Dayton Speedway lives on

By Greg Billing | Sunday, November 1, 2009, 09:36 PM

The Baum Opera House in Miamisburg has seen its share of history since its opening in 1884. On Sunday, Nov. 1, the visitors to the building preferred a different sound: A symphony of roaring engines, squealing tires and cheering grandstands.

DaytonSpeedwayLives.com, a grass-roots effort to keep the reverent speedway’s memory alive, honored 18 individuals who played key roles at the half-mile, high-banked oval. They were the first class inducted into the Dayton Speedway Hall of Fame.

The inaugural class includes:

•Clarence ‘Mutt’ Anderson (driver, car owner)

•Earl Baltes (track owner, promoter)

•Leal Beattie (media)

•Milton ‘Buster’ Blackford (driver, car owner)

•Elbert ‘Pappy’ Booker (driver)

•Dick Dunlevy Jr. (driver)

•Charlie Engle (car owner)

•Dick Freeman (driver)

•Frank Funk (track owner, promoter)

•Russ George (driver, crew member)

•William ‘Chick’ Hale (driver)

•Bob Korn (driver, mechanic)

•John ‘Shorty’ Miller (starter)

•Lee Raymond (driver)

•Neal Sceva (driver)

•Harvey Shapiro (media)

•Harold Smith (driver)

•Don Thompson (track owner, promoter)

Among the event’s highlights:

Eight of the inductees — Anderson, James Booker (Elbert’s son), Korn, Hale, Baltes, Dunlevy, Raymond and Shapiro — autographed specially designed hero cards. Said Baltes after inking his name and handing it to the autograph seeker, “Put it in your closet to scare the mice away.”

Inductees were provided a plaque, Dayton Speedway jacket and a print from local artist Ron Titus.

Former Dayton sportscaster Tom Hamlin, who announced races on TV along with Omar Williams, addressed the crowd of about 250.

IRL commentator Bob Jenkins drove over from Indiana to help MC. Jenkins said of Blackford, “Milton was the Intimidator before Dale Earnhardt had a driver’s license.”

Said Booker of his father, who was from Detroit: “If my dad were here to receive this plaque it would be the greatest honor he could receive.”

Dayton Daily News columnist Dale Huffman accepted the plaque for Engle, who died in 1974. Huffman read A Racer’s Prayer, which was read at Engle’s funeral.

Jerry Wahl, who accepted in honor of Thompson, was the last track announcer at Dayton Speedway. “The day we had to make the announcement the racing was over and we sent everybody home was a sad day.“

And finally, Mike Thompson, who created the website DaytonSpeedwayLives.com, summed up the afternoon: “It was an honor a privilege to spend the afternoon honoring the guys who were my heroes. It’s amazing when you look at these guys and realize what their accomplishments were, these are the absolute best of the best in short-track racing.”

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Henderson on Sirius Radio show Sunday

By John Bombatch | Friday, October 9, 2009, 11:30 PM

Franklin race driver Sloan Henderson is scheduled to appear live on Sirius Satellite Radio’s “The Front Stretch” NASCAR radio show with Pat Patterson, on Sunday, Oct. 11. Callers are urged to get their questions in starting at 9:40 a.m. Eastern, by calling (877) 777-2492. Henderson was Ohio’s NASCAR Whelen Late Model Series Rookie of the Year this season and is scheduled for a tryout in NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program in the coming weeks. “The Front Stretch” can be found on Sirius’ NASCAR Channel 128.

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4-Crown recap from Eldora Speedway

By Greg Billing | Monday, September 28, 2009, 12:27 AM

ROSSBURG —Hoffman Racing has trophies, accomplishments and accolades in 80 years of racing. The Cincinnati-based team added a crown on Saturday, Sept. 26.

Jerry Coons Jr. led all 30 laps to win the USAC national sprint race at Eldora Speedway on Saturday, capturing one of four features up for grabs at the Team Chevy 4-Crown Nationals. The victory was the 74th for Hoffman Racing, which is tops in USAC sprint feature wins. It was also Coons’ third career sprint win at Eldora.

