Wednesday, December 31, 2008

I-80 ProAm Drivers Meeting

From I-80 Speedway:

We will be having a rules meeting Tuesday January 6th at Quaker Steak and
Lube in Council Bluffs, the meeting will start at 7pm.

Here are a few things we will be discussing.

Pro Am Rules Meeting


1. IMCA Stock car 3100lbs plus siping of the tires
2. Pro Stocks leave the rules as they are
3. Minus 100lbs on all Pro Ams options
4. Allow Bert & Brinn Transmissions with 100 or 150lbs added

Hobby Stock will be able to compete with the Pro Ams with the following:
must be IMCA rules except: may run a stock 4bbl carburetor and intake, may
run a Hobby Stock tire, Stock Car tire or a Pro Am tire

This is what we will be discussing. You must have raced at I-80 last year in
one of theses classes to be able to have a say or vote. The vote will be
Tuesday Jan. 6th 2009 at Quaker Steak and Lube at 7pm, if you are unable to
make it and you did race at I-80 last year call the office and we will fax
you a ballot. The vote will be final Wednesday Jan. 7th 2009

DRIVERS ONLY MAY VOTE

Office Phone 402-342-3453 

A good year for entertainment?

Something lighthearted to end the year...

According to Chinese Astrologers, 2009, The Year of the Ox will be good to
the entertainment industry. Yin soil is supposed to be beneficial to wood
one of the five core elements.

From the article:

"Next year will also be good for professions that are related to wood,
paper, and energy, including fashion, news media, entertainment, oil and air
travel, said Lo.

"Mak Ling-ling, a celebrity astrologist and feng shui master, said the
financial markets would be very quiet next year and economic problems would
be particularly acute in the west. 'Businesses will be even worse than now.
Social order will be disturbed, with the number of fraud cases will rise,'
she said, but added that the situation would improve after next year."

Of course we all know by now auto racing is part of the entertainment
industry. So if 2009 is good enough for Chinese Astrologers, then it's good
enough for me (grin).

Hell, I'll take all we can get!

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

I-80 Banquet Tix

From I-80 Speedway

I-80 Banquet is only a week a way and tickets are going fast, call the office to get yours now so you won't be left out in the cold. Office phone 402-342-3453

Site update

Been having some issues with the content provider (blogger) and publishing. Hopefully it's worked out - but there may be delays.

Sad news for a young race fan

Via Gary Dominguez

Isaac Hall, the young race fan we honored on Eagle Kids night after his bone marrow transplant is losing his battle with his disease.

On Kid's night, there was a huge banner displayed, and signed by drivers, crew, and fans alike. It was presented to him in his hospital room.

Here's a link to the website Called www.caringbridge.com which is the personal website set up by Isaac's Family to let friends know his progress. Please visit it, and perhaps you may even want to sign the guestbook. Isaac Hall Caring Bridge

Thanks to all of the Drivers, and Fans that gave some joy to this young racefan, and kept him in your prayers!

2009 Wish List Part One of...

For the past few years, I've done a list - usually well after the start of the calendar year with the excuse that the year really starts with the first race of the season. This year I'll really do a list before the end of the calendar year.


So, let's start with my 2009 Wish List

1. Everyone comes through this recession OK. It ain't gonna be pretty. I think it's painfully obvious that we'll not only lose cars due to the recession, but it's a very real possibility we could lose a track, even temporarily. All signs point to no racing at Thayer County and Red Cloud is still dormant according to the talk on dirtdrivers.com. While I have nothing to justify this, I'm not sure we haven't hit the low-water mark already given we've seen a lot of attrition already. If the tracks can get through this season, the worst may be over.

2. Beatrice's Friday move works. A lot of people criticized it, and after decades of Saturday night racing it's easy to see why. But as I've said before, standing by just hoping for the best wasn't going to fix anything, something had to be done. It could be argued that in recent years some of the most competitive modified racing in the midwest - in terms of talent - took place at the Gage County Fairgrounds. Certainly there's been a bit of a rivalry between the fans and competitors (or more likely their spouses) of Eagle and Beatrice, and each track has been known for years as the place where the guy p'ed off at the other track goes to race. Hopefully both car counts benefit.

