By TOM AVENENGO
This week’s photo:
Here’s a photo of one of the greats from here in the east – Len Duncan. He pictured here in the Mike Caruso “Stretched” Midget. Len had quite a long racing career – one that extended into his 70’s. He ran TQ’s, midgets, Sprint cars and Indy cars. Prior to the wife and I getting married, we would go to the indoor TQ races in the Teaneck, NJ Armory. Len was one of the top runners there. He also was a many time driving champion with the ARDC Midgets. He also was rather successful in the Sprints, and was always competitive when he was able to get a ride in an Indy car. His lengthy win record will appear further down in this week’s column.
During the Second World War, he was a chauffeur for President Harry S. Truman, when the President was over in Europe.
Some personal/family stuff:
This column is coming out on June 4th. This coming July 3rd will make it one whole year since the love of my life left us. It’s been a very fast year. I’m not really sure what next week’s column will be like – will have something about the wife, for sure.
Hell, it seems that time, as we get older, goes by quicker and quicker.
Going back to May 31st, my son, Eric, celebrated a birthday. Damn – that was a fast 47 years! He and some other family members celebrated it by going out for dinner. How I wish I could have been there, too!
Racin’ stuff:
From Jayski:
http://www.jayski.com/
Johnson’s appeal hearing set for June 9:
Hendrick Motorsports #48 team appeal of their P1 penalty following the Charlotte race will be heard on Tuesday, June 9. NASCAR announced last week that the team would receive the final pit stall selection at Dover because they received written warnings 2 weeks in a row. The team announced their appeal and the penalty was deferred last weekend at Dover and will be deferred this week at Pocono until the appeal process is completed.(6-1-2015)
Dover TV Ratings:
A move from FOX to Fox Sports 1 resulted in a big drop for NASCAR from Dover. NASCAR Sprint Cup racing from Dover earned a 2.3 overnight rating on Fox Sports 1 Sunday afternoon, down 30% from last year (3.3), down 34% from 2013 (3.5), and the lowest overnight for the race since at least 2006. The race aired on the FOX broadcast network each year from 2007-14. The 2006 race was the most recent on cable prior to this year, airing on FX. Compared to the previous Sprint Cup telecasts on FS1, the 2.3 overnight is up 53% from a 1.5 for last month’s rain-delayed Saturday night race from Kansas, but down 8% from a 2.5 for Sunday afternoon coverage from Martinsville in March.(Sports Media Watch via ShowBuzz Daily), see past races, 5-year chart, links and more on the 2015 TV Ratings page.(6-1-2015)
Note: While watching the race, I noticed whole sections of the stands covered over where no one was sitting. It wasn’t that long ago that it took years to get tickets for a Dover race
Hamlin wants to stay at Gibbs long-term:
Hamlin’s year to date has been a bit of a roller coaster. The Virginia native scored his first victory of the season at Martinsville Speedway, earning his spot in the 16-driver Chase for the Sprint Cup field. However, he has also recorded six finishes of 22nd or worse. Despite the up-and-down results, Hamlin believes his team is headed in the right direction and the poor finished are not indicative of how his cars are running. After his victory in the All-Star Race, questions were raised about Hamlin’s contract status with Joe Gibbs Racing. However, the driver of the #11 set the record straight, saying this is not a contract year. “I’ve still got some time left on my deal,” he said. “I’ve been with Gibbs for really a lot time. I’d hope to stay with them.” Would Hamlin ever entertain offers from other teams? “As long as the Gibbs family will have me, I’ll stay there,” he said.(FoxSports)(5-30-2015)
From Track Forum:
http://www.trackforum.com/forums/forum.php
What is FOX Really Up TOO,,, NASCAR Sabotage,,,
http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php/195197-What-is-FOX-Really-Up-TOO-NASCAR-Sabotage
From the Dirt Track Digest Forum:
http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/
July 1st
http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/index.php?/topic/53605-july-1st/
From the AARN:
Satterlee Is Appalachin Speedweek Port Royal Star; Weather Scuttles Other Races
NASCAR Tour Mods To Test On Thompson Motorsports Park Road Course
Two Race Winning Weekend For Bachetti At I-88, Lebanon Valley
Preece Races To NASCAR WMT Win At Speedbowl
Don Kreitz, Bruce Ellis Among Inductees At National Sprint Car Hall Of Fame
Reed Wins Wall Stadium’s 65th Anniversary Modified Headliner
Jim Kelly, Long Time VP Racing Fuels Exec, Retires
And some more that’s found in this weeks issue:
On June 10th, the NASCAR Whelen Touring Modified Series will have test on the Thompson, Ct, road course.
Danny Johnson won the SDS race at Brockville, Ontario, last week. It was his 78th SDS race win.
Ernie Saxton thinks it’s wrong (as I do, too), when Juan Pablo Montoya got 2.5 million for winning the Indy 500, then later that day, Carl Edwards got $360,000.00 for winning the 600 mile race at Charlotte.
Brett Deyo tells us of the new (huge) point fund that will be given out for those that race at OCFS. $55,000.00 is what will be paid out to the Big Block, Small Block and Sportsman classes when they have their banquet. That’s a helluva lot more than what OCFS has been paying out over the years. I do believe the old pay offs were equal to a feature win? Halmar International owner, Chris Larsen, is the one responsible for the huge increase. His company is in the process of replacing the roof on the full covered stands at OC. Seems that I had read that there were six layers of roofing on that old grandstand? It’s being said that after the roof is completed, other parts of the property will be addressed throughout the racing season, prior to ESW.
