By Tom Avenengo
This week’s photo:
George Fonder in a Ken Hickey Offy midget:
He was one of the best, here in the Northeast, as far a midget drivers go. He basically ran midgets owned by Ken Hickey throughout his career. His career started in 1938 and went until he was fatally injured at Hatfield, PA on June 14, 1958. He also competed in the Indy 500 on three different occasions. He was fatally injured in a midget racing crash. One of the top midget drivers of the 1940’s and 1950’s, he also drove in sprints. He died in a one-off return race after retiring a few years before.
Some personal/family stuff:
Well, I sure hope that all that read my stuff had a better Mother’s Day, than I did. Granted, my late wife wasn’t my mother, but she was the mother to five of our children – Judy, Sandy, Tom Jr., Eric and Sarah. On top of that about 18 grand children and a few great grand children, too. She was always so happy to see our kids – especially on holidays. I know that none of us will ever forget her.
Had some sad news the other day (Mother’s Day). My son Tom’s wife, Penny, was about to eat breakfast, when for some unknown reason she passed out, fell off the chair, and onto the floor. She was back home later in the day and actually went to work on Monday. Test results are still pending.
Latest news is that she went back home around 5:00 on Sunday, and, believe it or not, went to work on Monday!
Racin’ stuff:
Modified driver Tyler Dippel was involved in an accident last Saturday night at the Lebanon Valley Speedway. Seems that he, and another crew member – Roddy Watts, were under the trailer door when it fell on them. Seems that young Tyler has some injuries to his pelvis and is in a hospital in New York. Best wishes for a speedy recovery to both that were injured in that freak accident! From what I’ve seen on the Internet, Roddy was back home and Tyler was due to be released – possibly as early as Tuesday, with no surgery being required.
Health concerns force Foyt to focus on more than Indy
http://news.yahoo.com/health-concerns-force-foyt-focus-more-indy-152103307–spt.html
So, might Danica be going to F-1
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/patrick-f1-haas-not-ruling-133014851–f1.html
Hmm, interesting stuff here – from OCFS:
Taken off of the OCFS website and the write up on last week’s racing:
“Higbie, who marched to the checkered flags caution-free, finished more than three seconds ahead of Mike Ruggiero, who ran second the entire distance. It marked the fifth straight time this season that the Modified winner started on the pole.
“That’s why it’s so important to get a starting position up front here,’’ said Higbie. “You can pass at this track, but there are so many good cars that it’s difficult to get all the way to the front. You can advance just so far and then run into a wall.”
Note: So, it looks like a feature winners at OCFS in the future will not be coming from the back, then? Must be part of the reason the stands don’t have as many fans in them as they used to, huh? Is there a solution to the problem? Maybe a new surface is needed? Maybe handicapping should be by points – regardless of how a driver has done in his last three races? Or, maybe make the track a shade smaller? There’s a little more about lap times and speeds further on in this week’s column. Yes, I can well remember when a feature winner would come from the back in the field.
NASCAR issues written warnings to teams of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Joey Logano and three others
Dustin Long
May 13, 2015, 11:51 AM EDT
NASCAR announced Wednesday that Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s team and Joey Logano’s team were among five Sprint Cup teams that received written warnings for failing inspection last weekend at Kansas Speedway.
NASCAR stated that the teams of Logano, Casey Mears and Paul Menard received written warnings for failing pre-qualifying inspection twice.
NASCAR stated that the teams of Earnhardt and Cole Whitt received written warnings for failing pre-race inspection twice.
The Sprint Cup Rule Book states in section 12.5.3.1.c that if the same team receives two warnings during two consecutive events – whether a points event or not – then the team faces a P1 penalty that could include one or more of the following: Deduction of practice time, deduction of qualifying time, last choice in selecting pits, delay in order of inspection and/or other penalties.
NASCAR has placed an emphasis on teams getting through inspection in a timely fashion this season. Teams were warned last month about formalized penalties for failing to pass inspection.
NASCAR also announced that the cars taken from last weekend’s Kansas race to the R&D Center for further inspection all passed. Those cars were Jimmie Johnson’s, Kevin Harvick’s and Matt Kenseth’s.
