Home sweet home

When Kenny Wallace Tweeted an invite to fans Thursday on the way to the Dollar General 300 to stop by and visit from noon to 1 p.m., he wasn’t kidding. He gave the address to his fan club office.

What he didn’t say was, that office was at his home.

So I, and about 30 others, invaded his fan club/ office/ shop / home. He had snacks and sodas set out. He greeted everyone as they came inside."Hey! How ya doin'? Come on in!"

How cool was that?!

Now, I almost didn’t go. He had already autographed my Pit Road Pets book, which is where I collect those. But my friends made an executive decision, plugged the address into the Tom Tom GPS and off we went. 

Steve and Caitlin Sunday get a few things signed by Kenny Wallace

 The Kenny you see on TV, You Tube, Instagram, Vine and Twitter, is the same Kenny we saw Thursday.

He’s talking, laughing, answering questions and showing everyone around.

His heart is really in dirt racing and does it every chance he gets. I jumped into that opening.

“Hey Kenny, do you know Steve Francis?” I asked.

“He’s a legend!” the Hermanator exclaimed. “He’s racin’ for Clint Bowyer  now!”

Oh, yeah. He knows Ashland, Kentucky’s Steve Francis. And when we Tweet from the Dirt Track World Championship in Portsmouth, Ohio, next Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Kenny Wallace will be following; and Tweeting, retweeting and replying. 

Kenny answers questions and talks racing, TV commentating and Social Media

 After talking about dirt racing, he posed for photos with everyone there. He signed autographs for everyone who asked – on multiple items. He strolled down memory lane with fan questions. He talked about preparing to leave metro Charlotte and moving to Kansas City.( BTW, the house is for sale.) And dirt racing. He went through the trophy case and talked about each one, where, when and how it came to be his.

There are perks to this job

Certainly we realized not all drivers can do something this personal for the fans. But what an opportunity! Everyone in that room felt special. They felt like they were the only person on the planet Kenny Wallace was greeting and talking with, not to and not at. Talking with them.

It's all cool...

Just because it’s technically Autumn, the weather has cooled slightly and leaves are beginning to fall, racing doesn’t stop on the tracks and cars don’t stop cruising in to towns.

Here are the coming weekend motor events for your planning pleasure.

Weekend of Sept. 27 – 29

Friday, Sept. 27

Covered Bridge Car Club Cruise-In - Perry Morris Square, Milton, W.Va.; 5 p.m. to dusk. No registration. 304-743-5321 or 304-654-0745.

Ole Car Club of Gallpolis, Ohio, Gallia County Visitor’s Center Cruise In - WalMart parking lot on Eastern Avenue, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Registration: donations accepted; music, door prizes, 50/50 drawing. Hot dogs, chips and drinks available. Net profits donated to local charities. No alcohol allowed. 740-446-0643 dhively@att.net or 740-446-4064 lewis02@yahoo.com.

Saturday, Sept. 28

Portsmouth (Ohio) Raceway Park - Complete racing program with Late Models, Modifieds, Limited Late Models and Bombers. Admission adults $12, (age 16 and up), ages 12-15 $5, ages 7-11 $2, and age 6 and under free. Gates open 4 p.m., hot laps at 6:30 p.m., racing begins at 7:30 p.m. Late models pay $2,000 to win; Modified pay $600 to win; Limited Late Models $500 to win. Final points race of the season and it’s Pepsi Employee Night! www.portsraceway.com

201 Speedway, Paintsville, Ky. - Weekly racing program (regular show in all classes)

Kanawha Valley Dragway, Southside, W.Va. - Gates open 11 a.m., time trials 1 p.m. www.kanrace.com

Or, do you have plans to hit Dover International Speedway and the NASCAR Chase on Sunday, Sept. 29? Do you think Matt Kenseth is stoppable? Or do you think the Biff will motor up the standings and take the coveted Cup to make him the Triple Threat?

If you don’t get those tickets from Ollie’s Bargain Outlet for the special AAA 400 Kevin Harvick section, you can watch at 2 p.m. Sunday on ESPN. The Nationwide Series race will be on ESPN2 at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. 

Hot night in Portsmouth

It was hot Saturday night short trackin’ at Portsmouth Raceway Park – the temperatures were hot, the racing was hot and the tempers were, well, just as hot from where I sat.

The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt series rolled in to Portsmouth, Ohio, with a quick turnaround to race the Hillbilly 100 at I-77 speedway in Ripley, W.Va.

In the pack were some drivers we follow as hometown heroes – Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., and Eddie Carrier Jr. of Salt Rock, W.Va.

Three heat races before the A-Main were fast and furious and the first of them forced four restarts to get the show going.

By night’s end, Billy Mowyer took the checkers, followed by Jimmy Owens and Dennis Erb Jr., before loading up and heading to Ripley.

Local favorite Steve Francis finished 6^th in the #15 Georgia Boot Toyota for car owner Clint Bowyer. Eddie Carrier Jr. finished 11^th.

Being fairly new to this series, I obviously need to brush up on the rules. Or at least find out where the restart line is on the trac - is it the backstretch? Is it between turns 3 and 4 or coming out of turn 4? I certainly couldn't decide. But then again, there were a lot of restarts - at the beginning of the races and coming out of cautions.

Then there is the whole Scott Bloomquist issue.

I don't believe anyone in Portsmouth likes him. Except I'm sure he likes himself.

Bloomquist finished 4th for the night, overtaken by a late surge from Erb.

Labor Day motorsports featuring a familiar face

Ah, Labor Day weekend. Seems like summer just started.

But there's still cruise-ins to be visited and races to be attended, including the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series where you can see future Hall of Famer Steve Francis race! I don't just throw that HOF phrase around lightly. When I visit Charlotte aka the Mecca of Southern Motorsports, the folks at SPEED, er Fox Sports 1, call him that. NASCAR drivers who double on the dirt in sprints call him that.

Right now, Steve is second in points for the series. And, no, the other guy isn't the points leader, it's team owner Clint Bowyer, who will be busy in HotLanta on Sunday.

C'mon, Tri-State, let's get out there and fill the stands for Steve!

He's going to be at Portsmouth on Saturday and Ripley on Sunday, and I can't wait to see him on the track!

Weekend of Aug. 30 - Sept. 1
Friday, Aug. 30
Covered Bridge Car Club Cruise-In - Perry Morris Square, Milton, W.Va.; 5 p.m. to dusk. No registration. 304-743-5321 or 304-654-0745.

Saturday, Aug. 31
Portsmouth (Ohio) Raceway Park - Pepsi 50 River Days Rumble, Lucas Oil Series $15,000 to win. Admission adults $12, (age 16 and up), ages 12-15 $5, ages 7-11 $2, and age 6 and under free. Gates open 4 p.m., hot laps at 6:30 p.m., racing begins at 7:30 p.m. www.portsraceway.com or call 740-354-3278 or 740-858-6661.

