tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90761537281838189882024-03-13T10:27:33.986-07:00In the Groove with Lucas Oil RacewayLucas Oil Racewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742882512148863749noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076153728183818988.post-86822304939504791272011-06-15T12:29:00.000-07:002011-06-16T06:20:29.162-07:00Follow up with PR Intern Stephanie<span style="font-family:Calibri;">It’s been five weeks since I’ve started working at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis as the PR Intern. After the first event, the Thursday Night Thunder, I was so pleased with how well everything was going and how much I loved what I was doing. I also had a feeling that after being thrown into singing the National Anthem during that event I was prepared for anything the track staff could throw at me. But of course….. I should have known better.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Calibri;">The next event on the schedule was the Night Before the 500. The week before the event I did a lot of detail work. I designed the program and got things ready in the media center. I also was given the freedom to leave the safety of my trusted mentor and adventure inside the track to do my first solo interview.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Apparently, Scott thought there was a USAC team testing so I wouldn’t be to out of my element. But to my surprise I was faced with a very unfamiliar car. That evening a man named Rodin Younessicar was trying to perfect his skills of only turning left in his # 16 USF 2000 machine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When I approached him to get a short video interview I think he was just as surprised to hear me ask if I could interview him as I was to seeing him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Since I knew nothing about him or the USF 2000 series I decided the best way to get the information I needed was to just have him talk about himself. Thankfully he did a fabulous job and I was able to walk away without being embarrassed.<br /></span><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><br />You can view this video at </span><a href="http://youtu.be/7BqjWjM8qGM"><span style="font-family:Calibri;color:#800080;">http://youtu.be/7BqjWjM8qGM</span></a><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:Calibri;">The following week I was only in the office on Monday and Tuesday. I was able to practice my interview skills with Dalton and Dakota Armstrong and Alex Bowman on those days. Then the rest of the week I was stationed at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) selling discounted tickets for the Night Before the 500.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Armstrong and Bowman interview:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span><a href="http://youtu.be/AMpt6a-1Xro"><span style="font-family:Calibri;color:#800080;">http://youtu.be/AMpt6a-1Xro</span></a><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Aptumhvf_N8/TfkIzhQp0kI/AAAAAAAAAUg/PEsi0Dh7t10/s1600/_MG_0264.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 148px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 114px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618531691315974722" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Aptumhvf_N8/TfkIzhQp0kI/AAAAAAAAAUg/PEsi0Dh7t10/s320/_MG_0264.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Finally, on Saturday I came into work for the Night Before the 500 race and once again felt at home with all the USAC people around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The night was filled with exciting races. I loved being able to talk racing with the fans, go out and capture all the action on my camera, and meet and hear how excited the drivers were after their big win!<o:p></o:p></span> </div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></div><br /><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 98px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 126px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618531682820056418" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9tUW1AOFxXE/TfkIzBnEZWI/AAAAAAAAAUY/WsNu-wYNMgE/s320/paper.jpg" /><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Following this event I was in SpeedFest mode while at the office. I was emailing drivers PR reps and making passes to send out to NASCAR. One day I had to cut 1,105 pieces of paper in half with scissors!! Talk about a HUGE blister the next day. Even though my boss was slowly killing me I was still having a great time.</span><br /><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">The next event was the Champion Racing Association (CRA) race on June 12. This event I was no stranger to the series because I see them almost every weekend when I drive my front wheel drive (fwd). I was once again going where no intern at Lucas Oil Raceway has gone before and that was behind a wheel on the track. I had never raced there before and was slightly intimidated by the track. Not only would everyone who was working know me but this is a very large and flat track.<br /></span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Race day I was ready to bring the heat and hopefully end the day with a solid finish. In practice my car had a mind of its own and just wanted to push up the track. After a few laps my confidence was boosting but it must have gone up to much because I spun out in the middle of three and four.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I didn’t hit anything and when I came in my grandfather, Tom Bigelow, reassured me that I was doing great and said the only way to know I had pushed the car to its limit was to spin out. </span><br /></p><br /><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9kwray09078/TfkJ4Nqa9rI/AAAAAAAAAUo/TzCEra7vnu0/s1600/racing%2Bblog.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 159px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 123px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618532871466317490" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9kwray09078/TfkJ4Nqa9rI/AAAAAAAAAUo/TzCEra7vnu0/s320/racing%2Bblog.jpg" /></a>During that practice I was running 11<sup>th</sup> out of 18 cars. Not as fast as I wanted to be so I decided we needed to make some changes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Unfortunately, the changes we made to the car made it handle a lot worse and I had to switch back the changes and start the race at the rear of the field. <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><br />My race was the first race of the afternoon and I was asked to sing the National Anthem once again. In order to make this happen I had to drive my car on the track, sing in my uniform, and then jump into my car and get buckled in as quickly as possible. Once all the pre race ceremonies concluded and I was in my car my focus and determination level was shooting through my roof. On the pace laps I felt out my car and I knew that I would be able to pass a decent amount of the cars in front of me.<br /></span><br /><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 161px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 117px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618533296779300514" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hRv-IEs9qYQ/TfkKQ-E8DqI/AAAAAAAAAUw/07yL1L1lAgs/s320/racing%2Bblog%2B2.jpg" /><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Once the green flag dropped I was off. I passed one car that was spinning out to my inside and was charging to catch the next. Sadly, that car was also going to spin out right in front of me and with my car pushing as bad as it was I was unable to drop low to miss it. I ended up hitting the wall with my right front and broke the lower a-arm. I was done for the day </span><span style="font-family:Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol;font-family:Wingdings;" >L</span></span><span style="font-family:Calibri;"> . </span><br /><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Even though I was given a hard time at work the next day and told I would be repainting the inside wall I think the staff thought it was pretty cool to see me out on the track. I now have a better understanding of the track and I’m able to tell people that turn one and two take FOREVER to get around and three and four are a lot sharper. You need to enter one right above the second lane mark and let your car drift up the track and angle it to shoot out of two. Enter three a litter higher then one and just hang on.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Thankfully, I will be able to redeem myself on October 1<sup>st</sup> when CRA returns to Lucas Oil Raceway.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div>Lucas Oil Racewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742882512148863749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076153728183818988.post-53009447899092808802011-05-19T06:12:00.000-07:002011-05-19T07:23:47.209-07:00Meet Stephanie Bigelow the 2011 PR Intern<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-thgFd-HL9l0/TdUeWlr_yuI/AAAAAAAAATc/OxT0C8dzvrc/s1600/blog%2Bfirst.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 133px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 190px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608422284382423778" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-thgFd-HL9l0/TdUeWlr_yuI/AAAAAAAAATc/OxT0C8dzvrc/s320/blog%2Bfirst.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-family:Calibri;">Hello everyone! My name is Stephanie Bigelow, I am from Winchester, IN, and I can literally say I was raised in a race shop. I sometimes wonder how my dad was able to keep me in one piece and get his car race ready for the coming weekend. I suppose I should just be thankful I am alive. I remember when I would want some attention I would ask my dad what I could do to help and then when there was nothing I would complain about being bored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Now, being 21 and almost through college I can’t believe I uttered those words! Back then, going to the racetrack meant long hot days and long trips in the back of a truck. I knew I would always hold onto those days but I never thought I would be molding my career around them. