By TOM AVENENGO
This week’s photos:
The above two photos are of OCFS from back in the day, when they had the paved track in the infield, for the midgets. I’d have to say the photos are from anywhere from 1946 to 1949. The ARDC Midgets ran there on Wednesday nights. Later on, they would run on the 1/2 mile (now 5/8) track, usually during the fair, and on occasion, on a Saturday night along with the stock cars. Sadly, today, there are no more midget races at OCFS. The Middletown midget records are listed below, further down in this week’s column.
Note: It’s been said by the owner of the track that there would be a 1/4 mile dirt track in the infield over these past couple of years, but that has never happened. There was a “track” that ended up being part of the front stretch and then up along pit road,, which to me, sucked. I’m not sure if they even use it anymore.
Some personal/family stuff:
Had a chat on the phone today with my “Baby” sister. She was back up north for a little over a week, with them having a Memorial Service for her late husband. Both her and her daughter got back down to Florida a few days ago. She sounded very good on the phone. She’s still having some health issues (balance, mostly) and we’re hoping it gets straightened out ASAP.
It kina looks like another family member will be leaving New York State and heading to Florida. Looks like it might happen this coming September. Meanwhile, my son, Eric, is still hoping for a painter job in North Carolina. He, too, can’t wait to get out of New York. If, and when he does, the only one from my immediate family, my son Tom Jr. will be the only one in New York – and he’s way up North, just outside of Watertown. Yes, I do have grandchildren up there, still, and I really can’t see them heading this way, or even out of New York.
Racin’ stuff:
Indy 500: Quick safety team response key in critical Hinchcliffe crash
Tuesday, 19 May 2015
By Robin Miller and Marshall Pruett
Great response by IndyCar’s safety and medical teams more than likely saved James Hinchcliffe’s life on Monday.
The personable Canadian driver was bleeding profusely after a vicious accident in Turn 3 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and, according to one of Hinchcliffe’s associates who asked not to be identified when speaking withRACER, it was a life-threatening situation that as handled to perfection by IndyCar’s HOLMATRO Safety Team, and by doctors inside the ambulance that rushed him to IU Health Methodist Hospital before surgeons completed the save.
In the impact, which flattened the right side of the chassis, one of the suspension wishbones penetrated the Dallara safety cell, and subsequently caused the majority of the physical damage Hinchcliffe received. RACERhas confirmed through multiple sources that Hinchcliffe had the steel wishbone enter and exit his right leg, then enter his upper left thigh, and continue into his pelvic region, where it came to a stop. The suspension component pinned the 28-year-old in the car, leading the safety team to cut the wishbone from the chassis to allow Hinchcliffe’s extraction.
With the multiple intrusions, Hinchcliffe experienced massive blood loss at the crash site, and despite the gravity of the soft tissue injuries to his lower extremities, stopping the bleeding became an immediate priority for the medical staff to address once he was pulled from the chassis.
After being placed in the ambulance, the doctors and technicians inside evidently stabilized Hinchcliffe’s injuries. It’s not known how long he was in surgery but it was “touch and go” for a while, according to the source.
“He’s probably not going to race anymore this year but the most important thing is that all those great people saved his life,” said his friend.
Hinchcliffe, who serves as Schmidt Peterson Motorsport’s lead driver and won the IndyCar race at New Orleans in April, crashed entering Turn 3 during Monday’s practice session. According to timing and scoring data, he was carrying at least 228mph of momentum before a right-front suspension failure sent the No. 5 ARROW Dallara-Honda into the SAFER barrier nose first. Without the ability to steer the car, Hinchcliffe was unable to alter his course. The force of the impact reportedly measured 125 Gs.
Many observers, including those who’ve witnessed some of the most troubling crashes at Indianapolis, believe Hinchcliffe’s impact was among the most violent on record. Upon reaching the crash site, emergency workers radioed the incident in as a “Code 5,” which is reserved for traumatic situations.
Hinchcliffe remained in intensive care but was resting comfortably on Tuesday morning.
By Dave Lewandowski
Published: May 20, 2015
Verizon IndyCar Series driver James Hinchcliffe, who underwent surgery May 18 for pelvic and upper left thigh injuries suffered in a crash in practice earlier in the day on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval, was tranferred May 20 out of the Intensive Care Unit at IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.
