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by Kevin Oldham

The KO Interview With Paul Hazen is Here

The KO Interview With Eric Gordon is Here

The KO Interview With Jiggs Thomason is Here

The KO Interview With Greg Staab is Here

Volume 14, Number 19

Lasting Impressions

They say first impressions mean everything, but being a competitive contrarian who takes painstaking pride in selecting the appropriate final words, lasting impressions are actually more up my alley, equally important in the sphere of influence.

Whether it’s finishing a session of hoops with a final three-point swish, topping off a fabulous feast at Bonge’s Tavern with a slice of sugar cream cake , or making sure that all of my accounts are neat and tidy before closing the books for the quarter, I always like to end things on a high note. And, as my precious season of sprint car racing comes to a close, in keeping with that theme I traditionally seek out the most meaningful events so that I can enter my mode of hibernation feeling full and satisfied, albeit bittersweet.

This final month of the Midwestern campaign offered ample opportunities to make a lasting impression on 2012, able to choose from chronological open wheel options in Anderson, Haubstadt, Pontoon Beach (a.k.a. Granite City), Terre Haute, Brownstown, Rossburg, Pevely, and Kokomo. When rewinding to that first weekend of October, my nephew and I hit the highway and aimed for the Mississippi River, hungering for our first Gold Crown Midget Nationals. With few exceptions, I am generally leery of traveling over the state line for fear of missing out on outstanding backyard affairs and although it would require a costly overnight stay, this excursion was a no-brainer due to the rave reviews received since its 2008 inception. Simply put, Anderson (Must See Supers) and Haubstadt (MSCS Harvest Cup) could not hold a candle to Pontoon Beach.

No longer your father’s dark, narrow, and flat half-mile paperclip last visited in 2003 for a stop on the USAC/SCRA Midwestern Tour, it’s been five years since Kevin and Tammy Gundaker shrunk the Tri-City Speedway playing field to a 3/8ths mile and added lighting, banking, concrete walls, and numerous other improvements to restore the luster of this once proud facility. Expanding corner width and radius to coax competition, much like the sweeping changes made to Kokomo Speedway for 2005, everything I’ve heard about the new regime and layout has been extremely positive. Burned by so many phantom rainouts in the late 1990s and early 2000s while under Bobby Wente’s watch, despite a Friday night washout we made Saturday’s four hour haul with extreme confidence, knowing full well that the Gundakers would do everything in their power to get this thing in the books. The combination of soggy grounds, the coldest racing temperatures of 2012, and a huge purse could have easily resulted in a plug-pulling but staying true to their word, the positive first impression of pressing on regardless made a lasting impression on this veteran fan.

The final night of the three day extravaganza offered a healthy assemblage of 40 midgets and 28 traditional sprint cars, the former number undercut by an untimely POWRi midget event some 20 miles to the south in Belleville. Disappointed by such lack of cooperation and big-picture thinking, it’s this type of needless politics that makes me glad I stayed a fan and never entered into the business of racing.

Donning multiple sweatshirts, a winter jacket, ski cap, and gloves, such a defensive strategy still couldn’t keep the damp chill from piercing all of those layers. Frequently removing one glove to access Apple technology and check the score on the initial Reds/Giants playoff game, this only perpetuated the problem but luckily a favorable score, some entertaining on-track action, and the nearly non-stop blowing of locomotive horns along route 203 warmed the soul and assured that this odd adventure was the correct choice.

After Thursday’s prelim was swept by Tracy Hines, the headlining midgets tacked on passing points from Saturday’s four heats and four qualifying races to lock in eight men for a trophy dash that arranged the first four rows of the feature. A pair of B-mains sent 16 more to the 50-lap finale that dangled a handsome ten thousand dollar carrot. The sprint undercard held four heats, one B, and a 30-lap curtain-closer guaranteeing a tasty two grand to win. Despite ultimate operating efficiency, it was still a long evening, ten pounds of action stuffed into a five pound bag.

Special appearances in the mighty midgets included Dave “The Rave” Darland (in a second RFMS machine), NASCAR and World of Outlaw standout Brad Sweet (Hmiel 56), Hunter Schuerenberg (Bush 2), Tyler Courtney (a second Bush 2), Brady Bacon, Daron Clayton (Moore 10), Thomas Meseraull (Ecker 57) and Casey Shuman (in another Ecker 57). Six ARDC regulars, including standouts Steve Buckwalter and Alex Bright, made the extra long tow all the way from Pennsylvania, true dedication to a dying craft. Speaking of Sweet’s ride in the 56, he was of course subbing for last year’s winner Levi Jones, who was on-hand selling t-shirts behind the main grandstands, the first public appearance for Mister Jones since his season-ending neck surgery. Mentioning how he’s had difficulty finding a comfortable sleeping position, at the time of this event Levi said he would have to wear the neck brace for about seven more weeks. As family and business concerns grow bigger with each passing season, let’s hope he does not follow Steve Butler’s path and chooses to return to USAC racing, as the series needs big names like Levi.

Sprint car standouts included Thursday night winner Bryan Clauson, Dave Darland, Brad Sweet (Fox 53), Brady Bacon, Coleman Gulick, Thomas Meseraull (McGhee 17), Chris Windom (Pollock 21), Daron Clayton, Casey Shuman (Batcheldor 22), Bobby East, and Chris Gurley (with Brian Cripe twisting screws on a new DRC chassis).

In traveling to this gateway to the west, I wished to say hello to good friend Randy Mortland, the East Alton, Illinois fire chief and open wheel ambassador who thoroughly enjoys playing host to his racing pals. Soon to officially retire from fighting fires, Randy remains one of the neatest guys I’ve ever come across. If you haven’t already read this article, here’s a link to a cool story about our buddy “Morty”: http://www.thetelegraph.com/news/local/article_25f7e858-0a90-11e2-9fe5-0019bb30f31a.html.

First up for October activity were the Gold Crown midget heats, taken out by 2010 event winner Darren Hagen (from 5th), Kyle Larson (from 4th), Caleb Armstrong (from 1st), and Davey Ray (from 4th). Although the track was pounded smooth (and oddly slick in some spots), passing was plentiful as Brady Bacon blasted from 10th to 3rd in the first heat while 2008 Gold Crown king Jerry Coons, Jr. romped from 9th to 5th in the same race, a hometown showing as his Dooling 63 hails from nearby Hartford, Illinois. Rico Abreu advanced five spots, a premium passing master along with Darland, Andy Malpocker, and Steve Buckwalter, each finding their way past four. Even slicker at the west end’s exit, sprint car entertainment began with a bang when Darland dive-bombed the bottom of turn one, leaving winged regular Andy Baugh with nowhere to go but up and over a Chris Urish wheel. Barrel rolling three or four times and shedding all kinds of hardware, luckily Andy was able to exit under his own power, making the long trek back to the pit area. Darland would win that first heat from last but the thrills were far from over, as Coleman Gulick and Brad Sweet quickly exchanged the premier position twice in the second contest, with Gulick’s authoritative last lap, turn three slider settling the score. Clauson and East claimed the other two sprint heats with relative ease.

Inverting the top six in points, four additional midget qualifiers saw Clauson, Larson, Coons, and Sweet succeed from starts of third, sixth, second, and fourth. Kyle’s climb was quite impressive, but so was Hagen’s last-minute scrounge of second from sixth. Abreu applied heavy heat to Coons, later dominating the dash after firing from first. Challenged in height, Rico’s trophy dash celebration was an intriguing sight, as he stood halfway up the scantily clad trophy girls, perched on skyscraper heels. Flying Illini Korey Weyant won the sprint B that saw newly crowned Flora king Steve Thomas surge from 12th to 6th and earn the final A-main berth. Aside from a Brenden Bright and Colten Cottle photo finish in the first midget consolation (give the nod to Bright); these twin last chance collaborations were fairly tame. Local boy Andy Malpocker made out with the final pass in the other over Tyler Courtney but both Cottle and Courtney were awarded promoter’s options to make a 26-car lineup.

Even on such a bone-chilling evening, unusually slick conditions required extensive top to bottom watering before the final 80 laps of green flag action. The 30 that were allocated to the sprinters would be conducted first, assigning Dave Darland and Bobby East front row seats. Although Diamond Dave drew first blood, second row starters Daron Clayton and Coleman Gulick immediately ganged up on the veteran. Clayton narrowly escaped with first as they entered the back chute but it would be Gulick galloping to the lead with a dramatic turn three slider. Daron immediately fired back with a similar stunt through turn two but lost the top spot after pushing like a dump truck through corner four. Once he eliminated his front end plow, the Modern Day Cowboy was wheels up, cutting into Coleman’s half-straight advantage. But, such a tight setup wound up costing the Sikeston, Missouri native, as a two-wheeled tour turned into a disastrous, season-ending flip.

Halfway complete at Clayton’s red flag, six lapped machines were supposed to be placed between Gulick and Darland, but only two obliged. After a caution for a Terry Babb bobble, one last attempt at a slider served as the final threat from Jeff Walker’s chauffeur. Clearly in his own area code, there was no stopping the New Yorker from nailing win number eight on the season, victorious in six of his last nine outings. After moving the equipment to North Vernon, Indiana mid-way through the season, the 19 year-old has clearly matured and centered his focus. Assisted by Rodney Reynolds in a bare-bones, two-man operation, Coleman calls the shots on the setups and shoulders most of the load in planning, organizing, cleaning, and maintenance in order to keep the operation afloat. Dominating on a fast track with a treacherously slim cushion, Gulick most certainly left a lasting impression and put an exclamation point on his 2012. Darland, Clauson, Sweet, and Bacon (up from 11th) took home top-fives while Windom (up six spots), Meseraull, East, Weyant (up six), and Shuman scored sixth through tenth.

The 50-lap Gold Crown Midget feature may not have been the mouth-watering slide-fest from two years ago, but with boatloads of drama and constant challenges for the premier position, it still had its moments. Although there might have only been four official lead changes, it sure seemed like more, an entertaining affair from start to finish.

National point leader Darren Hagen instantly lassoed the lead from his inside row two start, but the first of eight cautions came with three laps complete when outside pole sitter Bryan Clauson was stopped sideways in turn three, unable to restart. Eighth-starting Davey Ray was also a victim but would have plenty of time to recover. Expected to be a contender for the big bounty, Hagen’s fortunes took a turn for the worse when he clipped a tractor tire guarding the inside of turns one and two, this coming while he was wheel to wheel with Larson. Simultaneous to a front stretch flip for Brenden Bright, the national point leader had to be towed to the work area where hasty front axle and steering repairs were rendered, able to restart from the rear. Apparently such quick work did not pinpoint the problem, as five laps later The Hawk took a tour of the spin cycle, this time having fourth place Tracy Hines come to a stop atop turn four. Like DH, TH was able to get going again.

Still early in the long-distance contest, Larson led Sweet, pole sitter Abreu, Bacon, and Coons, with Jerry jumping to fourth from his start of ninth. But, five laps later, yet again it was Hagen causing caution with continued front end woes. After the green cloth was dangled, rim rider Rico Abreu began to make some noise, sweeping past Sweet through corner four and inching ever so close to Keith Kunz teammate and mentor Kyle Larson. Yet another yellow moved him even closer, as Rico reeled off a slick slider through three, only to have Kyle retake the top spot at the start-finish. The Rutherford, California shoe wasn’t done yet, returning the favor in turn two, only to have Larson match his move on the back chute. Unfortunately, a Caleb Armstrong caution killed such monumental momentum, as it was Brad Sweet shooting to second on the restart, with Bacon bouncing Abreu back to fourth. Sweet, Coons, and Bacon now haggled over runner-up rights before a Schuerenberg, Courtney, and Ray entanglement led to a sixth restacking of the deck.

Leaving 23 laps left, 2008 national champion Coons clawed his way to second before another Bright landed on his lid in front of the main grandstand, this time seeing younger brother Alex affected. With green lights aglow, it was Larson’s top shelf tactic pitted against the huggy pole playing of Coons. Coon Dog was able to fetch the lead at lap 37, spotting Hines continuing to work his way forward, now sitting sixth. Nearby Pocahontas, Illinois pilot Zach Daum interrupted the action after looping his familiar five with 11 laps left, allowing second place Larson to ponder a suitable strategy for overtaking. Kyle experimented with the same lower lane as the leader but eventually pulled out of line to attack the top to pilfer P1 at lap 43. Meanwhile, Hines had advanced the Parker Machinery Toyota to third and caught a whiff of first before kissing the turn four concrete with six to go, falling to fourth.

One final caution for T-Mez could have made things interesting, but Larson’s mastery of the tricky top shelf in the last four tours was too much to overcome. Coons still managed to make it interesting on the final lap, but Kyle slammed the door by stealing his line through three and four. As always, Jerry was the gentleman and chose not to punt, settling for second place pay as the California kid cut turn four donuts after the 12:14 AM checkered flag.

Trailing Larson and Coons were Sweet, 16th-starting Brad Kuhn, and Abreu. Six through ten included Darland, Windom, ARDC champ Tim Buckwalter (up ten spots), Hines, and Ray. Bacon lost a left rear on the last lap and plummeted to 16th. Frozen solid as we headed to the car, thankfully a warm bed in nearby Troy, Illinois awaited, as I had no desire to test my luck and attempt the all-night drive. Despite the frigid temps, thanks to a racy surface, the revised layout, and the absence of mud cabs, I truly enjoyed this deviation from the norm; as such an odd excursion would definitely make a permanent, positive impression when reflecting on the end of the 2012 season.

Friday, October 12th was the second shot at creating positive 2012 reflections with Terre Haute’s Jim Hurtubise Classic, an event that was moved from a rainy Labor Day weekend to form a tempting two-day slate of sprints and Silver Crown. Working a full day and hauling ass across Interstate 70 in hope of making it in time for single car qualifications; even with a fuel stop my mission was accomplished. Shocked to count only 22 thunder and lightning machines, I cannot remember a lower number for an Action Track outing since I started coming here in 1985.

Temperatures were chilly but not quite like the previous Saturday, but you had to suspect that Reece O’Connor’s tacky track might just produce some record-breaking times. Although Shane Cottle still holds the all-time one-lap mark of 19.242 seconds (set in October of 2005), the official USAC record was broken when West Terre Haute terror Braylon Fitzpatrick, second in line, ripped off an impressive 19.280. With both Fitzpatrick brothers running a limited schedule this season, there’s nothing like a new track record at their home track to provide some pep for 2013. Damion Gardner (third in line) and Kurt Gross (second in line) came closest to Fitzpatrick, with heavy hitters Clauson, Hines, and Stockon completing the all-important quick six. National championship contenders Jon Stanbrough and Dave Darland timed 9th and 11th, respectively.

Aside from Hunter Schuerenberg’s new eight lap record and Chase Stockon’s stomp from fifth to first, the three heats were essentially single file affairs, setting the stage for an 8:50 PM feature wave lap. Even with his engine off-song, Pontoon Beach bastion Coleman Gulick still qualified seventh-best and thanks to Fitzpatrick finishing outside of the top-five during his heat, he moved to the pole position, one more shot at that initial USAC victory that eluded him at Lawrenceburg.

Unfortunately for the Ice Man, his hopes and dreams would again be melted by “Showtime”, as nearby Sullivan native Chase Stockon started on the outside of row one for the third week in a row. Chase used Charlie Fisher horsepower (supplied by Tom Burkey’s Superior Tank and Trailer) to beat the Hazardous Sports 14 to turn one. If reading the USAC box score, one would have to believe that was all she wrote, as Chase led laps one through thirty. Claiming his second USAC victory in a row, it was three wins in three starts from position two. However, there was certainly much more to the story than that.

Aside from a Brandon Mattox tumble, the first half of the race was all Stockon, building a half-straight advantage on Gulick as second place points man Bryan Clauson began backing up from fourth, overtaken for eighth by Jon Stanbrough on lap 14. Facing serious heat from Darland, Clauson earned a reprieve when Stanbrough suddenly slowed. The victim of more bad luck, this time it was in the form of a broken u-joint. Counting his vicious Kokomo Smackdown crash, has anyone’s fortunes been worse since mid-August than Stanbrough?

The next eight laps might have been the most strange in all of 2012. Five separate cautions for Kurt Gross, Darren Krockenberger (two), C.J. Leary, and Gulick (slowing to a stop) led to yet another yellow for second-running Damion Gardner, apparently out of fuel. Gardner’s misfortune led to a dreaded red flag for refueling, setting the stage for an apparent showdown between Stockon and a hard-charging Robert Ballou, who had hustled all the way from 14th.

That battle never materialized as Chase again constructed an insurmountable advantage, opening up a half-straightaway by the end. Done at 9:46 PM, Stockon and Ballou were joined on the front stretch by eighth-starting Jerry Coons, Jr., a stout effort in the Steve and Carla Phillips DRC/Foxco combination. Tracy Hines and Dave Darland (up six spots) rounded out the top-five, as Dave blew past Bryan with less than two laps remaining. BC settled for sixth with Schuerenberg (up six), Chris Windom (up seven), Bobby East (up 12), and Kevin Thomas, Jr. (recovering from a stop in the work area) completing the top ten.

Making quick work of the field on a quick night, when adding this $5,000 score to last weekend’s $4,000 victory at Haubstadt’s MSCS Harvest Cup and the previous weekend’s Lawrenceburg looting of $10,000, that’s a whopping $19,000 in a titanic three race span for Chase. Doing so much with so little, one would think that USAC car owners should be considering him for any open seat, as he has most certainly made a winning, lasting impression that could easily propel him to even more stardom.

Given my reverence for tradition, anyone would have logically predicted that I would return to the Action Track for Saturday’s 100-lap USAC Silver Crown Sumar Classic at Terre Haute. However, as I have stated so many times this season, it is almost too painful to watch a slimmed-down field of these champ dirt machines, nervously anticipating each race to be its last. As much as I have enjoyed the Silver Crown series since 1985, a 15-car Terre Haute turnout was not enough to entice my attendance. Regardless, a hearty congratulations goes out to Bobby East for winning his first-ever dirt Silver Crown event and resulting initial championship in style, leading every one of the 100 Terre Haute laps in the Tony Stewart Racing number 22.

I must be getting old, as I can remember way back in 1990 when I spotted a then five year-old Bobby crawling around the cockpit of the Bob Consani number 54 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. That car was originally constructed for Carmel, Indiana car owner Gary Runyon back in 1988 but was later sold to Consani for the 1990 campaign. Bob East not only built that car in his final days at Challenge chassis, but it was the last racing machine he ever piloted in competition (May 1989). Car number 54 went on to claim the 1990 series championship with Jimmy Sills behind the wheel and with everything coming full circle in 2012, both Bob (as a co-car owner with Tony Stewart of the number 9 cars from 2002 through 2005) and Bobby are Silver Crown champs.

Talking myself out of previous plans to head back to St. Louis for the World of Outlaws doubleheader at Pevely, Missouri, why I did not go with my first choice and gut instinct is beyond me. Perhaps it was the wish to keep another 500 miles off my fairly new car. Perhaps it was the worry about driving 8 hours and having the weather forecast go wrong. And, perhaps it was the doubt of a surface holding up after a 55-lap daytime affair, not to mention a complete evening program. Either way, those Pevely plans turned into an ill-fated excursion to Eldora Speedway for an All Stars/NRA sprint car doubleheader with my dad, nephew, and guest Matt Pedersen, hoping to rekindle the memories of those late ‘80s and early ‘90s Eldora finales when the All Star Circuit of Champions was an altogether different series.

Stopping for a sack of Maid Rite sandwiches in Greenville, under ominous conditions we had just arrived as the first set of hot laps took the green flag. Somehow oblivious to an updated forecast from weather.com, the clouds opened up for a few minutes and soaked the surface. Continued intermittent showers and a small crowd eventually led to a quick cancellation, disappointed to not see Jac Haudenschild, Tim Shaffer, Brad Sweet, Paul McMahan, Stevie Smith and the host of others in action. Feeling so dejected and defeated on that ride home, too late to make Terre Haute I knew that there would be just one more opportunity to make that last racing impression for 2012.

Friday October 19th dawned cold, rainy, and dreary, miserable enough to move the open wheel portion of the sixth Kokomo Klash to a twilight Sunday affair, much like its initial showing in 2007. With a vastly improved forecast of sunny skies and mid-sixty degree temps, 139 cars overflowed the soft and soggy pit area, parking trucks and trailers behind the backstretch grandstands. The population of 35 sprints, 21 midgets, 38 mini sprints, 19 TQs, and 26 thunder cars paled in comparison to the 197 door-bangers that comprised Saturday’s stock car portion. The whopping weekend total of 336 had to be a welcomed figure for Kokomo Speedway bean counters.

Looking through the list of sprint car competitors, it was the usual Sunday night suspects and numerous odd fellows, including long-time TQ stalwart Ron Combs taking his first sprint car ride. Bolstered by big names like 2012 track champ Scotty Weir (Hazen 57), Coleman Gulick (second in Kokomo points), Thomas Meseraull (McGhee 17), Brady Short (Pottorff 11p), Kevin Thomas, Jr. (Pollock 21), Tracy Hines (own 24), Dave Darland (Jared Fox 56) and Jon Stanbrough (Steve and Brad Fox 53), Stanbrough’s reunion in the 53 was notable in that former team member Tim Mehner was back in the fold. And, one may remember one year prior when Darland first teamed with Jared Fox for a win in the Jerry Burton Masonry 04.

Four groups of combined sprint car hot laps and qualifications had Gulick topping the charts at 12.901 seconds in the final session; advised by 1998 Northern All Stars late model champ and 2000 HARF sprint car rookie of the year Jeff Wilson. Transferring four, redrawing two, and conducted under daylight conditions, Kurt Gross (from 4th), Meseraull (from 4th), Hines (from 3rd), and Stanbrough (from 2nd) were heat winners, highlighted by a Meseraull-Weir slide-fest and a Stanbrough-Gulick nail-biter. Sprouting green grass and a rowboat, the coned-off infield was a quagmire and even after a full night of stock car competition, the surface still quite damp and pliable, dumping a couple and biking several.

Top talent in the midgets included last year’s Klash winner Hines, Bobby East, Meseraull (Sandy 16), Weir (Moore 10), Shane Hollingsworth, Zach Daum, asphalt expert Troy DeCaire (Gardner 35), and Ford Focus graduate Ross Rankine, the latter making his second start in a full-fledged midget according to mechanic Glenn Martin, who noted the August deal to sell Steve Lewis’s fabled 9 Racing squad fell through. Flying all the way from 8th in his Spike/Stanton-Chevy, Hines won the first heat while Meseraull moved from fifth to claim the other.

Watching the pair of sprint car consolations from the pit grandstands with Hut Hundred and Turkey Night winner Warren Mockler, Brady Short impressively blasted from tenth to first while Logan Jarrett, chauffeuring last year’s Chalk chassis, attacked the unruly top shelf to annex the other as names like Gordon, Bares, Smith, Simon, and Burton just missed the cut. Moving up a few rows to avoid the dirt clods and eyeing the mini sprint action with interest was two-time Indy car champ and 2008 Indy 500 winner Scott Dixon, whose Kiwi ally Anton Julian beat Ron Dennis to the checkered.

Hustling to the main grandstand while the sprint feature was pushing off at 8:24 PM, Jon Stanbrough and Thomas Meseraull weaved their way to the front of the field, just ahead of Hines, Gulick, Weir, and Wes McIntyre. Fairly tacky with a lumpy cushion on both ends, Kokomo’s 2012 finale was officially cowboy country. Rather accordingly, T-Mez led to turn one and exclusively worked upstairs for 25 laps, outdistancing the Silent Gasser by three-quarters of a straightaway. Virtually uncontested in his triumph, Meseraull’s second career Kokomo score was his seventh of a spectacular 2012 season, landing in victory lane for five different car owners.

Had it not been for a two-wheeled tour of turns three and four and a nasty flip into the wheel fence, perhaps it could have been Coleman Gulick continuing the celebration of his fantastic final month and a half, as he had already advanced to second and was closing on first when his mishap occurred. As it was, it would be Meseraull book-ending the Indiana outdoor season with wins in North Vernon and Kokomo, creating the first and leaving the last impression.

Hot on the heels of the lead tandem was Scotty Weir, whose low side launches might have moved him further forward had it not been for Paul Hazen’s Dick Kercher power plant giving up the ghost late in the going, thus gifting the show position to Tracy Hines. Finishing fourth from 16th was Dave Darland, with Gas City champion Billy Puterbaugh finding fifth (from 12th) in Monte Edison’s 10. Surging from 17th to 6th was Brady Short, with Chris Gurley snatching 7th from 15th. Recovering from a mid-race spin, Wes McIntyre earned eighth while Kyle Robbins and a vastly improved Conner Donelson nailed ninth and tenth.

Daum and Gurley did not make the call for the midget finale that appropriately aligned heat race passing masters Hines and Meseraull on the front row. Meseraull led the first lap and had a legitimate shot of doubling his pleasure, but much like Weir his engine soured three laps in, handing the lead and win to Hines. Bobby East kept pace but lapped traffic made all the difference, as Tracy’s moves could not be duplicated. In his familiar family owned 85, three-time Montpelier winner Shane Hollingsworth snuck under the recently crowned Silver Crown champ late in the going to steal second place money. East, Jake Blackhurst, and local talent Parker Price-Miller rounded out the first five. Weir, Rankine, Taylor Ferns, DeCaire, and Dalton Armstrong soldiered home sixth through tenth.

Done with the major classes by a respectable 9:50 PM, circumstances prevented sprint and midget feature finishes from being anything but runaway affairs and although I would have preferred to close the curtains with a pair of barn-burners, life always finds a way of reminding me that it is far from perfect. Racing aside, my final attempt at making a lasting impression was in fact successful, as Kokomo always seems to be a positive social experience, smiling, joking, and cheering among familiar faces, some of which may not be seen again until next spring.

As I finish this piece, my mind is completely numb to the fact that the month of October has all but vanished, even more difficult to fathom that my outdoor entertainment had suddenly ceased. Truth to be told, I can vividly recall the refreshing feeling of excitement and enthusiasm from March’s sprint car season opener like it was yesterday. Beginning with an underdog victory by Thomas Meseraull and his Stensland 41 squad at North Vernon, this first impression set the tone and expanded my expectations for an intriguing campaign, which by and large did not disappoint. Usual winners like Jones, Stanbrough, and Short were often upstaged by a resurgent Darland, Clauson, and Cottle while Meseraull, Shuman, Grant, and Cummins cemented themselves as consistent winners. Much like that opening night score, the emergence of names like Beauchamp, Burton, Briscoe, Hupp, and Hopkins was a pleasant surprise, with so many others waiting in the wings. And last but not least, there were the lasting impressions left by Gulick and Stockon’s frequent, late season scores.

As usual April was far too wet and the season started slowly, but it began to flourish with Bryan Clauson’s Indianapolis 500 activities, soon followed by Midget and Sprint Week spectaculars, further bolstered by Eldora’s 50th USAC anniversary and Kokomo’s Sprint Car Smackdown, not to mention all those unsanctioned programs paying larger than standard purses. The litany of late season special showings only added to the allure of an extremely exceptional campaign and in choosing my final races wisely, quality over quantity guaranteed that I would conclude my calendar on a high note. A common belief is that you only get one shot at making a first impression but within the short track, open wheel arena, thankfully there are numerous opportunities at making a positive, lasting impression. Such carefully crafted, closing sentiments have a way of sticking to my soul a lot longer and at this juncture, I’m counting on those recollections to last for the next five months. Until then, it’s going to be a long, cold winter, but at least I will have my memories to keep me warm.

Volume 14, Number 18

The Real Thing

Fate, destiny, karma, and luck are terms that are often used interchangeably. You can’t touch, feel, or substantiate the evidence of any of these strange forces. Each one is completely out of our control. And yet, so many of us attribute so much of what happens in our lives to these imaginary items.

All of those principles are too far “out there” for my taste, as the only remotely similar philosophy that I subscribe to is the golden rule. I was brought up to believe that if my actions and intentions are good, then good things will eventually happen to me. Raised to be an obsessive worrywart, eventually I figured out that so many of life’s events cannot be controlled and to this day, I still have to remind myself to be concerned with only those things for which I can impact. Preparing extensively rather than playing the lottery or waiting for good fortune, I’ve always felt like the best way to influence an outcome is through a concerted effort. One of the best representations of racing and business success, Roger Penske said it best when noting, “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.“

Racing has never been a cheap endeavor and despite the amount of money it takes to start up and sustain an effort, the vast majority of wingless sprint car participants can still be categorized as underdog efforts just struggling to stay afloat. Sure, some might have accumulated enough pieces to assemble a backup machine, but only a select few have the financial resources to keep all components fresh and slap on new rubber each time their car hits the track. In order to beat the big dogs, you simply have to be skilled, smart, and work that much harder.

Twenty-four year-old Chase Stockon is a prime example of one of those Davids trying to topple Goliath. Having been a part of the southern Indiana bullring scene since 2003, Stockon’s early years were spent chasing his grandfather’s Midwest Sprint Car Series schedule, honored as the 2003 rookie of the year and 2005 steel block champion. Branching out to produce a Paragon Speedway track championship in 2009, he began dipping his toes into select USAC waters, exhibiting qualifying prowess at late season events in Terre Haute and Rossburg. Claiming runner-up rights in the 2010 MSCS standings, a near USAC victory in New Egypt that same season provided a preview of unlimited possibilities. After experimenting with a wing in 2011, he went full-time with the Speedway, Indiana sanctioning body in 2012 and thanks to support from his family, Terre Haute First National Bank, and Superior Tank and Trailer, he’s been beating down that aforementioned door all season long.

A few weeks after a sterling Indiana Sprint Week performance in which he made every A-main on his own merit, a fantastic summer to celebrate became a gut-wrenching and heartbreaking ordeal, as Chase’s number one supporter, that being his mother Laura, lost her four year battle with ovarian cancer. Bravely competing at Kokomo just five days after her passing and appropriately paying homage by wearing Ovarian Cancer awareness colors, his timely podium finish gave me goose bumps.

Given the circumstances, one would have thought that fate and destiny would have intervened and immediately converted that podium placement into a win. However, this is not NASCAR nonsense and given that I’m a black and white accountant who makes material determinations all day long, it is my belief that Stockon’s persistence and consistently premium performances would have everything to do with the viability of a victory, needing no reliance on any other imaginary forces.

Supporting the proof is in the pudding theory, in the following weeks he was seventh at West Memphis and at his favorite Haubstadt haunt; he surged from seventeenth to second before spinning to a stop. Firing from the front row at the Four Crown, he eventually fell to fourth, but it was a solid effort nonetheless. One week later, preparation intersected with opportunity at Lawrenceburg’s Fall Nationals, ironically on an evening that promoted Breast Cancer Awareness and honored all types of cancer survivors. Given the evening’s theme, was Stockon’s first USAC victory a direct result of fate working its magic? When some potential frontrunners had unfortunate issues arise, was that win a stroke of luck? Or, was it simply a matter of running well all season long and finally being in a position to seize the day? In my mind, that last, concrete explanation holds a lot more weight.

When two of the top six qualifiers (Thomas Meseraull and Tyler Courtney) didn’t make the heat race cut, that left Stockon with his second consecutive outside front row starting spot. Originally sharing the front row with track champion Logan Hupp, while the lineup was taking shape Logan stopped along the back stretch to refasten his steering wheel. Hupp’s hope for his first USAC victory suddenly vanished when he was ordered to the tail for receiving two push starts. That moved the behemoth Tony Stewart Racing entry of Chris Windom into the pole position, as the red, white, and blue number 20 provided an even bigger threat to the greenish-blue 32.

Hupp’s luck might have been horrible, but how about Binghamton, New York’s Coleman Gulick? Winner of five of his last six outings, including one at Lawrenceburg on September 15th, after a four-abreast formation, the Ice Man tested his DRC/Claxton combination one last time through turn one. Finding the track surface the tackiest it had been all night long, the orange 14 tilted on two wheels and slammed to the ground, breaking a fatigued right rear suspension piece and preventing what could have been his first USAC win. Like the chicken and the egg question, did the part break before or after the incident? Could Coleman’s team have identified the faulty piece in their feature preparations? Or, was his first USAC score just not in the cards? To save us from insanity, our own ignorance to these answers is perhaps a blessing in disguise.

As for the battle between Stockon and Windom, only one caution at lap 12 and some pesky lapped traffic confined to a narrow racing groove would keep things close. Able to thread the needle through backmarkers and blast away from his fellow front row mate, Stockon’s setup on his DRC chassis clearly made him the class of the field. Leading all thirty laps for his initial United States Auto Club sprint car triumph, he collected $10,000 for his hard-fought, season-long efforts. For those knowledgeable fans in attendance, it was certainly the feel-good story of the year, awarding the kid a standing ovation as he stood on top of the roll cage and waved the checkered flag in celebration.

Chasing Stockon and Windom to the line was former Fall Nationals winner Damion Gardner, who had Bryan Clauson hot on his heels for the majority of the grind thanks to a souring engine. Manning a Mach 1 chassis, Hunter Schuerenberg surged from eleventh to fifth while the remainder of the top-ten contained Thomas Meseraull, Shane Cottle, Tracy Hines, Kevin Thomas, Jr. (up from 18^th in the Hoffman 69 Triple-X chassis), and Jerry Coons, Jr. (Pollock 21).

Attempting to put into words what this win meant on a cancer awareness evening, Chase explained to Chad Cunningham, “I can’t even tell you (how this feels). It hasn’t even sunk in yet. This is probably one of our worst racetracks and tonight, we showed our improvements. It means a lot that everyone is starting to learn more about the diseases out there. Ovarian cancer is one of the worst killers there is. She (his mom Laura) had a long four and a half years with it. She stayed strong. That’s where we get it from. Just keep plugging away, take it one day at a time, and live every day to its fullest.”

His tenth top-five finish of the USAC season, Stockon continued to comment on the momentous occasion, adding, “It’s awesome! We’ve come so close. It’s just one of those things. We didn’t know what else it would take to get to victory lane. Everything tonight just went perfect.”

Watching the proverbial little man drive away to such a big win, Stockon’s special story further exemplifies this rather appealing aspect of traditional sprint car racing. If you have enough heart, drive, skill, and some decent equipment, you can still humble the giant. How often does that happen in the NASCAR, Indycar, or the World of Outlaws? This being a rhetorical question, we all know that it’s extremely rare.

Aside from the popular winner, it was an otherwise odd night at the Dearborn County 4-H Fairgrounds. Whether it was due to any of those imaginary forces, no one will ever know for sure, but the evening was highlighted by a mysteriously tricky track, a few close calls, some bone-chilling tumbles, and a national championship shuffling.

Not normally known for his qualifying prowess, Coleman Gulick started the unusual proceedings with a scintillating qualifying lap that unseated Bryan Clauson from his number one perch, an awfully rare occurrence in 2012. Gulick biked on the second to last lap of his heat but still had enough time to toss a cutthroat last lap slider on T-Mez to take the final transfer. Riding high on confidence, reality came crashing down when he failed to start the feature after his two-wheeled tilt.

Milan, Indiana’s David Applegate, whose family has ties to Greg Staab’s sprint car efforts, made his initial USAC appearance on Saturday. But, some rather strange encounters made it an outing he’d probably rather forget. Beginning with a crash into the pit entrance after his qualification run, things only got worse when he tank-slapped down the backstretch on the final lap of his heat race, flipping the white number 11. On the bumpy road to sprint car maturity, you’ve got to make some mistakes, no matter how costly or embarrassing.

An uncomfortably close encounter came in heat four when perennial hard charger Daron Clayton began to diamond turn one, got a little out of shape when slicing across the racing groove, and was promptly center-punched by Tracy Hines. Both kept moving but missed heat race transfers, which is par for the course when Lawrenceburg conditions tender traction like this particular evening. But in keeping with the unusual theme, four of the quick six qualifiers were able to convert a heat race run into an A-main berth.

After the modifieds dug up the dirt during their heats, both grip and calamity increased for the sprint car consolation. Sophomore competitor Logan Jarrett attempted to slip between Andrew Elson and Shawn Westerfeld at turn three but met with Elson’s left rear instead, going for a huge ride up the banking where he collided with a helpless Drew Abel. Needing a left rear tire change after his jolt from Jarrett, Elson later explored the cushion above three and four and found a hidden hole, barrel rolling three or four times to bring out another red flag. B-main bashing continued when Chad Boespflug, steering a second Hoffman 69 entry, was involved in a heated confrontation with veteran Todd Kane. Contact chucked Chad into the concrete while exiting corner two, the resulting flip bending his F5 chassis into a banana. As with Logan and Andrew, Chad was also ok.

As far as those national points ramifications, Dave Darland would have to work overtime to protect his lead, as a start from the inside of row eight seemed daunting on such a trying track. Much like Elson’s over the cushion expedition, Dave rode the bike but somehow saved his Jeff Walker 11 from further harm. Dropping like a rock to the rear, he ended a hugely disappointing 19th. Timing a sub-par 24^th, winning his heat from the front row, but beginning 22^nd in the feature, Jon Stanbrough advanced to 11^th fairly early but was unable to make any further gains. Slashing Darland’s lead from 44 to 26 points, Stanbrough’s struggle allowed Bryan Clauson to leap frog to second, only 24 out of first. After missing four races for Indycar and Indy Lights obligations, the ground that Clauson has made up in the last four months has been utterly amazing. These final six races will be nail-biters, anxious to see how it all plays out when the battle resumes this Friday in Terre Haute.

Long before engines were ever fired, my nephew mentioned the hunch he had about a first-time winner landing in Lawrenceburg’s victory lane. His gut told him that C.J. Leary would come away a winner but after his less than stellar timing light tango, the one most likely to uphold his theory appeared to be Coleman Gulick. Gulick, like pole sitter Logan Hupp, spoiled any chance with a pre-feature foul. Leaving my nephew with Chase Stockon as the lone hope for that first-time victor; how is it possible that he was overlooked from the beginning? Such an obvious choice, he’s been knocking on that door for so long that his knuckles might just be embedded with splinters of wood by now.

Some might call it fate since he was able to score his first national win on a cancer awareness night. Given his huge Haubstadt disappointment and what he’s had to endure in the last month and a half, some people might call his triumph good karma. And given the issues encountered by other contenders, some people might be so bold and ignorant as to call it luck. As for me, it’s all about what’s real, concrete, and explainable, as there is nothing artificial or mysterious about preparation, performance, and dedication. Finally being in the right place at the right time to take advantage of a winning opportunity, a humble Chase Stockon is as real as it gets. When you have such glowing qualities in your favor, who needs to rely on all that imaginary stuff to succeed?

Volume 14, Number 17

Quick Change

One minute you’re a hero, the next you’re a zero.

Those were the words of one Doug Wolfgang, perhaps the most humble yet intense sprint car racer of all time who so appropriately expressed the fragility of life as an open wheel warrior. At the snap of a finger, it can all go south in a hurry, so there’s no time to rest on one’s laurels or get comfortable with the surroundings. As one of my old Jimmy Sills shirts used to say: Life is short. Race hard.

Wolfgang’s talents were best showcased on huge half-miles like the Eldora Speedway, as his knack for keeping his car as straight as an arrow and skill for slicing through traffic were talents that few could ever hope to approach. The Big E has always been a showcase of supreme speed, thrilled by its spectacle of slide jobs but also chilled by those horrific flips that only the luckiest would walk away from. In returning for the 31^st annual Four Crown Nationals, my fondest memories of this event have everything to do with the superhuman performances from such masters of multitasking as Larry Rice, Rich Vogler, Steve Butler, Jack Hewitt, Tony Stewart, Dave Darland, J.J. Yeley, Levi Jones, Tracy Hines, and most recently, Kyle Larson. Unfortunately, the Four Crown also conjures up painful memories when even the most capable chauffeurs could not avoid the ever-present danger that lurks with every corner. Like swapping out a set of quick-change rear end gears, the fortunes of Eldora’s participants can change in a heartbeat.

No one has claimed more Four Crown features than Eldora’s favorite son, as Jack Hewitt’s 19 wins are all but insurmountable. But, no matter how much backyard experience he could boast, even Jack could not control the path of a flipping Mike Mann while sailing away to another convincing victory in the 1993 sprint car portion; this coming immediately after he had tallied a thrilling midget main for Mike Streicher.   On top of the world one minute, Hewitt’s career came to a screeching halt when Mann’s car landed on top of his cage and made cockpit contact. Knocked unconscious and needing the next six months to recuperate, it was nearly a year later that he truly regained his previous form, claiming an ounce of redemption with a victory in the 1994 Silver Crown portion of the Four Crown. One of ten scores in this event since that scary scrape, no one will soon forget his magical 1998 four division sweep.

There were so many outstanding young talents in the early 1990s USAC scene, but Page Jones was certainly one of the brightest. Just like the year before with Hewitt, in ’94 Jones was walking away with the Four Crown sprint car feature before blasting the turn three wall. Tumbling down the banking and ominously landing with the opening of his roll cage facing oncoming traffic, unfortunately Dave Darland was in the wrong place at the wrong time and could not avoid contact. In the blink of an eye, Page’s career was over and his life forever altered, having to start all over and relearn the simplest of tasks. Thankfully, he has made huge strides in his miraculous recovery, but this harsh consequence of Eldora’s brutal reality is still a very sad story nonetheless.

Doubling up to score midget and sprint car victories at the 1999 Four Crown, Dave Darland was on his way to a second sprint car national championship in 2001 when he was suddenly swept up in a massive Four Crown pileup in turns one and two. Just like any of the aforementioned incidents, news of Dave’s immediate condition was merely speculation, as so many assumed a worst-case scenario. Wondering if he would live let alone race again, of course those sprint car title hopes had instantly vanished, amazing that he had recovered quick enough to squeeze into a Steve Lewis midget in only a month’s time, holding on to claim the USAC national midget championship later that year. Since that 2001 incident, Darland has added five more Four Crown victories to his resume and is currently leading the national sprint car championship points, so his unfortunate Four Crown outcome could have wound up a lot worse.

A quick change of Eldora’s Four Crown fate also bit Tray House and Chris Windom, both of whom were in the driver’s seat for a national sprint car championship until wall contact impacted the end result. House was in line for the ’94 title until a turn two spill spoiled his season, handing the honor to Doug Kalitta on a silver platter. Inheriting the race lead after Levi Jones suffered a flat tire in 2011, Chris Windom cracked the turn four concrete and flattened his own right rear tire, allowing Jones to recover and retain a point lead that he would never relinquish.

I could go on and on, as I only isolated Four Crown cases, but all of the aforementioned incidents indicate that Lady Luck and Eldora Speedway can be the ultimate, unsympathetic bitch. As a racer, you must always be on guard, as you never know when she’ll snap.

