Racin' & Internet Stuff:
By Tom Avenengo
Volume # 10
First things, first:
How I hate it when I’m working on a column, it’s almost complete, and “poof” it’s gone! That happened on Tuesday. Luckily, some of it was salvageable!
You know what? We’re never too old to learn! I’ve always considered myself an historian, albeit a small one, as far as some racing that went on back in the ‘40’s and ‘50’s. In some cases, I have what we refer to as a “photographic memory”. I can still sit back and visualize some of the racecars, races and particular events, that I was fortunate to see back in the mid to late ‘40’s. But, in a way, I’m just a little ashamed (maybe that isn’t the right word?) that I really can’t recall seeing Chet Conklin race.
What brought this up? Well doing some research for his grandson, John Conklin. I came to find out that in 1948, when Bill Schindler won the ARDC driving championship, Chet Conklin ended up in second place, to Schindler, in the point standings. Damn! I have no idea as to why both he and/or the cars he drove come up blank. I know he did driver for “Pappy” Hough for a while. Still, no go as far as my memories of him.
Breaking
news:
Steve Pados has a press release out saying that both Danny Johnson and Brett Hearn will be at the Accord Speedway this Friday night. For Hearn, that can be confirmed on his website.
A
traveling hint:
If
you’re heading north from the
Here
are directions for a short cut after getting off of I-84:
When
you get off of I-84, at exit 1, you make a right at the end of the ramp.
Go to first light and make a left. You'll be on Rt
6. Go straight through the light at Phil's Ford, and make a right at
the next traffic light (N. Maple). Go
through narrow tunnel (one car at a time) and you're now on
Also,
and most important - that detour onto Neversink - no big trailers will fit through the
tunnel, they'll have to take Rt 6 into Port Jervis and make a right onto 209 in the middle of
town, at the Mobil station.
No
detour is needed when heading south on 209, since you can cross the bridge into
This
detour is projected to end sometime in July.
Some of my thoughts:
With the Cup race rained out last Sunday, they were forced to hold it on Monday. I had it on while starting this column. It was announced that there was a crowd of about ninety thousand on hand, which is a little over half full. I did notice that the “cheap seats” – those along the backstretch, which are probably bought up by the “working class people” had the majority of empty seats. The front stretch – the “Money” seats looked pretty well filled up. Some years back, we got rained out at Pocono, and had to return on Monday. I’d venture to say that on that day, the stands, at Pocono, were still full. Of course, that was quite a few years ago, prior to our current financial situation.
Going
back, in time:
Some special things that happened, in years past, covering the dates from April 22nd to April 30th.
April 22
1956
Walt Faulkner... Died ... AAA driver from 1949
to 1955.
1975
Greg Moore... Born
April 23
1936
Dick Atkins... Born
1969
P.J. Jones... Born
1971
Dempsey Wilson... Died
April
24
1933
Billy Garrett ... Born
1969
Hermie Sadler... Born
April 25
1884
Arthur Chevrolet... Born ... AAA
driver 1909 to 1920. One of 3 brothers that emigrated
to
1928
Frank Lockhart... Died ... AAA
driver 1925 to 1927. Won the Indy 500 in 1926.
He was killed in the crash of his Stutz Blackhawk during a land speed record
attempt on the beach at
1942
Wally Zale... Died ... Wally Zale hailed from
1962
Fred Frame... Died ... AAA driver from the
1920's and 1930's. Ran the Indy 500 8 times and won in 1932.
April
27
1914
Russ Klar ... Born ... He was a race driver
in the Northeast. He drove midgets , sprint cars and
'big cars' in the 1940s and '50s and late in his career modifieds
(stock cars).
1933
Bob Bondurant... Born ... An American former
sports car driver who also raced for the Ferrari and Eagle teams in Formula
One. He later started the
April 28
1957
Paul Goldsmith drove his Smokey Yunick Ford to victory in the 250 lap NASCAR Grand National
race at the Greensboro Agricultural Fairgrounds 1/3 mile dirt track in
Greensboro, North Carolina. Jack Smith's factory backed Chevrolet finished 5
seconds behind in second. Under pressure from the manufacturers association,
Bill France banned superchargers and fuel injection. Both had been legal because
they were available to the public.