Ona Speedway, W.Va. - There will be racing at 7 p.m. in U-cars, V-6, Hobby Stock, Classics and Sports Mods. Admission $10 for adults, $7 for ages 11-17, and children under 10-years free. It will also be Youth Sports Night and football players and cheerleaders in jersey or uniform will have free admission and be invited onto the track before racing to get an upclose and personal look at the cars. 

Sunday, Sept. 1
1-77 Raceway Park, Ripley, W.Va. - the 45th annual Hillbilly 100, a $25,000 to win purse, another Lucas Oil series event. For more information, visit www.racei77.com or call 304-373-1110.
 

Cars, pancakes and the riverfront.

Ah, the weekend, places to go, cars to drool over....

Here's hoping to make it to my favorite little town on the Ohio, Gallipolis. The picturesque park will be filled with shiny cars and the air alive with music. My old friends in the Gallipolis Lions Club will serve up pancakes in the park, and after breakfast, the fire department will offer up food during the afternoon.

Weekend of Aug. 9 - 11
Saturday, Aug. 10
Ole Car Club of Gallipolis, Ohio 35th Annual Car Show - River side of historic Gallipolis City Park. Registration from 9 a.m. to noon; registration fee $10; trophies awarded at 3 p.m. in 14 categories. Special gifts to first 100 vehicles registered; dash plaques to the first 175 vehicles registered. Door prizes totaling more than $500; 50/50 raffle; music. Lions Club Pancake Breakfast in the park 7:30 to 11 a.m.; fire department food concessions 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Net profits donated to local charities. No alcohol allowed. 740-446-0643 dhively@att.net or 740-446-4064 lewis02@yahoo.com.



Getting ready for next weekend, there will be a Kentucky cruise in, and racing in West Virginia and Ohio. So, if you can't find something to suit you in the way of motorsports, well, tough luck.

Did you miss Elvis in Huntington back in the day? Oh, wait, we ALL missed Elvis back in the day 'cause he died before the concert. I'll bet if you look on Facebook, someone from Huntington will post a photo of their unused tickets.

But I digress.

Elvis anniversary night will be going on at Ona Speedway. Here's hoping for a great Elvis impersonator to appear from the misty parking lot.

Weekend of Aug. 16 - 18
Saturday, Aug. 17
Paintsville Cruiz’n - Downtown Paintsville, Ky., begins at 4 p.m. GM Alley and Movie Night. Sponsored by Paintsville Tourism.

Ona Speedway - "Elvis Presley Anniversary Night" U-cars, 6cyl Any Car, Street Stock, Hobby Stock, Classics Sport Mods & Late Models. Gates open at 5 p.m.; racing starts at 7 p.m. Cost $10 for adults, $7 for ages 11-17 and free for ages 10 and under. Free parking. Concessions available. Website, www.hughes-motorsports.com.

Portsmouth (Ohio) Raceway Park - 19th Annual Fred Dillow Memorial. Admission adults $12, (age 16 and up), ages 12-15 $5, ages 7-11 $2, and age 6 and under free. Gates open 4 p.m., hot laps at 6:30 p.m., racing begins at 7:30 p.m. www.portsraceway.com

Geeks in NASCAR? Yessiree!

Here's hoping you all enjoyed Bloomin' Newman Monday at Outback! I hope there are many more this season, because who knows just where the Rocketman will be next season.

Stewart-Haas posted a photo today of a Ryan Newman winner of the Brickyard designated parking spot by the door.

Sweet!

It was great to see the Hoosier native win at the Brickyard. You know it's every Indiana driver's dream to win there.

(squirrel!) Have you ever noticed, when NASCAR hits the Brickyard, Jeff Gordon proclaims to be from Indiana, but the rest of the season, he's not? Kinda torques my ponytail. You're from California - or Manhattan - Gordon! We saw your mega-million Manhattan address up for sale.

Take a gander (and I don't mean Mountain)

http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2013/05/14/nascar-jeff-gordon-nyc-apartment/#!slide=5876596

Gonna move back to Indiana, are ya? No? Weeeeell, imagine that. TStew lives in Indiana and have ya ever seen THAT house? It's a huntin' lodge, I'm tellin' ya. Here's a link for Tony's lodge:

http://s975.photobucket.com/user/sunshineloghomes/library/Stewart%20Home?sort=6&page=1

Sorry, got off the track for a moment.

Back to the male half of the nicest couple in NASCAR.

Ryan is a great spokesman and any sponsor should be happy to have him! He's educated (Purdue, engineering) and well-spoken. Loves animals (Rescue Ranch and 2 editions of Pit Road Pets). Takes time to talk with you.

USAToday did a great story on the ultimate NASACAR geek speak duo of the Rocketman and Matt Borland. They've always worked well, and successfully, together.

Here's that link: 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2013/07/29/nascar-ryan-newman-matt-borland-brickyard-indianapolis-motor-speedway/2597139/

So, here's hoping Team Geek finds a spot soon!

For your planning pleasure...

The weekends have dried up and cooled off, if you call 80-degrees cooling off. (Finally!)

So, here for your motorsports and cruise in pleasure, are events this and next weekend.

Weekend of July 26 - 28

Friday, July 26
Covered Bridge Car Club Cruise-In - Perry Morris Square, Milton, W.Va.; 5 p.m. to dusk. No registration. 304-743-5321 or 304-654-0745.

Saturday, July 27
Portsmouth (Ohio) Raceway Park - Late Models, Mods, Bombers and $1,000 to win Mod-Lites. Admission adults $12, (age 16 and up), ages 12-15 $5, ages 7-11 $2, and age 6 and under free. Gates open 4 p.m., hot laps at 6:30 p.m., racing begins at 7:30 p.m. www.portsraceway.com

Weekend of Aug. 2 - 4

Friday, Aug. 2
Downtown Live - Downtown Ashland, Ky. Registration fee $5. Door prizes and a 50/50 drawing. Cars, trucks and motorcycles welcome.

Saturday, Aug. 3
Crusing with Tri-State Streetrods, McDonalds and HIMG - HIMG parking lot at US Route 60 and 29th Street; 5 p.m. to dusk. Registration donations. Door prizes and a 50/50 drawing. No alcohol allowed. 304-416-0205.

Ona Speedway - "The Dawg 93" U-cars, 6cyl Any Car, Street Stock, Hobby Stock, Classics Sport Mods. Gates open at 5 p.m.; racing starts at 7 p.m. Cost $10 for adults, $7 for ages 11-17 and free for ages 10 and under. Free parking. Concessions available. Website, www.hughes-motorsports.com.
Portsmouth (Ohio) Raceway Park - Racing sponsored by PBM Performance Parts/ Erson Cams. Admission adults $12, (age 16 and up), ages 12-15 $5, ages 7-11 $2, and age 6 and under free. Gates open 4 p.m., hot laps at 6:30 p.m., racing begins at 7:30 p.m. www.portsraceway.com

For the weekend in cars

The middle of the month is always slowest, it seems, for cruise-ins. And for someone who loves the cruise- in as opposed to the car show, that makes us sad.

But, we do have some racing on tap in West Virginia and Ohio.

So here for your planning pleasure, are this weekend's offerings. Unless it rains like the forecast says. (Insert your sad faces here.)


