Racin' & Internet Stuff:

                                      By Tom Avenengo

                                         Volume # 101

                                           07/19/2012

 

First:

I’ve only seen photos on Facebook on the racing at the “little Track” at OCFS from last Friday night.  Kinda looks like they had a fair amount of entrants in some classes, while only one Legends car was shown, and no Bandelaros shown. There were rumors out there that the “purse” wasn’t all that bad, either.  I noticed a Lightning Sprint was running with the 600 Micros – less wings.  Neither class was listed as being in competition, but they had about 7 cars entered, altogether?  Also read that there were two Lightning Sprints and they ran with the 600’s, but scored separately.  Unfortunately, there appears to be no results out on the Internet from those races.

 

 

Second:

Found on Jayski’s website:

Bires to make Sprint Cup debut: 

Kelly Bires Will Drive The #79 Team Kyle / Bestway Ford at New Hampshire Motor Speedway For the LENOX Industrial Tools 301. Bires locked himself into the race during qualifying Friday and will make his Sprint Cup Series debut. Said Bires: "I am really looking forward to making my NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut at NHMS. New Hampshire reminds me a lot like Milwaukee where I grew up. It's a technical track that produces hard racing and the track suites my style. I know how much this race means to Go Green Racing and we are looking forward to putting on a good show for the home fans."(kellybires.com)(7-14-2012)

Note:  I’m really trying to figure out – was he actually a “Start & Park” driver, so is it a good thing or bad thing for him by “finishing” 42nd?  What has he really gained by being on the track for only 19 laps?  Do the sponsors know that it will be a “Start & Park” and will get probably no TV coverage, at all?  How long will sponsors continue to spend their dollars for basically nothing?

 

 

Third:

In the small amount that I saw on the Cup race at Loudon, I did notice some aluminum showing in the stands, which, today, is really the norm.  Would races with less mileage, a one day show, and less costly seats help improve attendance?  Might having two races on Sunday help?

 

Fourth:

Found on Jayski’s website:

Sad News - Bill Slater: 

It was learned Sunday, July 15 that New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame member “Wild Bill” Slater has passed-away. A member of the first-class inducted into the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1998, Slater drove his first race at Lonsdale R.I. in 1949 and for the next twenty years he won at tracks from Oxford Plains Maine to Trenton New Jersey. He was a four time champion at the Norwood Arena and a two-time Sportsmen champion at Thompson. He won on the dirt at Stafford and on the pavement He was often a top-three finisher in the NASCAR National Sportsman championship run, even though he raced against full time drivers while he held down a weekly job. He won the 400 mile race at Trenton New Jersey four times, and was a two time winner of the Utica-Rome 400 in New York. His biggest career victory was in his win at the Langhorne Penn. Race of Champions the first year it was paved. He drove his last race at Stafford in 1969 and then became involved in the promotional side of racing at Stafford and later Thompson. Arrangements are incomplete at this time. More info at yankeeracer.com.(7-16-2012)

 

Fifth:

Battle underway to save historic Nazareth Speedway

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/battle-underway-save-historic-nazareth-speedway-130202645--nascar.html

Note:  Hey, as much as I’d like to see it happen, I kinda think it ain’t gonna!

 

Sixth:

The weather:  Ok, it’s summer time and it should be a little more than “warm”, but, jeez, this ain’t Florida, New Mexico or Arizona!  Looking at my local paper this AM (Wed) and I found this, for our area – lower NY:

High yesterday:  94  Normal high:  84

Record high:  98 in 1991.  Record low:  45 in 1954

Precip – 24 hrs ending 4 PM:  0.00”

Month to date:  0.83”

Normal month to date:  2.23”

Year to date:  9.54”

Normal year to date:  22.98”

 

 

Seventh:

Bye Bye National Guard?

Over on the Track Forum, a thread about sponsorship from our Armed Forces.

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?167136-Bye-Bye-National-Guard

A few things said:

Sponsoring Dale Jr was a total waste of moneyWashington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) expressed her outrage and disbelief at the level of waste in the National Guard’s recruitment budget.

In 2012, the National Guard is spending $26.5 million to sponsor Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s #88 car in NASCAR races for the purposes of recruitment. Over the past five years Earnhardt’s racing team has received over $136 million in taxpayer funds from the National Guard – making him the highest paid military contractor in professional sports. 

Total Cost of National Guard Sponsorship of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s #88 Car 
Fiscal Year 2008: $18.12 million 
Fiscal Year 2009: $27.35 million 
Fiscal Year 2010: $35.27 million 
Fiscal Year 2011: $28.86 million 
Fiscal Year 2012: $26.54 million 
5 Year Total: $136.14 million 

Today, an online USA Today story by Dustin Long cites the National Guard’s contracts manager for recruitment, Maj. Brian Creech, explaining the effectiveness of this taxpayer investment in military recruiting. 

“In fiscal year 2012, the National Guard has been contacted by more than 24,800 individuals interested in joining because of the race sponsorship. Of those, Creech said 20 were qualified candidates and that none joined,” according to the USA Today story. 

That’s right, ZERO RECRUITS JOINED. The National Guard spent $26.5 million for ZERO recruits. 

“The Pentagon’s NASCAR sponsorship program is an outrageous waste of taxpayer money and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta should terminate these sponsorship programs immediately. Spending $26 million on a NASCAR racing team – in the name of national security – for zero recruits tells me the Pentagon can painlessly absorb some serious budget cuts,” McCollum said. 

“This Pentagon failure is particularly outrageous in light of the fact that last week House Republicans voted to kick 200,000 low-income kids out of the school lunch program and eliminate funding for “Meals on Wheels” for home-bound seniors in order to add $55 billion to the defense budget.” 

Yesterday, an amendment to stop funding Pentagon sponsorship of NASCAR and other professional sports was offered by Rep. McCollum and Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA) to fiscal year 2013 Defense appropriations bill. The amendment passed on a voice vote and will now go to the House floor as part of the $608 billion defense spending bill. 
http://mccollum.house.gov/press-rele...rdt-jr-results

when you publish figures like that.... I don't care what type of intangible benefits like you claim to gain from the sponsorships, it's toast.”

“Actually as a race fan, that's kind of scary, 1 in a 1000  very scary”

and dubious. It's very difficult to believe.”

“That's what I was thinking. Less than 1% of those interested had what it took to join theNational Guard?

I just think they left a couple of zeros off of that figure. Unless NASCAR fans as a whole are even fatter, drunker and dumber than I thought.”

“Listening to Moody, the representative supporting the bill just stated the bill does include IndyCar. However, it was voted down earlier today.”

“Voted down? You mean the whole Congress has to vote on things and two publicity seeking representatives don't enact legislation on their own?”

And, this is the one post that started it all:

“Bye Bye National Guard?

