Mostly Racin' Stuff  

By Tom Avenengo  

Volume # 212

02/12/2015

 

Some personal/family stuff:

 

Not too much to report on this week.  This past Monday I did go to the VA clinic to get my hearing aids.  Now, just patiently waiting until Feb 19th when my sons Tom & Eric fly down from NY for a few days.  Just hoping  "Mother Nature" doesn't throw a monkey wrench in their travel plans.

 

Oh, the hearing aids?  They work great.  Lots more to them than I thought - like cleaning, making sure the "Red" one goes in my right ear and "Blue" one in my left.  Where to send to get batteries - lotsa stuff to keep me on my toes.

 

 

Racin’ stuff:

 

Racing is picking up now, down here in Florida.  The northern invasions is about to start, and Daytona is right around the corner.  I won't be going to Volusia for the modifieds on Friday, the 20th, but am planning on going to East Bay on the 28th for the USAC sprints.

 

 

HOW OLD IS “OLD ENOUGH?”

 

http://www.sprintcarinsider.com/news/old-old-enough/

 

Racing and kids - an interesting read.

 

 

NASCAR: Jay Robinson buys Tommy Baldwin Racing’s No. 36 team, re-numbers to No. 62

 

http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/06/nascar-jay-robinson-buys-tommy-baldwin-racings-no-36-team-re-numbers-to-no-62/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs

Robin Miller on Don Branson

 

http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/113333-racer-robin-miller-on-don-branson

 

 

ARCA and FOX Sports announce multi-year broadcast agreement

http://www.arcaracing.com/articles/1993896-arca-and-fox-sports-announce-multi-year-broadcast-agreement

 

 

OCFS:

 

I see that OCFS is making another attempt to have racing for 4 cylinder cars again.  If I remember correctly, when they first tried it, only one showed up.  Kinda like the Trucks at OC.  Maybe instead of looking for extra "back gate" monies, they should spruce the whole place up, get more food concessions other than Maxwell's (prob can't do that), put clay down on the track (too late for this season) and do some damn advertising?  Remember when most every store had racing posters in their windows?   Just wondering - the Motocross track - how much money does it bring in, and does any of it go towards the oval track?

 

 

 

Accord non wing class:

 

http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/index.php?/topic/52947-accord-non-wing-class/

 

In the link supplied, it has this:

"Right now plans call for Accord to run them weekly and New Egypt to campaign them on a bi-weekly basis. New Egypt and Accord will pay $1000 to win as long as there is a full field of cars competing."

 

Question:  Just what is a "full field of cars competing", anyway?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back in time:

 

From February 16th to February 25th:

 

FEBRUARY 16 

1906

Fred Wagner , the starter of the race, waved what is believed to be the first checkered flag used to signify the finish of an auto race as Louis Wagner was about to win the 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Race.

1920

Walt Faulkner... Born 

 

2005

Russ Klar ... Died

Note:  Some photos of Russ are in this weeks photo section.  He was a favorite of my late wife, and also one of my favorite drivers. 

 

2008

Jerry Karl ... Died

 

 

FEBRUARY 17 

 

1925

Colby Scroggin ... Born

 

1987

Frank Kurtis ... Died .

A little about Frank Kurtis:  http://www.wheelsofspeed.com/report/2_17_87-1.html

 

 

 

FEBRUARY 18 

1928

Jim McElreath ... Born

 

1962

Scott Kalitta ... Born

 

1976

Jimmy Kite ... Born 

 

2001

Dale Earnhardt, Sr.... Died

 

 

FEBRUARY 19 

 

1921

Ernie McCoy... Born

 

 

FEBRUARY 20 

 

1934

Bobby Unser ... Born

 

1937

Roger S. Penske ... Born

 

1959

Scott Brayton ... Born 

 

Daytona Beach ... The first races on the 2.5 mile Daytona International Speedway took place, twin 100 mile qualifiers for the first 'Daytona 500'.

 

2008

Buster Warke... Died

 

 

FEBRUARY 21 

 

1964

Daytona ... Dodges and Plymouths equipped with the new hemi engine dominated the twin 100 mile NASCAR GN qualifying races at Daytona International Speedway. 

 

1965

Jean Marcenac ... Died 

 

 

FEBRUARY 22 

 

1911

Emil Andres ... Born

 

1920

Ray Knepper ... Born

 

1921

Marshall Teague... Born 

 

 

FEBRUARY 23 

 

1958

Paul Goldsmith wins the final NASCAR race held on the beach at Daytona, Florida 

 

1964

Richard Petty won his first NASCAR Daytona 500.

