Mostly Racin' Stuff

                                                   By Tom Avenengo

                                                      Volume # 205

                                                        12/11/2014

 

 

 

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.

 

In a few weeks the Christmas/New Years Holidays will be upon us.  Hey, I'm all for saying "Merry Christmas"!  Just the way I was brought up, I guess?  Who in the world decided it wasn't "Politically correct" to say that, anyway?  And what in the world can we do with our education system now?  You see what they're trying to teach the kids today?  Unreal.  Our government is trying more and more to turn us into "sheeple", rather than useful citizens.

 

 

More memories:

Way back in the 1940's, when we lived in Montvale, NJ, we always went into town, usually on Christmas Eve, to see Santa and get something for Christmas, from him.  He always came to the park on a fire truck.  For those that were shut-ins, after he distributed the gifts to us at the park, the fire truck would take him right to the homes of those that could not make it.  Today, if such an event was planned, and it snowed, I imagine they would cancel - right?

Strange how we now have safer cars and roadways, yet, even with a forecast of snow, things get cancelled.  I have race results from the indoor midget races that were held in the Kingsbridge Armory, in the Bronx, NY.  Many times there would be racing there twice a week, from, say, November into April.  There is mention of only ONE nights racing being cancelled due to weather.  That was back in the late 40's - all the race results that I have.  In the late 50's, my future wife and I would go to the indoor TQ Midget races in the Teaneck, NJ Armory.  Heck, snow wasn't a problem then, either.  After a night of racing, we'd order the same seats for the following week.  OK, we were kinda "local", but for a majority of the drivers, well they did have some distances to travel - and most would be towing race cars with them.  I can't recall any Teaneck races cancelled due to weather.  Yup, times sure have changed.

Remarkable how the time flies by, isn't it?

 

 

 

Racin’ stuff:

 

Gonna start ya off with a little trivia:

Only two drivers in Indy 500 history stopped their non-damaged cars to help another driver.  Who were they?

 

 

 

 

 

Aside from a few other indoor races,  like Trenton and Atlantic City and Harrisburg, PA, it looks like this might be about it until next spring:

 

Syracuse Indoor Kart results:  http://www.syracuseindoor.com/results

 

 

 

They said it:  Quotes from Friday nights NASCAR Sprint Cup Awards:

In addition to new champion Kevin Harvick, the other 15 Chase for the Sprint Cup contenders were also recognized during last night’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards in Las Vegas.

Each member of the Championship 4, as well as each of the four drivers knocked out in the Eliminator Round, got their own time on the podium. As for the foursomes eliminated in both the Challenger and the Contender Rounds of the Chase, they shared their thoughts on the season together.

In case you didn’t get to watch last night’s festivities, here’s a little bit of what each driver had to say during the evening. We’ll start with the guest of honor:

Kevin Harvick – Champion

“The first time I was able to get in my No. 4 Budweiser/Jimmy John’s Chevrolet, we were fast. And it didn’t matter if it was at an open test at Charlotte last December, a practice session, a qualifying session, or a race – we wanted to be on top of the board. After 13 seasons at Richard Childress Racing, I made the move to Stewart-Haas Racing and I have to admit, I was scared to death. I tried to play it cool, but it was a pivotal moment in my career. I was venturing outside my comfort zone, and I had to make it work.”

Ryan Newman – 2nd Place

“I’d like to congratulate Kevin, [crew chief] Rodney [Childers], everybody at SHR, Tony Stewart – my buddy’s here, just got out of the hospital [after] surgery. I think if he hasn’t got the nurse’s phone number by now, he’s probably not going to get it. *Crowd laughs* Richard and Judy Childress, thank you for the opportunity to drive your race cars. It’s been an amazing year. I really appreciate the opportunity. We had a lot of fun. We didn’t win anything, but we did have a lot of fun along the way and that’s really hard to do, so thank you very much.”

Denny Hamlin – 3rd Place

“It was an up and down year with our No. 11 team. We won, we wrecked, we fought, we were fined, but with all that, we still had a shot with one race to go. And with this great new Chase format, that’s all you can ask for. I have to thank [crew chief] Darian [Grubb] for three great years together. You’re a great leader, a motivator, and I’m proud of the success we had together…However, I’m not so proud of the things we did bring attention to such as Macklemore’s haircut at the beginning of the year, Taylor Swift, and Brad [Keselowski].”

Joey Logano – 4th Place

“Thanks to the entire 22 team – what an amazing season we had. Five wins, 16 Top-5s, 22 Top-10s – you guys are the best example of teamwork I’ve ever seen. And what a great season for all of Team Penske with the Nationwide owner’s championship and the IndyCar championship…Brad, you’ve still got a friend in me, man. We’re alright. *crowd laughs* It’s great to have a teammate that really knows the definition of teamwork and for a two-car team to win 11 races, it takes real teamwork and I appreciate that.”

Brad Keselowski – Eliminator Round

“Tremendous season. I can’t really tell you how much fun I had. It might not have looked like a lot of fun at times this year, but I had a blast…It couldn’t have been possible without a lot of great people and when I think about a great team and a great year, I think about great people. That really starts with the Captain down there, Roger Penske, everyone in the leadership team. The guys stick behind me, seems like, every time I do something dumb [laughs], so I’m really lucky and very fortunate. Thank you for that.”

Jeff Gordon – Eliminator Round

“Even though we didn’t make it to Homestead to battle for the championship, I truly believe that NASCAR got it right this year with the new knockout format for the [Chase for the] Sprint Cup. I cannot begin to describe the pressure and intensity we faced week after week, race after race. And this year, we crowned a deserving champion…I think most would agree this was a successful season for the 24 team. It felt incredible to go into each race with a car and a team that was capable of winning, and that was certainly highlighted by some big wins – especially that fifth Brickyard 400, an amazing weekend for us.”

Matt Kenseth – Eliminator Round

“This is the most dreaded three minutes – or in the case of my speeches, one minute – of the season. *crowd laughs* But I got to think about it last night, and it’s so easy to lose sight of how fortunate we all are to do this. The group that gets to compete at stock car racing’s highest level is so small, and the ones that get to drive for top-notch race teams and enjoy the successes are even smaller. I’m so incredibly thankful to be part of that group, and it really starts with NASCAR. Thanks for creating the most competitive form of motorsports and allowing us to compete in it.”

Carl Edwards – Eliminator Round

“Jack Roush – you are a man among men. You have taught me a lot, you have given me opportunities that I’ve never dreamed of, and particularly this year, when I came and told you my plans for next year, you stuck your hand out and said, ‘Let’s go win this championship.’ And you said some other things that I can’t say up here. *crowd laughs* But that part, seriously, you lived up to it. You never quit. You never gave up on me. Thank you very much, sir.”

Kasey Kahne – Contender Round

“I don’t know why it’s happened that way, but we’ve been able to perform late before the Chase a few times over the years. To get that win at Atlanta this year was big, and to get all four Hendrick cars into the Chase was big for our team at the time. It was great to do that, and from there, we just tried to do the best we could for the rest of the season.”

Jimmie Johnson – Contender Round

“I definitely want to be back at the head table, and a big congratulations to everybody on the 4 team. A Hendrick chassis and engine won the championship, which we’re very proud of. But I definitely want to be back and I’d love to have the opportunity to tie the greats, Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr. We’ll go to work hard, and get our Lowe’s Chevrolet tuned up, and hopefully, we’ll be back next year.”

Kyle Busch – Contender Round

“It was obviously an exciting season for us making it into the Chase and then having a great Chase going our way. To be here as an honorary member of the Hendrick Driver’s Club tonight in our elimination round is a bit awkward. But we’ll make it through and hopefully, we’ll get more success next year.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr. – Contender Round

“Every [Chase] round was exciting with the elimination factor. I think the fans were pumped up throughout the whole thing. We had an awesome year. Thanks to [crew chief] Steve [Letarte] and the whole team. Getting back to Victory Lane felt great. We really enjoyed it, and we’ll try to do it more next year.”

