| | Some thoughts on Promotion | | Tuesday, October 24, 2006 | | I did read your article and agree with you on the scheduling aspect. Great article. If we can get the track owners, etc. to work together on rules and cost cutting measures it would also help. Perhaps track owners could work together on a tire and gas program among themselves so, for example, tire choices would be limited to maybe 2 compounds for all tracks. Use a harder compound so they last longer. Track owners working together might be able to get a better deal if they buy all their tires as a group.
And their concession supplies, gas, communications equipment, etc. Even safety equipment could be shared if tracks worked together. Why should every track have to have special equipment if tracks shared? Just some ideas that I think can be borrowed from some of the DIRT tracks I've been to.
Please feel free to share my ideas if you want. I'm sure you're better with words than I am.
B.W.
| | Short Track Safety | | Monday, June 12, 2006 | | With all the emphasis on safety in motorsports at the top tier professional level (NASCAR, IRL, Champ Car, NHRA and IHRA to name a few) you would think that some of this effort would cascade down to the regional professional racing organizations, and ideally to all of the weekly racing venues.
I attended a local dirt track this past weekend owned by a publicly traded motorsports organization and while watching the lower level classes race I could not help but notice how many of the competitors were sawing at the wheel without the aid of racing gloves. I did a quick internet search and found that a new pair of fireproof gloves could be purchased for less than 70 dollars. Yes, I did say 70 dollars. Aside from the valuable fire protection offered by racing gloves, these short track dirt racers would get some protection from rocks, mud, miscellaneous parts and from boiling water that might erupt from a failed cooling system. It doesn’t surprise me that this would occur at a non-sanctioned short track but not at a facility owned by an organization who’s own website claims they are the second largest motorsports organization based in the United States.
I didn’t pen this article to harp on the lack of racing gloves (not to mention other safety gear deficiencies) in the support divisions, but to describe an unusual response to a situation on the track by the safety workers of (dare I say) a professional racing organization. Four laps into the headliner Late Model division feature two cars spun at the entry to turn one and a third car spun backwards and made contact at speed. The wreck was brutal totaling at least one of the cars and severely damaging the others. One of the fuel cells ruptured dispensing a full tank of racing fuel onto the track surface. With the dirt hard and slicked over the gas pooled in the tire grooves at what appeared to be an inch or more deep with the majority of the fuel running down to the pit exit creating a large puddle estimated at 6 by 12 feet.
Fortunately none of the cars involved sparked what could have been a dangerous fire and I (along with many others sitting in the turn one bleachers) fully expected the remains to be carefully removed and the fuel spill to be burned off. Instead the track crew (calling them safety workers would be an oxymoron) sprinkled about five pounds of kitty litter and using shovels tried to sweep away the puddles. Several tow trucks drove through the puddles splashing the fuel into a wider area. Then, with a pair of track crewmen standing to the high side of the fuel spill they wave the cars on to run in the puddle as if it were water. Without protest the remaining 15 or so Late Model drivers aimed their mounts at the puddle and then stomped the gas spraying a fuel mist into the air and on to the track crew workers.
As Forest Gump would say, “Stupid is as stupid does.” And the depths of stupid were definitely tested on this night. So you have a cloud of fuel that you could smell and see under the lights, track workers dowsed with fuel and race cars with exposed headers spinning their wheels creating racing fuel rooster tails. Tick, tick, tick….Then they drop the green flag and for the next 20 laps or so I thought we would surely see a tragic fire erupt. Sparks showered off the rear brake on the lead car lap after lap and several of the other cars would burp the throttle resulting in a bellow of flame from the headers right in the area of the fuel spill. Finally the checkered flag waved and fortunately no fire occurred. I was glad it never erupted but equally irritated that this would continue to be the way the track crew would respond to future fuel spills. You can’t always be lucky.
On the way out of the track the smell of fuel was hanging in the air and the track worker was relaxing with a smoke at the puddle at the exit of pit road. Another dance with the devil won.
In closing I would hope that all track operators, competitors and sanctioning bodies would do more, expect more and plan more for what could happen. I want this sport to survive and to thrive, but if we don’t do a better job we’ll be looking for another place to play…..Oh yeah, don’t hit the track without your racing gloves.
-TOM GRAY
| | Awards Nights | | Saturday, January 21, 2006 | | Looking forward to the Awards Night when the drivers are applauded for their achievements and endurance is rewarded.
Also for the ones who pay for the trailers, cars, motors, tires, fees, fuel. These are the MAJOR sponsors. The ones who place their mark or name (advertisement) upon the metal chariot with the number.
Oddly enough they (this group) aren't even invited to the banquet. If they are, no tickets are available. I understand entire pit crews are attending, the ones that hold the drinks. PERHAPS some arrangement can be made, next year.
Thank You,
Henry B.
| | Spec Motors | | Saturday, September 24, 2005 | | Hi,
My name is Andre Fortin and I am from Quebec, Canada. This email is regarding Spec engine.
I have been in this business for a solid 30 years and on all sides of the fence, being driver, car and engine builder and race track promoter.
As race track promoter, I have introduce Sealed engine in 1998 and crate engine program in 2001.
Does it work?
Definitly. But not just by saying''next year, we'll use this part number crate motor and that's it''.
First: Only one motor part number per brand should be used: one GM, one Ford, one Dodge.
Second, you need a specific engine builder to help out in the project because, at some point, these engine like every other one will have to be rebuilt. Only one engine builder should be use in order to have that system to work. He also will be the original source of engine. All engine should go through his shop, dyno test and then delivered. He's the one you will rely on whenever there is a problem, doubt or a Monday inspection.
Third, whenever it's being introduce, give your guys a 2 or 3 years grace period so they can use up their old equipement. Use restrictor plates, smaller carbs, add weight and things like that to slow down the ''old engine'' cars.
Fourth, like everything else, it has to be checked and followed carefully. Don't take them apart. Dyno them. Have the racer(s) remove it from the car right after the race and, on Monday morning, dyno it. Has to match original dyno chart. Period. Be very very firm on penalty if somebody mess with the engine, something like for first infraction, rest of season ban, second infraction lifetime ban. Don't forget that this guy is trying to mess up what you are trying hard to build.
Fifth:That's about it for the engine side.
Sixth: Now, never forget that the budget the top drivers don't spend on their engine program, they will spend it somewhere else, tires, shocks, brakes, new, state of the art, latest chassis design, etc.. So all this will have to be taken into consideration. There is no need to have a cheaper engine program if the chassis//suspension set up triple in price.
Seventh: Last but not least and I think this one is the worst drawback and hardest to manage because it will hurt the spectators side. Now that you have cut the power in half, you will end up with over tire//under power cars. So here, you'll have to do something to compensate for that, either narrower and or rock hard long lasting type of tires. Both is the best wtg. Never loose sight that this is an entertainment show, not a follow the leader type of event that you want.
I could go on longer but here you have the basic for a good spec engine program. But be carefull, nothing takes care of itself. Never, ever forget that we are in entertainment business and a follow the leader type of race is a sure way to empty your grandstands.
If you liked what I wrote and I could be of any help in the futur, please feel free to contact me.
Respectfully yours,
André Fortin
PS: you have my permission to use this letter for any purposes of your choice.
| | Sunshine Speedway | | Tuesday, December 7, 2004 | | I am saddened to hear of the closing of Sunshine Speedway in your article. I grew up in the Chicago area. Several years ago we lost the 1/4 mile track I grew up at and miss it so much.
In the early 80's I moved to Tampa for college. I would attend Sunshine most weekends. It became my second favorite track. I still would get to the area 3-4 times a year and would always make sure I would catch a race. Was the land sold for development? My Chicago track has given way to an Ultra and Aldi foods. Short tracks are becoming harder and harder to find. It is sad.
G81197@aol.com
| | Fastruck Article | | Friday, July 9, 2004 | | I was pleased to read your article on the partnership agreement with Skinner and Diehl. The article was one of the most fair and balanced articles I have read about the series over the past 2 years. You seem to know just how to present the issue giving the credit to those whom have worked hard like Diehl to make the series while reserving the right to take a watch and see how it goes forward.
I agree that the Skinners involvement will be a positive force in making the series better, and as you said in your article Diehl has been able to "seemingly able to cope with whatever comes his way" and this latest move will be no different. Thank you for your well written article along with your spin on the future of Fastruck. Rich Pellerito #13 Fastruck
[EDITORS NOTE THE FASTRUCK ARTICLE]
| | Good Job Rebecca | | Monday, March 22, 2004 | | Rebecca:
Sorry I have not responded but we had big snow storm up here late Monday-early Tuesday and I have been working overtime.
I wanted to tell you that you did a great job on the article about Dad. Hell of a job! Everyone likes it and everyone has said how much they enjoyed it and how they liked how you brought out the personal side and all the family stuff.
