Chili Bowl Update-Jason Holt

Jason Holt prepares his car in the O'Keefe shop for the next Gas City race.

.

On Saturday, the LOK Enterprises cars both had Main Events to run. Don, who ran a heat and main on opening day, was in the K Main. Meanwhile, Jason Holt had qualified for the pole of the E Main in the second LOK Enterprises Midget.

.

During the season, Don has worked with Jason on car setup for Jason's Wingless Sprinter at Gas City Speedway. Jason enjoyed his best career season with 9 top ten finishes in 13 starts and a third place point effort. Quite a season for Jason. From my visit last year, I could see that he is quite a racer with a bright future ahead of him. Look for him to grab a victory this season.

.

I'm sure Don will post on his web page what went down. I'm guessing he scratched from the K Main to focus on Jason's E Main run. A front row spot meant Jason could transfer up at least one race, and he would do just that with a third place finish. From there, Jason came from the last row to sixth in the D Main, missing a transfer by just one spot. Still, he was in the first half of a field of over 200 cars. All in all, not a bad job by Jason and the whole crew.

.

But it gets more interesting. This all star field saw previous winner Tony Stewart winning a B Main to get into the show, but the win went to none other than Damion Gardner ahead of Dave Darland, Shane Cottle, Bryan Clauson and Jon Stanbrough. All five hail from the state of Indiana, and Gardner has actually relocated to Don's hometown of Pittsboro.

.

I recall meeting Damion and his father back in the mid 90's at Antioch. He was racing a Nor Cal Dwarf Car back win Nor Cal and Pacific Coast were having some classic battles at Antioch Speedway. He was a star in the making and won the NCDCA Dwarf Car championship a couple years later. He became one of the stars of SCRA (Top 5 ranked) and went on to win a CRA Sprint Car championship. He is rapidly climbing the ladder to an eventual NASCAR or IRL ride, and this could be the biggest win of his career.

.

Congratulations Damion.

A Few Quick Notes

I believe people in Merced will be seeing schedules soon, if not already. I looked at the Merced Speedway page a few days ago, and Chowchilla dates are listed there as well. A few notes:

1-IMCA sanctioning for Mods at both tracks. Could be a boost for car count, but as I said before, it may be a little late in the game for this. Let the car count speak for itself.

2-Pretty much what I expected, a Merced schedule at both tracks, and likely CCMR rules as well. How this might effect Street Stock or Pure Stock car count remains to be seen. What sort of allowances will be made for Chowchilla regulars that may need to change according to the rule changes remains to be seen. I would anticipate a grace period, but we'll let track management make the announcements.

3-It looks like NCMA has booked dates at one or both tracks. Congrats. to NCMA. These guys always seem to be able to get race dates just when you think there may be trouble. I say the more carbureted Sprint divisions in California, the better.

4-I hope a certain purple #20 car will be allowed to compete at Chowchilla if the driver so chooses. Knowing the situation, I doubt it, but I hope I'm wrong. Tom Sagmiller will always be a part of Chowchilla Speedway, no matter what.

That being said, I wish both tracks luck, and I wish the best for all of the racers. Had things turned out differently, I would gladly have stayed and worked at BOTH tracks in 2003. I wash my hands of the whole grudge business. I have my opinion and always will, but who cares? I know I tried to help make a difference. It wouldn't surprise me if we haven't heard the last of things on this matter, and I say, so be it. I guess it just has to be what it has to be.

Let the racing begin

I didn't count the dates listed on the Petaluma Speedway page, but Jim Soares has booked Spec Sprints. Looks like they have a point race of their own there. Way to go Jim, and keep up the good work. You've done awesome there. Ten years since Don O'Keefe Jr. and I put this deal together for the first Spec Sprint season at Antioch, and look at this class go!!!

Ocean (Watsonville) Speedway has added Wingless Spec Sprints to their schedule as well. Lots of options for the drivers to choose where to race. You gotta love it. I wish Watsonville luck.

