With the area racing season ready to shift into high gear, teams are making their plans known for what appears to have the makings of a very busy and highly competitive season for area fans and racers.
Those teams making plans known include:
• Team Apex USA Racing — Since appearing on the scene only two seasons ago, this Terre Haute based road racing operation has been a major player in the Formula BMW series.
Scoring major wins at many of North America’s premier road circuits, the team hopes to continue their successful ways. Among the stops will be Indianapolis and appearing on the same card as the US Grand Prix. Their driver this season will be Lindsey Adams of Dallas.
• BWB Racing -- Car owner Bill Biddle has once again assembled an attractive slate for his open wheel racing stable. Look for the BWB colors in both USAC and Premier Racing Association sanctioned events this season.
Ron Gregory will be behind the wheel the team’s champ car and will run all PRA shows. A second car will be handled by Marc Jessup on a race-to-race program. The team will do all USAC champ dirt shows with a driver yet to be announced.
Gregory will handle the teams USAC sprint pavement car and a driver for team’s half mile USAC dirt USAC sprint effort is also in the TBA status.
• Carmichael Racing -- Based out of North Terre Haute, this team will be one the most active of area operations. Kenny Carmichael and his son Kenny Carmichael Jr. will be competing in both sprints and stocks throughout the summer.
Carmichael Sr. is the defending champ in both the sprint and street stocks at Lincoln Park Speedway. He’ll be back to defend his crowns while splitting time between Bloomington and Danville, Ill., on Friday nights in the sprints.
He’ll drive a UMP modifieds for Hall Motorsports while Jr. will compete in sprints and street stock at LPS on a weekly basis. A few selected USAC appearances might also be in the picture for the father-son team.
• Blake Fitzpatrick Racing — Already off to fast start, this 15-year-old West Terre Haute open wheel racer won the USAC midget show at Columbus, Ohio, back in January.
The team plans to run the full 31-race USAC Keynon Midget series, selected sprint shows at Bloomington, Lawrenceburg and Lincoln Park.
• Grayless-Auler Racing — Look for this team to be a familiar fixture on the area UMP Modified scene. Harold Grayless and Mark Auler will combine their effort as the two short veterans will compete at Charleston, Danville and Lincoln Park Speedway.
• Gardner Racing — Dennison, Ill. businessman Albert Gardner will field a UMP Modified effort for West Terre Haute’s Jeff Wellum who plans to make the entire 19-race Wolfpack Challenge series.
In addition to campaigning the Wolfpack Challenge, the “Racing Doctor” hopes to run selected ovals throughout the area, including any races at the Terre Haute Action Track that don’t conflict with the Wolfpack events.
• Heramb Racing — Travis Heramb a familiar face at Lincoln Park Speedway in recent years is expected to expand his street stock efforts this season venturing to events at Illinois dirt ovals near Danville and Charleston.
• Jordan Racing — Terre Haute racer Ritichie Hawkins won the bomber class title at Putnamville a year ago and will move up to the faster Super Stocks. He’ll also field a bomber for long-time crew member Darrell Richardson.
• Krockenberger Racing — Local fans may think they’re seeing double when the sharp liveried No. 21 sprint cars appear on area dirt track ovals. Those look-alike sprinters belong to the racing brother efforts of Krockenberger Racing.
Eric Krockenberger will join brothers Shawn and Daren in the sprints this summer after a successful run in kart racing. Daren’s 16-year-old grandson Kyle is also expected to make his debut in the sprints during the upcoming season.
• L&R; Racing — West Terre Haute businessman Larry Rowley will field a Super Stock for Kenny Carmichael Jr. and UMP modified for Wil Fagg this summer competing at several area short tracks.
• Paul May Racing — The area’s lone full-time winged sprint car racer continues to recover from injuries suffered at Lincoln Park last Fall to compete on the demanding Club All-Star Sprint circuit.
A schedule that included over 50 shows in 06. He will also be competing on the Midwest All Star Sprint tour at selected tracks.
• Marietta Racing — With his operation based out of Brownsburg, Mario Marietta of Clinton is expected to run USAC Regional midgets and selected pavement sprint car shows.
• Jim Mills Motorsports — Look for the Marshall, Ill. racer to run sprints of Paragon on Saturday nights with limited modified appearances at Putnamville.
• RAM Racing — Without question the “dean” of Wabash Valley open wheel racers. Clinton’s Dave Peperak will once again be behind the wheel of his familiar No. 77 RAM Racing sprinter.
