WoO Return to Junction Motor Speedway 2012 Schedule

(All dates tentative)

For Insurance Purposes - all regular weekly racing classes are sanctioned NASCAR. The tiers will match I-80 Speedway and Adams County Speedway IA for State Championship and National Points opportunities.

The Regular Weekly Racing Program:
NASCAR Late Models-1ST TIER
NASCAR Modifieds- 2ND TIER
NASCAR B-Modifieds-4TH TIER - Points fund paid to match (3rd Tier's)
NASCAR Hobby Stocks - 3RD TIER
NASCAR 4 CYLINDERS -5TH TIER

2012 Schedule: Dates and Classes are Subject to Change

MARCH 31/APR 1 Spring Thaw
Hobby Stocks, B-Mods, Modifieds, Late Models-(Both Days)
Cruisers-Sat. Only, 4 Cylinders-Sun. Only

APRIL
7 Test and Tune Day
14 Test and Tune Rain date
21 Weekly Racing Program
28 Weekly Racing Program

MAY

5 Weekly Racing Program
12 Weekly Racing Program/ SLMR / No B-Mods or Hobby Stocks
19 Weekly Racing Program
25 ASCS Midwest Sprints/ Vintage Lites/ GOTRA/ Cruisers
26 NCRA Late Models w/ Weekly Racing Program / No A-Mods & 4-Cylinders

JUNE
1 USMTS 2-DAY Shootout/ Cruisers & 4 Cylinders (non-sanctioned)
2 USMTS 2- Day Shootout/ NASCAR Late Models & B-Mods, Hobby Stocks (No A-Mods)
9 Weekly Racing Program
16 Weekly Racing Program
22 ASCS Midwest Sprints/ Vintage Lites / GOTRA/ Cruisers
23 Weekly Racing Program/ SLMR / B-Mods & Hobby Stocks
30 Weekly Racing Program

JULY
7 Weekly Racing Program/ SLMR / No A-Mods & Hobby Stocks
14 Weekly Racing Program
21 NO RACING
28 Lucas Oil POWRi Cornhusker Midget Challenge
w/ NASCAR Late Models & Hobby Stocks

AUGUST
4 Weekly Racing Program
10 King of the Hill Late Model Shoot Out/ MLRA/ NCRA Late Models
Cruisers and 4 Cylinders (non-sanctioned)
11 King of the Hill Late Model Shoot Out/ MLRA/ NCRA Late Models
NASCAR Late Models, Modifieds, B-Mods, Hobby Stocks
14 Kasey Kahne Challenge- World of Outlaws Sprint Cars
W/ Crate Late Models (non-sanctioned)
18 Weekly Racing Program
25 Weekly Racing Program (Possible SLMR date)
31 NPPA / NBPA Truck and Tractor Pull

SEPTEMBER
1 "Last Points Night" Weekly Racing Program
8 ASCS Midwest Sprints/ Late Models and B-Modifieds (Not Sanctioned)

OCTOBER
20-21 McCool 100 Hobby Stocks, B-Mods, Modifieds, Late Models-(Both Days)
Cruisers-Sat. Only, 4 Cylinders-Sun. Only

2012 Beatrice Speedway Schedule

Beatrice Speedway released their 2012 Schedule. For more information visit www.beatricespeedway.com

Pit Gates Open: 5:30pm
Hot Laps: 7:00pm
Racing: 7:30pm

March
15th - IMCA Spring Nationals
Classes: All

16th - IMCA Spring Nationals
Classes: Modifieds, Stock Cars, Sport Mods, and Hobby Stocks

17th - IMCA Spring Nationals
Classes: Modifieds, Stock Cars, Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks, and Sport Compacts

April
20th - WFR CAR SHOW Test & Tune
Classes: All

27th - Opening Night
Classes: Modifieds, Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts, & Stock Cars

May
4th - Chase for the Championship Week #2
Classes: Modifieds, Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts, & Stock Cars

11th - Chase for the Championship Week #3
Classes: Modifieds, Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts, & Stock Cars

18th - No Races

25th - Chase for the Championship Week #4
Classes: Modifieds, Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts, & Stock Cars

June
1st - Chase for the Championship Week #5
Classes: Modifieds, Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts, & Stock Cars

8th - Chase for the Championship Week #6
Classes: Modifieds, Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts, & Stock Cars

15th - Chase for the Championship Week #7
Classes: Modifieds, Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts, & Stock Cars

22nd - Chase for the Championship Week #8
Classes: Modifieds, Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts, & Stock Cars

29th - Chase for the Championship Week #9
Classes: Modifieds, Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts, & Stock Cars

July
6th - Chase for the Championship Week #10 - Fireworks After the Races
Classes: Modifieds, Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts, & Stock Cars

13th - Chase for the Championship Week #11
Classes: Modifieds, Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts, & Stock Cars

20th - Chase for the Championship Week #12
Classes: Modifieds, Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts, & Stock Cars

27th - GAGE COUNTY FAIR - Chase for the Championship Week #13
Classes: Modifieds, Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts, & Stock Cars

28th - GAGE COUNTY FAIR - Eve of Destruction 7:00pm Start
Classes: Stock Cars and Sport Compacts

August
3rd - Chase for the Championship Week #14 - WFR Kids Night
Classes: Modifieds, Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts, & Stock Cars

10th - Chase for the Championship Week #15
Classes: Modifieds, Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts, & Stock Cars

17th - Chase for the Championship Week #16
Classes: Modifieds, Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts, & Stock Cars

24th - Season Finale
Classes: Modifieds, Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks, Sport Compacts, & Stock Cars

31st - 19th Annual Nebraska State Championship Races - Promoted by Jet Racing
Classes: To Be Announced

October
4th - Octoberfest Fall Nationals Practice Night
Classes: All

5th - Octoberfest Fall National
Classes: Modifieds, Stock Cars, Sport Mods, and Hobby Stocks

6th - Octoberfest Fall National
Classes: Modifieds, Stock Cars, Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks, and Sport Compacts

Holiday Horsepower Drive

Via Buddy Ray Jones

We ARE having the hospital visit this year. We are a little behind on getting things posted this year due to issues with our house. (We are having to move due to flood damage in our house.) But we can't let the kids down. We need everyone’s help this year.

We need items for the gift drive. All donations (monetary and otherwise) can be sent to Joe’s Karting. The hospital visit is Saturday, December 17th and we only have a few items so far.

Recommended donations are: Racing shirts Decals Toys (new) Crayons Hand held games Cash Hero cards Hot wheels Coloring books Gift cards Stuffed animals Gift Bags (for infant gifts) Boxes (for the other gifts)

We have 100 children to help. It breaks down to about 60 kids from ages toddler to teenager and about 40 babies (many in NICU). For the babies we usually have a receiving blanket, a beanie baby animal, a stocking, and a set of booties per baby.

We try to give each child the same things in their boxes. If we get 5 t-shirts from 12 different racing teams, that would be 60 shirts for the older kids. Anything given is a big help and much appreciated by the kids.

Email or call Buddy Ray ASAP if you can help out.

Or if you would like to donate to the cause, please send to the Holiday Horsepower Drive at: Joe’s Karting c/o Buddy Ray Jones/Holiday Horsepower Drive 2121 S 32nd St Council Bluffs, IA 51501

or contact us at holidayhorsepowerdrive@yahoo.com or Buddy Ray at 402-517-8144 or Rachael Lee at 402-960-3190 Let’s Help the Kids Again This Year!!!!

All updates to items needed and drivers will be made at www.holidayhorsepowerdrive.com

2012 Eagle Schedule Sees World of Outlaws Return

Eagle, NE - After a two-year hiatus, and a one year absence from the state of Nebraska, the World of Outlaws Sprint Series returns for a one-day engagement on April 27 at Eagle Raceway, in an SLS Promotions event.

The remainder of the schedule mirrors the 2011 lineup, including a second go at a wingless 410 sprint show the first week of August and the continuation of the Eagle Nationals as an ASCS National Tour event run by TBJ Promotions.

Eagle kicks of 2012 with an ASCS Midwest Region sanctioned Ice Breaker Challenge for two days, and another ASCS show concludes the season with the annual Nebraska Cup.

All classes remain the same as last year with Sprints and IMCA Sanctioned Modifieds, SportMods, Hobby Stocks and Sport Compacts. No word has come forward on any rules or sanctioning changes for the sprint class this season.

The full schedule is available here

Bob Jenkins’ Emotional, Incorrect Defense of IndyCar

As a response to the knee-jerk reactions of the detractors of IndyCar racing following Dan Wheldon’s death last week during the season finale race at Las Vegas, noted broadcaster Bob Jenkins published an article on his website taking issue with Jimmie Johnson’s broad assessment that stock cars were safer. However the sloppy manner in which the esteemed broadcaster presents his facts may have actually made a case against the sport.

Jenkins, by his own admission may have taken Johnson’s quote out of context. But that comes off as an excuse as he uses that to paint his argument with a very broad brush, citing the number of deaths attributed to all stock cars since 2000. He includes not only NASCAR’s premier series, but fatalities in regional, and semi-pro series as well as weekend short tracks.

To compare the broad array of “stock cars,” implying anything with fenders to the homogenous construction of IndyCars shows how much his take is as a visceral reaction as those calling for scalps from the IndyCar community.

By cherry picking – or more accurately, reaching for the entire fruit basket – he delivers an apples and oranges argument. And worse, if any sort of standard statistics measure such as one used by governments or insurance agencies, much less by anyone who took basic statistics in college would see – he actually indicts IndyCar racing by (conveniently?) ignoring even a basic per-capita analysis.

You don’t even have to crunch numbers. The hand-waving argument alone supports the theory.

If he is comparing all forms of stock car racing, then consider three factors:

1.      fatalities per lap of competition

2.      fatalities per race

3.      fatalities per number of competitors

And his argument loses credibility quickly.

The NASCAR premier series – Sprint Cup – alone runs over twice as many races per season, most in the 4-500 mile range (longer than IndyCar), at a higher average rate of speed as most of the races are on ovals vs. the number of races on street/road courses for IndyCars. They run almost twice the amount of competitors per race.

The number of potential opportunities for a serious accident is much greater in NASCAR Sprint Cup alone. Add the feeder series (Nationwide, ARCA) and the hundreds of local series races run each week and while the risk is theoretically much more given, the percentage of drivers killed per amount of race time on the track is far lower than Indy Cars.

Trust me, I'm no NASCAR fan but the comparison using Jenkins' criteria is just playing a childish game of semantics. 

Perhaps Johnson's context only referred to Sprint Cup cars as being safer. Even comparing those two: the fatality count is 4 in NASCAR, 3 in IndyCar over the period. Hardly enough evidence to say one is either safer or more dangerous than the other. That said, the last premier-level series death in NASCAR was 2001. So – does that mean that NASCAR has improved safety while IndyCar is failing to keep pace? Of course not. 

This aside, one has to look at the accident that occurred at LVMS. It was a freakish accident, but it wasn’t a freak one. A guy lost control and spun out in front of a large pack of cars. This wasn’t a pothole, an odd mechanical failure or any bolt-from-the-blue event. It could happen again and again.

THIS is why IndyCar needs to sit down and look at the way it does things up to and including where and the nature of its races and where Johnson's statement holds weight. The nature of the event with 34 cars of highly variable talent at a track where even the drivers (including Wheldon) had concerns about the speed needs to be looked at.

