| News
and Press Releases
submitted to newspost@racerslounge.com
Received September 15, 2003
REISMAN, GRIEF, HERMANN, AKINS AND THOMSON TAKE SATURDAY
ORLANDO WINS
A great field of cars made the journey to Orlando Speedworld
Saturday night,
and for once the rains stayed away so the Saturday Spectacular
II could
finally be run after three months of trying.
The kids took to the track first as the Bandelero Bandits
were ready to do
battle. Chad Akins took the heat race win and led all the
way in the feature
although Derrick Wood was on his tail the entire distance.
There were no major altercations in this race as Akins took
the win followed
by Wood, Matthew Jarrett, Gerald White, Jr. and Spencer
Taylor.
Brandon Thomson must like racing on Saturdays. Thomson won
the Bandelero
Young Guns feature at the first Saturday Spectacular held
in May and was back
in victory lane again this week.
The race got off to a rough start with a pretty hard tangle
between Kevin
Henry and Nick Wesenick. Henry had to take his car to the
pits while Wesenick
continued.
Thomson took the lead at the drop of the green and led all
the way. Scott
Jarrett won the heat, but had to settle for runner-up in
the feature. Wesenick
was third with Henry credited with fourth.
A good field of Legends Cars was next up on the program
and this 35-lap run
would be dominated by a pair of rising young stars. Jason
Reisman and Sam
Watts, who is only 12 years old, dominated their respective
heat races and it
didn't take them long to show they would be the dominant
force in the feature
as well.
The two immediately raced to the front only to see the caution
come out on
lap two as Kory Abbott looped his car in turn three. from
there it was 17
laps of fast green flag racing as Reisman and Watts were
streaking away from
the field and already putting cars laps down.
Caution flew for the second time on lap 19 as Jarrad Cawley
went for a spin
in turn three. On the restart, Doug Hall and Karl Stairs
locked horns on the
backstretch with Hall's machine taking a hard shot into
the wall tearing the
right from wheel and tire off his machine. Hall wasn't hurt,
but he was done
for the night while Stairs was able to continue.
Reisman and Watts continued to show the way with Kevin Abbott
within
shouting distance. On lap 32, Abbott spun to avoid a lapped
car in turn two,
bringing out the third and final caution. Abbott was placed
back in third
spot while the driver of the lapped car was black-flagged
for failing to heed
the move-over flag.
Reisman held off Watts to the checker with Kevin Abbott
holding on for third
spot. Jeremy Colangelo drove his RE/MAX sponsored car to
fourth just ahead of
James Rodriguez. Wesley McCleod, Kelly Jarrett, Jarrad Cawley,
Kory Abbott
and Bob Wilson rounded out the top ten.
Deland's Daryl Grief led all the way to claim his third
Classic Auto Racing
Series win of the year although it was his first ever win
on an asphalt
track.
Grief and Patrick "Bam Bam" Sanders took the CARS
heat wins and made up row
one for the 25-lap feature. Grief immediately took control
as Bill Posey
moved into second with Sanders and Joey Strehle in a real
dogfight for third
spot. Sanders and Strehle were going at it tooth and nail
and their battle
ultimately ended up in a tangle on lap eight that saw Strehle
eventually
disqualified for a yellow flag incident.
As the race resumed, Grief and Posey were in a great battle
for the top spot
as Al "Hot Rod" Hagan moved up to third spot.
Jim Rahman was up to fifth from
his 11th starting spot when a broken header forced him to
the infield on lap
13.
Posey was working the low side to perfection and was poised
to make a run on
Grief when his car suddenly began to sputter on lap 22 and
he fell off the
pace and eventually out of competition.
Grief breezed to the checkered flag with Hagan getting his
best finish of a
rather "hard luck" year with second. CARS point
leader Ben Booth came from
12th on the starting grid to get third place and also earn
the Door Operating
Systems Rookie of the Race Award. Sanders held on for fourth
with Keith Baiga
fifth. George Hall, Jr., Ricky Wood, Tim Ousley, George
Hall III, and Posey
rounded out the top ten.
The win was even sweeter for Grief as he had all of his
kids and stepkids at
the track with him for the first time.
The Florida Mini Cup Racing Association brought a great
field of cars to the
track and put on their usual ultra-competitive and somewhat
"wild" show.
Valrico drivers Mark Ross and Doug Smith took their respective
heat race
wins and it was Smith who took control of the 20-lap feature
and looked like
he would be unbeatable.
However, Orlando's Josh Hermann had other ideas as he made
an incredible
late race charge in his Dodge bodied machine to pass Smith
for the lead on lap
17 and then streak to a straightaway victory.
Although this race ran green to checker, it also produced
the worst wreck of
the night. Just as Hermann crossed the line to take the
win, Dan Suggs got
loose in turn three, overcorrected, and then rolled his
Kevin Harvick
look-a-like car twice before it came to rest on all fours.
Suggs wasn't hurt but his car had to be put on the ABC Towing
Service
flatbed for it's ride back to the pit area.
Following Hermann to the checker were Smith, Terry Tullis,
Wendy Kash, and
Don Saxon. George Auriemma, Rick Auriemma, Mark Ross, David
Taylor and Sonny
Saxon completed the top ten.
Only one of the new stock four cylinder Hurricane class
cars was in the
pits, but Steve Pegram from Auburndale still got to take
home the first place
trophy. Pegram says he knows of several more cars being
built for the new
class and the hope is to have the field up to close to 10
cars, possibly more,
for Saturday Spectacular III which will be held on October
4th.
A major announcement will be forthcoming this week concerning
Speedweek 2004
and Saturday racing for 2004 at Orlando Speedworld.
RESULTS - ORLANDO SPEEDWORLD SATURDAY SPECTACULAR
II - 9/13/03:
BANDELERO BANDITS (15 Laps):
1) Chad Akins #60
2) Derrick Wood #33
3) Matthew Jarrett #9
4) Gerald White, Jr. #38
5) Spencer Taylor #15
6) Eric Salvesen #17
7) Donovan Ponder #8
8) Blake Eden #17
BANDELERO YOUNG GUNS (15 Laps):
1) Brandon Thomson #54
2) Scott Jarrett #97
3) Nick Wesenick #7
4) Kevin Henry #9
LEGENDS CARS ( 35 Laps):
1) Jason Reisman #25
2) Sam Watts #73
3) Kevin Abbott #98
4) Jeremy Colangelo #05
5) James Rodriguez #19
6) Wesley McLeod #22
7) Kelly Jarrett #97
8) Jarrad Cawley #31
9) Kory Abbott #15
10) Bob Wilson #27W
11) Karl Stairs #4
12) Mike Fazio #38
13) Richard Taylor #32
14) Doug Hall #55
CLASSIC AUTO RACING SERIES (25 Laps):
1) Daryl Grief #1
2) Al Hagan #6
3) Ben Booth #12
4) Patrick Sanders #8
5) Keith Baiga #42
6) George Hall, Jr. #32
7) Ricky Wood #21
8) Tim Ousley #88
9) George Hall III #9
10) Bill Posey #00
11) Wayne Ashton #78
12) Joel Ashton #45
13) Jim Rahman #5
DQ Joey Strehle #X11
DNS Bud Spencer #7
FLORIDA MINI CUP RACING ASSOCIATION (20 Laps):
1) Josh Hermann #98
2) Doug Smith #17
3) Terry Tullis #8
4) Wendy Kash #05
5) Don Saxon #44
6) George Auriemma #42
7) Rick Auriemma #21
8) Mark Ross #12
9) David Taylor #15
10) Sonny Saxon #55
11) Mike Holt #36
12) Heather Suggs #48
13) Larry Folino #43
14) Summer Saxon #4
15) Dan Suggs #29
16) Matt Oravets #2
Received September 14, 2003
Eckert pockets $5,000 for ‘Grassy Smith Memorial’
victory at Thunder Valley
By Robert Walden
LAWNDALE, N.C. (Sept. 12) – The weather was a little
on the cool side Friday night at Thunder Valley Speedway
for the running of the “Fifth Annual Grassy Smith
Memorial,” but the huge crowd in attendance was treated
to an exciting evening of racing at the 4/10-mile oval.
Ricky Weeks, who set fast-time of 17.48-seconds to earn
the pole position over the 20 cars who signed in for qualifying,
appeared well on his way to victory until being derailed
by a broken right-rear wheel assembly on lap 35 while leading
the 40-lap event.
With a disappointed Weeks parked in the pits for a final
five-lap dash to the checkers, the door was opened for York,
Pa.’s Rick Eckert to capture the $5,000 victory over
a hard-charging Jeremy Clements. Finishing third through
fifth, respectively, were Shane Tankersley, Clint Smith
and Chris Madden.
