DRIVER SEVERELY BURNED - (7-1-09 @ 7:30 am) - FACT - Last Friday night, a horrible accident occurred to a micro midget driver that is inexcusable.  The Kearney, NE man (Tony Linner) was driving his micro midget when the accident occurred at Kam Raceway in Hastings, Nebraska.  After the accident was complete, Linner took off his helmet but shortly there after, the punctured tail tank caught fire and erupted in flames.  His gloves melted to the seat belt latch leaving the driver stuck in the burning car for 5 minutes.  There was no safety crew, no fire extinguishers available, and no help for this driver.  Linner struggled to free himself.  One driver (Kevin Hulse, former Nebraska sprint car driver) ran to his aid to try to do something but was unable to free the driver.  Linner finally broke free and got out of the car and rolled around on the ground to smother the flames.  He was taken to the hospital and now is fighting for his life in the burn unit in Lincoln, NE with burns over 90% of his body.  This is a terrible accident with a terrible ending and could have been avoided with a proper equipped safety crew.  It is terrible that there was no safety crew, let alone no fire extinguishers available.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tony Linner and family.  Read the Kearney Hub story HERE.

    I guess this is proof that the purpose of Doug Wolfgang's law suit has failed yet again.

 

COORS LIGHT GANG - (7-1-09 @ 7:30 am) - FACT -  First there was the Beer Hill Gang and now there is the Coors Light Gang.  A group of fans got together and started raising money to keep sprint car veteran Danny Smith on the road.  The gang will be having a fish fry at K-C Raceway on July 3rd to support Danny Smith's racing career.  Also, the group will be selling Coors Light items with the proceeds going to Danny Smith.  Also, they are looking to get t-shirts designed but need help with the funding for that.  Sponsors are needed for the t-shirts so all of the money made from the t-shirts can go directly to Danny Smith Racing.  If interested, please contact Jon Bee @ 740-703-1480.  Let's do everything we can to keep Danny on the road.

 

TIGE ON TV - (7-1-09 @ 7:30 am) - FACT - Local sprint car driver Tige Jensen is on television right now doing advertising for the Lancaster County Blood Bank.  Tige was severely injured in a sprint car accident a few years ago and needed blood to save his life.  Since then, he has become a spokesman for the organization to raise awareness for the need of blood in all communities.  Currently, the ad show Tige in race coverage, some still shots of the car, and him in his uniform.  For being an amateur actor, the commercial turned out pretty good.

 

SILVER CUP TWIN 30's - (7-1-09 @ 7:30 am) - FACT - When the WoO come to town to take on the talented locals, the Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup will have a little twist to it.  The event will have twin 30 lap feature events. 

    Already the biggest single-day event on the World of Outlaws annual schedule, the Cleveland Brothers CAT Don Martin Memorial Silver Cup XVIII will add a new and dynamic wrinkle for 2009.  Instead of one 30-lap feature to crown a $30,000 Silver Cup Champion, the Silver Cup will feature Twin 30-lap features, each paying $15,000 to win. 

    The first 30-lap feature will carry the standard World of Outlaws qualifying/line-up procedures.  The second 30-lap feature will also pay $15,000-to-win, but will be lined up by an inversion of the lead lap cars from the finishing order of the first feature.  **Most of this info was copy and pasted from the press release sent out by Eric Westendorf, Lernerville Speedway's PR director.

 

