HENDERSON ENTERS 360 NATIONALS - (7-22-08 @ 4:15 pm) - FACT - Justin Henderson will be entering the 360 nationals after finalizing the details in his new ride for the event.  Justin will be driving the #5 Ideus Motorsports Schnee for this years Knoxville 360 Nationals.  The owner/driver of the #5 car is Rick Ideus but has decided to step aside for Henderson to drive the 360 nationals.

 

DUDE AN ALL-STAR - (7-22-08 @ 8:00 am) - STRONG RUMOR - I've learned that Danny Lasoski will be hitting at least one of the All-Stars Thunder Through the Plains events.  He will be driving the Kenny Hansen #4 car at the Huset's Speedway event.  This car was formerly driven by Micha Schlieman and will be driven by Chad Meyer at the Knoxville Nationals.  No word on if the Dude will be running any other Thunder races.

 

WRIGHT RETIRING - (7-22-08 @ 8:00 am) - FACT - No not the annual Gary Wright retiring story, this has a local Nebraska flavor to it.  I have learned from Brad Wright, that he plans to retire from sprint car racing at the conclusion of the 2008 sprint car season.  Brad has driven the #27 360 sprint car for several years but has decided to put family first and devote his time and money to the family.  This has been a very difficult decision for Brad as he loves driving the sprint cars, meeting the fans, and being around his fellow competitors but a decision he thought he needed to make.  I respect Brad for this decision as family should always come first.  Good luck to Brad and take care. 

 

FORMAT CHANGE - (7-14-08 @ 10:00 pm) - FACT - Change is in the air.  Look for a format change to take place at www.ibracn.com.  Due to the amount of time that I have available and the amount of time it takes to update this web site daily, I will be making some changes to my web site.  Gone will be all press releases, the weekly schedule, point standings, and weekly winners.  Staying will be a lot of photos, the rumor section, winners, WoO race stats and other sections.   I can no longer dedicate the time necessary to update this site daily, so this change is necessary.  There may be others, but this is all for now.  Thanks for your support over the last 7 years and I hope you keep coming back and check in with what is going on at IBRACN's RACN SEASON.  Have a good one.

 

SAMMY IN THE 10 CAR - (7-18-08 @ 8:20 am) - RUMOR - It is being reported that Sammy Swindell will be driving the Tom Rolfe Trucking  #10 sprint car in California at Silver Dollar Speedway next weekend.  This seat is open after Tim Kaeding left for the #83jr car.  Great news for Sammy fans.

 

SHARON DROPPING WoO - (7-14-08 @ 10:00 pm) - STRONG RUMOR - I'm hearing that Sharon Speedway is going to drop the WoO from their scheduled September 20th date.  No reason give by my source but I'm hearing to expect a press release in the next day or so.  I checked the WoO schedule and the date is still listed but the Sharon Speedway web site has that date removed from their web site.

 

POSSIBLE WoO DRIVER CHANGE - (7-8-08 @ 11:00 am) - RUMOR - I've been told that the hot rumor going around the pits at Haubstadt pits on sunday night was that there may be a driver change coming in the very near future for one of the top teams.....and not it isn't Kraig Kinser and the TSR #20 team.  My source stated that Tim Shaffer's name was mentioned as the driver to replace the driver that may soon be out of a ride.  We will see if this one will happen.  I'm not going to name the driver to be replaced at this time......I'm looking for more info from other sources.  UPDATE #1 - (7-14-08 @ 10:00 pm) - FACT - I've learned that this rumor is FALSE.  Good thing I didn't reveal the drivers name that was rumored to being replaced.

 

TK BACK WITH ROTH - (7-9-08 @ 4:00 pm) - FACT - Tim Kaeding is back in the Roth Motorsports #83jr.  It was announced today that Tim will begin his driving duties in the second Roth car this saturday at Chico's Silver Dollar Speedway and then hit the road with the Thunder Through the Plains before hitting Knoxville Raceway.  This leaves the seat of the Tom Rolfe Trucking #10 open with no word on who will take over the driving duties there.  It is great to see TK coming to the Midwest.  Can't wait to see him on the big and fast 1/2 mile track of Belleville, KS.

