By TOM AVENENGO
Special Note:
I’ve been somewhat extra busy since late last week, with visits from family members, celebrating my 78th birthday every couple of days, so I really haven’t done much on my column until Tuesday night. Things were going great until the darned ,electric went off at 11:23 and what I had been working on went “poof”. It’s really ridiculous how electricity goes off down here – at times for no damn reason. So now I have to try to remember what it was is was working on, Dammit! I know some things that I had in this weeks column I’ll forget. Oh well!
This week’s special photo:
Jud Larson is pictured above in this photo by Walt Imlay. If I’m not mistaken, it was taken at the Reading, PA. Fairgrounds track. The car pictured, the John Pfrommer “Offy”, was a light blue & white in color. There’s quite a history on this car, along with some of the other sprint cars that ran here and all over the country, back “In the day”. Some were regular sprint cars, while others were stretched midgets. Back in the day, most were powered by 4 cylinder 220 cubic inch Offenhauser engines, as the car above was. There were also quite a variety of different engines, too – from other 4 cylinder powered cars to V-8’s. Eventually, later on, the “Offy” power was taken over – mostly by Chevrolet V-8’s.
Special from me:
My God – where to start? Well, two days ago, on September 22nd, I became 78 years of age. We were planning on a little get together down here in Cape Coral, with a few of my relatives – daughter Sand y(with whom I live with), daughter Sarah & her family, and some of my grand children – Kalina Arter, with her husband, and their two children, Tessie Rizzo and her son, and John Rizzo, for Sunday. I think I came up with about 13 names. I did ask my sister, Cathy, if she thought she and her daughter Laureen, might possibly be able to come over from the east coast, but that all depended on how Laureen’s work schedule was. I knew neither of my sons – Tom Jr. or Eric, would be able to make it since they are up in New York and do have jobs.
Unknown to me, there were things done – behind my back, and without my knowledge – by my daughter Sandy – like having the festivities on Saturday and not Sunday. I was shocked to see Eric and his wife, Catherine, make it down here. Then, more shocked to see Tom, with his wife Penny and their daughter Marisa arrive, too. My sister Cathy and her daughter also made the scene. My granddaughter, Samantha (who’s birthday is the same date as mine (9/22), could not make it down from Alabama where she just started a new job, but her husband, Shane was able to make it. So it ended up that we had quite a few in attendance. Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Chicken Breast, Potato & Macaroni salads, iced tea, water, some juices and of course, beer, was on the “menu”. And, thank God – No rain!!!! Temperature was maybe 90 at its highest.
The reason it was held on Saturday was the fact that Eric had to get back to work by Monday, so he and Catherine had a Sunday flight to catch. Tom & his wife and daughter could stay until Monday morning. Even my sister and her daughter stayed until Sunday morning.
Yes, I’ve been blessed with one wonderful family, that’s for sure!
Note I had more to say, but really can’t recall, at this time what it was.
Racin’ stuff:
My last racing “event” was a year ago to the show at the Hinchliffe Stdium, in Paterson, NJ. This past Sunday, they held another show. If you’re interested in seeing some 200+ photos, go here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/127240140633682/
then scroll down until you come to: ” Rich Bunning shared his album.“
Racing from back in the day:
While in high school, I was able to get myself a car and was able to make some races on my own. Tracks like Langhorne and Trenton – mostly for sprint car races, with a few midget and Indy cars, too. There were quite few midget drivers that had moved up to the sprinters, so, I knew many of the drivers – well by name, anyway. I really can’t recall any dirt tracks that we went to see the midget run on back in the 40’s, but once I got my “wheels” about the only paved track I went to was Trenton, and I can still recall catching a sprint car race there – on the dirt. Heck, I can remember walking onto the track prior to the races and talking to Johnny Thomson and some other drivers. Back then, the sprint cars didn’t not having wings (thank God!). Roll bars were just starting to come out, too. I did see on race at Langhorne once it was paved. Liked the dirt better!
Ah, to go back to the “old” days!
How time flies:
It was back on September 27, 2007, when we lost Nick Fornoro, Sr. And it was on September 27th in 2008 when actor Paul Newman left us.
Also, on September 30, in 1993, my son Eric, along with one that would be his wife in the future (for a short time), and her son Jeremy, were hit head on – on Route 6 just outside of Middletown, NY. The other driver, a young lady was fatally injured. According to some that were at the scene, I was told that Jeremy was unresponsive. He was in an infant seat in the back seat, and he suffered some serious permanent injuries, that left him a quadriplegic. Later on, Kathy and Eric did marry, and as I said only for a very short time, but it was long enough for Eric & Kathy to have a son, Dillon.
