NM Motorsports Report Summer 2019

SANDIA CLASSIC 2019 • XFINITY SERIES CONTENDERS @nmmotorsportsreport

SUMMER EDITION 2019

VOL #4 ISSUE #2

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OLD SCHOOL INGENUITY & FABRICATION

ESPORTS EARTHQUAKE CHILI BOWL 2019

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SUMMER 2019 VOLUME 4 ISSUE 02 Publisher RaDine William Media

MOTORSPORTS INDUSTRY SEEING E PSORTS EARTHQUAKE

Editor David Swope

By Spencer Hill

Design & Layout David Lansa DL Graphic Design,LLC @DLGraphicDesigns Printer Starline Printing

OLD SCHOOL INGENUITY & FABRICATION

Photographers Adam Mollenkopf w/ Dirt Racing Syndicate & Melons Photography Bill Robertson WJR Photography Daniel “Matt” Courson David Swope Trisha Tilbury Drew Garcia john Lamparski Getty Images Luis Zaragoza Lyle Greenberg

Story by David Swope

Plus!

CHILI BOWL 2019

Sandia Classic 2019

Editorial Contributors Daniel “Matt” Courson Caleb Luce David Swope David Werth Trisha Tilbury Geoff Bodine Jim Costa Jim Cowling John Haverlin Lyle Greenberg RJ Lees Spencer Hill Publication Sponsors 4 Rivers Equipment ABQ Dragway Bobby J’s Yamaha NAPA Auto Parts NMIADA Unser Racing Museum Yearwood Performance Amsoil, Seductions Maverick Auto & Fabrication Starline Printing Cover Photo Photo by Albuquerque Dragway

Xfinity Series

By Trisha Tilbury

NM MotorSports Report copyright 2018®. All contents of this magazine are copyrighted

by NM Motorsports Report, alls rights reserved. Reproduction of any articles, advertisement or material from this issue is forbidden without permission of the publisher.

Publisher assumes no responsibility and is not to be held liable for errors beyond the cost of the space occupied by advertisers.

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Motorsports Industry Seeing eSports Earthquake

By Spencer Hill

T

he time is seven o’clock on a Monday evening. While most people in the motorsports industry are either tearing down their car following the previous weekend’s race or getting home from their day job, there are twenty of the best drivers in the world getting ready to take the green flag for the A-Main in front of a crowd of over 14,000 people. What separates these drivers from others? These drivers are driving from the comfort of their own home and have eliminated all other distractions that a normal race night brings. The 14,000 people watching the weekly event are live-streaming the race via a service called Twitch, allowing them to see what is happening in real time. This is all happening online through a World of Outlaws sanctioned race on the internet simulator, iRacing.

The subscription-based simulator was launched in 2008 as iRacing. com Motorsports Simulations. Through its massive servers, it offers subscribers access to private test sessions, hosted race sessions, and official league races that effect a point scale for each virtual racer, called their iRating. As a virtual racer gains more experience and increases their iRating, they are allowed to participate in more advanced classes in official races. Additionally, iRacing offers the most realistic graphics and physics package that any virtual simulator has ever seen, helping to make the gameplay the closest thing any one person could get to stepping behind the wheel of the actual car on the physical track.

Although they first launched in 2008, it wasn’t until nearly ten years later in 2017 when they introduced dirt track racing on their platform.

Until this point, there was heavy involvement with most oval tracks and an abundance of road courses, but the only simulator offering dirt

4 NMMotorSportsReport.com

track racing at a similar level was rFactor, a smaller and less-known simulator geared towards dirt track racing in the early development of eSports. As soon as iRacing came into the dirt world with multiple laser scans of popular tracks, the game for racing sims was changed forever.

Additionally, the eSports movement has caught the eye of major players in the motorsports industry in recent years. With notable drivers such as Dale Earnhardt Jr, Christopher Bell, and Bubba Wallace regularly logging on to race, the service gives many people the opportunity to race against their heroes that they otherwise would never get to battle with. Along with series’ such as NASCAR, World Of Outlaws, and USAC recently creating sanctioned series events through iRacing, reallife teams have also stepped up to the plate to draft online drivers to represent them in these official races.

To accommodate this new eSports movement, other players in the industry such as 26 Promotions have also tweaked how they service their customers. 26 Promotions is a marketing organization geared toward giving racers the same marketing opportunities as some of the biggest names in motorsports at a fraction of the cost. They offer everything from press releases to sponsorship proposals with the same integrity as the ‘big guys’ without forcing a driver to make the decision on how to budget what little money they may have to go live their dream. With a move unlike anything seen before, 26 Promotions now offers those same opportunities to the eSports community.

“After being contacted by Cody Batten, who we worked with while he was running a sprint car, I looked into what iRacers are doing,” said Darren Ward, owner of 26 Promotions. “I found that these racers are running multiple times a week, spending time on setups, and trying to improve their skills just like your ‘regular’ racer is. These guys have the same passion for racing as anyone else and there are opportunities out there for them to earn money and sponsorships through their online racing. We at 26 Promotions feel that our services will help get the names of these racers out there to a broader audience.”