It doesn't look good for continued military sponsorships.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...onsors/?page=2

 

 

Eighth:

What follows came out on Facebook around 9:15 PM on Wednesday, 7/18:

NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Team Owner Ed Whelan: “I’m Done, I’m Not Coming Back.” July 18, 2012

 

By Shawn Courchesne

 

From the article:

Less than four years ago NASCAR celebrated Ed Whelan as its Whelen Modified Tour championship winning team owner.

 

Wednesday Whelan told NASCAR goodbye. 

Whelan said Wednesday that he is shutting down his Whelen Modified Tour team and selling the equipment he has. 

Whelen had fielded a team for Ted Christopher, the 2008 series champion and the division’s third winningest driver of all-time. 

“I’m done,” Whelan said. “I’m not coming back due to the purses going where they’re going, the car counts going where they’re going, the rules changes going where they’re going ... 

“My deciding factor was the spec motor performance at New Hampshire [Motor Speedway Saturday]. The division is going in a place where I don’t want to continue spending more money. I don’t want to be spending $4,000 to win $2,8000.” 

 

Some owners in the series have accused NASCAR of manipulating the rules in the series to push teams to use a Robert Yates Racing Engine spec motor instead of traditionally built motors. 

Ron Silk’s Ed Partridge owned team used the spec motor for this past weekend’s Town Fair Tire 100 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Silk blitzed the field in qualifying and ran first or second the entire event. He lost by three-thousandsts of a second to Mike Stefanik at the finish. 

“Why not try to sell my motors now while they’re still worth something,” Whelan said. 

Whelan said the costs of running the series have too far outdistanced the return in purses to make it worth running any longer. 

“I love the sport,” Whelan said. "I love Modifieds. Unfortunately I’m not going to spend the money that it takes to race competitively in this division. Ten years ago you could win a race at New Hampshire and win $25,000, now you win a race there and you win $10,000. 

“Unfortunately, where NASCAR is taking it, I choose not to be part of that. I feel bad for Teddy and the crew. Teddy will have a ride next week. We spent $4,000 to go to [the Waterford Speedbowl for the Mr. Rooter 161 on June 23]. We finished ninth and I got a check for $600. How much longer can you continue being involved in something like that? Why is the car count the way it is? The purses are just ridiculous. It just came to the point where the cost of doing it became a bigger burden compared to the passion I have for the sport.” 

The 54-year old Christopher has 18 victories and 48 top-five finishes in 92 starts for Whelan dating back to the 2006 season.

 

 

Last August, after a bad weekend of competition at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Whelan shut the team down. The team missed the 10th and 11th events of the season, at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway and Delaware (Ontario) Speedway, before reuniting to close out the season. 

So far this year, through six of the scheduled 14 events, the team had one top-five finish and three top-10’s and no victories and sits 11th in the series standings. Christopher was 29th of 34 cars in Saturday’s Town Fair Tire 100 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway after being involved in an accident. 

Christopher has 42 career Whelen Modified Tour victories, two behind second place all-time Reggie Ruggiero, who has 44. Seven-time series champion Mike Stefanik, who won Saturday at
NHMS, is the division’s all-time leader in victories with 72. 

After Christopher's previous Modified Tour team, Mystique Motorsports, was shut down suddenly early in the 2006 season because of legal issues involving team owner Jim Galante, Christopher connected with Whelan for the fourth event of the season and went on to finish third in the standings.

After finishing fifth in their first full season together in 2007, the team reached the pinnacle by winning the series champion in 2008. It was the first, and still only, series title, for Christopher. The team had back-to-back third place finishes in the standings in 2009 and 2010.

Christopher said he expects to compete in the next Whelen Modified Tour event, July 28 at Riverhead (N.Y.) Raceway, for car owner Wayne Anderson. Christopher has been competing semi-regularly this year at Riverhead weekly for Anderson.” 

More on this, mostly comments at the end of the article can be found here:

http://racedayct.com/article/NASCAR_Whelen_Modified_Tour_Team_Owner_Ed_Whelan:_%E2%80%9CI%E2%80%99m_Done,_I%E2%80%99m_Not_Coming_Back.%E2%80%9D?fb_comment_i



 

TV listings:

 

Mainly NASCAR stuff.

 

http://www.jayski.com/pages/tv.htm

 

 

Coming up:

 

At Accord, this coming Friday, the CRSA 305 Sprint Cars will be an added attraction.  No 4 Cyl or Lightning Sprints.

 

Not sure yet, if I’ll make it there or not.  A lot depends on how the “War Department” is feeling.  Love the Sprint Cars – especially on a short track.  Now, if they’d take off those wings and let the drivers have more input!

 

 

No racing at OCFS this Saturday, but there is the 358 race on Thursday night.  Winner gets outside pole for the ESW 358 race.  Open tire rule for the 358’s.  Also on Thursday, Sportsman, Rookie Sportsman and Vintage cars will be in action.  I have not seen any word as to whether the drive-in will be open, or not, so I’m figuring that it will be.

Note:  The drive-in will be open, yes.  Admission:  $14.00 per – not sure on freebies for kids, though.  No Senior discount.

 

Methinks I might try out the Drive-in on Thursday.  Weather permitting.

 

 

 

On Sunday, September 2nd, the Sunday of the Labor Day Weekend, the “Racing Expo” that’s been held at the Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, N.J. is scheduled to happen again. 

This years show will take place on Sunday September 2, 2012 of Labor Day weekend 
Gates open to paticipants at 10 am
Show starts at 12 noon and runs all day
Admission is FREE
Hinchliffe Stadium is located in Paterson, N.J., on the corner of Liberty St. and Maple St. next to the Great Falls.
Come out and show your support for the Stadium. While your there you can check out the Great Falls Festival. There is something for everyone. See you at the SHOW!   

Note:  I’ve read that Bill Claren, who had a 2nd place finish in the midget feature on 9/2/47 will be in attendance.  

 

 

 

 

Found on Jayski’s website:

http://www.jayski.com/

 

Penske Supports Allmendinger But Has 'Options': 

While saying he remains committed to embattled driver AJ Allmendinger, team owner Roger Penske also said Sunday [on SPEED's Raceday] he has "lots of options" if a vacancy appears in his #22 Sprint Cup cars. Penske said Sunday morning that he hopes Allmendinger passes a second NASCAR drug test and that the team can move on. "My goal is if this thing goes in AJ's corner and he can be back in the car and this is a speed bump," Penske said. "I'm more concerned with him as an individual than I am the circumstance. We'll deal with the circumstance in a business way and support him one way or another. This could give us a chance potentially to look at drivers that might be wanting a ride in the 22. With that, we have lots of options." Joey Logano, who is in a contract year at Joe Gibbs Racing, is rumored to be one of the drivers in tentative talks with the Penske operation. Allmendinger was temporarily suspended by NASCAR on the Saturday of the Daytona race weekend after a random drug test produced a positive. The so-called "B" sample from that test will be checked next week. If positive, Allmendinger is likely to be suspended indefinitely. Penske said Sunday that Sam Hornish Jr. probably will continue to fill in for Allmendinger at races that don't conflict with Hornish's Nationwide Series schedule. "But there are some conflicts," Penske said. "We need to continue to run for the championship in Nationwide. We have commitments to sponsors. What we can't do is turn that upside-down. This is a great chance for him (Hornish) to show us what he has. He would obviously be someone we would consider if the 22 seat became open." Penske didn't rule out the possibility of continuing to work with Allmendinger if the second test sample reveals a positive. "I think what you have to do is look at what those circumstances are," he said. "What are the issues? Ultimately, that will be my decision on whether he would come back, and I don't want to make that call right now."(SPEED)(7-15-2012)

