Amy Williams Photo
August Schedule 7- 270 Sprints, Wingless Sprints, Chargers, Legends (TT) *Bike Races*- Barry Boyd Living Legends Night 14- Linda’s Birthday Bash- 270 Sprints, 600 Sprints, Chargers, plus Xcel 600 Modifieds Tour *Autograph Night* 21- Elvin Felty Tribute Night- 270 Sprints, Wingless Sprints, Slingshots, 125 Sprints, Rookie Wingless *Autograph Night* 28- 270 Sprints, Wingless Sprints, Modifieds, Slingshots, Legends National Qualifier *Legend Autograph Night* July 2015~ 3
Cover Photo: Jason Swavely finding the handle at Action Track (TeeJay Crawford Photo) Index Photo: Jack Conover goes for a wild ride at the start of the Tri-Track Challenge (Amy Williams)
Could a Speedweek survive? Can Speedweek ever come back and be a great as it once was? Will the cars and drivers come? The quick and simple answer is no. Right now Speedweek could not return with the popularity it once had. The first blow Speedweek was dealt was the split of the winged and wingless racers. There are not many that will run both. The winged races would be attended by the winged drivers and a few crossover racers and the same for the wingless races. The solution seems simple then, just run one or the other. Which one do you choose? The money that is needed to provide a Speedweek that can even get close to helping teams support a week of racing is a stretch right now. Not because an economy, not because of lack of support, because it’s being pulled out by series, tracks, and drivers. The money that spewed through the speedweek was amazing. And money is what is needed. Remember the year everyone got something? More of the gift certificates for the drivers saw a return mail envelope than seen a racers hand. The support is there from drivers and crews, but would it be there fully? With two other series you would wonder at the end of the week as drivers fell from the potential top spots in points would they simply stopped running. The Tri Track Challenge and Mid Summer Shootout have give racers a chance to run two mini-series, one winged and one wingless, that are as close to speedweek as we may see again. Is it needed? The answer is no. Right now the two series that run in July that were aforementioned are shaping up to be annual events with a lot of support from drivers. It sounds like the future of the series may go in different directions providing a nice scenario for both. The Tri Track Challenge will remain on the July 4th weekend with the Bridgeport race on Sunday for added money. The Mid Summer Shootout sounds like it may take a more 600 Pro Series feel with monthly races after this year. So even though Speedweek was once a great thing, it is not needed right now. It would struggle to survive or it was tarnish what has become a nice set up for the other two series. Speedweek will always have a special place as a major event in time for the 600 Micro Sprints, but right now that’s where it will stay.
Driven ~ 6
July 31st MASON DIXON SERIES Gary Keifert Memorial Race August 7th TRAIL-WAY SPEEDWAY Mid Summer Shootout Series
Volume 2 Issue 3
August 8th PATH VALLEY SPEEDWAY Mid Summer Shootout Series
Customer Service and other information:
August 11th,12th,13th, and 16th ACTION TRACK USA Fair Week (Pg 23)
DrivenMagazine@usa.com
August 18th, 19th, and 20th ARDC/USAC Midgets Path Valley, Lincoln Speedway, Susquehanna August 22nd AIRPORT SPEEDWAY Wingless Summer Championships August 28th LINDA’S SPEEDWAY Legend National Qualifier September 5th and 6th LANCO SPEEDWAY Labor Day Shootout French Fry Nation
Publisher: Michael Batz Copyright 2015 by Mike Co The Inside Track assumes no liability or is not responsible for information contained in advertisements, articles, stories ect. The opinions expressed in this publication reflect those of the individual author and are not necessarily the view of The Inside Track. Reproduction of any content in any form without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Readers should also be made aware that some items listed for sale in advertisements may not be legal on all states.
