By TOM AVENENGO
This week’s photo:
The above photo is of Johnny Ringger in the Buck Wheeler # 62 Offy midget. Back in the mid-late 40’s, there were quite a few drivers capable of winning feature races in the midgets, and Johnny was one of them. There’s more on Johnny further down in this weeks column.
Special from me:
This coming Sunday, June 21st, not only is it usually the longest day of the year, sun wise, but this year it’s also Father’s Day. So, to all you father’s out there – here’s wishing you one of the best days you’ve had, coming your way!!
Some personal/family stuff:
Hmm – where to start. There are some that kinda don’t like it if I post something that might be negative towards OCFS. I kinda think that maybe they weren’t around during the OCFS’s “Hey Days”. Oh yeah – if one wanted a seat in the stands, you best get there early. Same applied for the drive-in section. Yep, I, along with some of my kids would be waiting for the gates to open – maybe around 7:00 AM on an Eastern States Sunday, so we could get a decent spot in the drive-in section. As for the grandstand – hell, on a regular Saturday night, one had to get there early – not only to get a decent seat, but also be able to park fairly close to the stands, too.
Not so, today. And that’s so sad.
Back in the day, one had quite a variety of places to get something to eat at the track. Now I’ve heard that the Funnel Cake and French Fries that one could have gotten from the vendors under the main stands were closed because parts of the ceiling/roof (?) had fallen down. Also under the stands was where one could get a great variety of sandwiches – ham, roast beef, French fries, etc etc. The story I had heard was those that ran that, wanted to sell out, and, supposedly, one of their employees was going to take it over. Well, from what I hear, that was a go until “someone” had a little talk with the track owner. again, this is what I had heard. I guess it was quite a talk, too, since that place closed up, too.
Maybe that’s why we see the stands basically empty, today? Strange how some other tracks still basically have full stands on race nights. Why? Okay, the high cost of fielding a race today surely hasn’t helped any. Hell, OCFS is lucky to draw up to maybe 25 Big Block Modifieds on a Saturday night. And, on top of that, I’ve read/heard that pay offs are now the following Wednesday? That true? Is the track hurting that bad?
No racing on Memorial Day – one reason was so they could replace the roof on the covered grand stand. Hell, as of last Saturday, no new roofing is in place. Out of money for that? Who knows? Heck, the whole place has gone into dis-repair. Yet if I make mention of something, some of today’s fans get on my case. Hell, they should be glad the place is still running, maybe?
It was said that after this year’s ESW, the whole track surface was going to be replaced. Then, later on, it was said it was only going to be dug up and put back down. Hmmm? I guess time will tell, huh?
This coming Sunday – Father’s Day, we’re scheduled to have a small family BBQ down here in Cape Coral. Of course I’d love to be able to see all my kids and grand & great grand children, but it’s pretty hard when some are still up north. Per my cardiologist, I really can’t “drive” from Florida, up to New York – so…………….
In a few more weeks, it will be one whole year since I lost my wife, Joan. I was really tempted to forgo most racing news in my column for that week, and devote it mostly to her, but have decided not to. Oh there will be quite about her in it, I’m sure. I’ve been saving stuff up for it.
Hey, not only (do I think) that OCFS is hurting, but it seems that the Accord track is, too.
From the Internet:
“It’s sad to see accord going right down the tubes. Been going to the track since 1992 when it re-opened. I hear such things from friends that they receive their nightly pay off a week later in form of a post dated check, lousy officiating calls, poor car counts, and extremely low fan count. I wish it would turn around and survive, but at this rate we will be lucky to even have a opening day 2016!”
Racin’ stuff:
Kinda seems that this year has been hit with more rain-outs than ever before. On top of that, money, or lack of it, has also hurt racing. Quite a few tracks are experience low car counts. Some have seen an exodus of fans because of that. Hell, back in 1977, the Hard Clay Program for OCFS listed well or 200 in the “Sportsman” class and over 100 in the Modifieds. That’s when it was so much fun having to get there early just to get a decent seat. I imagine we all have a pretty good idea as to why things have changed?
This isn’t very good news: At the Super Dirt Series race at the Grandview Speedway, on Tuesday, they only had 25 entrants. Might that be the last SDS race there?
