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Just A Kid From The Grandstands: My Time In Auto Racing
Stories of my time in auto racing from the beginning to 2003
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Racing History, Stories, Statistics And Pictures
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Newberry, DeForest, Swank Win
Antioch Speedway Main Events
Antioch, CA... July 7...Bob Newberry continued his quest for a second All Star Series Wingless Spec Sprint championship at Antioch Speedway. Saturday night, the current point leader picked up his fourth Main Event victory of the season. Newberry's closest threat in the Main Event is also his closest rival in the points, Shannon Newton. Newton won his six lap heat race and collected his third second place feature finish of the year. Roy Fisher settled for third, followed by James East and heat race winner Brandon Burd.
Rookie Ryan DeForest won the 20 lap topless B Modified Main Event. It was the first career win for DeForest, and it paid a $500 special first prize. DeForest led from the start. Point leader Trevor Clymens spun on lap four in his battle with Chuck Golden for second. Clymens gained second on a lap 11 restart and provided some pressure during the second half of the race. However, DeForest prevailed ahead of Clymens, Golden and Matt Taylor.
Reigning champion, Kimo Oreta scored the victory in the 20 lap Limited Late Model Main Event. It was the third win of the season for Oreta as he reminded everybody why they call him the Flyin Hawaiian. Oreta's most recent four starts are two wins and two seconds as he is closing in on the championship point lead. Oreta set a rapid pace and won by over a straightaway in front of John Evans. It was the best finish yet for Evans, who held off teammate Ryan Cherezian for the position. Mike Walko had his first non Top 3 finish of the season in fourth as heat race winner and point leader Mark Garner finished fifth.
Reigning champion Cameron Swank won the 20 lap Hobby Stock Main Event. It was the fourth win of the season for Swank, and he won the special $500 first prize. He gained the lead from Sid Smith Jr with an inside pass on the backstretch on lap three. For the remaining 17 laps, Swank had to deal with the pressure of point leader Chris Sorensen and Michael Cooper. Sorensen made a Turn 2 pass on Cooper on lap 15, but he couldn't quite get around Swank on the inside. Swank was a happy winner, followed by Sorensen, Cooper, John Wacht and Megan Ponciano.
Mario Marques scored his first career 20 lap Dwarf Car Main Event win. Marques had his hands full with point leader Mike Corsaro and 2010 champion Jerry Doty in pursuit, but he was up to the task as he scored a well-earned victory. Corsaro settled for second, followed by Doty, Chris Becker and David Michael Rosa.
Due to a concert at the fairgrounds, racing will be off this week, but it returns on July 21st with DIRTcar late Models, Limited Late Models, A Modifieds, Hobby Stocks and Bay Area Hardtops. For further information, go to www.antiochspeedway.com.
Unofficial Race Results
All Star Series
Wingless Spec Sprints
Heat winners (6 Laps)-Shannon Newton, Branden Burd. Main Event (20 Laps)-Bob Newberry, Shannon Newton, Roy Fisher, James East, Brandon Burd.
B Modifieds
Heat Winner (6 laps)-Trevor Clymens. Main Event (20 Laps)-Ryan DeForest, Trevor Clymens, Chuck Golden, Matt Taylor.
Limited Late Models
Heat winner (6 Laps)-Mark Garner. Main Event (20 laps)-Kimo Oreta, John Evans, Ryan Cherzian, Mike Walko, Mark Garner.
Hobby Stocks
Heat winners (6 Laps)-Chris Sorensen, Billy Garner. Main Event (20 Laps)-Cameron Swank, Chris Sorensen, Michael Cooper, John Wacht, Megan Ponciano.
Dwarf Cars
Heat Winners (6 Laps)-Mario Marques, David Michael Rosa. Main Event (20 Laps)-Mario Marques, Mike Corsaro, Jerry Doty, Chris Becker, David Michael Rosa.