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Currently, I am a student at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) studying Sport Management with a certificate in Motorsports Studies. I am gearing my degree towards motorsports and hopefully one day I will manage a racing facility. I have been racing myself for almost 3 years now. I run with the Champion Racing Association (CRA) in their Front Wheel Drive division. I love being able to experience the sport from behind the wheel. The adrenalin rush is like a drug. I say that because I literally go through withdraws during the winter months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So, to keep myself “high on racing” I am going to school to guarantee I will never lose my mind, “WINNING”. <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QHM8WMChyX4/TdUeW1_G4fI/AAAAAAAAATk/xe01VTzqVh8/s1600/blog%2B1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608422288757547506" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QHM8WMChyX4/TdUeW1_G4fI/AAAAAAAAATk/xe01VTzqVh8/s320/blog%2B1.jpg" /></a>Having a grandpa like Tom Bigelow, a nine time Indy 500 competitor and USAC Champion, has also helped me learn all about the racing community. He and my dad Alan have mentored me in my own racing and introduced me to many racing legends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This was proved to my boss, Scott Smith, at Lucas Oil Raceway during my first week as the public relations intern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>During the first Thursday Night Thunder event we were both in the media center and I was able to carry on conversations with almost everyone because they personally knew me or my family. Scott must have thought it was pretty impressive because he made the sarcastic comment that this event was like my homecoming. <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><br />Being able to work at Lucas Oil Raceway will launch my racing career. Here, I will gain real life experience by working on projects that are directly related to what I want to do later in life. <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><br />My first week here has been way too much fun to be considered work. I have been working on driver bio’s to put in the program for the week of Speedfest as well as a section that will consist of random facts about the NASCAR Nationwide Series at Lucas Oil Raceway. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>During the Thursday Night Thunder event I was able to walk around and take pictures of the sprint cars being unloaded and set up. As well as update Facebook and Twitter with all that was going on at the track. <o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_gsClBUG20k/TdUgdgI03QI/AAAAAAAAAT8/vhWfPGQkiQQ/s1600/_MG_9931.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 95px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 130px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608424602175069442" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_gsClBUG20k/TdUgdgI03QI/AAAAAAAAAT8/vhWfPGQkiQQ/s320/_MG_9931.JPG" /></a>One thing I got to do that was not in the job objective was singing the National Anthem that evening. I was suppose to sing one time last year but was unable to due to an unexpected appendectomy. So when the singer for the Thursday Night Thunder event cancelled Wes Collier, the GM here at Lucas Oil Raceway, asked if I would do it. Knowing I couldn’t say no to the head honcho I swallowed my nerves and prayed my kidneys wouldn’t explode like my appendix did the year before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Thankfully everything went well.<o:p></o:p></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ASC9qZ83fR0/TdUeXB20v-I/AAAAAAAAATs/TuDaIdFNuec/s1600/_MG_0353.JPG"></a><br /><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><br /><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 141px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 109px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608422298220413298" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ghSjtt-xfIw/TdUeXZPOwXI/AAAAAAAAAT0/FxiWJreMrQ0/s320/blog%2Blast.jpg" /><span style="font-family:Calibri;">The following night was the first Friday Night Rage event on the drag strip. Drag racing is so foreign to me but I learned a lot that night. I was able to just sit back and take it all in for awhile and then I headed out to capture pictures. The cool thing about drag racing is your ticket gives you access to everything unlike oval racing where your pit pass costs extra. It was really interesting being able to watch the crowd mingle right next to the cars that where competing. Also to make that night more unique Drift Indy was competing. Drifting is almost like an art form. Those guys are so proud of their rides and what they can make them do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Overall the first week was better then I expected. It wasn’t until Saturday night when I got home that I noticed how sore my feet were from walking and my checks were from smiling. I am looking forward to reflecting on every week so I can follow how much I grow. <o:p></o:p></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span><span style="font-family:Calibri;">For more pictures be sure to check out the Lucas Oil Raceway Facebook page at:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Lucas-Oil-Raceway/172773642764282"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Lucas-Oil-Raceway/172773642764282</span></a><br /><o:p></o:p><br /><span style="font-family:Calibri;">For a schedule of events go to: </span><a href="http://www.lucasoilraceway.com/"><span style="font-family:Calibri;color:#800080;">www.lucasoilraceway.com</span></a><br /><o:p></o:p><br /><span style="font-family:Calibri;">We also have a Twitter as I mentioned!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Follow our tweets at: </span><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/LucasOilRaceway"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">http://twitter.com/#!/LucasOilRaceway</span></a><o:p></o:p>Lucas Oil Racewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742882512148863749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076153728183818988.post-52083279411099043162011-04-15T11:03:00.000-07:002011-04-18T09:09:44.042-07:00Now what should I bring with me????<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">For me, one of the biggest challenges in going to an event or facility for the first time is knowing what I’m allowed to bring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Below are some helpful hints and tips on what to bring and what to make your visit to Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis more enjoyable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If you see ‘a must have’ we missed or have a question about feel free to drop us a <a href="mailto:%20ssmith@nhra.com">note!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></a></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Parking information - Enter the facility off of U. S. Highway 136 and you will be directed to our parking lots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For most events parking in the facility parking lots is the shortest walk to your seats.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Facility Map – Be sure to download a facility map for your visit to the facility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><a href="http://www.oreillyracewaypark.com/maps.asp">Click here for maps for the different events.<o:p></o:p></a></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Comfortable shoes – Many events involve walking from the parking lots to your seating section so wear comfortable shoes to get to the grandstands. <o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Sunscreen – Protect yourself from the summer rays!<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Blanket – If you are taking in an oval race on the world famous Grass Hill in Turn 1 be sure to bring a blanket to spread it out and sit on it during the event.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Bag chair - If you are taking in an oval race on the world famous Grass Hill in Turn 1 be sure to bring a bag chair to sit on during the event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Please note you can’t bring a chair into the reserved seating area or any of the grandstands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Earplugs – Protect your hearing during the event. <o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Radio Scanner – For many events you can listen to the drivers as they communicate with their crew members<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Cooler – Cooler size is 14x14x14, no glass bottles are allowed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Food – You are able to bring in food and snacks with you into the events.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Cash – While there are ATM’s for many events it is a good idea to have cash for purchases.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Cell phone – There are no pay phones at the facility so be sure to bring your cell phone. <o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Sweatshirts – Temperatures cool off quickly when the sun goes down so be sure to bring an extra layer of clothes to ward off a chill.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">ChapStick – Being in the sun and wind can take a toll on your lips so be sure to bring a tube of ChapStick.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Sharpie and autograph book – For many events there is an autograph session that takes place prior to the race so be sure to bring a sharpie and autograph book to get autographs from your favorite drivers.</span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">We hope this helps your planning and we can't wait to see you during the course of the season!</span></p>Lucas Oil Racewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742882512148863749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076153728183818988.post-21924008216965915942011-03-25T06:18:00.000-07:002011-03-25T06:30:36.370-07:005 Minutes with Kurt Johnson, racing and operations director at Lucas Oil Raceway.