Three-Time-Tony

In August, Tony Stewart said the way they were running, they didn't deserve to be in the Chase.

Really? Really!

Make the Chase. Check. Win a race. Check. Check, check, check, check.

Win the title dead even in points, but because of the wins and bonus points, get the trophy. Big check there. Not to mention the $5.6 million check from Sprint.

"Did I make it exciting enough?" TStew asked after the race.

Duh. Ya think?

Like the photo? Not from the Associate Press. From one of my race BFFs, Joni Baumgart who was in Victory Lane, texting me the whole race.

He was loose and relaxed all week long. Lots of jokes and jabs to Carl Edwards.

"We had absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain," he told the media after the race.

Let's examine that point. Starts the race, gets damage to the grill, goes to the back. Then charges to the front. Fixing it a second time after getting in to another car, goes to the back, muscles his way to the front.

He passed 114 cars during the race. Worst to first, twice.

"I feel like I passed half of Florida," he said in the media conference after the race.

The last laps come down to the two points leaders, with the blue and yellow flag flying saying "move over and let 'em race it out!"

Props to Roush Fenway and the 99, though. So Cousin Carl comes in 2nd. His owner Jack Roush did ok for the weekend overall - Nationwide champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and snagging the manufacturer's trophy. And Ricky and Carl provided the coolest burnout ever - nose to nose. Carl got the short end on that one, all the smoke wafted into his car.

"So, I didn't too feel bad taking this one from Jack," Tony said after the race.

He also confessed to walking past the 99 pit box during the rain red flag with one more jab at the competition. Jack Roush was having a conversation with Robert Yates.

"I looked at Jack and said 'Tell you boy he better get up on the wheel, I'm coming,'" Tony said, adding Jack looked at him like he had three heads. Messing with the other driver is one thing, the ohter driver's senior citizen boss? Yeah, why not?

All the trash talk was fun over the past few weeks.

"It was like picking on a kid. (Carl's) too nice to fight back," Tony said.

When Carl got to the winning car and stuck his head inside to congratulate the winner, the comment from Carl was, "Promise me you'll have fun with this."

Not to rain on the Stewart parade in Colubus, Indiana before it starts, but he doesn't have a crew chief next season. Darian Grubb won't be on the pit box next year, that decision was made long ago.

Will Robbie Reiser step down at SHR and be his chief? He has the experience with SHR stablemate Ryan Newman. Or, another scenario here, will Greg Zipadelli leave Joe Gibbs and the 20 of Joey Logano and come back to his "brother" in racing, Tony? Or the other rumor for the box, Steve Addington, since he's leaving Penske and Kurt Busch.

I will admit, I had Tony's attitude at one point this season, too. Watching him start 42nd out of 43 at Bristol? Being multiple laps down the majority of the race? I said more than one time, “I need a new driver.” He seemed to have lost his zeal, his ferociousness. Then, as he said, dropped some “deadweight.” Darian Grubb still contends he has no idea what that was all about. Doesn't matter. He came out a different Tony.

OK, I was wrong. I didn't need a new driver. Just the faith, kind of like JR Nation's.

Three-Time-Tony. Has a nice ring to it.

The Sunday Championship Menu?

If you are having a Homestead-Let’s-Watch-Tony/Carl-Win party on Sunday, try making it a sponsor-only food bash. We do this when we go to a race, and it's a lot of fun.

It’s kind of slim pickin’ anymore. Used to include KFC, Arby's and Johnsonville. Now, it’s more junk food than anything else, but what the hey! Aren’t we supposed to be the fattest state in the country?

So, ground rule is sponsor presence on the car and/or firesuit of the driver.

But, do we include M&M/Mars? I say yes, we NEED M&Ms because they melt in your mouth, not in your hand and the tension for this race is high. You might be holding on to those little candy-covered chocolate treats for a lap or two and you want to keep those paws clean!

Let’s start with the healthy stuff – Roush Fenway sponsors. How fortuitous, Carl Edwards happens to be on top of the points right now and he has the healthy sponsor, Subway! Roush also carries Coke, Ke-double l-o-double good Kellogg’s, and Gatorade.

What if you are a Stewart-Haas fan? Tony is focused on the prize at Homestead. And, oddly enough, has the serious junk food sponsors, which could explain a lot. Although, side-by-side, Tony is looking lean next to teammate Ryan Newman. From SHR, we give you Burger King (does Smoke still have a King Card? Anything he wants, as much as he wants, at any BK in the world? Again, explains a lot.). Plus, there’s O-r-e-o, Ritz crackers and Tornados.

I can hear the arteries clogging up now.


Other teams have food sponsors like NOS energy drink, Pepsi Max, Cheerios, Hamburger Helper, Hunt Brothers Pizza, Wheaties, Ruby Tuesday, Mountain Dew and Reese's, plus the adult beverages Coors, Miller and Budweiser. I’ll concede, Cheerios are heart healthy, so one point there. Thankfully, Earnhardt Ganassi has Tums as a sponsor.


Thanks once again to Alicia Kay Sunday for the great photos of Tony and Carl! She got the people shots, I got the horsepower ones!

Well, let’s look into the stockpile at home and see what kind of menu we can create.

Happy snacking and may the best driver Smoke win!

Just 2 words - Kyle Busch

We all saw this coming, didn't we?

Love him, hate him, Kyle Busch has talent behind the wheel. He’s just had some on-track incidents this year and, a few off-track.

And, Kyle Busch is certainly not the first aggressive driver in NASCAR. He surely won’t be the last. Do names like Dale Earnhardt, Darrell Waltrip, Rusty Wallace in the last generation of drivers come to mind? Yes, yes they do.

He’s young, 26, hot-headed and no matter how you feel about him personally, he can drive the wheels off a car. I’ve defended him for a couple of years, touting his talent and take no prisoners attitude.

He puts personality back in a sport that has gotten politically correct, don’t ruffle anyone’s feathers, smile smile smile, sign every piece of paper, diecast and body part put in front of you, and don’t speak ill of any other driver.

He drives for Coach Joe Gibbs.

If anyone should have seen this coming, it’s Joe Gibbs. After all, he put up with Tony Stewart, didn’t he?

I think Rick Hendrick saw it coming years ago. I also think every other team owner in NASCAR was afraid to sign him because they could see anger and aggression in the young man’s future.

Quick 2011 recap: In May, Rowdy turned Kevin Harvick’s unmanned racecar into the wall on pit road after a race at Darlington; alleged fisticuffs in June at Kansas with car owner Richard Childress, whose truck piloted by rookie Joey Coulter, Busch hit during the cool-down laps post-race; also in June, he took out his Lexus LFA sports car (a toy, as he called it) at 128 mph in a 45 mph zone near the North Carolina town of Troutman with his bride in the passenger seat (what was she thinking?); and finally, in November, well, we’ve all heard the story of young Mr. Busch in Texas this weekend, ensuring Ron Hornaday had no chance at the Camping World Truck Series championship.

He’s jeopardized his ride and sponsorship.

Apparently M&M/Mars had enough and went so far as to post its displeasure on its Facebook page over the weekend.

When Kyle took to the pit box for the race, Coach Gibbs didn’t speak to him or even glance his way.

Does this sound like another Gibbs driver from the past?

Really? Yep, 2-time Cup winner and one of this season’s best bets to dethrone 5-Time, Tony Stewart. He shoved other drivers, thrown tantrums, slapped a tape recorder out of a reporter’s hand and honestly, who can remember how many angry things he’s done? His sponsor Home Depot allegedly told JGR the driver would have to go to anger management therapy or lose his sponsor.

Gee, KyBu is kind of like Tony at that age.

Public sentiment is mixed on should further sanctions come his way on Tuesday. He knows he screwed up big time. For me, seeing his dejected face on the box Sunday, shunned by his car owner, it’s enough.

Because, I know, deep down inside, he will grow up, he will mature and, he will win a Cup championship.

Just like that other Gibbs driver.

Trick or Treating?

Atomic to host Halloween "Trick or Treat" Topless 50
AMRA Modifieds and Hobby Stocks also on slate

Scott Wolfe of Atomic Speedway in Chillicothe sends along a note there will be a $5,000 purse in the "Topless" Late Models race Saturday at the track.

Before you go getting all wonky on me, topless just means no roof on the car.

It's the Trick or Treat Topless 50, which was apparently well received last year. Also on the card will be AMRA Modifieds and Hobby Stocks.

Since the weather is cooled off and nighttime comes earlier, the fan gates will open at 3:30 p.m., and racing will begin 30 minutes sooner than normal.

Also at K-C, er, Atomic, will be a Nov. 5 race for modifieds. A swap meet slated for Nov. 12 has been sent behind the wall in favor of kart racing beginning at noon. Gates will open at 9 a.m.

Wow, I've never been to a local track that early, but hey, if the weather is good, maybe!

Just a few more from Charlotte

Here are a few more photos from my friend Alicia Kay Sunday, newly-relocated to the Charlotte area. She said it's great living there, with all the race shops and activities close by.

