Racin' & Internet Stuff:

                                      By Tom Avenengo

                                         Volume # 95

                                           04/05/2012

 

First:

Per Kenny Wallace after the Cup race this past Sunday at Martinsville:  “It’s Danica Patrick’s fault” – referring to the late race caution that completely changed the outcome of the race.  Why?  Because of the ridiculous “Top 35 in points” NASCAR cr*p.  David Reutimann, driving for Tommy Baldwin, and scoring points for Danica, again, because of ridiculous NASCAR cr*p, so Danica would not have to qualify – like at Darlington, her next scheduled Cup race, but would be in the show because of owner points.  Heck, even David came out with this, after the race:  “We needed to finish next couple of laps to try to stay in the top 35 [in points].”

Well, after last weeks race, the car is 36th in points.

Note:  Any idea as to how many times A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Parnelli Jones or Johnny Rutherford might have missed a race because they didn’t qualify?  Today, it’s all about SPONSORS.  But if you watched the race last Sunday, How many times did you see drivers not in the top 5 or 10, on the screen?  Didn’t see there sponsor names, either, huh?

Also, there’s more about Reutimann and last Sunday’s Cup race down below in things from “Jayski”.

And, quite a bit being said on the Track Forum, too:

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?162186-Reut

 

Second:

Two tracks that NASCAR races on, Pocono and Michigan, have been re-paved.  Race teams will have a chance for some extra practice at both venues.  For Pocono, it’s Wednesday and Thursday, June 6th and 7th.  June 6th ring a bell?  That’s the day for Tony Stewart’s “Prelude to the Dream” Late Model race at Eldora, with most of the field being NASCAR drivers.  Interesting! 

Note:  Check out “Sixteenth”, below on Pocono and some new dates, and also “Nineteenth” about some speeds turned in at Michigan on Wednesday and also news in the Jayski section on the Michigan test.

 

Third:

Weather – whether or not – Hey, we sure do need rain, and quite a lot of it, since we had minimal snow accumulation over the winter, but must we have that rain on weekends?

 

Fourth:

Last Saturday night my daughter Judy, and I went to the car show in the arena at OCFS.  It’s always nice to go to that show – to catch up on things and see old friends that we haven’t seen since the race season ended back in October.  And, it’s always nice to see the cars, freshly painted and lettered.  Prior to leaving, we ran into Chip Gross.  Chip has a business – Gross Graphics.  He’s been doing race cars since I don’t know when – well, before 1983, that is.  Back then, he’d come to your place with his paints and brushes and hand letter your race car.  Today, it’s take your car to his shop for vinyl lettering and designs.  Chip is finishing up on a restored Modified of his own.  The good news – no vinyl, but back to the old paint and brush - for the lettering and graphics.  I’m willing to bet it will be a knock-out, when done.

 

Fifth:

This came out on Facebook this past Sunday, about the bus trip to Dover in June:

For those joining our NASCAR Bus Trip to Dover . All payments are due by April 15th . No exceptions , we go to the waiting list after that date . Please message me if there are any questions or to get on the waiting list.

 

Note:  So far it looks like just one bus, but that could still change.  The cost is $180.00 which includes the bus fare, race ticket and food & drink.

 

Contact info for “Benzee” is:

 

Contact Erwin " Benzee" Benz
benzee95@hotmail.com
C- 845 234 5323

 

 

Sixth:

 

Also, from Facebook – this from John Cooper, whose daughter Lauren used to race Karts at OVRP’s Dirt Oval, and other tracks, then graduated to racing Modifieds on pavement, for a while.

 

“I am so proud of my daughter. She landed an internship with lime rock race park. She went for her first meet and greet last night with the faculty. She got to meet skip barber!! They were all impressed with not only was she a woman involved in racing but the fact that raced stock cars as well. I am soooo excited for her. Keep chasing those dreams Lauren!!!!!”

 

And, in private messages between John and me as to whether Lauren will still race, or not:

 

“She has an offer on the table now to drive an sk light. It's owned by a gentleman who bought the late John blewetts back up car. He has no experience racing. He tried a couple of times last year. He contacted us over the winter and asked Lauren if she would be interested in swapping duties with him. It's a very low budget operation and I have no time to help. She is really focused on school and her future. I'm not sure if she will take the ride on a week to week basis or not. He seemed willing to do whatever she wanted. We will just have to wait and see.”

 

 

 

Seventh:

 

While at the car show last Saturday, I inquired about the proposed small track at OCFS, since most of what I’ve seen, in recent photos, anyway, really shows nothing done.  Well, the latest is that they will commence work on it in June.  Part of the track will be part of the front stretch, into the first turn, then into the infield (pit) area.  No, I didn’t ask if there would be any banking in the turns.

 

 

 

Eighth:

 

Remember this (in part) from my 93rd column:

 

“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 Pittsburgh cemetery the local military detachment

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 United States and a grateful

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.”

 

Well, this, below, appeared on Facebook the other day, when the above was posted on Facebook by another person:

 

 

“Michael Snider Military Protocols for Funerals Changed by Order of the White House-Fiction!
Summary of the eRumor:
The message describes a first-hand account from a man who attended the funeral of his uncle, a U.S. Army Korean War combat veteran. The writer said that he knew that when the flag was ceremonially folded and presented to the family the presenter would normally say something like "On behalf of the President of the United States" we thank you for the faithful service of your loved one. At this funeral, however, the presenter substituted "President of the United States" with "Secretary of Defense." The writer later asked the presenter about it and was told that there had been a change in the protocol and that "The White House notified all military funeral service detachments to immediately remove 'the President' and insert 'the Secretary of Defense."
The Truth:
The email is authentic and TruthOrFiction.com communicated with the writer, John G. Martich of Weirton, WV. Martich told us this happened on September 3, 2011 at a Pittsburgh cemetery at the funeral of his uncle, U.S. Army Korean War Veteran Daniel Martich. A spokesperson for U.S. Army Public Affairs Department told TruthOrFiction.com that there has not been any official change in the protocol of presenting the flag to the family of a member of the military who has died.
Martich said he was standing next to his aunt when the flag was presented to her. He also told us that he used to be employed in the funeral industry, had experienced past military services and was surprised by the variation from the script that he had heard during previous ceremonial handovers of the flag that draped the coffin.
Like Mr. Martich, most people who have attended funerals of military personnel are accustomed to hearing a reference to the President during the presentation of the flag but that is because it's become a tradition to do so, not because it is a required part of official protocol.
The actual wording of the presentation of the flag, according to current U.S. Army regulation, is, "Sir/Ma'm, this flag is presented on behalf of a grateful nation as an expression of appreciation for the honorable and faithful service rendered by your loved one."
We checked the web site for Military Funeral Honors Commander's Reference for Authorized Provided Partnership Program, which seems to indicate that the protocol has not changed. The site has scripts of "preferred wording" that vary by military branch and all include mention of the President:
Generally, after "Taps" is sounded, the flag is folded and presented to the appropriate family member.
Stand facing the flag recipient and hold the folded flag waist-high with the straight edge facing the recipient.
Kneel, on one knee, in front of the flag recipient and solemnly present the flag to the recipient.
Present the flag using the veteran's Service preferred wording:
Army:
On behalf of the President of the United States and the people of a grateful nation, may I present this flag as a token of appreciation for the honorable and faithful service your loved one rendered this nation.
Marine Corps:
On behalf of the President of the United States, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's service to Country and Corps.
Navy:
On behalf of the President of the United States and the Chief of Naval Operations, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's service to this Country and a grateful Navy
Air Force:
On behalf of the President of the United States, the Department of the Air Force, and a grateful nation, we offer this flag for the faithful and dedicated service of [Service member's rank and name]. (NOTE: If the next of kin has expressed a religious preference or belief, add: "God bless you and this family, and God bless the United States of America.")
Coast Guard:
On behalf of the President of the United States, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's service to Country and the Coast Guard.

 

 

 

Ninth:

 

Some USAC Silver Crown info:

 

http://www.nationalspeedsportnews.com/opinion/columns/oleary-hoosier-pit-pass-3/

 

In part:

 

"Like it or not, USAC’s Silver Crown division is again balancing precariously. With the opening race looming, there are many questions to be answered as controversial changes have been levied on the competitors.

 

Switching to a bio-based (ethanol) fuel, USAC may be risking another big step backward in a series that is still rebounding from the previous experiment.

 

Several seasons ago, USAC tried a radical new chassis design for the pavement champ cars, affecting nearly half the schedule. But the new car gained little traction and the series went back to the older configuration after just a couple of years.

 

It was a significant setback for the series as they lost several teams that simply sold their equipment and didn’t come back, and popular drivers who didn’t have rides. And like the knee bone is connected to the leg bone, fewer cars in the pits are connected to fewer butts in the stands, which affects the health of the division.

 

After months of testing, USAC made a big commitment to ethanol racing fuels, forming a partnership with National Biofuels Distribution, naming their Ignite the group’s official racing fuel in 2011, and mandating the use of 114 Red in the Silver Crown cars beginning this year."

 

 

Tenth:

 

The (to me) “Sad State of Indycar racing”:

 

This past weekend, there was an Indcar race down in Florida.  To be honest, you wouldn’t know it pre my local newspaper.  Not one word said, no results and worse yet, where I live, in Port Jervis, NY – Orange County – not too far from New York City, and having Time Warner as my cable company, I do not get NBCSports channel – the channel that carried the race.