“Well just when you think second is as good as you’re
going to get, sometimes you get a gift,” said Eckert
with a smile after climbing from his car on the front straightaway
to celebrate the win. “We had a pretty good car, but
(Ricky) Weeks was very strong and I don’t believe
I would’ve gotten around him if he hadn’t of
had the wheel break off. When I first began to come down
here (South) to race some, Grassy and Freddy would always
talk to me and I got to know them well.
“It’s really a great honor for me to be able
to win this race memorializing Grassy tonight. And when
you get to looking and no one but Freddy had been able to
win this race in the first four years, it’s very special
to me that I was fortunate enough to be the first different
driver to win besides him.”
If Freddy Smith could remarkably record his fifth-straight
victory in the race memorializing his late father, Clarence
“Grassy” Smith, he would have to do so from
the 12th starting spot. With Weeks and Eckert leading the
field to the green flag from the front row, they ran door-to-door
down into turn one. Weeks got his mount a little out of
shape when getting back hard on the gas racing off the second
turn, and behind him the entire inside row had to momentarily
check up.
Not all checked up, and when all was said and done, six
cars tangled in turn two. Duayne Hommel, Chris Madden and
Doug Sanders would be able to continue, but Ray Cook, Earl
Pearson Jr. and Mike Duvall were sent to the pits hooked
to a wrecker with major damage to their rides, thus ending
their night early.
Hommel, who had to pull into the pits for some attention
from his crew on the right-front suspension and to pull
body damage back away from the wheels, was sent to the rear
of the field for the restart even though one lap had never
been completed. A track rule states if any car goes to the
pits, even if a lap was not complete, that driver must restart
at the back.
The major benefactor of the wreck was Madden. He was originally
slated to start from inside the sixth row, but with all
other drivers ahead of him in the inside line parked in
the pits, and Hommel relegated to the rear, Madden was allowed
to move up behind Weeks for the next attempt to begin the
race.
Once again Weeks and Eckert blasted down into the first
turn side-by-side, but racing off the corner down the backstretch,
Weeks powered into the lead with Eckert, Madden, Sanders
and Jeff Smith in tow. With Jeff Smith apparently choosing
the wrong tire compound he quickly began to back up. First
being passed on lap 2 by Tankersley for fifth, and one circuit
later Clements, Jeff Cooke and Dan Breuer all drove by to
drop him back to ninth in the running order. The caution
waved on lap 5 when Jeff Smith slowed to a stop in turn
two and then headed to the pits for a tire change.
Back under green, Weeks quickly put some breathing room
between his Monte Carlo and the second-running Eckert, who
had his hands full with the hard-charging Madden. On back
in the field, Hommel was riding the high side around Freddy
Smith on lap 7 to move into tenth after restarting the race
on the rear.
Madden slipped under Eckert to grab second racing off turn
four on lap 10, and set his sights on the race leader Weeks.
While dropping low between turns three and four on lap 11
to challenge Weeks for the lead, Madden looped his mount
to bring out the caution.
With Eckert, Sanders, Tankersley and Clements lined up
behind Weeks going back green, the action quickly heated
up for positions three back to eight. Tankersley moved under
Sanders in turn four on lap 12 to move into third, and one
lap later Clements dropped Sanders back to fifth.
Clint Smith was riding in the seventh spot followed by
Cooke. Hommel drove into turn three hard on the top-side
to pass Cooke for eighth on lap 14. While Weeks had a six
car-length advantage over Eckert, Clements was pressuring
Tankersley for third. With Tankersley sliding up out of
the groove in turn four on lap 15, Clements sped past into
the third spot.
Halfway into the 40-lapper, the front-running trio of Weeks,
Eckert and Clements had pulled out to almost a full-straightaway
advantage over Tankersley and Sanders. Freddy Smith, who
was running in tenth, slowed on the backstretch on lap 29
with a flat right-rear tire to necessitate the waving of
the yellow flag.
With only 11 laps remaining for a $5,000 payday, but more
importantly the honor of winning the Grassy Smith Memorial
race, Weeks was in command over Eckert and the youngster
Clements. Evidently the problems on the right rear of Weeks’
car began to materialize between turns one and two on lap
35, because Eckert, the two-time and defending Xtreme DirtCar
Series champion, closed right to his rear bumper racing
down the backstretch into the third turn.
Getting back on the gas between turns three and four, the
right-rear axle and wheel broke on Weeks’ ride and
Eckert cut high to avoid hitting him from behind. For the
first time, Eckert was pacing the field and only five laps
remained to the checkers. Clements gave it all he had, but
Eckert, driving the Raye Vest Excavating/Petroff Towing/Cornett
Race Engines/Rocket/No. 24 Ford Taurus would not be denied
the victory. Clements would come home in the runner up spot,
followed by Tankersley, Clint Smith and Madden.
Completing the top-10 finishers were Sanders, Jeff Smith,
Steve Phillips, Breuer and Freddy Smith.
“GRASSY SMITH MEMORIAL” ($5,000 to
win) – THUNDER VALLEY SPEEDWAY – LAWNDALE, NC
– 9/12/03
1. Rick Eckert #24-York, PA
2. Jeremy Clements #51-Spartanburg, SC
3. Shane Tankersley #T31-Morganton, GA
4. Clint Smith #44-Senoia, GA
5. Chris Madden #44m-Gray Court, SC
6. Doug Sanders #42-Belmont, NC
7. Jeff Smith #70-Dallas, NC
8. Steve Phillips #111-Gaffney, SC
9. Dan Breuer #1b-Mooresville, NC
10. Freddy Smith #00-Knoxville, TN
11. Kerry Jones #6-Bristol, TN
12. Scott Childress #78-Mauldin, SC
13. Ricky Weeks #48-Rutherfordton, NC
14. Jeff Cooke #99-Spartanburg, SC
15. Duayne Hommel #H2-Newport, TN
16. Roger Hamrick #7-Shelby, NC
17. Ray Cook #53-Brasstown, NC
18. Earl Pearson Jr. #1-Jacksonville, FL
19. Mike Duvall #F1-Cowpens, SC
DNS: Dennis “Rambo” Franklin #2-Gaffney, SC
Received September 13, 2003
VINNY TEN SETS RECORDS AND WINS RACES WITH INNOVATIVE/BW-AIRWERKS
TURBO
Import Drag Racer Will Display His Turbocharged
Toyota Supra In
The BorgWarner Turbo Systems Booth At SEMA Show 2003
Asheville, NC (September 12, 2003)—Vinny Ten regularly
qualifies No. 1 and sets low E.T. (elapsed time) at sport
compact drag racing events in his 1995 Toyota Supra. Ten
gives a big chunk of the credit for this success to the
Innovative/BW-AirWerks GTB 88 turbocharger that boosts his
Toyota’s inline six-cylinder engine. With the previous
turbo, Ten’s car made 1,040 horsepower on gasoline.
With the Innovative/BW-AirWerks turbo, the engine produces
1,200 horsepower.
The Innovative/BW-AirWerks GTB 88 turbocharger is the product
of a strategic alliance between BW-AirWerks, the new aftermarket
forced-air performance program from BorgWarner Turbo Systems
(BWTS), and Innovative Turbo Systems of Simi Valley, CA.
BWTS manufactures turbochargers for factory installation
on numerous high-performance vehicles, including the powerful
Audi RS4 Bi-Turbo and the awe-inspiring Porsche 911 Turbo.
BWTS now makes those same turbos—and many more—available
for aftermarket installation as BW-AirWerks models. As BWTS’s
strategic partner, Innovative Turbo Systems works with racers
to help them select the proper turbo and outfit it for maximum
performance in their particular application.
“BorgWarner Turbo Systems and Innovative Turbo Systems
have given me just the trick kind of products that I need
to put me at the head of the pack and keep me there,”
says Ten, who currently is dominating the IDRC (Import Drag
Racing Circuit) Outlaw Class. “They are two of the
best vendor companies in the automotive aftermarket business.”
