Racin'
& Internet Stuff:
By Tom
Avenengo
Volume # 93
03/22/2012
First:
I don’t know how you feel about this past
winter (yes, it is now spring!), but hey, I’m all for the amount of snow we
had, for sure. However, don’t be
surprised that come next July or August, due to the lack of snow, wells start
running dry and reservoirs get low.
Well, that is unless this spring ends up being much wetter than usual.
And, of course we can expect wet weather on the weekends, right?
Second:
I caught some of the Cup race from
http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?161533-Lots-of-empty-seats
And, I found this via a link furnished on
Facebook:
http://motorsports-soapbox.blogspot.com/2012/03/bristol-analysis-where-were-fans.html
Third:
Being honest here – when I first saw this
“Delta Wing” car, as an Indy car, I said to myself, “If they ever come out with
those pieces of cr*p to run as an Indy car, I’m gone as a fan. So, those behind this machine are now
contemplating running in the 24 hour race at LeMans. Interesting!
DeltaWing, a Nissan-powered
race Batmobile, zooming into
In part:
"Built by a consortium
of racing firms and suppliers headed by designer Ben Bowlby and
endurance-racing backer Don Panos, the DeltaWing was created as a possible alternative
to IndyCars. When Indy racing decided to stick with a more traditional design,
the DeltaWing's backers looked for other opportunities to prove their concept.
The rocket-shaped DeltaWing
looks that way because it's built less like a traditional race car and more
like a land-speed racer that can also turn. Weighing roughly half what a
regular Le Mans race car might, with less aerodynamic drag due to its narrow
profile, the DeltaWing's creators expect to run between the top two prototype
classes at Le Mans -- even though the Nissan-supplied turbo four-cylinder
engine will only produce 300 hp, about 200 hp less than the front-runners.
More, along with a photo and
video, can be seen if you go here:
Fourth:
Want to save this
country millions, if not billions, of dollars? Tell your congressman and
senator that you will vote for him, or her, IF, they enact legislation that
eliminates their golden parachute. As it is today, elected officials voted out
of office continue to draw salaries, and health benefits. This is true whether
they served one two-year term, or 20. A congressman vote out of office in 1980
will have received $5.9 million in salary. That does not include health
benefits. Congressmen, senators, and presidents should get the same
unemployment benefits as the rest of us, and only for the same six months as
the rest of us.
Yes, the above
was in an e-mail. Taking bets – things
ain’t gonna change, folks – ain’t gonna change!
Fifth:
A while back, when I had no
computer (except for the wife’s lap top), I received
the following from Brian Caruso, grandson of legendary race car owner Mike
Caruso.
Louis M. (
Bif ) Caruso passes away at 82.
December 24, 1929 - December
29, 2011
Louis ( Bif
) Caruso past away December 29, 2011 at the age of 82.
He is survived by his 3
children and 7 Grand children.
Bif served in the USAF as a
cook, and had the distinct honor of having a military funeral. He enjoyed a beautiful ceremony and wonderful
send off being surrounded by family and friends. Bif is buried at the
Bif’s two greatest passions
in life were auto racing and cooking.
He worked on his Father Mike
Caruso’s race team starting at the age of 14 and worked as a mechanic and crew
chief at
His second passion was
cooking. After his military service, Bif became an Executive Chef and worked at
a number of different restaurants in
Bif moved to
Rest in peace… We will miss
you Bif!
Brian & Mike Caruso
Sixth:
IndyCar racing on ovals:
Andretti's
There's a thread about this
on the Track Forum. Will it be a success
or not? Some seem to think it
won't. So far, as of now, there are reports
of nothing being advertised. I've heard
it said many times, to make money, you have to spend money.
More on this can be seen
here: http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?161590-Andretti-s-Milwaukee-Lease
Seventh:
How Do You Improve The Races
On 1.5 Mile High Banks?
Another interesting thread
about IndyCar races on 1.5 mile tracks on the Track Forum.
I've said, quite often in the
past, that I'd love to see the wings taken off of the cars in order to put more
of the driving into the drivers’ butts, so to say. Now, it seems that there are others with the
same thoughts.
More can be seen here, if
you're interested: http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?161551-How-Do-You-Improve-The-Races-On-1.5-Mile-High-Banks
Eighth:
With
How about with the
The New York Jets acquired Tim Tebow from the Denver Broncos on Wednesday,
bringing the polarizing quarterback to a team that just recently gave starter Mark
Sanchez
a three-year contract extension.
The trade first was reported by Fox Sports.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AtA768yVGJIqGDm.WKvDo7M5nYcB?slug=ap-jets-tebow
And:
Tim Tebow trade to Jets could
be nullified, report says
Inpart:
"The Jets made a huge
offseason splash by trading for Tim Tebow earlier today. But according to a
report by ESPN, the trade could potentially be nullified.
Per ESPN, the sides have
encountered a "hangup" in the language of Tebow's contract that could
nullify the trade. According to the report, Tebow has $5 million worth of
recapture language in his contract, meaning the Jets would have to pay money
back to
More on this, here: http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2012/03/tim_tebow_trade_could_be_nulli.html
And, now it looks like it’s a done deal –
Tebow to the Jets
After a big false start, the New York Jets pulled off a
Tebow-like comeback Wednesday night, getting the quarterback who turned the Denver Broncos from an
also-ran into a playoff team last season and became the NFL’s most talked-about
player—for a fourth- and sixth-round draft pick.
Now, Tebowmania is opening on Broadway.
Eight hours after initially agreeing to a
deal, the teams completed the trade that was hung up when the Jets apparently
balked at repaying Denver more than $5 million for a salary advance due Tebow.
ESPN reported that the two sides had agreed to split that cost.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AnWYgSd9cl6CaZCgH5X.NQ05nYcB?slug=ap-jets-tebow
Ninth:
OK, be honest here now, folks
– who would have thought, say 5 years ago, that a majority of those that we
know would now be “talking” with their thumbs?
Tenth:
I always check out the
National Midget Auto Racing’s Hall of Fame’s website to see if it has been
updated to include those that were inducted three years ago. This past week, their website has not come
up. I’ve been told that when that
happens to websites, that could mean they’re being worked on. In this case, I sure hope so!
