Got a really great picture? Send it to us with your information and we will post it for all the world of racing to see. aXe@openwheelracers3.com
June 25 2010
Gary Gasper shoots USAC Sprint cars Week at Kokomo spwdy July 11 2010
A few photos from Friday's POWRi Midget action
Belle Clair Speedway in Belleville, IL.
Photos from ASCSED@aol.com
POWRi Midget action.
Austin Brown (7) and Brad Loyet race for the lead in the feature event
Brad Loyet in action
Brad Loyet celebrates
Brad Loyet and crew enjoy POWRi victory lane at Belle Clair Speedway
June 12 2010
Images from Wednesday's opening leg of Illinois Sprint Week at Pierce's Vermilion County Speedway....
TWC Photos ASCSED@aol.com
1 - Jon Stanbrough in victory lane after topping the opening night of Illinois Sprint Week at Pierce's Vermilion County Speedway in Danville, IL.
2 - Jon Stanbrough and crew in VCS victory lane.
3 - Jon Stanbrough in feature action.
4 - Chris Windom (11) holds off Jon Stanbrough (53) for the lead in the mid-stages of Wednesday night's non-stop 30-lapper.
5 - Chris Windom (11) races underneath Hunter Schuerenberg (35) for the lead on the ninth lap of Wednesday night's feature at Pierce's Vermilion County Speedway.
6 - A heat race goes green at VCS.
7 - Heat race action at VCS
8 - Jon Stanbrough drove the Fox Brothers No. 53 to victory lane Wednesday night at VCS.
Unofficial top eight: 53-Jon Stanbrough, 11w-Chris Windom, 4g-Casey Shuman, 35-Hunter Schuerenberg, 7x-Korey Weyant, 23-Mitch Wissmiller, 2-Wayne Johnson, 14-Hud Cone.
Lap leaders: Hunter Schuerenberg 1-8, Chris Windom 9-20, Jon Stanbrough 21-30.
No cautions in the feature
Images from Thursday night's Illinois Sprint Week event at La Salle Speedway.
From TWC Photos ASCSED@aol.com
Terry Babb in Illinois Sprint Week victory lane at La Salle Speedway
Terry Babb and crew in Illinois Sprint Week victory lane at La Salle Speedway
Casey Shuman (4g) & Terry Babb (21x) battle for the lead in early rounds of Thurday's feature at La Salle
Wayne Johnson (2) and Terry Babb (21x)
Casey Shuman (4g) and Wayne Johnson (2)
Casey Shuman (4g) and Justin Grant (5) battle in heat race action
Heat race action at La Salle Speedway
Heat race down the frontstretch at La Salle
Justin Grant
Terry Babb
June 10 2010
Star Mazda Series @ORP May 29, 1010
by
Kevin Triplett
Live Oak California
Contributor to OWR3
Saturday evening, May 29, 2010, O’Reilly Raceway Park hosted the 65th annual NOS Energy Drink “Night before the 500” presented by Comfort Suites of Brownsburg, featuring the USAC National Midget series. The history of this event dates back to the 1940’s, when drivers would compete at the old 16th Street Speedway (now the site of the Brickyard Plaza Shopping Center) the night before competing in the ‘500’ the next day. This year, the racing program also featured the USFF200 series and the Star Mazda series, both of which are considered steps in “the road to Indy.” Unfortunately, this author missed the USFF2000 event, so this article will focus on the 125-lap Star Mazda race. A later article will focus on the USAC midget event.
The cars raced in this series are all manufactured by Star Race Cars of California, using a carbon fiber chassis and 19-gallon fuel cell and as –raced weight of 1900 pounds. The cars are all powered by 250 HP Mazda rotary engines, mated to a six speed sequential transaxle using Goodyear slick tires. These cars have considerable adjustments: shocks, front and rear sway bars, adjustable brake bias, and wing angles, which will enable the drivers to learn car set-up skills that they can put to use as they move up the racing ladder. The Star Mazda series has been competing since 1991; this race featured drivers from ten different countries.