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-38zgGxrK0gU/TYyXsmQotTI/AAAAAAAAATM/j7PvvxDIcjs/s1600/KurtJohnson.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 231px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588008030100305202" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-38zgGxrK0gU/TYyXsmQotTI/AAAAAAAAATM/j7PvvxDIcjs/s320/KurtJohnson.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><em>During the course of the year we will be talking with key figures with Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis and learning more about the facility and previewing upcoming events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In this installment of ‘5 Minutes With…’ we caught up with Kurt Johnson, director of racing and operations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Kurt is starting his first full season at the track and is ready for the start of the season.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></em></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">How much time has gone into getting things ready for the start of the season?<br />Roughly 100 hours a week since the end of the 2010 season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>About 80 to 100 hours a week.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">What all goes into that?<br />We basically created all new run procedures for the Summit Bracket Racing Series, we created the Friday Night Rage program, the Thursday Night Thunder program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We’ve never had run procedures and now we have a 26 page book created and there is a lot of work that goes into it. </span><br /></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hggCwN9h444/TYyW21HqmFI/AAAAAAAAAS0/q0u3KmCt7QI/s1600/nordicropped.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 247px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588007106376276050" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hggCwN9h444/TYyW21HqmFI/AAAAAAAAAS0/q0u3KmCt7QI/s320/nordicropped.JPG" /></a>What will ensure a great 2011 season?<br />It is a combination of working with the racers, having good communication with the racers having a good relationship with them and the fact that I was a racer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A lot of this is years of sitting on the back of the trailer after the races going, ‘I wish we did it like this.’ It is pure communication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We are trying to do what the racers want but do it in a way that is fair to everybody.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We can’t please everyone all the time but we hope to please the majority. <o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">What has been the feedback from the racers so far?<br />So far it is been nothing but good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The dragstrip track surface rocked at the end of the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was really good and I think the racers are happy with that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think they feel good that there are people listening here and I’m talking about the entire staff that is willing to listen and try to treat them with respect and there again you can’t always make them happy but if you are fair and you treat everybody the same then it is an overall win.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D6saas7m6SY/TYyW2dxrJ2I/AAAAAAAAASk/6K1fL4SuU98/s1600/Pouring2forweb.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 250px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 187px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588007100110022498" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D6saas7m6SY/TYyW2dxrJ2I/AAAAAAAAASk/6K1fL4SuU98/s320/Pouring2forweb.JPG" /></a>You just finished the starting line project on the dragstrip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Where does that stand now?<br />We are going start putting rubber on it on Tuesday the pad came out wonderful E & B Paving did a wonderful job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They stuck behind their word that they said they would give us a super flat surface and they did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have nothing but good to say about E & B Paving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We went out and hand measured it with Lanny from John Force Racing and had all kinds of fancy equipment out there over the week with lasers, and GPS sensors and it came down to a string line and a machined gauge and the track wasn’t off anywhere above 125,000ths on the new starting line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So it falls well with specs for super flat surface.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4H37n953kVc/TYyYjqFyKpI/AAAAAAAAATU/ZDc70l3i_EQ/s1600/bracketstaged.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588008976021334674" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4H37n953kVc/TYyYjqFyKpI/AAAAAAAAATU/ZDc70l3i_EQ/s320/bracketstaged.JPG" /></a>Is that going to be a huge improvement?<br />Huge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>One of the main problems we always had was there was a bump in the right lane right before where a majority of the rears wheels sit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And so as soon as the car would come off the line it would upset the suspension and it follows Newton’s Law that once an object is in motion it to stays in motion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It would bounce and basketball out 300 feet or so and would tear the rubber off the track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We will have a much better racing surface on down the track because of that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">What else has taken place this off season?<br />We put some new asphalt in the main pits, the Pro Pits and have new equipment to sweep the parking lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So we will be able to keep the parking lot clean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>One of the major factors of a good track is having a clean racetrack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The more we can keep the cars in a clean area and have them come to the race track in a clean area we can keep the debris off the track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For the majority of the events we will be parking on the East side of the track and not on the grass on the west side because the grass gets on the track from the west side. <o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gykDSrEWx58/TYyW2wxthTI/AAAAAAAAASs/FSriPUrHpak/s1600/SprintCar.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 199px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588007105210451250" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gykDSrEWx58/TYyW2wxthTI/AAAAAAAAASs/FSriPUrHpak/s320/SprintCar.JPG" /></a>What has been the feedback on the Thursday Night Thunder Series?<br />We have gotten nothing but good on that and one of the gauges I can use for how popular the series is going to be is how many teams comes to test.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We are almost completely booked for the month of May and then June is heavy for testing as well and I see it going into August as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The teams are excited and I’m not talking about local teams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There are teams in California that are coming out to test and to me that says it is a popular item.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think it will be a home run.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">What is one main goal this season?<br />The main thing is to reintroduce Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis back to the racing population.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think a lot of people forgot the facility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think offering different promotions, high profile programs and keeping the facility the best we can, will get the trust of the racer again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think by getting the track better for the racers we will get the racecars here and then we can concentrate on getting spectators to come watch the racecars and gain the trust in the racing community.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Lucas Oil Racewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742882512148863749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076153728183818988.post-86999817204041504722011-01-26T10:29:00.001-08:002011-01-26T10:52:29.814-08:00Meetings, Meetings and Meetings<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/TUBsgka_RCI/AAAAAAAAARw/ggFcNwRAaoQ/s1600/photo.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/TUBsgka_RCI/AAAAAAAAARw/ggFcNwRAaoQ/s320/photo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566568446218421282" border="0" /></a>Welcome to this installment of In The Groove with Lucas Oil Raceway and we hope your 2011 preparations for the coming season are going well. We at Lucas Oil Raceway are also preparing for the upcoming season and with that comes many hours of meetings and getting together to talk about what is on tap for the rapidly approaching season. <br /><br />This week the staff of Lucas Oil Raceway has been meeting with the racers in the Summit Racing Equipment ET Bracket Racing Series and getting feedback on what they would like to see from us for the upcoming season. In two meetings, with the final one coming tonight, there has been some great conversation with a great flow of information from the drivers and from our staff to them. The racers at Lucas Oil Raceway are the backbone of the track and are most valuable form of advertising as word of mouth is more effective than any commercial could ever be. While some think of meetings as boring there has been tremendous energy in these meeetings and has been a great way for racers to see each other and catch up o the off season news. We hope that they see the changes being made are for the betterment of the program and that they are able to reap the rewards during the course of the season.