Eleventh:
On Monday, when I checked the
entrants for this weeks Cup and Nationwide race, out in California, there were
46 for Cup and 41 for Nationwide – as of Monday. As of Wednesday, the Nationwide
entrants have now grown to 43 – which would be a full field.
Twelfth:
While checking out Facebook,
I came across this:
OUTRAGE:
By John Hill on March 21,
2012 in
The
Meanwhile, millions of
illegal aliens take jobs that Americans need ,
undercut wages, steal identities of Americans to sustain their employment
fraud, and illegally collect welfare and social services to which they have no
right. As American incomes decline, the amount of cash illegals send back to
their home countries is at a 5-year high.
Dedicated law enforcement
professionals like Sheriff Joe Arpaio work hard to remove illegals from the
workplace, and free those jobs up for citizens and legal residents.
But one “community center” in
the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia is doing exactly the opposite: holding a “job
fair” to help illegal aliens get jobs!
Our
Counselor Sigi Chabrier says
he helps illegal immigrants find jobs:
“These people are here living
in fear that they’re going to get deported. They’re gonna lose their home,
their jobs or somehow not get the piece of the American dream that they come
here for,” said Chabrier.
Helping ex-cons find work is
one thing. But it is an absolute disgrace for a so-called “community” center to
help those breaking our laws and committing any number of identity, tax and
financial crimes to find work ahead of legal Virginians so desperately in need
to help.
See the news report below,
and note the gem at 0:58 of the video, where reporter Litsa Pappas actually
calls illegals “undocumented citizens“. Then see how you can TAKE ACTION below.
Outraged? Take Action!
Contact the following
individuals and let them know that employment assistance for illegal invaders
MUST STOP
[Note: be respectful, and
avoid obscenities, threats or slurs of any kind]:
(1) Tell Our
Our
Phone: (540) 442-7727
EMAIL | FACEBOOK
(2) Tell WHSV reporter Litsa
Pappas that illegal aliens are NOT “undocumented citizens” but lawbreakers:
LITSA PAPPAS EMAIL.
(Tell WHSV Station Manager
Tim Merritt too: EMAIL)
(3) Contact Virginia Governor
Bob McDonnell [ (804) 786-2211, EMAIL, FACEBOOK] about
this outrage and ask him to investigate why divisions of the
(4) Contact other local
•Delegate Tony Wilt (R).
Office: (540) 437-1450 | EMAIL (direct)
•Sen. Mark Obenshain (R).
Office: (804) 698-7526 | EMAIL (direct)
•
Interested? Then go here for more: http://standwitharizona.com/blog/2012/03/21/outrage-virginia-community-center-holds-job-fair-for-illegal-aliens/
Thirteenth:
Again, while on Facebook,
there is a photo of OCFS, as it looks now, and from the photo, which appears to
have been taken from the first turn bleachers, there is no visible sign of the
supposed/proposed small track that was supposed to be part of the front stretch
and then into the infield – a track that was to be about ¼ mile in size. Comment from the one who took the photo – he
couldn’t see any small track. Hmmm??? What
happened?
Fourteenth:
Going back to football:
Sean Payton suspended for one
year in bounty controversy
In part:
"Roger Goodell laid down
the law once again. The NFL commissioner issued a harsh one-year suspension to
New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton for his role in the team's bounty system
that rewarded defensive players for laying injurious hits on opposing players.
The system's creator,
defensive coordinator Gregg Williams who is now with the St. Louis Rams, was
suspended indefinitely by the league. Saints general manager Mickey Loomis was
suspended for eight games. Assistant head coach Joe Vitt will serve a six-game
suspension.
More (lots) can be seen here:
Fifteenth:
Do you remember a while back
when I made mention of the Irwindale Speedway out in
“LOS ANGELES - The first
hurdle for racing to return to Irwindale Speedway has been cleared.
Track owner Nu-Way
Industries, Inc. has regained control of the track, considered by many the best
short track in
Jason Rund, the Chapter 7
trustee for Irwindale Speedway, LLC, ended the 33-year lease late last week.
That frees Nu-Way to determine what it will do with the property, which
includes state-of-the-art half- and third-mile gradually banked ovals and an
eighth-mile drag strip. The lease was to expire on July 9, 2029.
L.A. Racing, which operates a
racing school on the property and is not affiliated with Irwindale Speedway,
LLC, has continued running its classes and programs since track general manager
Bob DeFazio filed bankruptcy papers on Feb. 13.
"We're just trying to
feel our way through," Nu-Way's Jay Garrett said. "We weren't able to
do too much because the property was tied up with the bankruptcy. We can go
ahead now."
On Tuesday in bankruptcy
court, Rund, Nu-Way attorney Yi Sun Kim and Nu-Way's Jim Mnoian queried DeFazio
in regards to bankruptcy issues.
Garrett said Tuesday that he
and Mnoian, who have managed the families-owned property at 500 Speedway Drive
for more than 4+0 years, have yet to determine what they will do, still citing
the ongoing bankruptcy petition, which will be resumed May 3 after Rund
evaluates the contents of an Irwindale Speedway, LLC-rented storage locker and
two safes.
"We would considered
(selling) it, but we're not actively pursing it right now," Garrett said.
"We have a lot of different avenues that we're pursing. We're trying to
get a few other activities in there that will provide entertainment as well as
racing. The phone has been ringing off the hook."
Garrett said that the pair have received hundreds of phone calls from parties
interested in buying the property or entering into a new lease.
"(Racing) will take a
little longer to get re-geared back up," Garrett said. "But there are
a couple of leading candidates. We'll have to see what it has to take to put it
together."
L.A. Racing owner Jim Cohen
has been overseeing the property since the LLC vacated the premises. He has
retained Bob Klein, who was the track's operations manager and supervised drag
strip activities.
Garrett and Mnoian said one
of the first things they want to accomplish is re-opening the drag strip. After
Irwindale closed, drag racing at Auto Club Speedway in
"It's locked, loaded and
ready," Cohen said of the drag strip. "We know it's very
popular."
Cohen said that drag racing
may be held on both Thursdays and Saturdays.
In the meantime, Garrett said
there are tentative plans for resuming filming - the facility is frequently
used for television commercials - and for events such as drifting.