NASCAR Star Kenny Schrader Wins At Merced Speedway
Merced, CA...July 7...NASCAR star Kenny Schrader made a visit to Merced Speedway and won the 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event Saturday night. The event was sponsored by VH Fresh, and Schrader put on an impressive performance as he started back in 12th. Jarod Fast led the early laps before Ryan Porter went driving by with an outside pass on the backstretch on lap nine. Schrader was already third by then, and he made an outside pass on the frontstretch a lap later to take over second. The battle was on for the lead, but Porter was doing a great job until he was passed on the inside exiting Turn 2 of the 20th lap. Moments later, Porter spun in Turn 3 for a lap 20 caution flag. Schrader led point leader Darrell Hughes II and Santa Maria visitor Chris Crompe on the restart. For the next 5 laps, Hughes did everything he could to get the lead away from Schrader, but Schrader had the line and capped his impressive drive with the Main Event victory. Crompe was a solid third, followed by Ramie Stone, Troy Stone, DJ Shannon, Fast, Derek Nance, Justin Villanueva and Tim Cecil. Eight lap heat races were won by Ramie Stone, Crompe, Schrader and Shannon.
Jacob Williams won the special 20 lap 600 Micro Sprint Main Event. It was the first visit of the year for the group, and they produced a 16 car field. Blake Parmley led for 13 laps before encountering problems and handing the lead to Sage Bordenave. Williams was in second by then, and he made an inside pass on the backstretch on lap 15 to take the lead. Watsonville Sprint Car point leader Koen Shaw was up to fifth by then, and he made a late charge to the front. Shaw made a Turn 2 pass on Ryan Delisle on lap 19 for second. Williams took the checkered flag just ahead of Shaw. Delisle settled for third, followed by Cody Gray, Cameron Paul, Bordenave, Jimmy Katarzy, Parmley, Kiely Ricardo and Randy Thompson. Eight lap heat race wins went to Bordenave, Parmley and Thomas Lieby.
Shawn DePriest won his first 20 lap Mini Stock Main Event. Kevin Lockerby led a lap in his pickup truck before reigning champion Chris Corder made an inside pass in Turn 2 for the lead. DePriest gained second on a lap three restart and quickly moved in to challenge Corder for the lead. Corder started to catch slower traffic, and he was still leading when a lap 13 caution flag flew. Corder led the restart, but an inside pass on the front stretch on lap 15 put DePriest into the lead. Corder pushed high exiting Turn 2 a lap later, allowing his sister Jennifer Corder to move by to challenge DePriest. Jennifer Corder made an attempt to get by for the lead on the outside as they took the checkered flag, but it was DePriest holding her off for a well-earned victory. After both Corders were disqualified in post-race tech, Allen Neal was elevated to a season best second, followed by Lockerby, Lee Ragsdale, Tyler Jackson, Jason Belton Jr, Kristina Cole, Scott Roehrenbaeck, Joe Terry and Jennifer Rodgers. Eight lap heat races were won by DePriest, Lockerby and Allen Neal.
Jesse James Burks won his fourth 15 lap California Sharp Mini Late Model Main Event. Point leader Tim Crews raced into the early lead ahead of Burks and led for five laps before a caution flag slowed the pace. On the restart, Burks raced around Crews on the outside to gain the lead. Burks led the rest of the way for the win, followed by Crews, Riley Jeppesen, Ian Shearer and Carson Guthrie. Crews picked up the win in the eight lap heat race.
Racing action continues next weekend with the IMCA Sport Modifieds, Hobby Stocks, California Sharp Mini Late Models and the Valley Sportsman division. For further information, go to www.racemerced.com.
Sanders, Marsh, Manzella Win At Ocean Speedway
Watsonville, CA...July 7...Justin Sanders captured his third 30 lap Taco Bravo Sprint Car Main Event victory Friday night at Ocean Speedway. The 2015 champion had to battle Cole Macedo before prevailing at the checkered flag. Macedo settled for his best finish of the season in second. Two time champion Brad Furr outran Bud Kaeding for third as Mathew Moles, Nathan Rolfe, Jason Chisum, Collin Markle, Jeremy Chisum and point leader Koen Shaw completed the Top 10.
There were 21 Sprint Cars, and two time Wingless Spec Sprint champion Ryan Bernal's 11.436 beat the 11.451 of Furr for fast time. Macedo, Sanders and Moles won eight lap heat races, and Moles outran Macedo to win the six lap Trophy Dash.
Robert Marsh won his second 25 lap IMCA Modified Main Event. The 2008 champion had a close battle with fourth row starter Cody Burke before grabbing the victory. Point leader Burke settled for second ahead of his brother, Austin Burke. Current IMCA State point leader Shane DeVolder finished fourth, followed by Carl Berendsen II, Alex Wilson, Todd Hermosillo, Raymond Keldsen Jr, Robert Mesloh and Jeff McCoun. Eight lap heat race wins were scored by C Burke and Wilson.
