“Behind the Checkered Curtain”
December 2, 2003
By Mike Leone

Boarding is underway. Take your seat, hold on, and enjoy the smell of methanol. This ain’t no kiddie ride at the local fair.

Last time I remarked on the successes of weekly full-time racer, Greg Hodnett. The biggest story though of the 2003 central Pa. Sprint Car scene has to be Fred Rahmer. The Salfordville resident was shutout of victory lane (0-for-23) at his home track, Lincoln Speedway. Not only did the driver of the Joe Harz #88H fail to take a checkered flag first, but also his six-year championship reign ended thanks to rival Lance Dewease. Keep in mind, Rahmer owns 122 scores at the track named after President Abe, who delivered his Gettysburg Address just miles from the Pigeon Hills oval.

When you take into account that Rahmer became the first driver in speedway history to score at least 10 wins each year during his six-year championship run, then only you realize the magnitude of his disappointing season. I hate Hard Luck Awards. They’re like hitting someone when they’re already down. Giving Rahmer the Hard Luck Award is like giving it to Steve Kinser the next time he has an off year and doesn’t win the WoO title. Don’t look for the skein to last too far into 2004. Rahmer is still one of today’s most fiercest and intense racers.

Who would have guessed it would be a sprint car that would end Steve Paine’s domination of Black Rock Speedway? No Mike Woodring’s sprint car didn’t beat Paine’s modified in a race, but Saturday night 360 sprint cars has replaced Friday night 358 modifieds in New York’s Finger Lakes Wine Country. Paine’s six straight championships and 67 wins (since 1998) won’t add up in 2004. Now when someone asks you what Fred Rahmer and Steve Paine have in common, you’ll know the answer.

Every sprint car fan, driver, owner, crew member, etc. should be a member of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum in Knoxville, Iowa. I’ve been a member since 1995 (the first year I attended the Knoxville Nationals). Even if you never make it to the HoF&M, the $25 annual membership is well worth it. Your membership helps the HoF&M’s positioning statement, “Promoting the Future by Preserving the Past”.

I finally got to meet HoF&M Executive Director, Tom Schmeh, at Syracuse during the Northeastern 360 Sprint Forum November 23. Schmeh does an excellent job at not only the HoF&M, but also promoting sprint car racing in general. Sprint car racing needs more Tom Schmehs. Do the HoF&M a favor, go to www.sprintcarhof.com and become a member.

Did you know that Dave and Dale Blaney both have 44 career wins on the All Star Circuit of Champions tour? They are tied for fifth all-time with Kevin Huntley. Kenny Jacobs needs three more wins for the magic 100. The Jacobs brothers are both ride-hunting for 2004. With the seat open again in the Denny Ashworth #92, look for one if not both of them to get some time in that ride at some point during 2004.

Looking down through the All Star all-time win list brings back stars of days gone by that are all but forgotten. Frankie Kerr, Rocky Hodges, Bobby Davis, Jr., Joe Gaerte, Fred Linder, Terry Shepherd, Steve Butler, Lee Brewer, Jr., and Rick Ungar all had success with the ASCoC and gave me fond childhood memories, but are heard very little from today.

As a follow up to last time’s soap box on the traction control ad that appeared in Flat Out, I received an e-mail from Bill Woodside, who is the National Advertising Manager for Sprint Car & Midget magazine. Woodside stated, “We were contacted by the traction control folks who wanted to buy ads in our magazine, but decided quickly that it was not in our best interests, or the best interests of sprint car racing to run such an ad. Sadly, others do not see things the same way we do, but we stand by our decision and feel proud of what we do.”

As a sprint car purist, I say thank you to Woodside and Sprint Car & Midget for taking the correct stand. You may remember my November 8 column complimenting the efforts of this periodical and this just confirms my beliefs. I’ll agree that Flat Out has every right to run such an ad, but if you’re like me, it gives you a sour feeling in your stomach.

Speaking of racing magazines, it’s great to see Pennsylvania’s Chub Frank on the cover of Speedway Illustrated. Frank becomes the first short-track dirt racer to make the cover. His “How Dirt Races are Won” story is featured inside the January 2004 issue. Frank is a great inspriational story to any local racer dreaming of making it big.

Dick Berggren has done an excellent job recruiting a talented staff that includes Rob Sneddon, Bones Bourcier, Doug Gore, and Karl Frederickson. It’s nice to see a quality national magazine devote as much space as it does to short track racing. SI’s no-holds-bar, honest, and truth style of writing is a welcome breath of fresh air in a day when many cater to higher ups and those they are trying to impress.

