Father’s Day

Please don’t judge me. I’m not always the joker and ball buster that you’re used to reading about here. I apologize in advance if you find this boring, but I hope you’ll allow me to be sappy for a few minutes. There’s a lot on my mind this time of year, and my bosses at Gater give me free reign to use this forum as therapy if I need it. Thanks to Joe Patrick - and his Father Norm Patrick - for this outlet. I’ll feel better in a minute. And if you’re not interested in seeing my “softer side”, no hard feelings. Pass on this blog. Just tune out for today, and I’ll be sure to get back to the normal racing BS that I usually write soon.

A few of the guys in our division are fortunate enough to have their fathers side by side with them to help with their racing careers. Dave Cliff Sr. owns and fields the #06 small block supermodified that is piloted by his son, Dave Jr.. Craig Danzer is the driving force behind his son Dave’s #52 small block super. Brian Sobus has had his moments of stress and heartache behind the wheel of his family owned #79, but his father Brian Sr. and family’s support always have him back at the track for the next race. And I’ve known Dave Gruel for a few years, and I’ve never seen him at the races without his Dad, Dave Sr. Dave, Craig, Brian Sr., and Dave - thank you. Your sons need you, and none of them would be where they are without you. Don’t ever forget that.

I’m not limiting my congratulations to those four fathers. Many of the drivers have fathers who are also involved, in many different capacities. Bob Lupa (Chris), Dave Bond (Mike), Bob Pullen (Rob), Tim LaRochelle (Josh), Duane Heroth (Kreig), are all drivers’ fathers that I see or have seen at the track in support of their driving sons. I apologize to the other drivers’ Dads that I haven’t mentioned. You are all appreciated and needed, and it’s great that you are able to be there. Many drivers have Dads that aren’t or can’t be involved for whatever reason, but I still recognize you for the contribution that you have made to our sport. You made a racecar driver - and put a special breed of person on this earth.

As a father, I wish I was like you guys. No matter how hard I tried, I have never been able to beg, bribe, or coerce any of my kids to share my love of racing. My daughters, 19 and 18, apparently like other things, like boys and other yucky stuff. My son John Jr., 17 next month, couldn’t be any less interested. And I can’t even bribe him with French fries to get him to go to the races, like when he was little. “J.J. Andrews Jr.” drove quarter midgets for awhile, but it eventually became evident that he was just humoring me, and wasn’t really into it. Hey - you like what you like. Never figured out how to control that.

It really bothers me that I can’t race with my son. But you can’t force your kids to like something that you like, no matter how hard you try. If you guys have any suggestions, please let me know. I would put John in my car in ONE SECOND if he was the least bit motivated. While many of you guys use racing to connect with and spend time with your families, racing has only been a wedge with my children. My only chance now is that maybe I’ll have a grandchild that I can trick into liking racing down the road. J.J. Andrews III has a nice ring to it.

Don’t get me wrong. April and I have three great kids, who will be great members of society. You would like every one of them. Great personalities and awesome senses of humor. Not sure where they got that? Lacey, Chelsea, and John - I love you. You make my Father’s Day amazing!

Now to the sons: worship your father. Appreciate what he’s done for you. He’s put his heart, soul, money, work, etc. into racing for YOU. Yes, it’s also for his own self-gratification. He enjoys it, too. But please tell him how you feel. Thank him for his efforts. Don’t take him for granted. You have no idea how stressed he is when you’re out on the track. When you have a rough night, it’s worse for him than it is for you. But he enjoys it more than you do when you do win. The next time you think he’s barking at you, just let it roll off your back.

Racecar drivers are badasses. We’re the toughest guys on the planet, and for every one of us who are fortunate enough to drive racecars, there are thousands out there who wish they were us. I know it’s not really what racecar drivers do, but to all of you sons out there - now is the time to show Dad your soft side for a minute. Tell Dad you love him - I dare you. Just watch the look on his face. It’ll be well worth any embarrassment that you may feel.

When I was 14 years old, my Dad, Bob Andrews and I built my first racecar. This wasn’t a quarter midget or a microd or a go-cart or anything like that. It was a 1967 Chevy Impala “amateur division” car for Weedsport Speedway, that lasted a total of three weeks. First race was on July 8th, 1979. Charlie Fletcher welded a roll cage into it, and it was about as primitive as you could get. After that car was destroyed, we cut the roll cage out with a torch and welded it into a ‘72 Lemans 4 door, which we flat-towed with a tow bar until we hit the big time and bought a trailer. Not too far down the road, when I was 16, Dad moved me up to Street Stock at Brewerton and Fulton Speedway. Not because I was ready, but because he cut a great deal over a Schaefer draft with Pete Compeau, who was in the mood to get out of racing that day. Probably needed some beer money. Dad was there when I took my first checkers, in a consi at Brewerton over Sam Reakes III. Somewhere there’s a picture of me in that #16 Chevelle, with an angry Reakes in the background, protesting to the flagman about some injustice that he felt I had done.