Don Kreitz Jr., Danny Smith and Bruce Ellis were inducted into the Sprint Car Hall of Fame.
Quite a lot of well know names have entered the “Dirty Jersey” $10,000.00 to win Modified race at New Egypt on June 11th.
The SDS invades the Grandview Speedway on Tuesday, June 16th.
The scheduled USAC Sprint Cars and ARDC Midgets were rained out at Grandview this Tuesday night.
Jeff Strunk has had to curtail his racing for a short time due to a rotator cuff injury.
Don & JoAnn Davies make mention of the decline in Dirt Modified Car Counts here in the Northeast.
Note: I’d imagine that at some tracks, purses are about the same over, say the last 10 years or so, while the cost of running a Modified have “kinda” increased. It’s no wonder car counts are down. Whereas some tracks were pulling in 35-40 Modifieds, they now struggle to get 20. No longer can one go to a junk yard for parts, and now being forced to purchase (at some pretty high prices) parts need to keep their cars on the tracks. Where will it end?
The July 1st race at Rolling Wheels will be in honor of Andy Fusco.
Lenny Sammons had a nice interview with Tony Stewart, at the Dover Speedway.
Former OVRP Dirt Oval racers:
Winter Mead was 2nd and Zach Mead 7th in the Spec Sportsman feature at Accord.
Wyatt Clark was 1st and Tyler Pirone 3rd in the all Star Slingshots.
At Lebanon Valley, Kyle Armsrong was 13th and Kolby Schroder 23rd in the Modified feature.
At OCFS, Anthony Perrego was 2nd, Craig Mitchell 3rd (pretty sure he’s run at the Dirt Oval), Billy V 4th, LJ Lombardo 9th, Chris Shultz 10th (pretty sure on him, too), Mike Ruggiero 13th, Danny Creeden 20th and Tim Hindley 22nd in the modified feature.
In the held over Sportsman feature, Brian Krummel was 1st, Matt Janiak 2nd, Dominick Roselli, Jr. 4th, Joey Bruning 5th, Matt Hitchcock 6th, Joe Conklin 10th, Anthony Falanga 14th, and Joey Falanga 15th.
In the nights regularly scheduled Sportsman feature, it was Matt Janiak 1st, Matt Hitchcock 3rd, Brendon Finley 6th, Brian Krummel 9th, Dominick Roselli, Jr 12th, Joey Bruning 13th, Anthony Falanga 14th, Joe Conklin 21st and Joe Falanga 24th.
Brendon Finley won the Rookie Sportsman feature.
Brian Krummel won the CRSA Sprint car feature, with Joe Kata 7th, Chuck Alessi 10th, Josh Pieniazek 11th, Emily Vanigen 12th, Tim Hindley 19th and BK Rizzo 20th.
For the night at OC there were 23 Modifieds, 29 Sportsman, 15 or 16 Rookie Sportsman (Doc Young was listed in a qualify heat, but not in the feature?) and 25 with the CRSA Sprint Cars.
Danny Creeden was 7th and Anthony Perrego 9th at I-88, in the Modified feature. Dominic Roselli, Jr was 11th in the Sportsman feature.
Mike Mammana was 21st in the Sportsman feature at Big Diamond.
Johnny Guarino was 21st in the 358 Modified feature at New Egypt.
Kyle Armstrong was 13th and Kolby Schroder 23rd in the Modified feature at Lebanon Valley.
Kenney Johnson was 18th in the USAC Dirt Midget feature at Bear Ridge.
Danny Buccafusca was 10th in the 600 Micro feature at Kutztown. Molly Chambers was a DNQ.
Jacob Hendershot won the 270 Micro feature at Bridgeport. He was 9th at Hamlin.
Rich Coons was 4th and Kyle Redner 5th in the 358/Sportsman feature at Bethel. JB Morris was 3rd and Joe Morris 6th in the Advanced 4 Cylinder feature.
Bobby Hackel, IV was 8th, Alex Bell 17th and Brett Wright 19th in the Modified feature at A/S. Hunter Bates was 19th in the Sportsman feature.
AJ Filbeck was 4th in the GRIT Sportsman feature at U/R.
Jason Roe was 11th in the Empire Lightning Sprint feature at Penn Can.
AJ Filbeck was 18th in the GRIT Series race at Glen Ridge.
Anthony Perrego was 26th at the “Rumble At the Rock” Modified race at Black Rock.
Davie Franek was 9th in the Lucas Oil A Main at U/R
I know that LJ Lombardo raced his new ride at a race upstate, but darned if I can find it. I do know he was a DNQ for the feature.
Midget Racing from “Back in the Day”:
As I made mention at the beginning of this week’s column, here is the race record (wins) for Len Duncan. Len, to the best of my knowledge, was one of the very few Jewish drivers that raced back in the day, and even today. His career went from 1940 up to 1972.
