Dylan Jones and Loren Sheffield at Tucson Speedway

This Saturday evening Tucson Speedway, formerly the NASCAR paved track at the Fairgrounds, will be Honoring our Military and Border Patrol.  A 40 lap Late Model Shootout will be the featured Event.  Also racing are the Southwest Orthopaedic Surgery Specialists Modifieds, Sportsman Stocks, Mini Stocks, Hornets and the START Stocks our Bomber class for beginning racers.

Teams Getting Ready for Racing Action!

The fan ticket booth opens at 5pm.  Tumblin’ Dice will be performing before and after the races.  “Big Red” our fire truck will be providing trips through the pits for families with children until the Fan Meet and Greet begins at 6pm.  Racing action begins at 7pm beginning with the Quick Six Late Models.

Join us at Tucson Speedway, “The Action Track Built for Speed”, for a great night of affordable family entertainment.  Adults $12, Seniors $ 10, Young Adults 11-16 $ 6, under 11 years of age free.    SPECIAL Family of 2 Adults and 2 Children Only $ 25   . . . a $12 Savings!

 $ 5 Admission for Military, Border Patrol and their family members!  Show government ID.

Take I-10 Rita Road Exit 273 South.  Turn left at Rocket Starve and follow to the track located at 11955 S Harrison.

TUCSON SPEEDWAY INAUGURAL EVENT

APRIL 5-6, 2013

(last revised 4-16-13 09:30)

Billy Shuman’s WCVR SC Group of  Vintage Midgets, Sprintcars and Indycars were privileged to be a  part of Keith Ames’ inaugural re-opening of this wide, paved 3/8 mile progressively banked oval a few miles South of the former Colonial Territorial Capitol of Tucson Arizona, nearby The University of Arizona and adjoining The Saguaro National Park-East. The Official Lodging for this event was Red Roof Inn South about 10 miles West of the track on Irvington Rd. and Palo Verde. Clean, well maintained and lighted with an outdoor heated pool, restaurant on the premises, friendly staff, plenty of room to park the trailer and of course racers rates makes this an easy place to stay.

Tucson Speedway management and staff have gone to great measures to refurbish and resurface the former TRP and their pride in the speed plant shows. The local TV, Radio and Newspaper Media have been very involved in supporting this reopening as has the business community and over 5,000 fans filled the stands on Saturday’s Opening Night. A good field of Late Models, Modifieds and Stock Cars appeared after two years absence and the West Coast Vintage Racers Southwest Chapter held practice and hot laps for Vintage Indycars, Midgets and Sprintcars throughout Friday and Saturday and Exhibitions on Saturday Night.

WCVR SC Tucson Entrant List

Adams, Barry         1970s Edmunds Midget –VW Powered #11b – Apache Junction, AZ

Alcaraz, Ray           1960 Epperly Indy Roadster #77 Somewhat Special – Havasu, AZ

Chambers, Dave     1970s Gambler Chassis Sprintcar -360 Chevy #2 - Elizabeth, CO

Chavez, Fred           1970 Edmunds Midget  Chevy II  -  El Cajon, CA

Corrow, Richard     1947 Kurtis Kraft chassis X-109 – Apache Junction, AZ

Deiner, Del             1968 Collins Champ Car – Surprise, AZ

Ewing, Bill              270 Offy Sprinter – Tucson, AZ (did not run on track)

Hegg, Roger            1974 Stanton Midget 62 Olds Power – Dewey, AZ

Kraft, Carl               Edmunds Offy #3

Matousek, Dennis    1973 Beck Sprinter –driven by Donny Hamilton – Santee, CA.

Pfitzenmaier, Larry  1959 Watson, Offy Simoniz Spl Indy Roadster – Sonoita, AZ

Quinn, Dale             1980 Edmunds Midget – VW Powered – Havasu, AZ

Robertson, Don       1928 Studebaker Indy Replica – Jerome AZ.