 

MEYER AT KNOXVILLE NATIONALS - (7-8-08 @ 11:00 am) - RUMOR - I'm hearing that Chad Meyer has a ride for the Knoxville Nationals.  I'm told that Chad Meyer will be in the Kenny Hansen #4 mount for this years nationals.  Chad currently has 2 wins in his own 410 machine at Huset's.  Good news for Chad Meyer Fans if this is true.  UPDATE #1 - (7-9-08 @ 4:00 pm) - FACT - I received word this afternoon that this rumor is a FACT.  Chad Meyer will be driving the Kenny Hansen Motorsports #4 at this years Knoxville Nationals.  

 

SNYDER NEEDS A RIDE - (7-9-08 @ 4:00 pm) - FACT - Nebraska's Stuart Snyder is looking for a sprint car ride.  Snyder was driving the Williams/Beers #2d but vacated the seat after last weekends disappointing showing in the ASCoT event at Lakeside Speedway.  The team blew a motor in the heat race and Snyder took his seat out of the car and called it a season in the #2d.  Snyder is looking for anything competitive so contact him if you need a good young driver in the 360 or 410 ranks.

 

KNOXVILLE SMOKE FREE - (7-1-08 @ 11:40 pm) - FACT - While I was attending the regular weekly sprint car show at Knoxville Raceway last weekend, I heard a very interesting thing.  It was announced over the loud speaker that as of now, Knoxville Raceway is smoke free.  From what was said over the PA, this is an order from the Iowa state government and not the Marion County Fair Board so you can take your frustrations out on the Iowa government and not the fair board.  I think this is a great thing.  I attended the two day WoO event there in early June and smoked for two days and didn't touch a cigarette.  There were 3 guys behind me on friday that smoked and I got to inhale it all night then, a lady in front of me smoked no saturday and I got to inhale all of that as well.  Now, I can be smoke free while attending a race at Knoxville Raceway.

 

GHARST AND WEBB - (7-1-08 @ 11:40 pm) - FACT - Guy Webb was on John Katich's Full Throttle Racing show tonight and announced that Kaley Gharst will be piloting the Webb Racing #51 starting this weekend at the All-Star events.  Gharst will be racing with the AllStars and select other events for the rest of the year.  It didn't take Kaley long to find another ride after leaving the Phillips Floors #7k at Knoxville Raceway.

 

SONNER #47 - (6-17-08 @ 10:00 am) - RUMOR - Is Gil Sonner looking for a new driver?  Last Saturday at Knoxville, driver Jeff Mitrisin was running towards the front in his heat race when he spun out.  He restarted at the rear and ran one lap and pulled into the pits.  He was never seen from again that night.  A fan that attended the race said the crew didn't work on the car after he came into the pits and didn't make the call for the "B" feature.  Now, did something happen to the car that couldn't be fixed that night and Mitrisin leave because he didn't want to sit around and not race?  Or, did he leave in frustration?  We will see this coming saturday.  UPDATE #1 - (6-20-08 @ 4:00 pm) - FACT - Jeff Mitrisin is still the driver of the Gil Sonner Motorsports #47.  I was contacted today regarding Jeff and the team stated that Mitrisin continues to pilot the white and blue machine.  UPDATE #2 - (6-26-08 @ 9:45 pm) - FACT - The Gil Sonner #47 team in now looking for a new driver.  The team has parted ways with Jeff Mitrisin effective immediately.  The team is undecided at this time as to who will be in the seat of the familiar white and blue #47.  No word as to where Jeff will end up but speculation is that he will end up back in the Wares/Harrison #10 360 machine.  UPDATE #3 - (6-27-08 @ 10:45 pm) -  FACT - The driver for the Sonner #47 for this weekend will be Don Droud, Jr.  Droud, Jr. will be taking over the seat of the car for this weekend and the team will see how things go from there.  Good luck to the Nebraska guy.

 

MEYERS TO NASCAR - (6-26-08 @ 9:45 pm) - FACT - Almost everyone knows that Jason Meyers has a goal of racing in NASCAR.  Jason was on John Katich's Full Throttle Racing Show last Tuesday night and revealed that he is in communication with a few NASCAR teams and is working on something for later this fall or next year.  He said it was to do some testing &/or driving in one of the series divisions.  He mentioned that he is trying to get to the top racing series but mentioned that if he does make it to NASCAR, and if he can keep the sprint car sponsored, the black #14 will be out on the track with someone behind the wheel.  Good Luck to pursuing your dreams.

 

FERKEL #0 - (6-26-08 @ 9:45 pm) - FACT - It was revealed that Jeremy Campbell will be behind the wheel of the Rick Ferkel #0 machine for the remaining All-Star Ohio Speedweek races this week.  The seat was vacated by Paul McMahan when he left to take over the driving duties for the Casey's General Store #6 machine on the WoO trail.  No word on the Ferkel plans after Ohio Speedweeks.

