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| JUNE'S
SOUTHWEST REPORT by June Lowitz |
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FALL 2003 |
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2003
has not been a good racing year for me as my "real" job
seemed to interfere with going racing a lot.
I haven't made it to as many races as I wanted to, but I have
made it to some biggies. In
August, I went over to California and my "old home" track
Perris Auto Speedway for the 360 Nationals.
It was a great race and a lot of old friends like Dwight
Cheney, Tom Stansberry and even Rickie Gaunt ran in an Arizona car.
I just didn't like a few of the rules and one of the rules
scared the heck out of me. On
Friday night, the officials did NOT throw the red flag for flips. At least they didn't until the main event.
Now, I'm sorry, but when I spoke to a few of the drivers
about this, they said that's just VRA'S rules.
I asked one driver in particular about this rule and how he
felt about it and he doesn't like it at all.
I suggested going to a board meeting to make the board aware
of how a driver felt and did I have egg in my face when he said he
did just that. The
board just listened to him and then continued on to the next
subject. With the cars
running when a car flips it just takes the safety crew that much
longer to get to a driver. What
happens when those few seconds can mean the difference between
living and dying? Another
thing, this was after the race was over and done with, in talking to
the Arizona drivers that pulled over there, unless VRA can come up
with some tow money, most of the 360 drivers don't feel that it is
worth it to make the trip. One
driver I spoke with said he got a check for $25.00 for two nights of
racing. Now, this
driver wasn't fortunate enough to make the main event and of course
he wasn't expecting a big check, but like he told me, at least
running here at Manzanita, he gets $125 for coming in the back gate
and taking a green flag lap. And
he doesn't have to pay for the gas or motel room or extra food.
It was good to see Eric Wilkins, Jeff Henry, Bernie Smith,
Bruce St. J ames and Tony Smiley tow over.
I was in the pits with an old friend Dwight Cheney and was
able to get my "hands dirty" and watched Dwight finish a
career best on Friday night by taking third place. I'd just like to see these tracks get together and run a true
Nationals where we could get cars from Northern California, Arizona,
Nevada and from other western states.
Maybe run one weekend at Perris and then run one weekend at
Manzanita Speedway. I
would really enjoy that. Maybe
the powers that be can get together and schedule this.
I can only imagine the cars and drivers that something like
that would draw in. I'd
be first in line to get my tickets that's for sure. The
next race I made recently was the SCRA race at Manzanita on
9/28/2003. That race
was the best race I've seen at Manzanita this year.
You held your breath on every lap wondering who was going to
have the lead at the start finish line.
Between Mike Kirby, Richard Griffin, Troy Rutherford and
Charles Davis, Jr, I can only say WOW WHAT A RACE!!!!
Special congratualtions have to go out to Charles Davis, Jr
on his first, but I'm sure not his last, SCRA Main Event win.
Charles was so happy, you could see his smile clear down in
turn one where I sit. I
think what impressed me the most was the fact that Charles made sure
his Mother got down into Victory Lane to be in the pictures with
him. I'm sure it was a
night to remember for the entire Davis family and I want to
congratulate them again on a job well done.
It wasn't an easy win for Charlie, he worked hard for it.
He earned it. The
most recent race I went to was 10/4/2003 for the ASCA Sprints, Az
Midgets and Mini Sprints. I
have to take the time to thank my friends Colleen and Mike and Jeff
and Cindy Henry for wishing me a Happy Birthday as I was celebrating
my birthday a few days late, where else but at Manzanita Speedway.
The track was perfect once it was packed in.
Everyone seems to have championship fever on their minds
because I saw some hard, fast racing go on.
From the trophy dash to the main event, it was some hard
racing. Jeremy
"The Sherminator" Sherman won the trophy dash over Jay
Ervine, Bob Ream, Jr and RJ Johnson.
Heat races were won by Ricky Johnson, Nathan High, Joey
Moriarity and Matthew Rossi. The
Semi-Main was won by "The Sherminator" and then came Main
Event time. Rookie
Willie Grombach lead the first three laps and then the lead was
taken over by Matthew Rossi. Rossi
held the lead until lap 7 when Mike Martin took over.
Martin held the lead until lap 15 when Jeremy Sherman took
over and took the race home to the checkered flag.
There was a lot of action also.
I liked the fact that there was some racing going on.
Jeremy started 15th and by lap three was up to 8th place. Jeremy just charged up through the pack showing all of the
talent he really has. After
the race, Jeremy was crowded around by his fans, so I went around
the pits to say hi to some other racers.
I finally found and met Bernie Henry and Sean Brown.
Both who welcomed me to their pit area.
I enjoyed talking with them not only about their experience
going over to Perris for the Nationals but talking about the race
just run. Saturday
night I have to say was the best I've ever seen Bernie Henry look in
a sprint car. Bernie seemed so much smoother than he has before.
I don't know if he got whatever bugs he had in the car worked
out or what, but he really looked good.
It was just a bummer that he didn't make the main.
He had some sort of trouble in the Semi and was unable to
finish. Jeff Henry is
another driver I was able to talk to.
He was driving sick as he had some sort of flu bug or cold
that had him down. He
still made the effort and was looking good until he got tangled up
with Joey Moriarity. Joey
seemed to have cut a tire right in front of Jeff Henry, Jeff went
high and so did Joey's car. Jeff
had an earlier spin when he landed on top of another car so with
ASCA's two stop rule, he was not allowed to finish the main.
He still finished 11th, but I"m sure he would have done
better if he could have continued.
I finally made it over to see my buddy Bob Ream, Jr.
Now Bob Ream has been a real help to me in introducing me to
other ASCA people, and making sure I had schedule information and
other pertinent information that I have needed.
Bob was sure looking good Saturday night, finishing 5th.
I had to complement him on his drive.
I got to know his wife Evonne at the SCRA race and I have to
say a special HI to her. Just
wait for Halloween. I
wonder if Bob will take me up on the dare I gave him.
Remember Bob, I said I would do the dare too....
You'll have to either go to Manzanita on Halloween night or
wait for the next column to find out what the dare was and if Bob
Ream went through with it. The
next race I'm planning on going to is the season finale for the ASCA
Sprints and final points race on October 18, 2003.
Who will be crowned the next champion?
Will it be Ricky Johnson?
Josh Pelkey? Only
time will tell, but I'm sure it will be one exciting race to see.
Don't
forget about the Western World Championships at the end of the month
here. They are the same
weekend as the NASCAR race so be sure to book your hotel/motel room
as soon as possible as I know the town does get very crowded.
If you need any help, please email me and I'll be happy to
assist you. My email
addy is ASCAJune@aol.com. |