Upon further evaluation, it was determined that Hinchcliffe will require no further procedures and is expected to make a full recovery from his injuries.
“We’re very pleased with his progress and his condition continues to improve,” said Dr. Timothy Pohlman, senior staff trauma surgeon at IU Health Methodist Hospital, who performed the surgery. “Our expectation, in consultation with the INDYCAR medical staff, is that a normal recovery is to be expected.”
Additional updates to Hinchcliffe’s condition will be released when available.
The car that Hinchcliffe was driving made hard right-side contact with the Turn 3 SAFER Barrier and slid on its right side all the way into Turn 4 about 50 minutes into the scheduled 12:30-4 p.m. (ET) practice. Hinchcliffe, who was awake when the Holmatro Safety Team arrived on the scene, was transported by ground to the nearby hospital.
A Honda spokesman said the right-front suspension failed as Hinchcliffe’s car was entering the turn and he lost steering.
He had just turned a lap of 223.916 mph and was completing his 23rd lap in the session. Cars returned for a 4:15-6 p.m. practice — the penultimate track time in preparation for the Indy 500. On May 17, Hinchcliffe qualified on the outside of Row 8 with a four-lap average speed of 223.519 mph.
Hinchcliffe, 28, of suburban Toronto, is in his first season with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports. He won the inaugural Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana on April 12 and has one other top-10 finish (seventh in the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park on April 26) in five races. In 73 starts covering five Verizon IndyCar Series seasons, Hinchcliffe has four victories and 19 top-five finishes.
In four Indianapolis 500 starts, he has a best finish of sixth in 2012. He qualified second in 2014 while with Andretti Autosport.
Indy 500 starting lineup:
Here’s how you can expect the grid to look next Sunday, with the exception of James Hinchcliffe. No idea yet as to whom might be taking his place in the car – if the team gets a car ready for the race. Yes, I’ve read of some possibilities, but am not about to mention any name.
ROW 1
1. 9-Scott Dixon-W, Target Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet, 226.760
2. 1-Will Power, Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, 226.350
3. 22-Simon Pagenaud, Avaya Team Penske Chevrolet, 226.145
ROW 2
4. 10-Tony Kanaan-W, NTT Data Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet, 225.503
5. 3-Helio Castroneves-W, Shell V-Power Nitro+ Team Penske Chevrolet, 225.502
6. 25-Justin Wilson, Andretti Autosport Honda, 225.279
ROW 3
7. 11-Sebastien Bourdais, Hydroxycut-HAUS Vaporizer KVSH Racing Chevrolet, 225.193
8. 27-Marco Andretti, Snapple Honda, 225.189
9. 21-Josef Newgarden, Century 21 CFH Racing Chevrolet, 225.187
ROW 4
10. 6-JR Hildebrand, Preferred Freezer/CFH Racing Chevrolet, 225.099
11. 26-Carlos Munoz, AndrettiTV Cinsay Honda, 225.042
12. 20T-Ed Carpenter, Fuzzy’s Vodka CFH Racing Chevrolet, 224.883
ROW 5
13. 32-Oriol Servia, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda, 224.777
14. 83-Charlie Kimball, Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet, 224.743
15. 2-Juan Pablo Montoya-W, Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet, 224.657
ROW 6
16. 28-Ryan Hunter-Reay-W, DHL Honda, 224.573
17. 15-Graham Rahal, Steak ‘n Shake Honda, 224.290
18. 18-Carlos Huertas, Dale Coyne Racing Honda, 224.233
ROW 7
19. 29-Simona de Silvestro, TE Connectivity Honda, 223.838
20. 7-James Jakes, Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda, 223.790
21. 48-Alex Tagliani, Alfe Heat Treating Special Honda, 223.722
ROW 8
22. 8-Sage Karam, Comfort Revolution/Big Machine Records Chevrolet, 223.595
23. 5-James Hinchcliffe, Arrow/Lucas Oil Schmidt Peterson Honda, 223.519
24. 43-Conor Daly, FUELED by BACON Special Honda, 223.482
ROW 9
25. 24-Townsend Bell, The Robert Graham Special Chevrolet, 223.447
26. 14-Takuma Sato, ABC Supply A.J. Foyt Racing Honda, 223.226
27. 63-Pippa Mann, Susan G. Komen Dale Coyne Racing Honda, 223.104
ROW 10
28. 98-Gabby Chaves-R, Bowers & Wilkins/Curb Honda, 222.916
29. 17-Sebastian Saavedra, AFS Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet, 222.898
30. 41-Jack Hawksworth, ABC Supply A.J. Foyt Racing Honda, 223.738
ROW 11
31. 4-Stefano Coletti-R, KV Racing Technology Chevrolet, 222.001
32. 88-Bryan Clauson, KVSH/Jonathan Byrd’s/Cancer Treatment Centers of America Chevrolet, 221.358
33. 19-James Davison, Always Evolving/Dale Coyne Racing Honda, 223.747
DID NOT QUALIFY
34. 91-Buddy Lazier-W, Wynn Iowa Vision Research Lazier Racing Chevrolet, 220.153
CNYRP TAKES OVER MANAGEMENT OF ROLLING WHEELS RACEWAY
Central New York Raceway Park inc. has enter an agreement with current Rolling Wheels owners, to manage the 5/8ths Elbridge, NY oval. As part of the agreement CNYRP will be responsible for the day to day management and event promotion for the 2015 racing season and beyond.
