Looking for some fun on a Saturday night? Get back to basics at a local short track, namely Ona Speedway.
Billy Rose and his wife Jennifer are doing everything in their power to make sure fans have a great time at the track.
First of all, winners in the divisions for May 26:
Late Model, Brian Royalty; Any Car, John Shaffer; Classics, Jason Garrett; Hobby Stock, Mike Taylor: Modifieds, Hubie Hatfield; and U-Car, Joe Workman.
For a complete run down of the entries and how they fared, go to the Ona Speedway homepage at www.onaspeedway.net or www.onaspeedway.com and at the left hand side of the page, click onto MyLaps.com. Use the search engine for Ona Speedway. Everyone’s laps, best times and speeds are detailed, along with photos of the car if available. There’s even a guestbook to send a message to your favorite drivers.
We all know about and are counting down the days until the Dale Earnhardt Jr. appearance June 16 for the Race of Champions. If we will recall, Junior has said he hopes to have an announcement by the end of June as to his 2008 plans. Sounds like pretty good timing for local fans. Junior-fever will be at a frenzy nationwide by then.
There will be a family movie night on Friday, June 15 and your Race of Champions ticket will get you in for that, too.
But that’s not all planned for the summer.
Monster trucks invade the speedway on Wednesday, July 4. In addition to the trucks, there will be racing and fireworks! Sounds like a pretty good night to me.
Billy said they at the speedway want to give back to the community, and they are planning a Relay for Life event from 6 p.m. to midnight on Friday, June 22. More information will be coming in the near future, but get your walking shoes on and pick your teams to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
Check out the happenings at the Ona Speedway web site, and stay connected here at www.herald-dispatch.com.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Endurance day pays off for Mears
Well, the endurance race of NASCAR has come and gone and it was nice to see some “new” names in the top five. OK, not exactly new names but not-so-regular top five finishers.
What a gamble on fuel Casey Mears took. And that little roll of the dice paid off big with his first NASCAR Nextel Cup win! Just how nice was that to see. Of course, he ran out of gas just after crossing the finish and had to be pushed to Victory Lane.
Following Casey across the line were J.J. Yeley, Kyle Petty – yes at long last – Kyle Petty, Reed Sorenson and Brian Vickers in a Toyota.
Who’d have thought you’d see a Toyota that high in the finishers this season. Toyota hasn’t exactly been tearing up the tracks.
As happy as you were for Casey’s first Nextel win, you had to grin from ear to ear and let out a happy giggle for Kyle Petty. It was the first time in 10 years he’d finished in the top five and went to the post-race press conference.
And in the nation’s midsection earlier in the day, the Indy 500 had a Kentucky connection with winner Dario Franchitti. He’s married to Ashley Judd of the Ashland Judd fame.
During the FOX broadcast, Darrell Waltrip offered his congrats to his Franklin, Tenn., neighbor Franchitti. Dario just doesn’t sound like he lives in Tennessee. I guess the Judd accent hasn’t rubbed off on him yet.
What a gamble on fuel Casey Mears took. And that little roll of the dice paid off big with his first NASCAR Nextel Cup win! Just how nice was that to see. Of course, he ran out of gas just after crossing the finish and had to be pushed to Victory Lane.
Following Casey across the line were J.J. Yeley, Kyle Petty – yes at long last – Kyle Petty, Reed Sorenson and Brian Vickers in a Toyota.
Who’d have thought you’d see a Toyota that high in the finishers this season. Toyota hasn’t exactly been tearing up the tracks.
As happy as you were for Casey’s first Nextel win, you had to grin from ear to ear and let out a happy giggle for Kyle Petty. It was the first time in 10 years he’d finished in the top five and went to the post-race press conference.
And in the nation’s midsection earlier in the day, the Indy 500 had a Kentucky connection with winner Dario Franchitti. He’s married to Ashley Judd of the Ashland Judd fame.
During the FOX broadcast, Darrell Waltrip offered his congrats to his Franklin, Tenn., neighbor Franchitti. Dario just doesn’t sound like he lives in Tennessee. I guess the Judd accent hasn’t rubbed off on him yet.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Car show and racing this weekend
Lots of fun is in store if you make the trip to Ona Speedway Saturday.
Before the green flag drops at 7 p.m. there will be a car show, compliments of the Covered Bridge Car Club of Milton. It will feature cars from the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s plus street rods and muscle cars.
The car show runs from 3 to 7 p.m. at the track. Proceeds from show entry fees will be given to ECCHO, a food and clothing pantry in Milton.