While visiting the pits, the author met Tatiana Calderon, a 16-year old lady driver from Bogota, Columbia, making one of her first starts on an oval track. Although she had tested at ORP several weeks earlier, she is still learning how to be fast on an oval track 2010 is Tatiana’s rookie year in the Star Mazda series; she was the 2008 Snap-on Stars of Karting divisional champion, the first female ever to win such a prestigious event, and was the IAME International Challenge Champion in 2008. Ms. Calderon is a teammate to Indiana resident Conor Daly, son of former ‘500’ competitor Derek Daly. Look for this young lady in the starting field at the big track on Georgetown Road sometime soon.
Daly led every lap of the event, for his third straight win. Tatiana Calderon placed eleventh, retiring after 67 laps. The race featured minimal passing, and had only one yellow flag, at lap 25, for Carlos Linares’ crash in turn four.
The Star Mazda Series competes next on June 19 at Iowa Speedway.
All photos by Kevin Triplett 
“Drivers awaiting introductions before the big crowd.”
“Tatiana Calderon getting set to go racing.”
“Eventual winner Conor Daly suiting up.”
“Rusty Mitchell of Midland Texas runs a clean line through turn one of the ORP oval.”
“Front row starters Mikeal Grenier of Canada and Conor Daly battle through turn one on the opening lap. Grenier finished second to Daly.”
“Like most modern rear engine cars, the Star Mazda cars do not have gauges, instead using steering wheel mounted digital readouts
June 3 2010
Indy shop tours part one
Kevin Triplett
Live Oak California
Contributor to OWR3
While in Indianapolis for the ‘500,’ this author was fortunate enough to make visits to several shops in the Brownsburg, Indiana to learn about what goes into building modern race cars. Near Johnson Lane in Brownsburg, there is a complex of several shops of particular interest to racers.
Composite Specialties
“The entrance to Composite Specialties.”
Composite Specialties, operated by Jeff Burnett, an Australian by birth, manufactures carbon fiber parts mainly for the drag racing industry; the day the author visited, injector “top hats” were the focus of fabrication. Well-known customers using Composite Specialties products include Pedregon Racing, the 2007 and 2008 NHRA funny car champions, Morgan Lucas, and Tim Wilkerson. In addition to injectors, Composite Specialties also builds carbon fiber fuel tank vents, side window vents, dragster wings, spill plates, and sidepods. Jeff is also the exclusive US distributor for NRE billet cylinder heads for alcohol drag racing applications, which are manufactured in Australia.
Many racers and fans have seen carbon fiber parts and pieces, but the author learned the steps of the process during the visit. Similar to fiberglass (glass reinforced polymer); the composite material is commonly referred to by the name of its reinforcing fiber, in this case, carbon fiber. Parts used in less critical areas, such as injectors, are manufactured by draping cloth over a mold, with epoxy preimpregnated into the fibers (known as prepreg). The alignment and weave of the cloth fibers is chosen to optimize the strength and stiffness properties of the resulting material. The parts then cure in an autoclave, because even small air bubbles in the material will reduce strength.
For more information on Composite Specialties, visit their website at www.compositespecialties.com
The author thanks Composite Specialties for their hospitality.
photos By Kevin Triplett
“A finished injector top hate ready to ship.”
“A different style injector top hat being completed.”
“A injector top hat mold waiting for the prepeg fibers.”
“The Composite Specialties autoclave, with some injectors in the foreground.”
“Two carbon fiber dragster air scoops.”
“The author holding one of the very lightweight injector top hats.”
May 23 2010
Photos from Lonnie Wheatly. They were taken sat 22 of may at Lawton Ok.
Tyler Thomas (91) and Blake Hahn (52) battle for the lead in the latter portion of Saturday night's ASCS2 Midget main event at Lawton Speedway.
The youngest driver in the field, 14-year-old Tyler Thomas of Collinsville, OK, completed a sweep of the inaugural weekend of ASCS2 Midget competition with a Saturday night win at Lawton Speedway after taking Friday night honors at Creek County Speedway near Tulsa.