As far as what the future holds for eSports, Ward has his own opinion of where things are heading. “I think you’ll start to see drivers who come from an eSports background make the jump to reality racing. The investment that NASCAR and the World Of Outlaws has made in putting on official races every week will help to shine a light on some of these drivers’ abilities behind the wheel that they might now have been able to receive anywhere else. iRacing has given these drivers that chance and it wouldn’t surprise me to see someone land a ride because of it.”

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he other day I stopped by Mild to Wild to see what projects they are up to. Not surprising, found Eric in the back working on a project. This is not a place where they stand around. As a matter of fact, if you hang around too long, they might put you to work (just kidding OSHA).

Mild to Wild Classics, started in 1994 by Tony Kos grew into a staple in the Hot Rod scene. This family business grew to incorporate both sons Tony Jr and Eric. Upon Tony Sr. retirement, Eric moved to 324 Industrial NE and evolved into Mild to Wild Inc. while Tony Jr moved his operation to Rio Rancho but ultimately settled at 9131 4th Street as Aftermarket Automotive Parts & Collectibles. Each business operates independent but as brothers, they do support each other and do business with each other.

Tony Sr. was a tool & die maker in Illinois and brought his talents to New Mexico and the Structural Steel Warehouse business. These skills easily transferred into Hot Rod and Custom car fabrication. “It doesn’t matter if you are designing a building or an automobile, it’s all nuts and bolts, it’s all dimensions, calculations… somethings move, some stand still,” says Eric describing how it all got started.

Going on their 3rd year on Industrial, “business have remained the same.

There was no real loss as far as our customer base, business has not changed whereas the industry continues to change around us,” Eric carefully stated. “Common, everyday math and geometry with the pros and

cons to everything,” are the basis to everything they do.

“From minor maintenance to ‘turn-key cars,’ we do a lot of turn key cars,” Eric explained. “we are currently working on eight projects, street rods, customs, 4x4, the work is all the same, its all over the board because people can’t find any where to go to get their project done. As I was sayings before. With the structural background, anything can be built as long as you have knowledge of what you are trying to build.” You can reach them on Facebook, Instagram, email or just call 505-244-1149. Eric clarified, “we are a small business, so leave a message. We will call you back.”

“Our projects are based on the customers budget or ultimate goal, so there is a lot of variables.

Then there are things that get added on either at that time or later. The BelVette won the Grand National Roadster Show back in 1994. We have done some vehicles that no one has ever seen.

We have built some beautiful trucks that would win Truck of the Year but some people are not into shows.”

Mild to Wild has been custom making trophies for NM Motor Sports Report and the Barley Room Car Show (AKA Dos, Tres .. de Mayo – you get the idea) since the beginning. Eric uses a Plasm Cam (computer-controlled plasm cutter) to make trophies and memorials. “We have done stuff as far away as New York to California. People wanting custom signs & custom trophies. We like having something other to do while we are waiting for parts. With long builds, it is nice to have a break. It helps to reset the brain. It takes you of your normal day-today life,” Eric explained.

Mild to Wild continues to re-invent itself and survive with innovation and technology but sometimes you just got to do it “Old School.”

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The New Mexico Motor Sports Report (NMMSR) on ESPN Radio 101.7 FM The TEAM, is hosted by David Swope every Saturday morning from 8am to 9am.

The NMMSR focuses on motorsports and related automobile activities around the state and on the national scene each and every week. The NMMSR is also on YouTube via the Proview Network (check your local listings for broadcast times). The NMMSR is on Twitter @NMMReport and you can like us on Facebook.

Join in the fun with your comments on the topics and questions. This is New Mexico’s only show devoted to motorsport related activities. Check out our website at NMMotorsportsreport.com.

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Sandia Classic 2019

On April 27th-28th RC Riot hosted the inaugural 2019 Sandia Classic, which was a regional event that brought out both local and out of town racers alike to the Albuquerque, NM facility. RC Riot is a remote-control (RC) car racing facility that boasts both an indoor carpet track and an outdoor dirt track. It is Albuquerque’s premier RC racing complex, having both surfaces to race on, as well as a fantastic pit area.

With racers coming in from Arizona and Texas, plus those from all over New Mexico, turnout was good. The weekend began on Friday for many, allowing them to practice and prepare for the competition. Saturday began with three qualifying rounds to set the grids for the main events on Sunday. A total of six different classes were racing, allowing for varying skill levels and vehicle types to all have an opportunity to compete, and the racing was exhilarating.

The novice class featured great battles all weekend. This class is open to all ages and cars, the only requirement being the driver must be new to the sport. It is always exciting to see racers develop their skills, regardless of their age. Eight-year-old Cody Deitz took the number one spot on the grid over new adult racer Chase Pasternaski, who qualified second, and four-year-old Connor Guthrie, who qualified third. The main event was ultra-exciting as Chase tried to pressure Cody into a mistake. Cody was not to be shaken and stayed calm and composed, ultimately taking the win! With seven drivers competing for the top spot, all were excited when presented with their custom-made glass trophies for the event.