 

GHARST RIDE LOOKING - (6-25-08 @ 5:20 pm) - FACT - Kaley Gharst has left the Bruce Williams #7k, effective immediately.  Gharst would like to thank the team and all that helped with the team in the last year.  Currently, Kaley is now looking for a quality ride and if anyone is interested in having Kaley drive for their team, please call 217-519-2616.  Good luck to Kaley in finding a ride and getting back behind the wheel of a sprint car very soon.

 

CASEY'S NEW DRIVER - (6-24-08 @ 4:30 pm) - RUMOR - I've read where the new driver of the Casey's General Store #6 is Paul McMahan.  Paul will be taking over the driving duties immediately.  That leaves the Rick Ferkel #0 car open which is rumored to be temporarily filled by Todd Kane for the Ohio Speedweeks.  Glad to have Paul back on the WoO tour....hope he can turn around the performance of the #6 car.  UPDATE #1 - (6-25-08 @ 5:20 pm) - FACT - This rumor has turned to a fact.  Posted on the Casey's General Store racing web site is a statement welcoming Paul McMahan to the team.

 

SHAFFER OUT OF CASEY'S RIDE - (6-17-08 @ 11:00 am) - RUMOR - I received an email late last week about a good possibility that Tim Shaffer will be fired from the Casey's General Store ride in the very near future.  Now, I see a message board post this morning that states the same thing.  Tim finished 18th in the feature event at Eagle saturday and sits 15th in WoO points.  Who will replace him IF this rumor is true......I'm hearing a leading candidate to replace Shaffer is Danny Lasoski.  I know Brooke Tatnell is available.   UPDATE #1 - (6-19-08 @ 2:00 pm) - STRONG RUMOR - As you all probably know by now, it is being reported that Mike Wagner will be driving the Casey's General Store #6 at this weekends WoO races at Dodge City Race Park in Dodge City, KS.  For those of you unfamiliar with Wagner, he drives sprint cars in the great state of Pennsylvania.  From what I am gathering, this is a temporary situation and he will drive this weekend only.  UPDATE #2 - (6-20-08 @ 4:00 pm) - FACT -  It was announced on Tim Shaffer's web site that he will be driving a Jason Sides second car this weekend at Dodge City Race Park with the WoO. 

 

VANDER ECKEN MOTORSPORTS MAKES A CHANGE - (6-19-08 @ 2:00 pm) - FACT -  I have learned that the Mike Vander Ecken Motorsports entry has made a change with the team.  The Lucas Oil/Clark Construction #10 team has replaced crew chief Steve Fitzpatrick with Tyler Swank.  Tyler has previously worked with the #10 team and will take over the duties immediately.  Driver Ricky Logan currently sits 14th in points at Knoxville Raceway.

 

TK SUSPENDED - (6-19-08 @ 3:45 pm) - FACT - John Padjen was on the Full Throttle Racing Show last tuesday and announded that Tim Kaeding will be suspended immediately from all John Padjen Motorsports promoted events.  It wasn't revealed the length of the suspension but John did say there will be a suspension for TK.  If you haven't seen the video...click HERE.  The full penalty will be announced soon.  A remake of Days of Thunder.

 

I-70 SPEEDWAY GOING DIRT - (6-17-08 @ 10:00 am) - RUMOR - I read that I-70 Speedway in Missouri may be bringing back the dirt.  The track use to be dirt in the early 80's but was switched back to asphault.  Now, the track is struggling and there are rumors that the track may be covered in dirt by the end of the summer.  I attended that track when the WoO raced on the dirt track and it was wicked fast.  Keep an eye on this story.

 

TATNELL AND THE #11AU TEAM - (6-17-08 @ 10:00 am) - FACT - What terrible luck to start out the racing season.  Tatnell flipped the car in hot laps the first night out with the new team.  Then, Brooke was leading the WoO feature at Knoxville a couple of weeks ago when the motor blew up.  From what I understand, it destroyed a large part of that motor.  Now, the team is sitting while they get the motor fixed.  No word on when they may return.  The team is a low budget team and looking for sponsors.  What a shame, that a driver of Brooke's talent is struggling to find a quality ride.  He is better than 3/4 of the 410 drivers out there and hasn't had much luck over the last couple of years.  Hopefully someone will step up and give him a call to driver their quality ride.  Brooke it driving a #34 car out of Minnesota at Jackson Speedway as well as a 410 up in Huset's Speedway in South Dakota.  Hopefully things will turn around for Brooke Tatnell.