I even heard the old man tell Mom 'She sure did right by me, didn't she?" He IS pleased! He don't talk a lot but you sure can tell!
My Mom loves it!! After she read it she went on and on and on about it. You made her day I think.
He never even mentioned the photos!!!! Of course he knows, he isn't dumb, but he didn't say a word!
I think we're safe!
You did a damn good job.
Jarrod
| | Thanks | | Monday, March 22, 2004 | | Dear Ms. Richards:
We just wanted to write and comment on your interview with Doc Lehman. You did a wonderful job bringing so much information out about him.
We have met Doc a couple times over the years and appreciate all he has done for racing in Ohio over the years and what he does now for drivers through the racing papers we get and his website.
We learned a lot about him we didn't know and you did a wonderful job.
Doc has done alot for many people in the Ohio area. We know for a fact that every holiday he and his wife make big donations to the local Salvation Army and food pantries with things aimed for little kids and helps Ohio tracks raise money for kids programs. Also every holiday he and his wife take cases and cases of baby food to local charities so babies in Wayne County will have food and formula for the holidays. (We read about this in a Ohio paper once).
He has also helped many, many people in racing and we heard about a time at the World 100 last year when two people came to the ticket window and forget their money. One young man was in a wheelchair and had just recently had surgery. He and his wife were near tears because they drove for over 300 miles and Doc saw this so he paid for their tickets and made sure they had gas money to make it home.
Thank you and we will follow your articles and the Karnac website all the time now. We are glad to have found it.
Thank you, Michelle & Chuck
| | Thanks KARNAC | | Thursday, March 4, 2004 | | I am sooo thankful. I found this web page. I was born & raised in South Miami, FL. I saw my first stock car race at Medley Speedway. I knew at that time. I was going to race. I did, at Medley & Hialeah Speedway. I loved it. Two of my best friends raced when I did. They were Bobby Brack, Melvin Payne. I remember: Harry Vernon, Bobby Johns, Red Farmer, Banjo Matthews, Allisons. Ernie Reeves, Marion Edwards, on & on.
I saw Lee Petty race at Medley. also the BIG GUYS at Daytona. On the beach /road track.
Now I can keep up with my old home track. I used to follow NASCAR. tHEY HAVE GONE TO ME. i AM GOING BACK TO THE OLD DAYS. nOT REALLY. wE RACED PRE WAR CARS. a LOT DIFFERENT THAN TODAY.
i LIVE VERY CLOSE TO cITRUS cOUNTY sPEEDWAY. i HAVE A NEIGHBOR WHO HAS A LATE MODEL. iT IS cooool
aN OLD TIME RACER.
Bill
| | Legends | | Wednesday, December 3, 2003 | | To whom this may concern,
I really enjoy your web site, I think your missing out on a Florida Legend that us Georgia folks really enjoyed watching him race back in the 40's,50's 60's, 70's, 80's,And thats Harvey Jones of Tallahassee Fl.. I think he could really add some past to your Legend page.
Mark Roland
Newington, Ga.
| | Pete Orr | | Wednesday, December 3, 2003 | | I just wanted to say thank you for keeping the Pete Orr site available. It means alot to us to be able to go there and remember.
Sincerely
Julie Wyatt,
North Carolina
| | Eau Gallie | | Wednesday, December 3, 2003 | | Hello:
67-74, I drove a mini-stocker # 78. Randy Davis was # 76 and David McCabe # 77.
It was fun then as the entrance (pit) fee, I believe, was only $ 2.00 .
Very few pit crews existed then and everyone helped everyone. I learned alot from Ernie Bass and Leon Williams of Orlando that I could apply to my mini-stocker. I missed your first reuniuon as I now live in Wetumpka, Alabama. I would like to be notified of the 2nd reunion. I will be there. I have for several years the opportunity to work the Talladega Super Speedway as a Part time Security Guard.
Allmost every race I see Bobby and Donnie Allison along with Red Farmer whom I remember racing at Eau Gallie with a 55 or 56 Ford F-97. Keep me informed and I will relay all information to these former competitors and hopefully at the next reunion they can come.
If you have some pictures of the mini-stockers of that era, I would appreciate them being posted to the Eau Gallie Speedway photo's.
Thank you for all you have done,
Yours,
Pat Walsh,
| | Governor's Cup | | Wednesday, December 3, 2003 | | Hi Jane & Jack,
Remember once noticing that results for a couple of Governor's Cups were missing from your KARNAC pages and made a mental note to send you results of earlier years if and when I came across them.
This morning I came across the pre 1991 results, which should fill in some blanks. I don't know of anywhere else that the history and prestige of the event is archived as well as your site! If the GC ever again becomes as popular and prestigious as it once was, it will in be, in large part, due to your efforts.
Thanks for all you do.
Bill Posey
| | Speedweeks for Lake City | | Wednesday, November 19, 2003 | | comments: I am interested in conversing w/ the promoter of Lake City
>Speedway...
Can you assist???
ThankX!!!
Steve Hixson
DirtCar Racing Promotions
Chattanooga, TN
hixson525@hotmail.com
| | Great Job!! | | Tuesday, November 18, 2003 | | Thank-you for a complete newsletter that lets us catch all
the action on the tracks....Saves our son, Troy Groeb from
having to detail all the races. We are in MI and cannot
make all the races...We try to catch at least one a year and
that is not enough. Our season ends too soon here.
Jeanne and Ernie Groeb
| | Did Somebody Die at Sunshine??? | | Tuesday, November 11, 2003 | | Did somebody die at Sunshine Speedway lately? Every time I go to check their latest results, it's about 3 or 4 weeks OLD. Like now it's Oct 14th results and I know they have raced since then. Would appreciate someone waking up the dead there, maybe Bonnie Hill.
Thanks, A Texas Gator
| | Eau Gallie Speedway Reunion | | Friday, September 5, 2003 | | I didn't know that a reunion was happening in May. Let me know what is planned for next year and I will love to attend. I'm a former mini-stock driver # 78, Pat Walsh who raced at Eau Gallie, 1968-1974. I now live in Alabama outside of Montgomery and try to catch as many races I can each year. I also work Track Security at Talladega Speedway. Thank You for keeping the memories alive.
Algator1944@aol.com
ANSWER: Lou White definitely plans on another reunion in 2004.
When the date is set, karnac will be the first to announce the
date.
Jane Smith
| | Racing at DeSoto Speedway, Bradenton, Fl | | Monday, July 7, 2003 | | Why is it that the latest writeup you have about the limited late models is February of this year? Is it lack of input from DeSoto, or what? We race there and of course my son has come close several times (seconds and thirds) and finally, no wrecks, no car problems, we finally win and no remarks, no writeup, nothing.
Answer: We post stories from Desoto as soon as we receive them
however we do not have a set person who writes for Desoto from
KARNAC. You need to write the track and ask them why they are
not putting out a story and maybe this will help.
Jane Smith
Editor
KARNAC.com
| | Going down Memory Lane | | Thursday, June 5, 2003 | | I was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida , and my first stock car race was in the late 1950's at Phillips Field in Tampa. Every summer of my teen years, in the late fifties and early 1960's, was spent in the Tampa Bay area going every Friday and Saturday nights to Phillips Field initially, then the SaraMana Speedbowl, Sunshine Speedway, and later, Golden Gate Speedway.
While at home in Jacksonville during the school year, I regularly went to Speedway Park when Pat Patrick sponsored races at the half-mile dirt track in Jax on the corner of Lennox and Plymouth. Later it was called Jacksonville Speedway.
In the very early days of the 1950's that track hosted NASCAR
events when the Hudson Hornet & Olds Rocket 88's dominated the circuit with drivers like Tim & Fonty Flock, Marshall Teague, Herb Thomas, Buck Baker, and Lee Petty. The early days had local race drivers like Bill Snowden, Tommy Moon, Piggy Bennet, David Ezell, Rod Eulenfield, and Bill Shaw. I also saw LeeRoy Yarbrough race there before he went on to a successful NASCAR career.
Modified and Sportsman gave way eventually to Late Model Sportsman, and Jacksonville Speedway eventually closed in favor of a new racing complex north of the city, and about that time, I joined the military and never returned to Florida to live, but I have never stopped going to races in the areas I have lived.
But my most special recollections came on the paved tracks in the Tampa Bay Area, and in the E-Mail below, I relate a special first night of racing, and how the Reutimann racing family made me a race fan for life.
In discovering your Florida History Website, I thought you might be
interested in my recollections of the late fifties and early 1960's stock car racing, and the many names of great racers from that era from that part of the state. I just wish I had saved all the photos and programs from all those tracks during that era. There are many, many greats I left off. Jack Arnold, Benny Moore, Gordon (GE 123) Lee, Billy Gill, Butch Hurst, Sonny Alderman, and Dave McInnis, to name a few more. Speaking of Dave McInnis, your photo gallery shows him in the Palmer Garage "T-Bucket" modified no.5 that I saw
him win with at Sunshine Speedway on many occasions. He also drove a no.32 Late Model '55 Chevy to many wins, and yes, he was from Largo,
or was, at that time.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this and my tribute to the Reutimann family below.