I dunno why those that run Indycar get put into such dilemmas as far as getting their product out to what little fans they have left, but what happened last weekend surely doesn’t help any.  Then again, their going to mostly street/road courses, to me, hasn’t helped all that much, either.

 

And, now, more bad news, maybe?

 

Lotus teams suffer Indy 500 blow as manufacturer does not have enough engines for test:

 

In part:

 

“Lotus-powered IndyCar teams' preparations for next month's Indy 500 have been dealt a blow with the news that the manufacturer will not have enough engines ready to participate in the test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Wednesday.

 

However, AUTOSPORT understands that Lotus, which has been playing catch-up after a fraught off-season that included a late start to its programme and the sale of its parent company, does not yet have a sufficient stockpile of its units to accommodate both racing and the test.”

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98567

 

 

Eleventh:

 

Will Power thinks that there should be less down force on the Indy cars.  Hell, I’ve said this for quite a while now.

 

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?162279-Will-Power-on-Wind-Tunnel-Ex-DW12-quot-trim-downforce-on-aerokit-make-us-drive-quot

 

 

 

Twelfth:

 

Down below, in the AARN section, there’s some info about the sale of the Black Rock Speedway.  To hear what Tyler Ciri, the one who is supposed to be buying Black Rock has to say, please go here:

 

http://www.dougsdirtdiary.com/audioplayer.php?id=14535

 

 

 

Thirteenth:

 

I do not believe that schools or businesses have the right to demand your password for your Facebook account.  To me, if they were to get it, it would open the door for someone to post something on Facebook, on your page, and you’d be held responsible. 

 

Check this out:

 

Grade school teacher’s aide fired for refusing to hand over Facebook password

 

In part:

 

"Kimberly Hester, a grade school teacher's aide in Michigan, was fired for refusing to hand over her Facebook password to her supervisors. Hester posted a picture of a co-workers' shoes and pants bunched around her ankles on Facebook in April 2011 with the caption, "Thinking of you." She posted the picture in jest, but a parent who's on her Facebook friend list saw the image and reported it to Frank Squires Elementary where Hester was employed, prompting the investigation.

 

Teachers have gotten in trouble for Facebook status messages before, but in Hester's case, it's her refusal to hand over her password that actually got her fired. One of the supervisors from the Lewis Cass Intermediate School District (ISD), the regional service center for education in Michigan, even wrote her a letter when she refused to give them her password for the third time. Part of the letter read: "... in the absence of you voluntarily granting Lewis Cass ISD administration access to you[r] Facebook page, we will assume the worst and act accordingly." Lewis Cass wanted to put Hester on a paid administrative leave before they fired her, but she chose to go on an unpaid leave because she believes she did nothing wrong. She plans to use the letter she received to sue the school district.

 

An increasing number of companies and schools have started asking employees and students for their Facebook passwords. The practice has been growing at such an alarming rate, that Facebook released its official stance on the issue, telling its users that they have the right not to comply with their employers' request. Several

 

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/technology-blog/grade-school-teacher-aide-fired-refusing-hand-over-172305406.html

 

 

 

Fourteenth:

 

Not everyone thinks alike.

 

Check these out:

 

http://news.yahoo.com/obamas-health-care-comments-insulting-supreme-court-214700854.html

 

http://news.yahoo.com/obama-proves-does-not-understand-constitution-212200164.html

 

 

 

Fifteenth:

 

It’s been noted that the “Full fendered” classes – Pro and Street Stock car counts have been down at various dirt tracks here in the northeast.  This coming season, at OCFS, the Pro Stocks are alternating race nights with a new Rookie class for the Sportsman cars.  I’m wondering – will running basically every other week hurt the car counts for the Pro Stocks at OCFS?  Looking at some results from last year, they were drawing 12 – 15 cars per show.  What if they don’t draw enough in 2012?  What if they don’t have enough for the “Rookie” class?

 

 

 

Sixteenth:

 

From Facebook:

 

Pocono Raceway

Want to see the newly repaved "Tricky Triangle" with NASCAR drivers on it before our June race weekend? Here's your chance!

 

The Goodyear Tire Test at Pocono Raceway, scheduled for April 24 & 25, will be open to the fans and it is free to enter. For more information, please click on the link provided! We hope to see you in three weeks!

 

Goodyear Test (April 24-25) Open to Fans

 

Long Pond, PA (April, 4, 2012) ―Goodyear Tire, the Official Tire of NASCAR, recently announced that April 24 & 25, 2012 will be the dates for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series tire tests at Pocono Raceway. The Raceway is in the final stages of repaving the entire track and it’s essentially a brand new track. Goodyear engineers will provide a number of different tire compounds and will determine, through this test, what are the best compounds based on results of the test. Goodyear will then produce the tires that will be used in the June 10, Pocono 400, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.

 

The drivers and teams tentatively schedule for the Pocono test are: Jamie McMurray from Earnhardt Ganassi Sabates Racing (Chevy, car # 1); Kasey Kahne, Hendrick Motorsports (Chevy, car # 5 ); Joey Logano, Joe Gibbs Racing (Toyota, car # 20); A.J. Allmendinger, Penske Racing (Dodge, car # 22) and Aric Almirola, Richard Petty Motorsports (Ford, car # 43).

 

Fans will be permitted to view both days of the test from the grandstand area at no charge. Fans should enter the parking lots via Gate # 5 (Andretti Rd.) with Gate # 11 opening at 9:00 AM. Fans will be directed to grandstand seating areas near the Start/Finish line. Concession stands will be open both dates of the test.NASCAR will allow all Sprint Cup Series teams to test the new Pocono surface with a specially scheduled test on June 6-7. Grandstands will not be open for this test, however, race fans that have Trackside RV,  Reserved Fence Line RV, Reserved Infield RV or Early Bird Infield RV tickets for the Pocono 400 will have the opportunity to view the test session on Thursday for no additional charge. In fact, Gate # 1 tunnel entrance and Gate # 4 (for Trackside RV) will open at 9:00 AM on June 7 to allow early access for these fans.

 

Action for the Pocono 400 begins on Friday June 8 with NASCAR practice and ARCA qualifying for Saturday’s Pocono 200, ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. Sprint Cup qualifying and the Pocono 200 highlight Saturday’s activities. Gates open Sunday June 10 at 9:00AM, pre-race activities begin at 11:30AM with the start of the Pocono 400 at 1:00PM.

 

For ticket information call 1-800-RACEWAY (1-800-722-3929) or visit:  www.poconoraceway.com.

 

 

 

Seventeenth:

 

Some USAC news:

 

2012 Silver Crown Incentives Announced for 2012

 

INDIANAPOLIS -- The United States Auto Club announced today numerous new member incentives for the 2012 TRAXXAS Silver Crown Championship, which debuts with the May 19 running of the "USAC Hall of Fame Classic" at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, Ind.

 

Expanding on the participant rewards which have always accompanied USAC membership, the 2012 season will offer new incentives for participants in the TRAXXAS Silver Crown Series, which dates to 1971 and has roots dating to the foundation of America's National Championship.

 

All Silver Crown events will offer a minimum of $8,000 to win - $700 to start. Races on one-mile tracks and at the 7/8-mile Iowa Speedway will pay $10,000 to Win, with the nine-race calendar experiencing a distribution of more than $350,000 in total prize money.

 

USAC will also reward the Top 5 in Owner Points at season's end through a $35,000 point fund and free Ignite Ethanol Performance Fuel, USAC's new official fuel for the Series.

 

2012 TRAXXAS SILVER CROWN SERIES INCENTIVE PROGRAM

 

All Races Pay Minimum $8000 To Win - $700 To Start

All Mile Tracks & Iowa Pay $10,000 to Win

More than $350,000 in Prize Money In Nine Races

$35,000 Owner Payout to Top 5 at Year End

FREE IGNITE ETHANOL FUEL SUPPLIED FOR ALL RACES

 

And:

 

USAC Announces Additional Ignite Ethanol Fuel Incentive for Sprint and Midget Series

 

INDIANAPOLIS -- Ignite Racing Fuel, the official fuel supplier for the United States Auto Club in 2012, has announced additional incentives for USAC's National and Western racing series participants.

 

Year-end bonuses of $10,000 will be available to the highest finishing car owner in the AMSOIL National Sprint Car and Mopar National Midget Series final point standings utilizing Ignite Fuel, providing they sign of for the program and begin using the fuel by June 1. The additional criteria for the bonus is that the car owner must finish in the "top-10" in the final standings of his respective series.

 

USAC's Western participants will also be rewarded during 2012 with a similar Ignite incentive, with the top finishing car owner in the final standings of the AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint, West Coast Sprint and Western Classic racing series receiving a $5,000 bonus. As with the National awards announced above, the Western awards are contingent upon the June 1 compliance and the "top-10" ranking in the final standings.

 

"We are truly excited about these added incentives for our participants and we sincerely appreciate Ignite's involvement in our racing programs," says USAC President/CEO Kevin Miller.

 

 

 

Eighteenth:

 

Some of you that read my columns know that I’ve been, in a way, “running my mouth” about Can Am Speedway losing it’s WRG/DIRTcar sanction due to the track scheduling an “Open Tire” rule race, or two, after the season – especially on the Dirt Track Digest’s Forum.  OCFS also has an “Open Tire” rule race scheduled, too, with the 358 Small Block Modifieds – in about the middle of the racing season.

