Author: kirkwise

It’s Not Over ‘Til The Fat Lady Sings…or at least until the last motor shuts off!

Another season is just about in the bag, but racers and promoters just keep finding ways, even into the snow covered months, to quench their insatiable thirst for racing. Even though Susquehanna Speedway Park has decided their division champions for 2007 including Carl Billet, Paul Morgan, Mike Goodwin, Ed Hollenbach, and Kendra Knaub, there is still one more racing event slated to take place on November 10th called appropriately, the Turkey 200 Enduro Race…plus their banquet that will be held on January 26th. Yes it is the same weekend as the 25th Annual Dirt Trackin’ Show at the York Expo Center, but Todd and I will be working together on the timing to make sure that all goes well for the teams so they don’t miss too much at the show. Other tracks will be hosting flea markets where teams will be swapping out old parts for newer ones, or changing divisions and selling their old car for something more spectacular. Even though it’s not on the same lot…the Silver Spring Speedway Racing Flea market will still pack ’em in at the State Farm Show parking lot in Harrisburg.

Lincoln Speedway crowned Fred Rahmer as it’s track champion this year in the 410 sprints, Cory Haas in the 358’s, Duane Watson in the Thundercars, and Shaun Jones in the Late Models. Their racing flea market is also scheduled on November 10th with their banquet being held at the Holiday Inn in York on November 17th. Congratulations go to all champs of the divisions that run at Trailway Speedway including Todd Hoover, Jerry Lynch, Dwayne Gutshall, Jeff Rohrbaugh, Craig Wagaman, Doug Bennett, Chase Eckert, Joseph Flanary, and Dylan Keim. Their awards banquet is slated for November 10th (don’t look for many racers and fans to be around on the 10th…they’ll be busy somewhere) at the New Oxford Social Club and also hosting the Motorama Show on February 16th and 17th in Harrisburg. William’s Grove Speedway will be crowning Todd Shaffer, Pat Cannon, Frankie Herr, Tyler Hershey, Kory Sites and John Stoll Jr. as the champions for the 2007 season in their respective divisions also on November 10th at the Radisson in Camp Hill.
    Straight ahead racers from South Mountain Dragway will be celebrating the end of the season in January with Ash Senft taking the Super crown, Garrett Suders in the Pro class, Joe Nonemaker in bike/snowmobile, Richard Zeigler in Street Car , Chase Fahnestock as the Junior Dragster champ, Courtney Suders in the Ladies Challenge, Nick Thoman in the High School Eliminator, and John Atticks in Street to Strip. The Mountain will be under new ownership next year, but kudos have got to go to Ron & Ethel Wallace and their team of employeesand partners for sustaining the strip for so many years. Stanley Dye will do a great job at the helm, as he is a real racer with lots of ideas to improve what the Wallace dynasty left him to work on.

The Busch Grand Nationl title will go to Carl Edwards for 2007, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck crown will be won by either Ron Hornaday or Mike Skinner, and the Nextel Cup…well.. barring a total collapse by either Jeff Gordon or Jimmie Johnson, the championship trophy will be in the Hendrick’s stable for another year…but with who’s name on it. When you hear the fat lady sing at the Homestead-Miami Speedway…you and I will know for sure.
Next time I see you…I hope it’s at the track!

Racing with the Wise Guy – Kirk M. Wise

Heard daily on over a dozen radio stations, plus on the web…go to www.wisemotorsport.com for more information. E-mail your team updates to wisemotors@aol.com or call 717-979-0341.

For information regarding the Dirt Trackin’ Show for 2008, go to www.dirttrackinshow.com

Lincoln Speedway for week of July 21st.mp3

LET’S BUNCH ‘EM UP…FOR SAFETY…YEA, RIGHT!

