Racin' & Internet Stuff:

                                      By Tom Avenengo

                                           Volume # 27

                                             8/26/2010

 

First:

Well, I guess that Kyle Busch is due some congratulations what with him being the first ever to win all three top tier NASCAR races on one weekend – or at one track with races in conjunction.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news?slug=jh-postbristol082110

 

 

Next:

This writer only hit OCFS last weekend as far as racing goes.  Didn’t even see much on TV, but did see enough, although today’s Indycars on road courses is something I really don’t watch anymore.  And, Dammit, I’ve missed some of the NASCAR Modified shows on Versus and SPEED, too.  I hear the Bristol Modified race was a real good one.  Hope they do a re-play.

 

Some of my thoughts – part 1:

 

I did see the finish of the Nationwide race last Friday night.  I find it hard to believe that NASCAR did not come out and penalize Kyle Busch after he said he intentionally took out Brad Keselowski.  “Hard racing” is what I’ve read NASCAR came out and said.  Hey NASCAR, - remember that the next time it happens, OK?

Kyle Busch, too me, acted quite childish, mocking the fans as they were booing him after his Nationwide win, with him wiping away “tears”. 

Hey, I have to give the young man credit, though, he can drive a stock car.

 

Some of my thoughts – part 2:

 

There’s a discussion on the Dirt Track Digest’s forum about what some might think would be good for this up-coming Eastern States Weekend at OCFS – October 15, 16 & 17.  Like – run the same rules for the 358 Small Blocks as were run for the 358 Modified Hard Clay Challenge race that was run a few weeks ago.  I agree.  Also, maybe opening up the tire rule for most any American Racer tire.  Again, I agree.

Keep in mind – ESW is not a DIRTcar sanctioned event.  In fact, there is really no sanctioning race body – not DIRTcar or ROC, for that matter.

 

Note:  As for the open tire deal – that might not be possible since OCFS is probably tied into some kind of contract with events they promote and the “OCFS only” tire to be used.

 

 

Going back, in time:

Note:  Most of the following information was found here: 

http://www.wheelsofspeed.com/history.html

 

Covering the days of August 20th to 26th.

 

AUGUST 20

1938

Billy Winn ... Died ... An American racecar driver. Primarily a sprint car driver, Winn competed in four Indianapolis 500 races (1931, 1932, 1936, and 1937) and drove as a relief driver in 1933, 1934, 1935, and 1938. He also drove his single-gear sprint car in the 1936 and 1937 Vanderbilt Cup races, running near the front of both races but being sidelined by mechanical failure both years. Died as a result of a crash in the AAA sanctioned Springfield 100 in Springfield, Illinois.

2009

Jonathan Byrd ... Died ... Longtime IndyCar Team Owner. Byrd campaigned late model stock cars in the early 80’s and once sponsored NASCAR champion Darrell Waltrip, but turned to USAC Midgets in 1985. He teamed with the late, great Rich Vogler from 1985 to 1990. The pairing qualified for 5 Indianapolis 500’s, with a top finish of 8th in 1989. The Byrd / Vogler combination scored two USAC National Midget Championships and five ESPN television championships. From 1991 to 2001, entered and qualified for the Indy 500 with drivers such as Stan Fox, Gordon Johncock, Buddy Lazier, Scott Brayton, John Andretti and Davy Jones, Arie Luyendyk, Mike Groff, and Jaques Lazier. In 1994, he teamed with the legendary A.J. Foyt, and allowed John Andretti to become the first, and one of only three drivers to compete in both the Indy 500 and Charlotte 600 on the same day. Andretti would later qualify the Jonathan Byrd entry in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s inaugural Brickyard 400. In 1996 he formed the Indy Racing team with driver, Arie Luyendyk. The team scored a pole position and race victory at Phoenix International Raceway, and set the all-time qualifying speed records at both Phoenix International Raceway and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. His cars placed fourth in the Indy car points championship in 1997, and captured a race victory with driver John Paul, Jr. in the 1998 Lone Star 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. He had sixteen cars compete in the Indianapolis 500, garnering seven top-ten finishes. Byrd may be best known for his Greenwood cafeteria in Greenwood Indiana, which is the largest cafeteria and banquet facility in the world. Byrd also owned a book company that is the largest dealer, importer, and restorer of ancient bibles and theology books.

 

AUGUST 21

1913

Fred Agabashian... Born ... Born in Modesto, California, Frederik was the son of a genious mathematician, and just like his sisters, he wanted to become famous. While they became singers, Fred choose to race. The colorful Armenian with the big smile and terrific personality began racing cars while in his teens. He won his first midget championship in 1937 with the Northern California Racing Association against such drivers as Duane Carter, Lynn Deister, and Paul Swedberg. Driving for Jack London, Freddie captured the BCRA crown in 1946, then switched to the George Bignotti racing team in 1947. He was almost unbeatable for the next two years and captured the BCRA title twice more in 1947 and 1948. Agabashian did not limit his driving abilities to midgets. He won in big cars and stock cars as well which earned him a ride at Indianapolis for the 1947 race. He competed at Indy on eleven occasions and is best remembered for his pole winning effort in 1952 in the unique Cummins Diesel. His best finish at Indianapolis came the next year when he placed 4th with relief from Paul Russo. After his retirement, Agabashian did color commentary for the 500 Radio Network. Agabashian was inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame.

