Mostly
Racin' Stuff
By
Tom Avenengo
Volume # 239
08/20/2015
This week’s
photo:
Pictured above is the late, great Bill Schindler. Back around 1936, he was in a terrible
"big car" accident and due to the severe injuries to his left leg, he
had to have a good part of that leg amputated.
He came back to racing, and rather than the big cars, went with the
midgets. He had quite a career driving
for the late Mike Caruso, mostly. Many
track championships and quite a few ARDC driving championships, too. In the years 1947 & 1948 he had 53
feature wins in each of those years. He
wanted to race in the Indy 500, so to do so, he had to start running the sprint
cars again. That led to him getting a
ride for Indy and the AAA Championship Trail.
He did gather one win in the
"Champ Cars", shortly before his death in a sprint car at
Allentown, Pa on September 20, 1952.
Rather than list his race record further down in this
week's column, I'm going to add a few more photos of Bill in various cars.
Special from
me:
Well, so far, I've had two IV's consisting of iron,
which I've been low on. Only 3 more to
go. Have I noticed any difference
yet? No, not really, although I seem to
be sleeping better.
Racin’
stuff:
From Pocono Raceway:
|
Tricky Triangle Times: ABC Supply 500 Race Edition |
|||||||
|
I always get emails from Anne Fornoro
regarding A.J. Foyt's Indycar race team.
Below is part of what I received this past Tuesday:
NOTES & QUOTES: ABC Supply 500 at
Pocono Raceway
Takuma Sato: No. 14 ABC Supply Honda
Jack Hawksworth: No. 41 ABC Supply Honda
Takuma Sato On:
Pocono Raceway: “I like Pocono Raceway. The venue is set up
in a great natural environment that I always enjoy and the track is very
challenging. The characteristic of this tricky triangle is so much fun that
every corner is totally different and feels like an ultra high-speed road
course. I always enjoy driving here especially since we were able to find a
good setup for the last two races here.”
The key setup for the race: “Turn
1 and 3 are very different corners as one has a big banking and the other has
no banking which made the balance of the car quite different so we work to get
closer on balance between these two and seem to be succeeding at that. Since we
have a very good chassis setup here, I believe we should be strong even with
the new aerokit. Particularly since the configuration of the aerokit is the
version that we run well with this year.”
Running strong and finishing: “We
know what happened the last two races here so I’m confident we will be able to
finish as strong as our start. It’s another long 500-mile race so it will be
very challenging for all of us but I have a good feeling.”
Having 1300 ABC Supply guests in the stands: “It just feels fantastic for another
great support from our title sponsor ABC Supply. Having 1300 guests is massive,
and it is very impressive. Hopefully they enjoy watching us have a strong this
weekend.”
How he enjoyed his time off: "It was a
very nice time off. I spent a good amount of time with my family and had a
great trip to both Europe and Canada. We did lots of things while in South
France and shared good times with my old friends. We also had a fantastic time
in the mountains in western Canada, lots of great outdoor activity that was so
much fun, so I am totally refreshed and ready to go to Pocono race!”
Jack Hawksworth
On:
Pocono Raceway: “The
sheer size and width of the front straight is pretty spectacular! It's
certainly the most diverse oval I have ever raced on. Each of the
three corners is completely different in terms of banking and radius which
is very unique.”
Last year’s accident: “Last year’s
accident was a combination of a few things, pushing a little hard on cold tires
and being a little aggressive in terms of car setup to try to dial it in
for qualifying. We had a limited amount of track time that weekend and
with no testing leading up to the event, I think it pushed us into a
tricky situation. That's racing sometimes!”
Any hesitation about returning to track where you got injured? “Honestly,
I'm really hoping for some redemption at Pocono this year. The
accident wasn't fun but it's a long time ago now and it would be great to
firmly wipe that one from memory with a good run this year. The team has
been strong there in the past and I would absolutely love to capitalize on
that. I have to say the guys have been working hard since Mid-Ohio in all
areas, and I think we have seen some consistent improvement throughout the
team of late with four top-10's in the last eight races. We have a long road
ahead still, but we'll be looking to see out these last couple of races with
solid performances so that we can carry some positive momentum into the off
season.”
