Author: kirkwise

It’s Hot…and Cool

     Yes, it is stinkin’ hot most of the nights this time of year in South Central Pennsylvania. Yes, and muggy too…but it’s really cool to see some different faces and tracks come to life in our area. The racing itself is also cool, in that we have such a wide variety of venues to choose from including our 410 and 358 sprints, sportsman, late models, and micros all the way to the Women on Wheels, and mini van races…and don’t forget the school buses either. We are truly blessed to have more tracks per capita than any other state in the union, but it does cause a quandary on Saturday nights especially, as we have to choose which track to visit. Most fans get into a regular groove (pun intended) of where to go each week to sit with friends and family, but many folks like to follow either a particular series or driver from track to track. Either way, it’s more fun than sitting at some sporting events where all you do is sit, and sit and watch the same thing over and over. In racing each lap has a personality of it’s own. It’s nice to see Jake “the Snake” Raudabaugh’s face back in Williams Grove’s victory lane once again after a couple years out of the winner’s circle…and how ’bout Cody Darrah…this young’n can drive. New tracks like the renewed Quarter Aces Drag-O-Way in Boiling Springs are going strong after a lengthy wait early in the year…and Susquehanna Speedway Park’s Outback Track should be flying as early as the beginning of August with a variety of smaller winged and carted racers.
     Now to the “what were they thinking” files…how ’bout the Indianapolis Motor Speedway/ Goodyear fiasco at the Brickyard 400. Between the track diamond cutting the track to make grooves in it…to Goodyear just plain missing the compound call…it was something no one would have believed could happen in the over-scrutinized micro-managed sport of NASCAR. Ten laps and then a competition yellow…once would be acceptable, but throughout the entire race? Come on now, they’ve been running this event for 15 years, and packed the house with over 250,000 paying fans to see 10 lap heat events…I don’t think so. The drivers were all very articulate with their acceptance and explanation of the situation…almost like they were rehearsed…hmmm. Kenny Wallace put it best when he said the track looked like if you placed your hand across your other hand with just your four fingers sticking up. Different heights of grooves cut into the track, with the hopes that Saint Nicholas…or Jimi Johnson in this case…would fill them with rubber. Unfortunately, the tires would wear, and blow before they had a chance to accomplish that  goal. None the less, the Hendricks  #48 team got to kiss the bricks again…and everyone was happy…NOT.
     With the final few months of racing now in sight…it’s time for the big guns to make their move to the front…those with the big bucks ($$$) to see them through to the end of the season with new tires for every race, freshened motors and eyes set on the checkered flag in each heat and feature race. It’s fun to watch and participate…don’t miss the action even thou it’ll be hot in the strands…it will be even hotter on the track…and really cool if your favorite driver wins!

Next time I see you… hope it’s at the track…

Kirk M. Wise  – Racing with the Wise Guy
e-mail wisemotors@aol.com
www.wisemotorsportmarketing.com
Dirt Trackin’ Cruise information call Louise @ 717-512-5455

July Racing Article

Rain and Heat make for some tough racing this season…

I know we need the rain for all of the crops in South Central, Pennsylvania…and of course, our lawns too…but does it have to rain virtually every weekend! This is putting a strain on the local tracks, like the new Quarter Aces Drag-O-Way that took over for South Mountain…they lost every race opportunity in May! Other tracks are also feeling the pinch with events being canceled, and loads of rain checks being offered, but it is also hard on the fans and teams. Fans try to plan events for the weekend, bringing back the picnic atmosphere of years gone bye, only to have Mother Nature foil their plans. The teams work feverishly to get their cars to the track, sometimes thrashing late into the evening the night before, only to have the race canceled…sometimes after arriving at the track, and wasting money on tires and fuel only to have the Heavens open and bringing the night to a close. Features are made up, but again it’s tough on the teams as they have to almost double their costs for the evening, and then let’s talk about this year’s humidity…MAN! … it’s eating up the carburetors, air flow and ultimately motors to boot! Hopefully July will be a fairer month for us all.
Fred Rahmer made the most of the beginning of July, with his 11th Sprint Week Championship for the 410 sprints. Folks ask me who to watch for these challenges, and it seems like every year, no matter who he’s driving for, I have to say Fast Freddy. Sure Mark Smith Jeff Shepherd and the like are competitive, but the consistency has to go with Rahmer. Kudos Big Daddy….
Someone who is not acting his consist self is Indiana’s Tony Stewart for 2008. He is still winless this season, is is now looking for other options in 2009. Gibbs racing has finally given him his release from the team, so he is “listening” to all offers. I predict he will be buying his own team(s), as he is looking at the big picture so that he has a long shelf life in the NASCAR ranks. The Haas-CNC teams are really struggling this year, Haas is in jail, and Tony has the backing and the dollars to take over and make things happen. Keep an eye on his buddy Ryan Newman to join him wherever he goes, but I think that Home Depot will stay loyal to the Coach…especially after they have seen what he can do with new drivers to his team a.k.a. Kyle Bush….man that boy can drive, and he’s not getting rattled when something happens during the race that puts him back in the pack. I’m not sure where Greg Zippadelli, Tony’s crew chief, will go…but his is a true buddy to Tony…hmmm…and Chevrolet would love to have them both back.
A quick note…the Dirt Trackin’ Show  scheduled for January 23-25, 2009 is already getting started. The PWE wrestlers will be back, as will Pepka the Magician. The Route 61 band has been scheduled for Friday night’s activities, and the Baptones will be a part of the Sunday morning worship service. Reservations are being accepted for the show vendors and display spaces…that will definitely sell out again this year. Applications are available at www.dirttrackinshow.com. The Cruise scheduled for March 7-14 in the Eastern Caribbean is booking now as well, contact cruisegallouise2@aol.com or call 717-432-5136  for more information on this very, very affordable get-away cruise.

Kirk M. Wise – Racin’ with the Wise Guy
Questions or information …
contact me at email: wisemotors@aol.com or phone: 717-979-0341
www.WISEMM.com