Mostly Racin' Stuff

By Tom Avenengo

Volume # 236

07/30/2015

This week’s photo:

Al Keller is pictured in the Sam Traylor # 4 Sprint Car. A Walt Imlay photo that was taken at Langhorne, Pa. Langhorne was known as a "killer" of a track, with it being oiled dirt, a huge circle and was lowest in what could be considered as the first turn. Oh, it had a nickname - "Puke Hollow". As the track was lower into that first turn, the huge grandstand, from the "fourth" turn to the "first" turn was level, with it being basically even with the track surface, in the fourth turn area, but in the "first turn", the stands were quite a bit higher in the air. More about Al Keller and Langhorne later on in this weeks column.

Special from me:

I have a bad habit. I tend to say what I think - especially abut auto racing and race tracks. Yes, I've been coming out with some not so nice things said about OCFS. Heck, I started going there back in 1946 when the midgets ran on the small paved track that was in the infield of today's track. Some people, in a way, don't really like what I say, and I guess they're welcome to express their thoughts, as I express mine.

Once I was old enough to drive on the road, I always managed to get to the fair when the midgets ran on the (then) 1/2 mile dirt track. I had never attended a stock car race until - I'd say, maybe 1964? Pretty sure Russ Delp won the feature in the # 6 "Mushroom Special" that night.

Once my kids were old enough, I'd drag them along to the track, too - usually we'd go into the drive-in section. Eventually, we "graduated" to sitting up in the stands.

And, yes, those stands were always full of race fans. One had to get there kind of early to be able to get some good seats.

Then, my son, Eric, got into racing Go-Karts, and that ended our Saturday nights at OCFS - for a while.

Now I don't know what really happened at OCFS. Whereas those stands were always full of race fans, somehow, over these last few years, the stands, to me, have been somewhat empty. I would not be surprised if the closing of some of the food establishments had a lot to do with that. On top of that, in my opinion, there really hasn't been much spent - dollar wise, as far as upkeep goes.

It's my understanding that a certain individual is quite interested in buying the track. But, for him to do that, it would also have to be the whole place - all the buildings and even the Moto-cross track. That's what might hold up the deal for a while. I guess time will tell.

Yes, I've spent many a night at OCFS, and always enjoyed going there. Now, with me living in Cape Coral, Florida, and having some "health issues", I seriously doubt I'll ever make another race there, sad to say.

Racin’ stuff:

Drivers not impressed by high-drag rules package at Indianapolis

http://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2015/7/27/9045075/brickyard-400-nascar-2015-high-drag-rules-package-indianapolis

Canceled Utah race renews fears of shrinking salt flats

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/cancelled-utah-race-renews-fears-shrinking-salt-flats-075813274--spt.html

Found on Jayski:

http://www.jayski.com/

Congrats to Ray & Erin Evernham on the birth of their daughter, Cate Susan Evernham, Saturday morning.(7-25-2015)

Danica Patrick close to new deal with Stewart-Haas:

For those who have speculated the GoDaddy Girl may be going somewhere else, think again. Stewart-Haas Racing team owner Gene Haas told Motorsport.com on Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway that he'd like to get Danica Patrick's deal signed "as soon as possible" -- and he expects to do just that. "We expect her to stay with Stewart-Haas Racing," Haas told Motorsport.com. "We have some very good sponsors that are in the process of signing up. But we knew that. We knew going in that there's just a lot of demand for her. Let's face it, she's the only woman on the whole grid so she's going to get a lot of press, and that's what sponsors want to see. We told her we wanted her to come back. She's been very flexible about everything. It all has to happen at the same time. You can't really sign a driver until you have a sponsor. You have to know how much money you're going to get from the sponsor and that kind of translates into the deal you make with the driver. I think it's all going good." With Patrick attracting a variety of sponsors, Haas says the hold-up in an announcement is simply dotting i's and crossing t's. There has been speculation that categories from the mortgage and restaurant industry could be among the liveries gracing the hood of the #10 Chevy next year. "Personally, I think that's all just a balance between - we're probably going to have more than one sponsor and we're going to have to get them all aligned. We have to work GoDaddy. It's just a balancing act. Obviously, we'd like to get it done as quickly as possible. I'm sure that, when all the contracts are signed, it will happen within a few weeks."(Motorsport)(7-27-2015)

