July 3, 2011

Another Engine loss for Team

Denver, CO. - After come off a great 3^rd place finish on June 18^th, the Mountain States Toyota Supermodified Mikula Racing and driver Chris Sheil was back in action at Colorado National Speedway Saturday night.

The night started off with Sheil started on the front row outside position for the 8 lap qualifier. Sheil came home with a 3^rd place finish.

For the 25 lap “A” Feature, Sheil started second row outside. Sheil had a good start but was being conservative because of the hot track conditions and traffic. With traffic clearing, Sheil was on the move. By lap 7, Sheil was running in the 4^th position. Then on Lap 8, coming off turn 4, the motor exploded with fire surrounding the car. The CNS Safety crew chased down Sheil, with the car finally stopping turns one and two. The Safety crew got Sheil out and extinguish the fire.  Sheil was ok.

"This was a very unfortunate ending to what started out as a great night. The car was running well and we were starting to pick off cars. I really think we had a great car and I want to thank my crew for all of their efforts. I also want to thank the CNS safety crew for their fantastic efforts and quick work. Their speedy efforts surely saved our equipment” said Sheil afterwards.
“Thank you to all of the Mountain States Toyota employees that made the trip out and the families of Children's Hospital. It was great seeing you all and I look forward to seeing you all again."

For Immediate Release

Freebird Motorsports Marketing

June 22, 2011

2011 BCRA Hall of Fame Inductees

Lincoln, NE. - The Big Car Racing Association (BCRA) Hall of Fame will inducted eleven new members this Friday evening.

The induction will take place at the Smith Collection of American Speed Museum in Lincoln, NE. at 6:00 PM on the 24th of June. The ceremony is expected to take about an hour and there will be a tour of the Museum directly afterward. There will also be a tour at 2:00 PM. Just come to the front door and tell the attendant that you are with the Big Car Racing Association.

On Saturday, June 25, there will be a gathering at Joe Haag's Hot Rod Shop and Museum at 1901 1st street in Lincoln where lunch, a static display and bench racing will occur. About 4:00 PM we will adjourn to Eagle Raceway for more displays, on track sessions, interviews with the inductees and ... bench racing!

The Host Motels will be: The Day's Inn @ 2001 West 0 st. Call 402-477-4488 and ask for the block of rooms for the BCRA.

2011 BCRA Hall of Fame Inductees:

Don Brown: Began racing in the 50s and ran with the BCRA, IMCA and USAC. Best known as one of the best metal men in the business. At one time worked with AJ Watson at the Speedway.

Larry Clark: The "Tolleson Tornado". Two time Arizona State Champion. '76 BCRA Champ. '78 RPM Champ.

Thad Dosher: Topeka's winningest Sprint car driver. '67 Knoxville Champ and '73 IMCA Champ.

Clarence Froid: Railroad artist by trade, was responsible for a lot of the advertisements on many of the cars, designed the BCRA Logo, and was active as scorer and timer for the Club.

Bill Hill: Midget car owner, announcer, publicist, journalist, author, newspaper columnist and acclaimed racing historian.

Mearl Holbrook: Racer, PR man, National Speed Sport News columnist, steward and past president of BCRA. One of BCRA's most dedicated members for many years.

Wayne House: Legendary engine builder with wins at tracks all over the country. Knoxville, Manzanita, Ascot etc. Built the famed "school bus" engine that Roger Rager ran at Indy.

Grier Manning: Engine man and fabricator from Colorado. Regular competitor and official at the Pike's Peak Hill Climb. Finished in the top ten six times driving for J C Agajanian. 7th in BCRA in '61 and Lakeside Midget Champion in 1969.

Ralph Parkinson Jr.: Racer, car builder and engine man. With his father, Ralph Sr., he was a major force in auto racing in the mid-west for over half a century.

Roger Rager: Has run BCRA , IMCA, USAC, including his famous "schoolbus" car at the Speedway. As far as we know Roger is still racing.

Bill Robison: Another all weather racer. Ran BCRA, IMCA World of Outlaws and still races modifieds in the mid-west.

The Don Budy Award for contributions to the BCRA and Big Car racing in general will go to Bruce Budy. Bruce is a former BCRA Rookie of the Year and, from his print shop in Golden,CO issued a number of Newspapers and other publications that are today considered prized mementos of the BCRA' s Golden Years.

Rauch Takes Checkered at I-76 Speedway

For Immediate Release

June 11, 2011

Ft. Morgan, CO. - After a crash two weeks ago at El Paso County Fairgrounds, open wheel veteran and 3-Time Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association (RMMRA) Driver Champion Keith Rauch led from start to finish Saturday night at I-76 Speedway in Ft. Morgan, Colorado.

After finishing second in his heat race, Rauch driving the IMM, Peterson Fluid Systems, USA Performance Engines, Petauro Racing entry started on the outside of pole sitter Scott Fennell to begin the 20 Lap “A” Feature.  At the start, Rauch charged to the lead with Tony Rossi following close behind.  The first of two yellow flags came out on lap three when Bob Harr spun out and stalled between turn one and two, Harr restarted in the back of the field.  On the restart, Rauch took the lead with Rossi and Butch Middleton following closely behind.  With ten laps down, the second yellow flag was drawn when rookie midget driver Dustin Weland for spun out in turn 4, with a broken rear axle, Weland was done for the night.  After the restart, the past champions (Rauch and Rossi) battled with each other for the remainder of the Feature with Rauch coming out victorious. Rounding out the top five were Chris DeShon, Greg Schaefer, and Butch Middleton.