Look for the likable driver to compete on a regular bases at Bloomington, limited visits to Paragon and selected USAC shows.
• Harry Shephard Racing — This Terre Haute competitor, with 27 years of racing under his belt, will be back again this season and will focus on everything from late models, modifieds and stock cars at selected Indiana and Illinois tracks throughout the year.
• Stockton Family Racing — No longer a new kid on the block, young Chase Stockton will be an active racer in the sprints campaigning full-time on the Midwest Sprint Car Series circuit, selected shows at Paragon, and all five of the Danville Bell Helment Shootout events. The Sullivan racer finished third in points in the series a year ago.
• Tri-American Motorsports — This Farmersburg-based team will field UMP modifieds for a trio of drivers that include veteran area racer Glenn Andrew, his son Brett Andrew and Terre Haute South High School teacher Josh Speer.
While the team will field cars for the dirt ovals, frequent visits to selected pavement shows on the O’Reilly USA Midwest Series remains a strong possibility.
• Van Sant Racing — Veteran short racer Phil Van Sant will have a new Bob Pierce modified chassis to competed at Lincoln Park. Danville and Action Track.
The full-time Terre Haute city fireman finished fourth in LPS points and in the top 100 of UMP modified points a year ago.
• Walls Racing — With goals of continuing his winning and championship ways, Lloyd Walls will once again be regular in the stocks at LPS this season.
• Dusty Wright Motorsports — This Seelyville-based sprint car team, with driver Dusty Wright, will once again challenging area short tracks.
Look for the newcomer to compete on a regular basis at the newly revamped weekly card at Paragon, where he scored a feature win a year ago. The team will also make all non-USAC sanctioned non-wing sprint shows at the Action Track.
• Wright Motorsports — One can expect Mike Wright to be more than a casual observer of the racing at Lincoln Park Speedway on Saturday nights.
He’ll will be kept busy following the efforts of sons Paul and Mike in the track’s Super Stocks division, and grandsons Jacob also in Super Stocks and Michael in the bombers. Paul will make limited appearances at Bloomington Motor Speedway.
Tribune-Star auto racing columnist Joe Buckles can be reached at jbuckles@verizon.net.
Sports Columns
Trackside: Race teams ready for busy season
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TILL IT'S OVER: Terre Haute Triathlon's new race director seeks more events for his hometown
Today is the day for the Thunder in the Valley, and the Terre Haute Triathlon is under new leadership in 2013, the 28th year for the event at Hawthorn Park.
A former Terre Haute North track and cross country standout, Ethan Page is the race director as the race falls under the reign of Page’s new company, Crossroads Events. -
TODD GOLDEN: Don't give up on ISU baseball just yet
If you had to pick one word that would describe the 2013 Indiana State baseball season, it would have to be frustration.
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TRACKSIDE: Terre Haute's Carmichael enjoying strong spring in modifieds, stocks
It might have been cold and blustery at Charleston Speedway on Saturday night, but for Terre Haute driver Kenny Carmichael the evening couldn’t have been more pleasant.
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From Terre Haute to the major leagues: Phegley's play could earn him promotion to Chicago
Josh Phegley's debut in the Major Leagues could be coming to a ballpark near you.
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There's an expert at Parker's Archery
As I was driving the winding roadways of southern Indiana, a rustic building caught my attention and the sign on the front revealed it to be an archery shop called Parkers Archery.
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TRACKSIDE: Rain still a pain for Wabash Valley racing organizers
Soggy weather conditions, which have rightfully drawn the ire of Wabash Valley race fans and crews in recent days, continue to plague promoters where it hurts the most — their pocketbooks.
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RAMBLIN’ RECK: Pacers having a ‘Garden Party’
The Indiana Pacers are back in form and looking good.
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KENNY BAYLESS: Sponsors sought for 'Ladies Only' event at Terre Haute Sporting Clays
Sponsors are being sought at the Ladies Only event at Terre Haute Sporting Clays on Saturday at 10 a.m. Sponsors should be willing to donate $1 or more for every broken bird. Each lady is allowed 25 shots. Flat donations are gladly accepted. Also, organizers are looking for more ladies to participate. Ammo, clay birds, and guns (if needed) will be furnished.
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College Report: Lively earned collegiate upgrade with strong play
Hillary Lively signed to play Division II basketball at Maryville (Mo.) during her senior year at North Vermillion, but those plans changed and she would up at nearby Danville Area Community College — where she recently concluded an outstanding two-year career.
