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May 26 2012
Please remember that Memorial Day is not about being off work, picnics, or a holiday.
It is a day to remember those who died serving our country. So in honor of them, keep these things in mind.
It is the VETERAN, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.
It is the VETERAN, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the VETERAN, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the VETERAN, not the politician, Who has given us the right to vote.
It is the VETERAN, who salutes the Flag,
It is the VETERAN, who serves under the Flag.
ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM. God Bless them all
A couple of Our Racing Family have got Health issues.
Don Smith and Dick Jordan,long time Friends of auto racing Are not doing to well at this time and Your help with a few Prayers is needed.
Don Smith has been in and around auto racing for over fifty years, Indianapolis car owner, and big Race promotor and contributor to the sport. Dick Jordan is a USAC official and been one for a long time. He is not working at this time. So If You could say a little prayer for the two special people.
Thanks aXe
From The Fabulous 50s group Frank Arciero Has Passed Away
We just heard that another one of our members and someone well-known to many of us, Frank Arciero, passed away Wednesday, May 23. His services will be at 10:00 AM on Wednesday May 30 at Our Lady Queen of Angels Chursh at 2046 Mar Vista in Newport Beach, California.
Ginny Dixon for
Fabulous Fifties
May 24 2012
BE INDUCTED INTO Auto Racing HALL OF FAME
INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, May 23, 2012 - Driver Michael Andretti and longtime Indianapolis 500 Chief Starter Pat Vidan are the 2012 inductees to the Auto Racing Hall of Fame.
The induction ceremony is Thursday, May 24 at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown.
Andretti made 16 Indianapolis 500 starts between 1984 and 2007, with a best finish of second in 1991 after a spellbinding duel with four-time "500" winner Rick Mears. Andretti recorded five top-five finishes at Indianapolis. He also led 431 laps, 10th on the all-time list.
While Andretti didn't win the Indianapolis 500 as a driver, he has entered the winner's circle twice as a team owner, in 2005 with Dan Wheldon and in 2007 with Dario Franchitti. He continues to serve as owner of IZOD IndyCar Series team Andretti Autosport and Andretti Sports Marketing.
Andretti, a native of Nazareth, Pa., also won 42 CART-sanctioned events as a driver between 1985 and 2002, capturing the season title in 1991 and finishing second five times. He also finished third in the Italian Grand Prix in 1993 as a McLaren teammate to three-time Formula One World Champion Ayrton Senna.
Vidan became one of the most iconic figures in motorsports during his tenure as chief starter for the Indianapolis 500 from 1962-79. The nattily-dressed Vidan flagged the "500" and other major United States Auto Club events with considerable flair, grace and showmanship, working from the track surface until safety issues dictated a move to the flag stand.
The muscular Vidan operated a health studio in the Town of Speedway, Ind., which was popular with many Indianapolis 500 drivers. Vidan, a native of Portland, Ore., died in 1983.
Special recognition will be paid at the induction ceremony to the 11 living multiple Indianapolis 500 winners and late two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Wheldon, who died last October after winning the "500" last May.
The Auto Racing Hall of Fame, established in 1952, is located at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum.
May 16 2012
From USAC
One year ago, Noblesville, Indiana's Bryan Clauson was getting into a groove while defending his championships in both the Mopar National Midgets and the National Driver's Championship. He was heading into an important weekend that featured both Sprint Car and Midget races, including the Hut Hundred he'd won the year before.
This year is slightly different.
Clauson opened up a monumental month of May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway by passing Rookie Orientation and posting the second fastest speed on opening day of practice for the Indianapolis 500.
"If you woulda told me that we were gonna come out here the first few days and be at the top of the speed charts, I probably would have told you that you were crazy," Clauson said of Saturday's personal best lap at 221.173 miles per hour.
In addition to his full season in USAC racing last year, Clauson also competed in the Firestone Indy Lights program on the ovals as a result of his 2010 USAC National Driver's Championship. With a second straight NDC title in his pocket, Clauson is looking to take full advantage of the opportunity presented by the Indy Car scholarship attached to that championship.
"I think when Randy (Bernard) started this, this is kinda what he had dreamt up. Somehow, somebody, win it two years in a row and be put in this position. That experience last year was huge, and hopefully we can continue this run at the top of the charts for another couple weeks and make everybody on the USAC side proud," Clauson said.
The USAC racing calendar rolls on, and while Clauson focuses on qualifying into the field of 33, the AMSOIL National Sprint Car Series will take to the red clay of Bloomington Speedway on Friday. After Pole Day ends, Clauson will watch as his RW Motorsports teammates take on the Traxxas Silver Crown Series "Hall of Fame Classic" at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.
Clauson even plans to take to the dirt himself in the few days leading up the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing." After his team's sprint car runs the "Tony Hulman Classic" at the Terre Haute Action Track on Thursday, May 24th with driver Brady Short, Clauson will return to the seat for the famed "Hoosier Hundred" on Friday, May 25th at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. The busy week of USAC racing ends with the Mopar National Midget Series and the annual "Night Before the 500" back at Lucas Oil Raceway.
While USAC competitors across the board will be focused on some of the most important events on their own racing calendar that week, all eyes will be affixed to Clauson's #39 as he represents his brethren on racing's largest scale.
"We are so proud of what Bryan has already done at the Speedway and look forward to what the rest of the month brings for him," said USAC President Kevin Miller, adding, "He can count on having the entire USAC community standing beside him along the way."
Racing is Boring?
by David Schmidt
Houston tx
Didn't they already give that award to Andy G's STP crew back about 65?
Some of the most BORING racing ever produced. BUT, the idea behind it is to get fannies in the seats for "the SHOW". Because the sponsors don't really care about the racing, they care about their EXPOSURE. So the IRL now puts on a carnivale with some "racing" as an added side attraction simply because the EVENT draws the crowd not the racing. For another example, look at our own Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. It is now basically a country (?) music concert with some animal acts for the kiddies. If al they had was the rodeo it'd go bust almost overnight. And I still remember my Dad telling me that somebody made the SHOW when he qualified so that idea has been around for better than 60 years I can count. And we have often discussed right here the "hippodromed" races that were put on when crowds were thin. Another attempt to make "the SHOW" better for the average fan.
As far as the gimmickery goes, the TV guys try their best to make us believe that it is another part of the "strategy". BULLSQUAT !! And it doesn't do a darn thing for the fan in the stands either. I mean who can tell which tires who has on, how many sets of what he has left, and how often he has hit the push to pass button unless you are listening in on a scanner which MOST folks don't.
The fast 6 for quals is an attempt to make Indycar more like F1. Quals on a R/C are dry and boring at best, so kudos to the IRL for trying to make them a bit more interesting. Don't help much, but it IS an attempt. You want to make things REAL interesting? Start them all inverted. At least there will be some passing other than that which happens in the pits!
As far as those who are whining about the "spec racers", get over it. And while you are at it revisit history. USAC, AAA, and CART as well as the IRL have all had rules and regulations about the type of equipment which was/is legal. And if you will do a bit of research I'd be willing to bet you will find that back in the 30's (AAA era), while the chassis were pretty much home-built one-off's, most everyone who could afford it had either a Fronty or a Miller. Go to the late 50's and early 60's (USAC's reign) and it was a tube frame roadster (mostly Watson's) with a 255 Offy. Jump to the 80's and it was a March with a Turbo Cosworth Ford. What people seem to forget is that when TG set up the IRL he had 3 chassis builders (Dallara, Panoz, and Riley) and 2 engine suppliers (Olds Aurora and Infiniti). We've gotten to today's version "Spec racers" because no wanted to buy anything but a Dallara and Honda was the only manufacturer who was willing to furnish engines. Both because that is what was winning. Monkey see'em, monkey do 'em! And I for one applaud the IRL for at least attempting to keep the cost of racing somewhat under control (although I hear this year's price tag is a bit out of line due to the new engines and chassis).
Some will say what about innovation. Sure, over the years there have been some "new" ideas But as we soon learned on Bump Day most were impractical (Smokey's sidecar), underpowered (Brabhams Cooper), or underfunded (the Novi). And if one managed to come up with an idea that would automatically upset the apple cart and obsolete everything, USAC or the AAA just legislated it out of existence (Andy's turbines).
Yeah guys, as Pogo would say, the times they is a changin'. But the funny thing is it seems the more we think they change, the more they actually stay the same.
Now back to your original raving and crawling down off MY soapbox,
May 15 2012
Kokomo Speedway win to DARLAND, LARSON 2nd may 13th
I had read about Kokomo
spdwy as a kid growing up in California.
There was a guy named Sim Clark who had an auto repair shop a few blocks from My house Where He kept His midgets and I had a friend who lived next door to that shop and that was how I first heared what Midgets were. I would go by there just to hear all the stories the guys who helped Sim out would tell.
Now one of the best story tellers was one of His Drivers whose name was Tommy Copp. One year Tommy made the big trek from California to the midwest to race midgets full time back there. One of the places He first won at was called Kokomo Spdwy. Now hearing this it got ingrained into My memory banks and I just had to see this place!
So here it is 50+ years later and I went last Sunday night.
The folks that run the place have got it all together there right now. Good crowd good groups of cars to race and this night was perfect except for a few very scattered rain drops now and then.
Starting time came and the races were on. The hightlight series for the night was there reguler sunday night 410 sprint car races.
Well I was for sure there to See those sprint cars as they had a steller field there that night. With a few from all over the country+ Dave Darland , Bobby East, Tracy Hines, and more from that area.
One guy in particuler I wanted to see run again was Kyle Larson from California.
He has not failed to entertain So far every time I have seen Him race. For a guy as Young as He is He has got it already!
Put on this track this night with a car that looked to be a handful to drive to say the least. After starting a few of rows back from the front He was right on the old Veteran Dave Darlands rear bumper who won at the checkered flag! A couple more laps and He probably would have passed Dave?
What a show this night at KOKOMO speedway My hat is off to the managment team of the place everything went smooth and We were out of there pretty early for a sunday night show
Thanks to the managment for the media pass and I surely hope to return there soon, as the racing with their well perpared track was awesome!
If you ever get the chance to You should go there to see a race.
If You want to check out more about Kokomo speeday go to there web address.
I promise you wont be dissapointed in the racing there.
May 12 2012
Carroll Shelby, legendary ca
r builder and racing champion, dies at age 89
By Justin Hyden Senior Editor of Motoramic
Carroll Shelby, an international automotive icon who rose from a bed-ridden childhood in Texas to build one of the most iconic sports cars ever and become a world-champion racer died Thursday at the age of 89 after a lengthy illness. His cars will live forever.
A winner at Le Mans in 1959, a driver in everything from Formula 1 to the Bonneville Salt Flats, Shelby's lasting impact will be the cars he built, namely the Shelby Cobra 427 that beat Ferrari in Europe and his variations of the Ford Mustang that he was involved with from the 1960s through his death.
Throughout his career, Shelby battled and overcame his physical limitations, from racing crashes to a congenital heart defect that required several surgeries and eventually a heart transplant in 1990.
Born Jan. 11, 1923, in Leesburg, Texas, Shelby was the son of a rural mail carrier. After being confined to bed for much of his first several years, his heart grew strong enough for Shelby to take an interest in cars. During World War II, Shelby served as a flying instructor, and wrote letters to his fiancée by putting them in flying boots he'd drop on her farm.
Married with children after the war, Shelby began a racing career that quickly rose to international acclaim. After rushing to the track for his early races wearing the same bib overalls he wore at his chicken farm, the look became his trademark. Sports Illustrated named him driver of the year in 1956, and Shelby won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1959 -- driving some races with a nitroglycerin tablet under his tongue.
Carroll Shelby and the Shelby GR-1 Concept
Sidelined from race driving by his health in 1960, Shelby turned to building race cars. His masterpiece came from importing a British roadster, the AC Ace, then replacing its undersized engine with a Ford V-8, eventually winning the international Grand Touring championships in 1965 over arch rival Enzo Ferrari. Shelby would later spend decades unsuccessfully suing builders who copied the body shell and chassis -- one of many business feuds Shelby pursued -- until a U.S. court found that Shelby did not own a copyright on the design.
Knowing how Shelby could beat Enzo Ferrari, Henry Ford II recruited Shelby to lead Ford's efforts to beat Ferrari at LeMans with the GT40, eventually winning the race four years in a row between 1966 and 1969. Ford also asked Shelby to help develop a hot-rod edition of the Ford Mustang in 1965, a deal that soon produced the GT350 and the GT500, cars still battled over by collectors today. After a cutback in performance cars during the early '70s, Shelby had to turn to other businesses, and didn't revive his own operation until a partnership with Dodge in 1982.
Throughout his career, Shelby kept a host of other businesses alive, from deodorants to a chili festival. He also launched the Carroll Shelby Foundation to aid children in need of organ transplants. And even in his later years, after a revival with Ford and his own company, Shelby kept to the same answer when asked what was his favorite car to ever bear his name: "The next one."
May 10 2012
National Auto Racing Memorabilia Show returns to Indianapolis on May 24, 25 and 26
Logo from their web site
The 34th annual National Auto Racing Memorabilia Show returns to Indianapolis on May 24, 25 and 26 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in the Our Land Pavilion.
This long-standing fixture of the Indy 500 weekend attracts collectors, fans and dealers from around the world. It's the absolute best venue to not only purchase that unique Indy 500 souvenir, but the most opportune place to sell your racing collectibles items.
In these trying economic times, two groups of racing collectors have emerged: those that are unaffected by the economy, and those that are giving a considerable amount of thought to making the decision to sell some of their collectibles. You'd be very hard-pressed to find a better opportunity than at this event to buy, or to unload some of your Indy 500 items. Attendees can obtain a free appraisal on up to three (3) of their items on Saturday.
The Show has a proven and certified annual attendance. There is convenient parking in paved lots. The Show aisles are wide and handicapped accessible. Concessions are in the hall. Rain, or shine, there is a crowd. The Indiana State Fairgrounds is one of the State's great venues- the NFL hosted six events here this past February at Super Bowl XLVI. Visit the website at:
4:30 to 6:30 PM
Bentley Warren
photo from their web site
The NARM Show is very pleased to welcome Dr. Brian Darrow and his famous model of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway which is made completely of Lego building blocks. Dr. Darrow's exhibit will be prominently displayed in the exhibit hall during all hours of this year's Show. Exhibit sponsor: Bill Estes Chevrolet.
The Show is open Thursday from 4:00-8:00; Friday from 2:00-8:00 and Saturday from 9:30-5:00. Saturday is Family Day and all daily admission prices are detailed on the Show's website. The 58th running of the Hoosier Hundred takes place at the Fairgrounds Friday evening beginning at 8:00.
May 4 2012
Multi-time United States Auto Club (USAC) champion and Indy 500 starter, Tom Bigelow, will serve as the honorary Grand Marshal for May 20 Xtreme Speed Challenge at Winchester Speedway. The racing extravaganza will be highlighted by the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Cars and Super Modifieds.
Bigelow enjoyed a tremendous racing career that ended in the early 1990's. Bigelow is an inductee of the National Midget Auto Racing Hall Of Fame as well as the National Sprint Car Hall Of Fame. Bigelow is currently a color commentator for Must See Racing events that are televised on Fox SportsNet. It is only fitting that Bigelow will serve as a Grand Marshal for this historic event as Bigelow currently resides in Winchester and enjoyed great success at the speedway. In addition, he made his final racing start in an ARCA race at the track in the early 1990's.
Bigelow, originally from Whitewater, WI, got his racing start in the late 1950's driving stock cars at the local Jefferson (WI) Speedway. He eventually migrated to running midgets with the famed BADGER racing association.
Eventually Bigelow relocated to Winchester and began racing more events in the Indiana area and particularly with the USAC Sprint Car division. Bigelow took to the sprint cars and amassed a whopping 52 USAC National Sprint Car wins which ranks first all-time with the series. He also claimed the 1978 title.
His open wheel success gave him the opportunity to compete in the Indy Car ranks with CART and USAC for seventeen seasons. He made 104 starts including 9 Indy 500 starts with a 6th place his best Indy 500 finish. He finished second in back-to-back Indy Car starts at Texas and Milwaukee in 1978.
When the USAC Sprint Car schedule began to dwindle in the mid 1980's, Bigelow migrated back to the midgets and was able to win several features as well as the 1984 USAC National Midget champion. He claimed the USAC Regional Midget Series title 2 years earlier in 1982.
Bigelow made one NASCAR Cup start in his career in 1986. The day ended early for him after only 30 laps due to engine failure. Bigelow enjoyed the experience. " I should have stayed there ( NASCAR ) " Bigelow recently explained. " That's when money was starting to arrive down there and I didn't have a sponsor ". The experience would play a role in the final years of Bigelow's career as he finished his driving days behind the wheel of an ARCA car in the early 1990's.
The last several seasons have found Bigelow behind the camera at Must See Racing events as well as tutoring younger drivers. Must See Racing President, Jim Hanks, explains Bigelow's value to the sereis. " Not long ago someone asked me what Tom Bigelow means to Must See Racing. The answer is everything. He brings a rich history as one of the best drivers of all time, he brings Hall of Fame credentials and most importantly he brings quality of character. Tom knows the game and is a great ambassador for our series and our sport ".
The ' Xtreme Speed Challenge ' is shaping up to be arguably one of the biggest open wheel events of 2012. The TRUFUEL Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series will be competing in their third event of the 2012 season. The BIOBASED.US Must See Racing Super Modified Series will be competing in its inaugural event. It will be the first time in twenty-two years the Super Modifieds have competed at Winchester Speedway.
Both the Sprint Car and Super Modified feature events will each pay $6,000 to win thanks to Don Wilshe and BIOBASED.US offering the Winners Circle Bonus. In addition, there will be a $1,000 Fast Time Bonus to the Super Modified fast qualifier and $500 to the Sprint Car fast qualifier.
There will be an open practice one day before the event May 19 from 2 - 6 P.M. to give teams additional track time. The Full Throttle Modifieds and Vore's Welding FWD Compacts will also be part of this racing extravaganza. A meet and greet with Grand Marshal Tom Bigelow is also planned the day of the event.
Tickets for the ' Xtreme Speed Challenge ' are now on sale. Fans are encouraged to get tickets early to avoid long lines at the ticket window the day of the event. Call (248) 535-5575 to purchase tickets or log onto www.mustseeracing.com for additional details.
Apr 30 2012
From: firstname.lastname@example.com
To: firstname.lastname@example.com
Sent: 4/28/2012 9:19:03 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time
Subj: May 10th Birthday Wish PLEASE
Hello Friends:
I have a personal favor to ask!!
Former Modified Driver Jeff Russell was injured in 2009 at the
Las Vegas Bullring.
It has left him was a brain injury and years later this has has lead to good days and the best that it will be!
On May 10th Jeff has a Birthday
would you please send a Hero Card, photo, or Birthday Card to him. He knows and enjoys seeing things in the mail-his kids
are excited to have him home and know they are lucky that he's alive. It's been a long road back and he will never be 100% but they are not complaining in any way.
Just looking to create some excitement and celebration
for him! Bless them and you!
Jeff Russell
1708 S Curtis Rd
Boise ID 83705
We are sorry to report that Kenny Van Blargen passed away today April 29, 2012.
From: Bob Mastroleo, President WRA
He had taken a turn for the worse and was hospitalized several days prior. Kenny was born in Santa Maria, California in 1931. He was eighty-one at the time of passing. We will all miss him. There will be a memorial for him at a later date and information will be posted on the web site and in the WRA newsletter. Please keep him and family in you prayers and thoughts.
Kenny Van Blargen
Photo taken at Lake Havasu Speedway the
day he was injured Oct. 2010
From Les Stark
Apr 25 2012
by DICK JORDAN
This weekend's "Unser Family Classic" at Albuquerque, N.Mex. is round six of USAC's 2012 Mopar .25 Midget "Generation Next Tour" and honors one of the sport's most revered families. The event is presented under the auspices of the Roadrunner Quarter Midget Club.
Nine times the Unser family graced victory lane at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The exploits of the Albuquerque family are legendary and a victory in this weekend's events will be cherished by all class winners.
"We look forward to our return to the Road Runner club in 2012," states USAC Developmental Director James Spink. "Last year we saw some intense racing on their unique oval and expect much more of that this time around."
Leaders entering the Albuquerque events include Wil Raber of Allegan, MI (Heavy Honda, Heavy World Formula, Heavy AA and Unrestricted Animal); Harrison Burton of Huntersville, NC (Light World Formula, Light 160 and Senior Animal); Logan Heath of Hereford, AZ (Junior Honda); Carson Hocevar of Portage, MI (Senior Honda); Famous Rhodes of San Jose, CA (Light Mod); Collin Olson of Hugo, MN (Heavy Mod); Alex Murray of Concord, NC (Light AA); Mark Miller of Mooresville, NC (Heavy 160); and Neal Allison of Greensboro, NC (Junior Animal).
Practice at the facility located at Sandia Motorsports Park west of Albuquerque is slated Friday, with a secondary practice, plus all lower and A Mains on Saturday. Sunday is reserved as a rain date if needed.
by DICK JORDAN
The 17th Annual Women's Charity Golf Tournament, scheduled Tuesday, May 22, honors the generosity of Mary Fendrich Hulman and benefits the USAC Benevolent Foundation, which serves USAC and IndyCar.
Tee time is 8:30 am, following 7:30 registration and continental breakfast and an instructional meeting at 8:15. The tournament will consist of a nine-hole scramble format. Lunch will again be catered in the golf course dining room, courtesy of the Olive Garden Restaurants.
The top three finishing teams will receive distinctive awards and additional awards will be presented fot the "Katie Oxley Longest Drive," sponsored by the Tony Stewart Foundation, and "Closest to the Pin." Raffle and door prizes will also be available.
Golfers will be able to purchase mulligans and raffle tickets and the tournament will begin with a shotgun start,
Entry forms may be secured at the USAC offices, 4910 W. 16th Street, Speedway, Ind. or by calling Bill Marvel, tournament coordinator, at 859-749-0646 or Chairperson Marie Hall at 317-432-7624. Checks should be made payable to the USAC Benevolent Fund.
This year's tournament is again being sponsored by Reed Financial Services of Raymond James and Associates.
Defending champions of the tournament are Rita McCluskey, Rachel Grab, Katie Binker and Cindy Norton.
This event in 2011 assisted in the Foundation granting nearly $100,000 to needy members of the racing fraternity.
Apr 21 2012
USAC WEstern Classic
Sprint cars WATSONVILLE Spdwy by aXe
It has been over 30 years since My last visit to Watsonville speedway on the Santa Cruz fairgrounds.
Last time I was there this place was in dire need of adaquet safety fencing, This new? place does not even resemble it. Well except for the fans stands look the same.
The new fencings safety features which were done with lots of fan and race car folks in mind are now protected by that new fencing and the track has concrete crash walls (They could be a little higher though)
The place looks to be well minicured and the track personnel keep the races moving right along at a good clip and I was out of there just before 10:15pm.
I understand They are still in a fight to save this speedway I was told? and We all know now a days when somone wants something they just keep on taking whom they dont like to court until they are found in thier favor of what they want, In this situation they want Watsonville speedway along with the county fair held there also closed down. I thought I had read they had one court appearance already and the judge found in favor of the speedway and Fair, something to the affect The speedway and fair both have been running there for over 60 years and I cant shut either down permanently? So We will have to see if the fight is really continuing?
It was a very nice evening there specialy since it is still april, It was Warm and no winds just right weather for racing "The Racing", Well I guess We can call Him the old Man Kaeding? Brent was shown how to race by a couple of the Younger guys, Well this was until Ryan Bernal Pulled a slide job on Kyle Hirst runnig him up agaisnt the wall with Hirst hitting it and climbing it for much of the second corner and really tearing up the front of His car ending his night and giving 2nd place back to that old man Brent Kaeding.
The track surface wasnt that bad until the sprint car main and then got a little dusty and hard taking on rubber turning the groove most were running black with tire squeel to match it. all in all a good night of racing for a return after a 30+year absence for Me.
by Len Sammons
TRENTON, NJ April 20, 2012 . . . Three successful mid-winter auto racing events produced by Len Sammons Productions have dates for next year. Tried and true dates for the Motorsports and Boardwalk Hall Indoor Race events have been retained.
The Motorsports 2013 show weekend has been established for January 18,
19, 20, 2013 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pa. Now in its fourth year "back home in Pennsylvania", the Motorsports Show experienced a boost in exhibitor participation and spectator attendance.
Exhibitor information will be sent shortly to those who held space at
this year's event.
The Atlantic City, NJ Gambler's Classic at Boardwalk Hall is
scheduled for Friday and Saturday February 1-2, 2013.
"Our attendance was up at Boardwalk Hall this year," said Sammons.
"I think good weather and a weekend off between the races and the
Motorsports show helped everyone including my staff."
The Coffee Cup Indoor TQ and Champ Kart races at Dunkin' Donuts
Center in Providence, R.I. is tentatively scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, December 15-16. 2012.
"The Providence date shifts back to a December event as it was two
years ago," said Len Sammons. "We think it is the perfect time, removed from the racing season, yet not too close to the Christmas holiday season."
A third off-season indoor race is possible. Information about all
three events is available at www.aarn.com or by calling 609-888-3618.
Apr 19 2012
President Obama congratulates
NASCAR driver Tony Stewart, asks for media advice
By Adele Hampton - 04/18/12 11:04 AM ET
With two Chevy Impalas adorned with the number 14 in the backdrop, President Obama congratulated NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart Tuesday on the South Lawn driveway of the White House.
"It's good to see number 14 on the south lawn," Obama said. "Every year I try to take a lap. Nobody let's me do it, but I'm still holding out hope that at some point I'm going to be able to get behind the wheel."
After hailing prominent NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson as "one of the all time greats," Obama turned his praise to 2011 champion Stewart.
"This was Tony's year," Obama said. "And 'Smoke' gave us one of the most dramatic finishes that we have ever seen. "After barely making the Chase, Tony took off, winning an amazing four races in the post-season. And then came the final race in Miami — a must-win. Tony went all out ... Tony said it felt like he passed half the state of Florida. But in the end, he hung on to take the checkered flag and win the championship with a tie-breaker."
Flanked by 11 other 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers, Obama hailed the athletes as "the best of the best," praising them for not only their winning records on the track but also their work with military veterans and their families.
Obama also went on to joke about Stewart, who is known as a fiery and vocal competitor, suggesting that the driver could give him tips on dealing with the press.
"Now, full disclosure — I invited Tony here today because of what he did on the track, but I was also hoping he would give me some tips on the media because he's got that quiet reserved personality and I'd figured I'd stay out of trouble if Tony gave me some advice on that," Obama said to a few chuckles.
In addition to Stewart, Obama was joined by drivers Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick, Matt Kenseth, Brad Keselowski, Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Newman, Kurt Busch and Kyle Busch.
Apr 18 2012
SANTA MARIA, CA – APRIL 16, 2012... Officials with the USAC West Coast 360 Sprint Car Series and Santa Maria Speedway have confirmed that Saturday's "Ron Otto Memorial" has been cancelled. After heavy rains, efforts to salvage the soaked pit area, parking lot, and track surface to safe standards would prove impossible by race time.
The traditional 360s will return to action on Saturday, May 5th at Chris Kearns' Santa Maria Speedway.
Apr 12.5 2012
SoCal drag racing returns to Irwindale,
Good news for the Oval also?
Found this release at,
While track owner Nu-Way Industries, Inc. has not chosen an official operator for the Irwindale Speedway property yet, bookings are starting to fill in the racing calendar at the Southern California facility, particularly on the dragstrip.
With the suspension of racing at nearby Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, the first event moved across town to the Irwindale 1/8-mile strip is the Flat-4 Bug-In 37, the popular event dating back to the now defunct Orange County International Raceway in the '60s. The single day event is scheduled for Sunday, April 29, and includes the largest all-VW swap meet on the West Coast and a giant car show with classes for all Volkswagens.
In addition, Hot VWs Drag Day 2012 has a tentative date of July 15 and the final Volkswagen event is tentatively scheduled for October 28 for the Triple Crown Series finale at Irwindale Drags. For more information on Bug-In 37 go to www.bugin.com.
Another mover from Auto Club Dragway is the annual Antique Nationals, now scheduled for June 3 at Irwindale Drags.
Formula Drift moves onto the Irwindale NASCAR circle track on October 12 – 13 and the wildly popular, usually sold-out Mooneyes USA Xmas Party Show and Drags are being finalized for December 2012.
Jim Cohen, who owns the L.A. Racing Experience Driving School, still operates classes on the NASCAR track and has hired former Irwindale Speedway Operations Manager, Bob Klein. Possible scheduling could allow for the dragstrip to operate on both Thursday and Saturday nights with a reduced NASCAR presence, depending on who Nu-Way chooses to operate the facility.