<br /><br />One great program that is being offered by one of our Lucas Oil Raceway racers is the 'free money' program being offered by Sullivan's Tire located here in Hendricks County. The offer is simple: When you purchase $300.00 of trailer tires or any equal service just ask for a Sullivan;s decal and place it on your car. If your car has the sticker on it when you win a race your free money will be $100 for Super Pro, $50 for Pro, $30 for Street and $20 for Junior Dragster. This is a great way racers are giving back to the program and f you have any questions call Craig at 317-272-5050.<br /><br />That is all for this edition of In the Groove with Lucas Oil Raceway as I'm off to another meeting! Have a great weekend!Lucas Oil Racewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742882512148863749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076153728183818988.post-57220903237268466232011-01-18T12:24:00.000-08:002011-01-18T12:33:11.772-08:00Lucas Oil Raceway, new name for a classic facility<span style="font-family:Calibri;">Greetings! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>Happy New Year from In the Groove with Lucas Oil Raceway from the newly renamed <a href="http://www.lucasoilraceway.com/">Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis</a> which last week entered into a new naming rights agreement with <a href="http://www.lucasoil.com/">Lucas Oil Products</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We are very excited about the new partnership and are looking forward to working with the gang from Lucas Oil.</span><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/TTX3lFr3PCI/AAAAAAAAARQ/2l3dIecSEyg/s1600/LogoCreate1.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 177px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 199px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563625131239488546" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/TTX3lFr3PCI/AAAAAAAAARQ/2l3dIecSEyg/s320/LogoCreate1.JPG" /></a>We also want to thank all of those that helped with the press conference at the AARWBA dinner last Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Check out the guys from <a href="http://frameworksmarketing.com/">Frameworks Marketing Group</a> working to get our logo printed to be used at the Press Conference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Also thanks to the gang from AARWBA for hosting our press conference and Forrest Lucas for attending the event and the unveiling of the new Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis Logo.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">For readers of In the Groove with Lucas Oil Raceway we hope you can join us this weekend at the Cabin Fever Racers Trade Show and Swap Meet taking place at the Kokomo Event Center this Friday and Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Information on the event can be found on their <a href="http://www.cabinfeverracerstradeshow.com/">web page</a>.</span><br /></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Also if you are a bracket racer be sure to join us for preseason meetings taking place next week at Eaton Hall at the Brownsburg Town Hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>More information can be found <a href="http://www.oreillyracewaypark.com/apcm/templates/racedivisions.asp?articleid=44085&zoneid=95">here.</a></span><br /></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">We hope you have a great week and please stop by to say hello if you come to the trade show!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></p>Lucas Oil Racewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742882512148863749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076153728183818988.post-25241264472920896532010-12-16T10:28:00.000-08:002010-12-16T11:26:24.081-08:00Welcome to the renewal of In The Groove<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Like a phoenix rising from the ashes or for this crowd like the return of a Top Fuel dragster after a full engine rebuild, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">In The Groove</i> blog has returned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In the coming months and during the course of the 2011 season we hope that you check back often as we want to use <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">In the Groove</i> as a behind the scenes look into the season and many of the events at <a href="http://www.oreillyracewaypark.com/">O’Reilly Raceway Park</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We are busily preparing for the coming season and many new items are in the works for the coming year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In case you missed some of the recent announcements they are:<br /><br /></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoPlainText"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><a href="http://arcaracing.com/">ARCA</a> Returns to O’Reilly Raceway Park during the course of Kroger SpeedFest on July 28th.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The night will be called the <a href="http://www.oreillyracewaypark.com/apcm/templates/racedivisions.asp?articleid=43934&zoneid=95">Thursday Night Triple Header</a> and will feature USAC Midget and Silver Crown Series along with ARCA during the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This marks the first time <a href="http://arcaracing.com/">ARCA</a> has raced during the same night as the Midgets and Silver Crown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is also the first time ARCA comes to the track since the mid-80s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Nine-time <a href="http://arcaracing.com/">ARCA</a> Champion Frank Kimmel hasn’t had the chance to race at <a href="http://www.oreillyracewaypark.com/">O’Reilly Raceway Park</a> in his career and was champing at the bit at the press conference and said he couldn’t wait to take to the track.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoPlainText"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoPlainText"><o:p></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><br />Also filling out the oval schedule will be the return of <a href="http://www.oreillyracewaypark.com/apcm/templates/racedivisions.asp?articleid=43959&zoneid=95">USAC Thursday Night Thunder</a> featuring the <a href="http://www.usacracing.com/sprint_index/">USAC Sprint Car</a> series at <a href="http://www.oreillyracewaypark.com/">O’Reilly Raceway Park</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>From May through October the future stars of racing will be putting their best foot under the summer lights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman all used USAC to further their racing career at <a href="http://www.oreillyracewaypark.com/">O’Reilly Raceway Raceway</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoPlainText"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoPlainText"><o:p></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><br />The drag strip will see a fair share of new events including <a href="http://www.oreillyracewaypark.com/apcm/templates/racedivisions.asp?articleid=43974&zoneid=95">Friday Nite Rage</a> a thrilling series of events dedicated to heads up door slammer racing. There is already a tremendous ammount of buzz regarding these events and they will be short on rules but long on excitement and thrilling racing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoPlainText"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoPlainText"><o:p></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><br />The 2011 <a href="http://www.oreillyracewaypark.com/">O’Reilly Raceway Park</a> schedule will be announced soon and new for the season will be a downloadable version of the calendar in a .CSV file or iCal for Apple users.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This will allow you to download the full calendar directly into your calendar and give you direct access to all the information about the season.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoPlainText"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoPlainText"><o:p></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><br />During the course of the year we plan on using <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">In the Groove</i> as a resource for our fans and will have guest bloggers, rules information, driver profiles, tail gaiting tips, recipes and much more on the page.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoPlainText"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoPlainText"><o:p></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><br />We hope you have a Happy Holiday season and we will be talking at you in January. <o:p></o:p></span></p>Lucas Oil Racewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742882512148863749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076153728183818988.post-36843288249561170082009-09-06T09:36:00.000-07:002009-09-06T15:25:00.126-07:00Rolling Into The 55th Annual Mac Tools U.S. NationalsWelcome to the most prestigious drag racing event in the world. The oldest, largest, richest and longest-running Labor Day motorsports event in the United States. It's Sunday afternoon of the 55th Annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals. And I'm here were all the action is going down...at O'Reilly Raceway Park (where all the magic of motorsports occurs).<br /><br />That's right, I'm back with the team as my former boss, Scott Smith-Smizzle, asked me to assist him with some PR and communications work for the weekend! I've been spoiled all summer long and now this! After U.S. Nationals, I will officially become a drag-racing, motorsports-loving lady.<br /><br />Well, we may not have sunshine, the drag strip may not be dry...but we do have eager fans, media spectators, drivers and teams (and me!) waiting out the rain so qualifications and rounds can continue for the day.<br /><br />So as we wait for this weather to pass, let me re-cap all the events that led us up to this point of the U.S. Nationals. Actually, let me rephrase that: I'll recap all of the events I got to partake in.