A year or so later, my racing career took a turn when Dad had his heart attack. He fought back to half speed over the next year and a half, and passed away in 1982. He was only 52 years old. The night he died, my brother Bob and I, and our friend Mike Bond had just returned home from watching the races at Weedsport Speedway, if I remember correctly.

He would have enjoyed my racing at Oswego Speedway, because he was a pavement guy. He raced the paved (they called the surface “macadam” in those days) speedways at Brewerton and other places in the 50’s. Bob Andrews drove a few different cars, some numbered ½, but only had a limited career as a driver. More of his racing was as crew or occasional driver for his brothers Bernie and Ron Andrews, when he was home on leave from the Marine Corps. I can still feel the bump that Dad made me feel on his nose from when he flipped Uncle Bernie’s car into Archie Green’s junkyard, which was off the first turn of Brewerton Speedway.

When I won my feature at Oswego Speedway in 2001, the first thing I thought of was how much my father would have enjoyed it. Dad had been gone for 19 years, but he was the first person that I thought of. He never took us to Oswego Speedway as kids, but I bet he would have been there to watch me race. He would have thought that a small block supermodified was the coolest thing. And he would have encouraged me to have a Ford engine in it - not an old “stove bolt Chevy”, as he called them. Dad would have been a lot of fun in the pits. We probably would have been involved in a few fights, too. Bob Andrews was a tough bar owner and Marine with a short fuse and a love for life. I inherited one half of that. You guys would have liked him. I’ve got some stories if you’re interested.

I’d pay a lot of money to have my Dad bark at me in the pits or the garage. Or give me an awkward man hug. And I would very much enjoy to see that look on his face when I tell him “I love you”.

This Friday, June 20th will be the first NORA small block supermodified race at Spencer Speedway since 2007. The NORA group is known for putting on some great races at Spencer, and this event should be no different. Around 20 small block super teams have committed to “heading west” for this event.

The NORA race is sponsored by the excellent website www.sbsracingnews.com, and is a huge show for the speedway. In addition to the NORA race, several other divisions will be in competition. Besides NORA, the track will host the RoC Modified Tour for a 75 lap feature, along with their weekly modifieds, Street Stocks, Super Six, and 4 Cylinders.

For more information, go to the www.sbsracingnews.com website, the NORA website at http://norasbs.blogspot.com/ , or the Spencer Speedway website at www.spencerspeedway.org.

Some of the drivers expected in competition are: Jack Patrick, Brian Sobus, Dave Gruel, Dave Cliff, Dave Danzer, Tim Barbeau, Rob Pullen, Guard Nearbin, and Steve Abt. Rookies Dennis Rupert and Mark Castiglia are expected to make the haul, along with George Knight, if he can get the time off from work. (If not, Stan Gates will probably take his car.) Terry Solazzo, owner of the Mike Bond and Rob Pullen cars has entertained the thought of driving, but I’m told that Mike Bond will be on standby in case Solazzo “chickens out”.

But all of those guys are in big trouble. They might as well stay home. If they’re looking for a win, they’re screwed. Why?

Because I’m bringing a three car “posse” that will hog all three podium positions, much to the chagrin of our peers.

Barry Kingsley anchors our group, also known as “The Three Amigos”. Barry has the most recent experience, as he has competed weekly at Oswego Speedway the last couple of years. Don’t let the “Marvin the Martian” voice fool you. When the green flag drops, Barry turns into a cold-blooded killer on the speedway. Hence the name “Killer Kingsley”.

Chris Lupa has been on hiatus for a couple of years, while he let Kreig Heroth wheel his #46 Hedger Chassis small block supermodified. But don’t kid yourself. He has been focusing on a special regimen of diet, exercise, and coffee enemas, designed specifically to improve on his already cat-like reflexes and hand-eye coordination. Sure, he destroys his car every other time he races it. But since he demolished it last time out, he’s due for a non-crash evening this time. Watch out for Chalupa, whose racing / rap star name is now “DJ On-the-gas”.

J.J. Andrews has been on semi-retirement since last September. I laid low last year, only running three times with my Hedger Chassis #93. Out of courtesy, I let other guys win every time I raced last year. But since I finished in the top ten every time, I proved to myself that “I’ve still got it”. This off-season, I kept my car right in the garage at home, firing it up every now and then for the thrill and smell of it. (A leakdown test verified recently that no damage was done during the 12:05AM New Year’s Day rev.)

