1
Sept. 20, 2002

  Igoracing tells about going racing….

                 I have heard many people say how the racetrack is meditative.  How can a track relax people?  With cars with almost 800 horsepower speeding along you can look around the track and see children sleeping.  I suppose being at the track you don’t have to think about everything like you would at school or work.  Just sit back and watch, get some food, drink a beer, talk to some people, maybe even cheer a little.  And on a good nite eat some dirt.  Forget your problems at the gate for a minor charge to watch a favorite pastime. 

 Going to your home track is like a happy place, cause if it wasn’t then would you see the same people every race nite?  Walking up the stands going to your normal seat and looking at the track, thinking, “I bet the high side will be fast tonite.”  Don’t be shy we all do it.  But just sitting at the track before the cars fire up just thinking how nice it is for tonite, maybe that is the relaxing part.  The fresh air and being refreshed to be out of the office helps slow down.

I guess it depends on the person on why they are comfortable at the track. Some of course is because of alcohol. But others have something else inside of them, like being one with himself or herself with no one to answer to.  It still amazes me that children can sleep that shows the truth of being happy-go-lucky.  If we all were that carefree we would just sleep at home without needing racing to help entertain and relax us.

so off we go..

2
Continuing from Racenut’s  #6
 
Favorite Racers

          What makes a racer your favorite? Why would you go to battle to
stick up for them?  Everyone has a favorite racer or favorite racers, but what
makes them so special to you? The loyalty that fans show their racer always
makes me impressed, because how many people know their favorites?  But they
spend 20 or 25 dollars to buy the new t-shirts, 15 or 20 dollars for the new
hat, whatever else the souvenir trailer has, and endless amounts on following
them around this great country. And still the question remains, why are your
favorite drivers your favorite drivers?? So I let my curiosity get the best of
me and I posted the question on 4m.net. 

             My initial thought was the people pick their drivers because they
know them personally. But I have to come to realize not everyone knows his or her
drivers. Maybe people read things or hear good things about the personalities
and that draws them.  But how often to you read good things about “racer X”,
more likely about how he did something wrong. I am sure that some people
become fans or maybe not, of a certain driver after meeting them. Also I would
bet some people do know all their favorite drivers, maybe just in passing but
that’s enough. Lots of guys work on crews or are married to a driver and in
turn are obviously the favorite driver of those people.

             The second thought I had was, the driving styles.  The way a guy
drives his car can impress you. If the guy carries the left front wheel all
around the track and marches right to the front that is impressing. It makes
you notice.  Or the guy, who drives the top of the track, sparks along the
wall and wins by half a fender, impressive of course. How about the guy who
runs the bottom, bouncing his car over the tires and goes from last to first
in 5 laps, that’s cool too. Maybe you like the guy who pushes the guy in front
of him to get around, because he has a much faster car or the guy who will
just change lines to get around the slower car. However the driver drives,
makes you like or dislike him, in turn makes him a favorite of yours.

             Third possibility, just the way the car looks. If this car is
colorful with nice designs and a good-looking number on the doors, you may
watch him more then the ugly car behind him. Or maybe you watch the ugly car
because it’s not the outside that counts. But one thing you hear, boy oh boy
that car looks tight he had a good run tonite or man, I like  “racer X’s” new
car. People always notice new designs, even if they haven’t seen the car race
in awhile. Maybe it’s shallow to watch a car because of a design or color
scheme, but it happens, that’s why guys have designs on the cars, to get
noticed.

       Well those were my ideas; here is what the 4mers had to say; no
whining, clean driving, winning, down to earth, watching them on a local
level, a driver who can drive anything, intensity, and emotion..

 So I guess no one is real sure why we cheer for certain guys, we just do. But
I am sure the drivers are glad we decided to root for them. And when they make
themselves open to meeting the fans that just makes more fans. So having a
cool car, a good driving style and being a nice guy all make us have our
favorites…

 Just like everyone I have mine, B12 Weaver, 47 Hillard, 25 Ross Jr., and
others but don’t worry I wont show favoritism.