Hamilton and USAC part ways:
http://www.nationalspeedsportnews.com/sprints-midgets/usac/hamilton-and-usac-part-ways/
Note: I sure didn’t see this coming!
One of the reasons OCFS didn’t race back on May 24th (Memorial Day weekend) was so they could remove and replace the roof over the covered stands. From what I’ve read, there were quite a few layers of roofing that had to be taken off. So, as of this past Saturday, there’s still no new roof on those stands. Now, I wonder, once the new roof gets put on, will the two food concessions that were under the main stands re-open? Or, maybe the attendance for the races isn’t enough for them to re-open? Yes, things have really changed at the track since some years back.
From Jayski:
http://www.jayski.com/
Ford seeks to improve teams’ success; not interested in adding teams:
New Global Ford Performance Director Dave Pericak said Sunday that the company is committed to increased success and performance across all of its racing platforms, including NASCAR. Joined by Sprint Cup driver Brad Keselowski at Michigan International Speedway, Pericak discussed a number of things, including working to improve the performance of Roush Fenway Racing, the evolution of Ford Racing into Ford Performance and the company’s promising new GT entry that will debut at Daytona next February. Some excerpts:
Working to improve performance of Roush Fenway Racing: “We are with Jack (Roush) all the time, and we spend a lot of time with Jack’s team and we are making all the right, I believe, changes within not only the Roush Fenway organization but as we apply our technical resources within Ford Performance, assisting Jack and his team to get to a better place. We have seen progress. We are excited about what we have seen so far. Obviously we need to see more, but we are confident that Jack is dedicated with his team to do that. We are partners in this and our goal is to make them perform better and we are expecting a better performance today.”
What in particular are you working on with RFR? “We are working with them on all aspects of the race car and not only the car but driver training or just everything that is involved in getting a race car to perform on the track. It is all aspects. There is nothing that is not on the table. Jack has welcomed all of the support and help and we have seen some significant improvement as a result of that.”
Are you satisfied with the current roster of Ford teams, and have you talked to Furniture Row Racing (about moving from Chevrolet to Ford): “What I would say is that we are very happy with the partners we have today, and we have an approach where we are working to get everybody’s performance up and we are committed to doing that. We believe in long-term partners and believe we have the right people that we are with currently.”(NBC Sports)(6-15-2015)
NASCAR considering track-specific aero packages?
NASCAR Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O’Donnell has revealed an interesting new angle in the ongoing discussion about the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series aerodynamic package. In an interview at the American Speedfest event at Brands Hatch, which hosted rounds five and six of the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series on June 6th & 7th, O’Donnell told Downforce Radio that NASCAR is considering track-specific aero packages for 2016, and possibly earlier. He said: “I think you’ll look at a little bit more of a set race package, so instead of looking at a 2016 package, you’ll look at it more in terms of putting some packages around certain tracks – not to have it be 36 individual packages, but potentially look at some lower downforce at some (tracks), look at superspeedway packages, kind of cater it to certain tracks.” Fans of the Sprint Cup Series may not have to wait until 2016 for aero changes, as O’Donnell revealed: “You’re going to see us probably make some moves as early as this year, so some exciting things are going on as we head into the second half of the series”. O’Donnell admitted it can be difficult to take all opinions on board. “You’ve got a lot of stakeholders to balance; first and foremost the fans, the owners, the tracks, the OEMs, but ultimately we’ve got to make a decision and stand by that. We try and get as much input as we can, but we’ve got to make a call that we believe is going to grow the sport in its entirety, and that’s our job – not always easy, but we try and make the right decisions to let us all grow in the future.”(Downforce)(6-11-2015)