 

I’ve been concerned about this race at OC, and if it might also maybe cause OC to possibly lose its WRG/DIRTcar sanction.  I first started going to OCFS back in the mid 40’s, watching the ARDC Midgets race on the small asphalt track that was in front of the main grand stands.  Later on, I caught a stock car race, or two, in the early 60’s.  It was in the early to mid 70’s when we started going almost weekly, and if you didn’t get there early enough, you did not get a very good seat or a very good parking spot in the drive-in.

 

Over time, things started going down hill at OC.  Not only with car counts, but with a loss of fans, too.  Lately, one could get to the track just as the races were about to start and you could have your choice of seats.  And that’s why I’ve been concerned.  IF OC were to lose it’s sanction, could that also affect the WoO Sprint Car show and even possibly Eastern States Weekend.

 

So, I e-mailed WRG/DIRTcar and questioned this.  Wednesday afternoon, at approximately 5:30, Tom Deery got back to me via a telephone call.  First, the 358 Small Block class is not really a class at OC this season.  Along with that, there is a different promoter for the race that night.  With those two items alone, Mr. Deery says there is no problem with the 358 race being an “Open Tire” event.

 

One must also keep in mind, when Mr. Sanchelli was making mention of that event, when interviewed; he did say that “as of now” it would be an open tire race.  And, as we all know, schedules and events can be changed.

 

 

 

Nineteenth:

 

There was a tire test at the newly re-paved Michigan track today, Wednesday.  Per the reports, Brad Keselowski turned a lap at 212 MPH.  Later on, Jeff Gordon turned one at 215 MPH.  Ryan Newman holds the track record at 194.232 MPH.

 

Note:   Hmmm, might we see restrictor plates in effect at Michigan?

 

 

 

 

Coming up:

Note:  Now that we’re just about into the 2012 racing season, this will be the last time this section will be used, with the exception of special events that might be coming up, down the road.

OCFS:

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. 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 Speedway:

 

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, April 7:

1st point races for Karts & Slingshots. (I’ve read that this will now be a practice day and points start the following week).

 

Sunday, April 22:

1st point race for Bikes & Quads

 

 

Penn Can Speedway:

 

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

 

 

 

Bethel Motor Speedway:

 

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:

 

Two more practice dates are scheduled for Borgers Speedway Saturday 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.

 

 

Lebanon Valley Speedway:

 

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 Speedway:

 

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!

 

NEMA up-coming:

May 20 Sun Thompson Intl. Speedway

-         Thompson, CT

-          

As for the “Lights”, their next show:

May 12

Sat Night    Waterford Speedbowl

-         Waterford, CT

 

 

Found on Jayski’s website:

http://www.jayski.com/

Teams will get test time at Pocono & Michigan:

NASCAR has added two days to the Pocono Raceway weekend and one to the Michigan race weekend in June so all teams get a chance to tackle the repaved tracks. Both tracks have new surfaces since last year and Goodyear will conduct tire tests in the next month. NASCAR will have open test days the Wednesday and Thursday prior to the June 8-10 weekend at Pocono. It will have an open test day the Thursday prior to the June 15-17 weekend at Michigan, according to NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp. While that just might mean an extra few days on the road for most drivers and teams, it does throw a wrench into plans for the Feed The Children Prelude to the Dream at Tony Stewart's Eldora Speedway. That charity race is scheduled for June 6, the same as the first day of the Pocono open test. Eldora officials are still hopeful they could run on that date, a Stewart spokesman said.(Sporting News)(4-1-2012)

 

Junior Johnson hospitalized:

NASCAR Hall of Famer Junior Johnson has been hospitalized in North Carolina and two sources close to the 80-year-old legend said he is being treated for a staph infection related to a 2009 back surgery. Johnson initially was hospitalized on Tuesday near his farm in Wilkes County, N.C. He has since been moved to the Duke University hospital. Sources close to the situation said the former driver/owner known as "The Last American Hero'' also needs a pacemaker, but the procedure can't be completed until the infection clears. Johnson is expected to be released from the hospital within the week.(ESPN)(4-2-2012)

 

Baldwin, Reutimann comment on late race caution:

Team owner Tommy Baldwin walked through the garage toward the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series hauler, summoned there by officials after one of his cars caused a race-altering caution near the end of Sunday's Goody's Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. In his hand, Baldwin carried a broken part wrapped in a white towel, and said driver David Reutimann did nothing wrong when he stopped on the track with three laps to go in the race. "He didn't have a choice (to stop)," said Baldwin, who owns the #10 car. "The steering broke and he couldn't get on pit road, and about 15 laps before that, he was complaining about the motor. It just happened at the same time. I mean, we just looked at it down there - it won't start, it won't do nothing. There's nothing we could have done." Reutimann's stalled car at the end of the frontstretch forced NASCAR to wave the yellow flag, which set up a late restart. Leaders Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson then spun out when Clint Bowyer made it three-wide into the first corner, and Ryan Newman ultimately won the race instead.(SB Nation)

AND:

Reutimann, meanwhile, blamed circumstances and faulty equipment for his problems that brought out the late caution that in turn led to the restart that became a disaster, in particular, for the Hendrick guys on a day when Gordon and Johnson combined to lead a total of 440 laps. "Number one, I just hate it," said Reutimann, who was black-flagged by NASCAR and finished 35th, 79 laps down. "I just hate that I was involved in anything that changed the complexion of the race so I've got to apologize to the guys that it affected. It broke a tie-rod or something like that. I was just trying to limp around there. We needed to finish next couple of laps to try to stay in the top 35 [in points]. "I know it sucks. I hate it for everybody that it affected, but I mean I can't get out and push the thing. You know, it shut off. It's that simple."(NASCAR.com)(4-2-2012)

 

Final Auto Club 400 TV Ratings:

Hampered by rain, airing directly against the NCAA Tournament on CBS and a Tiger Woods fueled PGA event on NBC, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX posted a 3.8/9 (6.2 million viewers) on Sunday for the Auto Club 400 from Auto Club Speedway. That's down -17% from last year's 4.6/10 (8.1 million), and ranks as the lowest-rated race this season on FOX. Season-to-date, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX is averaging a 5.8/12 (9.7 million viewers), off -6% from last year's 6.2/14 (10.8 million viewers). See fast TV Ratings, previous 2012 races and 4 year comparison chart at the 2012 TV Ratings page.(3-29-2012)

 

Martinsville overnight TV Ratings posted:

NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX posted a 3.9/9 metered market rating Sunday for the race from Martinsville Speedway. That’s flat with last year’s performance for the same race on the same weekend, and ranked as the highest-rated event of the day in the meters. Through six races, NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing on FOX is averaging a 4.8/10 in the meters, off -6% from last year’s 5.1/11. (4-2-2012)

 

Mayfield faces foreclosure on property:

In addition to his legal troubles, former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield now faces losing his home and land because he owes nearly $3 million for the property. Mayfield, 42, was in Catawba County Superior Court Monday on five felony charges that stem from a search warrant that was executed at his Catawba home in November. He is facing one count of possession of methamphetamine for 1.5 grams officers found in his home, three counts of possession of stolen goods and one count of obtaining property by false pretenses. Mayfield's next court appearance will be June 25. Mayfield and his wife, Shana, owe [money] on their 455 acres of property. The couple own five tracts of land, and took out two mortgages from Carolina Farm Credit on the combined acreage: one for $2.28 million and the other for $847,500, both on July 28, 2006. Although the Mayfields made some payments on the combined $3,127,500 debt, they were unable to keep up with the payments after Mayfield was suspended from NASCAR. As of Sept. 13, the Mayfields still owed about $2,387,130 on the principal for the two mortgages and an additional $334,700 in accrued interest. The mortgage company added daily interest of $392.40, as well as an additional fee of $1,000, according to court documents. Foreclosure proceedings began on Dec. 13, 2011. The property will be put up for auction on April 30 at 12 p.m. at the Catawba County courthouse in Newton. It will be given to the highest bidder. The Mayfields have 10 days to be out of their home after the auction, unless they have the money to pay off their debt on April 30, said Al Jean Bogle, clerk of superior court. That is not something Jeremy Mayfield is ruling out. "I'm working on something," Mayfield said.(Hickory Daily Record)(4-3-2012)

 

ARCA owner interested in Mayfield:

If suspended NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield can avoid jail time, he could have a job back behind the wheel of a racecar later this year. ARCA team owner Roger Carter said Tuesday that he wants to put the embattled Mayfield in one of his cars. He hopes to field a car for Mayfield in the June race at Pocono Raceway, but Carter is not sure if Mayfield can compete that soon in the Midwest-based stock-car series. Carter currently operates Carter 2 Motorsports and has a long history of involvement in racing, including with the Sadler Brothers Racing team that put Mayfield in a Cup car for the first time in 1993. An ARCA spokesman said that because Mayfield has not applied for an ARCA license, the sanctioning body has no comment. Carter said that ARCA officials want to see how Mayfield's legal issues turn out before making a decision. He said he doesn't blame ARCA for hesitating to approve Mayfield, especially considering its relationship with NASCAR. ARCA runs as a support series at many NASCAR events on the same weekend. Carter said he won't cause controversy if Mayfield isn't allowed to race. He said he's talked with Mayfield and told him that he would have to submit to an ARCA drug test and be willing to take a drug test administered by the team.(Sporting News)(4-4-2012)

 

Tire testing at Michigan:

Goodyear Tire Testing is scheduled at Michigan International Speedway on Tuesday April 3rd and Wednesday April 4, 2012. Drivers scheduled to test: #2-Brad Keselowski (Dodge), #17-Matt Kenseth (Ford), #42-Juan Pablo Montoya (Chevy) and #24-Jeff Gordon (Chevy). The Turn 1 grandstand seats will be open for fans free of charge on April 3-4.(MIS/Goodyear)(3-28-2012)


UPDATE:

#2-Brad Keselowski made history at Michigan International Speedway on Tuesday. The Rochester Hills native took the first laps on the newly paved surface at the racetrack during a Goodyear Tire test. "I feel the decision to pave in October, giving it some time to set was very beneficial," Keselowski said. "The track should be ready to go in record time for a repave. It should be in great shape when we come back here for the race." Keselowski was the first car out at 1:23 p.m., shortly following a rain delay. He was joined at the test by fellow NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers #24-Jeff Gordon, #17-Matt Kenseth and #42-Juan Pablo Montoya. Keselowski tweeted throughout the test, saying the track would reach top speeds on Day 2 of the test on Wednesday. But that didn't keep him from reaching 212, enough to break the 194.232 mph track qualifying record set by Ryan Newman in 2005. Gordon topped off at nearly 215 mph, he said. But a Goodyear Tire test isn't necessarily about how fast the NASCAR stock cars can go, but rather collecting data the tire company can use to build a good race tire for the track's NASCAR events. The two-day test concludes 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday. The Turn 1 grandstands will be open for fans free of charge throughout the day. Fans may park in Lot 10, off US 12.(MIS)(4-4-2012)

Note:  I wonder what speed an Indy car might turn?