TITAN FOR SALE - (6-25-09 @ 9:30 pm) - RUMOR - After reading about this on an internet message board, I started to check it out with a few of my Australian sources and it appears that there is more to this story than just a rumor.  You can read the Hoseheads message board post by clicking HERE.  I'm hearing that Barry Waldron of East Coast Pipeline may be the front runner in buying this team from Kruck.  Waldron was the one that brought Steve Kinser to Australia last winter.  Others thought to be in the hunt is a land developer (Dan Morton) or the Wanless family.  All have had some involvement in sprint car racing in Australia and or the USA.  Some say this is a done deal while some say it is still a developing story.  Regardless, when Mr. Kruck started this team in the USA he stated that he was expecting to win a WoO championship with Daryn Pittman and that didn't happen.  Pittman was replaced by Brooke Tatnell and the team has been struggling to say the least.  The team has one feature win in 2009 and that was a regular night show in Attica Speedway in Attica, OH.  Is Kerry "Madman" Madsen the new owners first choice as the teams pilot....that is what I'm hearing.  Also, Nick Speed will be the crew chief.  I will try to get more concrete info and post here.  UPDATE #1 - (6-30-09 @ 12:30 am) - FACT - Titan is for sale.  In a message board post by Brooke Tatnell's wife, she admits that the #21 race team is for sale but the rest of the rumors are pure speculation.  I'm hearing a little bit of everything on this one from Madsen driving to Tatnell staying with the team.  I'm hearing that this team will stay on the road until the money runs out or until a buyer for this team is found.  Kruck is done putting money into the team.  UPDATE #2 - (7-1-09 @ 7:30 am) - FACT - The TITAN team is definitely for sale.  In a article posted on Australian web site Sprint Car World, Reeve Kruck stated that the Titan team is for sale because it isn't fun any longer.  He stated racing in America and with the WoO isn't fun and when something isn't fun any longer, it is time to get out.  That is what he is planning on doing.  Kruck stated that there are some interested buyers but never revealed as to who they may be.  We will see.

 

NEBRASKA IS SPRINT CARS...NEXT WEEK - (6-25-09 @ 9:30 pm) - FACT - We, here in Nebraska, can't say this very often but we can say it for next week....there is tons of sprint car action in the state of Nebraska next week.  The action starts on Thursday when the ASCS Midwest series makes another stop at I-80 Speedway.  The owners of I-80 have upped the anne and made it $2,000 to win the feature the the possibility of a fan winning $1,000 if that fan can choose the winners of all three feature events that take place that evening.    The next stop happens on Friday at Junction Motor Speedway in McCool Junction, NE for the ASCS Midwest series.  That fast track will have two support classes but the main draw will be the ASCS series with Brian Brown being the favorite at both tracks.  Saturday night, all action occurs at Eagle Raceway for the Eagle Nationals.  The World of Outlaws make their only visit to the Cornhusker state with the support class being the Budweiser 360 sprint cars and the IMCA modifieds.  Three great nights of racing withing 50 miles of Lincoln, Nebraska. 

 

KEMENAH IS POSSE - (6-25-09 @ 9:30 pm) - FACT - Chad Kemenah will be parking his Hampshire #63 to jump aboard the Charlie and Dawn Sorokach #35 sprint car for the PA Speedweeks.  Chad will be missing the opening night of the speedweek due to prior commitments but will be in the #35 car for the second round of the event.  This is only for PA Speedweek but the team will re-evaluate everything afterwards and decide what to do at that time.  Reading between the lines.....Chad is auditioning for a ride. 

 

NASCAR INVADES SHARON - (6-23-09 @ 1:15 am) - FACT - Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, and Dave Blaney will all be behind the wheel of a 410 sprint car on July 7 for the running of the Lou Blaney Memorial Classic sprint car race.  Stewart will have his Old Spice car and Kahne will have his Budweiser machine at the track for the event.

 

