At the Track

Three-Time-Tony

2011-11-20T20:20:00.009-05:00

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?

2011-11-15T13:34:00.009-05:00

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

2011-11-07T15:25:00.002-05:00

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?

2011-10-25T09:18:00.003-05:00

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

2011-10-17T12:45:00.011-05:00

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

2011-10-17T11:21:00.003-05:00

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

2011-10-14T14:45:00.015-05:00

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!

2011-10-04T13:58:00.002-05:00

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

2011-09-27T12:08:00.004-05:00

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!

2011-09-23T17:17:00.007-05:00

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

2011-09-22T16:33:00.005-05:00

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

2011-09-11T14:33:00.002-05:00

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.

2011-08-29T11:08:00.012-05:00

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

2011-08-25T16:18:00.004-05:00

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

2011-08-22T10:17:00.002-05:00

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

2011-08-17T09:45:00.003-05:00

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

2011-08-16T11:36:00.009-05:00

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!

2011-08-15T15:38:00.004-05:00

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?

2011-08-12T10:15:00.004-05:00

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

2011-07-27T17:49:00.006-05:00

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?

2011-07-26T16:59:00.014-05:00

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

2011-07-25T10:15:00.002-05:00

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

K-C July 16 results

2011-07-18T10:05:00.003-05:00

Scott Wolfe is my new hero. He faithfully sends results from K-C Raceway in Chillicothe, Ohio, and even crafts a nice story to tell you all about what happened on the track.

So, here is this week's installment of the action at K-C along with results from all classes.

Thanks, Scott!

Grant Great at K-C Boss Sprints
Hot Rod Conley Hottest in AMRA Lates
Mather Masters Hobbies/Ervin Earns 4-Cyl Cash

July 16, 2011 Results

By Scott Wolfe

CHILLICOTHE, OHIO-The first appearance of non-winged sprint cars since 1994 was a huge success as the new breed of California Kid, 19-year old Justin Grant garnered the 2nd Annual Gene Comstock Memorial for BOSS sprint cars on the high banks of Jeff and Vicki Schrader's K-C Raceway. Hot Rod Conley, Wheelersburg, Ohio bested the potent AMRA Late Model field, Brandon Mather broke Jamey Adams' win streak in the Hobby Stocks, and Todd Ervin won the first appearance of the Rear-wheel Drive Four Cylinders. The sprint feature was the first-ever BOSS event. (K-C's non-winged United States Auto Club event was rained out last year, making Saturday's non-wing show the first in nearly two decades)

Formerly of Lone, California, the 2010 National USAC Rookie of the Year, who now calls Piqua, Ohio home, Justin Grant put on one heck of a show in making a clean sweep and dusting the field in the 25-lap Buckeye Outlaw Sprint Series"Gene Comstock Memorial". The race was held in honor of the late Gene Comstock, Huntington, WV one of just a few Tri-State racers who were the early pioneers of the current NASCAR series. Prior to national success, Comstock was on open wheel ace with several hundred feature wins to his credit.

Grant won his heat, then blitzed off into the sunset with a colorful barnstorming effort high against the K-C concrete wall. Grant lapped all, but the top four cars in the masterful flex of power. Although Grant was spectacular far ahead of his competitors, it was the action back in the pack that also thrilled the crowd.

Joss Moffett anchored second most of the way as the point man of a torrid dual with Dustin Smith. For 25 laps the duo raced side by side, nose to tail, swapping slide jobs at regular intervals. Moffett got loose in turn one on the 14th circuit and was barely clipped by Smith, sending Moffett--a former Lawrenceburg, IN champion--into a 360.

Moffett kept the car in motion and within a lap was right back battling with Smith for second. Former K-C regular Adam Strausser was fast all night long, winning his heat and anchoring a solid fourth. Meanwhile, a gaggle of cars fought for fifth, swapping position at regular intervals in tight confines of the dangerous open wheel realm. Todd Keen finally zoomed from 9th to fifth ahead of high flyer Aaron Middaugh.

Jason Soudrette earned hard charger honors with a 15th to 7th charge. Keen and Middaugh battled hard for a top five then was joined by Soudrette for a three-way battle. In the same gaggle Landon Simon Michael Fischesser and Josh Slone in Eddie Slone's 4x fought for a top ten.

As Grant's Claxton Engines/DRC Chassis roared to the win, the rest of the top ten filed across the line in this order: Dustin Smith, Joss Moffett, Adam Strausser, Todd Keen, Aaron Middaugh, Jason Soudrette, Landon Simon, Michael Fischesser, and Josh Slone. Other credible efforts were given to Travis Welpott, Mike Weber, Jeb Lowder, Duane Spille, and Ernie Christian, who was an accident victim after running second in his heat.

After a trio of victory 360's, Grant reeled a great deal of enthusiasm from the K-C crowd. Grant, the Ohio transplant said excitedly after a cage stand and salute to the crowd, "I'd like to thank Mark Hery my car owner for this opportunity and thank all of my sponsors. This car was on a rail both tonight and last night. K-C is a nice facility and it's nice to win the first time out here."

The Late Model feature was the typical action-packed, highly competitive bout that K-C fans have come to expect. Athens, OH driver Ralph Withem led the first four laps before hot Rod Conley reeled him in. Next, former champ Jason Montgomery blasted by Withem along with Mike Wilson, allowing Montgomery to challenge Conley for the lead. Montgomery took the lead on lap seven, but a caution for Paul Davis reverted the lead back to Conley. Davis collected fellow Kentucky hot-shoe Ken Howell in the process.

Although it appeared their chances had narrowed, both fought back up through the pack for top ten finishes in some of the best passing laps of the night. First heat winner K-C Burdette suffered a flat tire, ending his night.

A couple laps later, a hard-charging Delmas Conley climbed the wall in turn four. With the right front wheel still up on the wall, Conley backed the car down onto the track, shook it down, said "it's a go" and went to the tail, setting up an exciting charge back to fourth place.

A pile-up that left nowhere to go eliminated top runner Kevin Wagner, who has had a great deal of success at K-C over the last few weeks. Collected in the incident were hard-challengers Dean Boyd, Brian Eaton, Kenny Spencer, and Tony Roush. Only Roush and Spencer were able to continue.

Meanwhile, 10th place starter Audie Swartz, Mark Frazier, and Racin' Jason Perry were on the move and in a battle with second heat winner Billy Gullion. Frazier had a top five all night long, but around the 19th circuit his car began to smoke and he dropped out along with Montgomery.

As Delmas Conley and Paul Davis blasted back toward the front, Rod Conley pulled away from the field with Wilson now in second. Swartz made a late race charge, as he and Wilson swapped positions and slide jobs over the last two laps. It appeared Wilson locked wheels with Swartz coming down to the checkered scattering both cars in different directions a Wilson backward toward the finish line. Withem had a rocket-ship all night and finished strong at third.

Conley crossed for the win followed by Swartz, Ralph Withem, Delmas Conley, Paul Davis, Ken Howell. Tony Roush, Brett Foster, Kenny Spencer, Mike Wilson, and Mark Frazier. Swartz and Tony Roush shared hard charger honors passing eight cars each.

Said Conley, "This racing business is tough. It's tough every night out and everyone is fast anymore. I am glad to bring home the win. Thanks to Conley Trucking and all the guys back at the shop. Sometimes it seems we have to work more on our trucks (Conley Trucking) than the race cars, but that's what makes the racing possible. Thanks to all the fans who came out tonight."

In the Hobby Stock Main, the field fought the law, and...."the law won!" Yes, literally. Brandon Mather, a Chillicothe Police officer, who has been getting smoother and faster every week was the wheel-man that broke a 10 race win streak of Jamey Adams.

Saturday, Mather was also Bounty Hunter as he collected a four-week old Bounty on Adams of $168 in addition to his prize money. The bounty was the idea of the crowd, who proposed upping the bounty $42 each week until someone defeated Adams. The four-week total was $168.

Said an emotional Mather in victory lane, "Wow! I don't know what to say," Then laughing, Mather said, "I'm glad the track staff told me where to go, I've never been here before."

Mather added, "Thanks to my crew, engine builder Rick Shoemaker at Central Auto Parts and everyone else who helped me get here. This is a Jamey Adams Chassis. I have him to thank, because he's the one that makes us all go fast."

Good racing again took place back in the pack. Brandon Thompson tried Mather a couple of times, but didn't have the zap he needed to pull off the win. Thompson did, however, hold off Adams for second with Tommy Mossbarger in fourth. Bruce Gray, Jr. held down second early in the race, but despite being fast slipped back to a torrid battle with Mossbarger for fourth.

On the sixth circuit, young Blake Sheets caught the wall and flipped wildly into turn number four, scattering parts and his rear-end housing onto the track. The bad accident scene turned good, when Sheets emerged from the badly damaged car only shaken.

Racing heated back up with Mather up front and Thompson, Adams, and Mossbarger in tow. Tracey Ross continued his string of solid runs with another good showing, while Butch Eblin staged one of his best finishes of the year with K-C hard-chargers Jack Martin and Tim Cutler close behind.

The finish trickled down in this order: Brandon Mather, Brandon Thompson, Jamey Adams, Tommy Mossbarger, Bruce Gray, Jr., Tracey Ross, Butch Eblin, Jack Martin, Tim Cutler, and Blake Sheets. Keith Dubois (2nd) and Evan Seitz had good heat runs, but suffered mechanical problems.

Todd Ervin took the early lead and never looked back in claiming the first Four Cylinder event of the year at K-C. Derek Davis ran strong all night, but was unable to make the run he needed on the flying Ervin. Ervin said in victory lane, "Thanks to all my friends, my family, and sponsors for helping me out. It really feels good to be able to win here at K-C."

Ervin topped first heat winner James Ball and a stout field of four cylinders to get the win. Rounding out the top ten were Derek Davis, Tom McVey, Kyle Purdy, James Ball, John Smith, Chip Truitt, Adam Haynes, Dustin Hartley, Steve Cruse, Scott Henry, and Zach Ackley.

Next week, July 23 is Vendors Night which features all of K-C's fine sponsors. On the race card are 410 Winged Sprints, Advanced Services Modifieds and Hobby Stocks. In addition to the hefty pay-off the top nine cars in the sprints will win a free Goodyear Racing Tire.

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

BOSS Non-Winged Sprints (15)

Heat One: Adam Strausser, Aaron Middaugh, Mike Weber, Duane Spille, Ernie Christian
Heat Two: Dustin Smith, Travis Welpott, Landon Simon, Josh Slone, Jeb Lowder
Heat Three: Justin Grant, Joss Moffett, Todd Keen, Michael Fischesser, Jason Soudrette
Gene Comstock Memorial: Justin Grant, Dustin Smith, Joss Moffett, Adam Strausser, Todd Keen, Aaron Middaugh, Jason Soudrette, Landon Simon, Michael Fischesser, Josh Slone, Travis Welpott, Mike Weber, Jeb Lowder, Duane Spille, Ernie Christian

AMRA Late Models (25)
Fast Time: Jason Montgomery 13:763
Heat One: K-C Burdette, Delmas Conley, Jason Montgomery, Audie Swartz, Kevin Wagner, Dean Boyd, Kenny Spencer, Matthew Jobe
Heat Two: Billy Gullion, Rod Conley, Jason Perry, Mark Frazier, Brian Eaton, Dylan Huron, Tony Roush, Robbie Ratliff
Heat Three: Mike Wilson, Ralph Withem, Paul Davis, Brett Foster, Ken Howell, Josh Bivens, Tommy Bigham, Russ Fronapfel
B-Main: Dean Boyd, Dylan Huron, Tony Roush, Russ Fronapfel, Kenny Spencer, Matthew Jobe, Robbie Ratliff, Tommy Bigham, Josh Bivens, Boyd Adkins (DNS)
Feature: Rod Conley, Audie Swartz, Ralph Withem, Delmas Conley, Paul Davis, Ken Howell. Tony Roush, Brett Foster, Kenny Spencer, Mike Wilson, Mark Frazier, Billy Gullion, Jason Montgomery, Jason Perry, Kevin Wagner, Brian Eaton, Dean Boyd, Russ Fronapfel, K-C Burdette, Dylan Huron

Hobby Stocks: (12)
Heat One: Brandon Thompson, Keith Dubois, Bruce Gray, Jr., Tim Cutler, Jack Martin, Blake Sheets
Heat Two: Brandon Mather, Jamey Adams, Tommy Mossbarger, Tracey Ross, Evan Seitz, Butch Eblin
Feature; Brandon Mather, Brandon Thompson, Jamey Adams, Tommy Mossbarger, Bruce Gray, Jr., Tracey Ross, Butch Eblin, Jack Martin, Tim Cutler, Blake Sheets, Keith Dubois, Evan Seitz

Four Cylinders: (14)
Heat One: James Ball, Steve Cruse, John Smith, Derek Davis, Scott Henry, Zach Ackley
Heat Two: Todd Ervin, Tom McVey, Kyle Purdy, Chip Turitt, Adam Haynes, Dustin Hartley
Feature: Todd Ervin, Derek Davis, Tom McVey, Kyle Purdy, James Ball, John Smith, Chip Truitt, Adam Haynes, Dustin Hartley, Steve Cruse, Scott Henry, Zach Ackley

KY Speedway, part 1

2011-07-15T17:14:00.008-05:00

Photos. Just photos. More to come.

Need for speed?

2011-07-15T13:56:00.001-05:00

Looking for some racing this weekend?

KC Raceway in Chillicothe, Ohio, will have kart racing on July 15 in the following classes:
Rookie - WKA Flathead Purple #250 6-11
Youth 1 E-MOD - Clone with ARC Purple plate #250 6-11
Junior - WKA Flathead Gold #300 12-15
Youth 2 E-MOD - Clone #300 12-15
Junior Champ - WKA flathead gold plate or unrestricted e-mod. 300# up to 14
Medium - WKA Flathead Stock #350 15 & up
Miniwedge beginner e-mod clone w/ARC purple plate 300# 6-9
Miniwedge Exp. -e-mod. clone, unrestricted #320 10-13
Open - No shifter karts #350 15 & up
E-Mod - Clones-Adults #350 15 & up ( see rules page)
E-Mod - Clones heavy - #375 15 & up clone lites - 325#
E-Mod - Clones super heavy 425# 15 & up
Box Stock - Clone Box Stock 350# 15 & up

Buckeye Outlaw Sprint Series (BOSS) non-winged sprints will race at KC Raceway on July 16 in the 2nd annual Gene Comstock Memorial. Also that night is AMRA Late Models, Reno Hobby Stocks/Rear Wheel Drive Four Cylinders. Qualifying at 6:30 p.m. and races start at 7:30 p.m.

Over at Eldora Speedway, Rossburg, Ohio, it’s Kings Royal weekend. On Friday it’s Night before Kings Royal: WoO Sprints /NRA Sprints. Saturday is the main event, WoO Sprints, $50,000 to win. Just in case, rain date is Sunday.

Ona Speedway in West Virginia is dark this weekend, with racing to resume on July 30, sponsored by The Home Depot. Racing in Hobby Stock, Elite Modified, U-Car and Classics.

Glass half full, glass half empty

2011-07-10T21:33:00.008-05:00

There were several types of fans on the roads leading to Kentucky Speedway on Saturday.

Your attitude depended on how you see the glass. Half full? Half empty? A couple folks I follow on Twitter sort of showed that Saturday on the road to Sparta.

The eternal optimist
Darrell Waltrip tweets, “Bruton Smith owns many racetracks, he will work with Gov. Beshear to get things right,we have a year to make changes,they'll get it right !”

Note to DW – It takes more than one year to fix this problem. First there's $$$, which is probably the biggest issue, followed by engineering. Sparta, Ky., is kinda hilly terrain, which is a problem and will also drive up the cost to build a road. And I told the governor on Friday, traffic for a couple hours at a major race event was not unusual.

Of course, that was before the 3- 4- and some longer wait stories hit the social media. We were in that mess. For about 3-1/2 hours to travel what should have been 30- to 45-minutes on a normal day.

Making the best of the situation
You've heard the saying, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em? That would be Denny Hamlin.

Denny was stuck in the traffic with everyone else. Only that was a bigger problem for him than everyone around. At 3:30 p.m., he hadn't made it to the track for the driver's meeting, which was only two hours away.

He chose to take it all with a sense of humor. He tweets, “20 bucks to the first of my followers who finds me in traffic. Will send pic to confirm.”

“I think everyone should lay on their horns at the same time. Ready Set Go!!!!”

“Good news bad news/ bad news is I'm prolly not gonna make the drivers meeting in 3 hrs because I'm in this traffic with everyone else.”

“Good news I'm starting in the back anyway!”

He also commented about tweeting and driving. "not driving, sir, sitting."

Or just get over it
Every one's funnyman Kenny Wallace's opinion is it's over and done with now, move on.

Bruton Smith is quoted in Sunday's Lexington Herald-Leader saying it's not his job, meaning the roads around the track. That would be the state's bailiwick.

I've been backed up, sorry, sat in my car stopped, on Bruton Smith Boulevard before, maybe 1 to 1-1/2 hours. Not 3 hours. Certainly not more and I've never been turned away because there was no more parking.

At SceneDaily, Bob Pockrass wrote on Sunday, "But I view what happened Saturday night as just plain unacceptable, whether it was the track’s first Cup race or not.

"It’s one thing to have a 2-hour backup at the peak of traffic. But to have the traffic woes getting in – not to mention what has to be a mess in the parking lots and highways now that I write this – but it appeared that no one had ever done one second of traffic preparation (which of course isn’t true). It appeared as if no one had learned lessons of previous traffic nightmares when other tracks opened."

NASCAR spent Sunday apologizing the fans.

SceneDaily's commentary by Pockrass quoted speedway GM Mark Simendinger saying, "I didn’t expect that [big of a problem. We had some rain and some issues related to the parking lots. We got them squared away. Really, we had an unforeseen imbalance of where the traffic was going to come from.

“As the night went on, I don’t know who was still left out there. But they were still coming and the stands were packed. We clearly had gotten tons of people in and yet they were still coming. We’ll have to look at all the facts and the data and try to figure out where our planning went wrong.”

Obviously, this issue is not going to roll over and be quiet and we'll be hearing about for probably at least another week, or through next weekend's race at New Hampshire.

In the end, once you got to, if you got to, the track, it was a good time at My Old Kentucky Home, not so far away for this blogger. Just a couple hours down Interstate 64. Not great, action-packed racing, but live Sprint Cup series racing. A mediocre race at the track is better than none at all.

Start your engines, bluegrass style

2011-07-08T21:53:00.005-05:00

It took 11 years, but it's about to happen. While NASCAR has had Craftsman Truck and Nationwide series races at Kentucky Speedway, the big Kahuna has not graced the track.

Now, after years of negotiations, economic incentives and, the occasional lawsuit, Sprint Cup racing comes to Sparta, Ky., and Governor Steve Beshear couldn't be happier.

"All eyes will be on Kentucky," Beshear said at a pre-raceday cookout at the governor's residence in Frankfort.

In the grandstands will be approximately 120,000 people, which, in and of itself, is an economic boon to the state. Since this is the first time the Cup series has raced at Kentucky, there are no numbers yet to indicate just how much the financial impact will be to the state, Beshear said.

"This is everyman's sport," said Kentucky Secretary of Tourism, Arts and Heritage Marcheta Sparrow said. Until now, going to the races has meant going to the horse track. There was a time when people went there regularly, and that declined to a trip once a week to bet a few dollars on the horses. "But they don't even do that anymore."

So, having the premiere series of NASCAR come to Kentucky on a yearly basis, will make a difference.

The stands which used to seat 60-70,000 will now have 120,000 at capacity, Beshear said. He also sees it another selling point for his state in terms of both production value and quality of life.

He's betting the economic incentives to Speedway Motorsports Inc., added to the $80 million investment of SMI will pay of in both the short and long term.

The proximity of Kentucky Speedway to fans in Ohio, West Virginia and Indiana is attractive, said First Lady Jane Beshear.

With West Virginia a 2 or 3 hour drive, she hopes fans will flock to the Bluegrass State.

