Charles ‘Boz’ Daugherty, head of dealer sales for Innovative Spectator Products, Inc announces the newest dealer for the company’s RACEceiver product line. Joe Dunn of On Pit Road, of Crossville, Tn. is the new dealer serving the Knoxville / East Tennessee area. On Pit Road will be carrying the full line of RACEceiver products which will be available for all area racers and fans.
With the implementation of track rules requiring these unique scanners, Joe and On Pit Road will be accepting bulk orders from drivers and tracks as well as stocking accessories. Pre season orders will be taken during drivers meetings as well as the Crossville Raceway Race Car Show and Swap Meet, and will extend deep discount prices for these orders.
In addition to the RACEceiver line, the company also provides an exclusive Race Management System (RMS) for electronic scoring and information gathering via a ‘transponder’ system. Track operators interested in Special RACEceiver Pricing for their drivers or the RMS should contact Joe at (931) 456-6969 or RACEceiver@onpitroad.com
Friday, November 30, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
A. J. Garber #70 Open Wheel Modified - Crossville Raceway
for Short Track Warriors ---www.shorttrackwarriors.com
by Joe Dunn
At the age of 8 A.J. Garber got his start in racing, helping out on his Dad’s (Tony Garber) Late Model. Later dad had moved on to Open Wheel Modifieds driving for the Green Brothers, and AJ kept working and thinking about his future driving a race car.
At 18 he got his first chance at racing at Baxter (Tennessee Motor Speedway) in a Mini Stock. After two years in the Mini’s he moved up to the Open Wheel Modifieds, where 2007 was his second year. His home track is Crossville, but he has also raced at Clarksville. AJ is looking forward to 2008 and Crossville going back to Friday nights as this will enable him to also run at Clarksville on Saturday nights as he vies for the regional and national points in the UMP OWM class.
AJ looks at himself as a developing driver with a long future ahead of him. In his first 2 years he has not won a feature yet, but has managed to take the win in 3 heats so far. Like most young drivers his age (23) he sometimes dreams of a future in Nascar, but he is really happy running his Garber Construction Company / Rocky Hooten Logging Open Wheel. He is secure in this class and plans to stay with the OWM as long as he keeps racing on dirt. His Dad moved south a while back and now races OWM’s in Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida. As the class grows in the south and more series develop there just may be some opportunities for some father son battles on the track in the future.
Rolling into the track on a race night, AJ’s major pit crew is his wife Leslie who jumps in helping him with the car. On a good night there are a handful of fans in the stands cheering him on and a few more friends in the pits. The hardest part of racing for AJ is getting the ‘Set Up’ right for each track. It is an ongoing project that never ends, but never stops the team.
If there were one thing that AJ could change in the local racing scene it would be to have better track preparation and maybe the chance of a more consistent surface at all of the tracks. With the season over and winter looming, he will be taking more time to get the car just right for the 2008 season. Race fans keep an eye out for AJ and his white #70 at both Crossville and Clarksville next year.
by Joe Dunn
At the age of 8 A.J. Garber got his start in racing, helping out on his Dad’s (Tony Garber) Late Model. Later dad had moved on to Open Wheel Modifieds driving for the Green Brothers, and AJ kept working and thinking about his future driving a race car.
At 18 he got his first chance at racing at Baxter (Tennessee Motor Speedway) in a Mini Stock. After two years in the Mini’s he moved up to the Open Wheel Modifieds, where 2007 was his second year. His home track is Crossville, but he has also raced at Clarksville. AJ is looking forward to 2008 and Crossville going back to Friday nights as this will enable him to also run at Clarksville on Saturday nights as he vies for the regional and national points in the UMP OWM class.
AJ looks at himself as a developing driver with a long future ahead of him. In his first 2 years he has not won a feature yet, but has managed to take the win in 3 heats so far. Like most young drivers his age (23) he sometimes dreams of a future in Nascar, but he is really happy running his Garber Construction Company / Rocky Hooten Logging Open Wheel. He is secure in this class and plans to stay with the OWM as long as he keeps racing on dirt. His Dad moved south a while back and now races OWM’s in Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida. As the class grows in the south and more series develop there just may be some opportunities for some father son battles on the track in the future.
Rolling into the track on a race night, AJ’s major pit crew is his wife Leslie who jumps in helping him with the car. On a good night there are a handful of fans in the stands cheering him on and a few more friends in the pits. The hardest part of racing for AJ is getting the ‘Set Up’ right for each track. It is an ongoing project that never ends, but never stops the team.
If there were one thing that AJ could change in the local racing scene it would be to have better track preparation and maybe the chance of a more consistent surface at all of the tracks. With the season over and winter looming, he will be taking more time to get the car just right for the 2008 season. Race fans keep an eye out for AJ and his white #70 at both Crossville and Clarksville next year.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Chris Croinex #11 Street Stock - Crossville Raceway
for Short Track Warriors www.shorttrackwarriors.com
By Joe Dunn
Chris Croinex of Crossville grew up watching dirt racing all over the area. A few years ago he helped his dad Dave build a Front Wheel Drive car to race at Atomic Speedway and the real bug finally got him.
He went home one day and started building a Cruiser car to race at the Tennessee Motor Speedway in Baxter. Racing the cruiser Chris won twice at Baxter and decided to move up, so he started building a Street Stock. In the interim, of course Baxter closed, so he started changing the car to meet the Atomic rules. Before he had a chance to race it at Atomic, that track closed, so it was back to rebuilding the car and this time he had it finished to race at Crossville.
In 2007 Chris won 3 features at Crossville and finished third in the points with his yellow #11 Monte Carlo sponsored by Butler Trucking, The Truss Shop and Advance Termite and Pest Control. He’s joined in the pits with his brother Tim and friend Tim Roach who act as his Pit Crew. Most race nights you will see the yellow #11 in the pits next to the red 11c front wheel drive of his Dad’s. Racing is truly a family experience for the Croinex family with Chris’s Mom, Wife and four kids along for support.
Racing for the Croinex family really is a labor of love, but as Chris said, “The hardest part of racing is that time is against you. Family is important and I need to spend time with my wife and kids and so racing gets what’s left over. So we just do the best we can to have the car ready and come out on race night to have some fun.”
Chris does, like most drivers, have aspirations to move up, but his thought are not dreams of Nascar, they are right here on the local dirt tracks. He is hopeful that within the next few years he may be able to move up to the Open Wheel Modifieds. That move will take some time and the hopes that the local tracks can keep the racing going. Chris sees the future of the local dirt tracks tied to an initiative to draw in more ‘new’ drivers to the sport. He feels that the tracks need to promote more to the kids out there rather than trying to get drivers to move from track to track. When asked what one change he would like to see in local dirt racing, he responded that they need a better separation in the classes. “Today, a young guy can start out cheap with a FWD for a few hundred dollars, but they need a class that they move into for $2500-3000 and there just isn’t one like that anymore.”
Watch for Chris this spring in his yellow #11 at Crossville Raceway, he’s sure to be running up front.
By Joe Dunn
Chris Croinex of Crossville grew up watching dirt racing all over the area. A few years ago he helped his dad Dave build a Front Wheel Drive car to race at Atomic Speedway and the real bug finally got him.
He went home one day and started building a Cruiser car to race at the Tennessee Motor Speedway in Baxter. Racing the cruiser Chris won twice at Baxter and decided to move up, so he started building a Street Stock. In the interim, of course Baxter closed, so he started changing the car to meet the Atomic rules. Before he had a chance to race it at Atomic, that track closed, so it was back to rebuilding the car and this time he had it finished to race at Crossville.
In 2007 Chris won 3 features at Crossville and finished third in the points with his yellow #11 Monte Carlo sponsored by Butler Trucking, The Truss Shop and Advance Termite and Pest Control. He’s joined in the pits with his brother Tim and friend Tim Roach who act as his Pit Crew. Most race nights you will see the yellow #11 in the pits next to the red 11c front wheel drive of his Dad’s. Racing is truly a family experience for the Croinex family with Chris’s Mom, Wife and four kids along for support.
Racing for the Croinex family really is a labor of love, but as Chris said, “The hardest part of racing is that time is against you. Family is important and I need to spend time with my wife and kids and so racing gets what’s left over. So we just do the best we can to have the car ready and come out on race night to have some fun.”
Chris does, like most drivers, have aspirations to move up, but his thought are not dreams of Nascar, they are right here on the local dirt tracks. He is hopeful that within the next few years he may be able to move up to the Open Wheel Modifieds. That move will take some time and the hopes that the local tracks can keep the racing going. Chris sees the future of the local dirt tracks tied to an initiative to draw in more ‘new’ drivers to the sport. He feels that the tracks need to promote more to the kids out there rather than trying to get drivers to move from track to track. When asked what one change he would like to see in local dirt racing, he responded that they need a better separation in the classes. “Today, a young guy can start out cheap with a FWD for a few hundred dollars, but they need a class that they move into for $2500-3000 and there just isn’t one like that anymore.”
Watch for Chris this spring in his yellow #11 at Crossville Raceway, he’s sure to be running up front.
Johnson repeats as NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion
from the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, Tn Wednesday November 21, 2007
By Joe Dunn
Jimmie Johnson sealed his second championship with his seventh place finish Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He finished the season with 10 wins and 24 top 10 finishes.
Johnsons championship is the seventh championship for owner Rick Hendrick in his 24 years as an owner, making him second to Petty Enterprises with nine. This is also Hendricks eleventh championship in NASCAR’s top three series. Juan Pablo Montoya clinched the Rookie of the Year title.
Carl Edwards was declared the Champion of the NASCAR Busch Series but the owners championship went to Richard Childress and the 29 car driven by Jeff Burton and Scott Wimmer. In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Ron Hornaday got a lucky break when Mike Skinner lost a wheel and finished 34th. This is the third Truck series Championship for Hornaday and the first for team owners Kevin and Delana Harvick.
Sundays race was also the final race for the ‘old’ car leaving the teams with a lot of cars and very limited customers. With the only normal buyers being ARCA teams, the cars are expected to sell for pennies on the dollar or distribute them to developmental teams in the Busch East and NASCAR west series. Petty Enterprises is taking a different route with their cars according to Robbie Loomis, General Manager. "We're going to take some of the old cars and donate them to universities with good engineering programs, and hopefully we can get some return back from the engineering side,"
Some changes for 2008 are already in the works. Race winner Matt Kenseth will be looking at a new crew chief next year as Robbie Reiser has been promoted to General Manager of Roush Fenway Racing’s Nextel Cup team operations. Team engineer Chip Bolin will replace Reiser. In the Penske South organization, rumor has it that Ryan Newman’s crew chief Mike Nelson is moving up to a management position and Roy McCauley who started the 2007 season as Kurt Busch’s crew chief will take over the 12 team. McCauley served as Newman’s crew chief in 2005 in the Busch series.
BAM racing announced that they have signed John Andretti to return as the driver of the 49 cat for the 2008 season. The team is also searching for additional sponsorship with hopes to enter a second team next year.
Watch for lots of news and changes over the next three months heading up to the Daytona 500.
On the local scene, the final dirt track racing took place Friday and Saturday as Cleveland Speedway wound up the season with the 19th annual ‘Gobbler’. On Friday night, Dale McDowell led 25 of the 27 laps to win the Budweiser Joe Lee Johnson Memorial. Chris Madden finished second, with Skip Arp, Clint Smith and Steve Smith rounding out the top 5. Crossville’s Randy Weaver finished 6th.
On Saturday night, Shane Clanton took the win in the Country Squire Homes, Southern All Stars, Gobbler. Dale McDowell finished second with Randy Weaver, Chris madden and Jimmy Owens rounding out the top 5. In the Limited Late model show it was Jason Welsham with the win followed by Rex Ritchey, Greg Martin, Todd Morrow and Matt Steward finishing in the top 5. In the A Hobby class it was Tanner Works with the win, followed by Greg Sudderth, Chris Stewart, Robbie Green and Jason Brown. The B Hobby winner was Donald Forgey followed by Raymond Shepard, Jonathan Simms, Duke Rodabaugh and Chris Beavers. Pony (ministock) was won by Rocky McNabb with Cheyenne Kite, Terry Poore, Kris Poe and Michael Courtney finishing top 5. The final race of the evening was the front runners where Mike Mayhem took the win, with Bill Bailey, Kenny Kizzar, Jeff Curvin and Dustin Cansler rounding out the top five.
Next on the agenda will be the Crossville Raceway drivers meeting scheduled for Sunday December 9 at the race track. Meeting times are, cruisers- noon, Front Wheel drive - 1 PM, Mini Stock -2 PM, Street Stock - 3 PM, Limited Late Model - 4 PM and UMP Open Wheel Modifieds after 4 PM. For Questions about the meeting contact Chris McConnell at (931) 472-5111 or William Scogin at (931) 538-8448
By Joe Dunn
Jimmie Johnson sealed his second championship with his seventh place finish Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He finished the season with 10 wins and 24 top 10 finishes.
Johnsons championship is the seventh championship for owner Rick Hendrick in his 24 years as an owner, making him second to Petty Enterprises with nine. This is also Hendricks eleventh championship in NASCAR’s top three series. Juan Pablo Montoya clinched the Rookie of the Year title.
Carl Edwards was declared the Champion of the NASCAR Busch Series but the owners championship went to Richard Childress and the 29 car driven by Jeff Burton and Scott Wimmer. In the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Ron Hornaday got a lucky break when Mike Skinner lost a wheel and finished 34th. This is the third Truck series Championship for Hornaday and the first for team owners Kevin and Delana Harvick.
Sundays race was also the final race for the ‘old’ car leaving the teams with a lot of cars and very limited customers. With the only normal buyers being ARCA teams, the cars are expected to sell for pennies on the dollar or distribute them to developmental teams in the Busch East and NASCAR west series. Petty Enterprises is taking a different route with their cars according to Robbie Loomis, General Manager. "We're going to take some of the old cars and donate them to universities with good engineering programs, and hopefully we can get some return back from the engineering side,"
Some changes for 2008 are already in the works. Race winner Matt Kenseth will be looking at a new crew chief next year as Robbie Reiser has been promoted to General Manager of Roush Fenway Racing’s Nextel Cup team operations. Team engineer Chip Bolin will replace Reiser. In the Penske South organization, rumor has it that Ryan Newman’s crew chief Mike Nelson is moving up to a management position and Roy McCauley who started the 2007 season as Kurt Busch’s crew chief will take over the 12 team. McCauley served as Newman’s crew chief in 2005 in the Busch series.
BAM racing announced that they have signed John Andretti to return as the driver of the 49 cat for the 2008 season. The team is also searching for additional sponsorship with hopes to enter a second team next year.
Watch for lots of news and changes over the next three months heading up to the Daytona 500.
On the local scene, the final dirt track racing took place Friday and Saturday as Cleveland Speedway wound up the season with the 19th annual ‘Gobbler’. On Friday night, Dale McDowell led 25 of the 27 laps to win the Budweiser Joe Lee Johnson Memorial. Chris Madden finished second, with Skip Arp, Clint Smith and Steve Smith rounding out the top 5. Crossville’s Randy Weaver finished 6th.
On Saturday night, Shane Clanton took the win in the Country Squire Homes, Southern All Stars, Gobbler. Dale McDowell finished second with Randy Weaver, Chris madden and Jimmy Owens rounding out the top 5. In the Limited Late model show it was Jason Welsham with the win followed by Rex Ritchey, Greg Martin, Todd Morrow and Matt Steward finishing in the top 5. In the A Hobby class it was Tanner Works with the win, followed by Greg Sudderth, Chris Stewart, Robbie Green and Jason Brown. The B Hobby winner was Donald Forgey followed by Raymond Shepard, Jonathan Simms, Duke Rodabaugh and Chris Beavers. Pony (ministock) was won by Rocky McNabb with Cheyenne Kite, Terry Poore, Kris Poe and Michael Courtney finishing top 5. The final race of the evening was the front runners where Mike Mayhem took the win, with Bill Bailey, Kenny Kizzar, Jeff Curvin and Dustin Cansler rounding out the top five.
Next on the agenda will be the Crossville Raceway drivers meeting scheduled for Sunday December 9 at the race track. Meeting times are, cruisers- noon, Front Wheel drive - 1 PM, Mini Stock -2 PM, Street Stock - 3 PM, Limited Late Model - 4 PM and UMP Open Wheel Modifieds after 4 PM. For Questions about the meeting contact Chris McConnell at (931) 472-5111 or William Scogin at (931) 538-8448
Jeff Gordon hopes to repeat at Phoenix
from the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, Tn Friday Nov. 9, 2007
By Joe Dunn
With two races left in the Chase to the Nextel Cup, Jeff Gordon heads to Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) without the points lead. Unlike last week at Texas, Gordon enters this race trailing teammate Jimmie Johnson by 30 points, but the driver of the DuPont Chevy hopes to repeat his earlier win this season in the desert.
Jimmie Johnson is on a tear following his third consecutive win for the second time in his career and in the ‘Chase’, he did three in a row during the Chase in 2004. Clint Bowyer’s 19th place finish at Texas dropped him to 181 points behind Johnson all but eliminating his chances for the title.
Sunday’s Checker Auto Parts 500 marks this season’s 16th running of the Car of Tomorrow – NASCAR’s new-generation race car that will compete fulltime in 2008. It’s a return trip to one-mile Phoenix, which hosted the new car’s third event in April. A seven-year project of NASCAR’s Research and Development Center, the new car is the next-generation race vehicle. It incorporates crucial safety innovations, better competition and cost containment opportunities for teams.