This week’s soap box…I’m so sick of Jesse Jackson and his Rainbow Coalition/diversity crap. Motorsports needs Jackson and his reverse discrimination about as much as California needs another liberal. No one tells a black they can’t enter racing and no one tells a white they can’t play basketball (but the movie “White Men Can’t Jump” is okay?). Tiger Woods is in golf because of his talents, not because of his color and that’s the way it should be in all aspects of life, not just sports. Jackson’s probably trying to figure out he can charge God with discrimination in heaven. Clouds just may be the dust on God’s shoes. In other words, God is bigger than life. Jesse, stay out of things you shouldn’t be trying to control.

Let’s move on. Borger’s Speedway in Saylorsburg, Pa. is still racing weekly featuring micro sprints. They have a race this Sunday (12/7). There’s been weekends in November that have been nicer than some this past miserable summer.

The World of Outlaws will be racing at Parramatta Speedway in Sydney, Australia January 8-10. The WoO once raced in Ciuadad Juárez, Mexico. I’ve been to Ciuadad Juárez and it’s hard to imagine a sprint car race taking place there. This is a city where children roam the streets, teenagers are drinking, old painted school buses rule, and I mean rule, the highways, crime is prevalent, soccer is the national pastime, and I could go on and on. If you think drivers in American cities are bad, you should see Ciuadad Juárez. Ciuadad translates to city for those of you not fluent in Spanish.

Still wondering how many people really have the Outdoor Channel or watch it for that matter. OC signed a three-year agreement with the WoO back in September to televise a minimum 27 races on a tape-delayed basis in 2004. According to the OC, it’s a “national cable network dedicated to providing the best in traditional outdoor programming to America’s sixty million anglers and hunters. The Outdoor Channel is available to nearly sixty million homes in the U.S. through a combination of cable networks and satellite providers. The network recently announced its launch to an international audience, reaching nearly eight million homes in Latin America.” Okay then. Guess it could be worse, like the Oxygen Channel.

Racing withdrawals are setting in for the first time, no races for me since November 15. PRI is calling me.

Remember that Thanksgiving shouldn’t be the only time you are thankful for what you have been blessed with. You think about that. Waiting for your e-mail at mleone@infonline.net.

posted by Deon at 8:00 AM

CHRISTMAS AND 20TH ANNIVERSARY CAUSE FOR DISCOUNT PRICES
SPONSORSHIP SEMINAR SET FOR DAYTONA FEB. 13TH

LANGHORNE, PA November 30, 2003 . . . With Christmas just about here and a 20th anniversary celebration set for January, 2004, Ernie Saxton Communications, Inc. is offering huge discount opportunities for their Daytona Beach sponsorship seminar and new subscriptions to their Motorsports Sponsorship Marketing News.
"I think, like most everyone else, we are into the Christmas spirit. And with the 20th publishing anniversary of our Motorsports Sponsorship Marketing News we are offering some money saving opportunities," said nationally known sponsorship marketing expert Ernie Saxton.
The annual Daytona Beach sponsorship seminar, A to Z of Sponsorship, will be presented on Friday, February 13th at 9 a.m. Those registering in advance, January 2, 2003 deadline, will get quite a bargain. For just $149.95 (plus $6.00 postage and handling) they will received the great sponsorship book Winning Sponsorship written by Andrew Waite, an actual generic sponsorship proposal, a one year subscription to the monthly sponsorship marketing newsletter Motorsports Sponsorship Marketing News and a seat at the three hour sponsorship seminar. That is a package that would normally sell for at least $360. For those who do not care to attend the live seminar a two hour sponsorship seminar video will be included in the package.
The deadline for this exceptional package offer is January 2, 2004. It would certainly make a great Christmas gift.
The seminar is an opportunity for local and regional racers to learn how serious sponsorship can be secured. And there is much to be learned for those on the national circuits. A complete new slide presentation will be part of the seminar.
And to help celebrate the 20th anniversary of the monthly sponsorship marketing newsletter, Motorsports Sponsorship Marketing News, NEW SUBSCRIBERS will be able to receive a one year subscription (normally priced at $89.95) for just $45.00 (U.S. Subscriptions only. Add $12.00 for Canada)
The newsletter offers feature stories by experts in sponsorship marketing, public and media relations and other areas of interest. In addition each month the newsletter offers news on the latest sponsorship deals, helps, tips, contacts and more.
"We often hear from readers who have been successful in their sponsorship efforts because of information and help gained from the newsletter. We are excited to be ready to kick off another 20 years of publishing the newsletter." said Saxton. "The newsletter offers information that is of use to racers in all levels and all forms of motorsports."
Those wanting to take advantage of the 20th Annniversary offers will have to do so by January 2, 2004 and each new subscriber will receive the last three editions at no extra charge while supplies last.
Information may be had and orders placed at 215.752.7797 or 215.752.2392. For complete information on the services and marketing materials offered by Ernie Saxton Communications, Inc. check in at www.saxtonsponsormarket.com.