So, within good driving distance, fans can add Kentucky to their favorite tracks and have the ingredients for a good day trip.

Gentlemen, start your engines! Green flag drops at 7:45 p.m. At least according to the raceday schedule distributed by track officials.

K-C July 1 results

2011-07-05T10:11:00.002-05:00

Thanks to Scott Wolfe of K-C Raceway in Chillicothe, Ohio, for the results of their July 1 races.

Coming up at K-C is NRA Sprint Invaders, Late Models, Advanced Services Modifieds and Hobby Stocks on Saturday, July 9.

Then, on July 16, the track will host the BOSS non-winged Sprints 6 in the Gene Comstock Memorial. Late Models, Hobby Stocks, and Rear-wheel drive 4-cylinders are also on the race card.

O'Reilly Auto Parts Night July 1 results are:

All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars (29 Cars)
[#]-Starting Position

Qualifying - Kistler Engines
1. 89G-David Gravel, 11.580; 2. D4-Danny Holtgraver, 11.737; 3. 22-Cole Duncan, 11.874; 4. 2-Dale Blaney, 11.881; 5. 83-Tim Shaffer, 11.919; 6. 45-Rob Chaney, 11.980; 7. O4-Cap Henry, 11.982; 8. 4K-Kody Kinser, 12.027; 9. 6-Jac Haudenschild, 12.052; 10. 78-Todd Kane, 12.082; 11. 4-Danny Smith, 12.085; 12. OO-Jim Nier, 12.085; 13. 1Z-Jessica Zemken, 12.109; 14. 12-Jared Ridge, 12.115; 15. 11N-Ed Neumeister, 12.124; 16. 6X-Nick Nabor, 12.135; 17. w20-Greg Wilson, 12.149; 18. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild, 12.260; 19. 7-Darren Long, 12.320; 20. 3-Pete Miller III, 12.425; 21. 11D-Bryce Dickson, 12.452; 22. 41-Randy Fink, 12.666; 23. 4X-Eddie Slone, 12.777; 24. O6-Brandy Bower, 13.122; 25. 2N-Nathan Skaggs, 13.240; 26. 3F-Rick Frayley, 13.525; 27. A79-John Shewbrooks, 14.656; 28. X-Jeb Lowder, 99.999; 29. 9J-Jesse McCreary, 99.999

Heat 1 Kears Speed Shop (8 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 6X-Nick Nabor[1]; 2. 1Z-Jessica Zemken[2]; 3. 2-Dale Blaney[5]; 4. O4-Cap Henry[4]; 5. 78-Todd Kane[3]; 6. 89G-David Gravel[6]; 7. 7-Darren Long[7]; 8. 2N-Nathan Skaggs[9]; 9. 41-Randy Fink[8]; 10. X-Jeb Lowder[10]

Heat 2 All Pro Heads (8 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. w20-Greg Wilson[1]; 2. 4-Danny Smith[3]; 3. 12-Jared Ridge[2]; 4. 83-Tim Shaffer[5]; 5. 4K-Kody Kinser[4]; 6. 3-Pete Miller III[7]; 7. D4-Danny Holtgraver[6]; 8. 9J-Jesse McCreary[10]; 9. 3F-Rick Frayley[9]; 10. 4X-Eddie Slone[8]

Heat 3 MSD Ignition (8 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild[1]; 2. 6-Jac Haudenschild[4]; 3. OO-Jim Nier[3]; 4. 45-Rob Chaney[5]; 5. 11N-Ed Neumeister[2]; 6. 22-Cole Duncan[6]; 7. O6-Brandy Bower[8]; 8. 11D-Bryce Dickson[7]; 9. A79-John Shewbrooks[9]

Dash - Outerwears Performance Products (6 Laps, finishing order determined first 6 starting positions of A-feature
1. 2-Dale Blaney[2]; 2. 83-Tim Shaffer[4]; 3. 45-Rob Chaney[1]; 4. O4-Cap Henry[5] ; 5. 89G-David Gravel[3]; 6. 22-Cole Duncan[6]

B-Main - University of Northwestern Ohio (12 Laps - Top 6 finishers transfer to the A-feature)
1. D4-Danny Holtgraver[1]; 2. 7-Darren Long[2]; 3. 11D-Bryce Dickson[3]; 4. 2N-Nathan Skaggs[7]; 5. 4X-Eddie Slone[5]; 6. O6-Brandy Bower[6]; 7. 9J-Jesse McCreary[11]; 8. 41-Randy Fink[4]; 9. 3F-Rick Frayley[8]; 10. A79-John Shewbrooks[9]; 11. X-Jeb Lowder[10]

A-Main - O'Reilly Auto Parts (40 Laps)
1. 2-Dale Blaney[1]; 2. 89G-David Gravel[5]; 3. 4K-Kody Kinser[7]; 4. w20-Greg Wilson[17]; 5. 83-Tim Shaffer[2]; 6. 1Z-Jessica Zemken[13]; 7. 78-Todd Kane[9]; 8. 93-Sheldon Haudenschild[18]; 9. D4-Danny Holtgraver[11]; 10. 12-Jared Ridge[14]; 11. 11D-Bryce Dickson[21]; 12. 2N-Nathan Skaggs[24]; 13. 11N-Ed Neumeister[15]; 14. 6X-Nick Nabor[16]; 15. 4X-Eddie Slone[22]; 16. O6-Brandy Bower[23]; 17. O4-Cap Henry[4]; 18. 3-Pete Miller III[20]; 19. 45-Rob Chaney[3]; 20. 7-Darren Long[19]; 21. 6-Jac Haudenschild[8]; 22. 22-Cole Duncan[6]; 23. 4-Danny Smith[10]; 24. OO-Jim Nier[12]
Hard Charger: w20-Greg Wilson[+13]

O'Reilly Late Models (37)
Fast Time: Ben Adkins 14:350
Heat One: Steve Casebolt, Jr., Eric Wells, Josh McGuire, Delmas Conley, Greg Johnson, Clint Keenan, Ken Howell, D.J. Miller, Nick Latham, Brian Casey
Heat Two: Ben Adkins, Brad Neat, Tim Dohm, Mark Frazier, Billy Gullion, Dean Boyd, Dylan Huron, Ross Nicastri, Kirk Phillips
Heat Three: Donnie Moran, Rod Conley, Earl Pearson, Jr., Jared Miley, Mike Wilson, Chad Smith, Harold Redman, Jr., Jason Perry, Russ Fronapfel
Heat Four: R.J. Conley, Eddie Carrier, Jr., Johnny McCool, Devin Moran, Frank Heckenest, Jr., Kevin Wagner, Paul Davis, Brett Kennard, Carrie Mason
B-Main One: Greg Johnson, Ken Howell, Dean Boyd, Clint Keenan, Dylan Huron, Nick Latham, D.J. Miller, Kirk Phillips, Ross Nicastri,Brian Casey
B-Main Two: Frank Heckenest, Mike Wilson, Chad Smith, Harold Redman, Jr., Kevin Wagner, Jason Perry, Brett Kennard, Russ Fronapfel, Carrie Mason
Feature: Eddie Carrier, Jr., Steve Casebolt, Jr., Donnie Moran, Tim Dohm, Earl Pearson, Jr., Greg Johnson, Johnny McCool, Ben Adkins, Josh McGuire, Delmas Conley, Mike Wilson, Jared Miley, Clint Keenan, Brad Neat, Chad Smith, R.J. Conley, Rod Conley, Frank Heckenest, Mark Frazier, Ken Howell, Russ Frohnapfel, Devin Moran, Dean Boyd, Eric Wells, Brian Casey
Hard Charger: Greg Johnson 17 to 6th

Hobby Stocks (14)
Heat One: Brandon Mather, Mike Brust, Tim Cutler, Jack Martin, Butch Eblin, Bruce Gray, Jr., Brandon Thompson
Heat Two: Jamey Adams, Tommy Mossbarger, Garry Park, Tracey Ross, Keith Dubois, Phil Rice, Danny Lewis
Feature: Jamey Adams, Brandon Thompson, Brandon Mather, Gary Park, Mike Brust, Keith Dubois, Butch Eblin, Jack Martin, Tim Cutler, Tommy Mossbarger, Bruce Gray, Jr., Tracey Ross, Phil Rice, Dan Lewis

Live in concert, on an HD screen at the track

2011-06-30T12:48:00.006-05:00

The High-Def screen at Charlotte Motor Speedway is good for more than just racing – you can see live concerts on it, too.

The photo above was taken the May day the screen was unveiled. It's shot from the grandstand at the start-finish line of the track. You can see how big it is in perspective to the folks on pit road in front of us, and the screen is on the backstretch (the other side) of the track. Photos below were taken from the same seats using a 3X zoom on a Casio Exlim camera.

If you are an Avett Brothers fan, their July 9 sold-out concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre will be shown live by satellite.

Here’s the deal. You get the ticket today or tomorrow and it’s only $10. Then, they go up to $15 until the day before the show. And day of show is going to cost you $20. Living the Charlotte area, you can walk up to the ticket office, outside there, you can call 1-800-455-FANS (3267).

Or, you can watch it live on your itty-bitty 19-inch computer screen with a digital ticket from iclips.net.

Serious fans would gladly travel 5 hours for a concert, right? Folks drive 5 hours to a race there. Same principle.

Really, this screen is amazing. It’s, well, see for yourself.

The Sponsorship-Go-Round

2011-06-28T17:16:00.004-05:00

Next?

First, Red Bull announces it’s out of the racecar business but may, maybe, might, still be a sponsor.

Now, Crown Royal is leaving. Period. A statement from the company said:

“In evaluation of our NASCAR programming and after much consideration, we have made the decision to make a strategic shift to focus our resources against our annual Crown Royal “Your Name Here” program which awards race naming rights to an adult fan.
“In shifting our strategy, we will end our sponsorships with Roush Fenway Racing and NASCAR upon the conclusion of the 2011 season.”

Roush Fenway has announced the addition of Affliction Clothing for two races this year with Matt Kenseth. And the Cat in the Hat might be facing tough times again. Up for renewal are Aflac and UPS, not to mention Aflac-sponsored Carl Edwards remains unsigned.

Times are tough in NASCAR. Even though cameras try to keep from showing the massive number of empty seats, they are there nonetheless.

There are a number of marketing strategies being used to get fans in the seats – buy two get one free, a $99 package for 4 at Walmart, individual race teams coming up with giveaways and promotions on their own, pre- and post-race entertainment at the track and in-house stunts.

Drivers are being put out there more than ever before to promote the daylights out of racing, including guest spots on cable TV shows and doing seat swaps with drivers in other racing divisions. Jeff Gordon makes a nifty replacement for Regis Philbin at times.

On the Roush Fenway website, there is a banner ad promoting their brand to “marketing maverick” and “ambitious marketer,” and an interactive sponsorship site to let potential sponsors know there are 75 million racefans out there and being on the car is the way to reach that audience.

Yes, times are hard in NASCAR, but there could be a hidden benefit here.

If local tracks, dirt and asphalt alike, seize the opportunity, they could reap the benefits of fewer people spending hard-earned money to go to Charlotte, Bristol or Martinsville.

No, it’s not Carl Edwards, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart, but it IS live racing and it’s probably someone you know in the driver’s seat.

And, no, these guys and gals - yes, gals - in the cars in all likelihood aren't going to make it to that level.

They will continue to race for fun, trophies and gas money every week somewhere, feeding their passion for the sport.

If exhaust junkies will give it a chance, it could just be Short Track Saturday Night fun.

June 25 results from Ona Speedway

2011-06-28T11:02:00.001-05:00

Here are the results from Ona Speedway’s June 25 races, sponsored by Billy Bob’s Wonderland.

Classics
Bill Wallace, best time 19.676 in lap 9, also top speed 68,612; Greg Hendricks, best speed 68.3898; Terry Brumfield, 66.964; Chumpy Brumfield, 67.338; John Morton, 66.928; Brandon Mills, 66.073; Alvie Deal, 66.277; 1 lap down, Tex Perry, 65.505 and Jamie Matheny, 64.929; Pat Blevins, DNF, 65.448.

Hobby Stock
Tiffany Skeens, best speed 66.258
DNFs Jimmy Drake, Austin Murr, Bruce Thompson, Bill Chavers, Tom Boyce, Matt Burd, and DQ Brett Carey who logged top speed of the race of 66.437 in lap 8.

Modifieds
Kenny Parsons, best speed 72.177; Josh Artis, 72.239; Mike Gue, 71.376; and DQ Bill Wallace logging best time of 18.434 and top speed of 73.234, both in lap 4.

U-Car A Feautre
Joe Workman, best time and top speed in lap 26, 21.519 seconds, 62.735 mph; Jay Workman, 62.350; Keith Watson, 61.771; Josh Ross, 62.052; J.R. Adkins, 61.805; Chris Deskins, 61.878; Glen Foster, 61.621; David Bell, 61.517; Jacob Bell, 60.413; Randy Templeton, 60.497; Adam Silvers, 61.083; Jeremy Cooper, 60.998; 1 lap down Reuben Fetty, 61.133; 2 laps down Jermiah Adkins, 60.341.

U-Car B Feature
Keith Watson, best time and top speed in lap 21, 21.811 seconds, 61.895 mph; David Bell, 61.197; Randy Templeton, 61.108; Jacob Bell, 1 lap down, 61.067; finishing 1 lap down, Jay Workman, 60.726 and Todd Brown, 57.895; 2 laps down Doug Harvey, 58.926; DNFs Johnny Sloan, Anthony Johnson, Billy Workman, Tim Cassidy, Rebekah Fetty, Kenny Porter, Danny Keyser, Albert Napier and Glen Adkins.

Racing next month will be on July 9 sponsored by A&L Ace Hardware & Building; July 23 sponsored by Best Buy and July 30 sponsored by The Home Depot.

Gates open at 5 p.m. and the pits are open at noon. Races begin at 7 p.m. Admission is $10 for everyone over 7-years-old. Pit Passes are $20 for everyone 13 and older, and $10 for children ages 8-12.

Grilling isn't just for the track, you know

2011-06-27T17:09:00.005-05:00

The 4th of July is coming up fast, and cooking out at home has a lot of the same characteristics of tailgating, so I found a couple of simple recipes from Nicky Morse, the Racing Chef you might like.

Simple ingredients, fast to make Chili Cheese Burgers. Same principle as the Bacon Burger Dogs from The Cosby Show. Take the parts, put them together and you got a fan favorite!

Now, if you want to do some chicken and make time for your guests instead of a lot of prep time, Try this. Pretty good idea, Nicky! And you can do this for any day of the week, get it ready ahead of time, freeze the stuff and when you're ready, thaw it and toss it on the grill!

Racefans gotta start somewhere

2011-06-23T16:56:00.003-05:00

It’s fun to take someone to their first live motorsports event.

After corn dogs and French fries were bought, we settled into the top row of the grandstand to await the start of the evening’s races – 50 laps in each division. We had that privilege on June 18 at Ona Speedway. My friends’ sons, Andre and Lance accompanied us to the races.

The skies were threatening for a while, but the dark clouds rolled past and the green flag dropped.

They each had questions, which were answered. What does that black flag mean? Can he do that ( bump that driver )? Why don’t these (caution) laps count? Why didn’t he climb on over the fence?

They picked their favorites in each race, usually chosen by paint schemes or catchy nicknames.

Both boys are looking forward to going again, and we’re looking forward to taking them.

Results from the Franklin boys’ first live race, June 18 at Ona Speedway, compliments of MyLaps.com, are in order of finish, with the drivers’ best speeds after their name:

Classics
Terry Brumfield 66.994;
Bill Wallace 66.971;
Greg Hendricks best speed 67.134 and best time in lap 3, 20.109 seconds;
John Morton 66.934;
Pat Blevins 66.486;
Brian Adams 66.739;
Jamie Matheny 65.183;
Chumpy Brumfield 66.64.

Hobby Stock
Brett Carey 65.953;
Bill Chavers best speed 66.261 and best time in lap 38, 20.374 seconds;
Jimmy Drake, 65.010;
Matt Burd 63.300.

Modifieds
Mike Gue, best speed 72.309 and best time in lap 2, 18.670 seconds;
Kenny Parsons 71.736;
Thomas Mays 71.463;
Bill Wallace 71.877;
Josh Artis 71.000;
DQ Chad Bailey 71.364;
DQ Brandon Stickler 70.900.

U Car
Joe Workman, best speed 62.307 and best time in lap 2, 21.667 seconds;
Josh Ross 62.195;
Glen Foster 61.847;
Chris Deskins, no information available;
Reuben Fetty 60.729;
Jeremy Cooper 61.574;
Bryce Keyser 60.217;
Adam Silvers 60.614;
J.R Adkins 61.904;
Jeremiah Adkins 59.886;
Randy Templeton 59.205;
Johnny Sloan 58.288;
Kenny Porter, no information available;
Rebekah Fetty 46 58.578;
Doug Harvey 58.578;
Grant Thaxton 58.353
Billy Workman, DNF, 59.832;
Tim Cassidy, DNF, 60.241;
Danny Keyser, DQ, 58.378.

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-19T13:03:00.008-05:00

Happy Father's Day to all you dad-types out there. Here's something from the TODAY show this morning, Richard and Kyle Petty, talking to Lester Holt at Victory Junction.

If you missed it, copy and paste this link into your browser. Apparently the TODAY show doesn't want this shared this way, only by liking it on Facebook.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/43455500#43455500

And, here are some photos we took at Victory Junction Gang Camp. The #45 car on Victory Circle is a replica of Adam Petty's car, and inside are lots of things campers can do, like be a pit crew member. This is also the building where Lester Holt did part of the interview with the Pettys.

There's also a cool miniature golf course and a motorcycle-themed pool.

"Grab some Buds"

2011-06-16T17:07:00.004-05:00

Racing is on at Ona Speedway and owners Bill and Lynn Bauer have lined up some sponsorships for race nights.

I will admit, we've been somewhat lagging behind in local racing at Ona, being a wee busy to get out to the place were legends are born. But, hopefully some time will open up on the schedule and that will change.

This week's sponsor is Eagle Distributing and the green drops at 7 p.m.

Now, this is somewhat important to the new happenings at the track. Just like at Charlotte and Bristol, you can "Grab some Buds," in the designated Beer Garden.

Yep, you can knock back a cold one and enjoy the races at Ona. Now, here's the catch, it's a gated area and it's the only place at the track you can consume the adult beverage.

Only those racefans over 21-years can enter the area and you have to stay there to drink. So, you can't go back out and sit with your family, and, your kids can't come with you to the dedicated space.

A media release from the Bauers says, "This year we decided to try the idea out in a controlled way. We haven’t publicized it much until now to see what happened, and it has been a success in every way. The beer garden is located at the west end of the grandstands, with an entry gate where ID’s are checked. Only people 21 or over can enter, and beer must stay in the designated beer garden area. We’ve been working with the folks at Eagle Distributing to make this an enjoyable experience for everyone."

Back to this season's sponsors, they include Pro Eyes Optometry Associates, MU Sports Medicine and for the rest of the season:

June 18 - Eagle Distributing
June 25 - Billy Bob's Wonderland
July 9 - A&L Ace Hardware & Building
July 23 - Best Buy
July 30 - The Home Depot
August 6 - Ona Airpark Fly-In
August 20 - Marshall University Student Night
September 3 - Little Victories Animal Rescue
September 17 - Contempo Trophy Championship Night

"We're all blowed up"

2011-06-11T19:43:00.004-05:00

Quote from Kenny Wallace in Beckley, WV a few hours ago.

Well, he did finally make Natural Bridge Speedway in Virginia, won his heat race and headed to the Main Frame.

I gotta admit, I enjoy Kenny's Tweets! He's just all out there, day in and day out. Plain 'ole Kenny. Honest Kenny and sometimes, a little crude Kenny. But always, ALWAYS amusing.

Bowyer earns Prelude bragging rights

2011-06-09T10:18:00.004-05:00

Another first time winner at the Prelude, Eldora Speedway owner Tony Stewart proclaimed after Clint Bowyer won the main event. Not only was Bowyer a first time winner at the Prelude, he led every lap from the pole, in front of an estimated 20,000 fans at the track and more on Pay-Per-View on HBO.