HE'S BACK....MAYBE! - (5-8-09 @ 9:00 am) - RUMOR - Well, this rumor is coming back for 2009.  I have been told to expect to see Garry Brazier back in the United States.  The rumor states that Brazier will start is USA campaign when the WoO stop by Knoxville Raceway on June 27, 2009.  Now remember, the 2008 version of this rumor was that Brazier was suppose to run a very aggressive 60-65 race season and have the car housed out of Gary Stanton's race shop....that never happened.  It would be great to see Garry Brazier back on the USA turf because the guy can drive.  Stay tuned for more info if it happens.  UPDATE #1 - (6-2-09 @ 8:30 pm) - STRONG RUMOR -  I'm hearing that the A1 J&J is packed in a container and is heading to the US. Once over here, the team will build two more J&J rollers.  Garry is hoping to make the Knoxville June 20th show for a shake down run, if not the first meeting will be the following weekend June 27th at Knoxville (WoO).  The team is planning on hitting the trail with the WOO boys from the June 27th event @ Knoxville and running with the Outlaws until the Nationals.  The team may also spend an extended period in Pennsylvania taking on the PA Posse.  UPDATE #2 - (6-15-09 @ 8:15 am) - FACT -  Garry Brazier is definately coming to the US to try his hand against the best we have to offer in sprint car racing.  Brazier flew out of Australia last Thursday for the US.  Recently, there was a ceremony at the Australian Speedway Hall of Fame and Steve Brazier was to accept an award but it was accepted by his wife Kaye as Steve is preparing for a US assault for his son Garry.  Also, Garry was quoted in a local Australian magazine that "If I can't beat Brooke, I would be disappointed."  Brazier plans to hit 30+ shows in his stay over hear, starting with the Knoxville Raceway show on June 20th.   UPDATE #3 - (6-23-09 @ 1:15 am) - FACT -  Garry Brazier is currently working out of Gary Stanton's race shop preparing three sprint cars for his USA assault.  He has a chassis of his own design and two new J&J chassis that will help him compete in 30+ races in the USA this summer.  He is expected to be at the WoO race this friday night at US 36 Raceway in Cameron, MO.  I know there are many doubters about this rumor but I will stake my sources reputation on this one....not my rep but my sources rep.  I will be at US 36 Speedway and will be taking photos so I will show proof he was there racing.....stay tuned.

 

MIDDLESWARTH TEAM NEWS - (6-5-09 @ 8:00 am) - FACTS and SPECULATION - There appears to be more changes in the Middleswarth Potato Chips #7 machine.  In my post titled "PA SCORECARD", I had mentioned that Chad Layton will be driving the #7 machine at Williams Grove Speedway on some select Friday nights when Keith Kauffman will not be driving it.  Well, he may be in the ride more often now.  According to Brad Vores' article (click HERE to read it), Keith was sent an email the Thursday before stating that Layton will drive the car the next night at Williams Grove.  Well, this did not sit well with Kauffman and on the next night when he was suppose to drive the car at Port Royal, he did not show up.  So, is the seat open now?  Did Keith quit the #7 team?  Was this Dave Middleswarth's way of getting rid of their driver for the last 11 seasons?  Is Layton the new driver?  There is a lot of speculation going on right now with the Middleswarth #7 machine so stay tunned.  UPDATE #1 - (6-6-09 @ 10:00 am) - FACT - Kauffman is out of the Middleswarth #7 machine.  It is official.  In an article from the Daily Item, in Sunbury PA written by Shawn Brouse, it is stating that Keith Kauffman is out of the car.  The article interviews team owner Dave Middleswarth and in it Dave states that he intended to keep Keith in the car but test other drivers at other tracks should a change be needed.  Keith was not comfortable with this.  You can read the article by clicking HERE.  Remember, this in only one side of the story.  No word on who will fill the seat on a full time basis.  Remember, Chad Layton ran the car last weekend and finished 5th in the feature event at Williams Grove Speedway.  UPDATE #2 -

(6-15-09 @ 9:15 am) - FACT - Well, it is official that Chad Layton is the full time driver in the Middleswarth Potato Chip #7 machine.  He took over the driving duties last week and it didn't take him long to find the winners circle.  Layton won the All-Star event Sunday night at Central Pennsylvania Speedway.

 

PA SCORECARD - (6-2-09 @ 8:30 pm) - FACT - Just in case you have not been able to keep up with which drivers went to which cars in Pennsylvania recently, here is what has happened within the last two weeks.  Aaron Ott left the Highlands Tire #3 car to return to his family's 358 car.  Pat Cannon left the Keen Motorsports #17 car and went back to the Highland Tire #3 car.  It didn't take him long to find the winners circle as he won in the first night back with the #3 team at Selinsgrove Speedway.  Filling the seat in the Keen car is Daryn Pittman.  Pittman left the Postupack #25, opening the door for Justin Henderson to take over that seat.  The #22z car that Henderson left has not named a driver to take over the driving duties.  In another change (some what) it was announced that Chad Layton will be in the Middlesworth Potato Chips #7 car at Williams Grove Speedway on some Friday nights.  Keith Kauffman will continue to drive the #7 car on Saturday nights and Layton will have a abbreviated schedule in the car.  Layton is not replacing Kauffman, just driving the car when Kauffman doesn't want to on occasional Friday night shows. 