With yesterday's announcement of the NMCA/NMRA August 17–18 event scheduled for Auto Club Pomona Raceway, SoCal drag fans had better get out and support what is left of drag racing in the Los Angeles Metro area. The cliche, "You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone" is true in every sense of the words, especially for SoCal drag racers today
Expanded partnership between Kroger, IMS to benefit Riley
Children's Foundation
by J. Douglas Boles IMS
INDIANAPOLIS, Thursday, April 12, 2012 – Kroger will sponsor the Super Weekend at the Brickyard as part of an expanded partnership with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Kroger and IMS officials announced April 12.
The July 26-29 event will be known as Kroger Super Weekend at the Brickyard and culminate with the 19th annual Crown Royal Presents the "Your Hero's Name Here" 400 at the Brickyard.
The new pact, which also will benefit the Riley Children's Foundation, also includes the IMS Kids Club being renamed the Kroger Kids Club and Kroger becoming the Official Florist and the Official Box Lunch Provider for IMS.
"Kroger has been a longtime, active partner with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and an integral part of Central Indiana life, so we're happy to expand and strengthen our relationship," said Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation president and chief executive officer. "Every aspect of this partnership will enhance the fan experience at IMS events, and we're also pleased that the important work of the Riley Children's Foundation also will be helped."
Kroger and IMS each will continue their corporate generosity by collaborating with race driver and passionate Riley supporter John Andretti, vendor partner General Mills, radio broadcaster Dave Wilson and others to increase fundraising efforts for Riley throughout 2012.
The Riley Children's Foundation, based in Indianapolis, is committed to improving the health and well-being of children through philanthropic leadership in support of Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis and its research programs.
"Kroger, as the longest-running sponsor in NASCAR history, has been part of the series since 1981," said Bob Moeder, Kroger Central Division president. "Our partnership with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will take that to the next level, benefitting customers, associates and fans of both companies. As a passionate supporter of Riley Children's Hospital, I am especially pleased by the new opportunities we have identified to support our Riley kids."
The Kroger Super Weekend at the Brickyard will include the IMS debut of the NASCAR Nationwide Series and GRAND-AM Road Racing joining the Crown Royal Presents the "Your Hero's Name Here" 400 at the Brickyard for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. There will be four races in three days from July 27-29, as action will take place on the IMS oval and road course on the same event weekend for the first time.
Headquartered in Cincinnati, Kroger (NYSE:KR) is one of the nation's largest grocery retailers, with fiscal 2011 sales of $90.4 billion.
The Kroger Co. spans many states with store formats that include grocery and multi-department stores, convenience stores and mall jewelry stores. Kroger operates under nearly two dozen banners, all of which share the same belief in building strong local ties and brand loyalty with customers.
Kroger Central Division, which includes operations in Indiana, is dedicated to supporting every local community it serves, contributing more than $14.7 million in 2011 to local organizations, primarily focusing on hunger relief, K-12 education, health causes and diversity. The Kroger Co. was recently named the most generous company in America in a Chronicle of Philanthropy listing detailed in Forbes magazine.
Super Weekend tickets: Tickets are on sale now for the Kroger Super Weekend at the Brickyard on July 26-29 at IMS.
All ticket orders can be made at www.imstix.com and through the IMS Ticket Office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday. For more information, call the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700, or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area.
Children 12 and under will receive free general admission when accompanied by an adult with a Super Weekend Ticket or general admission ticket.
Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are on sale. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information.
Apr 12 2012
Ocean Speedway
CHOWCHILLA has been CANCELED Due to RAIN
Ocean Speedway CHOWCHILLA has been CANCELED for Saturday, April 14, 2012
See everyone on at Ocean Speedway Watsonville on April 20 and Ocean Speedway Chowchilla on April 21
Stay dry!
The inaugural USAC HALL OF FAME CLASSIC will be held on Pole Night May 19th in honor of USACs 1st Hall of Fame Class.
Maintaining the integrity of USAC's rich history and honoring the founding members and guiding lights of the organization, the inaugural class will be inducted May 20 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
In addition to the 8 individuals already selected by a special committee, fans will have the opportunity to vote in 4 more people from USAC's storied past.
The Inaugural 8 as voted on by the selection committee:
Tony Hulman - Founder
Jimmy Bryan – First National Champion
A.J. Foyt - Legend
Mario Andretti - Legend
J.C. Agajanian – Race Organizer
Duane Carter – Driver and Founding Official
Tom Binford – Long-Time Official
Roger McCluskey – Driver and Official
4 drivers from the list below to be picked by fan vote for the Inaugural USAC Hall of Fame Class. Please note any submissions of more than 4 selections will be voided. Go to the USAC Face book site to find out how to vote https://www.facebook.com/#!/usacracing
Earl Baltes
Henry Banks
Gary Bettenhausen
Tom Bigelow
George Bignotti
Pancho Carter
Jack Hewitt
Parnelli Jones
Mel Kenyon
Johnny Rutherford
Al Unser
Bobby Unser
Rich Vogler
Rodger Ward
A.J. Watson
Don White
Bob Wilke
From USAC site on Face book
Apr 11 2012
Infineon Race Way
Indy car practice
by aXe
While out in California I made the ride up to Infineon to check out the IZOD indy car practice on monday the 10 of Apr.
It wasn't publicized very much except in Central Ca. but it was an open practice for the fans. I think there were several hundred there taking in the pleasures of watching those cars going left and right around this fabulous road course.
If You have never been there this was the perfect time to take that track in as all the hills surrounding the track were full of GREEN Green grasses!
after may they are all drab Golden Brown in color, after all thats how California got its nic name, It wasnt from the Gold taken out of its ground but from the Golden Hills of California.
I got there and the Tracks crew of Grass mowers were sort of locked up.
With out them the place would surely be run over with dead WEEDS most of the year.
Looking from the highest point of the track down the Drag Strip just about south,
The view encompasses the track and land between it and a spectaculer view of some of the Eastern parts of San Fransisco bay.
This is a big place to try to walk but with the car it is still a neat short ride. Lots of great spectator seating areas or just walking around plenty of places to take in the various corners from.
I have no idea how much seating is there but there is plenty of great seating.
The Indy car practice went well, there were 13 cars from five teams that attended the test, including:
• Ryan Briscoe, Helio Castroneves and Will Power (Team Penske)
• Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon (Target Chip Ganassi Racing)
• Charlie Kimball and Graham Rahal (Chip Ganassi Racing)
• Marco Andretti, Ryan Hunter-Reay and James Hinchcliffe (Andretti Autosport)
• Rubens Barrichello, Tony Kanaan and EJ Viso (KV Racing Technology)
Franchitti posted the quickest lap at 1 minute, 17.2 seconds over the 12-turn, 2.303-mile road course. Kimball (1:17.4) and Rahal (1:17.5) , while Viso (1:17.80) and Kanaan (1:17.84) rounded out the top five.
"I like this track very much," said Barrichello, who was sixth quickest (1:17.88). "It's very difficult with the blind apexes. It's good that I can test again, and every time I'm improving. A track like this is very good and it teaches me a lot."
Here are some of the practicing cars.
Will Power
Tony Kanaan
Ryan Hunter Reay
Rubens Barrichello making a hard right it, Rt front is almost off the ground
Helio Castro Neves
Apr 8 2012
speedway's King of the West Sprint cars Apr 7
My first time back at this speedway in over 40 years. Boy the old place doesnt look anything like it was way back then. Gone was the short flat 1/4 dirt spdwy. Gone were the huge twin steel light towers in the infield at each end. Gone also were the Rodeo stalls in the infield.
Well the banking wasnt of much use tonight unless your name was Kyle Larson, after a first lap spin He restareted 21 and came home 4th in the main event a feat you had to see to believe.
This gutsy guy is the real deal and wont be much longer running the dirt bull rings. So if you see His name come up in your area You had better go check Him out as He is an outstanding driver to say the least.
Now then the reigning King of the West Series had no problem handeling all the series best they had thrown at him tonight. He started up front and never looked back, Even on restarts, It was like He was shot out of a cannon, He got a minimum 5 car length lead on the green every time!
A good night of racing with the King of the West Series at Antioch - Nice win by Tim Kaeding . Kyle Larson made a great run from the tail after His spin to finish 4th
King of the West Series
Heat race winners Peter Murphy - Tyler Wolf - Kyle Larson
Dash Winner Jason Allard,
Main event Tim Kaeding, Jonathan Allard, Rico Abreu, Kyle Larson, Bobby McMahan, Shane Golobic, Brent Kaeding, Jason Statler, Peter Murphy, Evan Suggs, Craig Stidham, Andy Gregg, Tyler Wolf, Sean McMahan, Chad Compton, Richard Brace Jr., Cody Lamar, Kyle Hirst, Willie Croft, Doug Gandy, Kenny Allen, Danielle Simpson
All in all a good night of racing at Antioch speedway.
Apr 7 2012
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.
Apr 5 2012
by DICK JORDAN
The United States Auto Club Hall of Fame will debut this May with a dozen inductees, eight selected by a committee of respected motorsports professionals with extensive USAC history and four to be selected through an online vote conducted through social mediums from a list also composed by the selection committee. Details of the online voting process are listed at the end of the release.
Maintaining the integrity of USAC's rich history and honoring the founding members and guiding lights of the organization, the inaugural class is a mixture of classifications, from drivers, to car owners, to officials and notable others.
The inaugural class will be inducted during ceremonies scheduled May 20 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The invitation-only ceremonies, although not open to the general public, will offer one table of seats to the general public through a contest yet to be detailed. The previous night, USAC's TRAXXAS Silver Crown Series competes in the inaugural "Hall of Fame Classic" at Indianapolis Raceway Park.
The eight-member class of inaugural inductees includes (alphabetically) J.C. Agajanian, Mario Andretti, Tom Binford, Jimmy Bryan, Duane Carter, A.J. Foyt, Tony Hulman and Roger McCluskey.
whose cars won the Indianapolis 500 in 1952 (Troy Ruttman) and 1963 (Parnelli Jones), was the first race organizer in USAC history to reach 250 events presented. Most of those were in USAC's formative years, including many different races series and tracks across the country. His trademark became the Stetson cowboy hat he was rarely seen without. The heir to a fortune built on pig farming and garbage collection, he was partial to the number 98 and the "Turkey Night Grand Prix," a 98-lap USAC Midget race held each Thanksgiving, continues to be a pride of his family. He is a member of numerous motorsports Halls of Fames, including the Auto Racing Hall of Fame International Motorsports Hall of Fame, Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, National Sprint and Midget Halls of Fame and the AAA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Agajanian passed away May 5, 1984.
winner of the 1969 Indianapolis 500, amassed a racing career of immense proportions. The Italian-American Andretti won the 1978 Formula One World title, four Indy Car crowns (three under USAC sanction) and an IROC title. He remains the only driver to win the Indianapolis 500, Daytona 500 (1967) and the Formula One championship. No American has won a Formula One race since Andretti's victory in the 1978 Dutch Grand Prix. He is the only driver to be named U.S. Driver of the Year in three decades (1967, 1978 and 1984) and was the first driver to win Indy Car races in four different decades. In 29 attempts at the Indianapolis 500, Andretti endured numerous disappointments but managed the 1969 victory and seconds in 1981 and 1985 and three poles. In 2000 Associated Press and Racer Magazine named him the Driver of the Century. He is a member of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.
no picture found
an Indianapolis-based entrepreneur and philanthropist, was a pioneer and visionary and as such was named Indanapolis 500 Chief Steward for a term lasting from 1974-1995. A leader in Indianapolis civic affairs, he once held positions on numerous corporate Boards of Directors and was for a while president and CEO of Indiana National Bank. It was Binford whose sensitivity, wise counsel and sincerity was responsible for USAC's impact in the world of Motorsports from its early years. He was named USAC president in 1957 and served in that capacity for 12 years, following that as a member of USAC's Executive Committee. A boulevard in Indianapolis is named for Binford, who passed away January 14, 1999.
won USAC's first two National Driving Championships (1956-1957) and was the lead subject of USAC's commemorative painting adorning the 2006 book "Fifty Years of Speed and Glory," chronicling USAC's first 50 years. The Phoenix, Ariz. native captured the inaugural "Race of Two Worlds" in 1957 in Monza, Italy, the following year won the Indianapolis 500 and scored significant USAC Stock car wins as well. He also finished second at Indy in 1954 and third in 1957. The 1954 AAA and two-time USAC National Driving Champion posted 54 top-10 finishes in 72 Indy car events, but perished in a June 19, 1960 accident at Langhorne, Pa.
was present at the 1955 meeting when USAC was created as a replacement sanctioning body for the departing AAA. A race driver of tremendous accomplishment, he became USAC's first Competition Director on January 1, 1956, holding that position until 1959 when he returned to the cockpit. Eleven Indianapolis 500 starts yielded four top-10 finishes but it was as a respected official where Carter had a profound impact on the history of the United States Auto Club. A member of the Auto Racing Hall of Fame and National Sprint Car and Midget Halls of Fame, Carter passed away May 7, 1993 but his immediate family extended to successful USAC racing sons Pancho and Dana. One of his most notable racing victories came in a 500-lap Midget race at the Los Angeles Coliseum in 1947.
owns more USAC National feature victories than anyone in history – 154 – spanning a variety of disciplines. Universally recognized as one of the best, if not the best, driver in American motor racing history, Foyt's accomplishments in some 40 years of competition are legendary. Four times a winner of the Indianapolis 500, he is the only driver to win the "500," the Daytona 500 (1972), the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He also won the IROC title in 1976 and 1977 and he has been inducted in a number of Halls of Fame, too numerous to mention here. A current Indy car owner, he won the 1999 Indianapolis 500 as an owner with driver Kenny Brack. His USAC career began in 1956 and he earned his first USAC win the following year. Seven times a USAC National Champion in Indy cars, Foyt also owns three titles in Stock Cars (1968, 1978 and 1979) and was USAC's 1972 Dirt Track Champion. His 35 consecutive starts at Indy are an all-time record as are his
13 races led and 4,909 laps completed. His 67 wins continue to lead all Indy car drivers and he is the only driver to win the Indianapolis 500 in both front-engined and rear-engined cars.
a businessman from Terre Haute who rescued the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from disrepair in the 1940s and restored it to the prominence it had maintained in prior years, is considered as the founder of USAC and through the Indianapolis 500 helped maintain USAC's position as a leader in the motorsports industry until his death on October 27, 1977. Through Hulman and Company, he oversaw the Clabber Girl company and his passion for the sport of auto racing was passed along to his grandson, Tony George, who not only served as president of IMS for many years but with the assistance of USAC, was instrumental in the formation of the Indy Racing League, which debuted in 1996. Hulman purchased the Speedway from Eddie Rickenbacker and hired three-time 500 winner Wilbur Shaw as the track's president. Shaw perished in a 1954 air accident and Hulman assumed the president's role at that time. Rose-Hulman Institute in Terre Haute bears his name in recognition of his dedicati
to higher education and philanthropy.
was a race driver who earned championships in USAC Indy cars (1973), Stock Cars (1969 and 1970) and Sprint Cars (1963 and 1966). Over 50 victories in USAC competition included one in the Ontario (Calif.) 500 (1972) and in his final Indy car start at Milwaukee, Wisc. in 1979. His 18 Indianapolis 500 appearances included a third-place finish in 1973. In 1967 at the 24 Hours of LeMans McCluskey is credited with a possible live-saving effort at extracting Mario Andretti from his seriously-crashed car. After his 1979 Milwaukee triumph McCluskey decided to join USAC in an official capacity and his tenure as Executive Vice President and Competition Director earned him the respect of the entire auto racing fraternity. He was responsible for numerous innovative decisions, including the inauguration of the popular "Rookie Orientation Program" at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He passed away on August 29, 1993 after a bout with cancer.
Details regarding the contest for tickets to the inaugural USAC Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will be released as they become firm.
Online voting for the final four inductees is now available by accessing the following link: http://apps.facebook.com/my-polls/usachalloffame.
Mar 31 2012
Weather wins at
Calistoga Marysville & Placerville?
These tracks announced No racing this weekend in California for them? Weather issues are the problem. Maybe check with them before attempting going?
Mar 23 2012
"Kevin Gerhardt completes
100% acquisition of Western Speed Racing
and will continue the family's long racing tradition".
by Julie Gerhardt
"Kevin Gerhardt completes 100% acquisition of Western Speed Racing and will continue the familys long racing tradition. The team has a long history of competing in the USAC series that dates back to the 1960's with many wins in national midget, Sprint Car and Silver Crown competition. Notable wins include the famed Turkey Night Grand Prix in Sprints and Midgets, Iowa National Midget Race, Pikes Peak International Speedway National Midget race. Regional Midget and Sprint car championships have also been acheived as well. Among the past WSR drivers include Tony Stewart, Bobby Santos, Josh Wise and Jason Leffler. Current Western Speed Racing drivers are Cody Gerhardt, Tim Skoglund and Brodie Kostecki. Brodie is the 14 year old Australian phenom that won 23 Focus midget main events in just his first year in the series in 2011. His main event wins are second only to JJ Yeley who won 25 main events competing in THREE USAC divisions. The team has won seven focus midget championships and countless main events. WSR is the winningest Focus Midget team since the inception of the series.
The team continues to operate from its Fresno California facility and is contrlled by principles Kevin Grhardt and Kent Gerhardt. WSR currently provides race ready Focus Midgets for up and coming drivers as well as fields TWO pavement sprint cars for drivers Cody Gerhardt and Tim Skoglund that compete on the Western States USAC schedule. The team will compete next at the Madera 1/3 mile paved track on March 31 2012.
Inquirings can be sent to email@example.com or Kevin can be reached at 559-905-2129
Mar 21 2012
John Kilroy, with 21 years experience at PRI as editor, associate publisher and vice president, continues to lead PRI.
SEMA plans to maintain hardcore racing identity and heritage of PRI Trade Show and PRI Magazine.
PRI founder Steve Lewis to focus on son's racing career.
Performance Racing Industry (PRI), producers of the motorsports business magazine and trade show, finalized plans to be purchased by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). The transaction is set to close in late March 2012.
With 20-plus years of publishing and management experience at PRI, John Kilroy will serve as Vice President/General Manager of PRI and assume day-to-day operations for the group. All the operations, employees and offices will remain intact at PRI's current location in Laguna Beach, California.
"Steve Lewis launched the PRI concept a quarter-of-a-century ago, as an organization totally dedicated solely to the racing industry," said Kilroy. "It was Steve's dream that PRI continue to serve the racing community, and to 'nest' PRI with an organization that clearly understands PRI's heritage and the role we play in how the racing industry conducts business. We are pleased to have found that strategic partner in SEMA."
Lewis, founder and current CEO of PRI, will now be able to dedicate his time and energy to pursue his lifelong passion for motorsports, which includes management of his Nine Racing midget team and supporting the racing career of his son Michael, 2011 Formula 3 Italia Rookie of the Year.
"We carefully considered all our options, and SEMA was the obvious choice to carry on the legacy of the PRI brand," said Lewis. "SEMA is financially sound and has an experienced management team. They bring a long-term outlook to the table, as well as exceptional insight into the trade show business overall. I have no doubt that the PRI brand will continue to deliver value to the racing community, and I know John Kilroy and the current management group will keep the basic business themes that have been established as they continue to work out of the current location here in Laguna Beach that has housed the PRI family for all these years," he said.
Many current and past SEMA Board of Directors have been involved with PRI through the years as exhibitors and advertisers and bring a keen understanding of how the two organizations complement each other.
"We're very excited about the continuation of the great business offerings for the performance and racing community from this acquisition," said Scooter Brothers, SEMA Chairman of the Board. "Having worked with the folks from PRI for many years, I know the show and magazine are appreciated and used by the racing industry to further their marketing efforts, and that racing entrepreneurs look upon the PRI Trade Show as a unique event and a valuable voice. The transition will preserve and protect that voice, and the show's unique character and authenticity. We look forward to the PRI team carrying on the legacy and traditions of Steve Lewis.
"We also want to thank Steve Lewis for all he's done for the racing industry, and for creating PRI," added Brothers. "PRI Magazine and the PRI Trade Show have played a key role in the growth of the racing industry over the past 25 years, and we look forward to its continued success."
SEMA President Chris Kersting said, "The Performance Racing Industry Trade Show and magazine are great complements to the SEMA mission: they help their customers' businesses to succeed. SEMA looks forward to providing the PRI team the resources and support to continue delivering great value to the racing and performance segment."
Founded in 1963, the SEMA trade association provides services and resources to businesses in the automotive specialty equipment industry. Members include manufacturers, distributors, retailers and marketers of products that enhance the styling and functionality of cars, trucks and SUVs. In addition to producing the premier automotive accessories trade show, where more than 100,000 individuals come to do business, SEMA offers education, research and several publications specifically targeted to the industry. The association also represents its members with a legislative advocacy group.
The 25th Annual Performance Racing Industry Trade Show takes place November 29 - December 1, 2012, in the North/South Building of the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. It features exhibits by 1,100 racing companies in 3,100 booths, requiring 700,000 square feet to house the event. 38,000 buyers will attend from across the US, and 72 countries.
For more information, visit www.performanceracing.com or www.sema.org.
Mar 20 2012
Tuesday's Top
Ten – The Cowtown Midget Stampede
The green flag flies on Saturday night's POWRi Midget Stampede finale at Cowtown, Lonnie Wheatly photo
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (March 20, 2012) – The Inaugural edition of the POWRi Midget Stampede at Cowtown Speedway in Kennedale, TX, brings the ol' Tuesday Top Ten out of hibernation. For exactly how long is anyone's guess.
With the Stampede and St. Patrick's Day revelry in the books, ten items wrapping up the weekend's events follow.
1. The Midget Stampede – Timing is everything. And the POWRi Midget debut in the Lone Star state couldn't have been timed more perfectly, as 67 midgets stampeded the high-banked, ¼-mile Cowtown Speedway clay oval over the weekend. It's a number that will unlikely be matched by any other outdoor Midget event on American soil this year, as not even the Belleville Midget Nationals or USAC's Midget Week events approach such a lofty count.
Sixty-six drivers checked in for Friday night's action, with 64 on hand Saturday night. Sixty-three took part in both nights, with Ryan Beechler, Justin Mallo and Doug McCune missing Saturday after taking in the opener as Oklahoma City's Matt Johnson showed up for Saturday only.
With abundance in terms of quantity, there was plenty of quality as well with several drivers commenting that making a Stampede feature may be more difficult than making the feature cut on a Chili Bowl qualifying night.
While only four of last year's top ten in POWRi points were on hand (Brad Kuhn, Austin Brown, Chett Gehrke and Andrew Felker) plus 11th-ranked Jake Blackhurst, the field was bolstered by several USAC teams getting tuned up for their season, a strong contingent from Oklahoma and Texas, ten or so RMMRA reps that came down from the mountains of Colorado and Wyoming and several other random teams from Nebraska, Illinois and Missouri.
2. In the Green – While the Midget Stampede carried POWRi sanction, it was a familiar USAC car with an ASCS driver at the wheel taking the win on Friday and then a familiar USAC face in victory lane on St. Patrick's Saturday night.
Now considered one of those "wanged" racers, two-time non-wing Western World champ Brady Bacon showed he still has Midget skills by taking the $3,000 winner's share in Friday's 30-lap main event. Piloting the Wilke-PAK No. 11, Bacon came from seventh to win his heat after somehow dodging a turn-four melee that included Jerry Coons, Jr., Brandon Hahn and Johnny Murdock, thus earning the pole position for the feature.
After advancing from 14th to sixth in his first time aboard Joe Dooling's No. 63 wrenched by Rusty Kunz on Friday night, Dave Darland rallied from ninth to second in his Saturday heat to earn the outside front row starting position in the main event.
Both drivers withstood challenges and battled issues that could have changed the outcome had the checkered flag flown later than 30 laps. Bacon fought a car that was getting tighter, while Darland's problems were more serious as an ailing engine held together just long enough to hold on to the $5,000 victory.
3. The Challengers – While Bacon and Darland both technically wired their respective fields, it wasn't without serious challenges along the way.
Tyler Courtney pressured Bacon for the point much of the way on Friday, pulling alongside a time or two and sliding past as well only to have the savvy 22-year-old Bacon cross back under to retain command. "Sunshine" tried one last slider in turns one and two on the white flag lap that nearly ended in the turn two wall, with the 2011 Chili Bowl Rookie of the Year slipping back to fourth as a result.
"He made a really bold move there, but we were able to get it back," Bacon commented. After opening eyes on Friday, 17-year-old Courtney from Indianapolis held down a transfer from "B" Main action on Saturday until losing an engine that finished off his weekend.
After racing from 12th to third in the Friday feature, Keith Kunz Racing pilot Rico Abreu started Saturday's feature from the pole position and chased Darland throughout. And, when Darland's engine began to sour in the waning laps, Abreu was there to try to pounce. But, as it was, he overpounced.
After pulling alongside exiting turn four on the 27th round, the 20-year-old from Rutherford, CA, did so again with the white flag in sight and pulled the slide job for life in one and two. Just as Courtney had done a night earlier, Abreu slid too wide in turn two, allowing Darland and third-runner Casey Shuman to race by underneath. Abreu tried to slide back around Shuman in turn four only to loop it and collect the Rattlesnake Bend racer as Darland took the checkered flag.
4. Not So Sloppy Seconds – It's not too often any racecar driver is happy with a second-place finish, but that was the case on both nights of Midget Stampede action.
When Courtney slid wide on Friday night, Casey Shuman took quick advantage to take the runner-up finish. With a softening right-rear, Shuman would have been content with third. "The right rear was getting soft so I was kind of in defense mode, I was just trying to hold on to third."
Battling amongst the top-five throughout on Saturday night, Collinsville, Oklahoma's Tyler Thomas took quick advantage of the Abreu-Shuman tangle on the final circuit to claim runner-up honors in the Stampede finale. The 16-year-old was likely more excited than either night's winners. And, for good reason. With the $3,000 runner-up finish bringing his weekend take to $3,300, Thomas fled the scene with more Martinez money than all except for Darland ($5,700) and Bacon ($3,500).
5. Hard Chargers – On a track ideally suited for Midgets, there was plenty of passing action throughout both Cowtown nights.
Piloting one of three Hampton entries along with Mike Goodman and Colton Brewer, California native Danny Stratton rallied from the 24th and final starting position on Friday to fifth, with Christopher Bell racing from 21st to tenth and Caleb Armstrong from 18th to eighth.
While three drivers gained ten or more positions on Friday night, four drivers advanced at least ten spots in Saturday's caution-plagued main event with Andrew Felker leading the charge by driving from 20th to sixth. Jonathan Beason went 22nd to ninth, Jake Blackhurst climbed from 23rd to 11th and Levi Roberts went from 19th to eighth. With positions eight through 24 all paying the same $500, Beason, Blackhurst and Roberts would have made the same without passing a car but surely had more fun going forward even if it added nothing to the bottom line.
6. Alphabet Soup – While Stratton earned the honor of passing the most cars in a main event, give Norman, Oklahoma's Christopher Bell the accolades for passing the most cars in one night.
After getting caught up in a turn one heat race incident and flipping on Friday night, teammate Billy Lawhead in the Mark Lowe owned No. 21 cars thrashed to get Bell back on track. The 17-year-old responded by racing from seventh to a convincing "C" Main win and then climbed from 17th to finish third in the "B" Main, earning a transfer to the feature event. Bell gained another 11 positions in the feature event to bring his night's total to 31 positions gained.
Lawhead showed off some moves as well in the team car on Saturday, executing a last-corner slider to take the fourth and final transfer position in the second "B" Main away from Matt Sherrell. Coincidentally, Sherrell happens to date Lawhead's sister Rachael, raising the question of who she might have been cheering for in that exchange.
7. Hot Foot – Part of the three-car Hard Eight Racing stable that also included Blake Hahn and Matt Ward, Jonathan Beason had a hot foot on Friday night. And not in a good way.
With fuel leaking in his heat race, the leak ignited as Beason pulled back into his pit area. With burns on his right foot, Beason persevered to transfer from a "B" Main and then climbed from 19th to 12th in the feature before spending quality time in a Fort Worth emergency room until 4:00 a.m. getting second-degree burns tended too. Those burns soon seemed like kid's play compared to the motorcycle crash and stab-wound-to-the-head victims and other assorted types that roll in at such murky big-city hours.
With right foot wrapped, Beason's Saturday drive was impressive as well with a run from 12th to third in "B" Main action and then 22nd to ninth in the Stampede finale.
8. Change Up – It's the rare two-day show in any form of racing that not one single member of the first night's top-five finishes among the top five on the second night. But, that's what happened at the weekend's Inaugural Midget Stampede.
Among Friday's top five of Brady Bacon, Casey Shuman, Rico Abreu, Tyler Courtney and Danny Stratton, it was Abreu with the best finish on Saturday in 14th though he and Shuman could have had podium finishes both nights if not for the previously mentioned final corner mishap. Shuman was 15th on Saturday, Bacon 21st and Stratton the second to DNF in 24th with Courtney spectating after going up in B Main smoke.