 

Penske Racing hasn't heard from Allmendinger or NASCAR: 

Penske Racing hasn't been in touch with NASCAR about A.J. Allmendinger since his temporary suspension, but many drivers are trying to get in touch with the Sprint Cup team. NASCAR hasn't informed the team of the substance that caused Allmendinger's failed test and many are wondering what the long-term plans are for the Shell car. Penske Racing president Tim Cindric said the phone began ringing not long after Allmendinger was yanked from the #22 Dodge hours before the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Sam Hornish Jr. substituted for Allmendinger at Daytona and this weekend at New Hampshire, but many were inquiring about Penske's long-term plans for the Shell-sponsored car.
"Without a doubt, starting Saturday afternoon in Daytona, like (team owner) Roger (Penske) said, all of a sudden you're the prettiest girl in town, as far as other drivers are concerned," Cindric said Saturday in victory lane at New Hampshire after Brad Keselowski's Nationwide win. "We've just said, 'We have a solution. We're going to give Sam an opportunity.' Luckily we have the depth. We're going to play this thing week by week."
Penske also was in attendance for Saturday's race but didn't speak to media after joining in Keselowski's celebration. Team officials said he had to leave quickly after the win because of a prior commitment. Cindric said the Penske brass hadn't met with NASCAR execs this weekend. "The way we see it, it's between NASCAR and A.J. at this point in time," Cindric said. "Obviously he's our driver, but it's not something that we control."
Cindric said Shell had been "amazingly patient" while awaiting the fate of Allmendinger who seemed to be headed for a contract extension after signing a one-year deal to replace Kurt Busch. "They've stood behind A.J.," Cindric said. "We had those two top-10s and had a lot of momentum. We felt we might be at a turning point then. We thought we would go forward. We had to sit out and take a timeout." Cindric said the team and sponsor had mulled scenarios depending on the results of the "B" sample test. "In our job we have to talk about all kinds of different scenarios," he said. "We haven't made any decisions. We've just tried to role play a bit with all the different outcomes. We also have to see how (Sunday) goes as well. You take it a step at a time because you have two or  three things happening in parallel.(in part from the 
USA Today)(7-15-2012)

 

 

 

RCR Minority Partner Considering Selling Equity Position: 

Richard Childress Racing has advised its employees, drivers and key sponsors that Chartwell Investments is considering exiting its minority equity position in RCR. "Since 2003, I have had a minority partner at RCR in Chartwell Investments," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of Richard Childress Racing. "Like any private equity business, Chartwell has a duty to its investors to return capital and maximize profits in a reasonable timeframe. With my support, they have determined that now is an appropriate time to exit their investment in RCR. Chartwell has been a great partner and I will always be appreciative of our partnership. We will remain good friends. We have informed the key people and sponsors of RCR about Chartwell's decision and assured them this will have no impact on the current affairs at RCR or our continued vision for strong performance on and off the track. We have advised them that if a new investor comes on board as RCR's new partner they will be strategically chosen to help RCR continue to grow. Our family of corporate partners has all been very appreciative of our letting them know and remain committed to moving forward. I love what I do and plan to be involved in NASCAR and in running RCR for many years to come."
"RCR is one of the elite NASCAR organizations and we are honored to be a part of the RCR family and partners with racing icon Richard Childress for close to ten years," said Michael Shein, Managing Partner of Chartwell Investments. "During this period, RCR has continued to prosper, more than doubling the size of its business. We are equally optimistic about RCR's future performance both on and off the track, remaining confident in NASCAR's long-term potential. We have engaged The Raine Group to explore the potential sale of our interest in RCR in order to monetize our investment." The Raine Group is a global merchant bank focused exclusively on the
digital, media & entertainment and sports & lifestyle sectors.(RCR)(7-16-2012)

 

 

AJ Allmendinger:

 

UPDATE B Sample Test Set for Allmendinger: 

Statement from Tara Ragan, Vice President, Walldinger Racing Inc. "We now have a confirmed date for the testing of AJ's "B" (split specimen) Sample. The test will take place on Tuesday, July 24 at 8:00am CDT and be conducted at the Aegis Analytical Laboratories in Nashville. Pursuant to the 2012 NASCAR Rulebook and in line with the procedures, we have elected to have a designated independent toxicologist present on AJ's behalf. Along with everyone else, we are looking forward to hearing the results as quickly as possible. AJ and all of us at Walldinger Racing have truly appreciated the outpouring of support from our fans, partners, and colleagues. It has meant a lot to us during this difficult time. We are also grateful to Mr. Penske and his management team for their patience and respect of the process we are going through."(Walldinger Racing), see earlier updatees about Allmendinger's situation on the #22 team news page.(7-17-2012)

 

 

 

Kurt Busch to Andretti ride? 

Hearing that Kurt Busch could be headed to the Andretti Sprint Cup Series Team in 2013 with Dodge as the manufacturer. See past news about Michael Andretti possibly starting a Sprint Cup Series team on my New Teams News page.(7-17-2012)

 

 

Yeley moving to Tommy Baldwin Racing: 

J.J. Yeley, who has been driving the #49 for Robinson-Blakeney Racing, tweeted Wednesday morning, "Making some positive changes for the remainder of 2012. Moving over to TBR". No additional details available yet.(7-18-2012)

 

 

 

 

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”.

This week I’ll cover from July 19th to July 25th.

 

JULY 19 
1902

Chet Miller ... Born ... AAA driver 1928 to 1953. Ran the Indy 500 sixteen times with a best finish of 3rd in 1938. He was killed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during practice for the 1953 Indianapolis 500.

 

1959

Van Johnson... Died ... USAC driver. First name Dale, he was killed in a race at Williams Grove Speedway just 5 weeks after winning his first champ car race. Rodger Ward won the race followed by Eddie Sachs, Jim Packard, Johnny Thomson and A.J. Foyt. 

 

 

JULY 20 
1931

Red Riegel... Born ...ARDC, URC and USAC driver from Leesport PA. Died in a USAC Sprint car race at the Reading Fairgrounds Speedway in the same crash which also claimed the life of Jud Larson.

