I will be on vacation from May 1st until May 9th.
I'm not sure what access I will have to the internet, so I may not post until I get back.
Please feel free to browse the archives of previous posts and also post comments on some of them if you would like!
I will post about my trip when I return, Goodbye for now!
"I'm Going To Where The Weather Suits My Clothes!"
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
What's Up With Independence Motor Speedway?
OK..... I don't want to be the next guy spreading rumors but some information that I have been getting just don't add up!
First, the north end bleachers were removed to be rebuilt, then high winds tore off a large portion of the grandstands roof which moved the start date of the races until possible mid May.
Then the car show was canceled, stated to be due to wet conditions at track.
Now some one is stating that the footing for the north end bleachers were poured incorrectly, causing them to need to be redone.
There has been a lot of talk about holding the races at other tracks to make up for the facilities not being ready.
The latest rumor I hear is that the new promoter, Brian Lillie of Three Wide Promotions, is pulling out of his contract with the fair board and want some of his investment returned to him!
Now I would like to get to the bottom of this, I'm going to try to contact Brian Lillie or the fair board to find out first hand what is going on!
I hope they can get things figured out before to long!
First, the north end bleachers were removed to be rebuilt, then high winds tore off a large portion of the grandstands roof which moved the start date of the races until possible mid May.
Then the car show was canceled, stated to be due to wet conditions at track.
Now some one is stating that the footing for the north end bleachers were poured incorrectly, causing them to need to be redone.
There has been a lot of talk about holding the races at other tracks to make up for the facilities not being ready.
The latest rumor I hear is that the new promoter, Brian Lillie of Three Wide Promotions, is pulling out of his contract with the fair board and want some of his investment returned to him!
Now I would like to get to the bottom of this, I'm going to try to contact Brian Lillie or the fair board to find out first hand what is going on!
I hope they can get things figured out before to long!
Monday, April 28, 2008
BCS Gets to Race!
Zach Holerud drove his RacingInIowa.com sponsored Dodge Neon 4 cyl. to a feature win at Benton County Speedway!
Other winners:
Modified - Jerry Luloff
Stock Car - Sean Johnson
Sport Mod - Austin Kaplin
Hobby Stock - Chris Luloff
Cruisers - Keiser and Schumacher
Congratulations on the win Zach!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Hawkeye Downs Test and Tune!
It was nice to see a good turn out for the open practice at Hawkeye Downs yesterday.
The weather could have been just a bit better but after a long winter it felt good to see cars on the asphalt again.
The new promoter, Chris Stocks, got his first chance to take the reins of this facility, all in all it went well. When I asked him if it was all he expected, he said "It will take some time to get used to it, but it will come around!"
I look forward to a great season at the track.
Photos from the practice will be available soon at the RacingInIowa.com Photo Gallery page.
The weather could have been just a bit better but after a long winter it felt good to see cars on the asphalt again.
The new promoter, Chris Stocks, got his first chance to take the reins of this facility, all in all it went well. When I asked him if it was all he expected, he said "It will take some time to get used to it, but it will come around!"
I look forward to a great season at the track.
Photos from the practice will be available soon at the RacingInIowa.com Photo Gallery page.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Drive for Diversity Teams Pay Tribute To Wendell Scott
In 1963, Wendell Scott, driving the No. 34 Chevrolet Impala, defied the odds by becoming the first African-American to win a race in NASCAR's elite division. In 2008, two Drive for Diversity drivers honor Scott's memory by driving car No. 34. Michael Cherry is piloting the No. 34 Chevrolet Impala for FDJ Motorsports in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series at Motor Mile Speedway in Radford, Va. and Mike Gallegos drives the No. 34 RTD Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo in the NASCAR Camping World Series West.
For Gallegos, a fourth-year program participant, and team owner Rob Dixon, selecting the No. 34 for the newly formed RTD Motorsports team was an easy decision.
"There were a lot of reasons for us to use the No. 34 for our RTD Motorsports/Drive for Diversity entry," said team owner Rob Dixon. "With our involvement in the Drive for Diversity program, we wanted to pay tribute to Wendell Scott and his family."
Gallegos has developed a close relationship with Scott's son, Wendell Scott, Jr., who has served as the Drive for Diversity program's Driver Mentor and Technical Advisor since its inception in 2004.
"Mike is in Colorado and I'm in Virginia," said Scott, explaining that most of his mentorship of Gallegos is done via telephone. "I had no idea he was running the No. 34 until I arrived in Phoenix for the Camping World Series West race. I was floored when team owner Rob Dixon told me that the number was in honor of my father."
For Scott, Jr., the Drive for Diversity program is not just about honoring his father's legacy; the goal of the program is to diversify NASCAR and ensure that minorities and females are given a fair opportunity to succeed in the sport. His work with the Drive for Diversity program, which is NASCAR's leading on-track diversity initiative, has given Scott, Jr. the opportunity to work to develop up-and-coming minority drivers. It is an added bonus that the drivers and team owners view his father as a racing hero.
FDJ Motorsports team owner Frank Deiny also chose to honor Scott this season without Scott Jr.'s knowledge. His driver, first year program participant Michael Cherry, has long listed Wendell Scott as his hero and says his favorite movie is Greased Lightning, the 1977 film that depicts Scott's life. It was only natural for Deiny to have Cherry pilot the No. 34 as a tribute to Scott.
Deiny took the tribute one step further, painting Cherry's No. 34 the same powder blue that Scott drove to the win in 1963.
"He (Deiny) sent me a layout of the replica 1962 Chevy Impala… I was totally stunned," said Scott, Jr. "We had never even talked about him using the No. 34, let alone having the car be a replica. Now I have the opportunity to mentor this young man who is driving the car I served as crew chief for as a kid… it is an absolute joy."
In addition to the paint scheme on the car, Cherry wears a powder blue firesuit with the words ‘In Loving Memory of Wendell Scott #34' embroidered on the sleeve.
"It's an honor to drive this powder blue No. 34 Impala," said Cherry. "Wendell Scott was a pioneer in this sport and there is no better way for us to pay tribute to him than with this car."
Both Cherry and Gallegos have high hopes for the 2008 season with the Drive for Diversity program, and both feel that driving the No. 34 gives them a little something extra.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Bedford and Hagerstown to Wind Up the Month of April for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
After taking this past weekend off the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt series returns to action on Friday Night, April 25th with a first ever visit to Bedford Speedway in Bedford, PA and the first of two visits this year to the Hagerstown Speedway in Hagerstown, MD on Saturday Night, April 26th.
The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will make the first stop of the weekend at Bedford (PA) Speedway for the First Annual “Paul Beamer Memorial Race” paying $7,000 to win. The event at the Bedford County Fairgrounds is sponsored by Bedford Valley Petroleum. The track ran its first race of the season this past Friday Night with Lewistown, PA driver Nick Dickson scoring the win. The track drew rave reviews after 600 tri-axle loads of red clay were added around the entire race track last fall as last week’s racing produced some exciting racing at the venerable venue which first held a race in 1936.
Among the local talent set to challenge the LOLMDS at Bedford this Friday will be four-time and defending track champion, Jack Pencil of Bedford, PA, another four-time points champ, Scott Haus of Hamburg, PA, three-time Bedford Late Model titlist, Scott Rhodes of Somerset, PA, and a driver who like Haus won four consecutive track titles on a track he cut his teeth at, traveling star Rick Eckert of York, PA who won Bedford Speedway Late Model Championships from 1989-1992.
On Saturday Night, the historic Hagerstown Speedway in Hagerstown, MD will host the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series for the third time in three years. The 27th Annual “Stanley Schetrompf Memorial” will pay $10,000 to the winner. The two previous winners of the Lucas Oil Series events at Hagerstown will be on hand including ’06 winner Chub Frank of Bear Lake, PA and LOLMDS Regular competitor Scott James of Lawrenceburg, IN who won a thrilling event last year after starting in 16th.
This past weekend Hagerstown Speedway hosted a $3,000 to win event and Greencastle, PA legend Gary Stuhler picked up another win on the half-mile track as he entered victory lane for the 124th time in his career at Hagerstown, the all-time record for the facility. Stuhler who plans to enter both LOLMDS events this weekend will be joined at Hagerstown by eight-time track champion Nathan Durboraw of Hagerstown, MD, five-time titlist Roy Deese Jr. of Laurel, MD and several more of the Hagerstown and East Coast drivers who plan to make the trip to the Frank Plessinger promoted facility this Saturday Night.
Off to an excellent start this season the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series has seen seven different winners in the first 11 races in 2008. The series in the midst of a 44 race schedule in 17 states this season has had 200 different drivers enter at least one event in ’08. Three-time and reigning LOLMDS National Champion Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, FL coming off of a fifth place finish at K-C Raceway in his Bobby Labonte Racing #44 is the current series points after last weekend’s show. Pearson leads Terry Casey of New London, WI by the just five points heading to Bedford and Hagerstown. Casey the driver of the Arnie Ranta Motorsports #42, who is tied with Billy Moyer of Batesville, AR for the most series wins this year (3 apiece) holds a 45-point margin over third place driver Steve Casebolt of Richmond, IN. Bart Hartman of Zanesville, OH who is in his first season traveling with the Lucas Oil Series is fourth in points followed by last year’s series “Rookie of the Year’ Justin Rattliff of Campbellsville, KY.
The rest of the top ten in the current national standings and who will be making the trip East next weekend are Donnie Moran of Dresden, OH, Dan Schlieper of Sullivan, WI, Scott James of Lawrenceburg, IN, Billy Drake of Bloomington, IL and Wayne Chinn of Bradford, OH.
Casey and Chinn are the top two Quarter Master “Rookie of the Year” contenders at the present time with third place K-C runner, John Blankenship of Williamson, WV in third.
For more information on the next two tracks on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series schedule you can visit www.bedfordspeedway.com and www.hagerstownspeedway.com where you can find a wealth of information and history on both facilities.
The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series tire rule for the Bedford and Hagerstown races will be Hoosier 1300 that must punch 40 and then anything harder. American Racer SD44 that must punch 40 and then anything harder. For more information on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series you can go to www.lucasdirt.com or call the series office at (951) 532-2503.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Driver crashes car while touting new All-Star competition!
By Joe Menzer
CONCORD, N.C. -- Forgive Clint Bowyer if he needs more practice doing burnouts.
He has, after all, secured only one Sprint Cup Series victory in his young career.
His inexperience in the celebratory and heretofore largely uncelebrated art of burnouts showed Tuesday at Lowe's Motor Speedway, when Bowyer, on hand to demonstrate what will become a new competition prior to the May 17 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, lost control of his Chevrolet Monte Carlo and wrecked it.
"I had a little disagreement with the wall. It happens a lot at this place," joked Bowyer, whose only career Sprint Cup triumph came last fall at New Hampshire.
