| Gone Racin' Newsletter by Richard Parks #87 5/0908 | ||
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Be sure and see the new
Events page for Sept and October 2005
*Happy September Birthdays to: Bob
McLeish, Cindy Gibbs, John Banks, Cindy Brown, Bob
Sights Jr, Fay McClung, Joan Denver, Meyer, Gene
Barbee, Rod Larmer, Mike Uribe, Doug
McLeish, Gary Darcy, Roland Harper, Howard Gardner,
Kim Kelley, Otto Ryssman, Joanie
Warner, Beverly Engelauf, Linda Spinner, Manuel
Maldonado, Diane Moran, Mike Meierle,
Gene Ellis, Dick Martin, Pam Engelauf, David Salguero,
Bob Nichols, Ernie Jameson, Michael
Feinstein, Cathy Butler, Tom Prock, Shav Glick, Albert
Wong, George Callaway, Dorothy
Thorley, Stan Betz, Keeter Ray, Cliff Thyberg, Jim
Bartosh, Louie Senter, Ed Justice Jr, Melody
Sharp, Jim Close, Ed Justice Sr, Mike Bishop, Donna
Kimmel, Jack Helgren, Paul Ross, Ken
Balch, Bill Burke, Wilhelmina Hedrich, Norman Weekly,
Larry Stanclift, Connie Swingle, Dan
Weir, Janice Berkenhegger, John Lavarias, Jon Meyer,
Doug Thorley, Ron Fellows, John Drake,
Kim Harding, Dusty Brandel, Evelyn Roth, Dave Martin,
Charlie Reno, Michele Kurtz, Gordie
Bonin. All the best to those above. The editor. (and
we all are 29 again -sure...)
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*We have just received information about the
Discovery Channel–Canada airing of a show
called “Megabuilders – The World’s Fastest Wheels”
featuring our project later this month. To
find out about when it will air, visit our site. We are
currently once again trying to attract a spon-
sor to fund our appearance at Edwards AFB’s Open
House this fall. Please see the notice at
http://www.landspeed.com/Edwards.asp
Discover Channel U.S.A. will be down
there doing
a video shoot about us there. We are requesting
donations from you and a few have responded.
We thank them for their generous support. We still need
a lot more donations. (Jon M. Higley)
Editor's Notes: Jon represents the
North American Eagle Land Speed Project, to put a car
into production that will break the landspeed record
currently held by the British at 763mph set
at Black Rock Desert, Nevada, in 1997.
*...I am entered in the AMA/FIM Bonneville
M/C meet next week I leave tomorrow. Years
ago I built a twin engined Whizzer and ran it at
B-ville. The Whizzer club of America talked
me into running it again. Going for 2 classes with
the hope to get an AMA National record
for the age old Whizzer motorbike.
It's been a year in the preparation and has a great
story behind it. (Roger Brophy)
*Greeting from El Mirage. Monte
Warnock & I were out helping Chuck
Kalbach selecting
the race courses Friday. It looks & FEELS
about the same as it did for May, June & July.
People with EARLY starting positions should have
an advantage, personally I feel that it
will break down early. The "GRUMPY" Mayor
(George Callaway)
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*Could you please do me a big favor and remind people that
do not know about Cruisin' For A
Cure, that as of today, Labor Day, we
have 2,246 PRE-registered cars, there is still time to get
their registrations in by going to
www.cruisinforacure.com and getting a registration and
mailing it
in. ANY MAN OVER 40 years old can come out to the
Orange County Fairgrounds, on Sept
24th, from 7 am to 5:30 p.m., and get a FREE prostate
cancer screening. They can have the full
exam or just the blood test, but take advantage of it.
They can call me for questions. 714-803-
9216, or go to the website. Thanks. Debie Baker
-------------------------------------------------
*The following interview comes from Bill Groak.
When it comes to the history of hot rods
and drag racing, no one knows it better than Greg Sharp.
That's why he's the curator of The
Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, Calif, and
the director of the NHRA
California Hot Rod Reunion, Sept. 30-Oct. 2, Bakersfield,
Calif. Now in its 14th year, the
Reunion brings to life drag racing's colorful past,
offering new life and recognition for it Honorees,
as well give newcomers a real blast from the past. In this
interview, Sharp offers a historical per-
spective on the Reunion, its participants and its role in
honoring the past.
Bill Groak: What is the historical
significance of the California Hot Rod Reunion?
Greg Sharp: The significance is twofold.
For those who were participants as racers, whether
car owner, driver, official, photographer, or fans, etc.,
it gives them a chance to renew acquain-
tances with old friends and formal rivals and bench race
to their hearts' content. It's amazing to
see guys who were formerly pretty bitter and intense
rivals now patting each other on the back
and laughing and joking. "Time wounds all heels" as they
say. For younger people that didn't
experience it the first time around, it gives them the
opportunity to meet the heroes of the past
and the people they've only read about in a yellowed copy
of Hot Rod or Drag News. I think
many of the old racers are shocked to find out how much
significance their accomplishments still
carry in peoples lives. The newer fans and 'geezers' alike
are able to see cars that they thought
no longer existed. You can almost see the memories come
flooding back.