When racing resumes, he said
it might not be on a weekly schedule.
"We might reduce racing
a little bit so that it will be a little better attended," Garrett said.
"Now that the property is released, we are in a spot where we can make
some announcements."
But it will all still take
some time, he said.
"I'll be glad when this
is all over," Mnoian said of the court hearings. "It was unneccesary.
They didn't have to do this."
Irwindale Speedway, LLC had
filed papers indicating it was more than $331,000 in debt.
Most of
Tuesday's 25-minute hearing centered on contents of a rented storage unit and
two safes at the offices of LLC president Jim Williams.
DeFazio testified that
computer equipment, time and scoring equipment, transponders, which determine a
car's speed, pictures, video and newspaper clippings
are in the storage lockers. He said that employee information was stored in the
safes.
More than 1,200 gallons of
racing diesel fuel is still in tanks on the facility, along with a few items,
such as pressure washers.”
Source: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news...#ixzz1plulpu8b
Thread: http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?160333-Another-one-bites-the-dust
Note: If the track should come back, I wonder if
that will have any effect on Daytona putting a track on their backstretch – a
track that would probably be made by them just paining lines on the flat track
and all the asphalt that’s off of the backstretch. That’s where they said it would be.
Sixteenth:
It looks like it might be
sometime next week for the Johnny Ritter photo article. Sorry!
Coming up:
There’s a RoC race at the New Egypt Speedway this Saturday, March 24th,
with Sportsman having a 40 lap feature and Modifieds having a 60 lap feature.
Note: Weather wasn’t all that
promising in the long range forecast. Uh
huh – spring and weekend. It’s even
worse, as of 9:00 AM on Wed. Rain is
forecasted.
OCFS:
March
24th: “Work day” – weather
permitting, and forecast isn’t all that great.
March
30, 31 & April 1: Motorsports Car
Show in the arena.
April
7: Practice (Free admission in stands) 1
to 6 PM
April
8: Rain date for the 7th
April
14: Opening night!
Accord:
April
6: Practice (Free admission for the
stands)
April
7: Rain date for the 6th
April
13: Practice (Free admission for the
stands)
April
14: Rain date for the 13th
April 20: Opening night!
June 6: Mid Week Madness begins
Five Mile Point Speedway:
Sat. 3/31 Open Practice 2:00 PM
Sun.
4/1* RoC Sportsman 30 - $1,500 to
win plus RoC Street Stocks, 600 c.c. Mods - 4:00 p.m.
Lightning Cat (4 cylinder
open) and Tommy Boy 20 for Factory Stocks.
Sat. 4/7 Open Practice 2:00 PM
Sat. 4/14* Southern Tier Open for Modifieds – 40
laps - $2,500 to win! - 6:00 p.m.
Season
point openers for SM, SS, IMCA and Lightning Cats.
Hamlin
April 2012
1. Sat 4/14/12 BUG DAY - Gate
opens 1pm, practice from 2-6pm, $15 per pit pass - No Entry Fee!
2. Sat 4/21/12 OPENING DAY!
POINTS BEGIN - ALL DIVISIONS - REGULAR SHOW - RRTT:ALL
OVRP’s Dirt Oval:
Saturday, March 24:
Open House
and Swap meet.
Saturday, March 31:
Opening Day
– practice for Karts & Slingshots – rain date for swap meet.
Sunday, April 1:
Practice for Bikes &
Quads.
Saturday, April 7:
1st point races
for Karts & Slingshots.
Sunday, April 22:
1st point race for
Bikes & Quads
Penn Can
Friday
4/6/2012
Practice
Friday
4/13/2012
Practice
Sunday
4/15/2012
Practice
Friday
4/20/2012
Mod
602 Spts
SS
4CYL
FStocks
Can Opener
April 21
(Rain date:
April 22)
Open Practice for all
divisions
INEX Points Races for Legends
and Bandoleros
FREE grandstand admission!
April 28
(Rain date:
April 29)
Opening Night Points
Begin
Sportsman, Legends,
Bandoleros, Pro Stock,
Street Stock, BMS Modified, 4
Cylinder
Borgers Speedway:
Three practice dates are
scheduled for Borgers Speedway Saturday March 31,
April 7, and April 14, with April 21 slated as the season opener. These dates
are tentative pending on the final coat of asphalt being laid and will change.
The asphalt plant opens April 1 and Borgers is first
on the list but Northeast Site would like 60 degrees to pave. After the final
coat is laid the track has to set for at least one week. We will run practice
on the base coat but we will not race until the final coat is laid. The
schedule will be adjusted accordingly.
Sat. April 7
Warm Ups / / Gates Open @ 3pm / Track Open @
4pm -7pm / Open To Any Race Car / Pit Fee $12.00 /
Grandstands Are FREE!!!
Sat. April 14
L&M Motors & Sayer’s Auto Wrecking Present The 60th Season Opener, $3,000 To Win Modified Main!
Budget Sportsman & Weekly Divisions - (Sportsman Warm-Ups)
G.A Child
$2.00
G.A. ADULT
$10.00
Reserved Seating
$11.00
Tower Seating
$16.00
Albany/Saratoga
Sunday April 15
Open Practice OPEN TO ANY RACE CAR!
Gates Open 12pm | Practice From 3-7pm $15
Thursday April 19
Friday April 20 GRAND OPENING:
2 BIG OPENING NIGHTS!!! Back on Dirt!
Modifieds Both Nights!
Thursday - Budgets &
4-Cyl | Friday - Prostocks & Street Stocks, Friday Mods $2,500 TO WIN!
Found
on Jayski’s website:
Hendrick
Motorsports to make final appeal on Tuesday UPDATE penalties reduced:
Hendrick Motorsports will make its final
appeal Tuesday over penalties issued for what NASCAR says were illegal C-posts
on the car of five-time Cup champion #48-Jimmie Johnson at Daytona. A
three-member appeals board already has rejected one appeal by team owner Rick
Hendrick, who now takes his case to NASCAR's chief appellate officer, John
Middlebrook, for a hearing Tuesday. Hendrick officials and NASCAR officials
will meet with Middlebrook at the same team a different format than the
first appeal hearing, when both sides presented their cases separately.(SceneDaily)
UPDATE:
NATIONAL STOCK CAR RACING CHIEF APPELLATE
OFFICER STATEMENT:
On March 20, 2012, the Chief Appellate Officer heard and considered the appeal
of the penalties resulting from the #48 Hendrick Motorsports NASCAR Sprint Cup
Series team. This stemmed from an opening day inspection for the NASCAR Sprint
Cup Series at Daytona International Speedway on February 17, 2012.