The areas Dirt Track racing season comes to an end next weekend as Cleveland Speedway host the final events on November 16 & 17. Friday Nov. 16 will begin the 3rd annual Joe Lee Johnson Memorial weekend with the BJ Parker Thunder series $2700 to win race as well as other racing divisions. On Saturday Nov. 17 the Southern All Stars Gobbler 75 will feature a $5,000 to win Super Late Model race along with a full racing card. For more info contact Cleveland Speedway at (423) 479-8574
By Joe Dunn
With two races left in the Chase to the Nextel Cup, Jeff Gordon heads to Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) without the points lead. Unlike last week at Texas, Gordon enters this race trailing teammate Jimmie Johnson by 30 points, but the driver of the DuPont Chevy hopes to repeat his earlier win this season in the desert.
Jimmie Johnson is on a tear following his third consecutive win for the second time in his career and in the ‘Chase’, he did three in a row during the Chase in 2004. Clint Bowyer’s 19th place finish at Texas dropped him to 181 points behind Johnson all but eliminating his chances for the title.
Sunday’s Checker Auto Parts 500 marks this season’s 16th running of the Car of Tomorrow – NASCAR’s new-generation race car that will compete fulltime in 2008. It’s a return trip to one-mile Phoenix, which hosted the new car’s third event in April. A seven-year project of NASCAR’s Research and Development Center, the new car is the next-generation race vehicle. It incorporates crucial safety innovations, better competition and cost containment opportunities for teams.
The areas Dirt Track racing season comes to an end next weekend as Cleveland Speedway host the final events on November 16 & 17. Friday Nov. 16 will begin the 3rd annual Joe Lee Johnson Memorial weekend with the BJ Parker Thunder series $2700 to win race as well as other racing divisions. On Saturday Nov. 17 the Southern All Stars Gobbler 75 will feature a $5,000 to win Super Late Model race along with a full racing card. For more info contact Cleveland Speedway at (423) 479-8574
Friday, November 2, 2007
Three to go as NASCAR heads to Texas
from the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, TN. Friday November 2, 2007
by Joe Dunn
With only three races to go, time is of the essence for the Chase drivers to make up every point they can on standings leader Jeff Gordon. All 12 Chase drivers are still mathematically eligible for the championship, though Gordon and Jimmie Johnson are setting a devastating pace. The Hendrick Motorsports teammates have won the last four races in the Chase and have the closest point margin between first and second since the Chase’s inception in 2004.
Several drivers and fans were upset with Denny Hamlin and blamed him for the wreck on the final start which resulted in the race ending under caution. However it was discovered after the race that Hamlin actually had water in his gas causing the car to sputter on the restart. It was also learned that Dave Blaney had water in his gas too. Nascar decided that they were two isolated cases until Monday when the other teams returned to their shops. Water was found in the fuel cells of both Penske cars of Ryan Newman and Kurt Bush, while water also was evident in all three Richard Childress cars as was the Chevy of winner Jimmie Johnson. Greg Biffle had complained of what he thought was water in his gas during the race, but none was found. Nascar is investigating the incident.
Penske Racing is determined to get Indy 500 winner Sam Hornish established in Nascar despite his failure to qualify for a race after numerous attempts. Penske officials are considering a points swap for 2008 to get Hornish in the field. The idea is to give Hornish the 2007 points of the 2 car. This would guarantee Hornish to start the first five races based on owners points within the top 35. This would mean leaving Kurt Bush without points but eligible for the Past Champions provision as the most recent champion not with a top 35 team.
On the local racing scene Crossville Raceway honored their season champions at an awards banquet last Thursday at the track. The Champions as well as the rest of the top 5 finishers were awarded trophies and acknowledged for their accomplishments. In addition to the 6 foot tall Trophies, the champions also received Jackets and photos from the track. The event was attended by over 200 who showed their appreciation for the event. The track owners were on hand as well as the 20087 track operators, William Scogin and Chris McConnell. A drivers meeting is scheduled for Dec 9 at the track. For details, contact William at (931) 538-8448
Spring City Raceway concluded the racing season with a Fan appreciation night last Saturday. The cars were lined up on the track where fans were invited to walk the track and meet with the drivers. Those in attendance enjoined the night. The track announced that the awards banquet will be held at the track on Saturday November 10, 2007 at 1 PM. (et)
by Joe Dunn
With only three races to go, time is of the essence for the Chase drivers to make up every point they can on standings leader Jeff Gordon. All 12 Chase drivers are still mathematically eligible for the championship, though Gordon and Jimmie Johnson are setting a devastating pace. The Hendrick Motorsports teammates have won the last four races in the Chase and have the closest point margin between first and second since the Chase’s inception in 2004.
Several drivers and fans were upset with Denny Hamlin and blamed him for the wreck on the final start which resulted in the race ending under caution. However it was discovered after the race that Hamlin actually had water in his gas causing the car to sputter on the restart. It was also learned that Dave Blaney had water in his gas too. Nascar decided that they were two isolated cases until Monday when the other teams returned to their shops. Water was found in the fuel cells of both Penske cars of Ryan Newman and Kurt Bush, while water also was evident in all three Richard Childress cars as was the Chevy of winner Jimmie Johnson. Greg Biffle had complained of what he thought was water in his gas during the race, but none was found. Nascar is investigating the incident.
Penske Racing is determined to get Indy 500 winner Sam Hornish established in Nascar despite his failure to qualify for a race after numerous attempts. Penske officials are considering a points swap for 2008 to get Hornish in the field. The idea is to give Hornish the 2007 points of the 2 car. This would guarantee Hornish to start the first five races based on owners points within the top 35. This would mean leaving Kurt Bush without points but eligible for the Past Champions provision as the most recent champion not with a top 35 team.
On the local racing scene Crossville Raceway honored their season champions at an awards banquet last Thursday at the track. The Champions as well as the rest of the top 5 finishers were awarded trophies and acknowledged for their accomplishments. In addition to the 6 foot tall Trophies, the champions also received Jackets and photos from the track. The event was attended by over 200 who showed their appreciation for the event. The track owners were on hand as well as the 20087 track operators, William Scogin and Chris McConnell. A drivers meeting is scheduled for Dec 9 at the track. For details, contact William at (931) 538-8448
Spring City Raceway concluded the racing season with a Fan appreciation night last Saturday. The cars were lined up on the track where fans were invited to walk the track and meet with the drivers. Those in attendance enjoined the night. The track announced that the awards banquet will be held at the track on Saturday November 10, 2007 at 1 PM. (et)
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Fans night at Spring City Raceway
By Joe Dunn
Spring City raceway finished off their last night of racing with an emphasis on the fans. Before the nights racing action began, all of the cars were lined up on the track with the drivers standing by. All the fans were encouraged to leave the grandstands and head out onto the track to meet their favorite drivers.
With Halloween so close many of the kids were dressed in costume, and when the reached the track they discovered that nearly all of the drivers had bags of candy to pass out. It was a good night for the fans, kids and adults alike to meet the drivers, shake hands, pose for pictures and get autographs.
Joining in the spirit of the event was street stock driver Shorty Stewart as she stood by her car passing out candy while dressed as a green M&M candy. Heads turned when they saw her and the smiles just kept coming.
Sam Johnson, a Super Stock driver was voted the most popular driver and it was evident as fans young and old lined up at the 51 car waiting for autographs.
When the racing did get underway things progressed pretty smoothly through the heat races. The first feature race was the Mod Street class where Mike McGuire eventually took the checkered flag after the early leaders fell by the wayside. Todd Poole and Jackie Parks rounded out the top 3. Next up was the Super Street class where more action prevailed. In the end it was none other than Sam Johnson taking the checkered flag, followed by Jake Maloney and Taylor Sutton .
The big class of the night was the Limited Late Models, or at least it started as a big class, but some early clashes caused the field to shrink. Among the early casualties after doing some beating and banging was Gary Lively. When the dust settled it was Randy Runyan claiming victory with Mike Usry second and Jim Bolen third.
The Street Stock feature saw Charlie and Joe Godsey battling out front until they got together in turns 1 and 2. When the banging stopped both cars were hooked together and it took several track workers to free the cars. The call was made to restart the field and Joe Godsey was not all at happy with the call. To show his
displeasure, he parked his car under the flag stand and exited the car to have a temper tantrum that did not belong on any race track. His childish actions delayed the race and prevented the race from being restarted. On an evening intended for the fans, including several children, his actions showed a complete lack of respect for the racers, fans and track officials, as well as an unsportsmanlike conduct that should not be tolerated. In the end, Yoder Godsey was declared the winner with Shorty Stewart second and Donnie Maloney third.
The Super Minis took the track next with Dyllis Devaney taking the checkered flag followed by Kenny Lemons and Jason Manley. The final race of the night was the Front Wheel Drives where Daniel Sizemore took an easy win over Charlie Godsey and Chad Pugh.
Spring City Raceway will hold their awards banquet at the track on Saturday November 10th at 1:00 PM where the season Champions will be honored.
Spring City raceway finished off their last night of racing with an emphasis on the fans. Before the nights racing action began, all of the cars were lined up on the track with the drivers standing by. All the fans were encouraged to leave the grandstands and head out onto the track to meet their favorite drivers.
With Halloween so close many of the kids were dressed in costume, and when the reached the track they discovered that nearly all of the drivers had bags of candy to pass out. It was a good night for the fans, kids and adults alike to meet the drivers, shake hands, pose for pictures and get autographs.
Joining in the spirit of the event was street stock driver Shorty Stewart as she stood by her car passing out candy while dressed as a green M&M candy. Heads turned when they saw her and the smiles just kept coming.
Sam Johnson, a Super Stock driver was voted the most popular driver and it was evident as fans young and old lined up at the 51 car waiting for autographs.
When the racing did get underway things progressed pretty smoothly through the heat races. The first feature race was the Mod Street class where Mike McGuire eventually took the checkered flag after the early leaders fell by the wayside. Todd Poole and Jackie Parks rounded out the top 3. Next up was the Super Street class where more action prevailed. In the end it was none other than Sam Johnson taking the checkered flag, followed by Jake Maloney and Taylor Sutton .
The big class of the night was the Limited Late Models, or at least it started as a big class, but some early clashes caused the field to shrink. Among the early casualties after doing some beating and banging was Gary Lively. When the dust settled it was Randy Runyan claiming victory with Mike Usry second and Jim Bolen third.The Street Stock feature saw Charlie and Joe Godsey battling out front until they got together in turns 1 and 2. When the banging stopped both cars were hooked together and it took several track workers to free the cars. The call was made to restart the field and Joe Godsey was not all at happy with the call. To show his
displeasure, he parked his car under the flag stand and exited the car to have a temper tantrum that did not belong on any race track. His childish actions delayed the race and prevented the race from being restarted. On an evening intended for the fans, including several children, his actions showed a complete lack of respect for the racers, fans and track officials, as well as an unsportsmanlike conduct that should not be tolerated. In the end, Yoder Godsey was declared the winner with Shorty Stewart second and Donnie Maloney third.
The Super Minis took the track next with Dyllis Devaney taking the checkered flag followed by Kenny Lemons and Jason Manley. The final race of the night was the Front Wheel Drives where Daniel Sizemore took an easy win over Charlie Godsey and Chad Pugh.
Spring City Raceway will hold their awards banquet at the track on Saturday November 10th at 1:00 PM where the season Champions will be honored.
Jeff Gordon riding high into Atlanta
from the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, Tn. Friday October 26, 2007
by Joe Dunn
The Nascar Nextel Cup series head to Atlanta Motor Speedway (AMS) this weekend and Jeff Gordon is not only on the top of the standings, he leads all Chase drivers with 4 wins at AMS.
Gordon also has one pole, 12 top fives and 18 top 10s at AMS. But Gordon will be getting little breathing room from his teammate Jimmie Johnson who is the reigning champion who won the spring race at Atlanta, and just completed the sweep at Martinsville. Meanwhile Clint Bowyer, third in the Chase standings has shown no sign of letting up on his quest for a first championship as he remains 115 points behind Gordon and only 62 points behind Johnson.
Jeremy Mayfield will replace Jeff Green in the Haas CNC, #66 Chevy at Atlanta as the team announced that Green has been released. Mayfield will drive for Haas in 2008 along with Scott Riggs who will replace Johnny Sauter. Bill Davis Racing also announced that Truck series point leader Mike Skinner will replace Mayfield in the #36 Toyota. Former Kevin Harvick Inc. Busch Series driver and Nashville resident Bernie Lamar will attempt to qualify the 08 EM Motorsports Dodge.
The Busch series heads to Memphis this week for a Saturday afternoon race where point leader Carl Edwards hopes to come away with a title clinching 585 point lead over second place David Reutimann. Chip Ganassi Racing announced Monday driver Dario Franchitti will make his NASCAR Busch Series debut Saturday, Oct. 27 at Memphis Motorsports Park in the Sam's Town 250.The third official step in the Scot’s stock car learning curve will take place this weekend in the No.42 Target Dodge Charger on the .750-mile oval after previously contesting the ARCA race at Talladega Super Speedway and last weekend’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway. Franchitti will again race under the guidance of Crew Chief Brian Pattie.
The Nascar Craftsman truck series will be in action Saturday at Martinsville where Ron Hornaday Jr and Mike Skinner will be fighting it of the Truck series championship. Skinner holds an 11 point lead over Hornaday with just four races remaining. Skinner’s win at Martinsville pushed him ahead of Hornaday, and like Johnson in the Cup series he got the sweep at Martinsville and is looking for the sweep at Atlanta.
O. Bruton Smith, Chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc (SMI), owner of the Lowe’s Motor Speedway (LMS) as well as Bristol and four others made the news two weeks ago when he announced there was a 90% chance of replacing LMS with a new track in another community near Charlotte. SMI was making plans to add a dragstrip at the track when county officials voted on an ordinance change that would prevent the addition. The county’s action were in response to complaints of neighbors who objected to the increased noise.
Smith has the money to do what he says and folks around racing know that he is a man on a mission when he has a plan. Smith said his team is considering 20 sites, all within the same distance to the Charlotte airport but in other counties. The track, built in 1960 is one of the oldest tracks on the Nascar Nextel cup circuit and has less luxury suites than most of SMI’s other tracks. The planned renovations are expected to cost about $200 Million, while the new facility could be built for about $350 Million. Land acquisition is not considered a problem as various government agencies have been lining up with offers of free land since the possible move was announced. To offset the cost, real estate pro’s have said the old track property could easily draw a $100 Million price. tag.
Local residents flooded the racing campgrounds and motels near the track with petitions to keep the track at it’s present location. It was widely rumored that those circulating the petitions were the same residents that voiced their opposition to the drag strip. The petitions surfaced after the county rescinded the vote to deny the dragstrip, and Smith responded that the move still appeared to be the right thing to do.
by Joe Dunn
The Nascar Nextel Cup series head to Atlanta Motor Speedway (AMS) this weekend and Jeff Gordon is not only on the top of the standings, he leads all Chase drivers with 4 wins at AMS.
Gordon also has one pole, 12 top fives and 18 top 10s at AMS. But Gordon will be getting little breathing room from his teammate Jimmie Johnson who is the reigning champion who won the spring race at Atlanta, and just completed the sweep at Martinsville. Meanwhile Clint Bowyer, third in the Chase standings has shown no sign of letting up on his quest for a first championship as he remains 115 points behind Gordon and only 62 points behind Johnson.
Jeremy Mayfield will replace Jeff Green in the Haas CNC, #66 Chevy at Atlanta as the team announced that Green has been released. Mayfield will drive for Haas in 2008 along with Scott Riggs who will replace Johnny Sauter. Bill Davis Racing also announced that Truck series point leader Mike Skinner will replace Mayfield in the #36 Toyota. Former Kevin Harvick Inc. Busch Series driver and Nashville resident Bernie Lamar will attempt to qualify the 08 EM Motorsports Dodge.
The Busch series heads to Memphis this week for a Saturday afternoon race where point leader Carl Edwards hopes to come away with a title clinching 585 point lead over second place David Reutimann. Chip Ganassi Racing announced Monday driver Dario Franchitti will make his NASCAR Busch Series debut Saturday, Oct. 27 at Memphis Motorsports Park in the Sam's Town 250.The third official step in the Scot’s stock car learning curve will take place this weekend in the No.42 Target Dodge Charger on the .750-mile oval after previously contesting the ARCA race at Talladega Super Speedway and last weekend’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway. Franchitti will again race under the guidance of Crew Chief Brian Pattie.
The Nascar Craftsman truck series will be in action Saturday at Martinsville where Ron Hornaday Jr and Mike Skinner will be fighting it of the Truck series championship. Skinner holds an 11 point lead over Hornaday with just four races remaining. Skinner’s win at Martinsville pushed him ahead of Hornaday, and like Johnson in the Cup series he got the sweep at Martinsville and is looking for the sweep at Atlanta.
O. Bruton Smith, Chairman of Speedway Motorsports Inc (SMI), owner of the Lowe’s Motor Speedway (LMS) as well as Bristol and four others made the news two weeks ago when he announced there was a 90% chance of replacing LMS with a new track in another community near Charlotte. SMI was making plans to add a dragstrip at the track when county officials voted on an ordinance change that would prevent the addition. The county’s action were in response to complaints of neighbors who objected to the increased noise.
Smith has the money to do what he says and folks around racing know that he is a man on a mission when he has a plan. Smith said his team is considering 20 sites, all within the same distance to the Charlotte airport but in other counties. The track, built in 1960 is one of the oldest tracks on the Nascar Nextel cup circuit and has less luxury suites than most of SMI’s other tracks. The planned renovations are expected to cost about $200 Million, while the new facility could be built for about $350 Million. Land acquisition is not considered a problem as various government agencies have been lining up with offers of free land since the possible move was announced. To offset the cost, real estate pro’s have said the old track property could easily draw a $100 Million price. tag.