Sportsman Buggy is the next level up from Novice and has many drivers who just recently made the step up. Watching the drivers in this class battle hard and clean was unquestionably impressive. During qualifying three different drivers held the top spot at one time or another. In the end it was Jordon Lackey with the best qualifying effort, followed by Ryan Elliot and Joshua Vigil. During the main event Joshua would get out front early as brother Jacob battled closely behind. Jordon fell back early but kept his head down and battled hard to get back to the front. Jacob had an unfortunate part failure, which allowed Jordon inherit second. Jordon was focused and was able to take the lead once or twice throughout the closing laps, but Joshua ran smart and fast, in the end maintaining the lead and taking the win!

There are several more classes for more experienced drivers. Those are: two-wheel drive buggies, four-wheel drive buggies, stadium trucks, and short course trucks. Chris Boice from Albuquerque was the class of the field all weekend, beating the best drivers from the region in both premier classes of two- and four-wheel drive buggy. In stadium truck, local driver Sean Guthrie made a last lap pass to take the win, while John Lebak from Santa Fe took the win in Short Course. With the three New Mexico natives taking the top spots in these four classes, New Mexico reigned supreme in the competitions.

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Stadium Truck: 1st Sean Guthrie, 2nd Wayne Roberts, 3rd Josh Maestas, Top Qualifer Ryan Dietz

Short Course: 1st and Top Qualfier John Lebak, 2nd Ryan Dietz, 3rd Josh Maestas

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The novice class has no spec on the vehicles and watching the smile on the first time racers is always a blast. It’s a very family friendly environment and we encourage families and friends to hang out, cheer, and of course participate if they’re interested. Just to name a few, we have father-son and mother-son duos, brothers, grandparents, friends, and significant others who regularly come to have fun, many of them racing together. As with many racing communities, the friends you make RC car racing can last a lifetime. The RCRIOT community is such a fun loving, good hearted group. As with full-scale racing, RC car racing is thrilling, competitive, and fun.

The next large race RC Riot will host will be the Fuzzy Nationals September 20th-22nd. Last year, that race had drivers from around the USA battling for two days straight in an exciting heads up racing format.

2wd Buggy: 1st and Top Qualifier Chris Boice, 2nd Kyle Dafatte, 3rd Steven Carpenter

Spectating is free, so if you’re just looking for something fun to watch stop by and enjoy! Weekly races take place Saturday nights and Sunday days. Check Facebook.com/RCRIOT for more information, racing times, store hours, and regular updates.

Sporstman Buggy: 1st Joshua Vigil, 2nd and Top Qualifier Jordon Lackey, 3rd Ryan Elliot NMMotorSportsReport.com 11

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CHILI BOWL 2019

By Trisha Tilbury

C

hili Bowl, sounds like a southern food festival, right? Wrong. The Chili Bowl is home to the most popular dirt race arguably, ever. Once a year in the midst of off season, more than 350 drivers find themselves feigning for the infamous Golden Driller. Deep in the heart of Oklahoma houses the Tulsa Expo Center, which hosts this 5-day long race event, in the dead of winter, indoors.

That’s right a week of dirt track racing, indoors and it features a handful of NASCAR’s most notable drivers, Kasey Kahne, J.J. Yelley, and so on.

If that’s not enough Tony Stewart the Smoke himself, preps and maintains the track all week! No wonder tickets are so hard to get ahold of! Most people interested in attending have to start looking for tickets up to a year in advance!

So, what makes Chili Bowl so attractive to so many drivers and such big names? Simply the timing. Driver of the number 67Z Kasey Kahne stated that “the timing of the event falling in the dead of off season makes it an easy race to make.” Kahne has a background in open wheel midget racing making Chili Bowl an especially fun race for him to attend.

Other drivers are drawn by the sheer competition level of the races. Driver Zac Taylor of the Super Clean 71t started racing quarter midgets and worked his way up to the professional level of midget racing by age 16. Zach told us that the most appealing aspect of this week was the level of competition; “Every single car in this building wins at their home track week after week.”

Chili Bowl entered over 350 drivers racing all the way down from double N mains, including New Mexico native and World of Outlaw driver Johnny Herrera who raced his way all the way to a D feature. Johnny has been racing over 30 years

UNTAMED PHOTOGRAPHY Trisha Tilbury Portrait, action & scenic photography.

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CHILI BOWL 2019 and has 8 Chili Bowls in the driver’s seat and countless Chili Bowl visits over his career.

Christopher Bell, driver of the 71W midget, fought an incredible battle to win the feature against NASCAR star Kyle Larson,

Justin

Grant,

Brady

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and

Zach Daum rounding off the top five.

Chili Bowl is the most world renowned indoor dirt race in the world, they have single handedly connected the old and young, near and far, some have been coming for 30 years, some spent the only money they had to get a Wednesday night ticket to experience the sheer rush of witnessing the high speed adrenaline associated with watching 20 midgets fight wheel to wheel for a Golden Driller. Next time you hear the word chili, think about racecars instead of cornbread.

