewers on FS1.(Sports Media Watch / Bloomberg)

See TV Ratings for the 2014 races and a 5-year comparison chart on the 2014 TV Ratings page.(5-21-2014)

 

 

Haas Formula game plan taking shape:

Gene Haas could decide on a technical partnership for his Formula One team as early as this week. As for a Formula Haas debut, all indications are that the newest F1 licensee is leaning toward a 2015 start which could inevitably determine the entrant's supplier based on availability. Haas met with his team principals over the weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway to hash out their plans. "We're still finalizing the numbers, so I don't want to say anything wrong," Haas told Motorsport.com. "We should know something in the next week or so what year we're going to go with and everything else. We really only got a license a month ago, so there's been a lot of going back and forth. There's just a lot of things to cover. Obviously, we want to partner with a partner that can help us the most because we don't have much time - and that's a little bit of it, too. One partner might be saying 2016. One partner might be saying 2015. My thing is, no matter what year it is, it's going to be a tough year that first year, so I'd like to get it over with myself." With the current race season nearly reaching the halfway point, Haas is concerned that "schedules have to be met" for both Ferrari and Mercedes that could affect which manufacturer would best be able to accommodate an additional team. While the choice of a technical partner is still in the works, the applications are pouring from potential drivers-roughly 25 of them at this point. Haas said they've already had 200 to 300 aspiring employees looking to join Formula Haas, but prior to obtaining a F1 license, perusing the submissions was impractical.(Motorsport)(5-20-2014)

 

 

More about RPM possibly switching manufacturers:

During a visit to Goodlettsville (TN) on Monday, Richard Petty says he is considering move his racing team [Richard Petty Motorsports] from Ford. "We talk to everybody all the time; I've been talking to Volkswagen," said Petty, who visited Dollar General's annual Race Day at the company's headquarters. After getting a few chuckles from a group of reporters Petty's tone became more serious as he talked more about his team's future. Richard Petty Racing currently has two Fords driven by Aric Almirola and Marcos Ambrose in the Sprint Cup Series. News outlets have reported that Petty met with representatives from Toyota in April to talk about a possible alliance. "We've got to look at our team and look at our circumstances," Petty said. "We've got to look and say, 'Okay, what's going to be the best for us right now, what's going to the best for us two years down the road, what's going to be the best for us five years down the road?'" Petty moved his team from Dodge to Ford at the end of the 2009 season. Petty indicated he is indeed looking at other possibilities. "We're out looking and seeing what all the factories have got laid out for their future to see if we can fit into any of that," Petty said.(The Tennessean)(5-20-2014)

 

 

Special website follows Kurt Busch's attempt at 'the double':

Join Kurt Busch as he becomes the 4th NASCAR driver ever to attempt the "Double" - racing in both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend. By pledging a small amount for every lap Kurt completes, you can ride alongside the Outlaw as he helps to provide assistance to our brave men and women of the Armed Forces when they need it most.

Kurt Busch isn't the only one doing the double this Memorial Day weekend. Country music star Brantley Gilbert will be attending the Indianapolis 500 on May 25 as part of the sponsorship of Indy rookie, Sage Karam, and then fly to Charlotte to perform a pre-race concert for the Coca-Cola 600.

Basis will be with Kurt Busch every step of the way - literally - as he prepares for 1,100 miles of grueling, intense racing. Fans will be able to see his progress as he focuses on getting in tip-top shape, ensuring the right amount of rest for recovery and keeping things under control with his frequent heart rate checks. Basis is a revolutionary wrist-based device that tracks physiological data like heart rate, sweat level, skin temperature and movement 24/7. Basis is the world's most advanced health tracker and will be tracking Busch's progress, including his races and workouts, leading up to this epic racing challenging. You can check out Basis, info on donating by laps to Armed Forces Foundation and follow Busch at kurtbuschdouble.com.(5-20-2014)

 

 

 

From Track Forum:

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

 

For this years Indy 500:

 

I hope attendance is good

 

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?186173-I-hope-attendance-is-good

 

 

 

From the AARN:

http://www.aarn.com/

 

