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October 2, 2014 Phoenix, AZ: Who am I? From time to time, most ponder that question. Am I a writer? Four months between internet columns would state otherwise, though Flat Out Magazine demands 12 pieces per year. Am I an archivist? Daily data processing would say so. Am I a historian? Museums and halls of fame bear testimony. Or am I, in the words of Pete Townsend “just a hippie gypsy” muddying the water from Seal Beach, California to Seal Cove, Maine?

Since philanthropist Steve Stroud put me behind a desk at his Arizona Open Wheel Racing Museum, I’ve also felt like an emissary or educator connecting card-carrying old timers like myself. Linking past to present is a role I so relish that summer was blur of vintage cars. To visually take Facebook friends through these buildings, Stroud stuck camera in my saddle. Such an accessory I have never owned. Yes, today’s phones take fantastic photos. But you’re reading the ravings of the last man without one. Canon captures video too, so I provided “fan cam” clips from various vantages of 36 race spanning Chico, CA to Beech Ridge, ME. In many ways, it was my best summer and in other ways, my worst.

September 27, 2014 Peoria, AZ: Call it global warming or climate chaos or moody Mother Nature but twice in three weeks, Valley of the Sun was flooded by history’s heaviest rain. Today’s monsoon closed roads, knocked out electricity, and drowned the Brawl for It All at Canyon Raceway Park for USAC Southwest Sprint Cars. My first rain out in two months happened in the desert? World is out of whack.

September 26, 2014 Phoenix, AZ: Steve Chassey, Rickey Hood and Gerry Cook made for lively conversation. Chassey dropped by to discuss insurance for two-seat sprint car that Stroud got from Cory Kruseman. Hood was hired to greet those who wander in. Rick is hardly retired. Racers Warehouse put him in Perry McMillan 360 at Queen Creek and Tucson and Rick responded with Top Five finishes against ASCS Southwest. Cook teamed with Gary Taylor through first leg of Indiana Sprint Week. On my advice, Cook looked at Geoff Ensign as potential pilot of his RSS by Shipley. Gerry worked 1985 Indy 500 for Whittington until FBI shipped brothers off to jail.

September 24, 2014 Phoenix, AZ: Social media exploded after grand jury in New York decided that Tony Stewart need not answer any questions regarding death of Kevin Ward because Ward had “enough marijuana in his system to cloud judgment.” As chronic smoker, switching burden of proof so automatically made me mad. As cog in legal chicanery, I deeply mistrust judges, lawyers and police. All have lied to me. Call it cynicism. Call it experience. I’m glad Tony does not have to endure criminal trial (or civil either in lieu of new toxicology) but resent how kid from Port Leyden, NY is now painted as wild on weed. Are beer drivers with hangovers still drunk? By law, yes.

September 20, 2014 Casa Grande, AZ: Central Arizona Raceway appeals to me. It has the most banking of any Copper State site and stately covered grandstand of 1939 adobe flanked by steep bleachers. Fans are some distance from the players with weak lighting. Jonah Trussel had two wet grooves for USAC Southwest heat races. It blew away in the A-main. Those who tempted the top left the arena like early leader Shon Deskins. Tucson native/Buckeye veteran Charles Davis Jr. (Massey 50) found bottom and drove away. Charlie’s crew chief Mickey Meyer heads restoration at AZ museum.

September 16, 2014 Phoenix, AZ: Carne Asada burrito from Filoberto’s packs more beef than an average cheese steak from Philadelphia. In three months out east, I essentially abstained from Mexican food because it rarely equals what I so easily find here.

September 14, 2014 Phoenix, AZ: In these trying times for Oakland Raiders football, I’m too ashamed to watch in public. So each Sunday (better teams play Monday) I’ll listen to Greg Papa and incoherent Tom Flores on Raiders Radio until score becomes obscene.

September 13, 2014 Ventura, CA: Wings on tiny Seaside Park was spectacle to be seen. After expansion from fifth to quarter-mile in 1993, World of Outlaws personnel (Andy Hillenburg was one) performed feasibility study and pronounced Ventura too tight. Two decades later, King of the West Series needed someplace near Santa Maria and convinced Jim Naylor to roll the dice. He drew nice crowd, though first turn bleachers were far from packed. Kyle Hirst (Roth 83) made two topside passes to win heat and went unchallenged in feature. In his haste to lap Australia’s Michael Cunningham, Kyle coaxed his winter boss into fourth turn concrete. In & Out Burger, walk in Pacific Ocean, friends and fast cars made one fine day. I put L.A behind me and camped at General Patton museum on I-10.

September 12, 2014 Santa Maria, CA: Woodland Auto Display in Paso Robles had 1952 Shilala midget; 1962 Don Brown sprint driven by Billy Wilkerson; 1965 Hank Henry 93 driven by host Richard Woodland; 1966 Don Edmunds 54 Hot Rod cover model; 1970 Morral 880 built by Bobby Allen for Smokey Snellbaker; 1972 Bogar 99 built by Ralph Heintzelman for Jan Opperman; 1975 Grant King sprint with 360 rotated for Anthony Simone; 1976 Don Maxwell by Mike Shaw; 1978 King roadster for George Snider; 1995 Dave Ellis by Rip Williams; Tamale Wagon by Rick Goudy; and Ken Woodruff’s Trostle 21 in which Jimmy Boyd won first World of Outlaws final in 1978. Boyd beat NARC at Santa Maria for Vern Kornbrust in 1979. Santa Maria remains largely unchanged, which is good because this is a racy third-mile. Best tracks are often built into natural bowls. Coastal clay is acutely affected by tide. Santa Maria has frequently plagued by fog. It was wavy for King of the West when Bud Kaeding (Williams 0) led until losing torsion stop. Kaeding’s pop took over until Kyle Hirst could pin Brent in traffic. Hirst stays first most nights. Jason Statler however, had Double Zero hoppin’ through holes to score minor upset. The Big Guy had not topped KWS/Golden State 410 forces since 2008. Santa Maria is where Statler stunned the World of Outlaws in 1999. Outlaws have not been back.

September 11, 2014 Paso Robles, CA: Randy Mussell made money waiting tables at Pasta Pomodoro, got the week off, and rode Eckert Escort down Pacific Coast Highway. Sean Buckley’s dad had offered beds. Daddy Slash used to crew for Ron Chaffin on cars kept in nearby Templeton by the late Bruce Bromme Jr. They took 2003 John Boy Sullivan (JB) chassis to Mopar Million at Eldora with Richard Griffin. When it was destroyed at Manzanita, Bromme gave it to Dean Buckley, who sat it in shade among curious coyotes.

September 7, 2014 Antioch, CA: Another long season awaits fans of Oakland Raiders. On the other side of bay, Randy’s formidable Forty Niners christened shiny stadium. After four days and nights of Gold Cup, it would have been easy to stay on couch for more football. But the World of Outlaws were 40 miles over mountain. We had to go. Antioch is an angry place. Hell’s Angel led Mussell and me to Celia’s oasis near fairground. Last summer’s outlaw race here was as weak as the one in spring was strong. Antioch was reduced to one race in which very little happened until final few feet when Hirst almost stole first WoO win by circling an Australian embargo. Eagle Eye photo had Kyle ahead of Kerry Madsen, reminding how finish lines have moved in transponder era. I thought it ironic that one Aussie almost cost another an A-main. Michael Cunningham found it neither ironic nor factual. “Douche” was least profane thing I was called before he ended Facebook friendship. My annoying need to spit truth has always had consequences.

September 6, 2014 Chico, CA: Another rubber race. Silver Dollar Speedway seems incapable of keeping non-abrasive surface under World of Outlaws for whole 40 laps. Mini Gold Cups and Gold Cups reek of smoke. Hometown hero Jonathan Allard (Lamar 3c) has seen it eat tires and knew one good surprise was possible. Off the final corner, Jon pulled inside Daryn Pittman and stole 12k. It was enormously emotional, more so without his brother Stephen. Sean Becker (Dan Menne 75) skipped Friday yet led 25 Saturday laps to third-place. Tim Kaeding (Tiner 83) also made dash after borrowing engine from Cunningham to replace the Abreu Vineyards unit that was wounded. Bud went C-to-B-to-A. After three nights in car, I drove toward Oakland for couch, shower and NFL football at 10am.

September 5, 2014 Chico, CA: When racing is stellar like tonight, Silver Dollar veterans say, “That was the old Chico!” Now, we’re not talking “20 tear offs and 20 inches of stagger” Chico but the point is taken. In third season with Tommy Tarlton and crew chief Paul Baines, teenager Carson Macedo had the lead, lost the lead then took the lead back. His first 410 feature win topped The Champ, Daryn Pittman, who was gracious and analytical after two late defeats. John Gibson asked me if anyone besides Mark Kinser had ever posted first win and first WoO win in same race. Chowchilla Mike reminded that Macedo won Chowchilla 360 show two years ago. Bobby McMahan kept kid brother Paul out of dash and logged best career Outlaw finish in third.

