South Bend, IN 6/28/04...This has
been quite a week. A lot of lows
and one big high. Starting with the lows
was the passing of Chuck Carter at 60
years old. He raced Hobby stocks at
South Bend, then moved to the Late Model
class. I still think his #3 Nova from
1981 was one of the sharpest cars I've
ever seen. His son, Keith now races
at "The Bend."
Next was the passing of
Mick Schuler. One, he was a great
announcer. Two, he was a race fan, and
that made him one of the best "pronouncers"
there ever was. He really made races
enjoyable. I remember going up to
Kalamazoo, and there would be an out of
towner and you would think that based on
most announcer's abilities that Mick
would not know anything about this
particular racer. Wrong, Mick knew about
almost all of the racers he announced
for because he was a fan first. I Will
miss him a great deal. A couple years
ago, MVR was at Kazoo and I did a racing
quiz. One of the questions was "Who
wrote the column "Wide Angle?" Of
course he wrote that column years back
and the name of the column was a pun on
his "larger" size as well as skills as a
photographer/announcer who was always
able to see the larger picture. When he
saw that he grinned and said thanks.
The next passing was that of Joe
Kovatch. He was one of builders of the
South Bend Motor Speedway. Though his
ownership of the track was years ago, he
would still go to the track, and dress
in what would be described as an
officials outfit. Current South Bend
Motor Speedway Promotoer Mike Bird even
said that Joe looks more like an
official than Mike himself did. That
leaves only
Tom Romanowski as the remaining original
builders of that high banked quarter
mile track.
Leaving that subject, but still with
South Bend in mind was the 4th annual
Racer's Reunion was deemed a great
success. The total number of
participants was over 265. I'll get a
copy and check, but at any rate, that
was a great turnout. I was talking it up
that 200 was my goal. I knew that
several of those that voiced interest in
coming wouldn't be there, but I give a
lot of credit to the guys who did make
it out. Some of these guys are reaching
some milestones on the age meter and
it's great that they would take the time
and make the effort. I won't get them
all this week, but here's a small
sampling of those in attendance: Eldon
Byler, Leroy Harschberger, Earl Simpson,
Carl Smith, Tom VanDevoorde, Mike
Vandermaas, Snookie Fitz, Leroy Shaffer,
Ron Rosentretter, Dude Weaver, Billy Jo
Havens, Dale Lancaster, Frank Demske,
Bob Carnes, Willie Stutzman, Margie
Miller, John Witter, Ron Koehler, Ray
Chandler, Mike Bingamen, Ernie Nash,
Jerry Zachary, Jake and Nancy Galloway,
Irish Saunders, Lyle Bailey, Tom York,
Jim Baugh, Roger Stealey, and Ozzie.
How's that for openers? I'll list more
next week.
The emotion displayed by the nominees
inducted proved just how prestigious
this Hall of Fame Induction really is.
And judging by the participant
turnout, this whole concept is a is a
worthwhile venture. Getting these guys
back together for one more night turned
into a 3 month effort on my part alone,
not to mention the other hard work put
in by many other people. In the end
though it was worth every minute.
MVR brought 17 cars to the event.
Club members in attendance included: Pat
York in the Mack #4 Sprinter, Tom
York from Whitesburg, Tenn., with his
Kurtis Craft, Randy Peters and his
Keenan-Addy supermodified, Paul Hein
with his Cravens#12 supermodified, Lee
Booze, from Ohio in the Logan#99
Sprinter, Grover Ritter in the
MacPherson #5 sprint car, Dave Grose in
a dirt Super Mod, Tom Davies in a
Sprint, Gary Byers and his Midget,J ack
Troyer in his 1956 Chevy Stocker, Dan
Cline and Dan Livengood in their Supers
from Ohio, Jim York in his Leavell
Sprinter, and Dave Mania brought
Bill Wingate's last Street Stock out of
the mothballs. Not only did we have some
great vintage cars on display courtesy
of our club but we also want thank
several other people who had displays at
the show. A big thanks goes out to Don
Woolley for bringing out a computer to
show pictures, Gary Freet for the model
car display, Ron Titus with his
paintings, Bobby Stremme for bringing
his ASA Late Model for display, Ted
Knorr for bringing Wayne Bryant and some
of his photos, and Snookie and Teresa
Fitz for working the front gate sign in
table.