Schulz, Carl             1927 Miller replica Indycar-Boyle Valve Spl.- Indio, CA

Secker, Fred             1928 Chev 4 powered Flat Tail Big Car – Tucson/UK

Shuman, Billy          1969 Ford Powered Wilson built Sprinter – Phoenix, AZ

Schrum, Mike          1974 Edmunds Chev II Midget – Buckeye, AZ

Stryker, Mike           LTC Midget #5 Midget – Las Cruces, NM.

Tucson has a long time history of auto racing with local clubs sponsoring contests from the early 1900s, often in conjunction with the running of The Southern Arizona Fair (later the Pima County Fair)  Tucson Auto Club and Borderland Auto Club were two of the largest and their efforts combined with financing from businessman Albert Steinfeld resulted in the first AAA Contest Board Championship Event of 103 Miles held on March 20, 1915 and won by Barney Oldfield in a Maxwell over a few Nationally Famous drivers and some local competitors.

Link to image:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8376/8515311299_fa5494f198_o.jpg

Barney Oldfield, Maxwell – Winner Tucson AAA Road Race March 20, 1915

Our April 5-6, 2013 WCVR SC Event began Friday morning with a presentation of our vintage cars at HotRods’ Restaurant a few miles North of Tucson Speedway. The day was spent chatting with folks who came to look and see. There was good press coverage prior to the event and a number of people who were interested in reacquainting themselves with vintage indycars, midgets and sprintcars, and of course a hearty meal at the restaurant-thanks to HotRods. Then it was off to the Tucson Speedway to unload, set up and run practice laps.

Link to HotRods Car Display:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8123/8629613119_8cc3ededdf_b.jpg

HotRods #2

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8124/8629605545_a6a9500471.jpg

Tucson Speedway has excellent pit accommodations, excellent lighting and sound system, plenty of concrete pit pads and adjoining paved pit lanes.

Promoter Keith Ames and his newly assembled staff were gracious, welcoming, organized and very professional and the entire program ran smoothly throughout the two day event

Link to Fri Night Last Practice

http://www.flickr.com/photos/91981316@N06/8629599623/sizes/l/in/set-72157633188888275/

Last Practice Session  Friday Night-Waiting for the call.

It’s late Friday Night April 5th at Keith Ames Inaugural Reopening of the beautiful 3/8 Mile newly repaved Tucson Speedway and West Coast Vintage Racers Southwest Chapter Vintage Indycar Coordinator Ray Alcaraz is waiting word to send out the Vintage Indycars for the final session of the day. Billy Shuman, WCVR President and Event Coordinator is at the other end of pit lane coordinating the staging of the final sessions for the vintage midgets and sprintcars but for the moment the Club’s Indycars will have the spotlight. Larry Pfitzenmaier has buttoned up The 1959 Watson-  Simoniz Special for the evening and is enjoying an event finally close to his home in Sonoita. Ray has shut down his Epperly ‘Somewhat Special’ Roadster for the evening having had enough fun for the day. Veteran Midget Competitior Mike Schrum is taking his first session in

Carl Schulz’ 1927 Miller  - #15 Boyle Valve Special Tribute Car in preparation for a first time session at Victory Lane’s Historic Champ/Indycar Event June 21-23 at Auto Club Speedway, behind him in the green 1920s Flat Tail Big Car is driver/builder Fred Secker, a Tucson snow bird from the UK who is a VSCC competitor back home and who plans on rejoining us in The Fall. Behind Ray is Jerome Arizona Historic Gold Mine Curator/Operator, Don Robertson, patiently waiting in his self built 1928 Studebaker straight 8 powered Indycar recreation. Kelly Schrum is on the push vehicle behind Don-saving him the trouble of getting out and hand cranking the beast.  Del Deiner is strapped into  his McClure Champcar out of sight in the background waiting for the word to be pushed off and the first to take the track.

Richard Corrow finished restoration of his beautiful #66 1947 Kurtis just in time for the show, he was a very happy man!