Respectfully, of all the Florida racing greats, yours truly, Rick Johnson, Austin, Texas.
Good Luck to You and this great website.
I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am to find this website! I am 56 years old and owe my lifetime interest in stock car racing to the Reutimann family.
In the summer of 1958, I witnessed my very first stock car race. I was 12 years old and was spending my summer vacation from school with my older sister in Tampa. My brother-in-law had an interest in racing, so the first weekend I was there, he took me to Phillips Field, a quarter-mile flat track around the University of Tampa's football field on the Hillsborough River. I remember the stands were totally full, and as the cars steadily streamed on the track, suddenly the whole place errupted in clapping and applause when a white Chevy coupe with a dark blue top and glittering gold double zero numerals pulled onto the track. A very thin young kid in a royal blue satin shirt was driving this coupe powered by an in-line chrome six cylinder engine. I asked my brother-in-law what was the commotion about? He said "that is Buzzie Reutimann, and he has won several Class B feature races in a row here, and he comes from the back of the field each and every week to do it. And wait until you see how many cars he has to pass!" He was right. I couldn't believe that they could get that many cars on so small and narrow a track.
On the feature parade lap, the pole sitter could see the rear of the back row cars entering the first turn as he crossed the start-finish line. And exactly as my brother said, that wonderful humming in line six ( I can still hear it) steadily made its way to the front and the checkered flag in just 20 Laps, the length of the feature race. He swept that night, winning his heat, the semi-final, and the "B"Feature. I remember also that almost all the "B" racers had flat-head 8 cylinder Fords, just a hand full of sixes were on hand. But Buzzie's six mowed them all down.
I remember that the most competitive car Buzzie had to deal with was another six, the yellow and back no. 5-D WARGO- sponsored car driven by Dave Scarborough, who did manage a couple of weeks later to break Buzzie's string of wins. The fastest flat-head that night was an orange and blue coupe no. 73U, driven by Otis Brayton. ( It's amazing to me how these details have stuck in my memory all these years since).
But I also need to talk about the Class "A" Modifieds that night. There was another double zero in that division, looking almost exactly like the one Buzzie was driving in Class 'B". It was Buzzie's father, Emil , who we later came to affectionately call "Pappy" Reutimann.
I remember the "A" cars were much faster and louder and had three to six gleaming chrome carbuerator caps on overhead valve V-8's. I also remember that, whereas the most Class "B" cars were flathead Ford powered, the Class "A" cars were mostly Chevy-powered, although I do remember a driver who drove a dark blue coupe no. 30 that my brother-in-law said had a Cadillac engine. I remember he started on the pole alot, but steadily fell backward in the field. I think his last name was Hutchinson. Dick Hope won the feature that night, and I remember a car called the "Purple People Eater" driven by Jimmy Alvis, I believe it was no. 21. He later had his greatest success driving a pretty blue metallic no. 4 coupe.
I also remember Pancho Alverez because he was my nephew's favorite driver. Also, the Flying X car, we called the "road grader", a bright orange chopped Crosley driven by Buzz Barton. Incidentally, this car and others like it later caused a driver split that resulted in the traditional modifieds running at the "SaraMana Speed Bowl"and the new "Sunshine Speedway" in St. Pete. Barton's car, and others like it ,eventually evolved as "Super Modifieds" staying at Phillips Field, but later eventually racing at both the successor at Tampa, Golden Gate Speedway, and the St. Pete track.
Other names I remember that very first night at Phillips Field in Class "A" Modifieds were Johnny and Red Batton, Bill Roynon, Jimmy and Frank Riddle, Dale Alderman, Chet Rutledge, and Phil Diaz. I remember Jimmy Riddle always wore red bermuda shorts that season, and they really stood out next to his jet black no. 14 when he posed for the camera next to his car. The car also had a black stripe painted in the center of a white hub, and on the Class "A"'s the front tire on the drivers side lifted off the pavement as the cars accelerated out of the turns onto the straight. It was fun to see Jimmy Riddle's "stripe spinner" stop when the wheel lifted off the pavement.
Anyway, that was the first of every Saturday summer night for me at Phillips Field that year and the next. I would do anything........chores, errands, to earn enough money during the school year to spend my summers in the Tampa area and go to those very competitive close races.
Eventually, we left Phillips Field and followed the traditional Modifieds to SaraMana and Sunshine Speedway, and eventually I got to see Wayne Reutiman drive the no. 00 Jr car, and Wayne and Buzzie drive Late Models at Sunshine and Golden Gate, first in 55' Chevies, then '57 Chevies.
I always rooted for all the Reutimanns, but to this day my favorite was Emil "Pappy" Reutimann, who I was able to see win feature races at Phillips and Sunshine Speedway before he retired, and I entered military service during the Viet Nam era. I never returned to Florida to live, but have gone to local race tracks whereever my life's journey has taken me, and it brought tears to my eyes the night I turned on the Speed Channel, and there was a beaming Buzzie in victory lane with his son, David, and the memories flowed back to that summer night in 1958 when this very young kid was showing em all the way arouund the track in that gliitering pristine little 30's Chevy coupe.
God Bless all the Reutimanns , especially "Pappy" Emil in heaven and son Dale, and I hope to see David in victory lane in Winston Cup in the near future, and I hope the sponsor respects the rich racing tradition of this Zephyrhills family, and adopts the white and blue paint scheme, with of course, the glittering double zero number on the car.
| | Golden Gate Speedway | | Thursday, June 5, 2003 | | I was wondering if you could direct me to some information regarding Golden Gate Speedway. I was a 5 year old kid in 1963 and clearly remember going to the races. Dick Pratt, Wayne Reutiman, Buzzy Reutiman, Will Cagle, Pete Foltz, Jack Arnold, Frank and Jimmy Riddle, Donnie Tanner. I was born and raised in Tampa and would like to see some old photos or general information regarding this old track. I even recall Gordon Solie doing the track anouncing. Thanks for your time.
David Giddens
8530 Ehren Cutoff
Land O Lakes, Fl.
34639
drggiddens@aol.com
| | For Jane Smith | | Thursday, June 5, 2003 | | Hi:
This e-mail is for Jane Smith, who I assume visits New Smyrna Speedway on Saturday nights in order to get the wealth of information in her Karnac columns weekly. I hope Jane can come over and visit with me some Saturday night while she is at the track. I drive the #7 late model and park regularly towards turn one in the middle of the pits.
It would be good to get to meet the one who keeps most of us informed about race results at New Smyrna Speedway. Due to lack of sponsorship I have not been attending weekly as I'd like to do, but hope one of these weekends we can meet. Thanks for a great website.
Charlie Merz
#7 Late model
New Smyrna Speedway
| | Eau Gallie Speedway Reunion | | Wednesday, May 14, 2003 | | I only wish the track were still in existence today. I never missed a Saturday night as a spectator. Started going there in 1958 as I recall. I moved from Florida in 1973 to the Seattle area however but I still remember the names well who will be at your picnic. I hope someone puts the pictures and memorabilia on a website for future reference. I will never forget the good times there. I wondered whatever happened to Harry and Henry Pullen and typed in the Eau Gallie speedway name on Google this a.m. and found this
site. My how surprised I was.
Take care,
Richard L. Joslin
Kent, Washington
(No relation to the Orlando Dick Joslin) Thats how I came to know about Eau Gallie Speedway and did meet him once in 1958) I loved his little 38 Ford
back then.
AT SUNSHINE SPEEDWAY YOU HAVE ONE RACERS THERE BY THE NAME OF PONCHO ALFONSO. THAT HAS BEEN RACING SINCE I WAS A LITTLE GIRL. I REMEMBER ALL OF US RIDING TO THE RACES TO WATCH MY UNCLE RACE.
FIGURE EIGHTS,SMASHUP DERBY,HE MIGHT HAVE NEVER HIT THE FRONT PAGE ON A NEWS PAPER OR ON THE NEWS. BUT HE'S ALWAYS BEEN ON THE FRONT PAGE OF MY HEART WHEN IT CAME TO RACING. JUST REMEMBER THE OLD TIMERS THAT NEVER HIT THAT FRONT PAGE, THEY MIGHT HAVE COME REAL CLOSE BUT NEVER MADE IT. THEY GIVE THEIR HEARTS WHEN IT COMES TO RACING.
AGAIN JUST REMEMBER THEM. THEY'VE HAD SOME GREAT CARS THROUGH THE YEARS. AND MY FATHER RAYMOND ALFONSO IT'S BEEN A LIFE SAVER FOR HIM, IT KEEP HIM GOING.