UPDATE: NASCAR had a teleconference with Sprint Cup teams earlier this week to discuss a lower downforce aero package which could possibly debut as soon as at Kentucky Speedway on July 11th. Teams would have an open test date on Thursday July 11 to shake down the cars. Several sources told motorsport.com that the revised package was tested by the #48 Hendrick Motorsports team and Jimmie Johnson during the Darlington Speedway test on Wednesday. The new configuration would likely include a 3.5-inch spoiler (down from six inches), and 25-inch radiator pan (down from 38 inches) and a shorter splitter. It’s the same package that was expected to be run during the All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May but the idea was scrapped. NASCAR spokesperson Kerry Tharp told Motorsport.com, “NASCAR’s commitment includes putting the best racing on the track. All options remain viable at this time.”(Motorsport)(6-12-2015)
UPDATE 2: NASCAR has yet to confirm that Sprint Cup teams will compete with lower downforce cars at Kentucky Speedway, but teams are already testing the cars. When NASCAR told the Sprint Cup teams on Wednesday that a new lower downforce aerodynamic package could be coming for Kentucky Speedway on July 11, the wind tunnels around Charlotte, N.C. started filling up. According to several sources that have seen the numbers from early trips to tunnel, the reductions of downforce with the new configurations will mean 825 to 1,000-pounds less of overall downforce to the cars. Side force dropped roughly 50 to 55 pounds with a reduction of 70 counts of drag horsepower. One engineer told Motorsport.com the sensation for the drivers will be like gaining 110 horsepower under the hood. He added, “A real game changer.” Teams will have four extra hours of practice at Kentucky Speedway on Wednesday night.(Motorsport)(6-14-2015)
Earnhardt Jr. comments on retirement:
After watching #24-Jeff Gordon compete in his final season in NASCAR, #88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. says his final lap around the NASCAR circuit may soon follow. “I’m turning 41,” he said Friday in a press conference at Michigan International Speedway. “So it’s on the horizon, as far as my retirement.”
“I have to watch Jeff (Gordon) and talk to Jeff (Gordon),” Earnhardt said. “(I have to) talk to other drivers, like Dale Jarrett – guys that I trust – about their decisions and what they would have done differently and what to keep your eye on, be prepared for, what shocked them or what they weren’t prepared for. You know, what was their decision like years later? Do they feel like they made the right decision?”
“Do you run as long as you possibly can, even stay longer than you should? Do you go out on top when you feel like you’re competitive? Those are questions that a lot of drivers have to answer eventually for themselves.”(Sporting News)(6-14-2015)
Note: Hmm, interesting, huh? Make ya a little wager – he retires, watch the fan base take a bit hit.
Drivers with all their wins with different teams:
When #78-Martin Truex Jr. won at Ponono for the #78 Furniture Row team, it was his third career win. The other two wins came with two different teams. Some other drivers who have won one race with separate teams/owners (3 or more wins):
Morgan Shepherd, four wins, four teams:
Martinsville, 4/26/1981, #5-Cliff Stewart
Atlanta, 3/16/1986, #47-Jack Beebe
Atlanta, 11/18/1990, #15-Bud Moore Engineering
Atlanta, 3/20/1993, #21-Wood Brothers Racing
Joe Nemechek, four wins, four teams:
Kansas, 10/10/2004, #01-MB2 Motorsaports
Richmond, 5/3/2003, #25-Hendrick Motorsports
Rockingham, 11/4/2001, #33-Andy Petree Racing
New Hampshire, 9/19/1999, #42-SABCO (Felix Sabates)
Martin Truex Jr., three wins, three teams:(also, won all 3 races in the month of June)
Pocono, 6/7/2015, #78-Furniture Row Racing
Sonoma, 6/23/2013, #56-Michael Waltrip Racing
Dover, 6/4/2007, #1-Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
Brian Vickers, three wins, three teams:
New Hampshire, 7/14/2013, #55-Michael Waltrip Racing
Michigan, 8/16/2009, #83-Red Bull Racing
Talladega, 10/8/2006, #25-Hendrick Motorsports
Bill Blair, three wins, three teams:
Vernon, 6/18/1950, #2-Sam Rice
Atlanta/Lakewood Speedway, 4/20/1952, #2-George Hutchens
Daytona Beach, 2/15/1953, #2-Bill Blair
(Checked stats at racing-reference.info)(6-17-2015)
From Track Forum:
http://www.trackforum.com/forums/forum.php
What to do about Aerokits?
http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php/195491-What-to-do-about-Aerokits
From the Dirt Track Digest Forum:
http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/
Glenn Donnley ??