     For any of you racing fans who witnessed yet another restrictor plate race at the Talledega Super Speedway…you have to question the intelligence of the NASCAR officials. How do they possibly think that 40+ cars running at 200 miles per hour, three wide in a pack is adding safety to the sport? The idea was originally to slow down the cars, to avoid injury to the drivers. The same officials have done wonders in making strict rules for the integrity of the cars, and have succeeded in lessening the injuries in those horrific crashes that the drivers have endured already this season. The safer barriers are also a very good idea, as long as they don’t cut down too much on the area in turns at certain tracks that already don’t have a lot of room to carry speeds through the apex to the straightaway. It’s time to call it what it is..a high speed chess match…where a driver can be running in first like Mike Wallace on one lap, and then be in fifteenth the next time they come around due to no drafting help in a vehicle that won’t let you really put the pedal to the metal. The other “so called” safety feature is the smaller fuel tanks…supposedly the crews will have to pit more often thus eliminating the huge bunching of cars. Hello! They all have to pit every time they have a chance so that they don’t get out of synch with the rest of the field. And since they all pit under the many yellows…let’s not go there…there is always a huge bunching of cars at the restart, and with the restrictor plates, the faster guys can’t break away from the field…thus spreading out the huge swarm of cars that are just waiting for the “big one”.  Face it…the television viewer and the fans at the track sit on the edge of their seats just waiting for a multitude of cars smashing into each other…not to see anyone harmed, but just for the spectacle of the happening. I for one, especially after being a car owner for so many years, would love to see a race with no collisions, and just good clean racing. It costs a lot of money to field a team, and there is always a chance for major injury…let’s try to do something about this style of racing that I will guarantee is disliked by virtually every driver in the NASCAR circuit. Then there’s the Car of the Future…oh man…I don’t have enough space to go there…

  We’ve finally had a few nights of racing in our area the past weeks, and it’s great to see close finishes, last lap passes, and guys coming from mid way through the pack to pick up a checkered flag. Saturday night racing is incredible in South Central Pennsylvania with choices including Lincoln, Williams Grove, Susquehanna, Port Royal, Trailway, Selisgrove and Shippensburg just to name a few. Kevin Knouse looks strong in the sprint field, as does Pat Cannon…Frankie Herr continues to be dominate in the Sportsman…Carl Billett always seems to get to the front, and Mike Goodwin, in the stock cars, just plain gets the job done.

   Please check out our ever improving web site at www.wisemotorsprt.com as I love getting questions, comments and information about area racers. Next time I see you …I hope it’s at the track….

Racing with the Wise Guy

Kirk M. Wise
e-mail wisemotors@aol.com

WHERE WILL WE GO THIS YEAR?

As a new racing season begins, many of the teams and fans have to decide which track will be their home for the year. Although many enthusiasts follow tours throughout the area as well as the country, most frequent their one “home” track each and every week. The NASCAR fans actually have reserved seats that they must renew, or giveaway each year, and some of our tracks also have season seats that many have held for decades. The big dilemma this year will be between all the tracks running on Saturday night. Silver Spring had the most loyal fan, and team base that I know of, but that is gone…no I still have not set foot, in or near any of the stores that took it’s place…nor will I in the future. Saturday night for the Sportsman, Late Model, and Street Stocks that graced the Carlisle Pike for so many years will be split between both Williams Grove and Susquehanna Speedway Park this year. Of course, there is the added “competition” of the Sprint tracks like Lincoln, Port Royal, Selinsgrove, and Trailway for the shrinking numbers of racing fans in South Central Pennsylvania. Why are the numbers shrinking for attendance? Several ideas come to mind including the vast array of other activities that families participate in virtually every night of the week, the diminishing slush fund that folks use to pay for their seats and pit passes, and finally…the NASCAR races that have switched also to Saturday nights! Even though you can tape the event to watch later, and believe me …it is much more enjoyable when you can take out the many hours of commercials and worthless commentary contained in each event, it’s just not the same. And God forbid if you go to church the next day, as you know someone will spill the beans as to who went to victory lane.
     It’s tough out there for the racing facilities. They have internal costs sky rocketing, repairs, employees, taxes, and more and more competition…where will it end. I hate to tell you…the Springs won’t be the last to go..but the strong will survive. It’s still the least expensive night out for the family, when you figure that you can hang out for over 6 hours, and that the kids get in at a discount, or for free. Long live the local dirt track!
     O.K. soap box over…how about Daytona 500 winner Kevin Harvick! Had it not been for a flat tire on the restart in California, he probably would have made it two for two this year. Don’t forget how well he was running at the end of last year, finishing in the top of the points in Cup competition, as well as winning the Busch title for 2006. He and his team will be the team to be reckoned with this year. Johnson will be consistent, as will Martin, Gordon, Stewart and Kenseth…but I think “Hap” will be the man this year. Too soon to speculate on this kind of thing…possibly…but that’s why I’m called the Wise Guy!
Next time I see you, I hope it’s at the track,
Kirk Wise
Check out our new web site at www.wisemotorsportmarketing.com, where your comments and suggestion are always welcome.

