Well, wouldn’t ya know the season’s over and just like that… we all have a life outside of racing on the weekends – well, for a little while at least. So much to get into so let’s giddy up for the last time in 2007.
The Finale was a lil’ different for me this year as I had my own lil’ sidekick hangin’ out with me for the weekend. My main man Preston – who just turned 7 years old on Thursday. He’d actually came down from New Hampshire with his mom Barbara last weekend to check out the races at the ‘bowl… and wouldn’t ya know they had such a good time, they came back down again for the big 2-day Finale.
So after my pit-hawkin’ routine Saturday, I took my man on the VIP tour through the pits to see the cars n’ drivers up close and personal. As we made our way through the Mod pits, we saw Ken Cassidy Jr’s #11 lined up – a car Preston remembered from the week prior, and even had flames on his sunglasses just like Kenny ride – so I gave him the airplane ride through Kenny’s passenger window for a high five and a ‘good luck’ before he went out on the track. Preston thought that was just the coolest thing ever so later when we saw Mark Bakaj’s #52 Legend Car lined up, we did the same thing. Just like that, he had 2 favorite drivers in 2 divisions. Then we made it over to Wendell Dailey’s #66, where Wendell let him get right in the ol’ groundpounder’s cockpit. Of course, now that was the coolest thing ever. My man was chillin’… continued to sit in cars left and right, gettin’ his picture taken like a rockstar afterwards inside Bruce’s #35 LM, Tommy Fox’s #47 SK and Kenny Jr’s #11 MS. Then I threw him up on my shoulders for the top tier view and he got autographs from Dennis Gada, Kathy & Soup Civardi, Dwayne Dorr and Phil Evans… then later he met Chris Correll, Rick Charette, Max Zachem, the Bakaj Bros and Joe Godbout. It was just alot of fun. Preston had the perma-smile workin’ like a champ the rest of the weekend. You guys rock!! Always cool to see young kids hangin’ with the drivers.
That’s what racing is about – at least it should be as I see it. Our own little world where everyday people become superstars and we’re all fascinated by their talents on the track. There wasn’t much difference between my day with Preston then my days as a kid w/ ‘chard walkin’ ’round Thompson, Westboro or Riverside Park with Brooksie. Anyway – you guys made my man’s weekend, so I just wanted to say THANKS!! It’s one of the great vibe’s I love at the Speedbowl and it was perfect way to start the weekend.
Since I was givin’ Preston the VIP tour, I didn’t see much of practice or qualifying. Sat features were pretty entertaining though. Mark Bakaj won the feature and Michael Gervais Jr clinced his first track title winning the Saturday Legend Car Championship Congrats to the #31 team. Tayla Orleans won her 2nd career Allison Legacy feature at the ‘bowl in action packed feature – side by side at the checkereds over another female driver (whose name I forgot my bad). Andy Lindenman won the ARTS feature and crafty veteran Jeff Zuidema took the Pro-4 Modified event. The Wed gang made their annual special appearance and guess who won the X-Mod event?? Bubby Brouwer – still can’t believe it myself, I know Jon Porter (SX) and Brad Voglesong (X) took the X Car events, while Tracy Moran took the SX-car Women On Wheels feature while Lisa Voglesong made a last lap pace of Kathy Civardi to take the WOW X-car event – not a bad finish to a 4-car race. I was rappin’ with Dennis Gada about that last race at the pit party, to which he said “all’s ya need is something to watch” Well said… He’d contribute to that theory a later in the day, but I’ll get to that in a min…
Speaking of the pit party – can ya believe I actually made it there before they made the announcement to clear the track. I was 2-3 years strong on that note, but a desperate need to unload some Vault Report back issues got my up early enough to set up shop before the gates opened. I gotta tell ya, there was some cool things goin’ on at the pit party this time ’round. Larry Goss raffled off a boy’s and a girl’s bike to 2 lucky winners, Bruce Thomas Jr was givin’ away stuffed animals like it was his job, lots of candy and autographed pics and all kinds of neat stuff for the kids. It was a good time. And, I unloaded some VR’s too, so that was cool too…