Saturday winner Dave Darland missed Friday's top-five by one position in sixth, with the rest of Saturday's top five including Tyler Thomas (22nd on Friday), Brad Kuhn (14th on Friday), Darren Hagen (7th on Friday) and Zach Daum (20th on Friday). While he started fourth in Saturday's finale, Kuhn rallied from the tail to earn the show position after an early tangle in turn two that also included Jerry Coons, Jr., and Friday winner Bacon. Bacon later retired with brake problems while Coons, Jr., bounced back for tenth.
While nobody finished among the top five on both nights, only three drivers posted top-ten finishes both nights including Darland, Hagen and Caleb Armstrong. With finishes of eighth and seventh, 19-year-old Armstrong from New Castle, IN, likely won't be on Kevin Ramey's Christmas card list if the tailtank-bashing love taps under caution in Saturday's finale are any indication. Ramey's mood improved soon after when daughter Mackenzie took the checkered flag in the Restricted "A" Class Micro Sprint feature event.
9. Composition – While the top five got a complete makeover from night one to night two, the "A" Feature starting fields were similar as 17 drivers earned starting berths for both 24-car main events.
Those racing into both main events included Dave Darland (6th, 1st), Darren Hagen (7th, 4th), Casey Shuman (2nd, 15th), Brady Bacon (1st, 21st), Rico Abreu (3rd, 14th), Brad Kuhn (14th, 3rd), Caleb Armstrong (8th, 7th), Tyler Thomas (22nd, 2nd), Jonathan Beason (12th, 8th), Jerry Coons, Jr. (11th, 10th), Zach Daum (20th, 5th), Danny Stratton (5th, 24th), Andrew Felker (23rd, 6th), Kevin Ramey (9th, 20th), Chett Gehrke (13th, 16th), Christopher Bell (10th, 22nd) and Don Droud, Jr. (18th, 17th).
Friday feature starters that missed Saturday's cut included Tyler Courtney (4th), Mike Hess in a second Daum entry (15th), Andrew Deal (16th), Matt Sherrell (17th), Austin Brown (19th), Luke Icke (21st), and Colten Cottle (24th).
Making it into Saturday's feature after missing out the first night were Friday flipper Levi Roberts (8th), Jake Blackhurst (11th), micro grad Garrett Aitken (12th), George White (13th), Billy Lawhead (19th), Daniel Robinson (23rd) and Cole Carter (25th).
Austin Brown, fourth in last year's POWRi points, started Saturday's feature by way of the ever popular provisional to bump the field to 25 starters. Blackhurst, eleventh in 2011 points and POWRi Rookie of the Year, missed Friday's feature yet didn't get a provisional.
10. Checkered Flags – With seven heat races, one "C" Main, two "B" Mains and then the "A" Main finale on both nights, virtually every race win over the course of the weekend was a hard fought one.
While Luke Icke picked off the first checkered flag of the 2012 Midget outdoor season by winning Friday night's first heat race, Brady Bacon and Rico Abreu, who is quickly proving himself a legitimate racer rather than a novelty act, were the only two drivers to claim heat race wins on both nights. And both the Bacon and Abreu wins on Friday came in last lap fashion.
Other Friday heat winners included Icke, Andrew Felker, Casey Shuman, Zach Daum and Don Droud, Jr., with those triumphant in Saturday heat races including George White, Tyler Thomas, Daniel Robinson, Christopher Bell and Brad Kuhn.
Chett Gehrke and Caleb Armstrong won Friday "B" Mains, with Danny Stratton and Kevin Ramey topping Saturday "B" Mains. Christopher Bell won the Friday "C" Main, while Matt Ward topped the Saturday "C" Main.
Oh, and it was Brady Bacon and Dave Darland earning Midget Stampede bragging rights for 2012. But if you've read this far, you already knew that.
That puts the wraps on the initial installment of TTT/2K12. Release date for issue number two is yet to be determined, but it will most likely be on a random Tuesday at some point in the future.
Questions, comments, criticisms, heckles, etc., may be issued to email@example.com.
Mar 17 2012
Tulare, CA........Heavy rains overnight and a 100% forecast for rain today have conspired to force cancellation of Saturday night's (March 17) USAC West Coast Sprint Car series opener at the Tulare (Calif.) Thunderbowl Raceway. The series will now debut next Saturday (March 24) at the Bakersfield (Calif.) Speedway.
Race Fans; there
are three events coming up that you may enjoy attending.
by Richard Parks (www.landspeedracing.com)
1) The Santa Ana Drags and Main Street Malt Shop Reunion will be held on April 14, 2012 at Santiago Creek Park, about a quarter mile east of Main Street on East Memory Lane (turns south into Lawson Way) in Orange, California. There is a catered lunch hosted by Gene Mitchell and organized by dry lakes and hot rod historian Leslie Long to honor all those who drag raced at the Santa Ana Drag Strip in the 1950's. It starts at 10 AM and goes until everyone leaves. It is a free event and there is no charge to park or attend. Just show up with your photo albums and have a great time.
2) Norma Jordan wrote to say that the Riverside International Automotive museum will host their annual Legends of Riverside Racing Film Festival and Gala, March 31 - April 1, 2012, plus a cocktail reception on Friday evening, March 30th for all ticket holders. Bobby Unser is the Honoree of the event and will be on hand. He won the Indianapolis 500 three times and the Pikes Peak Hill Climb 13 times in a variety of cars. He was the first driver to average more than 190 miles per hour at the Indy 500. Bobby was USAC Indy Car Champion in 1968,1974 and the 1975 IROC Champion. His honors include induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1990, the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1994. Along with Bobby, past honorees Dan Gurney, Carroll Shelby and Parnelli Jones will attend. Ivan Stewart, Hershel McGriff, Jim Adams, Chris Cord, Bob Bondurant, George Follmer, Art Evans, Bill Pollack, Bill Krause and up to 50 more veteran drivers will be in attendance. For tickets see Norma Jordan at the Riverside International Automotive Museum, 815 Marlborough Avenue #200, Riverside, California 92507
951 369-6966 Office, email@example.com.
3) The Dry Lakes Racers Hall of Fame and Gas-Up Party, hosted by the Gold Coast Roadster and Racing Club and the Mendenhall Petroleum Museum and Gas Pump collection, will be held on April 28, 2012, from 9 AM until 5 PM, on Zaca Street, in Buellton, California. For a reservation form go to www.oilstick.com for instructions and prices.
Mar 16 2012
The CA Civil War series sprint car race scheduled for Sat at MRP is cancelled.
Due to lack of good drainage at the speedway (track seems to be underwater) and with more scheduled rain in the forecast. The track operators decided to pull the plug on the race. No word on a rain date as of yet?
by DICK JORDAN
Two-time USAC National Driver's Champion and Mopar National Midget Champion Bryan Clauson of Noblesville, Ind. took advantage of a unique opportunity last week as he traveled to Cycle Ranch MX near San Antonio, Texas to practice an off-road truck for the first time. On the invitation of Traxxas owner & CEO Mike Jenkins, Clauson was able to experience another side of USAC, as the organization also owns The Off-Road Championship (TORC).
Clauson, who is awaiting the start of a racing season that will hopefully include his first Indianapolis 500, jumped aboard the Traxxas-sponsored championship TORC Pro-Light truck from 2011, regularly piloted by Andrew Caddell. While the change in disciplines was a challenge to the 22-year old driver, Clauson quickly adjusted and turned some impressive laps.
"I had an absolute blast. I'm really appreciative of everyone who put the deal together and let me get used to running the truck. I felt like I got going pretty well…just still takes getting used to the more technical areas. Maybe I'll get the chance to do it again sometime, hopefully in a race," Clauson said of his first foray into off-road trucks.
Traxxas, the fastest name in radio control, not only fields trucks and sponsors the TORC Series, but also is the title sponsor of the USAC Silver Crown Series, in which Clauson has one career win at Eldora Speedway (Rossburg, Ohio) in 2010.
"Bryan picked up the feel of the track and the truck quickly, just like I expected a USAC champion to do. He had three stints on course and really improved a lot each time. It was a pleasure working with him," said Ken Kincaid, team manager for the Jenkins Brothers Racing team.
Clauson starts his Midget title defense March 30-31 at Ace Speedway in Altamahaw, North Carolina. The TORC Series kicks off their season on April 20-21 at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina
Mar 13 2012
by DICK JORDAN
Nick Richards served as the team captain for the winning team Saturday as his team, which included USAC racing veterans Donnie Adams, Mario Clouser and Billy Wease, swept to victory in the 15th Annual "Fun at Fastimes" go-kart endure in Indianapolis, Ind. The event, held at the Fastimes Karting Center, benefitted the USAC Benevolent Foundation.
The winning team, sponsored by Burco Molding, also included pilots Jon Laskey, Brad Knaus and Nick Warren. Knaus returned after the checkered flag to win a special post-race "Race of Champions" sponsored by Fastimes which pitted the winning team members against each other in an eight-minute duel. Knaus passed Laskey on the final lap to win the match race to take the "Champion of Champions" medal and a gift certificate for Brownsburg, Ind.'s Pit Stop Bar-B-Q for Sunday brunch.
The winning team completed 411 laps of the two-story indoor circuit during the 32-hour "LeMans-type" event, beating a team captained by Chase Barber by two laps. Barber's team was sponsored by FatHeadz Eyewear.
Caleb Armstrong, last year's "Turkey Night Grand Prix" champion, captained the third-place team, four laps in arrears at the checkered flag. Kemerly Insurance sponsored Armstrong's team.
A team which included USAC drivers Logan Jarrett, KT Thomas Jr., Coleman Gulick, Dillon Welch and Kody Swanson posted the race's fastest lap on lap 254.
Mar 10 2012
The oval fans have not really gone away,
by Dennis Johansen
The oval fans have not really gone away, We've all just gotten old and
no longer travel 1,000 miles to see Phoenix, or The night before at
Manzanita and WE have failed to pass our love for real racing like our dads
My dad started taking me to races at age 3, in 1948. He took me to
the old Sacramento mIle starting in 1949 when I was 4. AND..I loved
it. We kept going to races all over the country including the 500 until
he died in 2000.
My sons wouldn't go more than 1 hr away to see a
sprint car or midget
race unless I was the chief steward and they got
in free..
I saw the fading years ago and therefore, I talked USAC into
sanctioning the F2000 series and the Russell racing series. That was
hard for me to do because of,my love for midgets, sprint cars and champ
dirt cars...BUT I saw the writing on the wall. The little rear engine
cars were the future . Take out the Pinto motors and put Cosworths
in them and run them all over the country with our USAC drivers. Run
them on ovals and road courses and...well you get the drift.
I failed
to convince enough of the "old" guard and the f2000 and Russel were
dropped by USAC AND look where they wound up... They run the Night
Before the 500 at ORP, run with the Indy cars and our guys run the bull
rings. A guy from my Russel series almost won the 500 this
I am saddened by what has happened to "our" type of
BUT, this Sunday, for one glorious moment, I could stick my
chest out and say..."YEAH, MY KIND OF RACER! "Eddie Carpenter" wins
Indy car race.
Sad. But I think its just about all over.
I see it every
time we run a USAC race here in California. I've been Chief steward for
26 years now and never before have I felt its all over. 12 to 14 cars,
150 to 500 fans in the stands... Sad. BUT FOR ONE GLORIOUS MOMENT!!!!!
'Wish Fund' provides three methods to salute American heroes through W4OH
by J. Douglas Boles IMS
INDIANAPOLIS, Friday, March 9, 2012 - Wish For Our Heroes (W4OH), the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Indiana National Guard are teaming up to provide fans with an opportunity to help send active United States military or veterans to the Indianapolis 500, Super Weekend at the Brickyard or Red Bull Indianapolis GP in 2012.
The "Wish Fund" program gives fans three ways to salute American service members through contributions or donations at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/wish4ourheroes or www.wish4ourheroes.org:
•Contribute funds: Contribute $5 or more toward the purchase of a 2012 IMS event ticket for an active-duty service member or veteran.
•Purchase tickets: Purchase a 2012 IMS event ticket for an active-duty service member or veteran.
•Donate tickets: Donate extra or unused 2012 IMS event tickets to an active-duty service member or veteran.
Wish For Our Heroes, a national, non-profit organization based in Noblesville, Ind., will coordinate purchase and delivery of all tickets to service members and veterans.
"Everyone at IMS is grateful for the service and sacrifice of the U.S. military, and we're proud of our deep, long-standing bonds with our troops," said Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation president and chief executive officer. "This program with Wish For Our Heroes will give fans a great opportunity to provide a memorable, fun day at the track for those who do so much to protect and provide our way of life."
Fans who donate the purchase price of a ticket to the "Wish Fund" can designate the service branch and service status (active, reserves, National Guard, veteran, wounded veteran) of the ticket recipient. "Wish Fund" contributors who donate tickets or the purchase price of a ticket also can receive a picture of the military recipient and learn more about their dedicated service to the country.
It is our honor and privilege to partner with IMS and the Indiana National Guard, two fine organizations deeply rooted in tradition and Indiana pride," said Jeff Wells, Wish For Our Heroes president and founder. "Our mission is to serve those who serve and to assist as many military members as possible. With this program, we're going to provide an experience that our troops will never forget."
Wish For Our Heroes was launched in November 2009 to grant wishes for active-duty soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and their families and is a tax-exempt charity under Code Section 501(c)(3). W4OH strives to relieve the burdens of family separation, reintegration for deployed soldiers, hardship circumstances and other means of assistance not covered by existing military charities.
The purpose of W4OH is simple: Reward brave men and women who make so many sacrifices for our great nation every day.
2012 IMS tickets: Tickets for the three events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2012 - the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 27, the Super Weekend at the Brickyard from July 26-29 and the Red Bull Indianapolis GP from Aug. 17-19 - are on sale now.
Tickets can be purchased now by visiting www.imstix.com, calling the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or visiting the ticket office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street. Ticket office and phone hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday.
Popular AMA Pro class
features V-Twin thunder, close competition
by J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway
INDIANAPOLIS, Friday, March 9, 2012 - The AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 Series - featuring the distinctive thunder of Harley-Davidson motorcycles - will return to the Red Bull Indianapolis GP schedule Aug. 17-19 after a successful, popular Indianapolis Motor Speedway debut in 2011.
AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 adds a fourth class of racing to the Red Bull Indianapolis GP weekend. It joins the three World Championship classes - MotoGP, Moto2 and Moto3 - competing on the 16-turn, 2.621-mile circuit that combines part of the famed IMS oval with an infield section. Two XR1200 races are scheduled Aug. 18-19 at IMS.
XR1200 competition in 2011 marked the racing return of Harley-Davidson to the Speedway for the first time since 1909, when the world-famous facility opened with a motorcycle event.
Tyler O'Hara edged Steve Rapp by just .048 of a second to win the first XR1200 race last August at IMS, with 2011 series champion Chris Fillmore capturing the second race. Tight, handlebar-to-handlebar competition among more than 30 riders thrilled fans. Also popular was the debut of Shelina Moreda, the first female motorcycle rider to race at IMS in the 102-year history of the facility.
The AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 Series is a spec-bike series featuring specially modified Harley-Davidson XR1200 motorcycles.
The modification kits consist of a Vance & Hines XR1200 exhaust system, a Fuelpak fuel management system, race bodywork including number plate, single-seat tail section and belly pan, 17- inch front wheel with matching front fender, steering damper, oil cooler relocator and race decal package.
Additional modifications are limited to racing suspension, hand and foot controls, brake components and instrumentation. Like all other AMA Pro Road Racing classes, the Vance & Hines XR1200 class uses Dunlop spec tires and Sunoco spec fuel.
The Indianapolis double-header will be the eighth and ninth of 12 races on the AMA Pro Vance & Hines XR1200 schedule this season.
2012 tickets: Tickets for the 2012 Red Bull Indianapolis GP MotoGP event, scheduled for Aug. 17-19 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, are on sale now at www.imstix.com , by calling (800) 822-INDY or (317) 492-6700 or by visiting the IMS Ticket Office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday.
Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are on sale. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information.
Information on camping at IMS during the Red Bull Indianapolis GP is available at www.imstix.com. Hotel package information can be found at visitindy.com/redbull.
Feb 29 2012
Terre Haute Action Track is ready for 2012!
The legendary Terre Haute Action Track will be under solid care for multiple years with Illinois based race organizers Bob Sargent and the O'Connor Family, whose promotions have involved some of auto racing's most storied venues in recent years. These two veteran promoters are once again teamed up to preserve the heritage and future of one of the sport's most revered race tracks. The track will be under the promotional guidance of Bob Sargent and Reece O'Connor who have teamed together to create Terre Haute Motorsports. Many special events are planned and fans are encouraged to watch the media and coming websites for more information.
The Wabash Valley Fair Association and Terre Haute Motorsports have entered into a multi-year agreement for the operation of the Terre Haute Action Track racing activities. "We are pleased to have Bob and Reece as the promoters for racing at the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds. The Terre Haute Action Track is going to be the place to come for great racing for years to come with them as our promoters. We welcome them and look forward to a great relationship." Said Jennifer Cook, Wabash Valley Fair Association President.
Sargent and Track Enterprises, whose promotions have included numerous USAC spectaculars, are involved at Illinois tracks like the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, the DuQuoin, Illinois State Fairgrounds and Macon Speedway, while the O'Connor Family operates the legendary Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway. The promotional duo has exhibited track preparation skills which will ensure continued spectacular racing at the half-mile dirt Terre Haute oval.
The legendary speedway will feature the return of traditional events such as USAC's "Don Smith Classic" Sprint Week race, "Tony Hulman Classic" sprint race, "Jim Hurtubise Classic" sprint race and "Sumar Classic" Silver Crown Championship race. The MSCS and KISS Sprint Cars will make a return appearance to the schedule this year as well. The track will host multiple NASCAR stars behind the wheels of their UMP modifieds on NASCAR night in June. The UMP Summernationals Tour will stop in July featuring the arrival of the ground pounding Late Models to the speedway after a lengthy hiatus.
More information about the promotional efforts at Terre Haute and 2012 racing schedules for both groups can be found on the following websites:
www.trackenterprises.com and www.kokomospeedway.net . A brand new Terre Haute Action Track website can be found at www.terrehauteactiontrack.net and will be updated with all the exciting information of the upcoming season.
The 2012 Terre Haute Action Track Schedule
April 22 (Sunday) "Spring Fling" MSCS/KISS Sprint Cars & UMP Modifieds
May 24 (Thursday) "Tony Hulman Classic" USAC Sprint Cars & UMP Modifieds
June 19 (Tuesday) "NASCAR Night" MSCS Sprint Cars & UMP Modifieds
July 12 (Thursday) UMP Late Model Summernationals & UMP Modifieds
July 18 (Wednesday) "Don Smith Classic" USAC Sprint Week
September 1 (Saturday) "Jim Hurtibise Classic" USAC Sprint Cars & UMP Modifieds
October 13 (Saturday) "Sumar Classic" USAC Silver Crown Series & UMP Modifieds
Feb 25 2012
From USAC
USAC fans are spoiled season after season by some of the most talented racers in the world, from the most entry-level classes through the three National Championship divisions. So it will come as no surprise to see many of USAC's finest gracing victory lane this weekend as Speedweeks finishes up in the sunny state of Florida at Daytona International Speedway.
All of us at the United States Auto Club, along with the entirety of our loyal fan base, would like to congratulate these drivers on all their accomplishments and wish them luck, not only in their pursuit of a win at Daytona, but in their season-long quest for a championship. And, we remind them all that the talent in USAC is as strong as ever and set to put on some of the most fantastic racing we've seen yet.
Of course, USAC Triple Crown champion Tony Stewart again appears to be a favorite heading into this season and also on Sunday after winning his Gatorade Duel 150. He will start third in the 500-miler. Other former USAC champions in the field include Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman, Kasey Kahne, and Dave Blaney. Former Silver Crown Series competitor Carl Edwards took the pole for Sunday, and 2007 "Rookie of the Year" in both the National Sprint Car & Midget divisions, Ricky Stenhouse, Jr., will make his first Daytona 500 start on Sunday.
Stenhouse will also start his Nationwide Series title defense on Saturday with a talent-laden field racing against him. Cole Whitt, 2008 USAC National Midget champ, will join him as he follows the Nationwide Series. The entry list also contains USAC champions Josh Wise, Mike Bliss, Stewart, Kahne, and J.J. Yeley, who unfortunately encountered mechanical problems in his attempt to make the Sprint Cup Series field. Former USAC Silver Crown competitors Justin Allgaier and Michael Annett are also expected to race in Saturday's "Drive4COPD 300."
Tonight's Truck Series "NextEra Energy Resources 250" will feature Jason Leffler, a three-time National Midget champion, along with USAC Kenyon Midget Series champion Dakoda Armstrong.
Last weekend, ARCA newcomer and 2011 Sprint Car Series runner-up Chris Windom nearly stole the show before running out of fuel on the final corner. Also being bit by the fuel bug was Alex Bowman, former Focus champion and Midget standout. And again running for the ARCA championship in a car owned by Ken Schrader (USAC champ himself) is Tom Hessert, who competed across all three USAC disciplines.
The stream of talented racers never seems to stop, as evidenced by the initial wins in a Super Late Model by 2011 Midget & Silver Crown "Rookie of the Year" Kyle Larson at New Smyrna Speedway, just down the road from Daytona, during Speedweeks this year.
The good news for USAC fans is that there has yet to be a lack of drivers willing to step into the spotlight when one of these champions takes on a new challenge. No matter the ultimate goal, an impressive collage of racers is set to take on the 2012 USAC season. Some have even already been down the NASCAR path and are back for more USAC championships. Such an assemblage creates quite a scene – experienced veterans, talented as any in the world, with the task of adding to their legacy against a hungry young brigade of up-and-comers, keen on casting their own shadow in the racing world.
The 2012 USAC Mopar National Midget season commences on March 30-31 at Ace Speedway in Altamahaw, North Carolina, as Bryan Clauson will attempt to join Leffler as the only drivers since 1962 to capture three-straight National Midget championships. The AMSOIL National Sprint Car slate continues on April 14 at Lawrenceburg, Indiana, where Levi Jones will go for his fourth-straight title to add to his record five series crowns. And Jones is also the back-to-back and defending titlist in the Traxxas Silver Crown Series, which starts on May 19 at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.
We look forward to an action-packed season and many more checkered flags for some of the greatest racers in USAC history.
20 2012
POWRi Lucas Oil
National Midgets schedule 30-event Season
by Tim Tuttle
MILLSTADT, Ill. —The POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series will open a 30-event season on March 16-17 with its first visit to Texas, racing at Cowtown Speedway in Kennedale.
The Midget Stampede at the ¼-mile track located near Fort Worth has a purse exceeding $40,000 with Friday's feature paying $3,000 to win and $300 to start and Saturday's $5,000 to win and $500 to start. $100 in tow money will be paid each night for the entrants not making the feature.
Cowtown will also be the inaugural event for the POWRi Lucas Oil West Midget Series. Its complete schedule will be released separately. POWRi National and West points will be awarded at Cowtown.
This will be the eighth season for POWRi National Midgets, co-founded by Kenny Brown and Jim Siner.
"We're pretty excited to take the POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series to Cowtown and Texas and debut our West series with it," Brown said. "We're spreading out from our Midwestern roots, but we're equally proud to be returning to our traditional tracks that have been our partners in building POWRi."
The National schedule has five events at Belle-Clair Speedway in Belleville, Ill., including the Arnie Knepper Memorial on Aug. 12 and the Charlene Meents Memorial on Oct. 12-13, the RevHoney/Speedway Motors Midget Money Week at Solomon Valley Raceway in Beloit, Kan., on July 27, Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, Neb., on July 28 and US 36 Raceway in Cameron, Mo., on July 29, the Dana Godfrey Memorial at Macon (Ill.) Speedway on Aug. 17, the Dean King Memorial at the Southern Illinois Center in Du Quoin on Sept. 1 and the Tom Knowles Memorial at Spoon River Speedway in Canton, Ill., on Sept. 15.
POWRi returns to Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Mo., on May 5 for the Missouri Mid-State Midget Nationals. The American Sprint Car Series' Warrior Region are also running in the event.
POWRi will co-sanction the Hut 100 with the United States Auto Club on June 2 at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Ind.
The schedule also includes three additional events at Macon (April 28, June 23, Sept. 29), two at Valley Speedway in Grain Valley, Mo. (May 4, June 8), two at Jacksonville (Ill.) Speedway (April 27, Sept. 14), two at Lincoln (Ill.) Speedway (June 22, Aug. 18), two at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis., (July 15, Aug. 19), one at Peoria (Ill.) Speedway (May 19), one at Fayette County Speedway in Brownstown, Ill., (June 1), one at Springfield (Mo.) Raceway (June 9) and one at Wilmot (Wis.) Raceway (July 14).
Belle-Clair's March 24 event will be run with Modifieds and the May 18 event will be run with Late Models.
The season-ending Charlene Meents Memorial at Belle-Clair on Oct. 12-13 will be broadcast tape-delayed by Lucas Oil on the Edge.
POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series 2012 schedule
March 16-17—+#Cowtown Speedway (1/4-mile), Kennedale, Texas;
March 24—Belle-Clair Speedway (1/5-mile), Belleville, Ill.;
April 27--*Jacksonville (Ill.) Speedway (1/4-mile);
April 28—*Macon (Ill.) Speedway (1/5-mile);
May 4—+Valley Speedway (1/3-mile), Grain Valley, Mo.;
May 5—+Lucas Oil Speedway (3/8-mile), Wheatland, Mo.;
May 18—Belle-Clair Speedway (1/5-mile), Belleville, Ill.;
May 19—*Peoria (Ill.) Speedway (1/4-mile);
June 1—Fayette County Speedway (1/4-mile), Fayette, Ill.;
June 2--@Tri-State Speedway (1/4-mile), Haubstadt, Ind.;
June 8--+Valley Speedway (1/3-mile), Grain Valley, Mo.; +
June 9—Springfield (Mo.) Raceway (1/4-mile);
June 22--*Lincoln (Ill.) Speedway (1/4-mile);
June 23--*Macon (Ill.) Speedway (1/5-mile);
July 14--*Wilmot (Wis.) Raceway (1/3-mile);
July 15--*Angell Park Speedway (1/3-mile), Sun Prairie, Wis.;
July 27--+Solomon Valley Raceway (1/5-mile), Beloit, Kan.;
July 28--+Junction Motor Speedway (3/8-mile), McCool Junction, Neb.;
July 29--+US 36 Raceway (3/8-mile), Cameron, Mo.;
Aug. 12—Belle-Clair Speedway (1/5-mile), Belleville, Ill.;
Aug. 17--*Macon (Ill.) Speedway (1/5-mile);
Aug. 18--*Lincoln (Ill.) Speedway (1/4-mile);
Aug. 19--@*Angell Park Speedway (1/3-mile), Sun Prairie, Wis.;
Sept. 1—Southern Illinois Center (1/5-mile), Du Quoin;
Sept. 14—Jacksonville (Ill.) Raceway (1/4-mile);
Sept. 15—Spoon River Raceway (3/8-mile), Canton, Ill.;
Sept. 29—Macon (Ill.) Speedway (1/5-mile);
Oct. 12--@+Belle-Clair Speedway (1/5-mile), Belleville, Ill.;
Oct. 13—@+Belle-Clair Speedway (1/5-mile), Belleville, Ill.
@--co-sanctioned with United States Auto Club;
*co-sanctioned with Badger Auto Racing Association;
#co-sanctioned with Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association;
+co-sanctioned with POWRi Lucas Oil West Midget Series.
Printable schedules can be found under the DOWNLOADS link located at the top of POWRi web site.
Feb 19 2012
Back in the 60s and 70 this guy was all over the place taking movies for his TV Show "Spotlight on Speed out West. He has been off the radar screen for some time now.
He went by either Dick Wallace or Dick Metcalf. Anyone one with information on him please send Me an e-mail at firstname.lastname@example.com
Thanks very much
Feb 18 2012
San Jose Supermodified (Ledgends of Kearney Bowl) schedule for 2012
March 31st Madera, Gerhart Classic
April 14th Tulare Thunderbowl
April 28th Jim Perry Reunion and Tulare
May 5th Hanford
May 12th Tulare Sargent Pombo Classic
May 19th Stockton
June 2nd Tulare
June 9th Madera Pombo Classic
July 7th Watsonville Howard Kaeding Classic!
July 14th Hanford
Aug 8th Madera
Aug 18th Stockton Johnny Brazil Tribute
Aug 25th Watsonville Johnie Key classic
Sept. 14, 15 Roseville
Sept. 29th Santa Maria
Oct. 13th Hanford Cotton Classic
Oct. 27th Chowchilla
Come on out and watch the Supermodifieds run, Guys have up to 20 of these old supers restored and running, Sargent and Pombos cars will be on track, Also take in some sprint cars racing on dirt tracks. If you liked the Supermodifieds of the 60s thru 80s here's an opportunity to see them run again.
Feb 16 2012
Early 50's & 60's
one of Wrestlings best
one Oval Track Hero !
I found this photo on a face book page unknown photographer
Back when I was growing up these two guys were the heros of their fan base back then .
How unlikely was it for them to meet up in Australia of all places ?