1940
April 21 New York, NY New York Coliseum 30 laps
Gallagher and Hunter V-8
June 23 Pottstown, PA Sanatoga Speedway 25 laps
June 22 Cedarhurst, L.I., NY Cedarhurst Speedway 25 laps
August 11 Pottstown, PA Sanatoga Speedway 25 laps
September 29 Pottstown, PA Sanatoga Speedway
October 13 Pottstown, PA Sanatoga Speedway 25 laps
November 22 Harrisburg, PA Pennsylvania Farm Show
Building 30 laps
1941
January 26 New York, NY New York Coliseum 50 laps
February 9 New York, NY New York Coliseum
March 2 New York, NY New York Coliseum 50 laps
June 20 Danbury, CT Danbury Fairgrounds 30 laps
July 25 Danbury, CT Danbury Fairgrounds 20 laps
Split
August 1 Danbury, CT Danbury Fairgrounds 20 laps
Split
November 16 New York, NY New York Coliseum 30 laps
1942
February 22 New York, NY New York Coliseum 50 laps
Charlie Stevens V8
May 18 Philadelphia, PA Yellow Jacket Speedway
1946
June 15 Danbury, CT Danbury Speedway 25 laps
July 14 Trenton, NJ Trenton Fairgrounds 100 miles
1:31:39.82
September 14 Danbury, CT Danbury Speedway
September 29 Danbury, CT Danbury Speedway
Fair races
October 4 Paterson, NJ Hinchliffe Stadium
Heaton V-8
November 15 Freeport, NY Freeport Stadium
1947
February 21 New York City, NY Kingsbridge Armory 25 laps
Jerry Willets Offy #31
March 30 New York City, NY Kingsbridge Armory 25 laps
Jerry Willets Offy #31
July 30 Middletown, NY Victory Speedway 25 laps
Buck Wheeler Offy
August 1 Minands, NY Empire Raceway
October 31 Freeport, NY Freeport Stadium
November 15 New York City, NY Kingsbridge Armory 25 laps
November 19 New York City, NY Kingsbridge Armory 25 laps
December 2 New York City, NY Kingsbridge Armory 25 laps
1948
February 21 New York City, NY Kingsbridge Armory 25 laps
Jerry Willets Offy #31
March 20 New York City, NY Kingsbridge Armory 25 laps
Jerry Willets Offy #31
July 3 West Springfield, MA 25 laps
Jerry Willets Offy #31
September 25 Danbury, CT 100 laps
1949
April 11 Paterson, NJ Hinchliffe Stadium
Ford #7
????? Lanham, MD Greater Lanham Speedway25 laps
First night race of the year
May 7 Allentown, PA Dorney Park Speedway 25 laps
May 15 Hatfield, PA Hatfield Speedway 25 laps
May 20 West Lanham, MD Lanham Speedway
June 3 West Lanham, MD Lanham Speedway
July 6 Norfolk, VA Princess Anne Speedway 25 laps
July 6 Richmond, VA Royall Speedway Conflict with above race.
July 19 Norfolk, VA Princess Anne Speedway 25 laps
Ken Hickey Offy #9 3rd win in a row, 5th of season
July 27 Richmond, VA Royall Speedway
August 6 Allentown, PA Dorney Park Speedway 50 laps
August 10 Richmond, VA Royall Speedway 25 laps
August 24 Richmond, VA Royall Speedway
???? Washington, DC Greater Lanham Speedway
Josephs, McAndrews
September 7 Richmond, VA Royall Speedway 25 laps
Won 2nd of two features run on the night
September 11 Langhorne, PA 20 laps
Feature from August 24
Two features run on 9/11
September 11 Langhorne, PA 20 laps
September 13 Norfolk, VA Princess Anne Speedway25 laps
Ken Hickey Offy #9
September 20 Norfolk, VA Princess Anne Speedway 100 laps
Ken Hickey Offy #9
Last race of season for this track
October 16 Dover, NJ Dover Speedway 100 laps
1949 Hatfield Speedway Champion
1949 Princess Anne Speedway Champion
1950
June 17 Allentown, PA Dorney Park Speedway 25 laps
August 27 Hatfield, PA Hatfield Speedway 40 laps
Ken Hickey Offy #9 (Black Beauty)
September 27 Morristown, NJ Morristown Speedway 25 laps
1951
April 8 Hatfield, PA Hatfield Speedway 25 laps
June 2 Allentown, PA Dorney Park Speedway 25 laps
July 20 Belmar, NJ Wall Stadium 25 laps
July 31 Morristown, NJ Morristown Raceway 20 laps
September 9 Langhorne, PA Yellow Jacket Spd 20 laps
Feature from 8/24
September 9 Langhorne, PA Yellow Jacket Speedway 20 laps
Regular feature
September 29 Bloomsburg, PA Bloomsburg Fair 50 laps
November 4 Richmond, VA Royall Speedway 50 laps
Drove the Ken Hickey Offy #9
1952
May 30 Seekonk, MA Seekonk Speedway
July 19 Hatfield, PA Hatfield Speedway
August 31 Hatfield, PA Hatfield Speedway
September 20 Hatfield, PA Hatfield Speedway
All races were AAA Eastern
1953
February 22 Miami, FL Opa-Locka Speedway
AAA National
June 14 Hatfield, PA Hatfield Speedway 50 laps
AAA Eastern
June 21 Hatfield, PA Hatfield Speedway 75 laps
AAA Eastern
July 27 Hatfield, PA Hatfield Speedway
AAA Eastern
August 22 Freeport, NY Freeport Stadium
AAA Eastern
?????? Fort Wayne, IN Fort Wayne Coliseum
AAA