From Jayski:
http://www.jayski.com/
http://www.jayski.com/news/stats/2015/story/_/page/2015-NASCAR-Sprint-Cup-All-Star-Race#entry-lists
Kyle Busch to Remain Eligible for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship:
NASCAR announced today that Kyle Busch will remain eligible to compete for the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship. Busch will qualify for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup by meeting all requirements of eligibility excluding Rule 17.6.2.1.a, which requires a driver to start all Championship Events of the current season. NASCAR made the decision after the driver of the #18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota received the appropriate medical clearance documentation to immediately return to NASCAR racing. To qualify for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Busch will need to be within the top 30 of the Championship point standings after race No. 26, and meet all other stated requirements within the NASCAR Rule Book. “On behalf of everyone at NASCAR, it’s great to have Kyle Busch back racing,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. “Our decision to grant Kyle a waiver that allows him to continue running for a championship is one we discussed extensively. The spirit of the rule never was designed to punish drivers who are unable to compete due to extenuating circumstances such as recovering from a racing accident. We wish Kyle the best of luck in the balance of the season, and look forward to his return to the car this week for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.”(NASCAR)(5-13-2015)
What will it take for Kyle Busch to make the top 30:
Kyle Busch returns to the #18 M&M’s Toyota for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte. To race for a title in the 10-race, season-ending Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Busch must win one of the next 15 races, receive a medical waiver from NASCAR and either finish in the top 30 in points, or receive another NASCAR waiver for that requirement as well. Right now, #14-Tony Stewart is 30th in points, with 179 after 11 races. Over 26 races, that projects to about 423 points. For Busch to get 423 points — and ultimately, the 30th-place driver likely will have slightly more or less than 423 — he’d have to average 28.2 points in the next 15 races. So far this season, the top 11 drivers in the Sprint Cup standings have averaged at least 28.2 points per race.( )
AND Last year, #38-David Gilliland was 30th in the standings after the September Richmond race with 407 points. Over the past four years, the average point total for 30th place in the driver standings is 420.8 points. Factoring that, Busch would need to average a 16th-place finish to be in the top 30 when the Chase for the Sprint Cup begins in September. #14-Tony Stewart is 30th in the points at the Sprint All-Star break with 179 points in 11 races (an average of 16.3 points per race). If that pace continues for whoever finishes 30th in the points before the Chase begins in September, they would have 423 points. Busch would need to average a 15th-place finish to reach the top 30 in points(NBC Sports)(5-13-2015)
Will Kimmel to run the #32 at Kentucky:
Will Kimmel, nephew of ARCA Legend Frank Kimme and son of 8-time ARCA crew chief champion Bill Kimmel, will attempt to make his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut at Kentucky Speedway on July 11 in the #32 Go FAS Racing Ford. After being approached earlier in the year by Go FAS Racing owner Archie St. Hilaire, Kimmel signed a one-race deal with the organization. “We just got the opportunity to run for Archie St. Hilaire with Go Fas Racing,” said Kimmel. “I drove for Archie for the first time in 2011 in the Nationwide [now XFINITY] car. Archie approached me earlier this year, and we have been able to work a deal out where I get to run a Cup race. I’m absolutely beside myself to get to go run in the most elite series in the world. There is no higher up than that.” Driving for his family-run team in the ARCA Series since 2008, Kimmel has recorded 11 top fives and 26 top 10s in 79 races. In 2010, his team ran a Camping World Truck Series race at Kentucky, finishing 21st. The next year, he ran an event for Go Green Racing in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, where he also raced at Kentucky. The #32 team will have partial funding from Keen Parts for the race, but is still looking for additional sponsorship.(Frontstretch)(5-13-2015)
Moffitt Named Primary Driver of #34:
Front Row Motorsports will keep 22-year-old Brett Moffitt behind the wheel of its #34 Ford Fusion. The team has named the Grimes, Iowa, native as the primary driver of its #34 entry in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, including multiple races with primary sponsorship from CSX and its “Play It Safe” initiative. The arrangement will provide consistency behind the wheel of the #34, whose seat was filled by multiple drivers over the past 10 races. Moffitt has already driven the #34 for three races this season, including Saturday at Kansas Speedway. Front Row Motorsports had initially filled the seat vacated by David Ragan on a week-to-week basis while the Sprint Cup veteran filled in for an injured Kyle Busch in the #18 car. Now that Ragan has moved to the #55 of Michael Waltrip Racing for the remainder of the 2015 season, Front Row is grateful to have the full-time availability of the up-and-comer Moffitt.
“I am excited for the opportunity to be in a Sprint Cup car on a weekly basis,” Moffitt said. “The most important thing for me at this point of my career is seat time, going to some of these tracks that are new to me, and racing around 42 other drivers in race conditions. And the more time I spend in the 34 car and with this team, the more competitive we’ll get. And I think that consistency will lead to some good finishes.”
“We’re glad to be able to move forward knowing who is going to be in the car on a consistent basis,” said team owner Bob Jenkins. “Brett’s already got some great experience under his belt, and I think having the same driver-crew chief team working together regularly will bring some stability to our No. 34 team and help Brett with his development as well.”