How he enjoyed his time off: “I stayed in
Texas the whole time. Last weekend I went shifter karting in Dallas which was a
lot of fun.”
A.J. Foyt will
miss the final two races of the season. Foyt underwent surgery August 10 due to a
staph infection in his right artificial knee (the January, 2012 infection was
in his left artificial knee). The prosthesis was removed, and in its place an
antibiotic-infused cement spacer was inserted to aid in clearing up the
infection. Once his doctors are satisfied that the infection has cleared (about
six weeks), Foyt will undergo another surgery to have a new artificial knee
implanted, which will require an additional six weeks of recovery time. “Well
this is one of the worst things I’ve gone through in my life,” Foyt said,
adding, “Knowing I have five or six weeks dealing with this and then having to
get operated on again to take the spacer out and put in a new knee. This staph
infection, it’s the second time I’ve had it and it’s really beat me down. I
don’t know if I’ll ever be like I used to be but I’m sure hoping, so I’m
fighting awful hard.”
Found
on Jayski:
http://www.jayski.com/
High-drag package disappoints at Michigan:
NASCAR's
high-drag aerodynamic package got its second race test Sunday in the Pure
Michigan 400, and post-race reactions from drivers ranged from guarded approval
to muffled disappointment. Matt Kenseth won the race in dominant fashion,
leading 146 of the 200 laps. He was rarely challenged at the front. Most
significant passing in the top 10 was done on the first few laps after a
restart. The high-drag package was used for the first time at Indianapolis last
month and had little impact on improving passing opportunities. The most
definitive post-race answers Sunday came from Team Penske drivers Joey Logano
and Brad Keselowski, both of whom avoided criticizing the package but said a
lot in saying not very much. Asked what he thought of the package results, Logano
said, "What did you think?" Told there wasn't much passing, he said,
"That's what I thought, too." Asked if he wanted to see the package
tried again, Logano simply said, "No." Keselowski also wouldn't
comment specifically on Sunday's results. "It's not my deal, man," he
said. "It's not my right to say. It's not my sport, so whatever they want
to do, we'll race it. That's my job. I think we saw almost exactly what
everybody thought we'd see. I'll let you guys (media) judge whether that was good
or bad." NASCAR communications official David Higdon said NASCAR will look
at data from Sunday's race, along with other aero package tests, and take input
from drivers.
Kevin Harvick finished second but passed up the opportunity to comment directly
when asked about the rules package. Denny Hamlin, who finished fifth and failed
to lead a lap, had a mixed review. "It's not what I would prefer,
obviously," he said. "Passing is very, very difficult; there's no
doubt about it. I think there's light at the end of the tunnel. I think we've
seen what's best. Hopefully, these NASCAR fans get what they want in the
future." Martin Truex Jr. finished third but said he would have had a shot
at winning under different circumstances. "We could run anybody down and
get to them," he said. "But it took a long time to pass cars. It was
just so damn hard to pass. I could run a guy down from way back and get to him
and about spin out."(USA Today)(8-17-2015)
2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup CHASE Standings:
[after Michigan, race 23 of
36]
(by wins, then by points standings)
1) #48-Jimmie Johnson [4 wins](6th in driver points)
2) #18-Kyle Busch [4 wins] (29th)
3) #20-Matt Kenseth [3 wins] (7th)
4) #4-Kevin Harvick [2 wins] (1st)
5) #22-Joey Logano [2 wins] (2nd)
6) #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. [2 wins] (3rd)
7) #41-Kurt Busch [2 wins] (8th)
8) #78-Martin Truex Jr. [1 win] (4th)
9) #2-Brad Keselowski [1 win] (5th)
10) #11-Denny Hamlin [1 win](9th)
11) #19-Carl Edwards [1 win](14th)
(above drivers have clinched a berth in the Chase, except Busch who must remain
in the top 30)
[would be in the Chase via points
standings]
12) #1-Jamie McMurray, +70 ahead of 16th in driver points
13) #27-Paul Menard, +61
14) #31-Ryan Newman, +56
15) #24-Jeff Gordon, +55
16) #15-Clint Bowyer, +23
[currently out of the Chase]
17) #43-Aric Almirola, -23
18) #5-Kasey Kahne, -26
19) #16-Biffle, -63
(ties are broken by wins, 2nds, 3rds, etc)
See the Unofficial Drivers Points Standings page
(pdf) and Unofficial Owners Points Standings page
(pdf).