 

WOLFE ON THE MEND - (6-12-08 @ 4:00 pm) - FACT - It was announced by the WoO in a press release that Lucas Wolfe sustained a fracture to the T-4 vertebrae (that is located about chest high, between the nipples) last week at Tri-City Speedway in Pontoon Beach, IL.  The team is back home while Lucas mends and will not race until Wolfe is able to return to the seat..  Wolfe was currently 14th in WoO points and leading the Gobrecht RoY points.

 

HOTTEST THING GOING - (6-12-08 @ 4:00 pm) - FACT - Not many people have heard about the KPC Chassis but it may be the hottest thing going in the sprint car world.  KPC stands for Kent Performance Chassis and is manufactured by former California sprint car pilot Steve Kent.  Kent is making these chassis for WoO drivers Jason Meyers and Shane Stewart as well as west coast driver Roger Crockett.  Steve was on the Full Throttle Racing Show tuesday night and stated that he has no plans right now to mass produce these chassis but would rather make a few for select drivers and taylor them to each driver.  He stated that he planned on making about 15 chassis per year but is up to about 25 chassis right now.  He stated that he has been getting a bunch of calls from teams wanting the KPC chassis because of the success the three current drivers have been experiencing.  He did state that he may eventually want to get his chassis with a few more top drivers in various series around the country such as USAC.  Watch out for this chassis.  

 

MICHAEL ROSS MEMORIAL FOUNDATION - (6-12-08 @ 4:00 pm) - FACT - Bob Baker (newly named Executive Director of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum) was on the Full Throttle Racing Show on tuesday night and stated that Tony Ross has decided to stop promoting the fund raising golf tournament after the 2008 version.  He stated that the golf tournament has raised over $1, 050,000, not including this years tourney.  Ross will continue to have the memorial race but plans a different fund raiser for the foundation.  There were no hints as to what that new fundraiser will be but it will be interesting to see what he comes up with.

 

PAUL SILVA WORKING FOR KAHNE - (5-28-08 @ 7:00 am) - RUMOR - About three months ago, I reported that Paul Silva was leaving the Doyle's Harley Davidson #1HD team to become the crew chief of the newly formed #19 Kasey Kahne car driven by Jason Johnson.  I was asked by Silva to remove that post as he hadn't talked to the Doyle's team yet.  Well, some new developments with this story.  Paul Sylva was working on the Remington #19 car with Jason Johnson while at the Charlotte WoO event.  One email I received insists that Paul is still with the Doyle's team.  Silva must be jumping between teams as much as he can.  The #19 team will run a select number of races with the idea of running a full WoO schedule in 2009.  UPDATE #1 - (6-10-08 @ 9:30 pm) - FACT - To squash the rumors regarding Paul Silva, I received an email directly from Mr. Doyle himself.  The following is what he had to say about Paul Silva and the Doyle's Harley Davidson #1HD team...... Paul will be with us until at least January.  We will run the ASCS - NW Speedweek & the western swing.  Paul will be @ Knoxville and Lowe's with the 19 car.  We have a WoO driver for the western swing & speed week.  I will be at Lowe's.  This should put to rest what Paul is doing for 2008.

                                                                                

FALLING OFF - (5-28-08 @ 7:00 am) - RUMOR - Well, the economy my be effecting another WoO team.  I'm hearing that there my be another WoO team ready to drop off of the WoO tour due to financial constraints.  This team is about ready to go back home and race locally....soon, very soon.  I'm not going to name the team but it is under funded at this time.  Stay Tuned!

 

TATNELL AT HUSET'S - (5-28-08 @ 7:00 am) - STRONG RUMOR) - I'm hearing that Brooke Tatnell has picked up another gig to go along with his#11au team he drives for at Knoxville.  Brooke Tatnell is going to drive the Loren Barstads car at Huset's on Sundays on a regular basis.  Now I'm not familiar with that car/team so maybe one of you S.D. natives can shed some light on this for me.  It is good to see Brooke find another car to drive.....Good Luck to this team.

 

TYLER SWANK'S NEW GIG - (5-28-08 @ 7:00 am) - FACT - Tyler Swank has a new gig.  Tyler was working for TMAC but recently parted ways with the #24 team.  Now, he is wrenching for Lee Sowell.  Sowell won the first night out together at Riverside International Speedway for the 2008 USCS Speedweek opener.  Tyler's going to be with the team during the entire Speedweeks and are trying making plans to run some Knoxville 410 stuff in July as well as the 360 Nationals and 410 Nationals. 

