Mostly Racin' Stuff

                                      By Tom Avenengo

                                         Volume # 184

                                                   06/12/2014

 

Some personal/family stuff:

 

This weeks column will be quite a bit shorter due to time able to spend on it.

 

Last Thursday, the wife was admitted to the Bon Secours Hospital here in Port Jervis, N.Y.  The main reason was to see just what it was that was ailing her.  It turns out that there was an obstruction – in the area where she had surgery to remove some cancer a couple of years ago.  Thank God additional surgery was not necessary, since the obstruction straightened itself out after what she had done – tube through the nose down into the stomach.  We got her back home this past Tuesday – granted, still somewhat weak and tired.

 

 

 

Racin’ stuff:

 

For the short time I was able to be at OCFS last Saturday for “Nostalgia Night”, I was fortunate to spend some time with Jim Gross – brother of Chip Gross.  Chip, over the years has lettered numerous race cars – starting with when they would come to your place with paints and brushes.  Anyway, Jim told me something that was real great news.  The late Bob Green was being inducted into a Hall of Fame. 

Here’s a list of those being inducted:

The Albert Racing Team

who include Bobby Albert Sr, Bobby Albert Jr, and Bobby Albert III, Tom Athanas, Rich Aurich, Ernie Beesmer, Stan Bomba, Lou Centelonza, the Crankmasters Drag Club, Tom Dressel. Bob Green, Tim Hallock, Clem LeChance, Lou Murasso, Bob McDowell, Al Ostrander, Jim Rajczi,

Ray Redner, Gorden Ross, Ed Stevens, John Van Louvan, Lou Vignogna and Bill Wilson.

 

Info on this can be seen if you go here:

 

http://hudsonvalleyskiclub.org/members/has/sportsmuseum/fundraising/2014-auto-racing-news-release-first.pdf

 

 

 

Former OVRP Dirt Oval runners:

From a week ago:

 

Bob Morris was 2nd in the Sportsman feature at Bethel, while JB Morris was 2nd in the 4 Cylinder Advanced feature.

Billy VanInwegen was 10th in the SDS race at Brockville.

 

Davie Franek was 3rd in the 360 featue at Selinsgrove.

 

AJ Filbeck was 20th in the Sportsman feature at U/R.

Roger Coss was 18th in the first Modified feature at Mahoning Valley and was a DNS in the 2nd feature.

 

Ben Whitaker was 8th in the make up feature at Susquehanna and a DNS in the nights regular feature.

 

Joe Kata was 1st, Chuck Alessi 4th and Josh Pieniazek 16th in the CRSA 305 feature at Penn Can.

 

Anthony Perrego won the Modified feature at 5 Mile while Danny Creeden was 4th.  Brad Szulewski was 2nd in the Sportsman feature.

 

Clinton Mills was 4th, Mike Ruggiero 7th, Billy V 13th and Tim Hindley 21st in the Modified feature at OCFS.

Josh Pieniazek won the CRSA 305 feature with Joe Kata 5th, Chuck Alessi 8th, Emily VanInwegen 12th and Brittany Tresch 14th.

Brian Krummel was 2nd, LJ Lombardo 3rd, Joe Conklin 6th, Johnny Illanovsky 8th, Andrew Reeves 11th Dominic Roselli, Jr 13th, Joe Falanga 17th, Matt Janiak 21st, Zach Mead 23rd and Zack Vavricka 24th in the Sportsman feature.  Seth Pacella and RJ Smykla were both DNQ’s.

In the Rookie Sportsman feature, Anthony Falanga was 8th, Winter Mead 9th and Joey Bruning 10th.

 

At Lebanon Valley, Kolby Schroder was 6th, Bobby Hackel, IV 12th and Kyle Armstrong 13th in the Modified feature.

Matt Pappa won the Sportsman feature and John Virgilio was 6th.

 

At Kutztown in the wingless 600’sd Molly Chambers and Paul Quear were DNQ’s.  Danny Buccafusca was 3rd in the All Star Slingshot feature.

 

Kyle Rohner was 2nd in the make up feature and was a DNF – 16th in the 600 Micro feature at Airport.

 

Molly Chambers was 22nd in the 600 feature at Linda’s.

 Charlie Lawrence was 10th and Tyler Pirone 14th in the All Star Slingshot feature at Hamlin.,  Jacob Hendershot was 2nd in the 270 Micro feature.,  Danny Buccafusca was 4th in the Rookie wingless 600 Micro feature.

 

 

From this past weekend:

 

Jason Roe was 12th in the Lightning Sprints at Glen Ridge.

 

Davie Franek was 6th at Selinsgrove and 9th at Williams Grove in URC features.

 

Anthony Perrego was 3rd in the SpeedSTR feature at Kutztown.