 

ROUGH LAST WEEKEND - (6-2-09 @ 8:30 pm) - FACT - It was a rough weekend last week as the racing community lost three drivers in separate accidents.  First off was Friday night at Knoxville Raceway when Chad McDaniel's lost his life in a turn 4 accident with 2 laps remaining in the Midget Nationals.  Another car was flipping and McDaniels had no place to go and ran into the other car.  He was taken to the Knoxville area hospital and life flighted to Des Moines where he later died.  Then, last Saturday a modified driver flipped down the back stretch of Red River Valley Speedway in Fargo, ND, killing the driver John Schulz.  Lastly, a Nebraska mini-sprint driver died in a car accident in which he was driving.  Killed were is dad, stepmother, and himself.  Jake turned 15 on Saturday and died on his birthday.  There were two survivors.  Please keep all of the victims and their families in your prayers.

 

PITTMAN'S NEW RIDE - (5-28-09 @ 12:15 am) - FACT - Daryn Pittman has found a new home.  Pittman has left the Pete Postupak #25 for the Keen Motorsports #17 that was formerly driven by Pat Cannon.  Cannon is rumored to be moving back to one of the top 358 rides in PA, the Highlands Tire #3.  Pittman will be starting his driving duties in the #17 machine this Friday at Williams Grove Speedway. 

 

OTT GOES HOME - (5-28-09 @ 12:15 am) - STRONG RUMOR - Fact, Aaron Ott has left the Highlands #3 ride to (rumor) return back home in his families machine he drove last season.  This leaves the seat of the Highlands team open with a lot of speculation as to who will fill that potent seat.  This will start the ball rolling for drivers ride switches in PA as I am hearing there will be several ride changes in the near future.  Pat Cannon may be in line for this ride as it has been announced that he is not in the Keen #17 car now as Pittman has taken over the driving duties. 

 

WOLFE TO INDY LIGHTS - (5-28-09 @ 12:15 am) - FACT - Lucas Wolfe has signed a deal to drive in the Indy Lights series in 2010.  Click HERE for the press release.

 

CROCKETT IS HOT - (5-1-09 @ 7:00 pm) - FACT - Who is the hottest driver so far in 2009?  You may have to look up in the northwest part of the United States.  Roger Crockett has won 5 feature events in a row to start off his 2009 campaign.  Not bad at all, especially when you consider that he was released from his ride from the Henderson team late in the year and had to start from scratch.  He put together the potent #11 team that is sponsored by Omlid & Sweeney.  How long can this streak last?  Stay tuned and keep tearing it up Roger.  UPDATE #1 - (5-12-09 @ 1:30 pm) - FACT - Roger Crockett won an ASCS Northwest region race on Friday and ran his string up to 6 feature events in a row.  Saturday, he won again but things changed.  He was DQ'ed for having an illegal nose wing thus stopping his string of wins at 6.  The nose wing is reported to have a wicker bill on it.  Now, there are some reports that he has been using that same nose wing for most of the season but something changed and was deemed illegal after the Saturday feature event at Southern Oregon Speedway in Oregon.  Even though race win #7 does not officially count, I'm keeping track to see how many wins in a row Roger can get.   UPDATE #2 - (5-21-09 @ 1:30 pm) - FACT - Roger Crockett got himself another win last weekend in 360 action putting him at 8 wins in a row....with at * by it due to his DQ for an illegal nose wing.  Can anyone stop him right now?

 

RICE - R.I.P. - (5-21-09 @ 1:30 pm) - FACT - Larry Rice passed away after a long battle with cancer.  Rice has a long and distinguished career in sprint cars and even was RoY in the Indy 500 in 1978.  Later, Rice was part of the Larry and Gary show on ESPN, giving us great USAC sprint car action on the tv.  Larry coined the phrase "Tommy Tip Over" for sprint car flips that were really minor.  RIP Larry Rice.