posted by Deon at 9:22 AM

All Star 2003 Sprint Car Championship to Chad Kemenah for Second Time

CAMARGO, IL – When the curtain fell on the 2003 All Star Circuit of
Champions sprint car series, Chad Kemenah was crowned the series champion
for the second consecutive season. The Findlay, Ohio resident drove the
Harble Motorsports Eagle chassis to five feature wins during the 46 race
season, recording a total of 39 top ten finishes. Kemenah also recorded
seven fast times, eight Haulmark Dash wins, 13 heat race wins and five B
Main checkered flags.

Kemenah’s team, with his brother Brian serving as his crew chief, is
supported by Underground Utilities, Inc., Hyundai, American Augers, Kear’s
Speed Shop, Kistler Engines, Hoosier Tire, Sander, Pro-shocks, Design 500,
Flocon, Banshee Graphics and SSE Helmets.

For the record, Kemenah visited victory lane five times, earning wins at
the new Delta Bowl Speedway in Mississippi, Eldora, Fremont ($10,000/win)
and twice at Attica Raceway Park.

Runner-up in the point standings was the Cajun Sensation, Jason Johnson
in the Harrison Trucking No. 22 wrenched by Shane Wisbon. Johnson’s five
wins came at Volusia Speedway Park, Sharon, Fremont, Portsmouth
($10,000/win) and at 81 Speedway. Johnson, who finished 330 points behind
Kemenah, recorded 26 top ten finishes, set four quick times, won four
dashes, nine heats and two B mains.

Aboard the Ray Pullins No. 29, Wooster, Ohio’s Dean Jacobs finished third
in the standings with three feature wins. He visited victory lane at Jetmore
(KS), Tri-State (IN) and Capital Speedway (MO). With 25 top ten finishes,
Jacobs set two fast times, won three dashes and eight heat races.

Greg Wilson in the Bob Hampshire No. 63 was the fourth place man in
points, with three wins, a pair at Attica and a K-C Raceway win. Wilson
finished in the top ten 24 times, set fast time twice and won two dashes,
six heats and three B Mains. Wilson was the fifth place points finisher in
2002, so he moved up one position in the standings this season.

Ryan Coniam of Burlington, Ontario, Canada was named the 2003
Rookie-Of-The-Year with nine top ten finishes. Coniam campaigned the number
6c owned by Ryan and his father, supermodified legend Warren Coniam.
Coniam’s best performances on the season were three sixth place finishes.

Jeff Shepard, driving for two different teams, won four features at East
Bay, Butler, Delta Bowl ($10,000/win) and Mid-Nebraska and finished sixth in
points with 34 top ten finishes. He also won ten heat races along the way.
His car owner for most of the season was Denny Ashworth, with Shepard
driving the Miller Rigging No. 2 earlier in the season.

Bill Rose was seventh in the points with a season best third place finish
at Butler. The 2002 Rookie-of-the-Year improved his 2002 ninth place in the
final points by two positions.

Next were Barry Ruble and Bruce Robenalt in eighth and ninth. Ruble
qualified for eight A Mains and improved on his 2002 tenth place points
showing. Robenalt, who raced in 11 A Mains, also moved up in the standings
from 11th last season to ninth this year.

Long time All Star campaigner Kelly Kinser finished tenth, winning
features at Fremont and Wayne County Speedway. Kinser logged 18 top ten
finishes.

The season opened with the traditional Florida Speedweek events in
February. Coming home with the biggest paydays were Lance Dewease at Volusia
Speedway Park and Danny Lasoski with $15,000 in the East Bay Nationals.
Other Florida feature winners were Joey Saldana, Johnson, Craig Dollansky
and Shepard.

Wilson was the winner of the Attica Spring Nationals and he won the
preliminary of the Attica Ambush on Labor Day weekend before the Attica
final was rained out, one of ten rainouts on the season.

In Ohio Speedweek action in July, Kemenah won the Speedweek opener at
Attica, with Kinser Monday’s winner at Wayne County. Dale Blaney won the
next two nights at Fremont and K-C, with Jason Johnson taking the final two
Speedweek events at Fremont and Portsmouth. Friday’s Lima event was a
washout, and Blaney was crowned the 2003 Ohio Speedweek Champion.