1928

Elmo Langley... Born ... Langley began his racing career racing modified cars in Virginia and Maryland in 1952. Langley came in to NASCAR as a Driver/Owner in 1954. In 1966 in partnered with Henry Woodfield and created Langley-Woodfield Racing. That same year Langley won the only two races of his long career. After the second race of the 1969 season, Langley and Woodfield split and Langley continued to run team on his own returning to the driver/owner role. He finished in the Top-10 in season points from 1967 until his final full season as a driver for Langley Racing in 1975 (except 1974). He continued to drive in a few select races until 1981 when he hung up the helmet for good. Langley shut down his team after the 1987 season.

1944

Bruce Walkup... Born ... Walkup raced in the USAC Championship Car series in the 1967-1971 seasons, with 35 career starts, including the 1969 and 1970 Indianapolis 500 races. He finished in the top ten 11 times, with his best finish in 4th position in 1969 at Sacramento. Bruce's father, Vince, worked as a mechanic for Bill Vukovich.

1983

Gene Force ... Died ... Gene Force raced migets and sprint cars in the 1950's and early 60's. He drove in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1951-1952, 1954, 1956, and 1958-1960 seasons with 33 starts, including the 1951 and 1960 Indianapolis 500 races. He finished in the top ten 16 times, with his best career finish in 3rd place occurring on 3 occasions.

 1995

Chuck Stevenson... Died ...Chuck drove in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1949-1954, 1960-1961 and 1963-1965 seasons with 54 starts, including the Indianapolis 500 races in 1951-1954, 1960-1961, and 1963-1965. He finished in the top ten 37 times, with 4 victories, 2 of them coming in the 1952 season when he won the AAA National Championship. Stevenson also raced in two NASCAR events -- one in 1955 and one in 1956, picking up a win at Willow Springs Raceway in 1955 driving a Ford. The race he entered in to in 1955 was driving a car owned by Indy winner Pete DePaolo.

 

AUGUST 22

1964

Bill Horstmeyer... Died ... Bill Horstmeyer, a veteran of twelve years of racing who sucessfully raced in Badger Midgets, was entered as a rookie in his first Champ Car race in his newly purchased "big car" - the former "Central Excavating" vehicle, which he acquired from Pete Salemi. The race, a 100-mile feature event at the 1964 Illinois State Fair's one mile dirt oval, was dedicated to Tony Bettebhausen, who had been killed in practice at Indianapolis three years earlier. After having completed twenty-four laps around the track in this race Horstmeyer's car hit - or brushed - the outer wall coming out of Turn Four, dug into the dirt surfce of the course and wildly flipped end-over-end down the frontstretch. The car came to rest against a fence, trapping Horstmeyer inside his car. The Kuzma then burst into flames, and Horstmeyer received severe burns from which he died a few hours later in St. John's Hospital. The accident cast a dark shadow over what was otherwise a noteworthy race. A. J. Foyt won his seventh race in a row, starting from the 16th position of 18 starters, barely edging Bobby Marshman for the win. A. J. went on to win his fourth USAC National championship in five years.

 

AUGUST 23

1936

Doc MacKenzie ... Died ... AAA driver from the 1930's. He was killed in a Sprint Car race on the 1.0-mile dirt oval Milwaukee Mile, Milwaukee, WI Aug.23, 1936

1963

Kenny Wallace ... Born ... NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series driver. He has two brothers who were/are also NASCAR drivers: Rusty Wallace and Mike Wallace, a nephew Steve Wallace, and a niece Chrissy Wallace.

1966

Steve Park ... Born ... Park began racing not in an entry-level class, but in NASCAR Modifieds on Long Island as the son of longtime National Modified Championship contender Bob Park. After establishing himself in weekly Modified racing at Riverhead Raceway, he advanced to the NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series. He won several races and became a championship contender before moving on to the Busch and Cup Series.

 

AUGUST 24
1930

Carl Williams... Born ... USAC driver from the 1960's & 70's.He ran the Indy 500 6 times with a best finish of 9th in 1970. He was killed in a motorcycle accident in Kansas City in 1973.