UPDATE:

On Tuesday, SHR spokesman Mike Arning said in an email to FOXSports.com that the organization is moving toward re-signing Patrick and securing a new primary sponsor for her car in the 2016 season. "Re-signing Danica Patrick remains a priority for Stewart-Haas Racing, and we're confident an agreement will be formalized soon," Arning wrote. "Discussions regarding sponsorship for Danica and the No. 10 team are progressing nicely. Our timetable to have her contract and sponsorship in place by the end of the summer is certainly attainable."(FoxSports)(7-28-2015)

Buddy Baker facing death with predictable courage:

Buddy Baker is facing the end of his life with the same courage he demonstrated during a long NASCAR career, when he sometimes drove at more than 200 mph. "I'm right with The Man Upstairs," Baker said Saturday when I [Tom Higgins] visited him along with Humpy Wheeler and Waddell Wilson at the Baker home on the western shore of Lake Norman near Terrell. "If I feared death I never would have driven a race car." Baker, 74, is stricken with inoperable lung cancer, discovered in December.(full article at Charlotte Observer)(7-28-2015)

Kyle Busch talked to Stewart about injury:

#18-Kyle Busch talked to the media Saturday morning at Indy, the transcript in part:
Q) What was your mindset after the accident and did you speak with Tony Stewart about his injury?

Busch: "Tony (Stewart) was actually the first one to the hospital -- as soon as the Daytona 500 was over he was there. He actually told everybody that was on his plane that they were going to wait. He was there for about four hours. We had a good talk, we had a good discussion about just what it was like and the process that he had to go through and how long it was probably going to be or what it was going to be. In all reality, our injuries were the same but entirely different. His was much more severe than mine. Just being able to talk with him, my mindset was okay. At first I was like, 'I'm never going to race again and I don't know what I'm going to do,' all those things go through your mind. You just continue to power through and listen to your doctors and those that are around you and of course my wife and the support system that I had. I wouldn't call it painless, there was certainly a lot of pain, but it went really, really well as far as you could say any injury healing goes. I was pretty pleased with everything."(Toyota Racing)(7-28-2015)

Where is Rick Mast?

At age 15, Rick Mast sold a 4-H project steer for $575 to get money for his first race car. He rebuilt the wrecked '57 Chevy with the blown engine and began winning dirt-track races at Natural Bridge Speedway in western Virginia. That $575 deal led to a solid 15-year NASCAR career that left Mast, now 58, comfortable and content. Mast's career highlight was winning the pole and leading the first two laps of the inaugural Brickyard 400 at Indy in the #1 Skoal Ford of Richard and Leo Jackson. At 45, chronic carbon-monoxide poisoning ended Mast's career. He began suffering early in 2002, lacking energy and enduring headaches, fatigue and nausea. "It's like the worst hangover in your life," he said at the time. "You want to throw up but can't; your head is pounding; you feel awful." After struggling through 50 laps at Charlotte in May of that year, he stepped away from the No. 90 Ford of owner Junie Donlavey. "Those 50 laps wore me down," Mast says, "so I knew I was done. I'd tried to gut it out since March because racers never want to show weakness. Nobody knew what it was for a long time. I just knew that racing wasn't important on the days I couldn't get out of bed. I wasn't worried about racing, I was worried about dying." Mast retired early in 2003. He talked with NASCAR brass about the dangers of carbon-monoxide exposure, which led to the organization moving headers to the right side of its cars and improving cockpit ventilation. He and his wife, Sharon, live in western Virginia, where he owns a hazmat cleanup company. His son works for Major League Baseball, and his twin daughters attend James Madison University and the University of Virginia, respectively.(Autoweek)(7-28-2015)

New Hampshire Motor Speedway devalued by $100M since purchase:

When Speedway Motorsports Inc. bought New Hampshire Motor Speedway in January 2008 for $340 million in cash, it was an indication of what a track that hosted NASCAR races was worth then. A little less than eight years later, despite increased television revenues, the track-operating company founded by Bruton Smith devalued the 1.058-mile racetrack by approximately $100 million as part of its 2015 second quarter financial report that was released Wednesday. "If we had to do it again, obviously we wouldn't pay quite so much," SMI chief financial officer Bill Brooks said in a conference call Wednesday with financial analysts. With the facility having two Sprint Cup dates and an avid fan base, SMI agreed to the deal in September 2007 just prior to the financial downturn. For comparison, it bought Kentucky Speedway, a 1.5-mile facility with no Sprint Cup dates at the time, for $78.3 million in December 2008. Brooks said of the $340 million purchase price for the New Hampshire track, approximately $300 million was for the two Sprint Cup race weekends the facility had at the time. He said the approximate $100 million devaluation of the facility relates to the worth of the events to the track.
The seating capacity at New Hampshire was recently reduced from 95,000 to 88,000. SMI reported Wednesday that the track has had ongoing lower-than-anticipated revenues for its major racing events, and its chance to recoup those revenues were limited "similar to challenges faced by many major sports" of increased entertainment options and more people preferring to watch the events at home. SMI recorded a non-cash charge of $98.9 million on its latest financial statement for the devaluation of New Hampshire and change in goodwill resulting from NASCAR's transition to selling merchandise from a centrally located tent and not primarily through haulers and kiosks at the track. SMI will get an income tax benefit of $38.4 million as a result of the write-down.
The operator of eight tracks that have Sprint Cup races (Atlanta, Bristol, Charlotte, Kentucky, Las Vegas, New Hampshire, Sonoma and Texas), SMI reported that ticket revenue was down 3.2 percent through June but that includes a weather-plagued Atlanta weekend in February -- its 2014 event was in August -- and does not include Kentucky, which last year had its race in June but this year was in July. Brooks said many of the 2015 race weekends are showing increased revenues over 2014.(ESPN) and see the full report at Speedway Motorsports Inc. - 2015 second quarter financial report.(7-29-2015)

From Track Forum:

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

Zanardi at Indy. Pro or con?

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php/196803-Zanardi-at-Indy-Pro-or-con

From the Dirt Track Digest Forum:

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

Sheppard light at scales...

http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/index.php?/topic/54258-sheppard-light-at-scales/

From the AARN:

PA Posse Shuts Down Outlaws At Grove; Dietrich, Steve Smith Reign Supreme

Harpell Moves Race Of Champions From Oswego To Chemung

Friesen Storms To Short Track Super Series Win At I-88

Oswego To Allow Independent Front Suspensions; Chassis Builders React

Hearn Flies High On Rolling Wheels Synthetic Clay

Monadnock NWMT Win To Doug Coby In Rough Race

Eldora NASCAR Truck Race Win To Christopher Bell

Reconfigured Rough Track Had New Egypt Drivers On Edge

Tickets Go On Sale Jul. 31 For Allentown Indoor TQ Midget Races

Daren Scherer Dominates Spencer RoC Asphalt Modified Field

And other thing found in this weeks issue:

As for New Egypt - seems that the track was reconfigured in turns at each end of the speedway, by moving the guardrail out 10 to as much as 20 feet, making the track 80 feet wide. A majority of the drivers weren't all that pleased with the changes.

Earl Krause makes mention of the passing of Paul Degl. Paul's father told him that if he was going to race stock cars, he would have to move out of the house. To solve that problem, Paul used the name "Bill Spade", when he raced. He had quite a career, too

$6715.00 is what the 50/50 winning ticket holder got at Lebanon Valley when the WoO ran there last Sunday.

The Port Royal Speedway Living Legends Dream Race, scheduled for August 8th, is getting close to have the total purse up to $80,000.00 . Almost $58,000.00 for the sprints and over $10,000.00 for the Late Models.

