Mostly Racin' Stuff

                                             By Tom Avenengo

                                               Volume # 191

                                                 08/28/2014

 

 

Some personal/family stuff:

 

 

My wife, who left us on July 3, 2014.

 

Remember, photos can only be seen on the New England Tractor/Race Report website, which is linked to at the end of my columns.

 

I had some blood work done a week ago – for two doctors, one of which is a kidney specialist.  I have an appointment to see him on September 3rd.  So far, he has not contacted me.  Is that good news?  Well, not so according to my daughter Sandy, who’s down in Florida.  A couple of figures that pertained to kidney function were somewhat off the wall.  So, now I wonder – when does this kidney specialist actually look at the blood work results – the day I’m due to see him?  I don’t like that too much.

 

More memories:

 

We really didn’t have too long of a courtship.  We married on September 9, 1960.  Shortly after that, Joanie was transferred from the Monsey, NY Grand Union to the Nyack, NY store, since per what we were told, married couples couldn’t work in the same store.  Of course it was being done with some others – working together in the same store, but since I was the shop steward and, at times I did “ruffle some feathers”, she was transferred.  It didn’t matter whether she drove or not (she never did learn how to drive).

On December 2, 1960, “Uncle Sam” took me away from my bride, and sent me to Fort Dix in New Jersey.  That was one helluva winter!  I managed to get home on most weekends.  One weekend, I had a talk with Joanie, telling her that as long as I was going to be in the army, then I thought I’d like to do what I wanted to, and to do so, I would have to re-enlist, which I did.  That kept me at Fort Dix for a couple of more months – going to the Basic Army Administration course.  My previous typing experience that I had in high school was a big asset, since whenever they had typing classes; me and another GI were excused.  Heck we were typing over 60 WPM.  Upon completion of the course, I was sent to Fort Bliss, Texas.

 

 

 

Racin’ stuff:

 

This past Tuesday, I ventured over to Montgomery, N.Y. to have dinner with the newlyweds – Eric & Catherine.  While there, Eric suggested that since I have such a hard time walking and on the stairs in the half covered stands at OCFS, that maybe we could go in the drive-in.  Only downer on that is you really can’t see the cars on the front stretch due to the lighting being over the stands.  All ya get are silhouettes of the cars.  But, I’m giving that some thought.

 

Swindell Announces Immediate Retirement from Full-Time Racing

 

http://raceproweekly.com/cms/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4147%3Aswindell-announces-immediate-retirement-from-full-time-racing&catid=2%3Anews

 

 

Another Promoter Calls It Quits - Article by Doug Auld

 

http://www.bigwestracing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36328

 

 

 

Jeff Gordon set for 750th NASCAR Sprint Cup start in Atlanta

 

http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com/2014/08/27/jeff-gordon-set-for-750th-nascar-sprint-cup-start-in-atlanta/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs

 

 

 

A new weekly feature for a few columns, anyway:

 

Race tracks that are no longer around:

 

DELAWARE TRACKS

 

Harrington Fairgrounds - Was 1/2 Mile Dirt Oval located on the Delaware State Fairgrounds. Auto racing ended in 1999. Motorcycle races are still held during the fair.

 

 

FLORIDA TRACKS

 

Florida City Speedway - 1/8 Mile Asphalt Oval 1964 - 1976. Now a Flea Market site.

http://floridacityspeedway.homestead.com/

 

 

Golden Gate Speedway - Possibly Shopping Mall now.

 

Hialeah Speedway - Flat 1/3 Mile Paved Oval with a Figure 8 located near Hialeah. Opened on 07/18/1954. A 1/3 Mile Paved Figure 8 was added in 1973 and operated until 1975. Reopened in 1995. A 1/8 Mile Dirt Figure 8 operated 1976 - 1977. The track shut down at the end of the 2005 season and was sold for development.

 

JAX Raceways - Facility included a 1/8 Mile NHRA Dragstrip, 1/2 Mile NASCAR Dirt Oval, and  WKA Kart Track located near Jacksonville. The 1/4 Mile Paved Oval operated from 06/09/ 1968 - 1972. 1/8 Mile Dragstrip opened around 1969. The 1/2 Mile Dirt Oval opened in 1973. The track closed after the 2004 season. Also operated as Gator Speedway, New Jacksonville Speedway and JAX Dragstrip.