Found on Jayski:
http://www.jayski.com/
Preece to attempt New Hampshire Cup race with Baldwin UPDATE:
Ryan Preece hopes to make his Sprint Cup debut at New Hampshire Motor Speedway with Tommy Baldwin Racing on September 27. Preece has three XFINITY Series starts with TBR including two at NHMS. The 24-year-old Kensington, Conn.-native posted a career-high 14th at Loudon in his second start. Preece, who won the title in NASCAR’s Whelen Modified Tour in 2013, is the current points leader of the series. He’s scored three wins this season – including last night at Stafford Speedway – five top fives and nine top-10 finishes in 117 starts. Preece has also campaigned on the Whelen Southern Modified this season where in four starts he’s earned three poles – including at South Boston Speedway where he went on to win in April. The former NASCAR Next driver will have TBR teammate #7-Alex Bowman to lean on at Loudon next month.(Motorsport)
AND “I was talking to Tommy on Friday morning and I told him ‘You’ve got to put me in a Cup car at New Hampshire if I win at Stafford.'” Preece told RaceDayCT. “This morning I got a text message that he made a deal to make it happen.” Preece said Baldwin purchased the #98 points spot from team owner Jay Robinson, which will give him a guaranteed starting spot in the event.(RaceDayCT)(8-9-2015)
UPDATE:
Northeast standout Ryan Preece will make his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut this week at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Preece will drive the #98 Chevy with support from Mohawk Northeast, East West Marine, NAPA Auto Parts: Canton Auto Supply, Mizzy Construction, Logan Steel and Dunleavy Truck and Trailer Repair. Preece’s car was designed to honor his grandfather, legendary car owner Bob Judkins, who sported the familiar red and white 2x Modified. “It’s very special to have a car that looks like my grandfather’s car,” Preece said. “I was lucky enough to drive for him a few times and win with him.” Preece, who won the championship in NASCAR’s Whelen Modified Tour in 2013, is the current points leader of the series. He has scored four wins this season and has accumulated six top-fives and 12 top-10 finishes in 12 races.(Tommy Baldwin Racing), see an image of the car on the #98 team paint schemes page.(9-21-2015)
Gordon says teams learn by spying on one another:
Is subterfuge the secret to catching the Joe Gibbs Racing juggernaut during the Chase for the Sprint Cup? Jeff Gordon said Hendrick Motorsports has kept a close eye on the competition to set the benchmark for improving in the 10-race playoffs. “We know what we’re lacking,” he said Thursday during Chase Media Day. “You know what you’ve got to do to make your car better. How you do it is another challenge, and you learn from your competitors. We have spies everywhere. We constantly are looking at our competitors. “We feel like, right now, we’re bringing the absolute best car we’ve had all year to (Chicago), and we’ll do that for nine more weeks after that.”
Teammate Jimmie Johnson joked, “I didn’t know we had spies. I hope they found something cool!” when asked whether Hendrick had conducted successful reconnaissance on the competition, but he conceded the tight confines of the garage help in confirming the benchmark. “When we park next to each other, everyone is looking at each other’s cars, and you can see things,” Johnson said. “The photos we receive during practice, you can see the attitude of the car, and how low it is, and speculate on springs and stuff going on, but it takes so many small details to separate yourself and find an advantage. “I know our guys are digging deep, and I’m not sure if it’s been the spying aspect, but I know our engine shop is bringing more and more every week. They’re highly motivated. Our engineering staff is all hands on deck. (Team owner) Rick (Hendrick) has made it clear we’re going to get better and finish the Chase stronger than we started. Hopefully it’s with a championship.”(NBC Sports)(9-20-2015)
Kurt Busch’s crew chief Tony Gibson has emergency appendectomy:
Kurt Busch’s crew chief Tony Gibson could miss a portion of the upcoming Sprint Cup Series race weekend at New Hampshire after having an emergency appendectomy Tuesday. Stewart-Haas Racing confirmed that team engineer John Klausmeier will guide the Stewart-Haas Racing #41 crew in Gibson’s absence and that competition director Greg Zipadelli will have an increased presence with the team. The team said that Gibson will get to the track once he feels physically able to work, and that could be as early as Friday morning or as late as Saturday afternoon. Practice and qualifying are scheduled for Friday with additional practice scheduled for Saturday. The team would not comment on why Gibson would miss part of the weekend, but Gibson posted on Facebook that he had his appendix removed: “Thanks everyone for the prayers, calls, texts and Facebook messages. Got home from the hospital last night. Just really sore today. Who needs an appendix anyway?”(ESPN.com)(9-23-2015)
Insurance firm says Stewart’s policy doesn’t cover lawsuit:
The insurance company that covers Tony Stewart Racing has filed court documents saying Stewart’s policy does not cover the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the parents of Kevin Ward Jr. Axis Insurance Company filed a complaint for declaratory judgment Friday, asking the court to rule that it is not responsible to cover Stewart, saying its policy covers neither the race Stewart was participating in nor claims brought by one driver against another. Stewart’s attorney had no comment to the filing. Stewart was competing in an Empire Super Sprints event Aug. 9, 2014, at Canandaigua (New York) Motorsports Park when his car struck and killed the 20-year-old Ward, who had gotten out of his car and walked out on the track while the race was under caution. Ward’s parents contend in their lawsuit that Stewart could have avoided their son just as the other drivers in the race did, and they seek unspecified damages for their son’s pain and suffering as well as the potential economic support he could have provided for them. Stewart, who was not criminally charged, says Ward was responsible for his own death, had attempted to make contact with Stewart’s car before being struck and had used marijuana within five hours of the race. Stewart was racing for TSR, a team that he owns and competes with in sprint car races, which is separate from the NASCAR stock car team he co-owns (Stewart-Haas Racing) with Gene Haas. Axis Insurance, in its filing in a U.S. District Court in New York, states that the $4 million of coverage (a combination of three policies) for Tony Stewart Racing is specifically for 65 World of Outlaws events, 30 USAC Sprint events and 10 USAC Silver Crown events. No Empire Super Sprints events are part of the team policy, Axis says. The policy also has an exclusion clause that states “this insurance does not apply to claims or actions brought by one racing vehicle driver against another racing vehicle driver” and that “coverage is specifically excluded for the racing vehicle driver who is the object of such claim or action.” Stewart has not yet filed a response to the Axis request. He has asked for the wrongful death lawsuit be dismissed based on waivers Ward and his father, as the car owner, signed prior to the event that indemnify other participants (ESPN).(9-23-2015)
From Track Forum:
http://www.trackforum.com/forums/forum.php
For you people in the Northeast of the USA: Will Pocono return in 2016 with an Indycar race?
