Guest Commentary From Racing Newsletter
RACE WEEK COMMENTARY
I thought I was through with the tears. Not so. I'm sitting here tonight still trying my hardest to put into words all of the events that have surrounded this week regarding the death of Dale Earnhardt, but the words just won't come. I'm not in a particularly eloquent mood - I hope you understand. Maybe I can try to write something a little more brilliant for next week. I've read everything I can get my hands on, watched all of the television tributes, and have done my own mourning in my own time, and I thought I had spent all of the emotion a person could have inside of them. But the tears still came tonight watching yet another ESPN2 tribute, appropriately anchored by my favorite announcer, Bob Jenkins. Most of this Newsletter was done awhile ago - all I needed to do to finish it was put my own thoughts into words about Dale Earnhardt (because I certainly couldn't ignore what had happened), then simply press "send" and then I could get on with my regular work. But the problem is, you see, it wasn't simple at all.
I have so much I could say. Of course, there's the outcries for stricter safety standards in NASCAR - something close to everyone's heart that is involved with racing. That whole controversy had additional fuel added to the already raging fires down south when it was revealed today that Earnhardt's Simpson-built lap belt broke sometime around the time of the accident. So many questions, yet so little guidance or direction as to any of the answers. All I know is that there's no one more committed to the safety of racers than Bill Simpson, and I would trust my life with anything he's built or created. Racing safety should always be a concern, and should always be improved when possible, but that's not the issue here. Not now, at least.
There's also SO much to be digested about Dale Earnhardt's career - awards, championships, titles, wins, etc., etc. etc. All, surely, important accomplishments in anyone's life.
But the overwhelming theme to EVERY tribute, every quote, or anything said about the man they called, ironically, the "Intimidator," has involved the love for his family and friends. His accomplishments on the track somehow seem insignificant now. At least to me. The legacy of Dale Earnhardt will have more to do with his character and willingness to put his family and the friends he let into his life first than anything he craved once he got into that race car. I could try to go on and on about what a great driver Dale Earnhardt was, but I think I'll simply state that what I learned from his death was a real-life reminder to me of how I want to live the rest of my life. Who cares what kind of career you have in life, or what kind of trophies you have on your shelf, or awards pinned to your puffed-out chest. When I die, I want my family and the people that knew me to remember that I cared for them and loved them deeply, and that I believe in God and I was going home to Him. And that's all that really matters.
I watched the Daytona 500 at the Rich Vogler Scholarship Daytona 500 Party, held at Celebrations banquet facility on Indy's west side. Thankfully, I was with some good friends that allowed me all of the room I needed to panic, first, when Tony Stewart had his accident, then later be as sad as I needed to be. And for that, I am eternally grateful and glad that I was able to have them around me.
** LETTER FROM TONY STEWART TO HIS FRIENDS AND FANS: Just like everyone else, I sat - horrified - at what I was seeing when Tony Stewart was sent tumbling helplessly over other cars in the lap-175 melee that ultimately involved about 20 cars. I used to work for Tony, and he's one of the few reasons I follow NASCAR at all. Shortly after the metal quit flying, Tony was seen slumped over his steering wheel, an absolutely paralyzing sight to me, although he recovered and woke up after a couple of minutes. He was transferred to Halifax Medical Center, and was diagnosed with a mild concussion and a bruised shoulder after a thorough exam - he'll race this week in Rockingham, thankfully. But aside from all of the facts of the situation, I - knowing Tony as a friend - know that he was hurting far more on the inside than he'd ever feel on the outside. Dale was his great friend, and more than that, a mentor...someone who taught Tony, really, how to be famous. What to expect. How to deal with the hectic life he was entering into on the country's most popular racing circuit. They fished. They talked. They joked and played. And, boy oh boy, did they compete. Dale made Tony a better driver, just as another fallen friend, Kenny Irwin, Jr., did. Tony thrived on these rivalries. And not only did Tony have to face the realities of that tremendous pileup that ultimately took out at least half of the Daytona 500 field so close to the end of the race, and face his injuries, and face the fact that he was so close to the front of the field when that all happened after struggling the majority of the race - he had to lay in a bed in the same hospital that his dear friend Dale had just been taken after losing his life in that very race. That is a hurt that can't be measured - ever. I was, of course, concerned for Tony's health and safety. But more than that, I knew his spirit had been crushed - but, apparently, not destroyed. I'm happy to share a letter Tony wrote to his fans in the last week:
Dear NASCAR Racing Fans:
First, let me thank you for all of your concern following the accident at Daytona Sunday. I am fine and received a clean bill of health today from the doctor. I very much appreciate your support. Most importantly I want to extend my deepest condolences regarding the passing of Dale Earnhardt. My heart and prayers go out to his wife Teresa; his children Dale Jr., Kerry, Kelley and Taylor Nicole; everyone at Richard Childress Racing and Dale Earnhardt Incorporated and all his family and friends. Dale Earnhardt made a difference in the world. On the track, he made us all better drivers because he set a standard of excellence we all aspired to achieve. He had a passion and a desire that took the sport of NASCAR to a new level every time he climbed in the car. Off the track he was a kind, giving, loving man who gave his all to his family and friends. He worked tirelessly to make the world a better place for as many people as possible who were less fortunate than he. I did not know him as long as most of the other drivers but he made a huge impact on my life in the years I have been in NASCAR. I am grateful and blessed to have had the benefit of his wisdom and guidance.
