Race Talk

“Fast Frankie” Was Just That

2012-05-08T16:56:28Z

Frankie Martin Picks Up First Win In 2012

HIGHLAND IL (May 5, 2012) “Fast” Frankie Martin lived up to his moniker this past Saturday night at the Highland Speedway as the driver from DuQuoin Il dominated the Becker Jewelers Super Late Model Division feature event. It was Truck Centers Inc. night at the Speedway.

BECKER JEWELERS LATE MODELS

Rick “The Salty Dog” Salter, in the 1S was the pole sitter for the 25 lap main event. Chad Zobrist driving the familiar number 78 sat alongside in the front row. At the drop of the green flag Salter jumped to the point. After two short yellow flags for spins, the race settled in with Salter, Martin, following them was the 6K of Michael Kloos and Zobrist swapping lines on the raceway each trying to find the fastest way around the Speedway. Just past the half way point of the event Martin made his move around the 1S. On lap 20 A caution flag for the 21 of Kerry Gaultney’s rim ride around the wall on turn

Kloos Wins on Last Lap Pass

2012-04-08T20:43:24Z

Highland Honors First Inductee into the Speedway’s Hall of Fame

Highland IL (April 7, 2012) Tradition has always been a mainstay at the Highland Speedway, and this past Saturday the Speedway honored the first inductee into the Highland Speedway Hall of Fame.

It was just one year ago we lost famed driver and car owner Chris Bargetzi, the first inductee into the Highland Speedway Hall of Fame.

The night was named in his honor. Bargetzi’s last race car, the yellow 441 Late Model, sat the entire evening in the Casey’s General Stores Victory Lane, reminding all of us that Chris is keeping a watchful eye on the Speedway.

Becker Jewelers Super Late Models

Making his way down from Northern Illinois, Scott Schmitt looked to be the favorite going into the Becker Jewelers Super Late Model feature, having won his heat race and the Quick Six Dash.

The race got off to a shaky start when a first lap caution led to a complete restart of the feature event. On the second attempt the 30V of Mark Voigt was looking to avenge his last week’s misfortunes (he broke leading the feature). Voigt immediately jumped to the high side while last year’s track Champion Chad Zobrist decided to work the low groove and by lap six Zobrist took the 78 machine to the point clearing Voigt by several car lengths.

At lap ten, the 10 car of Schmitt spun as Voigt was overtaking him bringing out the yellow and sending Schmitt to the tail end of the field.

On the restart the top five cars were Zobrist, Voigt, the 6K of Michael Kloos, Matt Weidner in the famed Circle 7,(Both the 6K and The Circle 7 are cars prepared by Gerstner and Sons Racing out of Breese Illinois), and Rick “The Salty Dog” Salter in the 1S.

The race went green for five laps when the caution came out for the 27S of Mike Schulte, making a solo spin in turns 3 and 4.

The five cars at the front stayed in the previous running order.

On the restart Voigt again started working the high side against Zobrist. Voigt was slowing gaining ground and was charging hard towards the 78 when on lap 19, just as the two lead cars were racing out of turn four, two cars spun in turn 2, Zobrist lifted seeing the yellow flag in flagman Dan Donderos hand, but Voigt had a full head of steam coming out of turn 4 looking for the lead. Seeing the slowing 78 of Zobrist, Voigt tried to make a last minute attempt to avoid a collision, he swerved to the left but clipped the left rear of Zobrist, the resulting collision ended the night for Voigt, but luckily for Zobrist, he only encountered sheet metal damage.

PRO STOCK ICON BILL “GRUMPY” JENKINS DIES

2012-03-29T18:04:43Z

NHRA Pro Stock icon Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins, a master of the internal combustion engine and a legend among the Chevrolet faithful, died March 29. He was 81.

Jenkins, voted No. 8 among NHRA Drag Racing's greatest racers in a 2001 experts poll, scored just 13 NHRA national event wins but earned his well-deserved spot in drag racing's top 10 because no other individual has contributed more to the advancement of normally aspirated engines for drag racing competition than the legendary "Grump."

“Everyone at NHRA is saddened by the passing of Bill ‘Grumpy’ Jenkins, not only a pioneer in the sport, but also an iconic figure in NHRA Pro Stock racing,” said Tom Compton, president, NHRA. “He was there from the beginning, playing an integral role in the formation of Pro Stock and remained involved in NHRA for decades. His presence and trademark gruff exterior and cigar will be missed but never forgotten at the starting line at NHRA Full Throttle events.”

Jenkins always took greater pride in his mechanical achievements than in his driving. Among his innovations are drag racing's first dry-sump oiling system, the first kickout oil pans and Pro Stock strut-style front suspension, and gas port pistons, slick-shift manual transmissions, cool cans, and the electric water-pump fan.

Jenkins earned many honors, including induction into the Don Garlits International Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 1993, the Motorsports Hall of Fame in Novi, Mich., in 1996, and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2008. He was one of the more prolific honorees in Car Craft Magazine All-star Drag Racing Team balloting since winning three individual titles at the inaugural banquet in 1967.

On making NHRA's top 10, Jenkins briefly shed his gruff exterior in 2001 to say, "Since it seemed that the balloting was heavily weighted toward the more contemporary drivers and I haven't driven in 20 years, I was gratified to make it high on the list. Having so many of the people I've worked with show up at my [70th birthday] party in January meant a lot to me. I've always had a lot of personal satisfaction from the mechanical end of the sport."