On a side note: Speaking of small towns, photographer and Nebraska Auto Racing Hall of Fame member Joe Orth had a great observation: the overall decline of small towns, both economically and population-wise, could be having an effect on car counts at tracks distant from major population centers. As jobs and people migrate to the larger cities the base of people to race the "old hot rod" in the small towns is dwindling, not to mention the local fan base as well. I can't fault the logic and...I don't see the end of it anytime soon.

3. Tracks should race the classes they have. I just don't see the need for any more classes to be created. We are far removed from the boom period of the early 2000's where we could grow class after class. Now, you don't add to one without pulling from the other. If you have to add another class, eliminate the weak one. If Class "A" isn't getting it done, instead of adding lower class "B," can the A and run nothing but B...or vice versa, even if it means the lower class stepping up to the next one. Just because you can't afford all the goodies the front runner has doesn't mean you can't afford to race. Promoters, racers and sanctioning bodies have confused the two for too long. Just like all the other facets of life we've been cutting back on, yet still finding a way to make do, so can many of these racers. Maybe it's running that car one more year, getting another night out of the tire, buying used, or going with a few less graphics. If it makes you happy, just think of it as another meaning to the phrase "run whatcha brung." To those fearing the drop at the back gate: if they want to race that bad, they'll find a way - otherwise how long were they really going to feed your back gate anyway? That said though, I hope to see...

4. Good tracks. Bad track conditions, bad officiating, bad tech, etc. can ruin a program. Bad tracks tear up cars (and wallets), bad officiating leads to on-track issues that usually result in damaged gear, bad tech lets costs run amok, competition suffers and racers go packing. I would feel safe in assuming that the majority of the people who leave a track do so because of one of those three reasons, even more so than the cost of competition, and maybe even more than purse. Yes, there's always the few that think they've been screwed over no matter where they go and are usually very vocal about it, but really you can count them on one hand. Most just pick up and go - especially the fans.

I'll probably add some more (after the first of the year...)

Monday, December 29, 2008

Dominguez and Eagle team up for point fund program

From Gary Dominguez

Beginning January 1st, 2009, any real estate transaction closed through Gary Dominguez of Woods Bros. Realty will result in $100 contributed to a general point fund at Eagle Raceway per transaction. This fund will be distributed over all four classes of racers at Eagle, and will be in addition to any current point funds in place.

In order to receive this donation, Gary’s client should mention it at first meeting with him. The transaction MUST close in order for the donation to be made. The donation will be made in the name of the client, and announced during the racing season. This donation will be made solely through Gary Dominguez of Woods Bros. Realty, and will in no way affect the normal costs incurred by the client

With interest rates low, inventory high and stable pricing, now is the best time to buy a home and help our sport in one big shot! Interest rates have reached an all-time low. Some have even touched the 4.5% range. If you are thinking of selling, the new rates will put more qualified buyers on the market for your home. If you are buying, you could quite possibly save hundreds of dollars on your monthly payment.

Don’t let the national gloom and doom in the real estate market hinder you from owning the American Dream. In the Midwest, we are faring quite well compared to other parts of the country. Nebraska ranks only 45th out of 50 states in foreclosure rates. A lot of it can be attributed to our conservative, hardworking, Midwestern values.

Gary will be available again this year to notarize parental consent forms for minors in the pits. Please remember that all signers MUST bring valid picture I.D., and MUST NOT sign the form unless Gary (or any other General Notary) is present to witness the signature.

For more details, call Gary at 402 432-6316, or e-mail him at gary.dominguez@woodsbros.com

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Butler County Motorplex 2009 Schedule

From Butler County Motorplex

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all! We have the tentative schedule
for the 2009 season. We will run IMCA Modifieds, Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks,
and Sport Compacts. Sunday, April 5th will be our test and tune, which will
start at 2:00. The schedule is as follows:

Regular Nights consist of: Sport Compacts, Hobby Stocks, Sport Mods, and
Modifieds all IMCA sanctioned