The feeling is mutual. BW-AirWerks is so impressed with
Ten’s performance using the Innovative/BW-AirWerks
GTB 88 turbocharger that the company has invited Ten to
display his stunning Supra in the BorgWarner Turbo Systems
booth at SEMA Show 2003. The show, which is open to the
trade only, will be held Tuesday, November 4, through Friday,
November 7, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
“Automakers have proven the durability of BW-AirWerks
turbochargers over and over again,” says Thom Miles,
marketing manager, aftermarket division of BorgWarner Turbo
Systems North America. “And racers like Vinny Ten
prove that Innovative/BW-AirWerks turbos produce the kind
of reliable, consistent, serious power that they need to
win races over and over again. Ten’s car has been
the first Toyota Supra to break the 12-, 11-, 10-, 9-, 8-
and 7-second barriers in the quarter-mile running on gas,
with no nitrous and no alcohol. This year, with the extra
boost he’s getting from the Innovative/BW-AirWerks
GTB 88 turbocharger, Ten set a NOPI Drag Racing Association
record at 7.77 seconds. That’s amazing performance
from a six-cylinder. Vinny is a terrific engine builder
and a skilled racer, and we are thrilled to have him and
his car in our booth at this year’s SEMA Show.”
About BW-AirWerks
BW-AirWerks is the new aftermarket forced-air technology
program from BorgWarner Turbo Systems. For distributor information
and more details about the BW-AirWerks performance line,
please send e-mail requests to AirWerks@turbos.bwauto.com
or visit www.turbodriven.com. BorgWarner Turbo Systems North
America also may be contacted by mail at P.O. Box 15075,
Asheville, NC 28813-0075, by phone at 800-787-6464 or by
fax at 800-424-6464.
About BorgWarner Turbo Systems
BorgWarner Turbo Systems is a full-service supplier of turbocharger
systems for enhanced engine performance, reduced exhaust
emissions and improved fuel economy. BorgWarner Turbo Systems
is a division of the globally active automotive supplier
BorgWarner Inc.
BorgWarner Inc. (NYSE: BWA) is a product leader in highly
engineered components and systems for vehicle powertrain
applications worldwide. The company operates manufacturing
and technical facilities in 50 locations in 14 countries.
Customers include Ford, DaimlerChrysler, General Motors,
Toyota, Honda, Caterpillar, Navistar International, PSA
and VW Group. The Internet address for BorgWarner is www.bwauto.com.
For further information, contact BorgWarner Corporate Communications
at 312-322-8500. Investor conference calls are webcast by
Thomson/PR Newswire <http://www.firstcallevents.com/service/ajwz360787367gf12.html>.
About Innovative Turbo Systems
Innovative Turbo Systems (ITS) provides simply the best
in performance turbochargers, components, accessories, systems
and service. Since ITS is made up of racers, it provides
racers’ insights into problem solving and product
selection. The ITS team’s competitive nature, technical
expertise and hands-on approach drives it to develop innovative
new products that outperform all others. For more information,
contact Innovative Turbo Systems, 845 Easy St. #102, Simi
Valley, CA 93065, 805-526-5400, or visit www.innovativeturbo.com.
Received September 13, 2003
NAT’L DIRT LATE MODEL HALL OF FAME WELCOME NEW EXEC
BOARD MEMBERS
Riverside, OH --- The National Dirt Late Model Hall of
Fame (NDLMHOF) recently announced the addition of four new
members to the Executive Board of the NDLMHOF who will help
with the administration of the organization and work on
various projects. Joining the Executive Board are Bret Emrick,
James Essex, Tony Hammett and Rick Eshelman,
Emrick, who resides in Ohio, is the Race Director, Public
Relations Director and Series Announcer for the Renegade
Dirt Car Racing Series. Emrick has spent 20 years in the
sport as a track announcer and the past ten years with the
Renegade series in his current positions. Emrick also serves
as one of the emcees for the annual NDLMHOF Induction Ceremonies.
Essex, who lives in Indiana, has spent the past couple
decades in the sport as an announcer, public relations director
and promoter. He is currently on the management team and
serves as the public relations director and series announcer
for the STARS Battle of the Bluegrass series.
Hammett, of South Carolina, has been recognized as one
of the sport’s top photographers who has had his work
published in scores of newspapers and magazines. He has
been a professional motorsports photographer for nearly
20 years.
Eshelman has been a professional announcer for nearly
20 years is the Eldora Speedway announcer. Eshelman has
also announced professional racing events all across the
country, which he continues to do.
“With growth of the National Dirt Late Model Hall
of Fame and with so many projects going on, and others on
the backburner, we felt it necessary to add some new members
to the Executive Board that will help us facilitate much
of the work that needs to be done,” stated Bill Holder,
Executive Director of the NDLMHOF. “Bret, James, Tony
and Rick join our other eight board members and we are mighty
pleased to have four quality, sincere and dedicated individuals
to help our board and to also help oversee our 42-member
voting board as well.”
“The entire operation operated by volunteers and
there are no salaries, we put every penny into the Hall
of Fame, so we appreciate these four gentleman devoting
and donating their valuable time to help in this venture.
Since our 501.C3 Non-Profit Status designation has been
made official it has opened the door to a considerable amount
of work that needs to be done but I feel with the outstanding
positive support form the public and our hard-working Executive
Board members we will be up to the task.”
Official sponsors signed to the NDLMHOF include Arizona
Sport Shirts, Hoosier Tire Midwest, DIRT LATE MODEL Magazine,
CJ Rayburn Race Cars, Dirt America Online, Fisher Race Engines,
Florence Speedway, Dirt-Racers, OnTheEdge Graphics, Mastersbilt
Race Cars, Rocket Chassis, GRT Race Cars, and Dirtwearmall.com.
Parties interested in becoming an official sponsor of the
NDLMHOF should contact Holder.
For more information on the NDLMHOF contact Holder at:
937-233-0924 or via email at: BILLHOLDER@webtv.net
Received September 13, 2003
NATIONAL DIRT LATE MODEL HALL OF FAME INVITES PARTICIPATION
Riverside, OH --- The National Dirt Late Model Hall of
Fame (NDLMHOF) recently held their third induction ceremony
before a large crowd at Florence Speedway in late August
and with the conclusion of the festivities the executive
board looks forward to assembling the NDLMHOF Class of 2004.
With that in mind officials of the NDLMHOF have extended
an invitation to the racing community to be a part of the
nomination process.
“We are currently assembling a list of potential
nominees that will go on the ballot in December that will
be sent out to the voting members,” explained Bill
Holder, Executive Director of the NDLMHOF. “At our
last meeting some of the executive board members felt it
was important to get the feedback and input from a cross
section of people throughout the dirt Late Model community,
whether they are race fans, drivers, promoters, crew members,
manufacturers, whatever their designation.”
With that in mind the NDLMHOF is inviting submissions
of possible names to be considered for inclusion on the
final ballot for selecting the Class of 2004.
“What we would like people to do is if they feel
strongly about someone who they feel is deserving to be
placed on the nominee list then they should send that person’s
name and some background information on their choice in
to us,” continued Holder. “Those names who receive
the most multiple submissions will be placed in their respective
categories.”
The categories that are open for submission include the
“Retired Drivers” category, the “Outstanding
Contribution to the Sport” category and “The
Masters” category, which is reserved for active drivers
with a minimum of 30 years racing experience.
Submissions can be sent to Holder via email at: billholder@webtv.net
or via mail to: 3811 Berryleaf Court, Riverside, Ohio 45424.
A deadline of November 1, 2003 has been set.
The final ballot with nominees will be sent to the 42
member voting board in December with tabulations conducted
on January 1. The NDLMHOF Class of 2004 will be announced
shortly thereafter.
Holder also announced that in the coming weeks announcements
will be made concerning new executive board members, 2004
sponsorship for the NDLMHOF, progress on Phase One of the
NDLMHOF Building Project, and a revamped website, among
other items.
Official sponsors signed to the NDLMHOF include Arizona
Sport Shirts, Hoosier Tire Midwest, DIRT LATE MODEL Magazine,
CJ Rayburn Race Cars, Dirt America Online, Fisher Race Engines,
Florence Speedway, Dirt-Racers, OnTheEdge Graphics, Mastersbilt
Race Cars, Rocket Chassis, GRT Race Cars, and Dirtwearmall.com.
Parties interested in becoming an official sponsor of the
NDLMHOF should contact Holder.
For more information on the NDLMHOF contact Holder at:
937-233-0924 or via email at: BILLHOLDER@webtv.net
Received September 11, 2003
October 2-4 1st Annual West Tennessee Street Stock Championship
at Clayhill Motorsports Speedway (TN)
Clayhill Motorsports Inc
Atwood, TN
Track: (731) 669-3939
info@clayhillmotorsports.com
Practice on the 2nd, Heat race on the 3rd, B-Mains
and 50 lap feature on the 4th.