Humpy Wheeler, president and general manager of LMS, added with a grin that he expects Bowyer "to pay for damages."
The inaugural Pennzoil Burnout Contest will take place on the frontstretch of the 1.5-mile LMS track at 6:15 p.m. ET, just prior to the start of the Sprint Showdown (previously known as the Nextel Open, where drivers not already qualified for the All-Star Race attempt to race their way in).
Wheeler likened the event to the Slam Dunk Contest or Three-point Shootout held during NBA's All-Star Weekend, or Major League Baseball's Home Run Derby held prior to the MLB All-Star Game.
Five drivers will participate in similarly prepared Richard Petty Driving Experience cars wrapped with Sprint All-Star Race decals. The winner, to be determined by how fast a driver can begin from a standing start and complete "a full drag racing-style, tire-smoking burnout" and two 360-degree "donuts" before reaching the designated "finish box," will earn a $10,000 prize that will go to his designated favorite charity.
Bowyer is the first driver to agree to participate, with Wheeler adding that the other four participants will be revealed at a later date.
Obviously, Bowyer has some work to do to get ready. He smashed in the right-front quarterpanel and busted the radiator on a Richard Petty Driving Experience car that had been specially prepared for him Tuesday, hitting the inside pit wall after completing a practice run of the burnout course on the frontstretch about 25 minutes before Tuesday's scheduled 11 a.m. news conference.
Bowyer was apologetic afterward, and admittedly a little embarrassed.
"These guys must go to the edge to perform at their highest level," Wheeler said.
Bowyer laughed at that observation.
"Yeah, my edge just happened to be against the wall," Bowyer said.
Bowyer knew everyone was having fun at his expense Tuesday, but that was OK. He added that the competition is supposed to be all about having a little fun anyway.
"This is a neat event. The NBA has their Slam Dunk competition, and Major League Baseball has their Home Run Derby," Bowyer said. "We've never really had anything just to have fun with. This is hopefully something we can build on for the future."
CONCORD, N.C. -- Forgive Clint Bowyer if he needs more practice doing burnouts.
He has, after all, secured only one Sprint Cup Series victory in his young career.
His inexperience in the celebratory and heretofore largely uncelebrated art of burnouts showed Tuesday at Lowe's Motor Speedway, when Bowyer, on hand to demonstrate what will become a new competition prior to the May 17 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, lost control of his Chevrolet Monte Carlo and wrecked it.
"I had a little disagreement with the wall. It happens a lot at this place," joked Bowyer, whose only career Sprint Cup triumph came last fall at New Hampshire.
Humpy Wheeler, president and general manager of LMS, added with a grin that he expects Bowyer "to pay for damages."
The inaugural Pennzoil Burnout Contest will take place on the frontstretch of the 1.5-mile LMS track at 6:15 p.m. ET, just prior to the start of the Sprint Showdown (previously known as the Nextel Open, where drivers not already qualified for the All-Star Race attempt to race their way in).
Wheeler likened the event to the Slam Dunk Contest or Three-point Shootout held during NBA's All-Star Weekend, or Major League Baseball's Home Run Derby held prior to the MLB All-Star Game.
Five drivers will participate in similarly prepared Richard Petty Driving Experience cars wrapped with Sprint All-Star Race decals. The winner, to be determined by how fast a driver can begin from a standing start and complete "a full drag racing-style, tire-smoking burnout" and two 360-degree "donuts" before reaching the designated "finish box," will earn a $10,000 prize that will go to his designated favorite charity.
Bowyer is the first driver to agree to participate, with Wheeler adding that the other four participants will be revealed at a later date.
Obviously, Bowyer has some work to do to get ready. He smashed in the right-front quarterpanel and busted the radiator on a Richard Petty Driving Experience car that had been specially prepared for him Tuesday, hitting the inside pit wall after completing a practice run of the burnout course on the frontstretch about 25 minutes before Tuesday's scheduled 11 a.m. news conference.
Bowyer was apologetic afterward, and admittedly a little embarrassed.
"These guys must go to the edge to perform at their highest level," Wheeler said.
Bowyer laughed at that observation.
"Yeah, my edge just happened to be against the wall," Bowyer said.
Bowyer knew everyone was having fun at his expense Tuesday, but that was OK. He added that the competition is supposed to be all about having a little fun anyway.
"This is a neat event. The NBA has their Slam Dunk competition, and Major League Baseball has their Home Run Derby," Bowyer said. "We've never really had anything just to have fun with. This is hopefully something we can build on for the future."
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Looking Back: Neil Bonnett
Neil Bonnett was one of the most affable drivers in NASCAR Cup Series history, earning 18 series victories during his 18-year career. Among his 18 wins were back-to-back victories in NASCAR's longest race -- the Coca-Cola 600 (1982,'83). Bonnett also won back-to-back Busch Clash races at Daytona International Speedway (1983, '84).
Bonnett's highest finish in the series points chase was in 1985 when he finished fourth and his teammate, Darrell Waltrip, won the championship. He was an original member of the Alabama Gang that include the Allisons and Red Farmer.
Outside the cockpit, Bonnett developed a career as a television commentator for race broadcasts and hosted his own show, Neil Bonnett's Winners on TNN: The Nashville Network.
Bonnett was fatally injured in a crash during practice for the 1994 Daytona 500. He was inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association's Hall of Fame in 1997.
Bonnett's highest finish in the series points chase was in 1985 when he finished fourth and his teammate, Darrell Waltrip, won the championship. He was an original member of the Alabama Gang that include the Allisons and Red Farmer.
Outside the cockpit, Bonnett developed a career as a television commentator for race broadcasts and hosted his own show, Neil Bonnett's Winners on TNN: The Nashville Network.
Bonnett was fatally injured in a crash during practice for the 1994 Daytona 500. He was inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association's Hall of Fame in 1997.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Finally I Got To See LIVE Racing!
Well last night I made it to my first race of the season!
After the depressing last minute cancellation of Benton County Speedway, I realized that the Spring Championships at West Liberty Raceway that were canceled Saturday night was rescheduled for Sunday!
After a quick call to Big House, we were in the Tahoe heading down I80!
We arrived to the fairgrounds around 5:30 to be surprised that the parking lot was not as full as usual. Not a big surprise for the first race of the season.
One thing we noticed while walking to the gate was that we heard no cars hot lapping. Odd yes but not as odd as the fact that Simmons Promotions Inc. now charges tax on their ticket prices. Adults $13.90, Seniors $10.70 and Students (13-18) $7.50. Now why wouldn't they just leave them at an even amount & figure tax in that!
Enough of my rambling on that, lets get to the racing! Hot laps were delayed around an hour as the track was still being worked on, also not a big surprise considering all the rain we had lately.
For the most part the racing went real well until they got to the modifieds! Now call me silly but if you have a race that starts with 24 cars and ends with 8, has the world record number of cautions on a Sunday night that started over an hour late....... you should shorten that race! Not to mention the long delay cleaning up after a roll over, Daykota Hayden rolled his mod in turn 3 but was OK.
Now when I say it is crazy not to shorten this feature, worse yet they did shorten the late model race by 10 laps! Now that makes no sense to me!
Well here are the results as I remember them:
Stock Cars : #15 Lugnut Collins
Mods: #19 Richie Gustin (took so long I was in restroom at finish)
Flyers: #74 Jeff Miller (said his first win in 6 years of racing)
Late Model: #56 Andy Eckrich
Limited Late Model: #29 Bruce Miller (Sorry we left before this one started, the night ran to long!)
All in all, we were glad to get to see some races, FINALLY! I guess you have to expect some bugs for the first race!
After the depressing last minute cancellation of Benton County Speedway, I realized that the Spring Championships at West Liberty Raceway that were canceled Saturday night was rescheduled for Sunday!
After a quick call to Big House, we were in the Tahoe heading down I80!
We arrived to the fairgrounds around 5:30 to be surprised that the parking lot was not as full as usual. Not a big surprise for the first race of the season.
One thing we noticed while walking to the gate was that we heard no cars hot lapping. Odd yes but not as odd as the fact that Simmons Promotions Inc. now charges tax on their ticket prices. Adults $13.90, Seniors $10.70 and Students (13-18) $7.50. Now why wouldn't they just leave them at an even amount & figure tax in that!
Enough of my rambling on that, lets get to the racing! Hot laps were delayed around an hour as the track was still being worked on, also not a big surprise considering all the rain we had lately.
For the most part the racing went real well until they got to the modifieds! Now call me silly but if you have a race that starts with 24 cars and ends with 8, has the world record number of cautions on a Sunday night that started over an hour late....... you should shorten that race! Not to mention the long delay cleaning up after a roll over, Daykota Hayden rolled his mod in turn 3 but was OK.
Now when I say it is crazy not to shorten this feature, worse yet they did shorten the late model race by 10 laps! Now that makes no sense to me!
Well here are the results as I remember them:
Stock Cars : #15 Lugnut Collins
Mods: #19 Richie Gustin (took so long I was in restroom at finish)
Flyers: #74 Jeff Miller (said his first win in 6 years of racing)
Late Model: #56 Andy Eckrich
Limited Late Model: #29 Bruce Miller (Sorry we left before this one started, the night ran to long!)
All in all, we were glad to get to see some races, FINALLY! I guess you have to expect some bugs for the first race!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Racing Tonight at BCS in Vinton!
I'm not sure.... but I think I made a similar post a week or so ago!
As of 8:00 pm last night, track officials posted on RII.com message board that racing is on for tonight.
This is the post:
"Dwayne Burkey worked the pit area today and will continue tomorrow. If we get sunshine tomorrow as is predicted, we should be good to go for opening night at the Benton County Speedway. Dwayne had the track prepped by Wednesday and there was no water standing on it today. The track is wet, but sunshine should be make things work out for the racing surface. We anticipate a good turnout and encourage everyone to show up on time. If you have not paid for your pit spot, you will probably be parking in the back as new drivers are looking to fill any open spots. Gates open at 4pm. Cutoff for draw is 5:15pm. If you sign in after that time, you will be starting at the rear of your heat race. Hot laps will be at 5:30 and races will follow."
Lets hope good weather will help us out, I will keep you posted!
Update: Looks like it is on! Looking forward to getting my race fix tonight!
Update To The Update: Races Canceled Due To Wet Conditions In Pits!
As of 8:00 pm last night, track officials posted on RII.com message board that racing is on for tonight.