Of the 7 years the Prelude has been run, only 2 drivers have let start to finish, Stewart in 2008 and Jimmie Johnson in 2010.

Stewart is the only repeat winner and has done so 3 times. Well, it IS his track. Other winners have been Johnson, Carl Edwards and Kenny Wallace.

Tony, who has been a rather contentious soul in the past, has a heart as big as Montana – not Montoya, we said Montana. Every year, he puts on the Prelude to the Dream, a benefit race at Eldora where some of racing’s finest come in to compete for charity, not to mention bragging rights. More than $3 million has already been raised for charity.

In the past, beneficiaries have been Victory Junction Gang Camp (2004-2008), four military themed organizations in 2009 including Fisher House, Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, Operation Homefront and Wounded Warrior Project. Last year’s beneficiary were Cincinnati Children's Hsopital, Levine Children's Hospital, Riley Hospital for Children and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

This year’s charity was actually four children’s hospitals - St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Levine Children’s Hospital, Children’s Medical Center Dallas and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Only 4 of the 28 drivers making it to the main race were DNFs – Ray Evernham, Ron Hornaday, Tony Kanaan and Jason Leffler.

Results were (top 10 in order) Bowyer, J.J. Yeley, Aric Almirola, Kyle Busch, Justin Allgaier, Ricky Carmichael, Ken Schrader, Austin Dillon, Ryan Newman and Kasey Kahne.

Finishing out the field were (from 11th – 28th) Denny Hamlin, David Reutimann, Matt Kenseth, Brian Vickers, Carl Edwards, Kenny Wallace, Ron Capps, Jimmie Johnson, Cruz Pedregon, Tony Stewart, David Gilliland, Bill Elliott, Bobby Labonte, Marcos Ambrose, Ray Everhnam (21 laps, out, mechanical), Ron Hornaday (20 laps, out, mechanical), Tony Kanaan (18 laps, lost wheel) and Jason Leffler (16 laps accident).

Stock cars? They don't look like the ones on the street I see

2011-06-08T15:08:00.013-05:00

Every year, folks in the Official NASCAR Members Club get access the general public doesn't, like to the Research and Development Center. You probably didn't even know such a place existed.

On the floor this year, in the only room you are allowed to take pictures, the R&D staff set up a side by side comparison of street cars and their NASCAR counterparts.

There's a pretty big difference on the outside for the trucks, the Toyota Tundra and Ford F-150. The Ford Fusion, with the exception of the splitter, is close. Well, until you get under the hood and on the track.

At R&D you also get to see where every chassis is brought before the season begins, to be inspected in a zillion different ways, well something like 40 or 50 points. Then they get micro chipped in 10 spots. At the tracks, they get scanned to record the history of the car.

And if it outlives its usefulness to a Cup team and gets sold to a Nationwide team, you guessed, the chip tells the tale.

This is also the place were the 1st place and a random car get inspected after a race. And, yes, there is a room full of confiscated parts. You can look through the chain link, but you can't get close.

What do horse racing and NASCAR have in common? Even weights. Yep, the cars have to be the same weight. So, there are grooves in the door panels with titanium weights to even the loads. Tom Gideon of the R&D Center explained that to us.

That means, a driver like Mark Martin has some serious weight added, and another like (although slimmed down) Tony Stewart won't. I'm sure there are ways crew chiefs can fudge with them, but I try to believe the best in all people.

And on the subject of safety, over at Earnhardt Ganassi, we got a detailed tour and Q&A session. There, Brad Zimmerman a cross between a racer and engineer ( what a perfect combo!) took us on the shop floor. As at the R&D Center, photos were pretty restricted.

A fascinating conversation was the differences between open wheel and stock cars. And this being Chip Ganassi's place, is a pretty good spot for this talk.

There are the obvious differences, but one thing the group curious about was what happens when they wreck.

Brad said both are tremendously safe in an on-track wreck, even though they may not look that way.

The stock car is built with cages, foam and the like, designed to protect the driver and absorb the impact, the G-forces, if you will.

The open wheel car, the Indy series car, is safer than you think, with it's open cockpit. They are designed to break apart, disintegrate on impact and take the force of the crash away from the driver.

An Indy car wreck looks like a disaster. Just think the final lap of the Indy 500 this year. But the driver is in a safe spot, the car "blowing up" to the eye, but taking the wreck away from the driver.

I love going to these places and getting a little insight.

Memories for local fans of all ages

2011-06-01T07:46:00.014-05:00

"It got through unscathed," Kasey Kahne said with a grin after signing a photo of his #4 Red Bull Toyota when I pointed out where my picture was on his car last weekend.

Red Bull allowed fans to send their photos for placement on the car that would race in the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It came in 22nd that very long, hot night.

Then we snapped a photo together and I headed on my way.

Just like at the races, fans come from all over the region when a driver makes an appearance. Wednesday's opening of the 100th Ollie's Bargain Outlet was no different. Interestingly enough, even fans of other drivers showed up, like a fellow in a Kyle Busch Motorsports shirt.

One man came to Barboursville, W.Va., all the way from Columbus, Ohio. Well, ok, Pickerington. Might as well say Columbus. Kenny was a Kasey Kahne fan, die-cast in hand, waiting to get it signed.

We just struck up a conversation about Kasey Kahne and the fact Red Bull Racing put fan photos on the #4 car last weekend at the Coke 600. He had a photo on the car, as did I. Hopefully, Kenny can find where his pics wound up on the car from the instructions I gave.

So, how did Kasey Kahne end up at Barboursville, W.Va., just a stone's throw away from Ona Speedway, where the likes of Richard Petty raced back in the day. Kasey is a friend of the President and CEO of Ollie's Bargain Outlet. They met through mutual friends almost 10 years ago.

With a chuckle, Kasey brought out a bottle of champagne to give Mark Butler on the occasion, with the president noting the autograph session might be delayed a little bit while they broke open the bubbly in that little black bag the NASCAR driver was holding. Just kidding.

The two teamed up to benefit the Kasey Kahne Foundation, which works with youth in various ways. The couple dozen Kasey stand ups, which sold for $30 each, were dedicated to benefit the Foundation and Ronald McDonald houses.

Kasey is not the only NASCAR driver to appear for Ollies. Butler said there are several, including Kevin Harvick and Elliott Sadler.

"NASCAR and Ollie's is a good fit," Butler said, noting the demographic is quite similar. There were a couple hundred people who showed up, many die-hard Kahne fans with their own items for him to sign - die-cast cars, photos they had taken, replica hoods, shirts and the like.

I got my photo, well, a screen shot of my photo on his car, signed. And my first edition of Pit Road Pets, which benefits the Ryan Newman Foundation also got signed.

Yep, it was a good day.

Kasey Kahne is coming to town

2011-05-27T21:46:00.006-05:00

Ollie's Bargain Outlet Store seems to be tied to NASCAR. Elliot Sadler, Kevin Harvick and Kasey Kahne are all scheduled at these store openings around the country now through the end of the year, according to jayski.com. Store openings are from New York to Pennsylvania to Tennessee and North Carolina.

And West Virginia.

Kasey will be at the Barboursville, WV, Ollie's on June 1 to meet and greet. Actually, jayski.com says it's supposed to be Kevin Harvick, but the KHI website doesn't have this. Kasey's site, however, does.

Now, NASCAR fans know how this works. Show up at the appointed time, in this case, 7:30 a.m., to receive one of 250 available tickets for the autograph session at 10 a.m., at the store's grand opening in the former Circuit City building at the Huntington Mall.

The release from Ollie's says you can have 1 item autographed and have your photo taken with Kasey.

On another Kasey Kahne note, this weekend his and Brian Vickers' cars will have a special paint scheme for the Coke 600. Hundreds of fan submitted photos will be on the two Red Bull cars Sunday, including mine.

On the roof of the #4 Red Bull car will be a photo taken at then-Lowe's Motor Speedway two years ago of me and friends Roberta Hunter, Laura Hepner, both of California, and Terry Hollow of Arizona. Woo-Hoo!

Now, let's hope the car survives and doesn't go sliding along the track on its roof. Ouch.

Time for Summer Camp in the Carolinas

2011-05-24T17:11:00.008-05:00

Helping get Victory Junction Gang Camp ready for kids is a great volunteer experience.

It also helps you realize you are only a small cog in the wheel. And that if you are healthy and have healthy children, you are blessed.

Looking at the camp, it doesn’t seem different than any other summer camp for children, yet, it is. VJGC is medically-safe for children with a wide variety of challenges, both physical and mental.

It doesn’t matter if you are in a wheelchair. Or in need of dialysis. Or taking chemotherapy. Those are all accommodated. There are doctors and nurses on-site 24/7, either on staff full time or on a volunteer basis.

The Official NASCAR Members Club is a part of preparing the camp for kids, scheduled to arrive on June 12 this year. Members meeting for their annual national convention have worked on cleaning up the landscaping, preparing backpacks for the children and this year, putting bug resistant bedding on each bed in camp. There are 18 cabins with 18 beds each, and members took care of every one of them. The members come from California, Nevada, Idaho, New Hampshire, West Virginia, North Carolina, Florida and seemingly all points in-between.

They are part of the more than 47,000 hours of volunteerism given to the camp in a year’s time. For their time, the ONMC members received lunch of fried chicken, hush puppies, green beans and sweet tea, plus a tour of the camp from the staff.

The dream of Adam Petty, great-grandson of Lee, grandson of Richard and son of Kyle, was to see this place constructed. A racer like 3 generations before him, Adam visited Camp Boggy Creek in Florida, and that put a burning desire in his heart to see a camp formed in North Carolina, and set about to do so.

In the introductory video about VJGC, Pattie said when they first approached the CEO of Petty Enterprises they were told the camp would bankrupt the company.

Adam replied, no, it wouldn’t. “You don’t understand. I serve a big God.”

After his death in an on-track crash during practice at New Hampshire International Speedway on May 12, 2000, his parents Kyle and Pattie worked tirelessly to see their son’s vision was accomplished.

Since it’s opening on June 20, 2004, more than 14,000 campers from all 50 states and four foreign countries have come though the gates.

The children have conditions including, but not limited to bleeding disorders, burn survivors, cancer, craniofacial anomalies, gastrointestinal disorders, genetic disorders, heart disease, immunologic disorders, kidney, lung, skin and Sickle Cell diseases, neurologic disorders, Spina Bifida and transplant recipients, in addition to blindness, Autism, deafness, Diabetes and Down Syndrome.

You can learn more about the camp at it’s website. You can also apply to volunteer for a day or a week, or apply for your child to attend camp. There is no cost to your family for your child to go to VJGC. The $2,500 to send one child to camp is underwritten by gifts both large and small.

You can see videos about the camp, activities, special guests from both NASCAR and the entertainment industry at www.victoryjunction.org

History makers

2011-05-22T21:43:00.004-05:00

“I've never not known NASCAR.” It's not grammatically correct, but that's just how Winston Kelley describes his passion for the sport. And yes, it is a sport.

As executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Kelley is surrounded by what he loves. What he has loved since he was a small child. He sees the history of racing everywhere he walks. As a broadcaster for MRN Radio, he is a witness to the future Hall inductees and the evolution of the sport.

Since the 1964 Daytona 500, he's been a fan.

In his jobs within motorsports, Kelley has access to the legends of racing. So who is he most impressed by?

Richard Petty. It's not just his on-track accomplishments, either.

“It's how he treats people,” Kelley said. He's apparently the same to Joe Fan as he would be to the President of the United States.

With the Hall of Fame 2011 class being inducted at 7 p.m. Monday, attendees will see all the living inductees, along with Maurice Petty representing Lee Petty, and Dale Jr. representing his father.

And, did we know just how big a war hero Bud Moore is? He fought with Gen. George Patton, was at D-Day and received 5 Purple Hearts and 2 Silver Stars. After his service, he was back in the speedy sport.

So good with the mechanics of cars, which makes them good on the track, Moore was Ford Motor Company's Go-To Guy for 25-years when it came to engines.

So, why only 5 each year? Kelley explained it like this. In stick and ball sports, there are hundreds, actually thousands of possible Hall of Famers. And baseball, basketball and football have been around for a century.

NASCAR, just over 60 years. With only 43 drivers, crew chiefs and owners at any time in the main series, that makes it pretty limited, especially considering there are at least 22 people on a football multiplied by so many teams over 100 years, plus coaching staff and owners.

This year's inductees are David Pearson, Bobby Allison, Lee Petty, Ned Jarrett and Bud Moore.

Did you know inductee Bobby Allison was in an airplane and a witness to the eruption of Mount St. Helens? He was flying near the volcano on May 18, 1980 and could see the red sky as its result.

A seeminly quiet, reserved man, Ned Jarrett is another inductee with a story from Kelley.

After the announcement of his selection to the Hall, Jarrett told him, "I will make you a good inductee." He wanted to know how he could help the Hall of Fame and be its ambassador.

On another note of history....

The American Pickers episode where Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz were given a budget and told to get what they could for the Hall, is on display on the main floor.

A twisted seat from the Daytona 500 in 1982, came from Tiger Tom Pistone, a well-dented door panel of Richard Petty's #43, and Humpy Wheeler's desk nameplate and a personal humidor are among the items on display in the case.

Two sides of the shop

2011-05-20T22:05:00.002-05:00

I'm a Mac. I'm a PC.

A visit to Earnhardt Ganassi Racing just outside Charlotte is an amazing trip.

High above the shop floor are windowed offices, filled with engineers. They are the “Macs.” The gearheads below are the PCs. That's how Brad Zimmerman of EGR describes it. One designs and tests on paper, or computer program. The other is the hands-on builder.

Brad said the engineers have the capability to design a part and test it through computer software, long before the actual construction of the part. The actual builders of each part, each panel, each component of the racecar, are the ones who take a piece of sheet metal and form or weld it into a piece of the car.

On a tour of the shop this week, he provided insight to the workings of a race shop, discussing sponsorship and what it means to the team, and a display of the Jamie MacMurray cars which were winners at The Brickyard and The Daytona 500. The Daytona car was just returned to the company after Jamie Mac's 2010 win. Most interesting is the confetti, melted onto the car.

If you look at the Indy Series and NASCAR, Zimmerman said both cars have specific safety features designed which provide vastly different results. Earnhardt-Ganassi has cars in both series. The Indy Car is designed to essentially disintegrate and take the force of any wreck away from the driver. Stock cars, on the other hand, are made in such a way the shock of a wreck is absorbed and the features are made to protect the driver.

Ganassi is a racer. He is in it for the sport of the sport. And Zimmerman appreciates that. He also recognizes that every person is an important component to the whole, from the engineers to the guys fabricating parts, to the folks who load the cars and tools on the trucks each week. The drivers are the public faces. The team from the top to the bottom, makes the success.

He also is also cognitive of the fact that those builders, those hands-on folks, the ones in the trenches are a dying breed. They are not choosing the math and science. They are not choosing the jobs on the floor, bringing life to the designs of the engineers behind the windows.

And that's what it will take to continue the sport and advance the technology.

And the winner is....

2011-05-19T22:04:00.008-05:00

Denny Hamlin's #11 FedEx pit crew. Darn. I was pulling for Kurt Busch's crew.

Now, before you say, "We thought you were a Tony Stewart fan," let me explain.

As a Sprint customer and since Sprint sponsors the Cup series, you can randomly receive certain perks. Last year, I went to Victory Lane after the All-Star Race, with Kurt Busch.

This year, it was being an honorary pit crew member for, yep, Kurt Busch!

The Pit Crew Challenge is a great part of the All-Star Week in Charlotte. The men you only see on race day get the chance to shine, while their driver, crew chief and sponsors cheer them on, along with several thousand fans.

As honorary crew member, you get to wear a team shirt, stand on the platform at the finish line and cheer your lungs out.

Joining me on the stand were James Beery of Charlotte and Kurt's Crew Chief, Steve Addington.

There were lots of drivers and crew chiefs there. Tony was there, as was teammate Ryan Newman. Chad Knaus was there. Five-time wasn't. AJ Almendinger was there, Matt Kenseth, too. Oh, and Junior. Junior was there and the fans went wild.

First up was the crew of #21 Trevor Bayne. History. Next, brother Kyle. Smoked him. Then came defending Pit Crew Challenge winners, #11 Denny Hamlin. Oh, well. At least he took out Kyle.

Back to the honorary thing. Sprint allows customers to take on the challenge of cheering. They actually pick them at random when you visit their table. My friends had already been tapped to shout for AJ Almeninger. I walked up late and was disappointed I wasn't getting to do that, too. "And I've been a Sprint customer for six years. Darn." Here's where James comes in.

He was already tagged for Kurt, but didn't have a partner. Waiting beside my friends to go to their assigned seats on the floor of the arena, he asked if I wanted to be on his team. Absolutely!

Now, this was a real honor. I'd never met him before. During the course of the evening, I discovered his wife passed away earlier in the year, and the Pit Crew Challenge was her favorite activity of All-Star Week. It was his first time there without her.

He didn't have to ask if I'd be on the team. He could have ignored what I said and gone on. No one would have blamed him.

This is what's so great about NASCAR fans. They are kind, generous and friendly.

That's one of the things I like about the sport.

So, Thanks, James. It was an honor.

Teamwork off the track

2011-05-19T00:04:00.007-05:00

What can 40 people accomplish in 3 minutes?

Put the bug repellent sheets on 20 of the 256 beds at Victory Junction Gang Camp, that's what!

Yep, members of the Offical NASCAR Members Club (ONMC) who arrived at their national convention on Wednesday did just that! Working in teams of 2, the members discovered their own method of accomplishing the task and zipped through the cabins, readying them for the first campers, set to arrive on June 12.

The camp, nestled in the woods of Randleman, NC, hosts about 100 campers each of nine weeks in the summer time, giving them a medically-safe environment to be a kid.

There, campers can not only do arts and crafts, but play in a waterpark, bowl, fly though the air on a zipline, shoot miniature golf, climb and adventure tower, pet and/or feed animals like llamas or ride horses.

They also build self-esteem, gain confidence in their abilities and make friends.

And it doesn't cost them a dime. The approximately $2,500 it takes to have a camper attend a week is footed by sponsors and contributions.

Victory Junction was the dream of Adam Petty, son of Kyle, grandson of Richard and great-grandson of Lee. At 19, an on-track wreck took his life.

But he lives on through the camp and the thousands of young people who have passed through its gates to the adventure of a lifetime.

News from KBM

2011-05-17T18:40:00.004-05:00

The news out of Kyle Busch Motorsports happening today involves Shinnston, WV native, Josh Richards.

The 23-year-old will be joining KBM in the Camping World Truck Series, and is sponsored by Joy Mining Machinery. General Manager Rick Ren announced it with a cryptic comment while I visited Kyle Busch Motorsports Tuesday afternoon.

"Be sure to watch Race Hub on SPEED tonight for a big announcement," he told me. "We just finished filming it in the shop."

It's a fitting sponsor for a young man who's family has been involved in coal mining for generations, Rick said. And a young man who has been racing since he was in single digits.

Josh Richards was the 2005 Rookie of the Year in the World of Outlaws Late Model Series.

Josh told Race Hub he was excited to be with Kyle Busch Motorsports. "It's incredible what he's accomplished in a short time," he said.

I would expect better than this

2011-05-09T17:16:00.006-05:00

Oh, let's be real. No I don't. Not from Kyle Busch and not from Kevin Harvick.

The sad thing about the situation between them at Darlington this past weekend is they stole the spotlight from a really good story - Regan Smith’s first Sprint Cup win.

We didn’t get to see his victory burnout. We didn’t see him get the checkered flag in his hand for the first time in the Cup Series. Wait, he said he forgot to get it when the race was over. His mom missed the win, but she was rescuing animals in the southern states' flooding.

However, we did get to see the classy move of Carl Edwards as he bounded over to Regan Smith’s car, stuck his head in the window and congratulated Regan. We also got to hear Carl post race praise Smith.

That’s all we got to see of the winner because of two childish, immature acts.

And that's unfair to everyone, especially Regan Smith.