(8-16-2015)
Sad News - Dave Arledge:
David Cline
Arledge was born April 8, 1950 and passed away August 9, 2015. He graduated
from Tryon High and UNC Chapel Hill; Son of Thurston and Margaret Arledge. He
was a pilot & Captain in US Marines. He was employed as a corporate pilot
by Richard Childress Racing. He is survived by his wife JoAnne of the home,
daughter Andrea Keller of St. Pete, FL, a brother Michael & sister in-law
Linda Arledge of Madison, NC. A celebration of his life will be held Aug. 19,
2015 from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Spartanburg Country Club. In lieu of flowers
donations can be made to American Cancer or Childress Children's trauma
Center.(Spartanburg Herald-Journal), at Michigan and Mid-Ohio, RCR cars ran a special decal in his honor.(8-16-2015)
Darlington offering "Untamed Access" for race weekend:
Darlington
Raceway is offering its fans a new exclusive "Untamed" VIP experience
for the Bojangles' Southern 500 on Sunday, Sept. 6. Untamed Access offers fans
the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of race day activities,
including:
" Parking in the Brasington VIP area
" Admission to the Bojangles' Legends Breakfast
" Cold garage and pit access
" Pace car ride with a NASCAR personality
" Special Pre-race photo op in Gatorade Victory Lane
" A guided tour of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Garage by Richmond
International Raceway President Dennis Bickmeier
" Red carpet access to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver's meeting
" Special VIP access to Bojangles' Southern 500 Pre-race ceremonies (NSCS
driver introductions and Grand Funk Railroad concert)
All experiences are subject to change, weather permitting. The Untamed package
is available for $375 and must be purchased in addition to a grandstand ticket
or infield admission. Packages are only available for guests 18 and older.
Untamed Access packages can be purchased by calling 866-459-RACE or visiting DarlingtonRaceway.com.(Darlington Raceway PR)(8-16-2015)
Michigan TV Ratings:
Yet again,
overnight ratings dropped for NASCAR on cable. NASCAR Sprint Cup racing from
Michigan earned a 2.4 overnight rating on NBCSN Sunday afternoon, down 20% from
last year and 2013 (3.0 both years), when the race aired on ESPN. So far this
season, 11 of the 12 Sprint Cup races on cable have had a decline in overnights.
The lone exception was Kentucky on NBCSN last month, which pulled even in the
metered markets but ended up declining in the final tally. Other than the
Brickyard 400, which had a 2.9 overnight, each race on cable this season has
failed to top the 2.5 mark. At this point last year, nine of the ten races on
TNT and ESPN topped 2.5. For the weekend, NASCAR on NBCSN was the top sporting
event outside of the PGA Championship.(Sports Media Watch / ShowBuzz Daily), see past race TV Ratings,
five-year comparison chart and more on the 2015 TV Ratings page.(8-18-2015)
Danica Patrick press conference re-signs Patrick and Nature's Bakery as
sponsor:
Stewart-Haas
Racing has scheduled a press conference regarding #10-Danica Patrick for
Tuesday at 11:00am/et. Fox Sports' Tom Jensen tweeted, "Sources tell @NASCARONFOX she'll
have a sponsor who is new to sport" and the "new sponsor could be for as many
as 30 races, per sources.".
