Mostly Racin' Stuff

And some things I found on Facebook, along with some photos of my late wife.

By Tom Avenengo  

Volume # 232

07/02/2015

 

This week's column is being dedicated to my late wife, Joan Marie (Rose)  Avenengo.  She arrived on this earth on November 10, 1938, and went with our Lord on July 3, 2014.  It's hard to realize that it's been a year already.

 

"When someone you've loved, dies...

You never get over it.

You just slowly get through each day.

But you always keep them tucked safely in your heart."

 

 

Special from me:

 

This week's column will be somewhat different than the usual columns I send out.  In various parts, I'll be putting in things about my late wife, and on occasion, some photos, too.

 

 

100_1411

 

          November 10, 1938 - July 3, 2014

 

"One day you'll be just a memory for some people."

 

"You did  your best to be a good one"

 

 

 

 

 

Photo above was taken when we had a family gathering/cook out in celebration of our 50th wedding anniversary.  Being honest here, but over those 50+ years, I really believe that the amount of "fights" we had could be counted on one hand.  I guess I was quite lucky, huh?  We had a good life together, and yes, it could have been much better.  But we survived some 50+ years together.  I'd have to say that thanks to her, our five children grew up to get to be outstanding adults.  Do I miss her?  You bet I do!  And I Know our children and their children also miss her - greatly.  What more can I say about her other than she was a great person who loved everyone in our families.

 

Note:  I found some "sayings" on Facebook that I've copied and will be putting them thru ought this week's column .

 

 

"What I'd give if I could say Hello, Hon, in the same old way.

To hear your voice, see your smile.

To sit with you and chat a while..

So you who have your Mother/wife-

Cherish her with care

For you'll never know the heartache

'till you see her vacant chair."

 

 

 

 

 

 

This photo above, is really one of the nicest photos I have of my late wife, Joan, in my computer.   Also with her in the photo is a granddaughter of ours, Samantha.  "Sam" was born on the same date as I was - 9/22, but I got her by a few years!

 

 

 

 

"If we could have a lifetime wish - a dream that would come true,

We'd pray to God with all our hearts for yesterday and you.

A thousand words can't bring you back - we know because we've tried...

Neither will a thousand tears - we know because we've cried...

You left behind our broken hearts - and happy memories, too...

But we never wanted memories

We only wanted you."

 

 

 

 

Some personal/family stuff:

 

It's strange how we meet people that we fall in love with, get married and raise a family.  Such was the case with me and Joan Marie Rose.  I worked in the Produce Department with the Grand Union Company.  She, all 89 pounds of her, in the Meat Department in the Suffern, NY store.   At first, I only had eyes for her close friend, a cute Italian girl that also worked in the Meat Department.   I do believe her name was Deloris Corridini - I believe - not positive on the spelling, though!  Fortunately, for me, her future was all planned out by her family.  I can't recall the reason why Joan left the Suffern store and Grand Union, but she did re-appear in my life later on, when I was in the Monsey, NY Grand Union, again, she, as a meat wrapper.  She was living with her parents in Sloatsburg, and she did not have a driver's license.  In fact, she never did get one.  So my Produce Manager, Ralph Palumbo, would bring her to work and take her home.  One day he asked me if I could take her home after work.  Well, I did.  And at the time, I was living with my mother and step father in Pearl River, NY.   When we got to her parents house, we sat in my MG, in the driveway,  and talked.  And talked.  And talked.  Eventually, she got out of my car and went inside.  I drove back home, passing the store we worked at,  at 3:00 in the morning, as the produce was being unloaded.  We were together ever since.  That had to be in 1958 or 59.

Our first date was at a 250 mile midget race (or was it 300 miles) at the one mile track in Trenton, NJ.  And, I got her in free!  It seems that Ronny Palumbo and I went there the preceding week,  only to get rained out.  Ronny had a Corvette.  I had my MG.  So, I called Ronny and told him that I had a little problem and wanted this young lady to go to the race with me.  He told me that he had someone that also wanted to go, so the problem was solved.  Ronny and his friend got there before Joanie and I did.  Ronny gave his friend his rain check, and his friend brought it down to us.  It was quite a long day - the midgets racing for 250 miles (or was it 300?), then some rain came in just before the 100 mile mark.  But we had a good time.  We also attended some races at the Langhorne, PA track, too.  I don't think Joanie and I missed one single indoor TQ race that was held in the Teaneck NJ Armory during the winter.  And we always had the same seats every week, too.