A Chevy ECOTec ASCS2 Midget heat race under Saturday night's sunset at Lawton Spdwy
May 16 2010
When ever I get to Speedway Indiana I try to stop by Jim Linders shop, In case You dont know it has moved from gasoline alley shops to Main street in Speedway;
aXe
Hot Roding with Jim Linder at www.Bubbashotrodshop.com
If You ever get to Main street in Speedway over by Charlie Browns Restaurant You have to visit Jim Linders Fuel Injection and more shop.
He is severely devoted to Hot Roding and has open house I think still on Wednesday nights if He is in Town?
WATCH out for that HOT Food though, I saw Him pour a whole bottle of Hot Sauce one night into one of their creations, I just smelled it and My Mouth was burning!!!
Jim Linder
Linder is one very Qualified guy in Electrics and more his specialty is Fuel Injections though.
He also gives classes in Auto ignition systems check it out on His web site.
Here are a few pictures from the shop
The shop on Main st in Speedway
Jim has also got a challenge out for that Big Brown Truck with this Tow Rig.
Challange made is on the side of the tow Rig
Something must be top secret in the Fuel Injection part of the shop?
Story and Photos by aXe
May 13 2010
Follow up to story below this one.
Denny Jamison's "Hammer Art" Aluminum pounder!
Don Smiths Sumar Logo
Denny and Crew is as we speak finishing up on the Sumar Streamliner Replica 1955 Indianapolis speedway car. He is going to take it to the Indianapolis speedway on this saturday to unviel it. It will be displayed in one of the F1 garages.Check it out when You go out there.
I stopped by their shop and checked out how they were coming along with it,
It should be wrapped up and ready to show by Saturday.
Here She is with Denny along side, part of the body work is in place. Here is the more of the Aluminum body ready to mount. May 8 2010
Next project up for Denny and the Hammer Art shop is this Sumar streamliner Street Car. They will move the driver to the left siode of the casr and add a passanger seat. Not much more known about it at this time but stay tuned as it gets off the drawing board.
Photos AND STORY by aXe
Denny's Hammer Art, Sumar replicar, Built for Don Smiths collection.
Here in Indiana one of My first stops every May is always to Dennys Jamisons, Hammer Art shop.
This is a continuing story of the replica car Sumar streamliner built for the indy 500.
It is getting close to being finished. They are to have it on display at the Indianapolis spdwy for the week starting on the May 15th in one of the F1 garages? Lots of work left to do on it. The first body parts were in the paint booth this morning. Here are a few pictures of how it looked today.
Chassie is all painted and ready for the body, which is being painted.
aXe
Front view Xed trosion bars Front view long stearing link on left with arm
Side view huge stearing wheel rear view with fuel trank bay for 75 gal tank
Offy Engine Jos Hunt Mag
Front body view ready to paint Body is on frame mockup
body rear views
rear and side view of body Tail fin
May 5 2010
Gary Gasper
Indiana
Photo Contributor to OWR3
The racing season has finally started here in Indiana and Illinois! Saturday night racing May 1st including OWR#'s correspondent Racer Rich's IMOD car and driver and also the feature winner's car and victory lane. I will be covering IMOD's, UMP Modifieds and occasionally sprint cars as far as open wheel cars go at 4 different tracks this year.
Gary Gasper.
April 15 2010
more from, Lone Star Rod & Kustom Roundup Rats & Drag race car pictures
Rat Rod Hearse complete with its own casket below it
RAT Rods
Not sure what this is, but it came with its own Bullet Holes, maybe not a true Rat Rod because it is primed?
About ten Bullet holes in the door
They drove this old T pickup with the Original WOODEN wheels to the show
Ford Powered rail
Willys with huge engine
Bantam the owner told Me he couldnt keep it straight after the first 100'
Those were just a few pictures of the over 3,000 Rats, Kustom, Show and Race Cars there. Way to much for these old eyes and Brain to comprehend in 2 days.
all photos by aXe
April 14 2010
First set of Lone Star Rod & Kustom Roundup pictures, I am not into Hot Rods so I cant tell you much about them.