Groak: How do you decide who to
honor?
Sharp: There is a committee of five
people that have a strong sense of history in hot rodding
and
drag racing. They are: Steve Gibbs, former NHRA vice
president of competition, and former
NHRA Museum director, who has more than 35 years
experience in drag racing. George Phillips,
former editor of National Dragster and a 20-plus-year
employee of NHRA. John Jodauga, out-
standing artist and associate editor of National
Dragster. Carl Olson, former NHRA vice
president, former Top Fuel driver, Bonneville 200 MPH Club
member and a guy with a solid
business background in the sport, and me. Every year we
each take suggestions from fans,
friends, etc, and submit a preliminary list. A ballot
then narrows that list down to 10 and the
final ballot asks the committee to then assign a number to
the one they feel most deserving and
on down until we get five Honorees. Those that come very
close are repeated on the next year's
ballot. This year for the first time we had a tie, so
there are six Honorees which shows how close
the balloting has become.
Groak: How has the Reunion impacted
the street rod community?
Sharp: There are a huge number of street
rodders who had former ties to drag racing and now
express their automotive passion with a street driven hot
rod. So it's only natural that they want
to drive their hot rod and be part of the event. For the
younger guys, the so-called 'rat rodders,'
it's a perfect tie in. They revere life as it was in the
'50s and '60s and this gives them the opport-
unity to meet the people that actually experienced hot
rodding in those days.
Groak: Why has the Reunion grown so
much? Why do people attend?
Sharp: When the Reunion started back in
1992, it was scheduled as a one-time event. By noon
on Saturday it was apparent that it was a big hit that
would have to be repeated. Many felt that,
like a high school class reunion, it would only work on a
periodic basis, i.e., every three or five
years because now you've seen your old friends and that's
it. But unlike the class reunion, there
are new people and vehicles appearing every year along
with old favorites that you only get to
see once a year so people can't wait to get back. You
can't believe how important this is in
people's lives. They're chomping at the bit to get their
credentials six months early while we're
still working on the Bowling Green event (National Hot Rod
Reunion). And, word of mouth is
extremely strong with "Man you should have been there!" a
common conversation point.
Groak: Explain how the Reunion has
given "new life" to honorees.
Sharp: It's amazing to me how so many people that were a major part of this sport and spent a
good part of their life in this type of activity, think
they've been forgotten as soon as they walked
away. Honoring these people gives them the opportunity to
realize how much of an impact they
made on so many people. I'm talking about some pretty
major figures. It's my favorite part of
the Reunions. It's so easy to say nice things about
someone after they're gone, but they don't get
to hear it. At the Reunion they do get to hear it and it's
amazing how positively they respond.
We've seen some pretty tough, old racers get emotional
when they are reminded of their early
accomplishments.
---------------------------------------------
*SCTA Gear Grinders Club news: Latest update
on John Rush is that he is an induced coma
with a broken neck, arms and legs, swelling on his brain. He
can wiggle his fingers and toes, but
he is being kept in an induced coma to assist his healing.
2006 Awards Banquet will be 3/11/06,
at Joe's Garage. Dan Chilson
asked all racers to remember that after a spin, the vehicle
and
tires must be taken back through Tech Inspection before
returning to the race course - very im-
portant for Bonneville racers. He also mentioned that there
should be a new motorcycle tire rated
over 250mph available soon from the Mickey Thompson molds.
Congratulations to Susan
Robertson for being the first lady rider to
exceed 200 mph in the club and on a motorcycle.
205.435mph at El Mirage on July 17th -on a 217.805 record
that was set in November 2000 by
Rick Yacoucci. Gear Grinders club is in
the #1 position in the SCTA points standings. Alan
Rice went to Bonneville to meet the
Lucky Strike BAR Honda team who will be doing some
passes there as a part of an English Documentary. The car
was very fast, and able to make quick
turnarounds, so could do 8 passes in 12 minutes. He reported
that the salt is hard and dry, but
that the course is very lumpy. They experienced cooler than
usual in the morning temps and rain
storms in the afternoons. The SCTA is
looking for a 1978 or newer Doublewide trailer to place
on their lot at Lake El Mirage. Mike Meierle
and his wife will be moving out of state. Jack
Underwood brought up some suggested designs
for the Jim Lindsley trophy, including a
classic
bronze Union 76 trophy which could be incorporated into the
completed design. It was agreed to
finish the trophy over the winter so it will be ready for
the 2006 Racing Season. Burke Le Sage
will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on August 22nd at the
Petersen Automotive Museum.