 

 

FEBRUARY 24 

 

1938

Connie Kalitta... Born 

 

1955

Alain Prost... Born

 

 

FEBRUARY 25 

 

1961

Davey Allison ... Born

 

2001

Alfred "Pee Wee" Southcott ... Died 

 

From Jayski:

http://www.jayski.com/

 

Sprint Unlimited info:

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

 

 

BK Racing to announce driver of #26, Jeb Burton: 

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team BK Racing will hold a press conference announcing both the driver and primary sponsor of the #26 Toyota Camry followed by Q&A session on Monday, February, 9 at 11:00am/et at the NASCAR Hall of Fame Great Hall (BK Racing).
Hearing that Jeb Burton, so of Ward Burton, could be the driver of the #26. Burton ran the truck series in 2014 in the #13 ThorSport Racing Toyota with Estes as the sponsor. Burton was supposed to return to the team but the sponsor and team couldn't reach an agreement, so Burton is looking for a ride.(2-8-2015)


UPDATE: 

BK Racing is set to announce Monday that Jeb Burton will join the team full-time as a Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2015 and beyond. Burton is scheduled to replace Cole Whitt as the driver of the #26 Toyota for team owner Ron Devine, starting with his Sprint Cup debut in the season-opening Daytona 500. Team co-owner Anthony Marlowe confirmed the move Sunday afternoon to NASCAR.com, saying that it has signed a multiyear agreement with the 22-year-old driver. A formal announcement is scheduled Monday morning at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Burton is scheduled to be joined at Monday's news conference by his father, Ward Burton, who will assist BK Racing as a driving coach and team ambassador.(NASCAR.com)(2-8-2015)


UPDATE 2: 

Jeb Burton has signed with BK Racing for the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Season, as the driver of the #26 Toyota Camry. Jeb Burton, the son of Daytona 500 Champion Ward Burton, will be competing in his first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season as a Rookie of the Year Contender. Twenty-two year old Burton has had a great start to his racing career with one Camping World Truck Series win, seven Top 5's, nineteen Top 10's and seven Coors Light Pole awards. After finishing in the Top 10 55% of the time in the trucks series, and sitting on the pole 14% of the time, Burton looks to make an unforgettable debut in the top series in motorsports, starting February 22nd Daytona. BK Racing Co-Owner, Anthony Marlowe commented on Jeb Burton joining the team, "We are very lucky to have a great, young talented driver like Jeb Burton in one of our NASCAR Sprint Cup cars. It was important for us to find full-time anchor drivers for this season that are experienced and team-oriented. Jeb's success in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series along with his family's history in the sport makes his emergence into Cup a great story. The story, which also includes having a strong shot at winning Sunoco Rookie of the Year in 2015, has already proven to be very marketable. I look forward to seeing Jeb behind the wheel of the #26 Toyota Camry very soon. I think he is going to do great in the Daytona 500."
"I am so thankful for the opportunity that BK Racing has given me," Jeb commented. "It has been a dream of mine to race in the Daytona 500 ever since I was 9 years old and I stood with my Dad in victory lane. I remember thinking to myself then in 2002, I would like to win the 500 one day. Now I have a chance at making that dream come true. I am looking forward to making the 500, providing the best possible finish I can by running and racing hard every lap this season. I also look forward to competing for the 2015 title of Rookie of the Year. Each week, I will be concentrating on finishing on the lead lap and learning as much as possible." Additionally, Ward Burton will be a team ambassador for BK Racing and join Jeb in select appearances throughout the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Season.(BK Racing)(2-9-2015)

 

 

Driscoll email called for psy-ops war to manipulate media: 

As #14-Tony Stewart, coped last year with the most tragic accident ever to happen to him, Patricia Driscoll, the woman now accusing ex-boyfriend and NASCAR driver, #41-Kurt Busch, of domestic abuse, boasted her training in psychological warfare was needed to help Stewart's public relations team manipulate and control the media, according to an email obtained by Kickin' the Tires. "I am writing you because what little know about me you may not know that I have a background in Psychological Operations," Driscoll wrote, in an email dated Aug. 12, 2014. "Part of my training and skill set is to break down large issues and be able to convince large and small groups of people to do what you want. I've worked in countries all over the world waging not only physical wars but mental wars, and I've helped get a lot of Congressman save their jobs when they did some stupid and not so legal things."(see full article atKickinTheTires)(2-11-2015)

 

Note:  Hmmm, this might just add a big plus to Kurt's defense?