Off season coming soon, withdraw coming soon too….
 

3
 

October 17, 2002

     Off Season Blues

           I know we all have the blues. It’s the darn cold months between race season end and race season beginning. When days are shorter and the sun is down before we get home from school or work. In some parts of the country off-season comes about 2 months too early. We all know that if it were 35 degrees we would be at the track watching racing. But some promoters don’t like that idea. So we deal with the off-season a tad bit earlier then the rest. There are a few different ways to deal with the spare time on the weekends during the wintertime. Of course these aren't all the possible ways…

          1. Have a lot of money hiding under a bed or in a bank. So then you can travel to Florida, Australia or any other warm climate with dirt tracks. Warm weather will sound nice when the blizzard of 2002-03 hits Illinois. J

          2. Buy the new dirt track racing game for the PC. You can race a single race or a career, 14 different tracks, modifieds, late models and street stocks. It’s a lot of fun. Really nice graphics.

          3. Stay on racing forums, 4m to midwestdirttrackfacts to dirtracerschat. Wait until someone does something or until someone talks bad about your track or drivers. Or race online with the old dirt racing game. Or read someone’s ramblings about how to cure winter blues.

          4. Get a lot of home cleaning or fixing up done. That the wife or husband has been putting off every weekend until racing is done. It’s about time to go to the hardware store.

          5.Get to know the family. Since you only saw them a few hours each night and Sundays, they kind of miss you. More children are conceived during the winter for a reason. We all understand that.

          6. Work on the racecar every night or once a week at least. Just to smell the fumes and hear the rumble. Maybe off-season is a good time to pick a new design for the car. Get all the parts lined up for when you need them next season you may have a chance to find them. The most work sometimes gets achieved during the winter.

          7. Sit on the computer every night. Then you can plan each weekend’s designations. You know where you are going in July but its only December. On the computer looking at 4m, talking to people from 4m on AOL Instant messenger. A lot of us have done that. But it is all in good fun. J

          8. Buy a snow mobile and go racing in the snow. With our luck we would buy one and it wouldn’t snow for the next 3 years. Then I guess a 4 wheeler would work about the same too.

          9. Learn a new hobby. Something that you have wanted to do, but now you have the extra money to afford it. That 20 dollars a weekend adds up. So look how much you have left around.

          10. Sleep all winter. Don’t wake up until opening night.

 

4
 

Halloween Special

 

RAMBLING # 13

              With Halloween being my favorite holiday, I decided to tie it together with my favorite sport.  So I posted a question on handy 4m.net. The question was, “what are your superstitions?” and “why?” I figured the replies would be heavier on the superstitions and not the why part. I also decided to go to some racers for their lucky charms or superstitions.  Superstitions have been around forever and at the track since the 2nd race, because the winning driver wore the same shirt as he did last week. Luck is just as important as good equipment. So anything to help a driver feel ‘lucky’ may just make a good night. Maybe I shouldn’t write this rambling, it is NUMBER 13…. J

             The fear of the number 13 is a familiar superstition. But for some it’s a lucky number. How can a number affect the way something goes? It’s just a number. For witches it was important, there is 13 moon cycles in a year and there is also 13 witches in a group. Maybe people don’t like the thought of 13 witches making spells are coming to close to them.

             The color green is also a so-called bad luck charm. Green not the best looking color but not necessarily bad luck. I suppose someone some one once saw a green car have one big ole wreck, and then decided green, bad choice of color. Then passed the story on and so on.. So one or two bad green car wrecks, did it in for the color green on a racecar.

             No peanuts around the racecar, that sounds so weird. Rumor has it when someone looked inside Fireball Roberts racecar after his fatal wreck, they found peanut shells. Not to bring up the sad point but too many others have been killed in a racecar with peanuts around.

 Some other superstitions included from 4mers…

Don’t walk under ladders… things may fall on your head.

Don’t open an umbrella in doors… you may break something

Break a mirror and have 7 years bad luck…7 years to get the glass out of your finger..

 
I talked to a couple different drivers about what their superstitions were. I personally think  these are really cool.