 

1999

Emil Andres ... Died ... AAA driver from 1935 to 1950

 

 

JULY 21 
1904

Louis Meyer... Born ... American Hall of Fame race car driver best known as the first three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500. He raced in 12 Indy 500's with wins in 1928, 1933 and 1936.

 

1990

Rich Vogler ... Died ... USAC Midget and Sprint Car driver. Inductee in the National Sprint Car Hall of fame. First to win both the USAC Sprint Car and Midget Championships in the same season. His 134 wins (95 Midget, 35 Sprint, and four Silver Crown wins) in national events is second only to A. J. Foyt's 169. Vogler had 170 total USAC wins, and won over 200 "outlaw" (non-USAC) midget races. Five starts at Indy, best finish - eighth in 1989 driving a Penske. In the last race of his life, July 21, 1990 during an ESPN "Saturday Night Thunder" national broadcast, he was killed while leading a sprint car race at the Salem (Indiana) Speedway with a little over a lap remaining. He was posthumously declared the winner.

 

 

JULY 22 

1980

Scott Dixon ... Born ... Scott won the 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500 in 2008. He won the Indy Racing League (IRL) championship in 2003 on his first attempt.

 

 

JULY 23 
1936

Dave MacDonald ... Born ... MacDonald became noted on the West Coast for his performance in the sports car circuits. He competed in seven NASCAR Grand National races, finishing second in one race each in both 1963 and 1964. He was one of two drivers killed during the 1964 Indianapolis 500 in a fiery crash that directly led to a change in fuel type from gasoline to methanol.

 

1973

Eddie Rickenbacker ... Died ... An American fighter ace in World War I and Medal of Honor recipient. He was also a race car driver and automotive designer, a government consultant in military matters and a pioneer in air transportation. Rickenbacker raced in the 1912, 1914, 1915 and 1916 Indianapolis 500. His only finish in the race was in 1914 when he finished 10th. In the other three races, he did not finish due to car failure. Notably, in the 1916 race, he started on the front row in 2nd place.

 

 

JULY 24 

1897

Charles Glenn Howard... Born ... AAA driver from the 1920's.

 

 

JULY 25 
1911

Len Duncan... Born ... Len Duncan, of Lansdale, PA, had a racing career spanning seven decades, beginning in 1928 and continuing into the 1980s in TQ midgets! In 1953, 1954 and 1955, when AAA had a working agreement with the American Racing Drivers Club (ARDC), he was the AAA Eastern Midget Champion, and during the thirteen years between 1955 and 1967, he won the ARDC title eight times. During World War II, Len had the honor of being assigned as President Truman's driver during one of his visits to England. He drove in the Indianapolis 500 in 1954 and had relief from George Fonder. The pair completed 101 laps and placed 31st. Mario Andretti credits Duncan with having a great influence on his professional life.

 

George Marshman... Born ... Race car driver, builder and promoter. Father of Bobby Marshman, 1961 Indianapolis 500 Co-Rookie of the Year.

 

1959

Rodger Ward defeated the creme of US sportscar racers when he won the Formula Libra race at Lime Rock in an Offenhauser powered Kurtis midget. 

Note:  A photo of Ward, after winning that race is down in the “Photo” section.

 

1965

Johnny Roberts ... Died ... NASCAR Modified Champion died as a result of a crash at the Lincoln Speedway in Hanover, Pa on July 24, 1965

 

 

Found on the Internet:

 

NASCAR Decision Makers Are Overlooking Some Basics

 

Tuesday, July 17th, 2012        at 1:08 am  

 

The television was full of NASCAR coverage.

 

The Cup, Nationwide, and Trucks series all had their weekend races televised. Time trials for all three were also broadcast. There was even plenty of practice programs shown to millions of TV screens. Loudon and Iowa had satellite dishes working hard with signals of race machines going around and turning left.

 

But none of those signals beamed anything containing NASCAR Modifieds.

 

The Modifieds also had a race on the New Hampshire Motor Speedway last weekend. A fantastic one, for that matter. A race that everyone with any respectable knowledge of motorsports knows darn well would be, by far, the best race of the weekend.

 

Too bad. The executives and decision makers did not make a deal to air it.

 

SPEED, ESPN, NASCAR, TNT… it doesn’t matter, pick your acronym. The fact that the television broadcast media ignored the Modifieds, is an absolute shame.

 

I asked around to find out why the fabulous Saturday Modified race was not on. Everyone I knew within the sanctioning body or connected to a media outlet said the decision lied elsewhere.

 

Terrific. Plenty of people collecting paychecks but nobody had any actual responsibility for what I am trying to research.

 

The major complaint from fans about so many decisions made about our beloved sport is that the calls do not come from racers. They come from somebody who was hired outside of the sport and is trying to appeal to who? That’s right… racers.

 

New Hampshire Motor Speedway lends itself to wonderful open-wheel racing. The Mod Squad and the Indycars put on tremendous races, filled with passing. The heavier, fendered stockers put on a follow-the-leader type of event. NHMS is the type of place I would buy a ticket to, watch the Modified Tour race, and then head for home.

 

Mike Stefanik and Ron Silk traded the lead 17 times within a 48-lap stretch, and the checkered waved at 100 laps with Stefanik edging Silk by three-thousandths of a second. That looks like .003 on the scoring clock.

 

By contrast, Sunday’s Cup race had 16 total lead changes for 301 laps. Only two of those changes were cars passing at speed.

 

I have heard the explanation of how much a broadcast costs versus advertising dollars. You will get no argument from me. But doesn’t airing time trials and practices cost money too? And the snooze-inducing single car runs and practice sessions have a bigger profit margin than an actual race? And NASCAR sanctions that actual race? And is staged at a speedway you are already broadcasting from? And all the equipment and personnel are already in place so it doesn’t cost a dime more to bring in said equipment and personnel?

 

As a race fan for 36 years, I confidently ask, “What the heck is going on here?”

 

NASCAR has stated for years that the “on-track product” is the most important item they sell.

 

After Saturday’s ignoring of the Modifieds once again, the highest quality “on-track product” NASCAR had to offer, I have a hard time believing what they claim to be important.

 

(Patrick Reynolds is a former professional NASCAR team mechanic who hosts Motor Week LIVE! on RacersReunion Radio Mondays at 7pm ET/ 4pm PT)

 

Tagged with: New Hampshire Motor Speedway

 

Filed under: Modifieds • NASCAR • Patrick's Column

 

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The above was found here: 

http://motorweeklive.com/nascar-decision-makers-are-overlooking-some-basics/

 

And, along with that, above:

Best race of weekend at Loudon

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?167039-Best-race-of-the-weekend-at-Loudon....

 

Can a race track that’s been in trouble, be saved?