The arrangement provides CSX another young driver to help deliver its railroad safety message to the targeted audience of 18- to 34-year-old males. Moffitt and the #34 team will promote the familiar “Play It Safe” message at multiple Sprint Cup races, including the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte on May 24. “We’re excited to have such a promising new driver who, at 22, fits squarely in the demographic of drivers and pedestrians we’re trying to reach with our important safety message,” said John Claybrooks, CSX Director of Brand, Digital Media & Marketing Communications. “Brett brings renewed dynamism and competitive energy to the program.” Moffitt, a 2015 Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate, has 16 Sprint Cup career starts with a top finish of eighth earlier this season at Atlanta.(Front Row Motorsports / Breaking Limits)(5-13-2015)
From Track Forum:
http://www.trackforum.com/forums/forum.php
Short Oval Track in the Infield at Indy – Discussions Confirmed
http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php/194160-Short-Oval-Track-in-the-Infield-at-Indy-Discussions-Confirmed
From the Dirt Track Digest Forum:
http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/
WRG unloads another property
http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/index.php?/topic/53487-wrg-unloads-another-property/
From the AARN:
Teenager Ryan Krachun Becomes Youngest Modified Winner In New Jersey Racing History
New Troyer Car Propels Mike Leaty To RoC Oswego Romp
Schatz Sweeps Eldora Weekend; WoO Heads East This Week
Sitterly’s Supermodified Title Quest At Oswego Gets Off To Winning Start
‘Save Syracuse’ Movement Gains Traction, Focus
Laubach Outraces ‘Anthracite Assault’ Field In Big Diamond STSS Race
Tyler Dippel Hurt In Trailer Door Collapse At Leb Val
Beers Best At Mahoning Valley In Thriller
Kevin Hirthler Sharp In Grandview 358 Modified Victory
And this, too, from this week’s edition:
Here’s where to write to if you’re interested in keeping stock car racing at Syracuse:
comment@agriculture.ny.gov
In Ernie Saxton’s column, he makes not that so far this year, Saturday night racing for NASCAR Cup cars hasn’t been all that well received.
When the Oswego Speedway opened up a week ago, it being their 65th year of operation, track announcer Roy Sova was scheduled to start his 51st consecutive year.
Gee, but they’re getting younger. The winner of the Modified feature at New Egypt last week, Ryan Krachun is only 16 years old.
The ARDC ran on the smaller track at Bridgeport. There were only 15 cars shown running their feature.
John Snyder had a few things in his column this week regarding the lap times and speeds at OCFS last Saturday. Feature winner Jerry Higbie, had a timed lap of 21.061, which figures out to 106.883 MPH. Chuck McKee and Steve Dodd turned in identical laps, with a time of 21.643. Lap times, first to last, in the modified feature was 1.829 seconds, but might have been closer except that Cliff Ehrman, in his second appearance this season, timed in at 22.930. In the Small Block feature, feature winner Tommy Meier turned a best lap of 21.449. However, Tim Hindley was even faster with a lap timed at 21.369.
Former OVRP Dirt Oval racers:
Kyle Redner was 3rd in the 358/Sportsman feature at Bethel. JB Morris was 4th in the 4 Cylinder advanced feature, while Joe Morris was 6th.
Somehow the name Cody Bleu rings a bell as one that ran at the Dirt Oval at OVRP. He was the feature winner in the 602 Sportsman feature at Fonda.
Brian Sobus was 17th in the Super Modified feature at Oswego.
Davie Franek was 6th in the 360 Sprint feature at Selinsgrove.
Nick Pecko was 25th at Oswego in the RoC Modified feature.
At Penn Can, in the CRSA Sprints, Josh Pieniazek was 3rd, Brian Krummel 5th, Joe Kata 13th, Emily VanInwegen 19th and Chuck Alessi 21st. If Tyler Jashembowski ran at the Dirt Oval (pretty sure he did), he was 14th.
Alex Bell was 12th in the Modified feature at A/S. Bobby Hackel IV was 26th. Hunter Bates was 12th in the Sportsman feature.
Johnny Guarino was 17th in the Modified feature at New Egypt.
At Accord, in the Spec Sportsman feature (11 laps due to curfew), Zack Mead was 13th, Jimmy Johnson 16th and Winter Mead 18th.
Tyler Pirone won the Slingshot feature with Wyatt Clark was 3rd.
Kolby Schroder was 18th, and Kyle Armstrong 21st in the Modified feature at Lebanon Valley. Tyler Dippel was a DNS (due to accident in pits prior to the nights racing). He was also a DNS in the Small Block feature.
At Big Diamond, Anthony Perrego was 4th and Tyler Dipple 16th in the 50 lap Modified feature. Billy V and Danny Creeden were DNQ’s.
Mike Mammana was 6th in the Sportsman feature
Tyler Dippel won the XCEL 600 Modified feature.
At OCFS, in the Modified feature, Mike Ruggiero was 2nd, Tim Hindley 4th, Billy V 5th, Anthony Perrego 7th and Danny Creeden 8th.
