First:
I’m hoping you’ll pardon a shorter column this week. The wife was hospitalized last Friday due to the diarrhea continuing, which left her dehydrated and also affected her white blood count and was showing some signs of some possible kidney malfunctions. I’m typing this on Monday, and she’s still in the hospital, and still has diarrhea, although quite a lot less. Doctor is stumped as to the actual cause. It has not been determined if the two different kinds of Chemo therapy are the cause, or not.
Tuesday: The wife had ¾ of aTurkeysandwich for supper, her first solid food since Friday. Naturally we’re hoping for something “solid” to come out, later on. Her Oncologist was in today and we’re going to hold off a little while before continuing the Chemo – both pills and IV. I don’t expect her home on Wednesday, but can see Thursday.
Wednesday: The wife called me around 10:15 AM with the news that I could come and pick her up, she can come home. Still no real decision as to what it was that caused her diarrhea. Listed on the paperwork, for her admittance was “dehydration”. She had no BM over night and what little she had in the AM was still not solid. She was able to eat most of the scrambled eggs she had for breakfast. We left the hospital around 1:30 PM.
$41,620.00 is the charge for the one IV Chemo treatment, per paperwork we received today, from Medicare.
$3,562.31 is the charge for 84 Chemo pills, per the paperwork we received from Medicare, today.
The wife gets the IV once every three weeks, for two hours per visit. She goes through those 84 pills in 14 days, and then skips a week, then goes for another two weeks.
Second:
On top of the problems with the wife are some problems with our oldest daughter, Judy, who has not been feeling well over the last month or so. She can feel great, do a little, then gets extremely tired. She’s had all kinds of tests done and the doctors are still stumped as to what it is that’s ailing her.
Note: Judy posted this on Facebook:
“Info from my primary doctor regarding my DEXA scan (bone dentsity): My lumbar spine and left femoral neck are worse with osteopenia. Everything else has stayed the same. So, why is my calcium level high????”
Third:
I’m giving some serious thought of changing the name of my column from “Racin’ & Internet Stuff” to “Racin’ and Other Stuff”. More than likely with my next column. Not sure if I’ll start with it being number one or number 112.
Fourth:
How often you see an athlete chugging down an “Energy” drink?
Josh Hamilton and Rangers blame star’s vision problems on too much caffeine
Josh Hamilton returned to the Texas Rangers lineup on Monday night after an optometrist diagnosed the vision problem that caused him to miss the past five games.
His affliction? Ocular keratitis, which dried outHamilton’s corneas and forced him to leave a game last Tuesday night with what he initially believed to be a sinus infection. Blurred vision and balance problems followed and causedHamiltonto miss the entire weekend series against the Seattle Mariners.
Doctors say high caffeine consumption can cause ocular keratitis. That might sound strange, but Hamiltonwouldn’t be the first baseball player to be told to cut back. Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann struggled with a mysterious and extended vision problem before decreasing his amount of caffeine consumption in 2010. Johnny Damon also cut caffeine while experiencing similar symptomswith the New York Yankees in 2009.
Too much Red Bull, maybe.
More can be seen here:
Fifth:
Formula One Grand Prix race in N.J. in serious jeopardy, report says
The Formula One Grand Prix of America that had been scheduled to begin in June inHudsonCountyappears unlikely to happen next year because race organizers have missed deadlines in their agreement, according to a report in the Guardian, a British newspaper.
Formula One CEO Bernie Ecclestone told The Guardian that there is no contract with organizers because they have not “complied with the terms of the contract.” The 3.1 mile course was tentatively planned for June along the streets ofWeehawkenandWest New York.
Though race organizers have had financing problems, test runs have been held on the course over the summer.
The race was expected to attract about 100,000 visitors and generate approximately $100M in economic activity.
http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2012/09/formula_one_grand_prix_race_in.html
Note: Check on what I have in the AARN’s section, below.
Sixth:
Esslinger sold. They make Midget engines.
http://www.esslingeracing.com/pr.pdf
Seventh:
Hoosier Tire Founder Bob Newton Dies
The racing community lost a true legend Wednesday when Bob Newton, the founder of Hoosier Racing Tire, died at the age of 84.
Newtonstarted his career in the motorsports business as a race car driver in the 1950s, racing successfully at small asphalt tracks inNorthern Indiana. Not satisfied with racing on street tires, which weren’t built with race cars in mind,Newtoncame up with the idea to design tires specifically for racing.
Eighth:
From the Frontstretch:
Did You Notice?
Thomas Bowles
Did You Notice?… With Busch’s signing, combined with Brian Vickers’ likely trek to the Nationwide Series, the Sprint Cup level appears to be in crisis mode when it comes to a 43-car, 2013 grid? At the moment, roughly eight spots each week are filled by the dreaded start-and-parks (for those who have been living under a rock – they’re cars who comes to the track with no intention of even running the distance.) One or two of them? That’s no big deal in the grand scheme of things. But right now, we’re looking at nearly 19 percent of the starting field and a number that threatens to grow in 2013.
Consider that only the following teams have full funding…
Hendrick Motorsports – 4 cars
Richard Childress Racing – 3
Joe Gibbs Racing – 3
Roush Fenway Racing – 3
Michael Waltrip Racing – 3
Earnhardt Ganassi Racing – 2
Stewart-Haas Racing – 2 (Danica Patrick and ?Tony Stewart?)
Penske Racing – 2
TOTAL: 22
Note: As for Stewart-Hass – I believe they will be a three car team next year, with Stewart, Newman and Patrick.
Lots more can be found here:
http://www.frontstretch.com/tbowles/41614/
Ninth:
Reports indicate that new deal between NFL, officials is imminent
In part:
“As it turned out, the NFL’s nightmare scenario — a team losing a game it should have won — was all it took for the league and the NFL Referees’ Association to get back to the bargaining table and wrap up a new deal. Negotiations picked up momentum after the Seattle Seahawks beat the Green Bay Packers, 14-12, on Monday Night Football on a touchdown catch by Seattle receiver Golden Tate that was highly questionable.