The penalties concern Section 12-1 of the NASCAR Rule Book "Actions
detrimental to stock car racing;" Section 12-4(J): "Any determination
by NASCAR Officials that the Race Equipment used in the Event does not conform
to NASCAR rules detailed in Section 20 of the NASCAR Rule Book, or has not been
approved by NASCAR prior to the Event;" and Section 20-2.1(E): "If in
the judgment of NASCAR Officials, any part or component of the car not
previously approved by NASCAR that has been installed or modified to enhance
aerodynamic performance, will not be permitted: Unapproved car body
modifications."
The results of the
appeal hearing were as follows:
- Rescinding the loss of 25 NASCAR Sprint Cup
Series Championship Car Owner points (for Jeff Gordon).
- Rescinding the loss of 25 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Driver points
(for Jimmie Johnson).
- Rescinding the six (6) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Events
suspension for the Crew Chief (Chad Knaus) and Car Chief (Ron Malec), however
both will remain on NASCAR probation until May 9, 2012.
- $100,000 fine remains in place for the Crew Chief (Chad Knaus).
John Middlebrook Chief Appellate Officer.(NASCAR)(3-20-2012)
Daytona to repave
area related to jet dryer crash & fire:
The following statement can be attributed to
Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III: "We're looking
forward to a successful Daytona 200 on Saturday. Since the jet dryer incident
occurred on Feb. 27 [in the Daytona 500], we have washed and cleaned the
affected area of the racetrack in Turn 3 multiple times, and applied street
bond. We have worked closely with AMA Pro Racing officials and we're both very
confident it will not present any issues during the Daytona 200. Once we
complete our motorcycle events, we are going to conduct long-term repairs to
that area of the asphalt, which will include removing and repaving the affected
areas. Lane Construction, the team who worked on the track repave in 2010, will
handle the repave project. Once this work is complete, we expect to have no
further issues related to the jet dryer crash and we'll be ready to go for the
Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola in July."(DIS)(3-16-2012)
Bruton Smith
considering changes to Bristol Motor Speedway:
Bristol Motor Speedway owner Bruton Smith is
considering about $1 million worth of changes to return his
UPDATE:
Speedway Motorsports, Inc., CEO Bruton Smith
said yesterday that he is moving ahead with plans to return Bristol Motor
Speedway to its previous configuration. Speaking on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio's The
Late Shift with Buddy Baker and Jim Noble, Smith said feedback from fans has
been overwhelmingly in favor of changing the legendary speedway's layout.
"I'd say it's about 75% from the race fans that they'd like to see us put
it back the way it was five years ago," he said. Smith said he has already
consulted with engineers about making the necessary changes. "It will
absolutely still be concrete," he said, "but we will (redo) the
profiling. We have on paper exactly the way the track was before we came in and
redid it. We're going to have all the elevations, the ingress and egress as it
was before we completely redid it. We will here again offer race fans (the
track) the way it was. It's not a major change that we did," insisted
Smith. "We took up all the old concrete that was breaking up and causing a
lot of problems. We completely redid the speedway, and fans got the idea that
it's not the same. I guess it's not the same, since they told us that, and the
race fan is always right. When the race fans speak, you listen. And that's what
we're doing now." The SMI owner said the changes will be made before the
Aug. 25 Sprint Cup Series night race. "You have a good contractor,
your plans, your blueprints and a million dollars, and you just go ahead and do
it. I've got engineers working on this as we speak. I have not taken this up
with NASCAR yet, but that's what we will do," Smith said. "Once we're
ready, we'll do it. There will be a press announcement of exactly what we're
doing. I want it to be exactly correct -- the way these fans perceive it -- and
I want to see 165,000 fans scrambling for tickets the way they have in the
past."(Godfather
Motorsports)(3-21-2012)
Judge dismisses
CMS's lawsuit:
After more than four years of wrangling and
deal-making, a Superior Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit against
Veterans get free
tickets for
Only
about 4,000 free tickets remain for the Vietnam Veterans Homecoming Celebration
at Charlotte Motor Speedway on March 31. "We'll always have tickets for
the veterans," said Ginny McCabe, a spokeswoman for the USO-NC.
Entertainment will include the Charlie Daniels Band and George Clinton. The
celebration will honor the more than 216,000
Going back, in time – in
racing history:
Note# 1: Most of the following information was found
here:
http://www.wheelsofspeed.com/history.html
Note: 2: Yes, most of this info is mostly from Open
Wheel racing from “Back in the day”.
For this week, I’m covering
from February 21st
to March 10th.
Gradually, I’ll catch up!
FEBRUARY 21
1965
Jean Marcenac ... Died ...
Veteran race mechanic died of a heart attack.
FEBRUARY 22
1911
Emil Andres ... Born ...
AAA driver from 1935 to 1950
1921
Marshall Teague... Born ... NASCAR, AAA and USAC driver. Finished
7th in the 1957 Indy 500.
1933
Malcolm Campbell drives his
Napier-Campbell to a One-Mile Speed record of 272.109 mph on the beach at
1977
Larry Foyt... Born ...
Raced in NASCAR and IRL . He is the grandson and
adopted son of A. J. Foyt, and the older brother of A. J. Foyt IV. He also
drove in the 2004, 2005, and the 2006
FEBRUARY 23
1958
Paul Goldsmith wins the
final NASCAR race held on the beach at
FEBRUARY 24
1909
George Robson... Born ... AAA driver 1938 to 1946. Had 3
Indy 500 starts with a win in 1946. Robson died with George Barringer in
an accident at the Lakewood Speedway in
1932
Sir Malcolm Campbell in his
Bluebird set a new land speed record of 253.968 mph at
1938
Connie Kalitta... Born ...
In a career that spans all eras of drag racing, Connie Kalitta has done almost
everything and done absolutely all of it his way.
1955
Alain Prost... Born ... F1
World Champion
FEBRUARY 25
1961
Davey Allison ... Born ...