Rules:
Must weigh 3300 lbs with driver after race
Minimum wheel base 101 inches
All cars must remain stock
All cars must run ashpalt pulloffs
Bars may be added, front and rear to protect radiator and
gas tank - no exterior bars
Radiators in engine compartment only
Engines must be in stock position
All cars must use 2 barrell carburetors
No more than 500 CFM maximum 1 1/16 throttle bore maximum
Holleys OK
Headers OK
Stock distributor, stock fuel pump, no electric fuel pump
Must have working clutch and transmission
No after market transmission
Clutch must be on crankshift
Shocks must be in stock position
Racing shocks OK
No weight jacks, no double shocks, and no torque absorbing
devices
Rear ends may be locked
10 inch wheel maximum
$500 motor claim exchange
Bead locks optional on right rear only
Front shocks in stock position
Any car on lead lap claim winner only
Pay him $500 plus his motor (in running condition)
All cars must have lift chains in front and rear
No mirrors
Must have racing seatbelts
Gas - No alcohol
Full stock floor plan back to rear-end yoke
Must have front and rear enclosed except where lights go
Any aluminum intake
Click
here for printable form
More Info at http://www.clayhillmotorsports.com
Received September 11, 2003
R.J. Conley Picks Up Top Ten Run at World 100
(WHEELERSBURG, OHIO) The Conley Motorsports, Inc. team
was out in full force this past weekend at the 33rd annual
World 100 at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, OH. R.J. Conley
had the most success of the three Conley drivers, as he
made the $36,000 to win World 100 and ran in the Top Ten
throughout the event. R.J. wound up 7th in his Conley Trucking
#71c Rocket / Draime Grand Prix. He was able to make the
star-studded field by finishing third in his heat race.
Delmas and Rod did not have as much success as R.J. did,
however. Delmas, the patriarch of the racing Conley family,
could only muster a ninth place finish in his heat race
and Rod was only able to get up to the 11th place spot in
his heat race. Both of them joined the other 198 entrants
that did not make the prestigious 24-car starting field
for the World 100.
This weekend will bring another busy weekend for the Conley’s,
as they will compete in a couple of Renegade events scheduled
for Friday and Saturday. Friday’s event will be the
$10,000 to win postponed event at Portsmouth Raceway Park
in nearby Portsmouth, OH. R.J. won his heat race and will
roll off 7th for the 100-lapper at PRP, while his brother
Rod will start from the 21st spot. Delmas did not make the
show, but is one of the alternates in case some drivers
do not come back for the postponed event. Saturday night,
all three Conley’s will be in action at K-C Raceway
in Chillicothe, OH for another $10,000 Renegade event. For
more information on these two Renegade shows, log on to
www.renegadedirtcar.com.
For the latest news on all three Conley’s, check
out their website located at www.conleymotorsportsinc.com.
Received September 11, 2003
Wendell Wallace Looks to Repeat at I-44 Speedway
(BATESVILLE, ARKANSAS) Wendell Wallace and the #88 team
will be back in action this coming weekend in the $10,000
MARS-sanctioned show at Lebanon I-44 Speedway in Lebanon,
MO. Wendell was able to pick up the checkers the last time
he visited I-44, as he captured a $3,000 show in August
at the speedway. The team hopes for a similar finish when
they return to Lebanon again this Friday and Saturday.
The team is coming off a disappointing weekend at Eldora
Speedway in Rossburg, OH at the 33rd annual World 100. Wendell
finished seventh in his heat race in his J&J Steel /
MSE Distributing #88 GRT / Craft Ford Taurus to make the
consolation event for the $36,000 to win show at the famous
½-mile speedway in Ohio. He broke in the consolation
event and had to load up and head back to Arkansas without
the chance to compete in the 100-lapper.
For the latest news and schedule information on Wendell
Wallace Autosports, check out their website at www.wendellwallace.com.
Received September 11, 2003
Brian Birkhofer Lands Fourth Place Finish in 33rd Annual
World 100
(MUSCATINE, IOWA) Brian Birkhofer Racing posted another
strong run in an event at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, OH,
as they picked up a fourth place finish in the 33rd annual
running of the World 100. Brian came in as the defending
champion of the event and had high hopes of repeating and
taking the $36,000 winners check back to Iowa. It was not
to be; however, as Brian ran over a piece of lead while
coming to the front from his thirteenth place starting spot.
“I don’t think we had enough to get Dan because
he was so strong all night long, but I think we could have
got up to second if we hadn’t run over that lead,”
said Birky from his shop on Monday. “It messed up
the cross-member and our car was never the same after that.
I am glad though that we could at least land a top five
finish and hopefully we can keep running up front and gain
some points in the remaining Xtreme races.”
In preliminary action at the fast ½-mile, high bank
facility, Brian posted the 19th fastest time of the 222
cars that took time. That started him fourth in his heat
race, which he finished third in to advance to the 100-lap
World 100.
Brian will come into the Xtreme DirtCar Series event this
Thursday night at Lavonia Speedway in Lavonia, GA in the
second spot in the point standings. After Lavonia, the team
will take a couple of days off to get ready for the Sunday
Xtreme event at Cherokee Speedway in Gaffney, SC. Both shows
will pay the winner $10,000 for their efforts. Brian has
decided to take the Southern AllStar Series-sanctioned show
at Lowes (NC) Motor Speedway on Saturday off his schedule
for the current time. He wants to concentrate on making
sure his Seubert Calf Ranches / Daufeldt Transports / Double
Eagle Sales & Embroidery #15b MasterSbilt / Pro Power
Monte Carlo is in tip-top shape for the Xtreme schedule.
You can listen live to the two Xtreme events this weekend
at the Xtreme DirtCar Series website, located at www.xtremedirtcars.com.
For the latest news and information on Brian Birkhofer
Racing, you can log on to www.brianbirkhoferracing.com.
You can also find pictures of Brian’s commemorative
World 100 car that he raced last weekend at Eldora on his
site.
Received September 11, 2003
Racing Returns to Springfield with 12th Annual Illinois
Fall Nationals
Macon, IL September 9, 2003—The last auto race of
the season on the Illinois fairground mile dirt tracks promises
to be one of blazing speed and close competition as the
United Midwestern Promoters Late Model and Modified Series
invade the “World’s Fastest Mile Dirt Track”
at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Sunday, September 14 for
the 12th annual Turbo Blue Illinois Fall Nationals. Track
Enterprises CEO and race promoter Bob Sargent has posted
a total purse that exceeds $50,000, with $12,000 awarded
to the winner of the 40-lap late model feature, and $2000
going to the winner of the 20-mile modified event.
Well over 100 race cars are expected to make the tow to
Springfield, Illinois for the 12th annual Fall Nationals,
an event that keeps growing since it’s inception in
1992. Many of the biggest stars and best drivers from the
UMP Late Model series and the Modified series are expected
to be in Springfield, as well as many drivers from local
and area race tracks. Five different states are represented
on the late model and modified preliminary entry list, with
several more expected by race time.
The defending winner of the Fall Nationals late model event
is expected to compete Sunday. Two-time Fall nationals late
model winner Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa is the driver
of the Seubert Calf Ranches-McDonald’s sponsored late
model and won the 2002 World 100 at Eldora. Birkhofer is
a fan favorite across the upper Midwest and really looks
forward to competing on the large, high speed race tracks.
Batesville, Arkansas Billy Moyer has been an annual attendee
of the Illinois Fall Nationals, becoming the only driver
to claim four late model wins in the event at the Illinois
State Fairgrounds. Moyer, a five time winner of the World
100 at Eldora, is the current one-lap track late model track
record holder at Springfield, the DuQuoin and Indiana State
Fairgrounds and the only driver in late model racing history
to post feature wins on all three of those historic facilities.
Moyer’s Car City-Hawkeye Truck Sales teammate is
local favorite Shannon Babb of Decatur, Illinois. Babb,
nicknamed the “Decatur Invader”, is a member
of the Babb racing family of central Illinois, and became
the first central Illinois driver to post a major win on
the Illinois State Fair mile when he captured his first
Illinois Fall Nationals late model win in 2001.
Birkhofer had a lot of competition during last year’s
UMP Late Model Fall Nationals event, which was rained out
on it’s original date and run September 29. With 46
late models in attendance, Gary Webb set fast time with
a lap of 28.822, 124.905 miles an hour in qualifications.
Birkhofer won the second heat, setting an 8 lap track record
of over 121 miles an hour in the process. That record was
short-lived, however, as Don O’Neal smashed the 8
lap record in the third heat, with a time of 3:52.60, a
speed of 123.818 miles an hour. O’Neal also set a
new 4 lap record for the late models in the dash, over 120
miles an hour for the 4 miles.