According to several reports from many sources, the two sides are ready to sign off on the details of a multi-year collective bargaining agreement that will bring the real officials back from their lockout and quite possibly on the field for Thursday night’s game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns.”
More can be seen here:
Coming up:
Accord:
In part, from their website:
Due to Weather
Last Saturday’s Racing Events
Have Been Re-scheduled
For September 29th
KING OF THE CATSKILLS
Sponsored by WLR Construction
September 29th
SATURDAY
CRSA Sprints
Spec Sportsman $1000 to win
Pure Stock $500 to win Pro Stock $500 to win
Jr Slingshots $400 to win All Star Slingshots $400 to win
Xcel 600 Modifieds
All payouts based on 25 entries per division
Adult admission $22 Kids $4 Reserved Outdoor $25 Indoor Seating $28
Family 4 Pack $62
Pit Gate opens at 3:00 Spectator Gate 4:00 Warms ups 5:00
OCFS:
September 22nd:
MiddletownAuto Wreckers “EVE OF DESTRUCTION”
October 19th:
Arkel Motors Presents…51st Annual EASTERN STATES WEEKEND
October 20th:
Arkel Motors Presents…51st Annual EASTERN STATES WEEKEND
October 21st :
Arkel Motors Presents…51st Annual EASTERN STATES WEEKEND
Schedule:
Thursday, October 18, 2012:
12:00 PM RACE CAR HAULERS CAN BEGIN PARKING
IN PITS
2:00 -6:00PM INSPECTION ON EARLY ARRIVING CARS
2:00 PM CAMPERS CAN BEGIN TO ENTER
FAIRGROUNDS
10:00PM GATES CLOSED FOR EVENING
Friday, October 19, 2012:
10:00 AM FAIRGROUNDS OPEN
PIT GATE OPENS
12:30 PM INSPECTION OF ALL CARS
3:00 PM SPECTATOR GATES OPEN
3:00 PM DRIVERS MEETING
4:00 PM OPEN SPORTSMAN HOT LAPS
358 MODIFIED HOT LAPS
PRO STOCK HOT LAPS
4:45 PM MODIFIED HOT LAPS
5:30 PM MODIFIED TIME TRIALS
TOP6 VICTORY LANE
PRO STOCK QUALIFYING HEATS
OPEN SPORTSMAN QUALIFYING HEATS
MODIFIED QUALIFYING HEATS
TOP 6 MODIFIED DASH FOR CASH
OPEN SPORTSMAN CONSI
PRO STOCK FEATURE 25 LAPS
BREAK
OPEN SPORTSMAN FEATURE 50 LAPS
Saturday, October 20, 2012:
8:00 AM FAIRGROUNDS OPEN
PIT GATE OPEN
358 MODIFIED INSPECTION
CRATE SPORTSMAN INSPECTION
SPRINT CAR INSPECTION
11:00 AM SPECTATOR GATES OPEN
12:30 PM DRIVER MEETING AND DRAW
1:00PM SPRINT CAR HEAT IN MOTORS
1:30 PM 358 MODIFIED HOT LAPS
CRATE SPORTSMAN HOT LAPS
TIMED SPRINT CAR HOT LAPS
358 MODIFIED TIME TRIALS
TOP6 VICTORY LANE
CRATE SPORTSMAN QUALIFYING HEATS
358 MODIFIED QUALIFYING HEATS
305 SPRINT CAR HEATS
CRATE SPORTSMAN CONSI
MODIFIED HOT LAPS (ALL CARS)
SPRINT CAR “B” MAIN
358 MODIFIED CONSI
CRATE SPORTSMAN FEATURE 30 LAPS
BREAK
358 MODIFIED FEATURE 100 LAPS
305 SPRINT CAR FEATURE 25 LAPS
Sunday, October 21, 2012:
8:00 AM FAIRGROUNDS OPEN
PIT GATE OPENS
9:00 AM SPECTATOR GATES OPEN
STREET STOCK INSPECTION
9:30 AM STREET STOCK DRIVER MEETING & DRAW
PIT PARTY
11:00 AM STREET STOCK HOT LAPS
VINTAGE CAR HOT LAPS
11:15 AM MODIFIED HOT LAPS (B MAIN CARS ONLY)
11:30 AM MODIFIED HOT LAPS (QUALIFIED CARS)
12:00 PM MANDATORY MODIFIED DRIVERS MEETING
12: 30 PM STREET STOCK HEATS
MODIFIED BMAIN
VINTAGE CAR FEATURE
STREET STOCK INTRODUCTION
STREET STOCK FEATURE 25 LAPS
2:45 PM MODIFIED INTRODUCTION
3:00 PM 51st
ANNUAL EASTERN STATES
MODIFIED FEATURE 200 LAPS
http://www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net/FILES/ESW%20Schedule%20&%20Price%20List%202012.pdf
Note: The link above also has grand stand prices, camping prices and pit pass prices.
OaklandValley’s Dirt Oval:
Still plenty of racing scheduled for the Dirt Oval, folks.
9/28: Quads, 9/29: Karts, 9/30: Bikes,
10/6, 10/13, 10/20 & 10/27: Karts
10/7 & 10/21: Bikes
10/19: Make up for Quads
11/1, 11/2 & 11/3: Novemberfest – Kart racing.
Found on Jayski’s website:
Kurt Busch to drive the #78 in 2013:
Furniture Row Racing announced today that Kurt Busch has been hired to drive the team’s #78 Chevy during the 2013 Sprint Cup season. Busch, a former NASCAR Cup champion, will replace Regan Smith, who joined Furniture Row Racing at the beginning of the 2009 season. “Though we have made strides as a resourceful single-car Sprint Cup team, we are not where we want to be, which led us to the difficult decision of making a driver change as we move forward,” said Furniture Row Racing’s general manager Joe Garone. “Kurt’s exceptional driving talent has the capacity to take a team to another level. We look forward to having Kurt join our Denver-based organization and feel his racing experience will play an important role as we plan ahead to 2013.”