“As we wait for construction to be completed on the CNYRP facility in Brewerton, an opportunity became available to be involved with Rolling Wheels Raceway that we couldnt pass up” said CNYRP President Glenn Donnelly. “We have assembled a great management team in anticipation for the opening of CNYRP in 2016, and this same management team will oversee operations at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park.”
CNYRP President Donnelly is familiar with the “Fast Track”, as he was a part owner of the facility from 1976 to 2004, when it was sold to World Racing Group. Wednesday July 1st is the scheduled first event, with a 50 lap Modified $5,000 to win feature highlighting the card.
Over the course of the next month Rolling Wheels will receive a face-lift, including the addition of SYNDI to the racing surface. SYNDI is a petroleum based synthetic wax additive that will be combined with clay to create a dustless but racy surface.
“Not only will the SYNDI surface cut back on track maintenance as well as save drivers money on tire wear, but will give fans a better experience at the track,” says Donnelly.
The balance of the 2015 schedule is still being created, but will feature several more big events for the Northeast divisions. Negotiations are in place to bring back Rush Hour on DIRT live television to broadcast all events at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park.
Stay up to date by visiting CNYRP.com, or following @CNYRP on Twitter.
From Jayski:
http://www.jayski.com/
Congrats – Kyle Busch: from Kyle Busch’s Facebook:
“Samantha Busch and I are happy to announce the birth of our son Brexton Locke Busch. Born 5/18 at 9:45pm weighing 7lbs 10oz and 21 inches long. Mom and baby are doing great!”(5-19-2015)
Congrats – Brad Keselowski:
#2-Brad Keselowski and his girlfriend, Paige White, welcomed a baby girl into the world on Twitter on Wednesday morning.(NASCAR.com)(5-20-2015)
A second team for Furniture Row Racing?
#78-Furniture Row Racing is enjoying its most successful start to a season in the 10-year history of the organization. Martin Truex Jr. has piloted the #78 Chevy to 10 top-10 finishes in the first 11 races of the year, and sits second in driver standings. This has come with a single-car operation based in Denver, CO. However, Furniture Row general manager Joe Garone says that may change. “Long-term, we’re constantly looking for sponsorships to come on the 78 with Furniture Row and also to start a second team down the road to help support the overall effort,” Garone said. A single-car team for the entirety of its existence, Furniture Row Racing has finally started to see success under that setup. However, Garone believes if funding was found, there would be few reservations about expanding to a second car. “Being a single-car for so long and now feeling like we’re getting it to work really well, you feel like now is the time to go ahead and look at bringing something else on,” Garone said. “You feel like you don’t have to go through all the learning processes that you go through building a single-car team; you’ve kind of gone through that. We look forward to going through that process. Again, it all comes down to raising the money,” he said. Another key part of the equation would be finding a driver. Garone said the team is not that far along in the process and needs to focus on finding the funding before searching for drivers. “Generally in that process there are companies that have their eye on a driver and the team has an eye on a driver and you kind of combine that together,” he said. “When that bridge is crossed, we’ll figure it out then.” With Barney Visser owning both the team and the sponsor, the organization has been able to field the #78 without an additional major primary sponsor, but Garone says doing that for a second driver would be a challenge.(FoxSports)(5-20-2015)
Work begins on safety initiatives at Daytona:
As construction continues on the Daytona Rising project, which is designed to provide a different race-day experience for fans, work began Monday to provide a safer race-day experience for the drivers. Daytona International Speedway officials announced work has started on safety initiatives that include additional “soft wall” coverage as well as asphalt in one area formerly covered with grass. The addition of new Steel and Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER) Barrier became a hot topic in the aftermath of Kyle Busch’s Feb. 21 wreck, in an XFINITY Series race the day before the Daytona 500, that left him with a broken leg and foot. Daytona’s next event is on Fourth of July weekend, the XFINITY Series’ Subway Firecracker 250 on July 4 and the Sprint Cup Series’ Coke Zero 400 on July 5. The current work is expected to be completed before then. Other than acknowledging the start of the new efforts, the Speedway declined to offer any information beyond what it addressed in a March 11 news release.