14 NMMotorSportsReport.com

Warrant’s Front Man

Robert Mason

by David Swope

Excerpts from Mason’s Interview: May 22, 2019 for the NM Motor Sports Report on ESPN Albuquerque Robert Mason was in town for a concert with Warrant at the Red River Rally on Friday May 24. Mason also be participated in the ride to Red River with the crew at Indian Motorcycle of Albuquerque. “I came to town a few days early because I am a big Indian Motorcycle fan and a motorcycle and motorsports fan, Muscle cars and anything mechanical that I can take apart and hopefully put back together, hopefully the right way. This particular dealership invited me out to do a little press, a little meet and greet here at the dealership. I am going to go steal one of those FTR1200s and take it for a spin as well,” Mason said with a smile which he actually got to do shortly after our interview.

“I just recently purchased a 2018 Scout Bobber from Indian Motorcycle. I have had touring bikes in the past, a couple of Harleys, an old vintage CB750, I have like a half a café bike I throw around in the mountains of Arizona. I love the Indian Motorcycle brand. It started with a neighbor’s Dad who had an old Indian way back when I grew up in New York and New Jersey. We had a short riding season, you rebuilt it in the winter and you had like 10 good days,” joked Mason.

“My parents we vehemently against motorcycles. We all had dirt bikes, you know, gocarts, back in the day and little mini-bikes. I remember riding them around, little old Honda 50s, little YZ80s and then you graduate up to the next big thing.”

“I am from the Bronx. My parents moved us up to the suburbs. I went to high school and college in New Jersey,” presumable to get away from the trappings on New York City. “I ended up moving right back to Manhattan and wanted to be in a rock band,” Mason explains.

Mason was in a band created by temperamental (my word not Mason’s) guitarist George Lynch, Lynch Mob. Lynch has been in Dokken and the reported “creative” differences with front man and namesake, Don Dokken ended with a split. “While NMMotorSportsReport.com 15

with Lynch Mob,” Mason explained, “we opened for Warrant in arenas back in 1991-92 and we were all friend. It just took a few years to be the “right guy at the right time” which was about September of ’09 when he joined Warrant.

We still play about 50 shows a year, on average. It is all fly dates now, no more busses,” Mason shared. “I really took to touring in busses but I was a much younger man.”

Mason’s musical influence was his Dad. “My Dad sang a little bit. I was in a musical household. I was singing before I knew what harmony was. My first instrument was a piano. I taught myself guitar as much to just write songs. I was in cover bands at first and then original bands. I left college one day and thought ‘this is dumb,’ I don’t want to be an Attorney, I don’t want to do this, I am an English and Journalism major, I just said ‘nahhh’ – I am going to grow my hair out longer and go be in a rock band,” Mason said with a chuckle.

“Indian Motorcycle does a great job of having a reliable product that is well built but still taps into all that nostalgia without being hokey, it still feels real and American. Like, Warrant is an American rock band, everyone who knows the history, knows what’s going on, I was lucky enough to have joined up with a bunch of guys eleven years ago or so that were in the same head space and were all grown-up but still loved playing, four people, live performances. Playing live is my favorite thing in the world,” said Mason in a comparison with Indian Motorcycle’s brand representation and Classic rock bands like Warrant.

“That is what brought me to this brand. I went out looking. Own a couple Harleys and that old Honda but bought the Bobber and just love the damn thing.”

Of course, Mason & Warrant rocked the crowds at the Red River Rally on Friday night. To keep up with the band @WarrantRocks and Mason @ RobertMasonVox on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.

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Haverlin’s Hot Takes By: John Haverlin

XFINITY SERIES CONTENDERS FORCED TO WAIT FOR FULL-TIME CUP OPPORTUNITIES

T

hey’re ready for the big leagues but have to wait their turn in the minors.

That’s what it’s like being a contending driver in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Several 20-something-year-old talents have proven that they can win in NASCAR’s “Triple-A” division, but realize that a jump to the elite Cup Series isn’t just a matter of skill.

Tyler Reddick, who won last year’s Xfinity championship with JR Motorsports, returned this season with Richard Childress Racing. He’s the first Xfinity driver looking to defend his title since Chase Elliott, who won it in 2014.

He ran the No. 31 car for RCR at the Daytona 500 in February and hopes to return to the car again in 2019. But he says that opportunity isn’t something he can control.

“I don’t want to say things that are not in my place to say, but I feel like if in their position that something comes along and they could make it happen with funding, I don’t know why they wouldn’t,” the 23-year-old said. “But that’s (team owner Richard Childress’) place. That’s (VP of Competition Andy Petree’s) place to say that, not mine.”

the “Triple-A” of IndyCar gives the champion a $1 million scholarship toward racing in the IndyCar Series the following year. The driver is guaranteed three starts, including the Indianapolis 500.

Formula 2 is the first step below F1. The driver that wins the title can’t race for the championship a second time. He must find somewhere else to go.

Usually, that means graduating to F1.

It’s time for NASCAR to implement a reward for winning the Xfinity title. Perhaps the champion driver should be allowed to attempt the Daytona 500 the following year, like Reddick.

“We had a lot of fun racing the No. 31 at Daytona,” he said. “We’re hoping that more opportunities will pop up where I can run that car throughout the year.