Robbie Green, after not racing for a couple of years, won the modified feature at the Accord Speedway. That was his2nd win at Accord this season. His son, Randy, was 2nd in the Sportsman feature.

A special night honoring Jack Johnson was due to be held this Wednesday night at the Fonda Speedway. There's quite a list of some well known drivers that are listed as competing. Jack won his first feature back in 1971 at the age of 27. At Fonda he has won 149 features and 11 track championships. He also won 90 features at A/S. Over his career, he has won a total of 425 events at 33 various tracks.

Note: The above info was found in an article by Robin Yasinsac-Gillespie.

Former OVRP Dirt Oval racers:

Cody Bleau was 6th in the Sportsman feature at Fonda.

Tiffany Wambold won the Hobby Stock feature at Mahoning.

Kyle Redner was 2nd and Rich Coons 5th in the 358/Sportsman feature at Bethel. Joe Morris was 3rd and JB Morris 6th in the 4 Cylinder Advanced feature.

Davey Franek was 11th in the Sprint Car feature at Rolling Wheels.

Tim HIndley was 3rd, Matt Janiak 5th, Anthony Perrego 6th, LJ Lombardo 8th, Tom HIndley 15th and Billy V 20th in the 358 feature at OCFS. Joe Conklin was 2nd, Joey Bruning 4th, Matt Hitchcock 8th, Brandon Finley 9th, Dom Roselli, Jr. 10th, Joe Falanga 14th, Anthony Falanga 18th, while Zack Vavricka was a DQ in the Sportsman feature.

Emily VanInwegen won the CRSA 305 Sprint Car feature at 5 Mile. Josh Pieniazek was 3rd, Dan Hennessey 11th and Brian Krummel 20th. Brad Szulewski was 15th in the Sportsman main.

A.J. Filbeck was 6th in the 602 Sportsman main at U/R.

Winter Mead was 4th in the Spec Sportsman feature at Accord. Jimmy Johnson finished 7th. In the held over feature, Winter was 7th.

Roger Coss was 10th and Nick Pecko 11th in the asphalt RoC race at Spencer.

L.J. Lombardo was 19th and Tyler Dippel 28th in the modified feature at Rolling Wheels. Bobby Hackel, IV, was 6th in the Sportsman feature.

Tyler Dippel was 24th and Anthony Perrego 28th in the modified feature at I-88. Matt Hitchcock was 7th in the Sportsman feature.

Tyler Dippel was 4th, Alex Bell 25th and Bobby Hackel IV 26th in the modified feature at A/S. Hunter Bates was 9th in the Sportsman feature.

A.J. Filbeck was 7th in the Sportsman feature at Glen Ridge.

Justin Grosz was 9th in the ARDC feature at Path Valley.

Note: The ARDC still is having some quite small fields of cars. At Path Valley they had 13.

Mike Mammana was 8th in the Sportsman feature at Big Diamond.

Molly Chambers was 21st in the wingless 600 Micro feature at Kutztown.

Tyler Pirone was 13th in the Slingshot feature at Hamlin. Jacob Hendershot won the 270 Micro feature.

Davey Franek was 5th in the URC Sprint Car race at Bridgeport. He was 7th in the 360 feature at Selinsgrove.

Tyler Dippel was 8th in the modified feature at Lebanon Valley. Kolby Schroder was 12th, Kyle Armstrong 13th and Clinton Mills 23rd.

Chances are that I might have missed some.

Sprint Car Racing from "Back in the Day":

The very first Sprint Car race I ever attended, was at Williams Grove back on October 21, 1951. Believe it or not, it's the only time I've ever been to that track. Best I knew, it was the final for the eastern sprint cars. A point battle between Tommy Hinnershitz and Bill Schindler, as far as we knew, would be decided in that "Ted Horn" Memorial race. Schindler started out the day in the Caruso #3 - the car pictured above. Engine problems forced the car out of the main. As the cars were being pushed off, one car came into the pits (they were on the track back then), and the cars owner, who was driving, got out and told his crew to get Schindler. I can still remember the starter showing Schindler that he had one lap of "practice" in the car, before the green flew. Now I'm not exactly sure just where Schindler started, but at the end of the race - won by Jimmy Bryan in the Leitenberger # 45, Schindler was 2nd and Hinnershitz 3rd. However, I later found out there would be two more sprint car races - down in Carolina, so the championship still wasn't decided. Hinnershitz did end up with the championship after those two events.