This is the post:
"Dwayne Burkey worked the pit area today and will continue tomorrow. If we get sunshine tomorrow as is predicted, we should be good to go for opening night at the Benton County Speedway. Dwayne had the track prepped by Wednesday and there was no water standing on it today. The track is wet, but sunshine should be make things work out for the racing surface. We anticipate a good turnout and encourage everyone to show up on time. If you have not paid for your pit spot, you will probably be parking in the back as new drivers are looking to fill any open spots. Gates open at 4pm. Cutoff for draw is 5:15pm. If you sign in after that time, you will be starting at the rear of your heat race. Hot laps will be at 5:30 and races will follow."
Lets hope good weather will help us out, I will keep you posted!
Update: Looks like it is on! Looking forward to getting my race fix tonight!
Update To The Update: Races Canceled Due To Wet Conditions In Pits!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Independence Motor Speedway Moving Forward With Race Season
There will be racing at Independence Motor Speedway (IMS) this season in spite of the recent damage inflicted upon the main grandstand facility during a wind storm last week. This according to Buchanan County Fair Board member, Brian Prusator and Brian Lille of Three Wide Promotions, the promoter at IMS.
“We have been working with the county supervisors and Three Wide Promotions to come up with a game plan for moving forward with this year’s race season,” Said Prusator. “We’re in contact with all of the right people, everyone is working well together and our plan right now is to open the season towards the middle to latter half of May,” he concluded.
‘Lillie, for his part, is anxious to get going and excited about carrying on the long-standing tradition of racing at the Buchanan County Fairgrounds. “We can’t wait to get going and we aren’t going to let Mother Nature spoil our plans,” said Lillie. “There has been racing at Independence for over thirty years and there will be racing at Independence this year as well. We realize how much it means to our fans and competitors to be able to attend races at this facility and we are determined to provide them that same opportunity as soon as possible this year.”
The season opener race is now on the schedule for May 17th!
Friday, April 18, 2008
Steve Carlson Back As Hawkeye Downs Regular!
The word is out that Steve Carlson of West Salem, Wis., will be returning to Hawkeye Downs Speedway as a regular competitor this year!
Steve is the defending La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway and Whelen All-American Series national champion and has done his share of traveling to race tracks all over the country.
I spoke to Tim Jacobs, who owns Dutch Mill Trucking in Sparta, Wis., and DMT Motorsports, which fields cars driven by popular drivers Steve Carlson, Kevin Nuttleman and Emily Sue Steck., briefly on the phone today to ask him if what I have heard is true.
Tim said that Steve will be at the opening night race, May 2nd at Hawkeye Downs Speedway and that he plans on competing in every late model race there this year if finances will allow.
When I asked Tim if he would be making the trip to Hawkeye Downs with Steve and the rest of the team on Friday nights, he stated that he has other racing commitments on Friday nights that will not allow him to make the weekly trip. I asked him to comment further on that and he said “Friday nights around here is go cart racing night with the kids!”
Now as a father of two myself, I must say there is a very wise man!
I personally look forward to seeing Steve back racing at Hawkeye Downs.HAWKEYE DOWNS CAR SHOW AND PRACTICE APRIL 26!
HAWKEYE DOWNS
CAR SHOW AND PRACTICE
SET FOR APRIL 26
Hawkeye Downs Speedway will hold its annual Race Car Show on Saturday, April 26 from 10am-noon in the pits at the speedway.
Fans are invited to visit their favorite drivers and race teams and then move to the grandstand to watch a four hour open practice session for all quarter-mile and half-mile divisions.
Due to the large number of rookie drivers in the Miller Lite Late Model division fans cans expect that division to see at least one hour of track time alone.
In addition to the Miller Lite Late Models fans can expect to see drivers from all of the 2008 divisions on the track.
Joining the Miller Lite Late Models in 2008 are the Coors Light Modifieds, Budweiser Mid-Am Sportsmen, Barron Motor Supply IMCA Stock Cars, Barron Motor Supply IMCA Hobby Stocks, Sunline 4-Cylinder Hornets and IMCA SportMods.
Admission to the Car Show and Practice is free.
Opening night for the 2008 racing season is Friday, May 2.
The complete 2008 Hawkeye Downs Racing Schedule is available on the tracks website- www.HawkeyeDownsSpeedway.com
CAR SHOW AND PRACTICE
SET FOR APRIL 26
Hawkeye Downs Speedway will hold its annual Race Car Show on Saturday, April 26 from 10am-noon in the pits at the speedway.
Fans are invited to visit their favorite drivers and race teams and then move to the grandstand to watch a four hour open practice session for all quarter-mile and half-mile divisions.
Due to the large number of rookie drivers in the Miller Lite Late Model division fans cans expect that division to see at least one hour of track time alone.
In addition to the Miller Lite Late Models fans can expect to see drivers from all of the 2008 divisions on the track.
Joining the Miller Lite Late Models in 2008 are the Coors Light Modifieds, Budweiser Mid-Am Sportsmen, Barron Motor Supply IMCA Stock Cars, Barron Motor Supply IMCA Hobby Stocks, Sunline 4-Cylinder Hornets and IMCA SportMods.
Admission to the Car Show and Practice is free.
Opening night for the 2008 racing season is Friday, May 2.
The complete 2008 Hawkeye Downs Racing Schedule is available on the tracks website- www.HawkeyeDownsSpeedway.com
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Females prospective from oposite sides of the track!
Shawna Robinson
Shawna Robinson (born November 30, 1964 in Des Moines, Iowa)
In the late 1980s and early 1990s Shawna Robinson was more than just a pretty face behind the wheel. Born a racer, Shawna drove anything from snowmobiles to diesel trucks competitively until she began to race in NASCAR-sanctioned events.
In 1988 she made her NASCAR debut finishing third in the Charlotte/Daytona Dash Series Florida 200 at Daytona International Speedway. Robinson was the first woman to win a NASCAR Touring event when she took home the checkered flag at New Asheville Speedway in 1988, her rookie season.
The same year she won her first race in what is now the Goody's Dash Series, she also captured the Charlotte/Daytona Dash Series' Most Popular Driver Award and rookie of the year honors. Robinson repeated as the series' most popular driver in 1989, becoming only the second driver to win the award in consecutive years. NASCAR Cup Series standout Michael Waltrip is the other, when he accomplished the feat in 1982 and 1983.
In her first two years in NASCAR, Shawna started all 30 races in the Charlotte/Daytona Dash Series winning three of them and finishing in the top 10 a remarkable 21 times.
In 1991 Shawna moved into NASCAR's Busch Series, Grand National Division. The crown jewel of Robinson's Busch Series career came three years later at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Shawna became the first woman to win the pole position in the Busch Series with a then-track-record speed of 174.330 mph. The weekend wasn't all roses for Robinson, though. On the first lap of the race Mike Wallace moved alongside of Robinson's car, making it three abreast in the third turn. Wallace's car disrupted the air around Robinson's, causing her to come into contact with Joe Nemechek. Robinson's best finish in a Busch Series race was 10th just a little less than a year before her last series race in 1995.
Shawna temporarily retired as a driver with her first pregnancy. While she married and raised a family, she was still involved in NASCAR as an interior decorator in the Charlotte, N.C., area, where many of her clients were NASCAR drivers and car owners.
Robinson returned to the sport in 2000 driving a Ford for former Cup Series car owner Michael Kranefuss in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, where she finished in the top-10 in points. In 2001, Robinson made her Cup Series debut in a Kranefuss-owned car at Michigan, where she qualified 32nd and finished 34th.
In 2002, Robinson made seven Cup Series starts. Her best finish was 24th at the Daytona 500 in February. She had four finishes of 40th or worse and finished the year 52nd in the Cup standings.
Jody Deery's Racing Role Will Be Felt For Generations
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Jody Deery told her unique story to NSSN Publisher Corinne Economaki, who ghost wrote this column on Deery’s behalf.)
Jody Deery is still active in the operation of Rockford Speedway after more than 50 years.
Jody Deery, registered nurse, mother of eight, wife to Hugh, race track owner and promoter, says she can imagine what the pioneers felt like as they charted new territory.
In the early ’50s, Deery and her husband Hugh lived in Indianapolis and became acquainted with racing via friends who had invited Hugh to participate in an Indy 500 wrecker crew. Those days, the crews were volunteers, and through Hugh’s weekend work, he and Jody became race fans, first watching Indy 500 time trials, then the event, and eventually branching out.
In 1957, to make a long story shorter, the Deerys purchased a one-eighth share of Rockford Speedway in Rockford, Ill. Hugh worked the concessions and ushered, and as the years went on, bought more shares, obtaining a second mortgage to do so. In 1960, Hugh and Bill Earnest bought the remaining original shares from Stan Ralston’s widow, making them 50/50 partners. Then in 1963, Hugh purchased Earnest’s shares and he and Jody were proud owners of a race track and proud parents of seven children. There were more (children, not race tracks) to come.
Prior to this, Hugh worked as an insurance adjuster and Jody did private nursing, at night. Hugh watched the kids at night, and she would sleep for an hour or two when she got home, and watch the kids all day, and nap again when Hugh returned from work before she had to report on duty. Deery also did polio nursing, when most other nurses were terrified of “catching” the disease.
Jody and Hugh were each raised on a farm and knew the benefits of hard work and shared work. She says the race track was the best place to raise her seven sons and one daughter.
As their proficiency at promoting and track ownership grew, Hugh became known as an inventive promoter, and in fact was honored many times over the years for his work. Jody says Hugh was, “a good idea guy. He knew our business was family entertainment and he worked to make it the best it could be.” Hugh passed away 23 years ago, and Jody’s decision to keep, and run, the track was easy, even though there were people who told her to sell, that she wouldn’t be able to do the work. “When Hugh died there were very few women in motorsports, among them Eileen Daniels (who worked tirelessly alongside her late husband Bob) and Sue McKarns (who also worked along her husband John running the ARTGO series). Back then, women weren’t allowed in the pits, there were hardly restroom facilities, and there were few women spectators. Now, there are women in every aspect and lots of women spectators.”
Deery still works full time at Rockford and owns the lease at LaCrosse (Wis.) Fairgrounds Speedway with John McKarns of ARTGO. And just to make sure she stays busy, Deery also volunteers with the American Lung Ass’n, American Cancer Society, Quota Club (an international organization for the hearing and sight impaired), her parish church, St. James Catholic Church and School (where all eight of her children attended) and Catholic Charities in Rockford, raising money for at-risk foster children and helping low-income families. She also raises money for nursing scholarships through St. Anthony’s College of Nursing in Rockford to help combat the current shortage of practitioners.
