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Author: SM Staff

  • New IndyCar Series ‘DW12’ Chassis To Make First Appearance in Canada

    Canadian Motorsports Expo Powered by Inside Track staff announced that as part of the three day show, they will be featuring a special show car – the 2012 IndyCar Series D12 Dallara Chassis.

    This will mark the first time that the completed version of the 2012 Dallara DW12 IndyCar will make its appearance in Canada. A preview of the final version was on display at the Honda Indy Toronto last year, but there have since been significant changes. Dallara named the the chassis “DW12″ in honor of the late Dan Wheldon, who helped develop the car and and is a two-time winner of the Indy 500. The car is being put on display on behalf of the Honda Indy Toronto staff.

    “Canadian Motorsports Expo visitors are going to be the first in Canada to get a firsthand look at the new road course version of the Dallara DW12 IZOD IndyCar Series car, identical to the ones that will be in action on the streets of Toronto in July,” CME’s David Weber said. “The Honda Indy Toronto is one of Canada’s biggest sports and entertainment events and we’re excited to be working the organizers to promote both the event and Canadian motorsports at the CME.”

    The Honda Indy Toronto brings the stars of the IZOD IndyCar Series, Firestone Indy Lights and other major racing series to Toronto to race along the streets of the Exhibition Grounds. The event weekend is schedule to take place July 6th through the 8th for 2012. Representatives from the event will on-hand to talk about the 2012 event and the new IndyCar Series chassis.

    “The Honda Indy Toronto is the highlight of the year for many motorsports fans and car aficionados,” Charlie Johnstone, Vice President and General Manager of the Honda Indy Toronto. “Motorsports has much more to offer than one single weekend of spectacular racing and excitement. IndyCar and other racing series can offer great entertainment all year long, which is something we will also offer at the CME.

    “At the CME, we can speak directly to the motorsport enthusiast who will definitely appreciate seeing the new car up-close and in-person six months before it hits the track,” continued Johnstone.”

    The Canadian Motorsports Expo will be taking place at the International Centre from February 10th to February 12th. The three-day event is meant to highlight the best of Canadian motorsports and let the fans get up-and-close with the race cars, while giving the fans a chance to meet racing superstars.

    Canadian racing talent has been building in the IZOD IndyCar Series as 2011 IndyCar Rookie of the Year James Hinchcliffe and 2011 Indy 500 pole-winner Alex Tagliani have both signed deals for full-time rides. Hinchcliffe, who was born in Ontario, recently signed with Andretti Autosport while Tagliani, who was born in Quebec, recently signed with Bryan Herta Autosport. Both drivers are also nominated for an Inside Track Readers’ Choice Award.

    Canadian racing veteran Paul Tracy could also have a full-time ride for 2012 as he in talks with teams, but nothing has yet to be confirmed.

    “We have some solid Canadian talents participating this year and driving at the highest level,” Johnstone said. “Having Canadian IndyCar drivers is very important for us and for our fans. We always want to see local heroes on-track and to have them succeed. We can’t wait to see how they perform in Toronto this July and what the season holds for our Canadian drivers.”

  • Attack of the inanimate objects

    Attack of the inanimate objects

    [media-credit name=”CIA Stock Photo” align=”alignright” width=”248″][/media-credit]Contrary to popular belief, the NASCAR hauler, safer barrier and Sprint Cup are actually alive and well. The Twitter accounts for these objects are anyway. These are just a few of the NASCAR-related inanimate objects that have sprung up on Twitter causing a whirlwind of humor and sarcasm in their wake. Who knew a wall or a line could talk (or tweet)?

    Some of these accounts are quite comical whereas some are more laid back. Some follow back, some don’t.  But whoever came up with the idea to create these accounts is pretty clever or just has way too much time on his or her hands. Either way, I like it and follow many of them. And if you’re wondering, no I’m not the voice behind any of them.

    I’ve been on Twitter for quite some time now and to my knowledge, it was @TheMiniChad (who was previously named @mini_chad) who paved the way for the other inanimate objects to come out and and play.