But this weekend, it’s no more Mr. Nice Guy. As retired great Larry Muroski once suggested in an inspirational speech when he was driving, “I might be using the bumper more this year.” Do with that information what you will.

And to my teammates: thanks for all of the fellowship, friendship, and support. I accept that we may no longer be friends after this Friday’s performance. Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful. It’s been a great ride.

Team motto: GAME ON!

Super Dave Sanborn resides in Tilton, N.H., and doesn’t race weekly in the supermodified division. Most of his experience is in winged supermodifieds. But like many, he’s captivated by the Oswego Speedway. In 2009, Dave is “using my ISMA money to fund my Oswego habit”. Dave raced with ISMA at Waterford Speedway on May 23rd, finishing 11th. That $1000 was put aside to help finance Dave’s trip to Oswego this weekend. Dave’s Oswego winnings will help get him to the July 7th Stafford Speedway ISMA race, which is only a couple of hours from his home. And then his Stafford winnings, two races from now, are already earmarked for a trip back to Oswego Speedway in late July. Sounds like a great plan to me!

“I used to wish my summers away, looking forward to Classic Weekend at Oswego Speedway”, said Dave. “Oswego and Classic Weekend is a big deal”.

2008 was Sanborn’s first experience as a wingless supermodified competitor during Classic Weekend, and winning the “B-Main” was one of the biggest wins of his career. It was a career goal to run the 200, which ended earlier than he had hoped, when he blew the rearend after 45 laps. Sure Dave’s won features “7 or 8 of them”, in 350 supers at Star and Lee speedways. But he’s always been under financed since he switched to the big block supermodified division. As supermodified competitors across the country know, just qualifying for and racing in the Classic is a career highlight.

“We don’t have the experience, or the knowledge to be cocky”, said the humble Sanborn when I tried to coerce him into predicting greatness for himself. The 41 year-old tool … design engineer … hasn’t set his goals too high for his appearance at Oswego this week. “If I don’t need the wrecker to load the car, it’s a good night!”, predicted Super Dave. “I just want to keep it out of the Styrofoam.”

So do they call him Super Dave because his name is Dave, and he drives a SUPERmodified? “Maybe it’s because every time I get destroyed, I keep coming back next week, like Super Dave Osborn”, was Dave Sanborn’s explanation. (For those diaper dandies of you who don’t know who that is, Super Dave Osborn was this comedy TV show where at the end the host would always be in this horrible accident where he’d get run over by a truck or flung through the air or something.)

So who would Dave like to thank? “I’d like to thank the people of Oswego. It’s such an awesome deal to go there. It’s just being a part of something huge”, said Dave. Dave’s sponsors are Swifset Tool Company, Posco Inc., NAPA of Laconia, and BoneHead Designs. He also wanted to recognize Barry and Dennis Bivens, of Oswego, who bought him a right rear tire for this race, and also supported him in Classic ‘08 the same way.

Turns out Dave’s got a sense of humor. Since this is a family show, I can’t tell you the name of the movie star game we played that features three beautiful women. But I will tell you this - if we were playing that game for real, Sanborn would right now be married to Halle Berry, very well acquainted with Pamela Anderson, and Jessica Simpson would no longer be singing the chorus on the new Eminem song.

So tabloid journalist that I am, I decided to put him on the spot with another question. Sensationalism sells, is what Perez Hilton tells me. But I guess I’m not cutthroat enough to follow through. The question: who’s the better small block super driver- J.J. Andrews, or our mutual friend, Barry Kingsley? Well…. I can’t tell you his answer, because guess where Dave’s staying when he comes to town this weekend? Hint: it’s not my house, but his initials are B.K. And I don’t mean Burger King. So if I say who Dave thinks is the better driver, things could be pretty awkward at the Kingsley residence this weekend. Debi’s not cooking bacon for the dude that likes me better. That’s all I’m saying.

Sunday morning update…
Mission accomplished. Well, pretty much. Although Dave was backwards on the track at one point,he did load up the car and head home with little or no damage, stealing the hearts of the many female fans at the speedway. 16th place in the final rundown should effectively get him to Stafford on July 7th, so he can make it back to Oswego - and his legion of loyal, loving fans, in late July.

Twenty-three supermodifieds! Twenty-three small block supermodifieds! Are they record-setting fields? No. But are they excellent fields, compared to what was expected? Absolutely!

During the winter, the Debbie Downers were talking. Craig Rayvals was leaving Oswego to run with ISMA. Jeff Holbrook’s 3 or 4 cars were sticking with ISMA. Howard Page, who ran a few times in 2008, wouldn’t be back. Bob Reis was going modified. Nobody will be there!