This Week

In AARN

 

Three Straight: Pittman Sweeps

WoO Grove Races, Orange County Too

 

Hirschman Keeps On Winning

On RoC Asphalt Mod Tour

 

USA 100 At VMS,

Worth $10,000, Is Chris Ferguson’s

 

First Jennerstown Race

In Six Years

Goes To New York Invader

 

Hard Selinsgrove 360 Crash

Hospitalizes Two Drivers,

One Critical

 

It’s No ACT:

Ray Parent Scores

First Career Series Win

At Airborne

 

Stevie Smith, Fred Rahmer

Team For Popular Lincoln WoO Score

 

Technical Breakthrough:

New Motor Could Revive

Delaware Late Model Racing

 

Ten Grand To Chris Ferguson

After Virginia Motor Speedway

LMVictory

 

 

 

Press releases:

 

 

NEWS FROM                                                                                                             

Orange County Fair Speedway                                                                                    

239 Wisner Avenue                                                                                                    

Middletown, NY10940 

 

CONTACT

Mike Gurda

845-342-2573

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

ORANGE COUNTY FAIR SPEEDWAY HONORS VETERANS ON MEMORIAL WEEKEND

Small-Block Modifieds and Thunder Trucks Racing on the Hard Clay

 

MIDDLETOWN, NY (May 19)……..As part of our country’s celebration of Memorial Day, all military personnel in uniform and veterans with appropriate identification will be admitted at the reduced rate of $10.00 for the Saturday, May 24 night of stock car racing at Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, New York.

 

“We owe so much to our military people. Their sacrifices have kept us free, allowing us to enjoy a way of life that is the envy of all the other nations,” says Mike Gurda, speedway promoter. “We’re happy to recognize our active and veteran military folks at the speedway on Memorial Weekend.”

 

Orange County’s full complement of DIRTcar Big-Block Modified, Sportsman, and Street Stock race cars will be in action with qualifying and feature races. And the lightning-fast Small-Block Modifieds return to the Hard Clay racing surface as well as the inaugural outing for the new Thunder Trucks division. Holiday Inn of Middletown is the evening’s sponsor.

 

Defending point champion and current point leader Tim Hindley leads a strong corps of DIRTcar Big-Block Modified drivers in their quest for Orange County racing supremacy. His championship reign is being challenged by former titlists Jerry Higbie, Chuck McKee, Tommy Meier and nearly two-dozen other top Modified drivers.

 

Admission prices for the May 24 race meet remain at $14 adults, $12 seniors, and free for children 12 and under. The full night of racing begins promptly at 6:30 pm.

 

Advance ticket sales, including the 53rd Annual Eastern States Weekend, and track information is available at the Orange County website, www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net, or from at the Track Office. Call 845-342-2573 weekdays during business hours.

 

 

Upcoming: May 31 – Rock Fantasy Concert & Smoke Shop “Banner Night”

 

June 7 – Tire King of Sussex and Frank Stevens & Son Roofing “Nostalgia Night”

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

For Immediate Release/May 21, 2014

 

First Race, First Place: Matt Sheppard Wins Olum’s ‘Lightning on the Mountain’ Presented By Rochinski Contracting Services & Husqvarna In Thunder Mountain Speedway Debut; Waterloo, NY Driver Earns $5,640 For Car Owner Norm Hansell In NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP Round No. 2

 

CENTER LISLE, NY – First race, first place!

 

In his debut at Thunder Mountain Speedway, superstar Matt Sheppard drove to a hefty payday Tuesday night at the Olum’s ‘Lightning on the Mountain’ presented by Rochinski Contracting Services and Husqvarna. Sheppard, leading wire-to-wire in the 50-lap National Dirt Racing League (NDRL) Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP big-block/small-block Modified event, earned $5,640 in cash plus other incentives: $5,000 from the posted purse, $490 in lap money, $100 from Simplicity Designs and $50 as a Tonarlo’s Pizza Heat-Race Hard Charger.