September 4, 2014 Chico, CA: Like all dirt tracks, Silver Dollar has better chance of two grooves when no wings appear. Unfortunately for USAC, tire bills fared no better. BCRA midget of Brian Gard (Arata 88) was first to find rubber and drive unpainted Ellis past Berry Pack Spike of Trey Marcham for upset win. Last year’s winner in the mud, Ronnie Gardner was 4/10th faster than everyone but stayed upstairs too long. Geoff Ensign (Thurston 11) finished fifth in first midget start. Johnny Cofer had midget for Tyler Seavey. Sprints used more track but had nothing for Damion Gardner, who drove straight at Mike Spencer until Mike let him in. CRA followed Chico with Watsonville and Santa Maria. Demon won ‘em all. In between, his Speed Demon Beast scorched salt at 211mph. First wingless start by Morrie Williams Zero scored second. Bud told crowd what he thought of Gardner’s slide jobs and brake checks. CRA provisional was Chris Gansen, punted by Demon. Berry Pack imported Robert Ballou and Kevin Thomas Jr. to Calistoga, shipped Robert home after Spike was lost, then took KTII to Chico, Ocean and Maria. Next Big Thing from Nor Cal could be Colby Copeland, who took third. He already has Kyle Larson’s support.

September 3, 2014 Chico, CA: There’s a Gold Cup in those hills. I paid five dollar bridge toll to exit I-80 on I-505 (close to grave of West Capital Raceway, home to Gold Cup until 1980) to I-5 to 20, peeled at Colusa and stopped at taco truck under shade tree. Cost of California existence is excessive on every level except ethnic food, substantial and cheap. Going to Silver Dollar Speedway used to excite me. These days, it seems little more than a nice place to drink. Ensign (Ted Finkenbinder 3F) was wingless winner with two-barrel 360 that survived protest then was pulled for CRA and Kyle Hirst. Track went black during winged 360 feature. Matt Peterson rode rubber past Mason Moore for his first Civil War score. Andy Forsberg (X1) finished third in first of three cars in three nights. Fourth proved best of Abreu’s wretched week. Rico was too sick to run Antioch. Hirst was sixth in Michael Cunningham A.R.T. Roger Crockett returned to native soil for Harley Van Dyke. My seventh Gold Cup was first with Rottweiler and Sasquatch of Schenectady.

September 1, 2014 El Cerrito, CA: Boys on Liberty Street sure know how to eat. Meals follow such meticulous ceremony that they are rarely completed before 10pm. Randy Mussell and older brother Matt (now in Austin, TX) are excellent cooks as is Randy’s landlord Greg Callow, who often completes grill work while Randy gets wrecked. Greg joined us at Calistoga in April but high camping fees kept him home in August.

August 31, 2014 Calistoga, CA: Morning comes early when someone knocks on car window. Allegedly, we were impeding a golf game. Finding free space to park and sleep was difficult last year too. Vagrant in green Escort had been tagged. All harassment however, has been well worth it because 2013-2014 Louie Vermeil Classics have been amazing races. Tonight’s midget match was phenomenal! Three black Bullets imported by Indiana’s Keith Kunz joined Ronnie Gardner and Trey Marcham in dark dice. Three-wide for the lead ended when Christopher Bell knocked Rico upside-down. Bell was so remorseful in victory lane that he could scarcely be heard. Abreu exited ambulance, climbed into wingless sprint car for second time, put it on top of the cushion, and chased down Bell after 21 of 30. Today’s racers may be spoiled brats in many ways. Yet there can be no denying that Rico Abreu and Chris Bell (and Kyle Larson before them) are as good as anyone in any era.

August 30, 2014 Calistoga, CA: Mussell and I made our way 60 miles north to Louie Vermeil Classic for USAC-CRA 410 sprint cars and USAC Western midgets. This wonderful weekend was what drew me clear across the country. In the midget main, Abreu beat Bell after 27 of 30. Bell had never seen Calistoga, never seen Roth sprint car of Jeff Gardner. None of that mattered. After 23 of 30, leader Ryan Bernal’s magneto came loose and Chris claimed victory. Demon qualified 3/10 faster than everyone yet settled for second. Randy wanted to buy me a birthday drink at Susie’s Bar. But when we left, he used too much street and brought heat. I’ll bet even jail in Napa costs hundred dollars a night.

August 29, 2014 Kit Carson, CA: Austin, NM looked like cozy mountain town but time had grown short. I intended to be on Mussell Beach by midnight. Fallon flashed sign for Rattlesnake Speedway, so I scanned track added then subtracted from Dan Simpson’s 2013 King of the West draft. Fallon features gentle banks of gray soot. This year has shown me enough Silver State to last a lifetime, though brothels would make a fresh twist. I have solicited sponsorship via cash, check, couch, motel, food, beer, weed, tires, glass and gas but never ass. It is hard to fathom beautiful women in such ugly trailer courts. Long before Lake Tahoe, I stashed my stash for agricultural interrogation. They waved me through to 88 to Stockton to Hercules on I-80 to just above Berkeley, which feeds my rebel soul.

August 28, 2014 Austin, NV: Utah utilized I-70 until I could exit northwest toward Nevada, where Highway 50 is labeled Loneliest Road in U.S. To pass the miles of unchanging scenery, I began tearing favorite pages from crate of old porn. Computers sure killed adult book business.

August 27, 2014 Woody Creek, CO: Kentucky’s Hunter S. Thompson once hiked to Ketcham, Idaho to see where Ernest Hemingway ended his life. I did not necessarily wish to view kitchen in which Thompson pulled his trigger. Rather than where The Doctor died, I wanted to see where he lived. Woody Creek Tavern was the answer. It is small. I arrived at dinner and place was packed, keeping me from corner where HST digested news, whiskey and cocaine. I ordered Flying Dog IPA in respect to its Ralph Steadman labels. Rocky Mountains are remote and tranquil to appeal to writers. Hunter enjoyed smashing tranquility with firearms or dynamite. Basalt brought to mind Wally Dallenbach, who won in ARDC midgets and URC sprint cars of Ken Brenn before embarking on 14 Indy Car seasons. Wally’s biggest win was 1973 Ontario 500 in STP 40. He organizes Colorado 500 motorcycle race from ranch that contains “private automotive restoration garage.” Such words make me yearn to return to discuss mutual Jersey roots. Dad saw Dallenbach win Nazareth in 1965 when I was two.

August 26, 2014 Alma, NE: I stayed here before. There was snow then but 90 degrees now. Western Holiday Motel falls in my $40 window and has restaurant next door. I prefer to walk to dinner. Alma came after 200 miles of Nebraska and 200 more of Missouri. I cover 300-400 miles on average days. Why drive all night? There is so much more to see by day, unless tied to interstate. Once deer appear, I figure $50 room cheaper than collision repair. Today stopped for Nebraska tracks in Beatrice and Deshler, where Denver’s Dave Strickland Jr. defeated California’s Wally Pankratz in 2000 MARA midgets. I was rained out of Beatrice with NCRA in 1994.

August 25, 2014 Memphis, MO: Three hundred miles of 136 from Indianapolis through Illinois and into Iowa for three tense minutes. West of Memphis is Scotland County Fairgrounds, full half when winners included Frankie Luptow (’50-51 IMCA) and Gene Gennetten in ‘82-83 MARA. Sixteen years later, it reopened in shorter form alive in 2014.

August 22, 2014 Kokomo, IN: Facebook falsely placed me at Kokomo Speedway. Security swallowed it whole. Sgt. Stacy Wills performed face-to-face search as USAC Smack Down went off behind her. Tax dollars at work. I sat disappointed but dry in Speedway.

August 21, 2014 Kokomo, IN: What a colossal waste of time. For third summer, Kokomo Smack Down’s three nights of USAC sprint cars promised more action than humans can absorb. I was in California last year and Connecticut last week yet drove Back Home to Indiana. Instead it was me who got smacked down. I parked, popped beer, strolled lot, visited friends and found car under surveillance. “We got him,” said Sgt. Stacy into radio. She held me until an O’Connor could call me a trespasser and direct police to escort me from his property. More than labeling office women as bitches was their anger that I watched for free. Police action occurred an hour before racing. I had pass in pocket that I hoped someone might use in my absence. How was that trespassing? During exile from Eldora, editor explained that tracks open for business cease to be private property. Excluding one press member with proper credentials for personal reasons is legal only if all press is excluded. Next summer, I hope to make Kokomo Speedway realize that they cannot write their own law. Did an O’Connor become Earl Baltes?

August 20, 2014 Speedway, IN: Steve Stroud was on safari from Phoenix to Belleville to Knoxville to Springfield to Indy to Kokomo to Jason Leffler Memorial in Wayne City, IL. We gave him whirlwind tour of Gasoline Alley addressing Howerton, DRC, Indy Race Parts, Hummel FK, ex-Beast and Hemelgarn while chatting at Hinchman, Arizona Sport Shirts and Drinan Race Products. Stroud and Dan Drinan had mutual friend in Rick Stewart, racer/builder/car owner who gave Danny first fabricating job. Steve said Rick’s death prodded him to build museum before more heroes passed. Eckert brothers steered Stroud to Union Jack, still the greatest blend of good food, good beer and racing treasure. Where else is dirt champ car behind glass? Where else can a bloke drink English ale while gazing at A.J Foyt’s trophy from 1960? Arizona arm of Simpson Safety, Steve wanted to visit Desiree Burkle on Brownsburg alley populated by NHRA. We found Kayla Kinser and mom. Kayla could not believe I had met Mrs. Kelly Kinser at family sawmill 24 years ago. My first Indy roommate Phil Lucas crewed for Kayla and Kody’s granddad Jerry Kinser. Just outside IRP (rumored for dirt) was Rob Hart Racing, where USAC 99 was prepped for DuQuoin by Rod Larraway, who left Tim Kaeding 59 after Knoxville Nationals. Hart took Fred Gormly’s car to Belleville and Springfield for Chris Bell but Bell was booked for Calistoga. Robert Ballou’s name was mentioned but Hart had dark side of Mad Man when Casey Minks paired them in Tucson. Rob preferred Shane Cottle and attended Smack Down for Cottle’s commitment. Time for DuQuoin and Eldora however, Gormly did not send RPM 99 but RPM 98, winner of Four Crown with Jerry Coons Jr. Smack Down ended as Stroud hoped: Racers Warehouse in win circle with Dave Darland and Tom Bigelow after Dave broke Tom’s all-time mark for USAC Sprint Car wins.

