“The View from the Tower”

By Gary Wilcox – AIS Head Announcer

July 14^th, 2007

The Adirondack International Speedway experienced a hard fought battle with Mother Nature on Saturday evening and finally made it to the checkered flag ahead of the grand old lady.  Suffering through two consecutive rains-out's the past couple of weeks,  AIS was once again under the weather; and rain delayed the beginning of the feature events.  After a shuffle of feature events and the entire AIS safety crew working their hearts out, the four feature events were completed, to the delight of the loyal AIS fans and the evening's sponsor, Regent Broadcasting of Watertown.

     In the American Speed Association (ASA) Challenger Late Model Division, sponsored by Lyndaker Excavation & Trucking, it was a young competitor that had been absent from Victory Lane and finally made it to the prestigious checkered board square on the foot of the Tug Hill.  Tommy Cloce #3 from Canton, New York, put his top notch (ASA) race car in position to win the 50-lap (ASA) main and never looked back.  John Papin # 50 from Redwood, New York, was in hot pursuit and gave it all he had to make the pass around the TJ Toyota # 3 of Cloce, but came up short.   Lee Gill #7 managed a 3rd place finish after a quick pit stop early in the event put Gill in the back of the field.  There were good runs this week from Jason Herrington # 37 from Troy, New York, and Bryant Trim # 59 from Morrisonville. 

     The Speedway was proud to present 20 (ASA) Late Model entries this week.  It was good to see Jim Southard #75 from Brewerton, New York, back in action.  Jim had some mechanical problems during hot laps and was unable to make the 50-lap (ASA) main event.  The # 77 of Josh Lloyd from Holland Patent, New York, Josh Pieneziak # 44 from Schenectady, New York, and the beautiful # 26 of Joe Schneider from Owego, New York, were also in attendance this week at AIS.  It's great to see so many new race teams coming to AIS to compete in 2007.  I guess the word has been spreading throughout the racing community that the racing at AIS is second to none, and believe me it is.

     In the Got Good Cheese.com True Stock 20-lap main, sporting 19 entries, it was an exciting contest to the checkered flag again this week at AIS.  The "Mad Man" Mike Ramos # 09 was the man on the move and in clean air at the checkered flag.   Ramos, starting in the 4th position, fought hard for the lead with the "Birthday Boy" Tom Markham # 7.  Markham started on the point and really wanted to win this feature event in celebration of his birthday.  Ramos had other ideas, and it was quite exciting to watch a pair of Ford Thunder Birds going at each other for the True Stock win.   Congratulations to Mike Ramos and his # 09 team for this win.

      My good friend Kent Widrick, from the Lowville Milk Producers Co-op, is continuing work on the Got Good Cheese-500 scheduled for August 4th at the Speedway.  Many local sponsors have contributed to this big True Stock event, with $500.00 going to the winner and with extra cash being awarded to competitors leading laps.  Look to www.aispeedway.com for continued information on this big main event in August.  We are hoping for many invaders to come to AIS to race in this event.  All True Stocks are welcome.  A full listing of True Stock rules can be found at www.aispeedway.com, or you can call the Speedway office at 346-RACE for details.

     The Westward Painting Co.'s Light Trucks was another division with a full field.  Twenty-four Light Trucks took the green flag; and at lap #20, it was the Westward Painting Co.'s sponsored # 8 of Jim Trombley in Victory Circle.  That's two for two for Trombley, who has really found something in his #8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. look-a-like truck.  Another truck that is always on the move is the newcomer and driver of the # 14, Larry Williams, from Turin, New York.   Heck, most of these guys have all picked up the pace in 2007.  The front runners in this very popular division are turning the 4/10's mile continuous oval at better than 82-mph.  That's hauling the freight for a stock light truck.  Don't forget,  these guys are usually three to five abreast through the corners every week.  It's no wonder the Light Trucks are one of the most popular divisions at the Speedway.

      Now, to a small group of race teams with a giant presence at AIS, the D & D Power Sports 4-cylinder Sport Compact Division.  The "Veteran" Al Brigham # 4 from Lowville, New York, was the guy with his foot stuffed in it and the first to see the checkered flag in the 15-lap feature go.   Cruising the Speedway at 92-MPH plus, the 4-cylinder division never fails to provide an exciting show at AIS each week.   I never thought the car count would improve in the True Stock division, but it certainly did in 2007.   I believe it will with AIS's 4-cylinders in the future.  In all honesty, it really doesn't matter if there is eight teams or eighteen; the show will always be great every week at AIS.

    I'd like to thank everyone at AIS for supporting Dave & Linda Evans' continued work with the Ride-4-Kids Organization that supports the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation for Children.  The great fans, race teams, and staff gathered up  $1,059.00 for this very worthy cause on Saturday evening at the Speedway.  Many thanks to all.

    This weekend, July 21st, the Speedway will be closed for the Lewis County Fair.  I hope everyone will get out and support the annual County Fair in Lowville, New York.  Be sure to wear your AIS shirts and hats if you do attend.   Remember, AIS is a great thing for a great community. That way you'll be supporting both areas from Lewis County. 

     The big weekend is almost here - the Nascar Busch East, Edge Hotel-150, presented by Casella Waste Systems and Toth Trucking Co.   The recently opened RV park (sporting a brand new state of the art bath house) will open on Wednesday, July 25th, at 10:00 a.m.  Come early to the Speedway and get your RV spotted for the biggest weekend of racing in the North Country.  A full schedule breakdown can be found on line at www.aispeedway.com.  Racing will be on tap on Friday evening, July 27th, and Saturday, July 28th, for the Busch East Edge Hotel-150.

     In closing this week's edition of the view, I have to thank all the race teams that have contributed so much to AIS, especially during the 2007 season.  When the Adirondack International Speedway can say they have 70 plus top notch race teams in the pit area after mid season, it sure tells me that the facility is working and building every week.  From the fans, to the staff,  to the race teams, AIS is a success story.  Until next week, thanks for reading my "View from the Tower".  I hope to see you all at AIS for the Busch East Edge Hotel-150 on July 27th & 28th.