The Ice Bowl as the dr seen it…..

2012 Ice Bowl…. as the dr seen it!

 

I thought about the races all the way home last night and I want to say some of the best racing I have seen in a while, Ray Cook flying his new colors took the supers to school with a win , totally dominating the class, no matter what or who came at him Ray cook took off and ran away with the race, Jason Welshan took a hard hit with the wall and broke his thumb, and was doubtful for the crate feature but he did make the show.

The weather was horrible Sunday, over cast, rain off and on.. took 2 hours to work track in with 4wheelers …and the ruts, well lets put it as the announcer did, “the track has character” well those were his words, my take on it was the track had “ruts” huge ruts. But it made the drivers very careful about picking their lines.

But the real story of the night was the Crate feature, Jeff Smith from Dalton Ga, had bad luck right off the bat and wound up with a flat, fixed it under caution and came back out 24^th, and one by one picked his way back to the top, Tim Busha lead a large part of the race looking like no one had anything at all for him. But with about 7 laps to go Busha seemed to hurt his car and started dropping back, and it was Simms in the 07 the 2X of Anthony White and the 17S of Jeff Smith, on the last lap it was Anthony White with the lead, and Jeff Smith dove under him getting into turn 2 and down the back straight, White was all over Smith but like a true racer Smith never lifted going for the checkered and into 3 it was either one’s race, with Smith holding a slim lead, when White tried a bonsai move to retake the lead and came up short, Jeff Smith took the win followed by Larry Timms and 77 of Connor.

I want to commend the staff of TST for the never ending work to try and make the track better it just wasn’t meant to be.

CYA@THERACES

the dr.

 

Final results

Supers

1 53 Ray Cook

2 21 Joe Armistead

3 2H Stacy Holmes

4 1H Jason Hiett

5 12 Chad Winkles

6 66 Jake Knowles

7 22 Jason Wilson

8 25R Tim Roszell

9 33B David Brannon

10 1 Vic Hill

11 15H Ethan Hunter

12 17S Jeff Smith

13 47M Ross Martin

14 32 Lamar Scoggins

15 99 Terry Smith

16 47 Brad Hall

17 15D Jamie Dacus

18 124 Mike Weeks

19 18C Dillon Crim

20 97 BLee Burdett

21 26 Tony Knowles

22 15B Tim Busha

23 121 Benji Cole

24 129 Jason Welshan

25 C8 Timothy Culp

Crates

1 17S Jeff Smith

2 07 Larry Timms

3 77 Brian Connor

4 55K Ryan King

5 15B Tim Busha

6 17G Adam Gauldin

7 39J Jimmy Elliott

8 35 Tony Gray

9 11 Scottie Hiett

10 2X Anthony White

11 007 Hunter Best

12 11S Austin Smith

13 10W Chris Wallace

15 51 James Cline

16 29 Jason Welshan

17 47 Michael Page

18 23 Cory Hedgecock

19 95 Brandon Williams

20 18E Chase Edge

21 07JE Jimmy Elkins Jr

22 56 Kyle May

23 21 Mac Owens

24 5C Mike Combs

Limited

1 21 Joe Armistead

2 18MP Mark Page

3 68 Tanner Works

4 81K Adam Cummings

5 17KG George Korrerds

6 5C Jonathan Chapman

7 42 Jared Watson

8 11B Chip Burke

9 66 Paul Allred

10 58 Tony Thompson

11 19M Colten Miller

12 15 Josh Hale

13 7N Nick Yancy

14 119 Mike McConnell

15 247 Dustin Stewart

16 18A Jason Maurer

17 51 Mack McCarter

18 22 Shawn Mooneyham

19 79 Dewayne Powell

20 48 Andy Picklesimer

21 07 David Dotson

22 6C Jeff Crowder

23 11 Lovan Sparks

24 17 Allen Carter

Racing Profile…. Salima Elhaddad

 

Dirt racers are a very close knit family, not everyone can fit in so to speak, but every now and then comes an outsider who not only fits in but makes a stand. Someone who makes a stand that causes racers to stand up and take notice. This person is Salima Elhaddad, editor of dirt Life Illustrated Magazine. This is a new venture that will be highlighting the REAL side of racing. The drivers, the crews, and the fans… not often do the popluar media show you the real side of racing. But Salima has a vision… one to show everyone what real racers are like. Not the racers you see on the TV each and every week, not the ones who takes up all the space in the weekly columns, but the REAL racers, the ones who work 2 jobs to keep a kid racing, or one who works 2 job’s to make sure that the car they drive is ready come Saturday night.