Local residents flooded the racing campgrounds and motels near the track with petitions to keep the track at it’s present location. It was widely rumored that those circulating the petitions were the same residents that voiced their opposition to the drag strip. The petitions surfaced after the county rescinded the vote to deny the dragstrip, and Smith responded that the move still appeared to be the right thing to do.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Crossville Raceway Champions Honored
Crossville Raceway 2007 Track ChampionsJohn Ross, Ricky Scruggs, Johnny Stout, Dale Nance, Jonathan Norris and Billy Palmer
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
A crowd of over 200 drivers, crew members, fans and family members gathered at Crossville Raceway on Thursday October 25 to honor the 2007 top five drivers in each class.
The awards banquet at the track which included food and beverages along with some pretty funny stories was a free event for all who attended. The track operator for 2008, William Scogins was the emcee for the evening and quickly became a hit with those in attendance. 2007 was an up and down year for the track, but the site of the huge trophies on display for the top 5 drivers in each class, with the Champions trophies standing 6 feet tall, gave the racers hope for 2008.
The 2007 champions crowned were, Super Late Model - Johnny Stout, Limited Late Model - Dale Nance, Open Wheel Modified - Billy Palmer, Street Stock - Ricky Scruggs, Mini Stock - John Ross and Front Wheel Drive - Jonathan Norris. In addition to the six feet trophies the Champions were also presented with Crossville Raceway Champions Jackets along with Photos from the 2007 season.
The track closed prematurely in late August and left many racers and fans to wonder what the future would bring. Thursday they got a glimpse of the future of the track and things started looking very good. Track operator Al Varnadore had closed the track due to financial concerns, but the owners of the track John McConnell and Steve Girsky were not ready to give up on the track. They have enlisted the help of William Scogins (owner of Clarksville Speedway) to get the track ready for the 2008 season.
William and Chris McConnell who will be in charge for 2008 have been busy at the track this past week getting ready for the awards presentation. Both William and Chris spent the better part of the evening answering questions about the track and it’s future, along with listening to ideas and suggestions from the racers and fans. In preparing for 2008 the track has scheduled a drivers meeting for Sunday December 9th at the track. All drivers and car owners are encouraged to attend. There will be separate one hour meetings by class on that day with the schedule as follows. 12 noon- Cruiser Cars, 1 PM - front Wheel Drives, 2 PM - Mini Stocks, 3 PM Street Stock and 4 PM - Limited Late Models. There will be no meeting for the Open Wheel Modifieds as they will continue to run under the UMP sanctioning body rules.
For question or concerns regarding Crossville Raceway contact William Scogins at (931) 538-8448 or Chris McConnell at (931) 472-5111.
On Pit Road unveiled the 2008 Crossville Raceway Calendar at the awards banquet and quickly sold out all copies. These heavyweight 12 month wall calendars display over 80 full color racing photos from the 2007 Crossville Raceway season. We will be accepting pre-orders for the next batch that we hope to have available in time for Christmas. The next batch will include the 2008 racing schedule along with the Champions Photos from the banquet. The price of the Calendars is $20 each, plus $5 for Priority Mail shipping. Orders may be placed via email to Calendar@onpitroad.com, US Mail to Joe Dunn, 498 Arnolds Way Crossville, Tn 38571 or telephone (931) 200-2276. Payments may be made by Check or money order payable to Joe Dunn or via PayPal.
Thanks to all the racers and fans for a great 2007! Joe
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Looking back at the 2007 Racing season
When I arrived at Crossville Raceway for their opening night of the 2007 season, I was not there to take pictures, but rather to do a story on the reopening of the track for the Crossville Chronicle. I had with me a rather cheap digital camera with the intention of getting a couple of general shots to be submitted with the story. As I watched the racing from the scoring tower, I was asked by Al if I had a digital camera and would I mind taking some pictures of the winners, as the regular photographer was not there. When I returned the second week, the story repeated, and then I had some drivers asking about getting copies.
The rest of the story most of the drivers and fans know, a few weeks later I became the track photographer. Doing the pictures gave me the opportunity to meet a lot of drivers and crew members and this ‘job’ became a lot more personal. A few weeks later I watched as some folks were planning to reopen Baxter on Friday nights. I had considered heading down there, but Wartburg had just switched to Friday nights and that track was only 15 miles from home. There were a lot of post on MRM and the Wartburg site looking for a photographer, so I decided to give it a try. Wartburg Speedway became my ‘other’ home track where I found a whole other family of friends.
When Crossville closed suddenly in August, it shocked a lot of folks and was the cause of a lot of frustration, hurt feelings and anger. The racing season never had a chance to come to a close, no final points race, no banquet, no celebration. Little did I know that when I headed to Bristol for race week that my local tracks were soon to be closed. The Labor Day Thunder race scheduled for Crossville was moved to Wartburg and then rained out. That race was later rescheduled for the end of September and was a big success. In the interim, I headed down to Spring City raceway for a three week run ending with their $1000 Limited Late Model race. The regular season at Wartburg Speedway was scheduled to end the night of the Thunder race with trophy presentations, but the plan changed that night. Wartburg crowned their champions on October 6th while I was in Talladega covering that race for the newspaper.
Through late September the rumors were flying all over regarding the future of Crossville Raceway and I decided that some one needed to dig in and get the ‘facts’. I managed to contact the owners through one of their partners and scheduled a meeting.
I won’t repeat what I learned as I have posted it on the MRM board, but I am looking forward to seeing a lot of race fans on October 25th.
On Pit Road will be at Crossville on the 25th with a blowout sale of 2007 photos from Crossville Raceway, Wartburg Speedway and Spring City Raceway. We will also have a few preview copies of the 2008 Crossville Raceway Calendar for sale and will be taking orders for the final copies once the 2008 schedule is ready. Each calendar contains over 70 racing photos from the 2007 season.
For those wishing to do their shopping online, we have lowered the prices on all Crossville, Wartburg and Spring City photos on our SmugMug site to help offset the shipping cost. Photos may still be ordered via email, telephone or US mail at the regular prices with FREE shipping included. Those may be paid by checks or money order through the mail or online through PayPal.
The rest of the story most of the drivers and fans know, a few weeks later I became the track photographer. Doing the pictures gave me the opportunity to meet a lot of drivers and crew members and this ‘job’ became a lot more personal. A few weeks later I watched as some folks were planning to reopen Baxter on Friday nights. I had considered heading down there, but Wartburg had just switched to Friday nights and that track was only 15 miles from home. There were a lot of post on MRM and the Wartburg site looking for a photographer, so I decided to give it a try. Wartburg Speedway became my ‘other’ home track where I found a whole other family of friends.
When Crossville closed suddenly in August, it shocked a lot of folks and was the cause of a lot of frustration, hurt feelings and anger. The racing season never had a chance to come to a close, no final points race, no banquet, no celebration. Little did I know that when I headed to Bristol for race week that my local tracks were soon to be closed. The Labor Day Thunder race scheduled for Crossville was moved to Wartburg and then rained out. That race was later rescheduled for the end of September and was a big success. In the interim, I headed down to Spring City raceway for a three week run ending with their $1000 Limited Late Model race. The regular season at Wartburg Speedway was scheduled to end the night of the Thunder race with trophy presentations, but the plan changed that night. Wartburg crowned their champions on October 6th while I was in Talladega covering that race for the newspaper.
Through late September the rumors were flying all over regarding the future of Crossville Raceway and I decided that some one needed to dig in and get the ‘facts’. I managed to contact the owners through one of their partners and scheduled a meeting.
I won’t repeat what I learned as I have posted it on the MRM board, but I am looking forward to seeing a lot of race fans on October 25th.
On Pit Road will be at Crossville on the 25th with a blowout sale of 2007 photos from Crossville Raceway, Wartburg Speedway and Spring City Raceway. We will also have a few preview copies of the 2008 Crossville Raceway Calendar for sale and will be taking orders for the final copies once the 2008 schedule is ready. Each calendar contains over 70 racing photos from the 2007 season.
For those wishing to do their shopping online, we have lowered the prices on all Crossville, Wartburg and Spring City photos on our SmugMug site to help offset the shipping cost. Photos may still be ordered via email, telephone or US mail at the regular prices with FREE shipping included. Those may be paid by checks or money order through the mail or online through PayPal.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Chase heads for Johnson’s house - Lowe’s Motor Speedway
From the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, TN Friday October 12,2007
By Joe Dunn
The Nascar Nextel Cup teams head to Charlotte, NC and the track that one team calls home. Jimmie Johnson is the current master at LMS, a fact boosted by statistics. His five victories there, the best of all active drivers, means he tops most lists of favorites. But he’s a threat to win even when he doesn’t get to Victory Lane. Johnson finished second when Kasey Kahne swept both 2006 events at LMS. He finished 10th behind winner, and Hendrick Motorsports teammate Casey Mears in the Coca-Cola 600 at May.
Saturday’s Bank of America 500 under the LMS lights marks the fifth event in the 10-race “Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup”, the format that determines the series champion. It began Sept. 16 at New Hampshire and culminates Sunday, Nov. 18 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The Chase field, the top 12 drivers in the series standings following race No. 26 at Richmond International Raceway on Sept. 8, compete for the series title during the season’s final 10 events.
Johnson and Jeff Gordon dodged the bullets at both Kansas, after a rain delayed restart and again last week at Talladega where a late race charge got them both to the front.
Last weeks race at Talladega showed the flaw in the ‘Top 35’ start plan, as all but one Chase contender blew off qualifying. I watched in dismay as the 8 go or go home guys all qualified ahead of the regulars. The attitude of the leaders was exemplified by Jeff Gordon when he predicted that he would qualify between 25th and 35th. Gordon then went out and qualified 42nd. Nascar needs to address this pathetic showing before the 2008 season. When a field-filler who was able to qualify for only 12 of 30 races takes the pole at Talladega, it is a sad statement for the top racing series in America. Not to take anything away from Michael Waltrip’s effort, but if half of those top 35 teams had made serious qualifying efforts, he would have never been on the pole. In the end, Dave Blaney was the only car in the top six to finish up front. His efforts on the day moved the #22 Caterpillar team back into the top 35 replacing the Woods Bother 21 driven by Ken Schrader.
David Reutimann signed a contract renewal with Michael Waltrip last week, keeping him in a Toyota for next year and ends rumors of him moving to RCR. Rumor has it that David will start in the 00 car and then move to the UPS? 44 after Martinsville which is expected to be Dale Jarrett’s last race. No word on who will take over the 00 after that.
Sterling Marlin, who failed to qualify the 09 car at Talladega last week will be racing against his son Stedman this Sunday in a 200 lap Late Model at the Music City Motorplex in Nashville.
Local dirt track racing is about over with the only race scheduled this weekend is at Spring City raceway on Saturday. A reminder to those who missed last weeks announcement, Crossville Raceway will hold it’s Awards Banquet and Open house at the Track on Thursday October 25. Gates will open at 5 pm with awards presented at 6:30 pm.
By Joe Dunn
The Nascar Nextel Cup teams head to Charlotte, NC and the track that one team calls home. Jimmie Johnson is the current master at LMS, a fact boosted by statistics. His five victories there, the best of all active drivers, means he tops most lists of favorites. But he’s a threat to win even when he doesn’t get to Victory Lane. Johnson finished second when Kasey Kahne swept both 2006 events at LMS. He finished 10th behind winner, and Hendrick Motorsports teammate Casey Mears in the Coca-Cola 600 at May.
Saturday’s Bank of America 500 under the LMS lights marks the fifth event in the 10-race “Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup”, the format that determines the series champion. It began Sept. 16 at New Hampshire and culminates Sunday, Nov. 18 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The Chase field, the top 12 drivers in the series standings following race No. 26 at Richmond International Raceway on Sept. 8, compete for the series title during the season’s final 10 events.
Johnson and Jeff Gordon dodged the bullets at both Kansas, after a rain delayed restart and again last week at Talladega where a late race charge got them both to the front.
Last weeks race at Talladega showed the flaw in the ‘Top 35’ start plan, as all but one Chase contender blew off qualifying. I watched in dismay as the 8 go or go home guys all qualified ahead of the regulars. The attitude of the leaders was exemplified by Jeff Gordon when he predicted that he would qualify between 25th and 35th. Gordon then went out and qualified 42nd. Nascar needs to address this pathetic showing before the 2008 season. When a field-filler who was able to qualify for only 12 of 30 races takes the pole at Talladega, it is a sad statement for the top racing series in America. Not to take anything away from Michael Waltrip’s effort, but if half of those top 35 teams had made serious qualifying efforts, he would have never been on the pole. In the end, Dave Blaney was the only car in the top six to finish up front. His efforts on the day moved the #22 Caterpillar team back into the top 35 replacing the Woods Bother 21 driven by Ken Schrader.
David Reutimann signed a contract renewal with Michael Waltrip last week, keeping him in a Toyota for next year and ends rumors of him moving to RCR. Rumor has it that David will start in the 00 car and then move to the UPS? 44 after Martinsville which is expected to be Dale Jarrett’s last race. No word on who will take over the 00 after that.
Sterling Marlin, who failed to qualify the 09 car at Talladega last week will be racing against his son Stedman this Sunday in a 200 lap Late Model at the Music City Motorplex in Nashville.
Local dirt track racing is about over with the only race scheduled this weekend is at Spring City raceway on Saturday. A reminder to those who missed last weeks announcement, Crossville Raceway will hold it’s Awards Banquet and Open house at the Track on Thursday October 25. Gates will open at 5 pm with awards presented at 6:30 pm.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Jeff Gordon takes the win and the lead
By Joe Dunn joe@onpitroad.com
In a strange twist of events that began with a group of field fillers starting up front and the Chase contenders in the back, Jeff Gordon went from 42nd to 1st on Sunday.
It was obvious from the beginning of qualifying on Saturday that the top 35 teams guaranteed to start the race had little concern with a serious qualifying effort. The top eight fastest cars were the go or go home teams. In past years they were called the field fillers, but that is another term that Nascar is trying to avoid. On the pole sat Michael Waltrip who has only managed to qualify for 11 of 30 races thus far this season. Of the top 8 qualifiers, only Dave Blaney managed a decent finish, hanging in the front most of the race to finish 3rd. that finish moved Blaney into the top 35 ranks.
For the first 29 laps the lead changed 14 times among 11 drivers as they were constantly racing 2-3 and sometimes 4 wide. On lap 30, it appeared that half of the crowd rose to their feet in celebration as Dale Earnhardt Jr. moved his red #8 Chevy past teammate Martin Truex Jr. to take the lead. On lap 94 Jeff Burton’s car went up in a cloud of smoke and the first RCR/DEI motor failed. It didn’t take long for the engine failures to move through the field. On lap 114 Martin Truex’s #1 blew up, followed on lap 137 by Teammate Dale Jr. By the end of the day only the 07 of Clint Bowyer was the only car RCR car to survive the engine failures finishing 11th.
The BIG one came on lap 146 as something broke on the bobby Labonte car forcing it to slide down the track and into the path of Kyle Busch’s car. Also collected in the wreck were Robbie Gordon, Reutimann, Reagan, McMurray, Kenseth, Menard, Stremme, Sadler, Villeneuve, Hamlin and Michael Waltrip. Once it all cleared and racing went back to green, Tony Stewart emerged as the leader and appeared to be a strong contender for the win.
Jimmy Johnson began leading a charge in the inside line, Stewart moved low to block Johnson and then attempted to slide back up. But this time Ryan Newman, with a push from teammate Kurt Busch slid past Gordon for the lead. Newman held on for 7 laps until Stewart lined up behind Johnson and they moved past Newman. Johnson held that lead until Jeff Gordon made his move exiting turn 4 on the final lap. It was that late effort that gave way to the Gordon victory.
The win moved Jeff Gordon ahead of his teammate Johnson, into first place in the points. The series moves on to Concord, North Carolina this week for the Bank Of America 500 at Lowes Motor Speedway.
In a strange twist of events that began with a group of field fillers starting up front and the Chase contenders in the back, Jeff Gordon went from 42nd to 1st on Sunday.
It was obvious from the beginning of qualifying on Saturday that the top 35 teams guaranteed to start the race had little concern with a serious qualifying effort. The top eight fastest cars were the go or go home teams. In past years they were called the field fillers, but that is another term that Nascar is trying to avoid. On the pole sat Michael Waltrip who has only managed to qualify for 11 of 30 races thus far this season. Of the top 8 qualifiers, only Dave Blaney managed a decent finish, hanging in the front most of the race to finish 3rd. that finish moved Blaney into the top 35 ranks.
For the first 29 laps the lead changed 14 times among 11 drivers as they were constantly racing 2-3 and sometimes 4 wide. On lap 30, it appeared that half of the crowd rose to their feet in celebration as Dale Earnhardt Jr. moved his red #8 Chevy past teammate Martin Truex Jr. to take the lead. On lap 94 Jeff Burton’s car went up in a cloud of smoke and the first RCR/DEI motor failed. It didn’t take long for the engine failures to move through the field. On lap 114 Martin Truex’s #1 blew up, followed on lap 137 by Teammate Dale Jr. By the end of the day only the 07 of Clint Bowyer was the only car RCR car to survive the engine failures finishing 11th.
The BIG one came on lap 146 as something broke on the bobby Labonte car forcing it to slide down the track and into the path of Kyle Busch’s car. Also collected in the wreck were Robbie Gordon, Reutimann, Reagan, McMurray, Kenseth, Menard, Stremme, Sadler, Villeneuve, Hamlin and Michael Waltrip. Once it all cleared and racing went back to green, Tony Stewart emerged as the leader and appeared to be a strong contender for the win.
