DRIVER OR HORSEPOWER

Probably not many stop by anymore to check this page since it is very outdated since I have fallen behind in my weekly updates, but I will try and touch on some different subjects and even drivers over the winter months. For those of you who do not no me, My husband, Scott and I own a chassis company. I watch more races than him during the year, but his knowledge comes from driving. We have had lots of discussions along, and with our customers lately over this topic. We have been lucky enough to travel out of the tri-state area and run at many different tracks over the last few years. I have seen many different types of drivers and cars, and still I am not saying that my opinion is right or even a completely educated one. I am going to give you my spin on it and I would really like some feed back on this subject. You can email me at cyndi@keystonebreakdown.com and voice your opinion. I may even print some of them for future discussion. Back 5-6 years ago maybe even longer the general opinion of the experienced drivers was that you could only hook up so much horsepower on an 8" tire. I remember at Hickory one night Jim Dandy Jr. Taking his motor out of his box van and finishing third. It was a dripping greasy mess, that you had to all jump out and push up the hill to the race track, yet he used it to claim a motor. The same time frame saw him win night in and night out on a stock 350 motor. He was beating guys with stout 406's , when I say beating I mean lapping more than half the field nightly. I remember him saying in victory lane "you can only hook up so much horsepower on an 8" tire. You guys keep building bigger motors and I'll beat you by two more car lengths." The only thing that has stayed the same in this class is the 8" tire, but as the years have passed guys have learned to adjust and fine tune their chassis to handle more and more horsepower. Those adjustments have come in the form of suspension technology. I do not want to really get into that this time, but I will say that the combination of the pull bar, Z-link, & 4-bar suspension that has been perfected has enabled these cars to hook up with more bite and drive thus enabling them to handle more horsepower. Now understand, there is still the squirrels that cannot handle a 5000 chip in a 350, but a real driver that has done their time and homework in this class knows that there is a whole new thinking on the line of horsepower. I have listened to guys complain about forward bite, and when I took a closer look at who finished in front of them and realized those guys were turning 8200, and the one complaining about forward bite was turning 6800.... when someone hooks up on that much more horsepower, it could make you feel like you were having forward bite problems. Now once again more variables, a motor man that's is tuned into this class knows there are certain things such as cams that play a big role in these motors hooking up also. We had a customer that had some serious horsepower but he couldn't control it. Finally my husband told him, I cannot tune your car any more till you change your cam. He did and the car hooked up and flew. Now I am not saying that you cannot win in a stout 350, what I am saying is do not be hard on yourself or your car, if your finishing 2nd to someone that has out classed you in horsepower.
Now back to my driver issue. I have watched a guy finish tenth and out drive the field. I must say that it pains me to see what horsepower has done to real drivers. I have seen guys win that have stormed down the straight-aways, muscled themselves (banging off of everyone) through the turn, and storm down the straight-aways again. Then I look back in the field and watch maybe a guy in 3rd or 5 th or even further pass 5 cars in a turn and never touch one, come out ahead and loose the drag match down the back straight away. Who is the better driver? The dragster or the guy that can get through the field and turns? I have heard guys talk after they win like they were the worlds best, but put them in the same equipment as the rest of the field and they would struggle to break top ten. How do you distinguish and who are the real drivers?
Me personally, I like driver better than uncontrolled horsepower. One thing that I have noticed about some of the so called 'fast guys', is that if you start them deep in the field, the have a harder time controlling their horsepower to work for them, but on the big money shows it is usually a straight-up start so the slow guy is out of luck. But what is the answer???!!!! I am definitely not for a motor rule. I watched my own husband get beat 7 times this year by horsepower and I still say 'no' to a motor rule.( Well maybe not all 7 times, when you get beat by Danny Dean, you got beat by talent and experience.) But anyway, how do you tell the difference between horsepower and driver?? I do not have a clue! I would say maybe start the fast guy dead last and see how good he can drive through the field with his big thumper. I think a big down fall to having horsepower is that you depend on it instead of the car and driver working together. One driver told me,'having a big motor, allows me to recover from mistakes. When I run my small motor I have to run every lap perfect.' That is oh so true, Which goes back to my original question, is horsepower taking the place of great driving talent? To a certain extent I believe the answer is 'yes'. But as chassis companies learn to tune to it and everyone gets back on an equal playing field, I believe you will see the true drivers emerge again. I am acquainted with many drivers in the AMRA Road Warrior Tour. Last year at the nationals 93 good cars showed up and 68 got put on the trailer early. As near as we could figure every driver that made that 25 car field had been a track or series champion with in the last few years. They were the best of the best! For most of those cars I believe that it was a combination of horsepower, driver , and chassis, because it was one of the best modified races I have ever seen. I think that a lot of drivers I have heard of or been in contact with are realizing that in order to be the driver they are or once were they will have to step up the horsepower, and I hope when they do that they take the time to tune their chassis to that horsepower also.
If you were looking for an answer to the topic when you started reading it, I am afraid I do not have one. I have my opinions but they are sometimes wrong and since I am a female they are definitely subject to change. To a lot of fans I think they misjudge driver for horsepower. Those that have watched this class at different tracks and over time probably know who the real drivers are. I do believe that it won't be long, as I said earlier, that the playing field will soon even out as drivers began to see that stepping up to some more horsepower could benefit their driving talent.
I sure would be interested in your feed back. This is something that I have really noticed this year, and was wondering how some of you thought about it.   ¶ 11:21 AM

