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Central PA-
Kody Swanson was in a car that he was racing for the first time, and also competing at Bubba Raceway Park for the first time. He was looking forward to a 2012 season that would see him concentrating on the USAC Silver Crown Series, and also the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series. He might be able to compete in a full season in both series, as a result of some recent schedule changes.
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Bryan Clauson, with a new beard that he had grown during the off season, was looking forward to his first Indy 500 in May, but had not tested the new IndyCar yet. He had been in touch with Randy Bernard, but there was no news on the team or testing schedule for his IndyCar series debut in May. He set a new track record in qualifying on Thursday, and looked ready to win in Ocala.
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Jon Stanbrough looked dominant in his heat race, stretching out a large lead, but could not produce a similar result in the feature.
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Damion Gardner continued his February Florida hot streak, winning his third feature race in the past 2 years at Ocala. Could this be the year that he takes his dominance with him when he leaves the Sunshine State, and continues the win streak into the spring and summer in the Midwest?
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Dave Steele’s Future & What It Means To Troy DeCaire
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Danny Martin Jr. Has Nothing Left to Prove in Florida
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Collin Cabre Motorsports Update
Florida Open Wheel
By Richard Golardi
TBARA’S 2012 COMEBACK STILL GOING STRONG
Two out the last three races for the Tampa Bay Area Racing Association (TBARA) were at tracks that had not held a Safety-Kleen Systems TBARA Sprint Car Series event in the past several years. Both tracks, Punta Gorda Speedway and Citrus County Speedway, saw significantly larger attendance with the return of the series to their tracks. Punta Gorda saw their stands nearly full, and it was probably the largest crowd at a TBARA event his year. The last race that I attended at Citrus County Speedway, a non-TBARA sanctioned sprint car race in 2011, saw the thermometer hit 97 degrees that day. As the mercury shot up, the fans mostly stayed home rather than suffer in the heat. Last Saturday, with the high temperature about ten degrees cooler than last year, and a field of 18 cars on the entry list, the fans were the last part of the puzzle needed to complete the picture. Would they show up at Citrus County Speedway? To borrow a movie line, if you build it (or in this case “race it”), will they come?
TBARA Citrus Johhny Gilbertson
One of TBARA’s needs is for an influx of new driving talent. With the most talented drivers inevitably leaving the series, and moving up the ladder to other American open wheel series, where would these drivers come from? One source would be the Sprint Car Development Program announced earlier this year, with Garrett Green and Ty DeCaire as the development drivers. Another source would be drivers coming from the dirt tracks of Florida. With the demise of the Volusia Speedway Sprints, and fewer dirt races, driver Troy Knowles decided that 2012 would be the year to add pavement sprint car racing to his schedule. The 39 year old terminal manager for a trucking company was offered the ride as teammate to Johnny Gilbertson, a seat previously held by Rex Hollinger, who had started his own team. Troy, who was recently engaged to be married, had been driving on Florida’s dirt tracks for the past four years, and been a friend of Johnny Gilbertson for about a year. Saturday night would be his first pavement sprint car race, and his goal was to stay out of trouble. Troy avoided the collisions in the feature and brought the car home to finish in tenth place. He intends to be in the number 27 car again for the next race at Desoto Speedway, and will continue building his own pavement sprint car, which will be ready in about two months.
Johnny Gilbertson
Another driver who has transitioned to the owner/driver category is Rex “Boneman” Hollinger, who drove his new sprint car in competition for the first time on Saturday. His Boneman alter ego was present in full force, with a new team logo (Boneman Racing), and his car number incorporating the Boneman skull. The skull even showed up on “Boneman cookies” being served in his pits that afternoon. Would Boneman have an arch-nemesis that he would battle on track, like Superman had his archenemy, Lex Luthor? No, not this night. But there would be a substance that eventually took him down, just like Kryptonite would have its detrimental effects on Superman. Boneman’s version of Kryptonite was motor oil, leaking from his engine. The leak would worsen during the feature, and he would be black flagged, ending his night. Could the motor oil have been created from the remains of Boneman’s planet, and traveled to earth to take him down? Probably not, since it was not a glowing green liquid.
Mickey Kempgens
“Being as new as I am, I really don’t look beyond tonight. My goal is to make every race with TBARA this year,” Rex Hollinger told me. I mentioned that he was solidly in the top five in TBARA driver points, in his rookie year. “I have to pinch myself – I can’t believe it. It’s a benefit of showing up every time, and managing to finish every time. I’m not planning on doing anything else this year – just TBARA only,” he remarked. “Right now, I have two goals. I want to finish on the lead lap of the feature, which I haven’t done yet. And, at Punta Gorda, I was in position to win a heat race. I didn’t – I gave it away. Those are the short term goals. Anything beyond that will be absolutely wonderful.” Rex Hollinger seemed to be reveling in his new owner/driver role, and was still smiling, in spite of the added stress of being a new car owner.
Rex Hollinger
Johnny Gilbertson would wheel his familiar black number 22 car into Victory Circle for the second straight race at Citrus County Speedway. He is one victory behind series win leader Mickey Kempgens, who has three wins, the last at Punta Gorda Speedway. Johnny motored away from second place finisher Shane Butler, and was not challenged for the lead in the latter part of the feature race. “When the green came out, I thought I was going to have to settle for second or third,” Gilbertson told me. “Then we had that restart (after a red flag), and I got a great forward bite off the corner, and he left a hole for me, and it stuck. To tell you the truth, I thought he (Shane Butler in second place) was going to be knocking on my back door the rest of the race. I just kept it down, and tried to stay focused, and it worked out in the end.” There was uncertainty if Johnny was running a full TBARA season, so I asked if anything had changed. “We’ll take it a week at a time. We’re trying to get some sponsorship still, and hopefully this helps. We are going to come back and run some Top Gun (dirt sprint car series), run some at Ocala. We’ll take it week to week.” Would gaining the points lead in TBARA motivate him to run the full TBARA schedule this year? “We’ll see. It’s a little more motivation.” Back-to-back TBARA championships would be a nice addition to your racing resume, I mentioned. “That’d be cool. Especially coming from behind with it, that’d be awesome.”
Troy Knowles
I got an update on the Butler family plans from Katrina Butler, who informed me that Shane Butler was still working to obtain sponsors for a Little 500 run, with the realization that time was about to expire. Katrina and Shane did intend to make the trip up north to Anderson to help with the Little 500 entry for his brother, recent TBARA competitor Keith Butler. Keith would be in the number 19 entry for KJ Motorsports, Inc., with Eagle Jet International as the primary sponsor. Keith also had plans to compete on dirt with the Top Gun Series this year.
Another TBARA competitor who was working to finalize plans for the Little 500 was current Must See Racing points leader Mickey Kempgens. At Citrus County Speedway, Mickey would be entered in the Curt Sutton owned number 75, and his night would end up against the turn 4 wall at the speedway, with what he called “a very hard hit.” He was very sore, but did not suffer any other injuries. I asked about his plans for the rest of 2012, in both TBARA and Must See Racing. “I’m working on a deal to run Winchester, Anderson on Wednesday, and the Little 500. All three of them. Verbally, it’s a done deal, we just haven’t inked it. I’ve got to bring tires, so I’m working on some tire money for the Little 500.” We discussed the advantage of having the next couple of weeks to find sponsors for the Little 500 ride, and Mickey assumed that he would be able to make this deal work, and would be entered for his first Little 500 on the 26th. “I really want to go up there and run,” he said. “Especially since I’m the points leader, I kind of want to keep that going. I’ll be there regardless, but I should have a ride for it.” Will we see the Rudolph owned number 68 again later in the year, since you will not be in that car for the Little 500? “Yes, later on in the season. We are having a new car built. As soon as that new car is done, then we’re going back racing. And then, we’ll have two cars, probably one with a 360 and one with a 410.” Did this new car owner know how well you did last month, and did he see you race at Pensacola and Mobile? “Yes, he was there,” Mickey told me, but he could not give me a name for now, as the deal was not yet final.
Punta Gorda Speedway, which saw the TBARA series return on April 7, was the biggest crowd of the year so far, even bigger than the Speedweeks events, according to series President Buff Fritz. He told me that it was a combination of a track promoter, Kevin Williams, who worked hard to promote his track, and the low ticket prices ($10 general admission and $8 for seniors), and a good location with people who wanted to see sprint car racing, that made the race a success. Could this mean more races at Punta Gorda in the future, I asked? Buff told me it could even mean a Speedweeks race next year for Punta Gorda, in addition to more races next year, and more this year. The next races at Punta Gorda Speedway this year were in September and November, to avoid the worst of the summer heat in June, July, and August. Fortunately, the series was returning to Citrus County Speedway after the summer heat was over also, with an October return visit. Back on track, and making the most of their comeback year, the TBARA was forging ahead with an expanded race schedule, and was adding new car owners, and new drivers. The fans were showing up to enjoy the racing. If you build it, and race it, will they come? Yes. Yes they will.
FLORIDA DRIVER UPDATE - MUST SEE RACING XTREME SPRINT SERIES
Floridian Dave Steele, who had told me earlier this year that he wanted to run a partial schedule in the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series, has announced his first plans for participating. He will be part of the "Xtreme Speed Challenge” at Indiana’s Winchester Speedway on May20th, an event where Must See Racing’s supermodifieds will debut. Steele has multiple USAC sprint car victories at the track, and won the MSRXSS “King of The Wings” event in 2010. His Steele Performance Parts business in Tampa has gotten most of his attention recently.
Dave Steele
Steele will be driving the Tony Nosal owned number 42 Diablo chassis, with veteran mechanic Butch Dowker. London, Ontario’s Ryan Litt had previously been announced as the driver of the car for the 2012 racing season in the Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper Super Sprints series, with Butch Dowker (crew chief) on board with TNT Promotions owner Tony Nosal. Dowker and Steele have a previous connection, with Dowker’s race shop serving as a dealer for Dave Steele's Diablo brand sprint car chassis.
Collin Cabre
The Diablo brand sticker was seen on the number 12 entry of rookie Collin Cabre of Thonotosassa, FL earlier this month. The teenager appeared to have a good hold on second place early in the going at Pensacola’s Five Flags Speedway on April 13. The possible top three finish, in only his second MSRXSS start, was ruined when the motor let go. He missed the second race at Mobile when repairs could not be completed in time. What lies ahead for the talented teenager? It’s back to the dirt, at least for the next few weeks, I was told. In preparation for the upcoming move to Indiana, and hitting the dirt at Gas City Speedway, Collin is going to compete in two Top Gun Sprint Car Series events in May, which is a series that is combining wing and non-wing racing on dirt in Florida. It appears that the plans for Collin to run the second Little 500 car for Sam Pierce Racing are done, as the car was badly damaged in a practice crash with Aaron Pierce behind the wheel. Aaron told me he was uncertain if the car could be repaired by the week of the Little 500. Lou Cabre (Collin’s father) has said that he will campaign the car he owns for Collin in the Little 500 (with Sam Pierce Chevrolet sponsorship), and the team will arrive on Tuesday for the week of racing at Anderson Speedway in May.
Troy DeCaire
Defending Must See Racing champion Troy DeCaire was last seen at Mobile driving the number 17 car of Francis Crowder, as his previously announced entry with car owner Lenny Puglio was not entered, due to an engine failure prior to race weekend. “We plan to run a limited Must See Racing schedule, if not a full schedule, and Troy will be driving,” Lenny Puglio had told me earlier in the year. “It will probably be pretty close to full season, we are just waiting on a couple things to get straightened out.” I asked Troy if the team intended to enter him and the familiar black number 91 for the next race at Winchester, and the answer was yes. Standing nearby in the pits at Mobile was Mickey Kempgens, the latest sprint car driver from Florida to make an impressive showing in the series. Mickey had just powered to his second top three finish of the weekend. In one of the more interesting matchups of the opening weekend, Mickey was starting near the Swanson brothers of California. He would start behind the Swanson brothers on the starting grid, but would pass them both, expertly handing the slower traffic to his advantage, and dodging cars sliding sideways in his path. We joked that “Round One” of the Florida vs. California rivalry would have be to given to Florida. The reasoning behind the admittedly partial decision was that the first race at Pensacola saw damage to the cars of Kempgens and Kody Swanson before even one lap was completed. Mobile was the first chance to see all the competitors with undamaged cars. Kempgens has not announced plans for the remainder of the season, and has said that he is looking for a ride for the rest of the MSRXSS season. He has the flexibility to travel, he told me.
Troy DeCaire & Mickey Kempgens
With the May 20th race at Winchester Speedway, we will see the addition of the Florida drivers with multiple sprint car and open wheel championships to their names. These drivers are Dave Steele and Troy DeCaire. The announced entry for Dave Steele does not mention if he will continue on to Anderson Speedway later in the week, with the Little 500 looming only six days after the May 20 Winchester date. Steele has won the Little 500 twice, in 1996 and 2009. DeCaire has won the MSRXSS driver championship for the past two years. With the 2011 Little 500 showing a field depleted of Floridians, the 2012 event shows promise to be an event where multiple Floridians will shine, and possibly dominate.
Brian Gingras
Other Floridians worth mentioning include Brian Gingras, who won a heat race at Five Flags Speedway. “Garry Green and I have combined all of our equipment for 2012. We have formed Team Green Racing,” Brian told me previously. “We plan to do a limited TBARA schedule for 2012. Our main focus will be on the Little 500, in which I will be piloting one of Garry's Hurricanes.” Brian will be mentoring Garry’s son Garrett in sprint cars. Also, former TBARA champion Shane Butler was spotted in the pits during opening weekend, and is reportedly working on a ride for the Little 500, and looking to get sponsors lined up for his entry. Shane’s brother Keith told me that he intends to enter the Little 500, but I do not have an update on his plans.
MUST SEE RACING XTREME SPRINT SERIES OPENING WEEKEND REVIEW
Brian Olson in Winners Circle 2
The general consensus for the first ever Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series visit to the south, dubbed the Southern Shootout, was that attendance was good, and the fans were happy with the show, and both nights went off without any major problems. With multiple caution flags, and one red flag, the first night at Pensacola’s Five Flags Speedway went well beyond midnight. The late night was mostly the result of bad luck, and the crowd was diminished by the time the feature ended. On night two, at Alabama’s Mobile International Speedway, the feature was completed well before midnight. Five Flags had the bigger crowd, but had the advantage of being closer to a large city, and having multiple military bases nearby (Air Force and Navy). I was told that Five Flags had invested in print and radio advertising in their effort to make the first ever visit by Must See Racing a success.
I asked Five Flags Speedway General Manager Tim Bryant about attendance, but the attendance numbers were not available. It did not top their signature event, the Snowball Derby, but track management was pleased, and was in favor of a return visit next year. Could next year’s event become a double feature with both the Must See Racing sprint cars, and Must See supermodifieds, I asked? I didn’t get a direct yes or no answer, so the rumor will still be classified as a rumor for now. If I could choose any schedule change for next year, I would hope that Five Flags Speedway would run the other support classes, which were motorcycles and modifieds, on a prior week. Then, the evening’s schedule would allow enough time for the twin feature with supermodifieds, followed by the sprint cars as the evening’s finale. For Must See Racing, why not put your best product out at the start of the year, for maximum hype and maximum exposure? Of course, as a Floridian, I do want the best racing product, and biggest races, to take place in Florida.
Tanner Swanson at Mobile
For night two, the series moved one state over, to southern Alabama and Mobile International Speedway. It was another high banked half mile, without concrete walls at the top of the banks, but with more banking, when compared to Five Flags Speedway. Kody Swanson remarked that he heard the track’s radio ads while at the track, and got positive remarks from fans crowding around him at the autograph session. Unfortunately, as had happened previously with a visit to the two tracks by TBARA, the second night’s field was curtailed by the first night’s wrecks and engine failures. Twenty cars made the entry list for Mobile, compared to twenty six on the prior night at Five Flags Speedway. The teams of Jason Cox and Kody Swanson scrambled to make repairs, and defending series champion Troy DeCaire would take over the number 17 car of Francis Crowder. Floridian Collin Cabre’s car was withdrawn because of engine damage that occurred while running in second place on Friday night. If Collin Cabre was the hard luck story of the weekend, then fellow Floridian Mickey Kempgens was the most impressive newcomer of the weekend.
Some might argue that the honor of “Most Impressive Newcomer” should go to Tanner Swanson, as he won his first ever winged sprint car race on pavement. The car he took to first place on Friday had been sitting in a storage container just one week prior to the race on Friday. Tanner’s original ride with Tom Brewer was withdrawn, as Brewer was ill. Car owner Donald Wilshe offered a ride with his team, allowing the Swanson brothers to compete as teammates. Tanner would start closer to mid-pack on Saturday, and finish the feature in sixth place.
The Must See Racing opening weekend would be the first time for Floridian Mickey Kempgens to step onto the national stage with a major series. It would be an understatement to say that he was impressive in his debut on the national stage. From the first lap on Friday night, when he was forced into the inside wall, and then had to fight an ill-handling car, and all the other drivers, he would get his first top three finish (after telling me he was hoping for a top five finish). This was Mickey’s weekend to shine, and he garnered another third place on Saturday. In Saturday’s race, now with a repaired car that he could use aggressively in traffic, Mickey deftly took advantage of traffic, and mistakes by other drivers, to slice through the field. Passing Tanner and Kody Swanson, and avoiding cars spinning sideways, it appeared that his first win could be in sight. Late in the race, Mickey said that his motor was loading up on the restarts, and it would take a while to get it cleared up. “It took every little bit of tire to get up to where I was, and then, once I got there, I couldn’t do anything with them. If we had started up there, we would have had something for them,” he said confidently.
Driver interviews with Saturday’s Top Three Finishers, Mobile International Speedway, Alabama:
Brian Olson, First Place
Brian found his way to the Winner’s Circle with a combination of luck and driving skill and horsepower. After being passed in traffic for the lead by Jason Cox, a yellow flag put him back in the lead, and he kept it until he saw the checkered flag. “I knew the start was crucial, just to get out in clean air and just try to run really consistent. I knew lapped traffic was going to be hard, and it’s something that I’ve still been struggling with is running around other cars. I got lucky there with the caution to get the lead back. I tried to push it a little harder at the end, and it worked out.” Any other tracks coming up where you think you can get your second win of 2012? “After this weekend, I think with this car we can win anywhere we go.” Do you think you could repeat at a high speed track that is similar to Mobile? “Of course. Our engines are really strong. Davey’s put together a really good team.” Brian told me that he was selected for the second car on the Davey Hamilton Racing team at the end of last year.
Jason Cox and Tim Cox
Jason Cox, Second Place
It was a pass that happened so fast, even the TV crew admitted missing it, Jason told me. I was surprised when I saw Jason in the lead, and did not see him pass two cars to move from third to first in one lap. “The rule is that you go back to the last completed lap, so it put me back to third. On one lap, I passed Wilson and Olson both. Then the caution came out before we got back to the start/finish line.” Was it traffic, or a mistake made by them that allowed you make that pass for the lead? “I went around the outside, and …” Just powered by them, I asked? “Exactly, man. Like, the TV guys couldn’t keep up with it, and didn’t even know it had happened. It’s one of those racing deals, so, unfortunately…” Did tires or engine or anything else change, and prevent you from doing that again? “Right towards the end there, tires cooled off and I think the right rear shrunk a little bit and got rid of my stagger. And then I couldn’t quite flat foot it. Overall, it was a good night, coming back from last night (first lap wreck).”
Mickey Kempgens, Third Place
“I blistered a right rear, but the car was really good,” Mickey explained, as we spoke about his charge through the field, and that he took advantage of traffic to make his passes, including passing the Swanson brothers. Could there be a rivalry between the west and east coast, a California vs. Florida competition? This was the first night that Mickey and the Swanson brothers made it past the first lap without crash damage, so the race was on. “Coming from ninth, it took every little bit of tire that I had,” Mickey said. He also barely avoided his second collision in two nights, when Todd Fayard went low into the grass in turn two. “He turned sideways, and I don’t know how I missed him, but I did. That was real close.” What are your plans beyond tonight, I asked? “I have no clue. I know I should be at the TBARA race at Citrus in May. That’s the only thing I’ve got going right now.” What about the Little 500? “Don’t know. Hopefully, the phone may ring in the next couple of weeks.” You certainly should be racing in the Little 500, I said. “I’d sure like to be there,” Mickey replied. Summing up his weekend, Mickey remarked, “two thirds, that’s pretty good for the first couple of races.”
For me, some of the most enjoyable moments included getting to see two new tracks, having never been to either track before, and getting the see the new, improved “version 2.0” of the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series, after its major off-season transformation. Also, I will remember seeing driver Todd Fayard’s father jumping for joy, and throwing his cowboy hat high into the air, after Todd broke the Mobile track record. Also, it was enjoyable to see both Tanner and Kody Swanson get to know the Florida sprint car community a little better, and make some new friends from the group. I’ll remember the sailors who led the honor guard at Five Flags, wearing their crisp white uniforms, and I’ll remember hearing the scraping sound made by the motorcycle racers putting a foot down on the track at corner entry. I’ll remember seeing two boys in the stands, vehemently arguing about their favorite drivers and races, and knowing that the next generation would have strong opinions about racing, and love it as much as I did. I’ll remember asking drivers and teams to pose for photos, and answer questions, and knowing that I would never get treated so well, and get such unlimited and unhindered access at any other major American open wheel series. I did not want the weekend to end, because I was having just too much fun. Days later, I found myself still smiling, and thinking of next year.
MUST SEE RACING SERIES IN FLORIDA – STEP ASIDE FOR THE NEW GUYS
On Friday night at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, FL, for the season opening race of the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series (MSRXSS), it looked like the young guns were in control. The young guns were all of the young drivers who were new to the series for 2012. I believe that these young drivers may just be talented enough to go on to dominate the entire season, and that last night may have given us an idea how the entire season will go. The off-season transformation for MSRXSS did attract a new, young pool of talent. “Meet the new boss – same as the old boss,” are the lyrics from a song by The Who. For MSRXSS, the lyrics need a little revision to “meet the new bosses - and watch as they push the old bosses aside.”
Brothers Tanner and Kody Swanson appeared fast from the start of practice, to no one’s surprise. In the feature, Tanner Swanson easily pulled away from the field at each restart, of which there were many due to accidents and spins. Aaron Pierce, the tenth place finisher, ended up against the inside wall on the front straight, and jumped out to throw his arms up in frustration at another driver, leaving only nine cars running at the finish. Early in the race, the Floridians looked to be in fine form, with teenage driver Collin Cabre easily holding on to second place behind Tanner Swanson, and Mickey Kempgens moving up. Collin's motor would develop a problem, and sounded as if was about to detonate, so he pulled off and lost his chance at the top three finish. Tanner Swanson won in his first ever pavement winged sprint car race. Mickey Kempgens brought home his car for third place, after being involved in a first lap accident. The race was his first ever 410 sprint car race. Those facts show the talent of these drivers who are new to the series in 2012. Last night may have let us see how the whole season is going to go - with the drivers new for 2012, the "Young Guns", dominating the series.
The late-arriving crowd and long lines at the gate resulted in a sizable crowd by the time the feature started at the Florida panhandle track. The race was touted as the first 410 winged pavement sprint car race in Florida in the past twenty years, as TBARA races with 360 motors. The MSRXSS feature saw multiple spins and wrecks, and resulted in a diminished field at the finish.
With Tanner Swanson pulling out to a sizable lead after the early restarts, Collin Cabre seemed to have a strong hold on second, and fellow Floridian Mickey Kempgens lurking just outside the top five. With his 2012 hot streak still going strong, and behind the wheel of one of the fastest cars, Kempgens seemed to be sure to move up into the top five finish that he desired. But his car was getting loose, and looked on the verge of spinning several times. “On the first start, going into turn two, the 40 (Jason Cox) got sideways, lost it, hit me, bent the right rear wheel, and put me into the inside fence. This ended up bending the front panhard bar pretty bad,” Kempgens said. A witness even told me that the car flew up into the air from this collision. How did he hold onto it, and did he almost spin out later in the race, I asked? “Yeah, a couple of times. It was tough, the car was a handful. I knocked the hell out of it. But, it was close enough that I could still drive it. It was jacking sideways, getting real loose on corner entry. We qualified second. We had a really good car, capable of winning, if we hadn’t run into the wall.” Mickey did benefit from the high attrition, as he did move from fourth place into the top three when the car in third dropped out.
Troy DeCaire was the other Floridian who was originally scheduled to debut with the Lenny Puglio team, but his entry was withdrawn due to engine problems. I was unable to find out why the team did not borrow an engine, but I was told previously by Lenny Puglio that the entry for Troy DeCaire was for a partial MSRXSS series. Another Floridian, Brian Gingras, continued the evening’s theme of impressive showings by the Florida drivers by taking a car with a 360 motor, and winning his heat race, against drivers who all had a 410 motor in their car. He would bring his 360 powered car to a 13th place finish in the feature, where Collin Cabre would finish in 15th after dropping out early. “The car was real fast from the beginning, we qualified fifth,” Collin told me. “That got all of our hopes up, but then we had to run in the B main. We came home second in the B, started second in the feature. Car was running great, and then the motor starting making some weird noises. We’re not sure what it is yet, but I’m sure we’ll figure it out by tomorrow.” I asked about a backup engine, but the team did not have one on this trip.
Billy Wease, a former Penske Racing development driver and Turkey Night Grand Prix race winner, announced a full season deal for MSRXSS just prior to the Pensacola race. “It’s nice now, finding a ride where I have a full season to try to win a championship. It’s been a few years since I got to run for a championship. I ran on and off midget races, and ran a few Must See races at the beginning of last year for Don Wilshe,” Billy said. He also told me that he was another driver who was somewhat new to the series and also making a move into full-time pavement winged sprint car racing. He had found it difficult to find the ride he desired recently, citing hard economic times, when “rides dried up,” as he told me. “My goal for the year is to be racing all year. I’d like to win a championship, and make a little money this year.” The 25 year old racer also was recently engaged, telling me that he got engaged at Fort Wayne at the Rumble in Fort Wayne, after the race. “I’m an Indiana boy trying to race. She ain’t going to get that out of me,” he said, smiling broadly. Billy’s nine to five job during the week involves working in his father’s business, Wease Masonry, a brick masonry company. “Nine to five every day, doing all the labor work – all the hard work. That keeps me in shape,” he said.
Must See Racing will benefit from the rise of a new group of young drivers, and it should continue the trend of new sponsors, teams, drivers, and tracks being drawn to the series. The moves the series made during the off season have already paid benefits, and the competition will surely be exploited by several drivers to allow them to develop into the future stars of the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series for many years to come.
Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series
Five Flags Speedway, Pensacola, FL
MSRXSS Feature Race Official Finish Friday, 4/13/12
1. Tanner Swanson 2. Jimmy McCune 3. Mickey Kempgens 4. Todd Fayard 5. Jacob Wilson 6. Brian Olson 7. Mike Larrison 8. Jerry Caryer 9. Jim Sheets 10. Aaron Pierce 11. Dave Baumgartner 12. Billy Wease 13. Brian Gingras 14. Hank Lower 15. Collin Cabre 16. Tim Cox 17. Shane Morgan 18. Jojo Helberg 19. Kody Swanson 20. Jason Cox
MUST SEE RACING SEASON PREVIEW – THE UNKNOWN FLORIDIAN
Mickey Kempgens could never be called a brash self-promoter – he is just too reserved and unassuming. He is that kind of sprint car driver who “does his talking on the track.” So far this year, the young sprint car driver and central Florida business owner has had everyone in Florida listening. In Tampa Bay Area Racing Association (TBARA) competition, he has won three of the four winged sprint car features in 2012. During Speedweeks, he had one win at New Smyrna Speedway, and a second at Desoto Super Speedway, both in the George Rudolph owned number 68 car. The number 68 car, well known in Florida, had been put in the winner’s circle by Mickey before 2012. It had also powered current Must See Racing champion Troy DeCaire to his previous TBARA wins and two TBARA championships.
But, the most recent TBARA feature win by Mickey Kempgens, in a “borrowed” car, perfectly showcased his driving skill. With the number 68 car unavailable (it was being prepared for the coming weekend’s Must See Racing competition), Mickey found himself in another car that had not been a regular TBARA entry. The car even raced with a “For Sale” sign duct-taped to the wing, and another driver’s name and number still showing. Different car, same outcome – Mickey was holding the winner’s trophy once again. “Really…I mean really???? Do you just drive anyone's car and win??!!! You are unbelievable,” remarked one of Mickey’s Facebook friends. I asked Mickey if he had been fielding phone calls from other journalists, car owners, or track owners since his 2012 hot streak started. He mentioned receiving a congratulatory message from car owner Donald Wilshe, but that was it.
With his entry into the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series this weekend in the Rudolph-owned number 68, Mickey was taking a step onto a bigger, national stage. He acknowledged that the driving talent that he would see on the track this weekend was a step up from what he was used to in Florida. Mickey’s talent was well known in Florida, including a previous championship in the Central Florida Wingless Sprint Car Association. But what about outside of Florida? A social network message from Must See Racing mentioned Mickey’s name as a Must See Racing newcomer. I searched for other messages, but could find none. Mickey would arrive in Pensacola for his Must See Racing debut as ‘The Unknown Floridian”.
With hopes for a top five finish this weekend, Mickey told me that he knew that this weekend would be the best test yet for his driving skill. With the caliber of drivers attracted to the Must See Racing series for 2012, he was about to face his most talented field of competitors. Could he pull off an upset win, and forever cast off his “Unknown Floridian” status? “I have no idea, since I’ve never run a 410 before. So, I have no idea what to expect. I’m hoping to go up there, and at least run in the top five. That’s my goal. And if we happen to win, that’s obviously awesome. But, I’d be happy to come out of there with a top five,” Mickey told me.
He has competed on both tracks that make up the opening weekend schedule, which are Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, and also Alabama’s Mobile International Speedway. The tracks were previously part of the TBARA schedule, and Mickey remarked that he had the fast lap in one of his visits. The two tracks that make up the Southern leg of the Must See Racing schedule are the only two on his plate for now, but Mickey hopes that a good showing this weekend will carry him into more Must See Racing sprint car races later. “This was kind of a two race deal, just to go there and have some fun. I’m hoping that it’s going to turn into some more Must See during the year, or possibly even running the Little 500. That’s what I’m hoping.” What are you hoping for beyond this weekend, I asked? “I’d really like to run Must See. I’d like to run some USAC, because I’m better in a non-winged car then I am in a winged car. If someone called me and wanted me to drive their dirt car, I’d do that too,” Mickey boldly told me, even though he has never driven in a dirt sprint car race previously.
With the demise of USAC sprint car racing on pavement, I told Mickey that I strongly believed that the move to Must See Racing was best for him. If this series is kind of replacing it (referring to USAC pavement sprints), and seems to be the way to go, and maybe even is the way to go for you, I told Mickey. “I agree,” he replied. “I’d like to have a full-time Must See ride. I’ve got the business down here, but I’d be willing to fly out. You know – to go racing every weekend. That’s my goal – to be racing out of state. I love racing TBARA, but I’d like to add some 410 stuff in with it.”
How does he explain his domination on the track so far in 2012? “I think that I’ve gotten better over the years, but it also helps to have George Rudolph as your crew chief. So, when you have such a good crew behind you, it kind of makes the driver look really good.” Mickey told me that he will have George Rudolph serving duty this weekend as both car owner, and crew chief. That means that the same team that has dominated whenever they have raced as a team this year will be together again for their Must See Racing debut this weekend.
I believe that Mickey’s driving talent will bring success, and move him up the ladder to the higher-ranking series, and that good things lie ahead for him, and I told him this. “I hope so. I’m not expecting it, but if it happens, that’d be great.” Regarding his competition this weekend, Mickey said, “I’m going up against some really stiff competition, but we’ll see what I’ve got. I won’t know until Friday,” he said.
I believe that Mickey is poised to remove the mask of anonymity and gain some well-deserved recognition from the Midwest racing community and a national audience. His time has come. Pensacola’s Five Flags Speedway may be the place where the unknown status will finally be cast aside.
Jim Hanks
MUST SEE RACING SEASON PREVIEW – ROOKIE CLASS OF 2012
The last race of the 2011 Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series was at Bristol Motor Speedway on October 1, 2011. On October 2, 2011, the series began an aggressive off-season transformation. The new series that emerged during the off-season would be significantly changed and improved. The off-season transformation involved:
1) Attracting drivers from other series 2) Attracting the best young driving talent 3) Expanding beyond the traditional Midwest base 4) Exploiting the opportunity provided by the demise of the USAC Pavement Sprint Car Series 5) Transforming into an expanded sanctioning body with multiple open wheel series, as currently done by IndyCar and USAC
For Florida, the state will benefit by adding yet another major sprint car series, and it benefits economically by bringing in fans outside of Speedweeks. The last major series added was the USAC National Sprint Car Series in 2010. In recent history, Must See Racing is the first major series to race outside of the traditional February Speedweeks.
With the new drivers attracted to the series this year, the 2012 rookie class is especially strong. The Swanson brothers, Kody and Tanner, have shown extraordinary talent in pavement sprint car racing. But, the demise of USAC sprint car racing on pavement could only partly explain what drew them to Must See Racing. The two brothers wanted to race against the best competitors, and the off-season transformation that I outlined finally drew them in to compete.
After suffering a fractured skull in an Indiana midget car race in May 2011, Kody Swanson went on to win his next race after recovering from his injuries. It was July 2011, at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis. Finishing in third place in the race – his brother Tanner. In fact, in the race in May that injured Kody, Tanner flipped his midget racer just 7 laps after the flip that injured Kody. The fates of the two brothers would be closely tied again later in the year, at the traditional Turkey Night Grand Prix, when the sprint car portion of the evening saw Tanner in the winner circle this time. With Tanner taking the win, it was almost an inevitable certainty who would be the second place finisher. Kody would finish second place, yet another brotherly one-two finish.
Another newcomer to the Must See Racing Xtreme sprints is Floridian Collin Cabre. Without the impressive resumes of the Swanson brothers, the Florida teenager is worthy of note for another reason – the team of mentors surrounding him on and off the track. The most important mentor is his own father – Florida businessman Lou Cabre. A former professional wrestler, and now a central Florida business owner and family man, Lou Cabre closely guides his son’s career, and also serves as car owner. Lou has also added current Must See competitor Aaron Pierce to the team of mentors. Pierce will be able to provide the key element of guiding Collin at all the tracks that will be new to him during the 2012 season. The team will also run under the Sam Pierce Chevrolet race team’s umbrella and use the team’s shop while in Indiana. The last member added to the team of mentors is legendary Floridian Dave Steele. Steele now spends most of his time building his Steele Performance Parts business in Tampa. As an offshoot of this business, the new “Steele Performance Development Program” was formed to take a young start-up driver, and help them with set-ups, testing, and developing their sprint car driving skills. Collin is the first driver enrolled in the program, and Dave will come up north to some of the Midwest races to mentor Collin. Collin did have two pavement sprint car feature wins in 2011, and the team assembled to mentor him and develop his skills should assure future success, and make him a driver to watch for 2012.
I asked these three drivers, all Must See Racing rookies for 2012, a list of questions designed to find out more about their personalities, and find out about their hopes and goals for the upcoming Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Car season.
Collin Cabre
Question 1 – What one event or one career change are you looking forward to most this year?
Kody Swanson – “I don't really know if it's a major career change, but I am looking forward to competing in the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint series this year. I spent a lot of time over the winter talking with Jim Hanks and Don Wilshe about the series: where it's headed, what progress they're making, and how they take care of their competitors, and now I'm just looking forward to getting started. They seem to have a great thing going right now, and I'm just happy to be a part of it.”
Collin Cabre
Tanner Swanson – “Honestly, what I look forward to the most this year is getting to not only make my start in winged pavement sprint cars, but dirt cars as well. I have always enjoyed taking on new challenges. Some races, like the Hoosier Hundred and the Night Before the 500, you look forward to because of the prestige. Others, like many of the Must See races, I look forward to because they are new tracks I have never competed at.”
Collin Cabre – “I am mainly looking forward to the move to Indiana. It’s definitely going to be life-changing. I am also looking forward to racing in the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint series.”
Question 2 – On the 2012 Must See Racing schedule, which event has you the most excited?
KS – “I'm always excited to race, and my answer would typically always be "the next one." But- there are a few that I'm really excited about. I ran in Oswego, NY in 2009 with the Silver Crown series in front of a sold out crowd, so I'm definitely looking forward to going back there. I'm also excited about the event at Lucas Oil Raceway. I've won there in a Midget, Sprint Car & Silver Crown car, and would love to add an Xtreme Must See Sprint car to that list.”
TS – “The eastern swing in New York for the 5 days is what has me the most excited. I have never been to New York, let alone Oswego, which is a place that I have never heard a bad thing about. I know that they have a really strong following of fans for their supermodified division up there. I look forward to getting to compete at a racetrack that has such a rich history of winged racing.”
CC – “IRP, definitely (referring to Lucas Oil Raceway). It’s going to be real fast. It’s the biggest track. That’s one race I’m really looking forward to – that and the Little 500.”
Tanner & Kody Swanson
Question 3 – Do you intend to seek out dirt events during your “off weeks”?
KS – “Absolutely. I ran for Ted Slinkard when I saw you in Ocala in February, and we really had a lot of fun together. The plan is to find a place to run that car whenever we don't have anything else to do- whether that's USAC races, or just local shows, we're going to try to keep busy and stay sharp.”
TS – “Yes. I completely intend to run a lot of dirt races during my off weeks this season. I am planning on getting to compete in both winged and non-winged dirt sprint cars for Kent Wolters out of Ohio. He has some great equipment, and I am excited to get my feet wet in dirt sprint cars and to be able to see what I can do in them.”
CC – “We’ll be at Gas City as much as we can. Must See Racing is our primary series, so if they conflict, they we will run the Must See race. We’ll run the dirt as much as we can. Also Kokomo, Lawrenceburg, and some local USAC races. Hopefully, we’ll catch a couple of them this year. We’ll definitely get a win this year on dirt”
Question 4 – What is your main goal this year in racing (and main goal in Must See Racing series)?
KS – “As of now, I still hope to be able to run all the races in the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint series and the USAC Silver Crown series, so my goal would be to win both Championships. It won't be easy, but that's why it's a goal. It's something that I'm going to strive for, and hopefully at the end of the season we're there. On a weekly level, it is always my goal to win the next race- so with the trip to Pensacola & Mobile coming up next week, they're my short-term goals.”
TS – “It is hard to say what exactly my main goal is this year. There are just too many of them to choose from, but I really want to win both a dirt and asphalt Silver Crown race this year. But, I guess ultimately my main goal for this season is to win the USAC Silver Crown Title. Last year in July I was tied with Jerry Coons Jr. for the points lead. I am also hoping to not only be the Rookie of the Year in the MSRXSS, but I am also going to try my best to be the Champion at the end of the season.”
CC – “My main goal will be Rookie of the Year at the Little 500, and possibly win the Little 500. And, the same for the Must See Racing series – Rookie of the Year, and to win the championship.”
Question 5 – What do you think of your chances to be a feature winner in the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint series this year?
KS – “As a driver, you always have to believe that you can win, and that is no different coming to a new series. If I didn't feel like I could win, I wouldn't be racing. Now there are some races where you know your chances are better than others, but you have to believe there is a chance no matter how slim. Suellen & Don Wilshe are supporting me with great equipment, and my Dad will be helping set up the car and operate our Must See program for the year, so we'll give it our best shot and be aiming for Victory Lane.”
TS – “I think that I have a very good chance to be a feature winner in the Must See Racing series this year. I have not worked with Tom Brewer yet, but we have talked a lot on the phone and I think that his equipment is definitely capable of winning. Our biggest hurdle is getting me comfortable in the winged cars. I think that is not an insurmountable hurdle by any means though, after talking to many drivers that have run both non-wing and winged cars on pavement. I think that I should be capable of winning a Must See race in 2012.”
CC – “Do I think I can win a Must See Racing feature? Oh yeah, definitely. Every race we go to, we look to win. I know there are a lot of tracks that I haven’t seen before. Dave Steele will be there for car set-up help, and giving me pointers for the tracks that are new to me. Aaron Pierce will be racing, and giving us help. Aaron’s a great guy, and I like working with him. Aaron will be the guy that we are hanging out with weekly.”
Question 6 – If a race comes down to the three “rookies”, and all are running first through third, who do you think will be the first to take the checkered flag?
KS – “If the race isn't over yet, then as a driver you have to be aiming to win, and you can't give up. I would like to say it'd be me, but you can never know how things will play out, so I guess we'll just have to wait and see.”
TS – “Honestly, I am not sure. It all depends on what the conditions are. I can tell you one thing, I will be trying my hardest to make sure that I am the one that can take that checkered flag home. I have never watched Collin or competed against him, but I do know that he has more winged pavement experience than both Kody and I. But, Kody and I have also run a lot more non-wing sprint car races than him, and we know a lot of each other’s tendencies. If that happens this season, I would expect it to be a race worth watching, that is for sure.”
CC – “That’s a hard question. You know, the rookie class next year is really stout – a lot of talent. I believe that I could beat them - I’m just as good as anybody there. I lack the experience, but that comes with time.”
TOP GUN SPRINT SERIES SEASON OPENER - OCALA
The bizarre incidents that occurred on Saturday night, the opening race of the 2012 Top Gun Sprint Car Series, had me looking up into the night sky to check for a full moon (it wasn’t full). At Bubba Raceway Park, in Ocala, FL, the series opening event would be one of 14 visits this year to the newly reconfigured dirt track. With an entry list of 23 cars, the series appeared to be on a strong footing, and the paid attendance was promising.
Danny Martin Jr. decided to abandon the car owned by his family, and was entered in Sport Allen’s old ride in the number 82 car. Gene Lasker showed off his promotional skills by hyping a new product that he hoped to get into Wal-Mart stores, and with a sticker on his car that read, “Car owner: Self-Proclaimed World’s Best Sprint Car Driver.” Collin Cabre would debut his new dirt car for 2012. The car had the number 12 with bright blue and yellow graphics. This was the car that he planned to enter in dirt races in Indiana, after making the move to the Hoosier State in June.
The bizarre incidents during the evening began with the appearance of a fan in the turn one grandstand with a number 12 shaved into the side of his head, which left me wondering if he might be Collin Cabre’s biggest fan. I joked with Collin later that evening by saying, “you missed the opportunity to meet your biggest fan – he was right there in the turn one stand, and was making a statement right on his head.” Collin would be the victim of a strange incident later in the evening, when an errant rock would impact the Go Pro camera mounted directly in front of his cockpit, destroying the camera. The rock was deflected up, and struck the underside of the wing above his head, and then bounced off the wing and impacted his helmet, stunning him for just a fraction of a second. He did not have long to recover from the rock strike, as he was entering turn one immediately after being struck. The turn had proved treacherous already that evening, when Terry Witherspoon had entered high, and bounced off the low concrete barrier, sending his car flipping.
The accident that happened on lap 11 of the feature had to be the most bizarre incident of the evening, which I will call “the car-stacking incident.” Witherspoon was involved again, bouncing off of the number 24 car of Stephen Darvalics, and then landing directly on top of the stopped car of Jimmy Bellew. The two cars were now stacked directly on top of each other, sitting stationary. The cars sat there, in a perfect stack, until gravity took charge and the car of Witherspoon, on top, slowly leaned to the side, and fell off into a heap of twisted sheet metal. With no driver injuries, the unusual wreck would mean a depleted field to compete for the feature win, which saw Matt Kurtz hold off a charge by Danny Martin Jr. near the end.
Danny Martin Jr. appeared to be at ease with his driving duties that evening, now that he was no longer driving a car owned by him and his family. The stress was gone from his face. I had seen this stress at Easy Bay Raceway Park three weeks earlier, at the East Bay Winternationals. He was struggling with getting the handle on his car, and nearly flipped into the infield at East Bay. This night, he could concentrate on driving. He appeared to be right where he wanted, and was setting up the leader, Matt Kurtz, for a pass, but ran out of time. The feature race was shortened to 20 laps, instead of 25 laps, and Danny would finish second. For Danny Martin Jr., the night was a case of “wait ‘til next time.”
Matt Kurtz, after winning the feature, even paid Danny a compliment when he said, “yeah, Danny’s definitely the king out here right now.” I asked what was different for him this year, and how he had gotten faster. “I’ve been working out. I’ve been running more, trying to lose some weight and get in shape. We have the same crew chief, but we didn’t have him for all of last year, because he had another deal with Mark Martin.” I asked Matt about his chances to return to Victory Circle in Top Gun competition, and compete for the series championship, since he was running for the full season. “Well, we started off this year a lot better than we did last year. If we can keep doing this, and be more consistent, and be more focused, I think we can do it.”
For 2009 Top Gun Sprint champion Ryan Partin, he was a little bit concerned with getting acclimated to dirt racing again, after going road racing during the off season. “Our biggest goal is to win as many non-wing races as we can (Top Gun has eight non-wing races as part of the 2012 schedule). That’s something that we’re going to put our full effort on is the non-wing shows this year. We have pretty much the same team as we had in 2010. I love having the same crew every year, because we know how to argue with each other really well. It’s going to be a good race tonight. A lot of guys swapped some cars during the off season, so they are going to be trying to figure out their team. Hopefully us coming back with the same team will give us an advantage tonight,” Ryan told me. Ryan won the third heat race, and finished fourth in the feature event.
Gene Lasker intends to run the full 20-race schedule with the Top Gun Sprint Series, with main sponsorship from Job Site Concrete Inc. and Bubba Raceway Park. Gene, who counts track owner Bubba Clem as a friend, and participates in his morning radio show, also had a large “Bubba Army” sticker on his car’s wing. With strands of curly hair tumbling out from under his baseball cap, Gene’s style of brash self-promotion meant that he would use the evening to promote one of his new inventions. He told me that he has had his own business for 14 years, and has a manager that he can trust with the business operations when he is away. He does plan some “out of town racing” in other states during the weeks without a Top Gun Series event. “I do believe we will win the championship,” Gene told me confidently. “We’ve got a couple of extra cars now, so we’re going to run the full schedule.”
Stephen Darvalics, in the number 24 Shaw for the 2012 season, said that he was not committed to running the full 20 races of the Top Gun Series. “I’m not sure we’re going to follow the whole Top Gun Series, but it’s definitely a full season ride in whatever we do. The twenty-four is going to be running some 360 shows, with either the ASCS or USCS. I don’t have a whole lot of non-wing experience. I know we’re definitely going to run all the East Bay sprint deals.” But what about non-wing races there (East Bay) or here (Bubba Raceway Park), I asked? “That’s still up in the air – we haven’t made any commitments. We’ll see when it comes, how we’re doing.” So your expertise, and what you like, is with a wing? “Yeah – exactly. The training wheels, almost,” he said, laughing. Stephen told me that he had his own car last year, also a Shaw chassis. “We did about four or five shows last year, with my own stuff. I’ve known Doug Shaw for years.”
KODY SWANSON INTERVIEW: GOING FOR TWO TITLES
The following interview was conducted at Bubba Raceway Park (Ocala, FL) on February 9, 2012, at the USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car Series race. Kody Swanson spoke to me about his plans for the year, which will concentrate on two open wheel series. The two series are the USAC Silver Crown Series, and also the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series (MSRXSS). In February, he had hopes of being able to run a full season in both series, as the 2012 schedules had not yet been finalized. There is only one schedule conflict now, and it is on Saturday, August 18. A day race for the Silver Crown cars at the Illinois State Fairgrounds is followed by a night race with MSRXSS at Anderson Speedway on the same day. Could a sponsor or a friend with a private airplane allow him to make both races?
Beginning in the third week of May, Kody’s frenetic schedule could involve Silver Crown in Clermont, IN, then over to Must See at Winchester the next day, then to Anderson for the MSRXSS short race on Wednesday, and Little 500 qualifying at Anderson on Thursday. Then, it’s over to the Indiana State Fairgrounds on Friday for the Silver Crown Hoosier Hundred, before returning to Anderson for the Little 500 on Saturday.
Q. – You’ve got to be excited about joining the MSRXSS. Obviously, Must See is developing into a premier national series for pavement winged sprint cars.
KS – I’ve never competed with the Must See series before, and never really competed in a winged pavement sprint car before. The series itself, regardless of winged or non-winged, they are doing great things for open wheel racing. They have an event and a program that is marketable. They take the time to do it right. They have an outstanding television program, and they do great things for their competitors and their fans. They provide a quality show, and they pay the purse all the way through the field, and that’s what keeps the racers coming back.
Q. – The field looks pretty stout this year, with you and your brother (Tanner Swanson), and Troy DeCaire coming back, and maybe Dave Steele for a few races. You are going to have some pretty good competitors out there.
KS – Absolutely. That’s part of what racing is. Someone who is maybe not on the radar yet, but who I know can run well, is Jojo Helberg. He won a couple of races last year, and I expect him to be competitive, as well as Troy DeCaire, and my brother, Tanner.
Q. – And then there’s Brian Gerster, who won at Bristol.
KS – Absolutely - if Gerster runs with Dick Myers, those guys always run well together. Someone else to keep an eye on is my teammate, Jason Blonde. He regularly seems to set track records, and won the thriller there at Winchester. I’m just looking forward to the chance to compete with them, and with that series, and seeing what we can do.
Q. – But, is it correct that you will not be able to run a full season with Must See because of the schedule conflicts with Silver Crown?
KS – I’m racing Silver Crown full-time and that was done first.
Q. – So, you were committed to the full Silver Crown season first?
KS – Right. But, as of now, with the way the schedules are working out, it looks like I can make them all. If that works out, I’ll be very excited to see if we can run them both, and run for the championship in both series.
Q. – Because there might have been some schedule conflicts, but maybe not now with the changes?
KS – Yeah, there were some that were “to be announced” with both series. As of now, with the way the schedules are shaping up, it looks like we may have dodged a bullet, and we can make the full schedule in both series. I look forward to the opportunity to compete in both, and hopefully compete for the championship in both series.
Q. – OK, well then you led right into my next question. What is your goal for the year? Is it to win the championships in both series?
KS – Oh, absolutely. If you are going to run all the races in the series, then your goal should be the championship, and part of that is winning races. If you win races, you score the most points, and that gives you the best shot at winning the championship.
Q. – But there might be someone standing in your way – your own brother.
KS – Absolutely – in both series. There is tough competition, and you just have to go out there and do the best you can do, and hope the results that you get are good enough to get the job done. Hopefully, we do well this year.
Q. – Are you competing in any other events during Speedweeks in Florida this year (other than 3 nights of USAC sprint car competition at Bubba Raceway Park)?
KS – Yeah, but not in February. We’ll be coming back with the Must See Racing series to Pensacola at Five Flags Speedway in April. This is kind of a part-time deal with Ted Slinkard on the dirt sprint car, and we’re just kind of going to fill in whenever we can. He decided that he wanted to spend a little time in Florida, so here we are. It’s a big learning experience for me, as I don’t have many dirt sprint car starts at all. Hopefully, we can have a good relationship all season long.
Q. – And, it’s a brand new car and brand new track for you, as you told me earlier. How did both of them feel so far?
KS – I didn’t qualify very well there, but I think three quarters of my lap was good enough. I just made one mistake there that cost me quite a bit of time. That’s how it goes.
Q. Sounds like it will be exciting, plus clear out a little bit of the cobwebs from being off for a couple of months.
KS – Hopefully we can get everything going in the right direction, and have a good week here in Ocala.
His results for Speedweeks were as follows: Thursday – 17th place in the feature, and Saturday – 8th place in the feature. Kody has posted a YouTube video of himself in competition at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, and then at Five Flags Speedway, testing his Silver Crown car. You can view it here:
Top 3 L Troy DeCaire C Mickey Kempgens R Jason Cox
TBARA SPEEDWEEKS REVIEW
Three races. Seven days. Two different feature winners. Varying car counts and warmer weather and a few surprises. This was the first week of competition for the Tampa Bay Area Racing Association (TBARA), sponsored by Safety-Kleen Systems. Rookie competitor Rex “Boneman” Hollinger wrote, “now that was a cool week! 3 races in 7 days, and I had such a good time.” At one point, I thought that Rex had pulled off a top ten finish in his first 2012 race, but it was some confused race results from the internet that were to blame. He finished in twelfth place. He would try again in the week’s penultimate event, on Monday at New Smyrna Speedway. Desoto Super Speedway in Bradenton, FL on Saturday evening would bring a ninth place finish for the Brevard County racer and businessman.
Ben Fritz, a TBARA veteran at age 29, would make his first appearance of Speedweeks at Desoto on Saturday evening. His bright red machine had stickers from multiple sponsors, ranging from a family magazine to springs and shocks, and also engine and trailer manufacturers. Ben was smiling while lifting his cute young daughter in his arms prior to the race, and he was smiling again after the race, when he finished in fourth place. He had reason to smile, as the feature at Desoto was a Saturday night brawl, with higher than usual bumping and banging going on. This was unusual for recent TBARA competition, but was not surprising considering the demand to put a good finish on the week, and satisfy sponsors.
Chase Cabre
In contrast to the plethora of sponsor stickers on Frtiz’s car, the car of John Gilbert Jr. had a decidedly “old-school” look, with bright green paint, and a sticker with the name of his Florida Keys construction company. Gilbert’s nine to five job during the week is building high-end homes as a residential general contractor. He told me of the homes that he built for celebrities in the Keys, and dropped some names of Hollywood celebs who were his customers. While many general contractors were struggling in Florida, or had left the business completely, Gilbert had found his market niche in the Keys. He was even able to employ a crew for some of the construction work on the high-end single family homes that he built. Word of mouth and hard work keep his business alive, and the lure of the Keys brought the home buyers south. Gilbert showed dominance in his New Smyrna Speedway heat race on Sunday, and showed consistency in the feature races. He rounded out his week with three top five feature race finishes.