After the car show, there will be racing with Hatfield U-Cars, Any Cars, Bath Fitter Hobby Stock, Classics, Elite Mods and Late Models.
Admission is $9 for adults and kids under 12 are free. Grandstands open at 5 p.m.
Before the green flag drops at 7 p.m. there will be a car show, compliments of the Covered Bridge Car Club of Milton. It will feature cars from the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s plus street rods and muscle cars.
The car show runs from 3 to 7 p.m. at the track. Proceeds from show entry fees will be given to ECCHO, a food and clothing pantry in Milton.
After the car show, there will be racing with Hatfield U-Cars, Any Cars, Bath Fitter Hobby Stock, Classics, Elite Mods and Late Models.
Admission is $9 for adults and kids under 12 are free. Grandstands open at 5 p.m.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Car of Today
OK, we have a choice of topics: The Busch Brothers taking each other out at the All-Star Challenge or the COT.
Hmmm. Let’s go COT, which is now the Car of Today. Well, Car of Next Season.
Yep, NASCAR changed it’s mind again and will run the full 2008 season with the COT. That’s a full year earlier than their original plan.
Good idea (thought to self: finally).
Now teams can concentrate on one set of cars, not two. The races can be closer at the finish, and apparently more cars are finishing races in the COT duels.
NASCAR’s vice president of competition, Robin Pemberton, noted the car has performed well in all it’s five outings this year.
It’s really performed well if you drive for Rick Hendrick. That team has it figured out.
Gibbs Racing president J.D. Gibbs said it will benefit teams financially by eliminating the current car program, letting them focus on one, not two sets of cars.
Ginn Motorsports GM Jay Frye agreed. A mid-size team, they will be able to put more resources (read: money) into the COT and gear up for next season.
Kyle Petty takes the thought even further. He's so happy with the COT, he’d like to see it used the entire second half of the season.
Lest you think everyone is happy, think again. Despite the Hendrick COT success, Jeff Gordon isn’t sure it’s time has come.
"Without being on a mile-and-a-half track, I don't see how we can just go completely forward with it," Gordon said to the Associated Press.
Hmmm. Let’s go COT, which is now the Car of Today. Well, Car of Next Season.
Yep, NASCAR changed it’s mind again and will run the full 2008 season with the COT. That’s a full year earlier than their original plan.
Good idea (thought to self: finally).
Now teams can concentrate on one set of cars, not two. The races can be closer at the finish, and apparently more cars are finishing races in the COT duels.
NASCAR’s vice president of competition, Robin Pemberton, noted the car has performed well in all it’s five outings this year.
It’s really performed well if you drive for Rick Hendrick. That team has it figured out.
Gibbs Racing president J.D. Gibbs said it will benefit teams financially by eliminating the current car program, letting them focus on one, not two sets of cars.
Ginn Motorsports GM Jay Frye agreed. A mid-size team, they will be able to put more resources (read: money) into the COT and gear up for next season.
Kyle Petty takes the thought even further. He's so happy with the COT, he’d like to see it used the entire second half of the season.
Lest you think everyone is happy, think again. Despite the Hendrick COT success, Jeff Gordon isn’t sure it’s time has come.
"Without being on a mile-and-a-half track, I don't see how we can just go completely forward with it," Gordon said to the Associated Press.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Local racing this weekend
Hopefully, the weather will cooperate and the green flag will drop at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 12 for a full night of racing at Ona Speedway.
Admission is $9 for adults, kids under 12 free.
Pits open at 3 p.m. and the grandstands at 5 p.m.
There is open practice on Thursday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m.
The sky was gray and overcast for the most part May 5, with raindrops falling for much of the day. Consequently, racing was cancelled. The make up date will be Saturday, September 22.
The night before, Friday, May 11, Rocky Top Raceway at Coal Grove, Ohio will have a full racing program with late models ($1,200 to win), modifieds ($650 to win) and Bombers ($350 to win)
General admission is $12, and $25 in the pits.
The next entry for Revelocity Racing and Barboursville Brett Rowe will be at Nashville Superspeedway on June 9 in the Federated Auto Parts 300 in the NASCAR Busch Series.
The race is at 6:30 p.m., and can be seen on ESPN2.
Brett is currently 62nd in the NBS with four races this season.
At Richmond International Raceway last weekend, Brett’s DNF came at lap 83 of 190, result of an accident.
Admission is $9 for adults, kids under 12 free.