Some of Jody’s and Hugh’s children work in motorsports. Meet them, in descending order: Dr. Hugh (1949) is an infectious disease specialist in Michigan; Ted (1950) builds EPA-mandated geodesic domes for highway salt storage; Jack (1952) manages Canandaigua Speedway, Cayuga County Fair Speedway and Rolling Wheels Raceway, all in New York; Tom (1954) is CEO and President of DIRT MotorSports; Susan (1957) is the concession manager (among other things) at Rockford Speedway; Brad (1959) owns three automobile dealerships in Iowa; Charles (Chuck, 1961) operates LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway in Wisconsin; and David (1963) is Director of Operations at Rockford. All are married and among them have produced 18 children (nine boys and nine girls), which Jody says, “isn’t so many for eight kids.” Is there a hint in there somewhere?
Shawna Robinson (born November 30, 1964 in Des Moines, Iowa)
In the late 1980s and early 1990s Shawna Robinson was more than just a pretty face behind the wheel. Born a racer, Shawna drove anything from snowmobiles to diesel trucks competitively until she began to race in NASCAR-sanctioned events.
In 1988 she made her NASCAR debut finishing third in the Charlotte/Daytona Dash Series Florida 200 at Daytona International Speedway. Robinson was the first woman to win a NASCAR Touring event when she took home the checkered flag at New Asheville Speedway in 1988, her rookie season.
The same year she won her first race in what is now the Goody's Dash Series, she also captured the Charlotte/Daytona Dash Series' Most Popular Driver Award and rookie of the year honors. Robinson repeated as the series' most popular driver in 1989, becoming only the second driver to win the award in consecutive years. NASCAR Cup Series standout Michael Waltrip is the other, when he accomplished the feat in 1982 and 1983.
In her first two years in NASCAR, Shawna started all 30 races in the Charlotte/Daytona Dash Series winning three of them and finishing in the top 10 a remarkable 21 times.
In 1991 Shawna moved into NASCAR's Busch Series, Grand National Division. The crown jewel of Robinson's Busch Series career came three years later at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Shawna became the first woman to win the pole position in the Busch Series with a then-track-record speed of 174.330 mph. The weekend wasn't all roses for Robinson, though. On the first lap of the race Mike Wallace moved alongside of Robinson's car, making it three abreast in the third turn. Wallace's car disrupted the air around Robinson's, causing her to come into contact with Joe Nemechek. Robinson's best finish in a Busch Series race was 10th just a little less than a year before her last series race in 1995.
Shawna temporarily retired as a driver with her first pregnancy. While she married and raised a family, she was still involved in NASCAR as an interior decorator in the Charlotte, N.C., area, where many of her clients were NASCAR drivers and car owners.
Robinson returned to the sport in 2000 driving a Ford for former Cup Series car owner Michael Kranefuss in the ARCA RE/MAX Series, where she finished in the top-10 in points. In 2001, Robinson made her Cup Series debut in a Kranefuss-owned car at Michigan, where she qualified 32nd and finished 34th.
In 2002, Robinson made seven Cup Series starts. Her best finish was 24th at the Daytona 500 in February. She had four finishes of 40th or worse and finished the year 52nd in the Cup standings.
Jody Deery's Racing Role Will Be Felt For Generations
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Jody Deery told her unique story to NSSN Publisher Corinne Economaki, who ghost wrote this column on Deery’s behalf.)
Jody Deery is still active in the operation of Rockford Speedway after more than 50 years.
Jody Deery, registered nurse, mother of eight, wife to Hugh, race track owner and promoter, says she can imagine what the pioneers felt like as they charted new territory.
In the early ’50s, Deery and her husband Hugh lived in Indianapolis and became acquainted with racing via friends who had invited Hugh to participate in an Indy 500 wrecker crew. Those days, the crews were volunteers, and through Hugh’s weekend work, he and Jody became race fans, first watching Indy 500 time trials, then the event, and eventually branching out.
In 1957, to make a long story shorter, the Deerys purchased a one-eighth share of Rockford Speedway in Rockford, Ill. Hugh worked the concessions and ushered, and as the years went on, bought more shares, obtaining a second mortgage to do so. In 1960, Hugh and Bill Earnest bought the remaining original shares from Stan Ralston’s widow, making them 50/50 partners. Then in 1963, Hugh purchased Earnest’s shares and he and Jody were proud owners of a race track and proud parents of seven children. There were more (children, not race tracks) to come.
Prior to this, Hugh worked as an insurance adjuster and Jody did private nursing, at night. Hugh watched the kids at night, and she would sleep for an hour or two when she got home, and watch the kids all day, and nap again when Hugh returned from work before she had to report on duty. Deery also did polio nursing, when most other nurses were terrified of “catching” the disease.
Jody and Hugh were each raised on a farm and knew the benefits of hard work and shared work. She says the race track was the best place to raise her seven sons and one daughter.
As their proficiency at promoting and track ownership grew, Hugh became known as an inventive promoter, and in fact was honored many times over the years for his work. Jody says Hugh was, “a good idea guy. He knew our business was family entertainment and he worked to make it the best it could be.” Hugh passed away 23 years ago, and Jody’s decision to keep, and run, the track was easy, even though there were people who told her to sell, that she wouldn’t be able to do the work. “When Hugh died there were very few women in motorsports, among them Eileen Daniels (who worked tirelessly alongside her late husband Bob) and Sue McKarns (who also worked along her husband John running the ARTGO series). Back then, women weren’t allowed in the pits, there were hardly restroom facilities, and there were few women spectators. Now, there are women in every aspect and lots of women spectators.”
Deery still works full time at Rockford and owns the lease at LaCrosse (Wis.) Fairgrounds Speedway with John McKarns of ARTGO. And just to make sure she stays busy, Deery also volunteers with the American Lung Ass’n, American Cancer Society, Quota Club (an international organization for the hearing and sight impaired), her parish church, St. James Catholic Church and School (where all eight of her children attended) and Catholic Charities in Rockford, raising money for at-risk foster children and helping low-income families. She also raises money for nursing scholarships through St. Anthony’s College of Nursing in Rockford to help combat the current shortage of practitioners.
Some of Jody’s and Hugh’s children work in motorsports. Meet them, in descending order: Dr. Hugh (1949) is an infectious disease specialist in Michigan; Ted (1950) builds EPA-mandated geodesic domes for highway salt storage; Jack (1952) manages Canandaigua Speedway, Cayuga County Fair Speedway and Rolling Wheels Raceway, all in New York; Tom (1954) is CEO and President of DIRT MotorSports; Susan (1957) is the concession manager (among other things) at Rockford Speedway; Brad (1959) owns three automobile dealerships in Iowa; Charles (Chuck, 1961) operates LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway in Wisconsin; and David (1963) is Director of Operations at Rockford. All are married and among them have produced 18 children (nine boys and nine girls), which Jody says, “isn’t so many for eight kids.” Is there a hint in there somewhere?
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
BAM Racing may not return to Cup Series until the fall
Sponsorship issues have forced team to partial schedule
After missing the past two races while completing a transition to Toyota, BAM Racing's one-car operation has suffered another setback -- this one on the financial front.
Team owner Beth Ann Morgenthau said Tuesday the No. 49 team may not return to Sprint Cup until the fall, as a proposed primary sponsorship deal has been severely curtailed.
"A primary sponsorship deal once planned for the majority of the 2008 season had been reduced to a fraction of a season and that fraction will likely be in the fall," Morgenthau said in a statement released by the team. "The private company has been in the process of raising funds in the equity market for working capital, which included a portion going to a product launch using the No. 49 car. Due to the uncertainty of the stock market raising the capital is taking longer than expected.
"With no other primary sponsor currently in place to fill the void, the harsh reality of this most recent news is that we are forced to reduce our 2008 participation to a partial season."
Morgenthau said marketing efforts are continuing to try to land a sponsor that would allow the team to return earlier, but she understands the reality of the situation.
"It is of little consolation that we are not alone in this plight," Morgenthau said. "The uncertain economic times affecting our sponsor are affecting sponsorships throughout NASCAR and are having a winnowing affect on the number of teams showing up each week to compete.
"We're confident that with the decreasing numbers of teams, with the competitive cars we produce and with the horsepower Toyota engines provide, we will be able to step back into competition effectively and successfully on short notice, and we are making every effort to make our sabbatical as short as possible."
One week after announcing a sponsorship program with Microsoft Small Business and qualifying seventh at Martinsville, the car was withdrawn for Texas and Phoenix in order to complete the switch from Dodge to Toyota. At that time, the plan was to return at Talladega on April 27.
That obviously is no longer the case, and a specific return date was not mentioned in the team release.
With veteran Ken Schrader behind the wheel, the No. 49 made three of the first six races, including a top-10 starting position at Martinsville. But the car finished 21st at Las Vegas, 41st at Bristol and 37th at Martinsville, leaving it well short of the owner points needed to secure a guaranteed spot.
Morgenthau and husband Tony have operated a team in NASCAR's premier series since 2002.
After missing the past two races while completing a transition to Toyota, BAM Racing's one-car operation has suffered another setback -- this one on the financial front.
Team owner Beth Ann Morgenthau said Tuesday the No. 49 team may not return to Sprint Cup until the fall, as a proposed primary sponsorship deal has been severely curtailed.
"A primary sponsorship deal once planned for the majority of the 2008 season had been reduced to a fraction of a season and that fraction will likely be in the fall," Morgenthau said in a statement released by the team. "The private company has been in the process of raising funds in the equity market for working capital, which included a portion going to a product launch using the No. 49 car. Due to the uncertainty of the stock market raising the capital is taking longer than expected.
"With no other primary sponsor currently in place to fill the void, the harsh reality of this most recent news is that we are forced to reduce our 2008 participation to a partial season."
Morgenthau said marketing efforts are continuing to try to land a sponsor that would allow the team to return earlier, but she understands the reality of the situation.
"It is of little consolation that we are not alone in this plight," Morgenthau said. "The uncertain economic times affecting our sponsor are affecting sponsorships throughout NASCAR and are having a winnowing affect on the number of teams showing up each week to compete.
"We're confident that with the decreasing numbers of teams, with the competitive cars we produce and with the horsepower Toyota engines provide, we will be able to step back into competition effectively and successfully on short notice, and we are making every effort to make our sabbatical as short as possible."
One week after announcing a sponsorship program with Microsoft Small Business and qualifying seventh at Martinsville, the car was withdrawn for Texas and Phoenix in order to complete the switch from Dodge to Toyota. At that time, the plan was to return at Talladega on April 27.
That obviously is no longer the case, and a specific return date was not mentioned in the team release.
With veteran Ken Schrader behind the wheel, the No. 49 made three of the first six races, including a top-10 starting position at Martinsville. But the car finished 21st at Las Vegas, 41st at Bristol and 37th at Martinsville, leaving it well short of the owner points needed to secure a guaranteed spot.