 

Kenney Johnson was 10th in the NEMA Feature at Wiscasset, Me.

 

Nick Pecko was 4th at Spencer and 5th at Lancaster in the RoC Asphalt Modified features.

 

Bobby Hackel, IV was 12th, Kyle Armstrong 13th, Kolby Schroder 14th and John Virgilio 24th in the Modified feature at the Valley.

 

Danny Creeden was 3rd, Tom Hindley 11th, Anthony Perrego 16th and Tyler Boniface 19th in the Modified feature at Accord.  Joey Bruning was 4th in the Spec Sportsman, while Wyatt Clark was 1st in the All Star Slingshots.

 

Bobby Morris won the Sportsman feature at Bethel, while son JB was 4th in the 4 Cylinder Advanced feature.

 

Anthony Perrego was 16th in the regular scheduled feature and 6th in the held over feature at 5 Mile.  Brad Szulewski was 13th in the Sportsman feature.

 

Brett Wright was 4th and Alex Bell 26th in the Modified feature at A/S.  Hunter Bates was 13th in the Sportsman feature.

 

Ben Whitaker was 3rd in the Late Model feature at Big Diamond.

 

Molly Chambers was a DNQ in the wingless 600’s at Kutztown, while Danny Buccafusca was 2nd in the All Star Slingshots.

 

Tyler Pirone was 11th and Joey Lawrence 26th in the All Star Slingshot feature at Hamlin.  Jacob Hendershot won the 270 Micro feature, while Danny Buccafusca was 1st in the wingless 600’s.

 

Kyle Rohner was 2nd in the wingless 600’s at Airport.

 

Mike Ruggiero was 4th, Clinton Mills 5th, Tim Hindley 6th, Billy V 13th and Mike Kolka 15th in the Modified feature at OCFS.  Andrew Reeves was 13th and Danny Creeden 16th in the Small Block feature.  Brian Krummel was 1st, Matt Janiak 2nd, Joe Conklin 3rd, Johnny Illanovsky 4th, LJ Lombardo 5th, Dominic Roselli, Jr 8th, Joe Falanga 12th, RJ Smykla 14th, Anthony Falanga 15th, Zack Vavricka 17th and Andrew Reeves 24th in the Sportsman feature.  Jimmy Johnson won the Vintage feature.

 

 

 

From Jayski:

http://www.jayski.com/

 

Humpy Wheeler Q&A.....says NASCAR has 'too many pretty boys':

For 35 years, Humpy Wheeler was racing's best salesman and track operator. He was a creative and fearless risk taker, willing to stick his head in a tiger's mouth to publicize races at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He and track owner Bruton Smith made each other fabulously wealthy before Wheeler abruptly "retired" after a serious argument with Smith in 2008. Even though his Speedway Benefits company now works exclusively with short tracks around the country that hold weekly races, Wheeler still keeps a close eye on NASCAR. See full Q&A at AutoWeek.(6-11-2014)

 

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20140610/nascar/140619985

 

 

Mayfield to be interviewed by Sporting News:

Former NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield's 2009 drug suspension and lawsuit against NASCAR still has plenty of people scratching their heads. And it's a story that Mayfield hopes is not over as he attempts to resume his racing career. Mayfield will sit down with Sporting News writer Bob Pockrass for an interview at 1:00pm/et on Wednesday June 11. But this will be different than Mayfield's past interviews with Sporting News. This one will be streamed live. Fans can hear Mayfield's story in his own words and make their own decisions about how they view the former NASCAR star. The only driver to openly fight his suspension over a violation of the sport's substance-abuse policy, Mayfield remains suspended from all NASCAR activity. More info at Sportingnews.com and check out Mayfield's website.(6-11-2014)

 

 

Sad News - Junie Donlavey: Legendary NASCAR owner and Richmond native Junie Donlavey has died at age 90 according to family members. Donlavey suffered from Alzheimer's disease and passed away Monday night in Richmond. Donlavey got his start as an owner in 1950 at Martinsville. He fielded NASCAR teams all the way into the 2000s. Donlavey's famous #90 car fielded rookie of the year drivers three times (1970, 1980, 1985). Donlavey's family told NBC12 that Junie thought it would only be appropriate if he passed away at age 90, the same number famously featured on his stock cars.(WWBT), see Donlavey's owner stats at racing-reference.info.(6-10-2014)

 

 

57th Annual Daytona 500 Tickets On Sale:

Tickets to NASCAR's biggest, richest and most prestigious race - the 57th annual DAYTONA 500 on Sunday, Feb. 22 - will go on sale Tuesday, June 10 at 9:00am/et. Tickets for the Daytona 500 start at $65. For the third straight year, the Speedway is offering special youth pricing for Budweiser Speedweeks 2015:

· 57th Daytona: Children 12 and under will receive 50 percent off all backstretch grandstand seats while supplies last. Children 12 and under are also free in the Sprint Fanzone

· All other Budweiser Speedweeks events: Children 12 and under are $10 in reserved grandstands and free in general admission areas and in the Sprint Fanzone.