    If you’re not familiar with Twitter, the “Chad” part of the screen name is for Jimmie Johnson’s crew chief, Chad Knaus. The Mini Chad is a (small, not life sized) card board cut out of Knaus that helps the guys in the garage and seems to be quite the ladies man. He (it) also posts a lot of information on the Lowe’s 48 team. All in all, a great follow if you’re a fan of Jimmie Johnson’s. He even has a website if you’re interested: http://theminichad.com/

    Another one of the first inanimate accounts (again, that I know of) is @JacquesDebris. And he’s quite a character, let me tell you. Just by looking at that mustache, you already know he’s up to something. He’s always there to help out during the NASCAR races when an extra kick is needed. I always just tell him to “Free The Debris!”

    Here, I have compiled a list of the inanimate objects on Twitter for you to follow (if you wish). And that is including some drivers body parts as well. If there are any I may have missed (and I’m sure there are), please feel free to add them in the comment section below.

    @TheMiniChad
    @JacquesDebris
    @TheOrangeCone
    @TheSAFERbarrier
    @The_GreenFlag
    @FlagCaution
    @DaleJr_Beard
    @TheNASCARHauler
    @CarlEdwrdsteeth
    @TheYellowLine_
    @SouvenirProgram
    @Sir_NASCARNAGE
    @TheYellowLugNut
    @GoodYear_Tire_
    @The_Sprint_Cup
    @NascarPaceCar
    @DaCheckeredFlag
    @Da_Black_Flag
    @The_Fuel_Cell
    @KevinsForeHead
    @FLAG_STAND
    @InfieldGrass
    @StartFinishLine
    @TheCatchFence
    @HotPitPass
    @NASCAROuterWall
    @NASCARRainDelay
    @JJsBeard
    @DaCautionFlag
    @NASCARJetDryer
    @FlagStand
    @acheckeredflag
    @48Horseshoe

    Follow me on Twitter as well: @MelissaM88

  • David Ragan’s Season of Change On and Off the Track

    [media-credit id=40 align=”alignright” width=”239″][/media-credit]When the checkered flag dropped at Homestead officially closing the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, the season of change for David Ragan began on, as well as off, the track.

    The biggest change for Ragan was learning that his sponsor was leaving, jeopardizing his continuing relationship with Roush Fenway Racing.

    And although Ragan was mentioned as the prime candidate for several open seats during ‘silly season’, his future in the sport was not secured until this week when it was announced he would pilot the No. 34 Ford for Front Row Motorsports.

    “My heart was at Roush Fenway Racing all year, hoping to continue,” Ragan said. “But we just couldn’t make that happen.”

    “When we got back from Homestead, a lot of the guys were taking other opportunities and they laid off some employees,” Ragan continued. “So, I could see the writing on the wall that it just wasn’t going to happen.”

    “The Front Row guys have always had a relationship with the Ford Racing team so with me being in the Ford camp, I knew some of them,” Ragan said. “I understood their goals and as a young team, I could see a lot of potential.”

    “I had a few other opportunities on the table but those opportunities did not materialize,” Ragan continued. “So, I just stayed in touch with them.”

    “In order to stay in the Sprint Cup Series and in order to stay in a Ford, it was important to sign with them for the year.”

    While Ragan’s world changed dramatically, the young Cup driver acknowledged that the world, including the NASCAR community, has also dramatically changed. This is particularly true as it applies to NASCAR corporate sponsorship.

    “In this day and age in the NASCAR world, you have to have some connections in the corporate community to help bring some revenue to the team,” Ragan said. “I worked as much on that side of the coin as with the teams and owners.”

    “I’ve brought a lot of contacts to the team that I’ve made in the sport,” Ragan continued. “It’s something that collectively we’re going to work on.”

    Ragan also anticipates another change, that of moving from one of the sport’s bigger teams to a smaller team primarily funded by the team owner. Yet he acknowledges that moving from a large to a more intimate team also has its advantages.

    “Front Row has primarily been funded from the car owner, Bob Jenkin’s, side to keep it going,” Ragan said. “So, that’s going to be a big change.”