Eventually, I popped the question - asking her to marry me, and she was so grateful that I asked.  So, on September 11, 1960, we took the plunge, knowing that it wouldn't be too long before I was going to be drafted into the US Army (December 2, 1960).

After basic and advance training at Fort Dix, NJ, I was sent to Fort Bliss, Texas.  I got there towards the end of May in 1961.  Shortly thereafter, Joanie and a friend, Judy, made the bus trip from NY to El Paso.  Joanie was kinda "expecting" at that time.  On November 22, 1961, our own little Judy was born.  Later on, our second daughter, Sandra, was born - on August 9, 1963.

The office where I worked at while in the Army, handled all the guided Missile School things for enlisted personnel.  My job was typing  the orders for anything that pertained to the enlisted school personnel and also for the enlisted personnel that were in the Command.  So, it wasn't too long that I went from being an E-2 to an E-5.  Then I came down on an overseas levy to go to France.  I opted not to do that, so my Army "career" came to an end on December 2, 1964.

Once back home, I went back with the Grand Union Company.  I imagine it's the same today - they had to "hold" a job for me while I was in the service, and any pay increases that had been issued while I was away, I would receive.  BUT, I didn't fancy going from Harriman, NY where we were living to a Grand Union store where one could see the George Washington Bridge.  So, since "they" couldn't get me closer to home, I left.  I had a few different jobs from 1964 to 1969.  Worked in the trailer park in Harriman, Dugan Brothers Bakery (home delivery) and an Arrow Shirt warehouse in Chester, NY.  Arrow decided they were going to move to Atlanta, and I was offered a job down there, but opted to leave.  I went back with the Grand Union - this time as a Produce Manager, on January 13, 1969.  Along the way, we had a couple of boys born - Tom Jr. and Eric.  Tom on July 7, 1965 and Eric on May 30, 1968.  Our last child, Sarah, was born on March 9, 1973.  Joanie did miss-carry once - between Eric and Sarah, so her term of carrying Sarah was, to her, quite worrisome.

Oh, we had some rough times, for sure.  Yes, there were time we had to move because I couldn't afford the rent.  But the wife never once complained.  I wish I had a dollar for every time I told her "I love you", and for every time she said the same to me.  Countless times, I'd leave for work in time to be at the stores by 7:00 in the morning, and I'd often be there still, at 6:00 in the evening.  My wife always made sure my dinner was ready when I arrived home.  Many times my dinner would have to wait a little while, since I was attacked by 5 kids as I came through the door.  Those five kids?  Hell, they all turned out to be great, thanks to the wife having such a big hand in raising them.

Over time we both had some health issues.  Heck, I still have some, although I'm being closely watched by some excellent doctors down her in Florida.  The wife - well she had surgery to remove a cancerous growth in her intestine, and from what we knew, that surgery took care of it.  But, it didn't.  It wasn't until she had a second surgery for basically the same thing (an obstruction) that I was told that she had quite a few tumors inside.

So, on the 1st of July, in 2014, I was told by the surgeon that they would do surgery on her the following day somewhere after 1:00 PM.  So, on the 2nd of July, I arrived at the hospital a little after 11:00 AM, just to spend some time with her and try to cheer her up.  It was then that I found out she was already in surgery.

I called our son Eric, and he immediately left work to come to the hospital.  Our daughter, Judy, had been to the hospital and had spent a lot of time with "mom", and she  had a daughter that would be getting married, and had to leave to attend the wedding.  It wasn't too long before the surgeon came out and told us what was found and what kind of problems they had.  It seems that somehow (never fully explained to me) my wife had stopped breathing for a period of about 20 minutes. She never did regain consciousness.  Our sons, Tom & Eric were with me in the room when she took her last "breath".  Somehow, I know she was able to hear me, what I said, and how much I loved her, before she passed on.  Our daughters, Sandy and Sarah lived in Florida, and they could not make it up to the hospital prior to their mother passing away, but they did arrive the very next day.

Yes, she was and is - my "One and only".

 

 

"When someone you've loved, dies...

You never get over it.

You just slowly get through each day.

But you always keep them tucked safely in your heart."

 

 

 

 

Racin’ stuff:

 

Well, it was a helluva Indy Car race this past SATURDAY.  500 miles of racing in a "bunch".  I did see the amount of lead changes, but I seem to forgotten how many it said.  What I found to be quite annoying was the extremely light fan turnout.  Estimates range from a few hundred to a thousand.  I have no idea as to why it was so low, unless the day and temps had something to do with it.  I have read that the promoter wants the Indy Cars back again, but only if they race there in September or October.