AND THEN OF COURSE MY COUSIN ANGIE ALFONSO THAT HAS FOLLOWED HIS FATHER PONCHO ALFONSO'S FOOTSTEPS. THEY HAVE KEPT IT IN THE FAMILY AND STEADY EVERY WEEKEND. I KNEW WHEN THEY WERE GETTING READY FOR RACING. I COULD HEAR THEM TUNING UP THEIR CARS.
WHICH I LIVED ABOUT A BLOCK AWAY AT THE TIME FOR YEARS. I COULD TELL WHAT DAY IT WAS BY THE ENGINES GOING OFF IN THE NEIGHORHOOD. SO PLEASE PONCHO AND RAYMOND ARE GETTING UP IN AGE.
PLEASE REMEMBER THEM AND THE RACING CONTINUES WITH OUR FAMILY. KEEP THOSE TIRES BURNING GUYS
I LOVE YA DAD
I LOVE YA TIO PONCHO
I LOVE YA ANGIE
THANK YOU CHERYL
| | Open Wheel Mods | | Tuesday, February 25, 2003 | | Thank you for the awesome article on lowering the cost of open wheel modified motors. My husband, Bruce Watkins, had a OWM built to run on asphalt with the SARA series. He stopped racing because we couldn't compete with the amount of money most of the car owners had invested. We campaigned at East Bay raceway and are blessed to race there every other week.
It's nice to know an even playing ground is on the way, by 2004.
Thank you, again.
Caron C. Watkins
| | Legends | | Friday, December 6, 2002 | | Hey Guys....
I JUST BOUGHT A LEGEND CAR IN FLORIDA.... I LIVE IN
WEST PALM BEACH, WHERE ARE THE TRACKS AROUND HERE....
MIAMI OR WHERE THEY HAVE LEGENDS RACING... I DON'T
MIND TRAVELING.
THANKS
MIKE
answer from Jack Smith
DeSoto Speedway in Bradenton races them regularly
during the year and have a big Winternationals event
in February each year.
Jack Smith
karnac.com
| | Hello All | | Friday, December 6, 2002 | | I just found your site today and love it. We used to
live in Merritt Island but have since moved to GA.,
so I love to keep updated with what's going on dowh
there (I was saddened to hear about Pete Orr, he was
a hecka of a driver.) Anyway, I have a question for
you all. I was reading in a mag. this month that
Fireball Roberts won a road course race at the
Titusville-Cocoa speedway this month 46 years ago.
Do you have any info on that track or the one that
used to be in Melbourne, and I think there was also
one in Palm Bay (not sure about that one, might just
be a rumor). I'm sure you all are very busy so I'm
not expecting e-mail back but I will keep looking on
your site for any info. Thank you for your time, and
have a happy holiday.
Scott McCauley
a fan of the sport
(Jane Smith wrote him an answer on 12/5 to check out
our history section and would check on the road course
track)
| | THANKS FROM EDNA WILSON | | Wednesday, October 16, 2002 | | Thanks To All Who Helped:
First of all, I would like to thank Karrie at Macs' Place in Floral City for their cook-out and their patrons who attended.
I want to thank my family, Harley and Virginia along with their two sons: Sport, wife Becky and their kids, Wes: wife Erica and their kids; Uncle Jerry and Aunt Sharon from Inverness.
Thanks for your support Sharon, Roy, boys Jimmy, Johnny and Jake, and Renee. And Giz' parents Tommy Sr. and Lorene, all from Kissimmee.
Lee Keller, who races with Timmy and Mikie at Citrus County Speedway, for his support through all of this. And Mr. Keller for helping to spread the word about the cook-out.
Kim Bollinger for the wonderful write up in the Chronicle, Tuesday the 8th of October. You went beyond the call of duty with our thanks.
Victor Stanley and Peanut Higgenbotham for being our very good friends for so many years. God Bless Both of You. Tommy would be pleased with you two for your help.
Can't forget Billy Hooker and Jimmy Ware, the promoters of Citrus County Speedway. Thank-you for your help and kindness. So many friends He had, thank you all.
Larry and Edwina MacMillan, thank you so very much. And that includes Judy and Ernie Reed, Jeff Bollinger a very good friend to Tommy. I thank you all at our race track and community.
Special thanks to Uncle Bob Rogers and Madeline. Wayne and Margie Carter. And my son-in-laws Bill Cluts, Bobby Lontz, and Timmy Saunders and all my grandchildren. Also, Vic, Valerie and family.
To My Boys: Timmy and Mikie, race on...your Daddy is always with you. riding on your shoulder.
To My Girls: Kathy and Heather, you will always be Daddys' Little Girls.
TammyLyn Lontz and Bonnie Wilson, he also loved you "remember good things and Happiness."
As for Ed: Our first born...you were my pride and joy, but your Daddy loved you with all his heart.
| | THANKS RACE FANS | | Monday, August 5, 2002 | | I WANT TO THINK EVERYBODY THAT DONATED TO MY NIECE KYLIE RAUSCH.
SHE HAS CANCER,EVERYBODY WAS SO THOUGHTFUL SATURDAY NIGHT.
SHE IS PART OF THE 71 BUNCH, DARRELL TIMMERMAN THAT DRIVE 71 PURE STOCK.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.
-LAURA TIMMERMAN
| | Wayne Anderson Fan | | Sunday, July 14, 2002 | | I HAVE BEEN WATCHING WAYNE, AND DICK ANDERSON SINCE I WAS 2 YEARS OLD, OVER THE LAST EIGHTEEN YEARS I HAVE ENJOYED EVERYTHING THEY HAVE DONE WITH THE SPORT OF RACING.
DICK IS IN MY OPINION THE GREATEST DRIVER OF ALL TIME, AND WAYNE IS SIDE BY SIDE WITH THIS TITLE. WAYNE IS AN AGGRESIVE DRIVER , WHICH IS WHAT RACING NEEDS, HE IS NOT OUT THEIR TO SETTLE FOR SECOND AND THAT KIND OF SEEMS WHAT JANI KING IS MORE INTERESTED IN.
ALL THEY WANTED WAS A WELL RESPECTED WINNING DRIVER TO DRIVE AROUND THE TRACK AND ADVERTISE THEIR NAME, WELL IM HERE TO TELL YOU THAT NEITHER ONE OF THE ANDERSON'S THAT I KNOW WILL SETTLE FOR SECOND.THEY ARE OUT THERE TO WIN AND THATS EXACTLY WHAT THEY WILL DO. JANI-KING, FRANKIE GRILLE, AND THE REST NEED TO OPEN THEIR EYES AND SEE WHAT THEY HAVE LOST.
I HOPE WAYNE GETS A RIDE AND SHOWS THE JANI-KING RACING TEAM WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT.WAYNE WILL BE BACK, AND IF ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN SPONSORING READS THIS YOU WOULD BE A FOOL NOT TO SPONSOR ONE OF THE BEST DRIVERS IN THE BUISNESS. WAYNE HAS DONE SOMETHING THAT NO OTHER DRIVER IN RACING HISTORY HAS BEEN ABLE TO DO.
HE COMPLETED EVERY LAP OF EVERY RACE THE WHOLE YEAR ON THE SLIM-JIM ALL PRO SERIES, AND WENT ON TO WIN THE SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP, NOT COUNTING THE HONKY TONK 400, WHICH HE HAS WON TWICE, AND MORE WEEKLY EVENTS AROUND THE STATE OF FLORIDA THAN MOST OF US CAN COUNT.
SO IN CONCLUSION MY HAT GOES OFF TO WAYNE FOR MAKING A WISE DECISION, HE'LL BE BACK AND THE ASA SERIES BETTER LOOK OUT BECAUSE IT WILL BE EXCITING,GOOD LUCK WAYNE .
YOUR RACING FANS FROM ST.AUGUSTINE FL.
| | Robin Smith Miller | | Friday, July 12, 2002 | | Unfortunately your writer has managed to show her ignorance
and to bring discredit to your publication.
Sterling's attempt to say that the people throwing the
litter onto the track were not the "mainline" NASCAR
fans was completely missed by her.
Sterling is from the South and in the South we have a
different way of communicating a point. Metaphorically
speaking, he was describing a mentality that is prevalent
at most racetracks.
It is obivous that Robin S. Miller has never been to a
race, or she would know exactly what kind of people are
in the "Cheap Seats". I am sure she would not get along
well with them unless she was willing to "Show her tits."
That is the mentality that Sterling was talking about.
I am sorry that she is so self rightteous as to have
missed that.
W.S. Smith
Camden, Ohio
| | The fans in the cheap seats | | Friday, July 12, 2002 | | I am totally flabbergasted after reading Robin Smith
Miller's story. The fans in the cheap seats! I cannot
believe how out of context Sterling Marlin's comments
were taken, and how misunderstood those comments were.