July 2015~ 7
1 - 14 Jason Swavely … 96 2 - 8 Kyle Lick … 94 3 - 11a Austin Bishop … 73 4 - 75x James Morris … 73 5 - 75k Jarid Kunkle … 66 6 - 24 Jay Hartman … 59 7 - 42e Eddie Starda … 59 8 - 30 Joey Jarowicz … 57 9 - 36d Alex Bright … 54 10 - 7h Heath Hehnly … 53 11 - 3 Jacob Severn … 52 12 - 44k Kyle Spence … 51 13 - 21k Tommy Kunsman … 45 14 - 8w PJ Williams … 38 15 - 28 Bruce Ginther Jr … 36 16 - 43 Brandon Azzalina … 35 17 - 93 Matt Carr … 35 18 - 6t Mike Rutherford … 35 19 - 7p Eric Heydenreich … 34 20 - 6x Colin White … 34 21 - 32 Brian Carber … 34 22 - 91s Billy Pauch Jr … 33 23 - 71 Tim Buckwalter … 32 24 - 21 Jack Conover … 31 25 - O26 Jeff Hartman … 28 26 - 8 Dan Jones … 28 27 - 83 Jard Esh … 27 28 - 22j Grady Johnston … 27 29 - 56 Jermain Godshall … 26 30 - 44s Steve Whary … 26 31 - 5d Tony Dimattia … 26 32 - 69s Doug Snyder … 24 33 - 34 Austin Quick … 24 34 - 1a Dale Arnold … 24 35 - 14 Nate Brinker … 23 36 - 97x Shawn Rooney … 22 37 - 7 Corry Roth … 22 38 - 23m Kenny Miller … 22 39 - 5 Jason Sechrist … 21 40 - 51 Molly Chambers … 20 41 - 12e Eric Whitby … 19 42 - 15p Chris Panczner … 19 43 - 8x Bruce Buckwalter … 17 44 - 25 Shaun Brandel … 16 45 - 3f Craig Fox … 16 46 - 5m Ken Murray … 16 47 - 28x Cale Mutter … 15
Driven ~ 8
48 - OO Jordan Mohr … 15 49 - 55L Chris Gerhart … 15 50 - 20 Greg Stevens … 14 51 - 14 Sam Kravitsky … 13 52 - 46 Louie Horvath … 12 53 - 7j Chris Oraschin … 12 54 - 37 Rob Adams … 11 55 - 72 Jesse Maurer … 11 56 - 87 Will Butler … 10 57 - 8d Dan Leaper … 10 58 - 12 Brent Shearer … 10 59 - 22 Josh Conover … 10 60 - 44 Mike Dicely … 10 61 - 16x Brett Cronrath … 10 62 - 23r Rebecca LaMothe … 10 63 - 6j Jerry Seabridge … 10 64 - 24h Shelby Harper … 9 65 - 61 Zach Bealer … 8 66 - 2 Eric Ankiewicz … 5 67 - 12 Joe Kay … 5 68 - 31 Dave Ogin … 5 69 - 32 Jake Smith … 5 70 - 46 Jeff Carmen … 5 71 - 77 Ben Houtz … 5 72 - 98 Matt Roselli … 5 73 - 20h Mackenzie Harper … 5 74 - 41s Joe Plunkett … 5 75 - 7L Chris Gurbac … 5 76 - 23 Sal Tossano … 5 77 - 23 Brittany Brown … 5 78 - 33 Skylar Sheriff … 5 79 - 49 Ben Earnst … 5 80 - 81 Hunter James … 5 81 - 87 Buddy Hines … 5 82 - 97 Luke Thomas … 5 83 - 10a Amber Oraschin … 5 84 - 11z Zach Light … 5 85 - 15x John Casazza … 5 86 - 17g Devin Gundrum … 5 87 - 1s Steve Bull … 5 88 - 24t Taylor Troxel … 5 89 - 49dd Tim Howell … 5 90 - 55L Patrick Ely … 5 91 - 5r Ron Lewis … 5 92 - 89b Tim Baurer … 5 93 - O3 Ryan Groff … 5 94 - O5 William Urkuski … 5
Drivers that attempted each race 3 7h 8 14 30 11a 28x 36d 75k 75x
Jacob Severn Heath Hehnly Kyle Lick Jason Swavely Joey Jarowicz Austin Bishop Cale Mutter Alex Bright Jarid Kunkle James Morris
“Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
July 2015~ 9
4 Wide Salute on the 4th of July at Lanco on night two of the Tri Track Challenge
I am absolutely amazed when I see the power of Social Media these days...some say it's a bad thing, and I believe, in certain situations, it can be very hurtful, damaging, and even destructive. But it can also be wonderfully positive and expose people to new and exciting experiences. Twice this summer, I have had the pleasure of witnessing its powerful and positive effects. The first occasion happened early in the month of June, when the USAC Sprint Car Eastern Storm event was (mysteriously) canceled at Lincoln Speedway - supposedly due to wet weather - but the racing program at the JeffreyHogueRealtor.com Action Track USA in Kutztown went on as scheduled. When word of the USAC cancellation got out, Facebook and Twitter nearly exploded. The stars of USAC's Thunder and Lightning division were quickly invited to head for the Kutztown Fairgrounds. Within an hour or two, Wingless 600 and SpeedSTR rides were lined up for several of them, and the fans responded en masse. It was epic, it was magic, and it was mostly due to Social Media. It happened again on the Fourth of July, this time at Lanco's Clyde Martin Memorial Speedway. On this occasion, it was the vibe generated during the event, along with the post-race reviews, that proved just how much good the Social Media network can do for a speedway and the classes competing there. It was the first time that the ARDC Midgets performed at the Clyde, and no one really knew what to expect. The 600cc and 270cc Micro-Sprints were also scheduled to run wingless at the event named Star Spangled Havoc - at a track where they normally compete with wings on top of their roll cages. The result was a fantastic event, way better than anyone could have anticipated. The buzz generated during the night, much of it via Facebook posts, tweets, and reaction to short video clips posted on Periscope, was unlike anything ever experienced by the Lanco club and its facility. Post-race comments were virtually all positive and some of them even found their way onto the Message Board of the South Jersey Dirt Racing website...in the past, Lanco and the Clyde have been pretty much non-existent on the wildly popular forum. Media members were very generous and positive in their public comments regarding Star Spangled Havoc, too. Noted photographer Brent Smith, who hadn't been to the track in several years, was extremely enthusiastic about the high quality racing and we'll run program that he witnessed on Independence Day, as were many others. They all used Social Media to share their thoughts and congratulate Lanco, ARDC, and all the competitors who were part of the show. All three divisions - the Midgets, 600's, and 270's - gained some new fans as well as a ton of respect because of the show they presented and the fact that people did not hesitate to broadcast their high opinion (of the program they'd seen) on Social Media. While it definitely can be the source of negative, spiteful venom, it can also be a very useful tool to spread the good word about events such as Star Spangled Havoc. I have seen the power of Social Media, and I believe in it - when it's used properly. Thanks for reading; hope you enjoyed it.