Bob Stahl was quoted in an article in the
August 2005 issue of Smithsonian magazine, in an article
entitled "In the Fast Lane." El Mirage: Sept
11, Oct 23, Nov 12-13. Bonneville World
Finals: October 12-15. (Becca Livingston)
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*Don Weaver has scheduled his Legends of Ascot Reunion for October 22, 2005, at Perris Auto Speedway, Lake Perris, California. This year's honorees will be Bob Hogle, Ted Halibrand, Alex Morales, Hal Minyard and Danny McKnight. This event honors the legendary Ascot Track that J.C. Agajanian and his family made famous over in Gardena, California. The last two events had over 600 racers in attendance. Contact Don for tickets at LegendsofAscot@aol.com or call 310-549-3562. *Utah Salt Flats Racing Association (USFRA) will conduct the World of Speed on the Bonneville Salt Flats on Sept 14-17, 2005 with inspection on the 13th. USFRA also runs a 130 Club event during WOS for street legal cars that meet a few minor safety requirements. Details are available at www.saltflats.com. (Gary Allen, President) *The IAMA rule and entry forms for 2005 contest are now ready as a printable PDF at: http://www.aztexcorp.com/expressionengine/index.php/autoawards. The International Automotive Media Awards updates are also listed on that website. (Walter Haessner) --------------------------------------------- *Perris Auto Dragstrip, Lake Perris, CA, racing schedule for 1/8 mile dragstrip. Racing will take place every Friday night and is open to anyone 16-years old or over with a valid registration, drivers license and a helmet. Cars, trucks and motorcycles are allowed. Gates will open at 4 PM every Friday with racing from 5-10:30 PM. Tech will close at 9 PM, and you cannot run if you do not go through tech inspections. Admission: spectators $10, competitors $20. (Kim Donner) Sept 9, Sept 16, Sept 23, Sept 30, Oct 21, Oct 28, Nov 11, Nov 18. *The Annual Gas-Up Party and Dry Lakes Hall of Fame put on by the Gold Coast Roadster and Racing Club in Santa Barbara County, will be held the last Saturday in September at Jack Mendenhall's Gas Pump Museum in Buellton, California. For reservations and further info see http://www.oilstick.com/event/gasupcost.htm This event honors the Dry Lake and Bonneville land speed racers who have dedicated their lives to go as fast as their ingenuity and mechanical skills would take them. It is also an opportunity to see the fabulous Gas Pump Museum. Mark and Vickie Mendenhall and their family and friends will serve the best Santa Maria Style Tri-Tip Steak and Beans Bar-B-Cue that you will ever eat. (From Evelyn Roth) ---------------------------------------------- *SCTA/BNI World Finals October 12-15 (Vehicle Inspections begin on Oct 11) *SCTA El Mirage Dry Lakes (Southern California) Timing Trials schedule: Sept 11, October 23, November 12-13. *NHRA Street Legal sanctioned drag racing every Thursday night at Irwindale Speedway, January to November. See www.Irwindalespeedway.com for Summit schedule and Junior Dragster program. (Doug Stokes) *2005 Perris Auto Speedway, Perris, CA schedule of upcoming races. For more information on the 2005 Perris Auto Speedway schedule, please call (951) 940-0134. (Scott Daloisio) Sept 10, PASSCAR Super Stocks, Street Stocks, Extreme Trucks & SUV, Hornets, Cruisers Sept 17, USAC/CRA Sprint Cars Sept 24, PASSCAR Super Stocks, Street Stocks, Hornets, IMCA Modifieds/Lightning Sprints Oct 1, USAC/CRA Sprint Cars ---------------------------------------------- *2005 California Dragway schedule at the dragstrip, California Speedway, Fontana, CA. Contact Dave Danish at 909-429-5060 or go online at www.Californiaspeedway.com. All dates and times are subject to change: Sept 15-18, 7am, NHRA Lucas Oil Series (9am on the 15th) Sept 24, Noon, Street legals Oct 1-2, 8am, Fun Ford Weekend *Irwindale Speedway programs, see www.Irwindalespeedway.com for schedules and updates. 2005 Irwindale oval track racing schedule: Gates open 4:30, races start at 6pm. September 10 Super Late Models, Grand American Modifieds, Super Stocks, Pure Stocks, Pick Your Part Figure 8s. September 17 Late Models, Mini Stocks, West Coast Pro Trucks, Dodge Super Trucks, Legend Cars. September 24 Super Late Models, Grand American Modifieds, Super Stocks, Pure Stocks, Pure Stocks-Women, Pick Your Part Figure 8s. October 1 Super Late Models, Late Models, Speed Trucks Challenge. -------------------------------------------- *Irwindale Speedway offers Thursday night drag racing. Pros and street legal racing welcome. 