Morgenthau and husband Tony have operated a team in NASCAR's premier series since 2002.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Harvick exploring options of NHRA team ownership
Plans in the works to field a Top Fuel dragster in 2009
Kevin Harvick and his wife, DeLana, have teamed with NHRA drag-racing veteran Bob Vandergriff Jr. to explore the option of fielding a Top Fuel dragster in NHRA competition. The proposed Harvick-Vandergriff Motorsports will specialize in offering its sponsors marketing opportunities in NHRA and each of NASCAR's top three series.
"I think we have a unique opportunity to provide unprecedented reach for companies looking to achieve their objectives through motorsports," Vandergriff said. "As this deal evolves, we want to offer the companies aligned with Harvick-Vandergriff Motorsports the chance to use the best of NHRA and NASCAR through the same program. We'll have the capabilities to provide something no other team can offer.
"I'm extremely excited about this opportunity with Kevin and his wife, DeLana. Our ideas of how to market our motorsports programs and our long-term goals are the same."
This would be an unprecedented alignment of teams in the top two motorsports sanctions in the United States. Vandergriff also believes that having a team car to run alongside his championship-contending UPS dragster would be a huge advantage.
"The response from the companies we've spoken to already has been tremendous," Harvick said. "Everyone at Kevin Harvick Inc. and Richard Childress Racing has become extremely interested with what's happening in the drag-racing world through our friendship with Bob. The more we come to understand what is happening in the NHRA series, the more attractive it's becoming as a whole.
"It's my belief that NHRA could provide a great marketplace for us to grow our business by providing unmatched opportunities for interested sponsors. We view this as something that would be a natural extension of our current Craftsman Truck and Nationwide series programs. Bob's a proven leader and innovator and DeLana and I are happy to be here as his guests. The future looks very exciting."
Vandergriff and Harvick plan to begin assembling a race team and all of the necessary components and people within the next two months as they prepare for a 2009 debut. Announcements regarding the driver and sponsors will be forthcoming.
Kevin Harvick and his wife, DeLana, have teamed with NHRA drag-racing veteran Bob Vandergriff Jr. to explore the option of fielding a Top Fuel dragster in NHRA competition. The proposed Harvick-Vandergriff Motorsports will specialize in offering its sponsors marketing opportunities in NHRA and each of NASCAR's top three series.
"I think we have a unique opportunity to provide unprecedented reach for companies looking to achieve their objectives through motorsports," Vandergriff said. "As this deal evolves, we want to offer the companies aligned with Harvick-Vandergriff Motorsports the chance to use the best of NHRA and NASCAR through the same program. We'll have the capabilities to provide something no other team can offer.
"I'm extremely excited about this opportunity with Kevin and his wife, DeLana. Our ideas of how to market our motorsports programs and our long-term goals are the same."
This would be an unprecedented alignment of teams in the top two motorsports sanctions in the United States. Vandergriff also believes that having a team car to run alongside his championship-contending UPS dragster would be a huge advantage.
"The response from the companies we've spoken to already has been tremendous," Harvick said. "Everyone at Kevin Harvick Inc. and Richard Childress Racing has become extremely interested with what's happening in the drag-racing world through our friendship with Bob. The more we come to understand what is happening in the NHRA series, the more attractive it's becoming as a whole.
"It's my belief that NHRA could provide a great marketplace for us to grow our business by providing unmatched opportunities for interested sponsors. We view this as something that would be a natural extension of our current Craftsman Truck and Nationwide series programs. Bob's a proven leader and innovator and DeLana and I are happy to be here as his guests. The future looks very exciting."
Vandergriff and Harvick plan to begin assembling a race team and all of the necessary components and people within the next two months as they prepare for a 2009 debut. Announcements regarding the driver and sponsors will be forthcoming.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Fuel gamble helps Johnson to first victory of season
Sometimes the slowest car wins the race.
With crew chief Chad Knaus beseeching driver Jimmie Johnson to save fuel in the final seven laps of Saturday night's Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway, the two-time defending Cup champion nursed the No. 48 Chevrolet across the finish line 7.002 seconds ahead of Clint Bowyer, who also gambled on fuel.
Johnson completed the final lap at a relative snail's pace -- 31.19 seconds -- in full conservation mode.
The victory returned Hendrick Motorsports to Victory Lane after an eight-race hiatus and gave the two-time defending Cup champion the 34th win of his career -- and second consecutive at Phoenix. Denny Hamlin ran third, followed by Carl Edwards, who rallied from a pit road penalty to claim the fourth spot.
Mark Martin, who surrendered the lead to Johnson when he came to the pits for two tires and fuel on Lap 302, finished fifth, followed by points leader Jeff Burton, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Martin Truex Jr., Greg Biffle and Kyle Busch.
Johnson's margin of victory was the largest since Martin Truex Jr. won the Autism Speaks 400 at Dover by 7.355 seconds in front of Ryan Newman on June 4, 2007.
After all the other contenders save Bowyer had pitted for fuel in the closing laps, Knaus instructed Johnson on Lap 304 to "Pit this time."
After a brief discussion, they changed their strategy. "Back up your pace half a second a lap," Knaus radioed to his driver. "Screw it. We'll go for it."
Knaus spent the remainder of the race slowing Johnson down, ultimately telling him to back his pace down three seconds a lap, because none of the drivers behind had time to catch up.
"Put it in neutral!" Knaus ordered as Johnson rolled through the final two corners.
"I'm good," Johnson answered. "I've got good fuel pressure."
As he approached the finish line, Johnson screamed, "We're going to win this."
Johnson led 120 of the 312 laps. Only three other drivers -- Earnhardt (87), Martin (68) and polesitter Ryan Newman (37) -- led the race, the fewest since the Siemens 300 at New Hampshire (July 25, 2004) produced three different leaders.
Johnson conserved his fuel so effectively that he had enough left for a celebratory burnout, but he ran out of gas on the backstretch during his victory lap.
The victory moved Johnson from sixth to fourth in the championship standings, 99 points behind Burton.
News and Notes
• The start of the race was delayed for more than 16 minutes to accommodate the rain-delayed Major League Baseball game between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, which FOX also televised.
• Engine failures wiped out both front row starters. Newman fell out after 134 laps, and second-place starter Elliott Sadler followed with a blown motor on Lap 161. Newman finished 43rd, Sadler 41st.
• Comment of the race from 23rd-place finisher Kurt Busch: "My car's so tight it wouldn't turn at Talladega."
With crew chief Chad Knaus beseeching driver Jimmie Johnson to save fuel in the final seven laps of Saturday night's Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway, the two-time defending Cup champion nursed the No. 48 Chevrolet across the finish line 7.002 seconds ahead of Clint Bowyer, who also gambled on fuel.
Johnson completed the final lap at a relative snail's pace -- 31.19 seconds -- in full conservation mode.
The victory returned Hendrick Motorsports to Victory Lane after an eight-race hiatus and gave the two-time defending Cup champion the 34th win of his career -- and second consecutive at Phoenix. Denny Hamlin ran third, followed by Carl Edwards, who rallied from a pit road penalty to claim the fourth spot.
Mark Martin, who surrendered the lead to Johnson when he came to the pits for two tires and fuel on Lap 302, finished fifth, followed by points leader Jeff Burton, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Martin Truex Jr., Greg Biffle and Kyle Busch.
Johnson's margin of victory was the largest since Martin Truex Jr. won the Autism Speaks 400 at Dover by 7.355 seconds in front of Ryan Newman on June 4, 2007.
After all the other contenders save Bowyer had pitted for fuel in the closing laps, Knaus instructed Johnson on Lap 304 to "Pit this time."
After a brief discussion, they changed their strategy. "Back up your pace half a second a lap," Knaus radioed to his driver. "Screw it. We'll go for it."
Knaus spent the remainder of the race slowing Johnson down, ultimately telling him to back his pace down three seconds a lap, because none of the drivers behind had time to catch up.
"Put it in neutral!" Knaus ordered as Johnson rolled through the final two corners.
"I'm good," Johnson answered. "I've got good fuel pressure."
As he approached the finish line, Johnson screamed, "We're going to win this."
Johnson led 120 of the 312 laps. Only three other drivers -- Earnhardt (87), Martin (68) and polesitter Ryan Newman (37) -- led the race, the fewest since the Siemens 300 at New Hampshire (July 25, 2004) produced three different leaders.
Johnson conserved his fuel so effectively that he had enough left for a celebratory burnout, but he ran out of gas on the backstretch during his victory lap.
The victory moved Johnson from sixth to fourth in the championship standings, 99 points behind Burton.
News and Notes
• The start of the race was delayed for more than 16 minutes to accommodate the rain-delayed Major League Baseball game between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, which FOX also televised.
• Engine failures wiped out both front row starters. Newman fell out after 134 laps, and second-place starter Elliott Sadler followed with a blown motor on Lap 161. Newman finished 43rd, Sadler 41st.
• Comment of the race from 23rd-place finisher Kurt Busch: "My car's so tight it wouldn't turn at Talladega."
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Gordon 200 and counting for Make-A-Wish efforts
In 1995, a young driver named Jeff Gordon won his first NASCAR Cup Series championship. That same year, he also granted his first wish to a child with a life-threatening medical condition in partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Now 13 years later, Gordon is still collecting wins and still bringing smiles to Make-A-Wish kids through his strong commitment to wish granting -- he passed the 200-wish mark earlier this season. The Make-A-Wish Foundation will celebrate his efforts when Joshua, 15, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., meets Gordon at Phoenix International Raceway for his wish before Saturday's Subway Fresh Fit 500.
Joshua will receive VIP treatment during the race weekend: In addition to his wish meeting, he will take part in some of the pre-race activities with his favorite driver Saturday and then watch Gordon race for the checkered flag in the No. 24 car. Gordon will also present Joshua with special mementos of his wish.
While he has fulfilled so many wishes, Gordon says that the number doesn't matter. He works with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to grant kids' heartfelt wishes nearly every weekend during the race season because of the profound effect these kids have on his life.
"It's humbling to know that these kids choose to spend time with me," Gordon said. "They face tremendous challenges every day because of their conditions, and the strength and determination they show is really inspiring to me. It's just heartwarming to see their smiles and know they are enjoying themselves at a difficult time in their lives."
"The Make-A-Wish Foundation is truly grateful to Jeff Gordon for his ongoing support of our work and our wish kids," said David Williams, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America president and chief executive officer. "Two hundred wishes is a phenomenal milestone for a celebrity wish granter, and Jeff is only the second person to reach this milestone. Instead of dwelling on the hardships of medical treatments and hospital stays, all of these kids -- and more to come, I'm sure -- experienced the joy of having their wishes come true thanks to Jeff's kindness and generosity. "
Gordon also supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation through financial gifts from The Jeff Gordon Foundation.