The Turner's have turned Orland Raceway back over to the fairgrounds. I'm sorry to see them go as they did a great job with that little track and had some good shows over the years. It's not the best place to run a racetrack, in the shadow of Chico, but they guided the track through one of it's most successful periods. Plus, they had Spec Sprints there as well. Thank you Paul & Carol and good luck in whatever you do next.

Also, it looks like Bob & Nadine Strauss have stepped down as promoters of Lakeport. I gotta tell you that Nadine is one of the best promoters in California and was so rewarded by RPM for her outstanding efforts. I'm sad to see them leave at a time when we need good promoters here in the state, but they have earned the break. Thank you Nadine and good luck in whatever you do next.

O'Keefe Races At Chili Bowl

Don O'Keefe Jr. raced on the first day. He ran his heat and his main. I'm glad to see he got to drive his race car. I know it's been a while for him. Haven't heard how thecar ran, but hopefully he had some fun. Tonight, Jason Holt gets to run with the big boys in Don & Linda's second car. Hopefully he'll have a good run and keep it in one piece. Jason did a great job of making the top five in points at Gas City this season in his Sprint Car.

More Thoughts On The Book

One of the staples of The DCRR was the controversial column The Editor's Viewpoint. I make no apologies for what I used to write there. I called it like I saw it. I got in trouble more times than I can count because of it. People loved it. People hated it. What I always tried to do with that column was give credit where it was due or bring about change where I thought it was needed. At some point in the future, I will probably share a few of the old columns here on the blog and comment on what I said back then.

That said, the book that I intend to release next year needs to stick to facts and avoid that sort of commentary where possible. There will be opinion in the book. I don't believe it can be avoided. But, I don't want to dwell on the things that were wrong or are wrong, in my opinion, with racing. I want this book to be a celebration of what is right with racing. The past champions, the close point battles, the big name drivers and contenders and some of the people who made it all happen.

Specific looks at important periods in racing. The Sportsman division. The beginning of the Street Stock class and what it meant. Late Models and the golden age of that class. Dirt Modifieds. The unity that existed between the tracks and the great series we had because of it. The State and Regional champs that came from that. Wingless Spec Sprints. Okay, you'll get observations of things during these times. It simply cannot be avoided. But, I want to keep it as light as possible. There are people and decisions I disagreed with. I don't want my opinions to overpower that too much.

Basically, where things happen, such as the death of Late Models as headline class, the birth of Dirt Modifieds, the end of what was once Barkhimer's huge racing empire, the whole Merced-Chowchilla thing and other things, I will attempt to stick with the facts as I know them and try to leave my opinions out as much as possible.

What this book needs to be is a celebration of racing at my area tracks, Watsonville, Antioch, Merced, Petaluma and Chowchilla. A look at the past 30-40 years at these tracks. A look over at San Jose and Vallejo and also Spec Sprints. There has been much good associated with these tracks. Many good times. Many good people. Many unforgetable memories. I want to focus on that. I want to celebrate the sport the way it deserves. So, that is my goal at this time.

Now, could a book be fortcoming where I do get more into details and opinions? Lord knows I've been there and I've seen quite a bit. I'm sure I could piss off a few people with such a book. Maybe it will get written in time. But, I do have this blog if I feel the need to go to controversial places on occasion. I just want the book that is fortcoming to be about a celebration of the tradition of racing in my area.

I Heard The News Today, Oh Boy

You can see the above posted at the Chowchilla Fairgrounds Sight

.

What can you say at a time like this? I can think of a few things. I've had my opinions through the years on this subject as some of you know. What does it matter? There are probably a few people (if that) who I would tell what I think even now.

.

In case you don't know what this image means, Central California Motorized Racing is Chuck Griffin, and he has Chowchilla Speedway now To complete the thought, there have been those in racing who were not happy with Chuck for various reasons that I have neither the time, nor the room, to get into. Some went to other tracks, Hanford, Antioch, Stockton and Altamont. One had good people (investors) behind him and ended up starting Chowchilla Speedway to give people a fun alternative.

.