In the feature it was all Birkhofer, who led the 40 mile
distance from start to finish. Moyer took the second slot,
with Webb third, O’Neal fourth and Springfield’s
own Joe Ross in the fifth position.
Other stars of the UMP Late Model series expected to compete
at Springfield include Dennis Erb of Carpentersville, Illinois,
a former LaSalle and Kankakee track champion, Al Atkinson
of Wisconsin and Rob Kirchner of Iowa.
Illinois late model drivers who may compete at Springfield
on Sunday include Steve Sheppard (presently 6th in the UMP
National Points) and Ed Bauman of New Berlin, Jeff Leka
of Buffalo, Tim Lance of Mapleton, Mike Fannin of Leroy,
Jason Frankel of Quincy, Dave Smith of Monticello, Matt
Taylor, Joe Ross Jr., Roger Brickler, and Brian Shirley
(currently 11th in the UMP standings) of Springfield.
Area drivers who may be on the late model entry list include
three time UMP National Late Model champion Ed Dixon of
Washington, Missouri, Denny Ekrich of Tiffin, Iowa, former
NASCAR weekly champ and two time UMP champ Gary Webb of
Blue Grass, Iowa, second generation driver Chris Smyser
of Lancaster, Missouri and young sensation Kyle Steffens
of St. Charles, Missouri.
The UMP Modified event traditionally draws a large number
of machines and drivers to Springfield, and Sunday should
be no exception.
Jim Shereck of St. Charles, Missouri is the defending winner
of the Fall Nationals modified feature, and is expected
to return to defend his title in the Dairy Queen-Imo’s
Pizza Special. Shereck excels on the big mile dirt tracks,
he is the only three time winner of modified events at the
DuQuoin State Fair "Magic Mile".
Over seventy modifieds pulled onto the Illinois State Fairgrounds
last September in search of the $2000 first prize. The large
field made six heats necessary for the modifieds, plus two
semi features. While no new track records were set in the
modified class, five of the six heat races were run without
a yellow flag. Steve Adams, Denny Schwartz, Curt Rhoades,
Shereck, Greg Hughes and Hank Delonjay won the heat races,
with Jim Leka and former ARCA stock car driver Mark Voight
taking the semi-features.
The feature was extremely competitive, with Denny Schwartz
leading the first thirteen laps, before being overtaken
by Shereck on the fourteenth go around. Shereck then cruised
to a $2000 payday, and his third mile track win, having
won twice at DuQuoin.
Competing against Shereck in the modified division will
be former two-time Fall Nationals winner and three-time
winner of the Wynn’s Sportsman event in August, Jeff
Leka of Buffalo, Illinois. Leka won the modified track championship
this season at the Farmer City Raceway, is a former NASCAR
weekly racing series national champion and runs very well
on the mile tracks. Currently Leka sits 8th in the UMP Modified
National points chase.
Other drivers of note expected in the modified class include
Kyle Steffens of St. Charles, Missouri, Brandon Maxwell
of Milan, Tennessee and Tony Roland of Valparaiso, Indiana.
Illinois drivers who have entered the modified division
include Donnie Lehmann of Springfield, Kyle Logue of Oreana,
Denny Schwartz of Ashmore (the current point leader at Charleston
and 2nd in the UMP National standings), Al Crawley of Decatur,
Hank Delonjay of Quincy and Mark Voight, winner of the Oldani
Memorial at DuQuoin, of Marine. Curt Rhodes of Taylorville,
the current UMP Modified point leader at the Terre Haute
Action Track is also entered, as is last year’s Oldani
Memorial winner at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, Brian
Shaw of Robinson.
Gates for the competitors open at 7 a.m. Sunday, with the
Illinois State Fairgrounds grandstand open at 9. Practice
begins at 10, with qualifications for the late models at
11. Late model drivers will be taking aim at Billy Moyer’s
one lap track record of 28.175, 127.773 miles an hour set
in September of 1996.
Racing action for the 12th annual Turbo Blue Illinois Fall
Nationals is set for 1 p.m. with heat races, semi features
and the feature events for both divisions. Tickets are $25
for adults, $10 for children and may be obtained by calling
Track Enterprises at 217-764-3200, at the Illinois State
Fair Box Office or at Ticketmaster locations.
Additional information may be obtained by calling Track
Enterprises, or on their web site at www.trackenterprises.com.
Received September 9, 2003
Wayne Johnson Looking for a Ride for Rest of 2003
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - September 8, 2003 - Wayne Johnson
- With the Knoxville Raceway weekly season at an end and
his car owner finished for the rest of the year, Wayne Johnson
of Oklahoma City Oklahoma is currently looking for a ride
to finish out the 2003 race season, he announced Monday.
Wayne, in his first full season behind the wheel of the
familiar Bob Vielhauer #12x sprinter out of Kansas City,
competed for the Knoxville Raceway track championship. Despite
a couple of crashes throughout the season, Wayne managed
one feature victory at the famed half mile and ended the
season sixth in series points, just ninety points out of
the top five. It was enough, however, to earn him the tracks
410 rookie of the year award. "It was a good season
with Bob and the entire team," according to Wayne.
"They gave me some top notch equipment and I am grateful
for them giving me the opportunity to drive their race car
every week." Along with running Knoxville weekly, the
team also competed in many different racing series, including
the World of Outlaws, American Sprint Car Series, National
Championship Racing Association and the All-Star Circuit
of Champions. Among the highlights was a strong third place
finish during Knoxville Nationals preliminary action where
he held of veteran Steve Kinser for much of the feature
event, thus earning the respect of both fans and veteran
drivers alike. He also finished sixth at Southern Iowa Speedway
in Oskaloosa Iowa during the non-wing Ultimate Challenge
race after starting the feature sixteenth.
After the season ended, Bob gave Wayne a call to let him
know their season was done. "All Bob really wanted
to do was compete for the Knoxville championship and we
gave it our best shot. He called me a couple of days ago
and said that he was done for the rest of the year. There
are no hard feelings at all, he was just done racing this
year."
Wayne is a 2000 ASCS National champion along with the 2000
Knoxville 360 Nationals champion, finished second with the
NCRA outlaws in 2001 on his way to the series rookie of
the year award and last year competed with the World of
Outlaw Gumout series where he finished fourth in series
points and also earning rookie of the year honors.
"I am looking to run anything and anywhere," he
said. "There are a lot of big shows coming up the next
couple of months and whether its with the outlaws, the All-Stars,
ASCS or the Southern California Racing Association it doesn't
matter. I am just ready to race."
If any car owner is interested in supplying Wayne a ride
for the rest of the 2003 race season, you can contact him
(405) 226-9299.
Received September 9, 2003
News and Notes from the 53rd Ted Horn Memorial at DuQuoin
Rich Tobias finally shed the bridesmaid label Satruday night
in what may have been the finest USAC Weld Racing Silver Crown
championship dirt car race of the year, and perhaps the best
DuQuoin race in many years. The second generation shoe from
Annville, Pennsylvania had been second many times, including
on the miles at Syracuse and the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
It seemed only a matter of time before he found victory lane
in one of the big cars, a division his father the late Dick
Tobias competed in but never won one of the coveted dirt car
races. Tobias' task took on a new meaning after the Springfield
event three weeks ago, when he destroyed the car he designed
and built in a barrell roll near the end of the Tony Bettenhausen
100. Tobias had to convert the sprint car he intended to take
to the MoPar Million at Eldora into a dirt car, and the rain
out on Labor Day weekend allowed additional time to prepare
the unique looking creation.
However, Saturday night Tobias was not able to take a qualifying
time, and started shotgun on the field in the last chance
race. Tobias was able to climb to fifth in the fifteen lap
affair, meaning he would start 25th in the 100-mile Horn Memorial.
It became a treat for the fans to watch the progress of the
blue and yellow 17, as he picked off cars lap after lap, finally
taking the lead at the three quarter mark from J.J. Yeley,
who began to fade. But Tobias couldn't cruise, as a fast closing
Dave Darland was on a mission to take his first DuQuoin win.
A caution for Tyler Walker's stopped car allowed Darland to
close, and he looked inside of the leader, but a drying fuel
tank left the Lincoln, Indiana driver fading in the pack.
Donnie Beechler stepped up to pressure Tobias, but ran out
of time as Tobias captured his first 100-miler in the big
cars.