1/8 mile track. Entrance fee $20. Spectators are $10. See Dragstrip track manager Bob Klein 626-358-1100 x 211. (Doug Stokes) *2005 ASA Speed Truck Challenge racing/television schedule (Pacific Standard Time): Sept 17 race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway to air Nov 12, 8PM, Repeat Broadcast TBA Oct 1 race at Irwindale Speedway to air Nov 19, 8PM, Repeat Broadcast TBA 2005 Season Review to air Dec 10 and 17 at 8PM *2005 Southern California Top Comp Schedule: (From Gregg Suyenaga) Race 7 October 15 Las Vegas Mike's Transmission Race 8 October 16 Las Vegas Mike's Transmission *2005 Goodguys Schedule of Events. See www.goodguys.com or call 925-838-9876: Sept 9-11, 8th Annual Colorado Springs Nationals, Colorado Springs, CO Sept 16-18, 14th Annual East Coast Nationals, Rhinebeck, NY Sept 23-25, 4th Annual Mid-Western Nationals, Kansas City, KS Sept 30-Oct 1-2, 13th Annual Lone Star Nationals, Ft Worth, TX *Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum Reunions. Call 909-622-8562 Sept 30-Oct 2, Automobile Club of Southern California, California Hot Rod Reunion, Famoso Raceway, Bakersfield, CA -------------------------------------------- *2005 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series schedule. Sept 15-18, 21st Annual NHRA Nationals, Reading, PA Sept 22-25, 20th Annual O'Reilly Fall Nationals, Dallas, TX Sept 29-Oct 2, 5th Annual Carquest Auto Parts Nationals, Chicago, ILL *2005 King of Indiana Sprint Series Schedule: For info call Mike OLeary 812-825-9614 or moleary@bluemarble.net KISS is at www.kissracing.com and www.Elliottbrand.com. *SEMA Club Newsletter is at www.semasan.com Unable to access SEMA Newsletter *Mid-Atlantic Championship Series (MACS) 2005 racing schedule: Sept 17, Virginia Motor Speedway, 50 laps Sept 23, Lernerville Speedway, 50 laps Oct 7-9 Challenger Raceway, TBA Raindate Oct 21-23 See macs1@verizon.net and http://www.macsracing.com (Andy Geesey) --------------------------------------------- *2005 Crown Royal IROC Series schedule: Sept 9, Richmond International Raceway Oct 29, Atlanta Motor Speedway *2005 Grand Am Rolex Sports Car Series schedule (Linda K. Mansfield) Sept 8-10, Phoenix International Raceway Sept 22-24, Watkins Glen International, 250 miles *2005 Nextel Cup Series schedule (NASCAR): Sept 10, Richmond International Raceway Sept 18, New Hampshire International Speedway Sept 25, Dover International Speedway Oct 2, Talladega Superspeedway
*Star Mazda Unofficial Point Standings:
Raphael Matos-387; Robbie Pecorari-362; James
Hinchcliffe-356; Graham Rahal-293; Marco Andretti-261; Pablo
Donoso-238; Ross Smith and
Adrian Carrio-232; Ryan Justice-221; Micky Gilbert-220; Mark
Wilkins-208; Jon Branam-203.
*Official cancellation has been posted.
www.saltflats.com. We
will have pictures later today when
the guys get back from Wendover. Gary/Ellen Wilkinson,
Utah Salt Flats Racing Association
World of Speed, Sept 14-17, 2005 (Wed-Sat). Guess we won't See you on the Salt this year! ------------------------------------------------- *The John Force Cruise Night is held on the last Wednesday of each month from 5-8 P.M. at the shop in Yorba Linda, CA 92887. Contact Craig Hoelzel for details about vendor space, how to show your car, or for directions. Craig is at craig@johnforceracing.com While you are there, check out the Force Racestation gift shop next door. It is a fascinating store filled with all sorts of collectibles, including broken parts from John's Funny Cars, autographed by the 13 time NHRA Funny Car Champion himself. You'll find artwork, paintings, photographs, hats, jackets, apparel, pins, die cast cars, souvenirs and just about anything that you could want. If Force is in town and not on the race car circuit, he will be glad to sign your collectible. See hundreds of hot rods and vintage cars, rock to the music of the '50's, purchase some delicious food, and meet your fellow hot rodders. Celebrity racers and hot rodders are known to show up for this one of a kind hot rod cruise night at the legendary John Force Racestation. *The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum's schedule of events: Sept 10-26, Los Angeles County Fair. Special admission price of only $1. Sept 30-Oct 2, California Hot Rod Reunion, Famoso Raceway, Bakersfield, California Oct 5, Twilight Cruise Night 4:30-8pm. Top four cars will appear on Nov 14 parade. Nov 2, Twilight Cruise Night 4:30-8pm. Top four cars will appear on Nov 14 parade. Nov 11, Night of Champions, FREE admission from 6:30-10pm. Nov 13, Street Rod Parade, at Pomona Raceway, 