http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/DTD/index.php?/topic/53815-glenn-donnley/
From the AARN:
Blaney Flies To Canandaigua All Star Sprint Car Victory
Late Race Dramatics Open Door For Hirschman Tri Track Monadhock Payday
Montieth’s Lincoln All Star Sprint Score Is Popular With ‘Posse’
Stewy, Jess Are Having A Baby
HJ Bunting Sweeps Big Block Mods In Delaware
NASCAR Mod Tour Thompson Dominance Continues For Doug Coby
‘Timmy J’ Flies High At Oswego With ISMA Wings
Michael Gervais Outruns Stafford’s SK Mod Big Guns
Creeden Cleans House In Dirty Jersey New Egypt Race; Pockets $10 Grand Plus
Pauch Beats Father For Kutztown SpeedSTR Win
And a little more from this week’s edition:
After Danny Creeden won at New Egypt, his engine was teched. Guess what? It was found to be UNDER the 358 cu in limit.
Some sad news – Carol Barrick, 83, passed away last Sunday. Amongst her survivors is Steve Barrick an assistant editor of the AARN, and publisher of Program Dynamics.
The headline on Ernie Saxton’s column:
“When it comes to Sprint Cup rules, NASCAR doesn’t appear to have a plan”.
Looks like there will be a new “Spec” 358 engine in racing, in the near future. The low cost ($9,800.00) without carb & headers is the work of Bob Slack of Bicknell Racing Products.
Last week at Lebanon Valley, the 50/50 paid $2,000.00.
“Rush Hour on Dirt” returns – this time on MAV TV. Three events from Rolling Wheels, with two being taped and one being live. The live race will be from Rolling Wheels on Labor Day.
Ray Swinehart won the Modified feature at Grandview, last week. He’s in his 41st year of racing and is 61 years old.
Wow! Only 10 TQ’s ran at Oswego, last week. Sad, real sad, especially when one sees how many make the indoor shows during the winter.
Jessica (Zemkin) Friesen has had to hang up her helmet for a while. She, and husband Stewart Friesen are expecting their first child, with it possibly being due on 12/25/15.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. made mention last week that he’s contemplating retiring from driving. He’s 41 years old now. He has been talking with Jeff Gordon and Dale Jarrett about that.
Also, via the Internet on Wednesday, Junior is now engaged!
Furniture Row Racing owner Barney Visser is giving some serious thoughts on leaving Chevrolet and going with another manufacturer.
Wow! How about this: The test session on the road course at the Thompson, CT. Speedway was cancelled. Know why? Only Ryan Preece showed up for the session. Interesting, huh? It’s still being planned to run modifieds on the road course, though.
Wow! How about this: Tim Buckwalter won the wingless 600 Micro feature at Kutztown. He started 25th!
Looking at the results from the Clyde Martin Speedway, in Brickerville, PA. I find these classes: 600 Micro Sprints, 270 Micros, 125 cc Micros and Sportsman Micro Sprints. Just what are Sportsman Micro Sprints?
Kenny Wallace is scheduled to race in the Brett Hearn “Big Show” at A/S on July 7th.
At Kutztown, the Tobias SpeedSTR’s had 34 cars entered. The 600 Micro’s had 44 entrants.
Note: Meanwhile, the ARDC gets 15-16 cars per meet? Bet I have a pretty good idea as to why – “Big Buck” engines, for one thing. And, look at all the different open wheel classes today, compared to back in the day.
Further on in this week’s AARN, Guy Smith had this to say about the ARDC midgets:
“The midgets are being squeezed very hard with low purses due to the low cost small car alternatives, and high engine and car costs”.
Former OVRP Dirt Oval racers:
Brian Sobus was 16th in the ISMA Super Mod feature at Oswego.
Zack Mead was 8th and Winter Mead 9th in the Spec Sportsman feature at Accord.
Kyle Redner won the 358/Sportsman feature at Bethel. Rich Coons was 4th.
Joe Morris was 6th and JB Morris 13th in the 4 Cylinder Advanced feature.
Davie Franek was 2nd in the URC feature at New Egypt.
Danny Creeden won another feature at 5 Mile.
Josh Pieniazek was 7th, Danny Hennessey 11th, Brian Krummel 16th and Emily VanInwegen 19th in the CRSA Feature.
Jacob Hendershot was 2nd in the 270 Micro feature at Hamlin.