I have made some recommendations of places to chow down in and around Charlotte. Like Garafalo's for Italian and Red Rock for classy cuisine, not to mention driver and owner sightings. And then there is shopping at Concord Mills Mall and Burlington Coat Factory. For fun, the NASCAR Speed Park has 3 different courses you can drive.

Looking at her track photos, she had to be sitting somewhat near my regular seats in the Ford grandstand.

Here is the obligatory Dale Jr. shot.


And, of course, the obligatory Tony shot for me.


Then, there is the good stuff from Race Day by the Home Depot - Kenny Wallace and Kyle Petty.








Beautiful weather for the Bank of America 500, the fall race at Charlotte and the night race and midway point of the Chase.

I just have to say it, sorry Jimmie fans and apologies to my peep Laura in Grass Valley, CA. Anybody but 5-Time, ANYbody but 5-Time.

Same place, new name

K-C Raceway has reverted to its former name, Atomic Speedway. Track public relations manager Scott Wolfe, submits this for today's blog.


By Scott Wolfe

What is old is new and what is new is old," is a phrase that depicts a cycle of human nature. Jeff and Vickie Schrader, in the name of restoring the explosive nature of their K-C Raceway, have officially renamed the 3/8-mile track in Southern Ohio as "The Atomic Speedway."

"We felt that Atomic Speedway has always been Atomic Speedway,”Jeff Schrader said. “That was the name of the track when my Dad came here in 1953, and I grew up at Atomic Speedway. I appreciate all the work, the improvements, and personal care the previous owners of the track have done here."

A huge banner was unveiled on the track scoreboard with the new Atomic Speedway Logo developed by Brian Phipps of Graphic Creations.

In 1953 a group of Chillicothe businessmen realized a plan that had been in the making for several years. The group, which consisted of racing fans, drivers, and car owners, sought to provide a premier racing facility for the rapidly growing sport they knew as Stock Car Racing. It was a sport they lived and loved. It was the vision of this particular group of men that led to the construction of Atomic Speedway, which became known nationwide as K-C Raceway

Although the track was widened to its present state in the mid-1970's to accommodate higher speeds, the track still maintains its original configuration.

This group formed what became known as the non-profit organization of the Chillicothe Stock Car Racing Association or CSCRA, which previously sanctioned races at the Ross County Fairgrounds track. Their new endeavor, which began as a purchase of prime land off State Route 23 on Blaine Highway, became known as Atomic Speedway for its proximity to the new uranium enrichment plant at nearby Piketon, Ohio.

Probably none of the original members of the ownership envisioned that what they took on as a hobby would ever grow into what Atomic Speedway has become.

Almost immediately big-time racers from all across the Midwest wanted to test the Atomic High-banks. Drivers learned quickly that Atomic was more than the typical bullring; it was the Indy 500 of short track racing. Besides a wealth of drivers from the Ross County-Scioto-Pike County areas, Atomic was drawing drivers from Indiana and Kentucky as well as Northern Ohio and especially the Columbus, Ohio area.

The track operated under the sanction of the CSCRA until around 1978, and was known for the "Buckeye 100" and "Atomic 100."

After several changes in ownership, it became the property of Jeff and Vickie Schrader in 2009.

October FAST

It's nice when your friends get to do cool stuff for the first time. First NASCAR race, first ridealong, first visit to the Hall of Fame.

I have a friend Tiffany Johnson, whose mom has moved to Charlotte from Michigan. The official version is, it was for a job move. Really, it was to be close to Race Central.

Above, there she is with Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle, or as we call them, Flipper and The Biff.


Of course, the Tony photo, I can't resist putting here.

Tiff's mom, Alicia Sunday, has been having a blast at the race shops since moving to Mecca, er, Charlotte. She's been to the Hall, to Joe Gibbs Racing, Stewart-Haas Racing, Roush Fenway Racing and posted a few photos. And she's letting me share them with all you.

Here's a moment with NASCAR Champion Matt Kenseth.

There was serious fun going on at the House of Roush - Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Trevor Bayne took a little time for a dance off.



OK, we must add the Ricky vs Trevor You Tube video of this event.







And, the obligator owner photo - The Cat in the Hat.

Let's go racin' Chillicothe-style!

Thanks to Scott Wolfe for this installment of At the Track.

On Saturday, October 8, K-C Raceway will host the final “Warm up to the DTWC,” featuring AMRA Late Models at $2,000 to win / $200 to start, and the AMRA Road Warrior Advanced Services Modifieds paying $1,200 to win along with Hobby Stocks.

Last week rain postponed the event. The fun-filled Saturday night will be a significant factor in determining the 2011 track champions as tight battles prevail across the board in all divisions. K-C’s last sprint race saw Danny Smith take the track championship over Jimmy Nier in a race that Powell, Ohio’s Todd Kane won.

The American Motor Racing Association season is winding down and another exciting racing season is now, even more so, headed to a dramatic climax. The AMRA national points champion has been decided, with Kenny Johnson narrowly claiming the title over Andy Bond, 1240 to 1223.

The Road Warrior Challenge series title is ultra close. Additionally, more than 30 drivers are vying for money positions in the AMRA standings.

Plans are in the works to possibly reward drivers not in the top 30 with contingency prizes. More details on that will be announced soon, along with banquet information. The Banquet will be Saturday, November 12.

K-C Raceway will host the AMRA Road Warriors Saturday, Oct. 8 in the season finale for the series. Not only is this event important in the realm of the AMRA points, but also the event will be a final prelude to the Dirt Track World Championship modified event, coming October 13,14 and 15.

Because AMRA Late Model Points have ended, drivers DO NOT have to purchase an AMRA License, however, Modified drivers must abide by AMRA licensing requirements. Late Models will run under the AMRA rules package.

The grand-daddy of mega-races, the Dirt Track World Championship or DTWC, will come to town in another week. The Dirt Track World Championship pays $50,000 to win for Late Models and $3,000 to win for Modifieds.

For more information, visit www.kc-raceway.com or call 740-663-4141.

Honoring our heroes

We all know NASCAR has a heart, evidenced by the many philanthropic efforts of its drivers, whether it’s building a playground or rescuing abandoned animals, providing funds for kids’ camping experience at Victory Junction or lending their name to bringing attention to the issue of hunger in America.

The 10th anniversary of the attack on America has proven no different. Drivers in both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup series ran special paint schemes honoring the victims of the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks, as well has calling attention and raising money for wounded soldiers’ needs.



The Tunnel to Towers Foundation was given special attention on the NASCAR entries and the Ford Mustang Funny Car of the awesome John Force.

The NNS #60 car of Carl Edwards specifically honored the Pentagon victims, which is close to West Virginians with the loss of Dr. Paul Ambrose, a Huntington native on the plane which crashed into the Pentagon. Dr. Ambrose worked closely with the United States Surgeon General's office on the National Call to Action on overweight and obesity and was going to a conference in Los Angeles dealing with this problem on September 11, 2001.

Here is the memorial at the Pentagon honoring those victims. The benches represent each person who died there. The names facing the Pentagon were on the plane, those facing away were in the building and on the grounds.



Diecasts of each are available at Lionel NASCAR Collectables. So far, the donation from the sales has been $125,000 to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

I, personally, am not a diecast collector, but this one I will purchase.

http://www.lionelnascarcollectables.com/91101-HONORING-OUR-HEROES

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation features a run in Manhattan which follows the path FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller who ran through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the WTC in full turnout gear (75 pounds of equipment on his back) to rescue people at Ground Zero.

For more information about the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, visit www.tunneltotowersrun.org.

Rocketman does it again!

For this second time this season, Rocketman, Flyin' Ryan or whatever you want to call Ryan Newman, he's captured the pole at New Hampshire. Good things come to those who wait. And wait out the rain is what was going on at the track. Again.

But, Newman posted a pole-worthy 135.002 mph, and Kasey Kahne will start beside him in front.

OK, so I have to show off the pic of me with Kasey at the opening of Ollie's a couple months ago. And above there is a picture of me at Stewart-Haas Racing with Ryan's cars. Why take them if you don't share them?


And for those of you who think racing is a redneck-only sport, think again.

Ryan Newman possess something others in the sport don't - a degree in engineering from Purdue University. Not bad, eh?

Lest you think everyone at Purdue is a brainiac, well, think again.

This video will prove it. In honor of Purdue's own Ryan Newman, we give you Purdue's own Batmanning.

Rain, rain, and more rain

Well, the first race of the Chase is over, a day late, but over, and Tony Stewart wins on gas mileage.

That was two weeks in a row rain postponed races. Looking at the radar in New England, will it happen again?

IDK. I hope not, but it didn't really look promising on the Weather Channel. It says "showers" Friday, Saturday, Sunday then skips Monday, and returns Tuesday, Wednesday...

So, Here's a couple of videos you may find amusing or interesting.

First, is the latest installment of Ricky vs. Trevor, as in Stenhouse Jr. and Bayne, now affectionately referred to as T-Bayne. It aired recently on SPEED's Race Hub.




I always enjoy the hauler parades. I couldn't find the fun from Bristol, but I have the Las Vegas parade. Now, at Bristol, it's a tight fit, even with a little renovation to the infield. But, I digress. Here's the LV parade.



