9/8/2016
Stabbing Westward
September 8, 2016 Speedway, IN: Back home in Indiana, though not for long. Labor Day has ended another sweltering summer in these United States. Children are back in school. Amusement parks and pools have closed. Almost overnight, Tuesday and Wednesday auto races all but disappeared. Just as leaves fall to be dusted by snow, this felonious bird turns west.
A month has passed since I last posted from Brattleboro, VT four days after Bryan Clauson died in Belleville, KS. Life and death got in the way. BC became larger than life. He is everywhere from Parked It decals (Twitter-condensed from “We parked it in the win circle”) to Chasing 200 tributes to grasshoppers and rainbows. Everyone feels his presence. Tornadoes could not keep folks from filling Kokomo to hear stories. As organ donor, Bryan has helped others live fuller lives and inspired unprecedented numbers to donate as well. As result, Bryan Clauson’s amazing story is perpetual.
Miles stir memories. It is a great aspect of travel. Towns, rivers and valleys remind of people and places. I flogged Ford through New York, New England, all over Pennsylvania, back to Indy, then down to Haubstadt and back for MOWA wings/MSCS wingless at The Class Track, Tri-State Speedway. Midwest Open Wheel Association should see me again this weekend. Six weeks to Trophy Cup in Tulare, CA. America abounds in natural beauty but nowhere has Old World architecture like stone taverns and Amish barns of my eastern ancestry.
Pennsylvania Midget Week drew me east. Path Valley was sweet baloney last year yet Lincoln’s feature topped it. The final did drown in Susquehanna, which tried to open Midget Week only to drown again after hot laps. Path Valley completely rained out. Lincoln was rain shortened. Clyde Martin Memorial Speedway should have rained out too. It poured as hard as every other night. But the 60-year old Lanco club persevered and spectacular action did commence.
“That’s our Port City,” said Gordy Killian, man of a thousand tracks when comparing Lanco to 600cc micro center in Tulsa, OK. I too have stumbled on raucous cubic centimeter dicing in Deming, WA; Lemoore, CA; Sweet Springs, MO; and the Action Track that I visited twice in three Wednesdays at Kutztown, PA. As unabashed sprint snob, micro mayhem is seldom Choice-A. But good things can arrive in small packages. Clyde Martin is completely banked and completely special.
Oppressive heat and humidity brought thunderstorms almost every day. Fan questions became 1) When would it rain, 2) How long and hard would it rain, 3) Would management fight or fold, 4) Would there be a rain date and 5) Would there be refunds? Depressing cycle ad nauseam.
Race chasers never feel races can be written off as too far away. Rain on the other hand, make us foolish to forge into storms avoided by anyone with weather map. I am that dinosaur with no Global Positioning System or phone. Fugitives fly low. One young waitress had never seen paper atlas. East Coast offers so many buggy trails to so many races. I was literally rained out at 20 places on same Saturday until finding dry sky above Skyline Raceway in Blodgett Mills, NY. If I get rained out at Choice-A, Choice-B and Choice-C yet see racing at Choice-D, I have not been rained out only diverted. By such rationale, I saw racing on 22 of last 26 attempts.
I vacated Vermont west to Albany-Saratoga Speedway in Malta, NY. It was my first visit since 1992 Empire Super Sprints when Spider Thomas jumped restart and win went to Oz Car jockeyed by John Birosh. Albany asphalt originally opened as home to Capital District modified stock cars when 1965-75 winners included NASCAR national champs Richie Evans, Jerry Cook, Bugs Stevens and Fred DeSarro; Ed Flemke, Lou Lazzaro, Bill Slater, Rene Charland, Ken Shoemaker, Gene Bergin, Fred Harbach from Long Island, Daytona 500 surprise Pete Hamilton, Daytona casualty Don MacTavish, and Montreal’s Jean Guy Chartrand in Cloce Cuda 69. NASCAR even bestowed Malta with two Grand National (Cup) wins by Richard Petty in 1970-71.