Driven ~ 12
www.DrivenRacingMagazine.com
Go
Stay Up With Us Online
Amy Williams Photo
Kunsman Opens TTC with win by Michael Batz Tommy Kunsman opened the Tri-Track Challenge with a win in the Hoosier Tire Wingless 600 Micro Sprint feature Friday at Linda’s Speedway just before rain started to fall. Due to prior commitments, Kunsman will be unable to compete in the Saturday portion of the Tri Track Challenge. Kunsman ran double duty in both a 600 Micro Sprint and an ARDC Midget Friday night. After his Midget broke Kunsman was ready to rebound in the 600’s. Kunsman used his second starting spot to get in front of pole setter Brian Carber at the drop of the green. The two waged a race long battle at the front, but were unchallenged for much of the event by the hornets nest of racing behind them. Carber stayed right in the tire tracks of the race leader and took a few shots at the top spot in the closing laps. Carber was fast the whole night, but had to settle for second after gaining the most passing points to earn the pole spot and winning a dash race.
Driven ~ 14
PJ Williams rounded out the podium finishers after moving by Kyle Lick late in the event. Jason Swavely, who earned the Hard Charger award for the night, came from 15th starting spot to make a late race with Lick for fourth. Lick settled in for fifth.
Mike Rutherford, Colin White, Jacob Severn, Grady Johnson, and Steve Whary came from the 18th starting spot rounding out the top ten finishers. Heat race wins went to Kunsman, Williams, Rutherford, Austin Bishop, and Matt Carr. Skylar Sheriff won the C Main with James Morris winning the B Main. 47 Cars signed in for the first night of the Tri-Track Challenge.
Amy Williams Photo
July 2015~ 15
Driven ~ 16
Steve Sabo Photo
Spence Wins Night 2 by Barry Angstadt Kyle Spence started seventh in the Bud's Spring Service Firecracker Frenzy for Wingless 600cc Sprints, then blasted his way into the top three in the early laps. Spence, already a three-time winner in Clyde Martin's winged 270cc division this season, slipped past Heath Hehnly for second, then wrestled the top spot from polesitter Kyle Lick on the ninth trip around the clay.
As Spence motored away to a big lead, a fantastic battle ensued for positions two through six among Lick, Hehnly, Eddie Strada, 22nd-starter James Morris, and Jarid Kunkle. Hehnly finally emerged with the runner-up slot, but the next four positions were hotly contested right down to the checkered, with Jason Swavely who went to the rear after an early spin - joining the mix. Hehnly made a big run on the last lap but couldn't get close enough to offer a serious challenge to Spence, who dashed across the stripe with a cushion of 0.351-seconds over Hehnly. Lick held on for third and by doing so, took the point lead in the Tri-Track Challenge, a series of races that began on July 3rd at Linda's, continued at Clyde Martin on Saturday, and will wrap up on Wednesday, July 8, at the JeffreyHogueRealtor.com Action Track USA in Kutztown. Lick currently holds a slim two-point lead over Jason Swavely, with James Morris just nine points behind in third. Driven ~ 18
Steve Sabo Photo Steve Sabo Photo
Strada, making a very infrequent Clyde Martin appearance, ran a strong race and finished fourth with Morris roaring from the 11th row to place fifth. A terrific field of 49 wingless 600's took part in Firecracker Frenzy, with Jason Sechrist, Swavely, Lick, Strada, and Jared Esh claiming heat race triumphs. Dan Jones won the C-Main and Greg Stevens copped the B-Main. The top four finishers earned cash bonuses from the Quality Shoppe in Kutztown, while Morris also picked up some extra money for being the Hard Charger of the 600cc main event (22nd to fifth).