 

Sheppard, of Waterloo, N.Y., registered his first-ever BD Motorsports Media LLC victory, becoming the 17th different winner in 21 events contested since 2006. The win was also a first for noted Pennsylvania car owner Norm Hansell, who has been a loyal supporter of the BD Motorsports Media circuit in recent years.

 

A huge crowd filled Thunder Mountain’s concrete grandstands to capacity for the richest event in track history. The pit area at the Center Lisle, N.Y., oval was jammed with 99 race cars: 73 NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP Modifieds and 26 Sportsman. Well over $30,000 was paid out during the night.

 

“The hardest part about tonight was the unknown,” Sheppard said of his first Thunder Mountain start. “I hadn’t raced here before or even seen the place. I thought they did a great job with the track. It was smooth and it was wide. I don’t know what they could have done differently to make it any better. It was still tacky to walk on at the end of the night.

 

“It was definitely cool to win in my first race at the place.”

 

Despite a poor draw (97 out of a possible) that placed Sheppard ninth in the seventh heat race, he raced to second place on the track and topped the passing points chart to make the redraw.

 

“That was tough after they drew 97 for me,” Sheppard said of qualifying. “I think we were 72nd of the 73 cars that drew. I was really happy to end up qualifying, let alone getting to the redraw.”

 

The 31-year-old driver picked No. 2 of 16 available numbers for the 50-lap main event and outgunned pole starter Chad Cook to take the lead at the outset. Through a number of early restarts, Sheppard maintained his lead aboard the Hansell Motorsports No. 357 Troyer. 

 

As the laps would down, Cook – a Thunder Mountain regular from Deposit, N.Y. – applied significant pressure to Sheppard. Cook’s most serious challenge was mounted on Sheppard in the final 10-lap stretch.

 

Sheppard encountered lapped traffic, slowing his pace. Cook powered to the outside lane – almost pulling even at the exit of turn two with 47 laps complete – before Sheppard prevailed. He beat Cook to the line by two car-lengths.

 

“My right-front tire was going away,” Sheppard said. “We went too soft and the car got tight. I knew he was right there and he was quick.”

 

Sheppard credited Royersford, Pa.’s Hansell and crew chief Jay Thomas for their efforts and the new partnership for special events this season.

 

“It’s a great deal,” Sheppard said. “Norm has the best equipment and Jay works really hard on the cars. I have to thank them for the opportunity.”

 

Cook, 37 years old, settled for second position driving Mike Costello’s No. 2c Bicknell.

 

“Yeah, I thought I had a shot at him there,” Cook said. “It felt good to be the best of the local drivers tonight and run with those guys.”

 

Cook earned $3,160 in cash plus other incentives as the runner-up.

 

Vic Coffey of Leicester, N.Y., ran inside the top-three for the entire distance, placing third in the Sweeteners Plus No. 32c ($2,410).  Sixth-starter Stewart Friesen of Sprakers, N.Y., finished fourth driving Tadd Parks’ No. 1 ($1,960) and Danny Johnson of Rochester, N.Y., advanced from 14th to finish fifth driving Chris Gennarelli’s No. 86 ($1,710).

 

Rounding out the top 10 were Jeff Heotzler of Wallkill, N.Y., who started 10th in Mel Schrufer’s No. 2a ($1,510); 22nd-starter Duane Howard of Oley, Pa., driving Mike Petruska’s Atlas Paving No. 66 ($1,260); Andy Bachetti of Sheffield, Mass., who started 26th ($1,150); 29th-starter Matt Jester of Milford, Del. ($1,050); and Bob McGannon of Garnerville, N.Y., who started 31st via a Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP provisional. McGannon’s earnings, including the $450 Zubi’s Racing/Joe Sarvis Motorsports Hard Charger Award, totaled $1,200.

 

Top passing points-earners in the eight heat events were Johnson, Coffey, Brian Weaver of Windsor, N.Y., Alex Stanton of Jackson, Pa., Heotzler, Elmo Reckner of Ballston Lake, N.Y., Sheppard and Bob Hamm Jr. of Windsor, N.Y.

 

Consolation victors were JaMike Sowle of Fultonville, N.Y., Bachetti, Brian Malcolm of Lake Ariel, Pa., and Danny Tyler of Cottekill, N.Y.