Sometimes, the spectacle can’t be such that it justifies bloodsport. There’s a point where the ‘show’ has to take a back seat.

It’s not to say racing isn’t dangerous. Racing is also voluntary. Any driver or team that concerned should have parked it. But I hope that we never see a promoter use the unique mentality of the driven, hungry driver as leverage for raising the level of danger even higher than what’s accepted.

And Jenkins, well meaning as he was may want to let this argument rest lest he be hoist by his own HANS device, so to speak.

-Jason

Dan Wheldon 1978-2011

Nearly every racing fan has heard about the passing of two-time and defending Indy 500 Champion Dan Wheldon.

Wheldon lost his life in a horrific crash at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the IndyCar season finale.

There will be talk of the unique nature of the event: a $5 million potential bounty being offered to a non-series regular (Wheldon was the only eligible driver, however), the speed at LVMS and the number of cars.

But as Chip Ganassi and Dario Franchitti both said, those issues need to be addressed, but now is not the time.

I had only lightly followed the series the past few years, but and interview on the Opie and Anthony show (of all places) shortly after this year's 500 win  turned me into a fan. He was my favorite type of racer - a guy who could connect with a bunch of New Yorkers who spend most of their time with locker room humor and don't care about racing. A nice guy with a sense of humor who could get it done behind the wheel.

What we sometimes forget is that these men and women put their lives on the line, for the sake of entertainment. Because they chose to lead that life makes it no less tragic.

For now, it is time to mourn a great racer, father, husband, and a true champion.

-Jason

The Voice of NASCAR

Here's a nice piece about NASCAR Camping World Truck Series announcer Rick Allen. Many of you remember him from his days as the PA Announcer from the University of Nebraska and racing fans know him during his time as the voice of Eagle Raceway.

http://www.skirtsandscuffs.com/2011/09/rick-allen-voice-of-nascar.html

Sponsorship Seminar

From Gary Dominguez

With the troubled times, and lack of expendable income for racers and sponsors alike, I am wondering if it may be time to put on another up-to-date sponsorship seminar? Some of you may have already taken it, but there are so many new ways to attract dollars to your race car, it may be worth the refresher course. I'm putting out feelers to see who would be interested.

If you are interested in taking the course, or have comments or concerns, please email me at gary.dominguez@homerealestate.com. Put sponsorship seminar on your subject line.

Thanks!

Gary

It's Going to be a Beautiful Weekend for Racing

From I-80 Speedway

The weather forecast for Eastern Nebraska this weekend is looking great and it's Cornhusker Classic Time. Come join us at I-80 Speedway this Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights for three great nights of racing. Tonight the A Mods, B Mods, Grand Nationals, Pro Am/Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks and Hornets will be qualifying for the Inside Front 8 rows of Sunday's feature. The Super Late Models will also be running a complete program tonight co-sanctioned by the Corn Belt Clash and the Midwest Late Model Racing Association. Racing starts at 7 pm.

Saturday night will be qualifying for the Outside Front 8 rows of Sunday's features with another complete program for the CBC/MLRA Super Late Models. Racing starts at 6 pm. Then on Sunday it's time for last chance races and features for A Mods, B Mods, Grand Nationals, Pro Am/Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks and Hornets along with a complete program for the SLMR Super Late Models. Racing starts at 5 pm.

Grandstand Admission is $20 for Adults on Friday and Saturday and just $15 on Sunday. Juniors (6-15) are just $5 each day with kids 5 and under free as always. The Grandstands will open at 5:30 pm on Friday, 4:30 pm on Saturday and 3:30 pm on Sunday.

I-80 Speedway is located off Interstate 80 at exit 420, halfway between Omaha and Lincoln. The 4/10 mile dirt track is home to the NASCAR Whelen All American Series (NWAAS) on Sunday nights, and host several specials featuring regional touring late model and sprint car series. For more information, visit www.I-80Speedway.com.

ASCS Midwest Wraps up Season with I-80 Double

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (September 12, 2011) - The Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region puts the wraps on the 2011 season with two full nights of racing action at Greenwood, Nebraska's I-80 Speedway this Friday and Saturday.

Both nights of competition culminate with $3,000-to-win feature events, with $400 to start in each night's feature.

With 17 nights of competition logged into the books, Springfield, Nebraska's Jack Dover has locked up his second ASCS Midwest championship as he carries a 463-point lead over Jordan Boston into the weekend.

Colorado's Bryan Gossel holds down third in points, with North Dakota's Lee Grosz and Missouri's Brian Brown rounding out the top five. The rest of the top ten includes Wayne Johnson, Billy Alley, Gregg Bakker, Jeff Osborn and Danny Lasoski.

Brian Brown has topped the last three ASCS Midwest events at I-80 Speedway and five of the last seven. Ten of Brown's ASCS Midwest series' best 20 career wins have taken place atop the 4/10-mile I-80 Speedway clay oval.

Both Friday and Saturday action at I-80 Speedway are set to fire off at 7:00 p.m.

Nebraska Raceway Park's I-80 Speedway is located in Greenwood, NE, between Lincoln and Omaha off I-80 Exit 420, then 0.4 mile north on SR 63 then west. For more information, contact the track at 402-659-3301 or 402-342-3453.

The Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region is slated for 21 nights of competition at seven different tracks throughout Nebraska and the surrounding areas of Missouri, South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota.


Past ASCS Midwest Regional Winners at I-80 Speedway:
7/1/11 - Brian Brown
5/26/11 - Brian Brown
4/9/11 - Brian Brown
4/8/11 - Seth Bergman
9/24/10 - Billy Alley
9/3/10 - Brian Brown
7/2/10 - Brian Brown
5/27/10 - Shane Stewart
4/17/10 - Jack Dover
4/16/10 - Dustin Morgan
7/2/09 - Brian Brown
5/21/09 - Chad Humston
4/11/09 - Jonathan Cornell
4/10/09 - Billy Alley
8/14/07 - Jack Dover
4/15/07 - Chuck Swenson (Midwest vs. Northern Plains)
4/14/07 - Brian Brown (Midwest vs. Northern Plains)
8/15/06 - Billy Alley
7/3/06 - Jake Peters (Midwest vs. Northern Plains)
4/8/06 - Brian Brown (Midwest vs. Northern Plains)
8/3/05 - Brian Brown (Midwest vs. National)
7/8/05 - Brian Brown
4/15/05 - Terry McCarl



The 2011 season marks the 20th year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing for the American Sprint Car Series, with approximately 200 nights of competition at tracks throughout the nation and into Canada. Anchored by the Lucas Oil Sprint Car Series presented by K&N Filters, ASCS also consists of ten different Regions throughout the nation.

Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com.

Nebraska Sprint Car Season finale at I-80 Speedway

The 360 Sprint Cars will be making their last appearance in the Cornhusker State this year with the running of the ASCS/NCRA Sprint Car Challenge at I-80 Speedway on Friday and Saturday, September 16 & 17. The event will feature drivers from the American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) and the National Championship Racing Association (NCRA) running complete programs both nights. Each night’s feature will pay $3,000 to win and $400 to start.

The two day show will finish out the 2011 season for the ASCS Midwest Region. Last weekend the series ran two events in the Cornhusker State with Sioux Falls’ Greg Bakker and Louisiana’s Jason Johnson picking up wins. Entering this weekend’s action Springfield, Nebraska’s Jack Dover has all but locked up his second ASCS Midwest Championship. Jordan Boston, Bryan Gossel, defending series champion Lee Grosz and Brian Brown round out the top five in ASCS Midwest points.

The NCRA side of the Challenge is not as clear cut as C. J. Johnson and Gary Lee Maier are locked in a battle for the 2011 NCRA Sprint Car Championship. Jason Martin, Patrick Stasa and Mike Peters round out the top five. The NCRA has one Sprint Car left remaining after this weekend, that being on October 1 at Wichita, Kansas. Many of the best 360 sprint car drivers in the nation are expected to be at I-80 Speedway this weekend.

Racing starts each night at 7 pm. Grandstand Admission for Adults is $15 on Friday night and $20 on Saturday night. Juniors (6-15) are $5 each night with 5 and under free. Pit Passes are $30 each night.

For more information call Ed Kosiski at (402)-659-3301.

Two-Night "Sprint Car Challenge" For NCRA Sprints This Weekend @ I-80

Park City, Kansas - September 12, 2011 - Current series point leader C.J. Johnson of Quinter, Kansas will lead the National Championship Racing Association of Park City, Kansas presented by Smiley's Racing Products sprint division into unchartered territory since 2007 when the tour will square off against the American Sprint Car Series Midwest region this coming Friday and Saturday night in the "Sprint Car Challenge at I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Nebraska.

And with this big sprint series showdown you know both nights will be big for all racers with both nights point races for the NCRA series and feature winners both nights earning $3000. Just starting both feature finales will earn a driver $400.

Each days non-qualifier feature winner will earn $300 with a dash being held both days that will pay $500.

Entry fee is only $10 each day and the left rear tire rule that NCRA has in their 2011 rule book has been waived for both events.

The two day weekend will make it fourteen point races total for the series schedule in 2011 with eleven races having been completed thus far this season. I-80 Speedway will make the eighth different venue for the division in what will end up being the most ambitious NCRA sprint car schedule in years.

Johnson comes in with a 75 point lead over former five-time series champion Garry Lee Maier of Dodge City, Kansas.

Jason Martin, Patrick Stasa, Mike Peters, Luke Cranston, Jeremy Campbell, Taylor Velasquez, and Kris Miller are the top ten in series points and are just a few of the drivers who will be on hand representing NCRA.

It has definitely been a season of parity for the series as ten different drivers have took home victories out of the eleven races held thus far.

Jack Dover of Springfield, Nebraska will lead the ASCS Midwest region to the Nebraska Raceway Park facility with Jordan Boston second in series points. Boston took home the victory in the 55th annual Hutchinson Grand Nationals in Hutchinson, Kansas back earlier this season in NCRA competition.

Bryan Gossel, Lee Grosz, Billy Alley and Gregg Baker are just a few of the drivers who will be representing the ASCS.

On Friday, racing starts at 7pm. grandstand admission is $15 for Adults, $5 for juniors (6-15) with 5 and under free. All Pit Passes will be $30.

On Saturday, racing will start at 7 pm with grandstand admission $20 for Adults, $5 for juniors and 5 and under free. All Pit Passes will be $30.

I-80 Speedway is located off Interstate 80 at exit 420, halfway between Omaha and Lincoln. The 4/10 mile dirt track is home to the NASCAR Whelen All American Series (NWAAS) on Sunday nights, and host several specials featuring touring late model and sprint car series. For more information, visit www.I-80Speedway.com.

For more information on the 41st anniversary season for the National Championship Racing Association of Park City, Kansas presented by Smiley's Racing Products, find them at their new online address www.racencra.com or call the series office (316) 755-1781.