 

 

Aurora, Colorado considering change that could help racetrack developers: 

An Aurora racetrack has been unthinkable for years thanks to a rule that prohibits the city from offering financial incentives to a racetrack developer. That could finally change. The ordinance, which dates back to 1999, does the city no favors, says Councilwoman Sally Mounier. That's why she is proposing a referendum for the 2016 election that would ask Aurora voters to repeal the rule. Mounier said she's not motivated to put the issue on the ballot because she's been approached by a developer about a potential raceway in the city. "I'm doing this because I think it's the right thing to do, and the timing seems to be right," she says. "I think the (city) charter is not a place to discriminate against a particular business." She introduced the idea at city council's Management and Finance committee meeting Jan. 28 where it was unanimously approved by city council committee members. In 1999, a citizen group named Concerned Residents Against Speedway Havoc was successful in convincing voters to pass a November ballot initiative preventing the city from providing "indirect or direct subsidies" to any type of motor racetrack. "Those things are just huge, expensive to build," said Mayor Steve Hogan of the hundreds of millions of dollars needed to build speedways on the scale of the Indianapolis 500. "At some point in time if there were a serious proposal to get something like that into the area, it would be nice for Aurora to be able to cooperate with other interests to make it happen rather than saying we've got the land, but we can't help you. I think most council members then and now understand that if there ever were to be a NASCAR facility in the metro area, the best place would be on the east side of the metro area, and that's Aurora," he said. The International Speedway Corp., which owns and operates numerous NASCAR tracks across the country, announced in 2007 its intent to build a racetrack in the Denver area. Aurora became one of the likely candidates, with a parcel near the High Point development in far north Aurora near Denver International Airport, and another east of that site near Watkins. That project never came to fruition because of the economic downturn.(Aurora Sentinel)(2-10-2015)

Note:  I'm for a new track as long as another track doesn't lose a date and the new track is not a "Cookie Cutter" mile and a half.  We need some smaller racks, like Richmond, Bristol or Martinsville.

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Track Forum:

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

 

Daytona starts this week, full TV schedule:

 

All times ET


Monday, February 9
5 p.m., NASCAR America, NBC Sports Network
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FOX Sports 1
6:30 p.m., NASCAR Gridiron Challenge (re-air), NBC Sports Network
7 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub (re-air), FOX Sports 2


Tuesday, February 10
11 a.m., Continental Tire Sportscar Challenge: Daytona International Speedway (re-air), FOX Sports 1
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FOX Sports 1
6:30 p.m., NASCAR America, NBC Sports Network
7 p.m., NASCAR Gridiron Challenge (re-air), NBC Sports Network
7 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub (re-air), FOX Sports 2
8 p.m., The Day: Daytona Primetime (re-air), FOX Sports 2
8 p.m., NASCAR America: Celebrate the States 1 (re-air), NBC Sports Network
8:30 p.m., NASCAR America: Celebrate the States 2 (re-air), NBC Sports Network
9 p.m., 2014 Daytona 500 (re-air), FOX Sports 2
9 p.m., NASCAR America: Celebrate the States 3 (re-air), NBC Sports Network
9:30 p.m., NASCAR America: Celebrate the States 4 (re-air), NBC Sports Network
10 p.m., NASCAR Gridiron Challenge (re-air), NBC Sports Network
10:30 p.m., The 10: Daytona Moments (re-air), FOX Sports 2
11 p.m., 2014 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race (re-air), FOX Sports 2
11 p.m., The List: Greatest Finishes (re-air), NBC Sports Network
11:30 p.m., The List: Memorable Moments (re-air), NBC Sports Network
Midnight, 100,000 Cameras: NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race (re-air), FOX Sports 2
12:30 a.m., The 10: Wildest Throwdowns (re-air), FOX Sports 2
1 a.m., The Day: Remembering Dale Earnhardt (re-air), FOX Sports 2


Wednesday, February 11
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub, FOX Sports 1
6:30 p.m., NASCAR America, NBC Sports Network
7 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub (re-air), FOX Sports 2


Thursday, February 12
9 a.m.-1 p.m., DAYTONA 500 Media Day, FOX Sports 1
5 p.m., NASCAR America, NBC Sports Network
5 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub: DAYTONA 500 Media Day, FOX Sports 1
7 p.m., NASCAR 2015: A New Era (re-air), FOX Sports 1
8 p.m., The Day: Daytona Primetime (re-air), FOX Sports 1
11 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub: DAYTONA 500 Media Day (re-air), FOX Sports 2
1 a.m., NASCAR 2015: A New Era (re-air), FOX Sports 2
3 a.m., NASCAR Race Hub: DAYTONA 500 Media Day (re-air), FOX Sports 1
5 a.m., NASCAR 2015: A New Era (re-air), FOX Sports 1