Troy DeCaire number 91
With many sprint car series and teams cutting costs, the TBARA events also served to help several teams planning to compete in the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series to get their winter testing done on the track in competition. The Lenny Puglio black number 91, with Troy DeCaire at the wheel, saw its first competition and first checkered flag for the Puglio / DeCaire pairing. The team was hoping to compete in both TBARA and Must See, for full seasons, minus a couple of TBARA races that would present a conflict. Mickey Kempgens, now occupying the seat in the Rudolph family owned number 68, previously piloted by DeCaire, would continue to show his pavement expertise by taking the other 2 feature races during the week. Will Kempgens show up at any Must See Racing events later in the year, I asked? “I’m pretty close to locking up a deal to run the first two Must See races (Pensacola and Mobile in April). And then, we’re probably going to do a little bit of dirt racing later in the year at East Bay.” Kempgens was signed for Speedweeks, but competing for a full season in the number 68 car was still dependent on finding sponsor money. “Yup – we’re signed through Speedweeks, and work on the rest after Speedweeks,” he told me.
Troy DeCaire in Victory Circle
Must See regular Jason Cox made the trip south for Speedweeks, and went home with two top three finishes. Dave Steele, who said he was working on a deal to join the Must See Racing series later in the year, packed up on the first night after an engine failure, and did not return.
On Saturday night, back at Desoto Super Speedway, Cox, DeCaire and Kempgens would again be pitted against each other for the win. DeCaire would aggressively move through traffic to get to the front, but again be passed for the lead by Kempgens, who used a low line going into the third turn for most of his passes. DeCaire seemed to prefer the high side in the turns, using horsepower to power past the slower cars. DeCaire would settle for his second runner-up finish of the week, in addition to one win.
Ben Fritz and daughter
Troy DeCaire spoke to me about Steele’s decision to move into a semi-retirement status, and how this opened up the seat in the Lenny Puglio number 91 car at a time when he was looking for a ride for the 2012 Must See Racing season. “Yeah, sometimes things just come together like that, and that’s the beauty of racing. Dave and I are good friends, and he always looked out for me, and brought me along. I’ve always wanted to carry the Florida flag like he did. He’s the one that really put Florida on the map” Troy’s new t-shirt even features a Florida state seal and palm trees, promoting his new team, which some have dubbed “Team Florida.” “I’m hoping that I can do just half as good as what he did,” the young Floridian proclaimed, adding that he hoped to win another championship in the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series.
L Troy DeCaire and R Mickey Kempgens
With engine failures at New Smyrna Speedway early in the week, and other competitors who did not return, due to lack of funds, or moving on to race on dirt at East Bay Raceway Park (Morgan Turpen and Terry Gray), the number of starters took a precipitous drop. There were 23 cars that showed up for the first night at New Smyrna. This later dwindled to 13 cars for the last feature at Desoto Super Speedway. As had occurred in previous years, the one month break until the next TBARA race would probably lure back more teams, itching to get racing with new cars or new engines.
Mickey Kempgens number 68
One of the week’s most impressive newcomers was a talented videographer by the name of Chase Cabre. With older brother Collin preparing for the week’s events, and a rookie season behind the wheel in the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series, Chase was also at the track with video camera in hand. Following a friend at Bubba Raceway Park early in the month for a 3 Wide Networks video production, to chronicling the first TBARA race and feature winner Mickey Kempgens, Chase seemed to be everywhere during the month. The praise that he received from members of both the TBARA and Must See Racing communities was well deserved. You can see his efforts on his YouTube channel, right here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/chasetherace4
UPDATE FROM EAST BAY RACEWAY PARK – 360 WINTERNATIONALS
Oklahoman Shane Stewart, who lives in Indianapolis currently, and often races in Australia, was the winner again on Friday night at East Bay Raceway Park, Florida. It was night two of the track’s annual Winternationals for 360 sprint cars. The big payday would take place on Saturday evening, with a $10,000 prize to win that evening’s sprint car feature. That was the prize that Shane and his crew wanted. “You got to keep your nose clean, and always keep it in the back of your mind, it’s tally up points. Your main goal here is to get yourself into the top six for Saturday, and put yourself in a position to win,” Shane told me on Friday night. Shane was already mistakenly identified as an Australian once this week. “You would think I am Australian for as long as I’ve been over there,” he said, smiling. “I’ve been over there for about two months, and then I’m getting ready to go back over there for another month.” So, you’re not Australian, as someone said, I asked? “No, I’m from Oklahoma and live in Indianapolis – a true American.” We laughed at the misidentification, and I noted that Shane did not have even the slightest Australian accent.
Danny Martin Jr., dealing with controversy off the track, and driving a new car owned by him and his family, ended his night on Friday with a collision that nearly caused him to flip. His new car was in need of sponsors, and he was preparing to defend his Top Gun Sprint Car Series championship beginning in March. The lone sponsor on the car now was Motorheads LLC, the family owned company comprised of Danny and his father. With the majority of the Top Gun Series races taking place at Bubba Raceway Park, Danny did not know if he would be competing in all of the races at this track. The work on his new car continued, and the new team was at East Bay for its first competition of the year. Thursday would show promise, with a B main win. On Friday, again in the B main, Danny would dive for an opening on the bottom on turn 2, get caught up in a collision, and nearly flip into the infield. “I just want to go racing. We put this team together at the last minute. Right now, we are still working out bugs, that’s why we’re not running good. We’re just trying to have fun and go racing.” With the controversy and the uncertainty of his status in Florida, Danny was considering adding some USCS races to his 2012 schedule, a series he had raced in previously. “We have a family, and we have two family businesses in Florida. I’m stuck here, making that work,” Danny said, explaining why he could not consider moving north, even if he wanted to move.
Jason Sides headed right over to East Bay Raceway Park, after finishing the weekend of racing with the World of Outlaws on Sunday evening. Did he make the trip to East Bay each year for the Winternationals, I asked? “Well, we missed it the last two years. The last time we were here was in 2009. The last two years, we couldn’t come here, because of the World of Outlaws commitments, but that’s kind of opened up now. We get to come down and play, and have fun,” Jason said, seeming relieved that he could race when and where he wanted to race. There was a lawsuit pending, because of a point fund payout that he did not receive, but Jason seemed to be happy to be back to the track. He would be free to race closer to home, without the travel from coast to coast and Canada. “This year, we’re going to kind of pick and choose where we want. Our goal will be to see how many wins we can get, whether it’s with All Stars, or ASCS, or World of Outlaws, or what have you.” He did not intend to run the full World of Outlaws schedule this year, which would be the first time in the past ten years, he said. This decision was related to the lawsuit. “I didn’t get paid from last year’s point fund, and this decision was made from a financial standpoint,” Jason told me.
Stenhouse Jr. Racing, a team that I did not recall seeing at a Florida track previously, was present with driver Jason Johnson. This new team marked the presence of yet another open wheel driver, who began by making his mark on the short tracks and with USAC racing, before moving to NASCAR for the big money. Next, that driver’s name, like Kasey Kahne and Tony Stewart and others, shows up again at the short tracks, on the side of a team hauler. The team’s sprint car had Roush/Yates power, showing the connection to Ford and Jack Roush.
The team cars of Terry Gray and Morgan Turpen, last seen at New Smyrna Speedway in TBARA competition on Monday evening, were pitted side by side at East Bay. Terry Gray would end his evening on Friday by battering a section of the wall in turn three. Several cars had slammed into the same section of fencing on Friday, until it worked loose and fell. Gray would be uninjured in the grinding crash and flip, but his car would be heavily damaged with the top wing flattened and askew. Gray would start competition in his regular series, the United Sprint Car Series, next week in Columbus, Mississippi. He would head there after this race, and would continue on for the full 50-race schedule. He would try to get his usual sixty to seventy races in again this year. “I’ve been coming here since the mid seventies. I’ve missed a couple of years here and there, but I’ve been here most every year,” the veteran racer told me.
SPEEDWEEKS UPDATE WITH THE TBARA COMPETITORS
By Richard Golardi
"Yeah, we're crazy.” That was the remark made by feature race winner Mickey Kempgens, when asked about the high speeds seen on the track that night at New Smyrna Speedway. The Tampa Bay Area Racing Association (TBARA) was holding its season opening event at the high-banked half mile track. The association was back in the spotlight of the annual SpeedWeeks events for the first time in two years. The series was also revitalized with a 15-race schedule for 2012, and also new teams and new drivers.
Rex Hollinger –
After running three times with TBARA last year, and one IPSCA wingless race at Citrus County Speedway, Rex “Boneman” Hollinger was preparing for his first full season of TBARA competition. He wanted to earn the Rookie of The Year in TBARA, and he said that “even running in the back in one of these is better than running in the front in one of the support classes. My main goal is to come back in one piece, and if I happen to be a 51 year old Rookie of the Year, that would be pretty darn good.” This would be his fifth ever sprint car race, and first night at New Smyrna Speedway, where he would finish in 12th place. “I ran four cylinder cars here for a lot of years. There’s some little subtle changes between a 700 horsepower sprint car and a 200 horsepower mini-stock,” he said, smiling. Rex is involved with his family’s business, which is an electric motor manufacturer. “My Dad and my brother – we all work there together. We’ve been in business for 38 years and going strong.”
Collin Cabre –
This year would be the year that would see Collin set aside his schoolbooks, and make the transition to being a professional race car driver. With high school graduation and the move to Indiana only a few months away, I asked Collin how he felt about making this transition. “I’m ready. I’m excited. This is what I love to do, and I can’t wait to get started on it.” His goals for 2012 including winning the Must See Racing Rookie of the Year title, and some good finishes in the USAC races that he has planned, hoping for some top five finishes in USAC competition. “I see the Little 500 as our biggest goal this year.” To win it, I asked? “We don’t go to run second, or run top ten. We go to win everywhere we go, so we are going to try our hardest.”
Mickey Kempgens –
While he was contracted to drive the #68 car in TBARA competition for the first three SpeedWeeks races, his plans were unknown beyond this week. There was only enough sponsor money to put him in the car for the first three races. Could his performance in these three races earn him a full season ride, I asked? “No, it’s not about performance. It’s sponsorship money. I had enough sponsors to run three races. We’ll work on the rest of the season after this.” Mickey would dominate and win the first night at New Smyrna, after an early race battle with Troy DeCaire, who he believed was one of his main competitors during SpeedWeeks. “We go good together,” Mickey said, referring to himself and the #68 car. “I drove this car two years ago. I drove it for four races, and won three of them. She’s a rocketship, so I just kind of backed it down,” Mickey said, revealing that he had backed off in his heat race on Sunday evening. He also revealed that he was close to signing a deal to run the first two Must See Racing events, both in the deep south in April.
Troy DeCaire –
“Basically, all I’ve got to worry about is driving, and that’s a first for me in my career,” Troy said, when asked about his new seat in the Lenny Puglio owned #91 car. “Yeah, I’m happy. My goal is to be able to eat and race. I wake up every day, and my job title, as of right now, is race car driver. We’ve got a top notch team, and a top notch crew, and enough tires to go around.” Troy told me about his effort to gain a seat in the Indy Lights series for the Freedom 100 this year. He also has an upcoming NASCAR truck series test on Monday, February 27. “I’m just working on the funding (for Indy Lights). We’re just trying to focus on one race, the Freedom 100. It’s the biggest one. We’re within twenty or thirty grand of making that happen. I’m working with Paul Diatlovich.” The truck series team for the Monday test is Level 1 Motorsports, and Troy said he is trying to work out a relationship for an entry into the NASCAR truck series this year. His goal for the year is to do the best he can. “I’m sure the wins will come our way, and we’ll take what we can get, maybe another TBARA championship, maybe another Must See championship will be the ultimate goal. Just go out there and have a good time, and enjoy this year. I’ll still get my 50 or 60 races in, with HOSS and Auto Value.” His team intended to run as many TBARA events as possible, when there was not a conflict with the Must See Racing Xtreme sprint series.
John Gilbert Jr. –
Heat Race #2 Winner – Sunday, 2/19/2012
“We got a good start coming off of four, and took the lead by turn one. Really no problems, but we did have a push, so had to drive the car in a certain way.” How did he handle the high winds? “The cars get pretty dirty, especially going down the front stretch. It wasn’t too much of a problem. I’m used to New Smyrna and I’ve raced here quite a bit.” He told me that he does intend to race a full TBARA schedule this year. “They have sixteen races this year, so we’re looking forward to it. A lot of different tracks – Punta Gorda, Mobile International, and Pensacola too. I’m looking forward to going back.” Does he think he’s in a position to challenge for the driver’s championship? “It’s too early for that. We’re going to race hard. I’ve got Mike Franklin back on board with me, turning the wrenches. We’ll see how it goes.”
Brian Gingras –
Heat Race #3 Winner – Sunday, 2/19/2012
“We came more prepared than I’ve ever been, the powerplant that we have has more power than what we’re used to. We had a new wing, more downforce, more motor, and a good package. I wish I could drive like that in the feature, but that was just to conserve the tires. I never did stand on it.” Since he appeared to have one of the three fastest cars, I asked how he felt about his chances that night, and for the rest of SpeedWeeks? “I feel real good. I think it’s going to be a real good race.” He felt good about the quality of the equipment that he had under him, and was planning to do a partial season in 2012 with TBARA. “I’m not sure if we are going to even make next week, as we have to prepare for the Little 500. We’re looking to get a motor to run some of that Must See stuff.”
Johnny Gilbertson –
“We’re still working on stuff. It’s a slow process, with the economy and everything. We’re hopeful, and we will take it one race at a time,” Johnny said, when I asked if he could confirm running for the full season in TBARA. He had some fuel system issues on Sunday, and said that he did not know about the problems all being resolved. Did he think he was one of the favorites for the driver’s championship? “No, I don’t like to look at it that way. I just like to take a week at a time. I hate to think of myself as a favorite, but I’ll take it if it comes.”
Morgan Turpen –
Morgan was a TBARA competitor, but only for one night, on Monday night at New Smyrna Speedway. After that, she and car owner Terry Gray were off to East Bay Raceway Park for the 360 Sprint Car Winternationals, and then back north to compete in the USCS series in the spring. When the team stopped at New Smyrna Speedway, they had not yet decided to compete that night. “We were headed down to East Bay, and we wanted to stop here to watch. We were asked – do you want to race? We said – yeah, we’ll make a couple of laps. So we put some pavement tires on, and then we were ready to go.” This was her first ever TBARA competition, and she would finish in 15th position in the feature race. “I’m a full-time student, on top of racing. I’m going to the University of Memphis, and I’m studying education, and I’m going to be a teacher. I’m doing K through sixth grade. And then, I’d like to be a counselor. I’m not ready for my own kids, but …,” she said laughing, knowing that teaching was an occupation with many challenges.
JASON MEYERS TALKS ABOUT HIS FAMILY AND HIS FUTURE
I spoke to World of Outlaws sprint car driver Jason Meyers at Volusia Speedway Park, Florida, on the opening night of the 2012 World of Outlaws season. A light rain was falling, and the track lighting illuminated a sky full of tiny droplets, and stands that still held a few remaining die-hard fans. Hours later, the racing that evening was cancelled when the track became too wet.
I asked Jason Meyers to tell me what lead him to make the decision, after winning the past two World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series championships, to leave after the first 14 races of the year? “Well, it’s been the plan of my wife and I, ever since we starting having kids five or six years ago. Since we’ve had kids, we’ve been able to bring them with us. But, our oldest kid is going to start school this September, and every winter you sit down, and plan out the next year. It looked like this year was the right time to make that move, to make that change to be home, and to begin to our life at home for our kids.” Jason explained that his priorities were as follows – God first, his family second, and then his career and racing came next. With his priorities set, Jason knew that he needed to make a change, and the timing was right to make the change in 2012.
I asked Jason to tell me about his plan for 2012, and also what lies ahead for him and his family in the years ahead. “We’ve made the decision that we’re going to run these first 14 races of the season, and then wrap things up, and liquidate the team, and move on to something else. I still hope to keep involved in the sport, but it’s time for it to become a hobby for me. I love the sport, and I think I still have more to give to the sport, but it needs to become a second priority to our family, and what’s right for them.”
Jason said that there was no possibility of the team continuing in the 15th race and beyond with another driver, after his 14 race fan appreciation tour concludes. He fully intended to liquidate the team, on April 1, 2012. The owners had decided to exit the car ownership business, but Jason mentioned that he could still do some “one-off races” with another car owner, and he was currently working on putting together this deal. But, he confirmed that it would not be under the ownership of Elite Racing, his current team. I asked about how he will be involved in racing in the future, as either a driver or an owner, but he said that was not yet decided, and that he did not have an answer to that question. He strongly believed that his family, and an occupation to support his family, would become his new priorities. He admitted that he still had ambitions to run some of the bigger World of Outlaws races during the year.
Could he ever see himself in a stock car, or could we be calling him “NASCAR driver Jason Meyers” some day? “We would do that in a heartbeat, if that opportunity came along. We don’t know what the future holds for us right now. We don’t have a crystal ball. We are making decisions based on what’s right for our family, and we’ll have to see what opportunities we can come across after that.” How about being in a 9 to 5 job, I asked? Could he see himself doing that type of work in an office setting, and making that transition to an “ordinary job”, after being in the spotlight as a major American auto racing star? “I could see myself doing a lot of things, and I could see myself doing a 9 to 5,” he replied. Would he get bored, after the excitement of being involved in racing every weekend? “Everything is what you make of it. I think you’ll have to keep racing, and competition, in your life. You’ll never get that out of you”.
Jason said that he did not currently have plans to move into being a car owner, as he had not finalized plans for his future after April 1. He just wanted to concentrate on doing his best for the next 6 weeks, and the next 14 races, and showing his appreciation to his fans also. After that, he was concentrating on his family, and on his children, and he was totally comfortable with the decision he had made.
Did he feel more at peace now, with having just won 2 driver championships against a very strong field of drivers, and could make this decision with no regrets, I asked? “It’s the right thing to do. When we made the commitment to have kids, we committed to building a future for their dreams as well. We’ve accomplished our goals and our dreams in sprint car racing, and now it’s time to move on, and build a future for our children. We’re making the decision for what’s right for our family, and where life takes us after that, we don’t really know. We’re pretty excited about it.” With that said, Jason continued greeting his fans and sponsors while standing at the back of his team’s hauler. While smiling easily, he continued with the evening’s activities, a man at peace with his life and his place in the world.
Q & A WITH BRYAN CLAUSON IN OCALA
The following interview was conducted at Bubba Raceway Park (Ocala, FL) on February 9, 2012. This was an evening that saw the USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car Series in competition for the 2012 season opening race. Later, on Saturday evening, Bryan Clauson pulled alongside Darren Hagen 30 feet from the checkered flag, and got slammed into the wall 20 feet from the finish when Hagen moved over (I think it was unintentional, as Hagen didn't know he was there). Their driving skill was all that prevented a major wreck. Big clods of dirt were thrown over the front stretch catch fence from the collision, but they fell into the walkway. I believe it was the most exciting finish of the year (so far).
Q. – Bryan, it’s the start of another year, so how are you feeling about this year?
A. – I feel really good. This was a big off season for us, as we made a lot of acquisitions. I feel like we are starting the year loaded for bear as we ever have. I’m really excited about the 2012 season, and we got off to a good start tonight, as we have quick time up to this point (Thursday). The track’s kind of going away a little now, but we got a good qualifying draw early. I think we’ll have some good two groove racing tonight.
Q. – Acquisitions – what did you mean by that?
A. – We’ve got some new cars, new motors, and a new crew chief, Mike Desher, who came on board late last year for the last five or six races, and we won a couple of them. So, we just restructured a little bit here. We’re putting the focus on the sprint car deal on our team, and we made some moves during the off season to kind of show that.
Q. – So, for this year’s Indy 500, you’re in it. How does that make you feel?
A. – Well, we’ve got to qualify first. We’re working on our deal, and hopefully have it done in the near future, and then get some practice.
Q. – IndyCar testing – what can you tell me about that?
A. – It’s still a little early, not a whole lot of oval testing going on. We’re a little bit behind the eight ball at this point.
Q. – Will you get some oval testing before May, do they have any plans for that now?
Q. – Well, we are still kind of buttoning up the whole thing. The scholarship (to have a car to qualify for the Indy 500) didn’t come with a team, so we had to put the program together, and we’re still working on that.
A. – So, you’ve been in touch with Randy Bernard to determine what team, what car, and what oval will be for you?
Q. – The 500 is going to be the oval. That’s a given if we do it. Whether there will be more ovals, or not, and how the program is based is still being worked out. We want to put the best piece out there for the 500.
Q. – Will you be in the Indy Lights Freedom 100 too, on Carb Day?
A. – No. It’ll be a big car deal only.
Q. – OK, so your month of May will mean concentrating on the Indy 500, and getting comfortable with the car, and comfortable with your first time on an oval in an Indy Car?
A. – Correct. It’ll be the big car stuff, and focus on that, and I’ll probably have to miss a couple of USAC races. But, there’s nothing special in the month of May.
Q. – There’s the Hoosier Hundred.
A. – Yeah, there’s a lot of stuff going on and we’ll see…
Q. – Do you have a ride with Tony Stewart Racing for the Silver Crown series this year?
A. – No, not this year. I’m not going to run full time in Silver Crown, so we’re still sorting through our options there. With Chevy and all their partners, they need to run full time (referring to Tony Stewart Racing), and with the IndyCar thing, it just wasn’t going to work out.
Q. – Will you run any Indy Light races this year?
A. – No Indy Lights, just IndyCar.
Q. – OK. Are they planning other ovals beyond Indy, or just planning and preparing for Indy for now?
A. – Well, Indy is the focus and if we can have a package that allows us to do more ovals, then that’s what we’ll do. But, it’s just kind of a wait and see game right now.
Q. – What is your goal for the year, what goals have you set for yourself for 2012?
A. – Win a lot of races (laughing). We are going to be chasing the team side of championships in both the sprint car and midget. On the midget deal, I think I don’t have any conflicts as far as the IndyCar side goes. So, I should be able to do that full time.
Q. – Are you with the same midget team as last year?
A. – No, I’m running with Keith Kunz this year. And, on the sprint car, I’ll run full time, and obviously our focus is on the sprint car.
Q. – Will you be running a full season in midgets, and also a full season in the sprint car?
A. – Yeah, I might miss a couple of races, but the team is running the full sprint car deal.
Q. – So, you might miss a couple of races for the work that you have to do for IndyCar?
A. – Correct.
Q. – But then again, you’ve been the National Champion in USAC for two years running, so maybe it’s time to move on?
A. – Obviously the month of May is what it’s about, so that’s the deal.
Q. – I know a lot of your fans are excited to see you moving up, and obviously you are excited about it too.
A. – Yeah, I’m real excited and obviously it’s a dream that will hopefully come true. It’s a great opportunity for me and everybody in this realm and hopefully I can go down there and be successful and open up the path for others.
Q. - Any concerns about safety? Obviously there was a tragedy in IndyCar a few months ago. There’s been a lot more concern about safety, and a lot more thought about safety. How does that affect you?
A. – Any time you strap into one of these cars there’s a chance for a tragedy, whether it’s a sprint car, or a midget, or IndyCar. In IndyCars, they are going faster, and they are more exposed, and the racing is a little bit closer, but …
Q. – So, you put it out of your mind?
A. – Anytime you strap into one of these things, there’s that chance.
Q. – So, you are not intimidated by the thought of heading down the front straight at Indy at 230 MPH, heading right for a concrete wall?
A. – If I was intimidated, I wouldn’t be working on putting a deal together. It’s an awesome opportunity, and I can’t wait to get going.
Q. – I’m sure it will be very exciting, and I can’t wait to see you at Indy. Thank you, Bryan.
NOTES FROM OCALA – USAC SPRINT CAR OPENING NIGHT
The opening night of the USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car Series, at Bubba Raceway Park (Ocala, FL), saw a cool clear sky, and fans crowding the stands, ready for racing. The competitors saw a different track, as compared to one year ago, in addition to a new track name. Previously Ocala Speedway, the track had been revamped with new clay and progressive banking in the turns. The steel guardrails in the turns now had a cushion of concrete blocks and tires placed in front of them, as a kind of makeshift SAFER barrier. On the inside of the turns, a new dirt berm was in place, to replace the tires that got launched out onto the track when struck last year. There was no safety concerns expressed during the evening. In 2011, there were a number of violent wrecks in competition at the track which saw competitors tangled up in the catch fencing, or tearing apart the steel guardrail.
The new makeshift barrier of concrete and tires did not receive a serious test in the first night of USAC competition, but the track has racing scheduled throughout the month. There is also a visit by the winged sprint cars of the All Star Circuit of Champions on the calendar this month.
While sitting in the main front straight stand, I heard the announcer proclaim that racing legend Jack Hewitt was in the house, and was sitting directly behind me. I had the pleasure of sitting next to Ralph Liguori one year ago, for the same Thursday USAC opening night, and was now lucky enough to be sitting with another racing legend. I introduced myself, and said, “Jack, let me introduce you to one of the hottest young sprint car drivers in the State of Florida – Collin Cabre (I was sitting with Collin and his father, Lou, prior to the announcement). He is going north this year, competing full-time in the Must See Racing Series, and should easily be the Rookie of the Year in Must See. He also has help from both Dave Steele and Aaron Pierce in his rookie year.” Jack was smiling broadly, and wished Collin good luck, and joked about his mentors for the upcoming year – both Dave and Aaron.
After the feature race had finished, and while roaming the pits, I noticed that many cars had no tread remaining on their right rear tires, and several had both rear tires that were devoid of tread. The excessive wear may have contributed to the lack of passing in the second half of the night’s feature event. After the halfway point, the top cars all hung close to the inside of the track in turn four, not using the new progressive banking. The inside line preventing the trailing car from getting inside coming off the turn, and also reduced the amount of passing. Prior to this midway point, there was some beating and banging as the more aggressive drivers tried to dive inside coming off of turn four. The new dirt berm in the turns may need some tweaking, and some of the track width in this turn may need to be sacrificed to improve the racing. The track had been eagerly proclaiming the new surface as “wider and with new progressive banking.”
Notes from some competitors:
Bringing back memories of seeing and hearing the STP Turbine IndyCar at Trenton Speedway in the ‘60s, there was a demonstration of new technology – an electric dirt midget. The loudest sound made by the car as it slid through the turns was the tire tread scraping across the dirt. Otherwise, it was completely silent. Unlike the turbine, which I watched race at Trenton in 1968, it did not go “whoosh”. Could this be the future of open wheel racing on dirt? If gas prices soar, as a result of war or other unforeseen causes, could American race fans be satisfied with close, but silent, racing? I admit that I was impressed with the car’s speed. But listening to tire tread scraping, instead of American horsepower roaring, would take a lot of adjustment.
