Did Ya Know?
Did Ya Know?
This quiz was put together by 2008 Auto City ACSS/Pro late model champion Terry Bogusz and his fond memories of Mt Clemons Speedway. We encourage anyone who has a quiz to send them to Jackie Franzil at ARCA and She will forward them to me. Always include the answers! 1.} Who was the racing mailman who later became the flagman at Owosso Speedway? 2.} What radio personality got his start as announcer at Mt Clemons? 3.} Who raced with a spark plug on top of his car at Mt Clemons? Who won the last "Double O " feature at Mt Clemons? Answers to Quiz No. 2 are as follows. 1.} Mike Eddy's nickname is the " Polar Bear " but if you said "Kawkawlin Flash" will give you that to. 2.} Jack Goodwin won the first ever "Double O" at Mt Clemons. Jack told us this story at the Mt Clemons racer reunion. 3.} The Biggest controversy in Late model racing at the end of the 60's was when they changed the wheels from 12" to 10". The tires they were racing looked almost as big as Sprint Car tires. 4.} Doug Saunier drove the #22 Supermodified that dominated many a Kalamazoo open wheel special. This has been a tough winter losing some friends. Long time car owner, sponsor and supporter of Auto Racing Butch Giles passed away. Butch was a great friend and Sponsored my bowling team for many years through his Giles Auto Body. Although he recently is best known for his Outlaw late model support, of 2009 Glass City winner Dave Kuhlman and runnerup Ron Allen, Butch actually loved the template cars. He also enjoyed the old Pro Stocks from back when traveling with Bob Studt and John Briggs and everyone became familiar with the immaculate 88 cars. He also was involved in the figure 8 division with Studt and the Cronenwett family. We will all miss Butch when the green flag flies. Hugh Fair raced for many years and we first saw him in a Studibaker at Jackson. His son Harold, and grandson Harold jr. became accomplished racers and still are to this day. Long time crewman for "The Rebel" Dennis Whisman always worked hard to keep Dennis at The front in figure 8's and will be missed in the pits. To all the family and friends we extend our condolences. God Speed. We went to a couple of events at the end of January and in February and had a great time at both. Brian Norton and I went to the Mt Clemons racer reunion at Kart to Kart in Sterling Hgts and they had a great turnout of over 150 people. Enjoyed the Go Kart competition that saw Street Stock and Sportsmen driver win a very competitive A-Main while figure 8 driver Robbie Loving won the B-main. The indoor track is very fast. Some drivers had to go out one more time after the features and were thrown off the track for rough driver. Now how could that happen to Jack Varney Jr. Claude Plante Jr. and Jay Sommers? Long time promotor Cindy Winkler was there, she took the train from her home in Toronto. Billy Simmons was in competition on the Kart track. Also had a long talk with former driver Larry Lemay. Talked with Berlin Late Model racer Dave Zagieski who travels a long way to race there on Saturday nights. Steve Lee and the "Magic Man" Dick Barker were discussing the Late Model Alliance Rules and the Upcoming season. Eric is coming back to defend his title at Flat Rock, Larry Varney told us he was working a deal to have Scott Hantz drive his ASA car for Toledo's opener on April 17th but CRA has a race at Anderson that day which nixed the deal. To bad, because Hantz is very good at Toledo. The other event was the MSTRC bowling benefit in Owosso Michigan which maybe next year we could get a few of those great bowler we have in our pit area's to attend. It was 10 bucks, to games and a whole lot of fun. No brother Steve and I did not bowl that well, but how can you when you have Dave and Julie Dehem, Springport Promotor Maurice Randell bowling with you and Tim Felver in the background telling you how to bowl. The day is way to much fun.Big Ed Inloes, announcer at Spartan and Auto City had the high game, a 245 for the day. Had a conversation with Spartan promoter Jim Leasure who is hard at work putting up the new grandstands. The best thing about the day is meeting fans and racers that you hear about butdon't get to talk to. The recent press conference at Toledo was interesting. Former ARCA series champion, Justin Allgeir was the featured guest. Justin drives for Penske racing in the Nationwide series. Justin is truly one of the nicest drivers in racing and is off to a great start in 2010. It was interesting for him to tell how involved Roger Penske is in the Nationwide program and how much he knows about the cars. He said his teammate, Brad Keselowski has brought a lot of knowledge to the team having raced with JR Motorsports. He said he and Brad don't always agree but have a good relationship. Justin also said his days of racing midgets are over, he finished 3rd at the Chili bowl one season. And would love to come back and race at Toledo but Roger says no. He did say he feels the Dodges they are putting on the race track now are catching up to the Toyota's horsepower wise.We will be rooting for Justin all season long. A couple of interesting tidbits from the supermodified world. "Liquid Lou" Cicconni is scheduled to drive the potent 49 car on the MSA circuit as a teammate to Trent Stephens. Randy Burch drove the car last season and we wonder if he will be back in his own #52. Cicconni is a former supermodified winner at Toledo. The exciting Toledo track record holder for the Supers at Toledo, Chris Perley has semi retired to concentrate on the family marina buisiness in New England. Good to see promoters working together. Berlin had scheduled a big modified race to start the season which Kalamazoo also runs the division on the same night, but Gary Howe, Kalamazoo promoter decided to give the modifieds the night off so they could run the Berlin race.Working together helps everyone and The Late Model Alliance formed had to help this cause. Speaking of the Late Model Alliance, some teams have not been happy with some of the body rule changes. The rules were put in place to help the teams down the road. It's a Work in progress. Some feel the term outlaw means just that, no rules, but we experienced the "Star Wars" body styles that were created and it just about put pavement and dirt late models out of business. Its how UMP was formed and its in my opinion what the Alliance is striving for. The Racer reunion at Toledo speedway bar and grill is Saturday March 13th from noon to 5, followed by the MARFC meeting at 6:30 to 8:30, followed by the grand reopening party at nine with all kinds of door prizes for fans and racers and also will feature a band. Plan on attending this day of historic photo's, 2010 race info and a whole lot of bench racing. The season opener at Toledo is April 17th with ASA and The Allegent air ARCA outlaw late model Gold Cup series together for the first time ever. Practice and a party the 16th with race time 3pm on the 17th. That's it for now, Stay off the wall, See Ya!