The press conference will be live streamed on NASCAR.com.(8-17-2015)
UPDATE: hearing the sponsor could be Nature's
Bakery: "on-the-go snacks and foods that complement health conscious
living". Patrick teased the paint scheme on her Twitter.(8-17-2015)
UPDATE 2: Stewart-Haas Racing announced the
re-signing of driver Danica Patrick in a multi-year deal (using 3 years), also
signing new NASCAR sponsor Nature's Bakery to a multi-year deal. Nature's
Bakery will be the sponsor for 28 races in 2016, starting at Daytona in
February. All team owner Tony Stewart would say about the term of the contracts
for Patrick or Nature's Bakery is, multi-year, but more than two years.
Press Release: Nature's Bakery, a rapidly-growing snacks and food brand
headquartered in Reno, Nevada, has joined Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR) to become
the primary sponsor of driver Danica Patrick and the #10 team in the NASCAR
Sprint Cup Series beginning with the 2016 season. The multiyear sponsorship
agreement will see Nature's Bakery and its signature tagline, "Energy for
Life's Great Journeys", adorn Patrick's #10 Chevy for 28 races a year.
Nature's Bakery was founded in 2010 by the father-and-son duo of Dave and Sam
Marson with a mission of making delicious, convenient, on-the-go snacks that
complement health-conscious living and active, everyday lifestyles. Their
lineage in the food industry can be traced back to the 1960s when Dave's
father, Richard Marson, opened a family bakery. Growing up in the bakery, Dave
passed his passion and skills along to his son, Sam, whereupon the two combined
their knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit to form Nature's Bakery.
"Danica Patrick is one of the most fit and health-conscious drivers in all
of racing and she embodies the Nature's Bakery customer," said Dave
Marson, founder of Nature's Bakery. "We make great products that
complement Danica's lifestyle and the always on-the-go environment in which she
competes. Nature's Bakery provides 'Energy for Life's Great Journeys' and we're
very proud to embark upon this NASCAR journey with Danica and Stewart-Haas
Racing."
"It's an honor to represent Nature's Bakery and also a great deal of
responsibility," Patrick said. "They have ambitious goals and they're
going to rely on me and everyone at Stewart-Haas Racing to deliver. I have
ambitious goals too. It's why I came to NASCAR and, specifically, to
Stewart-Haas Racing. There's still a lot I want to achieve in this sport and
I'm looking to continue my professional journey with a brand as determined as I
am."
Patrick is motorsports' most recognizable athlete and the most marketable
personality in NASCAR according to Repucom's 2015 Davie Brown Index. Her
success on the racetrack, which includes an IndyCar Series victory and a
Daytona 500 pole, transcends her into the mainstream, proven by a 2014 Harris
Poll which named Patrick the second-most recognized female athlete in the
United States, behind only tennis star Serena Williams.
"All you need to say is 'Danica' and people know exactly who you're
talking about," Dave Marson added. "She has immersed herself and
succeeded in a very intense sport and been recognized for her efforts. By offering
convenient, easy-to-find and affordable products that people can feel better
about eating, we've carved a niche for Nature's Bakery in the fast-growing,
packaged snack-food industry. With our partnership with Danica and Stewart-Haas
Racing, we're able to take that niche mainstream."
"Danica has proven she belongs in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and we're
very happy to have her a part of our team for years to come," said Tony
Stewart, co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing with Gene Haas, founder of Haas Automation,
the largest CNC machine tool builder in North America. "Nature's Bakery is
a natural fit with Danica. She has played an important role in the growth of
all the businesses associated with her and our growth as a race team. Our
partnership with Nature's Bakery is all about growing their business. In
Danica, we have the best possible person to help Nature's Bakery achieve its
goals."(SHR)
See an image of the scheme on the 2016
#10 Team Schemes page.(8-18-2015)
Michael Waltrip Addresses MWR News:
On FOX
Sports 1's NASCAR Ccamping World Truck Series practice telecast Wednesday
morning, Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR) co-owner Michael Waltrip addressed the
morning's news that MWR and #15-Clint Bowyer have mutually agreed to separate
at the conclusion of the 2015 NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES season and that the
organization no longer will field full-time cars in 2016. Waltrip, on the air
Wednesday in his role as a FOX NASCAR analyst, shared his thoughts with
play-by-play announcer Adam Alexander and analyst Phil Parsons. Below is a
transcript from the exchange:
Alexander: What more can you
tell us as this news is just breaking this morning?