Weekend of July 19 - 21

Saturday, July 20
Paintsville Cruiz’n - Downtown Paintsville, Ky., begins at 4 p.m. Ford Alley and Mustangs on Main. Sponsored by Paintsville Tourism.

Ona Speedway - "Midway Ford 100" U-cars, 6cyl Any Car, Street Stock, Hobby Stock, Classics Sport Mods & Late Models Gates open at 5 p.m.; racing starts at 7 p.m. Cost $10 for adults, $7 for ages 11-17 and free for ages 10 and under. Free parking. Concessions available. Website, www.hughes-motorsports.com.

Portsmouth (Ohio) Raceway Park - Weaver’s Gas and Oil Bomber Shootout. Admission adults $12, (age 16 and up), ages 12-15 $5, ages 7-11 $2, and age 6 and under free. Gates open 4 p.m., hot laps at 6:30 p.m., racing begins at 7:30 p.m. www.portsraceway.com

Cruise in, race on...

When The Weather Channel tells me the forecast for Sparta, Ky., is not looking too kind for NASCAR this weekend, I look to closer motorsports activities.

TWC says this: "Showers early then scattered thunderstorms developing later in the day. High around 75F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%."

What that tells me is as the day goes along toward that nightime Quaker State 400, rain is likely. Let's not forget, when I went to the Daytona 500, it rained out for the first time ever. In Charlotte earlier this year, there were afternoon showers before the All Star Challenge. A few years ago at the spring Bristol race, we endured a snow delay.

My belief is, if I don't go, there is a better chance of getting the race in.

So, I'll hang close to home. Here are the weekend activities, and another looking toward the July 4th holiday. 

That July 4th race in Portsmouth, Ohio, will be of special interest to racefans in the Tri-State. Local favorite, Ashland resident, Steve Francis, is schneduled for the Lucas Oil dirt series that night.

Let's all get out and show him our support!

Weekend of June 28 -  30
Friday, June 28
Covered Bridge Car Club Cruise-In - Perry Morris Square, Milton, W.Va.; 5 p.m. to dusk. No registration. 304-743-5321 or 304-654-0745.

Ole Car Club of Gallpolis, Ohio, WalMart Cruise In - WalMart parking lot on Eastern Avenue, 5 to 9 p.m. Registration: donations accepted; music, door prizes, 50/50 drawing. Net profits donated to local charities. No alcohol allowed. 740-446-0643 dhively@att.net or 740-446-4064 lewis02@yahoo.com.

Saturday, June 29
Jackson County (Ohio) Speedway - Dan Reno Memorial which will feature the AMRA modifieds this year paying Mods $2222 to win along with the return of the OVSCA Sprint Cars to Jackson County Speedway. Gates open 4 p.m.; 12-inch coolers allowed. Admission $12 adults, $10 seniors, free for children 12 and younger.  www. http://jacksoncospeedway.com/

Thursday, July 4
Portsmouth (Ohio) Raceway Park - Lucas Oil Late Models $10,000 to win. Admission adults $12, (age 16 and up), ages 12-15 $5, ages 7-11 $2, and age 6 and under free. Gates open 4 p.m., hot laps at 6:30 p.m., racing begins at 7:30 p.m. www.portsraceway.com.

Places to go, rides to take, cars to race!

Car shows, motorcycle rides and racing, oh my!

One of the best things about warm weather is getting outdoors for some motorsports. The skies are blue, the winds are warm and there's always something happening in the region.

Here, for your weekend planning pleasure, are this week's activities.

Saturday, June 22
Mayberry Days annual car show at The Wyngate - Barboursville, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration starts at 9 a.m. and fee is $5. Awards presented at 1 p.m. There will also be carnival games, door prizes, free cookout, entertainment, rummage sale and a 50/50 drawing which will include Marshall University football season tickets. Family friendly. The first 100 entries get dash plaques. All proceeds benefit the Walk to End Alzheimers. For more information, call Chris Hall at 304-733-6800.

Motorcycle ride to benefit the WV Lions Sight Conservation Foundation - Ride starts at 11:30 a.m. from Colonial Lanes in Huntington and will finish around 4:30 p.m. at the Lesage Lions Community Building on Kyle Lane in Huntington. Sponsored by the Lesage Lions Club and organized by Friends of the Blind Motorcycle Club. Cost is $20 to ride and $5 for passengers. Early registration guarantees ride t-shirt. Contact Virginia Dickens at 304-634-7723 to register. Cookout follows, donation $5 for non-riders.

 
Ona Speedway - "Euro Kleen 100" U-cars, 6cyl Any Car, Street Stock, Hobby Stock, Classics Sport Mods & Late Models Gates open at 5 p.m.; racing starts at 7 p.m. Cost $10 for adults, $7 for ages 11-17 and free for ages 10 and under. Free parking. Concessions available. Website, www.hughes-motorsports.com.

Jackson County (Ohio) Speedway - Kids’ Night with kids’ bicycle races and a couple youngsters will take home a brand new bike. Gates open 4 p.m.; 12-inch coolers allowed. Admission $12 adults, $10 seniors, free for children 12 and younger.  www.jacksoncospeedway.com.

Portsmouth (Ohio) Raceway Park - Limited Late Model Extravaganza, sponsored by Permier Precast products. Admission adults $12, (age 16 and up), ages 12-15 $5, ages 7-11 $2, and age 6 and under free. Gates open 4 p.m., hot laps at 6:30 p.m., racing begins at 7:30 p.m. www.portsraceway.com

ARCA Truck results June 15

ARCA Trucks lined up and ready for the command to start engines

If you were expecting speed at Ona Speedway for the ARCA Truck Series race, you got speed. If you were expecting a chip off the ol’ engine block from an Earnhardt, well, you got an Earnhardt.

The Midland Trail 150 at the place “Where Legends are Born” put on a show for the fans June 15 – a lot of U-cars took to the track, as did some Late Models. There was a cool pole award for ARCA driver Danny Jackson, and he and Chad Poorman lapped the boys in the back more than once.

Lest you think that being the pole-sitter was an advantage to race winner Danny Jackson, think again. In ARCA Trucks, the fastest qualifier starts in the back of the field. Yes, they invert that puppy and you gotta work hard to win.

What's a race without a souvenir shirt or hat?

If t-shirts and ball caps were any indicator of the loyalties in the grandstand, it was surely NASCAR Nation. The night also brought out folks with the prospect of seeing the grandson of The Intimidator.

Shirts boasted Bristol, Charlotte, JR Nation, The Intimidator, Five-time Jimmie Johnson and local favorite, and surely future Dirt Track Hall of Famer, Steve Francis.

Steve Francis, by the way, will be at Portsmouth Raceway Park on Thursday, July 4 in the Lucas Oil Dirt Series. He's running the #15 Georgia Boot Camry for Clint Bowyer's dirt team, and this will be a fine opportunity to see the Ashland resident in his element.

But I digress.