We did get one newspaper, the South
Bend Tribune to come out for a story.
Sad that I spent time contacting 9 other
new services about this event and not
even one reply. It was good to see Dean
Huppert from FOX 28 made it out there to
show his support, and do some taping.
New Paris is having an old timers
night on July 31,the Michiana Vintage
Racers will be there as well. Any
interested parties that did not sign up
at South Bend, can call {574}234-2798
for details. I didn't get to see
much racing, but car counts were 30
Sportsman,15 Mini's,14 VROA Modifieds,
and 23 Thundercars.
Saturday after a swap meet was New
Paris for their twin 75's.Big car counts
as N.P. continues to be a magnet. In the
Late Models, Josh Taylor led 26 laps
until Charlie Hanna zipped by and
claimed 1st place. Taylor was 2nd with
Scott Ross 3rd.Green flag racing for the
last 40 plus laps, and in that time,
only one car was lapped, and that was in
the last lap. Their L.M. tire now has
everybody bunched up. Fast qualifier
Mike Garver was a early out as well as
Greg Parr. Sunday it was off to Plymouth
Speedway. I took the books down for
show, and to promote next weeks
show with the Michiana Vintage Racers.
Car counts were excellent as 26, Late
Models were on hand including Hanna,
Kazoo shoe Hank Miller, Ross, Josh
Taylor, Donny Klotz, JR, Steve Teske,
Charlie Henderson in the Hayes #78,Bobby
Morgan, Randy Cook moved up a class, Tim
Taylor, Ken Lollar, and Steve Stacy and
Shawn Amor both had their cars fixed
from last week.
A tangle before the green at the
start of the feature took out Hank
Miller. Amor shot from the pole to open
a big lead. Not a good deal as the
clocks caught Shawn over the breakout.
With him back to last, Scott Ross takes
the lead from Moose Miller for the lead
and wins his 1st of the year. Great run
for Miller as he garners a 2nd, Josh
Taylor backs up his great run at N.P.,
with a 3rd over Stacy, Justin Matson,
Hanna from 19th,Mike Thayer, Klotz,
Chuck Houin, Jim Espich, Buck Hale, who
took a shot into the wall in his heat,
Ron Albaugh, and Amor. Tim Taylor took
the B. Hank Miller was quick time
13.80,and 19th was a 14.29.That's close.
The Sportsman was a Bob Early
benefit. Andy Peterson has a flat to
fall out. Kevin Gunkel goes over his
time to surrender first. Boal was 2nd
over Gunkel, Ty Hayes, who won at New
Paris, Thunder Valley feature winner
Brian Smith, Phil Haag, Lollar, Sr.,
Matt Sparks, and Greg Gifford. Modifieds
had newcomers Ronnie Phipps, Everett
James, and Todd Gearhart. Tony Dager,
Tom Jewell, and Rick Brown were all back
after a week off. The feature was a
goodie. R.J.Norton led, then John Rainey
took the point. As he led, Jeremy Wallen
made contact putting both on the tail.
Norton held off a charge by Brian
Lolmaugh for the win. Phiips was 3rd
over Josh Lolmaugh, Tony Dager, Jewell,
Dave Wise, Angie Tarlton, and Wallen. In
all,86 cars were in the pits. That had
to be the biggest car count in 3 years.
Next week is all classes with the
Late Models going 50 laps. The Michiana
Vintage Racer's, the photo books, and
Fireworks. I also believe a band is
lined up after the races. I believe
there will be over 100 cars next week.
Coolers are allowed, although they can't
contain any alky or glass. Should be a
dynamite show, literally with the
fireworks. Races start at 5 p.m.
This Friday at Hartford will be an
open vintage car show in conjunction
with the King OF Michigan 360 Nationals.
Looking for over 40 Sprinters from a few
states. Wide open show for favorites.
Dustin Daggett has been strong but
Indiana pilots Brett Mann and Tim Norman
will be there. Plus the groups from the
Lima, Ohio and Fremont area. Probably
some Canadian cars as well. Not to
forget I'll be bringing the photo books
to Hartford. Wow what a deal. First time
for the photo books and Vintage cars at
Hartford. Will be a lot of fun. For more
information on the vintage
cars,call{574}234-2798 for details. See
ya Friday at the big half mile.