Waltrip: "Well, it's a sad
day for MWR obviously. I love the culture we've built there. Our sponsors -
they're not sponsors; they're partners. And our employees are our teammates. We
just have the perfect workplace, and unfortunately in 2016, we're not going to
be racing there. My hope is somebody wants to have a really nice shop full of
really cool people that work together well and want to have a race team and we
can provide that for them. Rob is going to be a part of Chip Ganassi Racing
going forward. Rob and I are best buddies. He's done an amazing job of
stabilizing MWR in the beginning and then we raced for a championship --
finished second in 2012. So, my heart goes out to all the employees, all the
people that worked at MWR. Hopefully, somebody wants to have a team and they
can have it right there at our place."
Parsons: A lot of people may say
MWR started in 2007. MWR really started behind your house in the garage back in
the '90s. How hard is that for you after being in this as an owner for around
20 years now?
Waltrip: "Our first race
was here (Bristol Motor Speedway) in 1994 with Jeff Green. We towed in here
with Rodney Silver, a flatbed trailer, unloaded our car and ran third that day.
And won Nationwide/XFINITY races behind our house and competed in the Cup
Series. We made the Daytona 500 with Kenny Wallace in a car we built in
Sherrills Ford (N.C.) behind my house. That grew to Michael Waltrip Racing and
we raced for a championship, like I said, Chase berths, race wins. I'm
thankful. I'm happy. It's a great run that we've had. We'll just see what's
next."(FOX)(8-19-2015)
MWR/Bowyer to split at end of 2015; no full-time cars in 2016:
Michael
Waltrip Racing and Clint Bowyer have mutually agreed to separate at the
conclusion of the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. Bowyer, currently 16th in the
NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase standings, will be free to pursue other career options
in 2016 and beyond. MWR will continue to field the #15 and #55 Toyotas for the
remainder of the 2015 season. Team co-owner Rob Kauffman said MWR will not
field a full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup entry in 2016.
ROB KAUFFMAN: "MWR will race hard and compete for
the remainder of the 2015 season. This decision was made after weighing several
different options and scenarios. I felt it was important to make an
announcement as soon as we had clarity, so that is what we are doing today. I
want to thank all of our staff, partners, sponsors and fans for all their
effort and support over the years. Clint Bowyer has done a lot for MWR since
joining us in 2012 and we appreciate the energy and effort he has given the
organization. After many discussions, Clint and I agreed we would go our
separate ways at the end of the season and I wish him well in whatever
direction he pursues."
CLINT BOWYER: "I want to thank Michael, Rob and
everyone at Michael Waltrip Racing that made these past four years special.
After extensive discussions with Rob and MWR, we came to the point that we
mutually agreed our paths in the future just didn't align but I think we all
agreed on the next steps in a very professional manner. I am looking forward to
what future opportunities may come but for now we have a championship to pursue
in 2015 and we owe it to every one of our sponsors, partners, employees and
fans to deliver on and off the track."
MICHAEL WALTRIP: "Rob joined MWR in 2007 and has
helped give us the resources to build a competitive race team, and in 2012,
Clint Bowyer took us to the doorstep of a championship. From where MWR started
behind my house in Sherrill's Ford to winning Sprint Cup races, poles and
earning Chase berths, I am proud of what we accomplished. My family has been a
part of NASCAR for almost five decades and I plan on being a part of it for
years to come. I would not have had the opportunity to start this journey
without so many great partners, sponsors and employees and I want to thank each
of them for making Michael Waltrip Racing a reality."(MWR)(8-19-2015)
Tony Stewart iffy about fifth surgery on right leg:
A planned
fifth operation on Tony Stewart's surgically repaired right leg may not happen
after all. Stewart, who severely fractured his lower right leg in a sprint car
accident in August 2013, has already had four surgeries, the most recent coming
last December. A proposed fifth operation in the offseason would allow doctors
to remove his stabilizing titanium rod hardware, but Stewart said he'll find
out the status of the surgery in a couple of months. "We actually don't
know yet. There's potential that we may not have to have the operation, after
all," Stewart said Tuesday at the announcement of Danica Patrick's new
contract and sponsorship deal at Stewart-Haas Racing. "The rod that's in
there might stay in there, so at the end of October we're having a meeting with
the doctor and we're going to make that decision. Either way, it's either
one-and-done or we're done." Stewart broke both his tibia and fibula in a
crash at Southern Iowa Speedway, forcing him to miss the final 15 races of the
2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. He had three surgeries that year, followed by a
fourth just ahead of 2014 Champion's Week, when his teammate Kevin Harvick was
feted for his first Sprint Cup crown.(NASCAR.com)(8-19-2015)
From
Track Forum:
http://www.trackforum.com/forums/forum.php
If Josef goes to Ganassi, what other dominoes
follow?