Of course, when Barbara & Preston made it back to the track Sunday morning, first thing lil’ man says to me is: “Can you put me on your shoulders and walk around again” Although I told him I couldn’t cuz I was workin during the pit party, sap that I am, I had to make it up to him. So I got Roth’s go-ahead to make him my Special Presenter for the Most Popular Driver Award presentation right before the National Anthem. Threw homeboy right back up on my shoulders where he couldn’t wait to chill out again and had him hand the drivers their plaques and shake their hand before we got our picture taken with them. For those who didn’t make it early enough, the winners for 2007 were:
Tommy Fox SK Modifieds
Bruce Thomas Jr Late Models
Dwayne Dorr Sportsman
Randy Churchill Jr Mini Stocks
Max Zachem Legend Cars
Side Nuggets include Bruce Jr being the Overall Highest Vote Getter and Randy Jr beating Kenny Jr by 6 votes and Phil Evans by 12 in the closest battle of the 5 divisions. Big Ups to Matt & Gary for MC’ing the short ceremony and to Shawn Monahan who whipped up the plaques for me with only a couple days notice over at Critical Signs. Yup… SP didn’t have the end of the season he was looking for on the track, but he didn’t let his issues lately with the ‘bowl brass interfere with hookin’ me up with some kick hardware for my Most Popular Driver Award ceremony. Deep down, I believe Shawn’s a good dude… maybe easier for me to say cuz I don’t drive against him, but nevertheless he was a big help and it was definitely appreciated
Then Heidi came out and belted out the National Anthem. Homegirl’s got some pipes I tell ya. When it’s done right, to me, the Star Spangled Banner is one of the most beautiful songs (and without sports, you’d probably never hear it). It was a continuing good vibe for what was shapin’ out to be a great weekend. Now’s all I wanted was some serious feature racing.
NEMA Midgets started off the show and yeah, I know, I forgot the NEMA roster in the program No one’s more pissed about that then me – especially cuz I needed it myself to know what was goin’ on. Randy Cabral won the 25 lapper. NEMA stuff in The Vault is still in the works, but I believe Randy’s the all-time NEMA winner in Speedbowl history. Ben Seitz was a-comin’ but tangled with (insert dude here) and ended up flippin’ on his side into turn 1. He wasn’t hurt, but took off for the culpret down the infield grass once out of his car. NEMA officials caught him before chaos, but nevertheless, I love the mild-meltdowns.
Late Model 100 was next. Larry Goss had the lead early, but Bruce Jr chased ’em down, took the lead and remained out front to capture feature win #12 on the season – 3rd most in a season throughout the division’s history. Bruce & the boys truly had an incredible season. They took alot of heat early for what was under their hood – changed it to a crate motor on their own and continued to go out each week with the car to beat. It’s truly one of the finest single LM Speedbowl seasons Congrats to Bruce, Nate & the boys!!
I think 19 cars took the green – not too bad considering there were weeks when there was only half that amount. Our boy Curioso Joe returned in the #38 machine. Rich Duranti had 2 cars out there. Timmy ran strong and was in 2nd til he lost it in turn 2 with about 5 to go. Suprise of the race was the #78 ACT car of Ryan Nolan (slick lookin’ ride by the way). Word was he was a teenager from up north with ACT Tour experience. I believe he pitted at some point early in the feature. Seemed to make the right adjustment or sumptin, cuz homeboy came back out n’ went through the pack like he was all bit-ness. Even restarted outside of Junior after Timmy’s spin. Bruce was too strong to overtake though and he finished in the runner up spot, but it was an impressive performance for what I believe was his first time at the track.