 

WoO LIVE ON SPEED - (5-21-09 @ 1:30 pm) - FACT - Race fans, if you are unable to attend a race tonight and have nothing to do, turn your television to SPEED tv and watch the WoO live starting at 8:00 pm (EST).  The WoO will be at The Dirt Track at Lowe's Motor Speedway so tune in.

 

ANOTHER TRACK GONE - (5-12-09 @ 11:30 pm) - FACT - Hollywood Hills Speedway will be closing it's doors after two more races.  The reason for the closing is that facility would be closing due to unsafe conditions of the masonry structures at the track.  The main entrance and concession building have been deemed unsafe by engineers in an inspection prompted by track and casino officials.  There has to be more to the story because I was told about 3 weeks ago that this track was in trouble.  The new promoters (see story below with the date posted 3-2-09) had a contract with the Indian tribe that owned the land but the contract doesn't mean anything.  The Indian tribe can rip up that piece of paper anytime they want to.  Interesting.....you can read the entire story by clicking HERE.

 

TMAC DROPPING OFF - (5-12-09 @ 1:30 pm) - FACT - Terry McCarl and the Big Game Tree Stands #24 machine is dropping off of the WoO tour this week.  This off the tour, on the tour, is now back to off of the tour.  Last weekend, he raced at Eldora Speedway on Saturday and then drove the 14+ hours to race at Huset's Speedway Sunday night.  For the last couple of weeks, the Big Game Tree Stands web site had TMAC running the full WoO tour but TMAC's web site had him dropping off after the Eldora race...now both web sites state the same thing.  TMAC will be running at Knoxville Raceway on Saturday nights and Huset's Speedway on Sunday nights with a lot of other races thrown in where possible.  This Friday, look for TMAC at Jackson Speedway for the Spring Sprint Nationals.  It is official that TMAC will be running a True Outlaw style schedule this summer.

 

VANDERECKEN MOTORSPORTS CHANGES DRIVER - (5-12-09 @ 1:30 pm) - FACT - Previously, it was announced that Dion Hindi will be driving the "original" #10 machine owned by VanderEcken Motorsports.  Well, things have changed.  Hindi is needing some time to recover from personal issues and has been replaced by Rager Phillips for the remainder of the 2009 racing season.  Lynton Jefferies drove his own machine in the season opening Knoxville Raceway WoO race but had the VanderEcken #10 on the car so they could gather the owner team points.  Last week, Rager Phillips ran the #10 for the same reason.  Now it is official that Phillips will be in the VanderEcken Motorsports #10 car for the rest of 2009.  Once Hindi recovers from his health issues, he may be in a second VanderEcken Motorsports car if they can work out the details.

 

KNOXVILLE VISITORS - (5-12-09 @ 1:30 pm) - STRONG RUMOR - The rumors around Knoxville Raceway last Saturday was that Danny Lasoski and Tim Kaeding will be running at Knoxville Raceway this coming Saturday night.  I guess the track announcer Tony Bockhoven was announcing all night that the Dude is coming back for the weekend.  Lasoski will be running at the WoO event at Williams Grove Speedway on Friday night and then will make the trek to Knoxville for Saturday's show.  I'm not sure but if this is the Hall of Fame weekend, Fred Rahmer will be there as well....what a weekend to visit Knoxville Raceway.

 

DEON IS DOWN - (5-8-09 @ 9:00 am) - RUMOR - I'm hearing the Deon Hindi is a little under the weather right now.  Earlier in the off season, it was announced that Deon Hindi has joined forces with the VanderEcken Motorsports #10 team and will run at Knoxville Raceway in 2009.  However, the WoO stopped by last weekend and no Deon Hindi and no VanderEcken #10 machine.  I have learned that a possible reason is that Deon Hindi is in the hospital suffering from severe headaches.  Hindi is bringing a/some motors to the #10 team but the team didn't show up to race against the WoO Saturday night nor did they show up for practice on Friday night.  I'm checking with the team to see if there is any truth to this rumor.  Stay tuned.  UPDATE #1 - (5-12-09 @ 1:30 pm) - FACT - I received word that Dion Hindi is having some personal issues but is not in the hospital.  He continues to recover but needs more time so.  No specific word on his condition but do keep Dion in your thoughts and prayers.