Terry McCarl captured the Pella Windows Classic, worth $15,000, at
Knoxville Raceway and Dewease captured the Front Row Challenge at Southern
Iowa Speedway. The Thunder through the Plains tour, co-sanctioned with the
NCRA, saw three different winners in three events. Shepard won at
Mid-Nebraska, Johnson at 81 Speedway and Brooke Tatnell at Tulsa Speedway. A
total of 13 events were co-sanctioned with NCRA in 2003.

Kemenah captured the $10,000 September win at Fremont Speedway with
Blaney garnering $12,000 with his Hoosier Fall Classic win at Lawrenceburg
Speedway.

Capturing the first career All Star wins this season were Jason Myers
(Knoxville), Tim Montgomery (Farmington, MO) and Paul May (Benton, MO).
Other feature winners making up the list of 22 different victorious drivers
throughout the season were Joey Saldana (Volusia), Craig Dollansky (East
Bay), Sean Michael (Lincoln), Greg Hodnett (Williams Grove), Tim Shaffer
(Knoxville), Kasey Kahne (Eldora), Kenny Jacobs (Lawrenceburg) and Ed Lynch,
Jr. (Mercer).

Statistically speaking, there were 24 different drivers who set fast time
with seven new track records. Heat race competition saw 83 different
winners, with 16 different Haulmark Dash winners and 30 different B Main
winners. An average of 41 cars were on hand throughout the season. New
tracks visited in 2003 included Delta Bowl (Tunica, MS), Capital Speedway
(Holts Summit, MO), Auto Tire and Parts Racepark (Benton, MO) and Southern
Iowa Speedway (Oskaloosa).

The All Stars were supported this season by presenting sponsor Haulmark
Trailers and Motorcoaches. Other sponsors included Bazell Race Fuels, the
"Official Race Fuel of The All Star Circuit of Champions." Arizona Sports
Shirts was the "Official Merchandise of the All Star Circuit of Champions"
and Sander Engineering was the "Official Racing Wheel of the All Star
Circuit of Champions." Honda East was the "Official 4 Wheel Utility vehicle
of The All Star Circuit of Champions." The other corporate sponsor aboard
this season was Vortex Spray on liner by Autosport.

"Manufacturers Rookie of the Year" Contingency Sponsors were Shank
Motorsports, Hanks Performance Products, Super Shox, Kear’s Speed Shop,
Fisher Performance and Fuel Safe Inc.

Crown Battery of Fremont Ohio was the first heat race sponsor this
season. B&B Oval Track Products from Mentor, OH sponsored heat race number
two throughout the season, with Engler Machine and Tool from Princeton, IN
heat race number three sponsor. TP Wings from Bloomington, IN was the heat
race number four sponsor. United Aluminum Window Sales and Consulting was
the series’ B Main sponsor and the C Main Sponsor was Outerwears Pre-Filters
and Racing Accessories. Huggins Cams sponsored the Fast Time Award at each
event.

All Pro Heads, ATL Fuel Cells, Bailey Racing Products, Benic Enterprises,
Coastal Unilube, Conroy Pneu Control, Donovan Engineering, Eagle Chassis,
Gaerte Engines, Ham Signs, Intercomp Scales, J&J Auto Racing, Kistler
Engines, KSE Racing Products, Maxim Chassis, QA1 Precision Products, Rodeck
Aluminum Blocks, Royal Publishing, Schoenfeld Headers, University of
Northwestern Ohio and Team Simpson Racing make up the list of those who
contributed to the year-end awards as contingency award sponsors. Tire
company support came from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., Competition Tire
West, Race Tire America, American Racer-Dayton Enterprises and Hoosier
Racing Tires.

For more information visit www.allstarsprint.com or call 217-352-9221.

Final 2003 All Star Driver Points: 1. Chad Kemenah, 3971; 2. Jason
Johnson, 3641; 3. Dean Jacobs, 3313; 4. Greg Wilson, 3132; 5. Ryan Coniam,
3118; 6. Jeff Shepard, 3046; 7. Bill Rose, 2917; 8. Barry Ruble, 2117; 9.
Bruce Robenalt, 2069; 10. Kelly Kinser, 1954; 11. Kenny Jacobs, 1935; 12.
Dale Blaney, 1328; 13. Jan Howard, 1013; 14. Byron Reed, 822; 15. Ed
Neumeister, 709; 16. Hud Horton, 523; 17. Rob Chaney, 484; 18. Chad Blonde,
334; 19. Jimmy Hawley, 322; 20. Mark Keegan, 250.
posted by Deon at 9:20 AM

Still not much to talk about

Rick has his site at a new home...check out http://www.sprintcarnews.com
posted by Deon at 8:49 PM