Sportsman were next. Drama of the event was early, but of course I was in the beerline and didn’t see it (what’s else is new, I know – zip it!!). When I returned, Dwayne Dorr and Moose Douton were both being sent to the rear for spinning the leader – Jimmy Pro-C I believe?? I dunno, sumptin’ like that. Does seem kinda odd for two guys to be sent to the back for spinnin’ the leader. Most around the Family Section thought it was just a racin’ deal, but I didn’t see it so Moose was not happy though, I can tell ya that – and neither was Dorr. I think Moose parked it afterward, but I could be wrong. He was doin’ a lil’ all over the track before they went green again. It was wierd Dwayne was later collected in a wreck on the frontstretch and went spinning hard into the turn 1 wall. Stone Cold checked out early n’ often and took home the 50-lapper. Al III had a great season. 3 wins and the only serious threat to DD’s title defense this year. Dwayne of course clinched title #2. He’s hinted he might not return for a full season next year – guess we’ll see…
SK’s next and this one was a frick-in’ doozy, lemme tell ya. The Mooch Frankie Jr was in command early with the #98. Checked out to some decent leads early – even beat JP on the outside during 1 restart Then at one point, can’t remember if it was on a restart or what, but it sure looked like Mooch turned hard right into Rocco’s #57 coming out of turn 4. I don’t remember much except the crafty veteran Don Fowler now had the lead in the #26. Donny was still searchin’ for his first win of the year and was holdin’ off a hard chargin’, and obviously determined, Dennis Gada on the outside. Just when it looked like the guy-with-the-most-laps-around-the-joint-than-any-other-currently-active-driver was gonna take down the win, dude broke a sway bar with less than 10 to go. Tough break for the #26 team after a strong run up front all day. It also meant Dennis to the lead, although Donny hung tough in 2nd the rest of the way
Meanwhile, point leader Rob Janovic Jr made a late resurgent and was right behind Fowler in 3rd. Rob’s lead in the standings was never in jeopardy during the race, although the first part of the feature, he was 5 or 6 spots behind Dennis on the track. A few too far apart for the Vojan crew I’m sure. But the 5-1 got better as the race went along and finished 3rd to clinch his first ever Speedbowl Track Championship. Ya know, it was funny… maybe 20 or so times prior to this race, people asked me “so Sid, who’s gonna win the SK title”
Well – for starters: If that’s the question of the day around the track during Finale weekend, then you know it’s been a good season. But what struck me was that almost everyone (including myself) had the same answer: Rob & Dennis are both good dudes, so I’d be happy for either of them. Ironic as these 2 sure shared some not-so-subtle about the championship battle during post race interviews in the weeks leading up – and for the record, Dennis & Rob shook hands and hugged it out afterwards which was good to see As I said on the Danko-Show, if ya wanna be the best, ya gotta beat the best – and indeed that’s what Rob did this season… Like he said after the race in his Buckler interview “with all due respect to Dennis, there’s a new sherriff in town…” Cograts to Rob, Greg, John and all the Vojan gang These cats really do alot both on, around and outside the track for the Speedbowl – it’s always good to see die-hard supporters take home the hardware!
Couple of SK’s notes: Tommy Fox had to do a motor swap Sat, then had continuing issues Sunday and was unable to take the green. Eddie Reed made a cameo in a #24 car – Donny Fowler’s I believe, and was actually runnin’ in the top 5 when he tangled with the #28 of Brandon Hansen in turn 2. Diego Monahan made the last MFR SK appearance will probably see in a while and finished 4th while JP, who couldn’t cash in on the Triple Crown sweep, ran strong and brought home a Top 5.