Albany-Saratoga was shuttered in 1976 before C.J Richards covered it in clay. Statewide teammates Jimmy Horton and Kenny Brightbill were ‘77 Malta masters. URC wins went to John Draucker (’78-79), Leroy Felty (1980), Dave Kelly (‘81) and Kramer Williamson in 1991. ESS winners were John Brutcher (’85-86), Mal Lane (’88), Birosh (‘92), Bobby Parrow (’93), Doug Emery (’96), Tom Taber (’96), Jeff Thomas (’97), Craig Keel (’97, 99), Tim Kelly (’98), Dan Kaszubinski (’99-01), Lance Yonge (2000, 02), New Hampshire’s Don Sharp (2001), Erin Crocker of Massachusetts (2002) and Western PA’s Mike Lutz in 2003. Eastern Limited Sprints fell to Mike Van Dusen and Rich Wood in 1998.
All Stars appeared at Albany-Saratoga in 1987 when Dave Blaney (Nott 48) defeated deep Wednesday pool of Joey Allen, Tim Gee, Rod George, Joe Gaerte and Bobby Allen, fastest at 14.26. Steve Butler (Stoops 1), Rick Ungar (Wimmer 7tw), Keith Kauffman (Morral 880), Kelly Kinser (Strohpaul 20), Fred Linder (Chupp 7c) and Mike Herbert completed Top 12. Also in Albany were Rick Ferkel, Stevie Smith (Creasy 19) and Johnny Mackison Jr. New York support came from Van Dusen (Gano 57), Bobby Parrow, Adrian Flath, Bob Wade and Hart brothers, Rick and Rob.
Albany-Saratoga ARDC midget winners were Lennie Boyd (‘81), Leigh Earnshaw (‘82), Nick Fornoro Jr. (‘82), Lou Cicconi (’96) and Gary Halteman in 1997. ARDC co-sanctioned 1983 USAC win by Gene Gennetten followed by Fornoro (Scrivani 21), Ken Schrader (Gojmeric 10), Rich Vogler (Streicher 4), Tom Bigelow (Sandy 16), John Jenkins (Rieder 81), Stan Fox (Lewis 9), P.J Roberts (McIlroy 60), John Heydenreich (Bollinger 80) and Doug Craig (Daly 31) in Top Ten. Tows to New York came from California’s Mike Groff, Florida outlaw Bill Roynon and Indiana racers Sam Isenhower and Kenneth Nichols.
Malta remained dirt until 2010 when Cicconi returned to victory with International Super Modified Association. A-S was dirt in 2011 when Howie Commander of highly successful Lebanon Valley Speedway made Malta his Friday hub. ESS winners were Stewart Friesen, Chuck Hebing and Quebec’s Steve Poirier in 2016 when Howie hosted Patriot Sprint Tour topped by Jared Zimbardi. Capital Region Sprint Agency 305 wins went to Danny Varin then Josh Flint and Josh Pieniazek.
CRSA brought me back to Albany-Saratoga. Rain around 4PM was light. I spotted wings working toward track, which had to be heavier than normal. I panicked and paid 12 bucks to see sprint cars warm 305 engines and return to transport. Big block modified iron hot lapped instead. Tyler Dippel subbed for Brett Hearn, who wrenched his back. Always cool to see Tremont 115. When dad took us to Lebanon Valley in 1972, Chuck Ely drove for Ken Tremont Sr. Five years later, they had one of 13 Grant King Gremlins. Ken Jr. has more than 330 wins. Junior dabbled beneath wings of ESS and ARDC, taking third in Ed Czyzewski midget at Devils Bowl (VT) in ‘82 and sixth with Frank Smith Gambler at Weedsport in 1987.