Garone added, “As our team driver the past four years, Regan has represented Furniture Row Racing with both class and competitiveness. His win at Darlington in 2011 the first for Furniture Row Racing will be a memory forever etched in our organization’s history. He is a friend, and will always be a friend of Furniture Row Racing. We wish him all the best.”
“Furniture Row Racing has the commitment, talent and resources to compete at a high level in the Sprint Cup Series,” said Busch. “I have watched with admiration on how this team has grown over the years and that is why I am excited about the opportunity as I eagerly look forward to a new chapter in my racing career.” Since the beginning of the 2012 season, Busch has driven the #51 Chevy for Phoenix Racing. His previous two teams in the Sprint Cup Series were at Penske Racing [#2 & #22] and Roush Fenway Racing [#97].(Furniture Row Racing)(9-24-2012)
UPDATE:
Busch announced today on SPEED’s NASCAR Race Hub that he has taken over as driver of the #78 Furniture Row entry for the 2013 season, moving on from Phoenix Racing. SPEED NASCAR Race Hub host Steve Byrnes sat down with Busch in an exclusive interview about his new ride. Here is what he had to say about 2013 read the full interview at SPEED: Kurt Busch Speaks About His Move To Furniture Row Racing.(9-25-2012)
AND:
Smith out of the #78 afterTalladega?
SPEED’s Race Hub reported Wednesday evening that Regan Smith’s final race of the season in the Furniture Row Racing #78 would be atTalladega. Kurt Busch is expected to drive the car the remainder of the season.(9-26-2012)
Elliott Sadler close to deal for 2013; part-time Cup with Gibbs?
Elliott Sadler said Tuesday that he is “close” to determining where he will be working next season, but said first he must focus on taking care of unfinished business this season. Sadler currently drives the #2 Chevy full-time for Richard Childress Racing in the Nationwide Series, where he is the current points leader by a slim margin. But he already has said he and RCR will be splitting ways at season’s end. He also has said that he would like to make a return to NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series as soon as possible, and reiterated that point Tuesday after an appearance at RCR where he helped promote the Bank of America 500 that will be run Oct. 13 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. “My goal as a driver is to be back in the Cup Series and make the Chase as a Cup driver. That’s my No. 1 goal,” Sadler said. Asked if he expected to have that chance in 2013, Sadler hedged and replied, “Uh, I don’t know. We’re working on some different things. But my No. 1 goal is to have that opportunity, to be a part of the Chase again.” Sources have confirmed that one of the teams he has been talking with is Joe Gibbs Racing, which appears willing to offer him a full-time Nationwide ride and a limited Cup schedule for 2013 with the possibility of a full-time Cup ride developing by 2014 if full-time sponsorship can be found for a fourth JGR Cup car. “We’re close. We’re talking to three teams right now, so we’ll see,” said Sadler, while declining to offer details on which teams he has been negotiating with. “I’m just kind of late to the party, getting out there and meeting and greeting with everybody.”(NASCAR.com)(9-25-2012)
Hamlin consulting sport psychologist aboutDover:
Forgive #11-Denny Hamlin if he has that far-away gaze this weekend. He’s falling in love. Well, he’s trying to fall in love. His affections, though, aren’t toward a person but a place — Dover International Speedway. Hamlin, who has won three of the last five NASCAR Sprint Cup races, has openly admitted that Doveris his worst track in the 10-race title Chase. Complicating Hamlin’s situation is that Doveris likely the best track for points leader #48-Jimmie Johnson, who has won four of the last seven races there, including the June race. Hamlin is third in the standings, trailing Johnson by seven points. It is for such mental hurdles that Hamlin first consulted Bob Rotella, a sports psychologist, last year. As he sought advice on Doverthis week, Hamlin challenged Rotella to give him something extra meaningful. Hamlin revealed a text-message exchange he had with Rotella to a handful of reporters Tuesday during a NASCAR Hall of Fame appearance. Hamlin first texted Rotella: “I need some positive influence on the week coming up. It’s my worst track.” Rotella responded: “Let your challenge for the week be to fall in love with this track. From the moment you arrive look at things to love about it and reasons to love it. All week look for things great and special to happen to you. Embrace the challenge of having your best attitude that you’ve ever had this week. Take pride in showing yourself how strong your mind is. Own your mind and own the race track that you race. Control your attitude and let your emotions own the world. Have fun.” Simple enough, yet so hard to do for any driver, let alone one like Hamlin who has had two top-10 finishes in his last 10 starts there and an average finish of 24.2 during that stretch.(USA Today)(9-26-2012)
Burtonsays he wasn’t concerned about his job at RCR:
As Jeff Burton struggled in the #31 car the last two seasons, even Burtonhimself couldn’t avoid hearing the rumors that he might be replaced. His car owner, Richard Childress, when pressed on the issue by the media, would merely say that Burton had a contract for 2013, almost leaving the door open that, well, contracts are made to be broken. The obvious candidate to replace Burton was Kurt Busch, whom Childress talked about how much he’d like to have if a sponsor would step up for him. But Busch signed Monday with RCR affiliate Furniture Row Racing, and that should make Burtonbreathe easier about 2013. But it won’t – because Burtonwasn’t wasting time thinking it would happen. “I never worried about being replaced,” Burtonsaid Tuesday during a Charlotte Motor Speedway media day at the RCR shop. “I never woke up in the morning saying, ‘Damn, I might not drive the 31 car next year.’ Because I knew all those things weren’t true. The fact that I was in the conversation bothered me.”(Sporting News)(9-26-2012)
Note: If I were Jeff Burton, I’d be watching what’s going on, over my shoulder. Childress has a couple of grandsons in the wings.
