Racin' & Internet Stuff:

                                                                                  By Tom Avenengo

                                                                                      Volume # 42

                                                                                        01/13/2011

 

First:

 

If you’re reading this, then welcome to 2011!  We managed to survive 2010 – maybe not the way we wanted to, still we managed it - getting though the year.  2011 should be an interesting year – both racing wise and personally, for all of us.

Racing wise:  Lots of stuff going around the Internet these days as far as racing here in the Northeast.  Whether it’s all going to be true, or not, will depend – as time goes bye.

 

I’m not one to make “New Year’s resolutions”.  Never have, before.  But this year, on New Years Day, I did make one, in a way.  In order to lose some of the weight I’ve gained over the years, I’ve decided to attempt to not have my “midnight snacks” anymore.  So far, as I’m working on this column, on Monday the 10th of January, I’ve somewhat succeeded – in a way, by just having a Tangerine late at night.  No more peanut butter and jelly and a glass of mile, or an English muffin and milk – or some other type of food.

 

 

 

Second:

 

Some sad news:

 

I received this via an e-mail to all those that are members of the Yahoo! Race History Group about “Fast” Freddie Lorenzen:

 

“The Golden Boy of NASCAR in the 60's life has started fading as he has
been hit with dementia. His family has had to place him a nursing home
and according to his daughter the pleasures that he has during his days
are from talking about his racing career. Cards and well wishes inspire
these moments. I know most of us were raised on mostly following open
wheel racing, but when ABC would cover one of the big Grand National
races during his dominance Fast Freddy would always seem to be up front
in his Holman Moody Ford. If you enjoyed watching the guy from up north
hammering the Good ole' Boys I would ask that you to join me in passing
along a card to let him know how much you enjoyed him.
 
His address is:
Bridgeway Christian Village
Attn: Fred Lorenzen
Room No. 146
111 E. Washington
Bensenville, Ill. 60106-2674
 
If you are interested in the article where I learned of this it is @
Nascar.com.
 
http://www.nascar.com/news/110107/florenzen-legacy/index.html

 

Note:  I was not aware of the fact that Lorenzen was the first NASCAR driver to have earned $100,000.00 for a season.  I found that out in a video I was able to watch that was linked to in a thread I started about Fred over on the Track Forum.  That video is linked to further down in this column in the “Video time” section.

 

 

Third:

 

Well, it’s official!  In NASCAR, a driver can only run for one championship – at least as of now and for 2011.

Found on Jayski’s website early Tuesday AM – like 1:45 AM, just as I was going to shut things down for the night.

 

“Drivers must choose which series to run for championship:

Drivers in NASCAR's three national series will have to elect a single championship to chase in 2011, eliminating the ability of drivers such as Brad Keselowski, Carl Edwards and Paul Menard -- who were full-time double-dippers in 2010 -- to chase two championships at once. NASCAR has scheduled a "competition update" on Jan. 21 with NASCAR president Mike Helton and vice president for competition Robin Pemberton as part of the "Preseason Thunder" Sprint Cup test session at Daytona International Speedway. NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp declined to comment on the change in 2011 license applications Monday except to say, "I'm sure we can answer all your questions at our competition update." But when Kenny Wallace picked up his 2011 NASCAR competition, membership and license application last Saturday while taking a break from a Grand-Am Rolex Series test at Daytona, he knew at least one rumor was true. Wallace stopped on his way to the U.S. Post Office on Monday to tear open his license application and read the news. "The brand-new license forms that are out, there's a box and in it, it states that you have to mark -- put an X -- what championship you're running for," Wallace said, quoting his application. "A driver will only be permitted to earn driver championship points in one (1) of the following three series: NASCAR Sprint Cup, NASCAR Nationwide or NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Please select the series in which you would like to accumulate driver championship points. Choose one."(NASCAR.com)(1-11-2011)”

Note:  I made mention of this on a few different forums/message boards.  Notice that it says this:   "A driver will only be permitted to earn driver championship points in one (1) of the following three series: NASCAR Sprint Cup, NASCAR Nationwide or NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.”  Nowhere does it say anything about a CAR OWNER – something that was questioned by another Internet race fan.

 

Fourth:

From my column # 40, back on December 16, 2010:

Even more Racin’ stuff:

 

Someone has come out with a “list” of the top 25 “dirtiest” race drivers, over on the South Jersey Dirt Racing’s message board.  The first part goes from 25th down to 11th.  I’m not positive when the top ten on the list will be released, but here are 11th through 25th:

Dec 4th

Dirtiest drivers Part 1 - # 25 to # 11:

 

http://www.onedirt.com/features/top-25-dirtiest-dirt-track-drivers-of-all-time-pt-1-25-11/

 

#25 Greg Weld (03/04/44 – 08/04/08)

#24 Lee Arnold Petty (03/14/14 – 04/05/00)

#23 Elzie Wylie “Buck” Baker Sr (03/04/19 – 04/14/2002)

#22 Stick Elliott [Gene Daves] (07/27/34 – 11/01/80)

#21 Glen “Fireball” Roberts (01/20/29 – 7/2/64)

#20 Roy Hall (01/30/20 – 03-14-91)

#19 Frank Lockhart (04/08/03 – 04/25/28)

#18 Rufus Parnell “Parnelli” Jones (08/12/33 – )

#17 Rick Ferkel (02/19/39 – )

#16 DeWayne Louis “Tiny” Lund (11/14/29 – 08/17/75)

#15 Brett Hearn (09/01/58 – )

#14  Joseph “Joe” Weatherly (05/29/22 – 01/19/64)

#13 Jack Smith (05/24/24 – 10/17/01)

#12 Carl D. “Lightning” Lloyd Seay (12/14/19 – 09/02/41)

#11 Charles Water “Jud” Larson (01/21/23 – 06/11/66)”

 

Well, the top 10 are now listed.  I was sure I’d see old “Iron Head” listed, and am really wondering why Dale Earnhardt, Sr. was left off of the list.  Intimidating?   Of course!  Dirty?  Yes, in my way of thinking – a lot “dirtier” than most of those that are listed.