Friday, February 13
10 a.m., The Day: Daytona Primetime (re-air), FOX Sports 1
11 a.m., NASCAR Race Hub: DAYTONA 500 Media Day (re-air), FOX Sports 1
5 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Practice: Sprint Unlimited, FOX Sports 1
6 p.m., NASCAR America, NBC Sports Network
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Weekend Edition, FOX Sports 1
6:30 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Final Practice: Sprint Unlimited, FOX Sports 1
7:30 p.m., A Perfect Storm: The 1979 DAYTONA 500, FOX Sports 1
8:30 p.m., 1979 DAYTONA 500, FOX Sports 1
3 a.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Practice: Sprint Unlimited (re-air), FOX Sports 1
4 a.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Final Practice: Sprint Unlimited (re-air), FOX Sports 1
5 a.m., The Day: Daytona Primetime (re-air), FOX Sports 1


Saturday, February 14
10 a.m., 1979 DAYTONA 500 (re-air), FOX Sports 1
10:30 a.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Practice: DAYTONA 500, FOX Sports 1
12:30 p.m., Empty Cup: Quest for the 1992 NASCAR Championship (re-air), FOX Sports 2
1 p.m., 1979 DAYTONA 500 (re-air), FOX Sports 2
1:30 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Practice: DAYTONA 500, FOX Sports 2
3 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Practice: DAYTONA 500 (Simulcast), FOX Sports 1
3:30 p.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Weekend Edition, FOX Sports 1
6 p.m., NASCAR Race Day, FOX Sports 1
8 p.m., Sprint Unlimited, FOX
11 p.m., NASCAR Victory Lane, FOX Sports 2
11:30 p.m., The 10: Daytona Moments (re-air), FOX Sports 2


Sunday, February 15
9:30 a.m., A Perfect Storm: The 1979 DAYTONA 500 (re-air), FOX Sports 1
11 a.m., NASCAR Race Hub: Weekend Edition, FOX Sports 1
1 p.m., NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying, FOX
9 p.m., NASCAR DAYTONA 500 Pole Day, FOX Sports 1
10 p.m., A Perfect Storm: The 1979 DAYTONA 500 (re-air), FOX Sports 1
3 a.m., Sprint Unlimited (re-air), FOX Sports 1
4:30 a.m., NASCAR DAYTONA 500 Pole Day (re-air), FOX Sports 1
5:30 a.m., FOX Sports 1 on 1: Kevin Harvick (re-air), FOX Sports 1

 

Not listed but usually a good event to watch is the ARCA race, February 14 at 4:15 EST.

 

 

From the Dirt Track Digest Forum:

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

 

DEYO and DIRT....talking!!!!!

 

http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/index.php?/topic/52935-deyo-and-dirttalking/

 

 

ROC Tour Schedule

 

http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/index.php?/topic/52934-roc-tour-schedule/

 

 

Short Track Super Series Standard Operating Procedures Posted For 2015

 

 

http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/index.php?/topic/52944-short-track-super-series-standard-operating-procedures-posted-for-2015/

 

Rules and standard operating procedures for the 2015 Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek have been released and posted. The season opener at Orange County Fair Speedway on April 7 is just 55 days away!

 

Complete information can be found at the links below:

 

Bob Hilbert Sportswear North Region: http://bdmotorsports...-Procedures.pdf

 

Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. South Region: http://bdmotorsports...-Procedures.pdf

 

The Short Track Super Series can now be accessed on the web at www.shorttracksuperseries.com orwww.bdmotorsportsmedia.com. Like "Short Track Super Series" on Facebook or @ShortTrackSS on Twitter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

From the AARN:

 

This week in the AARN:

 

Andy Belmont Heading Back To Daytona For ARCARace As Crew Chief

 

NASCAR Announces Huge Regional TV Package; Mods, K&N To Benefit

 

Undefeated Kerry Madsen Runs Roughshod In Tony Stewart’s All Star Sprint Series

 

Waterford Speedbowl’s Season Is Back On Track After New Owner Finally Closes Deal

 

Maryland’s Historic Cumberland Fairgrounds To Run Again In 2015

 

Warren Alston Named As VMRSModified Series Race Director

 

No Repeat Winners In Georgia WoO, Lucas Oil Races

 

Seymour’s Racers Expo Is Big Hit For Exhibitors, Attendees

 

WRG Hires Perrotte To DIRTcar Management Post

 

RoC Dirt Series Sets Eleven Race Sched In Is Eleventh Season.

 

And, some stuff I picked up via the Digital version on the Internet:

Bruce Bemer is the new owner of the Waterford Speedbowl.  His intentions are to have weekly racing.

 

Armin Hostetter, founder of Motorama and Trail Way Speedway, passed away on January 29th at the age of 87.

 

Former OVRP Dirt Oval runner Johnny Illanovsky has started up a modified program to go along with his sportsman car.  Sponsorship via Smokers Choice came with a connection with one of his places of employment - the Monticello Motor Club, where he's an instructor.  Danny Creeden will drive the modified.