 

Miami-Fulford Speedway - 1 1/4 Mile Board Oval banked at 50 degrees, located in Fulford-by-the-Sea (now North Miami Beach). The site is now occupied by the Presidential Country Club. Built by Carl F. Fisher, who had previously built Idianapolis Motor Speedway. Designed by Ray Harroun. The only Race at the Track was held on February 22nd, 1926, won by Peter DePaolo in the same Duesenburg which he had driven to win the 1925 Indianapolis 500. Destroyed in the Hurricane of September 17th, 1926.

 

North Florida Motor Speedway - 5/8 Mile Clay Oval located near Wewahitchka. Opened in 1992, and shut down at the end of the 2005 season when it was sold for a housing development. Previously opreated as Wewa Motor Speedway, Gulf Coast Speedway, North Florida Speedway, Dead Lakes Speedway, and West Florida Speedway.

 

Old Jacksonville Speedway - Possibly Condos now.

 

Plant Field -  1/2 Mile Dirt Oval located on the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. Mostly ran I.M.C.A. Sprint cars during the State Fair. Opened on 02/03/1921, and operated until 02/141942. Reopened after WWII on 02/05/1946 and operated until 1980, when the Fairground was moved East of Town. Land was turned over to the University of Tampa and converted to Athletic Fields. Original grandstands were used by the University until they were torn down and replaced in 2002. Also known as the South Florida Fairgrounds, Tampa Speedway, and the Florida Fair and Gasparilla Exposition.

 

Sunshine Speedway - 1/4 Mile Paved Oval with a Figure 8 Track inside. 65 feet wide with 8 degree banking. Property was sold to the state in anticipation of a major Highway project.  Leo Musgrave, a local Dairy Farmer, built Sunshine Speedway on his 250 acre farm, opening it in 1960. From 1983 to 1987 the track was operated by Musgrave's Widow, Sibyl. In 1987 operations were taken over by Musgrave's Daughter Bonnie and her Husband, Frank Hill. The State had been threatening to build a connector between the Bayside Bridge and I-275 since 1983, but took more than 20 years to reach the point of actually buying the property from the Musgrave family. This finally occured in October of 2004.

 

Thunder Cross Motorsports Park - 1/4 mile dirt oval located near Okeechobee. Opened in )6/1997 and was sold in mid 2004 for a Housing Development. Also had operated as Thunder Cross Motorsports Complex.

 

 

 

 

 

Former OVRP Dirt Oval runners:

 

Not to much to report on this week due to rain and some tracks not running.

 

Kyle Armstrong won the Modified feature at Lebanon Valley.  Kolby Schroder finished 8th.  Tyler Dippel won the Small Block feature, but was DQ’d in tech.

 

Tim Hindley was 2nd, Mike Ruggiero 7th, Danny Creeden 11th, Billy V 12th, and Clinton Mills a DNS in the Modified feature at OCFS. 

Brian Krummel won the Sportsman feature, with LJ Lombardo 2nd, Dom Roselli, Jr 4th, Matt Janiak 5th, Joey Falanga 6th, Joe Conklin 12th and Anthony Falanga 17th.

Joey Bruning was 2nd and Winter Mead 16th in the Rookie Sportsman feature.

 

Bobby Morris was 3rd in the Sportsman feature at Bethel.  JB Morris was 4th in the 4 Cylinder Advanced feature.

 

Anthony Perrego was 2nd in the Modified feature at 5 Mile. 

In the CRSA 305 Sprint Car feature, Josh Pieniazek was 2nd, Joe Kata 5th, Danny Hennessey 14th and Emily VanInwegen 16th.

 

Bobby Hackel, IV, was 22nd in the Modified feature at A/S.  Hunter Bates was 10th in the Sportsman feature.

 

Kenney Johnson was 10th in the NEMA Midget feature at the Star Speedway.  RJ Tufano was 12th in the NEMA Lights feature.

 

Davie Franek was 9th in the Jersey Rush 410 Sprint Car feature at New Egypt.

 

Tyler Dippel won the Georgetown Speedway Beach Blast Big Block/Small Block race on Tuesday – with a Small Block.

 

 

 

 

From Jayski:

http://www.jayski.com/

 

Remember, I’ll just make mention of some of the things that appear on the Jayski website, with maybe some exceptions.