The series would like to take this time to thank their sprint car partners and sponsors for the 2011 race season:

Park City, Kansas, Smiley's Racing Products, Hoosier Racing Tires, Sunoco Race Fuels

Contingency Sponsors: Saldana Racing Products, The Brake Man

Friday nights feature finale payout: 1) $3000, 2) $1500, 3) $1000, 4) $800, 5) $700, $600, 7) $500, 8) $475, 9) $450, 10) $425, 11-22) $400,

Saturday nights championship feature finale payout: 1) $3000, 2) $2000, 3) $1400, 4) $1000, 5) $900, 6) $800, 7) $700, 8) $600, 9) $550, 10) $500, 11) $450, 12-22) $400

Dash (both nights): 1) $500, 2) $400, 3) $300, 4) $200, 5) $100, 6) $100

Non-Qualifiers (both nights): 1) $300, 2) $250, 3) $200, 4) $150, 5-15) $100

Hard charger (both nights): $500

All Good Things...

Must come to an end.

I'll be covering the Nebraska Cup for the Lincoln Journal Star.

But I've come to a decision that if Sunday's Nebraska Cup is not my final race this year, 2011 will be the last year I plan on visiting dirt tracks as an unpaid photographer/blogger on a regular basis.

It doesn't mean I don't have an interest in the sport because I do. I still love the automobile and motorsport - it doesn't mean I don't like doing the work. But if I'm going to work, I'd rather do it for a paycheck. This isn't a labor of love anymore.

One of the reasons I quit working on a weekly basis in racing after the 2006 season was because it wasn't fun anymore. I need to find some balance between the stresses of work and home, and what is supposed to be relaxation. This isn't relaxing. It's tedious.

Next season, I may be pushing hard on the money angle and start to blog for pay. Open up the site to ads, become more aggressive with marketing, and so on - IF I see the business opportunity.

I'm glad football season is here. I'm looking forward to hockey season, and the thought of visiting a Lincoln Stars game, wearing my new heavyweight Montreal Canadiens sweatshirt, sitting down with a beer and watching some hockey just sounds wonderful. I will enjoy spending Saturdays and Sundays watching football, and going out with my family.

When it comes to the show, I'm tired of the bitching, my own bitching included. I'm tired of the drama taking place in the photography arena and the chiseling and backbiting. I'm tired of complaining about the show - that contains parts that I will never like - and I'm tired of message board groaning.

Things aren't going back the way they were, there will never be enough money, etc. I realize people say this everywhere, but for some reason in the racing world, it's worse. It ran off people I grew up with around the track. It ran my dad off. The constant whining and pining just leave me asking "why do I come out here then?"

I've seen friends go away, I've seen families (including my own) break up over this. This is ridiculous. It's a hobby, executed by some very skilled people, but a hobby nonetheless.

I took a break for a reason. Before my wife and I were married, our pastor requested some counseling as part of standard practice. One of the suggestions he made was to stay apart for a while. The goal being to see if we just couldn't be without each other.

My wife and I did that. We spent a little more time doing our own thing, but we know that being together was and is still a good thing, twelve years and one child later.

But my break from Eagle and the racing world was different. I'd rather be in the stands drinking beer if I wasn't working, and I am going to be very selective with the camera tonight. It's possible I'll  spend most of the night in the press box.

I'm sure that people will say, well wait until spring and see what you think. Go to a race and just enjoy it, don't worry about photos or the blog. These are good suggestions, and I'll give it the benefit of the doubt. Maybe next Friday at I-80 I'll just be having some fun. Perhaps a trip to Beatrice for Octoberfest without worry of a deadline, upload, etc. would be good.

I'll give it a try. And then, I'll give it a rest. I appreciate all the great comments and feedback I've received for the past six seasons. I've met people and opened doors. It's been fun but I think it's also neared its end. I do plan on updating and such, but with what frequency I'm not sure.

Take care and thanks,
Jason

Keep the show on the road part II

So, I put out some ideas for on the track in terms of keeping the show going. I'd like to focus what the promoter can do without focusing solely on the on-track action.

Getting the show started on time.

I've railed on this before and I don't think it's any less true.

1. Get the track ready when it's supposed to be. If you need to water it, then start on it before anyone else shows up. Worry about it drying out too soon? Need to let it air out? Then build that into your schedule. It isn't an exact science, but experience will be a good guide. You shouldn't be hotlapping 5 minutes before the scheduled start of the show.

2. Hotlaps - short and sweet. Is there really a need to run more than green-white-checkered on a normal night? Three laps tops, especially toward the end of the season. This is warm-up and shake-down time. Maybe a little track fine tuning if needed. But it's not a race, and it's not a testing or training session. If you want drivers to put down some laps, schedule a practice night or let them run after the show.


Oh, and hotlaps during intermission? Hell naw. Let them tag another class B or heat if at all.


3. Lineups. No reason they shouldn't be ready by the driver's meeting if you have that after hotlaps. They should be ready 15 minutes before the start of the race. And get accuracy. If the lineup system is too complex, or requires too much technology, look to see if some ways can't be simplified, or some tasks delegated.


4. Staging. The next TWO races should be staged, especially heats. Get a staging official whose sole duty is to line them up as they would be on track in a clear area. Any class with starters should be able to roll out, and if they come out of turn two, they should be green by four. If you feel the need, then one lap at the most. Anyone not staged starts at the back if they go at all.


5. Buzz laps before the heat. Why? This is just a waste (although I like it for photos). Why another set of hotlaps? Get rid of them.

6. Lone Ranger rule. Spin and bring out the yellow by yourself in a heat or B - you're done. 


7. Intermission. 15-20 minutes. If you have specials, contests, etc. then get things organized beforehand. The event starts when the last car leaves the track. If you need more time to sell beer and hotdogs - then get hawkers in the stands to get it to them or set up single-item stands. Need more time to get everyone a pee break? Get some porta-potties. This is how the big boys do it. They don't delay the show, they bring what they need to satisfy the crowd. Gotta tear up the track? Get the equipment rolling ASAP and look at how well you're prepping the track - and what classes you have running when.

If you aren't selling enough hot dogs, beer and souvenirs, then look at how you sell, what you sell, and other ideas for before and after the show. 

8. A good tow crew. This may be the most important part. A crew that is well equipped to move cars from all parts of the track, who is trained, understands the cars and adequately staffed to move race car wrecks quickly is key. Make sure that cars requiring tow chains have them. Make sure that there's space for the crew to get the car out, and if needed one or two more trucks so there's no delay. I know this takes expense.

9. Roll cars onto the track to push start them. I was skeptical of this at first, but having seen it in action, it does make a difference. There are enough four wheelers to get the cars out on the track, and the push trucks can simply bop from one car to the next.

By the way - get enough push vehicles. If you're a non-sprint track running a sprint show, find good qualified drivers (and pay them) to help out. 1-2 vehicles with a big bumper at your stock car track ain't gonna cut it when the open wheelers come to town.


10. Pit stops. End them once and for all. The whole "2 minutes in the work area" is awful. IF IF IF you must have pit stops I would say this: Only for the first half of the race. At the halfway mark (and the flagman should put out the crossed flags), no more pit stops. You come to a stop and cause a yellow - better get it ready to go or get out. If you just have to have them still - then A features only and anyone has to come back when the field is ready. No 2 minutes garbage. I grew up around sprints when a flat tire produced drama, and there was no such thing as pit stops. Formula 1 cars invest enough money to keep a dirt track running our lifetimes and they are done if they stop. These are short distance races. In my 30 years of being around racing, I can count the number of times a pit stop produced a winner on one hand.


11. Incentives. Reward drivers who run through a race. Eagle gives all drivers who ran flag-to-flag free admission the next week. Granted, it's tougher to do in some classes than others, so consider incentives to drivers when the show is finished on time. Instill a culture of urgency and pride.

So those are my ideas. I realize some of it is pretty draconian, but as I said in my first piece, we live in a different world. 





 -Jason

Keep the show on the road

Continuing on with my previous post...

So, if I were a promoter and were looking to move the show along - what would I do?

Time Limits. I know people hate these, but I think we live in a day where attention spans are shorter, schedules are busier (even on the weekends) and short-track racing must also adapt. And while I’ve read people’s groans on the subject, I’ve heard applause from the stands when it’s done. I think it’s a necessary evil.

For starters: I would have a grand time clock. I’d look at it like this: take the number of cars, and multiply that times 1.5. That number is the number of minutes you expect to complete the show. So, if you have 120 cars, that’s 180 minutes = 3 hours. That’s from first green in the heats to last checkered in the A feature. I think that is plenty reasonable and the promoter should keep this time in mind throughout the night.

How would I break it down? Actually, I think there are several ways to do it without the clock - ways that are seen by the racers and fans alike.

Heat races
- After three yellow flags in a heat, cut the laps to 75% (rounding down) or green-white-checkered (whichever is greater). After the fourth, go next yellow = checkered. If there are five yellows in a heat - that's just stupid and everyone deserves to see that race end.
- Any time you have only the number of cars who transfer left running, regardless of yellows or time, checker it.
- You could make an exception for making the invert or passing points, but that option happens once. I’d say at that point, if you have say 4 cars running, and 3 make the invert, let them race until the next yellow or the end of the race.
- I'd also be willing to let the leftovers race half the remaining laps, with the next yellow=checkered.
- Keep a 1.5 minute per lap clock on the race. At that time, it's promoter's choice to call/shorten the race.

Trophy / cash dashes (if applies).
Well, first I don’t like them because a lot of teams don’t run them unless they have to. Otherwise, I’d apply the same rules as the heat, minus a yellow flag. Three yellows = done.

B features
Same as a heat, but if more than ten cars, allow one extra yellow flag.

A features
Yes, I do agree with time limits on an A. Granted, on a special show this should be last resort for the featured class. On a weekly show - I don’t see the problem. Here’s why: if you’re race is running so bad, and so messy - chances are they’re being done a favor by just packing it up and living to race another day. I’ve seen rough-track messes that would’ve been better served sending everyone home instead of another load of junk to the trailer - or worse, a driver to the hospital.

That said, I’d be pretty flexible with the time limit. One could go with yellow flags, but I’m willing to look at the clock.

Start with the number of laps, and multiply it this time by 1.75 (minutes). That’s what to shoot for. My feeling is to cut laps only when the time limit is reached - but that will include red flag time.

- If the time limit is hit, then at the next yellow or red - cut laps to 75%.
- The following yellow - run half the number of remaining laps or green-white-checkered (whichever is greater).
- Next yellow - green-white-checkered.
- Any yellow or red after that: done.

Obviously, there is room for some objective judgment, but I think it’s a good guideline. If you’re past your overall clock time then perhaps you cut laps before the features start. On the other hand, I could concede a little on what I said above and let the race finish out if you’re running on time for the night.

There are going to be nights when red flags will take a very long time, there will be nights when weather is in play, or perhaps there will be times when you want to try to race it out as much as possible such as on a final points night. But I think that if these guidelines and expectations are put out in advance, they will be easier to handle by the racers and fans alike. In fact, they could add to the drama and the storyline.

I’ll talk about some off-track ways to speed things up next.

Hiatus

It’s been over a month since I’ve seen an A feature. That’s saying something since there has been no time since 1984 that I’ve been gone from Eagle for a month. MAYBE in 1996 when we were touring with the NCRA, but definitely no time since I’ve been away from a race that long.

I could say that it’s been that long since I’ve been to a race, but I made the trip down to US36 Raceway in Osborn, MO for the ASCS show last Friday night.