  I had to do an article this week! Saturday night at Wayne County Speedway put on the most fabulous kids night I have ever seen in all my years of racing. When we walked through the gate the kids were given tickets for free ice cream, pop corn, and hot dog. Then the were given 5 free tickets to play carnival games at 6:30p. As we walked further in we were stopped and each child given a huge bag full of, pencils, pens, balloon, all kinds of little toys ect. The place was just buzzing with excitement, as each child could hardly contain themselves. One race team set up a table and was doing free face painting. The kids were lined up all night long getting their favorite drivers number painted on their little cheeks. Another late model team had a coloring contest going on that passed some more fun time. As soon as the opening ceremonies were over the kids took off to play their games. There were carnival games lined along the back of the grandstands, and areas around the food court. I was so busy chasing kids and games I almost missed my husband winning his heat race. For every game the children won they were given a ticket and then traded their tickets in for prizes after they were over. They barely got the kids settled from the games and the heats were over and they brought all the drivers on the front straight away and turned the kids loose to go see their favorite driver. All the drivers were giving pictures and Frisbees, candy, all kinds of fun things. My father-in-law was busy putting little wide-eyed kids in and out of our race car all night, as were some of the other drivers. After the track cleared from autographs they proceeded to call ticket numbers for free bike giveaways. They gave out 10 bikes, 10 CDplayers, and a bunch of other toys donated by sponsors and drivers. I never seen such a bunch of happy and excited children. It was a class act evening, and I have to say hats off and thanks to Ernie and his crew at WCS. As for the racing that evening it was really good also. Jay Howes computer business took care of the transponder fees for the modifieds that needed them. Well, it brought the cars in because 26 cars showed up and they had to run a consi since they only start 20 cars.
Fast Qualifier-Danny Dean
Heat 1 - Larry Kugel, Danny Dean, Randy Gray, Jeremy Scott, David Liles
Heat 2 - Matt Shroyer, Jay Howe, Kyle Brown, Andy Parsons, Gary Hubbard
Heat 3 - Scott Stiffler, Bryan Casey, Ed Robinette, Rick Wolford, Ron Miller
B Main - John Brokaw, Bob Shellhorn, Gary McGregor, Dave Bodkins, Darrick Hubbard
FEATURE - Dean, Shroyer, Casey, Stiffler, L. Kugel, Brown, Howe, Gray, Parsons, Brokaw, D. Hubbard, Robinette, G. Hubbard, Scott, McGregor, Bodkins, R. Miller, Wolford, Shellhorn, Liles
Check out www.waynecountyspeedway.com for photos news and points. WCS is off for demo derby on the third, and are going to run 360 sprints on July10th, so I will not be back there till the 17th. May head up to Raceway 7 Friday, not sure of next week. Happy 4th to all!!  ¶ 5:05 PM