August 18, 2014 Liberty, IN: Scioto River behind me, I worked west under Cowan Lake to split Cincinnati and Dayton for Hoosier State entrance at Morning Sun. Highway 44 holds Union County Speedway, which I had not seen in 23 years. On that 1991 CRA tour, Frankie Kerr won his first sprint race without wings by beating Brent Kaeding (Don Murphy 23m) and Jerry Caryer, who still pounds pavement at 410ci. In that field were Bubby Jones (Henry 24), Ron Shuman (Tamale Wagon), Lealand McSpadden (DSD 91), Billy Boat (Bromme 6), Richard Griffin (Fite 29), Rip Williams (Lewis 1), Robbie Stanley (Miller 81), Rich Bubak and young Jon Stanbrough. Too often, I recall such races sad in knowledge that they will never be repeated. Liberty brings hope however. Two weeks before firing my Ford up and down its banks, Union County booked first wingless 410 sanction since CRA. Aaron Fry’s Buckeye Outlaw Sprint Series brought 35 cars for Friday feature won by Logan Hupp (Marshall 2m) over Kevin Thomas Jr. Failing to fire for BOSS B-main was Johnny Beaber, who won at Liberty in 1977 when it was Whitewater Valley. Steering a Stanton for Flake Kemenah, Beaber beat Dick Gaines (Kinser 11), Fred Linder and Bob Kinser, all enshrined in National Sprint Car Hall of Fame.

August 17, 2014 Chillicothe, OH: John Dobbins to the rescue. As faithful reader, John is notch above. He can quote 20-year old passages that I have written and forgotten. Dobbins offered couch during Ohio Speed Week at Atomic, where I missed Jac Haudenschild’s high wire act. I was in Chillicothe after failed attempt at turning Dunaway’s 93 Speedway into 499 on track meter. I searched Speedways on Line, narrowed to Sundays in Ohio and Oak Hill popped up. After lap around Hagerstown Speedway, I stopped at Cumberland (MD) Fairgrounds, where Mario Andretti won for Wally Meskowski in 1966. Further racing at The Rock looked remote. I spanned West Virginia to cross Ohio River at Point Pleasant but found no 93 Speedway. GPS would be good.

August 16, 2014 New Oxford, PA: What a wonderful Saturday! Beneath birds and bees and trees of recreated Latimore Valley Fairground was ARDC midget maintenance between Williams Grove and Lincoln. On horse track that opened to cars in 1923, closed in ‘40 and began vintage exhibitions in ‘86 were 1979 Lloyd built for Frank Lucas and 1981 Stanton owned by Maynard Boop and distributed poorly by Lynn Paxton, who liked Lloyd better. Dad and I were at Selinsgrove in ’79 when Allen Klinger clobbered the World of Outlaws for Lucas Mining. Most famous cars were in grass rather than dirt. One was midget built by Floyd Trevis for Ken Brenn, who filled it with Don Branson, Bobby Unser, Larry Dickson, Mitch Smith, Bobbie Adamson and Ray Tilley. Another was Meskowski sprint that carried Johnny Rutherford to ‘65 crown and ’66 hospital when they sailed out of Eldora. Meskowski and Mario won five times in four months at Cumberland, Oswego, Eldora, Salem and Manzanita. I encountered Steve Koletar and Ken Johnson in turn three. Johnson was publicity agent for Kenny Weld, mad scientist who only allowed Johnson’s camera inside his think tank. Johnson said that Dub May helped Weld build eight modified cars in winter of ’75-76 but kept it quiet from those who disliked the perennial champ. Photo copying from Chris Economaki Memorial Library, I left Latimore for Lincoln but not before swinging into Allen Enterprises, now known as Shark Racing. Who knew when Jack Eckard sketched eyes and teeth on Bob’s bare hood that it would be internationally incorporated one day? Bobby Allen never showed the sentiment to save old cars. I did find one sideboard circa 1983. Bob’s son Jacob and grandson Logan were in North Dakota while Shark shop hosted Mike Bittinger, leader of Lincoln’s opening lap tonight. Freddie Rahmer replaced him out front and seemed destined for first win of young life until hesitating behind twin brother Brandon. On laps 22-23, Danny Dietrich circled Robbie Kendall and Bittinger and on lap 24 roared by Rahmers to win from row six. In the ARDC night cap, Alex Bright used late restart to pass Steve Buckwalter for second victory in as many nights. Danny Stratton was added between Grove and Lincoln until Jerry Steward’s car broke rear axle. I flew out of Pigeon Hills for Hagerstown because it had been quiet place to sleep. However, the old crab house is now loud road house. On better budget, I’d have wandered in for band’s Thin Lizzy cover song.

August 15, 2014 Williams Grove, PA: Atmosphere unmatched anywhere while action is matched everywhere. One visit per year to long chutes goes long way. This was no ordinary Friday. ARDC was added and famous iron adorned famous infield. There was 1950 Hillegass that hit 119 MPH on Daytona sand with Wally Campbell; red coupe fielded by Jack Tant for Virginia’s Ray Hendrick; gleaming red Konstant Hot midget; and Trevis Craft owned by Al Hamilton and driven by Bobbie Adamson, both on hand. Backstretch pals were plentiful. Steve Novosel, Penny Dougherty and John Kost (Schenectady Sasquatch) were still shaken by Canandaigua horror they witnessed six nights before. Kost had strong words regarding Tony Stewart but stronger ones for tragedy-sniffing TV crew that poked around camp for sound bites about Kevin Ward Jr. Twin 20s were nice surprise, though aligned by time rather than point handicap. In first feature, Gerard McIntyre led 16 laps from pole until Brent Marks pinned him in traffic. As winner, Marks drew six for second 20, placing quick qualifier Don Kreitz on pole. The Donald led 11 laps but was not as good through middle lane as Greg Hodnett was up top. Entering turn one, Marks blew tire and destroyed car that replaced car destroyed at Knoxville. Fred Rahmer and Moon Byers bagged eighth and third with Stevie Smith, who watched next night’s near win by Fred III. Studying under Moon and Cris Eash on 1987-88 WoO trails, Dennis Kohler is 2014 Lincoln champ as Alan Krimes chief. ARDC and Williams Grove were born in 1939 and commemorated 75 years with Eastern Museum of Motor Racing roundtable of Ken Brenn, Jim Maguire, Lennie Boyd, Ray Bull, Brett Mowery, Ron Lauer and Hank Rogers Jr. Paxton is always the needle to nudge stories along. He asked Butch Kaelin why Maguire was fired at finale of ‘79 when Jim stood chance to be champion. Kaelin claimed Maguire had stressed new engine in practice. Jim said Butch wanted any excuse to hire Nick Fornoro, who then submerged Kaelin Steel in Thompson puddle. “What did that do for your new engine?” Jim joked in Jersey sarcasm sharpened by 50 years with hook for hand. Maguire was rumored to be Mario’s successor before Jim gave right arm to New Bremen. New engine rules in ARDC have been mastered by Alex Bright’s Fontana, which won The Grove by half track. Grove and Lincoln landed second and third for Steven Drevicki, third and eighth for Smack Down rookie Trevor Kobylarz, and fourth and seventh for Philly’s P.J Gargiulo.

August 14, 2014 Lebanon, PA: I traced 422 on day devoted to nostalgia. Only once had I been to Tobias Speed Equipment for basketball game at Lebanon High School of Sam Bowie, infamous as NBA draft pick not Michael Jordan. Dick Tobias formed geographic and philosophic center between Central PA super modified sprints and Eastern PA modified stock cars. I knew speed shop was silent (Richard II moved Slingshot and Speedster production to RW) but did not know Rite Aid pharmacy sits on 433 South Ninth Street. I prowled Palmyra for Kramer Kraft, split Chocolate Town and recalled Hershey Stadium stop of ‘83 when Bob Cicconi stomped SMRC. Susquehanna River has three bridges in Harrisburg but only three in 60 miles downstream. One is I-76 at Highspire home to Lloyd Enterprises. I had never seen where boat racer Charlie Lloyd and hot rod son Mike made sprints, sportsmen and champ cars. Mike crewed for Kenny Weld before he became winning driver. When he stopped sprint car driving in ‘75, Mike and Pop selected Jim Edwards and Smokey Snellbaker. When World of Outlaws got smoked in ’79-80, all four PA pilots (Smokey, Paxton, Klinger and Kramer Williamson) were in leather saddles stitched by Mike’s mom. I pledged to keep Lloyd’s name in hall of fame forefront. Mike built rail that he drag races on the odd Sunday. He also maintains 305 sprint of John Bordlemay. Lloyd would like to sell 1983 champ car that Smokey raced at Nazareth before sold to Randy Mausteller. I rode I-83 across river too late for Grove office but on time for Route 30 Seafood dinner specials. Those craving crab or oysters do not think of landlocked Quaker State but Thomasville is 50 miles of Thermo King from Baltimore’s inner harbor. Lincoln Highway’s house of fish has sponsored sprint cars of Billy Wilburn, Doug Esh and now Danny Dietrich. After dinner, my West York locale called for one more historical site: Kenny Weld’s place in Loganville. Kenneth Eugene Weld profoundly impacted my life from this shop. I had seen it twice. First was Memorial Day 1975 on initial trip to Lincoln. Weld was already at Lincoln with second mod when we peered through his windows. Sadly the building that birthed so many sprint and modified wins is not long for this world. Owner expects roof to cave any day. In front of two structures was house where Kenny and Mary Etta raised Debi, daughter who sells Weld Tech cylinder heads that dad dreamed up in prison for cocaine.

