Around The Track With Jalopy Jack
Dear racing people,
I’m sorry that I haven’t been around for awhile, the racing’s been going but my writing hasn’t. We’re going to take care of that.
Similar to the past, I’d say that you can expect the same style. I don’t know at the present time if I’ll be updating every week, but I’ll guarantee an update after every show at my home track, Wall Stadium. I’ll continue doing comparisons of the old and the present. I’ll also continue to interject my thoughts and feelings about racing in our society and our society with racing. I realize that Wall Stadium isn’t exactly New England. I’ve always felt there’s something special about New England racing and its people. I also feel that the racing and tradition of Wall Stadium’s very special. What happened at this past Turkey Derby proved that big time. Essentially, racing’s the same all over our country. And don’t forget fans, in case you didn’t know, Wall Stadium was designed with the late Lonsdale Sports Arena in mind. I’ve been to something like 45 different short tracks and have yet to see banking like Wall Stadium has. I also hope to visit a modest number of other speedways this season, including a few [too few] in New England. Guaranteed in this lineup will be Seekonk Speedway.
For those that don’t know me, I’ve been into this type of racing since 1962. I do a telephone hotline every week that’s updated late Thursday/early Friday. In the past, I’ve done many interviews and hope to continue that soon. Currently, the line has commentary and readings out of some excellent racing books. The book I’m currently reading from is “Paved Track, Dirt Track”, which many of you know can be obtained from Lew Boyd and Coastal 181. They’re reachable at 877-907-8181 and you should give them a call and find out on how you can enjoy the great selection of racing books they have for sale. But, you’ll not hear my voice. For that you’ll have to dial 718-707-1052 and listen to me do WLAR, which stands for “We Love Auto Racing”. So pretty much that is what’s happening these days.
Wall Stadium had opening night 4/18. As many of you know, we’re very lucky to have this track back. One man has much of the responsibility on his shoulders and that’s Jim Morton. He’s the man that’s making this season possible. It’s an abbreviated season with a weekly emphasis between 6/20 and 9/5. We open on 4/18 with a 5 regular divisions. The Wall Modifieds headed the show with a 100 lap feature. They had a welcomed turnout of 24 cars taking the green. The traditional Street Stocks were on hand and had an expected amount of 17 cars in their 25 lapper. Wall has a sportsman class which’s an actual combination of classes as the crate division, formally known as Modified Affordable division is racing with the limited number of sportsman cars that was left in a sportsman division. Their car count was a little disappointing as 16 cars started their 25 lapper.
Insiders told me more were ready to race. A division that holds a special place in my heart, the Legends was on hand with 22 cars performing in their 20 lapper. What you got to remember about this division is that it’s getting more popular [rightfully so] and that means more tracks are racing them. That means on an average Saturday night that tracks are sharing them. This division was down maybe 5 cars, but 1 must consider that at least 2 tracks within 150 miles were racing them that evening. What I consider another great division are the Factory Stocks. You people who’re familiar with my writing know that I’ve given them a lot of play. Their 20 lapper only started 14 cars. I understand that more cars are being built. This is where the loss of a speedway really hurts. Even if it’s only for 1 year. This is the case of Wall Stadium. With the exception of a great Turkey Derby, Wall Stadium looked like it would only be a memory during the heart of the 2008 racing season. So what did this do to the Factory Stocks? Many things. A few chose a long tow to other tracks. This shows a real dedication to this type of racing.
Nobody expects to make money racing this type of entry level division, even if you lived close to the track. That means any considerable trip time is going to easily result in a loss of revenue. There were other Factory Stock teams that switched to Dirt and made the trip to New Egypt Speedway. And for you folks outside of the Jersey area, that’s not a long trip. Still others quit racing all together and even sold their cars. Now here’s where I might get into a little social commentary. This type of racing and I mean Factory Stocks, Pure Stocks, or whatever else you want to call it, is becoming an endangered species. The parts and even bodies for these type of cars is getting hard to find and in some cases, even expensive. Therefore, some of the former Factory Stock competitors at Wall actually moved up in class. What the heck? If you can get a sponsor help from your fellow racing people and an easier time obtaining necessary equipment, why not? Add to these factors that no matter what division you race, you have to pay the same every week to enter the races. Plus, if you’re moving up in class there’s a chance to win more prize money. And that’s not only weekly, but for the season as well.
Now speaking of drivers moving up in class at Wall, I was pleasantly surprised at the number. The Legends cars had a couple of youngsters that had I believe their first ride in an adult size racecar. One was Justin Allichio and his yellow #54, was tooled safely to a 19th place in the 20 lap feature. Plenty of room for improvement to be sure, but he brought it home. This fellow’s straight out of racing Go Carts at Raceway Park. Another fellow that was driving a car I fell in love with, the #09 which’s Karl Heisler. In his first ride Karl finished a fine 9th. I loved this car because it looked very basic and reminded me of a real jalopy. I hope the crew will dispense from a fancy paint job on that car. Young Karl’s straight out of Quarter Midgets. The Street Stocks winner #6 is Jerry Stanzione who was formerly in the now defunct truck division. Moving to the Modifieds is Scott Riggleman, who finished 6th and the #09 was a Street Stock competitor back in the 90’s. The man who finished third, the #27 who’s Adam LaCicero really grabbed everybody’s attention, as he had 2nd place all sewn up. But tried very hard to take race winner Jimmy Blewett and as a result, lost that spot to #81 which is Tim Arre. Although Adam’s technically starting his 3rd season in Modifieds, this Street Stocks graduate was performing in this 100 lapper both aggressively, as he did pass cars and defensively as he was nearly impossible to pass. But what I believe really grabbed everybody’s attention, was how clean he was and in very tight quarters. Now you ask anybody on how difficult that is at Wall and even a regular distance 40 lapper, never mind a 100 lapper where the physical attributes of a real race driver come to the surface for all to see. Adam’s previous experience in Modifieds is very light.