Tobias became the ninth driver to capture his first USAC Silver
Crown win on the "Magic Mile" at DuQuoin, the last
being young Kasey Kahne in 2000. Tobias became the 32nd different
winner of the Ted Horn Memorial, and the 35th different winner
in the 58 championship dirt car races held at DuQuoin since
1948. By starting 25th, Tobias became the first driver in
DuQuoin history to win the Ted Horn Memorial after making
the race through the semi-feature since the semi was instituted
by USAC in 1977. The 25th starting slot marks the furthest
back any Horn winner has ever started, and the only time the
race winner posted no qualification time when qualifications
for the race were held.
Tobias victory also broke a stranglehold that the Bob East
Beast chassis had on the Horn Memorial, Beast cars had won
the last three Horn Memorials and five out of the last seven.
It appears from reords available, that Tobias is the first
driver who actually designed and built his own winning car
in the 55 year history of championship racing at DuQuoin!
The Springfield mile at the Illinois State Fairgrounds has
carried the moniker, "World's Fastest One Mile Dirt Track",
and still does. It holds speed records for motorcycles, ARCA
Stock Cars, winged and non-winged sprint cars, midgets, modifieds
and late model stock cars. Until Saturday night, it held the
world's fastest dirt track qualifying lap for a championship
dirt car as well, the 29.988 (120.048) lap of Robby Flock
in September of 1996. However, it appears Springfield may
have a fast closing cousin in the southern Illinois oval.
Practice did not produce any record breaking times, yet DuQuoin
has always been a track that gets faster as more rubber is
laid down. WIth all the recent rains and the cool evening,
no one was quite sure what the track would do, but it appeared
the track record probably wasn't going to fall unless someone
was sandbagging in practice. Dave Darland, heading out 22nd
in the order, knocked Tracy Hines off the pole with a 30.720
first circuit, then lowered the pole time to 30.508. Chief
rival J.J. Yeley was four slots behind, and he put Darland
in the second slot with a 30.332 first lap, bettering that
with a 30.297 second lap. Looking at the remaining qualifiers,
it wasn't apparent that anyone could knock Yeley off the pole,
much less better Ed Carpenter's year old record of 30.093.
The shocker came five minutes after Yeley went out.
Nineteen year old Teddy Beach, a midget shoe from Ohio, is
in his first season in the big dirt cars and was impressive
in qualifying both at the Indiana State Fairgrounds and Springfield.
However, DuQuoin can be a tricky place even for a veteran
driver, so one might assume that a rookie wouldn't catch on
so soon. Beach would soon shatter that theory.
Planting the right rear of the pearl white and neon red 15
on the cushion, Beach barely lifted the gas pedal as he backed
the family Beast into turn one, performing the same feat in
three and four. Crossing the line, it appeared the clock malfunctioned
as the number, 29.947 appeared, a new track record and the
first DuQuoin championship car lap in history over the magical
120 mile an hour barrier! Not only did Beach set a new DuQuoin
record, but he set a world record one-mile dirt track qualifying
lap for the Silver Crown cars in the process, just the second
over the magical 120 mile an hour barrier. In doing so, Beach
became just the seventh rookie in 55 years to start from the
pole at DuQuoin.
Track Enterprises CEO and president Bob Sargent and staff
did a wonderful job of preparing the surface Saturday night,
with the track record falling fans anticipated a great race
and got it. The drivers in the semi obviously learned a great
deal, and a cushion ride was the order of the night. By the
checkered flag, the cushion was pushed clear out to the outer
wall, and tire marks could be seen between turns one an two.
The racing was a real throwback to the days of rooster tails
and skinny tires, and very very entertaining. A walk of the
track afterwards found a still tacky racing surface.
Track improvements continue at DuQuoin, a new judges stand
is supposed to be on the way for 2004, and rumors abound that
some pavement will be in the pit area next year. In fact,
due to a still muddy and soggy infield, the big rigs parked
outside turn three, allowing fans to see turn three and four
completely for the first time in many years, something that
drew a loud round of applause from the paying customers. USAC's
Silver Crown cars do this at Indianapolis Raceway Park, and
the custom may continue at DuQuoin as well. Reports have the
state considering the installation of lights at Springfield
as well, and with the Springfield track traditionally being
faster than DuQuoin, and Darland and Hines eight tenths of
a second under the track record in practice during the day
in August, night time racing at Springfield could see a sub
29 second qualifying lap, and a specatcular cushion ride as
well.
A pretty good crowd returned Saturday, considering that Southern
Illinois University's football team was playing Southeast
Missouri in Cape Girardeau before a record crowd, and a number
of Saturday night tracks were returning. Unanimous praise
was heard from the fans in the pits after the race for the
action, the lights, and unanimous votes were heard for a Sunday
night Silver Crown race during the fair next year. Fair officials
did take note of the great action and the nice sized crowd.
Darland had a rollercoaster night, but his performance was
just about as entertaining as Tobias. Starting fourth, he
quickly moved to second and was closing on leader Yeley when
Wes Miller executed a nasty flip in turn three. Darland spun,
with minor damage, but the accident took out point contender
Dave Steele and top five pilot John Heydenriech. No one was
hurt, except Steele's chances at the title. Darland, however,
entertained the throng by coming from the tail to challenge
for the lead by lap 90, but the fuel supply dwindled dropping
him to seventh.
Springfield, Illinois' Donnie Beechler had a tremendous ride,
coming from sixteenth to second at the end and closing very
fast. Donnie started the night with a skelton crew, but picked
the right set up and waited patiently the first 50 miles.
Had there been five more laps, Donnie might have become the
first Illinois resident since Don Branson in 1965 to win the
Ted Horn 100.
Other drivers with a good night at DuQuoin were Kevin "Pup"
Huntley (21st to 4th), rookie Ron Gregory (8th) and veterans
Russ Gamester (9th, a former winner) and Johnny Parsons (10th,
a former winner). Drivers with hard luck included veteran
Roger Rager, who timed third but blew an engine on the opening
lap, former winner Tony Elliot whose car quit on lap 36, Tyler
Walker who ran out of fuel on lap 88, and Beach who lost the
powerplant on lap 92.
Walker had a great opportunity Thursday night, running the
NASCAR Truck race at Richmond for Jim Smith's Ultra team,
as a third truck to Ted Musgrave and Jimmy Spencer. Qualifying
was washed out, so Walker started 34th on owner points and
moved to 8th before a cut tire sent him into the wall.
J.J. Yeley looked much better after his Springfield fiasco.
Entering the fairgrounds in his gleaming black PT Cruiser,
Yeley appeared to be relaxed and confident, which showed in
his quick qualifying lap. At the start, he outdragged Beach
into turn one and appeared he might dominate the race. But
a push devloped late in the race, and he was able to hang
on to third at the end.
Jerry Coons secured another top ten in the Galen Fox team
car, placing 7th in the white Plastic Express.
Forty-two cars were on the final entry list, with 41 drawing
pills for qualifying. Jonathan Vennard made the top 20 in
the Mucci-Matazak 99, but the car blew up on the second lap.
Six time DuQuoin winning crew chief Bob Galas was in attendance
with his beautiful orange and white 12, but the car never
made it past practice with Brian Tyler. Mike Hess, the Petersburg,
Illinois midget ace, broke an engine firing up for hot laps.
Oklahoma City sprint shoe Larry Neighbors encountered teething
problems with his new car, while Wayne Reutimann made the
tow from Florida and made the 100-miler. Another driver who
made the main event was vet Jerry Nemire, recovered from his
hard ARCA crash on Labor Day at DuQuoin. Aaron Fike ran in
the Zarounian 67, fresh off the Indy Racing Infiniti Pro Series
event at Chicago. Jay Drake looked stong in George Snider's
MoPar 11, but crashed hard in practice and the team loaded
up for home.
No shows were the Mataka 31, the 6R Racing 21 and 85, the
Depalma 64, Danny Long's 68 and Murray Erickson's 71. Drivers
who might have been in attendance included Ed Carpenter, Kevin
Newton, Kenny Jacobs, Donny Schatz, Greg Wilson and Bud Kaeding.
One driver who was sorely missed was Jack Hewitt, still on
the mend from his injuries last season.
Saturday night's event marked the 7th time in ten years the
Horn Memorial has been red flagged due to an accident. As
a result, no time and speed of the race were recorded.
Congrats go out to Springfield and DuQuoin announcer Jim Childers,
celebrating 20 years at the miles. Childers feat merited a
full page article in the race program, and an award from ARCA
driver Ken Rowley on Labor Day.
As has been reported, there was an accident prior to practice
involving one of the state trucks and a state worker. It is
still unknown how or why the accident happened, and an investigation
continues.
The Silver Crown cars venture to Tulsa next weekend for the
Tulsa 100 on the revamped 3/4 mile Tulsa fairgrounds, an event
that is generating great interest.