I say “A feature” because I left after Jordan Boston capped off one of those “should’ve hung it up nights” (he had motor issues early) with a flip in turn two that tore down the catch fence during the B feature. That was six sprinters on their head for the night, with two more coming later.

At the time of the wreck, I was in the parking lot with photographer and traveling partner Joe Orth and a few other fans who made the trip down from the Lincoln area. The telltale zing of the motor in the background and the screech of brakes tipped off the red flag and Joe and I decided that we’d had enough. Joe recalled that it was the first time in a long while he had left a race..it was almost becoming the norm for me.

A three-hour trip home and things to do for both of us the next morning made the decision pretty easy. Boring pics (at least mine) were another. I have to admit, it’s been about 4 years since I made the trip down to US36 - and I remember why. It’s a humid ravine with calf-high weeds in the infield, one way in and out, a catch fence that would be better used to snag fish and enough lights to allow one to make out that there is some sort of four-wheeled vehicle circumnavigating the place - most of which were B mods - and a scant two push trucks - thankfully provided by our Eagle regulars.

OK maybe it’s unnecessarily harsh. We need all the tracks we can get.

Races there can be dicey and exciting. And that night’s field of 28 was well-stocked with the likes of Jack Dover, Danny Lasoski, Randy Martin, and Trevor Grossenbacher. The hot dog with kraut and one of my favorite white-trash treats - Frito Pie - sat surprisingly well in my belly. It was a nice evening and the people there are nice. It’s always good to see a few of the Eagle gang making the trip too and also ran into a few people I hadn’t seen since I worked at Eagle during the Cormack days.

The trip down and back was pleasant, with interesting conversation and the half-day vacation was a nice break from my work (a lot)-dad (some)-sleep (a little) schedule of the past nine months.

Sometimes, it’s more than just the racing. I think my favorite time at Eagle over the past season or so has been the time spent before the show, shooting the breeze with friends and usually meeting one or two new people per week. I actually liked it more than the few times I had post-race beers afterward - especially as my days watching the trailer races are long behind me.

So, what’s with the delay? Well, the demands of being a parent took some precedence, and some help at home on the weekends was needed. And to be honest, it was a better deal in my eyes. Time with the family was important.

The thing was, getting home around midnight (on a good night) and feeling like dog crap the next day wasn’t helping things. I finally got to the point of almost viewing going to the track as a chore - and I had NO obligation to be there.

Five classes is about two too many for my taste. Save me the “if it weren’t for ___, you wouldn’t have ____” bit. That’s a bigger insult to your intelligence than mine because you should be smart enough to know that I realize that. It’s a necessary evil in this day.

But it’s evil nonetheless and doesn’t make things much more palatable - or at least in constant doses. I get it, some can’t get enough and would gladly sit six or seven hours.

They got their wish the week before with a seven-hour makeup of the previous week’s features.

I think the problem is we’ve felt this obligation to create endless amounts of sub-classes where the goal is set the bar just high enough so the winner isn’t just random chance, but low enough so nobody can use the excuse that racing is expensive and to keep that license fee coming. I’m waiting for the C-mod to debut in 2015 given the number of ‘claim’ cars well outpaces the ‘crates’ in the B mods.

So, if this is the way it must be, what can change? I’ll discuss that in my next piece.

ASCS Midwest vs. Warrior Rubber Match Friday at U.S. 36

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (August 22, 2011) - The Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest and Warrior Regions have squared off twice already this season top the ultra-fast high banks of Cameron, Missouri's U.S. 36 Raceway.

And, in those two previous events, a Midwest representative won the first time while a Warrior shoe topped the second clash.

This Friday night will be the rubber match, as the ASCS Midwest and Warrior Regions clash for a third and final time of the year at U.S. 36 Raceway.

Leading their respective Regions into the event are Jack Dover (Midwest) and Brad Loyet (Warrior), both of whom have tasted past ASCS glory at U.S. 36. Dover, the 21-year-old from Springfield, NE, has won twice at U.S. 36, including most recently in June of 2010, while 23-year-old Loyet of Sunset Hills, MO, won the recent clash event at U.S. 36 on July 15.

While Loyet won the most recent Midwest vs. Warrior card, Midwest rep Wayne Johnson topped the first 2011 card on June 17

After ranking fourth with the premier Lucas Oil ASCS National series in 2010, Dover is closing in on a second ASCS Midwest championship with a healthy lead over Bryan Gossel, Lee Grosz, Jordan Boston and Wayne Johnson entering Friday's action.

Loyet, a rookie in the Sprint Car ranks after collecting several Midget titles, holds a 111-point edge over four-time champion Randy Martin in the Warrior title chase with Kyle Bell, Jonathan Cornell and Mark Shirshekan also among the top five.

Friday's racing action atop the high-banked, 3/8-mile U.S. 36 Raceway clay oval is set to fire off at 8:00 p.m.

U.S. 36 Raceway is located 50 miles northeast of Kansas City on I-35 to Exit 54, then 6.3 miles west on U.S. 36, then 0.1 mile north on SR 33. For more information, contact the track at 816-675-2279.

The Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region is slated for 22 nights of competition at a seven throughout Nebraska and the surrounding areas of Missouri, South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota.

The inaugural season of Speedway Motors Warrior Region action under the ASCS banner currently consists of 17 nights of competition at nine different tracks throughout Missouri and into Kansas.

Past ASCS Regional Winners at U.S. 36 Raceway:
7/15/11 - Brad Loyet (Midwest vs. Warrior)
6/17/11 - Wayne Johnson (Midwest vs. Warrior)
7/16/10 - Bronson Maeschen (Midwest)
6/18/10 - Jack Dover (Midwest)
6/19/09 - Jesse Hockett (Midwest)
7/11/08 - Jack Dover (Midwest)
9/7/07 - Jesse Hockett (Midwest)
9/8/06 - Chris Morgan (Midwest)
6/23/06 - Toby Chapman (Midwest)
9/9/05 - Johnny Anderson (Midwest)

The Pace Lap - August 20, 2011

Well, it’s been a long time since I’ve updated and even longer since I’ve been to a race.

Work killed my plans of going to Knoxville for the ASCS 360 Nationals - and an infant son who’s just turning the corner on sleeping at night didn’t help although my wife was OK with a late arrival on Sunday morning. I however, didn’t really have the endurance for it after the work week from Hell.

That said, it doesn’t mean I didn’t follow the scene and as always have something to say.

Looks like I-80’s Silver Dollar Nationals was a success with near-capacity stands and good racing. Good enough to run next year? Who knows? Seems like an announcement was put on hold with no ETA. Why leave fans hanging, especially after the rousing reviews immediately after the event? “We’ll announce next month/after the season/etc.” is better than “we planned to do it today, but ..............” (crickets). And, why would you ever limit a press release to a particular outlet unless there was some incentive involved? Maybe there is. Maybe there’s more at play. But ‘building anticipation’ and keeping people in the dark are not the same thing.

Eagle decided not to run the full size cars against the Knoxville Nationals, instead holding a Kart special at the track. So...can we infer that last year’s sprint-free experiment was a bust? ‘Bust’ may be too strong of a word, but to those with middle fingers raised yelling ‘who needs the sprints,’ let me say this: I haven’t seen the feathers but if it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, and quacks like a duck - it’s a duck. Even if you didn’t come right out and say so.

At the very least, I think the break does everyone some good. Gives the teams a chance to regroup, and the officials and staff a nice weekend off.

Gotta hand it to Brad Brown of ibracn.com for getting the Nebraska Cup Sprint Car lap money program off and running. People can sponsor a lap, and the leader of that lap during the A feature collects anywhere from 25 to 100 dollars or possibly more. It’s a great idea. Last year I saw a fan/driver/supporter of another class asking where the lap money was for their class. Well, just follow Brad’s example and start taking donations. Do the work.

I also saw another great example of crowdsourced promotion for the SIlver Dollar Nationals: bands of fans getting together and donating tow money to their favorite driver in an effort to bring them to the show. I like seeing the fans take the reins and work to make the show better for them (and everyone else). It’s an interesting concept and while one could say the promoter should be the one making the effort - I would say that it’s what the fan can bear. If they choose to do this, it’s their prerogative. What I hope not to see is the promoter taking it for granted and letting the fans shoulder the load.

Well, I’ll be away from the track again this weekend but hope to hit the final weeks in force. Stay safe everyone.

Lucas Oil Sprint Cars Ready for 33rd Annual Jackson Nationals

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (August 15, 2011) - The Lucas Oil ASCS presented by K&N Filters National series embarks upon more new territory this weekend with the running of the 33rd Annual Jackson Nationals presented by Brodix Cylinder Heads atop the high-banked, ½-mile Jackson Speedway dirt oval in Jackson, MN, on Friday and Saturday.

Friday night's Loren Woodke Memorial Night portion of the Jackson Nationals offers up a $3,000 winner's share, with Saturday's Jackson Nationals championship a $6,000-to-win tilt.

The weekend's action will mark just the second visit to Minnesota in ASCS National history and the first since a Brainerd outing in 2007 won by Wayne Johnson.

And, leading the way into the weekend is current Lucas Oil Sprint Car points leader Shane Stewart, who ranks as arguably the hottest Sprint Car driver in the nation after a sizzling Southern Iowa Sprint Week that netted Stewart and car owner Paul Silva earnings in the six-figure range over a ten night stretch of action.

Fresh off a $10,000 triumph in the ASCS Knoxville Nationals on August 6, his second event win in as many years, and a 17th to second run in this past weekend's Knoxville Nationals championship event, Stewart also knows his way around the Jackson Speedway ½-mile oval as evidenced just a few weeks ago.

Stewart, a native of Bixby, OK, picked off Jackson's Spring Nationals victory on July 8, fending off fellow Lucas Oil National shoe Jason Johnson for the win with other National contenders testing out Jackson turf including Brady Bacon and Tony Bruce, Jr., along with current Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest points leader Jack Dover.

While Stewart currently holds a 142-point edge over Albuquerque's Johnny Herrera in the driver's portion of the $60,000 championship points chase, the owner's side of the things is much tighter with the Jason Johnson Racing No. 41 holding a mere 10-point edge over Silva's No. 57 piloted by Stewart.

Stewart and defending Lucas Oil Sprint Car champion Jason Johnson, who sits atop the series win charts in 2011 with four triumphs this season, lead a stellar cast of full-time series contenders that includes Herrera, Jeff Swindell, 2010 series runner-up Brady Bacon, four-time series champion Gary Wright, three-time series champion Tim Crawley, Washington's Seth Bergman, leading Brodix Rookie of the Year contender Aaron Reutzel, two-time Short Track Nationals champion Tony Bruce, Jr., and 2001 series champion Zach Chappell.

The weekend also awards Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest points, with Nebraska's Jack Dover holding the current Midwest edge over Wayne Johnson, who has parted ways with car owner Bryan Sundby since the series last action. Colorado's Bryan Gossel, North Dakota's Lee Grosz and Missouri's Brian Brown are also among the ASCS Midwest top five.

Grosz, a two-time ASCS Regional champion fresh off his first National win during ASCS Knoxville Nationals preliminary action, held off Brian Brown to win last year's Jackson Nationals.