It looked like a game of cat and mouse between to rather hot-headed drivers, Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch. And, probably, it’s been on the way for a while. Shoot, anyone and either of those drivers at any given race.

The SceneDaily story today said Kyle had no reverse after backing up when he missed the entrance to pit road, and NASCAR’s inspection found that yes, indeed, Busch had no reverse.

Kyle told SceneDaily:
"[Before he got out], I knew if I tried to turn left or right, he was going to run into me or block me or something," Busch said. "I just stayed behind him. I was just going to sit there, not worry about it and let him cool his head for a second and let him figure out that we just need to go back to the garage area.

"Instead of him doing that, he wanted to get out of his car. I guess and wanted to fight. When I saw him getting out of his car, I knew it wasn't going to be a good situation. My choices were limited. I was either going to get punched in the face and then wait for Harvick to get back in his car for me to go or just drive through his car and push it out of the way so I could get out of there and try not to get hit or anything like that."

Tuesday will tell what, if anything, will happen to which driver.

Who can de-throne 5-Time?

2011-05-04T10:12:00.002-05:00

Here’s an idea. Put a bounty on the Hendrick House to stop the streak of championship trophies in the cases at the 48-88 shop on their Concord campus.

GRAND-AM is doing that with the Ganassi Gang in their series. Ganassi drivers have a six-race winning streak, and GRAND-AM Director of Competition Mark Raffauf said they’ve put a $25,000 bounty on the head of Chip Ganassi.

OK, not on his head, but on his cars. The first team to score an overall victory in the Rolex series gets the $25-Grand. Next opportunity to take the cash will be May 14 at Virginia International Raceway.

I have a long-standing offer of $25 to the driver’s charity who will take Jimmie Johnson out of a race. It doesn’t happen very often, like 5 times in 2 years. And not all were crashes. Believe it or not, Hendrick equipment CAN fail.

I think it’s a pretty good idea. I’ll do my part! If 5-time loses the championship this season, $25 to the driver’s foundation who knocks him off the trophy.

It would make me happy to see The Biff, Greg Biffle, manage that feat. Or Happy Harvick. Heck, even Montoya if it means it's not Jimmie Johnson.

Kurt Busch put it best once last season. He said he didn't care where he finished a race as long at it was ahead of Johnson. Yeah, a bunch of drivers feel that way, Kurt.

And Kurt, watch the potty mouth and making disparaging remarks about your owner. I wouldn't cross Roger Penske. When is your contract up for review? Aren't you the guy who once said, Jack if you're listening I want to see you in my hauler after the race? And after a brief radio silence, the reply was something like, let's get one thing straight. It's MY hauler. Kurt, you are just the hireling.

But we digress.

Please, somebody, anybody, take the trophy this year.

There's $25 to your charity in it for you.

Who's got YOUR vote?

2011-04-28T17:43:00.003-05:00

It’s time for the fan vote for the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Collectively, we get one vote. Don’t ask me how that works. Rest assured, when I see Hall Director Winston Kelley and Historian Buz McKim next month, I WILL ask how that many people casting ballots can culminate in a single vote for this gang of 5.

Looking over the list of possible enshrines, we again bring up the issue of family enshrinement. The Woods, the Pettys, the Earnhardts, the Flocks.

After the nominees were announced a couple weeks ago, Mike Helton admitted that is something to look at in the future.

Really? Ya think, Mike?

And another thing. . .It may be a bit soon to be thinking about adding the likes of Richard Childress and Rick Hendrick. Now, before my friend Joyce Harmon in Proctorville, Ohio, threatens to whup up on me, there really is a reason.

Until they leave the sport completely, not just have their driving days behind them, the numbers are going to change every year. That means reworking their Hall displays every year to keep current. Of course, they may never retire from ownership, and if that’s the case, they’ll never see themselves enshrined.

This year’s list has a few omissions, according to me. MIA are:

Rex White, 1960 Grand National champion, who overcame childhood polio, is at age 81 the oldest living NASCAR champion. He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame earlier this month. In 1960, he won 6 races and finished in the top 10 in 35 of 40 starts, in addition to being the series champion. When I met him four years ago, I found him soft spoken, gentlemanly and quite engaging. He is, as am I, a charter member of the NASCAR Official Members Club.

Wendell Scott broke the color barrier in NASCAR in March, 1961. In December, 1963, he was the first, and to this day, the only African-American driver to win a top NASCAR series race in the sport’s 58 years.

Now, who will get my vote? Don’t forget, voting is underway now at www.nascar.com

Consider WWDD? What Would Dale Do? He once said that when you think about NASCAR, certain names come immediately to mind. Petty. Earnhardt. Waltrip. Yarborough.

First, ‘ol DW get the nod from me, again. Did you see him at the announcement last year for the 2011 class? The Boogity Man was hurt deep inside not making it. But he was a trooper and kept broadcasting.

My next vote is for Bennie Parsons. Like DW, on the track he made a name for himself, and off the track he did the same.

On my list again is Tim Flock. And if Richard Petty is in the Hall, his crew chief and cousin Dale Inman should be too. Again, both should be a family entry.

My last pick? I have it down to four – Fireball Roberts, Glen Wood, Leonard Wood or Cale Yarborough.

Look over the list. Go to www.nascar.com to cast your votes.

Buck Baker - first driver to win consecutive NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series championships (1956-57)
Red Byron - first NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion in 1949
Richard Childress - 11-time car owner champion in NASCAR's three national series
Jerry Cook - six-time NASCAR Modified champion
H. Clay Earles (NEW) - founder of Martinsville Speedway
Richie Evans - nine-time NASCAR Modified champion
Tim Flock - two-time NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion
Rick Hendrick - 13-time car owner champion in NASCAR's three national series
Jack Ingram - two-time NASCAR Busch (now Nationwide) Series champion
Dale Inman - eight-time NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series championship crew chief
Bobby Isaac (NEW) - 1970 NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion
Fred Lorenzen - 26 wins and winner of the Daytona 500 and World 600
Cotton Owens (NEW) - driver-owner won 1966 owner championship with David Pearson
Raymond Parks - NASCAR's first champion car owner
Benny Parsons - 1973 NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion
Les Richter (NEW) - former NASCAR executive; former president of Riverside International Raceway
Fireball Roberts - won 33 NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series races including the 1962 Daytona 500
T. Wayne Robertson - helped raise NASCAR popularity as R.J. Reynolds Senior VP
Herb Thomas - first two-time NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion (1951, 1953)
Curtis Turner - early personality called the "Babe Ruth of stock car racing"
Darrell Waltrip - 84 wins and three NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series championships
Joe Weatherly - two-time NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series champion
Glen Wood - as driver laid foundation for Wood Brothers' future team success
Leonard Wood (NEW) - part-owner and former crew chief for Wood Brothers who revolutionized pit stops
Cale Yarborough - three consecutive NASCAR premier (now Sprint Cup) series titles (1976 - 1978)

If you can’t go to ‘Dega, go to Ona

2011-04-14T14:09:00.002-05:00

Time keeps ticking away, tick, tick, ticking away!

It’s time to drop the green flag at Ona Speedway, like this Saturday. Really. Racing alternating weekends from now through mid-September.

The rather historic site is the only paved oval track in the Mountain State and many NASCAR legends raced here back in the day, including Richard Petty. It’s pretty well-known in racing circles (no pun intended, really).

When I met NASCAR Hall of Fame Curator Buz McKim several years ago and told him I was from Huntington, W.Va., the first words out of his mouth were, “Really? Have you ever been to Ona Speedway?” Every time I see him, he wants to know what’s happening there. In fact, I’ll see him May 19 in Charlotte at the Official NASCAR Members Club Convention.

But I digress.

Opening night at Ona will be Saturday. Pits open at noon and General Admission gates open at 5 p.m., with races at 7 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and children 7-years and younger are free. Racing classes are Hobby Stock, Elite Modified, U-Car and Classics.

You will be happy to know the long-promised permanent restrooms are completed and operational, owners Bill and Lynn Bauer say.

The all-volunteer staff at the Speedway is:
Jerry Skeens, Race Director.
Greg Hendricks, Creative Director and the man behind www.onawpeedway.com
Brian Adams, Sales and Marketing Director.
Bill Wallace, General Manager

New to the fans this year is a simple way to find out if race night has been rained out. It’s a website, www.rainedout.net search term Ona Speedway, Category Motorsports/Auto Racing. Or, you can call the track at 304-710-5650. But I think the website would be easier.

So, weather willing, get out and see some live racing this weekend. If you can’t go to ‘Dega, go to Ona.

How do drivers break up the monotony at a photo shoot? Why, punking your pals!

2011-04-13T17:31:00.003-05:00

Do you have a sense of humor?

Ever wonder what constitutes "fun" with some of your favorite drivers? Do you think doing take after take for a sponsor can get, um, boring?

Mr. Popularity, Dale Earnhardt Jr., likes a good prank as much as the next guy.

Well, here, take a look.

Another Jeffy Shuffle?

2011-04-08T17:55:00.007-05:00

I have to admit, chuckles still escape my mouth every time I watch this clip.

The Jeffy Shuffle? The Texas Tussle? It's just funny. We laughed at it then, we'll laugh at it now. The "fight" was amusing enough, but the long, deliberate walk of Gordon was, well, made you think, will they talk or throw a few punches. Jeff Burton? Fighting? Naw. Hey, I didn't really think Gordon could fight.

Wait, here's the NASCAR official film. You get to see that Banty Rooster walk.

Ouchie!

2011-04-06T17:22:00.004-05:00

"Oh, man, this is gonna hurt." - Martin Truex Jr.

But it didn't. The Safer Barriers at Martinsville did their job. They absorbed the impact and nobody got hurt. Well, the cars got hurt, but not the drivers.

Wowee, what a hit. The folks in the stands Sunday felt the hit, I'm sure. But the NAPA KnowHow man said it didn't, surprisingly enough. After his car stopped, he jumped out and bounded to the RedBull Toyota of Kasey Kahne to check on him. And, he was OK, too.

Not gonna debate the obvious, "only if..." and Dale Earnhardt. You don't know if it would have made a difference.

But there is no doubt the sport is safer today after that dark day 10 years ago in Florida.

Pit stop challenge

2011-03-30T14:56:00.004-05:00

Do you have the guts to take on the boss?

Kyle Busch did. No big surprise there, huh? Yep, one tall, skinny guy taking on another tall, skinny guy as a rear tire changer.

Kyle vs JD Gibbs. Pretty funny stuff, actually. Kyle got a do-over, too. Muddle through Bracketology intro and if you are interested in that kind of thing, there's more of it after the tire change challenge.

Slow motion falls are always amusing, aren't they?

We'll keep noodling around You Tube for more amusing things from race teams.

Now available at that retail giant

2011-03-24T17:14:00.005-05:00

Well, it’s finally happened. You can now officially get pretty much anything at WalMart, even tickets to NASCAR races.

Yep, WalMart is now offering ticket packages for $99 – 4 seats, 4 sodas, 4 hot dogs and a souvenir program.

Visit www.walmart.com/nascar and you can shop all things NASCAR - tickets, shirts, diecasts, grill covers, toys, videos, games, you name it.

And if that’s not enough, race teams’ show cars and simulators are making appearances in the parking lots. They call it parking lot retailtainment. This week they are, of course, focused around California, and will be in Fontana, Rialto, San Bernadino and Rancho Cucamonga.

Packages are available for 18 of the 38 races this year.

Remember when you couldn’t find NASCAR anything at the store?

No more! WalMart is even the sponsor of Trackside Live on SPEED. Nice new set they’ve provided, too.

Apparently the boys on Trackside are promoting the daylights out of WalMart and this new package deal.

The stuff you can get online shipped to door or store includes things like flags and grill covers, Kick scooters, K'nex models to build, video chairs, framed photos, diecasts, autographed canvas prints and framed driver photo/card, driver throws and a plethora of DVDs – season highlights, driver bios and specialties like greatest finishes.

Just which tracks are taking part in this venture? Would you be surprised if I said the ISC and SMI tracks?

Ding-ding-ding-ding! You are correct, oh Exhaust Breath!

The ISC tracks available are Auto Club Speedway in California, Darlington Raceway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Michigan International Speedway and Watkins Glen International. SMI tracks are Atlanta Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

For example, the Family Track Pack for the All-Star Race includes: 4 race tickets in Turn 2 (Diamond Tower) rows 22-46 or rows 47-66, 4 hot dogs, 4 sodas and 1 souvenir program. Now, if you like the Diamond Tower, it’s a good deal.

Personally, I don’t like the Diamond Tower. I'm spoiled. My seats for the last 5 years at Charlotte have been at the start/finish line, and continue to be so. In the Diamond Tower, I don't think you'll be able to see the newly constructed, world’s largest HD video display board on the back stretch. FYI, you can see the construction live on the Charlotte Motor Speedway website. That’s www.charlottemotorspeedway.com

But, you are still at the track, and can see the race with a pretty good perspective with the exception of Pit Road.

By the by, this package is available for the Coke 600, too.

Who said going to the races isn’t affordable anymore?

Just because it's the right thing to do

2011-03-02T16:11:00.002-05:00

Sometimes you do something just because it’s the right thing to do. Like the Granny in England who attacked the would-be jewel thieves. Like Mark Harmon rescuing someone in a car wreck.

Like Morgan Shepherd chasing a would-be robber at a Las Vegas WalMart, taking him down and waiting for police to nab the alleged accomplices.

Yep, 69-year-old Morgan Shepherd. NASCAR Nationwide Series driver for Faith Motorsports. Un-sponsored and under-funded.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar/story/Morgan-Shepherd-chases-down-thief-in-Las-Vegas-030111

Or

http://www.aolnews.com/2011/03/02/nascar-driver-morgan-shepherd-stops-las-vegas-walmart-thief/

Sounds like an episode of “What Would You Do?” on ABC.

As the day wears on, more and more media outlets are picking up the story. And it will probably be a topic on Race Hub and possibly on Inside NASCAR tonight.

Old man? He certainly doesn't act like one.

Impulsive? Probably. But it was the right thing to do. Read the comments to this story on Fox Sports and folks are kind of mixed. However, there’s a bit more support for his actions than opposition.

Would you have gotten involved?

Seriously? Seriously!

2011-02-23T22:01:00.011-05:00

Is there another sport as patriotic as NASCAR? OK, soccer outbreaks of national pride aside, seriously now, is there?

Military flyovers thrill 100,000 screaming fans in the stands at races.

Lowe's, er Charlotte Motor Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway unfurl the biggest American flags I've ever seen.

And have you noticed racefans during the National Anthem? Hats come off heads and are placed over hearts. Veterans of the Armed Forces stand at attention and salute.

The U.S. Army, Air Force and National Guard have their logos on racecars and sponsor two fairly well-known drivers, Ryan Newman and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Did I mention the military recruits heavily at NASCAR events?

So, can U.S. Rep Betsy McCollum of Minnesota be serious when she wants to stop the sponsorship in NASCAR. Now, understand, it's JUST in NASCAR. Not any other sport, just NASCAR.

She introduced an amendment to the 2011 government appropriations bill. Granted, this is only 1 amendment out of 433 to vote on this week.

When I read this today in Scene Daily, I was incredulous. Her chief of staff is quoted as saying, "This is not only putting a sticker on the car, this is paying for a race team. That doesn't contribute to military readiness."

Seriously? It's no different than advertising anywhere else.

Do the TV ads and roadside billboards contribute to military readiness? They do if people are attracted to the military by them.

Is U.S. Army-Army Strong logo any different on the hood of the Stewart-Haas #39 in the camera eye for 3 hours every weekend? That's a few million viewers.

Now, Junior may not always be the best spokesman off script, but Ryan Newman? He's a pretty good ambassador for any sponsor. Degree in engineering from Purdue, fairly smart about math, science and technology. Speaks well off the cuff. The Army seems fairly pleased with him. And with Junior, but they probably attract different crowds.

Our service men and women watch NASCAR via the internet while being deployed overseas. If they are proud to see their branch on Ryan's #39, that's a morale booster. When National Guard members look at Junior and see their logo staring back, they feel connected to him. Again, good for morale.

I don't see the problem. So, Rep. McCollum of Minnesota, do your job and focus on something serious!

Photo notes: I took the saluting veteran, the flag at Bristol and the Ryan Newman photos myself. The awesome shot of the Bristol card stunt (which is in the Guiness Book of World Records as the largest card stunt ever) was taken by my good friend Paul Mullins of St. Albans, W.Va.

The new "it" driver for 2011

2011-02-20T19:44:00.001-05:00

The youngest driver with the oldest team. A 20-year-old with a 60-year-old team. Who saw this coming? Trevor Bayne? Wait, doesn’t he drive Nationwide? We’re Facebook friends and I like his sponsor, OUT! Products for your doggies.

And this wasn't a bad way to celebrate his birthday, which was this week.

Jeff Gordon trusted him enough to hook up during the race and let him push the car. That says a lot for trust of a young kid on the track.

The young man has a pretty level head on his shoulders. He said he’s not going to splurge with the winnings and this isn’t the biggest thing that’s ever happened to him.

He said the biggest thing that’s ever happened to him was finding Christ. “He put me here for a reason, gives us purpose. These things (races and trophies) can go away, but He will never go away,” he told a room full of reporters after the race.

“I want to model myself after Jesus. I want to pattern my life after Him.”

“I’m not putting it (the money) up for retirement yet,” he said of the money. He mentioned Motor Racing Outreach and Back to Back Ministries in Mexico. “We’re going to them as much as we can.”

That’s commitment of his mind and his heart, and it’s nice to hear.

He’s not all seriousness, though. Hoping Mike Helton was listening somewhere, Trevor would like to discuss the possibility of changing that box he checked to get points in NNS, not the Cup.

“Jack (Roush) joked ‘You know if you win this, one of us is going to be mad.” Trevor races NNS for Roush Fenway and Cup for the Wood Brothers.

His popularity is already soaring. He gained 8,000 new followers in Twitter after the race. And he only packed a couple of things for the race, and drove himself to Daytona. Obviously, someone will take his ride home, because he’ll be on the talk show circuit for a day or two.

It was Feb. 18, 2001...

2011-02-17T19:16:00.003-05:00

Ten years. Five hundred twenty weeks. Three thousand, six hundred fifty days.

That’s how long since a wife has felt her husband’s kiss. Since a girl has hugged her daddy. Since a son shared a laugh and a day hunting or fishing with his father.

Since a sport has watched its champion. The People’s Champion.

I’ve thought long and hard about what could be said about this anniversary today. Feb. 18, 2001. Ten years since Dale Earnhardt died in a crash at Daytona International Speedway. A lot has been said, written and broadcast. So there is certainly nothing I could add there.

This may sound sacrilegious, but it’s hard to be sad and somber about this. This is a man who died doing something he really, really enjoyed. How many lives are that said about?

All the things I’ve seen and read about “Dale” show me he lived life on his own terms, did what he pleased and what he liked. As the saying goes, “He took life by the horns.” I believe he understood the concept that life is too short to not enjoy it.

Did racing stop that day? No. So, obviously that wasn’t the end of the world. The sun rose the next day and lives have gone forward. Each week, 43 men take to the Sprint Cup races and this weekend will be no different.

But did it have an effect on the sport? Certainly it did. NASCAR got an even sharper focus on safety. Head restraints, helmet changes, hatches in the tops of cars, the Safer Barriers have come about since then.

Economically it has been both good and bad. There are some folks who say they haven’t been back to a race since “the day Dale died.” OK, their loss. They may say they don’t but I don’t believe for one minute they don’t still watch. Sales of souvenirs exploded. You still see cars and trucks with “3” stickers. There are personalized license plates. In West Virginia, you can get sanctioned NASCAR tags of the #3. Intimidator t-shirts are plentiful at the track in at least two haulers, and at WalMart, both on bodies and up for sale on the racks. There are books and DVDs hailing Dale Earnhardt.

The death of Dale Earnhardt 10 years ago was certainly tragic. All loss of life is tragic. He was the face of racing. He was, despite probably being rather wealthy, an everyday man in the eyes of the fans. He hunted, fished, loved the outdoors and loved his family. I’m sure there was a dog or two in the picture at some point.

