|
Tri State Outlook.
Column by Duane Hancock
Hot temps, in more way than 1, rain in the area,
sprint cars, and little to no sleep most nights, it
must be the 25th annual Ohio Sprint Speedweek. Being
the 25th Speedweek, there was some added hype, with a
$15,000 point fund, a $50,000 bonus if someone won 4
shows, and a dash paying over $1000 purse on the final
night. Would this bring Ohio Speedweek back to what it
once was? The answer, oh yeah, and then some. I have
been to the majority of the Ohio Sprint Speedweek
events in it's history. Never hitting all 7 until
recent years but, usually hitting 5 or more a year. I
remember the egg incident with Kinser at Fremont.
Actually, I know a lot about that story. Jack Hewitt
and Bobby Allen coming from 23rd and 24th at
Millstream to take 1st and 2nd, the LONG rain delays
at Attica and Millstream over the years, but the race
got in, even if it was almost day light. The year it
was a 100+ degrees like 3 days in a row of Speedweek.
Like many know, there are a few things that hold true
during Speedweek, it will be hot, rainy, and some
great racing. This year was no different, actually it
lived up to all of the hype, plus much more. Ohio
Speedweek is back alive, lets hope it stays that way.
A quick funny story about my current job. I was
just out of high school, looking for a better job than
what I had so I took an interview, at my current work
place. That was like on Thursday before Speedweek.
They were like we need someone bad ASAP and if you
can't start next week you might not get the job. Well,
not really caring or thinking much of it, no calls
came the next few days, so off to Speedweek as
planned. Just as I was getting ready to leave for the
Monday show that year, the phone rings, its my current
boss, hey can you come to work for us, we need you
bad. I was like, when do I start, he said " in an
hour." I was like well, I have a 5 day trip booked
already and was just leaving, see you next Monday." He
was shocked, I could tell, and was like, "well I guess
that will have to be OK." It will be 18 years next
week and I am still there. One major difference, I
don't have to use every excuse I can think of to call
off to go racing, I am the boss there now and only
have to answer to the store owner.
Instead of going detail for detail each night, I
will try to do a recap type thing for each stop of the
week. First off, if you plan to hit Ohio Speedweek,
even if you live in Ohio, take some days off work.
This was the 1st year I hit all 7 shows and still
tried to work most of the week, bad idea! Plus, do the
radio show 4 of the 7 nights. Did I mention my usual
Speedweek travel partner, my daughter, was in the ER
the day before Speedweek and not doing so hot for the
1st 3 days of Speedweek too. So a lot of driving back
and forth to work and to check on her, made for some
long nights. From, Monday afternoon, before heading to
Wayne Co, to Saturday night, not counting the 107 mile
trip each way to Attica, forgot to flip mile thingy,
or the Limaland trip, rode with my dad so I could
sleep an hour, I racked up 1212 miles on the car.
Attica Raceway Park has hosted opening night of
Ohio Speedweek for years now. It is usually one of the
best car counts and races of the week. This year was
no different. 54 cars opened up night 1 of Speedweek.
Oh yeah, it was in the 90's. Plus, it was night 1 of
the radio broadcast. I opened the radio show by
talking to the guy I predicted, in my last column, to
win 4 races during the week, Dale Blaney. Dale thought
they would have a good shot but, said you had to have
things going your way as well. Like good qualifying
times, good starts, no crashes, and no mechanical
problems. Would the 50g's bring some others out to
Ohio Speedweek, lets see, Lance Dewease, Jesse
Hockett, Chad Blonde, Kevin Huntley, Troy Little,
Dustin Daggett, Bruce White, David Dougherty, Ben
Gregg, Ryan Grubaugh, and Greg Dalman were just some
of the outsiders looking to take the 50 g from the All
Star and Ohio boys. The Attica track was in great
shape and very racy. The only problem, every time I
would stand in 3 and 4 along the fence by the haulers,
someone would bonsai off the track about right in
front of where i was reporting for the radio show. I
think they were telling me something. All was well,
even though a 20 pound mud clod bounced off my
shoulder like a baseball. During Ohio Speedweek, there
is not a heat race that isn't a stacked one. No such
thing as a weak heat race. You gotta go, or go home.