URC and ARDC used to place one or two stock car stars to stimulate local interest. Malta URC guests included Jack Johnson (’78) and Bob Haswell, tenth for Czyzewski in 1980. Albany ARDC appearances came from Tommy Corellis (third for Bob Bench in ‘81), C.D Coville (DNF for Ros Triol in ‘82) and Hearn, who steered Cicconi midget in 1997.
Tremont hot lapped on three wheels. Rain allowed nothing further. Smart play was Kenny Wayne Shepherd concert with John Kost, partner in crime for Canandaigua and Clyde Martin. There was however, one race still standing, so I went down I-87 to I-88 Speedway, which would have been new to me if not dark with electric failure. I pitted at I-88 and I-81. Friday failure turned to Saturday three-quarter midgets in Mahoning Valley, PA. I had not been to little Lehighton saucer in 29 years. Roving race organizer Brett Deyo informed how Mahoning had cancelled due to heat index. ATQMRA out the window, I tried Selinsgrove for second Saturday in three weeks. Port Royal was idle to allow Greg Hodnett and Lucas Wolfe to run Knoxville Nationals with no loss in points. Thirty miles east, Selinsgrove scheduled 410 program rather than regular 360 show. Right around 4PM, it became immaterial because of obligatory rain. I retrieved my Raiders blanket.
Lincoln Speedway has Central PA reputation for not cancelling until races are not humanly possible. Rain, snow or sleet that bury area tracks is often insufficient to kill Lincoln. Sure enough, I dropped 80 miles south to find 410/358 sprints unaffected. For the first time, I bought beer from PA grocery store. Quakers creep toward 21st century. Ice cream still crafted by puritans. Lincoln laid two scoops for three bucks. Just as 410 feature pushed, rain arrived. Management remained patient. Rain stopped. Trucks rolled surface. Teams got brief hot laps. Top class stayed green in 33-lap tribute to fallen firefighter Brandon Little. The Edge (Brian Montieth) and Alan Krimes crossed second and third from rows six and five, too deep to keep “Jersey Jet” J.J Grasso from 5k.
Midnight rain was precursor to PA Midget Week at Lincoln, which kicked into accelerated pace by dropping B-main and vintage exhibition. Midgets made seven laps when rain struck. Again they held out before second shower sent USAC home.
Crummy weather fed depression. On morning of Clyde Martin midgets, my computer ceased to be. I lost three days until replacement. Funds were low, Flat Out deadlines beckoned and Escort wobbled exiting long left turns. Why go to Grandview? Only a few weeks earlier, Thunder on the Hill had been less than lively. But this date had teeth. It brought together Steve Kinser and Sammy Swindell for second-last time if indeed Lebanon Valley was last. All Star Circuit of Champions need no icons to sell their show. In his second year, Tony Stewart has gotten them back into places like Grandview, Williams Grove, Kokomo and Brownstown. They took 16 talented drivers to PA and NY. Grandview was good because Stevie Smith made Dale Blaney stay precise.
Bob Miller paired 27 All Stars with 21 Tri-State 305 sprints. Tri-State is Garden State heavy and have been great at Grandview but not this time. There was no track and few fans when John Barnett beat David Brown, Tim Tanner, Tom Carberry, Jon Haegele and Samantha Leiberman. Dave, Sam and Jeff Taylor then traveled to IMCA Race Saver Nationals in Nebraska. Carberry family has seen triumph and tragedy. Mike Grbac took last ride for Tom Carberry Sr. Tom’s big brother Chuck died in 1985 at Jennerstown, PA in only his third sprint start.
Ten days before All Star promotion, Bob Miller was in Weedsport (NY) to see Grandview’s Theresa Rogers feted as Outstanding Woman in Racing. Miller and I go way back. We both worked for Lindy Vicari and MODCAR. I told him I was around for USAC midgets and wondered why Grandview was not involved. Theresa loves midgets on her high banks. Miller wants USAC midgets and USAC sprints on same ticket.