 

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 March 23rd to April 5th:

MARCH 23

1937

Craig Breedlove... Born ... A five-time world land speed record holder. He was the first to reach 400 mph (640 km/h), 500 mph (800 km/h), and 600 mph (970 km/h), using several turbojet-powered vehicles that were all named "Spirit of America".

2007

Robert Peterson ... Died ... An entrepreneur who single-handedly created the largest special-interest publishing company in America and was instrumental in the evolution of the hot-rodding culture. In January 1948 he launched Hot Rod Magazine, and hawked the magazine at local speedways for 25 cents a copy. Motor Trend, a more upscale publication for production car enthusiasts, and dozens of other titles aimed at specialty automotive segments soon followed.

2009

Lloyd Ruby ... Died ... Ruby won seven times on the USAC Championship Car Series in his career and also had endurance racing victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona, the 12 Hours of Sebring and the United States Grand Prix. But he is best known for the race he didn't win. Ruby raced in 18 straight Indianapolis 500s from 1960-77, led in five of them and was out front for 126 laps. But he never won open wheel racing's most prestigious prize. Ruby's best finish at Indianapolis was third in 1964. His only top five finish at the 500 came in 1968. Five other times he placed in the top 10. In 1991, he was inducted into the Indianapolis 500 Hall of Fame.

 

MARCH 24

1938

Will Cagle... Born ... Florida racer who made his name in Northeast Modified racing in the 1960's , 70's and 80's. He is one of the all time great modified drivers.

1946

Larry Rice... Born ... A former driver in the USAC and CART Championship Car series. Rice had a major win when he won the 1970 Hut Hundred. Rice finished third in 1972 USAC National Midget championship, helping his team (Shannon Brothers) win the owner's championship. Rice followed up by winning the 1973 USAC National midget driver's championship himself. Rice was also the 1977 and 1981 USAC Silver Crown Series champion. He raced in 5 seasons in Championship cars (1974, and 1978-1979, and 1981), with 9 combined career starts, including the 1978 and 1979 Indianapolis 500 and finished in the top ten 3 times. He was co-named the 1978 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, along with Rick Mears, for his 11th place finish. After he stopped racing in 1991, he became the color analyst on ESPN's Saturday Night Thunder program that featured midget, sprint, and Silver Crown racing. He was inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1993.

1947

Roger Mears... Born ... A former off-road driver who also drove in the USAC and CART Championship Car series. He raced in the 1978-1984 seasons, with 31 combined career starts, and started in the 1982 and 1983 Indianapolis 500. He finished in the top ten 17 times, with his best finish in 4th position achieved 3 times. Late in his career, he raced 4 times in the 1995 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, racing for Hendrick Motorsports, including the inaugural series race at Phoenix. His best career finish, however, was a 16th at Mesa Marin. Roger is the father of NASCAR driver Casey Mears and the brother of 4-time Indinapolis 500 winner Rick Mears.

1956

Jimmy Makar... Born ... NASCAR crew chief

1960

Scott Pruett... Born ... An American race car driver who has competed in NASCAR, Champ Car, IMSA, Trans-Am and Grand-Am.

 

MARCH 25

1925

Don Freeland... Born ... AAA / USAC driver from the 1950's & 60's. Freeland competed in the Indy 500 each year from 1953 to 1960. He appeared headed for a second place finish in 1955 before a transmission failure ended his day 22 laps prior to the end of the race. He came back with a best Indy finish of third the next year. He also finished in the top ten in 1954 and 1958.

1956

Lou Moore... Died ... AAA driver from the 1920's & 30's.

1982

Danica Patrick... Born ... An American auto racing driver competing in the IndyCar Series. She was named the Rookie of the Year for both the 2005 Indianapolis 500 and the 2005 IndyCar Series season.

 

MARCH 26

1953

Tom Alley... Died ... AAA driver from 1913 to 1925. Alley was also a fine riding mechanic, most notably to Ralph de Palma.

2006

Paul Dana... Died ... An American race car driver in the Indy Racing League. After competing in 3 Indycar series events, Dana suffered a spinal fracture while practicing for the 2005 Indianapolis 500 and missed the rest of the season, replaced by Jimmy Kite. He returned to the series to race for Rahal Letterman Racing after he recovered from his injuries. In the practice session for the first race of the 2006 IRL season, at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Dana collided with Ed Carpenter's disabled car after Carpenter's tire went flat, thrusting the car into retaining wall, before sliding to the bottom of the track. Paul Dana, in the Rahal-Letterman car, was told to "go low" by his spotter. Slow-motion footage showed that Paul had hit debris from Ed's car just before impact, which caused damage to the right-front suspension. ABC/ESPN's telemetry indicated Dana's car hit Carpenter's car at about 176 mph, while Scott Sharp, who was running alongside Dana, reported that he had slowed to approximately 50 mph by the time of Dana's impact. Dana was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

 

MARCH 27

1939

Cale Yarborough... Born ... A businessman and former NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver and owner. He was the first driver in NASCAR history to win three consecutive championships. He had 83 wins on the all-time NASCAR winner's list. In 1984, he became the first driver to qualify for the Daytona 500 with a top speed of more than 200 miles per hour. He also raced in 4 Indy 500's with a best finish of 10th in 1972.

Maurice Petty ... Born ... A former NASCAR driver from Randleman, NC. He was the chief engine builder at Petty Enterprises and the lead mechanic for brother Richard Petty. In his driving career, Petty competed in twenty-six Nextel Cup Series events and earned sixteen top-tens. His best finish was a 3rd at Spartanburg in 1961.

1984

Joe Garson... Died ... AAA driver from the early 1950's.

 

MARCH 28

1935

Sonny Ates... Born ... USAC midget, sprint and championship car driver from the 1960's & 70's.

1964

Rolla Vollstedt buys the first Offenhauser engine built for rear-engine application. It was put in the Bryant Heating Special which finished 15th in the Indianapolis 500 with Len Sutton at the wheel.

2001

George Connor... Died ... AAA driver from the 1930's , 40's & 50's who ran the Indy 500 14 times with a best finish of 3rd in 1949.

 

MARCH 29

1925

Johnny Coy... Born ... ( His real name was John Barbaro) Coy raced everything from jalopies to modifieds, but it was in the midgets where he excelled. He started running midgets in the late '40's at Freeport. He drifted out to Oklahoma where they ran 6 nights a week. Returning to Long Island in the '50's he jumped into the stocks and ran both. He ran NASCAR Grand Nationals at Langhorne in 1957 , beating Buck Baker and the Keikhafer crew in his own "ill prepared" Chrysler 300. Coy passed his drivers test at Indianapolis in 1962, but the car broke during a qualifying run. He continued driving midgets with ARDC and TQ's with ATQMRA until arthritis got the best of his hands in 1984 and helped his two sons ARDC and NEMA Champion Joey Coy and Johnny Coy Jr.

1944

Bill Vukovich Jr. ... Born ... A former driver in the championship car division of USAC and CART Championship Car series. He was named the 1968 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, a result of his 7th place finish. Vukovich raced in the 1965-1982 seasons, with 158 combined career starts, including the Indianapolis 500 in 1968-1977, 1979-1980. He finished in the top ten 85 times, with one victory in 1973 at Brooklyn. He also had 23 National midget car victories in his career, and drove for part of his career in Christopher J.C. Agajanian's midget car. He was inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1998. Bill Jr. is the son of 2-time Indy 500 Winner, Bill Vukovich and the father of Bill Vukovich III, both of whom were killed in racing accidents.

1954

Chip Robinson... Born ... A retired race car driver. He drove in the IMSA Camel GT series and won the 1987 24 Hours of Daytona (with Al Holbert, Derek Bell, and Al Unser, Jr. in a Porsche) and the 1989 12 Hours of Sebring (with Arie Luyendyk and Geoff Brabham) in a Nissan. He made 5 CART starts in 1986 and 1987 with a best finish of 6th at the 1987 Long Beach Grand Prix. Chip Robinson was invited to the International Race of Champions in 1988. During this time his best finish was second place, at Riverside International Raceway.