At OCFS, in the twin 20 Modifieds, in the first feature, Tim Hindley was 5th, Anthony Perrego 7th, Mike Ruggiero 11th, Billy V 12th, LJ Lombardo 15th and Mike Kolka 24th.
In the second twin 20, Tim Hindley was 1st, Anthony Perrego 4th, Mike Ruggiero 9th, Billy V 12th, LJ Lombardo 13th and Mike Kolka 20th.
Matt Janiak won the Sportsman feature, with Matt Hitchcock 5th, Joey Bruning 8th, Zack Vavricka 9th, Dominic Roselli, Jr. 13th, Doc Young 16th, Joey Falanga 19th, Anthony Falanga 23rd and Joe Conklin 24th. Zack Mead was a DNQ.
Brendon Finley won the Rookie Sportsman feature.
At the Brett Deyo show at New Egypt, Danny Creeden was the race winner. Anthony Perrego was 3rd and Johnny Guarino 17th. Some how the name Danny Bouc rings a bell fro the OVRP days. If he did run at OVRP, he was 6th in the feature. Kinda newsworthy was that Brett Hearn was a DNQ.
Anthony Perrego was 8th in the 600 Micro feature at Kutztown.
Kyle Armstrong was 3rd and Kolby Schroder 14th in the Modified feature at Lebanon Valley.
At Grandview on this past Tuesday night, Anthony Perrego was 12th and Danny Creeden 14th.
Sorry if I missed anyone!
OCFS:
The latest photos I’ve seen (from last week) show that there still is no roof, or even the beginning of the laying down of a new roof on the main grand stand. OK, I realize it takes time & money, and have available workers. I imagine those that sit in it are getting rather anxious to have that roof over their heads?
OCFS point standings:
http://www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net/points.html
Accord:
Over the years I’ve always enjoyed going to the “Big A” to watch the races. Many years ago, I took my son, Eric, there so he could race his Kart. That was usually on Saturday nights. So, for some years we did miss the races at OCFS.
Now, I haven’t been to Accord for at least a year – mainly due to some health issues and then moving down to Florida last September.
But lately, as with OCFS, I see a drop in cars in the top class. On top of that, quite a lot being said that isn’t all that favorable about the speedway and how things are going this season. No, I have to imagine that I’ll never get there again to see the racing, but it seems that if something doesn’t change, things might be worse next year – if they’re still running there.
I’d post their point standings, but could not find them on the tracks website.
Midget Racing from “Back in the Day”:
Taking another trip back into the 40’s, this time, and a little info about a driver that really didn’t “set the world on fire”, still he was quite a good driver. His name: Johnny Ringger. Some of this info is taken from a short “biography” written by the late Nat Kleinfield.
Johnny wasn’t what you’d call someone you would think would be a race driver being that he was 5 feet 7 inches tall and tipped the scales at around 200 pounds. He didn’t see his first race until 1939. Johnny was from the Bronx, NY, as was fellow driver Tony Bonadies. Johnny liked the midgets so much that he decided to ask Bonadies for a chance to driver his car. Two weeks after seeing his first midget race, Johnny was in Tony’s car. Being a newcomer to the game, Johnny kept his daytime job, and raced twice a week, to start with.
That winter, he raced indoors, at the Bronx Coliseum, and did fairly well. After the winter series, he traveled with Bonadies, but, being fairly new to the sport, he had a pretty hard time getting rides in good cars. He had rides in all kinds of midgets, with all kinds of engines, too, such as V-8’s, Offies, Outboards and Cycles. He finally got his first feature win at the track in Danbury, Ct. in 1941.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he attempted to enlist in the service, but was turned down for physical reasons. Once the war was over, and racing resumed, he started back up, again. In 1946, he started off driving the Jerry Willets “Sugar Blues” Offy. Again, not happy with being able to get a steady and competitive car, he left the ARDC and joined the ARA. With them, he won quite a few features and finished 2nd in points, behind Al Duffy.
Once the outdoor season ended, he again returned to indoor racing, now at the Kingsbridge Armory, which was also located in the Bronx. For a while, he led the point standings, with three wins, then wound up third in points behind Art Cross and “Dutch” Schaefer. There was one night when he didn’t qualify in the semi-final, then went on to win the “Class B” race, then won the consolation race, and won the feature after starting 13th.