As for the low turnout - was it due to the race being on a Saturday?  Was it due to the temperatures - in the 90's I've seen.  Was it due to the fact that racing Indy Cars today isn't like it was in the past, when the drivers drove midgets, sprint cars and Silver Crown cars, too?  Also, maybe it's a lack of American drivers?  Yes, I know, there are SOME in Indy Car, but I just have to figure the American race fan wants to see a lot more American drivers and less foreign 2nd & 3rd class drivers that couldn't cut it in F-1.

 

Note:  Quite a lot being said on the Internet about Indy Car and oval track racing.  Personally, I still feel that the loss of drivers from the midget and sprint car ranks into Indy Car racing is what has hurt the most, followed by those temporary "road courses", and the influx of 2nd and 3rd rate foreign drivers.

 

 

 

"Sometimes your heart needs more time

to accept what your mind already knows."

 

 

 

 

From Jayski:

http://www.jayski.com/

 

No second team for Furniture Row in 2016: 

 

Furniture Row Racing currently fields only the #78 Chevy of driver Martin Truex Jr. Speaking Saturday at Sonoma Raceway, Furniture Row Racing general manager Joe Garone indicated there's no rush to add a second team and that the earliest the Denver, Colorado-based organization would likely expand is 2017. "It's still not a priority for us," Garone said. "It kind of falls in getting sponsorship. So while we're working on getting additional sponsorship for the 78 car, we're also working on a second team, but it's really, in priorities, it's funding for the 78, support funding for the 78 and then a second program. So it's not a huge priority right now, especially with the way the 78 has performed this year, and then being in the Chase, we want to keep 100 percent focused on what's ahead of us here. We don't have to have a second team. I think long-term we certainly do, but it's got to come in the right steps." Garone revealed that the addition of a second team could even be three years away. "To add a second team looking at right now, it would be a '17 or an '18 deal, not a '16 deal, absolutely," he said. "It all depends on funding. If a Wells Fargo truck pulled up and dropped enough money, you could probably do it because you could overpower some of the challenges with money, with resources. But that isn't going to happen, so we've got to just lay it out ahead at least a year." As for re-signing Truex, who is in the second-year of a two-year contract with the organization, Garone corroborated his driver's comments from earlier this month that he expects to come to terms with the team on a new deal. "We're starting to get a little bit serious about it," Garone said. "We both have certainly said to each other, 'We want to race together and continue racing,' but we haven't actually sat down and said, 'What's it look like?' There's a timeline for that, and everything's going to be fine. We'll just take it as it comes. Again, we're trying to keep our focus on what we're doing week to week."(FoxSports)(6-28-2015)

 

 

Ty Dillon could break into Cup with another team: 

 

Speaking earlier this month about a possible move to the Sprint Cup Series in 2016, Richard Childress Racing XFINITY Series driver Ty Dillon said, "We're 100% focused on getting sponsorship for full-time for RCR." Dillon's team owner and grandfather, Richard Childress, doesn't seem totally settled on that plan, however. Childress told FOXSports.com on Saturday at Sonona Raceway that his youngest grandson could move up next year -- but possibly do so with another organization. Any plans for Dillon to go Sprint Cup racing next year likely won't be announced in July, Childress also indicated at Sonoma. "We're going to wait and see a couple of months, anyway," he said. "We're working on some things and we've got another team already put together -- the fourth (RCR) team -- and he may even someday ... it's no telling where he'll end up, because he's got some people that's been pretty interested in him, so we'll see how it goes. Right now we're working on, if the right sponsorship comes along, and we're going to watch him a little more the rest of this year to see how he progresses. I just don't want to move either one of them too soon. And you've got to wait. When the opportunity's there, you've got to take your opportunity."(FoxSports)(6-28-2015)

 

 

Watkins Glen International Named Best NASCAR Track: 

 

Each year the NASCAR Sprint Cup series takes place on two dozen tracks across the nation. Each track makes for its own unique racing style and fan experience. USA Today 10 Best's panel of NASCAR experts selected their 20 favorite venues as nominees for 'Best NASCAR Track,' and for the past four weeks, USA Today readers have been voting for their favorites. It was a close race between the winner and runner-up, but in the end it was Watkins Glen International, host of a double header weekend of top tier events, that snagged the title. Martinsville Speedway came in a close second.(see full list at USA Today)(6-27-2015)

 

 

 

NASCAR talking with owners about long-term equity in sport: 

 