Danny Jackson accepts the Midland Trail 150 pole award from Steve Chapman of Ona Speedway

Jackson was impressed with the pole award for the race, a hand-blown Stetson hat from Blenko artisans, along with a bottle of WV-produced wine from the Greenbrier Valley. “It’s unique,” he said before the race. “It’s something I’ll have the rest of my life.”

The competitors came from around the Midwest, mostly Ohio, and driver of the #46 Al Berry, his girlfriend and her daughters arrived at 3 a.m. from Angola, IN. Mandy Allen said they pulled in, parked the motor home and slept. “We’ll see some of the area when we leave,” she said.

Bobby Dale Earnhardt signs the shirt of Jaden Wallen of Auburn, IN

Culloden resident D.J. Scarberry gave his daughters a choice for the day – Camden Park, barbeque cookout at a friend’s house or going to the truck race at Ona Speedway.

Lakin Scarberry, 6, and her sister Cheyenne, 2, pose with Bobby Dale Earnhardt

“They love trucks,” D.J. said. Cheyenne Scarberry, all of 2-years-old, loves not just trucks, but Monster Trucks, dad said. So, that was that. Cheyenne and her sister Lakin, 6, wanted to see the race, and that was the Father’s Day outing. Before the race, they toddled around the ARCA drivers’ autograph session getting their checkered flag signed.

Here are the official results from Saturday night’s race.

Finish, driver, hometown and laps down

1-Danny Jackson, Batavia, OH

2-Chad Poorman, Montpelier, OH

3-Cody Quarrick, Uniontown, PA

4-Shawn Szep, Marysville, OH

5-Kenny Kirsch Jr., West Harrison, OH

6-Levi Mansfield, Oakwood, OH -2

7-Brad Yunker, Maumee, OH -2

8-Bobby Dale Earnhardt, Charleston, WV -3

9-Eddie Vallette, Columbus, OH -4

10-Jonathan Kulpinski, Montpelier, OH -8

11-Brandon Huff, East Palestine, OH -18

12-Devin Moran, Dresden, OH -69

13-Al Berry, Angola, IN, DNF

For your weekend planning

It's Thursday. The winds have died down and the rain stopped.

The weekend holds car shows and car racing. So, where should we go ?

The action seems to be all on Saturday, and here it is -

Paintsville Cruiz’n - Downtown Paintsville, Ky., begins at 4 p.m. Mopar Mania Night. Sponsored by Paintsville Tourism.

Ona Speedway - ARCA Series Truck Racing ARCA Trucks, Late Models, U-Cars. The Truck Series will feature Bobby Dale Earnhardt of Charleston, the oldest grandson of the late Dale Earnhardt. Gates open at 5 p.m.; autograph session 6 p.m., ARCA race 8 p.m.; other racing starts at 7 p.m. Cost $18 for adults, $10 for ages 11-17 and free for ages 10 and under. Free parking. No coolers; no alcohol. Concessions available. Website, www.hughes-motorsports.com

Portsmouth (Ohio) Raceway Park - Kids’ Night plus Vintage American Race Cars.  Admission adults $12, (age 16 and up), ages 12-15 $5, ages 7-11 $2, and age 6 and under free. Gates open 4 p.m., hot laps at 6:30 p.m., racing begins at 7:30 p.m. www.portsraceway.com

Jackson County (Ohio) Speedway - AMRA Late Models, AMRA Modifieds, Street Stocks, Outlaw4’s, Mod-Lites, Sport Mods and Stock 4s. Gates open 4 p.m.; 12-inch coolers allowed. Admission $12 adults, $10 seniors, free for children 12 and younger. www.jacksoncospeedway.com

Is there ever enough safety?

Safety has always been at the top of the priority list for all sanctioning bodies of auto racing. Many, many safety features have been created and implemented following crashes and deaths.

The death June 12 of Jason Leffler will bring about more discussion. We enjoy seeing fast cars battling it out like Gladiators.The cars the shields for the humans within.

All racing is risky, and drivers know that getting into the car each time – stock cars, open wheel cars, dragsters, hobby cars and carts. The potential for serious injury and death is always there. And that's not just in racecars, but in all motorized vehicles.  

Any time you strap yourself into an open cockpit, I think the chance of serious injury or death increases. Your protection is a helmet and a roll bar, added to your restraint system.At least in the stocks, you have a closed capsule for a little more protection. 

NASCAR SAFER Barrier

Head restraints became required equipment after the death of Dale Earnhardt. SAFER barriers were created to soften the impacts, although drivers say all hits are hard ones. Jeff Gordon crashed between areas of SAFER barriers and talk turned to making the entire outside of tracks the cushioned fiberglass behind reinforced steel beams. The softer walls were developed at the University of Nebraska and embraced by NASCAR and installed in tracks around the country.

When you watch NASCAR on television and see camera angles showing the wall and stickers for the race sponsor on the floating interiors, that’s a SAFER barrier.

After the last time Ryan Newman saw a windshield and roof full of Kurt Busch, the Purdue engineering grad went on a rampage over safety. He already has one chassis bar named for him.

At the NASCAR Research and Development Center, they study crashes and work to make racing safer for the drivers, crews and fans. It’s their job. And the building is filled with engineers and a dozen patents for safety featured created there in Concord, N.C.

Each car on the NASCAR track has a little blue box inserted by an official at the start of every race. If you watch them lean into the cars with something in their hands, that’s what it is. The box records everything and is downloaded at the R&D Center to review following crashes.

Tom Gideon, NASCAR Director of Safety says they learn many things each time. So, what did he learn from Denny Hamlin’s crash where the star’s back injury kept him out of the car for weeks? “We learned a lot,” he said. When pressed about what exactly he learned, he smiled and replied, “a lot.”

Will that crash yield more safety improvements? I feel fairly certain there will be.

In May, attendees to the Official NASCAR Members Club annual All-Star Fan Experience toured the R&D Center, not open to the general public. Gideon was a wealth of information and explanation.

Tom Gideon explains safety bars in the Generation 6 cars

Showing the “Newman Bar” on a cutaway chassis, he also pointed out reinforcements named for Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty, and how they intersect to protect the driver. The Newman Bar is the newest and implemented with the Generation 6 car introduced this season.

Another safety feature added was a reinforced windshield for all Cup and Nationwide cars at tracks more than 2-miles long and in the Truck series on super speedways, Gideon told the group.

The windshield can withstand a 200 mph projectile without penetration, yet the driver can be accessed by safety crews with a drill or saw. Made of layered polycarbonate, Gideon showed a test windshield where a weight was cannon shot and it bowed inward, but didn’t crack through. He said you have to protect the driver, yet be able to drill or saw into it to access the driver if necessary. Unfortunately for the group, it was within the proprietary area of the center, and no photography is allowed.

Every wreck, at any level of professional racing yields information and is the impetus for more research, more engineering and more safety.

Will it ever be enough?

As long and drivers are willing to strap themselves into machines and drive for sport at speeds up to 200 miles per hour, no.

Skyline results for June 7

I can't say enough how much I appreciate tracksters who send their results in weekly! Again, Scott Wolfe has brought results from the AMRA series to our attention, so here they are, in his own words!