 
Its been a few weeks since I've written an article. Figured I better catch up or Deon might fire me. I ended up at Sharon a couple weeks due to a cancellation at WCS and another week-end my husband was out of town working , so, I made the 5 mile trip over again. They are pulling a ton of 'e-mods' as sharon calls them. There were four heats and a consi of 18-20 cars. The facility is beautiful, and has new changes everytime I go there, but as much as I hear the praises of sharon speedway, I hear a lot of drivers and fans alike say how they miss the old, "homey" Sharon track. I think the track pulls in a different crowd now, and a lot of fans and drivers a like have changed. Even some of the personel and officials, have expressed thoughts of by-gone days, and memories that are now just that...memories. I was surprised that with their 60 plus field of stockers, and 40 plus "emods", and full fields of the other classes, with their new 6 lap heat races, and 8 lap consi changes. I suppose their theory behind that is to move the program along, but with that many cars trying to make the show in that little of time, seems to be a recipe for more cautions and disasters. Course I have to comment on their lap and a half they give you to warm up your car. Their hot lap session is not even worth getting there in time to run. The one night I was there the track was beautiful and smooth, the next week it was so rough, if I was a driver I would have loaded and left. I seen car after car rip stuff off and junk equipment on those terrible track conditions. In spite of the pros and cons, to a lot of us it does not matter who owns the track, it is simply 'Sharon Speedway.' It is the track that we grew up at or drove our first race car at, and maybe even won our first race at..the legend of Sharon Speedway will always live on regardless of ownership. I have not been there enough to comment on their drivers, but some of the ones that amazed me the two nights I was there was Rick Robinson in the 34R. Ricks been driving for 2 years full time in the emods and has consistently ran up front all year. Another one is Howard Fraley. I remember back in 95-96 time zone, when you just prayed he was not in your heat race. He was the track squirrel, but he consistently commands attention since he got back into the emods last summer. Jeff Sharp seems to be the man to beat this year from my few nights of observation, but there seems to be plenty of talent through the field.

As for my 2 cents on my home track at WCS, there seems to be much controversy on different issues so far this year. I like the track, and I can only hope things will continue to work themselves out. There have been many articles written and opinions expressed, and I refuse to jump to one side or the other. I believe that there are some problems that need to be addressed, but with changes come the good and the bad, as I mentioned earlier concerning sharon speedway. I have personally not been the object of some of these difficulties, but have friends who have. From my point of view, the person the race track forgets about the most is the person that makes the show go on. It is not the owner, the flagman, the fans, ...it is the DRIVERS! As A drivers wife, I have to take this chance to say, inspite of how anyone else has been treated or not treated, there are very few promoters/owners that treat their drivers like Mr. Coffman does. I am so tired of racing at tracks close to my home, that cannot even cover their drivers pit pass. There are very few racers that truly race for the money, but when you show up at a track to put a show on for their fans, which, mind you, is costing you thousands of dollars,...is it not just curtesy to at least pay the drivers way into to you track so he can run the show for you. It cost $22.00 to get into sharon speedway, and $20.00 for tow fee. Which brings me back to my point about Ernie Coffman, 100.00 to start and 75.00 tow fee (if you do not make the show). Now I hear the remarks about the transponder fee, if you race there. If you own one its good for any track you will ever need to use it again. If not, you can rent it for 25.00. Now lets do the math, $100.00 to start, 25.00-pit pass, 25.00 -transponder fee (unless you own one, your still left with 50.00 to 75.00 [depending on renting or owning transponder) for gas or whatever other expenses you incur.