Salima comes from the heart of Texas, a huge Longhorns fan, but since she moved to Ga in 2008 she has been hooked, not on the ‘horns, but on racing, dirt racing to be more specific. And she plans on making an impact on the sport that has never been done before. She plans to highlight, not the super late model drivers who dominate the press each week, but the little guy, who dominates the tracks each week.

I recently got Salima to answer a few questions for me and she was very candid in her answers, here are some of them…..

 

Why do you want to do a magazine about dirt racing?

“I want to do this magazine because most of the media plays up the few popular drivers. But what about the driver who works three jobs to have that hobby car or the dad who burns the midnight oil to make sure his kid’s car is race ready by the time qualifying starts? I never see interviews of pit crew members, flag men, track promoters or car owners. I think the dirt track world is much larger than we’ve been shown.”

Why should dirt racers believe in you, to do the dirt racing world “right”?

“Because I am extremely passionate about dirt track racing and have completely immersed myself in the lifestyle. I have dedicated even my free time to research and development to make sure that I give accurate and non-biased information to my readers.”

What are your plans for Dirt Life Illustrated?

“To spotlight small town dirt tracks, including everyone involved in the dirt track world. Also want to provide tons of information pertaining to dirt racing. There will be something for everyone!”

What do you like about dirt racing the most?

“Well I don’t even know where to start…..I guess if I have to pick one thing it would be that the people in the dirt track world are honest, hard working Americans that keep it a family oriented sport where it doesn’t matter where you are from or who you know you are welcomed with open arms.”

When did you see your first dirt race?

“I saw my first dirt race at Toccoa Speedway Toccoa, GA in 2008 and fell in love and haven’t missed a weekend since.”

 

Who exposed you to dirt racing?

“A friend of the family that showed me around when I first moved to Georgia took me one night, cause he said I didn’t need to sit at home on a Saturday night. “

If you would walk up in the stands at any race and talk to the fans what would you want them to know about you?

“That I am interested in getting to know them.

Tell me something about you that no one knows

“I had a porcupine as a pet when I was young….lol”

 

What did you think when you seen dirt cars really turn it on the first time?

“I thought to myself,  dang! I cant believe that I have been missing out on this my whole life.”

 

you have to admit your name is not one you would normally see connected with dirt racing… care to expound on that?

“I would, but I like the mystery its more fun that way  don’t you think?”

Yes I think it does at that, and you know, I love seeing her passion for  the sport, her passion about her project, and I am so impressed with her passion that I have chosen to take this ride with her as a writer for Dirt Life Illustrated, …. so tell me, What do you think of my new boss?

CYA@THERACES

the dr.

 

Redneck Friends Do Christmas…..

Redneck Friends Do Christmas…

For a number of years I have written about racing and drivers in the North Georgia area, well today I want to step away just a little, this is about Christmas and the spirit of Christmas.

Yesterday Dec. 23 I had the honor of tagging along with country music singer and recording star Cody McCarver and local racer Craig Reece, as they took in a family who wasn’t going to have a good Christmas, everyone knows that Christmas is about the kids, and this was one of the most touching things I have ever witnessed.

At 12:30 we all met up at Wal-Mart in Dalton and in we go with a list. I watched as these two men reverted back to big kids as they walked through the toy department picking up toys and trying to find items on the list.

Craig Reece can push a buggy as good as he drives a race car!

I found out that Cody’s favorite Christmas movie is “Rudolph the red nosed reindeer original version.” It was great to see this man who is a Country Music star show that he is humble and has a heart the size of the sky above. Once the list was filled it was back to Craig’s house to wrap the presents.

Cody McCarver, gift wrapping machine!

Let me say this, not only can Cody McCarver belt out a song, but he is a gift wrapping machine! While every one else was standing there trying to figure out what went where, Cody was in high gear! He was wrapping presents 3 to 1 to everyone else. This guy is good!

Once the gifts were wrapped, we went up to Craig’s race shop to shoot an intro for an up coming video that will be on Cody’s website soon.

Then after a snack, gifts were loaded, and the Caravan took off to the home of the kids who were getting all the presents. When we arrived we were greeted with open arms and I seen a few tears on the faces of the parents when they seen the gifts, it was one of the most touching things I personally have ever seen.