    “But you’ve got a group of guys working together to run the two cars and that’s going to be better because you feel more of a personal relationship with the team,” Ragan continued. “I think there’s a lot of room to grow the Front Row team.”

    “The landscape is certainly changing and the gaps between the haves and the have nots is closing up a little tighter each day.”

    Another major change on the track for Ragan will be dealing with the new fuel injection in the race cars. Although he did not participate in the recent Daytona testing, Ragan feels confident that he will be able to easily cope with these changes.

    “From a driver’s standpoint, there’s really not much difference,” Ragan said. “The cars drive and respond in pretty much the same way.”

    “I’ve driven quite a bit of the fuel injection stuff over the past year doing testing for the Roush Yates engine department,” Ragan continued. “That’s something that will help the Front Row Motorsports team and we will utilize our Ford partnership.”

    Ragan is also focused on coping with another major change on the track, that of getting to know a whole new team, owner and crew chief. And he also is in the getting acquainted stage with new teammate David Gilliland.

    “I’m spending as much time as possible at the race shop, meeting the guys and learning their system,” Ragan said. “We’re starting to talk schedule and traveling and then we’ll get down to business, with set ups and cars.”

    “My teammate David Gilliland ran third in the Daytona 500 and me winning the race in July, I feel like we should have a good pairing for the race,” Ragan continued. “David is a good speedway racer so it should be fun to plan out our strategy.”

    “I think things are going well and it will help us that we’re in the Bud Shoot Out,” Ragan said. “That will help break the ice for the Daytona 500.”

    Ragan is, however, expecting one major change, particularly at Daytona. He is predicting that tandem racing for the entire race may be a thing of the past and the pack may indeed be back.

    “I expect a combination of both tandem and pack racing,” Ragan said. “The engine has been restricted so much that you just can’t have the tandem racing all race long.”

    “I think you’ll see spurts of it all race long but the meat of it will most likely be pack racing with guys conserving cars to be there at the end.”

    With the many changes on the track for David Ragan, he added one more change to his repertoire. This change, however, applied more to his off track activities than his racing career.

    Ragan proposed to his long-time girlfriend Jacquelyn Ann Butler. They are planning for their wedding in December of this year.

    “I wasn’t quite brave enough to ask her at a sporting event on the jumbotron before 50,000 people,” Ragan said. “Her and I went off for a little weekend and I was fairly traditional.”

    “I got down on one knee and the good news is that she said yes,” Ragan continued. “I wasn’t going to get up until she did say yes. That was good and I was glad to have her not expecting it.”

    One thing that has not changed in Ragan’s life is his devotion to his work as a Shriner. The other is his love for racing super late models.

    “I’m still doing a lot of work with Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, getting our dates planned out for the Shrine Bowl at Carolina Speedway,” Ragan said. “And I’m going to race my super late model car a few times in January and run the first CRA race of the season in Georgia at Speedfest.”

    “So, I’m looking forward to getting back on the track with that and then Daytona will be here before you know it.”

    So, what has Ragan learned through the many changes in his life on and off the track?

    “It makes you appreciate your program and your job when you have a full-time sponsor when you know your plans going into the off season and during the holidays,” Ragan said. “But this sport is so tough and there’s a lot of great drivers and teams and things are changing.  The world we live in is changing and the sport is too.”

    “We just look forward to a great opportunity at Front Row,” Ragan continued. “They have a great deal of potential and we look forward to taking the team to the next level.”

  • Oriol Servia Joins Dreyer and Reinbold Racing For 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series Season

    After finishing fourth last season in the IZOD IndyCar Series Championship standings, Oriol Servia has partnered with Dreyer and Reinbold Racing.

    “I couldn’t be more excited, for many reasons,” the 37-year-old said. “DRR is a team that I raced against since 2008 and they’ve always shown to be very professional at the racetrack. Although I knew the owners, I didn’t know them very well, to be honest. Before signing with the team, like everybody else, I did my research and I couldn’t find one individual that didn’t speak highly of Dennis or Robbie (Buhl), which gave me a lot of confidence.