Francestill fighting to keep divorce records secret:
The head of the closely held company that stages NASCAR races is fighting to keep the public out of hearings and documents related to a battle with his ex-wife over their high-dollar divorce settlement. Tuesday’s oral arguments before the state Court of Appeals mark the second time the court has heard NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France’s reasons to close court proceedings generally open to the public. France’s search for secrecy involves a dispute over whether the woman he married and divorced twice, Megan France, violated confidentiality and other provisions of the agreement they reached before divorcing in 2008. Brian France’s attorney had said in open court that the separation agreement included paying his ex-wife $9 million, alimony of $32,000 a month for 10 years, plus $10,000 a month in child support, according to a court filing by Megan France’s lawyers. But five months after the divorce was final, Brian France returned to court to try enforcing their agreement’s confidentiality provisions by asking a judge to decide “he was entitled to a sealed court file not only in that matter but in all future civil actions related to the agreement,” according to attorneys for The Charlotte Observer and WCNC-TV, which challenged the secrecy. “The legal implications for the citizens of our state are staggering should Mr. France’s position be adopted. Brian France’s attorneys argue that letting the public peek into his divorce case imperils his “constitutionally-protected right to a contract, right to a remedy in the trial court for an injury done to him, and right to privacy.(Associated Press/USA Today)(9-26-2012)
Fifth Third returns to #17 to sponsor Stenhouse in 2013:
Fifth Third Bank will sponsor Ricky Stenhouse Jr. in the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Fifth Third is sponsoring the same car it backed earlier this season, but with a different driver [Matt Kenseth]. Stenhouse will drive the #17 Fifth Third Ford Fusion next season. Fifth Third will be the primary sponsor of Stenhouse at Daytona, Michigan, Kentuckyand Martinsvillenext year and an associate sponsor at all other Sprint Cup races in 2013. It also will be the primary sponsor of Stenhouse’s #6 Ford at this year’s last Sprint Cup race of the season, the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway Nov. 18. Jack Roush, co-owner of Roush Fenway Racing, which owns the car, said Fifth Third is one of three main sponsors of Stenhouse and the #17 team. “We have seen Ricky develop into a NASCAR Nationwide Series champion and we’re pleased to provide this opportunity for him to begin his Sprint Cup Series career next season with Fifth Third Bank, Best Buy and Zest on board,” Roush said. The deal follows a Fifth Third sponsorship announced in May of Matt Kenseth driving the same #17 Fifth Third Ford Fusion for four races this summer (Business Courier ), Kenseth will leave the team after 2012 and drive the #20 Job Gibbs Racing Toyota in 2013.(9-21-2012)
UPDATE:
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will run at least three Sprint Cup races for Roush Fenway Racing Dover, Charlotteand Homestead during the remainder of this season. “Right now, we’re organized for three races with him at Dover, Charlotte and Homestead,” said Jack Roush, “but if we decide his prospects for winning the Nationwide championship are improved by running more Sprint Cup races, we’ll do that, and if we decide there’s a sponsor that expresses interest and wants to take a look at him, or to be on board for an additional venue, we’ll do that as well.”(Gaston Gazette)(9-23-2012)
Ragan unsure of 2013 plans:
David Ragan, 26, was once on Roush Fenway Racing’s fast track until a lack of sponsorship derailed his future with the Ford powerhouse. Although Ragan was considered at candidate for the #22 Penske Racing Dodge, that dream evaporated when AJ Allmendinger was selected for the ride. Ragan landed at Front Row Motorsports in the #34 Ford. But his contract is up at the end of the year. Ragan says he’d like to “be in a more competitive car week in and week out,” and he’s not discounting the ability for FRM to continue the building curve. “Everyone goes into these final 10 races with a few different goals in mind,” Ragan said. “You have some guys trying to win a championship, some guys trying to get into the top 35 and some guys trying to save their rides. I’ve been there and done that. For our Front Row Motorsports team, we’re just trying to get into the top 30 for the first time.”(FoxSports)(9-23-2012)
More on the 2013 roll cage:
A look at the NASCAR roll cage for 2013, built to comply with rules changes for next year intended to improve driver safety. Int the photos on the site, the tube around the top of the cage that roughly describes the roof perimeterhas been doubled up with a second tube at the front along the top of the windshield. Now there are two full tubes, generously spaced, across the leading edge of the cage in front of the driver’s forehead. In the most superficial way, the roll cage in a NASCAR race car hasn’t changed in decades. It’s still mild steel seamless DOM tubing, 1.75-inch diameter, .090-in. wall, MIG welded into a very familiar looking assembly. But over the past dozen years, nearly every detail has been agonized, sweated over, and optimized to produce the safest possible structure. See more and some photos at macsmotorcitygarage.com.(9-23-2012)
Smith expects to be out of the #78:
Regan Smith, who piloted Furniture Row Racing to its breakthrough first victory on the Sprint Cup tour last season, has been told he won’t be back in the organization’s #78 car next year. Smith confirmed the news to NASCAR.com after qualifying Friday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. “I’ve been told it appears I won’t be back here next year,” Smith said. Furniture Row’s general manager, Joe Garone, could not immediately be located for comment. Smith didn’t want to speculate on the reasons behind the impending change and he said he’s unsure if he will finish the season in the #78 Chevy (NASCAR.com).
AND:
Regan Smith does not believe he will return to Furniture Row Racing in 2013, possibly opening the door for much-maligned driver Kurt Busch. Furniture Row general manager Joe Garone has expressed interest in hiring Busch since January and the team has been seeking sponsorship to field a second car for him. Busch confirmed Friday that he has talked with Garone as well as other teams. “They’ve shown good interest and so have others,” Busch said. “There’s a handful of contracts sitting on my desk and it’s just a matter of going through some detail with each of the teams.” Furniture Row general manager Joe Garone said in an email Friday that his team is interested in Busch but that Busch has talked with other teams as well. Richard Petty Motorsports is among the organizations that has not signed its drivers for next season and also could be a candidate for Busch. When asked Friday if he would be back with Furniture Row next season, Smith said, “I don’t believe so.”