The specifics of the work:
The inside retaining wall, inside Turn 1 and beginning with the exit from the infield road course, will be realigned and fitted with the SAFER Barrier. 20,000 square feet of asphalt will be put down to replace the grass in that area of the track – the lack of traction on grass adds to the inability to slow or possibly control a wrecking car. During his deconstruction of his February wreck, Busch spoke of the inability to get tire grip and possibly save his car from its eventual hit into the wall. Installation of SAFER Barrier on the retaining wall at the exit to pit road. Installation of SAFER Barrier between the exit of Turn 4 and the pit entrance, on the section of the inside retaining wall presently uncovered. Additional coverage of the outside wall of the backstretch with SAFER Barrier. After the July 5 Coke Zero 400, the Speedway will continue covering SAFER coverage of existing concrete walls.(Daytona Beach News-Journal)(5-20-2015)
All-Star Race an earlier start next year?:
Could the Sprint All-Star Race have a different starting time next season? Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer, said Monday on SiruisXM NASCAR Radio’s “The Morning Drive” that series officials will consider that matter for next year. Saturday’s All-Star race didn’t begin until 9:42pm/et. The second segment took the green flag at 10:02 p.m. The third segment began at 10:23 p.m. The fourth segment started at 10:43 p.m., and the mandatory pit stop before the start of the final pit stop took place at 11:03 p.m. The event featured no cautions other than the breaks between each segment. Thus, if there had been debris cautions or accidents or such, the start of each segment could have been pushed back significantly. Here’s what O’Donnell said on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio about the start time for the All-Star race: “I think it is something we want to look at. … I’ve got kids who like watching sports earlier, and I hear the same thing. I think that is something we’ll sit down and address and look at and see if we can’t get it off a little earlier.”(NBC Sports)(5-18-2015)
NASCAR Hall Of Fame Class Of 2016 To Be Announced:
The NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2016 and winner of the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR will be announced following a vote by the NASCAR Hall of Fame Voting Panel on Wednesday, May 20 at 6:00pm/et at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte. The five NASCAR Hall of Fame inductees will be selected from the list of 20 nominees: Buddy Baker, Red Byron, Richard Childress, Jerry Cook, Ray Evernham, Ray Fox, Rick Hendrick, Harry Hyde, Bobby Isaac, Alan Kulwicki, Terry Labonte, Mark Martin, Hershel McGriff, Raymond Parks, Benny Parsons, Larry Phillips, O. Bruton Smith, Mike Stefanik, Curtis Turner and Robert Yates.
