Both Ed Jr and Jean Lynch were mainstays in the racing world. To wit, Sprint car racing, where Ed Lynch Jr, pulled near 220 wins. Mostly at Lernerville and PPMS in Pittsburg.
I worked with Jean Lynch for over 25 years and have become a household word at East Bay, Syracuse and Charlotte. According to Jean Lynch, I have saved many racing programs and many tracks due to diligence in forecasting the weather. He will be missed and our conversations by phone. Ed’s a great guy and Jean, Queen of the Port Royal Race at least three times, at least.
The family has worked with promotions, helping kids and it is a family thing. Sye Lynch is the newest and talented young driver. He will be using the 2L car but having his own number, according Jean Lynch. So ends an exciting and long career.
My first station was Q-105 in Tampa, Florida, the original flag ship station of the Q-Zoo Tube, which simulcated with Channel 32 in Lakeland. Q-105 got its legs when Scott Shannon came on board, with radio that was all-inclusive. WRBQ 104.7 was the beast of the East and it was there I honed my skills as a broadcast Meteorologist.
I helped out Gene Lasker as well, with Holly Cain of the Tampa Tribune and helped out a few venues, such as Make-A-Wish, Shriners and Give Kids the World, etc, etc. Because of the track, I used the opportunity to do a Fund Raiser for Chron’s and Colitis, and we raised $22,000.00. My point with all this, is that the racing community along with the Lynches, Ron Bratten and a litany of others, helped us, help others.
By the story does not end there. Following in the footsteps of Ed Lynch Jr, Sye Lynch will be the 3rd Generation of drivers. If he is half and incredible as his father, then he will likewise make the Sprint Car Hall-of-Fame.
Shout out to Al Varnadore, doing well, when the weather decides to help us a little. Shout to Roger Slack and Tony Stewart at El Dora. May the good times roll, on and on.
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.
Old Golden Gate Speedway is a track that I had never had the opportunity to attend. But ask most of the older race car drivers and fans and their eyes light up. Wistful mental images of the old arch that stood outside the track houses these days sports a famous flea market. This was one of three tracks in the immediate Tampa area with a fourth located in Sarasota and one in Pinellas County just across that very large pond (Tampa Bay).
Like most tracks it had it’s ala carte parking spaces, fielded on turf and like so many tracks would be a quagmire when it rained. It had it’s memories and while the tracks appearance has faded with overgrown grass, those memories will persist until the last driver or fan has made their peace with this world.
These old Chevy race cars usually about 1955 makes were the staple of racing during the 1970s along with the advent of the Camaro body style. A style that was frowned upon at some tracks and even banned. The Late Model cars of today bear no resemble to these metal and paint prodigies. Man, I wish they still raced these. Sometimes change is not better!
The importance of racing cannot be fully appreciated by the person who is not a real fan of racing but ask any person who attended racing there. For you old racing fans here is a name you might recall. Gordon Solie. His talent was noticed at the track as well, staging many incidents for the ran fans at Golden Gate.
East Bay Sprints, Open Wheel Modifieds, Outlaw Fours, 4 Cylinder Bombers PLUS Sunshine Micro Sprints
East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa, Florida has a very special place in my heart. Not just because I lived in the area and did weather for the track since 1989 but the friends I have met and the people that have some and gone. The #00 car is the father of David Reutimann, his name is Buzzie Reutimann who started driving in 1963, at the closed ‘Golden Gate Speedway’.
He is still winning and at age 73, and is still racing! Even more remarkably he is first place in his division at East Bay and has won over 1,300 feature races. He might be the winningest driver in any division and that includes Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt combined.
The track has had other major stars but they did also have Jeff Gordon racing a sprint car when he was only 13 years old!!! And that is the Jeff Gordon whom we all know. Gene Lasker, Keith, Kenny, Jack Sr and Jack Jr Nosbisch’s. David Steele and many more big time racers from the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
I have known people that run the track including the current owners and promoters Al Varnadore and Todd Hutto. Racing and my friends I have met have enriched my life and that is why I work so hard in bringing them weather forecasts that are accurate and useful in race day planning or when they lay down trace surfaces. I have almost Mrs Jean Lynch, mother of the ‘Apollo Rocket’ Ed Lynch Jr. Winner of over 220 races and in the Sprint Car Hall of Fame.
Jean Lynch dressed in white is here Queen o the King’s Royal racing event held each year. She is a treasure and a wonderful person and part of the Sprint Car Hall of Fame.
Racing Short Track Style 