 

Top 25 Dirtiest Drivers of All Time. Part 2: The Top Ten

#10 Lloyd Merlyn Beckman (5/6/1927 – 1/9/2000)

#9 Scott Bloomquist (11/14/1963)

#8 Danny Johnson (3/3/1960)

#7 Curtis Turner (4/12/1924 – 10/4/1970)

#6 Jerry “Butch” Weld ( -10/30/70)

#5 Lonnie “LeeRoy” Yarbrough (9/17/1938 – 12/7/1984)

#4 Anthony Wayne “Tony” Stewart (5/20/1971)

#3 Kenneth Eugene Weld (11/4/1945-03/20/1997)

#2 Ralph Lee Earnhardt (2/23/1928 – 9/26/1973)

#1 Anthony Joseph “A.J.” Foyt, Jr. (January 16, 1935)

http://www.onedirt.com/news/top-25-dirtiest-drivers-of-all-time-part-2-the-top-ten/

 

 

Fifth:

Personally, I never was a big fan of Dale Earnhardt, Sr. - but while I was on the NASCAR section on the Track Forum, there was a thread about him and it being almost ten years since he’s been gone – February 18th, 2001 -  to be precise.  Where in the world does the time go???

 

 

Sixth:

I don’t know, maybe it’s just me, but there’s something that really bothers me about the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame.  It seems that the 2008 inductees, who were inducted into the HoF on January 16, 2009, and those that have been inducted since then, are not listed as being inducted on the HoF’s website.  From that January 16, 2009 induction ceremony there are names like Kevin Doty, Jeff Gordon, Dave Humphrey, Ted Tappett – or Tappet (Phil Walters was his real name), Mack Hellings and Jud Larson.  Try to find them listed with all the other inductees.  Same goes for those inducted for 2009, last year, at the Chili bowl – their names still are not listed on the website.

The 2008 Newsletter:    http://www.worthyofhonor.com/NewsLetters/Fall%2008%20Newsletter.pdf

The HoF’s website:  http://www.worthyofhonor.com/

On the website, over on the left side, is where you can click to see all those that have been inducted if you click on “Inducted members”.

What’s even more disturbing is that the website has been up-dated this past December 16th, still with none of the last couple of years inductees added!

Some of those that were inducted a year ago are:  Page Jones, Bob Nowicke, Ken Hickey, George Amick, “Buzz” Barton, George Rice and Len Sutton.  None of their names are listed on the website, still.  I must note however, that at least those that were inducted for the 2008-year are mentioned when one receives “snail mail” info from the HoF.  Still, I wonder, why can’t the website be up to date?  I mean – three years ago and still not listed?

 

Seventh:

It’s been quite a while since I’ve had a photo article on the New England Tractor website.  So, if my friend Jeff Johnson is up to it (was laid up with an injured back) I’ll work on a new one and hopefully it will be on the website next Thursday.  Just another “Going back in time” with photos from “Back in the day”

For those of you that read my columns on Dirt Track Digest, to view the photo article, and other photo articles I have over on New England Tractor, you‘ll have to go here:

http://newenglandtractor.com/racereport/

 

 

 

 

Going back, in time:

Note:  Most of the following information was found here: 

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

 

Covering the days of January 1st to January 13th:

 

Going back, in time:

JANUARY 1

1913

George Hill won the AAA Championship San Diego Road Race in a Fiat. Hill covered the 183.4 miles in a time of 3 hours, 58 minutes and 12 seconds in taking the only AAA Championship win of his career. The race was 2 laps of a 91.7 mile loop of public roads.

1945

Jacky Ickx -- Born -- (F1 & Sportscar Driver)

1971

Scott Riggs --- Born -- (NASCAR Cup Driver)

1981

Mauri Rose ... Died ... Rose won the INDY 500 three times; 1941, 1947 and 1948. He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1994, and Motorsports of Hall of Fame of America in 1996. Rose began his driving career at a Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, board track on July 4, 1927, before making his way to Indianapolis in 1932, where he would eventually drive the "Indy 500 15 times.

 

JANUARY 2

1969

Robby Gordon ..... Born ..(Indy Car & NASCAR driver)

 

JANUARY 3

1915

Joe Sostilio ... Born ... Sostilio raced both sprint cars and midgets. He won the New England Dirt Championship in 1935, 1936 and 1938. He also won the Bay State Midget Racing Association Championship in 1947 and Eastern Sprint Car Championship in 1953. In 1949, he turned to Stock Car racing but still continued in open wheel racing. Between 1948 and 1950 Joe won seven races in AAA competition as teammate to Johnnie Parsons. Joe was 5th in the AAA Eastern Sprint Car Championship in 1952, he beat Tommy Hinnershitz to the title in 1953 and finished 6th in 1954. His best finishes on the Champ Car circuit were a 7th at Langhorne Speedway and another 7th at Darlington Speedway in 1954.

1918

Allen Heath ... Born ... West Coast open cockpit driver who raced for years, despite losing a hand in a racing accident.

Note:  Did you know that Allen won a 500 mile Midget race on the Riverside California road course – after losing that hand?

