Holiday cheer

When good things happen to nice people, we cheer.

When good things happen to nice places, we cheer.

Cheer - cheer - cheer !

Here's some holiday cheer.

Ona Speedway will have racing in 2013, with a new track manager, Dave Hughes, and a return for classes that have been missing at the place were legends are made and have raced.

Next bit of Christmas joy - Tri-State dirt track racer Steve Francis from Ashland, KY, will be spending the holiday in the land Down Under. Yup, he'll be in Perth, Australia at the SupaTilt Wild West for Late Models on Dec. 26 and Dec. 27. 

And, there's more happiness under the local racer's tree this year. To find out what THAT is, you'll have to watch The Herald-Dispatch during the next few days. But here's a hint...

This weekend at the track...

There's lots of action in the region on track, both dirt and asphalt. So, here's the rundown:

June 22

Southern Ohio Speedway, Wheelersburg, Ohio “Late Model Super Show”, $2,000 to win Late Models plus Steel Block Late Models, Jordan Heating & Cooling UMP Modifieds, GCP Engines Sport Mods

June 23

Ona Speedway, Ona, WV races Classics, U-Cars, Hobby Stock http://www.onaspeedway.com Pits open at noon; general admission opens 5 p.m. Hot laps at 1 p.m.; races start 7 p.m.

Ohio Valley Speedway, Washington, W.Va. - "Faster Pastor Race" and Racing ALL Classes: AMRA Late Model - AMRA Modified - Pure Stock - 4 Cylinder FWD - Mini-Wedge www.ohiovalleyspeedway.com

Columbus (Ohio) Motor Speedway – Trailer races; NASCAR weekly racing series; late models; Columbus Modified; Sport Stock; Crazy Compacts. 

June 24

Cannonball Speedway, St. Clairsville, Ohio – Sunday Shoot Series; Ohio All Star Sprint Speedweek; $1,500 to win Renegades of Dirt Modified Tour. 

June 30

Ohio Valley Speedway, Washington, W.Va. - "Pure Stock Special - $800 to win" and Racing ALL Classes: AMRA Late Model - AMRA Modified - Pure Stock - 4 Cylinder FWD - Mini-Wedges http://www.ohiovalleyspeedway.com

Columbus (Ohio) Motor Speedway – Firecracker Championship – 50 lap NASCAR Late Model feature; Columbus Modifieds; Sport Stock; Crazy Compacts.

Eldora Speedway, Rossburg, Ohio - FASTRAK Pro Late Models / UMP DIRTcar Mods / Stocks / Fireworks

What to do, what to do?

The offerings this week are a little slimmer than on Memorial Day weekend, but there are things happening! The forecast locally calls for rain, but in between the showers, who knows?

Ona Speedway has the Super Cup series returning to the asphalt track on Saturday. This is one of the six stops in the series this year. It will feature a former Ona Late Model Champion from 2008, Harvey Harrison.

Beginning on Wednesday, Eldora Speedway gears up for the Prelude to the Dream with the stars of NASCAR, Indy Series and NHRA competing for charity and bragging rights. This year, new addition to Stewart-Haas Racing, Danica Patrick, will take to the dirt driving one of her boss' cars. That should be interesting to watch.

Also in that lineup will be host Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman, Kasey Kahne, five-time Jimmie Johnson, Clint Bowyer, Kenny Wallace, Bobby Labonte, Aric Almirola, Kurt and Kyle Busch and Austin and Ty Dillon from NASCAR, Tony Kanaan of Izod IndyCar Series, Ron Capps and Cruz Pedregon of NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing series.

CAR SHOWS:

June 1

TRI-STATE STREET RODS CLUB – Huntington, W.Va.: McCruising at McDonald's and HIMG next to the restaurant is offered the first Saturday of each month from 5 p.m. to dusk at 5178 Route 60, off the 29th Street exit of Interstate 64.. For more information, call 304-416-0205.

NITRO ANTIQUE CAR CLUB – Nitro, W.Va.: May, June, July and August

Cruise-ins are the first Fridays of each month from 5 p.m. to dusk at the Putnam County Bank parking lot off the Hurricane exit of Interstate 64. There is no entry fee for cruise-in events. For more information, call Paul Lett at 304-755-4187, Earl Taylor at 304-776-2117 or Jeary Mullins at 304-965-1594.

June 2

THE OLE CAR CLUB OF GALLIPOLIS, OHIO
A Super Cruise-In is set for 5-8 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at the City Park in downtown Gallipolis. Registration is by donation. For more information, call Dave Hively at 740-446-0643 or email dlhively@att.net or call Elwood Lewis at 740-446-4064 or email lewis02@yahoo.com.