Aric Almirola – Challenger Round

“[The highlight of the year] had to be the big win at Daytona. That was huge for me personally, but when I signed at Richard Petty Motorsports, I said I wanted to be the guy that brought the 43 car back to Victory Lane and we were able to do that this year – 15 years after the 43 had won its last race…Our Chase didn’t go exactly to plan, but we have a lot to be proud of from this year and I’m looking forward to 2015.”

Greg Biffle – Challenger Round

“We certainly had a tough season altogether with Roush Fenway and the 16 team, but we certainly made a charge there at the end [of the regular season] and got ourselves into the Chase. Like Aric, we didn’t make what we wanted of it, but we’re excited for next year.”

A.J. Allmendinger – Challenger Round

“A special year for us. I think it’s really cool that my team owners, Tad – and the real boss, Jodi Geschickter – are sitting here with us. To be able to share such a year – they’ve made me feel like family, so to be able to go out there and get our first Sprint Cup victory together was something very special. And to come here for my first time and be a part of Champion’s Week and see what it’s all about and be somewhat in the same breath of all the great drivers that we have – it’s an awesome year. Hopefully, next year will be even better.”

Kurt Busch – Challenger Round

“It means a lot to me personally to have Gene Haas select me to try and give all of Stewart-Haas a shot at a championship. Congratulations to Kevin Harvick and his team, everybody, Rodney Childers – they did a fantastic job. Thanks to Tony Stewart, Gene Haas, everybody at the whole program. You have to be competitive and you gotta do it week in and week out, and Daniel Knost did a great job as a first-year crew chief to lead us into this position. And now, with Tony Gibson taking the reins – we finished the season strong and we’re looking to build on that.”

 

http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com/2014/12/06/they-said-it-quote-board-from-last-nights-nascar-sprint-cup-awards/

 

 

 

NORTHEAST: Iconic Eastern States 200 No Longer DIRTcar Sanctioned; OCFS Goes Independent

DECEMBER 06, 2014   STEVEN OVENS 

 

http://racechaseronline.com/2014/12/northeast-iconic-eastern-states-200-longer-dirtcar-sanctioned-ocfs-independent/

 

 

 

Racin' on TV: 

http://tvracer.com/

Coming up:

 

Special thanks to Rich Golardi who has made up a calendar for Florida Sprint Car racing!

 

https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=gc3bg4n941p1mlck9f24232mpc%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America%2FNew_York

 

Note:  Upper left hand corner has arrows to go forward or back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Something tells me that between this week's column and my column next week, there will be some news coming from a track that should make quite a lot of race fans happy.

 

 

Back in time:

 

DECEMBER 12 

1913 Rex Easton ... Born ... 

           1936  Wally Dallenbach ... Born

           1946  Emerson Fittipaldi ... Born 

 

DECEMBER 13 
1918  Bill Vukovich ... Born 

1946  Mike Mosley... Born

           1959  Jim Lacy won the TQ Midget race at the Island Garden , West        Hempstead, Long Island, NY. 

Race report:  http://www.wheelsofspeed.com/report/12_13_59-1.html

 

            2006  Bobby Santos III , in the Carl Edwards # 99, won the PRA / Champ Car race over Bobby East, Teddy Beach, Chet Fillip, and Dave Steele at the USA International Speedway,Lakeland, FL.

 

DECEMBER 14 
1927  Hershel McGriff... Born

1940  Denny Zimmerman ... Born 

           1954  Alan Kulwicki... Born 

           2011  Country singer Billy Jo Spears died

 

           DECEMBER 15 

          1916  Clint Brawner ... Born 

          1981  Ralph Pratt... Died

 

           DECEMBER 16 

           1981  A.J. Allmendinger ... Born

 

           DECEMBER 17 

          1968  Paul Tracy... Born.

          1977  Sammy Sessions... Died...  His real name was Allen Dale Sessions

          1980  Ryan-Hunter Reay... Born.

 

DECEMBER 18 
1907  Bill Holland... Born 

1908 Country singer Wilf Carter (Montana Slim) born

           1933  Don Davis ... Born

           1994  Henry Banks ... Died 

           2000  Stan Fox ... Died 

           2008 John LeVan died.  He, along with the late Lenny Calinoff, had one of the better auto racing websites on the Internet.  John had quite a lot to do with me getting into writing about racing.  Damn, but I still miss that guy!

 

 

NORTHEAST: Iconic Eastern States 200 No Longer DIRTcar Sanctioned; OCFS Goes Independent

http://racechaseronline.com/2014/12/northeast-iconic-eastern-states-200-longer-dirtcar-sanctioned-ocfs-independent/

 

 

 

 

Found on the South Jersey Dirt Racing Forum"

 

United Racing Company 

When is your big schedule coming out? The club has a website up and running with a updating schedule as races are booked. Is it safe to say your only races are 3 at Williams grove, 1 at Big Diamond because The company is RENTING the track and 1 at Lincoln a Miller Promo with Usac on wednesday. Will this years schedule have fake races on it like last year did that were just canceled 2 weeks to a month ahead of time like Port Royal and Hagerstown were last year. We are all Waiting

 

The Williams Grove races will be basically a 358 race with a "sanction". If there is 1 or 2 360s there I'd be surprised.

 

i just looked on the clubs website and they only have 6 races booked. If either the club or company books races where there is not 358's or 360 sprint cars. I dont think either one could have enough cars to have a full field.  Club vrs Company, this looks like a fight between people who would like to run the organization. i'm sure we see the collapse of both by the end of the season.

 

And:

Confusion on which urc is which 

It was posted on the Williams Grove message board that there is alot of confusion about which URC is which bc of both named the same and having the same initials. Someone asked if copyright laws could come into play? Since for some reason I can't reply there I'll address here..... Bill Gallagher owns the naming rights to the United Racing Club. When the club was changed to a company the company officials let the naming right lapse. The club is also being refered to as the United Racing Club because (URC) is copyrighted by the United Roofing Company.

 

By midseason we will know who "URC" is.

 

Actually if you Google URC, lots of companies/orginizations come up. Are all/any copyrighted? They are initials, not names.

 

 

 

 

North Eastern Midget Association (NEMA)

 

NEMA General Membership Meeting Cites Strong Progress for 2015

Thompson, CT

NEMA held its annual membership meeting this past Sunday at the Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park clubhouse, with a strong showing of general members present. At the top of the agenda was a preview into the 2015 schedule, which will feature 3 events at Thompson, as well as events at Oswego, Seekonk, Monadnock, Evans Mills, Wiscasset, LEE USA and White Mountain - with tentative dates held for Waterford Speedbowl, Twin State, and Chemung, NY.

The club also elected a new President for the first time in over ten years - with Russ Stoehr running unopposed to take over the top seat in NEMA. Mike McCarthy and Mike Chambers were elected to the Vice President spots, Joe Santa Maria as Secretary and Paul Scally returns as Treasurer. A new Board was also elected with Tim Bertrand, Shawn Torrey, Paul Bigelow, Randy Cabral, Mike Scrivani and Dennis O'Brien taking over those seats.

The club also made additional major strides to help increase its membership base including the development of a Rookie Development program. Under this program, the club will secure track time for new drivers joining the NEMA Lite ranks to practice with the club, particularly noted - 12 and 13 year old drivers will be able to participate in the program. In addition, any driver that turns 13 during the competition season who has prior experience, that has passed the Rookie Development Program and has approval by the Board may compete with the Lite series. The minimum age for NEMA was also lowered to 15 years old with prior experience and Board approval.

Next, the club also voted to have 3 "open" events per year - where the current handicapping system will not be used, and a time trial system will be used similar to previous years at the Boston Louie Memorial, with the hopes of encouraging outside participants from other divisions as well as midget racers from the South and Midwest to participate.

A number of technical rules were proposed as well, and the new Board of Directors will be coming forth over the next week with a vote on those rules to be announced on www.nemaracing.com.

NEMA hopes to announce its final schedule by year end, and will also be posted on the website.

 

 

 

There were rumors of an added big block modified race to be held at the Golden Isles Speedway in Waynesville, GA for the northeast modifieds, as they head south to Volusia.  Now, it looks like it might be a reality. 

I thought I'd check out how far it might be from Cape Coral, and found it would be  at least 6 hours.  The race is scheduled for a Sunday afternoon, February 15th. 