NASCAR and team owners have had discussions on ways that teams can have more long-term value. Whether that is through franchising or NASCAR offering a select number of licenses that guarantee starting spots remains to be determined. Michael Waltrip Racing co-owner Rob Kauffman, who heads the Race Team Alliancebusiness coalition of team owners, wouldn't go into details of the discussions the owners have had with NASCAR. Asked Sunday about possible 2016 franchise or license models, Kauffman said, "What I can say is both NASCAR and the teams recognize that the teams building up some kind of long-term equity for participating in the sport, year in and year out and putting on the show, is a good thing. You look at a lot of other sports around the world, and that's how they work. "So the question is can you come up with some model within the framework of NASCAR that makes sense for everybody. It's a very sensible concept. The hard part is the details. So we're having productive discussions to see if we can figure out how to do it. It's an ongoing project."(in part from ESPN.com)(6-29-2015)

 

 

NASCAR is considering more road courses for Sprint Cup: 

 

While there's no timetable as to when fans will see a new circuit on the schedule, the possibility is on NASCAR's radar. Sunday's event at Sonoma Raceway was further proof that NASCAR's best racing is currently on road courses. But the question remains, if road courses provide some of the best venues for stock car racing why hasn't NASCAR added more to the schedule or even considered a circuit for the Chase to the Sprint Cup? "It is something that is being considered maybe more so for a longer term basis," NASCAR executive vice president Steve O'Donnell said on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio on Tuesday. "Obviously, the schedule is full at this point but we've really evolved and when you look at the road course action, it's almost on par with short tracks. These cars at the end of a race really look like they've been beat up and guys are getting out there and really getting after it to where I think we're putting on the best road racing in the world. It used to be where you used to bring in three to four ringers and they would finish in the top 10. Now our guys are consistently finishing up front and have proven to be the best in the world. So we really like the progress that's been made. It's certainly exciting. We share in the fans' excitement, for sure. But the teams also like the ability to have those two opportunities to win a race and achieve that spot in the Chase." O'Donnell would not put a timeline on when fans could expect a road course race in the Chase or an additional circuit on the schedule. While he acknowledge there had been "general dialogue" with Sonoma Raceway regarding the possibility of moving the Toyota/Save Mart 350 into the playoffs, O'Donnell added that the current date for the race is "really a home run for the series". Plus, track president Steve Page has been adamant that he doesn't wish to go up against the NFL. "It's really a balance for us," O'Donnell reiterated. "But it's something that we're looking at." As for expanding the 36-race schedule O'Donnell says the current number "is right for the series at this point".(Motorsport)(7-1-2015)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The photo above was taken at our home, in Port Jervis, NY.  I'm on the left, holding our dog "Max", the wife in the middle, and our daughter, Sandy on the right.  It's when I see a photo like this one that I realize, by the look in her eyes, how much she loved me.

 

 

"Always tell someone how you feel,

because opportunities are lost in the blink of an eye,

but regret can last for a lifetime."

 

 

 

 

From Track Forum:

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

 

RACER: Robin Miller's Message to Mark Miles

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=22&v=5lM8LFynpu0

 

 

RoC Mods Changes Ownership From Harpell to Skotnicki in 2016

 

http://speed51.com/roc-mods-changes-ownership-from-harpell-to-skotnicki-in-2016/

 

 

 

 

 

Pictured above is my wife's sister, Sandy and my wife.  It was taken during an anniversary party for Sandy and her husband, Denis.  Now, they're together again, Sandy & my wife.

 

 

"I never said goodbye to you,

instead I said "I love you"...

As you departed on your journey

to a place where life is new.

I held your hand and kissed you.

Your leaving made me cry.

But in the end,

I know I'll see you again...

So I never said goodbye."

 

 

 

From the Dirt Track Digest Forum:

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

BREAKING NEWS Fonda Speedway (another historical event)

 

 

http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/index.php?/topic/53990-breaking-news-fonda-speedway-another-historical-event/page-2

 

 

 

 

When we would go down to Florida and stay with our daughter Sandy (where I'm presently living), we always enjoyed going to Miceli's for dinner.  The above photo was taken in early 2014, a little prior to us returning back to NY and putting our house on the market.  Sadly, the wife would never make it back down to Cape Coral.  She really loved it down there, and was starting to get out and about.  I can still picture her, with her walker, taking her evening walks down the road.

 

 

"You never said goodbye

You never said I'm leaving,

You never said goodbye.

You were gone before I knew it,

And only God knew why.

A million times I needed you,

A million times I cried.

If love alone could have saved you,

You never would have died.

In life I loved you dearly,

In death I love you still.

In my heart you hold a place,

That no one could ever fill.

It broke my heart to lose you,

But you didn't go alone.

