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The Official Newsletter Of The American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association

April 2016 Vol. 49 No. 3

Auto Club Speedway Unveils “Richter’s” Club Experience

American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association, Inc. (www.aarwba.org) “Dedicated To Increasing Media Coverage Of Motor Sports” Unveils“Richter’s” Club Experience

Auto Club Speedway Unveiled “Richter’s” Private Fine-Dining, Game-Changing Club Experience dur- ing the NASCAR races in March.

Richter’s is one of Southern ’s most pres- tigious and prominent clubs. Because in real life, Les ‘Coach’ Richter fit both of those descriptions.

The Rams traded 11 players to get Richter in the 50's.

Photos by Dave Simpkins

With the late NFL standout and NASCAR Execu- tive in mind, Auto Club Speedway has created Richter’s, an exclusive, high-end private club that provides 60-80 members the ultimate business and entertainment environment, not only on NASCAR weekends, but year round.

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American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association, Inc. (www.aarwba.org) “Dedicated To Increasing Media Coverage Of Motor Sports” 2 Previous recipients of The Justice Brothers-Shav Glick Award 2015 - Tommy Kendall 2007 - Don Prudhomme 2014 - Bill Simpson 2006 - Phil Hill & Carroll Shelby 2013 - Mickey Thompson 2005 - J.C. Agajanian 2012 - Jeff Gordon 2004 - Les Richter 2011 - Robert E. Peterson 2003 - Rick Mears 2010 - Kenny Roberts 2002 - Parnelli Jones Ed Justice, President and CEO of Justice Brothers presents The Shav Glick award to Ed Iskenderian. 2009 - Frank Kurtis Photo by Al Wong 2001 - Wally Parks 2008 - John Force Ed Iskenderian has been selected as the 2016 win- 2000 - Dan Gurney ner of the 17th Annual Justice Brothers-Shav Glick Award.

For the 17th year, the Justice Brothers-Shav Glick Award recognizes motorsports personalities who have made distinguished contributions to motor- sports in California. Iskenderian was selected by a judging panel, which includes national and Califor- nia motorsports media, to receive the prestigious 2016 Justice Brothers-Shav Glick Award. Ed Jus- tice, Jr. President & CEO of Justice Brothers, Inc. presented the award during the pre-race ceremo- About Justice Brothers, Inc. nies at the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Justice Brothers, Inc. is a manufacturer and worldwide Club 400 race, at Auto Club Speedway on March distributor of over 100 car care products, fleet, farm, and 20th. industrial lubricants and cleaners. Since their beginnings in the additive industry, the Justice Brothers Corporation Ed Iskenderian - A true icon of the speed and per- has been an innovator in the development of new and formance industry that was established in Southern better products to solve problems in the automotive ser- California after World War II. Born in the Central vice industry. During their over 75 years in the automo- Valley of California, Ed's family moved to the Los tive industry, Justice Brothers has built a large and loyal Angeles area pre War where Ed attended Poly- customer base that encompasses quick lubes, dealer- technic High School. It was during this time that Ed ships, and independent auto stores. built his first Hot Rod and in the process became friends with the legendary Ed Winfield, considered About Auto Club Speedway to be the father of hot rodding. Located 50 miles east of in Fontana, Auto Club Speedway is California's premier motorsports facili- After his service in the War, Ed decided to go into ty, hosting over 320 days of track activity each year in- the cam grinding business because the demand for cluding the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 400 cams could not be met by the existing manufactur- weekend March 18-20, 2016. The two-mile D-shaped ers. By supplying quality well designed products for oval is one of the fastest tracks on the circuit. The early racing legends and creative advertising, the Speedway is also home to numerous movies, television "Isky" name became a hallmark. His products and commercial productions, photo shoots, new car test- would go on to be used in hundreds if not thou- ing, club racing and a variety of racing schools. For more sands of record setting runs throughout all forms of information on events at Auto Club Speedway call 1-800- motorsport. Ed was also one of the founders of the 944-RACE (7223) or visit www.autoclubspeedway.com now well-known SEMA show and association.

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American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association, Inc. (www.aarwba.org) “Dedicated To Increasing Media Coverage Of Motor Sports” 3 Utah Legislature Supports Land Speed Racers Submitted by Louise Ann Noeth

me, that's like saying we know that they're taking dirt out of the copper pit, but we don't know if that's what caused the hole."

Committee Vice Chair Rep. Douglas Sagers then went on record saying that he acknowledged that the salt studies have conflicting viewpoints, but that all con- clude that the top salt (halite) crust layer is being de- pleted.

"This is one of the issues we face when we as a state see issues out there with regards to public lands man- agement but we don't control the land," said Mike Mow- er, Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Herbert. "Something is happening that we feel is very negative The Utah House Natural Resources, Agriculture, out on our Bonneville Salt Flats." and Environment Committee unanimously passed a resolution urging the federal government to take A strong Senate sponsor is being sought to help the res- immediate action to restore the Bonneville Salt olution continue making its way through the legislative Flats (BSF). The message is directed to the U.S. process - another step toward restoring the Bonneville Bureau of Land Management, which has controlled Salt Flats, a national treasure. the land since 1946 and allowed millions of tons of salt to be withdrawn from this unique venue for "If the salt flats are allowed to go away, it is not only a land speed records dating back to 1914. The his- travesty, but a tragedy," said Utah Alliance Rep. Robert toric racetrack was once over 13 miles long and in Rampton who is well aware that it is an Area of Critical 2015, racers were unable to identify a 3-mile track. Environmental Concern and listed on the Registry of His- toric Places. House Concurrent Resolution 8 is sponsored by Rep. Stephen Handy and will now be considered by the House. Before the Committee vote, a num- ber of land speed racers representing the Utah Alli- ance, Save the Salt Coalition and Utah Salt Flats Racers Association provided supporting testimony. Participants included Dennis Sullivan, Larry Volk, Robert Rampton, Ron Christensen, Lloyd Parry, Richard Thomas, Val Thomas, and Gary Wilkinson.

It is rare that a resolution passes through commit- tee with 100% support, which allows it to be fast tracked through the remaining process culminating The Save the Salt Foundation is a nonprofit organization in a vote by the Utah Legislature - hopefully before whose mission is to restore the world-famous Bonneville the end of the current legislative session in, mid- Salt Flats. The Utah Alliance is a volunteer Utah-based March. advocacy group using its expertise and contacts at the local level to protect this Historic Place listed on the Na- Representative Timothy Hawkes asked only one tional Register. The Save the Salt Coalition is an umbrel- question regarding past geological survey state- la group comprised of automotive and motorsports ments noting that there had been no measurable companies and organizations with a vested interest in decline in salt on the flats since 1988. Sullivan ex- this national treasure. All three organizations are collabo- plained that geologists and racers interpret "crust" rating to keep the Bonneville Salt Flats available for fu- in two different ways. ture generations.

"It's no longer white; it's brown," observed Sullivan "Refuse to settle for the status quo and defy the powers of the flats. "You can't even see the salt. Some ge- who loathe to have it disturbed." - S. Hendrix ologists say this is a natural occurring event. To

All Contents © The American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association 922 North Pass Avenue Burbank, CA 91505-2703 (818) 842-7005

American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association, Inc. (www.aarwba.org) “Dedicated To Increasing Media Coverage Of Motor Sports” 4 Submitted by Hector Cademartori

I moved to the US from Buenos Aires, Argentina in late says…" and he'd quote 1982 and one of the magazines I was representing want- me imitating my accent. ed me to cover the Indy 500. I had a chance to meet I'd have loved to hear Doug Stokes (yes, that Doug Stokes) on a flight coming John doing that! back from the Daytona 200 motorcycle race and I told him that I wanted to cover Indy, but had no idea about Doug Stokes and John hotels etc. Doug told me that he would check with a worked together when he friend in Indianapolis and called the next day saying, was the Executive Direc- "John Strauser said that you should call him and that you tor at the International are more than welcome to stay at his house". Kart Federation and John was the President:"We That was the beginning of a wonderful friendship with reminisced about how John. He had been around motorsports all his life and much John seemed to took me everywhere and introduced me to everybody at always make his goal the Speedway. For the next 15 years I'd go to Indianapo- making other people lis and stay with John and his family. We went to Indy comfortable. My work 500 parties (including one at his mother's where all the with him at IKF was a family showed up) and at friends' homes in the days wonderful experience, his when drivers, team owners and racing personalities such steady spirit and authen- as Bobby Unser would show up at a private residence tic enthusiasm for the BBQ, have a good time and talk about the race while the sport got us both through rest of us listened trying to absorb as much as we could. pretty difficult times for that organization. Though every type of I remember that Gramma Strauser knew more about the challenge (and in motorsports administration there are plenty of "500" that all of us together. them and they occur often) he was the steady one, the coun- selor, the one who had the best grasp an the least agitation I also went to Indy for the PRI Show and the Motorcycle (showing anyway). I'm damn sure that his "day job" as an air Trade Show, but the focal point of my trips was to see traffic controller had a great deal to do with steadiness, com- John. Every night, after dinner, we would stay until 1 or 2 pared to mine. in the morning talking about racing, world politics, racing, life and more racing, drinking gallons of coffee. I always In recent years I had lost contact with him…I know that he was teased him that because of the late hours and the coffee losing contact with us and I know that in my heart that he just I'd name him "honorary Argentine". didn't want to let on lest we were saddened by his condition. “I believe he took himself out of the game, more for us than for himself", wrote Doug in a perfect description of John's life and character he added this: "When jerks argued with knotheads over tiny stupid things at the race track all he'd say was: 'Look people, this is supposed to be fun.' ... with him it always was".

He died in Franklin, Indiana on January 7th and is survived by his daughter, Debbie Strauser Lemke, brother, David Strauser, cousin Linda Haywood, grandson Chad Lemke, dear friend Nancy Hunt and several nieces and nephews.

Dane Strauser, his nephew, sent me a lot of photos for this piece and many from the first years at Indy. Wonderful memo- ries. . The obituaries will tell that he was a graduate of the Arsenal Technical School and sergeant in the US Air Force from 1953 John with Linda Vaughn to 1957 as an air traffic controller. That he worked as a Federal Aviation Air Traffic Controller for 60 years, a commercial pilot, On race day, we would go to the track at 5 in the morn- president of the International Kart Federation and Indianapolis ing, take the shortcut through the Speedway Motel (re- 500 Official IMS Photographer. And that he was a member of member when there was a Speedway Motel?) and have the Masonic Lodge, Elks Lodge, the Greenfield American Le- breakfast in the coffee shop under the garage bleachers gion and AARWBA, but, above all, John was one of us. waiting for the cannon shot to open the gates to the gen- He was a good friend and I'll miss him. eral public. Hector Cademartori His long time friend, Nancy Hunt, recently told me that, in conversation, John would say "and as my friend Hector

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American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association, Inc. (www.aarwba.org) “Dedicated To Increasing Media Coverage Of Motor Sports” 5 Chevrolet Camaro SS convertibles presented as 500 Festival Event Cars

A longtime Indianapolis 500 tra- dition was renewed today be- tween the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Chevrolet when 33 directors of the 500 Festival received 2016 Chevrolet Cama- ro SS convertibles on the IMS main straightaway.

The “Festival Event Cars” have reminded Indianapolis-area resi- dents of the upcoming Indianap- olis 500 since the 1960s, and this year’s fleet of unique Cama- ros will again turn heads as they are driven around Central Indi- ana.

“You know the Month of May is almost here when the Indianapo- lis 500 Festival cars are seen around the streets of Indianapolis and beyond,” The Festival cars feature a Hyper Blue exterior and an said J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speed- Abalone white stripe accent with a black convertible top way president. “Once again, our friends at Chevro- and black leather interior. The 100th Running of the Indi- let have delivered a fleet of beautiful Chevrolet anapolis 500 graphic is featured prominently on the Camaro SS convertibles that will get fans even doors and includes the iconic IMS wing and wheel on the more excited for our historic 100th Running of the quarter panels. Indianapolis 500.” “Racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is such a big This year’s 500 Festival cars are based off the part of Chevrolet’s history and we are proud to continue 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS convertible and are to have such a strong relationship with the track,” said powered by the LT1 6.2L V-8, which offers 455 Jeff Chew, senior manager of strategic planning and op- horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque – making it the erations for Chevrolet Racing. “It is a pleasure for Chev- most powerful Camaro SS ever. rolet to support the efforts of the 500 Festival board members with these special Camaros, as they serve as The 2016 Camaro is the only convertible in the ambassadors in their communities and generate excite- segment to offer all of the following: ment ahead of the big race.”

Fully automatic operation with latches that auto- “As a nonprofit organization committed to enriching lives matically release and secure the top. and celebrating the impact of the Indianapolis 500, our Capability of opening or closing at speeds up to 30 board members travel throughout Indiana in the Festival mph. cars, participating in various community outreach pro- Remote opening with the key fob. grams and in our numerous events that draw in excess A hard tonneau cover that deploys automatically, of 500,000 people annually,” said Bob Bryant, 500 Festi- providing a more refined, finished appearance val president and CEO. “We’re proud of our longstanding when the top is lowered and stowed. partnership with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Chevrolet and look forward to using the Festival cars to Like the Camaro coupe, the convertible benefits further promote the community celebration leading up to from a stiffer, lighter structure that helps reduce the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500.” total vehicle weight by at least 200 pounds com- pared to the model it replaces. Consequently, the The 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Camaro convertible retains the coupe’s sharp PennGrade Motor Oil will take place on Sunday, May 29. chassis tuning and nimble reflexes.

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American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association, Inc. (www.aarwba.org) “Dedicated To Increasing Media Coverage Of Motor Sports” 6 All Contents © The American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association 922 North Pass Avenue Burbank, CA 91505-2703 (818) 842-7005

American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association, Inc. (www.aarwba.org) “Dedicated To Increasing Media Coverage Of Motor Sports” 7 American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association Inc. 922 North Pass Avenue, Burbank, CA 91505-2703 Phone: 818-842-7005 FAX: 818-842-7020 "Dedicated To Increasing Media Coverage of Motor Sports" The AARWBA is the oldest and largest professional organization of its kind. Founded in 1955 in Indianapolis, it has grown to more than 400 members throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Each year the AARWBA members select a 14-driver All America Team from Open Wheel, Stock Car, Sports Car, Drag Racing, Short Track, Touring Series and At Large championship categories. An annual banquet is held to honor these drivers each January. AARWBA also sponsors several contests for its members and established the “Legends in Racing” auto racing hall of fame.

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