The heats had plenty of passing. 4 of the 20 transfers
out of the heats came from deeper than 6th in the
field, 2 of them was from the back row. With an
non-qualifiers race, a C Main, B Main, Dash, and late
models, the track was getting used hard but staying in
great shape. The 40 lap A started off to a heavy
battle. Craig Mintz and Brock Mayes put on a heck of a
duel upfront. The track did have a few bigger ruts in
it. It was Mayes, then Mintz, then Mayes again. all
that was going on, Dale Blaney was pacing himself
towards the front of the pack. By lap 15, Blaney took
the point. Rob Chaney and Brandon Martin was using the
long period of green laps to catch-up to Blaney in
traffic. With only 2 yellows, the pace was quick.
Chaney gets a shot with a few laps to go but, can
never get close enough to Blaney to make an attempt at
a pass. Blaney takes night 1 over, Chaney, Martin,
Byron Reed, and Kenny Jacobs. Not a car got on its lid
the entire night. A pretty decent crowd too. All in
all a great show and a sweet opener to Speedweek.
Night 2, its off to Wayne County Speedway. This
track has been closed for a few months and a ton of
work has gone into making the Speedweek race happen.
Too bad some of the time spent wasn't on watering the
track. A huge crowd, reported at over 5000, and 50
cars pit side. Plus, a nice field of late models. The
pits were so full, some cars had to pit in the parking
lot. My only job of the night, keep track of the
HoserVille Ohio Dash points. Got to mingle and meet
some new people and catch-up with some old friends.
Plus, finally got to meet Jersey in person. Troy
Little got on his lid during before he qualified and
got 1 lap in at the end of time trials. Dustin Daggett
set a new track record. Even though the track was
pretty fast, it was very dusty. When the heats hit the
track, you could barely see them off turn 4. I know it
has been dry and hard to keep water on the track but,
this is a showcase show and a little more water might
of been good for the first time visitors to the track.
With it being so hot, and with all the dust, when you
walked mud actually formed on your body from the sweat
and dust mixture and your arms, for head, and legs.
The heats were good and had some good battles, down to
the last lap, for transfer spots. Only, 1 car made it
to a transfer spot that started deeper than the 6 car
invert. Lee Starks and Craig Mintz had contact at the
start of heat 2, Starks took a wild tumble down the
front stretch. It was just a plain ole racing
incident. Actually, it looked like Lee didn't know
Craig was that close and just jumped his tire. Lee
stopped by the work area to see what Craig wanted for
dinner after the race but, Craig said, no thanks,
catch ya later. The 40 lap A was one were being in the
top 5 was bad. 1st Chad Blonde gets a flat while in
the top 5. Then, Byron Reed stops while running 2nd.
Next, Kenny Jacobs gets a flat running in 3rd. The
only one that is not having any problems, Shane
Stewart. Shane started on the pole and is cruising
along. The last 18 laps are ran non-stop. Shane has a
good lead but, Dale Blaney is looking for 2 in a row.
This night belongs to Shane, leading all 40 laps.
Blaney, Danny Smith, Dean Jacobs, and Lance DeWease
round out the top 5.
Night 3 makes for the 1st ever visit by the All
Stars to Waynesfield Motor Sports Park. 41 cars are
pit side. Waynesfield is high banked bullring. the
track crew poured a bunch of water on the track and it
was fast. Good thing, no dust all night long. The
track crew went out and worked the track a few times
to keep the track is shape. It was also very racy. For
some guys, too racy. Andy James, promoter of
Waynesfield/sprint car owner, 3 of Mike Linder,/sprint
car driver, had problems in hot laps. Andy threw a rod
in his 72 car. Ed Neumeister flips in time trials.