SPEED has shown “The Day,” which follows what transpired 10 years ago, who knows how many times in the past week. The scenes are sometimes uncomfortable. Richard Childress, Ken Schrader, Mikey and Darrell Waltrip and Danny “Chocolate” Myers, are all in tears. You see the footage of Victory Lane that day and the greeting between Schrader and Mikey in a whole new light. And did we really need to see the slow ride from the track to the hospital and the EMS taking Earnhardt from the ambulance into the emergency room, a medic obviously doing CPR? Probably not.

In the weeks that ensued, I forced myself to watch a race for the first time. After interviewing people about Earnhardt for stories, I wanted to see for myself why everyone watched. After a few months, looking at the mechanics of everything about it, watching the fans and consuming everything I could find written or filmed about the sport, I was hooked.

I’ll be at Charlotte for the All-Star Race again this year, and probably for the Coke 600. And I’ll be at Bristol in August. I've been to the Hall of Fame. I took the photo at the top of this blog a week before the First Class was enshrined there.

My friends and I are planning a pilgrimage to Daytona in 2012 for the 500. Yes, Dale Earnhardt did change the sport. And I guess in a way, my life. I've made friends across the country, and the biggest thing we have in common, the reason we ever met, is stockcar racing. These are friends from California and Arizona. Good friends. Friends you keep.

Horsepower and exhaust - Boogity, boogity, boogity! Let's go racin'

2011-01-11T18:45:00.004-05:00

Finally! Time for some racin’ has arrived!

Hundreds of drivers are fighting it out for the Golden Driller at The Chili Bowl in Tulsa this week.

And word comes from Dana Tomes, Barboursville’s Brett Rowe will be driving for Faith Motorsports with Morgan Shepherd in the Nationwide Series in 2011.

And NASCAR is changing the rules.

Ah, the sound of horsepower and the smell of exhaust is in the air!

There are some names we know at the Chili Bowl, and there are some names missing there this year. We know JJ Yeley, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and Jason Leffler are in the field. We also know Kasey Kahne isn’t entered as a driver, and neither is Tony Stewart, although TStew is the virtual Grand Marshal.

I feel I must give a shout out to Cameron Hagin of Hagin Racing, Broken Arrow, OK. He started Tuesday in heat 3 on the outside of the 2nd row. He’s being sponsored by Raypro. Oh, by the way, did I mention he’s a rookie? Yep. We’re looking for big things from this young man.

Dana Tomes sent along info about Brett and Morgan running two cars from Faith Motorsports in NNS 2011. They will be trying to run the first five races this season. Points transfer, NASCAR approvals and working hard to lock in to at least the first five races can get a wee complicated.

In a perfect world, the points Morgan gained in the partnership with Richard Childress will transfer to him, and the #89's points will move to Brett's ride and number, when NASCAR says so.

Speaking of Morgan Shepherd, here’s a nice story on NASCAR.com today about him:
http://www.nascar.com/news/101214/mshepherd-christmas-trip/index.html

Now, on to fickle NASCAR. Decisions to be made, lives to change. Imagine this, NASCAR changing the rules. Again. And the drivers will have to make choices. Do I want a NNS title or a Sprint Cup title?

It’s about time! I’ve said for several years now, it’s not right to have Cup drivers in the NNS barreling through the competition for the sake of another trophy.

I liken it to NBA and NHL players being allowed to compete in the “amateur” ranks for the Olympics. It’s just not right.

Don't ban them from the series, just don't let them take the top prize.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, we know. The sponsors want to see their product name get more exposure. And if their driver wins the title, it's one more lugnut on their wheel. That’s the “reason” for having marquee drivers in what is essentially the minor leagues. I can understand that logic. Economics in NASCAR have been on the skids for a few years.

Big name drivers put fans in the stands. While there are empty seats at pretty much all the tracks, there are still more than 100,000 people there buying tickets to the races. Does that happen in basketball or baseball? How about football? OK, soccer maybe.

While it’s fun to see your favorite driver in the seat two times in a weekend, that’s not the reason I like the NNS or the Camping World Truck Series. I think it’s good to see them fight it out, hoping to get noticed by not just the fans and gain a following, but also being seen by more team owners and thus, get a shot at moving up to the Cup.

There WILL come a day it’s not about Jimmie Johnson. Or Jeff Gordon or Tony Stewart or, dare I say, Dale Earnhardt Jr.

I’ve always said, “train your replacement, so some day you can retire.”

While honing their skills against Cup drivers has advantages, those drivers don’t get a chance to win the trophy. And if they can’t win the NNS or NCWTS top prize, they can’t have that AND the Cup in their resume. To me, that would be mark of a true champion.

Seriously, I was so pulling for Biffle in the Chase this year. It’d be great to see him have all three series titles. And anyone with a crew called The Pit Bulls has to be awesome to start.

The other issue in my mind is, if you run two series or even all three in one weekend, that’s a lot of seat time and time spent driving at insane speeds. Realizing they are young men, well, with a few exceptions, which adds up to fatigue and concentration issues which could lead to mistakes that otherwise might not happen.

Too much to think about. Money. Big name players. Speed. Titles. And that’s not even getting near the subject of expanding the 12-man, 10-week Chase.

The only good thing I know is The Chili Bowl is here, which means Daytona isn’t too far away.

Trick my garage?

2010-11-30T18:46:00.002-05:00

If I had an unlimited budget and was going to trick out my garage, I could let Garage Mahal and the DIY Network have free reign. Of course, I’d be more than happy to volunteer my space if it was their dime, too.

A couple in the Charlotte area (the mecca of racing on the east coast), had their ho-hum garage cranked up a notch or 800 by the network’s show and host Bill Goldberg. (Hey, didn’t he wrestle?)

Anyway, the show airs Friday, Dec. 3 at 9:30 p.m. on DIY. That would be Comcast 133, DirecTV 230, Dish Network 111 or Suddenlink 104.

Now, you might want to TiVo that and watch the NASCAR Championship Awards program on SPEED. It’s on at 9 p.m. Friday, and will feature Rascal Flats and that Jimmie Johnson guy.

Back to the garage, the renovated space includes: grandstand seating, surround sound, checkered floor, race-theme wall murals and power screen garage doors.
Oh, yeah. That would be sweet.

And the show will feature a look at Braun Racing and Great Clips Racing in Mooresville by tour guides Kasey Kahne and Jason Leffler.

The question: Garage Mahal at 9:30 p.m. or NASCAR awards at 9 p.m.? Hmmm.

Thank goodness for TiVo!

At least he had to work for it this time

2010-11-21T16:49:00.002-05:00

Props to Jimmie Johnson. He won the NASCAR championship. Again. Again. Again. Again and, again.

At least he had to be on top of his game to do it this time.

And once again, I say...

Kevin Harvick was regular season champion and what does he get for that? Same thing Tony Stewart did for the same feat. Nothing. A big, ole nothing.

But that doesn't mean I can't have a little fun at Hendrick Motorsports HQ. All in good fun. The friends I went to the All Star race with are HMS fans. Laura was in 7th heaven there! And on Sunday, it was just the best for her!

This time next year, will we remember who won the race? Only when commentators tell us. Here's a hint:

Cousin Carl. He knows duck! He knows Jack! He knows how to win at Miami Homestead! Honestly, Roush guys gave him the car to beat all day.

But nobody will remember that.

Just Jimmie. Jimmie Johnson. 5-time NASCAR champion. All hail to Jimmie.

But Harvick was the one tagged to replace THE driver, The Intimidator.

Follow the bouncing drivers. . .

2010-10-21T18:00:00.005-05:00

I’m making a sign to post next to my television this weekend:
Kahne 83
Almirola 9
Almendinger 43
Ambrose 47

You can’t tell the players….Of course the only one to really watch is Kasey. The others are just “on the track and let’s see what happens.”

My first thought was Petty-man, are you out of your mind? It’s even questionable if Bud will sponsor Almirola, he has to be approved by the company.

Next, having watched “Petty Blue” a few times in the last week, didn’t Richard run Petty Enterprises out of business once already? Not to mention fire his own son, Kyle. So right there, you're questioning his ability to reason.

Which is another drama all to itself. Petty – Evernham – Gillette – Roush. That’ll be another sign to post when it gets sorted and the checks are signed. And let’s not forget the 4-Cup-Car rule. But who knows, NASCAR may change it’s mind again on how many cars a team can field. It’s been known to happen mid-season, near-end-season. Heck, mid-race!

Both these story lines are playing out fast and twisting like Watkins Glen.

Now, opinions are like, well, hearts. Everyone’s got one. So, here’s mine.

It’ not KK’s fault the equipment fails.

It’s not KK’s fault the car doesn’t finish.

It’s not KK’s fault he’s not in the Chase. OK, that last one may be a little bit his fault. But I blame the equipment. Seriously.

Kasey doesn’t built the engine, Kasey doesn’t build the car. He has to work with what he’s given. And since he's leaving the team, why give him the good stuff?

Didn’t we have this conversation when Mark Martin was leaving Jack Roush? I think we did. And with Junior and his equipment at Hendrick, although everyone else fielding Hendrick parts seems to be doing just fine. But I digress.

Back to Kasey Kahne (Whoo! as my friends and Nature Boy Ric Flair say).

Kasey’s job is to drive the car. Plain and simple. It's the owner's job to give him the tools he needs to win. If anyone understands that, it should be Richard Petty, at least from what I saw in Petty Blue.

Was Kassey sick at Charlotte? My opinion is yes. Sick of being dealt the cars he was dealt. He attracted the sponsor, Bud. When he announced he was leaving RPM, so did the sponsor. I think Kevin Harvick will do just fine with Bud on his car. Again, I digress.

Let’s keep watching and listening, it’s going to be like the weather. Don’t like it? Stick around, it’ll change soon enough.

Everybody sing! Weeeee are the champions...

2010-09-17T17:04:00.010-05:00

The next 10 weeks should prove to be fairly interesting.

While he may be everyone’s darling. Everyone’s favorite to win a 5th straight title. America’s sweetheart (besides, of course, Sandra Bullock). Jimmie Johnson seems already being crowned. Already being bestowed the title of History’s Greatest Driver. Heck, they’ve probably already put his name on the trophy.

Cue Freddie Mercury; wave your arms back and forth. “Weeeee are the champions, my friend...”

More like, “We’ll keep on fighting, ‘till the end...” at least for 11 other drivers.

With 17 consecutive weeks on top of the NASCAR point standings, I wouldn’t count Happy Harvick out of the running.

OK, I don't have photos of me with Happy or DeLana, although I do follow them on Twitter. Here's a shot of me with car owner Richard Childress and my BFFs from California, Laura in the middle and Roberta on the right. (Yes, it's blatant self-promotion, but gosh, we had fun in All-Star Week.)

Harvick has been Mr. Consistent this season, otherwise his name wouldn’t have been on top of the board week in and week out for so long. Happy’s posted 11 top-five and 17 top-10 finishes in 2010. Not exactly slouch.

And after all, don’t series officials squawk about consistency, consistency, consistency?

But what does Kevin (and DeLana, let’s be real about it) get for this.

That’s right, nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Same thing that happened to TStew last year. Lead the standings all season long and get nothing. Not even a certificate. Only personal satisfaction.

Hoist that over your head in Victory Lane and pose for pictures.

At least give the guy a big, fat check with lots of zeros. Or maybe a trophy in honor of Big Bill.

Naturally, I’d like to see Tony win it all again. It wouldn’t be consecutive, but three IS a nice number.

Odds are pretty good for Richard Childress and Jack Roush this year, with three drivers each in the Chase. You realize, that’s half the field.

So let’s talk Roush for a minute. I’m thinking Greg Biffle. The Biff. Champion in the Busch Grand National Series and the Craftsman Truck Series. That would be pretty sweet for him to add a Sprint Cup title to that. And, in my humble opinion, he deserves it. My Netflix list has sent me Driven To Win lately. Biff was an unlikely sort to come to NASCAR. A little older than most, although he’s not old by any means, just older than most in the field today.

And he likes dogs. Big dogs. So he can’t be all bad. I met him at PetCo (where the pets go) during All-Star Week during a driver appearance. He autographed a few things for me and the NASCAR Pets calendar looks over my desk, October signed by the Biff. Yes, I'm wearing a Tony Stewart shirt here. And yes, again, blatant self-promotion.
But I digress.

Some people pick drivers by their colors or sponsor. I go by the pet. Which still doesn’t explain Tony Stewart, who at the time I came to racing, had Chihuahuas. And a monkey. Now, it’s cats. Siamese cats. I’m not fond of small, yippy dogs, nor do I especially like cats.

But I like Tony and never, never count him out when it matters. He has that determined look here and it was just for a million bucks at the All-Star Race, where he was defending his title from 2009. I was there then, too. Got a great burnout shot, the one on top of this post.

There you have it. My musings on the Chase. Happy, the Biff and TStew. Anybody but Johnson. Sorry Laura my west coast BFF, anybody but Jimmie.

Let the Chase begin!

From Bristol to You (Tube)

2010-08-29T15:50:00.006-05:00

Well, here are my first tries at posting video.

I mentioned them Thursday in all about Bristol. And the Nationwide race is happening, so there's a little racing fix for the weekend.

In the one video, Jimmie Johnson was down a bunch of laps and had some issues keeping up with the pack, even on a restart, and there were a good number of those. I'm not saying the entire Bristol Motor Speedway was cheering and smiling, and even laughing, but certainly everyone around me did.

The next videos are Kyle Busch. C'mon, he'd just won the third race of the weekend, give the 20-something some credit. I didn't see him hung in effigy like last year. And some young men tried to come back to West Virginia with us. They had consumed mass quantities of adult beverages. But they knew West Virginia didn't have a beach within its borders.

Well, folks, there you have it. My first attempt at video with my camera. I hope you enjoy them.

Have to give KB props...

2010-08-26T16:56:00.012-05:00

Love him or hate him, you have to give Kyle Busch his due. Winning the Camping World Truck Series, Nationwide and Sprint Cup races, at Bristol last weekend, hats off to KB.

The other story of the Bristol night race was Jimmie Johnson finishing up, oh, 85 laps down. That converts to what, more than 42 miles behind everyone else? It's only a 250-mile race! But at the outset, Jimmie was hot! There was a glimmer of hope for Tony when he finally passed for the lead, but it didn't last long.

JJ's had some issues since winning back to back at Sonoma and Loudon. He's finished outside the top 10 since way back in June. He's fallen like a paver block from a home improvement store, plummeting from 3rd to 9th in points. Yikes!

This shot is early in the night and I must say, JJ and Smoke were slugging it out for the lead.

Not long after, Juan Montoya tapped Jimmie and that's all she wrote. I shot some video of him waaaaaay behind the pack after a restart. But these things take forever to load. It will come in a different post. Maybe with the Kyle Busch burnout, for good measure. But they do take for-ev-er to upload.

Now, I will admit, my driver Tony Stewart had issues at Bristol, too. He had some choice words for his crew during the evening. He violated two of Coach John Wooden's three rules for success - 1. Always be on time (he obviously made the driver's meeting on time); 2 - never use profanity (he loses there) and 3 - never criticize a teammate (lost out there, too). And here's the crew trying to make the car right.

We have a break from Cup action until my birthday weekend, Labor Day Weekend, when the action moves to Atlanta.

So TiVO of Bristol and a truck race will have to suffice this weekend.

Now, don't play too hard, boys...

2010-07-22T12:01:00.004-05:00

When you say, boys have at it, well, expect some bumping, banging, shoving and well, wrecking.

Dale Earnhardt must be spinning in his grave (no pun intended).

How far is too far? When does it become rage?

A year ago, NASCAR director of competition Robin Pemberton stood in front of 100 people at Joe Gibbs Racing at the Official NASCAR Members Club annual convention and said he can tell when a driver crosses the line. There are cameras everywhere in and around the cars on the track and he can see it in driver’s eyes.

I’ll give him that much. He can see the anger and premeditation on the monitors in the big red truck, which, by the way, is actually black.

But come on, tell them have at it, then when they do, act surprised at damaged cars?. Seriously? You couldn’t see flying cars and massive pileups coming?

Please. There are 43 cars driving well over 100 miles per hour, 200 mph sometimes, and you don’t think a little bump will send someone into the wall, the fence or infield?

Really?

If Carl said he wasn’t at fault I tend to believe him. He’s not ducked wreck-related issues in the past. He manned up a year ago after wrecking Kyle Busch and said, yeah, I did it. If the tables were turned he’d have done it to me.

And we all KNOW he was right, Kyle would have done it to him, and has. There's a lot of money on the line. Points and championships are fine, but a couple hundred thousand dead presidents on the line? Whatever means necessary within the law.

So who’s the villain here? Not Carl. I’d tag Brad Keselowski on this one. His aggressiveness is no different than that of Kyle Bush a couple years ago. We’ve seen Kyle hung in effigy at Bristol. He’s embraced the hatred. Maybe Brad should, too. Don't whine and send your daddy in (we've seen Danica's dad do that in Indy League). In a year or so, Brad merchandise will fly out of the souvenir haulers.

Am I saying no fault anywhere? No. Carl is a bully, on and off the track. Just because you’re built like Rambo doesn’t mean you can beat up everyone who steps in front of you in the jungle.

A lot of guys in the garage are saying they took it too far this time. OK, maybe they did. I personally don't really think so, but maybe they did, I wasn't on the track collected in a huge wreck, either. I drive an 11-year-old Taurus on I-64, not a million dollar racecar on a superspeedway.

I’m just saying turn about is fair play. You push me, I push you. Run with the big dogs, expect more than snarling.

Who will YOU vote into the Hall of Fame?

2010-07-01T20:37:00.007-05:00

Well, here they are, the next group of nominees for the NASCAR Hall Of Fame.

Some I already voted for LAST year. Tim Flock and Richard Childress. Will I vote them again? Darn tootin' I will. Here's a little shot of me with RC on my recent trip to Charlotte, with a stop off at the Childress Vineyard.

But who for the other three? (Thanks for this list, nascar.com!)

Following are the 25 nominees:

• Bobby Allison, 1983 Cup Series champion and winner of 84 races
• Buck Baker, first driver to win consecutive Cup Series championships
• Red Byron, first Cup Series champion, in 1949
• Richard Childress, 11-time car owner champion in NASCAR's three national series
• Jerry Cook, six-time NASCAR Modified champion
• Richie Evans, nine-time NASCAR Modified champion
• Tim Flock, two-time Cup Series champion
• Rick Hendrick, 12-time car owner champion in NASCAR's three national series

(OK, same trip to Charlotte. Mr. Hendrick walked through the office complex above the display room in the 88 and 5 building. He stopped smiled and waved, but my shutter finger wasn't fast enough. Here, he's ready for the meeting he was headed to.)
• Jack Ingram, two-time Busch Series champion
• Dale Inman, eight-time Cup Series championship crew chief
• Ned Jarrett, two-time Cup Series champion
• Fred Lorenzen, 26 wins and winner of the Daytona 500 and World 600
• Bud Moore, 63 wins and two Cup Series titles as a car owner
• Raymond Parks, NASCAR's first champion car owner
• Benny Parsons, 1973 Cup Series champion
• David Pearson, 105 victories and three Cup Series championships
(His letter of application to NASCAR is in the HOF already. Here it is, Dave Pearson's resume, so to speak, to become a driver.

• Lee Petty, winner of first Daytona 500 and first three-time Cup Series champion
• Fireball Roberts, won 33 Cup Series races, including the 1962 Daytona 500
(See the photo below with my vote for him.)
• T. Wayne Robertson, helped raise NASCAR popularity as R.J. Reynolds Senior VP
• Herb Thomas, first two-time Cup Series champion, in 1951 and '53
• Curtis Turner, early personality, called the "Babe Ruth of stock-car racing"
• Darrell Waltrip, winner of 84 races and three Cup Series championships
• Joe Weatherly, two-time Cup Series champion
• Glen Wood, as driver, laid foundation for Wood Brothers' future team success
• Cale Yarborough, winner of three consecutive Cup Series titles, in 1976-78

I'm saying Cale Yarborough. And, Fireball Roberts. Like the photo? Kinda neat. That's the jacket he wore to Atlanta Raceway a week before the on-track wreck which killed him. All these years, from 1964, the stuff was still in the pockets - a lighter, his signed garage pass and a race ticket.