A NASCAR race car driver, best known as the driver of the Robert Yates Racing
#28 Texaco-Havoline Ford. Born in
2001
Alfred "Pee Wee"
Southcott ... Died ... He was one of
FEBRUARY 26
1903
Alexander Winton driving
his Winton Bullet, set the first speed record ever
achieved at
1904
Elbert "Babe"
Stapp... Born ... AAA driver from 1920 to 1940
1944
SCCA The
Sports Car Club of America is incorporated in
1949
Danny Frye Jr. ... Born ... USAC midget and sprint racer
1998
Russ Congdon ... Died ...
USAC midget and sprint racer from the 1950's and 60's
2001
Duke Nalon ... Died ... AAA
midget, sprint and Indy car racer .
FEBRUARY 27
1910
Ted Horn... Born ... AAA driver from the 1930's and 40's. Ted Horn has
the best 9-year streak of finishes in
1939
Peter Revson... Born ... Formula One and the Indy car driver. The nephew of
Revlon Cosmetics industry magnate Charles Revson, he was an heir to his father
Martin's fortune (reportedly worth over $1 billion). During a practice run for
the 1974 South African Grand Prix in
1945
Steve Chassey... Born ... USAC/Cart sprint and Indy car driver.
1949
1954
Bobby Ball... Died ... AAA driver from the early 1950's. On January 4,
1953, he was involved in midget car accident at Carrell Speedway,
FEBRUARY 28
1940
Mario Andretti... Born ...
One of the most successful Americans in the history of auto racing. He has
competed and won in many different types of auto racing, including stock cars,
midget cars, sprint cars, IndyCars, drag racing cars, sports cars, and
single-seater Formula One cars. During his career, Andretti won four IndyCar
titles, the 1978 Formula One World Championship, and IROC VI (the 1978 - 1979
IROC). To date, he remains the only driver ever to win the
1965
Richard Petty, driving in a
drag race at the Southeastern International Dragway in
1966
Joe Gaerte... Born ... World of Outlaws sprint car driver.
2000
Tony Schumacher drove his
Top Fuel dragster through the 1/4 mile at 330.23 mph at Firebird International
Raceway in
FEBRUARY 29
1932
Masten Gregory... Born ...
Masten Gregory was born in
MARCH 1
1903
Harlan Fengler ... Born ...
AAA driver from 1923 to 1927. Fengler acted as Chief Steward of the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway from 1958 until 1974.
1919
Leroy Warriner ... Born ...
an American racing driver from
1941
Dave Marcis... Born ...
NASCAR Cup driver from 1968 to 2002
1995
Jackie Holmes ... Died ...
AAA racer from 1947 to 1953
MARCH 2
1913
Duke Nalon ... Born ... AAA
midget, sprint and Indy car racer .
1947
Ken Nichols... Born ...
USAC driver
1949
Lonnie Caruthers... Born ... USAC midget racer 1970's. Cousin
to Jimmy & Danny Caruthers.
1981
Tony Gulotta... Died ...
AAA driver, raced in 13 Indy 500's with a best finish of 3rd in 1927
1996
Randy Anderson sets NHRA
Top Alcohol Funny Car national record of 253.73 mph at Texas Motorplex.
2004
Louie Unser... Died ... He
was the twin brother of Jerry Unser, who in 1958 became the first of the famed
racing family to qualify for the Indy 500. Louie served as chief mechanic for
Jerry in that race and handled the same duties for younger brother Al Unser's
500 debut in 1965.
MARCH 3
1944
Pete Halsmer... Born ...
USAC/CART driver from the 1980's
1981
Ed Carpenter... Born ...
IRL Indy car driver
1984
Mike Mosley... Died ... USAC/CART driver from 1967 to 1983. Mosley died in
an off-road vehicle accident.
MARCH 4
1902
AAA The
American Automobile Association was founded in
1911
Carl Forberg... Born ...
Midget driver, midget and sprint car owner, and Duane "Pancho"
Carter's father-in- law
1919
Buck Baker... Born ... One
of the greatest drivers in NASCAR's history. He was the first back-to-back
winner of the Grand National Championship in 1956 and 1957. He was second twice
(1955 and 1958) and finished in the top five on four other occasions. After his
retirement in 1976, Baker opened up the
1930
Alex "Al"
Tasnady... Born ... A modified stock driver for more than 23 years, he had more
than 600 victories at tracks along the East Coast. During his career he won
point championships at the Reading Fair Grounds, the
1936
Jim (or Jimmy)
1944
Greg Weld... Born ... Weld
was known as both a driver and a racing entrepreneur. As a driver, Weld won the
1963 Knoxville Nationals, the premiere event in sprint car racing. Weld raced
in the USAC Championship Car series in the 1965-1972 seasons, with 36 career
starts, including the 1970
1953
Herm Johnson... Born ... A former driver in the CART Championship Car series.
He raced in 7 seasons (1979-1985), with 35 career starts, including the 1984
1960
Gary Hieber... Born ...
Modified stock car and USAC driver from
1961
Wendell Scott started what
would become the first African-American driver to run a full schedule on the
NASCAR Grand National (now Winston Cup) circuit when he races at Piedmont
International Speedway in
MARCH 5
1934
Ernie Triplett ... Died ...
Ernie Triplett-Al Gordon duels in AAA Pacific Coast Championship races came to
an end after a tragic accident on the dusty 1 mile dirt oval at the California
Mid-Winter Fairgrounds. Triplett and Gordon were dueling for the lead when they
came upon Swede Smith's car. Smith had hit another car stalled on the track for
many laps. Triplett, Smith and a mechanic that had run to Smith's aid all died
in the resulting accident and Gordon suffered a broken nose and other facial
injuries.
1949
URC , the United Racing Club, made a public announcement
that was sent to the National Speed Sport News that URC was now an independent
sanctioning body and was no longer affiliated in any way with the AAA.
MARCH 6
1909
Bill Schindler... Born ... East Coast midget, sprint and Indy car driver.
1936
Eddie Hill ... Born ...
American drag racer. He was inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of
1938
Smokey Snellbaker... Born ...