Lively was impressive enough to earn a Division I scholarship to Southeast Missouri State of the Ohio Valley Conference, and both her future and past college coaches think she will continue to succeed there.
“She fits what we need,” SEMO coach Ty Margenthaler said. “She has college experience, she is strong and physical and plays well around the basket and moves well.
“Her strength, rebounding and touch around the basket will be a big help. On the defensive end, she’ll be able to guard a true center.” -
RAMBLIN' RECK: It’s May … a time for horses and horsepower
It’s the first day of May, a great month for sports.
It begins with the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. My Old Kentucky Home is played before the start of the race on which hundreds of bets will be placed by folks who ordinarily don’t bet on thoroughbred horse racing.
A week later, practice begins for the Indianapolis 500.
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Terre Haute runner sets up race to help Boston
Having competed in the Boston Marathon once before in 2003, 35-year-old Majel Wells of Terre Haute thought she should give it another try in 2013.
“My goal was just to finish and enjoy Boston,” she reflected this week. “I had an injury [runner’s knee] beforehand, so I wasn’t too worried about beating my time from 2003 [4 hours, 10.20 seconds].
“But nobody cares about what your time is at Boston anyway.”
From what I’ve heard over the years, she’s right. Unless you’re a super-serious runner, the Boston Marathon has been more about taking in the atmosphere and having fun than placing in the top 50, although Wells was pleased that she beat her previous time by finishing in 3:55.19 on April 15.
Obviously, her race time wasn’t the most vivid memory that Wells took away from her 2013 Boston experience. -
Amey Takes Aim: NHL playoffs to put TVs to good use
If Jenny had known, she probably wouldn’t have bought that TV.
But four or five years ago, my Fathers Day present — for those unfamiliar with Amey family traditions, the Fathers Day one is “let’s get something we all really want and pretend it’s a gift for Dad” — was a 42-inch Vizio. It’s been used even more than the cell phone I never would have bought for myself, or the TomTom that disappeared since Jenny’s smartphone arrived.
And it came with high-def.
I’m not going to insult you by telling you how great high-def is, because to do so would be to imply that you are even farther behind the technological curve than I am. I’m guessing, however, that not all of you have yet discovered what it does for hockey. -
Foot Notes: ISU track athletes looking to keep improving at Drake Relays
Indiana State’s track schedule has helped its men’s and women’s teams escape the glacial Wabash Valley weather and enjoy warm days in Auburn, Ala., and Knoxville, Tenn.
With the Sycamores’ track facility basically laid to rest for competition and construction on a new one planned near the Wabash River to begin in 2014, major kudos go to everyone involved for continuing to produce athletes that are NCAA contenders who race with some of the world’s best.
Some of ISU’s current athletes are hoping for season-best performances this weekend against strong competition in the Drake Relays.
Former Sycamore NCAA pole-vault champion Kylie Hutson, who competes professionally for Nike and trains in her hometown of Terre Haute, also has been in Des Moines, Iowa, to compete in the Pole Vault in the Mall on Wednesday night. -
REDNECK QUAKER: Variety of birds to search for in turkey hunting
My father-in-law, Donnell Dunn of Jacksonville, Fla., is a retired engineer from J.I. Case and an avid reader and loves information on anything he takes interest in. He has five patents under his belt during his career.
Donnell took great interest in the Turkey World Slam display at Gander Mountain and thought each bird needed some info to help people understand more about them. -
TRACKSIDE: USAC racing picking up, including Sunday's stop in Terre Haute
With a break in the weather, U.S. Auto Club-sanctioned racing will kick into high gear on the area motorsports scene this weekend with events scheduled at three Indiana ovals.
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Ramblin’ Reck: Sato first Foyt winner since 2002
Takuma Sato made Izod IndyCar Series history Sunday when he won the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
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Former South players to play in Saylor benefit game
I had my first phone conversation with Mike Saylor since mid-February on Thursday and he sounded good.
The former Terre Haute South High School boys basketball coach, who’s been battling cancer this year, has been traveling back and forth to the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for chemotherapy treatments. -
COLLEGE REPORT: Valley prep athletes getting ready for next level
The NCAA “regular” signing period begins Wednesday for all sports except football, field hockey, soccer, track and field, cross country and men’s water polo.
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RAMBLIN’ RECK: Pacers closing out a nice season
In case you hadn’t noticed, the final games of the regular season will be played this week in the National Basketball Association.
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Amey Takes Aim: Can’t bottle the joy of Amey vacations
The first bad sign was the Gatorade bottle.