Robert Ballou won the Larry Rice High Performance award for moving up the most spots, going from 24th to ninth.

Here’s a recap of the other three races, including the winged World of Outlaws event that kicked off the 4-Crown weekend on Friday:

USAC Silver Crown: Dave Darland won his second straight 4-Crown SC feature. Darland passed points leader Bud Kaeding on lap six and never lost it in the 50-lap feature. Kody Swanson won the Larry Rice High Performance award.

USAC Midget: Brad Sweet, who won in the sprint division in 2008, ran away with the midget title. Even with a comfortable lead he weaved in and out of lapped traffic in an all-or-nothing run. It was his first midget win at Eldora. Cale Conley advanced eight spots for the Larry Rice High Performance.

World of Outlaws: Jason Sides grabbed his fourth career WoO win, sliding under Tim Shaffer on lap 26 in the 30-lap feature. Sides, who started 8th, battled Joey Saldana early before taking aim at Shaffer and benefiting from lapped traffic to catch him.

RESULTS:

World of Outlaws A Main: 1. Jason Sides[8]; 2. Tim Shaffer[2]; 3. Joey Saldana[4]; 4. Jason Meyers[9]; 5. Cale Conley[6]; 6. Donny Schatz[22]; 7. David Gravel[11]; 8. Jac Haudenschild[18]; 9. Steve Kinser[13]; 10. Sam Hafertepe Jr.[5]; 11. Paul McMahan[12]; 12. Danny Lasoski[10]; 13. Kraig Kinser[25]; 14. Brad Sweet[14]; 15. Randy Hannagan[21]; 16. Lucas Wolfe[15]; 17. Greg Wilson[19]; 18. Wayne Johnson[24]; 19. Brian Ellenberger[26]; 20. Bud Kaeding[20]; 21. Terry McCarl[3]; 22. Cody Darrah[7]; 23. Dale Blaney[16]; 24. Erin Crocker[23]; 25. Sammy Swindell[1]; 26. Jimmy Stinson[17];

K & N USAC Silver Crown feature: 1. Dave Darland, 2. Shane Hmiel, 3. Jerry Coons Jr., 4. Cole Whitt, 5. Josh Wise, 6. Shane Hollingsworth, 7. Brian Tyler, 8. Bud Kaeding, 9. Levi Jones, 10. Zach Daum, 11. Kody Swanson, 12. Randy Bateman, 13. A.J. Fike, 14. Von McGee, 15. Tracy Hines, 16. Justin Carver, 17. Jon Sciscoe, 18. Jon Stanbrough, 19. Russ Gamester, 20. Bill Rose, 21. Derek Hagar, 22. Mike Brecht, 23. Donnie Beechler, 24. Patrick Bruns. NT

USAC National Sprints feature: 1. Jerry Coons Jr., 2. Tracy Hines, 3. Scotty Weir, 4. Dave Darland, 5. Brad Sweet, 6. Darren Hagen, 7. Levi Jones, 8. Cole Whitt, 9. Robert Ballou, 10. Damion Gardner, 11. Chad Boat, 12. Jon Stanbrough, 13. Matt Westfall, 14. Josh Wise, 15. Henry Clarke, 16. Chris Windom, 17. Jonathan Hendrick, 18. Brady Short, 19. Nic Faas, 20. Bryan Clauson, 21. Rob Chaney, 22. Kevin Thomas Jr., 23. John Memmer, 24. Mitch Wissmiller, 25. Chase Stockon. 14:43.39

USAC National Midgets feature: 1. Brad Sweet, 2. Brad Kuhn, 3. Dave Darland, 4. Bryan Clauson, 5. Darren Hagen, 6. Jerry Coons Jr., 7. Cole Whitt, 8. Zach Daum, 9. Henry Clarke, 10. Bobby East, 11. Dakoda Armstrong, 12. Caleb Armstrong, 13. Cale Conley, 14. Chase Barber, 15. Jonathan Hendrick, 16. Chad Boat, 17. Shane Hollingsworth, 18. Critter Malone, 19. Tracy Hines, 20. Josh Wise, 21. Shane Hmiel. NT

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Prelude still green

By Greg Billing | Wednesday, September 9, 2009, 02:18 PM

ROSSBURG — Just arrived at Eldora Speedway for the Prelude to the Dream, which is on schedule for tonight.