Jimmy Johnson began leading a charge in the inside line, Stewart moved low to block Johnson and then attempted to slide back up. But this time Ryan Newman, with a push from teammate Kurt Busch slid past Gordon for the lead. Newman held on for 7 laps until Stewart lined up behind Johnson and they moved past Newman. Johnson held that lead until Jeff Gordon made his move exiting turn 4 on the final lap. It was that late effort that gave way to the Gordon victory.The win moved Jeff Gordon ahead of his teammate Johnson, into first place in the points. The series moves on to Concord, North Carolina this week for the Bank Of America 500 at Lowes Motor Speedway.
Todd Bodine claims another win at Talladega
By Joe Dunn joe@onpitroad.com
2006 Nascar Craftsman Truck Series Champion Todd Bodine held on to a squeaker in a super close 3 wide finish to repeat as the winner at Talladega Super Speedway. Bodine who started on the Pole for the Mountain Dew 250 in his number 30 Lumber Liquidators Toyota managed to stay clear of several wrecks, by virtue of remaining up front all day.
A late race restart with two laps to go, began with Bodine out front, followed closely by Rick Crawford and Johnny Benson. The single file pack all remained in line bumper to bumper until they came out of turn four on the final lap. As the leaders approached the tri-oval, Crawford went to the high side while Benson dove low. But neither was able to get the jump on Bodine who cleared second place Crawford by a mere 0.014 seconds.
The big wreck came on lap 74 when three time series Champion Jack Sprague was leading the race. Sprague had a right front tire blow. Sprague slowed coming out of turn 4 in an attempt to head to pit road when he got a bump from behind by Benson, turning him sideways and eventually causing a six truck crash fest.
"It's typical Talladega," Bodine said of the second truck race at the Alabama track. "The guys get racing hard and try to jockey for position at the end of the race. Somebody bumps somebody else and pretty soon everybody is crashing."
The win leaves Bodine 26 points behind third place Travis Kvapil as the teams take a week off to prepare for the next race October 20 at Martinsville Speedway.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Talladega Nights with ‘Fatback’ the next Rock Star
As seen at Speedwaymedia.com Tuesday October 9, 2007
By Joe Dunn joe@onpitroad.com
The nights of Talladega Race Week are never quite because the parties go on all week. The infield never sleeps and Talladega is famous for that, but just over the wall of turn 2 is the Talladega Family Camping area.
Those campers came alive on Saturday night in a park next to the south tunnel when the band ‘River’ was joined on stage by legendary Nascar Nextel Cup Crew Chief, Michael ‘Fatback’ McSwain. After announcing that he planned to retire as a crew chief after the 2007 season to spend more time with his family, Fatback grabbed a microphone and began singing Hank Williams Jr.‘s ‘Country Boy Can Survive’. The crowd of several hundred gave a roaring welcome and joined in singing with Fatback. No, he isn’t really planning a new career on stage, but he sure gave the fans something to talk about.
Also joining Fatback was ‘Preacher’ Barry Steed, the lead singer of the band which is headquartered at the Little Chapel Church in Harrisburg, IL. The band follows several Nascar races at select track such as Talladega, Michigan, Kansas, and Chicago doing free concerts in conjunction with Motor Racing Outreach. This weekend was the seventh year at Talladega, where they perform both race weeks. Steed spoke of his work with MRO in the past and his desire to do something for the race fans. When he approached the members of his church several years ago, there was no hesitation, they wanted to do what they could to help.
Because of Barry’s work with MRO he has come in contact with several drivers and team members, so it is not unusual that a Nascar ’name’ shows up on stage. Fatback’s crooning may not be the ‘norm’ for a crew chief but he also hung around to answer questions, sign autographs and generally just rub elbows with the fans.
So, on several Nascar Nextel Cup weekends about 125 members of the church pack up their stuff, load the tractor trailer and several vans with equipment and camping supplies and head off to the races. They ask for no pay from the tracks, the campgrounds or the fans, paying their own way as they performed both Friday and Saturday nights. They stay in the Talladega Free Family camping area, pay their own expenses and sell a modest supply of CD’s and T shirts in a tent next to the stage to help cover some of the fuel cost.
The next stop for River is at Atlanta Motor Speedway, October 26-28. So if your gonna be at Atlanta, look for a band called River. You will not be disappointed, in fact, you will surely be joining in singing with the rest of the crowd.
Wonder who attends these concerts? Want to see how much fun this band provides? Check out the photos from both the Friday and Saturday concerts by River at the Talladega Super Speedway family Camping area. Click on this link http://onpitroad.smugmug.com/gallery/3613739#205711618 or check the photo section at http://www.onpitroad.com .
By Joe Dunn joe@onpitroad.com
The nights of Talladega Race Week are never quite because the parties go on all week. The infield never sleeps and Talladega is famous for that, but just over the wall of turn 2 is the Talladega Family Camping area.
Those campers came alive on Saturday night in a park next to the south tunnel when the band ‘River’ was joined on stage by legendary Nascar Nextel Cup Crew Chief, Michael ‘Fatback’ McSwain. After announcing that he planned to retire as a crew chief after the 2007 season to spend more time with his family, Fatback grabbed a microphone and began singing Hank Williams Jr.‘s ‘Country Boy Can Survive’. The crowd of several hundred gave a roaring welcome and joined in singing with Fatback. No, he isn’t really planning a new career on stage, but he sure gave the fans something to talk about.
Also joining Fatback was ‘Preacher’ Barry Steed, the lead singer of the band which is headquartered at the Little Chapel Church in Harrisburg, IL. The band follows several Nascar races at select track such as Talladega, Michigan, Kansas, and Chicago doing free concerts in conjunction with Motor Racing Outreach. This weekend was the seventh year at Talladega, where they perform both race weeks. Steed spoke of his work with MRO in the past and his desire to do something for the race fans. When he approached the members of his church several years ago, there was no hesitation, they wanted to do what they could to help.
Because of Barry’s work with MRO he has come in contact with several drivers and team members, so it is not unusual that a Nascar ’name’ shows up on stage. Fatback’s crooning may not be the ‘norm’ for a crew chief but he also hung around to answer questions, sign autographs and generally just rub elbows with the fans.
So, on several Nascar Nextel Cup weekends about 125 members of the church pack up their stuff, load the tractor trailer and several vans with equipment and camping supplies and head off to the races. They ask for no pay from the tracks, the campgrounds or the fans, paying their own way as they performed both Friday and Saturday nights. They stay in the Talladega Free Family camping area, pay their own expenses and sell a modest supply of CD’s and T shirts in a tent next to the stage to help cover some of the fuel cost.
The next stop for River is at Atlanta Motor Speedway, October 26-28. So if your gonna be at Atlanta, look for a band called River. You will not be disappointed, in fact, you will surely be joining in singing with the rest of the crowd.
Wonder who attends these concerts? Want to see how much fun this band provides? Check out the photos from both the Friday and Saturday concerts by River at the Talladega Super Speedway family Camping area. Click on this link http://onpitroad.smugmug.com/gallery/3613739#205711618 or check the photo section at http://www.onpitroad.com .
Next up Talladega, Race four in the Chase
From the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, Tn. Friday October 5, 2007
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
After a wild and crazy race and the most controversial finish in memory at Kansas Speedway, the Nextel cup teams head to the high banks of Talladega Super Speedway. This will also be the first restrictor plate race for the COT.
Following last weeks race at Kansas, the points for all the Chase contenders changed with the exception of Denny Hamlin who remains in 12th place. Jimmie Johnson is the leader heading to Talladega, followed by Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer.
Robert Yates Racing announced this week that Mike Wallace will drive the 88 car replacing brother Kenny. No explanation was given for the change. Bill Davis racing has entered Jacques Villeneuve another Formula One ace with intentions of moving to Nascar. In a surprise move Nascar approved Villeneuve after a recent testing session. Sam Hornish will also attempt the race in a Penske car.
Remember “The Rock”? North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, NC was the scene of many heart pounding close finishes. One of Nascar fans beloved ‘old’ tracks. The Rock closed a few years ago after it was sold to Speedway Motorsports Inc. as part of a lawsuit settlement over a second race date for Texas Motor Speedway. International Speedway Corporation had already stripped one of the tracks dates for a second California date in 2003. Tuesday, the Rock went up on the auction block, with Race car driver, instructor and one time actor Andy Hillenburg placing the winning bid of $4 Million. Hillenburg, who operates the Fastrack Racing School, plans to bring racing back to the Rock. Rumor has it that the Arca/Remax series will run a race at the Rock in the fall of 2008. Hillenburg also intends to pursue other Nascar dates for the track, in the Craftsman Truck Series as well as the Nascar Busch series.
In local action, Spring City Raceway held their $1,000 Limited Late Model event last Saturday with Crossville’s Sam Williams taking home the big check. Following Sam across the line were Ruben Mayfield and Randy Runyon. Crossville’s Chad Pugh won the Front Wheel Drive feature.
This Saturday Wartburg Speedway will run a non points race and also present trophies to the season Champions. Spring city is slated to run their normal race schedule.
Crossville Raceway, which closed in August, this week announced that they will conduct an Open House / Awards Banquet at the track on Thursday October 25, 2007. The gates will open to the public at 5 PM with the Awards presentation to begin at 6:30 PM. The track management is also planning to conduct a drivers / owners meeting before the end of the year to discuss 2008 rules and racing schedule.
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
After a wild and crazy race and the most controversial finish in memory at Kansas Speedway, the Nextel cup teams head to the high banks of Talladega Super Speedway. This will also be the first restrictor plate race for the COT.
Following last weeks race at Kansas, the points for all the Chase contenders changed with the exception of Denny Hamlin who remains in 12th place. Jimmie Johnson is the leader heading to Talladega, followed by Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer.
Robert Yates Racing announced this week that Mike Wallace will drive the 88 car replacing brother Kenny. No explanation was given for the change. Bill Davis racing has entered Jacques Villeneuve another Formula One ace with intentions of moving to Nascar. In a surprise move Nascar approved Villeneuve after a recent testing session. Sam Hornish will also attempt the race in a Penske car.
Remember “The Rock”? North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, NC was the scene of many heart pounding close finishes. One of Nascar fans beloved ‘old’ tracks. The Rock closed a few years ago after it was sold to Speedway Motorsports Inc. as part of a lawsuit settlement over a second race date for Texas Motor Speedway. International Speedway Corporation had already stripped one of the tracks dates for a second California date in 2003. Tuesday, the Rock went up on the auction block, with Race car driver, instructor and one time actor Andy Hillenburg placing the winning bid of $4 Million. Hillenburg, who operates the Fastrack Racing School, plans to bring racing back to the Rock. Rumor has it that the Arca/Remax series will run a race at the Rock in the fall of 2008. Hillenburg also intends to pursue other Nascar dates for the track, in the Craftsman Truck Series as well as the Nascar Busch series.
In local action, Spring City Raceway held their $1,000 Limited Late Model event last Saturday with Crossville’s Sam Williams taking home the big check. Following Sam across the line were Ruben Mayfield and Randy Runyon. Crossville’s Chad Pugh won the Front Wheel Drive feature.
This Saturday Wartburg Speedway will run a non points race and also present trophies to the season Champions. Spring city is slated to run their normal race schedule.
Crossville Raceway, which closed in August, this week announced that they will conduct an Open House / Awards Banquet at the track on Thursday October 25, 2007. The gates will open to the public at 5 PM with the Awards presentation to begin at 6:30 PM. The track management is also planning to conduct a drivers / owners meeting before the end of the year to discuss 2008 rules and racing schedule.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Crossville Raceway Awards Banquet and Open House
Crossville Raceway - Crossville, Tn.
Press Release - October 2, 2007
Crossville Raceway would like to extend an invitation to all racers and fans to join us at the track on Thursday October 25 to honor our Champions. Trophies will be presented to the top 5 finishers in each class. The gates will be open to the public at 5 PM with the Championship Awards Presentation at 6:30 PM.
Crossville Raceway 2007 Season Champions
Super Late Model - Johnny Stout
‘top 5’ Tim Damron, Dewayne Pesterfield, Kenny Coble & Brett Wyatt
Limited Late Model - Dale Nance
‘top 5’ Duke Lowe, Joe Cline, Lynn Selby & Brandon Williams
Open Wheel Modified - Billy Palmer
‘top 5’ Steve Mullinax, Michael Asberry, Robert Potter & Mike Freeman
Street Stock - Ricky Scruggs
‘top 5’ Brian Selby, Chris Croinex, Ron Dodson & Danny Clouse
Mini Stock - John Ross
‘top 5’ Joseph Howell, Shalon Turner, Randy Goolsby & Dustin Stephens
Front Wheel Drive - Jonathan Norris
‘top 5’ Jordon Butler, Cody Rector, JD Rector & Seth Smith
Crossville Raceway will resume racing in the spring of 2008 with an exciting line-up of the finest Dirt Track racing in East Tennessee. Watch for the announcement of a drivers / owners meeting to be held before the end of 2007. The meeting will include discussion of rules for the various classes as well as the racing schedule for the new year. All owners and drivers are encouraged to attend and share their comments and recommendations. It is our sincere hope that this meeting will ensure a better racing environment for all parties involved.
I would ask that the above named Drivers kindly contact Joe Dunn ASAP to confirm your attendance at the banquet, by email at joe@onpitroad.com or telephone at (931) 200-2276
Press Release - October 2, 2007
Crossville Raceway would like to extend an invitation to all racers and fans to join us at the track on Thursday October 25 to honor our Champions. Trophies will be presented to the top 5 finishers in each class. The gates will be open to the public at 5 PM with the Championship Awards Presentation at 6:30 PM.
Crossville Raceway 2007 Season Champions
Super Late Model - Johnny Stout
‘top 5’ Tim Damron, Dewayne Pesterfield, Kenny Coble & Brett Wyatt
Limited Late Model - Dale Nance
‘top 5’ Duke Lowe, Joe Cline, Lynn Selby & Brandon Williams
Open Wheel Modified - Billy Palmer
‘top 5’ Steve Mullinax, Michael Asberry, Robert Potter & Mike Freeman
Street Stock - Ricky Scruggs
‘top 5’ Brian Selby, Chris Croinex, Ron Dodson & Danny Clouse
Mini Stock - John Ross
‘top 5’ Joseph Howell, Shalon Turner, Randy Goolsby & Dustin Stephens
Front Wheel Drive - Jonathan Norris
‘top 5’ Jordon Butler, Cody Rector, JD Rector & Seth Smith
Crossville Raceway will resume racing in the spring of 2008 with an exciting line-up of the finest Dirt Track racing in East Tennessee. Watch for the announcement of a drivers / owners meeting to be held before the end of 2007. The meeting will include discussion of rules for the various classes as well as the racing schedule for the new year. All owners and drivers are encouraged to attend and share their comments and recommendations. It is our sincere hope that this meeting will ensure a better racing environment for all parties involved.
I would ask that the above named Drivers kindly contact Joe Dunn ASAP to confirm your attendance at the banquet, by email at joe@onpitroad.com or telephone at (931) 200-2276
Friday, September 28, 2007
Winners of first 2 Chase races head Home
From the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, Tn. Friday September 28, 2007
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
The third stop on the Chase for the Nextel Cup Championship is home for Clint Bowyer and Carl Edwards, who were the winners of the first two races. Neither driver has won a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup or NASCAR Busch Series event at Kansas, although Edwards won the ’04 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event there.
Edwards’ win at Dover bumped him up to third in the points, but the post race inspection found the right rear of the car too low. The 25 point penalty issued Tuesday dropped him to 6th place, but he is still within striking distance. Carl’s point lead in the Busch series makes it all but a certain championship. That combined with his chances to win the Nextel Cup Championship could spell another mark in the Nascar record book, no driver has ever captured both crowns in the same season.
Also on Tuesday it was announced that Coors Light will replace Budweiser as the official Beer of Nascar starting with the 2008 season. The new contract does not effect the Bud shootout and does not have anything to do with the title sponsorship of the Busch series.
Art Harris, gasman for the #55 team of Michael Waltrip was treated and released from a Dover area hospital Sunday after being struck by a wheel on pit road during Sundays race. His condition is listed as Day by day pending evaluation by his physician in North Carolina.
Chicagoland Speedway announced Tuesday that they will be installing lighting for the 2008 season and the schedule for next year will include night races, July 11 and 12 for the Busch and Sprint Cup series. Kansas Speedway also announced Tuesday that they have submitted a plan for a Casino to be constructed on Speedway owned property. The plan calls for a partnership with Baltimore based Cordish Company to build a Casino, Hotel, Entertainment and retail Outlets. The initial cost is expected to be more than $600 Million with no public funds.
In local action, last Friday, Anthony White survived the caution filled Rogers Group, Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series, Super Late Model race at Wartburg Speedway to take the checkered flag and the $3,000 payout. Other winners included Mark Rosner - Sportsman, Jason Manley - Pure Mini, Jonathan Sims - Pure Street and JD Rector of Crossville in the front Wheel Drive class.
On Saturday night, Spring City Raceway saw another big crowd as several new drivers have been arriving as many tracks are closing for the season. Results from Saturday night are as follows: Modified Street - 1. Larry Higgins, 2. Mike Selby, 3. Bruce Davenport --Super Street -1. Steve Welch, 2. Taylor Sutton, 3. Rusty Caraway --LLM -1. Jim Bolen, 2. Junior Robinette, 3. AJ Russell --Street Stock - 1. Joe Godsey, 2. Charlie Godsey, 3. Yoder Godsey--Super Mini - 1. Ronnie Shelton, 2. Kenny Lemons, 3. Joseph Howell --FWD - 1. Chad Pugh, 2. Daniel Sizemore, 3. Roy Baker
Tomorrow night, Saturday September 29, Spring City Raceway will host the HI TECH Construction / NAPA auto Parts of Dayton $1000 to win Limited Late Model race as well as a full card of racing to begin at 7 pm EDT.