1953 AAA Eastern Midget Champion
1954
June 18 Altoona, PA Altoona Speedway
AAA Eastern
June 19 Woodhaven L.I., NY Dexter Park
AAA Eastern
June 27 Reading, PA Reading Fairgrounds Speedway
AAA Eastern
June 28 Old Bridge, NJ Old Bridge Stadium
AAA Eastern
1945 AAA Eastern Midget Champion
1955
July 23 Manassas, VA Old Dominion Speedway
Harry Hespell Offy #1 ARDC
September 3 Flemington, NJ Flemington Fair Speedway 20 laps
Harry Hespell Offy #1
September 23 Allentown, PA Allentown Fairgrounds
October 9 Manassas, VA Old Dominion Speedway
Twin Features ARDC
October 9 Manassas, VA Old Dominion Speedway
1955 ARDC Champion
1955 AAA Eastern Midget Champion
1956
May 5 Manassas, VA Old Dominion Speedway ARDC
July 27 Harrington, DE Delaware State Fairgrounds ARDC
September 3 Riverhead, NY Riverhead Raceway ARDC
1957
March 17 Jacksonville, FL Jacksonville Speedway 20 laps
Harry Hespell Offy ½ D
USAC Tangerine Tournament
August 11 Hagerstown, MD Hagerstown Speedway
1958
May 17 Hatfield, PA Hatfield Speedway
June 22 Danbury, CT Danbury Fairgrounds
June 27 Vineland, NY Vineland Speedway
June 28 Hatfield, PA Hatfield Speedway
August 29 Freeport, NY won 1 of 2 features run on the night
August 30 Flemington, NJ Flemington Fair Speedway
August 30 Danbury, CT Danbury Fairgrounds
October 5 Trenton, NJ Trenton International Speedway
1958 ARDC Champion
1959
May 9 Manassas, VA Old Dominion Speedway
May 10 Richmond, VA Southside Speedway
May 17 Akron, OH Akron Rubber Bowl ARDC
May 23 Danbury, CT Danbury Fairgrounds
October 11 Danbury, CT Danbury Fairgrounds
1959 ARDC Champion
1960
September 14 Marlboro, MD Marlboro Motor Raceway
1961
June 10 Hatfield, PA Hatfield Speedway 50 laps
July 3 Westboro, MA Westboro Speedway
July 21 Freeport, NY Freeport Stadium
August 19 Westboro, MA Westboro Speedway
September 10 Thompson, CT Thompson Speedway 25 laps
October 1 Nazareth, PA Nazareth Speedway 30 laps
1961 ARDC Champion
1962
April 22 Thompson, CT Thompson Speedway
Kernan Offy
May 30 Old Bridge, NJ Old Bridge Stadium
July 22 Olivebridge, NY Onteora Speedway
1962 ARDC Champion
1963
March 31 Old Bridge, NJ Old Bridge Stadium 25 laps
Stan Frankenfield #8 Offy
April 21 Hagerstown, MD Hagerstown Speedway
Kenn Brenn Offy #24
June 23 Thompson, CT Thompson Speedway
July 20 Danbury, CT Danbury Fairgrounds
Feature completed on August 17
September 28 Bloomsburg, PA Bloomsburg Fair 25 laps
Ken Brenn Offy #24
1963 ARDC Champion
1964
April 19 Thompson, CT Thompson Speedway 50 laps
May 29 Wilson, NC Wilson County Fairgrounds
June 7 Thompson, CT Thompson Speedway 5/8 P
June 13 Middletown, NY Victory Speedway
June 20 Hatfield, PA Hatfield Speedway
June 21 Selinsgrove, PA Selinsgrove Speedway
July 10 Philadelphia, PA JFK Memorial Stadium 25 laps
Ken Brenn Offy
July 25 Olivebridge, NY Onteora Speedway
October 3 Bloomsburg, PA Bloomsburg Fairgrounds
October 11 Thompson, CT Thompson Speedway 50 laps
Double Features
October 11 Thompson, CT Thompson Speedway 50 laps
1964 ARDC Champion
1965
May 29 Manassas, VA Old Dominion Speedway
Ken Brenn Offy
1966
July 15 Old Bridge, NJ Old Bridge Speedway
Ken Hickey Offy
At this point Len was 54 years old
August 27 Middletown, NY Orange County Fair Speedway 20 laps
September 10 Rutland, VT Vermont State Fair 20 laps
Ken Hickey Offy
1967
May 12 Hershey, PA Hershey Stadium 25 laps
June 16 Hershey, PA Hershey Stadium 50 laps
August 18 Hershey, PA Hershey Stadium 25 laps
At this point he was 56 years old
September 1 Essex Junction, VT Champlain Valley Fair
September 9 Rutland, VT Vermont State Fair
1967 ARDC Champion
1968
September 1 Bechelsville, PA Grandview Speedway
Local sanction Ken Hickey Offy
1969
1970
September 5 Flemington, NJ Flemington Fair 25 laps
George Ferguson Offy
1971
September 17, 1971 was the last recorded feature he ran at Thompson, CT where he finished 4th in the NEMA feature. His last ARDC feature was on August 22, 1971 at Grandview Speedway where he took 3rd.
1972 Notes
On May 7, 1972 at Flemington, NJ, Duncan had one of the worst spills of his career. Driving the Ed Darrell Sesco, he hit the fence on the first turn on the fourth lap, sending the car into a series of eight rolls before somersaulting end for end another six times. Duncan was hospitalized at the Hunterdon County Medical Center in satisfactory condition with shoulder abrasions and a severe whiplash.