Link to Corrow Midget

http://www.flickr.com/photos/91981316@N06/8629595003/in/set-72157633188888275

Larry Pfitzenmaier and Crew fueling the 1959 Watson Roadster:

There’s an old saying, “once you’ve poured the fuel you’re committed to run.” Well in this case it didn’t prove true. Immediately after filling the tank a leak in the tank was observed and that was it for the weekend.

On a positive note the discovery will give Larry some time to repair the tank before leaving for the Big Show at Indianapolis Speedway in May. Speedway plans are to run the vintage cars 3 days in succession and then put 33 Roadsters on track as raceday approaches.

Link to Simoniz Special Photo:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/91981316@N06/8629593911/in/set-72157633188888275

Larry Pfitz and Crew fueling the Simoniz Special.

Prior to the Saturday Night Exhibitions all the cars were positioned on the track and the fans came out to visit with the cars and drivers. Lots of visits, photos and good will ensued and many fans expressed appreciation of getting to see the vintage open wheel cars after a long absence. Track reports over 5,000 fans showed up, lots of press coverage before and after the Event.

Link to photo – Indycar Practice

http://www.flickr.com/photos/91981316@N06/8644859596/in/set-72157633188888275

Indycar Practice – Ray Keyrouse Photo

Link to photo- After Meet and Greet, Ready to Roll Back to Pits.

Link to Photo Carl Kraft and Mike Stryker:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/91981316@N06/8650243745/sizes/l/in/set-72157633188888275/

Carl Kraft’s Offy Midget #3 inside Mike Stryker’s #5

Link to photo of Billy Shuman and Donny Hamilton – Sprintcars

http://www.flickr.com/photos/91981316@N06/8650244677/sizes/l/in/set-72157633188888275/

Donny Hamilton in the 1a and Billy Shuman in the 84a Sprintcars

Link to photo of Dale Quinn #1 and Richard Corrow #66 Midgets

http://www.flickr.com/photos/91981316@N06/8655885476/in/set-72157633188888275

Dale Quinn in the Johnny Lightning Special and Richard Corrow #66 Kurtis Midgets

Photo by Ray Keyrouse:

A few Closing Notes From Tucson Participants

Richard Corrow – #66 Kurtis Midget

“The first thing that comes to my mind is ‘The Pucker Factor’. In our feature event I was on it pretty good and my right rear went down ‘fast’. “A few anxious seconds for sure.”

After two years restoration – begun with Tom Brawner of Phoenix doing the body, Richard’s Kurtis X-109 chassis with USAC Ford Focus 186 hp motor made Tucson its debut. Richard was a Can Am and F5000 Chief Mechanic and road racing is in his blood and so he set the car up to run road course as well as ovals. Richard was more than a little pleased when midget vet Mike Schrum tested it on track and declared it handled ‘perfect’, a little Right Rear stagger did the trick. Richard will be running the midget at Firebird Road Course this weekend and at Auto Club Speedway Road Course in June with SVRA.

Don Robertson – #28 Studebaker 1928 Replica Indycar

Our own free spirit who built his Indycar Replica out of salvaged parts in the Blacksmith Shop of his Gold King Mine and Ghost Town in Jerome, AZ.

“My two days at Tucson Speedway went really well, had a great time, the track was perfect and the car ran flawlessly.” “I really enjoyed the pre race Car Show at HotRods Restaurant and the Meet and Greet with the fans at Tucson Speedway.”

Don was a good sport about the kidding he received after running out of gas in the pits on the way to the Indycar Feature.

“I never bring more than a full (7 gals) tank of gas, it’s always been enough but not this time, and it’s difficult to fuel the car in the dark.” “I think the wider track and increased running time threw off my calculations but missing the feature gave me a chance to watch Billy Shuman work his magic in his sprintcar.”

Don Hamilton – driving Dennis Matousek’s 1a Sprintcar.

“I was very impressed with Tucson Speedway, Keith Ames deserves a lot of credit one heck of a clean racetrack with really good banking, smooth surface and professional staff. Wish we had tracks like this one back in the 60s and 70s when I ran the sprintcar circuit.