1965
Jules Goux... Died ... AAA driver from 1913 to 1923. He was a Grand Prix
racing champion and the first Frenchman to win the
1981
Allen Heath... Died ... West Coast open cockpit driver who raced for years,
despite losing a hand in a racing accident.
MARCH 7
1908
Joe Garson... Born ... AAA
driver from the early 1950's
1935
Malcolm Campbell sets a
Land Speed Record of 276.82 MPH in his Bluebird at
1938
Janet Guthrie ... Born ...
USAC / CART driver from the 1970's and 80's. The first woman
to qualify and compete in both the
1980
Lee Roy Yarbrough ( Former stockcar racer ), is declared incompetent to stand
trial for the attempted murder of his mother. He will later be found innocent
by reason of insanity. He suffered a bad head injury in an Indy Car crash after
he'd left NASCAR. There was a great story in "Inside Sports" magazine
in early 1982 on Yarbrough. By that time, Lee Roy had been committed to a care
facility. His family said his whole personality changed after the head injury
and he also began drinking heavily, aggravating the situation that much more,
leading up to violent behavior. In the article, I recall his mother saying she
forgave him and still loved her son, but "that wasn't him anymore."
There was discussion that he was essentially suffering from a premature Alzheimer's.
Many didn't think he was very aware of his previous life or accomplishments,
though some recall mention in the article that he might have been aware that he
had been a race driver. Some recall Lee Roy's abscence in 1971-72 being
explained as the result of him having contracted Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever from a camping trip. Lee Roy died in the
facility in the mid-80's.
1993
Duane Carter ... Died ...
AAA / USAC driver from the 1940's, 50's & 60's. He raced midget cars,
sprint cars, and IndyCars. His son Pancho raced in Indy cars, along with Johnny
Parsons (who he helped raise). He was inducted in the National Sprint Car Hall
of Fame in 1991 and the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1989.
MARCH 8
1958
Kirk Shelmerdine... Born
... NASCAR racer
1962
Percy Ford... Died ... AAA driver from 1917 to 1921. Ran
the Indy 500 in 1921 and finished 3rd.
1970
Don Garlits set an AHRA
world record 1/4 mile elapse time of 6.57 seconds at Lions Drag Strip in
2008
Lenny Martin ... Died ...
Lenny was a popular stock car driver in New Jersey during the era of the 1960's
and 70's and later a car owner for his sons.
MARCH 9
1905
Floyd Davis... Born ... Was
the co-winner of the 1941
1950
Danny Sullivan... Born ...
Cart driver than ran in 12 Indy 500's and won in 1985. The "spin and
win" footage of his red and white Miller American spinning through 360
degrees down the south short chute (between turns one and two) at Indy after
passing Mario Andretti for the lead in the race's 120th lap has been played on countless
motorsports programs. Recovering from the spin undamaged except for
flat-spotted tires, Sullivan went into the pits for new rubber, then returned
to the track and passed Mario a second time twenty laps later to go on for the
win.
1955
Teo Fabi... Born ... Formula One driver from the 1980's and drove in 8 Indy
500's with a best finish of 7th in 1994.
1973
Our fifth, and last child,
a daughter, Sarah Rose Avenengo was born.
She’s now married to Jeff Michelson and they live down in
MARCH 10
1913
Rex Mays... Born ... AAA driver from the 1930's and 40's. He was
inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of
1959
Mike Wallace... Born ... NASCAR race car driver. He is a younger brother to
Rusty Wallace, older brother to Kenny Wallace, and uncle to Steve Wallace.
News
from the AARN:
From
their March 13th issue:
Herb
Anastor:
Herb
had most of his column devoted to the “Stock” stock cars from back in the
day. Did you know that the rule book for
the 1950 NASCAR cars was only one page!
And, the car that won NASCAR’s first “Strictly Stock” fearure race was
DQ’d because of the rear springs?
Ernie
Saxton:
Ernie
had quite a bit about a thief that got caught red-handed at the NHRA Nationals
in
Ernie
made mention that his wife, Marilyn, had some serious health issues, but after
some surgery she’s now recovering.
Brett
Deyo:
Brett
made mention that Rick Laubach will be running at
Dave
Roberts:
Dave
reports that the RoC Dirt Modifieds will have 17 races at 12 different
tracks. There will be 11 races scheduled
for the Dirt Sportsman. Meanwhile, for
the asphalt RoC schedule, they’ll have 11 races at 7 different tracks. He goes on to say that the fields for asphalt
modifieds are getting smaller – New Smyrna had a car count in the lower double
digits, and down to single digits, afterward. The modifieds and SK Modifieds ran
together. Riverhead Raceway (LI) is the
only track in
Toby
LaGrange:
Toby
is reporting that the Capital District Pro Stock car count outlook is
bleak. Their predecessors, the Late
Models, died out for mostly the same reasons that are hurting the Pro Stocks,
now. Same goes for the Street Stocks –
well, except for Lebanon Valley, where there are some nights when single digit
to low teen entrants are the norm – at Fonda and Glen Ridge. He seems to think that maybe both classes
should be combined – using
John
Snyder:
John
was asking: “What is cheating”? Heck, most winners are accused of it,
right? He also made mention that his
mother, Alice Snyder
passed away a couple of Wednesdays ago, just a few months shy of
her 97th birthday. As long as
John has been involved in auto racing, he said that she had never attended one
race in her lifetime.
Tom
Iaeger:
Tom
comes right out and says he really cant follow the NASCAR Series – a series
that gives “Lucky Dog” passes, has 80% of the field as guaranteed starters, or
bought, sold or traded along with what he considers a “Bogus”
championship. He is alos fed up with all
the “Danica” talk.
Note: Guess what – he ain’t alone.
Obituaries
listed were for Mike Krempasky, 54, from
And,
checking out the AARN’s website for what might be covered in this weeks
edition, there are these subjects:
In AARN
This Week:
Hodnett - Rahmer Tangle
Sends Fred To Fence;
Hodnett To Victory
In Port Royal 410 Opener
Selinsgrove's Icebreaker
Rewards Pauch, Howard
With Winners Cash;
Fans Love Balmy Temps
Can-Am Loses DIRTCar Sanction;
Ramifications Loom Large
Siegel's Lincoln Bid
Ruined By Lapped Traffic;
Leppo Wins
Stevie Smith, CL Motorsports Team
To Debut At Williams Grove Friday
IndyCar Season Begins
On St. Petersburg's Streets
Sunday
Kyle Petty Sounds Off
About NASCAR Appeals Process;
Dave Moody Sounds Off About Petty
Audi Wins 24 Hours Of Sebring – (Must be
typo, huh?