I think (RCR) wants that to happen, but I can’t speak for them on that. But I know they had a lot of fun, they were pumped up about it.

Running good in the Xfinity Series will help make that case.”

Christopher Bell

If RCR wanted to add a third car to its Cup lineup next year, it could. Austin Dillon and Daniel Hemric are the two full-time drivers, but Cup teams can have up to four entries per season.

That’s what makes Cole Custer and Christopher Bell’s circumstances more complicated. Custer and Bell -- drivers for Stewart-Haas Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing, respectively -- appear ready for the leap to Cup. But SHR and JGR already have four full-time Cup cars and can’t expand to a fifth. The Race Team Alliance mandated a four-car limit with the charter system, which was created in 2016.

Neither SHR or JGR have indicated that it could replace one of their current Cup drivers. So Bell and Custer either have to wait until a driver is no longer with the organization or find a new place to race.

“Not a clue,” Bell said when asked about how soon he could be in Cup. “I don’t know. I mean, ultimately, if I want to, yeah. It doesn’t matter. It’s not like I could sit here and say, ‘I want to, I want to, I want to.’ It just doesn’t matter. In my situation that I’m in, I have no control over it.”

Cole Custer

A possible scenario for Bell to race in the 2020 Cup Series is with Leavine Family Racing. LFR joined the Toyota Racing Development family during the offseason and brought in Matt DiBenedetto to drive the No. 95. Team owner Bob Leavine has stated that he’s interested in fielding two full-time cars in the future.

Custer ran several Cup races last year for Cup backmarker team Rick Ware Racing. Although the RWR banner was on his car for those events, the vehicle was prepared by SHR. It was essentially the team’s fifth entry.

He doesn’t foresee any more Cup starts this year though. His focus is the 2019 Xfinity title.

“Nothing planned. Just the Xfinity stuff; trying to win races and get a championship,” Friday night’s winner at Richmond Raceway said. “Nothing really Cup planned. … Just going to race in Xfinity and try to win races.

“You got to take it one week at a time. You have to impress people in the moment.”

Reddick, Bell, and Custer, who are the top-three drivers in the points standings, have earned the rite of passage to the top series. But they aren’t rewarded for their performance until the teams they race with say so.

Other racing leagues, such as IndyCar and Formula 1, have feeder series that help young drivers advance to the top when they’re ready. Indy Lights, which is 20 NMMotorSportsReport.com

Tyler Reddick

FOUNDED IN 1977 TO REPRESENT THE AUTO HOBBY IN NEW MEXICO www.nmcarcouncil.com

2019 EVENTS

Get any events planned for your group in to joyce@nmcarcouncil.com

JULY July 12-13 – Annual Collector Car Appreciation Day – www.nmcarcouncil.com July 26-27 – Rte. 66 Car Show – Gurley Motor Co, Gallup – Open to all – (505)870-7405

AUGUST August 3 – Oasis Car Show – Farmington – Noon-5pm August 3-4 – Route 66 Calendar Car Show – Route 66 Casino, I-40 west of Albuquerque – rftibbe@flash.net August 4 – NMCCC Annual All Clubs Picnic – Oak Flat Picnic Area, Tijeras – For Council Clubs’ members & families– www.nmcarcouncil.com August 10 – 13th Donate Life Car Show – Young Park, Las Cruces – Susan Brown (575)496-2627 August 10-11(?) – ABQ Dragway Hot Rod & Classic Car Swap Meet – Off S. Broadway, Albuquerque – 7am-3pm – Vendor space $30, buyers $5/car load – Mike (505)3156949 August 16-17 – Run to Copper Country Show – Gough Park, Silver City – Open to pre-’87 – Mark Castillo (575)313-4493 or www.coppercountrycruizers.com August 17 – Aztec VFW Toys for Tots Car Show – Wooden Nickle, Bloomfield August 18 – Wine & Shine Classic Car Show – Wines of the San Juan, 233 Hwy 511, Blanco – 12-3pm – Live music, food on site, awards, shade – Info (505)632-0879 – Register on line www.winesofthesanjuan.com August 23-25 – 1st NSRA National Street Rod Meet – EXPO NM, State Fairgrounds, Albuquerque – Open to vehicles 1989 & older, NSRA membership required – Register Sheraton Uptown, 2600 Louisiana NE, 22nd noon-6pm, 23rd 9am-6pm, 24th 9am-2pm – http://www.nsra-usa.com or local Art Sena aasena@msn.com