As a driver, you have to appreciate an owner that appreciates you. Also this last week, when the RWT was in town, Ernie paid the entrance fee for all his hometrack drivers. The extrem late models are coming to town, and since Ernie's drivers do not normally run Goodyear tires, He is buying a set , mounted on wheels for all of his Saturday night late model drivers. Someone said that comes out to 700.00 per driver. If there is a problem, he is always in the pit area and willing to listen and help where his drivers are concerned. I cannot comment first hand on the other issues, but to us drivers so far this year, Ernie has been very kind, and helpful.

Before I close, I will comment briefly that the RWT was in town last Saturday. This is a far tow for some of those southern boys. The Definboughs towed close to six hours, and I believe Dave would have won it but his soft tire gave out too soon. I am afraid the fans were somewhat disappointed in the show. There were not that many quality cars that usually come with the RWT. A few of the guys that got provisionals were credited to 5-7 cautions each. Usually the guys that get the provisionals are past champions or are in the top 5 in points. The guys that got them last week had only been at one race this year. Which brings me to another thought , maybe the high price in fuel is keeping a lot from traveling as much. There were 7 cautions in 6 laps, but once we got to lap 15 or so it was good racing. Larry Kugal and Mark Dickson put on a show coming thorough the field. Larry started 13th and finished 2nd, and Mark 21st and finished 6th. Paul Wilmouth Jr. won in the Hassey Chassis house car.

Thats all till next time......   ¶ 3:13 PM

  Finally, most area tracks got their opening nights in for 2004 this weekend. I have not heard any results from Tri-city but am sure they got their show in Sunday, since it was a gorgeous day. At Raceway 7 on Friday, I understand Dale Applebee ran away from the field till he rolled a tire on the last lap giving the win to Mike Hess. I have to insert that this run for Dale was even more impressive as he was on Hoosier tires while everyone else ran American Racers. The report from Sharon was that Jimmy Bickerstaff Jr. ran away from the field in his new car, till the closing lap and got a flat tire, thus handing Jeff Johnson his first Sharon victory. Of course, We were at Wayne County Speedway again for their weekly festivities, and it was a beautiful night and the track as well as the racing was great. There were 15 modifieds , and quite a few from what I understand are either new to this class or are moving up from the pure stock division. Regardless of experience the racing is good and exciting. Danny Dean and Larry Kugel won the heats, and then the invert six shuffled the field somewhat, but when the green flag dropped, Dean went right to the front and won basically unchallenged. Kugel, Scott Stiffler, Kyle Brown, & David Liles rounded out the top 5. With just a few laps to go Jay Howe had a horrible crash when his throttle stuck and he hit the wall in 3&4 . He climbed out seemingly unharmed but obviously his bell had been rung. The car is completely bent but hopefully with the week off this Saturday, he will be able to come up with something as he is sitting pretty high up in the points race. As I mentioned there is an AMA Quad Nationals scheduled for this Saturday, so the locals will be taking a week off or heading to other AMRA tracks for points for the international series points race. Probably a lot of them will be heading to Elkins , West Virginia for the second Road Warrior Tour event. Weekly racing will resume on the 22nd, and then on the 26th of May, which is a Wednesday, there will be the Dash for Cash for the modifieds as they will be running with the All Star Circuit Sprint cars. I will check for sure, but I believe this race is open to the top 10 in points, and is paying 1,000.00 to win. I have not been able to confirm that, but have heard it from a couple of different sources. I will have that available next week for sure.

I did just hear from Jay Howe while I was doing this article, and it seems that he did not escape a few minor injuries. He has some torn knee ligaments and his throttle foot is broken in three places. However, I'm sure that will not keep Jay from his favorite seat long at all. We send him our best wishes for a hasty recovery and return.
Until next time...   ¶ 8:39 AM

  There was lots of excitement on tap for the WCS fans this past Saturday, since there were double features for the modifieds and late models. Although their were 20 modifieds in the pits , only eleven of them qualified to run the remainder 14 laps of the rain-out race. Larry Kugel passed McKinney on the start and never looked back. There was very little passing or excitement as everyone finished with in a spot or two from where they started. Two cautions came out for Stiffler as it was obvious he was struggling with his setup. At the end it was Kugel the victor, followed by: McKinney,Taft, Stiffler, Batkins, Hubbard, Miller, Howe, M.Hess, Mullinex, Dean.