Fast forward to 2012 and this Four Crown chronicle was all about 20 year-old sensation Kyle Larson, whose 2011 sweep sent serious shock waves throughout the community. Never before had anyone visited this vaunted speed plant for the first time and rocked its world like Larson. Par for Kyle’s course in 2011 when he seemed to win anywhere and everywhere on his initial visit, it has been more of the same in 2012; adding asphalt stock cars to an all-conquering agenda. Competing full-time in the NASCAR’s K&N Pro Series East division thanks to its drive for diversity, on Saturday afternoon he narrowly squeezed his second series victory in Loudon, New Hampshire. Rushing to board Tony Stewart’s Eldora express, he missed practice and qualifying for the sprints and midgets, exiting a black SUV just in time to strap into Tony’s Silver Crown car for a few hot laps. Needing virtually no time to get acclimated to a new ride and a new discipline, the Cinderella story continued when his 16.366 second circuit topped that of his teammate Bobby East (16.528). Could another Four Crown miracle be manufactured for a second year in a row?

Aside from a stout sprint car count of 37, midget and Silver Crown accumulations of 17 each made for the smallest Four Crown assembly in its history. Silver Crown car owners have never fully embraced this half-mile event, remembering populations of 25 or so all the way back to the early ‘90s. This year’s all-time low was completely expected, especially with the ugly Ignite ethanol controversy.   As for that midget figure, it’s been this way for the last three years, attracting just 19 in both 2010 and 2011. This is still one of my all-time favorite events, but USAC principals clearly have their work cut out for them if they hope to revive participation levels to previous norms. Perhaps those glory days are over, but I would hope that these sub-par numbers might serve as motivation for some serious change. Unfortunately, things will not correct themselves overnight, so I must patiently watch and wait.

Heavy storms were forecasted on Friday evening for the majority of Indiana, which only meant they would eventually drift into Ohio and wreak havoc on my racing plans. For once, the prognosticators were right on the money and the plug was quickly pulled on the first half of the Four Crown, eliminating the World of Outlaws portion altogether.   Dumping two inches of rain on Darke County, by Saturday afternoon the dirt looked dark and damp on my path to the Love Tunnel, pleased to find a few pit lane surprises in the form of Brady Bacon (sprint and midget), Dave Darland (in a fourth 6R Racing Beast/Toyota Silver Crown and a second Wilke midget), Robert Ballou (in a new MPHG Maxim sprinter and the DePalma/Hampshire 63 crown car) and Mitch Wissmiller (in his own sprint and a third RW Motorsports Beast/Toyota crown car). Thomas Meseraull (Sandy 16 midget and Keen 18 sprint) and Scotty Weir (Gnat 51 sprint) continued their game of musical chairs, as I have lost track on just how many rides each have enjoyed this season. Those who found work in all three divisions numbered six: Darland, Hines, Coons, East, Clauson, and Larson.

Sprint car qualifications were up first and a little past the halfway point of the queue, Bobby East blistered the high-banked bowl with a quick lap of 14.908 seconds, getting it done in a new Beast chassis debuted the previous weekend. Chris Windom (15.039 in the Stewart 20), Bryan Clauson, Weir, Dave Darland, and Damion Gardner completed the quick six while Darren Hagen subbed for Kyle Larson in the Hoffman 69 and clocked tenth. From the sound of it, Weir’s Todd Gnat constructed 396 cubic inch mill was one stout piece.

Driver of Don Fike’s DRC/Esslinger, landslide point leader Darren Hagen was easily the quickest of the 15 midgets that took time at 16.383 seconds, a half second off of Mike Hess’s mark from 2004. Tracy Hines, Clauson, Rico Abreu (his first Eldora appearance), Bacon (in a Spike/Esslinger overseen by Kokomo’s Scott Ronk), and 2010 midget winner Jerry Coons, Jr. (Dooling 63 wrenched by Rusty Kunz) timed second through sixth. Chris Windom (Wilke 11) did not make the call and recent Pepsi Nationals winner Caleb Armstrong took a nasty turn two spill after taking the green. Scaling the cushion, kissing concrete, and folding front end, that sent Armstrong’s Spike snapping into a set of four or five barrel rolls. Needless to say, Caleb was out of commission for the rest of the evening. Hunter Schuerenberg subbed for Larson in the Kunz 67K and his time was good enough for ninth best. With the cushion pushed all the way to the wall after Silver Crown hot laps, their qualifying session was actually entertaining as quick six qualifiers Larson, East, Clauson, Ballou, Hines, and Coons all flirted with the fence.

After extensive surface maintenance and a lowering of the flag for Jimmy Baltes, four tasty sprint heats served as a Four Crown appetizer, catching Coleman Gulick, Chris Windom, Chase Stockon, and Tracy Hines win from first, fourth, fifth, and fifth. Wapakoneta’s Mike Miller went for a wild ride in heat two while Hunter Schuerenberg loaded up early after encountering a serious engine malfunction. Larson had to start from the tail but easily made it to third while Mitch Wissmiller gave the fans a thrill with a humongous slide for life on Kevin Thomas, Jr., wrestling the final transfer on the final lap of heat four.

Even though all cars made the show, both midget heats were actually worth watching as well. In the first one, Meseraull led most of the way in the Sandy 16, overseen by a veteran triumvirate of Sam Isenhower, John Batts, and John Lucas, all outstanding midget chauffeurs back in the day. Won by Brady Bacon, it wasn’t until the last lap that T-Mez fell to fourth as the first five cars could fit under a blanket. Larson made his way from eighth to fourth in one lap but had to settle for fifth. Tracy Hines won the other heat from sixth, with Rico Abreu splattering Toyota remains along the front chute after taking the checkered flag fourth, requiring a thrash from his Keith Kunz Motorsports crew to load a new bullet.

With the abnormally low car count, of course the sprint cars were the only class needing a consolation affair and after Bobby East mysteriously slowed from second, it would be Darland, Ballou, Mike Brecht, Wes McIntyre, Thomas, Steve Irwin, Dallas Hewitt, and Todd Kane joining the 24-car starting lineup. Gas City resident Wesley Gordon looked good in his charge from the rear but fell one spot short.

Back to the original theme of this piece, with the running of the 25-lap midget feature, the Kyle Larson legend was about to be shot into another stratosphere. Outside front row starter Jerry Coons, Jr. seemed prime for another half-mile mauling, opening up a big lead after a lap three caution for second-running Tracy Hines. Beginning ninth and restarting eighth, Larson became the meat in a Hagen/Bacon sandwich but skillfully split the difference and found fourth. Continuing Kyle’s march, he swapped the show position five times with Bobby East while a similar scuffle with Brad Kuhn exchanged second three times. Needing three-quarters of a straightaway to catch Coons at lap 12, in just four laps Larson not only reached the rear bumper of the black 63, but blew past with a turn three slider. Four laps later, he had already amassed a full straight advantage on second but while cruising to the checkered off turn four, his Toyota power plant spilled its guts, coasting across the line as the winner. His fourth Four Crown feature win in a row, “Yung Money” outlasted original pole sitter Brad Kuhn, Coons, East, Hagen, Clauson, Abreu, Bacon, Davey Ray, and Meseraull.

Odd to have so many issues with Toyota engines constructed by separate engine builders, I already mentioned Abreu and Larson’s issues. Hines had problems with his on lap three while Wilke warriors Chris Windom and Dave Darland were tripped with troubles all night long. After pitting three or four times before the green, Darland was unable to start the main while Windom missed time trials and exited the feature early.

Claiming his second win of the day, Kyle told Dustin Jarrett, “I knew I couldn’t waste a lot of time there, starting ninth. Jerry was up front and Tracy was fast before he had his troubles. I had a really good battle with Brady and Hagen and Bryan. There was some good racing going on at the beginning of the race. But once I got to second, I chased down Jerry pretty quick and got by him. The cushion kept getting closer to the wall and I actually hit it a couple of times off of two. I had to keep it off the fence and keep the right rear on it. Toyota gives us great engines and this was my first time ever blowing up with a Toyota. They build a really reliable piece. So, thanks to the whole crew for busting their tail. They worked their butts off on Rico’s car after he blew up in the heat. It was a great run for the team.”

“I got pretty lucky, getting the checkered right there. I had no sign of it blowing up there off of four. Hopefully luck is with me again this year. The sprint car race is going to be really tough. I got really lucky last year, so hopefully I’ll catch some breaks this year and we’ll be talking to you again.”

Four for five overall at Eldora (ruining his record with an April accident), in trying to keep his sterling Four Crown streak Larson would also begin ninth in the thirty lap sprint car contest. With eight-time Eldora sprint car winner and April victor Tracy Hines pushing from the pole, his challenge would indeed be daunting.

Hines led Chase Stockon to turn one and built a fairly big gap in the early laps. Larson was mired in eighth, difficult to discern the engine miss that guest announcer Tony Bokhoven had commented on before the start. Offering a gnarly cushion located a car length off the wall, lap six saw the driver of car 69 bobble at the entry to turn one, stepping over the ledge and bouncing into the concrete with the right front wheel. The impact immediately folded the front end, flipping him once before receiving a wide-open blast by Mitch Wissmiller, who literally had no room or time to maneuver. Connecting the front of Mitch’s roll cage with the right side down tube of Kyle’s chassis, the impact launched Larson into a violent set of gyrations, spewing parts and shooting him all the way to the exit of the second corner.   With everyone trying to avoid the mess, surprisingly just one more car inverted; that belonging to Eldora vet Mike Brecht. Instantly reminding me of Brad Doty’s crash from the 1988 Kings Royal that left him paralyzed, after a long, silent wait, thankfully the phenom was able to unbuckle and walk to the ambulance, a much more fortunate outcome than the aforementioned ordeals of Hewitt, Jones, and Darland.

All affected drivers were beaten and battered, thankful that no life-altering injuries were incurred. But once again, Eldora’s cruel hand of fate intervened and reminded of the hazards. One minute, my thoughts were of Kyle duplicating his Four Crown sweep, possibly claiming an elusive four wins in one day. The next minute, those thoughts quickly changed to larger-scale concerns.

Naturally, the place where Wissmiller’s Maxim chassis made contact left a serious impression and most certainly, credit must be given to the constructor of Larson’s Chalk Chassis, as Tom Chalk’s number one concern when entering the chassis building business was driver safety. If you haven’t already seen the video, have a look at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvLUixFNSNg. It still gives me goose bumps over one week later.

With all of that drama, there was still a feature to be run, as Hines headed Stockon, Weir, Clauson and Darland. Dave immediately dove beneath Bryan and Scotty to take third, needing three separate sliders over seven laps to squeeze second from Stockon. Restarting ninth, second place points man Jon Stanbrough started strutting his stuff, gaining some big bite through the middle of turn two’s exit thanks to all that rain that had run down the bank the previous night. Picking off cars one by one, Jon advanced to third just past the halfway mark.

At the midpoint, Hines had nearly a full straight advantage on Darland but in seven more circuits, the Lincoln legend sliced that lead in half. With seven laps left, red lights were lit when aggressive Eldora rookie A.J. Hopkins spilled Roy Jackson’s Chalk in turn four. Exiting the wreckage under his own power, A.J. was awfully exciting in his heat and feature, hoping he’ll be back to give it another go the next time around.

The perfect opportunity for Stanbrough to complete his march to the front, unfortunately the flat left rear tire on his Leer Racing DRC ruined any opportunity for a win and tarnished championship hopes. One minute you’re an Eldora hero and the next, you’re a zero.

Now directed by Brian Cripe, rookie C.J. Leary had suddenly elevated to fourth from his 15^th starting spot, but all eyes were on Hines and Darland, wondering if in the last seven laps an April switcheroo would be served. Five months ago, Hines stunned Darland with a last lap slider to steal a win and despite blasting the backstretch wall; Dave kept it close and waited until the white flag to make his move. Sliding from bottom to top through one and two, like Windy McDonald from Manzanita Speedway used to say, he didn’t have quite enough mustard on the hot dog to get it done, pulling back and preserving his national point lead. That sealed the ninth Eldora sprint car feature win for Hines, the 43^rd of his career with the United States Auto Club, now fourth on the all-time list.

Chris Windom trailed the veteran tandem with Chase Stockon and Bryan Clauson collecting crucial top-fives. Leary, Ballou, Bacon, McIntyre (up 15 spots from last), and Scotty Weir secured sixth through tenth. By virtue of the Stanbrough’s tire trouble, Darland’s lead was now 44 points. However, even after missing four races earlier this year due to Indy 500 and Indy Lights commitments, Clauson has been quickly closing in, just 64 points out.

In talking with Tony Bokhoven about his third Four Crown sprint car score, Hines said, “I’m just excited for everybody on this MP crew. I knew Dave was behind me and I remembered at the beginning of the year when I passed him on the last lap. I was kind of expecting that slide job. I felt like I was really good through three and four and when he tried it in one and two, I said thank you, because I knew what line I was going to run in the next corner. I’m just excited. I’ve got to thank everybody. That’s a fresh Stanton engine we put in and it ran pretty nice.”

Hearing a report that Kyle Larson was preparing for the 50-lap Silver Crown feature, that statement was soon rectified after the kid came to his senses, deciding to sit it out despite a golden opportunity to propel from the pole. Thus moving Bryan Clauson (RW Motorsports 17) to the hot seat, it would be Larson’s teammate Bobby East who would attack turn one first in the TSR double deuce. A quick caution for Dave Darland made it an early evening for the four-time Silver Crown Four Crown winner, failing to capitalize on 6R Racing’s strategy to generate maximum points for their number 19. As it turned out, that would be the only slowdown in the 25-mile contest.

Restarting second, The Bullet needed five laps to take a shot at The Beast. Consistently serving sliders at turns one and three, it was his fifth effort that finally procured P1, building a big lead by lap 17. 2007 Silver Crown winner Jerry Coons, Jr. snatched second at lap 14, with Robert Ballou sniffing Beast blood in the water, immediately going after third. Back and forth with Bobby for a brief bit, the familiar white number 63 (a machine that actually won this race in 1994) fetched the show position, immediately setting his sights on the 2008 series champ. Climbing the cushion in turn one at lap 32, Robert lost significant ground, requiring a dozen tours to make another bid for second. Battling back and forth with Jerry, it was too little, too late, as Clauson was clearly in his own area code against the fence.

Untouched for the final 40 laps, Bryan secured his second Four Crown win, beating relative series newcomer Ballou, Coons, East, and three-time Silver Crown king Bud Kaeding. 2000 series champ Tracy Hines took sixth, the last car on the lead lap. Brian Tyler, Shane Hollingsworth, Kody Swanson, and Tanner Swanson were scored seventh through tenth. With only one race remaining at Terre Haute on Saturday, October 13^th, points are still extremely tight, as East leads Coons by six and Kody Swanson by 11.

After his second Four Crown victory, Clauson commented, “I got a little lucky with Kyle not running but I’m glad he’s alright. That looked like a nasty hit. I can’t say enough about these guys behind me. That racecar was on a rail. As much as we come here, I never thought that my only two wins here would be in the Silver Crown series. We just got out front there and cruised. I did 49 pretty good over in one and two but there was one lap I threw the front end over. I guess that’s not that bad but like I said, Mike Dutcher and all these boys on this RW Motorsports car made it easy to drive. We were able to work the middle there on Bobby. I thought when he got out front on the start that it was going to be hard to get by him but we were able to work the middle, get by him, and get back to where we needed to be.”

Attending the majority of these 31 Four Crown Nationals at Eldora Speedway, history has proven that even the best can be humbled by the Big E. Whether a driver was looking for another big score or was on a path to a season-long championship, these extremely temperamental high banks do not seem to care about the circumstances, as they can reach out and bite at any moment’s notice. Just ask guys like Hewitt, Jones, Darland, House, Windom, Stanbrough and now Larson at how quickly fortunes can change. Savoring the thrill of victory one moment only to swallow the bitter agony of defeat shortly thereafter, as Eldora expert Doug Wolfgang used to say, “One minute you’re a hero, and the next, you’re a zero.” Coming from the always candid Wolfgang, he couldn’t paint a more accurate picture of a racer’s plight.

Volume 14, Number 16

Experienced

Soon to be in the job market for the first time since I graduated from college, this time around it’s a completely different ballgame. Once an extremely sheltered student looking to find my way in this world, perhaps I am a bit more cynical, but I’m certainly a lot more confident and street savvy, able to understand the big picture and read people much more effectively. Armed with all kinds of knowledge gained from my eighteen-plus years of active employment, that’s the benefit of experience and the hope is that it will play a huge role in helping me land a solid position elsewhere.

With few exceptions, experience also has a habit of playing a huge role in the outcome of cutthroat sprint car contests, as there really is no such thing as beginner’s luck.   When conditions allow, an extra dose of youthful exuberance or some added muscle underneath the hood might aid the cause of the younger set, but for the most part, there is no substitute for seat time and a skilled mechanic who can read a racetrack and turn wrenches to find traction.

Some might wish to disprove my theory by pointing to Kyle Larson’s incredible last two seasons of lighting up the scoreboard with victory after victory at countless new arenas in countless new combinations, but what many forget is that he had already accumulated a handful of years of open wheel experience in high-horsepowered equipment, hooked up with some of the best in the business.

Even though the calendar still swears that it is summer, the sudden onset of cooler evenings and larger-scale, season-ending events signal that the Indiana sprint car conclusion is within sight. Since 2009, the middle of September has been punctuated by a potent one-two punch from the Midwest Sprint Car Series, attracting competitors to Bloomington and Haubstadt with sizeable $5,000 and $10,000 to win sums. Appropriately labeled as the Fall Clash and the Haubstadt Hustler, the Saturday stop has shared a USAC co-sanction the last two years. In order to cart away those pots of gold, it was going to take a whole lot of experience and an even bigger batch of bravado, especially at the second half of the weekend double.

It’s hard to imagine just how quickly the last eight seasons have expired, as I can vividly recall California transplant Bryan Clauson operating a 410 cubic inch sprint car at Bloomington Speedway for the first time in 2004. Sure, he’d gotten his feet wet and performed admirably a number of times with a smaller cubed power plant the season before at Kokomo, but this was like releasing a rabbit in a lion’s cage.   Due to Bryan’s age (about to turn 15 in June of that year), his options for expanding a sprint car education were limited. Demanding patience, finesse, and most importantly, car control; the tight confines of Bloomington Speedway was his primary Friday night assignment for his first semester. Competing with and learning from veterans like Kevin Briscoe and Dickie Gaines, he was a factor right out of the box, cementing a foundation for a bright future.   Eventually finding victory lane six times at several different speedways, he would wind up second in Bloomington points to Professor Briscoe, garnering rookie of the year rights.

Now 23 years of age, Clauson has experienced nearly everything in the motorsports spectrum. Surviving two nasty accidents, one of which broke his neck, he bounced back from those injuries and advanced to NASCAR’s Nationwide Series in a hurry. Despite showing extremely well, including an eye-opening sixth at the 2008 season opener at Daytona, halfway through the season he was forced to share and eventually relinquish his Chip Ganassi seat because of sponsorship concerns. Returning to the short track scene full-time in 2009, it was as if he had never left, only improving with age. Accumulating countless victories, two USAC national midget titles, and a pair of all-important National Driver Championships, the last one landed him an Indy Lights ride and an opportunity to compete in the 2012 Indianapolis 500, something that could never have been envisioned when he burst onto the Bloomington scene in ‘04. However, since that initial sprint car campaign, only twice had he claimed victory at his former stomping grounds: June 23^rd of 2006 and July 17^th of 2009.

That all changed on September 14^th of 2012. Aside from Dave Darland, he’s been the hottest driver in the last three months. The Bullet has certainly been firing on all cylinders; nailing nine sprint scores prior to Bloomington’s season finale. His Friday night domination of a 39 car field made it a perfect ten, easily outdistancing the shoestring effort of Robert Ballou (towing his own 12 on an open trailer) and the normally unflappable boy wonder better known as Kyle Larson (Fox 53). Fresh from his second Gold Cup score in a row, Kyle made it all the way to second but had trouble with a push through corners three and four in the last few laps. Requiring a sweatshirt and winter vest to stay warm, track conditions were tacky from top to bottom and stayed that way from start to finish, a credit to Danny Roberts and his track crew, having wet weather to deal with in the preceding days.

Surging from ninth to third in his heat, the stars must have been in alignment as BC pulled the feature pole position pill after the top six in passing points redrew for the first three rows. After a failed first start for a Chase Briscoe off-course excursion, outside front row starter Robert Ballou used the turn two cushion to bolt to an immediate advantage, strapped into the same ex-Lucas Wolfe U-Max II chassis with which he took two Gas City features in August. Operating through the middle and making a perfect circle, the silky-smooth line allowed Bryan to reel in Robert, making a successful low-side lunge through turn four on the sixth circuit. Kept honest with a Chris Windom (Tony Stewart 20) caution at lap eight, Clauson masterfully negotiated traffic to construct a sizeable margin until Danny Holtsclaw/Kyle Cummins calamity illuminated amber bulbs with 11 to go.   After that, the black 7 was never seriously challenged, bagging the big Bloomington bounty – par for the sprint car course for the last two months.

Scored fourth was Brent Beauchamp, who had yet another solid Bloomington outing against stiff competition. Beginning tenth and living the high life, within the first ten laps he advanced all the way to third. What looked like a slowly deflating right rear tire cost him another podium, but it was a great effort from the 2012 Lincoln Park lord. Jon Stanbrough worked hard for his fifth place money after starting 12^th, surviving a scare after scaling a wheel belonging to fourth heat winner Ethan Barrow. Jerry Coons, Jr. was sixth from 13^th in the Phillips 71 while Damion Gardner and Casey Shuman (McGhee 17) came all the way from 19^th and 20^th to seize 7^th and 8^th. This was quite an impressive feat for Casey after he fell from his heat and had to start last in one of two B-mains, knifing through competitors like they were butter.   Fifty year-old Kent Christian (Hurst 70) and Shane Cottle rounded out the top-ten at the 10:41 PM checkered flag and by virtue of his 11^th place finish, Brady Short solidified his third track championship, two in a row for the Bedford native.

Afterwards, the winner told Pat Sullivan, “This is awesome. This is a place we don’t come to very often anymore. We only get here for the special shows. It’s a place I grew up at and it always feels good running here. It felt good to get a win for these guys behind me. They’ve given me phenomenal racecars all year long. Tonight, this really isn’t our forte, as it goes. It was a little bit heavy for us. But, we were able to get the thing hooked up and get this thing out front.   I was a little worried there when we started struggling in three and four late. I knew if anybody was going to be pounding the top; it was going to be Robert. I just tried to make as many good laps as I could, glad that it wasn’t forty.”

Early evening incidents eliminated some notable names, the first being Kevin Thomas, Jr., who punched a hole through the bottom end of his Jeff Claxton engine. In order to vie for tomorrow’s ten grand, KT would have to install a less potent loaner. After an odd start to heat race four, pole man Dickie Gaines was swept up in a turn one incident with UNC Charlotte mechanical engineering student Andrew Elson and Ethan Barrow. Clipping a wheel and scaling the bank, miraculously the Pedersen 71 did not go over, pirouetting all the way to the guardrail that protected the parking lot. Towed on an open trailer built in the 1950s by A.J. Watson’s father, the thrash to enact repairs required a lot of flashlights and some old school ingenuity, as engine builder and family patriarch Red Pedersen tried to straighten bent Jacob’s ladder straps with a hammer. But, after a bent driveline was discovered, the white flag was waved and the machine was loaded up. Speared by a Brian Karraker wheel in the B-main, Jonathan Hendrick took a nasty spill in his two-race old Spike, junking a laundry list of pricey pieces.   After exiting the wreckage unscathed, Hendrick was scooped up by Robert Ballou and transported to the front stretch, where a conversation was conducted with BK. I would have to guess that the two of them were not discussing post-race dinner plans.

Thus ending the first season that Bloomington Speedway activities were conducted under a completely new regime in some 26 years, it was a daunting challenge for leader Danny Roberts and his staff to take the reins from Mike and Judy Miles. After a brief transition of responsibilities, Roberts dove head-first into the endeavor, rolling up his sleeves to find out just how much time and effort was required to make this a weekly reality. It wasn’t an easy task and it involved a lot of trial and error, but at the end of the day, it was a required learning experience that will hopefully improve the product and preserve the history of this speed plant for years to come.   Thankful that Danny and his team were available to jump in at such a short notice and agreeable to invest so much to continue a long-standing tradition; I anxiously await the coming months to find out what’s in store for the track’s 90 year anniversary in 2013.

Saturday September 15^th

Saturday was only my second trip to the southwest corner of the Hoosier state for 2012 and the experience of traveling to this far-reaching destination is often times as equally rewarding as the reason for the trip itself. As usual, my nephew and I wandered Indiana via state roads 67 and 57, following the path of the White River while passing through peaceful towns like Paragon, Gosport, Spencer, Freedom, Worthington, Newberry (where the four-door, turquoise ’56 Chevy still sits), Elnora, and Plainville. Somewhat disconcerting was the sight of continued interstate 69 construction just east of Elnora, instantly agreeing that once the four lane superhighway is complete, the entertaining two-lanes will remain our preferred path, at least during daylight hours. About fifteen minutes past the odiferous oil wells of Plainville, a stop was required at Mason’s Root Beer Stand in Washington, Indiana, home to four Indiana Mister Basketballs since 1979. Going for a foot-long coney dog cut in half (covered in the best coney sauce known to mankind), I also enjoyed extra-crispy onion rings, washing it down with a root beer float. Happy to see that they keep adjusting the sign for their number of seasons celebrated since 1951, it’s too bad I only found out about this place last year, as this could have been a long-standing tradition by now.

West on 50 to the circuitous 241, I was more than happy to step on the gas, go through the gears, and clip a few apexes on this awesome avenue. Slowing slightly for the tiny town of Iona that proudly advertises a scant population of 20 and strictly prohibits trucker Jake braking, while approaching Decker the sight of a lengthy CSX freight train forced me to pick up the pace, only to find out that it had slipped into a siding on the busy Evansville to Chicago mainline.   But before crossing the tracks I looked to the left and noticed a fading Pepsi sign promoting Larry’s Tavern, the first time to see this as I’m always looking to my right at the old brick high school.   Doing a little research and reading about Larry’s legendary fish sandwiches, if this place has its own Facebook page, perhaps it’s worth a try on the next trip down (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Larrys-Tavern/161476767196727).

Needing just thirty more minutes on the rather pedestrian US 41 to arrive at the second half of the smashing double dip, this fifth running of the Haubstadt Hustler, now 40 laps instead of 50, still pays an awe-inspiring ten grand to the winner despite dwindling car counts.   Experience shows that more money doesn’t equal more participation, but it can lead to an increase in feverish activity. I doubt that the racers needed another reason to get their elbows up at this joint, but this reward for being number one was just as good as any other.

That same experience that guarantees Tri-State intensity generates mouth-watering by-products of aggressiveness and insanity. And yet, when tallying Tri-State triumphs from 2006 through 2012, the smooth style of veteran Jon Stanbrough has actually amassed the most scores of all (11). Jon’s Silent Gasser nickname characterizes his quick and quiet attack, efficiently getting the job done without a lot of commotion.   On the other side of the spectrum is Daron Clayton. Loudly and spectacularly reeling off 7 wins from 2005 through 2008, his win-it or wear-it approach certainly makes him a fan favorite, but in earning that reputation enormous amounts of equipment has been tossed in the scrap heap, effectively limiting his appearances over the last several seasons. Unable to afford a new chassis every other week, he has accepted his status as a low-budget racer. I recall an initial southern Indiana outing for the yellow 92 around Labor Day of 2002 and like a calm before the storm, Daron’s first few visits were fairly tame, a far cry from that ’05 through ’08 era.

Leading Robert Ballou by a scant few MSCS points and trailing Dave Darland by 15 markers for USAC’s national sprint title, of course Stanbrough was in the house. And, thanks to some financial assistance from a generous Dan Clifton, Clayton’s Ray Morgan Motorsports Spike chassis was repaired after its Kokomo clobbering, allowing the Modern Day Cowboy a shot at the big money. Jon and Daron were joined by a star-studded field of 29 others, including Thomas Meseraull, who enjoyed a second showing in the Hoffman 69 (this time in a four-bar Triple X chassis rather than a coil-front Chalk). Both Kenny Baldwin fives were present, with Wes McIntyre wheeling a pristine white machine while Californian Ryan Bernal, assisted by Mark Batcheldor and Robbie Rice, was wearing more familiar orange livery.

Although Stanbrough had a rare off-night, almost going a lap down in the feature only to finally find the handle and rally back to a top-ten finish, you could have turned the clock back to 2006 and I would not have noticed. Of course, the driver of a yellow 92 was performing the unthinkable, reminding me of a Saturday night of Labor Day weekend when in another MSCS/USAC co-sanction, Clayton flew from 14^th to the lead in just 22 laps, scoring his first-ever USAC victory.

For those who had no idea how this evening evolved, words simply can’t describe the drama and energy that took place in the forty lap feature. You just had to be there to experience it first-hand. Unable to get his engine to effectively operate for hot laps or his heat race, Daron just barely made the last call for B-main cars. With no laps whatsoever, Clayton easily climbed from 15^th to second, so similar to his 15^th to 6^th B-feature barrage back in July. Wes McIntyre used a last turn, last lap pass to steal the final feature pass from Kurt Gross, who was one spot ahead of hometown hero Kyle Cummins, a winner on June 30^th who is normally on top of his Haubstadt game.

Awarding fourth and first heat winners Hunter Schuerenberg and Chris Windom front row seats, third heat winner Meseraull and last night’s winner Clauson commenced from row two while Larson and Shane Cottle came from row three. With that much talent up front, when Ryne Meece asked for my feature prediction and wildly suggested a Clayton win from 18^th, despite experiencing such a similar sprint in 2006, even I scoffed at the notion, fully expecting another crushing by Clauson.

Immediately crossed up at the start, Daron dropped to the rear as Hunter Schuerenberg shot to an instant advantage, building a big lead by lap five. Chasing Schuerenberg into thick traffic was Larson, who had only one Tri-State attempt on his resume and relied on an expert setup from Steve and Brad Fox, who previously hauled home all that Haubstadt cash with Jon Stanbrough. One fourth of the way through, Hunter and Kyle swapped the premiere position several times, with Larson officially leading laps 12-14. After a massive Meseraull bike ride in turn three and a Short spin in two (aided by Clayton), hot and heavy action resumed, with car 35 shooting underneath car 53 through the south bend on circuit 15. Opening 17^th after claiming the consy, Sullivan’s Chase Stockon had already advanced to seventh at the lap 13 caution, continuing to climb the ladder after finagling fourth from Windom. One lap past the crossed flags, a flat left rear for Shane Cottle restacked the deck, which suddenly saw Clayton sitting in eighth. Like a running back breaking a tackle on a long run to the end zone, could he go all the way?

Five laps after going green, Larson was back up front thanks to a big bite off the bottom of turns one and two. Meanwhile, the yellow submarine was making some more big moves, as Clayton cruised past Windom, Clauson, and Darland in one fell swoop to fifth. Employing that same unique line as 2006 where he backs it into the corner early, Clayton’s many years of hard-driving experience on this same soil allows him to straighten the tight turns as soon as he can and rocket down the straights, drag racing to the next corner. With ten laps left, Daron’s signature move allowed him to blow by Ballou to fourth, soon engaged in a seesaw scrum for third with Schuerenberg. In the waning stages, second and third place runners Stockon and Clayton had surged all the way from 17^th and 18^th, respectively, but did they have an answer for “Young Money”?

Unfortunately, Chase did not after surprisingly spinning in turn four, center-punched by Hunter and setting up a highly-anticipated nine lap dash that had the crowd whipped into a frenzy. Unfazed by Ballou’s animated finger pointing under caution, Clayton worked the middle lane and kept pace with the Earnhardt-Ganassi development driver, whose slamming of the turn two cushion allowed the Modern Day Cowboy to snatch the lead on lap 33. Kyle immediately countered in corner two, dramatically touching wheels on the back chute. Clayton could cut underneath in the fourth turn and altered his attack by climbing upstairs, but yet again he was chopped when steering wheels were unwound. Bending it into three early, Daron willed his way to first through turn four but of course the California kid cane back with a timely slider in two. With so much money on the line, would you expect his feisty counterpart to surrender? Not a chance, as Clayton immediately fired back with a classic slip and slide, dip and dive crossover that’s oh-so-common to this sacred spot of earth.

With the crowd literally going nuts, Kyle could not return the favor in turns four or two but Daron’s front end plow kept it close. Continuing to pinch the corners early, Missouri’s most noted madman slid too far sideways in three and killed momentum. In doing so, Larson smelled blood in the water and made a bonsai attack of turn one. Cutting the infield and clipping the marker tires, after bouncing several times, Kyle somehow kept his DRC chassis upright, allowing for one final burst. Attempting a similar turn one attack on the last lap, he could not contain Clayton, with the crowed erupting over the roar of the engines as that familiar car and driver combo crossed underneath the checkered flag first. Larson, Ballou (MPHG 81 Triple X), Darland, and Windom collected crucial top-fives with Gardner (up 15 spots), Thomas, Stanbrough, Briscoe, and Stockon scored sixth through tenth.

Afterwards, Daron slowly circled the speedway, multitasking by unbelting, standing up in his seat, and pumping his fists as he somehow steered his machine to victory lane. While the winner was climbing through the cage to salute his supporters, Robert Ballou latched on to the bottom of Clayton’s helmet, gave it a yank or two, and offered a few words of advisement. Offering some chocolate and strawberry in an otherwise vanilla world, right or wrong, Robert always keeps it interesting and entertaining.

Hearing the loudest chorus of boos in my life as apparently no one messes with one of Haubstadt’s favorite sons, a very candid Ballou told Jason Adams, “It sounds like a Dale Earnhardt crowd. I went down and told him ‘good job’ but told him that he didn’t need to run into the back of me. He clearly had the fastest car on the racetrack. Nobody had anything for him tonight. But he got into the back of me on the front straightaway. I just went down and told him ‘great race’ and he didn’t like it. He did a helluva job. Nobody had anything for him. But you know, this is the Modern Day Cowboy’s racetrack ninety percent of the time. There’s no hard feelings but there’s no sense in running into the back of somebody.”

Robert continued: “This was a good way to rebound the MPHG Promotions, Dallas Mulvaney and Jim Plew owned car. We’ve had a rough go the last month or so and destroyed everything we had and this is the only motor we’ve got. We’re just trying to get these things put back together, hopefully for next weekend where it’s more of my kind of racetrack. He’ll be in my basketball court. We’ve built a local car for this year and we’ve almost hit every show here. Tonight it paid off. We went back to some of our old notes and the track’s changed this year. Tommy’s put some new dirt down and it’s a heck of a racetrack. There’s a couple of promoters in the pit area tonight that were complaining about all the track prep work but obviously it put on a good show for the fans – two and three wide racing and slide jobs back and forth. Nobody can complain. If they do, they ought to say it to his face and see what really happens. Hopefully we put on a good enough show for you fans.”

Ballou closed by commenting: “I’ve got to thank Carey Akin of Manvel Motorsports for helping us keep our operation together. And, Derrick Bye, who works seven days a week. He’s running on no sleep and so am I. We’re going to go to Waynesfield tomorrow, as long as everything goes good on the way home and we don’t die.”

A calm and collected Larson recapped his second appearance at The Class Track, surmising, “I ran the Hut Hundred here in the midget and it was no good. I was not expecting to be up here on the front stretch tonight but the Fox Brothers gave me a great car again. You know, I could see all you fans up there cheering under yellow and I was like, ‘Aw great, Daron’s probably right behind me.’ So, I knew he was there and gave it all I had those last few laps. That was a lot of fun racing with Daron there. I was a lot better in three and four than one and two, where he was really good. We were probably the second best car here tonight and to finish second is not bad. It was a heckuva job by Daron. That was pretty crazy, starting 18^th and getting the win. Just good job to him and we’ll be in Waynesfield tomorrow night. Hopefully we can finish one spot ahead. Every time I’ve run this car, we’ve been finishing better. We’ve only got one spot left and that’s a win.”

Moving to the smiling and relieved winner, Clayton addressed the thunderous crowd by stating, “(This year) it’s been a struggle. When I came down here, it was win or bust. We didn’t even get a hot lap session. They yelled at me for cutting two hot laps earlier, but I just had to do it, you know! I had a couple of issues with the motor that we straightened out. Once we got that going, I didn’t know what to do for the setup, so I just did what I always do and it worked out pretty good. It was one hell of a race. I know that I earned every dollar I got tonight, for sure. Traffic was thick and I got into a few guys. My apologies go out to Short for spinning him out. That was a bad deal on my part and bumping wheels with some guys. But, when you’re chasing ten thousand dollars, if I didn’t win tonight, I wasn’t going to race anymore. So, I was out here to get the ten grand and I’ll be back racing again. That’s what it’s all about.”

A thrilling memory that I will not soon forget, I agree with Daron’s assessment. This IS what it is all about. Witnessing an underdog effort overcome some serious adversity to drive from deep in the field to an improbable victory, this is exactly why I enjoy traditional sprint car racing, as this tends to happen quite a bit more than with the upper-echelon World of Outlaws. With the crowd amped up and adding even more energy to an already incredible evening, the enthusiasm and excitement of such a special performance made the long drive home a breeze. This is the type of experience that just keeps me coming back for more.

Slicing through the field like a Sikeston saw blade just as he would have from 2005 through 2008, previous experience dictates that Clayton could get the job done from 18th, especially at this speedway where his driving style is so aptly suited. Thus, I have no idea why I would have doubted that it could be done again, as he’s the absolute master of the impossible.

Been there, done that, when you’ve been bounced around this sport as much as Bryan Clauson and Daron Clayton have, the ability to reel off an incredible string of high-profile victories or find a way to triumph when the odds are completely stacked against you, these are some measurable benefits of experience. Fully accustomed to chasing sprint cars across the Midwest for the majority of my existence, just when I think that I have seen it all, the unpredictability of this sport finds a way to excite and amaze me, entertained with the experience of a lifetime again and again. For those new to the sport, if you were in attendance at Haubstadt or at any of the other races that I’ve recounted in this incredible campaign, if you are not already addicted, I fully expect that you will be. That’s what experience says, at least.

Volume 14, Number 15

The Big Picture

Live for yourself, there’s no one else more worth living for.

Words from “Anthem”, the first track on Rush’s 1975 album Fly By Night, such a philosophy sounds awfully selfish, does it not?

Applying this doctrine to Indiana dirt tracks, aside from Gas City and Bloomington few if any promoters/operators prefer to work with one another when scheduling their larger dates, instead obeying that aforementioned lyric penned some 37 years ago by The Professor himself, Neil Peart, a man who is extremely well-read in so many subjects. Peart turns the big 6-0 on September 12^th, one day before I have the privilege of soaking in the sounds coming from his awe-inspiring drum kit at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, performing behind fellow masters of multi-tasking Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee. As you can imagine, I am counting the days and hours until they appear on stage.

Recovering from my Rush tangent and getting back to the discussion of Indiana short-track selfishness, as has been the case for the last decade; Saturday nights slice the sprint car pie awfully thin, with Paragon, Putnamville, and Lawrenceburg in the regular rotation. Haubstadt and Plymouth also offer occasional options while Waynesfield, Ohio and Flora, Illinois also compete for the same sect of wingless warriors.   All too often, it seems that larger paying Saturday night shows are in direct competition with one another, as these hungry promoters attempt to offer the best program possible in order to gain the most green. Looking strictly at one’s bottom line, whoever gets the most fans and cars wins, right? Or, could it be that such a short-sighted approach will only weed out the weaker tracks and eventually lead to the sport’s ultimate erosion?

Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinions, and mine is that over the last decade, there has been a lack of big picture thinking in the local Indiana sprint car scene. Simply put, the majority of those operators live for themselves, each one struggling to stay afloat. The competitors are equally at fault, unsupportive of numerous higher paying shows yet often complaining that the regular programs don’t pay enough. And lately, the fans are just as guilty, begging for live internet updates when they should be traveling to the event and purchasing a ticket, some using message boards to spew all kinds of negativity. As a result of these concerns, I worry that one day our choices will become extremely limited or even worse, none of this will exist. Speaking selfishly, then what will I do with my time?

Like with everything else in life, there are exceptions. If one of the Indiana Sprint Week tracks has an opportunity to host an additional regular program during July’s nine day festival, they will either go dark or offer something other than sprint cars. Of course, the threat of losing a Sprint Week date is the danger of scheduling against this premiere offering, not a wise move when reviewing annual revenues. I could be wrong, but I believe a similar warning was given to those same facilities if they chose to go head to head with the first running of the Sprint Car Smackdown, a monumental collaboration between USAC and Kokomo Speedway’s O’Connor family. Formally announced last October, two standard evenings of $5,000 to win/$500 to start features would precede the $10,000 to win and $1,000 to start finale. Big picture thinking at its finest, the goal was to generate a buzz for this traditional brand of sprint car competition and create a signature event similar to the Knoxville Nationals and Kings Royal, two of the biggest in the winged world. Indiana Sprint Week is certainly the most significant happening in the wingless community, but it’s a series within a series that spans one and a half weeks. Although the Perris Oval Nationals and Oskaloosa’s Ultimate Challenge are significant in stature, with so much opportunity for excitement concentrated into three days, the Smackdown has effectively trumped both; most notably because it is held in the non-winged capital of the world where travel costs for local participants is a non-factor.

Conducted on a Thursday, Friday, and Saturday when Indiana sprint car action is normally in a serious lull, for the most part each Friday and Saturday night track in the area willingly cooperated by keeping sprint cars off their schedule. Not having to abide by the mandate, Paragon (with 47 cars), Flora (with 20), and Waynesfield (with 40) all prospered with their programs, perhaps their biggest counts of the season. Catering to those who would not normally appear for a USAC union, such healthy participation highlights the fact that the sprint car population is filled with more low-dollar racers than high rollers, as the costs to compete at the top level certainly have become prohibitive.

Thursday 8/23

Looking at my own big picture, if there was ever a time when I needed a break from reality, that time was now, with this event serving as the ultimate oasis. Since last October, it goes without saying that I had anticipated these three days just as much as any other on the racing calendar. Unfortunately, my enthusiasm for anything and everything was curbed with the recent news of my eventual employment status. Forgetting about all of the negativity as I turned right on Davis Road, by 5:30 PM on Thursday, Kokomo Speedway’s adjoining south lot was elbow to elbow with campers and motorhomes, said to be ripe with atmosphere as early as Tuesday or Wednesday evening.

Finding available parking north of the pits, after passing through the pearly gates I immediately encountered Brent Goodnight, a Kokomo Speedway ambassador who has worked countless hours outside of his normal job to arrange deals for racing folk who patronize local businesses. Designing a Dave Darland autograph session at Martino’s Italian Restaurant during the Friday lunch hour and a special Saturday showing at Buffalo Wild Wings by Robert Ballou and Jerry Coons, Jr., these were two examples of Brent’s big picture thinking, with every hotel in the city offering deals for racers all throughout the season. By Thursday afternoon, “Goody” was like a kid on Christmas morning, recognizing that such a promotion was the culmination of a vision he shared with former track operator Kent Evans (1995-1999), who traveled from his Kentucky home to sample the Smackdown. In speaking with Evans after night number two, back in those mid-to-late 1990s, Kent said that he often prodded USAC brass (Gary Sokola and Jason Smith) about the need for such a signature event. Back then, the response was always this: “It will never work.” Now a senior Vice President of Racing Operations, Smith is still with USAC, spending most of his time with the Traxxas Torc Off-Road Series but his buddy Jason McCord (Competition Director) was the one to initially run the idea past Kokomo’s Reece O’Connor, who quickly jumped on board. If that population of campers was any indication, Sprint Car Smackdown 1 was definitely going to work.