And in a couple days, we'll see what we can do, because the rain is probably gonna fall in New Hampshire.

K-C Raceway Results

Thanks once again to Scott Wolfe at K-C Raceway in Chillicothe, Ohio, for bringing us the results of Saturday's racing. As always, any opinions expressed in this post belong to Scott!

Kane takes Freedom 40
Johnson and Gray pick up Prelims

By Scott Wolfe

CHILLICOTHE, OHIO-With 93 cars in the pits, including 28 of the best Midwest All-Stars, the stage was set for a glorious tribute to the 9-11 Anniversary and annual Freedom 40.

Powell, Ohio's Todd Kane returned to the K-C victory lane after a long absence, enduring several accidents and holding off the charges of Jimmy Nier to post the win. Kenny Johnson won the star-studded AMRA Modified main, while Bruce Gray, Jr. won the Hobby Stock main.

The 40-lap Freedom 40 A-main started with a star-spangled bang. Polesitter Danny Smith got the jump on usual lowrider Dale Blaney and led the first three laps with Blaney at his side.

Blaney inched forward and blasted by on the next circuit and started to pull away. Todd Kane and Smith viciously exchanged slide jobs for second place until a fateful lap seven.

Blaney ran into no man's land when the car of Ed Neumeister spun and collected the cars of Wes McGlumphey, Rob Chaney and Ronnie Blair. Blaney had no place to go, climbed the wall, and flipped along with McGlumphey. Also with no place to go, Blair had a hard t-bone type hit into the side of McGlumphy. Luckily no injuries were incurred. Two laps after the restart Smith lost power and went pitside handing the lead to a high flying Kane.

Kane built a monumental lead over second place Jimmy Nier and Cole Duncan by lap 16, when he began to reach lapped traffic. The mad scramble for position allowed Nier and Duncan to quickly erase the lost ground.

Nier and Duncan battled furiously for second somewhat hampering Nier's driver toward first. By lap 19 Nier broke clear of Duncan and closed the gap on Kane. Lapped cars again impeded Niers drive to the front, allowing Kane to widen the lead and Duncan to challenge for second at the twenty-five lap mark.

Kyle Sauder, who hammered the wall during the last lap of his heat was gaining ground quickly and was one of several drivers to advance seven positions on the racy 3/8 mile track.

Duncan and Kirk Jeffries also conquered that feat with fine passing efforts, while veteran Chilli-town driver Mark Imler had his best all-star run, advancing six spots to a solid top ten. Young Nathan Skaggs also picked up six positions, but the hard charger of the night was another youngster Sam Ashworth who advanced eight spots in a great run from 18th to tenth.

While fans witnessed great racing at the front of the pack, Sauder and Aaron Higgins battled hard for position, then had to hold off a charging Rob Chaney, who had stormed from back in the pack to a top ten ahead of Kody Kinser and West Virginia Warrior Wayne McPeek. McPeek picked up five spots on the night after starting 13th.

The 27th circuit saw Kane embrace a straight-away lead. At that point Kane's lead seemed insurmountable, but Nier and Kane's ISPC J&J/Hampshire Engines mount both reached a clear track. Nier made a gallant bid that made it a close finish of about three car lengths.

"I'd like to thank my guys for working their butts off to get me here; and my little boy, who was here for just his second race. That's breaking him in right," shouted a visibly excited Kane.

"Wow, this track was great tonight. Thanks to Jimmy (Nier) and Cole (Duncan) for racing me clean. It's great to be back here in victory lane. Thanks to the track crew for a great track and thanks to the fans as well."

Rounding out the top ten were Kane, Nier, Duncan, Sauder, Higgins, Chaney, Kinser, McPeek, Imler, and Ashworth. The Kear's Speed Shop Heat one winner was Danny Smith, The All-Pro Heads heat two went to Kody Kinser, and the MSD Ignition heat three went to Ronnie Blair.

Forty-eight of the Midwest's fastest modifieds assembled at K-C Saturday for the Stars and Stripes 20 won by defending AMRA champion Kenny Johnson. Of the 48 cars in the field, 23 were making their first 2011 K-C appearance as cars from four states and all parts of Ohio came to conquer the fast 3/8 mile high banks.

Eleven cars in the feature were either series champions or track champions, further expanding the wealth of talent Johnson referred to in victory lane.

"Thank God for the highside," shouted Mr. Excitement Kenny Johnson. "It was an all-star field tonight. Thanks for my sponsors and the high side fans. I am dedicating this to George Branscom and the high side gang."

Johnson, who set a new track record of 15:226, said to announcer Bruce Hines, "This race pays three times as much doesn't it?' (laughing) This is a preview for the Dirt Track World Championship. We hope to put on a show at the DTWC as well."
When Johnson drew the number one pill on the redraw the rest of the field knew it would be tough. Johnson jumped out into the lead and went green to checker, however, racing throughout the pack was torrid.

Rick Hensley, a former K-C champion, was the hard charger in a 19th to tenth place run. Other capable hands also fought for a top ten. Rob Stambaugh, an early contender in the race was shuffled out of the top ten, while talented Kevin Morehouse left on lap 11 with a flat tire.

Rick Venham, Jr. and Jess Hartman challenged Johnson early with sustained three-wide excursions. Johnson broke free leaving Venham, Hartman, and Fireball Pinkerton to battle for second in a similar fashion. Jeremy Berwanger had his car working well on the high side, but in the latter stages was to be denied a top ten. Jason Brooks, who had a great night of competition, beat out two hot shoes in Andy Bond and Matt Holcomb for a top five.

Rounding out the top ten were Kenny Johnson, Jess Hartman, Rick Venham, David Pinkerton, Jason Brooks, Andy Bond, Matt Holcomb, Jeremy Rayburn, Tanner Wilson, and Rick Hensley.

Bruce Gray, Jr. has had an up and down season, but Saturday he was on top of his game and his car was just as good. Gray blasted into the early lead and never looked back in the 20-lap Hobby Stock main, repelling the efforts of Jamey Adams, Brandon Thompson, and a quickly ascending Tommy Mossbarger. Brandon Mather held a top five most of the race, but lost out in a tight battle with Thompson and Mossbarger. Richard Trego, Jim Hildebrand, and Mike Brust had their own little battle for a solid top ten.

The finished trickled out in this order: Bruce Gray, Jr, Jamey Adams, Brandon Thompson, Tommy Mossbarger, Brandon Mather, Richard Trego, Jim Hildebrand, Mike Brust, Jason Holstein, and Jack Martin. Mike Brust was the hard charger in a 13th to 8th place run.

"Jamey builds a helluva car," said Gray referring to Jamey Adams. "The car wasn't just great it was fantastic. Thanks to Dad and my Family, and I dedicate this win to my wife Amy for her birthday. It feels really good to be back here in victory lane."

Johnny Lawhorn made it a clean sweep in the Vintage American Race Car series (VARC) over Chuck Faulkner, Hector Belleveau, Terry Wells, Del Leavitt, Scott Swain, and Mike Swain.

K-C is off until the Sept. 24 Late Model "Tune Up for the DTWC". There will be no racing Sept. 17 as the track prepares for the Sept. 24 racing. Also, on the agenda are Advanced Services Modifieds and Hobby Stocks. K-C will run the same three classes on Oct. 1 as they celebrate 100 years of racing in Ross County. Then, coming Oct. 13-14-15 is the Grandest Race of them all, the Dirt Track World Championship.

The summary:

Goodyear Midwest All-Star 410 Sprint Cars (28)

Fast Time: Kyle Sauder 11:428

Dash: Danny Smith, Dale Blaney, Rob Chaney, Todd Kane, Aaron Higgins, Jimmy Nier,

Kears Speed Shop Heat One: Danny Smith, Rob Chaney, Wayne McPeek, Hud Horton, Kirk Jeffries, Brandy Bower, Lance Webb, Kyle Sauder, Bob Tucker, Nick Forcum

All Pro Heads Heat Two: Kody Kinser, Cole Duncan, Todd Kane, Dale Blaney, Bryce Dickson, Josh Davis, Nathan Skaggs, Jesse McCreary, Jeb Lowder

MSD Ignition Heat Three: Ronnie Blair, Jimmy Nier, Ed Neumeister, Aaron Higgins, Sam Ashworth, Mark Imler, Wes McGlumphey, John Shewbrooks, Nick Naber

B-Main: Kyle Sauder, Nathan Skaggs, Mark Imler, Wes McGlumphey, Brandy Bower, Josh Davis, Nick Forcum, Jesse McCreary, Lance Webb, John Shewbrooks, Bob Tucker, Jeb Lowder, Nick Naber

Freedom 40 Feature:
Finish-Driver-Start Position
1. 78-Todd Kane[4]
2. OO-Jim Nier[6]
3. 22-Cole Duncan[10]
4. 7K-Kyle Sauder[11]
5. 51-Aaron Higgins[5]
6. 45-Rob Chaney[3]
7. 4K-Kody Kinser[7]
8. 1MC-Wayne McPeek[13]
9. 40-Mark Imler[15]
10. 92-Sam Ashworth[18]
11. 2X-Nathan Skaggs[17]
12. 59J-Kirk Jeffries[19]
13. 11D-Bryce Dickson[14]
14. 80-Hud Horton[9]
15. O6-Brandy Bower[16]
16. 35R-Ronnie Blair[8]
17. 4-Danny Smith[1]
18. 2-Dale Blaney[2]
19. 11N-Ed Neumeister[12]
20. 35-Wes McGlumphy[20]