Those who would like to support these efforts may donate in honor of Gordon's 200-plus wishes by visiting The Jeff Gordon Foundation Web site at www.jeffgordonfoundation.org or the Make-A-Wish Web site at www.wish.org. To honor Gordon's commitment, The NASCAR Foundation will also designate this weekend's proceeds from the sale of NASCAR Day pins to help fulfill future wishes granted through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Visit www.nascar.com/nascardayexternal link to learn more.
Now 13 years later, Gordon is still collecting wins and still bringing smiles to Make-A-Wish kids through his strong commitment to wish granting -- he passed the 200-wish mark earlier this season. The Make-A-Wish Foundation will celebrate his efforts when Joshua, 15, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., meets Gordon at Phoenix International Raceway for his wish before Saturday's Subway Fresh Fit 500.
Joshua will receive VIP treatment during the race weekend: In addition to his wish meeting, he will take part in some of the pre-race activities with his favorite driver Saturday and then watch Gordon race for the checkered flag in the No. 24 car. Gordon will also present Joshua with special mementos of his wish.
While he has fulfilled so many wishes, Gordon says that the number doesn't matter. He works with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to grant kids' heartfelt wishes nearly every weekend during the race season because of the profound effect these kids have on his life.
"It's humbling to know that these kids choose to spend time with me," Gordon said. "They face tremendous challenges every day because of their conditions, and the strength and determination they show is really inspiring to me. It's just heartwarming to see their smiles and know they are enjoying themselves at a difficult time in their lives."
"The Make-A-Wish Foundation is truly grateful to Jeff Gordon for his ongoing support of our work and our wish kids," said David Williams, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America president and chief executive officer. "Two hundred wishes is a phenomenal milestone for a celebrity wish granter, and Jeff is only the second person to reach this milestone. Instead of dwelling on the hardships of medical treatments and hospital stays, all of these kids -- and more to come, I'm sure -- experienced the joy of having their wishes come true thanks to Jeff's kindness and generosity. "
Gordon also supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation through financial gifts from The Jeff Gordon Foundation.
Those who would like to support these efforts may donate in honor of Gordon's 200-plus wishes by visiting The Jeff Gordon Foundation Web site at www.jeffgordonfoundation.org or the Make-A-Wish Web site at www.wish.org. To honor Gordon's commitment, The NASCAR Foundation will also designate this weekend's proceeds from the sale of NASCAR Day pins to help fulfill future wishes granted through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Visit www.nascar.com/nascardayexternal link to learn more.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Visit to K-C Raceway
The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series rolls into Jim Nier’s K-C Raceway in Chillicothe, OH for the $10,000 to win “Glockner 50” this Saturday Night, April 12th and four drivers from the Buckeye State who are following the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series in 2008 have their eyes set on the first place prize.
The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series last visited K-C Raceway back in 2005 and with Saturday’s return engagement nearing Bart Hartman of Zanesville, Oh, Donnie Moran of Dresden, OH, Wayne Chinn of Bradford, OH and John Mason of Millersburg, OH look to break through with a victory lane celebration before the cameras of SPEED Channel who will be on hand to tape the event.
Hartman, who is in his first season of following the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series tour comes into K-C the highest ranked Ohio driver in points. Hartman currently runs fifth in the championship points standings as he sits behind points leader, Terry Casey of New London, WI, three-time champion, Earl Pearson Jr. of Jacksonville, FL, reigning Eldora Dream winner Steve Casebolt of Richmond, IN and 2007 LOLMDS “Rookie of the Year” Justin Rattliff of Campbellsville, KY.
Moran, who won the last time the series raced at K-C will be on hand seeking to end a streak that dates back to September 18, 2005 when he won the “Pittsburgher 100” that’s the last time he won a Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event. Moran, who has finished third (twice) and fourth place (last year) in the Lucas Oil Series Championship Points Standings comes into this weekend’s race at K-C locked in a sixth place tie with Scott James the championship points race.
Chinn, who has hit the road with the Lucas Oil series in ’08, rests just outside the top ten in points in the 11th position, just five points behind Don O’Neal of Martinsville, IN who holds down tenth place. Chinn comes into the event at K-C second to Casey in the Quarter Master “Rookie of the Year” standings.
Mason, whom like Hartman and Moran is a former Dirt Track World Championship event winner in his career heads into K-C 14th in the championship points standings after last weekend’s Georgia road trip. Mason like Chinn will be seeking his first career Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series win in trying to defend his home turf.
Owner and Promoter Jim Nier, who took over the track after one event in 2002 has done a lot of work to the facility over the off-season. “We’ve put a lot of work into the facility this winter when the weather permitted. We’ve added additional lighting to the track, added some clay, remodeled the pit concessions, and purchased some new equipment in an effort to make this year our best yet. We are looking forward to seeing the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series race at K-C on April 12 and I’m sure it’s going to be very exciting,” said Nier, who still races a sprint car on occasions when his busy schedule permits.
In 2005 K-C Raceway also became the host to one of dirt late model racings’ crown jewel events as Carl Short brought his “Dirt Track World Championship” race to K-C. The annual $50,000 to win event has become a must see over the years for race fans and Saturday’s visit by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series gives drivers additional track time on the high banks leading up to the annual October showcase event.
The series trip to K-C featuring the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series will be the next event that 20 drivers will be eligible for the “Winners Circle Program” and the “Jasper Engines Road to Wheatland bonus monies. This is an incentive program that will pay the top ten drivers in the 2008 Championship Points an extra $600 each with perfect attendance throughout 2008. The "Jasper Engines Road to Wheatland" Program will also pay an additional $600 to each of the ten highest points drivers from the final 2007 Championship Points standings that follow the Road to Wheatland with perfect attendance but are not in the current top ten in points. The SuperClean “Diamond Nationals” at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, MO is slated for May 9th and 10th and will pay $40,000 to win this year.
On Saturday April 12th at K-C pit gates will open at 4:00 pm with grandstand gates opening at 4:30 PM. Hot laps are set to begin at 6:30 PM with PRC Time Trials for the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series to start at 7:00 PM. General grandstand admission will be $25 with children ages 7-12 admitted for $5 with kids 5 and under free. Pit passes will be $35.
K-C Raceway is located 12 miles south of Chillicothe, OH on State Road 23, two miles off of Blain Highway in Alma, OH. For more information you can visit www.kc-raceway.com or call the track office at (740) 663-4141.
The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series tire rule for the race will be Hoosier 1300, 1425 – D35, 1600 and LM20/40 and American Racer SD44, SD48 and MD56. For more information on the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series you can go to www.lucasdirt.com or call the series office at (951) 532-2503.
Current Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Championship Points Standings
1) Terry Casey (New London, WI) - 1070
2) Earl Pearson Jr (Jacksonville, FL) – 1005
3) Steve Casebolt (Richmond, IN) – 980
4) Justin Rattliff (Campbellsville, KY) – 940
5) Bart Hartman (Zanesville, OH) – 930
6) Scott James (Lawrenceburg, IN) – 870
7) Donnie Moran (Dresden, OH) – 870
8) Dan Schlieper (Sullivan, WI) – 825
9) Billy Drake (Bloomington, IL) -715
10) Don O’Neal (Martinsville, IN) – 695
11) Wayne Chinn (Bradford, OH) – 690
12) Freddy Smith (Seymour, TN) – 645
13) Ray Cook (Brasstown, NC) – 825
14) John Mason (Millersburg, OH) – 605
15) Damon Eller (Crumpler, NC) – 585
Current Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Quarter Master Rookie of the Year Points Standings
1) Terry Casey (New London, WI) – 1070
2) Wayne Chinn (Bradford, OH) - 690
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series April Racing Schedule
April 12 – KC Raceway-Chillicothe, OH ($10,000 to win)
April 25 – Bedford Speedway-Bedford, PA ($7,000 to win)
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Days after crash, McDowell takes flight in fighter jet
This week is a special homecoming for Michael McDowell as he receives a once in a lifetime opportunity to take flight in an F-16 Falcon thanks to the 56th Fighter Wing and Phoenix International Raceway at Luke Air Force Base.
"I used to go to Luke Air Force Base to watch air shows because I am originally from Glendale and the training base is not far from where I grew up," McDowell said.
"To be able to fly in an F-16 Falcon is incredible. I thought about whether or not I was going to do it after having my accident, but I feel fine and I don't want to pass up this once in a lifetime opportunity because it may never happen again."
McDowell was scheduled to go through Egress training and participate in a media event at Luke Air Force Base before taking off with Capt. Thomas "Wild Bill" Juntunen, 310th FS instructor pilot.
After his flight on Wednesday, McDowell departs for Phoenix International Raceway to prepare for his third career Sprint Cup Series start. This weekend he wants to fly under the radar and only receive recognition for posting a strong finish in the Subway Fresh Fit 500.
"I don't want to become famous because I had a big wreck or an altercation on the track," McDowell said. "I want to be known for doing a good job on the track and this weekend that's what we are aiming to do."
"I used to go to Luke Air Force Base to watch air shows because I am originally from Glendale and the training base is not far from where I grew up," McDowell said.
"To be able to fly in an F-16 Falcon is incredible. I thought about whether or not I was going to do it after having my accident, but I feel fine and I don't want to pass up this once in a lifetime opportunity because it may never happen again."
McDowell was scheduled to go through Egress training and participate in a media event at Luke Air Force Base before taking off with Capt. Thomas "Wild Bill" Juntunen, 310th FS instructor pilot.
After his flight on Wednesday, McDowell departs for Phoenix International Raceway to prepare for his third career Sprint Cup Series start. This weekend he wants to fly under the radar and only receive recognition for posting a strong finish in the Subway Fresh Fit 500.
"I don't want to become famous because I had a big wreck or an altercation on the track," McDowell said. "I want to be known for doing a good job on the track and this weekend that's what we are aiming to do."
Dear Abby,
I am a 60-year-old woman who is married to a man who acts like he hates me. In public, he pretends he loves me and talks about how wonderful I am. But in private, he shakes his finger in my face and calls me the "B" word. He constantly tells me how ugly I am without make-up. I've tried everything, including a face-lift, botox treatments, and a chin tuck. I even went on a diet and lost 20 pounds.
He quit his job a few years ago after having an affair with a woman in his office. He hasn't even looked for another job. We haven't slept together since I confronted him about the affair. And he denied it, of course, but everybody knew it. It was humiliating. I believe he is still messing around.
While we both want to sell this house, we argue constantly about when to put it on the market. The house we want will be available in a few months. My husband wants to put our house on the market now. I think we should wait a while. He has already started collecting boxes and packing up his stuff. Do you think he is planning to leave me?
Signed,
Worried in NY
Dear Worried in NY:
I doubt it. He wants to move back into the White House as much as you do.
He quit his job a few years ago after having an affair with a woman in his office. He hasn't even looked for another job. We haven't slept together since I confronted him about the affair. And he denied it, of course, but everybody knew it. It was humiliating. I believe he is still messing around.