In addition to the 57th annual Daytona 500, tickets for all Budweiser Speedweeks 2015 events will be available for purchase including the NASCAR Nationwide Series race, the NextEra Energy Resources 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, the Budweiser Duel, The Sprint Unlimited At Daytona and Lucas Oil 200 Presented By MAV TV American Real doubleheader and Daytona 500 Qualifying Presented By Kroger. Race fans can also pre-purchase weekend infield camping for The Sprint Unlimited weekend; Rolex 24 At Daytona infield car parking packages; and hospitality packages and Pre-Race/Sprint FANZONE passes for all Budweiser Speedweeks 2015 events. Race fans have three different ways to purchase tickets:

· Online at daytonainternationalspeedway.com

· Calling 1-800-PITSHOP

· Visiting the Daytona International Speedway ticket office

The stars of NASCAR return to Daytona International Speedway on July 3-5. Tickets to the Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race and the Subway Firecracker 250 Powered By Coca-Cola NASCAR Nationwide Series race are available by calling 1-800-PITSHOP or online at daytonainternationalspeedway.com.(DIS)(6-10-2014)

 

 

Biffle expects to stay at Roush UPDATE:

Biffle and his primary sponsor, 3M, will remain with Roush Fenway Racing, multiple sources have confirmed to the Charlotte Observer. An official announcement of contract extensions for Biffle and the sponsor with RFR could come as soon as this coming week, sources said.A team spokesman said the organization would continue its policy of not commenting on drivers' contract status until an official announcement was made.(Charlotte Observer)(6-9-2014)

 

 

Penske denies interest in Edwards:

Team Penske owner Roger Penske was adamant that he has "no interest" in Carl Edwards. Penske, who is at Texas Motor Speedway this weekend for the NASCAR / IndyCar double-header told Catchfence.com that Team Penske is currently not in a position to field a third NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team in 2015, despite the chatter. "There's no interest," he said. "We don't have the sponsorship to do a third full-time team and he's under contract with Roush Fenway Racing. It doesn't make sense."(Catchfence), see past news/rumors about Edwards on the #99 Team News and Links page.(6-8-2014)

 

 

Hornish to the #21 in 2015? on FoxSports1 NASCAR Raceday, Bob Dillner reported that Sam Hornish Jr. could end up in the #21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford in a part-time ride next season.(FoxSports1)(6-8-2014)

 

 

 

From Track Forum:

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/forum.php

 

If Karam Goes To Nascar

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?187061-If-Karam-Goes-To-Nascar

 

 

Long Q & A with Walker on future schedule and aero kits

http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?187043-Long-Q-amp-A-with-Walker-on-future-schedule-and-aero-kits

 

 

 

From the AARN:

http://www.aarn.com/

 

Some things covered in the AARN a week ago:

 

 

 

Nothing like a good fight (Bowman-Gray – where else?)

 

Versatility in Sprint Cars – Mark Smith

 

Off the dirt, on to the big time – Cale Conley & Tyler Reddick

 

Stewart poised for Sprint Car return?

 

Kids and race cars

 

Coming back home to road racing – Tom Hessert at New Jersey Motor Sports Park

 

Rainout hardships

 

 

This Week

In AARN

 

One Hospitalized, One Quits

After Violent Williams Grove 410 Crash

 

Coby, Santos Renew

NASCAR Mod Tour Battle;

Coby Prevails

 

Eldora’s Dream Late Model Race

Enriches Dale McDowell By $100,000

 

Hossfeld Derails

Hirschman RoC Mod Gravy Train

With Lancaster Score

 

Bacon Sizzles

On USACEastern Storm Tour

Though ‘Storms’ Take Two

 

Keselowski Falters, Earnhardt Pounces

In Pocono Sprint Cup Thriller

 

One More Year:

Mod Veteran Jimmy Horton

Bridgeport Win

Assures 2015 Career Continuation

 

Aaron Ott Sweeps URC’s

Back To Back ‘Grove’ Races

 

 

 

 

 

Press releases:

 

NEWS FROM                                                                                                             

Orange County Fair Speedway                                                                                    

239 Wisner Avenue                                                                                                    

Middletown, NY10940 

 

CONTACT

Mike Gurda

845-342-2573

 

 

FOR RELEASE BEGINNING MONDAY, JUNE 9

 

TWO WEEKS OF “DOUBLES” UPCOMING

AT ORANGE COUNTY FAIR SPEEDWAY

Twin-20s for the Modifieds followed by double points for all divisions

 

MIDDLETOWN, NY (June 9)......The next two weeks of racing action at Orange County Fair Speedway will spotlight “doubles,” first with twin feature races for the Modifieds on Saturday, June 14, and then double points for all divisions on Saturday, June 21.

