Drivers come and go. Some more memorable, but even the less talent contribute and make racing what is. By and by, numbers and drivers leave, but never truly forgotten. This week, I learned that Doug Hoffman who drove the 125 and 60 cars at places like East Windsor and Flemington Speedways and a myriad of tracks through the Northeast.
Emotional race to honor Doug Hoffman in New Jersey
The best racing action this weekend is also expected to produce a lot of emotion for those traveling to Bridgeport Speedway in Bridgeport, N.J., for the Race of Champions Modified Tour.
The 60-over Special on Saturday will honor former racer and promoter Doug Hoffman, who passed away just over three months ago.
Hoffman was a long-time follower of the Super DIRT Series and won 482 features in his career, including the 200 Classic at Super DIRT Week in 1996.
In recent years Hoffman traded his driver’s suit for a promoter’s hat. He successfully promoted Mahoning Valley Speedway in Pennsylvania for several years before taking over the promoter’s job at Bridgeport Speedway last year. It led to the track’ most successful season in recent memory.
Jimmy Horton won last week’s RoC race at New Egypt Speedway and will be hoping to win his second in a row this weekend at Bridgeport. Horton was two years older than Hoffman and raced against him on many occasions as the two rose through the ranks. Horton recalled the first few years they raced together, although not very fondly.
“He was running small blocks back then.” Horton said. “We probably didn’t like each other back then, but at that time we were racers and racers don’t usually like each other at the racetrack anyway.” Like all racers, the two had their dust ups on the track.
“He was aggressive.”
Horton said, “He ran to win!
That was the reason why he was so good. He had the desire all the time to win. It was a battle. It’s just our mentality I guess. We just wanna win the race and you gotta run as hard as you can.”
Their relationship changed as both matured and as Hoffman went into the promotional side of racing.
“You get to know the guy, you get to know how to race him, how to race against him.
He was was pretty good,” Horton said. “And then when he started the promoter end of it, he was real good. He was bringing the racetrack around and he was listening to people. It was a good deal.”
And as if Horton didn’t already have motivation to win at Bridgeport, he is currently driving the famed Deiter Schmidt-owned No. 5 — a ride Hoffman was in for several years.
“He drove for Dieter for a long time.” Horton said, “I’ll betcha he drove for him for 10 years off and on, special shows and East Windsor every Friday night. And we raced against him.
“So, it’s kind of a good deal, we’d probably like to win that one for Doug and his family — even for Dieter.”
And like a lot of folks, Horton will try his best to stay focused on the racing. But even he is wondering when it will all hit him.
“I don’t know.” Horton said, “It’s something that you really don’t think about until it’s over. And that’s probably the way I’m going to be. I don’t want to say it won’t phase me. It’s something I won’t be thinking about until the night’s over.”
Rock Launcher Canceled
Saturday’s other racing slate, the Rock Launcher at Black Rock Speedway, was canceled due to wet track conditions.
In the World of Outlaws, the King has lt the house as Donnie Schatz amassed 31 wins and winning the title by 544 points. Is Donnie that great or was it, combination of talent, drive and money? Even Jean Lynch said as much, regarding finance. with a well-funded teams with an apparent advantage so striking, that it defies belief!
The 2016 season may just end the same way, although the Lion, Rico Abreu, who would be nice on the tour, full season. By the way, Abreu won 2 features on a limited schedule. Craig Dollanaky’s future may be uncertain with Brad Sweet, Joey Saldana and Daryn Pittman vying for wins.
A lot of you military veterans may have heard of this racetrack in Little Rock, Arkansas called I-30 Speedway but this is way before most of you were even born. That being the 1970s during the time of Sidney Moncrief, Ron Brewer and Marvin Delph, the Triplets and not too long after the University of Arkansas won the National Championship in college football in 1964.
For those of you that haven’t then you need to need that it is not far from Jacksonville, AR’s Little Rock Air Force Base where I was stationed from late 1974 through Aug, 1981. Shout outs to Edie Panther and Starr Olson at the base. While at the base I got to see the late Jerry Inman in the D-7 Late Model and another Late Model with the # UFO. Anyone with a picture of that car let me know.
I also remember a guy from Dallas in the sprint car that came to the track to race and I think his name was Finch in the #7 car. Anyhow, a lady behind me apparently did not like him all that much because she said and I quote, ” I hope that son-of-a-bitch wrecks hard”. He did and nearly got killed and it was just seconds after she said that. She was sheepish after he flipped end over end while safety crews were extricating him from the car.
