A wise person once told me that one could lose out on tomorrow if they keep thinking back to days gone by.
Bearing that in mind, I may have missed out on a couple of days over the weekend as I spent most of my spare time, when not helping my son in his first year of rookie league baseball, recollecting over sprint car photos I’ve accumulated over the years.
And with the Gas City I-69 Speedway holding its Test and Tune Day Saturday and the Indy Racing League opening its season Sunday, I realized that the local season is well upon us as I write this week’s column.
Reflecting back on the older pictures though, it was pretty breathtaking to see the likes of Gary Fisher, Mike Mann, Tony Elliott (in Paul Hazen’s No. 57), Dave Darland (in the Earlywine Racing/Valvoline 36D), Kevin Thomas, Tony Jarrett, Tony Ploughe, the late Vince Osman and a bevy of other names that have graced the local oval over the past 61 years.
Seeing the old shots brought back a slew of memories of the days when I hit the track weekly simply as a spectator. No pad and paper or laptop; no microphone to call off the drivers as they pull on the track. No, then it was just my dad and me or on the occasions he didn’t want to go, I sat by myself in turn four with Russ Ford and the crew that has made the top two rows in that corner a sort of landmark.
Looking back on the week, I suppose what got me looking at the pictures in the first place were a couple of things. It was knowing that the first points race at Gas City is April 10 as well as USAC visiting the Eldora Speedway on April 10-11 and hearing the sad news that the famed Manzanita Speedway has announced it is closing its gates.
That announcement has caused a buzz across the country among dirt track fans as Manzanita track has been arguably one of the most recognized and famed dirt tracks in the United States. It goes to show that all of us need to support our local venues because there is absolutely no guarantee they will always be around.
Here in Indiana we have the luxury of a slew of excellent dirt tracks. Notably, there are four within an hour’s driving distance of Kokomo (Kokomo, Gas City, Miami County Speedway as well as the U.S. 24 Speedway).
As noted before, those wishing to get a quick fix to tide them over until the green flag falls locally can head over to Gas City Saturday. There will be an open session for all divisions with cars set to take the track at 10 a.m. and run until 5 p.m.
The track doesn’t waste any time kicking into high gear either. Following the first points race, the USAC National Sprint Car Series visits the facility April 17. Other special events on the calendar for the upcoming campaign include the King of Indiana Sprint Series (KISS) on May 15 before the USAC National Midget Series rumbles into town on June 10 as part of the 2009 Indiana Midget Week.
On June 19, once again the Hastings Law Firm will sponsor the fourth-annual Mid-Season Doubler which means double the purse for all four divisions on that night. The USAC Sprints return on July 11 as part of Indiana Sprint Week.
One event that is a can’t miss will be held Aug. 28 when the AMA Motorcycles visit the track for the running of the Hot Shoe Nationals. The event coincides with the Moto GP event at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and a huge field of motorcycles are sure to be on hand.
So, those of you, who like me are ready to see some dirt fly, hang in there for a bit longer as the new season nears.
Hagen out of Trucker’s team
With just a couple of weeks until things begin to really get rolling in the Midwest, Darren Hagen has announced he is vacating the Trucker’s 24-Hour No. 10 seat that was piloted by among others, Jon Stanbrough, Tony Elliott, Hunter Schuerenberg and Daron Clayton in seasons past.
Hagen noted that he was going to rejoin Keith Kunz Motorsports, for whom he drove in 2008. Although it is tough on the Roger Tapy-owned team, it’s hard to fault Hagen for the move since he is in the thick of the USAC Sprint and Midget Series points battles and would like to chase both circuits full-time.
As of this writing, there has not been a replacement named to team with Jimmy Light, who is piloting the Trucker’s No. 12 after spending the last three years behind the wheel of his own No. 23L.
Considering the equipment is top-notch, finding a talented shoe to take the reigns shouldn’t be too tough for the team. Casey Shuman was behind the wheel Saturday night at the North Vernon Speedway and with the murmur among those in the know that Paul Hazen may not field a team in 2009, he would be a solid choice.
Other names who could be solid in the ride include Scotty Weir, fresh from the 2008 track championship at Kokomo, Schuerenberg, and Kevin Thomas Jr. Two drivers I would like to see get an opportunity are Kokomo’s Ron Dennis and Josh Spencer.
Both would benefit greatly by getting the opportunity to drive for a car owner rather than try to wear both hats, week in and week out. Dennis has said he will not put together his familiar No. 32 this year and Spencer showed promise while behind the wheel of Hazen’s car a couple seasons back.
Regardless of who eventually ends up in the seat, it’s a given the car will be competitive. The Tapy family as well as Jim and Cindi Whiteside have been excellent ambassadors to the sport and support local racing as well as any team in the state.
Brett Bowman is the Tribune’s racing columnist. He may be reached by e-mail at brettbowman29@aol.com.