If the author of the story did any back research at all
about NASCAR, or Sterling Marlin, they would know this.
First of all, Sterling Marlin IS the personified redneck,
image of NASCAR. He has not changed. In fact, to this
day he still works on his daddy's farm (ask Jeff Gordon
or Jimmy Johnson how to plow a field). Stelring referring
to the CHEAP SEATS was not an insult but just a common
mans reference to where Sterling himself would be sitting
if he were attending a race as a fan although he probably
wouldn't have chosen to throw things at the drivers.
Sterlin Marlin is one of the friendliest, most laid back,
non-pretentious drivers on the circuit. I see no cause
for the author's senseless and uneducated tirade from one
comment that was totally misunderstood. Sterling might
not be a rocket scientist, but he certainly is a man with
good and integrity that would NEVER insult his fans.
Ask anyone who has been around the NASCAR sport. Sterling
is respected by his fellow drivers, and his fans, especially
the ones in the CHEAP SEATS.
Israel Hatzenbuehler
Dallas, TX
| | Robin Smith Miller on Sterling Marlin | | Friday, July 12, 2002 | | Dear Editors,
Whenever I read articles like "The Fans in the Cheap Seats"
I always ask myself, "does this author know anything at
all about NASCAR other than what's on the film clips on
the ll o'clock news?"
Miller obviously doesn't know Sterling Marlin very well.
For one thing, if Sterling had to buy tickets to a race,
that's where he'd probably sit - in the cheap seats. So
would I. But would I even think about throwing garbage
on the track under any circumstance? No. And neither
would Sterling.
I'm especially appalled by the "class warfare" tone of
this article. Guess what? Nobody held a gun to these
peoples' headsand made them buy these tickets. Miller
implies that because these folks elected to pay for seats
at Daytona instead of the electric bill, they're entitled
to throw debris on the track when things don't go their
way. Baloney!
Anyway, I've read that the morons in these seats didn't
even pay for them. They were complimentary seats given
away by Pepsi, and each seat had a Pepsi seat cushion
provided. (The 15 watt bulb comes on in Miller's head
with the realization, "So that's where all those seat
cushions came from").
One last thing. While the comment about NASCAR forgetting
its roots is somewhat valid, its preposterous to claim
that Marlin's forgotten his. Marlin is one of the roots of
NASCAR. This is the guy who's daddy sold a cow so he could
buy tires for a race. How do you forget roots that deep?
I wonder if Miller knew about the "Coo Coo and the cow"
story? I doubt it.
In summary, it's just poor, reactionary journalism to
attack a driver and accuse him of political incorrectness
for making a valid observation of where the debris was
raining from. Would it have been better if he'd said the
"economically disadvantaged seats?" Anyway, congratulations
to Karnac and Robin Smith Miller for providing a fine
example of what journalism looks like without that pesky
research thing.
Sincerely,
Len Rasmussen
Navarre, Florida
| | Yellow Flags | | Friday, July 12, 2002 | | There is no race that should finish under the yellow flag.
How can a driver say they won a race when they are just
driving around a track knowing that on one is going to
pass them. How many races have been won on the final
lap?? Come on give the fans in those cheap seats their
moneys worth. After all if it wasn't for those fans
the drivers would not be putting any money in the bank.
| | Fans in the Cheap Seats | | Friday, July 12, 2002 | | I was wondering where the comments Sterling Marlin said
are located. I have not read anything about this. I have
read articles about journalists personally attacking those
same loyal fans in the cheap seats by calling them
"morons" and such.
So who's really to blame in all this? The media is against
the fans for standing up for what they believe in...And
at the same time against any driver who calls seats the
"cheap seats"???
You want to see loyal fans?? Try going into turns 3-4
during one of the Daytona race weekends. I myself drove
1000 miles to spend 3 days at an area without showers
or adequate camping facilities.
Sterling was not way off base by saying that (if he in
fact did). See how you would feel if your driving was
impared by thousands of objects falling down on you
while driving at 65 mph. That was their speed when all
this was happening. You'd be pissed off too.
| | Re: The Cheap Seats | | Thursday, July 11, 2002 | | Dear Robin Smith Miller,
I am writing to you concerning your article "Cheap Seats".
I must disagree about your opinion of Sterling Marlin. I
did not see the interview concerning the seat cushions so
I do not know what was said before or after Mr. Marlin
made that comment. You only put in that one statement
and I believe because of that it was probably taken out of
context as alot of journalism is.
I have been following Sterling's career for quite some time
and one thing that I do know is that he is not one to put
fans down. I have seen him stay at an autograph session
way past the alloted time so that everybody there could get
to meet him that came. I have seen him happily sign 10
items for one lady even though the people in charge had
said only one signature per person. I have seen him stop
and stoop down to sign a small child's shirt.
Sterling does not come from riches. Everything he has he
and his family struggled for. Yes, he has money now and
and he's been blessed but he knows where his paycheck comes
from. This is a man who worked a farm and went racing,
sacrificing sleep and alot of other things. This isn't a
man who is stuck up. He may not talk fancy and proper
but he's not stupid and I know for a fact that he respects
his fans.
As far as your comment"...the fact he never read the NASCAR
rulebook either.", I assume you are speaking of when he got
out of the car and tugged his fender. Anyone that knows
anything about racing and keeps up about it would know that
he was following an order from his crew chief and there was
nothing else he could do. If he restarted on that tire after
the red flag it would have blown and possibly caused a
huge wreck. He was going to have to pit anyway and get way
back anyway.
If he had it to do all over again I believe he'd do it again.
A stupid move in your opinion? Maybe so, but then, your not
a NASCAR driver, are you?
Am I expecting my letter to change your opinion of Sterling?
It would be nice but I know that that is unrealistic. I just
wish that you would check into Sterling's character a little
harder before you smear his name again. See how he treats
his fans then take a long look at how Rusty Wallace or Dale
Earnhardt Jr. treats their fans.
Get to know your victim instead of writing "Enquiring minds
want to know" articles. Just so that you know, I am one of
those fans that sit in the 'cheap seats'. My husband and I
struggle to make bills and raise our kids and if we're
really lucky we get the honors of see Sterling race in person
in the cheap seats. We're not drinkers but when I feel like
a beer I grad a Coors Light.
Being that I am a cheap seater and I didn't feel no offense
in what Sterling said why should you?? Just my humble
opinion.
Sincerely,
Terri Cummings
| | A Blast From The Past | | Tuesday, July 9, 2002 | | Hi Jack,
You most likely have forgotten about me but I still love
the sport and follow your site. I enjoy reading the
stories and look forward to the colorful commentary
provided by the many racers and fans. I wish there is
something I could do to help or assist Leroy Davidson
and his efforts.
Although Leroy and I were never that
close, we did speak to each other occassionally and
always felt he was being honest and sincere with me.
We were direct competitors but attempted to work together.
I was pleased to see that John from DeSoto was too
attempting to help Leroy out.
I wish him all the luck in his battle and hope your article
packs the place for the upcoming meeting with the airport
board.
DeWayne Musick(former speedway owner)
| | Cavin Councilor | | Sunday, July 7, 2002 | | Ms Miller,
I just read your article on the unfortunate passing of
Cavin Councilor. My family and I were quite shocked to
hear of the accident. My 12 year old son met him in 2000
at Lowes Motor Speedway when he was signing autographs at
the GM 500. My son informed him that he drove a quarter
midget and Cavin took a bit of extra time with David, and
told him that if he ever needed advice he could e-mail
him. David took Cavin up on this a couple times including
when he was doing a school exhibit on NASCAR safety. Cavin
wrote back with quite a bit of information including photos
of some of his cars. David still has the photo of him and
Cavin at Lowes among his quartermidget trophies. Our
family's thought and prayers are with Cavin's family in this
difficult time. He was a true gentleman and racer.
Sincerely,
John Roberts
EMail: john.roberts@disney.com
| | Bill Bigley Article | | Wednesday, June 26, 2002 | | I enjoyed your article on Bill jr racing. I grew up in
Naples watching Bill Sr race on the oval many Sat nights.
Bill sr was an exciting racer to watch. I know where Bill
Jr received alot of his knowledge. Naples was a wild place
to race with the likes of Lenord Chesser, OB Oceola, Bob
Defenflower, Bill Sr. I used to go to the Airport garage
to hang around and listen to racing stories. Question,
Does Bill Bigley Jr. have a web site? Thanks for the
article, as you can see, it brings back alot of memories.
P.S. When will Bigley be in a cup car? Soon I hope.
Roger Motes
| | An Opinion On Charlotte County Speedway | | Thursday, June 20, 2002 | | To all of you who don't know or trust Leroy! He built that track himself and put many years and lots of sweat into it. He made a dream come true not only for himself but, all the racers and fans around here.