 

1926

Mike McGreevy ... Born ... Racecar driver – drove midgets and Indy cars

1932

Coo Coo Marlin ... Born ... NASCAR driver and father of NASCAR driver Sterling Marlin

1956

Willy T. Ribbs ... Born ... Sports Car and Indy Car driver

1969

Michael Schumacher... Born ... Formula 1 driver

1988

George Rice "Joie" Chitwood ... Died ... American racecar driver and businessman. He is best known as a daredevil in the Joie Chitwood Thrill Show. He was dubbed "Joie" by a track promoter and the name stuck. Chitwood started his racecar driving career in 1934 at a dirt track in Winfield, Kansas. From there, he began racing at tracks all over the United States mid-west and between 1940 and 1950 competed at the Indianapolis 500 seven times finishing fifth on three different occasions. He was the first man ever to wear a safety belt at the Indy 500. Chitwood also operated the "Joie Chitwood Thrill Show", an exhibition of auto stunt driving that became so successful he gave up racing. Often called "Hell Drivers," he had five units that for more than forty years toured across North America thrilling audiences in large and small towns alike with their death-defying automobile stunts. His show was so popular, that in January 1967, the performance at the Islip, New York Speedway was broadcast on ABC television's Wide World of Sports. On May 13, 1978, Joie Chitwood set a world record when he drove a Chevrolet Chevette for 5.6 miles on just 2 wheels. His sons, Joie Jr. and Tim both joined the auto thrill show and continued to run the "Joie Chitwood Chevy Thunder Show" after their father's retirement. His grandson, Joie Chitwood III, was the COO for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and in August of 2010 became the President of Daytona International Speedway. Chitwood's show was credited by Evel Knievel as being his inspiration to become a daredevil. Chitwood was frequently hired by Hollywood film studios to either do stunt driving for films or to act as auto-stunt coordinator. On a few occasions he appeared in a minor role, notably with Clark Gable and Barbara Stanwyck in the 1950 film about the Indy 500, To Please a Lady. In 1973, Chitwood is credited as a Stunt Coordinator for the hugely successful James Bond film Live and Let Die . He was inducted in the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1993.

Note:  No, this is not the “George Rice” that is the 1947 ARDC driving champion who drove midgets, sprint cars and sports/racing cars – using the name George Rice rather than his real name of George Viola.

 

2009

Sam McQuagg... Died ... Sam was the 1965 NASCAR Rookie of the Year. McQuagg began racing in the 1950s and entered his first NASCAR race in 1962. In 1966, McQuagg claimed his only NASCAR victory, winning the Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway. In the 1965 Southern 500, McQuagg was involved in a spectacular wreck that sent Cale Yarborough tumbling over a guardrail. Footage of the crash was later used to illustrate the agony of defeat on "ABC's Wide World of Sports." McQuagg drove in his last NASCAR race in 1974 and worked as a corporate pilot until retiring in 1997.

 

JANUARY 4

1910

Dee Toran ... Born ...( Eastern Midget racer )

Note:  I posted this information on the ARDC’s message board about Toran:

I do believe that "Dee" spent some time in jail - maybe for manslaughter, when he and another driver were involved in an accident and the other driver was fatally injured.

OK, checked it out - here it is:

"In 1947 drivers Dee Toran and Jeep Colkitt were regulars in the very busy ARDC midget circuit. The two had been feuding. At Bridgeport, Conn., Toran put a wheel under Colkitt’s midget and he flipped. Colkitt died in the crash.

Toran was prosecuted for manslaughter, one of the few times a race driver faced such charges. He was convicted."

I was at Hinchliffe Stadium the night Colkitt flipped a driver - Ray Jackson,who was fatally injured, and Bill Schindler was the ARDC President at that time. Schindler, who was in the same race with Colkitt and Jackson, was told about what Colkitt did and with a motion (thumb up over clenched fist and a motion over his right shoulder) more or less kicked Colkitt out of the ARDC for the remaining part of the 1946 season. Can still remember that night - September 13, 1946. Damn!

What I didn't realize until much later was that when Colkitt had that accident with Toran, Colkitt was driving a Mike Caruso owned midget - not sure if it was the # 2 or # 3, though.

Has anyone heard of any other driver or drivers that have been accused of, and maybe even convicted of, manslaughter due to a racing accident?”

 

1967

Donald Campbell killed while attempting to break the world water speed record on Lake Coniston in the UK.

1971

Richie Hearn ... Born ...( Indy Car driver )

1989

Graham Rahal ... Born ... Road racer and Indy car driver.  Son of Indy car racer Bobby Rahal

 

JANUARY 5
1965

Billy Wade NASCAR Grand National driver, died when his Mercury crashed during Goodyear tire tests at Daytona Intl. Speedway. The 34 year old Wade, a native of Houston, Texas was the 1963 GN Rookie of the Year and had emerged as a rising star on the NASCAR scene after moving to the Bud Moore prepared factory Mercury team. Wade scored a then record four straight wins on his way to finishing 4th in season points in 1964. Reportedly, Wade was earning $200 a day for the tests to develop a tire inner liner.

2000

Ottis Stine... Died ... Ottis was a Pennsylvania Sprint Car driver who was a founder member of the York County Racing Club in 1979. He drove his first race in 1934. His main claim to fame is that he was the first ever driver to turn a racing lap of the legendary Williams Grove speedway in 1934. He attempted to run at Indy in 1952 in a Scopa-Offenhauser, but failed to qualify. Stine once finished second in the AAA points and when he retired in 1954, he held numerous track records.

Note:  On occasion, his name is also spelled “Otis”.

 

JANUARY 6
1924

Dick Rathmann ... Born ... AAA & USAC driver from the 1940's, 50's & 60's

Note:   Hmmm, wondering here – I know the Rathmann brothers changed names, so is this really Dick or Jim???