 

THANK YOU ALL - (5-21-08 @ 8:15 am) - FACT - I want to thank all of you for your support and understanding in this difficult time.  For those of you that don't know, my web site has not been getting updated due to the unexpected death of my mother last friday.  I have been busy dealing with all of the arrangements and stuff that come with it.  I am back and ready to get going with this web site again so stay tuned for updates.  Thank you.

 

NEW 410 SERIES - (5-5-08 @ 11:30 pm) - RUMOR - I'm hearing that there may be a new 410 series forming in the midwest.  It appears there is a push to start a regional 410 series that will be running in the states of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota.  My source tells me that this may happen sooner than one might think.  The person or group will be watching the success of the All-Star tour "Thunder Through the Plains" later this summer to see how that works out.  This is developing so we will have to see what happens here.  UPDATE #1 - (5-13-08 @ 1:10 pm) - STRONG RUMOR - I'm hearing this may be happening very soon.  Everything is moving in the right direction for this to develop into a regional series like the Midwest All-Stars but in the central plains area.  Stay tuned.  UPDATE #2 - (5-21-08 @ 8:15 am) - FACT - Guy Webb was on the Full Throttle Racing Show last night and revealed that he is in the process of developing the Great Plains All-Star series.  The inaugural season will be in 2009 but the 2008 "Thunder Through the Plains" will be the first events for the series.  This series will be running at tracks around the Midwest and be a sister series to the O'Reilly Auto Parts All-Stars Circuit of Champions.  More details will follow as the series develops.

 

LASOSKI STAYING CLOSER TO HOME? - (5-13-08 @ 1:10 pm) - FACT - Did Danny Lasoski make his decision about what he plans to do this summer?  There are a lot of rumors about Lasoski's 2008 plans.  Many have noticed that the WoO were scheduled to race in Illinois and Kentucky last weekend but The Dude wasn't present at those races.  The IL race was cancelled early so many WoO drivers raced at the IRA race in Iowa, but when the pits opened up in Kentucky, Lasoski was at Knoxville.  What does this mean?  Did Lasoski gamble and thinking it would rain out KY so he saved diesel and stayed closer to home, or did he decide to run Knoxville Raceway on a regular basis.  Is Lasoski dropping off of the WoO tour (13th in pts) or will he do has he previously stated and run the WoO tour using 3-4 different cars?  Time will tell.  UPDATE #1 - (5-13-08 @ 10:00 pm) - FACT - There is a internet radio show on KNIAKRLS.COM carries a "Live Trackside" show that airs before each night of racing at Knoxville.  Click HERE to listen to the interview, scroll down and click on "Live Trackside May 10".  Guy Forbrook was interviewed and revealed that his 2008 plans are.  Guy revealed that Guy stated that he and Danny Lasoski will be running Knoxville Raceway weekly with the exception of a few big money shows like the Kings Royal.  Lasoski was not at the Lernerville Speedway WoO event on tuesday night.  It looks like another WoO driver is dropping off of the WoO tour.

 

VOLUNTEER SPEEDWAY CANCELS MAY - (5-13-08 @ 1:10 pm) - FACT - A post on the Volunteer Speedway web site is stating that they are canceling the remaining races scheduled for May.  They are stating that the cost of fuel and competition with Indy, area big late model events, televised saturday night NASCAR events, high school graduation, and others as reasons for the temporary shut down.  Is this a sign of what is yet to come this summer.  Currently fuel prices in Lincoln, NE are $3.65 for unleaded and $4.35 for diesel. 

 

SOUTH DAKOTA TRACK FUTURE HAS ??? - (4-8-08 @ 10:30 pm) - FACT - Is there something in the works for Black Hills Speedway in Rapid City, South Dakota.  This article was forwarded to me regarding the possible sale of the race track or parts of it.  The following article was in a local Rapid City newspaper.....

 

TMAC CHANGES CREW CHIEF'S - (5-5-08 @ 11:30 pm) - STRONG RUMOR - I'm hearing that Terry McCarl made a change with the Big Game Tree Stands #24 over the weekend.  Rumors all over the Knoxville Raceway pits had TMAC getting rid of Troy Renfro after the heat races were finished.  No word on his replacements it if is true.  The TMAC web site still lists Troy Renfro and Tyler Swank with the team but have been told both are gone from the team.

