Mostly Racin' Stuff

                                                   By Tom Avenengo

                                                      Volume # 201

                                                        11/13/2014

 

 

Some personal/family stuff:

 

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

 

Avenengo-Joan-CROPPED

 

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

 

Got started on this on Sunday.   All day long we were without Internet service.  Some stupid/ridiculous system they have down here, that's for sure!  Seems like my daughter has to give a certain person a phone call for them to know.  Of course my daughter doesn't get home from work at the hospital anywhere from 7:45 - 8:00 PM.  At least I could do things on my computer without the Internet, like a little on this weeks column.

On Monday, we had some family members over for dinner  - Sandy had the day off - and we remembered my wife with some cake and Ice Cream and frozen yogurt.  She would have been 76 years old on Monday.

Meanwhile, back north, my son, Eric and his wife, Catherine, sent heavenward a Chinese Lantern in memory of mom.  Plans are now for all family members to do this next year, on her birthday, at 8:00 PM, so she'll see them all heading her way from various parts of the country.  I still say she helped the Chinese Lantern that my daughter Judy, her husband Willie and I let loose at Erics wedding - it being the first of a whole bunch that went up in the air.

 

Also, on Monday, as usual, Sandy was up at the crack of dawn.  I was up early for me - a little before 8:00 AM.   Sandy had already been to Home Depot and knowing how much the wife liked Palm Trees, she went and got one for us to plant - in memory of mom.  That made me feel good.

 

On November 8th, I posted this on the ACOT page on Facebook:

 

" Today I received my ACOT Newsletter and with it was a change of address, inside, for me. Thanks, ACOT.

On top of that, I also received a sympathy card on the passing of my wife from Bill and Wanda Goodfellow on behalf of the officers, trustees and members of ACOT. Also, inside the card was a notice that had this on it:
"The Atlantic Coast Old Timers is making a donation in memory of our member Joan M. Avenengo to the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing.

A special thanks to ACOT and its members for such a nice thing to do! I know Joan would really appreciate it as much as I do. Thanks, again!"

 

 

 

More memories:

 

Around the time we had fun with the fun Karts, we also got involved in another form of racing.  My daughter, Judy, needed some assistance in getting a chair, so we took the wagon and went and got it.  On our way back, she asked if I could stop at a drug store so she could get something for her contacts.  No problem.  Well, next to the drug store was a slot car racing establishment.  We decided to check it out.  They had some pretty big tracks in there.  On our way home, I told Judy we'd have to go back after dinner (there was racing scheduled for that night - a Sunday).  After dinner, Judy, Tom Jr., Eric and I, went back.  After a short while there, who should come in the door but Robbie Green, his brother David, Chip Gross and a few others.  They all had slot cars.  They were based on the Womp-Womp chassis.  That's all we need to see.  The next week we were there with cars of our own.  WE had some great times racing there.  In fact, one of the owners/proprietors had a Pontiac Firebird Street Stock he wanted to buy, and it had son Tom quite interested.  Eventually, we bought it.  Next, Tom & I checked with Harry Roosje to see if he might know of an engine that might be available.  He had one.  Tom was working at Keller's Machine Shop in Salisbury Mills.  I believe it was Mike Keller that put together a pretty good engine for the car for Tom.  Maybe it was Vinnie Keller.  It was a long time ago!

 

 

Racin’ stuff:

 

Special PR:

 

A.J. Foyt Undergoes Successful Triple Bypass Surgery in Houston

HOUSTON Nov. 12, 2014—Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner A.J. Foyt underwent successful coronary bypass surgery today in Houston after being diagnosed with blockages on Monday.

Foyt, 79, had been admitted to the Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center on Friday with intermittent chest pains but initial testing results were inconclusive. However, a cardiac catheterization procedure performed Monday revealed blockages in arteries where Foyt had several stents from past procedures, most recently in March, 2010.

The triple bypass surgery was performed by renowned cardiothoracic surgeons O.H. “Bud” Frazier, MD,  Director of Cardiovascular Surgery Research at Texas Heart Institute (THI) and Chief of Transplant Service, St. Luke’s Medical Center and William Cohn, MD, Director of Minimally Invasive Surgical Technology at THI. Both men trained under artificial heart pioneer Dr. Michael DeBakey while Dr. Frazier also worked with Dr. Denton Cooley, a former partner of DeBakey’s and founder of the Texas Heart Institute.

Foyt is expected to remain in the hospital through Monday.

Foyt and his son Larry recently announced the expansion of their IndyCar team from one car to two for the 2015-2016 seasons. Jack Hawksworth was named as driver of the No. 41 ABC Supply Honda; Takuma Sato will pilot the No. 14 ABC Supply Honda for the third straight year. In October, Foyt purchased a building in Speedway, Ind. which will be used by his race team as a Midwest base during the summer.

Foyt has had a number of stays in various Houston hospitals in recent years, most of which were related to injuries stemming from his 1990 Indy car accident at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis. Last year he underwent back surgery and had his left hip and right knee replaced in separate surgeries, and in 2012, he battled back from a life-threatening staph infection after surgery to remove bone spurs in his artificial left knee, which had been replaced in 2006.

Foyt, who was deemed to be one of the toughest race drivers ever during a career that spanned five decades, has proven to be just as tough in his non-driving ‘golden’ years.

 

 

 

East Bay expands Florida "Winter Dirt Games" to 6 races:

 

USAC Sprints are headed to East Bay Raceway in Gibsonton, Florida. on February 26-28, with a practice on February 25th.  These are now added to the already announced  February 19-21 races at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Florida.  This makes it more than $130,000,00 in prize monies that will be up for grabs for USAC participants.

http://usacracing.com/news/sprint-car/item/4347-eastbayracesadded

 

Note:  VERY interesting.  I'll have to talk grandson, John, into going.  Maybe I'll be lucky and meet up with Rich Golardi, again - finally?

 

 

Kyle Larson Returing To His Dirt Roots

by NSSN Staff

Kyle Larson will return to dirt track racing during the NASCAR off-season. (Frank Smith Photo)

CONCORD, N.C. – Kyle Larson will return to his dirt roots following the conclusion of the NASCAR season by entering three major dirt track events.