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/08/automobiles/a-wary-detente-that-saved-a-track-from-extinction.html?_r=2&adxnnl=1&hpw=&adxnnlx=1342205061-xULkzFx4vrDxfz7akphU3Q&pagewanted=all

 

 

News from the AARN:

http://www.aarn.com/

 

From the July 10th issue:

 

Lenny Sammons:

He had quite a bit about the failure of the Goodyear tires on the Sprint cars during the PA Speed Week races.  The desired tires were not available from the tire truck.  The WoO/Goodyear contract is over a the end of this season.

 

Richie “Toby Jr” Tobias will run the Silver Crown races at Springfield, DuQuoin and Eldora – his first since 2005.

 

Ernie Saxton:

Had quite a bit about Richard Petty.  Ernie thinks the races today are too long, and might be better if they were 250-300 miles in length.  Also, way too much practice.

 

Richard Childress wants to sell his home that he has near Emigrant, Montana – 626 acres, 11,028 sq ft – 14 TV’s.  It’s near the northern entrance to Yellowstone National Park.  He’s asking only ten million.

 

Mike Mallett:

Makes mention of Mike Kinney wrecking his ESS Sprint Car at Rolling Wheels, how he, his team and other ESS embers spent the night at Jeff Cook’s house, then everyone chipped in and got Mike’s car fixed so he could race on Saturday night.

 

Other news:

 

There was one whole page devoted to the Tyler Walker “Meltdown” at Williams Grove, a week ago. 

 

I’m trying to figure out what has happened to the TQ racing in the area – only 11 TQ’s at Mahoning Valley, and only a few, weekly, at Borgers.

 

Fred Rahmer won the PA Speed Week championship with no wins, and a best finish of 3rd.

 

How is it that the Lebanon Valley Speedway can attract 44 Pure Stocks – almost weekly, while other tracks are struggling?

 

The 410 Sprint Car drivers were not too happy with track conditions during the PA Speed Week at Big Diamond, Grandview and Hagerstown.

Note:  Gee, maybe the tracks would be better if the wings were taken off the cars?

 

Fritz & Kristin Roehrig, owners of Big Diamond, are denying the rumors of the track closing – mostly because of the tax rate gong from 5% to 10%.

 

From the Big Diamond website:

 

AN OPEN LETTER FROM THE BIG DIAMOND SPEEDWAY

  

 In response to the persistent rumors regarding the Big Diamond Speedway -  

Owners Fritz and Krista Roehrig, and Race Director, Jake Smulley, have been inundated with inquiries as to the closure of the track by race teams, car owners and fans alike. This was due to a very public and ongoing dispute between the Cass Township Supervisors/Police Department and Big Diamond Speedway. 

The simple word is this:

    THE BIG DIAMOND SPEEDWAY IS NOT BEING SHUT DOWN! 

At the center of the dispute is a 10% Amusement Tax that was levied against the speedway on March 29, 2012 which doubles the current rate of 5%. The presence of ticket counters at both the Big Diamond main and pit gates, in addition to the presence of the Cass Township police being near and/or on Big Diamond property during race events, has also fed the rumor that the township would be shutting the speedway down. 

“This is simply not the case,” said Krista Roehrig. “Our attorney, Paul Ober of Reading, who represents us and the speedway, is working with the township’s attorney to resolve the above issues." Fritz Roehrig added, “We want to be freed from unfair taxation and targeted enforcement. Therefore it is our hope to amicably settle these disputes so we can move forward with our business, without distractions and without interruptions, and put these rumors to rest for good.” 

"We would like to thank the car owners, drivers, race teams and especially the fans who continue to support us during this trying time.  We appreciate your continued support."

 

From this weeks (July 17th edition):

In AARN 
This Week:

King Sammy XXIX: Swindell

Claims Third Career

Kings Royal & $50,000


Stefanik Beats Silk in 

Loudon WMT Photo Finish

- By .003 Seconds


Jamie Mills Claims Modified

Checkard At Delaware's

Camp Barnes Benefit


Duane Howard Hikes Grandview

Mod Win Total To Eight


Blaney Memorial At Sharon

Goes To Brad Sweet


Bobby Varin Triumphs Over

Hearn In Brett's Malta Big Show


Bolland Suspended From DIRT

Over Lernerville Incident


Blewett Caught Up In Wall Tire

Snafu After Improbable Win





First Mod Win At NES

For 17-Year Old Sammy Piazza

 

 

 

 

 

Former Oakland Valley Speedway (Dirt Oval) runners:

 

I missed these, from last week:

Mike Mammana was a DNQ at Grandview for the Thunder on the Hill show.

Davie Franek was 4th in the URC race at New Egypt.

Molly Chambers was 9th at Greenwood Valley Action Track in the 600 Micro feature.

 

From this past weekend:

Danny Creeden was 1st and Brian Krummel 7th in the Modified feature at Accord.  Anthony Perrego won the Sportsman feature with Tyler Dippel 3rd and Brad Szulewski 4th.  Dippel won the Spec Sportsman feature with Tyler Boniface 6th, Kyle VanDuser 8th and RJ Smykla 10th.

 

Alex Bell won the Modified feature at Devils Bowl.

 

In the Modified feature at OCFS, Clinton Mills was 2nd, Tim Hindley 4th, Mike Ruggeiro 9th and Billy VanInwegen 22nd.  Brian Krummel was 2nd, Matt Hitchcock 3rd, Matt Janiak 4th, Anthony Perrego 10th and Zack Vavricka 19th in the Sportsman feature, while Keith Still was a DNQ.

 

At Albany/Saratoga, Bobby Hackel, IV was 15th in the Budget Sportsman “A” Main and 12th in the “B”.

 

Nick Pecko had a second place finish in the Modified feature at Mountain Speedway.

 

Danny Creeden was 4th in the Modified feature at 5 Mile.

 

Johnny Guarino was 8th in the held over feature from 7/7 and 14th in the regular scheduled feature at New Egypt.

 

Rich Coons won the Sportsman feature at Bethel, with Bobby Morris 3rd and Kyle Redner 7th.

 

Kyle Rohner was 5th in the 1st Sportsman feature and 3rd in the second feature at Penn Can.

 

Wyatt Clark was 4th in the All-Star Slingshot feature at Hamlin. Mike Cassario was 5th, his brother Rick 12th and Jacob Hendershot 15th in the 270 Micro Sprint feature.  Kyle Rohner was 8th and Molly Chambers 13th in the 600 Micro feature.  Paul Tigue was 10th in the Junior Slingshot feature.

 

Kolby Schroder was 5th and Kyle Armstrong 8th in the Modified feature at Lebanon Valley.  Bobby Hackel, IV, was a DNS in the 358 feature, while John Virgilio was 15th in the Sportsman feature.

 

AJ Filbeck was 4th in the Sportsman feature at Utica/Rome on 7/12.

 

Grandson John Rizzo, up from Florida for an extended stay, picked up a ride at the Unity Raceway, in Unity Maine, in the “Flyin’ 4” race and finished 7th.