Len Duncan was born in New York City on July 25, 1911. He would die on August 1, 1998 at Lansdale, PA
Note: I had a copy of the Crocky Wright Hinchliffe Stadium midget racing, and I really can’t verify that Len only won two features at that track. Today, I have no idea as to just where that book is – dammit!
The ARDC Driving Champions:
Note: It’s nearly impossible to find out just who the ARDC driving champion was for 2014. Hard to believe, isn’t it?
1940 – 2013
2013 – Trevor Kobylarz
2012 – Tim Buckwalter
2011 – Drew Heistand
2010 – Steve Buckwalter
2009 – Frank Polimeda
2008 – Randy Monroe, Jr.
2007 – Andy Martin
2006 – Andy Martin
2005 – Ray Bull
2004 – Ray Bull
2003 – Ray Bull
2002 – Ray Bull
2001 – Ray Bull
2000 – Ray Bull
1999 – Bryan Kobylarz
1998 – Bryan Kobylarz
1997 – Ed Stimely Jr.
1996 – Phil DiMario
1995 – Nick Fornoro Jr.
1994 – Lou Cicconi Jr
1993 – Lou Cicconi Jr.
1992 – Joey Coy
1991 – Lou Cicconi Jr.
1990 – Billy Hughes
1989 – Billy Hughes
1988 – Billy Hughes
1987 – Brett Mowrey
1986 – Nick Fornoro Jr.
1985 – Nick Fornoro Jr.
1984 – Nick Fornoro Jr.
1983 – Nick Fornoro Jr.
1982 – Nick Fornoro Jr.
1981 – Hank Rogers Jr.
1980 – Leigh Earnshaw Jr.
1979 – Hank Rogers Jr.
1978 – George Ferguson Jr.
1977 – Lenny Boyd
1976 – Bob Cicconi
1975 – Leigh Earnshaw Jr.
1974 – Leigh Earnshaw Jr.
1973 – Leigh Earnshaw Jr.
1972 – Johnny Coy Sr.
1971 – Johnny Coy Sr.
1970 – Tom McAndrew
1969 – Johnny Coy Sr.
1968 – Johnny Coy Sr.
1967 – Len Duncan
1966 – Joe Csiki
1965 – Ed ”Dutch” Schaefer
1964 – Len Duncan
1963 – Len Duncan
1962 – Len Duncan
1961 – Len Duncan
1960 – Ed ”Dutch” Schaefer
1959 – Len Duncan
1958 – Len Duncan
1957 – Ed ”Dutch” Schaefer
1956 – Ed ”Dutch” Schaefer
1955 – Len Duncan
1954 – Vernon Land
1953 – Cliff Riggott
1952 – Steve McGrath
1951 – Fred ”Jiggs” Peters
1950 – Nick Fornoro Sr.
1949 – Mike Nazaruk
1948 – Bill Schindler
1947 – George Rice
1946 – Bill Schindler
1945 – Bill Schindler
1941 – Henry Banks
1940 – Bill Schindler
Press Releases:
Orange County Fair Speedway
239 Wisner Avenue
Middletown, NY10940
CONTACT
Mike Gurda
845-342-2573
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FORMER DRIVERS AND TEAM OWNERS RETURN TO ORANGE COUNTY FAIR SPEEDWAY FOR NOSTALGIA NIGHT
June 6 Racing Program to Include Vintage Race Cars on the Hard Clay
MIDDLETOWN, NY (June 01)……..The stars come out on Saturday, June 6 when Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, New York hosts its annual Nostalgia Night. Nearly 70 former drivers and car owners have indicated they will be on hand for the fun-filled night of remembrance, autographs, and interviews, all to help Orange County celebrate its glorious stock car racing history. Among the drivers expected are former track champions Frankie Schneider, Sonny Strupp, Carl Van Horn, and Billy Tanzosh as well as two time Eastern States 200 winner Gerald Chamberlain.
In addition to this colorful look back at Orange County racing history, a full program of Big-Block Modified, Small-Block Modified, Sportsman, and Street Stock racing is scheduled. The always entertaining Street Stocks will be competing in the $500-to-win Marky Traverse Memorial Race. And to make the night complete, the restored and vintage race cars of the Northeast Vintage Modified Racing Club and the Atlantic Coast Old Timers will help fans recall the great race cars of yesterday.
An extended intermission period will allow fans to interact and get autographs with the returning stars of The Hard Clay.
Sponsors for the evening are Tire King of Sussex County and Frank Stevens & Sons Roofing.
Admission prices for the big June 6 race meet remain at $14 adults, $12 seniors, and $1.00 for children 12 and under. Please note that this full night of racing and reminiscence begins promptly at 6:00 pm.
Advance ticket sales and track information is available at the Orange County website, www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net, or from the Track Office. Call 845-342-2573 during business hours. Additional drivers wishing to take part in Nostalgia Night are asked to contact the speedway office to be included in the activities.
Upcoming: June 13 – Twin 20-lap feature races for the Big-Block Modifieds
June 20 – Charlie Loder Memorial Race for Small-Block Modifieds (no Big-Blocks)
June 27 – Two 30-Lap Big-Block Modified feature races (make-up for May 16 rainout)
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/May 31, 2015
Danny Johnson Looking For “Throwback Thursday” On June 11 At New Egypt Speedway When Lentini Auto Salvage Presents ‘Dirty Jersey 3’ $10,000-to-win Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek Event
NEW EGYPT, NJ – Danny Johnson may not be one for social media, but he is hoping for his own “throwback Thursday” on June 11 at New Egypt Speedway.