http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php/197906-Will-Pocono-return-in-2016
From the Dirt Track Digest Forum:
http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/
WHO DOES THIS
Any idea as to who races for a living?
http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/index.php?/topic/54892-who-does-this/
From the AARN:
Grandview’s Freedom 76 And $25,000 Goes Track Champ Craig VonDohren
Selinsgrove Promoter Paige Bids Farewell; Dietrich Wins Final Race
Sitterly Wins Oswego Super Race; Bob Bond Wins Title
Devil’s Bowl Tragedy: Modified Winner Leon Gonyo Dies During Victory Lap
Ryan Preece Set For NASCAR Sprint Cup Debut At Loudon
Utica-Rome Nixes WoO Sprint Late October Race
Jeff Strunk Is Accord’s ‘King Of The Catskills’
Williams Grove Drops Saturday Supersportsman Races For 2016
Tommy Rogers Earns Two Riverhead Raceway Track Titles
And more from this weeks issue:
It looks like there will be no more Saturday racing at Williams Grove after 2015. The Super Sportsman and Late Models will be heading to Susquehanna Speedway Park.
DIRT has come out saying no soft compound tires will be allowed at Syracuse this year.
In Ernie Saxton’s column, he made mention of some health issues with his wife, that caused her to be hospitalized for a short time. She is back home now, however.
Stock car driver Ryan Preece will be in a Cup car this coming weekend at Loudon.
Good news: There were 26 TQ Midgets on hand to race at Wall Stadium, last week.
Sad news: Veteran stock car driver Leon Gonyo, 63, passed away while taking his “Victory Lap” after winning a feature at the Devil’s Bowl Speedway.
Davey Sammons, son of Len Sammons (owner of the AARN) will be out of action for a while after a bad crash at the Port Royal Speedway.
The Super Dirt race scheduled for the Brewerton Speedway, last week, was rained out and re-scheduled for October 16th.
Jeff Gordon tied Ricky Rudd with consecutive starts in Cup racing with each now having 788 starts in a row.
The ARDC had only 15 cars show up for their race at Williams Grovew and 16 show up for their race at Path Valley.
Note: Kinda sad, in my way of thinking, when one goes into the history of what was at one time the top midget organization in the country so many years ago.
Have you ever heard of 21 year old Spencer Pigot? To be honest, I haven’t. But he did get a million dollar scholarship for winning the Indy Lights Championship, which will also include a ride in next years Indy 500.
Former OVRP Dirt Oval racers:
Tyler Dippel was 4th in the Fall Classic 200 at the Salem Speedway, in his first ARCA Racing Series Asphalt race.
Kenney Johnson was 2nd in the USAC DMA Midget feature at Bear Ridge Speedway in Bradford, VT.
Davey Franek was 7th in the 410 Sprint Car race at Selinsgrove.
Anthony Perrego was 16th, Matt Janiak 17th and Tim Hindley 22nd at Accord in the 60 lap “King of the Catskill’s” Modified feature.
In the Spec Sportsman feature, Joey Bruning was 12th, Brad Szulewski 13th, Joe Conklin 14th, Zack Mead 15th and Jimmy Johnson 20th.
Brian Sobus was 9th in the 75 lap Super Modified Fall Championship race at Oswego.
Bobby Hackel, IV was 8th and A.J. Filbeck 14th in the Sportsman feature at Glen Ridge. Josh Pieniazek won the non point CRSA Sprint car feature.
Danny Buccafusca was 7th in the 600 Micro feature at Hamlin. Charlie Lawrence was 9th, Cole Hentschel was 19th and Tyler Pirone 20th in the Slingshot feature. Jacob Hendrshot won the 270 Micro feature – his 8th of the season.
Molly Chambers was 4th and Jacob Hendershot 26th in the 600 Micro feature at Linda’s.
Anthony Perrego was 24th in the modified feature at Thunder Mountain.
Brad Szulewski was 2nd in the RoC Sportsman feature at Penn Can. Kyle Rohner was 3rd in the GRIT Sportsman feature.
Alex Bell was 14th in the Modified feature at Fonda. Joe Kata was 5th, Danny Hennessey 7th, Josh Pieniazek 10th, Emily VanInwegen 16th and Brian Krummel 19th in the CRSA feature.
Kyle Redner was 3rd and Rich Coons 4th in the 358/Sportsman feature at Bethel.
Hunter Bates was 8th in the Sportsman feature at A/S.
Upcoming Modified race/TV dates
September & October:
South Boston (Southern Tour) race Sept.19, TV Sept.24, 7-8 PM
NHIS race Sept.19, TV Oct.1, 7-8PM
Stafford race Oct.4, TV Oct.10, 4-5PM
Charlotte (Southern Tour) race Oct.8, TV Oct.15, 7-8PM
Thompson race Oct.18, TV Oct.22, 8-9PM
All on NBCSN
emails:
I, like you, get some pretty good emails on occasion. Some can be funny as all get out, while others can be “serious” too;
Here’s one I received on 9/23:
Just who Is That Guy Next To Jane Fonda as she said, “Nothing would give me more pleasure than to shoot down an American fighter plane”
Just who is that guy standing next to “Hanoi Jane” Fonda at an anti-war protest rally back in the 70’s?