MALTA AMRA MODIFIEDS

Advanced Services Modifieds (48)

Grooms Trucking Fast Time: Kenny Johnson 15:226

Heat One: Kenny Johnson, Andy Bond, Jason Brooks, Dave Jamison, Rob Stambaugh, Mark Bailey, Greg Anderson, Jeff Votaw, Dusty Boley, Donnie Stewart, Derrick Smith, David McWilliams

Heat Two: Jeremy Berwanger, Kevin Morehouse, Jeremy Rayburn, Bud Frazier, Bob Crace
Jr, Rick Hensley, Adam Colley, Robert Garnes, Dan Aldridge, Matt Edmisten, Chuck Yeley, Mike Arthur

Heat Three: Jess Hartman, Rick Venham, Jr., Tanner Wilson, Steven Duty, Darin Roush, Luke Jordan, Denny Szekacs, Andy Bibbler, Brian Skaggs, Robert Page, John Arthurs, Justin McNutt

Heat Four: Travis Dickson, Fireball Pinkerton, Matt Holcomb, Brian Whiteman, Tim Tribby, Phillip Bapst, Eric Arledge, Roy Roush, Bob Hurst, Jr., Jim Szekacs, Matt E. Holcomb

B-Main One: Rob Stambaugh, Rick Hensley, Bob Crace, Jr., Mark Bailey, Robert Garnes, Donnie Stewart, Adam Colley, Jeff Votaw, Dan Aldridge, Busty Boley, Matthew Edmiston, Greg Anderson Chuck Yeley, Derrick Smith, David McWilliams, Jeremy Blake

B-Main Two: Tim Tribby, Phillip Bapst, Luke Jordan, Roy Roush, Matt E. Holcomb, Robert Page, Jim Szekacs, Bob Hurst, Jr. , Darin Roush, Brian Skaggs, Denny Szekacs, Eric Arledge, Andy Bibler, John Arthurs, Justin McNutt
Feature: Kenny Johnson, Jess Hartman, Rick Venham, David Pinkerton, Jason Brooks, Andy Bond, Matt Holcomb, Jeremy Rayburn, Tanner Wilson, Rick Hensley, Rob Stambaugh, Tim Tribby, Jeremy Berwanger, Brian Whiteman, Dave Jamison, Phillip Bapst, Steven Duty, Kevin Morehouse, Travis Dickson, Bud Frazier

Hobby Stocks (14)

Heat One: Bruce Gray, Jr., Brandon Mather, Tommy Mossbarger, Evan Seitz, Jack Martin, Jim Hildebrand, Mike Brust

Heat Two: Brandon Thompson, Jamey Adams, Richard Trego, Jeff Sheets, Mike Colopy, Tracey Ross, Jason Holstein

Feature: Bruce Gray, Jr, Jamey Adams, Brandon Thompson, Tommy Mossbarger, Brandon Mather, Richard Trego, Jim Hildebrand, Mike Brust, Jason Holstein, Jack Martin, Evan Seitz, Tracey Ross, Jeff Sheets, Mike Colopy

Vintage Cars V.A.R.C.
Heat: Johnny Lawhorn, Chuck Faulkner, Hector Belleveau, Del Leavitt, Mike Swain, Scott Swain, Terry Wells
Feature: Johnny Lawhorn, Chuck Faulkner, Hector Belleveau, Terry Wells, Del Leavitt, Scott Swain, Mike Swain

Bristol. Just Bristol.

Another Bristol night race has come and gone. We were once again in the DW Grandstand between turns 3 and 4. Great place to see the driver introductions, which were bland.

Well, except for Tony Stewart.

No one else made wacky comments, no one called any feud-fueled name directed toward any rival. Really a vanilla set of introductions, and you're always looking forward to someone calling somebody a name like "(so and so) is still an #!@&**$$."


After qualifying 42nd (Really? Stablemate Ryan Newman was on the pole, as seen in the warm up lap.) Smoke PROMISED he wouldn't be there long. For a while, that was true. Within the first few laps he bolted to 32nd. Then, that's pretty much where he stayed.

I turned to my friends and with dejection, said, "I need a new driver." Every time TStew passed by my seat, I shrugged in frustration or hung my head in despair. Here's the man in a place he's not accustomed to driving. In the back. Waaaaaay in the back.

Onward. In case you missed them, here are some of the driver intro songs. I don't have a clue if they make the TV broadcast, I'm always in the DW Grandstand watching as it unfolds.

Here's the list from several news sources pre-race. Junior kept his secret. For the life of me, I can't remember, well, actually, couldn't hear, the roar of the crowd in the concrete coliseum was so overwhelming.

A note on Jeff Burton's choice, it was actually made by the fans. We voted for Welcome to the Jungle. The Dolly song was a tribute to the miners in the country, and was part of the Remember the Miners night, complete with appearances by some of the miners from the Spike TV series.

Marcos Ambrose – "Land Down Under" / Men At Work
AJ Allmendinger – "Down With The Sickness" / Disturbed
Greg Biffle – Theme from "Sanford and Son"
Dave Blaney – "Better Now" / Collective Soul
Clint Bowyer – "Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way?" / Waylon Jennings
Jeff Burton – "Welcome To The Jungle" / Guns N Roses AND "Coal Keeps The Lights On" / Dolly Parton
Kurt Busch – "Baby Got Back" / Sir Mix A Lot
Kyle Busch – "Rowdy Busch" / Raytona 500
Carl Edwards – "Run This Town" / Jay-Z
David Gilliland – "Living The Dream" / Yatta Da Kaptain (Gilliland's front tire changer)
Jeff Gordon – "E.I." / Nelly
Denny Hamlin – "Bad Meets Evil" / Fast Lane
Kevin Harvick – "Show Me What You Got" / Jay-Z
Jimmie Johnson – "Don't Mess Around With Jim" / Jim Croce
Matt Kenseth – "Indestructible" / Disturbed
Brad Keselowski – "Jackson, Mississippi" / Kid Rock
Travis Kvapil – "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah" / New Politics
Bobby Labonte – "Come Sunday" / Jimmy Buffett
Andy Lally – "Otep" / Battle Ready
Joey Logano – Theme from ESPN's "SportsCenter"
Mark Martin – "La Grange" / ZZ Top
Michael McDowell – "On Fire" / Rawsrvnt
Jamie McMurray – "The Distance" / Cake
Casey Mears – "Burn It To The Ground" / Nickelback
Paul Menard – "Gypsy Road" / Cinderella
Juan Pablo Montoya – "Enter Sandman" / Metallica
Joe Nemechek – "Cheap Sunglasses" / ZZ Top
Ryan Newman – "Big Green Tractor" / Jason Aldean
David Ragan – "I Am From The Country" / Tracy Byrd
David Reutimann – "Pretty Fly For A White Guy" / The Offspring
Regan Smith – "Second Heartbeat" / Avenged Sevenfold
Scott Speed – "Power" / Collective Soul
David Starr – "It's My Life" / Bon Jovi
Tony Stewart – "Throw The Hammer Down" / Derek Miller
Martin Truex Jr. – "Country Song" / Seether
Brian Vickers – "Smells Like Teen Spirit" / Nirvana
J.J. Yeley — "I'm Sexy And I Know It" by LMFAO.

There was the usual pomp and circumstance surrounding the event, the huge flag on the front stretch, the parachutist dropping with with the American flag in tow, school children leading the Pledge of Allegiance and saluting our troops, those in the stands and others overseas.


Then there was racin' Bristol style. Round and round, no bumping and beating, not a lot of three-wide anywhere or really even side by side door to door. Kind of looked like Hot Wheels on the electric track.

Yep, racin' the way it oughta be.

Oh, yeah. Broken Brad Keselowski was the winner.

Late Models, Hobby Stocks at K-C Saturday

Here's what's happening at K-C Raceway, thanks to Scott Wolfe.

K-C Raceway Hosts Tecumseh 30 $2,000 to win Late Models Aug. 27; Hobby Stocks added
Whiteman Sets New Track Record
Freedom 40 set for Sept 10; $3,000 to win for Sprints

CHILLICOTHE, OHIO-A large field of Late Models is expected for the $2,000 to win "Tecumseh 30" AMRA Late Model Special Saturday Aug. 27 at Jeff and Vicki Schrader's K-C Raceway. K-C will add the Hobby Stocks to the line-up.

Additionally, K-C management would like to congratulate Brian Whiteman, the McArthur area driver for setting a new track record Saturday, Aug. 20.

The "Tecumseh 30" pays $2,000 to the winner for Late Models with $250 to start. Also on the race card are Mini-Sprints and Rear Wheel Drive Four Cylinders.

The track will be idle Labor Day weekend, then Saturday, September 10, K-C hosts the Freedom 40 for 410 Sprints (to remember 9/11). The event pays $3,000 to win with Advanced Services Modifieds and Hobby Stocks.

