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Traditional Sprint Car FanSite |
See You At The Races!!! |
| JUNE'S
SOUTHWEST REPORT by June Lowitz |
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2003 YEAR IN REVIEW |
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I can't believe I'm writing this column already. It just doesn't
seem possible that the 2003 racing season is completed. Where did
the year go? It's hard to believe that Santa Claus will be here in
about a month. Were you naughty or nice? Don't forget to make out
your list. 2003 started out with racing in January for me. I couldn't believe it but the dirt late models were coming to town. I started watching the dirt late models while I was living in Bakersfield, California. I was really happy to see a couple of my favorites come on over to run the Manzanita 1/2 mile clay. Steve Drake, from San Luis Obispo, Ron and Bill Bartels, Mike Collins from Terra Bella and Scott Pounds from Bakersfield were all there. The only one who had any real luck was Steve Drake. I went down into the pits after the race and spoke with Steve. He told me that our Manzy 1/2 mile was the fastest he’d ever been on and he couldn't believe how fast he was going. Ken Schrader, from NASCAR Winston Cup was there running as well, but he broke and was unable to finish the race. Considering it was a day race and it was dry and breezy the track stayed together nicely. It was so good to see the late models. I hope they do the series again as it gives this girl a chance to see those bad boys again. I only hope this year Scott Bloomquist and Billy Moyer come out. I just love watching those two race. I have to say congratulations to the 2003 champions that were crowned at Manzanita. Ricky Johnson won his 8th driving championship. He had a great year and was very consistent when he raced and seemed to always be around at the end of the race. He was good on both tracks seeming to enjoy the speed of the larger track and the close racing on the small track. His son, 16 yr old driving sensation, RJ Johnson, not only won Rookie of the Year in ASCA sprints, but also won his 2nd consecutive AMRA championship. It was very exciting to see the young man drive both cars and really seem to be smooth and not make a lot of "rookie" mistakes. RJ struggled a bit in the midget in the beginning of the year having mechanical failures but towards the end of the year he really seemed to make up for lost time. I watched a few different drivers this year in ASCA. Bob Ream, Jr. was one who seems to be not only a crowd favorite but also a personal favorite of mine. This is one driver who always makes time for his fans. It doesn't seem to matter how good or bad he does on the track, he always has a big smile on his face in the pits. I was able to meet and begin to get to know Bob's wife Evonne, as she and I sit in the same general area at Manzanita. They are a true racing family. Where we sit it seems like it's the Bob Ream cheering section. If you wish to join us email me and I'll let you know exactly where we sit. It's a fun place to sit. This year Bob drove the Monte and Suzy Taylor Buckley Sprint Car, sponsored by Taylor’s Motorsport Racing, B&R Automotive, Wynns, Total Seal, Simpson, JAF Racing Photos, Hypercoils, Sander Engineering and Buckley Racing Products. He was going for win number 50 but for some reason that milestone eluded him this year. I’m sure he will get it next year. Bob also raced a 410 sprint with SCRA and really did well. He was fast time or near fast time at a couple of races. I’m sure he will get the MOPAR powered 410 sprint car in victory lane soon. Jeff Henry was another driver who caught my eye the first night out. I really liked his brightly colored day-glo car as I could always spot it easily on the track. Jeff is another one of those easy going guys who always has a smile and a good word for you when you go into the pits after the races. Jeff and his wife Cindy have made me feel very welcome in their pit area as have car owner Robbie Allen. You can't miss Robbie as he's always wearing the straw hat. I have had a lot of laughs with the #12 Steve Coury Pontiac-GMC-Buick, B&R Automotive, LL Graphix, Lightning Wheels, ABC Body Shop, Larry's Carpet & Flooring, Adirondack Chimney Sweep, Maxima Racing Oils team. I have to say a special hi to the crew Larry, Donny, Bill, Mark, Mike. Chuck, Dave and JD. They are all friendly and nice and to me what racing is all about. They are serious when they are on the track and it's race time; but after the race is over, it's fun time. Robbie Allen decided to go over to Perris for the 360 Nationals this year and for the teams first time at the track I have to say they did pretty good. They did run into some problems but that’s to be expected but all in all I have to think their excursion west was a fun and successful one. Jeff fulfilled one of his dreams this year by winning his first ASCA Main Event. I remember the look in his eyes as I went down to see him in the pits. The exhilaration and smile that he wore on his face said it all. On that night I’m not sure who was more excited about the win. If it was Jeff, or was it Robbie, his car owner? I’m not quite sure, but the smiles were big and the entire team looked like they had fulfilled a goal. I’m sure there are more main even wins in Jeff’s future. One driver that seemed to struggle a bit this year was Bernie Smith. After losing his father so suddenly early in the year, you could tell Bernie was a bit lost right after. But, in true racers form, towards the end of the season you could see Bernie was improving. I can understand Bernie's pain as my father and I used to go racing together and I'm sure it hurts a lot. But I'm sure Bernie's father is so proud of Bernie for continuing on and even though he struggled, I'm sure he's happy with his results. When I met Bernie and his crew member Sean, both again were warm and welcoming and I really enjoyed speaking with them both. I know Bernie is one of those racers who foots the bills himself and is looking for sponsors. If you are interested in helping out a great person who would really appreciate it, email me and I’ll be glad to put you in touch with Bernie. Bruce St. James was a driver who didn't run a lot with ASCA but I did have a chance to talk to him when I went to Perris Auto Speedway in Perris, California for the VRA 360 Nationals in August. Bruce was a fan who decided to get a sprint car and fulfill his dream of racing. 