1961

Doug Heveron... Born ... An American race car driver from Liverpool, New York. He has driven supermodifieds, modifieds, Indy cars, NASCAR Winston Cup cars, NASCAR Busch Grand National cars, sprint cars, late models and midgets.

2006

Bob Veith... Died ... AAA and USAC driver. Ran the Championship Car series, racing from 1955 to 1968 with 63 starts. He finished in the top ten 37 times, with a best finish of 2nd twice, both in 1958. Veith qualified for his first Indianapolis 500 in 1956, finishing 7th that year to win the Rookie of the Year award. After another top 10 finish the next year, he qualified 4th in 1958 but was knocked out of the race in a first lap accident that killed Pat O'Connor. He competed in the 500 eight more times, with his last start coming in 1968.

 

MARCH 30

1927

Johnny Baldwin... Born ... USAC driver from the 1950's. Started racing midgets in 1946 & retired from driving in 1966.

1939

John Martin... Born ... USAC driver from the 1970's & 80's.

1969

George Follmer drove a stock block V8 Chevy powered car to a stunning upset victory in the USAC Championship 'Jimmy Bryan 150' at Phoenix International Raceway. After earlier leaders Al Unser and Mario Andretti retired, Bobby Unser took the lead and built a big advantage until his engine blew on lap 122. Follmer then took over and went on to take the checkered flag 3 laps ahead of 2nd finisher Wally Dallenbach with Lloyd Ruby third.

1995

Edgar Elder... Died ... AAA driver from the early 1950's.

 

MARCH 31

1956

Kevin Cogan... Born ... A former racecar driver who drove in Formula One and Indy cars. He ran the Indy 500 twelve times with a best finish of 2nd in 1986.

Ralph DePalma... Died ... AAA driver from 1909 to 1933. Ran the Indy 500 ten times and won in 1915.

1964

Andy Granatelli's 4-wheel drive Novi Indycars damaged in a garage fire at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

1966

Nick Firestone... Born ... An American former race car driver from Phoenix, Arizona. His great-grandfather Harvey Firestone founded the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company in 1900. Nick competed in 42 Indy Lights races from 1993 to 1996. His best finish was a pair of second places his rookie year (1993) at Nazareth Speedway and The Milwaukee Mile. He finished 6th in points in both 1993 and 1994, his best season result . He attempted to qualify for the 1999 Indianapolis 500 for McCormack Motorsports but failed to make the field.

1993

Chip Mead... Died ... USAC / CART driver from the 1980's.

1998

Tim Flock... Died ... One of NASCAR's early pioneers, and a two time series champion. He was a brother to NASCAR's second female driver Ethel Mobley and NASCAR pioneers Bob Flock and Fonty Flock.

2003

Fermin Velez... Died ... He was a two-time winner of the 12 Hours of Sebring. He was also a driver in the Indy Racing League, racing in the 1996-1997 seasons with 6 career starts, including 2 at the Indianapolis 500.

 

April 1

1976

David Gilliland ... Born ... NASCAR driver

1981

Harlan Fengler ... Died ... AAA driver from 1923 to 1927. Fengler acted as Chief Steward of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from 1958 until 1974.

1993

Alan Kulwicki... Died ... NASCAR Winston Cup racecar driver. He arrived at the highest and most expensive level of stock car racing in the United States, with only a borrowed pickup truck, a race car, no sponsor, and a limited budget. Kulwicki was a perfectionist and liked doing things his way: his scientific methodology approach to NASCAR racing inspired the way teams are currently run.He is known for driving for his own race team during most of his NASCAR career. Kulwicki was the 1986 NASCAR Rookie of the Year, and won the 1992 Winston Cup by the closest margin in NASCAR history. In 1998 he was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers] and he was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2002. Kulwicki's nicknames were "Special K" and the "Polish Prince". Kulwicki died in a plane crash on April 1, 1993 at age 38. He was returning in a Hooters corporate plane from an appearance at the Knoxville Hooters prior to the spring race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

1999

Overton Phillips... Died ... AAA driver from the 1930's & 40's.

 

April 2

1926

Jack Brabham... Born ... An Australian racing driver who was Formula One champion in 1959, 1960 and 1966. He ran the Indy 500 four times with a best finish of 9th in 1961.

1939

Henry Guerand... Died ... AAA driver from the 1930's. He died in a horrifying accident witnessed by 6500 spectators during the third midget event of 1939 at Nutley Velodrome, NJ. At twenty-first lap of the feature race, while riding in sixth position, Guerand lost control of the car, which was owned by Ernie Gesell, and slammed against the outside guard rail. The body of the driver was thrown half way out of the cockpit and impacted against a steel support overhanging the track, which caused him horrible and not survivable injuries. The car, still carrying Guerand's lifeless body, continued its course around the turn colliding with Bill Schindler and finally came to a stop when it ran into a hay bale. Schindler received cuts about the face and nose. The race was halted with Johnny Ritter declared the winner. Henry Guerand, who was of French parentage, was a very popular sprint car (then known as big cars) driver and was one on the very first sprint car competitors to race midgets. He had started his racing career in 1933, in 1938 he obtained the fifth place in the East Coast sprint car standings and then started the 1939 season racing in the Hatkinson series at Tampa, FL. His remarkable results secured him a ride in the famous Gus Strupp's Miller, but unfortunately Guerand was killed before he had the chance to drive it.

1963

Fabrizio Barbazza... Born ... USAC / CART driver from the 1980's and 90's.

1972

Alfred "Speedy" Thompson... Died ... A NASCAR pioneer and driver in the Grand National (now Cup ) series from 1950 to 1971, capturing 20 wins along the way. During a late model race on April 2, 1972 at Metrolina Fairgrounds in Charlotte, where he started the race despite reporting he was not feeling well, Thompson suffered a suspected heart attack during the race and crashed his car, breaking his neck as well. He died on the way to the hospital, one day before his 46th birthday.

1975

Mark Light... Died ... Mark Light drove Sprint Cars, Stock Cars and Midgets at tracks mostly around Pennsylvania. He took 34 career wins but failed to qualify for the Indy 500 in his one attempt in 1950.

 

April 3

1923

Edgar Elder... Born ... AAA driver from the early 1950's.

Chuck Weyant... Born ... AAA / USAC driver from the 1940's to the early 1970's.

1926

Alfred "Speedy" Thompson... Born ... A NASCAR pioneer and driver in the Grand National (now Cup ) series from 1950 to 1971, capturing 20 wins along the way.

1959

Fermin Velez... Born ... He was a two-time winner of the 12 Hours of Sebring. He was also a driver in the Indy Racing League, racing in the 1996-1997 seasons with 6 career starts, including 2 at the Indianapolis 500.

1966

John de Vries... Born ... A former driver in the Indy Racing League and Australian Formula Holden. He raced in the 2002 IRL season where he began the season with Brayton Racing where he competed in the first three races, arrived but withdrew from the Nazareth Speedway race, and failed to qualify for the Indy 500. He returned after the Indy 500 to compete in the Chevy 500 at Texas Motor Speedway and logged his best career IRL finish, an 11th place, for PDM Racing in what would be his final IRL race. He did 2 seasons of Formula Holden in 1999 and 2000. Born in Australia, John moved to the USA and started a restaurant in San Fransico, California.

1993

Buddy Baker , legendary NASCAR stockcar driver, retired from racing.

2005

Walter H. "Curly" Boyd... Died ... AAA / USAC driver from the 1950's and 60's.

 

April 4

1915

Bob Burman won a match race at Ascot in California driving a Peugeot powered by a Harry Miller built engine. This was the first race win for a Miller built engine.

1924

Bob Christie ... Born ... Christie raced in the USAC Championship Car series in the 1956-1963 seasons, with 15 career starts, including every Indianapolis 500 race in that span. He finished in the top ten 5 times, with his best finish in 3rd position in 1959 at Daytona.

1928

Bud Tingelstad... Born ... USAC driver from 1957 to 1972 in the Midget, Sprint, Stock Car and Championship Car series. In the Championship Cars he raced in the 1960-1971 seasons with 120 starts, including the Indianapolis 500 in each year except 1961 and 1970. He finished in the top ten 56 times, with his one victory in 1966 at DuQuoin

1933

William Clifton France, "Bill Jr."... Born ... After serving as vice-president for six years, he became the head of NASCAR when his father Bill France, Sr. retired on January 10, 1972. The International Motorsports Hall of Fame describes the transition: "Other than the founding of NASCAR itself, Bill Jr.'s appointment to leadership is probably the most significant event in the history of the sanctioning body." NASCAR went from a Southern regional sport to a national sport during his tenure.

1949

John Force ... Born ... 14 time NHRA Funny Car Champion.

1957

Chet Fillip... Born ... A former driver in the CART Championship Car series. He raced in the 1982-1985 seasons, with 9[1] career starts, and started in the Indianapolis 500 in 1982 and 1983. His best CART finish was in 10th position in 1985 at Milwaukee. At the end of the 1985 season, he switched to the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, where he continued racing through 1987, making 24 starts with a best finish of 15th. After NASCAR, Fillip raced several years in USAC sprint car, with 8 victories and also winning the prestigious Little 500 in 1999. The year 2006 saw the formation of a new racing series, the Premier Racing Association (PRA) utilizing the former pavement racing cars of the USAC Silver Crown Series which had switched to a different type of car more suitable for faster, larger tracks a mile or more in length. Chet Fillip won the first championship of this series driving a car of his own design and manufacture. Though he won no races he finished no lower than 6th in any event while always running near the front. After at least 28 years driving everything from sports cars to Indy cars to stock cars, he won his first series championship.