Craig and Cody and all their new fans!

The gifts were all carried in and Cody and Craig started calling out names, and as each child’s name was called the joy and surprise beamed from those little faces. As each opened gifts and saw what was in side the smiles seemed to get bigger and bigger, pulling at heart strings and putting tears in the eyes of everyone there, “Outlaw” from Outlaw Racing Graphic’s was there with some gifts and he had a tear in his eye as well, he also revealed a secret about himself, he can talk and sound just like Elmo! As the gifts were all handed out hugs were going around and it was plain to see that both driver and singer had found some new fans! Autograph’s were handed out and pictures were taken and as the team started to leave a special thanks from the parents touched everyones hearts. It was one special day.

And as Cody and Craig said, this is something that EVERYONE should do! If you got a little extra, then Give, it’s what the season is all about in so many ways.

Craig’s sponsors really stepped up for this and they should be mentioned because they made this happen. National Title Pawn, Powell’s Country Kitchen, Airport Auto Sales, ASI Racewear, Simpson Race Products, GW Performance, Capital Fabrications, AFCO Racing Products, All-Star Performance, Outlaw Racing Graphics, LST Insurance, Hunter Worley Foundation” and Ractek Race Engines.

This was the brainchild of Debrina McCarver, cody’s sister so she needs a big “attagirl” as well.

The way this all came together warms my heart as is should yours as well.

Just a glimpse of what real racers do during the off season! Way to go CRR you guys are the best!

To see all the pic’s I shot yesterday click here https://plus.google.com/photos/107339002093304705787/albums/5689678352999182417?banner=pwa

CYA@THERACES

the dr.

NGS NEWS…..

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Chatsworth Ga. 12/13/11 North Georgia Speedway would like to announce that Mitch “the dr.” Walker has joined the team at North Georgia Speedway. Mitch has helped at the track for the past couple years, and now he will be working directly with the track. Mitch will be in charge of fan promotions and organizing special events. He will also serve as a roving pit announcer. Mitch would like to reach out to the fans for idea’s on how fans want to see things improved at the track, so if you got some idea’s on fan promotions please contact Mitch at Northgeorgiaspeedwaypr@gmx.com he would love to hear from the fans and lets work together to make this coming season a huge success. Again we are happy to have Mitch working with us this year and look forward to a great season of racing with fun for all fans and drivers alike!

I look forward to working at the track this coming year and I will do all I can to make it a smashing success!

Fans you got Ideas? PLEASE send them to me, any promotions you think would be good and would help draw fans in send them too northgaspeedwaypr@gmx.com

top 3 Ideas will receive a free PAIR of passes to the races so make sure to list your contact information.

Drivers and crews…. I need your help too so if you willing to be involved and help out with promo ideas and fan give aways please contact me at thedr@charter.net

PLEASE FORWARD THIS TO EVERY RACER AND FAN YOU KNOW!

THANKS EVERYONE!

CYA@THERACES

the dr.

Craig Reece Crate Late Model driver….

Dalton Ga. Has been known to produce lots of things, bedspreads, carpet, innovative fibers, race car drivers… race car drivers, really?

Yes and one of the hardest charging, up and coming drivers, is Craig Reece. “The Dalton Bad Boy”

Cody McCarver, Craig and Larry Reece

Craig is 31 and grew up in Dalton, he drives the National Title Pawn, Capitol Race Cars, Airport Auto Sales, LST Insurance, Allstars Performance, Afco, Outlaw Racing Graphics, Racetec Race Engines, Cody McCarver, ASI, Simpson Race Products, GW Performance sponsored Capital Race car in the crate classes, around the south.

Recently Craig teamed up with country singer Cody McCarver http://www.codymccarver.com/home/ as a sponsor. The two recently got together to shoot a music video for Cody’s new and up coming song “Redneck Friends of Mine” Craig’s car and crew will be in the video. Cody who has debuted in “Cole Younger and Black Train” due out in April 2012 with Michael Madsen.

I spoke with Cody about his involvement with Craig, I asked him how the two of them got together and Cody said “.I first met Craig through the Hunter Worley Foundation “. http://www.hunterworleyfoundation.org/ “one thing that drew me to CRR was he was a good person working hard at his craft. Just like myself.”you could see the excitement in Cody’s eyes when he talked about racing, in the past Cody said he had followed Harley drag bikes and NASCAR and he has now added Dirt racing to his new loves. Cody said “The fit between racing (especially dirt track) and country music is a no brainer. Craigs fans are my fans. People who are disgruntled with POP country radio and people who are disgruntled with NASCAR!” A very valid point.