My sister, Cathy, lives in Melbourne, Fl.  That's darn near half way to the track.  Hmmm - have to give this some thought!

 

http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/big-blocks-scheduled-for-golden-isles-speedway-on-feb-15/

 

 

I found out that with the "cable" system my daughter has here, we do get CBS Sports.  Since I did not go to Syracuse, I figured I'd watch it this past Sunday.  Between the race being on at dinner time, me getting volunteered to slice some roast beef on our slicer for granddaughter Kalina, and some re-arranging of living furniture, I really didn't get to see all that much.  However, I did get to see the great run put on by Stewart Friesen over the last 20 laps, or so.  Previous to that, I caught glimpses of fast cars going around a mile track and basically not doing much passing.  What with the rules today, with most every team having the same basic stuff, on larger tracks it has become "follow the leader" and/or what we call "freight train racing".  Personally, this particular race, in my way of thinking, did not lend itself as something that might get new fans interested in oval track racing - on dirt.  Smaller tracks - 1/4 or 3/8 mile would more than likely have better side by side racing and passing - something that "newbies" might have better interest in watching, and possibly going to attend some races.  Once you get into the half mile tracks, that's when the racing, with the current cars and rules, suffer.  My thoughts, of course.

 

 

 

Some news from Lebanon Valley:

 

RULES -

The modified’ s next year will have a another rule option. The option is that AIR FLOW RESEARCH oval 300 spec heads will be legal in the modified class. These heads sell for a little over 3000 dollars and Paul Gilardi modified number 87 X ran these heads at the Eastern states race in Orange County. They performed very well and we were happy with the results. We have at the track a parts list for this engine from top to bottom without assembly the total comes out to 15,480 dollars. The regular big-blocks will still have a weight of 2500 pounds while the spec engine will have a weight of 2400. If you can get your hands or already have a good bottom end input these heads on for a small amount of money. Even the richest of teams realize it will be harder and harder in the future to buy a high dollar engine. Lebanon Valley is a big block track and most of you that have an open wheel car should set a goal of someday being a modified. We put Paul's engine on the Dino and it produced in the low 800 horsepower with almost 700 foot-pounds of torque. I am predicting that next season we will see this combination in the modified winners circle hopefully a couple of times. The engine will be legal at Lebanon Valley, Albany Saratoga, and Orange County Speedway's. It will allow more cars to enter the class and compete at the Speedway's. We will also bring this low-budget modified into winners circle each Saturday wherever it finishes so that we can hear from the driver how the car ran and handled.

 

Note:  Hmm - the Valley is a high horsepower track.  I really have some doubt about this engine being as competitive as Mr. Commander thinks it will be.  Time will tell, I guess?

 

 

 

Some OCFS news:

The Street Stock Class in 2015 will be running for some extra money and some special races. Crane Golf has stepped up for the Crane Golf Street Stock Challenge which will be a 4 race series with separate points and point fund for those races, There will be a Jeremy Michael Hedges Memorial race sponsored by Pat Hedges and A Marky Traverse Memorial race which will pay $500 to the winner, so get those Street Stocks ready for the 2015 season.

 

2015 Schedule just about finished - here are some dates for special events to mark on your calendars - Hard Clay Open April 7, , CRSA Sprints May 3, May30 , July 11, Aug 8 & ESW, Nostalgia Night June 6, URC Sprints Aug 22, & Eve of Destruction Sept 19 & Finally ESW Oct 23, 24 &25.....Special races for Street Stocks, Twin 20's for Mods, Twin 15's for Sportsman and Twin 15's for Small Block Modifieds and more....watch for season schedule to be posted soon.

 

New for 2015 for the Street Stocks will be THE CRANE GOLF STREET STOCK CHALLENGE. This will be a 4 race point series with separate points for the overall champ of this series, a separate point fund and dates will be announced shortly.

 

2014 Awards Banquet - March 7, 2015, 6pm at OCF Arena - also 2015 SEASON TICKETS are now on sale - they make a great Christmas Gift for someone. Call the Speedway Office to purchase either. Also Motorsports Show will be March 21 & 22 so mark your calendars

 

 

 

Some Accord news:

 

Speedway to host weekly

Wingless Sprint Car racing in 2015!  

The speedway is organizing a new, wingless Sprint Car division for the 2015 season. The cars will be powered by a sealed 602 GM Crate Chevrolet engine and run on alcohol. It will be mandatory that the cars use a self-starting Bert transmission and run  American Racer tires.  The motors will be sealed by Hunt's Machine of Schenectady NY.  Hunt's has developed a jig that will make it easy to drill a cam spud hole on the camshaft so a traditional Sprint Car fuel pump and power steering unit can be used.  

For further information Gary can be reached at 
845-626-3478 or by email: accordspeedway@yahoo.com.

 

Accord Speedway

Self Starting Wingless Crate Sprint Cars

 

Rules

 

I.        Engine

A.     GM 602 Crate engine

B.     All 602 Crate engine conversions must be completed by Hunts Machine 518-372-7273

C.     All engines will be sealed by Hunts Machine upon completion

D.     Any tampering with engine or engine seals will result in immediate disqualification

E.     If tech is refused on the engine the driver and car will be subject to …..

F.      HEI Factory stock ignition

G.    Champ oil pan-CP106LTRB, pick up for pan-part 20-032   ¾” p/u tube

H.     Alternator is necessary for HEI Ignition

I.        ARP spud for cam-part 934-0006, seal for spud-part 934-0007

 

II. Carburetor

A.     Holley 4 Barrel Carburetor Part 0-80535-1-must remain box stock

B.     Carburetor spacer-Mr Gasket  6006  (mandatory)

C.     Jets and power valves may be changed

D.     Carburetor must be mounted parallel to intake

E.     No air induction inserts or other devices to direct air to intake

F.      Fuel regulator required-Aero

 

III. Air filter

A.     One round type air filter element maintaining a minimum of 4 inches and a maximum of 14 inches

B.     K&N Style Air filters allowed

C.     No plastic air cleaner top or bottoms (metal only)

D.     All air shall be filtered through the filter element

E.     No carburetor inserts to direct air into the carburetor

F.      No Air boxes, hoses, or any device that directs air into the air cleaner

G.    No ram air

 

IV. Fuel pump-

A.     Hilborn Sweet Waterman, cam driven -Fuel pump must be mounted in the driver’s cockpit

 

V. Headers

A.     Schonfield Headers part number-1052 LV

 

VI. Weight

A.     Minimum weight after race is 1575 lbs …. Zero tolerance

B.     Tubing and Nerf bars must be hollow

C.     Cars not meeting minimum weight will be disqualified for that race, scored last, and start scratch in any race remaining that night.

D.     No Titanium parts allowed

E.     Halo above driver is highly recommended

 

 

 

 

VII. Shocks.

A.     Twin Tube shocks only

B.     No gas shocks will be allowed

C.     No cock pit adjusters

 

VIII. Brakes

Steel or aluminum rotors only

 

IX. Fuel

A.     All fuel tanks must have a bladder

B.     Fuel Tanks must be securely fastened.

C.     Methanol only. No additives.

 

X. Transmission

A.     Bert transmission part number -High and Low gear only, No reverse. Phone # 450-638-2960

 

 

XI. Rear end

A.     Standard Sprint car rear end only, no midget hybrid rear ends.

 

 

 

 

I really have no idea as to how often the Chili Bowl's website gets updated, but if you're interested in any Chili Bowl info, you might want to go here:

 

http://www.chilibowl.com/news/?i=26440&clk=featureNews

 

 

2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series:  Bests and Worsts

 

http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com/2014/12/10/2014-nascar-sprint-cup-series-bests-and-worsts/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs

 

 

 

From Jayski:

http://www.jayski.com/

 

Wallace asks for release from JGR for potential move to Roush Fenway: 