Hoping for more than the 44 cars in attendance, perhaps there should have been more, but the supporting group was par for the course in the 2012 USAC campaign. Much like Evans and Goodnight dreamed of such big things for their beloved speedway, my vision for this event consists of unlimited support through the front and back gates, much like Eldora’s Mopar Million of 2003. Saturday B-main cars earned at least $150, but how many of those little guys would be here if they could earn $500 no matter how they performed? Such a big nut would require corporate sponsorship, as the limit on K-town seating makes it difficult to achieve an even larger purse. But, a man can dream of an even bigger picture, can he not?

In the days leading up to the Smackdown, it was interesting to learn of the new car/driver/crew chief combinations that were exclusively created for this race only. Perhaps the biggest shocker was that Kyle Larson would be teaming with Brad and Steve Fox, leaving Abreu Vineyards sprint car crew members Davey Jones and Chuck Gurney, Jr. to their own devices. It didn’t take long for this dynamic duo to find a home, landing a deal to assist Hunter Schuerenberg on Hank Byram’s 35. With Darren Hagen having a conflicting ARCA assignment, Cincinnati’s famed Hoffman family turned to ultimate track record holder Thomas Meseraull, a win it or wear it gasser that suits their style. When Kevin Swindell rescinded an offer to man Mike McGhee’s 17, Casey Shuman filled the void, unable to commit to Mark Batcheldor and Robbie Rice because of Edison 10 possibilities. This domino effect had Mark and Robbie choosing Chad Boespflug while Monte Edison made Billy Puterbaugh first choice. Once said to be a Smackdown possibility with Batcheldor and Rice, Hollister, California shooting star Ryan Bernal ended up in a second Kenny Baldwin Maxim/Mopar, with Cactus Jack Yeley spinning sockets on the orange 5. Regular Hazen 57 shoe Jon Sciscoe was unable to do all three nights, so 2008 track champion Scotty Weir got the call. With so many changes and so little time to get acquainted, my belief was that these alterations only aided the efforts of Bryan Clauson and Dave Darland, the two hottest men over the last two months. Smackdown changes were not limited to the pit area, as Sean Buckley (www.jackslash.com) and Chris Nunn ably served as masters of ceremony, pumping up the crowd and keeping everyone informed over the magical three day period.

Thanks to Jason Clark, I had a solid seat on opening night, allowing me to easily spot a session four hot lap double flip involving Blake Fitzpatrick and Chris Gurley. B. Fitz was able to repair his family-owned Spike in time for qualifications but Gurley could not, a no-show for the rest of the evening. Flipping again on Friday, all that extra work spoiled what should have been a fun time for northern Indiana’s Tall Cool One. Learning benevolence from his father Van, Gurley and his Team Automotive VW Audi dealership were feature lap sponsors for each of the three nights, also loaning an engine to Rick Pollock’s Illinois squad for Saturday. Always smiling, having fun and supporting his fellow racers, Gurley certainly knows all about the big picture.

Speaking of those $100 feature lap prizes, so many added awards in the form of cash, products, and gift certificates were available to the fast qualifier, hard charger, and every race winner throughout the weekend, far too many to mention here. Even those having hard luck or missing feature transfers were able to cash in. Throwing in the extra grand obtained from Indiana Open Wheel message board subscribers, the special event atmosphere was unmistakable, hard to find anyone unsatisfied, at least until the conclusion of Saturday’s finale when all Hell broke loose.

There’s nothing quite like watching two-lap time trials at Kokomo Speedway, as overly brave drivers put it all on the line while extracting maximum performance from their equipment. As expected, track preparer Reece O’Connor had his clay prepped to perfection on Thursday, with fast time coming six cars from the end of the order. Second and third fastest times were turned by those who were last and second to last in line and although eight of the ten best came from the last half of the order, Chase Stockon and Dave Darland proved that an early draw could still be beneficial. Chase was wearing blue-green Ovarian Cancer colors on his DRC chassis, his first race back since losing his mother to that very disease one week prior. I have all the admiration for Chase, who bravely dug deep to compete with such a heavy heart.

Pro Source Consultants put up $200 for fast time and in dramatic no-lift fashion, Daron Clayton came oh-so-close to eclipsing his USAC one-lap mark with a 12.628 second circuit, driving his usual Spike chassis (with an assist from Ray Morgan) into the ground. With traction plentiful and a big curb guarding both ends, Damion Gardner, Shane Cottle, Jerry Coons, Jr., Justin Grant (all four wheels above the south cushion), and Stockon were inside the quick six. Meseraull, Boespflug, Darland, and Schuerenberg gassed it up and were rewarded with seventh through tenth.

Due to a slight drop off in car count on night two, Thursday was the only evening that a non-qualifier race was needed for those timing worse than 32^nd. After a short six laps, eight more were added to the back of the heats and an improving Nick Drake earned a new Hoosier right rear tire for his first place run. His engine sounding sick through qualifications, Ryan Bernal was the highest profile name to participate, still needing laps to acquaint himself with the venue, as this was his first Kokomo convocation.

If qualifying didn’t already get my blood pumping, the four heat races from opening night sealed the deal. Reminding me so much of my favorite time of the year, to steal a line from local writer Derek Fisher, this was indeed my zenith revisited. Although three of the four races were won from the front row, each had something exciting to offer. Daron Clayton came out of nowhere to track down Kevin Thomas, Jr. and Bryan Clauson in heat one, nearly winning it with a bonsai run coming off of turn four, banging off the cushion and the wall as the top three toiled under a snug blanket. Like Clayton, Coleman Gulick dug deep in heat two, pulling even with winner Jon Stanbrough as they crossed the finish while behind them; Levi Jones fell from a transfer with a flat right rear. The final offering was punctuated by a Logan Hupp/Brady Short scrap that saw Hupp take a vicious tumble all the way to the turn four fence. Miraculously walking back to the pits, a trip to the hospital was warranted for the Columbus comet, who had to watch the rest of the weekend’s action from the stands after his leading Lawrenceburg ride was ruined. Almost too close for comfort at the bottom of turn three, a Chris Windom slide job (Pollock 21) served to his former Baldwin ride (Wes McIntyre) allowed him to reap heat four rewards. Fast and furious, heat race transfers were hard to come by, as four of the quick six failed to make the cut, with names like Gardner, Jones, Stockon, Cottle, Larson, and Short applying their B-main game faces.

In a USAC format twist, a short C-main sent four more to the back of the B, watching Nick Drake and Ryan Bernal put on a cushion crushing exhibition that started to take its toll on the surface a bit. As expected, the B-main battle for the final A-main transfer was one worth watching, as Casey Shuman elevated from 11^th to squeeze the sixth spot with a dramatic three-wide move coming off of turn four, leaving Larson and Grant out of the opening night finale. After all of the changes made to the Baldwin Brothers Racing squad since late June, both orange cars still sat out the feature. That had to be a bitter pill to swallow for team owner Kenny Baldwin while accepting his 2011 National Sprint Car Hall of Fame Non-Wing Team of the Year award from Tom Schmeh.

To keep the surface in Smackdown status, Reece O’Connor prescribed a light watering and spiking before skinny-tired stock cars did their part to churn the dirt. Eventually going three-wide at 10:28 PM, Thursday’s feature had Hunter Schuerenberg and Dave Darland on the front row, with Brady Short pulling pit side, needing some milk to pour on his snap, crackle, and pop. Earlier in the evening, when polled for a feature prediction by veteran Louisville & Nashville (now CSX) railroad employees Joe Higdon and Arba Richardson, my response was rather predictable, expecting each of the three evenings to come down to Darland and Clauson, which in the end, wasn’t that far off. Night one was especially the case.

Darland flapped his wings and soared from his outside perch to lead the first 16 laps, slowed by separate, early cautions for Chad Boespflug and Jon Stanbrough. Fourth-starting Thomas Meseraull immediately moved the Mean Green 69 to second but climbed the cushion and kissed concrete, engaging in a fierce fracas to defend his turf from an invasive Jerry Coons, Jr. Stanbrough’s caution came at lap ten and by this point, it was readily apparent that my earlier prediction was on target, as Bryan Clauson had already clawed from 12^th to 4^th, making a mockery of the stacked competition with his patented low side lunges.

Reverting to fifth for the restart, Bryan broke away from Damion Gardner and a two-wheeling T-Mez with relative ease by lap 14. Using the middle lane to slip by Coons, at the crossed flags Clauson was already in second, erasing the distance to Darland in just one lap. Dramatically leading the 17^th lap, Bryan’s impressive assault was briefly halted for a wicked turn three ride by Daron Clayton, who had worked his way back to fifth after cleaning the backstretch wall very early. Twirling as high as the top of the fence and chucking his tail tank, the Modern Day Cowboy was unharmed, but his shoestring effort was done for the weekend, truly a shame that he didn’t think about the big picture before those acrobatics. Say what you want, but all these years later, the guy is still a human highlight reel.

Despite differing lines around the high-banked quarter, Darland’s Jeff Walker owned Maxim/Claxton was able to hang with Clauson’s Maxim/Fisher on the restart, with the flow interrupted yet again for an uncharacteristic Jerry Coons spin from third at the bottom of turn two, truly a shame for the underdog Phillips effort. Leaving seven laps left, Clauson and Darland were neck and neck, odd that BC altered his line and climbed upstairs for the final few tours. After the Lincoln legend tripped over the turn four curb with four to go, Clauson sailed away to yet another dramatic Kokomo score, the third race in a row that he’s come from deep to either lead or win. The Rave had no choice but to be satisfied with runner-up rights while Chase Stockon made a late-race charge to surge from ninth to third. Gardner and Hines completed the top-five while Schuerenberg, Shuman (up 14 spots from 21^st), Cottle, Gulick, and Jones (from 18^th) were scored sixth through tenth.

Interviewed by veteran announcer Rob Goodman, Clauson summarized his opening night score with these words: “We’ve been phenomenal all year here. Mike Dutcher and all the boys on the R&B Truckers, RW Motorsports, Curb Records number 7 gave me a great racecar. It looked a lot like the Sprint Week show. We had a yellow with five or seven to go and had Darland pounding the cushion down I’m sure. The bottom was going away in one and two but I felt like it was my best shot to beat him down the back straightaway. I learned from my mistake there in Sprint Week by letting him slide me. We got up there and rolled. I don’t know if we were faster than him when we got up there, but we were good enough to hold him off, so that’s good enough for me. I can’t thank these guys enough. It’s a great start to Smackdown. And, how about this racetrack! Two and three grooves – the O’Connors do a phenomenal job.”

A disappointed Darland noted, “Leading that many laps and finishing second – Bryan did a great job. The racetrack was racy – I don’t know where he came from but it was deep. I was just busting my butt around the top like I always do. Jeff gave me a great racecar but Bryan was too fast and we wound up second. The car was good all night and with the points collected for tonight and tomorrow for Saturday night’s main event, we’re looking forward to that. Every single night we’re looking to finish the best we can for national points, so we have to keep that in mind. We had a good night with Jon and Levi finishing back in the pack.”

Perhaps the best story of the night was Sullivan’s Chase Stockon, earning a podium on a night filled with all kinds of emotions. Chase commented, “This is an honor. We started ninth and fell back to about 12^th there for a little bit. We started picking our way back through. We were racing with heavy hearts tonight. Everybody knows that. This is what my mom wished for me to do. We’re going to put our best foot forward and do the best we can with it. We had fun tonight. I know she’d want us to be here. She’s watching over us and helped us get a good, safe finish. We’re real tickled to be on the podium tonight.”

Done by 10:55 and heading home for an all-important Friday morning when I hoped to eliminate some of my uncertainty, on the way out I bumped into Lapel’s Chuck Mosley, father to Aaron and an Indiana sprint car competitor from the 1970s. Bringing a carload of people to Kokomo, interestingly enough this was Chuck’s first time to see the newer layout since the sweeping changes were instituted for 2005, noting how much he enjoyed the feature. Old school people like myself might occasionally miss the tight Kokomo quarter-mile, but in the big picture this new layout has not only extended the life of this venerable speed plant, but it has also breathed new life into this town and the entire sprint car community.

Friday 8/24

Losing Daron Clayton (now assisting Blake Fitzpatrick), Logan Hupp, Dustin Smith, Josh Clemons, and Garrett Abrams, Friday’s car count dipped to 39. It could have been 38 had it not been for local car owner Scott Ronk, who offered his car to Dakota Jackson after the youngster blew a hole in the side of his Tranter Chevy during Thursday’s heat race. And, had it not been for Jeff Walker loaning a Claxton engine to Kevin Thomas, Jr., it could have been 37. KT Jr. had his piece let go on the last lap of the feature, operating inside of the top-ten after starting 17^th.

Walking the pits before the urgent call for wheel packing, I learned that Tracy Hines crewmember Derek Claxton was absent from Thursday night and the entire weekend, badly breaking his arm after a bead lock disintegrated while airing up a midget tire. Having to take an ambulance ride from rural New Castle to Methodist Hospital, the crew chief of last year’s team of the year had to have plates attached to both sides of the arm, so frustrated to have to miss the biggest race of the year. One of the sport’s best young talents with the wrenches, let’s hope that Derek heals cleanly and quickly.

Derek’s long-time mentor is “Jammin” Jeff Walker and before Friday hot laps, I overheard an interesting conversation between Jeff and USAC tech/competition director Dave Brzozowski. Owner of Thursday night’s second place car, Walker questioned Brzozowski about the process surrounding the confiscation of Bryan Clauson’s winning ignition box from Thursday. Dave’s concise retort was that the box would be sent to a third party testing facility. Shaking my head while overhearing Thursday grandstand accusations of traction control on the number 7, the last time such a topic became an obsession for competitors and fans was 2003, the year that J.J. Yeley nearly cleaned house. Some things never change.

Pairing one of the sport’s most talented and now experienced drivers (Clauson) with one of the most talented crew chiefs (Mike Dutcher), when you factor in the potent power from a screaming Charlie Fisher engine, what you have is a nearly unbeatable combination. Bantering with Bryan before Saturday’s festivities, he admitted that it took him half a season to get used to driving Mike’s super-tight setups, which have been honed for the past five seasons with guys like Brady Short, Josh Wise, and Casey Riggs. Bryan has already proven that he can handle a tight racecar and instantly noticing innate throttle control early in his career, I can’t figure out why more people won’t accept this inevitable success. Ask guys like Elliott, Drake, Yeley, Jones, and Stanbrough - history shows that no one likes a winner that wins too much but quite often, the competition self destructs when trying to find an answer.

Stopping to say hello to Nine Racing team manager Glenn Martin, the native New Zealander was spending the weekend assisting Tyler “Sunshine” Courtney. A recent graduate of Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis and grandson to former Lincoln Park Speedway owner Mike Farrar, Courtney came up through the usual ranks of quarter midgets, 600cc mini sprints, and midgets, crowned the 2011 Chili Bowl rookie of the year. Tyler has impressed many in his rare sprint car showings this summer, with Martin noting that the kid may wind up in a Nine Racing midget ride for next season, that is if the team finds a new buyer, as long-time owner Steve Lewis is looking to sell his legendary stable. A deal was said to be soon finalized.

With the surface super-saturated for the second night of the Smackdown, after extensive wheel packing from sprint cars and heavy equipment, hot laps commenced an hour later than Thursday, impressive to note that the feature wave lap was still the same (10:28) and the checkered flag actually came one minute earlier than opening night. Not needing a non-qualifier or C-main and subtracting a few flips from the equation, that’s how such a thing was possible.

The Bryan Clauson buzz continued after Friday qualifications, as his 12.799 clocking was nearly two tenths quicker than Dave Darland (12.993). No matter what, these two can’t seem to get away from one another when it comes to K-town. Enjoying his loaned Walker/Claxton power, Kevin Thomas, Jr. timed third. Schuerenberg, Brent Beauchamp (aided by former driver Ed Hassler), and Tyler Courtney completed the quick six. A solid playing surface from front to back, Clauson was third in line while Courtney was fourth from the end. Damion Gardner was 11^th on his first tour but nosed his Pace Lighting Eagle into the turn two wall on the second, requiring a front axle swap by former CRA standout Bob East.

Heat races were ready to roll at 8:45 and with the surface still greasy around the bottom, passing was infinitely more difficult than Thursday. Each race was claimed from the front row and only one of the quick six (Darland) made the cut, with Thomas Meseraull (15^th fastest) winding up with the feature pole. Still struggling in qualifying (38^th on night one versus 30^th on night two), Ryan Bernal banged wheels with Dave Darland and held a final transfer position before cracking the turn four barrier, causing a caution that soon led to a rear end swap that was unable to be completed in time for the B. Cullman, Alabama’s Kevin Thomas, Jr. slowed in his heat and was rammed by Chris Gurley. Like Bernal, KT also needed a new rear end and ran out of time. The most dramatic heat race move came from Coleman Gulick, as the Ice Man started seventh and turned up the heat late, grinding with Damion Gardner for the final transfer in heat three.

As expected, all the quick cars made the B-main exodus. The Demon was included in that group, thwarting threats from Nick Drake, Casey Shuman, and Brady Short. Third place on Thursday, Chase Stockon could only claim tenth and needed a provisional to maintain his status in the points. Both Baldwin cars were not as fortunate, forced to watch the feature from the stands for the second night in a row.

Meseraull and Hines held front row seats for Friday’s thirty lapper, with last night’s winner Clauson having to come from seventh. The bottom groove was still damp, but with the cushion pushed to the wall in turns two and four, racing room was now plentiful. Due to the oversaturation of Friday’s surface, it truly took until the feature event for Kokomo’s red-hot action to register. But as always, it was well worth the wait, as the second night’s feature ended up being an edge-of-your-seat barn-burner filled with a surprise or two.

When the green flag dropped, an altercation involving Jerry Coons (angry with C.J. Leary), Justin Grant, and Robert Ballou negated any early movements. Hines played pilot dog when the green laundry was dangled again, with Darland driving four deep to seize third. Soon again, Tracy’s protégé C.J. Leary had the field seeing red, this time as a result of his own flip on lap four. Restacking the field for yet another restart, this time Diamond Dave was dancing in the street, taking the high road to secure second and spreading four-wide for first with Hines, Meseraull, and third-starting Chris Windom. The theme for the first third of the race was yellow fever, as Justin Grant’s stoppage interrupted the intense crusade for the lead baton. Afterwards, Tracy and Dave exchanged the first place position four times in the span of two laps, with Hines officially labeled the leader each time at the start/finish. One last caution, this time for Brent Beauchamp, set the stage for a thrilling 20 lap dash, as the scoreboard showed cars 4, 11, 21, 69, and 7.

After a brief wheel to wheel war for first, The People’s Champ nearly tipped over in turn four, allowing The Bear an opportunity to maul the former Fastest Man Alive. Never count out the blue 11 at Kokomo though, as Dave refused to resign his top shelf tactic and kept his composure to create a three car conundrum. With 11 laps left, Clauson showed his nose from fourth while Windom continued to work over Hines. The Noblesville resident continued to gain great bite off the bottom and once Darland overextended turn two, the race for first became an exclusive three car contest. That number was reduced to two when Clauson surprisingly turned to the top and tripped over the cushion as well. Showing how low one can still go at Kokomo on lap 29, Windom somehow squeezed beneath Hines at the exit of two, escaping with first as they reached the third bend.

The 2010 Kokomo Speedway champion and last year’s HARF driver of the year held on for the popular win. Hines, Clauson, Meseraull, and Darland secured second through fifth while Schuerenberg, Gardner, Gulick (up 14 spots from 22^nd), Larson, and Hendrick were scored sixth through tenth.

Stopping along the front stretch with an apparent blown engine, much to the pleasure of his Frolic followers Windom was able to tell Chris Nunn, “This thing was hooked up. I didn’t know where the track was going to be better at. Dave got around me early on the top. I know he is the best at running the top here. I just stuck to my line on the low side and I knew Tracy wasn’t going to come off the bottom, so I had to inch a little lower than him. Those lapped cars worked to my advantage. I got a little bad news – I think I blew the motor up after the checkered. We’ll take a win though. This is Rick Pollock’s first USAC win. I can’t be happier to get him a win. He works his butt off and he’s been out here all day working. It’s pretty awesome. I parted ways with the 5 car earlier this year and it’s been all up from there.”

A disgusted Tracy Hines said, “It just wasn’t good enough. I’ve got to thank everyone on the MP Environmental team, but second sucks. We don’t show up to run second and I appreciate those guys racing me clean and we’ll just try it again tomorrow. These guys have done a good job with the track. We’ve had high grooves, low grooves, and middle grooves. I appreciate all the fans coming out and hopefully more will show up tomorrow.”

After tabulating Thursday and Friday points, the elite eight who locked into Saturday night’s magical finale included Clauson, Darland, Hines, Gardner, Schuerenberg, Windom, Cottle, and Meseraull.

Saturday 8/25

After spending an afternoon ogling an unbelievable collection of classics, vintage sports cars, Detroit muscle, and late model exotics at downtown Carmel’s Artomobilia, I leisurely made the 45 minute drive north to sample the final Smackdown proceedings, arriving just in time for warm-ups. Bumping into west coast sprint car benefactor Ken Wagner as I searched for a seat, I was pleased to hear that “Wags” sampled Bonge’s Tavern in rural Perkinsville on Wednesday night with Mike Clark. Truly enjoying the experience, Ken admitted that he wished he could send a piece of the signature sugar cream cake with warm blueberry topping and whipped cream back to his home base of Las Vegas.   I’ve been going to Bonge’s for ten years and I can never get tired of that dessert – ever.

Unable to fathom just how wild it would get for the forty lap feature, appetizing preliminaries included four, ten lap qualifying races (transferring the top-two), a set of head-to-head match races involving the top eight in points (appropriately named ‘King of the Hill’), and a 15 lap B-main that sent six more to the big show. I’ve been a part of many multi-day programs that offered unimaginative final nights. This first annual Smackdown was not one of them, as each event was clearly unpredictable, exciting, and ultimately memorable.

With those top-eight in points exempt from the four qualifying races, feature starting positions 9 through 16 were at stake. Coleman Gulick, Jonathan Hendrick, and Jon Stanbrough (switching to a different ride from last night) won the first three from the pole. Coming from the inside of the third row, Kevin Thomas, Jr. worked extremely hard to claim the win in the fourth race, rubbing wheels with Casey Shuman in turn one of lap one to yank third, then using high side heroics to lift second and first from Kyle Larson and Levi Jones, who had switched to his trusty Eagle chassis for the final two nights.

Each one of the contests contained dramatic duels for second. Jerry Coons worked on Brent Beauchamp all race long, seizing the day with a surprise attack after a restart for a Brady Short fence-grabber. Billy Puterbaugh put the hometown Edison ride in the show with a last turn, last lap surge underneath Blake Fitzpatrick. “Showtime” Chase Stockon secured a spot in the main with a late race buzz of the Hanford Hornet. Kyle Larson did the same in the fourth qualifier after putting all four wheels of the Fox 53 in the turn two fluff, driving down the hill to propel past Jones through turn four.

After A-main hot laps (involving a huge scare between Meseraull and Clauson), top to bottom watering revived the surface in time for the King of the Hill, as Saturday’s temperatures were the hottest of the three day deal. Defined as four, two car, two lap races where the winner advanced to the next round, the last man standing would claim the pole for the humongous feature event, ultimately lining up the first four rows. With Rob Goodman candidly interviewing each competitor on the front chute before each race, this big picture format was sprint car entertainment at its finest.

The first of the four initial races pitted the highest seed (Clauson) against the lowest seed (Meseraull). The higher seed had lane choice and for this one, Clauson chose the top.   T-Mez got the jump to turn one and immediately slid to the top of two, walking away with the shocking upset. Race number two had Damion Gardner (a four seed) up against Hunter Schuerenberg (a five seed). Damion started low and slid Hunter through turn one, only to have the pride of Sikeston, Missouri immediately fire back. DG’s last lap, cutthroat slider through two moved him to the next round, but it drew a few boos from the crowd in the process. Race three had second-seeded Dave Darland facing a challenge from seventh-seeded Shane Cottle. Like Meseraull and Gardner, Darland chose the low lane and successfully slid The Throttle at turn one, winning the race despite a nagging engine issue. The final preliminary matched a three seed with a six seed, as last night’s runner-up Tracy Hines hoped to avenge his loss to Chris Windom. Using the same tactic as the aforementioned winners, Tracy moved on to the second round.

The first race in round two had Gardner up against Meseraull and with DG having lane choice; he arrived to turn one first. However, a turn three bike ride nearly sent the Concord, California native packing it in early, as the sultan of San Jose advanced to the final round. The second race of round two had Darland occupying the low lane with Hines up top. Dave’s engine issue prevented him from moving on, with Hines meeting Meseraull in the final match race. Meseraull’s major wheel stand made Hines King of the Hill, earning the pole, $500 from DMI, and a cool, radio controlled truck from Traxxas. As a result, we already knew that the first four rows would line up this way: Hines, Meseraull, Darland, Gardner, Clauson, and Schuerenberg.

Afterwards Tracy said, “You know what’s funny is that I qualified 13^th and 11^th and I’ve been pissed because I’m a good qualifier. So I guess I showed that I needed two laps for qualifying instead of just one. I could only lead 28 laps last night and we’re going to work on it. Reece did a good job of getting the track back. We were a little worried when the heats started. I love the cushion here. Everybody picks on me for being a bottom feeder but the cushion here is so fun to run. I think the fans are going to have a good race tonight. They’ll see a top and a bottom and by lap forty, they’ll see two cars neck and neck.”

King of the Hill runner-up Thomas Meseraull moved from row four to row one, adding, “I’m sitting in the best car I’ve been in at Kokomo. You guys are in for a treat here. Kokomo is one of the best places to come watch a sprint show every Sunday. Thanks to the fans for coming out to support it.   Thanks to Team Green and the Hoffmans. They prep an awesome racecar. They go above and beyond what ANYBODY I’ve ever driven for does. It’s just a compliment to them to knock out Clauson. We kind of got some help by Damion but I was going to drive by him. On the start, this thing just got a little too hooked up. Since Tracy Hines helped me get the ride (and he will gladly tell you he gladly helped me get the ride), I figured he deserved to win that. Right before this race, I told him, ‘Do I want to run second, because I love the cushion here.’ I’m where I need to be, on the outside of the front row for the Smackdown.”

An entertaining interview, Thomas continued: “If you’re not exciting, you’re not that fun to watch. Some of the greatest guys out here, they’re just so smooth that they’re kind of boring to watch. I’m everything but that, you know? I’m definitely not smooth and I put it upside down three or four times a year, so that’s got to be exciting.”

“I’ve had such a great year. I’ve got to thank some of the people who helped me get here. My dad’s in the stands. Stan Courtad – I’ve run for him. Dave Stensland – I’ve run the heck out of his car. Todd Keen, Ken Baldwin, the Simons at Waynesfield - I’ve got to thank everybody that’s helped me get here, to get into the Hoffman ride. So hopefully I’ll get to run this thing some more and we’ll bring it home in one piece and come out on top.”

Extended from 12 to 15 laps, the B-main transferred the final six to the 22-car Smackdown finale. Any USAC consolation contest at Kokomo is filled to the brim with high drama, and this one was no different. Five cautions, most of them in the last seven laps, kept tensions high and of course, the scrap for the final transfer was absolutely insane, three or four cars wide most of the way and containing as many as six machines. It was truly a challenge to process everything that was going on in this race and at one point; I simply gave up trying to take notes and just watched with amazement.

Struggling each Smackdown evening, national point leader and five-time sprint car champion Levi Jones ended up being the center of the B-main controversy. Firing from fourth, he became embroiled in a pair of skirmishes, the second one leading to a slowly deflating right rear tire after eliminating Justin Grant, Robert Ballou, and Ryan Bernal. Constantly buzzing the tires to keep the air pressure up, Jones was eventually summoned to the pit area, shocked that the recently crowned Sprint Week champ would not be a part of the big show. Here I thought this was some shocking world news, incorrectly assuming that the final night of Smackdown would only pay USAC appearance points and no provisionals would be awarded. Of course I was wrong, as both Levi and Robert would tag the rear of the forty lapper for the sole purpose of earning national championship points; surprised to learn that the deduction of start money from ultimate earnings is standard USAC practice.

Just as he’d done on Thursday and Friday, Josh Spencer was a supreme passing master in the B, advancing from 15^th to 6^th. Unfortunately, a final three lap dash could not contain the charge of Chad Boespflug, who surged to fifth as Chase Briscoe pocketed the final feature ticket. Beauchamp, Weir, Shuman, and Fitzpatrick joined Chase and Chad in the $1,000 to start Smackdown finale, with Grant, Leary, Bernal, McIntyre, Courtney, Jackson, and Jarrett attempting to soothe their souls on the sidelines. As for Spencer, even though he didn’t make it, he could certainly hold his head very high for a job well-done.

At 10:00 PM on the evening of August 25^th, 2012, as far as I was selfishly concerned, Kokomo, Indiana was the absolute center of the universe. For this glorious three day extravaganza, all that was left to experience was the gargantuan 40-lap blowout, paying ten thousand portraits of George Washington to the winner. Waiting for this exact moment in time since last October, I was joined in my turn one, front stretch section by former sprint car combatants Jason Robbins and Bill Baker.

After the 10:25 wave lap, Hines got the jump to turn one first, but it would be Meseraull who would lead down the back chute, enjoying the limelight for the first eight tours. T-Mez, Hines, and Darland toiled in tight formation early on, with Clauson making waves in his flog to fourth. A lap nine, turn two slide job shot Hines to the number one spot while The Bullet prowled the bottom and bolted past Darland to third, squirting to second by lap 12. A three-car scrum containing Fitzpatrick, Beauchamp, and Coons illuminated amber bulbs and sent Clauson back to third, leaving 29 laps in the titanic struggle.

As expected, after three evenings of hard-hitting action, Saturday’s feature surface was without question the slickest in the Smackdown sequence, bordered by tall curbs on both ends that would not only wreak havoc with Meseraull and Darland after the restart, but also impact the size of Hines’s lead. After Tracy tripped in turns one and two, Bryan pulled the trigger and produced P1 at lap 16, not a surprise given the Kokomo muscles he’s flexed since late June. Of course anything could happen for the last 24 laps, but barring any mechanical failure, the race for first was all but over. Contrary to his Friday and Saturday strategy, BC now worked up in the attic and continued to construct an even bigger advantage.

Looking back through the field, I found a three-car corral for third with Gardner, Darland, and KT, Jr. A Damion and Dave connection briefly shoved the Walker wagon back to fifth while Thomas advanced the Bubby-mobile to third (from 12^th). At the crossed flags, positions five through 12 was one long conga line containing Gardner, Cottle, Gulick, Larson, Meseraull, Stanbrough, Windom, and Jones. Requiring a slide job in order to advance, Kyle Larson had mastered the art, up to fifth after starting 16^th. Speaking of slide job city, after several laps of going at it hot and heavy, Gulick and Meseraull ended up crashing each other in turn four with nine to go, leaving two lapped machines between Clauson and Hines.

With clear sailing ahead, Bryan broke free and rebuilt his healthy advantage, as it took Tracy one full tour to clear the lappers. Peering to the northwest corner of the speedway, my eyes were suddenly filled by the white and black blur of Jon Stanbrough’s 21x massively colliding with the concrete wall at the pit opening. The most violent audio was further amplified when Stanbrough’s chariot was chucked back into the racing groove, rammed full-song by Robert Ballou, who tumbled end for end all the way to the middle of the turns one and two, landing upside down as his engine screamed for mercy. Snagging Damion Gardner and flipping Chad Boespflug, aside from the Greg Stephens back stretch barrel roll of 1998 or Vince Osman’s fatal flip over the turn three fence in 1997; this might be the worst Kokomo crash I’ve ever witnessed. It’s amazing just how much carnage can be generated with one flick of the steering wheel.

With all kinds of pushing, shoving, and shouting at the pit entrance moments thereafter, the Tony Stewart Racing team of Levi Jones was the subject of this white hot ire and unrest. I never did see the contact that actually initiated this ugly incident and I wasn’t behind the wheel, so it would be ridiculous to comment on the intent. But, the lap before this nuclear explosion occurred; I caught Stanbrough and Jones engaged in a side by side battle, having restarted within two spots of one another. Jon somehow emerged from the mess fully alert and intact, locating car number 20 and immediately sprinting to the turn four side to have a discussion with his championship nemesis. Filled with venomous animation, finger pointing, and I’m sure numerous choice words, that’s as hot as I’ve seen the normally calm, cool, and collected Stanbrough since he started his sprint car career back in 1990.

Like Jon, Damion and Chad were also ok, but Robert was carefully extracted from the wreckage, refusing to be strapped to the backboard and walking into the ambulance under his own power. Eventually taking a ride to St. Joseph’s Hospital, it’s hard to imagine that six days later, he was standing in victory lane at Gas City Speedway. If I didn’t already have respect and admiration for his drive and desire, I have even more now.

Ironically reminding me of the July 1993 incidents at Winchester and Terre Haute involving the inquisition of six-time USAC champion Steve Butler, police arrived at pit entrance to bring peace to the near riot that broke out between TSR team members and the mob of detractors. Demanding some form of retribution from USAC, there was no quieting team owners Danny Roberts, Daryl Tate, and the rest of Stanbrough’s Leer Racing team. While everyone was throwing Levi Jones under the bus for what they deemed to be career-long dirty driving, I am definitely not condoning any actions that led to such a disastrous and dangerous end result, but in my opinion that’s not characteristic of the form that has earned him seven USAC championships. Of course, most people’s comments were in the heat of the moment and it’s tough to be objective about a situation that destroyed so much equipment and sent someone to the hospital. Racing has always been and will forever be dangerous. Over the Smackdown weekend, can you count up the number of ruthless slide jobs that could just have easily ended like this? However, a sprint car playing field is no place for reckless or careless behavior, as those kinds of actions can get people killed.

Afterwards, a meeting was conducted in the USAC trailer between both sides and two days later, Levi and his team were docked 25 championship points, effectively evening the points battle. However, at the end of the week it was formally announced that Jones would be undergoing season-ending neck surgery, so his shot at a 6^th national sprint car championship was officially over. Spoiling what would have been an epic points battle, it’s amazing how things can change so quickly in life.

Six laps were still left to decide who would be the initial Smackdown stud but again, Clauson left little doubt when he put some serious distance between himself and second place. Larson initially leap-frogged two spots to third, but it would be Hines and Thomas bashing nerf bars en route to Tom Hansing’s checkered flag, scrapping for the $5,000 runner-up check. Tracy took solace in being second best for the second evening in a row while KT, Jr. settled for the $3,000 podium placement. Darland carted home two grand for fourth and Larson lassoed $1,175 for fifth. Sixth from 23^rd was Levi Jones (earning $1,150 before his provisional deduction), with Shane Cottle ($1,125), Chris Windom ($1,100), Hunter Schuerenberg ($1,075), and Thomas Meseraull ($1,050) scoring seventh through tenth at the 11:06 PM checkered flag, soon followed by a spectacular show of fireworks.

Handed the microphone by Chris Nunn, Bryan Clauson enthusiastically exclaimed, “HECK YEAH! That was awesome man! These guys gave me a great racecar and I can’t thank Kokomo Speedway enough for the great facility they give us and stepping up to put on this big program. I want to thank all the fans for coming out and supporting it. I was just as excited as everybody else when they announced that this was coming back next year because this is one of the best events we’ve ever had. I was talking with some guys and they kind of joked that it wouldn’t count if we won it on the bottom, so we did what we had to do and showed we could run anywhere tonight. I can’t say enough about these guys behind me. Mike Dutcher – he is THE man. We’ve been phenomenal all year together and can’t say enough about him, A.J., Big Al, Isaac, and Dad. Everybody that’s a part of this program – RW Motorsports, Curb Records, Corey Tucker Racing, R&B Truckers, CSI shocks – they had us hooked up. This is awesome. I can’t say enough.”

Second place Hines was extremely candid in his interview, noting, “We gave it all. I just wasn’t that good. Bryan was better than we were up top. Everybody picks on him for running the bottom, but he sure did one helluva job running the top. It was a good race there with Kevin at the end. I was just kind of holding him up. We’re friends so I told him I might have to pay for half of that nerf bar that I smashed in trying to get to second. It’s all good. He’ll borrow something else off of me next week and we’ll make it even. I’ve got to thank MP Environmental, all the fans for coming out, Brad – who helps me all the time, my family, Zach Daum – he had to come in because Derek Claxton, my regular crew member got hurt mounting a tire up on Thursday, so he wasn’t able to be here this weekend. Laying there with a broken arm when we’re calling the ambulance, he’s like, ‘It’s the Smackdown! I want to go!’ Unfortunately he couldn’t make it but I hear they’re having another one, so we’ll be here to try again.”

Third place Kevin Thomas, Jr. expounded on Chris Nunn’s comment about a late race, four wheels above the cushion strategy, stating, “I thought about it, but I don’t know how Bubby’s car would have been above the cushion. It’s already tight as it is. I was going to give it a shot and thought better of it. I thought I better just try to hold onto third. Then I reeled in Tracy a little bit and gave him one big slider over the last lap. We almost made it stick but I want to thank Tracy for the nerf bar donation after the race.”

When it was all said and done, despite the heated controversy that came from the huge crash, these three days of sprint car heaven will best be remembered for all the anticipation, the foaming-at-the-mouth on-track action, the extremely entertaining final night format, and the dominance displayed by Bryan Clauson and his small army led by Mike Dutcher. Finishing first, third, and first to earn a minimum of $16,250 (certainly more when factoring in lap money and additional prizes), you know you’re doing your job well when opposing teams and fans start examining your every move under a microscope.

A rare occasion when all major Indiana sprint car venues cooperated to allow this one event to take center stage, for once that selfishness that is so common amongst promoters/operators took a back seat. But, at the end of the day, I truly believe that the overall sport and each one of those tracks will benefit in some way from their unselfish act, as this event absolutely showcased the potential for excitement offered by traditional sprint car racing, whether it be USAC sanctioned or on a local level.

After three full evenings of wheel-to-wheel wars, slide jobs, and the all-out sensory overload, in my opinion motorsports simply does not get any more exciting than this. Nearly every Sunday between May and September, this kind of stuff is not only commonplace in Kokomo, but it can also be found in Haubstadt, Gas City, Putnamville, Bloomington, Lawrenceburg, Terre Haute, and yes, Paragon. When there is an overall buzz of positivity and some massive momentum generated from one weekend of action, for sure it has to spill over to other tracks. That’s the ultimate benefit of big picture thinking.

Given the large sums of money allocated to the purse and extensive operating expenses of hosting a three day extravaganza, this was a risky endeavor for the O’Connor family. But when taking big risks, there is always the potential for big rewards. Disappointed by the smaller than expected crowd that arrived for opening night, attendance did significantly improve by Saturday, but it was still far short of the World of Outlaws show in June, and yet this was a far superior product! Go figure!

Non-winged sprint car racing is indeed a niche market, as most of those attending already knew about this program shortly after it was announced. But, this event needs to reach out to more than the exclusive non-winged world. Dirt track fans, whether they be late model, modified, or winged sprint cars, might just cross the street to see a USAC race, but the question is, how would they find out about it? How about Indycar or NASCAR faithful? Do they even understand that such a thrilling thing is even out there for consumption? I find it hard to imagine that any normal person who considers himself a fan of racing wouldn’t enjoy the on-track product offered over these three days. If you don’t like this stuff, perhaps you had better check your pulse.

Promotion might cost money, but the word needs to be spread long and far about this best kept secret. More speed freaks and gear heads need to know about the United States Auto Club and this specific form of sprint car racing. More people need to know about Kokomo Speedway. And, more people need to know about the Sprint Car Smackdown. I will readily admit that sometimes I can be awfully selfish, not wanting the common man to infiltrate this sacred section of my world that I live, eat, and breathe, as I don’t want it diluted in any way, shape, or form. But lately, my approach has been changing.

When wearing sprint car shirts to the gym and I get questioned about the type of cars on my shirt, I openly discuss where I am headed this weekend and why it is imperative that I be there. I let these uninformed people know of the raw energy, the thrills and chills, and just how close one can get to these fascinating people who risk life and limb to entertain us. As sprint car fans, we are a dying breed and when wishing to extend the life of my hobby, I attempt to create my own buzz and introduce these people to something that they had no idea existed. If my actions happen to be beneficial, of course that’s some big picture thinking. But truthfully, I’m doing it because it’s all about my own selfish desires. After all, there’s no one more worth living for.

Volume 14, Number 14

Business as Usual

As much as I wish I could be forever young, in some respects I am glad it is not possible, especially since the duration of summer vacation has shrunk to such ridiculous proportions. On the way back from Eldora a few weeks back, I was shocked to see that one school’s first day was as early as August 2^nd. Dare I ask – whatever happened to those precious three months filled with all of the innocent freedoms imaginable to a carefree soul? Can a kid no longer be a kid anymore?

Maybe I was different in the respect that I dreaded that first day back, but I still feel a twinge in my stomach at the sight of the first school bus. All of the homework, all of the adjustments with new teachers, new people to sit next to, new subjects, having to eat those dreadful lunches, plus the anxiety associated with doing well on exams; all of these things made me dread the end of August. I still remember that initial full day of first grade when walking back into the school after lunchtime recess, realizing that a year earlier; I would have been going home to enjoy my afternoon. Talk about a life changing event, that was one of them.

After failing a test in third grade and comprehending the amount of work required to maintain the gold standard of grades set by my older brothers and sisters, suddenly I was all business when it came to my schooling. Treating it like a job, the same adage rolled over to my years at Ball State University, where the short-term goal was to spend a minimum amount of time in Muncie and obtain the best grades possible so that I could achieve my longer-term targets, which had everything to do with building a log home on a few acres, racing sprint cars, and owning an extensive classic car collection. With a razor-sharp focus that rarely crossed over the center line, I never cared to indulge in the usual college experience.

As the old adage advises, be careful for what you wish, as one day, it might actually come true.    As much as I wanted a real job to avoid those end of summer blues, all these years later, I’ve still got ‘em. Employed in the cruel world of corporate America since August of 1994, aside from a few days off here and there, it’s business as usual from January through December, doing the daily grind and unable to imagine a life any different.

Because school is in session once again, the August mindset is automatically different for most, as suddenly there are school supplies and new clothes to purchase, not to mention picking up the kids from all of their extra-curricular activities. August is also a different time for most Indiana dirt tracks, as attendance starts to dip, especially on Friday nights when high school football takes center stage. Already planning for the last two months of the season, suddenly my heart races and mind starts scrambling at the absence of such outdoor entertainment, much like when I realized that I only had a couple of weeks left of summer vacation.