Craig says his goals for the coming year is to win more races and to win a Championship. With his skills and crew that is a realistic goal. Dixie Speedway is Craig’s favorite track.

With car builder Marshall Green as a major influence and Marshall’s dad James Green giving Craig the same guidance and coaching that took Marshall to winning the the World Dirt Track Championship. And with the constant guidance and coaching from James, Craig has really improved his chances of moving to the top of his class. And he ain’t far from that now. And when you factor in Cody McCarver into the mix its a match made in heaven.

With this team I see great things in the coming years as both of them find the fit between racing and music a benefit for both.

IMG_5342xxx

Thanksgiving… from the dr…..

 

Now that the season is over, and we all look forward to a new season next year, I personally would like to thank all the people behind the scenes at the track, the people who sell you your tickets, the ones who cook your food, and all the other jobs that don’t always get the recognition that they deserve… here is to you! THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO week in and week out.

Ambulance – Murray County EMS

Announcer – Steve Millings

Concessions Backside – Angela Wilson, Chris and Christy Defore and Daughters

Concessions Topside – Amy Hall, Tony Smith, Micha and Allison Cartledge, Jason and Natima Walker 

Concessions Pit – Jennifer Childers, Breanna Wilson

Deputy – Murray County Sheriffs Dept  Officers J. Sluder, G. Welch, T. Brown

Fireman – John Parker, Jordan Parker, Eric Hastings, Brian Flood, Doug Brown 

Finance / Office - April Young, Misty Young

Flagman – Scott Boyd

Pit Official – Outlaw, Larry Johnson, Shannon Stepps

Raceiver – Jeff Jones

Pit Gate / Grounds / Track Prep - Bobby Defore, Dustin

Back Gate – Carli Smith

ScoreKeeper – Faye Brindle, Annie Brindle, April Stanfield

ScoreBoard – Doug Bridges

Tech – Terry Bingham, Shane Cloer

Ticket Booth Grandstands – Samantha Richards, Rose Winkler

Ticket Booth Pit – Bridgett Harris and Daughters, Carmilita Patterson

Track Prep / Race Director / Promoter / PR and everyday business transactions - Ellis Family Keiff and Tammy, Derek and Heather, Chasta

                                                                                                                      Wilson Family Terry (Tater) and Angela, Breanna, Seth

Gophers and anywhere assitance may be needed – Young Family Kevin and April, Kelly and Misty.

I want to extend a very special thanks to each of the Ellis’ and the Wilson Family for stepping up and keeping our little corner of the world open.

In talking with the Ellis’ and with Terry Wilson in the past few days they are very excited about the coming year. They will be putting some people in place to help get things done and help spread the word.

Rule books and the schedule will be out real soon so that everyone can get a great start to next year.

And I would be remiss if I did not personally thank each of you for reading my blog, the kind words everyone has sent me, it keeps me going. I look forward to a great year next year, I may be doing more things next year to help but more details on that later, thank each and everyone of you, my readers for sticking by me and reading each week.

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday an that you enjoy a special time with your family.

PLEASE keep our men and women in each branch of the Armed Services in your prayers this holiday season as they spend time away from family, to keep each of us safe.

Stay tuned for a couple new driver profiles in the next week and some surprising news about next season at NGS!

CYA@THERACES

the dr.

Cloer and Payne Win the Turkey Rumble!

Johnny Cloer Jr. goes wire to wire for 2nd win at NGS.

Johnny Cloer in the Austin Trucking A19 for the second time, showed what he can do with a good race car. Johnny set fast time, and started on the front row with the B4 of Brian Jackson. But Cloer was locked and loaded, and took the lead and never looked back. Taking the win in the linited class of the Turkey Rumble, Cloer was followed to the line by Brian Jackson and Trig Parris.

Econo Hobby was the first feature of the night with Booger Brooks leading wire to wire, taking the win over former NGS promoter Timmy Millwood, and 2 time track Champion Glenn Grimsley.

Mod Hobby was a strange race that saw Larry Higgins take the win in a 2 lap race, shortened due to a crash and time limit placed on each class. It was a shame the time limit was called because there was a very full field of some very fast cars, with names like Jordan Rodabaugh, who finished 2^nd, Greg Ledford who was scored with 3^rd and Robbie Greene who was scored 4^th, it would have been an awesome race.