I am not sure what this is??? Kustom for sure
Do you remember these 61? Cadddies Bullet tail lights, they seemed to be stolen a lot
This 49 or 50 merc had a late model engine stuck in it
This 49 or 50 merc was keeping with its eras Flat Head engine with triple carbs
Below One of the nicest roadsters there a very high doller investment
All above photos By aXe
April 4 2010
Pictures from Shasta California speedway BCRA midgets sent in by Robert Haugh
Thanks to MMRACINGPHOTOS
Chad Nichols passing ?
2nd Nick Foster Winner Chad Nichols 3rd Snake Livernash?
Chad Nichols
Chad Nichols
Mar 28 2010 INDY TRACKVIEW – A CLOSEUP LOOK AT THE Early on a Sunday morning, I roamed the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with my camera in hand. I was on a mission. I wanted to see those things that others might consider mundane, or uninteresting. For me, they were fascinating. In 2009, with my childhood many decades in the past, I was fortunate to have press credentials for the “500”, thanks to the late John LeVan. At I saw air guns being prepped, To spend a day at the speedway will always be a privilege to me, and the honor to have media credentials, as I did in 2009, only made it extra special. To occupy the same space in the media center as Sid Collins, and Chris Economaki, and Jim McKay, has always filled me with pride. I can still hear my own footsteps as I walked along pit road in the early morning quiet of race day. My solitude was interrupted by the occasional sounds of tools and tires from the few pit crew members already scurrying around their assigned spots. Stan / Mal
St Pete IZOD pictures from Sat 27 Mar
Richard Golardi
Florida
Contributor to OWR3
AJ & Vitor Golardi Photo AJ Vitor Golardi Photo
Ryan Hunter-Reay Golardi Photo Miss Izod Golardi Photo
Cooper Tire Girls Golardi Photo
Will Power Verizon #12 Golardi Photo Ryan Brisco Team Penske #6 Golardi Photo
Takuma Sato rookie #5 Lotus KV racing Technologies Golardi Photos
USF car of Sage Karam Andretti Autosport driver
more ST Pete Pictures from Sunday 28 Mar
Mar 25 2010
Richard Golardi
Florida
Contributor to OWR3
Rich fufills a dream kiss's the Bricks
My love affair with this event, known as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing”, began in 1964, when I was just 6 years old.
My father took me to my first auto race in June 1964, at Langhorne Speedway in
At the end of that race, I was hooked for life.
500 logo on the chevorlet pace car
From the outside looking in
The swing gate leading from the pit area to the asphalt of the 5/8 mile front straight was open, and I walked through it.
I could only imagine the intensity and bravery needed to wheel a high speed open wheel car into the narrow cavern of turn one at well over 200 miles an hour. I turned in all directions, down to turn four, far in the distance, and looked up at the flag stand. I noticed cameras placed by the TV crews near the track.
Front stretch looking into turn one
Yard of Bricks at the start and finish line
Camera ready
I knew this would be the time to take some photos of the track itself, and whatever caught my eye. I had promised to get an answer to the question regarding the “Formula 1 start lines”, which appeared to either be painted or imbedded in the asphalt of the front straight. Why were the lines still there, several years after the departure of Formula 1 racing from the speedway? Could they be removed? I found that the lines were painted on the track surface, and appeared to be heavily worn, but still visible. If I had a steel brush and water hose, I thought, I could get rid of them.
F1 start lines showing the grooves diamond cut into them.
A couple of views of the Safer Barriers foam material
But, I knew that I must observe and report on the events of the day, and not be a part of them. That leads me to the “Balloon Tent Incident”.
Rich sneaks a peek in the Baloon tent there are thousands of baloons above the bottom of that pile
But the sounds were only brief interruptions, to be replaced by the high pitched roar of the 33 cars that were to arrive, about 6 hours later.
I could wait. After all, I had waited a years for this moment.