- Tony Stewart
** OPEN LETTER FROM JOURNALIST ED HINTON TO NASCAR OFFICIALS, TEAMS AND DRIVERS: I received this article forwarded to me from Tom Schmeh from the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum this past Tuesday after the tragic death of Dale Earnhardt. The letter is written by Orlando Sentinel writer Ed Hinton, famous for getting his Indy 500 credentials revoked a few years ago after writing a scathing article about the new Indy Racing League in Sports Illustrated, his former employer. Hinton's contributions have typically been a catalyst for a lot of debate (a la Robin Miller), as he usually takes the road most likely to irritate the most people at once - no matter what side that represents. However, I found this article, as well as another contribution he wrote for the OS this week detailing simple stories of his friendship with Earnhardt, to be right on target (and, apparently, so did Mr. Schmeh, making note that Sprint car teams should be paying attention to this whole turn of events as well). I was so moved by its truth that I thought I'd share the link with you - due to copyright constraints, I cannot re-publish the article here. Please visit the Orlando Sentinel website at www.OrlandoSentinel.com, and read more of Mr. Hinton's contributions. Out of everything I've read this week about this horrible turn of events (and I've tried to absorb as much as I could, to the point of being numb), this is the most well-written piece of journalism out there, so make sure you read it! Learn from Earnhardt -- it's time to change by Ed Hinton Sports Commentary, Orlando Sentinel February 20, 2001 Article link: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-spt-hinton20022001.story
** ANOTHER ORLANDO SENTINEL ARTICLE WORTH READING: Another article written about this horrible week, again from the Orlando Sentinel, initially ticked me off so badly just from the title I vowed not to read it, but I was drawn back to it within a few minutes and decided to see just how ignorant another stick and ball writer was going to be when addressing the sport of racing. I'm not sure I agree with everything, but the point is well made. In the Orlando Sentinel article written by Mike Thomas on Feb. 22 titled "Race Death Does Not Make A Hero," Thomas makes the point that there are "Earnhardt's" in many different endeavors in life - they just don't get the adulation and notoriety of the one and only Dale Earnhardt, stock car racing's all-time hero. He specifically points out cave diver Sheck Exley, who died pursuing an equally-dangerous sport, yet he never got the public outpouring of horror and sympathy for his heroics. Please read the full article at the below link, but also take time to read the closing lines in the article, pasted below - I thought they were particularly fitting: Full article: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-thomas-022201.column?coll=orl%2Dhome%2Dheadlines
"Earnhardt made no pretense about who he was and what he did: Today we may die so let's get it on and see who has the guts for it.
I imagine he would prefer to go out chasing after death rather than waiting passively for it in a nursing home.
I also imagine he would howl at the idea of his death being used to push safety straps on other drivers. The Dale Earnhardts out there don't want us trying to protect them from themselves.
They do what they do and if you don't have the stomach for it, then don't watch.
Here is what a fellow cave diver said about Sheck Exley, words that apply to his kindred spirit in the stock car: "There are a lot of people who do stuff on the edge. He damn sure was the only one who stayed out there that long." "
** THE BEST ARTICLE YOU COULD READ: Not to overdo it on the links to Earnhardt articles, but I just ran across this today. It's an article I found in the Indianapolis Star's SpeedNet (motorsports) section. The article is a reprint (from NASCAR.com) of a column written by Dale Earnhardt, Jr. on October 18, 2000, talking about his father. It is absolutely the most touching tribute I've read. Please take time to read this contribution by another amazing man: http://www.starnews.com/sports/speednet/articles/dalejr0223.html
** TELEVISED EARNHARDT MEMORIAL SERVICE: The Earnhardt family made arrangements for the Memorial Service for Dale Earnhardt to be shown live on Fox Sports Net this past Thursday. This was a one-time broadcast, not to be taped for news shows later, or re-played at any point in time after the original airing to respect the wishes of the family. This was a human tragedy, not a news clip, after all. I watched the whole thing, and was touched by the sensitivity the television network used in transmitting what was to be one of the most painful, yet strangely beautiful, events in NASCAR's history. The service was held in the largest church in the Charlotte area, Calvary Church, seating about 5,800 people (although it wasn't full - about 3,000 attended). The invitation-only crowd, made up of family, NASCAR officials, drivers, teammembers and dear friends, filed into the church and sat quietly as a pianist played. The cameras panned the audience in general, but not once did they focus on any one person in attendance, except the pastors who spoke, the pianist and singer. Randy Owen, of the country musical group "Alabama," sang two songs during the service, opening with "Goodbye (Kelly's Song)" where he adapted lyrics especially for the occasion, and then he closed the service with "Angels Among Us." Earnhardt's pastor, the Rev. John Cozart, said a few words. Then Dale Beaver, Winston Cup chaplain for Motor Racing Outreach, the ministry that services the NASCAR community among other racing-related sanctions, conducted a brief, but highly-touching eulogy, which undoubtedly comforted many in attendance. The service was about 20 minutes in length. After a final prayer was offered, the pianist played awhile longer, as Earnhardt's widow, Teresa, approached the stage and stepped to the front, facing many drivers and officials in the crowd, and simply said, "Thank you," before filing out of the church with family members. The treatment that FOX Sports Net gave to this Memorial Service was extraordinary, with Mike Joy and Ken Squier commentating what had to be the most difficult event of their careers in a sensitive and touching way. The video tributes, in combination with songs that matched the sentiments of all of the viewers, added to a tribute to Dale Earnhardt that will be remembered for a long time.