 

First State driver Jester was best of the four drivers missing a feature starting berth by one spot in the consolations, topping the 5-lap MjH Oilfield Wade Decker Memorial Last Chance Race. He earned his way into the feature while Dale Planck of Homer, N.Y., Scott Van Gorder of Laurel, Del., and Erick Rudolph of Ransomville, N.Y., each earned $100.

 

Kevin Jordan of Speedsville, N.Y., emerged from an intense battle with Billy Spoonhower to earn $1,000 in the accompanying 25-lap Sportsman feature. Spoonhower, of Berkshire, N.Y., settled for second. The event was attended by Open and Crate 602 powered cars.

 

Former track regular Eddie White of Candor, N.Y., returned to Thunder Mountain with a strong third-place result. Orange County (N.Y.) Fair Speedway regular Brian Krummel of Middletown, N.Y., was fourth and Andrew Ferguson of Camillus, N.Y., completed the front five driving the Cory Pike-owned No. 6.

 

Sportsman heat winners were John Morse, Ryan Olsommer and White.

 

THUNDER THOUGHTS: Pre-race fan activities included a live remote by 98.1 The Hawk, displays of the Nick Rochinski and Mike Mahaney race cars with driver meet and greets, a bounce house for kids and more. Three sets of fireworks lit up the sky during the evening….

 

Track owner Karl Spoonhower confirmed the night’s attendance as the largest ever in the history of Thunder Mountain Speedway, which first opened in 1992….

 

After post heat-race mechanical issues sidelined the Sherlock Motorsports No. TEN, Billy Van Inwegen picked up the ride in the Crash Palace No. 14 owned by Vermont’s C.G. Morey for the main….

 

The busy program was spun off efficiently despite the huge car count. Eight NDRL Modified heats, three Sportsman heats, four NDRL Modified consolations, the Wade Decker Memorial Last Chance Qualifier and the 50-lap NDRL Modified main event were completed by 10:14 p.m., with only the Sportsman main to follow….

 

Next up for the NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP is the I-88 (N.Y.) Speedway Sowle Trailer Repair ‘Crazy 8s Special’ presented by Olum’s on Wednesday, July 23 (rain date: July 24). The 48-lap big-block/small-block Modified event, Round No. 3 of the series, offers $8,888 to win from a massive purse as the richest event ever to be held at the Afton Fairgrounds facility. GRIT 602 Sportsman will complete the two-division program.

 

To learn more about the NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP, contact Brett Deyo at 845.728.2781, e-mail Deyo99H@aol.com or visit www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com. Like “BD Motorsports Media” on Facebook or follow @BrettDeyo on Twitter.

 

OLUM’S ‘LIGHTNING ON THE MOUNTAIN’ PRESENTED BY ROCHINSKI CONTRACTING SERVICES & HUSQVARNA RACE SUMMARY – MAY 20, 2014

 

NDRL Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP Modified Feature Finish (50 Laps): MATT SHEPPARD ($5,640) Chad Cook, Vic Coffey, Stewart Friesen, Danny Johnson, Jeff Heotzler, Duane Howard, Andy Bachetti, Matt Jester, Bob McGannon, Steve Cummings, Rick Laubach, Danny Tyler, Mike Colsten, Dale Welty, Tommy Meier, Tim Hindley, Billy Decker, Ryan Watt, Brian Weaver, Bob Hamm Jr., Billy Van Inwegen Jr., JaMike Sowle, Brent Wilcox, Don Hart Jr., Elmo Reckner, Mike Clapperton, Alex Stanton, Ryan Jordan, Bobby Varin, Donnie Lawson, Brian Malcolm.