Roger McCluskey... Born ... McCluskey was one of the most successful drivers in USAC history. McCluskey won the USAC sprint-car championship in 1963 and 1966 and won the USAC stock-car crown in 1969 and 1970. A fifth USAC title came in the Champ Car (Indy car) division in 1972. McCluskey owns 23 victories in both the USAC sprint-car and stock-car divisions, and his five Indy car and four midget triumphs give him 55-all time USAC victories. McCluskey made 18 Indy 500 starts with a best finish of third. He is a member of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame. Roger McCluskey lost his battle with cancer just five days before his 63rd birthday on Aug. 29, 1993.

1962

Clark "Shorty" Templeman ... Died ... Shorty drove in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1954-1962 seasons with 42 starts, including the Indianapolis 500 races in 1955, 1958, and 1960-1962. He finished in the top ten 16 times, with his best finish in 2nd position, in 1961 at both DuQuoin and Syracuse. His best Indy finish was 4th in 1961. He won five Washington State and three Oregon midget state championships. Templeman won all three Night Before the 500 midget car features at the 16th Street Speedway in Indianapolis in 1956. Templeman won the first three USAC National Midget Series champions when he won titles in 1956, 1957, and 1958. Templeman died as a result of injuries sustained in a midget car crash at the Marion County, Ohio Fairgrounds track. He was inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1984.

1997

Luigi Villoresi ... Died ... Driver from Italy who ran the 1946 Indy 500 in a Maserati and finished 7th.

 

AUGUST 25

1976

Doc Shanebrook... Died ... AAA and ARDC driver 1950's

 

AUGUST 26
1925

Bobby Ball... Born ... AAA driver from the early 1950's. On January 4, 1953, he was involved in an accident at Carrell Speedway, Gardena Calif., which left him with terrible head injuries. He remained in a coma and died 14 months later.

1944

Johnny Parsons... Born ... Parsons is the son of Arza and 1950 Indianapolis 500 winner Johnnie Parsons. His parents divorced, and Johnny was raised with half-brothers Dana and Pancho Carter, the product of Arza'a marriage with Duane Carter. The Carter's grew up racing quarter-midgets in Indianapolis. Parsons started twelve Indianapolis 500 races. His last Indy 500 start was the 1996 Indianapolis 500. His best finish was fifth in 1977 and 1985. Parsons finished second in the 1977 USAC National points. Parsons has also twice finished second in the USAC championship dirt cars. Parson won 29 midget car features (as of 1994), including major wins at: the 4-Crown Nationals midget car feature twice, the 1979 Hut Hundred, and the 1986 Copper Classic midget feature. He has won two Silver Crown and five sprint car features. When Davey Hamilton decided to come out of retirement to run in the 2007 Indy 500, Parsons replaced him as the driver expert for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network's broadcasts of race activities. Parsons was inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1994.

1946

Swede Savage... Born ... Savage started racing 1/4 midgets then motorcycles and karts. He then graduated to NASCAR, Can-Am, Trans-A and finally into Indy cars where he tragically lost his life as a result of injuries sustained in the Indy 500 in 1973.

1984

Jimmy Wilburn... Died ... He won a non-points Championship Car race at Lakewood Speedway in March of 1946 which is the first known Champ Car race to be held after the end of World War II. Later that year he drove in the 1946 Indianapolis 500 driving an Alfa Romeo and started 16th and retired after 52 laps with engine trouble, credited with the 19th finishing position. He was inducted in the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1994

 

 

 

 

Track news – (for tracks in my area):

Accord:  http://www.accordspeedway.com/

This coming Friday:

$2000 to win 30 Lap Modified Race, plus Sportsman – Spec Sportsman, Pro Stocks – Pure Stocks-Lightning Sprints & Vintage Modifieds

Note:  I’ve read that when the “King of the Catskills” Spec Sportsman 50 lap race is run, on September 25th, it will be $3,500.00 to win!  And the winner of the ROC 100 lap “King of the Catskills” race on September 24th, will get $6,000.00!  Will there be more coming – maybe about the Sportsman class and their price money?

 

OCFS:  http://www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net/

This Saturday – “Accord Speedway Night” - a regular show with Modifieds, Sportsman, Pro and Pure Stocks and a return visit with the CRSA 305 Sprint Cars.

 

 

Bethel:  http://www.bethelmotorspeedway.com/BethelMotorSpeedway/Home_Page.html

This Saturday – A regular show with Dirt Sportsman, Pro Stock, BMS Modified, Street Stock, 4 Cylinder and Bandoleros

 

 

 

OVRP – the dirt track:  http://www.oaklandvalleyspeedway.com/

There’s a practice session scheduled for Friday evening, Karts and Slingshots racing on Saturday and Bike and Quad racing on Sunday.  They will be closed the following weekend – Labor Day weekend.

 

 

Hamlin:  http://www.hamlinspeedway.com/

This Saturday:  Twin 20's for Slingshots and Wingless 600's ~ Round Robin Time Trials

 

The History of the Sport:

I imagine you’ve heard of “Formula Libre” races?  There have been quite a few of them – mostly being run “Back in the day”, so to say.  I went to one of the first – the one that was in Lime Rock, Ct. back in 1959.  That’s the one that Rodger Ward won in a midget.  Later on, in 1959, my brother attended one that was held at Watkins Glen, in October, with rain/sleet and snow, the weather for that day.  They have had three “Formula Libre” races at the “Glen” 1958, 1959 & 1960.

The first one, in 1958, had a total of 14 cars, with some pretty famous drivers.  Joachim Bonnier won the 81 lap, 186.3 mile race in a Maserati.  He had the fastest lap in the race with a speed of 103 MPH.  Dan Gurney was the only other driver to complete all 81 laps, finishing second in a Ferrari.  Some four laps behind was Bruce Kessler in another Ferrari.  A Porsche, driven by Dick Meinhardt was next, 7 laps behind the winning car.  Another Maserati, driven by Lt. Col. Robert Kuhn was next – some 10 laps behind.  W.K. Rutan, in a Porsche Special was the last of those running, being 11 laps behind.  Dropping out were:  Herb Swan, Lloyd Ruby, Bob Said, Loyal Katskee, Ray Saidel, Allan Markelson, George Constantine and Phil Hill.

Photos and a little about the race can be found if you go here:

http://www.barcboys.com/GlenFormLibre1958.htm

In 1959, Sir Stirling Moss came across the Atlantic with a Cooper Climax Formula One racecar.  With rain, sleet & snow, it was a brutal day, yet the race went on – something that some of the drivers were really not accustomed to – mainly those that drove the midgets.  Moss was the only one that covered all 100 laps – 230 miles.  During the race he also had the fastest lap – 98.57 MPH.  Behind Moss was Eddie Johnson (Midget) with 93 laps, Harry Entwistle (2 Litre Lotus) 92 laps, Tom Greatorex (Elva Mk III) – 91 laps, Gus Andre (Maserati 300-S) 89 laps, Fred “Jiggs” Peters (the Lime Rock winning Midget)  89 laps, Bill Randall (Midget) 88 laps, Sy Kabach (2 Litre Lotus) 86 laps, Bob McLain (Midget) 85 laps, Ed Leavlens (Elva Formula Jr) 81 laps, Robert Kahmer (Lotus Bristol) 77 laps, Bruce Boyle and Joseph Grimaldi (D- Jaguar) 76 laps, Jim Shaffer and Buddy Martin (Midget) 71 laps and Bob Harkey (Midget) 62 laps.

More about this event can be seen if you go here:

http://www.barcboys.com/GlenFormLibre1959.htm

In 1960, Moss was back along with Sir Jack Brabham.  They were the only two to complete all 100 laps and 230 miles.

The finish: 

     1. Stirling Moss (Lotus Climax F-1) 

2.     Jack Brabham (Cooper Climax F-1) 

3.     Roy Salvadori (Cooper Monaco – 91 laps) 

4.     Joachim Bonnier (Cooper Climax F-1 – 90) 

5.     Francis Bradley (Porsche RS 60 – 89) 

6.     Stutz Plaisted (Cooper Climax F-2 – 88) 

7.     Paul O’Shea (D- Jaguar – 87) 

8.     J. Muzzin (Porsche RS – 80)  9. 

9.     P. Murdoch (Connaught F-1 – 79) 

10.  Harry Entwistle (Lotus Mk IV – 78) 

11.  V. Meinhardt (Porsche Special – 74) 

12.  Herb Swan (Porsche RS – 73) 

13.  Peter Ryan (Sadler F L – 56)   

W. Sadler (Sadler Mk 4) and Sy Kabach (Lotus Mk IV) did not complete enough laps to be considered as finishers.

Oliver Gendebein (Cooper Climax F-1) and Will Bradley (Cooper Climax F-1) both dropped out.

More info and photos on this event can be seen if you go to these two links:

http://www.barcboys.com/GlenFormLibre1960.htm

http://www.barcboys.com/GlenFormLibre1960Pg2.htm

 

 

Former Dirt Oval (Oakland Valley Speedway) runners:

 

I see where Mike Mammana was 7th in the Sporstman feature at Big Diamond.

Davie Franek was 5th in the 358 Sprint Car feature at and 2nd in the URC feature at Selinsgrove.

In CRSA 305 Sprint Car action this past weekend, Billy VanInwegen was 9th, Josh Peiniazek 11th and Danny Hennessy 20th at Penn Can, while at Five Mile, Josh was first and Chuck Alessi 24th.

Jacob Hendershot was the winner in the 270 Micro Sprint feature at Wyalusing.

At Stafford, David Webb was 2nd in the SK Light Modified feature.

Nick Pecko had a 2nd place finish in the Modified feature at Sundance Vacations Speedway.

At OCFS, Tim Hindley was 2nd, Billy VanInwegen 13th, Clinton Mills 16th, Mike Ruggiero 21st and Danny Creeden a DQ in the Modified feature.  In the Sportsman feature, Joe Conklin was 3rd, Brian Krummel 4th, John Lodini 5th, Matt Janiak 7th, Matt Hitchcock 9th, Doc Young 10th, Zack Vavricka 18th and Keith Still 20th.

Clinton Mills was 5th, Greg Hastie 9th, Jamie Yannone 13th, Danny Creeden 20th and Jimmy Johnson a DNQ at Accord in the Modified class.  In the Sportsman feature, Anthony Perrego was 5th, Brian Krummel 7th, Mike Ruggiero 10th and Kyle Armstrong listed as 22nd, with zero laps scored.

Kyle Rohner was 12th, Kalyla Smykla 19th, and brother RJ Smykla a DNQ in the Spec Sportsman feature.

At Hamlin, Charlie Lawrence was 20th in the Slingshot feature.  Rick Casario 6th in the 270 Micro Sprints, while Cait Chambers was 19th, Geordan Farry 20th and Brittany Tresch 21st in the Wingless 600 Micro Sprint feature.  Wyatt Clark was 6th n the 270 Micro Sprint Rookie feature while Joe Kata won the 600 Micro Sprint Rookie feature.

Kyle Rohner had a 4th place finish in the Stage One Modified feature at Borgers.  Tiffany Wambold was 3rd in the 270 Mocro Sprint Rookie feature – those races being on Saturday.  On Friday, Luke Shostkewitz was 2nd in the Wingless 600 Micro Sprint feature.

At Lebanon Valley, Kolby Schroder was 5th, Kyle Armstrong 7th and Alex Bell 12th in the Sportsman feature.  In the Budget Sportsman, Bobby Hackel, IV was 6th.

 

 

 

More racin’ stuff:

Coming up:

Just a reminder about the Racing Expo show coming up at Hnchliffe Stadium in Paterson, NJ on Sunday, September 5th.

 

There was some information about this show and photos from “Back in the day” sent out via Facebook a few weeks ago.  Here’s a link to that:

 

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?op=1&view=global&subj=127240140633682&pid=1050318&id=1594968996&prev=1&oid=127240140633682&fbid=1441867298745

 

Information about the Expo is in one of the first photos.  I see there has been a change or two.

 

Directions to Hinchliffe Stadium – with thanks to Ronny Dennis:

Directions from Rt.80:

  Coming from George Washington Bridge, Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike :
   Take Rt. 80 West to exit 55B Union Blvd./Totowa
   go 2 and 4/10 miles on Union Blvd. (becomes Union Ave.)
   to Redwood Ave. (there is an Autozone on left) make a RIGHT onto
   Redwood Ave. (you will see the stadium in front of you) go
   1/10 of a mile to Totowa Ave., make a RIGHT onto Totowa Ave.,
   go 1/10 of a mile to Maple Ave. make a LEFT onto Maple Ave.
   Hinchliffe Stadium will be on your left.

  Coming from Delaware Water Gap area:
   
   Take Rt. 80 East to Exit 54 Minnisink Rd./Little Falls/Totowa
   Make a LEFT towards Totowa, go 7/10 of a mile to Totowa Rd.
   Make a RIGHT onto Totowa Rd., go 3/10 of a mile to Union Blvd.
   make a LEFT onto Union Blvd., go approximately 1 mile to Redwood Ave.
   (there is an Autozone on left) make a RIGHT onto Redwood Ave.
   (you will see the stadium in front of you) go 1/10 of a mile to Totowa
   Ave. make a RIGHT onto Totowa Ave., go 1/10 of a mile to Maple Ave.
   Make a LEFT onto Maple Ave. Hinchliffe Stadium will be on the left

 

A video from a recent Expo:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OdsfcNcnEE

 

Some “Hot laps”:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpB5y0zeYHE&feature=related

 

 

 

And, a pretty big race has been scheduled for the Oakland Valley Speedway (the Dirt Oval) for Saturday, September 11th – here’s some info that’s on their website:

 

Salute to our Fallen Heros – September 11th

You will always be remembered!

50 Lap NASCAR Style Charity Event

Saturday September 11th

At least $3317 guaranteed to be awarded in prize money, donation’s to the winner’s favorite charity in their name and to the Cuddebackville Volunteer Fire Dept.

$75 entry fee  (includes driver pit pass)

Pre-Register by August 20th and save $10.

Classes:

Senior Slingshots

350lb Flat Head Go-Karts (Medium Class) – Ages 15+

Gates open at 11am Saturday September 11th

Practice begins at 12pm

Qualifying begins at 1:00pm

Race Format:

50 Lap NASCAR style race, with a mandatory pit stop at lap 25.

Pit Stop will require you to change a tire and fill up on fuel.

25 Karts will advance to the feature

Prize Payout:

Fastest Time from Qualifying – $75.00

1st place at Lap 25 – $75.00

Random position drawn from a Hat at lap 25- $25.00

1st person back on track after pit stop – $75.00

Overall Finishes

1st place – $500 plus $200 donated to charity of choice in your name

2nd place – $300 plus $100 donated to charity of choice in your name

3rd place – $150 plus $75 donated to charity of choice in your name

???? place (determined that day) – $75.00

Pre-register at the track or by emailing ovspeedway@gmail.com

Note:  I don’t know if they will have a rain date for this show, or not.

 

Is another type of racecar really necessary?

Ray Evernham – you’ve heard of him, right?  And you’ve also heard of Bruton Smith, too, correct?  Well they’ve teamed up for a new venture – Dirt Track Legends cars.  Maybe they’ll catch on – who knows, for sure?  I know that the Tobias SpeedSTR Series is still kind of having a tough time getting more than a dozen cars at their events here in the Northeast area.  There are also Mod Lites, 600 Modifieds and a new class (with only a few cars it seems) – Stage One Modifieds, which are very similar to the 600’s.  And one can’t forget about the Legends cars, themselves.  Will the magic of the Evernham name help?  He was, if you recall, also involved with Tobias and the SpeedSTR cars, too.

Check what’s happening, and maybe what these cars will look like, by going here:  http://www.onedirt.com/news/evernham-to-design-legend-cars-for-the-dirt/

Note:  Cars look a lot like some plastic model cars that were out in the late 50’s and the 60’s.

 

 

Other forums/message boards and websites:

 

You might find some interesting reading if you go to the links below.

 

Track Forum: - http://www.trackforum.com/forums/

 

Frontstretch.com:  http://www.frontstretch.com/

Jayski: - http://www.jayski.com/

Open Wheel Racers3:  http://www.openwheelracers3.com/

Race Pro Weekly:  http://raceproweekly.com/

Racing on TV - http://www.racefantv.com/USTV.htm

 

 

 

Other sports:

I’m into watching Professional football and baseball.  Was neat being able to watch football again, even if it was some pre season games.  Sad thing is that the cost of attending a game, in person, has really gotten out of the price range for a “working” man with a family, today.  Now I’ve been to major league auto races – NASCAR and Indycar, and, yes, it’s quite different in person.  I’ve never been to a professional football game and only attended one baseball game, in person when is was a LOT younger – grade school to be exact.  Methinks I’ll stick to watching those games on TV.  You have seen how many times I mention all the aluminum that’s seen at the races, but that’s nothing compared to how empty some of the baseball stadiums are.  At times, I believe they don’t have enough fans to make the payroll for their highest paid player.

 

 

Video time:

For all those truck drivers out there that are going to pack it in soon or have already done so – Kathy Mattea - Eighteen Wheels And A Dozen Roses hteen Wheels And A Dozen Roses

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ElCpHuiWkA

 

 

Other (non racing) news:

Soaring Teen Unemployment Could Have Lifetime Effects

In part: 

“The summer job used to be a staple of teenage life. Paper routes and ice cream parlors provided work experience, paychecks, and a psychological boost in the form of independence and self-esteem.

The worst recession since the Great Depression has changed all that.

Today, teenage unemployment is at an all-time high, hitting 26.1 percent in July. According to economists at Northeastern University, 4 million fewer teens are working today than would have if employment was at 2000 levels. Meanwhile, family financial stress hits teens, too. It's a combination that could have long-term effects on both their earning power and their mental health.”

Note:  I believe I’ve made mention of this in some of my previous columns – kids getting out of school with no job opportunities due to the downturn of the economy.

Link to the article:   http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/soaringteenunemploymentcouldhavelifetimeeffects;_ylt=AtWRRgi9xTb2UgNfbVh1UJdH2ocA;_ylu=X3oDMTRkdGc0bmplBGFzc2V0A2xpdmVzY2llbmNlLzIwMTAwODIyL3NvYXJpbmd0ZWVudW5lbXBsb3ltZW50Y291bGRoYXZlbGlmZXRpbWVlZmZlY3RzBGNjb2RlA21vc3Rwb3B1bGFyBGNwb3MDOQRwb3MDOQRzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N0b3JpZXMEc2xrA3NvYXJpbmd0ZWVudQ--

 

And, in a way, to go along with the above, and our economy:

Nearly 50 percent leave Obama mortgage-aid program

 

In part:

Nearly half of the 1.3 million homeowners who enrolled in the Obama administration's flagship mortgage-relief program have fallen out.

The program is intended to help those at risk of foreclosure by lowering their monthly mortgage payments. Friday's report from the Treasury Department suggests the $75 billion government effort is failing to slow the tide of foreclosures in the United States, economists say.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_mortgage_aid

 

Bad news on homes, goods adds to air of recession

 

In part:

It's starting to feel like another recession.

Businesses are ordering fewer goods. Home sales are the slowest in decades. Jobs are scarce, and unemployment claims are rising. Perhaps most worrisome, manufacturing activity, which had been one of the economy's few bright spots, is faltering.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100825/ap_on_bi_go_ec_fi/us_economy

 

More than 3M seniors may have to switch drug plans

 

In part:

More than 3 million seniors may have to switch their Medicare prescription plan next year, even if they're perfectly happy with it, thanks to an attempt by the government to simplify their lives.

The policy change could turn into a hassle for seniors who hadn't intended to switch plans during Medicare's open enrollment season this fall.

And it risks undercutting President Barack Obama's promise that people who like their health care plans can keep them.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100825/ap_on_bi_ge/us_medicare_drug_plans

 

New microbe discovered eating oil spill in Gulf

In part:

The Gulf of Mexico oil spill has revealed a previously unknown type of oil-eating bacteria, which is suddenly flourishing.

Scientists discovered the new microbe while studying the underwater dispersion of millions of gallons of oil spilled into the Gulf following the explosion of BP's Deepwater Horizon drilling rig.

And the microbe works without significantly depleting oxygen in the water, researchers led by Terry Hazen at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory reported Tuesday in the online journal Science Express.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100825/ap_on_sc/us_sci_gulf_oil_eating_bugs;_ylt=AqRlU20cO38ZVX4CYl7W4jcYdL1_;_ylu=X3oDMTNnYXZscHM1BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwODI1L3VzX3NjaV9ndWxmX29pbF9lYXRpbmdfYnVncwRjY29kZQNtb3N0cG9wdWxhcgRjcG9zAzMEcG9zAzMEc2VjA3luX3RvcF9zdG9yaWVzBHNsawNuZXdtaWNyb2JlZGk-

 

Is this true?:

Another long one this week – again from an e-mail I received about our future and taxes:

In just six months, on January 1, 2011, the largest tax hikes in the history of America will take effect.

They will hit families and small businesses in three great waves.

On January 1, 2011, here’s what happens... (read it to the end, so you see all three waves)...

First Wave:

Expiration of 2001 and 2003 Tax Relief

In 2001 and 2003, the GOP Congress enacted several tax cuts for investors, small business owners, and families.

These will all expire on January 1, 2011.

Personal income tax rates will rise. 

The top income tax rate will rise from 35 to 39.6 percent (this is also the rate at which two-thirds of small business profits are taxed).  
     
The lowest rate will rise from 10 to 15 percent.  
     
All the rates in between will also rise.  
     
Itemized deductions and personal exemptions will again phase out, which has the same mathematical effect as highermarginal tax rates.  

The full list of marginal rate hikes is below:

The 10% bracket rises to an expanded 15%

The 25% bracket rises to 28%

The 28% bracket rises to 31%

The 33% bracket rises to 36%

The 35% bracket rises to 39.6%

Higher taxes on marriage and family.  

The "marriage penalty" (narrower tax brackets for married couples) will return from the first dollar of income.  

The child tax credit will be cut in half from $1000 to $500 per child.  

The standard deduction will no longer be doubled for married couples relative to the single level.  

The dependent care and adoption tax credits will be cut.

The return of the Death Tax.

This year only, there is no death tax.  (It’s a quirk!) For those dying on or after January 1, 2011, there is a 55 percent top death tax rate on estates over $1 million.  A person leaving behind two homes, a business, a retirement account, could easily pass along a death tax bill to their loved ones.  Think of the farmers who don’t make much money, but their land, which they purchased years ago with after-tax dollars, is now worth a lot of money.  Their children will have to sell the farm, which may be their livelihood, just to pay the estate tax if they don’t have the cash sitting around to pay the tax.  Think about your own family’s assets.  Maybe your family owns real estate, or a business that doesn’t make much money, but the building and equipment are worth $1 million.  Upon their death, you can inherit the $1 million business tax free, but if they own a home, stock, cash worth $500K on top of the $1 million business, then you will owe the government $275,000 cash! That’s 55% of the value of the assets over $1 million!  Do you have that kind of cash sitting around waiting to pay the estate tax?

Higher tax rates on savers and investors.

The capital gains tax will rise from 15 percent this year to 20 percent in 2011.  

The dividends tax will rise from 15 percent this year to 39.6 percent in 2011.  

These rates will rise another 3.8 percent in 2013.

Second Wave:

Obamacare

There are over twenty new or higher taxes in Obamacare. Several will first go into effect on January 1, 2011.  They include:

The "Medicine Cabinet Tax"

Thanks to Obamacare, Americans will no longer be able to use health savings account (HSA), flexible spending account (FSA), or health reimbursement (HRA) pre-tax dollars to purchase non-prescription, over-the-counter medicines (except insulin).