Darrell Wallace Jr., who won four races this season in the NASCAR Truck Series and finished third in the series standings, has asked out of his contract with Joe Gibbs Racing, multiple sources confirmed to ThatsRacin.com and the Charlotte Observer. Although Wallace, 21, has experienced substantial success in the Truck series with Kyle Busch Motorsports the past two seasons, JGR - with whom he is under contract - had been unable to secure sponsorship for Wallace to run fulltime in any NASCAR national series in 2015. The move will allow Wallace, whose victory at Martinsville, Va., last season made him just the second African-American to win a national series race in NASCAR history, to join another organization that can provide him a fulltime ride. A spokesman for JGR declined to comment when asked by the Observer if Wallace had received a release from his contract with the organization. The most likely destination for Wallace appears to be Roush Fenway Racing, sources said. RFR already plans to field Nationwide teams for drivers Elliott Sadler, Chris Buescher and Ryan Reed in 2015. A request for comment was not immediately returned by RFR. Wallace was expected to run up to a 10 races next season with JGR in what will become the Xfinity Series on Jan. 1. JGR owner Joe Gibbs had said he expected to have a "big program" for the driver who was born in Mobile, Ala., but grew up in the Charlotte area. In interviews before the end of the season, Wallace said he was not worried about the lack of a fulltime ride. "I'll take what I can get," he said. "I can only go out there and continue to run up front, lead laps, and win races."(Charlotte Observer)(12-7-2014)


UPDATE: 

Joe Gibbs Racing confirmed Monday morning that it has released Darrell Wallace Jr. from his contract, as Wallace requested, so he can drive elsewhere. The 21-year-old Wallace is coming off a career-best four-win year in the Camping World Truck Series that saw him place third in the points. Wallace also ran two Nationwide races for Joe Gibbs Racing. After winning last month's Truck season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Wallace said he was unsure where he would race. JGR was unable to secure sponsorship for him in the Xfinity Series for this coming season.(Motor Racing Network)(12-8-2014)

 

 

Ben Rhodes to run 10 races for JR Motorsports 

JR Motorsports announced that Ben Rhodes, the reigning K&N Pro Series East champion, will drive 10 NASCAR XFINITY Series races in the #88 Chevy in 2015. The 17-year-old Rhodes joins an all-star lineup of drivers for the #88 team that includes Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kevin Harvick and Kasey Kahne in select races. Alpha Energy Solutions will sponsor the Rhodes-driven races. A native of Louisville, Kentucky, Rhodes won the K&N Pro Series East championship as a rookie. With the title he also claimed Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors and the series' most popular driver award. His mammoth 2014 included five wins, 11 top-five and 13 top-10 finishes. Rhodes also competed four times in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, earning one top-five and three top-10 finishes. Alpha Energy Solutions, Inc. is a commercial and industrial mechanical service provider with multiple specialties. It is one of the largest self-performing service providers in the Midwest. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, Alpha Energy Solutions provides building management services to commercial and industrial customers. With more than 200 service technicians located throughout Kentucky and surrounding states, Alpha delivers exceptional service. The #88 team will compete in the full 33-race XFINITY Series schedule in 2015. Rhodes' complete schedule in the #88 Alpha Energy Solutions Chevy includes races at Iowa Speedway (May 17), Chicagoland Speedway (June 20), New Hampshire Motor Speedway (July 18), a second event at Iowa Speedway (Aug. 1), Watkins Glen International (Aug. 8), Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (Aug. 15), Road America (Aug. 29), Kentucky Speedway (Sept. 26), Dover International Speedway (Oct. 3) and the season-finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway (Nov. 21).(JR Motorsports)(12-5-2014)

 

 

Joe Gibbs Racing announces crew chief lineup: 

Joe Gibbs Racing announces crew chief assignments for each of its four 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and three NASCAR XFINITY Series teams.
JGR's 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Crew Chief lineup:
Jason Ratcliff, #20 Toyota driven by Matt Kenseth
Dave Rogers, #11 Toyota driven by Denny Hamlin
Darian Grubb, #19 Toyota driven by Carl Edwards
Adam Stevens, #18 Toyota driven by Kyle Busch
JGR's 2015 NASCAR XFINITY Series Crew Chief lineup:
Eric Phillips, #18 Toyota driven by Daniel Suarez
Chris Gayle, #54 Toyota driven by multiple drivers
Mike Wheeler, #20 Toyota driven by multiple drivers
"With the expansion of our NASCAR Sprint Cup Series operations to four teams next year with the addition of Carl Edwards, we have been able to take a step back and evaluate each of our teams and make decisions that we feel are best for our organization long term," said J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing. "The XFINITY Series has been very important to us at Joe Gibbs Racing. Not only from a driver development standpoint, but also in the development of crew chiefs and other team members that eventually make their way into our Cup programs. Mike Wheeler has been a vital part of our success with Denny on the Cup side and we're excited that he will have a chance to be a crew chief. It is a similar transition to the one we made with Chris Gayle a couple of years ago, and Chris will remain with us, but move over to the #54 Toyota with Kyle. We're also excited to have Eric Phillips join our operations from KBM to work with Daniel Suarez next season."
Mike Wheeler has been with JGR since December 2002 and served as the race engineer on the #11 Cup team since that team's formation in 2005. He will now serve as crew chief on the #20 XFINITY team which will run a full season with multiple drivers. Gayle, who has served as the crew chief on JGR's #11 Nationwide Series team the previous two seasons and was an engineer on JGR's #18 Sprint Cup Series team prior to that, will now lead the organization's #54 XFINITY Series team. Eric Phillips joins JGR from Kyle Busch Motorsports where he served as crew chief for the NASCAR Camping World Series Owner's Championship #51 Tundra team. Phillips, who joined KBM in 2010, will work with Daniel Suarez on the #18 XFINITY Series team in 2015.(Joe Gibbs Racing)(12-4-2014)

 

 

NASCAR considering changes to Xfinity, Trucks championship format: 

NASCAR is discussing how to determine the XFINITY and Camping World Truck champions this coming season. Steve O'Donnell, executive vice president and chief racing development officer for NASCAR, declined to say Wednesday to Motor Racing Network what the format will be for those two series this coming season. "We look at every championship every year," O'Donnell said after speaking at Sports Business Journal's Motorsports Marketing Forum at Aria Resort. "I can't tell you if it's going to change. We're still looking at it." Although NASCAR is examining the issue, it does not mean that a change is coming. Still, NASCAR is pleased with the results of the new Chase format, which created a buzz with its eliminations and one-race championship battle at Homestead-Miami Speedway. "We think we hit a home run," O'Donnell said about the Chase during his presentation. "We are really excited with how it came out. I think one of the biggest assets of the Chase is the dialogue around the number of teams, which means more sponsors are being talked about, more drivers. If you take that same mentality, why wouldn't we want 10 or 12 drivers being talked about in the XFINITY Series, 10 or 12 drivers being talked about Camping World? I'm not saying we're there yet, but there is some dialogue going on about what we could do in the future."(Motor Racing Network)(12-3-2014)

 

 

Brian France: no changes planned to the Chase in 2015: 

NASCAR Chairman Brian France was a guest on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Tuesday, December 9th with SiriusXM Speedway hosts Dave Moody and Angie Skinner. One question concerned the 2015 Chase rules:
Dave Moody: "Do you anticipate any changes or tweaks or massaging of the Chase format for next year?"
Brian France: "No, I don't. We're obviously pleased with everything. And there may be some adjustments down the road. They'll be very small. Nothing, for '15, nothing anybody would notice. But if we can make an already great thing better we will always look at that but we are very content that we have the right positioning of elevating the drivers to have moments as I just described, and then also balancing this whole thing in auto racing, which is very difficult to balance, which is how do you balance winning and consistency? And they don't necessarily always go together. And how do you have any kind of a championship run that represents that? I think we've done the best job that we think we can do to balance that."
In the interview (which lasted about 15 minutes) France also talks about;
- The elevation of competition.
- Kevin Harvick pulled him aside in Las Vegas and said he wasn't a big fan of the new format when it was announced but once they got into it, it made them dig up talent and effort they never thought possible.
- The prospect of having a winless champion. Would not have bothered them at all if Newman won.
- Truck and Xfinity series formats - Will look at it in offseason. Doesn't anticipate a big change.
- Bubba Wallace - As puzzled as anybody else that he has trouble attracting sponsorships, tells you the market is difficult. What NASCAR does to help.
- Drop in gas prices is a welcomed development, hopes it stays that way.
- Building on the momentum for 2015.(link to interview at SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)(12-10-2014)

 

 

