2012newsarchives

Aberdeen, MS (02/20/12) – With the first week of Speedweeks in the books Jay Dickens Racing Engines (JDRE) has already claimed some big wins.

With many of the top teams in the nation in Florida for a two week stretch Don O’Neal got off to a quick start during the 36^th Annual Winternationals at East Bay Raceway Park (Gibsonton, Florida), which was sanctioned by the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series (LOLMDS). He began the six race series by winning the $5,000-to-win opener at the 1/3 mile oval on Monday night before backing it up on Tuesday night with another $5,000 win in his #71 Mastersbilt/Jay Dickens Racing Engine Super Late Model.

The World of Outlaws (WoO) Super Late Model tour was in action at Bubba Raceway Park (Ocala, Florida), and it was 2011 series’ champion, Rick Eckert, who claimed the $12,000 win on Saturday night at the unique, clay oval in his #24 Bloomquist/JDRE-powered entry.

WoO Rookie of the Year contender, Bub McCool, also made some noise at Ocala Bubba Raceway Park by recording a pair of top ten finishes to earn the Rookie of the Race honors for two of the events in his #57J Victory Circle By Moyer/Jay Dickens Racing Engine powered entry.

As JDRE continues to prepare for the rapidly-approaching Speedweeks 2012 in Georgia and Florida, the company would like to thank all of their customers for their support throughout the 2011 season and looks forward to an even bigger season in 2012.

The Florida Speedweeks action now moves to Volusia Speedway Park (Barberville, Florida) for a six race series over the course of February 20^th-25th, which includes four UMP DIRTCar events and two World of Outlaws Super Late Model events.

Jay Dickens Racing Engines power many of the nation's top teams with racing engines. In addition, they offer a full range of racing products and components from various vendors. For more information on Jay Dickens Racing Engines and all of their products, please visit http://www.JayDickens.com .

Hello Race Friends,

I just Got Some Very Sad News that Former Stock Car Driver "Jim Tobin" of Normal Illinois Passed Away Last Night while Vacationing in Florida. Jim's Oldest Son Kelly, just sent me a Message of his Passing. Kelly and his Brother Brian and Sister Teresa will be soon heading to Florida to be with their Mom, MaryBeth (Jim's Wife). Will let all know of his Funeral Arrangements when I hear from the Family.

I Feel so Awfully Sad to hear this as I have been a Friend of Jim's for 42 Years. Jim Helped Me Immensely to get Started in Stock Car Racing back in the 70's. I am so Happy & Proud that We Inducted Jim into the Peoria Oldtimers Racing Club "Hall of Fame" back in December of 2011. Jim was One of the Greatest People, that I have ever Known. He will be Missed So Much and Always will be Remembered .....

Sincerely,
Scott Shults

http://porc.webs.com/

The 9^th annual Midwest Speed Expo, Racers Trade Show and Swap Meet took place at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Various chassis builders, part dealers, engine builders, track promoters were on hand to showcase their products. Drivers also had booths to sell parts and had cars and trailers outside to sell. Race fans could purchase merchandise from Arizona Sportswear, pick up track schedules from tracks represented, drive the dirt late model simulator, and get a bite to eat from sponsor, Weebles Bar and Grill.

1 Donny Walden with his new Mastersbilt Generation X late model. Walden represented Walden Signs and Designs. after a succesful race party, Walden will be a driver to watch during the 2012 season.

2 2011 Fairbury American Legion Speedway UMP Modified Track Champion, Jeff Curl finished 38th in national points and was second in the Summit SummerNational Modifed series, represented Fusion Graphics. Curl will have his annual race party,Febuary 18th, at the Walton Centre in Fairbury.

3 Torin Mettille was on hand with a new car. Mettille purchased a Dustin Griffin owned/ Bob Pierce Race Car during the off season. Mettille is the grandson of former driver and car owner, Dick Turner, and nephew of former late model competitor, Corey Turner. Mettille in his second year, has a race party January 28th, at the American Legion Hall, in Cullom.

4 Dyer's Top Rods of Forrest,Illinois has been a long time supporter of the MidWest Speed Expo. Daren Friedman was on hand to answer questions from customers. The Friedman Race Party ( Daren and Jeb) will be on January 28th at the Walton Centre in Fairbury.

5 UMP National Late Model Champion, Ryan Unzicker, had his new Mastersbilt Generation X Late Model on display. Unzicker has set a goal of the Summer National Championship as his primary goal and looks to run the Dream and World 100 at Eldora.