“There’s a lot to it, is the best way I can put it,” said Smith, who moved to Denver last year to be closer to the Colorado-based team. “It’s a place where I’ve been for a while. I’m happy here. I like it here. But sometimes change isn’t bad, either.” Smith said he has been talking to other teams about 2013.(Sporting News)(9-21-2012)
UPDATE:
That someone could be Kurt Busch or Brian Vickers. Both drivers are on the short list for Furniture Row which recently re-signed its technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing. Busch met with Furniture Row principals back in early July.(FoxSports)(9-22-2012)
Yeley in the #36 atDover:
The Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) will team up with Tommy Baldwin Racing (TBR) at Dover International Speedway Sunday, September 30 to remind NASCAR fans to ‘Drive Sober’ with a special paint scheme and a full weekend of activities. J.J. Yeley will pilot the #36 Drive Sober. Arrive Alive DE Chevrolet in the AAA 400. The OHS is committed to developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy aimed at saving lives and preventing injuries on Delawarehighways. The advertising program at Dover International Speedway is part of their education and outreach activities in the community to promote safe driving. The OHS chose to promote the ‘Drive Sober’ campaign during the race weekend because data shows that 81% of impaired drivers causing fatal crashes in Delaware are males, 36% of alcohol-related fatal accidents occur on Fridays and Saturdays, and fatalities in September doubled between 2010 and 2011. Delawareconducts DUI checkpoints every weekend from July to December as part of Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign. The goal of Checkpoint Strikeforce is to stop impaired driving throughout Delaware. The OHS wants everyone to drive safe and Arrive Alive. Visit www.DUIrealtime.com for public information on the campaign. Yeley will pilot the #36 Drive Sober. Arrive Alive DE Chevrolet for TBR. The Phoenix, Ariz., native made 11 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) and seven NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS) starts at the mile track. He collected two top-10 finishes and two top-five starts in the NNS. He tallied a best NSCS start of 14th in the Spring 2006 event and a best NSCS finish of 24th in the Spring 2008 event. TBR made eight starts at Dover International Speedway. Dave Blaney posted the team’s best finish of 26th in the Spring 2011 event. “We are happy to have the OHS on board for Dover and J.J. in the car,” said TBR Owner Tommy Baldwin. “The OHS is promoting a very important campaign in safe driving. They will have a good footprint at the track, including an exhibit where fans can drive tricycles while wearing impairment goggles. We love working with J.J. He is a good driver, and we are looking forward to what we can do together at Dover.”(TBR)(9-22-2012)
Note: Having a sponsor for this race is great – as long as this isn’t a “Start & Park” ride. I’ve seen notices like this for other drivers and teams – getting a sponsor, the parking the ride after “x” amount of laps. Eventually, other sponsors will wise up and not sponsor cars. A little further down in this column is something I had in a column a long time ago – why a certain individual said he would never sponsor a car in NASCAR again.
NASCAR Drive For Diversity Combine candidates selected:
As the NASCAR season hits the home stretch, preparations for 2013 are already underway. That process will begin in earnest for select drivers Oct. 16-18 with the 2012 NASCAR Drivefor Diversity (D4D) Combine at Langley Speedway in Hampton, VA.NASCAR and Rev Racing today announced 17 candidates invited to take part in the three-day evaluation. The NASCAR D4D program created in 2004 is now executed by Rev Racing and the team is competing in their third season in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. Currently the top two rookies in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, Kyle Larson and Bryan Ortiz are in the 2012 D4D class, while Larson and Rev Racing graduate Darrell Wallace Jr. made their national series debuts this year. Larson has top 10s in both starts in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and Wallace has a top 10 in all three of his NASCAR Nationwide Series races. The 2012 Combine will be a three day driver evaluation of on-track performance, marketing and media aptitude, and physical fitness. Langley, a .4-mile asphalt oval, is the NASCAR sanctioned track hosting the event for the second consecutive year. The 2013 Rev Racing team will be selected from among the 2012 Rev Racing drivers and the Combine participants (NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications), see the participants on my Driver Development News and Links page.(9-21-2012)
Note # 1: This Drive for Diversity program, to me is a joke. It’s been around since 2004. How many have actually made it to Cup that were in this program. I know of some that American born and white, that were in it because a parent was born out of theUS. And I believe you might remember the one that was dropped because he looked to “white”?
Note # 2: I’m really not sure why Kyle Larson is in this program, but a search on him turns up that he’s Japanese-American. A week ago, he won a stock car race at Loudon, and then went to Eldora for the USAC 4 Crown Nationals, winning the Midget feature before having a violent crash in the Sprint Car portion. He is only one of two drivers that have won all three 4 Crown Open Wheel races at Eldora on the same night.
Some info on Larson, below. I like how the refer to him as a stock car driver.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyle_Larson_(racing_driver)
A video of that accident is in the Video section of this weeks column.
2013 Cup Schedule:
http://www.jayski.com/news/pages/story/_/page/2013-NASCAR-Sprint-Cup-Schedule
Going back, in time at OVRP’s Dirt Oval:
Back to October 12, 2003:
http://www.whowon.com/Results.asp?TrackID=1904&StoryID=104415
Going back, in time:
This week I’m covering the Midget races that were held atCherryPark, inAvon,Ct.-during the 1947 season. 1948, 49 & 50, will be covered in later columns.
1947
ARDC sanction
25 lap features Sunday nights
April 20 rain
April 27 rain after heats
May 4 rain
May 7 rain
May 11
1. Dutch Schaefer
2. Chet Gibbons
3. Al Keller
25 laps 6:35.0
May 14
1. George Rice
25 laps 6:50.51
May 18 rain
May 25 rain (6 of first 8 rained out)
May 30
1. George Rice Curtis Offy #8
2. Tony Bonadies
3. Chet Conklin
50 laps 13.14.1
June 1
1. George Rice Curtis Offy #8
2. Al Keller
3. Art Cross
25 laps 6:34.
June 8 rain
June 15
1. Chet Gibbons
2. Johnny Ritter
3. Johnny Rice
25 laps 6:35.
Gibbons won at Thompson earlier in the day.
June 22
1. Johnny Ringger Wheeler Offy #45
2. Johnny Rice
3. Jeep Colkitt
June 29
1. Rex Records
2. Chet Gibbons
3. Johnny Ringger
25 laps
July 6
1. Bill Schindler
2. George Rice
3. Chet Gibbons Curtis Offy
25 laps 6:36.