Passions run high in racing and it is one of the few events in sports where you know and can even talk to the stars- the drivers. And good drivers you have had a few great drivers in more than one division. They include Mark Martin, Billy Moyer, Jerry Inman and the list is too long as is Billy Moyer and his records. Oh and his son in the 21JR.
Below is #84 of Bob Senneker and the #2 of Mark Martin.
The new season is getting ready to start but has been pushed back one week with the test and tune next practice next Thursday and Opening night Saturday at 5:30PM.
Every track has their legends and along with those stories we get sad stories too. The #99 car was driven by Dick Trickle and every Middle School boy would get a laugh out of the name but Mr. Trickle was the Richard Petty of the ASA and ARTGO series.
After being the all-time winning driver with those series above, Dick Trickle raced NASCAR and raced against some of the all time great drivers and on great tracks as Golden Sands Speedway and the Fairgrounds it is easy to make to make the connection between the races there and who we have seen and now see in NASCAR.
Dick Trickle, Tom Reffner, Bob Sennecker, Rusty Wallace, Mark Martin, Mike Eddy, Ted Musgrave, Gary St. Amant, Butch Miller and the list goes on and on and on. This coming May the track will run a memorial Late Model event for the late Dick Trickle. Trickle was a big name at the track and committed suicide not too long ago.
I remember seeing Trickle and the series called ASA and ARTGO and it was pretty good racing. A smallish tight track it belied it’s comfy confines. Below is a remembrance of Bob Senneker, another great in the annals or Wisconsin racing.
I highly recommend this track and the Super Late Model series and by all means support your local tracks because you just might make a difference and find a new passion/Hobby.
The East Bay Nationals had a plenty full schedule but the weather was brutal thanks to high winds and cold temperatures. With that said, the Lucas Oil Nationals were again the highlight of the month long racing program. Weather had an impact as a make-up was done so no loss of racing in that division.
In fact, the only issue was the very last day during the Wingless Sprint Car Race on Saturday. This was the USAC event and of course this kind of weather inspires people to stay home and stay warm. Away from the tedium of getting to the track and suffer through the cold. Add the chill factor and one needs to cut losses and call it a day.
The Lucas Oil Late Model series featured the racing exploits of veteran late model champion Billy Moyer of Arkansas and his own son and namesake Billy Moyer Jr.
The event featured the return of Josh Richards after an extended illness in 2014. The event was captured and aired on Youtube.
Honest to God everyone but these nationals are a good deal with the weather notwithstanding.
Below is the site for all the racing action and the results of the racing that spanned a period of one month and by the end, everyone is ready for a break. The regular season starts this Saturday, so if you get the chance go out to the track and say hi to Al Varnadore.
Think of Tampa and you think Hurricanes, Thunderstorms and the second most Lightning strikes in the world. But is home to a lot more. George Steinbrenner was a big supporter of the University of Tampa and was called “Uncle George” by the many kids in the Children’s Emergency room and ward.
The picture in the upper right which houses the University of Tampa offices and the legendary Tampa Hotel, which has some renovated Hotel Rooms that one Queen of England stayed it a long time ago.
But an event that happens every year at the 1/3rd Mile track is the East Bay Winternationals and this year is no exception. In fact, Jean Lynch, the mother of Ed Lynch Jr is making the rounds once again as a PR person for the World Racing Group. Our relationship goes back a long time and ironically when I had got my mom V.I.P. tickets, come to find out that her grandson went to a college in PA and the place where my mother lived most of her life. Jean is 80 and my mom is now 79.
My mom was amazed at the down to earth nature of my second Mom, Mrs Lynch. I would figure out the weather for her and the track would use that information for planning purposes and they have that much trust in what I do.
2015 Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour to Begin with $10,000 to win Ronald Laney Memorial
2015 Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour to Begin with $10,000 to win Ronald Laney Memorial
TULSA, Okla. (October 8, 2014) One of the most highly anticipated events in dirt track racing is without a doubt the Winter Nationals at Tampa’s East Bay Raceway Park. A gathering of the nation’s finest dirt track warriors, it’s seen by many fans as the official kickoff to the dirt track racing season.