<br /><br /><br /><br />As the week progressed towards qualifications, O'Reilly Raceway Park was visited with FOX 59's Jeremiah Johnson, on Tuesday, as he interviewed and raced with Top Fuel driver, Larry Dixon.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQp2TnVhPI/AAAAAAAAANQ/K9KMWxo_o-0/s1600-h/P8010942.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378469867942151410" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQp2TnVhPI/AAAAAAAAANQ/K9KMWxo_o-0/s320/P8010942.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQpmW3TcyI/AAAAAAAAANI/ymOKROw9Z08/s1600-h/P8010934.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378469593936524066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQpmW3TcyI/AAAAAAAAANI/ymOKROw9Z08/s320/P8010934.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Wednesday officially kicked off the week of U.S. Nationals with the Full Throttle Series Press Conference held at the Country Club of Indianapolis. This media luncheon consisted of five drivers from the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series who are competing in the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals: Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle), Morgan Lucas (Top Fuel) and John Force (Funny Car).<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQmG0IPT9I/AAAAAAAAAMw/eUZPtv3JwWw/s1600-h/P8020968.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378465753501487058" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQmG0IPT9I/AAAAAAAAAMw/eUZPtv3JwWw/s320/P8020968.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQnB_hmrgI/AAAAAAAAAM4/GODl3D07Drg/s1600-h/P8020993.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378466770172947970" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQnB_hmrgI/AAAAAAAAAM4/GODl3D07Drg/s320/P8020993.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The entertainment carried into the evening of Wednesday with the Lucas Oil Kick-Off Party hosted at Champps Americana on Indy's Northside. The event featured a driver autograph session, display of race cars, live music and an appearance by the popular trackside big screen, ACDelco Vision. Driver appearances included Larry Dixon, Brandon Bernstein, Ron Capps, Jack Beckman and Morgan Lucas, among others.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQqToro2oI/AAAAAAAAANY/6e74frK9X1I/s1600-h/P8021022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378470371813546626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQqToro2oI/AAAAAAAAANY/6e74frK9X1I/s320/P8021022.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQqocS9fBI/AAAAAAAAANg/fm7MqnyxUgY/s1600-h/P8021031.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378470729266068498" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQqocS9fBI/AAAAAAAAANg/fm7MqnyxUgY/s320/P8021031.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Thursday also provide entertainment to fans of U.S. Nationals with the John Force RaceStation Open House and Car Show held here in Indy. Fans were greeted with a display of funny cars and autographs of the Force Racing team, including John Force and his daughter, Ashley Force-Hood.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQrGEEUu6I/AAAAAAAAANo/BE-DTkz0Kcg/s1600-h/P8031053.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378471238158302114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQrGEEUu6I/AAAAAAAAANo/BE-DTkz0Kcg/s320/P8031053.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQrxsQP4tI/AAAAAAAAANw/zHVG_8DSKDU/s1600-h/P8031071.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378471987680109266" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQrxsQP4tI/AAAAAAAAANw/zHVG_8DSKDU/s320/P8031071.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The open houses continued into Friday as Don Shcumacher Racing hosted their own open house. The event featured a Car and Motorcycle Show, Vintage Nitro Car “Cacklefest”, driver autographs and a racing-themed memorabilia raffle.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQsheKV7tI/AAAAAAAAAN4/AxTObBhWGTQ/s1600-h/P8041073.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378472808530964178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQsheKV7tI/AAAAAAAAAN4/AxTObBhWGTQ/s320/P8041073.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQt_keqxhI/AAAAAAAAAOA/pOosnRQe3vI/s1600-h/P8041084.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378474425134532114" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQt_keqxhI/AAAAAAAAAOA/pOosnRQe3vI/s320/P8041084.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Friday, along with the beautiful weather, had many action-packed events in store including live shots with WRTV's Dave Furst, live remotes with WIBC's Big Joe Staysniak and other activities you can only experience at O'Reilly Raceway Park during the U.S. Nationals.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQwju9-QNI/AAAAAAAAAOo/k7rpVSxPkJc/s1600-h/P8051137.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378477245448732882" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQwju9-QNI/AAAAAAAAAOo/k7rpVSxPkJc/s320/P8051137.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQvCcOuVfI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/xW-MkUqp-dI/s1600-h/P8041097.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378475573971408370" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQvCcOuVfI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/xW-MkUqp-dI/s320/P8041097.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQvrouxZGI/AAAAAAAAAOY/tmNCTX0ZIjA/s1600-h/P8051143.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378476281701688418" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQvrouxZGI/AAAAAAAAAOY/tmNCTX0ZIjA/s320/P8051143.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQwPjPNmKI/AAAAAAAAAOg/PZ_yenlL5Ns/s1600-h/P8051121.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378476898702432418" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQwPjPNmKI/AAAAAAAAAOg/PZ_yenlL5Ns/s320/P8051121.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>And finally, catching up to speed...Saturday falls nothing short of a, once again, energetic & intense day of Top Fuel, Pro Stock Motorcycle, Pro Stock and Funny Car qualifications & rounds. </p><p>It's drag racing at its best!</p><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQxYmoUIOI/AAAAAAAAAOw/5hpZ76cURes/s1600-h/P8051140.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378478153743474914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQxYmoUIOI/AAAAAAAAAOw/5hpZ76cURes/s320/P8051140.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQxxuEgwKI/AAAAAAAAAO4/kvC9X9NYQZY/s1600-h/P8051144.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378478585237520546" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQxxuEgwKI/AAAAAAAAAO4/kvC9X9NYQZY/s320/P8051144.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQy8PHYnDI/AAAAAAAAAPI/FmBHDvZR798/s1600-h/P8051145.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378479865418259506" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQy8PHYnDI/AAAAAAAAAPI/FmBHDvZR798/s320/P8051145.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQye-JfvSI/AAAAAAAAAPA/rW_DPrAnshw/s1600-h/P8051149.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378479362647506210" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SqQye-JfvSI/AAAAAAAAAPA/rW_DPrAnshw/s320/P8051149.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p> </p>Lucas Oil Racewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742882512148863749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076153728183818988.post-68234091282543915552009-08-27T13:09:00.000-07:002009-08-27T13:20:56.920-07:00In Their Words<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SpbqRdZzIUI/AAAAAAAAAMo/g-E6Wp5dGhY/s1600-h/DSC_0443.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374740790984778050" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SpbqRdZzIUI/AAAAAAAAAMo/g-E6Wp5dGhY/s320/DSC_0443.JPG" /></a><br /><div> The 2009 VP Fuels E. T. Bracket Racing Series is in the books and the champions have been crowned in each class. Today we hear from Greg Dillman on the season.<br /><br />What does it mean to win the class championship?<br /><em>Now days, it's a pretty big accomplishment. With the quality of drivers and cars out there anymore, it's just hard to win a single round let alone a race or championship. </em><div><em><br /><div><br /></em><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SpbqQ_la_bI/AAAAAAAAAMg/sb_WdtOgi4U/s1600-h/DSC_0442.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374740782980464050" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SpbqQ_la_bI/AAAAAAAAAMg/sb_WdtOgi4U/s320/DSC_0442.JPG" /></a>With this being such a long season what all needs to go right to end up on top at the end of the year? <em>Luck! Everyone needs to have those 1 or 2 lucky rounds to get them by to the next round. Sometimes you've just got to create your own Luck. I know I've had my fare share this year.<br /></em><br />Was there a time this year where you didn’t think you were going to pull it out?<br /><em>Probably after the 2nd to last points race. Going out in the 1st round and watching Danny and Eddie go deep into the late rounds and pass me in points was hard to swallow. It's never a easy feeling having to wait a couple weeks and having to rely on mother nature that it doesn't rain just so you have 1 last chance to go more rounds than the people ahead of you.<br /></em></div><br /><br /><br /><div>How nerve racking was it going into the last race down by one point?<br /><em>Pretty nerve racking. I've been fighting a engine miss for the last couple months and haven't been able to trace it down. Going into the last race and dealing with engine/electrical issues is not something you want going into the last day. But it all worked out.<br /><br /></em>Was this the first class championship you won and if not how many have you won?<br /><em>My first championship was back in '93 or '94 when Jr Dragsters started. Since then, I've also won in Street, Pro, and S/Pro.<br /></em><br />Is there anyone you would like to thank?<br /><em>Parents, Dana & kids, Automotion Race Cars, Camping World, and Quinlan Automotive.<br /></em></div></div></div>Lucas Oil Racewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742882512148863749noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076153728183818988.post-47000878495470701952009-07-24T14:56:00.000-07:002009-07-24T18:02:20.469-07:00NASCAR Camping World Truck Series: The Need for Speed...Fest.