Austin Manzella won the 20 lap IMCA Sport Modified Main Event. It was the first Watsonville win for Manzella, who leads the IMCA State point standings. Adriane Frost provided the pressure before finishing second ahead of Anthony Giuliani and Danny Roe. Merced Speedway star Tanner Thomas finished fifth, followed by two time champion Matt Hagio, point leader Jim DiGiovanni, Austin Williams, Justin McPheson and Alex Bieser. Thomas and Giuliani won their eight lap heat races.
Three time American Stock champion Billy Nelson turned in a dominant performance in winning his first 20 lap Main Event of the season. Nelson had the pole for the race and built up a straightaway advantage by the waving of the checkered flag. Tony Oliveira won a battle with reigning champion Rob Gallaher for second. JC Elrod finished fourth, followed by point leader Matt Kile, Terry Traub, Mike Calhoun, Tom Cline, Wally Kennedy and Joe Gallaher. Eight lap heat races went to Kile and Nelson.
Tom Summers earned his first 20 lap Mini Stock Main Event victory. Summers shared the front row with Central Valley Mini Stock visitor Chuck Doglione and battled him for a hard-fought win. Kate Beardsley turned in another solid effort in third. Abigail Kennedy outran point leader Dakota Keldsen for fourth as Gary Smith, Ray Bunn, Bill Beardsley, Jay Gardner and Nicole Beardsley made up the remainder of the Top 10 at the finish.
Next Friday, the Taco Bravo Sprint Cars are back along with IMCA Modifieds, American Stocks, Four Bangers and SBDCA Dwarf Cars. For further information, go to www.racepmg.com.
Ocean Speedway Unofficial Race Results July 6, 2018
Taco Bravo Sprint Cars
Cole Macedo
Brad Furr
Bud Kaeding
Mathew Moles
Nathan Rolfe
Jason Chisum
Collin Markle
Jeremy Chisum
Koen Shaw
Kyle Offill
Burt Foland Jr
Zane Blanchard
Art McCarthy Jr
Kurt Nelson
Will Fatu
Bryan Grier
Richard Fajardo
Jerry Bonnema
Gary Nelson Jr
Ryan Bernal
IMCA Modifieds
Robert Marsh
Cody Burke
Austin Burke
Shane DeVolder
Carl Berendsen II
Alex Wilson
Todd Hermosillo
Raymond Keldsen Jr
Robert Mesloh
Jeff McCoun
IMCA Sport Modifieds
Austin Manzella
Adriane Frost
Anthony Giuliani
Danny Roe
Tanner Thomas
Matthew Hagi
Jim DiGiovanni
Austin Williams
Justin McPherson
Alex Bieser
Charlie Hunter
Mike Kofnovec Sr
Mike Kofnovec Jr DNS
American Stocks
Billy Nelson
Tony Oliveira
Rob Gallaher
JC Elrod
Matt Kile
Terry Traub
Mike Calhoun
Tom Cline
Wally Kennedy
Joe Gallaher
DJ Keldsen
Jerry Skelton
Logan Doglione
Norm Ayers DNS
Four Bangers
Tom Summers
Chuck Doglione
Kate Beardsley
Abigail Kennedy
Dakota Keldsen
Gary Smith
Ray Bunn
Bill Beardsley
Jay Gardner
Nicole Beardsley
Chuck Kessinger
Madera Raceway Unofficial Race Results July 7, 2018
BCRA Midgets
Jerome Rodella
Chad Nichols
David Goodwill
Jesse Love IV
JR Williams
Mark Maliepaard
Maria Cofer
Cody Jessop
Super Modifieds/360 Sprints
Lance Tatro
Cody Gerhardt
Donnie Large Jr
Dylon Noble
AJ Russell
Ed Rodriguez
USAC Speed 2 Midgets
Adam Lemke
Joey Iest
Blake Brannon
Johnny Nichols
Cody Jessop
Stockton 99 Dirt Track Unofficial Race Results July 7, 2018
3rd Annual Salute to Leroy Van Conett
Elk Grove Sprint Car Challenge Tour
A Main
Tim Kaeding
D.J. Netto
Mitchell Faccinto
Sean Becker
Willie Croft
Cole Macedo
Michael Kofoid
Ryan Bernal
Kyle Hirst
Colby Copeland
Matt Dumesny
John Carney
Andy Forsberg
DJ Freitas
Steven Tiner
Tanner Boul
Kalib Henry
Kyle Offill