Brazilian Piquet Tops
NASCAR K&N Series Opener
At
Former
Last week I had this:
“From what I’ve read, Chris Daley won the Champ Kart
race out in
Well, that was true for the Saturday race. However, after an engine change for Sunday,
Chris won the feature, again.
This past weekend at Selinsgrove, Danny Creeden had
a 21st on Friday and a 25th on Saturday. Michael Storms had a 20th on
Saturday, while Billy VanInwegen was a DNQ on Saturday, crashing out of the
consi while in 2nd place.
A week ago, Davey Franek was 22nd at
Selinsgrove in the 410 Sprint Car feature.
Racing and
television:
CLICK HERE FOR U.S.
LISTINGS WITHOUT THE SPEED CHANNEL (PDF FORMAT)
http://www.racefantv.com/xUSTV-NS.pdf
And this: CLICK HERE FOR
U.S. LISTINGS WITHOUT NASCAR (PDF FORMAT)
http://www.racefantv.com/xUSTV-NN.pdf
Also this one: CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE PDF VERSION
http://www.racefantv.com/xUSTV.pdf
“The lies and distortions
about Texas Motor Speedway”
There's quite an interesting
thread over on the Track Forum about Indy Cars and racing at the Texas Speedway
and other "Cookie Cutter" mile and a half tracks. So far, as of Sunday evening, it's up to four
pages and 109 comments. Really, what can
be done to eliminate “pack racing” when speeds get up to 220+?
You can check it out, here: : http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?161518-The-lies-and-distortions-about-Texas-Motor-Speedway
Press Releases:
March 17, 2012:
Borgers PR
Media Contact
Bob Snyder
CALLING ALL MICRO-STOCKS.
Tired of racing at other tracks for no payout?
Check out the all new 1/7 mile asphalt oval at Borgers
Speedway in
Practice sessions will be held March 31, April 7,
14, with the first race Saturday April 21. Warm-ups start at 1:00 p.m. followed by heats and
features. Micro-Stocks and Karts will be run in their entirety before the
big car show. All racers and fans can stay for the big car show at no
additional cost or head home for an early evening.
With gas prices
skyrocketing stay close to home at Borgers
Speedway where the action is hot and furious. Be part of a new and
exciting era of asphalt racing in the Northeast. Borgers Speedway “Paving the Way For Years To Come.”
2012 Borgers
Senior Kart and Micro-Stock Payout
Entries
1st. 2nd.
3rd. 4th.
5th.
1
$15
2
$25
3
$30 $20
4
$35
$25 $10
5
$40
$30 $15
6
$50
$35 $20
7
$60
$40 $20
8
$60
$40
$20 $20
9
$70
$50 $20
$20
10
$80
$60
$20 $20
11
$100
$60
$20 $20
12
$100
$60
$30 $20
13
$100
$60
$30
$20 $15
14
$100
$70 $40
$20 $15
15&up
$100
$70
$45
$25 $20
Entry Fee and Driver Pit Pass $40. Each additional class $20. Non Driver Pit Pass $20.
For further information check the Borgers Speedway web-site at www.borgers-speedway.com
or contact Bob Snyder at bobsnyderphoto@enter.net
NEWS FROM
Orange County Fair
CONTACT Mike Gurda 845-342-8573
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 14 ORANGE COUNTY FAIR
63 CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF
WEEKLY STOCK CAR RACING
Winner of 40-lap Modified
feature to take home $3,000
MIDDLETOWN, NY (March
22)……..The winning driver in the Modified feature on Opening Night at Orange
County Fair Speedway will continue a tradition that first began in 1950. While
automobile racing traces its
The first weekly racing
program was held on a small one-fifth-mile asphalt-surfaced track that was
located inside the famed five-eighths-mile Hard Clay speedway. Tex Enright, who
later gained fame as a colorful race starter was the day’s winner, his only
Other multi-time Opening
Night winners include Carl Van Horn who captured four Modified features;
three-time Opening Night victors Bobby Bottcher, Will Cagle, Rich Eurich, and
Jeff Heotzler; with Frank Cozze, Danny Creeden, Bud Marl, Chuck McKee, Frankie
Schneider, Al Tasnady, and Bill Wimble each winning two openers.
Drivers who have raced at
In 1983, C.D. Coville, from
Upstate New York, ushered in the DIRT Motorsports era by winning the first race
under Glenn Donnelly’s reign. “Barefoot” Bob McCreadie, from
Winning Opening Night
Modified features the past five years were Mike Kolka (2007) Brett Hearn (2008
and 2010), and Danny Creeden (2009 and 2011). With a 40-lap, $3,000-to-win
feature race set for the headline Modified division, more than three-dozen
Modified drivers are looking to start their 2012 season with a victory. And who
knows, there’s always the possibility an outside invader will pull into the
It will
all play out on Saturday, April 14, 2012 and the start of the 63rd consecutive
season of weekly stock car racing at Orange County Fair Speedway. Will a new
Opening Night winner’s name be added to the long list of great
Advance ticket sales and
additional information is available at the Track Office. Call 845-342-2573
during business hours. Fans and competitors are reminded to visit the speedway
website for the latest track news: www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net.
I
get e-mails:
Subject:
Fwd:
Columbine student's father 12 years later
Guess our national leaders didn't expect this. On
Thursday, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the
They were ill-prepared for what he was about to say,
nor was it received well. It needs to be heard by every parent, teacher,
politician, sociologist, psychologist, and so-called expert! These courageous
words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal.
There is no doubt that God sent this man as a voice crying in the wilderness.
The following is a portion of the transcript: "Since the dawn of creation, there
has been both good and evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the
seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter,
Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven
children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers.
The
first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the
field. The villain was not the club he used. Neither was it the NCA, the
National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the
murder could only be found in Cain's heart.
In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore, I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder, I would be their strongest opponent.
I am
here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy -- it was a
spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies!