http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php/197148-If-Josef-goes-to-Ganassi-what-other-dominoes-follow/page3
From the Dirt Track
Digest Forum:
http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/
The BIG dud!!
http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/index.php?/topic/54501-the-big-dud/
Note: It's up to three pages now. A discussion about car counts for
"Major" races.
From
the AARN:
Jim Campbell,
Jr. Fatally Injured In Williams Grove Crash
Riverhead
Raceway Sale Official: Ed Partridge Is New Owner
Huge DIRTcar Mod
Tour Win For Jimmy Phelps At Malta
Angry Coby Wins
Thompson WMT Race With Last-To-First Drive
Ninth Knoxville
National Win For Donny Schatz Comes Easily
Emerling Is Red
Hot In RoC Asphalt Mod Series; Scores Lancaster Win
Two For
Richards, One For Eckert In Three Race WoO LM Eastern Swing
TJ Stutts
Claims Selinsgrove 360 Sprint National Open $10,000 Prize
Pauch Jr. Wins
Kutztown SpeeSTR Season Finale; Takes Championships
World Racing
Group Seeks Support In Keeping Super DIRT Week In Syracuse
And a little
more from this week's edition:
The Riverhead (NY)
Raceway has been sold by Barbara & Jim Cromarty to Ed Partridge. The racing season will continue as scheduled.
Brian Carter, CEO
of the World Racing Group went to the New York state capital in Albany last
Friday looking for help to keep Super Dirt Week in the state, if not at the
Fairgrounds . With an announcement on
Fairgrounds renovations expected in two weeks, Carter didn't leave the meeting
happy.
As for a
replacement for Syracuse (if needed), there are three NY tracks being
mentioned: Rolling Wheels, Oswego (with
a covering of dirt) and Glenn Donnelly's track.
On Tuesday, August
25th, there will be two 30 lap features - one for the 410 Sprint Cars and one
for Modifieds. As for the Modifieds, the
358's can run sail panels, while the big blocks can't.
Also, on the 25th
is the Mr. Dirt $17,500.00 (to win?) 100 lap Modified race at Lebanon Valley.
Note: Not positive, but I believe that's been the
purse for that race for years now?
Bowman Gray Stadium in N.C. just had its 1,000 the
race.
Thursday,
September 3rd is a 100 lap Modified race at Rolling Wheels, with $7,500.00 to
win and $400.00 to start. Also a GRIT
Sportsman 20 lap race with $1,000.00 to win and $100.00 to start. This race is to be televised live on MVTV
(which I can't get down here in Florida, of course)
Former OVRP
Dirt Oval racers:
Tyler Dippel was 21st in Brett Hearn's "Big
Show" race at A/S. In the first
Sportsman feature, Cody Bleau was 3rd.
In the second Sportsman feature, Matt Hitchcock was 6th and Bobby
Hackel, IV was 7th.
Nick Pecko was 9th in the RoC 110 lap race at Lancaster,
while Roger Coss was 15th.
A.J. Filbeck was 2nd and Bobby Hackel, IV 21st in the
Sportsman feature at U/R.
Tim Hindley was 2nd, Mike Kolka 5th, Anthony Perrego
9th, Billy V 10th, Mike Ruggiero 11th, Tom Hindley 12th, L.J. Lombardo 18th,
Matt Janiak 19th and Clinton Mills 21st in the Modified feature at OCFS.