August 13, 2014 Kutztown, PA: The last Wednesday of Speedsters, Slingshots and 600cc Micro Sprints overlapped 143rd Kutztown Fair. Sprint cars ran half-mile horse track here until 1947 when Ducky Pehlman (Charlie Sacks 18) died on backstretch. Fifty years later, small oval was carved in corner of property. It ceased operations in 2003 but was resurrected by Rich Tobias and Doug Rose. Kutztown is cool college town with Golden Avalanche brew pub where I met Billy, Petey, Aero and Woof for pre-race ale. In my second visit in three weeks, another Brightbill smoked Speedsters. First was Kenny, an ageless Paul Bunyan of PA. Second winner was his son Brad. King of Speedsters in 2014 was Billy Pauch Jr. After too many 600 spins, I bolted 20 miles to Casa Killian but doorbell was disconnected, Gordy was asleep in chair and half-crippled roommate Mark Garman was under heavy sedation. Wernerville’s Motel Deska decreased funds by 60 bucks.

August 12, 2014 Middletown, NY: Orange County Fair Speedway is longest continual operation in American auto racing. OCFS held first race in 1919, stopped for World War II, introduced Saturday stock cars in 1948 and has blown dust on Wisner Avenue ever since. I was nearly nine on first visit in 1972 (won by Frankie Schneider) and we returned for Eastern States 200 wins by Gerry Chamberlain (’73, 76), Bobby Bottcher (after Weld broke leading in 1974), C.D Coville (’83), Dave Lape (’84) and Brett Hearn in ‘85 and ’87. Wondering what sprints looked like on Hard Clay, I watched Don Kreitz Jr. beat URC in ‘83 before WoO wins by Keith Kauffman (’84), Steve Kinser (’87), Doug Wolfgang (’89), Mark Kinser (’90) and Sammy Swindell during 1996 program sales. Three sleeps before today, Brittany Tresch topped CRSA 305 sprints on her hometown half. Pine Island’s OCFS champ of 1970, Richie Eurich still competes. I found open gate but too many employees to chance a lap. I suffered I-84 too long (one-lane for 30 miles of PA) prior to exit on 447, fun trail ten miles east of Pocono International. In six weeks, 447 was packed with police seeking survivalist. Sensing congestion above Stroudsburg, I saw 248 and chose sneak peek at whatever remained in Nazareth, once the Sunday stop for OCFS racers. Those who never saw Jerry Fried’s half-mile would be unable to trace it beneath today’s strip mall. Best landmark was billboard that afforded free view from turns four to two. Intact is the mile built by Fried, rebuilt by Lindy Vicari and paved by Roger Penske. I crawled under fence to walk backstretch where I saw only USAC wins by Keith Kauffman (’82) and Jimmy Horton (’83) and serious injuries by El Paso’s Joe McCarthy and Kevin Bloomstran of Michigan. Nazareth nostalgia melted into Brass Rail cheese steaks and comfort of mother’s parlor.

August 11, 2014 Ellington, CT: Skip Matczak’s enthusiasm has always been contagious. I long admired open wheel loyalists like Skip and “Boston Louie” Seymour who towed past ten stock car tracks to race Real Cars at Oswego or Eldora. Matczak’s sprint helped Bentley Warren reach Indy 500. Skip still talks of their ride home from NYC in 1970 after Bentley was hired by Tassi Vatis. Allyn Tool evolved into Seals-It, which seals bearings in NASCAR and U.S Army. Matczak and Doug Didero of Canada were ‘94-96 Oswego champs. USAC proved more difficult. Skip partnered with Dom Mucci of Syracuse on Silver Crown Beasts and string of drivers, none of whom could win. John Heydenreich and Paul White came closest. Matczak brings Heydenreich to Hartford to do Seals-It business (trade shows too) and race one of Skip’s four midgets at Bear Ridge. How did Matczak manage USAC endorsement of Oldsmobile Quad-4 series? “I promised to sell memberships,” smiled captain of industry. Skip and wife took me and Lakeville king John Kershaw to Jewish NYC-style deli called Rein’s. To honor host, I had Polish ham. TV over bar indicated Robin Williams had taken his life. Tony Stewart was no longer lead story.

August 10, 2014 Winchester, NH: Vicious video of Kevin Ward fatally flattened was everywhere. I tried to enjoy Sunday through Granite State when I saw Monadnock Speedway, named for mountain in books by Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau in 1860. Track opened in 1971. It is nicely banked quarter paved since 1975. Gate was latched but not locked so I cut a couple laps slightly slower than 11.6 by Joey Payne’s winged midget during 2013 Iron Mike Scrivani Memorial win. Randy Cabral won 2014 version. Moving into Massachusetts, I steered for Springfield’s Basketball Hall of Fame before balking at $21. Maybe calzone instead? West Springfield had Italian joint around corner from Flat Out office but I was unable to locate, cracking Connecticut to accept spare bed from Kershaw, who I had not seen in two decades.

August 9, 2014 Bradford, VT: I wanted motel room enough to extend $71 in horse track winnings toward $80 price. Vermont escaped me in 2000 when Empire Super Sprints were rained out of Devil’s Bowl. Matczak Midgets at Bear Ridge would right that wrong 14 years later. USAC DMA has friendly vibe. There were kids like Lauryn Burd, old guys like Ray Miller and Jeff Horn, ESS winner Scott Holcomb, journalist Karl Fredrickson, and aggressive Adam Pierson, who started deep yet ran Ford Focus past last Quad-4 on last lap. Pierson punished Oldsmobile so badly that Skip hinted at revised rules in 2015. Laila at Bradford Motel booked room, grilled burger and made fine Cape Cod.

August 8, 2014 Lee, NH: I was not leaving without a race in Maine! I plotted to catch some Car Wars at Beech Ridge and reach Lee USA before Ollie Silva ISMA Classic. Beech Ridge rests across road from Scarborough Downs sulky track, which promised beer. To make things interesting, I researched horses and put ten bucks on nose of one to win. Animal made me $71! After truck tumbled in Maine, I bounced into NH. Heats had passed. I enjoyed first chat in 20 years with Lou Cicconi Sr. and thought Lou Jr. aloof until noticing Clyde Booth machine mangled. Cicconi solicited ride in Belfiore of Tommy Tommarello to maintain points. After my Lee debut of 1986, I slept on floor of motel of Lou’s brother Bob Cicconi. In that USAC field but no longer with us were Rich Vogler, Brian Caruso (Scrivani 22) and Gary Bettenhausen. I spoke with J. Scott Martel, who fielded Jon Gambuti. Some doctor wanted to stash bag in Scott’s trailer. It was Dick Berggren, who tried to unseat Ralph Cusack as ‘77 super king of Beech Ridge when it was oiled sand. Trailer of photos and trophies held articles worn by Silva, a Portuguese pedal masher most recognized with left front a foot in the air. Ollie’s career ended against Monadnock light pole in ‘78. In tenth Silva Classic, Jon McKennedy (Dunigan 79) restarted fourth after 49 of 75 and eight circuits later had gone outside Ben Seitz, inside Rob Summers and around Eddie Witkum Jr. I watched with Mr. & Mrs. Bentley Warren from first turn suite before shifting to bleachers between three and four for McKennedy surge. Five nights after sliding 360 on Wentworth dirt, Dave Sanborn raced 470 super on Lee asphalt. Warren loaded bike for return to saloon. I had no envy for bikers headed into coastal mist as I cut west for I-89 to Georges Mills before fatigue forced me to dark lot.

August 7, 2014 Arundel, ME: Beech Ridge Speedway offered stock cars on Thursday that I hoped would provide my first Maine event. Old Orchard Beach had just served the fried clams when The Ridge rained out. Bentley’s Saloon would get me sooner. Bones Bourcier’s biography Wicked Fast ignited desire to drink in his special tavern. It is enormous enough for campground, motel (more like bungalow with half dozen rooms), hundreds of Harley-Davidson motorcycles of which Warren is fond, stages, stations and spits for hog roasts. Bentley offers two lobsters for $20. Rear fin of Flyin’ Five is mounted to ceiling in front. I found Warren in back bar, introducing myself as Dick O’Brien’s friend and Stat Man on Bones bio. In about 20 minutes, Bentley posed for five photos. He is mythic. He had just raced a super at age 73. Warren would lead string of cycles to Lee USA.