Note:  Guess those talks Danny had at the AARN's Motor Sports show, with Dieter Schmidt, didn't turn out in Danny's favor?

 

Lincoln Speedway in PA is scheduled to open on February 21st.

 

NBC SN has 39 races for NASCAR's K&N and Whelen Modified tours.

Note:  Wonder why dirt races can't get such a deal?

 

Tom Deery and Brett Deyo met at the AARN's Motor Sports Show and they began a conversation that extended days later, by phone.  Conversations were friendly.  They agreed to talk in the future regarding scheduling and other needed items that will end the "Cold War" between Deyo and DIRTcar.

 

New England now has four different Midget Series - two on dirt & two on pavement.

NEMA (regular midgets & NEMA Lites) on pavement

USAC Dirt Midget Association

POWRi Outlaw Midgets (at Accord on 10/3)

Wicked Cool Midget Series - on pavement.  A group that has broken away from NEMA Lites.

Note:  Back in the last week of July in 1948, here in the northeast, there were more than 30 midget races run that week.

 

Some up-coming indoor events:

2/10 - 2/15:  NEPA Race Car Mall Show - Laurel Mall in West Hazleton, PA

2/22-2/28:  Reding Racing and Reunion & Car Show - Fairgrounds Mall - Reading

2/27-3/1:  Southern Tier Speedworld - Oakdale Mall - Johnson City, NY

3/1-3/7:  IRCO Dirt Track Heroes Racing Show - Phillipsburg Mall - Phillipsburg NJ

3/14 & 3/15:  Motor Sports Expo Show - NY Fairgrounds - Syracuse, NY

 

 

 

Found on the South Jersey Dirt Racing Forum:

 

Dave Blaney set fast time during the WoO practice session at Volusia last night. Turned a lap of 12.724, which converts to an average speed of 141 MPH. He's in the Heinke-Baldwin sprinter. Those boys are flyin'!

 

Note:  Maybe a tad too fast?  Hard to pass at those speeds.  Personally, I think you'd see better RACING minus the wings.

 

 

 

 

On Facebook  - racing related:

 

To be honest, I've been quite skeptical on what's been going on with the "new" owners or Rolling Wheels.  Lots of contests and an apparent award of prizes.  Here is what one "prize winner" had to say, this past Monday:

 

"Dear Rolling Wheels Speedway. ...Real professional to ban me from your page when I did nothing wrong but called a spade a spade. The racing public is getting sick of your lies and your promises that you don't hold true to. You have promised myself and many others the "prizes" that we have won and never received ! Where was the number that we were told would be out this am for us to call? Oh I get it it's easier to just ban people from your page then giving them what they have coming. Enjoy keeping my "prizes " that I allegedly won because I'll make sure I keep my money out of your hands and spend it at other racetracks that appreciate the public!!!!

 

Note:  There are some real nice groups on Facebook that are devoted to racing, such as:

 

Tommy Hinnershitz

Islip Speedway

History of Stock Car racing

NEMA Midgets

USAC Silver Crown - from beginning to today

NEMA Legends

Back in the with ARDC Midgets

ARDC Midgets

North East Auto Racing photos & memories

Dirt Modifieds 1980's - East Coast

United Racing Club

Just to name some of them

 

 

 

 

Press Releases:

 

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                          FEBRUARY 9, 2015

DICK JORDAN                                                                                                                                                    

DARLAND SETS SIGHTS ON #23 AT OCALA FEB. 19-21;

HINES CONTINUES TO CHALLENGE ALL-TIME RECORD

 

 

            Dave Darland of Lincoln, Ind., whose USAC resume sets him apart from nearly every driver who ever sat in a race car, continues his quest to extend a remarkable USAC record when the 2015 USAC National season opens Feb. 19-20-21 at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla.

 

            "Winter Games VI" unfolds at Ocala and concludes Feb. 26-27-28 at East Bay Raceway Park in Gibsonton, Fla. and the AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car races offer Darland the opportunity to extend a record which is simply amazing.

 

            Darland earned his initial USAC National feature victory in 1993 at the "Tony Hulman Classic" in Terre Haute, Ind. and he's added at least one feature victory in each of the subsequent 21 seasons! That surpassed the record of 21 consecutive years established by A.J. Foyt (1959-1979) and Mel Kenyon (1962-1982).

 

            Darland also is eyeing a significant 100th USAC National victory in 2015. He has 97 entering the season openers (30 Midgets, 53 Sprints and 14 Silver Crown), his 53rd Sprint victory surpassing Tom Bigelow's all-time mark of 52 last year.