Dean Jacobs set quick time. The heats were wild. It
was like Bristol on dirt. Now many guys were upset,
saying, the tracks too small, too narrow of racing
groove, needs the flatten the cushion, and so on but
really, I don't believe the track caused as problems
as it got blamed for. It looked like just hard racing
and drivers got giving an inch. Most of the accidents
could of been avoided with just a touch of give and
take. Believe me, if I was behind wheel, I probably
wouldn't give an inch either. Like I said, it was like
Bristol on dirt. Side by side racing, where it would
barely fit, bumping, banging, slide jobs, and some
passing. 3 of the 20 transfers came from deeper than
the 6 car invert. Heat 3, Greg Wilson and Mike Linder
bumped on the start, crashing hard, collecting Chad
Blonde in the process. After, Mikey invited Greg to
lunch and told him about the dollar menu a few times,
things got settled down. Not for long, Aussie, David
Doughtery flips in turn 3. Heat 4 had a wild start
too. Danny Smith climbed a tire and flipped down the
front stretch. After that was cleaned up, Kelly Kinser
a ride in turn 3. When asked if he scratched for the
next, Kinser replied, I am done for good. We will see
how long that last. A few bad nights will make you say
that. He was a no show though the rest of the week.
One other heat crash and 1 in the B and it is time for
the A. Danny Smith and Greg Wilson both miss the A.
Wait, Wilson is offered the ride in his teammates car,
Mike Brecht, that made the show. Rules say, car
qualifies for A, not driver. Now, Danny is out and in
the point lead. Time out again, Bill Rose and John Ivy
scratch, Danny is 3rd alternate, Danny is in. With all
of the excitement going down all night, this is sure
to be a dandy. Paul May hasn't won an All Star race in
4 years and is looking to change that by starting on
the pole. Daggett and Blaney crash early. Blaney is
back out and passing cars like mad. A few spins slow
things. The restarts were getting interesting, Paul
May set a slow pace and Byron Reed was behind him,
pushing him some, letting him know he wanted a faster
restart pace. A double flip by Brock Mayes and Brian
Ellenberger stops the action. Action there was. Blaney
had more problems and goes tail again. A few more
cautions and the restarts are getting more and more
intense. May is slow, leader sets the pace, and Reed
is hammering his tail tank. if you know anything about
Paul May, he is NOT the guy to be beating on non-stop.
At one time, they were actually locked together before
the start. Of course, the more Byron tapped him, the
more Paul slowed his car. The pack was bunched up
tight on the restarts because of the pace. Keep in
mind, the leader does set the pace, no matter how fast
or slow. A restart with 5 to go and we all know the
fireworks are just about to start. Reed and Dean
Jacobs get a good run at May, Reed pulls a huge slider
going into 2, the slider is set, Dean takes a shot
below both of them, Paul just slams the gas harder,
contact. Paul tags Byron's tail tag, Byron spins to
the inside, blocking Dean, Paul keeps going, so does
Dean and Byron, no yellow, race is still on. Paul May
wins a wild one. Stewart, Brian Paulus, Dean, and
Wilson round out the top 5. A night of controversy.
1st off, Danny and Greg getting in the A when no
provisional are allowed. They didn't use them, just
worked the rule book a little. Did nothing illegal,
all within the rules, but some didn't like that too
well. Then, Paul and Byron. Was it right, was is
wrong? No matter what sprint car race it is, the
leader sets the pace. Yes it was slow and some guys
were having problems going that slow. If it was deemed
that bad, why wasn't Paul told to pick-up the pace on
any of the cautions or reds? Just my 2 cents, no buddy
really complained until the mess at the end. If there
wasn't a mess, probably not as much pointing fingers
at such a slow pace. Now the slide job/hit and run.
Paul did what every guy or gal behind the wheel has
always wanted to do when they get a slider pulled on
them at the end for the lead, he kept his foot in it
and he blasted them. That is what makes Paul, Paul.
Then through in the factor he was getting bumped under
caution, you knew the fuse was lit. Once again,
Bristol on dirt. So without all the ands and ifs,
things would have been different, I know because I was
told so by Paul, but the way it went down, it was an
exciting NASCARish type finish that will be talked
about for years to come. Who was right, who was wrong?
It depends on what side of the fence you want to take.