The second Landmark Award recipient will be chosen from the list of five nominees: Harold Brasington, H. Clay Earles, Raymond Parks, Ralph Seagraves and Ken Squier. The announcement will air live on NBCSN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio and NASCAR.com.(NASCAR)(5-18-2015)
From Track Forum:
http://www.trackforum.com/forums/forum.php
Indy 500: Source of Hinchcliffe’s crash confirmed
http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/116981-indy-500-source-of-hinchcliffe-s-crash-confirmed
From the Dirt Track Digest Forum:
http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD
Otto Harwi – 51 Years Ago…
http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/index.php?/topic/53505-otto-harwi-51-years-ago/
From the AARN:
PA Posse Rejoices As Hodnett Beats The Outlaws At Lincoln
Chris Pasteryak’s Late Race Charge Nets Lee Tri Track Series Win
Tomson Family Takes Over Historic Lernerville Speedway
Duane Mausteller Relives Devasting Crash One Year Later
Action Track Opens With Buckwalter Winning A SpeedSTR Thriller
Shane Clanton Earns $10,000 Late Model Win At VMS
New Georgetown Speedway Configuration Is Well Received
Len Sammons Motorsports Productions Announces New Allentown Indoor Race
And more from this week’s issue:
Looks like there will be one evening of indoor TQ & Slingshot racing in Allentown, PA, come January 2nd, in the new PPL Center
Note: Yes, I can remember – back in the day – indoor races every week in the Teaneck, NJ Armory, along with midgets at the Kingsbridge Armory in the Bronx – with racing, at times, twice a week during the winter months. And, there were a few other places, too.
Ernie Saxton informs us of the passing of Theresa Campbell, widow of Wally, last week at the age of 84. After Wally was fatally injured racing, Theresa brought up their daughters by being a registered nurse. She was 84.
Sad to see only 11 TQ’s at Wall Stadium.
Hard to believe, but at Kutztown for opening night, there were 36 SpeedSTR’s in action.
With the Lernerville track being sold, that leaves WRG with only one track as far as being owned by WRG. Any idea as to what track that might be?
I’ll be a nice guy here and let ya know at the end of this week’s column. You might be surprised.
Knoxville had its first female Sprint Car feature winner when McKenna Haase won the 305 feature. She graduated from High School the next day.
In October of 1964, there was a Race of Champions stock car race at the famed Langhorne Speedway. Carl Van Horn was going for the lead, while passing a lapped car (which had a flat tire), the lapped car spun in front of Van Horn, and Van Horn ended up in the first turn fence, with the car bursting into flames, and the engine shoved back into the drivers compartment. Someone from the infield scaled the cyclone fence and ran to the car to get Van Horn out of it. That “someone” was Tex Enright.
Former OVRP Dirt Oval racers:
AJ Filbeck was 6th in the 602 Sportsman feature at U/R.
At Fonda, in the twin Sportsman features, Cody Bleau had a 4th and 5th, while Matt Janiak had a 12th and a 6th.
In CRSA Sprints, Josh Pieniazek was the feature winner, with Brian Krummel 10th, Joe Kata 12th and Dan Hennessey 15th.
Kyle Redner was the feature winner at Bethel in the 358 Sportsman feature. JB Morris was 3rd and Joe Morris 4th in the 4 Cylinder Advanced feature.
At 5 Mile, Danny Creeden won the modified feature, with Anthony Perrego 3rd. Brad Szulewski was 16th in the Sportsman feature.
Kenney Johnson won the USAC DMA Midget feature at Bear Ridge.
Davie Franek won the URC Sprint Car race down at Georgetown.
At OCFS, in the Small Block feature, LJ Lombardo was 7th, Danny Creeden 9th, Tim Hindley 14th, while Tom HIndley was a DQ’d.
Note: The rest of the racing was rained out. Supposedly, at OCFS, it seems that an intermission is required, but I personally think, at times, with threatening weather, it could be held off. Then again, that’s me.
At A/S, Bobby Hackel, IV, was 9th in the Modified feature, with Alex Bell 23rd and Brett Wright 29th.
Hunter Bates was 19th in the Sportsman feature.
Kyle Armstrong was 6th and Kolby Schroder 8th, in the Modified feature at Lebanon Valley.
John Virgilio won the Sportsman feature, with Matt Pappa 4th
Winter Mead was 4th and Zack Mead 7th in the Sportsman feature, at Accord.
Wyatt Clark was 2nd and Tyler Pirone 5th in the Slingshots.
Molly Chambers and Danny Buccafusca were DNQ’s for the 600 Micro feature at Kutztown.
Jacob Hendershot was 23rd in the Micro Sprint feature at Linda’s.
At Accord on Tuesday night, Anthony Perrego was 5th, Clinton Mills 20th and Danny Creeden 26th in the Battle of the Bullring Modified feature.
In the Sportsman feature LJ Lombardo was 1st, Brian Krummel 3rd and Matt Janiak 13th.