Much of the blame lies here, in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the
pointing fingers of the accusers, themselves. I wrote a poem just four nights
ago that expresses my feelings best.
Your
laws ignore our deepest needs,
Your
words are empty air;
You've
stripped away our heritage,
You've outlawed simple
prayer.
Now
gunshots fill our classrooms,
And
precious children die.
You
seek for answers everywhere,
And
ask the question "Why?"
You
regulate restrictive laws,
Through legislative creed.
And yet you fail to
understand,
That
God is what we need!
"Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, mind, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreak havoc. Spiritual presences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact. What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs -- politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts.
As
my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends
murdered before his very eyes, he did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy
any law or politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in
Do what the media did not
- - let the nation hear this man's speech. Please Pass
it on. God Bless!
"Life
without God is like an unsharpened pencil - it has no point"
In
God We Trust!
I
get e-mails and are these one true?:
Personally, I hope it is true!
Subject: At a Tennessee Football Game---not a joke
Christianity is now the target of persecution...
THIS IS AS GOOD AS IT GETS! GOD BLESS
EVERYONE WHO READS THIS AND PASSES IT ON.
I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT A HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
CAN SEE THE PROBLEM, BUT OUR SOCIETY CANNOT.
This is a statement that was read over the PA sytem
at the football game at
"It has always been the custom at
Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am
told that saying a Prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law. As I understand
the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual
perversion and call it "an alternate life style," and if someone is
offended, that's OK.
I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity, by
dispensing condoms and calling it, "safe sex." If someone is
offended, that's OK.
I can even use this public facility to present the
merits of killing an unborn baby as a "viable! Means of
birth control." If someone is offended, no problem...
I can designate a school day as "Earth
Day" and involve students in activities to worship religiously and praise
the goddess "Mother Earth" and call it "ecology.."
I can use literature, videos and presentations in
the classroom that depicts people with strong, traditional Christian convictions
as "simple minded" and "ignorant" and call it
"enlightenment.."
However, if anyone uses this facility to honor GOD
and to ask HIM to Bless this event with safety and
good sportsmanship, then Federal Case Law is violated.
This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at
worst, diabolical.
Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and
anyone, except GOD and HIS Commandments.
Nevertheless ,
as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules
with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do
otherwise would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical. I
suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to
add an intentional transgression.
For this reason, I shall "Render unto Caesar
that which is Caesar's," and refrain from praying at this time.
" However,
if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank GOD and ask HIM,in the name of
JESUS, to Bless this event, please feel free to do so.. As far as I know,
that's not against the law----yet."
One by one, the people in the stands bowed their
heads, held hands with one another and began to pray.
They prayed in the stands. They prayed in the team
huddles. They prayed at the concession stand and they prayed in the Announcer's
Box!
The only place they didn't pray was in the Supreme
Court of the
Somehow,
JESUS said, "If you are ashamed of ME before
men, then I will be ashamed of you before MY FATHER.."
If you are not ashamed, pass this on
..
I'm not one bit ashamed to pass this on, Are you?
THIS IS AS GOOD AS IT GETS! GOD BLESS
EVERYONE WHO READS THIS AND PASSES IT ON.
And this one,
too:
Subject:
Fwd: The "President" Doesn't Want To Be Mentioned at Military
Funerals Now~
Dear Sean,
Today
I was incensed at the conclusion of a traditional
Serbian-Orthodox
funeral for my beloved 85 year old uncle, Daniel Martich,
who
proudly served in the US Army during The Korean Conflict. During the committal service at a
performed their ritual, then folded and presented the American Flag to my
aunt. As I'm sure you have witnessed
during military funerals, a soldier
bends to one knee and recites a scripted message to a surviving relative
that begins 'On behalf of the
President of the
nation, I wish to present you with this flag in appreciation for your
husband's service ...'. However, today
the dialogue was 'On behalf of the
Secretary
of Defense and a grateful nation ...' After the service I
approached the soldier who presented the flag to my aunt to inquire about
the
change in language His response was
"The White House notified all
military funeral service detachments to immediately remove 'the President'
and
insert 'the Secretary of Defense'. I
couldn't believe what I heard and
the
soldier smiled and said "You can draw your own conclusion sir but that
was
the order". He, too, was ashamed of
what he was required to say.
This
president has taken off the gloves. My
only response to this
endless cesspool of Anti-American rhetoric dripping from his mouth is to
borrow a phrase (with one minor change) uttered by another temporary
in
my adult life I was ASHAMED of my country". I did not serve in the
military but my love of country parallels that of people like my late uncle
who
bled Red, White and Blue. As a second
generation Serbian-American whose
heritage produced many patriotic military men and women who fought for
freedom both in The United States as well as in the former
recently in Kosovo against the slaughter of Serbs by Muslim extremists) I
implore you to make the American people aware of this little-known or, at
least, publicly acknowledged fact.
May God Bless you and your family during these difficult times.
Your
voice of reason is a welcome change from the insanity plastered across
the
country by the liberal media. Keep up the great work and thank you for
your service to our country.
Sincerely,
John
G. Martich
Some non-racing stuff:
More
good stuff for the “rich”, maybe?
$100 to Fly Through the Airport
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/100-fly-airport-033100993.html
Video time:
Video
# 1:
Yes,
there are still a lot of good people in our world today - as you’ll see in this
life saving video:
http://elcomercio.pe/player/1384898
Video
# 2:
Indy cars from 1963 –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5JfGr7sr6w
Photos:
Note: The photos are not available on Dirt Track
Digest, only on New England Tractor - http://newenglandtractor.com/racereport/
I told Brian Caruso that I’d
put a photo of his uncle “Bif” in this weeks column if I found a good one,
which I did – on the Caruso Museum’s website – Bif as you can see, is third
from the left, with Bobby Unser sitting in the Novi.
And this one, below, Brian
with Bif on his 81st birthday December 24, 2010
Closing with these:
“I
am” is the shortest complete sentence in the English language, so it’s been
said, but what about “I do”? Might that
be a short sentence with the end result being a long sentence???
This
is a story about four people named, Everybody, Somebody,
Anybody & Nobody.
There
was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure
that Somebody would do it. Anybody could
have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that, because it was
Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody
wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could
have done.
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