For part of me went with you,

The day that God took you home."

 

 

 

 

From the AARN:

 

Joe Skotnitki Assumes Ownership Of RoC Dirt, Asphalt Series From Andrew Harpell

 

Clanton Wins WoO Late Model Weedsport Race; McCreadie Is The Star Of The Show

 

Borgers Speedway To Reopen Saturday Under New Leadership

 

Stevie Smith Starts PASpeedweek With Two Straight Wins

 

Two Day Riverhead NWMT Taken By Long Islander Justin Bonsignore

 

John Lutes Jr. Wins First Of Career At Glen Ridge

 

Hossfeld Tops Field In Lancaster RoC Run; Track Shows Off Improvements

 

Pitkat Repeats At Stafford In VMRS Modifieds

 

 

Hmm, some interesting stuff about the Glenn Donnelly race at Rolling Wheels this July 1st and other races up in that area.  Seems that DIRTcar just might hold some selected drivers (those that signed) to them not racing at a non DIRTcar event some 48 hours before or after a DIRTcar race.

Note:  Somehow, Methinks DIRTcar might want to watch what they say/do in the future.  Best I know, they actually only own one track today - Volusia Speedway down in Florida.  Mr. Donnelly has quite a few "friends" amongst the drivers, too.

 

Pat Van Varick has leased Borger's Speedway and is planning on opening this coming Saturday.

 

Ernie Saxton had a little "notice" about some volunteers needed.  Guess where?  at the infield of the Talladega Speedway.  Their job:  To tell the fans that they have to take down their Confederate Flags.  Ha, ha!  Good luck on that one!  Wouldn't surprise me one bit if some of them thar "pick um up" trucks just happen to have a shot gun mounted up across their rear windows.

Ernie also makes mention of a 3 year old being in the pit area.  I'll have to agree with Ernie - bet the kid did not sign any liability release form!  Someday, some little one will be severely injured, or worse, then we'll see what happens.

 

Two full pages of an interview with Joe Skotnicki and his taking over both of the RoC Series from Andy Harpell.

 

In the PA "Speed Week" for Sprint cars, these tracks have disappeared from the schedule over a period of 25 years:

Silver Spring, Bedford, Susquehanna Speedway Park, Big Diamond and Penn National.

 

The ARDC ran at Williams Grove last week.  Thirteen cars showed up and 12 ran the feature.  Hmm, can remember when the ARDC ran at the Grove that after the heats and consi's were run, some had to load up and go home due to not making the feature.

Note:  Would not surprise me one bit, if after this year, the ARDC no longer will have any races at the Grove.

 

On July 18th the ATQMRA will race on the inner oval at Wall.  They are expecting a handful of "outsiders" to invade and give them a run for the money.

Note:  Maybe they'll get a total of 20 entrants?  The TQ's are hurting just as much as the ARDC when it comes to car counts - unless you count the indoor winter races, where they draw a ton.

 

On July 3rd, at Williams Grove, in the annual Mitch Smith Memorial Sprint Car race, the winner will get $10, 000.00 out of a purse worth over $30,000.00.

 

A nice, well written article by Buffy Swanson on Ken Brenn and his "career" in auto racing.

 

Dave Moody had an article about the Confederate Flag and the racing (mostly down south).  That after the fatally shooting of eight people at a Black Church in Charleston, SC. 

Note:  And this has what to do with that flag, anyway?  Heck I've seen photos of the shooter (Dylann Roof) shown holding OUR flag and having it burning.  Yup, give 'em time and OUR flag will no longer be flying, too.

 

Bill Utter, in his weekly column, makes mention that the new roof over the grand stand at OCFS is now completed.  The next project - replacing all the seats in that grand stand.  All the work is being done under the guidance of one Chris Larson of Halmar International. 

Note:  How about re-opening the three food stands that were under the main grandstand, huh?

Also:  Wonder if Mr. Larson would like to take over at OCFS?  Not that it really matters to me, since I'm now in Florida and chances are quite slim that I'd ever go there again.  But, gee, when one looks at photos of the stands, well, there ain't many butts in 'em, anymore, that's for sure.

 

At the Beaver Dam Speedway, in Wisconsin, Donny Schatz won his 17th WoO Sprint Car feature for 2016.

 

Alan Johnson won the Modified feature at Black Rock.  He's now won a Modified feature for 41 straight years.