SHOW ME THE SPONSORSHIP MONEY!      If you had the chance to visit last month’s Atlantic City, or York racing shows…you had to notice all of the logos adorning virtually every vehicle from the most popular sprinter to the youngster’s go-cart. Most have already paid big bucks to have their names on the various cars, track facilities and events for the upcoming season…but there are still more out there. Driver’s and teams should not be ashamed to ask for the green go-juice (cash) from everybody they can think of. This is how teams make it to the end of the season…and it is a great way for a business to promote their company and gain the most loyal of customers…race fans. Face it, why do corporations and little sole proprietorships invest their hard earned dollars in racing? Some may just love the sport and want to help out a fledgling team, but usually it is to gain popularity, exposure, and eventually turn it into more working capitol. Look at all the hubbub going on in the Nextel Cup right now with the buy- out of Cingular going back to AT&T…Burton and Childress want it on their car for Daytona, but Nextel has already promised over 700 million dollars to the sport, and does not want the competition to have their logo racing at their events. Sprint, and Alltel we already there when the transfer from Winston to Nextel took place…but AT&T left….maybe they should sponsor the Busch division next year…hmmmm.
     Speaking of the shows, the Dirt Trackin’ show for 2007 was the best ever in attendance, vendors, and cars. The fans loved the same low price for admission with free parking, and all the added events for no extra charge charge, especially for the family. The WHP CBS-21TV  Ms.Dirt Trackin’ contest was held on Friday night when Alyssa Sharmin was crowned the new queen, and was followed by a live Jazz Me Band performance. Saturday included a drivers arm wrestling tournament won by Jesse Morrison, Aaron Long, and Jason Morrison in their respective divisions, followed by the ever popular PWE wrestlers in the evening. Sunday included an early morning worship service hosted by RFC pastor Dan Laterza with singing by Hearts in Harmony, and a free remote controlled car tournament for the kids in conjunction with Fast Action Motorsports Entertainment in the afternoon. The event ended with the presentation of the Jack Giambalvo Motor Company best in show awards, and various raffle winners being announced. Bowhunters Superstore, A&G Custom Sprints, the Hooters Girls of York, the PA Racing Lawnmowers Association, ands Wise Motorsport Marketing all contributed to help raise nearly $2000 for the York County Racing Club’s injured driver’s fund. Over 200 beautifully prepared racing vehicles, 150 vendors, the Reading Fairground Museum, and even a NASCAR stretch limo all added to the huge show. The 25th edition has already been planned for the York Fairgrounds on January 25, 26, and 27 in the year 2008. Check out the Dirt Trackin 2007 Photos.
     I got my first whiff of racing alcohol burning when the cars fired up their engines at the show…and I can hardly wait for more. Lincoln will kick off the season with the Ice breaker 30 at 2PM for the Super Sprints paying $3500 to win on February 24th…bbbbrrrrr.Next time I see you…I hope it’s at the track!
Kirk Wise – the “Wise Guy”
Checkl out our new website for daily show times, radio affiliates and recorded broadcasts at www.wisemotorsport marketing.com     

