Night two of the Louie Vermeil Classic and my racing buddy
Posted 09-02-2008 at 07:12 PM by ronmcc
Sunday morning I recieved a phone call from my dad asking me if I wanted to go night two?Dad threw in he would treat.I jumped at the chance to see night two.
We arrived in Calistoga at 3:30.Walked up to the tiocket booth and bought tickets and went and found a seat.There was'nt as much pre race activity as on night one.The winieries went home.The WRA (Vintage Racing Association) had there cars on display.There was a booth set up for the raffle prizes.There were items autographed from Mario Andretti,Tony Stewart,Jeff Gordon,Wally Pankratiz and Dick Vermiel to name a few.
They qualified the USAC/CRA 410 non winged sprinters first.It was evident in the first sprinter on the track that the track record would be broken again.There were 32 410's who took timed run's.Jessie Hockett set the new track record on Sunday night.
Kevin Swindell (Sammy Swindells son) won the race.Kevin again put on a clinic on how to drive.The only differernce between night one and two was a able to save his right rear tire on Sunday.Kevin had a dominating charge from the back on Saturday started 20 and was up to third and slipped back to 5th in the closing laps.Calistoga is famous for being fast.Calistoga is also known eating right rear tires in less than 30 laps as occured on three cars on Sunday night.Garret Hansen lost two right reas within about 10 laps of each tire.
USAC Western States Midget also were in attendance for night 2.Nic Faas driving the Western Speed midget lowered the track record formally held by Tony Stewart to 20.723.Stewart held the record for 14 years.Johnny Rodriguez,Garret Hansen,Scott Pierovich trade spots for the first for the first 24 laps.Jhonny Rodriguez made last lap pass for his second win in two night's.
After the race they interviewed the top three drivers.All of the drivers interviewed want to come back to Calistoga next year.
Jesee Hockett called Calistiga the "nut sack track.
I ran into my good buddy Burrel.Burrell is a fixture at Calistoga Speedway.Burrell is in early 20's and been coming to Calistoga probably 18 of those years.Burrel has downs syndrome.He is standing and urging on his favorite driver each night.Burrel always has a hot dog and soda before the race.Burrel calls it his "pre race ritual".Burrel always has a half gallon each of Ketchup and Mustard on his dog.I give Burrel a hard time about not having enough Ketchup and Mustard.Burrel always laugh and says "yep".Each time I see him I am greeted by a high 5 before and after each race.The big news for Burrel was he is going to be moving to a group home in Napa.Burrel works in Napa which is a 2 hour bus trip both ways 5 days a week.Burrel is excited to move.Burrels parents are in there late 60's to early 70's.I told Burrel I would come and get him 1 hr 15 minutes from my house to Napa to take him and bring him home from the races.I need my racing buddy.Burrel is excited about next years races as well.Burrel doesnt care if there is 12 or 3.Burrel will be there I will make sure!
We arrived in Calistoga at 3:30.Walked up to the tiocket booth and bought tickets and went and found a seat.There was'nt as much pre race activity as on night one.The winieries went home.The WRA (Vintage Racing Association) had there cars on display.There was a booth set up for the raffle prizes.There were items autographed from Mario Andretti,Tony Stewart,Jeff Gordon,Wally Pankratiz and Dick Vermiel to name a few.
They qualified the USAC/CRA 410 non winged sprinters first.It was evident in the first sprinter on the track that the track record would be broken again.There were 32 410's who took timed run's.Jessie Hockett set the new track record on Sunday night.
Kevin Swindell (Sammy Swindells son) won the race.Kevin again put on a clinic on how to drive.The only differernce between night one and two was a able to save his right rear tire on Sunday.Kevin had a dominating charge from the back on Saturday started 20 and was up to third and slipped back to 5th in the closing laps.Calistoga is famous for being fast.Calistoga is also known eating right rear tires in less than 30 laps as occured on three cars on Sunday night.Garret Hansen lost two right reas within about 10 laps of each tire.
USAC Western States Midget also were in attendance for night 2.Nic Faas driving the Western Speed midget lowered the track record formally held by Tony Stewart to 20.723.Stewart held the record for 14 years.Johnny Rodriguez,Garret Hansen,Scott Pierovich trade spots for the first for the first 24 laps.Jhonny Rodriguez made last lap pass for his second win in two night's.
After the race they interviewed the top three drivers.All of the drivers interviewed want to come back to Calistoga next year.
Jesee Hockett called Calistiga the "nut sack track.
I ran into my good buddy Burrel.Burrell is a fixture at Calistoga Speedway.Burrell is in early 20's and been coming to Calistoga probably 18 of those years.Burrel has downs syndrome.He is standing and urging on his favorite driver each night.Burrel always has a hot dog and soda before the race.Burrel calls it his "pre race ritual".Burrel always has a half gallon each of Ketchup and Mustard on his dog.I give Burrel a hard time about not having enough Ketchup and Mustard.Burrel always laugh and says "yep".Each time I see him I am greeted by a high 5 before and after each race.The big news for Burrel was he is going to be moving to a group home in Napa.Burrel works in Napa which is a 2 hour bus trip both ways 5 days a week.Burrel is excited to move.Burrels parents are in there late 60's to early 70's.I told Burrel I would come and get him 1 hr 15 minutes from my house to Napa to take him and bring him home from the races.I need my racing buddy.Burrel is excited about next years races as well.Burrel doesnt care if there is 12 or 3.Burrel will be there I will make sure!
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