SEPTEMBER September 7 – WB Resurrection Swap Meet – Mayfield HS, Las Cruces September 7 – State Fair Car Show AAAVW Club – NM EXPO, Albuquerque – Open to air-cooled VW’s – Awards – Sean Squires aaavwclub@aol.com or (505)514-3360 September 7 – Women’s Veteran Car Show – Mayfield HS, Las Cruces – Open to all – Karen Woods (575)639-1265 September 13-14 – Southeast NM Regional Swap Meet & Car Corral – W Hwy 82, 2307 W Main St (former K-Mart Parking lot), Artesia – Sponsored by Artesia Car Club & VVMCC of Roswell – 15’x30’ space $20 pre-reserved, $25 at gate – Motorized vehicles & parts – 8am to dark – Dorothy Hammond (575)746-9477 or Kenny or Nancy Forrest (575)622-4350 September 13-15 – Collector Car Weekend Cruise In, Swap Meet, Car Show – Farmington September 13-14 – Car Show – Santa Rosa September 20-21 – Antique Truck Show – Riverside Park, Aztec September 21 – Low Classics 3rd Annual End of Summer Bash Car Show – Wooden Nickel, Bloomfield – Jody Gonzales jody.gonzales@bpx.com September 22 – 6th Wounded Warrior Car Show – 141 Roadrunner Pkwy, Las Cruces – Open to all – Jr. Adams (575)644-5774 September 27-29 – 41st Annual NMCCC Auto Swap Meet – New location: Isleta Casino, south of Albuquerque on I-25 – New Director – Same Dates – Information regarding vendor spots soon – Limited number of discounted rooms available at Isleta during swap meet at booking link following – Rooms include many amenities plus a discount card for dining, spa, shopping at Isleta – Cost per night is $119, a savings over 40% of standard rate – Registration starts in July – Info at swapmeet@nmcarcouncil. com or for hotel reservations or use code NMC0919 when making your reservation September 27-29 – 29th Annual Rio Grande Valley Regional Rendezvous – Elephant Butte Inn, Elephant Butte – Open to British cars – Tour the area, kick tires, dine with friends, fun for all – For information Steve Keppler skeppler1962@comcast.net or (915)549-6859 September 28 – Vdts’ Hall of Fame Car Show – Borman Autoplex, Las Cruces – Rich Lewis (575)650-7074

NMMotorSportsReport.com 21

Triumph from Tragedy The Cody Unser First Step Foundation

by RJ Lees

T

he Unser’s, there are a lot more to them than just the most prominent family of American auto racing drivers from New Mexico, representing four generations of racers. This story is about Cody Unser, the third granddaughter of Al Unser, and her story with the help of family and friends in creating the Cody Unser First Step Foundation.

At the age of twelve, Cody was diagnosed with an auto immune condition called Transverse Myelitis which is a neurologic syndrome caused by inflammation of both sides of one section of the spinal cord. Transverse Myelitis caused Cody to become paralyzed. Her mother Shelley Unser, became the patriarch in creating a foundation to help her daughter Cody face the challenges of her new physical impairment.

In October 1999, paperwork was finalized establishing the Cody Unser First Step Foundation, a New Mexico not-for-profit corporation aimed at combating Transverse Myelitis. Now on the twentieth anniversary the foundation, is has grown to a global not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising research funds, public awareness and quality of life for those afflicted with all forms of spinal cord-related paralysis. The Foundation will also address the cause, rehabilitation, prevention and cure for Transverse Myelitis, and freely affiliate with other medical, charitable and corporate entities to achieve these goals.

With this being said they started their initiative in rural New Mexico where Cody states “we started and still do great work in rural New Mexico for there are a lot of people with disabilities that don’t have access to resources and events”, just showing the impact of the organization from where it began to where it is today.

We got to hear about the Organization from Cody Unser herself in an interview of the New Mexico Motorsports Report on April 27th, 2019. Hearing the 3 missions of the foundation of advocacy, awareness, and quality of life where they do a lot for people with Transverse Myelitis, veterans, and kids with different disabilities.

Cody is currently in Baltimore, Maryland where she a part of a team of scuba diver instructors training 5 spinal cord injury patients how to scuba dive. A part of her foundation giving individuals with spinal cord injuries different experiences to show them that nothing is impossible and life can still have amazing adventures.

This is important because, Al Unser III got Cody into scuba diving a year after she became paralyzed where it has become a huge part of the foundation. Where just recently her brother Al has become an instructor in helping others with the Cody’s Great Scuba Adventure, a program designed to use Scuba Diving as a tool for therapeutic and psychological value to help heal the wounds patients by showing them what they can do instead what they cannot.

Cody stated that “when I first became paralyzed I felt like half a body meant half an existence and I wasn’t going to be able experience things fully … definitely finding a purpose and starting a foundation that really gave me a drive and motivation to help others, you sort of doubt yourself you doubt things and you feel like you are alone so, I definitely wanted to help people with disabilities to want to get back into life”.

With all of her endeavors Cody Unser is a hero to many for facing her condition of Transverse Myelitis where it doesn’t stop her from accomplishing anything and finding a new path pushing the Cody Unser First Step Foundation forward into bigger and better things.

22 NMMotorSportsReport.com

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Allan Middendorf American Outlaw Wheelstand-1 by Patrick Glenn

denver night of fire S

ome of the best racing in the United States takes place at Bandimere Speedway in Denver, CO and it is a favorite destination for both New Mexico racers and spectators. Next to the NHRA Mile-High Nationals, The Night of Fire and Thunder event each May is the track’s second largest spectator event, drawing 20,000+ spectators. For 2019, General Manager John “Sporty” Bandimere decided to bring in a host of fuel altereds for a show that promised to be nitro mayhem.

larly cold track temperature), several cars tried to make test runs without much success.