Target Shifting Funds, one Indycar team; one NASCAR team: 

Three-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon will return for a 14th season with Target Chip Ganassi Racing, though he will be one of only two drivers piloting the red and white bulls-eye cars next year. Target will go from two sponsored IndyCar entries to just one in 2015 as the retailer shifts spending to promoting its drivers. Target also sponsors #42-Kyle Larson, who just wrapped up NASCAR's top rookie honors in the Sprint Cup Series. "We are just reallocating dollars, there's no difference in anything else," said Dan Griffis, vice president of experiential marketing and alliances at Target. "I would put our investment in racing as the only full-time sponsor in both IndyCar and NASCAR, against any other sponsor in the sport." Ganassi and Target celebrated their 25th anniversary this year. The partnership began in open wheel, eventually grew to the sponsorship of two IndyCar entries, and expanded into both NASCAR as a primary sponsor and sports cars as an associate sponsor. "You don't know how fortunate I feel to begin another season partnering with Target in both IndyCar and NASCAR," Ganassi said Tuesday. "They have been far more than a partner for a very long time and have been so committed to the sport of auto racing. I am also very much looking forward to their new marketing campaign that supports the racing program. I know it will be fantastic." But as the retailer increased spending on the sponsorship of cars, it got away from the popular commercials it produced in the 1990s starring Vasser, Alex Zanardi, Montoya and an occasional cameo by Ganassi. Target will now try to recapture some of that buzz in new marketing strategies that will debut next year and feature Dixon and Larson. Griffis said the two drivers will not appear together in any broadcast spots, but each ad will have different versions.(Associated Press)(12-10-2014)

 

 

Kurt Busch prepares for this weekend's Race of Champions: 

Champions and driving greats from the world's major racing series are sizing up their opposition for this weekend's Race Of Champions, to be held at Bushy Park Barbados on Dec. 13-14, following Tuesday's draw for the event. The annual end-of-season race, which has been running for more than 25 years, brings together some of the world's best drivers from motorsport's major disciplines and sets them free to battle head to head in identical machinery on a unique track with two parallel lanes linked by a crossover bridge. This year's track at Bushy Park will be twice as long as recent years, leading to even more speed. There are two prestigious titles up for grabs over the weekend, which will feature over 60 individual duels. First, on Saturday, Dec. 13, the drivers pair up in teams based on country/region for the ROC Nations Cup. Then on Sunday, Dec. 14, all friendly cooperation goes out of the window in the Race Of Champions as they slug it out to be crowned individual "Champion of Champions." The ROC 2014 field includes this year's Indianapolis 500 winner, Ryan Hunter-Reay, who will partner with past NASCAR champion Kurt Busch for Team USA. The pair will have to compete against drivers including Hunter-Reay's own brother-in-law, Robby Gordon.(AutoWeek)(12-10-2014)

 

 

Atlanta removing 17,000 seats, Charlotte 41,000: 

Atlanta Motor Speedway's parent company, Speedway Motorsports, Inc., announced Tuesday that they will remove 17,000 seats from the track's grandstands. The company anticipates using those areas for premium hospitality, advertising and other facility purposes. Their sister track, Charlotte Motor Speedway, is losing 41,000 seats.(wgxa.tv), see image of the CMS construction at Slugger Labbe's Twitter.(12-10-2014)

 

 

Logano getting married in the off season: 

Next week, #22-Joey Logano and fiancée Brittany Baca will be married in North Carolina, with a trip to Costa Rica on tap for the honeymoon. "We're going to have some fun, but it's only going to be for about a week because I can't handle any longer than that," Logano, 24, said Thursday following the annual Myers Brothers Award luncheon. "She's like, 'Let's go for two weeks.' I said, 'How about five days?' So we kind of met in the middle -- a week. I can't sit still; I've got to go all the time. We'll enjoy it, it's going to be a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to the wedding -- we've got a lot of people going, a lot of people you haven't seen in a while, a lot of people from the race team." The plan, he said, is to "party our butts off." The wedding date is scheduled for Dec. 13, and was decided by Baca for a specific reason. Earlier this year, she told AL.com that the use of sequential numbers, 12/13/14, would make it easy for Logano to recall. "He has a busy enough life," she said. "I don't want to give him anything else to remember."(NASCAR.com)(12-8-2014)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Facebook on 12/8/14 by noted race driver and race car builder Danny Drinan:

"So little D and I spent the weekend doing something that was a trip down memory lane, and painful at the same time. For almost 25 years here at Drinan Racing Products Inc. we have been " Creating " the next best mouse traps. Its been my love, but now with the USAC pavement racing all but DEAD, all the existing Fixtures, Jigs, Patterns, Drawings, etc. etc. etc. just no longer had a value. --- Each item that came off the shelve had a memory to go with it and Wed. its all heading to the Scrap yard....."

 

And a couple of the comments:

"Hurts my heart the state of midget racing and the death of pavement midget racing. Remember the days of yourself, the potter v6, gary lee and larry rice as if it were yesterday."

"Sorry to hear this Danny. I am also sad to see the state of Midget racing going away."

"sad to hear bud.... hard to believe pavement racing out there is in the toilet....usac sure knows how to kill divisions"

" Usac pavement might be dead but the drinan name and ideas live on in nema , same cars just with a wing on"

" Lots of memories watching the pavement midgets on Thursday night Thunder....too bad the midgets are all but gone. What happened??"

" Imo Toyota took over the series and the costs to compete were to high with what you were racing for. I heard a few ppl are trying to start a winged midget series out in the Midwest though."

 

 

 

 

 

From Track Forum:

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

 

Keselowski and the double

 

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php/190808-Keselowski-and-the-double

 

Note:  Some interesting comments on this thread!

 

 

 

The pricetag of short track Pay Per View

 

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php/190814-The-pricetag-of-short-track-Pay-Per-View

 

Note:  I must agree with those that think it cost too much to watch on a computer or lap top.  Heck, I'd love to see the Chili Bowl "Live", but I don't get MAV TV, and now since it's on that channel, I doubt it will be shown on tape delay.

 

 

 

From the Dirt Track Digest Forum:

 

Actually, not from the forum this week, but from Mike Mallett, and an interview he had with three people in racing you might know - Brett Deyo, Joe Skotnicki and  Andrew Harpell.  Check it out via the link below:

 

http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/q-a-with-the-big-three-modified-series-promoters-dtd-exclusive/

 

 

 

The East Coast Battle Royal

 

NORTH & SOUTH COME TOGETHER

@

THE EAST COAST BATTLE ROYAL

Golden Isles Speedway presents first ever Big Block Modifieds on February 15th .  After consulting with some of the top racing teams of the Northern Big Block Modifieds we have put together what will be the best race on their swing to Florida for Speed Week 2015. 

It will be a $4,000 to win Feature on Sunday February 15th with 40 laps of the best in the business.  We are excited to have them on our schedule.  The race will be run under Dirt Car Big Block Rules; unsanctioned.  There will be practice on February 14th for those who show up for the event early.

February 14th & 15th Top Gun Sprint Cars full race both nights.  For more information about the Top Gun Sprint Cars go to www.topgunsprints.com .  Also, Saturday February 14th & Sunday February 15thNesmith Crate Late Models will be on hand for the event.  This will be the first ever in dirt track racing history at Golden Isles Speedway for these three major divisions to battle it out on the East Coast.  Make plans now to attend this event. Pit gates open on Saturday 12:00 p.m. Grandstands 4:00 p.m.  Sunday pit gates open at 10:00 a.m. Grandstands at 12:30 p.m.

Ticket prices will be:

February 14th  & 15th        Pits:  $35.00   (kids 12 and under free)

                                                Grandstands $20.00 (kids 12 and under free)

 

Race starts:                         Saturday  February 14th @ 5:00 p.m.

                                                Sunday      February 15th @ 3:00 p.m.