 

SPRINT CAR PROMO - (5-8-09 @ 9:00 am) - FACT - Last weekend a group from Cameron University came to Knoxville Raceway to shoot some footage for their program. Check out their promo by using the link below. This looks like it will be a very interesting show.  Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIt2KiGUkxY

 

TITAN COLORS - (5-8-09 @ 9:00 am) - FACT - Have you ever wondered as to the reason behind the paint scheme change on the Titan Garage #21 sprint car driven by Brooke Tatnell.  I have not talked to Reeve or anyone associated with the team but my source alerted me to the reason behind the change.  It appears that Reeve Kruck is a big fan and sponsor of the Gold Coast Titans.  The Gold Coast Titans are a professional rugby team in Australia and have the same logo and colors as the blue and yellow Titan machine.  Check out the team page by clicking HERE.  Pretty similar if you ask me. 

 

OUT OF RETIREMENT - (5-4-09 @ 11:00 pm) - FACT - Did anyone see who came out of retirement this last weekend?  Another sprint car driver came back out of retirement to get back in the seat of a car he once drover to many wins.  Rickey Hood got back behind the wheel of the Herrera Racing #45x during the ASCS Southwest event at USA Race Park in Tucson, AZ.  Hood finished 7th in his return to the seat.  I learned that this was going to happen a few weeks ago but was sworn to secrecy by Johnny Herrera to not spill the beans....now it is out.  Look for Hood to be in the seat in more events during the 2009 season.

 

GEESEY LET GO - (5-1-09 @ 1:30 pm) - FACT - What do you get as a reward for winning a 410 sprint feature event at Lincoln Speedway....you get fired.  Scott Geesey won his first feature event last weekend at Lincoln Speedway and two days later, was fired by team owner Greg Lotosky.  The Lotosky #41 team was sponsored by Clair Wintermyer and now Wintermyer will be putting his team back together this week and Geesey will pilot the No. 3W for the remainder of the season at Lincoln Speedway.

 

EAGLE RACEWAY OPENER, TAKE 4 - (5-1-09 @ 1:30 pm) - FACT - Eagle Raceway will be attempting to open their season for the fourth time in 2009.  Earlier, the Ice Breaker Challenge and opening night #2 and #3 was cancelled due to weather so that moved the opener to this weekend.  Hot laps are scheduled for 6:15 with racing at 7:00.  Once again, the 360 sprint cars will be on hand as Mike Boston will be trying to defend his 2008 championship.  IMCA Modifieds, hobby stocks, and tunners will be on the card as well.  Check the Eagle Raceway web site for any updates.

 

JACKSON SPRING SPRINT NATIONALS - (4-23-09 @ 8:10 am) - FACT -

FEED THE KITTY, IT'S ON - (4-23-09 @ 8:10 am) - FACT - I have decided to go ahead with the right rear tire give away.  A few years ago I had a fund raiser to help support the local sprint car teams. I had people "feed the kitty" and donate money to the Tire Fund. Once I raised enough money to buy a RR tire, I went to Eagle Raceway and drew a number out of a hat. The driver that finished the "A" feature in that position was awarded a RR tire given to them by the fans.  That summer, I gave away 3 tires to sprint car teams due to the generosity of the Nebraska racing fans.  The only rules are that the car has to be a Eagle Raceway regular and the tire will be given away to any driver that competes that night.

     Now, I need your help.  Please donate to the cause to help support our local sprint car race teams.  You can go to PayPal and send a payment that way, send money via snail mail, or when you see me, slap me some cash.  I will be keeping track of everyone that donates and their name will be on the certificate when the RR tire is given away.  I would like to give away 3 RR tires again this summer but will start off with the first one so I am begging the fans, start to FEED THE KITTY!  Thank you for your support.  I'm starting it off with a $20.00 donation.