Pits open at 3 p.m. and the grandstands at 5 p.m.
There is open practice on Thursday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m.
The sky was gray and overcast for the most part May 5, with raindrops falling for much of the day. Consequently, racing was cancelled. The make up date will be Saturday, September 22.
The night before, Friday, May 11, Rocky Top Raceway at Coal Grove, Ohio will have a full racing program with late models ($1,200 to win), modifieds ($650 to win) and Bombers ($350 to win)
General admission is $12, and $25 in the pits.
The next entry for Revelocity Racing and Barboursville Brett Rowe will be at Nashville Superspeedway on June 9 in the Federated Auto Parts 300 in the NASCAR Busch Series.
The race is at 6:30 p.m., and can be seen on ESPN2.
Brett is currently 62nd in the NBS with four races this season.
At Richmond International Raceway last weekend, Brett’s DNF came at lap 83 of 190, result of an accident.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Where to go, where to go?
It’s finally official. There will be no Earnhardt driving a Nextel Cup car at DEI in 2008.
But where, oh where, will Junior go?
Immediately discount any and all Ford, Dodge and (duh) Toyota teams. Sorry Jack, probably won’t be you, although you do have some financial advantages, you have way too many drivers. Ray and Mikey don't field the right brand, either.
So, let's look at the house of Chevy.
Sentiment says Richard Childress Racing. After all, Junior's dad raced there and RCR does own the #3. Sentiment also says it would be cool to see Junior race with the #3 on his doors someday. By the by, who owns the rights to the #8?
Junior is a huge Washington Redskins fan. So that would lean toward Joe Gibbs Racing. Hmmm, Junior and Tony in the same stable. Interesting thought, isn’t it? Great drivers, big personalities, honest talkers. Good corporate spokesmen, great in commercials.
That sounds like a winning combination.
Then there is the Hendrick factor. That’s the hottest team in NASCAR this season. They apparently have the Car of Tomorrow right. If the sport goes there sooner than 2009, Junior would have a contender garage of cars to drive, a garage that has the COT figured out. Not necessarily a lot of strong personal connection, but a strong future.
Junior is listening to all offers. I’m thinking it will take Chevys, a good engine program, talent in the garage and in the pits, and (probably, even though he may not admit to it) a lot of cash.
But where, oh where, will Junior go?
Immediately discount any and all Ford, Dodge and (duh) Toyota teams. Sorry Jack, probably won’t be you, although you do have some financial advantages, you have way too many drivers. Ray and Mikey don't field the right brand, either.
So, let's look at the house of Chevy.
Sentiment says Richard Childress Racing. After all, Junior's dad raced there and RCR does own the #3. Sentiment also says it would be cool to see Junior race with the #3 on his doors someday. By the by, who owns the rights to the #8?
Junior is a huge Washington Redskins fan. So that would lean toward Joe Gibbs Racing. Hmmm, Junior and Tony in the same stable. Interesting thought, isn’t it? Great drivers, big personalities, honest talkers. Good corporate spokesmen, great in commercials.
That sounds like a winning combination.
Then there is the Hendrick factor. That’s the hottest team in NASCAR this season. They apparently have the Car of Tomorrow right. If the sport goes there sooner than 2009, Junior would have a contender garage of cars to drive, a garage that has the COT figured out. Not necessarily a lot of strong personal connection, but a strong future.
Junior is listening to all offers. I’m thinking it will take Chevys, a good engine program, talent in the garage and in the pits, and (probably, even though he may not admit to it) a lot of cash.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Racin' around
It will be a busy weekend for local racers close to home and in neighboring states.
There will be a full menu of races at Ona Speedway and Rocky Top Raceway in Coal Grove, Ohio.
Ona Speedway will run the gamut Saturday, May 5 with something for everyone.
At 6 p.m., kids on bikes take the track in two age brackets, 5 to 8 years old and 9 to 12 years old. If you’re going to participate, you must bring a helmet.
The green flag drops at 7 p.m. for a full night of racing. Admission is $9 for adults, kids under 12 free.
Pits open at 3 p.m. and the grandstands at 5 p.m.
At Rocky Top Raceway on Friday, May 4, there will be a full slate of racing with late models, modifieds, mod lites and Bombers.
General admission is $12 for adults, $6 for kids 6-12 and free for kids under 6-years-old. Pit Admission is $25 ($10 for kids 6-12).
Gates open at 4 p.m. with Drivers Meeting at 7 p.m. and Hot Laps immediately following around 7:15 p.m.