July 13
1. Chet Gibbons Curtis Offy
2. George Rice Ashton Offy
3. Dutch Schaefer
25 laps 6:27.00 NTR
July 20
1. Ted Tappett Curtis Offy
2. Lloyd Christopher
3. Johnny Ritter
July 27
1. Ted Tappett
2. Johnny Ritter
3. Chet Gibbons
50 laps 12:59.3 NTR
Aug. 3
1. Ted Tappett
2. George Rice
3. Johnny Ringger
25 laps 6:19.1 NTR
Aug. 10
1. Chet Conklin
2. Len Duncan
3. Henry Renard
25 laps
Aug. 17
1. Jeep Colkitt
2. Johnny Ringger
3. Johnny Ritter
25 laps 6:17.2 NTR
Aug. 24
1. Johnny Ringger
2. George Rice
3. Jeep Colkitt
25 laps 6:20.
Aug. 31
1. Lloyd Christopher
2. George Rice
3. Tony Bonadies
25 laps
Sept. 7
1. Johnny Ringger
2. Al Keller
3. Lloyd Christopher
25 laps
Sept. 14
1. Bill Schindler
2. George Rice
3. Johnny Ringger
50 lap Championship Race
Sept. 21
1. George Rice
2. Chet Conklin
3. Bert Brooks
25 laps no time
Sept. 28
1. Bill Schindler
2. Johnny Ringger
3. Bert Brooks
25 laps no time
Oct. 5
1. Bill Schindler
2. Jeep Colkitt
3. Al Keller
25 laps no time
Oct. 12
1. Johnny Ritter
2. Art Cross
3. Johnny Rice
75 laps
Oct. 19
1. Johnny Ringger
2. Al Keller
3. Mike Nazaruk
100 laps
Note: Towards the end of this weeks column, I’ve put in a photo of Johnny Ringger in the Buck Wheeler # 62 Offy Midget.
News from the AARN:
Due to my spending so much time away from the house these last few days, I’ll not cover much from this weeks AARN. However, if you recall, one of the headlines that I had in last weeks column (for this week’s issue) had this:
“Bolland’s Suspension Battle
With DIRTcar Heats Up”
It seems that Kevin Bolland and Brian Swartzlander had a problem, having had some contact coming out of turn four on the last lap of the Modified feature at Lernerville, back on July 13th. Bolland was DQ’d after the race because of rough riding and he had a radio in his car, which was a definite no-no. Bolland has retained Ken McGuire as his attorney for this deal. What I find to be completely weird is that after the DQ, which was done in Victory Lane, the speedway officials reconvened the Modifieds, some of which had headed to the pits and some of which had already been scaled, and re-started the race – this after the race had been checkered flagged for the winner – Bolland.
The top 50 drivers of the AARN’s first 50 years have been voted on by a panel of judges – writers and photographers. Drivers must have competed in the AARN’s weekly coverage area. Last week drivers from 40th to 31st were listed.
Here are drivers from 30 to 21:
- Fred DeSarro, 29. Jim Shampine, 28. Geoff Bodine, 27. Maynard Troyer, 26. Stan Ploski, Jr., 25. Lance Dewease, 24. Dutch Hoag, 23. Lou Lazzaro, 22. Steve Smith, Sr. and 21. Bobby Allen.
Lenny Sammons:
As noted above, there is now a chance that the F-1 race scheduled forNew Jerseyin 2013 might not happen. But it seems that David Coulthard now owns the speed record for the Lincoln Tunnel – a tunnel that connectsNew York CitywithNew Jersey. He hit 190 MPH in the mile and a half tunnel.. Yes, one part of the tunnel was closed down at midnight. Manhole covers were welded shut, so the lowness and speed of the car would not suck them up. Coulthard was driving a Red Bull 2011 World Championship winning RB7 chassis cars. The engine was next years version. Coulthard was warned to take it easy, especially in one particular part, where there was a bump. He didn’t listen. It’s said the scream of the wide open engine was deafening. He bottomed out over that bump and caused some damage to the frame. Later on, when the sun had come up, Coulthard made a lap around the streets ofNew Jerseythat will make up the course for what might now might not be a course used for a F-1 race in 2013 and more years into the future. The noise did bring the residents out of their homes, however.
Sorry about the shortness of news from the AARN. Might have more from the two issues, 9/18 & 9/25, next week.
I did notice that for the second week now, John Snyder did not have a column. Word was that his wife has had some health issues. I’m not sure if they’re still inFloridaor back home.
Thoughts and prayers for Mrs. Snyder for a quick return to better health!
And, what’s in the September 25th issue:
In AARN
This Week:
Matt Mahaney Wins
Fonda Speedway’s $12,000
Jack Johnson Tribute Race
Ray Parent’s ACT Loudon Win
Is Improbable, Special
Brett Hearn
Is Accord Speedway’s
King of The Catskills
RoC Paved Series Finale
To Jimmy Z; Hirschman
Is Touring Series Champ
Winchester 200
Is All Georgia Invader
Dale McDowell’s
Kyle Larson Wins At Loudon,
Eldora, Then Crashes
Lincoln’s Kenny Weld Memorial
Taken By Charging Danny Dietrich
Wild Times At The Speedbowl:
Chadwick, Abele Split SK Mains
Holden, Guidace
Top Mercer’s
Damp Little Guy Nationals
Former Oakland Valley Speedway (Dirt Oval) runners:
At Accord, in the King of the Catskills show, on Friday, in the Modified feature, Danny Creeden was 16th and Mike Ruggiero was 19th, while Brian Krummel and Tyle Boniface were DNQ’s
In the Sportsman race, Anthony Perrego was 1st, Brad Szulewski 14th, Tyler Dippel was 18th. Kyle VanDuser was a DNQ.
Jason Roe was 12th in the Lightning Sprint feature.
At Fonda, with the ESS Sprint Cars, Josh Pieniazek was 5th in his heat on 9/22 but did not start in the feature on 9/23.
Also at Fonda, in the 602 Sportsman feature, Dippel was 19th and Matt Janiak 26th.