 

Did Not Qualify: Dale Planck, Scott Van Gorder, Erick Rudolph, Barry White, Mitch Gibbs, Alan Johnson, C.G. Morey, Paul Jensen, Kurt Hundeland, Darrell Ford, Nick Rochinski, Ken Titus, Sam Allen, Brett Hearn, Mike DuBois, Craig Hanson, John Siedlecky, Brett Tonkin, Doug Manmiller, Donnie Elliott, Gary Tomkins, Rob Rowe, Rich Eurich, Byron Worthing, Mike Kolka Jr., Alan Rudalavage, Tyler Siri, Lou Cicconi Jr., Roy Shields, Anthony Perrego, Nick Nye, Mike Ricci, Darwin Greene, Ray Jashembowski, Marcus Dinkins, Tyler Dippel, Pat Ward, Mike Mahaney, Tom Collins, Tim Currier, Danny Creeden.

 

‘Lucky 7’ Lap Money Distribution ($1,508): Matt Sheppard ($490), Vic Coffey ($168), Jeff Heotzler ($165), Chad Cook ($160), Stewart Friesen ($160), Danny Johnson ($120), Steve Cummings ($105), Duane Howard ($60), Billy Decker ($40) & Tim Hindley ($40),

Accord Speedway ‘Battle of the Bullring’ Complimentary Passes: Mike Ricci, Darrell Ford & Rob Rowe

Allstar Performance Bonuses ($50 certificates): Vic Coffey (third) & Andy Bachetti (eighth)

American Racer/Lias Tire Bonuses (free tire each): Matt Jester (ninth) & Rick Laubach (12th)

Amsoil/Bud Leizear Longest Distance Towed (Oil Change Supplies): Scott Van Gorder

ATL Fuel Cell Bonus ($100 credit): Danny Johnson (fifth)

Behrent’s Performance Warehouse Bonuses ($50 each): Stewart Friesen (fourth) & Matt Jester (ninth)

BFP Specialty Bonus ($100 shock servicing credit): Danny Tyler (13th)

Bob Hilbert Sportswear Bonuses ($100 credits): Vic Coffey (third), Steve Cummings (11th) & Barry White (DNQ)

Diversified Machine Inc./Bulldog Rear End Bonuses ($50 credits): Steve Cummings (11th) & Mike Kolka Jr. (DNQ)

DRACO ‘Spring Forward’ Award (free spring): Bob McGannon

Finish Line Web Design $150 Credit: Chad Cook (second)

Fulton Speedway Outlaw 200 Guaranteed Starting Position: Matt Sheppard

Hoosier Racing Tire Bonus (free tire): Darwin Greene

Manmiller Electric DNQ Bonuses ($100 cash): Danny Creeden & Rich Eurich

PM3 Digital Imaging Hard Charger Bonus ($25 credit): Bob McGannon

Recycle Your Entry Fee Program: All drivers unable to qualify will receive complimentary car entry to the July 23 ‘Crazy 8s Special’ at I-88 Speedway

Schaeffer Racing Oil Bonus (two cases of oil): Matt Sheppard

Shiley Fabrication Hard Luck Award (bumpers and rubrails): Craig Hanson

Simplicity Designs $100 Winner’s Bonus (added to the $5,000): Matt Sheppard

S&W Awards Custom Trophy: Matt Sheppard

Tonarlo’s Pizza Heat-Race Hard Charger Awards ($50 cash each): Danny Johnson, Steve Cummings, Rick Laubach, Andy Bachetti, Brian Malcolm, Dale Planck, Matt Sheppard, Bob Hamm Jr.

VP Racing Fuels DNQ Bonus (Drum of VP Racing Fuel): Doug Manmiller

Whirlpool Appliances $250 Halfway Leader Bonus: Matt Sheppard

Zubi’s Racing/Joe Sarvis Motorsports Hard Charger Award ($450 cash): Bob McGannon (31st-to-10th)

 

Sportsman Feature Finish (25 Laps): KEVIN JORDAN ($1,000), Billy Spoonhower, Eddie White, Brian Krummel, Andrew Ferguson, John Morse, Ryan Olsommer, Marshall Balzer, Chance Spoonhower, Randy Green, Lanson Albanese, Larry Hillis, Kenny Hammond, Chris Jordan, Charlie Hendrickson Jr., Josh Butler, Mike Decker, Colton Wilson, Butch Green, Randy Gates, Alec Gennarelli, Mike Wilmot, Rich Powell, Tyler Ward.