Matt Hitchcock was 4th, Brian Krummel 5th, Matt Janiak 6th, Dominick Roselli, Jr. 7th, Joey Falanga 8th, Zack Vavricka 15th, Anthony Falanga 17th and Joe Conklin 21st. Joey Bruning was a DNQ.
In the Small Block feature, Danny Creeden was 2nd Tim HIndley 3rd, LJ Lombardo 6th, John Finley 21st and Tom Hindley 22nd.
Hey, chances are I might have missed someone, so, if so, I’m sorry!
Midget Racing from “Back in the Day”:
Here’s the midget win list for the late George Fonder. He was quite the midget driver. He also was in some Indy Car races, too. Funny, but I can’t recall him running Sprint Cars, though, although it’s said he did run them.
George Fonder race wins
Lansdale, PA
1938
C. Liebensberger was the owner of the Gordon Garage Racing Team.
1939
November 19 Pottstown, PA Sanatoga Speedway 100 laps
November 26 Pottstown, PA Sanatoga Speedway
30 laps
1940
July 2 Freeport, LI, NY Freeport Stadium 25 laps
July 13 Philadelphia, PA National Speedway 25 laps
July 20 Philadelphia, PA National Speedway 25 laps
September 2 Hershey, PA Hershey Stadium 30 laps
September 9 Staten Island, NY Thompson Stadium 30 laps
September 11 Philadelphia, PA National Speedway 25 laps
September 20 Philadelphia, PA National Speedway 25 laps
November 20 Miami, FL Flagler Speedway 30 laps
November 26 Miami, FL Flagler Speedway 25 laps
Gordon Elto
December 8 Miami, FL Flagler Speedway 25 laps
1941
January 12 Tampa, FL Phillips Field 35 laps
May 1 Philadelphia, PA National Speedway 25 laps
May 3 Philadelphia, PA National Speedway 25 laps
May 4 Union, NJ Tri-City Stadium 25 laps
May 7 Philadelphia, PA National Speedway 25 laps
May 8 Union, NJ Tri-City Stadium 25 laps
May 10 Philadelphia, PA National Speedway 25 laps
May 15 Union, NJ Tri-City Stadium 25 laps
May 29 Union, NJ Tri-City Stadium 25 laps
June 1 Union, NJ Tri-City Stadium 25 laps
June 4 Union, NJ Tri-City Stadium 25 laps
June 8 Hatfield, PA Hatfield Speedway 25 laps
Tony Willman Offy
June 11 Philadelphia, PA National Speedway 25 laps
June 17 Allentown, PA Dorney Park Speedway 25 laps
June 21 Philadelphia, PA National Speedway 100 laps
June 28 Philadelphia, PA National Speedway 25 laps
July 2 Freeport, NY Freeport Stadium 25 laps
July 5 Philadelphia, PA National Speedway 25 laps
July 10 Hershey, PA Hershey Stadium 25 laps
July 13 Philadelphia, PA National Speedway 25 laps
July 14 Allentown, PA Dorney Park Speedway 25 laps
#10 Gordon
July 16 Philadelphia, PA National Speedway 25 laps
July 20 Philadelphia, PA National Speedway 25 laps
July 31 Hershey, PA Hershey Stadium 100 laps
August 20 Freeport, NY Freeport Stadium 25 laps
August 27 Union, NJ Tri-City Stadium 25 laps
August 30 Philadelphia, PA National Speedway 25 laps
AAA
August 31 Union, NJ Tri-City Stadium 25 laps
September 15 Allentown, PA Dorney Park Speedway 25 laps
September 21 Philadelphia, PA National Speedway 100 laps
AAA
September 22 Allentown, PA Dorney Park Speedway 50 laps
September 27Philadelphia, PA National Speedway 25 laps
September 28 Union, NJ Tri-City Stadium 25 laps
October 4 Philadelphia, PA National Speedway 25 laps
November 2 Danbury, CT Danbury Speedway 150 laps
1941 Notes
Fonder won a total of 12 features at National Speedway. They are listed here by race #—-1, 2, 3, 6, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 30, 32 and 33. No exact dates.
The 6/8 race came from the Gettysburg Times of 6/10/41.