Borg Warner Trophy Vukovich and Foyt
Mar 13 2010
I got an e-mail from Stan Lobitz a while back with some pictures taken in 1924. It also had this short note accompaning them addressed to.
These photos were found in a suitcase on a rubbish tip in New South Wales probably 12 months ago.
The Australian 6 manufacturing plant in Sydney early 1924. Interesting to notice the workmen’s clothes and the early production line.
Thought you guys might be interested in having a look at them.
Believe motors gear boxes and diffs were imported from America and the rest of the car assembled here.
Cheers
John
They were big pictures and I wasnt to sure what to do with them? I just found them again and I decided to let you look at them and send us any information you might have about them.
There were a couple of things that struck Me in the pictures, One was Henry Ford had already got an assembly line up and running about ten years previous to this in about 1914, Why it hadnt transfed over there is a good question.
Another was notice how much wood there was being used in the cars construction,It almost makes you think they are doing wood work of some kind not building cars?
The front of the Australian Motors plant 1924
Are your sure they arent building cabinets or some other wood products?
If it wasnt for the car on the left I would still be thinking it was a wood products plant.
Steel Frames and wooden wheels!
Guy in the suit looks lost? the rest of them have on aprons,check out the size of that scissors in his hand!
They sure have them cramed in there in this spot there are 7 or 8 different jobs going on in this picture
A hoist? Well block and tackle it really is. and a guy working under that car on the left,
check out the vests on the other workers.
This guy must be the touch up guy?
Nearing compleation look at the hoist in back? Another block and tackle rig.
and look at the couple of different body styles.
Well there they are a few of the finished cars.
Our Thanks to Stan Lobitz for the unidentified pictures, As to who took them?
please, Send any information You might know about them to
aXe@openwheelracers3.com
Thanks aXe
Kevin Triplett
Walnut Creek, CA
OWR3 Contributor
Kevin Triplett on other things going on at Chili Bowl time in Tulsa
Including pictures taken along the way.
We had a really good turnout at the Oldtimers Racers Breakfast in the Golden Corral on 21st Street in Tulsa on Saturday morning. Famous attendees included (apologies in advance for anyone I missed, but the acoustics in the room were horrible.)
Jerry Stone
Johnny Rutherford
Buddy Cagle
Duke Cook
Bud Hunnicut (and his wife Keet)
Jimmy Sills
Bob May
Ken Clapp
JImmy Oskie
Ralph Parkinson
Bill Hill
They also took a walk one night by the Buzz Rose books stand inside the Chili Bowl building.
They talked to Buzz, Billy Englheart and Duke Cook.
Well if You think there isnt much to do in Tulsa thats just the tip of some of what is going on in that town race week!
Jan 17 2010
2010's Biggest Midget race Down under in New Zeland at Western Springs Speedway,
American Jerry Coons Jr won his first 50-Lap World Midget Championship on Saturday night 1/7/2010 at Western Springs Speedway, and in the process also won the 2010 Samsung International World Midget Series title.
"Was not the best track (all but Kevin Swindell running the bottom) but always a good night when the American drivers come down & put on a show.
Good size crowd, lots of cheering throughout all 4 night racing.
Jerry's car owner [Danny Lendich] has been a car owner for 3 (or four) decades & was car owner for all 9 of Sleepy's "50 lap world Championship" titles.
This is without doubt the Southern Hemisphere's most prestigious race. "
Here are a selection of shots I took on the night"
James Selwyn NZ
james@jamesselwynphotos.com
Samsung International Midget World Series Points
Final (top 6)
1. Jerry Coons Jr. 127
2. Kevin Swindell 83
3. Brad Mosen 78
4. Shaun Insley 70
5. Michael Brunt 69
6. Bill Clarkson Jr. 56
The huge crowd to witness the Yanks take on the Kiwis and Aussies
The frist midget to win a race down under in NZ in 1935 it paced the main event this night
Tony Elliott representing the USA
Kiwi Brad Mosen tough competitor
Michael Kendall, Brad Mosen ,Jerry Coons Jr hard at it
Jerry Coons Jr take home all the marbles
Jerry Coons Jr wave the American flag as the winner of the 50 lapper 
The top 3 finishers, 2nd Kevin Swindell, The winner Jerry Coons Jr 3rd Michael Kendall
2010 Chili Bowl Wed night Jan 13
All pictures below by David Cochran, www.cochranphotography.com
A high light of the night was, Tony Stewart showing up for the Tractor Race.