Golly Gee, Why, it is none other than our very own Secretary of State, the “honorable” Comrade John Kerry.
Now ain’t that SPECIAL!!!
Just wanted to refresh your memory regarding the quality of the current White House.
And a couple of emails I’ve received about “Plexiglass”:
While early racing cars used glass for windscreens/windshields, when
plexiglas/acrylic became available many cars sprouted windshields of
this material. References I have seen put the commercial availability
as early thirties, but it seems to me there were cars earlier than that
with plastic windshields. Anyone know when the stuff first became
available and when it was first used on racing cars?
And, this one, too:
Plexiglas chemistry has been around since the mid-1800s. Rohm and Hass Company began selling it in 1933. By 1936 Plexiglas was a registered trade Mark. R&H later became Lucite International. Plexiglas was used by the Navy and Army Air Corp during WWII. Preston Tucker made gun turrets at that time.
Generally Plexiglas windshields were not street legal in the 1960s. Bill Devin offered them with his kit car bodies. I installed a MGA windshield on a Devin in California after the owner got too many tickets circa 1961. I’m guessing race cars and speed boats used Plexiglas widshields/screens in the early post War years.
What was left of the old Rohm and Hass Company was purchased by Dow Chemical in 2009.
How about this one:
Are these things really that difficult to accomplish?
HERE IS ALL WE WANT…..
A President who will tell the truth and act in the best interests of the people of the USA.
Put “GOD” back in America!!!
Borders: Closed!!!
Congress: On the same retirement & healthcare plans as everybody else.
Congress: Obey its own laws NOW!
Language: English only!!!
Culture: Constitution, and the Bill of Rights!
Drug Free: Mandatory Drug Screening before & during Welfare!
NO freebies to Non-Citizens!!!
Balance the budget.
Stop giving away our money to foreign countries!!! Charge them for our help!!! We need it here.
Fix the TAX CODE!
And most of all:
“RESPECT OUR MILITARY AND OUR FLAG!!!”
We the people are coming!
Only 86% will send this on. Should be a 100%. What will you do?
Please send it on if only to one person.
And, this one, too:
Wedding ring is in for repair again this year… Just passing this on with no comment, interesting observation though….
The Wedding ring is in for repair again this year. Since when does a plain wedding band need repairs, along with your watch, for a whole month? In a press conference last week Obama was not wearing his wedding ring nor was he wearing his watch. When noticed, his staff said his ring was out for repairs. No reason was given for the missing watch.
So it’s just a coincidence that Muslims are forbidden from wearing jewelry during the month of Ramadan…
Can’t possibly be that, because although he hasn’t gone to a Christian church service since entering the White House, we know he’s a committed Christian “cause he said so during his campaign”
This is the same president that spent the Christmas holidays in Hawaii to avoid religious obligations as president at the White House. His children do not receive Christmas presents. Let’s just face the facts and quit trying to distort the truth, we have a Muslim for president in the White House, and he has no knowledge of American history.
Please pass this on to believers of what is happening to our Great Nation and to those who are still in denial.
I love this country; it’s the current government leadership I worry about!
Press Releases:
Fonda hosts Super DIRTcar Series
September 26 Mohawk 100 – $30,000 purse pays $6,000-to-win
FONDA, N.Y. September 21, 2015 The Super DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Series heads to Fonda Fairgrounds for the 20th event of the season, the Mohawk 100 Saturday, September 26.
Matt Sheppard, driver of the FX Caprara No. 9h and a three-time Series champion, will arrive at Fonda as the point leader on the strength of four series wins.
Sheppard leads Brett Hearn by 92 points. Hearn has a sterling record of success on Fondas flat half-mile. The Jersey Jet won last years Mohawk 100, which was the first appearance by the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds at Fonda since 2003.
Hearn has won three of the last four SDS races at Fonda and he has eight series win over his career.
Sheppard and Hearn will go up against 2015 Fonda champion Stewart Friesen, defending Super DIRTcar Series champion Billy Decker, Jimmy Phelps, Pat Ward, Larry Wight, Tim Fuller and top local runners Ronnie Johnson of Duanesburg and Jeff Trombley of Altamont.
Saturdays race card includes the Hondo Classic 50 for DIRTcar Pro Stocks. Post time is 7 p.m.
For more information on the Super DIRTcar Series, visit www.SuperDIRTcarSeries.com,www.fondaspeedway.com, SuperDIRTWeekOnline.com, follow on Twitter @SuperDIRTcar, and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DIRTcar.
News from the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek
Media Contact: Brett Deyo – bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com or 845.728.2781
For Immediate Release/September 21, 2015
All $5,000-To-Win Events Are Not Created Equal: Wade Decker Memorial Sunday At Thunder Mountain Speedway Features Huge Short Track Super Series Pay Structure Plus Other Incentives; GRIT Series Crate Sportsman, Street Stocks & XCel 600 Modifieds All Set For High-Paying Events
CENTER LISLE, NY – All $5,000-to-win dirt Modified events are not created equal.
Case in point: this Sunday’s (Sept. 27) MjH Oilfield Wade Decker Memorial at Thunder Mountain Speedway. The annual race honoring the late Wade Decker is among the most lucrative of the season for the big-block/small-block Modified traveling contingent of the Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Hi-Tek.