April 29
1941
Jerry Karl ... Born
1951
Dale Earnhardt, Sr.... Born
1963
April 30
1963
Andy Hillenburg... Born
Michael Waltrip... Born
1975
Darren Manning... Born
Racing
on TV - http://www.racefantv.com/USTV.htm
Friday,
April 23rd:
11:30
AM to 1:30 PM on SPEED – Nationwide qualifying from
2:00
PM to 3:00 PM on SPEED – Cup practice from
3:30
PM to 4:30 PM on SPEED – Cup final practice
5:00
PM to 7:30 PM on SPEED – ARCA race from
Saturday,
April 24th:
11:30
AM to 2:00 PM on SPEED – Cup qualifying
2:00
PM to 5:00 PM on SPEED – Grand-Am Rolex Series race from
3:00
PM to 6:00 PM on ABC
– Nationwide race
Sunday,
April 25th:
1:00
PM to 5:00 PM on FOX – Cup race
3:00
PM to 4:00 PM on SPEED – FIM World Superbike race 1 from the
4:00
PM to 5:00 PM on SPEED – FIM World Superbike race 2 from the
Note: Might the volcanic ash have
some kind of bearing on these events?
Track
news:
Bad news:
Accord
was one of many tracks that got rained out last weekend in the Northeast area.
Good
news:
It
looks like this coming weekend, weather wise (Accord forecast is below, as of
Tuesday), will be good for some outdoor racing, as of
4:30 PM on Tuesday.
Tonight: Mainly clear. Low 43F.
Winds light and variable.
Tomorrow: Scattered clouds with the possibility of
an isolated thunderstorm developing during the afternoon. High
68F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
Tomorrow night: Cloudy with a few
showers. Low 46F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of
rain 30%.
Thursday: Partly cloudy skies. High
62F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.
Friday: Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the low 60s and lows in the upper 30s.
Rumors of the
This Saturday, at OCFS, they’re having
two features for the big block modifieds – the one
from the rained out show last September and the nights
regular feature.
The
History of the Sport:
Continued:
An interesting query was sent out a few weeks
ago on the Yahoo! Race History Group about “Who would you like to meet”? I thought I’d copy down most of the responses
and put them in this column. Gotta warn ya though – it’s
basically about racing “Back in the day” with Open Wheel cars.
Who
would you like to meet?
Part 3 – the last part:
First of all, Vuky
was my early childhood hero, so I have to start with
him.
I figure Wilbur Shaw could fill me in on Rickenbacker and Hulman, so
he's next on the list. Plus, I want to give him hell for hooking me on this
sport with his book.
The last choice is tough. I might pick Carl Fisher, who, of course, built the track
and went from riches to rags. At the same time I kick myself in the ass for not
taking full advantage of the opportunity when I met - and chatted - with some
who have since gone: Agajanian, Donohue, Herk, Hulman, Sessions,
Savage...and the list goes on and on.
And before making my last choice, I remind RHs that
many legends still are around, and we should make every effort to pick their
brains for memories that will be lost at some point. And record them. Books may
have been written by/about them, but a 15-minute conversation might bring out a
story that has never before been told, yet a story that future generations
would enjoy.
And, stepping down from my soapbox, I pass on my third selection. It's far too
important a decision to be made without greater thought. I'm gonna think about it.
Harry Miller for sure.
1)
Enzo Ferrari. I would
ask why he never returned to Indy after his
1952 foray. I would also like to know how he juggled his two families. Also,
why did he let John Surtees get away in 1966, costing
himself the 1966 World
Championship and probably the 1967 one as well. I would have enough
questions to get through at least two bottles of Lambrusco.
2. Cotting Henning. I would like him to describe in
even more detail than
what is in print how he prepared the Shaw Maserati
8CTF to a standard that
the Maserati Brothers themselves never approached. Also, why he
made the
same mistake as Ferrari did in 1952, by not using a stronger wheel to
compensate for Indy's exceptional loads.
3. Mario Andretti. I would like Mario to describe the fire in his belly
that he maintained all his racing career. He wanted to
win so badly that he
was still making rookie mistakes and doomed moves on the track until he
retired. Perhaps that was what made him the best.
Art
his inline sixes and Joel Thorne; Leo because of
what's already been
said about his tie-in to Miller; and JW because I'd want the straight
skinny on the Christie.
I can only regret not speaking to
the people who I was near, but since I was an awe struck 18 or 19 years old,too shy to talk to ... Jimmy Bryan, Tony Bettenhausan,
Johnny Thomson ...
This thread made me remember the
Peter DePaolo reprint that someone
provided a couple years ago, and how his writing made it seem like he
was sitting there telling us a story.
I think I would choose Ted Horn, Wilbur Shaw and
Sam Hanks. The reasons
are similar to many of those already given. Tell me about.......
I would chose Tommy Hinnershitz, Ted Horn
and Buster Warke at their
hunting camp in 1940 I got some photos of their deer
hunting camp from
Buster.
I was fortunate to tape many hours of Tommy's stories thru the
years. In his later years he would come up to my cabin in the fall to
take in the foliage. They were golden times
I would like to meet and visit
with Bill Vukovich, Jud Larson, and Jimmy Bryan.