The last time the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV American Real was a part of the Winter Nationals lineup was 2008 with Kenny Adams, Terry McCarl, and Jason Johnson each garnering victories at “The Clay by the Bay”.
In 2015, that list of winners will grow as officials with the Lucas Oil ASCS presented by MAVTV American Real and East Bay Raceway Park are pleased to announce the National Tour’s 2015 season opener at the 39th annual Winter Nationals and 14th annual Ronald Laney Memorial, happening February 19-21, 2015.
“I’m looking forward to having the ASCS (American Sprint Car Series) back in the house. They’ve always done a great job for us and always put a good show so hopefully, it’ll be another homerun for us,” commented East Bay Raceway Park Promoter, AL Varnadore.
Beginning in 1999 as the “King of the 360’s”, Gary Wright won the inaugural event worth $4,000.
Ronald Laney captured the coveted crown in 2000 but would not get his second victory at East Bay as the Humble, Texas racer tragically lost his life in 2002 at the age of 29 after hard contact with the wall exiting turn-two sent Laney flipping into oncoming traffic. Racing continued with the event renamed the Ronald Laney Memorial. Tennessee’s Jason Sides was ultimately crowned the 2002 champion.
What has become a truly star studded event will offer drivers a champion’s payout of $10,000 with preliminary nights paying $2,000 to win. Oklahoma’s Wayne Johnson claimed the winner’s purse in 2014, marking the second time the 2000 Lucas Oil ASCS National Champion has won the King of the 360’s and Ronald Laney Memorial.
“It’s been too long since the Lucas Oil ASCS has been a part of the Ronald Laney Memorial,” said ASCS National Coordinator, Matt Ward. “Al and his staff have always been awesome to work with, and the event is second to none for anyone who enjoys dirt track racing Personally, Ronald meant a lot to all of us and to have his race be a part of ASCS is important.”
Along with the Lucas Oil ASCS presented by MAVTV American Real, the three nights will include the Florida Mini Sprints. Racing will be preceded by practice on Wednesday, February 18, 2015. Entry forms, ticket information, and full schedule of events for the 2015 East Bay Raceway Park Winter Nationals is available at http://www.eastbayracewaypark.com.
For continued updates on the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV American Real, log onto http://www.ascsracing.com.
Event Information:
What: $10,000 to win King of the 360’s and Ronald Laney Memorial
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-877 457-5611 or (813) 677-7223. Three night tickets are $70 each. Single day tickets are available. Thursday tickets are $15, Friday tickets are $25, and Saturday tickets are $30.
ASCS National History – East Bay Raceway Park: Thirteen events have been held at the East Bay Raceway Park with the Lucas Oil ASCS National Tour with eight winners. Lucas Oil ASCS Winners – East Bay Raceway Park: Terry McCarl 4, Gary Wright 3, David Steele, Garry Lee Maier, Jason Johnson, Kenny Adams, Larry Pinegar, Travis Rilat
Lucas Oil ASCS Winners (by date) – East Bay Raceway Park: David Steele (2/11/1996), Garry Lee Maier (2/12/1996), Larry Pinegar (2/9/1997), Gary Wright (2/10/1997), Travis Rilat (1/26/2006), Terry McCarl (1/27/2006), Terry McCarl (1/28/2006), Gary Wright (1/25/2007), Terry McCarl (1/26/2007), Gary Wright (1/27/2007), Kenny Adams (1/31/2008), Terry McCarl (2/1/2008), Jason Johnson (2/2/2008)
King of the 360’s Ronald Laney Memorial Champions: Wayne Johnson (2014 and 2010), Danny Holtgraver (2013), Glenn Styres (2012), Daryn Pittman (2011), Jesse Hockett (2009), Jason Johnson (2008), Gary Wright (2007 and 1999), Terry McCarl (2006), Chad Kemenah (2005), Sport Allen (2003), Jason Sides (2002), Jeff Sheppard (2001), Ronald Laney (2000)
The 2015 season will mark the twenty-fourth year of sanctioning Sprint Car racing for the American Sprint Car Series, which brings the best of Sprint Car racing to dozens of different tracks throughout the nation. Anchored by the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series, ASCS also consists of ten different Regions throughout the nation.
Lucas Oil Products is the title sponsor of the American Sprint Car Series. More information can be found on Lucas Oil Products at http://www.lucasoil.com. MAVTV is the presenting sponsor of the American Sprint Car Series. Log onto http://www.mavtv.com for information regarding availability and listings in your area.