Well when it is winter here in the states it is summer down under.
Marshall Sargent was one of the first Yanks as the Aussies called them to venture down under to race. He met with phenomenal success even if it was tainted with some dissagreements with those from down there,
Ray Stevens had the same kind relationship with the Aussies, but it was in the Wrestling ring.
Seems one year around the same time their relationship with the aussies was going south fast. At one race the fans stormed the track to get the Yank! Stevens came to help out Marshall and they kept the mad fans at bay together. Marshals car didnt fare as good as the fans took out their frustratuons on it. Marshall it seems quiped,I dont care what they do to that car I sold it right before the race and got the money for it, Its now that guys problem.
Then another time the Aussies wrestling fans took offense at some thing Stevens did to one of thier guys and threatend to storm the ring Marshall came out of the audience and along with Stevens held tham off!
Boy the old days are sure full of some great memories.
by aXe
ndale group files for bankruptcy
By Tim Haddock
Special to ESPNLosAngeles.com
Irwindale Speedway LLC, the management group that runs the track, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on Monday, the same day track management canceled the 2012 racing season.
In the paperwork filed at the United States Bankruptcy Court, Central District, it shows that Irwindale Speedway LLC owes creditors $331,773.11. The largest amount is $150,000 owed on a personal-injury claim.
Irwindale Speedway LLC owes Nu-Way Industries Inc., the company that owns the property where the track and offices are built, $55,000 in rent.
Irwindale Speedway LLC has two more outstanding personal injury claims with unknown values. There is also a debt of $8,093.51 owed to the city of Irwindale Police Department, $16,379.58 owed to the Golden State Water Company and $1,437.50 owed to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for advertising.
Irwindale Speedway vice president and general manager Bob DeFazio did not return a phone message.
There are four buildings on the Irwindale Speedway property owned by Nu-Way Industries valued at an estimated $31 million, according to documents obtained from the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector.
A phone message left with Nu-Way Industries in Arcadia was not returned.
Mike Atkinson, the chief steward at Irwindale Speedway, said news of the bankruptcy was a surprise.
"I didn't know there was a bankruptcy until yesterday," Atkinson said in a phone interview on Tuesday. "I wasn't informed of anything. Things are up in the air, but I'm trying to stay positive thinking."
Atkinson added that the owners of the property want to continue racing at Irwindale Speedway.
"I hear there's an interest on their part," Atkinson said. "I was told we were going to be racing."
The promoters of one of the races held annually at the track since 1999, the United State Auto Club Turkey Night Grand Prix, are looking for a new venue. The Agajanian family, which has promoted the USAC Turkey Night at tracks around Southern California for decades, does not expect Irwindale Speedway to host this year's event. The races were scheduled for Nov. 22.
"It's unlikely you're going to see any racing at Irwindale," USAC Western director of operations Tommy Hunt said.
The Formula Drift Series also had a date scheduled at Irwindale Speedway in October. According to John Pangilinan, the media director with the series, Irwindale Speedway has not contacted them about honoring the race date.
Track management released a brief statement Monday about canceling the race schedule at the track for 2012. The management team offered no reason or explanation for the decision to cancel the season and the members of the management staff, including DeFazio, did not answer any questions.
The track has been affected by poor attendance, small car counts and dwindling sponsorship. Toyota, who bought the naming rights to the track in 2008, decided not to continue as the title sponsor at the end of the 2011 season.
The NASCAR All-Star Showdown, a nationally televised event pitting the top drivers and teams from the K&N Pro Series East and West, was canceled in August.
Irwindale Speedway was not on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West schedule when it was released in December. Irwindale Speedway hosted at least one West Series race since the track opened in 1999.
"Irwindale Speedway is a great facility that brought some tremendous racing to fans in Southern California," George Silberman, NASCAR vice president of regional and touring said on Monday. "Today's news is an obvious disappointment. There are a lot factors out of our control in a track having to make a decision like this. We wish the track the best of luck and hope racing returns in the near future."
All signs pointed to trouble at Irwindale Speedway when the grandstands seats in the pit area were torn down and the offices were cleaned out on Saturday.
"Unfortunately that went down," Atkinson said. "It's over with and we have to look forward. Management makes or breaks a company. Something went wrong."
Tim Haddock is a regular contributor to ESPNLosAngeles.com.
Feb 15 2012
Irwindale Speedway announcement: 2012 season
Irwindale, Calif. (February 13, 2012, 1:30PM ) - - The management
of Irwindale Speedway today announced that the 2012 racing season has
CLOSED or CLOSING RACE TRACKS
This deal with Irwindale Speedway closing brings back some bad memories of CLOSED race tracks out west in California.
I went to my first outdoor race back in 1956, was at the now CLOSED Alviso Speedway near San Jose California You get that? CLOSED.
Alviso Speedway only raced for about ten years; it was the byproduct of a Driver/ Car Owner revolt against the San Jose Speedway. I don't remember the particulars, but most of the top name drivers left San Jose Speedway's weekly shows and started their own association titled WAR!(Western Auto Racing), How fitting. They talked several other tracks into joining the exodus away from the one promoter who controlled them (the same person who controlled San Jose.) San Jose survived the defections, and eventually most of the rebels that went to Alviso returned to San Jose. There was another revolt at San Jose in later years that led to the permanent CLOSING of the track, at the time the best paying short track speedway out west. It was a sad day for those that left had seen their first race at the San Jose fairgrounds, which by the way is now CLOSED. The fans who of course had no say in any of this now had some very good dirt track racing to attend (for a while anyway.) When the rebellion started, racers ran Friday nights, Saturday nights and Sundays at times. Now they had only Saturday night at the Fairgrounds, since the fall out saw Kearny Bowl CLOSED and Clovis CLOSED.
Now do not get excited - I did not say that the racers rebellion was the whole problem behind the closing of those tracks. Other things were at the forefront - but as the racers liked to do things their own way when and how they wanted to do them, at times this led to racers being their own worst enemies!
Consider the crushing post-war explosion of families wanting new homes; they could easily afford them in the areas close to race tracks, since most tracks were on the edge of town (with lower land values) so of course the new homes in that area had lower prices. Then guess what? The new homeowners had to endure the track noise most weekends, with some weekday shows thrown in. Now amongst those new homeowners there were those that just would not deal with the noise, the politicians passed new regulations to please their new constituents. The racers fought back against the regulations, trying to get around them instead of trying to coexist with those neighborhood families. The racers thought that cutting down on the noise robbed them of horsepower. Well they were right- DEAD right. The homeowners groups won out eventually and the tracks were CLOSED. Racers found how much horsepower you could make on a CLOSED race track – ZERO! In retrospect, the horsepower thing was somewhat silly – if all the racers followed the same rules, they would all have the same issue to work through – but some just did not GET IT. They tried to cheat the noise issues right up until they CLOSED those tracks!
Another issue was TIME - back then, with plenty of cars wanting to race in the few divisions the races sometimes went on until early the next morning. Ask yourself- how does that program appeal to a working man race fan with young children, let alone those new neighbors. I recall races at Fremont when they were still racing at 1am!
Back to CLOSING tracks -when I first went to that race at Alviso, in the Bay Area in addition to Alviso, we had San Jose, Belmont, Fremont drag strip, indoor racing at Oakland and the San Jose Fairgrounds that had infrequent racing. Occasionally they raced at Golden Gate Fields and the Bay Meadows horse tracks. Can you guess how many of those still have races today? Exactly NONE!
So now, where do those fans have to go to see racing? The closest track to the Bay Area is Ocean Speedway in Watsonville, which is fighting off a neighbor's attempt to CLOSE them down. Finally, a judge said the one guy that started the movement to CLOSE Ocean down moved in there after the track had been running continuously for over sixty years, so he and his backers could not CLOSE Ocean down. But if you think that is over - guess again. It is over so long as the racers and promoter obey all the restrictions that have been imposed. More than likely, though. the irate neighbor who has nothing but time on his hands (he is retired) will not give up that easy and will more than likely keep tabs on the races and make sure they comply with all the noise and time restrictions. If they don't-WATCH OUT!
Consider the case of Altamont Speedway- one guy who built his new house nearby finally won out and Altamont is CLOSED at this time. What a shame – a great paved ½-mile facility and racers cannot turn a wheel. The end of Altamont came because of many complex issues, but the guy had them impose so many restrictions there it is all but impossible to run anything there. Add into the mix a track owner/promoter who tried to skirt the rules, and in the end, it bit him in the proverbial shorts. The great new lighting system, the concession equipment, and quite a bit of the grandstands from Altamont now reside at the newly reopened Stockton 99 speedway (a current success story).
By now, the word CLOSED should be in your memory. If your favorite track is one where they run late into the night (or next morning), if they have race cars that are not muffled, or has way too much dust in the air - take it from someone who has seen it all- your track's days are numbered. Take my word for it - no matter how far out in the sticks that track is- it will only take one or two unhappy newcomers to start litigation and your track will be CLOSED down!
If it is not the neighbors, there are always those who race that want to start a movement to race elsewhere for more money. There just is not that much money to be made these days by promoting short track Saturday night local racing. Yet another set of issues (backed by racers) is to start more and more different series and compete against one another, and in the end ruining the local Saturday night venues.
Remember these names?
Alviso, Belmont, San Jose, Fremont (Baylands), Vallejo, Grass Valley, West Capitol, Sacramento, Altamont, Irwindale, Riverside, Orange Show, Vallejo, Ascot, Bayshore, Oakland 5/8s, Carson City, Lemon Valley, Reno, Kearney Bowl, Manzanita, Vacaville, Whiteman Field, Saugus, Bakersfield, Clovis, Atascadero, Contra Costa. Is YOUR favorite track listed? Well, it could be there tomorrow.
There were more great racetracks that don't come into my mind right now. The thing to remember all those tracks had in common- they CLOSED because of people failing to get along with others! Some CLOSED because the property allegedly became too valuable. Some by other reasons, but sad to say, most would still be running if they (the racers and the track promoters) had tried harder to get along - whether with their neighbors or other racing folks. I drive by the CLOSED Fremont (Baylands) facility often when I visit the Bay Area; it is so sad to see that big empty lot that could still be running! Belmont was the same way for years and West Capital is nothing but a truck parking lot.
In CLOSING- You think, "I don't have to really worry about the infighting amongst the racers that much." Nevertheless, it still could be a big factor. One smooth-talking individual not a race fan with folks to back him can do more about CLOSING your favorite track all by himself.
by aXe
Feb 14 2012
Sad note from the Irwindale spdwy managment
Not much of a press release
from Irwindale spdwy short and to the point.
Irwindale, Calif. (February 13, 2012, 1:30PM ) - - The management
of Irwindale Speedway today announced that the 2012 racing season has been cancelled.
From the Chowhilla spdwy web site
Chowchilla CA. - How does
Ocean Speedway Chowchilla sound?
Well race fans and drivers alike are getting ready to find out!
A deal was finalized late this afternoon between Kenny Shepherd, John Prentice, and the Chowchilla Fairgrounds CEO to transfer the remaining two years of the lease to the Ocean Speedway operator. In addition to the lease transfer, all track support equipment, and concessions equipment were sold to the management team from the Ocean Speedway.
"First I would like to thank all of my staff and racers that helped us at Chowchilla over the past three years. I will miss many people, but I'm very excited to be free from the prep work and time we had to invest into the track. The Madera Speedway is my priority and I have other business ventures, and at this point my time is much better spent on those ventures verses the Chowchilla Speedway. I'm very happy we were able to put this deal together with John, it is very important to me to have a good operator that can work well with this great Fair Board, CEO, and community " Kenny Shepherd.
The racechowchilla.com website will be transferred to the new buyers soon, so racers can get updates and the 2012 schedule via the same site. Look for some exciting announcements very soon!
Feb 13 2012
West Coast Southern
California Pavment track racing Rumors flying fast and furious
Well it seems I am getting lots of Rumors on Irwindale spdwy and now Kern County speedway?
I am hearing Irwindale is now under the wrecking ball as I speak. There have been crews seen dismanteling stands and buildings there. People have been laid off.
See Article below this one from the La area's, Daily News
Now the Rumors have turned to Kern County and the old owners maybe haveing a fued with the new owners? They are Said to have a site within a few miles from there and will build a new track? Boy Just what is needed out there If this one has any truth to it. it is sad and will only result in neither of those tracks surviving if it is true that is.
So last thing I have heard today was tomorrow there will be a news release from Irwindale informing us of what is really transpireing there?
News From Kern County speedway is there are lots of premature rumors flying around?
So stay tuned to find out if Pavment racing in Southern California is a dieing thing for sure or?
Well You know the old saying, Believe half of what You see and none of what You hear!
Sad Sad state of affairs out there so many tracks have closed and more on that closure list as we speak.
Looks to Me like racing as We knew it is dieing a slow and painful death out there and all over this great country.
In My opinion there is lots of blame to go around for this dieing off of race tracks.
Most blame can be brought down on the racers themselves! it Seems to Me every racer with big bucks (well way to many of them) steps up to the plate and says. What we need is a new series of?? Take your choice they are all under attack by these folks with the bucks that state, "We can do it better"! 1 know there are so many new groups of racers I would hesitate to even try and count how many there are. Racing has become over saturated with them imho.
It is sad for me to go to the races and see small crowds,
But it seems to be a growing thing all over this country. This is why the track operators have to have many types of classes to operate their track, relying more and more on the back gate to keep open.
Another thing most Racing has become BOREING! Those guys with the bucks that race have voted in most associations to have their Fastest cars start up front at most races. it is highly likely if you go to one of their races You could see a whole night of racing and not see one pass from that event a winner would have to make. I mean usualy the fastest car has the pole for the main event and leads the event start to finish way to often "BOREING"!
What ever happened to earning a win, starting last and then getting them all for the win.
Well it seems because they got the bucks they wont have to do that and it is another one of the reasons killing the sport in My opinion.
Years gone by most tracks would have fields of 30 or 40 cars every sat night,now it seems only the big paying events can do this and they at times have to struggle to do it.
Well hopefully tomorrow there will be some good news? It doesnt look likely though.
Enough on the soap box sounding board
This is aXe from Texas
From Daily News
Los Angeles below
Speedway appears to be closing track ?
By Keith Lair Staff Writer
Posted: 02/11/2012 10:19:11 PM PST
Updated: 02/11/2012 10:50:38 PM PST
Irwindale Speedway, considered by many to host the finest short track racing in the nation, appears to be history.
On Saturday, workers appeared to be closing down the facility, which has had the biggest NASCAR short track races on the West Coast for more than a decade.
Workers were dismantling the pit grandstand, which is adjacent to the first turn. They were also taking apart storage areas. The large billboard bordering the San Gabriel Valley River Freeway was not lit up for the first time in its history, barring power outages, and the track's web site was taken off the Internet.
"They went out of business," said a prominent Irwindale racer who did not want to be identified.
Vice president and general manager Bob DeFazio and some staff members were in the locked administration building Saturday morning, a moving truck backed up to the office's side entrance and a moving box stacked outside. DeFazio, through track operations director Bob Klein, refused to comment. Klein would only say an announcement would be made Monday.
Efforts to reach DeFazio were unsuccessful.
The track's eighth-mile facility remained intact on Saturday, but according to a source, workers were given a final paycheck after last Thursday's regular street legal session. The elimination of the pit grandstand is significant because teams usually put their crews in those seats so that if there is a problem on the track, they could quickly get to their pit stall and
fix the car and get it racing again.
L.A. Racing, a school not owned by Irwindale Speedway LLC, the consortium of owners led by Jim Williams, has 12 schools planned within the next month.
"They have not said a word," L.A. Racing's Ozzie Blackwell said. "We have no idea. We're assuming it's a go. We've been told it's a go."
The regular season, featuring the track's point-scoring divisions, has typically started the last weekend in March, although it has started as early as March 11.
DeFazio indicated two weeks ago that a schedule would be released shortly.
"A month before the season and no schedule, there is no way cars get ready at this point," three-time track champion Nick Joanides said.
"It's devastating that such a nice facility over there won't be used. It amazes me."
If only the racing operation is closed, the track could still be used for filming commercials, movies and television shows, an endeavor that has been very successful. Many racing commercials, with the likes of 1969 Indianapolis 500 champion and 1978 Formula One champion Mario Andretti and three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart, have been shot at the facility. Recently a Hyundai commercial viewed during the Super Bowl was shot. That shoot took three nights.
But for as much success as the track has enjoyed in film and on the drag strip, its claim to fame has been its racing.
Opened in 1999 amid much fanfare, it featured a state-of-the-art track surface which cost several million dollars. Track CEO Williams, a former owner of Golden States Foods which supplies food to McDonald's and a pal and car builder for Roger Penske-driven IndyCars, said at the time that he wanted to rival the draw of the Dodgers.
NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip, in a visit to the track, called the facility the finest short track in America.
It gained national attention when Stewart won the 2000 Turkey Night Grand Prix and then even more praise when NASCAR bestowed its tour racing Grand National series all-star event, the Toyota All-Star Showdown to the track.
But it all came unraveling last season. Car counts were down significantly, nearly every division having the fewest racers since the track opened. More important, attendance was down. There were roughly only 900 people in the stands for a May 14 Saturday race.
Attendance over the past two seasons has gradually dwindled since the heydays of the early 2000 s. The track does not release attendance numbers, but an average of about 2,700 people attended 28 races last year.
The track averaged more than 5,000 attendees in a 6,500-seat stadium for four consecutive seasons, starting in 2001.
But there were other issues, too.
They need a different vision for the place," Joanides said. "Racers have not been happy for last several years."
There was squabbling early in the 2011 season about Super Stock rules and their enforcement, which led to several racers calling it quits as track officials seemed to change the rules every other week.
NASCAR, which had found the Showdown wildly successful, yanked the event off its schedule when it could not reach an extension agreement with Toyota. The track then canceled its two final racing events of the season, drawing more wrath, and then let competition director Lester Boyer go.
The Southern California Toyota Dealers Association, which took on the track's naming rights in 2008, chose to not renew its multi-million dollar contract. The final dagger was when the track canceled its annual lavish postseason champion's banquet.
Rumors have swirled for months about new ownership. Lucas Oil Products and Stewart, who owns tracks including famed Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, were rumored to be interested in buying the facility.
The Orange Show Speedway had previously announced it was closing, leaving the closest pavement racing in Las Vegas.
Perris Auto Speedway and Ventura Speedway are still planning on operating schedules.
The USAC Turkey Night Grand Prix, the NASCAR K&N Pro West series and Lucas Oil Modifieds had recently posted their schedules indicating racing would be at Irwindale this season.
The speedway signed a long-term lease when it began building on the property.
626-962-8811, ext. 2242
Feb 12 2012
See both
stories from
Journal Sentinel Below
start for Milwaukee IndyCar announcement ?
By Dave Kallmann of the Journal Sentinel
Feb. 10, 2012 |(2) Comments
The Milwaukee Mile website went live for a time Friday promoting an IZOD IndyCar Series race put on by Andretti Sports Management -- the (insert sponsor name Indy 225) -- but by mid-afternoon the site was back to its generic self.
A representative for State Fair Park, which owns the Mile, said no agreement had been signed nor would be signed by Friday afternoon. I would, however, expect some sort of clarification before the weekend.
Meanwhile, Speedtv.com has reported it's a done deal.
The situation with the website wasn't an announcement but rather a mistake, an Andretti Autosport spokesman said.
Web design apparently got ahead of reality.
A welcome message on the home page read: "Andretti Sports Marketing is thrilled to bring the stars of the IZOD IndyCar Series back to the Milwaukee Mile, the longest continually operating motor speedway in the world. The (insert sponsor name here) Indy 225 presented by (insert sponsor name here) will rumble to life Father's Day weekend. Plan to have your family join three generations of the Andretti family at the Milwaukee Mile, June 16-17."
Andretti Sports Marketing LLC was launched last October as a "collaboration of Andretti Autosport and MDC Partners," according to its website. Andretti Autosport is a team owned by retired driver Michael Andretti that competes in the IndyCar Series and steppingstone divisions. MDC is a Toronto-based holding company involved in marketing and advertising.
IndyCar and officials of State Fair Park have been talking since at least December about bringing the series back to the racetrace on park grounds.
The event was resurrected last year after one-season absense but didn't attract as large a crowd as expected and was a significant money-loser for its first-time race-operator AB Promotions.
Among the problems cited were the lack of a title sponsor, ticketing and logistics glitches and a Father's Day date.
Although Andretti Sports Marketing would seem to give this venture a leg up on the sponsor search, it remains unclear how the actual event would be executed
Andretti group
bringing Indy cars back to Milwaukee Mile ?
By Dave Kallmann of the Journal Sentinel
A young company headed by retired champion driver Michael Andretti is the latest to give racing another try at the Milwaukee Mile.
Andretti Sports Marketing, founded last fall, will bring the IZOD IndyCar Series back to the historic State Fair Park oval June 16 - the Saturday of Father's Day weekend - the group announced Friday.
Milwaukee returned to the IndyCar schedule in 2011 after a one-year absence, but the race drew a smaller-than-expected crowd. AB Promotions, another first-year race organizer, suffered a significant financial loss after failing to attract a title sponsor and then suffered from ticketing and logistical problems.
IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard had said last summer the track wasn't in the series' plans, but in December, after announcing a 15-race schedule, the sanctioning body began discussions with State Fair Park about a date.
"It's a historic track in a great city, and it's a place that has always been a favorite for my family," Andretti said in the announcement. "But, more importantly, it's an ideal track for Indy cars and always produces exciting racing for the fans."
Andretti won at the Mile five times as a driver and three more as a team owner. His father, Mario Andretti, also won once at the track. Michael, his cousin John and Mario gave the family a 1-2-3 podium sweep in 1991.
This will be the first attempt at promoting a race for Andretti Sports Marketing LLC, which is a collaboration of the team Andretti owns and MDC Partners, a Canadian holding company involved in marketing and advertising.
Andretti previously was involved in race promotions, but his company split in 2009 with him keeping the team while partners Kim Green and Kevin Savoree formed Green Savoree Racing Promotions. They own the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and put on IndyCar events on temporary circuits in Toronto and St. Petersburg, Fla.
Kevin Healy, former senior vice president of marketing and planning for AirTran Airways, will serve as managing director for what the group is calling Milwaukee IndyFest.
Andretti Sports Marketing is the fifth promotion group to attempt to host major events on the oval in the past five years.
Milwaukee Mile Holdings operated the facility through 2008, when it announced it would opt out of its long-term contract. Wisconsin Motorsports, run by former Milwaukee Mile Holdings CEO Claude Napier, took over for 2009 but left while owing more than $3 million in sanction fees to IndyCar and NASCAR and other bills. Historic Mile LLC was granted promotion rights by State Fair Park for 2010 but never got off the ground when it could not secure races. Then AB Promotions rented the track for the weekend last year.
At least one detail remains. A rental contract for the facility has not been signed, a State Fair Park representative said, although that isn't expected to be a problem.
Andretti Sports Marketing had not planned to announce the event Friday, but a mistake on the Milwaukeemile.com website forced its hand. Prematurely posted was an announcement for the "(insert sponsor name here) Indy 225 presented by (insert sponsor name here)."
Consequently, further announcements are planned regarding sponsors and other details about the Friday-Saturday entertainment weekend.
Tickets will go on sale March 1.
The June 16 IndyCar date means the only two racing events on the oval are scheduled four days apart. The ASA Midwest Series has a 150-mile stock-car race set for Tuesday night, June 12
Feb 9 3023
ASCS vs
USAC "The Trilogy Grudge Match"
Kevin Montgomery PEORIA, Ariz.
– The use of USAC and ASCS in the same sentence is usually cause for some debate over the animosity of two of the largest Sprint Car sanctions in America and most often results in further deliberation on which is better. In 2012 the truth will be forthcoming as "The Grudge" will be settled in a trilogy of ASCS vs. USAC Grudge Matches.
The ASCS Canyon Region, the American Sprint Car Series only wingless division, will take on the United States Auto Club West Coast Sprint Cars in a three race series at three separate tracks that include one of each for the home field advantage and one on neutral ground with more than $15,000 to be distributed for the series point fund and $5000 alone going to the winner of the three race series.
Thursday March 8th will mark the first event for the series as the best wingless drivers in the west tackle the ½-mile semi-banked Las Vegas Motor Speedway clay oval for the "Sin City Showdown". Round 1 of the Grudge Match Series will be on neutral territory and $2500 will be up for grabs for the inaugural winner.
Saturday July 7th the series will move west to the super fast 1/3-mile clay oval of Santa Maria Speedway for the "War at the Shore" where the battle tested veterans of the "Trilogy Series" will wage war on the home turf of the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series with another $2500 at stake.
The September 22nd "Brawl for it All" will take place on the ASCS soil of Canyon Speedway's 1/3-mile clay oval with the winner taking home the series $2500 to win prize money and the series champion crowned thus ending the USAC vs. ASCS debate.
"This is a unique opportunity to bring two series together for three special events with substantial payouts and championship fund," commented Chris Kearns of Santa Maria Speedway. "The two series are very close as far as rules and we are looking forward to letting some talented racers from both series get together to put on great events for the fans."
With the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series adopting the Hoosier 105/16 Medium right rear tire and the weight rule adjustment for both series to 1475lbs, it will closely match the neighboring Sprint Car Series and mark the first time in history that both traveling series will have a "unified" set of rules.
The battles will wage as the Sprint Car stars of the USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series and the ASCS Canyon Region come together for three separate events, each worth $2500 to the winner and every 'A' Feature starter pocketing a minimum of $300.
For more information please contact:
Kevin Montgomery at 623-298-8061 or email firstname.lastname@example.com
Chris Kearns at 805-714-8538 or email firstname.lastname@example.com
Feb 8 2012
Ron Navas RPMTV news magazine on the new Kern County Spdwy ,
It says it was a 1/18/2010 news release on the spdwy? Pay attention this wasnt from the new group the big paying race isnt scheduled for sure yet. This must have been taken just before they quit working on the spdwy? How ever most of what Ron says surely must be on the new owners agenda now. The views of the new track are awesome. I sure hope they are gonna follow that original plan of Marion Collins as close as they can?
One thing I noticed and hope they take concern with, it does need soft walls for sure.
Feb 7 2012
Grant Assistance from Darke County Emergency Management Agency Makes Project Possible
check it out at the link below
Feb 3 2012
Kern County
Raceway Park back on track
BY MIKE GRIFFITH Californian staff writer
from http://www.bakersfieldcalifornian.com
Bakersfield businessman James Vernon is part of a group of investors who have have purchased the partially finished Kern County Raceway Park near Enos Lane and Interstate 5.
The sale of the 490 acres, which was foreclosed on in June 2010, was announced Wednesday. The land has been dormant since construction stopped on the half-mile paved racetrack project in 2008.
By Google Maps
The never finished Kern County Raceway Park could be back in business as early as October if an investor group, which brought the property out of foreclosure, has its way.
"I talked to a few guys here in town and some partners in Vegas and we decided to make this happen," Vernon said. "We've been working on this deal for six months.
"It's a long ways from being ready, probably a year. We'd like to be ready for testing in six months and maybe have a race in the fall."
The track could fill a local stock car racing void that was created when Mesa Marin Raceway, a paved half-mile track in east Bakersfield, was closed in October 2005.
Dan Smith, the project coordinator, Smith estimated the new track, which features a half-mile paved oval with another quarter-mile track within it, is 80 percent complete.
Smith said a base coat is done and the group hopes to have asphalt down and cured by mid-August, gearing toward a first race in mid- to late October.
"If everything goes like we hope, we'd like to have more than one race in the fall," Smith said. "We just want to keep it on track to make it a very nice place to go to."
Ground breaking on the track took place in February 2007 with racing planned for 2008, but the project ran into money problems before the year ended. A $4.5 million loan was made to Enos Lane Farm Properties LLC, managed by Alan Destefani in March 2008. Construction slowed to a crawl as the year wore on and a default notice on the $4.5-million loan was filed in December 2008.
The project entered into bankruptcy protection in May 2009 and was foreclosed on in June. At that time there were nearly $8 million in liens against the property, most from construction companies.
"The liens were paid by the people we bought the property from; we have a clear title on it," Vernon said. "All the (building) permits were renewed and we're ready to go. All it will take is a ton of money and a lot of hard work."
Work has already started — clearing thousands of tumbleweeds from the property.
"It'll take about three weeks to clear (the property) and see where we can get started," Vernon said.
One person glad to hear of the plans to finish the track was Bakersfield native and NASCAR Sprint Cup star Kevin Harvick.
"Racing is part of the culture in this town and it's something a lot of the people I deal with here want to be involved with," said Harvick, who was in Bakersfield to be inducted into the Bob Elias Kern County Hall of Fame. "I hope it all comes through. I'll have to give James a call and and see what it entails."
Harvick started his oval racing career on the old Mesa Marin Raceway.
"The racetracks, whether it's the dirt track (Bakersfield Speedway) or Mesa Marin have been well supported over the years. There's a need for it in my opinion," he said.