All because of their God given talent.
Former Dirt Oval (
Some reports this week:
At Wall Stadium, in the Modified class, Roger Coss was 5th in the feature.
In the Modified Outlaw Micro Stocks, Tom Ervin was the feature winner and Nick Cottone was 2nd. If I’m not mistaken, Nick is in his 70’s.
At New Egypt last Saturday night, Johnny Guarino was 18th in the Modified feature.
At OCFS, in the Modified feature, Danny Creeden was 6th, Tim Hindley 18th, while Billy VanInwegen, Clinton Mills and Mike Ruggiero were DNQ’s.. Michael Storms won his heat, and then was DQ’d because of tire issues?
In the regular nights Sportsman feature; Brian Krummel was 3rd, Joe Conklin 4th, Matt Hitchcock 8th, Bobby Hassenmayer 15th, John Lodini 20th, Rich Coons 21st Matt Janiak 23rd and Anthony Perrego 24th.
In the race that was rained out last year in September, and run this past Saturday, Krummel was 2nd, Conklin 3rd, Hitchcock 4th, Hassenmayer 6th, Perrego 9th, Coons 14th, Keith Still 15th and Doc Young 16th.
At Penn Can on Sunday, in the 600 Modifieds, Brad Szulewski came home the winner in their feature. Anthony Perrego won the Sportsman feature while Kyle Rohner was 4th.
There is a listing for a Matt Hitchcock placing 22nd
in the Sportsman race at
Video
time:
The track – it’s gone. The cars – I guess you can say they’re mostly gone, too. From “Back in the Day” 1972 – Reading Fairgrounds:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_VFc6rqyxE&feature=related
And
a couple from Langhorne and Indy cars from 1963:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvPJeVPdNEE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nYUFzvd77I&feature=related
Yes,
that Langhorne track is gone, too. But
there are still some Indy cars that are very similar to what is seen in the
videos racing today – unfortunately, not in the Northeast – except for a show
at
Is this true? – Continued – the last part:
An
Page 298 Lines 9-11: Doctors:
If you treat a patient during initial admission that results
in a re-admission -- the Govt will penalize you.
Page 317 L 13-20: PROHIBITION on ownership/investment. (The Govt
tells doctors what and how much
they can own!)
Page 317-318 lines 21-25, 1-3: PROHIBITION on expansion. (The Govt is mandating that hospitals
cannot expand.)
Page 321 2-13: Hospitals have
the opportunity to apply for exception BUT community input is required. (Can you say ACORN?)
Page 335 L 16-25 Pg 336-339: The Govt mandates
establishment of=2 outcome-based measures. (HC
the way they want -- rationing.)
Page 341 Lines 3-9: The Govt has authority to disqualify Medicare Advance Plans,
HMOs, etc. (Forcing
people into the Govt plan)
Page 354 Sec 1177: The Govt will RESTRICT
enrollment of 'special needs people!'
Unbelievable!
Page 379 Sec 1191: The Govt creates more bureaucracy
via a "Tele-Health Advisory
Committee." (Can you say HC by phone?)
Page 425 Lines 4-12: The Govt mandates
"Advance-Care Planning Consult." (Think senior citizens end-of-life patients.)
Page 425 Lines 17-19: The Govt will instruct and
consult regarding living wills, durable
powers of attorney, etc. (And it's mandatory!)
Page 425 Lines 22-25, 426 Lines
1-3: The Govt provides an "approved" list
of end-of-life resources; guiding
you in death. (Also called 'assisted suicide.')(Sounds
like Soylent
Green to me.)
Page 427 Lines 15-24: The Govt mandates a program for
orders on "end-of-life." (The Govt has a say in how your life ends!)
Page 429 Lines 1-9: An "advanced-care planning consultant" will be
used frequently as a
patient's health deteriorates.
Page 429 Lines 10-12: An "advanced care consultation" may include an
ORDER for end-of-life plans.. (AN ORDER TO DIE FROM THE
GOVERNMENT?!?)
Page 429 Lines 13-25: The GOVT will specify which doctors can write an
end-of-life order.. (I
wouldn't want to stand before God after getting paid for THAT job!)
Page 430 Lines 11-15: The Govt will decide what level
of treatment you will have at
end-of-life! (Again -- no choice!)
Page 469: Community-Based Home Medical Services = Non-Profit Organizations.
(Hello? ACORN Medical
Services here!?!)
Page 489 Sec 1308: The Govt will cover marriage and
family therapy. (Which means Govt will insert itself into your marriage
even.)
Page 494-498: Govt will cover Mental Health Services
including defining, creating, and
rationing those services.
Senator, I guarantee that I personally will do everything possible to inform
patients and my fellow physicians
about the dangers of the proposed bills you and your colleagues are debating.