Matt Petersen
Tanner Thorson
Justyn Cox
Craig Stidham
Tony Gualda
Justin Sanders
B Main
Tanner Boul
Steven Tiner
Kalib Henry
Matt Petersen
Chase Johnson
Travis Coelho
Steven Kent
Shane Hopkins
Zane Blanchard
Jacob Tuttle
Dustin Freitas
Ryan Souza
Nathan Rolfe
C Main #1
Travis Coelho
Colin Markle
Shawn Conde
Justin Henry
Landon Hurst
Zach Lynskey
Cole Danell
C&H Veteran Services Hunt Wingless Spec Sprint
Matt Stewart
Shawn Jones
Robert Floyd
Nick Larson
Ryon Siverling
Cody Spencer
Casey McClain
Troy DeGaton
Adam Teves
Tim Sherman Jr
Bryan Grier
Ron Laplant
Rick Gutzke
Paul Vandenberg
Bob Davis
Brian Speary
Angelique Bell
B Modifieds
Fred Ryland
Robby Sawyer
Ryan McDaniel
Brent Curran
Les Friend
Kenny Shrader
Mathew Hagio
KC Keller
Jimmy Ford
Andrew Peckham
Tony Preffer
Damian Merritt
37
Hunter Merritt
Keith Brown
Guy Ahlwardt
Jason Womack
Ventura Raceway Unofficial Results July 7, 2018
Focus Midgets
1 73 Keoni Texeira
2 1 Randi Pankratz
3 33 Mike Leach
4 26 Chris Tramel
5 37 Jessica Valentine
VRA Dwarf Cars
1 69 Johnny Conley
2 14 Tommy Velasquez III
3 93 Jason Horton
4 4 Nick Velasquez
5 88 Jeff Brink
6 41 Tommy Velasquez II
7 55 Mike Long
8 28 Tony Pellegrin
9 38 John Nock
10 25 Shane Lineberger
VRA Sprint Cars
1 55 Kyle Smith
2 98 Jeremy Ellertson
3 71 Brent Owens
4 7k Hobie Conway
5 6 Chris Meredith
6 Rick Hendrix
7 3g Greg Andrews
California Lightning Sprint Cars
1 13x Aiden Lange
2 14 Jarrett Kramer
3 10 Dan Hillberg
4 37 Dominic Del Monte
5 45 Cody Nigh
6 8g Eric Greco
7 44g Grant Sexton
8 31 Bruce Douglass
9 17 Dale Gamer
10 7f Frank Ditmar
11 18 Dalton Sexton
12 54 James Squire III
13 2r Robb Pelmear
14 7 Pat Kelly
15 4 Jeffrey Dyer
16 42 Jon Robertson
17 2j James Turnbull II
18 1k Bobby Michnowicz
19 44 Brent Sexton
20 41b Wink Schweitzer
21 15 Jon Squire DNS
Santa Maria Raceway Unofficial Race Results
Doug Fort Memorial
AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Cars
1. Brody Roa
2. Damion Gardner
3. Austin Williams
4. Cody Williams
5. Danny Sheridan
6. Max Adams
7. Jake Swanson
8. Danny Faria Jr
9. Tommy Malcolm
10. Logan Williams
11. Chris Gansen
12. Joel Rayborne
13. R.J. Johnson
14. Austin Ervine
15. James Herrera
16. A.J. Bender
17. Verne Sweeney
18. Gary Marshall Jr
19. Ryan Stolz
IMCA Modifieds
Main Event
Results are not official
1 #20 Cody Burke
2 #111 Logan Drake
3 #44s Shane Devolder
4 #25 Austin Burke
5 #22D Ryan Daves
6 #13 Jerry Flippo
7 #25J Danny Cavanagh
8 #44 Andrew Berry
9 #28 Trevor Fitz
10 #4RX Chad Weber
IMCA Sport Modifieds
Main Event
Results are not official
1 #15F Markus Frazier
2 #48 Mike Dean
3 #88c Austin Ruskauff
4 #04M Austin Manzella
5 #P51 Parker Maccianti
6 #20 Justin Mcpherson
7 #3 Dylan Potter
8 #20S Kevin Johnson
9 #42W Austin Williams
10 #96 Kelly Wilkinson
11 #34 Robbie Claborn
12 #21P David Pearson
13 #30 Donny Hampl
14 #C5 Wayne Coffman
15 #7-7 Aaron Farrell
16 #28 Paul Harris
Hobby Stocks
Main Event
Results are not official
1 #8 Tom Grizincic
2 #52x Jerry Flippo
3 #9.75 Eddie Williams
4 #3 Taelor Janes
5 #87 Matt McEwan
6 #55M Mack McGeary
7 #19 Pat Fausel
8 #118 Robby Cervantes
9 #51 Mike Keebler
10 #49J Stoney Jackson
11 #18A Aaron Bruce
12 #15C Chris Whitford
13 #25B Corey Brough
14 #56 Greg Noah
15 #7 Sheldon Bailey
16 #91 Scotty Preast
17 #57 Gary Rayburn Jr
18 #81x Jacob Jones
19 #37 Jimmy Satlawa
20 #81 Greg Teller
Mini Stocks
Results are not official
1 #38 Justin Jackson