Received September 9, 2003
Received September 5, 2003
Received September 5, 2003
STEVE FRANCIS NEWS AND NOTES: World 100
(Ashland, KY) Steve Francis will carry the Valvoline and
Mopar Performance brands to Rossburg OH this weekend for
the 33rd Annual World 100 at Eldora Speedway. Francis has
a rich history at the famed Ohio dirt track with his biggest
win coming in the 1999 World 100. Steve has visited Eldora
Speedway twice this season with the Kentucky Colonel’s
best finish coming during the month of June at the DREAM
event where Francis finished 4th. Steve claimed a top-10
finish last season during the World 100 with a 13th place
finish.
Steve continues to extend his success in the state of Ohio
this season with 2 wins and 4 top-5 finishes in 5 events.
This past weekend Francis and the Rocket Chassis crew recorded
a 7th place finish at Atomic Motor Speedway in Knoxville,
TN for the 13th Annual Fox 43/Advance Auto Parts 100 Xtreme
DirtCar Series sanctioned event. This marks Francis’
47th top- 10 finish of the season and moved the Valvoline
and Mopar sponsored driver within 3 points for third place
in the Xtreme DirtCar Series points chase.
The Valvoline and Mopar colors will return to Tyler County
Speedway located in Middlebourne, WV this Sunday (September
7) as Francis and the Rocket Chassis crew will compete in
the Hillbilly 100. Francis set fast time during the 2002
event and rounded out the event with an 8th place finish.
In the last ten events, Francis has rallied for four top-5
and eight top-10 finishes including one victory in the Moring
Motorsports Rocket entry.
For more information Steve Francis, please log onto to,
www.stevefrancisracing.com
Steve Francis Racing Upcoming Events
September 5-6, 2003 @ Eldora Speedway: World 100
September 7, 2003 @ Tyler County Speedway: Hillbilly 100
September 11, 2003 @ Lavonia Speedway: Xtreme DirtCar Series
Steve Francis Racing Fast Facts:
Events: 59
Top-5: 32
Top-10: 47
Wins: 6
Average Finish: 6th
Received September 5, 2003
Kittleson And Bob Steele Racing Crew Shine In Minnesota
Rookie Turns In The Race’s Fastest
Lap Before Mechanical Problems Slow Run
CONCORD, NC (September 3, 2003) – Rookie Travis Kittleson
will be the first to tell anyone that his Bob Steele Chevrolet
team is the biggest reason he currently sits sixth in the
ASA National Championship point standings. The team proved
again this weekend why they are one of the top crews in
the series, shining in the Impact Racing Pit Stop Competition
and overcoming serious adversity to salvage a respectable
finish in Monday’s Greased Lightning Orange Blast
400 at Elko (MN) Speedway.
Kittleson qualified third after dominating the weekend’s
practice session’s at the 3/8-mile bullring. Travis
quickly jumped out front, settled into second spot and hounded
leader Joey Clanton for 30 laps before the first round of
pit stops brought the R/T Racing team to pit road.
“We had an awesome car,” said Kittleson. “I
really think our car and Joey’s (Clanton) car were
the ones to beat. But we knew this was a long race (400
laps), so we were just biding our time. We wanted to save
the car for the end. Unfortunately, we came into the pits
and as we were leaving, the rear axle snapped.
“My (crew) guys busted their butts to get the thing
changed and get us back out there without losing too many
laps. Thankfully, it was under caution, so we only lost
three laps. I don’t know any other team that would
have changed an axle that quick. It was a real bummer for
the team because we had such a good car, but I was so proud
of my guys. They really showed what they were made of right
there. I couldn’t thank them enough on the radio.”
Kittleson’s car remained fast, making up one lap
during green flag conditions. Despite turning in the fastest
lap of the race, Kittleson ran out of time and came home
17th, two laps off of the pace.
“We really made some ground up on everyone this weekend.
This was our race to win, but once again, we suffered through
some mechanical bad luck. We just can’t control these
kinds of things, but we are not going to let that get us
down. We are still right on the edge of winning that first
race, and with the effort my guys put into the whole weekend,
I think it may come pretty soon.”
The team also competed in the Impact Racing ASA National
Pit Stop Challenge on Saturday and Sunday. In Saturday’s
preliminaries, the team placed second of 19 competing teams
and qualified for Sunday’s finals. During the finals,
the team turned in another fast stop and came home fifth.
The Bob Steele Chevrolet team will now have several weeks
off to regroup before returning to action on September 20th
at Illiana Motor Speedway in Schereville, Indiana.
In the meantime, Travis will make the trip to Richmond
(VA) this coming weekend to get acquainted with the stars
of the NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch Series at Richmond International
Raceway.
Despite the team’s top-six position in the point
standings, they are still looking for sponsorship to help
them in their quest for the 2003 ASA Rookie of the Year
title. For inquiries, call the team at 321-693-6700 and
be sure to visit traviskittleson.com for more information.
Received September 3, 2003
Information on the Sedalia Shootout
Received September 3, 2003
Notes from the ARCA Federated 100 at DuQuoin
Well, Tony Stewart finally got one. No, it wasn't the Brickyard
brick, or a Daytona or Southern 500 trophy, nor his face on
the Borg-Warner trophy. Stewart took a page out of the playbook
of his boyhood hero A.J. Foyt Sunday, winning the Federated-Southern
Illinois 100 for the ARCA RE/MAX series on Labor Day at DuQuoin.
While Foyt may be known for his four Indy 500 triumphs, America's
greatest racing driver made his name and captured the hearts
of fans nationwide on the nation's fairground mile dirt tracks.
Foyt won from coast to coast, taking victories at Sacramento,
Springfield, the Indiana State Fairgrounds, and of course,
DuQuoin. "SuperTex" won twenty-six times alone on
mile dirt tracks in championship machinery, and posted another
seven wins in stock cars, and three in sprint cars. Tony joked
earlier that A.J. had never won the Winston Cup title, to
which Foyt replied, "check the record books". Now
Tony has one of the coveted and rare one mile dirt track triumphs,
something that fellow USAC Silver Crown champions turned NASCAR
shoes Mike Bliss and Ryan Newman were never able to obtain.
Stewart really likes DuQuoin, as evidenced by the fact that
he has continued to race at the "Magic Mile" after
moving on to other series. While in the IRL, Stewart ran a
Silver Crown car for George Snider at DuQuoin, and wile in
NASCAR, he has returned to DuQuoin the past three seasons,
each time with a different car owner. In 2001, he drove for
Larry Clement, in 2002 for Andy Petree, and this year owned
the Home Depot Chevrolet that took him to victory, reported
to be an ex-Frank Kimmel mount with a Joe Gibbs engine under
the hood.
For the record books, Foyt and Jimmy Bryan are the only two
drivers to post wins in championship and stock cars at DuQuoin,
with Al Unser, Foyt, Rodger Ward, Len Sutton and Roger McCluskey
turning the trick at Springfield. Foyt is the only driver
ever to post a win in a champ car and stock car at the Indiana
State Fairgrounds. Jerry Unser, Marshall Teague and Joe Leonard
are men who drove both championship and stock cars, and posted
stock car wins on the mile dirt tracks. Stewart, who spent
several seasons in the USAC Silver Crown and IRL cars, joins
some pretty select company with his mile dirt track win in
the ARCA series.
Track Enterprises CEO Bob Sargent and his wonderful staff
worked overtime to prepare the surface, as it was a quagmire
Sunday, postponing the Horn Memorial for the USAC cars until
Saturday night. For a while, it looked like a good bet that
the Federated 100 would be run this coming Sunday, as the
ARCA contingent is at Chicagoland on Sunday. Skies were dark
and grey, but the crew had the track ready to go less than
ten minutes after the scheduled start of practice Sunday morning!
Unable to get the required calcium on the surface to ensure
a dust free afternoon, the track got slick and dusty after
the sun came out briefly around noon. Then, as Stewart was
being interviewed in victory lane, the skies busted loose
and let loose a downpour, postponing the modified feature
race until this Saturday.
As a result of the heavy track, the drivers who had dirt track
experience really stood out Monday morning. Schrader began
the session by giving those in attendance a thrill with a
rim-riding exhibition that was reminiscent of an A.J. Foyt
championship dirt car ehxhibition. In fact, it looked like
Kenny had forgotten what type of machine he was in, pitching
the 3400 pound ARCA car completely sideways, and performing
the true (and lost) art of backing a car in on the dirt. And,
just when it looked like he had a monopoly on the upper groove,
Stewart and UMP late model standout Terry English joined the
fray. Had the rains come, practice may have been worth the
price of admission alone!