    “I went to the team’s sponsor summit last week (in Florida) and met all of their partners that they have been involved with for many, many years, which was another clear sign that they are good people.”

    The driver from Catalonia, Spain, posted 11 top-10 finishes with a high of second at New Hampshire and Baltimore for Newman/Haas Racing. He also led all drivers in laps completed with 2,103 of 2,111 and was the only driver to finish in the top 10 in the first five races of the season.

    “With a new engine, new chassis and a revamped engineering department, we believe it is crucial to have a highly talented veteran driver to be able to develop these new components,” Dreyer & Reinbold co-owner Dennis Reinbold said. “Oriol has always been a smart driver and has always put himself and his team in a position to win races. We are going to have to be well-prepared to take advantage of his abilities and we look forward to the challenge.”

    Servia got his start with Newman-Haas back in 2005 and the following season, he was able to finish second in points. From there, they tried to put a deal together, even running four races in 2009, though the deal didn’t come together till this year. He caught the eye of Newman-Haas after success in the Firestone Indy Lights, including a championship in 1999.

    “That’s a moment in my life where I was trying to become a professional racer, but I wasn’t yet,” he told me back in July of last year. “That meant that I had to win the championship if I wanted any chance and the day I won the championship, I only lost control of all of my emotions and it was a great feeling.”

    Dreyer and Reinbold Racing had already announced that they will be partnering with Lotus for 2012. Servia is eager to begin testing as the season-opening race is on March 25th with the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

    “I’m at the best point in my career and it was very important to partner with the right team,” he said. “When I visited the DRR facility in Indianapolis, I couldn’t have been more impressed. We are starting with a new engine and chassis, and I have confidence in Lotus and our ability to develop a quality product in 2012. When you have everyone pulling in the same direction like we are now is when we can accomplish our goals.”

    Dreyer & Reinbold Racing continues to work toward a second full-time entry for the 2012 season.

  • Steve Cote To Drive For White Motorsports in 2012

    Steve Cote To Drive For White Motorsports in 2012

    White Motorsports announced on January 15th that an agreement has been reached between Steve Cote and White Motorsports to participate in all twelve races of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season and go after the Rookie of the Year title.

    “I am excited to race from coast-to-coast at the highest level of stock car racing in Canada,” Cote said. “It is a privilege for me to be associated with NASCAR, White Motorsports and its owner Derek White. We will have two cars at our disposal, both of which are currently being upgraded to the latest specifications. Also, I will be reunited once more with my brother, Jonathan, who has already accumulated a year of experience with White Motorsports in the NCATS series. This will allow me to be competitive going in.”

    Cote has already had his fair share of success as he won the NASCAR Whelen All American Series Quebec Championship in 2010. This past season, he ran modifieds at All American Speedway in Roseville, California where he finished second in points and claimed rookie of the year.

    Steve Cote and the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series kick off the 2012 championship on the Mosport International Raceway road course (Bowmanville, ON) on May 20th. The 12-race schedule will visit racing facilities in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.

  • David Ragan to drive for Front Row Motorsports

    David Ragan to drive for Front Row Motorsports

    [media-credit name=”Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images North America” align=”alignright” width=”230″][/media-credit]David Ragan is no longer standing in NASCAR’s unemployment line.

    It has been reported by The Charlotte Observer’s Jim Utter that Ragan has signed on to drive for Front Row Motorsports full time in 2012. Front Row Motorsports is owned by restaurant entrepreneur  Bob Jenkins (not the ESPN commentator), who took full ownership of the team from Jimmy Means in 2005.  The team had just two top-10 finishes by David Gilliland last season. One being a third place finish in the biggest race of the year, the Daytona 500. Also driving full time for the team last season was Travis Kvapil who didn’t fair as well. His highest finish during the 2011 season was a 16th place finish at Martinsville in October.

    The Unadilla, GA native moves on from Roush Fenway Racing’s 6 car with one Sprint Cup Series win coming at Daytona last July.  Ragan lost his ride with the team due to the cut back of primary sponsor UPS and was released to find another full time ride in the series.