At Mahoning, Roger Coss was 2nd in the Modified feature, while BJ Wambold was 20th in the Street Stock feature. His sister, Tiffany was a DNQ in the Street Stocks.
Sorry if I missed anyone. Not much racing going on last weekend, and there will be less and less as the season winds down.
More racin’ stuff:
Some more “History”. Check out the last line!
Back on September 24, 1949 at OCFS:
VictorySpeedway, OrangeCounty Fairgrounds,NY
24th September 1949 – 1/5 mile asphalt oval
Heat 1
1 George Mills
Heat 2
2 Russ Dodd
3 Johnny Cabral
Heat 3
1 Joe Herbert
2 Joe Romer
3 Chick DiNatale
First semi-final
1 Johnny Cabral
2 Rocky DiNatale
3 Angelo Lombardi
Second semi-final
1 Russ Dodd
2 Chick DiNatale
3 Nelson Applegate
25 laps – Feature
1 Chick DiNatale 0:07:14.92
2 Joe Romer
3 Joe Herbert
4 laps – Special match race
Russ Dodd
Denny Gibson
ArnoldGuessno
In this race, each car had to drive the last lap
in reverse gear
Press Releases:
Borgers PR
Media Contact
Bob Snyder
bobsnyderphoto@enter.net
Borgers Speedway Quarter Midget Importent Updates.
Borgers Speedway has the unique opportunity to write history in the auto racing world with a marriage of TQ Midgets, Dirt 600 Sprints, AllStar Slingshots, Karts, and Quarter Midgets. To the best of our knowledge no other track in theUnited Statesoffers a total family racing package that covers all these divisions in one day of racing.
A Quarter Midget racer can run their Quarter Midget and the run a Go Kart. The same for a Karter wanting to run a Quarter Midget. Racers in the Karts and the Quarter Midgets can move up to one of the big car divisions. A racer in the big car divisions can run a Kart if they choose. Parents of the Karters and the Quarter Midgets can run a big car division. The possibilities are endless and this is all in the “Birthing Stages” at Borgers Speedway.
The newly built Mini Oval which with turn areas being repaved to eliminate the transition will be completed weather permitting in the next two weeks and will see action with the Kid Kart, Junior Karts, and Quarter Midgets. The infield road course will see action with all Karting Classes. In other words a racer can have the best of everything at Borgers Speedway.
We will be adding additional Quarter Midget classes in preparation for the November 17 BorgersSpeedwayStarz Of Tomorrow Quarter Midget Nationals.
We are pleased to make the following announcements.
1 – Affective this Saturday – 9/29/12 We are adding Jr. Honda & Sr. Honda classes to our weekly racing schedule! USAC engine rules & weights apply.Gates open at 11:00 & small car wamrups starts at 1:00
2 – Glenn Borger is please to announce an agreement with Bruce George Paving fromKunkletown,PA.If weather & coordination can work in unison, employees from Bruce George Paving, will be at Borger’s Speedway on Monday 10/1/12 to remove a 48″ wide area down both front & backstretches & install new top coat material, which will blend this area smooth, to elimante the sharp transitions from top coat from track surface, to basecoat of infield. This agreement & process, will open the track to many numerous opportunities, including a smooth transition for the newBorger’s Small Track area. Racing will carry on Sat. 10/6/12 unaffected.
3 – Revision/clarification to 1/4 Midget rules atBorger’s - Treadwidth for all classes is – 36″ Center to Center.
Any questions can be directed to Ed Pensyl – (610) 730-8704
Regards,
Ed Pensyl
Pensyl Enterprises
Pensyl Fab. & Design
610 730-8704 – cell
www.pensylent.com
pensylent@aol.com
I get e-mails:
BELIEVE IT NOW?
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/outrage/unvote.asp
Subject: U N B E L I E V E A B L E
How they vote in the United Nations:
Below are the actual voting records of various Arabic/Islamic States
which are recorded in both the US State Department and United Nations records:
Kuwaitvotes against theUnited States67% of the time
Qatarvotes against theUnited States67% of the time
Moroccovotes against theUnited States70% of the time
United Arab Emiratesvotes against theUnited States70% of the time.
Jordanvotes against theUnited States71% of the time.
Tunisiavotes against theUnited States71% of the time.
Saudi Arabiavotes against theUnited States73% of the time.
Yemenvotes against theUnited States74% of the time.
Algeriavotes against theUnited States74% of the time.
Omanvotes against theUnited States74% of the time.
Sudanvotes against theUnited States75% of the time.
Pakistanvotes against theUnited States75% of the time.
Libyavotes against theUnited States76% of the time.
Egyptvotes against theUnited States79% of the time.
Lebanonvotes against theUnited States80% of the time.
Indiavotes against theUnited States81% of the time.
Syriavotes against theUnited States84% of the time.
Mauritaniavotes against theUnited States87% of the time.
U S Foreign Aid to those that hate us:
Egypt, for example, after voting 79% of the time against theUnited States,
still receives $2,000,000,000 annually in US Foreign Aid.
Jordanvotes 71% against theUnited States
And receives $192,814,000 annually in US Foreign Aid.
Pakistanvotes 75% against theUnited States
Receives $6,721,000,000 annually in US Foreign Aid.
Indiavotes 81% against theUnited States
Receives $143,699,000 annually.
WHY?
WHO IN THE HELL
STARTED THIS AND WHY?
THEY ACTUALLY BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS THEM.
Perhaps it is time to get out of the UN and give the tax savings back to the American workers who are having to skimp and sacrifice to pay the taxes.
Pass this along to every taxpaying citizen you know, party lines irrelevant!
GO GREEN- RECYCLE CONGRESS IN 2012 ! ! !
(If you don’t know any taxpayers just delete it!)