9-9:30am. Dec 7, Twilight Cruise Night 4:30-8pm. Annual Holiday toy drive. ------------------------------------------------ *AutoZone Super Chevy Show Tour XXV (AutoStar Productions) 2005 SCHEDULE Sept. 30,Oct. 1-2 SBR Virginia Motorsports Park T Richmond-Petersburg, VA Oct. 7-8-9 SBR National Trail Raceway T Columbus, OH Oct. 21-23 Gainesville Raceway T Gainesville, FL *Sept 9, Skyline Speedway, Stewart, Ohio, 740-989-0567, www.skylinespeedway.com, Regular Show, All Classes. (Dustin Jarrett) *Sept 16, Skyline Speedway, Stewart, Ohio, 740-989-0567, www.skylinespeedway.com, Season Championship Double Points. All Classes. (Dustin Jarrett) *Sept 23, Skyline Speedway, Stewart, Ohio, 740-989-0567, www.skylinespeedway.com, Late Model Special "HARVEST 50." All Classes. (Dustin Jarrett)
*Doug Stokes informs us that The
Wayans Brothers Comedy Team from TV sitcoms are
teaming with Star Motorsports to field a NASCAR Team. Marlon Wayans and his brothers Keenen, Damon and Shawn will bring their popularity and support behind the Star Motorsports Team. Their main operations will be in Charlotte, North Carolina, with branch offices in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and New York City. ----------------------------------------------- *2005 Schedule for the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway: Sep 8, Thursday Night Street Wars street legal grudge drags 8 p.m.-1 a.m. 9, NHRA Summit Sport Compact Series qualifying and kick off party 6 p.m.-midnight. 10, Meadow Gold NHRA Jr Dragster Series points race 8am-1pm. 10, NHRA Summit Sport Compact Series Nationals & SONY Stylefest 6pm-midnight. 15, Thursday Night Street Wars street legal grudge drags 8pm-1 a.m. 16, Final GlobePC.com SHOW N GO FRIDAYS 6pm-midnight. 17, Meadow Gold NHRA Jr. Dragster Series 8am-1pm. 17, Jerrys Nugget Drag Racing Series LV F-Body Assn drags 6-11pm. 17, Motorcycle Madness No. 5 -- street bike grudge drags 11pm-1:30am. 30, Test n Tune 6-10pm. 30, BFGoodrich Midnight Mayhem 10pm-2am. *Special Reunions and events during the year: Walt and Dottie James' CRA Reunion in January Hila Sweet's Car Racers Reunion in April Gold Coast Club's Gas-Up Party and Dry Lakes Hall of Fame in September Wally Parks' NHRA Motorsports Museum's California Hot Rod Reunion in October Don Weaver's Legends of Ascot Reunion in October
--------------------------------------------
*Industry Hills Speedway Motorcycle Races at the Industry Hills Event Center, in the City of Industry, CA. Wednesday Nights, AMA Sanctioned. Adults $12, Juniors $8, Children $4, and those 5 and under are FREE! Tapes Up 7:30 PM. Contact: Freddie Orosco at 909-681-4911, Dukie Ermolenko at 714-952-8580 or E-mail: ermospeed@sbcglobal.net. For rider signup see Ryan Evans at 626-643-7598 or email sideways31@aol.com. *Industry Hills Speedway Motorcycle Races 2005 SCHEDULE: Series Round 2, September 7, September 14. *2005 Stacker 2 World of Outlaws Late Model Series Schedule: (Doc Lehman) 9/9-10 The World 100/Eldora Speedway, Rossburg, OH 9/16 Tri-City Speedway, Granite City, IL 9/19 I-55 Speedway, Pevely, MO 9/29-10/1 Stacker 2 Nationals/Knoxville Raceway, Knoxville, IA 10/7-8 West Virginia Motor Speedway, Mineral Wells, WV 10/28-29 Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway, Calvert City, KY --------------------------------------------
*The following is from
www.HotRodHotLine.com. We have learned of a new scammer
using
an email address from @myway.net which is a
Netherlands email address. We have blocked
them from accessing our website but want to warn all of you
that if you get an inquiry on your
car and the buyer wants to send you more money than you are
asking for the car and asks you
to wire them the difference. There is NO REASON why this
should have to happen. It is a
SCAM. For more information please see our page on SCAMS. This
is a situation in which we
must protect ourselves...it is useless to turn any of this
information over to authorities as they just
add it to the pile...nothing is done so we are on our own. We
work to intercept these messages
and to block them from accessing our website but we cannot
catch them all as they are constantly
changing their service providers...So just be aware...and be
careful. (Jack Lawford)
*O'Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Points
Standings after Sept 3: Tim Tungate 3185,
Whitney McQueary 3125, Mike Jewell 3025, Aaron Hatton 2885, Chris Combs 2880, Michael
England 2830, Tyrel Todd 2780, Wayne Chinn 2570, Frankie
Coomer 2275, Shannon
Thornsberry 2200, Blake Chinn 2120, Mike Luna 2050.