By Scott Wolfe
STEWART, OHIO-"Blue Moon of Kentucky Keep on Shinin" is the retro version of the tune Josh McGuire, Grayson, Kentucky, was singing en route to what was reported to be his 13th Skyline Speedway win in the Kryptonite AMRA Late Models Friday night at Billy Jarrell's Skyline Speedway. "Blue #41 from Kentucky Keep on Hummin" was the tune the Bluegrass master was fiddling once he took the lead from Wheelersburg's Rod Conley on the second lap of the 25-lap $1,500 to win A-main.
 Kenny Johnson, Mineral Wells, West Virginia chanted a similar victory tune in the Octane Race Products AMRA Modified A-Main, going 3-for-3 for his third consecutive Skyline win in 2013 and 7th of the season. Tracy Fritter, Zanesville, Ohio claimed the exciting Mod Lite portion of the program, and Zach Carr claimed his second Mini-Wedge main.
 Racing resumes June 14 with Kryptonite AMRA Late Models, Octane AMRA Modifieds, OVSCA 410 Outlaw Sprints, and Mike's Auto Body Mini-Wedges. Coming June 28th is the Greg Schilling Memorial AMRA Modified bash.
 The 25-lap Late Model main pitted some of the best regional drivers against several nationally recognized names. McGuire and Rod "Hot Rod" Conley, defending ADRA champion, paced the field to Mike Haught's green flag. In the wake were "Fast Freddie" Carpenter, Fast timer Joe Ramey, Chris Garnes, Travis Brookover, and Daniel Hill among others.
 McGuire got a slight jump, but Conley rode the momentum off turn two to lead lap one. McGuire rode the inside rail to root Conley off the bottom and despite a constant effort, McGuire was as they say "off to the races". In smooth, fast--actually "bad fast"- McGuire fashion, the veteran chauffer waltzed through traffic past six cars to an insurmountable lead.
 A good crowd wasn't let-down, however, as action back through the pack was torrid on the smooth 3/8 mile red clay oval. Carpenter chased down Conley; and as that battle occupied the duo, Travis Brookover began to sneak into the mix for a three-way slugfest. At one point Brookover actually took over third and was close to second only to have Carpenter sweep past both Brookover and Conley on the high side.
 Brookover faded as Conley and Carpenter battled side-by-side for the middle 12 laps. A caution was whistled against K-C Burdette for making contact with the spinning Joe Ramey. That yellow tightened the second place battle even more with Conley finally taking over the position after a wheel banging "that's racing" tango in turn three.
 Action persisted throughout the pack as McGuire blasted away from the rest of the field. Garnes began to run down Brookover. They continued to dual to the checkered where Garnes won that encounter by a nose. In the Late Models, Andy Bond and Jeremy Blake were the hard chargers with each moving up four positions; Bond from 12th to 8th and Blake from 17th to 13th. Pete Crum had another smooth consistent run into the top ten along with Tony Roush.
 Rounding out the top ten behind McGuire were Conley, Freddie Carpenter, Chris Garnes, Travis Brookover, Daniel Hill, Steve Bigley, Andy Bond, Pete Crum, and Tony Roush.
 Heat winners were Freddie Carpenter, Rod Conley, McGuire and Dan Morrison, who took the B-main.
 In the Octane AMRA Modifieds, Kenny Johnson proved why he has been a five-time AMRA champion. Johnson leaped ahead of James Dennis on the start, but Robert "Booger" Garnes dove low under Johnson in a fight for first. Johnson drove into three hard and led the first swing in what became a green-to-checkered victory for the defending AMRA champ.
 As Johnson drove off into the sunset, Garnes had to defend second against nearly everyone else in the line-up. Garnes held second until the 17th circuit after fighting most the race with Mike McPherson, Gary Gould, and Andy Bond. That trio went three-wide several laps, but each time Garnes anchored the two-hole.
 On lap 14, Bond secured third over McPherson then went to work on Garnes. Finally, on the 17th round Bond squeaked by. Jeremy Berwanger stormed up through the pack from 10th and bid for a top five. Meanwhile, Jesse Rupe, the defending AMRA "Rookie of the Year" posted another good run himself. Bond, Berwanger, and Rupe were the hard chargers with each moving up five positions; Bond from 7th to 2nd, Berwanger from 10th to 5th, and Rupe from 14th to 9th.
 McPherson stalled Berwanger's drive, while Gould who had a great start faded along with Dennis. Shawn Donahue and Rupe both had great charges toward the top ten. Behind Johnson were Bond, Robert Garnes, Mike McPherson, Jeremy Berwanger, Jeremy Blake, Gary Gould, Jerrod Willis, Jesse Rupe, and James Dennis.
 Heat winners were Johnson, Dennis and Garnes.
 Tracy Fritter dominated the Mod Lite Main. Mitch Ward anchored second most of the race but ended up losing a bout with Jeff Fornash at the finish after a lap 17 restart. Randy Kerns and Tyler Riggs had good runs early, but later suspension parts let go on Kerns' machine. Behind the barn-storming Fritter were Fornash, Mitch Ward, Matt Ward, Tyler Riggs, Andrew Hart, Nathan Casto, Randy Kerns, Matt Hall, and Duane Durst. After an early spin Matt Ward had a great run into the top five from the tail.
 Zach Carr won his second Skyline feature with an impressive run over Austin Washburn, Tanner Martin, Kasey Rankin, Kalista Barnes, Evan McPherson, and Ryan Bigley in the mini-wedges.
 For more information please visit us on Facebook at the Skyline page or the Skyline Venues page or visit our website at << www.skylinespeedway.net >> or call 304-539-4410, 304-542-8322 or the track phone at 740-662-4111.

The summary:
 Kryptonite AMRA Late Models (24)
Fast Time: Joe Ramey 14:39
Heat One: Freddie Carpenter, Daniel Hill, Joe Ramey, Pete Crum, Ralph Withem, Bob Adams, Jr., Tanner Hendrix, Tyler French (DNS)
Heat Two: Rod Conley, Travis Brookover, Steve Bigley, Tony Roush, J.T. Conley, Dan Morrison, Jason Gillian, Tom Hendrix
Heat Three: Josh McGuire, Chris Garnes, K.C. Burdette, Andy Bond, Larry Bond, Jeremy Blake, Brian Eaton, T.J. Roush
B-Main: Dan Morrison, Jeremy Blake, Bob Adams, Jr., Brian Eaton, Tyler French, Jason Gillian, Tom Hendrix, Tanner Hendrix, T.J. Roush
Feature: Josh McGuire, Rod Conley, Freddie Carpenter, Chris Garnes, Travis Brookover, Daniel Hill, Steve Bigley, Andy Bond, Pete Crum, Tony Roush, Ralph Withem, Larry Bond, Jeremy Blake, Dan Morrison, J.T. Conley, Joe Ramey, Bob Adams, Jr., K.C. Burdette
 