Matt Hitchcock was 2nd, Joey Falanga 3rd, Joe Conklin
11th, Anthony Falanga 14th, Brandon Findley 16th, Joey Bruning 17th and Dominic
Roselli, Jr. 18th in the Sportsman feature.
Danny Bouc was 10th in the 358 feature at Big
Diamond. Mike Mammana was 2nd in the
Sportsman feature.
Brian Sobus was 11th in the Super Modified feature at
Oswego.
Davie Franek was 2nd in the Sprint Car feature at
Selinsgrove.
Anthony Perrego was 22nd in the Short Track Super
Series 51 lap race at Woodhull.
Tyler Dippel was 17th in the USAC All Pro SpeedSTR
feature at Kutztown.
Cody Bleau won the Sportsman feature at Fonda.
Brad Szulewski was 6th in the Sportsman feature at
Five Mile.
Dom Roselli, Jr. was 11th in the Modified feature at
Accord. Kyle Rohner was 2nd in the Spec
Sportsman feature and Jimmy Johnson was 8th.
Wyatt Clark was 5th in the Slingshot feature.
Kyle Redner was 4th and Rich Coons 7th in the
358/Sportsman feature at Bethel.
Danny Buccafusca was 21st in the wingless 600 feature
at Kutztown. Jacob Hendershot was 15th
in the 270 feature .
On Sunday, Danny was 9th.
Tyler Pirone was 5th in the All Star Slingshots at Hamlin, while Jacob
Hendershot was 3rd in the 270's. Jacob
won the wingless 270 feature.
Justin Grosz was a DNQ in the USAC/ARDC Midget show at
Path Valley.
Not positive if I've found results for a those that
ran the OVRP Dirt Oval, in the past. If
I missed anyone, my sincerest apologies!
Racing
from "Back in the Day":
As I made mention at the beginning of this
week's column, here are a few more photos of the late Bill Schindler.
Bill on the outside and Al Keller on the inside. Pretty sure this was in Cherry Park Speedway
in Avon, Ct.
Bill in "Basement Bessie", a car originally
build by Paul Russo and Ray Nichels. I'm
not positive, but I think this Walt Imlay photo was taken at Williams
Grove. Yes, "Indy" cars ran
there quite a few times.
Bill in the Earl Beal sprint car. I'm not sure as to when this photo was taken,
but this is the car he was in when he had his fatal accident at Allentown. It was one week prior to his death when he
and the late Paul Russo had a real good race at the Morristown, NJ track,
basically running side by side the whole race, which Russo won - in the Caruso
stretched midget. I was there to see
that race, along with my brother Raymond (Jim).
A "head shot" of Bill
Press Releases:
NEWS FROM
Orange County Fair
CONTACT
Mike Gurda
845-342-2573
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22 URC SPRINT CARS
RETURN
TO ORANGE COUNTY FAIR SPEEDWAY
Twin-15 Feature Races for the
Small-Block Modifieds!
MIDDLETOWN,
NY (August 16)……..For the first time in several years, the United Racing Club
(URC) 360 Sprint Cars will return to the big five-eighths-mile Orange County
Fair Speedway with their exciting, fast-paced brand of open-wheel racing
competition.
Curt
Michael is the current URC point leader, with a 75-point lead over Robbie
Stillwaggon. Davie Franek, a former Orange County Sportsman competitor,
is third with 1559 points. They’ll lead the remaining URC drivers in their
return to The Hard Clay.
In
addition to the URC Sprint Cars, the Small-Block Modifieds, Sportsman, Rookie
Sportsman, Street Stocks, Thunder Trucks and Four-Cylinder Cars will also see
action in qualifying heats and feature races. The Big-Block Modifieds are not
scheduled, but will return on August 29.
Once
their qualifying heat races set the field, the Small-Block Modifieds will have
two---not one---15-lap feature races, adding to the drama as the season-long
point race heads into its final weeks. Currently, Gary Edwards Jr. holds
a 21-point edge over Tommy Meier with just a single race remaining after this
coming week’s action.