Very happy to be with car owner Dennis Matousek, the car ran really well. Billy Shuman and I had a ball running together out there. I was totally impressed with HOTRODS Old Vail, one incredible Restaurant and Facility and meeting the fans is always pleasing.”

Photo by Robert Butterfield•Butterfield Photography Joe Paladenic (63) is seen spinning on the frontstretch on lap 43 of the Super Late Model main event Saturday at Tucson Speedway. He was hit in the right rear by Scott Rueschenberg of Phoenix. Paladenic was sent to the back but made his way to fifth before the race ended.

By Kristi O’Brien

TUCSON — More than a year of planning and hard work paid off for the new management of Tucson Speedway Saturday as opening night welcomed the largest crowd the track has seen in years.

Drivers sped around the track with fans cheering them on from Stomper Hill to turn one. It was a welcome sight for all involved in the night’s events.

“For opening day on an essentially new track, they did very well,” said Hereford resident David Greenberg. “They’re going to hammer some things out and they’ll do well.”

Greenberg has been going to the track since it was dirt, and hopes that the new owners will once again make it a success.

“I thought it was great racing all night,” he added.

The Super Late Model division had the highest car count with 16.

Sierra Vista’s Joe Paladenic started seventh in the field. Ron Norman of Tucson had the pole.

Running fourth on lap 43 of the 70-lap main, Paladenic was hit in the right rear quarter panel by Scott Rueschenberg of Phoenix causing him to spin on the frontstretch bringing out the caution.

The remainder of the field was able to steer clear of Paladenic’s No. 63, avoiding any damage to the car.

Paladenic was sent to the rear, Rueschenberg restarted the race in fourth.

“Had they sent me to the back, I would have been OK with that,” Rueschenberg said.

According to the Phoenix driver, Paladenic was loose coming out of turn four. “When he came back into shape, I was too close and we made contact. I should have given him more racing room.”

“I would never want to race Joe that way, but where I got him was in a way that had he been squared up, it would never have happened.”

With 27 laps to go, Paladenic worked his way through the field making it to fifth before the final lap. Rueschenberg drove his way to the top spot taking the first win of the season.

David Bosley of Sierra Vista was one of three drivers in the Mini Stock division. Bosley, along with Jim Bates and Tim Blodgett, both of Tucson, hope to see the division grow this year.

WIth a limited number of cars, the Hornet division raced at the same time as the Mini Stocks.

Bates took the win, Blodgett came in second and Bosley finished third in the Mini Stock feature. Kyle Milburg of Tucson led the Hornets to the finish line.

Another up-and-coming division at the track is the Start Stocks, formerly known as the Bombers. Kevin Czoka of Tucson took opening night honors in that division.

Six cars lined up for the X-Mod main event. Bob Cramb of Tucson took the lead on the fourth lap winnning the first race of 2013.

The Sportsman class, formerly known as the Street Stocks, saw the return of many veteran racers along with some new blood.

Jason Davis of Tucson took the field to the green flag but soon lost the lead to Dylan Jones of Tucson.

Jones held off Ken Hunt of Tucson in second and headed to Victory Lane.

Racing resumes April 20 with the Late Models, X-Mods, Sportsmans, Start Stocks, Mini Stocks and Hornets.

For information, visit www.tucsonspeedway.com.

April 6th Opening Night has a lot of exciting entertainment planned for Race Fans.  Music from Mikey and the Maniacs will greet fans as they enter for a great night of competitive racing.  Pit tours in “Big Red”, our fire truck, will be available to youngsters and their parents.  Fans will be able to visit with all the drivers 45 minutes before the first race as all the cars will be on the track for a Meet & Greet session beginning at 6pm..

Super Late Models are the featured, Sportsman Stocks, X Modifieds as well as three developing divisions: Mini Stocks, Hornets and Start Stocks.  As a Special Exhibition and a trip back in time as Vintage Indy Cars, Midgets and Sprint Cars will take to the track.  The fan Ticket Booths open at 5pm and racing action begins at 7pm.