2 #77 Aaron Calvert
3 #43P Jarod Pack
4 #89 Megan Burgett
5 #10 Butch Hedrick
6 #46 David Kavanagh
7 #23c Chris McElreath
8 #43 Levi Burgett
9 #5 Zach Chavez
10 #35 Bill Barnhill
Dwarf Cars
Results are not official
1 #92N Jessica Clark
2 #05V Angel Figueroa
3 #48 Trent Morley
4 #28 John Kremp
5 #20 James Price
6 #45 Kory Cowan
7 #57Jeff Hinz
8 #18 Tom Morley
9 #4 Mitch Caldwell
10 #13 Ira Henry
11 #65 John Harris
12 #11 Darrin Brown
13 #2 Lonnie Tekaat
14 #60 Tailer Morrison
15 #91 Kody Cowan
16 #00B Joe Barkett
17 #22 Gage Cheek
18 #77 Phil Confer
19 #6B Brian Barnhill
The Editor's Viewpoint
As I sit here on Saturday afternoon preparing for a race tonight, I am saddened by the news of the passing of Jim Pettit Sr. Mr. Pettit was a big influence on me as I went from just being a fan in the grandstands at Antioch Speedway to somebody who started writing and keeping track of the race cars. One of the things I remember about the changeover from the Sportsman division to the Stock Cars as the premier class was the arrival of the Pettit Racing Team.
They came with the big hauler from Pettit Auto Wreckers. That's the first thing I can say about Mr. Pettit. He ran the Auto Wrecking business near the speedway in the Watsonville area, and he helped out many racers. You saw his company's name on several race cars, but the fact is he helped people you might never have known about. He also sponsored some big races at Watsonville.
Something else I can tell you about Jim is he was a proud father. He was very proud of his son, Jim Pettit II. He was with him throughout his racing career in the stands cheering him on. Jim basically stayed out of the way and let the people who were put in the position do their jobs. I don't recall him trying to tell the guys how to do things or even seeing him being one of those racing dads. He'd be there in the stands with that cigar in his mouth watching intently.
Those days, it was about his son, Dave Byrd and JD Willis battling at Antioch Speedway. Then, there was the big marathon season where the Pettit team ran everywhere and Jimmy won the NASCAR Regional championship. I know how proud Mr. Pettit was of that, and they started looking for the opportunity to move Jimmy up. Fact is, Jimmy was good, and he should have gotten that opportunity. He eventually made it to the Southwest Tour and won championships there, and yeah, Mr. Pettit was there still cheering him on.
Now, as a kid, I was already starting to look around and learn about the other race tracks. One of the people who was an influence to me was Gary Jacob. I read his stories in the magazines that Anna Temple and Al Nordstrom gave me and learned all the names, so when the Pettit's came to town, Mr. Pettit would tell me about what happened at Watsonville, and I would fill him in on what was going on at Antioch. What was the latest news. I hadn't started writing a magazine yet, but I was compiling statistics and making mock souvenir programs at home.
Jim would send me down to the concession stand. This happened a lot. He would ask me if I wanted a hot dog and a soda, and then tell me I needed to get him whatever it was he wanted to order. I thought that was pretty cool. We'd be down by the speaker because the PA system was kind of lousy at Antioch back then. We were watching time trials, and if I couldn't hear something, I'd ask him and vice versa.