Yes, the 50-lap main event winner takes home a minimum of $5,000 like many other ‘big shows’ in the region. But the difference clear. A 10th-place finish in the Wade Decker Memorial will reward a driver with $1,000 and $400 is reserved just to take the green flag from a total purse structure of more than $25,000 – that’s $10,000 more than similar races.
And then, there are the other incentives.
Hank Decker Logging has signed on to sponsor a 10-lap Cash Dash for heat winners offering a cool $1,000 to the winner. Jim and Rhonda Scott have posted a $500 bonus to lead at the halfway mark of the main event (more than $1,000 total in lap money will be distributed). A certificate for four free Integra Shocks is set for the event’s Hard Charger (the driver gaining the most positions from their scheduled starting spot to the finish).
A long list of STSS contingency partners have other certificates and product in waiting from companies such as Allstar Performance, ATL Fuel Cells, American Racer/Lias Tire, Behrent’s Performance Warehouse, Bob Hilbert Sportswear, Fast Axle, Shiley Fabrication, Vahlco Wheels and more.
Last year, Sheffield, Mass., driver Andy Bachetti earned the first Thunder Mountain triumph of his successful career in the Wade Decker Memorial, completing a late pass of Mike Mahaney. Last Saturday, King Ferry, N.Y.’s Mahaney clinched the track’s Modified point title.
Sunday’s program is the seventh of eight races on the STSS Bob Hilbert Sportswear North Region. Stewart Friesen of Sprakers, N.Y., is the current point leader in search of a $15,000 championship.
A full program of racing is planned for the Wade Decker Memorial.
GRIT American Series Crate 602 Sportsman battle for $1,000 to win and $100 to start in a 25-lap main. Street Stocks will race 25 laps for a $1,000 winner’s share (bring your home track rule book – Thunder Mountain American Racer tires required) and the XCel 600 Modifieds run in a tour race for $1,000 to win, 20 laps in distance.
Gates will open for the grandstand and pit areas at 2 p.m. A drivers’ meeting is planned for 4:40 p.m. Hot laps get underway at 5 p.m. and the first heat race hits the track promptly at 6 p.m.
Adult grandstand admission is $20. Seniors (ages 65 and up) pay $18. Students (ages 10-17) pay $15. Kids 9 and under are FREE. Pit admission is $35, with no license required.
A talented competitor who progressed from the Street Stocks to race in the Southern Tier and beyond in the Modified division, Wade Decker tragically lost his life on Dec. 5, 2011 in a logging accident. He was just 37 years old.
To learn more about the Short Track Super Series or BD Motorsports Media LLC, visitwww.shortttracksuperseries.com or www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com, call 845.728.2781 or e-mailbdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com. “Like” Short Track Super Series on Facebook or follow @ShortTrackSS on Twitter.
Thunder Mountain Speedway is located at 91 Hunts Corners Road Center Lisle, NY 13797, approximately 25 miles north of Binghamton. The three-eighths-mile clay oval features hillside concrete seating, free parking and camping, a variety of concession items and novelties, a family environment and more.
TRACY HINES TO STEP AWAY FROM FULL-TIME RACING AFTER 2015 SEASON
NEW CASTLE, Ind. (September 22, 2015) – When it comes to USAC open wheel racing, Tracy Hines is one of the most recognizable names in the history of the organization and also one of the most accomplished. The native of New Castle, Ind., has been going up and down the road for nearly 25 years, with the majority of that time spent competing in the three USAC National series full-time.
Hines is the 2000 USAC Silver Crown Series champion and the 2002 AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car Series titlist. He has a total of 91 USAC national wins across its three premier divisions. With the 2015 campaign winding down, Hines will be racing in his final full season of competition.
For 2016, Hines will serve as the Competition Director for ThorSport Racing, a championship-winning team in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The Ohio-based organization, which is owned by Duke and Rhonda Thorson, fields three trucks.
Matt Crafton has won the last two series titles, driving the No. 88 for ThorSport. Crafton is currently third in points, only 11 markers out of the top spot, with teammate Johnny Sauter sitting fourth and Cameron Hayley in the sixth position. Hines will race occasionally in 2016 in his midget and 410-winged sprint car.
“This decision wasn’t an easy one, it took the whole summer to make, but it is time,” said Hines. “I get to take my love for racing to a great place with great people that share my passion. I look forward to this new step in our lives.
“I have been so lucky to have amazing owners, sponsors, and fans that have made my career such a blessing,” shared Hines. “They have stuck with me through many years of ups and downs. I have gotten to do so much in our sport and am truly thankful for each and every experience. The knowledge and skills that I have gained during my years as a driver and car owner from everyone in my racing family will help me in my next chapter of my racing career.”
“We are fortunate to be able to bring someone as knowledgeable and talented as Tracy (Hines) on board at ThorSport Racing,” said Duke Thorson, owner of ThorSport Racing. “Tracy has been an integral part of our organization in the past, and we are honored to have him back at ThorSport. His experience as a driver and his knowledge of our series, and our sport, will be a valuable asset to our team.
Tracy will be a liaison between our driver’s, crew chiefs, and engineers, a move that will add depth to our organization.”
Hines has 47 career AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car Series wins, which is third on the all-time list, behind only Dave Darland and Tom Bigelow. With the Honda USAC National Midget Series, he has 35 wins, which has him tied for seventh-best all-time. In USAC Silver Crown Series competition, Hines has nine wins, which is 12th on the all-time list. He entered this season, having won at least one USAC National feature event in 19 straight years.