Now that the new and improved Bubba Raceway Park has seen its first race visit by a national series, how did it perform? Could those who said it was follow the leader, too much rubber on the track, no passing, etc., be right? Or was it an impressive, safe initial outing for a track that looks different, races different, and is taking its rightful place on the national stage? Will a national economic recovery prove that the economic outlay to improve the track was timed perfectly? Or, will gas prices reach five dollars per gallon, and kill any chance of recovery and keep attendance down in Florida? My answer – the future looks bright, and it’s only getting better. Grab your shades and head for the track. That’s where you will find me – on any Sunday (or Saturday night).
TBARA 2012 SEASON PREVIEW, PART 2
Update on 2012 Tampa Bay Area Racing Association (TBARA) competitors, accurate as of 01/23/2012:
Confirmed for 2012:
Jimmy Alvis Jr.
Jimmy Alvis Jr. will be in the #21 Shaw chassis. He will be running a full TBARA schedule. He is sponsored by B&B Truck Corral and J.R.E. Jim's Racing Engines.
Jimmy Alvis Sr.
Jimmy Alvis Sr. will be in the #9 Shaw chassis. He will be running a full TBARA schedule. He is sponsored by B&B Truck Corral and J.R.E. Jim's Racing Engines.
Collin Cabre
Presently confirmed for the first 3 TBARA races only during Speedweeks, in #41 car. Beginning in April, he will be committed to a full season in Must See Racing, and also racing in Indiana on dirt.
Terry DeCaire (Car Owner)
The blue and white #41 car will be driven by Collin Cabre in the first 3 TBARA Speedweeks races only. The #01 will be driven by Ty DeCaire in the TBARA Development Series, and will not be raced in competition.
Troy DeCaire
Car owner Lenny Puglio has entered #91 and #14 cars for Troy DeCaire for the TBARA Speedweeks events. Beginning in April, will be racing in Must See Racing series, as defending series champion.
L Ben Fritz and R Buff Fritz
Ben Fritz
Ben will run a full TBARA season in 2012. Car owner – Buff Fritz, Car number – 16, Chassis Make – Hurricane, 2012 TBARA sponsors are Landrum Springs, Bilstein Shocks, Heckman Motorsports, Reel Hard Fishing, Simpson Kuhn Electric, FamilyTimes Magazine, Heartbeat Racing Competition Engines & L&S Trailers.
Johnny Gilbertson
Will return to defend his 2011 championship, but full TBARA schedule is unknown. “If sponsorship comes together, then we will run a full TBARA schedule. If not, then I will pick and choose some dirt and pavement races, if sponsorship doesn’t work out.” Johnny has confirmed that he will be in all Speedweeks events.
Brian Gingras
Brian Gingras update on 01/22/2012 – “I will be driving my # 1 Hurricane Sprinter with Garry Green's powerplant for Speedweeks. Garry and I have combined all of our equipment for 2012. We have formed Team Green Racing. We plan to do a limited TBARA schedule for 2012. Our main focus will be on the Little 500, in which I will be piloting one of Garry's Hurricanes. Sponsors for the TBARA car are: Green Star, RAM Engineering, Bilstein shocks, Competition Coatings, and Constructive Solutions. Throughout 2012, I will be mentoring Garry’s son Garrett in sprint cars.”
Rex Hollinger
Confirmed as a teammate to Johnny Gilbertson in the #85, out of the Steele Performance Parts shop in Tampa. Known as the “Boneman”, he will run for Rookie of The Year in 2012, and will be bringing some of his own sponsorship to the #85, for full TBARA season. “This might be the first 50-year-old rookie,” according to Johnny Gilbertson. Hollinger competed in 3 TBARA races, and one IPSCA non-wing race, in 2011.
George Rudolph (Car Owner)
Owner of car # 68, driven by Troy DeCaire in 2011. I have learned that this car is being held as a backup for Troy DeCaire for the Speedweeks races, and the car’s status beyond Speedweeks is unknown at this time.
Possible Additions for Speedweeks, or Later in 2012:
Aileen Collins
Aileen’s plans are still being finalized, but she is a new potential driver for TBARA, and the Top Gun Series also. From an interview on January 23 – “I am working on putting a sprint car together, due to my open wheel modified just being out of date. Danny Martin Jr. has kindly taken me under his wing to teach me all he knows.” Aileen said she is thankful for her friendship with Danny, and also Dave Steele and Troy DeCaire. “I'm a single mom just trying to set an example for my daughter that women can be whatever we want!” Regarding those who say women should not be in racing, she had a message to deliver. “We sure do! I’ll be running in any and every race I can. I fund my own racing, so I'm working on some sponsorships as well as marketing.” Aileen had previously raced a modified, and could be found in competition at East Bay Raceway Park. Will she be willing to try asphalt racing after running her modified on the dirt? “I'm a dirt girl for sure, but if opportunity arises, I’d run asphalt as well! I did not plan to be at TBARA Speedweeks, but I never know where I am until the day before sometimes!”
Craig Skene
From an interview on January 24 – “Oh don't I wish (race in TBARA in 2012). I did do a couple of shows in March last year, one at New Smyrna and then a wingless show at Citrus. I had a great time and picked up a 7th in the A! Financially, I will wait until hopefully October this year when we will be over, and hopefully do a couple of shows. I sure do love that pavement stuff. We are running the wingless dirt car here at the moment and have our Australian title coming up on the 10th and 11th of February at Parramatta.”
Tanner Swanson
Status unknown. Has expressed interest in running TBARA Speedweeks races.
Will not be participating in TBARA in 2012 (or not yet signed):
Keith Butler
Will not be participating in TBARA in 2012. “Sorry to say, but due to staff problems and disagreements with rules, I will not run any TBARA races this year. I will run the Top Gun Series races this year. I will also run the Little 500 this year.”
Shane Butler
Will not be participating in TBARA in 2012. Katrina Butler: “Currently, we do not have the funding to run the 2012 TBARA season. At the moment, there are no intentions to do so.” As for the Little 500, Shane and Katrina Butler were still working on some leads and are still working on securing plans for the annual event at Anderson Speedway.
Mickey Kempgens
Has not secured a seat yet for 2012 TBARA competition. “I have no idea what car I'll be driving if any. I haven't heard from any car owners. I'll let you know as soon as I know something!”
Dave Steele
Has no plans for participating in TBARA in 2012, is currently in semi-retirement status. May possibly run partial season in Must See Racing (plans not yet finalized).
Donald Wilshe (Car Owner)
Car Owner for drivers: Jason Blonde and Kody Swanson
Will not be participating in 2012 TBARA Speedweeks events.
TBARA Development Series drivers:
In addition to Ty DeCaire, as listed above, Garrett Green is confirmed for this development series in 2012. The drivers in this series will get a chance to drive on the same tracks as the TBARA drivers, and will drive in an exhibition event on raceday. The organizers plan to finalize the rules prior to Speedweeks, and allow the new drivers (14 to 16 years old) to start in February. I spoke to Garrett recently, and this personable young man seemed excited for the opportunity to practice at the upcoming events on raceday. At the age of 13 (he turns 14 in August), he is not even old enough to legally drive on the street, but he is driving a sprint car. “Yeah, I know – it’s kind of weird. That’s what all my friends say,” Garrett remarked. His father, Garry Green, told me that Garrett already has between 400 and 500 practice laps completed.
The 2012 TBARA season is scheduled to start at New Smyrna Speedway on February 19 and 20, 2012. The Speedweeks schedule of events consists of those two races, plus a third feature scheduled for the 3/8 mile oval at Desoto Super Speedway on Saturday, February 25 (the night before the Daytona 500).
JUST ANNOUNCED:
I have learned that TBARA has just acquired a series title sponsor for 2012. Effective immediately, the series will be known as the “Safety-Kleen Systems TBARA Sprint Car Series”, according to Buff Fritz, TBARA President. “This is real beneficial for the club to align ourselves with a first-class organization like Safety-Kleen. They are known for their green products.” Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc. provides services such as collecting and recycling oil, and handling industrial waste. Drew Patey, Director of Motorsports at Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc., was instrumental in putting the deal together, which is a single year contract. “They are excited about coming on board as our primary series sponsor,” Buff told me.
TBARA 2012 SEASON PREVIEW, PART 1
The 2012 TBARA season is scheduled to start at New Smyrna Speedway on February 19 and 20, 2012. A 15-race schedule was recently announced, with three possible dates to be added later, for a total of 18 dates for 2012. This is a big increase after a 2011 season that saw only six races at four different tracks. The series will be returning to Punta Gorda Speedway and Citrus County Speedway in Florida, and Georgia’s Watermelon Capital Speedway. These tracks were not on the schedule in recent years. There will be two weekends of competition outside of Florida. The first is the trip in June to Watermelon Capital Speedway in Cordele, GA. In July, a return to Alabama’s Mobile International Speedway is part of the weekend with Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola.
I recently spoke to newly re-elected TBARA President Buff Fritz, and he told me “I’m excited to get back down to Punta Gorda in Charlotte County. We haven’t been there in seven years. We’re excited to be back at Cordele. We’re excited to have all our guys in Central Florida back – Inverness in Citrus County and New Smyrna. You know, the people who’d gone away, they’re all back on.” Buff also expressed hope for additional races at New Smyrna Speedway, and added events at Orlando Speedworld, and Lake City Speedway. He also talked about the addition of the Georgia event in Cordele, and said “it’s a great facility and fabulous people. It’s right out in the middle of a big ‘ole watermelon patch, and the people treat you right. It’s genuine southern hospitality. They love to have sprint cars there, and we’re really excited to be back.”
I asked about the dramatic turnaround in the 2012 schedule, tentatively showing 15 races, which is more than twice the number of races run in 2011. I asked Buff to tell me how this happened, and how much of this turnaround for TBARA was due to his hard work? “It’s not about me. Buff Fritz went out and worked hard, but it’s a club effort. I’m a team player. We bring 40 years to the table, we bring the best sprint car racing in the southeast to the table. TBARA goes forward, and if I happen to be driving the bus, then we’ve all gone forward together.” Buff also recognized other new TBARA officers, including Joshua Wichers as Secretary, Gene Paul as Treasurer, and John Gilbert, Jr. as Vice President. Gene Paul is a retired TBARA driver, and competed during the era when TBARA ran both dirt and pavement events.
2012 TBARA Drivers
Pavement sprint car racing in Florida saw a troubled year in 2011. The year saw the demise of the USAC Southeast Sprint Car Series, and an initial TBARA schedule with only three races, and a limited number of non-wing pavement events in the state. With a newly expanded schedule, and announcement of a TBARA driver development program, the series seems to have accomplished a dramatic turnaround for 2012. “I think we got it out of the nosedive, and pulled back on the stick, and the bleeding has stopped. Now, it’s just the matter of putting on a good race, having a great car count, and putting a show on where the promoters feel that they are getting their value. Then everything else will fall in place,” Buff Fritz said, showing his enthusiasm for the new season.
Buff Fritz
We also discussed the apparent demise of non-wing pavement sprint car racing in Florida (at this time, there are no races at any Florida tracks). The “Independents”, as they were known in 2011, had not made plans to resume racing in 2012, and Citrus County Speedway had not gone forward with plans to race non-wing sprint cars there. Buff remarked that “to my knowledge, we are the only game left in town. We are the big show, and we have been for 40 years. We bring the drivers and the quality of racing, and people see the value and the quality of racing that we bring to the table. Through the winter, we have had some correspondence with people who are interested in coming to Florida for SpeedWeeks. I’ve had some contact with people in New York, and Pennsylvania.” Fritz also stated that he anticipated some Must See Racing competitors would come to Florida to run the TBARA SpeedWeeks events, in February.
L Terry DeCaire and R Troy DeCaire
Car owner Terry DeCaire, and TBARA President Buff Fritz, have announced a new TBARA sponsored development series, designed to develop new sprint car drivers in Florida. The eligible drivers, from age 14 and up, will learn how to race full size sprint cars without competing with the established drivers (who are at least 16 years old). This program is supported and sponsored by TBARA, and all cars will be required to meet TBARA competition rules. All cars will have throttle stops in place, with a maximum of 1/2 throttle response. These new drivers will be able to get on the track once or twice at each TBARA event. The first two drivers that have signed up for this new series are Garrett Green and Ty DeCaire. Testing for these two drivers will begin in the next few weeks.
In my conversation with Terry DeCaire, grandfather of Ty DeCaire, he stated “I’m calling it the ‘Sprint Car Development Program’. I decided to start something for new drivers from 14 years old and up, even if they have never driven a sprint car. You will get seat time, but you will not race. They will go out twice (10-lap exhibition), once early in the day, and once at intermission. We’ve got to find new people for the sport. The practice for these drivers will be at Auburndale and Inverness (Citrus County Speedway). These tracks are working with us.” The program was special to Terry DeCaire, as his grandson Ty is 14 years old, and “it will help him,” according to Terry. “I will use a car that Troy used to drive. I’ve got two cars out here. This will bring more cars into TBARA.” There was no intention for the exhibition events to be competition, and they will not be awarding trophies, as the emphasis was for young drivers to get on track and get seat time. Competition for these drivers would come later, in TBARA or other series.
Dave Steele, a former TBARA champion in 2005 and 2009, told me that his driving status was now “semi-retired, hit and miss, here and there. I’ve kind of been semi-retired for the past couple of years, anyway.” I asked about plans for 2012, and he responded “it’s hard to say, we have to look at our schedule and see. Nothing is for sure yet.” With the Lenny Puglio cars being committed to Troy DeCaire for TBARA and Must See Racing events, I asked if he might run some TBARA or Must See Racing events for another car owner? “We might do a couple of Must See shows for a guy out of Michigan.” Would he want to be a car owner, and run his car as an owner/driver? “No. Too much expense in that.” So the days of running the full USAC, TBARA, or Must See Racing schedules are gone? “Yeah, that’s long gone,” Steele said, as a smile crossed his face. He almost seemed relieved to be able to focus his attention on his business in Tampa, and even announced a partnership with Lou and Collin Cabre for a new “Steele Performance Development Program”. The program would begin with Collin as the first enrolled driver.
Car owner Lou Cabre said that his son would benefit from Dave Steele’s vast experience, and that he believed it was “a win-win situation and Collin is really excited about it. It’s something that Dave wants to do, and Dave will come up north and do some races with us in the Midwest.” Lou told me that this was a program that he had proposed to Dave many months ago, and that he felt it was something that would enhance his business. “We started talking about it, and he would like to have Collin start this program off for him. There’s a lot of guys that have made their mark in different sports, and in the sprint car world, it’s Dave Steele’s deal,” according to Lou Cabre. Dave Steele and current TBARA champion Johnny Gilbertson designed the program to take a young up-start driver, and help them with set ups, testing, and developing their sprint car driving skills.
“TEAM FLORIDA” CONFIRMED FOR MUST SEE RACING AND TBARA IN 2012
The 2012 Tampa Bay Area Racing Association (TBARA) season schedule has been released. This schedule is tentative, subject to change. There are 3 potential dates to be added, which will increase the current 15 race schedule to a potential 18 race schedule (see below):
2012 Tentative TBARA Schedule (Subject to Change)
February 19 New Smyrna Speedway, New Smyrna Beach, FL
February 20 New Smyrna Speedway, New Smyrna Beach, FL
February 25 Desoto Super Speedway, Bradenton, FL
March 24 Punta Gorda Speedway, Punta Gorda, FL
April 14 Desoto Super Speedway, Bradenton, FL
May 5 Citrus County Speedway, Inverness, FL
May 19 Desoto Super Speedway, Bradenton, FL
June 2 Watermelon Capital Speedway, Cordele, GA
June 16 Desoto Super Speedway, Bradenton, FL
July 13 Five Flags Speedway, Pensacola, FL
July 14 Mobile International Speedway, Irvington, AL
September 8 Punta Gorda Speedway, Punta Gorda, FL
October 6 Citrus County Speedway, Inverness, FL
October 27 Desoto Super Speedway, Bradenton, FL
November 3 Punta Gorda Speedway, Punta Gorda, FL
Troy DeCaire
“Team Florida”, which is a sprint car team with owner Lenny Puglio, driver Troy DeCaire, and car # 91 and #14, was confirmed to me on Saturday by Lenny Puglio. This team is a reboot of the team that competed in TBARA in 2011, with Dave Steele at the wheel, and had a 2011 TBARA feature win in July. The team will compete in the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series (MSRXSS), and also TBARA during 2012. Since Dave Steele will no longer drive the #91 sprint car, I asked him if this meant that he was retired. Dave Steele confirmed to me that he was semi-retired, but not completely retired from his driving duties. He would still possibly compete in some MSRXSS events in 2012, but for another unnamed car owner. His desire was to spend more time building his business, Steele Performance Parts, in Tampa, Florida.
L Buff Fritz and R Lenny Puglio
I asked car owner Lenny Puglio if he was confirming this as a full-season ride for Troy DeCaire, defending 2010 & 2011 MSRXSS champion? “We plan to run a limited Must See Racing schedule, if not a full schedule, and Troy will be driving either the number 91 or the number 14 car, which belong to me,” Lenny told me. Not a full schedule yet, I asked? “It will probably be pretty close to full season, we are just waiting on a couple things to get straightened out. We are waiting on the sponsor money to be finalized. I will probably know in the next 30 to 45 days.” Lenny Puglio confirmed that he would know prior to the MSRXSS season opener (45 days at most), if the sponsor money was sufficient to run a full season. Until then, Troy would be entered in his car for SpeedWeeks (3 TBARA events), and then move on to Pensacola and Mobile in April for the first two MSRXSS events, and the Little 500 in May. “If everything works out, we’ll commute by airplane and run the Must See races in Michigan and New York. I’ve been to a few races,” he said. Puglio has no plans to run dirt races, as his cars are for pavement only.
Lenny Puglio 91 car
Regarding the possibility of entering a car for another driver in Must See events, Puglio said that the number 91 and 14 cars were planned as the primary and backup car for DeCaire. “He could be driving the 14 one race, and he could be driving the 91 in another race,” Puglio said, relating that this decision was made after Dave Steele’s move into semi-retirement. “Believe me – with Dave Steele – if anybody can even get near what he did for me, it would be an accomplishment. Dave Steele is probably the best pavement driver to ever sit in an open wheel car. We won close to 80 feature races in six years, and that’s a pretty good record.” Could there be any second driver for 2012? “If I did hire a second driver, I would probably first go talk to Dave.” How about Tanner Swanson, I asked? “I’ve met Tanner a couple of times, and I know his brother Kody real well.” Even with Dave Steele moving into semi-retirement, Puglio wanted to keep the opportunity open for Steele to race again in 2012. “If Dave called me up, and said he’d like to run a couple of races, I would put Dave back in one of my cars. There’s no doubt about it.”
Would he call this newly formed team a “Florida Superteam”, or potential Florida Superteam? “I don’t know how you could get a team that was better than what I had with Dave Steele, and Todd and Russ (crew members). Nobody’s done what we did in the club. We broke all the records in the club – we did it all. If I never run another sprint car race, I’ve got nothing to be ashamed of. I spent a lot of money, but I won races. I don’t know if there will ever be anything as good as what we had,” according to Puglio. So in your opinion, that was the Florida Superteam that included Dave Steele as the driver? “Absolutely.” Is the new team, with Troy DeCaire driving, a “potential Florida Superteam?” “We’ll see. He has some big shoes to fill. Whether he can fill them, or not, remains to be seen. We’ll try and do the best we can for him,” promised Puglio.
The current sponsor relationships for the team are as follows – primary sponsorship from Northside Propane and Job Site Concrete. “I’m working on a Chevrolet dealership at the present time, a big Chevy dealer,” for additional sponsor dollars, according to Puglio. This Chevrolet dealer appeared to be the last piece of the sponsor puzzle to come together, and then allow a commitment to a full MSRXSS season for Troy DeCaire and Lenny Puglio.
With the recent full season ride announced for Kody Swanson, the 2012 MSRXSS season appears to be attracting the best pavement sprint car drivers in the nation. Could we see Kody and Tanner Swanson, and Troy DeCaire and Dave Steele, all competing in select events in 2012 season? Right now, this lineup looks possible, and the addition of other talented pavement drivers seems to be a certainty. If other pavement sprint car series are struggling, this is certainly not the situation for Jim Hanks and the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series. From adding races, to adding sponsors, and now additional driver deals finalized, everything is looking full speed ahead – or maybe we can say it looks “Xtreme.”
TANNER SWANSON – NEW MUST SEE RACING XTREME DRIVER?
Facebook – the racing journalist’s “new best friend?” I am starting to think that this statement could be true. This story starts at the PRI Trade Show in Orlando, FL on December 1, 2011. While standing at the USAC booth on the vast Orange County Convention Center floor, I turned to my left and saw that Tanner Swanson was standing next to me. “Hi, Tanner – how’s it going,” I asked? I noticed that his brother Kody was standing next to us, and I greeted him also. I made some small talk, asking about Kody’s recovery from a fractured skull, suffered at the Hut Hundred midget race at Indiana’s Tri-State Speedway in May 2011. I expressed my concern, when it was first announced that one of the small fractures was near the base of his skull. Kody related to me that he was now fully recovered from this injury in the spring. He had even won his first race back after recovering from his injuries, in the USAC Silver Crown race at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis in July.
Tanner and Kody Swanson had recently finished in first and second at the USAC Western Classic Sprint race at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale, CA. The race was part of the 71st “Turkey Night Grand Prix” activities. While interviewing the Swanson duo later in the USAC booth, I asked about the expertise that they had shown in pavement sprint car racing, winning numerous USAC pavement events. With the recent demise of the USAC Pavement Sprint Car series, it seemed that the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series (MSRXSS) might be just the series for the Swanson boys. With the recently announced schedule, the MSRXSS was moving outside of their traditional Midwest base, scheduling a “Deep South” weekend in April (Pensacola, FL, and Mobile, AL). Several dates in New York were also added, in the summer of 2012. I questioned Jim Hanks, MSRXSS founder, about any intention to take the series nationwide. There were no plans to try to schedule races nationwide, but he was satisfied with the current schedule, and breaking out of the “Midwest regional” mold.
“So, Tanner and Kody – let me ask you this question. Would you possibly be interested in running some MSRXSS events – seeing how you often end up in the Winner’s Circle for pavement sprint races,” I asked? With the addition of a Florida event, scheduled for April 13, 2012 at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, this could be a rare chance for Florida fans to see one or more of the Swanson brothers in competition. USAC only competes on dirt in Florida currently, and only recently added a Florida stop for their sprint car series. The series also has drawn attention from Florida fans, as a result of Floridian Troy DeCaire winning the MSRXSS championship in 2010 and 2011. Young Florida standout Collin Cabre will also run his first full season with MSRXSS in 2012.
If the Swansons expressed some interest in competing in the series, I knew that I would recommend that they head a short distance down the aisle to the booth where Jim Hanks was seated. I knew that Hanks would probably still be at his seat in the booth, as I had just completed interviewing him there. “So – any interest in competing in MSRXSS,” I asked? It’s a possibility, I was told. Tanner stated that he would be back at Team 6R Racing for the full USAC Silver Crown series next year. He was slated for this team, with his brother and Brian Tyler as teammates, in Silver Crown in 2012. “Beyond Silver Crown, I’m not sure yet, it kind of depends. I’m still trying to talk to Don Fike, and work out something to run for him next season (in midgets). I just ran the pavement for him this season, so we’ll build upon that,” Tanner told me. For Kody Swanson, “I’ll run some local dirt sprint car races (in addition to the full Silver Crown season), and hopefully get involved with the USAC National Sprint car series. I’ll try to stay active, and stay sharp, and keep getting better,” Kody told me. For his ultimate goal, Kody wanted to race in NASCAR. “NASCAR is definitely the direction that I want to go,” he said.
We spoke about the possible demise of the USAC Pavement Sprint Car Series, and that we both felt pessimistic about the survival of the series. The series had suffered with a 2011 schedule “where every race was a month apart, and there were a lot of mistakes that were made,” according to Tanner. “Some races were cancelled due to inclement weather, or even a day before, there was a threat of bad weather, and a race got cancelled.” Could Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis take this up, and run non-wing pavement sprint cars as a weekly or monthly series? Could it be a new “Thursday Night Thunder”? “I think it’s a legitimate possibility. I think there’s a way to do that, and keep pavement sprint cars active in the Midwest,” Tanner said.
After concluding the interview, I encouraged the Swanson brothers to talk to Jim Hanks, knowing that the MSRXSS competition level would get a good jolt with the addition of this pavement dominating duo. Shortly thereafter, I spotted both Kody and Tanner talking to Jim Hanks, and stopped to take a picture of the trio as they talked. I did not know if the talks had encouraged either Kody or Tanner to seek out a ride for the series in 2012. Then, I spotted a post by Tanner on his Facebook page today (Thursday). It read “Anyone know of a Pavement Winged Sprint car team that needs a driver to run some Must See Xtreme Sprint races?” I wondered if I was the guilty party that asked them about getting into some MSRXSS races, and then told them to get over to the MSRXSS booth, and had started the whole process rolling? I wrote a quick note to a friend that read “Now that would be cool to see Tanner at Five Flags in a few months. Maybe?!”
I was glad that I had joined Facebook in 2011, as it was the news source for me for so much racing news and information in 2011. This included Swanson family updates on Kody’s condition after his serious injury in May, to the question posed by Tanner today, revealing his desire to explore the series emerging as the new dominant player in winged pavement sprint car racing in America.
2011 Year End Wrap-Up and 2012 SpeedWeeks Schedules
Will Dave Steele’s desire to build his business, Steele Performance Parts in Tampa, (and also making the transition to business owner) mean a retirement, or semi-retirement from driving duties? Steele did compete in TBARA events in 2011, but he skipped the Must See Racing series, where he did not compete. A reliable source has told me that this may open the door for Lenny Puglio, a longtime TBARA car owner for Dave Steele, to form a new team for the Must See Racing series, with Troy DeCaire as the driver. Could this car also see Steele Performance Parts as a sponsor, and help get Steele’s business name more recognition in the Midwest? At this time, Troy has not announced a deal for a Must See Racing seat for 2012, so he is still apparently unsigned.
After punishing the competition with 8 wins in the all-dirt Top Gun Sprint Car series, and another 8 wins in the Volusia Speedway Sprints, was there anything left to prove for Danny Martin Jr.? “I don’t have anything else to prove in Florida,” Danny remarked. Danny told me that he does want to run a full season next year in the Top Gun series, and does want to start his year at the East Bay Raceway Park Winternationals. If he did not feel the pressure to perform on track, it could be because he was busy enjoying a new off-track pursuit. “I just bought an airboat,” he said. “Being let go from the 24 car left a bad taste in my mouth,” Danny told me, adding that he wanted to race, but wanted to get a better return for himself monetarily.