 

 

Going back, in time at OVRP’s Dirt Oval:

July 24, 2004:

http://www.whowon.com/Results.asp?TrackID=1904&StoryID=127313

July 19, 2003:

http://www.whowon.com/Results.asp?TrackID=1904&StoryID=95853

July 27, 2002:

http://www.whowon.com/Results.asp?TrackID=1904&StoryID=68709

October 20, 2002:

http://www.whowon.com/Results.asp?TrackID=1904&StoryID=76533

 

 

More racin’ stuff:

 

The Dinger dilemma

 

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?167046-The-Dinger-delimna

 

 

Going back, in time:

Hinchliffe Stadium Midget results for 1947, 48, 49 & 50

1947

April 6 1. Bill Schindler 2. Favinger 3. George Fonder

April 27 rain during feature

May 4 rain

May 8? 1. Art Cross 2. Walt Fair 3. Ted Tappett from 4/27

May 8? 1. Al Keller 2. Bill Schindler 3. Ernie McCoy

May 9 1. Ted Tappett 2. Len Duncan 3. Art Cross

May 20 1. Bill Schindler 2. Al Keller 3. Dutch Schaefer

May 23 1. Bill Schindler 2. Walt Fair 3. Art Cross

May 27 1. Rex Records 2. Joe Barzda 3. Al Duffy

May 30 1. Bill Schindler 2. Rex Records 3. Art Cross

June 3 1. Art Cross 2. Rex Records 3. Andy Van Heusen

June 6 1. Bill Schindler 2. Johnny Carpenter 3. Art Cross

June 10 1. Rex Records 2. Johnny Ritter 3. Bob Disbrow

June 13 1. George Fonder 2. Dutch Schaefer 3. Bob Disbrow

June 17 1. Rex Records

June 20

June 24

June 27 1. Art Cross 2. Al Keller 3.

July 1

July 4 1. Art Cross 2. Al Keller 3. Ted Tappett

July 8 rain

July 11 1. Art Cross 2. Bill Schindler 3. Harry Sheeler

July 15 1. Johnny Ritter 2. Bill Schindler 3. Art Cross

July 18

July 22

July 25 1. George Rice 2. Johnny Ritter 3. Art Cross 50 laps

July 29 1. Dutch Schaefer 2. Mike Nazaruk 3. Bill Schindler

August 1 1. Andy Van Heusen 2. Johnny Ritter 3. George Rice

August 5 1. Tony Bonadies 2. Bill Schindler 3. Johnny Ringger

August 8

August 12 1. George Rice 2. Tony Bonadies 3. Len Duncan

August 15 1. Art Cross 2. Johnny Ritter 3. Tony Bonadies

August 19 1. Bill Schindler 2. Mike Nazaruk 3. Johnny Ritter

August 22 1. Art Cross 2. Lloyd Christopher 3. Johnny Ritter

August 26

August 29 1. Al Keller 2. Art Cross 3. Dutch Schaefer 50 laps

Sept. 2 1. Johnny Ritter 2. Bill Claren 3. Bob Disbrow

Sept. 5 1. George Rice 2. Stan Disbrow 3. Art Cross

Sept. 9 1. Lloyd Christopher 2. Tony Bonadies 3. Art Cross

Sept. 12 1. Art Cross 2. George Rice 3. Tex Keene

Sept. 16 1. Al Keller 2. Dutch Schaefer 3. Shorty McAndrews

Sept. 19 rain after semi-finals

Sept. 23 1. George Rice 2. Tex Keene 3. Jeep Colkitt 100 laps 9/19

Sept. 23 1. Bob Disbrow 2. Tony Bonadies 3. Lloyd Christopher

Sept. 26

Sept. 30 1. Bill Schindler 2. George Rice 3. Tony Bonadies

Oct. 3

Oct. 7 1. Al Keller 2. Johnny Ritter 3. Joe Barzda

Oct. 10

Oct. 14 1. Art Cross 2. Bill Schindler 3. George Rice 50 laps Offy

Oct. 14 1. Ernie McCoy 2. Art Cross 3. Bob Disbrow 50 laps Ford

Art Cross Champion

 

1948

May 4 1. Bill Schindler 2. Chet Gibbons 3. Dutch Schaefer

May 7 rain

May 11 1. Bill Schindler 2. Tony Bonadies 3. Dick Dowd

May 14 rain

May 18 1. Dee Toran 2. Dutch Schaefer 3. Ernie McCoy

May 21 1. Bill Schindler 2. George Rice 3. Russ Klar

May 25 rain

May 28 1. Bill Schindler 2. Rex Records 3. Al Keller

June 1 1. George Rice 2. Bill Schindler 3. Rex Records

June 4 1. Mike Nazaruk 2. Dutch Schaefer 3. Bob Disbrow

June 8 1. Al Keller 2. Joe Barzda 3. Rex Records

June 11 rain

June 15 1. Al Keller 2. Dee Toran 3. Bob Disbrow

June 15 1. Bill Schindler 2. Andy Van Heusen 3. Len Duncan

June 18 1. Bill Schindler 2. Mike Nazaruk 3. Al Keller

June 22 rain

June 25 1. Bill Schindler 2. Al Keller 3. Joe Barzda

June 29 1. Art Cross 2. Bill Schindler 3. Joe Barzda 50 laps

July 2 1. Al Keller 2. Bill Schindler 3. Rex Records

July 6 1. Mike Nazaruk 2. Bill Schindler 3. Mike Josephs

July 9 1. Mike Nazaruk 2. Bill Schindler 3. Bob Disbrow

July 13 rain

July 16 1. Al Keller 2. Buddy Chase 3. Tony Bonadies

July 20 1. George Rice 2. Joe Barzda 3. Art Cross

July 23 rain

July 27 1. Rex Records 2. Mike Nazaruk 3. Al Keller

July 30 1. Bill Schindler 2. Henry Renard 3. Mike Nazaruk 75 laps

August 3 rain

August 6 1. Bob Disbrow 2. Bill Schindler 3. Art Cross

August 10 1. Bill Schindler 2. Tony Bonadies 3. Art Cross

August 13 1. Dutch Schaefer 2. Bill Schindler 3. Bill Baker

August 17 1. Al Keller 2. Mike Nazaruk 3. Andy Van Heusen

August 20 rain

August 24 ran 2 heats, races canceled not enough cars

August 27 1. Bill Schindler 2. Stan Disbrow 3. Lloyd Christopher

August 31 1. Len Fanelli 2. Art Cross 3. Mike Nazaruk

Sept. 3 1. Don Morris 2. Art Cross 3. Mike Nazaruk

Sept. 7 1. Bill Schindler 2. Art Cross 3. Len Fanelli

Sept. 10 rain

Sept. 14 1. Art Cross 2. Mike Nazaruk 3. Vernon Land

 

 