Chip Ganassi Racing confirmed Thursday evening that they will allow the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rookie to compete in the Turkey Night Grand Prix at Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway on Nov. 27. He will also enter the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in Tulsa, Okla., and the Winter Heat Sprint Car Showdown at Arizona’s Cocopah Speedway in January.

Larson will drive a Keith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian midget in the Turkey Night Grand Prix and Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. For the Winter Heat Sprint Car Showdown Larson will drive the car he co-owns with Justin Marks, the No. 2 Larson Marks Racing 410 sprint car.

The 22-year-old California native has been absent from the dirt racing scene since running the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals last January.

 

 

Kyle Larson says he understands Ryan Newman’s last-lap move at Phoenix

 

http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com/2014/11/10/kyle-larson-says-he-understands-ryan-newmans-last-lap-move-at-phoenix/related/

 

Rico Abreu could add pavement dates to his busy future racing plans

http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/11/rico_abreu_could_add_pavement.html#incart_river

 

Seems like there are some drivers that are not too happy with Brad Keselowski.

http://sports.yahoo.com/video/drivers-answer-why-everyone-mad-185407501.html

 

 

Basically, racing season is now over.  True, there are some indoor races coming up, and then some down in Florida in January and February. 

 

NASCRAP, in their illustrious wisdom came out with the "Chase" - something that I think was supposed to help race winners towards the Cup championship.  Kinda strange now that Ryan Newman is one of the four left to battle it out this coming Sunday, and he has yet to win a Cup race this year.  Kinda throws the proverbial "Monkey Wrench" into things, huh?

 

 

 

THE LINDSAY FLASH

In part:  "It was somewhat surprising to see just who it was jumping out of the cockpit in Victory Lane: Oklahoma’s “Lindsay Flash,” 19-year-old, 103-pound Harli White, who ended up winning both the winged and non-wing Oil Capital Racing Series for 2013. That name might well ring a bell. Her story is incredible."

 

http://www.coastal181.com/nlm-working-April-2005/tearoffs-0.htm

 

 

 

Back in time:

NOVEMBER 12, 1925

 

Any idea as to who John Rostek was?

John Rostek ... Born ... A NASCAR and USAC Stock Car driver from Fort Collins, CO. Despite racing in just six Nextel Cup Series events in his career, Rostek earned one victory, one pole and three top-tens. Five of his six races came in 1960, when Rostek debuted at Daytona, racing in the Daytona 500 qualifier. But a crash on the fifth lap would end his chances of a good finish and making the 500, finishing 39th. But his rebound was amazing. In his next race, Phoenix, Rostek took the lead midway through the event, led 58 laps and pulled away to a shocking victory. He proved it was no fluke later in the year, finishing 3rd at Hanford and 7th at Montgomery after leading seven laps and starting on the pole. Rostek's final race came in 1963, racing at Riverside. Starting 27th in the forty-four car field, Rostek seemed poised for another top-ten finish before a late crash sidelined him to 16th. He also raced with the USAC Stock Car Division from 1958 to 1964.  I had read that he was fatally injured in an airplane crash.

 

 

Formula One big boys want independents out, says Sauber boss

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/formula-one-big-boys-want-independents-says-sauber-152637823--spt.html

 

Former OVRP Dirt Oval racers:

 

Looking at the AARN, I see there are a few names that were in action last week.  Also, I did receive this message from Jeff Johnson - he has the New England Tractor website:

"We will be returning to our roots of dirt racing next year.

 

Just bought a brand new spike dirt chassis and in 2015 we will run the USAC DMA series along with the POWRi Outlaw series.

 

We are keeping our Autocraft powered Hawk pavement car and will run as many NEMA races as our budget allows."

 

At 5 Mile in the 1/4 Mile Dirt Track 100, Anthony Perrego was the race winner.  Danny Creeden was 5th and Matt Janiak 9th.  Brd Szulewski, Hunter Bates and Bobby Hackel were DNQ's.

In the GRIT Sportsman race, Hunter Bates was 4th and Brian Krummel 18th.

In the RoC Sportsman race, Brad Szulewski was 8th and Hunter Bates 9th.

In 305 Sprint Car action, Josh Pieniazek was 2nd, Joe Kata 4th and Dan Hennessey 5th.

At Accord, in the Run What Ya Brung race, Joey Bruning was 10th.

Down at Charlotte, on Friday, Tyler Dippel was 5th and Billy V 17th

On Saturday, Dippel was 5th again and Billy 16th.

 

 

 

From Jayski:

http://www.jayski.com/

 

·                     Haas has not considered pulling Kurt Busch from car: 

·                     Kurt Busch will continue to drive the #41 Chevy at Stewart-Haas Racing as long as co-owner Gene Haas has anything to do with it. Busch, who is being investigated by Dover (Del.) police for an alleged assault on ex-girlfriend Patricia Driscoll, will drive Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway, will be in the car next week at Homestead-Miami Speedway and continue to drive for the team for the foreseeable future, Haas said Sunday. "He'll be in the car until someone else pulls him out," Haas told a small group of reporters before the Phoenix race. "I'm not pulling him out." Haas' company, Haas Automation, is the sponsor of Busch's car and will continue to be on the hood during the investigation, he said. "I think we're just going to let the police department do their job and try not to say anything that would compromise that," he said. "We want an unbiased investigation and we'll see how it all plays out." Is Haas worried about what the investigation might find? "The facts I know, I'm not concerned about it," he said.(USA Today)(11-10-2014)

 

 

 Kurt Busch's ex-girlfriend waited nearly six weeks to file a domestic assault claim with police because she was locked in a custody battle over her son, the attorney for Patricia Driscoll said Saturday. Mark Dycio told USA TODAY Sports that Driscoll did not immediately go to Dover police after the alleged assault occurred on the advice of counsel. She's currently involved in a fight for custody over son Houston with her ex-husband. After the custody situation was stabilized, Driscoll then went to the Dover police and provided them with text messages, photographs and people with knowledge of the situation to support her claims, Dycio said.(full story at USA Today)(11-9-2014)

 

·                     Crews remain permitted around cars after race: 