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*Sept 4, Wayne County Speedway, Orrville,
Ohio, race results: Super Late Models B Main-
Charlie Duncan, Clint Coffman, Jason Flory, DJ Miller, Jay Watson, Dave Wirt, Wayne Maffett
Jr, Mike Giess, Kristen Flory, Harold Snell, Jeff Wright,
Hans Grossniklaus, Chester Elliott,
Randy Pollock, Ron Hoopingarner, Eric Eicholtz, Jeremy
Canada, George Delaney. A Main-
Mark Banal, Keith Berner, Ryan Markham, Doug Drown, Shane McLoughlin, Scott Peltz, Dave
Hornikel, Eric Myers, JR Gentry, George Lee II , Brad
Malcuit, Rick Bond, Clint Coffman, Chet
Alexander, Charlie Duncan, Eric Smitley, Justin Chance,
Thomas Baker, Mark Bellamy, Blaine
Aber. Modifieds B Main-Larry Kugel, Bruce
Jennings, Randy Ridgeway, Paul Davis, Corey
Camillo, Mike Skeens, Bob Shelhorn. A Main-Rob
Stambaugh, Mike Lonas, Matt Shroyer,
Took Wiles, R. Bruce Miller, Rick Wohlford, Wayne Maffet Jr,
David Liles, Rocky Kugel, Dean
Ecker, Darrick Hubbard, Rory Reed, Mitchell Lam, Kyle Brown,
Rob Cutlip, Jay Howe, Larry
Kugel, Bruce Jennings, Randy Ridgeway, Paul Davis.
Pure Stocks B Main-Paul Holmes,
Travis Mensching, Don Baney, John Swinehart, Denny Shear,
John Hatfield, Bill Cramer, Randy
King, Roger Drouhard. A Main-Troy
Anderson, Fred Snyder, Tim Myers, Rich Frame, Travis
Mensching, John Swinehart, Paul Holmes, Robert Wile, Jim
Nicely, Donna Gentry, Don Baney,
Phil Lam, John Magyar, Dan Tuttle, Chad Craver, Jack Wile,
Keith Tish, Jose Marsh, Verne
Siegrist, Todd Swim. Mini Stocks A Main-Henry
Britton, Jeff Thiel, Neil Nisly, Dale Beckett
Jr, Josh Robinson, Nick Smith, Ed Ray, Trevor Phillips, Cody
Renard, Willard Yarnell, Mitch
Reichard, Matt Wohlford, Charlie Ray, Alan Summers, Stan
White, Reggie Stoltzfus, John Raber,
Jim Hudson, Carlos Aponte, Pat Malone, Bryan Baker Sr.
(Ryan Pearson)
----------------------------------------------
*Sept 3, 201 Speedway, Sitka, KY,
O’Reilly NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series
race results: B Main #1-Tim Dohm, DJ Wells,
Michael Chilton, David Smith, Corey McKenzie,
Donald Runyon, Tandy Spurlock, Eric Wells, Greg Lucas, Doug
Smith, Chris Combs. B Main
#2-Anthony Adams, Chuckie May, Mike Luna,
Michael England, Wayne Chinn, Blake Chinn,
Brandon Kinzer, Steve Stollings, Terry Hicks, Daniel
Williams, Tyrel Todd, Randy Boggs.