August 5, 2014 Trenton, ME: Rob Hart first introduced me to Richard Salisbury some 25 years ago. We’ve partied from Knoxville Nationals to Lebanon Valley to Daytona Beach. “At the end of the night,” he once told me, “the girl goes home with the guy with the best story.” Rich wrenched for David Gravel and Jessica Zemken. This winter, he drove to Hanover but “went to lunch and never came back” according to Rob, who doubted Bobby Allen promised salary. Ohio Speed Week saw Hart summon Salisbury to help Stevie Smith on Holbrook/Call 83. Now he was submerged in lobster industry, as grueling as it is lucrative. Like all fishermen, Richard woke before dawn, donned rubber, rode boat, pulled traps, extracted catch, and baited trap without falling into Bar Harbor. Three weeks after we convened at Rob Hart Racing, Rich brought two lobsters home for this hobo.

August 4, 2014 Rockport, ME: I had only been in Maine long enough for bowl of chowder between 1986 dates in Lee, NH and Seekonk, MA. Monday morning mist welcomed me to eastern version of Highway One. Over the Penobscot River brought me to Trenton, where Salisbury family are three of 1481 town residents.

August 3, 2014 Wentworth, NH: Another drive of great anticipation. Part of Plattsburgh appeal was Adirondack National Forest and look at Lake Placid, where USA hockey stunned Soviets in 1980 Olympics. I lowered course through Johnsburg, where Hudson River starts for NYC. I wanted to ferry across Lake Champlain at Ticonderoga but it took too long so I crossed at Port Henry into Green Mountains to Connecticut River that divides Vermont from New Hampshire. Legion Speedway was step back in time. As one of region’s oldest ovals, it looked the part. It was simply called The Pines (White Mountain National Forest) when Bentley Warren was champ in ‘62. To purveyors of pure clay, New Hampshire suffers same problem as Florida or Michigan: sand. No wonder so many tracks are paved. Wentworth was so dusty that Sprint Cars of New England became invisible. Dan Douville hit infield tire and flipped, prompting me to flee. The versatile Chris Donnelly got GF1 to win circle. Indy roadsters on Loudon mile made Monday sound nice but I was tired and hungry. I penetrated Pine Tree State to Portland rest area.

August 2, 2014 Oswego, NY: Weedsport had WiFi at Dunkin Donuts (Starbucks are scarce) and campground with free shower. Cleaned and pressed, I was pleased that DIRT Hall of Fame had three Weld modified products: 1974 Weikert original, 1976 Brightbill and 1980 Balough 112. There was 1936 Hillegass midget. Off to Oswego, I traced Lake Ontario to Steel Palace to end 19-year absence. I vividly recall cold Saturdays before Syracuse Sundays when winners were Ron Wallace (’75), Bentley Warren (’76) and Jim Shampine in 1978. I returned for wins by Joe Gosek (’88-89), Pat Abold (’90) and Dave McKnight (Mucci 98) in ISMA 1995. In five-division era, Oswego is refreshing with two classes (it took until ‘92 to add one) as entertainment. There is atmosphere in the way big blocks shake the boards, tickle your ears, and belch alcohol to mingle with smell of Hofmann hot dogs grilling below bleachers. Dan Kapuscinski knows meaning of public relations. I hit pits to meet Derek Pernesiglio as he filmed for Speed Sport channel. In booth, I surprised ex-promoter Dick O’Brien, who organized one race at Chemung in ‘77. In stands, I sat with Dan Estelle, an Elmira native who winters in AZ. Estelle would witness Canandaigua horror seven days later. Domination by Dave Danzer drained all suspense as to who would be Mr. Super Modified. He covered 75 laps to 10k before nightfall. Good to see third generations of Gioia and Bellinger active. I drove down 104 to Mexico, found secluded cemetery for slumber, but was besieged by mosquitoes. To hunt tracks is to tempt West Nile virus.

August 1, 2014 Weedsport, NY: Schedule shreds. AARN off Wally’s News Stand listed no NEMA midgets in ad for Airborne Park, which had been my Saturday show. Sunday sprints in New Hampshire were solid, so I rescheduled Saturday with Oswego supers. Wanting into New York by Friday, I found new ground at Chemung, where 350 modified cars pounded pavement. Chemung was third-mile of dirt when built by Eli Bodine in 1951. Paved during ’69 season, Chemung launched careers of Eli’s grandsons Geoff and Brett. Geoff was God in Mods, winning Race of Champions at Trenton (’72) and 55 times in 1978 alone. Bodine bagged Daytona 500 for Rick Hendrick in 1986. I watched Sunoco mod heats and hustled through Watkins Glen toward Trumansburg’s Starlite Speedway for 600cc. Failing to find Starlite in dark, I wandered to Weedsport to view DIRT Modified Hall of Fame in morning.

July 31, 2014 Wyomissing, PA: Woke to find Gordy gone on safari. Killian’s flight departed Baltimore for Kansas City at 6:15am. Figure-8 racing at Lancaster (NE) Fair and three-quarter midgets on Belleville (KS) inner oval was tip of iceberg that would find puddles at Knoxville Nationals. Since my snowy departure, Killian acquired squatter in Mark the Shark, our comrade from Speedway Scene circa 1990. Garman was working through Grandview and second divorce. “You might have been smartest of us all,” Mark told me. Why? Just because I chose gypsy life of solitary masturbation?

July 30, 2014 Kutztown, PA: Toby’s got good thing going. He runs tight Wednesday shows halfway between Allentown and Reading, where fans are so passionate that presence of Brightbill and Pauch is worth one thousand tickets. Action Track is two grooves or they fix it. Mood is light until visors drop. Tobias penalized Pauch on restart to race won by Brightbill, prompting Billy Sr. to ask if Richie needed new glasses. Kutztown gave 600cc glimpse of third generation racer Shawn Rooney in family Number 97. His grandpa Tom was ‘63 champ of Dorney Park.

July 29, 2014 Bechtelsville, PA: Thunder on The Hill at Grandview fits like old shoe. I watched Bobby Weaver (Zemco 1z) win first one in 1990. Bob Miller’s version on this Tuesday paired 410 sprints with 467 modified stocks where Saturdays restrict to 358. To see Billy Pauch perform two nights straight took me back to East Windsor/Flemington 1980. Dad did not fare as well as Junior, ninth in first sprint ride for John Pinter or “Kamikaze Kumjati” as father reminded Van May and me. Dan Saracino sported 1988 Rich Bubak T-shirt. Brian Whitman shared laugh. Hodnett clocked quickest and glided to Grandview gold for the fourth straight time. Modified names most familiar were Danny Johnson and Stewart Friesen from NY, Meme DeSantis and Lou Cicconi, fresh from Hy-Miler win at Sandusky. Cicconi got slapped around in his heat and after ample cautions in 66-lapper, I fired 20 miles down 100 to sanctity of stepdad’s garage, designated smoking area.

July 28, 2014 Allentown, PA: Touring my home of ten years, I shot Fourth Street factory of Hiram Hillegass and America on Wheels, where two of Sam Traylor’s sprints sat buffed and shined. Number Nine began as 1948 Kurtis midget that Ken Hickey stretched to sprint in 1950. It was ’54 AAA champ with Johnny Thomson. Number 55 built in ’54 by Hickey housed 220 Offy opened by Jimmy Bryan, Wally Campbell and A.J Foyt. I passed Traylor Hotel to fairground where Sam’s cars gained fame. Beyond backstretch is Wert’s Café, where smart locals dine.

July 27, 2014 Grantville, PA: Woke in Woodhull, seven miles from Quaker State and exited Empire State for Susquehannock State Forest. This part of PA is especially coveted by deer hunters, who could shoot 12 months in my opinion. PA is second to West Virginia in vehicle vs. deer. Average cost: $4000. I chose 200 miles to Path Valley first thing in morning. Cool things are happening at cool quarter. Last year, Tobias tried Path Valley USAC but got rained out. This year, Rahmer presented PA Speed Week, drew 43 cars and more fans than hole in hill can fit. Also in 2014 were wingless sportsmen and first ARDC midget race since 1993. Toby booked winged 410 Sprints and Speedsters, which I learned from Attica AARN. Score one for print media! I took 322 to 522 but pitted in Milroy to learn Path Valley victim of approaching rain. Juniata County sparkled so I wandered into 161-year old fairground 12 hours too late for first win by Brent Marks. Blackened by 25 winged 410s, 21 winged 305 and 17 late models, The Port made my Ford rattle. I was south of former Bogar Speed Shop, so I compensated at Eastern Museum of Motor Racing, which boasted Harold Hank Edmunds in which Jan Opperman won Grove debut in 1970; Sacks 18 and Gapco 83 of Andretti; Weikert 29 of Paul Pitzer; Boop One of Paxton; Grimm 88 of Tilley; Lloyd 56 pocket rocket steered by Snellbaker; and super sportsman built by Lebanon Pattern Shop for Gary Wolford. One summer, Wolford raced Silver Spring then hung Pinto for Penn National, not a trace of which remains. Opened in 1971 and closed after 1997, the half-mile in Grantville gave me first look at sprint cars (’73) and World of Outlaws in 1979. My most vivid memories are Pauch throwing sparks as he skipped off concrete to Sunday victory.