 

In his weekly column, John Snyder goes back to when they started racing weekly at the Flemington Speedway, back in 1955, under the NASCAR banner.  He was wondering how many of the AARN's readers could remember going to Flemington some six decades ago.  Hey, I can!  But it wasn't for stock cars.  They came later.  My first couple of trips to Flemington - the first was with my father for a midget race and the second was with my wife for another midget race.  Both races I believe had dual sponsorship, the first  maybe with the AAA or USAC & ARDC, the second was with USAC and the ARDC.

 

Hmm, this July 4th our country will be 238 years old.

 

 

"In the blink of an eye, everything can change.

So make the most with those who mean the most.

Forgive often and love with all your heart.

You may never know when you may not have that chance again."

 

 

 

Former OVRP Dirt Oval racers:

 

A.J. Filbeck was 3rd in the Sportsman feature at Glen Ridge.

 

At Thunder Mountain, in the STSS race, this past Monday,  Anthony Perrego was 4th, Danny Creeden 12th and LJ Lombardo 14th.

 

Kenney Johnson was 12th at the USAC DMA Midget feature at Bear Ridge.

 

Mike Mammana was 20th in the held over Sportsman feature at Big Diamond.  He was 3rd in the regularly scheduled feature.

 

Brad Szulewski was 23rd in the RoC Sportsman feature at Afton.

 

Anthony Perrego was 21st in the DIRTcar Series race at U/R.

 

Roger Coss was 14th in the RoC Asphalt race at Lancaster.

 

Winter Mead won the Spec Sportsman feature at Accord.  Joey Bruning was 7th and Zach Mead 15th.

In the All Star Slingshots, Wyatt Clark was 6th.

 

Alex Bell was 18th and Bobby Hackel, IV was 25th in the Modified feature at A/S.

Hunter Bates was 18th and Matt Pappa 21st in the Sportsman feature.

Somehow the name Cody Bleau rings a bell from running at OVRP.  If so, he was 28th in the Sportsman feature.

 

OK, so it looks like "Mother Nature" was again the big winner last week as far as racing up in the Northeast went.  Partial rain-outs and complete rain-outs really put a damper on the racing events.

 

 

 

I do believe the above photo was taken when we had a party for our 50th wedding anniversary.  Pictured are my wife on the left, her late sister, Sandy, in the middle and brother Richie, on the right.  Rich has had some health issues, but he's still hanging in there.

 

 

"Someone in heaven loves me."

 

Share if you love someone in heaven.

 

 

 

 

Press Releases:

Contact: Tom Herzig

DIRTcar Racing PR 
802-249-2850 | 
therzig@dirtcar.com

 

Brachmann Earns His First Super DIRTcar Series Victory at Ohsweken Speedway

New York racer collects $6,000 in Big-Block Modified series inaugural appearance at fan-favorite Canadian track

OHSWEKEN, Ontario - June 30, 2015 - In the first Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Series event at Ohsweken Speedway on Tuesday night, Chad Brachmann raced to the first series victory of his career.

In front of a huge crowd, Brachmann, of Sanborn, N.Y., charged from deep in the field to pass Dale Planck on lap 63 of the 75-lap Triple Crown Shootout and went to his first-ever Super DIRTcar Series win as the Big-Block Modifieds made their inaugural appearance at the fan- and driver-favorite facility in Ontario.

Brachmann won his qualifying heat and started 11th in a 30-car field after the Dig Safely NY Call 811 redraw. He passed defending series champion Billy Decker after a lap-36 restart and drew alongside Planck just before Decker spun out with a flat left rear tire.

Series point leader and three-time champion Matt Sheppard maintained his grip on the top spot heading into Thursday's "Stars and Stripes 76" at Canandaigua Motorsports Park by rising from 15th to finish 3rd.

Danny Johnson and Mat Williamson completed the top five.

The race was red-flagged on lap 4 when Erick Rudolph flipped in turn one.

Planck was the Pole Position Raceway Fast Time Award winner.

Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Series Statistical Report; Ohsweken Speedway; June 30, 2015

"Triple Crown 75"

A-Main (75 laps): start in (*)

1. 3B Chad Brachmann - Sanborn, N.Y. (11)

2. 66x Dale Planck - Cortland, N.Y. (1)

3. 9h Matt Sheppard - Waterloo, N.Y. (15)

4. 27J Danny Johnson - Rochester, N.Y. (6)

5. 6m Mat Williamson - St. Catherines, ONT (3)

6. 7z Stewart Friesen - Sprakers, NY (9)

7. 98h Jimmy Phelps - Baldwinsville, N.Y. (24)

8. 49 Billy Dunn - Watertown, N.Y. (13)

9. 21a Peter Britten - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (19)

10. 20 Brett Hearn - Sussex, NJ (10)