For a summary of the Dale Earnhardt "Celebration of Life" Ceremony, please visit: http://www.charlotte.com/0222service.htm
For a full transcript of the Dale Beaver's eulogy, please visit ThatsRacin.com and click on: http://www.thatsracin.com/01/daleearnhardt/0223chaptext.htm
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RANDOM RAMBLINGS
** "THUNDER IN THE DOME XVII" LIVE UPDATES SECTION ACTIVATED: I have activated my "Live Updates" section for the upcoming indoor USAC Midget race, the "Thunder In The Dome XVII." A tentative list of invitees is posted, but I stress that it is tentative and subject to change right up until the time of the race. Drivers can only run in the Dome race if they are invited, and most times, the drivers do not bring the cars they run all year long. So it becomes a difficult task to find car owners willing to let drivers they sometimes do not know pilot their machines around a circuit know to have caused more than its share of accidents. That process is ongoing, but it always works out. Click on the link below for the Live Updates section, and note the changes for this year, including a new schedule which will permit for more racing and an earlier end to the night, hopefully. Also, the schedule change, which will include conducting hot laps in the morning, will allow time for the Dome to be opened up and aired out before the general public can come in - for the first time, there should not be a dome full of methanol fumes to greet fans as they arrive. Sounds like a great way to start the Indiana racing season. Many thanks to Indy Racing and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for thier support as presenting sponsors for this year! For the "Thunder In The Dome" Live Updates section on ILikeRacing.com, please click on: http://www.ilikeracing.com/news/liveupdates/2001/dome/index.htm
** JANIE'S 2001 RACE SCHEDULE POSSIBILITIES (TENTATIVE) Looking over the massive amount of 2001 schedules piling up on my desk, I have recently tried to figure out just where I'll be going this year. I attended about 140 races last year, and expect this year I'll have a similar schedule. In order to work on a plan of attack for each year's open-wheel season, I usually mesh the schedules together to determine what is going on during any particular weekend during the year. Eventually I'll mesh ALL of the schedules together and post it on my site (a HUGE job), but for now, I've got some put together for my own personal use. However, I felt that the schedule information was something that you might be interested in, too, so I'll post February and March schedules here in the Newsletter - click on "Schedules" on my home page for a complete chronological list. My schedule is fluid right up until I leave to go to a particular track (based on weather and other factors), and I have limited my list here to some of the sanctions I normally support in person. This does not mean that if something is not listed, I won't be attending - this is just a place to start to figure out a tentative travel schedule. Hope you will find this helpful!
For now, this list includes chronological schedules from the IRL, CART, NASCAR, WoO, Gumout Series, All Stars, SCRA, USAC (Silver Crown, Midgets - National and Western, Sprints - National and Western, TQ's), NAMARS - National and Regional Speedrome, KISS (new Indiana track-based non-winged sprint series), Badger Midgets, Supermodified Racing League and some Special Events). All Schedules listed are subject to change. If you use this list as a guide to your racing adventures this year, please check with the sanctioning body or track to make sure the race is still on when that date rolls around. And yes, I included NASCAR Winston Cup events as I do have an interest in that series, and want to make sure I am following their schedule somewhat this year (may have a trip to Florida for next February in the works - may cover all racing activities down there with "live updates").