Ticket are priced at Adult-$12, senior (55) and Military-$10, Kids (11- 16)-$6 and a Family Pack (2 adults & 2 kids)-$25.

Keith Ames

World of Outlaws invade Tucson International Raceway on Saturday, March 9

It’s been a long wait for sprint car fans in Arizona but the World of Outlaws are back and racing tonight in Tucson.

The last time the World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series competed in the Grand Canyon State was March 2009, when Chad Kemenah dominated the feature to claim the final checkered flag at famed Manzanita Speedway in Phoenix.

The World of Outlaws STP Sprint Cars are set to return to Arizona for the Wildcat Shootout on Saturday, March 9, at Tucson International Raceway, which last hosted an STP Sprint Car event in 2007.
“Usually it’s really, really neat because the fans don’t get to see us very often,” Kemenah said. “It’s neat for us because you have a little more even playing field.”
Paul McMahan and reigning series champion Donny Schatz each won a race at Tucson International Raceway in 2006. Steve Kinser, a 20-time World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series champion, earned the victory in March of 2007.

http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/category/240196/new-video-landing-page?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=8511097#.US-BqNea1Zc.facebook

Progress Continues at Tucson Speedway As we move forward with repairs and improvements at Tucson Speedway, I would like to give you an update on our progress.  Although we have been slowed down trying to get the electricity turned on at the raceway, we are still on schedule to begin tune and test dates in February.  We will begin racing in March with races scheduled on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays and will run through June 1st.
All the boards on the bleachers are over 20 years old and they are being replaced.  The replacement boards have been primed and are 80% installed.  The saw cutting of the cracks on the racing surface is complete and repair work continues.  We anticipate the repairs will be completed and the entire racing surface sealed with a double coat of a high grade quality sealer by mid January.  Remodeling to the tower areas, the VIP area, the grandstands, the restrooms, the concession areas and the office area continues.  Once the power is on we will be able to make repairs and upgrades to the Tire and Fuel Barn, the Tech Shed and to the Back Gate Registration Office.
On our website: www.tucsonspeedway.com we have begun to add drivers who have confirmed their plans to race beginning in March.  If you are planning to race and would like to be included, please email me at:  Keith@tucsonspeedway.com
Three of us attended the RPM Promoters Workshop from November 28th – December 1st in Reno, Nevada where we exchanged ideas with other promoters, met with vendors to discuss products and services for Tucson Speedway.  Many good ideas were shared and one clear message is that we are not selling racing, but rather we are selling entertainment to the entire family.  This message has reinforced our thoughts and plans at Tucson Speedway.  Another clear message we all heard loud and clear is that race tracks must begin to attract the next generation of fans and racers.  As us “baby boomers” fade away, very little is being done to recruit younger fans and racers.  We need to rethink some of our marketing efforts and activities to attract new fans.
If you have any bands you might recommend for the track have on race nights, activities you would like to see on a race night, other types of motorsports events you would like to see at the track, please send me an email with your thoughts to: Keith@TucsonSpeedway.com .

Tucson International Raceway is off to another exciting season and living up to its reputation as the Best Dirt Track in the West.   The combination with both the difficulty of finding a source for clay and with the extremely dry weather Southern Arizona has experienced in recent months, the racing surface has been dusty.   

This past week T I R has added much needed clay to the racing surface and fans and drivers will have racing conditions they have grown accustomed too.  The owner and General Manager, Pat Robley, said: ” With construction slow in our area, the clay pit normally used for clay is closed and it has been difficult to find clay.” 

Shane Madson to the Rescue!  Shane an avid race fan and owner of Sierra Mining and Crushing located clay.  According to Robley: ” We are adding 500 tons of clay and the racing surface will be as nice as can be for the Saturday night races.   Dave Bowen has layed down the new surface and is preping the track for an exciting and entertaining night of racing.”

Like the Phoenix rising from the Ashes,  TIR is Rising from the Dust!