Happy New Year,,,It’s “Old Guy” 2007

First off…let me wish all of my readers all the best for the New Year. I am amazed how many people come up to me and comment about my monthly column. Thank you, your comments are appreciated. Now to the headline…I thought he retired! Am I surprised that Morton Anderson was called back into action in the National Football League only to become the highest ever scorer…nope. Am I surprised that Ricky Rudd has been asked to rejoin his old teammates at Robert Yates Racing…not at all. Both of these finesse positions cannot be taught to a young upstart no matter how talented he or she is. A driver feels it in his seat, the field goal kicker senses it on the arch of his foot, the basketball player sees the hoop as big as a trampoline when it’s right, and a home run hitter feels it the second the ball leaves the bat…it’s a feeling that is there to stay in an athlete…and it never fades. That’s why Mark Martin, Dale Jarrett, Bill Elliott, and Kenny Schrader can still run with the young guys…it’s the feel…but with a lot more wisdom, and a little more patience. It may take that young gun mentality and aggressiveness to win races, but in some cases, it’s still the turtle, not the hare that crosses the finish line first. Let me just mention the name …Smokey Snellbaker…need I say any more about a guy that is well into his years, but with good physical conditioning, and equipment…still wins…despite the gray hair. Go get-em veterans in 2007!
     One place you will see a lot of these drivers is at one of the many shows that will be taking place in the near future. Motorsports 2007 will be held again this year in Atlantic City with the show and the racing taking place January 12-14th on the boardwalk, and run again by the Area Auto Racing folks. The York Dirt Trackin’ Show will be held January 26-28, and promises to be even bigger than last year. The big differences between these two shows is the local flavor and hours. The show in Atlantic City will close earlier in the evening than years gone by, in the hope that fans will migrate to the racing arena. Also with the huge well-spent dollars by the vendors, Motorsports 2007 can afford to attract more of the big NASCAR names, teams, and tracks. The 24th annual Dirt Trackin’ Show has more of a local flavor, with more varied entertainment for the dollar. Tony Stewart will be represented, the Kasey Kahne #9 will also be on hand, but the local dirt sprinters to go-carts are the big draw…as well as their drivers, crews, and fans. The hours are the same as last year too, and will give the entrant plenty of time to see the over 120 vendors and nearly 200 display vehicles with the Friday hours from 4-10PM, Saturday 10-10, and Sunday 10-4.  The third main show for our area is the Trailway Speedway sponsored Motorama Show at the Harrisburg Farm Show Complex. This show is also different in that it will be held on only two days February 17 & 18, plus has more of an emphasis on the fantastic racing in the main arena with dirt bikes and micros.
     The shows are a great way to renew friendships with those whom we have not seen for the last few months, talk about all the new drivers who have switched seats, try to figure out who’s going to be the dominant teams, and to just plain have “old” fun …while enjoying the beautifully prepared chariots for the upcoming 2007 season. I can almost smell the racing alcohol and tires burning!

Racing with the Wise Guy
The next time I see you…I hope it’s at A SHOW!

Listen daily on the radio for a show near you…
Check out www.wisemotorsportmarketing.com for times and affiliate stations.