RACING

June 1

SOUTHERN OHIO SPEEDWAY, Wheelersburg, Ohio “Kids Night”, $2,000 to win Late Models, $1,200 to win ARS 3/4 Scale Late Models, plus Jordan Heating & Cooling UMP Modifieds, GCP Engines Sport Mods, and an Enduro

June 2

ONA SPEEDWAY, Ona, W.Va. – Super Cup Series returns to Ona Speedway this weekend, in addition to the regular classes of local racers.

In the series will be former Ona Late Model Series 2008 champion Harvey Harrison, who is considered a favorite to win in the Super Cup race.

Super Cup practice sessions begin at 1:45 pm on Saturday. Qualifying follows at 5:30 with the Super Cup autograph session slated for 6:15. The Cool Shirt 100 begins at approximately 8 p.m. (actual starting time may vary slightly due to support series events).

Sopwith Motorsports Television Productions will produce a 30-minute program from the Cool Shirt 100. The race will be televised nationally by the TUFF TV cable network. See TUFF TV's web site for air times and dates. The race will also air later on America One Sports, Motorsportworld.tv, and the Untamed Sports cable network.

OHIO VALLEY SPEEDWAY, Washington, W.Va. - Racing ALL Classes: AMRA Late Model - AMRA Modified - Pure Stock - 4 Cylinder FWD - Mini-Wedges http://www.ohiovalleyspeedway.com

WV loves NASCAR

Once again, West Virginia will be well-represented at the beginning of the Coke 600 this weekend in Charlotte.

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin will be the grand marshal at the race and ride in the pace car.

But he's not the first. Then-Gov. now U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin dropped the ceremonial green in 2006 as honorary starter. Then, in 2008, WV House of Delegates speaker Rick Thompson did the same on the flagstand. 

In the pace car or on the flagstand? No choice in my book - Drop the green! At least you get seen there. In the pace car, everyone's watching the field behind you.

Sorry there are no photos of Gov. Tomblin or Speaker Thompson here, but I don't have those.

If Gov. Tomblin is a racefan, I don't know. I do know Joe Manchin is, and even rode his Harley from Charleston to The Greenbrier on the Kyle Petty Charity Ride a few years ago when they passed through the state.

We can only hope the governor has as much fun at this year's 600 as Gov. Manchin appears to have had when it was his turn!

Cars, cars everywhere

Memorial Day weekend is the beginning of summertime and summertime means car shows and races!

So, for this weekend, there are lots of events for your horsepower fix. 

On the street…

May 25

COVERED BRIDGE CAR CLUB – Milton, W.Va.: The cruise-ins are set for 5 p.m. until dusk the last Friday of the month at Perry Morris Square in Milton. For more information, call Andrew at 304-743-5321 or 304-654-0745 or email coveredbridgecarclub@msn.com.

May 25-28

CRUZIN' ON THE PLAZA – Pullman Plaza Hotel, Huntington, W.Va.: The event is set for Friday-Monday, May 25-28, at Pullman Plaza Hotel, 1001 3rd Ave. Registration, which is $25, begins Friday, May 25, along with a meet and greet at the Visitor's Center and a movie night. Saturday, May 26, offers another registration day and the car show, children's events at Harris Riverfront Park, a car bash, crank it up contest and a concert. Sunday, May 27, features the car show, live music, a road tour and awards ceremony.

It is sponsored by the city of Huntington, the Greater Huntington Park and Recreation District, the Cabell-Huntington Visitors and Convention Bureau, Big Sandy Superstore Arena, Pullman Square and the Pullman Plaza Hotel.

A portion of proceeds will be donated to Children's Hospital at Cabell Huntington Hospital. For more information, email questions@pullman.com, call Natalie at 304-691-5408 or go to www.cruzinontheplaza.com.

And on the track…

May 25

Southern Ohio Speedway, Wheelersburg, Ohio “Memorial Day Championships”, $2,000 to win Late Models plus Jordan Heating & Cooling UMP Modifieds, GCP Engines Sport Mods, and Street Stocks

May 26

Tyler County Speedway, Middlebourne, W.Va. – Bullring Bonanza 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. $550,000 cash and prizes; World of Outlaw Late Model Jackpot 100 $25,000 to win, $2,000 to start, green flag at 7 p.m.  www.tylercountyspeedwayonline.com.

