FIGJAM

Because I'm old, I've been attending Nostalgia Night at Lernerville Speedway the past few years. In fact, being an old racer I try and get to a lot of the nostalgic themed events around PA and they are getting better all the time. One thing I can say about Nostalgia Night at Lernerville is, Don Gamble does a magnificent job getting things working and last year topped the cake with actual Vintage racing - not demonstration laps but real racing. So it was with great anticipation that I traveled up 80 to attend Hummingbird Speedway for their Oldtimers Night looking for something different to the last Oldtimers Night I attended. Should have saved my time, gas and entry fee. Bud Garveys cars are a great look back to the day, but I'd seen most of them before. I had a great time catching up with a couple of old timers again but apart from that, what was actually different from the last time I was there? NOTHING. Same 4 classes. In fact, I think they were all the same drivers that I saw when I last attended Hummingbird some 3 or 4 years ago. I'm not knocking the drivers who raced and put the show on but it was just like I was in the movie Groundhog Day. Buds a great guy and what he does to restore and show these cars is amazing, but there is so much more that can be done to draw in a crowd and make Buds efforts worthwhile and this night something special. I like this little racetrack. Its well appointed and has a great layout and it always produces good racing, but one thing that screams out to me is - so much potential, so little vision. Whoever runs it needs to get their heads out of their butt and give people a show worthwhile traveling for. Variety is the spice of life. When was the last time they had Sprintcars, Modifieds, Emods, Mod Lites, Midgets, Mini Sprints, Legends, in fact ANYTHING DIFFERENT? From an old racers point of view, there is a huge potential with their Oldtimers Night. The foundation with Bud Garvey and his cars is there, just needs someone passionate and visionary like Don Gamble to make it a special night.

That is correct .... I'm hoping to have time to go to the world but #1 is my clear priority

Builds the best decks in the world apparently - just ask him and he'll tell you.

He's generally a very humble man and hates to brag, but may open up on this occasion.

Just a suggestion here Legend, but in relation to you racing in the World 100, save your money, stay home and avoid any embarrassment. Use work and making money as an excuse. It worked this time.

Researched Ross Nicastri - long time Australian racer apparently.

Wasn't 'The Legend' going to just race selected events like The Dream?

Allegheny Mountain Raceway

June 2 2013

After a rainout at Bedford Speedway on May 24, everyone was champing at the bit to go racing on the tight AMR bullring.

Nine cars had committed and Dan Osmer had burnt the midnight oil to finally get the #6 on the track, but was a late scratching. This left 8 cars and for the first time, we split into 2 heats.

​'Marbles' Mohney, Howard Duff, Brian Stivenson and Roger Stivenson made up Heat 1 with 'Marbles scooting away at the green. Roger pitted the pretty #51 while Brian S and Duff diced for the minor spots. It was a good race with Mohney winning from B Stivenson and Duff.

​Heat 2 had last time winner Rick Lias, Al Byerly, Jim McDermott and Dale McCandless and it was Lias taking up where he left off at Americas Motorsports Park. McCandless had fuel problems and pitted as the other 3 consolidated their positions. Lias easily took the win from McDermott and Byerly.

​Eight cars took to the track for the 20 lap Feature with Heat 1 winner Mohney off pole and Heat 2winner Lias off the rear due to his Feature victory at AMP. Jim McDermott jumped into the lead and held sway as Mohney retired with a broken rear end. Brian Stivenson was coming to grips with the #9 and took the lead with a couple down and started to scoot away. McDermott was fighting the #5 in second with Byerly and Duff next and Lias coming through the field quickly. Roger Stivenson and Dale McCandless followed each other into the Pits as Lias broke through the field and set chase after Brian S. By the 12 lap distance, Brian S had caught the tailenders and Lias started to close quickly. With about 5 to go Brian S had worked past both Duff and Byerly, but Lias was now right there. With about 2 to go, Brian S opened the gate while lapping third placed McDermott and Lias shot through and into the lead. Finishing order was #19 Rick Lias, #9 Brian Stivenson, #5 Jim McDermott, #47 Al Byerly and #812 Howard Duff.

​It was a very good showing from the PA Vintage Modifieds and everyone, drivers, spectators and Promoter were happy with the end result.

​We now move on to another tight bullring at Deerfield Raceway, Ohio in 2 weeks. We may see Gene Steele for that one and get Paul Bacchus, Scott Covert and David George back as well, plus see the much awaited debut of Dan Osmer.

Old Howie Duff still racing? That old fox!

That 19 car is hooked up.