1942
May 2 Philadelphia, PA National Speedway 20 laps
May 3 Allentown, PA Dorney Park Speedway 25 laps
May 9 Philadelphia, PA National Speedway 20 laps
AAA
June 20 Philadelphia, PA National Speedway 100 laps
June 21 Union, NJ Tri-City Stadium 100 laps
June 27 Philadelphia, PA National Speedway 100 laps
AAA
1946
June 11 Lanham, MD Lanham Speedway 25 laps
June 18 Lanham, MD Lanham Speedway 25 laps
June 30 Danbury, CT Danbury Speedway 25 laps
July 2 Lanham, MD Lanham Speedway 25 laps
August 5 Philadelphia, PA Yellow Jacket Speedway 25 laps
August 21 Richmond, VA Richmond Stadium 25 laps
August 27 Lanham, MD Lanham Speedway 25 laps
September 2 Philadelphia, PA Yellow Jacket Speedway 25 laps
September 4 Richmond, VA Richmond City Stadium 25 laps
September 11 Richmond, VA Richmond City Stadium 25 laps
September 23 Philadelphia, PA Yellow Jacket Speedway 25 laps
September 25 Richmond, VA Richmond City Stadium 25 laps
October 17 Philadelphia, PA Yellow Jacket Speedway 50 laps
Drove the Ken Hickey V8-60 #9.
1947
May 14 Richmond, VA Richmond City Stadium 25 laps
June 13 Paterson, NJ Hinchcliffe Stadium 25 laps
Outboard
June 16 Philadelphia, PA Yellow Jacket Speedway 25 laps
July 25 Lanham, MD Lanham Speedway 50 laps
July 29 Norfolk, VA Princess Anne Speedway 25 laps
July 31 Philadelphia, PA Yellow Jacket Speedway 25 laps
August 5 Norfolk, VA Princess Ann Speedway 25 laps
August 6 Richmond, VA Richmond City Stadium 25 laps
August 12 Lanham, MD Lanham Speedway 50 laps
August 13 Richmond, VA Richmond City Stadium 25 laps
August 25 Philadelphia, PA Yellow Jacket Speedway 25 laps
August 26 Lanham, MD Lanham Speedway
August 29 Norfolk, VA Princess Anne Stadium 25 laps
September 16 Norfolk, VA Princess Ann Speedway 25 laps
September 17 Richmond, VA Richmond Stadium 25 laps
September 18 Philadelphia, PA Yellow Jacket Speedway 25 laps
September 26 Lanham, MD Lanham Speedway 100 laps
1948
May 25 Pittstown, PA Bone Stadium 25 laps
June 11 Lanham, MD Lanham Speedway
June 14 Philadelphia, PA Yellow Jacket Speedway 50 laps
June 17? Lanham, MD??? Lanham Speedway 25 laps
June 29 Norfolk, VA Princess Anne Speedway 50 laps
July 14 Pottstown, PA Sanatoga Park Speedway 25 laps
July 21 Pottstown, PA Sanatoga Park Speedway 25 laps
July 28 Pottstown, PA Sanatoga Park Speedway 25 laps
July 30 Lanham, MD Lanham Speedway
August 3 Pittstown, PA Bone Stadium
August 4 Pottstown, PA Sanatoga Park Speedway 25 laps
Twin Features AAA
August 4 Pottstown, PA Sanatoga Park Speedway 25 laps
August 10 Mahanoy City, PA Township Stadium 20 laps
September 11 Hatfield, PA Hatfield Speedway 40 laps
October 22 Hatfield, PA Hatfield Speedway 40 laps
Sanatoga five wins in row. Drove the Ken Hickey Offy #19 all season. Hatfield champion
1949
May 15* Hagerstown, MD Conococheague Speedway 20 laps
(Hagerstown Speedway)
June 5 Clear Springs, MD Possibly Hagerstown 20 laps
July 2 Hatfield, PA Hatfield Speedway 25 laps
August 20 Freeport, NY Freeport Stadium 25 laps
September 18 Hatfield, PA Hatfield Speedway 20 laps
October 2 Williams Grove, PA Williams Grove Speedway ½ D 200 laps
100 miles AAA
*The Daily Mail, Hagerstown, MD 5/16/49
1950
July 2 Hatfield, PA Hatfield Speedway 25 laps
Caccia Offy #1
August 20 Hatfield, PA Hatfield Speedway 30 laps
Caccia Offy #5
ARDC
1951
May 7 Williams Grove, PA Williams Grove Speedway 200 laps
Caccia Offy
1 hr, 33 mins, 22.55 sec.
October 3 Williams Grove, PA Williams Grove Speedway 200 laps
1952
August 17 William Grove, PA Williams Grove Speedway 1./2 D 100 laps Calia Offy AAA Nat.