O’Reilly Auto Parts 40 Lap A Main-Paul Harris, Rick Aukland, Aaron Hatton, Mike Jewell,
Tim Tungate, Chris Combs, Tim Dohm, Tyrel Todd, DJ Wells,
Michael Chilton, Whitney
McQueary, Anthony Adams, Steve Stollings, Raymond Nichols,
Chuckie May, Scott Hall, Mike
Luna, Tandy Spurlock, Rod Evans, Shannon Thornsberry, Scott
James, David Powers. (DJarrett)
*NURBURGRING, Germany, Sept. 4 - Horag-Lista Racing's Lista-sponsored
Lola B05/40 Judd
No. 27 earned its first LMP2 class triumph in only its third
Le Mans Endurance Series (LMES)
race ever when Didier Theys and
Eric van de Poele took the checkered at the famous
Nurbur-
gring here today. (Linda K. Mansfield)
*Sept 2, Mountain Motor Speedway Express,
Isom, KY, O’Reilly NARA Battle of the
Bluegrass DirtCar Series race results: B
Main-Eric Wells, Michael Chilton, Greg Lucas,
Michael Luna, Danny Bates, Donald Runyon, Blake Chinn,
Jason Hinkle, Tyrel Todd, Steve
Stollings, Michael England. O’Reilly Auto Parts
30 Lap A Main-Eddie Carrier Jr, Tim
Tungate, David Powers, Mike Jewell, Anton Adams, Shannon
Thornsberry, Rick Aukland,
Chris Combs, Michael Chilton, Wayne Chinn, Doug Smith,
Raymond Nichols, Mike Luna,
Whitney McQueary, DJ Wells, Tyrel Todd, Michael England,
Eric Wells, Greg Lucas, Aaron
Hatton. (Dustin Jarrett)
---------------------------------------------
*Sept 4, Tazewell Speedway, Tazewell, TN,
Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series race
results:
Mason Racin' Rebel Shock Dyno B Main-Ricky Arms,
David Payne, Don O'Neal, Tim Dohm,
Ruben Mayfield, Jason Trammell, Joey McCoy, Freddy Smith. PPM
Racing Products B Main-
Tommy Kerr, Michael Smith, Steve Casebolt, Jr., David McCoy,
Steve Carr, Jason McCall,
Doug Smith, Marty Calloway. "Citizens Bank 75"
Main Event-Jimmy Owens, Vic Hill,
Anthony White, Brett Miller, Tim Dohm, Bobby Giffin, Ricky
Arms, David Payne, Michael Smith,
Earl Pearson Jr, Scott James, Terry Wolfenbarger, Don
O'Neal, Donnie Moran, Steve Casebolt
Jr, Scott Sexton, Brian Smith, Mike Marlar, Billy Ogle Jr,
Frank Merritt, Tommy Kerr, Jeff
Neubert, Rex Richey, Freddy Smith. (James Essex)
*Current Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
Points Standings after Sept. 4, 2005: Don O'Neal
5150, Earl Pearson Jr 5040, Donnie Moran 4860, Matt Miller
4755, Scott James 4205, Freddy
Smith 3755, Tim Dohm 3645, Brady Smith 2830, Brian Birkhofer
2725, Terry English 2360.
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*Sept 3, Irwindale Speedway, Irwindale, CA,
race results: MONSTER TRUCKS-Mark Hall in
Raminator over Dave Harkey in Bigfoot. BANDOLEROS-Donny
St Ours, Carter Calhoun,
Andre Prescott, Johnathan St Ours, Brent Schneidermantle,
Donald Greenberg, Jack Madrid,
Michael Greenberg. KING TACO LEGEND CARS-Matt Hicks, Gary
Schurell, Connor
Cantrell, Tom Landreth, J. D. Hendley, Bill Bonney, Mark
Gaiser, Steve Twilligear, Lindsay
King, Chad Schug, Jim Smith, Bob Landreth, Van Iungerich,
Steve Rogers, Ryan Partridge, Nate
Hardiman, Joseph Daniello, Larry Alsop, Robert Meneley,
Michael Smith, Scott Cocke, Brian
Wong, Jason Alsop, Lynn Sours, Carl Wuersch, Larry Stone, Bill Calhoun. JASPER WEST
COAST PRO TRUCKS-Jeff Williams, Neil Conrad, Jim
Satterfield, Tim McMillin, Todd
Cameron, Barry Kalperis Jr, Chris Johnson, Don Helgeson, Rick Wall, Dustin Vandermooren, Ron Mongenel, Bob Wright, Ivan Arias, Buddy Antunez, Dan Ciraulo, William Huff, David
Timewell, Cecil Phelps, Ronnie Davis, Jeff Broughton.
PICK YOUR PART DEMO DERBY-
Stan McDonald, Justin Malone, Steve Cook, Bill Alt, Milton
Eisenhauer, Mike Duran, Al Rocha,
John Zimmerman, Dan Pachella, Tyrone Klingbeil, Robert
Hill, Justin Stress, Jeremy Cook, Mark
Carter, Enrique Gomez, Gary Hilr, Bryan Hendry. (Tim
Kennedy and Doug Stokes)
*Sept 3, Perris Auto Speedway, Perris, CA,
points race: SUPER STOCKS-Terry Hershberger
741, Brian Pannone 648, Ed Perry 571, John Caley 567, Ron
Meyer 554. TRUCKS & SUVS-
Art Peterson 559, Kenny Mann 538, Jeff Dunham 509, Mike
Hixson 471, Virgil Haney 419,
Bill Bartel 419. STREET STOCKS-Kevin Busher 525, Richard
Barr 523, Jeremy Queener 511,
Joe Falduto 496, Joe Shuagis 452. HORNETS-Tony Thompson 837, John Denver 617, Mark
Howison 612, Dave Yungen 557, Bobby Hogerhuis 555.
PICK-A-PART CRUISERS-
Talkington/Lewis 462, Allen/Ramsey 396, Martin/Hunsaker
394, Bundy/Holdridge 367,
Fengler/Heaton 360. (Scott Daloisio and Kim Donner)
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*NASCAR pittance is real blood money, by
Paul Oberjuerge, Staff Writer. The good ol'
boys
aren't paid enough. Not for the revenue they generate. Not
for the demands they face. Not at
the risk of their lives. NASCAR's drivers deserve more
money. A bigger slice of a very big pie.