RACING WITH THE WISE GUY – RACING REPORTS – DEC ‘06 REPORTS HEARD DAILY ON:

WCMB 1460-AM HARRISBURG @ 7AM (THE TICKET)

WOYK 1350-AM YORK @ 4AM (ESPN RADIO)

WHVR 1280-AM GETTYSBURG @ 8AM

WHYL 102.3-FM CARLISLE @ 6AM (RED 102.3)

ALSO ON THE SPORTS JAM NETWORK with JED DONAHUE

at approximately 5:45PM Monday-Friday..9:30 on Saturday

WTKT 1460-AM HARRISBUIRG/YORK/LEBANON/LANCASTER

WBLF 970-AM BELLFONTE

WPHB 1260-AM PHILLIPSBURG/CLEARFIED

WLYC 1050-AM WILLIAMSPORT

WBPZ 1230-AM LOCK HAVEN

WGET 1320-AM GETTYSBURG/HANOVER

WKVA 920-AM LEWISTOWN/HUNTINGTON

WLPA 1490-AM LANCASTER/READING

WTZN 1310-AM TROY/CANTON

WCHX 105.5-FM LEWISTOWN

WVAM 1430-AM ALTOONA

WMAJ 1450-AM STATE COLLEGE

…and we’re always trying to add more!

KISS THE YEAR GOOD BYE…

     Where did the year 2006 go? It seems like just yesterday we were crowning Tony Stewart for his fence climbing efforts and Nextel championship for 2005. This year, he was not even qualified to compete in the top ten chase, but I still have not heard of anybody figuring out where he would have actually finished in the point standings if the NASCAR “biggies” hadn’t thrown in their ratings boosting play-off scenario. Jimmie Johnson was due, as he was deemed the driver to beat for the last two seasons, and he was consistent. He even survived losing his crew chief for four races after Chad Knause was caught cheating at Daytona. I just still have a hard time wrapping my arms around a team that is owned on paper by another competitor, but bank rolled by a fellow who did time for his business practices. Hey, I know, no one is perfect, but I’d much rather cheer for a good ol’ boy, than a corporation. I was however happy to see Brian Vickers in victory lane, also from the Hendrick stable, but he’s leaving at the end of the year. There were more than just a few drivers this year battling on the track with “late in the race” bumps and spins from behind, so I can’t point any fingers at any one team, but I do think I’d rather watch the wives that have started to scrap in the pits, over the Dupont slugger who likes to push drivers away rather than “get into it”…that’s actually a side ways compliment.
     Kudos have to go to the Childress teams this year, with Harvick dominating in the Busch division, and both he and Jeff Burton within striking distance of capturing the Cup championship. Evernham racing is struggling, especially when the team owner is rumored to be more than giving advise to a NASCAR Truck competitor…oh yea, the driver is a girl…whew! Michael Waltrip will be attempting to put Toyota on the map for next year with the help of some of his buddies like Dale Jarrett, and Bill Elliott..yea..we’ll see. Also congratulations must be sent to the Bodine family, as the youngin’ ,Todd, captured the Craftsman Truck Series for 2006. And to end this moment of quips…how ’bout the Cat in the Hat! Rousch racing is losing it’s elder statesman, as Mark Martin retires..oops, no he’s not doing that again this year, he’s going to another team for 2007 instead…come on boys..couldn’t you have worked something out! I mean, Mark was the owner of the Kenseth car..wasn’t he? A great competitor in the Nextel Cup, Truck and Busch series..so why let him go!
     Don’t worry race fans…Daytona is only about 90 days away…which will give the networks more time to figure out how they can jam even more commercials and less of the race into their broadcasts for 2007…o.k. I’m finished….
     Locally, it was the first year with no Silver Springs, and my heart still sinks every time I drive by and see yet another mall going up in our area. Williams Grove, Lincoln and Susquehanna Speedways all survived the year, but with no huge fan counts that you might expect with one of the tracks closing. In fact, the numbers were down especially for the Grove both in cars and fans…but 2007 will be a new year, and plans include racing both nights at the Mechanicsburg oval, an Outback track at SSP for micros and carts, and more divisions coming to Lincoln’s high banks for racing excitement. Trailway is adding more clayin Hanover and will continue two night’s of racing for the new year, South Mountain Dragway will see yet another season come April, and the Port and Selinsgrove, as well as Big Diamond will advertise for fans to come out next year. All in all, we still have the best racing around, and should not only be proud of it, but support it too. I, for one, plan to attend more events in the new year..as long as my wife says it’s o.k.
     Have a safe and happy Christmas, and New Year, and don’t forget to check out the new www.wisemotorsportmarketing.com site for information and applications for the upcoming Dirt Trackin’ Show sponsored this year by Jack Giambalvo Motor Company to be held at the York Expo Center January 26-28th, featuring the #20 Home Depot Car, PWE Wrestlers, the Ms. Dirt Trackin Contest, Jazz Me Band, and hundreds of cars, drivers, fans and vendors.