·                     NASCAR will not change its postrace procedure Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway in reaction to the fight between crews at Texas Motor Speedway. After races, the top cars plus select others are stopped on pit road while the remainder drive into the garage and park at their haulers. Crews often surround the car to push it to inspection or onto the hauler. It can add to the volatility of situations when drivers and/or teams are angry with each over. NASCAR won't make any changes to its procedure this weekend. All eight of the Chase drivers - the four who advance as well as the four eliminated - will be stopped on pit road after the race, with the lone exception if one of them wins, they'll head to victory lane. "We've got two races left," NASCAR Senior Vice President of Competition Robin Pemberton said. "We've had some issues. The tension level is high. The competition level is at an all-time high. The pressure is at an all-time high to perform. We feel like the teams don't want to what they've done and misbehave. We'll address it in the offseason like so many things that we do."(Sporting News)(11-9-2014)

 

 

Leffler named to West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame: 

The late Jason Leffler will be one of six new members inducted into the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame Class of 2015. The hall's chairman of the board, Ken Clapp, announced the names Saturday at Phoenix International Raceway. Leffler, a native of Long Beach, California, died in a crash in June 2013. A winner of two NASCAR Nationwide Series races and a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, Leffler also made 73 Sprint Cup Series starts. A member of the National Midget Hall of Fame, Leffler won three consecutive USAC championships form 1997 to 1999.

 

 

·                     Dave Blaney believes he's done racing in NASCAR: 

·                     Dave Blaney is content to take that next step in his racing career. And no, that doesn't mean retirement. It's back to dirt. Blaney returned to his roots a few years ago when he mixed in a few Sprint Car races with his NASCAR schedule. But it was only a handful of shows, and fans never knew when, where or if he was going to show up. This season, Blaney only competed in seven NASCAR events. That allowed the former World of Outlaws champion to run in the neighborhood of 25 shows east of the Mississippi. It looks like that commitment is going to increase in 2015. Blaney appears to be done with NASCAR and could increase his Sprint Car schedule to 50 or 60 shows depending on sponsorship and finances. "I don't plan on running any NASCAR at the moment," said Blaney, who is competing in this weekend's World of Outlaws World Finals in Charlotte. "I'm not in any position to get any kind of ride that is going to be competitive, but I will go to a lot of races to watch [my son] Ryan. So by no means will [sprint cars] be full time, but it could be a lot more than this year." Continued Blaney, "I could even see a 60-race schedule if things line up perfect. I could also see 15 as well, but we will see." Before Blaney embarked on a full-time NASCAR career in 2000, he was one of the best in the Sprint Car game. The competition mattered little. Blaney won 70 races with the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series and a tour championship in 1995.(Patriot-News)(11-8-2014)

 

 

·                     NASCAR Hall of Fame 'stabilizes,' loses $1.4 million: 

·                     Losses at the NASCAR Hall of Famedeclined 14% over the past year but still totaled more than $1 million, according to newly released financial reports from the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. The $195 million publicly funded hall of fame finished with a deficit of $1.4 million in the fiscal year that ended June 30, compared with $1.6 million in 2013. The hall of fame opened in May 2010 and has lost money from the start. Attendance never reached the projections made before the stock-car racing museum opened and has failed several times since to reach revised targets. Tom Murray, visitors authority CEO, and Winston Kelley, executive director of the hall of fame, said in an interview Wednesday they are pleased with the progress of the NASCAR hall. Attendance, they said, has stabilized. Between July 2013 and June 2014, a total of 169,724 people visited the hall of fame, the visitors authority said. Those figures are for paid admissions only. The previous year, 178,838 people visited, but the difference of 7,100 is attributed to private events staged during the 2012 Democratic National Convention, which was included in fiscal 2013 (July 2012-June 2013).
Murray said talks are underway to revamp terms with the banks and NASCAR. "With our partners, we've had ongoing conversations. We don't have any results with that, but they've been very amicable. There will be a future change in our structure of that some day." Reworking the loans and the deferred royalties is a priority, but Murray said there is no deadline for negotiating revised agreements. Both executives touted the changes to how the hall of fame is run internally as well as private rentals and other events for broadening the NASCAR museum as more than just a tourist attraction. Almost every convention hosts a party or reception at the hall of fame, Murray said.(
Charlotte Business Journal)
AND
 Faced with continuing financial losses at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the city of Charlotte has begun negotiating with Wells Fargo and Bank of America about forgiving a $19 million loan used to build the racing museum. The loan - which has grown to $21 million with interest - was supposed to be paid from the sale of sponsorships and commemorative brick sales, but revenue from those two sources has fallen far short of what's needed. In addition, the hall is struggling to meet other obligations, including royalties owed to NASCAR on the sale of tickets, merchandise and food and beverages. The hall is also repaying the city for its share of a $32 million loan that was added to the hall in the midst of construction in 2008.(Charlotte Observer)(11-8-2014)

 

 

·                     Gordon ties Martin for 2nd all-time all-time top-tens: 

·                     During his 22-year Sprint Cup career, #24-Jeff Gordon has collected 453 top-10s, tied for 2nd all-time in that statistical category, with Mark Martin (453) and 260 behind Richard Petty (712). Gordon has collected 22 this season, which is tied for the series-best.(11-11-2014)

 

 

·                     Pocono offers special prices for military: 

·                     Pocono Raceway proudly salutes our US Military Servicemen and Women. In recognition of your service to our country, we are happy to extend special pricing as a benefit to you and your family. Save 20% on 2015 NASCAR and INDYCAR tickets when you use your Troop ID, powered by ID.me. As an added salute this Veterans Day, all Veterans and active US Military who purchase a ticket through the ID.me platform between Monday, November 10 and Monday, November 17, 2014 will automatically be entered into an exclusive Grand Prize drawing for an automatic upgrade into our 300 Level Shaded Grandstand for two - a $300 value. For the convenience of all, and to ensure the most accurate verification of your Military status, the ID.me platform is designed for online use. However, if you are experiencing any difficulty, would like to learn more about products and services available at Pocono Raceway, or would like to speak to one of our trained ticketing specialist, please call 1-800-722-3929.Pocono Raceway)(11-11-2014)

 

 

·                     SportsCenter To Follow NASCAR Championship Contenders All Week: 