Along with his long list of accomplishments in the USAC ranks, Hines also raced in the then-NASCAR Busch Series and then-NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series from 2003-2006. He earned a pair of top-five finishes in the Truck Series in 2004 at the former Mansfield Motorsports Park in Ohio and Richmond International Raceway in Virginia. In addition, Hines earned an Indy Racing League (IRL) license, through testing with Panther Racing. Hines began his racing career in Quarter Midgets in his home state of Indiana.
The remainder of the 2015 season will see Hines compete approximately 15 times, split between the Honda USAC National Midget Series, AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car Series and 410-winged sprint car events. Hines currently leads the Honda USAC National Midget Series standings as he chases his first title with the series, which would give him a career Triple Crown to go along with his USAC Silver Crown and AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car Series championships.
“The rest of the season is for having fun and trying to win that USAC Midget title,” said Hines. “That’s the one title that has eluded me and it would be the perfect way to cap off my full-time USAC racing career.”
Hines will be in action this weekend with both the Honda USAC National Midget Series and AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car Series at the famed Eldora Speedway in Ohio for the running of the Four-Crown Nationals. In his career at the high-banked, half-mile, he has 11 USAC wins, with nine of those coming in AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car Series competition. Hines scored his first victory at Eldora in 1996 with the Honda USAC National Midget Series.
8 INDUCTEES ANNOUNCED
FOR NATIONAL MIDGET AUTO RACING HALL OF FAME
Eight more inductions for the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame have been announced. They include a pair of drivers, a car owner, four officials and a pair of brothers who were long-time sponsors, participants and supporters.
Alphabetically they are: Boots Archer, Tommy Hunt, Ed and Zeke Justice, Wendell Kelley, Roy Morrison, Jim Rieder, Randy Roberts and Bobby Unser. They will be officially inducted during ceremonies in Tulsa, Okla. on January 15 during the week of the Chili Bowl Nationals Midget event.
Archer stepped forward in 1945 to assist the fledgling Bay Cities Racing Association (BCRA) as its business manager. Through the years he was the “go-to” guy for stats and historical info and his dedication never wavered. He passed away in January of 1996, but he was a guiding force behind BCRA Midget racing for many years. Just before his death, he was instrumental in constructing the history for a book which was released covering the history of Oakland, Calif. racing.
Hunt, who was primarily responsible for the creation of the USAC HPD Midget Series which has conducted races all across the country for the past 13 years, recently became the race organizer at the spectacular Calistoga (California) Speedway and now heads up HMC Promotions in northern California. Named in 1988 to the post of USAC Vice-President/Western Operations, he was formerly the president of Hunt Magnetos, the company founded by his late father. After a stint racing sprint cars and midgets, he ended up purchasing the family company in 1982. A past participant board member with CRA, Tommy became USAC’s Western States Supervisor in 1986, a post he held for two decades. His son Tony is one of only two drivers who owns at least 10 USAC driving titles, the other being A.J. Foyt.
The Justice Brothers (Ed and Zeke) were among the sport’s most ardent followers and supporters. Through their California company and the continuing dedication of Ed Justice, Jr., they have spread their support throughout the motorsports world. Their involvement in the sport reached many levels and included significant participation in many of the famed Kurtis-Kraft racers which were so popular in the early years. In 2015, the Justice Brothers celebrated their 70th year of participation in the Indianapolis 500. As sponsors of the Petersen Motorsports Porsche, they claimed the 2003 and 2004 24 Hours of LeMans. Their collection of vintage racing vehicles stands as one of the finest in America. Justice Brothers continues to this day to service the racing fraternity through their line of car care products, fleet, farm and industrial lubricants and cleaners.
Morrison was instrumental in perfecting the art of timing and scoring and served numerous capacities as an official after a stint as a driver and car owner. Working with associations such as the SRA (Southern Racing Association), IVMA (Imperial Valley Midget Association) and the United Midget Association, he and his wife Ethel were heavily involved in the sport and in 1946 and 1947, he served as the president of the URA. He passed away in 1970, but was a driving force in organization and rules implementation.
Kelley, affectionately referred to as Mr. NEMA, served as an official for 37 years with the Northeastern Midget Association and worked tirelessly to promote and advance the organization. At the time of his untimely death in 1989, he had attended 655 of 659 NEMA events to that point! As secretary, chief scorer and treasurer, he earned the respect of everyone with his diligent record-keeping and integrity. As a car owner, he fielded cars for two-time NEMA champion Al Pillion and others and, in 1959, was the Non-Offy owner champion. He and his brother Ray were the first recipients of the Bay State Old Timers Award for Dedication to the Preservation of New England Auto Racing. He was one of the initial inductees into the Dick Gallagher Memorial Hall of Fame. A group of life-long fans honored him with their Johnny Thomson Memorial Trophy and NEMA established the Wen Kelley Memorial Award after his untimely passing.
Rieder is one of the sport’s most accomplished car owners. With over 50 years of experience in auto racing, he has built cars and guided the careers of many of the sport’s top drivers. He captured a half-dozen championships and in 1986 alone his cars won 23 feature events! Among his 14 USAC victories were the 1985 and 1987 Night Before the 500s and the 1986 Hoosier Dome classic with Nick Fornoro Jr. and the 1972 Hut Hundred with Pancho Carter. He also fielded the USAC Championship cars for 1976 Syracuse 100 and 1977 Hoosier Hundred winner Carter. Midget championships included USAC (1972), ARDC (1985 and 1986), ESMRA and SMRC (1985) and All-Star Outlaw (1986). In 1971, he served as the President of the American Racing Drivers Club (ARDC).
