PRESENTS---

HE BAILS, HE STAYS, HE BAILS---

by Mike Fields

December 31, Long Beach, NY--- Perhaps it’s just the fact that we love our new laptop--- Or maybe it’s that we’re just a glutton for punishment--- Then again, it’s probable we just have too much time on our hands. Anyway, do you remember two weeks ago when we stated that columns would be the final one of 2006? Or perhaps last week when we stated that column was definitely the last column of 2006? Yeah, right…

Several weeks ago, we talked about some of the good people that were leaving Mountain Speedway (Yes, there were a couple of good people at Mountain)--- Co-Promoter Billy Bartley, track photographer Joe Cutri, and Announcer Gene Ostrowski. After that column went up, we heard from Gene telling us that our information about him leaving was incorrect. Of course, we stated in our next column that the info we had originally was wrong. Not a big deal; it happens. Of course that incident was followed by one person making snide comments on the internet about getting our facts straight, which we always try to do.

So we were very much surprised when we opened our e-mail this past Wednesday to see a note from Gene Ostrowski informing us that he is indeed leaving Mountain to go on to greener pastures. He will be sending out press releases and announcing an Enduro show at Mountain through January 6^th.  After that, he’ll be taking advantage of an opportunity to work for a daily paper to cover up to five local tracks per week. We wish him well in his new position.

Then again, don’t be surprised if you see another paragraph toward the bottom of our next column that start with the word “CORRECTION”…

NEXT UP IS MOTORSPORTS 2007--- Motorsports 2007 Presented by VP Racing Fuels Race Car Show will have the ‘Dean of Motorsports Coverage’ Chris Economaki appearing signing copies of his book Let ‘Em All Go. Chris is the editor of National Speed Sport News, as well as being the long-time broadcaster on ABC’s Wide World of Sports.

2003 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Champion (and 2006 runner-up) Matt Kenseth will also be appearing.  His appearance is sponsored by nearby Chapman Auto Sales. There are other appearances by Cup stars as well.  We know that Denny Hamlin is scheduled sometime during the weekend.

If you are on your way down to the show, stop off at a local McDonalds to pick up coupons good for $1.00 off the price of admission. $.50 cents will be donated to the Ronald McDonald Charity for every coupon used at the show box office.

When we go down for the show, I doubt we’ll be parking anywhere near the convention center. Ernie Saxton, who is doing the PR for the show, informs us that we may want to park at a local train station that is part of the NJ Transit Atlantic City line train system. Parking is free at most of the stops, and the train stops inside the Convention Center. That sounds like the best bet.  However, if you want to live dangerously, parking at the Center is $9.00 for the first four hours, and $1.00 per hour after that.  Caesar’s Palace has a huge parking lot located between the Convention Center and Boardwalk Hall and the fee to park is generally just $5 for the duration of your stay. The Caesar’s lot would be very convenient to those fans planning to attend both the Motorsports 2007 show and the Gambler’s Classic.

Fans looking for lodging for the weekend should telephone AC Central Reservations at 1-866-790-9934. Fans may also want to telephone the Quality Inn Bayshore Resort at 609-641-3546. Many hotels are selling out for the big motorsports weekend, but there are still rooms available at $89 per night.

Looking to be the new Ms. Motorsports for 2007?  If so, you still have a little time to enter.  Go to www.AARN.com, where you will find all the details.  This year the contest is on Friday night, and the new Ms. Motorsports will start her duties presenting trophies on Saturday night to the winners of the Gambler’s Classic Presented by Pepsi.

WHELEN ENDS SPONSORSHIP--- Huh?  Actually, we ran across a report that said Whelen Engineering has ended their sponsorship of the Marsh Racing #31 Busch Series car. There was no comment offered on the reason.  We can only speculate that it was either because Whelen is putting the majority of their efforts into the Whelen All-American Series, along with the Whelen Modified Tour and the Whelen Southern Modified Tour.  Or perhaps they thought that since they are sponsoring three different series that it was somewhat inappropriate to sponsor an individual race team.  Either reason could be correct, or maybe it’s another reason altogether.

FINALLY THE FINAL COLUMN--- This has to be it for 2006.  Being that this is being posted on December 31^st, there just isn’t any more time to write and upload a new column! Have a safe New Year; we’d like to see you all at the track in 2007.

*****

Those are out thoughts this time.  What’s yours?   Questions, comments, and complaints will reach us at liracenews@hotmail.com. Until next time, Happy Motoring!

     Mike Fields has written for the Area Auto Racing News, Raceway Media Magazine, as well as being a contributing author for the book Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul.  He has also been a co-host of a weekly motorsports radio program. Fields currently writes a weekly internet column, and is an occasional contributing columnist for the Riverhead Racer, the track program for Long Island's Riverhead Raceway.

     While not at his full-time job (babysitting his very rambunctious 3 1/2-year old grandson), he is the owner of The Hero Card Store!, providing specialty autograph cards to racecar drivers and teams. He may be contacted by e-mail at info@LongIslandMotorsports.com, or by phone at (516) 376-4028.

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