·                     With the revised Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship having determined the four drivers who have a chance to win what will be the first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship for each, ESPN SportsCenter will follow the four contenders all week as they prepare for Sunday's Ford Ecoboost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, the final race of the season. The four finalists are Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Joey Logano and Ryan Newman. Though all drive for multi-car race teams, the four finalists represent four different race teams and three different manufacturers. The driver among the four who finishes highest in Sunday's race, no matter where he finishes overall in the 43-car field for the event, will be the new champion.
ESPN reporters will be embedded with the championship contenders early this week, with SportsCenter airing multiple live reports from the four contending race shops between 9:30am/et and 2:00pm/et each day on Monday and Tuesday. The 6:00pm/et and 11:00pm/et editions of SportsCenter will air larger all-access features from each team, summarizing what the teams did on those days to prepare for the championship race.
The Wednesday night editions of SportsCenter will air interviews and reports from that evening's NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship contender's press conference in Miami, including the four drivers and their team owners, while Thursday's SportsCenter reports will follow work back at the race shops and what the drivers are doing in South Florida before on-track action begins Friday.
Dave Burns will follow Logano from the Penske Racing headquarters, while Ryan McGee will report on Hamlin from Joe Gibbs Racing. Mike Massaro will report on Newman from Richard Childress Racing and Marty Smith will be with Harvick and Stewart-Haas Racing.
ESPN NASCAR analyst Ricky Craven will appear on SportsCenter frequently throughout race weekend, including during extended post-race coverage Sunday that will feature an interview with the new NASCAR Sprint Cup champion. Sunday's 400-mile race airs live on ESPN. A special two-hour edition of NASCAR Countdown at 1:00pm/et will lead up to the 3:16pm/et green flag. All four championship contenders will appear live on Countdown from the ESPN Pit Studio, and the program also will include extended "the week that was" features on all four. The champion will visit ESPN on Wednesday, Nov. 19, and appear on a variety of ESPN programs and platforms.(ESPN)(11-11-2014)

 

·                     Fox Sports 1 gears up for 21 hours of NASCAR Championship Week Coverage: 

·                     FOX Sports wraps a riveting 2014 NASCAR season next week with 21 hours of live coverage surrounding the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship from Homestead-Miami Speedway. FOX Sports 1 delivers comprehensive and live NASCAR Championship Week programming beginning Monday, Nov. 10, highlighted by NASCAR Race Hun's live coverage of Wednesday's Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship Press Conference from Miami, live telecasts of on-track activity across the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and NASCAR Ccamping World Truck Series from Homestead beginning Friday, Nov. 14, and live presentation of Friday's Truck Series season finale (8:00pm/et).
Highlights of FOX Sports 1's coverage of Championship Week include:
· Special two-hour NASCAR Rrace Hub (Wednesday from 5:00-7:00pm/et) - includes live coverage of the Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship Press Conference from Miami, featuring the four drivers competing for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship and their respective car owners. Bob Dillner reports live from the Trump National Doral in Miami. John Roberts and Danielle Trotta co-host in-studio with analysis from Ray Dunlap.
· Thursday's NASCAR Race Hub (5:00-6:00 pm/et) delivers coverage of the NASCAR Nationwide Series/NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Championship Press Conferences from Homestead-Miami Speedway, featuring the drivers, owners and crew chiefs battling for the Nationwide and Truck Series championships. Ray Dunlap reports from Homestead, with John Roberts and Danielle Trotta co-hosting in-studio and Matt Clark alongside with analysis.
· Live coverage of Friday's NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season finale from Homestead on FOX Sports 1 (8:00pm/et), with pre-race coverage beginning at 7:30 PM ET with NCWTS Setup.
· Sunday's NASCAR Raceday (12:00pm/et) on FOX Sports 1 features sit-down interviews with all four Championship Round drivers; a "Chase War Room" roundtable discussion among NASCAR on FOX analysts, who break down the season finale and debate the four championship contenders; and an essay on the prestige of being a champion, related from the perspective of stars across various sports. Adam Alexander, Larry McReynolds, Bob Dillner and Rutledge Wood are live from Homestead, with John Roberts, Jeff Hammond and Kenny Wallace in-studio in Charlotte, N.C.
· Complete post-race and championship coverage on NASCAR Victory Lane (7:00pm/et) on Sunday, Nov. 16 on FOX Sports 1. Alexander, McReynolds and Dillner deliver the latest from Homestead, with Roberts, Hammond and Wallace in-studio in Charlotte.(FoxSports)(11-11-2014)

 

 

 

·                     Unofficial Top 25 in 2014 Sprint Cup Driver Points Standings (not the Chase):
[after Phoenix, race 35 of 36]
(using current points system, but not the Chase rules, unofficial)
1) #24-Jeff Gordon(EC), 1217
2) #22-Joey Logano(C2), 1188, -29
3) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr.(EC), 1145, -72
4) #2-Brad Keselowski(EC), 1138, -79
5) #4-Kevin Harvick(C4), 1124, -93
6) #20-Matt Kenseth(EC), 1093, -124
7) #31-Ryan Newman(C3), 1093, -124
8) #99-Carl Edwards(EC), 1050, -167
9) #42-Kyle Larson, 1049, -168
10) #48-Jimmie Johnson(EC), 1032, -185
11) #16-Greg Biffle(EC), 997, -220
12) #1-Jamie McMurray, 975, -242
13) #18-Kyle Busch(EC), 964, -253
14) #11-Denny Hamlin(C1), 949, -268 (missed a races)
15) #15-Clint Bowyer, 943, -274
16) #3-Austin Dillon, 939, -278
17) #5-Kasey Kahne(EC), 934, -283
18) #27-Paul Menard, 904, -313
19) #55-Brian Vickers, 900, -317
20) #41-Kurt Busch(EC), 877, -340
21) #47-AJ Allmendinger(EC), 864, -353
22) #9-Marcos Ambrose, 855, -362
23) #78-Martin Truex Jr., 830, -387
24) #14-Tony Stewart, 798, -419 (missed 3 races)
25) #43-Aric Almirola(EC), 795, -422
(C# is chase driver and current Chase position)
(EC is chase driver that has been eliminated from the Chase)
(11-9-2014)

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Track Forum:

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

 

Will NASCAR ditch the "new chase" next year?