1955
May 7 Hatfield, PA Hatfield Speedway 20 laps
Grabow Offy #3 ARDC/AAA National
June 18 Hatfield, PA Hatfield Speedway 25 laps
ARDC
August 27 Hatfield, PA Hatfield Speedway 20 laps
ARDC/AAA
1956
June Flemington, NJ Flemington Speedway
August 17 Middletown, NY Orange County Fair Speedway
ARDC
August 19 Flemington, NJ Flemington Speedway
ARDC
September 2 Flemington, NJ Flemington Speedway
ARDC
October 7 Flemington, NJ Flemington Fairgrounds 96 laps
Accident (100) ARDC
October 7 Flemington, NJ 55 laps Feature called because of darkness (100) ARDC
Ken Hickey Offy
1957
May 12 Williams Grove, PA Williams Grove Speedway 30 laps
ARDC
August 4 Hatfield, PA Hatfield Speedway
ARDC
August 15 Hatfield, PA Hatfield Speedway 20 laps
August 31 Flemington, NJ Flemington Fairgrounds 20 laps
ARDC
Notes
George Fonder was born on Friday, June 22, 1917 in Elmhurst, PA. He was killed in a midget accident on Saturday, June 14, 1958, at Hatfield, PA.
From the Crocky Wright Midget History Book—“Tragedy marred the third program at the Hatfield Speedway on June 14 as veteran driver George Fonder, in the Hickey Offy No. 19, tangled with Van Johnson coming off the fourth turn in the sixth lap. Fonder’s car got airborne and crashed into the wood and wire fence along the straightaway. Johnson’s car, the Lowther No. 77 Offy, flipped on its side and slid down the main straightaway. Fonder passed away en route to the North Penn Hospital while Johnson was admitted with severe neck and chest injuries.”
Fonder was from Lansdale, PA and started driving midgets in 1937 or ’38, he first sat in a midget at the Convention Hall, Atlantic City.
1941 Track championships at Hershey, Dorney Park, National Speedway and Danbury
Press Releases:
NEWS FROM Orange County Fair Speedway
Middletown, NY10940
CONTACT Mike Gurda
239 Wisner Avenue 845-342-2573
Middletown, NY10940
FOR RELEASE BEGINNING MONDAY, MAY 11
RACING CONTINUES FULL STRIDE SATURDAY NIGHT, MAY 16 AT ORANGE COUNTY FAIR SPEEDWAY
MIDDLETOWN, NY (May 11)……The fifth evening of the 2015 season of weekly stock car racing at Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, New York is set for Saturday, May 16. The night’s action will include five divisions in qualifying and feature event races, with the mighty Big-Block Modifieds headlining the program. Also on the card will be the very competitive Small-Block Modifieds, the unpredictable Sportsman, the full-bodied Street Stocks, and the four-cylinder Thunder Trucks. For the youngsters in attendance, the Orange County Kids Club has special activities scheduled.
In the Modified division, the four previous feature races have produced four different winners as young Anthony Perrego won on opening night, Chuck McKee, Jeff Heotzler, and Jerry Higbie—all former champions—also have been victorious on the Hard Clay five-eighths-mile speedway.
Defending Modified division champion Tim Hindley is still looking for his first win of 2015, but his consistent finishes have him in second place in the point standings, just a single marker behind Higbie.
Jesco, Holiday Inn of Middletown, and Tony Monaco Landscaping are the sponsors of the May 16 race meet.
Admission prices for the May 16 race meet remain at $14 adults, $12 seniors, and $1 for children 12 and under. Parking on the Fairgrounds is free. The full night of racing begins promptly at 7:00 pm.
Looking ahead, no racing is scheduled for Saturday, May 23, but action returns to the Hard Clay track on Saturday, May 30, with a dynamite lineup that includes Modifieds, Sportsman, Rookie Sportsman, Street Stocks, Thunder Trucks, Four-Cylinder Cars, and a return engagement of the CRSA Sprint Cars.
Then on Saturday, June 6, it’s the annual Nostalgia Night when Orange County Fair Speedway celebrates its glorious racing history. Many top drivers and car owners from past seasons will be on hand that evening, with an extended intermission scheduled to allow fans to meet and get autographs from their racing heroes of yesteryear. In addition, both the Atlantic Coast Old Timers and the Northeast Vintage Modifieds will have cars on display along the Midway and in exhibition races on the track. This is a night to come to the track early, enjoy the races, and revisit the past at Orange County Fair Speedway, among the oldest auto racing venues in the country.
Information for all Orange County Fair Speedway action is available at the speedway website, www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net, or from at the Track Office. Call 845-342-2573 during business hours.
‘Battle of the Bullring 3’ Bonuses & Awards: Accord Speedway/Accord, N.Y. Tuesday, May 19, 2015
*As of May 11, 2015
Allstar Performance Bonuses: The drivers finishing third and eighth, respectively, in the 53-lap ‘Battle of the Bullring 3’ will receive $50 product certificates redeemable at any Allstar Performance dealer. Allstar Performance is on the web at www.allstarperformance.com.
American Racer/Lias Tire Bonuses: Via a random drawing, one driver finishing in positions 6-10 and another driver placing in positions 11-15 in the ‘Battle of the Bullring 3’ 53-lap Modified main event will each receive a certificate for a FREE American Racer tire courtesy of Lias Tire, the regional American Racer distributor in Indiana, Pa. Lias Tire is online atwww.liastireonline.com.