July 26, 2014 Woodhull, NY: Gorgeous gorge where Alleghany River meets Alleghany National Forest in PA pushed into Empire State near Olean, home to Phil Mott. Ever since 1976 when dad first subscribed to Gater Racing News, there were photos of Phil at Woodhull with roof visible, indicating steep banks. Ten years ago, Woodhull was promoted by Vern Wasson, son of Gary’s Motor Mart that upset USAC with Mitch Smith in 1971. Woodhull would be tough to find in dark. Even sound is difficult to pinpoint in so many valleys. Woodhull winner in 2012-13, Justin Barger was surprise starter in rookie 410 campaign. Barger won heat but wasted too many laps behind Scott Kreutter to catch The Cobra, Chuck Hebing. Cobra drew seventh, reached runner-up in three laps, and passed Jared Fink to lead lap eight. Hebing has six wins in 11 Woodhull starts. Steve Collins of Belfast had best Patriot performance in second. In two weeks, America would know Hebing as Number 45 that Tony Stewart followed around Canandaigua when yellow turned red.

July 25, 2014 Attica, OH: Trackside check arrived and I bolted out of Indy. If I went half distance to goal of Woodhull, NY by Friday midnight, Patriot Sprint Group could comfortably occupy Saturday 6pm. Sunset presented option of 410/305 sprints at Attica or ISMA supers at Sandusky, where I have yet to see supers in two stops. Attica was easy call. Arriving after heats, I watched B-main outside turn two and walked into awesome A-main. I saved 15 bucks but gave half back for Coney dog, Yuengling and Area Auto Racing News. Attica has always had good enough food to be dinner. Friday feature seemed to belong to Greg Wilson before Caleb Griffith emerged from five-car dice. On last lap, Griffith got Griff’s Engines around W20 in first 410 win ever at Attica. Already in New York State of mind, I drove to Wadsworth.

July 21, 2014 Speedway, IN: I sat in Lino’s Coffee Shop when face of rage appeared. “We’re going to settle this right here and now!” Dean Mills spat. “Get the fuck away from me,” was my answer. Next instant, my eye was bloodied by glasses that punch had broken. Blinded and breathless, I sat on crazed assailant until separated by baristas. He peeled out before police arrived to ask if I wanted ambulance. I waved it off. Brother patched me up but modeling could be over. Humor would have been less if glass had sliced cornea. People who hold Dean as friend are poor judges of character. He was charged with battery and mischief for damage to door into which I was rammed. Two nights later at Eldora trucks, Dean thanked Tony Stewart for pledging legal defense via Jim Voyles, attorney to all Indianapolis sports figures, recently Jim Irsay. I found that puzzling. Perhaps promoter Smoke was steamed that I called his track “dirtiest saloon in motorsports” on Ohio Speed Week. In three weeks, Tony would forget all about fistfights on press row.

July 20, 2014 Salem, IN: Headed through Hoosier National Forest, I carried 56 from French Link to infamous Salem Super Speedway. Some tracks demand respect without cars. Salem is one. In the deadly post-World War II period, Salem and Dayton and Winchester were AAA Hills of Death. In its very first race, Salem sent Clay Corbitt to grave and Jack Schultz to assisted living lasting five years. Chick Barbo and Tommy Mattson died in same 1949 accident. Charlie Ethier (’51), Wally Campbell (’54), Bob Sweikert (’56), Gil Hess (’70) and Rich Vogler (’90) followed to marble orchard. On positive note, car owners recognized winners of 100-lappers at Salem as Indy 500 prospects. Sponsor at Salem in 2014 is Eddie Gilstrap Motors. I wondered if Ed was related to Calvin Gilstrap, sprint star killed at Bloomington in 1976. Yes, according to Seth Motsinger, manager at Gilstrap Motors when he is not in one of Kenny Brown’s POWRi midgets.

July 19, 2014 Haubstadt, IN: Karl Kinser can tell Gilstrap stories. I stopped to see the wizard in Oolitic. He was frustrated by lack of parts for scooter but thinking about riverboat run. Of all the cars he built for Dick Gaines, Butch Wilkerson, Larry Miller and Gilstrap, Karl kept two: 1987 Coors Light Gambler and 2000 Mopar. Each won that year’s Knoxville Nationals. Kinser has frames and tanks and components in tight stack. Each piece parked in win circle of Nationals. Last month, he and Mark rode restored Cadillac to Knoxville so that son could join dad in Hall of Fame. Karl kept ridiculously high win percentage at Tri-State, where he and Steve were ’78 champs in spare time. Haubstadt has always been my favorite because of banking and Tom Helfrich’s ability to rejuvenate surface. In this millennium however, Tri-State clay does not respond as well. It has silt that mats against wall. Racing is still good, especially heats. Sprint Week B-main boasted 16 finishers from eight states beaten by Boespflug, who coaxed Paul Hazen to Haubstadt unlike three weeks earlier when Putnamville rained early. Selinsgrove star Mark Smith is commended for testing America’s wingless professionals but missed transfer. A-main placed Ballou on front but after seven circuits, Kyle Cummins passed him. Robert secured lead at halfway. Ballou showed more consistency in six races than anyone not Clauson. After three early mornings in car, I splurged on motel in Oakland City, where Hud Cone is far from retired.

July 18, 2014 Bloomington, IN: Monroe County from Putnam County is brief and bucolic through Cataract Falls, where weird dirt track held handful of races in 1996-99. Brother and I stopped once to find tractor buried to axle. Teamed with USAC veteran Gene Nolen in 2014, Hunter Schuerenberg has suffered trying season. In between 410 engine issues, he raced winged 360 Mach 1 at Selinsgrove for Mark Smith. Hunter was on his game at Bloomington: best at 10.92 and leader of 25 of 30 when Clauson caught him. Sprint Week at Bloomington is annually one of the finest Frolics but each year, more campers spread party more evenly.

July 17, 2014 Putnamville, IN: No one has deeper affection for auto racing history than USAC publicist Dick Jordan, who owns program from 1911 Indianapolis 500. Jordan said, “Now that you’ve seen Don Smith’s stuff in Terre Haute and Bill Smith’s museum in Lincoln (NE) you’ve seen the best.” Just a few of Don’s sprints, midgets and champ cars were Amerling 1 driven by Sammy Sessions; Delrose 1 by Bettenhausen; Kodiak 1 by Sammy Swindell; Doug Caruthers 2 by Vogler; Smith Speed Shop 4; Stapp 6 by Pancho; Dowker 10 by Steve Chassey; Luna 10 by Dave Blaney; Luna 10 by Bobby Davis; Steve Kinser 11; Delrose 12 by Jeff Swindell; J.J Smith Trucking 17 by Billy Vukovich; Jim McElreath 23; Trost 30 by Roger Rager; Ben Bowen 35; Truax 36 by Bruce Field; Rose 46 by Rutherford; Lowe 74 of Vogler; and Lonnie Caruthers 78 VW. History lesson was not complete until Jordan convinced Boston’s Dick Monahan and to follow us to Jungle Park, perhaps the strangest track in sprint history. Its half-mile was dirt, paved, banked and flat at same time. IMCA king Bobby Grim began Hall of Fame career here in ‘47. Jungle Park is 37 miles northwest of Lincoln Park, first Sprint Week win by Ballou. USAC used new rule to stage. Boespflug was penalized off pole. Ballou moved to front and led all 30 on ragged cushion. Mad Man credited Don Ott engine in Maxim maintained by Derrick Bye. Clauson, Chris Windom and KTII went three-wide until Chris took Kevin’s line, Thomas tagged Windom and took sixth-place Justin Grant to tail of lap 23. Thomas Meseraull cannot keep ride and that is a mystery. He stuck Stensland’s Kercher DRC on the rim to record third-place. Brady Short rode provisional last to sixth. A.J Hopkins was fifth fastest but flipped clear to woods on second lap.

July 16, 2014 Terre Haute, IN: First leg of Don Smith’s collection included Tim Delrose’s Grant King champ car driven by Bettenhausen; Hector Honore 2 of Grim; Snider/Foyt 11 of Tony Stewart; and Jim Hurtubise 56 champ car. USAC sirens pulled Darland from pole. Bacon (Hoffman 69) whipped Williams Mopar XXX out front but faded to third. Quick qualifier Ballou passed Bacon but fell to Kistler Beast prepared by Bob East and Brad Mariscotti. The 2014 Don Smith Classic by First Financial Bank was Clauson’s first win ever at Terre Haute.

July 13, 2014 Lawrenceburg, IN: In each speed week, some rain must fall. Unfortunately for Dave Rudisill, it fell on his USAC Sprint Week show after three of four heats. Daron Clayton (Hank Byram 3r) transferred so rain was inevitable. Clauson clocked second best to Chase Stockon (13.6 to 13.7) and took third in heat observed by Craig McCormick, mechanic on Buffalo Wild Wings 82. After missing NRA 360 cut at Kings Royal, McCormick fired Roger Crockett and came to The Burg to watch his Knoxville choice. Craig’s big rig with SD plates was long gone before my brother surfaced. Why were three Eckerts not half into hundred miles back to Indy? Oh, because USAC’s video asshole was lambasting Steve for cracking on I.Q. Truly smart people know that bellowing about smarts is opposite of smart. I asked for scaffold collapse. Someone asked why crazy people reproduce. I answered that Mills was “trapped by serial breeder” which was mean, over the line, and accurate. It spiraled into bloodshed in eight days.