I spoke with the folks from Crossville Raceway earlier in the week and they informed me that they do intend to hold a banquet / awards dinner for the top 5 finishers in each class. I will post the information as it is received.
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
The third stop on the Chase for the Nextel Cup Championship is home for Clint Bowyer and Carl Edwards, who were the winners of the first two races. Neither driver has won a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup or NASCAR Busch Series event at Kansas, although Edwards won the ’04 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event there.
Edwards’ win at Dover bumped him up to third in the points, but the post race inspection found the right rear of the car too low. The 25 point penalty issued Tuesday dropped him to 6th place, but he is still within striking distance. Carl’s point lead in the Busch series makes it all but a certain championship. That combined with his chances to win the Nextel Cup Championship could spell another mark in the Nascar record book, no driver has ever captured both crowns in the same season.
Also on Tuesday it was announced that Coors Light will replace Budweiser as the official Beer of Nascar starting with the 2008 season. The new contract does not effect the Bud shootout and does not have anything to do with the title sponsorship of the Busch series.
Art Harris, gasman for the #55 team of Michael Waltrip was treated and released from a Dover area hospital Sunday after being struck by a wheel on pit road during Sundays race. His condition is listed as Day by day pending evaluation by his physician in North Carolina.
Chicagoland Speedway announced Tuesday that they will be installing lighting for the 2008 season and the schedule for next year will include night races, July 11 and 12 for the Busch and Sprint Cup series. Kansas Speedway also announced Tuesday that they have submitted a plan for a Casino to be constructed on Speedway owned property. The plan calls for a partnership with Baltimore based Cordish Company to build a Casino, Hotel, Entertainment and retail Outlets. The initial cost is expected to be more than $600 Million with no public funds.
In local action, last Friday, Anthony White survived the caution filled Rogers Group, Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series, Super Late Model race at Wartburg Speedway to take the checkered flag and the $3,000 payout. Other winners included Mark Rosner - Sportsman, Jason Manley - Pure Mini, Jonathan Sims - Pure Street and JD Rector of Crossville in the front Wheel Drive class.
On Saturday night, Spring City Raceway saw another big crowd as several new drivers have been arriving as many tracks are closing for the season. Results from Saturday night are as follows: Modified Street - 1. Larry Higgins, 2. Mike Selby, 3. Bruce Davenport --Super Street -1. Steve Welch, 2. Taylor Sutton, 3. Rusty Caraway --LLM -1. Jim Bolen, 2. Junior Robinette, 3. AJ Russell --Street Stock - 1. Joe Godsey, 2. Charlie Godsey, 3. Yoder Godsey--Super Mini - 1. Ronnie Shelton, 2. Kenny Lemons, 3. Joseph Howell --FWD - 1. Chad Pugh, 2. Daniel Sizemore, 3. Roy Baker
Tomorrow night, Saturday September 29, Spring City Raceway will host the HI TECH Construction / NAPA auto Parts of Dayton $1000 to win Limited Late Model race as well as a full card of racing to begin at 7 pm EDT.
I spoke with the folks from Crossville Raceway earlier in the week and they informed me that they do intend to hold a banquet / awards dinner for the top 5 finishers in each class. I will post the information as it is received.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Is the Budweiser Light Flickering?
As seen on Speedwaymedia.com
By Joe Dunn joe@onpitroad.com
When Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced a few months back that he had inked a deal to drive for Rick Hendrick starting in 2008 insiders knew that Budweiser would not follow. That fact was confirmed when Anheuser Busch announced their move to the Gillett Evernham Motorsports #9 with driver Kasey Kahne.
Kasey has proved to be a popular driver and showed a lot of promise in 2006, but 2007 has been a dismal season for Kasey as well as the rest of the GEM teams. To many it seemed like a sign of the down turn of Budweiser in NASCAR. After 10 seasons as the Official Beer of NASCAR and sponsor of the Bud Pole Award they are not renewing those license agreements. Earlier in the year it was also revealed that Busch will not be back as the title sponsor of the Nascar Busch Series in 2008. So, how much is the Budweiser image going to shrink?
In an announcement Tuesday September 25, Coors Light will become the Official Beer of NASCAR and the sponsor of the Pole Award, to be named the Coors Light Pole Award. Another big question to surface is about the Bud shootout and that reveals another twist in the whole sponsor game. There WILL be a BUD SHOOTOUT in 2008, sponsored by Budweiser. Although the Pole Award is used as the basis to qualify for the Shootout, they are separate packages.
According to Andrew Giangola, Director of Business Communications for NASCAR, the sponsorship of the Pole Award and the Official Beer title are licensed entities of NASCAR, while the Bud Shootout is a Daytona Speedway / ISC property and licensed by ISC. I spoke with David Talley of ISC and was informed that the contract with Anheuser Busch was valid through the 2008 season. That contract is up for negotiations after 2008 with nothing being discussed at this point. So what that means is that despite the loss of the Pole Award, the Bud Shootout could continue after 2008. This makes for a subject of a lot of speculation over the next several months, because if there is movement out there on the issue, it is not being talked about.
Another Big question pertains to the title sponsorship of NASCAR’s second tier, now known as the NASCAR Busch series. “The deal bringing in Coors Light as official beer of NASCAR is totally separate from continuing discussions for a new title partner to NASCAR Busch Series in 2008.” said Giangola, “There's strong interest in that position, which will provide a sponsor with more than $200 million in annual exposure value, and discussions are ongoing. The most important thing is to find the right partner who can continue to elevate our #2 series. We hope to announce a new partner before the end of the 2007 season.”
So if your headed to Daytona in February you better stock up on both Bud and Coors Light because they will both have a major presence there.
By Joe Dunn joe@onpitroad.com
When Dale Earnhardt Jr. announced a few months back that he had inked a deal to drive for Rick Hendrick starting in 2008 insiders knew that Budweiser would not follow. That fact was confirmed when Anheuser Busch announced their move to the Gillett Evernham Motorsports #9 with driver Kasey Kahne.
Kasey has proved to be a popular driver and showed a lot of promise in 2006, but 2007 has been a dismal season for Kasey as well as the rest of the GEM teams. To many it seemed like a sign of the down turn of Budweiser in NASCAR. After 10 seasons as the Official Beer of NASCAR and sponsor of the Bud Pole Award they are not renewing those license agreements. Earlier in the year it was also revealed that Busch will not be back as the title sponsor of the Nascar Busch Series in 2008. So, how much is the Budweiser image going to shrink?
In an announcement Tuesday September 25, Coors Light will become the Official Beer of NASCAR and the sponsor of the Pole Award, to be named the Coors Light Pole Award. Another big question to surface is about the Bud shootout and that reveals another twist in the whole sponsor game. There WILL be a BUD SHOOTOUT in 2008, sponsored by Budweiser. Although the Pole Award is used as the basis to qualify for the Shootout, they are separate packages.
According to Andrew Giangola, Director of Business Communications for NASCAR, the sponsorship of the Pole Award and the Official Beer title are licensed entities of NASCAR, while the Bud Shootout is a Daytona Speedway / ISC property and licensed by ISC. I spoke with David Talley of ISC and was informed that the contract with Anheuser Busch was valid through the 2008 season. That contract is up for negotiations after 2008 with nothing being discussed at this point. So what that means is that despite the loss of the Pole Award, the Bud Shootout could continue after 2008. This makes for a subject of a lot of speculation over the next several months, because if there is movement out there on the issue, it is not being talked about.
Another Big question pertains to the title sponsorship of NASCAR’s second tier, now known as the NASCAR Busch series. “The deal bringing in Coors Light as official beer of NASCAR is totally separate from continuing discussions for a new title partner to NASCAR Busch Series in 2008.” said Giangola, “There's strong interest in that position, which will provide a sponsor with more than $200 million in annual exposure value, and discussions are ongoing. The most important thing is to find the right partner who can continue to elevate our #2 series. We hope to announce a new partner before the end of the 2007 season.”
So if your headed to Daytona in February you better stock up on both Bud and Coors Light because they will both have a major presence there.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Rain out equals success at Wartburg Speedway
By Joe Dunn joe@onpitroad.com
When the rain starting falling on Saturday September 1, it spelled disappointment for everyone that was at Wartburg Speedway for the $3,000 Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series, Rogers Group 50. Being late in the season a decision on a make up date was a tough choice, but finally the Track management decided on Friday September 21. Three weeks away, and the end of September left many wondering if the weather would favor the date.
Fast forward to Friday September 21st and the weather could not be better, clear skies and a bit cooler temps proved the magic numbers. But what nobody was really expecting was the HUGE turnout for this late season race. As the track activities began, the haulers just kept rolling in, and along with them were the carloads of fans. By Race Time, 36 Super Late Models were trackside representing five states. Up in the grandstands and the Tier parking areas looked to be the biggest crowd to ever attend a race at the storied East Tennessee track.
Anthony White turned the quick time for the Rogers Group 50 and started on the pole with Matt Henderson beside him. White jumped out front quick, but Ricky Arms, Rick Rogers and Matt Henderson kept the pressure on with White and Arms swapping the lead midway through the race. But in his normal Wartburg fashion, the Dirty White Boy powered past Arms to retake the lead and stay there. When the checkered flag finally came out it was Anthony White for the win followed by Ricky Arms, Rick Rogers, Matt Henderson and Stacy Boles rounding out the top five. The rest of the top ten included Tommy Bailey, Steve Smith, Tommy Kerr, Kayne Hickman and Brad Coffey.
Big winners for the night included Mark Rosner who powered to win the 21 car $2,000 Sportsman Late Model feature, Jason Manley fighting to hold off the competition in the $500 Pure Mini feature and Jonathan Sims taking the win in the $500 Pure Street feature. In the final race of the night, the Front wheel Drives took to the track for their $300 race. Although the fans had thinned out by then, they missed a real action packed race that ended abruptly when Jeff Bean hit the wall in turn three and went airborne. The car finally came to a rest high in turn four, turned on the driver’s side. Track workers were quick to respond and tensions were high as the wreckers and ambulance were summoned to the track. Unable to free Bean from the car, track personnel carefully rolled the car over on it’s wheels. About a minute later, Bean emerged from the car waving to the crowd to acknowledge that he was OK. The race having been halted, JD Rector was declared the winner.
Top Ten finishers in all classes;
Sportsman - 1. Mark Rosner, 2. Derrick York, 3. Mark Leach, 4. Jeff Atkisson, 5. Charles Hurst -- Pure Mini - 1. Jason Manley, 2. David Christmas, 3. John Cobb, 4. Jack Courtney, 5. Brad Hamilton -- Pure Street - 1. Jonathan Sims, 2. Raymond Shepard, 3. Jason Capps, 4. Nick Nelson, 5. Reagan Williams -- Front Wheel Drive - 1. J.D. Rector, 2. Chris Morrison, 3. Andrew Green, 4. Joe Freels, 5. Justin Scott
When the rain starting falling on Saturday September 1, it spelled disappointment for everyone that was at Wartburg Speedway for the $3,000 Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series, Rogers Group 50. Being late in the season a decision on a make up date was a tough choice, but finally the Track management decided on Friday September 21. Three weeks away, and the end of September left many wondering if the weather would favor the date.
Fast forward to Friday September 21st and the weather could not be better, clear skies and a bit cooler temps proved the magic numbers. But what nobody was really expecting was the HUGE turnout for this late season race. As the track activities began, the haulers just kept rolling in, and along with them were the carloads of fans. By Race Time, 36 Super Late Models were trackside representing five states. Up in the grandstands and the Tier parking areas looked to be the biggest crowd to ever attend a race at the storied East Tennessee track.
Anthony White turned the quick time for the Rogers Group 50 and started on the pole with Matt Henderson beside him. White jumped out front quick, but Ricky Arms, Rick Rogers and Matt Henderson kept the pressure on with White and Arms swapping the lead midway through the race. But in his normal Wartburg fashion, the Dirty White Boy powered past Arms to retake the lead and stay there. When the checkered flag finally came out it was Anthony White for the win followed by Ricky Arms, Rick Rogers, Matt Henderson and Stacy Boles rounding out the top five. The rest of the top ten included Tommy Bailey, Steve Smith, Tommy Kerr, Kayne Hickman and Brad Coffey.
Big winners for the night included Mark Rosner who powered to win the 21 car $2,000 Sportsman Late Model feature, Jason Manley fighting to hold off the competition in the $500 Pure Mini feature and Jonathan Sims taking the win in the $500 Pure Street feature. In the final race of the night, the Front wheel Drives took to the track for their $300 race. Although the fans had thinned out by then, they missed a real action packed race that ended abruptly when Jeff Bean hit the wall in turn three and went airborne. The car finally came to a rest high in turn four, turned on the driver’s side. Track workers were quick to respond and tensions were high as the wreckers and ambulance were summoned to the track. Unable to free Bean from the car, track personnel carefully rolled the car over on it’s wheels. About a minute later, Bean emerged from the car waving to the crowd to acknowledge that he was OK. The race having been halted, JD Rector was declared the winner.
Top Ten finishers in all classes;
Sportsman - 1. Mark Rosner, 2. Derrick York, 3. Mark Leach, 4. Jeff Atkisson, 5. Charles Hurst -- Pure Mini - 1. Jason Manley, 2. David Christmas, 3. John Cobb, 4. Jack Courtney, 5. Brad Hamilton -- Pure Street - 1. Jonathan Sims, 2. Raymond Shepard, 3. Jason Capps, 4. Nick Nelson, 5. Reagan Williams -- Front Wheel Drive - 1. J.D. Rector, 2. Chris Morrison, 3. Andrew Green, 4. Joe Freels, 5. Justin Scott
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Could Nascar be in for an unlikely Champion?
From the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, Tn. Friday September 21, 2007
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
A lot of fans were thinking that Clint Bowyer had ‘backed’ into the Nascar Nextel Cup Chase of the Championship. Despite the fact that he finished the first 26 races ranked 7th in points and easily qualified for the Chase, Bowyer was the lone driver in the Chase without a win in Nascar’s top series.
That all changed when the Chase started last Sunday at New Hampshire International Speedway. First Bowyer put his Jack Daniels Chevy on the pole, then he followed that up by leading the most laps (222 of 300) and finally, getting his first win. The win bumped him up eight places from 12th to 4th in the Championship points. Aside from Chase implications, Bowyer’s win also marked the first Car of Tomorrow victory for Richard Childress Racing. Bowyer, like Martin Truex Jr. has spent his time in Cup in the shadow of a popular and successful teammate. Truex broke out of that shadow with his first win at Dover International Speedway in June.
The Chase heads back to the Monster Mile this weekend and Truex is anxious to get back to his Home track, with a new confidence. Since earning that first career win in the season’s 13th event at Dover, Truex has reeled off seven top 10 finishes in his last 14 races.
But probably the biggest news this week are the announcements for the 2008 Nascar Sprint Cup Series. On Tuesday, Budweiser and Gillette-Evernham Racing made it official when they unveiled the Red #9 Budweiser dodge to be driven by Kasey Kahne. "Budweiser has a long and storied history with NASCAR and some of its most successful drivers. We're excited about Kasey's ability to add to that outstanding lineage," said Tony Ponturo, vice president, global media and sports marketing, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. "Along with team owners George Gillett and Ray Evernham, we feel the pieces are in place for the #9 Budweiser Dodge to contend for NASCAR Sprint Cup championships for years to come." Budweiser first sponsored a team on the NASCAR Winston Cup Series circuit in 1983, and in 1998, Budweiser became the "Official Beer of NASCAR," cementing the brand's place among stock car racing's elite sponsors.
On Wednesday, Hendrick Motorsports, Dale Earnhardt Jr., PepsiCo and The National Guard announced that Jr. will drive the 88 car for 2008 . The car will feature the Mountain Dew/AMP Energy Drink Logos as well as The National Guard. The press conference displayed three different paint schemes to be used, plus the possibility of using the old DW, 88 paint scheme at some time was mentioned by Dale Jr.
On the local scene, Last Saturday saw the temperatures drop after dark, but the action really got HOT at Spring City Raceway. The big
action was in the Limited Late Model race where Crossville drivers battled to take the top 2 spots. Starting up front, Joe Cline quickly took the lead and looked to be making it a runaway. However, the race was filled with cautions and several restarts. On a late restart, Crossville’s Sam Williams got by Cline and that was all she wrote. Williams took the checkers with Cline in tow, followed by Larry Higgins. In the other Spring City races the top three’s were: Modified Street - 1. Mike McGuire, 2.Jeff Page, 3. Brice Davenport. Super Street - 1. Taylor Sutton, 2. Allen Walker, 3. Clayton Forsyth. Street Stock - 1. Jerry Spence, 2.Charlie Godsey, 3.Roger Harrison. Super Mini - 1. Kenny Lemons, 2. Ronnie Shelton, 3. Charolette Daniels. FWD-A-MAIN - 1. Chad Pugh, 2. Daniel Sizemore, 3.JD Rector. FWD-B-MAIN - 1. Dee Howard, 2. Richard Clowers, 3. James Dodd.
Wartburg Speedway will run the Labor Day weekend rained out Rogers Group 50, Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series, Super Late Model event tonight. Many of the top names in Dirt racing will be on hand as AAPTS wind down to it’s final weekend before declaring a 2007 Champion. In addition to the AAPTS race there will be a $2,000 Sportsman race as well as $500 to win Pure Street and Pure Mini and a $300 to win Front Wheel Drive feature. The 2007 Wartburg Speedway Champions will also be honored following each feature race.