(NHRA PRESS RELEASE)

Big Weekend of Racing at Belle Clair & Highland Speedways

2012-03-03T15:55:56Z

No. 48 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Team Penalized For Infractions At Daytona International Speedway

2012-02-29T19:55:12Z

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 29, 2012) – NASCAR has issued penalties, suspensions and fines to the No. 48 team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, as a result of rules infractions found on Feb. 17 during opening day inspection for the Daytona 500.

The No. 48 car was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4J (any determination by NASCAR officials that race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules detailed in Section 20 of the rule book or has not been approved by NASCAR prior to the event); and 20-2.1E (if in the judgment of NASCAR officials, any part or component of the car not previously approved by NASCAR that has been installed or modified to enhance aerodynamic performance will not be permitted – unapproved car body modifications).

As a result, crew chief Chad Knaus and car chief Ron Malec have been suspended from the next six (6) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship events, suspended from NASCAR until April 18 and placed on NASCAR probation until May 9. Additionally, Knaus has been fined $100,000.

Driver Jimmie Johnson and car owner Jeff Gordon have been penalized with the loss of 25 driver and 25 owner points, respectively.

Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds Set for Showdown at Volusia

2012-02-22T16:13:41Z

More than 30 will compete at 41st annual UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit

BARBERVILLE, Fla. - Feb. 21, 2012 - There was smoke and bent sheet metal, slide jobs and tight racing.

More than 30 Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modifieds took advantage of Tuesday's practice session at the 41st annual UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment, providing the spectators a precursor of their intense racing the next four nights at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville, Fla.

The competitors were divided into three groups and each received three hot-lap sessions between the event on a nice Tuesday evening at the semi-banked, half-mile dirt oval.

Two-time defending Super DIRTcar Series Big Block Modified champion Matt Sheppard had an efficient practice night. He posted the quickest time overall with a lap of 16.759 seconds, which was more than two-tenths faster than runner-up Danny Johnson (16.977).

Dillon Double: Ty Wins Title, Austin Wins Finale at UNOH DIRTcar Nationals by Summit

2012-02-22T16:11:23Z

Wisconsin's Mike Wedelstadt, West Virginia's Tyler Carpenter Pick Up Triple 20 wins

BARBERVILLE, Fla. - Feb. 21, 2012 - A lot of racing families dream of the success the Dillon family experienced Tuesday night at Volusia Speedway Park as Austin Dillon raced to a Triple 20 feature victory and younger brother Ty claimed the overall UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment DIRTcar UMP Modified points championship.

"It feels great," said Ty Dillon, the 19-year-old grandson of Richard Childress. "Me and Austin and Team Dillon Racing have been coming down here for quite a few years in our young racing career. We fought so hard. We've won a couple of races. This year it finally paid off. Me and Austin got a win and we finally got the Gator championship."

Moyer Controls Second UMP Late Model A-Main Of 41st UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment

2012-02-22T16:02:21Z

BARBERVILLE, FL – Feb. 21, 2012 – Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark., resumed his winning ways at Volusia Speedway Park on Tuesday night, rolling to victory in the second 30-lap DIRTcar UMP Late Model feature of the 41st UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment.

The 54-year-old dirt Late Model legend controlled the short sprint, leading the entire distance after starting from the outside pole position. He outgunned polesitter Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky., for the top spot and never looked back.

Moyer earned $7,000 for his eighth victory since 1998 at Volusia – more than any other driver has registered at the half-mile oval over that span.

“We’ve been here a few times,” said Moyer, “so it makes us feel good to be able to get one more.”

BROWN, NEFF, ANDERSON IN POINTS LEADS AFTER NHRA ARIZONA NATIONALS

2012-02-22T15:50:02Z

Top Fuel pilot Antron Brown is right where he wants to be heading into the third event of the season. After racing to back-to-back final-round appearances at the first two races and the win at the recent NHRA Arizona Nationals, Brown is at the top of the Top Fuel standings with a 32-point lead over second-place driver and Don Schumacher Racing teammate Tony Schumacher. “Making it to the final round for the second race in a row is a real huge statement,” said Brown following his victory at Firebird International Raceway. “But it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish, especially when the Countdown gets tight. The competition in Top Fuel now, pound for pound, is like a 324-mph Pro Stock class.”

Brown isn’t the only NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series driver to start the season with back-to-back finals; Mike Neff (Funny Car) and Greg Anderson (Pro Stock) have both posted consecutive title-round berths to start the season and lead the points. “We want to win,” said Neff, who recorded runner-up finishes at the first two races. “We work hard, but on the positive side, we’ve had two races with two (John Force Racing) cars in each of the finals. We’re definitely satisfied with that.

All in all, anytime you go to the final, it’s a good day, especially to be leaving here with the points lead.” Brown, Neff and Anderson will look to keep their streak of consecutive final-round appearances alive when the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series heads to Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville March 8-11 for the Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals presented by NAPAFilters.com. For tickets, call 800-884-NHRA (6472) or log on to NHRATix.com.

GATOR-MADE! Nick Hoffman Vaults to Gator Championship Victory

2012-02-21T17:03:32Z

Mooresville, N.C., driver surges from seventh, leads final nine laps for $5,000 prize and Gator Trophy

BARBERVILLE, Fla. - Feb. 20, 2012 - Nick Hoffman made all the right moves on Monday night earning his first Gator Championship race win as part of the UNOH DIRTcar Nationals Presented by Summit Racing Equipment.

"This is over the top; this is number one by far," Hoffman said. "I've won a lot of $1,000-to-win shows, but to win against this kind of competition level, $5,000 and that nice trophy...nothing compares."