— Californian staff writer Rachel Cook contributed to this story
Feb 2 2012
Celebrity Stars
& Strikes Bowling event
the Indy Family Foundation.
by Trevor Mitchener
No plans Tonight?? Come join us at the Celebrity Stars & Strikes event benefiting the Indy Family Foundatoin. Bowl, eat and drink with Indycar drivers and NFL players while supporting those that help put on the great racing we all love. The IFF supports crew members, drivers and other race personnel in the event of financial need caused by injury or death. GA admission is $50 and includes bowling and food, drinks are available to purchase. Or purchase a lane for $500 for up to 6 bowlers and both food and drink are included. Call me if you have questions 317 727-0424 Please share this info with everyone, thanks! www.celebritystarsandstrikes.com
Feb 1 2012
by DICK JORDAN
Levi Jones of Olney, Ill. appears ready to challenge one of USAC's most revered all-time records. That pursuit begins February 9-11 when the AMSOIL National Sprint Cars open their 2012 campaign with 'Bubba's Winter Dirt Games" at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla.
The 2011 USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car Champion and Traxxas Silver Crown king now owns seven USAC National Championships and only one driver stands between him and the top of the pyramid – A.J. Foyt.
Driving for NASCAR Champion Tony Stewart, Jones has reeled off four titles in the past two years and is tied with Mel Kenyon and Rich Vogler with seven National crowns, four behind Foyt's record of 11. Foyt owns seven National Championships in Indy cars, three in Stock Cars and one in Silver Crown. Jones has two Silver Crown titles in addition to his five in the Sprint cars.
Jones scored three victories on his way to the 2011 Sprint title and now has 27 career wins in USAC's tough Sprint series. He has yet to win in the Sunshine State, however, finishing seventh and fifth in two 2010 races at East Bay Raceway Park and a fourth, ninth and third at Ocala last year.
"Just having a chance to challenge A.J. on the all-time list is something I never even dreamed about," admits Levi. "I'm sure when he was winning all those races and championships back then he probably didn't think much about all-time records either, so it's not something I dwell on. I've had a great run the past couple of years but it's hard to stay on top. The team Tony has assembled has sure made my job easier and it's a pleasure to approach each race with a chance to win. Ocala offers a challenge unlike some other tracks we go to, with a different type surface which makes car set-up a primary objective. We've qualified well there but things seem to change by the time the feature rolls around. This year we have a different game plan so we'll see how it works out."
Levi has plenty of competition in the upcoming Ocala races, with drivers like USAC National Drivers Champion Bryan Clauson and Damion Gardner, the winners at Ocala last year, plus drivers like Tracy Hines, Jon Stanbrough, Dave Darland and others.
"Bubba's Winter Dirt Games" open the 2012 USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car calendar, which spans nearly 50 events across America.
Jan 31 2012
by DICK JORDAN
Tracy Hines and Dave Darland will resume their battle for the all-time USAC National feature victory lead among "active" drivers when the 2012 USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car Series opens February 9-11 at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla.
"Bubba's Winter Dirt Games" will feature three complete nights of sprint car action on the exciting 3/8-mile dirt oval. The races are the first of nearly 50 on the 2012 USAC AMSOIL calendar.
Hines sits atop the "active" lead with 77 total wins (41 in Sprints, 28 in Midgets and eight in Silver Crown). Darland is just one back with 76 (34 in Sprints, 28 in Midgets and 14 in Silver Crown). Hines ranks seventh on the all-time USAC list, while Darland is tied with Jack Hewitt for eighth. They are chasing Bob Wente's total of 79, then will challenge Tom Bigelow's total of 81 and Gary Bettenhausen's total of 82. Mel Kenyon has 111, Rich Vogler 134 and A.J. Foyt 154.
Hines failed to crack the "top-10" in his three Ocala appearances last year. Darland likewise was unable to crack the "top-10" in his two 2011 Ocala starts.
Damion Gardner won twice at Ocala in 2011 and Bryan Clauson also was victorious. Both are expected to be in the field Hines and Darland will face.
Both Hines and Darland are former series champions (Hines in 2002 and Darland in 1999). Hines' last USAC Sprint win came at Dodge City, Kans. Last August. Darland won at Gas City, Ind. last July.
Defending five-time AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car Champion Levi Jones holds the 1-lap Ocala track qualifying record of 14.758 seconds set last year. He recorded a third, fourth and ninth in last year's three Ocala events.
A practice session on Wednesday night, followed by a pre-race party for participants and fans at the Ocala WingHouse kick off the activities prior to the Florida openers.
Jan 28 2012
Hospitalised --- AJ Foyt to miss Daytona 24hrs
photo from aXe's collection
Motor racing legend AJ Foyt is to miss the the 50th anniversary of the Rolex 24 at Daytona where he was due to be Grand Marshall, after being hospitalised with a post-surgery infection.
AJ Foyt has been hospitalised in Houston after picking up an infection as a complication following knee surgery, and will miss attending this weekend's Rolex 24 at Daytona endurance event.
The 77-year-old sporting legend had been due to be the Grand Marshall for the 50th anniversary of the event. Foyt is a two-time winner at the Daytona 24h (in 1983 and 1985) and is the only driver to win the Indianapolis 500, the Daytona 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans as well as the 24 Hours of Daytona.
Foyt had knee surgery two weeks ago and had been up and walking after the procedure, but has since picked up an infection that forced doctors to admit him to hospital on Wednesday. A spokesperson for Foyt said that he was likely to stay in hospital through the weekend, but he is expected to make a full recovery.
"I am really sorry that I can't be there this weekend for the Rolex 24," said Foyt in a written statement. "I was really looking forward to it because I thought it was a great honor to be asked to be the Grand Marshal of the 50th Anniversary of that race and considered it to be one of the great highlights of my career.
"I was also looking forward to seeing some of my old friends and the race cars that I drove in that race. It was going to be a really fun weekend for me but I guess I'll be watching the race from my hospital room," he continued, admitting that the doctors has "pulled rank" on him.
"I hate to admit, but I think they're right - this time. I'd like to wish everyone a safe race and I'll be with you in spirit," he said. "I feel so bad that I let everyone down."
"We wish A.J. a speedy recovery and hope he's back on his feet soon," commented Joie Chitwood III, the president of Daytona International Speedway.
Foyt had a major health scare early last year, when he missed the IndyCar season opener at St Petersburg in March after undergoing an emergency heart procedure. An angiogram revealed a major blockage in one of his arteries, which fortunately was treatable through angioplasty, avoiding major open-heart surgery.
Foyt recovered quickly, and was well enough to take over as the driver of the Indianapolis 500 pace car for the centennial running of the event at the end of May.
Foyt continues to be a team owner in the IZOD IndyCar Series, although he leaves much of the running of the organisation to his son Larry. AJ Foyt Racing will be fielding British driver Mike Conway in the #14 ABC Supply Car for the upcoming season, starting at St Petersburg on March 25.
Everyone in motorsports will be wishing AJ a full and fast recovery so that he can be there to give Conway some tips ahead of the green flag.
Jan 27 2012
Long Pond, PA (Sports Network)
- Dr. Joseph Mattioli,
The founder and chairman of the board of Pocono Raceway
Dr. Joseph Mattioli,
, passed away on Thursday at the Lehigh Valley Hospital Center in Pennsylvania, following a lengthy illness. He was 86.
Known as "Doc," Mattioli founded the 2.5-mile Pocono racetrack in the early 1960's and had been at the helm of the track ever since. Pocono has hosted 68 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races to date.
"The entire NASCAR family is saddened by the loss of a true icon in our sport, Dr. Joe Mattioli," NASCAR chairman and chief executive officer Brian France said in a statement. "Doc's relationship with my family reaches three generations, all the way back to my grandfather [NASCAR founder William H.G. France]. His passion for the sport will live on in the hearts of his family and our fans. His contributions to our sport are wide-spread. We have lost a great leader - and a great person. NASCAR offers its deepest condolences to his wife, Rose, and the entire Mattioli family."
Pocono is the only remaining family owned-and-operated track on the current Sprint Cup schedule.
In 2009, Mattioli received the Philanthropic Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals for his contributions to local civic organizations, hospitals, schools and charities. He served on the board of directors of numerous organizations and was dedicated to improving the quality of life in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Mattioli is survived by his wife, Rose, daughters, Louie and Michele, and son, Joseph Mattioli III, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Service arrangements for Mattioli were not announced as of Thursday afternoon.
by DICK JORDAN
The 2011 USAC Western States "Night of Champions" Awards Banquet is scheduled Saturday, February 4, at the Thunder Valley Casino and Resort in Lincoln, Calif., honoring champions of USAC's 2012 Western racing series,
Top driver honorees include Tony Hunt (AMSOIL Western Sprints), Geoff Ensign (AMSOIL Western Classic Sprints), Cory Kruseman (Mopar Western Midgets) and Brodie Kostecki (Western Focus Midgets), while numerous others will be saluted for outstanding achievement, including sub-series championships. Primary Car Owner Championships in 2011 included Mike Phulps (AMSOIL Western Sprint), Ted Finkenbinder (AMSOIL Western Classic Sprint) and Kruseman Enterprises (Mopar Western Midgets).
The "top-10 drivers and car entrants in each series are slated for recognition, while champions in Northern California, Southern California, Pavement and Dirt classifications will also be toasted.
Tickets for the function at $55 per person are available and must be purchased in advance by contacting Jeanie Hunt at (916) 863-7223. Special room rates at two sites are also available. Please mention USAC when reserving rooms at the Staybridge Suites in Rocklin, Calif. ($99) or Thunder Valley Casino and Resort ($169-code # 120121-USAC). The Staybridge can be reached at (916) 781-7500, while the numbers at Thunder Valley are (916) 408-7777 or (877) 468-1777. The casino will provide shuttle service from the Staybridge to the Casino.
Bobby Gerould will serve as the emcee for the banquet, which begins with cocktails at 6 pm and a buffet dinner at 7. Numerous special awards will also be presented during the evening.
Jan 26 2012
Want to hang out with some
great IndyCar Drivers & Celebrities in Indy for the Super Bowl ???
Stars and Strikes Celebrity Bowling Bash
Hosted by Nashville Recording Artist Michelle Murray
Benefitting the Indy Family Foundation & Starbright Foundation
Super Bowl Week - February 2, 2012 6pm – 10 pm
Western Bowl 6441 W. Washington St. Indianapolis, IN
Ed Carpenter- IndyCar Driver and Team Owner of Ed Carpenter Racing; 2011 Kentucky Winner
Pippa Mann- IndyCar Driver, Only female to earn a pole position in a race at Indianapolis
Bryan Clauson- INDY Lights and USAC Driver
Zach Veach- Star Mazda Driver
James Hinchcliffe- IndyCar Driver, 2011 INDYCAR Rookie of the Year, 2012 GoDaddy.com/Andretti Autosport
Josef Newgarden- IndyCar Driver- 2011 Indy LIghts Champion
Shannon McIntosh- USF2000 Driver
Katherine Legge- INDYCAR Driver, Lotus Dragon Racing
Sarah Fisher- Former INDYCAR Driver & Team Owner of Sarah Fisher Hartman Racing
Graham Rahal- INDYCAR Driver, Youngest PoleWinner in-history of INDYCAR
Martin Plowman- INDYCAR Driver, Snowballexpress.org ambassador
Logan Gomez- INDY Lights Driver, Guiness World Record Holder
Alex Lloyd- INDYCAR Driver, 2007 Indy Lights Champion
For more information go to: www.celebritystarsandstrikes.com
This charity event benefits Indy Family Foundation . IFF helps those in need within the IndyCar Family !
Jan 25 2012
Meet at Thunderhill Raceway
Kyle, Texas
Date: (Sat) Feb 04, 2012
Thunderhill News from Mickey Paul McKim...
Thunderhill Raceway is having their first Test & Tune on Feb. 4th 2012. A Swap Meet will take place in the spectator parking area. 7:30 AM til dark. There will be access to the spectator area restrooms. There will be trash cans so we can keep our area clean. Rain or Shine. Feel free to share this information with friends and other websites. "Admission is Free to everyone Including Vendors". This is an automotive related swap meet. I had to throw that out there because I have got e-mails from people thinking this was a flee market type event.
Concessions will be open @ the track as long as they don't have a rain out.
I play with old cars but I race also. This will be a good opportunity for my fellow racers and hot rodders to buy , sell & swap stuff. If anyone has any questions they can contact me. Thanks Mickey
Thunderhill Raceway is located on 24801 IH35 Kyle TX 78640
Mickey Paul McKim can be contacted @ email@example.com
More Info: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=31695...
Jan 24 2012
NAMED FOR USAC's 15TH FUN AT FASTIMES MARCH 10
by DICK JORDAN
Team Captains have being announced for the 15th annual "Fun at Fastimes" 3-hour karting endurance race, scheduled March 10 at Fastimes Indoor Karting Indy on the northeast side of Indianapolis, Ind.
This year's teams will be comprised of between five and eight members each, including the Team Captain. To make the event more competitive, a minimum of seven (7) pit stops must be made by each competing team, including a driver switch on each stop. All teams will have an additional mandatory stop at half-way for refueling.
USAC drivers Caleb Armstrong, Chase Barber, Patrick Bruns, Cole Carter, Daron Clayton, Tyler Cottongim, Logan Jarrett, Justin Marvel, Bobby Santos III and Jon Stanbrough will serve as Team Captains for the March 10 event.
Funds raised will help the USAC Benevolent Foundation, which has assisted USAC and IndyCar participants and their families in times of need during the past half-century.
Individual and team entries are still available by contacting Bill Marvel, event coordinator, at 606-787-0243 or 859-749-0646 or email@example.com. Entry fees are $90 per driver or a team (4-7 drivers) can be purchased for $630.
Entries will be available at the USAC offices in Speedway, Ind. and brochures are being mailed to over 200 potential participants. Entries may be mailed or hand delivered to the USAC Offices at Fun at Fastimes, c/o Bill Marvel, 4910 W. 16th Street, Speedway, IN 46224.
A drivers meeting and team pictures precede the 12:30 pm green flag on March 10. Registration is scheduled from 11 to 11:45 am and the mandatory drivers meeting is at 12 noon. The minimum age for competitors is 16 and drivers 16 and 17 must have liability waivers signed by parents to compete.
Medals will be awarded for championship performances and a special team award is also planned for the winning team. Entries officially close at noon on Wednesday, March 9, so those wishing to participate are urged to call the numbers listed here.
Former team captain or co-captain champions of this event include: Tracy Hines (1997, 2001, 2003, 2006 and 2008), Ted Hines (1998, 2001, 2003 and 2004), Kent Christian (2004 and 2007), Kevin Besecker (1997), Tony Elliott (1998), Johnny Parsons III and Stevie Reeves (1999), Dave Darland (2000), Dickie Gaines and Bobby East (2002), J.T. Stapp (2005), Levi Jones (2006), and Billy Puterbaugh Jr. (2007). Jerry Coons Jr. and Shannon McIntosh (2010) and Bobby Santos III (2011). The event was not held in 2009.
Fun at Fastimes is located on the southeast corner of 96th Street and North Keystone Avenue in Indianapolis, Ind., one block north of the North Keystone exit from I-465, next to Woodland Bowl.
Jan 14 2012
RIP Donnie Ray Crawford
- We just got word that open wheel ace and Chili Bowl contender Donnie Ray Crawford was shot and killed this morning in a tragedy at the family property outside Tulsa, Oklahoma. Our thoughts and Prayers are with the Family and friends
Latetest News report below
Jan 12 2012
Hold this date open Sept 22 2012 for the Texas Racers Reunion
Jan 11 2012
Kyle Larson
Awarded MidgetMadness.com "Top Gun of the Year" for 2011
In only his first full year running midgets on the national scene, Kyle Larson, of Elk Grove, CA, has earned the honor of being named the Midgetmadness.com "Top Gun of the Year," presented by JE Pistons. 2011 saw Larson burst onto the national scene with a rookie year that turned in results you would expect from a seasoned veteran.
In what would be a busy year for the California driver, Larson started his winning ways in February which found himself taking both nights of the Copper on Dirt at USA Raceway in Tucson, AZ. Little did we know, this was surely a sign of things to come from this young talent.
Indiana Midget Week in June saw Larson score his first USAC National Midget win at Bloomington Speedway. A little over a month later Larson was sitting in victory lane at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, his first USAC National pavement win. The winning didn't stop as sweeping the Belleville Midget Nationals would be the next big accomplishment for the young racer from California.
But perhaps Larson's greatest accomplishment came at the famed Eldora Speedway in late September. Not only did Larson win the USAC National Midget portion of the 4-Crown Nationals, but he also went on to win in the Sprint and Silver Crown divisions as well, a truly remarkable feat. The amazing thing, this was Larson's first trip to Eldora Speedway, making it all that more impressive.
Larson decided to take his talents abroad and wasted little time showing the fans in New Zealand that he has no problem adjusting to a new track. Competing against an international field with some of the top midget drivers in the world, Larson went on to another impressive win at Western Springs Speedway, topping off an unforgettable season.
Larson will be presented the Top Gun award during the 2012 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals in Tulsa, Oklahoma this week.
This is the fifth season for the popular midget award, previous "Top Gun" recipients include Jerry Coons Jr. (2007), Brad Sweet (2008) and Bryan Clauson (2009 & 2010).
Jan 4 2012
Irwindale speedway
Closed? Sold? lots of rumors floating around.
I have been getting some rumors & queries as to the future of Irwindale speedway, Some said they heard it was closed down, Some said it had stopped running races there? Sold was also one of them.
So I put in an e-mail to the local press that works mainly from there, ,Here is basicly what was told to Me.
Toyota Sspeedway @ Irwindale management was let go on Nov. 30, 2011. Their track websites are no longer in use.
The 2011 season banquet penciled in for Dec. 17 was not held.
Toyota had a 10 year contract with the track with an escape clause after 5 years & they used it.
He heard that owner Jim Williams sold the track after building and owning it for 13 years. He also heard two names of buyers including Lucas Oil & Spears Mfg., But hopefully an anouncment of the sale will probably come within a month.
The NASCAR K & N West schedule was released with no race scheduled for Irwindale.
The usual Irwindale K & N date on the July 4 weekend was left open so I expect the new owner to use it for the K & N West event when he has staff and a 2012 season schedule released.
The Agajanian family controls the USAC Turkey Night GP race and they like it held in LA County and at Irwindale, so it will be there in 2012 if the new Irwindale track owner wants to host it.
I also went to thier web site and saw that drag racing was still supposed to be going on there? So rumors are what we have now and We will have to wait to see how it all works out.
A photo from My past by aXe
With the racing here north of the Equater just about at a stand still. I thought I would add a photo or two to see if any one has any idea who they are. Now these will be from My own personnel collection.
I will start out with this picture taken at the old San Jose speedwy on Tully rd, A facility that can never be replaced as its time and presence are gone for ever.
The big sedan and the midget were driven by a couple of guys that were easily identified by that old speedways regular sat night fans back then,
It was around 1959 when I took this picture,
We had gone out there with the midget for some test laps.This was after an engine rebuild that turned out disasterous!
After very few laps there were some very loud rattleing sounds coming from the engine, It turned out lack of checking the new parts bought from a friend and told they would all work.
Well trust goes a long way if correct, But Never go with out checking your self to make sure every thing was as told.
The engines new rod bearings were overlooked and they were for a standard stock rod size on the crack shaft but the crank had been turned down to .010 under and they didnt last with that much cleareance!
Oh well best laid plans as they say.
Do you have any idea who these two guys were? Sedan driver should be very easy.
Jan 2 2012
Dunkerken & Lemley Among Tulsa Shootout Stars!
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (December 31, 2011) – The Speedway Motors Tulsa Shootout continues to break through new barriers, with the 27th edition of the event held over New Year's weekend at the QuikTrip Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway breaking a world record entry count for Micro and Mini Sprints that was set at the previous year's event.
And when Saturday night's final New Year's Eve checkered flag flew, California's Heath Dunkerken and Washington's Brock Lemley were among the headliners of the event that attracted 790 competing entries from throughout the nation and beyond, though there were plenty of other accolades to go around.
Dunkerken nabbed his first Golden Driller trophy by leading 27 of 30 circuits in the headline Outlaw Micro Sprint Car championship feature event, beating teammate Michael Faccinto to the stripe before a bustling crowd.
While Dunkerken topped the headline class, Lemley was the only driver among the eight different classes of competition to bag two victories. After leading all the way to win the 1200cc Mini Sprint feature event, Lemley backed it up in the very next race by making a late move to top the Non-Wing Outlaw main event atop the 1/5-mile clay oval.
This year's edition of the Speedway Motors Tulsa Shootout had plenty of West Coast flavor in addition to Dunkerken and Lemley, as Mitchell Faccinto, Dahne Lynn McKay and Kameron Beard each took Golden Drillers back to the Golden State as well with wins in the "A" Class, Restricted "A" Class and Junior Sprints, respectively.
McKay's wire-to-wire romp in the Restricted "A" Class feature event proved to be historic as well, as the young lady racer became the first female to top a Micro Sprint Car championship feature event in Tulsa Shootout history.
While the bulk of the winner's hardware went west, past Tulsa Shootout champions Kevin Bayer and Blake Hahn stepped up to represent the hosting Sooner State with wins in Non-Wing and Chevy ECOTec Midget action.
After getting all the action under way with heat races for the Non-Wing Outlaw and "A" classes on Thursday night, a full day of heat race and qualifying race action followed on Friday with Saturday consumed by "B" Mains, Last Chance "A" Main Qualifying Features and then the eight "A" Main championship feature events.
A total of 193 races were contested over the weekend, including 100 heat races, 32 qualifiers, 48 "B" Mains, five Last Chance Qualifying Features and eight championship "A" Mains.
Four different classes, the Non-Wing, "A" Class, Outlaw and Outlaw Non-Wing each attracted in excess of 140 competitors, with the Non-Wing class topping out at 176.
600cc Outlaws
Broken Arrow's Donnie Ray Crawford and Laton, California's Heath Dunkerken led the 30-lap Outlaw Micro Sprint feature field to the green flag, with Crawford gunning into the lead at the outset.
Looking to add to his collection of Golden Drillers collected at the Tulsa Shootout, Crawford led early but Dunkerken kept the heat on. While Crawford worked the low line, Dunkerken worked the middle of the track masterfully and surged into the lead on the fourth circuit.
As traffic became a factor after ten circuits, Crawford kept Dunkerken within striking distance until the race's first caution flew after 17 laps. With open track on the restart, Dunkerken wasted little time opening up a straightway advantage as teammate Michael Faccinto became a factor.
After starting ninth, Faccinto was fourth behind Dunkerken, Crawford and Andrew Felker by the lap 17 caution and was into third by the time a final caution appeared after 22 laps.
Faccinto slipped around Crawford on the 23rd round and slowly reeled in Dunkerken as the closing laps clicked off. Back into traffic in the final pair of laps, Dunkerken beat Faccinto to the stripe with just two car lengths to spare.
A straightaway behind the California duo, Crawford fought off Felker for the show position, with Kevin Bayer rounding out the top five.
Frank Flud turned in the top passing performance by racing from 17th to eighth.
1200cc Mini Sprints & Outlaw Non-Wing Micro Sprints
Washington's Brock Lemley ranked as the only driver at the 27th Annual Speedway Motors Tulsa Shootout to collect multiple victories by scoring in both the 1200cc Mini Sprint and Non-Wing Outlaw Micro Sprints.
While Lemley's 1200cc Mini Sprint drive seemed an easy one, the Outlaw Non Wing triumph came in the closing laps in a hotly-contested affair.
Lemley snared his first Golden Driller in the 1200cc Mini Sprint main event, gunning into the lead from the pole at the outset and leading throughout. While Aaron Fell and defending race winner Derek Holmwood applied early pressure, Lemley was unphased and kept his mount out front for the entirety of the 20-lapper.
Lemley took the checkered flag ahead of fellow Washington state shoe Holmwood, with Chicago's Jim Scanlon in the show position. Jared Gunderson was fourth, with Florida's Scott Krueger climbing from 11th to round out the top five.
In the next feature out, the Non-Wing Outlaw main event, Lemley found himself chasing early after starting fourth.
While Harlan Hulsey and Chris Cochran led the way to the green flag, third-starter Chris Andrew shot into the lead on the opening circuit only to surrender the point after just one lap when his left rear tire went flat under caution.
Hulsey assumed the point on the restart and the battle was on between he and Cochran. The duo began swapping the point on the fourth round and did so in nearly each corner over the ensuing laps until Christopher Bell entered the fray only to make contact and flip in turn one on the 12th lap.
The heated battle between Hulsey and Cochran resumed as soon as the green lights reappeared, with an errant slider sending both flipping in turns one and two on the 13th circuit and collecting defending race winner Blake Hahn in the process.
Joe B. Miller found himself in the lead on the restart in front of Jonathan Beason and Lemley. As the laps ticked off, Lemley picked up the pace and raced by Beason for second on the 20th round and then took the lead away from Miller one circuit later.
Lemley raced on to his second win of the night in front of Beason, who raced forward from tenth. Miller claimed the show position, with 13th-starter Cole Ketcham and 17th-starter Andrew Felker rounding out the top five.
"A" Class
Hanford, California's Mitchell Faccinto proved untouchable by wiring the field in the "A" Class feature event, besting a field of 153 entries.
After rallying from the eighth and final starting position to win his heat race and then backing it up with a Qualifying race win, Faccinto started from the pole position alongside Scott Sawyer. Faccinto gunned into the lead at the drop of the green flag and raced to his first Golden Driller virtually unchallenged much of the way.
Sixth-starter Chris Andrews did provide some suspense in the late going after battling past Sawyer for second on the 16th round of the 25-lap main event. Andrews was closing the gap in traffic only to have a late caution offer Faccinto a clear path to victory lane.
Faccinto took full advantage and crossed the stripe 0.694-seconds ahead of Andrews, with Sawyer, 9th-starter Nate Lauderbaugh and Tristan Guardino rounding out the top five.
Kevin Bayer captured his fifth career Golden Driller trophy by emerging atop a Tulsa Shootout Micro Sprint Car competitor count of 176 in the Non-Wing division.
Much like Faccinto in the "A" Class, Bayer was flawless over the course of the weekend. Bayer raced from fifth to win his heat race and then backed it up by coming from fourth to win his qualifying race, good enough to earn the pole position for the championship feature event.
And, after outgunning fellow front row starter Donnie Ray Crawford for the lead at the drop of the green flag, Bayer was solidly in command throughout the 25-lap feature.
Bayer ultimately took the checkered flag 1.096-seconds ahead of Chris Andrews, who emerged atop a wild battle for position in Bayer's wake. Andrews, who climbed a handful of positions from seventh, took runner-up honors in front of Harlan Hulsey with Zeke Lewis and defending race winner Koen Shaw rounding out the top five.
Restricted "A" Class
In 26 previous years of Tulsa Shootout competition, it is believed that no female racer has ever cracked victory lane in Micro Sprint Car competition. That changed on Saturday's New Year's Eve, as Laton, California's Dahne Lynn McKay bested the 79-car Restricted "A" field in the 20-lap championship finale.
After a win in her heat race from fifth and then a runner-up finish in her qualifying race, McKay gridded the feature from the front row outside along Texas shoe Dylan Fox. McKay burst into the lead at the start and led all the way, weathering a pair of caution over the final half of the race.
McKay took the checkered flag with a 1.055-second advantage over Bakersfield's Cory Elliott, with eight-starter Chance Morton, Fox and Tucker Klaasmeyer rounding out the top five.
Junior Sprints
After Owasso, Oklahoma's Cole Roberts led much of the way, it was Bakersfield's Kameron Beard taking a Golden Driller back to the Golden Driller after a well-executed bump-and-run maneuver in the closing rounds to take command.
While Beard gridded the 15-lap finale in fifth, it was Roberts gunning into the lead at the outset and pacing the early rounds. Beard worked his way up to second by the time a caution appeared after eight laps.
Beard pressured Roberts for several rounds and then took command after a well-timed tap exiting turn two on the 13th lap sent Roberts into a spin. Beard went on to claim the victory in front of Cannon McIntosh, with pole starter Victoria Leslie, 15th-starter Mason McGuire and 11th-starter Blake Battles rounding out the top five.
Chevy ECOTec Midgets
After sweeping both the Outlaw and Non-Wing Outlaw classes at the 26th Annual Tulsa Shootout, Blake Hahn's best chances of adding another Golden Driller appeared to be in ECOTec Midget action once all the cards were dealt in each class.
And, the youngest from Sapulpa, OK, cashed in, charging past defending race winner Mike Ward at the midway point en route to victory lane in the 20-lap main event.
Tulsa-area siblings Mike Ward and Matt Ward led the way to the green flag from the front row with cousin Hahn inside the second row, and the trio proceeded to dice for the lead over the initial half of the race.
With Mike Ward leading Matt Ward around the lower portion of the track, Hahn relentlessly worked the cushion as he sought a fourth career Golden Driller. Hahn's persistence paid dividends as he edged ahead of Matt Ward for second on the tenth round and then took the lead away from Mike Ward a lap later.