 

2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Schedule

 

http://www.jayski.com/news/pages/story/_/page/2015-NASCAR-Sprint-Cup-Schedule

 

 

 

Television coverage in 2015 will be different.

FOX / FoxSports1 will cover the first 16 points races of the season, FOX has 10 races and FoxSports1 has 6 races.

Plus three non-points races: the Sprint Unlimited, Budweiser Duel 150's, Sprint Showdown / Sprint All-Star race, all on FoxSports1(FS1).

NBC and NBCSports will cover the final 20 points races of the season, including the Chase races.

 

NBC will have 7 races, NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) will have 13.

 

 

Earnhardt Jr. comments on Bristol wreck - (8-24-2014)

 

Rogers, Kyle Busch Have Meeting After Race:

#18-Kyle Busch came into the weekend with hopes of adding to his 16 career Bristol win total and perhaps sweeping the three-race weekend. But he left Saturday night with serious questions about the cohesiveness of the #18 Sprint Cup team. Busch was involved in an early accident and also endured a pit road speeding penalty to erase any hopes of winning the main event. But things went from bad to worse for Busch, who angrily left his car on pit road when he exited the race with a handful of laps remaining despite crew chief Dave Rogers instructing him to do otherwise. "Park it behind the truck and take your whiny little ass to the bus," Rogers said over the team radio. Busch's frustration is understandable given the circumstances that came his way, but the behavior should raise more than a few concerns about the team's ability to compete for a title. Simply said, Busch and Rogers need to find a way to harness the emotional outbursts before they can be seriously considered championship material.(in part from Motor Racing Network)(8-24-2014)

 

Spun by Harvick, Hamlin fires safety device at him - (8-24-2014)

 

2015 NASCAR Schedule Announcement set for Tuesday, August 26th - (8-23-2014)

 

Some possible 2015 Sprint Cup schedule changes - NASCAR will move the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway back to its traditional Labor Day weekend date starting in 2015.- (8-23-2014)

 

Fennig may step down as crew chief at end of season - (8-23-2014)

 

Drivers want lower downforce, softer tires in 2015 - (8-23-2014)

 

Bristol announces new April race date for the Food City 500 - (8-22-2014)

 

Watkins Glen plans on safety improvements - (8-22-2014)

 

Sad News - Ed Whitaker: One of the greats of NASCAR history died this morning in Bristol, Tennessee. Family members [say] team owner and car builder Ed Whitaker died just after 8:00am Friday. His teams posted 28 Nationwide Series races wins and was a three time winner at Bristol Motor Speedway. Whitaker is known for helping many of the biggest names in NASCAR get their start on the Nationwide Series. Looking over the names of previous drivers who drove for Whitaker you will find Dale Earnhardt, Mark Martin, Alan Kulwicki, Tim Richmond, and Davey Allison. BMS officials say Dale Earnhardt, Jr.'s first Nationwide race at Bristol in 1997 was in an Ed Whitaker-owned car.(WCYB)

AND former NASCAR car owner Ed Whitaker, who earned 28 victories in the former Busch Series, died this morning [8-22-2014] at his Bristol, Va., home, according to business associate Peter Laura. Whitaker provided Dale Earnhardt, Jr., with his first ride at Bristol Motor Speedway in what is now known as the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 1997 and built machines for the late Dale Earnhardt, Alan Kulwicki and Davey Allison and other drivers like Harry Gant, Morgan Shepherd and Mark Martin. "He loved every driver that every got in one of his cars. They were family to him," Maxine Whitaker, Ed's wife, said in an interview earlier this afternoon.(Bristol Herald Courier), see Whitaker's record as an owner at Racing-reference.info.(8-22-2014)

 

 

Ty Dillon Set to Make Sprint Cup Series Debut at Atlanta - (8-26-2014)

 

Stewart-Ward investigation 'finishing up' but: The Ontario County (N.Y.) Police Department is in the final stages of its investigation into the death of Kevin Ward Jr., but there is no timetable yet for its completion, a department spokesperson told FOXSports.com Monday morning. Officer Nathaniel Ross, the OCPD's Senior Communications Officer, said Monday morning that the police are "finishing up" the Ward investigation. Asked if there was a timetable for when it would be completed and when the findings would be made public, Ross said, "Not that I'm aware of." The investigation will determine whether or not Stewart will face any criminal charges. Regardless of the outcome of the police findings, Stewart potentially could face civil liability.(FoxSports), see all the past news about the accident and Stewart on the #14 Team News and Links page.(8-25-2014)