On Saturday, Spring City Raceway will host a full card of racing and looks forward to a large field of cars. With several area tracks closing for the season, Spring City hopes to heat up the action this Saturday and again September 29th when they host the HI-TECH Construction - NAPA Auto Parts of Dayton $1,000 to win Limited Late Model Race.
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
A lot of fans were thinking that Clint Bowyer had ‘backed’ into the Nascar Nextel Cup Chase of the Championship. Despite the fact that he finished the first 26 races ranked 7th in points and easily qualified for the Chase, Bowyer was the lone driver in the Chase without a win in Nascar’s top series.
That all changed when the Chase started last Sunday at New Hampshire International Speedway. First Bowyer put his Jack Daniels Chevy on the pole, then he followed that up by leading the most laps (222 of 300) and finally, getting his first win. The win bumped him up eight places from 12th to 4th in the Championship points. Aside from Chase implications, Bowyer’s win also marked the first Car of Tomorrow victory for Richard Childress Racing. Bowyer, like Martin Truex Jr. has spent his time in Cup in the shadow of a popular and successful teammate. Truex broke out of that shadow with his first win at Dover International Speedway in June.
The Chase heads back to the Monster Mile this weekend and Truex is anxious to get back to his Home track, with a new confidence. Since earning that first career win in the season’s 13th event at Dover, Truex has reeled off seven top 10 finishes in his last 14 races.
But probably the biggest news this week are the announcements for the 2008 Nascar Sprint Cup Series. On Tuesday, Budweiser and Gillette-Evernham Racing made it official when they unveiled the Red #9 Budweiser dodge to be driven by Kasey Kahne. "Budweiser has a long and storied history with NASCAR and some of its most successful drivers. We're excited about Kasey's ability to add to that outstanding lineage," said Tony Ponturo, vice president, global media and sports marketing, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. "Along with team owners George Gillett and Ray Evernham, we feel the pieces are in place for the #9 Budweiser Dodge to contend for NASCAR Sprint Cup championships for years to come." Budweiser first sponsored a team on the NASCAR Winston Cup Series circuit in 1983, and in 1998, Budweiser became the "Official Beer of NASCAR," cementing the brand's place among stock car racing's elite sponsors.
On Wednesday, Hendrick Motorsports, Dale Earnhardt Jr., PepsiCo and The National Guard announced that Jr. will drive the 88 car for 2008 . The car will feature the Mountain Dew/AMP Energy Drink Logos as well as The National Guard. The press conference displayed three different paint schemes to be used, plus the possibility of using the old DW, 88 paint scheme at some time was mentioned by Dale Jr.On the local scene, Last Saturday saw the temperatures drop after dark, but the action really got HOT at Spring City Raceway. The big
action was in the Limited Late Model race where Crossville drivers battled to take the top 2 spots. Starting up front, Joe Cline quickly took the lead and looked to be making it a runaway. However, the race was filled with cautions and several restarts. On a late restart, Crossville’s Sam Williams got by Cline and that was all she wrote. Williams took the checkers with Cline in tow, followed by Larry Higgins. In the other Spring City races the top three’s were: Modified Street - 1. Mike McGuire, 2.Jeff Page, 3. Brice Davenport. Super Street - 1. Taylor Sutton, 2. Allen Walker, 3. Clayton Forsyth. Street Stock - 1. Jerry Spence, 2.Charlie Godsey, 3.Roger Harrison. Super Mini - 1. Kenny Lemons, 2. Ronnie Shelton, 3. Charolette Daniels. FWD-A-MAIN - 1. Chad Pugh, 2. Daniel Sizemore, 3.JD Rector. FWD-B-MAIN - 1. Dee Howard, 2. Richard Clowers, 3. James Dodd.Wartburg Speedway will run the Labor Day weekend rained out Rogers Group 50, Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series, Super Late Model event tonight. Many of the top names in Dirt racing will be on hand as AAPTS wind down to it’s final weekend before declaring a 2007 Champion. In addition to the AAPTS race there will be a $2,000 Sportsman race as well as $500 to win Pure Street and Pure Mini and a $300 to win Front Wheel Drive feature. The 2007 Wartburg Speedway Champions will also be honored following each feature race.
On Saturday, Spring City Raceway will host a full card of racing and looks forward to a large field of cars. With several area tracks closing for the season, Spring City hopes to heat up the action this Saturday and again September 29th when they host the HI-TECH Construction - NAPA Auto Parts of Dayton $1,000 to win Limited Late Model Race.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
The ‘Chase’ begins this weekend at New Hampshire
From the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, TN. Friday September 14, 2007
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
The first 26 Nascar Nextel Cup races of 2007 were the qualifiers for the Chase, the battle to be in that field of 12 eligible for the coveted title. A top finish at New Hampshire is important – but not crucial – for a Chase driver’s championship hopes. Kurt Busch won the 2004 New Hampshire race and Tony Stewart finished second in 2005. Jimmie Johnson finished 39th during his championship season, but was able to battle back after finishing first or second in five of the final six races
Jimmie Johnson’s win on Saturday night at Richmond was his sixth of the season, giving him the top seed in the Chase. Johnson will start the Chase with a 60-point bonus – 10 points for each victory. All 12 drivers in the Chase had their point total reset to 5,000 following Richmond. Ten bonus points were added for each win. Eleven of the 12 drivers in the Chase have earned bonus points based on at least one victory. Jeff Gordon (four), Tony Stewart (three), Carl Edwards and Kurt Busch (two apiece) are the only other Chase drivers with multiple victories. Clint Bowyer is the only driver in the Chase without a victory this season.
The garage at Richmond last week was buzzing with lots of news and rumors, several announcements for 2008 were revealed and many non announced items were spreading all over the garage and media center. Some of those announcements were;
Robert Yates Racing announced that Robert Yates would retire at the end of the season, with his son Doug Yates forming a new company, Yates Racing that would acquire the race teams, cars and points for 2008. The merger announced at the end of July with Newman, Haas and Lanigan has already been dissolved to make way for the new organization. In announcing the new company Doug Yates made it clear that the relationship with Roush-Fenway will be much closer.
Ricky Rudd was in Richmond with his arm in a sling from his accident at California. Although he said that there was a chance of him being back before the end of the season, it is unlikely. Kenny Wallace was in Richmond subbing for Rudd and will be in the 88 car again this weekend. Wallace had hoped to land the 88 ride for 2008, but Yates announced that Travis Kvapil has been signed to drive the car in ‘08.
The rumor of David Stremme being let go by Ganassi Racing with the loss of Coors as a sponsor was coupled with news that Ganassi has been in talks with Dario Franchitti, Indianapolis 500 champ and husband of actress Ashley Judd. The unofficial word from team sources is that a 5 year deal has been agreed to with Canadian Club whiskey as the sponsor.
Michael Waltrip racing’s David Reutimann is another name being heard with the strongest being a candidate for a fourth Richard Childress car. I did a story on David back in April where he expressed satisfaction with the MWR organization yet acknowledging the struggles. I spoke with David at Richmond and he is still optimistic about his future with the team. “ There has been some of that (talks with other teams), but we’ll have to see how that works out.” replied David, “I know Michael and the guys are working hard to try and have me back at MWR and we’ll just see how that adds up. We’re running out of time, but hopefully next week we’ll have a much better idea what future is.” Despite the troubles that MWR has been experiencing this season with missed races and less than stellar performances, David remains upbeat about the organization. His performance in the Busch series, where he is second in points, has been spectacular and truly a bragging rights point for Toyota. On the Cup side, David has been the best performing driver for MWR. Although he is overshadowed by the popularity of Waltrip and Jarrett. Several bad luck finishes for Reutimann have diminished the on track performances he has turned in. David has proved himself to be a Cup quality driver and whatever 2008 brings, David has the talent to make it in this sport. Will that success come with MWR, nobody can say, but if he is offered the chance to go with a Childress type organization I think he would be ill advised to pass it up.
With Toyota signing Joe Gibbs racing last week, many think it will be a boost for the struggling Toyota teams, however unlike in the truck series that is really no inter-team sharing of information. For teams like MWR and Red Bull it is obvious that they need that extra support that Toyota gives to the Craftsman Truck Series teams but is missing in Nextel Cup.
On the local racing scene, now that Crossville Raceway has closed and Wartburg Speedway has ended it regular weekly racing program and Mountain Raceway has switched to Friday nights Spring City has suddenly come to life. Last Saturday saw the largest car count and fan count that the track has seen in years. They will be back at it again Saturday night and plan to continue into November. They will be holding a special $1000 Limited Late Model race on Saturday September 29.
Wartburg Speedway will try again next Friday, September 21st to run the $3,000 Super Late Model Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series race, along with a $2,000 Sportsman, $500 each for Pure Street and Pure Mini, and the $300 “On Pit Road Photos” Front Wheel Drive race.
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
The first 26 Nascar Nextel Cup races of 2007 were the qualifiers for the Chase, the battle to be in that field of 12 eligible for the coveted title. A top finish at New Hampshire is important – but not crucial – for a Chase driver’s championship hopes. Kurt Busch won the 2004 New Hampshire race and Tony Stewart finished second in 2005. Jimmie Johnson finished 39th during his championship season, but was able to battle back after finishing first or second in five of the final six races
Jimmie Johnson’s win on Saturday night at Richmond was his sixth of the season, giving him the top seed in the Chase. Johnson will start the Chase with a 60-point bonus – 10 points for each victory. All 12 drivers in the Chase had their point total reset to 5,000 following Richmond. Ten bonus points were added for each win. Eleven of the 12 drivers in the Chase have earned bonus points based on at least one victory. Jeff Gordon (four), Tony Stewart (three), Carl Edwards and Kurt Busch (two apiece) are the only other Chase drivers with multiple victories. Clint Bowyer is the only driver in the Chase without a victory this season.
The garage at Richmond last week was buzzing with lots of news and rumors, several announcements for 2008 were revealed and many non announced items were spreading all over the garage and media center. Some of those announcements were;
Robert Yates Racing announced that Robert Yates would retire at the end of the season, with his son Doug Yates forming a new company, Yates Racing that would acquire the race teams, cars and points for 2008. The merger announced at the end of July with Newman, Haas and Lanigan has already been dissolved to make way for the new organization. In announcing the new company Doug Yates made it clear that the relationship with Roush-Fenway will be much closer.
Ricky Rudd was in Richmond with his arm in a sling from his accident at California. Although he said that there was a chance of him being back before the end of the season, it is unlikely. Kenny Wallace was in Richmond subbing for Rudd and will be in the 88 car again this weekend. Wallace had hoped to land the 88 ride for 2008, but Yates announced that Travis Kvapil has been signed to drive the car in ‘08.
The rumor of David Stremme being let go by Ganassi Racing with the loss of Coors as a sponsor was coupled with news that Ganassi has been in talks with Dario Franchitti, Indianapolis 500 champ and husband of actress Ashley Judd. The unofficial word from team sources is that a 5 year deal has been agreed to with Canadian Club whiskey as the sponsor.
Michael Waltrip racing’s David Reutimann is another name being heard with the strongest being a candidate for a fourth Richard Childress car. I did a story on David back in April where he expressed satisfaction with the MWR organization yet acknowledging the struggles. I spoke with David at Richmond and he is still optimistic about his future with the team. “ There has been some of that (talks with other teams), but we’ll have to see how that works out.” replied David, “I know Michael and the guys are working hard to try and have me back at MWR and we’ll just see how that adds up. We’re running out of time, but hopefully next week we’ll have a much better idea what future is.” Despite the troubles that MWR has been experiencing this season with missed races and less than stellar performances, David remains upbeat about the organization. His performance in the Busch series, where he is second in points, has been spectacular and truly a bragging rights point for Toyota. On the Cup side, David has been the best performing driver for MWR. Although he is overshadowed by the popularity of Waltrip and Jarrett. Several bad luck finishes for Reutimann have diminished the on track performances he has turned in. David has proved himself to be a Cup quality driver and whatever 2008 brings, David has the talent to make it in this sport. Will that success come with MWR, nobody can say, but if he is offered the chance to go with a Childress type organization I think he would be ill advised to pass it up.
With Toyota signing Joe Gibbs racing last week, many think it will be a boost for the struggling Toyota teams, however unlike in the truck series that is really no inter-team sharing of information. For teams like MWR and Red Bull it is obvious that they need that extra support that Toyota gives to the Craftsman Truck Series teams but is missing in Nextel Cup.
On the local racing scene, now that Crossville Raceway has closed and Wartburg Speedway has ended it regular weekly racing program and Mountain Raceway has switched to Friday nights Spring City has suddenly come to life. Last Saturday saw the largest car count and fan count that the track has seen in years. They will be back at it again Saturday night and plan to continue into November. They will be holding a special $1000 Limited Late Model race on Saturday September 29.
Wartburg Speedway will try again next Friday, September 21st to run the $3,000 Super Late Model Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series race, along with a $2,000 Sportsman, $500 each for Pure Street and Pure Mini, and the $300 “On Pit Road Photos” Front Wheel Drive race.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Jimmie Johnson records win number six at Richmond
from the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, Tn. Wednesday September 12, 2007
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
(RICHMOND, VA) - Like his teammate the day before, Jimmie Johnson started on the pole for the Chevy Rock and Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway and turned that into another big win.
Jeff Gordon took the lead on the first lap and held it for 22 laps, until a round of pit stops under the yellow flag. After the field settled out, it was Ryan Newman leading the way until a lap 60 caution brought out by Scott Riggs. After the pit stops Gordon took the lead again. From that point it was all Gordon and Johnson pacing the field.
By lap 187 Carl Edwards blew by Gordon and began running a way from the pack, but it was a short rein as Edwards Ford went up in smoke on lap 180. The blown engine spelled an early night for Edwards, but he was already locked into the Chase.
It was an action-packed event throughout the 400 laps, with a dozen cautions including several multi-car accidents that eliminated numerous drivers, including Juan Pablo Montoya, Greg Biffle and Jamie McMurray. Johnson finally got the lead on lap 347 and he ran away from the field all the way. Behind him raged on a fierce battle between Gordon, Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Earnhardt entered the race with the slimmest of chances to make the 12 car Chase to the Championship. To make the Chase he needed to lead the most laps and win and then have either Kevin Harvick or Kurt Busch finish 32nd or worse. Busch and Harvick both finished in the top 10 as Earnhardt lost an engine with just seven laps remaining in the race.
Finishing behind Johnson were Tony Stewart, David Ragan, with his best ever Cup finish, Jeff Gordon and Johnny Sauter fifth. Denny Hamlin, Harvick, Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch and JJ Yeley rounded out the top 10.
The Series heads to New Hampshire to start the 10 race Chase for the Nextel Cup Championship to be decided among the top 12 in points. The points for the top 12 will be reset before New Hampshire and with the bonus points for wins, Jimmie Johnson will lead the pack. The top 12 as set by bonus points are; Johnson (6 wins), Jeff Gordon (4 wins), Tony Stewart (3 wins), Carl Edwards and Kurt Busch (2 wins each), Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Burton, Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr and Kevin Harvick (each with 1 win) and Clint Bowyer starting 12th with no wins.
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
(RICHMOND, VA) - Like his teammate the day before, Jimmie Johnson started on the pole for the Chevy Rock and Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway and turned that into another big win.
Jeff Gordon took the lead on the first lap and held it for 22 laps, until a round of pit stops under the yellow flag. After the field settled out, it was Ryan Newman leading the way until a lap 60 caution brought out by Scott Riggs. After the pit stops Gordon took the lead again. From that point it was all Gordon and Johnson pacing the field.
By lap 187 Carl Edwards blew by Gordon and began running a way from the pack, but it was a short rein as Edwards Ford went up in smoke on lap 180. The blown engine spelled an early night for Edwards, but he was already locked into the Chase.
It was an action-packed event throughout the 400 laps, with a dozen cautions including several multi-car accidents that eliminated numerous drivers, including Juan Pablo Montoya, Greg Biffle and Jamie McMurray. Johnson finally got the lead on lap 347 and he ran away from the field all the way. Behind him raged on a fierce battle between Gordon, Stewart and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Earnhardt entered the race with the slimmest of chances to make the 12 car Chase to the Championship. To make the Chase he needed to lead the most laps and win and then have either Kevin Harvick or Kurt Busch finish 32nd or worse. Busch and Harvick both finished in the top 10 as Earnhardt lost an engine with just seven laps remaining in the race.
Finishing behind Johnson were Tony Stewart, David Ragan, with his best ever Cup finish, Jeff Gordon and Johnny Sauter fifth. Denny Hamlin, Harvick, Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch and JJ Yeley rounded out the top 10.
The Series heads to New Hampshire to start the 10 race Chase for the Nextel Cup Championship to be decided among the top 12 in points. The points for the top 12 will be reset before New Hampshire and with the bonus points for wins, Jimmie Johnson will lead the pack. The top 12 as set by bonus points are; Johnson (6 wins), Jeff Gordon (4 wins), Tony Stewart (3 wins), Carl Edwards and Kurt Busch (2 wins each), Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Burton, Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr and Kevin Harvick (each with 1 win) and Clint Bowyer starting 12th with no wins.
Kyle Busch dominates Nascar Busch race at Richmond
from the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, Tn Wednesday September 12, 2007
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
(Richmond, Va.) - Starting on the Pole Friday for the Emerson Radio 250 at Richmond International Raceway, Kyle Busch took command and handily led the field for 227 laps to record his second Nascar Busch Series win of 2007.
The only real serious contender to Busch was Matt Kenseth who took the lead on lap 143, but 18 laps later Paul Menard spun out on lap 161 hitting the wall near turn one. In Kenseth’ attempt to avoid Menard he too spun and lost the lead to Busch. "The 15 was so close to me I couldn't stop," Kenseth said, "so I had to turn the wheel a little bit, and my car was so loose it just spun out." During that caution Kenseth lost 3 more positions during a pit stop and was never able to recover the lost positions.
