Around the Track with Jalopy Jack
Things get interesting this time of the year if they’re not already. Before I get into it, there’s something that has been creeping up on me and that means you too. If you’re a race driver, you’re a part of it already. I’m speaking of the deals that drivers race under. We don’t have enough time on YankeeRacer this week to get into it, so please call WLAR [We Love Auto Racing] at 718-707-1052. It is the main subject matter for this week. I’ll try to have that on by early Friday morning.
The opening line referred to the kind of excitement we get this time of year. I’m speaking of the local level. Next show at Wall Stadium’s also the final regular show of the season. That’s also “Fan Appreciation Night”. That date’s 9/26 and I don’t know the exact times. You might be OK getting there at 6PM but if you want to make sure you get everything in, 5PM would be better. All the cars will be on the track and the infield and all fans are welcomed to see the cars and meet the drivers during the session before the show. This includes autographs, pictures and putting the kids in the car. I can personally tell you that looking down on this from the stands, is a very pretty sight. Also, the mood’s very friendly and you can learn a lot about racing if you ask the right questions.
Two of the point races come right down to the wire on this night. In the Modifieds #91 Shaun Carrig leads #99 Chas Okerson by 5 points. If Chas wins the race, Shaun must finish second for a tie. But Shaun hasn’t won a feature this year so Chas would be the champion. Otherwise Chas must finish 3 positions ahead of Shaun to claim a title. The feature that night will be normal length of 40 laps.
In the Factory Stocks #27 of Whitey Miller and #5 of Mike Bilello are tied in points. This is the best scenario because it’s simply means whoever finishes in front of the other will be the 2009 Wall Stadium Factory Stock champion. And it’ll be the final race of the night. The other 3 divisions are locked up and probably were since June. That would be Kevin Eyres in Sportsman, Mark Tischler in Legend cars and Carl Thomas in Street Stocks.
Speaking of Street Stocks I spoke with #60 Mike Tillett before the show and the damage done to his car the previous show was much worse then imaginable. I’m talking nose to tail, both sides and almost everything in between. That night may’ve been his first feature victory. Now it’s back to the drawing board as the car has been practically rebuilt. Mike had the additional hurdle of no track time before this Saturday’s feature and as a result, didn’t look too good from his back of the pack starting spot. The other victim of that “accident” was #14 Elliott Wohl. Mr. Wohl couldn’t even get his car to the track. He was in the borrowed #41 usually driven by Chuck Jadacki, a car and driver combination with only a few appearances this season.
Elliot was lucky to start on the pole but was unlucky to be spun out of the league. The winner this past week was #6 Jerry Stanzione. He also won on opening night. More of the story however was #09 Gregg Miranda who finished second. Gregg should be guaranteed top 4 in points this year and has to be the most improved Street Stocks driver on the grounds.
Looking ahead now to 10/24. Still don’t know the support divisions for that show. The following is definite. First the ticket situation. Tickets are $30. If they’re bought in advanced they’re $25. Tickets go on sale 9/26. Advanced ticket holders will be admitted 30 minutes ahead of everybody else on 10/24. This definitely means a better chance at choice seats and possibly a chance to witness some extra practice time. Also this show’s a nighttime attraction. The format for the tour type Modifieds has been changed again. It’ll now be 2 races of 66 laps each. The winner of each feature receives $6,660. What I’m going to tell you now is by no means definite. The total purse might be as much as $40,000. I’m also told to expect as many as 40 cars. Personally, I think 30 cars would be good and more realistic expectations. Remember, 3 previous appearances by these cars netted 18, 18 and 22 cars respectively for non-point races offering purses that were nothing to get excited about. In their last appearance netting the 22 cars was for Twin 50’s which the tour guys aren’t that enthusiastic about. So 2 races and 2 chances to win $6,660 bringing in at least 30 cars, I think it’s pretty realistic. There’s been some shakeup in driver-owner combinations so things are going to be very interesting.
For some of us the season will probably end with Turkey Derby at Wall Stadium which of course is held on Friday and Saturday afternoons. For others sooner and hopefully for many the first weekend of December with the indoor 3/4 Midgets in Providence. But I can tell you that I have a race planned just about every weekend before then. There’s an expression….”For Real”. Watching it on TV’s not for real, I don’t care if your screen’s bigger then the drive-in movie. Going to the races is “For Real”, there’s still plenty of time to do that. Don’t forget my subject matter on WLAR. So until next time, keeping the fans in the stands and the cars on the track, this has been Jalopy Jack.