So then the Mini Stocks to wrap up the season with the closest of all point battles. Kenny Jr ahead of Danny Boy by 12 points. Joey Trips chillin’ 30-something back with the slighest of title hopes still alive. In fact, they ran up front most of the day with each other. Kyle James in the #21 – still running strong since his first career win a couple weeks back – was runnin’ with them and even took the lead for a while. The second half of the race featured Kenny & Joe in a classic side by side battle for the lead. Danny Boy lurkin’ behind right on their bumpers. If only they were all tied for the point lead, huh?? Didn’t matter though – it was a hell of a race. I don’t believe the #11 & #37 touched once. They had to have gone around side-by-side for 15 laps at least, if not more. Eventually, Godbout faded, as Kenny cleared and Danny got by Joe for 2nd when the checkereds flew. Tremendous…. Tra- mendous race… God I love the Mini Stocks!! Congrats to my man Kenny & the 11 crew on a great season. In fact, Kenny, Joey Trips, Phil, Danny and Randy Jr were clearly the class of the field this year and raced each other pretty clean for the most part all season. Bellisle & James got stronger as the year went on too. Still miss my man ‘chard, but these guys kept the Mini’s rockin’
So with the season a wrap on the track, I gotta say – the action this year was top-notch. Car count issues surrounded all divisions – and some worse than others – but the guys that were out there put on a show. I don’t think there was a single week where at least one (and most weeks it was 2 or 3) division put on a tremendous battle for the lead late in the race.
Also wanna give shout out to Ronnie Silk and the boys for takin’ down their first career WMT win up at Thompson
By the way I’m kickin’ all your in the Pick Ems with only Stafford’s Fall Finale left How ya like them apples Oh, do I pitty you poor people if I hold on for the title through the offseason Yappity – yap – yap… I can see myself typin’ the trash talk now check me out I’ve started already
“And every day I write the book down line by line… I’m feeling good when I do it like this.. so come on and turn it up because you can’t resist” The Scoop – Beastie Boys (1994)
RANDOM NUGGET AWARDS
So it’s time to review some nuggets from the ’07 season, don’t ya think?? One thing over the season we yapped about here in Forumland was some goofy symbolic parallel’s with the reality show Survivor and our beloved Bowl’s season. So with that in mind, consider this the part towards the end of Survivor’s season when the finalists take journey to reflect about their former competitors before the season’s last challenge:
WICKED WRECKS
- NEMA barrell roll on opening weekend.
- Gertsch & Bavalocco during an very early season heat race wreck
- Wendell’s horrific crash into the frontstretch wall.
- *Pete Pernisiglio’s tumble during a mid-season NEMA qualifying heat
- *Hovey & Lamb junked into the backstretch wall
- The Big One in the Mini’s up in turns 3 & 4
- *Curioso Joe’s thud around the same spot on the track
- Brit Anderson’s shot near, I think, the same spot again
- Macrino’s make-out session with the frontstretch wall that ended his season
* = ones I missed while waiting in the line
SWEET MOVES
- JP on a front row restart (Finale not included )
- Billy Gertsch Jr passing Dwayne & Jimmy Pro-C outta turn 4 to the checkereds
- Danny Boy dartin’ between Churchill & Bellilse outta turn 4 to the checkereds
- Eddie shovin’ it underneath Goss & Ernie for the lead goin’ into turn 1
MEMORABLE MELTDOWNS
- Larry Goss after Eddie’s aforementioned move above
- Eddie junkin’ Bruce after the checkereds
- Dorr & Gertsch camps yappin’ early in the season
- Horton & Charette mid-season shananigans
- Fox & Shawn post-race bumper cars
- SP/JP Jr late season saga
- Anderson/Duranti dilema