The Beer King and Rock Fantasy Concert & Smoke Shop are the night’s
presenting sponsors.
Admission
prices for the August 22 race meet remain at $14 adults, $12 seniors, and $1.00
for children 12 and under. The exceptionally full night of racing begins
promptly at 6:30 pm.
Advance
ticket sales for all remaining 2015 races, including the September 19 Eve of Destruction and
the October 23-25 54thAnnual Eastern States Weekend,
and track information are available at the Orange County website,www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net, or from the Track Office. Call
845-342-2573 during business hours.
UPCOMING:
August
29 --- Accord Speedway Night “King
of the Catskills Qualifier” for Modifieds
September
5 --- WLR Construction Championship
Night end of season points
Found on the
Internet:
OK, I realize it's still August, but before you know
it, Christmas will be here (as long as we survive the dangerous times being
forecast for September 22nd to the 24th).
Might you be looking for some model cars, shirts or books maybe?
If so, here ya go: http://www.davesracing.com/
Note:
I'm not saying you might get a "break" if you mention my name,
mind you!
Also, might I mention Coastal 181?
http://www.coastal181.com/
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.
Mandee Pauch. You ever hear
of her? She's the daughter of racing
great Billy Pauch. She has done a little
writing about racing, and now it looks like she'll be doing something monthly.
Here is her latest:
http://mandeepauch.com/2015/08/17/the-ugly-truth-about-racing/#comment-28
Ya never know what might
turn up on the Internet:
I came across this around 7:35 PM on Wednesday:
Resolution Reached In Andretti Sports Marketing v. Andretti Autosport
Dispute
INDIANAPOLIS (August 19, 2015) – The parties involved
in the recent filing of Andretti Sports Marketing v. Andretti Autosport reached
a resolution Tuesday. The parties came to a preliminary settlement agreement
through the assistance of Mediator John R. Van Winkle. Although the terms and
conditions are confidential, the mediator commented that all parties, including
Michael Andretti, John Lopes and Starke Taylor, went to extraordinary lengths
to keep their employees, fans and the racing community in mind. There will be
no further litigation and this matter will be dismissed. As a result of this
settlement, the parties have agreed that Andretti Sports Marketing will be sold
to Mr. Lopes and Mr. Taylor and will be renamed.
With this dispute closed, the parties and their executives remain focused on
their future businesses.
Media Contact:
John R. Van Winkle, 317-231-6320
My, how time
flies:
It’s been 40 years since passing
of Mark Donohue, Penske’s first star driver
http://motorsportstalk.nbcsports.com/2015/08/19/its-been-40-years-since-passing-of-mark-donohue-penskes-first-star-driver/#comments
Video:
Subject: NEMA Midgets - Thompson Ct
http://origin.fanschoice.tv/nascar/player/nascar/thompson-speedway-nema-midget-august-12-201510636
Other News:
5 mistakes Hillary Clinton made in her latest e-mail press
conference
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/08/19/5-things-hillary-clinton-did-wrong-in-her-nevada-e-mail-press-conference/
Somehow,
this just does not seem right:
Family of 4 Lives in
Taxpayer-Funded Public Housing—You’ll Never Guess How Much They Make in a Year
For
example, one family-of-four living in New York City claim a sizable $497,911 as reported income, but pay a mere
$1,574 for rent per month.
http://www.ijreview.com/2015/08/395981-family-4-lives-taxpayer-funded-public-housing-youll-never-guess-much-make-year/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Owned&utm_term=ijreview&utm_campaign=Politics
This week's joke - well, not really a
joke:
I'm presently in
my late 70's. But I can remember when I
was a lot younger, how we thought of having some kind of "rocket"
that we would strap onto our backs, and we'd fly to our destinations. Thank God that's never happened - so far.
This past
Wednesday I received an email about a new form of transportation. Oh yeah, I can just visualize a bunch of
these in the future! Hopefully, if they
ever do get to be the "real" thing, it will be after I'm long gone.
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/D4uSWtazRCM?rel=0
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