Series point leader Carl Edwards finished second adding to his point lead over Kevin Harvick, but never offered a serious challenge to Busch. In a post race interview Busch noted the threat posed by Kenseth. "Kenseth had the car to beat today, and I knew that," Busch said. "But our car was right there with him. He got the lead from us a couple of times. Then he spun himself out over there with the lapped car."
An early flat tire left David Reutimann 2 laps down and he was never able to recover. He settled for a 23rd place finish which coupled with Harvick’s 24th place finish sets them tied for second place in the standings. Rounding out the top ten after Busch and Edwards was Ryan Newman, Kenseth and Mike Bliss in fifth followed by Brian Vickers, Denny Hamlin, Scott Wimmer, Kasey Kahne and Jason Keller in tenth.
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
(Richmond, Va.) - Starting on the Pole Friday for the Emerson Radio 250 at Richmond International Raceway, Kyle Busch took command and handily led the field for 227 laps to record his second Nascar Busch Series win of 2007.
The only real serious contender to Busch was Matt Kenseth who took the lead on lap 143, but 18 laps later Paul Menard spun out on lap 161 hitting the wall near turn one. In Kenseth’ attempt to avoid Menard he too spun and lost the lead to Busch. "The 15 was so close to me I couldn't stop," Kenseth said, "so I had to turn the wheel a little bit, and my car was so loose it just spun out." During that caution Kenseth lost 3 more positions during a pit stop and was never able to recover the lost positions.
Series point leader Carl Edwards finished second adding to his point lead over Kevin Harvick, but never offered a serious challenge to Busch. In a post race interview Busch noted the threat posed by Kenseth. "Kenseth had the car to beat today, and I knew that," Busch said. "But our car was right there with him. He got the lead from us a couple of times. Then he spun himself out over there with the lapped car."
An early flat tire left David Reutimann 2 laps down and he was never able to recover. He settled for a 23rd place finish which coupled with Harvick’s 24th place finish sets them tied for second place in the standings. Rounding out the top ten after Busch and Edwards was Ryan Newman, Kenseth and Mike Bliss in fifth followed by Brian Vickers, Denny Hamlin, Scott Wimmer, Kasey Kahne and Jason Keller in tenth.
Last chance to make the “Chase” at Richmond Saturday
From the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, Tn. Friday September 7, 2007
by Joe Dunn joe@onpitroad.com
The Nascar Nextel Cup rolls into Richmond, Va. this weekend for the Chevy Rock and Roll 400. This also marks race #26 and the last opportunity to in the 12 car chase to the championship.
Those top 12 teams will compete over the final 10 races to determine the 2007 Champion. Going into Richmond, only one team has a chance to crack into the 12, but it is a long shot. Dale Earnhardt Jr, who trails 12th-place Kevin Harvick by 128 points, must finish no lower than fifth Saturday to have hope of making the Chase. He also must lead the most laps and Harvick, the defending race winner at Richmond, must finish 43rd (last). After Saturday, the rest of the teams will fight for 13th place.
Still no number for Junior, but it was announced this week that Casey Mears will move from the 25 national Guard team to the 5 Kellogg’s / Carquest car for 2008. I predicted earlier in the season that Hendrick motor Sports would not enter 2008 without a number 5 car, too much Hendrick history with the number. No word on the number, but the rumor is that Juniors sponsor will be Mountain Dew, AMPS energy drink and the National Guard
Joe Gibbs racing will be in Toyota’s next year with Kyle Busch in the 18 car. Hall of Fame Racing, a satellite team of Gibbs sold controlling interest to two Baseball executives from the Arizona Razorbacks organization. They will remain associated with Gibbs and move to Toyota, with JJ Yeley replacing Tony Raines next year. Yeley had been mentioned as a replacement for Ricky Rudd in the Yates 88 car, but that opens up hope for Kenny Wallace. Wallace will be replacing Rudd this week at Richmond as Ricky recovers from a separated shoulder resulting from a wreck at California.
Last week was Ricky Rudd’s 900th race a real milestone for the driver who announced that he would retire at the end of the season. This week bobby Labonte rolls into Richmond in the 43 Richard Petty car to take the green flag for his 500th race in Nascar’s top series.
The Busch series races Friday night with Carl Edwards still holding a commanding lead in the points. The Nascar Craftsman Truck Series is off this weekend, returning to action next week at New Hampshire.
Local Racing action is coming to close soon here as the tracks start cutting back as fans turn to high School and VOLS football. The Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series race moved from Crossville Raceway last Saturday to Wartburg Speedway was rained out, The rescheduled event will take place Friday Sept. 21st at Wartburg. Spring City Raceway has a $1,000.00 Limited Late Model race scheduled for Sept. 29th.
by Joe Dunn joe@onpitroad.com
The Nascar Nextel Cup rolls into Richmond, Va. this weekend for the Chevy Rock and Roll 400. This also marks race #26 and the last opportunity to in the 12 car chase to the championship.
Those top 12 teams will compete over the final 10 races to determine the 2007 Champion. Going into Richmond, only one team has a chance to crack into the 12, but it is a long shot. Dale Earnhardt Jr, who trails 12th-place Kevin Harvick by 128 points, must finish no lower than fifth Saturday to have hope of making the Chase. He also must lead the most laps and Harvick, the defending race winner at Richmond, must finish 43rd (last). After Saturday, the rest of the teams will fight for 13th place.
Still no number for Junior, but it was announced this week that Casey Mears will move from the 25 national Guard team to the 5 Kellogg’s / Carquest car for 2008. I predicted earlier in the season that Hendrick motor Sports would not enter 2008 without a number 5 car, too much Hendrick history with the number. No word on the number, but the rumor is that Juniors sponsor will be Mountain Dew, AMPS energy drink and the National Guard
Joe Gibbs racing will be in Toyota’s next year with Kyle Busch in the 18 car. Hall of Fame Racing, a satellite team of Gibbs sold controlling interest to two Baseball executives from the Arizona Razorbacks organization. They will remain associated with Gibbs and move to Toyota, with JJ Yeley replacing Tony Raines next year. Yeley had been mentioned as a replacement for Ricky Rudd in the Yates 88 car, but that opens up hope for Kenny Wallace. Wallace will be replacing Rudd this week at Richmond as Ricky recovers from a separated shoulder resulting from a wreck at California.
Last week was Ricky Rudd’s 900th race a real milestone for the driver who announced that he would retire at the end of the season. This week bobby Labonte rolls into Richmond in the 43 Richard Petty car to take the green flag for his 500th race in Nascar’s top series.
The Busch series races Friday night with Carl Edwards still holding a commanding lead in the points. The Nascar Craftsman Truck Series is off this weekend, returning to action next week at New Hampshire.
Local Racing action is coming to close soon here as the tracks start cutting back as fans turn to high School and VOLS football. The Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series race moved from Crossville Raceway last Saturday to Wartburg Speedway was rained out, The rescheduled event will take place Friday Sept. 21st at Wartburg. Spring City Raceway has a $1,000.00 Limited Late Model race scheduled for Sept. 29th.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
This #8 thing is getting old, get over it Dale!
As seen on Speedwaymedia.com - September 1, 2007
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
Am I the only one that thinks this whole deal over what number car junior drives next year has gotten way out of hand? I mean, I like Dale Jr., I really do, but this is sounding like a spoiled kid who’s kicking and screaming over what number is on his car?
Dale and his sister made a decision, and it appears they made that decision about a year ago, that he was leaving DEI. For those who dispute that, the 51% demand was the signal he was leaving. It was a business decision that both Dale and Kelly felt was the right decision for him, and with that I have no problem. They had to know (or should have) that the number 8 would not be leaving with him. DEI like all car owners have a lot of money and time invested in making their number a major part of the marketing plan. So to think they would be willing to ‘give up’ the number was ludicrous.
We all know now that the final decision is that the 8 will stay at DEI so why all this whining? OK, I can’t have 8, how about the 81, 83, 85, 58 and the latest 38. The audacity of these folks to go to RYR and actually ask that they ‘give up’ the 38 so Dale could have it shows how low this whole thing has gotten. Do they really think that that number mean so little to RYR? Well here is what Doug Yates had to say about that idea, "Dale Jr., since he can't have what he wants, he might want the 38, It's almost a little strange. It's like somebody asking if they can take your girlfriend or your wife out.”
Dale Jr. and his fans want him to keep his number because of the family tradition it carries, after all Dale’s Grandpa, Ralph Earnhardt drove the number 8. But what they all seem to ignore is that Ralph drove a total of 51 races in Nascar’s top series between 1956 and 1964. In those races he drove cars numbered 5, 6, 16, 17, 22, 31, 54, 59, 70, 73, 75, 88, 91 and 188. However Ralph NEVER drove an 8 car in the Top Nascar Series, But he did drive a 5. The numbers he used the most were the 75 and the 22 (11 races for each)
Dale signed on to drive for HMS and it is clear that it was to drive the 5 car, so it is time to accept that fact. The 5 is the heart and soul of HMS, First Cup car, First Cup Win, a Cup Championship, Ricky’s number, HMS will have a 5 car in 2008, the only question is who will drive it. Is it really fair that Casey Mears has to change numbers just so Dale can have his way? Junior’s fans will support him no matter what the number on the car is (except maybe the 24) so I for one thinks it’s time to stop all the nonsense and make it official, Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the number 5 Chevy Impala of Hendrick Motor Sports starting in 2008. Sponsor(s) to be announced soon.
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
Am I the only one that thinks this whole deal over what number car junior drives next year has gotten way out of hand? I mean, I like Dale Jr., I really do, but this is sounding like a spoiled kid who’s kicking and screaming over what number is on his car?
Dale and his sister made a decision, and it appears they made that decision about a year ago, that he was leaving DEI. For those who dispute that, the 51% demand was the signal he was leaving. It was a business decision that both Dale and Kelly felt was the right decision for him, and with that I have no problem. They had to know (or should have) that the number 8 would not be leaving with him. DEI like all car owners have a lot of money and time invested in making their number a major part of the marketing plan. So to think they would be willing to ‘give up’ the number was ludicrous.
We all know now that the final decision is that the 8 will stay at DEI so why all this whining? OK, I can’t have 8, how about the 81, 83, 85, 58 and the latest 38. The audacity of these folks to go to RYR and actually ask that they ‘give up’ the 38 so Dale could have it shows how low this whole thing has gotten. Do they really think that that number mean so little to RYR? Well here is what Doug Yates had to say about that idea, "Dale Jr., since he can't have what he wants, he might want the 38, It's almost a little strange. It's like somebody asking if they can take your girlfriend or your wife out.”
Dale Jr. and his fans want him to keep his number because of the family tradition it carries, after all Dale’s Grandpa, Ralph Earnhardt drove the number 8. But what they all seem to ignore is that Ralph drove a total of 51 races in Nascar’s top series between 1956 and 1964. In those races he drove cars numbered 5, 6, 16, 17, 22, 31, 54, 59, 70, 73, 75, 88, 91 and 188. However Ralph NEVER drove an 8 car in the Top Nascar Series, But he did drive a 5. The numbers he used the most were the 75 and the 22 (11 races for each)
Dale signed on to drive for HMS and it is clear that it was to drive the 5 car, so it is time to accept that fact. The 5 is the heart and soul of HMS, First Cup car, First Cup Win, a Cup Championship, Ricky’s number, HMS will have a 5 car in 2008, the only question is who will drive it. Is it really fair that Casey Mears has to change numbers just so Dale can have his way? Junior’s fans will support him no matter what the number on the car is (except maybe the 24) so I for one thinks it’s time to stop all the nonsense and make it official, Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the number 5 Chevy Impala of Hendrick Motor Sports starting in 2008. Sponsor(s) to be announced soon.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
NASCAR winds down the Race to the Chase
From the Crossville Chronicle - Crossville, TN. Friday August 31, 2007
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
As the Nextel Cup teams head to California with only two races left before the ‘Chase to The Nextel Cup Championship’ begins in New Hampshire on September 16.
The top twelve teams ‘lock’ into the Chase following next weeks race at Richmond International Raceway, but the odds of the present 12 changing are pretty slim. With 2 wins, it appears that Kurt Busch is about 99% safe of holding the 12th spot. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was trying to make a late charge to unseat Busch, but with a 158 difference between 12th and 13th, it seems an impossible task, especially in light of the surge that Busch is on.
Ricky Rudd will pass a milestone this weekend as he starts his 900th Nascar Nextel (Winston) Cup race. Ricky is second only to Richard Petty in all time starts, but he will not catch Petty as he announced last week that he will Retire after the 2007 season.
With the Bristol race behind us, many fans expressed disappointment with the lack of aggressive racing and the bumping and banging the track is noted for. The bumping and banging was down for sure, but the aggressiveness was far from down. The number of passes were nearly three time the average and for the first time in many years drivers were able to run more than one groove, in fact there was a lot of 3 and sometimes 4 wide racing going on. Yes the drivers are more cautious than in years past, but that has to be attributed to the ‘Chase’. I, like many old time race fans, do not care for the Chase. This format tends to lean more toward the stick and ball fans and ignores the old Nascar traditions. But that will not deter true race fans who cheer on their favorite drivers.
On the LOCAL RACING SCENE, Crossville Raceway announced last week that they were closing for the season effective immediately. To say local racers and fans alike are disappointed would be an understatement. The economic conditions were cited as the major cause as the track fought high gas prices as well a reputation of a track with a spotty past. 2007 was the best and most racing this track has seen since the days of J Paul Smith’s ownership. The track was gaining every week, but the financial backers appear to have lost patience with the slow progress. A big loser in the whole deal was track operator Al Varnadore, who was shocked at the closing. “When we started into this venture, I said that it was going to be at least a 2 to 3 year process to turn this track around.” said Varnadore last week. “I thought those guys understood that situation, had I known they expected the success to happen within 1 year, I would have never got involved.” Varnadore was packing earlier this week to head back to his other track outside of Tampa, FL.
This Saturdays $3,000.00 Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series Race schedule at Crossville has been moved to Wartburg Speedway. The program will include a $2,000 Sportsman race as well as $500 to win in the Street Stock and Mini Stock features. There will also be a $500 to win front Wheel Drive feature sponsored by On Pit Road Racing Photos. Racing action Saturday starts at 7:00 pm (EDT). The Saturday race will replace the previously scheduled race to be held Monday at Wartburg.
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
As the Nextel Cup teams head to California with only two races left before the ‘Chase to The Nextel Cup Championship’ begins in New Hampshire on September 16.
The top twelve teams ‘lock’ into the Chase following next weeks race at Richmond International Raceway, but the odds of the present 12 changing are pretty slim. With 2 wins, it appears that Kurt Busch is about 99% safe of holding the 12th spot. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was trying to make a late charge to unseat Busch, but with a 158 difference between 12th and 13th, it seems an impossible task, especially in light of the surge that Busch is on.
Ricky Rudd will pass a milestone this weekend as he starts his 900th Nascar Nextel (Winston) Cup race. Ricky is second only to Richard Petty in all time starts, but he will not catch Petty as he announced last week that he will Retire after the 2007 season.
With the Bristol race behind us, many fans expressed disappointment with the lack of aggressive racing and the bumping and banging the track is noted for. The bumping and banging was down for sure, but the aggressiveness was far from down. The number of passes were nearly three time the average and for the first time in many years drivers were able to run more than one groove, in fact there was a lot of 3 and sometimes 4 wide racing going on. Yes the drivers are more cautious than in years past, but that has to be attributed to the ‘Chase’. I, like many old time race fans, do not care for the Chase. This format tends to lean more toward the stick and ball fans and ignores the old Nascar traditions. But that will not deter true race fans who cheer on their favorite drivers.
On the LOCAL RACING SCENE, Crossville Raceway announced last week that they were closing for the season effective immediately. To say local racers and fans alike are disappointed would be an understatement. The economic conditions were cited as the major cause as the track fought high gas prices as well a reputation of a track with a spotty past. 2007 was the best and most racing this track has seen since the days of J Paul Smith’s ownership. The track was gaining every week, but the financial backers appear to have lost patience with the slow progress. A big loser in the whole deal was track operator Al Varnadore, who was shocked at the closing. “When we started into this venture, I said that it was going to be at least a 2 to 3 year process to turn this track around.” said Varnadore last week. “I thought those guys understood that situation, had I known they expected the success to happen within 1 year, I would have never got involved.” Varnadore was packing earlier this week to head back to his other track outside of Tampa, FL.
This Saturdays $3,000.00 Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series Race schedule at Crossville has been moved to Wartburg Speedway. The program will include a $2,000 Sportsman race as well as $500 to win in the Street Stock and Mini Stock features. There will also be a $500 to win front Wheel Drive feature sponsored by On Pit Road Racing Photos. Racing action Saturday starts at 7:00 pm (EDT). The Saturday race will replace the previously scheduled race to be held Monday at Wartburg.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Economic situation cited for racetrack closure
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
The state of the economy, and financial matters were cited Thursday in the closure of the Crossville Raceway. In a statement released by track operator Al Varnadore, the situation looks grim for 2007, but has a chance for the return to racing in 2008.
I regret to announce that due to economic and financial conditions which are beyond our control, Crossville Raceway Incorporated is forced to cancel the remaining races scheduled for the 2007 season. We are working on putting on an appreciation awards dinner for the top 5 points drivers in each division and track staff. I personally wish to thank everyone that's attended any of our events over the last year. This year has been a very stressful and unusual year, with the weather affecting almost every event in one way or another. The economic conditions of racing has been tough on everyone, with gas prices forcing people not to travel as much as they normally would. We will contact all our employees and our top five points drivers with details about the awards dinner as soon as they are finalized. This event will more than likely take place in November. Hopefully by the time of the awards dinner we will have more insight to the plans for the 2008 racing season at Crossville Raceway. Once again thank you for your support, and I apologize to everyone for the inconvenience this may cause.