11. 93 Gary Tomkins - Clifton Springs, N.Y. (20)

12, 91 Billy Decker - Unadilla, N.Y. (4)

13. 02 Tommy Flannigan - St. Catharines, ON (22)

14. 108 Bill Bleich (28)

15. 43 Keith Flach - Ravena, N.Y. (2)

16. 19 Tim Fuller - Edwards, N.Y. (14)

17. 48T Dave Rauscher - Waterloo, N.Y. (29)

18. 08 Mark D'llario - Smithville, ON (17)

19. 64 Adam Roberts - Watertown, N.Y. (7)

20. 777 Tyler McPherson - (25)

21. 42p Pat Ward - Genoa, N.Y. (12)

22. 07 Tim Kerr - Picton, ON (8)

23. 88 Shayne Pierce - Welland, ON (23)

24. 38 Ryan Susice - Ransomville, N.Y. (30)

25. 8 Rich Scagliotta - Bound Brook, N.J. (18)

26. 42 Pete Bicknell - St. Catharines, ON (21)

27. Mike Bowman - St. Catharines, ON. (26)

28. 06 Brandon Easey - St. Catharines, ON (27)

29. 99L Larry Wight- Phoenix, N.Y. (16)

30. 21R Erick Rudolph - Ransomville (5)

DID NOT START

96F Freed Carleton

74 Dave Flannigan Jr.

21k Glenn Styres

96 Jean-Francois Corriveau

28 Todd Gordon

19j Brett Clarke

Qualifying Heats (8 laps, top 5 transfer, top 3 redraw)

Heat 1: Planck, Roberts, Ward, Dunn, D'llario, Bicknell, Carleton, McPherson, Easey, Flannigan Jr.

Heat 2: Kerr, Williamson, Flach, Fuller, Scagliotta, Pierce, Styres, Corriveau

Heat 3: Decker, Rudolph, Friesen, Sheppard, Britten, Phelps, Susice, Bleich

Heat 4: Brachmann, Hearn, Johnson, Wight, Tomkins, T Flannigan, Rauscher, Bowman, Gordon

Consi 1: Bicknell,Pierce, MacPherson, Easey, Styres, D Flannigan Jr. Corriveau

Consi 2: T Flannigan, Phelps, Bowman, Bleich, Susice, Rauscher, Gordon, Clarke

 

 

Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek 

 

 

 

Bob Hilbert Sportswear North Region Point Standings

 

 

*After Thunder Mountain, June 29

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Position

Car No.

Driver

OCFS

Big D

Accord

Thunder

Total

1

44

Stewart Friesen

100

95

40

95

330

2

27J

Danny Johnson

90

54

85

90

319

3

55

Anthony Perrego

65

85

80

85

315

4

3

Tommy Meier

85

56

95

50

286

5

97

Jerry Higbie Jr.

95

40

72

40

247

6

91

Rick Laubach

40

100

48

52

240

7

44R/76R

Mike Ricci

76

25

68

68

237

8

34

Andy Bachetti

62

68

60

45

235

9

6X

Jackie Brown Jr.

46

40

100

48

234

10

88

Jeff Strunk

0

90

62

80

232

11

11Z/77X

Mike Mahaney

56

25

76

46

203

 

14H/SA

Jeff Heotzler

41

25

65

72

203

13

78

Billy Van Pelt

58

60

25

40

183

14

7

Mike Sabia

45

44

43

42

174

15

16X

Danny Creeden

50

25

40

58

173

16

21R

Erick Rudolph

54

40

0

76

170

17

44M

Doug Manmiller

0

40

50

65

155

18

20C

Craig Hanson

25

62

40

25

152

19

74

J.R. Heffner

72

0

58

0

130

20

6NN

Nick Nye

25

46

25

25

121

21

21M

Bob McGannon

52

0

54

0

106

22

119

Brian Malcolm

0

0

0

100

100

23

11

Rich Ricci Jr. 

44

0

52

0

96

24

1D

Tyler Dippel

43

50

0

0

93

25

97T

Danny Tyler

0

0

90

0

90

26

4

Billy Van Inwegen

60

25

0

0

85

27

126/66

Duane Howard

0

43

41

0

84

28

20

Brett Hearn

80

0

0

0

80

 

30

Jamie Mills

0

80

0

0

80

30

35

L.J. Lombardo

25

0

0

54

79

31

18

Billy Pauch Jr. 

