Midwest Racing Roundup By Tom Botos 5-7-10
Yes racefans I have been very lazy this week as far
as sitting down and writing this column. I have been working
very hard interviewing drivers in the chatroom on
www.facebook.com and have done a few driver interviews
over the telephone. A few weeks ago I interviewed #27 Curtis
Chapman in the Figure 8 Division at Anderson (IN) Speedway.
Curtis was alot of fun talking with! Curtis is a very
entertaining talker and racer! Curtis told me that he
prefers not to "dirty drive or driver dirty" Curtis said "if
I cannot race clean then what is the point of being out
there?" Curtis bought Mike Riddle's fas #85 red and white
car from last year and has ran very strong thus far this
season. I think Curtis will have his hands full with the
likes of Dale Phillips,Jeff Swinford,and Johnny Magee who
has been racing the hot pink #3 figure 8 car because Jeff
broke his arm during a race at Anderson (IN) Speedway. Get
well soon Jeff Swinford so we can continue to watch you slug
it out each week in the rough and tumbly Anderson Speedway
Figure 8 Division!
Oh by the way I hear through the grapevine that #21
Doug Riddle possibly could have a car ready for The National
Crown Figure 8 Race at Anderson Speedway on Saturday July
17th! It appears Ronnie Rose will compete in both the Street
Stock and Figure 8 Divisions this season. #7 Rob Allman
continues to do double duty in his #7 Street Stock and #7
Thundercar slash Figure 8 car. I enjoy watching these
drivers show there versatility driving both the figure 8 and
the oval!
Mikel Knepley, # 30K Scott Knepley's brother has
informed me that Scott will probably be at Mt. Lawn (IN)
Speedway in his Late Model by Saturday May 22nd. Scott
Knepley has been racing his UMP Larry Shaw Chassis Modified
only at Eldora (OH) Speedway this season. Mikel says they
have three races including a midweek Wednesday Night UMP
Modified race in the next two weeks at Eldora (OH) Speedway.
Mikel Knepley is the graphics and body guy for his brothers
race team. Mikel says there Mt. Lawn Late Model is eleven
years old and is one of the very first Late Models built for
Mt Lawn in 2000 or 2001? Good luck to the Knepley Racing
Team in 2010 at both Eldora and at Mt. Lawn Speedway this
year!
The #76 Late Model of L.J. Lines has been sold and
rumors are flying around about L.J. borrowing cars this
season at Mt Lawn! I hope someone gives this driver a ride
because he is a proven winner and is a former Raintree 100
winner and deserves a decent late model ride.
Jon Conklin are you out there? I would really like
to intereview Jon as I miss his street stock cars at
Anderson Speedway.Jon showed me in his few short years of
racing at Anderson that he could muscle and and mix it up
with the best of them! I know that jon sold his car but I
still think he is deserving of a driver interview.
I would also like to interview late model driver
Fred Hopkins who ran very well last season at the Motion
Motor Late Model races at Winchester (IN) Speedway. Fred has
a very nice #99 white late model. I wonder is #95 Brian
Hopkins the son of Fred Hopkins? I am assuming they are
"kin" remember I did not grow up at Mt. Lawn where the
Hopkins drivers race more often than at Anderson Speedway. I
have seen Brian Hopkins run very well at both Anderson and
Salem Speedway in his #95 CRA street stock. I am hoping
these drivers see there name in this column and will email
me for an interview at
indybear37@yahoo.com hint hint?
Tony Stewart #20 Thundercar from Mt. Lawn (IN)
Speedway are you racing in 2010? Tony is from
Straughn,Indiana and had some spirited battles with Ryan
Amonett last season in Mt. Lawn Thundercars. Congrats to #76
Brian Reynolds on his Hornet feature win last week at Mt.
Lawn Speedway. I really think Brian could win the Hornets
points championship if he continues to run consistent week
after week at Mt. Lawn. Good luck in 2010 Brian!!
This Saturday night May 8th is Spring Fan Nite at
Mt. Lawn (IN) Speedway. Fans will be admitted for $5.00 each
and will see Late Models,Thundercars,and Hornets in action
along with spectator drags! Races always begin at Mt Lawn at
7:30 PM.For detailed information on Mt. Lawn Speedway please
go to
www.mtlawn.com .
The CRA Street Stocks invade Anderson (IN) Speedway
on Saturday May 8th with Figure 8s and the FWD division as
support classes with racing beginning at 8PM. I Have a
feeling this will be a great race as the street stocks slug
it out in a 75 lap feature event! For more information go to
www.andersonspeedway.com .
The #76 of Adam Bolyard from Mt. Lawn Speedway has
moved up from Thundercars to the CRA Street Stock Division.
Adam is very excited about this racing season and I wish him
the best of luck in 2010 and I hope to run into him in the
pit area sometime this season! I have not met Adam yet in
person and I am sure he would be another great driver
interview..
Congratulations on Pam McConnell on her marriage
with Raintree Late Model winner Scott Neal! Pam has a
thundercar this season at Mt. Lawn as scott continues to
campaign with his #17 CRA Street Stock. I would like to
interview both these drivers on what there intentions are
this season in there racing careers.
Have I rambled on too much this week? I hope to do
some Midwest Racing Fan Of The Week interviews this weekend
providing I do not forget my trapper keeper and notebook
again! I am really trying to get more interactive with fans
and drivers as you are the meat and potatoes of this great
spectator sport and I would not have it any other way! If
you have any news,notes or comments please email me at
indybear37@yahoo.com . Gotta go see ya at the Races!!!
