The Pace Lap - Friday June 16, 2006

After all the craziness last weekend, things begin to settle down just a little as the dog days of summer begin to set in. Let's hope the forecasts don't pan out, but unfortunately, I'll have to take the bet that a 90% chance of rain tonight will wash someone out. Let's hope I'm wrong.

- Beatrice Speedway is starting their shows at 7:00 PM for the rest of the year starting this Saturday.

- If you need an example of why I don't like the two-lap rule, look at Saturday's WoO feature at Eagle. I understand its need for a traveling series, but a 48-minute A feature? Even with the wrecks, there was a long time spent in the pits, too.

- Several specials this week: Both Eagle Raceway and I-80 are offering Father's Day specials. Eagle's giving free admission to Dad's when they bring their children on Saturday, I-80 is extending the offer to dad's with a paid adult on Sunday.

- Eagle Raceway is advertising "The Gauntlet" next week. What is it? When I talked to Roger Hadan after the Outlaws on Friday night, he told me it involved the Short Bus with a rollbar, five hornets, paintball guns, and a Subway restaurant sign attached to the bottom of the bus. Oh man...

- Johnny Saathoff is the new IMCA National Point leader as of this week.

- Notice how quiet it was on the Dirtdrivers.com Eagle Raceway Message Board this week? Was it a tired bunch after 3 days of racing, did all go well, or did Hadan's threat of a $500 fine for starting trouble on the boards have something to do with it? I say it's a little from all three.

- I-80's gearing up for Clint Bowyer / Carl Edwards night in July. They've also announced a celebrity tournament of champions race with past I-80 champions.

- Friday's WoO show showed what the group is capable of. A furious A feature with a last lap pass gave Daryn Pittman his first win of the year, and set him up for a sweep of the weekend. A heavily-watered surface delayed the show an hour, but it was worth it and a good call. The track was very good and better than the cooler Saturday night's event.

- According to some WoO staff, Saturday's Eagle Raceway crowd was one of the biggest they've seen this season. Granted, it wasn't bad (sorry, but Friday's crowd was ummm...sparse), but if that's the biggest, the WoO need some help. I wonder how much value a $30 ticket is to that show? We'll see what happens when SLS Motorsports RENTS the track from Eagle and promotes the one-night September show.

- Talk about bad luck... On the worst possible night, a hot (temps around 100) and windy Friday June 10, the Butler County Motorplex water truck gave out. Go to the backup, right? Nope. The radiator hose crapped out on that one. Fortunately the Rising City and Surprise fire truck and KWJ custom spray applicator came to the rescue and helped salvage the night.

- In the media: The Dover family was featured in the Lincoln Journal-Star's Turn Three page this week. (See my photo of Davey Nall in the corner? LOL). Sprint car driver Ryan Roberts made a good showing on 104.1 The Blaze this morning.

- I-80 is looking to get the numbers up in the Hobby Stock class. Stereo West Auto Toys will pay the number/registration fee of any new Hobby Stock at NRP Sunday June 18.In conjunction, NRP will also help with the NASCAR licence fee. On top of that, Tom & Tiff’s Family Restaurant of Glenwood, Iowa is adding $100 to the winner's share of the purse.

- On Friday June 30, the ASCS Midwest sprint series will be at Junction Motor Speedway, and the next night, July 1 will see NCRA Late Models replace the CNCTA show. As always, supporting these shows helps bring them back.

- Speaking of CNCTA Late Models, Eagle's Roger Hadan said Friday's WoO support appearance was a "test" for possible future late model shows. Despite the showing of Butler County point leader Travis Dickes, only 12 late models showed, despite being paid more to win than their weekly offering at JMS. When asked to help pack the heavy track, most balked (except for Dan Jackson), and was told by officials there was complaining about lineups and whatnot. I'll give the benefit of the doubt that there were other shows in the area for the low car count. Davey Nall walked away with the feature. With that in mind, if this was a test, I'd grade it a C.

- As a reward for his helping out Roger Hadan gave Dan Jackson $50 to wash the car. So, what did he do? He pulled the car out and went to Eagle and WASHED IT! I've heard of of going to town to get parts, even another car (Mike Meyer did it and won the A feature a few years ago). But going out for a wash? That's STYLE!

- I've been told that there will be an interesting handicap on Saturday night in one of Eagle's classes. A few weeks ago, Mike Boston was offered $500 to start one row back in the Sprint A feature. This week? I'm told it involves the scale.

- Jason Danley was the top Nebraska driver Thursday night in the ASCS Midwest/N. Plains race at Park Jefferson Speedway last night finishing 7th in the A. Chad Humston came in 13th, Bobby Becker 16th, Jack Dover 17th. The series heads to Denison, IA Friday night.