0

76

0

0

76

32

02

Ryan Darcy

25

0

25

25

75

33

14W

Ryan Watt

0

72

0

0

72

34

93X

Craig Mitchell

68

0

0

0

68

35

85

H.J. Bunting III

0

65

0

0

65

36

222

Chad Cook

0

0

0

62

62

37

21R

Ryan Jordan

0

0

0

60

60

38

71

David Van Horn

0

58

0

0

58

39

Z69

Robbie Green

0

0

56

0

56

 

34R

Rusty Smith

0

0

0

56

56

41

901

Ryan Godown

0

52

0

0

52

42

716

Corey Lowitt

25

0

25

0

50

 

3006

Kurt Hundeland

25

0

25

0

50

 

34S

Billy Spoonhower

25

0

0

25

50

 

5*

Tyler Siri

0

25

0

25

50

46

10E

Rich Eurich

48

0

0

0

48

 

1

Billy Pauch Sr.

0

48

0

0

48

48

51R

Brad Rothaupt

0

0

46

0

46

49

19B

Brian Kressley

0

45

0

0

45

 

45

Tommy Johnson

0

0

45

0

45

51

TEN

Clinton Mills

0

0

44

0

44

 

19X

Chris Stull

0

0

0

44

44

53

713

Tom Collins Jr.

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More Racin' stuff:

 

Daytona will not ban Confederate flag but will offer flag exchange.

 

http://nascartalk.nbcsports.com/2015/06/30/daytona-will-not-ban-confederate-flag-but-will-offer-flag-exchange/#comments

 

Note:  Really?  Oh boy!  Methinks NASCRAP will be in for a HUGE disappointment.  Also, if they were to ban the flags, which to me will be near impossible to do, you can expect to see some very empty infields at NASCRAP races, for sure.

 

 

 

Other news:

 

 

Walmart & how it gets away from paying some taxes:

https://fbstatic-a.akamaihd.net/rsrc.php/v2/y4/r/-PAXP-deijE.gif

 

 

So, Hillary was really against "Gay" people marrying.  Hmm, interesting.  I wonder what changed her mind, or is she just following along with what so many others are screaming about, today?

 

http://louderwithcrowder.com/hillary-clinton-called-gay-marriage-hypocrite/

 

 

 

Judicial Watch: Newly Released Documents Confirm White House Officials Set Hillary Clinton’s Benghazi Response

 

http://www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/judicial-watch-newly-released-documents-confirm-white-house-officials-set-hillary-clintons-benghazi-response/

 

Note:  The last two paragraphs from the article:

"Documents released by Judicial Watch last month further confirm that the Obama administration, including Hillary Clinton, Rice and Obama immediately knew the attack was an al-Qaeda terrorist attack.

“These documents show the Obama White House was behind the big lie, first promoted by Hillary Clinton, that an Internet video caused the Benghazi terrorist attack,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton, “Top White House aide Ben Rhodes, Hillary Clinton, and many key Obama officials pushed others to tie the Internet video to the attacks. It is disturbing that the Obama administration would use Islamist radicals to push the false Benghazi story in a way that would abridge free speech.  It is little wonder that Mrs. Clinton and the entire Obama administration have fought so hard to keep these documents from the American people.  All evidence now points to Hillary Clinton, with the approval of the White House, as being the source of the Internet video lie.”

 

 

Our gov't in action:

 

I found this on Facebook this past Tuesday.  Someone must be held accountable!

 

Freedom Daily with Brian Kolfage

"I gave 3 limbs for this nation, I've received my VA compensation for 9 years straight with no payment problems. 3 weeks ago I was on The Huckabee Show on Fox News and called out Obama and Hillary as being disgraces to our nation. Now my pay mysteriously is messed up, coincidence? 2 weeks ago I told everyone I'd be getting audited for it, I guess it came sooner than expected."

 

 

 

 

This week's jokes:

 

The forced taking down of the Confederate Flags - mostly down south, and now someone bitching about the Ten Commandments that are written down on a pretty good sized stone in, I believe one of the southern states capitals front yard, and it too having to be removed.

How long before OUR flag is ordered to be taken down and not displayed?  It's coming - watch and see.  Some idiot will p*ss and moan about it, for sure.

About the 10 Commandments - here ya go:

 

Oklahoma's Supreme Court says the Ten Commandments monument at the state Capitol must be removed because it indirectly benefits the Jewish and Christian faiths in violation of the state's constitution.

 

 

 

 

Until my next column – next week - with a return of some things that are not in this weeks column.

 

Columns are available on the Dirt Track Digest at:  http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/ at Contributing Columnists

 

And:

 

http://newenglandtractor.com/racereport/

 

Hope you all have a very Happy July 4th!