Greenberg was one of the ones who tried. He backed the power down significantly from his normal setup, but he still went up in smoke at the hit of the throttle.

The weather Saturday had less precipitation and looked like the race would get completed. The fuel altereds were the headliners of the show and came out for round 1 at 7:00 pm. The temperature was in the mid-70’s, so the track was in good shape. The In the late-1990’s, Albuquerque’s Lyle Greenberg was a regular at this event with first pair out was Dan Pettinato in “Rat Poison” against Keith Jackson in “High Heaven”. his Top Alcohol Funny Car and has alJackson’s car was brand new and this ways said that it was one of the coolwould be its very first run. In typical fuel est events he ever raced at. For 2019, altered fashion, “Rat Poison” got seriously when Greenberg found out that Bandiout of shape at mid-track and got up on mere decided to go exclusively with fuel two wheels at least 3 separate times. That altereds as the showcase category, he gave Jackson the easy win. Lyle Greenhad Chris Stinson at Stinson Metal Fab berg then matched his “Cone Hunter” up in Belen mount an altered body to the against Dave Gallegos in the “Nitro Clown”.

“Cone Hunter” nitro funny car chassis Gallegos overpowered the track and went so that he could be invited. up in smoke, while Greenberg’s car drove a bit out of the groove and he had to pedal In addition to the New Mexico based it a couple of times to get to the finish line “Cone Hunter”, the line-up of cars that first. Next out was Allan Middendorf and were invited included some of the badthe “American Outlaw” against Dan Hix in dest fuel altereds from the Midwest Fuel the “Heatseeker”. Hix had trouble with his Altered Association, as well as some injector on the burnout, causing the car to cars from the western United States. idle very fast and drip fuel out the header Those included multi-time Bakersfield pipes. This caused him to go up in smoke Lyle Greenberg Pit Crew L-R Paul Vinyard-Lyle Greenberg-John Leffew-Scott Leffew-Alan March Meet champ Dan Hix from Orat the hit of the throttle. In the other lane, Skinner-Ray Stringer-Troy Hamby Photo by Michele Stringer egon in the “Heatseeker”, Denver’s Middendorf was on a spectacular run. His own Keith Jackson in “High Heaven”, car moved over near the center line and “Rat Poison” from South Carolina, “Nitro Madness” and “Bad Habit” both from Iowa, he pedaled it. About that same time, his 5-disc clutch was locking up and the car powered “American Outlaw” from Missouri and the “Nitro Clown” and “Mighty Mouse” both from into a huge wheelstand. Allan was able to keep the car in his lane and take the win. The Kansas. next pair had Roger Lechtenberg in the “Nitro Madness” up against Anthony Whitfield in “Mighty Mouse”. Whitfield’s car name is based on the fact that he uses a small block One thing that is always a crap shoot at this race is the weather. This year it was Chevrolet powerplant on 90+% nitro. He is always a crowd favorite whenever he matches COLD, with rain in the forecast. It rained much of the day on Friday, finally clearing up up with the big Chrysler Hemis. Lechtenberg made a great run to take the win with a 6.16 about 7:00 pm. Despite the ambient temperature being in the mid-40’s (with a simiat 232 mph for low ET and top speed of the event. Whitfield ran a 6.86 at 195 mph in a

Lyle Greenberg being pulled into the beams by Ray Stringer and Troy Hamby Photo by Michele Stringer losing effort. The final run of the round was Neal Hinman in the “Bad Habit” taking a single run with a very nice 6.26 at 219 mph.

Allan Middendorf American Outlaw NEAR vs Dan Hix Heatseeker FAR by Dimestore Shutterbug

All the teams were ready for round 2 at 9:00 pm with some even having pulled into the staging lanes, when another rainstorm rolled across the mountain and called a halt to the night’s racing. The racers were disappointed to miss another shot at getting a better run, but the huge crowd went home having seen some of the wildest racing Bandimere has had in years.

Lyle Greenberg Cone Hunter by Dimestore Shutterbug

Allan Middendorf American Outlaw by Paul Fields

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MAVERICK AUTO & FABRICATION T

by David Swope

he discontent with stock or the desire to do things his own way began early in life for Will “Maverick” Epps, thus the nickname. “The madness all started back in high school with the Scout. I had a 1975 International Scout II. I swapped it to a 345 V-8 out of a tractor and put one-ton axels underneath it. My parents yelled at me because I would keep parts all over the garage and the shed but they knew it was something to keep me out of trouble,” said Epps.

Maverick Auto & Fabrication opened in 2011 as the realization of Epps dream. Originally from San Diego, Epps moved to Albuquerque with his parents in high school. “I have been doing this all my life, for over 20 years. Ever since I could drive, I have been wheeling.” Other than living in Phoenix for a stint, the desert in New Mexico has been his playground and many of his clients are very happy with that fact. “Most of our client’s goal is to push it to its limits without breaking it. Most of the time, that is what happens, they break it. We just came back from Farmington and one of our guys broke a control arm up there.”