The "Special Needs Kids Tax"

This provision of Obamacare imposes a cap on flexible spending accounts (FSAs) of $2500 (Currently, there is no federal government limit). There is one group of FSA owners for whom this new cap will be particularly cruel and onerous: parents of special needs children.  

There are thousands of families with special needs children in the United States, and many of them use FSAs to pay for special needs education.

Tuition rates at one leading school that teaches special needs children in Washington , D.C. ( National Child Research Center ) can easily exceed $14,000 per year.

Under tax rules, FSA dollars can not be used to pay for this type of special needs education.

The HSA (Health Savings Account) Withdrawal Tax Hike.

This provision of Obamacare increases the additional tax on non-medical early withdrawals from an HSA from 10 to 20 percent, disadvantaging them relative to IRAsand other tax-advantaged accounts, which remain at 10 percent.

Third Wave:

The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) and Employer Tax Hikes

When Americans prepare to file their tax returns in January of 2011, they'll be in for a nasty surprise-the AMT won't be held harmless, and many tax relief provisions will have expired.

The major items include:

The AMT will ensnare over 28 million families, up from 4 million last year.

According to the left-leaning Tax Policy Center, Congress' failure to index the AMT will lead to an explosion of AMT taxpaying families-rising from 4 million last year to 28.5 million.  These families will have to calculate their tax burdens twice, and pay taxes at the higher level.  The AMT was created in 1969 to ensnare a handful of taxpayers.

Small business expensing will be slashed and 50% expensing will disappear.

Small businesses can normally expense (rather than slowly-deduct, or "depreciate") equipment purchases up to $250,000.  

This will be cut all the way down to $25,000.  Larger businesses can currently expense half of their purchases of equipment.  

In January of 2011, all of it will have to be "depreciated."

Taxes will be raised on all types of businesses.

There are literally scores of tax hikes on business that will take place.  The biggest is the loss of the "research and experimentation tax credit," but there are many, many others. Combining high marginal tax rates with the loss of this tax relief will cost jobs.

Tax Benefits for Education and Teaching Reduced.

The deduction for tuition and fees will not be available. 

Tax credits for education will be limited.  

Teachers will no longer be able to deduct classroom expenses. 

Coverdell Education Savings Accounts will be cut. 

Employer-provided educational assistance is curtailed.  

The student loan interest deduction will be disallowed for hundreds of thousands of families.

Charitable Contributions from IRAs no longer allowed.

Under current law, a retired person with an IRA can contribute up to $100,000 per year directly to a charity from their IRA.  

This contribution also counts toward an annual "required minimum distribution."  This ability will no longer be there.

PDF  Version  Read more: <http://www.atr.org/six-months-untilbr-largest-tax-hikes-a5171>; http://www.atr.org/six-months-untilbr-largest-tax-hikes-a5171#%23ixzz0sY8waPq1


And worse yet?

Now, your insurance will be INCOME on your W2's!

One of the surprises we'll find come next year, is what follows - - a little "surprise" that 99% of us had no idea was included in the "new and improved" healthcare legislation . . . the dupes, er, dopes, who backed this administration will be astonished!

Starting in 2011, (next year folks), your W-2 tax form sent by your employer will be increased to show the value of whatever health insurance you are given by the company. It does not matter if that's a private concern or governmental body of some sort.  

If you're retired?  So what... your gross will go up by the amount of insurance you get.

You will be required to pay taxes on a large sum of money that you have never seen.  Take your tax form you just finished and see what $15,000 or $20,000 additional gross does to your tax debt.  That's what you'll pay next year.  

For many, it also puts you into a new higher bracket so it's even worse.

This is how the government is going to buy insurance for the15% that don't have insurance and it's only part of the tax increases.

Not believing this???  Here is a research of the summaries.....

On page 25 of 29: TITLE IX REVENUE PROVISIONS- SUBTITLE A: REVENUE OFFSET PROVISIONS-(sec. 9001,
as modified by sec. 10901) Sec.9002  "requires employers to include in the W-2 form of each employee the aggregate cost of applicable employer sponsored group health coverage that is excludable from the employees gross income."


- Joan Pryde is the senior tax editor for the Kiplinger letters.
- Go to Kiplingers and read about 13 tax changes that could affect you.  Number 3 is what is above.

 

 

Closing with this:

A distraught senior citizen phoned her doctor's office.

'Is it true,' she wanted to know, 'that the medication you prescribed has to be taken for the rest of my life?'

 'Yes, I'm afraid so,' the doctor told her.

 There was a moment of silence before the senior lady replied, ‘I'm wondering, then, just how serious is my condition, because this prescription is marked

'NO REFILLS'.'

 

 

May “Guardian Angels” sit on the shoulders of all of our race drivers and race fans, and guide them safely around the tracks!

Drive safe! 

As usual, you can reach me at:  ygordad@yahoo.com