I started writing my handwritten magazines in 1985. Didn't have the courage to really sell them, and they weren't really ready for primetime yet anyway. I printed 10 of them, and there were usually three that would be sold. Yes, Mr. Pettit was one person who bought them. If I was too shy about it, he asked me if I did another magazine that week. We talked about the races, and he might advise me as my magazine evolved that I should watch what I was writing. I was going to upset the NASCAR brass. As a young upstart, I really didn't care. I was out there for the drivers anyway, and NASCAR was the establishment. Such was my mentality.
You see, Jim saw some potential in me, and all he was trying to show me was that if I played the game right, I might climb up the ladder. Of course, he was right. But, he didn't really jump on me about my opinions. Many times, we were in agreement. I'll also never forget the night my magazines were confiscated by Bert Moreland because of something I might have written. Bert didn't even know if anything was bad there. It was a proud magazine for me because I featured an article about Jimmy Pettit going for the championship in 1987, which he won.
I was handwriting my magazines at the time, and it was Mr. Pettit who facilitated a meeting between myself and Gary Jacob. Gary wanted to know who this person was that was writing articles for Antioch Speedway in Racing Wheels, and Jim filled him in. He also let Gary know that I didn't have a typewriter, and Gary brought a typewriter to me when we met. But that was Jim. He wanted to help people in this sport. And if you were somebody who was making a difference, he wanted to help you.
There were many times through the years where I sat down next to him and just talked about racing or watched the cars go around as he observed something and pointed it out to me. He was really one of the nicest guys I've ever had the pleasure to meet in the sport. He really cared about the racing community and making things better.
I don't even remember the last time we saw each other. I know it was at Watsonville, probably around 2002 when I made a surprise visit. Of course, I knew where Jim usually sat and sought him out and we talked.
I know there were people who looked down their noses at the out-of-town people when they came to Antioch. Oh, they're just money people. And, it might be that Jim had money, but he didn't really rub it in people's faces. He actually helped the racers at Antioch Speedway many times with sponsorship, just because he wanted to help racing. If he was helping somebody in Jim's class, he figured that maybe that would help the driver be a little bit smoother and more consistent out there and less likely to be out there crashing.
To me, I associate him with a good era in racing. A good time when the sport was doing much better than it is now. And really, it's because of people like him who were out there making a difference. I was not happy to hear about what happened with the county regarding his business. It's all too often you see government types messing with people who have worked very hard to build their businesses. And, Mr. Pettit worked hard for what he had.
I probably am not doing proper justice to him, but I wanted to say something. My mind is still all over the map. What comforts me in a time like this is knowing that he is reunited with his dear wife Pat. He will be missed, but he won't be forgotten. I probably would have not made it where I did in the sport if not for his help early on.
A couple of quick items and I think I'm going to close this one. Seems that we had a scheduling date conflict between Stockton and Antioch, which should not have been a big deal anyway. Stockton had a $1,500 to win race on the schedule at the same time that Antioch Speedway was running a topless $500 to win race for the Sport Modified class.
People wanted to crucify John Soares for making phone calls to pull the plug at Stockton. I don't know what's going on that I can really get into right here, but there are things going on behind the scenes that will make more sense at a later date. However, I don't believe John was the person who initiated this. John would just run his race and have the car count that he would have. However, the move reflected badly on John, who is seen as the ultimate decision maker at Antioch Speedway.
The thing is, you can't help but book on top of each other's divisions sometimes. It's just a fact. But why somebody would complain that there's a $1,500 to win race on top of their $500 to win race and the $1,500 to win race should be removed is beyond me. Also, there happens to be a big Wingless Spec Sprint Tour race at Stockton on the same night that Antioch is running a regular show for its class. Isn't that booking on top of the other track too? Again, I don't see John being the person who complained, and my understanding is that relations between leadership at Antioch and Stockton have been doing okay.
But any time something comes up where you can speak ill of Antioch Speedway, people have no problem dragging John's name through the mud. I heard that there will be a race happening at Stockton anyway. My source said that Tony has said he was going to run the race for the people who showed up and pay the $1,500 as advertised. Is that happening? For me, I think that's not a very cool move for Tony to make. Not for the reason you would think. Don't be low-key about this. If you want to run that race, tell everybody from day one it's happening no matter who's complaining about it, and just do it. You make yourself look, I don't know the word I'm looking for, when you do it in some sort of secrecy.