    Among the remaining unemployed Sprint Cup drivers are Brian Vickers, Landon Cassill and J.J. Yeley. It is unclear whether or not David Gilliland and Travis Kvapil will keep their rides with Front Row Motorsports this season.

    Sources have said to expect an official announcement of the new deal early this week.

  • NASCAR Notebook – Silly Season is Apparently Over

    NASCAR Notebook – Silly Season is Apparently Over

    It looks like the Daytona Pre-Season Thunder event pushed teams to make decisions on 2012. If you remember, David Ragan, David Reutimann, Kurt Busch, and Clint Bowyer were dismissed or left their rides following the 2011 season. One by one, they found employment, but the changes were substantial.

    [media-credit name=”CIA Stock Photo” align=”alignright” width=”253″][/media-credit]1. When sponsorship couldn’t be found for the Roush-Fenway No. 6 after the 2011 season, Roush released David Ragan from his contract. Ragan finally found a ride in one of the Front Row Motorsports Fords this weekend, as I predicted. It was also announced that Nationwide Series Champion Ricky Stenhouse, Jr. will be in the Daytona 500 in this car for seems to be a one-shot effort.

    2. After being released from the Michael Waltrip Racing No. 00 car, David Reutimann finally found a ride with Tommy Baldwin Racing for a limited number of races. Reutimann will be replaced by Mark Martin and owner Michael Waltrip in what will become the No.55.

    3. The No. 5 ride vacated by Martin will be filled with Kasey Kahne at Hendrick Motorsports. Kahne had driven the No. 4 Red Bull Toyota in 2011 after leaving Richard Petty Motorsports late in 2010.

    4. After Kurt Busch and Roger Penske agreed to part ways, and after much speculation on who would drive the No. 22 Dodge, A.J. Allmendinger was hired on what many consider to be a one-year contract.

    5. When Allmendinger was given his release from the No, 43 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford when main sponsor Best Buy left for Roush-Fenway, it was rumored that Kurt Busch would get that ride. Unfortunately, sponsors didn’t feel comfortable with Busch, so Aric Almirola got the ride and got the bonus of Smithfield Foods as a sponsor.

    6. When Clint Bowyer and Richard Childress couldn’t come to terms or a sponsor could not be found, Bowyer left the No. 33 Chevy for Michael Waltrip racing with NAPA as sponsor and using the No. 15. The No. 33, much like the No. 6 at Roush-Fenway, was retired.

    7. Kurt Busch ended up at Phoenix Racing with the No. 51 Chevrolet, which is considered an arm of Hendrick Motorsports. No sponsor has been announced.

    8. Scott Speed found a ride in the No. 95 Bob Leavine Ford for an unannounced number of races, a place Speed raced last year for a few races.

    9. Sadly, TRG Racing, the home of rookie of the year Andy Lally, has apparently closed shop to concentrate on other forms of racing

    Whew, is that ever a mouthful. In the more than 15 years I have been covering the Sprint Cup Series, I cannot remember any more changes. Most of it is a symptom of a not-yet-recovered economy. Things will get better in time. It will be interesting to see how the move to MWR Toyotas treats Martin and Bowyer, how Stenhouse performs in the No. 6 at Daytona, a race that car has been very competitive in, if Kahne can avoid the slump of the No. 5 at Hendrick, how A.J. does in the Penske organization, whether or not Aric Almirola can lead the Pettys back to victory circle, and finally what Kurt Busch will do in James Buescher’s cars. I can’t wait

    ********

    After all the stuff we’ve heard (and stuff is very appropriate in this context) over the years, we were led to believe that some insurance god somewhere had mandated that under no circumstances could cars run faster than 200 mph at Daytona, and something awful would happen if that were the case. Well in Daytona testing this week, even though single car speeds were well below that, 200 mph was fairly common in drafting. NASCAR went to a bigger plate on Friday, and the result was Kurt Busch topping 206 mph, and went back to the smaller plate on Saturday. The result was still speeds in excess of 200 mph, so I guess we can expect some tweaks before next month if the 200 mph insurance mandated limit is still in effect. Or was it ever? Kurt Busch said this week that was common in the two car drafts. I have no idea, but the last two days saw more pack racing.