July 12, 2014 Kokomo, IN: Hits keep coming. This morning, Flat Out editor Justin Zoch informed that yes, Kokomo Speedway received his magazine’s credential request but no, I was refused. WTF? Until now, those girls said that I had to jump through proper channels. Yet after I complied, they stiff me anyway? American auto racing is a thousand tiny fiefdoms of small minds like Chris O’Connor, who saw no need for Robin Miller or Pat Sullivan either. America also has no finer venue for wingless sprint cars. No lack of hospitality would prevent attendance. And it was indeed Best Show of 2014 from heats to B-to-A as Darland capped storybook Saturday by seizing cushion to beat Grant by inches.

July 11, 2014 Gas City, IN: Trejo’s Gyro house is now Niko’s Gyro joint. Menu remained intact minus some Chicago selections. Several blocks south, pool cost three bucks, welcome in 90-degree swelter. Steve Koletar had never seen Gas City I-69 Speedway. When he and I repeatedly journeyed to Indiana in 1986, it had just opened. We were told about the place by Tom Bigelow because he was early winner. Killian and I were rained out to end ’86. Then it was closed seven years, reopening in 1996. By then, Steve had daughter and few Fridays to drive 600 miles. She’s off to college now and daddy was off to Sprint Week, which started 53 cars strong. That’s too many for I-69 because USAC requires more laps under sun than surface can stand. Everyone watched one by one as rim-riders dropped to bottom. Our only hope was if ripped and watered a second time. But when? Before the B? Before the A? Stanbrough thought it was fine. He started front row and led all 30. Shane Cockrum (Shane Wade 66) took seventh back to Illinois. Last to transfer from B, Jimmy Light landed ninth-place for PA.

July 10, 2014 Rossburg, OH: I spent most of Thursday at Potter House, a collection of coffee, cuisine, craft beer and art. After processing mountain of data, I was lured down to Eldora Speedway on false promise of live music. Why was there dust over track? Temporary oval on front stretch staged team odyssey races: Le Mans start, surrender seat after a lap, etc. New track! I looked for friends among thousands of campers and found cute, drunk girl wandering just as aimlessly. She was Raquel Haudenschild, daughter of Jac and Patty, sister of Sheldon and less than fond of Yuengling Black & Tan.

July 9, 2014 Lima, OH: Long hot drive from Chicago. Specifically, it is 444 miles from Arlington Heights, IL to Allentown, Ohio home of Limaland Motorsports Park. I had not seen Brad Doty Classic since it began at Attica. Its 43-car field was one of the stoutest all summer due to Wednesday slot before Kings Royal. World of Outlaws were bolstered by All Stars such as Dale Blaney, Jac Haudenschild, Tim Kaeding, Randy Hannagan, Chad Kemenah, Danny Holtgraver and Greg Wilson; USAC heroes Abreu, Bell and Bacon; Australian muscle Ian Madsen, James McFadden and Jamie Veal; international icons Shane Stewart and Danny Smith; and Kevin Swindell wearing Bowers Coal 28 for Doty. All were slower than David Gravel’s new record of 10.41. TK took C; Bonzai Bruns keeled over with pancreatic problems. The King and Marks ended deep in B. Bell (Marshall 33) fell two shy. Veal kept Schatz from last transfer then stopped in illegal area on pace lap: DQ. Donny turned provisional into fourth-place. Sammy led 31 of 40 before McMahan moved by. Swindell fell to seventh. Seven weeks later, Sammy retired. McFadden and Abreu finished fifth and sixth. Despite hype, Doty Classic is 10k to win and $800 to start standard.

July 8, 2014 Chicago, IL: Delightfully off-center Kevin McAllen offered tour of That Toddlin’ Town. We walked to train, rode boat to Lake Michigan, and drank beer in Billy Goat Tavern like John Belushi and columnist Mike Royko, beloved curmudgeon. Rosebud on Rush was fine Italian dining. Mac Dog pointed out many movie sites such as Blues Brothers and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. One favorite was Chain Reaction (1996) when Keanu Reeves escaped drawbridge. Windy City can sure blow your skirt up. Red thongs are than six-layer lasagna.

July 7, 2014 Milwaukee, WI: Michael Collins also invited me to camp and explore his city. He lives across street from Miller Park, where they abandon turnstiles around seventh inning. We saw Philadelphia Phillies finish off Milwaukee Brewers. In common theme, Miller Park sits atop ruins of County Stadium, where Henry Aaron and Warren Spahn brought World Series trophy to town in 1957. In another common theme, Milwaukee Braves became an Atlanta franchise.

July 6, 2014 Sun Prairie, WI: Angell Park is like church. Actually to an atheist, it’s even better. Triple sanctions with USAC, POWRi and Badger hosts are best to insure full field. POWRi provides minimal points to prevent St. Louis corps from having to tow to Cheese Land. Hagen made Hmiel 56 of Wilke 5 but it died in hot laps. Michael Pickens (Fike 3) led 18 of 30 before 14.61 quick qualifier Bell won from sixth. Tanner Thorson and Abreu made Kunz 1-2-3.

July 5, 2014 Sun Prairie, WI: Matt Kenseth Museum in Cambridge illustrated why NASCAR is supreme. Plain white Camaro that Don Kenseth purchased for $1800 and added $1200 engine put 16-year son on path to prosperity. Such mockery did Matt make of Sprint Cup 2003 that The Chase was designed. Sun Prairie’s Pepsi Nationals was 50-laps on eve of Labar Day to close Badger business. But then Pepsi bailed. NAMARS wanted into church and created Fireman’s Nationals near Fourth of July. Fireman’s Nationals is now Pepsi Nationals. What’s in a name? No, it is not 50 laps. Who needs five cars to finish simply to stick to tradition? It is the same argument against moving Hut Hundred from Terre Haute. Bell was sixth quick and led all 30 ahead of Abreu and Thorson in 1-2-3 Toyota Bullet sweep. McGovern’s Pub has slipped.

July 4, 2014 Lake Forest, IL: West of Logansport, I passed U.S 24 Speedway before noon. Some eager racer had already dragged micro from its box. After spending childhood at Sun Prairie cheering her father, Courtney Erfurth would earn eighth tonight at U.S 24 in 600cc. Her husband Adam Barth bagged third. Chicago from Logansport is 150 miles of some of America’s worst congestion. Monticello reminded how midget pros like Jimmy Davies and Chick Barbo used to drop anchor at Lake Shafer for the summer. I hugged Lake Shore Drive for Big Head Todd & The Monsters. Wisconsin welcome center made me smile to see sprint car of Pleasant Prairie’s Phillip Mock. I stayed at Mock Manor before Phil was born.

July 3, 2014 Kokomo, IN: Wanderlust wanted Wisconsin for winged MSA 360 sprints at Calumet County Fairground. Smarter play was wingless 410 card at Kokomo Speedway. What is press pass worth when gate goes unattended? Trespassing! It was again worth it to see Grant grind on cushion. Kid from Ione, CA by way of Piqua, OH (home to Hery 40) edged Shane Cottle (Jeff Walker 11), quick qualifier Jerry Coons (Edison 10) and black Bryan Clauson 7c.

July 2, 2014 Indianapolis, IN: Walked into John Hiatt concert in Murat Theatre then down to Slippery Noodle blues bar. My old boss Marty Bacon was back from California to manage bartenders. To work here under tobacco ban would be very different. I recall winter shifts too cold to keep doors open to alleviate cigarette smoke thick as fog at 2am.

June 28, 2014 Haubstadt, IN: I wanted to drive three Eckerts to Tri-State Speedway. Sully wanted to hang with friends, so it was Steve and I in Escort. In all my travels, that was first. We dined on Amish pork chops. Hagen led all 30 to third POWRi win of 2014 in Esslinger Beast. Toyota Eagle of Daum passed Dereck King and Kevin Thomas Jr. (Kenny Brown) on successive circuits but finished far behind Five-Six, Inc. Hagen was last to stage Jack Rogers sprint (ex-Levi Jones ride) because he had to park midget. Hud Cone netted tenth in A.J Felker midget and again in Hurst Brothers sprint car. The former Lynsey Tilton was midget DNQ while MSCS had her husband Joe Liguori, grandson to Ralph. Recording his second straight triumph at Tri-State was Ballou, who led all 25. I used I-69 extension for the first time. No gas for 50 miles, I had to detour into Washington to fuel up. Indiana is so slow sometimes.

June 27, 2014 Bloomington, IN: Riding with my brother to retrieve his son on our way to Bloomington Speedway is something I greatly missed in 2013. Waiting out rain delays? Not so much. I gently explained to Sully how we needed to prepare to be rained out when management stiffened and the show went on. It took hours to whip surface into shape before Sheldon Kinser Classic was captured by Darland (Steve Phillips 71p) over Short (Pottorff Logging), Jeff Bland (Burton 04), Stanbrough (Dutcher 37), Cottle (Epperson 2), C.J Leary and Clayton, who never knew the father-in-law for which race is named. That pain paled in comparison to what Daron experienced when his three-year old son Kinser drowned in family pool. Sometimes bad things happen to good people for no good reason.

June 23, 2014 Union City, IN: I could have continued on Ohio Speed Week to Wayne County, Sharon and Fremont but found enthusiasm difficult to muster any earlier than Atomic. As non-weather watcher, it was pure coincidence that the first two rained out.