ASI Trophy & Awards Top Accord Speedway Regular: The highest-finishing Accord Speedway regular in the ‘Battle of the Bullring 3’ 53-lap Modified feature will receive $100 cash thanks to ASI Trophy & Awards located in Accord, N.Y.
ATL Fuel Cell Bonus: The fifth-place finisher in the ‘Battle of the Bullring 3’ 53-lap Modified event will receive a $100 product certificate for use at ATL Fuel Cells. The official ATL Fuel Cells website is: www.atlfuelcells.com.
Behrent’s Performance Warehouse Bonuses: The drivers finishing fourth and ninth, respectively, in the ‘Battle of the Bullring 3’ 53-lap Modified event will receive $50 gift cards courtesy of Behrent’s Performance Warehouse in Florida, N.Y. Behrent’s is online atwww.behrents.com.
Bob Hilbert Sportswear Bonuses: The drivers finishing first, 11th and 21st in the ‘Battle of the Bullring 3’ 53-lap Modified event will each receive a $100 gift certificate for use at Bob Hilbert Sportswear in Boyertown, Pa. Bob Hilbert Sportswear is on the web at www.bobhilbert.com.
Economy Movers Hard Charger Award: The driver advancing the most positions from their scheduled starting position to the finish of the ‘Battle of the Bullring 3’ will receive a $200 cash bonus courtesy of Economy Movers in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and its owner Jim Thorne Jr. Visit Economy Movers online at www.economymoving.com.
Fast Axle Bonus: The driver finishing seventh in the ‘Battle of the Bullring 3’ 53-lap Modified main will receive a $50 product certificate for use at Fast Axle. To learn more about Fast Axle and Front Axle Special Technology LLC, visit www.fastaxle.com.
Halmar International Orange County Fair Speedway Bonuses: Halmar International will reward the top-finishing regulars from Orange County Fair Speedway cash bonuses in the ‘Battle of the Bullring 3’ Modified main event. The top-finishing OCFS big-block Modified regular in the field takes home $150 cash, while the highest small-block regular in the rundown receives $100. Find Halmar online at www.halmarinternational.com.
Hi-Tek Race Fuel/VP Racing Fuel Bonuses: The top-three drivers in the ‘Battle of the Bullring 3’ 53-lap Modified event utilizing Hi-Tek Race Fuel or VP Racing Fuel, and displaying the corresponding decal on their car, will each receive $50 Hi-Tek/VP credits. VP Racing Fuel is online at www.vpracingfuels.com and Hi-Tek Race Fuel is on the web at www.hitekfuels.com.
Hunt’s Machine Crate 602 Sportsman Bonus: The highest-finishing Hunt’s Machine-sealed Crate 602 Sportsman engine in the Open vs. Crate 602 Sportsman 25-lap main event will receive a $200 cash bonus courtesy of Hunt’s Machine, located in Schenectady, N.Y.
Rock Fantasy Halfway Leader Award: The driver leading at the halfway mark, Lap 27, of the 53-lap ‘Battle of the Bullring 3’ will receive $150 cash courtesy of Rock Fantasy Smoke, Concert Shop & Pinball Room located in Middletown, N.Y. Rock Fantasy, owned by Stephen Keeler, is on the web at www.rockfantasy.com.
Shiley Fabrication Hard Luck Award: A driver selected by officials and media members as the ‘Battle of the Bullring 3’ Hard Luck Award recipient will receive a set of bumpers and rubrails from Shiley Fabrication of Williamstown, Pa. Shiley Fabrication is online at www.shileyfabrication.com.
S&W Awards & Photos Provides Winner’s Hardware: The ‘Battle of the Bullring 3’ Modified, Sportsman and Slingshot event winners will receive custom-produced hardware from S&W Awards & Photos of Lindley, N.Y.
Thunder Mountain Speedway Bonus: The highest-finishing Thunder Mountain Speedway regular in the ‘Battle of the Bullring 3’ will receive a $100 cash bonus courtesy of speedway management. Thunder Mountain Speedway is online atwww.thundermtnspeedway.com.
Vahlco Wheels Bonus: The driver finishing fifth in the ‘Battle of the Bullring 3’ 53-lap Modified main event will receive a FREE wheel courtesy of Vahlco Wheels. The wheels will be given out on-site; no certificates needed. To learn more about Vahlco Wheels, visitwww.vahlco.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MAY 13, 2015
DICK JORDAN
USAC CHAMPS HOOD, TYLER RETURN FOR THE “HOOSIER HUNDRED”
Two of USAC’s greatest champions, Rickey Hood of Phoenix, Ariz. and Brian Tyler of Mount Pleasant, N.C., will make their return to the USAC Silver Crown Championship Series to compete in next week’s “Hoosier Hundred” at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis.