 

Camper spots will be available for this event contact Golden Isles Speedway (912) 778-3767 or Darryl Courson (912) 242-800 for more information.  Visit our website www.goldenislesspeedway.com  also like us on Face Book Golden Isles Speedway Park

 

http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/index.php?/topic/52692-the-east-coast-battle-royal/

 

 

 

 

From the AARN:

http://www.aarn.com/

 

This week in AARN:

 

Colonial Pipeline Increases Stake In Bridgeport Speedway’s Racing; Creates New $10,000-To-Win Modified Race

 

RUSH Engine Builders Summit Identifies Problems. Establishes Procedures

 

ARDC Sets ‘15 Opener At Quarter Mile Linda’s Speedway

 

I-88 Speedway Rock Solid For 2015; Sched Detailed

 

John Hunter Nemechek Is Smowball Derby LM Winner In Fla.

 

Bob Reis Is New Owner Of Freedom Raceway

 

Novel Ideal: Lancaster Speedway To Be Known Once Again As Lancaster Speedway

 

Aggressive, Ambitious World Of Outlaws Sprint Schedule Released

 

Glen Ridge’s Plans Unknown, Promoter Demitraszek Weighs Options

 

Sixty-Third Checkered Flag Fan Club Banquet Held; Regional Champions Honored

 

New Mod Tour Ride For Donny Lia; Takes Sypher Seat; Vacates Garbarino Ride

 

 

 

And some other things I found on the digital version on Tuesday:

 

I-88:  Jamie Page will continue to run the track.  Ron Ford, his partner since 2010, has elected to not return.

 

Brett Deyo's  Short Track Super Series schedule:

North:  Note:  Rain dates are in (   ).

4/7:  OCFS (4/8 & 4/9),  5/5:  Big Diamond (5/6), 5/19:  Accord (5/20), 6/2:  Glen Ridge (6/3), 6/28:  Thunder Mountain (6/29), 7/22:  I-88 (7/23), 8/11:  Woodhull (8/12), 9/13:  Thunder Mountain (9/20), 10/9 & 10/10:  I-88 (10/11)

South:

4/19:  Bridgeport (4/26), 5/5:  Big Diamond (5/6), 6/11:  New Egypt (6/15), 8/4:  Delaware (8/5), 9/1:  Georgetown (9/2).

 

Seems like OCFS will be encouraging the 358's to run with the big blocks in the feature.  Not official, but word is there MIGHT be a bonus paid to the top 358's.  Nothing mentioned yet as to where the 358's might start in those features - in front of or behind the big blocks.

 

Pete Bicknell, Kenny Brightbill, Charlie Jarzombeck, Wes Moody, Marcia Wetmore and Howard Commander were inducted into the New York State Stock Car Hall of Fame.

 

Drivers from the east that, as of 12/8/14, are listed as entering the Chili Bowl.  As of 12/8, there are 118 entrants.  One can expect that to almost double come race time.

Ryan Greth, P.J. Gargiulo, Shawn Jackson, Brandon Matus, Steve Drevicki, Jimmy Light, Alex Bright, Curt Michael, Adam Pearson, Nick Wean, Tommy Kunsman, Brenden Bright & Jim Radney.

 

 

 

 

National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame

 

National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame information:

 

TULSA CEREMONY TO HONOR 8 LATEST NMARHOF INDUCTEES

 Tulsa, Okla. is the site for the annual January inductions for the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of

Fame. This year's inductees comprise a mix of drivers and car owners whose names will be enshrined in the hall which is presently housed at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wisc.

 The inductions are part of the festivities surrounding the annual "Chili Bowl" Midget spectacular at the Tulsa State Fairgrounds and they will be held on Friday, January 16.

 Alphabetically, this year's inductees are: Chuck Arnold, Nick Fornoro, Mike Gregg, Steve Knepper, Freddie Meeker, Norm Rapp, Jim Whitman and Ashley Wright.

 Arnold, of Stamford, Conn., who served as the USAC Western States Midget Chief Steward from 1975-1981, won the 1954 NASCAR Midget title and finished as the runner-up the next year. In 1952 he was named "Most Improved Driver" in the American Racing Drivers Club (ARDC). He recorded 14 feature victories in USAC National competition before his driving retirement in the early 1970s.

 Fornoro, of Rockaway, N.J., began racing in 1947 and before retiring in 1956 won the 1950 ARDC and 1953 NASCAR Midget titles. After his driving career ended he became one of the country's premier chief starters and during the period from 1956-1992 he served in that capacity for ARDC, the ATQMRA TQ Midget series and eventually for Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) at their high-profile championship events.  His sons Nick Jr. and Drew also became champion Midget drivers.

 Gregg, of Washougal, Wash., is also a member of the Colorado and Belleville (Kans.) High Banks Halls of Fame. An eight-time champion of the Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association (1977-78-79-80-81-82-84-87), he recorded significant victories in the 1981 Belleville Midget Nationals and at the Seattle Kingdome in 1984. The 1973 USAC "Rookie of the Year," Mike notched four victories in USAC National competition. He also was the 1971 WMARA "Rookie of the Year."

 

 Knepper, of Swansea, Ill., a member of a legendary motorsports family, is an eight-time champion of the Midwest Auto Racing Association (MARA), taking titles in 1986-87-89-90-92-96-2002-03. He began driving in 1981 and two years later won the 1983 St. Louis Auto Racing Association (SLARA) title. In 1988 and 1998 he scored wins in the prestigious "Belleville Midget Nationals" in Kansas and in 1992 he won the "Hut Hundred" at the Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track.

 Meeker, of Fairfield, Conn., was NASCAR's 1955 and 1956 Midget champion and promptly retired atthe end of the 1956 racing season. Somewhat of a rarity by capturing titles driving both Offy-powered and nonOffy machines, he was a frequent competitor with the American Racing Drivers Club (ARDC) and the Northeastern Midget Association (NEMA).

 Rapp, of San Francisco, Calif., competed in the Bay Cities Racing Association (BCRA) Midget wars fortwo decades and also participated in a number of events in the Iowa circuit. Since 1955-he has operated a parts supply business which has now become a large inventory for owners seeking vintage Midget parts.

 Whitman, of Paramus, N.J., earned NASCAR Midget titles in 1957 and 1959. During 1957, whiledriving for legendary car owner Ken Brenn, Jim scored five feature wins in 23 starts.

 Wright, one of the most accomplished Midget car owners in USAC's early history, fielded cars for Shorty Templeman, who helped Wright earn the 1956 USAC National car owner championship. At the annual "Night Before the 500" classic in Indianapolis, they scored victories in all three feature events that night! In 1957 Wright served as the race organizer for the popular "Tangerine Midget Tournament" in Florida which featured 11 races at eight different venues. The owners of the Hardwood Door Company of Chicago, his cars were driven by many of the era's biggest names

 

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

In 1984 it was suggested by John Stiles that midget auto racing establish a Hall of Fame and offered to promote the idea as part of his 500 lap midget race to be held at the Indianapolis Speedrome the idea was well received. At the time USAC historian Donald Davidson oversaw the project and a selection committee made up of some of auto racing’s greatest historians and officials was formed. The first ballot contained the names of twenty all time midget greats and was divided into two sections, the era from 1933-1955 and the era dating from 1956 to 1984. Five inductees from each division were selected by a point system to go onto the final ballot with two from each era being chosen for induction into the Hall of Fame.

With the death of several of the original induction committee members some of today’s top writers andhistorians have been added to those voting on membership into the Hall of Fame. The selection process has been revised over the years. Originally the candidates were selected for the ballot by nominations from the committee.  Under the present system, anyone may nominate an individual for the Candidates ballot which is the first round of voting by the committee. The ten getting the most points goes onto the next round of voting. Their names along with ten from the previous year’s ballot are added to the final ballot which contains twenty names. The four getting the most votes are the current year Inductees, fifth thru fourteenth carry over to the next year’s selection ballot.

In an effort to prevent situations in which one member might try to coerce others into voting for a particular person at a general round-table setting, no such gathering of voting members was ever called. Many of the committee members were not even aware of who else was on the panel. Even today, the names on the ballot for the Hall of Fame are not published.

It was not the desire to create an Oscar atmosphere where there are winners and losers. The goal and purpose is to preserve the history of the sport by inducting people who best reveal the many wonderful aspects of the sport of midget auto racing.

For the first fifteen years of operation, it was known as the AAA/USAC National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame;  In March of 1999 The National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame was incorporated in the State of Indiana as a notfor-profit organization.