Crate ‘s saw Jason Welshan take the win over a hard charging Allen Green and Doug Kilgore, and Craig Reece, Reece was spun and made hard contact before the race even got started good by Kenny Kizzar, both drivers were able to continue.

The Supers put on a awesome show as Jeff Smith stepped up from the crate class with a new car and started on front row with Derek Ellis and lead the first 11 laps before the hard charging David “Coach” Payne took the lead and never looked back he was followed to the line by Derek Ellis, Preston Graves and Gary MacPherson.

"the Coach" David Payne

Stock pony was won by Robert Mcknight , with John Land, Jason Lowe, and Favid Sullens rounding out the top 4,

Mod Pony was a 3 car race with Billy Callahan taking the win and Ralph Langston 2^nd and Briannon Knight 3^rd.

It was an awesome night of racing in most classes, I do wish they could of run more laps in the mod hobby class but time limits were announced in drivers meeting so it is what it is…

Delbert "Mr Smooth" Haynes

CYA@THERACES next season

the dr.

Turkey Rumble Returns!!!!!

Turkey Rumble RETURNS to NGS!!!!

North Georgia Speedway is proud to announce the return of the Turkey Rumble Nov 12. You will see the super late models running 30 laps for a $2000.00 to win feature and the Limited late models will have 1 lap to qualify for the $1000.00 to win feature!

All other classes will run a regular show with heats if more than 10 cars in a class to determine the line up for the feature!

Come on out to watch the last race of the season at NGS and watch the dirt fly one more time!!

Drivers meeting at 5:00pm and hot laps start at 5:30 pm.

Grandstand seating is $12.00 and $25.00 for the pits.

I want to apologize for being late posting this once again my computer has proved to be smarter than I….

 

CYA@THERACES

 

the dr.

the dr talks about safety!

Safety……..

Safety in racing is something we can not do without, from the personal protection devices to the car, to the officials who respond to crashes. Each of these things could benefit from constant improvement. We need to police our sport and keep it safe so all of our drivers and fans and crews come home safe each and every night we go racing,

I want to address some of the issues I have seen in the past few years that need to be looked at, and looked at hard, not just for the drivers and crew but for the tracks as well. If you want to keep racing the tracks need to work hard at making sure that drivers, cars and crews follow the guidelines that are set forth.

Safety items need to be addressed every race, be it helmets, belts fire extinguishers, seats. All of these items need to be at the top of the list and should be watched!

Recently I watched a driver (I will not mention any names but you know who you are) who had some issues with his car, and he wound up hitting the wall, and slamming forward in his seat and slamming his helmet, into the wheel, why? Because his belts WERE NOT ON! Yeah they were over his shoulders but they were not properly latched! In case some of you drivers don’t know, belts should be snug and tight! Not loose. And helmets should be worn tightly and with the strap fastened. I also watched a driver involved in a crash loose his helmet in a crash, why? Because he said a tight strap choked him…… yeah right. Same thing with drivers who don’t wear gloves, or push the sleeves up on their suits, that is DUMB! They put sleeves on those fire suits for a reason! To protect your arms.

Seats should be properly mounted as well as the belts, if you don’t know the right way ASK someone! Is it worth it to cut corners mounting your seat or belts and loose your life or suffer a serious injury? Well if you won’t do it for yourself, or your loved ones then do it for the sport! Because when a driver gets injured and they look back and find that his belts were not mounted correctly or his seat was not right, even if he was burned due to no gloves and sleeves pushed up it comes back on the integrity of the sport. Making the sport look bad and drives up the tracks insurance rates, which cuts the purse the track pays out. So lots of little things add up.. and it all affects the bottom line. MONEY!

I am working on a series of blogs on various safety issues that should be addressed, both from the track level, driver level, and on the car level if you have an issue you would like to see me addressed let me know.

Also if your a driver who has a unique safety feature you would like to share with other drivers PLEASE get in touch with me and lets do all we can to make our sport safer!

thedr@charter.net

I will also be doing a couple stories in the coming weeks about different ventures that some local drivers are involved in! They are going to be great! So stay tuned. You can subscribe to my blog by clicking the subscribe link on the top right of the screen. Do so and when ever I post a new blog you will receive it in your email box.

CYA@THERACES

 

the dr.