 

 

Keselowski 25th driver to win in all three series:

With Brad Keselowski's Camping World Truck win at Bristol Motor Speedway on Thursday morning (see details on the race on Jayski's Camping World Truck Series site), he becomes the 25th driver to have at least one win in all three National Series (Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck). Keselowski has 13 wins in Sprint Cup, 30 wins in Nationwide and one in the Truck Series.

Keselowski becomes just the sixth driver to have a win in each of the series at one track [2 Cup wins at Bristol, 1 in Nationwide and now 1 in Trucks], joining Kyle Busch (10 tracks), Kevin Harvick (5), Mark Martin (4), Carl Edwards (Dover) and Bobby Labonte (Martinsville).

Keselowski also is the fifth driver to score a win in the same season across NASCAR's three national series having won 3 Cup races in 2014, 3 Nationwide races and one Truck Series race.(8-21-2014)

 

 

 

 

From Track Forum:

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

 

Yellow complaints

 

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?174693-Yellow-complaints

 

 

Tobias - USAC @ Syracuse?

 

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?188310-Tobias-USAC-Syracuse

 

Note:  Looking at the SDW schedule, the Silver Crown race looks to be 76 laps, not 100.  And, I’m not the only one that seems to think the car count won’t be all that good for the Silver Crown cars, too.

Check out what’s being said here:  http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/index.php?/topic/49587-usac-at-sdw-in-2014/

 

 

 

From the AARN:

http://www.aarn.com/

 

This Week

In AARN

 

Sprint Car Legend Sammy Swindell Abruptly Retires

 

Tommy Barrett’s First NASCAR Mod Tour Win Comes At Bristol

 

Jersey’s A Rush For Maiden 410 Sprint Winner Ryan Smith

 

Transplanted Yankee Danny Bohn Wins Bowman Gray Stadium Finale, Championship

 

Embattled All Star Circuit Leader Webb Marshals Support For Battle With Fledgling Rival

 

Keith Rocco Reaches 100-Win Plateau At Waterford With Two Scores

 

Jared Zimbardi Sweeps Patriot 360 Sprint Canadian Weekend

 

Supermod, TQ Star Lou Cicconi Earns First Dirt Mod Win, On Bridgeport’s Quarter Mile

 

Sixty-Five Year Old Cancer Survivor Mike Colsten Poised For Second Five Mile Point Mod Title Bid Saturday

 

Lancaster Speedway’s ‘Open’ To Go On As Scheduled After Track Closure Averted

 

 

 

Found on Facebook:

 

Found on 8/27/14:

 

Words cannot express, not sure I can even put into words how we are feeling, but we are asking for all of your help. We were targeted again by thief’s/vandals. They broke into our Page Trucking Hauler this time. The truck was ransacked, stolen from truck was a tool box with tools in it to change a flat tire on the truck, also the Sirrus Radio, several car chargers for cell phones/etc. From the trailer Sears Craftsman impacts were stolen, along with air riveters, drills, allen wrench sets, wrench sets. They got the side door of the hauler open, but could not get the back door open, as they cut the straps to the pit cart to try to get that out. I am sure there is more taken but we are just going through things now. We are asking if you hear anything, or see anyone selling odd ball stuff please let us know. We are just devastated by this. This is the 2nd time this happened in Honeoye, so if you are located around Honeoye, please keep your eyes and ears open to any suspicious activity. Also please share this as to get the word out.

 

Michael and Jacquie Payne

 

 

 

Coming up:

 

OCFS:

Sat., August 30th WLR Construction - Champion's Night - END OF POINTS

Modifieds, Small Block Modifieds, Sportsman, and Street Stocks

 

The Valley:

SATURDAY, AUGUST 30th

THE FINAL NIGHT OF POINTS FOR

THE MODIFIEDS & PROSTOCKS!!!