Associate sponsors for the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by MAVTV include: Hoosier Racing Tire and Brodix.
Team Lucas Sponsors for the American Sprint Car Series consist of Protect the Harvest, iON Camera, Smokey Mountain Moonshine, C&R Radiator, Hawk Performance Products, Geico, E3 Spark Plugs, and General Tire.
Product and Contingency Sponsorship provided by: K&N Filters, KSE Racing Products, SpeedMart, Competition Suspension, Engler Machine and Tool, FSR Radiator and Racing Products, Schoenfeld Headers, Driverwebsites.com, Weld Wheels, Saldana Racing Products, Maxwell Industries, Print Place, Simpson, The Joie of Seating, Wesmar Racing Engines, Hinchman Indy Racewear, Rod End Supply, Smiley’s Racing Products, Speedway Motors, and Hilborn Injection Systems.
Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at http://www.ascsracing.com as well as Twitter (@LucasOilASCS) and Facebook. News and information can also be sent to you with the ASCS E-News by texting ASCS to 22828 with any mobile device.
Opened 5/3/53 (high-banked 1/5-mile dirt (clay) oval
Mance Park Speedway is located ¼-mile south of Route 66 on East Ave., 3 miles south of LaGrange, the first crossroad east of U.S. 45. Follow the Arrows!
…called “Chicagoland’s fastest and highest banked track” in 1953
Roy Young (picture above) was dominate winning around 500 features. Chicago is most notable for it’s politics, it’s Lakeview and a lot of people but Roy is a microcosm of racing in the 50s and 60s.
The first thing to mention about Super Dirt Week it’s location. Situated amidst of the great Finger Lakes of New York is the track known as the Moody Mile, it is the longest dirt track in America and how to one of the greatest dirt programs anywhere. http://superdirtweekonline.com/history
The above link is to the site that hosts this event each year located in Syracuse and is the New York State Fairgrounds. The website http://www.superdirtcarseries.com/ gives you as much history about this event as you could possibly want.
Seneca Lake
I went to high school not far from Syracuse and is where I entered the military in 1974. The area at-large includes Ithaca University and Cornell U. The haunts of Carl Sagan, author of the original COSMOS series and those big lakes named after the American Indian Tribes which included the Iroquois, Senecan and Oneidans.
Super Dirt Week first raced in 1972 and now 42 years later is carrying on in fine fashion. For more information please check out the main page of the Dirt Week site.
This track used to lie close to I-4 Speedway in Tampa on Fairgrounds property and I cannot even put my head around the fact that the track is now gone and for over 25 years as I recall. and hardly a trace of it remains.
There is a concrete barrier I believe into turns 1&2 and a light pole that helped to light the track. There is a also part of fence and the flag stand. A friend of mine lost his father in racing and raced at that track. He now races himself (the son) . I actually went to races there with my late father, an Air Force Veteran and buried in a National Burial Ground in Florida.
Time marches on!!!
Every time that I would pass there on I-4, I would wonder and reflect upon it’s impact on the lives of fans, drivers and family. Each track has it’s legacy drivers that eventually become heroes and like the track itself succumb to their own fateful passing away. And for the remaining tracks where new drivers drifted off to, the sounds of revving motors running full tilt with the smell of food, drinks and photo shops.
I saw here Sammy Rodriguez work his way around the track there and East Bay. Sammy was a hot shoe and now retired and owner of Dirt Devil’s Speedway north of Land O’ Lakes, Florida. I worked with him on a few projects and the track he owns races primarily go-karts but is very clean and nice appearing thanks to Sammy and former Late Model star, Terry DeCaire.
Bobby Alexander #15. A great hard charging competitor and a rival of Terry DeCaire in his USA-1 Late Model.
When I was there, the track was older and I think is part of the reason it was abandoned. But the ghosts remain and the track-side tragedies and dramas remain, until those veritable warriors left us wanting. Future generations may not see the signs but I would. It was an attraction to me and enjoyable in it’s shortcomings as it’s intrinsic value to car owners, drivers and sponsors.
See you in racing heaven!!!!
Jeff Gordon Below
Pictures by Gene Mardeness and Max Dolder and the site for Florida remembers!!!
Racing Short Track Style 