Fifteen years ago, in 1992,
NASCAR’s Winston Cup division saw the end of one era and the beginning
of another. Richard Petty drove his last race at Atlanta and officially
retired from driving. Rick Wilson was named as his replacement. It was
also at Atlanta that Jeff Gordon made his Winston Cup debut.
Five years ago in 2002, The Busch North Series
got some good news at their awards banquet when NASCAR Touring Series
Director Chris Boals announced that the successful television package
with the Speed Channel had been renewed, with expanded national
television coverage for the BNS in 2003 and beyond. This was a definite
shot in the arm for competitors who were in the process of securing
sponsorship for their race teams. The Speed Channel had also announced
that they would cover USAC events in 2003. The Stafford Speedway
announced plans for a special invitational event for SK-Modifieds and
Late Models. Tentatively scheduled for October 11, 2003 , with a
possible format of twin features for each division plus a grand finale
for each, should make for an exciting day of racing.
Last year, it looked like the NASCAR Dodge Weekly
Racing Series had gone by the wayside as NASCAR and Whelen Engineering
announced a multi-year agreement for Whelen to become the new title
sponsor of NASCAR’s weekly racing program. The series was re-named the
NASCAR Whelen All-American Series for 2007.
The leasing of the Waterford Speedbowl continued to a hot
topic of conversation. Jerry Robinson, a virtually unknown in racing
circles, leased the shoreline oval. Robinson owns the Legends Cars
Series. It was hoped that Robinson could breathe new life into the track
that had all but run into the ground by property owner Terry Eames.
Things got so bad in 2006 at Waterford the track was running
unadvertised races as too much money had been owed for too long of a
period to area radio stations and newspapers. It was amazing that the
track did as well as it did.
Priorities included re-opening and modernizing the restrooms
and repairing sections of grandstand that have been closed for repair.
In Whelen Modified Tour Series news Mike Stefanik indicated
that he would pursue his tenth championship with Flamingo Motorsports
for 2007. Barry Kuhnel who played a key role as his crew chief in years
past would be a consultant. Stefanik would be driving a 2007 model
Troyer chassis, which was Ford powered. Word was being tossed around
about a Whelen Modified Tour Series event in Mansfield , Ohio .
 Word came from Lew Boyd that two legends were under the
weather and could use a card of cheer. Four time NASCAR Sportsman
Champion Rene Charland was recuperating from a recent car crash and.
Bill Wimble had developed tongue cancer and would have a rough few weeks
with radiation and chemo
The Daytona Beach Journal reported that NASCAR President
Brian France drove into a parked car and hit a tree with his Lexus.
NASCAR issued a statement that he spilled a soft drink which evidently
caused him to lose control of the vehicle. Evidently he wasn’t drinking
Pepsi and evidently his Lexus wasn’t shod with Goodyear Tires. Police
said the Lexus had $1,500 damage.
Kevin Harvick led 252 of the 312 circuits and captured the
Checker Auto Parts "500" presented by Pennzoil at Phoenix International
Raceway by a quarter of a second today over Johnson. Harvick also won
the Busch Series event.
That’s about it for this week from 40 Clark St, Westerly, and R.I.02891.
Ring my chimes at 401-596-5467 E-mail:
smithpe_97_97@yahoo.com
The Chrome Horn
'Looking Back with Phil Smith' Archive
THE END
Source:
Phil Smith/Courtesy of Tom Ormsby and
thespeedwaylinereport.com
Posted:
November 16, 2007 |