All weekly Divisions Will Be Running Along With The Sportsman

Small Block Modifieds Will Not Be Running A Feature

There Will Also Be The 11th Annual Boomer's Performance 20-Lap Purestock Classic

 

Bethel:

Saturday, August 30

DICK CRUMLEY MEMORIAL NOSTALGIA NIGHT

BMS Modified, Legends, Bandolero,

Pro Stock, Street Stock,

4 Cylinder Advanced and Novice

PLUS

Atlantic Coast Old Timers (ACOT) and Northeast Vintage Dirt Modifieds

Bethel Youth Recreation Night - Wear your Bethel Youth Recreation t-shirt for FREE grandstand admission!

 

5 Mile:

Sat. 8/30

2014 Season Championship Night (championship points for all classes), Figure 8’s…                                                                                                                             - 6:00 p.m.

Mod 50, SM, SS, LC, IMCA, 600 c.c. Mod Final Point races plus Factory Stocks.  Post race bonfire.                                                                  

Raindate – Sunday – 8/31

 

Penn Can:

Friday   Aug 29th    

Fire Company Night presented by VP Fuels  “Back to School Night”

Complete Program: Mods, 602 Spts, SS, 4CYL, FStocks, Xcel Mods Tour

 

Accord:

August 29th

Modifieds - Sportsman - Spec Sportsman

Pro Stock - Pure Stock - All Star Slingshot-Jr Slingshot

 

Hamlin:

AUGUST 30TH:

REGULAR SHOW & LADIES POWDER PUFF RACE!

ALL DIVISIONS RACING! 

 

A/S:

Friday August 29

Back to School Kids Raffle

final night of points for Modifieds

$600 to win Pro Stocks

 

 

 

Press releases:

 

 

NEWS FROM                                                                                                             

Orange County Fair Speedway                                                                                    

239 Wisner Avenue                                                                                                    

Middletown, NY10940 

 

CONTACT

Mike Gurda

845-342-2573

 

FOR RELEASE ON MONDAY, AUGUST 25

 

ORANGE COUNTY FAIR SPEEDWAY POINT CHAMPIONS TO BE CROWNED SATURDAY, AUGUST 30

 

MIDDLETOWN, NY (August 26)……..When New York Yankee catcher Yogi Berra said, “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over,” truer words were never spoken. That’s exactly the case in Orange County Fair Speedway’s weekly racing divisions. With the season-long point championships to be decided Saturday, August 30, drivers competing in the DIRTcar Modified, Small-Block Modified, Sportsman, and Street Stock ranks are locked in tight point battles with the outcomes in doubt until each division’s final checkered flag.

 

Drivers in each division will compete in qualifying races that lead to feature races of varying length. The Modified feature is 30 laps; the Small-Block Modified main is 25 laps; Sportsman race for 20 laps; and the Street Stocks take to the Hard Clay track for 15 laps.

 

Defending champion Tim Hindley tops the headline DIRTcar Modified division; Chuck McKee is the point leader in Small-Block Modified competition; LJ Lombardo leads the Sportsman division; and Mike Vigiletti rules the roost in Street Stock racing.

 

The winning drivers will each earn a Champion’s trophy, cash awards, and other prizes that will be presented at the annual banquet held during the winter months.

 

Championship Night on Labor Day Weekend is sponsored by Bill Rumsey’s WLR Construction Company.

 

Admission prices for the August 30 race meet remain at $14 adults, $12 seniors, and $2 for children 12 and under. The exceptionally full night of racing begins promptly at 7:00 pm.

 

Advance ticket sales for the September 6 non-point races, the September 13 Eve of Destruction, the October 24-26 53rd Annual Eastern States Weekend, and track information are available at the Orange County website, www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net, or from the Track Office. Call 845-342-2573 Wednesday through Saturday during business hours.

 

Note:  The above, sent out by John Snyder, had to be sent out prior to the new point standings being posted on the OCFS website, so here, below are how the four classes – Big Block Modifieds, Small Block Modifieds, Sportsman and Street Stock points are as of this past Saturday – top 10 in each:

 

Modified

1 1H TIM HINDLEY 1897

2 33 1/3 TOMMY MEIER 1846

3 93X CRAIG MITCHELL 1829

4 97 JERRY HIGBIE 1811

5 19 CHUCK McKEE 1794

6 4R MIKE RUGGIERO 1742

7 244 CHRIS WHITEHEAD 1716

8 21 CLINTON MILLS 1692

9 24 CHRIS SHULTZ 1692

10 21M BOB MCGANNON 1674

 

 

Sportsman

1 35 L J LOMBARDO 1916

2 17J MATT JANIAK 1857

3 44 BRIAN KRUMMEL 1797

4 27V FRANK VENEZIA 1621

5 83 CHRIS STEVENS 1575

6 45 RANDY SWEETMAN 1541

7 9 JESSE LEIBY 1509

8 4RJ R J SMITH 1439

9 73J TROY ARNOLD 1438

10 88 JOE FALANGA 1404

 

358 Modified

1 33R CHUCK McKEE 948

2 16X DANNY CREEDEN 940

3 220 JOHN FERRIER 842

4 21M BOB McGANNON 837

5 81 RAY JASHEMBOWSKI 837

6 24 CHRIS SHULTZ 836

7 20X ROB ROWE 790

8 5L CHAD LOIODICE 776

9 J7 JOHN FINLEY 763

10 19 TYLER McKEE 733

 

Street Stock

1 1 MIKE VIGILETTI 1921

2 32 CHARLIE DONALD 1896

3 19 EMERSON CARGAIN 1856

4 36 JOHN HECHINGER 1730

5 49 RON CONSTABLE 1698

6 27 DANNY CARLOUGH 1634

7 25 D J ROSS 1459

8 28 JOEL MURNS 1177

9 43 JOEY METRANDO 1123

10 89 TIM SOUTHARD 854

 

 

 

 

BIG NEWS OUT OF XCEL CHASSIS WITH THE RETURN OF THE 600 SPORTSMAN DIVISION ANNOUNCES DOUG BORGER

 

                You have to start somewhere and Doug Borger of Xcel Chassis has brought back the 600 sportsman modified division for the 2015 season. Everybody and anybody who wants to strap into a racecar will have an opportunity on most Saturday nights with Shellhammers Speedway hosting the division. Shellhammers Speedway is an 1/8th mile dirt  track in Shoemakersville PA. They race every Saturday night with warm-ups beginning at 3:30pm.

                "We have run the 600 modifieds there a couple of times this year and the response was overwhelming so bringing back the 600 sportsman division seemed to be a perfect fit. The track is the perfect size for the cars. Kids must be 10 years or older to participate and there is no maximum age limit. If you haven't raced before and always wanted to get into a car, this is the chance to make it happen", exclaimed Borger.

                The biggest difference between the modified and the sportsman will be a restrictor plate mounted in the airbox. This will allow a team to go modified racing one night and sportsman the other night. Doug will have a weight rule which is not  expected to be that much off the modifieds to make it easy on the wallet also. This will also be a stock class with tech being after each race. On the few Saturdays that the sportsman will not be appearing , teams will have the option of running a big money show with the modifieds. It seems to be the options and opportunity are endless.

                "We have gotten allot of calls from fathers who are looking to get the kid a car so they can race together and  parents like the idea of having  all the kids at one track on one night instead of being divided by classes or tracks", stated Borger," Racing was built on families and now we started another generation of racers whether they are young or young at heart."

                Final rules will be in place by the yearly fall meeting held in the beginning of November. As soon as the date is confirmed, it will be posted on the Xcel Chassis website. You will also find any 600 sportsman news on the website main page along with the mighty modifieds happenings. Doug can be reached at 610-681-2689 for any questions or for more info.

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                             AUGUST 26, 2014

DICK JORDAN

 

 

DARLAND'S #53 BREAKS ONE OF USAC's CHERISHED ALL-TIME MARKS

 

 

            The "People's Champ" is now USAC's winningest Sprint Car driver of all time!

 

            Dave Darland's remarkable career has carried him to a record few thought would ever be broken. And, it took him 22 years to break it, scoring his 52nd and 53rd victories this past week to surpass the mark of 52 established by Tom Bigelow during his USAC career. The Bigelow record stood for 33 years!

 

            It was fitting that Bigelow was one of the first to congratulate Darland in victory lane Sunday after the historic win.

 

            Beginning with the 1993 "Tony Hulman Classic" at the Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track, Dave's career has included wins at 27 tracks in nine states, including Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Arizona, California, Wisconsin and Arkansas.

 

            In terms of track wins, he has eight Sprint wins at Kokomo, six at Lawrenceburg and five ach at Eldora Speedway and Putnamville, Ind. He has won for nine different teams, including 13 each with Jeff Walker Racing and his current owner, Phillips Motorsports and 12 wins with Dynamics, Inc.

 

            His latest wins have him on the threshold of another significant USAC mark - 100 total USAC National feature wins! He now has 96 and four more will put him in company with only three previous drivers - A.J. Foyt, Rich Vogler and Mel Kenyon.

 

            Bigelow's achievement occurred with wins between 1969 and 1981 and included 14 wins in 1977, ironically a year in which he did NOT win the series title. Actually, Bigelow posted his 14th win that year by mid-July but was unable to add any more the remainder of that year. The following year, with less wins, Bigelow secured the USAC National Sprint Car championship.

 

            Darland has now won USAC feature events in 22 consecutive years (1993-2014), a feat unmatched in USAC's 59-year history.

 

 

 

 

A racing video:

 

This past weekend from East Bay Speedway in Florida – thanks to Rich Golardi!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGpV0nPWkPw&feature=youtu.be&list=UUSdPdgmUo6WfkfR6Eo__QBA

 

Note:  I was hoping that in part of the video they might show that HUGE landfill that’s behind the track.  It’s big/high enough where there are lights on it so planes could see enough not to be to low.

 

 

 

This week’s photo:

Note:  I keep forgetting – to see the photos, you have to go to the New England Tractor Race Report website which has a link at the end of my column!

 

I find it pretty hard to believe that Keith Herbst has been gone now for five years.

We first met at the Paterson, NJ Museum, I believe, and later when he invited me to accompany him to the Vintage Race Car Meet at Loudon, with a “Pit Stop” at Coastal 181, where they were getting ready to publish a book of his about the midget racing in Buffalo, New York. 

 

I was quite fortunate to get a copy and in it was a short note from Keith, telling how my “Ah Yes, I Remember It Well” series of articles inspired him to write the book.

 

Some information on it:

 

DAREDEVILS OF THE FRONTIER

By Keith Herbst

 

Coastal 181 is extremely proud to have worked so closely with Keith Herbst to publish this title before he died in June 2009.  It is a beautiful hardcover book, painstakingly researched – a treasure trove of stories, stats and photos for any midget enthusiast.

 

Keith Herbst chronicles The Daredevils—a unique breed of Eastern and Midwestern race car drivers who met regularly on the common ground of the Niagara Frontier to test their mettle.

 

Daredevils is a visual remembrance of the excitement and the thrills these drivers provided to record-breaking crowds of race fans in the turbulent 1940s and 1950s.

 

Hardcover, est. 250 pages with

over 400 photographs.

 

Regular Price: $39.95

SuperSpecial: $16.95

 

http://www.coastal181.com/

 

Below, on the right, is Keith.  That’s Gordon White in the light blue shirt and the # 9 Midget is owned by Gordon.  This was when Keith and I ventured to Loudon.  Although I found this photo on a search of Keith, it was taken by me.

 

 

 

 

 

Some non racin’ stuff:

 

It’s still up in the air as to just what we might do with this Isis situation.  But I’m wondering – will we get help from our allies if and when we do do something?

 

WoW!  Will they finally nail Lois Lerner & the IRS?  I, for one, sure hope so!

 

 

 

This weeks joke:

 

Love the Irish – continued:

 

Father Murphy walks into a pub in Donegal, and asks the first man he meets, 'Do you want to go to heaven?' The man said, 'I do, Father.' The priest said, 'Then stand over there against the wall.'

 

Then the priest asked the second man, 'Do you want to go to heaven?' 'Certainly, Father,' the man replied. 'Then stand over there against the wall,' said the priest.

 

Then Father Murphy walked up to O'Toole and asked, 'Do you want to go to heaven?' O'Toole said, 'No, I don't Father.' The priest said, 'I don't believe this. You mean to tell me that when you die you don't want to go to heaven?' O'Toole said, 'Oh, when I die, yes. I thought you were getting a group together to go right now.'

 

 

 

 

 

Until my next column

 

Columns are available on the Dirt Track Digest at:  http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/ (Click on “Recent Columns – and I hope it works!)

 

And:

 

 

http://newenglandtractor.com/racereport/

 

Where I also have some neat photo articles

 

 

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