This past Saturday, Whiteman set fast time with a 15:381 clock, eclipsing the Oct. 15, 2006, record of 15:401 set by Doug Adkins. In the confusion of getting Saturday's show underway and presenting Whiteman with the Grooms Trucking $50 Fast Time award, no one had realized that Whiteman's time was indeed a new track record.

Owners Jeff and Vicki Schrader would like to pass along their congratulations.

Currently, Whiteman is in a points battle for another championship with Dave Fireball Pinkerton. Pinkerton leads Whiteman 453 to 444. Jeremy Rayburn, Jeremy Berwanger, and Bob Crace Jr. are also contenders still in alignment for a possible championship bid.

K-C has added Late Models to the October 1 racing program. This will give the late model and modified drivers their last chance to race on K-C before the DTWC. There will be no BOSS sprints this night.

While plans are in the works for more Road Warrior Challenge modified races, those that remain currently on the AMRA National schedule are Sept. 17 at Skyline Speedway, Stewart, Ohio(Harvest 50 Weekend)and Oct 1 at K-C Raceway in Chillicothe, Ohio as a warm-up for Dirt Track World Championship.

The Dirt Track World Championship is Oct. 13, 14 and 15, paying $50,000 to win for Late Models and $3,000 to win for Modifieds.

The track Website is: www.kc-raceway.com and the phone number is 740-663-4141.

Standings:
AMRA Modified Points
David Pinkerton 453
BrianWhiteman 444
Jeremy Rayburn 428
Jeremy Berwanger 415
Bob Crace, Jr. 400
Mark Bailey 362
Tim Rayburn 348
Kevin Delaney 275
John Arthurs 262
Rob Stambaugh 250

In more news...

Skyline Set for Another Big Weekend
Road Warriors Invade Skyline Aug. 26
Sprint Special $3,000 to win on Sept. 9
Semi-Late Crates this week

STEWART, OHIO-The American Motor Racing Association (AMRA) has announced that the make-up date for the Road Warrior Challenge at Skyline Speedway in Stewart, Ohio is this Friday, August 26. To help accommodate the traveling racer, the make-up was set to stage a big Ohio Valley racing weekend.

Saturday night, August 27, the Ohio Valley Speedway will run it $1,200 to win Topless AMRA sanctioned modified special.

While plans are in the works for more Road Warrior Challenge races, those that remain currently are Sat. Sept 17th at Skyline Speedway, Stewart, Ohio (Harvest 50 Weekend) and Oct 1 at K-C Raceway in Chillicothe, Ohio, as a Warm-up for Dirt Track World Championship.

Friday at Skyilne, The Road Warriors will be joined by AMRA Late Models, Semi-Late Crates, the Mike's Auto Body Mini-Wedge Money race, and the Powerful Ohio Valley Sprint Car Association (OVSCA) 410 Outlaw Sprint Cars.

Billy Jarrell's Skyline Speedway in Stewart, Ohio, will be hosting the AMRA Road Warriors Friday, Aug. 26. Currently, the top eight drivers in points have a shot at the title and even more of a shot for the Road Warrior Point money.

Veteran and former AMRA champion Doug Henry of Beverly, Ohio, is the RWT points leader over up-and-coming Morgantown, WV talent, Deana Groves.

The top ten is a melting pot of the states with Ohio, West Virginia and Virginia filling the top spots, including Brett Hamilton of Powhatan, VA, poised for a championship run in third.

Currently, with the addition of Roaring Knob Speedway in Pennsylvania, the AMRA sanctions tracks in four states.

Skyline will host a Sprint Special paying $3,000 to win on Sept. 9. For more information visit www.skylinespeedway.net or call 304-539-4410 or the track phone at 740-662-4111.

Results, news from K-C Raceway

It's Monday, so that means turning over the space to Scott Wolfe from K-C Racweay in Chillicothe, Ohio. Remember, it's his take on the night.

Smith Smites K-C Sprints
Johnson Doubles in AMRA Mods and Hobby Stocks
K-C Announces Tecumseh 30 $2,000 to win for Late Models Aug. 27

Results from Aug. 20, 2011

By Scott Wolfe

CHILLICOTHE, OHIO-A strong field of cars and good crowd set the back-drop for a great night of racing at Jeff and Vicki Schrader's K-C Raceway Saturday night (Aug. 20, 2011) where Chillicothe transplant Danny Smith continued to dazzle the fans with a thrilling green-to-checkered win in the Goodyear 410 Sprint car main. Mineral Wells, WV driver Kenny Johnson returned to his roots as the defending AMRA champion eclipsed the competition in the AMRA Modified feature, then doubled up with a win in the companion Hobby Stock feature aboard Jamie Adams 'old' mount.

In the 20-lap AMRA Modified main Kenny Johnson and Donnie Stewart led the pack to the start line, where Johnson immediately blitzed into the lead. Brian Whiteman quickly moved into second, but for Johnson it was 'off to the races' flat-footed style. Johnson does nothing in moderation; it is always a 'hang it out on the edge' style for the crafty veteran.

Jeremy Berwanger won his heat in the X car but suffered engine woes and started scratch in the Eric Arledge 52x. Berwanger was your hard charger of the night in a last (21st) to 9th place run, but giving him a run for his money was Mike Long who blasted from 16th to eighth in an equally impressive run.

Fast Timer Whiteman was strong out of the gate, but no match for the blitzing Johnson. Much of the race focused on the battle for third where Tim Rayburn, Mark Bailey, and Fireball Pinkerton exchanged positions numerous times. Then along comes another charger, Greg Oliver, who made it a four way battle. When it all panned out Pinkerton won the fight with Rayburn a strong fourth, followed by Oliver and Bailey.

Another four-way battle featured Danny Ferguson, Long, Berwanger, and multi-time champion Bob Crace, Jr. Ferguson halted the charges of the blitzing trio for one of his best K-C runs.

Rounding out the top ten were Kenny Johnson, Brian Whiteman, Dave Fireball Pinkerton, Tim Rayburn, Greg Oliver, Mark Bailey, Danny Ferguson, Mike Long, Jeremy Berwanger, and Bob Crace, Jr.

Said Johnson in victory lane, "I first want to apologize to Mike Long and his fans for a racing deal in the heat; secondly I want to dedicate this win to George Branscom (former K-C champ and K-C Hall of Famer, who is hospitalized); and third 'what a great race track this was tonight.' Cooper ( my crew chief-Tim Cooper) was giving me signals that we were way ahead, but I don't race that way. I don't want to mope around, I wanna put it up high and put the hammer down! Again great work to Brian Karshner and the track crew."

In the Goodyear 410 sprint main Danny Smith made the move of a generation-- splitting hairs between early leader Ron Blair and Nick Naber on the back chute of the first lap. The seemingly impossible move gave the fourth place starter Smith the lead before the turn three entry, giving him a running start to an impressive 15-lap charge.

Giving chase some ten lengths back, often with a lapped car or two in between was Ron Blair, who last time out at K-C claimed the NRA victory. Dueling hard for fourth were Jimmy Nier and Jimmy Stinson, who a couple of times tapped wheels in the heat of battle.

Before the 16th circuit was complete, the left front wheel of Eddie Slone's mount broke off and bounded into the parking lot, sending Slone helplessly in to a series of spins. Ed Neumeister and Nick Naber, both running strong were collected with Naber riding over the wheel and hard into the retaining wall before flipping over a couple of times. All drivers emerged only shaken, but all were out of the event.

Blair gave a valiant effort, but Smith picked up where he left off. Blair maintained striking distance, but could never really reel Smith in. Resuming the third place battle, Nier took command over Stinson with Kody Kinser, the Goodyear fast timer, briefly making it a three-way race.

Youngsters Sam Ashworth and Nathan Skaggs posted nice finishes ahead of hard charger Josh Davis. Davis came from 16th to 8th in an impressive run, winning out a tough battle with Brandy Bower and Bryce Dickson.

"Tonight was our 9th race in 14 days and we struggled a little bit," whisped a tired Smith. "We are all wore out, our truck is worn out, and my engine got hot tonight so it might be worn out too. Over the past week, maybe it was just the driver, I dunno, but we just didn't do what I wanted."

"Tonight I decided to just get up on the wheel and do the things that helped us be successful before. Also, thanks to all the fans and all our sponsors. We don't have big money sponsors but we have faithful smaller sponsors that give us a lot of heart and a lot of help. Thanks to them. That's what gets us here to victory lane."

Rounding out the top ten were Danny Smith, Ron Blair, Jimmy Nier, Jimmy Stinson, Kody Kinser, Sam Ashworth, Nathan Skaggs, Josh Davis, Brandy Bower, and Bryce Dickson.

Two beautiful yellow #42's garnered the front row of the Hobby Stock main. Both were Adams' Chassis mounts, one driven by Adams and the other by fellow racer Kenny Johnson. Adams drove his all stock steel-bodied car, while Johnson drove the older model, a more traditional K-C Hobby Stock.

