krace
Joined : 06 Mar 2008
Posts : 23
|  Subject: Infield View  Mon Mar 31, 2008 3:28 am | |
| Infield View
By Ken Cunningham
Hey, it sure has been a long time since I cranked one of these out. They usually got me in hot water so maybe that’s why. I just needed something to get me back in front of the keyboard again and also to separate my views from any other stuff I have to write about, you know the “official” stuff. I’ll do my best not to stir something up.
In a way I hated to see the Pure Stock rules get changed but let’s be honest, there just isn’t much “pure” about this division anymore and the cars were impossible to inspect. We have yet to see what the change will do for car counts but I fear the worst and it might have been easier to change the name to street stocks. But the complaining would continue and the purse would suck even worse, the end is surely near. And that is really a shame because there are some really great stock cars around; it’s just that most have naturally evolved beyond the rule book. I hate rules but now what? The worst that could happen is Wayne County doesn’t open and Hilltop has less than a dozen Pure Stocks. Either throw the cars away or the rule book. Why not just allow the stock front clip, tubular a arms, open suspension and big tires. What the hell man, throw in four barrel and aluminum heads on the steel motor and stuff it all under the dashboard of a ’55 Chevy and what have ya got? A Late Model the way I remember them. You would also have my money because I would be first in line for a ticket to see that show.
Driver of that immaculate # 44 dirt Late Model and a matching Modified, Dave Hess Jr., has won in both at Hilltop Speedway. Hess also scored a major win at Volusia Speedway Park in Florida this winter and that qualified him to take part in something called The Alltell All Star Online Contest in which race fans were urged to vote for their favorite driver. Dave barely won the contest over sprint car ace Wayne Johnson and check this out, Hess pocketed $12,000 thanks to all his fans getting off their butts and voting. If you’re not a fan you should be, Dave is definitely one of the good guys.
Guess what, I finally broke down and paid a visit to Lakeville the other day. I heard rumors about track restructuring and wanted to see first hand who was behind all these big plans. I was very glad to finally meet the new owners and felt kind of bad about not seeing a single race there in all of last year but this was a very enjoyable visit and I will be sure to cover Lakeville Speedway in the future whenever I can. Randy and Agnes Young have taken over and will try to erase the memory of any previous regime and improve both relations and conditions for racers, employees and fans alike. They have plenty of work to do. At least there is a lot good to build upon, I like the grass in the infield and spectator areas, good seats and V.I.P. loges, concession stands, ice cream and chili cheese fries. Lakeville will always be my favorite to photograph. While some things are a bit backward the place was always fun even if the racing sucked. That is what Randy and Agnes want changed the most. Bring back good racing. First up is getting rid of that awful banking and repack the base. Ease corner entry and get rid of those humps on exit, you know the nasty ones that had a tendency to throw you hard into the wall? Former sprint car ace Dick Byerly arrived from Florida to oversee this major operation and I certainly wish him the best, he has a tough job ahead of him and I hope racers give the track time to pack and settle after being hard cut and a wet spring. Many other changes are on the way; stay tuned for the revival of old Lakeville.
A few weeks ago I represented Hilltop Speedway at the annual “Promoters Night” during the monthly Twin State Auto Racing Club meeting and I have to thank Jim Balentine, Dick Berry, Russ Miner, and everyone for the opportunity to talk a little about Hilltop. I’m just not much of a public speaker and after just a minute into my spiel I realized I could not read the paper I prepared due to poor eyesight and began to feel the heat under my collar. Time to cut it short and sit down! Afterwards was a different situation as I was able to talk one on one with several people and there is a ton of interest out there concerning our race track and everyone received schedules and flyers. I was very impressed with the promotional efforts of Lake Erie Speedway, Lernerville, and especially with Vickie Emigs’ Mercer Raceway Park, definitely a few tracks I want to visit in 2008 and you should too! It was fun to spend time with Jean Lynch talking about both old times and what awaits race fans this season. All agreed, race fans have never had it better. Twin State Club Night at Hilltop is Saturday, June 21. Let’s make it a good one!
Don’t know what to say about Wayne County. The news has been kind of slow lately and the place has been like a ghost town. Guess they must be ready!
Anyway, ready or not the gates at Hilltop Speedway are scheduled to open on April 11, weather permitting of course. Improvements to the shack are underway; concession trailers are being thoroughly scrubbed, and footers for new concrete sidewalks are being formed up. Andy Dice was on location this weekend giving the pa system a tune up as anticipation for the new season builds. A lot of high caliber events are in the making and Hilltop will need lots of fan support in order to succeed. There are many people questioning the move to a two day format and all I can say is this is the first step toward future plans. Maybe it will work and maybe it won’t but the strategy is to open the door for a larger variety of racing events, opportunity, and change. At this time Friday will remain as the primary night of racing and I am very confident a well run three division show will provide race fans the excitement they crave. The Saturday program will need time to grow and establish an entertaining field of cars as well as a fan base. This day also welcomes open competition, such as sprints, big block modifieds, and street stocks, along with future sanctioned events we are already studying. Someday there may be great clay, fancy rest rooms and a kitchen. We have to add more parking, camping areas and there is a whole lot more on our wish list so Hilltop has a long way to go and a short time to get there. We already have the best fans, dedicated employees, and great racing so that’s a pretty good start. We’ll figure the rest out.
Last edited by krace on Mon Mar 31, 2008 1:35 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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ladysam
Joined : 07 Mar 2008
Posts : 9
Location : ohio
| | Subject: Re: Infield View Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:59 am | |
| KEN .. well said .. AGAIN! 
Hope to see you Saturday for Practice!
It will be good to see the changes and to
get my layer of summer dirt started:)
Who needs a TAN .. Get DIRTY!
Heather
Pit Lady |
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Hoss
Joined : 03 Apr 2008
Posts : 1
| | Subject: Re: Infield View Thu Apr 03, 2008 1:12 am | |
| Well said Ken. I do hope that yours and my fear of the Pure stock class going to the wayside is only a fear and doesn't become a reality. I love racing Hillop and hope time is given to allow the class to build back up again. As for my 2 cents,I think they did what had to be done and I agree with the rules they are now going to enforce.I just hope I don't have to go to "WCS/FAP/RACE-CIEVER/TRANSPONDER/HOOSIER TIRE" to race. I think people allowed this to happen to themselves and you can be competitive with a stock firewall stock chassis etc.
Oh and Heather, too late I just got back from Florida I already have a tan but I'll take the dirt too.
See yunz Saturday !!! Hopfully.
Jeff Facemire
F18 PURE Stock |
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krace
Joined : 06 Mar 2008
Posts : 23
| | Subject: Re: Infield View Thu Apr 03, 2008 5:53 am | |
| Hey Jeff and thanks for joining in Dirt Rippers.
I'll bet you can guess there are more than just a few people that want to see
"Real" Pure Stocks not only do well, but prosper at Hilltop. The support is definately there.
It just doesn't make sense to build a high dollar car that is good for only one track and race for a hundred bucks or so. I can think of about a dozen cars that will be at Hilltop every week and all very good competitors. Plus it'll be fun again and thats really the bottom line. |
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towergirl
Age : 16
Joined : 01 Apr 2008
Posts : 10
| | Subject: Re: Infield View Tue Apr 08, 2008 12:44 pm | |
| Hey Ken,
Well Done. You Always Over Do Your Self. See You Friday Night=)
Brownies In The Tower......If You Beat Heather, Andy, Bob, Shawn And Kristen To Them! that is. -lol-
Jess |
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