    *********

    I cannot imagine how it feels to be David Ragan and David Reutimann these days. Ragan was in the car that Mark Martin almost won numerous championships in, and was featured in UPS commercials the last few years. Now, he’s been relegated to running in a car that, well, hasn’t been all that competitive. Reutimann is in the same position. Both have won races in better equipment, but their chances, except at Daytona or Talladega, are slim (anyone can win there). It also points to the big gap in the haves and have-nots.

  • Mikey Kile: Ready For The Challenge with Andy Belmont Racing

    In their breakout season last year with driver Chad McCumbee, Andy Belmont Racing set the bar high as they won the Bill France Four Crown Award and finished fifth in driver’s points. With that said, Mikey Kile knows the expectations are high for him this year.

    “I can’t wait to get the season going,” Kile said. “They’ve really set the bar high at Andy Belmont Racing, so it’s a tremendous challenge to take it to the next level. I believe our ModSpace team will come out of the blocks fast. This race team will start the year in full stride.”

    The Westlake, La. driver has had success before as he finished fifth in points in 2010 with Venturini Motorsports. The season begins for the 28-year-old at Daytona with the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 on February 18th.

    “I’m confident we’ll be in the championship hunt all year,” Jennifer Belmont said. “Mikey is the driver I believe can make us a contender in our flagship car. He’s always been fast at Daytona, so we’re confident he will get us off to a good start. Everyone on this race team has spent a lot of hours making sure he will have a good car. Mikey will do the rest.”

    Kile got started in racing through go-karts at a young age. Since then, he has moved up the ranks, having success at various levels. Career highlights include four carting championships, eight IMCA modified wins and 2008 USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series Rookie of the Year.

    In 2009, Kile ran some ARCA and Camping World Truck Series races for Brad Keselowski Racing. In the truck series, he qualified career-high 10th at Las Vegas and finished a career-high 11th at both Milwaukee and Gateway in the Truck Series. In the ARCA Series, he qualified a career-high 10th at Kentucky and finished a career-high fourth at Talladega.

    “It was good,” Kile said of that experience back in 2010. “Our first outing we ran at Martinsville and finished 11th. I think we ran six races and finished top-12 in three or four of the six. We were sixth quickest at Vegas and running top-10 there and top-10 at Texas and a pit stop issue there caught us outside of the top 10. It was a learning curve, but definitely running there and running good, I felt like I belonged there.”

    In 2010, he ran the full schedule for Venturini Motorsports, which led to him running some ARCA races for Venturini in 2011 and some NASCAR Camping World Truck and Nationwide races for Turner Motorsports.

    Last month, Andy Belmont Racing made it official that they had hired Mikey Kile for the entire 2012 season.

    Andy Belmont Racing also added a new crew chief to the team as they brought Jeff McClure on board. Though there will be one thing that stays the same for ABR as Modspace has come back on board.

    “ModSpace is always excited to start the season at Daytona,” said William Mann, vice president of ModSpace Motorsports. “The history and energy that comes with this historic track always creates an exciting race! We are looking forward to seeing Mikey get behind the wheel the No. 1 ModSpace Ford and deliver a top-notch finish.”

    “The entire team had a successful test at Daytona and they came back with a lot of notes to make the car even better,” Kile added. “This is an exciting time for everyone involved with this ModSpace race team. We’re all eager to get it started at Daytona. We will also be testing a new car at Talladega Superspeedway at the end of this month.”

  • Kevin Swindell Takes Chili Bowl Hat Trick

    The Chili Bowl went off without a hitch. Although its spirit was dampened by the loss of one of its young stars, Donnie Ray Crawford, in a domestic violence situation. More so than other series I have covered the young man’s loss was felt strongly by not only competitors but fans and officials a like. So much so that in his memory they increased the main event by 5 laps to make it 55 his car number and used his car as the pace vehicle to start the race. The only other showing of grief that even comes close to what I saw today was the grief seen in Rockingham in 2001 after the loss of Dale Earnhardt.