Once in front, Hahn dropped to the low side and scooted away from the field, taking the checkered flag with a 2.900-second advantage over Matt Ward. Kevin Ramey claimed the show position, with Austin Brown and Brunson Behning rounding out the top five.
Dec 30 2011
Dont forget, Be ready to See tony Stewart in his return to this big midget race
for the first time in 3 years.
27th Annual Tulsa Shootout Got Underway last night!
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (December 29, 2011) – The 27th Annual Speedway Motors Tulsa Shootout kicked off Thursday night with a record 788 entries filling the QuikTrip Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway.
Following a practice session through the day, heat races for the 142 Non-Wing Outlaw competitors and 153 "A" Class contenders were contested on the 1/5-mile clay oval, setting the stage for those classes' qualifier races that will take place along with the other six divisions' heat races on Friday.
Bellingham, Washington's Brock Lemley emerged atop the Non-Wing Outlaw passing point charts after surviving mayhem to win his heat race from eighth, with other top point earners including Owasso's Harlan Hulsey, Pennsylvania's Ryan Greth, Missouri's Andrew Felker and California's Koen Shawn.
In "A" Class action, Hanford, California's Mitchell Faccinto rallied from the tail of the field to win his heat race and land a spot atop the passing point charts with other top earners including Nebraska's Austin Kromberg, British Columbia's Liam Ryan, Newcastle's Josh Marcham and Tulsa's Chris Andrews.
27th Annual Speedway Motors Tulsa Shootout Results:
600cc Non-Wing Outlaws (142 entries):
Heat Races (8 Laps - Top 60 In Passing Points to Qualifying Races; Balance to "B" Mains):
Heat 1: 1. 144-Tim Buckwalter (Royersford, PA), 2. 51m-Caleb Martin (Houston, TX), 3. 53-Tye Milhocko (Peoria, AZ), 4. 9d-Earl McDoulett, Jr. (Claremore, OK), 5. 24j-Sean Jones (Mansfield, TX), 6. 62-Chad McWhirter (Hastings, NE), 7. 23L-Jason Lair (Del City, OK). DNS: 135-Cody Ledger (Del City, OK).
Heat 2: 1. 15x-Tyson Hall (Longview, TX), 2. 49-Joel Smith (Tulsa, OK), 3. 155-Kyle Anderson (Tomball, TX), 4. 3-Jimmy Wood (Monticello, IN), 5. 11-Justin Melton (Flower Mound, TX), 6. 23d-Trey Detweiler (Herscher, IL), 7. 55T-Josh Toho (El Reno, OK), 8. 25-Kenny Taylor (Tracey, CA).
Heat 3: 1. 77-Jonathan Beason (Broken Arrow, OK), 2. 94-Andrew Peters (Greentown, IN), , 3. 193-Raleigh Shepherd (Houston, TX), 4. 17k-Jacob Knipmeyer (Sweet Springs, MO), 5. 51-Matt Ward (Glenpool, OK), 6. 89-Robbie Johnson (Hastings, NE), 7. 91-Alex Frisell (Holdrege, NE), 8. 97-Carson McCarl (Altoona, IA).
Heat 4: 1. 7-Chris Cochran (McLoud, OK), 2. 18-Stanley Kreisel (Warsaw, MO), 3. 15d-Andrew Deal (Caney, KS), 4. 55-Donnie Ray Crawford (Broken Arrow, OK), 5. 117-Jason Liby (Clay Center, KS), 6. 381-Madison McGill (Bartlesville, OK), 7. 4x-Shawn Peterson (Irving, TX), 8. 77L-Katlyn Leer (Morton, IA).
Heat 5: 1. 1j-Ryan Greth (New Bloomfield, PA), 2. 42m-Spencer Montgomery (Windsor, IL), 3. 50b-Dwayne Benson (Sweet Springs, MO), 4. 22T-Taylor Courtney, 5. 31-Dustin Davidson (Elm Mott, TX), 6. 99b-Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, OK), 7. 99r-Nicholas Rasa (Sedalia, MO), 8. 69x-Philip Davis (Tulsa, OK).
Heat 6: 1. 79-Chris Andrews (Tulsa, OK), 2. 11h-Harlan Hulsey (Owasso, OK), 3. 22c-Curtis Jones (Tulsa, OK), 4. 94L-Layne Himebaugh (Collinsville, OK), 5. 4uu-Devon Huff (Nixa, MO), 6. 03-Shayle Bade (Lincoln, NE), 7. 8z-Frederic Fezard, 8. 1-Taylor Smitherman (Kennedale, TX).
Heat 7: 1. 2jr-Joe B. Miller (Millersville, MO), 2. 1c-Chett Gehrke (Broken Arrow, OK), 3. 20-Josh Pickle (Catoosa, OK), 4. 29L-Nate Lauderbaugh (Kokomo, IN), 5. 7w-Trent Wilson (Camden, IN), 6. 73-Alex Sewell (Broken Arrow, OK), 7. 10-Bryan Debrick (Irving, TX), 8. 115-Jeremy Middleton (N. Little Rock, AR).
Heat 8: 1. 19-Dalton Terrel (Blanchard, OK), 2. 67-Steven Russell (Springfield, IL), 3. 57-Cole Bodine (Rossville, IN), 4. 711-Wyatt Rector (Richmond, TX), 5. 15c-Logan Jarrett (Kokomo, IN), 6. 22p-John Potter (Freeburg, IL), 7. 72-Cole Custer (Kannapolis, NC), 8. 44h-Michael Dicely (Lewisberry, PA).
Heat 9: 1. 21b-Christopher Bell (Norman, OK), 2. 13e-Steven Shebester (Pauls Valley, OK), 3. 17e-Blake Edwards (Claremore, OK), 4. 41k-Cole Ketcham (Muncie, CA), 5. 50-Megan Wood (Monticello, IN), 6. 60x-Chance Terrel (Oklahoma City, OK), 7. 28x-Todd McWilliams (Conway, AR), 8. 55b-Brandon Berryman (Missouri City, TX).
Heat 10: 1. 7b-Austin Brown (Millstadt, IL), 2. 32-Garrett Abrams (Rushville, IN), 3. 33z-Zeke Lewis (Farmland, IN), 4. 4-Tim Koch (Pleasant Hill, MO), 5. 05-Drew Shiveley (Columbia, MO), 6. 1g-Joseph J. Smith (Moscow, PA), 7. 38-Joshua Hodges (Tijeras, NM). DNS: 55z-Zach Boden (Hastings, NE).
Heat 11: 1. 29-Austin Stone (Visalia, CA), 2. 8-Jon Randall (Waco, TX), 3. 92-Jordan Herrman (Jay, OK), 4. 45-Kenny Brewer (Albuquerque, NM), 5. 26m-Chris Hunter (Salem, KY), 6. 17g-Mike Gass (Worth, IL), 7. 5x-Justin Peck (Monrovia, IN), 8. 3n-Jake Neuman (New Berlin, IL).
Heat 12: 1. 11a-Andrew Felker (Carl Junction, MO), 2. 13-Trent Carter (Terra Bella, CA), 3. 98x-Robert McBride (Cyril, OK), 4. 74-Andy Farley (Denver, CO), 5. 35-Matt Sherrell (Owasso, OK), 6. 99F-Justin Fletcher (Bixby, OK), 7. 24-Mike Wilkerson (Byhalia, MS). DNS: 2d-Hannah Adair (Tulsa, OK).
Heat 13: 1. 17h-Derek Holmwood (Bellingham, WA), 2. 15u-Willie Urish (Lawrence, KS), 3. 22x-John Roan (Lillian, TX), 4. 88s-Andy Baugh (Mason City, IL), 5. 321-Chad Winfrey (Liberty, MO), 6. 3x-Scott Peterson (Irving, TX), 7. 41-Dominic Scelzi (Fresno, CA). DNS: 25x-Bobby Henning (Edmond, OK).
Heat 14: 1. 10L-Brock Lemley (Bellingham, WA), 2. 124-Nathan McMillin (Brazil, IN), 3. 10b-Jason Bloodgood (Bellingham, WA), 4. 29k-Kyle Amerson (Mathews, AL), 5. 17-Tony Ogden (Sapulpa, OK), 6. 2x-Nathan Benson (Emma, MO), 7. 8m-Kade Morton (Coweta, OK), 8. 00-Jimmy Wells (Benton, IL).
Heat 15: 1. 88-Koen Shaw (Fresno, CA), 2. 12-Frank Galusha (Lincoln, NE), 3. 71-Jeff Wiggs (Benton, IL), 4. 5m-Matthew McDonald (Pittsboro, IN), 5. 85-Keith Martin (Alvarado, TX), 6. 87-Liam Ryan (Langley, BC), 7. 6x-Chris Meyer (Sherwood, AR). DNS: 68s-Stoney Gilbert (Red Oak, TX).
Heat 16: 1. 01j-Jeb Sessums (Burleson, TX), 2. 28-Karley Kay Dobson (Hulbert, OK), 3. 15T-Tristan Guardino, 4. 131-Dylan Kadous (Topeka, KS), 5. F15-Coy Jorden (Teague, TX), 6. 5h-Cameron Hagin (Broken Arrow, OK), 7. 24r-Chris Ritch (Paola, KS), 8. 128-Trevor Reed (Waco, TX).
Heat 17: 1. 52-Blake Hahn (Sapulpa, OK), 2. 29s-Scott Sawyer (Broken Arrow, OK), 3. 59-Tyler Courtney (Indianapolis, IN), 4. 099-Wes McIntyre, 5. 78d-Dustin Dixon (Bartlesville, OK), 6. X7b-Dave Baugh (Bloomington, IL), 7. H35-Zach Hampton (Clayton, IN).
Heat 18: 1. 9p-Parker Price-Miller (Kokomo, IN), 2. 17w-Harli White (Lindsay, OK), 3. 1T-Kevin Battarbee (Houston, TX), 4. 28g-Gordon Goyer (Owasso, OK), 5. 73J-Jerrod Wilson (Tulsa , OK), 6. 10r-Darien Roberts (Broken Arrow, OK), 7. 7x-Jordan McPherson (Rhome, TX).
"A" Class (153 entries):
Heat Races (8 Laps - Top 60 In Passing Points to Qualifying Races; Balance to "B" Mains):
Heat 1: 1. 61-Kaley Engstrom (Rhome, TX), 2. 121-Austin Kromberg (Lincoln, NE), 3. 411-Garrett Abrams (Rushville, IN), 4. 7m-Ryan Cody (Broken Arrow, OK), 5. 316-Caleb Weaver (Catoosa, OK), 6. 17J-Quinn Jones (Sweet Springs, MO), 7. 118-Scott Evans (Keller, TX), 8. 25m-Dustin March (Sweet Springs, MO).
Heat 2: 1. 711-Colby Estes (Mansfield, TX), 2. 74-D.J. Estes (Mansfield, TX), 3. 6d-Morgan Dowdy (Amarillo, TX), 4. 99-Chris McNitt (Ft. Worth, TX), 5. 18XL-William Scribner (Drumright, OK), 6. 05-Drew Shiveley (Columbia, MO), 7. 4F-Marty Fell (Siloam Springs, AR), 8. 71k-Kyle Fellers (Miami, OK).
Heat 3: 1. 15T-Tristan Guardino (Fremont, CA), 2. 5x-Justin Peck (Monrovia, IN), 3. 7s-Jason Scheulen (Broken Arrow, OK), 4. 018-Caden Ellis (Wagoner, OK), 5. 15-Ben Stephens (Lincoln, NE), 6. 93-Trey Lambert (Collinsville, OK), 7. 44a-Ayrton Gennetten (Versailles, MO), 8. 18-Eddie Moss (Deland, FL).
Heat 4: 1. 10-George White (Ft. Worth, TX), 2. 441-Chris Martin (Ankeny, IA), 3. 21h-Ty Hulsey (Owasso, OK), 4. 73-Alex Sewell (Broken Arrow, OK), 5. 44F-Chad Fagin (Tulsa, OK), 6. 24L-Caleb Lovelady (Amarillo, TX), 7. 321-Chad Winfrey (Liberty, MO), 8. 81b-Blake Bennington (Columbia, MO).
Heat 5: 1. 28-Karley Kay Dobson (Hulbert, OK), 2. 87-Liam Ryan (Langley, BC), 3. 98x-Derrick McBride (Oklahoma City, OK), 4. 2-Mickey Walker (Sapulpa, OK), 5. 13b-Brittany Yarwood (Broken Arrow, OK), 6. 21-Michelle Melton (Flower Mound, TX), 7. 65g-Jimmy Garrison (Sand Springs, OK), 8. 3x-Scott Peterson (Irving, TX).
Heat 6: 1. 88-Koen Shaw (Fresno, CA), 2. 89j-Jarrett Crouch (Jay, OK), 3. 31-Darren Davidson (Elm Mott, TX), 4. 191-Brent Venable (Ft. Cobb, OK), 5. 22m-Mandee Sundquist (Loomis, NE), 6. 05c-Eric Cantrell (Edmond, OK), 7. 72k-Rick Kirkes (Edmond, OK), 8. 24T-Trenton Borchers (Mannford, OK).
Heat 7: 1. 161-Nate Fleming (Great Bend, KS), 2. 62-Nathan Benson (Emma, MO), 3. 241-Clay Rogers (Paola, KS), 4. 84-Dave Nicholson (Kellyville, OK), 5. 19-Dalton Terrel (Blanchard, OK), 6. 5b-Clinton Boyles (Greenwood, MO), 7. 26e-Dalton Steed (Kennedale, TX), 8. 71d-Danny Clum (Tulsa, OK).
Heat 8: 1. 92x-Jake Rosario (Guthrie, OK), 2. 8-Josh Marcham (Newcastle, OK), 3. 28b-Cole Berkenbile (Ft. Gibson, OK), 4. 3-Jimmy Wood (Monticello, IN), 5. 11e-Cory Elliott (Bakersfield, CA), 6. 14r-Morgan Roan (Crowley, TX), 7. 131-David Zarski (Olive Branch, MS), 8. 4x-Shawn Peterson (Irving, TX).
Heat 9: 1. 15F-Jeff Frey (Broken Arrow, OK), 2. 00x-Brayden Planko, 3. 92-Jordan Herrman (Jay, OK), 4. 17s-Harlan Hulsey (Owasso, OK), 5. 75-Ryan Truitt (Dewey, OK), 6. 6-Michael Davidson (Amarillo, TX), 7. 52-Clayton Hogie, 8. 35-Chase Meade (Dewey, OK).
Heat 10: 1. 29-Austin Stone (Visalia, CA), 2. 01j-Jeb Sessums (Burleson, TX), 3. 131-Dylan Kadous, 4. 60-Brandon Reagle (Tulsa, OK), 5. 21x-Tom Calico (Tulsa, OK), 6. 08-David McIntosh (Broken Arrow, OK), 7. 33-Craig Carroll (Claremore, OK), 8. 22a-Austin Drueke (Eagle, NE).
Heat 11: 1. 32-Trey Marcham (Oklahoma City, OK), 2. 79-Chris Andrews (Tulsa, OK), 3. 27a-Alex Coronado (Modesta, CA), 4. 151-Seth Hancock (Springville, CA), 5. 03-Shayle Bade (Lincoln, NE), 6. 30-John Crowder (Summerfield, FL), 7. 28g-Cordon Goyer (Owasso, OK), 8. 126-Dustin McGee (Clay Center, KS).
Heat 12: 1. 11F-Mitchell Faccinto (Hanford, CA), 2. 29s-Scott Sawyer (Broken Arrow, OK), 3. 25-Lance Wilson (Creighton, MO), 4. 5c-Kris Carroll (Claremore, OK), 5. 44-Adrian Cobbs (Broken Arrow, OK), 6. 17-Patrick Knight (Wichita Falls, TX), 7. 610-Luke Lucas (Alvin, TX), 8. 13m-Chance McCrary (Farmersville, TX).
Heat 13: 1. 181-Frank Flud (Pryor, OK), 2. 94L-Layne Himebaugh (Collinsville, OK), 3. 26-Nate Lauderbaugh (Kokomo, IN), 4. 102-Chris Berreth (Tulsa, OK), 5. 15d-Andrew Deal (Caney, KS), 6. 16-Danny Davidson (Amarillo, TX), 7. 48-Joe Klonoski (Amarillo, TX). DNS: 2h-Will Harvey (Edmond, OK).
Heat 14: 1. 15x-Tyson Hall (Longview, TX), 2. 42-Josh Toho (El Reno, OK), 3. 83-Shane Weeks (Wagoner, OK), 4. 9d-Earl McDoulett, Jr. (Claremore, OK), 5. 17h-Hayden Hillenburg (Broken Arrow, OK), 6. 71-Darien Roberts (Broken Arrow, OK), 7. 98-Sean Watts (Atwater, CA).
Heat 15: 1. 413-Charles Corte (Broken Arrow, OK), 2. 28w-Chris Wilson (Raymore, MO), 3. 20s-Steven Curbow (Tulsa, OK), 4. 9s-Kevin Swaim (Alexander, AR), 5. 82c-Christian Kinnison (Mansfield, TX), 6. 5k-Nathan Killion (Hustonia, MO), 7. 11x-Donny Rowan (Tulsa, OK).
Heat 16: 1. 281-Zach Alley (Tulsa, OK), 2. H35-Zach Hampton (Clayton, IN), 3. 15b-Quinton Benson (Raymore, MO), 4. 08-Tucker Klaasmeyer (Paola, KS), 5. 5h-Cameron Hagin (Broken Arrow, OK), 6. 01-Allyn Shiveley (Lincoln, NE), 7. 5d-Annie DeRemer (Happy Valley, OR).
Heat 17: 1. 7-Chris Cochran (McLoud, OK), 2. 55-Donnie Ray Crawford (Broken Arrow, OK), 3. 17e-Blake Edwards (Claremore, OK), 4. 51x-Alan Cunningham (Halfway, MO), 5. 007-Shane Sundquist (Loomis, NE), 6. 747-Reagan Reed (Waco, TX), 7. 22x-John Roan (Lillian, TX).
Heat 18: 1. 9p-Parker Price-Miller (Kokomo, IN), 2 99b-Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, OK), 3. 4e-David Proffitt (Tulsa, OK), 4. 96-Randy Crowder (Muskogee, OK0, 5. 34-Joey Baker (Broken Arrow, OK), 6. 8x-Bill Whitehurst (Broken Arrow, OK), 7. 1a-Leon Alvardo (Riesel, TX).
Heat 19: 1. 27k-Kyle Keeler (El Reno, OK), 2. 99r-Chase Rohrbaugh (Owasso, OK), 3. 25s-Bobby Springer (Mustang, OK), 4. 27-Andy Shouse (Oklahoma City, OK), 5. 20r-Kyle Harris (Bristow, OK), 6. 56-Nick Lucito (Tulsa, OK), 7. 18x-Austin Shores (Atoka, OK).
Heat 20: 1. 1c-Chett Gehrke, 2. 51-Matt Ward, 3. 22c-Cole Campbell (Mexico, MO), 4. 46-Kelly Mahaffey (Tulsa, OK), 5. 170-Michael Berry (Owasso, OK), 6. 22-Payton Williams (N. Richland Hills, TX). DNS: 21T-Terry Hinck (Boonville, MO).
Dec 28 2011
by Amy Konrath, INDYCAR
INDIANAPOLIS (Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011) - A diverse calendar featuring 12 races divided among ovals, temporary street circuits and permanent road courses highlights the 2012 Firestone Indy Lights schedule announced today by INDYCAR officials.
"Our goal is to prepare Firestone Indy Lights drivers to become successful IZOD IndyCar Series drivers," said Tony George Jr., manager of business development for Firestone Indy Lights. "We've seen how this has worked recently with drivers having success after graduating from the series. The 2012 schedule continues to help us reach that goal by helping our current drivers gain experience and succeed on all types of racing circuits."
Firestone Indy Lights teams will race at the Raceway at Belle Isle for the first time under INDYCAR sanction on the weekend of June 2-3 as part of the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix. The CART-sanctioned Indy Lights raced at Belle Isle from 1992-2000 with drivers such as Tony Kanaan, Robbie Buhl and Eric Bachelart among the race winners. The series' return to the 2-mile oval at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif., on Sept. 15 will be the first Firestone Indy Lights race at the track since 2005.
Eight venues that hosted Firestone Indy Lights races in 2011 return and will be run in conjunction with the IZOD IndyCar Series and have additional support from the Mazda Road to Indy. Firestone Indy Lights returns as the headline event at the Grand Prix of Trois Rivieres on the streets of Trois Rivieres, Quebec. An additional event will be announced at a later date.
For the 10th consecutive year, the Firestone Indy Lights season will begin competition in the state of Florida, with a race on the streets of St. Petersburg on March 24-25. The series will then return to the 2.3-mile Barber Motorsports Park on March 31-April 1 before heading to the streets of Long Beach, Calif., for the fourth time on April 14-15.
The first oval of the season will be the series' premier event - the Freedom 100 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on May 25, two days before the Indianapolis 500.
"The opportunity to compete on Carb Day at Indianapolis is an experience that is second to none for our drivers, teams and sponsors and the highlight of the schedule each year," George said. "We feel like our schedule demands the ability of both drivers and teams to master a variety of venues with the end result of a champion that is fully prepared to be an IZOD IndyCar Series driver."
The Belle Isle race and the oval event at Iowa Speedway precede the Canadian stretch, which features races on the streets of Toronto's Exhibition Place, Edmonton City Centre Airport and Trois Rivieres. A return to the streets of Baltimore will lead into the race at Auto Club Speedway.
Firestone Indy Lights is the premier ladder series for drivers and teams striving to compete in the IZOD IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis 500. The top series in the Mazda Road to Indy development system, teams compete for more than $3 million in prize money in cars that are second in speed only to the IZOD IndyCar Series at most tracks they visit. Graduates of this fast and cost-effective series include Marco Andretti, Ana Beatriz, Ed Carpenter, Wade Cunningham, Jay Howard, James Hinchcliffe, JR Hildebrand, Alex Lloyd, Charlie Kimball and Raphael Matos.
The complete 2012 Firestone Indy Lights schedule:
March 24-25 Streets of St. Petersburg, Fla.
March 31- April 1 Barber Motorsports Park
April 14-15 Streets of Long Beach, Calif.
May 25 Indianapolis Motor Speedway
June 2-3 Raceway at Belle Isle Park
June 22- 23 Iowa Speedway
July 7-8 Streets of Toronto
July 21-22 Edmonton City Centre Airport
Aug. 5 Streets of Trois Rivieres, Quebec
Sept. 1-2 Streets of Baltimore
Sept. 15 Auto Club Speedway
Dec 27 2011
27th Annual Speedway Motors Tulsa Shootout this Weekend!
Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (December 26, 2011) – The 2011 racing season finishes with a bang as the 27th Annual Speedway Motors Tulsa Shootout takes place this weekend at the QuikTrip Center's Tulsa Expo Raceway.
More than 700 entries from throughout the nation and beyond will take to the 1/5-mile clay oval, each vying for Golden Drillers in the eight classes of competition that include six Micro Sprint Car classes along with the Chevy ECOTech Midgets and the 1200cc Mini Sprints.
Last year's edition of the event, the first all-open wheel version of the Tulsa Shootout, attracted a micro world record of 715 competitors. A similar number is expected this weekend.
After Wednesday's move-in day, practice follows on Thursday with heat races and qualifiers for the Non-Wing Outlaw and "A" Class divisions getting under way at approximately 4:30 p.m. The remaining six divisions (Outlaw, Non-Wing, Restricted "A" Class, Junior Sprints, Chevy ECOTech Midgets and 1200cc Mini Sprints) will take to the track for heat races on Friday beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Semi-mains in all classes get under way at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, with the championship feature events set for Saturday night at approximately 6:45 p.m.
Among the current entries is reigning Outlaw Micro Sprint winner Blake Hahn of Sapulpa, OK, who will try to become the first back-to-back winner in the headline Outlaw class since Pete Frazier accomplished the feat in 1993 and 1994. In fact, since Frazier won again in 1998, only Indiana's Rodney Stealy has repeated in the Outlaw class with wins in 2004 and 2006. Other recent Outlaw class winners include Kevin Bayer (2009), Brady Bacon (2008) and Jerrod Wilson (2007), each of whom are set to vie for another Golden Driller this weekend.
Hahn will also defend his title in the Non-Wing Outlaw class after completing a sweep of the two Outlaw classes last year. Also set to defend Tulsa Shootout titles are Andrew Deal ("A" Class) and Koen Shaw (Non-Wing). Dalton Wiseley topped last year's Restricted "A" Class main event, while Josiah Ribeiro claimed Junior Sprint honors for the second year in a row.
After Kevin Bayer won the inaugural Chevy ECOTech Midget main event at the 2010 Tulsa Shootout, Tulsa's Mike Ward made a last-corner pass of Tim Crawley to take top honors last year. Washington's Derek Holmood is set to defend his Tulsa Shootout title after taking the top spot as the 1200cc Mini Sprints debuted at the Shootout last year.
Grandstand tickets are available for Friday's action for $15, with Saturday's grandstands tickets just $20. Children ages 6-11 are just $5 each day. After Thursday night's Non-Wing Outlaw and "A" Class heat races, approximately 80-90 more heat races and qualifiers on Friday will set the stage for Saturday's semi-mains and main events.
For more information, contact the Tulsa Shootout at 918-838-3777 or check on-line at www.tulsashootout.com.
Dec 24 2011
Pre Entries For The 14th Annual Rumble In Fort Wayne
Memorial Coliseum Expo Center- Friday, Dec. 30 and Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011
by Tony Barhorst
No. Driver/Hometown Entrant/Sponsor/Chassis/Engine
0 +Dave Darland/Lincoln, IN Rick Daugherty/Peterbilt of Northwest Ohio/Shores/Volkswagen
0s Steve Irwin/Fenton, MI Flying Zero Racing LLC/Ronnie Johncox Racing/Shores/Volkswagen
2 +Tony Stewart/Columbus, IN Tony Stewart Racing/Our Gang Poker Club/Munchkin/Volkswagen
2X Jim "Timex" Morgan/Rochester, NY Afterhours Imaging/Pepsi – Dunkin' Donuts – Afterhours Imaging/Munchkin/Volkswagen
3 Chris Neuenschwander/New Haven, IN Gary Barnett/Wheeler Insulation-Hoosier Metal Recycling – Pro Strip – Saylor Racing Engines/Stealth/Gaerte
4 Gary Bradley/Leiters Ford, IN Gary Bradley Motorsports/Smith Machine & Tool/Beast/Pontiac
6 David Gough/Machesney Park, IL A&G Motorsports/Manic Racing – JAMR Racing Engines – Janssen Machine/Thompson/Autocraft
6T6 Terry Ahern/Countryside, IL Terry Ahern/Terry's Byke Haus – Lightning Chassis/Lightning/Esslinger
7 Jon Stanbrough/Avon, IN Rick Daugherty/Peterbilt of Northwest Ohio/Munchkin/Volkswagen
8 Nick Hamilton/Danville, IN Mike Hamilton/Curtis Motor Sales –Hamilton Painting – Faires Trim/Beast/Volkswagen
8up Tim Jedrzejek/Independence, OH Randall Williams/Mr. Heater/Williams Auto Service – Elliott's Trailers & Carts/Jacobs/Pontiac
10 Jacob Wilson/Crawfordsville, IN Moore Racing Enterprises LLC/Don Moore Music Publications – ClickDonMoore.com/Beast/Stanton Mopar
10t Mike Wallace/Plainfield, IL Mike Wallace/MWR Technology – Lightning Chassis/Lightning/Esslinger
14 Cooper Clouse/Ohio City, OH Jeff Clouse-Cooper Clouse Racing/Burtch Seed – Hawk Chassis – Peterbilt of Northwest Ohio/Hawk/VW
15 +Rich Corson/Markham, IL Corson-Savage/Steve Savage – Ash-Dome – D'Arcy Motors -- AutismSpeaks.org – U.S. Navy/Hawk/Fontana
19 Matt Westfall/Pleasant Hill, OH Dave & Bonna Ryder/Dave Ryder Racing – Bordner Welding – E&E Machine & Tool – Klotz/Vogler/VW
19d Dan Dunigan/Jackson, MI Dan Dunnigan Sr./Michigan Cat- Balance Performance-Hawk/Brayton
20 Mike Osite/Brooklyn, NY Mike Fedorcak/Fedorcak Fabrication/Munchkin/Volkswagen
22 Eric Shirey/Oberlin, OH Sexton Racing/Sexton Group/Beast/Ford Focus
22h Joe Liguori/Tampa, FL Sexton Racing/Sexton Group/Stealth/Ecotec
27 Chris Jagger/Warsaw, IN Chris Jagger/Jagger Racing/Shores/Autocraft Volkswagen
28 Tyler Cottongim/Brownsburg, IN Eric Cottongim/Pit Stop BBQ & Grill/Kenyon/Yamaha
31 Derek Bischak/Angola, IN Bob Bischak/Angola Collision Services – Snap-on Tools/Spike/Gaerte Ford
32 David Fuhrman/Roachdale, IN David Fuhrman/Umber's Do it Best Hardware/Kenyon/Yamaha
33 Kyle Hamilton/Danville, IN Mike Hamilton/Curtis Motor Sales – Faires Trim – Hamilton Painting/Beast/Volkswagen
49 Donnie Adams Jr./Alexandria, IN Randy Burrow/Burco Molding/Kenyon/Volkswagen
52c Isaac Chapple/Wilkinson, IN Isaac Chapple Racing/CFH Enterprises LLC – PGG Enterprises LLC- 3K Racing/Kenyon/Yamaha.