The latest build in the shop at Maverick is a 1958 Jeep Willys Pick-Up. “It came to us in pieces. We are putting one-ton axels underneath it. It has a GM LSII, 6-liter built by BD Turnkey of Arizona. We have several things going on that thing. PRP seats. Dakota Digital all-in-one gauge for the center of the dash so we didn’t have to punch a bunch of holes because there is not a whole lot of dash in that thing anyway. Painless in the body wiring harness for lights, turn signals, ignition key and all that other stuff. Atlas II transfer case. We swapped it over to the GM 4l8E transmission, the one-ton so that way we don’t have any transmissions blowing up,” Epps describing the build.

“The only stuff that remains original is the stuff you see on the outside. Everything else has been gone through or replaced. The fuel pump is a brand-new fuel pump setting. We custom built the axels, got center sections from Kurry, pressed in tubes made them custom lengths. When you talk about what is original, it’s probably the cab. Even for the bed we used 63 GM “build a bed” kit and put the Jeep fenders on the bed. It is all similar boxy style, step side. We went ahead and grafted the fenders onto the bed. We want it to still look like a jeep.”

“The owner is a ‘Jeep Freak.’ He love’s Jeeps and has a bunch of them. This particular Jeep he has wanted to get done for almost five years. He tried another shop and they were unsuccessful at getting him anything he paid for. 4 Wheel Parts referred him to me,” said Epps. “I want to take my Grandkid out and when he is old enough, I want to give it to him,” said the Willys owner. “It is a legacy Jeep. He wanted it to be as cool as his JK, Scrambler and such. He fully intends on using it. That is why it has e-lockers. It’s got gears. This thing will be set-up and ready to do whatever he wants it to do,” Epps said almost as excited as the owner with seeing it done.

Maverick Auto & Fabrication has major goals and focus going forward. “Manufacturing our own line of fabricated parts. Using our expertise in certain fabrications and parts instead of doing everything,” said Epps. But don’t worry, they will still be welding and fabricating on High Street for now.

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by David Swope

reator and resident artist of Visual Noise, Scott Lynch fulfilled a lifetime dream of owning his own business. “I had a dream of having my own business” said Lynch. After graduating from Monzano, Lynch moved to San Diego and joined the Navy.

He received a medical discharge after five years of service.

“I loved the Navy and probably would have retired there.” His service included areas of radar navigations, ships weapons and the combat information center. “I worked in an air traffic control center as well and maybe should have tried there after the service,” explained Lynch.

Lynch continued, “I went to design school in Phoenix for two years, once I was out of the service. Then moved back to Albuquerque, once I was out of school to find a job. I applied at a couple of ad agencies and positions in desk top publishing, but nothing. Even the Navy through vocational rehabilitation and job counselors couldn’t find anything. Finally got a job with Sign Art. We were doing a lot of vinyl work and painting, a lot of hand painting and brush painting back then. Worked for a little while at Zia Graphics somewhere along the way.”

“I started doing it on my own signs after Sign Art and helping my sister with her screen printing business. I did that for a while on top of lettering cars. Mainly race car stuff, race car t-shirts. All the race tracks were here, my friends were here, my family was here – so that’s why I am here,” Lynch said with a smile.

“The computers took over and people wanted vinyl over sign painting. I got a plotter and it took off from there.” Lynch went on to explain, “I like to free-hand stuff which is hard to do with a mouse. If it has a lot of art and design in it, I will draw it by hand, scan it and convert it in a graphics program and then do all my layers and fills from there. Most of the computer stuff I had to learn on my own. I did take a class at CNM one time.’

“Most of the work here is based on my artwork. I did some t-shirt designs for Dupont and like doing dimensional stuff. My favorite is a sign I did for Edwards Engines years ago. Some of my favorite cars are ones I have done for Darrel Meek, JR Baxter & Todd Budlong. Recently, I did the graphics on Lyle Greenberg’s “Cone Hunter” Nitro Funny Car. There is more consistent money in commercial work and it pays a lot better that the racing stuff but fortunately – many of the racers have businesses and use me for that too.”

Lynch’s passion for racing started while he was in his mother’s stomach. “She was pregnant with me and spent a lot of time at Speedway Park. I could hear the cars.

Speedway Park was a big family. I just waited all winter for summer to come to go to the race track,” said Lynch. “I used to watch Billy Palmer paint cars and that is what really got me. He really made an impression on me and his two sons do incredible work too.”

Most of the work here is based on my artwork. I did some t-shirt designs for Dupont and like doing dimensional stuff.

My favorite is a sign I did for Edwards Engines years ago.

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Lynch has not been limited by size or scale when applying his craft. Model building and specifically, car models have pushed his craft to another level. “I started casting my own parts and doing brass work. I got a kit to do my own photo etching even making aluminum radius rods including heimans. Casting, Moroso value covers.” Lynch explained the process, “I make a part, then a mold of the part and finally cast them with resin. I have sold a bunch of built cars on ebay. Sold some in New York & Texas.

It’s not just a little kids thing anymore.”

Scott Lynch enjoys creating and working in his shop. It is best to call first because as a one-man band, he might be out on a project or picking up some work. “I have tons of work right now, which is great. I do most my work by appointment.

Visual Noise – 505-850-8366 or on Facebook.

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