No more Old Timer events for 2008, so from here out is alot or racing, but with alot less phone calls. Event #1 was the Hartford Speedway for a Modpolooza show paying $1100 to win, with a few other goodies. Seeing that payoff, I thought a good 30-35 cars would show. Under very good weather conditions, 19 Modifieds showed. Perhaps some teams felt that other strong teams would show and decided to stay home. So often the case, a regular show and payoff will garner a larger car count. Doesn't make sense, but what does anymore ? The program started a little late as the track was watered with the thought the sun would stay out, but it got cloudy, and time was spent working it in. That worked out good as I brought about a dozen photo books, all of the old variety, and many fans got a chance to check out the pictures. Up there I saw Plymouth Star Shane Sanders, retired racer Larry Knowlton, Kenny Lollar, another former driver from the 60's, Jerry Pond, Denny Woods, and former Factory Stock racer Allison Tober. I recognized her, and she recognized me. It was cool meeting alot of peope who knew me through the MARC TIMES, and the $100 question was "What happened to the Marc Times?" Also forgot even saw George Lane from Lane Automotive. He even threw at me that I should start writing a racing paper. Donny Klotz said the same thing to me a week ago. In fact, I've been told this by a few people. It is not in my plans now. I may look into this over the Winter months. It would be alot of work, and to be frank, I 'm not sure all that would be involved in doing one. I would look at the logistics with it and see. I do miss getting the Marc Times, and many others have said the same.
The Mod feature was pretty good. Frank Marshall was the early leader followed by Mike Spatola, Tony Roland, Bob Pohlman, JR, and Kurt Allison. Local star Curt Spaulding was in the Bob Pierce #1 car, and was running mid-pack. Spatola took the lead, but Marshall stayed on his rear bumper. Pohlman moved to 3rd, as they entered lapped traffic. Spatola maintained his lea, as Jermy and Jason Ferguson would both pullout at the same time. About that time, Spaulding was in 5th place. The restarts, which were double file from positions 2nd on, had Spaulding make a daring move and go from 5th to second. Spaulding would get a flat, and things were not looking good, but Pohlman would stop on the track, producing a yellow, which allowed the Russell crew to change the tire, and stay on the lead lap. Spatola would lead the remaining laps as Marshall stayed close to Mike, but not able to pull even. Spatola had won at LaSale Speedway the night before. Tony Roland was third over Chris Collier, a fast moving Spaulding, Kurt Allison, Chris May, and Troy Marciniak, with Darrell Lowe and Terry Hayes in the top ten.
The Late Models were 15 strong with Herb Reich, Kevin Nelson, rookie Cory Eubanks, Tyler Boggs in Randy Woodling's #3, and out of towners Mike Mataragas and Kerry Matthews joining the field. Zach Hanson also debuted his #64, but had mechanical problems.
The feature had Ted Loomis and Kevin Nelson on the front row. They got together, crashed, and JR Hotovy gets into the Loomis 23. All 3 had badly tore up cars, and were out. Midway in the event, Alan Vochaska has a flat, and heads to the pits. He comes back out, but is in last, obviously, but only 10 cars were running. The leader was Phil Ausra, over Tyler Boggs. Cautions worked in Vochaska's favor, as he took the lead from Phil with a couple to go. Boggs holds onto 2nd, over Herb Reich, Bret Darling, and Mark Wagner. Jim Abbott took the Factory Stock main. Both the Factory Stock and Pure Stock classes were like 17 cars. What I really liked was that the night was virtually dust free. That was a concern with my books. In the past, they would get dirty, and take several shows after to clean them up. A nice crowd was on hand, and boy does that grill pit smell good.
Saturday, I headed to the New Paris Speedway. Double features due to last week's rainout. I handed out Driver Profiles to the guys, and the response was excellent. Many have seen the Profiles on the www.stockcarextreme.com site, and were very happy I was including them on this project. I also brought about 15 photo books of the old style. With the weather bad, and the crowd down last week, I figured a few might have missed out last week. And as usual, the books had alot of lookers. I didn't set up until close to 6, as I was getting car and head shots, and explaining the profile and website, and also saying what I was doing was free, as it is something we are doing to help area racing.