In the Slingshots, Charlie Lawrence was 7th, while Wyatt Clark was a DQ. He was leading when he lost his muffler, and that’s grounds for a DQ.
Hey, sorry if I missed anyone!
Midget Racing from “Back in the Day”:
Here’s a listing of midget races that were held on the small dirt, then paved track, that was in the infield of today’s dirt track at OCFS:
Middletown Midget Records
Victory Speedway Middletown, NY
1/5 mile track at the Orange County Fairgrounds
1945
track was dirt
Sept. 23 1. Bill Schindler 2. Red Redmond 3. Chet Gibbons
Sept. 30 1. Bill Schindler 2. Chet Gibbons 3. Andy DeVercelly
Oct. 7 rain
Oct. 14 no racing
Oct. 21 ?
1946
Track was paved.
ARDC Midgets
June 12 1. Bill Holmes 2. Chet Gibbons 3. Johnny Ritter
June 19 1. Dutch Schaefer 2. Jeep Colkitt 3. Art Cross
June 26 1. Bill Holmes 2. Ray Nestor 3. Dutch Schaefer
July 3 1. Charlie Breslin
July 10 1. Ray Nestor 2. Len Duncan 3. Jeep Colkitt
July 17 1. Dutch Schaefer 2. Chet Gibbons 3. Rex Records
July 24 1. Bill Schindler 2. Bill Holmes 3. Dutch Schaefer
July 31 rain
August 7 rain
August 14 no racing-fair
August 21 1. Bill Schindler 2. Dutch Schaefer 3. Ray Nestor
August 28 1. Bill Schindler 2. Jeep Colkitt 3. George Rice
Sept. 4 1. Tony Bonadies 2. Bill Schindler 3. Ray Nestor
Sept. 11 1. Bill Schindler 2. Ted Tappett 3. Dutch Schaefer
Sept. 18 1. Lloyd Christopher 2. Tony Bonadies 3. Al Keller 30 laps, Fords
Sept. 25 1. Bill Holmes 2. Al Keller 3. Art Cross
Oct. 2 1. Al Keller 2. Tony Bonadies 3. George Rice
1947
ARDC midgets
May 21 rain
May 28 1. Tony Bonadies 2. Chet Conklin 3. Ernie McCoy
June 4 1. Tony Bonadies 2. Johnny Ringger 3. Rex Records
June 11 1. Dutch Schaefer 2. Tony Bonadies 3. Jeep Colkitt
June 18 1. Rex Records 2. Jeep Colkitt 3. Chet Conklin
June 25 rain
July 2 1. Tony Bonadies 2. Dutch Schaefer (6/25 feature)
July 2 1. Dutch Schaefer 2. Jeep Colkitt
July 4 1. Johnny Zeke 2. Chet Conklin 3. Allen no offy’s
July 9 1. Bill Schindler 2. Al Keller 3. Jeep Colkitt
July 16 rain
July 23 1. Ted Tappett 2. Chet Gibbons 3. Len Duncan
July 30 1. Len Duncan 2. Johnny Ritter 3. Henry Renard
August 6 1. Chet Conklin 2. George Rice 3. Johnny Ringger 50 laps
August 13 no racing fair week
August 20 1. Tony Bonadies 2. Ted Tappett 3. Jeep Colkitt
August 27 1. Al Keller 2. Dutch Schaefer 3. Johnny Ringger
Sept. 3 1. Johnny Ringger 2. Jeep Colkitt 3. Don Morris
Sept. 10 1. Dutch Schaefer 2. Henry Renard 3. Mike Nazaruk
Sept. 17 1. Johnny Ringger 2. Rex Records 3. Don Morris 50 laps
Champion: Johnny Ringger 2nd: Chet Conklin 3rd: Jeep Colkitt
1948
ARDC Midgets
May 9 1. Tony Bonadies 2. Ray Nestor 3. Bill Schindler
May 20 1. Mike Nazaruk 2. Ray Nestor 3. Henry Renard
May 27 1. Dee Toran 2. Chet Gibbons 3. Bob Disbrow
June 3 1. Mike Nazaruk 2. Andy Furci 3. Joe Barzda
June 10 rain
June 17 1. Vernon Land 2. Stan Disbrow 3. Joe Barzda
June 24 ?