Night 4 of Speedweek hits another new track on then
All Star agenda. Hilltop Speedway, it is named
correctly. This also makes my 1st ever visit to the
place and my 83rd different track. With rain in the
area at Attica and Waynesfield, you know the luck has
been pressed and its time to see some of that wet
stuff. 40 cars are pit side. The place reminds me of a
mix between the old dirt Mansfield track, a dip off 2,
guardrail around the track and trees surrounding the
track and the Butler Speedway in Michigan. Aaron
Higgins flips in hot laps and calls it a week. A
handful of cars have problems in time trials. Chad
Blonde set fast time with a new track record almost a
second under the old one. The program is being pushed
hard and rain is all over the area. All the heats were
in just a few minutes after 9. The heats showcased
plenty of passing and 2 and 3 wide racing. Very tight
battles. 4 of the 20 transfers came from deeper than
the 6 car invert. Phil Gressman took a nasty looking
tumble in turn 3 during the 4th heat. Gressman,
Blaney, Bryan Grove, and Daggett tried going 4 wide
into 3 and it didn't work. Phil flipped into the woods
and down the hill some, Grove tumbled inside the
track. 2 nights in a row Blaney has problems. The 1st
few storms missed us but, guess what, the 3rd one
didn't. At 9:28, it down poured. With just a few
hours, very few, like 2 hours of sleep the night
before and a 3 1/2 hour drive, looks like nap time.
Well a few visits with this person and that person and
a trip through the crowd passing out t-shirts and
Rubin doing some interviews, a 20 minute nap was all
that was had. 11:32 sprint cars on the track ready for
the B. Michigan's Ryan Grubaugh was making his 7th
start in a 410, after running many 360 shows, and had
a good A main starting spot. After a crash on the
start and a few yellows, Chad Blonde took the lead and
was on a mission. Chad ran his car on the edge,
slamming the cushion and shooting off the corners in a
diamond pattern, much like he runs Butler. Grubaugh
flies off 3 and goes deeper in the woods than
Gressman. After the restart, it was all Blonde, Chad
was hooked-up. With almost 6 months off and only
racing a few weeks prior to Speedweek, Chad looked to
be in top form. Kenny Jacobs, Martin, Paulus, and
early leader, Lee Jacobs rounded out the top 5. A
pretty decent race. It would have not been as exciting
if Chad wasn't on a mission like he was, flying
through the field.
Night 5 and it back to a familiar stop on the
Speedweek tour, Fremont Speedway. 45 cars strong
tonight. A cloudy day with rain in spots, some heavy
watering by the track crew, and the track is in
excellent shape. The old dry slick Fremont is nowhere
to be found at the beginning of the night. Many cars
were in the 12 second bracket. A+ to the track crew.
The heats, as they were all week long, had some great
battles. Only 1 car made the transfer form deeper than
the 6 car invert. Paul Weaver hit the soft wall a ton
in turn 3, doing a roll. The track was still staying
pretty decent. Scott Euler takes a nasty ride at the
start of the B. Just before the A, the track crew laid
some water down. Not sure if it was because the track
was faster than normal or if was just one of those
nights but this 40 lap A main took forever to get in
the books. After a handful of cautions in the 1st 17
laps, a red was displayed for a fuel stop. Brandon
Martin has looked strong all week and had the lead
early. Blaney was back to form and knew he needed this
one for a shot at the 50g bonus. A great battle after
the restart, Blaney, Reed, Martin and Linder upfront.
Blaney clears the traffic and the other cars and take
the lead. Dale keeps the chance at 50 g's alive by
taking the win. Reed, Linder, Martin, and Gressman
round out the top 5.
The week is winding down, the big news, can Dale
Blaney make it 2 in a row for a chance at the 50g's.