Shred Racing Photo
July 2015~ 19
Azzalina Scored in Finale by Barry Angstadt All season long, Saylorsburg, Pa. driver Brandon Azzalina has been knocking on the door to his first Action Track USA victory and he finally kicked in that door on Wednesday, throttling to a convincing triumph over Jason Swavely and Pauch Jr. Two-time and defending track champ Jay Hartman led the early laps as a terrific four-car tussle ensued behind him. Alex Bright, Tim Buckwalter, Swavely, and the fifth-starting Azzalina waged a ferocious battle for the runnerup slot, going four-wide a few times before Azzalina prevailed and began to track down the race leader. An eighth lap restart produced the defining moment of the 30-lap Tri-Track Challenge event for the wingless 600’s as Hartman and Azzalina raced side by side around the progressively banked oval. Hartman washed up the track in turn four, allowing Azzalina to blast into the lead. Swavely, who entered the evening trailing Kyle Lick by just two points in the Tri-Track Challenge, soon charged into second while Bright, Buckwalter, Kyle Spence, and Pauch Jr. diced for positions three through six. Several restarts offered opportunities for Swavely to stick the nose of his Heffner Construction, RTS Chassis No. 14 under the leader, but Azzalina consistently shut the door on Swavely to repel each attack.
Michael Fry Photo
Rick Schwindenhammer Photo
Michael Fry Photo
The final ten trips around the clay saw an entertaining battle for second between Swavely, Bright, and Pauch that permitted Azzalina to pull away and drive to the win by nearly one-second over Swavely. Pauch Jr. finished third with Buckwalter staging a late race charge to place fourth. Hartman wound up fifth as Bright fell out with a couple of laps to go. With his runner-up effort, Swavely, from Fleetwood, earned his second straight Tri-Track Challenge point title. Lick, who started deep in the field (16th), climbed to sixth at the finish but came up a few points short in his bid to win the three race series that began at Linda’s Speedway on July 3rd. The second race was held on the Fourth of July at Lanco’s Clyde Martin Memorial Speedway.
Rick Schwindenhammer Photo
July 2015~ 21
First 5 Events 4:00 – Pits open,
5:00 – Grandstands Open, 6:15 – Hot Laps
Regular Shows: General Admission $12, Senior’s $10, ages 6-12 $5, Fan Zone + $3 Pits $25 w/USAC Membership * Car Reg. $20.00
Wednesday August 5 Slingshot Speedweek (Silver) presented by Pepsi Cola Beach Night. STR, 600’s, Slingshots, Jr. Slingers Tuesday August 11 Fair Night #1 – “Kutztown Komet 100″ for Allstar Slingshots 1/4 Midget NATIONALS * Karts * Jr. Slingshot Fair NATIONALS * wingless 270 Practice Slingshots, 1/4 Midgets, Karts, Jr. Slingers, wingless 270’s Wednesday August 12 Fair Night #2 – Wingless 600 Fair NATIONALS **$1200.00 to WIN (w/gamblers)** 60 Laps SpeedSTR NATIONALS STR, 600’s, Slingshots
Thursday August 13 Fair Night #3 – Wingless 270 Fair NATIONALS, Winners gets Guaranteed Starting Spot in the Linda’s Race of Champions. “Daniel Boone 100” Stock Car Race Blast From the Past & Garden State Vintage Stock Car Club Sunday August 16 3rd annual “DICK TOBIAS CLASSIC” SpeedSTR’s * 75 laps $5000 to WIN !!! Championship Night for all 3 divisions STR, 600’s, Slingshots
Will Butler grabs bite at Action Track in this Michael Fry Photo
July 2015~ 25
Quarter Midget action at Honey Brook Speedway Dave Nale Photo Photographers: Supply your Âź Midget or Go Kart pictures for display in the Stars of Tomorrow section of the magazine by sending them to DrivenRacingMagazine@usa.com
Driven ~ 26
Kyle Spence celebrates his big 4th of July win at Lanco (Bonnie Goshert Photo)
Driven ~ 28
SDS Photography catches Linda’s Speedway Photos
Mike Knappenberger and Bonnie Goshert bring Lanco Photos
PhilMar and Dennis Takacs Photos from Action Track USA July 2015~ 29
Three great race tracks provided fantastic racing for the Tri Track Challenge. Rich Tobias is watering the Action Track USA.
Tim Krysiuk Photo
Driven ~ 30
For Two Years The Champions Chose Hoosiers