Spending two weeks away from racing after the post Indiana Sprint Week leftovers were fully consumed, by Friday August 17^th I was like a lion locked in a cage, ready to bust out and return to my natural habitat. Working a full day in the office, Gas City I-69 Speedway was the best option, easily escaping Carmel and Westfield congestion and aiming toward state road 37 via 266^th street through Arcadia, where small town America still exists. North of Elwood, wind farm construction continued at a brisk pace and because a bridge over the Mississinewa River is still under construction, I had to use state road 22 (U.S. 35) instead of 26 and 500 north. Appropriately stopping for fuel in Gas City, I reached the sprinter in the sky in plenty of time to catch hot laps with Merrillville’s Al Longiny, wisely choosing a turn four vantage point to avoid the usual mud bath.

Fully aware that an early Saturday morning Silver Crown date in Springfield, Illinois kept some competitors away, it suddenly dawned on me that this was the 15^th anniversary of my first-ever trip to this very speedway, recalling a first-time winner celebrating the momentous occasion by tossing his gloves and assorted gear into the crowd. The year was 1997 and the elated driver was Frankfort’s Terry Pletch. It’s hard to imagine that it’s been 15 years, as the year of my initial Gas City excursion coincided with the anniversary of hiring at my current employer. The only job I’ve had in that timeframe, after a recent acquisition and merger, it’s utterly shocking to consider that my source of stability will no longer exist in just a handful of months. As much as I despise the notion of change, this time, I have no choice. Perhaps it is a blessing in disguise, but the sudden onset of such uncertainty makes it difficult to relax and enjoy some of my favorite things.   For the last year, I have had a Chinese fortune cookie message taped to my monitor, advising, “You will make change for the better.” I’m hoping that’s what 2012 is all about, as I can’t imagine a year of any more alterations than this one.

Even though recent history has shown that August sprint car demand has been in decline; that did not stop the Gas City staff from conducting its usual Friday night business.   While Bloomington offered its second to last show some 2.5 hours to the south, 25 sprint cars still appeared for action in Grant County, where five more Fridays from August 31^st through September 28^th are all that’s left of 2012. Twice a track champ (2007 and 2008), Billy Puterbaugh again sits atop the throne for 2012, getting fitted for Monte Edison’s Crume-Evans Insurance Spike for the first time. Former Edison engineer and opening night I-69 winner Scotty Weir is second and having strapped into a number of different seats for the season, this time it was the Keen number 18 out of Union City, Ohio.

Taking the top-five from each of the three heats, a feature transfer required a good draw, as the track was still sticky early on. Big names unable to make the move included May 18^th winner Justin Grant, previous week’s $2000 Plymouth producer Wes McIntyre (Baldwin 5), Logan Jarrett (taking a long, two-wheeled ride over the turn three bank), Matt Westfall (colliding with Chris Gurley and Brian Gerster), and June 8^th winner Jon Sciscoe, who had to work extra hard after a power steering pump failure. That was certainly not the way Jon wanted to celebrate his 29^th birthday, as car owner Paul Hazen scrounged for a replacement pump, granted a reprieve by the Keen camp. Heat race glory went to May 25^th victor Billy Puterbaugh, Robert Ballou (own 12), and A.J. Hopkins (Jackson 42G), with each one of the winners firing from the front row.

Fourth in the second heat race, Tipton’s Kyle Dautrich began prepping for a feature run in Jeff Walker’s 23, walking much easier these days after injuring his ankle during an ugly Kokomo crash a month and a half ago. Normally assisting Walker with driver Dave Darland, for this weekend Kyle’s boss was away at a Chicago air show, as the kid was hoping to make enough money to take the car to Lawrenceburg’s Dick Gaines Memorial on Saturday.

One of the world’s fastest men to ever steer a sprint car, Fishers resident and part-time Gas City announcer Brian Gerster preceded a two-race Must See Extreme Sprint Car Series weekend with some contrasting dirt duty, strapping into George Simpson’s Twister chassis for the second time in 2012. Operating the same hardware for Gas City’s lid lifter, the last time that Brian had backed a dirt sprinter into a corner was the 2005 Sprint Week show, right here in Roy Jackson’s 42.   While BG and I shot the breeze, Gerster quickly pointed to a pair of modified drivers who were preparing to settle their heat race differences with their fists. The scuffle soon escalated into an all-out brawl involving both male and female crew members and other than stepping on the gas in a sprint car, there’s nothing quite like the adrenaline surge gained from watching a good fight. Lasting no more than a minute, cooler heads eventually prevailed. These days, it might not be politically correct to take matters into your own hands, but the fact that it does still happen tells me that short track racing might just be ok.

Recalling how Robert Ballou ran three different cars during Indiana Sprint Week, Robert assembled yet another piece for the recent run of USAC races in Nebraska, Missouri, and Iowa; winning with Dallas Mulvaney’s ex-Rick Pollock UMax-II (Maxim) at Grain Valley, Missouri. Now the owner of a similar (yet still different) U-Max for his own local ride, the orange bodywork and blue frame signified that this was an ex-Lucas Wolfe wagon, as Lucas tried the car at Charlotte, Lawrenceburg, and I-96 before giving it back to constructor Chuck Merrill. Acquiring the frame on Tuesday night, it was yet another thrash to make it race-ready in time for Friday, unfortunately par for Robert’s course for 2012.   Finishing up at 5 PM, Ballou and his faithful crew member Derrick Bye left their shop near 206^th Street and state road 19 and arrived around the same time as myself, using essentially the same route.   I’ll take the road less traveled anytime.

Adding McIntyre, Grant, Jarrett, Sciscoe, and Westfall to the feature after the B, only Wesley Gordon (under the guidance of Kurt “The Rooster” Hawkins), Tony Main, Jamie Frederickson, Aric Gentry (wee3), and Jacob Moore would not see A-main action. Waiting out minimal surface adjustments with comedic relief from Coleman Gulick benefactor Rodney Reynolds, Brian Hodde would wave the green flag at 9:20 PM. Offering Pendleton Heights Middle School Industrial Arts teacher Travis Welpott as the pole sitter, Travis had to insert his smaller and less powerful Little 500 engine into the Smith Family Farms number 18 after blowing up his big mill during Sprint Week action. After earning second in his heat race, Noblesville’s James Bradshaw started alongside the Ball State grad.

Last winning here on May 28^th of 2010, former UMRA TQ and NAMARS midget champ Welpott blasted off from his pole starting spot and easily led the first ten tours before a Conner Donelson spin illuminated amber bulbs, the surface still tacky and topped with cushions on both ends. Trailed by Ballou, Hopkins, Puterbaugh, and Bradshaw, Travis maintained his stranglehold on first place until a Matt Westfall/Jon Sciscoe turn four entanglement again put the action on pause, interrupted one lap later by a Kyle Dautrich revolution. From start to finish, the Hopkins/Ballou battle would provide the most entertainment, as earlier in the event A.J. had blown by Robert, his right rear happily churning the dark dirt. Once green laundry was waved, Hopkins again played cowboy at the top of the stairs, biking and falling to fifth. Yet another slowdown would stop the bleeding for the young gasser, as a Bradshaw half-spin turned to red when Justin Grant piled in and tipped over.

Leaving eleven laps left, Ballou and Puterbaugh fought for runner-up rights, with BP on the bottom and Robert ruling the roost up top. But, once the red ten pushed the front end in turn three, Robert would return to second, living the high life long enough to run down the leader. Launching off the ledge in three and four on two consecutive circuits, the former Rocklin, California resident surged to first with six laps left. Robert’s early race nemesis was soon back in the picture however, as Hopkins picked Welpott’s pocket, this time finding the bottom lane to his liking. Zeroing in on the orange 12, the blue 42 pulled even while exiting the second bend on the second to last lap. With the white flag waving, A.J. made a bonsai move for the bottom of turn one, only to have the door slammed shut in his face. After pointing to the infield tires at turn three, Ballou sealed the deal, his third triumph in a tiring 2012 campaign. Hopkins held on for second with Puterbaugh taking third and Welpott having to settle for a bitter fourth after leading the most laps. Coleman Gulick rounded out the first five with Weir, Tyler Courtney, Josh Clemons, Bradshaw, and 16^th starting Wes McIntyre claiming sixth through tenth.

Not wishing to wake up super early for Springfield’s traditional Tony Bettenhausen 100 Silver Crown affair, instead I slept in and chose Lincoln Park Speedway’s MSCS bout over Lawrenceburg’s Dick Gaines Memorial. Yes, it’s great that there were two Indiana tracks offering more than standard money on a Saturday night, but speaking as a fan, I selfishly wish they were staged on different weekends.

After finishing fifth at Putnamville the previous week, Kevin Bledsoe’s claim that former State Line, Indiana resident A.J. Anderson would be back for a second week in a row was completely accurate, making me wonder if this guy should be a weatherman rather than a farmer in Forest, Indiana. Before heading up to the main grandstands to relax and ponder my future from my lawn chair, I had to stop to say hello to father Jim, mother Eleanor, and of course A.J. (married to Marissa and now calling Tilton, Illinois his home). Seeing this family back in action for the first time since 2010 brought back all the great memories of those late ‘90s and early 2000s when they were a Saturday night staple at this same venue. Members of the infamous 2 o’clock club, it was truly a fun time as no one wanted to leave after the races were over.   Unfortunately, those days are over.

Hoping for a few more than the 26 cars in attendance, quality certainly reigned over quantity. From an attendance perspective, one could not gather that this was the middle of August in Indiana, as the place was literally packed with fans hungry for the four classes of competition. If this is business as usual for Joe Spiker’s Lincoln Park Speedway, then business is good.

With the Midwest Sprint Car Series sanction, that brought big names like point leader Jon Stanbrough, Robert Ballou, 3-time series champ Kyle Cummins, last year’s title winner Brady Short, last year’s HARF driver of the year Chris Windom (Pollock 21) and a host of others including last week’s winner Billy Puterbaugh, the second week in a row that he’d strap into the famous Fox 53. Started in 2001, the MSCS was of course the brainchild of low buck racer Sam Stockon, now in the hands of Tommy Helfrich and his Tri-State Speedway staff. With news coming earlier that day regarding the loss of Laura Stockon, who was married to Sam’s son and actively supported her own son’s career (Chase), I could not help but feel a sense of sadness after confirming that she had endured a lengthy battle with cancer (ovarian), remembering just how miserable my entire family was in those days leading up to my own mother’s demise from colon cancer. Sadly, Laura was only 49 years of age. In support of ovarian cancer awareness, drivers came to the stands with helmets in hand, collecting nearly a thousand dollars, a sum graciously matched by promoter Joe Spiker.

Conducted on a smooth but drying surface, three heats were won by Jon Stanbrough (from 2^nd), Josh Clemons (from 4^th), and Jeff Bland, Jr. (from 4^th) sending the top-16 in passing points to the thirty lap feature, with the top six (Clemons, Bland, McIntyre, Windom, Cummins, and Stanbrough) redrawing for the first three rows. An odd affair, the second heat started nine but only finished four, as 2010 MSCS champ Blake Fitzpatrick, Tyler Courtney (grandson to former LPS operator Mike Farrar), Jon Sciscoe (clipping a spun Courtney) and Seth Parker retiring to the pit area. Sciscoe and Parker were done for the evening, unable to return for the consolation that saw Brady Short (Pottorff 11) struggle to score the final pass to the A-main. Along with Dakota Jackson, Conner Donelson, and Courtney, A.J. Anderson was another who missed the cut, losing a right rear while lining up.

Pushing the feature at an efficient 9:10 PM, Putnamville’s paperclip proved to be quite a challenge on this evening, slick on top of turn one and equally slippery from top to bottom in two, completely black through the middle of three. An LPS victor on May 19^th, Kyle Cummins drew the pole and had Chris Windom sharing front row seats. For the most part, this race completely belonged to Kyle, who applied his own setups as father Mark was away in South Carolina for a family affair. Even though he led every lap, it was far from a cakewalk.

Beating Windom to the top of turn two, Cummins immediately began to construct a decent advantage, manufacturing a half straightaway margin on Windom, Stanbrough, and Bland, each one of them taking the high road. I didn’t see it happen, but Jon met Jeff at the exit of turn four and the resulting contact apparently sent Bland airborne in a big way, bouncing all the way to turn one and miraculously landing on all four wheels without turning over. Eventually rolling to a stop in turn four, the Bloomington resident brought out the first yellow at lap ten.

Originally starting ninth, three-time LPS champion Billy Puterbaugh soon propelled past Clemons for fourth while Cummins continued to sail away. Robert Ballou started alongside Puterbaugh and smelled blood in the water, sending Josh back one more spot. Just like the previous evening, A.J. Hopkins was a man on the move, elevating from 11^th in Roy Jackson’s Chalk chassis. Unfortunately, his forward progress was halted when tangling with Puterbaugh in three and four, with Brent Beauchamp (Olson 34) joining the party to tag the right rear of the Fox 53. With half of the race remaining, 16^th starting Danny Holtsclaw had already hauled up to fifth place.

Immediately before a yellow for an errant marker tire, Ballou slipped into third with a turn two slider on Stanbrough. The Rocklin Rocket soon surged past Windom with a similar overtaking, as the power plant in the silver 21 began to stumble. After Windom, Stanbrough, Holtsclaw fanned three-wide for third, Chris began falling further backwards, pulling to the pits and retiring from the contest. Similar to the save by Jeff Bland, Jon Stanbrough somehow survived a monumental turn three bike ride, able to catch his breath after a turn four Josh Clemons spin that again collected Brent Beauchamp.

With just seven laps left, Ballou was all over the back of Cummins, waiting for any kind of mistake. After receiving the white flag, Robert’s opportunity came when Kyle bobbled against the turn two cushion. Immediately turning left, Ballou pulled even with the leader and never lifted upon entry to turn three, sliding past the pride of Princeton. Kyle quickly cranked left as Robert’s momentum carried him too far, with Cummins squeezing out the victory in a thrilling finish, laying claim to the $3,000 paycheck. Just like watching a movie, sometimes you have to wait until the very end to see how the thing will turn out. The master of the crossover, how ironic is it that Kyle won here with a similar move back in May?

With Jon Stanbrough completing the podium in the Roberts/Tate 21x, third, second, and first in MSCS points finished first, second, and third. McIntyre and Puterbaugh made off with fourth and fifth while Holtsclaw, Braylon Fitzpatrick, Brady Short (up 12 spots), Nick Drake, and Brent Beauchamp tallied sixth through tenth at Brian Hodde’s 9:38 PM checkered flag.

Clearly an exciting ending to an otherwise quiet evening, the same could be said all the way down in Lawrenceburg where Jonathan Hendrick did his best to contain some ferocious charges from Chad Boespflug and Logan Hupp, threading the needle through lapped traffic in the final five circuits to collect a cool three grand in the Dick Gaines Memorial. August, June, or April, it does not matter what month of the sprint car season it is in this state, as the odds are clearly in your favor to catch some positively entertaining action, no matter which venue or who is competing.

Even if the school year has already started and most families’ focus is elsewhere, Indiana dirt tracks are still going strong in their final weeks of the hectic spring and summer season. Filling the needs of those faithful fans who might just bring their neighbor or friend for the first time, the hope is that those new fans will enjoy the festivities and spread the word about this little known niche market of old-school, blue-collar entertainment, getting them excited for next year. Whether or not that actually happens, who knows, but at this time of the year and month, no longer do I have to overcome the fear and anxiety of climbing aboard that bus and dealing with all of the adjustments associated with the start of school. These days, by the time late August has arrived, I’m already thinking about the remaining weeks of this sprint car campaign, trying to squeeze as much fun and freedom as I can before morphing into winter mode. Always worrying about the upcoming changes, that’s business as usual for me. But, if Chinese wisdom bears any truth, those changes will be for the better.

Volume 14, Number 13

Leftovers

If polled, I’m quite certain that most Americans, especially young ones, would unequivocally agree that Christmas is their favorite holiday of all. Never been one to blend in with the crowd, ever since I can remember, I have actually preferred Thanksgiving. Once I developed my fanatical racing fixation, perhaps part of my reasoning had to do with the allure of Ascot Park’s Turkey Nite Grand Prix midget race. Truthfully though, it is the golden family memories of years gone by that supply such feelings. One of two days during the year when none of my seven siblings were at war with one another, pleasant thoughts of family peace provide one reason for this holiday preference. And, since I love good food, another is the traditional turkey dinner.

Many moons ago, I simply could not get enough of McDonald’s hamburgers and French fries, fortunate to be rail-thin and own a ridiculous metabolism in my youth. Comfort food if there ever was such a thing, the one exception to my burger and fries mandate was Thanksgiving, when year after year, everything was predictably prepared the same by my beloved mother. Always turkey and never ham, the stuffing of choice came out of numerous Pepperidge Farm bags, clearly a victory if I got to enjoy a chunk that stuck outside of the turkey and baked brown and crispy, easily my favorite part of the entire meal. Year after year, everything was as consistent as can be, from the rolls fresh out of the oven to the broccoli and cauliflower, corn, and the mashed potatoes and gravy, not to mention the Ocean Spray cranberry sauce straight out of the can. Even as an extremely picky eater, I loved it all. If I close my eyes and take a whiff, I can instantly recall the heavenly scent of those Thanksgiving mornings, looking forward to piling my plate sky-high.

An even better aspect of Thanksgiving was the leftovers, which in our house lasted no more than a couple of days. Warming up a heaping helping, the medley of excessive items tasted just as good or even better than the day before.   Comparing my favorite holiday to my favorite time of the year for racing, it can easily be deduced that that Indiana Sprint Week is my own Thanksgiving. Normally burned out and depressed after the seven race slate grinds to a halt, traditionally it’s been a week or two until I have any desire to attend another. And even then, it’s a half-hearted interest at best, as not much can hold a candle to Sprint Week.

Watching Loudpedal Productions’ fantastic Indiana Sprint Week video at: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLx8X-B8Ww4), I clearly can’t get enough of my Thanksgiving feast in July; this five minute clip doing a wonderful job of reminding me of all the things I missed in my own summarization. Somehow I missed discussing Damion Gardner’s dance with disaster in Gas City qualifying, not to mention Jon Stanbrough and Andrew Elson’s intense heat race duel on that opening night. I forgot just how hot things got in those Lawrenceburg heats (both on-track and in the stands, as two people passed out around me), not to mention the plethora of breathtaking slide jobs in that feature. I neglected to divulge Dave Darland’s take-no-prisoner run from 7^th to 4^th in his Kokomo heat, failing to acknowledge Wes McIntyre’s 20^th to 7^th massacre in the B at that same stop. Speaking of B-main barrages, Daron Clayton’s charge from 15^th to the final Haubstadt transfer on the final lap was something to see. And how about Clayton’s psycho donuts that scattered front stretch photographers at Terre Haute? At the end of the week, after all the countless hours of preparation, hard work, stress, and strategy, it’s all about getting to hold the cup and sit in that Bridgeport rocking chair. I can only imagine the sense of such accomplishment, wishing that I could live it all again.

The beauty of being a Hoosier is that seemingly infinite amounts of racing activity are available in any one of the season’s six months. A prime example is late July, when some scant four days after the final Sprint Week checkered flag, USAC midgets and Silver Crown cars were on tap at IRP. If you didn’t want to watch the Grand-Am road racing machines meander the road course at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway or ARCA stock cars attack IRP’s 5/8ths mile oval, Gas City had a standard sprint car program scheduled for Friday evening.   After the Nationwide series took their initial checkered flag at IMS, Saturday sprint car options included Paragon, Putnamville, and Lawrenceburg, not to mention a USAC union across the state line at Eldora Speedway. And on Sunday, a double dip of the Brickyard 400 and the Bob Darland Memorial at Kokomo Speedway was easily within reach if you could wake up in time from your NASCAR nap. For a true super fan like Kroger marketing maven Kevin Kotansky, this is a prime time to rack up a large number of races without having to mount excessive miles on your vehicle and alienate your wife.

While attempting to catch up on my writing, recharge internal batteries, and recover from my post-Sprint Week syndrome, I eliminated all of the above options except for Eldora and Kokomo, adding a Bloomington WoO war on the following Friday. Some noteworthy events and not just everyday occurrences, much like a steaming plate of turkey and stuffing and some of that chilled cranberry sauce on the side, there’s no possible way that I could refuse such mouth-watering leftovers, no matter how burned out I had become.

Forced to move on, I began my trek to racing reality with Eldora’s Summer Sprint Spectacular. The evening’s main course was a special celebration of the famed partnership between the United States Auto Club and the Big E, some fifty years old for 2012. Over those five decades, so many incredible memories have been made as a result of that relationship, varying of course with the age of the individual fan. I wasn’t even a glimmer in my father’s eye when Stan Bowman initially scored on Easter Sunday of 1962, an upset along the lines of David versus Goliath. I still wasn’t born when Johnny Rutherford broke both arms in that violent 1966 crash, but his image immediately comes to mind when thinking of 1960s Eldora/USAC activity. Similarly, John Mahoney’s photo of Jan Opperman unbuckling his helmet with a bloody and broken nose signifies the 1970s. I wish that I could have seen Steve Kinser come from the rear to claim both sprint and Silver Crown features in the first Four Crown Nationals of 1981, but I was there to witness Jack Hewitt’s unbelievable 1998 sweep, unable to recall a more magical evening anytime, anywhere. Kyle Larson did his best to one-up Eldora’s favorite son with a 2011 triple in his first-ever Eldora outing, an achievement that will never be forgotten. The Mopar Million of 2003 was certainly a race for the ages, as was the all-night affair otherwise known as the 2006 Four Crown that concluded at a weary 6 AM. Much like my craving for turkey and stuffing, not only are USAC and Eldora an equally natural combination, but I too have painfully hungered for such action in those long, winter months leading up to the traditional Midwestern opener in late March.

Straying from the usual USAC format, this 50^th anniversary offered several unusual, tasty twists. Rather than the standard thirty, the feature length was upped to fifty tours, enticing with a $10,000-to-win sum and $1,000 to start. Single car, two-lap qualifications helped determine heat race lineups, but the fastest qualifier would spin the “wheel of misfortune” to ultimately decide the inversion, with a minimum of five and a maximum of “all”. The top four heat race finishers would transfer to the feature, but instead of reverting back to qualification times, the further up you finished, the further up you started. The quickest two qualifiers who failed to make the heat race cut were offered feature positions 17 and 18, with grid positions 19-23 added from the B-main, holding the final spot open for an Indiana Sprint Week provisional. And if that wasn’t enough deviation from the norm, feature passing was promoted by paying the winner an extra $500 for each row of advancement. All told, this had the makings of an extra special event, hardly Sprint Week leftovers.

As far as the number of participants is concerned, unless it’s the Mopar Million, Eldora just isn’t for everyone and despite all that extra cash available, some 36 cars peppered the pits, not much more than a March or April opener from years gone by. Aided by an assortment of Waynesfield and BOSS competitors and wildcards like Todd Kane, Sheldon Haudenschild (his first Eldora bout sans aerodynamic aid), Matt Westfall (family 54), and Mike Brecht (Courtad 9x), I wasn’t too disappointed with the turnout although I had certainly hoped for more support. An Ontario Topless victor the previous week at Ontario, Canada’s Humberstone Speedway, Weirton, West Virginia veteran and 1995 USAC sprint car rookie of the year Mark Cassella was also ready to rumble in Louie Gagliardi’s Chalk, a machine once manned by Burnettsville, Indiana’s Jerad Parsons.

From the start of hot laps through the end of the qualifying order, this seemed like just another standard USAC outing at Club E. Heavy, fast, and with a huge cushion, the dark dirt was prepared old-school style as Justin Grant (Hery 40) topped the charts with a 15.508 second lap, far away from Jerry Coons, Jr.’s mark from 2006 (14.712). Tracy Hines, Darren Hagen, Bobby East (ex-KKR/Leffler Maxim), Daron Clayton, Mooresville, Indiana’s Landon Simon, Chase Stockon, Jerry Coons, Jr., Levi Jones, and Bryan Clauson timed inside of the top-ten, with solid showings at the beginning and end of the queue. For those excelling in the timing loop tango, the benefits were temporary as Grant spun the wheel and ordered up a full heat race inversion. It wasn’t that long ago when USAC’s heat race lineups were completely inverted, but tonight’s kicker was that you wouldn’t get your time back for the feature, making every pass count in the eight lap affairs.

After a field of 21 NRA winged 360 cubic inch sprint cars hot lapped and time trialed, extensive surface preparations were made for the heats. While idling around for the start of the first event, five-time USAC sprint car champion Levi Jones gave the work an emphatic thumbs-down; attempting to get the flagman’s attention and signal that the track was not properly primed for passing. Having to come from seventh, the man who knows how to finish in the money was not only concerned about his ability to earn a healthy chunk of change from tonight’s payout, but also of the points implications of starting in the back of the feature. Although it was extremely treacherous work, Levi need not have worried, as the cream rose to the top, just as it always does at Eldora.

It has been a long while since I’ve witnessed more motivation for heat race overtaking, but these four quickies were without question the most exciting of the 2012 season, easily worth the $25 general admission fee. In that first heat, Jones needed seven laps to reach fourth, with ninth-starting Justin Grant jumping six spots to third.   Hunter Schuerenberg scooted from sixth to second while Jon Stanbrough easily won from fourth and would fire from that same position later. If you didn’t think that first heat was spectacular, then you had to be truly amazed when Tracy Hines and Bryan Clauson hauled from seventh and ninth to claim first and second in the second heat, enthusiastically exchanging the premier position twice in the last two laps.

Fairly quick in hot laps but curiously slowing to 23^rd after time trials, Dave Darland earned the feature pole position after easily claiming heat three from row two. A spirited battle for fourth came to a head when Robert Ballou tagged Darren Hagen in the first corner of the final lap. Hagen kept the wheels of the Hoffman 69 rolling but Ballou could not do the same, center-punched by Scotty Weir (Simon 22). Sprint Week star Chase Stockon was also swept up, as was Damion Gardner. The Hawk took third on the final restart, a rather stout sprint from 9^th.

Fourth heat drama was provided by Richmond, Indiana underdog Brandon Whited, who worked overtime to keep two-time Four Crown king Bud Kaeding back in third place. On the white flag lap, Whited entered turn one much lower to fend off a potential slider from the Campbell, California comet. Unfortunately, Brandon blew the cushion when he returned to the top of turn two, crushing the concrete and tumbling a large majority of the backstretch. Emerging ok, the same could not be said for his tattered wagon. Coleman Gulick’s win from fourth solidified a pole starting spot for the big fifty lapper, with Kaeding securing second after slicing past four. Little men like 2002 Lawrenceburg lord Mike Miller and ’02 Kokomo king Dustin Smith, who was down a couple of cylinders in qualifying, had to be excited to pocket a cool grand after making the main.

Calamity continued with a turn four/front stretch double flip by NRA 360 runners Dennis Yoakam and Ryan Myers, with equally violent gymnastic demonstrations by USAC B-main contestants Kody Swanson and Mike Brecht, both scaling the cushion in separate turn four incidents, Brecht coming to a scary, abrupt stop in the beefy catch fence. Shocked and saddened by the death of his long-time backer and best friend Pat Kehoe earlier that day, Damion Gardner bagged the B, with Stockon, Weir, Dallas Hewitt, and Robert Ballou each punching their A-main ticket. Ballou’s blast could not have been more dramatic, starting dead last (17^th) and sneaking past Landon Simon through the final corner of the final lap to take the final transfer. Thus far, the evening was incredibly exciting, so typical of the fifty year run of these races. Could a lengthy fifty lap feature possibly top what had been witnessed thus far? As my sophomore high school English teacher used to say, read on…

An intermission allowed for some substantial surface maintenance, as the track crew paid particular attention to the top shelf on both ends, aerifying all the way through the healthy cushion that had accumulated. Dragging spikes through the smoother middle and lower lanes, water was added to this bottom half prior to driver intros. After a 10:32 PM wave lap and some spectacular pyrotechnics, Coleman Gulick and Dave Darland had the best view to turn one, with Clauson, Stanbrough, Schuerenberg, Hines, Meseraull (Baldwin 5), Kaeding, Grant, and Miller beginning from rows two through five.

Somewhat of a surprise, Gulick got the better bite and beat Darland to the first turn, with Clauson immediately swiping second at the end of the back chute.    Wheel to wheel on the third tour, by the fourth lap The Bullet tried to melt The Ice Man with an unsuccessful turn one slider, getting the job done two corners later. Three laps later, Darland did the same deed and secured second, with eight-time Eldora sprint car winner Tracy Hines quickly breathing down the neck of the New Yorker. One-fifth of the way in, Hines pointed to the bottom of turn three and stole third, only to have Gulick return the favor in turn one, with the veteran immediately crossing over in his MP Environmental DRC/Shaver. With Eldora’s clay tacky and plenty racy, Hunter Schuerenberg, Gulick, Thomas Meseraull, and Bud Kaeding made it a four car corral for fourth.

Just as Darland closed the gap to Clauson’s rear bumper, so did Hines with Darland. But behind them, T-Mez was a man with a plan, slipping under T-Hines with a surprise attack on the north end. Outside of the orange 5 in turn two, Tracy retook third while one lap later, Coleman sent Thomas back another spot. Diamond Dave was all over Clauson at lap 22, sliding for the lead through one and two the next time around. Amber bulbs were illuminated on lap 24 when Gulick smoked an engine, yellow turning to red when it was determined that this would be an ideal time to refuel the rides. Disappointed that larger tanks were not required to complete the prescribed distance, I’m definitely not a fan of fuel stops, as this was effectively a pair of 25-lap contests rather than one fifty lapper. Schuerenberg, Meseraull (for a slow leak), and Coons swapped rubber and went to the rear while Clauson’s crew changed rear end gears on the front stretch.

Restarting with 27 laps left, the scoreboard showed Darland, Clauson, Hines, Hagen (up from 11^th), and Kaeding, with Robert Ballou advancing to tenth from 23^rd. Two laps after refiring, April winner Hines climbed the turn four curb and spun, packing his right rear wheel full of mud. Bud Kaeding’s solid showing ended at this point as well, moving Stanbrough and Grant into the front five. Grant’s good night would soon be spoiled by a flat right rear, however.

With half the race left, Clauson thought about a turn one overtaking, only to have the Triple Crown champ inch away. Slicking off to a large ledge, Eldora only got racier in the middle stages, as Hagen, Stanbrough, Stockon (from 20^th), and Ballou tussled in two by two formation for third, watching Jon and Chase guard the bottom while Darren and Robert lived the high life. Briefly backing up to sixth, Ballou continued his forward march in the MPHG Promotions Triple X/Ott, hauling past everyone in that group to take third by lap 38.

With ten to go, Darland and his Maxim/Claxton machine held a half straight advantage but as that cavernous cushion continued to get pounded through the brown fog, Clauson began to close big time. Three laps later, any advantage that Dave enjoyed had been altogether erased, with lapped traffic soon to become an issue. But, Robert Ballou’s sudden stoppage and corresponding caution changed everything, putting an end to his incredible surge from 23^rd to 3^rd and coaxing a collective sigh from the attentive crowd.

With clear track, The People’s Champ hit his marks for the final four tours, parking on the center stage to pose with a $10,500 paycheck and celebrate accordingly with car owner Jeff Walker. Clauson and Stanbrough completed the podium, with Stockon (up 16 spots) and Meseraull (restarting near the rear for the final 27 laps) rounding out the top-five. Hagen, Dustin Smith (up 8), Damion Gardner (up 11), Levi Jones, and Tracy Hines (also making a comeback) were scored sixth through tenth.

Ending a twelve year Eldora sprint car victory drought (his last coming on 4/29/2000), afterwards the popular winner told Dustin Jarrett, “Well, I’ve got to thank the crowd for being on my side. I always get a good response, but especially here at Eldora. This is a great place with some great fans and we love racing here. Jeff Walker and the crew gave me a great racecar. This thing was fast. We didn’t get a real good start and fell back to third. I regrouped and got going pretty good after 15 laps or so. I just had a great racecar and the track preparation was great. The track was fast. You could pass guys if you were a little bit faster than they were. I’ve just got to thank my team, the track preparation crew, and Jeff Claxton for giving me that much power. We didn’t qualify real good but he’s been adjusting on it all night. This was a brand new engine, so it just needed a little TLC.”

Discussing that final caution with four to go, Dave admitted, “I was kind of glad to see it because of the fact that there were two or three lapped cars in front of me and I couldn’t really see the cushion. I started to back off of it a bit, just enough to stay safe. I slowed down a little bit because of that. But with Clauson behind me on the restart, anytime he’s in the field, you have to be on your toes. We probably didn’t need that yellow but on the other hand, we did need it so I could see what I was doing.”

“Jeff Walker does a great job of preparing the racecar. He was in the shop all week, rebuilding it after Sprint Week and he bought a bunch of new parts. The rear end, the front end, the driveline, the steering – he put about ten thousand dollars into the car this week, freshening it up. Everything on this car was fresh.”

In the 20-lap NRA winged sprint car event, Tony Stewart started seventh and made the winning pass on Kyle Sauder at lap 17, which would be the first of four winged sprint car wins in seven days for the track owner and USAC triple crown champ. Jared Horstman, Randy Hannagan, and Hud Horton were third through fifth.

Not since the Mopar Million have I been this excited about an Eldora event. Say what you will, but the non-standard format on this celebratory evening had everything to do with the buzz. Yes, the drivers probably griped about having to work so hard for their money, but in the end, their skills and bravery created quite a stir with the solid crowd that had gathered, hoping that this in turn injected a new enthusiasm for this brand of racing that will last for another fifty years. If this becomes an annual event, perhaps even more dollars could be added to the B-main and back of the A to entice further participation.

As if Sprint Week leftovers couldn’t taste any better, the next evening’s Bob Darland Memorial in Kokomo eliminated any doubt. An all-star cast of 27 gathered for the $3,000 to win thirty-lapper, with non-standard driver/car combinations coming from Jon Stanbrough (returning to the Fox 53 for a second Kokomo collaboration), Scotty Weir (Benic 2B), Jerry Coons, Jr. (Stensland 41), and Parker Price-Miller (McIntyre 83). After blowing an engine the previous night, while celebrating his 19^th birthday Coleman Gulick made a wish and asked Kenny Baldwin if he could run his second car, just 23 points shy of the Kokomo point lead. A benevolent Baldwin said yes, enlisting help from guys like Fred Click and Ray Kenens, Jr. Hines, Meseraull, Cottle, Grant, Clauson, Shuman, and obviously Darland were added Sunday attractions, extremely spoiled that this is par for the Kokomo course. The fact that this was the final tune-up for the August 23^rd through 25^th Sprint Car Smackdown might have had something to do with the count, but regardless of the reason, I’ll take it.

Gulick was the fastest in the three combined hot lap/qualifying sessions at 13.279 seconds. Coons never did turn a lap, retiring to the grandstands when his ride refused to turn over. Heat race highlights serving as feature appetizers included a first heat joust for the final redraw position between Bryan Clauson and Jon Stanbrough. An even hotter duel for the same spot in heat two occurred between Dave Darland and Thomas Meseraull, one that included contact. Shuman (Edison 10), Logan Jarrett, and Shane Cottle won each of the three prelims from the front row, with Cottle utilizing the same ex-Ron Gorby Claxton in his Tony Epperson Spike that blew an oil filter o-ring at Lawrenceburg Sprint Week. Utilizing borrowed rear rubber, local hero Josh Spencer cleaned up in the B, as did Jamie Frederickson after lifting the final transfer from Conner Donelson in the final turn of the final lap.

Given his great Indiana Sprint Week effort and huge Eldora score, as if it couldn’t be scripted any better, Dave Darland drew the pole for the race that memorializes his late father. At the efficient 8:50 wave lap, Casey Shuman joined him from the front, with Jarrett, Hines, Stanbrough, Cottle, Gulick and Meseraull making up the next three rows. Bryan Clauson was originally slated to begin from fifth, but had to revert to a backup ride after encountering engine issues following his heat race run, falling to the rear of the field.

Turn one quickly became a mess when Coleman Gulick got crossed up, scooping Dustin Smith and Josh Clemons, the latter landing on his lid but was able to restart with minimal damage. The second attempt saw Darland drive through the middle of turn one, kiss the cushion at the exit, and allow Shuman to escape with a slight advantage off of two. Dave stormed back in three, only to have Casey serve a slider through four to officially lead a thrilling first tour. Pointing the Jeff’s Jam-It-In Storage Maxim to the bottom of one, the four-time Kokomo champ was once again back up front.

Behind them, four-time and defending Kokomo champion Shane Cottle immediately began making some noise. With infield tires pushed all the way in, the master of the bottom took full advantage of the added racing room to scoot from sixth to third. Third row starter and twice a Kokomo king, Jon Stanbrough asserted himself as well, rekindling some Foxco mojo to pull even with Darland when five laps were scored. Darland up high and Stanbrough and Cottle low, the three amigos made it difficult to decide which race to watch, as Clauson was already up to ninth with just nine laps down. Underneath of Hines (own 24), Bryan was now seventh at a lap 11 yellow for Brian Karraker. Similar to Eldora but this time a left rear, Thomas Meseraull required a rubber swap, nearly flipping his Baldwin 5 while scrambling to get back to the pits.

The turn three scoreboard showed Darland, Stanbrough, Cottle, Shuman, and last year’s winner Justin Grant as top-five material. When green lights glared, Dave said bye-bye and was gone. Fanning three wide for second and also for fifth, Clauson was creating quite a stir with his low-side lunges through three and four, now fifth when a Jamie Frederickson tour of the spin cycle put the action on pause with a dozen laps left. As is normally the case on Sunday nights, you could cut the tension with a knife, as you knew it was going to get interesting in a hurry.

One lap after green, Clauson got two more, as his Mike Dutcher-wrenched Maxim/Fisher was oh-so-strong. Not willing to go down without a fight, fourth place Shane Cottle adjusted his plan of attack with a top-shelf tactic, but BC was simply relentless in his pursuit of perfection, snatching second from Stanbrough with nine to go. Making a lot of noise upstairs, Cottle was able to reclaim second but just as Clauson returned to runner-up status, Tyler Courtney caused yet another caution, this time with eight to go.

Although it appeared impossible to hold back Clauson’s charge, any one of the top-five runners still had a shot, as Cottle suddenly inched ahead of leader Darland as they exited turn two. Riding high and handsome as he entered the third bend, the Lincoln legend still led, but in a role reversal to the Putnamville Sprint Week finale, Kokomo’s other favorite son put it all on the line with a cutthroat slider through the middle of three and four, barely clearing the left front wheel of the blue 11. Up on the wheel, Shane slipped over the cushion in two while Dave had his hands full with Bryan. Staying true to his low side strategy, Clauson collected second and soon had first, as the shock and surprise of the crowd rose above the roar of 410 cubic inch thunder. But, just when you thought the plot couldn’t get any thicker, one more Jamie Frederickson yellow negated that pass for the lead, reverting Cottle to P1 with five tours remaining. With all of the action thus far, one would have thought that this race had an extra zero in the winning payout, hard to imagine such aggressive behavior after such a breathtaking Indiana Sprint Week grind.

With green flag flying, The Throttle steered his Epperson Painting Spike to the bottom of turn one to thwart a barrage from The Bullet. I have no idea how, but Bryan somehow found a hole at the bottom of turn two, showing how low one can go at Kokomo. Shane turned to the cushion at turn three in hope of returning the favor, but back at the stripe Clauson had already begun to construct a healthy margin. Back in the picture after restarting fourth, Casey Shuman sent Darland back to fourth and soon synched up with the rear bumper of Cottle at the exit of turn four. Both machines spun, but only Cottle was able to keep the fire lit, leading to the fifth and final caution.

Three laps were left to determine the winner, but nobody could keep Clauson from the big score, such a stirring run from the rear, ultimately turning the tables after losing a high-profile Sprint Week battle here a couple of weeks prior. Darland redeemed himself by returning to second, with Cottle completing the podium. Stanbrough and Hines rounded out the top-five while Meseraull (completing his run from the rear after the tire change), Grant, Weir, Jarrett, and Gurley were scored sixth through tenth.

While addressing the crowd via Brett Bowman’s microphone, Clauson commented, “Yeah, this thing was a rocket ship! We were a little tight early on but that thing sure came to life with about 12 or 15 to go. Mike Dutcher, A.J. Bray, Big Al, my dad, Isaac, Elmo – everybody that works on this R&B Truckers, RW Motorsports, Curb Records 7, they’re unbelievable. I know Dave wanted to win this one really bad and I’m sure there’s a lot of people that wanted him to, but I guess coming from 19^th to win this is a good, secondary choice. I’ve been getting tired of following him. He’s been whooping our butts here lately and I was just glad we could get by him there and hold on for the win.”

Asked about the problem that led to having to revert to his backup car, Bryan noted, “We had some motor issues there in the heat race. It was a bummer. We had a really good car up to that point. But, we knew this one was capable. This is the one we ran here the last couple of times. And, with Mike Dutcher wrenching, anything is possible. We came from 15^th or so in the Sprint Week race so we knew 30 laps was plenty of time. We just had to get after it, stay clean, and be there at the end. This is huge. Dave is always a guy that I’ve looked up to when I started running. He helped mentor me a little bit and I grew up with Trenton. Being able to win a Darland family race at Kokomo Speedway, it’s really special.”

We’ve seen it before from the likes of Stanbrough, Schuerenberg, Meseraull, and maybe even Cole Whitt, but a win from the back at Kokomo is still such an amazing achievement, especially in this modern era of O’Connor family ownership when the best of the best have come out to play on Sunday evenings. And, perhaps I have worn out this statement since 2005, but I am still continuing to find new ways to be amazed by the feature events here. Just when you didn’t think it could get any more exciting, it does, walking out of the front gates at 9:20 PM after witnessing yet another race for the ages. Wondering what the three-day Smackdown will be like on August 23^rd, 24^th, and 25^th, again, if these are Sprint Week leftovers, keep warming them up as the taste never grows old.

Unfortunately, that plate of leftovers was effectively emptied after the Bob Darland Memorial. A new beginning to the rest of my sprint car summer started five days later at Bloomington Speedway, as the winged World of Outlaws discipline is altogether different.

Ever since the mid-to-late 1990s when all Indiana bullrings reverted to wingless sprint car competition, crossover between the winged and non-winged world has been all but nonexistent, difficult to draw spectacular car counts for airfoil exhibitions. Requiring a narrow front axle, an expensive set of wings, and a set or two of Goodyear rubber, even for the local squads that managed to scrounge up all of that extra equipment; it’s still like taking a knife to a gun fight. Counting Bloomington’s Ty Deckard (who has a Kinser connection for parts), Wes McIntyre, and A.J. Martin, they were the only true homeboys who gave it a go. Kody Kinser and Paul May might have an Indiana address, but they are an otherwise endangered species exclusively operating with aerodynamic aids attached. I just mentioned five of the scant 22 appearing for this show, disappointed but not surprised by the low number. Five more at-large and twelve touring regulars made up the rest of the field, including Aussie standout James McFadden.

Early August is an odd-time for sprint car racing, as the winged sect is solely focused on the granddaddy of them all, the Knoxville Nationals. Additional 410 cubic inch competitors who could have been here were already getting valuable track time at Knoxville’s 360 Nationals, albeit requiring a completely different setup for a heavier and less powerful steel block mill. For the Indiana weekly warriors, many are still stuck in a Sprint Week daze but regardless of the time of the year, many do not have the means to acquire all of the equipment necessary to run with WoO’s big dogs.