The talk at the track goes like this: “Danny is a real nice guy in the real world – until he puts his driver suit on.” What led to this perception? Why do some think that Danny is a different person at the track? When interviewing Danny, and observing him at the track, I thought I saw this intense “steely eyed gaze”. He was always modest and polite. Danny acknowledged that some people may think that he is aloof at the track, until they speak to him. “I’m often deep in thought at the track. I want to thank all my fans for their support, and I want to thank the people who talked to me at the track. I take racing very seriously. It’s a job, and whatever you’re doing, you need to do your best.”
In his last year in USCS, Danny won more races than anyone in the series. His Florida hot streak actually started in 2010, when he won 12 of 15 Top Gun Series races entered. The late start that year meant he wound up 4th in points in 2010. That year also brought “a lot of rumors and a lot of crybabies,” according to Danny. “It’s just jealousy. It bothered me at first. I wanted to prove to everyone that I could build a motor that would run up front and win races.” After a protest, one of his motors was torn down. No rules infractions were found. The continued domination on dirt in 2011 earned him the championship. For 2012, Danny intends to drive the Terry Witherspoon owned #43 car at the East Bay Winternationals, and may race for this team in the Top Gun Sprint series also. “The 43 is an older car, and it needs to be updated a little,” Danny said. “The motor may be a little better. The car is older – it’s a 2007. The 24 car (that he drove this year) was a 2009 model.”
The father and son team of Lou and Collin Cabre are making the move to Indiana in 2012 for Collin’s first year of Must See Racing Xtreme sprint car competition. I spoke to Lou yesterday, and he revealed some more details of the equipment and sponsorship for their 2012 season. “Aaron Pierce had been talking to us, and he asked – have you ever thought about running with us? He called the other day and said - what’s your plans? Long story short – we will run the second Sam Pierce Chevrolet team car, as Aaron’s teammate, in the Little 500,” according to Lou. “We will also run, under his umbrella, in the Must See Racing series in our car, with Sam Pierce Chevrolet and Greenstar Development sponsorship.” The deal allows the Cabre family to use the Sam Pierce Chevrolet race team’s shop while in Indiana. Besides the Beast chassis that the Pierce race team will provide to Collin in the Little 500, it means that Aaron Pierce will be able to mentor Collin, and offer guidance through his first year in the Must See Racing series. Lou related to me that Aaron had said “I want to give you a break, and help you as much as I can. Collin’s a good kid, and I’d like to help him.”
2012 Equipment – Terry DeCaire and Lou Cabre’s recent swap involved the #12 Cabre asphalt car for DeCaire’s black #41 car, which will become the black #12 for Collin in Must See Racing, and some TBARA series races. A blue & white Shaw chassis, owned by Cabre, will become a black dirt car with Sam Pierce Chevrolet sponsorship, which may make its debut with the new sponsorship in the East Bay Raceway Park Winternationals, as long as a 360 engine is obtained.
For those considering a trip to Florida for a mid-winter dose of sprint car racing, I have two schedules to recommend. One schedule I will call the “Short SpeedWeeks Trip”, and the other will be called a more ambitious “Ultimate SpeedWeeks Vacation”.
Short SpeedWeeks Trip
Friday, Feb. 17 – WoO Sprint Cars (Night), Volusia Speedway Park – Barberville, FL
Saturday, Feb. 18 – ARCA Racing Series (Day) & Budweiser Shootout - NASCAR Sprint Cup (Night), Daytona Int’l Speedway
Sunday, Feb. 19 – TBARA Sprint Cars (Day), New Smyrna Speedway, or WoO Sprint Cars (Night), Volusia Speedway Park -Barberville, FLMonday, Feb. 20 – TBARA Sprint Cars, New Smyrna Speedway
Ultimate SpeedWeeks Vacation
Friday, Feb. 17 – WoO Sprint Cars (Night), Volusia Speedway Park – Barberville, FL
Saturday, Feb. 18 – ARCA Racing Series (Day) & Budweiser Shootout - NASCAR Sprint Cup (Night), Daytona Int’l Speedway
Sunday, Feb. 19 – TBARA Sprint Cars (Day), New Smyrna Speedway, or WoO Sprint Cars (Night), Volusia Speedway Park -Barberville, FLMonday, Feb. 20 – TBARA Sprint Cars, New Smyrna Speedway
Tuesday, Feb. 21 – Off Day (Beach Day!)
Wednesday, Feb. 22 – Modifieds and Super Late Models, New Smyrna Speedway
Thursday, Feb. 23 – Twin 150 Qualifying Races, NASCAR Sprint Cup (Day), Daytona Int’l Speedway, or All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars (Night), Bubba Raceway Park, Ocala
Friday, Feb. 24 – 360 Sprint Car Winternationals (Night), East Bay Raceway Park, Gibsonton
Saturday, Feb. 25 – NASCAR Nationwide Series (Day), Daytona Int’l Speedway, or All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Cars (Night), Bubba Raceway Park, Ocala, or 360 Sprint Car Winternationals (Night), East Bay Raceway Park, Gibsonton
Sunday, Feb 26 – Daytona 500 (Day), NASCAR Sprint Cup, Daytona Int’l Speedway
NOTE: This longer vacation can be extended out even further, for those who want to include the USAC National Sprint Car series (Feb. 9-11 at Bubba Raceway Park), and another 2 nights of All Star Circuit of Champions races at Volusia Speedway Park (Wed. & Thurs. Feb 15-16).
TOP 5 BIGGEST STORIES OF THE YEAR IN FLORIDA SPRINT CAR RACING
By Richard Golardi
As 2011 draws to a close, I wanted to take a look back at the year in racing in Florida (sprint car racing, of course). The trials and tribulations from the first half of the year, which saw turmoil on both dirt and pavement in Florida, lead to a latter half of the year with more races, and more hope for the future. Here are my “Top 5” stories of the year in Florida sprint car racing, and my choices for Florida Driver of The Year, and Florida Track of the Year.
1) Danny’s Dirt Dominance
For his dominance on dirt in 2011, Danny Martin Jr. earned three driver championships, and won an amazing 16 of 18 races entered, for a .889 winning percentage. He raced to championships in the Top Gun Sprint Car Series, the Top Gun Sprint Cars BRP Series (Bubba Raceway Park), and Volusia Speedway Sprints. He also faced down charges of cheating from other competitors (his motor was torn down, and no infractions were found), and in October, lost his seat in the car that he had driven to dominance for most of the year. I asked Danny how he was able to win so frequently. How did he do it? Danny credited his prior years of driving sprint cars in USCS, and also the ASCS Rebel Series, with helping him learn to run different tracks. “Being able to figure out where the car is working is the key,” he told me. When talking about positioning his car on the track, he said “it’s almost like a chess game to me. It’s like chess – you plan your next move, and then you execute it.” He also credited his success to keeping physically fit, including a boxing workout of “one solid hour of pushups and hitting the bag and the obstacle course.”2) DeCaire Wings His Way to Another Championship
For Florida sprint car driver Troy DeCaire to win his second consecutive Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series (MSRXSS) championship, it required a herculean effort on his part. After racing for 3 different car owners during the season, including a win in a car built in 1992, he found himself at the season finale at Bristol Motor Speedway with a slim lead of only a few points. After an engine failure early in the day, his crew scrambled to find a replacement motor and get him on the track for his heat race. Starting 7th in his heat, he was in the lead by the 3rd lap, and held the lead until the final lap of the heat race. In his usual modest manner, he gave his crew the credit. “I’ve got the easy part - these guys deserve all the credit. I’m very blessed and honored to be a part of this team this weekend,” DeCaire said, referring to his Davey Hamilton Racing entry. Starting 20th in the feature, DeCaire passed his competitors on the inside and the outside, eventually finishing 2nd with a pass just a hundred feet from the finish line on the final lap. In the comeback story of the year, DeCaire had earned his MSRXSS driver title with a display of driving skill and finesse.3) Pavement Paves a Trail to a Comeback
For pavement sprint car racing in Florida, where the TBARA usually dominates the headlines, a healthy full schedule of racing during the year is a necessity for survival. When the initial 2011 TBARA schedule was released, there were 3 confirmed races. Would this mark the beginning of the end for the TBARA, a series that had survived for 39 years? Would there be any other series to step up and stage pavement races in Florida? Early in the year, the “Independents” (as they came to be known) started a breakaway series of non-wing events, running once at Punta Gorda, and then at Citrus County Speedway. TBARA subsequently announced a series of monthly events at Desoto Super Speedway, from July to November. Three of these races were run, padding out the schedule for the year’s second half. For 2012, a reliable source has told me that TBARA has 14 “solid dates”, on their soon to be announced 2012 schedule. Also, the Must See Racing series released a tentative schedule, showing a first time visit to Florida. The April date is set for Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola.4) Bubba Buys Ocala Speedway, and Changes Things in Ocala
Controversial Tampa radio talk show host Bubba Clem, along with co-owner Tom Bean, purchased Ocala Speedway in April, and swiftly renamed it Bubba Raceway Park. Known as “Bubba the Love Sponge”, he was quick to make promises to competitors and fans to improve the quality and frequency of racing at his track. For the most part, he has delivered on his promises. One initial project involved adding dirt to the upper part of the banked turns, to change the banks to a progressive banking design. A permanent concrete wall for the outside of the turns has not yet been installed, which resulted in heavier vehicles taking down parts of the makeshift steel barriers after colliding with the outside wall. With the initial Top Gun Sprint Series schedule only showing one visit to Ocala in the later part of the year, the track eventually held five Top Gun Series events from September to November, both with and without wings. The steady pace of sprint car races was well received, and seemed likely to continue next year. Recent press releases revealed another frenetic period of racing in February, with visits by the USAC sprint cars and winged cars from the All Star Circuit of Champions. Also announced was “free barbecue and free beer every Friday night for drivers and crew members,” which was sure to turn Friday night into party night.5) Collin Cabre Emerges As A Winner
After his first round of sprint car races in Florida in 2010, then 16 year old Collin Cabre had whet his appetite for more racing, and went after his new profession with abandon in 2011. Before turning 18 years old in October, he had already won 2 sprint car feature events, one each in Florida and Indiana. The Indiana win came at New Paris Speedway, in a Hoosier Outlaw Sprint Series (HOSS) race. This win served notice that the Florida teenager had arrived, and would eventually return to the Midwest short tracks that had launched the careers of so many first-tier drivers. With his father Lou serving as his mentor and car owner, the next step will be to make the move to Indiana after graduation from high school in 2012. The transition from student to full-time sprint car driver will see Collin compete full time in the Must See Racing Xtreme sprint cars in 2012. After moving so quickly from beginner to winner, the transition for the young racer should be easy, and result in several more trips to victory circle in the near future.
Honorable Mention Stories for 2011 –
Johnny Gilbertson Earns First Time TBARA Championship
Straight out of the Steele Performance Parts shop in Tampa (where he works as a manager), Johnny parlayed a dominant weekend of “out of town” racing with the Tampa Bay Area Racing Association into a 2011 driver championship. Johnny told me that his highlight of the year was winning in Pensacola, and finishing second the next night in Mobile, to finish his most solid weekend of racing this year. The lowest point of his year was “the way we struggled at Desoto,” he told me. “I thought we had a good car, but then we had some mechanical issues.” What about next year? “If sponsorship comes together, then we will run a full TBARA schedule. If not, then I will pick and choose some dirt and pavement races, if sponsorship doesn’t work out.” He also told me of plans to possibly run a Rocky Sullivan and Stephanie Fincher owned dirt sprint car for some Florida dirt races.
USAC Southeast Sprint Car Series Never Turns a Wheel
After the Central Florida Wingless Sprint Car Association ran as the dominant non-wing pavement series in Florida, the series owners planned to re-introduce the series in 2011, with new USAC sanctioning. Dubbed the USAC Southeast Sprint Car Series, a robust 2011 schedule was anticipated, to see racing across the state. Trouble began early in the year, followed by a cancellation of the first race. The series never turned a wheel during the entire year.IPSCA Takes Off the Wings & Goes Racing
In the wake of the demise of the USAC Southeast Sprint Care Series, a new series was formed, and raced at Punta Gorda and Citrus County Speedway. IPSCA, the Independent Pavement Sprint Car Alliance, raced without wings up until September, and then quietly went away. But, the demise of the series was planned. The intention was for Citrus County Speedway to launch their own monthly non-wing sprint series in 2012, sanctioned by the speedway.Monthly Sprint Series at Volusia Speedway Park
Under promoter Ken Sands, the Top Gun Series events initially scheduled for Volusia Speedway Park were dropped, and a series of monthly sprint car racing was scheduled, without sanctioning. The “Volusia Sprint Cars” was born. The monthly racing started in April, continued until October, and then abruptly ended.Ocala Speedway Hosts USAC National Sprint Car Series for the First Time
The speedway, prior to the April name change, hosted the USAC sprint cars in February. The USAC series had returned to Florida, after a prolonged absence from the Sunshine State, in 2010. After the 2010 appearance at East Bay Raceway Park, near Tampa, the event was moved to Ocala for 2011. The change brought the event closer to Daytona and its SpeedWeeks crowds, and was considered successful.
2011 Florida Sprint Car Driver of the Year –
Danny Martin Jr.
Danny dominated dirt sprint car racing in Florida, and showed his maturity when he lost his ride near the end of the season. With the Top Gun Sprint Car Series championship in sight, he won his next race out in a new car. He could methodically pick off competitors on the track, while off the track he could deftly juggle the demands of work, family, and his studies with equal skill. Winning 16 of 18 races entered, and 3 driver titles, has made Danny Martin Jr. the obvious choice for my 2011 Florida Sprint Car Driver of the Year.
2011 Florida Sprint Car Track of the Year –
Bubba Raceway Park, Ocala
From the first time visit by USAC’s National Sprint Car Series in February, to the Top Gun Series events staged from September to November, Bubba’s was the place to race for sprint cars. A close competitor for the title was Volusia Speedway Park, which ran a series of races up until October under their own management. But, the track with the steadiest progress, from adding races, to modifying the track layout with progressive banking, was Bubba Raceway Park. During the 2012 February Speedweeks, Bubba’s place will see the return of USAC’s sprint cars, and a 3-day run with the All Star Circuit of Champions leading up to the night before the Daytona 500. I had previously advocated for a Florida track to stage an event on the night of February 25, 2012, as a “Florida Night Before the 500”, with a major national sanctioning body. Bubba Raceway Park is the first to try to draw the Daytona racing crowd with a major national series on this night, but I have not yet seen them use the “Night Before the 500” moniker.
MUST SEE RACING XTREME SPRINT SERIES IS COMING TO FLORIDA
I recently met with Jim Hanks, founder and owner of the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series (MSRXSS), at the PRI Trade Show in Orlando, FL. With a clean shaved head, and wearing a shirt with the series logo, Hanks spoke about the series that he has guided over the past three seasons, and its direction in the future. The MSRXSS has raced with winged sprint cars on pavement tracks in the Midwest, filling a gap left when other major sprint car series decided to race exclusively on dirt. The only event run without wings was the Little 500, an event traditionally run at Anderson Speedway without wings. The series ventured outside of the Midwest for the first time in October this year, with a race on the high banks of Bristol Motor Speedway. On race day, the cold temperatures were blamed for the disappointing crowd of about 1,000 in the stands, making the future of the Bristol race uncertain. Would the series be dissuaded from expanding beyond its traditional Midwest base? Could a Florida event be possible, either during SpeedWeeks, or during spring break? Could other states be added to the race schedule for 2012, beyond the Midwest? I wanted the answers to all these questions.
The MSRXSS has brought excitement to the sprint car fans in Florida for the past two seasons, as a result of the success of Floridian Troy DeCaire. DeCaire has won the drivers championship for the past two seasons. This included an epic struggle this year at Bristol that started with losing an engine, and ended with a feature that saw him knife through the field to finish second. DeCaire showed his talent (in a Davey Hamilton Racing sprint car) by using the middle groove, a groove that others drivers seemed to ignore. Could this impressive showing earn him a full time ride in a Davey Hamilton owned car for 2012? “That’s kind of up in the air. Davey Hamilton looks like they are going to go to a two-car team, and it looks like they will possibly bring me on board, for the full Must See deal,” DeCaire told me earlier this year. But, would DeCaire’s success, and the increased interest among the fans in Florida, be enough to bring the series to Florida next year?
“Now, keep in mind, this is preliminary, but if we say it, usually it’s pretty serious. We are considering coming to your state, in the first part of April 2012, and having an event at Five Flags Speedway (Pensacola),” Jim Hanks revealed to me. “It might be a two day event, bringing the Must See Racing 410 sprints to Florida.” Why was this speedway chosen, I asked? “We are expanding a little, we don’t want to have a whole lot more races, but we want to add quality races. We want to have marquee type events,” Hanks said. Any other additions for 2012, I asked? “We are going to be going up into New York this year, to Oswego Speedway, for a couple of stops. In fact, you’re the first guy I’ve said this to.” Hanks explained that some corporate sponsors wanted to see the series race in the New York area. “We are talking to Five Flags, we are talking to Mobile (Mobile International Speedway in Alabama), and they are great race tracks and a great part of the country to race.” The series had not yet released a 2012 race schedule, and Hanks admitted that the contracts had not yet been signed for these tracks to be added to the schedule. “It’s progressed along enough, conversation-wise, it looks like there’s a good chance it could happen. We would make it a two or three day event, race at Five Flags, and then race at Mobile on the next day. We think it would be a really entertaining event for the fans down here.” Could Must See Racing be a part of the traditional February SpeedWeeks in the future? Hanks told me that the 2012 schedule was “almost finished”, but “we are definitely not a part of SpeedWeeks.”
Recent press releases showed evidence of strong sponsor support for the series in 2012. Was this influx of sponsor dollars what drove the series to seek expansion next year, and make the trip to Florida and the deep south in 2012? Hanks mentioned the TV package, and said that is where a lot of the support comes from. He said that it allows a bigger purse, and attracts better race teams, and causes bigger car counts. There was obvious care taken with the TV package for the series, to not “over eye-candy it, and to not over-commercialize it,” according to Hanks. The package for 2012 was about the same as 2011, on both cable and satellite TV. “We’ve not lost any of our distributors, and we’ve continued to add them,” Hanks said. The series also might be seen on NBC Sports Network (now know as Versus) in 2012, but these would all be tape-delayed broadcasts. Red flags and possible long rain delays, that could turn a live broadcast into a TV scheduler’s nightmare, made the tape-delayed broadcast the best choice.
Hanks and I spoke about the disappointment of the small crowd that showed up for the first event at Bristol Motor Speedway in October. I asked him if the series intended to go back, and if anything could be done different to put more people in the stands for a return trip to Bristol? Hanks told me that he could not say if Bristol would be back on the schedule for 2012. “We love it there, and that is a magnificent facility. All the teams liked it. And, the track likes us. In all honesty, I told them we don’t want to come back unless we put fans in the stands. The way to do that would be to be a part of one of their major weeks of racing. That’s a decision that is theirs to make.” It seemed that the parties were talking, and Jim Hanks characterized the talks as very positive, but he would not make a prediction regarding the return to Bristol. “It was still a great success for Bristol, even though there was no one in the stands, the infield was packed. Their opinion was that was the most exciting racing they had ever seen.” Race day at Bristol saw a 25 degree drop in temperature, as compared to the previous day, and this was partly to blame for the poor attendance. “Certainly we’re disappointed,” he said.
If the attendance at Bristol was the biggest disappointment, then the biggest success of the day was the exciting feature race event, which saw Troy DeCaire as the star of a classic comeback story. After an early engine failure, Troy would start near the back in the feature, but would need to pass almost the entire field to earn enough points to gain the drivers championship. As the green flag fell, DeCaire picked off the other cars with steady ferocity, using the middle groove that others seemed to fear. Finishing second, he accomplished the goal that seemed all but lost earlier in the day. He was the 2011 Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series champion. Jim Hanks was quick to praise DeCaire, and the skill he showed during the 2010 and 2011 seasons (DeCaire made the move to Indiana in 2010, to be closer to the epicenter of open wheel racing). “Troy did a great job this year. You know, he wound up racing for three different race teams. He had some mechanical issues. I can tell you this – the guy is one great race car driver.” I mentioned that the series was fortunate to have Troy coming back in 2012 to defend his title. “We feel very fortunate for all our guys,” Hanks said proudly.
The series certainly had a great deal to be proud of, with steady growth during a time when the economy struggled with a crippling recession. The slow but steady growth seemed certain to continue during 2012, with the steady hand of Jim Hanks at the helm. With the Oswego event sure to attract sponsors and New York open wheel fans, and the Five Flags and Mobile events ready-made for racing fans prevalent in the military community in the Florida panhandle and gulf coast, the new 2012 events were prudent additions. With Florida added to the schedule now, it would bring more pavement sprint car racing to Florida, where it was badly depleted. It might even turn those Florida fans into “Xtreme Fans.”
RED BULL KART FIGHT AT ORLANDO ATTRACTS OPEN WHEEL DRIVERS
By Richard Golardi
At the PRI Trade Show in Orlando, in a night of action-packed racing under the lights before a standing room only crowd of over 3,500 members of the racing industry, Jan Heylen won the 2011 All-Star division race at the Red Bull Kart Fight. The race was part of the PRI Trade Show and was held in the parking lot of the Orange County Convention Center.
Jay Howard drove an Arrow chassis for the KartSport-Arrow team to a second place finish. The Red Bull Kart Fight featured drivers from diverse series such as NASCAR Sprint Cup, X Games, IndyCar, ALMS, Grand-Am and the NASCAR Camping World Truck series. Heylen competed in Grand-Am in 2011, while Howard competed in IndyCar.
Drivers in the All-Star race included AJ Allmendinger, Tanner Foust, Cole Whitt, Ryan Briscoe, Alex Tagliani, Townsend Bell, EJ Viso and more. I asked Tanner Foust if Hot Wheels was planning another stunt for him at next year’s Indy 500, and he told me that there was something being planned, but it would not be at Indianapolis. His stunt would be at a different track, on a different race weekend, rather than at the Indy 500. For Jay Howard, his 2012 plans are not yet finalized. He stated that he will be running a full season next year in IndyCar, and that there will be an announcement shortly. I asked those open wheel drivers who came up through the ranks racing on road courses if they were pleased to see more road and street courses on next year’s IndyCar schedule? They all gave me the same answer – if there were more road and street courses, and less ovals, that was OK with them.
Townsend Bell wore a special uniform this evening, with a DanWheldon “Lionheart” logo as a tribute to the late IndyCar driver. He asked the drivers to autograph the front of the uniform. His intention was to have the uniform auctioned, likely on Ebay, to raise money for the Wheldon family. As the evening went by, the white space on the front of his uniform filled with autographs of his fellow racers.
Stage 8, a locking fastener manufacturer, brought a contingent of trophy girls, each wearing a skin-tight black latex outfit. The skimpy outfits did not provide much protection from the cold later in the evening, and did not include a jacket. All of the girls were shivering later that evening at the trophy ceremony, but they all made it through to the end of the evening, despite the chilly evening air.
In the evening’s main event, the All-Star division race, Heylen started in the pole position. But, he was soon overtaken by Howard, who started P2. Late in the race, Heylen took the lead in a bump-and-run, and kept it for the checkered flag. "I got a little lucky with the lapped traffic," said a modest Heylen, who won the last kart race held at the PRI Trade Show. "I'll be back next year," added Heylen. "This is a fantastic event," said Howard. "I'm looking forward to coming back next year."
CABRE FAMILY PREPARES FOR 2012 MOVE TO INDIANA
With 18 year old Collin Cabre preparing for his last sprint car race of 2011, with the Top Gun Sprint Series at East Bay Raceway Park, the new year beckons with changes. As his father, Lou Cabre, told me, the entire family will follow the young racer to Indiana. He intends to move to the Midwest and the heart of sprint car racing just after Collin’s high school graduation in May 2012. “We are going to pack up, just like the Beverly Hillbillies, and head for Beverly Hills, which will be Indiana for us,” laughed Lou Cabre, who serves as mentor and car owner for his son, Collin. “It basically means moving the family up there, and I will have to commute back and forth, because what I have to do is here in Florida. The round trip plane ticket is only two hundred bucks.” Lou told me that he and Collin’s mother will be making the move, and Collin’s two brothers. Lou plans to be in Indiana for the weekend of racing, and then fly back to Florida on Monday morning, returning again on Thursday or Friday for the next weekend of racing.
The move will allow the Florida teenager to immerse himself into sprint car racing at the professional level, on both dirt and pavement. The current plan involves a full 2012 season in the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series, which runs winged sprint cars on pavement in the Midwest. The exception will be the Little 500 at Anderson Speedway in May, traditionally a non-wing event. For Collin and his father, the disappointment of the failed qualifying attempt earlier this year at the Little 500 is still very fresh. Qualifying and racing in the Little 500 is a key goal for 2012. Collin told me “that was a cool experience last year, a weird situation came up and we missed the show by a couple of tenths, but next year will definitely be a lot better,” he said confidently. He also spoke about the plans to run at Bristol last October, which were then cancelled. “We’ll probably run at Gas City and Kokomo with the dirt USAC series. We plan to run Gas City Speedway, normally as a weekly show, with our dirt car. I’d like to go to a couple more, you know, like Lawrenceburg and some others throughout the year. We’ll concentrate on Gas City and Must See, that’ll be our main series for next year.”
Collin Cabre, and father Lou Cabre
Collin seemed to look forward to the challenge ahead of him with confidence, and knew that he was fortunate to have this type of opportunity at such a young age. Some of his high school classmates have made plans for college, and others planned to enter the military and begin work. “I have a buddy that’s going into the service when he graduates,” Collin said. I mentioned to Collin that some young men his age have made no plans for the future, and some just live in their parent’s basement. “Then there are some that don’t know what they are going to do – maybe flip hamburgers,” he joked. This was in contrast to Collin’s carefully mapped future, and one last race in Florida before the big move. “I’m pretty much the unique one in my school, the only one that has a racing future. Dad can support that, and I’m thankful for that,” he said.
Lou Cabre, a former professional wrestler with the World Wrestling Federation, will be Collin’s car owner for the sprint car they will campaign full time in the Must See Xtreme series. This is the series that will be a priority for the team, and the new series TV package will mean increased exposure for Collin. Other team members during the year have included Matt Grimes and JR Kunstbeck, and LJ Grimm. This team propelled Collin to his first major win in Florida in April 2011 at Citrus County Speedway. After the failure to qualify at the Little 500, Collin broke through for his second win in the HOSS (Hoosier Outlaw Sprint Series) at New Paris Speedway in Indiana in July. This helped to get the Midwest racing scene to stand up and take notice of the newcomer from Florida.