1949

April 10 1. Len Duncan 2. Stan Disbrow 3. Dee Toran

April 17 1. Don Morris 2. Joe Barzda 3. Andy Van Heusen

April 24 1. Art Cross 2. Tony Martino 3. Vernon Land

May 3 1. Mike Nazaruk 2. Bill Schindler 3. George Flemke

May 6 rain after 4 heats

May 10 rain

May 13 1. Ernie McCoy 2. Art Cross 3. Bob Disbrow from 5/6

May 13 1. Ernie McCoy 2. Art Cross 3. Joe Barzda

May 20 rain

May 27 1. Bob Disbrow 2. Art Cross 3. Henry Renard

June 3 1. Mike Nazaruk 2. Art Cross 3. Bob Disbrow

June 10 1. Bob Disbrow 2. Mike Nazaruk 3. Art Cross 50 laps

June 17 1. Bob Disbrow 2. Lloyd Christopher 3. Art Cross

June 24 1. Jiggs Peters 2. Bob Disbrow 3. Lloyd Christopher

July 1 1. Art Cross 2. Bob Disbrow 3. Mike Nazaruk

July 8 1. Mike Nazaruk 2. Art Cross 3. Henry Renard

July 15 feature rained out

July 22 1. Jim Reed 2. Steve McGrath 3. Bob Disbrow from 7/15

July 22 1. Stan Disbrow 2. Jim Reed 3. Andy Van Heusen

July 29 1. Bob Disbrow 2. Ernie McCoy 3. Buddy Chase

100 laps Johnny Ritter Memorial

August 5 1. Don Morris 2. Dick Dowd 3. Art Cross

Last weekly midget race at Hinchliffe due to poor attendance

Champion: Art Cross

 

1950

Jan. 1 1. Art Cross 2. Hawley Kight 2. Nick Fornoro

"Gasoline Bowl" 2000 spectators

 

 

 

Press Releases:

News from the King of the Can - 'It's Good To Be King'

Media Contact: Brett Deyo - 845.728.2781 or Deyo99H@aol.com

For Immediate Release/July 16, 2012


Memories Are Made Annually at Penn Can Speedway's King of the Can; Oct. 12 Event Offers $313 to Take Green Flag for 13th Running of Year-End Spectacular


SUSQUEHANNA, PA - Memories are made at this event.


The 'King of the Can' at Penn Can Speedway is known for spectacular finishes, including last November's down-to-the-wire brawl involving Stewart Friesen and Jeff Strunk. Race fans and competitors are already anticipating the 2012 version, planned for Friday night, Oct. 12. 

 

Friesen, of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont., took advantage of a restart with two laps remaining to unseat Pennsylvania star Strunk in last year's 'King of the Can' which was postponed twice by weather issues.

Registration is now open for the 'King of the Can' event, headlined by a 50-lap feature for the big-block/small-block Modifieds at the one-third-mile oval. The 'King of the Can' is a co-promotion involving track managers Reed Miller and Al Wilcox and special events promoter Brett Deyo.  Don's Automotive Mall, Gary's U-Pull-It, Pioneer Pole Buildings and VP Racing Fuels have signed on as marketing partners for the event.

The 2012 'King of the Can' victor earns $5,000 plus lap money and contingency awards. It marks the 13th running of the year-end spectacular.

To reward the strong racer support received for the 'Clash at the Can' at Penn Can in June (57 Modifieds signed in for the midweek special) and to celebrate the race's 13th edition, the green money for the 'King of the Can' has been boosted to $313. It is an increase of $113 over the '11 running, which paid $200 to start. 

Modified entry forms have been posted on the BD Motorsports Media website atwww.bdmotorsportsmedia.com. Early entries, received prior to Oct. 5, are $15. The entry fee increases to $20 after Oct. 5. The first entry has already been received from White Lake, N.Y., driver Justin Holland, who was fifth in last year's event. Holland races regularly at Five Mile Point (N.Y.) Speedway. 

Pre-entered drivers are entered into a drawing for a pair of $50 gas cards. The drawing takes place at the drivers' meeting on race night.  

Joining the Modifieds on the program are Crate (602) Sportsman and Street Stocks.

The 'King of the Can' was first run in 1999 with Brian Weaver of Windsor, N.Y., earning the victory. Weaver returned to Victory Lane in the event's 2005 edition. Jeff Rudalavage of Olyphant, Pa., now inactive as a driver, is the only other two-time 'King of the Can' winner. His triumphs came in 2002 and 2007.

To learn more about the 2012 'King of the Can' contact Brett Deyo by phone at 845.728.2781 orDeyo99H@aol.com. On the web: www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com. Lap sponsorships and other marketing opportunities are available. 

 

Past King of the Can Modified Winners
2011 - Stewart Friesen
2010 - Kevin Bates
2009 - Weather
2008 - Duane Howard
2007 - Jeff Rudalavage
2006 - Joey Grammes
2005 - Brian Weaver
2004 - Doug Hoffman
2003 - Jamie Shea
2002 - Jeff Rudalavage
2001 - Keith Hoffman
2000 - Kirk Horton
1999 - Brian Weaver
 

 

I get e-mails:

Not sure how true what follows is, but, hey, ya never know, right?

WASH THEM FIRST Please DON'T ERASE this message before forwarding on!  
This incident happened recently in North Texas
A woman went boating one Sunday taking with her some cans of coke 
which she put into the refrigerator of the boat. 
On Monday she was taken to the hospital and placed in the Intensive Care Unit. 
She died on Wednesday. 

The autopsy concluded she died of Leptospirosis
This was traced to the can of coke she drank from, not using a glass. 
Tests showed that the can was infected by dried rat urine and 
hence the disease Leptospirosis

Rat urine contains toxic and deathly substances. 
It is highly recommended to thoroughly wash the upper part 
of all soda cans before drinking out of them. 
The cans are typically stocked in warehouses and transported straight to the shops without being cleaned. 

A study at NYCU showed that the tops of all soda cans are more contaminated than public toilets (i.e.). full of germs and bacteria. So wash them with water before putting them to the mouth to avoid any kind of illness...or worse! 

Please forward this message to all the people you care about.  
I JUST DID

 

And, from one of my Yahoo! Race History friends: 

It is a shame the internet was not born when we began our racing careers. With the collective knowledge of this RH group, we all could have been champions !!!”

 

Then there was this one, too:

“Most of us over the seasons have witnessed occasions when, after a driver suffered serious, prolonged injuries, he lo and behold wins on his first time back in action. Don't ask me to name names, but I've seen this happen several times. Would you say that extending a one time free pass is a spoken or unspoken understanding among racers? Or was there no such understanding in the first place? I've never heard it openly discussed.”

 

 

Found on Facebook:

 

Obama’s Illegal Alien Uncle Given a Stay From Deportation Despite Criminal Fugitive Status and DUI

In part:

 

Now we see why. Obama’s “Uncle Omar” never had anything to worry about. Judicial Watch – which had to sue to obtain the information – has now reported that Obama’s uncle the illegal alien fugitive was granted a special stay from deportation from the Obama Administration.