Roberts was one of the most accomplished Midget racers in the history of central America. The kingpin of the Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association (RMMRA) headquartered in Colorado, he claimed championships in 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1999. He was the 1979 RMMRA Most Improved Driver and in 1985 and 1988, he was the series “Mechanic of the Year.” In 2001, he was inducted into the Belleville High Banks Hall of Fame and in 2006, he was inducted into the Colorado Motorsports Hall of Fame. A frequent competitor with the USAC National Midget series, his career was shortened when he was seriously injured in a highway crash in 2000. During his RMMRA career, he posted an all-time record of 80 victories.
Unser has driven most everything the sport has had to offer and his three Indianapolis 500 victories came in 1968, 1975 and 1981. The only driver in USAC history to post feature victories during five decades, Bobby won the first USAC race ever held in his native New Mexico, a 1963 Midget race at Speedway Park in Albuquerque. Although he had an extensive career in Midgets, he never concentrated on Midget championships. A member of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, National Sprint Car Hall of Fame, Colorado Sports Car Hall of Fame and Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, he won USAC’s “Fast Masters” championship in 1993, featuring the world’s greatest race drivers. In 1968 and 1974, he was USAC’s National Champion and 13 times he won championships at the prestigious Pikes Peak Hill Climb.
News from the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek
Media Contact: Brett Deyo – bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com or 845.728.2781
For Immediate Release/September 17, 2015
Just Two Events Left To Decide 2015 Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek Bob Hilbert Sportswear North Region $15,000 Championship: Thunder Mountain Speedway Sunday, Sept. 27 & I-88 Speedway Saturday, Oct. 10; Stewart Friesen Currently Tops Standings
CENTER LISLE, NY – After just two more events, a $15,000 champion will be crowned by the Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Hi-Tek.
A pair of high-profile race programs – the MjH Oilfield Wade Decker Memorial at Thunder Mountain Speedway in Center Lisle, N.Y. and the Halmar International Short Track SuperNationals presented by Olum’s at I-88 Speedway in Afton, N.Y. – will decide the 2015 STSS Bob Hilbert Sportswear North Region title winner.
Heading into the rescheduled Wade Decker Memorial special at Thunder Mountain on Sunday, Sept. 27, Stewart Friesen of Sprakers, N.Y., leads the standings. Friesen, driving the Jeff Daley-backed No. 44, has earned three STSS North Region wins this season: the ‘Hard Clay Open’ at Middletown, N.Y.’s Orange County Fair Speedway in April, the July ‘Crazy 8s Special’ at I-88 Speedway and the inaugural stop at Woodhull (N.Y.) Raceway for the ‘Hustlin’ the High Banks 51’ in August.
Friesen, whose only finish outside the top-two occurred in a crash-prompted DNF at N.Y.’s Accord Speedway in May, has accrued 530 total points.
Danny Johnson of Rochester, N.Y., currently sits second in the standings driving for Chris Gennarelli (481 points), followed by inaugural STSS champion Andy Bachetti of Sheffield, Mass. (406 points), Anthony Perrego of Montgomery, N.Y. (397 points), and Jeff Heotzler of Wallkill, N.Y. (341 points).
Completing the top-12 are Tommy Meier of Waldwick, N.J. (332 points), Jerry Higbie Jr. of Newburgh, N.Y. and Jackie Brown Jr. of Hurley, N.Y. (each with 327 points), Billy Van Pelt of Westfield, Pa. (319 points), Mike Mahaney of King Ferry, N.Y. (303 points), Danny Creeden of Wurtsboro, N.Y. (293 points) and Mike Ricci of Tillson, N.Y. (285 points).
The Wade Decker Memorial is the final of seven races offering a 100-point structure for the season. After the race’s completion, drivers will utilize their six best finishes to determine the standings entering the Short Track SuperNationals Oct. 9-10 at I-88. Competitors with perfect attendance through the first seven races will receive a 75-point attendance bonus added to their total.
The SuperNationals at I-88 works off increased “championship points” with 150 markers going to the victor. It is a must-attend event for those vying for a top-12 paid position in the standings. The top-dozen STSS North Region competitors will share in more than $38,000 in point-fund cash plus contingency awards.
The Wade Decker Memorial takes place at Thunder Mountain on Sunday, Sept. 27 headlined by a 50-lap, $5,000-plus to win Modified event plus a $1,000-to-win Cash Dash presented by Hank Decker Logging. Also on the card are GRIT American Series Crate 602 Sportsman, Street Stocks and XCel 600 Modifieds, all racing for $1,000 to win.
At I-88, there are two full days of racing during the Short Track SuperNationals on both Friday, Oct. 9 and Saturday, Oct. 10. The 50-lap Modified main takes place Saturday night offering $5,000 to win and a hefty $500 just to take the green flag. A champion will be crowned in what should be a very dramatic main event for fans congregating at the Afton Fairgrounds.
To learn more about the Short Track Super Series or BD Motorsports Media LLC, visitwww.shortttracksuperseries.com or www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com, call 845.728.2781 or e-mailbdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com. “Like” Short Track Super Series on Facebook or follow @ShortTrackSS on Twitter.
Thunder Mountain Speedway is located at 91 Hunts Corners Road Center Lisle, NY 13797, approximately 25 miles north of Binghamton. The three-eighths-mile clay oval features hillside concrete seating, free parking and camping, a variety of concession items and novelties, a family environment and more.