Collin Cabre and LJ Grimm
Lou spoke to me about Collin’s first 2012 competition, at the Chili Bowl in Tulsa, Oklahoma in January. “We are going to run with Shane Hmiel. It is a midget owned by Shane, and his teammate will be Levi Jones, and the 3 Wide Life group will be there. They will do three video segments, one will be on Shane, of course, one on the Chili Bowl, and one segment on Collin and Levi.” The next plans will involve finding a 360 dirt motor, and running some of the winter events at East Bay Raceway in February. “If that doesn’t work out, then everything gets packed up and hauled off to Indiana. Then we start off with Salem for the Must See series, and cruise right into Anderson for the Little 500. We will end up doing Must See, and then we also have the HOSS and AVSS series. We’ve been talking with a couple of guys up there about running HOSS for them in their car. We’d like to run Gas City and Kokomo, to get used to those two tracks. We’ve got to cut our teeth and we’ve got to know what we’re doing,” according to Lou Cabre. “Friday nights at Gas City, Saturday night with Must See, or a HOSS event, and then Sunday at Kokomo,” he told me. I remarked that this sounded like Collin was going to get a lot of experience. “That’s what we are hoping for,” replied Lou.
I tried to sense if Lou Cabre had any trepidation about taking his son up north to start a professional racing career at a young age. Father and son obviously had a close relationship, and Lou was the guiding hand for his son whenever trouble occurred at the track. With two wins in sprint car competition in 2011, both father and son expressed that they were confident about Collin’s continued success in the future, and his ability to move up the ladder of American open wheel racing. Indiana was the obvious next move to continue up the ladder. With former open wheel racers gathering up several NASCAR series championship trophies last weekend, the open wheel ladder could be the best way to climb up to a career in NASCAR. It is a certainty that the NASCAR owners will be keeping a close eye on open wheel competition in Indiana, and looking for the next great American champion. Could it be Collin Cabre? First, it will be a spring and summer spent racing in the Midwest. The snow will soon be covering Gas City Speedway in Indiana. But, the spring will come, and the snow will melt. The warm weather will herald the arrival of a young racer from Florida, and he will be imagining a checkered flag, framed by the blue Indiana sky.
FLORIDA SHOULD HAVE ITS OWN “NIGHT BEFORE THE 500”
Did Florida have its own “Night Before The 500” in the past, meaning a night race before the Daytona 500? I have not been able to find any evidence of a night of racing in the Daytona Beach area, with major open wheel sanctioning bodies participating, on the night prior to the Sunday Daytona 500. If such an event was started now, it could be a Florida version of the event now held in the Indianapolis area, where the USAC National Midget series races at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis.
I believe the time has come for Florida to have a “Florida Night Before The 500”. We are at a critical moment in time, with America on the verge of a possible economic recovery. Also, Americans have limited funds for entertainment, but unlimited entertainment choices. The event would need several months of promotion to prepare for the night of Saturday, February 25, 2012. Some of the unanswered questions include:
1) What series, and what sanctioning bodies will participate?
2) Where will the event take place (since the “when” is already answered)?
3) Why start such an event now?
First, let’s take a look back in time, to 2006. This was a week of racing that I called:
“Central Florida Open Wheel Week.”
This was the schedule:
Sprint Car "Florida 400"
Dec. 9, 2006, Desoto Super Speedway, BradentonPRA - Premier Racing Assoc. "Big Car Series"
Dec 13. 2006, USA International Speedway, LakelandSprint Car and Midget Series, Mopar / PRI Sprint & Midget Classic
Dec. 14 & 15, 2006, Orlando SpeedWorld, Bithlo
All three events are now defunct. The Florida 400 is gone, and the PRA used the “old” Silver Crown cars when a new Silver Crown car was used by USAC. Orlando Speedworld lost the Sprint & Midget Classic, run in conjunction with the PRI Trade Show, after the 2007 running in Orlando. In Lakeland, USA International Speedway stands unused, with weeds sprouting up through the asphalt cracks.
Was “Central Florida Open Wheel Week” a failure? I believe it should be characterized as a victim, not a failure. It was a victim of the 2008 recession, and the demise of sanctioning bodies and tracks, and trade show preferences. An attempt was made to find an alternate location for the PRI Sprint & Midget Classic to continue. Walt Disney World Speedway was a possibility, but a deal was never finalized between USAC and Disney World management, after preliminary discussions. The PRI Trade Show now conducts a night of kart racing in the parking lot of the Orange County Convention Center, just a few steps from the trade show, held in December. Could a new one night event bring back some of the luster and excitement that this intense week of open wheel racing brought to Florida?
Regarding Question #1, there are 2 possibilities that might provide an answer. One scenario is much more likely than the other. The first scenario would be a USAC sanctioned event, with the USAC Silver Crown and National Midget series participating. Both series are lacking a Florida event. The National Sprint Car series, now exclusively run on dirt, has an early February event at Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala. But, is there any interest inside USAC to stage such an event? I posed this question to USAC’s Director of Competition, Jason McCord, in 2010. “We worked hard to be back in Florida for the February Speedweeks. We needed a presence in Florida. We felt like it gets our foot in the door to be here in February, and possibly add events with our other series,” said McCord.
The second scenario, providing another answer to Question #1, would be a joint event with the Tampa Bay Area Racing Association (TBARA) bringing their pavement winged sprint cars as a warm-up for the evening’s main event, with the super modifieds. The ISMA (International SuperModified Association) supermods had raced in Florida during SpeedWeeks in the past (1981 and 1992-1998). As I revealed in my last column, the two sanctioning bodies are currently discussing the possibility of a joint SpeedWeeks event. The current negotiations make this scenario the one most likely to see the rubber meet the asphalt. The hurdles to overcome include the possibility that the ISMA competitors don’t want the travel expense of the trip from the northeast to Florida, and also finding a track with an open date for this Saturday night.
There is only one location that appears to be best suited for this event. It is near Daytona Beach, and is a high-banked one half mile asphalt track. It is New Smyrna Speedway. They have already released a SpeedWeeks schedule that is labeled “Tentative Schedule – Subject to Change”. It lists an event for super late models, and trucks, and modifieds for the 25th, with no sanctioning bodies listed. Could the track be convinced that the time is right to start a new tradition – a new event known as the “Florida Night Before The 500”? I believe that the time is right to start this new tradition.
Here are the reasons to start this new event in 2012:
1) Daytona International Speedway traditionally holds their Saturday race, a 300-mile race for the NASCAR Nationwide Series, in the afternoon, and has no racing on Saturday evening
2) The large crowd of race fans in town for Sunday’s Daytona 500 are looking for something to do, they love racing, and many of them have just left Daytona Speedway after the Nationwide Series race
3) There are no racing events, with major sanctioning bodies involved, that are scheduled for this evening in the Daytona Beach area (this includes the World of Outlaws, USAC, and others)
4) If the event is not started now at an asphalt track, a Daytona Beach area dirt track could take the idea, and make it their own. This includes Volusia Speedway Park, and Bubba Raceway Park in Ocala, both dirt tracks. TBARA and ISMA, which race only on asphalt, would now be shut out.
5) With the demise of the Florida 400, and the PRI Sprint & Midget Classic, Florida is badly in need of a “big annual open wheel event”. A new event, to be run each year on the night before the Daytona 500, seems to be a natural fit.
I hope that we will see the “1st Annual Florida Night Before The 500” on Saturday, February 25, 2012, and every year thereafter. I believe that it will be an annual tradition worth starting, and worth the needed commitment of time and money.
2012 TBARA SEASON WILL SEE EXPANSION, NEW TRACKS
As the fall racing season continues, the Tampa Bay Area Racing Association (TBARA) was looking forward to an expanded 2012 schedule, in spite of tough economic times. I had the chance to interview Buff Fritz, current TBARA President, at Desoto Super Speedway in Bradenton. The TBARA participants were back at Desoto again, after multiple dates at the Bradenton track were added. A previous schedule released early in 2011 showed only 3 races for the entire year. The series would run 3 races at Desoto, before the last event for November was cancelled, and Johnny Gilbertson declared the series champion for 2011.
Previous TBARA dates announced for 2012 included a return to New Smyrna Speedway during SpeedWeeks, for a Sunday / Monday stint on the weekend before the Daytona 500. Also, the other tracks that were mentioned for possible dates included Punta Gorda Speedway, Orlando Speedworld, and Lake City Speedway. “Also, you’ve got to keep Five Flags in Pensacola and Mobile International in the loop, as they have committed to a show each. And we have interest from Watermelon Capital Speedway in Cordele and South Georgia Motorsports Park in Adel,” said Buff Fritz. He revealed to me that there was a date tentatively set for South Georgia Motorsports Park this year, but the details never were finalized. They will try once again to get the 7-year old Georgia track back on the 2012 schedule. “We had a date with those fellows this year, but they wanted to run the weekend prior to us going to Pensacola and Mobile, and we didn’t want to put our guys back to back like that. We asked them – would y’all consider the opportunity to look at it again for 2012, and they are all about it,” Buff told me. The addition of the Georgia tracks was another out-of –area swing to possibly be included in the 2012 schedule.
Buff Fritz informed me of a possible return of the super modifieds to Florida for the 2012 SpeedWeeks. The return would be part of a double feature event with TBARA, after many years of no Florida events for the super modifieds. The New York-based International SuperModified Association, or ISMA, would be the sanctioning body. The ISMA supermods are known for their high speeds, and for being more advanced, in that the wings attached to the roofs of the cars move. Several years ago, I had asked the ISMA organizers why they did not return to Florida for a February SpeedWeeks event, and I was told that the cost of the travel to Florida was too high. Also, the majority of the ISMA competitors did not want to make the trip. “The supermods out of the northeast are wanting to come in and do two shows with us. The sprint cars would be the warmup, and the supermods would be the feature event of the night. They are excited to come back to Florida,” Buff told me.
Buff said that he had been in contact with the ISMA organizers, and that they were trying to find a location, and take it from there. Would it be at New Smyrna, I asked? “No. Maybe Desoto, due to the fact that New Smyrna already has their schedule pretty filled up during SpeedWeeks over there. You know, they have about 11 nights that they run over in New Smyrna. We are still trying to put the deal together.” When would they run at Desoto? Buff told me that it was being discussed for it to be a mid-week event, right after the Sunday/ Monday run at New Smyrna Speedway. Another possible scenario could be to run the new event for the two series at Desoto on Saturday night, the night before the Daytona 500. “We are coming back here (Desoto Speedway) on Saturday night anyway, after the Sunday / Monday (at New Smyrna Speedway). That’s a done deal here. That’s our Saturday night. The program with the supermods could happen in the middle of the week sometime. We could have two nights with those guys. We are working with those fellows up north, and we are trying to get it together. We are excited, because they are a premier series in the northeast.” Buff and I discussed the possibility that a mid-week event could conflict with another sprint car series running in Florida, possibly USAC. But, with so many events happening in a condensed two week period, they were unlikely to find an opening that was totally free.
Regarding the overall 2012 series schedule, Mr. Fritz seemed very upbeat when he told me that “things are looking good. We should be 15 to 17 races for 2012.” I remarked that I was glad to see the organization make such a dramatic turnaround, after the early 2011 disappointment of a possible 3-race season. “Well, yeah. Maybe the racing Gods are blessing us here. We’ve got some interest for some new track agreements next year.” Would it be correct to characterize this newly rejuvenated schedule and new tracks as a result of his hard work, I asked? “No, it’s not me. It’s a team effort. We’re all in this thing together. It takes everybody. I’m throwing it up on the wall, and what sticks, sticks,” he explained. “You know, we have a 39-year record as a club. We’ve got a tradition, and we’ve got a great name in the racing industry, and it’s some of the best pavement sprint car racing in the nation. There’s a lot of value there, and I think people are starting to see it,” he told me, as a way of relating how the association has managed to reinvent itself and “weather the storm”.
TBARA COMPETITORS DISCUSS END OF SEASON AND 2012 PLANS
Shane Butler and Stan Butler
As the 2011 racing season draws to a close, I was recently able to discuss the current season, and future plans, with some TBARA (Tampa Bay Area Racing Association) competitors at Desoto Super Speedway in Bradenton. The season long points title seems to be between 2 competitors, and they are Shane Butler, and Johnny Gilbertson. Another seasoned racer, Troy DeCaire, now known for making the leap to the Midwest and winning the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series championship for the past 2 years, revealed some of his plans also. DeCaire recently had an impressive showing in Davey Hamilton’s winged sprint car, subbing for an injured Mike Larrison, and earned the series points championship with a run from the back of the pack, finishing second at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Troy DeCaire
Troy DeCaire used the middle groove on the high banks of Bristol Motor Speedway in October to motor around most of the field in the season ending race with the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series. Would the impressive showing in the Davey Hamilton owned car mean that we could look forward to seeing him full-time in this same car next year? “That’s kind of up in the air. Davey Hamilton looks like they are going to go to a two-car team, and it looks like they will possibly bring me on board, for the full Must See deal” replied DeCaire. “As far as any of the other things they run, with Silver Crown and the midget stuff, I’m not sure if I’m in those plans. They have great sponsors, including TruFuel and Royal Oak, so it’s a real first class operation.” I asked if the involvement with Davey Hamilton could accelerate his plans to gain a ride in the Indy Lights series (Troy had just returned from Indianapolis that morning, attending the Indy Lights test on the road course at Indy, and doing some networking). “Hopefully I can get my foot in the door in the Indy Lights world, and try to possibly get on the ovals. I’m out there, pounding the pavement, trying to find some sponsors to break into that series a little bit. Maybe if I don’t get to race, then I’ll get some testing done this year (in Indy Lights). What car I’m in would be based on how much money I found, or what sponsors I found. Davey seems to be a good mentor to have, not only for becoming a driver that can go to the next level, but somebody who is marketable to the sponsors,” DeCaire told me.
Troy with a fan
“Davey and I are friends, and he mentors me. I haven’t really spoken to him about retiring from driving, but I know he’s purchased an IndyCar, and his dream is to own an IndyCar team. Right now, I’m just trying to focus on Must See, because of the media coverage and publicity you get from that. Davey has come to me and said ‘I want you and the crew wants you, and it would be good for me, and good for Mike (Larrison).’ Right now, we are waiting on the numbers, but that looks like something that is going to happen.” Would he be back on dirt? Troy said that he will be going to the Chili Bowl again in 2012, and possibly some dirt winged sprint car events, but only a few. How would he build his road racing skills that are needed to prepare for road and street courses on the Indy Lights circuit? “I’ve got a guy who has a shifter kart, so I’m doing that and there’s a place called Putnam Park, and they take a lot of drivers there to learn, and it’s affordable.” So that will be your priority, instead of dirt, I asked? “Well, with dirt you flip and break your hand, and wake up in the hospital, and figure out who the President is,” DeCaire said, as a smile crossed his face. He was confident about where to place his priorities, and they were not on dirt, for the immediate future.
Johnny Gilbertson is a 37 year old racer, and manager at Dave Steele’s Performance Parts, who was holding a slim lead in TBARA driver’s points heading into the October event at Desoto Speedway. He told me he viewed his chances of becoming champion as 50/50. “We’ve got a couple of races to go, and I don’t want to be too optimistic, as I don’t want any bad luck,” he said last Saturday. Gilbertson had previous track champion titles at East Bay Raceway Park under his belt, and a title in Florida Outlaw Sprints, in 1998. “I’m a dirt guy. I’m a dirt guy at heart,” Gilbertson said, laughing. Regarding his main competitor for the championship, Shane Butler, Johnny admitted that “yeah, I think it’s between me and him. We have to step up our game big time. We have struggled here the last couple of times, and he’s been strong here for years. We need a little luck, and we hope for the best” Does he think he will still be on top of the points after the last race? “Man, I hope so. I don’t want to make a prediction, but I really hope so. This is a tough series, and we have really gone all out, and spent a lot of money. We’re going for it. This is our opportunity, and hopefully, we can capitalize on it.”
Shane Butler
Shane Butler, the defending TBARA champion, was fighting an uphill battle to regain the points lead, as he was in second place in the points with two events remaining. “It was definitely better last year, being the guy out front. I think we’ve got a decent enough car to get the job done. Ten points sometimes can be easy to make up, and it can also be hard to make up. I think we’ve got a good shot at it. Whatever happens, Johnny is a good guy, and if he wins it, I’ll be happy for him. We’ll give it all we’ve got for 2 races, and see what happens,” he said. Butler seemed confident on this night, at a track where he had won previously. He was in the same Hurricane chassis that he wheeled to a win and the championship in 2010. We talked about the recent trip that he made to Bristol Speedway to participate in the season ending Must See Racing sprint car event. “That was definitely an experience, and I definitely want to go back some day. It was the first time I’ve ever seen the place. The speed was no different than Winchester or Salem, so it was enjoyable just to be able to say we got to run around Bristol Motor Speedway,” Butler said, as a satisfied smile crossed his face.
Q & A WITH DANNY MARTIN JR.
The following interview was conducted at Bubba Raceway Park (Ocala, FL) on October 22, 2011. This was an evening that saw the Top Gun Sprint Series in competition. Danny Martin Jr. is a well spoken and gregarious young man, and a sprint car driver currently dominating the competition in the series, and at other winged sprint car racing on dirt in Florida. He spoke freely about his life, and the subject or racing, and his goals and desires for his future, and the risk factor in motorsports.
Q. – Danny, I know that you’ve been beating up the competition in this Top Gun Sprint Series this year, so how have you reached this point? What combination do you have that the others don’t have?
A. – We spent a lot of years on the road, I think ’03 through ’05. Running with Kenny Adams, and with that level of competition, I don’t want to degrade my competitors now, as they are all good drivers, but it’s not quite the level of competition we had on the road. Shaw’s car (car owner Doug Shaw) works really well. I build my own engines, so we stay on top of that. So, between the good car, good engine, and having the experience, being on the road running all the different tracks really helps me here.
Q. – How long have you been doing this? How long have you been in racing, and what got you started in racing?
A. – I got started in 2000. We used to go to a local track, Desoto Speedway, when I was younger. My dad told me that when I turned 14, that I could get into a car. Actually, I was going to get into a pavement late model car. When I was 9, our family moved, and our neighbor had a sprint car, and I started working on it, and I started going with him. And, we just decided to go that route instead.
Q. – How old were you when you first got into a sprint car?
A. – Fourteen.
Q. – That sounds pretty young!
A. – Yeah, it was quite an experience, a full blown 360 at fourteen. But, that seems to be more common these days.
Q. – How old are you now?
A. – Twenty five.
Q. – So, that means you have more than a decade of sprint car racing under your belt, and you are still a young man.
A. – Yeah, talking about the competition, I used to run 2 or 3 nights a week. These guys, they run Saturday night. When you are running week in, and week out, every Friday or Saturday, from February to November, you get a lot of seat time.
Q. – Is dirt where your expertise lies?
A. – I’d say I like the dirt better, and I know how to set up on dirt. We ran the pavement with USCS (United Sprint Car Series), they ran both (pavement and dirt). We won a lot of races on pavement, but I didn’t know much about the car – setting it up. It took me a while to get going on both dirt and pavement, since my Dad didn’t race, so we had no idea how to set a car up, and we never hired a crew chief.
Q. – So, your father served as a mentor, and he’s the one that guided you?
A. – Oh yeah, he was always there. He helped work on the car. He’s always been there and he made me learn for myself. I feel that helps a bunch with understanding how the car works.
Q. – Do you have another job during the week, a regular 9 to 5 job?
A. – Yeah, actually we run an engine shop, my Dad started an engine shop. There was a guy renting one of my Dad’s buildings, and he was building engines, so my Dad bought the machinery to do everything in house. So, now I run that. I just went back to school this week, as I need one more class to get my AA degree, in Mechanical Engineering. I’m studying at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota in Bradenton, FL. I always wanted to be a professional race driver, and I always figured if I never made it to NASCAR, I could work on a team, and build parts as an engineer. That was going to be my “Plan B”. Then, since we started the engine shop, I’ve been doing that instead.
Q. – So that is what you do from Monday to Friday, and then you have the weekend for racing?
A. – Yeah, one of the good things about working for Dad is that if I need to leave to go racing, there’s no “asking the boss”. I kind of get to make my own schedule, which helps me with being a father, too. I can set my own schedule, as he doesn’t care what time I get there, and what time I leave, as long as the work is done. He works with me, and that helps a bunch when you have a one-year old baby, and you are a single parent.
Q. – So, that sounds like a lot of responsibilities. You have a one-year old child, and your studies, and a full-time job, and the work you put in on your current race car, and the racing. How do you handle all that?
A. – It’s a lot, but I’ve got great parents that help me, and my aunt, and my sister. I’ve got a great family, so I’m very lucky for that.
Q. – Do you ever have time for yourself, just to have fun, or is that when you are at the track, behind the wheel?
A. – Yeah, that’s my fun, but also Sunday is my day. I do whatever I want on Sunday. That’s the benefit of driving for Doug Shaw now. He maintains the car. I go there usually on Tuesday nights, and I do all the motor maintenance. I just do that, and he does the rest. I can go there just one day a week. On my old schedule, when I was working for myself, on Sunday I would unload the car, clean it, clean the trailer, and then start prepping the trailer, depending on whether we were going to dirt or pavement. Now, when I race for someone else, Doug takes care of all that, so on Sunday, I can have my day. Or, if it’s the weekend I have my daughter, then I have her. I’ve had Doug Shaw as my car owner since last year.
Q. – What is your favorite dirt track in Florida?
A. – Ah, I don’t know. I like Volusia, I guess as long as it’s not pavement, I’m happy (laughing).
Q. – How about this track (Bubba Raceway Park)? Do you like it better after the reconfiguration, with more banking?
A. – I like this place, and I thank Bubba for having us. It is hard to pass at this track. I mean, you’ve got the big, sweeping one and two, and you can run in there and sometimes pull a slide. Going down the back straight, it kind of has a dog leg in it, and everyone’s in the same groove, and three and four is just really tight. So, you really have to set your passes up, and if someone makes a mistake, you better be right there. In my opinion, the only downfall of this track is that it is harder to pass at than most.
Q. – Looking into the future, where do you see yourself? Would you like to move on to other racing, other series?
A. – Obviously, when I was younger, I wanted to get to NASCAR. To me, that’s the highest you can go. If I can just get a ride in a winged sprint car, and make a living, just like Daryn Pittman in Pennsylvania. You know, he kind of does his own thing. It wouldn’t even have to be a full outlaw deal, just somewhere up north running, I would do it. I feel, looking back, we maybe should have moved up north when I was younger, like when I was running USCS. My parent’s construction company is what paid the bills, and it’s based out of Florida, so it’s kind of hard just to pack up and leave. I feel, being in Florida, I don’t get the recognition I need, and it hurts. Like I said, sprint cars are just not that popular in Florida. You could go walk down the street and ask about sprint cars, and they would look at you like they have no idea. In Pennsylvania, Indiana, or Ohio – they would say “oh yeah, who doesn’t know what a sprint car is?” Looking back, if we had the money, and we could have moved, I should have gone to Indiana, or Ohio, or maybe Pennsylvania.
Q. – So, NASCAR would be the ultimate for you, or if that’s not available, then the World of Outlaws sprint cars?
A. - I think so. You never give up on your dream, but NASCAR is kind of out of the picture for me. You have to either know someone these days, or have your own money, and I have neither. A full-time sprint car ride, that would be awesome for me. I’m good on equipment, I haven’t torn anything up in 2 years, and we’ve won almost every race that we ran. I know how to build my own engines, so if there’s a problem at the track, I’m hands on. I think I’d be a car owner’s dream.
Q. – What is the worst thing that has happened to you on the track, and have you ever been hurt in a wreck?
A. – I’ve been hurt. I’ve had my wrecks. If you are running week in and week out, and you’re on the gas, and you’re going to win, you are going to wreck. It’s coming. You can ride around in the back, and keep your stuff looking nice, or you can go for the win. And, we go for the win.
Q. – After the unfortunate tragedy in Las Vegas, and with Dan Wheldon losing his life, the element of risk in motorsports is being discussed more. What about you personally? Have you been thinking more about risk, after this tragedy?
A. – Not at all. That stuff, talking that we shouldn’t run these tracks. Well, if you are scared, and don’t want to do it, then hop out. I’ll hop in. You are getting paid to do it, and no one’s forcing you to do it, and if you don’t want to do it, there’s a hundred other people that will take your spot. You’re a professional driver, it’s your job, so do it. Quit crying about it. That’s how I look at it. I may be a little harsher than most, but, I’ll do it. I mean, if they went back to Las Vegas, and I had a chance to get in one of those cars, I’d be there.
Q. – So, the thought of driving at Las Vegas doesn’t intimidate you at all?
A. – Well, I’ve never been in one of those cars, and the speeds are way faster than what I’m used to. I’m not saying I’d be able to get in there and dominate, but if I had the opportunity to give it a whirl, I’d be on the next plane.
Q. Excellent. Danny – thank you very much.
TBARA 2011 END OF SUMMER REVIEW
As the summer racing season draws to a close, the Tampa Bay Area Racing Association (TBARA) had some resurgence to celebrate, in spite of tough economic times. I had the chance to interview several participants and organizers during a summer stop at Desoto Super Speedway in Bradenton. The racing would be viewed that night by a somewhat smaller crowd, who braved the heat and blazing sun.
The TBARA participants seemed upbeat about the recent addition of 5 monthly visits to Desoto, after a previously released schedule showed only 3 races for 2011. I asked Past TBARA President Stan Butler about the recent turnaround for his organization. He was quick to credit Lenny Puglio, car owner of the #91 car driven by former TBARA and USAC Silver Crown champion Dave Steele.
Stan Butler
I also asked about how the additional races at Desoto Super Speedway came about to be added to the schedule. “Lenny talked to the Desoto Speedway track owner, and talked him into trying something. Lenny also talked some sponsors into putting up some extra money,” Butler told me. “Lenny got the whole deal put together, and I was pretty much in agreement with what they put together. We’ve got 5 races (one race has since been rained out, in August). I hope this opens some eyes at other tracks to give us a shot.”
Two “out of area” events in July, held in Pensacola and Mobile, Alabama, were considered successful. The attendance at these events was considered “excellent”, and there was 17 cars competing on Friday night. After 2 cars were lost that night, there were 15 left to compete on Saturday night. Stan Butler told me that they were “feel good” events, and the competitors felt like everyone from the fans to the staff at the tracks loved them. “It’s just great. It makes us feel like professional racers when we go there, with the way we get treated,” Butler said. “Let’s face it, we all do this for a lot of ego, and that really helps us.”
I asked about the possibility of the USAC Southeast Sprint Car Series entering the Florida market in 2012, and the possibility of both series scheduling events in Florida on the same dates. According to Butler, “I don’t think you need to do it on the same night. I think that hurts the fans, and definitely hurts the competitors. I’d like to see TBARA stay strong.” Our discussion also touched on our hope that TBARA, and also a non-wing series could both compete in Florida, and complement each other. “I love running without a wing. I think it puts a little more back into the driver’s hands,” remarked Butler.
He pointed out that this is an election year for TBARA officers, and he hoped his successor was someone with money connections. “We need an angel to drop a corporate sponsor out of the sky, to supplement our purses,” he said. Butler was upbeat about TBARA’s future, as he looked out over a starting field of 19 cars that July night at Desoto Speedway. “We’ve got 19 cars here tonight, and there’s no slouchy cars,” he said, with a confident smile.