 

SPEEDWAY MOTORS HUSKER HARD CHARGER - (4-20-09 @ 11:00 pm) - FACT - I am proud to announce that Speedway Motors has come on board to be the title sponsor of my Husker Hard Charger Award for 2009.  The award will be given at the end of the season to the best sprint car driver in Nebraska.  The rules are simple.  I will be giving out points to the top 5 Nebraska sprint car drivers that race in any sprint car event in 2009 that has at least 5 Nebraska sprint car drivers/teams in the event.  Only those qualifying for the A feature will be given points.  The top NE driver will be awarded 5 points, the 2nd best NE finisher will be awarded 4 pts and so on.  The races can take place in any state in the USA, but for it to count there must be 5 Nebraska drivers/teams entered.  At the conclusion of the season, the winning driver will be awarded a cash sum of money that will be determined at the end of the year, depending on the number of sponsors I gather throughout the year.  Right now, the total stands at $200.00 to the winner.  It is a start.  Good luck to all Nebraska drivers/teams, I will be watching you.

 

DRIVER INJURED - (4-20-09 @ 11:00 pm) - FACT - Taken off of Selinsgrove Speedway's web site.....Sprint car driver Cody Keller’s condition continues to improve Monday at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville following serious injuries the 18-year-old sustained in a racing accident Saturday night at Selinsgrove Speedway.

     Recovering in the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital Intensive Care Unit on the Geisinger campus, Keller underwent approximately seven hours of surgery Sunday to repair four damaged vertebrae in his neck and spine.

     Keller, who was talking with family and friends Monday night in his hospital room, said he remembered the race car not steering entering turn one, indicating something likely broke on the front end of his car on the 11th circuit of the 25-lap main event. The ensuing crash saw his No. 99 sprint car make an impact with the outside first turn wall and flip over several times. His disabled race car was then struck by another car on the track. He was racing in the eighth position at the time of the accident.

     We want to thank everyone for all of their support,” said Matt Keller, Cody’s father, at Geisinger Medical Center Monday evening. “And we really need to thank God for pulling Cody through this. He has a long recovery ahead of him but the doctor said the surgery yesterday went very well and the prognosis is looking good.”

     A senior at Selinsgrove Area High School, Keller is in his third season of 358 sprint car racing at Selinsgrove Speedway. During qualifying earlier Saturday evening, Keller drove to his first heat race victory of the season.

     Cards can reach Cody at Keller’s Auto Body, PO Box 4, Selinsgrove, PA, 17870.

 

FANTASY SPRINT CAR RACING - (4-17-09 @ 8:15 am) - FACT - For those of you looking to partake in a little fantasy sprint car racing but didn't know where to look....look no further because www.Openwheelfantasy.com is here. Openwheelfantasy offers up a World of Outlaw fantasy, a Golden State Challege fantasy, and now the Little 500 Fantasy.  Openwheelfantasy.com has announced that the Little 500 Fantasy League will have two separate ticket giveaways and the player registration is now free for the 2009 fantasy league for the nations greatest pavement Sprint Car event.  To register for the free Little 500 Pick Three Fantasy League, please visit www.openwheelfantasy.com.

WILMONT RACEWAY CHANGES - (4-16-09 @ 8:30 pm) - FACT - Wilmont Raceway has undergone some recent changes.  Finally after years of battling with the Local Motion Entertainment Inc., folks up here in Wilmot, the Kenosha County Fair, has ousted the group and is changing things.  The race track already has a clean fresh new website with what looks like the guidance of Steve Sinclair and former multi-time IRA Champion, Joe Roe. Additional payouts for the divisions are already planned and the track has nothing but a bright future for now.  Theame has changed from Wilmont  Speedway to Wilmont Raceway and the response from locals here is positive.  Got some key people in there now to bring this track back to some prominence for our area, which was sadly lacking for some time.  Check out the new web site at www.WilmotRaceway.Com.