Sitting in the stands for the June World of Outlaws round in Kokomo, I was unable to spot 1990 Knoxville Nationals winner Bobby “Scruffy” Allen aiding the efforts of his grandson Logan Schuchart. On their way to the Nationals from their Hanover, Pennsylvania base, Bobby and Logan stopped off in Bloomington, where I remember the cagey veteran claiming an All Star Circuit of Champions feature the Friday following his 1990 Knoxville upset. Tonight would be the first time I saw Mr. Allen on Hoosier soil since passing him on I-465 in August of 1998, hard to imagine that in December, Bobby will turn 69 some 16 days after Logan turns 20. Getting the most out of his equipment and stretching a dollar further than anyone else, at least in my era, Bobby, along with Sammy Swindell, might be the brightest owner/driver of all-time. Watching him tune on Logan’s car, of course Ol’ Scruffy is still sharp with the wrenches, but I had to wonder if he could still get it done on the track too.

Seventy-five points separated the first five in Outlaw points, with Elk River, Minnesota’s Craig Dollansky narrowly leading hometown hero and 20-time Outlaw king Steve Kinser, Sammy Swindell, Donny Schatz, and Brownsburg’s Joey Saldana, perhaps the tightest battle I can recall this late into the season. Eight times an Outlaw winner in B-town and hungry for that 21^st title, at 58 years of age I continually wonder how many more years Steve has left. Then again, if he wasn’t on tour, what would he be doing with his time? Could he handle a Friday evening at Janko’s Little Zagreb and maybe a stroll down the Monon afterwards?   That just doesn’t seem like The King’s style to me.

Winning last year’s World of Outlaws return to Bloomington for the first time in 12 years, I can recall Donny Schatz’s initial effort on this same red clay in his rookie 1996 season. Eighth in the qualifying line, Donny’s 10.798 second circuit was good enough for quick time, his first of the 2012 campaign. Schatz’s Tony Stewart Racing teammate Kinser missed the four-car heat race invert after clocking 13^th, putting himself behind the proverbial eight ball as he’d need to reach the top-two in his heat just to make the trophy dash.

Although I was not surprised by the low car count, I was however, amazed by Bloomington’s abnormally arid surface conditions after hot laps. Packed extremely tight, a minimal cushion was pushed to the edge in both sets of corners. Recalling as many as three hot lap sessions after last year’s surface became soaked by a brief afternoon shower, passing was extremely difficult all night long. In fact, by the end of that 40-lap feature, you could have easily run another 40 with great results. Going in the completely opposite direction for this year’s surface, as they say, there’s a first time for everything and much like the Oldsmobile ads from years gone by, this was not your father’s Bloomington Speedway. It would certainly be interesting to see how things played out for the competitors come feature time.

With the modified heats up first, pockets of moisture still existed in turn four and in the middle of turn one. But, by the time the sprint cars finished the first of their three heats, the red clay surprisingly started to tear tires as there was an unmistakable ode of Goodyear in the air. Greg Wilson, Logan Schuchart, and Joey Saldana won from either the first or second row and although Steve Kinser came close to stealing second from Cody Darrah, it wasn’t enough to make the dash that inverted six. Before that short sprint, the top lane was tilled and watered in hope of promoting passing.   Placing Kasey Kahne teammates Cody Darrah and Joey Saldana on the front row, Joey drew from his early years of sprint car experience here and propelled to the easy win, producing the pole position.

The 25^th time for the World of Outlaws to visit Bloomington Speedway, the need for pre-feature track preparations was without question necessary to avoid a one-lane, rubber-down disaster. Again tilling and watering but this time from top to bottom, the trusty blue Ford water truck (struck by Kasey Kahne in 2000) broke its PVC pipe after clipping a tractor, reminding me that such excessive work is all new stuff for this venue. Unfortunately, the modifieds would reap the ultimate rewards of the renewed surface, as their finale was up first. With the lead battle containing five cars slicing and dicing through traffic; yes, it was a good show. But, given the large crowd that came to watch the Outlaws battle on a rare bullring, I wish I could say the best race of the night was the sprint car feature. Much like the benefits of applying a mysterious Chinese balm on a burn, dirt-track racing and surface conditions are often unpredictable. You just never know what you’re going to get.

The traditional four-wide salute came at 10:20 PM, with points contenders Dollansky, Kinser, Swindell, Schatz, and Saldana beginning 11^th, 13^th, 3^rd, 4^th, and 1^st.   Before lap one was officially in the books, two Kinsers managed to hook in turn four, as Steve connected with Kody, unceremoniously landing on his lid in the infield. Pushed back to the pits, after a momentary struggle, the top wing was replaced and the legend was back in business, his job to stay in the thick of the points battle made that much more difficult.

The first half of the forty-lapper was fantastic, the kind of action you’d expect from jetfighters racing inside of a gymnasium. Saldana, Darrah, and Schatz operated in close proximity and as they worked traffic, seventh-starting Lucas Wolfe came out of nowhere to join the party. Wolfe worked the lower half of the quarter-mile to perfection and just as soon as he had entered the picture, his eyes were affixed to the tail tank of the Brownsburg Bullet. Joey encountered Chad Kemenah and rode the rim in turn one to overtake, not quite enough mustard on the hot dog to pull off the pass. Launching through the middle of one and two, the big bad Wolfe boldly split Kemenah and Saldana in turn three, leading lap 19 as suddenly the first six all operated on the same straightaway.

By the time that Lucas rocketed to a full straightaway advantage, rubber started adhering one lane above the bottom of Bloomington’s banks, making it a parade for the last half of the affair. With two laps left, a Kody Kinser spin led to an interesting decision for the leader as a fateful, double-file restart was in the works. Choosing the inside lane could have been a mistake for the Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania pilot, but we’ll never know for sure as a Kerry Madsen revolution reverted the restart to single file status. Also at this juncture, a flat right rear tire for Sammy Swindell removed him from the top-ten, saddled with an unsavory 13^thplace finish.

Second in this event last year, after spending the better part of the last six years on the road, Wolfe’s search for that elusive World of Outlaws victory ended in Bloomington, where second place Saldana and third place Schatz were extremely complimentary of the understated first-time winner. Jason Sides and Cody Darrah completed the first-five while Greg Wilson, Kraig Kinser, Logan Schuchart, Craig Dollansky, and a hard-charging Steve Kinser cashed sixth through tenth place paychecks. It’s hard to imagine, but Bloomington only has two scheduled events left on their 2012 calendar: this Friday the 17^th and the huge $5,000 Mitchell-Priest Family Fall Clash on September 14^th.

Fully digesting my multiple plates of Sprint Week leftovers and falling into a sprint car coma, after a brief respite from the racing world my appetite has returned, hungering to sample such tasty options as Lawrenceburg’s Dick Gaines Memorial and Putnamville’s Midwest Sprint Car Series showdown, possibly preceded by an appetizing stop in Gas City. Each one of these serves as a precursor for the main entrée, that being Kokomo’s titanic Sprint Car Smackdown, a destination event that might already deserve its own holiday association.

After the Smackdown, it’s literally an eternity until Sprint Week 2013, but it is only three months until Thanksgiving. A special time when my brothers and sisters magically get along while I feast on turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and all that other good stuff, even though it’s just one day on the calendar, the best part is that there’s always the leftovers to look forward to.   Often tasting better the day after, my mouth is already watering at the thought. And, in case you’re wondering, I’ve already got dibs on a big chunk of that crispy, golden brown stuffing.

Cool Under Fire – Prior to a 21st to 5th charge at Lawrenceburg, Levi Jones appears as relaxed as can be. It’s no wonder he’s now a four-time Indiana Sprint Week champion.

Volume 14, Number 12

Microcosmic

Aside from random games of Scrabble or Words with Friends, the last time that I was tested on the expansion of my vocabulary was the spring of 1989, a time when I can imagine myself sitting in a high school classroom, eagerly awaiting the final bell of my junior year and the resulting path to freedom offered by two and a half months of summer vacation. Soaking up scholarly subjects like a sponge just so that I could pour over my racing publications that much sooner; like anything else from that timeframe, if I haven’t used those bits of knowledge by now, they are unfortunately lost forever, unable to recall the majority of those fifty dollar words that I had to memorize for English class.

All these years later, I still anticipate the arrival of a summer break infinitely more than any other time of the year.   Filling the months of June, July, and August with forty-plus hour workweeks since that summer of ‘89, instead of punching the time clock at the golf course maintenance garage, these days I may be salaried but I am still responsible for determining how I will account for my 200 allotted hours away from the office. Reserving a whopping 25% for the United States Auto Club’s Indiana Sprint Week; the seven race respite has become my primary summertime destination since 1997.

Bike Ride – Prior to claiming his first USAC feature victory, Justin Grant tours Lawrenceburg on two wheels.

In the past, I’ve employed many terms to describe my favorite time of the year, as Sprint Week is my happy place, zenith, Xanadu, and summer solstice all rolled into one. An oasis from the stress, headaches, and frustration of my middle management position, as its arrival grows closer; I am like an overanxious child shaking the wrapped boxes underneath a Christmas tree. I just can’t wait any longer!

While in the deep depression better known post-Sprint Week syndrome, a Monday morning post-mortem brainstorming session supplied enough clarity to actually unearth one of those high school vocabulary words that serve as yet another descriptor for my favorite time of the year. An adjective that defines itself as a miniature representation of a larger whole, the word is microcosmic, coming to understand that after 16 years, this mini-series is without question the best barometer for national championship success, especially since USAC’s thunder and lightning division has exclusively operated on soil since 2011. But more than being just a microcosm of an entire sprint car season, this special time is also an approximation of everyday life, as even my own personal zenith is far from a perfect world.

T-Mez – Making five of seven features in two separate rides, Thomas Meseraull reaches for the sky at Haubstadt in the Keen 18.

Sprint Week’s fantasy island is often filled with the highest of highs but given the unreasonably lofty expectations for excitement, may also contain the lowest of lows. Immune to all outside influences while in my “zone”, often times I take this precious period for granted, only having myself to blame for not enjoying these nine days to their fullest. Becoming quite weary from the countless hours spent in the broiling heat and all of the windshield time endured while shuttling back and forth from my Indy abode, when this daily grind of a different variety finally screeches to a halt, I will inevitably wonder how the time slipped away so quickly. Wishing that I could live it all again, instead I am forced to wait an entire year for another opportunity. Such is life, as all good things must come to an end. And, when the separation anxiety finally subsides, there are some valuable lessons to be learned when reflecting on this truly “microcosmic” experience.

Hometown Hero – Dave Darland and the partisan crowd are pumping fists after the dramatic score at Kokomo on Monday night.

If laughter and smiles are life’s best medicine, then Sprint Week is my cure all, sharing my favorite days with close friends Steve Lafond and Tom Percy. Coming all the way from California to Carmel to stay as house guests for the fourth year in a row, these nine days would not be near as special if these two were not part of the equation. Enjoying some of Indiana’s most incredible food, intrigued by some new tunes from Steve’s eclectic music collection, bursting into laughter from Tom’s wry sense of humor, staying up late to see the new additions to Steve’s Tear-Off Heaven Fotos (www.tohf.com), and making many a toast with an adult beverage and some midnight Milano cookies, Sprint Week is as much about the people as it is the mouth-watering on-track action.   Going out of his way to invite us to his daughter’s pre-Kokomo cookout, a special thank you is extended to Tipton’s Dave Roach, as we were joined at the relaxing feast by fellow photographic geniuses Dennis Krieger and Dave Merritt.

The Throttle – Tenth in Sprint Week points, Shane Cottle led the first 26 laps at Lincoln Park and ran strong all week long.

On the eve of the Gas City lid lifter, the boys and I (along with Rachael) kicked off the 25^th anniversary of this series in style by following the White River to the grossly understated settlement of Perkinsville, Indiana, home to long-time sprint car owner/participant Joe Perry and also Bonge’s Tavern, an out-of-the-way, destination eatery where Chef Tony Huelster has waved his magic wand since 1999. Starting with a round of smoked salmon and crab cake appetizers, only to be followed by a humongous wedge of lettuce covered with the most unbelievable bleu cheese dressing known to mankind, when not sharing bites from everyone else’s main course, I savored my signature dish of Harger Duck, which is stuffed with jalapeno cream cheese, wrapped in bacon, and coated in plum barbeque sauce, perched atop a bed of wild rice. Also inhaling the cheesy potatoes, broccolini, and the jalapeno corn bread, I washed all that down with a couple of uniquely flavored Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ales, somehow able to squeeze in a piece of strawberry-rhubarb streusel cake. Basking in the glow of great friends, robust beverages, outstanding eats, and Sprint Week prospects, this might just be my favorite day of the entire year. Returning on the Tuesday off-night for a second run to Bonge’s after an amazing day of exploring the old Jungle Park Speedway near Marshall, Indiana, much like quality sprint car entertainment, I can never get enough of this place.

Head East – On the gas at Lawrenceburg, Bobby East was back in his own car for Sprint Week, scoring a best finish of sixth at Haubstadt.

As previously discussed, Sprint Week is a pivotal period in the USAC calendar when season-long championship contenders are separated from the pretenders. It may go without saying, but if you want to succeed at anything in life, let alone USAC sprint car racing, you must be adequately prepared, willing to work extremely hard, and surround yourself with good people. As a five-time national USAC sprint car champion, two-time Silver Crown champ, and three-time Indiana Sprint Week king, former Olney, Illinois native Levi Jones certainly fits that bill, enjoying the benefit of over a dozen years of USAC experience and an unbreakable grace under pressure, thriving on the moment like he was standing at the line in a high school basketball game, knowing full-well that he is going to sink a pair of game-winning free throws. Since parking next to Jeff Walker in 2001, Sprint Week has been his time to shine.

The Bullet – Shown at Bloomington, Bryan Clauson won once, was in the hunt all week, and claimed second in Sprint Week points.

With all of those qualities in his arsenal, it’s no surprise that Levi was able to tie Kevin Thomas’s record of four Indiana Sprint Week championships with his 2012 assault. A week before this year’s marathon, Jones hired his former car owner Scott Benic to call the shots on the number 20, the same guy with which he won the 2004 Sprint Week title and 2005 national championship. Taking a huge weight off of his shoulders with crucial setup decisions, the confidence-building addition of Benic to this already stout Tony Stewart Racing squad clearly made a difference after a sub-par 2011 Sprint Week, as aside from a 28^th place qualification effort at Lawrenceburg (where he was last in the qualifying line), Jones was rock-solid consistent from start to finish, timing inside of the top-ten in six of the seven outings while finishing outside out the top-five only once (8^th at Bloomington).   Opening third at Gas City, he permanently switched from gas-charged Integra shocks to oil-filled AFCOs prior to Lawrenceburg’s B-main, where a run from 13^th to 5^th allowed him to sprint from 21^st to 5^th later on. Ninth to third at Kokomo and 11^th to fourth at Terre Haute, his amazing average feature finish was 4.29. With end results of 3^rd, 5^th, 3^rd, 4^th, 8^th, 2^nd, and 5^th, that’s not only how you win another Sprint Week title, but another national championship as well. Ironically claiming a Sprint Week title without a win, he did the same thing with Scott back in 2004. Legitimate hall of fame material, Levi Jones just keeps rewriting the record books.

Showtime – Chase Stockon made all seven main events and only finished outside of the top-ten twice, impressing with a 20th to 5th drive at Haubstadt.

Although it is good to be king, there can only be one, and even the best are not immune to bad luck. Due to Thursday’s Lincoln Park deluge, the finale was moved to Sunday, the first time Putnamville has played host to the curtain closer since 1998. Much like the drama-filled ’97 and ’98 ending events, three men had a clear shot at the crown, with Levi leading Bryan Clauson and John Stanbrough by 12 points and Dave Darland a distant 45 markers behind. Playing the could have, would have, should have game, Bryan, Jon, and Dave could have easily been in the Sprint Week driver’s seat had it not been for the frowning of Lady Luck. Call it fate, call it destiny, or call it whatever you want, but sometimes life just isn’t fair, definitely a character building week for those chasing Mister Jones.

Good Eats – Twice during the Sprint Week Tour, Tom Percy, Steve Lafond, and I visited Bonge’s Tavern in Perkinsville, Indiana, my all-time favorite establishment for unbeatable food and atmosphere.

Coming oh-so-close to winning the 2009 Sprint Week war, Bryan battled tooth and nail with Levi for opening night honors in Gas City, coming away with a huge score after the race-long, thrilling duel wowed the crowd. Consistently scalding the top of Lawrenceburg’s skyscraper banks to pilfer P1 from Dave Darland, even with his R&B Truckers/RW Motorsports Maxim/Fisher operating on seven cylinders, he had the race in the bag. After a late-race Darland revolution, Clauson’s right rear tire was going flat under a mysteriously lengthy caution, ultimately saddled with a sub-par 22^nd place finish. Surging from 13^th to 2^nd and inheriting first place at Kokomo thanks to a Jon Stanbrough flat, the Bullet could not contain the high-side heroics of the Lincoln Legend, settling for runner-up rights. At Terre Haute, BC qualified quickest but at the end of his second tour, I depicted an odd sound emanating from his engine. Sure enough, he failed to start his heat race and his crew, led by head wrench Mike Dutcher, had to swap the power plant. Finishing the work just in time for the B, issues were encountered with a leaky left side valve cover gasket. Climbing from seventh to second in the A, another flat right rear, this one on the final lap, knocked him back to ninth, a devastatingly draining outing if there ever was one. Tenth to fifth at Bloomington, Haubstadt was another eventful evening for the Indy 500 vet. Firing from fourth and gaining all kinds of bite from the bottom, he and Jon Stanbrough exchanged first place six times in the course of two tours but instead of following the bottom, he chose to mimic Jon’s line and clipped the turn two cushion, flipping and temporarily crushing his Sprint Week title hopes. Never say die, he restarted at the rear with 12 laps left and was up to fifth in just six laps! Taking third on lap 28, with another caution he might have even won the thing. Picking up a podium finish in the Putnamville finale after serving a last lap, slide-for-life on Shane Cottle, just like three seasons ago, he came up a hair short in his bid to achieve Sprint Week royalty. Trailing Jones by seven points, he averaged a feature finish of 6.43, timing inside of the top-ten in five of the seven rounds. Without those two flat tires, his average finish would have been below 3, easily making him a first-time title winner.

Terre Haute Tumble – California visitor Matt Mitchell ended his Sprint Week after this vicious set of barrel rolls down the Terre Haute front stretch.

A 2006 and 2010 Sprint Week stud, Jon Stanbrough faced his share of adversity and had to dig deep just to contend for the crown, running extremely strong through the seven race stretch in Danny Roberts and Daryl Tate’s DRC/Speedway Engines machine (sponsored by Bruce Leer). After starting tenth and stealing second from Jones in the waning stages of Gas City, Jon blasted from fourth at The Burg before uncharacteristically bicycling to a stop in turn three on the first lap, soldiering home eighth in the event-filled affair. Beginning from the outside of the front row at Kokomo, the Silent Gasser was in his own area code for twenty laps of Monday night’s rescheduled rain out, enjoying more than a straightaway advantage over Bryan Clauson before his right rear rubber deflated, scored a sour 17^th after a dominating performance. Eighth to second at Terre Haute, he again had early race issues at Bloomington, swept up in a mess with Shane Cottle, Damion Gardner, and Dakota Jackson. He used the rest of the race to recover, sweeping past Jones to score seventh at the checkered. His front row start allowed him to lead all thirty tours of Tri-State, but not without a passionate fight for first with Clauson. Starting third and coming home a disappointing sixth in the Lincoln Park finale, overtaking proved to be quite a challenge on the slicked-off surface. In the right place at the right time after qualifications, twice Jon timed 11^th and wound up with a front row starting spot. His poorest two-lap performance was 13^th, clocking inside of the top-ten on four occasions. Averaging a feature finish of 6.14, without that flat at Kokomo, much like Clauson he too could have been the one to sit in the Bridgeport rocking chair at the end of the week. As we all know, life is far from perfect, but it takes a nearly perfect week to be the king of Indiana in July.

First Time Winner – Mentored by Bubby Jones, Kevin Thomas, Jr. scored a huge win at Bloomington, his first with the United States Auto Club.

Entering the series with massive momentum thanks to a Sunday night Kokomo score, Dave Darland began his Sprint Week with a whiff of first place at Gas City, winding up fourth at the checkered. Diamond Dave led laps eight through 18 at The Burg, but Bryan Clauson circled the Jeff’s Jam-It-In Storage Maxim/Claxton, with Darland surprisingly spinning from third after trying to dive beneath eventual winner Justin Grant. Sitting second on a Kokomo restart with six laps left, a cutthroat turn one slide job was served to leader Clauson.   BC refused to lose, swapping the premier position three times but was unable to inhibit the top shelf tactic of the People’s Champ, who produced a popular win in front of the hometown crowd. Fifth to third and gaining ground on the leaders at the Action Track, a left rear flat had him falling to 13^th. Up front for the first five Bloomington laps, he was again overtaken on the high side, this time by Kevin Thomas, Jr., forced to observe the Alabama native taking his first checkered. Qualifying quickest at Haubstadt and operating inside of the top-ten before he was victimized by a second Damion Gardner flip, he scored a sub-par 13^th and killed his Sprint Week title hopes. Running second behind Putnamville leader Shane Cottle for the first 26 tours, after thwarting the pesky, inside advances of Kevin Thomas, Jr., Darland scaled the steps and said hello to Fonzi, attacking the well-worn high line. The Rave swapped the lead baton with The Throttle five times in three laps, ending the grind in style with his record-setting 17^th Sprint Week score in his 500^th career USAC sprint car start. The only one to qualify inside of the top ten all seven times and closing the week fourth in points, momentum was clearly on Darland’s side as attention turned to the massive 50^th anniversary USAC union at the Big E.

Fastest Man – Shown at Lincoln Park before the rain hit, despite a third place run at Terre Haute, Tracy Hines had a trying Sprint Week.

Behind Jones, Clauson, Stanbrough, and Darland, the top-ten in Sprint Week points included fifth place Jerry Coons, Jr. (4^th at Bloomington), Chase Stockon, Hunter Schuerenberg (4^th at Lawrenceburg and Kokomo), Thomas, Damion Gardner (2^nd at Lawrenceburg), and Shane Cottle. Levi, Bryan, Jon, Dave, Jerry, Chase, Hunter, and Damion made all seven main events without popping a provisional pill. Thomas, Robert Ballou, and Tracy Hines took part in all seven but had to dig into their bag of mulligans; Ballou at Kokomo and LPS and Hines at Bloomington.   Even with former Kenny Baldwin caretaker Derek Claxton joining the MP Environmental crew, Tracy’s third at Terre Haute was his best run in seven races. Ballou’s sixth place showings at Lawrenceburg and Terre Haute were tops, a rough week for the Rocklin, California native who flipped hard in Saturday Kokomo hot laps and went through three different cars, surviving an eventful trip to Terre Haute that involved a visit from an Indiana State Trooper.

Rocklin Rocket – Hard at work at Putnamville, Robert Ballou needed two provisionals to compete in all seven main events but had four top-ten finishes.

Much like our mundane existence, Sprint Week can offer some unexpected surprises, the most positive coming in the form of first-time USAC feature winners Justin Grant (Lawrenceburg) and Kevin Thomas, Jr. (Bloomington). The latter venue continued a Sprint Week tradition as Brad Fox and A.J. Anderson did the same deed there in 1997 and 2001. And although he had won twice at Terre Haute back in 2006, Daron Clayton’s authoritative return to the series at the Action Track could not have been more effective. Only operating in one USAC union this year, after teaming with Ray Morgan to warm up and wax weaker fields in Farmer City and Flora, Illinois, four days later Daron made it three in a row by beating the best, leading all thirty laps from the pole to claim Wednesday’s Don Smith Classic.

DG – Damion Gardner slides through turn one at Terre Haute, making all seven Sprint Week features and collecting ninth in points.

A feast or famine week for Thomas, he had to take a provisional to start Lawrenceburg but rebounded with an impressive 22^nd to 9^th romp at Kokomo, ending the week on an extremely high note by hanging his left front wheel over inside berm; advancing 11 spots to second at LPS. Without question the most improved driver of 2012, under the tutelage of veteran racer Norman “Bubby” Jones, KT, Jr. is a totally different driver, much smoother and exhibiting some serious confidence. Three times a USAC podium finisher prior to Sprint Week, his years of humbling persistence have finally paid off. As for Grant, after scoring his sixth win of the season at The Burg, his week was awfully trying, claiming 22^nd at Terre Haute and failing to qualify for features at Gas City, Kokomo, Bloomington, and Haubstadt, skipping the final round altogether. Things will certainly get better for Justin, as he oozes talent and has a good head on his shoulders.

Sprint Week Sunset – By the time the sun sets on Haubstadt, the melancholy feelings begin to take effect.

Another pleasant surprise was the performance of Sullivan, Indiana’s Chase Stockon, one of those eight men who made all seven features without utilizing provisionals. Only twice did Chase finish outside of the top-ten, impressing at Kokomo and Haubstadt with charges from 18^th to 7^th and 20^th to 5^th. Consistently outperforming better funded squads, Stockon’s step up to the Sprint Week plate reminds me of the way Levi Jones suddenly landed in the spotlight in 2001. Without a lot of backing, Chase proves that the little man can still make some loud noise on a big stage. And, although his feature finishes were not that spectacular, Brent Beauchamp was one more chauffeur who opened some eyes. Leading off the week with fast time at Gas City, he was third quickest in Kokomo and Haubstadt time trials. Skipping Terre Haute, he made five of the six features he attempted, saving his best work for Bloomington where he flew from 15^th to third, making his name a little more household.

Demonized – The first of two Damion Gardner flips at Haubstadt, check out the expressions of the people in the top row.

Previously mentioning personnel changes for Jones (Benic), Windom (Cripe), and Hines (Claxton), Frankfort’s Fred Click stayed on with Binghamton, New York’s Coleman Gulick, who also received coaching from former Northern All Stars Late Model champ and Indiana sprint car rookie of the year Jeff Wilson. The Ice Man’s week was a roller coaster ride before bailing on Bloomington and Haubstadt, ending the campaign seventh at Putnamville.    Making all five main events he attempted, including a fine fifth at Terre Haute, Gulick experienced a wide range of emotions at Lawrenceburg, where during his heat he clipped wheels with Chase Stockon and narrowly escaped a scary backstretch ride, angrily tossing his steering wheel in the direction of “Showtime”. Coleman recovered to claim third in the feature, boasting of his newfound patience in following the bottom. Winged warrior Bob Curtis offered his services to Bobby East, who made five of seven features in his own number five, highlighted by a sixth at Haubstadt after propelling from the pole. Landing sponsorship from Boomtrux.com, Bobby also acquired the ex-Kasey Kahne/Brad Sweet Maxim that Jason Leffler had run a few times earlier this season, unable to crack the Action Track A-main with that same sled.

Jungle Park – Tom Percy and I imagine what it would have been like watching the big cars roar past the grandstand at the old Jungle Park Speedway near Marshall, Indiana.

Sweeper – Appearing more like asphalt after fifty-five years of neglect, it’s amazing that the oiled dirt of Jungle Park still shows through on the sweeping front chute.

Bouncing back from adversity and never giving up are two traits required to reach Sprint Week victory lane. Although Shane Cottle is a four-time Kokomo Speedway king, twice a Gas City champ, and two times an Indiana Midget Week title winner, Shane is never one to give up, still searching for his first Indiana Sprint Week win. Opening fifth at Gas City in the Epperson Painting Spike, he started from Lawrenceburg’s pole, led briefly, but blew an oil filter gasket and caught fire while going for second place. 15^th to 9^th in Kokomo’s B, The Throttle was 12^th at Terre Haute, fighting back from an early Bloomington incident and ignoring a painful eye obstruction to nail ninth. His Epperson squad took the following night off but returned for Lincoln Park, up front for all but the final four laps, having to settle for fourth. Running awfully strong during Sprint Week, Shane and Tony Epperson seem to be jelling at just the right time.

Quick Time – Brent Beauchamp had quick time on opening night at Gas City and was fast all week.

Sometimes it’s just not your day, week, or year. Just ask defending Indiana Sprint Week champion Chris Windom and his Baldwin Brothers Racing team. Preparing for the series by winning a thrilling Putnamville feature with new crew chief Brian Cripe, given such a stout performance I had expected so much more from this potent driver/crew chief combo. A night and day difference between 2011 and 2012, the only stop where Chris was a factor was Lawrenceburg, where he led three laps before bicycling and flipping in turn three. Starting the week by missing the show at Gas City, the situation did not improve after The Burg. Fourteenth at Kokomo, tenth at Terre Haute, and needing a provisional to begin Bloomington and Putnamville, his best showing was ninth at Haubstadt. I’m not sure of what went wrong, but this is not the Chris Windom that nearly took the national championship. Sprint Week has a way of humbling even the best and just a few days afterwards, Chris and the Baldwin Brothers team parted ways.

A Sprint Week feature winner in 2006 (Bloomington), 2007 (North Vernon), 2008 (Lawrenceburg), and 2010 (Brownstown), Bedford’s Brady Short also had a week he’d just as soon forget. A DNQ at Gas City and Lawrenceburg, he skipped Kokomo and Terre Haute but returned for Bloomington, where he botched his qualification attempt and failed to finish the non-qualifier race. Switching to the Brent Pottorff 11P for Haubstadt, he wound up missing the main event there as well. No matter how successful one can be on the local level, nobody said Sprint Week would be an easy bout.

Ice Man – Hauling it into Gas City’s third turn, Coleman Gulick competed in five of seven Sprint Week shows, taking third at Lawrenceburg.

Speaking of horrible weeks, could it get any worse for west coast competitors Matt Mitchell or twin brothers Richard and Jace VanderWeerd? Mitchell’s week came to an abrupt halt at Terre Haute after barrel-rolling four or five times down the front stretch, scaling a Darren Hagen wheel after Darren oddly spun the Hoffman 69 while coming to a heat race checkered. Before that, Matt was a DNQ at Gas City, earned 11^th at The Burg after cashing a provisional, and scored a similar finish at Kokomo after beginning from the second row. The older of the two twins, Richard took part in three main events. Beginning the marathon with a blown engine in the Gas City non-qualifier race, he was unable to crack the feature lineup at Lawrenceburg. Timing a surprising sixth quick at Kokomo, he and Justin Grant went at it hot and heavy for the fifth spot in their heat. Richard received a wheel and spilled the contents of his Battery Worx Maxim in front of the capacity crowd, a tough indoctrination to the week from Hell. Skipping Terre Haute, his best finish in the next three features was 14^th at Haubstadt. The week was more of the same for Jace, who participated in four features, two of them courtesy of provisionals. Sixteenth at Bloomington might have been his best finish, but he did manage to qualify a solid seventh at Lincoln Park thanks to an early draw.

Opening Night – Levi Jones and Bryan Clauson were wheel to wheel for the majority of Gas City’s feature, with Bryan coming out on top.

In attempting to do the impossible by encapsulating every Sprint Week detail, it should be noted that Greenfield’s C.J. Leary, pitting alongside Midget Week mentor Tracy Hines, competed in six of seven main events. Although he needed two provisionals, he exhibited qualifying prowess by timing inside of the quick six at Lawrenceburg and Bloomington. The series was also a trying experience for sprint car sophomore Logan Jarrett. In six attempts, his only feature start came at his hometown Kokomo Speedway, where he enjoyed the opportunity of a lifetime by beginning from the coveted pole position in what would be his initial Sprint Week A-main. Unfortunately things went all wrong for Logan, who backed up to 20^th by the feature conclusion.

Silent Gasser – Jon Stanbrough won a thrilling Haubstadt feature, nearly claimed Kokomo, finished second at Gas City and Terre Haute, and wound up third in points.

Since quitting Monte Edison’s ten, former Indiana Sprint Week hero Scotty Weir says he is having fun working with the low dollar drag racing duo of Mikey and Jimmy Wingo. Scotty appeared for all seven Sprint Week shows but only made two features, an eighth at Gas City serving as his best result. Bloomington’s Jon Sciscoe only ran three races, but made every A-main and scored a solid sixth at Gas City. Fortville’s Jonathan Hendrick appeared for six of the Sprint Week stops and had some solid efforts along the way. Advancing 14 spots at Gas City after utilizing a provisional; mechanical gremlins foiled a potential podium finish at Lawrenceburg. Skipping Terre Haute, he flipped hard in Thursday Putnamville hot laps, with a Bloomington DNQ preceding a fine fourth at Haubstadt.   Darren Hagen missed the finale for an IRP ARCA test, with his legendary Hoffman 69 team calling Chad Boespflug to the rescue. Except for a fifth at Kokomo, Hagen’s Sprint Week presence was nearly invisible, finishing outside of the top-ten in five showings and requiring a provisional pass at Lawrenceburg. As has always been the case since USAC sanctioning presided in 1996, Indiana Sprint Week puts each team through the wringer, exposing any and all weaknesses.

The thing that made Sprint Week so special in the late ‘90s was that it was essentially a CRA/SCRA Midwestern Tour, with the best of the best heading east to strut their stuff in the heart of non-winged sprint car country. It was nice to have three from left coast competing this year, but it would have been even better to have serious threats like four time USAC-CRA champ Mike Spencer, Nic Faas, Danny Sheridan, Charles Davis, Jr., Cory Kruseman, Rickie Gaunt, Ronnie Gardner, the Williams boys, and Ryan Bernal, to name a few. Despite the absence of this added entertainment, Sprint Week car counts were still solid, but not quite like they were in the late ‘90s when sixty car fields were quite common. Starting with a high of 47 at Gas City and dipping to a low of 30 at Terre Haute, the average was nearly 39 for the week, definitely nothing to sneeze at.

Oops – Dakota Jackson was eighth in Haubstadt qualifying on his first lap. Look at what happened on lap number two.

I often compare the most recent Sprint Week years to those glory days from 1997 through 2002. Running into some of the competitors from that era, I couldn’t help but reminisce for a half hour or more when saying hello to former Ande Possman car owners Jason and Melissa Uhrick (fast time at Lawrenceburg in ’01), Jim and Eleanor Anderson (father to 2001 Bloomington ISW winner A.J. Anderson),former Kevin Thomas, Bill Rose, and J.J. Yeley mechanic Tracy Pickens (joined by Kyle Clearwaters and John Dorsett at Terre Haute), four-time Sprint Week champ Kevin Thomas, and 2001 Sprint Week championship mechanic Phil Poor. These men helped build the Sprint Week allure that still attracts so many to this state.

Although I do recall some scintillating Sprint Week shows from that era, I don’t know if I remember a better overall set of races than 2012. Aside from the arid conditions at the Lincoln Park finale, even under the brutal daylight savings time sun, each one of the surfaces was prepared with pride and utmost care. Gas City offered two grooves and their best Sprint Week show since 2002, a back-and-forth, wheel-to-wheel war between Levi Jones and Bryan Clauson. Although Lawrenceburg’s clay might have dried out for the feature, I didn’t mind as the slide-fest between Clauson and Dave Darland was an absolute jaw-dropper, realizing that these banks are so much racier when traction begins to disappear. Kokomo’s Monday make-up saw Jon Stanbrough stink up the show for the first 21 tours, but after his flat tire, the ending was one for the ages with another Darland/Clauson clash. With only Tuesday and Wednesday to prepare the half-mile at Terre Haute, Kokomo operator Reece O’Connor had the Action Track soaked when hot laps commenced. Fast and narrow through the heats and B, come feature time it started to widen out, but a determined Daron Clayton simply could not be caught. Just like the sweet Saturday Kokomo surface that was ruined by rain, the same thing happened to a tacky Putnamville paperclip on Thursday; such a bitter pill to swallow when knowing that my two house guests would not be able to see the first Lincoln Park Sprint Week show since 2005. So often in life, you can’t always get what you want.

Oh My – Drew Abel goes for a wild ride in Kokomo qualifying.

There’s always a first time for everything and at Bloomington, two such firsts were encountered. One came when the road grader climbed the banking prior to the B-main, adjusting some improprieties in the middle of turns one and two. In all my years of regular attendance, I’ve never seen anything done to the red clay over the course of an evening. The second came when eight of the eleven cars competing in the non-qualifier race exceeded the turn three bank at the same time! Speaking of that grader action, after digging a little deeper than desired, the operator took the time to do the job right, peeling the glaze from top to bottom. The resulting consolation and feature events were hammer-down affairs, unable to witness a titanic struggle for first but observing several good runs from the rear. Tommy Helfrich’s Haubstadt soil started out a tad drier than usual, but two surface revivals led to a usual balls-to-the-walls thirty lapper, thrilled by the Stanbrough/Clauson slide fest and blown away by Bryan’s late race run from the rear to third. And how about those final seven laps and that big time battle between Cottle and Darland at Lincoln Park? The primary offering on the Sprint Week 2012 menu, whether they consist of pulled pork, beef, or sprint cars, I’ll take a full plate of those mouth-watering sliders for my main course any time.

With such solid surfaces, not only were there numerous memorable slide fests for first, but the battles behind were equally enthralling. Only analyzing advancements to top-ten finishes, the biggest gainers of the week included Levi Jones (up 16 at The Burg), Chase Stockon (up 15 at Haubstadt), Jonathan Hendrick (powering past 14 at The Gas), Robert Ballou (up 13 at Larryburg), Kevin Thomas, Jr. (cruising past 13 at Kokomo), Brent Beauchamp (blasting by 12 at Bloomington), Bryan Clauson (crushing 11 in K-town), Damion Gardner (taking 10 at Lawrenceburg), Casey Shuman (collecting 10 at Kokomo), and Justin Grant (up 10 at The Burg). Only Gas City and Bloomington had non-qualifier races, with Coleman Gulick and Richard VanderWeerd making the move from NQ to heat to feature at each respective venue. With Sprint Week passing so plentiful, if you weren’t enjoying the race for the first, you didn’t have to look far to be entertained.

Previously mentioning chilling flips by Ballou, Windom, VanderWeerd, Mitchell, Hendrick, and Clauson, others getting on their lid included Andrew Elson (Gas City feature), Drew Abel (Kokomo qualifying), Thomas Meseraull (Bloomington feature), Dakota Jackson (Haubstadt qualifying), Damion Gardner (heat and feature at Haubstadt), and Kody Swanson (Putnamville heat).

Noogies – Dave Darland gives car owner Jeff Walker noogies after winning the Kokomo feature.

25 years later, everyone is fully aware that Indiana Sprint Week is the largest stage for wingless sprint car racing. Even though local fans and participants come out in force to support it, this isn’t just another weekly show, as evidenced by the caravan of campers from several states away, not to mention the numerous international travelers encountered, all focused on the finest in sprint car entertainment. Of course I’m not a promoter/operator who is concerned about his bottom line, but all these years later I still wonder why Sprint Week shows need any support classes at all. I can understand building an added break for crews and drivers and I don’t necessarily mind the idea of heavy, narrow-tired stock cars ripping up the clay, but when the vast majority of patrons head for the restrooms or concession stand when sprint cars are not circling, shouldn’t that tell you something? Just for the record, Gas City started the week with three support classes, Kokomo’s program offered two, Lawrenceburg, Bloomington, and Haubstadt each had one, while Putnamville and Terre Haute had none (LPS originally had one scheduled for their Thursday night bout). I’m sure I’ll never win this argument, but I still dream of an unfettered Sprint Week.

Time flies when you’re having fun and I had tons of it in the nine day stretch that turned into ten with the finale being moved to the Sunday following Haubstadt. From the time I awoke on the Friday of Bloomington, I could feel the lump in my throat getting larger and the empty pit in my stomach more pronounced, as my pal Tom would be headed back home for a wedding the next morning, having to miss the final two stops. Never mind that I still had three outstanding programs to enjoy. Never mind that I had my favorite drive ahead of me on Saturday. And, never mind that Steve was still here until Sunday morning. I knew that my zenith was coming to its conclusion as it always does, making it that much harder to live in the moment, relax, and completely enjoy the festivities. After a Saturday morning brunch at Taste, I saved room for a pineapple shake from Mason’s Root Beer Stand in Washington and got my jollies from the twists of 241, thrilled by a Tri-State feature that was one for the ages. Despite the electricity of such a super Saturday, it was that drive home on early Sunday morning that banishes the buzz, each mile marker signaling how soon I’d have to say goodbye. I distinctly remember that same feeling when I was a kid and the calendar turned to August. Back then, of course there were numerous races to attend before I headed back to class, but my state of mind was not the same as it was in early June. By the time I had gotten back from the airport drop-off on Sunday morning, I was fully entrenched in a state of mourning, impossible to hold back the tears as I grabbed my gear and headed for the gym. No, we can’t always get what we want and we can’t always escape to a fantasy world where good times rule over reality and responsibilities. That’s just life, or so it seems.

MDC – His second USAC outing this year, Daron Clayton didn’t forget how to drive Terre Haute, leading all thirty laps.

Feeling a bit better after some weights and cardio, the mood was somewhat brightened when formulating Putnamville plans during a Rathskeller lunch that celebrated the 79^th birthday of my father. Even though I had no choice but to return to the daily grind the next morning, I still had one more race, with one very significant title to be decided between three drivers at one fantastic venue, joined in lawn chairs by my nephew, older brother Chris, and the man ultimately responsible for my need for speed. If there was anything to be gained from the gloom of Sunday morning, it was that I need to live each day for what it has to offer and appreciate the opportunities to passionately pursue a hobby that I can share with the closest of friends. Cherishing the good times, of course these won’t be the last, eagerly hopeful to add to the legendary status of this summer solstice at the next available opportunity. Thankfully, there was one more round to sip and savor to the very last drop, slurping the remains of my Sprint Week through a straw.

In witnessing the greatness of a record-trying fourth Sprint Week title for Levi Jones, my favorite time of the year reminds me that hard work, dedication, and hiring good help are definite keys to success. Even in the toughest of times, attitude means everything and can often help influence the outcome. While the rest of the competition chased the number 20 over the ten pressure-packed days, the vast majority refused to surrender, pressing on regardless of the adversity. Such a strategy ensures that you might get to experience something that you’ve never seen or felt before, as one never knows when there might be a pleasant surprise waiting around the corner.

Levi – Hard on the hammer at Terre Haute, Levi Jones was rock-solid all week long, finishing outside of the top-five only once.

So as much as I wanted to sulk on my final day of freedom, I had no choice but to move on. For as long as I can remember, summer vacation has always been the highlight of my year. That unmistakable joy of being able to do whatever it is that you want, whenever you want, without repercussions, afterwards the memories seem like a mirage, wondering if they actually did exist at one time, so devastating to think of how long I would have to wait to live it all again. Wishing that time could stand still, there’s never enough minutes, hours, or days to let it all soak in, here today but gone before you know it. So much to gain from this short span, Sprint Week isn’t just a tale of how I spent the majority of my summer vacation in my home state, but rather a lesson on how to live life in general. Not just another outing that combines great friends, racing, and fun, when examining the big picture, this week and a half is actually microcosmic on so many fronts. Guaranteed to garner a big score if employing that adjective in any of today’s most popular word games, I have finally found that staying alert in English class does pay dividends much later in life.