When Lentini Auto Salvage presents ‘Dirty Jersey 3’ at the Garden State facility, the Rochester, N.Y., driver will look to recreate history from the cockpit of Chris Gennarelli’s No. 27J Bicknell mount. The ‘Dirty Jersey 3’ is headlined by a $10,000-plus to win big-block/small-block Modified special with a total purse of more than $30,000. The NES appearance is Round No. 3 of the Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek (STSS) Pioneer Pole Buildings Inc. South Region Presented By Scotty’s Speed & Diesel.
Only once in the 33-race BD Motorsports Media LLC promotional history has there been a $10,000-to-win race presented. That was June 13, 2012 at Pa.’s Penn Can Speedway.
Johnson, then driving for car owner Mike Payne, took the 60-lap victory and some $11,000 in cash including lap money and bonuses.
Now, Johnson heads to NES with 10k on the winner’s check for the first time in three years with the same aspirations.
“We’re definitely going to be there,” emphasized team owner Gennarelli when discussing the ‘Dirty Jersey’ event. “With that payout, we wouldn’t miss it.”
The veteran driver down as ‘the Doctor’ has enjoyed a solid 2015 season with victories at a half-dozen speedways in the potent CG Racing equipment. He is a past NES victor and hopes to add a ‘Dirty Jersey 3’ score to his resume.
Johnson will be part of a talented cast at NES with the hefty purse structure on the line plus contingency awards, bonuses and product certificates. Tenth-place in the 40-lap main pays $1,000 with $400 reserved to take the green flag.
Rick Laubach of Hellertown, Pa., leads the STSS South Region standings into New Egypt after winning at Bridgeport (N.J.) and Big Diamond (Pa.) to open the season.
A rules package favorable to ALL race teams has been devised by the event’s promotional team to attract a wide base of cars from across the Northeast.
American Racer tires will be utilized for the ‘Dirty Jersey’ Modified special. Minimum compounds are as follows: 33 or harder across the front; 44 or harder left-rear; 48 or harder right-rear.
Spec head small-blocks, Pennsylvania or New Egypt Speedway legal, will be permitted to utilize sail panels at this event. Spec head engines on gasoline weigh a minimum of 2,275 lbs. Spec head engines on alcohol weigh a minimum of 2,350 lbs.
All other engine combinations are required to utilize standard window bodywork. Small-blocks (max. 363 cubic inch) weigh 2,400 lbs. Big-blocks (max. 477 cubic inch) weigh 2,500 lbs. And Delaware big-blocks (478 cubic inch and up) weigh 2,600 lbs.
Drivers will draw for starting positions in 10-lap heat races. Consolations, 10 laps in distance, will set the remainder of the starting field. Top qualifiers from the heat races will redraw.
The complete purse structure is as follows: 1) $10,000; 2) $3,500; 3) $2,000; 4) $1,500; 5) $1,400; 6) $1,150; 7) $1,125; 8) $1,100; 9) $1,050; 10) $1,000; 11) $750; 12) $650; 13) $550; 14) $450; 15) $425; 16) $415; 17) $405; 18-24) $400; Provisional Starters) $200.
Also on the ‘Dirty Jersey 3’ card are the reborn United Racing Club 360 Sprint Cars in a $3,000-to-win, 25-lap event and Crate 602 Sportsman racing for a $750 winner’s share.
Complete prices, times, rules and information for the ‘Dirty Jersey 3’ have been posted at: http://bdmotorsportsmedia.com/dirty-jersey-3-general-rules-prices-information/
To learn more about the Short Track Super Series or BD Motorsports Media, 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.
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.
News from Thunder Mountain Speedway
Media Contact: BD Motorsports Media LLC – thundermtnspeedway@gmail.com or 845.728.2781
For Immediate Release/May 31, 2015
Rain Claims Thunder Mountain’s Saturday Racing; Action Continues June 6 With Full Program Plus Fan Appreciation Night & Lawn Mower Racing; HUGE ‘Lightning on the Mountain’ Special Sunday, June 28
CENTER LISLE, NY – For the second time this season, rain forced the cancelation of a Saturday event at Thunder Mountain Speedway.
A first wave of heavy rain arrived at the speedway at 4 p.m., soaking the grounds. With a second band of storms moving across the state, management opted to pull the plug on the program. Ultimately, significant precipitation arrived at 8 p.m. as forecasted, so the correct call was made.
Racing resumes at the Center Lisle facility next Saturday, June 6 with Fan Appreciation Night. Fans will be invited to the frontstretch during intermission to meet the drivers competing in the weekly divisions at Thunder Mountain. Teams will be able to distribute photos, candy and more. There will also be a number of giveaways from the speedway during the night.
An added attraction to the program will be the first presentation of the Southern Tier Mowersports Lawn Mower racing on a temporary frontstretch course. The organization holds organized lawn mower racing throughout the region but has never appeared at Thunder Mountain.
A full card of racing is on the docket including Modifieds, Open Sportsman, Crate 602 Sportsman, Rookie Sportsman, Barrett’s Race Cars & Components Street Stocks, XCel 600 Modifieds & FWD Four Cylinders.
Gates open at 4 p.m., with hot laps at 6:20 p.m. and racing at 7 p.m. Adult grandstand admission is $12. Seniors (ages 65 and up) and Students (ages 10-17) pay $10. Kids 9 and under are FREE. Pit admission is $30, with no license required.