In 1947, Johnny had a couple of good rides. One was in the Buck Wheeler # 62 Offy, and the other was in Tommy Smart’s cycle. I remember him in that # 62, quite fondly.
The “bio” that Mr. Kleinfield had on Johnny, was written up in the early part of 1948. During the 1947-48 indoor season at the Kingsbridge Armory, Johnny had the misfortune to have quite a serious accident, while practicing for a 100 lap feature. His car went through the guardrail, and he ended up with two fractured legs. From what I can recall, as far as that “guardrail” goes, was, that it was made out of 12 x 12 beams that were laid out around the track. I’m not sure if they had cables behind them or not. I do know that when Art Cross had his accident in the armory, and the beam he hit, there were no cables behind it.
I’ve read that the accident he had in the Armory, ended his driving career, but, in reality, it didn’t. He did compete after that. Johnny was a pretty steady competitor at the Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, NJ, and looking at the Crocky Wright book that covers every midget race held at Hinchliffe, I don’t find him listed as being a top three finisher in any race in 1948. In 1947, Johnny had 4 heat wins, 6 second places in heats and 2 thirds. In “B” races, he had 2 seconds and one third. In Semi’s, he had one win, 3 seconds and 2 thirds. In Consolation races, he had one win and 3 seconds. He was in two match races and won both of them. He had one third place finish in a feature. The times I remember him in the Wheeler # 62 had to have been at Paterson, mostly, with some possible runs at the Cherry Park Speedway in Avon, Ct. and Victory Speedway in Middletown, NY. I have a photo of Johnny, in the Wheeler # 62 that had to be taken when there was a 100 mile midget race on the one mile, triangular shaped dirt track, in Goshen, NY in September, 1947 – around the 24th.
The Buck Wheeler # 62 has been beautifully restored by Joe Fiore.
Press Releases:
RACING NEWS FROM. . .
THE BIG SHOW 6
A BRETT HEARN/DRIVEN MARKETING PRODUCTION
CONTACT: JOHN SNYDER at: 845.216.8103
WWW.BRETTHEARN.COM
THE STARS COME OUT FOR THE BIG SHOW 7
NASCAR Driver and TV Racing Analyst Kenny Wallace Joins a Banner Field Expected for the Super DIRTcar Modified Series 100 July 7 at Albany-Saratoga Speedway
SUSSEX, NJ (June 15)……..Already there’s a buzz in the air as top Northeast dirt track Modified teams anticipate competing in the Tuesday, July 7 The Big Show 7 Super DIRTcar Modified Series 100 at Malta, New York’s Albany-Saratoga Speedway. “We’re expecting all the Super DIRTcar Series drivers as well as the top weekly competitors from Albany-Saratoga plus several other drivers who have indicated to me that they’re looking forward to the race. And of course, Kenny Wallace is coming to race. So I expect we’ll have one of the largest fields of the summer,” says event organizer Brett Hearn.
“Kenny has been wanting to come to our Big Shows for a couple years,” added Hearn. “But between his own dirt track racing program and his ‘day job’ for Fox television, this is the first time he’s had an open date on his schedule. We’re really looking forward to having him experience our form of Modified racing.”
Among the DIRTcar star drivers that will contend for victory in The Big Show 7 are series point leaders Matt Sheppard, Danny Johnson, Billy Decker, Jimmy Phelps, and (of course) Hearn. Others in the top-ten in Series points are Tim Fuller, Larry Wight, Pat Ward, Billy Dunn, and Matt Billings. Sheppard, Johnson, and Decker have already posted Series victories in 2015.
Weekly competitors at Albany-Saratoga Speedway expected to give the Series racers a run for the money include Ken Tremont Jr., Peter Britten, Marc Johnson, and Ronnie Johnson. Also Mark Kislowski, Keith Flach, Jimmy Cottrell, and Elmo Reckner.
Presented by Recovery Sports Grill Malta, with additional support from Ferris Industries, VP Racing Fuels, and Cedar Peaks Enterprises, The Big Show 7 is bound to be an exciting evening of dirt track racing at its very best.