Vote early, vote often, part deux...

2010-04-08T16:16:00.003-05:00

Well, according to my Sprint insider - my NASCAR Sprint Cup phone application, the top 10 in All Star voting right now are (alphabetically):

A.J. Allmendinger, Marcos Ambrose, Greg Biffle, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton, Bill Elliott, Carl Edwards, Juan Montoya, Martin Truex Jr., and Mike Waltrip.

Don't forget, voting by Sprint phone is double the vote! I just clicked BORIS! BORIS! BORIS and one for The Biff!

See you at Charlotte Motor Speedway. That has a nice ring, doesn't it? I just need to rename the phone number on my contact list, and therefore, my personal ticket agent.

Vote early, vote often

2010-04-08T10:56:00.001-05:00

The All-Star Race is coming at us fast. OK, not just the All-Star, but the 5th annual Official Nascar Members Club convention and all the fun that goes along with it, including the almost ready to open Hall of Fame.

Did you vote on the first class in the HOF? I did. I still say the France folks should go in as a whole, not individually, but I digress. I voted for Junior Johnson and Big Bill Senior. The rest of my picks, well there’s always next year. I’ll be clicking that pick again for Tim Flock – another family group, actually, BP and DW, and most likely Richard Childress and Rick Hendrick.

We digress again. Back to the All-Star. Did you know if you are a Sprint customer and vote by texting, it counts DOUBLE?! Yessss! Get those fingers talking to Sprint.

My choices ? Let’s see. No particular order or reason: Marcos Ambrose and the chosen Juan for international flair. Robby Gordon just for potential sparks. Do you have a friendly pool on who’ll cause “The Big One” at certain tracks. We do. I always pick Robby Gordon. Although I’m adding Keselowski to that pool anymore. Back to choices.

Casey Mears, because he’s family of a gentleman at my church and local realtor Dave Mears. Mikey W just ‘cause my friends Laura and Roberta like him. I wonder if he can Tweet from the car? And my personal all-time favorite character. My buddy. BORIS! BORIS! BORIS! Who said? I Said!

And you can vote often – unlimited – up to one hour before the start of the race on May 22 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Good thing, too. We here in the Mountain State already have the reputation of voting ourselves, all our dead relatives and even the dog. You know that’s why we give our animals people names, right? So they can vote, too.

Already in the race are :
Kurt Busch, Kyle Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne (whoo!), Matt Kenseth, Brad Keselowski, Bobby Labonte, Joey Logano, Mark Martin, Jamie McMurray, Ryan Newman, David Reutimann, Tony Stewart (my man, Smoke!), Brian Vickers.

Alrighty then. Vote early. Vote often.

Herd racing at Nashville April 3

2010-03-24T10:47:00.009-05:00

In a one–race deal with Herd Racing, DuVita corporation will sponsor the #75 Chevy Impala driven by Brett Rowe in the NASCAR Nationwide Series April 3 at Nashville Superspeedway.

Nice job for Dana Tomes and the Herd team. DuVita is based in the Nashville area, and the car will boast it’s logo for the race. DuVita is a home-based business opportunity for direct marketing of dietary supplements.

Other partners for that race are Ponderosa Steakhouse in Lebanon, Tenn., will host a fan appreciation event for Herd Racing from 5 to 7 p.m. April 1 at the restaurant.
The Ponderosa will also cater for the team at the track that Friday and Saturday of race weekend.

While in Tennessee, the Holiday Inn Express in downtown Nashville is the official lodging partner for the team. Brett will be in the hotel lobby from 9 to 10 p.m. on April 2 for autographs and photos.

The car was unveiled Tuesday in Huntington by the team and its sponsor.

Brett goes into Nashville in 66th place in the NNS, but remember, he’s not made a start yet this season. He will have to race his way into the field.

Here are a few shots of the car, Brett, DuVita owners Amber McAdams and Nelson Crowe II, and a fun challenge for the fans, being the tire changer. Dana kept ducking the cameras. The silent man behind the scenes? Yep.

Winners and losers, on and off the track

2010-03-22T10:19:00.005-05:00

Jimmie Johnson, front, crosses the finish line in front of Tony Stewart, center, and Kurt Busch, back, to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' Food City 500 auto race at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn., Sunday, March 21, 2010. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
*************************************************************************
A poll at MRN’s Web site asked if another Jimmie Johnson win diminished your interest in NASCAR. Of the respondents, 64 percent said yes.

Well, yes, yes it does. Although I thought (hoped and prayed) Smoke would keep the lead Sunday, he gave pretty-boy an opening. He took it and the win.

Tony was pretty gracious in post race interviews. But Kurt Busch, well, he probably said it best. There are drivers out there who probably feel the same way, but just haven’t spoken it out.

“There are 41 drivers out there I’d rather lose to than Jimmie Johnson.”

There you have it folks. Even drivers are tired of Jimmie’s winning ways.

And as an aside, what’s up with the beard? Has Rick Hendrick gone soft on good grooming? We expect a scruffy Dale Jr. What’s next, Jeff Gordon with a beard? Remember when he had a fuzzy lip? Looked a bit forced and didn’t last a long time. Like JJ’s beard, it just didn’t look right.

************************************************************************
Can we go back to the Cousin Carl fracas? Is he on ‘roids or something? Temper, temper Carl. Anger doesn’t become you. Now he whines the other drivers are like little schoolgirls, talking and whispering behind his back.

DUH! Everyone talks about the schoolyard bully behind his back. Yes, I said bully. That’s what he seems to have turned in to for the last couple years. He started out as a nice guy with his mommy at all his races. This is what he's become.

Remember this? Kevin Harvick (left) and Carl Edwards scuffle in the garage area at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2008. Photo by Nascar Illustrated.

Man up. Take responsibilities for your actions. Certainly every time you’ve bumped a car it wasn’t someone else’s fault. Every time you’ve yelled at, pushed, shoved, pulled a punch or tried to strangle another competitor, can’t be someone else’s fault. Oh, it’s NEVER you, it’s always. . .insert a name here. Any name. Heck, MY name.

You know, even Tony Stewart took responsibility for his misdeeds and run-ins in the past, and went for anger management.

If Jack Roush hasn’t considered sending you for help with anger issues, maybe he should. Or, maybe you and the family should talk it over and consider it without a recommendation from the boss or your sponsors. Just like Home Depot, eventually they’ll tire of this sort of attention.

I know I’m tired of watching you bully everyone. Seriously, grow up.

Over the line?

2010-03-09T17:36:00.003-05:00

I'm all for good, hard racing. And bumping is just a part of it.

HOWEVER...

You can take the intentional "love tap" too far, and Carl Edwards did just that Sunday in Atlanta. Yes, let the other guy know you didn't appreciate his bump but don't take him out when he's racing in the top 10 and you're running, oh, I don't know, 150 laps down!

Last May, in conversation with Robin Pemberton, NASCAR's vice president of competition, he said he could tell a driver's intentions during an incident. There are so many cameras in, on and around the cars, you can see it in their eyes, Robin said.

Well, not only did the veep see Cousin Carl's intent, but so did the entire FOX viewing audience.

In a similar battle last season, Carl and Kyle Busch had a tet-a-tet on-track. I don't recall the race but it was during the waning laps for the win as Mr. Fitness took out the Vegas Kid.

I'll admit to a chuckle or two when asked post race about that one as Carl said yes, yes I hit him. If the situation was turned around, he (Kyle) would have done the same thing. Edwards has also wrecked his own teammates. Just how stupid is that? And how costly to Roush-Fenway in terms of money and morale? Do you think his teammates trust him to have their backs or help them during races?

Carl obviously knows his anger is showing because he admits to his deeds.

And we talk about Tony Stewart's temper? Well, OK, Tony's temper is pretty famous, smacking tape recorders and cameras from reporters' hands. But how long before Carl Edwards takes that next step? Although he said it was all in jest and fun last season, he drew back a fist on teammate Matt Kenseth, if you recall. Matt didn't seem to think Carl was joking in the least.

I'm not suggesting for one minute to stop bumping and banging, but use the gray matter inside your skull. Realize the futility of some retaliations at that moment and just be patient.

Or, just wail on each other as soon as you get out of the car. What the heck, get the pit crews involved, too. Although, #99 versus anyone in a physical fight probably isn't exactly a fair fight. (Note to any opponent, don't take off your helmet.)

Now the question for NASCAR is, since you said let 'em have at it on the track, how far is too far and where are you going to draw that line? Was this the extreme? Or just the front end of the infraction? You have set a standard for punishment, so what about the next guy and what if Edwards does it again? A three-race probation for this incident? Is that severe enough, or is it merely a tap on the hand?

Just think everyone, Bristol is the next race on the schedule. Oughta be a good one.

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2010-03-04T17:04:00.001-05:00

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Daytona curse?

2010-02-19T17:41:00.006-05:00

Wasn't that a wonderful celebration with Jamie Mac on Sunday at Daytona? That young man was thrilled to win. Heck, he was thrilled just to have a Sunday ride!

Six months ago he was chopped from the Roush-Fenway team, a casualty of downsizing. Not by Jack's idea, but of NASCAR's. Anyone surprised by that? Didn't think so. Seems people took exception to the Cat in the Hat fielding five Cup teams, and all five getting into the Chase in 2005. That would have been Mark Martin, Jamie Mac, Matt Kenseth, Kurt Busch and Greg Biffle. Shoot, if he's got the money, I say let Jack have all the teams he can afford!

Flash forward. Jamie is pickup by his old buddy Chip Ganassi (Earnhardt Ganassi) and voila! Got a ride for 2010.

HOWEVER, Daytona winners haven't always fared well the season they hoisted that trophy. The last two winners - Kenseth and Ryan Newman - failed to make the Chase the year they took Daytona.

Then there's poor Kevin Harvick. He's a personal fave of my Lion's Club pal Homer Jimison. Happy Harvick hasn't made a trip to Victory Lane in the Cup Series SINCE winning the 2007 Daytona 500.

Furthermore...

It's been rain-shortened twice (2003 and 2009).

And in 2001, it ended with, well, you know, THAT crash.

This was the year of the pothole, making for one of the longest races we've watched - then listened to the end, because it was how many hours long? Nap-mats anyone? Honestly, you could lose a pace car in that hole.

Don't get me wrong, it was a good race, an exciting race at times, especially the end, if you lasted that long. And no, I don't believe anyone was telling their drivers to hold off and let JR pass. Puhleeze.

Seriously, there's just something about that place that bodes dark.

Yet, in an odd twist of fate, Dale Jr., who's been kind of struggling for a while, finished second. A lot of my friends, and members of the JR Nation, praised the fella for the best drive they'd seen from him in a while.

Well alrighty, then. On to Cali-forn-i-a! Yee-Haw!

Boogity, boogity, boogity - Nationwide Series on the way!

2010-02-09T19:00:00.002-05:00

The decision has been made – someone is going to attempt to qualify in the Nationwide contest at Daytona.

The car has a sponsor, an experienced driver and qualifying is Friday.

Danica, you ask? Naw, who cares? Barboursville’s – and Herd Racing’s – Brett Rowe.

Cool looking car to enter the Drive4COPD qualifying belongs to Herd Racing. The #75 Dodge Charger hopes to charge it’s way into the NNS contest, set for Saturday at 1:15 p.m. It will be broadcast on ESPN2.

Here’s the car you’re looking for in practice Wednesday and Thursday and in qualifying on Friday.

Around West Virginia, we don’t need an explanation of the number and green and white color scheme. Although, the Daytona entry is a retro gray and black.

But for the uninformed who don't live in West Virginia, Ohio or Kentucky, or those who missed the movie, We Are Marshall, starring Matthew McConaughey and Matthew Fox, it dates back to a cold, rainy night in November, 1970. The number, 75, denotes the number of people who died in a plane crash that night – and airline crew, and Marshall University football players, coaches and university boosters.

Driver Brett and team owner Dana Tomes both attended Marshall University, which boasts the Thundering Herd as the team mascot and green and white as team colors.

You get it now? Herd Racing, green and white, 75. Alrighty, then. Let’s move ahead.

Brett has around 30 NNS races under his belt since entering the series in 2007, and he was the 2005 ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series champ. He’s bi-vocational, being the purchasing and sales manager at his family’s business, Imperial Bedding. And he’s also in ministry service as youth director at Roach Baptist Church.

In past Nationwide races, Herd Racing has been a really, really a local team, taking West Virginians to be his pit crew.

Proud Son of Marshall – crank it up and as DW says, “let’s go racin’!” And I add, "let's go HERD!"

Pre-season musings...

2010-02-04T18:38:00.003-05:00

The NASCAR community is a group with a heart as big as, well, a super-speedway. And they are quick to act where they see a need.

Since the earthquake in Haiti, Richard Childress has stepped up and has been sending his planes back and forth.

The super-owner has been sending two 45-passenger Saab 2000 aircraft and flight crews and support staff to assist Missionary Flights International.

The mission, to get American citizens out of Haiti and transporting Haitian orphans to the United States.

As late a Wednesday, Hendrick planes were still on their mission, their task, their calling.

I say, “Good for you, Rick.” I guess I can pull for your drivers – a little bit – now. Stewart-Haas will just have to get over it.

Jamie McMurray has jumped into the Haiti relief effort, too. He has donated and autographed 10 firesuits and 2 leather jackets. The auction is through the NASCAR Foundation to the American Red Cross. Jamie Mac also co-hosted a special on SPEED to benefit the Haitian relief funds.
Personally, I missed the special. I’ve been glued to Anderson Cooper 360 and searching the CNN databases for the names of the children I have supported the past five years.

Auction reserves will range from $150 to $750 per item, and are being auctioned online at www.nascar.com/foundation.

Like we learned in the movie The Blind Side, sometimes you do something simply because it’s the right thing to do.

Now for the big jump. The leap of faith. The thing that just leaves me shaking my head.

Danica. She’s already like other “superstars” of racing that are identifiable by one name.
Junior.
Danica.

Yep, she’ll fit in quite nicely there, don’tcha think?
Junior and Danica sittin’ in the cars, c-o-m-p-e-a-ting. Compeating? Well, we can dream.

A couple of years ago, Junior’s step-mom Teresa the lady in black (seriously, it’s been long enough! A little pop of color in your wardrobe won’t hurt!) said the boy needed to decide what he wanted to be – a media personality or a racecar driver.

Well, here comes little Danica, a media personality who drives a racecar, too! BTW, she’s on next Wednesday’s CSI: NY at 10 p.m. on the CBS network. The pic of her with show star Gary Sinese was released from the network. I know, Cousin Carl has made TV appearances on Bill Engvall and Daddy Gordo has co-hosted Live with Regis and Kelly.

And, in the words of Mr. France or Mr. Pemberton, “let ‘em have at it!”

OK, NASCAR changed its mind one more time – shock of the year! – to let the fellas drop the gloves and come out bumping.

Seriously, a year ago, Robin Pemberton was talking about the drivers’ intentions when sheet metal touches. Now, hey, turn them loose!

At least NASCAR has come to understand that rubbin’ is racin’ and just let them go. Last season was pretty dull, you have to admit.

Who'll be the first to whine?

WWMD?

2009-11-16T11:56:00.005-05:00

Barring disaster on the part of Jimmie Johnson, just scratch his name on the trophy. Again.

Bah, Humbug. This year's Chase for the Sprint Cup hasn't been any fun. Well, except for last week when good 'ol JJ bounced off the wall. Seriously, you don't really think NASCAR fans across the country didn't laugh either in secret or just out loud? Probably the only ones who DIDN'T chuckle at least a little were my west coast friends Laura and Roberta and all the Jimmie fans.

I'll be honest about it. I was driving back from Gallipolis, Ohio when it happened. I was at the intersection of Route 2 and the I-64 connector. It's kind of like, "Where were you when: A. Kennedy died B. Earnhardt died C. Michael Jackson died?" I'll remember that one.

And I've said all along, I'd pay $20 cash money to any driver who took out pretty-boy Johnson So, I suppose I should send Sam Hornish the payoff, er, I mean, donation to his foundation. Should I just address it: Sam Hornish, Defiance, OH 43512?

Now to the question of the day, maybe of the past 10 weeks. What would Martin do?

He could go whine to Rick Hendrick and say, "But I've been sooooo close soooo many times? Couldn't I trade Jimmie cars, just this one time? Maybe you could tell him to just go slow during the race?"

Here's a thought? "Hey, JR, if you get near the 48, could you walk him up the track into the wall? There's 20 bucks in it for you from a woman in West Virginia." That's believable. Oh, come on, you know it is - wrecking and taking out Johnson, not me sending him $20. Although I really would. Which brings about a whole other series of thoughts and questions about Junior for a later time. How many did he take out at Phoenix on Sunday, 4 or 5?

Mark could hire someone to play golf with Jimmie, no one have on a watch, "lose track of time," and keep him away from Miami Homestead on qualifying day so he'd have to start 43rd.

How about just goin' to JJ and saying, "Look pal, I deserve this. You KNOW I deserve this. Just let me win this one time. Please? (Dropping to his knees, hands clasped at his chin, eyes pleading toward heaven.) PLEEZE PLEEZE PLEEZE? I promise I'll retire for real this time."

So WWMD?

He'd be the fair-minded, clean-driving gentleman he's always been and congratulate his teammate on a good season, his 4th championship and say I'll see you on the stage at Las Vegas.

That's what Mark Martin would do. And probably will.

Did your picks make the HOF?

2009-10-14T15:48:00.003-05:00

The votes have been tallied and the inaugural class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame has been announced. I find it interesting to compare the "professionals" versus the fan-based vote.

These are the official inductees, to be enshrined May 23, 2010. The 1st class is made up of Dale Earnhardt, Bill France Sr., Bill France Jr., Junior Johnson and Richard Petty.

The fans saw it basically the same, but nearly 700,000 fans cast their ballots to The King, The Intimidator, Cale Yarborough, Bobby Allison and Bill France Sr.

So how did my vote stand up? Fair. I picked Big Bill, Tim Flock, Richard Childress, Benny Parsons and Junior Johnson. I still don't think family members should be individualized. They should be a group. Like the France, Petty, Earnhardt, Jarrett, Waltrip families. You get the idea.

But I will reiterate, Petty said on several occasions, he didn't think he should be in the first group. I believe there were more deserving than Earnhardt. No offense to the dead, but that seems to be more of an emotional choice.

And how were your choices?

Hold the engraving tool...

2009-10-05T09:06:00.008-05:00

Let's not be hasty and engrave Jimmie Johnson's name on the trophy just yet. After all, it ain't over 'till the chunky boy shuts down his engine and does the final burnout.

For the last two weeks, everyone seems to have been anxious to hand over the NASCAR trophy to a clean-shaven JJ. "No body can beat him," "It's that Hendrick equipment."

Let's not forget, Mark Martin drives Hendrick equipment. Tony Stewart's car is powered by Hendrick.

So maybe Hendrick stuff WILL be a factor in the Chase.

Well, if they can pass inspections. Ooops. Chad's at it again, maybe.

If I remember my tour of the NASCAR Research and Development Center in May, a place the public isn't welcome, but the NASCAR Members Club got to see, They haul in the top 3 finishers and 1 random selection, chosen before the race begins by pole position and announced to the crew chief of that car just prior to the start.

Here's a couple of shots in the display room of the R&D Center on my trip. There's me with a Fusion that can pass inspection, well, until the whole group puts it's hands on it, kicks the tires and takes photos. If you look in the background, there's a template on a Craftsman Truck Series vehicle.

The room has templates on examples of all three series cars. This photo is just before we went to the "secret places" at the center. Where they inspect cars and the really, really inner sanctum (well, we SAW it) where those "special" parts are kept under serious lock and key.

That would make it Stewart, Gordon and Greg Biffle, plus 1. Ah, but R&D also wants Jimmie's and Mark's cars for being "periously close" to infractions last week. So, they could be taking serious looks at Hendrick.

Which doesn't surprise me. On that R&D tour, the reporter in me tried several times to get an answer to "whose cars do you see the most in a season for 'issues' relating to potential illegalities?"