 

1926

Pat Flaherty ... Born ... He drove in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1950, 1953-1956, 1958,1959, and 1963 seasons with 19 starts, including the Indianapolis 500 races in 1950, 1953, 1955, 1956, and 1959. He finished in the top ten 9 times, with victories in 1955 and 1956 at Milwaukee as well as the 1956 Indianapolis 500.

1989

Jim Hurtubise ... Died ... An American race car driver who raced in USAC Champ Cars (including the Indianapolis 500), as well as sprint cars and stock cars (USAC and NASCAR). He was from North Tonawanda, New York. Despite his limited success, he was a fan favorite throughout much of his career as many characterized him as an "old style" racecar driver. Hurtubise raced in the USAC Championship Car series in the 1959-1968 and 1970-1974 seasons, with 97 career starts. He finished in the top ten 38 times, with 4 victories, in 1959 at Sacramento, 1960 at Langhorne, and 1961 and 1962 at Springfield. In 1964, after suffering serious burns in an accident during the Rex Mays Classic, in Milwaukee, doctors asked Hurtubise how he wanted his hands shaped permanently. "Just make 'em so I can hold a steering wheel," he replied. Hurtubise died January 6, 1989 after suffering a heart attack near his home in Port Arthur, Texas. He was 56 years old.

2000

Sam Schmidt paralyzed after he broke his neck in a crash while testing his IRL car at Walt Disney World Speedway in Orlando, Florida.

 

JANUARY 7

1968

George Constantine... Died ... F1 driver. Constantine won the SportsCar Race at Watkins Glen in 1956 and NASSAU Trophy in 1959.

Note:  It was Constantine that gave Rodger Ward the most competition when Ward won the Formula Libra race, in a 12 year old midget, on the road course at Lime Rock, CT.

 

1993

Honda announced that starting in 1994, they will become an engine supplier in the CART PPG World Series.

2007

Bobby Hamilton... Died ... Hamilton had three wins in the former NASCAR Winston Cup series in a roughly-10-year Cup career, then stepped back to the Craftsman Truck Series and turned his own team into a championship effort, winning the 2004 title. Hamilton died of neck cancer, he was 49.

Note:  Wow!  Four years already!  Where does the time go?

 

JANUARY 8

1956

USAC.. The United States Auto Club (USAC) sanctioned it's first race, a Midget race indoors on a 1/10 mile oval on the concrete floor of the Allen County Coliseum Ft. Wayne, Indiana. The race was won by Indy 500 veteran Gene Hartley.

1978

Bobby Hamilton Jr.... Born ... NASCAR driver

 

JANUARY 9
1938

Karl Busson ..Born .. USAC Sprint Car driver

1959

Mark Martin ..Born .. NASCAR driver

1960

Russ Klar won the TQ Midget race at the Teaneck Armory, Teaneck, NJ.

Note:  Chances are that my soon to be wife and I were in attendance that night, since we usually went to every race in Teaneck in 1959 & 60.  We’d order our tickets for the following week, as we left the Armory.  Funny, but back then we didn’t worry about snow.

For a report on that race, go here:  http://www.wheelsofspeed.com/report/1_9_60-1.html

 

1965

Russ Gamester ..Born .. USAC Midget and Silver Crown driver

 

 

JANUARY 10

1921

Rodger Ward... Born ... USAC Midget and Indy car driver. 2 time Indy 500 winner, 1959 & 1962

1940

Harry Gant... Born ... NASCAR driver.

1953

Bobby Rahal... Born ... Indy car driver and now car owner.

1958

Eddie Cheever... Born ... Indy car driver and the 1998 Indy 500 winner

Note:  While in the media center at the Nazareth Speedway a few years back, I had the opportunity to ask Eddie, while we were at a table eating lunch, if he had ever driven a midget.  I put that out as a trivia question as to where it might have been and no one was able to answer it.  Eddie drove a midget one time – at Terre Haute.  Said it scared the sh*t out of him.  Damn thing always wanted to go left, he said (yup, stagger will do that!)

 

1959

Larry McReynolds ..Born .. One of NASCAR's most successful and recognized crew chiefs.

 

JANUARY 11
1923

Carroll Shelby... Born ... legendary racer, car builder.

2001

Quinn Epperly famed Indianapolis roadster builder , died at the age of 87.

Louis Krages Sports car driver, AKA "John Winter", winner of the 1985 24 Hours of Le Mans, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

 

JANUARY 12

1879

Ray Harroun... Born ... winner of the first Indianapolis, 500 was born in Spartanburg, Pennsylvania.

1928

Lloyd Ruby... Born ... He raced in the USAC Championship Car series in the 1958-1977 seasons, with 177 career starts, including every Indianapolis 500 race during 1960-1977.  Lloyd also raced midgets and sports cars, too.

1968

Robby Unser ... Born ... Indy Racing League driver and son of Bobby Unser

 

JANUARY 13

1959

Ernie Irvan... Born ... NASCAR Winston Cup driver

2007

Danny Oakes... Died ... In the 1940s and 50s, he was one of America's leading Midget Race Car drivers winning 100s of races around the country. He won the Turkey Night Grand Prix and 3 West Coast Midget Championships in 1945. In 1947, he won the American Automobile Assn. Midget title and the United States Auto Club Pacific Coast Midget championship in 1959. At age 40, he tried to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 from 1952 to 1955, without success. But as a mechanic, he put many others into the winners circle and earned the reputation as one of the best mechanics in the Indy pits. As chief mechanic in 1963, for 1952, 500 winner Troy Ruttman, his car finished 12th and driver Johnny White, brought Oakes his best finish of 4th in 1964. He quit driving midgets in his mid-60s, but continued his racing career into his 70s as a throttle man in offshore boat racing. He was inducted into the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1996.