Stewart's car looked like a rocket ship off the corners, Tony
using his dirt track abilities to the maximum during the day.
One had to be sure that the smiles under the helmets of Stewart
and Schrader were at least a mile wide.
Schrader, while having a good day, still has yet to post a
win in any car at DuQuoin, the mile dirt track closest to
his native Fenton, Missouri. A lot of Schrader fans were in
attendance, as well as 300 delighted employees of Federated
Auto Parts, his ARCA sponsor. Ken spent a lot of time with
the Federated folks Monday, signing autographs and delighting
them with his outgoing personality.
Fans who might be worried that the change in the NASCAR schedule
from Darlington to California over Labor Day weekend might
end the appearances of Schrader and Stewart need not worry,
both drivers indicated they would return next year.
Centralia, Illinois' Joe Cooksey had a wonderful day, qualifying
in the seventh slot in his own Chevy, and then running a strong
third, challenging Schrader for second. Cooksey brings a large
fan following from his nearby Centralia home, and always finds
the unds to run the two Illinois dirt events.
Several other drivers had very good runs Monday. Norm Benning
came from 11th to 4th, while Todd Bowsher came from 21st to
8th. It was the second top 5 on the dirt for Benning, who
came from 33rd to 5th at Springfield.
Several drivers had bad luck Monday, including ARCA point
leader Frank Kimmel. Kimmel beat Stewart out of the pits on
an early stop and looked like the driver to beat, but Stewart
pulled some incredible moves in traffic (including a couple
of breath taking 3 wide moves) to hunt him down. Stewart then
caught him, and lost him in the traffic. Contact between the
two on a restart caused Kimmel to scrape the concrete, but
it was overheating that finally stopped his consecutive dirt
track win streak at five, and six of the last seven ARCA dirt
events. Kimmel recovered for a 5th place finish.
Mark Gibson endured two taps of the concrete to finish 6th,
while Billy Thomas brought a damaged car home 9th. Benton,
Kentucky's Terry English, a rookie who is the defending UMP
late model national champion, qualified an outstanding second,
and ran in the top ten until a broken transmission caused
the car to spin, and he was pushed behind the wall on lap
83.
A late race wreck caused the race to exceed the 100-mile distance,
as ARCA rules specify a green-white-checker finish. Coming
down for a restart on lap 103 due to a lap 97 wreck between
Perry Tripp and Billy Venturini, Dexter, Missouri's JIm Eubanks
got together right in front of the grandstand with USAC open
wheel veteran Jerry Nemire, in his first ever stock car race
behind the wheel of James Hylton's 48. Both hit the inner
rail with such force that it demolished both cars and the
rail. Eubanks got out immediately, Nemire required assistance
but appeared to be all right, the rail was gone. With safety,
time and weather an issue, officials threw the checker just
before the rain fell.
Tripp was coming back after a seven year absence, and ran
very well all day. Nemire ran in and out of the tope ten,
and even with the accident. Eubanks posted a top ten finish.
Mechanical woes sidelined Mokena's Bob Strait, Shelby Howard
and Jason Jarrett. Car trouble also cost young Ryan Unzicker
a top ten, the El Paso, Illinois rookie had a fine sixth at
Springfield.
St. Joseph, Missouri's Doug Keller, second at Springfield,
seemed to have mechanical problems at the very start. The
car did not look as strong as it had as Springfield, but despite
the problems, he qualified third, and led after pit stops.
Keller hit the front chute inner rail near the end of the
race causing quite a bit of damage to his car. Miraculously,
he lost only one lap and was running at the end.
Stewart's pole was his third consecutive, one less than record
holder Bobby Jacks, and joining Don White who also won three
consecutive Southern Illinois 100 pole positions. The 85 laps
he led are the most by a winning driver for 100 miles at DuQuoin
since Dean Roper led 88 in the spring of 1983.
Stewart's win makes him the second NASCAR Winston Cup champion
to post a stock car win on the "Magic Mile", the
other was a curly haired Rusty Wallace, who beat A.J. Foyt
to the checkered flag in a thriller in 1979. Tony's win was
the 28th for a General Motors product at DuQuoin, and the
thirty-third pole for a GM made car. The victory was the 8th
for the Monte Carlo, and the ninth pole for that model.
Auto racing, including ARCA racing pumps a lot of people and
money into the DuQuoin State Fair, a fact not lost on the
fair nor the local media. Monday's event was the focus of
extended coverage by southern Illinois only TV station, WSIL
TV out of Carbondale. Missing, however, appeared to be radio
coverage of the event. WDQN radio had covered DuQuoin State
Fair events for years, but without announcement the station's
FM side was sold to local christian programming, and all sports
event broadcasts immediately cancelled, including the MRN
NASCAR broadcasts.
The ARCA RE/MAX series now moves to Chicagoland Speedway Saturday
afternoon, while DuQuoin runs the rescheduled Horn Memorial
under the lights Saturday night.
Received September 2, 2003
Jeep Van Wormer Wins at Ionia Speedway Park, Places Seventh
in Praire Dirt
(PINCONNING, MICHIGAN) Jeep Van Wormer and the Iron Motorsports
team picked up their fifth win of the year last Friday night
at Ionia Speedway Park in Ionia, MI. The ALMS-sanctioned
victory was worth $2,000 to the team. The Miller Bros. Coal
/ Bay Line Fire Protection #55 Warrior Ford Taurus started
from the outside of the front row and was able to cross
the checkers first for the fourth time in ALMS action this
year. The team was scheduled to race in the Kevin Roderick
Memorial that night at Kankakee (IL) Motor Speedway, but
an early postponement of that event due to rain lead to
their decision to travel to Ionia.
After their big victory, the team headed to American Legion
Speedway in Fairbury, IL for the annual running of the Prairie
Dirt Classic. Jeep qualified well and ran second in his
heat race to make the $10,000 to win feature event. In the
feature, Jeep ran solidly in the Top Ten throughout the
event and ended up seventh at the pay window. The team was
then off to Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, OH for Sunday’s
$2,000 to win ALMS show, but it was also cancelled due to
rain.
This weekend, Jeep and the Iron Motorsports team is off
to the famed Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, OH for the annual
World 100. This year’s edition pays $36,000 to win
at the high-banked, ½-mile oval in west-central Ohio.
Jeep hopes to continue the momentum at Eldora that started
on August 8, when he picked up an ALMS win there after starting
18th. The action kicks off at Eldora on Friday night with
qualifying. Six heat races, a consolation event, and the
100-lap World 100 is on tap for Saturday. For more information
on this event, log on to www.eldoraspeedway.com.
Click on www.jeepvanwormer.com for the latest news and
schedule information on Iron Motorsports and driver Jeep
Van Wormer.
Received September 2, 2003
Jim Curry Travels to Illini State, But Only Finds Rain and
Mechanical Woes
(NORMAN, INDIANA) “The Gentleman” Jim Curry
traveled to the Illini state this past weekend to hit a
couple of Midwest’s most prestigious annual events,
but left Illinois wet and with some mechanical problems.
On Thursday night, Jim was at Spoon River Speedway in Canton,
IL for the $6,000 to win make-up UMP Summernationals event.
Jim qualified for the event through his heat race, but never
made it onto the track because of his water pump locking
up on him in the pit area before the feature. He was relegated
to a disappointing 22nd place finish.
Jim then took his Blackwell Trucking / Blackwell Limestone
#7 Rayburn Monte Carlo to Kankakee Motor Speedway in Kankakee,
IL on Friday night for the annual running of the Kevin Roderick
Memorial. However, the $15,000 to win event was postponed
until Sunday due to heavy rains in the area and then was
postponed again for the same reason on Sunday.
Saturday night, Jim did get to race in the annual Prairie
Dirt Classic at American Legion Speedway in Fairbury, IL.
Jim won his consolation event to transfer to the $10,000
to win event, but was involved in an early race incident
with Billy Moyer, which resulted in a bent RF tie rod and
a caved-in body. He pulled in after only a few laps and
had to settle for 20th place.
The 2003 Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame Inductee will be
back at it again this weekend when the familiar #7 will
be at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, OH for the World 100.
The action kicks off at the high-banked, ½-mile oval
on Friday night with qualifying. Six heat races, a consolation
event, and the 100-lap, $36,000 to win World 100 is on tap
for Saturday. For more information on this event, log on
to www.eldoraspeedway.com.
Log on to www.jimcurry7.com for all the latest tour information
and up-to-date results for “The Gentleman” Jim
Curry.
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