 

            Darland's 2015 season debuted with a trio of USAC Southwest/West Coast "special events" in Arizona which produced a pair of seconds and a third. He will again pilot the Phillips Motorsports entries in the 2015 AMSOIL National Sprint campaign, but this time with additional support from long-time USAC car owner Mike Curb.

 

            "There are lots of reasons why I've been able to put this streak together," says Dave about the possibility of reaching the #23 milestone. "I had no intentions in 1993 of ever being able to achieve this, but I've been fortunate to have quality cars and teams and I continue to have that. Having the additional support of Mike Curb and Cary Agajanian in 2015 will be important to the team and we hope we can continue to make USAC history together. It'll be great to join the likes of Rich Vogler, A.J. Foyt and Mel Kenyon in the 100-win club and I'd like to get there as soon as possible. I not only feel good about my past, but certainly look forward to the future as we continue to seek success."

 

            Darland is not the only driver on a consecutive victory streak. Tracy Hines of New Castle, Ind. has 19 consecutive years of scoring at least one USAC National win and would like to increase that streak to 20 during the 2015 openers. Hines' all-time National total stands at 91 (35 Midgets, 47 Sprints and 9 Silver Crown). The 47 Sprint wins rank third behind Darland and Bigelow.

 

            A total of 40 tracks in 14 different states are included in the Darland USAC victory list, which also includes eight "regional" race wins in addition to his 97 Nationals.

 

 

--USAC--

 

 

 

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/Feb. 9, 2015

 

Laurel, Del.’s Scotty’s Speed & Diesel Signs On As Presenting Sponsor Of 2015 Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. South Region; Bridgeport Speedway ‘South Jersey Shootout’ Sunday, April 19 Kicks Off 2015 South Region Point Battle

 

LAUREL, DE - As a racer, Scott Van Gorder made plans to compete on the 2015 Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. South Region schedule.

 

As a businessman, he desired more involvement.

 

Van Gorder’s business, Scotty’s Speed & Diesel of Laurel, Del., has signed on as presenting sponsor of the series’ Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. South Region, a five-race schedule set to kick off Sunday, April 19 (rain date: April 26) with the ‘South Jersey Shootout’ at N.J.’s Bridgeport Speedway.

 

The big-block/small-block Modified series also visits Big Diamond (Pa.) Speedway May 5, New Egypt (N.J.) Speedway June 11, Delaware International Speedway Aug. 4 and Georgetown (Del.) Speedway Sept. 1. A $19,800 point fund has been posted, with the champion receiving a minimum of $7,500 and $750 reserved for the 10th-place finisher. A number of product and contingency bonuses will be distributed, as well.


Each race on the series offers a minimum of $5,000 to win, with $1,000 reserved for 10th and $400 to take the green flag.

 

Located at 311 Maryland Avenue Laurel, DE 19956, Scotty’s Speed & Diesel is a multi-faceted automotive business boasting 30 years of experience. Scotty’s Speed & Diesel services all vehicles from light-duty cars to heavy duty trucks, including routine maintenance, and engine and transmission repair. Scotty’s Speed & Diesel also works with machinery and tractors.

 

On the ‘speed’ side of the business, Scotty’s Speed & Diesel offers a complete line of oval-track speed equipment, ranging from safety equipment to hardcore engine components. Scotty’s Speed & Diesel is an authorized dealer for Bicknell Racing Products, Bert Transmissions and Winters Performance. Body mounts, bumpers and rubrails are always in stock. Shortly, an engine dyno service will be in place on site, as well.

 

To contact Scotty’s Speed & Diesel, call the office at 302.280.5634, mobile phone at 732.921.6667 or like “Scotty’s Speed & Diesel” on Facebook.

 

Van Gorder, celebrating his 25th season in the sport, will chase Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. South Region points, in addition to entering select Bob Hilbert Sportswear North Region events while racing regularly at Delaware International Speedway. Van Gorder has earmarked the dates (June 28 and Sept. 13) of the North Region events at Thunder Mountain Speedway in Center Lisle, N.Y. It is a facility he considers among his favorites.

 

“I’m looking forward to getting exposure for my business, not only in Delaware, but throughout the South Region,” Van Gorder said. “I’m hoping we can build some interest in our speed shop and services. I know I’m looking forward to running in these shows myself, too. They’re good-paying races.”

 

To learn more about the Short Track Super Series or BD Motorsports Media, visitwww.shortttracksuperseries.com or www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com, call 845.728.2781 or e-mailbdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com “Like” Short Track Super Series on Facebook or follow @ShortTrackSS on Twitter.

The Short Track Super Series is presented by Hi-Tek Race Fuels, American Racer/Lias Tire, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc., ECS Auto Stores Inc./East Coast Speed, Scotty’s Speed & Diesel, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Dirt Track Digest, Hig Fab Chassis, Bicknell Racing Products, Teo-Pro Car, FOX Shocks, Fast Axle, Henry’s Stainless Steel Exhaust, Kirkey Race Products, Simplicity Designs, ATL Fuel Cells and many other fine marketing  partners.

Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek 2015 Schedule

Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. South Region Presented By Scotty’s Speed & Diesel
Sunday, April 19 (Rain Date: April 26) – Bridgeport Speedway/Bridgeport, NJ: South Jersey Shootout
Tuesday, May 5 (Rain Date: May 6) – Big Diamond Speedway/Minersville, PA (Combo): Anthracite Assault
Thursday, June 11 (Rain Date: June 15) – New Egypt Speedway/New Egypt, NJ: Dirty Jersey 3 - $10,000 to win!
Tuesday, Aug. 4 (Rain Date: Aug. 5) – Delaware International Speedway/Delmar, DE – Diamond State 50
Tuesday, Sept. 1 (Rain Date: Sept. 2) – Georgetown Speedway/Georgetown, DE – Beach Blast 2
Championship Points

Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. South Region Point Fund (*based on 5 events): 1. $7,500; 2. $3,000; 3. $2,250; 4. $1,500; 5. $1,250; 6. $1,000; 7. $900; 8. $850; 9. $800; 10. $750.  

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

 

 

 

At times, I get nice/surprising emails:

 

On Sunday, February 8, 2015 3:05 PM, Dick Berggren <dberggren80@gmail.com> wrote:

 

"Good afternoon, Tom:
    The book “A History of Auto Racing in New England” has been a huge hit. We’re still a bit over $10,000 from break-even but are hopeful that we’ll make it.
    We’d like to get three copies signed by every contributing author including you. One would go to the museum, another would be auctioned off to benefit the museum and the third would be auctioned off to benefit Speedway Children’s Charities. For those living remove from New England, we ask for an address where we can send the three books, then provide an address where you would send them to the next person to sign. We will absorb shipping costs, of course.
    Where can we send the three copies for you to sign?
-Dick Berggren"

 

It has to have been at least a year ago when I was asked if I'd be interested in writing up something for the book and museum about the ARDC Midget racing in the New England area.  I was put in contact with Dr. Dick Berggren, sent him some of the ARDC's New England history and some photos, too.  Basically, most of what I sent is in the book.  Kinda makes me somewhat proud that I was asked, ya know?

 

 

 

 

 

 

This week’s photo:

 

Note:  photos can only be seen if you go to the New England Tractor website.

http://newenglandtractor.com/racereport/

 

As I said above, some Russ Klar photos:

 

C:\Users\Dad\Pictures\Russ Klar - cockpit.jpg

 

C:\Users\Dad\Pictures\Russ in # 9.jpg

 

C:\Users\Dad\Pictures\Russ in the Traylor # 4.jpg

 

 

 

 

This weeks video:

 

Darrell Waltrip at National prayer breakfast

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9vnv9D9qIVY

 

 

 

 

Non racin' stuff:

 

Sports teams - yeah, I have some favorites.  Mostly, lately, they've been losers.  The NJ Giants & Jets, the Mets.  I don't follow hockey or NBA men's basketball.  I do, however, have one favorite winning team - the UCON Women's Basketball team.  The other day, they, being ranked # 2, and had to play against South Carolina - ranked # 1.

I posted this, on Facebook:

"Well, I guess that kinda kicks "ratings" in the butt, huh? South Carolina (#1) was no match for the UCON women (#2) tonight. Final score 87-62"

 

 

Brian Williams:

A few years ago, when the wife and I lived in Port Jervis, NY, our late afternoon TV time was watching "The Five" on FOX.  At 6:00, we would change over to NBC to watch Brian Williams and his news reporting.  One day, on "The Five", one of the main topics was Benghazi.  When we switched over to NBC, I told my wife that if Williams made no mention of Benghazi, I would no longer watch his show.  He made no mention.  I haven't watched him since. 

Now, we come to find out that, at times, he seems to have "fudged" a little on his news reports - especially things that concerned him.

NBC has suspended him, without pay, for six months.  Wanna bet he doesn't come back?

 

 

 

On Facebook on 2/10/15:

 

Allen West
I offer my sincere condolences to the family of young American Kayla Mueller who it is now confirmed has been killed while held hostage by ISIS. Sadly I have only one question of President Obama, John Kerry, Susan Rice, Valerie Jarrett and the progressive socialist ilk – what will it take? America, we don’t have two years to endure this group of amateurs who continue to dismiss the enemy choosing to fight climate change instead. The time for Chamberlains has ended, no more talk about random acts of violence or insidious moral equivalency proclamations. The group President Obama defined as a JV team a year ago has grown from 3,000 to almost 50,000 and there is no end in sight to their savage brutality. In the past few days we've how a leader responds to ISIS and their barbarism – King Abdullah of Jordan. How will our community organizer respond? Perhaps another lecture about the Crusades or another empty rhetorical statement, followed by a round of golf? Kayla was killed by Islamic terrorists, who need to be killed.