Round two of the 2015 championship is scheduled Thursday night, May 21, and this year’s expanded field provides a true challenge for Hood and Tyler. Tyler’s last Silver Crown start came in the 2013 “Tony Bettenhausen 100″ in Springfield, Ill. while 19 years have passed since Hood’s last appearance, also at Springfield, in 1996.
Tyler, USAC’s 1996 and 1997 National Sprint Car Champion, has more Silver Crown victories (17) than anybody with the exception of all-time series leader Jack Hewitt (23). Hood recorded seven Silver Crown victories during his 15-year career. Tyler also leads the all-time list of Silver Crown drivers with 187 career starts.
Hood won his first Silver Crown start, at the Indiana mile in 1982. Tyler, whose initial series start came in 1990, is still seeking his first victory at the Indianapolis track despite winning four times at the Springfield, Ill. mile and once on the Magic Mile at DuQuoin, Ill.
Hood won USAC’s 1984 and 1985 Sprint crowns and added the 1985 Silver Crown title.
“I always had fun in the Silver Crown cars,” he says. “Actually, I was subbing for Doug Wolfgang in that 1982 debut and that win was one of the most satisfying of my career.”
Rickey, who competed in selected Arizona Sprint races in 2014, will pilot the Plastic Express/Jarvis Enterprises Beast/Chevy for car owner Galen Fox, who is no stranger to victory lane at the Indy mile. Now working daily at the Arizona Open Wheel Racing Museum and Motorsports Hall of Fame in Phoenix, Hood adds: “Galen (Fox) and I put this deal together and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Tyler, who runs a fabrication and maintenance shop at his 30-acre North Carolina spread and services all types of farm vehicles, has always enjoyed the challenge of Silver Crown racing.
“The long races and the strategy needed to win have always intrigued me,” he says. “I’ve run well at Indy, but it seems like something always happens late in the race there that puts me on the sidelines. Hopefully we can change all that this time around.”
Tyler’s car owner next Thursday also returns after a series hiatus. Californian Ray “Junior” Kurtz will field Tyler’s Club 164 Beast/Chevy. Race fans will fondly remember the Kurtz entries driven to numerous Silver Crown victories by Chuck Gurney. Last year, Kurtz assisted Shane Cockrum in his victory at DuQuoin.
“I’m looking forward to working with Junior and Bill Simpson and hope we can finally land that elusive Indy win,” adds Tyler.
Drivers will continue to chase Johnny Parsons’ 20-year-old track qualifying record of 114.726 mph. when qualifying opens for the May 21 event. Kenny Jacobs established the existing 100-mile race record of 106.977 mph. in 1987.
The race is the first of two for the USAC Silver Crown cars next week. The “Day Before the 500″ Classic at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis will sport a 1:15 pm Silver Crown green flag.
–USAC–
Video time:
Helio Castroneves was one of two drivers that had an accident at Indy on Wednesday. Yes, he was lucky. Some are saying the rear “fenders” catch the air and flip the cars over. Could be, but a new explanation could very well kill that thought. Yes, he did take his backup car out later in the day.
An up-date on what supposedly caused the car to get airborne:
http://www.racer.com/more/viewpoints/item/116730-pruett-why-helio-castroneves-car-flipped?showall=1&limitstart
Non racin’ stuff:
Seen on the Internet:
Social Security: We keep hearing how Social Security is running out of money.
How come we never hear about welfare running out of money?
What’s interesting is that the first group WORKED for their money, while the second group didn’t.
Wow. LOTS of Americans Are Outraged Over Where Walmart Gets Their Water to Sell
http://conservativetribune.com/where-walmart-gets-their-water/
This week’s joke:
Thanks to my friend, Elaine!
Haircut
A teenage boy had just passed his driving test and inquired Of his father as to when they could discuss his use of the Car.
His father said he’d make a deal with his son, “You bring your Grades up from a C to a B average, study your Bible a little, And get your hair cut. Then we’ll talk about the car.”
The boy thought about that for a moment, decided he’d settle for the offer, and they agreed on it.
After about six weeks his father said, “Son, you’ve brought Your grades up and I’ve observed that you have been studying your Bible, but I’m disappointed you haven’t had Your hair cut”.
The boy said, “You know, Dad, I’ve been thinking about that, And I’ve noticed in my studies of the Bible that Samson had Long hair, John the Baptist had long hair, Moses had long hair,
And there’s even strong evidence that Jesus had long hair”.
You’re going to love the Dad’s reply…
“Did you also notice they all walked everywhere they went?”
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/
Note: There has been a problem with the New England Tractor getting my last few column up and running. Hopefully, it will be fixed ASAP.