And, for that Williams Grove race, a little about it:

AAA Sprint Car (Eastern) race
Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA
October 21, 1951
50 laps on 0.5 mile dirt oval; 25 miles

Fin	St	Driver	#	Owner	Car	Laps	Money	Status	Laps Led
1		Jimmy Bryan				50		running	12
2		Bill Schindler
3		Tommy Hinnershitz
4		Duane Carter
5		Ernie McCoy
6		Buster Warke
7		Hank Rogers

Time of race: 00:23:15
Average Speed: 64.483 MPH
Pole Speed: 26.43 seconds
Attendance: 33,000

Note: Any idea as to what kind of attendance the Grove draws today?

As for Al Keller - did you know he was the first to win a NASCAR race in a foreign car? Any idea as to what kind of car he drove? Any idea as to where that race was held?

Al and Johnny Thomson were teammates that drove for Sam Traylor. Unfortunately, at Langhorne one race day, they were both in the same sprint car heat. They had an "encounter" in what could be called the fourth turn. Keller barrel-rolled his sprinter along the guard rail. His next ride was in an ambulance and to the hospital, where a doctor "finished" what was left of one of Keller's thumbs. The next year, again at Langhorne, a race fan gave Keller his driving glove that had come off when he was barrel-rolling along the fence. Inside that glove was the part of this thumb that he lost in the accident.

Keller was pretty good racing open wheel cars. He was a top driver here in the northeast with the ARDC. He later went on to racing sprint cars (a stepping stone to Indy back in those days). He, unfortunately, was involved in the crash at Indy in 1955 when Bill Vukovich was fatally injured. Keller was later fatally injured while racing a Champ car at Phoenix.

Press Releases:

NEWS FROM

Orange County Fair Speedway

239 Wisner Avenue

Middletown, NY10940

CONTACT

Mike Gurda

845-342-2573

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DOUBLE MODIFIED FEATURES HIGHLIGHT HOT AUGUST RACING AUGUST 1 AT ORANGE COUNTY FAIR SPEEDWAY

Six race meets remain in the chase for Big-Block Modified championship

MIDDLETOWN, NY (July 26)……..August heat is upon us and so is the hot racing action at Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, New York. On tap this Saturday evening, August 1, is a full night of qualifying and feature races for the track’s racing divisions---Big-Block Modifieds, Sportsman, Rookie Sportsman, Street Stocks, and Thunder Trucks. And to add to the excitement, the headline Big-Block Modifieds will go to the post in two 30-lap feature races

Pine Bush Equipment and McGannon Excavating are the evening’s sponsors on a night that also includes the Orange County Kids Club activities for the youngsters as well as race number three in the Crane Golf Challenge Series for Street Stocks.

With just six scheduled Big-Block Modified races remaining in the season-long point chase to determine the track championship, this week’s pair of Modified features will have a profound effect on the point standings. The current point leaders will either add to their totals, or perhaps new challengers will gain momentum tightening the standings even more.

Currently, former track titlist Jerry Higbie tops the Big-Block standings with 990 points.  But he’s being challenged by defending champion Tim Hindley (969 points), while a trio of young standout racers are eager to show their prowess.  Anthony Perrego (930 points) is third in the standings followed by Mike Ruggiero (903 points) and Billy Vaninwegen (885 points).

The August 1 racing program will open with the Big-Block Modified 30-lap feature postponed from May 16. Then a series of qualifying races will set the fields for the night’s feature events, climaxing with the second 30-lap Big-Block Modified main. Racing action on the historic Middletown Hard Clay track gets underway promptly at 6:30 pm.

Speedway admission prices during Fair events are $14 adults, $1.00 children 6 and under with advance purchase tickets including Fair admission. Fair admission applies to same day speedway attendance. Advance Speedway tickets must be purchased at least one day prior to the scheduled race meet to include Fair admission.