The old Charlotte County speedway was closed for years and the Naples track run by the Bigley's (yes Bill Bigley Sr and his now almost really famous son) is now a swamp buggy and go cart track. Leroy gave us a place to go watch racing and some of us later on got into our own cars.
Before he opened we traveled to Naples or Bradenton to get our fix of racing. It sure was nice to have a track so close to home to visit. I am not a personal friend of Leroy's (he would not even know me if he saw me). I am not getting into bull with all the legal stuff, I just have an opinion that I thought should be shared and hopefully even get back to the airport authorities as a backing for Leroy. He did it once he can do it again.
I was not at the meeting with the airport but, from the sounds of it the lease to the current renters was never approved by them. I know from renting anything that if the lease is not approved in writing to a sub-leaser nothing is valid. One thing I did see over the years is that when anyone stopped Leroy and said Hi to him he always had a minute to talk or even at least give you a smile and say Hi back and at least acknowledge you.
I have met Chris Feldon many more times than I ever met Leroy and the only thing I ever got from him was a hello. He never carried a conversation on farther than that even when you tried to. He always made me feel like I was bothering him. Leroy many many of us have missed you. I am so glad you are trying your best to get the track going again.
We all have heard many sides of the story at "As the Track Turns" (pun intended lol) we however only want to go fast and turn left. You can do it again. You are strong willed and you do what needs to be done. You do have more people behind you than will ever post on this board. Hey you as they say broke into the track and fixed some of the track itself. That to me does not sound like a vandalism.
If it is then they have need more vandals like you these past years. I sure hope others speak up and agree with me. I know there are going to be posts against this but, I would love to see more positive responses for a change. All I can say is God Bless you and God Bless Charlotte County speedway, the racers and fans! We need our weekly fix!
-Charlotte Race Fan
| | Auburndales Tech Man Smitty!!!!! | | Sunday, June 9, 2002 | | I have been going to Auburndale the past few weeks to get
an idea of how the guys in the 4 cly bomber class are
running. If you ask me there's definitely more than pure
stock motors under some of those hoods!! I was pretty
bothered by the way I have seen the tech area mainly
Smitty handling the cars when they come in I mean now
these cars have to be weighed when they come off the
track, that's fine the problem I have is when I see a
sign that plainly states "Drivers must have helmets in
their lap and hands on the steering wheels." Well what
I have seen is drivers going through with hands out the
window and helmets are hanging up on the right side of
the car. Well so much for that rule!!! Then a few week-
ends ago Smitty had the top three cars that finally
made it through the weighing and didn't get DQ or didn't
opt to not go on and pull out there flywheels for
absolutely no money and spend close to an hour or more
pulling well hehad those 3 cars pull down. Those cars
were the #17, 88 and 3. In the rule book it tells
nothing about the flywheel whether it can be cut or how
much it should weigh you know important info like that.
All it says is a stock. Well when #3 had her's out it
was a stock flywheel no cutting or anything on it. Which
this is the way everyone thought the rule book meant. #27
his had been shaved down some but according to Smitty as
long as it weighs between 18-22 lbs its legal. Well
surprise, surprise! Especially to a couple of the drivers
that DQ'd themselves because they knew that their's had
been shaved to lighten it up. So #27 was legal. #88
well he was DQ'd for a locked rear-end. Okay the very
next weekend Smitty does a visual inspection of the top 3
finishers flywheel!! This is the problem, if one weekend
he says that a flywheel can weigh 18-22 lbs then how the
next weekend can he lay on the ground and look at a fly-
wheel and tell you it does or doesn't pass. I mean is
he so damn good that he can weigh these things with his
eyes. I don't think so!! I ran out at Auburndale about
4 yrs ago in the bomber class and was wanting to come
back so there would be another female driver in that
class again. But I can't even get my car set up because
the rules are not what they say in the book. Even the
wheels it says they are to be two inch off set side to
side well now Smitty says 3 is okay. Give me a damn
break!! I just feel something needs to be done out there
I mean trust me if I am gonna keey up with the way these
guys are flying out there then I guess I'll just cheat
like they are. Well thanks for letting me bend your ear.
If you have any suggestions on what to do about this
e-mail me back at Aracinmama@aol.com.
| | Mario Gosselin | | Monday, June 3, 2002 | | The link
(http://www.karnac.com/hootersprocup/news/mariogosslinapril
2000.shtml) explains why Mr. Gosselin caught my eye. Aside
from his obvious driving talent, well it's been many years
since I've noticed a driver with the situational awareness
that he exhibits when interacting with his fans. I believe
he is seeking a primary sponsor. As someone just happen-
ing upon the Pro Cup series, perhaps you could pass along
a few suggestions. One is that he and the other teams
get their frequency updates to Racing Electronics.
It is very well likely that the information like the link
you provide was right in front of me, but I had to search
a bit before attending the race to find a frequency sheet
which I did obtain from Racing Electronics. It may have
added to my evening had the frequency information been
entirely complete. I am a rarity in that I plug all the
cars in. Though I know they must squeeze Father Time, it
would be nice if the bios at the Pro Cup place all had
links and contact information.
Should a sponsor not from the local area be as fumble
fingered as I, well, I want them to be able to readily
find Mr. Gosselin because I'd like to see him succeed.
This was my second attendance at USA and I would like to
compliment the facilities as well as the Hooters Pro Cup
series. I found all the drivers during the autograph
session to be professional and I would like to thank
each and every one of them for taking the time to talk
to the fans. I will come back to USA because of the
great racing and the hospitality that the track, the
fans in the stands and the racers exhibit.
Thank you again.
J. Marsh
| | Sunshine Fan | | Tuesday, May 28, 2002 | | I am a fan from Sunshine Speedway and I hear it is
closing. There are lots of great drivers there but
there is one that stands out to me and no one seems
to do a story on him and for his age he is a great
driver and slowly moving up from starting in go carts
and now in mini stock at Sunshine Speedway.
He is
the one and only Mike Birk Jr. He is second in points
and has been borrowing a car since his black and yellow
Hungry Howies car was wrecked. So all I ask is for maybe
a story or some more pics of him.
from his #l fan
Rosemary (Rosie) Kutzli
| | Billie May | | Thursday, May 23, 2002 | | Great article, just wished there was more about her and
her family. Also, would be nice to see her name up there
with Robin, Jane and Sharon!! Billie does a fantastic
job on her articles. Thanks for your time.
Jean
| | DeSoto Ticket Taker | | Tuesday, May 21, 2002 | | Dear Karnac,
Thanks for reporting and not hiding the news about the
ticket taker at DeSoto, we can pray now that justice
will be served and he will have to pay it back and
give back to the community as well. I think a good
punishment would be picking up all the cigarette butts
and trash at the track a day for every dollar he stole!
Crime does not pay.
Montry Thompson
| | Carol Wicks letter | | Sunday, May 19, 2002 | | Dear Karnac,
I just read the article that Carol Wicks wrote about
Desoto Speed Way. It was very complimentary and honest,
thank you for taking a risk at asking a by-stander's
opinion. I agree with most of what she said, except
just one thing, DeSoto is my #1, I hae been to five
tracks since I started watching B.J. We went to
Nashvile, ASA, I still prefer DeSoto. I like the family
atmosphere and the sound is very good, and the announcer
is very easy to understand. Some of the other tracks
sound is so bad you can not hear anything but nosie.
We have a good thing in Central Florida. Thank you for
your time.
Sincerely,
Montry Thompson
| | Columbia Motorsports and Its Decisions | | Monday, May 13, 2002 | | To Whom It May Concern:
This past Saturday night 5/12/02 at Columbia Speedway
there were five Late Model racers at the track. After
practicing and running the heat race, there was a meeting
between the drivers, owners, crews and Columbia Speedway
Officials about the feature race to be held. At this
time, the drivers were informed that there would be a
fifteen lap mini feature and a $200.00 pot to win.
Immediately everyone looked at each other and said 200.00!
At this time the drivers decided for 200.00 it was not
worth the risk to put your car on the track and that they
would not race for 200.00. The Officials discussed the
situation and decided they weren't putting their cars on
the track for 200.00. So we loaded em up. A 200.00 pot
is in a way degrading because it tells the drivers and
crews that when they bring their cars to the track, they
are not appreciated. I mean the fans don't come to the
races to look at an asphalt oval racetrack, they come
because they enjoy watching the sport and they have fun
because it is good entertainment. Without racecars and
the drivers, etc., there would be no racing for the owner
to make his living. He relies on the drivers and their
car owners and the crews not to mention the fans who
pay to watch races not cars being loaded on the trailers
because of a stingy owner who apparently doesn't appreciate
his drivers. Don't punish us, we are doing our jobs,
we are bringing the cars to the track and we bring the
fans to the stands. But I guess there will always be
racing and there are plenty of tracks to be raced, it
doesn't have to be Columbia. Although Columbia has
always been a great place to race, it has began to sink
under the current management unlike years of the past
where every seat was packed and every pit stall was full.