Shown here with Bo Binder, Keith Kunz and
Bryan Clauson checking out the track for holes ,Etc?
After scoping out the Track it was time for business,
as Tony climbed on the tractor.
Kasey Kane makes a fan a friend for life
Brent Beauchamp prepares his car
JJ Yeley as usual working on the car
Then it was time to stand on it! Mike Spencer in one of the Bondio cars
Opps some one forgot to signal and they all met in the middle of turns 1&2
Main event early, Bryan Clauson finds the fence ending his chances for the night.
2010 Chili Bowl Tues night Jan 12
some pictures from the nights races by David Cochran text by aXe
After all there is more to it then Just Race cars! 
The Kunz team with Jon Stanbrough in the doorway
Add Excitment as Chad Fredwaldt settles down afer flipping!
Then Shannon McQueen escapes after getting hit by the white car who flips.Shannon had bent rear axle ending chances for this night.
Loyet draws the ball that puts Him on the pole leading to the Race of Champions Win.
Loyet and ROC winners trophy
The MAIN event left to right 2nd was Michael Pickens, Winner Zach Daum and 3rd was Shane Golobic
Shane Golobic interviewed after His 3rd place finish
2nd place Michael Pickens interview He was on board a New Zeland car powered by a V8 Kawaski
And the WINNER is Zach Daum
Racer Rich
rich@openwheelracers3.com
Contributing OWR3 Staff
Adam with his trophy, He the 2009 Shadyhill Pure Street Champion. Two years in a row for this lad!! RR
Publisher & Editor:
Dennis aka "aXe" Sylvia
axe@openwheelracers3.com
From Axe's collection
California dirt track? 1960's Dick Atkins with Trophy Girl Wilda Mimms
Sim Clark ChevyII
Crew L to R Rudy Farburger, Dick, Wilda, Rick Dedman, Sim & Ken Talley
That Chevy was the hottest out there for years even won the first USAC National midget main event on 2/14/1965 by a chevy II with Mel Kenyon driving it.
aXe
Sept 9 2009
A couple pictures from Racer Rich and his Modified
Racer Rich
rich@openwheelracers3.com
Contributing OWR3 Staff
Thanks to RaceStar photographer Gary Gasper, Here are three pix some of you might enjoy. Above picture is THE Racer Rich Himself.
The first action shot below is during hot laps last night at SHS.
The last pix is during the feature where Adam drove from 20th to 5th last night. The 225 car he is passing is Jesse Bitterling, one of our good friends and very best Modified racers from this area. That car has won 6 features this year, 3 with Jesse in the seat and 3 with Kurt Allison, another fine Modified driver in the seat. Adam certainly did us PROUD!!! I'm indebted to Gary for him being a special friend and having him around to be my personal photographer!! How lucky I am!! RR
Pictures By John DaDalt
Mike Ordway Sr.#71 JefffAbold #05
Brandon Bellinger #02 Lou Cicconi #10
Mike Ordway #41 Lou Cicconi #10
Dave Shullick JR. #61 MikeOrdway Sr. #71
Feature Winner #10 Lou Cicconi
at Waterford, CT
Pictures by
John DaDalt
Nokie Fornoro-4 and John Zych-9
NEMA 3 wide, Jeff Abold-29, Erica Santos-44 and Adam Cantor-7NY
Nokie Fornoro-4 gets into Chris DeRitis-99
Russ Stoehr-45 held off Randy Cabral-47 for the victory
Feature winning car owner Gene Angelillo
Driver Russ Stoehr