Octane AMRO Modifieds (18)
Heat One: Kenny Johnson, Vince Conrad, Andy Bond, Jeremy Berwanger, Shawn Donahue, Tyler Hendrix
Heat Two: James Dennis, Mike McPherson, Gary Gould, Kyle Bond, Jesse Rupe, Brad Stone
Heat Three: Robert Garnes, Jeremy Blake, John Burdette, Jerrod Willis, Jason Brooks, Ryan McCarley
Feature: Kenny Johnson, Andy Bond, Robert Garnes, Mike McPherson, Jeremy Berwanger, Jeremy Blake, Gary Gould, Jerrod Willis, Jesse Rupe, James Dennis, Shawn Donahue, Kyle Bond, Vince Conrad, Jason Brooks, Ryan McCarley, Tyler Hendrix, Brad Stone, John Burdette

Mod Lites (10)
Heat One: Mitch Ward, Jeff Fornash, Matt Hall, Matt Ward, Duane Durst
Heat Two: Tracy Fritter, Randy Kerns, Tyler Riggs, Nathan Casto, Andrew Hart
Feature: Tracy Fritter, Jeff Fornash, Mitch Ward, Matt Ward, Tyler Riggs, Andrew Hart, Nathan Casto, Randy Kerns, Matt Hall, Duane Durst (DNS)

Mike's Auto Body Mini-Wedges (7)
Heat One: Zach Carr, Austin Washburn, Tanner Martin, Kasey Rankin, Evan McPherson, Kalista Barnes, Ryan Bigley
Feature: Zach Carr, Austin Washburn, Tanner Martin, Kasey Rankin, Kalista Barnes, Evan McPherson, Ryan Bigley (DNS)

For your weekend planning

Get your motors running, here are some weekend activities for gearheads of all types!

Weekend of June 7 - 9
Friday, June 7
Downtown Live - Downtown Ashland, Ky. Registration fee $5. Door prizes and a 50/50 drawing. Cars, trucks and motorcycles welcome.

Ole Car Club of Gallpolis, Ohio, Aaron's Rental Cruise In - WalMart parking lot on Eastern Avenue, 5 to 8 p.m. Registration: donations accepted; music, door prizes, 50/50 drawing. Net profits donated to local charities. No alcohol allowed. 740-446-0643 dhively@att.net or 740-446-4064 lewis02@yahoo.com.

Saturday, June 8
Chick-fil-A Dad’s Day “Croo”ze In - Sears parking lot at the Huntington Mall. Free online pre-registration www.chick-fil-a.com/melodyfarmsroad Free registration day of the event from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Free Chick-fil-A biscuits for early bird arrivals. Winners announced in 12 categories; win Chick-fil-A apparel and food prizes. Rain date June 15. 304-710-4627 or 304-654-7001.

First Southern Baptist Church Cruise In - Located beside South Point Post Office, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. No registration fee, but donations will be accepted. Free hot dogs while they last. Rain date, Sept. 14. 740-550-2102 or 740-534-2320.

Ona Speedway - Seven classes of cars in Saturday night short track racing. Gates open at 5 p.m.; racing starts at 7 p.m. Cost $10 for adults, $7 for ages 11-17 and free for ages 10 and under. Free parking. Concessions available. Website, www.hughes-motorsports.com "Clayton Homes 100" U-cars, 6cyl Any Car, Street Stock, Hobby Stock, Classics Sport Mods. Rockabilly Hall of Famer, Sleepy LaBeef will be in concert on June 8 at the track.

Skyline rained out; upcoming events announced

Rain may have dampened the track, but there is always next week! Scott Wolfe keeps us up to date on happenings in regional short tracks.

Skyline Sees Rain
 Skyline Speedway in Stewart, Ohio fell to Mother Nature this past weekend May 31, but will return to action Friday Night June 7 with a full card of AMRA Kryptonite Late Models, Octane AMRA Modifieds, and Mod Lites. Mike’s Auto Body Mini-Wedges are also on the card. 

 There will be no sprints on June 7 due to the fact that the Ohio Valley Sprint Car Association will be at the Southern Ohio Speedway near Portsmouth.  Arm bands will be good for at least two weeks announced owner Billy Jarrell Sunday night.  This will allow for fans that came to watch sprints a chance to watch the sprints.

 The OVSCA 410 Sprint Cars will return Friday, June 14, joining the Kryptonite AMRA Late Models, Octane Modifieds, and Mini-Wedges.  June 21 will be the “Kids Goldrush” where kids have a chance to take home a bucketfull of coins, an always popular event for racing’s youngest fans. 

 Friday, June 28th will be the annual Greg Schilling Memorial for Modifieds, paying one of the largest modified purses in the nation for AMRA modifieds, plus a regular program.       

 A social media post indicated that armbands and tickets from the May 31 rainout may be used beyond two weeks. To confirm this or for further information call 304-539-4410, 304-542-8322 or the track phone at 740-662-4111

Ohio Valley Speedway June 1 results

Kudos to Scott Wolfe for passing along results!

OHIO VALLEY SPEEDWAY RESULTS
 A couple of early-evening showers resulting in a 90-minute delay, several changes in the show’s program, and late-evening fog couldn’t stop Ohio Valley Speedway from completing its 6th program of the 2013 season.  A total of 108 race teams jammed the pits.

 The 25-lap Late Model main stole the show.  Thirty-one late models turned out; Frankie Roush, Dan Morrison, Paul Wilmoth, and Freddie Carpenter won heats; Billy Holbert and Derek Doll the two B-mains to set the field.  Wilmoth and Colten Burdette drew the front-row starting positions; Burdette led lap one before Wilmoth took over.  Robbie Scott and Carpenter dueled with Wilmoth during the first 11 laps with 12th-starting Wayne Hughes joined the three-some at that point.

  Following a caution, Hughes got by both Carpenter and Scott for second; he and Wilmoth put on one of the finest duels seen in quite some time, trading the lead four times during the last three laps with Wilmoth prevailing by a car-length at the line.  Hughes, Scott, Donnie Dotson (from 16th) and Ronnie Mayle (from 10th) finished in the top 5.  Dan Morrison, Andy Bond (from 15th), Burdette, Steve Weigle, and Ed Shuman finished 6-thru-10, and provided more racing action sometimes going 2-and-3 wide themselves while dueling for position.

 While everyone was still trying to catch his/her breath following the late model feature, the OCTANE AMRA Modified feature provided excitement of its own.  Jerrad Willis took the initial lead.  A caution after lap 5 required four tries to complete another lap; Willis was one of the victims, spinning in front of the field in Turn 2 on the third restart attempt, collecting 5th-place Jeremy Blake and eliminating both. 

 Jason Brookover, who had started 5th was second at the time of Willis’ spin, and inherited the lead.  That turned out to last only three laps, as Brookover’s mount suddenly lost power in front of the field.  Robbie Evans inherited the lead, with Nick Corbitt and Tyler Evans behind.  Corbitt dueled with both Evanses for the remaining 12 go-rounds, and making one last-ditch effort for the win; he tried the outside line coming to the checker but was about 18” short at the line.  R. Evans claimed his first win of the season; T. Evans, Rod Sayre (from 16th), and Andy Bond finished 3-5.  There have now been six different AMRA Modified feature winners this season.  Willis, Jason Brooks, and T. Evans won the heats; Sayre claimed the consi.  T. Evans has now won a heat every week, and also has 6 consecutive top-5 finishes.