1958

Christian Danner... Born ... A Formula One racer from 1985 to 1989 who also raced on the road courses in the CART series from 1992 to 1997.

1959

George Amick... Died ... AAA / USAC driver 1954 to 1959. He was killed in a crash in a USAC 100-mile Indy car race at Daytona International Speedway.

Jim Rathmann won the 100 mile USAC Championship race at Daytona International Speedway, averaging 170.261 mph. As Rathmann took the checkered, George Amick died in a crash on the backstretch, possibly from the nose of the car lifting off the track. USAC immediately cancelled a 300 mile race scheduled for July 4th due to safety concerns. Amick was the fastest qualifier with a speed of 176.887, a speed not exceeded by an Indy Car for another nine years.

Race report:  http://www.wheelsofspeed.com/report/4_4_59-1.html

 

1966

Jimmy Daywalt ... Died ... Jimmy drove AAA sprint cars and in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1950, 1953-1957, 1959, and 1961-1962 seasons with 20 starts. He finished in the top ten 3 times. His best finish was in the 1953 Indianapolis 500, where he finished 6th and was named Rookie of the Year.

2000

John W. Rollins... Died ... One of the founders of Dover Downs International Speedway in Dover, Delaware, died at age 83.

 

April 5

1922

Andy Linden... Born ... AAA driver from the1940's and 1950's. Ran in 7 Indy 500's with a best finish of 4th in 1951.

1965

Mike Bliss... Born ... Started driving USAC in 1993 and NASCAR in 1995.

1976

Hall of Fame Museum at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was opened to the public.

2000

Lee Petty... Died ... Was an American stock car driver in the 1950s and 60s. He was one of the pioneers of NASCAR, and one of its first superstars. He is the father of Richard Petty, who would become NASCAR's all-time race winner. With sons Richard and Maurice, he founded Petty Enterprises, which became NASCAR's most successful racing team. He was the grandfather of Kyle Petty, and great grandfather of Adam Petty. In 1990, Lee Petty was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. He was inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1996. He was elected to the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.

Note:  Hey, sorry about the “spacing” above.  No idea as to how that happened!

 

 News from the AARN:

http://www.aarn.com/

 

From their March 27th issue:

 

The PRI (Performance Racing Industry) Show and publication has been sold to SEMA (Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association).

 

The Empire Super Sprints are entering their 30th season this year, and have 32 events on their schedule, so far.

 

Note:  To the best of my knowledge, the ESS has never run at OCFS.  Could it be a distance problem?  As things look now, for Eastern States Weekend, there is no Sprint Car or Midget Car event scheduled.  Hmm, might this be a good time for the ESS to come to OCFS?

 

I put these questions out on the Dirt Track Digest’s message board:

 

“Posted 01 April 2012 - 05:06 PM

 

A few questions for my fellow Dirt Track Digest friends:

 

1. How many attend Eastern States Weekend at OCFS?

2. How many attend ESW on Saturday and Sunday?

3. How many that attend on Saturday and Sunday are Sprint Car fans?

4. How many would like to see the ESS put on a show at ESW on Saturday night?

 

In my column due out this coming Thursday, I make mention of the ESS now being into their 30th season and racing in 32 events in 2012 – something that I found being mentioned in the current AARN.

 

I thought – the ESS has never put on a show at OCFS – when better than during ESW?”

 

Speaking of OCFS, they’ve been racing there since 1919.  I used to attend the midget races back in 1946 – 1948, when they had the small paved track in front of the main grandstand, inside the dirt track.  Weekly stock car racing started on April 16, 1950 and is still going.

 

Down at the Mahoning Valley Speedway, in Pennsylvania, the TQ’s will be there on 4/21, 7/7 & 9/29.  Last year, Ryan Tidman set a lap record with his TQ – 8.924 seconds.  Hard to believe, but that’s an average speed of over 100 MPH!

 

Obituaries listed were for Jim Seidel, 80, who passed away on March 22nd.  He was a former car owner and father of race driver Brian Seidel.

Will Ford, 72, passed away a week prior to the March 27th issue.  He came from Long Island.  He was the ATQMRA 1979 driving champion.

 

Steve Barrick:

Steve had a couple of articles in the paper.  In one, he made mention that Tiger Chapman is not happy with the loss of the DIRTcar sanction, and that he has contacted an attorney on that matter.

In another article, he talks of the “low” car counts for the 358 Sprint Cars in Pa.  A couple of things could be the cause – the new heads they’re allowing, which are rather costly, and also that the 410’s use Goodyear tires while the 358’s have to use Hoosiers, thus the 358 teams can’t buy used tires from the 410 teams.

 

Lenny Sammons:

Len had some about the sale/no sale of the Black Rock track.  He also made mention that Brett Hearn is still sponsor searching – trying to replace the loss of Wentworth Construction.

Note:  Kinda hard to believe – Brett having a hard time finding a sponsor, huh?  Shows ya a little as to how the economy is, I’d say?

 

Mr. Sammons made mention of the track at New Egypt being smooth and racy, but quite dusty, with the dust blowing right onto the fans in the stands.  At the beginning of the feature, it was hard for the drivers to see, and some did pull off.

He also thinks that some of the heats in the RoC events, at Selinsgrove and New Egypt could have had more cars per heat, cutting down the amount of heat races.

 

Ernie Saxton:

Ernie voiced his thoughts on John Middlebrook – he being the one making the final decision on the Hendricks/Gordon owned Cup car # 48, and the problems it had at Daytona.

Ernie also mentioned the concerns he has for “Driver Introduction Music” – with some of the “songs” not being fit for children and families. Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Landon Cassill and Travis Kvapil were cited as having such “music”.  The “F” word, along with other obscene words came out 23 times, or so.

He also makes mention of the Irwindale Speedway, out in California, now being back in the hands of Nu-Way Industries, the track owners.  One of the first things planned is the re-opening of the drag strip.  It’s being thought that if oval track racing returns to Irwindale, it won’t be on a weekly basis.

Note:  Hmm, interesting – I wonder how this might affect the supposed new track at Daytona – the one planned for the backstretch – a flat ¼ miler?

 

Shay Covertogen:

Makes mention that at Bethel Speedway, last year, they had 20 members of the fairer sex in competiton, during the season.

 

Brett Deyo:

Most of what Brett had to say was about the RoC race at New Egypt.

 

JR Kennerup:

JR had a rather interesting article on his thoughts as to why there is such a dust problem with today’s Modified racing.  One problem is where the exhaust goes when it comes out of the engine – the pipes direct it right down onto the track.  There’s a lot more sheet metal on todays Modifieds compared to “Back in the day”.  More sheet metal collects more wet clay/dirt, which when washed off, does not go back onto the racing surface.  Another thing – the wider tires used today, compared to the skinnier ones that were used a while back.

 

And these items, below, are covered in this weeks – April 3rd edition:

 

In AARN
This Week:

Godown Cruises
To Improbable B'port
Big Block RoC Opener Win


Black Rock
Waits Out The Weather,
Prevails


ARDC Midgets Set 
For 73rd Season


Jason Covert Wins Twice
Over Weekend
In Dirt Late Models


Waterford's Season Opener:
Two Days, Fourteen Features


Mach 1 360 Sprint Car Series
Debuts At Selinsgrove


New Name For Glen Ridge Track


Strange Sponsor Story:
ESPN Costs Driver His Sponsor,
Hinders Career


Teamwork Assailed In NASCAR


Sammy Swindell
Wins World Of Outlaws
California Race


Pullout Schedule Edition:
The Guide For The 2012 Season

 

 

 

Former Oakland Valley Speedway (Dirt Oval) runners:

 

At the Black Rock Speedway, in the CRSA 305 Sprint Car feature, Brittany Tresch was 4th and Josh Pieniazek was 8th.

 

Davie Franek was 4th in the 360 Sprint Car feature at Selinsgrove.

 

Kenney Johnson was 5th in the NEMA Lights feature at Waterford.

 

 

More racin’ stuff:

 

A little more on the “Sad State” of Indycar racing:

 

“No Tears on Bump Day-Less than 33 for Indy?”

 

Quite an interesting thread over on the Track Forum about whether there will be a full field of 33 cars for the Indy 500 this year.

 

Some of the postings out of 143, as of Monday:

 

"I'm hoping this proves to be an early false alarm. If not, BOOOO!"

 

"I doubt it is a false alarm. I have fears of Lotus going belly-up prior to Indy. Then even 30 will be a struggle."

 

"I think they'll find a way to have 33 cars start the race, but let's say they get to May 1, and a good whip count says they aren't getting above 30 no matter what.

 

Do they allow teams to try to qualify prior-gen chassis and engines? I mean, it would interesting as hell to me at least to see what the Honda V8 in the old Dallara could do against the new cars. I know there's a roughly 0% of it actually happening, but MAN would it make May just nuts.

 

EDIT: To be clear, I really do think this is the usual, "But where will they get 33 entries?" talk. I think they'll have 33. I don't think they'll have much more for this year, but they'll have 33."

 

"I was thinking the same thing....i wouldn't mind that if it happened."

 

"well whatever happens will be decided within the next 2 weeks so we'll see who steps up"

 

"I'm inclined to believe him. This year isn't like years past when anyone could get a Honda engine lease and Firestone tire deal out of thin air and it would be on the doorstep the next day. The deals have got to be worked out way more in advance. So like he alludes to, crunch time is now. There is also the fact that there are fewer chassis, one off efforts need to buy a whole new chassis and they aren't just floating around... And Lotus's situation is keeping all of their teams from putting in extra cars. Most importantly, DRR which always has a bunch of Indy only cars and MSR.