News from the Mid-Atlantic Championship Weekend
Media Contact: Brett Deyo – bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com or 845.728.2781
For Immediate Release/September 16, 2015
New Egypt Speedway ‘Mid-Atlantic Championship Weekend’ Offers Halloween Weekend Auto Racing Excitement; Modified $5,000-to-win, SpeedSTRs, Crate & Open Sportsman, RaceSaver® Sprints, Outlaw Stocks & XCel 600 Modifieds Part Of Busy Two-Day Racing Weekend
NEW EGYPT, NJ – There will be no tricks – just treats – when New Egypt Speedway hosts the Mid-Atlantic Championship weekend October 30-31.
Two busy days of racing are planned for the D-shaped 7/16ths-mile facility to conclude the 2015 season in grand style. The Mid-Atlantic Championship is co-promoted by BD Motorsports Media LLC as a special Halloween weekend spectacular for the area’s race fans and competitors featuring a plethora of divisions.
The Mid-Atlantic Championship weekend is headlined by a $5,000-to-win Modified event, featuring big- and small-block engine combinations on Saturday (October 31). This 40-lap main will reward drivers with $1,000 for 10th-place and $400 just to take the green flag.
This program is an affiliate of the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek, which will have concluded its point season for both the North and South Regions by that point.
Also on Saturday will be the return of the SpeedSTRs to New Egypt Speedway. The NES venue was key in the early development of the cars by Rich ‘Toby’ Tobias with its Sunday afternoon specials. The division has since exploded with the advent of Action Track USA in Kutztown, Pa., and will bring superstar drivers from various facets of racing together in a $3,000-to-win clash.
Saturday’s program will be rounded out by the Open vs. Crate 602 Sportsman (25 laps) offering $1,200 to win, $120 to start and Crate 602 bonuses and XCel 600 Modifieds racing for $1,000 to win in a 20-lap feature.
For the Saturday event, pit gates will open at 11 a.m. Grandstand gates swing open at 1 p.m. Hot laps get underway at 3 p.m., with qualifying underway at 4 p.m.
Friday night (October 30) will be topped by a Crate 602 Sportsman championship offering $1,000 to win and $100 to start for a 25-lap main. The RaceSaver® 305 Sprint Cars, Outlaw Stocks and open Modified practice are planned. Modifieds will be timed during their practice rounds, with a dash involving the fastest qualifiers giving the winning driver a redraw position for Saturday’s main event.
On Friday, pit gates open at 3 p.m. Grandstand gates open at 5 p.m. Hot laps begin at 6:15 p.m., with racing at 7 p.m.
Complete event information and pricing will be posted on the Short Track Super Series/BD Motorsports Media LLC website at: www.bdmotorsportsmedia.com. Contact Brett Deyo by phone at 845.728.2781, via e-mail at bdmotorsportsmedia@gmail.com, on Facebook: Short Track Super Series and on Twitter @ShortTrackSS.
Located in New Egypt, N.J., New Egypt Speedway features a daylight-quality lighting system and excellent sightlines from any seat in the house. There are clean, heated restrooms, a monitored playground area for young fans and restaurant-quality concession stands serving up a full menu at family style prices. The racy, 7/16ths-mile clay oval hosts tight, wheel-to-wheel, all-out competition. New Egypt Speedway’s GPS address is 720 Route 539 New Egypt, NJ 08533 and the speedway website is www.newegyptspeedway.net.
Other stuff:
I don’t know about you, but all this talk about our President (Government) allowing hundreds of thousands of foreigners into our country really disturbs me. What the h*ll is he (they) up to, anyway?
Found on the Internet:
Great Post sent to me the other day:
I said: it’s sad they thought that kid had a bomb.
She said: they didn’t think he had a bomb.
I said: yes, they thought he made a bomb and even called the police.
She said: They just wanted to humiliate a little Muslim boy. They didn’t think he had a bomb.
I said: Don’t be a conspiracy theorist. They might be a little prejudiced, but I’m sure they thought he had a bomb.
She said: OK.
But they didn’t evacuate the school, like you do when there’s a bomb.
They didn’t call a bomb squad – like you do when there’s a bomb.
They didn’t get as far away from him as possible, like you do when there’s a bomb.
Then they put him and the clock in an office: not like you do when there’s a bomb
Then they waited with him for the police to arrive, and then they put the clock in the same car as the police.
Then they took pictures of it.
I said: Damn…..They never thought he had a bomb.
EQUAL RIGHTS are HUMAN RIGHTS
The Irving PD, & the School Admin will be rightfully sued.
They can now pay Ahmed’s way to MIT.
Thanks.
“They never thought he had a bomb”
REALLY? University Of New Mexico Now Saying American Flag Is Considered Offensive Material! – found on Facebook.
I was never a NY Yankee fan, but I did respect Yogi Berra as a player. May he rest in peace after passing away at age 90, on Tuesday.
Video:
Due to my having a load of company, and celebrating birthday # 78, then having a [power failure last night (Tues) while finally getting to work on my column, thus losing all the new stuff I had added, there will be no video this week. Sorry!
This week’s joke:
Found this on Facebook on Wednesday, at around 3:15 PM:
Ruger is coming out with a new pistol in honor of the senate and the house of representatives.
It will be named the “Congressman”.
It doesn’t work, and you can’t fire it.
Until my next column – next week
Columns are available on the Dirt Track Digest at: http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/ at Contributing Columnists
And:
http://newenglandtractor.com/racereport/
Just in case anyone wants to contact me. My email is: ygordad@yahoo.com