 Jody Teffeteller driver of the #2 late model from Tennessee answered the question about superstitions.  “ I always put my nomex socks on the same foot, never right on left and I don’t feel comfortable unless I’m chewing gum.” Isn’t he cute? J

Tim Hamburg driver of the #57 late model from Illinois answers, “no #13, no peanuts and NO GREEN at all.”

 I think superstitions are more a feeling of security then anything real. It’s all in our heads.  So if we feel better about that nite, then we will probably do better in that night’s activity. Whatever it takes to make the secure feeling is what we are going to do, even if it seems stupid to other people.

 Happy Halloween!!

 

5
 

11/2/02

     Watch the Other guys….

             Everyone always can remember who won the late model feature, but how many know who won the other classes features? What makes the late models so much better then modifieds or even street stocks? Some nights the ‘support’ classes are a better show then the late models. At most tracks there are more modifieds and street stocks then late models. Of course a big reason for that is late models cost BIG MONEY! So why is the focus always on the late models, that is the question…

             The speed of a late model is usually much higher then the other classes. Granted the engine in a hornet (4cylinder) would not out run any horse and buggy let alone an 800 horse of a late model, but hornet racing is still exciting (when they aren’t rolling over). The lates look impressive carrying the left front around, but mods do that and now even sportsmen can do that. But I do agree lates are quick and getting quicker. But the other classes’ competition is just as close and sometimes closer.

             Next, late models have so many different series’ to run. UDTRA to UMP to MARS, any guy with a late model can pick a series. The mods, sportsmen and others have maybe 1 series to run and it’s the local track running for points. Not a touring series. UMP gives points to the local guys but it’s for running UMP sanctioned tracks. Some tracks even have more then 1 class of modifieds. So there could be several series for just the modifieds. 

            There are an average of 35+ modifieds at my home track. They are somewhat cheaper to up keep and get started compared to late models. With so many talented modified drivers, why not have a series or 3? These mod guys race hard ever weekend with very little pay and even less recognition. People like modifieds, so why couldn’t they highlight a series? Then maybe throw in some sportsmen, street stocks, hornets, and trucks. Mods could still run support to late models at local shows. Granted some tracks have special shows but it’s not a series with a big trophy, extra money or the pride of winning a series championship.

            I guess I am one who would go watch mods race. Look back and look which ‘big dogs’ either started in or sometime ran a modified. So when racing starts again, take a look at those ‘support’ classes, including modifieds. You may just see the future of the sport.

 

6
 

 Give Thanks

The end of the season is upon us. For the most part it was a safe season. But as in many occupations some were lost. Some were lost at the racetrack doing what they love, others just out doing what they did.  Either way family, friends, and fans miss them.

 So this Thanksgiving, give thanks for a safe racing season and safe year. And remember those who are sitting at their dinner table that has an empty chair. 

God bless all still among us and God bless the new people who have entered our lives. 

  Congratulations to all the 2002 Track Champions

and....

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanks to all who have taken the time to read these pages, and hopefully a smile has somehow found its way to you.

Torri
11/25/02

 

7
 

Advantages of Winter
 12/06/02

 

I know I complain about winter a lot, but today before my physics class, I realized winter is good. Another winter has fallen upon us. For some of us, our home track lays dormant under a layer of snow. For others the track just lays quiet with no racing because of the lack of winter season. Either way we have no racing, unless snowmobiles or 4 wheelers, or maybe the kids running around the living room. A few good things do come from these few months off, even if it does not seem true. Everything needs the off-season.

 

Tracks.. The racing surface has become rubber and dirt, not the good dirt and a little rubber. Just think about the track bathrooms, especially the women’s during the intermissions of big races. It’s amazing some places still have restrooms. Speaking of backsides, what about the stands? Some stands shouldn’t be aloud to be sat on, so it’s probably safer not to go near them during the winter. Parking lots need the rest too, after some extremely wet days; some tracks needed push trucks for people leaving.