 

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php/190334-Will-NASCAR-ditch-the-quot-new-chase-quot-next-year

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the Dirt Track Digest Forum:

 

RETURN OF WEEDSPORT 200

 

http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/index.php?/topic/52541-return-of-weedsport-200/

 

 

 

 

From the AARN:

http://www.aarn.com/

 

This week in AARN:

 

Tim Fuller Joins Rauscher Motorsports Mod Team; Plans Full Time Return To DIRTcar Series

Lebanon Valley Owner Howard Commander Purchases Albany-Saratoga Speedway

Perrego Prevails In Five Mile Point’s Southern Tier Open

Danny Johnson, Stewart Friesen Top DIRTcar Mods In Charlotte; Decker Claims Title

First Career WoO Sprint A-Main For Brian Brown Wraps Up Year With 26 Different Winners

Champions Schatz, Lanagan Lauded At World Of Outlaws Sprint, LM Awards Banquet

Harvick’s Phoenix Win Puts Him In NASCAR Chase Finale; Logano, Hamlin, Newman Also In

Lobitz EMMRBenefit Auction Proceeds Approach $10,000

 

Also:

Jeremy Mayfield is slated to run an asphalt modified at the Turkey Derby at Wall Stadium.

 

Rico Abreu - is he headed for NASCAR?

 

IF (yes, notice the capitals) OCFS should leave DIRT, then it's being said that we can expect a Friday/Saturday Modified show at Weedsport to go up against ESW.  However, with it being a Fri/Sat show at Weedsport, it would still be possible for a driver (s) to make it down to OCFS on Sunday and start at the end of a consi to attempt to qualify for the 200 - IF it is a 200, that is

.

The future of the Waterford, Ct. Speedbowl is still up in the air.

 

I see that in the Go-Kart results pages, the AARN now lists the results from OVRP's Novemberfest racing.  Still is a shame that no photos were published, since Ralph Corwin was "asked to leave".  Just a week late on those results, I should add.

 

 

 

Pay-Dirt Racing Facebook Post Concerning Rolling Wheels (From DTD Forum):

 

Note:  This is quite long, folks!

 

A few of the comments taken from the 13 pages, so far:

"Looked at some more stuff they posted, some of the big points:

-Announcing their first event this Sunday, and its "HUGE!!!"

-Next year will have "a full season of shows"

-The fans will vote on 2 events during the off season

-"Very probable" that a 200 lap Modified show will be on the car next season, and if not then 2016

-William Mendick (heard that one before!) and Bert Butler are among the largest investors

 

I'm liking what I'm hearing so far, definitely going to be an interesting offseason"

 

 

"Talk is cheap.  However, I wish them the best.  Just don't schedule their 200 the same day as OCFS."

 

 

"it's nice to hear all the enthusiasm from these new owners but I dont really see how they are going to get enough racers to show up consistently and beat the hell out of their equipment on that big track.  Look back to the one Thursday night event that RWR ran this past season... they only had like in the low 20's for car count? And I dont see how they are going to get enough fans in there running so often when you have Weedsport nearby also hoping to put out a bigger schedule.  I think these owners still think it's the 1980's when drivers and fans will show up just because they schedule an event.  A lot of guys these days only want to race 1 or 2 nights a week.  I wish them good luck but I could see this being a massive failure... I think the better plan is just to schedule 3 - 4 big events."

 

 

"I think if you have any questions, going to the Rolling Wheels Facebook page and asking them directly will work. They answered my question with a response and they have had a dialog with drivers such as Gary Tompkins and Ryan Susie. 
It's really happening people.
I wonder about Syracuse next year, will it happen or is SDW going to be at RWR. I only wonder this because I am usually asked by now if I want to purchase my tickets for 2015 and in case I missed an email, I don't believe this happened. Has anybody been asked about 2015 tickets for Syracuse?"

 

 

" im surprised nobody has posted this yet

 

Pay-Dirt Racing is proud to announce that in 2015, regular shows for the Sprint 360's, Big Block Dirt Modified and the Sportsman will also have individual point funds for each class which will be the highest in the entire area. The 2015 regular season show schedule will be announced next week. We are proud to announce the May 21-May 24th, (Rain Date: May 25th), the Detonator Double Elimination Tournament for Sprint 360's, Big Block Dirt Modified and the Sportsman. This Memorial Day Weekend event will have camping, daily activities and gates will open early for families and fans to participate in other activities planned daily before the races. The Purses for these shows will be 20k to win Modified, 13k to win Sprints and 7k for Sportsman. All Drivers who show will be guaranteed $175.00 regardless, even if you do not qualify for the feature, any car that makes the feature race will guarantee themselves 1k minimum. Tickets will go on Sale for this event November 10th. This Race will be open to any Race Team, Registration is required. Pay-Dirt Racing has officially started the countdown for the most exciting racing season ever!!!"

 

 

"As great as this is for drivers and fans it seems too good to be true. How long can they survive paying out that kind of money? Hopefully it doesn't turn into another USNA deal."

 

 

"well them guys deleted my comments on there fb page but in a nutshell. none of them have a clue about racing or racing traditions. i pointed out one fact that there advertised raindate is memorial day which is a RoC Victoria Mod race that day n they just said we didnt know that! now ho wlong this race been goin on for memorial day every year?

i will spend my money elsewhere. i wont be goin to wheels for any event with that kind of stupidity to not know utica runs memorial day. gee how many other big shows they gonna post on a traditional race we all love to go too every year."

 

 

"I would like to know who is answering the questions we are posting on their Facebook page.."

 

 

"All this talk but no prices for spectators, pit fees and registration fees. With that kind of purse I can only imagine the high prices to get through the doors"

 

 

"Have they made the announcement on who the staff is with all the names we would recognize?  That was supposed to be announced several weeks ago.  I just don't get why everything is a constant teaser.  Has any of it been followed up on?  Wasn't there supposed to be a release with the bank where the money was being held?"

 

 

"Rolling Wheels plugging The Gobbler on Facebook? Will DIRTcar be happy about that?"

 

 

"I am just really confused on what all this means. Record breaking races, free admission events, and no mention of sponsors/partners/and administration. 

All I want is official PR from a credible source with a name behind it. I call BS on this whole deal until these events happen and the purses are paid. I am not understanding where the money is coming from."

 

 

"They are falling face first into the dirt. Promises promises promises. Its all fluff. They are good at the trivia but they cant follow through on the rest of it. Suppose to announce all the staff and then they say they have 2 staff members they will announce but they cant do it right now because their contracts are being reviewed and signed right now by their lawyers. lmao... yeah right. at 10:00 pm on a Tuesday night. Too funny. I lost interest already. I will wait until next April instead of being fed one piece at a time. So far they cant deliver anything but games and suspense."

 

 

"They said they were going to announce the 2015 schedule, the bank name and the CD info and the high profile racing people they have hired. Guess what? They havent provided any of it. Zippo! None! It was all suppose to be announced a few days ago. They didnt deliver on any of it."

 

 

"For some reason, I read all their posts (they are bordering on spamming now, and its starting to get irritating....), and I just cant seem to shake the feeling like this is all too good to be true.

 

Maybe thats not the right wording..... 

 

More like Im looking at it and finding it all hard to swallow.

 

Something doesnt seem right. Something seems off. It all has a distinct fishy smell to it. They seem to be all about  glitz, glamour, and attention. But, they have yet to deliver on a single promise they have made. Not a one. And when everyone presses them on it, they keep delaying the answer, or giving non answers, or straight up banning/removing those people under the guise of "removing negativity".

 

I want this to work, I think itd be a huge shake up in the face of Northeast racing in general. 

 

But, i just cant shake the feeling that something isnt right, here, and that this is going to come crashing down in a very, very ugly way."

 

 

"A few things I have noticed... yes, they have all of the buzz about them going now, and it's not overly negative.... but if they don't start to deliver on something relatively quick, it will go south fast.

 

Also, it really reminds me a lot of the situation at Bradford Speedway... you get an owner in there that doesn't have a clue but talks the talk... makes it sound like he is promoting the Daytona 500...."

 

 

"I was thinking the same thing Curtis, worked out well for that guy. He is now the proud owner of a weed patch."

 

"To me, it's almost like dealing with a junior high school student on their facebook.  It's like a big game of "I know something you don't know".  Even when they then released the "initials of some of their staff"... what good does that do?  It's not a game, it's supposed to be one of the showplace racetracks we are lucky to have.  Creating a buzz is one thing, but being borderline childish/obnoxious in creating that buzz, is a big turn off." 

 

 

 "serious question.  At the rate RWR's Facebook is going, what company would want to be promoted as "We just secured an AMAZING sponsor for our premier event.... details to be released tomorrow" and then delayed again and again and again.  That to me seems like what would currently be the execution.  

 

It's to the point of ___ or get off the pot for me.  Again, it's a business, run it like the professional one you are proclaiming it to be, not like your grade school child is the one you entrusted your Facebook to because you don't know how to use it. Don't make promises you can't keep.  If you couldn't announce your staff, don't tease it until you have those names that are going to dazzle us.  If you didn't have any intentions of posting a bank's contact info (and what a lucky bank that is because you know more than one person would in fact call to verify the information, probably repeatedly throughout the season too, we could have a recurrent update), then why even say something like that? 

 

Don't get me wrong, I have said multiple times I love RWR, it's my favorite track and I want it to succeed and flourish, but as interested as I am, I agree with some other posters that this all seems 1) fishy 2) too good to be true 3) some big joke. 

 

Also, I just checked again.  Their email address is rollingwheelsraceway@yahoo.com.  Again, this just seems fishy.  If they have control of the website, why is it not a @rollingwheelsraceway.com email.  And how many people are going to give out their billing address to a non-verified email?"  

 

 

And, the best one yet:  " I'm thinking we will get all the answers on 4/1/15."

 

 

 

Note that's as of 7:15 PM on Wednesday, November 12th. 

 

Link:  http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/index.php?/topic/52460-pay-dirt-racing-facebook-post-concerning-rolling-wheels/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Press Releases:

 

 

SpeedE61@aol.com

The Action Track USA / Speedway Entertainment Awards Banquet will be held Sat. January 10,2015 at the Bear Creek Resort in Macungie,PA

 

The top 10 in SpeedSTR points at the Action Track and the Illustrious 11 in the All Pro SpeedSTR National Championship will be honored along with all regular classes at the Action Track and Slingshot Tour champions.

 

Action Track USA Top 10: Billy Pauch,Jr./Billy Pauch,Sr./Kenny Brightbill/Jeff Strunk/Earl Paules/Mike Bednar/Kyle Weiss/Brad Brightbill/Larry Solomon and Frank Cozze

 

Illustrious 11National Tour :Billy Pauch,Sr./Maxime Plante/Frank Cozze/Billy Pauch,Jr./Tim Buckwalter/Josianne Plante/Wayne Weaver/Frank Yankowski/Francis Methot/Kenny Brightbill/Brad Brightbill

 

Tickets are now available at $45 per person, youth tickets 14 and under $40.Payment can be made by check or CC.

 

Thanks for a competitive and exciting racing season both at the Action Track and the tour stops.

 

Rich.

 

 

 

Speedway Entertainment
Home of the Slingshot by Tobias
Home of the SpeedSTR
www.speedwayentertainment.com

 

 

 

News from the Accord Speedway ‘Gobbler’

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

For Immediate Release/Nov. 6, 2014

“Sweet Potato Slingshots” Added As Another Helping At Accord Speedway Nov. 29 ‘Gobbler’ Post-Thanksgiving Feast; Slingshots To Be Featured In 20-Lap Main Event Now Offering $350 To Win! Registration Now Open

ACCORD, NY – Another helping has been added to the Accord Speedway ‘Gobbler’ post-Thanksgiving feast of auto racing.

The popular Speedway Entertainment “Sweet Potato Slingshots” will join the card for the second annual ‘Gobbler’ at the Ulster County facility Saturday, Nov. 29. The Slingshots will be a first-time attraction in the event co-promoted by BD Motorsports Media LLC and speedway owners Gary and Donna Palmer.

Slingshots join a program that includes the Sowle Trailer Repair Modifieds (big-block/small-block) in a 50-lap event paying $7,117.11 to the winner, plus the Open vs. Crate 602 Sportsman in a 25-lap, $1,500-to-win event (plus Crate 602 bonuses) and the Ron Wright Memorial for Pure Stock/Street Stock racers offering a minimum of $500 to win plus extra cash.

The Allstar Slingshot division will be featured in a 20-lap main event paying $300 to the winner and $50 just to take the green flag.  Slingshot competitors are invited to take part in the “Grandma’s Gravy Gambler’s Program” to boost their pay envelopes. The “gambler’s fee” is $20. Half the money raised will go to the highest-finishing driver having taken the gamble; the other half will go to a random finishing position drawn in Victory Lane by the event winner.

Slingshots will have their warm-up laps timed. The fastest 16 drivers in warm-ups will transfer directly to the main event (lined up by time). The remainder of the drivers will go to a B-Main, 8 laps, lined up by time, to set the remainder of the main event starting field. Transponders are mandatory for this event and teams must have them on for hot laps to have their time recorded.

Speedway Entertainment Slingshot rules will be enforced.  Junior Slingshot competitors are invited to enter the Allstar Slingshot event, but must be weight legal.

Moments after the event was announced, Jay’s Pool Service of Middletown, N.Y., posted a $50 bonus to the race winner and another $50 to the highest-finishing Junior Slingshot regular.

The car registration fee for Slingshots is $10. To access the form, click here: http://bdmotorsportsmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/GobblerSlingshotEntryForm.pdf

To compensate for the added division, the ‘Gobbler’ time schedule has been altered slightly. Pit gates will now open at 10 a.m. Grandstand gates open at 11 a.m. The drivers’ meeting will take place at noon, with hot laps to follow (approximately 12:20 p.m.). Race time is 1 p.m. sharp.

‘Gobbler’ grandstand admission is $22 for Adults, $20 for Seniors (ages 65 and over) and $5 for Kids 11 and under. Limited indoor seating is available at $35 per seat. Contact the speedway office at 845.626.1142 to reserve a seat with a credit card. Pit admission is $35, with no license required.

Rules and other general information for the ‘Gobbler’ can be found at the following link:http://bdmotorsportsmedia.com/gobbler-general-information/

Last November, young Anthony Perrego of Montgomery, N.Y., fended off the late challenges of Stewart Friesen to win the 'Gobbler' Modified 50-lap event. For Sportsman graduate Perrego, the win was his first in the Modified ranks and he earned $7,732.11 including lap money and bonuses.

Rocky Warner of Gloversville, N.Y., drove his crate-powered Sportsman to victory over a stout field and Charlie Houghtaling of Parksville, N.Y., registered the Ron Wright Memorial Pure/Street Stock score.

Marketing opportunities are available now for the ‘Gobbler’ event. To learn more, contact Brett Deyo by phone at 845.728.2781 or via e-mail at bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com.  BD Motorsports Media is on the web at www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com. “Like” BD Motorsports Media on Facebook or follow @BrettDeyo on Twitter.

Accord Speedway, a neat-and-tidy quarter-mile clay oval nestled in the hills of Ulster County, is located at 299 Whitfield Road Accord, NY 12404. The speedway is on the web at www.accordspeedway.com.

The Gobbler is presented by Sowle Trailer Repair, Above All Auto Repair, ASI Trophy & Awards, American Racer/Lias Tire, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, DMJ Racing Photo’s, Dwy’s Automotive, Hunt’s Machine, Jay’s Pool Service, Par 5 Landscaping, Rock Fantasy Hard Rock, Metal & Classic Rock and Smoke Shop, Shiley Fabrication, Simplicity Design, United Pump & Tank and Zubi’s Racing.

Brett Deyo
BD Motorsports Media LLC
Phone: 845.728.2781
www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com
Facebook: "BD Motorsports Media"
Twitter: @BrettDeyo

 

 

Contact: Joshua Joiner

World of Outlaws Late Model Series PR Director/DIRTcar Racing PR

jjoiner@dirtcar.com | 850-232-9331

 

Busy 2015 Speedweeks Schedule Features Action in Four DIRTcar Racing Divisions at Five Tracks

DIRTcar Racing action scheduled at four Florida tracks and one Georgia oval during January and February

CONCORD, N.C. - Nov. 6, 2014 - The 2015 DIRTcar Racing season will get off to a hot start this winter with Speedweeks action in four divisions spread among five dirt tracks and two months.

The traditional stretch of early-season racing begins in late January with Winternationals and culminates with the DIRTcar Nationals presented by Summit Racing Equipment in mid-February.

DIRTcar UMP Modifieds

The DIRTcar UMP Modifieds kick off Speedweeks with the Winternationals at East Bay Raceway in Gibsonton, Fla., Jan. 29 to 31. The series then makes stops at Bubba Raceway Park and Volusia Speedway Park for 15 total nights of racing.

·                     Jan. 29-31 - Winternationals, East Bay Raceway, Gibsonton, Fla.

·                     Feb. 5 and 6 - Bubba Raceway Park, Ocala, Fla.

·                     Feb. 7 and 8 - North Florida Speedway, Lake City, Fla.

·                     Feb. 10-17 - DIRTcar Nationals presented by Summit, plus the Gator Championship, Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, Fla.

World of Outlaws Late Model Series and DIRTcar Late Models

For 12 nights at tracks in Georgia and Florida, the DIRTcar Late Models and the World of Outlaws Late Model Series compete during Speedweeks.

·                     Feb. 6 and 7 Winter Freeze, Screven Motorsports Park, Sylvania, Ga.

·                     Feb. 8 North Florida Speedway, Lake City, Fla.

·                     Feb. 13-15 Winter Nationals, Bubba Raceway Park, Ocala, Fla.

·                     Feb. 16-21 DIRTcar Nationals presented by Summit, Barberville, Fla.

World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series and UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions

Joining the modifieds and late models during Speedweeks are the sprint cars of the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series and the UNOH All Star Circuit of Champions. The two series make stops at Volusia Speedway Park and Bubba's Raceway Park.

·                     Feb. 5-7 Winter Nationals, Bubba Raceway Park, Ocala, Fla. (All Star)

·                     Feb. 11-13 DIRTcar Nationals presented by Summit, Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, Fla. (All Star)

·                     Feb. 13-15 DIRTcar Nationals presented by Summit, Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, Fla. (WoO Sprint Cars)

Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Series

The Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modifieds take on Volusia during DIRTcar Nationals Feb. 18-21 with a $5,000-to-win feature on the final night.

·                     Feb. 18-21 DIRTcar Nationals presented by Summit, Volusia Speedway Park, Barberville, Fla.

·                     A full schedule and ticket information for each event is available online at http://www.DIRTcar.com.