Johnson took the lead early and never looked back, however, much of the time Adams was close by in second. Adams, who has won ten features found himself locked in a battle for second with Brandon Thompson. Thompson earlier shook a hard-charging Bruce Gray, Jr. then went to work on Adams. Meanwhile, Tommy Mossbarger and Evan Seitz went tooth-and-nail for position with Mossbarger finally winning out in the end.

Rounding out the top ten were Kenny Johnson, Brandon Thompson, Jamey Adams, Bruce Gray, Jr., Tommy Mossbarger, Evan Seitz, Tracey Ross, Jack Martin, Tim Cutler, and Jeff Sheets. Mossbarger was the hard charger in an 11th to 5th place run.

K-C will add the Hobby Stocks to the line-up next week, August 27, when the speedway hosts the "Tecumseh 30" paying $2,000 to win for Late Models; $250 to start. Also on the race card are Mini-Sprints and Rear Wheel Drive Four Cylinders. The track will be idle Labor Day weekend, then Saturday, September 10 K-C hosts the Freedom 40 for 410 Sprints (to remember 9/11). The event pays $3000 to win with Advanced Services Modifieds and Hobby Stocks.

For More Information visit www.kc-raceway.com or call 740-663-4141.

The summary: Aug. 20, 2011
Goodyear 410 Sprint Cars (21)
Fast Time: Kody Kinser 11.075
Heat One: Nick Naber, Kody Kinser, Keith Baxter, Bryce Dickson, Nick Forcum, Josh Davis, Randy Fink
Heat Two: Jimmy Nier, Danny Smith, Sam Ashworth, Nathan Skaggs, Brandi Bower, Jesse McCreary, John Shewbrooks
Heat Three: Ron Blair, Jimmy Stinson, Eddie Slone, Ed Neumeister, Beau Stewart
Feature: Danny Smith, Ron Blair, Jimmy Nier, Jimmy Stinson, Kody Kinser, Sam Ashworth, Nathan Skaggs, Josh Davis, Brandy Bower, Bryce Dickson, Beau Stewart, Jesse McCreary, Randy Fink, Bob Tucker, John Shewbrokks, Nick Naber, Eddie Slone, Ed Neumeister, Nick Forcum Keith Baxter.

MALTA AMRA MODIFIEDS (21)
Advanced Services Modifieds
Grooms Trucking Fast Time: Brian Whiteman 15:382
Heat One:Jeremy Berwanger, Brian Whiteman, Mark Bailey, Tim Rayburn, Bob Crace, Jr., Steven Duty, Mike Arthurs
Heat Two: Kenny Johnson, Jeremy Rayburn, Lonnie Kidd, John Arthurs, Bob Hurst, Jr., Kevin Delaney, Mike Long
Heat Three: Rob Stambaugh, Donnie Stewart, Danny Ferguson, Fireball Pinkerton, Eric Arledge, Greg Oliver
Feature: Kenny Johnson, Brian Whiteman, Dave Fireball Pinkerton, Tim Rayburn, Greg Oliver, Mark Bailey,Danny Ferguson, Mike Long, Jeremy Berwanger, Bob Crace, Jr., John Arthurs, Donnie Stewart, Bob Hurst, Jr. Jeremy Rayburn, Mike Arthurs, Steven Duty, Rob Stamgaugh, Patrick Hayes, Lonnie Kidd, Eric Arledge, Kevin Delaney.

Hobby Stocks (14)
Heat One: Kenny Johnson, Tim Cutler, Gary Park, Brandon Thompson, Tommy Mossbarger
Heat Two: Jamie Adams, Evan Seitz, Bruce Gray, Jr., Tracy Ross, Jack Martin, Brandon Mather, Jeff Sheets
Feature: Kenny Johnson, Brandon Thompson, Jamey Adams, Bruce Gray, Jr., Tommy Mossbarger, Evan Seitz, Tracey Ross, Jack Martin, Tim Cutler, Jeff Sheets, Richard Trego, Gary Park, Brandon Mather.

410 Sprints
Danny Smith 318
Jimmy Nier 288
Jimmy Stinson 233
Cole Duncan 226
Brandy Bower 219
Bryce Dickson 209
Josh Davis 203
Nathan Skaggs 197
Sheldon Haudenschild 194
Ron Blair 170
Todd Kane 166
Nick Naber 164
Randy Fink 158
John Shewbrooks 148
Jesse McCreary 147
Ed Neumeister 146
Greg Wilson 137
Eddie Slone 132
Jeb Lowder 131
Jac Haudenschild 129

AMRA Modified Points
David Pinkerton 453
BrianWhiteman 444
Jeremy Rayburn 428
Jeremy Berwanger 415
Bob Crace, Jr. 400
Mark Bailey 362
Tim Rayburn 348
Kevin Delaney 275
John Arthurs 262
Rob Stambaugh 250
Kenny Johnson 243
Donnie Stewart 235
Lonnie Kidd 210
Bob Hurst, Jr. 204
T.J. Harper 181
Bud Frazier 180
Brian Moore 166
Greg Oliver 160
Jimmy Lennex 160
Mike Long 151

K-C will add the Hobby Stocks to the line-up next week August 27th when the speedway hosts the "Tecumseh 30" paying $2,000 to win for Late Models; $250 to start. Also on the race card are Mini-Sprints and Rear Wheel Drive Four Cylinders. The track will be idle Labor Day weekend, then Saturday, September 10 K-C hosts the Freedom 40 for 410 Sprints (to remember 9/11). The event pays $3,000 to win with Advanced Services Modifieds and Hobby Stocks.

Hobby Stocks
Jamey Adams 701
Bruce Gray, Jr. 570
Brandon Thompson 558
Tommy Mossbarger 536
Brandon Mather 519
Tim Cutler 517
Butch Eblin 412
Mike Brust 383
Tracey Ross 359
Jack Martin 327
Jim Hildebrand 292
Richard Trego 259
Keith Dubois 237
Phil Rice 220
Jeff Sheets 204
Gary Park 173
Evan Seitz 160
Roger Mossbarger 156
Travis Pertuset 134
Jason Holstein 97

AMRA Motor Racing Challenge

Again, turning over the day to Scott Wolfe at K-C Raceway in Chillicothe, Ohio.

Road Warriors to Hit Road Again August 26
Make-up from Skyline Rainout Aug. 26
Ohio Valley Topless Special Aug. 27
By Scott Wolfe
MT. ALTO, WV - The American Motor Racing Association (AMRA) has announced that the make-up date for the Road Warrior Challenge at Skyline Speedway in Stewart, Ohio has received a Friday, August 26 make-up date. To help accommodate the traveling racer, the make-up was set to stage a big Ohio Valley racing weekend. Saturday night, August 27 the Ohio Valley Speedway will run it $1,200 to win Topless AMRA sanctioned modified special.

While plans are in the works for more Road Warrior Challenge races, those that remain currently are Sat. Sept 17 at Skyline Speedway, Stewart, Ohio (Harvest 50 Weekend) and Sat. Oct 1 at K-C Raceway in Chillicothe, Ohio as a Warm-up for Dirt Track World Championship.

Billy Jarrell's Skyline Speedway in Stewart, Ohio will be hosting the AMRA Road Warriors Friday, Aug. 26. Currently, the top eight drivers in points have a shot at the title and even more of a shot for the Road Warrior Point money.

Veteran and former AMRA champion Doug Henry, Beverly, Ohio is the RWT points leader over up-and-coming Morgantown, WV talent Deana Groves. The top 10 is a melting pot of the states with Ohio, West Virginia and Virginia filling the top spots including Brett Hamilton, Powhatan, Va., poised for a championship run in third. Currently, with the addition of Roaring Knob Speedway in Pennsylvania, the AMRA sanctions tracks in four states.

The Road Warrior Tour features many of the best of the best in the series, and has become the road show for the weekly series. Currently, Vince Conrad paces the competitive National AMRA standings 1060 to 952 over Rick Venham Jr. The rest of the top 10 are Robert Garnes, J.P. Roberts, Doug Henry, Jeremy Blake, Robbie Evans, Kenny Johnson, Deana Groves, Tom Sigler, Andy Bond, Darin Roush, Joe Cox, Buddy Brogan and Louie Krushansky.

The rest of the pack will be fighting for higher placement in the points battle, including a gaggle of drivers shooting to get into the top 30, where a lucrative point fund pays great rewards. There are 170 drivers currently on the AMRA roster.

Skyline will run a regular show featuring AMRA Late Models, AMRA Modifieds, Ohio Valley Sprint Car Association 410 sprints, Semi-Late Crates, and Mike's Auto Body Mini-wedges this Friday, August 19. Rain checks from July 29 will be good for the rest of the season, excepting special events such as the Harvest 50 where the difference in price must be paid. Serial numbers must remain intact on the arm-bands.

Skyline is slated to pay the Silver Purse of $1,200 to win for this big event.

For further information visit www.skylinespeedway.net or call Katie at 304-539-4410 or the track phone at 740-662-4111. Skyline Speedway is located between Athens, Ohio and Coolville, Ohio on Bethany Ridge Road, Co. Rd 53. The GPS address is 7274 Quiggly Rd, Guysville, OH 45735.

More information can also be found at www.amramodified.com

The AMRA recommends that drivers and fans contact various tracks for start times via phone or individual track websites before traveling.