Look back and compare then from now and tell me you
can't see the difference. In all truth, we would love
to continue to race at Columbia because we owe the fans
who have come and supported us and they should be
punished, we just like to be regarded as an importance
to the sport and not to feel unwanted or needed.
Sincerely,
A CREW MEMBER
| | Weekly Results | | Sunday, May 5, 2002 | | I just wanted to let you know that whomever is writing the
results for the races is the BEST!!!!
Everything is covered perfectly...Thank You!!
Please assist the writer that does the website for NSS or
...give him some tips. Everything is all together and
hard to read.
Thank You
A fan up north!!!!
Answer: Thanks fan up north - I do the writing for Orlando
SpeedWorld, NSS, and a number of big races. As for NSS, I
don't know who does their's.
Thanks again - Jane
| | DeSoto Action | | Wednesday, April 24, 2002 | | I am a DeSoto Speedway driver's wife and I love all
divisions of racing including my husband's. DeSoto
does not keep their web-site updated as well as your's
and it doesn't have an overview of the races. Although
I love late models, I don't think it is fair to cover
the late model race in great detail and not the other
classes, some classes only list results. In this
something you can change??? I miss some of the races
due to helping on the car and would love to know
what happened. I know alot of DeSoto drivers have
started coming to your page...although SARA and AACS
comes to DeSoto they are not the classes that run
at the track every Saturday and they are not DeSoto
classes.
Please help keep us updated.
| | Would Like to Know | | Wednesday, April 24, 2002 | | I would like to know if someone wins week after week and
they have a relative that works as a tech, why wouldn't
the track take the bull by the horns and question what's
going on. I know there is a challenge rule, but from
what I can tell the other drivers either get parts from
the person or don't want to look bad by challenging.
I don't think it should be up to the drivers to challenge
anyway. The track officials should see what is going on
and put a stop to it, just make it fair for everyone.
The Road Warriors is a STOCK class, no modifications.
I have heard drivers talk about their racing cam in
their car or their stroker kit, I'm not sure but I
don't believe this is stock. There is more than one
or two people doing this, the track should put a stop
to this, the drivers have to race with these people
and shouldn't have to put theirselves in a position to
get run into the wall by speaking out!! I hope this
is the E-mail to the people at Charlotte County Speedway,
if not please supply me with their e-mail. Racing is a
competitive sport and should be made to be even for
everyone on the track. Thanks in advance for your fair
repair of this problem, I hope.
| | Hooters | | Wednesday, April 24, 2002 | | I attended the Jackaroo Sauce 250 at New Smyrna Speedway
on Saturday, April 6, 2002, and thoroughly enjoyed the
race, and competitive nature of the racing. One minor
complaint. Upon entering the track there were Hooter
girls selling race programs at $3.00 a pop. Guess what!
When I arrived home after the race and had time to
thoroughly look at the program, I discovered that it
was a program for the 2001 season. Three dollars is
not a big deal, but I sure think that they should at
least sell you an up-to-date 2002 program. The race
and TV schedules in the program are useless to me,
after all this is the 2002 season, istn't it??
I grew up in Orlando and went to the old Orlando and Sun-
brock Speedway. Phil Orr drove at both tracks. One car
I remember was #14. He also drove at Daytona.
Was Phil Pete's father?
I enjoyed looking at the old pictures.
Thanks
Lee Burgess
Hello,
Help please!
We are taking my 13 year old on a surprise visit to
Universal Studios and also wanted to have him see a
racing car event as he loves race cars. I do not know
anything about it. We will be in Orlando June 1 to June
8th. Any suggestions? We can travel 1-2 hours for an
event.
I saw the Orlando Speed Bowl had an event on the 7th.
I could not find a web address for them do you know
how I can contact them?
Thanks,
Amy
ANSWER TO AMY
There are two races that might interest your son. One
is on June 1 at Lakeland's USA International Speedway
which is straight down I-4 towards Tamps (about 45
minutes from Orlando). They will have a Hooter's Pro
Cup race that day and you can reach the web-site at
usaspeedway.com. You can get reserved seats, general
seats, and back grandstand seats and they have a great
group of guys. A few of the Winston Cup stars have
come from this group. I remember seeing a very young
Matt Kenseth there and Scott Wimmer just to name a few.
On June 7, Orlando SpeedWorld, which in on Hwy 50 and
not far, will have what we call CRASH-A-RAMA. This is
Figure 8 school bus racing, boat-trailer racing, camper-
trailer racing and whatever else they can think of.
Usually this event packs the stands and kids love it.
Orlando SpeedWorld and New Smyrna Speedway (sister tracks)
are at newsmyrnaspeedway.com.
If you need anything else, please contact me.
Jane Smith
East Coast Editor
Karnac.com
We were at the Bronson race track Saturday, March 16
when Krystal hit the wall in the first turn and was
airlifted to the hospital. Would like to know how
she is doing.
Judy
Judy,
Krystal was released from Shands Hospital early on
Sunday, March 17. Everything checked out okay and
she may just be back racing this weekend.
Jane Smith
East Coast Editor
Karnac.com
| | Safety at Charlotte County | | Thursday, March 28, 2002 | | We could not believe it when we realized they did not
have an ambulance on site and had to wait over 25
minutes to transport an injured driver. Not once
but twice in the same night. If their insurance
company is aware of this, they are all negligent.
We have visited and participated in all forms of oval
track racing and this is the first track we know of
that is not required to have an ambulance at the
site before any competition is allowed. Please
someone investigate. Drivers and pit crews WAKE
UP!!!!!
| | | | Wednesday, March 27, 2002 | | If there is such a concern for this type of racing, why
are people like Red Vann and his brother still allowed
to race?? Just remember Ocala last year, when he t-boned
Aric under a caution. Something needs to be done with
these two idiots. They got ran out of Desoto or should
I say carried out. Maybe that is the language these
type of people understand. I only wish more people had
the guts to do what those boys at DeSoto done. Maybe
this would stop.
Joe
Since some people like to bash Jason Boyd on Karnac, I
would like to praise him for the outstanding job that he
has done in his short career. Here is just a little of
the history on Jason.
Jason started racing at the age of 14. His first race
was at New Smyrna Speedway in a Mini Stock. From the
moment he put his foot on the gas peddle, he has not
let it up. He knows where he wants to go in racing
and he is willing to work his way up to that point.
How many drivers do you know who at the age of 16, in
1998, can say that they have won the Late Model Track
Championship at Volusia County (which was NASCAR at
the time) and go on to finish 7th over all in the nation
that year in the NASCAR Late Model division. The other
drivers at the NASCAR banquet in Nashville, Tennessee
could not believe he was only 16. And by the way that
was the lst year he had driven a Late Model.
He has driven Mini Stocks, Modifieds, Limited Late Models,
Late Models, Super Late Models and last year was called
the day before the Goody Dash race in Bristol to come
and drive a Dash car. He got to Bristol the morning of
the race, had never been in the car before, had no
practice and had never driven on the Bristol track before.
He got in the car and finished 7th that day in the race.
Ask any of the NASCAR drivers, Bristol is a demanding
track to drive.
In 2000 he won the Modified Track Championship at Orlando.
In 2001 he ran the SARA Late Model Series and finished
2nd in points, and also set the most fast times for the
year. He also raced the Modified at Orlando and finished
3rd in points and he ran the Racecar Engineering Sunbelt
Super Late Model Series and finished 6th in points at
Orlando. In the Super Late Model he won 2 features and
finished 2nd to Dick Anderson at Lakeland. He was also
the first person in the history of Orlando SpeedWorld to
ever win the Dick Joslin Modified and Jerry Joslin Super
Late Model race on the same night, this was also in 2001.
In 2001, he won 3 out of the 4 Springfest races at
Lakeland and was leading the 4th race when his motor burnt
a piston.
The year 2002 has just been unbelievable so far for Jason.
He won all the Limited Late Model races in the Springfest
at Lakeland and took the points there. Then went on to
Speedweeks at New Smyrna and made history there. He is
the only person in the history of New Smyrna that has
ever won all 9 nights. The only person who ever came close
was the great late Richie Evans. He is running the
Goodyear Challenge Series this year and won the lst race
of this new series. He also has set fastest times in
all of the time trials. Out of the 13 races that he
has raced this year, he has won 13 times.
People can say what they want to about Jason, but he cares
about other people. He gave all of his earnings the
night of the Pete Orr benefit races at Orlando to Pete
and his family along with alot of other drivers. He
won the feature that night in the modified and the Super
Late Model. When he won the Modified Championship at
Orlando in 2000, he gave his trophy to Jimmy Winks, who
was the driver of the 2x Modified before Jason. When
he wins a rae he gives most of his trophies to the kids
either in the grandstands or in the pits. I know because
my grandkids have 2 of them. When he races where they
have to throw Frisbees up in the grandstands at driver
introductions, you will not see Jason throw it. You will
always see Jason walk to the fence and give the Frisbee
to a small child who would not other wise have a chance
to get one because of the older kids or adults that
would grab it first.