Furthermore, if you vote for a bill that enforces socialized medicine on the
country and
destroys the doctor-patient relationship, I will do everything in my power to
make sure you lose your job in
the next election.
Respectfully,
Stephen E. Fraser, MD
More
racin’ stuff:
Hmmm, I ‘m wondering – is it true that a certain race
team was told they could use a certain tire at a certain race track last
weekend, and then after running away in a heat for the win, told they couldn’t,
and were DQ’d from that heat win? And is it also true that another race team
was told, prior to the nights races that they could not
use those same kind of tires for their heat, so that team changed
theirs?
Other
forums/message boards and websites:
Note: In this section, from now on, I’ll be making mention of some certain things being said on the Internet, and will give you links to those items, along with links to various websites, message boards and forums. Hope you get a kick out of what some people are saying.
Track Forum: - http://www.trackforum.com/forums/
Kinda of a dumb move, this
here: Kansas Speedway closed to public for quals. http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136301
Update:
And: Non-ISC oval tracks:
http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136301
Latest
They do us no favors, no promotions...basically treat us like unwanted adopted
kid.
So I was wondering how many non-ISC tracks are out there?
How many are suitable for IndyCars?
http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136321
It seems I’m not
alone as far as not being a fan of a proposed new Indy car – the Delta Wing.
A couple new DeltaWing pics from the windtunnel test.
http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136286
Note: The Track Forum has been down for a few days,
with some work being done on it, so chances are those links might not work at
this time.
Frontstretch.com: http://www.frontstretch.com/
In
part: In practice, the importance of
sponsorship money can get out of control.
It has become all consuming in NASCAR, and not to the sport’s benefit.
http://www.frontstretch.com/ksmith/29105/
Jayski: - http://www.jayski.com/
Quite a few items on Jayski’s website, as of Tuesday, like:
Budweiser to MWR, Reutimann offered extension, Stewart takes blame for Texas wreck, Tire testing at Indy, 14 teams to test, Allmendinger has made no decision on 2011, Childress in talks with Harvick, no Kahne, Gibbs could not commit to fourth Cup team, Parts confiscated from #13 and #47 teams UPDATE, Fox to offer extended post-race coverage online UPDATE not allowed, Gossage not a fan of start-and-parkers, Gillette says RPM will recover from losing Kahne and Kasey Kahne discusses joining Hendrick.
http://jayski.com/cupnews.htm#news-bud
And: Reports: Pennzoil/Shell to leave RCR...to Penske:
http://jayski.com/cupnews.htm#news29tue
I also found this little
article that was linked to, on Jayski’s website:
“The
fenders of the No. 24 and No. 48 cars weren’t the only things bruised at the
end of the race at Texas Motor Speedway. The jockeying for track real estate
between Jimmie Johnson and his mentor Jeff Gordon once again exposed a crack in
the relationship between the two drivers. Both drivers said they were
“disappointed” with each other, while at the same time denying that there is
any “trouble” between the two of them.”
More can be found if you go here: http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/bloggity/2010/apr/19/johnsongordon-feud-developing/
Note: What I get a kick out of is
that on every Cup race result or race lineup, Jeff Gordon is listed as the car
owner for the # 48 car. Yet, when it
comes time for the NASCAR Banquet, and Jimmie got the championships, Mr.
Hendrick is up on the stage as “car owner”.
Huh???
Other
(non racing) news:
SEC
is looking into accounting at 19 biggest banks:
Lots more can be
found if you go here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_sec_meltdown_wall_street
And:
The OTB announced it
was shutting down by the end of business Sunday unless it could reach a deal
with Gov. David Paterson and the state Legislature.
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100420/NEWS/100429965
And more news from my
area, and maybe even in yours, too:
Report says $21.69 an
hour needed to afford rent in
In
part: “Rents continue to rise while
wages have fallen since the recession began, according to the new housing
report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition.”
Lots
more and some very interesting rental costs, can be
seen here:
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100421/BIZ/100429888/-1/NEWS
Closing with this:
Two
elderly women were out driving in a large car – both could barely see over the
dashboard. As they were cruising along, they came to an intersection. The
stoplight was red, but they just went on through.
The woman in the passenger seat thought to herself 'I must be losing it. I
could have sworn we just went through a red light.'
After a few more minutes, they came to another intersection and the light was
red. Again, they went right through. The woman in the passenger seat was almost
sure that the light had been red but was really concerned that she was losing
it. She was getting nervous.
At the next intersection, sure enough, the light was red and they went on
through. So, she turned to the other woman and said, 'Mildred, did you know
that we just ran through three red lights in a
row? You could have killed us both!'
Mildred turned to her and said,
'Oh, darn, am I driving?'
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