While we both want to sell this house, we argue constantly about when to put it on the market. The house we want will be available in a few months. My husband wants to put our house on the market now. I think we should wait a while. He has already started collecting boxes and packing up his stuff. Do you think he is planning to leave me?
Signed,
Worried in NY
Dear Worried in NY:
I doubt it. He wants to move back into the White House as much as you do.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Skill in welding can make for perfect career or hobby
People learn to weld for many reasons. Some people start welding for a hobby, doing things from building yard art to practical shop equipment to repairing things around the house. With modern welding equipment, this rewarding and useful hobby can be in anyone's reach -- and you can even take your skills from a hobby to a lucrative career.
Maybe you've got your eye on a career in automotive repair, engineering or racing. Well, did you know that welding skills can take you there?
In NASCAR team race shops, it's a virtual racecar laboratory, complete with CNC machining, welding and sheet metal fabrication departments. Engineers work side-by-side with master fabricators to create the fastest machines possible.
And long before the rubber hits the road, welding and fabrication consumes roughly 950 man hours on each racecar. About 95 percent of racecars are welded by hand. Hundreds of individual parts are hand-cut, welded and machined, from the chassis and frame to suspension and the drive train.
The skill of welding, as any welder knows, is valuable in a wide range of tasks from various auto repairs to more simple projects that can beautify and enhance a workshop or home. And whether you're welding on a racecar or fixing your broken metal lawn chair, good equipment is key.
MIG welding is relatively easy to learn and very adaptable -- perfect for home-repair projects, sheet metal, auto repair or farm work and welding on thin sheet metal, stainless and aluminum effortlessly. And always remember, safety first! When welding on your project, always make sure you have the proper equipment: flame and chemical-heat resistant gloves, a leather welding apron, welding goggles, a cool helmet and a good clean, organized work area.
Want to learn to weld? Just visit the experts who can help you pinpoint the right welding classes and products to meet your needs at www.lincolnelectric.com.
Maybe you've got your eye on a career in automotive repair, engineering or racing. Well, did you know that welding skills can take you there?
In NASCAR team race shops, it's a virtual racecar laboratory, complete with CNC machining, welding and sheet metal fabrication departments. Engineers work side-by-side with master fabricators to create the fastest machines possible.
And long before the rubber hits the road, welding and fabrication consumes roughly 950 man hours on each racecar. About 95 percent of racecars are welded by hand. Hundreds of individual parts are hand-cut, welded and machined, from the chassis and frame to suspension and the drive train.
The skill of welding, as any welder knows, is valuable in a wide range of tasks from various auto repairs to more simple projects that can beautify and enhance a workshop or home. And whether you're welding on a racecar or fixing your broken metal lawn chair, good equipment is key.
MIG welding is relatively easy to learn and very adaptable -- perfect for home-repair projects, sheet metal, auto repair or farm work and welding on thin sheet metal, stainless and aluminum effortlessly. And always remember, safety first! When welding on your project, always make sure you have the proper equipment: flame and chemical-heat resistant gloves, a leather welding apron, welding goggles, a cool helmet and a good clean, organized work area.
Want to learn to weld? Just visit the experts who can help you pinpoint the right welding classes and products to meet your needs at www.lincolnelectric.com.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Hamlin nearly faints from sweltering Texas heat!
Denny Hamlin was talking with reporters on pit road about his fifth-place finish in the Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway when he nearly fainted and collapsed Sunday.
It brought an abrupt end to the interview, as a wobbly Hamlin staggered to a nearby golf cart with the assistance of team personnel. He then was whisked away to be given fluids and to rest, after which team officials insisted he was fine.
"The heat got to him a little bit, but he's OK," said J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing. "He's actually in pretty good shape. He's been working really hard at it, and I think it paid off.
"He'll need to get some fluids in him, and he'll be all right."
Hamlin stood off to the side for several minutes before even attempting to answer questions, taking sips from a water bottle and having a cold towel applied to the back of his neck.
He then answered three questions before nearly collapsing, with one of his answers being about his physical condition. "I didn't feel well [during the race]," Hamlin said. "It's just the heat, the long runs. So I'll try to get better. It really hit me when I got out of the car. I was just really dizzy and I knew I needed to sit down."
Crew chief Mike Ford said there were no signs of Hamlin faltering in the car during the event that went five laps over its scheduled 334-lap run of 500 miles because of a green-white-checkered finish. Temperatures inside the cockpit of the cars soared to well above 100 degrees as they reached the mid-80s outside -- not far removed from the all-time record of 89 degrees for the date in Fort Worth, which was set in 1978.
"It's a demanding racetrack. It's probably the hottest day we've had so far this year," Ford said. "You get a guy who gives you everything you've got, and he's going to be worn out. That's what you want at the end of the day.
"He ended the race strong. I had no indications that he was behind or faltering in the car at all. The indications that you would have weren't there. His lap times were very consistent. He was fast, obviously, because he was running in the top five. He was running fourth, and he made a charge for third with Kyle [Busch, before falling back to fifth]. So there were no indications at all that he was suffering inside the car during the race."
It brought an abrupt end to the interview, as a wobbly Hamlin staggered to a nearby golf cart with the assistance of team personnel. He then was whisked away to be given fluids and to rest, after which team officials insisted he was fine.
"The heat got to him a little bit, but he's OK," said J.D. Gibbs, president of Joe Gibbs Racing. "He's actually in pretty good shape. He's been working really hard at it, and I think it paid off.
"He'll need to get some fluids in him, and he'll be all right."
Hamlin stood off to the side for several minutes before even attempting to answer questions, taking sips from a water bottle and having a cold towel applied to the back of his neck.
He then answered three questions before nearly collapsing, with one of his answers being about his physical condition. "I didn't feel well [during the race]," Hamlin said. "It's just the heat, the long runs. So I'll try to get better. It really hit me when I got out of the car. I was just really dizzy and I knew I needed to sit down."
Crew chief Mike Ford said there were no signs of Hamlin faltering in the car during the event that went five laps over its scheduled 334-lap run of 500 miles because of a green-white-checkered finish. Temperatures inside the cockpit of the cars soared to well above 100 degrees as they reached the mid-80s outside -- not far removed from the all-time record of 89 degrees for the date in Fort Worth, which was set in 1978.
"It's a demanding racetrack. It's probably the hottest day we've had so far this year," Ford said. "You get a guy who gives you everything you've got, and he's going to be worn out. That's what you want at the end of the day.
"He ended the race strong. I had no indications that he was behind or faltering in the car at all. The indications that you would have weren't there. His lap times were very consistent. He was fast, obviously, because he was running in the top five. He was running fourth, and he made a charge for third with Kyle [Busch, before falling back to fifth]. So there were no indications at all that he was suffering inside the car during the race."
Monday, April 7, 2008
Mother Nature Must Not Be A Racefan!
Man..... What a great weekend weather wise!
(Well right up until it was time to head to Vinton for the season opener!)
Can you believe that it would rain just enough to cancel the races then stop? You can't blame officials at the track, they made the right decision considering the forecast. Who could have guessed that it would pretty much stop raining as the night went on?
I still need my live racing fix, BAD!
I guess I will have to break out old race dvds and hope that will get me by!
(Well right up until it was time to head to Vinton for the season opener!)
Can you believe that it would rain just enough to cancel the races then stop? You can't blame officials at the track, they made the right decision considering the forecast. Who could have guessed that it would pretty much stop raining as the night went on?
I still need my live racing fix, BAD!
I guess I will have to break out old race dvds and hope that will get me by!
Friday, April 4, 2008
McDowell takes a tumble!
Michael McDowell hits the wall hard during his Sprint Cup qualifying lap and does multiple flips.
Click Here To See It
Before Michael McDowell's totaled No. 00 Toyota winds up in the salvage yard, NASCAR's research and development team wants a chance to inspect the damage.
McDowell was able to walk away from an accident in Friday's qualifying session that later took Texas Motor Speedway crews three hours to replace a 28-foot section of the SAFER barrier that was severely bowed by the impact. The battered hulk of what remained of McDowell's machine was placed under a tarp and will be on its way to the R&D facility in Concord, N.C., next week.
NASCAR vice president for competition Robin Pemberton said it's standard procedure for NASCAR to evaluate how its safety initiatives hold up in severe crashes, particularly the advancements that have been made in the new car.
"We do it occasionally," Pemberton said. "We did it with Jeff Gordon's car after Vegas. We'll take it back, let our people do some measurements on it and go through some stuff with the team. It's an evaluation. We do that quite a lot."
Pemberton said NASCAR engineers may be particularly interested in this crash, because it should provide some valuable telemetry to show forces and loads on the car when it impacted the SAFER barrier and then tumbled at least eight times.
"I don't know if anything's textbook," Pemberton said. "Every [incident] seems to be different. It was a substantial, rather spectacular incident, so we'll take this opportunity to go back and learn what we can with it.
"We'll look at all the numbers. We'll measure it and look at loads and hits and all of that. We'll put it in our database and take that opportunity to learn some stuff."
An initial inspection of the car by NASCAR officials following the accident seemed to indicate that all of the safety features on the car performed as expected, according to Pemberton.
"It seemed to," Pemberton said. "Once again, it's hard to really make a judgment on it, in the field like this. Everybody took a good look at it. It's best to do it in a closed environment where we can really take our time and look.
"When we measure these cars, we know where everything is, all of the components and all the structure is, within a thousandth of an inch. We've got a sheet on every one of these cars. We'll go back and we may compare some of those initial numbers from when the car was new until now."
Click Here To See It
Before Michael McDowell's totaled No. 00 Toyota winds up in the salvage yard, NASCAR's research and development team wants a chance to inspect the damage.
McDowell was able to walk away from an accident in Friday's qualifying session that later took Texas Motor Speedway crews three hours to replace a 28-foot section of the SAFER barrier that was severely bowed by the impact. The battered hulk of what remained of McDowell's machine was placed under a tarp and will be on its way to the R&D facility in Concord, N.C., next week.
NASCAR vice president for competition Robin Pemberton said it's standard procedure for NASCAR to evaluate how its safety initiatives hold up in severe crashes, particularly the advancements that have been made in the new car.
"We do it occasionally," Pemberton said. "We did it with Jeff Gordon's car after Vegas. We'll take it back, let our people do some measurements on it and go through some stuff with the team. It's an evaluation. We do that quite a lot."
Pemberton said NASCAR engineers may be particularly interested in this crash, because it should provide some valuable telemetry to show forces and loads on the car when it impacted the SAFER barrier and then tumbled at least eight times.
"I don't know if anything's textbook," Pemberton said. "Every [incident] seems to be different. It was a substantial, rather spectacular incident, so we'll take this opportunity to go back and learn what we can with it.