He didn't outright say it, but about 10 minutes later, totally out of the blue, he said, "Say we see, oh, Hendrick cars more than other teams in a season..." Yeah, hypothetical.

I just smiled. Thanks for the round-about answer.

We'll see what comes next for Hendrick and the boys. Now, remember, Tony's driving Hendrick engines. So, he's in the bunch, too.

Back to the Chase.

Call me sentimental, but Martin deserves the trophy - for sheer stick-to-it-ivness if nothing else. Come on, the dude's 50 years old and if he was a little taller, I bet he could whup up on Cousin Carl. I don't think 5'3" can truly stand up to Carl at 6'1". Heck, Carl's arms probably have a wingspan close to Mark's total height. But Carl IS on crutches with a broken accelerator foot.

Nevertheless. Back to Hendrick stuff.

Being honest, Jeff "dad-o" Gordon has been pretty quiet all season. And Junior. Well, Junior's a part of the team, but not a contender. Sorry JR Nation, he's had one more tough year. Seems like a nice guy, has fair business sense and two really cool dogs. That's Stroker Ace - like the movie - at the window. If you look deep inside the truck cab, there is the famous Killer, with his back turned toward the camera. I guess he's shy.

I judge a man by the dog-company he keeps. How that explains my affinity for Tony, I don't understand. Little ankle biting, yapping chihuahuas.

So, do I think Hendrick will be on the stage in December. Yes. Which way, I don't know. Personally, I'm pulling for Tony out loud. What a story that would be, although last Tuesday he said it isn't quite what Alan Kulwicki accomplished in 1992 with a team built from scratch. Tony came in to an already established team. But it would still be cool.

Johnson, Gordon, Martin, Stewart. My money is on at least one of them inscribed on the trophy. But if you look at the photo, you can see where my heart lies.

NASCAR in the Great White North

2009-08-31T17:36:00.004-05:00

Apparently, folks in Montreal love their NASCAR. They turned out in droves to watch the NASCAR Nationwide series qualifying on Saturday in the rain and again on Sunday for the race, partly in the rain.

But the race faithful in Canada got to see a great race, lots of caution flags fly, and our hometown representative in the NNS show a good finish.

Yeah. Let native sons of Canada lead lap after lap, then in the end, cars slide all helter skelter into each other, only to have an Australian and a guy from the US Heartland battle it out for the win.

And Jacques Villeneuve - son of the man for whom the track is named - finishes fourth.

If sentimentality won races, surely Villeneuve would have appeared in Victory Lane. Of course, if sentimentality counted for anything, Mark Martin would have a championship by now.

Actually, watching the waning laps of the caution-riddled race reminded of sitting in NASCAR simulators at Lowes Motor Speedway with two friends, squealing and laughing while we hit the walls, hit each other, drove over pretty much everything and proved we should never be allowed behind the wheel of a race car. As for me, well I may have come in last among the 10 simulators, but I protected the equipment. I drove most of the race through the grassy infield.

But, back to racing in the real world.

We in the Tri-State should be fairly proud of "our" car in the Nationwide race. After qualifying 37th, Herd Racing and driver Brett Rowe not only finished the race and protected the car, but came in 21st. Not bad for a Barboursville boy! Yay Brett.

He beat out my buddy Boris Said, the road course ringer, some say. I was pulling for both, but I was wearing my SaidHead shirt and earrings. Sorry, Brett and Crew Chief Dana Tomes. Tear at my loyalties, will you?

I've kind of joked about him driving a road course for a week or so. Think about it. Roads around Cabell County aren't exactly wide and straight now, are they?

Actually, I have a friend from Georgia that the first time she visited Wayne County to meet her future husband's parents, it was so twisty she got car sick.

So if a guy from this area is going to be a racecar driver, doesn't narrow with lots of turns make sense to you? It did to me.

Hey, I just like seeing a local fella do well and our Herd make a good showing - anywhere, anytime, in any sport. (Did the guys at Joan C. Edwards Stadium hear that?)

Notes from the stands

2009-08-24T11:23:00.008-05:00

Bristol bash?

Well, it was for Mikey Waltrip. Ouch. You don’t really appreciate how steep the Bristol banking is until you look at a still photo of it. His late-race wreck was just off to my right, as the photo shows.

Then there’s something I haven’t seen at any other track – fistfight in the stands. Don’t have a clue as to what led up to it, but maybe adult beverages were involved and disparaging words about someone’s driver, or maybe girlfriend. Or maybe about their choice of adult beverage.

Which leads me to observe, Bristol is a circus-like atmosphere. Although, I will say the “show us your……” signs and Mardi Gras beads were missing on the drive in to the track. It was disappointing to the men on the bus, but a relief to the women. At the track however, there was plenty of skin showing. I didn’t realize women could cover their parts with a couple of blocks from a checkered flag.

And some men are better left covered up. Seriously guys, if you’re carrying a six-pack, consider whether it’s in your hands and inside your abdomen or on the outside of your abdomen. Leave your shirt on accordingly. Please. Seriously.

Occasionally, statements are made with clothing and accessories – like the guy with the Dale Junior hard hat. As you see, it’s uniquely decorated with a hangman’s gallows with a little Kyle Busch in the noose. He was quite popular with the crowd.

Inside, the pre-race ceremonies were proudly patriotic – American flags in the grandstands, a huge flag unfurled on the track and the ever-present card stunt in turns 1 and 2 of the flag. The American Flag was brought to the infield by paratroopers, which, too, is quite a sight to behold. Attack helicopters flew overhead after the flyover by military jets. I swear, it rattles your chest when the pass.

Then, there was a race. Gee I love the double-file restart! It sets up some beatin’ and bangin’ for position and a shootout for the win.

Sorry Mark Martin, it may have been your 1,000th start as a driver, but Kyle got past and won. Back to the “Shrub” as Tony Stewart calls him. We were waiting for the Busch Brothers to take each other out. They battled all night for position and a few times looked mighty close to contact. Back and forth, pass and pass. Well, maybe another time. But it’s gonna happen, you know it’s gonna happen. And they’ll be called to the Big Red Truck for a discussion.

Despite too much skin showing, too many adult beverages for some people, too many unkind words and the crowd's sentimental favorite losing, Bristol is fun anyway you look at it.

An offer hard to refuse...

2009-08-19T11:32:00.002-05:00

The PT Barnum of NASCAR is retired, but here’s an offer worthy of Humpy Wheeler – the Victory Lane Club at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, which probably will again be known as Charlotte Motor Speedway. Lowe’s decided not to re-up the name licensing.

It’s kind of season tickets for the superspeedway alone. It includes the All-Star race, Coke 600 and the fall race, with a lot of perks. Best of all, you can purchase the package interest-free in 3 payments.

I got a promotion on this a week or so ago, but didn’t really look into it. Now, after reading the Web site and talking to the ticket office, it looks like a good plan.

Now, I'm not in the business of selling this stuff, but I do appreciate a good bargain. With the economy the way it's been the last couple of seasons, tracks are looking at ways to get the fannies in the seats. Apparently the $59 all-you-can-eat deal didn't draw enough takers, so it's gone. Of course the seats weren't that good (Diamond Tower) but the concept worked at Major League Baseball.

I still contend, what other sport gets 160,000 to 200,000 fans to a venue to watch it live? Granted, it took until last week to sell out the Bristol race this coming Saturday night. But, it sold out - 160,000 people at Thunder Valley.

Since I’ve talked at length to my LMS ticket agent Asa, here’s what I know.

The Victory Lane Club is a perk of purchasing a ticket to all three races or renewing your ticket to all three races but it has to be to all three.

If you sit in the Diamond Tower, your cost is much lower (around $130 for the three events) than in the GM Grandstand at the start-finish line (my personal favorite spot, about that same price only for one race - so factor by three). Right now, it looks like I’ll be in GM Section H row 27 aisle seats. Not bad. Pricy, but not bad. You can see everything there – the garages, pits and of course, double wide restarts and the race winning moment.

This is a shot at last year's All-Star from those seats. Not bad, eh? Worth it, so totally worth it.

Now, here are the perks:

• One free ticket to either a Nationwide Series or Camping World Truck Series race. That’s one for the season, so choose wisely.
• Free pit pass to NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, again choose wisely. I’m partial to the All-Star race, everyone is much more relaxed.
• Free entry to fan appreciation event on Friday of the Coca-Cola 600
• Free six-month dining privileges at the Speedway Club
• A complimentary breakfast on race day in the Nationwide Series garage
• Personalized Victory Lane Club hard card. This is not the NASCAR hard card with all access, essentially a membership card you need to get into the special events like the breakfast and Speedway Club.
• VIP reserved parking throughout the year, still being discussed as to location, but will probably be somewhere near your seats.
• Access to press conferences and exclusive events
• 10 percent off future ticket purchases
• 10 percent off merchandise at the Lowe's Motor Speedway gift shop

If this interests you, call the LMS ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS and speak directly to a ticket representative. I think Asa is a pretty good rep – call for him!

On FB, NASCAR and economics

2009-07-28T17:27:00.002-05:00

Ya gotta love Facebook. About 5 p.m., I got a post from Roush-Fenway announcing Matt Kenseth has a new sponsor for next year.

No big surprise here, folks. With DeWalt declining to re-up with Roush-Fenway, Matt Kenseth needed a sponsor, and oh, my! Crown Royal stepped in to fill the void on da’ hood.

Like ya didn’t see it coming? The hard liquor company will sponsor 18 of Kenseth’s Cup races next year.

Matt said he likes being able to promote drinking responsibly. That’s been the message with Jamie McMurry while driving under the purple and gold hood, too. Well, duh. If you’re gonna drink, be responsible and don’t get yourself or someone else hurt or killed. Ya think? OK, I’ll get off the soap box. But I’ve had decent backpacks ruined by guys at the track drinking in the row behind me and knocking over (not back) a few brewskis. I'm not bitter. It was a brown, suede backpack with leather trim. But I'm not bitter.

“We will miss Jamie (McMurray) as he has been an amazing partner both on and off the track taking our ‘Be a champion. Drink Responsibly,’ campaign to new heights. We were lucky to have him as part of our team and whatever sponsor aligns with him will have a great person working on their behalf. We wish him well,” said Dan Sanborn, Sr. Director, Corporate Relations for Diageo, Crown Royal’s parent company.

And fans may miss McMurray, too. Roush-Fenway president Geoff Smith said the 4-car team will be Kenseth, Greg Biffle, Carl Edwards and David Ragan. The team is hoping to find a sponsor and transfer Jamie Mac’s and his ride to Yates Racing.

At’d be nice. Keep more Blue Oval presence on the track and the crews employed, especially after last year’s mega downsizing in the Charlotte area shops.

Now, personally, I like Jamie Mac. I have a life-size standup of him from a Coke Zero campaign. It’s scares friends of mine when they walk through the front doors of my house the first time. Yep, they’ve let out a screech or two. Heck, so have I on occasion. But we digress.

You hate to see any of these guys lose their ride, because you know that means job loss to not just the one, but dozens of people on the pit crew, hauler drivers, shop crew and support personnel in the immediate. Then there's the trickle down effect to service providers in the community. For every $1 spent in salary the multiplier is that it generates at least $7 more in the community.

So you guys at Roush-Fenway, listen here. Find the boy a sponsor and keep the money flowing through your community. No pressure, but a lot of lives are looking toward you right now.

So how much economic pressure is there on NASCAR right now? If you look in the stands, there are empty seats. But in a venue that will seat 200,000 people, and only 150,000 show up, what's that mean. How many basketball, football or baseball places will hold 200,000? Or, for that matter, 150,000? So really, 150,000 people putting down cash money for a 4- or 5-hour event isn't really so bad after all, is it?

It's a crunch we're all feeling. I've been to the All-Star, 600 and going to Bristol next month. But I'm probably not making the Bank of America race in Charlotte in October. A financial move, actually. I've had good deals to go to all the others through the NASCAR Members Club, group trips and the like. But the last one of the year is on my own. So, it may be a trip I don't take.

But there's local racing in a few spots, so the need for live racing gets filled. The local economy gets some stimulus and everyone leaves happy for the evening. Well, except for the guys who don't place first in the race. You know. Second place is just the first loser.

Everyone wins with Victory Junction

2009-07-22T11:45:00.003-05:00

Want a chance to win an autographed diecast from Kasey Kahne, Dale Jr., Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin or Denny Hamlin? Then, there is my personal favorite, an autographed diecast of Tony Stewart’s Daytona winner Burger King car.

How about a race-used tire autographed by The King Richard Petty?

Kasey’s diecast has a certificate of authenticity and a special note from his mom, Tammy Kahne.

I really like Tammy. She’s so sweet and unpretentious. She’s called up club members to come over to Kasey’s new shop – before it opened to the public – and take a look around. She personally conducted a tour, showing the offices, machining shop, car floor and even Kasey’s Toy Room, where his “toys” will be housed – cars, dirt track cars, motorcycles, etc. You know, the fun stuff guys need.

Here she is with me and National Advisor Paul Mullins during All-Star week. Gee, I'm short.

The West Virginia chapters of the Official NASCAR Members Club are looking to raise enough money from this event to send a child to Victory Junction Gang Camp in Randleman, N.C. The cost for one week is $2,500 and no child or family is ever asked to pay for participation.

“This is an exciting time in NASCAR history. This fundraiser is about creating more smiles at a camp which dedicates everything they have to helping children who need it the most. With the enthusiastic grassroots program we have, I am 100 percent confident that our Chapters will successfully complete the goal,” said ONMC Charleston Local Chapter president, and National Advisor, Paul Mullins.

To participate, call Paul at 304-553-4180 to donate to this worthy cause. 100 percent of the money raised will go to VJC and sponsorship of campers.
Donations are suggested at $50, but any amount is acceptable, and should be mailed to Paul by August 15 at PO Box 6823, Charleston, WV 25361 Attn: Victory Junction Gang, or call him at 304-553-4180. His e-mail is NascarMembersWva@yahoo.com.

Drawings will be held each Friday through August 22. So the faster you get the donation to him, the more drawings you’ll be eligible.

The Official NASCAR Members Club is the only official fan membership organization licensed by NASCAR. Membership enables fans to become Official Members of NASCAR, and thus enjoy VIP Insider status and access to exclusive events, information, merchandise, deals, discounts, and other benefits. The Club aggregates rewards and assets from the entire sport, enabling its members to get closer to the sport, and the sport to more accurately and efficiently connect with its fans.

Here are a few shots around the camp I took in May on my visit with the club. There are all sorts of neat things there to do and see. The bulldog butler dispenses sunscreen. There's mini golf with all sorts of animals around, and maze sponsored by Tony Stewart. The maze can be changed around by opening and closing parts of the fence. Sometimes, during play the patterns are tinkered with by the camp counselors.

On the road with Herd Racing

2009-07-20T09:46:00.004-05:00

The #75 Herd Racing Chevy Impala SS will take on the upcoming NASCAR Nationwide Series road courses at Watkins Glen and Montreal during the month of August.

It's been a while since we've seen the #75 Herd car on the track, and it will be nice to see it again. The driver remains Brett Rowe of Barboursville, W.Va.

Brett, you will recall, has driven part time in the NNS the last three seasons, and was the 2005 ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series champion.

Now all you Chevy fans, listen up. The #75 will have a Richard Childress engine under the hood. OK, it's not a Hendrick, but it's pretty reputable.

And if you'd like your name or company name on the car somewhere, sponsorships are available for both races. Just call Brett at 304-617-1012 and he'll get you set up.

I think that would be pretty cool - somewhere in a nice script, my name and Official NASCAR Members Club chapter number. I know what my friends are thinking. I'm God's mighty woman of faith, but John 3:16 is already there. (Good job, Brett!) Why muddy the waters. Keep the message simple.

But I digress. Seriously, help a brother out, and if y'all love racing as much as everyone claims around here, call Brett and put some money into it. Sponsor a tire, the entry fee, or just a couple of feet on a quarterpanel.

And be sure to watch for Herd Racing at Watkins Glen on August 8 and at Montreal on August 29.

Go Herd!

Who belongs in the Hall of Fame?

2009-07-01T10:47:00.003-05:00

NASCAR Hall of Fame: The First Class will be seen at 8 p.m. Thursday on SPEED, hosted by Ken Squier. The 25 nominees for the inaugural group of five will be made.

Making appearances on the program will NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France and NASCAR Hall of Fame historian Buz McKim.

The official opening of the Hall will be May 11, 2010. Buz said there will be a “soft opening” in April next year before the big blowout events. And, if the NASCAR Members Club has anything to do about it, next year’s annual convention will be at the Hall in mid-May.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame has announced May 11, 2010, as the official grand opening date for the state-of-the-art facility under construction in Charlotte.

OK, the leak from those who know, says DW and Bobby Allison are 2 of the 25 nominees. On NASCAR Live Tuesday, when asked if he deserved to be in the first HOF class, Bobby Allison said, “yes, I believe I do.” You gotta love honesty.

At the NASCAR Members Club convention in May, Buz McKim said The King, Richard Petty doesn’t believe he should be in the inaugural class. Does that surprise anyone? No, the Richard Petty we’ve met is a humble, grateful man.

I tried to get Buz to tell us his picks for the first group of enshrines and he threw the question right back at me. But then again, he IS a member of the selection committee. But I still want to know who he'd pick.

So, who would I pick? Remember, I’ve only paid attention to NASCAR for not quite 9 years now.

Bill France Sr. DUH! I would be tempted to lump the entire France family together as one member. Heck, they could fill the first class by themselves.

I’d go Bobby Allison. He’s already in four motorsports halls of fame and was NASCAR’s most popular driver six times.

Darrell Waltrip, yep, he’s a keeper here. Driver, owner, commentator and Emmy award nominee, and motivational speaker. Like Bobby Allison, named one of top 50 NASCAR drivers of all time.

There’s three. Who else?

Maybe the Petty family as a whole and certainly Richard Petty at least. Yeah, The King doesn’t think so, but plenty of people do.

OK, four. One more to go.

What about the RJ Reynolds Company. Winston Cup 1971 to 2004. The company certainly stepped up and promoted the sport to a new level. Buz said crew member, crew chief, driver, pretty much anyone related to the sport in any way. But I’d contend the tobacco company made a substantial contribution to stock car racing. Go ahead, say it, “tobacco’s not good for you, you’re promoting smoking.”

There you have it. That’s my five. Well, two were already givens, actually three including the France family individually or as a whole.

Who would you choose?

Where to place the blame?

2009-05-29T11:34:00.004-05:00

Was it Tony Eury Jr. or was it Dale Jr.? That, my friends, is the question.

Dale Junior's dogs Stroker Ace, left, and Killer, right with his back to the camera, don't care as long as "daddy" brings home bonesmoney every week.

For months, shoot, a year at least, the JR Nation screamed to ditch Tony Eury Jr. and find a better crew chief. Now, with the help of Rick Hendrick, fans get their wish for NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver. Hendrick yanked the daunting duo apart earlier this week.

The pair of juniors have had tempestuous relationship over the last couple years – yelling at each other through the radio during races, countermanding each other’s suggestions in the pits and being just plain cantankerous.

But the next question is, will JR roll over and play possum on the track to say it wasn’t his cuz’s fault he couldn’t win. Of course if it wasn’t the cousin’s fault, that would mean Junior just couldn’t drive well enough to win.

All seemed well during All-Star week, when I visited JR Motorsports. His dogs were hanging around, there was a cool wax-likeness of Junior in the JR store and lots of stuff to buy to provide bonesmoney for the dogs, kibble for the cats and hay and grain for the cows Earnhardt keeps.

But back to the question...

Goodness knows, it couldn’t be the Hendrick equipment. Everyone else in the stable has won – even the “Old Man,” Mark Martin. And Stewart-Haas hasn’t showed poorly on-track with Hendrick equipment under it’s hoods.

There are three choices to place the blame – the equipment (not likely), the crew chief (probably) or the driver (maybe). You make the call.

In search of the Holy Grail

2009-05-22T11:51:00.005-05:00

A Hall of Fame is the place were rare artifacts are housed and the NASCAR HOF will be no different. Buz McKim is the Historian and spoke recently to the NASCAR Members Club annual convention.