The Series:

Lucas Oil ASCS presented by K&N Filters with the Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region

When & Where:

Friday night, August 19 at 7:30 p.m. - 33rd Annual Jackson Nationals presented by Brodix
Saturday night, August 20 at 7:30 p.m. - 33rd Annual Jackson Nationals presented by Brodix

Track Information:

Jackson Speedway (Jackson, MN) - ½-mile, high-banked dirt oval located 0.3 miles south of I-90 Exit 73 on US 71, then one mile east on CR 38, then 0.9 miles south on CR 51 at the fairgrounds. For more information, contact the track at 507-841-1957 or check http://www.jacksonspeedway.com/.

Lucas Oil ASCS Jackson Speedway History:

This weekend will mark the first time for the Lucas Oil ASCS National series to take to Minnesota's Jackson Speedway. The series has only been in Minnesota once before, with Wayne Johnson snaring a 2007 win at Brainerd. Jackson Speedway will become the 117th different track to host an ASCS National event since 1993 and the fourth new track to host the series in 2011 along with California tracks in Tulare, Hanford and Placerville.

Passing of Frank "Zook" Scdoris and Gary Grossenbacher

I haven't had any time to post lately, but I wanted to take a second send condolences to the families of Frank "Zook" Scdoris and Gary Grossenbacher.
Scdoris passed away this week after a battle with Alzheimers. I remember him as the flagman at Midwest Speedway when I first started going in the early 80's. He was a long time racer and is enshrined in the Beatrice Speedway Hall of Fame.
Grossenbacher was a long time crew chief with Sprint car driver Lonnie Jensen and later for Lonnie's son Tige. I met Gary when my father and he partnered on the #7BK car at Eagle, and I talked with Gary at the races often. Gary died of cancer last week.
Both will be missed.
-Jason

Cornhusker Midget Challenge at Junction Motor Speedway

Friday & Saturday July 29 / 30, 2011-- "POWRi Cornhusker Midget Challenge"

Brought to you by NAPA Auto Parts

A-Modifieds will be Racing for points on Friday

NASCAR Late Models and NASCAR B-Modifieds for points on Saturday

Pit Gates Open at 4:30 PM Friday / 4:00 Saturday
Front Gates Open at 5:30 PM Friday / 5:00 Saturday

Racing Starts @ 7:30 PM Friday / 7:00 Saturday

Front Gate Admission both nights: $20.00 Adults, $4.00 Child (Ages 6-12) 5 & Under- Free

Pit Admission: Non Nascar Crew/ Driver $35.00
Nascar Driver/ Crew $20.00

ASCS Midwest at Crawford County Speedway on Friday

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (July 18, 2011) - The Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region is set for its annual stop at the 5/8-mile Crawford County Speedway dirt oval in Denison, IA, this Friday night.

Friday night's event marks the sixth annual July event at Crawford County Speedway for the ASCS Midwest Regional forces.

Missouri's Brian Brown has topped two previous ASCS Midwest events at Crawford County Speedway in July, including last year's stop. Other July winners in Denison include Bronson Maeschen in 2009, current Midwest points leader Jack Dover in 2008 and Wade Nygaard in 2006.

Dover holds the current Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest points lead with other top Regional contenders including Colorado's Bryan Gossel, North Dakota's Lee Grosz and Nebraska contenders Jordan Boston, Billy Alley, Gage Dorr and Tyler Drueke among others.

While Dover sits atop Midwest points, Brian Brown has collected the most Midwest wins this season with three triumphs. Wayne Johnson is the only other driver with multiple wins at two, with single wins claimed by Dover, Shane Stewart, Danny Lasoski, Chad Humston, Seth Bergman and Brad Loyet.

The semi-banked, 5/8-mile Crawford County Speedway dirt oval is located in Denison, IA, 0.6 miles north of US 30 on US 59, then 0.6 miles northeast on SR 39. For more information, contact the track at 712-263-5306 or 712-677-9912.

The Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region is slated for 22 nights of competition at a seven throughout Nebraska and the surrounding areas of Missouri, South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota.

Past ASCS Regional Feature Winners at Crawford County Speedway:
7/21/10 - Brian Brown
7/31/09 - Bronson Maeschen
7/18/08 - Jack Dover
7/20/07 - Brian Brown
* 6/16/07 - Jason Johnson
7/21/06 - Wade Nygaard
6/16/06 - Brian Brown

* - Denotes events held in conjunction with Lucas Oil ASCS National series.


The 2011 season marks the 20th year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing for the American Sprint Car Series, with approximately 200 nights of competition at tracks throughout the nation and into Canada. Anchored by the Lucas Oil Sprint Car Series presented by K&N Filters, ASCS also consists of ten different Regions throughout the nation.

Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com.

It's Silver Dollar Nationals Week

The Silver Dollar Nationals (SDN) is fast approaching and tickets sales have really picked up. The good news is we have plenty of seats still available. If you would like to reserve your tickets to the Biggest Race in Nebraska Racing History just call (402)-342-3453 or visit: www.silverdollarnationals.com.

Entries have picked up as well with the latest entry being the "Wisconsin Wildman" Dan Schlieper. Also we have had confirmation that Billy Moyer Jr. and Billy Moyer Sr. will be at the Silver Dollar Nationals. We are also expecting a strong field of USMTS Modifieds, So come join us for the Silver Dollar Nationals.

I-80 Speedway is located off Interstate 80 at exit 420, halfway between Omaha and Lincoln. The 4/10 mile dirt track is home to the NASCAR Whelen All American Series (NWAAS) on Sunday nights, and host several specials featuring touring late model and sprint car series. For more information, visit www.I-80Speedway.com.

The Pace Lap - July 15, 2011

Some quick hits:

Pursestrings stay loose: Roger Hadan announced at Eagle's pit meeting last week he would maintain the current Sprint Division purse structure for the rest of the season - an increase over last year's purse - despite the car count not meeting the 25-car average at the season's mid-point. The move will cost Eagle an additional $10,000 by the end of the year. We'll see if the generosity extends into 2012, especially since the news was greeted with shrugs.

Stirring sh*t: Did I start something? In a one-off line in my last editorial, I mentioned that the best plan for the Eagle 360 sprint division may have been to throw out the rulebook altogether. I still think that any discussion other than waiting for the economy to turn around must include a discussion of rules that are not conforming to ASCS. This could be a radical overhaul, revisiting the "COS" wing adapter, or engine rules, or some kind of "bolt on" solution, etc. I'm not privy to any inside knowledge, but don't be surprised to hear the phrase "we tried your way" in 2012.

305's? Eh. I'm lukewarm to it, but not against them. But as an Eagle support show? Why would you bring in a 305 series show to run with a separate 360 show? Why wouldn't your touring/special show be the premier class? That doesn't make any sense. Long term though...?

One for you, two for me: I don't like selective enforcement of the rules, even if it's some attempt to right a wrong. In other words: if one guy gets a flat tire and you send him out, then send them all out. I've read (and seen) attempts to right some sort of wrong by ruling overly heavy or not enforcing a rule. Don't do that. You can get the pound of flesh in a better way. As they say, "the road to Hell is paved with good intentions."

Maybe it's not the other guy's fault: If everyone on the track is wrecking YOU, maybe THEY aren't the problem. Perhaps you're putting yourself into the position to be wrecked. Sometimes it takes a little soul-searching. Years ago we thought everyone was trying to take our car out. Turns out, the driver was putting himself in a position to be taken out. What's the common denominator? Just sayin'....

Quit knockin' the Tow Crew: It makes me sick to see drivers ripping into the tow crews at any racetrack. Granted, some look like the proverbial monkey copulating with a football, but most a hard working, paid little (if any), and are there because they want to be. They are not there to tear up your stuff. See above and maybe you won't have to get a visit from them so often. 

Circle Track Couture:  I haven't bought a racing t-shirt in 4 years. Blasphemy!

Picture this: The market has kind of dried up, and as the cars get beat up the demand gets lower. I've started to "shoot for myself" and not be so worried about how the picture crops out, etc. but anything I shoot is still for sale if you like it.

What's Up

Got some things going on at home but there's plenty to come:

- updated photos
- more thoughts about this weekend and other random bits
- a new poll

Stay tuned!

Jason

Loving that wingless show

"I find your lack of faith disturbing." - Darth Vader

One-hundred degree temps and having to be at work Friday is keeping me from JMS (regrettably). However, I've got my sights set on Friday's Midwest Tri-Fecta at I-80 and hopefully Saturday's show at Eagle - but for a reason you may not think.

Maybe I get this way each year, but I've got those mid-season blahs again.
The sprint car backbiting on the dirtdrivers.com message boards is back up in full tilt, and frankly - a lot of the fans on there don't know their heads from their asses. And sometimes I wonder if the inmates are running the asylum. Exactly what has the same bitching that's been going on since the dawn of www.sameoldcrap.com* done for the sport?

I'm sorry to see that Jay Russell won't be around Eagle. Nothing but nice from the whole family. It's Eagle's loss.

The annual debate about "the work area" tires me. Do you want to know how to deal with regulating the amount of time in the work area? Don't allow any time. There - fair for everyone. I'd ban pit stops for every class. It's unsafe and how many people have really made lemonade out of lemons? This ain't a 500 mile race.

Spare me that "what-if" hypothetical crap, too. But if he...and points...and....

We can play that game all day. The "law of averages" says all the up and down works out in the end. I'd like to know how the work area saved someones season in a capacity that really mattered. Finishing 15th instead of 16th in points doesn't count.

And, for all these self-proclaimed long time wise fans, you don't remember when that was the norm. And we all seemed to survive. The whole "work area" crap was set forward by the World of Outlaws in order to give traveling teams a chance to better their position. And I guarantee you Steve Kinser got more time than...well...anyone not named Steve Kinser. Maybe Sammy or Wolfgang. But that list was pretty short and Uncle Ted selectively enforced it.

Yeah, I'm in that kind of mood. And frankly - I don't care.

So sitting here midway through the season, what was supposed to be a plan to save the sprint car class has been at best - one of sustaining it. Car counts are sub-20's again, and if not for Eldon Rhoten's 3-car operation, the counts would be nearing the 15-car minimum line in the sand Roger Hadan drew as a minimum to even race.

Changes have been made to the sprint show, including format - which in my honest opinion has not bettered the program one iota - as well as a renovated track surface that has been fraught with problems and usually requires a mid-race re-work.

I'm not saying there's been lack of trying. A quality point fund could pay out in 2012. As I said before, the changes may have prevented a bad situation from being worse. In fact, I'd say the major issues are external circumstances: economics in the case of the sprint division and weather in the case of the track. Nobody has done anything wrong.

I've said it before but I wonder if the best thing to have done was throw out the old way all together.

C'mon Jason, It's still racing, right? Better than none at all!

This is true. And I'm reminded in a positive way still.

When I go to the races at Eagle, and even in other places in this area I look forward to another show. Coming from someone who cut their teeth on the winged uprights, this is blasphemy. But it's true.

The IMCA Modifieds are the best weekly program in this area.

Not "B-Mods," not any IMCA Modified show - but the group we have here. Be it Beatrice, Eagle, I-80...wherever. For the last few years the most competitive program top-to-bottom has been the IMCA Modifieds. It's the most entertaining, frankly I think it's the cleanest show, and it has the least amount of bitching BY FAR.