ARDC midgets ended my 29-year absence from Linda’s Speedway in Jonestown, PA. Near the I-81 and I-78 split, Linda’s was named for daughter of Earman Fulk, who built track in 1976. PA Midget Week was ARDC attempt to connect Lincoln to Linda’s. Bright brothers staged fine show reaching first (Alex) and second (Brenden) from rows four and six. Bright boys were two of nine to hot lap Susky, start Lincoln and run Lanco and Linda’s along with Brett Arndt, Ryan Greth, Eric Heydenreich, Trevor Kobylarz, Jamie Speers, Brett Wanner and Nick Wean. Linda’s had little surface left for Tim Buckwalter’s win at 600cc.
I had second chance to add Afton thanks to Tuesday of 32 ESS and 30 CRSA sprint cars. Don Ott Racing Engines swapped 410 for 360 that Aaron Ott put in front of everyone except Steve Poirier, now biggest winner in ESS history at 60. Kyle Dutcher, Mike Kiser and Matt Tanner toiled in two classes. Scott Goodrich beat CRSA from pole position. Dust was virtually impenetrable.
All of Pennsylvania opened before me. The promise of virgin territory lay somewhere between Brookville and Knoxdale on Thunder Mountain. Two weeks earlier amid Albany rain, Thunder Mountain, NY was Choice-B until it rained out. Thunder Mountain, PA opened in 2005. Last season, it alternated Friday 305 shows with Dog Hollow, which I hit last year. Morning rain made surface wetter than any New York or Ohio visit. I paid 12 bucks for 12 cars to run one heat then headed for Emlenton Motor Inn ahead of Friday checkpoints.
I spanned Ohio for Owendale, MI. My time in Wolverine State has been minimal. Saturday stayed beautiful until 4PM when rain met me in Fremont, OH. Michigan Traditional Sprints at Silver Bullet bit it so I angled for I-75 south to season final for Waynesfield’s traditional sprints. If they rained out, I was near Sunday All Stars in Findlay. Waynesfield was not rained out. I paid another 12 bucks for 12 sprint cars because Buckeye Outlaw Sprint Series had siphoned a few down to Chillicothe. I watched two excellent heats, contemplated horde of stock cars and bolted for Budget Inn in Bodkins.
In recurring theme, All Stars ended 25-year absence for me from Millstream Speedway west of Findlay, OH. I had not been there since 1991 CRA show when Richard Griffin crashed and handed win to Jack Hewitt. The place had been largely inactive until taken over by Randy Hammer, driver/owner/mechanic, All Star official and now promoter. In recurring theme, rain arrived between hot laps and time trials. Hammer held out and saw long show to completion. Rain made cushion better. Best rim-rider among All Stars is Sheldon Haudenschild, who led whole thing. Being champ would be perfect springboard to World of Outlaws. Haud however, trails Blaney by 46 points with five races remaining.
September opened with MOWA/MSCS twin bill at Tri-State. MSCS fired first with Critter Malone gripping bottom from ninth to first in three laps. Kyle Cummins calmly ran him down for 3k. Chase Stockon was one of four in both classes. He was ninth with MSCS then led MOWA until overtaken by Hunter Schuerenberg, who struggled through Knoxville Nationals. Zach Daum finished fourth with MOWA and tenth with MSCS; Carson Short was fourth with MSCS and DNF with MOWA; and 600cc star Joe B. Miller took tenth in MOWA and DNQ in MSCS. MOWA and MSCS winners both rode Mach 1 chassis from PA.
It has always taken three hours from Haubstadt to Indianapolis or four thanks to Eastern Standard Time. It is why Tri-State sometimes feels more like Eastern Illinois or Northern Kentucky. I hope that when I return to Hoosier State, elusive I-69 is able to shave an hour.
Dedicated to Gary London and Craig Jensen, who practiced two very different versions of motorsport media but were of the same spirit.
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Article Credit: Kevin Eckert