April 5th – Practice 2:00
April 17th – Opening Night
April 24th – Regular Night
May 1st – Kids' Night
May 8th – Mothers' Night: 1/2 off admission for moms
May 15th – Regular Night
May 22nd – Family Night
May 29th – Regular Night
June 5th – Regular Night and GOTRAs
June 12th – Regular Night
June 19th – Regular Night with SLMR
June 26th – Car Pool Night
July 10th – Fan Appreciation Night
July 17th –Regular Night
July 24th – Regular Night
July 31st – Regular Night
August 7th – Regular Night
August 14th – Regular Night
August 21st – Kids' Night
August 28th Season Championship
September 11th – Tribute to 9/11- Sprints (ASCS rules,$2001 to win), IMCA
Modifieds ($911 to win),GOTRAS, OVL

Additions to come as scheduled! 

O'Reilly Auto Parts Hot Rod Super Nationals Comes to Lincoln

O'Reilly Auto Parts Hot Rod Super Nationals "Cruises" to Lincoln as New Host
City Welcomes Over 1,500 Hot Rods to Celebrate its' 30th Anniversary

(INDIANAPOLIS) - Family Events, an Indianapolis, Indiana based event
producer specializing in automotive events, and the Lincoln Convention and
Visitors Bureau jointly announced a three year commitment to name Lincoln,
Nebraska the new home for the O'Reilly Auto Parts Hot Rod Super Nationals.
The 2009 event will celebrate its' 30th Anniversary in its' new home at
State Fair Park in Lincoln on the weekend of May 29, 30 and 31.

In addition to celebrating 30 years of the Hot Rod Super Nationals, this
"horsepower holiday" will feature people from all over the nation enjoying
everything from cool cars to thrill shows. The three day weekend estimates
to draw crowds of over 20,000, along with over 1,500 hot rods, street
machines, two-wheel drive trucks and muscle car participants. Not only does
this event feature the best of the past, present and future in vehicles ,
but the latest in the aftermarket industry at the Performance Marketplace,
Mickey Thompson Burnout Competition, Miss Hot Rod Super Nationals Contest,
Family Fun Zone, Main Stage, food, games and more. Many new features will
also be added as Lincoln becomes the new home.

Lincoln is a deserving choice as they are no stranger to hosting premier
automotive events produced by Family Events. Lincoln has hosted the Hot Rod
Magazine Power Tour twice and Rod and Custom Magazine Americruise five
times. "The Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau has showcased their
talents and have shown time and again they deserve to host a premier annual
automotive event," said Mike Moore, President of Family Events. "Lincoln is
the perfect city for car enthusiasts to drive to and discover all it has to
offer."

"Lincoln is a hotspot for motor enthusiasts." said Jeff Maul, Vice President
and Executive Director of the Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau.
"Through years of promotion by pioneers in the motor sports industry
including Bill Smith and Speedway Motors, Lincoln is a destination for a
number of motor sports events and will continue to be for many years." Jeff
added, "We're proud to be a part of the continued popularity of motor sports
in the region and look forward to hosting this great event."

While many event details are still in the planning process for information,
tickets, and enthusiasts who want to show their car please visit
www.HotRodSuperNationals.net or call 1¬317-236-6515.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Outlaw Vintage Lites rules meeting

From OVLRS

Come and vote on the rules that will be run at all OVLRS events in 2009. We
will have the new tech inspection sheets and membership sign up forms.

The meeting will be at Sapp Bros at I-80 and Highway 50, at 1:00pm on Dec
14. 

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

I-80 Speedway 2009 Classes & Specials

From I-80 Speedway

Classes are: SLMR, NASCAR Late Models, NASCAR PRO AMS, IMCA Sport Mods, IMCA
Mods, Sport Compacts, Crate Late Models we will run on Sundays as we always
have.

We kick off the season April 3rd for practice, April 4th will be a MLRA show
w/ IMCA Mods.

April 10th ASCS Sprint Car Show with SLMR & IMCA Mods
April 11th ASCS Sprint Car Show with NASCAR Late Models & NASCAR Pro Ams.