In the next event, the Hess boys and Carl McKinney took the heat wins. The feature saw the 1K of Kenny Riddle from Parkersburg W.Va. chasing Dave Hess Jr. the entire event. It was a spectacular chase but Riddle came up short at the end. Some felt that it was a one grove track, and there was little movement and change in the top 10 positions. The Hess boys, Kugel, and Taft run the top 5 Positions most of the 20 laps, till Stiffler showed up from the tail and finished behind Kugal at the checker. After Hess Jr., it was, Riddle, Hess, Kugel, Stiffler, Taft, Howe, Johnson, Lyles,Holbrook.
I would like to use the rest of this article to honor a young, talented racer that will be leaving this area this week. It has been my privilege from the first time Brian Taft walked into our shop , to call him a friend. The first time he got into a car about 2 1/2 years ago was pretty scary since he was barely 18, and I have to admit, he kept us busy making spare part for a while. But every week, there was improvement, and he never complained, always apologetic to every driver he cut off, just a first class racer. Last year he decided he was going to go race with best of the best by enlisting in the AMRA Road Warrior Tour points battle. He raced very little on the local tracks but every time he did stop in on a free night, you could see an amazing difference. His control, style, and confidence, built until it was the other drivers coming over and apologizing to him. He finished 16th in the RWT points, and showed amazing improvement. He went to Florida in January to race, and a couple other big events during the spring, but as I have sat and watched him race these last few weeks at WCS , I been proud and amazed all at once. He had a 3rd and a 6th finish for those two features and just showed all the signs of a mature racer in this class. Unfortunately as I mentioned, this week after graduation he and his family will be moving out of the area. He will graduate from the University of Northwestern Thursday, with a degree in High Performance Motorsports. He will be moving directly to North Carolina to work on the thick of the motorsports industry. Since his parents are moving to Florida Friday, there will be few occasions to see Brian in this area much in the future. I have watched Brian grow through his teens and I best just say say " we are really going to miss you," so I do not embarrass him. Brian, you know we are so proud of you and your accomplishments in racing, now gods speed as you continue to work at your dreams in the motorsports industry.
That's all folks for this week.....  ¶ 9:02 AM

  I couldn't wait to get to the track Saturday, in the quiet town of Orrville, Ohio. It was a beautiful day , and inspite of the early start the track held together till the rain's came later in the evening. The car count for the new class was around 15 I believe, but all agree that was mostly due to opening night in the AMRA Road Warrior Tour series down at K -C Raceway in Alma, Ohio. I will be eager to see the increased car count this week with it being an off week for the RWT. After hot laps, they got right down to qualifing , and Jay Howe in the # 26 car came out the victor of that event with a 20.044 fast time. They two heats were divided between with local track drivers , Carl McKinney, and Mike Hess taking the first heat, and AMRA veterns , Larry Kugal and Danny Dean taking the second. Other locals Brian Taft and Scott Stiffler split their luck , with Brian running exceptionally well, and Stiffler fighting continuous mechanicle difficulties all evening. By the time the green flag dropped for the modifieds the track had already been delayed and run in due to the rain. Turns 3 & 4 were getting pretty choppy, and falling apart inspite of all effort, and that along with the storm that followed on lap 6 brought an end to the nights events. I called the track this morning and they will go back to the order that you crossed the line on in lap 6 to set the starting grid for the l4 remaining laps to be run first this saturday. The first three rows will hold, Carl McKinney, Danny Dean, Larry Kugal, Brian Taft, Gary Hubbard, and Scott Stiffler who charged from the back (since he did not finish his heat.) I believe that Jay Howe, who set the fast time, and Mike Hess will follow in row 4 but I am not sure. The people I talked to could only confirm the top three rows. At any rate, the show should continue with the same excitement it had to end on last week.
The Track also confirmed that the AMRA president and group of officials will be on hand this week to over see the tech procedures and weekly AMRA paper work that will occure through the year. As with any new endeavor there are growing pains, with new classes and sanctions, there are adjustments to be made. I am sure the track is grateful for AMRA endevor to make this process and easy one for all involved.
In other AMRA news the " southside flyer" Kenny Johnson, took the win in the opening Road Warrior event . The hot shoe also won at Skyline Speedway the night before. I am going to attach the AMRA press release for this race at the end of my article, and I am sure you will enjoy reading Dustin Jarretts take on the events.
Well, I hope the weather will allow us to get our shows in this week-end, and until next week... you all take care!
official press release:
American Motor Racing Association
P.O. Box 7
Mt. Vernon, Ohio
(by Dustin Jarrett)