The goal set for the Hall of Fame back in 1984 was the preservation of the history of the sport, and in the thirty-one years following the initial inductions that goal has been met, and membership into the Hall of Fame is considered by many to be the greatest award in midget racing.

 

 

31st Annual Induction Ceremony - January 16, 2015 Tulsa State Fairgrounds

Name ___________________________________________________________

Address _________________________________________________________

City __________________________ State ___________________ Zip_______

Phone ________________________ Cell ______________________________

Email ___________________________________________________________

Number of reservations @ $30 each ______ Total amount enclosed _________

Send check with order form to: NMARHoF

4967 W 12th Street

 Speedway, In 46224

kingdoodlebug@sbcglobal.net

317-697-2230

 

National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame

31st Annual Induction Ceremony

January 16, 2015

EXCHANGE CENTER

Tulsa State Fairgrounds

Directly North of the Expo Center and the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals

11:00 AM Registration 11:30 AM Buffet Luncheon 12:30 PM Induction Ceremony

Advance Reservations Only

Deadline for reservations December 31, 2014

$30 per person

 

National Midget Auto Racing Hall of members as of today, 211 names, including the new inductees:

 

Wayne Adams Fred Agabashian JC Agajanian Floyd Alvis George Amick Emil Andres Chuck Arnold Lloyd Axel Carl Badami Johnny Balch Johnny Baldwin Bobby Ball Henry Banks Bob Barker Bob Barkhimer Buzz Barton George Benson Gary Bettenhausen Tony Bettenhausen Billy Betteridge Gordon Betz Tom Bigelow George Bignotti George Binnie Billy Boat Tony Bonadies Al Bonnell Dan Boorse Johnny Boyd Don Branson Ken Brenn Sr Ken Brenneman Jimmy Bryan Frank Burany Marvin Burke Hank Butcher Vito Calia Don Cameron Foster Campbell Billy Cantrell Duane Carter Sr. Duane Carter Jr. 
Neal Carter Mike Caruso Danny Caruthers Doug Caruthers Jimmy Caruthers Ernie Casale Gordon Cleveland Johnny Coy Art Cross Charlie Curryer Jimmy Davies Dominic Distarce Pee Wee Distarce Kevin Doty Floyd Pop Dreyer Len Duncan Teddy Duncan Leigh Earnshaw Rex Easton  Chris Economaki Vic Edelbrock Don Edmunds Lanny Edwards Edgar Elder Ray Elliott Bill Engelhart Walt Faulkner Myron Fohr Carl Forberg Nick Fornoro Sr. Jack Fox Stan Fox AJ Foyt Jr. Joe Garson Fred Gerhardt Ernie Gesell Joe Giba Earl Gilmore Norm Girtz Jeff Gordon Andy Granatelli Cecil Green Bob Gregg Mike Gregg Perry Grimm Eddie Haddad Emmett Hahn Ted Halibrand Sam Hanks Mel Hansen Gene Hartley Ted Hartley Allen Heath Mack Hellings Ken Hickey Bob Higman Bill Hill Ron Hoettels Bill Holmes Pappy Hough Ron Householder Dave Humphrey Eddie Jackson Page Jones Parnelli Jones Dick Jordan  Don Kenyon Mel Kenyon Les Kimbrell Danny Kladis Ray Knepper Steve Knepper Paul Krueger Frank Kurtis Jud Larson Jason Leffler Roy Leslie Steve Lewis Gib Lilly Swede Lindskog Howard Linne Jack London Steve Lotshaw Carl Marchese  Chuck Marshall Johnny McDowell Mike McGreevy Harry McQuinn Don Meacham Fred Meeker Eddie Meyer Curley Mills Johnny Moorhouse Earl Motter Duke Nalon  Mike Nazaruk Ray Nichels Ed Normi Bob Nowicke Danny Oakes Fred Offenhauser Mike O’Halloran Kevin Olson Cowboy O’Rourke Alex Pabst Bob Pankratz Johnnie Parsons Johnny Parsons Johnny Pawl Jerry Piper Ralph Pratt Dave Randolph Norm Rapp Larry Rice Georgie Rice Ray Richards Dick Ritchie Johnny Ritter Chuck Rodee Lloyd Ruby Roy Russing Paul Russo Troy Ruttman Dutch Schafer Bill Schindler Gordon Schroeder  Joe Shaheen Bob Shannon Gene Shannon Roy Sherman Ron Shuman Jigger Sirois Bob Slater Jimmy Snyder Joe Sostilio Tony Stewart Dave Strickland Sr Bob Stroud Len Sutton Bob Swanson Paul Swedburg Ted Tappett Bob Tattersall  Shorty Templeman Johnny Thomson Johnnie Tolan Sleepy Tripp Harry Turner Jack Turner Bill Vandewater Rich Vogler Bill Vukovich Bill Vukovich Jr Rodger Ward Leroy Warriner Ed Watson Bob Wente Chuck Weyant Jim Whitman Bob Wilke Tony Willman Billy Wood Ashley Wright Crocky Wright Karl Young Gordy Youngstrom Wally Zale Bill Zaring 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Press Releases:

 

CBS Sports Network Returns World of Outlaws Racing to Primetime Spotlight on Sunday Evenings in December

 

Dec. 14, 2014

5 p.m. 
Eastern

Bad Boy Buggies World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte

 

Dec. 21, 2014

5 p.m. 
Eastern

Bad Boy Buggies World of Outlaws World Finals at The Dirt Track at Charlotte

 

 

 

 

 

News from the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek

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

For Immediate Release/Dec. 8, 2014

Andy Bachetti Recognized As Inaugural Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP Champion During Saturday’s I-88 Awards Banquet; Mike Mahaney Receives Dedication Award; Nick Nye Rookie Of The Year

ONEONTA, NY – On Saturday night, Andy Bachetti and crew were able to finally reflect on what they had accomplished in 2014.

Bachetti, the 38-year-old star driver from Sheffield, Mass., embarked on a new journey this past season: following the Short Track Super Series Fueled By VP. Bachetti ultimately won the Season Opener in April at the Orange County (N.Y.) Fair Speedway ‘Hard Clay Open’ and utilized consistency to earn the inaugural series championship.

While the series point fund, some $28,286.22 in cash plus contingencies, was paid out just days after the final race, the Short Track SuperNationals at I-88 (N.Y.) Speedway in October, Bachetti and his team were invited to participate in the I-88 Speedway Awards Banquet, held with more than 225 on hand Saturday at the Holiday Inn Oneonta, to celebrate their crown.

At the Awards Banquet, Bachetti received a custom championship trophy courtesy of S&W Awards of Lindley, N.Y., and an embroidered jacket from American Racer/Lias Tire and Bob Hilbert Sportswear.

Previously, Bachetti earned $10,014, the champion’s share of the point fund, a $500 certificate from Teo-Pro Car as the highest finisher of the chassis brand, a $250 certificate for use at Bob Hilbert Sportswear, a $300 Kirkey Racing Products certificate, $250 credits at COMP and Quarter Master, two cases of any XP Oil, a $200 certificate for ERK Steering Repair, a radiator from Art’s Radiator and two free FOX Shocks.

“We had our car at Motorsports (the pre-race industry show held in Oaks, Pa., each January) and that’s when we first talked to Brett (Deyo of BD Motorsports Media LLC, series organizer) about running the whole schedule,” Bachetti said. “We went to Middletown and won the first race in April, which got it all started. But after that, we went to a lot of tracks I hadn’t been to before.”

Bachetti finished every feature lap of the ’14 Short Track Super Series: all 310!

The driver known as the ‘Wild Child’ got the jump on the competition with his April Orange County triumph.

At Thunder Mountain (N.Y.) Speedway in May, Bachetti drove from deep in the starting field – 22nd – and finished a respectable eighth in his first visit to the Center Lisle three-eighths-mile facility. He maintained the point lead with his effort in the ‘Lightning on the Mountain’ 50-lap feature.

Perhaps Bachetti’s most impressive performance on the series took place at I-88 Speedway in the July ‘Crazy 8s Special’ 48-lap event. Bachetti started the main 21st, became entangled in a turn-two skirmish that sent him to the rear of the field on lap eight, and charged through the field to earn a runner-up finish to Danny Creeden.