Adult tickets purchased on the day of the event are $12.00 plus Fair admission.

Ticket prices, starting times, and other important information for the Orange County Fair are available atwww.orangecountyfair.com/entertainment/grandstand.

Advance ticket sales and track information for all remaining Orange County Fair Speedway race dates, including the 54^th Annual Eastern States Weekend, can be found at the Orange County website, www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net, or from the Track Office. Call 845-342-2573 during business hours.    

Brett Deyo

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/July 28, 2015

After 10-Year Absence, The ‘Diamond State 50’ Returns To Delaware International Speedway On Tuesday, August 4;  $25,000-Plus Pay Structure In Place For Modified 50; Crates Featured In $1,000-To-Win Main; Bonuses Adding Up

DELMAR, DE – For the first time in 10 years, the ‘Diamond State 50’ has returned to the Delaware International Speedway schedule.

Now, the event is just one week away!

On Tuesday, August 4 (rain date: August 5), the Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Hi-Tek Modifieds roll into Charlie Cathell’s historic Route 13 facility for a 50-lap, $5,000-to-win ‘Diamond State 50’ showcase of drivers from Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and more.  This marks the first ‘Diamond State 50’ running since 2005.

Taylor & Messick, in addition to Hurlock Auto & Speed, are presenting sponsors of the ‘Diamond State 50’ special.

The event takes added significance as event No. 4 of the five-race STSS Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. South Region presented by Scotty’s Speed & Diesel. Entering the Delaware International program, six drivers are within 19 points of the series lead in search of a $7,500 championship.

Ryan Watt and Rick Laubach are locked into a tie for the STSS South Region point lead with 242 points each. Anthony Perrego (237 points), Billy Pauch Jr. (228 points), David Van Horn Jr. (225 points) and Ryan Godown (223 points) trail.

A huge, non-top-heavy pay structure of $25,000-plus is in place for the big-block/small-block Modified competitors, with $1,000 reserved for the 10^th-place finisher and $400 to take the green flag.

A number of special awards and bonuses are in place, as well. The STSS Modified heat winner turning the fastest lap via the speedway transponder system will receive $100 cash courtesy of Vahlco Wheels.

The highest-finishing Delaware International Speedway regular will pocket $250 cash via DTM Motorsports.

Lap money is adding up at $20 per lap, which will be distributed among the top-seven in the running order during the main event.

Product certificates and gift cards will be distributed from Allstar Performance, American Racer/Lias Tire, ATL Fuel Cells, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Fast Axle, Lineman Racing, Shiley Fabrication, Vahlco Wheels and more.

Crate 602 Sportsman are featured in a $1,000-to-win, $100-to-start showcase open to New Jersey invaders and the Delaware faithful. The Super Trucks complete the program with a 12-lap feature.

For the ‘Diamond State 50’ gates will open at 3 p.m. The drivers’ meeting takes place at 5:45 p.m., with hot laps at 6:20 p.m. and qualifying at 7 p.m.

Adult grandstand admission is $22. Students (ages 7-13) pay $5 and Kids 6 and under are FREE. Pit admission is $35, with Students (ages 7-13) paying $10 and Kids 6 and under FREE.

Complete rules and information have now been posted on the Short Track Super Series website:http://bdmotorsportsmedia.com/diamond-state-50-rules-general-information.

Delaware International Speedway, located at 37854 Sussex Highway Delmar, Delaware 19940, is on the web at www.delawareracing.com and can be contacted by phone, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at 302.846.3911.

To learn more about the Short Track Super Series or BD Motorsports Media LLC, 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.

Brett Deyo

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/July 27, 2015

History In The Making: Richest Event In Woodhull Raceway’s 51-Year History Takes Place Tuesday, August 11; Short Track Super Series Invades For Inaugural ‘Hustlin’ the High Banks 51’ Special Offering $5,100 Winner’s Share!

WOODHULL, NY – The richest race in the 51-year history of Woodhull Raceway is fast approaching.