The Late Models had 16 last week, and I was hoping for 18-20 this week. Little did I know, that the count would be a season high 26 cars. Newcomers were Jeff Parr, Mie Kugler, Craig Everidge {B Feature winner}, Kenny Lollar, and part timers Ed Paul, Dave Reames, Corey Ryman, Mike Garver returns, and Bud Van Skoik brought out his 1965 Chevelle. That car was old when it ran 20 years ago. Now to think it is over 40 years old. When that car actually retires, that would be a cool vintage stocker. Put on a 1965 Chevelle Body, and decal it up like Bobby Allison's Coke Machine. That was a sharp car. Street Stocks had 34 cars, but a couple were done early including Adam Severy, Ken Lollar, and Gene Hughes.
The Street Stock B Main had a scary deal, when the Richardson #20 lost a wheel, and the Shafer #79 ran over the tire. The 79 car flew up in the air, like a dragster wheelie. Luckly the tire did not richocet in the air and in the stands. Shafer was ok.
The Late Model 77 lapper was next, with Alex Pratt the first leader. Rex Wert, in the Harter #9, takes the point on lap 4. Lap 9, Jason Slabaugh takes a spin on his own, sending him to the tail. Lap 13, and the action begins. Wert, leading, gets a tap in turn 2 and spins. The second and third place cars, Kenny Whitman and Craig Cassel, tangle in turn 3. The ruling went, Wert, Whitman, and Cassel, to the tail. The new leader was Charlie Whitman. He led, but closing in was Josh Taylor. Contact on lap 28, but both continue. Heavier contact on lap 30, with Whitman hitting the wall. He kept going, but the yellow was out. He was sent to the tail. Taylor now the leader. At half way, Taylor was leading over Ty Hayes, Donny Klotz, Bobby Stremme, and Jason Bixler. To lap 53, all goes bad for Taylor, as his motors catches fire. He is ok, but out, giving the lead to Ty Hayes. Hayes has Klotz and Stremme right on him, but they race clean, and Hayes takes the win. Donny Klotz was second over Stremme, Slabaugh, Bixler, Bryce Shafer, Kenny Whitman, Tim Taylor, Wert, and Pratt, who had a fire on his own on lap 77.
The Street Stock main #1, had Josh Sommers open a big lead, and hold on, winning over Jason Slabaugh, Bobby Schisler, Donnie Click, Mike Robinson, Dave Click, Mark Miller, and Scott Frost. Jim Anglemeyer took the Mini Main #1 over Tim Kidder, Ryne Balsley, Rick Keiser, and Dan Frazier.
The regular Late Model Feature had Kevin Koscher and Charlie Whitman on the front row. Koscher leads, but Kugler hits the wall in turn 3, ending his night. Koscher leads over Parr, Matson, and Cassel. From the back Donny Klotz and Bobby Stremme are working the outside line, moving into the top 5. Stremme spins out on lap 24, sending him to the tail, as Koscher still leads the event. Green flies again, and Klotz, from 15th, is back to business, taking the lead on lap 31. He leads the next 9 laps, with Koscher having a season best second, over Ed Paul from 11th, Josh Taylor from 12th, Stremme, Jeff Parr, Matson, Garver, Curtis Holt, Kenny Whitman, Hayes, Shafer, Cassel, Ryman, and Charlie Whitman.
The Street's #2 Main, was taken by Jason Slabaugh from 2nd, over Scott Frost, Darrell Click, Leonard Davis, Shishler, Charlie Cotton {in Barry Lamb's #69}, Rodney Spencer, Dave Click, and Mike Robinson. I missed the Mini main, as I was tending to the books, but I do know Larry Sanders took the B Street main. Alot of yellows, and with 1 tow truck, the night was long. It was after 2 am, leaving after watching the spectator racing. Always action in those races. This week is a regular show, and with the Late Models having the night off at Plymouth, you may see Stacy, Boal, Thayer, and a couple others tuning up for the Sizzler on the 7th, a Thursday.
Congrads to Tlyer Roahrig on his Late Model win at Plymouth Saturday. The first of I'm sure many. And how about Brian McFadden taking the Sportsman Gold. Brian, I still owe you from pinching me last year ! Speaking of Plymouth, there are having a $20 Carload night this Saturday in conjunction with the CRA Sportsman going 100 Laps, paying $2500 to win. That will be the highest payoff for Sportsman this year. Also on the card is Mini Stocks, Thunder Cars, and FWD's. Also heard that Bily Rumbaugh was in a wreck Saturday, and is doing ok. He was in the top 5 in points so far in 2008. Fort Wayne had Sprints Saturday, but I can't give you any info, as I have not seen any info about the event. As mentioned, I took a ton of photos Saturday, Car and Driver. We'll get some up Monday, fingers crossed, and more by Tuesday. So keep checking. From what I saw of the ones taken, they are pretty nice. See ya at the races. .