FEBRUARY 3 - SCRA - Manzanita 8 - All Stars - Volusia 9 - All Stars - Volusia 10 - All Stars - Volusia 10 - NASCAR WC - Daytona 500 Qualifying 11 - NASCAR WC - Bud Shootout 11 - All Stars - Volusia 14 - All Stars - East Bay 15 - All Stars - East Bay 15 - NASCAR WC - Gatorade Twin 125s 16 - All Stars - East Bay 17 - SCRA - Perris 17 - All Stars - East Bay 18 - NASCAR WC - Daytona 500 23 - WoO - Hanford, CA 24 - WoO - Perris 25 - NASCAR WC - Rockingham
MARCH 1 - WoO - Las Vegas (Silver State Shootout) 2 - WoO - Las Vegas (Silver State Shootout) 3 - WoO - Las Vegas (Silver State Shootout) 3 - SCRA - Perris 4 - NASCAR WC - Las Vegas 9 - WoO - Devil's Bowl 10 - USAC Special Midget Event - Thunder At The (RCA) Dome, Indianapolis 10 - SCRA - Perris 10 - WoO - Devil's Bowl 10 - USAC Western and TQ Midgets - Bakersfield 11 - CART - Mexico 11 - NASCAR WC - Atlanta 16 - IRL/USAC/SRL - Pennzoil Copper World 200, Phoenix Int'l Raceway 16 - SCRA - Manzanita 17 - IRL/USAC/SRL - Pennzoil Copper World 200, Phoenix Int'l Raceway 17 - SCRA - Manzanita 17 - WoO - Oklahoma City 18 - IRL/USAC/SRL - Pennzoil Copper World 200, Phoenix Int'l Raceway 18 - WoO - Oklahoma City 18 - NASCAR WC - Darlington 23 - WoO - Sedalia, MO 24 - USAC Silver Bullet - Irwindale 24 - USAC W. Sprints - Irwindale 24 - WoO - Pevely, MO 24 - SRL - Las Vegas 26 - NASCAR WC - Bristol 29 - WoO - Texas Motor Speedway 30 - WoO - Texas Motor Speedway 31 - USAC Nat. Sprints - Eldora 31 - USAC W. Sprints - El Cajon
** ILIKERACING.COM "LIVE UPDATES" PLANNED FOR 2001: Stay tuned to the ILikeRacing.com website for unprecedented in-depth coverage of the majority of the big open-wheel races of 2001. I'm planning almost double the "Live Updates" coverage than I did in the year 2000. I also am going to attack these sections (which are really mini-websites for each of the events, taking 1-2 days each to compile) in a different way. I'm going to attempt to activate most or all of them in the next month or so, giving you the ability to look up pertinent information about each of these events early in the year. Normally in the past, I compiled the sections about a week before the event. Doing this ahead of time will give you better coverage of the event, as well as relieve me of the additional workload during the summer months when my schedule is overloaded as it is. Check back to the sections you are interested in periodically, as I'll be adding new information as the year progresses as soon as I get it from the track or sanctioning body. Here's a list of the planned "Live Updates" sections (obviously, some will not happen as they conflict with each other - and I'm only one person - but there also might be a few races show up on this list later that are not here now): Chili Bowl (completed), USAC Thunder In The Dome (now active), IRL/USAC Pennzoil Copper World Indy 200 - PIR, USAC Sprint/Midget Double - Eldora, IRL - Homestead, IRL - Atlanta, Rich Vogler Classic - Winchester, USAC Silver Bullet - IRP, Indy ROP/Testing, All Indy 500 Activities, NAMARS 500 - Speedrome, USAC Silver Bullet - Indy Fairgrounds, USAC Midgets - Nite Before The 500, USAC Silver Bullet - Knoxville, CART - Milwaukee, IRL - Texas I, USAC/Badger Sprints / Midgets - Angell Park S'wy, IRL - Pikes Peak, NAMARS/ARDC Shoot-Out, NAMARS/Badger Firehouse Nationals, IRL - Richmond, CART - Cleveland, IRL - Kansas, USAC Sprints /Midgets - Kansas, NAMARS Pavement Triple Crown, IRL - Nashville, USAC Silver Bullet - Nashville, USAC - Indiana Sprint Week, Belleville Midget Nationals, Knoxville Nationals, NAMARS/Badger Triple Crown, IRL - Kentucky, USAC Midgets - Kentucky, NAMARS Five Crown Nationals, IRL - Gateway, USAC Sprints / Midgets - Granite City, IRL - Chicago, USAC Sprints / Midgets - Joliet, USAC Hut 100, USAC Silver Bullet - DuQuoin, IRL - Texas II, USAC Four Crown Nationals.
** UPDATED LINKS SECTION: I have been working very hard on updating my "Links" section, and have added hundreds of links in the past week. If you have submitted a link to me, please take a moment and check to make sure I've included it, and that it has been linked correctly. If you'd like to submit a link to be placed on my huge links section, simply e-mail it to me at Publisher@ILikeRacing.com - with a title and a note as to which section you'd like to be place in, and I'll put it on soon. Thanks!