 

Did Not Start: Claude Hutchings Jr., Randy Brokaw.

 

Turn 5 Podcast Hard Charger ($55.55): Brian Krummel (15th to 4th)

Trackside Products Best Appearing Cars ($100 credits): Ryan Olsommer (Crate 602) & Andrew Ferguson (Open)

Shiley Fabrication Certificates ($50 credits): Randy Green (10th) & Claude Hutchings Jr. (DNQ)

 

The ‘Lightning on the Mountain’ special is presented by Olum’s, Rochinski Contracting Services, Husqvarna, Zubi’s Racing, Accord Speedway, Whirlpool Appliances, Manmiller Electric, Trackside Products, MjH Oilfield, VP Racing Fuels and many other fine marketing partners

 

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

 

 

Email I received:

 

“Hi Tom

I just read on DTD that OCFS is offering our military (current and veterans), if they come in uniform or for veterans if they bring ID they can get in at the reduced rate of $10.00 in celebration of Memorial Day.  I am not a member of DTD or I would be writing in - in answer to that notification.

What kind of patriotism is that?????  Come in uniform in order to pay $10.????  This isn't clean black-top  racing.  This is dirt racing and who can go to the track clean and walk out clean????  I can't believe that Gurda has the audacity to claim to be honoring our military and not allowing them to get in free, wearing whatever they want to wear,

 

Anyway, Tom, I hope you can, without mentioning my name in your column, allow people to know that some fans think it is a disgrace that Gurda has the nerve to charge our current and past military men one red cent for this weekend's race.

 

IMHO, at half time they should invite every military man down on the track and allow one of them to lead us all with our salute to the flag and the singing of our National Anthem.  JMO.”

 

Note:  Hmm, interesting, to say the least.  Hope ya don’t mind, but I’d like to add my two cents to this: 

How about OCFS putting out a notice that effectively immediately, ALL Veterans, and ALL current members of our Armed Forces, will be admitted FREE, as thanks for their service to our country – and a uniform will not be required, just proper ID to any Saturday night races.  It’s not like there are not seats available for them, ya know?

 

How about it, Mr. Gurda?

 

No, I’m not suggesting this because I am a veteran, myself.  My trips to OCFS are getting to be fewer and fewer, as time goes bye.

Hey, if you agree, why not contact OCFS yourself?  They seem to delete most every thing I send to them – whether they read it or not, so it seems.

          

 

This week’s photo:

 

From a past “Nostalgia Night” at OCFS:

 

 

Who can you name in the above photo?  Hint:  The closest to the camera is Ralph Heotzler.

 

 

 

Racing videos:

 

Personally, I’d rather see Sprint Cars minus their wings.  To me, it just somehow is better racing.  Here is a short video from the WoO at the New Egypt Speedway this past Tuesday.  At the 2:05 mark, the “King”, Steve Kinser, makes contact with some big tires that are at the end of some metal guard rail.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mQxlGvzY3Iw

Note:  Can you imagine any of this years Indy 500 drivers in a Sprint Car – winged or wingless?  I can’t.  Well, maybe just one – Ed Carpenter.

 

 

 

Not racing related:

 

Not sure if the figures in this video are correct, but if so, we will have major problems down the road.

 

http://www.youtube.com/embed/xOAgT8L_BqQ

 

 

On Facebook on 5/21/2014:

If you get arrested in this country for hunting and fishing without a license, but not for entering this country illegally, you might (would, really!) live in a country run by idiots.

 

 

 

Going back in time – not racing related:

 

Just to prove to ya that time does fly – it’s been 34 years already!

 

May 18th:  Mt St. Helens – 1980

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_St._Helens

 

https://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0LEVxqwCX1TOGIAHFlXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTBzOG1rbzMxBHNlYwNzYwRjb2xvA2JmMQR2dGlkA1FJMDQ5XzE-?_adv_prop=image&fr=yfp-t-764&va=Mt+st+Helens

 

 

Music videos:

 

Ever since I can remember, I’ve always listened to “Country Music”.  Heck, I used to lay in bed when I was a kid and listened to WWVA on the radio.  I guess I could say it’s my mothers’ fault, since she also liked to listen to that kind of music.  I’ll admit, when I was in my teens and early 20’s, I also liked some “Rock and Roll”, too.  My kids were brought up on it – Country Music - heck, it was always on my car radio.  I’m pretty sure that both sons, Tom Jr. and Eric more or less despise it, today.  Our daughters though – that’s a different story.