2003 was his first season. Here is one driver who has a great sense of humor and also keeps his fans informed of his driving via an email diary he keeps of every race. Bruce’s latest adventure was going over to Honolulu, Hawaii, to race in the USAC Hawaiian Race. He did really well as he finished a career best 5th on one night and 6th on another night. Here is another driver/owner who is paying all the bills himself with very little sponsor support. I enjoyed talking with Bruce and I keep up with him via emails and for a rookie driver this year he really did outstanding. He raced at a lot of different tracks getting his feet wet in the sport and he shows some promise. He is a very smooth driver. I enjoy watching him race. One driver who was on a terror this year early in the season was Charles Davis, Jr. Charles was sure living up to his nickname “Chargin’ Charles” when he kept breaking the trophy dash track record on both the small and large tracks at Manzanita in the Evelyn Bryan 360 Sprint Car. Charles also fulfilled one of his goals/ dreams this year by winning his first SCRA 410 sprint car main event at Manzanita Speedway. Charles was driving the Gayle Davis #94 sprint car with SCRA. I remember his win as during his victory interview he remembered to get his mother down from the stands and into the pit area so she could be in the pictures with him. Charles seemed to be on his way to finishing high up in the points standings with ASCA when he was suspended from racing for awhile with ASCA. I say this heavy hearted as I do not know the exact reason for this and even though I could guess at the reason or say what the gossip was, I’d rather just say that he was suspended and did not return. Congratulations to Charles Davis and his entire team on their first win. I’m sure there are many more to come from this hard charging driver. Ok, what can you say about the man who dominated Manzanita
Speedway this year? Jeremy “The Sherminator” Sherman, earned his
nickname this year. The man is on fire. Winning 8 of the last 9
races Jeremy sure has some momentum built up for the 2004 season. I
have often wondered why no one has picked this driver up to drive
their car back in Indiana or over in SCRA. Their loss is ASCA’s
gain however. Watching Jeremy come from the back of the pack, dicing
and slicing his way through the traffic to take over the lead and
win the race. There were some nights I don’t know who was more
tired; Jeremy from driving or me from watching him. There were so
many nights that the crowd would be saying, there’s no way he can
start this far back and win. Only to have Jeremy make liars out of
all of us!!! It didn’t matter what track he was on, the little
bullring or the big ½ mile; Jeremy just was awesome. He was a
gracious winner in making sure he thanked all of his sponsors and
family. He always had a few words for me when I would go by him.
Heck, I didn’t know he remembered me until I went up to him one
night and introduced myself to him. I guess Jeremy remembers the
time that he, RJ Johnson and Rickie Gaunt were at a table out front
at Manzy, signing autographs. I saw Rickie’s wallet about to fall
out of his pocket and swiped it from Rickie. I stood right by them
waiting to see how long it would take Rickie to realize his wallet
was gone and I remember Jeremy just about ready to bust out laughing
because it took Rickie a few minutes to realize his wallet was gone
and the look on his face was priceless. I was so happy to hear that
Jeremy took 2nd place in the rescheduled “A” Main Event for the
Oval Nationals at Perris Auto Speedway. I was told Jeremy again
started at the back of the pack and worked his way forward. I am
sure the fans that were there got their money’s worth watching
Jeremy slice and dice his way to the front. I was happy to hear that
one of our Arizona boys took home some of the Oval Nationals prize
money. Great job Jeremy! Good luck in 2004. Dwight Cheney: Thanks for letting me share in your fun at the 360 Nationals race at Perris this year. Next year we’ll get it for sure. Just remember you owe me a race at Manzanita this year!! Good luck in 2004. Jack Gardner, Jr: Jack, I just have to say again thank you so much for teaching me about sprint car racing. If it wasn’t for Gardner Motorsports, I wouldn’t have the knowledge I have today to be able to write these columns and feel confident about what I write. Being around your team for so many years taught me not only how to watch a car and figure out if it’s working or not, but how to set up a car and how to read the race track. Thank you again for all of the great times and memories. Good luck to you in 2004. Last but not least, I have to thank my good friend Gavin Lowitz. Even though we aren’t married anymore, he still takes time to answer my questions about racing and gives me some good insight on racing. I want to thank you for the time you spent on the phone with me explaining different setups and different questions I had about the sprint car itself. Without his help there would have been a few blank spots in different columns. Thanks for being there Gavin and thank you for being my friend. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read my columns and support me in my new “career.” I appreciate all of the comments and suggestions anyone has and please feel free to make any comment or suggestion to me. Email me at: ASCAJune@aol.com. Happy
holidays to you and your family. May you have a joyous holiday
season and a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2004. |
