"View From The Tower""
August 18, 2007
By: Gary Wilcox - AIS Head Announcer
The Adirondack International Speedway hosted another American Speed Association (ASA) Champ-101 lap main event during the 2007 season for the lightning fast Challenger Late Model Division, sponsored by Haun Welding Company of Watertown, New York, last Saturday evening. Twenty-one of the very best (ASA) Late Models hit the 4.83 continuous oval, showing Jason Herrington #37, "The Flying Farmer" from Troy, New York, on the point. The top twelve in the time trials re-drew for position. Lee Gill # 7 from LaFargeville, New York, was the holder of the fast time with a 16.453 second lap. That's 105.683-mph, and that's picking them up and setting them down for sure. Gill re-drew for starting position # 9 on the grid.
Herrington was coming off a (ASA) feature win from just one week ago and really liked the feel of Victory Lane and had his mind set on a return visit. As the (ASA) Champ-101 started to unfold, the usual cream started to rise to the top, (Herrington #37, Papin #50, Cloce #3, Trim # 59, and Lee Gill #7). Man, these guys ran hard all evening, to the joy of all in attendance. Jason never gave up the lead, but John Papin put some moves on Herrington that were professional to the letter. These two competitors, that are also good friends, trust each other and their race cars to the max. It shows in every lap they run together. Cloce, Trim and Lee Gill swapped back and forth, with Trim getting second place away from Papin for a lap or two. At the checkered flag, Jason Herrington was the man with this huge Adirondack (ASA) win; and it was a very exciting event right to the Checkers. Congratulations to Jason, his team, and family for winning AIS's (ASA) Champ-101 at the Speedway.
JR Mooney #83 also made it "back to back" wins in the Got Good Cheese.com 20-lap True Stock feature go. Mooney from Boonville, New York, was noticeably tired when I interviewed him in Victory Lane. Winning a feature event at AIS takes a lot of stamina, and JR worked his heart out again this week at the Speedway to get back to Victory Lane. Good runs again this week from "The Mad Man" Mike Ramos # 09, "The Rapid Roman" Dave Arbes # 11, Art Newman # 21 from Utica, New York, and Tom Markham # 7 from Constableville, New York.
Scott Shaffer # 67 from Oswego, New York, made it feature win # 3 for the 2007 season at AIS in the D & D Power Sports 4-cylinder division. Scotty had gone completely dry in feature wins at the Speedway, and now he's the proud owner of three of them. Good job, Scott; and we all hope you can keep it going. Larry Costa, # 3 from the Canton, New York area continues to have his problems with Andre Roggie's old ride. This little Geo Storm wasn't nicknamed "The Little Red Hot Rod" for nothing. Hang in there, Larry, You're bound to get back to Victory Lane soon. Just wire the gas pedal to the floor, and the car will take you straight there. Believe me, that Geo definitely knows the way.
The Westward Painting Co.'s sponsored Light Truck Division was a very exciting event once again this week at AIS. With only 25 trucks at the Speedway, it was decided by the AIS officials to start everyone. It was great to see no one on the trailer because of failing to qualify. Man, I hate that "DNQ" stuff, when it happens. Once again, it was Bill Anginar Jr. # 77 about three grooves up the race track and heading to the front and another Checkered Flag. Unfortunately, Bill was found to have some problems. At the post race inspection, the # 77 race team wouldn't let AIS officials take a look see at his rear end gears; and Bill & team were DQ'd.
I really don't understand the rational of this team. I believe this was Bill's fourth win at AIS in 2007, and I think he's been disqualified three previous times. What seems to be the problem here? Is it a gray area in the rules? I don't know what the answer is. I do know if it was me, I'd be sick to know the # 77 race team is that good, and they really are, and lost three wins to tech problems. Let's all hope they get it worked out. Congratulations to Levi Kirkbride from Greg, New York, for making it "Back to Back" wins for his # 92 team in the highly competitive Light Truck Division, sponsored by Westward Painting Company of Lyons Falls, New York..
There were seventy race teams in the pit area this past weekend at AIS. I think that's a great effort from everyone at the Speedway to provide a great show for the fans. The autograph session down front during intermission was another huge success again this season. I love to watch the little kids when they get close to their favorite drivers and racers. You can actually see the excitement and enthusiasm right across their faces. All of the drivers, families, and team members were very gracious to everyone who came down to the front stretch to see the cars and talk with the AIS race teams. Many thanks to all once again.
This Saturday evening, the Adirondack International Speedway will be hosting a great sponsor, High-Lite Marking Company, which is a big supporter of the # 21 car of Mark Scoville, from Carthage, New York. Boy, would I love to see "Team Yellow" pull a feature win out of their hats this weekend with their sponsor at AIS to bare witness. That would be cool. Also, AIS will present "Black Flag Night" at the Speedway. Now, what is Black Flag Night? Well, I really don't know. I guess you'll have to attend the evening's racing card at AIS to find out. Gates will open at 4:00 p.m., with racing underway promptly at 6:30 p.m.
In closing this week's edition of "View From the Tower", I want to thank my old buddy Skip Howe for stepping in with very short notice to help me with the announcing. Also, it was a treat for me to have the opportunity to talk to the great AIS fans, get back down to Victory Lane, and to announce a few laps from the starter's stand. I used to do that at the Evans Mills Speedway some years earlier and always enjoyed it. The look on Chris Brass' and Tim Barone's faces when I climbed up into the starter's stand and started announcing was precious. Hey guys, I'm a 55-year-old juvenile delinquent; deal with it.
Until next time, please be good to one another; and you can always reach me at gears@twcny.rr.com. Be sure to tell your friends about the "Auto Racing Thrill on The Foot of The Tug Hill", The Adirondack International Speedway; and get out to the Speedway this Saturday night.