Specials:
Friday May 22nd: ASCS Sprint Car Show
Sunday May 24th: Alphabet Soup Race
Thursday July 2nd: ASCS Sprint Car Show, MLRA/NCRA
Friday July 3rd: Concert Tentative
Sunday July 5th: Fireworks
Monday August 17th: TnT Husker Nationals Wingless Sprints
Sept 18-20: Cornhusker Classic

We will post rest of the schedule in 2 weeks as we are still fine tuning it.
We will be adding a couple dates with Cup Stars and a couple more specials.

We will also have rules meetings in a couple weeks, there will be minor if
any changes to the Pro Ams, there will be some changes in the weight
adjustments and crate engine rebuild for the Late Models.

Beatrice 2009 Factory Stock Rules update

From Beatrice Speedway

The 2009 Factory Stock Rules for the Beatrice Speedway will be following the
2009 I.M.C.A. Stock Car Rules with the following exceptions.

If you are running an aluminum intake it must measure 3.75" from the top of
the block to the top of the intake for GM and Ford, and 4.25" for Chrysler
products.

All Factory Stocks will run the 4412 carburetor, no exceptions. The weight
limit will be 3100 lbs. You may run a maximum of a 4" hood scoop and a 6"
spoiler.

In 2009, you can run new I.M.C.A. stamped Hoosier tires or use the old KK704
for the 2009 season. The 2008 Factory Stock rules can also be followed if
you do not wish to make the changes to the 2009 stock rules for one season.

For further information in regards to the I.M.C.A. Stock Car rules, please
refer to www.imca.com

If you have any further questions, please e-mail racing@beatricespeedway.com
or call promoter Toby Kruse at 515-231-5444.

The Factory Stocks will be running with the Spring Nationals and as part of
Octoberfest in 2009. Please watch the Beatrice Speedway website for further
details and information.

Monday, December 08, 2008

IMCA Champions

Click on image for larger pic




IMCA’s national champions for the 2008 race season included, seated from left, P.J. Egbert, Modifieds; Shannon Anderson, Hobby Stocks; Curt Lund, Sprint Cars; and Dan Rhiley, Sport Compacts. Standing are Bill Smith of Speedway Motors, title sponsor of the IMCA Weekly Racing program; Jason Frankel, Late Models; Rod Snellenberger, Stock Cars; Luke Wanninger, Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods; Keith White, Southern SportMods; IMCA Vice President of Operations Brett Root; and IMCA President Kathy Root. Not pictured is GM Performance Crate Model champion Jay Bransom Jr. Champions and top rookies were honored at the national awards banquet held Nov. 29 in Lincoln, Neb. (Photo by Wendy Irvine)

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Speedway Motors Acquires A-FAB (AFCO)

Lincoln, Neb. – Speedway Motors, Inc. of Lincoln, Neb., America's oldest
speed shop and a trusted source for specialty street rod and racing
products, has acquired A-FAB Corporation of Boonville, Ind.

A-FAB Corporation engineers and manufactures premium shocks, springs and
radiators through its AFCO brand, high-quality automotive brakes through its
U.S. Brake brand, and premium exhaust systems through its Dynatech division.
The combination unites two legendary family-owned companies. The combined
companies will offer customers a wider selection of high-quality products
with fast delivery and superior customer service.

Clay Smith of Speedway Motors said combining the strengths of Speedway and
AFCO creates a stronger company.

"Speedway Motors is known throughout the industry for outstanding product
selection, same-day shipping and great customer service," Smith said. "We
are excited about this opportunity as it will greatly benefit our customers.
We have been looking to join forces with a premier specialty automotive
products manufacturer and realized the numerous benefits of adding the AFCO,
Dynatech and U.S. Brake brands and their industry leading reputation. This
combination will enhance both operations and create many new growth
opportunities."

Jeff Scales of AFCO said the transaction ensures AFCO's operations,
management team and employees will remain in Boonville.

"We have been looking for a partner to help grow our high-quality product
line," Scales said. "Speedway, which also is family-owned, is a perfect fit
because each company has unique resources and core strengths that complement
each other. Collectively we plan to make significant capital investments in
our facilities which could result in additional job growth. Our combined
manufacturing, inventory and distribution system will be a tremendous
benefit to customers and suppliers."

Smith said the transaction will close in early December 2008, and that a
smooth, seamless transition is anticipated. Terms of the transaction were
not disclosed.