** ILIKERACING.COM KARTING CHALLENGE UPDATE - Pitting IRL and CART teams against each other in a 10-week Karting league. Mondays through March 5, 4 - 6:00 pm at Stefan Johansson Karting Center, (317) 297-5278, www.stefanjohansson.com. For more information, please contact "Karting Challenge" Promoter Janie Vogel at (317) 280-8832 or e-mail: Publisher@ILikeRacing.com. The public is welcome and invited to attend. We ask that any non-participant donate $1 at the door, with all proceeds being given to the Riley Hospital For Children in Indianapolis. NOTE: If any media member would like to participate in the "Karting Challenge," which takes place on Mondays for the next 2 weeks from 4-6:00 pm, please contact the Promoter at the above number to reserve a spot on the Media Team.
I would like to say a big thank you to the folks at American Speed Racing School (AmSpeed), who have graciously donated a major Champion's Prize for four people on the winning "Karting Challenge" team. The champs will get the opportunity to attend a one-day school, anywhere the school is put on in the year 2001. This is a $4,000 value, and will allow the champion karters to get experience in a real formula-type car. Thank you to AmSpeed for this opportunity and for their generosity!
We have now completed seven successful weeks of kart racing in the "ILikeRacing.com Karting Challenge," and everyone is having a great time. You can always read about the details from each week on the ILikeRacing.com website, but in case you've forgotten the premise, here's a brief overview. The "ILikeRacing.com Karting Challenge" pits Indy car teams and other motorsports-related companies in the Indianapolis area against each other in a 10-week series, held at the Stefan Johansson Karting Center (3649 Lafayette Road, 317-297-5278). Teams from the Indy Racing Northern Light Series (IRL) and Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART), as well as a few other motorsports-related companies, race competitively against each other for points and prizes, ultimately culminating in an "ILikeRacing.com Karting Challenge" Champion at the end of the series' run in March. Teams can be comprised of the same or different people each week, and have even see karting action from the professional drivers who normally run in the IRL or CART series'. The teams assemble at Stefan Johansson Karting Center on Mondays, beginning Jan. 8th, 2001 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm, and compete in a "LeMans-style" race, being split up into one of two 40-minute sessions. A minimum of three racers per team each have about 10 minutes to complete their segment of the race, with a mandatory amount of pit stops required per team to change karters. The first-place award is a transferable trophy that goes home to the winning team's shop for the week, and is brought back to the Karting Center for the next week's competition. A running point total is kept, awarding prizes and awards to the top finishers at the end of the "Challenge" event in March. The general public is invited to attend each of these karting events weekly, and is asked to donate $1.00 at the door, with all proceeds going to the Indianapolis-based Riley Hospital For Children. Sponsors and the media are welcome to participate weekly. Please contact the event organizer via phone at (317) 280-8832 or e-mail for more information on this 10-week event. Here's a summary of this past Monday's competition:
POINT STANDINGS AFTER 7 OF 10 RACES 1) Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 29; 2) United States Auto Club, 26; 3) Team Purex Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, 24; 4) Herdez Bettenhausen, 13; 5) Indianapolis Motor Speedway Engineering, 13; 6) Mo Nunn Racing, 13; 7) Pennzoil Panther Racing, 13; 8) IUPUI / NAMARS Formula Lightning, 10; 9) Bettenhausen Motorsports, 9; 10) Target Chip Ganassi Racing - IRL, 9; 11) C & R Racing, 8; 12) AmSpeed, 7; 13) Hemelgarn Racing, 7; 14) Team Cheever, 7; 15) Magnum Racing, 5; 16) Target Chip Ganassi Racing - CART, 5; 17) WCWO Pro Wrestling, 5; 18) Delphi, 3
TEAM PARTICIPANTS - Feb. 19 AmSPEED - Michael Palmer (TC), Jeff Leonard, Brian Alder, Brad Kuhn BETTENHAUSEN MOTORSPORTS - Larry Rutherford, Robbie Ott, Eric Koselka C & R RACING - David Bridges (TC), Chris Condre, Chris Paulson, Jimmy Parsons DELPHI - Mel Hosler (TC), Patrick Dotson, Damon Reeser HEMELGARN RACING - Aaron Pierce, Dan Habing, Neil Patterson, Bruce "Animal" Adkins HERDEZ BETTENHAUSEN - Larry Rutherford (TC), Robbie Ott, Eric Koselka INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY - Josh Laycock (TC), Marty Hunt, Mel Harder INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY ENGINEERING - Dave Dusick (TC), Nick Buschmann, Mel Harder IUPUI / NAMARS FORMULA LIGHTNING - Jason Burgess, Aaron Pierce, Bruce "Animal" Adkins MAGNUM RACING - AJ Codalata (TC), Andrew Prather, Gina Lewis MO NUNN RACING - Terri Popielarz, AJ Codalata, Chris Tomasik PENNZOIL PANTHER RACING - David Bridges, Jimmy Parsons, Chris Paulson, Chris Condre TARGET CHIP GANASSI RACING, CART - Gerami Pennyman (TC), Dan Hammond, TG Thompson, Jason Holt TARGET CHIP GANASSI RACING, IRL - Gerami Pennyman (TC), Dan Hammond, TG Thompson, Jason Holt, Charles Bushor, Jr. TEAM CHEEVER - Andrew Koers, Andy O'Gara, Scott Haywood TEAM PUREX DREYER & REINBOLD RACING - Gary Pennison (TC), Michael O'Gara, Brian Hornick UNITED STATES AUTO CLUB - Justin Marvel, Chris Coers, Johnny Parsons, Jr. WCWO WRESTLING - Rocky Flash (TC), Ron Owens, Harold Newt