 

Wouldn't shock me to have less than 33."

 

Link:  http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?162150-Cavin-No-Tears-on-Bump-Day-Less-than-33-for-Indy

 

 

 

 

 

Press Releases:

RACING NEWS FROM. .

BRETT HEARN, B.H. RACING ENTERPRISES, INC.  

MADSEN MOTORSPORTS      

WWW.BRETTHEARN.COM

CONTACT JOHN SNYDER  - 845.225.3560

Brett Hearn…for 38 years the Standard of Excellence in Modified Racing…“We’re never satisfied. We’re always working to get better, to stay ahead of the competition.  We’re all about winning races, championships, being the best team in Modified racing.”

 

BRETT HEARN READIES FOR THE 2012 RACING SEASON

Champion driver to race weekly in New York’s Capital District

SUSSEX, NJ (March 30)……..In August 2011, champion dirt track Modified driver Brett Hearn, of Sussex, New Jersey, reached a career milestone, winning his 800th feature event race. He went on to notch four more victories during the season as well as wrapping up his 76th track or series point championship, adding the Accord (New York) Speedway title to his resume. In 2012, Hearn looks to bolster his victory and championships total. He’ll race weekly at two tracks New York ’s “Capital District.” Hearn, a 98-time winner and four-time point champion at Albany-Saratoga Speedway, will return to the Malta , New York raceway on Friday evenings where he’ll be out to reach ano the r personal milestone: 100 feature race victories at the four-tenths-mile track. 

On Saturday evenings, Hearn will race at Lebanon Valley Speedway ( West Lebanon , New York ) where he owns eight point championship trophies in two divisions, the most recent in 2010 when he captured both the Big-Block Modified title and the 358 Modified crown. “We really enjoy racing at the se two speedways,” says Hearn, a full time professional race car driver. “The fans are great, the competition is tough; it’s a challenge every week. But meeting challenges is what our team is all about.”

In addition to weekly competition, Hearn will race throughout the Nor the ast and neighboring Canada , following the Super DIRTcar Series for Modifieds (SDS), non-conflicting Race of Champions Dirt Track Modified Series (RoC) events, and selected independent race meets. Hearn is a seven-time Super DIRTcar Series for Modifieds champion and also seven-time winner of the companion Mr. DIRTcar Modified Championship that encompasses both SDS and weekly DIRTcar track points. The Nor the ast racing season extends from March through mid-November.

Beginning his 38th year of Modified stock car competition, Hearn has 804 feature race victories and 76 track and series championships to his credit. He is the all time winner at Malta, New York’s Albany-Saratoga Speedway (98 victories) and in both Modified divisions at Orange County Fair Speedway (Middletown, New York), where his record of 297 feature race wins will never be topped. Hearn’s records include victories at 48 different tracks in 10 states and two Canadian provinces and place him among the country’s all-time top drivers in all forms of auto racing. 

Media representatives may contact Brett Hearn by calling 973-702-0819, Monday through Friday during business hours. B.H. Racing Enterprises, Inc. information, including racing equipment The Plate and the newly-designed Modified Hood Air Scoop, is available online at www.bretthearn.com.

And:

Hoar Looks to Defend Spring Green Title at Devil’s Bowl Speedway

For Immediate Release                                                                                                                                                                    

WEST HAVEN, VT -- Late Model stock car champion Brian Hoar of Williston, VT rolls in to Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Sunday, May 6 looking to defend his title in the historic “Spring Green” event.  The 112-lap race marks the grand re-opening for the West Haven half-mile and is the third round of the American-Canadian Tour championship schedule.

Hoar took down last year’s Spring Green race, the first-ever ACT event at Devil’s Bowl, before later collecting his record eighth ACT championship.  He says winning the inaugural Devil’s Bowl ACT race was a special accomplishment for his No. 37 Goss Dodge-Chrysler/RPM Racing Engines team.

“It was really cool winning at Devil’s Bowl last year.  I never raced there when it was a dirt track but we got the chance last year and it was a lot of fun,” Hoar said.  “I love that there’s another asphalt track in Vermont.  The fact that it’s only an hour away from home makes it even more special.”

Despite his résumé, Hoar’s march to the win wasn’t easy.  Action-packed racing produced 11 lead changes, five of which came during a thrilling 40-lap slugfest between Hoar and Craig Bushey.

“Devil’s Bowl is a flatter track, and no one really knew what to make of it before we raced there, but ever since last year we can’t wait to get back,” Hoar said.  “I love the track layout, and I had a great race with Craig out front.  It’s a very racy track, and the side-by-side racing is outstanding.”

Fairfax resident Bushey enters the Spring Green waving the home track banner; Bushey and his No. 05 Vermont Life Safety/Miller Auto Group team will race for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series weekly Late Model championship at Devil’s Bowl.  Other locals expected to take on the ACT outsiders include Devil’s Bowl champion Hunter Bates of Middlebury, Albany-Saratoga Speedway champion Dan Petronis of Mechanicville, NY, and 15 year-old top rookie contender Joey Laquerre of East Montpelier.

ACT stars gunning for Hoar include New Hampshire’s Wayne Helliwell, Jr., and Joey “Pole” Polewarczyk, Jr., Maine youngsters Austin Theriault and Ben Ashline, and Jean-Paul Cyr of Milton.  Helliwell is the defending NASCAR New Hampshire State Champion, while Polewarczyk owns eight ACT victories.  Theriault, 18, is a development driver for NASCAR Sprint Cup racer Brad Keselowski, and Ashline impressed with a driver from 27th to fifth in the Spring Green as a rookie last year.  Cyr is a seven-time ACT champion and won the 1990 Pro Stock title on the former Devil’s Bowl Speedway clay.

The American-Canadian Tour’s historic Spring Green event begins at 1:30pm on Sunday, May 6, along with the NASCAR Bond Auto Parts Modifieds, Renegades, and Bombers.  General admission is $18 for adults, $15 for seniors (62+), and free for children 12 and under.  Discount season passes are available.

Devil’s Bowl Speedway is located on Route 22A in West Haven, VT, six miles north of Exit 2 on U.S. Route 4.  For more information, call (802) 265-3112 or visit www.devilsbowlspeedwayvt.com.

-30-

Contact: Justin St. Louis     Phone: (802) 355-3282

Email: devilsbowlspeedway@gmail.com

 

Plus:

Contact: Shawn Miller

World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series PR

704-467-7803 | smiller@dirtcar.com

 

World of Outlaws Return to Lincoln titled “The Gettysburg Clash”

Justin Zapotoczny wins the Facebook contest naming the race at Lincoln Speedway

 

ABBOTTSTOWN, Pa. - April 4, 2012 - After a 14-year absence, the World of Outlaws will return to Lincoln Speedway on May 9 for an event that will be known as "The Gettysburg Clash."

The unique name was selected among nearly 150 entries that fans submitted during a contest on Facebook. The initial names were narrowed down to 10 finalists and after World of Outlaws staff and track officials voted, Justin Zapotoczny of East Freedom, Pa., was declared the contest winner.

The title is a perfect description for a battle between the locals and Outlaws at a historical facility in the heart of Gettysburg. Pennsylvania native Fred Rahmer was the last to win a World of Outlaws race at Lincoln Speedway in 1998, while the "King" of the Outlaws - Steve Kinser - has claimed 13 of the 36 career World of Outlaws races at the half-mile oval.

The race also kicks off the Six Pack tour, which features six events in 12 days throughout the Northeast. The first half of the tour features three nights of huge battles between the Outlaws and the Posse, beginning Wednesday, May 9, at Lincoln. It continues Friday and Saturday, May 11-12, at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pa.

The Six Pack then heads into New York on Wednesday, May 16, at Rolling Wheels Raceway in Elbridge and Saturday, May 19, at Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown. The swing wraps up on Sunday, May 20, at Hagerstown (Md.) Speedway.

Tickets to Lincoln, which include a free fan pit pass if purchased in advance, and Rolling Wheels can be ordered by clicking WorldofOutlaws.com/tickets or calling 877-395-8606. Tickets for Williams Grove Speedway can be ordered by calling the track at 717-697-5000. Tickets for Orange County Fair Speedway can be purchased by calling 845-342-2573. Tickets for the race at Hagerstown Speedway can be purchased through SLS Promotions by calling 815-344-2023 or clicking SLSPromotions.com.

The World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series is brought to fans across the country by many important sponsors and partners, including: Armor All (Official Car Care Products), STP (Official Fuel Treatment), Goodyear Tires (Official Tire), Gravely Tractors (Official Lawn Equipment), University of Northwestern Ohio, VP Racing Fuel (Official Racing Fuel), Vicci (Official Apparel); in addition to contingency sponsors, including: Cometic Gasket, Comp Cams, JE Pistons, KSE Racing Products, MSD Ignitions, Penske Shocks, Superflow Dynos and Wix Filters; along with manufacturer sponsors, including: Astro Titanium, Fuel Safe, Intercomp, J&J Auto Racing, Jake's Carts, Racing Electronics, S&S Volvo and TNT Rescue.

 

 

I get e-mails:

 

Here’s one that I got this past week:

 

CHEATING at the gas pumps (PRINT OUT YOUR RECEIPTS!!!)

 

This email was sent by the LA fire captain.