55 Taylor Ferns/Shelby Township, MI Jim Ferns/Motor City Auto Transport – Simpson Race Products –
56 Cory Setser/Fort Wayne Chuck Rencurrel/Setser Transport & Towing/Munchkin/Volkswagen
59 Bryan Nuckles/Canal Winchester, OH Bryan Nuckles/Columbus Motor Speedway/Strei-Tech/Volkswagen
61 Deano Lennon/Indianapolis Deano Lennon/Printing Image – 3K Racing/Kenyon/Gaerte Buick
67 (TBA) Sexton Racing/Sexton Group/Jacobs/Volkswagen
78k Brandon Knupp/Mooresville, NC John Chambers/Brock Lesnar's DeathClutch Clothing – Mark Knupp Muffler & Tire LLC/LTC/Autocraft VW
92 Joey Burrow/Noblesville, IN Randy Burrow/Burco Molding/Kenyon/Yamaha
97 +Mike Fedorcak/Roanoke, IN Tony Stewart Racing/Tony Stewart Racing/Munchkin/Volkswagen
98 Bobby Santos III/Franklin, MA Randy Burrow/Burco Molding/Edmunds-Burrow/Volkswagen
99 +Billy Wease/Noblesville, IN Randy Burrow/Burco Molding/Fedorcak-Burrow/Volkswagen
99g +Jim Anderson/Joliet, IL Guess Racing Ltd./Packard Transport – Mr. B's/Ellis/Mopar
+former Rumble in Fort Wayne feature winner
(NOTE: Jagger and Cottongim are entered for Friday only; driver of No. 28 is TBA for Saturday)
DEFENDING RUMBLE IN FORT WAYNE CHAMPIONS: Jim Anderson, No. 99g Guess Racing Ltd. Ellis/Mopar (first night), and Dave Darland, No. 0 Rick Daugherty Shores/Volkswagen (second night)
Dec 22 2011
Coming up Stewart in 'Rumble in Fort Wayne midgets next Friday night Dec 30 and Saturday Dec 31'
By Tony Barhorst
FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- Reigning NASCAR champion Tony Stewart will return to his roots to race an open-wheeled midget car in the 14th annual Rumble in Fort Wayne at the Memorial Coliseum Expo Center.
The Indiana native, widely regarded as one of the world's most versatile drivers, has entered his black No. 2 Munchkin car for both days of the indoor event on Friday, Dec. 30 and Saturday, Dec. 31. He has won a record seven times on the 1/6-mile track but will be appearing at Fort Wayne for the first time since 2008.
Stewart, 40, claimed his third career NASCAR stock car championship last month, winning five of the final 10 Sprint Cup races. He captured IndyCar and USAC Silver Crown, sprint and midget titles earlier in his career.
"I've always taken pride in being able to jump around in different race cars and be competitive," Stewart said. "The Rumble in Fort Wayne is no different. "I love running there and have always had a good time racing in Indiana in the winter in front of passionate fans."
Stewart, a member of the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame, has been almost unbeatable at Fort Wayne. His seven victories have come in only 12 feature starts dating to 1999. During a stretch from 2004-08, he won six of the eight features in which he competed. His longtime indoor teammate and car builder, Mike Fedorcak of Roanoke, Ind., also is entered in another Tony Stewart Racing Munchkin.
"It is very exciting to have the best driver in the world compete here again in Fort Wayne," Rumble Series president Tony Barhorst said. "He will be racing against champions of many different sanctioning bodies Dec. 30-31."
The Rumble in Fort Wayne features complete racing programs each day, with the main portion of the event after 7 p.m., and also includes winged outlaw modified midgets, non-winged mini-sprints, karts and quarter midgets. Jimmy Anderson and Dave Darland won last season's midget features.
Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance at the Memorial Coliseum box office, through Ticketmaster or by calling 800-745-3000.
Reserved seating (middle sections of the frontstretch) is available only in advance and is $22.50 for one day or $41 for both days. General admission is $19.50 for one day or $35 for both days. Kids 12 and under are admitted for $10 for one day or $16 for both. Pit passes, available only at the event, are $30 for one day or $55 for two.
More information is available at www.rumbleseries.com, by calling 317-418-3216 or by e-mailing email@example.com.
Dec 16 2011
by Dick Jordan
Santa Claus himself would even be glad to receive this as a Christmas present – tickets for the 2012 "Sprint Car Smackdown" at the Kokomo, Ind. Speedway!
Race fans should check out the Kokomo Speedway or USAC websites for the latest information about what will be a highly-anticipated three-night Sprint car spectacular at one of America's finest short dirt tracks. Visit www.KokomoSpeedway.net or www.usacracing.com and order your tickets now for the August 23-24-25 "tripleheader."
Advanced reserved three-night grandstand tickets are now on sale at $75 each for adults. Please contact the speedway via email at firstname.lastname@example.com or call (765) 459-3877 to order your "Smackdown" tickets. A $5 handling fee per ticket is applicable for all advanced sales tickets.
Kokomo has long been a USAC mainstay, hosting races since USAC's inaugural season in 1956. Rich Vogler won USAC's first Sprint race at Kokomo in 1982 and the ensuing 30 years have produced 18 different winner, including this year's first-time winner Hunter Schuerenberg.
Kokomo Speedway is also part of the 2012 USAC Indiana Midget Week and Indiana Sprint Week calendars. Don't miss this opportunity to witness history in the making!
Dec 14 2011
NASCAR's Tony Stewart to race in 'Rumble in Fort Wayne'
Tony Stewart, wearing an open-face helmet, races his No. 2 midget at the Rumble in Fort Wayne. The three-time NASCAR champion will return to the Memorial Coliseum Expo Center on Dec. 30-31 for the first time since 2008./Photo by Dave Merritt}
by Tony Barhorst
FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- Reigning NASCAR champion Tony Stewart will return to his roots to race an open-wheeled midget car in the 14th annual Rumble in Fort Wayne at the Memorial Coliseum Expo Center.
The Indiana native, widely regarded as one of the world's most versatile drivers, has entered his black No. 2 Munchkin car for both days of the indoor event on Friday, Dec. 30 and Saturday, Dec. 31. He has won a record seven times on the 1/6-mile track but will be appearing at Fort Wayne for the first time since 2008.
Stewart, 40, claimed his third career NASCAR stock car championship last month, winning five of the final 10 Sprint Cup races. He captured IndyCar and USAC Silver Crown, sprint and midget titles earlier in his career.
"I've always taken pride in being able to jump around in different race cars and be competitive," Stewart said. "The Rumble in Fort Wayne is no different.
"I love running there and have always had a good time racing in Indiana in the winter in front of passionate fans."
Stewart, a member of the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame, has been almost unbeatable at Fort Wayne. His seven victories have come in only 12 feature starts dating to 1999. During a stretch from 2004-08, he won six of the eight features in which he competed. His longtime indoor teammate and car builder, Mike Fedorcak of Roanoke, Ind., also is entered in another Tony Stewart Racing Munchkin.
"It is very exciting to have the best driver in the world compete here again in Fort Wayne," Rumble Series president Tony Barhorst said. "He will be racing against champions of many different sanctioning bodies Dec. 30-31."
The Rumble in Fort Wayne features complete racing programs each day, with the main portion of the event after 7 p.m., and also includes winged outlaw modified midgets, non-winged mini-sprints, karts and quarter midgets. Jimmy Anderson and Dave Darland won last season's midget features.
Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance at the Memorial Coliseum box office, through Ticketmaster or by calling 800-745-3000.
Reserved seating (middle sections of the frontstretch) is available only in advance and is $22.50 for one day or $41 for both days. General admission is $19.50 for one day or $35 for both days. Kids 12 and under are admitted for $10 for one day or $16 for both. Pit passes, available only at the event, are $30 for one day or $55 for two.
More information is available at www.rumbleseries.com, by calling 317-418-3216 or by e-mailing firstname.lastname@example.com.
I decided to start my own open wheel racing news blog.
Please share any comments, stories, ideas, etc., and I'd be happy to add links and expand :-)
Feel free to send me any news from the West too, including racing news from West Coast alum!
The link is here:
Please enjoy,
-Robert Haugh
PRELIMINARY USAC DATES SET FOR 2012 SILVER CROWN SPRINT CAR And Midget series
Opening with a brand-new USAC "Hall of Fame" race at Indianapolis Raceway Park May 19, the 2012 Traxxas USAC Silver Crown Championship Series encompasses nine races, five on dirt and four on pavement.
The "Sumar Classic" at the Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track returns as the season finale in October. The "Rollie Beale 150" at Toledo (Ohio) Speedway, the closing events the past two seasons, moves to its new June date in 2012.
"Traditional" races abound, including the "Hoosier Hundred" at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, the "Tony Bettenhausen 100" at the Illinois State Fairgrounds and the "Ted Horn 100" at the DuQuoin (Ill.) State Fairgrounds.
Iowa Speedway again showcases USAC's Traxxas Silver Crown cars on its spectacular 7/8-mile pavement in June and the "4-Crown Nationals" unfolds at the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio in September.
Indianapolis Raceway Park becomes the first track to host two Traxxas Silver Crown races in the same season since 2003 when it hosts the "J.D. Byrider 100" in July. Ironically, IRP was also the host for the two 2003 races,
Date Location/Track
May 19 Indianapolis, IN/Indianapolis Raceway Park
May 25 Indianapolis, IN/Indiana State Fairgrounds
June 22 Newton, IA/Iowa Speedway
June 29 Toledo, OH/Toledo Speedway
July 27 Indianapolis, IN/Indianapolis Raceway Park
August 18 Springfield, IL/Illinois State Fairgrounds
September 2 DuQuoin, IL/DuQuoin State Fairgrounds
September 22 Rossburg, OH/Eldora Speedway
October 13 Terre Haute, IN/Terre Haute Action Track
"Bubba's Winter Dirt Games" at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, Fla.in February kick off an ambitious 45-race 2012 calendar for USAC's AMSOIL National Sprint Cars, with every race on the calendar offering a minimum of $5,000-to-win and $500-to-start and special events offering accelerated purses.
Major events will include the traditional "Budweiser Oval Nationals" at Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway, which will conclude the campaign, plus the five-race "Eastern Storm" in June, a new three-night "Sprint Car Smackdown" at the Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway and a two-night "Ultimate Challenge" special event at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa which will wrap up a five-race mid-America swing in Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri.
Return engagements include the seven-race Indiana Sprint Week in July, Terre Haute's "Tony Hulman Classic," the "4-Crown Nationals" at Rossburg, Ohio, and September specials at Haubstadt and Lawrenceburg, Ind.
Additional new venues include Pontoon Beach, Ill., Cameron, Mo., Wilmot, Wisc., West Memphis, AR and Hartford, Mich. and return visits to tracks which had USAC debuts rained out in 2011 – Port Royal, Pa. and Eagle, Neb.
A two-night extravaganza at Dodge City (Kans.) Raceway Park concludes the Midwest and Central America part of the schedule in October.
Date Location/Track
February 9 Ocala, FL/Bubba Raceway Park
February 10 Ocala, FL/Bubba Raceway Park
February 11 Ocala, FL/Bubba Raceway Park
April 14 Lawrenceburg, IN/Lawrenceburg Speedway
April 20 Gas City, IN/Gas City I-69 Speedway
April 21 Rossburg, OH/Eldora Speedway
April 28 Putnamville, IN/Lincoln Park Speedway
May 12 Haubstadt, IN/Tri-State Speedway
May 18 Bloomington, IN/Bloomington Speedway
May 24 Terre Haute, IN/Terre Haute Action Track
June 4 #Sarver, PA/Lernerville Speedway
June 5 #Bechtelsville, PA/Grandview Speedway
June 7 #New Egypt, NJ/New Egypt Speedway
June 8 #Minersville, PA/Big Diamond Speedway
June 9 #Port Royal, PA/Port Royal Speedway
June 23 Wilmot, WI/Wilmot Raceway
June 24 Sun Prairie, WI/Angell Park Speedway
July 13 @Gas City, IN/Gas City I-69 Speedway
July 14 @Kokomo, IN/Kokomo Speedway
July 15 @Lawrenceburg, IN/Lawrenceburg Speedway
July 18 @Terre Haute, IN/Terre Haute Action Track
July 19 @Putnamville, IN/Lincoln Park Speedway
July 20 @Bloomington, IN/Bloomington Speedway
July 21 @Haubstadt, IN/Tri-State Speedway
August 3 Eagle, NE/Eagle Raceway
August 4 Grain Valley, MO/Valley Speedway
August 5 Cameron, MO/US 36 Raceway
August 6 Oskaloosa, IA (SE)/Southern Iowa Speedway
August 7 Oskaloosa, IA (SE)/Southern Iowa Speedway
August 11 Hartford, MI/Hartford Motor Speedway
August 23 Kokomo, IN/Kokomo Speedway
August 24 Kokomo, IN/Kokomo Speedway
August 25 Kokomo, IN/Kokomo Speedway
September 1 Terre Haute, IN/Terre Haute Action Track
September 7 Pontoon Beach, IL (T)/Tri-City Speedway
September 8 West Memphis, AR/Riverside International Speedway
September 15 Haubstadt, IN/Tri-State Speedway
September 22 Rossburg, OH/Eldora Speedway
September 29 Lawrenceburg, IN/Lawrenceburg Speedway
October 19 Dodge City, KS/Dodge City Raceway Park
October 20 Dodge City, KS/Dodge City Raceway Park
October 26 Peoria, AZ/Canyon Speedway Park
October 27 Peoria, AZ/Canyon Speedway Park
November 2 Perris, CA/Perris Auto Speedway
November 3 Perris, CA/Perris Auto Speedway
#=Eastern Storm
@=Indiana Sprint Week
Twenty-four preliminary dates have been released for USAC's 2012 Mopar National Midget Series, with "traditional events" spanning the calendar.
Ace Speedway in Altamahaw, N.C., which hosted USAC Ford Focus events in 2011, joins the Mopar National Midget calendar in 2012, offering series openers in late-March, while the series concludes with the 72nd running of the "Turkey Night Grand Prix" at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, Calif. in November.
In between, highlights include the "Hut Hundred" at Haubstadt, Ind., the "Night Before the 500" in Indianapolis, Ind., Indiana Midget Week, the "4-Crown Nationals" at Rossburg, Ohio and the "Gold Crown Nationals" at Pontoon Beach, Ill.
New to the calendar is the two-night "Plymouth Palooza" at Plymouth (Ind.) Speedway in July with the first night's events on the track's 1/3-mile paved oval and the following night's races on a newly-constructed dirt oval inside the paved oval.
Date Location/Track
March 30 Altamahaw, NC/Ace Speedway
March 31 Altamahaw, NC/Ace Speedway
May 4 Dodge City, KS/Dodge City Raceway Park
May 5 Dodge City, KS/Dodge City Raceway Park
May 26 Indianapolis, IN/Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis
June 2 Haubstadt, IN/Tri-State Speedway
June 13 @Gas City, IN/Gas City I-69 Speedway
June 14 @Putnamville, IN/Lincoln Park Speedway
June 15 @Bloomington, IN/Bloomington Speedway
June 16 @Lawrenceburg, IN/Lawrenceburg Speedway
June 17 @Kokomo, IN/Kokomo Speedway
June 22 Newton, IA/Iowa Speedway
June 29 Toledo, OH/Toledo Speedway
June 30 Morris, IL/Grundy County Speedway
July 6 Plymouth, IN/Plymouth Speedway
July 7 Plymouth, IN/Plymouth Speedway
July 8 Sun Prairie, WI/Angell Park Speedway
July 27 Indianapolis, IN/Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis
August 19 Sun Prairie, WI/Angell Park Speedway
September 22 Rossburg, OH/Eldora Speedway
October 4 Pontoon Beach, IL/Tri-City Speedway
October 5 Pontoon Beach, IL/Tri-City Speedway
October 6 Pontoon Beach, IL/Tri-City Speedway
November 22 Irwindale, CA/Toyota Speedway at Irwindale
@=Indiana Midget Week
AT FRIDAY'S 56th "NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS" CELEBRATION
by DICK JORDAN
Friday night's 56th USAC "Night of Champions" National Awards Dinner held at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in downtown Indianapolis, Ind. sported a somewhat familiar theme to the previous year's function. Bryan Clauson of Noblesville, Ind. once again headlined the list of award recipients after claiming his second consecutive USAC National Drivers Championship.
Clauson, of Noblesville, Ind., raked in a $40,000 year-end cash bonus, along with a $300,000 scholarship from INDYCAR.
Also accepting checks as members of the National Drivers Championship "top-10" were runner-up Kyle Larson of Elk Grove, Calif., Chris Windom of Canton, Ill., Levi Jones of Olney, Ill., Tracy Hines of New Castle, Ind., Bobby East of Brownsburg, Ind., Jerry Coons Jr. of Tucson, Ariz., Darren Hagen of Riverside, Calif., Hunter Schuerenberg of Sikeston, Mo. and Jon Stanbrough of Avon, Ind.
Clauson, as he did in 2010, also claimed the 2011 USAC Mopar National Midget title and was again the top USAC Midget driver on dirt.
Tony Stewart Racing teammate Levi Jones of Olney, Ill. repeated as the 2011 USAC Traxxas Silver Crown and AMSOIL National Sprint Car Champion. The Silver Crown title was Jones' second, while his fifth Sprint car title broke the previous record of four set by Steve Butler.
Nick Drake of Mooresville, N.C. also claimed his second consecutive USAC National Ford Focus crown and will have his name again emblazoned on the permanent Henry Ford Sweepstakes Trophy, along with 2011 USAC National Focus Young Guns Champion Cole Custer of Kannapolis, N.C. Drake also claimed the Eastern Ford Focus title.
Champions of USAC's 2011 The Off Road Championship (TORC) series honored Friday included Ricky Johnson of Trabuco Canyon, Calif. (Pro 4x4), Bryce Menzies of Las Vegas, Nev. (Pro 2WD) and Andrew Caddell of Graham, Wash. (Pro Light 2WD).
Keys to the City of Indianapolis from Mayor Gregory A. Ballard were presented to Jones, Clauson and Drake in recognition of their 2011 National Championships.
Emcees Jim Tretow and Meghan Kolb (TORC) orchestrated the presentations, which included driver and car entrant champions, Rookies of the Year, Most Improved Drivers and special award recipients.
Among items presented to the 2011 champions were trophies, plaques, Oakley timepieces, Hoosier jackets, medallions and personalized remote-control TRAXXAS Trucks.
USAC President Kevin Miller and Famous Rhodes, Senior Director of eBay Motors, outlined special eBay Motors/Mopar PACE Awards presented to Famous Rhodes II, Taylor Ferns, Mitch Hoffses and R.J. Anderson, while Tommy McCarthy and Tyler Shullick received Arrive and Drive Awards.
Driving champions in addition to the aforementioned included Mike Spencer of Temecula, Calif. (AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprints), Tony Hunt of Lincoln, Calif. (AMSOIL Western Sprints and Western Classic Pavement Sprints), Geoff Ensign of Sebastopol, Calif. (Western Classic Sprints), Cory Kruseman of Ventura, Calif. (Mopar Western Midgets), Jim Waters of West Jordan, Utah (Rocky Mountain Sprint and Utah Ford Focus), Richard VanderWeerd of Visalia, Calif. (West Coast 360 Sprint), Taylor Ferns of Shelby Township, Mich. (Mopar D1 Midget), Joe Krawiec of Bristol, Conn. (DMA Midget), Ross Rankine of Willard, Ohio (Midwest Ford Focus), Brodie Kostecki of Roseville, Calif. (Western Ford Focus and Focus Young Guns), Jared Irvan of Midland, N.C. (Eastern Focus Young Guns) and Sam McGhee of Camby, Ind. (Midwest Focus Young Guns).
Lyn St. James, founder of the Women in the Winners Circle program joined 2004 USAC Speedrome Midget Champion Sondi Eden in celebrating along with newly-crowned USAC Mopar D1 Midget Champ Taylor Ferns. Ferns became USAC's second female driving champion in 2011 while Jessica Clark claimed a pair of Western Ford Focus titles to expand the list of USAC female driving champs to three.
Darren Hagen of Riverside, Calif. was honored as the top USAC pavement Midget driver, while Bobby Santos of Franklin, Mass. was honored as the top pavement Sprint driver of 2011.
Honored as USAC .25 Midget National Champions as a result of their "Generation Next Tour" titles were Harrison Burton of Huntersville, NC (Light 160), Tyler Clem of St. Petersburg, FL (Junior Honda), Bryant Dawson of Phoenix, AZ (Mod and Heavy AA), Michael Fanelli of Rio Rancho, NM (Unrestricted Animal), Carson Hocevar of Portage, MI (Junior Stock and Junior Animal), Jared Irvan of Midland, NC (Senior Honda), Garrett Jones of West Palm Beach, FL (Light World Formula and Senior Animal) Ryan Krachun of Neshanic, NJ (B), Mark Miller of Mooresville, NC (Heavy 160), Wil Raber of Allegan, MI (Heavy Honda), Katlyn Stanley of Concord, NC (Heavy World Formula) and Gage Walker of Fairland, IN (Light AA).
Ford Racing was presented the Midget Engine Manufacturer of the Year award, while Mopar received the TORC Engine Manufacturer of the Year honors. B.F. Goodrich earned the TORC Tire Manufacturer of the Year award.
Andrew Caddell of Graham, Wash. accepted the TORC TRAXXAS MAXX Award for posting the most "fastest laps" during the 2011 Pro Light 2WD campaign.
R.J. Anderson of Riverside, Calif., also a Pro Light 2WD participant, was named TORC "Rookie of the Year," and Mark Jenkins of Fairview, Texas, a Pro 4x4 participant, was named the "Most Improved" TORC driver.
Oakley Bomb awards went to Bryce Menzies (Pro 2WD) and Ricky Johnson (Pro 4x4).
The second annual "Jack Flannery Award" recognizing determination and perseverance went to Scott Taylor of Belvidere, Ill. The TORC "Crew Chief of the Year" honors went to Mike Krahling of Red Bull Team Menzies.
A special USAC "Spirit of Youth Award" was presented to Melissa Osborne of Winston Salem, N.C. for her many contributions to the sport of quarter-midget racing.
National car entrant champions included Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing of Brownsburg, Ind. (Silver Crown), Tony Stewart Racing (National Sprint Car) and Corey Tucker Racing/BCI/Curb-Agajanian of Noblesville, Ind. (National Midget).
USAC President Kevin Miller presented USAC Special Appreciation Awards to Traxxas (corporate) and Gary Reed of Toyota (individual) for their contributions and dedicated service to the racing community.
Randy Bernard, Chief Executive Officer for INDYCAR, was named as the recipient of USAC's prestigious Roger McCluskey Award of Excellence, recognizing his commitment to USAC and its grass-roots racing endeavors.
USAC's 2011 "Race Organizer of the Year" awards were presented to Bob Miller for the Sprint Eastern Storm series (National) and Dennis Gage of Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif. (Western).
Kyle Larson of Elk Grove, Calif. earned the 2011! USAC Silver Crown "Rookie of the Year" honors as well as the Bob Stroud Memorial National Midget "Rookie of the Year" Award. Coleman Gulick of Binghamton, N.Y. received the National Sprint Car "Rookie of the Year" honors.
Casey Riggs of Shelbyville, Ind. and Zach Daum of Pocahontas, Ill were named USAC "Most Improved" National Drivers of 2011.
The Jim Blunk Award for contributions to the sport of Midget racing went to three-time USAC National Midget Champion Jason Leffler in recognition of his commitment to the history of the sport of Midget auto racing.
USAC's 2011 "Mechanical Achievement of the Year" awards went to Tony Stewart Racing's John Sayne and Brad Mariscotti.
Second and third-place drivers and car entrants in USAC's National racing series also received their year-end recognition and awards.
All USAC driving champions were also presented one-year memberships by the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Iowa.
Joe DeFabis of DeFabis Photography, USAC's Official Portrait Studio, presented Championship Photos to the 2011 National driving champions.
Floral decorations were provided by Jockish Flowers of Indianapolis. Tim Spillman of Auto Racing Ministries delivered the invocation.
INAUGURAL eBAY
by DICK JORDAN
Four young aspiring race drivers will be announced as the recipients of the inaugural eBay Motors/PACE Awards this Friday night as part of festivities at the 56th Annual USAC "Night of Champions Awards ceremonies.
Each of the drivers under the age of 20 will receive a distinctive award and the program offers more than $100,000 from eBay Motors which will apply toward their motorsports careers.
In conjunction with USAC sponsors Traxxas, AMSOIL, Mopar and Oakley, eBay Motors has partnered together with them to develop this new scholarship program to recognize emerging motorsports talent and foster their careers.
"eBay Motors is incredibly excited to partner with USAC to help support the racing community," said Famous Rhodes, senior director, eBay Motors. "With the millions of enthusiasts visiting eBay Motors each month, we wanted an opportunity to give back to the community, and the sponsorship with USAC is a great way to do so. As this year's racing season comes to a conclusion, we congratulate this year's top winners, and look forward to an exciting year ahead."
Two additional drivers will also be awarded special "arrive and drive" programs by eBay Motors and they will also be announced at Friday's USAC function.
The PACE awards represent the Program for Acceleration of Championship Education and these awards are designed to become an annual vehicle for recognition of youthful motorsports talent.
More information regarding the eBay Motors/Mopar PACE Award program can be found on USAC's website at http://www.usacracing.com/pace/.
Dec 7 2011
by DICK JORDAN
Champions of USAC's 2011 racing season will be honored on Friday night, December 9, at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in downtown Indianapolis, Ind. as the 56th "Night of Champions" coincides this year with the 3rd Annual International Motorsports Industry Show (IMIS), being held at the nearby Indiana Convention Center.
USAC "Rookies of the Year" for 2012 include Kyle Larson (Traxxas Silver Crown and Mopar National Midget) and Coleman Gulick (AMSOIL National Sprint Car), while "Most Improved Drivers" for 2012 are Zach Daum and Casey Riggs. Larson, of Elk Grove, Calif., finished third in both the Silver Crown and Midget standings and Gulick, of Binghamton, N.Y., was 14th in the final Sprint standings. Larson won the "4-Crown Nationals" Silver Crown race and posted four Midget wins during the season. Gulick's best finishes included a runner-up finish to Jon Stanbrough at Sarver, Pa. Daum, of Pocahontas, Ill. and Riggs, of Shelbyville, Ind., both USAC feature winners during 2012, were deemed to have exhibited the most improvement over previous USAC seasons. Daum won the prestigious "Hut Hundred" Midget race and Riggs scored a $10,000-to-win Sprint victory at Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt, Inc.
In addition to the various series championship awards, numerous other performance awards are part of the ceremonies as well as special recognition awards.
USAC's Traxxas Off-Road Truck Championships (TORC) will also be featured at the banquet, which gets under way with a cocktail hour at 6 pm and dinner to follow at 7.
USAC National Racing Champions to be honored include Bryan Clauson, the repeat winner of USAC's National Drivers Championship and Mopar National Midget title. The National Drivers Championship again carries a $40,000 cash prize and a yet-to-be-announced 2012 scholarship from INDYCAR. Other National Champions are Levi Jones (Silver Crown and AMSOIL Sprint) and Nick Drake (Ford Focus) and Cole Custer (Focus Young Guns). Traxxas TORC Champions include Ricky Johnson (Pro 4x4), Bryce Menzies (Pro 2WD) and Andrew Caddell (Pro Light 2WD).
The Indiana Roof Ballroom is located at 140 W. Washington Street in downtown Indianapolis.
Dec 1 2011
Special savings available for fans who buy tickets, new incentives early
by J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway
INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011 - Tickets for the 2012 Red Bull Indianapolis GP MotoGP event, scheduled for Aug. 17-19 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, will go on sale Thursday, Dec. 1, and fans are encouraged to buy now at www.imstix.com to take advantage of special early pricing.
Reserved seat ticket prices for Race Day, Sunday, Aug. 19, are unchanged from 2011. Prices range from $70-$130 depending on location. Fans who purchase a Race Day reserved seat also can buy a Friday-Saturday general admission ticket for just $20 any time between Dec. 1 and Aug. 17, a great value.
"Indianapolis is my home race, and it's already circled on my calendar for 2012," said 2006 MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden, from Owensboro, Ky. "I really appreciate the support of the fans at IMS, and I hope to see you next August. Get your tickets today and take advantage of this very good offer."