And the issue is just now coming into focus. NASCAR is a
multi-billion dollar sport. The Nextel
Cup tour slides from one side of the country to the other on
roads greased by cash. NASCAR
sells $2 billion a year in licensed merchandise. It gets
$1.5 billion per year in sponsorship money.
It has a TV contract worth $2.4 billion over six years.
Nextel ponied up $700 million over 10
years to hang its name on the elite circuit. And don't
forget ticket sales at cavernous venues, such
as the 90,000-seat California Speedway, where the cheapest
ticket for today's Sony HD 500
costs $65. Yet some of the 40-some regulars on the elite
Nextel Cup circuit earn significantly less
than $1 million in annual salary. Kasey Kahne, hot rookie
in 2004, apparently began his Nextel
Cup career with a base salary of $200,000-or $116,000 less
than the minimum in Major League
Baseball, a sport with 750 players. "We do very, very
well," veteran NASCAR driver Mark
Martin said Saturday. "But ..." He paused. "You can do the
research and look at other profess-
ional athletes and compare that." Well, we did. And
NASCAR's stars lag far behind many of
their sports brethren. Golfer Tiger Woods took in $87
million in winnings and endorsements in
2004, according to forbes.com. Quarterback Michael Vick
made $37.5 million. Shaquille
O'Neal was at $33.4 million - before he got a new contract.
Soccer's David Beckham netted
some $32.5 million. Yankees infielder Alex Rodriguez makes
$25.2 million per season just to
play baseball. Anything he makes in endorsements, just add
to that. Baseball, basketball and
hockey are lousy with guaranteed contracts. Journeyman
lefties, backup forwards and aging
defensemen can get $5 million. NASCAR guys' earnings drop
precipitously if they are injured
or slumping. "Sometimes," Martin said, "it stings to see
someone get a $75 million, five-year
contract in some other kind of sports. It flabbergasts me."
Certainly, none of the Cup drivers
are starving. But they aren't taking in anything remotely
resembling the 50 percent-plus of gross
revenues that some sports turn over to its athletes. If
NASCAR is a $4 billion sport (one recent
estimate), and 50 Nextel Cup drivers earn an average of $4
million...their $200 million in income
represents 4 percent of the sport's annual gross revenues.
Which is borderline criminal. Drivers
earn their money in three ways: from salaries (a relatively
recent phenomenon), a percentage of
winnings and from merchandising. A caveat: Much of this is
intelligent guesswork. NASCAR is
privately held and doesn't divulge its finances. And its
teams are independent contractors free to
cut their own deals with drivers. There is no drivers union
to compile and release salaries. Best
anyone can tell, base Nextel Cup salaries range from
$750,000 to perhaps $6 million for four-
time Cup champion Jeff Gordon. Drivers get only a fraction
of "winnings," a fraction usually est-
imated at 40 to 60 percent. Thus, if NASCAR paid out $25
million in purses in 2004, drivers
collectively received about $12.5 million; the rest went to
the teams and owners. Merchandising
income varies wildly, as well. Established stars get a
higher percentage of the gross and also sell
more stuff. Newcomers take a smaller slice from a smaller
pool. And what does NASCAR get
from its drivers? Their time: "We're on a schedule that's
longer than any other professional series,"
defending Cup champion Kurt Busch said. That would be 38
race weekends spread over 10
months, with January given over to testing. Drivers are off
for part of December. And some
Mondays. Their cooperation: "We still have to do the
autograph sessions and do the sponsor
meet-and-greets to help the sport to grow," Busch said.
Other sports do little more than ask their
athletes not to punch out fans and sponsors. Their health:
And maybe their lives. This is a full-
contact sport. Everyone crashes, and, eventually, just about
everyone crashes badly. Sometimes,
drivers die. Including Dale Earnhardt in 2001. Many sports
are dangerous. Many can leave a guy
with a limp. But few tend to leave them in a coffin, as
motor racing can at any time. NASCAR
drivers seem to be taking the measure of their sport.
Finally. Somebody noticed the piles of cash
around this sport. Busch is in the center of a
much-discussed jump from the Roush team to the
Penske team, which reportedly will pay him $8 million per
season. Jamie McMurray also is mov-
ing, for money. More power to them. The drivers made
NASCAR the nation's No. 2 TV sport.
They, not the ruling, owning France family, are the face of
it. The drivers are; not the owners, and
not the sponsors. The drivers made this astonishingly rich
sport with their skill and commitment
and personalities. And sometimes with their blood and guts
and their very lives. Look for
NASCAR driver contracts to be a bigger issue in coming
years. Look for more money, and more
guaranteed money. These guys have earned it. Now they
should be paid it. Paul Oberjuerge's
column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He can
be reached at
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