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SmpGDjR8xPI/AAAAAAAAAMI/jSswOX5UleQ/s1600-h/P6230850.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362175333162075378" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SmpGDjR8xPI/AAAAAAAAAMI/jSswOX5UleQ/s320/P6230850.JPG" /></a> <div>Well, it's day number 2 here at the 2009 Kroger SpeedFest at O'Reilly Raceway Park, and I must say to those who aren't joining us...BUMMER to you!! And yes, I'm totally "geeking" out. (fyi: "geeking" = freaking out in a completely geeky manner). Currently, I am sitting in the media center of O'Reilly Raceway Park's oval looking over the <strong><em>insane</em></strong> view I have. Drivers walking the pits, crew members prepping the trucks and fans overwhelmed with excitement, much like myself. </div><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362178989147043202" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SmpJYW4sNYI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/hWAjywozJWc/s320/P6230856.JPG" /><br />Qualifications are over, and the excitement builds as we come closing in to the main event. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series AAA Insurance 200, presented by J.D. Byrider race starts approximately in 1 hour, 30 minutes. Right now, drivers and crew cheifs are having a meeting, trucks are lined up, people are scrambling to find seats and I am sitting cozy with a front row seat in the media center (yes, what a burden for me....) </div><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362174713140570178" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SmpFfdhTaEI/AAAAAAAAAMA/2F-h_ufQmIA/s320/P6230871.JPG" /><br />And after all the minor drama around here, (low toner in the printer and losing the golf cart key for a brief second) I need a break!! Hahaha...this is me <strong>totally</strong> kidding. Yes, I continue to love my internship and it never falls short of surprising me with more interesting people to meet and entertaining gigs to do! SpeedFest, by far, blows ALL other events I have EVER been to right outta the water.<br /><br />Continuing on my note of all the interesting people I have met... This list includes Gary, The Copy Guy; Dale & his trusty side kick, a.k.a. The Gate Keepers; John "My Brotha", Caterer Extraordinaire; and last...but certainly not least, my boss: G Fabulous, Scott Smizzle. These people had made my time here extra special, and I have learned a lot from some...and a little from most (haha...I kid, I kid!!). But, never the less my time here has been memorable and I'm glad I'm able to share these experiences with you all!<br /><div></div><div><br />But, here's to looking forward to the future (but, not too far..) and living in the moment! Well, this blog has officially taking me to the beginning on Driver Introductions..nice! I'm out<br /><br />More to come soon...I promise!<br /></div><div></div><div><br />Peace,<br />K-Gamz</div>Lucas Oil Racewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742882512148863749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076153728183818988.post-47960495301805022042009-07-17T06:54:00.000-07:002009-07-17T08:32:49.022-07:00Excitement Before SpeedFest: The Countdown Continues<div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SmCY-K3nd4I/AAAAAAAAALo/FjjbFXOwnWA/s1600-h/P6160824.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359451750407829378" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SmCY-K3nd4I/AAAAAAAAALo/FjjbFXOwnWA/s320/P6160824.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SmCYvX_E7FI/AAAAAAAAALg/yhbc6nKIJ2k/s1600-h/P6160831.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359451496230743122" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SmCYvX_E7FI/AAAAAAAAALg/yhbc6nKIJ2k/s320/P6160831.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><div> </div><div>Well the sun is shining bright and the workers are working hard here at the O'Reilly Raceway Park this morning. And naturally, the orderly madness (ha...that's an oxymoron) continues as O'Reilly Raceway Park workers strive tirelessly to create and set-up an amazing scenery for the Kroger SpeedFest weekend. ..And I'll tell you something, it's looking pretty good!<br /></div><div></div><div></div><div><br />Tents for the Hospitality Village are coming up, track sponsors and logos are being painted on the track and the stands used for Kroger SpeedFest are being assembled at record speeds. But, then again, are you really surprised at how fast-pace work at the track can be? After all, speed and precision is the name of the game in this industry...only makes sense our workers here at O'Reilly Raceway Park keep up with the pace. </div><div> </div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SmCZJOylsEI/AAAAAAAAALw/DNTOLMYH7IM/s1600-h/P6140821.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359451940439044162" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SmCZJOylsEI/AAAAAAAAALw/DNTOLMYH7IM/s320/P6140821.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SmCZUxSBpxI/AAAAAAAAAL4/V21Kyy2-5nI/s1600-h/P6160826.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359452138676266770" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SmCZUxSBpxI/AAAAAAAAAL4/V21Kyy2-5nI/s320/P6160826.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />So I've talked about what's going on outside of O'Reilly Raceway Park, and now it's time to go inside where a lot of the magic happens. That's right; I'm going to give you an "exclusive" look of what happens inside the offices at O'Reilly Raceway Park. Have I got your attention yet? Good. This morning has been nothing less of chaotic, yet efficient.<br /><br />First and foremost we've got our fearless leader, Ron Anderson (the General Manager of O'Reilly Raceway Park), holding down the fort and overseeing EVERYTHING that goes on around this place...and man...that's a lot of responsibility. Next is Scott Smith, our Senior Communications Manager (a.k.a. MY big boss man). He's pretty cool and very sarcastic, which if you know me...we get along very well! On the other side of the office is Michelle Sieradzki (Hospitality and Group Sales Manager) and Wes Collier (Marketing Services Manager), along with their intern, Jennifer Werner (a.k.a. "Giggles" because this is what she does best!) Everyone keeps everyone pretty entertained around here... We are all good-hearted and hard workers. Which is the best kind of atmosphere to be around while "working"...haha, I love my internship.<br /><br />Ok, as promised, here are the pics. And wow...these folks are sure photogenic :)</div><br /><div></div><div></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SmCXKNUiClI/AAAAAAAAALA/WlCUHgDmKMc/s1600-h/P6160836.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359449758201154130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SmCXKNUiClI/AAAAAAAAALA/WlCUHgDmKMc/s320/P6160836.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SmCXvRKZTlI/AAAAAAAAALQ/EBcUUERNIJE/s1600-h/P6160837.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359450394887540306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SmCXvRKZTlI/AAAAAAAAALQ/EBcUUERNIJE/s320/P6160837.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SmCX4wWZ8HI/AAAAAAAAALY/mpecvMb7VeA/s1600-h/P6160834.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359450557878235250" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SmCX4wWZ8HI/AAAAAAAAALY/mpecvMb7VeA/s320/P6160834.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SmCXdjaWVTI/AAAAAAAAALI/gO1dialMt9s/s1600-h/P6160838.JPG"></a></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SmCXdjaWVTI/AAAAAAAAALI/gO1dialMt9s/s1600-h/P6160838.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359450090548647218" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SmCXdjaWVTI/AAAAAAAAALI/gO1dialMt9s/s320/P6160838.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SmCXdjaWVTI/AAAAAAAAALI/gO1dialMt9s/s1600-h/P6160838.JPG"></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lucas Oil Racewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742882512148863749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076153728183818988.post-12163107774557863222009-07-14T07:55:00.000-07:002009-07-14T09:43:42.740-07:00SpeedFest: Rapidly Approaching<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/Slyv51lvZdI/AAAAAAAAAKg/RSUw3wtLg2c/s1600-h/Kroger+200+Driver+Intro.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358351064836826578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/Slyv51lvZdI/AAAAAAAAAKg/RSUw3wtLg2c/s320/Kroger+200+Driver+Intro.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">The driver introductions for the 2008 Kroger 200, NASCAR Nationwide Series Race.<br /></span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/Slyt0L8Z1kI/AAAAAAAAAKY/xXKVrz5p2IE/s1600-h/Me+%26+Jennifer.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358348768734991938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/Slyt0L8Z1kI/AAAAAAAAAKY/xXKVrz5p2IE/s320/Me+%26+Jennifer.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Intern Jennifer and I at O'Reilly Raceway Park getting ready for SpeedFest!</span><br /><br /><br />I'm back...and busier than ever. It's the most wonderful time of the year (and I'm not talking about the holidays, folks). This is the moment I, as an intern at O'Reilly Raceway Park, have been waiting for. Doing promotions at various events including PINKS All Out was great, creating the program for SpeedFest was fun...but nothing could prepare me for one of the most exciting and adrienaline-pumping races of the season. As a self-proclaimed NASCAR-baby, I can't explain the how COOL (yes, for the lack of a better term) the O'Reilly Raceway Park's fast-pace atmosphere is around here. From spectating the coordination of events to watching the cars hit the track for some action-packed practicing & racing...there is ALWAYS something keeping me entertained. Wow, once again I make my internship sound rough, huh?