This, despite his overstaying a tourist visa from Kenya nearly 30 years ago.  This despite havingcommitted Social Security fraud and evading thousands in back taxes. This, despite being apprehended by the INS in 1992 and receiving a “final order of removal” from a Federal immigration judge – who then subsequently put a Federal warrant out for Uncle Omar’s arrest when he skipped his hearing. This, despite after 19 years on the run from that bench warrant – a Federal fugitive – being arrested for a DUI in Framingham, Mass. in August 2011.  And despite Presidential spokesperson Jay Carney insisting Uncle Omar would not get “any special treatment”.

 

More on this can be found, here:

 

http://standwitharizona.com/blog/2012/07/16/obamas-illegal-alien-uncle-given-a-stay-from-deportation-despite-criminal-fugitive-status-and-dui/

Note:  Some interesting comments on this, if you scroll down a little.

 

And:

CONFIRMED OBAMA BIRTH CERTICATE IS A FAKE ! MAKE VIRAL !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrQp6qSgX_I&feature=share

Note:  I’ll let you decide on this for yourself.

 

Just wondering:

 

How does this stuff really happen?

 

 

Colo. Family Tries to Regain Home From Occupiers

In part:

Dayna Donovan was in for a surprise when she learned two strangers had been living in her Littleton, Colo., home for eight months. They still haven't moved out despite a judge's ruling they had to be out by the weekend.

On Thursday, a judge in Arapahoe County ruled that Veronica Fernandez-Beleta and Jose Rafael Leyva-Caraveo, the two people who were living in the home, had to move out by Saturday morning. But as of Monday evening, Donovan, 43, said the two were still there.”

More on this, along with a TON of comments, below the article, can be found here:

http://gma.yahoo.com/colo-family-tries-regain-home-occupiers-192530141--abc-news-money.html

 

 

Some non-racing stuff:

 

Zuckerberg's Loan Gives New Meaning to the 1%

 

In part:

Billionaire Mark Zuckerberg is giving new meaning to the term "the one percent."

The Facebook Inc. (FB) founder refinanced a $5.95 million mortgage on his Palo Alto, California, home with a 30-year adjustable-rate loan starting at 1.05 percent, according to public records for the property.

While almost all lending rates have reached historical lows this year, the borrowing costs available to high-net-worth individuals are even lower if the person is willing to bear the risk of monthly interest rate adjustments, said Greg McBride, senior financial analyst with Bankrate Inc., a North Palm Beach, Florida-based firm that tracks interest rates. Large increases are unlikely anytime soon with the Federal Reserve signaling it will keep interest rates near zero for at least two years.

"When you can borrow at a rate below inflation, you're borrowing for free," McBride said in an e-mail. "This is the concept of using other people's money and it preserves financial flexibility for the borrower." 

 

More on this can be seen here:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/zuckerbergs-loan-gives-meaning-1-040001347.html

 

And, how about this?

Boy Scouts Reconfirm Policy: No Gays Allowed

http://news.yahoo.com/boy-scouts-reconfirm-policy-no-gays-allowed-165312502--abc-news-topstories.html

A lot of comments on this subject, too!  Just scroll down from the article, a little.

 

 

Video time:

 

Going back to a couple of tracks that don’t exist anymore – Flemington & Langhorne, and a young Jeff Gordon, who somehow, has forgotten his roots.

 

For those of you that were never fortunate to have seen the racing on either Flemington or Langhorne, I feel for ya!   Nothing can compare.

 

It would be great if, and when a new track is ever built, that it be made like Flemington!

 

Flemington, the “Square”, prior to it being paved was great.  I only saw one race on the paved track – the first one, I believe.  We got there early and, believe it or not, they were WATERING the track!  Yup, to cool it off!

 

Langhorne, had an oiled dirt surface, prior to it being paved. If the wind was right, there were a lot of “colored” people at the races that particular day!  When it was paved, it was shaped like a “D”.  From the air, Flemington was mostly a square track while Langhorne was almost a perfect circle.

 

 

CD Coville at Flemington

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

 

Flemington 10/27/90

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=dQqDHTbhPGk&NR=1

 

1965 SMRC Midgets at Flemington

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eicmwatBBwk&feature=related

 

Langhorne Champ Cars 1964

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ilCmFCNpBI

 

And, how a certain driver has forgotten his roots

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5QKLNyjWUE&NR=1

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqcuBHZEzGM&feature=relmfu

 

Photos of the two tracks – Sorry, not available on Dirt Track Digest.

 

The “Square” – found on Facebook, believe it or not, just prior to finishing this column! 

 

 

And the “Horne” – found via an Internet search of “Langhorne Speedway photos”.

Note:  “Puke Hollow” was where the darker section is, on the left.  If you look close, you can see that the grandstand was at track level in what could be the fourth turn area, top right, then due to the track being made lower in the first turn area, for drainage, I’ve heard, the grandstand, being level, was higher at it’s end by that first turn – that’s if you can call them first and fourth turns, that is.

 

 

Photos:

 

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

A mentioned above, here is a photo of Rodger Ward after he won the “Formula Libra” race on the  mile and a half road course at Lime Rock, Ct. racing against Sports/racing cars and Grand Prix cars as well as along with other midgets.  The Midget was 12 years old at the time, and has since been re-stored.

 

Closing with these:

 

Tips From the Redneck Book of Manners

1. Never take a beer to a job interview.

2. Always identify people in your yard before shooting at them.

3. It's considered poor taste to take a cooler to church.

4. If you have to vacuum the bed, it is time to change the sheets.

5. Even if you're certain that you are included in the will, it is still considered tacky to drive a U-Haul to the funeral home.

Dining Out

1. If drinking directly from the bottle, always hold it with your fingers covering the label.

2. Avoid throwing bones and food scraps on the floor as the restaurant may not have dogs.

ENTERTAINING IN YOUR HOME

1. A centerpiece for the table should never be anything prepared by a taxidermist.

2. Do not allow the dog to eat at the table no matter how good his manners are.

PERSONAL HYGIENE

1. While ears need to be cleaned regularly, this is a job that should be done in private using one's OWN truck keys

2. Proper use of toiletries can forestall bathing for several days. However, if you live alone, deodorant is a waste of good money.

3. Dirt and grease under the fingernails is a social no-no, as they tend to detract from a woman's jewelry and alter the taste of finger foods.

DATING (OUTSIDE THE FAMILY)

1. Always offer to bait your date's hook, especially on the first date.

2. Be aggressive. Let her know you're interested: 'I've been wanting to go out with you since I read that stuff on the bathroom wall two years ago.'

3. Establish with her parents what time she is expected back. Some will say 10:00 PM; others might say 'Monday.' If the latter is the answer, it is the man's responsibility to get her to school on time.

4. Always have a positive comment about your date's appearance, such as, 'Ya'll sure don't sweat much for a fat gal.'

 

More next week.

 

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