But we gained several supermodified competitors, many of which will be there weekly, or nearly weekly.

Ray Graham. Doug Didero. Joey Payne. Tim Snyder. Todd Stowell. Lou LeVea Jr.. Tim Timms. John Torrese. Dan Connors Jr. There are NINE drivers, who didn’t run all of the 2008 season, that are most likely going to be weekly drivers this year.

Add to them Otto Sitterly, Bobby Magner, Greg Furlong, Pat Lavery, Jerry Curran, Jason Spaulding, Keith Gilliam, Lou LeVea Sr., Stephen Gioia III, and Hal LaTulip, who probably will attend all or most of the races. That’s TEN more, total of NINETEEN, who should be there weekly.

Sprinkle in Bob Bogwicz, Mike Ordway Sr., Dave McKnight, Bob Reis / Keith Shampine (sharing the #88), Joe Chillemi, Mike Casey, Osetek / Buske racing (not sure who the driver is, but they are on the roster), and maybe Craig Rayvals and/or Jeff Holbrook here and there. And I just heard today that New Englander Dave Sanborn will be coming to town possibly as early as next week, and a few more times, depending on how things go. We’re going to see some consis this year, ladies and gentlemen!

Same thing for the small block supers. Low twenty car fields looked bad. On top of that, we were losing Larry Muroski, Kreig Heroth, Lou LeVea Jr., Josh LaRochelle, Rick Zeigler, Chris Proud, Jan Donnelly, and some other part-timers. Subtract those seven from twenty, and we had problems.

But then we added full-timers Steve Abt, Russ Brown, Mark Castiglia, Andrew Schartner, Dennis Rupert, George Knight, and Tim Barbeau. That’s plus SEVEN.

Full time guys that we expected were Dave Gruel, Kevin Knopp, Dave Cliff, Brian Sobus, Barry Kingsley, Jack Patrick, Shawn Walker / Gregg Davis (sharing the #68), Dave Danzer, Rob Pullen, Jason Simmons, Mike Bond, Stan Gates, and Guard Nearbin. That 13 more brings us to a minimum of TWENTY cars weekly.

Now you can mix in Chip Wood, Bill Moore, Bryan Haynes, Chris Natoli, a second Gnomey Racing car, possible visits from J.J. Andrews, Chris Lupa, and some guys that I’m probably forgetting. It’s consi time!

So forget about what all of the negative Nellies say. 2009 will be a great year for the fans - and drivers - at Oswego Speedway!

So do you think the small block supermodified division got all of the b.s. out of their systems last week? I was informed previous to the opening night’s events that opening night is often catastrophic. I disagreed. But boy, was I ever wrong! Wrecked cars, blown engines, silly driving, and just carnage in general were the order of the day. I would give Chalupa credit for the exact prediction, but I can’t because he’s not the one who thought of it. When Lupa was entertaining the thought of maybe bringing his #46 out for the opener, he was reminded by Tim LaRochelle that opening night is tough on equipment. That’s what I call an understatement!

Examples:

Rookie George Knight, in his first small block super race ever, backed into the first turn wall on the very first lap. Major rear clip.

Defending champion Kevin Knopp, who I think finished every feature in 2008, was the second car out of the race. He was involved in a wreck on lap one, that ended his evening.

Also involved in that smash was Dave Danzer, who went spinning wildly, collecting Knopp and others. Out for the night.

Ken Pierce had a horrible impact with his #67 on lap number two. Looked like all bolt-on stuff, but several hundred dollars worth of damage. Mark Castiglia’s night also ended at that time.

Isn’t that horrible? Dude, you haven’t even heard the half of it…

Andrew Schartner and Barry Kingsley only made it to lap nine. Kingsley tangled with Shawn Walker, and was collected by Schartner in the process.

Lap 17 - Tim Barbeau, who was running second at the time launched a motor big time. He had that “Boom Boom POW”, as the Black Eyed Peas would say. (Doug Holmes stepped up huge for Barbeau, and finished Barbeau’s new / repaired engine in plenty of time for this weekend.)

Brian Sobus toasted his engine on lap 31, killing all of the mosquitoes in Oswego County. BIG smoke!

And Chip Wood made, according to my calculations, 115 trips through the pits in Rob Pullen’s backup car. The final results claimed that he completed 18 laps, but that’s only if they count pit road.

And one more example: I’ve never seen a small block super race where only FIVE cars finished on the lead lap. FIVE! And Guard Nearbin finished 9th - three laps down!

Is that the end of it? Will there be more disasters this week? Are the knuckleheads done being knuckleheads? Are the bugs out of the engines? We’ll soon find out….