Heat race winners were Butch Middleton and Tony Rossi.

**Note:  Great Job to the crews and drivers for getting their cars put back together after a rough start in Heat One. The RMMRA started all fifteen cars in the Main Event thanks to their hard work.

Results:

Heat One (10 Laps): 1. Butch Middleton, 2. Scott Fennell, 3. Mark Chisholm (R), 4. Bob Harr, 5. Cory Mallo, 6. Julee Jamison, 7. Mike Boesel, 8. Clint Shubert (R).

Heat Two (10 Laps): 1. Tony Rossi, 2. Keith Rauch, 3. Chris DeShon, 4. Greg Schaefer, 5. Dustin Weland (R), 6. Justin Mallo, 7. Steve Newman.

“A” Feature (20 Laps): 1. Rauch, 2. Rossi, 3. DeShon, 4. Schaefer, 5. Middleton, 6. J. Mallo, 7. Jamison, 8. Boesel,  9. C. Mallo, 10. Fennell, 11. Schubert (R), 12. Chisholm (R), 13. Harr (DNF), 14. Weland (R) (DNF), 15. Newman (DNS).Ft. Morgan, CO. -

After finishing second in his heat race, Rauch driving the IMM, Peterson Fluid Systems, USA Performance Engines, Petauro Racing entry started on the outside of pole sitter Scott Fennell to begin the 20 Lap “A” Feature.  At the start, Rauch charged to the lead with Tony Rossi following close behind.  The first of two yellow flags came out on lap three when Bob Harr spun out and stalled between turn one and two, Harr restarted in the back of the field.  On the restart, Rauch took the lead with Rossi and Butch Middleton following closely behind.  With ten laps down, the second yellow flag was drawn when rookie midget driver Dustin Weland for spun out in turn 4, with a broken rear axle, Weland was done for the night.  After the restart, the past champions (Rauch and Rossi) battled with each other for the remainder of the Feature with Rauch coming out victorious. Rounding out the top five were Chris DeShon, Greg Schaefer, and Butch Middleton.

Heat race winners were Butch Middleton and Tony Rossi.

**Note:  Great Job to the crews and drivers for getting their cars put back together after a rough start in Heat One. The RMMRA started all fifteen cars in the Main Event thanks to their hard work.

Results:

Heat One (10 Laps): 1. Butch Middleton, 2. Scott Fennell, 3. Mark Chisholm (R), 4. Bob Harr, 5. Cory Mallo, 6. Julee Jamison, 7. Mike Boesel, 8. Clint Shubert (R).

Heat Two (10 Laps): 1. Tony Rossi, 2. Keith Rauch, 3. Chris DeShon, 4. Greg Schaefer, 5. Dustin Weland (R), 6. Justin Mallo, 7. Steve Newman.

“A” Feature (20 Laps): 1. Rauch, 2. Rossi, 3. DeShon, 4. Schaefer, 5. Middleton, 6. J. Mallo, 7. Jamison, 8. Boesel,  9. C. Mallo, 10. Fennell, 11. Schubert (R), 12. Chisholm (R), 13. Harr (DNF), 14. Weland (R) (DNF), 15. Newman (DNS).After a crash two weeks ago at El Paso County Fairgrounds, open wheel veteran and 3-Time Rocky Mountain Midget Racing Association (RMMRA) Driver Champion Keith Rauch led from start to finish Saturday night at I-76 Speedway in Ft. Morgan, Colorado.

For Immediate Release

Contact: Freebird Motorsports Marketing

Email: freebird_motorsports@comcast.net

Phone: 303-325-6690

June 5, 2011

Sheil Finishes 3^rd at Colorado National Speedway

Dacono, CO. - After a blown motor two weeks ago, Chris Sheil driving the Mikula Racing ERA Supermodified Mountain States Toyota finished a strong 3^rd  in the 25 Lap “A” Feature Saturday night at Colorado National Speedway.

With a backup motor installed, the day started off with very warm temperatures and slick track conditions, Sheil started on the pole for the second of two 6 lap Qualifier’s and finished with a respectable 3^rd place.  “After an unfortunate ending to our season opener with our primary motor letting go we were forced to put our back up motor in”, said Sheil.  “We tried some new set up packages to start off the day to get every bit of speed out of the car possible. We were pretty decent in practice and made some slight adjustments going into our heat race.  After finding quickly that the car was free off of the corner it was obvious that there were some more adjustments to be made so we could be competitive in the feature”.

With the temperature cooling off for the start of the “A” Feature, Sheil starting second row inside, shot into the second position with pole sitter Richie Castor JR. taking the lead.  Sheil ran the second position most of the race until Veteran Supermodified driver Harold Evan passed Sheil for position.  At the end, Sheil finished with a strong 3^rd place finish and gaining valuable points for the night.

“We made some handling adjustments to the car in addition to a fuel setting adjustment in time for the feature. I knew it was going to be hard to run with the 2 (Richie Castor JR.) and 3 (Harold Evans) cars as they were looking quick from the start of the day. We ended the feature in 3rd and I am very pleased with the way we rebounded from our qualifier race. The crew did a great job fine tuning the car which allowed for a great points night”, Sheil stated afterwards.

“I want to thank my family, crew, and sponsors for all of the efforts Saturday night”.

Next race on the schedule will be on July 3^rd at Colorado National Speedway for the Mountain States Toyota “Night at the Races”.