<br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br />But, I can't lie. It's been great working here at O'Reilly Raceway Park, especially with these amazing staff (yes, my boss paid me to say that) ..And with the SpeedFest only 2 weeks away, it's a very bitter-sweet feeling. I think that's what I <em>love</em> most about this industry...it's all about...well...the love. The appreciation of the cars and the love for the sport, itself. Pretty respectable. And so I don't get too cheesy (whoops, already happened), I'll switch the subject back to SpeedFest.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SlyxFuRcW8I/AAAAAAAAAKo/nlPxNpugMwA/s1600-h/NASCAR+Camping+World+Truck+Series+Practice.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SlyxFuRcW8I/AAAAAAAAAKo/nlPxNpugMwA/s1600-h/NASCAR+Camping+World+Truck+Series+Practice.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358352368542702530" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SlyxFuRcW8I/AAAAAAAAAKo/nlPxNpugMwA/s320/NASCAR+Camping+World+Truck+Series+Practice.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/Slyx_BzQTrI/AAAAAAAAAKw/s4Arpw1MnRc/s1600-h/NASCAR+Nationwide+Pitrow.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358353353037336242" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/Slyx_BzQTrI/AAAAAAAAAKw/s4Arpw1MnRc/s320/NASCAR+Nationwide+Pitrow.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"> NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at O'Reilly Raceway Park.<br />NASCAR Nationwide Series cars in the pits.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Whew! Just the name sounds intense...which it is. This year marks the 2009 Kroger SpeedFest featuring three nights of action packed racing under the summer lights on the famous O'Reilly Raceway Park oval. The weekend kicks off with exciting USAC open-wheel action on Thursday July 23rd. On Friday night, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series takes the track for 200 laps of fender-to-fender battles. Past winners include Rick Crawford, Ron Hornaday, Carl Edwards and last year's winner Johnny Benson. And on July 25th (Saturday), the weekend concludes with the running of the 28th annual Kroger 200, NASCAR Nationwide series race. Past winners of this fierce event include Kevin Harvick, Brian Vickers and defending race winner, Kyle Busch.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358355886248502210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 246px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/Sly0Sev3I8I/AAAAAAAAAK4/oRFEAw0E74w/s320/SpeedFest+Program+Cover.jpg" border="0" /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">One of the three new 2009 Kroger SpeedFest Program covers. This one features the NASCAR Nationwide Series race.</span><br /><br /><br /><br />So, there you have it...the reason why my summer has been completely and utterly amazing. And the best part is, there's more to come at O'Reilly Raceway Park! I will be updating more often as SpeedFest rapidly approaches (hahaha...so you can't get rid of me yet!!)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Gotta run...literally,<br />Intern "K"<br /><br /><br />~Ps. Keep up with any and all action happening at O'Reilly Raceway Park by following us on many social media Web sites: Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr and of course this fabulous blog: In the Groove with O'Reilly Raceway Park on BlogSpot.Lucas Oil Racewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742882512148863749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076153728183818988.post-87573834349474256122009-07-07T14:13:00.000-07:002009-07-07T14:39:42.570-07:00Margin of victory for NASCAR Nationwide series racesThe 2009 installment of Kroger SpeedFest is rapidly approaching and as always the weekend will conclude with the running of the Kroger 200, benefitting Riley Hospital for Children. This race is always ultra competitive and the record book reflects this in the margin of victory.<br /><br />Since 1993 the closest margin of victory was .147 seconds when Greg Biffle bested Jason Keller for the victory. Interestingly enough Jason Keller is involved in the largest margin of victory as well but again on the losing side of it. In 2003 Brian Vickers won the race by 2.296 seconds over Keller. Don't feel too bad for Keller though as he does have 2 career wins O'Reilly Raceway Park in 1995 and 1999.<br /><br />With the competition level high as always in the Nationwide Series, it is a safe bet the margin of victory will again be close.<br /><br />Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-884-6472.Lucas Oil Racewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742882512148863749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076153728183818988.post-32728163795703667372009-07-02T12:16:00.000-07:002009-07-02T12:27:55.755-07:00Kroger 200 fast factAs the Nationwide Series prepares for the Winn-Dixie 250 in Daytona the staff at O'Reilly Raceway Park is working on the upcoming Kroger 200 on July 25th . <br /><br />A little trivia for the day... Morgan Shepherd has the most wins at O'Reilly Raceway Park in the Nationwide series with 3 and most poles is held by Randy Lajoie with 2. <br /><br />Have a great July 4th!Lucas Oil Racewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742882512148863749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076153728183818988.post-80947583715212596742009-06-27T08:11:00.001-07:002009-06-27T08:21:49.012-07:00Kroger SpeedFest TV commercialAn exclusive sneak peak of our 2009 Kroger SpeedFest TV ad can be found on our <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/OReillyRacewayPark">YouTube</a> channel. It won't start airing until later this month but we wanted to share it with our friends of the facility.Lucas Oil Racewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742882512148863749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076153728183818988.post-8796957828410398072009-06-25T09:58:00.000-07:002009-07-02T12:15:57.617-07:00<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SkOvROd8tHI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/pzAqLPdkmOI/s1600-h/johnnybenson.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 173px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 231px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351313492722627698" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SkOvROd8tHI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/pzAqLPdkmOI/s320/johnnybenson.JPG" /></a><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;">When the green flag drops on the AAA Insurance 200, presented by J. D. Byrider on July 24<sup>th</sup> it is a safe bet that the racing will be thrilling, hard fought and the winner will come from near the top of the field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In the past 14 races the winner has come from no deeper than 8<sup>th</sup> in the field and that was done last year by Johnny Benson. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>In fact the winner has come from the pole position five times in the history of the race.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;">No matter where the winner comes from, the victory will be hard earned and the driver will have outlasted 35 other racers to get the win.<br /></span><div><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;">Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by going to www.Ticketmaster.com.</span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></p></div>Lucas Oil Racewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742882512148863749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076153728183818988.post-75141854422200613522009-06-22T11:56:00.000-07:002009-06-22T12:38:35.823-07:00Carl Edwards continues to run strong in the Nationwide Series<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/Sj_czGrQYBI/AAAAAAAAAKI/VuqUBdFrVbM/s1600-h/edwardsmil.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 174px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350237652862918674" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/Sj_czGrQYBI/AAAAAAAAAKI/VuqUBdFrVbM/s320/edwardsmil.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Carl Edwards outlasted the competition in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Milwaukee</st1:place></st1:city> on Saturday night to win the NASCAR Nationwide race even with flying back and forth from Infineon Raceway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In doing so Edwards sits in second place, just 127 points behind leader Kyle Busch as the Nationwide Series motors into a tough summer stretch.</span> </span><div><div><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;"></span></o:p></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;">In just 5 races the series returns to O’Reilly Raceway Park and Edwards returns to a track that he is not only familiar with but has won at during his career.<br /></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;">Edwards first came to the track a teen when he raced in the Baby Grands series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Baby Grands were cars that looked like a smaller, more compact Sprint Cup style car and raced on the oval and portion of the infield chicane. </span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></p></span></span><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br />In the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Edwards has one win, in 2003 when he came from the fifth starting spot to get the victory.</span><br /></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">With his success at the track it is certain Edwards will be looking to continue his strong finishes this year in the Nationwide series. </span></span><br /></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Tickets for all three nights of racing are currently on sale and can be found, </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.ticketmaster.com/venue/41180/?search_redirect=O%27Reilly%20Raceway%20Park&tm_link=tm_header_search"><span style="font-size:130%;">here.</span></a></span></p></div></div>Lucas Oil Racewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742882512148863749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076153728183818988.post-54220143084077780932009-06-19T10:03:00.000-07:002009-06-19T10:59:21.552-07:00Kroger SpeedFest NASCAR weekend is rapidly approaching<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SjvHSq-1eJI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/W3mfqN1Sjdo/s1600-h/P5190765.