Good crowd is pouring in — let’s hope it’s only the crowd that pours tonight — and getting a high-five from the Hamburger Helper mascot … you know, that white glove/oven mitt that talks. Guess the movie quiz: I don’t know about you but that stuff tastes good all by itself.

Looking forward to watching the U.S. Army’s Ripsaw unmanned vehicle run the track. The Army also has a climbing wall, there are remote control cars, sprint car simulators, a late model simulator … plenty to do to keep the crowd entertained.

Heading out to walk the grounds.

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Coughlin struggling at U.S. Nationals

By John Bombatch | Saturday, September 5, 2009, 11:59 PM

Coughlin struggling at U.S. Nationals INDIANAPOLIS — Back-to-back Pro Stock champion Jeg Coughlin Jr. of Delaware, Ohio, is still searching for the right combination as professional qualifying at the 55th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals continues. Through three of five time trials, Coughlin is just inside the No. 12 cutoff spot with an 11th-best 6.650-second run at 208.04 mph. Coughlin entered this event with a 65-point lead in the NHRA points standings. Should he manage to hold onto the No. 1 ranking through Monday’s eliminations he will enter the Countdown to 1 playoffs with a 20-point bonus. In the sportsman categories, Franklin’s Bill Sempsrott is in the final 32 of the Stock Eliminator division through Saturday’s racing. Rick Brown, of Lebanon, qualified 25th in the 64-car Competition Eliminator field. Results of Saturday’s first round of eliminations were not available. Middletown driver Ken Sharp did not qualify in the Super Stock division.

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Gregg voted to Indy Lights all-time podium

By John Bombatch | Wednesday, August 5, 2009, 09:16 PM

Camden race driver Travis Gregg received the third most votes in a fan poll of the three best drivers in the Indy Lights Series’ first 100 races since the division has raced under the Indy Racing League banner.

Alex Lloyd and Wade Cunningham were the top two vote recipients, followed by Gregg. All three drivers drove for Sam Schmidt Motorsports during their time in the series.

“It’s a pretty awesome feeling and an honor to be picked for the ultimate podium alongside Alex and Wade,” Gregg said on the Indycar.com Web site. “I have raced against both of them in the past and they are two extremely competitive drivers, not to mention both of them have won past championships. Even though I am not currently racing in the series, I have to give a big thanks for all of those who have supported me in the past and still support me here today, especially the fans thanks for voting.”

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ARCA RE/MAX rookie fastest in practice

By John Bombatch | Friday, July 17, 2009, 09:07 PM

Grant Enfinger, 23, driving in just his third ARCA RE/MAX Series event this season, topped the speed charts during Friday night’s practice session at Kentucky Speedway in Sparta, Ky.

Enfinger turned a lap of 30.689 seconds at 175.595 mph in his beasleyallen.com Ford to lead the field.

Current series points runner-up Justin Lofton of Westmorland, Calif. was second fastest with a 30.826-second 175.177 mph lap in a Toyota.

Alli Owens, of Daytona Beach, Fla., drove her Toyota to the third quickest lap of the session at 30.862 seconds, 174.972 mph.

Current points leader Parker Kligerman of Westport, Conn. was fourth quick at 31.055 seconds, 173.885 mph.

The ARCA RE/MAX Series’ “Click It or Ticket. Buckle Up! Kentucky 150” stock car race is scheduled to follow Saturday’s NASCAR Camping World event.

Tickets remain on sale at the Speedway ticket office, starting at 1 p.m. Saturday at the main gate.

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