 

 

 

 

The History of the Sport:

If you remember, some weeks ago, one of the members of the Yahoo! Race History Group sent out some links (35 of them, to be precise) to some auto racing articles that appeared in Time magazine, many years ago, via e-mail.  So, if you don’t mind, here are the last three of those links.  Why only three this time – simple, one of the original 35 was a duplicate of another one, and another one really didn’t have anything to do with racing.  Hope you have had some enjoyment reading them.

 

Win some – lose some:

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,854915,00.html

 

Sam Hanks – his last 500:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,937469,00.html

 

Sometimes, more isn’t better:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,800329,00.html

 

 

 

More racin’ stuff:

 

The Chili Bowl isn’t the only racing down in Tulsa, as you can see, by what follows:

“Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (December 29, 2010) – A world record count of more than 700 Micro Sprint Cars flooded into Tulsa Fairgrounds QuikTrip Center on Wednesday for the running of this weekend’s 26th Annual Tulsa Shootout.

The first all open-wheel edition of the storied Tulsa Shootout features six classes of Micro Sprint Cars along with the ASCS Chevy Ecotec Midgets and 1200cc Non-Wing Micro Sprint with heat races on Thursday evening and Friday setting the New Year stage for Saturday’s feature action.

Competitors from at least 23 different states as well as Canada and Australia are set to shoot it out atop the 1/5-mile Tulsa Expo Raceway clay oval inside the QuikTrip Center. Among the entries is defending Chili Bowl Nationals champion Kevin Swindell, who captured his first pair of Golden Drillers with Kart triumphs in 2001 and 2002.

A number of other scheduled Chili Bowl competitors will take advantage of the opportunity to get an early look at the track this weekend, including the likes of six-time Shootout winner Donnie Ray Crawford, Gary Taylor, Kevin Ramey and Tim Crawley among others.

Defending Tulsa Shootout champions include California’s Ryan Reeves (Outlaw), Crawford (“A” Class), Chris Andrews (Non-Wing), Josiah Ribeiro (Junior Sprints) and Kevin Bayer (Bixby, OK). Last year’s Restricted “A” Class winner Darien Roberts of Broken Arrow moves up to the Outlaw, Outlaw Non-Wing, “A” and Non-Wing classes.

Classes & Counts:

Micro Sprints:
Outlaw – 125
Non-Wing Outlaw – 111
“A” Class – 146
Non-Wing – 146
Restricted “A” Class – 92
Junior Sprint – 38

ASCS Ecotec Chevy Midgets – 19

1200cc Non-Wing Mini Sprints – 39”

 

 

Some Racin’ stuff from the AARN:

 

The AARN is published on Tuesdays.  Unfortunately, I normally get my AARN on Thursday afternoon.  For my columns to be published on Thursday, I send them out late Wednesday night.  So, what you get to read, below, will usually be a week late.  Sorry!

 

 

From the January 4, 2011 issue:

 

Some “Big news” from DIRTcar was being forecast as being forthcoming  soon”. 

 

John Force will be at the AARN’s Motorsports show on Saturday, January 22nd.  Others that are due to appear are:  David Pearson, Rusty Wallace, Rick Ferkel, Shane Carson, Curt Michael, Kenny Wallace, Danny Bonaduce, Stewart Friesen, Keith Rocco, Tim Shaffer and Josh Richards – along with countless others.  The show will be held on January 21, 22 & 23 at the greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA.

More info can be found here:  www.aarn.com

 

 

Will it be Danny Johnson in the Petruska # 66 in 2011 – and might it be for racing at New Egypt?  If so, that’s a long haul for Danny to make every Saturday.  Petruska has basically ruled out running at Accord on Friday nights – something I think might have helped having Danny in the car if Accord was being run by the team.  That would give Danny two nights in a row.  If you recall, Danny lef the team a couple of years ago when there were so many rain outs at Accord.  Might rainouts at New Egypt cause the same to happen again?

 

As for Jerry Higbie – it looks like he’ll run his own # 97 at Accord and drive for another team at OCFS – the Tuit owned # 673.

 

Even though there were “For Sale” put up on the property where Wall Stadium is, it looks like there will be racing at Wall in 2011, with Cliff Krause having leased the facility.

 

Way back when NASCAR was formed, did you know that one of their first rules was:  “Foreign manufactured cars will not be permitted”? 

And another:  “Multiple carburetion will be permitted.  Any type carburetor may be used”.  Those were some of the rules that Ernie Saxton pointed out in his column.

 

In racing “Down under” at the Parramatta City Raceway, a few weeks ago, it seems that Tony Stewart and Garry Brazier had some “problems” with each other on the track.  Guess Garry was “racing” Tony  Nothing new for Tony, I’d say.

 

“Dirt Trackin’ 2011” a trade show with cars, stars and drivers will be held on January 14, 15 & 16 at the York Fairgrounds Expo Center in York, PA.

Info on this show can be found here:  www.dirttrackinshow.com

 

 

A couple of weeks ago, there was a “tire test” at the newly re-paved Daytona International Speedway.  Jamie McMurray seems to think the new surface will probably increase the chances for some “big ones”.

 

The Tri-State Racesaver Series (TSRS) for 305 Sprint Cars – NJ, Del & PA has a rather unique “rule” – all drivers in the feature receive the SAME payout – from the feature winner to the last place car.  I have no idea as to how that might affect them when they are also involved with a couple of races at the Accord NY Speedway.  Maybe the CRSA rules will apply?