Our local NASCAR Busch driver, Brett Rowe, is entered at Richmond International Raceway for the Circuit City 250.
Qualifying is at 4 p.m. Friday and can be seen on the SPEED Channel. The race will be on ESPN2 at 7:30 p.m.
Good luck to everyone at all three places. (Especially to Brett and my pals Jimi Eplion and Shane Koontz at Ona.)
There will be a full menu of races at Ona Speedway and Rocky Top Raceway in Coal Grove, Ohio.
Ona Speedway will run the gamut Saturday, May 5 with something for everyone.
At 6 p.m., kids on bikes take the track in two age brackets, 5 to 8 years old and 9 to 12 years old. If you’re going to participate, you must bring a helmet.
The green flag drops at 7 p.m. for a full night of racing. Admission is $9 for adults, kids under 12 free.
Pits open at 3 p.m. and the grandstands at 5 p.m.
At Rocky Top Raceway on Friday, May 4, there will be a full slate of racing with late models, modifieds, mod lites and Bombers.
General admission is $12 for adults, $6 for kids 6-12 and free for kids under 6-years-old. Pit Admission is $25 ($10 for kids 6-12).
Gates open at 4 p.m. with Drivers Meeting at 7 p.m. and Hot Laps immediately following around 7:15 p.m.
Our local NASCAR Busch driver, Brett Rowe, is entered at Richmond International Raceway for the Circuit City 250.
Qualifying is at 4 p.m. Friday and can be seen on the SPEED Channel. The race will be on ESPN2 at 7:30 p.m.
Good luck to everyone at all three places. (Especially to Brett and my pals Jimi Eplion and Shane Koontz at Ona.)
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Good for Talladega!
Finally, some repercussions for being an idiot.
Talladega Superspeedway has banned for life 14 "fans" after being arrested for throwing things onto the track after Jeff Gordon's win Sunday in the Aaron's 499.
I say good!
Yeah, I know, those 14 could still buy tickets from a scalper or let someone else buy them, but it's a good thing in principle.
Kyle Petty had his ponytail torqued over the incident. On Monday's Fast Talk, he outlined a few things you may not have considered.
First, Gordon was past most of the throwers, so the other cars behind him felt the brunt of the objects (beer cans).
That leads to problems for the other drivers. You get the car dented by a can, your aero package is shot. That means take it back to the shop, refab the car and put it back in the wind tunnel at, oh, $20,000 to $25,000 per session, Kyle said.
Kyle also said if his car got hit and he could know who did it, THEY would get the bill for the car.
A friend of mine Tuesday night suggested fining each of those arrested at least $1,000 and banning them from all NASCAR events. That way, he said, if you're too drunk to remember making the throw, you have a consequence you will remember.
He also said it's a real shame to pay $130 for a race ticket get drunk either before or during the event and not be able to remember it the next day. What a waste of good money.
If you don't like the outcome of a race, live with it. It doesn't have any effect on you personally -- you aren't the driver, crew chief, car chief, pit crew member, mechanic, sponsor or owner. You have no financial stake in the matter.
And in five years, will it really make a difference?
Talladega Superspeedway has banned for life 14 "fans" after being arrested for throwing things onto the track after Jeff Gordon's win Sunday in the Aaron's 499.
I say good!
Yeah, I know, those 14 could still buy tickets from a scalper or let someone else buy them, but it's a good thing in principle.
Kyle Petty had his ponytail torqued over the incident. On Monday's Fast Talk, he outlined a few things you may not have considered.
First, Gordon was past most of the throwers, so the other cars behind him felt the brunt of the objects (beer cans).
That leads to problems for the other drivers. You get the car dented by a can, your aero package is shot. That means take it back to the shop, refab the car and put it back in the wind tunnel at, oh, $20,000 to $25,000 per session, Kyle said.
Kyle also said if his car got hit and he could know who did it, THEY would get the bill for the car.
A friend of mine Tuesday night suggested fining each of those arrested at least $1,000 and banning them from all NASCAR events. That way, he said, if you're too drunk to remember making the throw, you have a consequence you will remember.
He also said it's a real shame to pay $130 for a race ticket get drunk either before or during the event and not be able to remember it the next day. What a waste of good money.
If you don't like the outcome of a race, live with it. It doesn't have any effect on you personally -- you aren't the driver, crew chief, car chief, pit crew member, mechanic, sponsor or owner. You have no financial stake in the matter.
And in five years, will it really make a difference?
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