- Moose’s odd performance during the Finale
OFFICIAL-LY ANNOYED
- Jimmy Blewett being sent to the butt during the Bud Nats 150
- Camaro-gate
- Allowing an aggrevated Goss to chase Timmy around the track at high speed under caution
- Michael Gervais Jr stripped of his INEX Nationals qualifier win
- Procaccini awarded win dispite technical “penalty“…
- …not to mention the whole No-DQ theory…
- Track employees allowed to compete in point divisions
- Declaring Dwayne Sportsman Champ with only 48 (not 50) point lead going into final race
BUMMERS
- Ronnie U unable to grab a LM win in his 2nd half gig behind the Sangermano #90
- Ernie Bertrand unable to grab a feature win
- Billy Gertsch Jr’s mid-season departure from the Sportsman division
- Doug Coby’s mid-season departure from the SK division
- No Big Ball #65 Mini… or SK
HALLMARK MOMENTS :wiggle:
- Danny Field winning on his 50th birthday
- Jack Aquilina winning on his 17th wedding anniversary
- Our Boy Lajoie & Josh Galvin’s first ever Sportsman win
- Randy Churchill Jr & Kyle James’ first ever Mini Stock win
- Eddie Reed’s return to Late Model victory lane
- Tommy Fox’s SK win after a mid-season leg injury
- Debra Jordan’s seldom but still smilin’ appearances at the track (including Finale weekend) this season~
FAMILY SECTION ISSUES
- People yappin’ when we’re about to go green
- … or even worse still standing
- Jerks with their hats on during the National Anthem
- The Bad Seed himself – Chris Burton
- Rose Pasteryak yappin’ ’bout the Red Sox
- Big Joe’s Vault Report sales performance (or lack thereof)
- ‘chard’s sister Diane forgettin’ to bring Chocolate
- Paul the Speedbowl Guy gettin’ wise about my beverage selections
- Mama Darling touchin’ said
VAULT REPORT GLITCHES
or
THE DIANE PEARL LIST OF GREVIANCES
- Screwing up the JP’s
- Forgettin’ to hit “sort” after I update point standings
- Leavin’ some DID YOU KNOWS blank
- Forgettin’ the NEMA roster
- Spellin’ names wrong – most embarrassing of which was that of John Blewett III in the edition after the tragedy at TIS. Mom always said it’s the thought that counts, but nevertheless, that one sticks in my craw I used to kill the program staff back in the day for all the miscues I’d find over the years – if anything this year, I learned it’s not that easy. These were just a select few that still bother me the most, so I threw myself a taste of my own medicine and to see how I’d like it before you did
I usually have a theme for my annual awards, but this year I can’t find a common ground so I’ll take a page from the Vault Report’s centerspread and this year give ya:
Sid’s 2007 Random Thoughts Awards:
BEST RACE TEAM SLOGAN
FOX MOTORSPORTS – “Run Your Car, Not Your Mouth”
BEST ON-GOING FAMILY SECTION JOKE
“The Program Sucks”
FUNNIEST TERM FOR THE PROGRAM GUY
Paper Boy
FUNNIEST TERM FOR MY BACK PACK
Purse
“It’s not a purse… it’s European!!”
FUNNIEST TERM FOR A SLOW CAR
Terd
FUNNIEST TERM FOR A FAST CAR
Stupid
BEST FIGURE 8 TECHINIQUE BY AN HONORARY STARTER
BEST JP.COM CAUGHT ON TAPE MOMENT
Brian losin’ his mind (finally!) as JP crosses the stripe first in the SK 150
BEST JP.COM SCREENNAME
Slapnuts
(Like Paul T so eloquently put – just rolls off the ol’ tongue)
FUNNIEST JP.COM PROFILE CAPTION
Ed Reed Jr – Has Been Driver
MOST OUT-DATED JP.COM PROFILE CAPTION
TraxnCtrl10 – Pick ‘Em Guru
FUNNIEST PICK ‘EM ENTRY
Napalmnate – Foster… Australian for Beer
BEST ARIAL VIEW SEATING
Critical Signs & Graphics
“I’m so glad that I know more than I knew then… gonna keep on tryin’… ’til I reach my highest ground” Higher Ground – Stevie Wonder (1973)
For me, I had a blast this year. Yeah we had some tense moments with the property situation, but wadda ya know – the season’s over, with the upcoming ones in no forseeable jeopardy and all’s we lost was a section of the parking lot Not too shabby as I see it.