Volume 14, Number 11

Staying Sharp

Over the last decade, the weekend prior to the kickoff of USAC’s Indiana Sprint Week has been one of the quietest in the six months that span the Hoosier bullring scene. After losing more than a handful of April engagements due to horrible weather, from that point forward 2012 has been a non-stop blur of dizzying dates, with three to five nights consistently available for consumption each week. Now that three months are in the books, one could expect that most teams might already be worn out, needing a break to take a breath, stockpile inventory, and massage hardware in anticipation of the seven race in nine day grind. History does tend to dictate that the week before Sprint Week should be the proverbial calm before the storm, but occasionally history has a habit of being rewritten.

Much like the record-setting string of days featuring triple digit temperatures, this first weekend of July would be a definite deviation from the sprint car norm. Leading off with Bloomington Speedway’s 24^th annual Sheldon Kinser Memorial and ending with another Sunday night in Kokomo, in between it was all systems go for most squads, proving that the past provides no clear indication of car counts. Trying to fine tune setups in search of that one little edge, those that did not have weekend USAC midget commitments chose to stay sharp by competing two or three nights, playing through some searing heat that would squash the desire of any average human being.

Freed from Friday shackles at twenty till five, my MINI’s thermometer read an astonishing 108 just south of Mooresville. Sure I could have stayed at home in the comfort of conditioned air, but that would have meant sacrificing an event that I’ve only missed twice since its 1989 inception. Yes, I was there for that inaugural running of the Sheldon Kinser Memorial, honoring a man who initially made me believe that all sprint car combatants were stronger than steel and could walk on water. Idolizing three-time USAC sprint car champ and 6-time Indy 500 starter Sheldon Kinser long before he was diagnosed with throat cancer, the fact that he strapped in for the USAC Midwestern opener at Eldora in March of ’87 placed him on an even higher pedestal. This came after a massive surgery removed his voice box and left a huge hole in his throat, wrapped in a bandana and plugged with a K&N filter. Even with doubting doctors advising him to hang it up, Sheldon competed for the majority of that ’87 campaign and endured the ravaging disease for nearly two years before finally waving the white flag on August 1^st of 1988.

In reviewing his National Sprint Car Hall of Fame induction story from 1992, I learned that from 1973 through 1985, out of all the USAC sprint car races he competed, Kinser finished on the podium an amazing one third of the time! Tough to do in any era, given his will to win a thirty lapper or a battle with cancer, it’s awfully fitting that his memorial has endured all these years later, unable to think of another unsanctioned event in this state that has lasted longer in name or spirit.

Offering a winning sum of four thousand dollars and dangling a healthy $350 carrot to start, guaranteed B-main money of $100 attracted a whopping 43 sprinters to the south side of the college town. And, had it not been for the unbearable heat (104 in B-town); I’m sure there would have been more. You name the driver and he was probably here – Dave Darland, Jon Stanbrough, Levi Jones, Chris Windom, Hunter Schuerenberg, Damion Gardner, Robert Ballou, Bobby East, Brady Short, Jeff Bland, Jon Sciscoe, and Josh Cunningham (winner of Paragon’s Chuck Amati 68 – one of the most thrilling features I’ve witnessed this season). Married to Sheldon’s daughter Shelly, of course 2006 race winner Daron Clayton was on hand, as was Sheldon’s nephew Ethan Barrow. Grandson to Sheldon’s 1977 USAC championship crew chief Galen Fox, even Jared Fox was ready to race. Sure, the money is great as is the prestige, but this was also a prime opportunity to tune up for an Indiana Sprint Week round in two short weeks.

Reunited and it feels so good, Bloomington was a homecoming of sorts for Levi Jones and Chris Windom, as both teamed with new crew chiefs who had previously provided them with abundant amounts of success. Five times a USAC national sprint car champion and three times an Indiana Sprint Week king, after a subpar showing in last year’s summer solstice, Jones has hired Scott Benic to call the shots. Scott was overlooking Tony Stewart’s number 20 on Friday, with his Integra shocks attached to all four corners of the Chevy Performance Maxim chassis. Of course most remember that Levi won his first USAC title for Scott, not to mention his first Sprint Week crown in 2004. Somewhat old news by now, Derek Claxton is no longer employed by Kenny Baldwin, who has instead enlisted the help of Frankfort’s Brian Cripe (and his son Kevin) to direct the efforts on his orange number 5, quite a shock given the great season Kenny, Chris, and Derek enjoyed in 2011, making a shambles of last year’s Sheldon Kinser Memorial. Back in 2006, 2007, and part of 2008, Cripe was instrumental in making Windom a consistent winner. Casey Shuman’s first ride in the Monte Edison number 10 came on Friday, with Monte laying claim to the 2004 SKM trophy with Shane Cottle. Truly making it seems like a late ‘90s Sprint Week with some west coast seasoning, twin brothers Richard and Jace VanderWeerd and Matt Mitchell made the long haul from California.

Recalling Sheldon’s amazing stat of top-three USAC finishes, given his copious collection of championships since 2005, veteran Levi Jones seems to be equally proficient at finishing in the money. And as much as he despises running the bottom at Bloomington, ultimately that’s where the pot of gold lies. A 2009 Spring Clash winner and recently a Midget Week master, both of those meets were won by steering straight and following those infamous infield tires. That’s just what Jones did this evening as well after starting the feature fifth. Sitting fourth on a lap 16 restart, he immediately snagged third from Damion Gardner in turn one and by the exit of turn four, grabbed the big banana when Shane Cottle and Thomas Meseraull left the bottom wide open. Levi led laps 17 through 40, collecting the sizeable sum and rebuilding crew chief chemistry and confidence at the most crucial point of the season.

Featuring a USAC format of single car time trials, heat race inversion, and feature lineup (only making the A-main inversion if transferring through the heat), I offer a tip of the fedora to track operator Danny Roberts and his crew for their tireless prepping of the red clay. Qualification conditions saw the soil wet and choppy and later for the big finale, two distinct grooves were still up for grabs. Fourth in the qualifying line, Justin Grant’s 11.707 tour of the quarter-mile topped all. Still solid by the end of the order, Daron Clayton’s 11.892 (two cars from the end) was good for fifth.

The best of the five heats was the last, as Bobby East, a USAC winner here on May 18 in Scott Benic’ 2B, has apparently returned to his own ride for good and stole a win from Dakota Jackson with a turn three, last lap overtaking.   In that same heat, the Modern Day Cowboy was awfully persistent in his pounding of the cushion to solidify the final transfer position. Chris Windom was easily in a transfer in heat one before the right rear wheel picked a horrible time to remove itself from the axle. Saddled with a subpar qualification performance and a sixth place heat race run, Brady Short surprisingly loaded up after the heats, this coming after he scored a shocking feature win from dead last two Fridays ago. On the flip side, Windom refused to lose after winging that wheel, claiming the C-main after propelling from the pole. Never say die; the spirit of Martinsville’s Bobby Stines was never in question, even after an awful night that was made even worse after slipping off the edge of turn one with three laps to go. Passing seven cars in those final three tours resulted in a $100 reward for Stines.

Once the sun disappeared from the western horizon, although the heat was still was still horrendous the quarter-mile was still racy, thrilled by a Jesse Cramer modified win from the rear while living the high life. The sprint B was also solid, with Robert Ballou romping from 15^th to 4^th, as he and Richard VanderWeerd stole A-main assignments from Windom, “Mayor” Jon Sciscoe, and April opening night winner Casey Shuman. After taking a walk to salivate over Galen Fox’s meticulous restoration of Sheldon’s 1977 championship winning Genesee Beer Wagon, I even enjoyed the remainder of an entertaining super stock feature that touted tons of wheel to wheel wars.

Checking my iPhone at the 10:45 PM wave lap, once green lights were lit a humongous mess immediately unfolded when Daron Clayton spun in front of the field after encountering left front brake issues. Trying to scramble to safety, Justin Grant scaled the curb and barrel rolled two or three times, just as 1997 SKM winner Dave Darland climbed on the binders. Grant was righted and would miraculously restart, as a complete redo was in order. Damion Gardner initially led via the low lane, but outside front row starter Shane Cottle said hello to Fonzi and took the point in the Tony Epperson deuce. Soon thereafter, amber bulbs were illuminated when Bobby East stopped on the back chute, spotting a right rear shock dangling precariously from Grant’s number 40, soon dislodging itself completely.

Five laps later, Jonathan Hendrick tripped over turn four’s substantial cushion of clay and caused caution number two, allowing Grant to pit for a new right rear dampener. A Hunter Schuerenberg stoppage and an extremely odd hooking of rear bumpers between Brent Beauchamp (up to 5^th from 11^th) and Scotty Weir (Wingo 77) continued to cause yellow fever. Restarting fourth, this is when Levi made his winning move, claiming three spots in one miraculous circuit.

After losing the lead on the top shelf, Cottle abruptly switched lanes and lost his brakes. Thomas Meseraull (Stensland 41) caressed the cushion and actually hung with Jones for a few laps only to fade in the waning stages. With the gap from first to second growing, I focused on battle for third between Andrew Elson and Jon Stanbrough, both charging from the inside of rows four and five respectively. With his right front wheel bouncing out of control as he rolled through turn four, Jon’s right front shock had become detached from the axle. Hard to handle and duel wheel to wheel, Stanbrough still swapped the show position with Elson for numerous tours but just couldn’t make it stick.

In the end, it was Levi who was $4,000 richer while Cottle had to settle for second-best in yet another big money Bloomington bash. As the clocked inched toward half past eleven, Elson, Stanbrough, and Gardner claimed crucial top-fives with Chase Briscoe solidifying sixth. East, Meseraull, Hendrick, and Grant overcame adversity and soldiered home seventh through tenth.

Brad Dickison spoke to the winner afterwards, who noted, “That was a lot of fun.   Thanks to everyone for coming out. I know it’s so hot. It was a great night.”

“We talked back in the pits about how the race was going to play out and we wanted to race the racetrack, not to get involved with racing other cars. I wanted to go to the top and make something happen, but you’ve got to be patient here. My car was really good off the corner. I could get the thing sideways and it would get back straight and go forward really good. Those guys on the restart were like sitting ducks. There was a whole line of moisture on the bottom. I can’t say enough about my guys. I’m just trying to tune things up for Sprint Week. Maybe it will cool off about ten degrees and we’ll have a heck of a week next week too. Last year, Sprint Week was probably the biggest disappointment we’ve had as a race team at Tony Stewart Racing. I took all of next week at work off. I won’t be there. I’ll be at the shop and we’re going to be ready to go this year.”

Speaking of his respect for the namesake of this famed event, Levi said, “His (Sheldon’s) record definitely speaks for itself. Tony Stewart bought one of his old racecars a couple of years ago and it sat at the shop for a long time. To look at that thing and see how fast those guys drove ‘em and how hard they raced ‘em, they were truly men. Those things were awesome machines and they had to stand up and drive it like a milk truck for sure.”

Long live the Sheldon Kinser Memorial, reinvigorating respect and admiration for sprint car competitors young and old. Looking forward to Sprint Week’s stop on July 20^th, with Danny Roberts and crew appearing to work through their early season surface preparation experimentations, Bloomington should indeed be a two-groove blast.

Saturday July 7

Having a hard time choosing between Plymouth USAC midgets and Lincoln Park sprint cars, a difficult Saturday decision was simplified when Plymouth pulled the plug for high heat. Starting an hour later than normal, I rolled into historic downtown Putnamville at a little past 7 PM; rewarded with a fine field of 27 machines on the sweltering evening. The number of those national names who continued to sharpen their Sprint Week skills was down from Bloomington but still included Windom (originally slated for Wilke work up north), Stanbrough, and Kevin Thomas, Jr., with the rest of the competition coming from Lincoln Park’s standard cast of characters like Shuman, Weir, Christian, Jarrett, Burton, Bland, and Beauchamp.

I did not get a read on the temperature, but humidity was much higher compared to Friday, as my shirt was completely soaked in sweat all night long. Disgustingly dabbing my forehead and my chest with a washcloth, although it was far from comfortable conditions, the biggest bonus of a Putnamville production is being able to relax from the comfort of a lawn chair. Unfortunately, it felt like that chair was locked inside of a dry sauna at the gym.

Much like last night, give credit to Joe Spiker and crew as surface conditions were extremely solid from start to finish. Plenty tacky and with a cushion already constructed, each of the three heats were claimed from the front row by former LPS lord Billy Puterbaugh, Kent Christian (Hurst 70), and Shuman (Batcheldor and Rice 22), but a last lap, three-wide war for second between Jarrett, Burton, and Bland gave hope for an enticing A-main. Unfortunately for Burton, some pit side extracurricular activities prevented him from participating in that feature event. Rookie Garrett Abrams, Joe Liguori, Matt Goodnight, Nick Drake, and Keaton Dobbs snagged the final feature spots on an otherwise tranquil and efficient evening, as the other three classes were down on count due to the blistering temps.

Saturday’s feature was ready to roll at a quarter till ten, with Puterbaugh and Christian laying claim to primo front row seats. Starting from the inside of row two, I suspected that Shuman, twice a winner here thus far, would be the one to beat, with Windom and Stanbrough not far behind. My prediction was close to reality, only slightly off on the finishing order.

Sans sponsorship on his refrigerator white DRC, Billy Puterbaugh paced the first tour, with KC biking the yellow number 70 big-time in turn three, somehow escaping a nasty ride to the tree line. The second circuit saw Casey slip underneath and up in front of Billy through three, only to have the Brownsburg bulldog return the favor in four. Steering the STIDA.com Triple X/J&D Performance combo, Shuman eventually slipped past BP thanks to the momentum maintained from his top shelf tactic.

After a quick yellow for Logan Jarrett, Shuman would scale the curb but still maintained a substantial interval to second, which soon exchanged hands when Windom whisked past Puterbaugh with an authoritative slider. In the ex-David Gravel J&J chassis belonging to brothers Jimmy and Mikey Wingo, Scotty Weir was up five positions to fourth but had his hands full with seventh-starting Jon Stanbrough, who soon secured the spot and pulled to Puterbaugh’s rear bumper in no time. Back up front, the Flying Illini was applying all kinds of pressure to Shuman in the Kenny Baldwin Maxim/Claxton-Mopar, charging from 10^th to 2^nd the previous week. Casey’s slight misstep in turn two allowed Chris to capitalize, diamonding the corner and beating him to turn three. Shuman put up a fight in one and two but could not counter, with Stanbrough finding the moist middle through the south end to his liking, pilfering third from Puterbaugh.

While Windom worked heavy traffic, Shuman was ready to pounce at any moment but so was Stanbrough, who surprised the Arizona native while exiting the second corner. Keeping a frenetic pace, Chris and Jon were ultra-precise in their threading of the lapped traffic needle, with Casey doing all he could to keep up. Connecting with Logan Jarrett after a desperate lunge through the slicked-off north end, Lil’ Shu somehow kept the fire lit while Jarrett looped it for a second time, causing one final caution with just four laps left.

Needing to negotiate past lapper Nick Drake, Stanbrough simply ran out of time as Chris Windom produced win number two of 2012. At Brian Hodde’s 9:57 checkered flag, trailing the lead tandem were Shuman, Thomas, and Brent Beauchamp (Olson 34). A.J. Hopkins (up five spots), Weir, Christian, Bland, and Liguori (up six) laid claim to spots six through ten.

Again Brad Dickison held the microphone for the winner’s interview, allowing us to hear Chris Windom comment, “It was fun. That was a hammer-down track, driving the wheels off of it. It was slick in three and four but it was fun right up on the curb. I’m sweating. It was hot in there. I’m glad for it to be over.”

“I kind of like being in lapped traffic. I think I can make a lot of moves on guys. I actually didn’t like that last yellow. I like racing lapped traffic but it was what it was. I’ve got to thank Brian Cripe. He got this car on a rail tonight. With Kenny and Margo Baldwin and Kevin Cripe, we had a lot of fun tonight. It was awesome to get our second win. Like I said earlier, Brian Cripe is helping us now and we’ve been really fast ever since he came on board. Hopefully it keeps rolling like this. This will be a confidence booster for us rolling into Sprint Week.”

Perhaps more than any other Sprint Week soiree, I anxious await Lincoln Park Speedway’s round on Thursday, July 19^th, the first time they have been part of the “zenith” since 2005. If Saturday is any indication, it should be barn-burner, only adding to the allure of the best week of the year.

Sunday July 8

With temperatures dropping some fifteen degrees on an overcast Sunday afternoon scattered with showers, a Kokomo convocation capped the Sprint Week appetizer, as another quality cast of 25 allowed Coleman Gulick, Bobby East, Levi Jones, Dave Darland, Justin Grant, and Robert Ballou to sharpen their skills, adding Shane Cottle to the mix in Brady Bacon’s part-time ride provided by Kokomo’s Scott Ronk. Scott’s 14 year-old stepson Parker Price Miller would test the non-wing waters after the night’s festivities in a Triple X chassis, its Wesmar engine topped with dash 12 heads, powering Gary Wright to some wins many moons ago. While Windom was Prairie-Dogging it in Wisconsin, Thomas Meseraull climbed into the cockpit of the Baldwin 5, a ride that took him to victory lane at Lawrenceburg earlier this season. Even after winning last night, Brian Cripe prepared a different car for Kokomo while Derek Claxton returned home to aid the efforts of Jeff Walker and Dave Darland.

Reece O’Connor’s soil started out wet but was not as soupy as usual, allowing qualifying times to dip into the twelves in the second of third sessions. Watching Thomas Meseraull take his first flying lap in the orange crush, he was all kinds of hooked up, hauling it in deep and surging forward with massive amounts of forward bite. Reaching for the sky on more than one occasion, he absolutely rocked the Kokomo qualifying world with a 12.498 tour, finally eclipsing Daron Clayton’s 12.510 mark from September 11, 2005. Yes fans, it was a NEWWWW TRACK RECORD! Be sure and check out www.jackslash.com for the awesome display, as it is truly worth a second look.

T-Mez was again the man in his heat, taking advantage of a last turn, last lap bombarding of the bottom by Dave Darland and rim-riding to victory, keeping the crowd abuzz and making most predict a feature win for the unusual pairing. Casey Shuman (Edison 10) and Jones were additional heat winners, slowed by an ugly spill for Tipton’s Kyle Dautrich, who climbed the turn one/two wall and abruptly jammed Jeff Walker’s 23 into a fencepost. Other than some leg/ankle/feet issues, Kyle emerged from the spill ok. With the surface going slick, Cottle claimed the B-main over Matt Mitchell, Wesley Gordon (wrenched by Kurt Hawkins), Jace VanderWeerd, and Jamie Frederickson.

After a surface revamp and some kids bike races, Shuman and Logan Jarrett paced the field for the 25-lapper, with East, Darland, Jones, and Meseraull falling in line. Shuman would lead a tight gaggle of five cars via the low lane but Dave “The Rave” took the high road to secure second place by lap three, surging to first a lap later as the cushion crept towards the concrete. A Jones and Shuman duel added one more with Bobby East, who signaled heavy smoke early on. Seven laps in, Darland dined on honeydew while Shuman, East, and Jones scrapped for second. The Beast nearly crawled to a stop in the middle of three and four, leaving 12^th starting Robert Ballou (own 12) with nowhere to go. Connecting and spinning, the Mad Man rejoined the race from the rear along with four-time track champ Shane Cottle.

Slick to the cushion and all the way against the wall in turn two, Darland, Shuman, East, Jones, and Meseraull had 17 laps to settle the Sunday night score. T-Mez attacked the top and in five laps, had his sights set on Darland, needing to up the ante to remove the three-quarter straightaway gap. After a Chris Gurley infield spin, the final ten laps contained three pauses, two of them yellow and one red, extending the feature conclusion to 10 PM.

Meseraull tried so hard to inspect the tail tank of the blue 11, pushing the thin cushion too far on a number of occasions. Things started to get hairy when Matt Mitchell clobbered the wall in corner two, making a mess that flattened the right rear rubber of Logan Jarrett. After swift tire change from the famous father, Jarrett climbed the wall and flipped in turn one, with Brian Karraker spinning to avoid and making slight roll cage contact, eerily reminding me of the Page Jones/Dave Darland Eldora 1994 Four Crown incident. Thankfully Logan slithered out unharmed and marched to the pits.

Intensity was ratcheted up a notch in the final five revolutions, with slide jobs served plentifully to Thomas Meseraull. Jones first tried T-Mez in the first and second corners with slight contact, only to have Thomas immediately cross over and climb Levi’s left rear. Robert Ballou recovered from his lap eight incident and was inside of the top five when he tried the former BCRA midget champ one lap later in the same corner. Contact was made yet again and for the second time, Robert’s forward progress was halted.

With Darland’s family anxiously awaiting the feature conclusion, the final two laps saw Levi Jones move from third to a dangerously close second, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Lincoln legend who produced his second Kokomo score of the campaign, his seventh in 2012 sprint car results. East, Meseraull, and Shuman rounded out the first five with Gulick, Richard VanderWeerd (up eight spots), Shane Cottle, Robert Ballou, and Scotty Weir scored sixth through tenth by my notebook.

In the midst of a Jeff Walker bear hug, Darland described his winning run to Brett Bowman, noting, “I had a good starting spot on the outside of the second row but the top was still greasy from the watering job they did. It was a little tricky there in the beginning. The racetrack was to my liking though. It got real slick around the bottom right after the start. They had a lot of restarts though and I had to be careful to hit my marks. A couple of times I tried some different things and I just had to go back to what I thought was the right thing and it all worked out. We had a lot of yellows and restarts to overcome but I’d just like to thank Jeff Walker and the whole team for a great racecar and the O’Connors for a great racetrack. We had a lot of fun tonight.”

When questioned about the confidence gained as they headed towards the Sprint Week opener five days later, Dave answered, “Oh, not much. Jeff said we’re going to get our good shit out for Sprint Week!” Leave it to a guy like Darland to amaze you not only with his on-track antics, but also make you laugh with his good-humored and laid-back off-track attitude. It’s no wonder why so many have endeared him as one of their own.

On what would have normally been a calm and quiet weekend when racers and fans could catch up on their rest in anticipation of the huge week and a half that awaited, leave it to this crafty community to deviate from the norm and rewrite the standard. Despite the oppressive and dangerous heat, participation and attendance was up, sharpening skills, mindset, and attitudes on the road to that elusive summer solstice. Firing me up even more for Indiana Sprint Week (as if such a thing was even possible), perhaps I’m a little crazy from the heat, but I have never claimed to be normal anyway. Although it may be so cliché to say it: let the games begin!

Volume 14, Number 10

Great Expectations

There is something to be said about the power of positive thinking.

As much as society attempts to sway our thoughts and actions, so much of who we are stems from our upbringing. I am the seventh of eight kids and of course my three older brothers had the greatest impact, injecting an incurable racing disease while at the same time, making it only acceptable to listen to classic rock and in the summertime, root for the Cincinnati Reds. The first five of those eight Oldham offspring were only four years apart and by the time they were off to college, I was able to spend a lot more time with my father, who at that point was under some severe financial stress, trying to figure out how to pay for everything. While he openly vented his fears and frustrations from operating his own business, I was introduced to concepts of debt, conservative spending, and quarterly tax estimates. The gloom and doom of such daunting responsibilities tended to rub off on his youngest boy, enough that my seventh grade Social Studies teacher playfully nicknamed me Mister Negative.

In those awkward years of middle school adjustment, Zig Ziglar’s uplifting words at the end of each morning’s announcements led me to believe that some positive thinking might just help dear old dad much like it was assisting me in my transformation. Like father like son, the fix was only temporary and all these years later, I have come to realize that we are who we are, so difficult to change what was ingrained at an early age.   As a result, some people might claim that I’m a glass-half-empty type of guy, usually having to be reminded to remain positive. I simply like to say that I’m a realist, always hopeful yet discontent.

Not setting my hopes too high for fear of major disappointment, there are certain times though when expectations are lofty and thoughts of the future shine bright. With just the slightest emergence of fair weather, springtime is one of those occasions. As I discussed in my last installment, the nervous anticipation that comes with the pre-race ceremonies for the Indianapolis 500 is another prime example. Of course the bar is always set unreasonably high for Indiana Sprint Week, but there are always prospects of mouth-watering entertainment in that nine day span. And especially since 2008 when the lineup expanded to five events, the same could be said for Indiana Midget Week, which has consistently provided positive memories and given ample reason for such great expectations.

From April through October, the Hoosier state is all about sprint cars. And although this Indiana staple is slapped on to create a hot and juicy double-stack of open wheel beef for this one week in June; the United States Auto Club’s mighty midgets still take center stage. Truly something different, it’s a breath of fresh air in a time when sprint car contests start to become stagnant. Speaking as a recovering open wheel addict, is there anything better than two healthy scoops of a sprint and midget action to make an Indiana Midget Week milkshake? In case you couldn’t tell; yes, I have a thing for burgers and ice cream.

Even if the Midget Week on-track product somehow did not achieve its abnormally high standard of excellence, there is always the human aspect that takes this festival to another stratosphere. What I like to call an international affair, year after year visitors travel from the furthest regions of the globe to get their fix. 2012 would be the eighth year for such an offering and Auckland, New Zealand native Bryce Townsend has competed in two and been a spectator for four. Rocking the UMRA TQ midget world back in 2000 with a sensational streak of six wins in nine outings, the 2004 50-lap Western Springs Speedway world champ traditionally brings a large crop of Kiwis for a nearly two week tour of the United States.

Repeat visitors from last year included Carl and Aaron Drever, Carl being a long-time Springs Speedway official who once backed the efforts of Barry Butterworth, Lonnie Caruthers, and Larry Rice, also owning hardware for son Aaron and Zac Kennedy, the latter claiming eight feature wins in ten mini sprint races. When not selling homes as a realtor, the extremely outgoing Aaron is the voice of Western Springs Speedway, also strapping into an ex-Jac Haudenschild/Bernie Stuebgen Stealth on announcing off-nights.    Given that USAC is without a full-time master of ceremonies, Aaron was actually called into duty at Lawrenceburg and Kokomo, doing an outstanding job and adding gobs of global flair. Of course I am biased, but I think it would be awfully cool if he became the voice of Midget Week for 2013.

Also joining Townsend Tours for 2012 were Graeme Drummond (who once drove sprints but has a boy who races midgets), Ron Shearman (owner of a vintage midget), Ron’s wife Lois, and Ricky “Mr. McGoo” McGough, a 20 year-old midget competitor owning three years of driving experience.

Bryce’s bunch arrived in California the week prior to rub elbows with midget legend Ron “Sleepy” Tripp before angling to Indy to absorb a Thursday night sprint car soiree at Lincoln Park Speedway.   Moving to Grain Valley, Missouri for POWRi midgets, their whirlwind schedule also contained stops in Knoxville, Iowa for a WoO war, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin for a BMARA midget match, Chicago, Illinois for a tour of Wrigley Field, and Speedway, Indiana for an evening at the Racin’ with D.O. radio show. Several shop visits were conducted on Monday and Tuesday, allowing Carl and Aaron to acquire inventory for future midget mayhem.

A former Kiwi midget counterpart to Townsend, Angus McLeod crashed heavily towards the conclusion of the most recent campaign, now channeling his energy in constructing 2.4 liter double overhead cam Honda midget engines, one of them found between the frame rails of Rick McGough’s orange 41. Similar to Townsend, Angus arranged his own Midget Week tour that added eight more visitors (plus himself). One of those joining the “A Team” was six foot six inch Tim Malone, perhaps the world’s tallest midget car racer. Tim happens to have a son (Joe) who is just as lanky, also harnessing Honda horses by Angus. Additional first-time Midget Week attendees in the McLeod bunch included Nevin Bowman (owner of a midget), Nevin’s father Brent, Jamie Goodlass (yet another midget racer), and a man of mystery and intrigue who simply goes by the name of Laurence. Second year Midget Week veteran John Hopewell was also part of the group, formerly a TQ terror but now sliding into a much safer saloon car. Touring with Townsend two years ago, Alan Jensen (who has had involvement in several midgets over the years) and Warren Webb also enjoyed their second Midget Week. Aside from a Friday World of Outlaws round in Spencer, Iowa, all of these men enjoyed a similar schedule of racing activity as Bryce’s B team, but their travel and accommodations were much more economically friendly.

A separate group of Kiwis contained two-time and defending three-quarter midget champ Craig Todd, TQ journeyman Mark Alexander, Grant McGregor (a TQ vet himself), and Grant’s son Ryan (yet another TQ racer). HLR Racing principal Geoff Harper (once employing Dave Darland and Tony Elliott but now having Hayden Williams and Alistair Wooten), Brock Maskovich (a Barry Butterworth Memorial winner), Brock’s dad Leith, TQ and midget engine builder Calvin Worthington, Calvin’s daughter Amy, 17 year-old midget racer Peter Hunnibell, and three-time New Zealand mini-sprint champ Richard Battersby all came on their own. Including the squads of Kiwi Michael Pickens and Aussie Nathan Smee, not to mention numerous other visitors from Down Under, there had to be nearly fifty people from the Southern Hemisphere making Midget Week their desired destination. As one can tell, these are not just fly-by-night fans, shelling out anywhere from three to six thousand dollars for the racing adventure of a lifetime. Clearly, they had some great expectations as well.

Unofficially starting my Midget Week with a Kokomo doubleheader of sprints and MTQRL midgets on the Sunday prior, a slim but stacked 17-car sprint field was void of USAC competitors aside from Bryan Clauson, whose crew chief Mike Dutcher made the all-night drive from Port Royal, PA just to maintain momentum after winning the USAC Eastern Storm title. Featuring a fine four car battle for first between Scotty Weir (Edison 10), Jon Sciscoe (Hazen 57), Clauson, and point leader Coleman Gulick, this superb scrum was interrupted by a massive Thomas Meseraull (Stensland 41) mauling of the south-end wheel fence. Once back to green, Clauson’s middle to low side launches pushed him past Sciscoe with seven to go, sailing away to his third score in the last week, this one coming after encountering engine difficulties during a heat race win. The remainder of the first five at the 9:14 checkered flag included “Johnny Bob”, Weir, Gulick, and Kyle Larson. Justin Grant, Casey Shuman, Blake Fitzpatrick, Andrew Elson, and Wes McIntyre were paid for positions six through then. Former sprint car shoe Nick Speidel easily outdistanced the MTQRL field, as the blossoming group brought 25 unique machines to the table.

With no competition from POWRi or ARDC, Midget Week car counts were fairly consistent over the five day span, adding outsiders like Scott Hatton, Andy Malpocker, Christopher Bell, Ryan Criswell, Trevor Kobylarz, Nick Wean, Alex Bright, Steve Buckwalter, Austin Burke, Justin Grosz, Ryan Smith, and Layne Himebaugh (Malone 7). 41 cars at the Gas City lid-lifter was the high number for the week, with Lawrenceburg’s 32 the lowest, averaging just a tick over 37. Throw in appearances by Central PA sprint car regular Daryn Pittman (night one only), Shane Cottle (for three nights), and former BCRA midget champ Thomas Meseraull (Sandy 16), and you had some solid competition every evening. Oddly enough, two-time USAC midget champ Dave Darland had to scrounge for rides all week, watching from the grandstands on Wednesday while strapping into a Don Moore Music Productions midget on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. Sprint car rides were also scarce for the Lincoln legend, finding work with Landon Simon for Thursday and Jon Sciscoe for Friday through Sunday (bypassing Lawrenceburg for Lincoln Park). As I have always maintained, when Dave Darland can’t find a ride, I might need to consider a new hobby.

For the second year in a row, USAC’s Midget Week format contained single car qualifying, which seems apropos given the big event feel that this mini-series maintains. As has normally been the case with the Speedway sanctioning body, in order to have success at the end of the night, one must begin the night with a sterling effort against the clock. Performing the best timing loop tango was national point leader Darren Hagen, who by no surprise would walk away as Indiana Midget Week champion. The 2006 USAC sprint and midget rookie of the year was inside of the magical quick six in four of the five events, a 9^th at Kokomo serving as his lone exception. Second in the Midget Week standings, 2008 outright and 2010 IMW co-champ Tracy Hines was also in the quick-six club four out of five times, but his opening night qualification performance of 17^th forced him to charge from 14^th to 4^th in his Parker Machinery Spike/Toyota. Wheeling a Spike/Toyota combo for Milwaukee’s Wilke-PAK, Chris Windom had the third-most top-six qualification runs (three), claiming the third-most Midget Week points and again nailing home the point that qualifying means everything.

Hagen transferred through every heat race and claimed feature finishes of 1^st, 2^nd, 4^th, 1^st, and 6^th, which averages out to an unbeatable 2.8. Although Hines and Windom consistently finished in the top-ten, it just wasn’t enough to pose a threat for the overall crown. Had it not been for an errant wheel at Lincoln Park, 2007 Midget Week king Jerry Coons, Jr. might have been Hagen’s biggest threat. Whisking from a ninth row start on Thursday to a certain top-five finish before that left rear dislodged, second place efforts at Gas City (touching wheels with Hagen with two to go) and Bloomington (where he elevated from 11^th), coupled with seventh place showings at The Burg and K-town made for a solid first week in Joe Dooling’s Spike/Esslinger. The black 63 was wrenched by Rusty Kunz, with whom Jerry partnered for his initial Belleville Nationals score in 2005.

For certain, one must give credit to Hagen’s RFMS racing team, providing him with immaculate equipment that not only was reliable, but blistering fast. Utilizing a DRC midget chassis while everyone else employs Spikes and Beasts, perhaps having something different played a role in the outcome?

Part-time Midget Week combatants due to higher-level racing commitments, Keith Kunz Bullet/Toyota teammates Bryan Clauson (Indy Lights at Milwaukee) and Kyle Larson (ARCA at Michigan International) could have contended for a title had they been there all five nights. Third on opening night, fifth at Lawrenceburg, and conquering Kokomo, Larson’s average finish of 3.0 was just a couple of ticks off Hagen. Clauson dug himself a hole by timing 29^th at Gas City but worked his way back to a respectable 12^th place finish. Redeeming himself with a win at LPS for the second year in a row, it was a roller coaster ride for the two-time and defending Midget Week champ after spinning on the final Lawrenceburg lap, ending the week with a close second to Kyle after a brief exchange of the lead baton.

2005 and 2006 Midget Week master Shane Cottle only took part in three events, beginning with his nephew’s Spike/Esslinger and moving to a Keith Kunz Bullet/Toyota while subbing for Larson at Lincoln Park and Bloomington. Not appearing for the Gas City consolation after Thomas Meseraull’s last lap, three-wide dive for second removed him from the A-main (Shane reportedly got Thomas’s attention in the pits afterwards), as usual Cottle was a factor with finishes of fourth and third.

After dramatically claiming last year’s Kokomo Midget Week finale and opening his U.S. tour with POWRi victories in Grain Valley and Springfield, Missouri, Auckland, New Zealand’s Michael Pickens had to have visions of world domination before the week ever began. With hopes so high from his fellow Kiwi travelers, they could only be disappointed if he wasn’t contending for a win each evening, so difficult to satisfy such unreasonable expectations. Tripping the timing beam in 8^th, 9^th, 21^st, 12^th, and 3^rd, unfortunately his feature finishes were not indicative of the full-scale effort and talent behind this operation, claiming 11^th, 23^rd, 22^nd, 9^th, and 18^th. Struggling to find ways to pass at Gas City, he was rudely removed from the final heat race transfer by Brad Kuhn at Lincoln Park. Moving from B to A, the manager of BSL Racing Ltd. was up to 5^th before a chain reaction shoved his Breka/Esslinger to the infield. Starting 16^th in B-town, he was inside of the top-ten very early but spun off the thinning turn two cushion, foiling what could have been a fantastic rim-riding exhibition. On Saturday, his team, led by former Seamount Racing mechanic Kevin Payne, mistakenly bolted on a harder compound tire for the feature and ultimately paid the price. The most painful blow came on Sunday, when Slim Pickens attacked the cushion to perfection; pacing laps two through 17 before dive-bombing the bottom of turn one to thwart a potential restart slide job from Kyle Larson. Unfortunately, the two of them met at the apex and MP was turned around, putting the wraps on an unsatisfactory week for New Zealand’s finest. Afterwards, Kyle came to Michael’s pit to offer further apologies, but it was water under the bridge at that point. When hopes are so high, unfortunately that leaves a lot of room for disappointment.

There were plenty of others who may have been glad that Midget Week was finally over after Kokomo. Aside from a sixth place effort at Lincoln Park (where he fired from the front row), Australian Nathan Smee also had a difficult tour, competing in every A-main but forced to swallow a bitter pill of substandard finishes (23^rd, 17^th, 19^th, and 16^th). Winner of last year’s Turkey Night Grand Prix, New Castle’s Caleb Armstrong had a trying week as well, entering Midget Week fourth in national points but requiring provisional feature starts at Gas City, Bloomington (renumbering his cousin’s machine), and Kokomo. Even uglier was Zach Daum’s tour of duty, having to switch between two cars, both of which never wanted to run. Finishing dead last at Gas City, his high point was a ninth place finish on night two; switching to a backup car to begin Bloomington and requiring a provisional to start Kokomo.

Continuing the theme of a maligned Midget Week, the thrill of a thirty lap Bloomington rout was without question the highlight of a frustrating series for Levi Jones and his Shane Hmiel squad. Suffering a DNQ at both Gas City and Putnamville for engine issues, a third Esslinger was borrowed from mechanic Scott Benic, closing the series in 15^th and 19^th. Opening with a 17^th at Gas City and rebounding with a pair of sevenths at Putnamville (where he started on pole position) and Bloomington, Bobby East planned to put Paul Kistler’s Chevy power to the test on Lawrenceburg’s skyscraper banks, but an errant heat race wheel sent The Beast tumbling through turn two, removing him from the rest of Saturday and all of Sunday. Clocking quickest at Gas City and winding up fifth in the featch, Pennsylvania throttle stomper Steve Buckwalter had to be unhappy with finishes of 15^th, 10^th, 17^th, and 13^th. Continuing the hard luck theme, 2010 series co-champ Brad Kuhn needed provisionals to start Gas City and Putnamville, ending with solid sixth, eighth, and fourth place runs in his RW Motorsports Beast/Fontana.

So many had high hopes only to have the air let out of their balloon, but none had a more brutal week than BCI chauffeur Levi Roberts. Flipping high and hard through Putnamville’s turn three during qualifications, he scarily landed flat on the top of the roll cage, uncertain if his neck stretched and head hit the ground. Rebounding by timing second-best in Bloomington, a cracked shoulder became badly broken after a heat race rap from Davey Ray, requiring a ride to the hospital after he was carefully extricated from his car.   I’d have to imagine that proper healing time will keep him out of the seat for at least a month or two.

On the flip side, Rutherford, California’s Rico Abreu enjoyed a fair amount of success in his initial Midget Week, his first trips behind the wheel at each one of these five stops in a third Keith Kunz Bullet/Speedway Engines Toyota. Twice qualifying in the top-six (second on the Gas City charts), the diminutive pilot was tenth at The Gas and Kokomo (where he started from the front row and recovered from a mid-race spin), ninth at Bloomington, and 14^th at Lawrenceburg.   Unfortunately, his week was marred by a DNQ at Lincoln Park after being spun from a B-main transfer on the last lap by Caleb Armstrong.

Similar to a Brady Bacon or a Steve Buckwalter, Midget Week success can transform an unfamiliar name into a cult hero in the span of one righteous race. USAC’s entry list showed car number 77 belonging to unheralded 21 year-old ARDC competitor and Collegeville, Pennsylvania student Alex Bright. Decked out in nondescript black and chartreuse colors, the Joe Hemler owned Elite chassis (similar to Buckwalter) was actually sponsored by Lightcap Electric, propelled by 174 cubic inches of Fontana power. Opening with eighth and 17^th place finishes, unfortunately that Fontana was not up to song for Bloomington qualifications, miring him in the 21^st starting position for the 12-lap semi-feature. Powering past car after car around the rim, number 77 packed quite a punch, eclipsing 17 machines in a fourth place A-main transfer. Beginning from the same 21^st starting position for Friday’s finale, he would wind up 12^th, opening quite a few eyes in the process.

If you didn’t know who Alex Bright was after Bloomington, for sure you knew all about him after Lawrenceburg. Timing 7^th and beginning from the pole, he rocketed to a full-straightaway advantage in no time and even through lapped traffic, his lead did not diminish. Caution-free until a 360-degree spin by Rico Abreu kicked up some turn four dust, because only four laps were left, all the lapped cars between himself and Chris Windom were removed.   Almost immediately, Darren Hagen worked past Windom and as the white flag was in hand, Darren still had quite a gap to get to Alex. Before taking the white, Levi Jones spun in turn three and allowed Midget Week’s master to exert some heavy pressure.

With the green nylon flapping in the wind, Hagen dive-bombed the bottom of turn one and snatched first with a clean slide job. Unfazed by the overtaking, Bright immediately fired a cross-over and led to turn three, but Chris Bell caused yet another caution, giving Hagen one last shot. With drama and anxiety at its highest levels all week long, this was truly the zenith of Indiana Midget Week, as everyone wondered which way they’d go on the restart. We soon found out when Darren followed the cushion through turn one while Alex played defense by entering lower, trying to fend off another slide job. The Hawk had the momentum and simply diamonded turn two, beating the underdog to turn three and squashing the hopes of thousands of fans. Nevertheless, when the youngster exited his machine on the front stretch to a massive applause, it only underscored that a brand new hero had been created. Just his tenth USAC midget race to date; please welcome Mr. Alex Bright to the world of big-time racing! Hoping for a repeat performance on Sunday, unfortunately it was not in the cards, as he encountered mechanical difficulties and was scored 22^nd. Can next year’s Midget Week provide a new star like Alex? One can only hope.

Given that Indiana was in a severe drought, it came as no surprise that the surfaces started out a tad parched for the first two nights. Because of Gas City’s arid conditions, midget heat races had yellow fever, counting 13 cautions altogether. Even the best were not immune, as Bryan Clauson was involved in two of them and still transferred. Despite the dryness, passing was still plentiful, but a complete refreshing of the surface was ordered after the midget consolation, allowing time to grab a sweatshirt, a tenderloin sandwich, and a bag of Cracker Jacks. Unfortunately a second groove could not be created in the sprint B-main, resulting in a hammer-down midget feature where most followed the middle to bottom lane. Had they not reworked it, I can only imagine the outrage from the Indiana Open Wheel message board experts.

The first sign that Lincoln Park Speedway did not contain nearly enough water came in hot laps when a black streak appeared at turn three’s entry. Super slick for the heats and rubber down for the feature, I later learned that these conditions were not by design, as the person in charge of watering chose to ignore Joe Spiker’s orders to keep the thing soaked all day long. With no time to rip up the track and start over, they had to make the best of the situation, which still wasn’t all bad as cutthroat competition came in the heats with a thrilling Hagen/Hollingsworth slide-fest. But in recalling last year’s legendary LPS Midget Week main, we all know the potential that Putnamville has for such mind-blowing action.

In a word, Bloomington’s red clay was beautiful from start to finish. Come feature time, it was still heavy in three and four and slightly slick on the top half of one and two, but a cushion still existed on both ends. Despite the fact that Levi Jones led all thirty laps around the sticky bottom lane, he had plenty of pressure in the middle stages after pushing the front end through the slop a time or two. Say what you want, but two Bloomington grooves equals happiness in my book.