Fan-friendly incentives available only for Race Day reserved seat ticket holders in 2012 include motorcycle track laps, three-day auto parking passes and VIP motorcycle parking near the IMS Hall of Fame Museum.
These amenities - track laps and VIP motorcycle parking are new for 2012 - will be sold through tiered pricing, so reserved seat customers who buy early will enjoy special savings. Prices for each of these products will be $10 from Dec. 1 through April 15. The cost will increase to $30 from April 16-Aug. 1 and to $40 from Aug. 2-19.
Four types of tickets will be available for general admission customers at the 2012 Red Bull Indianapolis GP: Friday, Saturday, Race Day and Three Day (Friday-Saturday-Sunday). Friday-Saturday general admission tickets are available only for Race Day reserved seat customers.
General admission tickets for Friday, Aug. 17 or Saturday, Aug. 18 cost $20 each from Dec. 1 through Race Day, Sunday, Aug. 19.
Three Day and Race Day general admission tickets will be sold through tiered pricing:
Orders for general admission and reserved seat tickets, track laps and parking can be made at www.imstix.com and through the IMS Ticket Office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday. For more information, call the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700, or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area.
Children 12 and under will receive free general admission to any IMS event in 2012 when accompanied by an adult general admission ticket holder.
Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are on sale. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information.
Information on camping at IMS during the Red Bull Indianapolis GP is available at www.imstix.com. Hotel package information can be found at visitindy.com/redbull.
The Red Bull Indianapolis GP will be the 11th of 18 events in the 2012 MotoGP World Championship, which opens April 15 with the Grand Prix of Qatar.
The fifth annual MotoGP race at IMS will take place one week earlier than in 2011. The event also will be the second half of a new American swing for the world's most prestigious motorcycle racing series.
The Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix is scheduled for July 27-29 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif., followed by MotoGP's traditional summer break and then the Red Bull Indianapolis GP.
MotoGP fans will see new machinery in the premier class in 2012. Riders will compete on 1000cc prototype motorcycles, with more speed and power than the 800cc machines used since 2007.
There also will be three Americans on the MotoGP starting grid for the fifth consecutive year at IMS: 2006 World Champion Hayden, 2010 Rookie of the Year Ben Spies and Colin Edwards. Hayden and Spies each are two-time podium finishers in the Red Bull Indianapolis GP, and Spies won the pole for the 2010 race.
World Championship support classes Moto2 and the new Moto3 will return to IMS in 2012. Other support classes will be announced in the future.
Nov 29 2011
by Dick Jordan
Kyle Larson's fourth-place finish in Thursday night's "Turkey Night Grand Prix" vaulted him from fourth to second in the final 2011 USAC National Drivers Championship and the $20,000 cash prize the position affords. Prizes will be distributed at the USAC "Night of Champions" Awards Banquet in Indianapolis, Ind. December 9.
Bryan Clauson finish third in Thursday's USAC's National eason finale at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, Calif., completing his drive to his second USAC National Drivers Championship. He will receive his $40,000 cash prize and a yet-to-be announced scholarship from INDYCAR at the December 9 "Night of Champions."
Drivers finishing third through 10th in the final standings and also earning year-end cash bonuses included Chris Windom (3rd), Levi Jones (4th), Tracy Hines (5th), Bobby East (6th), Jerry Coons Jr. (7th), Darren Hagen (8th), Hunter Schuerenberg (9th) and Jon Stanbrough (10th).
1-Bryan Clauson-1,062 ($40,000); 2-Kyle Larson-1,028 ($20,000); 3-Chris Windom-1,026 ($15,000); 4-Levi Jones-1,022 ($12,500); 5-Tracy Hines-991 ($10,000); 6-Bobby East-942 ($7,500); 7-Jerry Coons Jr.-921 ($5,000); 8-Darren Hagen-866; ($3,000); 9-Hunter Schuerenberg-864 ($2,000); 10-Jon Stanbrough-854 ($1,000).
Nov 24 2011
by J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway
INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011 - Jim Rathmann, winner of both the 1960 Indianapolis 500 and the international 500-mile "Race of Two Worlds" in 1958 at Monza, Italy, died Wednesday, Nov. 23.
Rathmann passed away in a hospice in Melbourne, Fla., nine days after suffering a seizure at his home. He was 83.
Rathmann, who was inducted into the Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2007, already was a three-time runner-up in the "500" (1952, 1957 and 1959) when he scored his greatest victory. And if the 1960 race, with its record 29 lead changes, was not the finest "500" ever held, there can be no question that Rathmann's epic two-hour duel with defending winner Rodger Ward continues to stand out as the Speedway's greatest sustained two-man battle of all time.
For the entire second half of that never-to-be-forgotten classic, Rathmann and Ward were rarely any more than a few feet from each other, exchanging the lead 14 times between them. That number could have been considerably more had not tire wear played into the equation. Long before the days of computer-generated race strategies, two-way radio communication, spotters, and Pace Car-led pack-ups during caution periods, these two wily veterans pretty much had to figure it out for themselves, aided only by a pit board message flashed to them every minute or so.
Ward, an early leader, had stalled on his first of three planned stops, losing at least a half-minute. He raced hard to regain lost ground and caught up with Rathmann just before the halfway mark, fully cognizant that in the process he had placed undue stress on his tires. They swapped the lead several times before Ward decided to run behind Rathmann for a while and let him dictate the pace, both aware that third-placed Johnny Thomson was running a comfortable margin behind them. That was until the pit board signs began advising them that the advantage was shrinking. When it fell to only 10 seconds, they determined it was time to go.
The lead changed hands six more times in the final 30 laps until Ward happen to notice tell-tale discoloration appearing in the center of his right front tire, indicating that the cords were about to show through. He led as late as Lap 197 before reluctantly slowing down to salvage second as a greatly relieved Rathmann nursed his ailing tiresto the finish and won at a record average speed of 138.767 mph.
Had Ward prevailed, Rathmann, who led exactly half of the 200 laps that day, would have held the dubious distinction of being history's only four-time runner-up at Indianapolis.
As an illustration of just how different things were in those days, the winning Ken-Paul Special was a brand new Offenhauser-powered car Rathmann had commissioned from his old friend A. J. Watson on behalf of Rathmann's partners, Kenny Rich and Paul Lacy. Rathmann and his chief mechanic, Chickie Hirashima, drove a station wagon out to Watson's shop in Glendale, Calif., to pick up the car whereupon they loaded it on to an open trailer and then towed it back to the Midwest themselves. More than rewarded by the eventual first-place prize money checks totaling a record $110,000, Rathmann later estimated the entire investment at only $35,000.
Born in Los Angeles on July 16, 1928, Rathmann started life as Royal Richard Rathmann, becoming "Jim" in the immediate post World War II years when he began racing hot rods as an underage teenager. He borrowed the identity of his two-and-half-year older brother, James, who later raced extensively and won the 1958 "500" pole position as "Dick" Rathmann. Although they were later to modify their dates of birth from time to time, they thankfully avoided further confusion by never professionally using their given names as they appeared on their driver's licenses and so forth, Richard Rathmann known for the remainder of his life as Jim, and James as Dick.
A contemporary, since his earliest racing days, of Troy Ruttman, Jack McGrath, Pat Flaherty, Don Freeland, Andy Linden and numerous other "500" stars of the future, Jim Rathmann moved to Chicago in 1948 to race hot rods with Andy Granatelli's Chicago-based Hurricane Hot Rod Association.
In 1949, Rathmann, Ruttman and Flaherty all made their Indianapolis debuts, Flaherty (who missed the show) being, at 23, the only one legally over 21. Rathmann, claiming to be 24, but really only 20, took his "rookie" test in a car he owned himself, but sponsored by Grancor Corporation, the hot rod business belonging to and operated by the Granatelli brothers. Rathmann ended up qualifying the Pioneer Auto Repair Special for John "The Popper" Lorenz and finishing 11th.
In 1952, driving for the Granatelli brothers, Rathmann finished second in the "500," beaten only by Troy Ruttman, his boyhood friend and fellow hotrod club member.
Rathmann, who was also runner-up to Sam Hanks in 1957 and to Ward in 1959, drove in a total of 14 Indianapolis 500 Mile Races between 1949 and 1963, leading at some stage during six of them for a total of 153 laps. At the time of his retirement in May 1964, he had completed 2,295 laps in competition and was within less than a full race of claiming the all-time record, only Cliff Bergere (2,452 laps) and Mauri Rose (2,420 laps) having completed a greater number.
Having travelled to Monza for the invitational 500-miler in 1957 merely as a potential relief driver since his regular car owner, Lindsey Hopkins had chosen not to send a car, Rathmann brokered a deal for the 1958 contest.
Underwritten by Bob Wilke of Leader Cards, sponsor of his recent fifth-place effort with Hopkins at Indianapolis, Rathmann leased a car from John Zink, retaining Zink's chief mechanic, Watson, another of Rathmann's hot rod cronies from the late 1940s. The 500-mile race at the steeply-banked and bone-jarring 2.64-mile concrete bowl was divided into three legs, with intervals between each. Rathmann won all three and was the undisputed overall winner at the incredible average speed of 166.722 mph.
That association led to Wilke forming the Leader Card Racing Team, with Watson leaving Zink to head up the operation and build new cars. At one point, Leader Card intended running a two-driver team, with Rathmann joining Ward. Then Hopkins made an arrangement to purchase the second brand-new "Watson" for Rathmann, Ward going on to win, with Rathmann recording his third runner-up finish.
By the time the 1959 "500" was held, Rathmann had further demonstrated his great skill and bravery by winning a 100-mile USAC National Championship race April 4 at the brand-new Daytona International Speedway. Far better suited to the NASCAR stock cars, which had ushered in the Daytona 500 in February with Lee Petty winning the caution-free inaugural at 135.521 mph, Rathmann ripped off the 100 miles in the astonishing time of only 35 minutes. Scrunched down in the cockpit of his fish-tailing front-engined Offenhauser-powered Watson "roadster" and wearing a short-sleeved polo shirt with only an open-faced Cromwell-type helmet for protection, he averaged a breathtaking 170.261 mph.
Three-times the Midwest hot rod champion (1948, 1950 and 1951) and third-ranking AAA stock car driver of 1955, the diversified Rathmann was one of the first oval track specialists to dabble in sports car racing, taking part in the Sebring 12 Hours three times (sharing the 12th place-finishing and class-winning Corvette with Dick Doane in 1958) and racing several times at Nassau. He was even down to drive the Tec-Mec Maserati at the inaugural Formula One Grand Prix of the United States at Sebring in 1959 although he ended up not competing. He twice ran in the Carrera Panamericana, sharing an Oldsmobile in 1952 with Frank "Rebel" Mundy, and he even took part in the Miami-Nassau powerboat race one year, sustaining a broken foot along the way while trying to fix a mechanical problem.
An entrepreneur from his earliest days, Rathmann graduated from a paper route to running a hot rod shop while still in his teens. A muffler shop in Chicago was followed by a speed shop in Miami, a used car business and eventually a huge Cadillac and Chevrolet dealership in Melbourne, Fla., the latter being contingent upon his retirement, an agreement upon which he "fudged" for at least two more years.
There was also a very successful go-kart business which produced the highly sought-after Rathmann Xterminator and even an adventuresome episode of his life in which he held the rights toretrieving centuries-old treasure chests, firearms and cannons from sunken pirate ships off the coast of Florida.
Close friends with all of the early astronauts, Rathmann actually pulled off a most unlikely coup by having one of them discreetly affix a Rathmann car dealership decal to the famous golf cart which was driven on the surface of the moon! Yet another venture was the G.C.R. Corporation team which contested the USAC championship series in 1966 and 1967, the "G" being for Gus Grissom, the "C" for Gordon Cooper and "R" for Rathmann.
One of the fascinating character traits of Rathmann was that he always seemed so nonchalant in the winner's circle, even at Indianapolis and Monza where he'd be poker-faced and stoic, standing up in the cockpit with loosened helmet straps dangling around his neck and barely smiling as he waved one hand at just above waist level.
It was a misleading illusion.
In fact, this very down-to-earth and unpretentious individual happened to be a fun-loving, chronic practical joker who seemed up for just about any mischievous adventure. A very modest man, he was most gracious to the fans, benched-raced with the best of them and told stories laced with a most infectious giggle. Questions about his own career were usually passed off with brief and rather evasive responses as he preferred instead to tell stories about his colleagues, tears of mirth rolling his cheeks as he relayed the details of yet another prank.
But Rathmann was a serious racer, and he loved the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. To him, the month of May at the track was "everything," the other 11 months always being filled with plenty of activities, but with the focus clearly on the next migration to IMS. In spite of his deep competitive spirit, he was a great sportsman who was close with many of his contemporaries, photographs taken in the aftermath of the 1957 and 1959 Indianapolis races indicating that he obviously had great affection for both Hanks and Ward, who had narrowly defeated him.
Ill health in recent years had prevented Rathmann from making his annual pilgrimage to his beloved Speedway where, for many years he had matched his golfing skills with Ward, Lloyd Ruby, Parnelli Jones, James Garner and others. Six times the Pace Car driver for the "500," Rathmann's final appearance in the city of Indianapolis came at the Convention Center in February 2009 for the Speedway's Centennial Era Gala, where he was the oldest and earliest of the 19 Indianapolis 500 winners on hand.
Rathmann is survived by wife Kay, sons Jimmy and Jay, stepsons Zack and Tosh Pence, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
In place of flowers the family requests that donations be made to:
William Childs Hospice House
381 Medplex Parkway
Palm Bay, FL 32907
Nov 22 2011
The 2011 "Night of Champions" USAC National Awards Dinner is scheduled for Friday night, December 9, at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in downtown Indianapolis, Ind. Champions of USAC's 2011 racing series will be honored during the gala evening.
Bryan Clauson of Noblesville, Ind. locked up his second consecutive USAC National Drivers Championship last month in California. Among his championship awards are a $40,000 cash bonus and a yet-to-be-announced scholarship from INDYCAR. Clauson also leads the Mopar National Midget standings entering this Thursday night's finale at Irwindale, Calif.
Levi Jones of Olney, Ill. will again be celebrated as USAC's Traxxas Silver Crown and AMSOIL National Sprint Car Champion. It's the second consecutive year he has swept both titles.
Ricky Johnson of Trabuco Canyon, Calif., Bryce Menzies of Las Vegas, Nev. and Andrew Caddell of Graham, Wash. will also be honored as 2011 USAC TORC Off-Road Truck Champions. Johnson claimed the Pro 4x4 title, while Menzies won the Pro 2WD crown and Caddell is the Pro Light 2WD titlist.
The affair will be held again this year in conjunction with the International Motorsports Industry Show (IMIS), which will be held December 8-10 at the Indiana Convention Center, located just one block south of the banquet facility.
In addition to the various series championship awards, numerous other performance awards are part of the ceremonies as well as special recognition awards.
USAC's Mopar .25 Midget "Generation Next" Champions will also be featured at the banquet, which gets under way with a cocktail hour at 6:30 pm and dinner to follow at 7.
Reservations for this special evening are being accepted until November 30 by Nikki Wilke at the USAC headquarters at email@example.com or by calling 317-247-5151 (Ext. 214). Tickets for the banquet are priced at $60 each. Discounted hotel reservations are available through the IMIS website at www.imis-indy.com or by contacting the housing bureau at 317-684-2573 and mentioning IMIS.
Emcees for the affair are renowned broadcasters Jim Tretow, Robin Miller and Meghan Kolb.
The Indiana Roof Ballroom is located at 140 W. Washington Street in downtown Indianapolis.
Free parking, other discounts provided in holiday special
by J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway
INDIANAPOLIS, Monday, Nov. 21, 2011 - The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is offering a special holiday package of Season Tickets for all three motorsports events in 2012 at the "Racing Capital of the World," with savings of $120 and free parking included for fans who buy early on Black Friday, Nov. 25.
Fans who purchase two Season Tickets for a total of $140 also will receive one free parking pass to each event if they purchase between 6 a.m.-noon (ET) on Black Friday at www.imstix.com or at the IMS Ticket Office. Season Tickets provide general admission for the 2012 Indianapolis 500, the Crown Royal Presents The "Your Hero's Name Here" 400 at the Brickyard and the Red Bull Indianapolis GP,
If purchased separately, two general admission tickets and parking for all three events would total $260.
Great holiday deals continue at www.imstix.com after noon Friday, with fans saving more the earlier they purchase tickets.
•Individual Season Tickets are available for $70 through 5 p.m. Cyber Monday, Nov. 28. Free parking is not included.
•Individual Season Tickets are available for $75 from Tuesday, Nov. 29 through Saturday, Dec. 31.
The Season Pass will cost $85 beginning Jan. 1, still a $15 value over Race Day pricing.
2012 IMS tickets: Tickets for the three events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2012 - the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 27, the Super Weekend at the Brickyard from July 26-29 and the Red Bull Indianapolis GP from Aug. 17-19 - are on sale now.
Tickets can be purchased now by visiting www.imstix.com, calling the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or visiting the ticket office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street. Ticket office and phone hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday.
Nov 19 2011
by DICK JORDAN
Next Thursday night's 71st Annual "Turkey Night Grand Prix" at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, Calif. will conclude USAC's 2011 racing season but not without an impact on eleven (11) different USAC championships!
The National Drivers Championship, Mopar National Midget, Mopar Western Midget, National Midget Pavement, AMSOIL Western Sprint, Western Classic Sprint, Western Classic Pavement, National Ford Focus, Western Ford Focus, Western Pavement Ford Focus and Southern California Ford Focus standings will all be affected by the outcome of the three races which comprise Thursday's program at the complex featuring both half and third-mile paved ovals.
One of America's most revered events, "Turkey Night" has been conducted since 1934, with brief intermissions (no races from 1942-1944 or 1951-1954) and has found a home at Irwindale since 1999. Eight other tracks hosted the race before it landed at its current location. They were Gilmore Stadium, Gardena Stadium, Ascot Park, Speedway 605 (in Irwindale), Saugus Speedway, Bakersfield Speedway, Perris Auto Speedway and Ventura Raceway.
A 98-lap race on the half-mile for the Mopar USAC National and Western Midgets caps the program, saluting the #98 made famous by race organizer J.C. Agajanian, whose sons now organize the event. The AMSOIL USAC Western and Western Classic Sprint cars race for 40 laps, also on the big half-mile, while the Western Ford Focuses compete in a 30-lapper on the third-mile oval.
Of the eleven championships to be impacted Thursday, only three have been resolved entering a Western Midget/Ford Focus/Focus Young Guns "tripleheader" tomorrow night (Nov. 19) at Ventura (Calif.) Raceway. No less than six driving championships will be up for grabs at Irwindale, depending on the Ventura results.
At least five former champions of the "Turkey Night Grand Prix" Midget race are expected to be in competition Thursday, namely defending two-time champ Bryan Clauson, two-time champ Jason Leffler, Billy Wease, Bobby East and Bobby Santos III. Former winners of the "Turkey Night" Sprint race expected to compete are two-time champ Tony Hunt, Tracy Hines and Kody Swanson.
1-Bryan Clauson-1,056, 2-Chris Windom-1,024, 3-Levi Jones-1,022, 4-Kyle Larson-1,016, 5-Tracy Hines-991.
1-Bryan Clauson-1,110, 2-Darren hagen-1,091, 3-Kyle Larson-1,030, 4-Tracy Hines-941, 5-Bobby East-840.
1-Darren Hagen-364, 2-Kyle Larson-343, 3-Caleb Armstrong-299, 4-Tanner Sasnson-267, 5-Tracy Hines-258.
USAC MOPAR WESTERN MIDGET POINT STANDINGS (Prior to Ventura 11/19)
1-Cory Kruseman-533, 2-David Prickett-498, 3-Johnathon Henry-485, 4-Cody Swanson-426, 5-Jake Swanson-403.
1-Audra Sasselli-640, 2-Tony Hunt-620, 3-Tim Skoglund-609, 4-Cody Gerhardt-599, 5-Luis Ramos III-524.
1-Geoff Ensign-848, 2-Tony Hunt-830, 3-Scott Pierovich-756, 4-Tim Barber-634, 5-Shauna Hogg-622.
1-Tony Hunt-443, 2-Audra Sasselli-442, 3-Scott Pierovich-392, 4-Cody Gerhardt-382, 5-Tim Skoglund-371.
USAC NATIONAL FORD FOCUS POINT STANDINGS (Prior to Ventura 11/19)
1-Nick Drake-720, 2-Ross Rankine-705, 3-Brodie Kostecki-702, 4-Garett Peterson-687, 5-Jarett Andretti-687.
USAC WESTERN FORD FOCUS POINT STANDINGS (Prior to Ventura 11/19)
1-Brodie Kostecki-826,.2-Jim Waters-807, 3-Garett Peterson-769, 4-Chuck Groat-760, 5-Wally Pankratz-754.
1-Jessica Clark-1,222, 2-Brodie Kostecki-1,038, 3-Garett Peterson-913, 4-Keegan Walmer-902, 5-James Edens-731.
1-Jessica Clark-734, 2-Brandon White-681, 3-Paul Graham-658, 4-Brodie Kostecki-534, 5-Keegan Walmer-356.
Nov 15 2011
by Dick Jordan
Bryan Clauson of Noblesville, Ind. mathematically locked up his second consecutive USAC National Drivers Championship Saturday night, finishing sixth in the USAC AMSOIL National Sprint car finale at Giant Chevrolet Kings Speedway in Hanford, Calif. The final event in the 2011 NDC is the November 24 "Turkey Night Grand Prix" Midget race at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, Calif.
Drivers Chris Windom, Levi Jones and Kyle Larson enter the finale separated by just eight points for the runner-up spot in the final standings. Jones bolted past Larson to third in the points after winning Saturday's race at Hanford.
Windom's worst of his 25 top finishes this year is an eighth, while Jones' worst of 25 is a sixth and Larson's worst is a 10th, so a Larson victory at Irwindale could be huge, since a driver's best 25 finishes count toward the final tally.
Year-end prizes for the USAC National Drivers Championship will be distributed at the December 9 "Night of Champions" USAC National Awards Banquet in Indianapolis, Ind.
1-Bryan Clauson-1,056 ($40,000); 2-Chris Windom-1,024 ($20,000); 3-Levi Jones-1,022 ($15,000); 4-Kyle Larson-1,016 ($12,500); 5-Tracy Hines-991 ($10,000); 6-Bobby East-942 ($7,500); 7-Jerry Coons Jr.-921 ($5,000); 8-Hunter Schuerenberg-864 ($3,000); 9-Jon Stanbrough-854 ($2,000); 10-Darren Hagen-824 ($1,000).
Nov 10 2011
Winners of North American Endurance Championship to be crowned July 27 at IMS
by J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway
INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011 - The inaugural Super Weekend at the Brickyard is more than eight months away, but the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series already has placed the race among its elite events by including it as the exciting finale of its new North American Endurance Championship for 2012.
GRAND-AM officials announced Nov. 9 that the Super Weekend at the Brickyard on Friday, July 27 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will join the Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 28-29 at Daytona International Speedway and the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen on June 29-July 1 at Watkins Glen International in the prestigious endurance championship.
The North American Endurance Championship is a special championship within the 13-race GRAND-AM schedule for 2012. Teams in both the Daytona Prototype and production-based GT classes will compete, with championship winners being crowned after the race on the 13-turn, 2.534-mile Grand Prix road circuit at IMS.
"The addition of the Super Weekend at the Brickyard to the North American Endurance Championship heightens the anticipation for this inaugural event more than ever," said Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation president and chief executive officer. "It's only fitting that the winners of this exciting new championship will earn their titles at the Racing Capital of the World."
In addition to featuring all of GRAND-AM's full-time drivers, several top teams also have indicated they will field additional cars with all-star drivers to compete in the North American Endurance Championship, including the Super Weekend at the Brickyard.
"I think the North American Endurance Championship adds more excitement to an already exciting schedule," said four-time Rolex Series Daytona Prototype champion Scott Pruett, also a veteran of the Indianapolis 500 and Crown Royal Presents "Your Hero's Name Here" 400 at the Brickyard. "The Rolex 24 is clearly the highlight of our season, and I'm very excited with the addition of Indianapolis. The new championship gives further emphasis on our three endurance races."
GRAND-AM will make its IMS debut as part of the inaugural Super Weekend at the Brickyard. Separate races for the Rolex Sports Car Series and Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge will take place July 27, with a three-hour endurance race for the Rolex Sports Car Series.
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series also will compete on the oval during the four-day event from July 26-29. It's the first time races will take place on the 2.5-mile oval and 2.534-mile road course at IMS during the same event.
Super Weekend tickets: Tickets are on sale now for the Super Weekend at the Brickyard on July 26-29 at IMS.
All ticket orders can be made at www.imstix.com and through the IMS Ticket Office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday. For more information, call the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700, or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area.
Children 12 and under will receive free general admission when accompanied by an adult with a Super Weekend Ticket or general admission ticket.
Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are on sale. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information.
Nov 8 2011
by Dick Jordan
Bryan Clauson of Noblesville, Ind. is two races away from earning his second consecutive USAC National Drivers Championship. Despite failing to increase his point total with finishes of sixth, eighth and 28th in last weekend's "Budweiser Oval Nationals" at Perris, Calif., he takes a 32-point lead over Chris Windom into this Saturday's AMSOIL USAC National/CRA Sprint race at Hanford, Calif. The NDC point race concludes November 24 in the "Turkey Night Grand Prix" Mopar USAC National/Western Midget race at Irwindale, Calif.
Windom, of Canton, Ill., bolted past Kyle Larson into the runner-up point spot in the NDC standings with his victory, fifth and eighth-place finishes at Perris. Larson had a disappointing 13th-place finish in the Perris finale after missing the first two Perris features and has slipped to third in the new standings.
The best 25 National feature finishes count toward a driver's seasonal NDC total and Clauson could mathematically eliminate his challengers at Hanford.
The National Drivers Champion will be presented a cash bonus of $40,000 and a ride in all of the 2012 Firestone Indy Lights oval-track races when USAC's 2011 champions are honored December 9 in Indianapolis, Ind.
1-Bryan Clauson-1,056 ($40,000); 2-Chris Windom-1,024 ($20,000); 3-Kyle Larson-1,016 ($15,000); 4-Levi Jones-1,007 ($12,500); 5-Tracy Hines-989 ($10,000); 6-Bobby East-942 ($7,500); 7-Jerry Coons Jr.-921 ($5,000); 8-Hunter Schuerenberg-864 ($3,000); 9-Jon Stanbrough-834 ($2,000); 10-Darren Hagen-824 ($1,000).
Nov 1 2011
by by Len Sammons
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - October 2011 . . Registration is underway for Indoor Auto Racing to be held at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall in February. The 10th edition of the event under the direction of Len Sammons and staff is planned for Friday and Saturday nights Feb. 3-4, 2012. TQ (three quarter) Midgets, dirt 600cc Micro-Sprints, Slingshots and Champ Karts.
Competitors and fans will be greeted with an altered track layout for the '12 edition.
The entire oval will be shifted inside the hall for better fan sight lines. Competitors will enjoy wider corners and straightaways. The inside of the track's turns will be marked by tires rather than guardrails. The tires were used successfully at Providence, R.I., for the previous events.
Jonathan Reid of Lockport, N.Y., filed the first TQ Midget entry for the '12 A.C. Indoor Race. Reid will drive a No. 9 for noted Western New York owner Harry Macy.
Manchester, N.J.'s Jimmy Carpenter was first to enter the 600cc Micro-Sprint portion of the weekend.
Kurt Bettler of Hellertown, Pa., led the Slingshot contingent, entering his No. 66 first, while Brianna Page of Brick, N.J., was first to enter the Champ Kart portion of the weekend.
Registration forms and race information can be obtained by visiting the Atlantic City Indoor Race page at www.aarn.com.
Tickets for the Atlantic City event are on sale now at Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com and at the Boardwalk Hall box office. Ticket prices remain the same as the past event. Premium seats sell out quickly.
Tickets and further information can also be obtained by calling the show office (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at 609-888-3618.
Ted Christopher from Plainville, Conn. will be returning to defend the "Gambler's Classic" title he won this past January in the headline Three-Quarter Midget division.
Christopher, the 2009 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion, also won the "Coffee Cup" TQ-Midget feature held inside the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, R.I., to sweep last winter's Indoor Racing Series.
The Providence events will again be held in 2012, on Sat.-Sun. March 10 and 11.
The Three-Quarter Midgets hit speeds upwards of 70 miles per hour while running around a course set-up on the historic landmark Boardwalk Hall concrete floor. Feature events find a minimum of 24 cars taking the green flag providing some hair raising action for fans.
Each year professional race car drivers from many different divisions of the sport; and over 10 different states, compete at the event.
The Champ Kart and Slingshot divisions will also be included in the exciting Atlantic City race weekend. Racing will begin on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. and at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Each night will include qualifying races and a feature event for the headline division.
Additional information may also be found on the web at www.aarn.com or by emailing email@example.com.