 

Indoor racing returns to Atlantic City with racing being held on Friday January 28th and Saturday, the 29th.  Along with the TQ/6oo Micro racing there will also be “Dirt” 600 Micro Sprints on Friday only.   Also Slingshots and Champ Karts are on the racing program.  For more info go here:

www.aarn.com

 

 

February 5, 2011 is the date for the one day indoor TQ racing show at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, RI.  The ad did say TQ Midgets – but did not say 600 Micro Sprints along with the TQ’s.

Info at:  www.aarn.com

 

 

An article titled “New rules in place for Accord Speedway as clay project nears completion” really did not come out and specify exactly what the new rules are for their Modified and Sportsman classes.  From what little was said, in the article, it appears that the new rules pertain to engines. 

 

It’s said that the Race of Champions Dirt Modified Tour 2011 schedule is almost complete, with tracks such as Big Diamond, Lincoln, and New Egypt being listed.  Personally, I’d love to see a RoC race at OCFS.  It seems no one wants to say just why there isn’t one.

 

John Snyder was comparing the OCFS rule books – 2010’s versus the 1969 book.  1969’s had all of five 4” x 7” pages.  As for 2010 – well there are 62 standard full-size 8.5” x 11” pages.  So much for “progress”, huh?  And, sad to say, all the newer “rules” sure do cut out any ingenuity, don’t they?  I can recall  back when I interviewed Rich Ricci, Sr. when I was working on the Bob Green article I did, and Rich had this to say:  "I raced against him .. he was a tough competitor. He wasn't, if I can remember.. he wasn't a very steady competitor ... like he would race three or four weeks in a row, then he would take a couple of weeks off, and then he would come back. But when he came back, you would have to go look at his car because.. he was an innovator. He always had something different than anybody else. Uh, whether it was suspension points or a little piece of tin here or a little piece of tin there, you know he was always looking for the aerodynamics.”  There’s not much that one can do to a racecar today, especially in dirt modified racing here in the Northeast, and in NASCAR too, due to the “rules”.  Ingenuity on race cars isn’t allowed, anymore.

 

A “Motorsports Expo” has been added to the 2011 Frank Maratta Auto and Cycle Show being held at the Connecticut Expo Center in Hartford, CT.  The dates:  January 28, 29 & 30.  www.fmautoshow.com is where you can get more info.

 

Former racing promoter Lindy Vicari, will have been inducted into the EMPA’s Hall of Fame on January 8th.  I can recall when we went to the dirt mile track at Nazareth, and upon getting there a little early, we’d see Lindy out on the track digging it up, in preparation for the days racing.  Others that were inducted into the EMPA’s Hall of Fame were:  Ernie and Marilyn Saxton – Ernie being the formere President of the EMPA, Geoffrey Bodine and John “Ace” Lane, Sr.

 

The “Prelude to the Dream” Late Model race is scheduled for June 8th at the Tony Stewart owned Eldora Speedway.  I imagine PPV will be available?  Will there be an Indycar driver in competition?  Seems like Tony Canaan had a blast last year.  Maybe Danica?

 

 

 

Additional Racin’ stuff:

I don’t know, maybe this falls into a “Feast of famine” category?  It seems that there will now be TWO Motor Sports shows that will be involving OCFS in one way or another.  At least they’re scheduled for different weekends!

Some info:

THE 20TH ANNUAL

 

MOTOR SPORTS SHOW 2011

Has a new venue & a new location....

 

THE ROCKLAND COUNTY COLLEGE FIELD HOUSE IN SUFFERN, NY

 

March 25th, 26th and 27th.

Info on this car show can be found, here::  http://www.middletownmotorsportshow.com/

And:

Car show at OCFS:

 

PRESS RELEASE January 3, 2011

OCFS Motorsports Show on tap for March 11-13, 2011

MIDDLETOWN, NY…After the change of venue announced by the promoters of the former Middletown Motorsports Show, a new plan was hatched to continue the tradition of having a show at the home of the legendary Orange County Fair Speedway. The new Motorsports Show, to be promoted by the Orange County Fair Speedway with promotional assistance by Ken Reed and seasoned stock car driver Joel Murns, is set to go off the weekend of March 11-13, 2011. The event will be held at the Orange County Fairgrounds Arena at 239 Wisner Ave. Middletown, NY.

The focal point of the show will be the numerous race cars, go-carts, custom cars, and much more all vying for the unprecedented $1,000 Best of Show award. Other show events planned for the weekend include the crowning of Ms. OCFS Motorsports on Friday evening, karaoke contest on Saturday, and a mega autograph session on slate for Sunday afternoon. Many other events are planned for the weekend for fans of all ages.

Admission to the show will be $8 with a weekend pass available. For more information or if interested in entering a car or exhibitor space, please contact the show office at 845-343-4826.

 

Note:  I feel that it’s something for me to do - to list BOTH shows.


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

Syracuse forum:  http://www.syracuse.com/forums/motorsports/ (must register to post)

South Jersey Dirt Racing:  http://theboard.southjerseydirtracing.com/Msgboard.asp?ForumID=27&Return=Msgboard.asp&D83jsd=True

(must register to post)

Victory Speedway:  http://s2.excoboard.com/VictorySpeedwayForum (must register to post & no nonsense allowed)

Yahoo Race History Group:  http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/RacingHistory/ (when one posts something on an e-mail to the group, they do have what is called the “Len Sutton rule” – you put in your name and where you live.  And, yes, things are “policed” too.

