The Pace Lap - Fri. Aug. 4, 2006

-According to all accounts, I-80's Edwards/Boyer night packed the house. It's good to see the track get a shot in the arm that it's needed. But the question remains: are all NASCAR fans also fans of dirt track racing by default? I hate to say it, but I don't think they are, nor do any of the promoters I've talked to. There's got to be a way to make that connection because it looks like there's a potential market.

- For the first time in my two-plus decades of being at Eagle Raceway, I saw the oft-criticized trackside flagstand take a direct hit. Two things: props to Larry and Russell White for having their heads on a swivel and being long gone, and also props to whoever made the flagstand. It was still useable, and almost good as new after Willie Ideen and crew worked on it at intermission.

- The Radar Gun got good use at Beatrice Speedway last Saturday, with the following speeds set: Benji Legg practice after intermission-89mph Mod Feature- 86mph Limited Mod Feature- 81mph Stock Car Feature- 75 mph Factory Stock Feature- 72mph Hobby Stock Feature- 71 mph Compact Feature- 61mph.

- At the beginning of the season, it looked like Mike Meyer would be a shoe-in for his record-setting 7th IMCA Modified championship. But Chris Alcorn has won 4 of the last 6 races and finished second in the other two, while Meyer has had some off nights. Now, Alcorn is in the lead, but don't count anyone out yet.

- I-80 Speedway will host for the first time the Southeast Community College Daimler Chrysler College Automotive Program Engine Building contest at intermission with special scholarships totaling $1,500 being awarded to the contestants in honor of Larry Protaskey, a long time official of the Speedway who recently passed away. It's said they can do it in under 30 minutes. Their last practice session had them timed in just 22 minutes!

- Anyone else notice that Eagle's bus races have actually been competitive, even with guys cutting across the infield.... But, I would like to see "Hadan Hill", "Mt. Hardcore," or whatever you want to call it gone. There's a lot of stuff in the infield that blocks official's views. However, the "props" will remain for the monster truck show on Aug. 11 & 12. Then they will be removed. Can't blame them for that - moving that stuff was a long process.

- Chris Speiker battled throughout with Kyle Berck in the I-80 GN Late Model race of champions for the win.

- Nope, I'm not going to Knoxville.

- The Old Timers Hornet race at Eagle was pretty fun to watch. It was great seeing Bernie Bryan's smile as he got out of the car. Almost as good was watching Ed Bowes peg the rev limiter as he squealed tires sliding around the top groove! Those guys still had it in them and showed that DIRT TRACK racing is the original drift racing.

- I'm impressed with the people who've come to confront people posting ridiculous rants on message boards. They get it. And, for a few exceptions - things have been much more civil. Kudos for keeping the positive side of the sport up front.