 

Somehow, the song listed below, one with the lyrics and the other with the video of Miranda Lambert has kind of grown on me.  For some unknown reasons, both the radio stations up here in New York, and those down in Florida, all seem to have about the same 10 or 12 songs that they play all day.  This, it seems is the most popular today – “Automatic” by Miranda Lambert.  All along I thought it was titled:  “Hey!  What ever happened to?”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVYLN4_IZgc

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ksWKOy665o

 

 

Joke of the week:

 

This year's Darwin Awards may be the best ever! In case you have been

waiting breathlessly for this year's Darwin Awards----awards are given each

year to bestow upon the remains (or estate of in most cases) that

individual, who through single- minded self-sacrifice, has done the most to

remove undesirable elements from the human gene pool. Just think... until

these events occurred, these same people were walking the streets just like

normal people.

 

Note:  And, more than likely they multiplied and voted, too!

 

SIXTH PLACE: Goes to a San Anselmo , California man who died when he hit a lift tower at the Mammoth mountain ski area while riding down the slope on a foam pad. 22-year old David Hubal was pronounced dead at

CentralMammothHospital. The accident occurred about 3 a.m., the Mono County Sheriff's department said. Hubal and his friends apparently had hiked up a ski run called Stump Alley and removed some yellow foam protectors from lift towers, said Lt. Mike Donnelly of the Mammoth Lakes Police Department. The pads are used to protect skiers who might hit towers. The group apparently used the pads to slide down the ski slope and Hubal crashed into a tower. It  has since been investigated and determined the tower he hit was the one with its pad removed.

 

FIFTH PLACE: Goes to Robert Puelo, 32, was apparently being disorderly

in a St. Louis market. When the clerk threatened to call the police, Puelo

grabbed a hot dog, shoved it into his mouth and walked out without paying.

Police found him unconscious in front of the store. Paramedics removed the

six-inch wiener from his throat where it had choked him to death.

 

FOURTH PLACE: Goes to poacher Marino Malerba of Spain , who shot a stag standing above him on an overhanging rock and was killed instantly when it fell on him.

 

THIRD PLACE: "Man loses face at party" A man at a West Virginia party

(probably related to the winner last year, a man in Arkansas who used the

.22 bullet to replace the fuse in his pickup truck) popped a blasting cap

into his mouth and bit down, triggering an explosion that blew off his lips,

teeth, and tongue. Jerry Stromyer, 24, of Kincaid, bit the blasting cap as a

prank during the party late Tuesday night, said Cpl. M.D. Payne. "Another

man had a blasting cap in an aquarium hooked to a battery and was trying to

explode it. It wouldn't go off and this guy said," I'll show you how to set

it off!" He put it into his mouth, bit down and it blew all his teeth out

and his lips and tongue off, Payne said. Stromyer was listed in guarded

condition Wednesday with extensive facial injuries, according to a

spokesperson at Charleston Area Medical Division "I just can't imagine

anyone doing something like that," Payne said. (Note: Maybe that's why they call these the Darwin Awards)

 

SECOND PLACE: Doctors at PortlandUniversityHospital said an Oregon man shot through the skull by a hunting arrow is lucky to be alive and will be released soon from the hospital. Tony Roberts, 25, lost his right eye last

weekend during an initiation into a men's rafting club, Mountain Men

Anonymous (probably known now as Stupid Mountain Men Anonymous) in Grants Pass, Oregon. A friend tried to shoot a beer can off his head, but the arrow entered Robert's right eye. Doctors said that had the arrow gone 1

millimeter to the left, a major blood vessel would have been cut and Roberts

would have died instantly. Neurosurgeon, Doctor Johnny Delashaw, at the

University Hospital in Portland said the arrow went through 8 to 10 inches

of brain with the tip protruding at the rear of his skull, yet somehow

managed to miss all major blood vessels. Delashaw also said that had Roberts tried to pull the arrow out on his own he surely would have killed himself. Roberts admitted afterwards that he and his friend had been drinking that afternoon. Said Roberts, "I feel so dumb about this."