And yeah – the officiating took a beatin’ worse than I can remember. There’s a ton of issues – most of which involve things race teams know more about than I do. All’s I can say is get involved. This season was what it was – don’t approach 2008 as the same ol’, same ol’. Make a difference… Make the track better… the off-season is the perfect time for race teams and officials to get together and make the track better on the competitive side. While issues are still fresh in our minds, and the time and $$ that will go into next season hasn’t begun yet. You can sit and complain or ya can get off your and do sumptin’ positive – so get to steppin’ suckas
I believe at the beginning of the year, I said in some post somewhere that 40 peeps to the ‘bowl was the goal this year. Well… I didn’t get 40 different people, but if you count return trips from people who made their first appearance earlier in the season, then it’s over 50!! So that’s pretty schweet.
I’d be remissed if I didn’t give a shout out to everyone who was givin’ me thanks for all I do over the last 2 days… I gotta tell ya, the accolades make me uncomfortable. I just like havin’ fun – and at the ‘bowl, I have a blast most weeks. If that’s contagious, so be it – and I’m glad that’s the case, but thanks is not necessary. We’re all in this together – can’t spend too much time with the atta-boys, there’s alot of things that need attention still… work ain’t done yet.
Plus – it’s not like I do any one of my crazy ideas alone. For starters, there’s no way I could have done alot of it without the help of Keith Cyr. Everything from weekly pics in the program to helpin’ out with the Most Popular Driver Award plaques… quite simply, he was the best. Tireless and always helpful Thanks for everything Dawg!! Heidi was great too – takin’ care of things while I had my 1 week off and makin’ me laugh when I started to stress a bit. Also have to give a shout out to Brad & Lisa Voglesong (who, by the way, join Kathy & Soup as Husband & Wife Track Champions with Brad’s X-car title this year) – anyway, the Wed crew had a Final issue for their Awards party because Lisa & Brad offered to hawk them for me cuz I couldn’t make the gig myself.
Of course, my girl Jessica was the superstar hawker of the Saturday season. I’m sure you bought a program from her during the season. She was in charge of the bleachers while I roamed the pits and she helped score 4 sellouts in the last 7 weeks. It was more like I worked for her. She sure did give me static if I didn’t get to the track by 3pm – and enforced a strict 2 beer limit after I punched out at 5pm. She did a great job all year. Many people have asked about a Year In Review edition. Still undecided, but there might be one for banquet attendees… nothin’ official though – workin’ on it, workin’ on it…
And of course, the coolest part of the Vault Report was havin’ a reason to roam the pits and say hi to everyone before each week’s show. Made a ton of new friends – most of which helped contribute to any idea I came up with – Vault Stuff, LL Night, Preston’s VIP tour or even a lil’ collaboration b/w Sid & Frog Pond you’ll be hearin’ more about soon… Always amazing how willing drivers & crews are to give back to their fans at any tim… just alotta fun every week.
Last thing for you to chew on (then I’m done, I swear) is props to my peeps here at JP.com. I’m only stating the obvious when I say this is the hub for not only JP’s Fox Hill Racing team, but tracks vibe during the Speedbowl seasons too. It cracks me up when people dismiss forums, lump them all together with the guilty pleasure forums that no longer exist. I don’t like that comparison. Too dismissive of all the great ideas, honest emotions and comical trash talk out here. Make each other laugh, gets some different perspectives, and more times than not, we all find a common ground to remain civil with each other at the very least. That’s a credit to the unenviable task of webmaster/forum monitors who keep the nonsense to a minimum. Not that I’ve received my first ever JP 71 shirt yet – but whateva… we can talk about that later. Just givin’ my favorite site it’s props!!
Anyway – lots of Vault stuff coming this off-season so stay tuned. Also have a couple Speedway Line Report cameos comin’ up still too so be sure to check out Gary’s show out – I think he airs until November.
Congratulations to all the 2007 CHAMPS!
Michael Gervais Jr
Ken Cassidy Jr
Dwayne Dorr
Bruce Thomas Jr
Rob Janovic Jr
I’m sorry, who’s leading the pick ’ems??
Uh huh, get used to it…
See ya at the World Series
Sid