 

Personal.. The people in charge of racing, from series leaders to the line up guy. I am sure they are tired of listening to complaints. Six plus months is enough to listen to upset people. Now they have bigger decisions to make, schedules, rules, payouts. Some people haven’t decided what tracks to promote. Decisions that need a nice warm fire to cuddle up to and make. Maybe with some soft music and light snow outside.

 

Drivers and Crews.. Working late nights on a racecar, gets kind of old after awhile. It also causes a great deal of stress. After a long season of yelling, crews are probably pretty tired of the driver. The few weeks of rest, brings back teams with a new fire to work and win. Remember drivers, to love your crew; it’s hard to win alone.

 

Families..  The one thing that deserves a break more then any. The poor children who only see the family together on the way home from the track. The wives who have to listen to the racer rattle off the list of things still needed to do. And the list does not include, going out to eat. Maybe just maybe sometime during the off season, they will get their sweet husband to go out in something other then a greasy t-shirt. The family will become reconnected at least till next season.

 

Fans.. Toward the end of the season, burnout takes place. You can’t stop going but it just isn’t as fun. Without off-season, we wouldn’t recover from too many nites drinking and staying out late.  Plus we need time to make money for next summer. So next season we can go to twice as many races. The off-season breaks let’s us become fonder of something we love. Racing is better because of winter.

 

Winter may be long and cold but racing isn’t that far off, especially if you go to Florida.  I would be happy with a good snowfall, so at least winter suffering would let up a bit.

 

Just remember Winter is good.

 

8
 

Since racing is off for a few more months, there are more important things going on outside of racing.  Love and life are sometimes put on hold for racing. But for our own RACENUT after racing, he raced into love.  And I would like to congratulate Dan and Donna. And wish them a happy and loving life together. Also I wish Donna luck with going to racing every weekend  and to Dan, you better behave now ...lol

 Congratulations to Dan and Donna

 

9
 

February 2, 2003

           

 

RACING SEASON is COMING

 

 

            I know I have spent all winter trying to convince myself that winter is an okay time of year. Well its February and now its time to race. The Daytona 500 is coming up in a few weeks, which means dirt racing starts soon too. With racing so close there is so much left to do this winter. But the end of winter is in sight.

          It has been a long time for some of us since we last left the racetrack.  My last race was in late August so I almost forgot how much fun it is.  Until I started seeing the racing schedules and then started planning my weekends for the next 8 or so months. Then I realized wow my racing withdraw is getting worse. I didn’t even notice it until I started thinking about last season.

          I know some have already started racing, but going to your hometrack is more fun then just going racing. Getting to see the ole gang is always fun because it may have been all off-season since you saw them last.  Also watching your favorite drivers is more exciting when they are at the home track. It is especially exciting when the race season at that track is going to be longer and have more special races.. (Thanks farmer city).

          I am sure everyone cant wait till racing season starts in their areas.  So hopefully this coming is safe and fun for everyone.. And my ramblings get more exciting. J 

 

 

*  We send our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia, Rick Husband, Michael Anderson, David Brown, Kalpana Chawla, Laurel Clark, William McCool, and Iian Ramon. 2/1/03*

 

10
 

April 1st, 2003
March Madness is now upon us (behind us?) Opening nights and practice weekends give us a good look at a new season, new drivers, drivers in new classes, and cars with new looks. With the new exciting season beginning it’s sometimes too much to take in.

It's important to take in every race, every person, and every day. Sometimes we just don’t realize how lucky we are. Every race has a chance of an accident, which we all hope never to see. Every person we meet may not be there next week. Every day may be our last. Granted we don’t like to think about it but some things just make you think.

So as we go to the races pray for safety for everyone and think of the US soldiers. Remember racing is fun, with so many advantages from meeting people to great entertainment, its just plain fun. I can’t wait until April 4, because our home track
(Farmer City) opens!

* I hope to make some new tracks for me including: Brownstown IN, Boswell IN,
Highland IL, Peoria IL, and hopefully Eldora. My normal shows will be at Farmer City and Mighty Macon *

Racing is Here.. SMILE
God Bless America
WE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS