www.theracingconnection.comwww.theracingconnection.com February, 2014 MPLS/ST. PAUL PLYMOUTH (651) 641-1414 (763) 475-0475 fluid transfer solutions BURNSVILLE (952) 895-5400 The ONLY Comapny with 3 Centers & 18 Service Trucks in the Metro Area ETA 1 HOUR ON-SITE HOSE SERVICE February, 2014 Page 2 Proud sponsors of; Adam Royle, Jonny Hentges & Vince Corbin Page 3 February, 2014 At the beginning of January, we made our annual trek to the ISOC Snocross race at Canterbury Park in Publisher's Note Shakopee, Minn. It sure seemed weird driving by The Midwest Raceway Park and knowing that the horse track is RACING the only race track left in Shakopee. Connection Racing According February, 2014 Anyway, back to the racing at Canterbury Park. to Plan Tucker Hibbert showed why he is leading the points P.O. Box 22111 on the ISOC tour this year, sweeping the weekend as St. Paul MN, 55122 651-451-4036 he captured both the Friday and Saturday night main www.theracingconnection.com events. Hibbert also broke the career win total held th by Blair “Superman” Morgan with his 85 tour win. Publisher He’s like the Jimmy Johnson of Snowmobiles, or Dan Plan Snowmachines as Ms. Palin would say. Contributing Writers Now I’m sure equipment plays a factor in Snocross Shane Carlson just like any other motorsport activity, but this guy Dale P. Danielski sure seems like he simply out-drove a number of his Eric Huenefeld competitors. The home town team of Hentges racing, Kris Peterson Jason Searcy lead by Kody Kamm, gave it their best shot (maybe Dean Reller Dan Plan even an elbow or two) to keep up. Kamm ended the Stan Meissner weekend with a second and third place finish for the Charlie Spry Welcome back to our first issue of the 2014 season. weekend. A lot has happened in the last two months, but we’ll Photographers start out with one of the live events we were able to The nice thing about the ISOC show is the length of Jim Ambruoso (815-623-3200) the races. Each race is short and quick. Even the Rick Blewett (507-398-9483) witness live to start out the season. Martin DeFries (651-346-1199) main event was only 15 laps long. Doug Hornickel (920-563-0993) Bruce Nuttleman photo Nothing wrong with that in my book. Tom Johnson (612-309-7142) Despite what AT&T says in their Mark Melchiori (414-463-0131) cute-kid commercials, sometimes Stan Meissner (651-428-4717) more isn’t better. Really, sometimes Bruce Nuttleman(612-860-6622) Jerry Zimmer (715-792-2174) it’s better to be left wanting more. Maybe the length of short track races The Midwest Racing Connection is published ten is one of the reasons for the times during the summer racing season by The Plan challenges so many see these days at Company, Inc. All material is copyrighted 2013 and weekly shows. It always amazes me may not be reprinted without permission. when I look through old stories and Subscriptions are $20 for ten issues. Call 651-451-4036. see feature races were 15-20 laps long. If you look at the crowds today Cover photos by: Martin DeFries, John Kaufenberg compared to years ago, they must and Bruce Nuttleman have been doing something right? Member of the NMPA National Motorsports Press Association continued on page 4 AIRPORT SERVICE - CALL 24 HOURS *Time Calls - Appointments DISCOUNT TAXI FOR TRANSPORTATION Toll Free 1-888-240-8294 612-723-5500 www.discounttaxiracing.com February, 2014 Page 4 Bruce Nuttleman photo part B. Whatever money is left over is then going to be spent on expensive part C. It’s just the way things work. It’s not a new concept, and it probably will be this way 20 years from now. A more appropriate term would be “this rule was put in place to prevent racers from spending too much money on this item, and will allow them to spend money on another item.” That seems more like it, right? And finally we have something old and something new in this issue. The something old is a column by Stan Meissner. This is in no way a reference to Stan’s age, just referring to a column that is returning to the pages of MRC for the 2014 season. The continued from page 3 going to allow a racer to take some money and put it something new is a NASCAR column by Winona State University student, Shane Carlson. We’re We also recently had a chance to attend the monthly back in their wallet (or purse these days) or maybe looking forward to the return of Stan to these pages meeting in January for the IMCA Oldtimers. This even in their bank account. We all know that simply this year and the new content from Shane. wasn’t one of their regular business meetings, but isn’t the case. If a rule is in place that specifically was described as a “bench racing session” for the states a racer can’t by expensive part A, they are group members. We made a visit to donate some of most likely going to turn around and buy expensive trophies passed along by the Prziborowski family and were pleasantly surprised by the amount of memorabilia on hand. We also ran into Marge Elftmann at the meeting and found out she is putting together a second volume of her Raceway Park history book. If you’re interested in the first copy, she still has a few left and the second copy should be available later this year. Marge can be reached at [email protected]. Now on to the topic of racers and the amount of money they will spend. One of the common things I noticed on the dirt and pavement side is the term “saving racers money” has come up various times. It may be related to exotic materials, or it may be related to engines or even other parts associated with short track racing. I’ve always gotten a laugh out of the term “saving racers money.” It gives the implication that a rule is The IMCA Old Timers club hosted a bench racing session for their January meeting Page 5 February, 2014 The Inside Dirt Stan Meissner photo Stan Meissner A lot of great racing can be found within a few hours of the Twin Cities area. Husets Speedway is located in an area that has a long tradition of Sprint Car racing. The action can get intense at Husets as illustrated by “I’m Back!” Not in as dramatic of a fashion as the Terminator who made that proclamation famous but Donavan Peterson literally stuffing his car into the wall I’m back writing this column after following a during Cheater’s Day 2008. reduced schedule last season. Chasing races brings With Red Cedar also committed to the Late Models it the challenge of having to work around home projects, I think of the upper Midwest as an area that is divided should help the class to remain strong in western family functions and the family budget but I’m ready into different types of racing all in close proximity Wisconsin. to give it my best shot again in 2014. A revised which is great for the fan that enjoys some variety. publication schedule and an offer I couldn’t refuse For example down in southeast Minnesota Modifieds In addition to the aforementioned weekly programs a were enough to coax me out of my self imposed are king and the Deer Creek Speedway serves as a few hours of windshield time will get you to the hiatus. I’d like to say that the editor got down on his hub for that type of racing. Deer Creek recently Knoxville Raceway to the south or Angell Park knees and begged me to return but in reality I was announced that they have discontinued their weekly Speedway to the east. With all that variety and plenty more like a prodigal son. I didn’t return all disheveled Late Model class further cementing their commitment of great weekly racing as and special events nearby from too much wine, women and song like the biblical to Modified racing. Drive west a couple hours on I90 the choices can be overwhelming at times. I’m one version but I didn’t have to give the offer much into southwest Minnesota and from Jackson to Sioux of those folks who has to weigh my tentative schedule thought before saying yes. I’m happy that the door to Falls Sprint Cars are the preferred type of motorized against a seniority based vacation roster. I don’t MRC didn’t close behind me while I was preoccupied madness. Jackson ran a Sprints only program for usually have any problem getting the Fridays and with other matters. many years and still features some of the best Sprint Car racing on a half mile north of Knoxville during the weeks necessary to fit my racing schedule, my challenge as it is with most people is funding travel Schedules are always a hot topic this time of the year. course of the season. Husets Speedway offers up and motels to make my wish list a reality. Fortunately My rule of thumb when writing up a racing schedule two classes of Sprint Cars on a weekly basis and is a if scheduled travel plans don’t pan out we have plenty starts with an ambitious wish list and that’s the point fun place to watch racing.