This weekends races feature Wing Sprints, ASCS2 Mini Sprints, X-Mods, Factory Stocks, Hornets and  Dwarfs with a special Trophy dash presented by The Award Store. Don’t miss 6 exciting divisions roaring around the fastest track in the West! Gates open @ 5:30 Races start @ 6:45

QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Kyle Larson, 72, Ford-15.992; 2. Matt Mitchell, 18, Watt-16.014; 3. Ryan Bernal, 73, Ford-16.120; 4. Richard Vander Weerd, 10, Vander Weerd-16.125; 5. Bud Kaeding, 29, Bowman-16.184; 6. Danny Sheridan, 18K, Kittle-16.234; 7. Markus Niemela, 81, Watt-16.379; 8. Marty Hawkins, 3M, Hawkins-16.514; 9. A.J. Bender, 12, Bender-16.601; 10. Brent Kaeding, 29K, Bowman-16.625; 11. Austin Liggett, 83, Liggett-16.661; 12. Rusty Carlile, 51, Carlile-16.689; 13. Steve Conrad, 56, Swaim-16.705; 14. Peter Murphy, 11, Iturriria-16.726; 15. Jace Vander Weerd, 88, Vander Weerd-16.746; 16. Danny Faria Jr., 17V, Faria-16.813; 17. Austin Smith, 14, Springstead-16.941; 18. Kevin Barnes, 36B, Barnes-17.103; 19. Chris Gansen, 4G, Gansen-17.119; 20. Ricky Kirkbride, 87, Van Meter-17.317; 21. Justyne Hamblin, 8, JH-17.323; 22. Austin DeBlauw, 65, DeBlauw-17.359; 23. Tyler Dolacki, 18X, Dolacki-17.893; 24. Ray Knight, 6K, Knight-18.839; 25. Don Gansen, 7G, Gansen-NT; 26. D.J. Netto, 7N, Netto-NT; 27. Dylan Black, 84, Evans-NT; 28. Jared Little, 25, Little-NT.

FIRST HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Larson, 2. Bud Kaeding, 3. Smith, 4. Conrad, 5. Hamblin, 6. D. Gansen, 7. Bender. NT

SECOND HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Brent Kaeding, 2. Murphy, 3. Sheridan, 4. Mitchell, 5. Netto, 6. Barnes, 7. DeBlauw. NT

THIRD HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Bernal, 2. J. Vander Weerd, 3. Niemela, 4. C. Gansen, 5. Liggett, 6. Dolacki, 7. Black. NT

FOURTH HEAT: (10 laps) 1. Faria, 2. Carlile, 3. R. Vander Weerd, 4. Kirkbride, 5. Hawkins, 6. Little, 7. Knight. NT

SEMI: (12 laps) 1. Hamblin, 2. Hawkins, 3. Netto, 4. Barnes, 5. Little, 6. Bender, 7. Dolacki, 8. D. Gansen, 9. Knight, 10. Liggett, 11. Black, 12. DeBlauw. NT

FEATURE: (30 laps) 1. Kyle Larson, 2. Bud Kaeding, 3. Richard Vander Weerd, 4. Matt Mitchell, 5. Brent Kaeding, 6. Danny Faria Jr., 7. Danny Sheridan, 8. Markus Niemela, 9. Steve Conrad, 10. Justyne Hamblin, 11. Kevin Barnes, 12. Jace Vander Weerd, 13. Ricky Kirkbride, 14. Rusty Carlile, 15. Ryan Bernal, 16. D.J. Netto, 17. Marty Hawkins, 18. Chris Gansen, 19. A.J. Bender, 20. Peter Murphy, 21. Austin Smith, 22. Jared Little. NT

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FEATURE LAP LEADERS: Laps 1-22 R. Vander Weerd, Laps 23-30 Larson.

NEW WEST COAST 360 SPRINT POINTS:

NEXT WEST COAST 360 SPRINT RACE: May 12 – Tulare (CA) Thunderbowl Raceway – “Chris & Brian Faria Memorial”