Thank You, Al Varnadore
Crossville Raceway Incorporated
Local racers will surely miss this track that has served the area for numerous years. The over the years the operation of the track has been spotty, with 2007 being the longest it has run in several years. The track is closing about 8 weeks before the scheduled end of the season, however 2007 was an aggressive schedule running much later than previous ones and far beyond many of the other area tracks. Local racers can only hope for a renewed start for 2008. The nearest tracks are Spring City which dopes not operate an organized racing schedule and Wartburg that will be ending it’s season in two weeks.
Crossville Raceway had an Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series, $3,000 Super Late Model race scheduled for this Saturday. That race has been moved to Wartburg Speedway to run on Saturday Sept. 1. The $5000 race at Wartburg scheduled for Sept. 3 has been cancelled. In addition to the $3k SLM event Wartburg Speedway will also run a $2k Sportsman (Limited Late Model), as well as $500 to win features in the Pure Street, and Pure Mini class. A special $500 Front Wheel Drive race sponsored by On Pit Road Racing Photos will bring extra money to all the classes for the Labor Day weekend event.
Racing at Wartburg will begin Saturday Sept. 1 at 7:00 pm (EDT).
The state of the economy, and financial matters were cited Thursday in the closure of the Crossville Raceway. In a statement released by track operator Al Varnadore, the situation looks grim for 2007, but has a chance for the return to racing in 2008.
I regret to announce that due to economic and financial conditions which are beyond our control, Crossville Raceway Incorporated is forced to cancel the remaining races scheduled for the 2007 season. We are working on putting on an appreciation awards dinner for the top 5 points drivers in each division and track staff. I personally wish to thank everyone that's attended any of our events over the last year. This year has been a very stressful and unusual year, with the weather affecting almost every event in one way or another. The economic conditions of racing has been tough on everyone, with gas prices forcing people not to travel as much as they normally would. We will contact all our employees and our top five points drivers with details about the awards dinner as soon as they are finalized. This event will more than likely take place in November. Hopefully by the time of the awards dinner we will have more insight to the plans for the 2008 racing season at Crossville Raceway. Once again thank you for your support, and I apologize to everyone for the inconvenience this may cause.
Thank You, Al Varnadore
Crossville Raceway Incorporated
Local racers will surely miss this track that has served the area for numerous years. The over the years the operation of the track has been spotty, with 2007 being the longest it has run in several years. The track is closing about 8 weeks before the scheduled end of the season, however 2007 was an aggressive schedule running much later than previous ones and far beyond many of the other area tracks. Local racers can only hope for a renewed start for 2008. The nearest tracks are Spring City which dopes not operate an organized racing schedule and Wartburg that will be ending it’s season in two weeks.
Crossville Raceway had an Advance Auto Parts Thunder Series, $3,000 Super Late Model race scheduled for this Saturday. That race has been moved to Wartburg Speedway to run on Saturday Sept. 1. The $5000 race at Wartburg scheduled for Sept. 3 has been cancelled. In addition to the $3k SLM event Wartburg Speedway will also run a $2k Sportsman (Limited Late Model), as well as $500 to win features in the Pure Street, and Pure Mini class. A special $500 Front Wheel Drive race sponsored by On Pit Road Racing Photos will bring extra money to all the classes for the Labor Day weekend event.
Racing at Wartburg will begin Saturday Sept. 1 at 7:00 pm (EDT).
Edwards claims Victory on Bristol’s new surface
From the Crossville Chronicle- Crossville, TN. August 28, 2007
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
(BRISTOL, TN.) - Finishing out the hottest week of racing on record at Bristol Motor Speedway, Carl Edwards took the Checkered Flag and did his popular Back Flip on the start / finish line Saturday Night.
Kasey Kahn started on the pole for the Sharpie 500 and proved to be the car to beat leading 305 of the first 371 laps. Kahn remained in the top 15 in all but 2 laps and those were during green flag pit stops. Edwards had run up front throughout the entire race dropping back only once during pit stops. He managed to lead 54 laps in the early racing until he took the lead for good on lap 371 and stayed out front for the win. Edwards and Kahne were the class of the race all night, finishing 1-2. A surprising Clint Boyer finished third after an amazing second half charge through the field. Tony Stewart crossed the line fourth continuing on his late season success, while Dale Earnhardt Jr. rounded out the top five, finished ahead of Kurt Busch who was sixth. Junior gained 5 points on Busch for the last Chase spot, but with two races remaining, he is still 159 points out of the Chase.
This was the first racing week for Nascar’s top series on the newly redone high banks of Bristol. Since the March race, the entire track surface was removed and redone. The new surface provided a 15’ wider surface with steeper banking on the top of the track, but a more gradual banking near the bottom. The transition from the turns to the straightaway’s was also smoothed out, eliminating what was a huge dip coming off turn 2 that traditionally forced the cars to bottom out every lap. There were far fewer cautions and wrecks than most folks have been used to at Bristol, but the new 3 and 4 wide racing sure was a sight to see.
In Friday night’s Nascar Busch Series race it was a battle between Jason Leffler, Ryan Newman in the early going, however a late racing 3 wide passing situation with Kahne going high and Leffler low as both attempted to pass Newman. They got together and Newman lost a right front tire putting him in the wall. Kahne went on to win with Leffler second, Reutimann third, Kyle Busch fourth, and Scott Wimmer fifth. Newman wound up four laps down in 28th.
Another Nascar controversy developed Friday night as Kyle Busch who was second at the time was penalized for a pit road violation, sending him to the rear of the field. A review of the call later showed that Nascar had erred and Busch should not have been penalized. Many observers feel that the call cost Busch the win. Kyle was summoned to the Nascar hauler after the race but nothing was announced regarding that meeting.
Results for the Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway:
1. Carl Edwards, 2. Kasey Kahne, 3. Clint Bowyer, 4. Tony Stewart, 5. Dale Earnhardt Jr., 6. Kurt Busch, 7. Ryan Newman, 8. Bobby Labonte, 9. Kyle Busch, 10. Greg Biffle, 11. Martin Truex Jr, 12. Jeff Burton, 13. JJ Yeley, 14. David Stremme, 15. Reed Sorenson, 16. Kevin Harvick, 17. Juan Montoya, 18. Scott Riggs, 19. Jeff Gordon, 20. Robby Gordon, 21. Jimmie Johnson, 22. Casey Mears, 23. Michael Waltrip, 24. Paul Menard, 25. Bill Elliott, 26. Jamie McMurray, 27. Jeff Green, 28. Tony Raines, 29. Elliott Sadler, 30. David Gilliland, 31. Dave Blaney, 32. Kenny Wallace, 33. Ward Burton, 34. Dale Jarrett, 35. AJ Allmendinger, 36. Aric Almirola, 37. Jeremy Mayfield, 38. Ricky Rudd, 39. Matt Kenseth, 40. John Andretti, 41. David Ragan, 42. Johnny Sauter, 43. Denny Hamlin
By Joe Dunn / joe@onpitroad.com
(BRISTOL, TN.) - Finishing out the hottest week of racing on record at Bristol Motor Speedway, Carl Edwards took the Checkered Flag and did his popular Back Flip on the start / finish line Saturday Night.
Kasey Kahn started on the pole for the Sharpie 500 and proved to be the car to beat leading 305 of the first 371 laps. Kahn remained in the top 15 in all but 2 laps and those were during green flag pit stops. Edwards had run up front throughout the entire race dropping back only once during pit stops. He managed to lead 54 laps in the early racing until he took the lead for good on lap 371 and stayed out front for the win. Edwards and Kahne were the class of the race all night, finishing 1-2. A surprising Clint Boyer finished third after an amazing second half charge through the field. Tony Stewart crossed the line fourth continuing on his late season success, while Dale Earnhardt Jr. rounded out the top five, finished ahead of Kurt Busch who was sixth. Junior gained 5 points on Busch for the last Chase spot, but with two races remaining, he is still 159 points out of the Chase.
This was the first racing week for Nascar’s top series on the newly redone high banks of Bristol. Since the March race, the entire track surface was removed and redone. The new surface provided a 15’ wider surface with steeper banking on the top of the track, but a more gradual banking near the bottom. The transition from the turns to the straightaway’s was also smoothed out, eliminating what was a huge dip coming off turn 2 that traditionally forced the cars to bottom out every lap. There were far fewer cautions and wrecks than most folks have been used to at Bristol, but the new 3 and 4 wide racing sure was a sight to see.
In Friday night’s Nascar Busch Series race it was a battle between Jason Leffler, Ryan Newman in the early going, however a late racing 3 wide passing situation with Kahne going high and Leffler low as both attempted to pass Newman. They got together and Newman lost a right front tire putting him in the wall. Kahne went on to win with Leffler second, Reutimann third, Kyle Busch fourth, and Scott Wimmer fifth. Newman wound up four laps down in 28th.
Another Nascar controversy developed Friday night as Kyle Busch who was second at the time was penalized for a pit road violation, sending him to the rear of the field. A review of the call later showed that Nascar had erred and Busch should not have been penalized. Many observers feel that the call cost Busch the win. Kyle was summoned to the Nascar hauler after the race but nothing was announced regarding that meeting.
Results for the Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway:
1. Carl Edwards, 2. Kasey Kahne, 3. Clint Bowyer, 4. Tony Stewart, 5. Dale Earnhardt Jr., 6. Kurt Busch, 7. Ryan Newman, 8. Bobby Labonte, 9. Kyle Busch, 10. Greg Biffle, 11. Martin Truex Jr, 12. Jeff Burton, 13. JJ Yeley, 14. David Stremme, 15. Reed Sorenson, 16. Kevin Harvick, 17. Juan Montoya, 18. Scott Riggs, 19. Jeff Gordon, 20. Robby Gordon, 21. Jimmie Johnson, 22. Casey Mears, 23. Michael Waltrip, 24. Paul Menard, 25. Bill Elliott, 26. Jamie McMurray, 27. Jeff Green, 28. Tony Raines, 29. Elliott Sadler, 30. David Gilliland, 31. Dave Blaney, 32. Kenny Wallace, 33. Ward Burton, 34. Dale Jarrett, 35. AJ Allmendinger, 36. Aric Almirola, 37. Jeremy Mayfield, 38. Ricky Rudd, 39. Matt Kenseth, 40. John Andretti, 41. David Ragan, 42. Johnny Sauter, 43. Denny Hamlin
It’s Bristol Baby
From the Crossville Chronicle-Crossville, TN. August 24, 2007
By Joe Dunn/ joe@onpitroad.com
(BRISTOL, TN.) - Nearly 200,000 people will be on hand this weekend here at the racing capital of Tennessee. They come from thousands of miles away to the racing Mecca.
I’m here with friends from all across America at Bill Gaines’ Bristol Campground. For 2 weekends out of the year this 120 acre farm field is transformed into a city of campers. No one know just how many campsites that equals, but estimates are that over 10,000 people call this farm ‘home’ for the week. Looking beyond Bill’s place, it is campers for as far as you can see in any direction. Across the street is the most famous race track in Nascar, along side it is the Bristol Dragway, it too is a huge campground.
The mad rush that normally rolls in on Monday was delayed this week due to the rain delayed 3M Performance 400 at Michigan. But that still leaves the throngs that arrived even before last weekend.
Carl Edwards and the Office Depot team are looking for a good race in both the Busch series food City 250 tonight and the Nextel Cup Sharpie 500 tomorrow night. Carl is on a runaway for the Busch series title and it appears to be an impossible task for anyone to catch him. I asked Carl if he had any thought to cut back on the Busch series next year and he was emphatic in his response, “I plan on running again next year, I thinks some of the other guys are going to do it too. I really like running the Busch Series, I mean it’s a lot of fun and I really enjoy racing with those guys.” About his chance of repeating next year what he has done this year, “This year has been an anomalies, you know we have run really well. It’s not always going to be like that, you know last year was a big struggle and in 2005 was a real hard fight.”
Edwards look for some hope in the cup race at Bristol, he is safely in the Chase at this time, but he admits that the entire Roush Fenway group got surpassed by a lot teams early on with the COT. “The car of tomorrow has been a real struggle, at the beginning we were not as prepared as some of the other teams. You never really know where to put all your resources. Sometimes you do it right and sometimes you don’t.” About where he feels the organization stands now, “I feel good, I feel good about the chase. We are doing better at a lot of different tracks. We have done a lot of testing with the new car and it is working better.” Look for Carl to be running up front both Tonight and Tomorrow night at Bristol.
LOCAL RACING
Last week saw regular action at Wartburg Speedway on Friday night as well as Saturday Night at Crossville Raceway.
Wartburg Speedway top 5’s;
SLM-1. Anthony White, 2. Curt Williams, 3. Tim Damron, 4. Matthew Langley, 5. Glenn Vanover Sportsman-1. Jeff Adkisson, 2. Keith Longmire, 3. Derik Duggan, 4. Greg Martin, 5. Shaun Shadoan Pure Street- 1. Reagan Williams, 2. Jason Capps, 3. Wes Johnson, 4. Michael Brashears, 5. Doug York Pure Mini-1. Brian Frost, 2. David Christmas, 3. Darren Goins, 4. Jim Frost, 5. Tyler Brummitt FWD-1. Spunky Brown, 2. Randy Badd, 3. Joe Freels, 4. Blake Hall, 5. Justin Scott.
Saturdays winners at Crossville Raceway LLM - Brandon Williams, OWM - Steve Mullinax, Street Stock - Chris Croinex, Mini - Derrick Hutchings, FWD - Jonathan Norris, Cruisers - Josh Proffitt and Scott Brown
No local racing this weekend, the action returns Labor Day weekend at Crossville Raceway with the Advance Auto Parts Thunder series $3,000 Super Late model race Saturday Sept. 1. Wartburg Speedway will return to action Monday Night Sept. 3 with a $5,000 super Late Model race.
Get off that couch and bring the family out to a local dirt track and support the local racers. You may just see the next Jeff Gordon or Tony Stewart on his way up.
By Joe Dunn/ joe@onpitroad.com
(BRISTOL, TN.) - Nearly 200,000 people will be on hand this weekend here at the racing capital of Tennessee. They come from thousands of miles away to the racing Mecca.
I’m here with friends from all across America at Bill Gaines’ Bristol Campground. For 2 weekends out of the year this 120 acre farm field is transformed into a city of campers. No one know just how many campsites that equals, but estimates are that over 10,000 people call this farm ‘home’ for the week. Looking beyond Bill’s place, it is campers for as far as you can see in any direction. Across the street is the most famous race track in Nascar, along side it is the Bristol Dragway, it too is a huge campground.
The mad rush that normally rolls in on Monday was delayed this week due to the rain delayed 3M Performance 400 at Michigan. But that still leaves the throngs that arrived even before last weekend.
Carl Edwards and the Office Depot team are looking for a good race in both the Busch series food City 250 tonight and the Nextel Cup Sharpie 500 tomorrow night. Carl is on a runaway for the Busch series title and it appears to be an impossible task for anyone to catch him. I asked Carl if he had any thought to cut back on the Busch series next year and he was emphatic in his response, “I plan on running again next year, I thinks some of the other guys are going to do it too. I really like running the Busch Series, I mean it’s a lot of fun and I really enjoy racing with those guys.” About his chance of repeating next year what he has done this year, “This year has been an anomalies, you know we have run really well. It’s not always going to be like that, you know last year was a big struggle and in 2005 was a real hard fight.”
Edwards look for some hope in the cup race at Bristol, he is safely in the Chase at this time, but he admits that the entire Roush Fenway group got surpassed by a lot teams early on with the COT. “The car of tomorrow has been a real struggle, at the beginning we were not as prepared as some of the other teams. You never really know where to put all your resources. Sometimes you do it right and sometimes you don’t.” About where he feels the organization stands now, “I feel good, I feel good about the chase. We are doing better at a lot of different tracks. We have done a lot of testing with the new car and it is working better.” Look for Carl to be running up front both Tonight and Tomorrow night at Bristol.
LOCAL RACING
Last week saw regular action at Wartburg Speedway on Friday night as well as Saturday Night at Crossville Raceway.
Wartburg Speedway top 5’s;
SLM-1. Anthony White, 2. Curt Williams, 3. Tim Damron, 4. Matthew Langley, 5. Glenn Vanover Sportsman-1. Jeff Adkisson, 2. Keith Longmire, 3. Derik Duggan, 4. Greg Martin, 5. Shaun Shadoan Pure Street- 1. Reagan Williams, 2. Jason Capps, 3. Wes Johnson, 4. Michael Brashears, 5. Doug York Pure Mini-1. Brian Frost, 2. David Christmas, 3. Darren Goins, 4. Jim Frost, 5. Tyler Brummitt FWD-1. Spunky Brown, 2. Randy Badd, 3. Joe Freels, 4. Blake Hall, 5. Justin Scott.
Saturdays winners at Crossville Raceway LLM - Brandon Williams, OWM - Steve Mullinax, Street Stock - Chris Croinex, Mini - Derrick Hutchings, FWD - Jonathan Norris, Cruisers - Josh Proffitt and Scott Brown
No local racing this weekend, the action returns Labor Day weekend at Crossville Raceway with the Advance Auto Parts Thunder series $3,000 Super Late model race Saturday Sept. 1. Wartburg Speedway will return to action Monday Night Sept. 3 with a $5,000 super Late Model race.
Get off that couch and bring the family out to a local dirt track and support the local racers. You may just see the next Jeff Gordon or Tony Stewart on his way up.
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