It's just RACING. I don't care that the costs have escalated. I don't care that some of them come in on double stack trailers (that outdo most of the sprint haulers). I realize the cars are about as close to spec as they get. But they seem to find a way to put on a great show.

These guys just go race. Recouping the expenses through the purse has gone out the window. But they run hard, and the modern "A-Mod" isn't the spin fest the class was 20 years ago when the running bet among Eagle sprint fans was whether or not they could go caution free the first lap.

These guys are good. Period. They drive with finesse, and can go full-tilt, and back it in as hard as any sprinter; they actually look more like the old-school cars when they pitch it in. If the track goes rubber down, they still can race. If it's a "gumball" track - not "Gumbo" which is a soup - they still go like hell.

My biggest beef is that they aren't run second-to-last at the end of the night at Eagle as the sport compacts are used to cut the crust off track one last time (yes it is the reason). I'd even let them go at the end.

Week in and week out, the modified A features have ranged from good to great. It's fun to watch "The Jet" still take it to them after these years.

I don't think there are nicer guys at a track than Dylan Smith, and watching him win is one for the "good guys" every time.

Chris Abelson has been a nice addition form up north where the IMCA modified count has fallen, Shane Hiatt has made the most of his transition from the Hobby Stocks. Lacey Tuttle is the BEST female driver I've seen on dirt in a long time - that girl does not flinch at all. Rik Gropp fits the "Elder Statesman" role to a T, and still brings it. Doug Deterding was one of my favorite guys to go see during my time working for Eagle. And I'm missing plenty of others who just get out and race. Period.

Hats off to them. Maybe they don't have the "wow" factor and the colorful history of the sprints, but night after night, it's the best racing out there. This isn't a diss on the sprints, it's just that the modified guys are putting on a stellar program. You can't deny this.

And you thought this would be about wingless SPRINT cars! But I am looking forward to the Aug. 5 show at Eagle.

-Jason

*the site is one of those squatter domains, but that's not the point

ASCS Midwest Set for Nebraska Fireworks

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (June 27, 2011) - The fireworks start early for the Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region as the series takes to a pair of Nebraska dirt ovals on Thursday and Friday.

The Fourth of July holiday weekend's racing action gets off to an early start Thursday night at McCool Junction's Junction Motor Speedway before moving on to Greenwood's I-80 Speedway on Friday night.

Thursday's McCool tilt offers up a $2,000 winner's share, with Friday's action paying $3,000 to win provided the winner competed at Junction Motor Speedway the previous night. If Friday's winner was not in action Thursday, the winner's cut will be $1,500.

With the series initial six events of the season in the books for the Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region, Oklahoma native Wayne Johnson holds a slim 5-point lead over Springfield, Nebraska's Jack Dover, the 2008 ASCS Midwest champion that comes off a recent Lucas Oil ASCS National win in the Eagle Nationals.

Missouri's Brian Brown, who has topped two of three previous ASCS Midwest events at I-80 this season, enters the weekend ranked third in points. Brown has nine career Midwest wins at I-80 Speedway alone and ranks as the only driver to post multiple series visits to victory lane at the semi-banked, 3/8-mile Junction Motor Speedway dirt oval, though it's been nearly three years since his last McCool Junction glory.

Jordan Boston and Bryan Gossel round out the current top five in ASCS Midwest points, with the rest of the top ten including Don Droud, Jr., Lee Grosz, Ryan Roberts, Danny Lasoski and Trevor Grossenbacher. Lasoski topped the series event at Junction Motor Speedway over Memorial Day weekend.

Thursday's action at Junction Motor Speedway fires off at 7:30 p.m., with Friday's green flag at I-80 Speedway flying at 7:00 p.m.

Junction Motor Speedway is located 5.6 miles south of York, NE, off I-80 Exit 353 on US 81, then 0.3 miles west on CR 4. For more information, contact the track at 402-773-5538 or on race day only at 402-724-3100.

Nebraska Raceway Park's I-80 Speedway is located in Greenwood, NE, between Lincoln and Omaha off I-80 Exit 420, then 0.4 mile north on SR 63 then west. For more information, contact the track at 402-659-3301 or 402-342-3453.

The Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region is slated for 21 nights of competition at a seven throughout Nebraska and the surrounding areas of Missouri, South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota.

Past ASCS Midwest Region Winners at Junction Motor Speedway:
5/27/11 - Danny Lasoski
9/11/10 - Jason Johnson
7/1/10 - Chad Humston
5/28/10 - Ryan Roberts
5/22/09 - Shane Stewart
6/27/08 - Brian Brown
6/29/07 - Brian Brown
5/25/07 - Garry Lee Maier
6/30/06 - Brian Brown
5/26/06 - Jake Peters
5/27/05 - Jason Danley

Past ASCS Midwest Regional Winners at I-80 Speedway:
5/26/11 - Brian Brown
4/9/11 - Brian Brown
4/8/11 - Seth Bergman
9/24/10 - Billy Alley
9/3/10 - Brian Brown
7/2/10 - Brian Brown
5/27/10 - Shane Stewart
4/17/10 - Jack Dover
4/16/10 - Dustin Morgan
7/2/09 - Brian Brown
5/21/09 - Chad Humston
4/11/09 - Jonathan Cornell
4/10/09 - Billy Alley
8/14/07 - Jack Dover
4/15/07 - Chuck Swenson (Midwest vs. Northern Plains)
4/14/07 - Brian Brown (Midwest vs. Northern Plains)
8/15/06 - Billy Alley
7/3/06 - Jake Peters (Midwest vs. Northern Plains)
4/8/06 - Brian Brown (Midwest vs. Northern Plains)
8/3/05 - Brian Brown (Midwest vs. National)
7/8/05 - Brian Brown
4/15/05 - Terry McCarl

ASCS Midwest Update

Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region
Update #16 June 27, 2011
Nebraska Double!
Thursday June 30th
Junction Motor Speedway * McCool Junction, NE
$2,000 to win!

Friday July 1st
I-80 Speedway * Greenwood, NE
$3,000 to win!
($3,000 to win if driver competed night before, otherwise $1,500)

PITS OPEN @ 4:00pm * PIT MEETING & DRAW 5:45pm * HOT LAPS @ 6:30pm
__________________________________________________________________________

Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region On-Deck:
Friday July 8 * Jackson, MN * $5,000 to win/$500 start!
Saturday July 9 * Hartford, SD * $3,000 to win/$300 start!

"...ASCS Sprints...Come out and watch the stars shine..."

What's up

Been out of town on business. I'll have some editorials soon and looking forward to this weekend's Midwest Tri Fecta at I80.

The Midwest Tri-Fecta is fast approaching

This Friday night, July 1, I-80 Speedway will be presenting the Midwest Tri-Fecta. The Tri-Fecta includes Super Late Models, Sprint Cars and A Modifieds. It also gives one lucky fan a chance to win $1,000.

For the Super Late Models it will be there third and final chance to lock in a starting spot in the Silver Dollar Nationals (SDN) before the actual event. Driver's winning the Spring Meltdown in April, the Alphabet Soup Race on May 29 and the Midwest Tri-Fecta are guaranteed a starting spot in the Silver Dollar Nationals.

Brad Looney assured himself a starting spot in the Silver Dollar Nationals by winning the Spring Meltdown. Chad Simpson punched his ticket to the SDN by winning the Alphabet Soup Race. The Late Model feature at the Midwest Tri-Fecta will pay $3,000 to win and is co-sanctioned by the Corn Belt Clash, The Midwest Late Model Racing Association and the National Championship Racing Association. Most of the leading drivers in all three series are expected to be at I-80 as well as Henderson, Colorado's Kelly Boen.

The ASCS Midwest Sprints will also be competing for a top prize of $3,000. In the three previous appearances of the ASCS Midwest Sprints at I-80 this year, Brian Brown has won twice and Seth Bergmann once. Finally, the A Mods will be battling it out for a top prize of $2,000 to win. Mod entry fee is $20.

Finally one lucky fan will have a chance to win $1,000 by picking the winners of the three features. If necessary a tie-breaker will be used to decide the winner. All entries must be in by intermission. The winner will be notified by July 7, 2011. Pit Gates open at 3 pm, Grandstands at 5:30 pm with racing at 7 pm. Grandstand Admission is $20 for Adults, $5 for Juniors (6-15) with 5 and under free. Pit Passes are $30.

For the latest information on I-80 Speedway events listen to Andrew Kosiski live every Friday morning at 7:45 am on the "Big O" 101.9.

I-80 Speedway is located off Interstate 80 at exit 420, halfway between Omaha and Lincoln. The 4/10 mile dirt track is home to the NASCAR Whelen All American Series (NWAAS) on Sunday nights, and host several specials featuring regional touring late model and sprint car series. For more information, visit I-80 Speedway.com.

The Midwest Tri-Fecta: Sprint Cars, Super Late Models and A Mods

One of the most anticipated races of the season is coming to I-80 Speedway on Friday, July 1. The Midwest Tri-Fecta brings together Super Late Models, ASCS Midwest Sprints and A Mods. The Super Late Models will be racing for $3,000 to win and will be sanctioned by the Corn Belt Clash (CBC), Lucas Oil Midwest Late Model Racing Association (MLRA) and the National Championship Racing Association (NCRA).

For the Super Late Models it will be another chance to earn a starting spot in the upcoming Silver Dollar Nationals. The Silver Dollar Nationals (SDN) to be held at I-80 on July 21-23 pays $25,000 to win and $1,000 to start. The winner of the SLM portion of the Midwest Tri-Fecta will earn a guaranteed starting spot in the SDN. Brad Looney of Republic, Missouri earned a guaranteed starting spot by winning the Spring Meltdown in April and Chad Simpson of Mt. Vernon, Iowa got his free pass to the SDN by winning the Alphabet Soup Race on May 29. Terry Phillips of Springfield, Missouri is the defending late model champion of the Midwest Tri-Fecta.

Chad Simpson of Mt. Vernon, Iowa leads the CBC point standings followed by Chris Simpson, Tim Isenberg, Denny Eckrich and Jason Rauen. Al Purkey of Coffeyville, Kansas leads both the MLRA & NCRA point standings. In the MLRA he is followed by Kyle Berck, John Anderson, Jesse Stovall and Terry Phillips. In the NCRA following Purkey in points are Corey Zeitner, Dean Moore, Joe Kosiski and Steve Kempt.

The ASCS Midwest Sprint Car Series will be making their fourth appearance of the year at I-80 Speedway with $3,000 going to the winner. Brian Brown of Grain Valley, Missouri has registered two wins this year at I-80 and is the defending champion of the Midwest Tri-Fecta. Seth Bergmann of Snohomish, Washington won the other ASCS event. Wayne Johnson of Oklahoma City is the current ASCS Midwest point leader. He is followed by Jack Dover, Brian Brown, Jordan Boston and Bryan Gossel.

The A Mods will be making their third appearance of the year at I-80 with the winner picking up $2,000. Jake Neal of Ft. Calhoun and Kyle Berck of Marquette have won the previous A Mod features at I-80 this year. Entry fee is $20.

Finally a lucky fan will have a chance to win $1,000 by picking the winner of all 3 features. A tie-breaker will be used to decide the winner. All entries must be turned in by Intermission. Winner will be notified by July 7, 2011. Pit gate opens at 3 pm, Grandstands open at 5:30 pm with racing at 7 pm. Grandstand Admission is $20 for Adults, Juniors (6-15) $5 with Kids 5 and Under Free. Pit Passes are $30.