The season’s first major event of the season takes place on Sunday, June 28 with the Olum’s ‘Lightning on the Mountain’ presented by VP Racing Fuels. Short Track Super Series (STSS) Fueled By Hi-Tek big-block/small-block Modifieds race 50 laps for a total purse structure of more than $25,000. The event pays $5,000 to the winner, $1,000 for 10th and $400 to take the green flag.
The ‘Lightning on the Mountain’ is event No. 4 of the STSS Bob Hilbert Sportswear North Region $15,000 championship battle, having already completed events at New York’s Orange County and Accord speedways in addition to Pennsylvania’s Big Diamond Speedway.
Also on the card are the popular Speedway Entertainment SpeedSTRs featured regularly at Pa.’s Action Track USA during the summer on Wednesday nights. The SpeedSTRs race 30 laps for $3,000 to the winner from an Action Track USA All-Pro Tour purse structure.
Olum’s will present a ‘Double Down Challenge’ for this event. If one driver can sweep both the Modified & SpeedSTR events, that driver will receive a $2,000 bonus bringing their earnings to no less than $10,000!
Also on the June 28 program: XCel 600 Modifieds ($1,000 to win) and FWD Four Cylinders.
June 28 event notes have been posted on the Thunder Mountain website:http://thundermtnspeedway.com/news-results/key-notes-for-lightning-on-the-mountain-sunday-june-28/
For Thunder Mountain Speedway general information and a complete schedule, visitwww.thundermtnspeedway.com. The speedway office number is 607.657.8202. On race day, call 607.849.7899. The speedway e-mail is thundermtnspeedway@gmail.com. “Like” Thunder Mountain Speedway on Facebook or follow @thundermtnspeed 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.
Brett Deyo
Promotions, Public Relations & Marketing
Thunder Mountain Speedway
91 Hunts Corners Road Center Lisle, NY 13797
www.thundermtnspeedway.com
Cell: 845.728.2781
“Thunder Mountain Speedway” on Facebook
@thundermtnspeed on Twitter
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/June 1, 2015
Stewart Friesen Has 13,000 Reasons To Travel From NY State To New Egypt Speedway Thursday, June 11 For Lentini Auto Salvage ‘Dirty Jersey 3’ Event, Looks To Contend For $10,000 Modified & $3,000 360 Sprint Car Payouts In One Busy Night!
NEW EGYPT, NJ – For Stewart Friesen, there are 13,000 reasons to make the trek from his New York State home to compete at New Egypt Speedway on Thursday, June 11.
The Sprakers, N.Y., 31-year-old has the opportunity to earn $13,000 by entering both the Modified and 360 Sprint Car events as part of the Lentini Auto Salvage ‘Dirty Jersey 3’ special at the Garden State facility. Short Track Super Series Fueled By Hi-Tek (STSS) big-block/small-block Modifieds race 40 laps for a $10,000 winner’s share, while the 360 Sprint Cars, in a United Racing Club (URC) points-paying race, do battle for $3,000 to win in the ‘Turnpike 25’ special.
Should Friesen pull off the Modified/Sprint Car sweep, it would mean more than 13k for just 65 feature laps!
In the Modified portion, Friesen will strap into Jeff Daley’s potent No. 44 small-block. This Teo-Pro mount has already shown prowess in STSS competition, winning the April ‘Hard Clay Open’ at N.Y.’s Orange County Fair Speedway, a score worth more than $5,600.
For 360 Sprint Car action, Doug Emery’s No. 33 Sprint Car will be at the ready. Emery has fielded a winning car for Friesen on a number of occasions during the last few years. Their successes as a team include a pair of $10,000 victories in the Cole Cup at N.Y.’s Utica-Rome Speedway among many ESS conquests.
“New Egypt is a premier facility and a racy track,” said Friesen, a past winner at NES in Modified competition. “I feel good about our chances in both classes. The 44 has been fast when we’ve run it and Doug always has a good piece for us for the Sprint specials.
“To be able to race in front of the New Jersey crowd with both cars is pretty big. I always look forward to the opportunity to race at New Egypt.”
Friesen knows both divisions will be loaded with talent. The Modified field will boast competitors from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Delaware, Maryland and beyond, while a potent Sprint Car field from the Tri-State area is assembling.
“It’s not going to be easy, that’s for sure,” he said. “With that kind of money up, you know the best of the best will be there in both divisions.”
The Crate 602 Sportsman division joins the STSS Modifieds and 360 Sprint Cars for the program, running a 20-lap event for $750 to win and $75 to take the green flag. Timed warm-ups will set the top-18 starting positions for the main, while a B-Main will fill in the remainder of the feature grid.
Pit gates will open at 3 p.m., with grandstand gates swinging open at 4 p.m. Hot laps take the track at 6 p.m. and racing begins promptly at 7 p.m.
Adult grandstand admission is $29. Seniors (ages 65 and over with ID) and Military (with ID) pay $24. Students, ages 12-15, pay $12. Kids 11 and under are FREE. Pit admission is $35, with no license required.
Fans can take part in the fun with a pre-race tailgating competition. Prizes will be given away by the roaming ‘Dirty Girls’ in the parking area.
Complete Modified and Crate 602 Sportsman rules and info are at the following link:http://bdmotorsportsmedia.com/dirty-jersey-3-general-rules-prices-information/
For 360 Sprint Car info, visit: http://bdmotorsportsmedia.com/360-sprint-car-rules-and-payout/
To learn more about the Short Track Super Series or BD Motorsports Media LCC, 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.