    The last day of the event saw 19 races starting with the K mains and progressed up to the A main. 4 cars transferred from each race until the D mains when 6 cars transferred and finally the 12 from the 2 B main features filled the last 12 spots of the 24 car field of the Chili Bowl.

    The biggest surprise of the day was the Chili Bowl Rookie of the Year winning his B Main in commanding fashion. Richard Vanderweerd won his feature event by a straight away over 2nd place RJ Johnson. Though he didn’t make it into the top ten in the A main when the dust cleared, he showed himself to be a very talented and gifted young man.

    The fore gone conclusion of the day, that a Swindell would win the Chili Bowl. And one did. Kevin Swindell pulled off the Chili Bowl hat trick in a race that was interrupted by on only one caution flag for Levi Jones tumble in turns one and two. Jones who was uninjured in the crash never returned to the fray. From that point on the pole sitter dominated the race. From the green flag to the checkered flags Kevin Swindell lead every single lap.

    Kevin’s only challenge for the race came from his father Sammy. The elder Swindell made several hard charges at his son until he got tangled up with a lap car and broke the left rear shock and damaged the front axle. For most competitors that would have been the end of their day. Sammy Swindell however is not most competitors and he finished the final 6 laps in a car that was not capable of making any further challenge for the lead.

    Third place went to the young lion, Kyle Larson. This young man is going places. Even though he never mounted a serious challenge to the Swindells, he held off all comers otherwise and finished third in a dominant 5 car advantage over Danny Stratton, who came in 4th. This youngster can slice and dice and bicycle a midget as well as the much more experienced drivers he was competing against. His personable and likeable personality fills the picture with a great deal of fan presence.

    The remainder of the top 10 were not surprises either. With the exception of Kyle Larson they were all very experienced Midget drivers and Chili Bowl Competitors. 5th place went to Bryan Clauson. 6th to Brad Sweet, 7th to Cory Kruzeman, 8th to Jerry Coons Jr, 9th to Ricky Stenhouse Jr and 10th to Tony Stewart.

    The day was a long one. The main event was almost anti climatic. But the real story of the Chili Bowl wasn’t who won or who lost instead it was about the strength and determination of the human spirit when faced with grief and pain. The character and emotional strength it took for every one of those competitors today to get in those cars and carry on was a testament to the affection and respect they had for their fallen friend. Somewhere in the back of their minds each and every one of them realized that though they might not want to carry on with this it would be the ultimate show of disrespect to Donnie Ray Crawford to pack up and go home without trying. It’s not how he would have wanted it. He was there with them every single lap. Cheering them on to victory and consoling them in their loss. No doubt the young man marveled at the respect he was given by heroes like Kevin Swindell, Sammy Swindell, Bryan Clauson and Tony Stewart. But it is the way of the sport. It is the way that we say good bye. But even then not really good bye just see you at the next track.

    Last note of interest Joey Moughan was released from the hospital this morning after remaining for observation over night with no serious injuries.

  • Donny Ray Crawford killed at his home.

    Donny Ray Crawford killed at his home.

    The Chili Bowl has experienced a tragedy. In an off track domestic incident, Chili Bowl competitor Donny Ray Crawford who was locked in to the H main for today’s competition, was shot and killed along with his grandfather at his home last night.

    A third person, an adult woman was also injured in the shooting. She was able to talk when emergency workers arrived and she was reported to have said, “”I don’t want to lose my son”

    Wagoner County Sheriff Bob Colbert said the shooting appears to be the result of a family disturbance.

    “It’s too early to say why it happened,” he said, adding that there is no reason for the community to feel at risk.

    “It appears to be a family thing,” he said.

    It has been reported that tonight’s A-Main will be extended to 55 laps in honor of Crawford.

    [media-credit name=”Facebook ” align=”alignright” width=”218″][/media-credit]The race community here in Tulsa is saddened and shocked by the occurrence. The thoughts and prayers from all of the staff at Speedway Media go out to the family, friends and fans of Donny Ray Crawford.