 

MEYER IS BACK - (5-2-08 @ 12:45 pm) - FACT - Chad Meyer will be back behind the wheel of a 410 sprint car this season at Huset's Speedway.  Meyer confirmed with me that he will be driving his #1w at Huset's.  The team will be co-owned with his dad.  They found a good 410 engine to put into his dad's Schnee Chassis and rounded up the group that helped out 4-5 years ago before Lunstra came on board.  The old gang is back together and excited to get going again....if it would quit raining/snowing.  Great to see Chad back behind the wheel of a 410....good luck.

 

WAYNE COUNTY SPEEDWAY CLOSED - (5-2-08 @ 12:45 pm) - FACT - The country lost another sprint car track.  Wayne County Speedway in Orrville, OH has closed its doors for the season.  The announcement is posted on their message board and confirmed with a phone call to the office friday afternoon.  Sad to see.

 

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY - (5-2-08 @ 12:45 pm) - FACT - Mother Nature won another WoO feature as the race for friday night at US 36 speedway in Cameron, MO has been postponed due to weather.  The WoO is thinking of a possible September date to reschedule.  The test and tune night at Jackson Speedway has been cancelled as well.  Knoxville and Eagle looks like they have a slim chance of running saturday.  This is getting frustrating.....looks like Mother Nature wants to go back to the olden days when racing didn't start until Memorial Day weekend.  Keep your fingers crossed for better weather ahead.  What is funny is in about 2 months, we all will be wishing for more water on the tracks to calm the dust.

 

KITCHEN A NCRA ROOKIE - (5-2-08 @ 12:45 pm) - FACT - I've been told that the #21 of Ryan Kitchen (NE 360 driver) will be running with the NCRA this season with the intention of gaining rookie of the year honors as well as valuable experience.  Look for the XXX chassis to open with the NCRA this weekend at Dodge City Raceway Park in Dodge City, KS.  Ryan is in his 3rd year (I think) as a sprint car driver and is following in his dads footsteps by piloting that #21 sprint car.  Good luck to the Kitchen racing team.

 

GOOD YEAR MAKING A COMEBACK - (4-28-08 @ 10:30 pm) - FACT -  It appears there is a tire war beginning to heat up.  In a sport once dominated by Good Year tires and now Hoosier tires.....the competition appears to be making a comeback of sorts.  Over the past couple of weeks, I have seen a lot of photos with sprint cars running Good Year tires.  Stevie Smith, Paul McMahan, Kerry Madsen, Kenny Jacobs, and Danny Jennings, to name a few.  Smith, Jacobs, and Jennings all have at least one win with the Good Year tires while Paul McMahan has been running very well in the Rick Ferkel #0.  So, is there a tire war beginning to develop?  I guess we will have to wait and see.

 

TMAC PROMOTING AGAIN - (2-12-08 @ 10:00 pm) - RUMOR - I have been told that Terry McCarl will be wearing his promoter hat more in 2008.  The rumor

states that TMAC will be partnering with 34 Raceway in Burlington, IA to bring the WoO to the track on July 2, 2008.  Of course, TMAC already promotes the Front Row Challenge and the Ultimate Front Row Challenge and is very successful with those events.  This could be another interesting WoO event.  UPDATE #1 - (2-28-08 @ 9:45 pm) - RUMOR - I have been told that this deal has been in the works for several months now but still isn't a done deal.  My source is telling me that one of the biggest snags on this thing getting complete is the suites at 34 Raceway.  Terry McCarl want all (or most) of the suites so he can sell them to use on the WoO event.  The problem is that the current owners of the suites don't want to give them up for the WoO event, but would rather keep them for themselves because they paid for them for the year.  Once they get this issue solved, then the deal will get done and the WoO will add another date to their busy schedule.  UPDATE #2 - (3-3-08 @ 9:30 pm) - RUMOR - Another source contacted me and stated that this deal is dead in the water.  Look for the July 2 date to go to Huset's Speedway.  UPDATE #3 - (4-20-08 @ 8:30 pm) - FACT - Well, it is true....TMAC and SLS promotions will be promoting the WoO race at 34 Raceway on July 30, 2008.  I have to point out when my sources are right because I've been wrong more than I am right lately.  It was announced by the WoO on Saturday that the WoO will be racing, for the first time, at 34 Raceway in Burlington, Iowa.  SLS Promotions was listed as the promoter but I have learned that TMAC will be a part of the program as well. 