RACE #1 RESULTS (team, laps completed, best lap time) - Feb. 19 1) Indianapolis Motor Speedway Engineering, 93, 22.59; 2) Team Purex Dreyer & Reinbold, 93, 22.78; 3) United States Auto Club, 93, 22.60; 4) Team Cheever, 91, 23.25; 5) Bettenhausen Motorsports, 91, 23.03; 6) Target Chip Ganassi Racing - IRL, 90, 23.16; 7) AmSpeed, 90, 22.89; 8) Target Chip Ganassi Racing - CART, 89, 23.54; 9) WCWO Wrestling, 86, 23.39 FASTEST LAP: Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 22.59 (Dave Dusick) - RACE DURATION: 40 minutes - PIT STOPS: Mandatory 3 stops per team
Race #1 Notes: As usual, USAC's hard racing allowed them to get to the front almost immediately in this first race, although they had a stiff battle with the IMS Engineering team (eventual overall winners). At the beginning of the race, Team Cheever led briefly (with a group of subs from the Dreyer & Reinbold team, as the real Team Cheever participants could not make it). Ironically, the D & R subs were doing better than the real Purex Dreyer & Reinbold team (also in this race), at least for awhile. After about 15 minutes, the Purex team had enough fooling around and got themselves into a "Shootout" transfer spot. For the rest of the race, the IMS Engineering, Purex and USAC teams all ran solidly in positions 1-2-3, with Team Cheever's group of subs running a steady race in fourth. After last week's rough races, the teams got a full safety rundown before the start of this first race, which apparently helped, as everyone seemed to settle down and respect each other a bit more this week. A few black flags flew for some incidental stuff, but there was nothing going on like last week (shoving fights, attitudes, deliberate crashing), thankfully. After about 30 minutes of relatively calm and competitive racing, I knew I could sit back and enjoy the day like I had been accustomed to in the previous weeks, which was nice.
RACE #2 RESULTS (team, laps completed, best lap time) - Feb. 19 1) Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 93, 23.03; 2) IUPUI / NAMARS Formula Lightning, 93, 22.48; 3) Mo Nunn Racing, 93, 22.94; 4) C & R Racing, 91, 23.31; 5) Pennzoil Panther Racing, 91, 23.32 6) Herdez Bettenhausen Motorsports, 91, 23.29; 7) Delphi, 91, 22.72; 8) Magnum Racing, 90, 23.30; 9) Hemelgarn Racing, 87, 23.52 FASTEST LAP: IUPUI / NAMARS Formula Lightning, 22.48 (Jason Burgess) - RACE DURATION: 40 minutes - PIT STOPS: Mandatory 3 stops per team
Race #2 Notes: : Unfortunately, this close to the start of the IRL and CART seasons, we have experienced the absence of several of the teams each week. Because I created this series to be inclusive, I have been flexible in allowing substitutes each week - sometimes resulting in entire teams getting new "members" each week. For this week, many of the IRL teams must be conducting private tests (IRL will have an open test at Homestead later this week), as the Hemelgarn, Panther and Cheever teams were "no shows." Other teams love when this happens, and gladly volunteer to run in the vacated spots. That's OK by me - the participants that show up get some extra seat time, and the teams that cannot be there are able to accumulate at least one extra point for participation, which they never seem to mind. I'd love it if all the teams could show up each week, but this has worked out pretty well so far. In this race, the Panther subs (made up of various C & R team members) got the lead early, and stayed there for a good portion of the beginning of the 40-minute session, with the strong Mo Nunn Racing team on their tail the whole way, briefly taking the lead at one point. Just as soon as Mo Nunn got out front, the red flag flew for a member of the Magnum team who had no brakes (a big problem at the SJKC) and requested a kart change. That was quickly taken care of, and racing resumed. The Delphi team, a late entrant in the series, but a team that has been extremely competitive in the weeks they have participated, got the lead briefly after starting 5th, but the IUPUI / NAMARS team put on a full-court press and took over that top spot eventually. Nice to see a lot of lead changes in this race. Mo Nunn fought back and got the lead again during the middle part of the race, but that was somewhat short-lived, as the ever-looming IMS team - consistently starting in the back yet consistently, ALWAYS, winning their races - stayed true to form and took over the lead about half-way through the race. Near the end of the race, all eyes were on the battle for the lead between IMS's Mel Harder (also running for the IMS Engineering team), and current track record holder, Jason Burgess, running for the IUPUI / NAMARS team, who was pulling out every trick in his book to get by Harder without much success. Burgess took finally got by to lead for about two corners before Harder put him back to second, finishing the race about a foot apart. What a great race... and clean (which made me really happy)!