Malta Doors and Windows has again signed on as Title Sponsor of the AMRA for 2011. Other sponsors of the MALTA AMRA Modified series are Dave Poske's Performance Parts, Wrisco, Hoosier/Hoosier Tire Ohio Valley, PBM Performance, PBM Performance Products, AERO Racing Wheels, Rocket Chassis, Bell Racing, Lincoln Welders, Hypercoils, Bazell Race Fuels, Alky Racing Alcohol, Kluhsman Racing Components (KRC), Evans Vinyl Signs, WV Tax & Bookkeeping, Tru-Tech , Winters Performance, Bilstein Shocks, PST Drive Shafts, Schoenfield, Killer Bee Race Bodies and Pike Street Lanes.

Tru-Tech and Freddie Carpenter is now a proud sponsor of the Late Model Series, while The Bumper Man, Killer Bee Bodies and Carthage Auto Parts have joined the AMRA team. Carthage Auto Parts and Dave Norton will now sponsor the Rookie of the Year Award.

Bees, Bulls and Lions

Oh, my!

Pit crews have some creative names in NASCAR. The Pit Bulls (Greg Biffle) and The Killer Bees (Matt Kenseth) are two. Do we still call the #17 crew The Killer Bees? I know they are in Crown Royal purple for now, not the bold black and yellow of DeWalt that earned them then moniker.

So, where do the Lions come in?

Why, sponsoring a trip to the Irwin Tools night race at Bristol, of course. The Alum Creek Lions Club hosts a yearly trip to this race every summer. It’s a fund raiser for the club, which, like all Lions Clubs, provides eye exams and glasses, eye surgeries and hearing aids to folks in the community in need.

This year, there are still seats available, so let me tell you about the trip.

1. You don’t have to drive. That is a big plus in my book.

2. You don’t leave at the O-Dark-Hundred hours, it’s 10 a.m. from the Southridge Shopping Center in Charleston, W.Va. Really big plus!

3. Affordable price, $185. That includes transportation to and from the track (again, you don’t have to drive); movies on the way, a chance to nap all the way back; good seats between turns 3 and 4 (the aluminum grandstand in the Boogity, Boogity, Boogity (Darrell Waltrip) section; and a little tailgating while you wait to leave after the race (sub sandwiches, chips, soda and water). Why just hop out in traffic and sit, burning fuel? Wait for a while, socialize and snack.

The first shot on this blog is taken from our seats. Actually, so was the bottom one. It's a great view of the entire track, well except directly in front of you when you are five feet tall and everyone stands up in front of you. However, I did catch this crash from my seat in 2009. It was Mikey Waltrip. Ouchie!



After your arrival, approximately 4:30 p.m. after a stop for grub before you hit the track and the $4 bottles of water, you can take in the sightes, visit the souvenir haulers or grab some swag from race sponsors.

Speaking of taking in the sights, this Dale Jr. fan certainly let his opinion of the younger Busch Brother be known, don't you think? I've had friends in the Official NASCAR Members Club tell me they had heard about this guy, but didn't believe it was real.

I assure you, it is. This was his headgear at Bristol, 2009.



So, what’s not to like? Affordable, Bristol night racing, good company in a family atmosphere, at least the Lions group is family-friendly, and a road trip.

If you are interested, call Lion Paul Wheeler at 304-746-4415 or contact him by email at pwhee71827@aol.com. He’s also on Facebook.

It’s Bristol, baybee!

Who said? Boris Said!

And say something he did. After the rain-delayed race at Watkins Glen, Boris had some words for, and about, Greg Biffle.



1. Keep your helmet on. Check.

2. Settle it off the track and not damage the quarter-million-dollar cars. Check.

3. Boys have at it. Check.

Now, the Nascar.com videos don't get you The Biff and Boris, but at about 3:30 in, this one shows the last lap crashes of Tony Stewart, David Reutimann and David Ragan. And, yes, Boris and the #6 were trying to occupy the same piece of real estate and it didn't turn out well for the #6 or the #00.



On an aide, do we remember that Biff's then girlfriend, now wife, Nicole, left his pit box and stormed over to Kurt Busch's box to confront his wife, Eva after their menfolk had an on-track incident? But Biff ran from Boris? Say it ain't so, say it ain't so!

Racin’ the way it oughta be?

With the summer Bristol race coming up fast, actually two weeks away, it’s not a sell out? Well slap that wall and get out the Bondo, are you really surprised?

There was a time when if you didn’t renew your tickets when you got that letter, you were stuck out in the parking lot listening on your radio, hearing the roar of the engines and cheers from the crowd. Heck, people kept their seats forever and left the rights to those tickets to family and friends in their Last Will and Testament.

In past years, if you were “going to Bristol,” race fans envied you and wanted details to fill in the commercial blanks after you returned home. You had tickets and they could only dream or pay a scalper to get them.

Not so any more.

The spring race only occupied 120,000 of the 160,000 available seats. Track officials say 14-days-out, it’s close to a sellout, but won’t give specifics. One of the few local bus tours to the summer race has seats still open. It’s sponsored by the Alum Creek Lions Club.

Sidebar: If you are interested in going, contact that club, cost is $185 and includes transportation, seat between turns 3 and 4 and food before you leave the track to return home. Call Paul Wheeler at 304-746-4415 or contact him by email at pwhee71827@aol.com)

And it’s not just Bristol. Each week, if you look hard and fast, you’ll catch a glimpse of empty seats at every venue, no matter how much TNT, ABC, FOX and ESPN try to steer the cameras clear of vast empty sections.

So why are people staying away in droves? The blogisphere says it’s the racing, not the economy. After Bruton reconfigured the track to progressive banking, it just wasn’t Bristol any more. No hard-nosed, get outta my way, bumpin’ beatin’ bangin’ door to door and to the wall, racing.

It's not Concrete Chaos, like NASCAR has boasted in the past.

There are few cautions, which isn’t always a bad thing, but it can make for a boring race. Here’s where detractors have their say, “it’s just going in circles,” and they're right. Well, until the last 20 laps, when everyone wants to win and will get down to the business of racing. The rest of the race is pretty much flipped on auto-pilot.

It just doesn’t meet the track slogan any longer - Racin’ the way it oughta be!

Shane Hmiel in the toughest race of his life

When celebrities get caught doing something they shouldn't, whether morally or legally wrong, we shake our heads. Blame it on the rapid rise to fame in tandem with too much money too fast.

Shane Hmiel is one of those stories. He was the earliest driver to fail NASCAR's drug testing, not just once but three times, and was banned from the series for life, long before Jeremy Mayfield came into the headlines.

He got clean and sober and set out to re-establish himself as a race car driver.

Until...

Watch this two-part story from Race Hub on SPEED last week and be inspired.

Perils of Dirt, who got hurt?

Kasey Kahne loves the dirt tracks and with an off week, what did he do?

You got it - race on dirt.



For a better view of the flip and landing, copy and paste this into your browser. SPEED has the best view.

http://www.speedtv.com/video/auto-racing/woo-kasey-kahne-huge-crash-1073946956001

And just like they say, "and no one got hurt." Well, not at that crash.

At Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway, it was a different story for Joey Saldana, who, ironically, drives for Kasey Kahne Racing in the World of Outlaws series.

Saldana has had surgery on his right forearm, broken in a wreck in the Kings Royal A-main. There are screws and plates in that arm now, and the wreck also broke some ribs and partially collapsed a lung.



Here's wishing Joey a quick and complete recovery!

K-C July 23 results

Once again, it's Monday and I'm going to turn this over the Scott Wolfe from K-C Raceway in Chillicothe. So, take it away, Scott!

Smith Smokes Sprints/Berwanger Befuddles AMRA Mods; Adams Attacks Hobbys

By Scott Wolfe

CHILLICOTHE, OHIO-After a torrid battle with young Sheldon Haudenschild, veteran sprint driver Danny Smith, Chillicothe, Ohio claimed the Goodyear 410 Sprint Car main at Jeff and Vicki Schrader’s K-C Raceway on a sultry Saturday night July 23. Jeremy Berwanger, the Murray City Bandit, blasted the AMRA modifieds after a race-long jousting match with Rob Stambaugh, and Jamie Adams, Laurelville, OH returned to victory lane in the Hobby Stock division.

Extreme temperatures and rains just about every place but the track set the action back nearly 45 minutes, but all the action was completed by 10:40. Additionally, nearly half of the sprint car field went home with a free Goodyear tire (the top nine cars) compliments of Jeff Schrader and the Goodyear Racing Program.

Last week police officer Brandon Mather was cited for the win and took the bounty money for defeating 10-time winner Jamie Adams. Adams’ bid to return to victory looked slim after a seventh place start, but Adams masterfully worked his way through the field to take the lead with three laps to go in posting the win.

Tommy Mossbarger was the class of the field early fending off side-by-side challenges from Brandon Thompson and Bruce Gray, Jr. Mossbarger had to survive several cautions that repeatedly kept the rest of the pack close and played into the hands of the ever-patient Adams.