 

WoO LOOSES ANOTHER DRIVER - (4-3-08 @ 1:15 pm) - STRONG RUMOR - The WoO series has lost another full time team.  Justin Henderson will not be following the WoO full time in 2008, like previously announced.  I've heard this rumor a couple of weeks ago but did not have time to post it.  Looking at his web site schedule, he will be running at Pevely, MO this saturday but will be back at Eagle Raceway on sunday driving for local 360 car owner, Gary Swenson.  The WoO web site still has Henderson listed as one of their drivers but he will not be a full time WoO driver in 2008.  I believe this was more about $$$ than anything as he sits in 20th place in points and has made only $1,950 after 4 races, with a 16th being his best finish so far.  First was Randy Hannagan and now Henderson.  UPDATE #1 - (4-3-08 @ 5:45 pm) - FACT - I just received the following email from someone close to the Henderson camp......FACT:  Brad, as of 5 pm on April 3rd, Justin is still planning on running the WoO tour.  They have discussed the options they have and as of right now, they are still planning on racing the tour.  Depending on how things go the next few weeks , they may change their minds, but so may 15 other teams lol.  They are still having to borrow a truck and trailer as the "new" 53 ft trailer they ordered is still not completed, old toterhome and trailer was sold in winter.  They are still working on potential sponsors that would allow enough $$$ to keep running the series (know of any?).  He is planning on racing as many races as he can for Gary Swenson this season as well for another possible 360 ride if the races don't conflict with his WoO schedule.  I guess his website was wrong, therefore I was wrong as were my two sources.  UPDATE #2 - (4-16-08 @ 9:00 pm) - FACT - Like I said before, Justin Henderson is leaving the WoO.  On April 3, I posted this rumor as and it was denied by someone in the Henderson camp but, in a press release sent out earlier this afternoon, it has become FACT.  The following is the press release......After competing with the World of Outlaws the last few years, Justin Henderson is returning to his roots.  The 2008 racing season has already started off well for Justin, which was highlighted by his 1st trip to Australia.  The team is again ready to compete with the best drivers the upper Midwest has to offer.  Justin will be racing weekly in the Dan Oswalt owned D1 sprint car at the 2 tracks he is most familiar with, Knoxville Raceway and Husets Speedway.  Along with the weekly tracks, Justin will also be racing several times with WoO, IRA, and All Stars when they are in the area.  Justin also has been given the oppurtunity to race several ASCS and area 360 races for Brent Vonk and Gary Swenson throughout the year.  DMS Motosports is currently talking to potential sponsors, as well as searching for new additional funding to help in the upcoming season.  A complete 2008 schedule of 75-80 races should be in place in the near future.  Watch for more updates at www.justinhenderson.com as the season progresses.  I wish he could have stayed with the WoO but it will be good to see him run in and around the midwest, specifically an occasional race in the Gary Swenson #24a.
 

 

BLANEY AND HAWLEY TEAMMATES - (4-8-08 @ 9:45 pm) - FACT -  Dale Blaney in a #94 car and Jimmy Hawley in a #49 car.  That was the scene at Mercer Raceway Park tonight at their practice night. The cars are part of the Rudzik Excavating race team and the two drivers will be teammates.  The #49 car was driven by several drivers in 2007 but now has Jimmy Hawley behind the wheel.  The #94 was in honor of the days when Dale drove the Hughes Wheel & Axle #94.  Hawley has came out of retirement to get back behind the wheel of a sprint car.  Now, there is no word on how much Dale Blaney will be driving the #94 car has he is committed to the All-Stars in the George Fisher Racing #2.  It is looking like Dale will have a busy summer.....Good Luck.

 

12 YEAR OLD DRIVER BURNED - (4-8-08 @ 9:45 pm) - The following information is about the 12 year old girl that sustained burns resulting from a mini-sprint crash in Oklahoma City, OK....Okla. Girl Suffers Severe Burns In Speedway Crash
OKLAHOMA CITY -- A 12-year-old Oklahoma girl has been taken to a Texas burn center after a fiery crash at a speedway on Saturday.
    Harli White, of Lindsay, was racing a mini sprint car at the I-44 Speedway in southwest Oklahoma City, authorities said, when she crashed.
    "It flipped, and then it just caught on fire," a witness told Eyewitness News 5.
    Because of a steering wheel that would not budge, White was trapped in the burning car for several minutes, authorities said. By the time she was extricated from the car, she had suffered third-degree burns over half her body, from her neck down.
    Saturday's race was White's first, and her family said she had been practicing for quite awhile, looking forward to getting out on a track. Her father has been an active racer throughout the state for the past couple of years.
    Members of White's church, the First Baptist Church in Lindsay, are praying for her.
    "I have just the most confident faith that God's going to pull Harli through this, and that she's going to be OK," said the Rev. Randy Allen, White's pastor.
    After being taken to the OU Medical Center initially, she was transferred to a burn center in Galveston, Texas. White has already had one skin-graft surgery and faces many more over the next couple of months, authorities said.
The address to send cards and flowers is:
Harli White
Shriner Burn Center
815 Market St.
Galveston, Texas
77550