Ohio Valley Summary June 1, 2013
AMRA Kryptonite LATE MODELS (31, t op 3 from each heat and consi)
Heat 1:  Frankie Roush, Colten Burdette, George Klintowrth, Eric Francis, Jeromy Misel, Vince Toler, Austin Eddy, Chris Parks
Heat 2:  Dan Morrison, Ed Shuman, Ron Mayle, Billy Holbert, Steve Bigley, Andy Bond, Darin Roush, Tyler French
Heat 3:  Paul Wilmoth, Steve Weigle, Greg Gellner, Tony Roush, Corey Delancey, Delbert Crum III, Robbie Bostic, KC Burddtte
Heat 4:  Freddie Carpenter, Robbie Scott, Wayne Hughes, Derek Doll, Donnie Dotson, Larry Bond, Larry Murphy
Consi #1:  Holbert, A. Bond, Bigley, Misel, D. Roush, Francis, French, Parks, Toler, DNS Eddy
Consi #2:  Doll, Dotson, T. Roush, Delancey, K. Burdette, L. Bond, Bostic, Crum, Murphy
FEATURE-Wilmoth, Hughes, Scott, Dotson, Mayle, Morrison, Andy Bond, C. Burdette, Weigle, Shuman, Carpenter, Holbert, Gellner, T. Roush, F. Roush, Klintworth, Bigley, Doll.
Octane AMRA MODIFIEDS (24, 5 from heats, 3 from consi)
Heat 1:  Jerrad Willis, Jason Brookover, Andy Bond, Jeremy Blake, Bill Fordyce, Rod Sayre, Chris Stotts, Chad Roush
Heat 2:  Jason Brooks, Kevin Rooks, Curt Reck, Frankie Roush, Marc Martin, Ronnie Pickens, Shane Roush, Brad Willis
Heat 3:  Tyler Evans, Robbie Evans, Nick Corbitt, Kyle Bond, John Burdette, Brandon Patton, Kevin Dotson
Consi:  Sayre, Stotts, Patton, Pickens, S. Roush, Dotson, B. Willis
Feature:  R. Evans, Corbitt, T. Evans, Sayre, A. Bond, Brooks, Martin, Patton, Reck, Rooks, Stotts, Brookover, Burdette, Blake, J. Willis, K. Bond, Fordyce, F. Roush

Beckley, Princeton results

Here are more results, compliments of Scott Wolfe. Thanks for the results every week!

BECKLEY Motor Speedway Results
 This weekend at Beckley, the speedway will host "Racing for Miracles" for the Children's Miracle Network. Friday, June 7.

 Ricky Williams picked up yet another feature this past Friday at Beckley, edging Zach Dohm and Stevie Lucas in what proved to be a star-studded field of Kryptonite Late Models.  T. J. Salango, Wayne Hughes, Don White, Brad Jarrell, Frankie Johnston, Jeff Cox, and veteran Eslie Bills rounded out the tough line-up of competition.

 In the AMRA Modifieds, veteran LM driver Joe Meadows crossed the finish line first ahead of Keith Bills and last week's winner Tate Hughes.  Mike Duncan was part of the incredible racing in fourth ahead of Michael Moore, Will Brogan, Jacob Shafer, David Godfrey, Dylan Shafer, and Joe Mollett.

 Coming August 16 is the "Fast and Furious 40 for Modifieds paying $2,000 to win and $300 to start for Modifieds with a special appearance from Kenny Schrader of NASCAR Sprint Cup fame.  Look for incentives for the top AMRA drivers to attend.

Princeton Raceway Results
 Jason Cochran, Flat Top, WV has been on a hot streak in Southern West Virginia, claiming the big win over Michael Moore of Beckley at the Princeton Raceway Saturday night.  The youngster Moore continues to do a great job, but was no match at the end for Cochran.  Freddy Mooney was third ahead of Mike Duncan,  and Sammy Duncan.

Beckley Motor Speedway

Kryptonite Late Models - Feature   
Finish  Car Driver Hometown
1  12    Rick Williams    Beckley
2  17    Zack Dohm    Cross Lanes
3  5L    Steve Lucas    Charleston
4  18T    Tj Salango    Glen Daniel
5  1H    Wayne Hughes    Beaver
6  2    Don White    Charleston
7  10J    Brad Jarrell    Fayetteville
8  2J    Frankie Johnston    Bud
9  68    Jeff Cox    Beckley
10  36    Eslie Bills    Kincaid
11  12A    Adam Lilly    Rhodell
12  1    Rickey Strattis    Prosperity
13  529    Brock Morris    Charleston
   
   
Octane Modifieds - Feature   
Finish  Car Driver Hometown
1  33    Joe Meadows    Crab Orchard
2  36K    Keith Bills    Kincade
3  22C    Tate Hughes    Daniels
4  53    Mike Duncan    Beckley
5  2    Michael Moore    Beckley
6  411    Will Brogan    Charleston
7  85S    Jacob Shafer    Clendenin
8  11G    David Godfrey    Hanover
9  07S    Dylan Shafer    Clendinen
10  87    Joe Mollett    Sophia
11  17    Jason Cochran    Flat Top
12  79    Donald Lambert    Cleark Fork
13  12    Wade Skaggs    Victor
14  94    Bill Pritchard Jr    Beckley
   
Princeton Raceway   
Octane AMRA Modified - Feature   
Finish  Car Driver Hometown
1  17    Jason Cochran    Flat Top

2  2    Micheal Moore    Beckley
3  6M    Freddy Mooney    Bluefield
4  53    Mike Duncan    Beckley
5  15    Sammy Duncan    Mt Hope

I-77 Raceway Park results from May 31-June 2

When you can't be everywhere at every track in the Tri State, it's nice to have folks like Scott Wolfe to help out with results. So, once again, I defer to Scott for these - look for your favorite regional drivers' results!

Roberts Edges Carrier at I-77 Raceway Park for ULTIMATE Series Victory

 Ripley, West Virginia – Before Saturday afternoon, Casey Roberts had never even seen the 3/8ths of a mile I-77 Raceway Park. But when the checkered flag fell for the night’s ULTIMATE Super Late Model Series 50 lap feature no one could have ever guessed. All Roberts did was set fast time over a strong field of racers from all over the area and then best Eddie Carrier, Jr. in a wild side-by-side battle over the entire last half of the race to score the $5000 payday. In doing so Roberts became the first repeat winner of the 2013 season for the ULTIMATE Series and he further extended his points lead. “My hats off to Eddie Carrier, he could have drove me dirty, but he didn’t. He’s a professional and it showed during that race. I appreciate him running us clean like he did,” Roberts said in VP Race Fuels Victory Lane.

