North Country Race Talk

Everyone:
Finally Samantha and I were able to make it to the track after not making ANY trips this year. It was GREAT to see everyone - the family at AIS surely is one to miss from the staff members to all the competitors. Although a lot of the regular competitors weren't there it was good to see everyone that was there in action.

Seeing Tommy win (yawn) was good, Tommy is a guy that any track would like to have not only for his competitiveness but also his classy approach to racing. This team/family has been around the asphalt racing scene for a long time, has had a lot of success, and are top notch people on and off the track. Personally, with Tommy doing so well as of late - I was hoping to see JOhn Papin get up and run with Tommy for the win. Although he showed signs of speed in turn 2, John just didn't have enough to compete with Tommy. I enjoyed seeing John back on the track with a competitive car - out of all the Late Model competitors at AIS, nobody knows the place like the 'Redwood Rocket'. He just can flat out drive a car at Adirondack. I look forward to seeing him back in victory lane.

Although it was a clean and green show - I think it was a bonehead move to have a heads up start like they did. I understand some of the drivers enjoyed it like Tommy and possibly John but come on. If I were in charge I would have had a Fast-Time Award for the time-trial winner then have a Top-12 redraw on the front stretch. Hand pick 12 kids from teh stands - set some Hi-Lite Markings hats on their heads with some #'s and have the top-12 time trialers re-draw for position. This way your getting some young fans more involved, your shaking the fast cars into the mix of others and your ultimately going to put a better show on. With the way it was lined up - I think everyone could see what kind of finish it would be before the green flag even flew. At any rate - good to see Todd Hoddick and Bobby Weber back at the track. I know Hoddick finished 5th at the track during the season opener 2 years ago and I know Weber made a regular show sometime in the past 2 years. Tough break for Weber as he was running in the top-5 and looped it in turn 2. I don't know what the cause was or if he had help? I did see a fantastic race between Weber and Brandon Kidd for a number of laps the 2 ran door to door. I am literally impressed with Brandon Kidd. I know after he was involved in Paul's deal last year he likely was quite disappointed as that car had many mechanical issues but along came Lee Gill in the new season and he has been able to put a solid car under him week after week. Brandon showed a lot of poise racing on the outside of Weber for several laps before ducking in behind him and racing by him on the inside. He is surely a car and kid to watch down the road. Congratulations to Brandon, the Kidd family and Lee for a great season together. Cooter Beyer also caught my eye in the Late Models - he looked good and looked fast - I can only see that car getting faster as time goes on.

As for the Super Stocks - where was Mooney? At any rate - Ramos looked good and Markham looked like he had some speed to compete. I am surprised Markham didn't pick up a win there this year? He seemed like a car that could compete. Ramos clearly stated he needs to find something else and somewhere else as he "isn't going anywhere at AIS". Not sure what they meant but without a doubt Mike has talent. If he jumped to the Late Models that would definitely be a gain for the track - if he doesn't jump to Late Models maybe we'll see an IMCA modified or something being ran at Can-Am. IMCA is a great class to jump into and dollar for dollar it would compare to his Super Stock budget. Plus - you can take an IMCA anywhere in the country and race it without a conflict in rules. Maybe that is what Mike needs as he always seems to find himself under scrutiny within the rules.

Anotehr thing I noticed - why was the 007 Super Stock competing with the Late Models too? I do think it is great if they found a way for the Super Stocks to legally compete with the Late Models. It reminds me of the Dirt Sportsman Modified and normal modified classes where the Sportsmans can run with the Modifieds in some of the bigger shows. It always is nice to see an under powered Sportsman get in and qualify into a modified show. It could be the same with the Renegade Nationals - if it is a high dollar end of the year show - some of the Super Stocks should be able to gamble and try and get into the big show (if they can get within the rulebook).

I'm done for now - gotta run.

bgibson,so what do you think of the trucks classes,were they looking a little small.that what i thought.might look like that next year and how many people do you think these drivers brng to the track to watch the race,would be a shame to have to go t another track,but these drivers have pride oh was nice to se you their!

Flagman:
I was not surprised to see the light numbers in the light trucks.
What I was disappointed in was literally thinking how far the light trucks came (from high numbers to low numbers). During my time at AIS I remember arguing with teams who were sent home after NOT qualifying for petes sake. Now we had a total of 7 or 8 trucks in the pits. But - I don't think looking at the most recent issue is the answer to wondering where the track went wrong. Perhaps look further back in time to see why the trucks count went downhill. Maybe for similar issues but definitely something needs to be done. All I know is there is A LOT of trucks sitting idle on Saturday night around Northern New York.

At any rate - in my opinion Gregg Roes, although a likeable kid and someone who I was glad to get into a drivers seat at AIS, should have been disqualified for the rules infraction on his truck. Whether he knew it or not - it was an issue that was found illegal. Plain and simple. There was no questions about it. Maybe Dan did write his protest wrong but the protest was granted by officials and then later renigged. I don't agree with that. If the protest isn't acceptable it should have not been accepted upon receipt.

Either way - to bad to see a great class go so far down hill.

hey billy how are you, congrads to thats a lucky girl or should i say you are a lucky guy..... thought i would tell you i am bring my car down to you 7on sundays at utica rome speedway, but i am going to run my old new truck at ais just so i dont miss anything... as for the lite truck class i watch all of the you guys drive your a** off for everyone to get cheated we all know who the real lite truck champion is good job joey#17 rules are rules.... the #51,#171,#92,#14,#44 and i wont forget you jon #5 are some of the nicest guys i have meet i look forward to racing you guys next year at ais or where ever we can

this is probley going to get me in trouble but if anyone know me oh well!!!!!!

had some problems with the car and i have alot of work and alot to learn to but i had some good teacher like #37 jason your are the reason i keep coming when i could afford it, and good old madman#09 you just keep helping me and everybody you can thats what this is all about, #83 jr well where do you start you are one hell of a driver nice job,#14 ben well you are ben i love watching you go for it every week,#10 well this is easy dr you the best for some many reasons i dont have time,#7 tommy well i have to say you and mike know how to built a ford the whole super stock class have a lot of great drives in it and if didnt get you number in i hate typing... BUT #64 scott to hotty i had the most fun with i think i will paint my car the same as yours ... just kidding i just did that so we can keep picking on each other

i hope you guys have a nice winter, Oh #41 i would love to come and watch you and your boy race snocross good luck

hi,why did the 007 superstock compete with the late models ? great question and several reasons,late model driver chris thyphair had engine problems with his late model so the 007 street stock was offfer to him,it met spec by adding the 10 in tires ,it was clearly underpowered but reason number 2 is if you do the math it was like 200 or 150 not quite sure to win ss class by taking the green in l/m and ride a round for fun a little we get a check for 305$ not bad to change a set of tires that we had laying around for 4 years, and the car didnt get wrecked and we didnt have to win,it is just for fun, if you race at ais or any place else and plan to make a living doing it,think again it dont work drivers need to just have fun and not take racing at this level so serious.but thats my opinon and only mine thanx rick brunelle ,007brunelle motorsports.

It was a good night of racing, for the most part. The truck race from 2nd place back was good, too.

007sprocket:
Good to know. As I haven't been at AIS all year - I didn't know what car Chris originally drives. Kudos to you for offering up your ride to him. Personally: I wish more Super Stock drivers would give a Late Model race a shot if it is a off-night for the Super Stocks or if its a special night of racing for the Late Models, like the Renegade Nationals. Especially if heat races are used rather than time trials.