Kenny Johnson Wins AMRA Road Warrior Tour Season Opener at K-C Raceway!

(Alma, OH -- 4/17/04) A stellar field of 46 AMRA Modifieds signed into the
pits of Jim Nier's K-C Raceway Saturday night for the AMRA Road Warrior
Tour's season opening event. In a survival of the fittest, Mineral Wells,
WV's Kenny Johnson found himself on top of the mountain.
The field of 46 was trimmed to 24 for the "Eye Opener 30" as Doug Adkins and
Jess Hartman paced the field to the green flag. Two early cautions -- one
for Pat Gillian and one for Junior Nolan -- slowed the initail start of the
event. When the race officially began, Adkins jumped into the lead with
Hartman, Kenny Riddle, and Kenny Johnson in tow. Adkins slowed pulled
ahead from the others until lap 8 when Riddle slowed on the speedway with a
flat tire. With the one-lap courtesy rule in effect, Riddle's crew was able
to change the tire as he rejoined the field at the tail, handing the third
spot over to Johnson.

The restart saw Johnson look to the high side of Hartman in a bid for
second, but to no avail. Caution flags on laps 9 and 12, both for Vic
Vandergrift, would help keep Adkins within striking distance. When racing
resumed, Johnson shot by Hartman to grab the second spot and set his sights
on race leader Adkins. Behind the front three, Benny Hickel, Mike Long,
Chris Stotts, Rob Stambaugh, and a hard-charging Rick Hensley were jostling
for position.

The yellow flew again on lap 14 when Dave McWillliams lost an engine and
spun in his own oil. Greg Baumberger and Junior Nolan were among the
drivers caught up in the accident as both McWilliams and Baumberger went off
on the hook. During this caution period, race leader Doug Adkins fell
pitside with a flat, giving the point to Kenny Johnson.

The restart saw Johnson out front followed by Hartman, Hickel, and now
Hensley as the race leader wasted no time pulling ahead to a five car length
advantage. Hickel was able to get by Hartman and take 2nd before a pair of
lap 21 cautions slowed the pace. Under caution, Hensley dropped to the
infield, ending his charge to the front.

The restart featured Johnson and Hickel driving away from a fierce battle
for third as Hartman, Stambaugh, Long, Deck Defibaugh, and Kenny Riddle were
fighting for position and could have been covered with a blanket. Hartman's
flat tire on lap 28 would be the final yellow of the event and, despite a
two lap dash to the finish, no one could catch the "Southside Flyer". When
the checkered flag waved, Johnson's Liberty Truck Stop/K-Graphics/Eddy
Chiropractic Center/Gene's Trailer Sales sponsored #1 was the first to cross
the stripe. The win was Johnson's second in as many nights (as has was also
victorious in Friday night's AMRA Modified feature at Skyline Speedway).
Hickel held on for 2nd with Stambaugh 3rd, Deck Defibaugh 4th, and Riddle
5th.