Troy DeCaire, participating part-time in TBARA events this year, and currently holding a slim points lead in the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series, told me that he is working on a deal for next year. The package will provide him with a car for the Must See Racing series, and also the USAC Silver Crown series, and with a possible entry in Indy Lights also. The new car owner, whose name was not disclosed, would be the owner of all the cars. A possible new sponsor, involved in the home improvement industry, was mentioned. Troy admitted that he was unable to tell me any more for now, as an announcement would likely be scheduled for the day of the next Must See Racing Xtreme series event. This event is at Bristol Motor Speedway, on October 1. Troy goes into this event with a very small points lead, looking for his second Must See Racing Xtreme series points championship.
The most recent changes for TBARA saw the decision by Stan Butler to step down as President of the association, to be replaced by Buff Fritz, father of TBARA competitor Ben Fritz. Also, the return of SpeedWeeks dates at New Smyrna Speedway was announced. The intention is for TBARA to race on Sunday and Monday, as was last scheduled in 2010. Visitors to Florida for the 2012 SpeedWeeks would once again be able to see the World of Outlaws, USAC national series, and TBARA sprint cars during their visit. There was also renewed hope for a return to some other familiar Florida tracks next year, but the 2012 race schedule had not been released.
THE FUTURE OF PAVEMENT SPRINT CAR RACING IN FLORIDA
I was surprised at the quick demise of the USAC Southeast Sprint Car Series in early 2011, especially after speaking to Jason McCord, USAC Director of Competition, at the PRI Trade Show in December 2010. He had told me that that series was fortunate to have the USAC name attached to it. “We can help with licensing, and administrative things. Anything we can do to open doors, whether with tracks, or sponsorships, we will do it. We believe that with the traffic to our website, and our name recognition, we can benefit them,” McCord told me. At a 2010 TBARA event, I was told that the owners of the Central Florida Wingless Sprint Car Association, Michael and Carla Rudolph, would remain the owners of the new series. It would be renamed the USAC Southeast Sprint Car Series. This was done to get more sponsors, attract more drivers to the series, and get more races, with a planned 14 to 15 race schedule for 2011.
Citrus County Speedway
The USAC Southeast Sprint Car Series has yet to hold their inaugural race. Was the current chaotic state of pavement sprint car racing in Florida to blame for the early demise of this new series, or were other factors to blame? A reliable source, with inside knowledge, and who wished to remain anonymous, informed me that there would be no attempt to schedule any USAC Southeast Sprint Car Series races for the remainder of 2011. Instead, they would take a step back, in preparation for relaunching the series in 2012. My source told me “yes, we will try again next year. Everybody is trying to reorganize. There’s no money to race. Four thousand five hundred dollars for a purse is way too low. How do you spread $4,500 out?” What is the relationship with Florida track owners now, I asked? “We still talk. We are not going to go away.”
TBARA, the Tampa Bay Area Racing Association, was the big dog of the pavement racing community in Florida, until the announced entry of USAC into Florida sprint car racing. TBARA, with a history in Florida going back to 1973, started their 2011 season on unsteady feet, with only 3 events confirmed for the entire year. In early July, with the last 2 events completed, the remainder of the year was an enigma, with 2 other “tentative events”, both far from the Tampa Bay area. No races had been run in West Central Florida, the closest being in Volusia County at New Smyrna Speedway. A recent announcement revealed an agreement had been reached with Desoto Super Speedway, in Bradenton, for 5 races in 2011. The first would be Saturday, July 30, and again in August, and the rest after Labor Day weekend.
Shane Miller
Early this year, a newcomer stepped into the picture - the Independent Pavement Sprint Car Alliance (IPSCA). The alliance was formed in early 2011, when a void was created in the state by the lack of non-wing pavement sprint car races scheduled for 2011. Tony Carreno, the site preparation company owner who is the main organizer of IPSCA, was positive about the future of the loosely organized alliance. “We’ll see where it goes from here, man. Looking good so far, though,” he told me earlier this year. IPSCA would attempt to put together a schedule, with a possible scaled-back slate of races at just Citrus County Speedway and Punta Gorda Speedway.
That changed with an announcement at a recent IPSCA event at Citrus County Speedway. IPSCA would step aside in favor of a new track-sponsored and organized non-wing sprint series that would run exclusively at Citrus County Speedway. Tony Carreno told me that “Citrus County Speedway is considering running their own sprint cars next year. It would be called ‘Citrus County Sprints’. They will run once a month, on one Saturday each month.” Why make this announcement now, at mid-year? “We wanted the car owners to know what the future holds for next year,” he replied.
Tony Carreno
Why was Punta Gorda Speedway out of the picture, after an early year event that resulted in a good crowd and good vibes all around? The Punta Gorda Speedway track owner even congratulated them in an internet message. Apparently, an agreement about money could not be reached between IPSCA and Punta Gorda. IPSCA had offered to return in early June, and an early agreement was based on back gate admissions, and a percentage from the front gate. “We don’t have a magic ball, and we don’t know how many people we are going to bring,” explained Carreno. “Citrus County is central Florida, a lot of these guys are within an hour of this track, and Punta Gorda is 2 hours south.”
What will be the future of IPSCA, which emerged less than 6 months ago amid the early year turmoil in Florida? “We have another race here (Citrus County) in a few months, and it looks like we will run it as IPSCA. That may be the last race we will run this year as IPSCA,” replied Tony Carreno. I asked him if this one last event would mark the end of IPSCA? “If this is what it takes to make something better come along for these guys, then it was well worth it. It was worth a lot of BS that we took. Then, Citrus County Sprints will start up in February, at the beginning of SpeedWeeks.” The long term prospects for racing at Citrus County Speedway looked positive, with a long term lease from the Citrus County Fair Board that expires in 2017.
Shane Miller, a Florida sprint car owner and driver, was involved in the organizing of IPSCA with Carreno. We discussed the high hopes that USAC had for the success of the new Southeast Sprint Car Series in 2011. “Did we overstep them? No. When they were unable to do it, that’s when Tony stepped in, and said ‘Hey – let’s do something.’ It’s not like we pushed them out of the way. They failed before they even had the first race,” said Miller. He also told me that there had been complaints about the USAC requirement that every crew member had to pay a $100 member fee to become a member of USAC, in order to participate. This was viewed as one of the factors that lead to the inability to get the USAC Southeast series launched early in the year, despite the backing of USAC.
Stan Butler
At Citrus County Speedway, I sought out Don “Critter” Cretty, the affable Speedway General Manager, to get the story on why the speedway was stepping into the fray of pavement racing in Florida. He told me that all the tracks were suffering, and that the biggest issue was money. He spoke to Tony Carreno, who asked him a question. The question was - why don’t you step up as a race track, and run your own sprint car series? “All the racers have different affiliations, with different groups. Unfortunately, in the State of Florida, the groups don’t get along,” remarked Cretty. “I’m on my own little island, and I’m affiliated with no one. We are looking at eight races next year, a once a month thing here at Citrus County. It would probably start in February, until October or November, possibly taking off in July,” he said, regarding the early planning. “I do like the sprints, they are awesome. They’ve got some serious horsepower, and they are fun to watch, and they are just fast as all get-out. I just hate to see it come to an end, you know? If somebody doesn’t step up, I’m afraid that’s what going to happen.” Perhaps the Florida pavement racers are lucky to have Cretty as a sort of guardian angel, perched on their shoulder to guide things into the future. At least for the non-wing racers, that is. Then, there is the matter of the winged pavement racers in Florida.
Stan Butler, current TBARA President, and father of the TBARA reigning champion Shane Butler, was present at the most recent IPSCA event, and even suited up to race himself. TBARA, still the most dominant winged series in Florida, had seemed uninfluenced by economic woes until this year. What happened this year? “The tracks have been telling me that they don’t put enough people in the stands to be able to afford TBARA sprint cars, because our purse is usually $7,200. The tracks are saying they can’t justify what it costs to have us come and run,” Butler told me. With reduced purses, and track owner alliances, and a persistent recession, what will be the future of TBARA? “Right now, I don’t have an answer,” replied Butler. “All I can say is that I hope everyone keeps asking the tracks to have winged sprint cars, and I hope the economy gets a little bit better.” In addition to the announced dates at Desoto Super Speedway, would the series return to their “out of area” tracks at Pensacola and Mobile? “Right now, we have two tentative dates to return, but it depends on our shows on July8th and 9th, as to whether we go back there this year, or not.”
Butler appears to have to engineered a mid-year reversal of fortune for the TBARA series, with monthly racing at Desoto Super Speedway, starting with July 30th, all the way to November. Would he continue as President, to keep his recent success with track owners on pace? “My deal as President runs out this season, and then it’s time for them to vote. Hopefully, they can get somebody that’s got a little more connections with money than I do to keep us alive.” Did this mean that TBARA could be confidently called a survivor of the “2011Florida Pavement Racing Downsizing”? “TBARA is not dead. We are going to keep TBARA alive. We’ve got members, and we are going to continue to keep members,” Butler responded.
From my perspective, the survivors from 2011, who will continue to compete in 2012, appeared to be TBARA, and the new series, the Citrus County Sprints. It is possible that the USAC Southeast Sprint Car series may be reaching for that last chair in the 2011 game of musical chairs, only to find it already occupied. Do you think this is accurate, I asked Butler? “Yeah, I think you’ll have TBARA, and you’ll have Citrus Sprints, if they carry through with what they are talking about.” So, that will be the future of pavement sprint car racing in Florida? “Yeah, I think so,” said Butler, with some pride at steering TBARA through their most treacherous season yet. “The bottom line is that we are all trying to grab from the same race tracks, so …,” he said, his voice trailing. “That’s about it.”
MID YEAR REVIEW WITH THE USAC SPRINT CAR DRIVERS
By Richard Golardi
Kokomo Speedway
In a series of interviews over the course of the first three days of USAC’s Indiana Sprint Week (July 8-10), I had the opportunity to interview the drivers who race in the nation’s premier non-wing sprint car series. With the change to an all-dirt schedule for the national series in 2011, the driver who was the most skilled on dirt appeared to have the advantage. But the emergence of several “young gun” drivers with the ability to win was bringing change to the series. The heat was not oppressive in early July, and I only missed one race during my stay in the Hoosier State to rain, which was a USAC Pavement Sprint Car race at Lucas Oil Raceway on Thursday. While at the raceway waiting, I had fallen asleep in my rental car, due to travel fatigue, only to wake up to find an empty parking lot around me. “Thursday Night Thunder Cancelled Due to Weather” sneered the pylon sign as I left the track.
Damion Gardner
“We had three races in Florida, and we had a great three days out there. We are alright, even though we are back a ways. We can’t give away any more, and we need to do good from here on out. Since the time I moved here (to Indiana), I’ve gotten better. My first year, I was seventh in points, and last year, I was second. I’ve been at Bloomington more this year because it’s the ultimate test of patience.” What was his goal for Indiana Sprint Week and his goal for the second half of the year? “Get some top fives, and be right there. If I’m fast, I’m going to go drive by them. I’m going to slide them, and I’m not going to beat the bumper off for 20 laps, wondering if I can get by them. If there’s a place for me to go when I’m quick, I get excited, and usually the fans get excited too.”
Dave Darland
“This season with the 21X car, it’s been going decent. We came off a pretty good weekend last weekend. We won Putnamville, and we won at Bloomington a couple of weeks ago. So, it hasn’t been bad lately.” Goals for Indiana Sprint Week – “just win races”, he said, laughing. “I know we aren’t going to win them all.” Goal for remainder of the year – “I didn’t get off to a real good start in Florida, so we’re just now starting to get rolling to where we are competitive again.” Darland told me that he does feel he has good momentum now, and he found himself in the winner’s circle on the first night of Indiana Sprint Week at Gas City Speedway.
Levi Jones
“We only got to race the sprint car nine times (so far in 2011), so we won once. We’ve been pretty fast. I think we have more fast times than anybody, and we’ve got the points lead. We feel really prepared for this week.” Goal for Indiana Sprint Week – “I look at Gas City tonight as one race, tomorrow night is one race. I kind of compare it to playing basketball, like having three or four games in one week when you’re in high school. You just have to play one game at a time.” Would he relish a chance to race in Indy Lights next year? “I’d definitely love the opportunity to drive something else. I feel like I’ve honed my skills as a race car driver, doing what I’m doing. I just want to compete against the best drivers, that’s what gets me excited.”
Bryan Clauson
How has his year been going so far? “It’s been up and down, we probably haven’t been on top of our game as we have in years past. We are leading the midget points, and without a few mistakes, we’d probably be right up there in the sprint car points as well. When you had two years like we had in 2009 and 2010, I guess you just get accustomed to being almost invincible. We haven’t quite been having the year that we had in years past.” I asked Bryan to tell me about his hopes for the rest of the year, and he responded, “It gets tough to beat last year, with the midget title and being in the top five in both sprint car and Silver Crown points, and the USAC National Drivers Championship. It’ll be tough to top last year. We can rebound here. I feel pretty confident going into this week.”
Jon Stanbrough
Are you satisfied with how your season has gone so far? “No, we’ve only won one race, and we probably should have won four or five of them. We had a lot of seconds and thirds and run good, but just did not have the wins like we used to. To say we are satisfied? No. We are not.” Goal for Sprint Week? “Get the season turned around by winning some more races.”
Thomas Meseraull
When describing what had happened five days earlier in a Silver Crown event at Terre Haute, Thomas told me “it was scary, and the scary part was after I was done flipping. I get out of the car as soon as I could, but at first I couldn’t get out because the cage was bent down so far.” I asked if the roll cage had impacted the top of his helmet, and he said “no, it was bowed to the left of me, and fortunately for me, I’m short, and I sit with my head about an inch above the top of the seat. But, it could have went the other way.” Is he satisfied with how his year has gone so far? “I’m never satisfied, as last year we had five wins, should have won seven. This year, we haven’t had a win so far. We are going uphill, that’s all I can say.”
Shane Cottle
“We’ve got a new a car, and we are struggling with it a little bit.” His goal for Indiana Sprint Week? “Win the ISW title, it’s something I’ve never been able to accomplish. It would be great if we could.”
Tracy Hines
“Yeah, it’s been kind of off and on. We haven’t been as consistent as I would like, and we are still waiting to win some more races.” Tracy stated that his goal for Sprint Week was just to win as many races as he could. Does he have a favorite Sprint Week track? “Well, you know, I’ve been running these tracks for so long, all across Indiana, they are all kind of my favorite. I’ve been doing this so long, I’ve kind of won on every surface.”
Lawrenceburg Speedway
Chad Boespflug
What is his goal for the second half of the year? “We are probably going to run about three nights a week, and hopefully win the Lawrenceburg Speedway championship. I like Lawrenceburg. It’s a big, fast track, and it’s one of my favorites. Then, we are going to gear up and go back out west, go back home. I’m originally from Hanford, CA, so I’m going to go back there and see friends and family and do some racing out there. Kings Speedway has got a few races there.”
Jerry Coons Jr.
Regarding his 2011 season so far, Jerry said “I don’t know if you are ever satisfied, but it’s been OK.” Is he satisfied with his current owner-driver relationship for his sprint car ride? “Oh yeah, I’ve known Steve since the late’80’s back in Phoenix. It’s fun racing with Steve and Carla, it’s pretty laid back, and we work well together.” For 2011, Jerry was confident about his priority for the year. “My biggest goal right now is to win the Silver Crown championship, and we are leading the Silver Crown points right now. That’s definitely my number one goal. The dirt miles seemed to escape me so many times. I had a lot of seconds on the dirt miles, so that was an important one to win,” he said, referring to his Hoosier Hundred win on the Indiana State Fairgrounds dirt mile in May.
Robert Ballou
Reviewing how his year has gone so far, Robert remarked “we got off to a decent start, and only crashed a few times. I’ve been a victim most of the time of crashes this year, with nowhere to go and people flipping into you and stuff.” Ballou lamented how few USAC sprint series races have been run this year, because of rainouts. He also praised the performance of fellow racer Chris Windom, who won the Little 500 in May, and would eventually go on to take the crown as 2011 Indiana Sprint Week champion (based on points). “Obviously, Windom has been on his game this year. My hat’s off to those guys. I generally do better at the big tracks anyway – Oskaloosa and Knoxville. These little bull rings are for the birds.” Ballou gave me some insight into what it is like to be a “one-man show”, in his words. “I’ve got to build my own race cars, I drive the truck and trailer to the track, and I make all the calls at night. Not only does it cost a lot to rebuild these things, but it hurts when you crash.”
Hunter Schurenberg
When asked about his 2011 season so far, Hunter Schurenberg said “it’s going really well, and I just hope we can keep the pace that we are going. Just as long as we keep our stride, it’ll be great.” Discussing his goals for the week, and for the remainder of 2011, Hunter stated that “we want to win as many as we can and finish up front for national points. This would be the first time I ever had a real shot at the championship (USAC National Sprint Car Series), and it’s very possible this year, so that’s our goal. It might be hard for me to win the National Drivers Championship, because I am primarily a sprint car driver. It’s still possible with the way they have it structured.” Would he want a chance to race in Indy Lights? “I would love to do that. I’ve always thought that racing up in Indiana would be cool. To finally get to go to the speedway someday, that’s a very big dream of mine. I’m just along for the ride, and I want to go as far as I can. You never know.”
Gas City I-69 Speedway
Following Troy DeCaire At The Little 500
When I suggested to Troy DeCaire, the current Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series Champion, that I spend the day following him at the Little 500 at Anderson Speedway, he immediately accepted the offer. Troy was a fellow Floridian (currently living in Brownsburg, Indiana), so the idea fit my column, about sprint car racing and Floridians. The 25 year old racer, originally from Tampa, had made another recent change in his life, in addition to the move up north. He had added dirt races to his usual concentration on pavement racing. His most recent championships had occurred on pavement in Florida, and then the 2010 Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series in the Midwest. The transition to dirt also brought injury, as he broke his right hand on the Lawrenceburg Speedway dirt in Indiana in early May. After the pain in his hand did not subside, he emerged from his doctor’s office later in the month with a cast, encasing his lower right arm and hand. The x-rays revealed the damage that the dirt track had delivered – breaks in the wrist and hand.
Troy would start the 2011 Little 500 from 8th place, in the middle of row 3, the third of eleven rows of three. In the first few laps, he would stay in line, then move up to challenge Tony Hunt for position. He appeared ready to move into the top 10, and would later restart in 13th position after an early caution. On lap 52, there was a spectacular front straight flip by Tom Paterson. Then on lap 83, DeCaire was right behind the top 5 cars, with Tony Hunt directly ahead.
Earlier in the week, with an intense week of racing ahead of him, Troy had cut off the cast off his right arm on Monday. When asked to describe the level of pain, on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 was the worst possible), he said the pain was at a 6 when resting, and about a 7 or 8 after getting out of the car. “For the most part, it’s like a constant, annoying pain. When I’m racing, it’s nonexistent,” he said, adding that the pain would come back after the run was over. Could they modify the cast, I asked? “They tried to make it thinner in the palm area, but I still couldn’t hold the wheel the way I like. I’m more of a puller with my left hand, and use my right hand for steering correction.” His doctor had instructed him that “when you cut it off, come back and see us as soon as possible.” With the cast off, I could see all the damage caused by the crash. The ring finger had the knuckle broken and shoved back, and it was displaced to the back of the hand. Troy pointed to the inner wrist area, where there was another fracture. This required a cast up to the mid-forearm, to stabilize the breaks in hand and wrist. “They gave me finger movement, but it didn’t allow me to roll the palm of my hand,” he explained. “So, I had to eighty six the whole cast.”
As the night of racing progressed at the Little 500, Troy was passed on track by Aaron Pierce, the pole sitter, but was just as easily passing other competitors. He was starting to methodically slice through the field. Perhaps the pain was back to a level 7 or even 8, but he just did not notice. There were cars ahead of him, and he was set to get his job done. His job was to put these cars behind him. On lap 130, Troy found himself behind Tony Hunt once again. At times, he was right on Hunt’s tail, and then would fall back slightly.
In the week leading up to the Saturday evening running of the Little 500, Troy planned to run the winged sprint car at Anderson Speedway on Wednesday, then back to Anderson again on Thursday without wings for Little 500 qualifying, and the Hoosier Hundred on Friday. This last race at the Indiana State Fairgrounds would be his first dirt mile race, and also his first dirt race in a USAC Silver Crown car. He would also be scheduled to run, as part of the addition of dirt racing to his schedule, in dirt Silver Crown races at Terre Haute, and also the Springfield and DuQuoin mile dirt tracks. “The Hoosier Hundred is a dream of mine, but I just had to put it aside,” he said. The thing that got in the way was rain. “I was set to start third in the feature (the Wednesday winged sprint car race with the Must See Racing Xtreme sprints), and then it started to rain. It kind of bummed me out a little bit, because I had a real good race car. We never started the feature race.” Thursday was equally as frustrating for DeCaire, as problems with his primary non-wing car, and then more rain meant he would need to qualify on Friday at Anderson for the Little 500. Could he still do this and make it to the Hoosier Hundred in time for Friday afternoon practice?
He would ultimately decide to put aside the Hoosier Hundred for this year, describing it as one of those things, “growing up-wise,” that was just the right thing to do. He knew that he wanted to run for the USAC Silver Crown Rookie-of-the Year, and run the dirt miles, and the other dirt Silver Crown races. Deep inside, he knew there was only one right decision. “I’m a pavement guy, and I have a shot at winning the Little 500, and I need to focus on that.” The words of family friend Sam Rodriguez, who was like an uncle to Troy, came back to him now, at this decision time. Sam had said “don’t risk a steak for a hamburger.” For Troy, the Little 500 would be his steak, and the Hoosier Hundred would be hamburger. The decision was made, and it was because the Little 500 was more important. “Realistically, with all the scrambling, it would have been hard to go there, and put in an effort that would have made me happy.”
This night at Anderson for the Little 500, after lap 150, Troy would be running in 10th place, close to his 8th place starting position. It appeared that the night would drag on. Fatigue would set in, and the pain level could take a turn for the worse, without a cast or tape for support of the broken bones in his right hand. “You can ask a lot of racers, they could saw their arm off, and they wouldn’t know it until they kill the engine. I’ll perform just as well as I ever did,” he said confidently. “I can’t mount tires, and do things that I normally do, as it hurts too much.” Troy had stopped his prescription pain meds on Monday, concerned with the side effects. It was over-the counter only now, Advil or ibuprofen. “A lot of the newspapers around here, and other people in racing, are expressing a lot of concern about my hand. I’m just not as concerned about my hand as they are, since I’m more focused on those things needed to win the Little 500.”
The leader board at Anderson Speedway showed the laps getting closer to the halfway point, and now it was lap 190. For Troy, he was “cruising right there – top 5 or 6, running there with the leaders, tires felt good, car felt good, everything was good. The temperature gauge started creeping up a little bit, so I guess we broke a water hose somewhere.” Coming off the 4th turn on lap 190, it let go. The water hose sprayed water on the rear tires, and Troy kept control of the spin, pulling the car down to the inside of the track on the front straight. His left front tire stopped a mere 6 inches from the start/finish line, just half a foot from completing one last lap. Troy quickly jumped out and signaled frantically for the tow truck driver, his broken car leaving a pool of water just a few feet from the finish line. This finish line would belong to another driver this night, some 310 laps ahead. Later, as his crew looked over his disabled car in the infield, Troy stood with his father Terry near the car and went over their 190 laps of competition for that night. He had kept his spinning car off the wall, and directed it to the bottom of the track, skillfully keeping it out of the way of the oncoming traffic.
“I think we had the speed to win it, and we definitely had the car to win it. We had even passed the cars that were later running 1st and 2nd. That’s just how it goes. Tough deal, but I’m real happy to see Chris Windom do what he did in the last 5 laps (pass perennial Little 500 winner Eric Gordon, and take the win), as it was good for the race, and good for the sport.” Troy DeCaire went on to praise his crew and family and supporters, and I could sense the disappointment in his voice. The one thing I never did see, either on Saturday or Sunday, was a grimace, or pained expression on his face. The pain was there, but it would not be visible on the outside. Would he be back, would he try to win it next year, I asked? “If we win it next year, then we’ll try to win it the year after that,” he said, revealing his intention to return and make it his goal to be a Little 500 winner. “I’m going to keep doing what I do. I’m a race car driver, and as long as they have a race, I’m going to be there.”
The Day of The 500 – The First For Me
As I walked through the infield of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, back when I was a young man in 1984, I marveled at the size of the track, the grounds, the crowd, and everything around me. With my head in clouds, and my eyes taking in all the scenery, I was not spending too much time looking where I was going. I heard a loud rip coming from the direction of my right leg. I had managed to make myself look like a homeless guy in about one second. I looked down at the torn remnants of the jeans on my right leg, and swiveled around to see the rusty jagged bumper of a junk car, which I had just brushed against. Great … just great. I had finally made it to the Mecca of auto racing for the greatest spectacle in racing, only to now look like a drunk guy.
I was just going to have to forget about my appearance, and enjoy the day of racing. After all, I had managed to snag a ticket in the 4th turn infield stand, a stand now gone. It wasn’t the best seat, as all I could see was the 3rd and 4th turns, and the short chute in between. I was going to make the best of it. I had a sandwich in one pocket, and I had a few bucks in the other, and it was race day. The stand was already crowded as I made my way up the steps in search of my seat. Wait – could it be possible? Jackpot! I was in the very top row of the stand, and could see the track in front of me, and all the wild party people behind me in the infield just by turning my head.
Time to pull that crushed sandwich out of my pocket, now that I’d found my seat, I decided. “Hey buddy, want this can of soda – we have an extra?” “Wow, great – thanks a lot – I didn’t have anything with me to drink,” I replied, knowing that the couple of dollars in my pocket would have to be stretched as far as possible. This is really cool, these IndyCar fans are really a nice bunch of people, I said to myself. My Sunday school upbringing did not prepare my eyes to see what I would see next. As I turned to look behind me at the crowd gathered in the infield of turn four, I realized that many in the crowd probably did not really care that much about the race, as they could not even see the track. As the race went on, there was lots of bare boobs, fistfights, motorcycles, and beer flowing and being thrown in every direction, some even being consumed.
Despite the distractions, I was there for the race. I had always dreamed of making it to the Indy 500 someday, ever since attending my first IndyCar race at Langhorne Speedway in June 1964. I was only 6 years old at the time, but that was all it took. A race fan was born that day, as he gazed up at the smile on his father’s face, he knew that this experience would be something to remember and enjoy. I have found myself smiling at the track many times since then, remembering the smile on my father’s face that day under the Pennsylvania sun.