6 For the third time, Mike Harrison earned the UMP National Championship in the always tough Modified division. Harrison has taken a liking to the Fairbury American Legion Speedway, winning four modified specials held at Fairbury. Harrison was awarded the 2012 MidWest Speed Expo Driver of the Year. Harrison is pictured with Promoter of the Expo, Terry Young.

Many of the drivers will be on hand as the Legion Speedway kicks off their 2012 season on April 28. The second annual Fairbury American Legion Speedway Fan Club Party will be held February 26 at the Pontiac,Illinois VFW. More information can be found on the Fairbury Speedway website in the forum section.

(Merrill, WI--January 1, 2012) Readers of Racing Promotion Monthly this year selected three first-time and three repeat nominees as Regional Auto Racing Promoters of the Year. They came from among 87 different short tracks in 33 states receiving votes. The nominees’ experience ranges from six years to over 30 years. For the first time in the history of the award, all the regional nominees operate dirt tracks. One is affiliated with UMP for weekly racing, one with ASA, one with IMCA, one with WISSOTA, and two operate independently. All the nominated tracks are 1/3-mile or shorter.

The nominees are: Region One, the Eastern Region, Andrew Harpell, Five-Mile Point (NY) Speedway; Region Two, the Southeastern Region, James “Redd” Griffin, Screven (GA) Motor Speedway; Region Three, the Central Region, Bob Sargent, Macon (IL) and Paducah (KY) Speedways; Region Four, the Northern Region, Wayne Anderson, Don & Linus Mack, and Darren Evavold, River Cities (ND) Speedway; Region Five, the Great Plains Region, Roger Hadan, Eagle (NE) Raceway; and the Rocky Mountain West Region, Steve Beitler, Skagit (WA) Speedway. Harpell received his third consecutive nomination, and Sargent his second, following a Prior 2002 nomination and Beitler his second nomination. The Griffin, Hadan, and the Grand Forks quartet are first time nominees.

The Auto Racing Promoter of the Year ballot will soon reach promoters. The Thirty-Sixth ARPY will be revealed during the Thirty-Ninth Annual RPM Speedweek National Workshop at the Plaza Resort & Spa, Daytona Beach, FL; February 20, 2012.

The Auto Racing Promoter of the Year is short track racing’s most prestigious award. It is awarded each year after voting by promoters. The award was originated in 1976 by the editors of Racing Promotion Monthly. Voting is conducted in two phases: a preliminary ballot in the newsletter nominates candidates in six regions. The six candidates become Regional Promoters of the Year and then appear on a second ballot for final voting.

The Queensland family, Deer Creek (MN) Speedway, received the award last year. Previous winners are: Hugh Deery, 1976/1984; J.C. Agajanian, 1977; D. Anthony Venditti, 1978; Jack Gunn, 1979; George Eisenhart, 1980; Dick O'Brien, 1981; Howard Tiedt, 1982; Don Martin, 1983; Glenn Donnelly, 1985; Cary Agajanian, 1986; Bud Lunsford, 1987; Bob Daniels, 1988; Howard Commander, 1989; Ray Wilkings, 1990; Paul Kuhl, 1991; Robert Lawton; 1992; Earl Baltes, 1993; Jody Deery, 1994; Andy Vertrees, 1995; Charles Powell, 1996; C-Ray Hall, 1997; Larry Kemp, 1998; Charles Cathell, 1999; Charles Deery, 2000; Ralph Capitani, 2001; Lanny Edwards, 2002; Bob & Nadine Strauss, 2003; Tom Curley, 2004, Steve York, 2005; John Padjen, 2006; Lynn Phillips, 2007; Joe & Walt Doellefeld, 2008; and the Nuckles family, Columbus (OH) Motor Speedway, 2009.

Racing Promotion Monthly, the idea newsletter for auto racing promoters, and the Workshops are produced with the year-round support of K&K Insurance Group, Inc., Hoosier Racing Tire. The RPM Promoters Workshops are produced with additional support from: The Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno, INEX, Chevrolet Performance, Moffett Productions, Raceceiver, Lucas Oil, Simes Graphic Designs, AMI Graphics, Advertising Edge, Sunoco Race Fuels, and Firethorn Marketing. The Speedweek Workshop is the 103rd produced by Racing Promotion Monthly since 1974. More than 1,200 track operators, their employees, and industry leaders attended last year’s Workshops. More information is available from RPM at 715-536-1067.

Please add rpmeditor@frontier.com and e3dsbounce@ethreemail.com, to your address book to ensure delivery to your inbox, rather than to bulk or junk folders. If you prefer not to receive these e-mails, please write phone or e-mail Racing Promotion Monthly: Stewart Doty, PO Box 406, Merrill, WI 54452, 715-536-1067.