July 1 1. Mike Nazaruk 2. Lou Volk 3. Johnny Carpenter
July 8 1. Johnny Zeke 2. Mike Nazaruk 3. Bob Disbrow
moved from Thursday to Wednesday night
July 14 1. Steve McGrath 2. Dutch Schaefer 3. Art Cross
July 21 rain
July 28 1. Mike Nazaruk 2. Johnny Ritter 3. Al Keller
August 4 1. Bill Schindler 2. Tony Bonadies 3. Vernon Land
August 11 rain
August 18 no racing-fair
August 25 1. Tony Bonadies 2. Larry Bloomer 3. Johnny Ritter
Sept. 1 1. Larry Bloomer 2. Dutch Schaefer 3. Len Fanelli
Sept. 5 1. Bill Schindler 2. Rex Records 3. Len Fanelli
Sept. 8 1. Dutch Schaefer 2. Tony Bonadies 3. Larry Bloomer 50 laps
Sept. 15 1. Johnny Peterson 2. Tony Bonadies 3. Bill Schindler 50 laps
Mike Nazaruk Champion
1949
ARDC Midgets
May 15 canceled, not enough cars
May 30 1. Bob Disbrow 2. Dutch Schaefer 3. Jiggs Peters
July 19 1. Mike Nazaruk
August 9 ?
Note: If I’m not mistaken, the late Johnny Ritter had a race driving school at Middletown in the 40’s.
Press Releases:
From John Snyder:
NEWS FROM
Orange County Fair Speedway
239 Wisner Avenue
Middletown, NY , 10940
CONTACT
Michael Gurda
845-342-2573
FOR RELEASE THE WEEK OF MAY 17 — CORRECTED COPY —
CHANGE IN PROGRAM START TIMES AND CHANGE IN DATE OF ONE EVENT
ORANGE COUNTY FAIR SPEEDWAY QUIET SATURDAY, MAY 23
Racing Resumes Saturday, May 30
MIDDLETOWN, NY……..To allow members of the racing community to spend the Memorial Holiday Weekend with their families, there will be no racing Saturday, May 23 at Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, New York. Racing resumes Saturday, May 30 with a full program of Big-Block Modified, Sportsman, Rookie Sportsman, Street Stock, and Thunder Trucks all in action on the five-eighths-mile “Hard Clay” speedway. Johnstons Subaru and Superior Building Supply of Neversink are the May 30 evening’s sponsors.
As an added attraction, the CRSA Sprint Cars are returning for their second 2015 appearance.
Packing even more racing into the program, the evening will open with the concluding 18 laps of the Sportsman division feature race postponed from May 16.
Across the board this season, racing in every Orange County division has been tightly contested. In Big-Block Modified competition, former champion Jerry Higbie has but a two-point edge over 2014 titlist Tim Hindley, with young stars Mike Ruggiero, Anthony Perrego, and Billy Vaninwegen just a few points further back.
The tightest point chase is in the Small Block Modified ranks, where Danny Creeden, Tommy Meier, and Gary Edwards Jr. are tied with 460 points each. LJ Lombardo and Bob McGannon trail this trio.
Randy Sweetman tops the Sportsman division. He’s only a few points ahead of Matt Hitchcock, with Brian Krummel, Frank Venezia, and Matt Janiak eager to move up in the standings.
Charlie Donald won back-to-back Street Stock titles in 2011 and 2012. He’s after his third championship in this challenging division. Former champion Emerson Cargain Sr., Jim Maher, 2014 champion Mike Viglietti, and Paul Maiolo are also in the hunt.
Racing on May 30 begins promptly at 6:60 pm. Admission remains $14 for adults, $12 seniors, and $1 for children 12 and under.
Additional information may be found at www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net, or by calling the Speedway Office at 845-342-2573 during business hours.
UPCOMING: Saturday, June 6 Nostalgia Night celebrating Orange County Fair Speedway’s glorious racing heritage! That evening the popular Street Stocks will be competing in the Marky Traverse Memorial Race, which will see the winner take home $500. Track activity on Nostalgia night begins at 6:00 pm.
Video time:
Sorry, no video this week.
Non racin’ stuff:
Something a little different this week:
15 Reason To Stop Drinking Mountain Dew:
Dental Health
Mountain Dew is one of the most acidic soft drinks on the market with a pH level of 3. Battery acid has a pH of 1, if that helps you put that in perspective. All that acid erodes the enamel on your teeth, and is incredibly harmful to your body.