In the Bataan-Death-March drive to Orlando that got the Amey family spring break vacation off to a bad start, seeing it between lanes of I-24 — as we zipped along at a 100-miles-in-five-hours clip — filled with an ominous yellow liquid was a little bit scary. And although we didn't stop to check for sure, I'm fairly certain I knew about its contents.
And the person stuck in the same traffic jam with us, the one with the existential license plate YMIHR4, couldn’t have asked a more pertinent question.
But, after seeing a lot more of Oak Grove, Ky., than we’d planned, and after enduring more traffic slowdowns in Nashville, we were on our way. Even some rain in the dark in the Smokies didn’t slow us down much, so you would think our first-day troubles were over.
You would be wrong. -
Redneck Quaker: Mascari gets thrills from turkey hunting
Annie Mascari is a beautiful, vibrant, 26-year-old lady that loves the outdoors.
She comes from a large family of four brothers and a sister and lives the teachings of good family values.
Olivia Rightly let me know that I “should talk to my teacher at St. Pats School, Ms. Mascari, because she’s taken a turkey.”
As I shook Annie’s hand, I could feel the energy she has for life. As proof, the first time she went up in an airplane, she jumped out of it!
She’s also quite the hunter. Mascari picked up a used PSE bow for $30, one for a left-hander because her left eye is dominate for shooting. The Page Arrows are her choice for broadheads. -
RAMBLIN’ RECK: Louisville gets two shots at NCAA title
Louisville met Michigan in the championship game of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament on Monday. Louisville faces Connecticut in the title tilt of the women’s tournament tonight.
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REDNECK QUAKER: Learning to shoot clays a great experience
Tom Mitchell from Burnett is an all-around outdoor enthusiast. His passions are motorcycles, cars, and most of all, shooting sports. When he sights in on metal target shooting with a hand gun or rifle you will hear a lot of “clang” noises, he can shoot very quiet also, because he is licensed to own suppressers.
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TRACKSIDE: Racing season picking up speed
With several tracks already open and others scheduled to get underway this weekend it’s a sure sign the area motorsports campaign has taken the green flag for the 2013 season.
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RAMBLIN’ RECK: Out with the hoops, in with the bats
It’s a super week for sports fans — college basketball comes to a close and the first baseball games are played in the major leagues.
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COLLEGE REPORT: Conferences honor Valley softball players
Several Wabash Valley area college softball players have been honored by their respective conferences for outstanding play this spring.
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FROM THE PRESSBOX: Content McKenna has enjoyed seeing ISU's progress
It all happened so fast in June 2010.
One minute, Kevin McKenna was head coach of the Indiana State men’s basketball program. Then — poof! — he was gone.
McKenna resigned from his head coaching position at ISU on June 13, 2010 to take an assistant coach position on Dana Altman’s then-burgeoning University of Oregon staff. -
FROM THE PRESSBOX: NCAA got it right with Louisville in Indianapolis
The worst decision and the best decisions made by the NCAA Tournament selection committee shared space on Lucas Oil Stadium’s hardwood Friday night.
The Midwest Regional’s opener pitted Louisville and Oregon, two teams that were on the opposite sides of the NCAA’s coin on Selection Sunday.
Oregon, winner of the Pac-12 Tournament and Pac-12 runner-up in the regular season, was shockingly seeded 12th in the Midwest Region. -
ANDY AMEY: Farewell to basketball
I believe you’ve heard me say before — just about a year ago, perhaps — that a boys high school basketball season that ends with the Tribune-Star in Bankers Life Fieldhouse can’t be considered a bad one, which is why we have a little celebrating to do thanks to the Linton Miners.
Lover of irony that I am, I’ve also got to point out that this season was another branch sprouting from the Wabash Valley’s most legendary coaching tree, that of Joe Hart.
Joe never got much credit for his work at Dugger, but he took Brody Boyd, Clark Golish and the Bulldogs to a state championship game in 2000, and since then three of his former players — Joe Pigg, Clint Swan and now Joey Hart, his son — also have coached teams in the final game of the season.
Joe probably wishes he could take credit for Doc Nash, another down-home type who gave a banjo lesson earlier Saturday in leading Borden past a bigger, more athletic Triton team (banjo lesson is a Howard Sharpism, for you younger readers), but his lineage is still the best I can think of around here. -
RAMBLIN’ RECK: Field down to 16 — but one No. 1 is out
The field is down to 16 in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship with most of the top teams still in the field.
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