"We'll look at all the numbers. We'll measure it and look at loads and hits and all of that. We'll put it in our database and take that opportunity to learn some stuff."
An initial inspection of the car by NASCAR officials following the accident seemed to indicate that all of the safety features on the car performed as expected, according to Pemberton.
"It seemed to," Pemberton said. "Once again, it's hard to really make a judgment on it, in the field like this. Everybody took a good look at it. It's best to do it in a closed environment where we can really take our time and look.
"When we measure these cars, we know where everything is, all of the components and all the structure is, within a thousandth of an inch. We've got a sheet on every one of these cars. We'll go back and we may compare some of those initial numbers from when the car was new until now."
Nationwide qualifying at Texas canceled due to rain
Mother Nature intervened with NASCAR again on Thursday, as the Nationwide Series' early start to the weekend was relegated to just one practice session.
Two practice sessions and qualifying was scheduled at Texas Motor Speedway, but rain prevented much of the on-track activity to take place. Drivers got in one practice session, but qualifying never got under way.
The lineup for the O'Reilly 300 will be set by 2008 owner points, putting Kevin Harvick on the pole in his own No. 33 Chevrolet. Clint Bowyer will start on the outside of the front row in Richard Childress Racing's No. 2 Chevrolet. RCR teammate Jeff Burton, driving the No. 29 Chevrolet that Scott Wimmer won in last time out at Nashville, will start directly behind Bowyer. Defending series champion Carl Edwards will roll off third in Roush Fenway Racing's No. 60 Ford.
The top 11 in the starting grid is Cup heavy with the likes of Tony Stewart (sixth) in Joe Gibbs Racing's No. 20 Toyota, Dale Eanrhardt Jr. (10th) in the No. 5 Chevy of Hendrick Motorsports, and Kasey Kahne, who wrecked his No. 9 Dodge of Gillett Evernham Motorsports in practice, starting 11th. Brad Keselowski is the only Nationwide-only regular among the group, starting ninth in JR Motorsports' No. 88 Chevy.
David Reutimann, who will start fifth, led the practice session. His No. 99 Toyota of Michael Waltrip Racing was the only car to top 184 mph. Bowyer, Brian Vickers and Kyle Busch were the only drivers to reach 183 mph. Busch, this week driving JGR's No. 18 Toyota, will start 31st.
Two practice sessions and qualifying was scheduled at Texas Motor Speedway, but rain prevented much of the on-track activity to take place. Drivers got in one practice session, but qualifying never got under way.
The lineup for the O'Reilly 300 will be set by 2008 owner points, putting Kevin Harvick on the pole in his own No. 33 Chevrolet. Clint Bowyer will start on the outside of the front row in Richard Childress Racing's No. 2 Chevrolet. RCR teammate Jeff Burton, driving the No. 29 Chevrolet that Scott Wimmer won in last time out at Nashville, will start directly behind Bowyer. Defending series champion Carl Edwards will roll off third in Roush Fenway Racing's No. 60 Ford.
The top 11 in the starting grid is Cup heavy with the likes of Tony Stewart (sixth) in Joe Gibbs Racing's No. 20 Toyota, Dale Eanrhardt Jr. (10th) in the No. 5 Chevy of Hendrick Motorsports, and Kasey Kahne, who wrecked his No. 9 Dodge of Gillett Evernham Motorsports in practice, starting 11th. Brad Keselowski is the only Nationwide-only regular among the group, starting ninth in JR Motorsports' No. 88 Chevy.
David Reutimann, who will start fifth, led the practice session. His No. 99 Toyota of Michael Waltrip Racing was the only car to top 184 mph. Bowyer, Brian Vickers and Kyle Busch were the only drivers to reach 183 mph. Busch, this week driving JGR's No. 18 Toyota, will start 31st.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Will Gas Prices Have An Effect On Racing?
This is a question on a lot of minds this season.
I don't see any problems at the upper levels, NASCAR still sells out each Sundays races. This mainly effects the local racer who just races for fun.
I hear talk from some who normally race 2 or 3 times a week now deciding which 1 track they will race at this season. Probably the track closest to home. Gas is a big factor in this decision, but remember everything else local races have to spend money on every week: repairs, pit passes, food, drinks, etc.
Also will the gas prices effect fans when they decide what races they will drive to just to watch?
There are a lot of great local races going on each season that are driving distance from me. I always make some trips on Sundays to watch races at Benton County Speedway in Vinton. I love to hit at least 1 big dirt late model race at either Farley Speedway or Davenport Speedway. Now on that line, Knoxville Late Model Nationals in September are a must. At least 1 trip to the Iowa Speedway in Newton, and the grand daddy of all....... we have to make our annual trip to the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio for the Late Model Dream 100 in June. (Gives me a chance to catch up with Larry Kemp also!)
Now for me the gas prices don't effect these trips to the races because these trips are made in a group so we can split the cost of gas, making it very affordable to travel. This also makes these trips a lot of fun considering the great group we travel with.
As fans, I recommend carpooling to as many races as you can.
As racers, I recommend picking the track you have the most fun at, that has treated you the best, and support that track in these tougher times.
Above all else, Support Local Racing!
I don't see any problems at the upper levels, NASCAR still sells out each Sundays races. This mainly effects the local racer who just races for fun.
I hear talk from some who normally race 2 or 3 times a week now deciding which 1 track they will race at this season. Probably the track closest to home. Gas is a big factor in this decision, but remember everything else local races have to spend money on every week: repairs, pit passes, food, drinks, etc.
Also will the gas prices effect fans when they decide what races they will drive to just to watch?
There are a lot of great local races going on each season that are driving distance from me. I always make some trips on Sundays to watch races at Benton County Speedway in Vinton. I love to hit at least 1 big dirt late model race at either Farley Speedway or Davenport Speedway. Now on that line, Knoxville Late Model Nationals in September are a must. At least 1 trip to the Iowa Speedway in Newton, and the grand daddy of all....... we have to make our annual trip to the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio for the Late Model Dream 100 in June. (Gives me a chance to catch up with Larry Kemp also!)
Now for me the gas prices don't effect these trips to the races because these trips are made in a group so we can split the cost of gas, making it very affordable to travel. This also makes these trips a lot of fun considering the great group we travel with.
As fans, I recommend carpooling to as many races as you can.
As racers, I recommend picking the track you have the most fun at, that has treated you the best, and support that track in these tougher times.
Above all else, Support Local Racing!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Ready To Get Your First Race In?
This Sunday will be the season opener for the Benton County Speedway in Vinton, Iowa!
I'm not 100% sure the weather will co-operate to give them the best for racing, but if you dress warm you will see some pretty good racing!
I know that if they run Sunday, I will be there, I need to see some live racing NOW!
Classes racing weekly are:
Cassill Motors IMCA Modifieds
Ron Da Voo Lounge & Deli IMCA Stock Cars
Olson Brother's Construction IMCA Sport Mods
Dominator Chassis IMCA Hobby Stocks
DS Disposal IMCA Sport Compact, and
Larry's Nascar Collectibles Two Person Cruisers
Gates open every Sunday at 4pm with hot laps at 5:30pm and racing to follow. Grandstand admission for adults and students 13 and older is $ 9 with kid admission $ 4. Pit admission is $ 20.
No one under the age of 12 will be admitted into the pit area. A minor release form must be completed for anyone age 12 through 17 that wishes to have admission to the pit area. The minor release form must be signed by both parents and be notorized. Notorization will not be available at the track. To have a minor release form either emailed or faxed to you, please call (515) 201-5526. Forms can also be picked up at the track on race days.
I'm not 100% sure the weather will co-operate to give them the best for racing, but if you dress warm you will see some pretty good racing!
I know that if they run Sunday, I will be there, I need to see some live racing NOW!
Classes racing weekly are:
Cassill Motors IMCA Modifieds
Ron Da Voo Lounge & Deli IMCA Stock Cars
Olson Brother's Construction IMCA Sport Mods
Dominator Chassis IMCA Hobby Stocks
DS Disposal IMCA Sport Compact, and
Larry's Nascar Collectibles Two Person Cruisers
Gates open every Sunday at 4pm with hot laps at 5:30pm and racing to follow. Grandstand admission for adults and students 13 and older is $ 9 with kid admission $ 4. Pit admission is $ 20.
No one under the age of 12 will be admitted into the pit area. A minor release form must be completed for anyone age 12 through 17 that wishes to have admission to the pit area. The minor release form must be signed by both parents and be notorized. Notorization will not be available at the track. To have a minor release form either emailed or faxed to you, please call (515) 201-5526. Forms can also be picked up at the track on race days.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Dale Earnhardt Jr. To Pay Visit To Hawkeye Downs Speedway!
This years opening practice and car show will be more memorable than in years past!
Thanks to help from Roger Cassill & the Cassill racing family, Earnhardt Jr. will be making some laps along with Landon Cassill on the Hawkeye Downs asphalt!
Everyone is asked to come early to get autographs & photos at the free lunch provided by R & R Foods in the bingo hall, beginning at noon.
This will be the first appearance for Jr. to the local asphalt track, his father raced here years ago in a modified. " I can't wait to see the facility, dad had many good things to say about it, it is a top notch facility" Jr. said in a phone interview, " Landon will be able to show me a thing or two on his stomping grounds!"
The event will be filmed by Jem Video, copies will be on sale soon after, including interviews with Jr. & Landon, also shots of fans with Jr. at the lunch.
This will be an event you won't want to miss, hopefully this will be the shot in the arm Hawkeye Downs needs to get the program back on track!
Late Day Update:
I just received an e-mail from April F. Yuols, promotions director for Junior Motorsports, this event has been canceled due to scheduling conflicts!
Sorry, this sounded like it would have been a neat event!
Thanks to help from Roger Cassill & the Cassill racing family, Earnhardt Jr. will be making some laps along with Landon Cassill on the Hawkeye Downs asphalt!
Everyone is asked to come early to get autographs & photos at the free lunch provided by R & R Foods in the bingo hall, beginning at noon.
This will be the first appearance for Jr. to the local asphalt track, his father raced here years ago in a modified. " I can't wait to see the facility, dad had many good things to say about it, it is a top notch facility" Jr. said in a phone interview, " Landon will be able to show me a thing or two on his stomping grounds!"
The event will be filmed by Jem Video, copies will be on sale soon after, including interviews with Jr. & Landon, also shots of fans with Jr. at the lunch.
This will be an event you won't want to miss, hopefully this will be the shot in the arm Hawkeye Downs needs to get the program back on track!
Late Day Update:
I just received an e-mail from April F. Yuols, promotions director for Junior Motorsports, this event has been canceled due to scheduling conflicts!
Sorry, this sounded like it would have been a neat event!
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