24 | July | 2017 | Rick at the Races

Weekly Report (17 July to 24 July)

Monday 17 July started off with a trip to the clinic for a blood test. The doc’s want to monitor the effects of a new medication we are trying,

Compared to last week, this was a quiet one, with plenty of time to relax at home. Most of the mid week dirt racing action was taking place in Ohio at the Eldora and Sharon Speedways.

They were both hosting SUPER DIRT SERIES races, with the Eldora event being part of a NASCAR Truck Race. Last year I attended the Sharon SDS show, but not this year.

These days, I don’t have any interest in NASCAR or Truck Racing , but things were different for this year in Eldora.

Firstly it’s a dirt track and not paved. Secondly the top Canadian dirt modified driver, Stewart Friesen who recently added Truck Racing to racing schedule, had drawn pole position, after setting the fastest time.

On Wednesday (19 July) morning I received a Face Book message from Stewart , seeking my permission for FOX TV to use one of my old photos for a pre race presentation. It was a picture I’d taken of him beside his Modified at Autodrome Edelweiss in 2003 at the start of his career.

Of course , I agreed

So for the first time ever I planned to watch a televised NASCAR Truck Race , green to checkers. It would also be the first NASCAR race I’d watched this year. It wasn’t going out on my TV, but thanks to a net work of on-line dirt racing buddies, I was able to follow the FOX TV coverage via a live streaming.

BILLY WHITTEKER (photo by John Meloling)

Prior to the much anticipated Truck Race , there was a SUPER DIRT RACE for the Big Block Mods. This was won by Billy Whitteker. The Tuesday night SDS was won by Billy Decker. Unfortunately FOX never televised the Modified races, which was a bit disappointing considering, the extra dirt racing fans they had gained as viewers.

The pre-race presentation, featured the leading contenders, and when they were talking about and interviewing Stewart Friesen, my picture was not only put up once, but twice. Oh I was a happy and proud camper . Within minutes of it being showed I had messages from friends who had spotted my picture.

Once the 150 lap race got under way, Stewart in the # 52 truck, led for most of the race and wasn’t passed by (eventual winner) Matt Crafton until the closing laps.

Stewart Friesen in action at Eldora. (Jessica Friesen photo)

Here’s a nice picture taken by Jessica Friesen, Stewarts wife.

A second place is good, you can’t knock that, and he did the Dirt Fans proud.

On Thursday (20 July) I had another relaxing day spent at home, waiting for the results to come through from the evening SUPER DIRT SERIES race at Sharon. This one was won by Australian, Peter Britten, it being, his first SDS win.

On Friday (21 July) I joined my friend Chantel once again on a road trip to Albany NY, to stay at her boy friend Pro Stock racer, Rob Yetmans place.

This weekend two DIRTCAR Series races were taking place at the Albany-Saratoga and Lebanon Valley Speedways and many of our local drivers were also making the trip.

We left Friday morning and again, shared the driving. We were at the Albany Saratoga (Malta) track in good time to meet the with the rest of the Yetman Team.

As usual at this track, Modifieds and Sportsman were also on the program.

Before the racing got under way I went along to hear race director, Denis Moquin, give his instructions at the drivers meeting.

When racing began , I joined track photographer Mark Brown, Dave Delasandro and Mark Kane out on turn one and two to take my pics.

I was also in a good position to catch a scary looking wreck at the end of the front stretch.

Kris Varnold flipped his Modified and bounced along the safety fence and retaining wall. Luckily Kris was able to walk away from it.

There were two feature races for the Modifieds, as they played ‘catch up’ after recent rain outs .

First was won by , Kenny Tremont .

The second one by Jeremy Wilder.

When it came to the Pro Stock Series race it was my host, for the weekend, Rob Yetman who took the honors.

When it came to the Victory Lane ceremonies, your truly ‘photo bombed’ the crew shot .

Just like the previous week, before heading back to Rob’s place, we stopped for a late night supper at the Recovery Bar and Grill, in Malta.

My Saturday (22 July) morning, was spent editing the previous nights pictures, before cooling off in Robs swimming pool. Some of the other crew members had arrived earlier to wash down the car from the previous night.

Around 1-00 pm we all left on the short ride to the Lebanon Valley Speedway. This was day two of the Albany area DIRTCAR series for Pro Stocks.

After a short delay, following a light rain shower, the show got going.

The Pro Stocks were joined on the program by Big Block Modifieds, 358 Modifieds, plus the usual 4 and 8 cylinder budget divisions.

The 358 Modified Feature was won by Ray Hall Jr.

The Big Block Modified feature was a great race as Keith Flach charged through the pack to get the checkers,

The DIRTCAR Pro Stock feature provided fans with a race long duel for first place between young Steve Larochelle. and Rob Yetman,

They battled side by side for almost all the 30 laps, with both of them driving cleanly and showing respect. At the checkers it was the young Larochelle, who claimed his first major win.

It was a thrilling race and Rob was one of the first to congratulate, Steve.

It was a while before we could leave, as Lebanon Valley is one of those tracks where the pits are on the middle, so there was no rush to get out. Rob is one of the most popular drivers at the track, so it’s a good time for them to sell T Shirts.

Once the car was packed away, another late night supper was had, this time at ‘My Place’ in Schodack.

The next morning (Sunday 23 July) before leaving, Chanty helped Rob unload the race car.

We then headed back to Canada , with her doing most of the driving , while I snoozed. I think I fell asleep passing Malta and woke up just before Plattsburgh.

I was back at my house in Cornwall about 2-00 pm , where I took it easy for a few hours.

There was a lot on the program at the Cornwall Motor Speedway, and after a busy weekend, I had no intention of being there all night, for the complete show.

I arrived just as the hot laps were beginning , and sat on top of the Pit Tower for most of the night taking my pics. I was then transported to the center by Ron Morin on his Golf Kart, for the two races that interested me most.

The 100 lap “Race for the Cure” for Sportsman was a great race with Shane Pecore managing to hold off a strong challenge from Martin Pelletier in the final 20 laps. Brianna Ladouceur was not far behind in third.