The address to donate to the family is:
Harli White
P.O. Box 158
Lindsay, Okla.
73052
Our prayers are with Harli and her family.
 

 

TRAGEDY STRIKES THE MIDGETS - (4-8-08 @ 10:45 pm) - FACT - Last weekend, the season got off to a terrible start for race fans.  A midget driver from the northeast lost his life in an accident.  The following is an article with the information regarding the mishap....NEMA’s Shane Hammond Succumbs at Thompson
    Shane Hammond, one of the Northeastern Midget Association young stalwarts, died Sunday from “traumatic injuries” sustained in a crash at Thompson International Speedway’s season-opening Icebreaker. The crash occurred on the fourth lap of the scheduled 25-lapper.
    Hammond, 27, of Halifax, MA, made contact with another car at the end of the backstretch on the fourth lap. Getting airborne, Hammond’s car cleared the concrete wall and struck a billboard in turn three.
    After being extricated from the racer (a process that took some 12 minutes), Hammond was taken by ambulance to Day Kimball Hospital in nearby Putnam where he died.
    NEMA immediately suspended the race. It was the first of nineteen scheduled events for the 58-year old club.
    Hammond, who was diving Mike Jarret’s #4x second car, joined the Midget ranks in 2003 after a very successful stint in Go Karts. Regarded as a “steady hand,” he had “shook down” the car on several occasions and last raced it at Beech Ridge in 2007.
    The last fatality for NEMA was Ed Clothier at Westboro Speedway on June 19, 1965.

Godspeed Shane Hammond. 

 

SPORTSMAN SPEEDWAY CLOSES - (4-3-08 @ 1:15 pm) - FACT - Another dirt track closes its doors.  Sportsman Speedway has officially closed its doors, effective immediately.  The track is a 1/3 mile dirt oval in western PA, located in Knox, Pennsylvania.  The web site has minimal info but a one sentence message from Hinkle Motorsports.  UPDATE #1 (4-8-08 @ 10:30 pm) - FACT - Here is what I have been able to learn about this situation.  The following is an explanation of what went down with this track closing.....The Hinkle Family leased the track last fall. They had verbal agreement to lease from April 1 until December this year. Attorney's did all the paper work.....Glenn was at the track yesterday (April 3) with money in hand waiting on the Colwell's to show up to sign the papers. After waiting & waiting he calls the attorney & gets the news that the COLWELL'S pulled a fast one on him! Sold the track from under him and didn't tell him! Let the Hinkle Family & staff do all the work. They have been up at the track working on getting everything ready for April 20. They have been painting, cleaning, advertising, posters are printed, website is running, food is ordered, insurance, sponsors lined up, shirts printed....GRRRRRRRRRR.....that is a lot of money & time wasted.  Glenn was told he had until midnight last night (April 3) to get out.....6 hours after the news about the back stabbing. He just moved everything in last weekend & slap!!!!As a result, there is a very upset family in western PA right now......This came from an email, not from the Hinkle Family. 

This is a page for News and Rumors that are true and not so true.  I have gathered News and Rumors from various sources, sorted them out, and posted them here for you to read.  I post them and YOU can decide if they are true or not.  I will try to post only the ones that have a snow balls chance of happening.  This is what I hear, what I see, and what I read.  You are the judge and jury here. If I have missed some and think it is worthy to be on this board, e-mail me and I may put it on here.  Have a good one and remember .... it is always RACN SEASON!

REMEMBER THESE ARE MOSTLY RUMORS.  I HAVE FOUND A LOT OF THEM ON VARIOUS MESSAGE BOARDS AND YOU ALL KNOW HOW RELIABLE MOST OF THOSE ARE.  I HAVE FOUND THEM AND PUT THEM ALL BELOW SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO WASTE YOUR TIME LOOKING FOR THEM.  YOUR WELCOME....LOL.  ENJOY YOUR READING!

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