 

 

SpeedE61@aol.com

Have a few off season specials,get your orders in early

 

SS60-2 STR Long Block Engine  List Price 6143.95

                                      Racers Discount   368.64

 

                                                 Total       5775.31

$2500 deposit when ordering

 

STR Kit 1    

SS24        STR Chassis

SS40-0     STR Complete Body

SS241-1   STR Top Clip

SS243-1   STR Lower Nose mount back piece

SS243-2   STR Lower Nose mount front

SS21        STR Front Bumper

SS23        STR Rear Bumper

SS22L      STR Left Side rail

SS22R     STR Right Side Rail

 

                                             STR Kit List    2705.40

                                      Racers Discount      162.32

                                                  Total         2543.08           

$1500 deposit when ordering

 

Thanks,Rich

 

Speedway Entertainment
Home of the Slingshot by Tobias
Home of the SpeedSTR
www.speedwayentertainment.com

 

 

 

SpeedE61@aol.com

The tickets for the Speedway Entertainment / Action Track Combo Awards Banquet being held Jan 10,2015 are now being mailed out.

 

Please send a check or email reply with CC # info and number of tickets needed. Mike can also use the CC # you have on file if requested. Adult tickets are 45.00. 14 and under 40.00

 

Thanks to Wayne Weaver for being the 1st order of tickets being shipped out.

 

This is not a tuxedo affair, business casual is suggested.  Please no t-shirts or shorts for the awards pictures.

 

We have reserved a block of rooms, for anyone wanting to make a complete night of it.

 

Banquet time is from 6 PM to 10 PM. More info can be found at bcmountainresort.com.

 

Thanks

 

Rich

 

Speedway Entertainment
Home of the Slingshot by Tobias
Home of the SpeedSTR
www.speedwayentertainment.com

 

 

 

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

 

NASCAR STAR KYLE LARSON TO RACE AT PERRIS AUTO SPEEDWAY ON THANKSGIVING!

 

(Perris, CA, November 12, 2014)   Young NASCAR Sprint Cup star Kyle Larson will be racing at the 74th Running of the Turkey Night Grand Prix at Perris Auto Speedway on Thanksgiving night.  It will be the popular 22-year-old star’s first appearance on a dirt track since racing in the Chili Bowl Midget event in Tulsa, Oklahoma last January. 

 

The longest running and most prestigious Midget race in the nation, the Turkey Night Grand Prix was first contested in 1934 at Gilmore Stadium, which is now the site of the CBS Studios in Los Angeles.  The race was held at a variety of tracks throughout the years since.  Most notably at J.C. Agajanian’s legendary Ascot Park in Gardena where it was staged all but one year from 1960 until it closed in 1990.  With the exception of being run at Saugus Speedway in 1991, Turkey Night stayed true to its dirt roots until moving to the Irwindale Speedway from 1999 through 2011.  When it made its much heralded return to the dirt at Perris Auto Speedway in 2012, Kyle Larson stood head and shoulders above the competition for a historic win.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coming up:

 

A couple of "Turkey Day" races up yonder in the northeast - Accord & Wall Stadium.  Hope ya'll have decent weather and no need for snow tires & chains!

 

 

 

Non Racin' Stuff found on the Internet:

 

Obamacare begins to unravel

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/obamacare-begins-to-unravel-170824756.html

 

 

 

An email I received on Tuesday night:

 



MAYOR REFUSES TO REMOVE PORK FROM SCHOOL CANTEEN- MENU... EXPLAINS WHY 

Muslim parents demanded the abolition of pork in all the school canteens of a Montreal suburb. The mayor of the Montreal suburb of Dorval,has refused, and the town clerk sent a note to all parents to explain why... 

“Muslims must understand that they have to adapt to Canada and Quebec, its customs, its traditions, its way of life, because that's where they chose to immigrate. 

“They must understand that they have to integrate and learn to live in Quebec. 

“They must understand that it is for them to change their lifestyle, not the Canadians who so generously welcomed them. 

“They must understand that Canadians are neither racist nor xenophobic, they accepted many immigrants before Muslims 

(whereas the reverse is not true, in that Muslim states do not accept non-Muslim immigrants). 

“That no more than other nations, Canadians are not willing to give up their identity, their culture. 

“And if Canada is a land of welcome, it's not the Mayor of Dorval who welcomes foreigners, but the Canadian-Quebecois people as a whole. 

“Finally, they must understand that in Canada (Quebec) with its Judeo-Christian roots, Christmas trees, churches and religious festivals, religion must remain in the private domain. 


The municipality of Dorval was right to refuse any concessions to Islam and Sharia. 

“For Muslims who disagree with secularism and do not feel comfortable in Canada, there are 57 beautiful Muslim countries in the world, most of them under-populated and ready to receive them with open halal arms in accordance with Shariah. 

“If you left your country for Canada, and not for other Muslim countries, it is because you have considered that life is better in Canada than elsewhere. 

“Ask yourself the question, just once, “Why is it better here in Canada than where you come from?” 

“A canteen with pork is part of the answer.”

 

 

 

 

This week’s photos:

 

Quick quiz - any idea as to who the driver is, below, in top photo?  Track?

Hint:  The track shown was in New York State, and the photo is from 1947.

 

 

http://www.coastal181.com/2014-BENTLEY/450-WD-1169.jpg

 

Juan Manuel Fangio, “El Maestro,” whom many consider the greatest F1 driver ever, adjusts his air pressures for some maiden laps around the road course at Thompson, CT, adjoining the famous oval. That was 60 years ago. Long dormant, the road course was reincarnated with flair this past summer, opening in June 2014 with close to 250 vintage sports cars. From FAST LINES: Memorable Moments in Motorsports, by Pete Lyons. (Ozzie Lyons Photo)

 

Note:  I went there many, many years ago, with my brother Raymond (Jim).  Never knew Fangio had laps there.  Photo found on Coastal 181 web site.

 

 

This weeks videos:

 

This weeks videos are not racing related, or political.  I came across them on the Internet, and was touched by what I watched.  Sometimes things hit us at the right time, ya know?  Yes, it brought some tears to this old mans eyes, for sure.  At times, we have no idea just how fortunate we are.  Yes, there still is hope, folks!

 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/9FCxuVSkT7k

 

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-other-team/ (after the commercial, of course!)

 

 

This weeks joke:

 

 

So I asked my Doctor,"Doctor, what are we going to do about this dangerous virus from Africa?"

 

And he said, "I don't know, he has two more years in office.”

 

 

 

Until my next column – next week.

 

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/

 

 

And, as usual, I can always be reached via email at:  ygordad@yahoo.com