Episode 84
December 13, 2015
Chuck Hall of Cherryfield on right with hands out stretched addresses County stock car racers about the possibility of leasing Spud Speedway in 2016. Photo courtesy Beth Ann Doody
Will Spud Speedway Be Open for Stock Cars in 2016?
The possibility of racing at Caribou’s Spud Speedway in 2016 was the topic of discussion as Chuck Hall met with several interested racers at Willette’s Garage in Presque Isle last Saturday. A multitude of questions arose with no definitive answer about Hall leasing in 2016.
Former track promoter John Albert of Limestone leased the track in 2015 and did not renew for next year.
As of publishing time I was unable to contact Chuck Hall for his opinion about the meeting. I hope to do so in the future.
Discussion centered around racing Sunday’s every other weekend. They want to have Enduros, Northern Lights and Street Stocks as the weekly classes.
Kody Swanson of Kingsburg, California now living in Zionsville, Indiana with his wife Jordan at the 2015 USAC Awards Ceremony downtown Indianapolis. This is Swanson’s second Silver Crown Championship in a row. The award ceremony was held while the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show was in town. Photo courtesy Jordan Swanson
WAR At PRI Show
Though I was unable to attend the PRI Show last week in Indianapolis I had my cub reporters, Bobby, Brett, and Wyatt Alexander of Wyatt Alexander Racing (WAR) on the scene for me.
The PRI Show is one of the largest gathering of companies in the performance business in the United States. The show was a closed show where no general admission was allowed; credentialed racers only. Unofficially there were over 76,000 in attendance and 1200 booths.
I asked Bobby Alexander, the crew chief on the WAR #96 Super Late Model, what some of his highlights were.
He replied,”My highlights would be the opportunity to see the new products available from the aftermarket. Meeting up with old racing acquaintances, and the opportunity to attend a few technical seminars.”
” Went to several (seminars) , Intercomp/Hypercoil springs, Freddie Query chassis setup/shocks/bumps, and Gale Force Equipment.”
Some of the crowd at the Indiana Convention Center PRI Show. WAR photo
Bobby, Wyatt, and Brett Alexander at Banker’s Life Stadium for the final event of the 2015 PRI Show. WAR photo
The Invitational Midget race at Banker’s Life Stadium in Indianapolis, Yes this is the home of the Indiana Pacers NBA team. WAR photo
HEMI power on display at the PRI Show. WAR photo
Street Outlaws Show’s nitrous spray through one of their demonstration manifolds. WAR photo
Power was not only on display for automobiles as pictured in the 604 horsepower turbocharged twin cylinder engine snowmobile from Precision Turbo. WAR photo
Thanks to the guys at Wyatt Alexander Racing for their reporting at the PRI Show.
Daytona’s Getting Ready
One view of Daytona International Speedway’s $300 million dollar transformation, “Daytona Rising” project. Photo courtesy Daytona International Speedway
Construction continues at Daytona International Speedway as crews work towards completion before the 24 Hours of Daytona in late January 2016. I spoke to Woodland native Jason Griffeth last week to see how things were progressing in his new post as Head of Grounds (Turf) at the Speedway.
Jason said the turf has been planted for design in the tri oval at the start finish line. The “football stadium” as some would call it, is his biggest showpiece. He also manages hundreds of acres in addition to the tri oval area.
Everything seems to be coming together quite well for the 2016 season debut and Griffeth looks forward to the challenge. I think he looks forward to seeing some County folks or Mainer’s at the track.
Fitchburg, Massachusetts native Ron Bouchard with the Jack Beebe owned Race Hill Farm #47. Photo courtesy NASCAR.com
New England Racer Passes at 67
Ron Bouchard died of complications from cancer last week. My mother lived in Holden, Massachusetts for several years before moving back north in the 70’s. When I brought up the Bouchard name she pointed out that Bouchard had a car dealership in a nearby town. He was a well known and respected man in that area of the state.
Bouchard held track championships at Seekonk, Stafford Springs, and Thompson primarily racing modifieds.
In 1981 he took over the Jack Beebe ride vacated by Harry Gant. In only his 11th start in the Grand National
Series, the Sprint Cup Series equivalent at that time, he won the Talladega 500. Bouchard went low when Darrell Waltrip went high to block Terry Labonte on the final turn on the final lap to win his only race in that series.
Bouchard best points standing was eighth in 1982. He had 160 starts from 1981 to 1987. He was the Rookie of the Year in 1981 beating out such notables as Morgan Shepherd, Tim Richmond, and Joe Ruttman.
Let’s go racing!
Tom Hale
Soli Deo Gloria