Columbus Motor Speedway, Columbus, Ohio – JEGS/CRA All Star Tour 50 lap NASCAR Late Model Feature.

Ohio Valley Speedway, Washington, W.Va. - "OVSCA 410 Winged Sprints" and Racing all Classes: AMRA Late Model - AMRA Modified - Pure Stock - 4 Cylinder FWD - Mini-Wedges http://www.ohiovalleyspeedway.com

May 27

Eldora Speedway, Rossburg, Ohio - Johnny Appleseed Classic presented by Miller Lite Sunoco American Late Models / NRA Sprint Invaders / Mods / Stocks 

So, let's get out there, enjoy the sunshine, fire up the grills, down some beverages and watch some fireworks PLUS see some cool classics and hot rods!

Make every day count, life is short!

 

Joining his brother in the Hall of Fame is.....

With Leonard Wood at the 2012 Daytona 500

It’s been a history-making year already in racedom. The Daytona 500 was rained out and postponed and there was a tie in voting for the Hall of Fame Class of 2013.

The 2013 class, announced Wednesday, will be Buck Baker, Cotton Owens, Herb Thomas, Rusty Wallace and Leonard Wood, who will be joining his brother, Glen, who was inducted in the 2012 class at the Hall.

The final spot was a tie between Fireball Roberts and Buck Baker. After a runoff, Baker nabbed the final spot.

Fan votes? Those went to Benny Parsons, Fireball Roberts, Wendell Scott, Rusty Wallace and Leonard Wood.

So, I voted for Leonard, BP, Fireball and Wendell, with my 5^th going to Tim Flock, who was apparently just outside the class behind Jerry Cook after the tiebreaker. Maybe next year I’ll have more inductees in my votes.

Induction day will be Friday, Feb. 8, 2013 at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte.

I had the opportunity to meet Leonard Wood at the Daytona 500 this year. How fortuitous I was wearing a Ford Racing jacket, too. And in the pocket was my trusty Lions Club mascot Hunter Lion (short for Huntington, of course). Yup, the little lion came out for a photo op with the racing legend and the redhead from West Virginia.

A few years ago, I met Rusty Wallace at an appearance for Make a Wish Foundation in West Virginia. Members of the Official NASCAR Members Club got a quick photo with him and National Advisor Paul Mullins of St. Albans held the microphone for some of Rusty’s interviews.

Hot weather, hot cars, what more do you want?

The weather is hot, hot, hot and the cars are, too!

Up on the classic car shows this weekend are:

May 4

NITRO ANTIQUE CAR CLUB – Nitro, W.Va.: Cruise-ins are the first Fridays of each month from 5 p.m. to dusk at the Putnam County Bank parking lot off the Hurricane exit of Interstate 64. There is no entry fee for cruise-in events. For more information, call Paul Lett at 304-755-4187, Earl Taylor at 304-776-2117 or Jeary Mullins at 304-965-1594.

May 5

TRI-STATE STREET RODS CLUB – Huntington, W.Va.: McCruising at McDonald's and HIMG next to the restaurant is offered the first Saturday of each month from 5 p.m. to dusk at 5178 Route 60, off the 29th Street exit of Interstate 64.. For more information, call 304-416-0205.

If you want those cars to go fast and turn left, try these out:

May 4

SOUTHERN OHIO SPEEDWAY, WHEELERSBURG, OHIO $2,000 to win Late Models plus Jordan Heating & Cooling UMP Modifieds, GCP Engines Sport Mods, and an Enduro (Rain Date: May 5th)

May 5

ONA SPEEDWAY, ONA, W.VA., races Classics, U-Cars, Hobby Stock http://www.onaspeedway.com Pits open at noon; general admission opens 5 p.m. Hot laps at 1 p.m.; races start 7 p.m.

TYLER COUNTY SPEEDWAY, MIDDLEBOURNE, W.VA.  I love the 70s  “Buck Night” Get $2 off if you wear tie-dye; $1 soda, #1 hot dogs, $1 adult beverages.  www.tylercountyspeedwayonline.com.

OHIO VALLEY SPEEDWAY, WASHINGTON, W.VA. Racing ALL Classes:
AMRA Late Model - AMRA Modified - Pure Stock - 4 Cylinder FWD - Mini-Wedges http://www.ohiovalleyspeedway.com/

COLUMBUS MOTOR SPEEDWAY, COLUMBUS, OHIO admission $12 for the NASCAR weekly racing series – Late Models and Columbus Modified plus sport stocks and crazy compacts and FAST Series legend cars.