In Jason's short career, he has won well over 100 features
and been in the top 5 too many times to count. He will be
the first to tell you that when he goes to a race, he goes
to win. He says 2nd place is the first loser and he hates
to lose. That is what makes a great race car driver and I
truly believe that Jason will be one of the great race
car drivers in history. So please, you may not like him
but you have to give the boy credit. He can drive the
wheels off of a racecar.
If you are wondering how I know so much about Jason's
career in racing, my husband and I have been with Jason
since his lst race at New Smyrna Speedway. If you could
have been there that night, you would never believe
that this is the same kid that wore that baggie red
Dentyne drivers suit (and by the way, he has grown into
it finally). Jason, we are so very proud of you and we
see the dedication that you have for racing. We know
you are going to go all the way.
We love you,
Johnny and Lou White
| | | | Wednesday, February 13, 2002 | | Why aren't there ever any stories on Karnac about
Bronson Speedway?? I have noticed that there has been
a ton of improvements since Mike Cope took over. Is
there selective reporting going on or what? It seems
like only certain tracks are deemed "newsworthy". Last
I knew Bronson has been around "Florida Stock Car
Racing" for quite a while, so whats the story?
ANSWER FROM JACK SMITH
Hello
Thanks for taking the time to write. In 2001, we ran
several front page stories on Bronson Speedway. We also
covered the sale of the speedway to Mike Cope with a
front page story.
We are aware of the improvements being made at Bronson and
have had a reporter make a quick stop there to check it
out. And when the 2002 season opens, we will have at
least one story detailing the improvements to the track,
which personally is one of my favorites.
Beyond that, race tracks which have a media person on
staff get more coverage than those that don't. That
applies to newspapers and other racing and non-racing
publications both online and in print, not just
KARNAC.com. Race tracks MUST have a media person who
sends out information on the track if they want to get
adequate coverage, that is just the way the media game
works. It has nothing to do with "playing foavorites".
I personally have written several editorial pieces on
this subject which are available on KARNAC.com.
We hopefully will have many features on Bronson this year,
and will also hopefully cover the race results, etc. on
a timely basis. The speedway can do much to help themselves
by ensuring they do have a media person on staff this
year. Also bear in mind the responsibility for media and
press of a positive nature about any track, lies solely
with the track management itself. This again is the nature
of the media world, whether in racing or otherwise.
We would love to have a dedicated reporter for KARNAC.com
at Bronson every Saturday night and if you know of a
possible candidate, please let us know or send them our
way.
Sincerely
Jack Smith
| | | | Monday, February 11, 2002 | | Could you tell me why you do not post results from
Thundercross? I can not access their website and your
website does not have the results.
Also, why don't you have the results from Putnam County
after Feb. 2 on the open wheels??
Thank you
Gloria Rosenthal
Reply sent by Jack Smith:
Hello Gloria
Be glad to answer your questions and thank you for writing.
1. We do not post results for Thundercross because
Thundercross does not have a sophisticated ownership/
management that understands the importance of public
relations and the promotion of their drivers and track
events. Therefore they issue no releases or news to the
public except occasionally through their low budget
website. We have tried for three years to get them to
understand the benefits of having someone at the track
be media conscious, to no avail. And as the current
ownership won't even return our phone calls we certainly
are not going to spend resources sending reporters to
cover their shows during this very busy time of year in
Florida.
The only data we have of recent note is the following
from Feb. 6, 2002:
PURE STOCK
64 John Wilson
9 J. Holden
5D Dennis Lynch
7 Thomas Hill
68 John Mosley
MINI SPRINTS
l3X Brian Roseman
23 Bob Brubaker
77 Lou Colletti
27 Steven Robinson
120 Scotty Smith
OPEN WHEEL MODS
23H Dan Hamstra
225 Jesse Briteiling
10 Randy Hall
50 Devin Viebrock
6X Brent Sutton
NON WINGED SPRINTS
3r Kevin Thomas
29J Wayne Johnson
3AC Dave Darland
70 Dickie Gawes
3F A.J. Fike
Putnam County results can be found in our tracks section
at the following address on KARNAC.com
http://www.karnac.com/floridatracks/html/putnamcounty.shtml
Note that Putnam County has cancelled the remainder of their
speedweeks schedule due to poor attendance and other
problems.
Hope this helps.
Jack Smith
KARNAC.com
| | | | Wednesday, February 6, 2002 | | I just wanted to say thanks for the update as there are
alot of us sitting at home waiting to know what our
favorite drivers are doing in this early season. So
sorry I am not there as this is the first time in 17
years I am missing speed weeks in Daytona. Again,
thanks so much and maybe see you all next year.
Nancy Modglin
| | | | Tuesday, February 5, 2002 | | Just wanted to send a note of thanks for the use of
your site's classifieds. I posted an ad at Charlotte
for months, complete with pictures, without ever
receiving an inquiry. After posting on Karnac, the
car sold at the asking price without hassle. Thanks
again... the check is in the mail.
Hugh Hackney
Street Stock 28
I grew up in Humble, Texas with Ronald Laney. We
went to elementary school togehter. Not only was
he a hell of a driver, he could do it all from atvs,
bicycling, to water skiing. Hell, he could ride a
unicycle like it was nobody's business.
I was saddened to hear of his death and he will be
sorely missed by his friends here in Humble. He was
a good friend.
| | R.I.P. | | Monday, February 4, 2002 | | I am a friend of Ronald Laney. I just wanted to write a
little short letter to him. I will miss you dearly and
will be thinking about you 24/7.
| | | | Thursday, January 24, 2002 | | Greetings! I just found your website and I
enjoyed seeing Dave Westerman's pics of Sammy
Swindell, Doug Wolfgang, and Steve Kinser from
the 70's and early 80's. Could you send me his
e-mail address. I was hoping that maybe he could
sell me some prints of those pictures. Thank
you.
Corey Martin
Dexter, Missouri
You can contact Dave at announcerdave@usa.net
We will be coming to Pensacola for the ASA race. Could
you please provide me with some hotels that you would
recommend. It is hard to know what kind of area you are
getting into if you don't have insight from someone.
Your information would be greatly appreciated. I look
foward to hearing from you soon, as I would like to
make reservations as soon as possible.
Thanks
Pam
Answer to Pam:
If you will go to fiveflagsspeedway.com, they have a
lodging section. I am sure that they are in a good area
and if they are like the motels around here, if you
tell them when you make the reservations that you are
attending a track event, they usually give you a discount.
Have fun.
Jane
Apology to Mad Race Fan:
I would like to personally apologize for my lack
of putting down where the "Race for Kids Sake"
is being held. I could give you every excuse
in the book but the fact is that I am just human
and made a mistake. I will correct the problem
and put the story back up and hope that you will
forgive me in time. The track is New Smyrna
Speedway located in Samsula, Florida.
Again, I apologize but I made the mistake and
I take responsibility for it.
Thanks
Jane Smith
Jack, where are the damn editors? As a former
Florida racing official, I like to keep tabs on
whats happening down south. I visit your site
regularly to do so, and have become used to the
biased reporting and glorification of karnacs
involvement in racing. I thought this was a site
for all Florida's racing community. I guess I
was wrong.
The reason for this note is an article you have
just posted recently which can be found at the
link listed here:
http://www.karnac.com/FLAnews2002/101036194064766.
shtml
Your editoral staff neglected to include which track
this is taking place at. Many of the Florida folks
may know which facility holds this annual event,
but not everyone that visits your site does. This
is a major editorial mishap.
And just for the record, your comments about John
Barker are just an indication of your knowledge
of racing and journalism. Your whole staff of
writers (with the exception of Bill Green) would
not make a pimple on the ass of a true journalist
like John Barker.
JACK SMITH'S RESPONSE:
Hello,
I usually don't respond to unsigned letters but I
am feeling a bit sparky after a bout with the flu
bug making its rounds in the Sunshine State. First
off, thanks for writing, we appreciate all of our
readers comments.
I do apologize for the lapse in our reporting of
the Volusia event and we have pulled the article
until we can get a clarification on the location,
etc. I assume the event will be at Volusia
County Speedway, but we'll see. I actually
hadn't seen that story until you brought it to
my attention, and thank you for that.
What exactly was it about the Barker editorial
that didn't sit right with you?
Regards,
Jack Smith
| | | | Sunday, December 30, 2001 | | I think you should do a page on Jim Gray, there's alot of
history behind that man. I know, I grew up watching him
whether he was behind the wheel or not.
Thank you
Kimberly Martin Smith
| | | | Saturday, December 29, 2001 | | |