I-80 Speedway is located off Interstate 80 at exit 420, halfway between Omaha and Lincoln. The 4/10 mile dirt track is home to the NASCAR Whelen All American Series (NWAAS) on Sunday nights, and host several specials featuring regional touring late model and sprint car series. For more information, visit I-80 Speedway.com.

Photos from June 18

Eagle Raceway pics from June 18 are available for viewing and purchase.

Check 'em out here:

Eagle 6-18-11 Photos

-

Eagle Raceway Kid's Night Bike Giveaway Is Accpeting Donations

Eagle Raceway 2011 Kid’s Night Bike Giveaway Presented by Olston’s Auto Recyclers, Saturday, July 23rd, 2011

We are asking all drivers, race teams, car owners, sponsors, and race fans to chip in and show our young race fans how much we appreciate their love and support of racing! The purchase of a bike for our youngest yet biggest race fans is the cost of $40 per bike. We will be collecting bike donations until the end of June. Our order with Huffy needs to be placed by the last week of June in order to receive the bikes in time. Our goal is 400 bikes to be given to kids in 2011. We are also looking for donations of other items for giveaways to the kids who do not receive bikes.

There are several options available on our behalf to be offered for bike sponsor packages: program ads, scoreboard ads, banner space, complimentary GA passes, acknowledgements and more.

Your support means a great deal to Eagle Raceway’s existence and the success of Kid’s Night. The key to our success is your involvement.

We would like to welcome you to be a part of our racing legacy and the adventure of the world of racing. We thank all sponsors & donors in advance for sponsoring Kid’s Night! This event would not be possible without your contributions.

For sponsor package information, additional details, or questions please contact:
Marsha Meadows, Marketing & Event Planning
Marsha@EagleRaceway.com | (402) 949-0165

The Pace Lap - June 15, 2011

I'm going to hit on last week and since I haven't been blogging much, a few things from a couple weeks past...


Flyin' Hi (how many tired flying/bird references can one make with a track named "Eagle?") - This weekend's Eagle Nationals lived up to the billing, with Jack Dover avenging last year's Friday flip and Saturday's second place run to pick up the win after race leader Jordan Boston spun in the closing laps. Dover was gracious to a raucous and well-stocked grandstand crowd after his win.

Boston was nearly the story of the night, as he dominated most of the 35-lap contest. He also wowed the crowd with a heat race win, passing long-time sprint car veteran Jeff Swindell late in the heat. Despite the spin, Jordan recovered the car - his lead having be so great he still hung on for third.

Two things:

One- I think the Friday rainout was a blessing in disguise, at least in terms of Saturday's crowd. Saturday's crowd was good  and while not packed to the rails, it was well above a weekly crowd, as a special should be. I'm guessing about 65-70% capacity. I worked during Friday WoO shows with less in the stands.

Two- The Eagle boys held their ground admirably. Nine of the 24 starters in the A feature raced at Eagle this year. The track went dry, after a few re-workings, with the leaders "knocking down the wall" by midway. Many of the touring stars didn't find getting around so easy. I loved it.  It took me back to the days when the 360's ran small wings, and driver like John Gerloff used to bank off the outside wall and set for a run down the backstretch. It was a bit dusty - but that's what it is.

The best place for an OK race (or: How can I say any of this without p*ssing someone off?) Despite all that was going on over Memorial Day weekend, I only went to one race: the ASCS Midwest show at Junction Motor Speedway. Delmar Friesen, Jessica Stutzman and the whole crew are first class. Despite a blow-up with a certain photographer a few years ago whose name I won't even do the honor of mentioning, I've been treated very kindly and had several nice chats with the people there. I can't say enough nice things.

I'd argue that facilities-wise JMS is - at worst - tied for the best in the state. But what I'd like to see are better support classes for the ASCS shows. I know to some, support classes mean a trip to the restroom or concession stand - but to me, I think it's an important part of the overall show.

It's not that the GOTRA, Outlaw Vintage Lites ("dwarf" cars) and Two-man Cruisers are bad, it's this:

• GOTRAs are an "exhibition" series. Their own rules dictate that it's more scripted entertainment. And that's fine - but I want some drama. 
• Vintage Lites - cars too small for a track too big (I'd rather see them at KAM or Little Sunset)
• Two-Man Cruisers - how they manage to get around is impressive, but there's usually too few, and I don't see it as very competitive top-to-bottom

I realize Delmar is not stepping on anyones toes such as Beatrice by running their classes. And I understand that JMS is a NASCAR track and IMCA and NASCAR don't play well together. But not everyone runs Beatrice. I think that a non-sanctioned support class could work. What about Late Models? On the other hand - how many would show up in the first place and how much more do you want to spend in purse? So maybe, what they do now fills the gaps without the expense. Just kind of a bummer, because I like it there. And, I'll still go regardless. I'd just like them to mix in their good Saturday lineup - there are plenty of drivers there who aren't at Eagle or Beatrice. Yes, it's just me being selfish.

For less than a 20: I've thought that one way to give fans more bang for the buck with short fields is to change the format of the racing. My take has been if you have less than 20 cars in a class - change the qualifying. Instead of the usual heat-race > A feature format, try something akin to the old Sprint Bandits: run qualifying heats, then run again in another set of heats, or qualifiers to determine the A feature. The con of this is more potential wear on the car - but I think the upside is much bigger, delivering more races to the fan.

Dust in the wind - One of the reasons I haven't posted many feature pictures this year is two-fold. Until the first week of June, the track at Eagle was a dry dirty mess. Finally, after taking extra time to pack the middle extensively for the June 4 show, they had a reasonably wet and fast track by feature time. Since I'm posting pictures for purchase, well - those dust spots are pretty ugly in print. Shooting through dust softens up the details considerably - think "Barbara Walters filter." It's not so evident on the web because you can add more contrast. And with the small sizes of pics on the web, the dust spots aren't so evident. In an 8x10 print - they're ugly.

Even when the track is not so dry, it's been tough this year. In its renovation, Eagle added wood chips and ground up drywall to the track, to prevent it from chunking up. That debris gets thrown in the air and essentially creates dust again. Maybe even worse. So most of my A feature pics just have tons of spots in them, unless you shoot early after the start. I keep shooting for posterity's sake, and to catch wrecks, but mostly - that stuff doesn't make it online simply because I don't want someone to buy a print full of dust circles.

That's it for now. I may have a few more thoughts later.

-Jason

Father's Day, the SLMR and Steak Sandwiches for Dad

There will be a lot going on at I-80 Speedway this Father's Day, Sunday, June 19. First, all Dad's will receive a Free Steak Sandwich, kids can stop by the Kids Club Shack and make their Dad a picture frame and the SLMR will be joining the four NASCAR Weekly racing series classes to provide a great night of racing.

Come watch the SLMR Super Late Models, the Miller Lite Late Models, Mike's Hard Lemonade ProAms, Ty's Outdoor Power & Service B Mods and American Ethanol Green Hornets in action. Pit gates open at 3pm, Grandstands 4:30 with racing at 5:55. Grandstand Admission is $15 for Adults, $5 for Juniors Ages 6-15 with 5 and under free. Pit passes are $20 with a NASCAR license and $30 without a NASCAR license.

A real battle is shaping up in the SLMR with Travis Dickes of Madison and Leon Zeitner of LaVista currently tied for the series point lead as the series heads to the Riviera Raceway in Norfolk this Friday night. Jason O'Brien picked up the win last Saturday night at the Adams County Speedway in Corning, Iowa and is currently third in points 12 points behind. Justin Zeitner with a runner-up finish at Adams County is fourth in the points 16 back of the leaders with Joe Kosiski rounding out the top five in points 28 behind the leaders.

Bill Leighton, Jr. holds a 24 point lead over Todd Hipnar in the Miller Lite Late Model point chase. In the Mike's Hard Lemonade ProAms, Rick Negrete currently leads by 14 points over Curt Drake with Cory Dumpert just 18 behind Negrete. A real battle is shaping up in the Ty's Outdoor Power & Service B Mods Jim Hendricks, Jr. holds a slim 2 point lead over Dennis Cook with fast closing Jesse Sobbing just 6 back of the leader. The American Ethanol Green Hornets also has a close battle for the point lead with defending track champion Jamie Spanel holding an 8 point lead over Perry Soule.

I-80 Speedway is located off Interstate 80 at exit 420, halfway between Omaha and Lincoln. The 4/10 mile dirt track is home to the NASCAR Whelen All American Series (NWAAS) on Sunday nights, and host several specials featuring regional touring late model and sprint car series. For more information, visit www.I-80Speedway.com

Goin Mobile

Did you know we're mobile formatted now? Your mobile browser will automatically pick up on the mobile site. The "regular" web site is still available.

New Magic

The Eagle Nationals roll into town this weekend, the second year in a row the show has been promoted by Tony Bruce, Jr.'s TBJ Promotions and the second time it's been sanctioned by the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour. Last year's show was pretty impressive, with veteran Danny Wood striking one for the 50+ club winning on Friday and  Jason Johnson taking Saturday honors. Jack Dover's drive to the front was the compelling backstory after he suffered head injuries after a late race flip the night before.

Bill it however you want, it's not the same show as the heydays of the World of Outlaws. Back in the day, it was an experience on a different level and the World of Outlaws were the pinnacle of dirt track racing - at least for the deeply rooted sprint car community. The sight of "Uncle Ted's" boys brought awe to many a fan. I can still remember the shiver I'd always get when the first green flag dropped on a World of Outlaws hot lap session. The difference in speed was dramatic. There was just a certain "magic" in the air.

Now, I'm not "dissing" the ASCS series or teams. To use a phrase I've used before - it's not bad, it's just different.

The ASCS National Tour is definitely competitive, fast and their level is a noticeable notch higher than weekly shows or even most ASCS regional races. It is the pinnacle of the 360 CI Sprint class. The talent level, the equipment level, the experience of many of the drivers is equivalent to many of their 410-cubic-inch cousins.

While I was wowed by the speed difference once the Outlaws took to the track, the difference with the ASCS Nationals is a bit more subtle - but still quite noticeable. Quite frankly, it took me by surprise last year as a long-time sprint car follower.

I was impressed - impressed to the point that I don't think it's fair to use a baseball analogy and refer to this tour as a "Triple-A" league. The fact is, many of the drivers ran and won WoO shows on occasion or had full-time rides. Add to the fact WoO stars dip into ASCS racing - and are certainly no lock to win the show.

The potential for something big is there: TV is present, as the Versus network will be on hand for a taping. The banners and big rigs are here. Several car shows are scheduled for the incoming drivers and there is buzz in the local media. Last year's show drew rave reviews from the fans, even those lamenting the loss of the Outlaws.

It is growing. And, unlike the Outlaws (who still draw fans despite a less-than-full field showing at Belleville), it is sustainable. I can't begrudge Roger Hadan for finally giving up on the Outlaws. There were too many empty seats - really, even as far back as the mid 2000's, attendance was falling. Even last year's packed house wasn't enough to persuade Delmar Friesen to add stands to JMS and bring the tour back. But I'm not trying to bag on the Outlaws here.