At Indy, I was in love with racing that day. I was in love with all of it - the speed, the skill and bravery of the competitors, all of it. To think that something could go wrong at any moment – and then it did. Directly in front of me, a car, or really just the cockpit of a car, driven by Pat Bedard took a vicious hit right into the dirt with the roll bar in front of where I sat. His battered car took a few more flips, and came to rest just past my vantage point from the infield stand. “Wow – what just happened,” we asked, stunned at what we had witnessed. “He might have lost it, hit the wall, and then the car broke up into pieces, so we just saw the cockpit by the time he was in front of us,” we said to each other. Years later, when viewing the film of the incident, and seeing the stand where I stood that day, I realized that I had the front row seat for what would be the biggest crash, and the most spectacular incident that day.
I have so many memories of that “First 500”, both good and bad. Waiting in traffic in a bus for two and a half hours, just to get out of the speedway parking lot, was probably at the top of the bad memories category. That is probably why I would never take public transportation again at the speedway. The years seemed to go by so quickly, first in college, then the struggle to get a career started, and building a business, buying a home, getting married, but not returning to the 500. At least, not for another 21 years. It would be that many years before I would return to the speedway for my second 500, in 2005. I would drive my own car this time, from Florida, vowing to never rely on public transportation again.
Since that second 500, I return each year, taking in the other short track and dirt races in the central Indiana area in the few days leading up to the main event on Sunday – The 500. I’ve heard myself say to friends and family, “I’m going to keep going back every year for the rest of my life, even if I have to hire someone to drive me from Florida, and wheel me into the speedway in my wheelchair (I envision that I’m about 95 years old in this dream, or possible nightmare, but I smile broadly when I get to see the speedway one more time). I then laugh, knowing that I sound like some kind of nut – a racing obsessed nut of some kind. That may be the case, I think. But it makes me happy, and few other things in life make me feel this way. I hate crowds, and hate being boxed in with lots of people around me, but being at the track never makes me feel this way. On the other hand, there is something about public transportation that still irks me to this day. It tried to ruin my “First 500”, but the bus and the traffic jam failed. It failed miserably. I’m going to remember that day as a little taste of what heaven must be like – don’t expect it to be perfect, as things will still go wrong, but the memories will be so poignant. It fact, they will be perfect memories, with not a single bus in sight.
IPSCA FINDS ITS NICHE
“Racing is life … everything before and after is just waiting.” These words were spoken by Steve McQueen as Michael Delaney in the film “Le Mans”. Floridian pavement sprint car racers did not know if they would be racing … or just waiting. This was the cue for the Independent Pavement Sprint Car Alliance (IPSCA), formed when a void was created in the state by the lack of pavement sprint car races scheduled for 2011. The Tampa Bay Area Racing Association (TBARA) had been the dominant player in the Florida, until 2011. The void was created when TBARA only confirmed 3 races for all of 2011, and also with the entrance of USAC into the Florida market, but with no races yet run. The new USAC Southeast Sprint Car Series had intended to launch in 2011, run by the organizers of the former Central Florida Wingless Sprint Car Association. The new USAC series appears to be troubled, with several events scheduled, and later canceled.
Tony Carreno
Enter Tony Carreno, the 49 year old site preparation company owner who is the main organizer of IPSCA. At the most recent event in April at Citrus County Speedway, Carreno himself chose to drive one of the cars, and eventually finished third in the feature. The event was won by 17 year old Collin Cabre, taking his first sprint car feature win. Cabre will be competing in the Midwest in the Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint Series once his high school semester is finished later this month. This night’s race, second of the year for the new series, had lots of caution periods, and some confusion with car placement during the cautions.
Shane Butler
Stan Butler
On the night of the event, I asked Tony Carreno for his assessment. “I think it’s actually going really well. We’ve got 18 cars here tonight.” I asked if he was satisfied with 18 cars? “Absolutely. I know there was two more that had mechanical problems, and that would have given us 20. The promoters can see there’s people coming for these guys, and that will give us something to bargain with later on.” I mentioned that Tony had given me the name of the series as ending with an “A” for Alliance, but others had been using the word Association. Did those using “association” have it wrong? “Yes sir, they did”, he replied. Was there any meaning behind that, since TBARA already uses an “A” for association? “Well, we sat down and talked to some TBARA drivers a couple of weeks ago, and we were trying to find out what will make the whole sport work better,” Carreno said. “Actually, their 2010 champion is here with us tonight, Shane Butler, and his father, Stan Butler, and he’s the President of the TBARA.” Stan’s night ended early after on-track contact.
Tony Carreno
Shane Butler would later finish second in a night that saw intense racing between the cautions and confusion at Citrus County Speedway. Carreno told me that they hoped to schedule a couple more dates at the track, and also at Punta Gorda Speedway. The last visit to Punta Gorda resulted in a good crowd and good vibes all around, as the track owner even did some virtual high-fiving with the group, congratulating them in an internet message. With the future schedule probably only including these two tracks, IPSCA seems to have its niche, for now. But, would they consider expanding beyond these two tracks? “That’s up to the people at those other race tracks, if they want to have us. You know, we can sit down and work something out.”
Mickey Kempgens
One thing that had already worked out was getting competitors from TBARA to race with the “new guys” when there was a long break in the TBARA schedule. After meeting with TBARA members, there was no formal agreement, other than to encourage competitors to race with IPSCA. “If we could get some of their guys to take their wings off, and come and support us, then we could increase the car count (for IPSCA events). We’ve all got to get together and band together. We can show these promoters that we can bring people to the race track,” according to Carreno. Was it an expensive transition for the winged cars from TBARA to convert to a non-winged car? “I believe it was no cost at all. It would actually be less (cost to run) because the wings are really hard on the cars.” So it’s just a matter of turning a few wrenches, take off the wing, and that’s it? “Yes sir. Then have at it,” he replied.
Citrus County Speedway
I asked some competitors if IPSCA put together a schedule, even if just Citrus County Speedway and Punta Gorda, would you want to run with them? Wendy Mathis answered “I would want to – yeah, definitely.” Wings or no wings? “No preference. If it’s a sprint car, I’m in it.” Mickey Kempgens, who won the first IPSCA event, answered “oh yeah, absolutely. I love running non-wing. Hopefully we can work that out.” Wings or no wings? “If it’s sprint car racing, it doesn’t matter to me. I love them both.” Tony Carreno would be Mickey’s teammate that night, but Mickey would not finish well, unlike the IPSCA organizer.
Could IPSCA find success in a difficult market, with recession fears, and track owner alliances, and rising gas prices keeping fans at home? Tony Carreno remains positive. “We’ll see where it goes from here, man. Looking good so far, though. There are a lot of sprint cars around, and we want to get them out and get everybody on the same page, and have some races, you know? It will all work out in the end, hopefully.” Perhaps with the right blend of a few “home tracks” that welcome them, and no rushed plans to expand quickly, the series can keep to the market niche that they have created, and wait for the right cards to be dealt to them that will signal the time to expand.
TBARA STARTS A TROUBLED SEASON
The first event of the 2011 season for the Tampa Bay Area Racing Association (TBARA) was the only scheduled race that would be anywhere near the Tampa Bay area. On a cool and comfortable night at New Smyrna Speedway, the sprint cars shared the bill with the USAR Pro Cup Series stock cars. That’s where the trouble started. Complaints that the Hoosier rubber on the sprint cars was making the track slick and unsafe pushed the TBARA heat races and main event until after the completion of the 250 lap stock car race. The main event did not get started until after midnight, but a larger than usual crowd, reminiscent of pre-recession days, stayed for the night’s best race. Shane Butler and Dave Steele were battling for the lead on the back stretch, after Steele had carved his way through the field, as he has a habit of doing during TBARA events. The two cars touched, and only Butler made it to the high banked turn 3, and then on to the feature win.
Earlier in the evening, while watching the stock cars from the stands, I asked Shane Butler what he intended to do with his year, with only 3 TBARA events scheduled for the defending TBARA champion. “Well, I have a go-kart,” he replied. “I feel kind of bummed-out, kind of disappointed. I want to do some kind of racing, even though we lost our sponsor this winter,” he added. Butler still wanted to head north in two months to compete in Anderson Speedway’s Little 500 on May 28. This event would then give him a total of 4 races for the year, far less than the 16 or 17 races he competed in last year. “I’m confident we can find a sponsor, and find a motor (for the Little 500),” said Butler. For Florida sprint car racing to have fallen into this state was a shame, I said. “It sure is,” said Butler, as we nodded in agreement.
What happened? Some were quick to blame the economy, and lack of sponsors needed to get race purses up to acceptable levels to satisfy car owners and track owners alike, and others blamed a recent alliance formed by Florida track owners. The purse at a typical TBARA event was around $8,400, I learned. Some recent non-wing sprint car events might have had purses of about $7,000, with $4,500 from organizers, and the rest from sponsors and others. The non-wing events that I am referring to were run by the new “Independent Pavement Sprint Car Alliance”, which seemed to have sprung from an event in February originally sanctioned by the new USAC Southeast Sprint Car Series. The event at Citrus County Speedway on February 5 had USAC sanctioning at first, then was cancelled, and then run with no sanctioning as an independent, non-wing sprint car race (it was eventually rained out and rescheduled for April 16). Would this new independent alliance of non-wing pavement races damage the new USAC Southeast Sprint Car Series, or even put it out of business? I asked Tony Carreno, a car owner, and organizer of the new series this question, but he did not directly answer this question. I will assume that he did not want to create a controversy, and wanted to avoid bad blood between the two series.
The USAC Southeast Sprint Car Series had already lost some scheduled races, and at least one key person. Their survival required that the racers who wanted to compete in non-wing pavement races in Florida look to them to schedule and organize events, which was not happening. The new Independent Pavement Sprint Car Alliance had already scheduled races at Citrus County Speedway, and Punta Gorda Speedway, which held a race with the independents on the prior Saturday. This event resulted in smiles all around, with organizer Carreno stating “I never saw a crowd that big (at Punta Gorda).” Kevin Williams, Punta Gorda Speedway owner, even posted a message thanking the group for “the very professional show.” He wrote that “the 20 teams in attendance were top notch. The racing was very competitive and the packed stands of fans were pleased. The PGS staff was amazed at how gracious and considerate the teams were throughout the weekend. We would also like to thank you for your cleanliness in the pit area as you guys cleaned up like you were not even there, that is great.”
But why form a new alliance for non-wing pavement sprint racers when USAC was attempting to do the same exact thing for 2011? Tony Carreno pointed to the February 5 event at Citrus County Speedway at the pivotal event. With the cancellation, “it left us with SpeedWeeks with no sprint car racing whatsoever,” remarked Carreno, with TBARA having no SpeedWeeks events. When I asked who made the first moves to organize the new series, Carreno credited Shane Miller, and also the rest of the owners and drivers, or “the independents”, as he called them. The Florida only series was intended to reduce costs, hopefully increase purses, and give “the independents” some more control. “It all boils down to that if we ran for the purses being offered, then that was the purse that we were going to be stuck with forever,” Carreno said, as his reason for starting the new series. He smiled broadly as he said “we got treated like kings down there at Punta Gorda Speedway.”
With far fewer pavement sprint car races scheduled for the rest of the year in Florida, what would the competitors do? Floridian Collin Cabre, a 17 year old sprint car driver, looking to make the move into stock cars, said that he still wanted to race winged sprint cars during the summer, so he would be heading up north to compete in some Must See Racing Xtreme Sprint car series races, in June and July, after competing in the Little 500 first in May. He also wanted to run the wingless sprint car races in Florida, with the independents. What’s next? Collin told me that he had just been offered a test in a USAR Pro Cup stock car, likely in North Carolina within the next few weeks. He then hoped to make the move into stock cars either this year or next year. It seemed like this was one young driver who may be making the right moves, and leaving Florida’s sprint car troubles in his rear view mirror.
2011 Goals of World of Outlaws Sprint Car Drivers
As I interviewed the World of Outlaws series sprint car drivers in the pits at Volusia Speedway Park, one dominant theme stood out – they expected success in 2011. Steve Kinser remarked, when asked about his goals for 2011, “I’ll try to go out and be the fastest and win races, and then win the points championship.” A broad smile crossed his face, and Kinser had a reas`on to be smiling. He had notched 2 wins in the prior two nights of World of Outlaws competition. “We got into some crashes late last year, and I felt that ruined our chances to win the championship last year. Right now, we have a very good chassis program, and a good engine program.” I asked if he felt this was enough to continue his dominance shown that weekend, and win the 2011 championship, and he replied, “I feel we are close on everything”.
Sammy Swindell, in his usual soft-spoken manner, said that his main goal for 2011 was to win the big races. He told me that he was not running the full World of Outlaws schedule, and that he had no definite race schedule set for the year yet. “We have the same car, and the same motor as the end of last year,” he remarked, when asked about his success so far in 2011, including two feature wins at Volusia. How did he explain his success so far this year, with a second place finish in the Chili Bowl, and 2 wins and one second place at Volusia Speedway Park? “I’m not faster, I’m the same,” he replied.
After winning the 2010 World of Outlaws title, Jason Meyers said that his main goal for 2011 was to win another championship. “We need a good, solid year, no DNFs, we need consistency, and to avoid falling out of races.” Were there any big races this year that he wanted to win? “I’d like to win the Knoxville Nationals, and also win one race at Williams Grove. I’ve never won a race there yet, so that is a big goal for me.”
After winning the most World of Outlaws feature races for the past two years, Joey Saldana said that he wanted the points title in 2011. “We are consistent, but we need racing luck. Our team’s prepared to win races, but lady luck has not been on our side.” The big races that he would want to win included “the Knoxville Nationals, as that would be huge for our team, and also any race at Williams Grove.” With Carquest colors on his car and his uniform, Saldana told me that this new sponsor was for Florida and the Canadian races only. There would be a sponsor announcement coming in one and a half weeks for the remainder of the season, but Saldana would not give any hints about the name of the new sponsor.
For 2011, Daryn Pittman wanted to “win races, since we had 13 feature wins in 2010, in Pennsylvania mainly, and also stay in contention. Also, I’d like to win the National Open at Williams Grove, since that is right in our car owner’s back yard.” Pittman stated that the only points championship that he would chase would be the All Star Circuit of Champions Eastern title.
Dale Blaney knew what he wanted for 2011, and that was to win the All Star Circuit of Champions title. “Shaffer has been awful good the past two years, and we want to win the championship this year, he said. He also “wanted to win an Outlaw race, since we won one the past two years.” Blaney was not going to run the full World of Outlaws schedule, and admitted that he was using the 3 nights at Volusia as “test nights” to prepare for the year ahead.
Blaney’s apparent nemesis for 2011, Tim Shaffer, stated that he wanted to just try to have another great season, get wins, and be competitive every night. “I would like to repeat the good season like we did last year, but it is tough to do,” he admitted. “I’d be happy if we had half as good a year this year, as we did last year.”
Jessica Zemken was the only female driver in World of Outlaws sprint car competition this weekend, and with her Tony Stewart Racing entry, she intended to compete in 15 total events in the World of Outlaws in 2011. For her, the main goal for the year was to “be in the top 10, going to any track. We had a few top 10 finishes last year, and I want solid top 5 or top 10 finishes and to run consistent all year.” Zemken said that she was running some All Star events, all of the eastern and Ohio races, with no plans to run non-wing or pavement races. She added, “I love doing 410 sprint cars on dirt, that’s what I love doing.”
The hard luck story of the weekend would have to be the disappointment expressed by Danny Lasoski, who said “after this weekend, I’m in trouble. I’m here with my own car this weekend, but will not run it after this weekend. For now, I have no other options, so I’m here this weekend to try to market myself to get a ride for the full year.” Lasoski said that his first choice for the year was the World of Outlaws series, but that he did not have a full-time ride yet.
Paul McMahan had set a new track record earlier in the week, on Thursday evening, when the track was slick and fast. His time of 12.569 seconds at 143.209 mph eclipsed the record at Eldora Speedway, set in 2002, of 12.707 seconds. “I think the main goal for 2011 is to win the points championship. Also the Kings Royal, and the Knoxville Nationals. I want to win all of these big races as a goal for 2011.” Despite some off-season changes, McMahan still had Joey Saldana as a teammate, and had Chevrolet power in front of him, and not Mopar, as he had last year.
Family enjoying the show
The Friday night truck race at Daytona Speedway was on the mind of Brad Sweet, who told me that he was running the first 8 races of the season in the NASCAR truck series. He may have an opportunity for more truck races later in the year, depending on the results of the first 8 races. He intended to concentrate on the NASCAR truck races for the beginning of his year, and then concentrate on open wheel racing after that. Sweet stated that his goal for the year would be “to just win races.”
The backstretch
After a passenger car accident on the way to Volusia Speedway Park during the World of Outlaws weekend last year broke his leg, and caused him to sit out most of the year, Cody Darrah enjoyed his first race back in 2010. It was during Octoberfest at Hagerstown Speedway, and in his first race back after the injury, Darrah won the event. If Hagerstown was his high point for the year, then the low point for Cody was “when I was in the hospital for 21 days after the accident. My knee was destroyed, and I was in bed for 19 days. In the hospital, it was hard to stay sane.” He remarked that his hospital stay was so long because of the surgery, and recovery time for his knee. “This is the toughest dirt series in the world, and as a rookie this year, it’s déjà vu all over again,” said Darrah, referring to his plans last year as a World of Outlaws rookie, delayed until this year. “We’re looking pretty good for the year, and to win Rookie of the Year is a good goal.” I would have to rank Cody Darrah’s story as the comeback story of the weekend, and he went on to win the B-main on both Friday and Saturday night, and finish in the top 5 in the feature race on Sunday night.
Friday night crowd
Florida Open Wheel SpeedWeeks Preview
The calendar shows the month of February, so that means it’s time for my annual binge of getting all the open wheel racing I can get, all crammed into a few weeks in February. During most of the year, I am very envious of most of the country’s open wheel fans, living primarily in the Midwest. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy living in Florida. No snow, no extended freezing weather, and year round golf and outdoor sports are easy to love. The threat of a catastrophic hurricane, and the dearth of open wheel racing in Florida are the downside.
Here is my intended schedule for the month of February:
1) WoO Sprint Car / WoO / Volusia Speedway Park / Feb. 11&13 2) Budweiser Shootout / NASCAR / Daytona Speedway / Feb 12 3) USAC Sprint Car Series / USAC/ Ocala Speedway / Feb. 17-19
I had intended to attend the debut of the O’Reilly Auto Parts All Star Circuit of Champions sprint car series, at Ocala Speedway last weekend, but the Saturday night race was rained out. The weather for this weekend looks good, and the rain should stay away.
If there is one driver that has emerged as the dominant figure of open wheel racing thus far in 2011, it would have to be Sammy Swindell. After finishing second in the Chili Bowl in Tulsa last month, he followed that with a third place heat race finish in the season opening All Star Circuit of Champions race at Ocala Speedway last Friday. Donny Schatz flipped in the feature that night, and Swindell was involved. The All Star Circuit then moved on to Volusia Speedway Park, for two nights of racing (Wednesday and Thursday) prior to the traditional three night stand for the World of Outlaws sprint cars (Friday to Sunday). Swindell won the feature event on Wednesday opening night, followed in second place by teammate Craig Dollansky. Will Swindell be able to continue his dominant ways? The Tony Stewart Racing team will be in full force on Friday night at Volusia, with both Donny Schatz and Steve Kinser scheduled to race. Both drivers were in the feature event at Volusia Speedway Park on Wednesday.
Ocala Speedway, with its tight turns 3 and 4, and odd, D-shaped outline, will be a contrast to the high-speed, banked sweeping turns at Volusia Speedway Park for the winged sprint cars. The next series to visit Ocala will be non-wing AMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car series. Levi Jones, 2010 champion, starts his quest for a record fifth series championship Feb. 17-19 at Ocala Speedway in the second annual “Bubba Army Sprint Nationals.” This event was held at the Tampa-area East Bay Raceway Park last year, and sees a change of venue for 2011. The 2010 USAC National Drivers Champion, Bryan Clauson, will be back behind the wheel of the #7 Corey Tucker Racing entry at Ocala, it was recently announced.
The two regional Florida-based sprint car series that are missing from the schedule, which are the Tampa Bay Area Racing Association (TBARA), and the USAC Southeast Sprint Car Series (formerly Central Florida Wingless Sprint Car Association), have both issued a very limited schedule for the year. Both series have no events for February, and TBARA is not returning to New Smyrna Speedway until March. A USAC Southeast Sprint Car event scheduled for February 5 at Citrus County Speedway was cancelled, and then an attempt was made to run the event at the same speedway as an unsanctioned race. It was rained out, on the same night as the rainout at Ocala Speedway for the All Star series race. I had attempted to get a response from the USAC Southeast Series as to their current status, and schedule of races in Florida, but no response was received as of Thursday.
Series logos
Collin Cabre, and father
Collin Cabre
2009 and 2010 Central FL Wingless Sprints Champs, Troy DeCaire (L) and Mickey Kempgens (R)
USAC MAKES THEIR MOVE INTO THE SOUTHEAST
At the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show in Orlando, I had the opportunity to interview Jason McCord, USAC Director of Competition, to get more details of the new USAC Southeast Sprint Car Series. Since the initial USAC press release in October, the news regarding this new series has been sparse. There are limited details about the 2011 race schedule, and no details on the possible inclusion of dirt races for 2011, although that may be unlikely. McCord revealed that he viewed USAC’s role in the new series as backing up, and helping, the current owners of the series, Michael and Carla Rudolph. “We can help with licensing, and administrative things. Anything we can do to open doors, whether with tracks, or sponsorships, we will do it. We believe that with the traffic to our website, and our name recognition, we can benefit them,” McCord told me. “I know it’s a struggle there (for sponsors and money). I have seen a TBARA race previously.” Could it develop into a winter season series? “Maybe. It’s tough for guys in Indiana, as they now only have 2 months to enjoy the holidays, and prepare for the next season.” McCord thought the series could fit into a type of ladder system, and be a place for young drivers to start before moving up to the national series. How many races should there be for 2011? “The Rudolphs are working on that, and a 15 race series sounds like a pretty good schedule.” What is known is that the current owners of the Central Florida Wingless Sprint Car Association, Michael and Carla Rudolph, will remain the owners of the new series, to be renamed the USAC Southeast Sprint Car Series. The Rudolphs (and their organizing group) and USAC, will be co-sanctioning the series. Although the series will have no ownership change, the changes that were desired for the series, and that lead to this change, were numerous. As Michael and Carla told me recently at a TBARA event, they are doing this to get more sponsors, attract more drivers to the series, and get more races, with a planned 14 to 15 race schedule for next year. Here is what is known for 2011: • 3 announced race dates at Citrus County Speedway, in Inverness, FL, with 7 total “confirmed dates” (location of the other 4 races is not revealed) • The Citrus County Speedway dates are February 5, May 28 (conflicts with the Little 500, and is intended to be changed), and September 24 • Organizers have announced that “we are working on 7-8 more dates for 2011 season, and will announce more soon” • Other tracks, likely to be included, are Columbia Motorsports Park, Orlando SpeedWorld, Desoto Super Speedway, New Smyrna Speedway and Bronson Motor Speedway (all in Florida) • December 1, 2010 was the official start of the co-sanctioning agreement • Possible dates at tracks outside of Florida, or intentions to compete in Georgia or Alabama, are unknown at this time Promoter Michael Rudolph told me that what motivated him to develop this series was that “there’s a lot of good drivers in Florida, and they all need an opportunity to go somewhere. We would like to race in Florida, and also include other states.” I asked about the possibility of the series becoming an “off-season series”, running races from November to April in Florida. “Find me some sponsors, and we’ll make it happen,” Rudolph quickly responded. “I just want to have fun racing. I’ve got a race car, too,” he remarked, while standing in the pits of TBARA rookie Collin Cabre at Desoto Super Speedway in Florida. Who are the drivers who could emerge as the future stars of this new USAC regional series? Some prime examples could be Mickey Kempgens, recently crowned as the 2010 Central Florida Wingless Sprints champion, and also Troy DeCaire, who told me he may try to make some of the 2011 events despite a busy schedule of Indy Lights, Silver Crown, and other sprint car events. Another name to watch could be Shane Butler, newly crowned TBARA Series winged sprint car champion. Could the series be a training ground for the sprint car “Young Guns” in the Southeast, before moving on to the national series? The Rudolphs told me that their desire is strong for the series to attract more young drivers, and even young female drivers. “Non-wing sprint car racing builds a good driver,” remarked Carla Rudolph. Young drivers who have expressed an interest in the series include 2009 series champion Dakotah Stephens, and Florida sprint car newcomer Collin Cabre. “I like to race non-wing sprint cars better,” Cabre told me. “You actually get to drive the car. You can do more with the car. With a wing, you use everything you’ve got. With a non-wing car, you can’t,” remarked the 17 year old racer. That certainly sounds like the type of driver that will make the 2011 USAC Southeast Sprint Car Series an exciting season.
NOTES FROM THE 2010 PRI TRADE SHOW
At the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show today in Orlando, the announcement was made that the ladder series that has the IndyCar series as its pinnacle will be known as the “Mazda Road To Indy”. Mazda was announced as the multi-year title partner of IndyCar’s driver development program in a press conference. Mazda will provide scholarships to the champions of the three affiliated series (USF2000 National Championship, Star Mazda Championship, and Firestone Indy Lights) for the next 3 years. I had the opportunity to speak to Spencer Pigot, a 17 year old Floridian who will compete in the USF2000 National Championship for Andretti Autosport.
The USAC National Series race schedules had not been posted at the time of this article being written, but I spoke to Jason McCord, USAC Director of Competition, and he revealed to me that the USAC National Sprint Car Series will be an all-dirt series in 2011, and beyond. The all dirt sprint car series will still be known as the USAC National Sprint Car Series, and the pavement sprint car races will be split off into a separate sprint car series. The name of this new sprint car series has not yet been determined, but it will consist of 8-10 races, at the familiar tracks that the USAC sprint cars have raced at previously. According to McCord, the reason for this change being made was to “help drive car counts and help the series.” McCord added that he “thinks it will do a lot for car counts. Dirt sprint car racing is the strongest product that we have.” He revealed to me that the dirt sprint car series will be the “traveling series” (national series), and that the pavement sprint car series will be just Indiana and the “heart of the Midwest”. USAC still has the desire to keep their existing track relationships alive for all those asphalt tracks that currently have dates on the National Sprint Car schedule.
Will USAC look to eventually make the same transition to an all-dirt schedule for the other national series – Silver Crown and Midget? I was told that there was no intention to make this sort of change for the other USAC national series. This change was being made for the national sprint car series alone. The Florida winter event in 2011 will be held at the Ocala Speedway, for the USAC sprint cars, instead of the series returning to East Bar Raceway for a second year.
I will have more later on the new USAC Southeast Sprint Car Series, although there was no schedule announced yet for this new USAC regional racing series. Apparently, the new series will not be an “off-season series”, with races run from November to April. The series has announced a few races, to be run during other months. It may be a race schedule of about 15 races, and it is not known at this time if it will be Florida-only, or include other neighboring states in the Southeast.
E-mail Richard Golardi quickterm@yahoo.com
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