 

This is true. It happened to them three weeks ago somewhere in Pomona on our way to Pechanga. The pump should have totaled @ $68.00 (and change). When the receipt was printed, and she checked it was $ 77.00 (and change).

 

She got mad, went inside the store, asked for a calculator and let them do the math. They refunded her.  she told them that if they cheat, they had better make it right. Normally, her husband would skip printing the receipt. Not her

 

We saw on the news the other night that this is

happening everywhere.

 

Brian pumped exactly one gallon of gas. The price did not match the cost of one gallon. It was higher.. He went inside and complained, got a refund.

 

There is also a number on each pump that you can call and complain.

 

This is a true story, so read it carefully.

 

I stopped at a BP gas station in GA. My truck's gas gauge was on 1/4 of a tank. I use the mid-grade, which was priced at $3.71 per gallon. When my tank is at this point, it takes somewhere around 14 gallons to fill it up.

 

When the pump showed 14 gallons had been pumped, I began to slow it down. Then, to my surprise, it went to 15, then 16. I even looked under my truck to see if it was being spilled. It was not.

 

Then it showed 17 gallons on the pump. It stopped at 18 gallons. This was very strange to me, since my truck has only an 18 gallon tank. I went on my way a little confused, then on the evening news I heard a report that 1 out of 4 gas stations had calibrated their pumps to show more gas had been pumped than a person actually got.

 

Here is how to check a pump to see if you are getting the right amount:

 

Whichever grade you are using, put EXACTLY 10 GALLONS in your tank, then look at the dollar amount. If the dollar amount is not EXACTLY 10 times the price of the fuel you have chosen, then the pumps are rigged.

 

In my case, as I said, the mid-grade was $3.71 9/10 per gallon; my dollar amount for 10 gallons should have been $37.19. I wish I had checked the pump. It doesn't matter where you pump gas please check the 10 gallon price. If you do find a station that is cheating, contact the state Agriculture Department, and direct your comments to the Commissioner the info is on the gas pumps.

 

Please don't delete this until you have sent it to all people in your address book. We need to put a stop to this outrageous cheating of customers. The gas companies are making enough profits at honest rates.  

 

This is the same thing as the butcher with his finger on the scale the company has nothing to do with the station owner's practices. Yes the big oil is making big bucks but the dishonest guy will still be dishonest.

 

 

And:

 

And here’s one I received just prior to my closing this column and getting ready to send it out for publication – one I received as a member of the Yahoo! Race History Group:

 

“I occasionally refer to Wikipedia for racing facts, so I don't know how I have previously missed the item below.  Today, I read Wiki's report on the 1964 500, and came across the story on how Sid Collins gave the following eulogy on Eddie Sachs during the radio broadcast.   I was in the grandstands with a hand-held transistor radio, and I recall Sid and Fred Agabashian having to ad lib their way through a 90 minute red flag, but I do not recall hearing this eulogy.

 

 

 

Anyway, here it is, and it is remarkable given the circumstances.   Wiki reports that, according to the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame, Sid received some 30,000 letters requesting a transcript of his eulogy.

 

Regards,

xxxx xxxxxxx

 

Dallas, TX

 

During the live radio broadcast of the race, IMS Radio Network anchor Sid Collins drew critical praise for an impromptu on-air eulogy for Eddie Sachs. During the red flag, track public address announcer Tom Carnegie made the official announcement of the death of Sachs (MacDonald had not yet expired, and his death was not announced until later).[8]

 

“ "It is with deepest regret that we make this announcement. Driver Eddie Sachs was fatally injured in the accident on the mainstraightaway. ”

 

Silence was heard on-air for about five seconds, and at that point, Collins chimed in with a solemn, unprepared eulogy:[8]

 

"You heard the announcement from the public address system. There's not a sound. Men are taking off their hats. People are weeping, over 300,000 fans here not moving. Disbelieving. Some men try to conquer life in a number of ways. These days of our outer space attempts some men try to conquer the universe. Race drivers are courageous men who try to conquer life and death and they calculate their risks. And our talking with them over the years I think we know their inner thoughts in regards to racing. They take it as part of living. No one is moving on the race track. They're standing silently. A race driver who leaves this earth mentally when he straps himself into the cockpit to try what for to him is the biggest conquest he can make is aware of the odds and Eddie Sachs played the odds. He was serious and frivolous. He was fun. He was a wonderful gentleman. He took much needling and he gave much needling. And just as the astronauts do perhaps. These boys on the race track ask no quarter and they give none. If they succeed they're a hero and if they fail, they tried. And it was Eddie's desire I'm sure and will to try with everything he had, which he always did. So the only healthy way perhaps we can approach the tragedy of the loss of a friend like Eddie Sachs is to know that he would have wanted us to face it as he did. As as it has happened, not as we wish it would have happened. It is God's will I'm sure and we must accept that. We're all speeding toward death at the rate of 60 minutes every hour. The only difference is that we don't know how to speed faster and Eddie Sachs did. So since death has a thousand or more doors, Eddie Sachs exits this earth in a race car. Knowing Eddie I assume that's the way he would have wanted it...

 

...Byron said 'who the God’s love die young.' Eddie was 37. To his widow Nancy we extend our extreme sympathy and regret. And to his two children. This boy won the pole here in 1961 and 1962, and was a proud race driver. Well, as we do at Indianapolis and in racing, as the World Champion Jimmy Clark I'm sure would agree as he's raced all over the world, the race continues. Unfortunately today without Eddie Sachs. And we'll be restarting it in just a few moments."

 

 

 

I get e-mails and is this one true?:

 

Caution...they walk among us!

 

NEW YORK - resident Kathy Evans brought humiliation to her friends and family when she set a new standard for stupidity with her appearance

on the popular TV show, 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.'

 

Evans, a 32-year-old wife and mother of two, got stuck on the first question

and proceeded to make what fans of the show are dubbing 'the absolute worst use of lifelines ever.' After being introduced to the show's host

Meredith Vieira, Evans was posed with a typically easy initial $100 question.

 

The question was: 'Which of the following is the largest?'

 

A) A Peanut

B) An Elephant

C) The Moon

D)  A Car

Immediately Mrs. Evans was struck with an all consuming panic as she did not readily know the answer. 'Hmm, oh boy, that's a toughie,' said Evans,

as Vieira did her level best to hide her disbelief.

'I mean, I'm sure I've heard of some of these things before,

but I have no idea how large they would be.'

 

Evans made the decision to use the first of her three lifelines, the 50/50.

Answers A and D were removed, leaving her to decide which was

bigger, an elephant or the moon. However, faced with an incredibly

easy question, Evans still remained unsure.

 

'Oh! It removed the two I was leaning towards!' exclaimed Evans...

'Darn. I think I better phone a friend.'

Mrs. Evans asked to be connected with her friend

Betsy, who is an office assistant.

 

'Hi Betsy! How are you? This is Kathy! I'm on TV!' said Evans,

wasting the first seven seconds of her call.

'Ok, I got an important question. Which of the following is the largest?

B, an elephant, or C, the moon. 15 seconds hun.'

Betsy quickly replied that the answer was C, the moon.

Evans proceeded to argue with her friend for the remaining ten seconds.

'Betsy, are you sure?' said Evans. 'How sure are you? Duh, that can't be it.'

 

To everyone's astonishment, the moronic Evans declined to take her friend's

advice. 'I just don't know if I can trust Betsy. She's not all that bright.

So I think I'd like to ask the audience,' said Evans.

 

Asked to vote on the correct answer, the audience returned 98% in favor of

answer C, 'The Moon.' Having used up all her lifelines,

Evans then made the dumbest choice of her life.

'Wow, seems like everybody is against what I'm thinking,' said the too-stupid-to-live Evans. 'But you know, sometimes you just got to go with your gut. So, let's see... I'm going to have to go with B, an elephant. Final answer.'

Evans sat before the dumbfounded audience, the only one waiting with bated breath - and was told that she was wrong, and that the answer was in fact, C, 'The Moon.'

And they also reproduce!  Scary, huh?

 

Some non-racing stuff – part 1:

 

Argentina – how it has progressed through the years, compared to the United States and our progress.  What follows is a link to this subject that was sent out via an e-mail.  You might have to copy and paste the link, to view the slide show:

 

http://usa-the-republic.com/videos/PowerPoint/Argentina.pps#256,2,Slide 2

 

 

 

Video time:

I think you’ll enjoy this one which is not about racing:

http://www.youtube.com/embed/87xNpOYOlQ4?rel=0

And how about some Indy Cars practicing at Indianapolis this past Wednesday:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9E9lwnv6FY

 

 

Photos:

 

Note:  The photos are not available on Dirt Track Digest, only on New England Tractor - http://newenglandtractor.com/racereport/

 

I came across this photo while checking out various websites on the Internet.

 

This is a week after the Loudon Vintage Race Car meet.  Hmm, interesting!

And wouldn’t it be nice if this, below, happened?

 

Closing with this:

 

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A "DOG PERSON" TO TRULY APPRECIATE THIS STORY

I pulled into the crowded parking lot at the local shopping center and rolled  down the car windows to make sure my Labrador Retriever Pup had fresh air. She was stretched full-out on the back seat, and I wanted to impress upon her that she must remain there.  I walked to the curb backward, Pointing my finger at the car and saying emphatically,  "Now you stay. Do you hear me?"  "Stay! Stay!"

The driver of a nearby car, a pretty blonde young lady, gave me a strange look and said, "Why don't you just put it in 'Park'?" 

 

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