Brett Hearn is a champion professional race car driver with more than 865 feature race wins to his credit. He holds 86 track and series championships including 2014 point titles at Albany-Saratoga-Speedway and Lebanon Valley Speedway. In 2013, Hearn was named Area Auto Racing News 50 Years Greatest Driver. Driven Marketing is Hearn’s team that promotes special motorsports events.
Hearn may be contacted during business hours at 973-702-0819, or go to www.bretthearn.com for additional information.
Note: To me it’s a shame that the original “Big Show” that was held at OCFS was moved up-state. Then again, I guess one can’t blame Brett for the move, since he basically no longer competes at OCFS. Wonder why? Purse, maybe and/or the point fund?
NEWS FROM
Orange County Fair Speedway
239 Wisner Avenue
Middletown, NY10940
CONTACT
Mike Gurda
845-342-2573
FOR RELEASE BEGINNING MONDAY, JUNE 15
CHARLIE LODER MEMORIAL FOR SMALL BLOCK MODIFIEDS AT ORANGE COUNTY FAIR SPEEDWAY
MIDDLETOWN, NY (June 15)……The spotlight turns to the Small-Block Modifieds this coming Saturday evening, June 20 at Orange County Fair Speedway in Middletown, New York.
The lightning-quick Small-Block Modifieds will compete in a special 25-lap Charlie Loder Memorial feature race, with the winner receiving not only the trophy and cash prize, but also a guaranteed seventh starting position in the October 24 Eastern States Weekend Small-Block Modified championship race. Qualifying heat races will determine the starting lineup for this special race. Loder was a long-time supporter of all the racers at Orange County. There will also be a one-on-one elimination race among the top Small-Block Modified drivers, with the winner taking home $561 courtesy of the Loder family. The night’s activities are sponsored by Arkel Motors.
In addition to the Small-Block Modifieds, the evening’s racing program will also include the, the wild and wooly Sportsman cars, the learning-the-ropes Rookie Sportsman, the always unpredictable Street Stocks, and the Four Cylinder cars. In addition, the Orange County Kids Club has special activities planned for the youngsters.
Admission prices for the June 20 race meet remain at $14 adults, $12 seniors, and $1 for children 12 and under. The full night of racing begins promptly at 6:30 pm.
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.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
June 27 — Modified make-up race from May 16 added
July 04 — NO RACING
July 11 — Modifieds, Small-Block Modifieds, Sportsman, Street Stocks, CRSA Sprint Cars
Found on Facebook:
Checking out Facebook, around 8:15 on Wednesday evening, a came across this:
We should stop calling them all “Entitlements” Get it straight: Welfare, Food Stamps, WIC…ad nauseum are not entitlements. They are taxpayer-funded handouts, and shouldn’t be called entitlements at all. Social Security and Veterans Benefits are “Entitlements” because the people receiving them are entitled to them. They were earned and paid for by the recipients.
Music videos:
Just a little different this week – songs from some that have left us.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5znh58WITU8&feature=related – Joe South
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th-epsY-7mA – Joe South
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpA0oPR_EOQ&feature=related – Billie Jo Spears
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5tmU58mkA4 – Billie Jo Spears & Philomena Begley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBdjv_VzCkg – Waylon Jennings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ecE1UML1q8 – Waylon Jennings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeXydLRaMJg – Dan Seals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uYag4yPdlA – John Denver
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i51CyfyO_Ok&feature=related – Roy Orbison
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gzY-PrwwHk – Terry Stafford
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V1fX-FvKW8 – Conway Twitty
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8-n1dkiyJE – Jim Ed Brown
This week’s joke:
A three year old walked over to a pregnant lady while waiting with his mother in the doctors office.
He inquisitively ask the lady, “Why is your stomach so big?”
She replied, “I’m having a baby.”
With big eyes, he asked, “Is the baby in your stomach?”
She said, “He sure is.”
Then the little boy, with a puzzled look, asked, “Is it a good baby?”
She said, “Oh, yes. It’s a real good baby.”
With an even more surprised and shocked look, he asked…
“Then why did you eat him?”
This coming Sunday is Father’s Day. I’m wishing all the fathers out there to have a great day, and hopefully you’ll all either see or hear from those kids of yours!
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.