Infertility
Mountain Dew itself may not be the direct culprit, but the BPA plastic bottles that it is sold in are known to cause sever hormone imbalances. BPA actually mimics estrogen in the body, which causes all sorts of medical problems. Combine BPA plastic, and the acidity of Mountain Dew, and you’ve got a combination that is ripe with health problem causing chemicals.
Bad Marketing
Mountain Dew is marketed as some kind of “super fuel” to the impressionable younger consumers, and is done so quite recklessly. Kids are made to believe that if they drink Mountain Dew their abilities to do things like play video games and play sports will be enhanced. The truth is, the Mountain Dew is more likely to make them sick, instead of enhancing performance.
Diabetes
The sugar content in Mountain Dew is one of the highest of all of the soft drinks on the market. That sugar content can be a direct cause for type 2 diabetes.
Obesity
Along with Diabetes, comes obesity. One can of Mountain dew has 290 calories and 77 grams of carbohydrates. Those are empty calories, and carbs from sugar, by the way.
BVO
Brominated Vegetable Oil is an ingredient that is found in mountain dew that is actually banned in several other countries. Not only is it used in soft drinks like Mountain Dew, it is used as a fire retardant chemical.
– 10. Nerve Disorders, Skin lesions, Memory Loss, Muscle Problems
According to the Environmental Health News:
“After a few extreme soda binges—not too far from what many gamers regularly consume—a few patients have needed medical attention for skin lesions, memory loss and nerve disorders, all symptoms of overexposure to bromine. Other studies suggest that BVO could be building up in human tissues, just like other brominated compounds such as flame retardants.”
It’ll Dissolve a Mouse
Recently there was a law suit involving a mouse that was found in a can of mountain dew, and PepsiCo’s legal defense suggested that the consumer planter the mouse. They did this by admitting that a mouse left in a can of mountain dew for the period of time that the mouse was supposedly in the can the consumer purchased would have completely dissolved.
Thyroid Issues
Mountain Dew essentially wears your thyroid out by competing with the natural iodine in our bodies needed to make hormones. This can lead to chronic fatigue, which then leads people to drink more Mountain Dew.
GMO Ingredients
The corn used to make the high fructose corn syrup and the soybeans used to make the brominated vegetable oil for Mountain Dew are both major GMO, high-production crops. The worst of the GMO crops, to be exact.
Preservatives
Sodium benzoate, a common preservative, along with the BVO and acids in Mountain Dew react with the natural vitamin C in the citrus juice used, and actually makes it a carcinogen.
Dyes
Yellow dyes in soft drinks like Mountain Dew are actually made with coal tar. It is one of the single most toxic things you can ingest.
Source: buynongmoseeds.com
This week’s joke:
A little boy was walking down a dirt road after church one Sunday afternoon when he came to a crossroads where he met a little girl coming from the other direction.
‘Hi,’ said the little girl.
‘Where are you going?’ asked the little boy.
‘I’ve been to church this morning and I’m on my way home,’ answered the little girl.
‘I’m also on my way home from church. Which church do you go to?’ asked the little boy.
‘I go to the Catholic church down the road,’ replied the little girl. ‘What about you?’
‘I go to the Lutheran church back at the top of the hill,’ replied the little boy.
They discover that they are both going the same way so they decided that they’d walk together. They came to a low spot in the road where spring rains had partially flooded the road, so there was no way that they could get across to the other side without getting wet. ‘If I get my new Sunday dress wet, my Mom’s going to skin me alive,’ said the little girl.
‘My Mom will tan my hide, too, if I get my new Sunday suit wet,’ replied the little boy.
‘I’ll tell you what I think I’ll do,’ said the little girl. ‘I’m gonna pull off all my clothes and hold them over my head and wade across.’
‘That’s a good idea,’ replied the little boy ‘I’m going to do the same thing with my suit.’
So they both undressed and waded across to the other side without getting their clothes wet. They were standing there in the sun waiting to drip dry before putting their clothes back on, when the little boy finally remarked: ‘You know, up until now I never realized how much difference there is between a CATHOLIC and a LUTHERAN!’
Note:
As to just what the one track WRG now owns – it’s Volusia, down in Florida.
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.