Maybe it's not all the speed and pageantry of the "big timers" (yet) but, it gives a chance for the local teams to not only compete, but possibly WIN. Let's face it, even during the slumping car count days of recent, a top-ten finish by a local team was a hell of an accomplishment, often done with a rented/loaned/used 410 engine and sometimes their weekly 360 power plant. In many cases, finishing on the same lap was an honor itself and the privilege of being part of the four-abreast pace lap was certainly worthy of a pat on the back.

But now things are different. It won't be easy, but it's certainly not out of the possibility. You can honestly say straight-faced that someone like Mike Boston - winner of the past two Eagle features - has a shot to win this weekend. During last year's Friday flip-fest - seven in the A feature - the locals hung tough as their experience with the track paid off. One of the Eagle regulars commented to me on the following night: "you didn't see the locals flip." The thought of a local winning in the season's biggest race (at least in terms of national profile) makes for a great story, and I love a good story.

The bottom line is that maybe - like Nebraska's move to the Big Ten - this show feels more like the proper fit. Top to bottom, the field will be more competitive. It's tough to win as parity abounds. The car count will be well above the normal weekly show (my guess is 37-42 range on both nights). It should be a heck of a show, and...maybe the start of new magic.
-

Lucas Oil Sprint Cars Soar into this Weekend's Eagle Nationals

Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (June 6, 2011) - Last year, Jason Johnson and his newly-formed JJR team hit it's Lucas Oil Sprint Car championship stride with an Eagle Nationals triumph.

Now, Johnson carries the momentum of this past weekend's Lucas Oil ASCS presented by K&N Filters National triumph at Little Rock's I-30 Speedway into this year's edition prestigious Eagle Nationals at Nebraska's Eagle Raceway.

The Lucas Oil Sprint Cars, mixing it up with the Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Regional forces, take to the high-banked, 1/3-mile Eagle Raceway clay oval on both Friday and Saturday night this weekend with both nights taped for later broadcast on the VERSUS Network. Saturday's Eagle Nationals champion collects the $6,000 winner's share.

Shut out of National victory lane over the early portion of 2010, Eunice, LA, native Jason Johnson finally broke through in strong fashion with an Eagle Nationals triumph over a resilient Jack Dover after Danny Wood topped the preliminary night main event.

It seemingly opened the floodgates, as "The Ragin' Cajun" followed up by winning three of four events in the Northwest a month later and rode a wave of momentum to the $60,000 championship that was strong enough that neither Brady Bacon, Shane Stewart nor any of the other top Lucas Oil Sprint Car contenders could overcome.

This time though, Johnson enters the Eagle Nationals as the only driver to post more than one Lucas Oil ASCS National win after adding an I-30 Speedway triumph on Saturday night to a March 25 win in Devil's Bowl Spring Nationals preliminary action.

Saturday's win also put Johnson's JJR No. 41 entry atop the owner point charts by a narrow margin over Paul Silva's No. 57 piloted by Shane Stewart.

With Johnson busy making up ground on the driver side of the points scene, Bixby, Oklahoma native Stewart is out to 130-point edge over Albuquerque's Johnny Herrera on the strength of a remarkable run of top-five feature finishes. Stewart has finished among the top five in eight of nine Lucas Oil Sprint Car feature events thus far in 2011, with his only run outside the top five a ninth-place on the opening night of the Devil's Bowl Spring Nationals.

In Stewart's wake, the battle for second is tightening up between Herrera, Jeff Swindell (Bartlett, TN), Tim Crawley (Benton, AR) and Gary Wright (Hooks, TX), with just 66 points separating those four drivers.

Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, OK) is just outside the top five, with the rest of the current top ten including Seth Bergman (Snohomish, WA), leading Brodix Rookie of the Year contender Aaron Reutzel (Clute, TX), Tony Bruce, Jr. (Liberal, KS) and Zach Chappell (Talala, OK).

Just outside the top ten along with Jason Johnson are Lucas Oil Sprint Car contenders Dustin Morgan (Tulsa, OK) and Logan Forler (Eatonville, WA), who picked off a win in recent weekly action at Eagle Raceway. Also making their way up the point charts after missing the initial four events of the season out west are Danny Wood (Norman, OK) and Wayne Johnson (Oklahoma City, OK).

The Lucas Oil Sprint Car contenders will face a number of tough contenders from the Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region, with Missouri's Brian Brown leading the likes of Nebraska ace Jack Dover, North Dakota's Lee Grosz, Ryan Roberts, Billy Alley and more.

While Jason Johnson ranks as the only driver to post multiple Lucas Oil ASCS National wins thus far in 2011, drivers with single triumphs include Stewart, Herrera, Swindell, Wright, Sam Hafertepe, Jr., Tim Kaeding and Kyle Larson. Among those looking for their first win of 2011 are Crawley, Bacon, Bergman, Reutzel, Bruce, Jr., Chappell, Morgan and Forler.

The Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest forces have logged four nights into the books, with Brian Brown posting a pair of wins. Danny Lasoski and Lucas Oil Sprint Car National contender Seth Bergman have both posted Midwest wins as well.


The Series:

Lucas Oil ASCS presented by K&N Filters

When & Where:

Friday night, June 10 at 7:00 p.m. - Eagle Raceway
Saturday night, June 11 at 7:00 p.m. - Eagle Raceway

Track Information:

Eagle Raceway (Eagle, NE) - 1/3-mile high-banked clay oval located off I-80 Exit 420, then 11 miles south to SR 63, then west. For more information, contact 402-238-2595 or check www.tbjpromotions.com for ticket info.

Lucas Oil ASCS Eagle Raceway History:

Eagle Raceway became the 110th different track to host an ASCS National event with last year's Eagle Nationals. After Danny Wood broke back into Lucas Oil ASCS National victory lane with a win in the preliminary feature, Jason Johnson posted his first series win of the year in the Eagle Nationals championship feature event.

Eagle Raceway Lucas Oil ASCS National winners include: Jason Johnson 1, Danny Wood 1.

Eagle Raceway Lucas Oil ASCS Race-by-Race Winners: Danny Wood (6/11/10), Jason Johnson (6/12/11).

Current 2011 Points:

Top 15 Driver Points: 1. Shane Stewart (Bixby, OK) 1,202, 2. Johnny Herrera (Albuquerque, NM) 1,072, 3. Jeff Swindell (Bartlett, TN) 1,045, 4. Tim Crawley (Benton, AR) 1,032, 5. Gary Wright (Hooks, TX) 1,006, 6. Brady Bacon (Broken Arrow, OK) 960, 7. Seth Bergman (Snohomish, WA) 936, 8. Aaron Reutzel (Clute, TX) 906, 9. Tony Bruce, Jr. (Liberal, KS) 898, 10. Zach Chappell (Talala, OK) 831, 11. Dustin Morgan (Tulsa, OK) 812, 12. Logan Forler (Eatonville, WA) 795, 13. Jason Johnson (Eunice, LA) 668, 14. Danny Wood (Norman, OK) 558, 15. Sam Hafertepe, Jr. (Sunnyvale, TX) 544.

Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Cars presented by K&N Filters Owner Points (Top 15): 1. Jason Johnson Racing #41 - 1,220, 2. Paul Silva #57 - 1,202, 3. Herrera/Main #45x - 1,072, 4. Swindell Group #28 - 1,045, 5. Mike Ward #88 - 1,032, 6. Bacon/Tel-Star #99 - 960, 7. Petersen Motorsports #23 936, 8. Kenny Reutzel #87 - 906, 9. Bruce Racing #18 - 898, 10. Cooper/Sperry #01/51 - 872, 11. Randy Washburn #0 - 831, 12. M&M Motorsports #2 - 812, 13. Steve Forler #2L - 795, 14. Danny Wood #81 - 558, 15. Sam Hafertepe #15 - 544.

Brodix Rookie of the Year Points: 1. Aaron Reutzel (Clute, TX) 906, 2. Logan Forler (Eatonville, WA) 795.

Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Points (Top Ten): 1. Brian Brown (Grain Valley, MO) 584, 2. Wayne Johnson (Oklahoma City, OK) 529, 3. Jack Dover (Springfield, NE) 498, 4. Lee Grosz (Harwood, ND) 457, 5. Don Droud, Jr. (Lincoln, NE) 452, 6. (tie) Ryan Anderson (Charter Oak, IA) and Justyn Cox (Clarksburg, CA) 424, 8. Ryan Roberts (Aurora, NE) 422, 9. Billy Alley (Lincoln, NE) 393, 10. Danny Lasoski (Higginsville, MO) 386.

2011 Feature Winners:

Lucas Oil ASCS Sprint Car Series: Jason Johnson 2, Sam Hafertepe, Jr. 1, Johnny Herrera 1, Tim Kaeding 1, Kyle Larson 1, Shane Stewart 1, Jeff Swindell 1, Gary Wright 1.

Lucas Oil ASCS presented by K&N Filters - A Look Ahead:

July 9 - I-90 Speedway (Hartford, SD)
July 15 - Grays Harbor Raceway (Elma, WA)
July 16 - Grays Harbor Raceway (Elma, WA) - VERSUS
July 22 - Cottage Grove Speedway (Cottage Grove, OR) - VERSUS
July 23 - Cottage Grove Speedway (Cottage Grove, OR) - VERSUS
July 29 - Placerville Speedway (Placerville, CA)
July 30 - Placerville Speedway (Placerville, CA)
August 4/6 - 21st Annual ASCS Knoxville Nationals (Knoxville, IA)

Lucas Oil ASCS on the Web:

Those unable to catch all the action in person can listen to every Lucas Oil Sprint Car Series presented by K&N Filters live at www.racinboys.com.

Official results, championship point updates, photos and race notes will be available at www.ascsracing.com.

Lucas Oil ASCS on TV:

The Lucas Oil Sprint Car Series presented by K&N Filters will be featured in nine one-hour shows broadcast on a tape-delayed basis on the VERSUS Network and MavTV.

The full schedule according to www.motorsportshour.com is as follows:

Thunderbowl Raceway (Feb. 9) - 4/23/11 @ 6:00 p.m. ET
Kings Speedway (Feb. 12) - 5/7/11 @ 6:00 p.m. ET
USA Raceway (Feb. 18) - 5/29/11 @ 6:00 p.m. ET
USA Raceway (Feb. 19) - 6/5/11 @ 6:00 p.m. ET
Eagle Raceway (June 10) - 9/11/11 @ 6:00 p.m. ET
Eagle Raceway (June 11) - 9/18/11 @ 6:00 p.m. ET
Grays Harbor Raceway (July 16) - 10/30/11 @ 6:00 p.m. ET
Cottage Grove Speedway (July 22) - 11/6/11 @ 6:00 p.m. ET
Cottage Grove Speedway (July 23) - TBA


The Lucas Oil Sprint Car Series presented by K&N Filters is currently slated for 37 nights of racing action at 15 different tracks throughout the nation, with the country's top Sprint Car drivers set to battle it out for their share of the $250,000 points fund.

The 2011 season marks the 20th year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing for the American Sprint Car Series, with approximately 200 nights of competition at tracks throughout the nation and into Canada. Anchored by the Lucas Oil Sprint Car Series presented by K&N Filters, ASCS also consists of ten different Regions throughout the nation.

Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com.