I have more information at my disposal as I sit here on Tuesday evening finishing up this column. Really, it was Jay Banks who started throwing a fit on social media last week and claiming to speak for certain promoters that he actually didn't speak for. This riled up the racers and got Stockton Speedway management to initially say they were going on with their race before later saying they were canceling it.
And here is my problem again. Stockton said they were cancelling this race and started a whisper campaign behind the scenes telling racers to come out anyway. Come on Tony. Just say, "We're doing this and other tracks need to get over it, " and run the damn race. When you tell other tracks you're going to pull the date, you make yourself look bad for pretending you're working with somebody when you're really not. I can't make it cleaner than that, and this is a move I would have hoped Tony was above.
The problem was, things got worse. John wasn't very happy with the low turnout that he had at Antioch. There were only four cars. Stockton wasn't exactly setting the world on fire with about 20 cars, most of the racers from the Marysville area. That is, there wasn't a bunch of Antioch drivers leaving Antioch for Stockton. There weren't a bunch of drivers from Antioch boycotting. Antioch ran a 50 lap race the week before, and the fact is the racers were simply dealing with broken down race cars. It happens.
I won't comment too much more on the reaction from Antioch management. My Hope Is that perhaps after some consideration, initial reactions might change. The track was not being boycotted by the racers. So, after some evaluation, we'll just see what happens. Antioch goes into a one-week break as there's a concert at the fairgrounds, so I'm going to leave this topic right here.
There is speculation about the future of Antioch Speedway. Who will be running the track in 2019? Lots of talk, but the answers aren't there. John and his wife Donna are going through some things right now that actually are more important than that discussion. And all I can say to that is that I keep them both in my prayers and wish for nothing but the best for them.
I'm coming up on a break up here at the end of the month, and I had given some thought to making a trip down to Antioch. Initially, I was planning a trip to Orland Raceway, but I'm just sort of getting tired and burned out with the hectic schedule I keep up here and the travel back and forth that I'm doing to the track. It takes a toll on me, and all I can really do is focus on racing and nothing else. I'm not delighted by that, but that's how it goes.
When I hear about the problems going on at any Antioch, my instinct is to catch a train to Antioch and be there on July 28th to see for myself. Maybe have a conversation with John and others out there and see if there's more than I can do to help. Antioch Speedway will always be near and dear to me, and as long as I'm involved in the sport in a way that helps promote it, Antioch Speedway is going to be a part of what I do.
Would I prefer to be there first hand doing this? Absolutely. To that end, you never know what can happen. My future is open for 2019. I'll leave it at that. Now is not the time to get too much into that, but the fact is, it appears as if there's a possibility for changes to happen.
So, I've been thinking for the past couple of weeks that the final two October dates at Antioch are the time to make a trip. I have some ideas in mind, and I do want to speak with John and other people. I will probably be having some off-the-record conversations with a few people online regarding what I'm thinking.
There are two people who have stepped up to sponsor my trip down to Antioch and someone else has also made inquiries about whether I need a place to stay during my visit. So, it looks like those two races in October will be a go, and I'm close to just making my ticket purchase and setting the stage for that. Would I like to go on the 28th? Yes. Burnt out as I am, I'm worried about Antioch Speedway. But, I can tell you that the October thing seems like it will happen. I would like to thank two individuals who have stepped up without even really being asked, Mike Kord and Paul Gould.
The rest is just opinion. You know me and my opinion. You're going to get that in this column. Jay Banks is about the worst thing that could have happened to Antioch Speedway. I don't say that lightly. This guy has made things worse, and I'm seeing absolutely no improvements in the racing program itself. I feel as if John has been taken advantage of rather than had somebody step in there who truly wanted to help that place. This recent problem with the Sport Modifieds was initiated by Jay Banks.
The last thing Antioch Speedway needs right now is negative publicity. John and Donna are going through enough right now, so having somebody grandstand and make himself important at this time is not a good thing. Were I down there and had the authority to do so, he would be either asked to leave or escorted off of the premises via the local authorities. Enough is enough.
I care about the future of Antioch Speedway and that it continues. I will always advocate for that. I also care very much about John and Donna. I make no apologies for that either. John and Donna are my friends. Other than that, I think I've said enough. Until next time...
