" View From The Tower "
Gillees Napa Night June 2, 2007
By: Gary Wilcox
The Adirondack International Speedway, under the sanctioning body of the American Speed Association (ASA), sailed through another stellar evening of pavement racing under the lights on the foot of the Tug Hill. With 58 race teams in attendance and AIS's newest sponsor, Gillees Napa & Marine, highlighting the show, the fans & teams settled in for some exciting racing in all four divisions at the Speedway.
In the Lyndaker Excavation & Trucking (ASA) Challenger Late Model 50-lapper, it was John Papin # 50 charging to the front, making it his 16th feature win at AIS. The three-time (ASA) Champ at AIS worked the bottom and the top of the Speedway to make his passes and found himself in a usual spot, clean air. There were great runs this week from Bryant Trim # 59 and "The Flying Farmer", Jason Herrington, piloting Phil Arnold's # 36 on Saturday evening. Sporting a brand new Howe Chassis race car this week was Tommy Cloce # 3 from Canton, New York. Tommy shook the car down earlier in the week at AIS and was turning the continuous oval at some 16.3 second laps - not bad right out of the box. Tommy had to settle for a third place finish in the (ASA) Late Model main. In my opinion, Tom just never got the opportunity to advance any farther towards the front. Trim held off Papin for several laps and managed to keep his # 59 in position # 2 at the checkered flag. As I've said before, it's always a chess match at AIS in any of the feature events.
There were high attrition rates again this week in the (ASA) Late Model division. My good friend Jim Southard found himself up against the 1st turn wall, doing quite a bit of damage to his # 75 machine. It was reported later that Southard from Brewerton, New York, had suffered some injuries to his knee. I was last told that Jim was going to the hospital to have his knee checked out. Good luck to Jim Southard and his family & crew for a speedy recovery and return to the Speedway.
Andre' Roggie # 03 from Croghan, New York, in his freshman season in the (ASA) Challenger Late Model division, continued to have problems with his race car. It was reported to me that Roggie's race car's drive train was starting to set-up. Andre found himself in front of Victory lane and looking to the bottom of the race track as the # 03 was chugging to a halt. From my view from the Tower, the # 61 of Eric Cupernall from Clayton, New York, was already on the bottom of the Speedway and had committed to pass Roggie right where the lawn meets the macadam. Contact was made with both race cars and sheet metal from the Roggie machine was flying everywhere. Cupernall was able to continue and finished the (ASA) 50-lapper with a solid 5th place finish. I am convinced that the André Roggie race team will rally in the (ASA) Late Model series at AIS. This professional team is just too accustomed to "Victory Lane" to stay away from it for very long.
I have to say it's always been a struggle for the (ASA) # 61 team at AIS. That's why it was extra special for me to see Eric Cupernall finish in 5th place on Saturday night at AIS after struggling for fifty laps. Eric and his Dad Larry and their team are way overdue for that trip to "Victory Lane". The one thing this reporter is sure of is the (ASA) # 61 team will never give up and will make it to the most prestigious place on the Foot of The Tug Hill. That is, " Victory Lane".
From the "Hot Gossip" corner at AIS in the (ASA) Challenger Late Model division, I'm told that there is a Canadian family that is looking to field a family car every week at the Speedway; and they are looking at one of AIS's past True Stock Champs to be the full-time chauffeur. All I can say, (off the record of course), is that the driver in question drives a black Buick Regal and has already been to Victory Lane in 2007. Time will tell if this comes to pass; and from my point of view, I sincerely hope it does.
Nicknames in racing go back to the very beginning in motorsports. We at AIS are no different. Recently I've been asked to refer to Dave Beyer # 75 Light Truck as "Cooter". Why? Well, I really don't know; but I will oblige. Mike Ramos # 09 is to be called "The Mad-Man". I never knew Mike to be mad. Jason Herrington is now "The Flying Farmer". Farmers don't fly; they drive tractors all day. It was also reported to me that John Papin doesn't like my three-year-old nickname for him, "The Redwood Terror". John thinks it makes him look like a dirty driver. The AIS head office wants me to call him the "Redwood Rocket". What do you think? I would like to see this go to a vote. Please e-mail me or use the AIS web board to vote for the "Redwood Terror" or the " Redwood Rocket". I'd much rather see the AIS fans and race teams make this decision. The poles are officially open.
Congrats go out to Dave Arbes # 11 from Rome, New York, for his first visit to Victory Lane in 2007 in the Got Good Cheese.com True Stock feature go. Also, it was the first time to the Checkered Flagged parking area for newcomer Larry Costa # 3 from Canton, New York. That's been a very natural parking spot for that red Geo Storm in the D & D High Out-Put Sport Compact Division at AIS. Larry, that little Red Hot Rod will always lead you there. Enjoy, and congratulations on your first win at AIS.
The # 09 of Mike "Mad-Man" Ramos, (sporting a "For Sale" sign on the side of his truck) made it through the 21 Light Truck field to win the 25-lap, $400.00 to win, Light Truck main sponsored by Westward Painting Co. Hey, Father's Day is June 17th. The Mad Man's Light Truck would make any Dad a great gift. I'm sure Ramos would make you an offer you couldn't refuse on the purchase of this proven race truck. Any and all interested parties should contact Mike in the pits at AIS. If you have a little bigger budget, Bryant Trim's # 59 (ASA) Challenger Late Model race car is also for sale. She's pretty and state of the art.
Well, that's going to wind it up for this edition of "View From The Tower". Don't forget to tune into "The Winner" ESPN 1410 AM on Tuesday evening at 5:00 p.m. AIS's GM, Billy Gibson, has a brand new radio show on local racing. I guess he's hanging out with an Amphibian from Froggy 97. In any event, it looks like a pretty good program; and the best of luck goes out to everyone involved. High marks go out again to the AIS staff and all the race teams. Our weekly show was complete at 9:30pm on Saturday evening. That's great. Remember, e-mails are always appreciated.. You can contact me at gears@twcny.rr.com Until next time, please be good to one another; and I'll be looking for you at "The Auto Racing Thrill on the Foot of the Tug Hill", The Adirondack International Speedway.