Mossbarger and Thompson continued to battle while Gray, Mather, Seitz, and Adams jockeyed for position. Mossbarger finally built up a sizeable lead, but again had it erased near the end of the event with Thompson in second and Adams third. Adams disposed of Thompson then shimmied by Mossbarger for the win. Great racing throughout the pack highlighted the action.

Behind Adams in the top ten were Tommy Mossbarger, Brandon Thompson, Bruce Gray, Jr., Brandon Mather, Tim Cutler, Butch Eblin, Jason Holstein, Evan Seitz, and Robert Walker.

Adams said in victory lane, “You just have to take what you can get when you can get it. Tonight I just had to be patient—you don’t want to run over any body. Also, I’d like to thank my crew and family and everyone who comes out each week and roots for us.”

The redraw for the 410 Sprint Feature poised youngster Sheldon Haudenshild against veteran Smith with a hungry pack of open-wheel warriors lying in the wake. Haudenshild grabbed the early lead, triggering a bundle of turn-entry slide-job swaps between the duo.

Said Smith in victory lane, “He is a great little, up-and-coming driver. He’s only raced two years, but he has a lot of laps under his belt and he knows how to race.”

Smith appeared to take the lead on lap four for good, but Haudenschild dug a little deeper, perhaps in desperation of preserving a win while hammering out an amazing pass in a drag race out of turn two. Smith responded and took the lead for good on lap five, then the crafty Hoosier native worked traffic to perfection to build a resounding lead.

Jimmy Nier whisked by Lil Haud on lap 11 and gave chase to Smith. Nier once closed the gap to less than three car lengths, but lapped traffic soon separated the two, establishing a comfort zone for Smith. Lots of great racing took place behind the front runners. Jac Haudenschild had a solid top five going until mechanical failures sidelined the veteran star.

Nick Nabor had a great run going but scrubbed off some speed to avoid another car and was quickly shuffled out of the top ten. Jimmy Stinson, Cole Duncan, and Todd Kane pounded the dirt in ‘hammer-down’ style and blasted up from deep in the field. Duncan came from 11th to fourth and Stinson from 10th to third as that duo shared hard-charger honors.

Behind winning Smith was Jimmy Nier, Jimmy Stinson, Cole Duncan, Todd Kane, Sheldon Haudenschild, Mark Imler, Bryce Dickson, Josh Davis, and Mitch Harble.

Smith added, “Always great to see all the fans at K-C. I’d like to thank my nephew David, my crew, my fans and all the names on this car. That’s what makes this all possible. I’d also like to dedicate this win to Joey Saldana and wish him a speedy recovery.”

With several other area tracks rained out, a star-studded AMRA Modified field took the green for an exciting 20-lap event. Rob Stambaugh took the early lead, and appeared to have shaken a string of K-C bad luck over the last few weeks.

Stambaugh blasted from the second row past Berwanger and Jeremy Rayburn. Stambaugh led the hard-hitting parade until lap eleven, when Berwanger finally found his way around the local #67 speedster. Now, Stambaugh dogged Berwanger as J.P. Roberts marched up into the top six from a 16th place start. Roberts, Tim Rayburn, and Crace went three wide several times in exciting on-track action.

Rayburn held off Kenny Johnson for a time, but Johnson rode the high-side to third then went to work on Stambaugh. Meanwhile, Jeremy Rayburn, Brian Whiteman, David Pinkerton, and Tim Rayburn fought ferociously for position. T.J. Harper and Brad Butler were gaining some valuable ground throughout the race with nice runs.

The last six laps Kenny Johnson—‘always worth the price of admission’-- had the fans on their feet. Johnson pressured Stambaugh to a near breaking point. Although Stambaugh never stumbled Johnson still forged on and made a pass up in no-man’s land high against the fence to take second.

Behind Berwanger were Kenny Johnson, Rob Stambaugh, Jeremy Rayburn, Brian Whiteman, David Pinkerton, Tim Rayburn, T.J. Harper, Bob Crace, Jr., and Brad Butler.

The “X-man” Berwanger said, “Great to back in victory lane. This is a great team and this Two-brothers Shaw car was just perfect. Thanks to all the guys and fans that make this effort a winning one.”

Brad Butler was the hard charger in a 20th to 10th run. Other notable comeback bids came from Bob Crace, Jr. who had to go to the tail on lap seven and came back to ninth, and J.P. Roberts and Mike Long--both in the top ten—who were collected in the same mid-race accident after good early runs.

Next week K-C runs AMRA Late Models, AMRA Modifieds, and Hobby Stocks.

The Summary: July 23, 2011

Goodyear 410 Sprint Cars (23)

Fast Time: Jimmy Stinson 12:103
Heat One: Danny Smith, Sheldon Haudenschild, Jac Haudenschild, Jimmy Stinson, Bryce Dickson, Jordan Harble, John Shewbrooks, Kory Crabtree
Heat Two: Josh Davis, Nick Nabor, Todd Kane, Cole Duncan, Mitch Harble, Brandy Bower, Jeff Conrad, Beau Stewart
Heat Three: Jimmy Nier, Mark Imler, Nathan Skaggs, Ed Neumeister, Randy Fink, Nick Forcum, Jeb Lowder
Sprint B-Main: Brandy Bower, Nick Forcum, Beau Stewart, Jordan Harble, John Shewbrooks, Jeff Conrad, Jeb Lowder, Kory Crabtree
Feature: Danny Smith, Jimmy Nier, Jimmy Stinson, Cole Duncan, Todd Kane, Sheldon Haudenschild, Mark Imler, Bryce Dickson, Josh Davis, Mitch Harble, Nathan Skaggs, Nick Naber, Ed Neumeister, Beau Stewart, Randy Fink, Brandy Bower, Jordan Harble, Jac Haudenschild, John Shewbrooks, Nick Forcum

AMRA Advanced Services Modifieds (22)
Grooms Fast Time: Kenny Johnson 15:677
Heat One: Jeremy Berwanger, Kenny Johnson, Mike Long, Tim Rayburn, Greg Oliver, J.P. Roberts, Keith Baxter
Heat Two: Jeremy Rayburn, Rob Stambaugh, Dave Fireball Pinkerton, Mark Bailey, Donnie Stewart, John Arthurs, Brian Moore
Heat Three: Brian Whiteman, Bob Crace, Jr., Derrick Smith, Kevin Delaney, T.J. Harper, Bob Hurst, Jr., Brad Butler
Feature: Jeremy Berwanger, Kenny Johnson, Rob Stambaugh, Jeremy Rayburn, Brian Whiteman, David Pinkerton, Tim Rayburn, T.J. Harper, Bob Crace, Jr., Brad Butler, J.P.Roberts, Mike Long, Brian Moore, Derrick Smith, Bob Hurst, Jr., Greg Oliver, Donnie Stewart, John Arthurs, Mark Bailey, Kevin Delaney

Hobby Stocks (130
Heat One: Brandon Thompson, Bruce Gray, Jr., Brandon Mather, Jamey Adams, Tim Cutler, Robert Walker, Butch Eblin, Mike Slade DNS
Heat Two: Tommy Mossbarger, Evan Seitz, Tracey Ross, Jason Holstein, Jack Martin, Mike Brust
Feature: Jamey Adams, Tommy Mossbarger, Brandon Thompson, Bruce Gray, Jr., Brandon Mather, Tim Cutler, Butch Eblin, Jason Holstein, Evan Seitz, Robert Walker, Tracey Ross, Mike Brust, Jack Martin.

Goodyear 410 Sprint Championship Points

Danny Smith 264
Jimmy Nier 237
Cole Duncan 226
Sheldon Haudenschild 194
Jimmy Stinson 185
Brandy Bower 181
Bryce Dickson 171
Todd Kane 166
Josh Davis 165
Nathan Skaggs 156
Greg Wilson 137
Jeb Lowder 131
Nick Naber 129
Jack Haudenschild 129
Randy Fink 125
Kyle Sauder 119
John Shewbrooks 117
Ron Blair 117
Ed Neumeister 116
Aaron Higgins 113

AMRA Advanced Services Championship Points
(After July 23)
Dave Fireball Pinkerton 372
Brian Whiteman 349
Jeremy Rayburn 348
Jeremy Berwanger 343
Bob Crace, Jr. 325
Mark Bailey 287
Tim Rayburn 260
Kevin Delaney 217
John Arthurs 191
Kenny Johnson 188
Brian Moore 165
Donnie Stewart 164
Rob Stambaugh 163
Jimmy Lennex 160
T.J. Harper 152
Bud Frazier 152
Bob Hurst 150
Luke Jordan 149
Lonnie Kidd 148
Sean Settles 128

Hobby Stock Championship Points

Jamey Adams 595
Tommy Mossbarger 494
Bruce Gray, Jr. 471
Brandon Thompson 457
Brandon Mather 450
Tim Cutler 440
Butch Eblin 376
Mike Brust 340
Jack Martin 288
Tracey Ross 276
Jim Hildebrand 253
Keith Dubois 237
Phil Rice 220
Richard Trego 187
Jeff Sheets 168
Roger Mossbarger 156
Gary Park 151
Travis Pertuset 134
Evan Seitz 116
Dan Lewis 80
Jeremy Bretz 79