SHOOTOUT RESULTS ** Top-three teams in each individual race got to enter one kart for a 10-lap shootout. Karts were lined up by best lap time, with the exception of the front row which was comprised of the individual race winners. The way the karts finished was the way the first-six positions in the combined results were determined, with 7 points being given for a 1st-place finish, 6 for 2nd, 5 for 3rd, 4 for 4th, 3 for 5th and 2 for 6th, allowing any team which made the "Shootout" at least a bonus point. Every other team which did not make it into the "Shootout" received one point.
Shootout Lineup (pole is on right because first turn is to the right): 2) Indianapolis Motor Speedway 1) Indianapolis Motor Speedway Engineering 4) United States Auto Club 3) IUPUI / NAMARS Formula Lightning 6) Mo Nunn Racing 5) Team Purex Dreyer & Reinbold Racing Shootout Results (team, best laps time - 10 laps, race time = 4:30.38): 1) Indianapolis Motor Speedway Engineering, 23.50; 2) United States Auto Club, 22.97; 3) Team Purex Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, 23.24; 4) Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 23.44; 5) IUPUI / NAMARS Formula Lightning, 23.17; 6) Mo Nunn Racing, 23.72
COMBINED RESULTS (points, laps completed in individual race, how many laps down to leader, best lap time - individual race) - Monday, Feb. 19 (combined final results, after two separate 40-minute races - finishing order for positions 7-16 determined by number of laps finished in their particular race first - or more accurately how many laps down to the leader - then finishing positions, then lap times. The top-three teams (one kart each) of each individual race faced off in 6-car, 10-lap "Shootout" to determine finishing positions 1-6) **Top-six finishers are also the results from the "Shootout" 1) Indianapolis Motor Speedway Engineering, 7, 93 (lead lap), 22.59; 2) United States Auto Club, 6, 93 (lead lap), 22.60; 3) Team Purex Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, 5, 93 (lead lap), 22.78; 4) Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 4, 93 (lead lap), 23.03; 5) IUPUI / NAMARS Formula Lightning, 3, 93 (lead lap), 22.48; 6) Mo Nunn Racing, 2, 93 (lead lap), 22.94; 7) Team Cheever, 1, 91 (-2), 23.25; 8) C & R Racing, 1, 91 (-2), 23.31; 9) Bettenhausen Motorsports, 1, 91 (-2), 23.03; 10) Pennzoil Panther Racing, 1, 91 (-2), 23.32; 11) Herdez Bettenhausen Motorsports, 1, 91 (-2), 23.39; 12) Delphi, 1, 91 (-2), 22.72; 13) Target Chip Ganassi Racing - IRL, 1, 90 (-3), 23.16; 14) AmSpeed, 1, 90 (-3), 22.89; 15) Magnum Racing, 1, 90 (-3), 23.30; 16) Target Chip Ganassi Racing - CART, 1, 89 (-4), 23.54; 17) Hemelgarn Racing, 1, 87 (-6), 23.52; 18) WCWO Wrestling, 1, 86 (-7), 23.39
LINEUPS FOR 2/26 RACES (based on inverted 2/19 finish order, if same teams show up 2/26) (NOTE TO COMPETITORS) - Regardless of which race you are competing in, you are expected to show up at 3:45 to register and attend a MANDATORY driver's meeting. Do not count on the lineup posted below, as it may change due to new teams being added or teams not showing up. If each team is not ready to race by 4:15 (as a whole), that team may not be allowed to compete at all for that day.