 

This coming Saturday, led by current point leader and five-time track champion, Chuck McKee, the earth-shaking, 800 horse power DIRTcar Modifieds will have two chances to win on the lightning fast five-eighths-mile Middletown “Hard Clay” oval. Also on the evening’s program are the Sportsman division, the Rookie Sportsman, and the always unpredictable Street Stocks. The night’s activities are sponsored by Ultimate Restoration.

 

The following week, Saturday, June 21, the Small-Block Modifieds take center stage with the Second Annual Charlie Loder Memorial race. McKee won the track’s most recent Small-Block Modified race and will be looking to capture this prestigious event as well. The DIRTcar Modifieds, Sportsman, and Street Stock will also be in action.  And all divisions will be racing for double track points. Arkel Motors and Middletown Collision are the evening’s sponsors.

 

Admission prices for both the June 14 and 21 race meets remain at $14 adults, $12 seniors, and $2.00 for children 12 and under. Both full nights of racing begin promptly at 7:00 pm.

 

Advance tickets are now on sale for the 53rd Annual Eastern States Weekend, October 24-26, 2014, headlined by the Eastern States 200, the oldest continuously-run championship race for dirt track Modifieds.

 

Information for all Orange County Fair Speedway action is available at the speedway website, www.orangecountyfairspeedway.net, or at the Track Office. Call 845-342-2573 Wednesday through Saturday during business hours.

 

 

Upcoming: July 17-27 -- The 174th Annual Orange County Fair!       

 

 

 

 

 

This week’s photo:

 

Something that has disappeared from the racing scene – an Outboard powered midget.  Here’s Charlie Miller in his # 2 Outboard.  I was fortunate to have seen this car race on many occasions!

 

 

 

 

Racing videos:

 

I do not know if the video in the link below will work or not, but last weekend at the Indianapolis Speedway, there were 700 Vintage race cars that made it onto the oval and/or the road course.   To be honest, it wasn’t publicized very much.

 

http://fox59.com/2014/06/08/vintage-cars-catch-the-eye-of-ims-legends/#axzz34LS1bbm4

 

Note:  There were quite a few short videos posted on Facebook that showed quite a few different “Indy” cars on the track – from Silver Crown/Champ Cars to the rear engine ones.

 

 

Not racing related:

 

On April 3rd, 1965 legendary radio host Paul Harvey issued a warning to America.  In this warning, he detailed what he thought the devil should do if the devil wanted to keep destroying the United States.  Sadly, the truth is that most of this stuff has come to pass.  What Paul Harvey saw for America’s future back in 1965 if the devil had his way was eerily accurate.  Please share this with as many people as you can….

 

http://thetruthwins.com/archives/paul-harveys-warning-to-america-if-i-were-the-devil

 

Note:  Pretty Accurate as to what’s been happening, isn’t it?

 

 

 

An email I received on Wednesday:

Got this from the daughter of the late Georgie Rice – Sarah Strickland

 

This is a wonderful analogy.

 

The Train

 

At birth we boarded the train and met our parents, and we believe they will always travel on our side. However, at some station our parents will step down from the train, leaving us on this journey alone.

 

As time goes by, other people will board the train; and they will be  significant i.e. our siblings, friends, children, and even the love  of our life. Many will step down and leave a permanent vacuum. Others will go so unnoticed that we don't realize that they vacated their seats!

 

This train ride will be full of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hellos, goodbyes, and farewells. Success consists of having a good relationship with all passengers...requiring that we give the best of ourselves.

 

The mystery to everyone is: We do not know at which station we ourselves will step down. So, we must live in the best way - love, forgive, and offer the best of who we are.

 

It is important to do this because when the time comes for us to step down and leave our seat empty -- we should leave behind beautiful memories for those who will continue to travel on the train of life.

 

I wish you a joyful journey for the coming year on the train of life. Reap success and give lots of love. More importantly, thank God for the journey!

 

Lastly, I thank you for being one of the passengers on my train!

 

 

 

Until my next column – not sure just when it will be!  Please keep checking either Dirt Track Digest or New England Tractor/Race Report on Thursdays!

 

http://www.dirttrackdigest.com/ (Click on “Recent Columns)

 

http://newenglandtractor.com/racereport/

 

 

 

I can be reached, via e-mail, at:  ygordad@yahoo.com