Chowchilla Speedway over the last eight seasons held some of the biggest stock car and open wheel programs in the state, and it never would have happened without the leadership of Tom & Cindy Sagmiller. To me, it's hard to think of Chowchilla Speedway and not think of Sagmiller. Would the track be there if not for that conversation between Tom and original investor Charlie Ruth? No. Let me rephrase that, HELL NO!!! If you think otherwise, you aren't being honest.

.

Chowchilla came out of left field, offering hope to fans who needed it. Not just the ones in The Valley looking for a place that was more fun, but to Bay Area fans reeling from the loss of San Jose Speedway. Tom gave us hope of something better and something different in racing at a time when we desperately needed it.

.

This is difficult for me to say. I happen to like Tom and consider him a friend. I also happen to like Chuck and Marylee Griffin. Like or hate Chuck, people, Merced's gates have opened and racing has continued week in and week out, even during tough times, throughout some two decades with the Griffin's at the helm. That is a fact. Financially speaking, the Chowchilla Board made what had to be considered a safe decision.

.

I know a few people will ask if the board even paid any attention to that winter Barneburner Series run by a Chowchilla resident and long time racer Joe Diaz Jr. I understand Joe put in a bid, and it's not like he hasn't already been making money for the fair.

.

But, Chuck was a safe pick, because the bills get paid on time with him. Plus, at Merced, he has built up a pretty good record with the community. I know, it sounds like I'm being too nice here. I'm amazed the internet community hasn't ripped into this topic more than I've seen. Perhaps they are too tired to care anymore, or maybe it's shock? Who knows?

.

Can we be truthful here for a minute?

.

Chuck's bid, right or wrong, seems to have more to do with him making a point. I don't even care anymore, but he never got the "justice" he sought in his feud with Tom. True, he could have just been happy with the news that Tom was out at Chowchilla, but coming to Chowchilla as the next promoter gives him that victory, that sense of closure he was looking for. What am I talking about? If you don't know by now, I damn sure ain't telling you. Look around, fool. Does it even matter at this point?

.

I can tell you that Tom helped save Merced Speedway. I know what you are thinking. You're nuts Donny. How the hell do you figure that? Moving dates early in Chowchilla's run, at financial loss to Chowchilla, to try to help Merced, for one.

.

Tom forced Merced to ditch the non Camaro Pure Stock (less that 10 cars) for the Hobby Stock class that made it into the 30's that second year. Tom's success in running big shows at Chowchilla was no small influence in Merced's decision to run the 9-11 races that were big for a couple years. Fact is, Chowchilla's existence helped grow Merced car count. I can cite other examples, but I'm getting tired, and really, what's the point?

.

When we look at the decision, we really have to ask what Chuck can bring to Chowchilla that will make a difference? It's a fair question. I'm guessing that bills being paid on time is first and foremost. IMCA sanctioning? Yes, but really, who needs the IMCA? This move is probably five years too late. I may be wrong, but then again, where were the Mods at Merced this year?

.

Chowchilla regulars will be left wondering what divisions will stay, and what will go. That will be up to the CCMR office to address. I look forward to what they will say. But I think people can expect a further departure from the loose and racer friendly way that RACE did things to how CCMR will do things.

.

Simply put, if Chuck is running Chowchilla and you plan to race there, you better know the rules and follow them as closely as you can. No rule is safe from a DQ. Stay in line with the rules and keep the attitude in check, or you won't last in a point race there.

.

What really has me wondering, though, is the fact that Chuck is not getting any younger. It was my understanding a few years ago that he and Marylee were considering retirement. This is doubling the work load. It's likely that his daughter and son in law will take a bigger role in things. However, I can't see Chuck making a two track hand off. This would seem to indicate that retirement will have to wait a year or two.

.

Time will tell, I guess.

.

My purpose in posting this was not to bash or point fingers. I don't care about repeating things said years ago, because this is 2007. What's the point? If this helps racing in The Valley, great. It's needed. But, will it help? I just don't know.

.

Watsonville has been turned around and had a great season.

.

Jim Soares has done some great things with Petaluma these past two years as well.

.

What will Chowchilla's future be? Time will tell.