 Roberts began the evening by picking up VP Race Fuels Race for the Pole fast time honors ahead of Carrier. Roberts’ 12.578 second lap fell just shy of eclipsing the track record which had just been established a week earlier by Steve Lucas. Carrier wasn’t far off the mark either with his best lap of 12.688 seconds. Rounding out the top 8 which were locked-in to the feature was 2011 ULTIMATE Series champion Chris Ferguson, Kentucky’s Josh McGuire, Rick Williams, Jeff Smith, track record holder Steve Lucas and local favorite Travis Brookover. A pair of fast and furious B-Mains set the remainder of the field with Mike Benedum of Salem, West Virginia and Cross Lane, West Virginia’s Zach Dohm both scoring victories in the 8 lap prelims.

 At the drop of the green flag Roberts jumped to the lead while Carrier was forced to deal with a hard charging McGuire to his outside and Ferguson who dove to the bottom looking for second. McGuire was able to finally grab second with the highside momentum dropping Carrier to third with Ferguson trailing in fourth.

 With 3 laps remaining, Roberts pulled ahead of Carrier down the back straightaway but just as so many times in the previous laps, Carrier drove it off deep into turn 3 and emerged off of turn 4 in a dead heat with Roberts. Through the white flag more of the same as Roberts nosed ahead on the back straightaway with Carrier shadowing him. As the 2 exited turn 4 for the final time Carrier was able to get in the gas earlier than Roberts and again pulled even. But his momentum was carrying him up the track into Roberts forcing him to turn down ever so slightly to stay off Roberts’ car. It wasn’t much but that was all Roberts needed as the 2 drivers flashed across the line Roberts to the victory by just 0.168 seconds over Carrier.

 “That was a lot of fun. This is a neat track. It’s fast and racy. I am glad we were able to get the win. I want to thank Jimmy and Ann Cushman for everything they do for me and my family. I wish they could have been here for this one but they had a prior engagement so we will give them a call here in just a few minutes and give them the news.” Roberts added in Victory Lane.

THE AMRA SUMMARY - Weekend of May 31-June 2
I-77 Summary
Ultimate/ Kryptonite AMRA Late Models
Official Finish
1 – 101 Casey Roberts
2 – 28 Eddie Carrier, Jr.
3 – 41 Josh McGuire
4 – 17 Zach Dohm
5 – 25 Mike Benedum
6 – 17 Kenney Newhouse
7 – 4 Victor Lee
8 – 12B Travis Brookover
9 – 28R Harold Redman, Jr.
10 – 71 Larry Timms
11 – 83 Brett Miller
12 – 2 Don White
13 – 5L Steve Lucas
14 – 17 Mike Gault
15 – 42 Chris Garnes
16 – 20P Scott Peltz
17 – 70 Jeff Smith
18 – 29 Tyler Carpenter
19 – 9 Shane McLoughlin
20 – 529 Brock Morris
21 – 64 Marshall Wiblin
22 – 12 Rick Lucas
23 – 12H Weston Hutchinson
24 – 21 Chris Ferguson
25 – 12 Rick Williams

Throwback Thursday, a little early

Does this name ring a bell? Glen “Pop” McGinnis?

Do these programs bring back a memory?

McGinnis, a racer from 1951 to 1971 both locally and nationally, will be honored at Ona Speedway by the track officials and a regional racing historian.

So, if the name doesn’t bring a memory, there are plenty who do recall McGinnis. Some of them will gather at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday to do just that, plus unveil a memorial.

 Tim Flock, (May 11, 1924 – March 31, 1998), recently selected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, certainly knew who McGinnis was.

 When asked by WV racing historian Steve Chapman if he remembered Glen McGinnis, Flock’s reply was, “we called him Pops.” Flock and McGinnis both drove Hudson Hornets and raced each other frequently.

Tim Flock photo from GeorgiaRacingHistory.com

In 1970, McGinnis prepped a Wood Brothers equipped Mercury Cyclone for the WV 300 at Ona, the Grand National Circuit, which is now the Sprint Cup. He started 25th and finished 9th. 

Oh, the track was, at the time, WV International Raceway Park.

And, if you go to the NASCAR Hall of Fame, when you load your track preferences on your hard card, be sure to look for WV International Raceway, not Ona Speedway. Just a hint.

Throwback Thursday

It's fun looking through The Herald-Dispatch archives to see what's happened in the local racing scene over the years. 

For this week's Throwback Thursday, we present some NASCAR stars at Ona Speedway in 2002. 

Anybody know this guy? 

 

NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip signs autographs for fans who waited for hours Saturday, July, 27, 2002, at the Ona Speedway in Ona, W.Va. Waltrip and fellow drivers Sterling Marlin, Steve Park and Ken Schrader attended the event. (AP Photo/The Herald-Dispatch, Tim Johnson)

 

 

Starting off the next 50 with a bang, and a crash...

The 50^th season of Ona Speedway got underway Saturday with a bang. And a crash, some engine revving and general Saturday night short track mayhem.

Just in case you missed it, the Classic division was out first and the 25-lap race took nearly an hour to run, thanks to two drivers, Chumpy Brumfield and Jeremy Williams.

How someone didn’t get black-flagged is beyond me. A spin, a bump, then a bigger bump and a swing through the infield for a face-off. After a brief cooling off where officials were running between the two cars and disqualifying them both, the two drivers were allowed back into the race to the back of the field.

What the what? Hey, NASCAR changes the rules in the middle of a race, why can’t Ona?

Almost 40 minutes and three caution flags later, the race was over with Terry Brumfield taking the win, followed by John Morton and Chumpy Brumfield who had been disqualified and let back in.

So the tone is apparently set in that series. I have a feeling this feud isn’t over.

In the 6 Cylinder any car class, the 4 cars entered finished like this: Bryce Keyser, Doug Harvey, Gary Cassidy and Shawn Perry (DNF).

The huge U-car class runs two heats before the main frame. Now, by the time the Main Frame was ready to run, it was well after 10 p.m., and frankly, I missed it.The weather was cold and I got tired. Sorry, fans, I'm not as young as I seem.

But top finishers in the two heats were Joe Workman, Chris Deskins and Kevin Gillespie in the first and the second, Glen Foster, Kenny Fletcher and Frankie Osborn.

The Late Model feature was a runaway with local driver Jake Keaton returning to Ona Speedway in the familiar #10. Keaton took the early lead and kept it throughout the race. Several restarts gave the #12 of Grey Harvey a good chance to overtake Keaton, but that didn’t materialize.

Next up at Ona Speedway is June 8 when the Clayton Homes 100 night will feature U-cars, 6cyl Any Car, Street Stock, Hobby Stock, Classics.

Gates open at 5 p.m.; racing starts at 7 p.m. Cost $10 for adults, $7 for ages 11-17 and free for ages 10 and under. Free parking. Concessions are available. Visit www.hughes-motorsports.com. Rockabilly Hall of Famer, Sleepy LaBeef will be the pre-race concert that night.Wow, wonder how that would happen? It's not like Ona Speedway manager Dave Hughes played guitar for LaBeef. Hmmm.