Found on Facebook:
Nancy Pelosi’s brother-in-law is given $737m of taxpayers’ money to build giant solar power plant in middle of the desert
Obama administration approved $1bn in green energy loans days after failed Solyndra project due to be completed
$737m handed to Crescent Dunes project inTonopah,Nevada, for 110-megawatt desert solar power plant
Investors include firm Minority leader’s brother-in-law and major Solyndra stakeholder
Republicans warn Energy Department is ‘rushing’ $5bn in loans ahead of Friday deadline
Nancy Pelosi is facing accusations of cronyism after a solar energy project, which her brother-in-law has a stake in, landed a $737 million loan guarantee from the Department of Energy, despite the growing Solyndra scandal.
The massive loan agreement is raising new concerns about the use of taxpayers’ money as vast sums are invested in technology similar to that of the doomed energy project.
The investment has intensified the debate over the effectiveness of solar energy as a major power source.
The SolarReserve project is backed by an energy investment fund where the Minority Leader’s brother-in-law Ronald Pelosi is second in command.
PCG Clean Energy & Technology Fund (East) LLC is listed as one of the investors in the project that has been given the staggering loan, which even dwarfs that given to failed company Solyndra.
More on this here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2043282/Nancy-Pelosis-brother-law-given-loan-bigger-Solyndra-solar-plant.html
Some non-racing stuff:
From an e-mail I received:
GE is Moving fromWisconsin. Keep your eye onWaukesha,Wisconsin
Their biggest employer just moved out. General Electric is planning to move its 115-year-old X-ray division fromWaukesha,Wis., toBeijing.
In addition to moving the headquarters, the company will invest $2 billion inChinaand train more than 65 engineers and create six research centers. This is the same GE that made $5.1 billion in theUnited Stateslast year, but paid no taxes – the same company that employs more people overseas than it does in theUnited States.
So let me get this straight. President Obama appointed GE Chairman Jeff Immelt to head his commission on job creation (job czar). Immelt is supposed to help create jobs. I guess the President forgot to tell him in which country he was supposed to be creating those jobs.
Thanks Jeff, you’re a “real” American….give Barrack our Best! If this doesn’t show you the total lack of leadership of this President, I don’t know what does. Please pass this information to others and let’s think about it before we buy a GE product.
I checked it out on Snopes. For verification, go to: http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/ge.asp
CAN THIS BOZO GET ANY MORE UNAMERICAN?? TALK ABOUT SELLING US DOWN THE RIVER, HE’S SELLING US ACROSS THE OCEAN!!!!!!!
Could this be true:
From an e-mail:
Is this for real? Just passing it along.
HOW DID THEY KNOW? SOMETHING IN THE UNIVERSE THAT IS GREATER AND DEEPER THAN HUMAN INTELLIGENCE. THE ELEPHANT’S JOURNEY TO PAY RESPECT, BUT HOW DID THEY KNOW ?????????
Lawrence Anthony, a legend inSouth Africaand author of 3 books including the bestseller
The Elephant Whisperer, bravely rescued wildlife and rehabilitated
elephants all over the globe from human atrocities, including the
courageous rescue of Baghdad Zoo animals duringUSinvasion in 2003
.
On March 7, 2012 Lawrence Anthony died.
.
He is remembered and missed by his wife, 2 sons, 2 grandsons & numerous elephants.
Two days after his passing, the wild elephants showed up at his home led by two large matriarchs.
Separate wild herds arrived in droves to say goodbye to their beloved man-friend’.
A total of 31 elephants had patiently walked over 12 miles to get to his South African House.
Witnessing this spectacle, humans were obviously in awe not only because of the
supreme intelligence and precise timing that these elephants sensed aboutLawrence’s
passing, but also because of the profound memory and emotion the beloved animals
evoked in such an organized way:
Walking slowly -for days -
Making their way in a solemn one-by-one queue from their habitat to his house.
Lawrence’s wife, Francoise, was especially touched, knowing that the elephants
had not been to his house prior to that day for well over 3 years!
But yet they knew where they were going.
The elephants obviously wanted to pay their deep respects, honoring their friend
who’d saved their lives – so much respect that they stayed for 2 days 2 nights without eating anything..
Then one morning, they left, making their long journey back home…………
Political:
CBS OMITS CLIP FROM BROADCAST OF OBAMA ADMITTING HIS CAMPAIGN HAS GONE ‘OVERBOARD’ & MADE CAMPAIGN AD ‘MISTAKES’
It’s an undisputed fact that the American people have a high level of distrust for the mainstream media — just look at the startling Gallup numbers released last week. A recent decision by CBS News to omit a portion of an interview with President Barack Obama in which he admitted mistakes and blunders in campaign ads is likely to add to the lack of public confidence in mainstream outlets.
In an interview for “60 Minutes,” Obama surprisingly contended that some of his campaign ads and contentions “go overboard” and have errors, but these admissions were omitted from the final interview that aired.
While the network left this portion of the president’s dialogue with Steve Kroft out, CBS did post it on its web site. Still, conservative critics are wondering why such a noteworthy admission was left out of the final interview.After all, a candidate’s claim that he has put out misleading campaign advertisements that have “gone overboard” is certainly not something that would generally be cut from a broadcast interview — particularly when it’s a candidate who has prided himself on truth and transparency.Titled, “False Advertising in the Presidential Race,” the clip appears on the CBS web site with an intriguing description: ”President Obama says some of his campaign ads might ‘go overboard’ or contain mistakes, but most of them simply highlight the differences between him and Gov. Romney.”
More on this can be seen here:
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/cbs-omits-clip-from-broadcast-of-obama-admitting-his-campaign-has-gone-overboard-made-campaign-ad-mistakes/
Video time:
The Kyle Larson Sprint Car accident at Eldora:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvLUixFNSNg
Photos:
Note: The photos are not available on Dirt Track Digest, only on New England Tractor – http://newenglandtractor.com/racereport/
Note: Looking at those results fromCherryPark, for 1947, Johnny Ringger appears nine times. I thought it would be nice to put a photo of him in this weeks column.
Closing with these:
Since I’ve been having problems getting my column posted on Dirt Track Digest because something in my old closing would not let it paste, I’ve come up with a new closing:
Wishing all race fans, drivers, teams, team owners and sponsors to remain safe and out of harms way!
As usual, you can reach me at: ygordad@yahoo.com