Despite the hottest conditions of the week, Lawrenceburg’s bowl was damp and racy from the get-go. Filled with heat race and B-main slide jobs on both ends, turns three and four may have dried out later on, but one and two was right on the money. Without question, The Burg had the best pre-feature action all week.

Kokomo’s conditions started off ultra-heavy, especially on the south end. With some track grooming carried out between the midget B and sprint A, conditions completely changed midway through the sprint feature, going slick beneath a gargantuan curb. Wide, racy, and just about perfect for the size-challenged machinery, Kokomo’s Midget Week feature is always exciting, witnessing Clauson coming from 12^th to a brief lead, Coons charging from 15^th to 7^th, Darland driving from 19^th to 8^th, Hatton hauling from 22^nd to 9^th, and Abreu storming to 10^th after a mid-race revolution.

Sprint cars might be a side show for Midget Week, but they still play in an integral part in attracting so many fans. Car counts numbered 22, 26, 35, 30, and 24, not a shock that Bloomington’s number was highest as it was a non-work night and there was no Friday night competition. Levi Jones, Thomas Meseraull, and Nick Drake were the lone ironmen to compete all five nights.

Speaking of Jones, he used a late race restart on Wednesday to pull a turn three slide job on race-long leader Jon Stanbrough, surprising in that Jon is normally hard to handle on a slick Gas City surface, especially after a start from the pole. Advancing from sixth, Levi’s win came in the Jack Rogers 57. Early on, Coleman Gulick challenged for the lead but retreated to third while Jonathan Hendrick and Billy Puterbaugh completed the first five. Thomas Meseraull charged hardest in a newly constructed Stensland 41, earning eighth after commencing 16^th. Feature calamity came in the form of a Matt Goodnight flip and a separate chain reaction involving Travis Welpott, Puterbaugh, Scotty Weir, and Damion Gardner, removing DG from runner-up rights.

Just like Gas City, Bloomington, and Lawrenceburg, Putnamville’s sprint car feature was the last event of the evening. Not expecting much on a rubbered-up paperclip, Thursday’s 25-lapper was an entertaining slam-fest, smelling a lot like the old Fort Wayne Coliseum in early to mid-January. Yep, it was a tire eater but it was fun watching front row starters Chad Boespflug and Casey Shuman go at it tooth and nail for the entire affair. Slide jobs, slam jobs, or whatever you want to call them, rubbing was truly racing in this one, as contact was made between Boespflug, Shuman, and Thomas Meseraull multiple times. Earning a reprieve thanks to a timely late-race caution, Chad made the most of the situation and swept past Shuman one last time, the two of them having exchanged first at least a half dozen occasions already. Asphalt expert Joe Liguori spun T-Mez from fourth on the final tour, with the front five containing Boespflug, Shuman, Jerry Coons, Jr. (Phillips 71P), Liguori, and Jones. Even with one primary groove, Joe still worked past eight cars and Jones ten, with sixth place Shane Cottle eclipsing eight and seventh place Josh Burton bolting by 11. After involvement in two separate cautions, Jon Stanbrough had to settle for 17^th.

After a couple of run-ins in their heat race, it was only fitting that Bloomington’s sprint car feature came down to Jon Sciscoe and Brady Short. Making a rare start in his own DRC/Snyder, Jon started sixth but had the lead fairly early, stuck to the bottom like a sweaty pair of underpants. Immediately falling to eighth after slipping over the edge of turn three, Short could not cut into the full straightaway gap and had to settle for second behind Sciscoe, who had doubts that he’d even start the feature due to oil pressure issues after his heat. Second year driver Josh Burton looked good in coming from seventh to third, with Casey Shuman (McGhee 17 Spike) fourth and Danny Holtsclaw (back in his familiar family ride) rounding out the first five. Shane Cottle was the hard charger, advancing ten spots to sixth. Oddly enough, Levi Jones missed the show after having his left rear flattened by Jeff Walker pupil Kyle Dautrich.

Lawrenceburg’s sprint finale came immediately after a marathon modified A-main that took nearly an hour to complete. Justin Grant fired from second and wound up bagging his third Burg feature in a row, as always steering Mark Hery’s Sunset Meats DRC/Claxton. For 25 laps, Chris Windom was engaged in some sort of fight, finally fending off a pesky Kyle Larson for second. Chad Boespflug made his debut in the hometown Hoffman 69 and wound up fourth, with Thomas Meseraull taking Todd Keen’s 18 from 14^th to 5^th. Pole sitter Joss Moffatt dueled for much of the race with Larson before looping a 360 late in the going, falling to 11^th. Former USAC and All Star competitor Todd Kane made a rare sprint car appearance in Charlie Brown’s 99 but failed to crack the A-main.

Kokomo’s sprint car feature was the only one to come first all week long and given the strength of its players, had the potential to be another barn-burner. Chris Windom initially yielded to Scotty Weir, who appeared to be riding on rails in his Edison Spike. After building an insurmountable advantage, Scotty threw it all away after biking over the big turn one curb, bouncing off the wall, and flipping. Weir has done everything but win at Kokomo in 2012 and I would expect that to come very soon. Previous Sunday winner Bryan Clauson inherited first, but his time in the limelight was short-lived as Larson stayed upstairs and swept past, his only threats coming after three more restarts. Becoming the first two-time Kokomo winner this season, Larson celebrated with turn four donuts in his familiar Abreu Vineyards Spike. Clauson claimed second with Meseraull third, Jones fourth, and Coleman Gulick fifth (from 15^th). Chris Gurley was the hard charger, tackling 12 cars in his romp to seventh while Josh Spencer was eighth, his first race back after a nasty motorcycle spill. With his Sciscoe 7 arriving late and missing hot laps altogether, Dave Darland was behind the eight ball early, missing the feature cut in the B-main. Off the top of my head, I can only think of one time when such a thing has happened at his hometown track.

Still dealing with the after-effects of Indy 500 week while simultaneously trying to sew up an impending sale of my home and move of my belongings, Midget Week was a mini-marathon of sorts, as all but one venue offered another class of competition in addition to a healthy contingent of sprints and midgets (Bloomington did the right thing with just two classes). Kokomo gets the award for the earliest Midget Week completion time, done with everything at an efficient 10:40 PM. The other evenings were late night drives through darkness, well past my bedtime at 11:37, 11:42, 11:30, and 11:52, fighting sleep on a couple of trips home. In a perfect world, a ten minute intermission would be offered between sprint and midget features, doing away with modifieds and or stock cars. Indiana Midget Week is a highly anticipated premiere offering, not just another weekly program.

Similar to Sprint Week, each Midget Week feature offered relentless assaults, even if they weren’t for first place. However, with the exception of Alex Bright’s near win, the feature races weren’t as memorable as years past and the drama for the overall title was clearly absent. But, it should not be inferred that I did not thoroughly enjoy the entire spectacle, because I honestly loved every minute of it. Sitting in the company of the most passionate, friendly, and humorous racing fans in the world, how could I not have a good time?

Providing all kinds of anticipation leading up to Kokomo Speedway’s final lap, the prestigious Kiwi Tour Sweepstakes, arranged by myself, Bryce Townsend, and Alan Rush, made the week even more fun. Donating five dollars and drawing a starting grid number out of a hat, each night it was winner-take-all, with $110 available as the first and only prize. In previous years, the Kiwi Tour Sweepstakes champion was the one who claimed the most wins throughout the week. But with 22 contestants playing this time around, Bryce, Alan, and I agreed that we also needed a points system in case we had five different winners. Such was the case in 2012, as Ricky McGough, Nevin Bowman, Alan Rush, myself, and Grant McGregor each padded our wallet with a healthy stack of bills. Scrambling to tabulate the final points while Kyle Larson was being interviewed, much like the game of golf where the lowest score wins, Nevin Bowman’s accumulation was the least among the five nightly winners. Although the champion does not collect any additional cash, he does earn the opportunity to get his picture taken with the trophy, which is an old RFMS Racing nosepiece riveted with engraved plaques for each winner’s name. Honorable mention for the absolute lowest point total goes out to my pal Warren Webb, whose five night number was an impressive 37. Warren – if you come back to the States, I’ll buy you a couple of Coors Lights at Kelly’s Pub for such a feat.

All good things must come to an end and after the final Indiana Midget Week checkered flag falls at Kokomo, this has annually become one of the most bittersweet moments. Heading to the pit area to hang out, have a beverage, and bask in the glow of another memorable week spent with friends from the Southern Hemisphere, it was still so hard to say goodbye, especially knowing that it will be another year before I can be in the company of these fine people. Of course, I’m always asked when I’m coming down for the International World Series at Western Springs Speedway. Advertised on the machines of Michael Pickens and Nathan Smee, no, it cannot possibly happen this year with my big November plans, but it must before The Springs becomes ancient history, one of those bucket list items that I’ve been discussing for years and done nothing about.

2012 is a year of change for yours truly – changes for the better I might add. Taking action and making dreams become reality, that’s what this year and the next few are all about. Able to maintain a positive outlook throughout life’s trials and tribulations due to some great expectations, the power of positive thinking makes me believe that I’ll indeed get to visit my friends in their homeland soon enough.   But until then, there’s always next year to look forward to.

Volume 14, Number 9

Back Home Again

Are there any more passionate people in this world than racers and race fans?

As I have written dozens of times, in order to get our fix, we abuse our bodies with exposure to extreme weather conditions, excessive dust, and potentially toxic fumes, sacrificing precious sleep with late night drives home. Immune to the rising costs all around us, whether it is a tank of gas, the price of a pit pass, or a new small block Chevy, money is no object for our obsession. And for some of the most hardcore fanatics, relationships and families even take a back seat. I have often tried to explain this unreasonable need for speed, but to an outsider, it’s never anything that can be comprehended. Once you’ve got the bug, your thirst cannot be quenched and there is no walking away.   Passion personified, how else could one explain a fifteen year old kid riding his BMX bike all the way from Fishers to Westfield just to get a glimpse of Warren Mockler’s fleet of Jack’s Tool Rental midget, sprint, and champ dirt cars? In case you were wondering, that was me.

Aside from Midget Week, Sprint Week, or the days leading up to the Knoxville Nationals, there is no time of the year that this infatuation is more clearly exhibited by open wheel raceaholics than the week of the Indianapolis 500. Back in the day when the entire month of May orbited around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, this unfathomable fixation was all-encompassing.   But now that those activities are condensed into a tidy two week span, the associated short track action is focused on the week leading up to Sunday’s International Sweepstakes.

Oddly coming down with a nasty sore throat/sinus condition upon returning from Winchester’s Xtreme Speed Challenge, even with the excitement and anticipation of such outstanding, traditional events on tap, I knew that this week would be a grueling test of endurance. Popping pills and downing fluids to limit the symptoms, running myself ragged with six races in five days only prolonged my miserable condition. Any sane person would have slashed such a ridiculous schedule in order to feel better, but such a cure would not cut it, especially when the once-a-year and long-standing Hulman Classic, Hoosier Hundred, Little 500, and Indianapolis 500 were on the menu. Back home again in Indiana, this week is all about embracing the traditions that I have held dear since I was 13 years old, truly reaching the apex when Jim Nabors bellows out those treasured lyrics in the moments leading up to the most famous words in racing. I’m not sure that I can nail down a year when it started having such a huge effect, but the sound of Jim’s voice and the Purdue band playing in the background instantly flips a switch that then triggers a flood of emotions, ranging from goose bumps up the arms to tears running down my cheeks. Even writing about it, the thought begins to choke me up. In a word, that is passion.

Rather than running through a blow-by-blow account of each event in this magical timeframe, I will focus on personal reflections and observations, which are much more unique, significant, and interesting anyway.

Thursday 5/24

Bypassing Anderson’s Must See 60 on Wednesday night to maintain some semblance of order in my life away from the racetrack, the insanity started with the 42^nd annual USAC Tony Hulman Classic in Terre Haute. Locating an informative article chronicling the early history of this event at http://www.midwestracingarchives.com/2010/05/tony-hulman-classic-first-10-years.html, after reading the piece penned by Kyle Ealy, I was reminded of just how significant this race once was. Back in the 1970s, there was a live, national television audience on ABC sports, something truly unheard of in sprint car racing both now and then. In fact, they once did live cut-aways from the Kentucky Derby to continue coverage of this race. The total purse would eventually exceed $50,000 by the late 1970s, with the winner easily taking home close to $15,000, huge money for back in the day and even current times. A far cry from those glory days, the total purse for 2012 is just $22,450. With a crowd numbering close to 15,000 for that first edition in 1971, except for the Knoxville Nationals or the Kings Royal, I don’t know where you’ll find that kind of current support for sprint car racing. Paying homage to the Terre Haute businessman who saved the Indianapolis 500 from extinction, sure this event may not be what it used to be, but as I’m always reminded, racing, as a whole, isn’t quite what it used to be either. I’m just glad that it still exists in name and spirit, kept alive through Terre Haute Action Track teamwork between Illinois residents Bob Sargent and the O’Connor family.

My first sampling of this race came in 1985, when it was a high-profile stop on the USAC/CRA tour. I may have been a sprint car amateur at the time, but in watching my brothers and dad gain head shots of the competitors for the ESPN telecast, this was the first time that I realized these guys might just walk on water. Bubby Jones, Eddie Wirth, Mike Sweeney, Jimmy Oskie, Jeff Heywood, Brad Noffsinger, Sheldon Kinser, Rich Vogler, Rick Hood, Steve Butler, Warren Mockler, and Larry Rice – these were some unique characters for sure! At the end of the day, it came down to a four car brawl in the final two laps, as Shuman held off a hard-charging Kinser, with Rice and Heywood in the hunt as well.

My reason for attending any Hulman Classic has everything to do with the memory of that race in May of ’85, as I consider that day to be a huge turning point in my life. Celebrating the anniversary of my addiction, no, there was no special song or band playing when I was waiting for the racing to begin, but I truly felt like I was back home again. Finding a lengthy line of people waiting to plop down their twenty-five dollars, it was a nice to know that this noteworthy event might just make it at least one more year.

As a certified gear head, is there anything that sounds better than a sprint car screaming into turn one, eight cylinders echoing off the roof of a covered grandstand? I’m not sure why, but the cars sounded extra loud when hot laps took the green flag on Thursday. Especially without earplugs, it was music to my ears.

A hot but windy day, could any two weather variables be worse for a doctor of dirt track preparation? Even with consistent watering between sprint car activities, the half mile did manage to get extremely slick come feature time. With the cushion pushed nearly all the way to the wall, say what you will, but when this place is wide, history shows that the action is as good as it gets.   When asked afterwards what one word could describe the evening, I actually needed three: slide job city!   That kind of racing can only remind me of those drama-filled, daytime classics from the early ‘90s. Much like the sound of screaming small blocks amplified under roof, is there anything cooler than sprint car combatants sliding from the bottom of turn one to the extreme top of turn two, trying to snatch a spot?

Counting USAC, KISS, and MSCS sanction, I believe that Jon Stanbrough may own more Terre Haute Action Track wins than any other. Twelfth fastest in qualifying but winding up with the pole for the thirty lap feature in the Roberts/Tate/Leer DRC, Jon looked like he might take home his third Hulman Classic honor in the early stages of the race, driving away to a big advantage. But, as the track became blacker and the unmistakable scent of Hoosier rubber filled the air, Stanbrough continued to slip on the exits of the corners, allowing second and third row starters Darren Hagen and Bud Kaeding to close. Darren first tried a slider on Stanbrough through the east end with ten to go, but a similar move one lap later, this time on the opposite end, managed to get the job done. Unfortunately, before that lap was officially scored, Hagen tagged the stopped car of Thomas Meseraull, ruining a great effort from his Hoffman Auto Racing squad who thrashed all week to repair Bloomington Speedway frame damage on their Chalk Chassis. Over the last two decades, has there been a USAC ride that’s been consistently quicker and more of a threat to win on the half-miles than the Hoffman 69?

Hagen’s loss proved to be Bud Kaeding’s gain. Bud has a solid USAC history at Terre Haute, sweeping an October of 2001 doubleheader and scoring again in September of 2004. Toss in MSCS and Silver Crown triumphs in 2006 and you’d think his Hut history was gold plated. But, that would be forgetting an ugly Hulman Classic flip from 2002 that ruined his eyesight for the better part of a year. Getting back to the race at hand, once Hagen went to the rear for a tire change, Kaeding inherited the runner-up slot and served up three slide jobs to Stanbrough. The final one stuck in turn three, with BK having his way for the final eight laps in his Maxim/Speedway Chevy combo.

Kaeding’s win was only fitting, as he was a former Speedway, Indiana roommate to Ed Carpenter when he first came from California to race in the Hoosier state for the 2000 season. Ed is of course the stepson of Tony George, who is the grandson of Tony Hulman, namesake for this event.   Celebrating with psycho donuts in turn four and enjoying a photo opportunity with the traditional awarding of the Winchester rifle, Bud was visibly thrilled, adding his name to an already incredible list of names. Behind Kaeding and Stanbrough came Damion Gardner, Shane Cottle, and Coleman Gulick. Six through ten included Robert Ballou, three-time Hulman Classic winner Levi Jones, 2010 Hulman Classic king Jerry Coons, Jr., Justin Grant, and Hunter Schuerenberg.

Previously mentioning how exciting the feature action was, the slick track also allowed for all kinds of hard charges, as Gardner galloped past eight cars. Cottle collected nine, while both Ballou and Jones leap-frogged 12. DG and Cottle gained most of their spots early but on the opposite end of the spectrum, quick-six qualifiers Tracy Hines and Dave Darland, not to mention front row starter Kevin Thomas, Jr., dropped like rocks. 2006 Hulman winner Daron Clayton had some hard luck, unable to make the call for the consolation after his engine appeared to expire in his heat race. Bloomington winner Bobby East bicycled Scott Benic’s 2B into a turn three flip in his heat and missed the feature transfer from the consy after heavy smoke poured from beneath his hood. The king of first time visits in 2011, Kyle Larson’s Terre Haute debut surprisingly could have been much better. Qualifying 22^nd out of 30 cars (his late draw didn’t help), he could only claim 14^th in the feature.

With the sprint cars done by 9:42, the early exit was much appreciated, noticing quite a buzz as so many of my friends (some who I haven’t seen for years) headed for their rides home, raving about those slide jobs. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one that enjoyed the action.

Friday 5/25

Having promoter Tom Johnson of 6R Racing on the Racin with D.O. show the Monday prior to the 59^th Hoosier Hundred, I was honestly thrilled to hear that the ridiculous red flag rule at the halfway mark was finally rescinded. Returning the race to a true 100-mile marathon, thus requiring tire management skills and discipline from each chauffeur, new twists for 2012 included only one lap of qualifications, a potential invert for the quickest six qualifiers, and double-file restarts.

In this week of indulging time-honored traditions, there is perhaps nothing more traditional than championship dirt cars screaming down the straights of one-mile dirt ovals. This would be the first event held in the Indiana State Fairgrounds grandstand since the disastrous stage collapse last August and after paying my five dollar facility charge, I found it quite appropriate to find myself parked near Toledo, Ohio USAC super fan John Nolen, who once logged over a million miles (true story) on his 1960s-era Volvo coupe, mostly from chasing USAC sprint and Silver Crown races. Now found in a Honda Civic sedan, the retired accountant, seen always with a sun visor, cooler, and stopwatch, never misses a USAC Silver Crown race on these fabled dirt miles. I’d have to imagine that John was thrilled that the halfway stop was eliminated.

If open wheel fans are passionate, then USAC loyalists like John Nolen truly take the cake. Far younger but yet another classic example is Richie Murray, who happened to be sitting in the same section as my assigned seat. We both counted only 22 cars for this Hoosier Hundred, relaying that I could never remember a lower count, and I’ve attended each one (except for rainouts and 2001) since 1986. Granted, they only used to start 18 machines when it was part of the championship trail in the late ’50s and 1960s, but even back then with its huge purse, I’d imagine that more than 22 showed up. To say that I was disappointed by that low number would be a huge understatement.

As a comparison, 2011’s version had thirty cars starting the feature and remembering some glory days of the 1980s and 1990s, I distinctly recall two qualifying races, meaning that car counts of 50 to 60 were quite common. So, for anyone to say that this series has been dying a slow death since 1971, I beg to differ. Counts have only truly declined since 2006, when those ridiculous looking pavement cars were instituted for tracks larger than one mile, rendering perfectly good pieces obsolete. The fact is; that ruling alienated quite a few long-time car owners who simply never came back. This year, the reason for the embarrassingly low count had a lot to do with the implementation of Ignite Ethanol as the mandated fuel for these machines. Initially requiring what were reported as minor fuel system modifications, this additional cost to compete and the fear of the unknown managed to keep eight fewer teams away for 2012, with only 19 appearing at the series opener the previous Saturday at IRP.   Reading the non-stop bickering about this subject for the last several months on indianaopenwheel.com, the whole thing just makes me sick to my stomach. I don’t claim to have any answers, but in all of this mess, my own question is this: is the dollar value of this sponsorship worth alienating the remainder of these sensitive car owners, effectively stomping the life out of this series for good? If the Ignite dollars are that crucial to USAC’s survival and worth sacrificing the Silver Crown series, then clearly the club’s passion for its elite division has diminished.

Speaking as an unusual fan of history and tradition, if there aren’t enough cars to make it interesting, would any reasonable fan be willing to shell out $30 for a ticket, plus fairgrounds admission, to watch a minimal amount of cars compete? I’m thankful for guys like Bob Sargent and Tom Johnson who continue to go out of their way to make this race a reality, but I’ll be honest and admit that the cost of attending one of these races has become more and more difficult to justify each year. Could Bob and Tom be saying the same thing about promoting and operating?

Of course I can’t go back in time, but what I wouldn’t do to relive those days of old when the Silver Crown series was a melting pot of this country’s best drivers seeking fame, fortune, and a possible shot at an Indy ride. Remember all of those cool cars, the legendary car owners, and the mechanics steeped in history? It wasn’t that long ago when they last competed, but what happened to car owners like Delrose-Holt, Junior Kurtz, Snider-Foyt, the Wilkes, A.J. Watson, “Boston” Louie Seymour, Bob Consani, Fred Ede, Gary Stanton, Gary Runyon, Gary Zarounian, Larry Goetz, Del McClure, Kenny Jarrett, Bob Hoerner, Joe Conroy, the Mataka brothers, the Aviators, Gary Irvin, etc., etc.? Granted, some of those people may no longer be with us, but the list of famous, former Silver Crown car owners just seems to get bigger, yet their equipment still exists in someone’s garage or barn, waiting to be rebuilt and exercised.

I can imagine that when Tom Johnson worked with Bob Sargent on the format for this year’s Hoosier Hundred, they never counted on a slim field of 22 Silver Crown cars and 11 modifieds. But, in the interest of giving the hardcore fans some more bang for their buck, why not adjust the program to include two laps of qualifying, at least to help kill time before the 8 PM feature start?

As I’ve always maintained about these dirt miles, give the racers a surface that contains two lanes and a cushion, and then you don’t have to reinvent the wheel with all of these gimmicks. Go back to 2001, the one race that I missed since 1986, and what made it so great? It was the fact that you could actually pass at will. The first few DuQuoin night shows were like that as well and people STILL rave about them. Of course I understand the dilemma that Sargent has to deal with concerning the abundance of sand that is present in the clay at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, but has the surface changed that much in eleven years on an oval that is barely used? Maybe it has, but I distinctly remember 2002’s running contained a brief rain shower. The show went on and turned out to be another dandy because of a saturated surface. I’m no preparation expert, but the common denominator with ’01 and ’02 has to be the amount of water applied (and the cooler temps).   Better racing means more fans and more fans means more money for the promoter.

Qualifying times for this year’s Hoosier Hundred were perhaps the slowest I have ever encountered. Fresh from participating in Carb Day at IMS, Bryan Clauson’s debut in the RW Motorsports Beast/Toyota rewarded him with the quickest qualifying lap at 34.768 seconds, well over three seconds off of Johnny Parsons, Jr.’s track record from September 2^nd of 1995. It’s hard to imagine that Joey Kramer’s quick-qualifying lap in the modifieds would have put him fifth fastest in the Silver Crown field.   In the new twist for 2012, Clauson drew a 5 pill out of the bag and would have to begin from the inside of row three while Kody Swanson fired from the pole. Because of engine difficulties for Aaron Pierce, Robert Ballou (Nix 43), and Todd Kane, only 19 cars took time. Luckily, Kane was able to start the feature.

Instead of continually airing my frustrations and focusing on Silver Crown gloom and doom, on a more positive note I should mention about how great it was to see Bryan Clauson become the first Indy 500 starter to compete in the Hoosier Hundred in the same year since Donnie Beechler did the same thing in 2000. Of course in 2000, the Hoosier was run on the weekend of the United States Grand Prix. Beechler won the rain-shortened Hoosier 39 in 1998 and also started the Indy 500 that year, as did Jack Hewitt and J.J. Yeley. Even though he ended up getting lapped by his RW Motorsports teammate, it was still awesome to see BC run both races. That, my friends, is some passion for the sport. Bravo Bryan.

Trying to stay positive, I enjoyed driver introductions, the National Anthem played via trumpet, and the fact that Jerry Nemire paced the field in his awesome ex-A.J. Foyt Silver Crown car. I also thought that the double-file restarts were a thing of genius, the first of which accounted for the only official lead change when Jerry Coons, Jr. used Toyota horses to beat early leader Tracy Hines to turn one to seal the deal on lap fourteen. Enduring five more double-file restarts, Coons was clearly the class of the field, easily earning his second consecutive Hoosier Hundred trophy by beating Bud Kaeding by a half straightaway. Starting 14^th and finishing third in Tony Stewart’s 10 was Levi Jones, who was a half lap behind second place. Levi’s new teammate Bobby East brought the double-deuce home fourth while Kody Swanson’s 6R Racing Beast/Toyota was the last car to complete 100 miles, which had to be a record for the fewest finishing on the same circuit as the leader. Six through ten included Tracy Hines, Clauson, Tanner Swanson, Zach Daum, and 2009 winner Shane Hollingsworth, who contacted the concrete early on and could never recover. After trying so hard to win one of these 100-milers since 2001, Coons became the first man since Tony Elliott (2000 and 2001) to claim two Hoosier Hundreds in a row, the third consecutive for his team.

With just ten cars running at end, some of them with sick sounding engines and many dropping out earlier with assorted issues, much like the car count and number of cars on the lead lap, that is unfortunately another dubious distinction for this 59^th Hoosier Hundred. But, can we truly blame it all on the ethanol? Probably not; but unfortunately fan turnout also seemed to be down and for yours truly, it gave me great cause for concern. I love the Hoosier Hundred so dearly, but to see it in its current state, I liken it to watching a loved and cherished family member dying a slow death from cancer. You want to be there for support in those last few days, but you also know it’s going to rip your heart out in the process. In a perfect world, I’d love to see things get back to the way they were in the early to mid-90s, but I have no answers as to how that can be accomplished as you’ve got to have interested fans, willing participants, a passionate promoter, and a sanctioning body owning some common sense. If such a combination is no longer possible, then at least I still have my memories of what those good old days were like.

Saturday 5/26

There is no other event like Anderson’s Little 500. Insane, old-school, unpredictable, dangerous, and a non-stop mental exercise; it is one of the few races each year that actually gets me pumped up before the start. The fact that it is held in Anderson, Indiana means that quite a diverse crowd is attracted, allowing for all kinds of freak-show people watching – another benefit if that’s what you are into.

My friends might think that I’m nutty, but I love to stand along the front stretch beforehand, baking in the early evening sun to stare at the machines that are set to make two thousand turns. Waiting for driver introductions, there’s something so intriguing about being able to watch the facial expressions and body language from each competitor as they stand in the back of each push truck, waving to the crowd as they circle the speedway.   It’s truly the calm before the storm.

So many organizations like to give a three or four-wide parade lap. At the Little 500, that parade lap instantly transforms into a green flag, with eleven rows of three-abreast somehow figuring out how to make a lap without rubbing wheels or causing world war three. This year, they again pulled it off without an issue, which could indeed be one of racing’s biggest miracles.

With open rules leaving a lot to the imagination of creative car builders, to spot those new innovations is always a special treat reserved for the Little 5. Winners of this race with Dick Fuller back in 1999, Chet and his brother Corey Fillip, veterans of the Indy 500, Daytona 500, and just about every racing formula in between, are often at the forefront of such mechanical wizardry. Having worked for Corey nearly two decades ago at Advanced Racing Suspensions, I know just how brilliant those brothers are. Constructing their own rear-engine supermodified when they were San Angelo, Texas teenagers, the boys have always been known for their intriguing chassis and suspension designs. Several years ago, they welded up a sprint car cross between a Munchkin midget and a supermodified and have been a threat to win ever since. They dream it, they build it, and all so often, they win with it. I have a feeling it’s a just a matter of time until they get another Little 500 trophy.

The story of the race was without question the issues that removed the favorites from contention. Still trying for his first-Little 5 tally was Tony Elliott, who suffered early problems and once again, was bitten by bad luck in Gene Nolen’s V-6. Former winner Shane Cottle was never a factor in the Contos 4, out after 242 laps. Pole sitter Tony Hunt fell to the wayside on lap 113, always a solid-runner in previous Anderson appearances. Middle front row starter JoJo Helberg again showed incredible speed early in the race. Truly the rabbit that everyone was chasing, no one could keep up with Helberg for the first hundred laps or so. But, the rabbit rarely wins, as bad luck would jilt JoJo, who ran over Jimmy McCune’s right rear and smacked the back stretch wall with his right front, this coming after Jimmy suddenly slowed to avoid Shauna Hogg.

Speaking of the talented fabrication skills of the Fillips, they are also solid strategists as well, perfecting Little 500 pit stops with twin fuel inlets and an on-board starter (without clutch). Surprised that more teams have not mimicked their ingenuity, this year Aaron Pierce’s squad installed air jacks and a clutch and came away with a rocket-fast first pit stop. Fillip didn’t even lose a lap on his first stop and appeared to be in solid shape for a victory, leading over 110 laps in the middle stages. After his second stop, sparks immediately flew from underneath the number 77 and initially guessing that it was a suspension problem, perhaps the issue was just a flat right rear tire as new rubber seemed to be the cure, allowing Chet to make up three of his five laps lost. Outside front row starter Pierce appeared to be in a position to win his first 500 after Fillip lost his laps, but he too had right rear tire issues and was forced to pit an extra time. Aaron had to settle for fifth place, some three laps behind the leader.

After Pierce had his problem, Eric Gordon, running twin right rear Super Shox on his highly modified 1994 Beast owned by Mike Bowman, was in line to take his tenth Little 500 win since 1993. Unfortunately for Eric, his final pit stop uncovered a serious issue with a seized right rear wheel nut. His veteran crew tried and tried but the stubborn nut simply would not budge. First using a 500-plus PSI air gun, next borrowing another gun from Rex Norris, and finally trying an old-fashioned wheel whacker, nothing would get the job done. As a result, Eric’s tenth win would have to wait another year as he soldiered home sixth, six laps down to the leader.

So fast the last few years in the Larry Contos owned Beast, 2006 winner Brian Tyler worked his way into the top-five fairly early from his 15^th starting spot. Forty-four years old and driving number 44, Brian picked up the broken pieces from the other contenders and led the final 158 circuits, winding up on a lap of his own and easily scoring his second win in this monumental classic over Noblesville rookie Billy Wease. This was also the second win in the event for local car owner Contos, who won this race with Shane Cottle in 2008. Having been invited up into the Contos suite for the 1997 running, I remember the shock of watching Larry slam his fist against a wooden beam when both of his cars went out of the event. The former owner of the Pay Less Supermarket chain which was the race’s sponsor back then, Contos is extremely passionate about the Little 500, so another win has to feel pretty good.

Fishers resident Brian Gerster had a great evening in his Davis-Gerster Beast, taking third. Behind Fillip, Pierce, and Gordon were Russ Gamester, Tim Barber, rookie Kyle Feeney, and Warsaw’s Denny England, who made his first Little 5 start in almost a decade. And finally, a special thank you goes out to Kroger Advertising Assistant Kevin Kotansky for not only providing a few complimentary tickets for Saturday evening, but also to his company that continues as title sponsor (Kroger now owns Pay Less). As I have mentioned a million times to close friends, there is no greater fan or friend to racing than Mr. Kotansky.

Sunday 5/27

Sunday’s forecast for the 96^th running of the Indianapolis 500 sure seemed ominous, with many weather experts claiming that it would be the hottest on record. Packing up plenty of Gatorade, sun screen, sunglasses, and a hat to ban the effect of those harmful rays, joining me and my nephew as first-time attendees included Matt Pedersen and my fiancée Rachael. Only missing one 500 since 1985, each time I have been here, my dad has been alongside but concerns about sun, heat, and long distance walking caused him to wave the white flag several days before. At 78 years of age, I worry that the 2011 version might have been his last, which is indeed a sad and sobering thought.

Both newcomers and veterans like to give me grief about my preference to park all the way at 38^th Street, as it’s a 1.3 mile walk to the ticket gate at approximately 25^th Street. But, with a goal of attending some nighttime racing afterwards, when we’re walking past the gridlock on the way out, that’s when such a hike is all worth it, on the road and A/C cranked in no time. Only a 25 minute walk in, unfortunately an embarrassing error in judgment of mine added another 20 minutes to that number on the way out. Even though I’ve been parking that far for 15 years, I still make mistakes in search of shortcuts. But, we still made it to Kokomo in time, and that included a stop at Ray’s Drive In, where the half-pound King Cheeseburger and tater tots killed my hunger. As they say, it pays to eat at Ray’s.

For me, the thrill of the 500 is all about the tradition of the pre-race pageantry, so excited to see former winners Parnelli Jones, Mario Andretti, Johnny Rutherford, and Kenny Brack driving some awesome equipment out of the museum that included Troy Ruttman’s ’52 winner, Rodger Ward’s Leader Card Roadster, and the Mark Donohue Penske McLaren from ’72.   Simply some awesome stuff – that’s all I have to say.

Hearing Bryan Clauson’s name introduced by Dave Calabro in driver intros, it was truly a special occasion, the first time in a long while that I honestly had someone to pull for. Experiencing the usual sequence of God Bless America, National Anthem, military flyover, invocation, Taps, Back Home Again in Indiana, and finally Ladies and Gentlemen Start Your Engines, even though they had to play a Jim Nabors recording, it still did the trick, made even more emotional when Dan Wheldon’s winning car from last year took a ceremonious lap around the track with team owner Bryan Herta handling the driving chores. Between Back Home Again, the Wheldon memories, and thinking about my mom and dad, it’s a good thing they handed out those white Wheldon sunglasses, fighting hard to keep the flood of tears from making me look like an emotional wreck. The entire course of events tugged at my heart strings big time, requiring several minutes to remove the lump from my throat. Although I firmly believe that the 500 isn’t as big as it used to be, the power of those pre-race traditions cannot adequately be explained.

The start was electrifying as usual but unfortunately, Clauson’s turn one spin took the wind out of my sails far too early.   So disappointed for the kid, it seems as though everything went downhill in a hurry after crashing in his qualification attempt one week prior. Retiring after just 46 laps, I sure hope that Bryan doesn’t get a bad rap for the sub-par showing, as he has just as much or more raw oval talent and potential as any newcomer in the field. He just needs more seat time and a shot of confidence.

Sitting in turn three where we were fortunate enough to enjoy a nice breeze, it sure didn’t feel like the second-hottest 500 on record, not needing half of the liquids I had packed. Spotting a few passes on the north end, most of the overtaking took place on the south, thankful for the big screen simulcast and the solid PA work by Dave Calabro and Bob Jenkins, as I was unable to tune into the 500 radio network once my iPod battery became drained.

A record 34 lead changes and a dramatic last lap overtaking attempt in turn one by Takuma Sato sure made for an entertaining Indianapolis 500, but my initial reaction afterwards was not so positive, disturbed by the mere mention of the wife of Dario Franchitti, who loves to brag endlessly about her husband. I totally respect Dario and am pleased with his passion for the 500, a true student of the sport’s history who even took laps around the Speedway in Jim Clark’s ’65 winning ride. But, it would be nice if his wife didn’t have to remind us about how great he is, as anybody who pays an ounce of attention is fully aware of that fact. Watching the last 40 laps on TV once home from Kokomo, even though I have a strong dislike for the look of the new equipment, these cars and drivers put on one hell of a show, as you never knew who was going to hold the top spot, let alone for how long. I only wish I didn’t have to wait another year to see another attempt to top 2012. It really was THAT good.

To aid people like me (along with my fiancée, my nephew, and Matt Pedersen) who wanted to do the double, Kokomo Speedway started an hour later than normal. With an MSCS-KISS meet in Haubstadt serving as competition, 24 cars would prove to be the lowest count of the K-town season. But, with names like Weir, Windom, Gulick, McIntyre, Grant, and Hines in the house, seven years of Kokomo reconfiguration experience says that this was cause enough for celebration. Notable names in the house included World of Outlaws announcer Johnny Gibson, former USAC standout Jay Drake (watching son Nick compete), and three-time track champ Shane Cottle.

Devouring my half pound cheeseburger far too fast for any normal human being, it all worked out when I got to see Logan Jarrett top the qualifying charts with a lap of 13.461 seconds. Justin Grant failed to take a time and was a scratch for the evening in Mark Hery’s 40. Claimed from third, second, and first, heats were won by Weir, McIntyre, and Brent Beauchamp (own 11) and with no B-main scheduled, that guaranteed yet another early exit.

Back in the day, the Kokomo Klassic was a special, Wednesday night affair. This time, it was named for a Memorial Day weekend round that added an extra class of UMP modifieds. Starting Scotty Weir and C.J. Leary from the front row, as expected Scotty got the jump to turn one via the low lane, which was reworked, along with the top, during the brief intermission. Almost immediately, the race for first was three cars deep, as third-starting Wes McIntyre and fifth-starting Coleman Gulick joined the party. After a couple of early yellows, McIntyre’s continued mastery of the middle moved him to first, but a caution for Bloomington’s Ethan Barrow with 14 to go would restack the deck. Toiling three-wide off of turn four with Gulick on top, Weir on the bottom, and McIntyre the meat in the sandwich, Coleman’s crazy front stretch wheel stand propelled him to P1. The Ice Man began to pull away and seemed to have the race well in hand until a turn four bobble sent him down the bank and directly into Wes Mac’s right rear. The Fatheadz 83 was unable to absorb the contact without performing some front stretch gymnastics, with the McCordsville pilot emerging unscathed.

Leaving a top-five of Gulick, Weir, Windom, Beauchamp, and Hines, Chris would get close in the Baldwin 5, bombarding the bottom lane and able to duel side by side with four to go. However, lapped traffic in the form of Logan Hupp held up the orange 5, allowing Coleman to notch his second win of the season. Trailing Gulick and Windom were Weir, Hines, and Andrew Elson, with Chris Gurley, Beauchamp, Leary, Corey Smith, and Adam Byrkett scored sixth through tenth at the 9:40 PM checkered.

Monday 5/28

Attempting to polish off a massive Memorial Day weekend with the World of Outlaws at Lawrenceburg, I had my reservations about making the long haul on a work night, especially when nursing a freshly injured back and remnants of a nasty cold. But, after watching much of Friday’s Charlotte round on SPEED that contained all kinds of controversy and knowing that it would undoubtedly be an early night, it was impossible to say no, meeting up with my nephew at Post Road and I-74 around 4:25 PM. Done right around 10 PM, I was home, showered, and in bed just after midnight, which is par for the course anyway, so it all worked out in the end.

Coughing up thirty bucks to take the night off and leave the notebook and pens in pocket, general admission was good for turns one, two, and backstretch seating. For five dollars more, we could have enjoyed reserved seating on the front stretch, but with the area around us packed and the main grandstand half full at best, that tells me that a $35 ticket is too much to demand from the average Joe. The first time I have parked my behind on the north side of the Burg, despite being partially blocked by the concrete wall, without question it offered an interesting perspective of that east end.

Running into former Northern All Stars Late Model champion and HARF sprint car rookie of the year Jeff Wilson while waiting in line, Jeff led me to the backstretch where his former car owner Rodney Reynolds was hanging out in the back of a pickup with Kokomo winner Coleman Gulick, Scotty Weir, Justin Grant, Wes McIntyre, and Wes Mac’s crew member Ryan Uhrick. Also spotting Blake and Braylon Fitzpatrick and Joss Moffatt on the grounds, it is good to know that the Outlaws are popular among the younger sprint car set. Limited supply and fairly strong demand makes names such as Kinser, Swindell, Saldana, and Schatz seem like rock stars and when you combine that with a professional and timely program, not to mention some huge hype from series announcer Johnny Gibson, even though it may just be another race, it makes the whole thing feel like a big deal.

Given the high 90 degree day and July-like humidity, the Lawrenceburg banks were unexpectedly tacky and narrow for the heats, such a pleasant surprise that actually made passing extremely difficult early on. The feature was altogether different and even though Danny Lasoski (own 33) pulled away from the pack and hid before blowing up, there was tons of slicing and dicing all throughout the field. Eldora winner Chad Kemenah took over and led laps 12-27, first receiving heat from Craig Dollansky (slicing a right rear) and later Kraig Kinser, who actually led two tours and nearly scored a home state victory for the first time since 2007. But, just like all of last year, Kyle Larson was again the show, working from 9^th to the top-five thanks to several late race double-file restarts. Nearly stealing second from Kraig, he lost out on the runner-up slot on the last lap, but “Young Money” continues to amaze.

Soon to be 58 year-old Steve Kinser maintained his narrow point lead over Donny Schatz by finishing fourth. David Gravel was fifth while Friday’s villain Sammy Swindell was sixth, setting quick time at 11.924 seconds, still a long way from Spud Gustin’s 2008 mark of 11.628. Kerry Madsen, Tony Stewart, Daryn Pittman (Stuebgen 71), and Jason Sides rounded out the top-ten, with second in points Schatz, who tested a dirt late model in anticipation of his Prelude to the Dream participation, charging from 19^th to 11^th.   Charlotte winner Joey Saldana could only muster a sub-par 12^th. Hats off to Robert Ballou, the only Indiana local to make the show after taking the fourth and final B-main transfer from Geoff Dodge.

Saturday 6/2

Enjoying a break from the big week with a cool and rainy Friday at Bonge’s Tavern in Perkinsville where a 16 ounce apple wood smoked prime rib seemed to just vanish from my plate, in keeping with the traditional racing theme one would presume that I would have headed southwest for the 60^th annual Hut Hundred, especially remembering when the Hut used to be held the day after the Hoosier Hundred, albeit in September. Twice I have seen the midgets tackle Tri-State Speedway and each time, I have enjoyed them immensely. However, still trying to recover from a stiff and sore back that reared its ugly head on Memorial Day, six hours of windshield time could literally become a pain in my rear and reverse any progress that had been made during a week filled with stretching, icing, and costly chiropractic visits. Safely opting for the King of Indiana Sprint Series finale at Paragon Speedway, it would have been tough to turn down such an option when factoring in the 36 cars and quality of field for that KISS closer, not to mention the fact that I pass Paragon each time I head to Haubstadt.   If ever there was an evening that I wish I could be in two places at once, tonight was one of them.