New England Tractor:  http://newenglandtractor.com/racereport/

Wheels of Speed:  http://www.wheelsofspeed.com/

The Caruso Racing Museum website:  http://www.carusomidgetracing.com/  A great website if you are interested in the history of legendary Mike Caruso, his cars and his drivers.

 

Note:  You might want to keep an eye on the “Racing on TV” link if you’re interested in watching the tape delay of the Chili Bowl.

 

Racing and television:

Chili Bowl on TV:  Portions of the 25th Annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals will be broadcast on SPEED TV on a tape-delayed basis.   As of Monday, December 27th, I found no date for this showing.  More than likely it will be some of the daily features then most of the 50 lap main feature.

Here’s a link to the Chili Bowl qualifying night schedules: 

http://www.nationalspeedsportnews.com/uncategorized/chili-bowl-qualifying-nights-set/

 

Here is the entry list with over 250 names:  http://www.chilibowl.com/2011chilibowlentries.asp

 

And:

 

Found on Jayski’s website:

SPEED to provide Daytona testing coverage: SPEED and SPEED.com are presenting 23 hours of live testing coverage from Daytona Jan. 20-22 as the Sprint Cup Series engines roar back to life in the month of January for the first time in three years. John Roberts and Jeff Hammond host SPEED's on-air coverage from the studio above Victory Lane at Daytona. Steve Byrnes, Larry McReynolds and Darrell Waltrip will offer analysis throughout the practice sessions with reporting by Bob Dillner and Krista Voda. SPEED.com is presenting live streaming of all on-track activity with the exception of 3-5 p.m. ET Thursday, and will feature a rotation of on-air personalities. Daytona testing coverage gives fans their first extended look at the new race surface at Daytona International Speedway -- a surface the racers expect will add to the level of excitement in February. SPEED schedule for Daytona testing (all times Eastern and live unless otherwise indicated):
Thursday, Jan. 20
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. (SPEED.com)
1 p.m. - 5 p.m. (SPEED.com)
5 p.m. - 7 p.m. (same-day delay) (SPEED)

Friday, Jan. 21
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. (SPEED.com)
1 p.m. - 2 p.m. (SPEED)
2 p.m. - 5 p.m. (SPEED.com)

Saturday, Jan. 22
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. (SPEED.com)
1 p.m. - 2 p.m.  (SPEED)
2 p.m. - 5 p.m.  (SPEED.com)
(SPEED)(1-4-2011)

 

2011 Track Schedules:

 

Here are some track listings that have 2011 schedules listed as of the date of this column:

 

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

Big Diamond:  http://www.bigdiamondspeedway.net/

Selinsgrove:  http://www.selinsgrovespeedway.com/

Wyalusing:  http://www.wvmpracing.com/

Stafford:  http://www.staffordspeedway.com/

New Hampshire:  http://www.nhms.com/

Lincoln:  http://www.lincolnspeedway.com/

Hagerstown:  http://www.hagerstownspeedway.com/

CRSA Sprint Cars:  http://www.crsasprintcars.com/

 

I’ve seen the schedules for OCFS and also for the Xcell 600 Modifieds, but they have not yet been released to the general public as I’m sending this column in.

 

More to come, for sure!

 

 

Video time:

As mentioned above – a video about Fred Lorenzen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWQk_XqJ4fc

 

 

Non racing news:

 

First, some “local” news from my area:

 

State's taxes, wages faulted for mid-Hudson region losing Macy's center

 

 

In part:

“News two weeks before Christmas that Macy's had decided to build its $150 million fulfillment center in West Virginia instead of Orange County cost the region 1,900 permanent and temporary jobs and was a blow to the morale of economic development officials hoping for a win in the midst of a dry time for recruiting new businesses.”

Orange County had been trying since the summer to land Macy's. The 1.3 million-square-foot fulfillment center it wanted to build to fill online orders would have created 1,200 permanent jobs and another 700 seasonal jobs at wages ranging from about $23,000 for workers filling orders to more than $60,000 a year for managers.”

“Another problem, many say, is that the state doesn't have any concerted strategy for landing new business.”

 

Note:  In most cases, when there’s an article such as this one, there are comments made by the general public, under the article.  Here, below is one about the above subject:

Why did our local representatives chase after Macys?  
A few months ago the Record reported that a worker had to make about $23 per hour to afford to live and work in Orange County. The majority of jobs this project would have brought in paid $25,000 per year, or approx. $12 per hour. That leaves the balance to be made up by local taxpayers in the form of costs for Social Services, welfare, food stamps, etc, not even considering whatever perks the IDA threw in. A loosing proposition for all Orange County taxpayers. We send our kids to college, we spend $100k or better to allow them to get that BA or BS in a lofty field, and Orange County goes after jobs offering CHUMP CHANGE. Oh it looks good on paper when you ignore the $12 per hour payroll, especially in an election year, but come on. Attention elected officials: PLEASE USE YOUR BRAINS. WE DON'T NEED MORE JUNK JOBS THAT DON"T PAY A LIVING WAGE IN ORANGE COUNTY and HEAP MORE BURDENS ON LOCAL TAXPAYERS .”

 

A couple of articles about “Illegals”:

From December 30:

 

Illegal aliens caught on their way to work at a federal housing project

In part: 

“On Monday morning, state troopers pulled over a van with a broken windshield on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and discovered 10 illegal aliens inside the vehicle. According to Pennsylvania State Police Sgt. Anthony Deluca, three of the illegal aliens escaped during the traffic stop but were captured a short time later.

The nine Salvadoran nationals and one Honduran were all turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The illegal aliens were on their way from Maryland to work on a taxpayer-funded housing project in Jeannette, PA.