On Tuesday, August 11 (rain date: August 12), the Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Hi-Tek Modifieds invade the high-banked, paperclip-shaped oval for the inaugural running of the ‘Hustlin’ the High Banks’ 51-lap event, race No. 6 of the STSS Bob Hilbert Sportswear North Region.

Modifieds, big- and small-blocks, race for a $5,100-plus winner’s share, with $1,000 reserved for 10^th-place and $400 just to take the green flag. This is by far the most lucrative payout in the five-decade existence of auto racing at Woodhull, now owned and operated by businessman Ted White.

The ‘Hustlin’ the High Banks’ special is sponsored by Addison NAPA Auto Parts, Two Rivers Timber, Maple City Dodge and Outman Equipment.

“We’ve been looking to do something different and have a midweek show,” Woodhull’s White commented. “We watched the success of the Short Track Super Series last year and knew we wanted to be a part of it. There is so much excitement right now with the series and our event. It’s definitely going to be a night to remember at Woodhull.”

The last midweek Modified event contested at Woodhull was June 5, 2012, more than three years ago.

Stewart Friesen of Sprakers, N.Y., off the strength of a $9,000-plus triumph at I-88 Speedway in Afton, N.Y., July 22, leads the STSS North Region standings into Woodhull. Friesen has never turned a competitive lap at the Woodhull facility.

Many of the STSS followers will be first-time visitors to the unique facility.

For the ‘Hustlin’ the High Banks 51’ event, all Modifieds weight a minimum of 2,400 lbs. American Racer tire options are as follows: 33 or harder across the front; 33 or harder left-rear; 38 or harder right-rear. Sail panels, even, with a maximum height of 65 inches at the tallest point are permitted.

The complete ‘Hustlin’ the High Banks 51’ payout is: 1) $5,100; 2) $3,000; 3) $2,000; 4) $1,500; 5) $1,400; 6) $1,150; 7) $1,125; 8) $1,100; 9) $1,050; 10) $1,000; 11) $750; 12) $650; 13) $550; 14) $450; 15) $425; 16) $415; 17) $405; 18-Last): $400; Provisionals) -$200.

Lap money, contingency awards and bonuses will further sweeten the pot for STSS Modified competitors in the event.

GRIT Series Crate 602 Sportsman will compete in a $1,000-to-win, $100-to-start 25-lap main and a Quad C Challenge completes the program.

Complete rules, times and general information are now posted on the series website:http://bdmotorsportsmedia.com/hustlin-the-high-banks-51-general-information-prices-rules/

Woodhull Raceway is located on Steuben County Route 20, just off New York State 417 in Woodhull, N.Y. The speedway is celebrating its 51^st consecutive year of auto racing in 2015. To learn more about Woodhull Raceway, visit www.woodhullraceway.com, call owner Ted White at 607.857.1336 or e-mailtwrauto@verizon.net.

To learn more about the Short Track Super Series or BD Motorsports Media LLC, 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.

Jack Johnson:

A special tribute to all time modified great Jack Johnson, was held this past Wednesday night at the Fonda Speedway. Last I had seen, there were over 40 modifieds entered. Since I usually send this column out around 11:00 PM on Wednesdays, I doubt there will be any results in this week's column.

Jack had quite an illustrious racing career, with many wins. One win that I was in attendance for, was the 1985 Eastern States Weekend. Jack was mostly sponsored by B.R. DeWitt over the years. There was an asphalt modified driver that DeWitt also sponsored - Richie Evans. Sadly on that 1985 weekend, Richie was fatally injured while racing at Martinsville. And, for the ESW 200, for reasons that escape me, Jack had to start last - 40th something. When that 200 was over, the race announcer spoke with the winner - Jack Johnson.

As for the Jack Johnson Tribute race, here's how they line up:

 Note: The command to start engines was given by Jack Johnson - via telephone.

At the end of the 50 laps:

STEWART FRIESEN, Danny Johnson, Billy Decker, Tyler Dippel, Keith Flach.