RACE #1 1) WCWO Wrestling; 2) Target Chip Ganassi Racing - CART; 3) AmSpeed; 4) Delphi; 5) Pennzoil Panther Racing; 6) C & R Racing,; 7) Mo Nunn Racing; 8) Indianapolis Motor Speedway; 9) United States Auto Club
RACE #2 1) Hemelgarn Racing; 2) Magnum Racing; 3) Target Chip Ganassi Racing - IRL; 4) Herdez Bettenhausen Motorsports; 5) Bettenhausen Motorsports; 6) Team Cheever 7) IUPUI / NAMARS Formula Lightning; 8) Team Purex Dreyer & Reinbold; 9) Indianapolis Motor Speedway Engineering
CLICK ON MY HOME PAGE FOR A COMPLETE RUNDOWN OF EACH WEEK OF RACING - http://www.ILikeRacing.com
** READ MY NEW COLUMN ON CIRCLERACINGONLINE.COM - Yes, a shameless plug. I am now a new columnist for a brand new, just-launched website called www.circleracingonline.com. I will be contributing monthly to this site, and my subjects will be as wide-ranging as my website. For my introductory column, I focused on a major problem I see pervading all areas of motorsports - that of the lack of self promotion in young drivers hoping to move up the ranks in motorsports. Read more on the site. Surely, it doesn't solve every problem, but a great place to start would be the "Speaking of Motorsports" workshop I detailed above - what a great headstart these young drivers have on racing - and life - by knowing how to speak comfortably in front of a large audience. And, golly, it even works for small audiences, too - say...a CEO or CFO in a Fortune 500 boardroom. A new column will be posted soon.
** SEND SCHEDULES - If you are involved with an open-wheel racing sanctioning body, please send your 2001 schedules to me (e-mail: publisher@ilikeracing.com) as soon as possible. I plan on posting a chronological list of upcoming races each week on my site, combining all open-wheel sanctions' schedules (trust me when I say that process takes awhile - I've done it before). I'll, of course, plan on posting individual schedules as well.
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** NEED ALL SANCTIONS AND TRACKS TO SEND 2001 NEWS - In an effort to allow ILikeRacing.com to be THE most comprehensive open-wheel racing site on the 'Net, I want to make sure ALL open-wheel divisions are covered in great depth. For the past 2 years that this site has been active, I have made efforts throughout the year to encourage people - official or not - affiliated with various divisions to submit news and results. Sometimes I get overwhelming cooperation; sometimes I get no cooperation (that astounds me - especially when I hear complaints that these particular sanctions can't get sponsors.gee, I wonder why?). I want to make sure that every sanction gets the coverage it deserves, so I am going to ask for your help. Three particular areas I would like to see more participation from are my Quarter Midget, Karting and Vintage sections. Because these are not organized by "sanctions," but are more club-based, it has been hard to get any solid information forwarded to me. To start, it would be nice to get schedules or a listing of 2001 events, or even a comprehensive list of clubs. Then, after that, any news, reports or results that could be submitted on a constant basis would be great. Please forward any information or suggestions to me directly via e-mail at: Publisher@ILikeRacing.com. Thanks!
** LIKE TO WRITE? - Anyone wishing to write columns on open-wheel racing for my site, or cover a particular sanctioning body or track, please contact me. I'd love to include your coverage and editorials on open-wheel racing on my site. Please e-mail me directly with your ideas at: Publisher@ILikeRacing.com.
WHAT RACES/EVENTS I PLAN ON ATTENDING THIS WEEK:
** Not a thing. This will be a working weekend, for sure. The races in March are approaching fast, and I have more work to do than I can fit into the days available. I'm sure I'll try to tune into the NASCAR circus surrounding the Rockingham race, but that's probably it for my racing fix this week. I'm selling Exhibit spaces for the Dome race, which is keeping me busy, and will be doing some work for Davey Hamilton's Supermodified Racing League this year. Everything is kind of coming to a head in the next 3-4 weeks, so I need all of the time to work on this stuff that I can get. BTW, anyone interested in exhibiting at the Thunder In The Dome race, give me a ring at (317) 280-8832. Thanks!
WHAT IS COMING UP ON THE WEBSITE: ** I know the 2001 schedules are important to everyone, and I'm getting them in daily. It takes forever to process each one with its own link. Instead of waiting until I have days to do that, I'm going to circumvent that process temporarily and put them into one big section, listed alphabetically (similar to the race release section). I have the majority of the schedules done, and will be activating them in the next few days - I'll post a link to them in the Notes section of my Home Page. I will then take the time to link each one to its own page, but at least you'll have the information sooner than if I waited to do that one at a time. Once I feel I've gotten most of the major sanctions in, I'll then mesh them into a chronological listing, which will be posted on the site (and allow you to determine your racing travels this year easier), and will also post a week-by-week chronological listing in this newsletter. Some of the schedules are meshed in a chronological listing, which you can find by clicking on my "Schedules" link.
Thanks for your continued interest in www.ILikeRacing.com and in open-wheel racing. I appreciate your support of this Newsletter - it gives me the encouragement I need to make sure you are getting the best information possible each week.
Janie Vogel Publisher, Wheel-2-Wheel Magazine Online
DISCLAIMER I want to stress that what you will be receiving is not hard news - it is MY viewpoint, notes gathered from observations of the people and places I've visited each week, and commentary based on my opinions. It's pure editorial on my part, and subject to.well.subjectivity! Yes, this is a disclaimer right up front that what you read may be biased - but I guarantee you it will be fun to read, which is the most important thing to me. However, constructive criticism or suggestions are always welcome.
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"No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven."
Philippians 3:13-14
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