The next event scheduled for the AMRA Road Warrior Tour is Friday, May 14th
at the Elkins Speedway. For more information on the American Motor Racing
Association (AMRA), please visit our website at www.amramodified.com

AMRA MODIFIEDS Road Warrior Tour -- 46 cars
Fast Qualifier: Doug Adkins/15.893
Heat #1: Doug Adkins, Dave McWilliams, Rob Stambaugh, Greg Baumberger, Mark
Baylor
Heat #2: Jess Hartman, Mike Long, Pat Gillian, Ed Eschmann, Rick Walker
Heat #3: Kenny Johnson, Vic Vandergrift, Dave Defibaugh, Junior Nolan, John
Burdette
Heat #4: Kenny Riddle, Chris Stotts, Larry Holbrook, Rick Stifler, Todd
Robinson
Heat #5: Benny Hickel, Deck Defibaugh, Tim Brown, Ray Perkins, Rick Wolford
C-Main: Greg Schilling, Adam Colley, Mike Gross, Joe Cox, Bill Wiley
B-Main: Rick Hensley, Ed Eschmann, Greg Baumberger, Junior Nolan, Donnie
Stewart

Feature: (finish, start, car #, driver)
1. (3) 1J Kenny Johnson
2. (5) 3s Benny Hickel
3. (11) 67 Rob Stambaugh
4. (10) 77D Deck Defibaugh
5. (4) 1K Kenny Riddle
6. (7) 35 Mike Long
7. (1) 7 Doug Adkins
8. (13) 77 Dave Defibaugh
9. (2) 5 Jess Hartman
10. (23) 0 Mark Dickson
11. (16) 03 Rick Hensley
12. (20) 38 Donnie Stewart
13. (19) 13 Junior Nolan
14. (12) 00 Pat Gillian
15. (22) 1C Todd Robinson
16. (9) s8 Chris Stotts
17. (17) E1 Ed Eschmann
18. (18) T3 Greg Baumberger
19. (6) 18 Dave McWilliams
20. (15) 66 Tim Brown
21. (8) 5 Vic Vandergrift
22. (14) L19 Larry Holbrook
23. (24) RV1 John Burdette
24. (21) 12 Anthony Slusher  ¶ 10:13 AM

  It was a brisk but sunny day as the haulers started unloading in the pits at Wayne County Speedway saturday morning. There was a small insurance charge for the drivers but other than that the pits and grandstands were open to the public free of charge. That was of course very exciting to a number of the younger fans that usally spend most of there race nights in the grandstands. My three girls were among the number of other lucky children that got to watch dad from the trailer door, tune and set their cars up and go practice.

The slight chilly breeze was soon forgotten as motors cracked and idled around the pits as they got ready to line up for their session of practice.The track was very nicely groomed and prepared, and although it slicked out during the afternoon , it never fell apart. Part of the reason opening night was cancelled and the practice was rescheduled was due to' working out the bugs' in their new transponder system. From talking to those working on the computer, all went well, and I think it is a great investment that benifits the track and driver.

The modified division was well represented. I don't have an exact car count, but there were probably at least 15 cars that came and went during the six hour practice session. Ernie Coffman told me at the end of practice, how impressed he was with the modified division, and was amazed that most of the modified drivers were only tuning 1/2 second slower times than the late models. The locals I recognized from the Youngstown area were Larry Kugal, Bootie Petsko, Ken Smith, Paul Phillips, and Scott Stiffler. Smith had some mechanical problems and was unable to turn any laps. The other locals were fast , although it was a practice day,and some were using up their old McCrearys during practice, I'm sure when they bolt their Hoosiers on for Saturday, they will still run up front. I recognized some of the car numbers from closer to the Ohio Valley but do not have names to go with them, Of Course home track favorite, Danny Dean showed up, and inspite of his age ,run perfect, smooth laps. I'm not exactly certain of his age, but I believe he is around 67. From what I observed, I would say this looks to be a great facility, fantastic track surface, and a tough modified division. I don't think you will see just a couple cars dominate the class, but a top 10 list of drivers that could win any night.

The weather is looking warm and sunny for the week-end , and hopefully it will stay that way for opening night this coming Saturday , April 17th. I got a few photos at the beginning of practice, but there were more that came in later that I was unable to get because of working on our car. Until next time...

Pictures from the pits  ¶ 12:02 PM