The Chrome Horn - Champ Trail with Phil Smith

Champ Trail - February 6, 2018


  The countdown to speedweeks in Florida continues. Central Florida comes alive with the sound of racing engines this coming weekend as the green flag drops for Modified racing at the Bronson Speedway. Bronson Speedway owner Ann Young announced recently that "Racin" Bobby Mason and his Ace's Landscaping will be returning as a sponsor for the February 10th Kick Off To Speedweeks Tour Type Modified 50. Action also heats up at the Daytona International Speedway with the Daytona Clash, Daytona 500 qualifying and the ARCA 200.

  Modified racing at New Smyrna begins on Monday, Feb 12. Headlining the newest crop of pre-entries is three-time defending Tour-type Modified champion, Ryan Preece. The Berlin, CT driver will be back in Florida looking for a fourth championship in a row for his TS Haulers team owned by Eddie and Connie Partridge. Also on the entry list are a few notable regulars from the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. Timmy Solomito won four NWMT races in 2017, and he will be back in Florida for the second year in a row. Also new to the entry list from the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour are Craig Lutz and Ronnie Williams. regulars from the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. Timmy Solomito won four NWMT races in 2017, and he will be back in Florida for the second year in a row. Also new to the entry list from the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour are Craig Lutz and Ronnie Williams.
In some good news for those who can’t make it to Florida Fanschoice.tv will live broadcast New Smyrna events on Friday and Saturday, Feb 9 & 10 plus all events on Monday thru Friday, Feb 12 thru 17.

  NASCAR has announced that fourth generation France family member Ben Kennedy has joined the NASCAR Management team. Kennedy, the great grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr, the grandson of Bill France Jr and the son of Lisa France Kennedy has been named to the leadership position of General Manager, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Kennedy will oversee all aspects of NASCAR’s popular truck series, working closely with Brad Moran, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Managing Director, and Jeff Wohlschlaeger, Managing Director, Series Marketing to continue to deliver great racing, fan experience and marketing across this series. Kennedy will report into Elton Sawyer, Vice President, Competition and will work closely with O’Donnell and Steve Phelps, Executive Vice President and Chief Global Sales and Marketing Officer.

  On a sad note, Brian M. Bachand, 56, lifelong resident of Mystic, Ct died unexpectedly after a brief illness, Thursday, February 01, 2018. He was the husband of 25 years to Michelle (Ladd) Bachand and the son of Noreen (Rattigan) Bachand and the late Donald J. Bachand, both of Mystic. Ever the entrepreneur, Brian managed to turn a hobby into a thriving full time business. Starting in his parent’s garage he created what would become known as Brian’s Signs, a one man graphic design powerhouse specializing in boats, work trucks, race cars and business signs. One need not stroll far in downtown Mystic to see his talent. Over 35 years Brian’s signs created a body of work that will live on in his home town for decades. Born to a race car driving father, Brian spent his early years at the local stock car tracks watching and learning the art of chassis tuning. Brian’s dad, Don was the first of many drivers to sit behind the wheel of the Bob Garbarino Mystic Missile. Using skills learned working on the famous “Mystic Missile” night after night, he would help lead legendary drivers such as Brian Ross, Carl “Bugsy” Stevens, Donald “Satch” Worley and Tim Connolly to victory lane.
Stepping away from his NASCAR career in 1999, Brian turned his focus to collecting muscle cars, a hobby that brought him great pride and satisfaction. An avid bird watcher and lover of animals, he also got great joy out of hand feeding the resident chipmunks and squirrels that would come to populate his and Michelle’s quiet back yard.

  On the speedway stock market scene last week just about everything took a dive. The only exception was the International Speedway Corporation, which went up 1.90 to 46.10.Speedway Motorsports dropped 0.12 to 20.12 and Dover Entertainment dropped 0.10 to 1.95. NASCAR cup sponsor Monster Beverage dropped 2.28 to 66.63 while NASCAR fuel supplier Sunoco (Energy Transfer) dropped 1.46 to 19.19 and NASCAR tire supplier Goodyear dropped 1.41 to 34.35. The auto manufacturers were also on the negative. Toyota dropped 2.94 to 136.62, General Motors dropped 2.49 to 41.00 and Ford dropped 0.94 to 10.71. In the home improvement sector, Home Depot dropped 13.26 to 193.97 and Lowes dropped 5.90 to 101.50. Big team sponsors stocks also took it on the chin. Fedex dropped 12.98 to 255.87, McDonalds dropped 8.98 to 169.38, Coca-Cola dropped 7.70 to 199.21, Target dropped 4.00 to 72.95 and Aarons Rentals dropped 3.50 to 39.16.

  On the tube this week:

  Tuesday, February 6

2:30 AM, NASCAR Race Hub, FS1
6:00 PM, NASCAR Race Hub, FS1

  Wednesday, February 7
2:30 AM, NASCAR Race Hub, FS1
6:00 PM, NASCAR Race Hub - Daytona Champions, FS1

  Thursday, February 8
6:00 PM, NASCAR Race Hub - Dale Earnhardt's Daytona Triumph, FS1

  Saturday, February 11
10:30 AM, MENCS Daytona 500 practice, FS1
12:00 PM, NASCAR Race Hub: Weekend Edition, FS1
1:00 PM, MENCS Daytona 500 practice, FS1
2:00 PM, NASCAR Race Hub: Weekend Edition, FS1
3:00 PM, MENCS Daytona 500 final practice, FS1

  Sunday, February 12
5:00 AM, MENCS Daytona 500 practice re-air, FS1
6:00 AM, MENCS Daytona 500 final practice re-air, FS1
12:00 PM, MENCS Daytona Clash, FOX
2:00 PM, NASCAR Race Hub: Weekend Edition, FS1
3:00 PM, MENCS Daytona Clash, FOX
5:00 PM, NASCAR RaceDay, FS1
6:00 PM, New Smyrna Modifieds, Fanschoice.tv

   That’s about it for this week from 11 Gardner Drive, Westerly, and R.I.02891. Ring my chimes at 401-596-5467.
E-mail: smithpe_97_97@yahoo.com.

Phil Smith has been a columnist for Speedway Scene and various
other publications for over 3 decades.
 

Source: Phil Smith / Champ Trail
Posted: February 6, 2018

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