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.
From the Internet:
Found this around 5:00 PM on Wednesday, from Pocono Raceway:
CLARIFICATION OF RE-ENTRY POLICY – LETTER TO FANS
Dear Race Fans,
Since Monday, we have received many phone calls, tweets, posts and emails regarding our updated re-entry policy. Sitting at home last night, I wanted to clarify the policy and why we came to this decision.
The updated policy reads as: “For the safety and security of our fans, re-entry back into Pocono Raceway is restricted.”
The key word to understand here is re-entry is restricted. This is not a zero-tolerance policy. There will be situations and circumstances which will arise which will be handled on a case-by-case basis by the Gate Supervisors at the Grandstand Gate Check-Ins throughout our race weekend. If you have a situation during race weekend where you need to exit the ticketed areas, our friendly Gate Supervisors will be there to discuss it with you.
This policy update is something we did not develop overnight. I sat through meetings with the Department of Homeland Security and other local/national agencies regarding our events. Their insight and suggestions lead to us instituting an update to our existing re-entry policy. Although there is no imminent threat to Pocono Raceway, given the times we live in and the fact so many individuals attend our outdoor sporting events, this policy has been updated to ensure all fans will be safe.
This is the norm for most major sporting venues including the NFL, MLB, NHL, SEC Conference and the Big 10 Conference.
This policy is not meant to penalize you, our fan. Rather it is meant to provide you a safe environment to enjoy the great racing action and the whole Pocono Experience.
The one thing we do ask is for your patience as the updated re-entry policy is put into action this weekend. We know many questions and circumstance will arise and, again, this is why the language of the updated re-entry policy says “restricted” and not “prohibited.” We will be handling every situation on a case-by-case basis.
I want you, your family and your friends to enjoy your time with us at “The Tricky Triangle,” as you have for so many years. We have been in family run business for 40-plus years now and the overall fan experience continues to improve every year. We firmly believe this policy update will not hurt your experience at our venue. It is in place to ensure fans can come to Pocono Raceway, enjoy all the activities and return home safely.
I look forward to seeing you this weekend.
Sincerely,
Brandon Igdalsky
Pocono Raceway
President/CEO
emails:
I received this email on Monday afternoon. What in the world is happening to our country, anyway? Gonna tell ya – there better be some HUGE changes made in the very near future!
VA Chapels…Unbelievable what is happening in the VA Chapels!!!
Notice verified by Snopes
Subject: V.A. Chapels….- Did you all know about this?
NOT GOOD… This was checked out on truth or fiction and it came out truth!
From the Iron Mountain, MI, Daily News:
“Stop This Insanity”
May 30, 2014 EDITOR :
Went to the Veteran’s Hospital in Iron Mountain today on business. While there I stopped at the Chapel and found pinky-purple type curtains with mesh at the top, covering the altar. (You know the type. They use them between sick patient beds in the hospital). I stopped in my tracks, shocked at what I saw.
Peeked behind the curtain, and found what used to be the welcoming part of the chapel, the Cross, a picture of Christ, and other Christian icons familiar to the majority of Americans.
I found Chaplain Bob Mueller, to ask what the meaning was of this change. This is what he told me. ” A couple of months ago, an order came down from Washington DC to cover all things associated with Christianity in the VA Hospitals. Their solution is to cover everything in all the VA Chapels across the country.”
Chaplain Bob went on to say, “A few weeks ago an official from the Madison, WI, VA Administration came down here to tell me to “stop talking about Jesus, and to stop reading scripture out loud.”
Chaplain Bob also said that the rest of the Obama plan is to send more curtains to cover the rest of the stained glass windows, because there are Christian symbols on the stained glass.
Was skeptical of the accuracy of this article, so I checked it out through Truth or fiction.com:
http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/v/VA-Covers-Religious-Symbols.htm#.VGzFkmdNcVA
Ozero and his Muslim staff are emasculating Christianity in our country.
Please consider SENDING THIS ON TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY OUR VETERANS!
Video time:
The Small Block race in the 1998 Eastern States 150 lap race at OCFS, which is about an hour and 40 minutes in length.
Music video:
Brad James – Past The Point Of Rescue
Non racin’ stuff:
Baltimore’s $20 Million Federally Financed Riots
http://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials/052815-754726-baltimores-federally-financed-riots.htm
Note: Interesting. Question is – why should our government bail them out?
This week’s joke:
Four friends spend weeks planning the perfect desert camping and riding trip.
Two days before the group is to leave Rob’s wife puts her foot down and tells him he isn’t going.
Rob’s friends are very upset that he can’t go, but what can they do.
Two days later the three get to the camping site only to find Rob sitting there with a tent set up, firewood gathered, and supper cooking on the fire.
“Dang man, how long you been here and how did you talk your wife into letting you go?”
“Well, I’ve been here since yesterday. Yesterday evening I was sitting in my chair and my wife came up behind me and put her hands over my eyes and said ‘guess who’?”
I pulled her hands off and she was wearing a brand new see through nightie. She took my hand and took me to our bedroom. The room had two dozen candles and rose pedals all over. She had on the bed, handcuffs and ropes! She told me to tie and cuff her to the bed and I did. And then she said, “now, you can do whatever you want.”
So here I am.
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: The New England Tractor website has been fixed, to a degree. Some columns are missing and best I know, they will be added on. All I have to do is to re-send them.