Next time I see you…I hope it’s at the track.
Kirk M. Wise

Racin’ with the Wise Guy is heard on over a dozen radio stations daily…check the website for broadcast times, or listen to the actual broadcasts at the site on the MP3 player.

And the Champion…will not be allowed to compete again…

     It finally happened. Due to the new rules and interesting competitive wrinkle NASCAR has put on the Nextel Cup championship called the Chase, last year’s winner Tony Stewart, even if he had a great run down the stretch, will not be “allowed” to receive another trophy. What is going on here? I understand that other professional sports must have playoffs. The White Sox are out of the playoffs this year, so that they will not be able to repeat…but why do sports like basketball and football go to this method for determining their champion? Because they play at various places each week with the numerous teams…hello!…racers go to the same track all together…there is no need for a playoff grid when all the competitors play (race) at the same facility every week! The racing fraternity prides itself in the ability to be consistent. The long haul, being there at the end, and save the car are all the terms endeared in the pits. This transfers to our family cars, in that the innovations provided to the cars at the track, eventually end up going down Main Street. The final stretch at any track is what separates the men from the boys. Some teams can have a great spurt at the beginning, but falter when the going gets tough. Imagine in the Boston Marathon if after four-fifths of the race was over, the officials stopped the race, brought all the runners back together, and then finished the race. It would change the entire complexion of the event … and that’s exactly what NASCAR has done. If the driver is mathematically eliminated with only a few races to go..then there’s a chase in it’s true sense. It’s great to see Mark Martin in there, as well as Kasey Kahne and Denny Hamlin…but no smoke makes me sad.
     Speaking of close races, how ’bout the Busch series? Now that’s exciting…let a guy who’s team is in the Nextel Chase compete on a regular basis with teams that have one car in their stable, and are “learning” to drive at the tracks…what’s he got now a 600 point lead on second place Carl Edwards? There’s competition…let the varsity guy win everything from the J.V. competitors. I know it’s a great way for these up and comers to learn, but maybe limit the number of races anyone who competes in a Cup car can run, or maybe just the guys that don’t qualify for the main race get to run the Busch race that weekend…hmmmm..
     Locally tracks are feeling the autumn cold, and beginning to wind things down, but there are still a lot of events coming to our area. Susquehanna will be hosting the Pumpkin Enduro race on October 7th, the Fall Classic on the 20th and 21st, ARDC Midgets and micros on the 28th during the Candy Bowl, and the Turkey 200 Enduro on November the 11th. There will also be a race car flea market at Susqui on Nov 4th, and the Grove will be having one sponsored by the Williams Grove Steam Engine Association October 27 and 28. Trailway will be hosting their 4th annual Kart Classic on October the 21st, which will wind up their season. Lincoln will be racing in October up until the 21st and then hold their own flea market on November 11.
     It’s almost over…but as we all know in racing, as soon as the last checkered flag falls it’s time to start getting things ready for next year. The next time I see you…I hope it’s at the track…

Kirk M. Wise – the “Wise Guy”
check out our web site at www.wisemotorsport.com for audio feeds of the daily syndicated Racing Report, photos, and news including information about the upcoming Dirt Trackin’  Show sponsored this year by Jack Giambalvo, being held at the York Fairgrounds January 26-28, 2007.