There are already so many things loaned and donated to the Hall, some exhibits will be rotated on a two-year basis, he said. He estimates 95 percent of the items are on loan.

This man is a walking, talking, breathing history of racing - all racing - with a memory like a steel trap. I mentioned we only had one asphalt track in West Virginia and he finished my sentence with, "Ona Speedway." We think we're not an integral part of race history. Lots of people blow off Ona as a track and make fun of it. Not Buz McKim, he can tell you who raced there and when.

And he was a big help as a ringer in the final quiz event on my Yellow Flag "Lucky Dawg" team in the Chase for the Championship. That's him second from the right, a couple of the Lucky Dawgs flanking him. That's me with him a little further down the blog.

But back to the Hall.

One of Buz's favorite things is Dale Earnhardt's handwritten application to NASCAR, dated 1975. It was found in Daytona. It revealed he was living with his mother, Dale Jr. was three months old, he had been a high school wrestler, his superstitions were the color green and peanuts, and asked about his ambition beyond racing, answered, "none."

Well, alrighty, then.

The one thing he really, really, really wants for the Hall is what he termed his "Holy Grail." He's not even certain it still exists, but he wants to find this in a big way.

The 1954, gold-plated NASCAR card, numbered 1, belonging to Bill France Sr., is that one single item they want more than just about anything.

So if you are in possession of that artifact, that special card, that Holy Grail, let him know.

But who's going in as the first class of 5 in the HOF? Who knows and Buz wouldn't say his favorites. He did say everyone from every aspect of racing will be considered for induction. It's about what that person brought to the sport, the impact they made, not their name or if they were a driver.

The guy driving every Saturday night at a dirt track, living out of his car, splitting a cheeseburger, small fry and small Coke with his girlfriend because he didn't win is eligible. (That's a Tony Stewart story, documented in several articles and books.)A crew member, crew chief or pretty much anyone related to racing in any way can be nominated and included.

Well, look around your garage and attic for that #1 card, or if you don't have that, anything that might be rare or unusual and let Buz know at the HOF.

It opens next April with the official big opening in May, 2010.

For more about the NASCAR Hall of Fame, log on to:

http://www.nascarhall.com

Tires, drugs, the COT and aggression

2009-05-20T10:20:00.004-05:00

Yep, here we go again, the never-ending discussion about tires and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

There will be tire testing June 1-3 and June 15-16, according to Robin Pemberton, NASCAR Director of Competition. He spoke at the 4th Official NASCAR Members Club convention last week in Charlotte.

And Stewart-Haas Racing will be in it, just not Tony testing the tires. Ryan Newman will participate in the test. Tony's been, shall we say, a wee vocal about Goodyear and their tires?

Pemberton said the track is diamond ground and it the toughest surface in racing, and that's why it's so tough on tires. Fine, it's hard and wears hard on tires. Just build a tire that can go more than 10 or 12 laps, OK Goodyear?

Last year's Brickyard was a waste of time, money and racing.

On to other topics with the Director. . .

The drug testing policy has been up for discussion recently. Actually, while we were at the convention it hit the news head on and in a big way. Thank you Jeremy Mayfield.

The policy has become more aggressive than the in the past, Pemberton said. Drivers, crew members and NASCAR officials are subject to randomly-generated testing. The 60 people chosen and tested weekly are scrutinized for over-the-counter drugs, prescription drugs and (duh)illegal substances.

It's just one of them racin' things, aggressive driving versus good, hard racing.

"It's a fine line," Pemberton told the crowd of nearly 100 racefans gathered Friday morning at Joe Gibbs Racing. "We don't want to micromanage, and I don't want to make that call."

So how do you tell the difference? With all the cameras and monitors he looks at during the races, you can see every expression on a driver's face. "You can see the whites of their eyes and facial expression and see their intent."

"It's all about winning and points," he said of the COT. The COT provides an annual savings of at least $1million per team.

Everyone has the opportunity to run with the COT, making a more level playing field. (Note to self: yeah, more level. Roush and Hendrick $$$ versus everyone else. Sure.)

The need for different cars for different tracks is less. Small changes in the wing and endcaps allow adaptation to different tracks, he said. The wing can be changed up to 6 degrees.

"The cost to building a car was like a runaway train," Pemberton said.

Well, that's our talk with Robin Pemberton. There's still a discussion with Buz McKim, Historian of the under construction NASCAR Hall of Fame, and our trip to the Research and Development Center.

Not a bad time at all

2009-05-18T16:41:00.003-05:00

There are some advantages to being in the NASCAR Members' Club. Last week was the 4th annual convention of the club and those attending had access to people and places most fans don't.

The NASCAR Research and Development Center is a magical place that inspects every racecar, declares some illegal and comes up with safety strides to better protect drivers and fans. It's also the place where those questionable parts are stored under serious lock and key and cars placing first and second in each race, plus a randomly chosen one are taken weekly for inspection. The Members' Club was there for a tour. The public can't go there at all.

Without special contact, going to the All-Star stage for driver and team introductions doesn't happen. The Members' Club was there. OK, you get sprayed with Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Miller Lite, and ash and gritty particles of fireworks rain down on you, sticking to your skin and in your hair.

Ever want to give Robin Pemberton, NASCAR Director of Competition, a piece of your mind or ask questions about the whys and why-nots? For 30-minutes, he stood in front of the more than 100 members seated in Joe Gibbs Racing's dining room and answered everything asked. He addressed the white line, drug testing and a plethora of other issues.

Or, ever want a private tour of a driver's shop? Tammy Kahne, mom of Kasey "blue-eyed Budman" Kahne, did just that. The members who ventured to his newly-completed shop got a tour by his mother. Staffers were working hard to get photos hung, shop areas organized and Kasey's favorite things moved in before the big opening this week. As most moms are prone to do at times, she divulged little - if at all - known information about her famous son.

Want to visit the NASCAR infield garage area? Members went there while tech inspection was happening. They dodged crews and racecars for nearly 45-minutes, watched work in progress on the cars. That's a pretty chaotic place during inspection.

And there was a private party for members at Dale Junior's public nightclub, Whiskey River. Everyone can go there any night of the week, but this was just for the members, and mechanical bull riding ensued, as did raising money for Victory Junction Gang Camp.

There's more on all this to come in the next few days. The nitty-gritty, so to speak.

It was a great half-week of activities, making new friends and renewing friendships from previous years.

It will happen again during All-Star Week 2010. The club staff will have a hard time topping 2009, but they will try.

And by the way, members went to a race, too. Oh, yeah, Tony Stewart won - his first as owner-driver.

Not a bad time for a Tony fan. Not bad at all.

All-Star notes

2009-05-06T10:07:00.006-05:00

Here's your invite to the All-Star festivities:

There’ll fun, fun, fun before the NASCAR All-Star Race next week.
The Pennzoil Victory Challenge will pit drivers against each other to see who can provide the fans with the smokin’-best burnout.

In the contest are DW, Happy Harvick, The Biff, Rowdy Busch, “Budman” Khane, Clint Bowyer and Jeff Gordon. They have 30 seconds of freestyle demonstration.

Judges for the event are Ric Flair (WOOO!), the Mountain State’s own Randy Moss, Jimmy Spencer and Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry (Montgomery Gentry).

NASCAR drivers are well known for their causes off-track and All-Star week is a great time for the fans to get involved.

The Martin Truex Jr. Foundation, Second Harvest Food Band and the Ryan Newman Foundation will be collecting canned goods, non-perishable food items and pet food.

The drivers’ foundations will be set up across from the entrance to Lowe’s Motor Speedway to receive items. Fans taking part will be eligible to register for the ultimate fan basket with merchandise from the two drivers.

There are guided shop tours available from several companies, including Lowe’s Motor Speedway, departing the Z-Max Dragway at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. beginning Wednesday, going to Ganassi, JR Motorsports, Roush-Fenway and Hendrick.

It’s been lots of fun hearing Nature Boy Ric Flair be the spokesman for the All-Star Race, bringing his own style of excitement to the promotion. A Charlotte resident, Flair said on NASCAR Live last week you can’t live in Charlotte without being a racefan.

The race is being promoted like a prize fight, going so far as to give drivers nicknames just like wrestling. Dale “Wahoo” Junior, Kasey “Night Train” Khane, Kurt “Vegas Violator” Busch, Clint “The Destroyer” Boyer.

We can feel fairly safe in saying the depictions of most drivers their heads on someone else’s body. Except maybe Tony Stewart. That one’s plausible, a little doughy with strong arms. Possible. Judge for yourself.

Seriously, it was a joke!

2009-05-04T10:24:00.002-05:00

Let's address this one last time. I don't want to hear it at the track, get stopped in church and asked this again, or overhear it at another table in a restaurant.

President Obama has no bearing on NASCAR. He is not forcing any car manufacturer out of NASCAR. He probably won't even know NASCAR exists until next year when he hosts the champion for a 15-minute photo op. Sorry, he doesn't strike me as the type of person who has a clue about stock car racing, he seems pretty mainstream on sports.

Seriously. It was a joke in Car and Driver.

I'll admit, when Crime and Courts reporter Curtis Johnson sent it to me April 1 (people, first clue), I was incredulous. Then I re-read it. Above the byline was Happy April 1 (second clue). We know the President has been throwing his weight around with the automakers, getting one CEO to resign. But really, declaring two carmakers can't race in NASCAR? Seriously. You really think the France family, Richard Childress or Rick Hendrick would give it a second thought?

Seriously, it was all a joke. Here's the link to Car and Driver and the coverage the story got in the days after April Fool's Day.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/motorsports/obama_orders_chevrolet_and_dodge_out_of_nascar_car_news

Biff loses...to a girl?

2009-04-30T13:50:00.003-05:00

It was a tough day for Greg Biffle in Akron on Wednesday.

He lost a really big, important race to a girl. Not just any girl, but a 15-year-old girl, at that.

Well, she WAS the 2007 Stock Division Soap Box Derby World Champion, Tyler Shoff of Akron.

It didn't matter Biff was the NASCAR Truck and Busch series champion.

Hey, Biff, blame it on the tires, they were Goodyears and it was the Goodyear Fuel Max Challenge.

She got four new Goodyears, you didn't.

It was the tires, I'm telling you. It was the tires.

Thanks to the Associated Press and Goodyear for the photo of a happy Tyler and smilin' Biff.

It's racin' in the Tri-State

2009-04-29T16:50:00.005-05:00

Get ready, the local 2009 race season is already underway at Rocky Top, and Ona Speedway gets added to the schedule beginning this weekend.

Let's review. A few changes at Ona, where Late Models will race one time monthly.

We'll name the drivers and cars in each class, one group at a time.

At Ona, drivers in Elite Modified, plus their car numbers will be:
#3H Hubie Hatfield
#3R Roger Dilly
#4 Brian Jacobs
#6 Gary Chapman
#10 Jake Keaton
#12 Brandon Stickler
#17 Steve Mills
#20 Mike Cooper
#22 Tracy Berry
#27 Eric Maynard
#28 Shane Koontz
#32 David Grass
#55 Chad Bailey
#72 Jerry Graley
#93 Thomas Mays

Driving Modifieds at Rocky Top are, along with car numbers:
#7R JD Ritenour
#8 Dave “Fireball” Pinkerton
#10 Jake Keaton
#11F CJ Ferguson
#20 Jason Perry
#56 Chuck Yeley
#80 Daley Lyons

You gotta love the Rocky Top Website. Each driver has a little bio box which includes name, where they've won what, technical info about their car and who the sponsors are.
Sounds like practice for interviews with response like, "well, I tell ya, the Altoids #20 Chevy...I want to thank my sponsors....." and reel them off in a New York minute.

Rocky Top races this Friday night and testing day is Saturday at Ona.

Get out there and enjoy some local racin'!

Meet me in Charlotte

2009-04-17T14:23:00.004-05:00

The annual convention of the Official NASCAR Members Club will be in Charlotte, N.C., the few days prior to the All-Star Race.

Members have some terrific activities on tap. If you aren’t a member and would like to get in on the events, there is still time. Join by April 25 and register for the convention by April 26, and you’re in.

On Wednesday, May 13, members visit Victory Junction and participate in the 2nd annual ONMC Bowling League Open.

There’s also the ONMC 500 – a kart race between members at the NASCAR Speedpark!

Thursday, we really gear up with a tour of the NASCAR Research and Development Center and shop tours around town. Personally, I want to head straight for Stewart-Haas and the Childress Vineyards.

Friday night is the big convention event and the Ultimate Tailgate.

Of course, we always take in the NASCAR Pit Crew Challenge at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Time Warner Cable Arena. Members can get $5 off tickets for the fun of watching crews battle it out. It will be shown at 9 p.m. on SPEED.

You also get discounts for tickets to the All-Star Race on May 16 and the Coca-Cola 600 on May 24. ONMC gets 20% off Pit Passes to each race.

In addition, and this is really cool, you get a track garage tour on Friday (free!) and access to driver introductions to the All-Star Race (free again!).

In addition, and this is really cool, you get a track garage tour on Friday (free!) and access to driver introductions to the All-Star Race (free again!). Oh, by the way, there’s a trip to JR’s place, Whiskey River and shop tours include JR Motorsports and Gibbs Racing and two more. (Crossing fingers, Stewart-Haas, Stewart-Haas, Stewart-Haas.)

But you have to be a member! And be registered for the Convention.

If you are interested in that, and discounts and special VIP events at every NASCAR track in the country, visit www.nascar.com and click the ONMC tab. Read over member benefits. If you are interested go to the chapter locate and search for Huntington, WV. Chapter number is 257052. You can get a discount on membership at the Huntington or Charleston, WV sites.

Membership is $59 for one year through the site, $25 off the regular price of $89. Convention is $99 for all three days, or $69 for just Friday. The full convention cost includes five meals.

Then, you’re on your way to be the envy of your racing friends.

Man or machine?

2009-04-06T09:17:00.005-05:00

First off, props to Jeff Gordon for winning at Texas on Sunday. He's got the hat and guns of the winner.

There are some pretty neat gifts for winning at various tracks - grandfather clocks, guns, a bear statue. And, they get a trophy and money to boot!

On to today's question.

Winning. Is it the in the hands of the man, or under the hood of the machine. Good question.

Like I've always said, I don't know Jack about what makes a car go other than Sunoco fuel and a pedal inside the vehicle. But let's look at a few instances.

Mikey Waltrip. Had good cars at DEI, won a few. Strikes out on his own and can't buy his way into most races. I'm 50-50 on this one. Could be him, could be the car. Could be some questionable acquisition of parts. (ooops! Sorry Cat in the Hat)

Joey Logano, or J-Lo. (Better nickname than sliced bread.) OK, he's young, real-ly young and inexperienced in the Cup car. He fares better in the Nationwide Series. The Gibbs cars have to be good, look at stablemate Kyle "Rowdy" Busch. Here, I have to go driver.

Then, startup owner/driver Tony Stewart. Startup is the key. Granted, he's using Hendrick power plants, and they are now Chevy (ah, that's a happy Smoke in a Chevy.) I'm looking for Smoke in Victory Lane shortly after NASCAR broadcasts leave FOX network and Digger-cam for 2009. Ditto on this, driver. Yes, we know it's 2-time Cup Champion Tony Stewart, not to mention all the other titles in various divisions. But He drove last year at JGR. Ergo, driver makes the difference, I think.

In short, probably the driver makes the difference.

But that doesn't explain Gordon's loooooong time between wins. That's a toss-up.

Thanks to Getty Images and the Associated Press for the photos.

Pancakes, NASCAR and fund raising

2009-04-03T13:22:00.003-05:00

While all eyes are focused on Texas this weekend, a little bit of NASCAR can be found closer to home here in West Virginia, along with good cookin'.

There will be a pancake breakfast at Max and Erma's in downtown Huntington Saturday from 8 to 10 a.m., to benefit the Walk for Autism coming up April 25. Tickets are $5 and will be available at the door.

How does that relate to NASCAR? If you have to ask, you've never been to one of the group's local events or never met Bill Harvey. His business dealings send him to tracks on the east coast and he gets many limited items and has them autographed.

As a fund-raiser for the Autism Society - which, by the way, is a cause near and dear to the hearts of Elliott and Hermie Sadler.

Hillbilly Hot Dogs will host the annual Autism Auction on May 9. A couple of items up for bid will be on display Saturday morning at the pancake breakfast.

Elaine Harvey and her husband Bill are tireless workers for the Autism Society and he has quite the NASCAR collection. A few of his awesome autographed items are on the block, and hopefully they'll send along photos so you can see them.

Namely, a signed Dale Jr. display hood and a construction hard hat with approximately 20 autographs.

For more information about the items up for bid, the Walk for Autism or the local Autism Society, you can call the Autism Services Center at 304-525-8014
or the WV Autism Training Center at 304-696-2332.

Snoozer

2009-03-23T17:09:00.001-05:00

Did anyone besides me fall asleep during the Food City 500 Sunday at Bristol?

The cars hypnotized me and over I fell on the couch. It just wasn’t the usual bump and go, squeezing through the middle of three-wide or passing to get to the front Bristol we’ve come to love.

It was one more day of “Rowdy” Busch. Wait a minute. Change that. One more weekend of Kyle Busch. He’s won at least one race every weekend this season in the Camping World Trucks, Nationwide Cup or Sprint Cup.

Of course, he started out this way last season, too. Eventually, other drivers got to play with the trophies.

You may disagree with me - and I’m sure you will strictly on principle – but this boy can drive, and has the hardware to show. It's just a matter of time before the big one comes his way.

Everyone took a deep breath last year when Smoke said he’d be striking out on his own, leaving Busch to become the experienced and vocal driver at Joe Gibbs Racing.

Hopes were high for Denny Hamlin taking on that role, but we haven’t heard much from him yet in 2009. Kyle is loud and proud. He can throw stuff – this time a HANS device - as well as Tony. He can tell off his crew pretty well, too. Right ladies? He called his pit crew ladies.

It’s just like with Tony. The boy can drive. He speaks his mind and you know exactly where you stand with him.

Love him or hate him. Little brother is eclipsing his older sibling.

Ona schedule expands

2009-03-18T10:18:00.002-05:00

After a season of every-other-week racing, Ona Speedway will go back to a schedule of weekly events. There will, however, be a week off every month.

Here's the lineup:
May: 2, Test and Tune, noon to 6 p.m., admission $10 per person; 9 and 16, racing; 23 week off; 30, racing including Late Models.
June: 6, racing; 13, week off; 20, racing; 27 racing including Late Models.
July: 4 and 25, weeks off; 11, racing; 18, Super Cup and Mini Cups.
August: 1, 8, 15, racing; 22, week off; 29, racing including Late Models.
September: 5, week off; 12, 19, racing; 26, racing including Late Models, also the final points race for 2009 season.
October: 3, week off; 10, racing including Late Models and the 2009 end-of-the-season event.

Now here's the classes running 2009 at Ona Speedway: Classics, Hobby Stock, U-Car, Junior U-Car, Elite Modifieds, Street Stock and once a month, Late Models.

Admission will be $8 for adults, kids 7-years and younger free. Gates open at 5 p.m. for general admission and races start at 7 p.m.

Now let's compare to the big boy schedule - OK, my All-Star trip keeps me away from Ona on May 16 and they don't race the weekend of the Coke 600. The Brickyard in July, no racing at Ona. Bristol in August is no problem, weekend off. Ona's done by the Bank of America 500 in October.

Here's my Bristol seat view. It's a trip with 50 of my new closest friends - it's a fund raiser for the Alum Creek (W.Va.) Lions Club. Being a good Lions Club president in Huntington, of course I go on that trip. These folks are also members of the Nascar Members Club and in the center is National Advisor Paul Mullins of St. Albans, W.Va.

Hmmmm. I sense a pattern here. Either the drivers all want to go to the 600, the Brickyard and Bristol or the owners realize those are the races of interest to local folk. No problem from me!

The All-Star is no points, but a lot of fun to watch! Wonder who'll be the musical entertainment, now that Humpy Wheeler is retired...And I wonder if they'll still blow up stuff before the races?