“As we have seen so many times, those who hire illegal aliens simply pass the buck of responsibility to everyone, but themselves.

With 1 in 5 Americans out of work, we simply cannot afford to allow one job go to an illegal alien. The issue of illegal immigration is now a fight for the survival of the American family.”

http://www.examiner.com/immigration-reform-in-national/illegal-aliens-caught-on-their-way-to-work-at-a-federal-housing-project

 

And:

Illegal aliens caught building public housing project in Florida...U.S. workers turned away

In part:

On Tuesday, Bay County Sheriff Frank McKeithen announced that his deputies arrested 14 illegal aliens who had been working at a taxpayer-funded construction site on the corner of 11tth Street and Sherman Avenue in Panama City.

Deputies stopped a truck being driven erratically just after it left the construction site, when they discovered the driver had a suspended license, he admitted to being in the country illegally. The driver also told the deputies that he lived with 16 other illegal aliens in two nearby homes.

When Bay County deputies arrived at the houses, five people crawled out of a window, but were caught a short time later. The rest surrendered without incident and were processed into the ICE 287g program. Fourteen illegal aliens were arrested, six of whom were charged with criminal use of personal information for using stolen Social Security numbers.”

“Sheriff McKeithen told reporters: “I have received information that within the last 24 hours local construction workers have been to this particular construction site seeking work and were denied employment. It is a shame that a multi-million dollar site is being constructed in Bay County where they are not only hiring out of state contractors but are hiring illegal aliens. The local economy will only improve when locals start getting jobs. We are continuing this investigation to determine if any other charges are applicable.”

Harden Contracting, the firm building the housing project, has blamed a sub-contractor called "Spurs" out of Atlanta for employing the illegal aliens.”

http://www.examiner.com/immigration-reform-in-national/illegal-aliens-caught-building-public-housing-project-florida-u-s-workers-turned-away?cid=parsely#parsely

 

Note:  Don’t ya just love it when these companies are always “passing the buck” as to who is responsible?  Maybe if some of them were to get closed down, immediately, it might stop?  Nah, doubt it.

 

 

 

Is this true?:

 

I got the following in an e-mail on January 8th. 

 

The question should be why is there even a poll on this?

 

 

What the heck is happening in this country?  I can’t believe that we are even discussing this!

 

CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS?

 

Vote NO on FOX to banning the flag in America

VOTE !!!  This is disgusting, to put it politely.
Your help is needed.  This is just sickening. Only 72% have voted on the FOX poll to NOT

ban the flag in school and something like 21% 

voted YES, to ban it.  What is going on in this country?? Read below.

Fox is running a poll about whether the flag should be banned in schools in order not to inflame Hispanic students. The poll is being sandbagged by SEIU and we should mount a counter action if you agree with me that the flag should be taken down for no one.

 

Moveon.org, funded by George Soros, Organizing for America , and SEIU, "Service Employee International UNION", have been twittering today to go to Fox Poll and vote to BAN the Flag and right now it is still working (21%). 

It's time to SHOW THEM WHAT TRUE PATRIOTS BELIEVE!!!    GO HERE NOW:

 

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/05/06/american-flag-banned-america/

VOTE.........and then pass it along!

 

Would this work?

From an e-mail I received a while ago:

There recently was an article in the St. Petersburg , Fl. Times. The Business Section asked readers for ideas on: "How Would You Fix the Economy?" I think this guy nailed it!

Dear Mr. President,

Please find below my suggestion for fixing America 's economy. Instead of giving billions of dollars to companies that will squander the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan.
You can call it the "Patriotic Retirement Plan":
There are about 40 million people over 50 in the work force. Pay them $1 million apiece severance for early retirement (tax free) with the following stipulations:

 

1)                     They MUST retire. Forty million job openings - Unemployment fixed.

2)                      They MUST buy a new AMERICAN Car. Forty million cars ordered - Auto Industry fixed.

3)                     They MUST either buy a house or pay     off their mortgage - Housing Crisis fixed.

It can't get any easier than that!!

 

P.S. If more money is needed, have all members in Congress pay their taxes...

 

Mr. President, while you're at it, make Congress retire on Social Security and Medicare. I'll bet both programs would be fixed pronto!


Closing with these:

Five parts this week, then five more in two weeks.  Enjoy!

BIRTH ORDER OF CHILDREN

 

1st baby: You begin wearing maternity clothes as soon as
 your OB/GYN confirms your pregnancy

2nd baby: You wear your regular clothes for as long as possible.

3rd baby: Your maternity clothes ARE your regular clothes.

 

 

Preparing for the Birth:

1st baby: You practice your breathing religiously.

2nd baby: You don't bother because you remember that last

time, breathing didn't do a thing.

3rd baby: You ask for an epidural in your eighth month..

 

 

The Layette:

1st baby: You pre-wash newborn's clothes, color-coordinate them, and fold them neatly in the baby's little bureau.

2nd baby: You check to make sure that the clothes are clean and
discard only the ones with the darkest stains.

3rd baby: Boys can wear pink, can't they?

 

Worries:

1st baby: At the first sign of distress--a whimper,
a frown--you pick up the baby

2nd baby: You pick the baby up when her wails threaten
to wake your firstborn.

3rd baby: You teach your three-year-old how to
rewind the mechanical swing.

 

 


Pacifier:

1st baby: If the pacifier falls on the floor, you put it away until
you can go home and wash and boil it.

2nd baby: When the pacifier falls on the floor, you squirt it
off with some juice from the baby's bottle.

3rd baby: You wipe it off on your shirt and pop it back in..

 

 

 

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! 

Remember – My next column will be back on January 27th, and a possible photo article on January 20th.

 

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