 

 

 

New Maine Bill Would Limit What Welfare Recipients May Purchase With Food Stamps
Read more at http://www.westernjournalism.com/new-maine-bill-limit-welfare-recipients-may-purchase-food-stamps/#GfCC0T56jhkuqtrl.99

 

 

 

This weeks joke:

 

FOR THOSE WHO LOVE THE PHILOSOPHY OF AMBIGUITY,

AS WELL AS THE  IDIOSYNCRASIES OF ENGLISH: 

1. DON'T SWEAT THE PETTY THINGS AND DON'T PET THE SWEATY THINGS.
 
2. ONE TEQUILA, TWO TEQUILA, THREE TEQUILA, FLOOR.
 
3. ATHEISM IS A NON-PROPHET ORGANIZATION.
 
4. IF MAN EVOLVED FROM MONKEYS AND APES, WHY DO WE STILL HAVE MONKEYS AND APES?
 
5. THE MAIN REASON THAT SANTA IS SO JOLLY IS BECAUSE HE KNOWS WHERE ALL THE BAD GIRLS LIVE.
 
6. I WENT TO A BOOKSTORE AND ASKED THE SALESWOMAN, "WHERE'S THE SELF- HELP SECTION?" SHE SAID IF SHE TOLD ME, IT WOULD DEFEAT THE PURPOSE.
 
7. WHAT IF THERE WERE NO HYPOTHETICAL QUESTIONS?
 
8. IF A DEAF CHILD SIGNS SWEAR WORDS, DOES HIS MOTHER WASH HIS HANDS WITH SOAP?
 
9. IF SOMEONE WITH MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES THREATENS TO KILL HIMSELF, IS IT CONSIDERED A HOSTAGE SITUATION?
 
10. IS THERE ANOTHER WORD FOR SYNONYM?
 
11. WHERE DO FOREST RANGERS GO TO "GET AWAY FROM IT ALL?" 
 
12. WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU SEE AN ENDANGERED ANIMAL EATING AN ENDANGERED PLANT?
 
13. IF A PARSLEY FARMER IS SUED, CAN THEY GARNISH HIS WAGES?
 
14. WOULD A FLY WITHOUT WINGS BE CALLED A WALK?
 
15. WHY DO THEY LOCK GAS STATION BATHROOMS? ARE THEY AFRAID SOMEONE WILL CLEAN THEM? 
 
16. IF A TURTLE DOESN'T HAVE A SHELL, IS HE HOMELESS OR NAKED?

17. CAN VEGETARIANS EAT ANIMAL CRACKERS?
 
18. IF THE POLICE ARREST A MIME, DO THEY TELL HIM HE HAS THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT?
 
19. WHY DO THEY PUT BRAILLE ON THE DRIVE-THROUGH BANK MACHINES?
 
20. HOW DO THEY GET DEER TO CROSS THE ROAD ONLY AT THOSE YELLOW ROAD SIGNS?
 
21. WHAT WAS THE BEST THING BEFORE SLICED BREAD?
 
22. ONE NICE THING ABOUT EGOTISTS: THEY DON'T TALK ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE.
 
23. DOES THE LITTLE MERMAID WEAR AN ALGEBRA?
 
24. DO INFANTS ENJOY INFANCY AS MUCH AS ADULTS ENJOY ADULTERY?
 
25. HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE A CIVIL WAR?
 
26. IF ONE SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMER DROWNS, DO THE REST DROWN TOO?
 
27. IF YOU ATE BOTH PASTA AND ANTIPASTO, WOULD YOU STILL BE HUNGRY?
 
28. IF YOU TRY TO FAIL, AND SUCCEED, WHICH HAVE YOU DONE?
 
29. WHOSE CRUEL IDEA WAS IT FOR THE WORD 'LISP' TO HAVE 'S' IN IT?
 
30. WHY ARE HEMORRHOIDS CALLED "HEMORRHOIDS" INSTEAD OF "ASSTEROIDS"?
 
31. WHY IS IT CALLED TOURIST SEASON IF WE CAN'T SHOOT AT THEM?
 
32. WHY IS THERE AN EXPIRATION DATE ON SOUR CREAM?  
 
33.  IF YOU SPIN AN ORIENTAL PERSON IN A CIRCLE THREE TIMES, DO THEY BECOME DISORIENTED?
 
34. CAN AN ATHEIST GET INSURANCE AGAINST ACTS OF GOD ??

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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/