 

THIS YEAR'S WINNER: John Pernicky and his friend, Sal Hawkins, of the

great state of Washington , decided to attend a local Metallica concert at

the George Washington amphitheater. Having no tickets (but having had 18

beers between them), they thought it would be easy to "hop" over the nine

foot fence and sneak into the show. They pulled their pickup truck over to

the fence and the plan was for Mr. Pernicky, who was 100 pounds heavier than Mr. Hawkins, to hop the fence and then assist his friend over. Unfortunately for (the late) Mr. Pernicky, there was a 30-foot drop on the other side of the fence.

 

Having heaved himself over, he found himself crashing through a tree.

His fall was abruptly halted (and broken, along with his arm) by a large

branch that snagged him by his shorts. Dangling from the tree with a broken

arm, he looked down and saw some bushes below him. Possibly figuring the

bushes would break his fall, he removed his pocket knife and proceeded to

cut away his shorts to free himself from the tree.  Finally free, Mr. Pernicky crashed into holly bushes. The sharp leaves scratched his ENTIRE body and now, without the protection of his shorts, a holly branch penetrated his rectum. To make matters worse, upon landing his pocket knife penetrated his thigh.

 

Hawkins, seeing his friend in considerable pain and agony, threw him a

rope and tried to pull him to safety by tying the rope to the pickup truck

and slowly driving away. However, in his drunken haste, he put the truck

into reverse and crashed through the fence, landing on his friend and

killing him.

 

Police arrived to find the crashed pickup with its driver thrown 100

feet from the truck and dead at the scene from massive internal injuries

upon moving the truck, they found John deceased under it half-naked,

scratches on his body, a holly stick in his rectum, a knife in his thigh,

and his shorts dangling from a tree branch 25 feet in the air.

 

Congratulations gentlemen. You win. Five more idiots have been removed  from the gene pool and we are richer because of your supreme sacrifice.

 

 

 

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, and now it looks like the VA, with its problems, will be in the news, too – well, if you watch the news on any network other than ABC, CBS, CNN or NBC – you know, the main stream media.

 

A couple of things found on the Internet regarding the VA:

 

Obama Crisis Action Checklist (GM, IRS, Benghazi, VA, etc.)

1 - Ignore previous statements made to fix the problem - take no action to address known issues

2 - If/when crisis occurs and gets media attention, claim to have first heard about the issue from media reports

3 - Delay action - just respond that the issue is a concern, will not be tolerated and needs to be looked into

4 - Search for someone to blame (Bush, Republicans, local office, weather, etc.) and point them out to the media

5 - After sufficient delay, defer actions to an 'investigation', staff member or committee to be formed

6 - Continue delay, deferring comments until 'investigation' is complete

7 - Find new topic (climate change, war on women, congress, etc) to distract the media and public

8 - Continue delay, deferrals and distraction until next crisis

9 - Go to step 1

 

 

If Comrade "Nikita the Liar" Obama wants to show Veterans he cares, he should fire the management and it's staff at all 1,700 VA facilities and Temporarily replace them with Active Duty Military Officers and NCOs. While he investigates, how to never let this happen again. When that's over Replacements should be Only, Veterans, National Guard, Reserves and Spouses/Children(add Active Duty) of the same. Step 2, Decertify the VA's Civil Service Unions, Void their Contracts, and put a Code of Conduct and Service in place with Criminal Punishment and/or Fines, for breaking it.

The above were two comments that can be found here:

 

http://news.yahoo.com/carney-slips-slights-president-obama-video-215035367.html

 

 

 

Until my next column – not sure just when it will be!  Please keep checking either Dirt Track Digest or New England Tractor/Race Report on Thursdays!

 

http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/

 

http://newenglandtractor.com/racereport/

 

 

 

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