One more Modified driver I want to mention and even though, he was unable to finish the 100 laps he gave what quite a few of us believe to be a preview performance of what this man has. He’s a driver I’ve written about before and I see no reason on why that trend won’t continue. And I gotta love the number he chose for his Modified also and that’s #98. He was #12 in Street Stocks where he showed a very professional attitude. Now as #98, I speak of John McCormack. The fact that Johnny Mack had the well respected Kevin Eyers as his spotter, right there shows the potential that we recognize in Johnny Mack. At least 2 well respected insiders that I’ve spoken to since 4/18 have just about guaranteed, that Johnny Mack will win a Modified feature at Wall this season. I myself believe it; however I think he’s going to need some luck with a good starting position. Remember, he doesn’t have every Saturday night to work on this. But what I gotta love about this whole situation is that every single Modified race I’ll watch at Wall Stadium this year. It’s gonna be a real kick watching the expectations and performances of #27 Adam LaCicero and #98 of John McCormack. One other driver on the show that I’d like to mention is the winner of the Legends feature and that was #84 of Kyle Beaty from Concord, North Carolina. I usually dispense drivers’ hometowns, but I mentioned it this time because unfortunately we may not see this car and driver at Wall again. I’ve no idea of Kyle’s racing intentions, but it’ll be the loss of all Wall Stadium fans if we don’t see anymore of him. The car was nothing short of just plain beautiful. The type of beauty that looks like it’s not standing still, even when it is. Yes he did start up front. But I would’ve look SO forward out of seeing this guy start at least mid pack. Well, I guess that’s life.
Now all of us astute racing fans know that any track operator on the ball is looking to get their shows done in an efficient and timely manner. One might even say that’s the new trend. I thought Wall did a fine job. It was a little, or should I say, maybe more then a little unusual of a situation and that they didn’t post an actual starting time for the first race on 4/18. They said “gates open at 4PM and FEATURES at 7PM”. Only the Street Stocks, Sportsmen and Legends had Heats and a practice that has been getting a little out of hand at every speedway that I go to, was dealt with on that night. I speak of the winner’s interview in little “mini” celebrations that follows every feature race. What was done was after the feature, a quick interview was done with the winning driver with nobody coming out of the pits or the stands. Not to be denied that opportunity was still offered. But after the races! At that time, all feature winners brought their cars to the finish line and anybody who wanted to get into the winning picture was afforded that opportunity.
I believe that Wall Stadium’s renowned for long 100 lappers in the Modifieds and this night was no exception. Even though, the show was wrapped up by about 9:35PM. Pardon the pun, but it looks like they’re on the right track. The next 3 shows at Wall are on 5/9, 5/23 and 5/30. On 5/9 we’ll see Factory Stocks, Street Stocks, Sportsmen and Legends with the featured attraction, being a 100 lapper for Open Tour Type Modifieds and it’ll be recognized as a Race of Champions Qualifier. On 5/23 we’ll have the return of the Wall/SK Modifieds, plus the other 4 regular divisions. The Modifieds that night are slatted for Twin 30 lap features. And on 5/30 it’ll be something very special and interesting. First let me tell you that the Legend cars will be part of the show. But what’s being done for the very first time at Wall, is an Enduro. This is the first of 3 for the season and it’s sanctioned by NEETS. Now for you New England fans, you’re Enduro type action’s different then anywhere else. This’ll be a more widely known style of Enduro racing. What’ll probably be done is a 100 lapper for 4 Cylinder cars and a 100 lapper for the 6 and 8 Cylinder cars. There’s also the possibility of trucks going in a separate race of maybe 50 laps and maybe a women’s race of 25 laps. What I’ll find especially interesting, is the 4 Cylinder cars on a 30 degree bank turns. There’s never been a 4 Cylinder Stock car race of any kind at Wall before. In the coming weeks, I’ll be talking to some of the Enduro racers and be relating the information special to you readers of Yankeeracer.com.
And yes, I did see Tellawrecka. Excuse me, what am I talking about? Oh, I must mean “Telladaga”. Well you fans who’ve read me previously might remember my attitude towards Big Time Nascar racing. A lot to knock. However, I call them as I see them. This 1 was good. I loved it. In the same token, the track proved and then some, why I call it Tellawrecka. Just “Tell-A-Wrecka” where to go. And the funny thing’s that normally, Tellawrecka’s the last race that I wanna see on the circuit. There’s a saying that goes something like this…..”You don’t want to miss the monkey falling from the tree”. This was purely the case. Now who knows on how many straight Nascar Cup races that we’re gonna watch “the monkey” climb back up the tree. Sorry, but Richmond doesn’t do it for me. It’s like a shorter version of “chicagocaliforniacookiecutter”….you get the message. You real racing people know just what I mean.
We’ve gotten to a point where my office help must attend to the jobs that they’re really getting paid for. Next column, I’ll talk a little about some of the tracks that I’ve visited so far this season. And hopefully an update on the “people’s champion” and the “people’s driver”. That’ll include the original and the present. Let’s hope for some good racing weather wherever we are to enjoy our sport in the coming weeks. Also, I’m not out of here without thanking Mr. Nick Teto for the opportunity to write for this fine publication. Nick’s quite a guy, not just in racing but in all aspects of life and I’m proud to be associated with him. My time’s up and I’ll now allow others for their shot at racing entertainment. So until next time, keeping the fans in the stands and the cars on the track, this has been Jalopy Jack.