“That race was big for us,” Bachetti said, reflecting on the ‘Crazy 8s Special’ comeback. “With Danny starting on the pole, then getting caught up in that deal at the beginning, we couldn’t have imagined getting back to second and gaining points.”

At Accord (N.Y.) Speedway in August, Bachetti led the race’s opening 22 laps, but lost brakes and faded back. He was able to salvage a 10th-place finish in the 52-lap ‘Battle of the Bullring 2’ special.

The worst finish of Bachetti’s season took place at Penn Can (Pa.) Speedway in the rain-postponed ‘Hot Summer Night’ special run on Sept. 9. He ended the 60-lap event in 12th-place. The Penn Can was ultimately Bachetti’s “drop race” on the series, as competitors were permitted to drop their worst finish in the first five.

Bachetti entered the Short Track SuperNationals at I-88 tied with rival Danny Johnson for the point lead. The outcome of the ‘Working Man’s Race’ 50-lap event would decide it all.

Bachetti, who had earned a redraw spot during the Friday portion of the weekend, ran a conservative race to finish sixth. Johnson, meanwhile, placed 14th and finished 33 points off Bachetti’s total.

“As the season went along, we put more and more focus on winning the series,” Bachetti said. “It ended up paying off for us.”

Bachetti said he would defend his series championship in ’15 and plans to compete in both the North and South Regions of the newly renamed Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek.

“This series got our team excited to travel again,” Bachetti said. “The schedule was reasonable. It’s a series where you can pay your expenses because the purses are so good. You can go to one of these shows, finish 10th and make a $1,000. Nobody goes to a race to finish 10th, but you have to look at the whole picture.

“I commend everyone involved with the series: we were treated very well by all the series and track officials. We met a lot of great people this year. The series will only get better and grow from here; I know I’m looking forward to an expanded schedule with some new tracks. We’re looking to be part of it for a long time.”

Two other drivers were honored during the evening.

The first Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek ‘Dedication Award’ was presented to Mike Mahaney for his unparalleled support of BD Motorsports Media LLC and the Short Track Super Series during the ’14 season.

Mahaney was the series’ iron man: he attended all six points-paying events, the ‘Dirty Jersey 2’ special at N.J.’s New Egypt Speedway in June, the ‘Beach Blast’ at Del.’s Georgetown Speedway in August, the affiliate Penn Can ‘King of the Can’ in October and the ‘Gobbler’ at Accord Speedway in November ultimately postponed by weather.

Mahaney was the only driver to hit all the events. In doing so, he traveled 3,151 miles from his home in King Ferry, N.Y.

To reward his commitment, Mahaney received a certificate for a free American Racer tire and a $150 credit toward the purchase of Hi-Tek Race Fuels or VP Racing Fuels.

“I appreciate the opportunity to race with a series that appreciates the racers and pays as well as this one does,” Mahaney, who finished seventh in the overall standings, said. “We’re looking forward to running with the series again next year.”

Nick Nye, a Sportsman standout turned Modified freshman, was recognized as the series Rookie of the Year. The Groton, N.Y., driver received $350 courtesy of Sleepy Hollow Golf Carts and Turf Equipment Sales, Service & Leasing of Greenfield Township, Pa.

The inaugural Short Track Super Series season was an overwhelming success with 153 different drivers attempting to qualify for at least one event and an average of 57 cars per event over the six-race series.

The Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek schedule was recently announced. The series kicks off its North Region at Orange County Fair Speedway Tuesday, April 7 (weather dates: April 8 and 9). The South Region opener is planned for Sunday, April 19 at N.J.’s Bridgeport Speedway (rain date: April 26).

To learn more about the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek, visit www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com, e-mail bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com or call 845.728.2781. BD Motorsports Media is on Facebook and on Twitter: @BrettDeyo.


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

 

 

Christmas:

 

Yes, it's getting closer and closer.  Here are some links to some websites that might interest you as far as gifts go:

Someone in your family a race driver?  If so, you might want to give this some thought - Insurance - http://www.stida.com/

 

Models & toys:

http://www.davesracing.com/

http://www.hotlapsracin.com/hotparts.htm

http://www.modelroundup.com/category-s/94.htm

 

Books, videos etc:

http://www.coastal181.com/

http://www.emmr.org/

 

Racing papers: 

http://aarn.com/ -A gift to someone for a years subscription is $51.00.  If you go for two gift subscriptions, then the second will cost $49.00

 

To see if you're a racer, or not:

http://speeddls.wix.com/ssspeedways-gokarts

 

Go-Kart stuff:

http://www.tbrwins.com/

 

This week’s photo:

 

If you recall, further up in this weeks column in "going back in time" I made mention of Bobby Santos winning the PRA Silver Crown race at the USA International Speedway, in Lakeland, Florida.  Here's a photo of him as he buckles into his car prior to some racing, there.  That race was also the first and last Silver Crown race for Travis Pastrana, who finished on the lead lap.

 

 

C:\Users\Dad\Pictures\Florida\Florida 022.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

Non racin' stuff:

 

You gotta read this cr*p:

 

Eric Holder believes all cops are racist, targets unconscious bias:

 

http://nypost.com/2014/12/07/eric-holder-believes-all-cops-are-racists-targets-unconscious-bias/

 

 

 

Looking for some work?

 

I’m just throwing this out there…

If you know someone in the Poughkeepsie area looking for a job, my company is looking for a part-timer right now. I need a back-up to work 20 hours per week, 40 when I’m off. The job also requires the person to be on-call during off hours. (5pm to 8am)

The job was posted on Indeed.com on the link below about 5 jobs down from the top under UPS – Warehouse Associate. 

http://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=&l=Poughkeepsie%2C+NY

The person would average between $400 to $700 a week depending on the volume of callouts per week.

I’m posting this and asking around because my back-up here is moving up to Albany in 4 weeks and I’ll be going on-call 24-7. If I can’t get a replacement trained and up to speed then I won’t be able to attend any racing at all in 2015 which will make me very, very unhappy. 

My back-up currently is on call most of the week. When on-call, we have to be within 20 minutes of the facility which would prevent me from going anywhere outside of this zip code. I can’t stand being on call regardless of how much money I can make. An example was last night…there were 5 callouts and the guy made $200.00 after we closed at 5pm. 

If this sounds fun and exciting to someone, then by all means, have them apply for the job and they can have all the fun they want making easy money. I on the other hand, don’t need the money and would like a life outside of work. 

 

Above was posted by Jeff Lambert. 

http://jeffersonlambert.weebly.com/

 

 

 

 

Funny how some things just seem to disappear, isn't it?  Like Ebola?

 

 

Quite a while ago, I had ordered a prescription from a Canadian firm.  It was sent to me from India.  On Wednesday, 12/10/14, while watching the news, it's being said that a good amount of the drugs we use today come from CHINA.  WTF?  Yes, some of them were not quite what we could call "safe".

 

 

 

 

Doctors face steep Medicaid cuts as fee boost ends

 

http://news.yahoo.com/doctors-face-steep-medicaid-cuts-fee-boost-ends-210044713--finance.html

 

 

 

 

This weeks joke:

 

 

 Remember Nine Important Facts to Remember as We Grow Older:


Number 9 
 -  Death is the number 1 killer in the world.

 

 Number 8 
 -  Life is sexually transmitted

 

. Number 7 
 -  Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.

 

 Number 6 
 -  Men have two emotions:  hungry and horny, and they can't tell them
 apart.   If you see a gleam in his eyes, make him a sandwich.

 

 Number 5 
 -  Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day.  Teach a person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks, months, maybe years

 

. Number 4 
-  Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in the hospital, dying of nothing. 

 

Number 3 
-  All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.

 

 Number 2 

 -  In the 60's, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird, and people take Prozac to make it normal

 

. Number 1 

 -  Life is like a jar of jalapeno peppers.  What you do today might burn your ass tomorrow.  ...and as someone recently said to me: Don't worry about old age; it doesn't last that long. 

 

 

 

 

Until my next column – next week

Note:  Chances are that next weeks column will be the last until the beginning of 2015.

 

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/

 

 

 

As usual, I can always be reached via email at ygordad@yahoo.com