One of the tighter battles in the twelve year history of the series, Terre Haute winner Robert Ballou led the KISS points by 12 over Tri-State winner Jon Stanbrough and 15 over Gas City and Lawrenceburg winner Dave Darland, vying for the $1,200 in cash, glass trophy, specially decaled Simpson helmet, and overall bragging rights that come from being called King of Indiana.

As a general rule, Paragon KISS contests cause the locals to scurry, not wishing to battle the big dogs for large bills. However, $100 tow money was guaranteed to anyone not making the feature, thereby expecting more than the 16 Saturday night regulars. Twice a winner thus far in 2012, Josh Cunningham headed the list of locals and was joined by his brother Mitch, a winner on May 19^th for Martinsville’s Wesley Hickman. The tally of 36 was still the best Paragon/KISS conglomeration in quite some time, with last year’s winner Shane Cottle continuing to find work in Tony Epperson’s deuce, aided by former Paragon regular Blake Hollingsworth. Manning a new Mach 1 chassis (with taller roll cage) for Hank Byram was Sikeston, Missouri’s Hunter Schuerenberg, who found victory lane with this machine the previous week at Bloomington. Sponsorship on the number 35 came from Howard Johnson motels, specifically the one owned and operated in Lima, Ohio by former car owner Ron Gorby.

For the first time I had attended Paragon Speedway in 1988, the turn three and four pond was completely dry. On the flip side, the 3/8ths mile soil was completely wet, even with unfavorable radar, ominous clouds, and spitting rain.   Light sprinkles became more frequent after the conclusion of sprint car heats, waiting out a nearly two hour delay by playing mind-bending racing trivia with passenger Richie Murray. Reminiscing with former United Sprint Association official Jim LeConte (that ’89 Paragon USA race is in my all-time top-ten), I also met long-distance visitors Stephen Cording, Ailsa Haigh, and photographer Colin Casserley, the latter three hauling all the way from England to absorb an Indiana weekend before a busy week of USAC Eastern Storm amusement.

Thanks to the damp dirt, heat action was quite entertaining, seeing Stanbrough storm from 8^th to 2^nd, Darland drive from 7^th to 2^nd (exchanging second with Cottle several times), with honorable mentions to Schuerenberg and Kyle Cummins for their sprints from 6^th to 2^nd. Beginning from the first or second row, heat winners included Braylon Fitzpatrick, Josh Burton, Jonathan Hendrick, and Brady Short, with Braylon’s older brother Blake (who still speaks to former advisor Bubby Jones several times per week) having to come out of the B after some apparent steering concerns. Paragon royalty Josh Cunningham was sidelined in the infield, his Stealth sitting lower than usual on its left rear suspension.

Once action resumed after the rain, the tacky conditions emphasized high horsepower applications from Jordan Kinser, Jeff Bland, Chase Briscoe, and Blake Fitzpatrick (climbing 12 spots), who punched the final four A-main tickets. Josh Cunningham hustled from 12^th but would miss the cut by two. Tutored and wrenched by Greg Staab, who still shows a scar from 2006 Paragon action when Mark Cassella’s car climbed into his cockpit, Cincinnati’s Buddy Lowther missed the cut by one and showed extremely well in his ex-MPHG Stealth/Mopar.   Michael Moody, Jr. tumbled his ex-Taterhead Stealth along the front stretch and while enjoying some front row seats, I have to say that the audio was absolutely out of this world.

Closing in on 200 career sprint car victories, the vast majority of them coming since the year 2000, Jon Stanbrough has virtually owned the local Indiana bullring scene since the KISS concept was first instituted in 2001. Drawing the pole for the thirty lap finale and eventually claiming series win number 19 and championship number six (2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, and now 2012), this one was anything but easy for the driver of the Dan Roberts/Daryl Tate/Bruce Leer Special. First having to track down outside front row starter Braylon Fitzpatrick, Braylon’s substantial oil leak soon flamed out in a big way. Pulling it out of gear but noticing that his oil pressure was up, Fitzpatrick’s slight hesitation allowed the Silent Gasser a golden opportunity to grab the lead baton. Despite some serious heat from Fitz and later a hard-charging Brady Short, Jon had just enough left in reserve to keep the 2009 king in his wake. Outstanding racing for third saw Hendrick, Fitzpatrick, Cottle (from 12^th), Darland, Seth Parker, and Ballou (from 16^th) brawling, as Dave propelled to a podium finish thanks to a last turn, last lap lunge. Hendrick, Cottle (up 7), Braylon Fitzpatrick, Parker, Ballou (also up 12), Blake Fitzpatrick (up 11), and Bland (up 8) filled out the first ten at the 11:02 PM checkered flag.

Sealing his fate by only advancing to fourth from eighth in his heat, Ballou fell from first to third in the points and had to settle for an $800 points fund check. Darland jumped up one spot and grabbed $900 for his five race effort. Hendrick and Schuerenberg (dropping out of the A with right rear suspension issues) garnered $700 and $600 from the KISS kitty.

This coming Saturday, Paragon is hosting a celebration for former track champions. Off on the 16^th but coming back on the 23^rd with the huge Chuck Amati 68, the race pays a whopping $3,000 to win. Fireworks and $1,400 to win sprints close out the month on the 30^th.

Thoroughly enjoying Sammy Swindell’s new one-lap track record (10.950 seconds) and Kraig Kinser’s win in the World of Outlaws Kokomo convention on Tuesday night, packed like a sardine into the front stretch grandstand as a paying customer, I am still stunned at how large the throng was. Tuesday’s assembly was the largest in the modern history of the 65 year old facility, confirming that the Outlaws are still the premier sprint car group in the nation when it comes to popularity. However, after witnessing just how uncomfortable these winged racers appeared in their attack of Kokomo’s quarter-mile, I am convinced that Indiana’s wingless pilots indeed put on the best show here, unafraid of working against and above the cushion, throwing cutthroat slide jobs, and generally offering more wheel to wheel competition. In short, that has always been the difference between the two brands.

After that Tuesday evening affair, I am officially raced out, hoping to recharge batteries in time for another five night marathon of Indiana Midget Week competition beginning Wednesday the 13^th in Gas City. By that time, I hope to feel back home again at an Indiana dirt track, personifying the same passion that has ruled my world since 1987.

Volume 14, Number 8

I Want To Go Back

Sunday morning drives to racing events are rare but special treats, as those classic, afternoon affairs are all but a thing of the past, instantly influencing some memory bank withdrawals from my introduction to the sport. A productive morning had me on the road by ten after ten, flying solo and in a great mood due to the favorable forecast, with Gatorade, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and sweat rag checked off the list. To maintain my positive frame of mind, I jammed to a handful of brand new Ded Ringer tracks supplied by my west coast pal Steve Lafond, sampling the Harmon Kardon sound system in my new ride and consciously trying to keep from sinking into the abyss that could easily happen when recalling the chilling and heartbreaking course of events that took place with my mother on this exact day, one year ago. In cases like this, it sucks to have a mind that remembers dates and days with such clarity.

After the CD ran its course, I hoped to hear an update on local boy Bryan Clauson’s Indy 500 bump day qualification effort, switching the dial to 1070 AM and entertained instead by a pair of replays of the memorable 1982 and 1992 Indianapolis 500 finishes called by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network. Having spotted for turn four announcer Bob Jenkins in the final two years (1988 and 1989) before he moved on to become the Voice of the 500, I felt a special connection to those radio calls, remembering all those years that I listened to the race from home because my dad never wanted to deal with the traffic or crowds. Unfortunately, life’s cruel reality slapped me across the face a few days later when I unearthed the news that this would be Bob’s last month of May in broadcasting, as his attention now turns to caring for his wife who has brain cancer. A true class act and genuine nice guy, I fondly recall all those occasions when I rode with him to Kokomo Speedway, gambling quarters on sprint cars, hobby stocks, and street stocks. As you can imagine, those were some fun times that I will forever cherish.

Circle back to 2012 and I still believe that Indy is a big deal, but not even close to its intensity of the late ‘80s to mid-1990s when it was the complete center of my universe. On a day when I would be visiting the second oldest speedway in the Hoosier state, I waxed nostalgic in my drive up 69 to state roads 67 and 32, traveling through those historic towns of Selma, Parker City, and Farmland. I wanted to go back and do it all over again, as at such a young age, there was no way that I could have ever appreciated just how huge this race was and all the larger-than-life names that were involved. Knowing full well that there is no going back, reflecting even deeper I am reminded to somehow find a way to live and appreciate each day like it was my last.

Sitting high atop the Northeast Vista for that frigid 1992 500 when a wind chill factor in the 30s kept Goodyear Eagle rubber from building enough heat for restarts, enduring crash after crash and more Andretti heartbreak, I remember wearing the same winter jacket, ski cap, and gloves as I donned at the March USAC sprint car season opener at Eldora won by Terry Shepherd. Hearing Bob Jenkins again make that famous call of the closest finish, I reasoned that a similar Sunday morning drive along this same route in 1992 would have resulted in some fierce USAC sprint car competition on the unforgiving high banks of Winchester Speedway. Isn’t it amazing just how much that series and the Indianapolis 500 have undergone such significant changes in the last twenty years?

1992 was the first full year that the United States Auto Club had eliminated wings from their sprint car equation since the experimentation began in April of 1987. Although the dirt dates were back to their traditional form, the schedule was dominated by hardtop haunts like IRP, Salem, and Winchester. With such enthusiastic pavement participation in those early ‘90s, especially for the ESPN Thunder telecasts, it’s alarming to ponder the proposition that USAC’s asphalt sprint car assignments are now extinct. Could it be that the lack of exposure, the excessive cost of tires, and the difficulty of drivers moving to that next level have combined to make pavement sprint car racing a thing of the past?

If you ask that same question to Michigan promoter extraordinaire Jim Hanks, I’m sure he would passionately disagree, as his television-fueled Must See Racing Extreme Sprint Series is growing by leaps and bounds. With tape-delayed coverage provided to Comcast and Fox Sports Midwest and a sensible tire package with American Racer that actually works to save the racers some cash, more and more of USAC’s pavement specialists have been making the switch. If you’re a fan who enjoys this brand of sprint car action, except for the Hoosier Outlaw Sprint Series, Must See is the only want way to catch blacktop sprint car contests in this state. Meanwhile, USAC’s national sprint car schedule is completely contested on soil for the second year in a row, due in part to the growth that began with that 1992 alteration. Given its loyal legion of fanatics, USAC’s devotion to dirt is certainly a wise move at this stage in the game.

Getting back to that pleasant Sunday morning run to Randolph County, what a busy day I had planned with a double-dip of Must See sprints and supermodifieds, hoping to finish it off with another Kokomo nightcap. After taking Saturday night off in anticipation of an extremely hectic Indy 500 week, if this were 1992, it would have been a four race weekend but these days, I have come to the realization that the big picture is much more important. That’s not to say that I wasn’t checking my phone for results late Saturday evening, but an 80 race campaign is no longer in the cards. Everything in moderation - right?

Arriving in time for the second round of practice and waving off a golf cart shuttle to the front gate, I immediately traversed the tunnel and wound up on pit road much like I would have in 1992, eyeballing the chassis, suspensions, and innovations found on these unique pavement pounders. Of course the supermods were the most intriguing, amazing to think that it had been since 1995 that I had last watched them race in my home state. Five years before that East-West IRP shootout, they blasted around these same banks for the two-day Sammy Sessions Memorial. I wasn’t there to witness the lap, but the thing that makes that weekend stand out for me is Bentley Warren’s qualifying record of 13.9 seconds, boldly done on a very rough surface while strapped into a super without wings. On his way to NASCAR fame and fortune, a youthful Jeff Gordon also doubled-up on Sunday with sprint and midget victories for Dave Calderwood and Rollie Helmling, respectively. Gary Morton wound up as the leading survivor of the calamity-filled supermodified feature, made even more interesting when an irate Gene Lee Gibson attacked Pat Abold under a red flag period. The exhibition of such aggression got Gene Lee banned from Winchester, having to surrender his Johnny Vance ride to Jim Mahoney for the numerous 1991 USAC sprint car contests held there.

Gibson had planned on competing this weekend, but the opportunity to plant some crops in his farm fields proved far too tempting to pass up, leaving third generation racer Zach Gibson with the honor of upholding his family’s tradition of piloting a purple painted Flintstone Flyer around Winchester’s paperclip. Some 22 years later, Morton also planned a return visit as a car owner with the new Must See series, hoping to claim a third straight Winchester super score. However, a Dave McKnight Saturday afternoon pancake of the turn three wall damaged his number 70 beyond repair and ended the lengthy streak. Longtime midget participant Sondi Eden and 2001 Silver Crown champion Paul White were other recognizable names in the field.

Counting the Morton 70 from Saturday, 14 supermodifieds showed for the weekend, not bad considering that the Midwest Supermodified Association reportedly only had 13 for their Saturday night program in Sandusky, Ohio. But for $6,000 to win and $1,000 for fast time, I had honestly hoped for more of the sport’s stalwarts to support this initial offering from series organizers Jim Hanks and Don Wilshe, the latter having a newly-constructed machine towed in from Las Vegas at the last possible moment. Given the solid number who did make the tow from Ohio and New York; it does give hope for a bright future, as I expect that the money and TV will eventually influence further participation.

Sunday’s expected sprint car count was minus one, with 2010 event winner Dave Steele a no-show after the engine in his Dowker 42 let go during Saturday practice. Again, I was hoping for a few more cars, but given the quality of equipment and drivers on-hand, this portion of the show was just fine, as-is. Inspecting the good-looking sprinters, the field was dominated by Steele’s Diablo chassis design, which are constructed and marketed by Spike and Stealth chassis founder John Godfrey. I counted 9 Diablos, including three for Don Wilshe (Jason Blonde, Kody Swanson, and Tanner Swanson) and two for Davey Hamilton (Mike Larrison and Brian Olson). I could be wrong on my identification, but I counted a couple of Beasts, one Hurricane, one Dynamite, one Dowker, one Hoffman, and one Denny England designed Vortex.   This is a far cry from the most recent USAC pavement years, when ingenuity and creativity surrendered to the ultra-effective Beast chassis.

Running into so many familiar Winchester faces on pit road, before heading up top for qualifying I ventured down to turns one and two, watching in awe from the bottom of the skyscraper banking as those winged supers sailed around the speedway. Could any of these cars eclipse Bentley Warren’s mark from 1990 and better yet, could any of them approach Winchester’s winged sprint car record of 13.467? Heavier than their sprint car counterparts but with so much 468 cubic inch big block power at their disposal, not to mention a huge left side weight bias, how fast could these awesome creations go? That question would soon be answered.

Supermods were up first for a timing light tango and Mexico, New York’s Michael Barnes pocketed the $1,000 check for his chart-topping 14.027 circuit. Aside from Brandon Fisher (clocking in at 14.203 before brushing the turn four wall and calling it a day), White (14.103), and Barnes, most of the competitors were conservative in their attack of the track, as the majority just did not look comfortable.

The winged sprint cars, having competed here so many times since Mike Blake first scored a win in 1999, were altogether different in their approach. Backing up his ridiculously-quick practice speed, Rohnert Park, California chauffeur JoJo Helberg, with the top wing on his Beast chassis laid flat, was without question the class of the field when it came to speed. His unbelievable mark of 12.669 seconds not only blew away the old Winchester track record, but it also topped Brian Gerster’s 12.742 lap (150.460 MPH) around Bristol last October. If you want to check out how fast JoJo’s lap felt, click on this link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NR_1YSs5mQ ) and prepare to be amazed.

As far as track length is concerned, Bristol (.533) is actually larger than Winchester, so a 12.669 second lap might equate to less than a 150 MPH average, but nonetheless, it is still a time that I would have never imagined some twenty years ago. In all the years I have been watching racecars go around in circles, aside from sitting along the wall in the short chute between turns one and two for Indianapolis 500 qualifying in 1986 (those seats are no longer there by the way), I have never, ever, witnessed such dramatic speed in person. Seriously folks – it was an AWESOME yet frightening experience! Wide open with his chassis bucking through the bumps at turn one’s entry, I can’t imagine just how loose the setup was or how much horsepower was required for such insanity. I also cannot fathom how dire the consequences could have been had something broken on his machine. Will it ever be possible to go quicker than 12.669 around Winchester? And, will such a speed ever be allowed to rule in the future? Either way, one week later I’m still amazed at such a display. Altogether, six men were underneath the old record, with Brian Gerster and Jason Blonde also dipping into the elusive twelve second bracket. Helberg’s superhuman effort was worth $500.

Entertained by a pair of supermod and a trio of sprint car heat races, in one of those sprint car contests I was again thrilled by Troy DeCaire’s unique ability to slide past his competitors via the apron and bottom lane. If Rich Vogler was a Winchester mad man around the rim, then DeCaire is a devil along the bottom, as he simply shows no fear in going where they aren’t to overtake. Forced to wait out undercard features of open wheel modifieds and front-wheel drive compacts in the broiling heat, I kept a firm eye on the time, concerned that a Kokomo double was quickly becoming out of the question.

Eleven cars took the thirty-lap supermodified green flag and although Sodi Eden immediately grabbed the lead baton, she was soon swallowed up by the black number 11 of Kyle Edwards. Sideways down the backstretch while trying to avoid the slower car of Larry Lehnert, quick-qualifier Michael Barnes couldn’t keep it straight and nosed his number 99 into the wall, unfortunately ending his day on the hook. Starting second to last after dropping out of his heat, Paul White was the one to watch in his number 16. All over the leader by the halfway mark, lap 21 saw something break on Paul’s piece, sending it into the wall between turns one and two.   Just five laps remained when leader Edwards slowed suddenly, handing the win to Berlin Heights, Ohio pilot Jim Paller, who happily accepted the healthy paycheck. Much like that last Winchester feature in 1990, only four cars were left running, proving the long-standing point that supermodifieds are finicky and fragile machines, needing some more testing and massaging to properly attack these high banks. Sandusky, Ohio’s Jack Smith, Sondi Eden, and Zach Gibson were the only ones finishing the 15 mile grind at 4:23 PM.

The thirty lap sprint car feature was all that was left of this 2012 Xtreme Speed Challenge, starting Jason Cox and Kody Swanson from the front row. Having dominated the May 2010 Winchester Must See showing for Mike Blake, Troy DeCaire began from the inside of row two in Lenny Puglio’s Diablo/Gaerte, flanked by fellow speed demon Jason Blonde. Gerster and Helberg would set sail from row three.

Shot out of a cannon at the start, DeCaire used the element of surprise to slip between the turn one apron and Jason Cox’s brightly painted number 40 to find first place. Much like the supers, cars were dropping like flies early on, as three-time Little 500 winner Jeff Bloom and Chris Neuenschwander immediately headed for pit road. Oddly enough, you will need to remember Chris’s name very soon.

With four laps in the books, Cox tried a similar surprise attack on DeCaire in turn one, but Troy did not flinch. Perhaps Jason picked up some debris on his tires while doing so, as his right rear appeared to go down by the time he reached turn four. Sliding sideways across the track with the remainder of the pack bearing down on him, Mike Larrison made a bold move to avoid Cox and plowed into Neuenschwander’s pit, one of the most terrifying ordeals I’ve seen since the 1994 Little 500 when a similar thing took place in turn four. Amazingly, there were no injuries reported and racing resumed after a brief red flag.

Gerster got to second after blasting underneath Blonde, exhibiting the expected speed that should come from the Dick Myers 50. While DeCaire was maintaining his advantage thanks to massive slide jobs served to slower traffic , Travis Miniea brought the action to a crawl after blowing the right rear on Mike Blake’s 81, this after successfully slicing his way from the 12^th starting position. Gerster’s machine suffered serious front end damage from the debris, retiring from battle after water began to pour from his radiator.

With ten laps left, just when you thought you had seen it all on this eventful afternoon, second place Jason Blonde proved that theory incorrect. Much like Mike Larrison did 16 laps prior; Jason jerked loose atop turn four and spun down the hill, again plowing into the pit of Chris Neuenschwander! This time, Chris’s car took the brunt of the impact but once again, miraculously no one was hurt.

Soon thereafter, the plot further thickened when JoJo Helberg inherited the runner-up slot and managed to beat DeCaire to turn one. But, five laps later, Troy took advantage of JoJo’s failing right rear rubber and seized the day with a turn one slide job of his own. Despite two more cautions in the last several laps, including a backstretch crash involving Hank Lower and Mike Larrison, the long afternoon was finally over at 5:50 PM, as DeCaire earned his long overdue Winchester win. Behind the Florida speedster, four more cars of Helberg, Dave Baumgartner, Jimmy McCune, and Jacob Wilson were the lone finishers in the drama-filled sprint car endurance contest. After Anderson’s Little 500 week, the next event on the Must See sprint car schedule is June 9^th at IRP while the supermodifieds are slated for an August 24^th date at Auto City. For more information, check out www.mustseeracing.com.

Worn out from a day in the sun and expecting to arrive at Kokomo after heat races were completed, I decided against the hour and a half drive and 45 minute haul home for just B and A features, stopping in Parker City to enjoy a chocolate shake from Jerry’s Dairy Freezer. After mowing the lawn and cleaning up, I read through some detailed text messages regarding the incredibly wild and crazy Kokomo evening, wishing that I could have gone back and done the second half of my Sunday all over again.   Second-guessing never does me any good, realizing later that I should have simply stuck with my original plan. Always a big picture thinker and worried about work not getting done, it’s easy to forget that I need to live each day to its fullest.

Going back two days prior to Sunday, an unusually hot Friday afternoon demanded an evening attire of shorts and a t-shirt for the very first time in 2012, destined for Bloomington Speedway’s Larry Rice Classic, round nine of the grueling 48 race schedule that spans from February through November. With a half day away from work, that allowed Speedball and I to again enjoy the scenic old road 37 just south of Martinsville, the same path my grandfather followed in his Model T Ford when visiting my grandmother in Bloomington. Re-entering civilization at College Avenue, I hung a right just past the Scholars Inn and explored the west side of B-town’s thriving downtown, eyeing the restored Illinois Central freight house, the revamped Showers Furniture factory (which serves as city hall), and a new Bub’s Burger joint (made famous just a few miles from my house). Taking Rogers Street past the old RCA plant and the Bloomington Country Club, I followed the original Monon Route through Clear Creek, hanging a left at Church Lane to eventually empty at Bloomington Speedway, where the history of USAC sprint car racing surprisingly only goes back to the early 1980s, even though this place has been around since 1923.

Much like Gas City some three weeks prior, another solid field of 38 populated the pits, immediately encountering Robert Ballou’s MPHG 81 trying out a Maxim chassis supplied by Paragon’s Cam Pottorff.   Bumping into Morgan County house flipper John Jones, John pointed to Brady Bacon’s 99, perhaps the most unexpected participant of all given his normal ASCS assignments. Unable to find a Fox 53, Edison 10, or Hazen 57, I did notice Jared Fox assisting Ethan Barrow’s efforts, the same with Kenny Carmichael’s mechanical mentoring of Patrick Budde. Chase Briscoe’s Pace Lighting number 5 reverted back to a Stealth 2K4 coil-front chassis while Pennsylvania’s Mark Smith, constructor of Mach 1 machines (www.mach1chassis.com), made his Bloomington debut. Parked next to the Spike of Hunter Schuerenberg, Hunter manned a Mach 1 in four KISS events thus far in 2012: Terre Haute, Bloomington, Gas City, and Lawrenceburg. Witnessing former Antioch, Indiana resident Coby Smith do his part to keep Bud Kaeding’s tires and wheels mud-free, continuing down the row of cars I received a nod of acknowledgment from two-time track champ Brady Short, who was subbing for Bryan Clauson in the R&B Truckers Maxim led by Brady’s ex-crew chief Mike Dutcher.

Third in line, Bacon’s Triple X chassis clocked quickest at 11.845, well off J.J. Yeley’s 2002 standard of 11.068. Narrow and unusually rough at turn one’s entry as undulations developed halfway down the bank, this extremely odd Bloomington phenomenon was responsible for some disappointing qualification performances. Levi Jones, Jerry Coons, Jr. (Phillips 71), Tracy Hines, Chase Stockon, and Darren Hagen timed in the top six, with only seven slipping beneath 12 seconds.

With a six car heat race inversion, Bacon (from 6^th), Kaeding (from 1^st), Gardner (from 2^nd), and Cottle (from 5^th) scored the hard-fought wins. Out of those aforementioned quick six, Hines and Hagen were the only ones who failed to transfer, with Hagen losing out on the spot after putting all four wheels above the turn one cushion on the final lap to initially snag fourth from Casey Shuman. Shuman’s side-by-side assault through turns three and four caused Darren to take evasive action, slipping over the bank and unable to keep his Mean Green Hoffman 69 from nosing into the earth embankment. The contact was severely detrimental to the front half of his Chalk chassis, with Darren jumping out of the car and running up the track to offer a salute to Shuman. Breaking out the F5 backup and starting last in the semi, the Ocala winner fell six spots shy of A-main status and popped a provisional pill. Brady Short did the same, slipping over the slope during his heat and later swept up in an Ethan Barrow B-main blunder. Heat race hustlers included Hunter Schuerenberg and Kevin Thomas, Jr., who both blew the cushion in turns one and two, only to come back and make the cut. Schuerenberg’s battle with Chris Windom for fourth was worth watching, as last year’s Larry Rice Classic winner was working above the cushion in turn one on the final lap, briefly taking the transfer before scaling Hunter’s right rear, continuing a frustrating campaign for last year’s HARF driver of the year.

Running the companion mini sprint feature before the USAC 30-lap finale, the three-wide wave lap still took place at a respectable 10 PM. New since my visit on April 13^th, additional backstretch lighting illuminated the south half of the quarter-mile, pointing out a pair of turn one cushions that made things very interesting. Slick beneath the lower cushion in one and also through the middle of three and four, as always plenty of moisture existed around those infield tires.

Beginning Bobby East and Shane Cottle (Epperson 2) from the front row, Bobby got the jump to turn one first in Scott Benic’s Maxim/Gaerte, choosing that moist bottom that provided plenty of left rear bite. Much like Kevin Thomas did from 1992 through 1994 when he claimed three consecutive Sheldon Kinser Memorials in three different rides; East traced those same infield tires without fail and led all 30 laps, a true test in patience and discipline. Whether it is 1992 or 2012, some things in life never change and if you can master the art of tip-toeing around those tires, you will eventually earn your shot at Bloomington gold.

Slowed by only one caution at lap three for Jeff Bland, Jr., the last 27 laps went uninterrupted. After going back to green, Cottle climbed upstairs and waged an outstanding duel for first with East, adding Chase Stockon and Jerry Coons, Jr. to create a two-by-two, four car foray. Just before the crossed flags were displayed, Bobby bolted away from Shane and built a full-straight advantage on the 1992 AMSA mini sprint champion, unfazed by heavy lapped traffic. Reverting to the bottom, Cottle could not make up any ground and had to settle for his second consecutive USAC runner-up finish. Fifth at the halfway mark, Brady Bacon made a late race charge to take third, with Stockon holding off Hines for fourth, as a massive pack battled tooth and nail all the way back to tenth. Under the 10:12 PM checkered, Jon Stanbrough (maintaining his point lead), Levi Jones, Kevin Thomas, Jr., Josh Burton, and Coons solidified positions six through ten. Attacking the top shelf in the Kenny Baldwin 5, Chris Windom had been operating around seventh until a late race error cost him five positions, winding up 12^th.

Celebrating Scott Benic’s first USAC dirt win in two years, Bobby told Brad Dickison, “Scott puts a great car together all of the time. These past four races, he’s really given us a great car and we’re starting to do something good with it. I just can’t thank Scott and Benic Enterprises enough. I’ve also got to thank Tammy and Jonah (Benic), who I don’t think could make it tonight. Hopefully this cheers Jonah up. He’s been upset that the Pacers have been beating his favorite team this week. I’ve also got to thank Champion Oil and Hoosier Tire.”

Thinking back to a few years ago when he put his own dirt sprint car together to keep sharp on the Indiana bullrings, Bobby added, “Running all those times here in my own car, it definitely helped me out in qualifying and heat race time. I really like this track. We’ve got great fans here but also in the whole state of Indiana. I enjoy this track and I’ve got to thank everybody who helped me get that car together and race it for all those years. I’m just really happy. We really needed this win.”

This coming Friday, Bloomington plays host to the Spring Clash, a healthy purse that pays $3,000 to the sprint car winner and $300 to start while their Indiana Midget Week round is Friday June 15th.

As for the next edition of KO’s Indiana Bullring Scene, I hope to briefly discuss the beehive of traditional racing activity surrounding the Indianapolis 500. Such a busy week of stuffing six races in five days, I was unable to complete my column until the Tuesday after Memorial Day. Basking in the glow of yet another incredible Indianapolis 500, although the race still manages to give me goose bumps and raise the hair on my arms, sadly the day after always sends me into a state of depression. Reminding me that another year has slipped away, it makes me want to go back and experience those glorious racing memories from the ‘80s and ‘90s all over again. Wishing that time would stand still so that I could take a deep breath or two, the dawning of a new day in Indiana simply means that there’s another racing event to attend.   Whether you’re a racer or a writer, there’s no rest for the weary and there’s no going back.

Volume 14, Number 7

Getting Lucky

I may be the lucky number seven out of eight kids in my family, but except for a trip to the Bahamas from a 1995 company picnic, a wristwatch at the 1982 Indianapolis Auto show, and a few random door prizes, that number has rarely aided in my attempt to win anything noteworthy.   Take me to a riverboat casino and I’m ready to leave after fifteen minutes, as a risk-averse accountant does not rely on such random chance to pad his pockets. If I managed to claim any awards over the years, they generally came the old-fashioned way, paying homage to my ability to memorize academic material or racing trivia.

As a teenager dreaming of competing in the Indianapolis 500, by the time I had reached adulthood my aspirations were downgraded to a sprint car combatant, buckling down at Ball State to corral a career that could fund a modest racing regime. But, by the time I had endured a failed marriage at the age of 26; those sprint car visions were long gone. Carrying home just enough coin to cover my bills, no matter how much I had the bug, I was unwilling to risk what little savings I had amassed, as one inopportune crash or bit of bad luck could have bankrupted me.

Single for the better part of the last 14 years and often unlucky in love, even though I like to call it divine intervention, some people might say that I am extremely fortunate to be engaged to someone so pleasant, kind, compassionate, generous, and encouraging, especially with regard to the pursuit of my passions, openly allowing me to be myself without retribution or worry of the relationship coming to an abrupt end. Given the ghost of a chance that I might ever meet such a female, I am certainly lucky to be in the position I am.

Willing to honor her requests to attend a pair of monumental family functions this past Friday and Saturday, although I might have missed a Gas City KISS and a Haubstadt USAC union; a Sunday evening in Kokomo was never in question. For anyone who has ever had the pleasure of attending a race there since the 2005 reconfiguration, if awarded just one weekend opportunity to absorb some action, K-town would certainly be most people’s first choice.

Pedaling to Westfield and back along the Monon following a filling Bub’s Café breakfast of graham cracker-crusted French toast, afterwards I convinced my better half to see what the Sunday night hype was all about, joining Speedball and I in our weekly search for solitude and serenity. Bypassing U.S. 31 gridlock at 146^th Street with an effective combination of Keystone Parkway, Smokey Row Road, and Carey Road, (known as Anthony Road as you pass Jeff Walker’s residence – which is STILL for sale), I re-entered 31 at 216^th Street. Unsure if I shaved any minutes from the trip, for sure my stress level was reduced, undoubtedly a positive in our path to peace of mind.

Having checked weather.com’s afternoon/evening forecast for Kokomo before departing, percentages were only 20%. However, once on 31, some rather ominous clouds were spotted to the north and west. Seeing nothing but a few minor dots of green on the radar, I demanded an explanation from my iPhone, still questioning the validity of modern technology. 24 years of traveling in this direction have certainly developed some experienced and skeptical eyes, fully aware of the history of late afternoon showers on such warm days like this. But, like always, I pressed on regardless and rolled the dice, hoping that we might get lucky and find clear skies at our destination.

Such was not the case when we unloaded at the northern edge of the Howard County seat, cool, gray, gloomy, and giving every reason to be anxious. Wishing to catch wheel packing and warm-ups while my dad waited out the weather, after some cursory introductions to the fine folks I encounter every Sunday night, Rachael and I eventually found seats in my usual spot, just below Current in Zionsville editor Derek Fisher and Japan-bound SIA employee Jerry Davis.

One short of last week’s opening night car count of 30, this week’s contestants offered quite a variance, adding Friday night KISS collector Dave Darland, Tracy Hines, Bobby East (in his own 5), May 5^th Putnamville winner Jeff Bland, Jr., three-time 2012 sprint winner Thomas Meseraull, and previous evening Lawrenceburg runner-up Chad Boespflug. 2002 Kokomo king Dustin Smith (Conaway 37) joined his brother Corey, the first time in a long while that both Russiaville brothers have competed. Son of Jay and tutored by Troy Cline (a Kokomo winner in June of 1999), young Nick Drake made his Kokomo debut. Three-time USAC midget and one-time Silver Crown champ Jason Leffler turned his first laps on the revamped Kokomo layout in his own sprint car, with Daryl Saucier turning wrenches on this ex-Kasey Kahne Maxim/Mopar that Brad Sweet exercised in last year’s Knoxville Nationals.

Spitting rain as they wheel-packed, early on the surface might have been slightly slower than last week, but by the fourth and final session it was back to lightning-quick status when Coleman Gulick galloped around the quarter-mile in 12.776 seconds. Of course I’m a sprint car geek, but I love watching each car’s time register on the scoreboard, instantly able to discern if the lap I just witnessed was as good as I thought it was. As always, group qualifying for these regular programs only lines up the heat races, but with an inversion of four, there’s certainly an incentive to stand on it. Unfortunately for Leffler and Justin Grant, their evening battle slanted uphill after failing to post a time.

Bland, Wes McIntyre, Boespflug, and Darland won the four heats from second, second, first, and third, with intensity ratcheted up a notch from opening night, especially evident in heats three and four. In that third heat, 2008 track champ Scotty Weir and Thomas Meseraull initially locked horns in turn three. T-Mez then slid sideways in turn two, with Weir slowing enough that Nic Faas (Fox 53) could not avoid contact, poking Scotty’s right rear rubber flat. Heat four action was even more agitated, beginning with front row starters Jon Sciscoe and Logan Jarrett bumping bars twice before the start. After a complete restart, Coleman Gulick nudged Jarrett into the turn two wall, sending the sprint car sophomore to the sidelines. Last night’s Lincoln Park winner Sciscoe aggressively defended his turf in Paul Hazen’s 57, but it wasn’t enough to hold back the charge of Dave Darland or Gulick, probably the fiercest heat I’ve witnessed this season. There’s just something about Kokomo that gets those competitive juices flowing.

With skies still threatening and sporadic raindrops falling, four more came from the B where Weir (leading the majority of Friday’s KISS affair and scoring 2^nd at Putnamville in the Wingo 77) was the show, coming from 11^th to claim top honors. He pilfered P1 when C.J. Leary surprisingly slowed after accepting the white flag, perhaps low on fuel as he mysteriously slowed a lap or two earlier. Previous to that, Corey Smith was crowded into the concrete by Leffler, who then climbed over the rear of Adam Byrkett’s 78. Corey’s younger brother Dustin found fourth, leaving Bradshaw, Byrkett, Leffler, Jarrett, Gordon, Drake, and Hupp out of the A.

Done with sprint car prelims by 7:55, an intermission allowed time for fans to grab some popcorn, a candy bar, or a pork chop sandwich, also enough time for Reece O’Connor to doctor the dirt some more, aerifying the bottom lane and sprinkling a light application of H2O. Meanwhile, dark clouds did not refrain from enveloping the speedway, causing more concern that those random raindrops might become more permanent. Wondering what I’ve been doing right to deserve such good fortune, could I possibly get lucky two weeks in a row?

Pushing the 25-lap feature at 8:18, a blistering-fast Wes McIntyre propelled from the pole, flanked by defending Lawrenceburg lord Chad Boespflug. Darland, Bland, Hines, Thomas, Meseraull, Gulick, Windom, and last week’s winner Kyle Larson fired from rows two through five. Speaking of Kyle, what a whirlwind weekend it was for him, sweeping Friday night’s King of the West winged 410 and USAC wingless 360 doubleheader at Tulare, California. And, had it not been for an oil filter issue in his winged chariot just four laps from the checkered, he would have duplicated the double on Saturday at the same venue, having already tallied another USAC triumph for the second evening in a row. (Ironically, the 410 winged victory went to Rico Abreu, whose father owns the car Kyle was driving tonight.) The real story was that Saturday night score, which came after flipping his coil-front Keith Ford Ellis chassis in the heat race. Climbing into a four-bar Spike chassis surrendered by teammate Ronnie Gardner (subbing for Ryan Bernal), Kyle started last in the semi-feature and successfully snared a feature transfer. Starting dead last again in the A-main, he found his way to the front in a hurry, surviving a late-race slide-fest with Bud Kaeding to bag the win. Could Kyle go three for three in the wingless wars this weekend? Say what you will, but it would be tough to get that done from tenth at Kokomo.

Tempting fate with yet another attempt to outrun the rain, Wes McIntyre slipped sideways but still led to turn one, with Dave Darland immediately commanding second. In a turn three squeeze play, Double D showed how low one can go, forcing his way underneath and escaping with first. Amazingly, that pass would serve as the only official lead change of the affair, but the remainder of the race was anything but boring, just your typical, salivating Sunday night Kokomo thriller.

Now focused on the scrap for second, Boespflug and McIntyre volleyed back and forth like two heated tennis rivals. A slide for life from the former Hanford Hornet was countered with a dip and dive by Wes Mac. Boespflug returned the favor with another slider in four, but the McCordsville native dug deep on the other end, his Fatheadz DRC rocketing from its middle lane to retake the position. It seems like this activity went on in every corner, impossible to capture the feverish duel with pen and paper.

That fight for runner-up rights soon became a nine car free-for-all, adding Hines, Bland, Gulick, Thomas, Larson, Meseraull, and Windom to the mix. With all of that action going on behind him, The Rave ran off and hid, building a full-straightaway advantage in Jeff Walker’s Jeff’s Jam-It-In Storage Maxim/Claxton. Cars 98 and 83 continued to exchange second, but once McIntyre moved to the outside of Boespflug, that battle became history. While Darland lived the high life, McIntyre made the middle groove work, easily erasing the deficit by lap 13. After starting 17^th, Scotty Weir’s forward march was halted with a bent left rear wheel and flat tire, ending a frustrating showing. So fast in the Crume-Evans Insurance Spike thus far in 2012, I look for a breakout season from this potent combination.

With Bobby East now exiting stage left, the scoreboard showed a dozen laps left, listing Darland, McIntyre, Boespflug, Bland, and Hines as the first five. Dropping a lane lower, Dave continued to set the pace, but just barely. Action was still hot and heavy in his wake, as three-wide wars broke out for third and fourth just as Kyle Larson entered the picture. Back up front, Wes Mac looked low in one and two and served up a turn four slider on the veteran; not having nearly enough mustard on the hot dog to pull off such a bold move. Doing whatever he could to hang on, Dave continued to adjust his line, diamonding three and four but still unable to shake the third year shoe. Side by side with seven to go, Wes swept to the outside on the south end and finally found first place, but red lights negated the pass when Kevin Thomas, Jr. climbed the wall in the second corner.

Restacking the deck with seven to go, Darland was back out front, trailed closely by McIntyre, Bland, Larson, and Hines. Dipping even lower on both ends in search for more bite, this tactic succeeded in giving the leader some additional breathing room. All eyes were now on Larson, who bent it in on the bottom and hiked the left front of his Abreu Vineyards Spike, snatching third from Bland and closing the gap to first and second. That margin was completely eliminated when Dustin Smith sat crossways in turn two, illuminating amber bulbs with just four laps left. Again, my main worry was that we would not get to see the finish because of Mother Nature. It was that iffy.

As the green flag waved for one last time, Dave again bombarded the bottom, but was it low enough to keep Kyle at bay? Last week’s winner immediately shot to second with a titanic turn two launch and one lap later, he was wheel to wheel with the Lincoln, Indiana legend, providing all kinds of pressure. With the white flag waving, tension and emotions were high as Dave’s family screamed their hearts out a few rows beneath me, watching their man make a perfect run through the first two corners to seal the deal. Larson’s last ditch effort through the middle of three and four wasn’t enough to overcome the People’s Champ, who notched his third triumph in eight days.   Along with the lead tandem, McIntyre, Bland, and Gulick registered their names on the big scoreboard after the 8:41 checkered flag, with positions six through ten taken by Hines, Windom, Meseraull, Boespflug, and Shuman. Wow – what a race!

An extremely popular victory for the hometown crowd, an excited Dave Darland told Rob Goodman, “These kids keep getting tougher and tougher every time. This racetrack is just fast. To get around Kokomo Speedway, it means you’ve got to drive the shit out of a racecar. You’re on the gas all the time and the cushion is tall. You just have to be careful and aggressive at the same time. It’s an awesome place to race. I love it.”

“It was a great weekend for us. We won Gas City on Friday night. It was a great race over there and the racetrack was in great shape. Here again at Kokomo, you could race ‘em hard. You could try two or three different places. If you were faster than a guy, you could find a way by him. I’d like to thank the O’Connors for a great racetrack and Jeff Walker for a great racecar. Jeff always gives me a good piece to drive and I’m just glad to be here with Jeff’s Jam-It-In Storage. If you’ve got some junk and you need a storage place, call Jeff. We’ve got Claxton Motors to go in these Maxim chassis – we’ve got Murray’s Body Shop in Tipton helping us out. We’ve got a lot of help here but it’s still not easy for Jeff. I’m just glad to be driving for him again and he always has a great racecar. I’d like to wish all the mothers up there a happy Mother’s Day. I wish my mom was here to see it.”

Using his decades of experience to hold back the surging tide of young talent, Dave Darland may have had luck on his side when the red flag flew just as he lost the lead, but from that point forward, it was all on his shoulders to make this victory reality. With fans and track personnel glowing afterwards, Kevin Bledsoe said it best as we headed for the exits, aptly noting, “You don’t need Viagra after that.” True story!

So thrilled to have such a special Sunday night outlet just 45 minutes from my doorstep, where the white-hot racing and storylines just keep getting better each week, I am indeed so fortunate to live where I do and have the opportunity to experience this Sunday night peace of mind as much as I wish, as so many of my out of town friends would kill for something of similar quality back home.

Making a left at the light for Morgan Street, just a few tenths of a mile away from the racetrack I was shocked to find that the streets were soaking wet, hydroplaning through deep puddles on U.S. 31. How we got that race in, I will never know, but for one of the few times in my life, I actually got lucky. Looking in the rearview mirror and reminded that a young Irish female was riding in the back seat, could lady luck finally be on my side? Truly comprehending why I can be in a good mood on a Sunday night before another mentally brutal workweek, I can only hope that she’ll be along for this same ride a few more times.

bullringko@aol.com

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