Limaland Motor Sports Park is stop 6 and is always a
good show. The Blaney watch for Lima is fair. 52 cars
are pit side. LMSP always has a good count as they
give some extra $$ to their regular 360 guys if they
can race with the All Stars. mike Miller tags the wall
hard in hot laps. Once again, a racy track and plenty
of heat race action. Only 1 of the transfer guys came
from deeper than the 6 car invert. Some great C and B
main action. BobGerh Jr flips as the checkered flag
falls in the C. Finally, a 40 lap A Main at Limaland
Motor Sports Park! A++++ to the guys for that. Kenny
Jacobs looks strong and gets the lead on the start of
the A. The Mouse is just 3 wins away from 100 All Star
wins and can see it in site tonight. A few yellows and
the Mouse is still strong but, hey comes that tall guy
in the 2 car. Byron Reed is trying to make his last
night of Speedweek a good one. Reed, as in the past,
stated he will not run at Eldora and Lima will be his
last race of the week. Blaney catches KJ and takes the
lead. Reed now takes over 2nd and is hot on Blaney's
tail. Blaney is too strong and earns a chance at 50g
by taking his 3rd win of the week. Reed, KJ, Stewart,
and, Gressman rounded out the top 5. Once again,
another great Speedweek show at Limaland Motor Sports
Park.
The final night of the 25th annual Ohio Speedweek
and Dale Blaney had a chance to take home $10,000 for
the win and another $50,000 in bonus. A great
Speedweek and it continues the finale night. 39 cars
are pit side. A great number for the finale, within
just a few cars of most of the other Speedweek car
counts. Glad to see it. Kenny Jacobs stated the night
before, if that tall guy is going to win at Eldora, he
will have to race harder than he has all week, because
I am ready for Eldora. KJ backed his word by setting
quick time. KJ was right, he looked fast! Ed
Neumeister hits the wall a ton, flipping in the 1st
heat. Ed hit so hard, his seat bent. Some guys were
showcasing they wanted the 10 grand and Blaney would
have to be happy with 3 wins. Some good action and
fast guys in the heats. The show was pushed on and the
A was on the track before 10 o'clock. What a battle
upfront. Ed Lynch Jr and Kenny Jacobs were putting on
a show. Side by side, going for it upfront. Lynch
lead, then Jacobs. KJ was fast and pulling to a large
lead when, he broke a drive-line. Lynch regains the
lead. Don't look now but Blaney, after a slow start,
is in 3rd. Brock Mayes enters the picture and give
Lynch a shot on the restart. A few flat tires for guys
slow the pace. Lynch is fast but Mayes isn't going
away, Blaney starts to fade. Lynch takes the win over
Mayes, Stewart, up from 21st, Jimmy Stinton, and
Gressman. Blaney cut a tire and it was going low,
costing him a shot at $50,000. Only 3 pounds of air
was in the tire at the finish. All in all a great race
and a good Speedweek finale.
The 25th annual Ohio Speedweek was a great one. 93
total drivers competed in the 7 nights. 21 drivers
made it to all 7 nights, 13 of those made the A Main
all 7 nights. All but Eldora was 40 A Mains, GREAT
MOVE! You gotta love 40 laps on small tracks. Some
drivers that usually fly under the radar turned some
heads this week. Chris Andrews, a 305 ROY last year,
moved to 410's. With really just Fremont at Attica
under his belt, Chris had some great showings this
week and looked like he is ready to get a win soon.
Phil Gressman, 1st time the 1R car was out all year. A
few early week problems and a nasty crash but, some
strong top 5's. Brandon Martin, many top 5's all week.
Looked like he could win all week long. Chad Blonde,
out 6 months or so, has only raced a handful of times
this season and looked fast all week. Took 1 win and
looked like he might of had another slip away. Once
again a great week, even if Jersey thought I died on
Coach Bob's couch Tuesday morning. Jersey nice meeting
you and having lunch. I thought I hit many tracks
until I talked to Jersey. Many miles, little sleep,
hot days, but great racing, good friends, and would do
it again this week if I had a chance. Starting the
10th it will be close, 6 races in 6 days.
UPCOMING: A pretty big week in it's own right.
Tuesday 3rd AVSS Angola IN, Midgets Kokomo IN, All
Stars Tri-City PA
Wednesday 4th 305 Lorain County OH
Friday USAC Sprints and Midgets Toledo
Saturday USAC Sprints and Midgets Mansfield, MASS
Paragon IN, HOSS New Paris IN
Sunday MSCS and KISS Haubstadt IN
Don't Forget July 10th NRA Eldora and the Doty and
King's Royal. Hope to write before the 10th. See you
this wee at Angola, Toledo, and Mansfield
|
|