I get emails:

Here are a couple of responses I received from an email I sent out to a selected few of my friends regarding DIRTcar and OCFS and the racing prior to ESW:

Tom

How are you shorter then me?

Here are my thoughts on the issue.

They are trying to be the big bully that they have always tried to be. They are looking over their shoulder and worrying about what others are doing. I believe that is why they put this rules in place to begin with.

I may be wrong but I think that this rule has been around for years. I seem to remember it from the past. They just haven't enforced it in a while.

If it doesn't rain and Weedsport gets everything in I would be amazed if some of the drivers didn't head for Middletown on Sunday. Is Brett Hearn who has dominated Eastern States for years going to let Dirt tell him he can't complete with 20,000.00 grand on the line? Would they dare to strip him of his points if he did?

Now back to Rolling Wheels, Tim Fuller ran in the race at the Wheels on July 1st. Dirt said afterwards that he would not be penalized.

Your welcome to use my comments if you want.

And another one:

I feel that DIRT is a little scared!  Why have DIRT sanctioned races when other tracks (who are not DIRT sanctioned) are racing?

Look at what happened at OCFS.  Deyo had scheduled his race before the opening at OCFS.  DIRT gave OCFS an option - stay DIRT sanctioned and not have the Deyo race, or leave DIRT and have the Deyo race.  We all know what happened there!

I honestly believe that if DIRT would get off their high horse and not worry about putting money in their pockets, and met with some of these non-DIRT tracks, they could make some real money! 

Subject: EMMR

Coming up on August 21-23 the annual Old Timers Convention at the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing at the Latimore Valley Fairgrounds.
A weekend of fun and old friends you may not have seen for years. If you were involved with ARDC in the past or today come out and have a great time remembering or learning about the history of all types of motorsports in the East. You never know who you might run into and the museum is great. As always there is no admission to the fairgrounds or the museum. For a schedule of the weekends events, directions or information on camping go to www.EMMR.org See you there.

Video:

Robin Miller with Gabby Chaves on his USAC debut

http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/119694-racer-video-robin-miller-with-gabby-chaves-on-his-usac-debut

And another video Remember this one?

https://video.xx.fbcdn.net/hvideo-xpf1/v/t42.1790-2/11035712_869190933141627_989135997_n.mp4?efg=eyJybHIiOjYwMywicmxhIjoxMTI3fQ%3D%3D&rl=603&vabr=335&oh=c9322c1ad539f70c84b621828f15ec19&oe=55B83BA7

Other News:

15 Reason To Stop Drinking Mountain Dew

http://sometips.org/2015/06/15-reason-to-stop-drinking-mountain-dew/

Gotta love it:

Didja hear about Hillary getting her hair cut? Damn, how much had to be cut for it to cost $600.00+?

This week's joke:

A little old lady was walking down the street dragging two large plastic garbage bags behind her. One of the bags was ripped and every once in a while a $20 fell out onto the sidewalk.

Noticing this, a policeman stopped her, and said, “Ma’am, there are $20 bills falling out of that bag.”

“Oh, really? Darn it!” said the little old lady. “I’d better go back and see if I can find them. Thanks for telling me officer.”

“Well, now, not so fast,” said the cop. “Where did you get all that money? You didn’t’ steal it, did you?”

“Oh, no, no,” said the old lady. “You see, my back yard is right next to a golf course. A lot of golfers come and pee through a knot hole in my fence, right into my flower garden. It used to really tick me off. Kills the flowers, you know. Then I thought, ‘why not make the best of it?’

“So, now, I stand behind the fence by the knot hole, real quiet, with my hedge clippers. Every time some guy sticks his thing through my fence, I surprise him, grab hold of it and say, ‘O.K., buddy! Give me $20, or off it comes.’”

“Well, that seems only fair,” said the cop, laughing. “O.K. Good luck! Oh, by the way, what’s in the other bag?”

“Not everybody pays,” smiles the old lady.

Until my next column – next week

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

And:

http://newenglandtractor.com/racereport/

Just in case anyone wants to contact me. My email is: ygordad@yahoo.com