June 22, 2014 Waynesfield, OH: Darke County Fairgrounds in Greenville has been faithful shower. Coffee Pot on Broadway was closed on Sunday, so I killed time until Gharst Museum opened. I was tipped that Iddings Special was there. Sure enough, there was the fastest sprint car of 1968 in glass tomb. Henry Meyer built it as first with injected Chevy (’55), torque tube (’57) and coil over shocks in 1958. Meyer/Iddings 93 weighed 1190 pounds when little Sonny Ates became first to circle Dayton and Winchester in less than 17 seconds. Greenville is 65 miles southwest of Waynesfield Raceway Park, scene for second leg of 32nd annual Ohio Speed Week. Ohio has original, only one that runs without pause. Kevin Swindell (Indy Race Parts 71) crashed in heat and Aussie teammate Ryan Davis drilled him. Shawn Petersen was up from Texas to enable Ken Woodruff to visit friends. A-main had many twists. Dietrich led. Byron Reed passed him. Cap Henry took out Reed. Under red, Rob Hart tried to fix brakes. Under outlaw rule, they push cars that are ready. Under the All Stars, everyone must be ready before anyone gets pushed. Hart was not ready. Stevie Smith was sent to tail but still had no brakes and thought better. Rob squirted brake fluid at official who threw flag. Like all All Star races, Dale Blaney did win after Dietrich spun six laps from end. Blaney was best at 10.59. On last lap, Veal victimized Wild Child for second. I thought Jac and Scott Benic would work better but they quarreled all summer and separated after Nationals. Shane Stewart charged from last row to fourth. Bell arrived from ASCS Speed Week wins at Creek County and Wheatland to wheel Marshall Machine he had never seen. He timed third quick, won B, and finished tenth. Dust was so thick that all I wanted was a shower. I drove to I-75 and found flophouse in Botkins.

June 21, 2014 Rossburg, OH: I circled Grand Lake and dropped down to my first Eldora All Star race since Steve Kinser left NASCAR in ’95. Ohio Speed Week opened with 44 cars, nine Yuengling lagers and four screwdrivers. McFadden kept last B-main transfer from Sheldon Haudenschild and Veal. Jac Haudenschild is still The Man at Eldora, treating concrete with disdain until it popped his tire with three to go. Pittsburgh’s rising Holtgraver earned first Eldora victory, badge of honor like no other. He later cast his hat with new Renegade series. Danny defeated Dale Blaney, a task that proved increasingly impossible. Hannagan and Tim Shaffer were trailed by Stewart, Kevin Swindell and Greg Wilson, who started alongside Shane in last row. Milt and I watched his former champ car pilot Matt Westfall whip Eldora mods.

June 20, 2014 Marion, OH: I tried to give Gas City another shot but it was rained again. Wanting into Waynesfield on Sunday, I aimed for Attica on Friday but could not outrun rain. I camped in Marion, where Shorty Templeman and Jim Hemmings died in same 1962 midget mess.

June 15, 2014 Kokomo, IN: Here’s where it got weird. I asked Jill O’Connor to sign into pits. She steered me to office. Chris O‘Connor was busy making change. I made my pitch to smiling subordinate, who signed me in. Days later, Jill e-mailed to essentially accuse me of theft. Chris had to wait until Indiana Sprint Week to get even. After almost winning Saturday night, Alex Bright was Sunday DNQ as were visa carriers Domain Ramsay, Brock Maskovich, Nathan Smee and Jaimie McKinley. After six lead changes among four drivers in 30 laps, Clauson claimed his only Midget Week win. Kyle Larson arrived from Michigan 400 to hear PA people cap on Rico for scuffing Bright night before. Fastest at 13.27, Abreu was Midget Week champ with broken collarbone. In sprint feature, Ballou hit cushion, leaped in the air, twirled around, flipped Chris Gurley and resumed as runner-up because Gurley stopped. Grant got the win then stopped to share schnapps and stories.

June 14, 2014 Lawrenceburg, IN: Drive from Bloomington always seems longer than the hundred miles on map. Fastest non-Toyota was driven by California’s Alex Schutte at 14.99 to Thorson’s 14.79 and Abreu’s 14.83. Bright led opening lap prior to Pickens passing him. On lap 17, Alex dove inside and swatted Michael in the wall. Four laps from Bright’s first USAC win, Alex was brushed by Abreu between turns one and two. For first time in career, Rico was jeered. Sprints dangled on cushion until Ballou flipped. Leaders stopped on backstretch to silently shake their heads at Ballou’s brazen tactics. Windom (Walker 11) defeated Darland (Stensland 41) as Grant, Kody Kinser (Rooke 42) and Landon Simon’s Mt. Baker Vapor vehicle filled Top Five.

June 13, 2014 Bloomington, IN: Old timers often say that no one knows how hard racers will race until they crash hard. Last night, Chris Bell banged the turf in Lincoln Park heat race hard enough to end his evening. Friday found him just as fast. Thorson (11.81) and Bell (11.85) were best on beam. The Demon led four laps before Bell blew by. Abreu and Clauson claimed second and third-place. Coons could not crack the A-main in Felker 37. Bloomington’s best sprint car racer is Brady Short, who defeated Darland and Chase Briscoe.

June 12, 2014 Putnamville, IN: Long night at Lincoln Park ended with Darland and Boespflug in circle. Dave paced all 30 laps in RW Fontana Beast. Rico recorded only sub-13 and was The Show by attacking cushion 18 days after breaking collarbone at Sun Prairie. Abreu did toss his nose and drop second to Tracy Hines. Steve Buckwalter (Ott V4) and Damion Gardner (Klatt 4) scored seventh and eighth. Bell (Fox 53) bagged sprint heat but flipped from USAC qualifier. Illinois Midget Week DNQ Domain Ramsay won 410 B-main. A-main saw Boespflug (Hazen 57) beat Cottle and Casey Shuman’s Krockenberger 21k.

June 11, 2014 Gas City, IN: Best part of a year away from Middle America was almost total absence of rain outs. Indiana Midget Week opener at I-69 Speedway got flushed.

June 9, 2014 Speedway, IN: I delivered case of Lagunitas Maximus IPA from Petaluma as something resembling rent.

June 8, 2014 Belleville, IL: Belle-Clair Fairground is such fun. There were 47 midgets in six heats, two B-mains and feature in which Oklahoma’s Tyler Thomas dominated ahead of best POWRi performances by Andy Malpocker and Seth Motsinger. Scotty Cook and “Big O” arrived from Missouri. They invited me down to Space Mountain but Kwik Change had deducted motel from advertising fee.

June 7, 2014 Macon, IL: I had not yet finished my gyro in Decatur when news came of cancellation to POWRi Midget Week. This one hurt. Macon is magnificent midget venue. Since the storm would not reach Indiana, Aero Lehman was off to Lincoln Park. I hoped for wingless 410 sprints at Flora for the first time but it too had drowned. I resolved to drive to Belleville for beer from one of its countless saloons. Tyler Thomas had only transporter on the grounds.

June 6, 2014 Farmer City, IL: Friday began at Lincoln Fairground for one dreadful POWRi heat before bolting 40 miles east to Farmer City Fairground. Illinois is thick with quarter-miles of clay and bleachers of wood. Winning at Atomic for Danny Smith with wings, Tyler Courtney (Pollock 21x) passed Brandon Mattox for first wingless win. Sunshine works counter at Indy Race Parts on Gasoline Alley. For its first MSCS main, Farmer City stayed wet for 25 laps. Brent Beauchamp (Baker 34) and Kyle Cummins crossed third and fourth. I slept behind car wash.

June 5, 2014 Quincy, IL: Illinois Midget Week summoned me to first Quincy card since first Illinois Sprint Week in 1994 when Danny Lasoski (Sonner 47) was winner. My first visit had been only 1990 win for Frankie Kerr and Stan Shoff, car owner of Metamora who requested Frank’s presence even though Kerr lived in Selinsgrove, PA. I traced Missouri side of Mississippi River and across to Quincy Raceways. New Zealand king Pickens (Fike 3) started from pole, Tyler Thomas slid by, Michael crossed back and squeezed Tyler off turn three. Kiwi comet Mosen battled Hagen until clipping tire inside four and flipping. Darren took lead from Pickens, who battled teammate Thorson until Tanner spun Michael in turn one. Hagen was home first trailed by Thorson, Daum and Andrew Felker in RW Beast. Tanner would top Lincoln. I met many Australians including Len Jones. Oklahoma’s Frank Flud nailed first POWRi 600cc victory.

June 3, 2014 Hutchinson, KS: I had never seen Kansas State Fairgrounds. Don Hutchinson died at Hutchinson after crashing with A.J Foyt in 1956. Cotton Farmer replaced Foyt and won 1957 IMCA date. Parnelli Jones won at Hutch in 1959. Kansas Turnpike is state treasure that I wished to avoid, so I ducked under at Emporia eastbound for Harrisonville, MO. I rolled past Missouri State Fairgrounds hoping to surprise Scotty Cook at Black & Gold Tavern in Columbia but he was halfway to Tennessee as ASCS Racin’ Boy.

June 2, 2014 Gallup, NM: America’s cheapest motels are along this lonely stretch of I-40. You can still bunk in Santa Rosa for $30. I headed up 491 to Shiprock and carried 64 clear to the Oklahoma panhandle. I was stopped by sheep near Tierra Amarilla. Raton brought me nine miles from Colorado. I debated first legal purchase of pot on merry way to Elkhart, Kansas.

June 1, 2014 Anthem, AZ: Brother told me not to bother darkening his door if I arrived with no Lagunitas Maximus IPA. I shouldn’t have waited until Monday to shop. It took three stops. Tired yet?

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