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A LITTLE MORE POTPOURRI
May 16, Long Beach, NY--- After Wayne Anderson had his throttle stick open two weeks ago, the recipient of his bad luck was Bill Park, who took the first opening night win of his long career at Riverhead Raceway. That was a surprise when we read that news in Bob Finan’s Eye On Riverhead. Normally, it always seems like Chris Young makes a habit of picking up Opening Night checkers at Riverhead.
Anderson, who had a lot of bolt-on damage to replace, returned to take the checker in week # 2. If you’re under 60 years of age, and plan to run a Modified at Riverhead, early results say the fight will be for 2nd place each week. What is that old saying about old age and experience? It just gives hope to the rest of us in the “Over The Hill Gang”.
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Speaking of guys over 60, we received word this week from Gary London that 79-year old Freddie Stutz was seriously injured at Charlotte Motorsports Park in Punta Gorda, FL while running his TQ Midget. The Bronx native ran Pine Brook, NJ, Island Garden and Freeport on Long Island.
Get well cards may be sent to Freddie Stutz at 11906 Cedarfield Drive, Riverview, Fla. 33569. We hope he has a speedy recovery.
Just for the record, it’s not that much of an anomaly having the AARP brigade still racing. The great Bruno Brackey was running Legends cars throughout New York State into his 70’s.
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Published reports say that IndyCar fans may see the return of the series back to the Northeast, as New Hampshire Motor Speedway has shown an interest in bringing them back after an absence of ten years.
New NHMS General Manager Jerry Gappens was quoted in Shawn Courchesne’s Hartford Courant Blog that “…there's some rejuvenation in that series. I know there are a lot of race fans in the New England area and they're passionate about racing. I think an IndyCar Series event with the Modified and with Silver Crown, an open wheel extravaganza. I think our facility is capable of hosting one of those.”
It’s been a long time since I viewed an IndyCar race. I lost interest and haven’t even watched the Indy 500 since we lost a good friend of ours there in a practice crash about 12 years ago. Perhaps we’ll make a trip up there one weekend should NHMS secure a date.
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As we write this column on Friday morning, we’re waiting the official word from Stafford Motor Speedway about tonight’s expected rainout. After their Spring Sizzler weekend, they haven’t been able to start their regular Friday Night Whelen All-American Series weekly racing program.
Meanwhile, although the weather has been ‘threatening’ on Saturdays, most track in the northeast have been able to get their programs underway. As we mentioned last week, this isn’t the first time that Stafford has been ‘snake-bit’ early in the season.
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We’ve been hearing from several people about the lack of coverage for the Sprint Cup Series. Our premier columnist covering that series is currently in school, going for her EMT certification, which will end toward the end of June/early July. We also very much look forward to having her back doing what she does best…
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C&C Racing Promotions announced that the first annual Ricky Miller Memorial 100 race at Twin State Speedway for the True Value Modified Racing Series will be the series’ qualifier for the 6th Annual John Blewett Memorial North-South Shootout.
Miller, who was a Modified standout at Twin State Speedway, when the track ran under the Claremont Speedway banner, died at the age of 34 in 2004. The Ricky Miller Memorial, named for one of the most likeable racers to have competed, will likely gain the same level of merit from the racers and the racing community.
The always colorful and personable competitor may be best known for his 1999 Riverside Park Speedway championship, the final Modified champion of the now defunct Speedway. He will forever stand in history as the winner of the final Whelen Modified Tour race ever held at the famed Riverside Park Speedway in Agawam, MA.
“For the last several years we have enjoyed a good relationship with the management and the competitors of the True Value Modified Racing Series,” said Shootout Promoter Charles Kepley. “We are proud to continue this relationship in 2008 and equally excited about working with the great team at the Twin State Speedway.”
“It’s a great honor for Twin State Speedway along with True Value Modified Racing Series to be hosting the 1st annual Ricky Miller memorial 100,” said Mike Parks, Twin State Speedway Race Director. “And with C&C Racing Promotions naming the event as a North-South Shootout TM Qualifier, it will help to make this very special event one of the brightest stops on the True Value schedule.”
Qualifying races have been a part of the North-South Shootout TM since it’s inception in 2003. The Miller Memorial 100 will be one of several races that will be slated as qualifiers for the Modified portion of the upcoming Shootout. A complete schedule of qualifying races for the Northern and Southern Modifieds along with the SK-Type Modifieds, and the Supermodifieds will be forthcoming. The annual Shootout will take place on November 7&8, 2008 at Concord Motorsport Park in Concord, NC.
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Brian Vickers crew won the NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge at Time Warner Arena down in North Carolina this past Thursday night (May 15). They edged out Denny Hamlin’s crew.
Is this kind of like having the Home Run Contest along with the Major League Baseball All-Star Game? Hey, maybe Carl Edwards should hold the first Back Flip Contest. How about the Kyle Busch Rub ‘Em, Wreck ‘Em, Hey That’s Just Racin’ Contest? Or the ever-popular Kevin LePage’s Sneak Up Over The Blend-In Line, Wreck The Whole Damned Field & Blame NASCAR For Not Stating The Blend-In Rule Clearly During The Drivers’ Meeting Contest (or the 1st Annual Kevin LePage Stupidity Contest for short)?
Meanwhile, I have no idea if the Pit Crew Challenge was televised, and if so, if anyone actually bothered to watch it. Should anyone actually wish to admit watching it, let us know by email. We’re curious to know if it was worth your time, and if DW dis his “Boogity-Boogity-Boogity” at the start.
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So, is anyone besides me wondering how Mark Martin is enjoying the 3rd year of his “retirement”? How about that other retired driver Terry Labonte returning to racing in the Petty No. 45? Personally, we don’t really care if you want to drive until you’re 107 years old. Just don’t give us that “Final Lap” or “Fans Goodbye Tour”, then change your mind ten minutes after you’ve collected all the money from your souvenir trailer after the “final” race.
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That’s about all we can think of to put in this week’s effort. Looking back, we realize that maybe too much sarcasm may have snuck through this week. Gee, I wonder if we can get sponsorship for our column from Don Rickles…
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, and a track announcer. Fields currently writes a weekly internet column, and is the editor/publisher of Long Island Motorsports News.
While not at his full-time job (babysitting
his very rambunctious 5-year-old grandson), he is the owner of LMF
Associates, in the nutrition and weight loss industry. He may be contacted by
e-mail at
MFields@LongIslandMotorsports.com or by phone at (516) 376-4028.
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Archive of Mike Fields' Island Hopping columns |
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Modified graphic courtesy of Tom Coufalik from www.pcracers.net.
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