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349088106022008978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 193px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SjvHSq-1eJI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/W3mfqN1Sjdo/s320/P5190765.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />var gaJsHost = (("<a href="https:">https:</a>" == document.location.protocol) ? "<a href="https://ssl./">https://ssl.</a>" : "<a href="http://www./">http://www.</a>"); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));<br /></script><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />try {<br />var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-9394725-1"); pageTracker._trackPageview(); } catch(err) {}</script><br />The 2009 installment of Kroger SpeedFest is less than five weeks away and we are preparing to make this year’s event better than ever. Intern K is busily putting the race program together and we will offer sneak peaks of pages as it nears completion.<br /><br />New for 2009 are exciting ticket packages that will allow fans of O’Reilly Raceway Park and Indianapolis Motor Speedway to take in action at both tracks and save money while doing so. Information on the promotion can be found, <a href="http://www.oreillyracewaypark.com/apcm/templates/racedivisions.asp?articleid=36842&zoneid=95">here.<br /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SjvHSfhhT7I/AAAAAAAAAJw/xk5v4pX19bY/s1600-h/_MG_1543.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349088102946262962" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 251px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SjvHSfhhT7I/AAAAAAAAAJw/xk5v4pX19bY/s320/_MG_1543.JPG" border="0" /></a>In driver news, we found out this week that not only will Jason Leffer be behind the wheel of his Nationwide machine but he will also be racing in the USAC race. Leffler will be racing in the midget race and has 4 career victories at the track, with his last one coming in 2002. He does have a more recent victory at the track and that came in the Nationwide series in 2007. With that victory he gave Toyota their first win the Nationwide series.Lucas Oil Racewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742882512148863749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076153728183818988.post-26997376670623396672009-06-08T09:40:00.000-07:002009-06-18T13:11:18.575-07:00Weekend Upates: June 5th-7th<script type="text/javascript"><br />var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");<br />document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));<br /></script><br /><script type="text/javascript"><br />try {<br />var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-9394725-1");<br />pageTracker._trackPageview();<br />} catch(err) {}</script><br />Hey everyone! It's Katie, again. Just wanted to re-cap some of the exciting events that happened at the track this past weekend. Let's take a trip down memory lane...<br /><br />On Friday, the 4th Annual Jeramy Schmitt Moon Light Madness Memorial drag race took place at O'Reilly Raceway Park. This event is held every year in memory of the 2005 Cathedral High School senior . Before his tragic passing, Jeramy and friends frequented O'Reilly Raceway Park's Tuesday Night Street Legals and Moonlight Madness events. To celebrate the life of Jeramy and drag racing, Friday night consisted of enthusiastic spectators, determined racers, a "Show & Shine" contest and a "Sound System" contest. Thanks again to all that came out and support Jeramy, his family and friends, and the track! All proceeds from the evening will benefit the Jeramy Schmitt Memorial Scholarship fund offered to any student that would like to attend Cathedral High School.<br /><br />Another event that took place on Friday was The Race it Indy Nationals, hosted by the Mustang Club of Indianapolis. They presented their 30th annual Mustang and All Ford Show this past Friday through Sunday. Big Mustang fan, like myself?...then THAT, my friends was the place to be. Missed all of the action? No worries...here's a lil preview: <a href="http://www.indymustangclub.com/racetoindy/gallery.html">http://www.indymustangclub.com/racetoindy/gallery.html</a><br /><br />Now on to Saturday. Now I'm not sure about you folks reading this, but this event is some of the stuff that I grew up on...On Saturday the 2009 FASS Diesel Nationals came to O’Reilly Raceway Park for a day of drag racing, sled pulls, dyno competition and the crowd favorite (as well as mine)... the burnout contest. Some good stuff.. and if you couldn't go, then bummer for you. I would suggest checking out the latest schedule so you don't miss out on this great event, again!<br /><a href="http://www.nhrda.com/">http://www.nhrda.com/</a><br /><br />And finally, last but not least..Sunday at the O'Reilly Raceway Park, the VP Fuels E. T. Bracket racing series returned for a full day of points racing action. Live under a rock and haven't a clue what I'm talking about? ugh...then you're going to have to check out all of the excitement yourself: <a href="http://www.oreillyracewaypark.com/apcm/templates/general.asp?articleid=18886&zoneid=94">http://www.oreillyracewaypark.com/apcm/templates/general.asp?articleid=18886&zoneid=94</a><br /><br />Oh wow... so much to do, so much to say...but I'll call it quits for the day (ps. I did not try to pull a Dr. Seuss on that one, I promise) ha!<br /><br />Until next time, I'm out!<br />~Intern "K"Lucas Oil Racewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742882512148863749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076153728183818988.post-2479311014211215602009-05-29T12:26:00.000-07:002009-05-29T12:40:50.446-07:00Pinks All Out at O'Reilly Raceway Park<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SiA4kbJYB_I/AAAAAAAAAJo/DKJlgyIRn9c/s1600-h/P4280572.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341331356474935282" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SiA4kbJYB_I/AAAAAAAAAJo/DKJlgyIRn9c/s320/P4280572.JPG" border="0" /></a>Hey everyone! Let me introduce myself…My name is Katie Gammon and I am the new Communications Intern at O’Reilly Raceway Park. I’ll have to start off by saying “wow” to an amazing start of the drag-racing season. As you may be aware, PINKS All Out (Speed TVs hit television show) has been touring the country and are visiting Indy’s own O’Reilly Raceway Park this weekend. I guess you could say as an intern, I’m in the right place at the right time. What luck for my second week on the job!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SiA4kH9kUQI/AAAAAAAAAJg/489mTdq6nrM/s1600-h/P4280560.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341331351325135106" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SiA4kH9kUQI/AAAAAAAAAJg/489mTdq6nrM/s320/P4280560.JPG" border="0" /></a>So as today’s drivers make their way to the track to test and tune for tomorrow’s show, I was fortunate enough to walk around, take in and capture the exciting and energetic atmosphere of the track this weekend. While some spectators anxious to see the cars on the strip, others more interested in the show (Seriously, I was asked about ten times if I was a PINKS crew member…ha!) But, as for the drag-race enthusiast, you couldn’t ask for a better event… the weather: beautiful, the crowd: massive and more importantly, the cars: wicked (and for those who don’t own a Katie-Glossary, wicked =awesome)<br /><br />… I must be in intern heaven. Just take a look for yourself.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SiA4jO-xQKI/AAAAAAAAAJI/qwr1VsfE7Gc/s1600-h/P4280534.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341331336029356194" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SiA4jO-xQKI/AAAAAAAAAJI/qwr1VsfE7Gc/s320/P4280534.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SiA4jpTXOyI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/P_eZ1B2zfcg/s1600-h/P4280541.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341331343095053090" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SiA4jpTXOyI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/P_eZ1B2zfcg/s320/P4280541.JPG" border="0" /></a>Intense, right? Well, there’s certainly more to come, but that’s it from me for now. I’m sure by tomorrow morning I’ll have plenty of more exciting info., updates and stories as I continue my experience at the O’Reilly Raceway Park. Oh, and don’t forget to stop by the O’Reilly Raceway Tent tomorrow from 12-8PM, and come say hi! Until then…<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SiA4jwl7V0I/AAAAAAAAAJY/v1etklK4JlQ/s1600-h/P4280555.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341331345051965250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SiA4jwl7V0I/AAAAAAAAAJY/v1etklK4JlQ/s320/P4280555.JPG" border="0" /></a>I’m out!<br />~Katie<br /><br /><br /><br />(And now for a shameless plug: O’Reilly Raceway Park tomorrow. You’ll wanna be there. ) Details:<br />Gates open at 9:00 AM<br />Time Trials start at 11:00 AM<br />Main feature will begin at 8:00 PM<br />And don’t forget…food, drinks and exhibition run makes for an all-day event.Lucas Oil Racewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742882512148863749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076153728183818988.post-57674138319102223242009-05-20T10:57:00.001-07:002009-05-20T11:08:19.244-07:00Bobby East looks towards TourHendricksCounty.com Night Before the 500<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/ShRGu2WDkQI/AAAAAAAAAIw/bM3WDlJYBNY/s1600-h/P4180416.JPG"></a><br /><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/ShRGuo5Ht8I/AAAAAAAAAIo/XE5rbe5l5xM/s1600-h/P4180411.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337969225405806530" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/ShRGuo5Ht8I/AAAAAAAAAIo/XE5rbe5l5xM/s320/P4180411.JPG" border="0" /></a>Bobby East completed a two day test leading up to the TourHendricksCounty.com Night Before the 500, presented by Comfort Suites of Brownsburg, and we were able to catch up with him before the test.<br /><br />What are you working on and looking forward to?<br />We are just fine tuning a couple of things on our Ford racing Esslinger and looking forward to having a good car on a long run that is what we are going to focus on.<br /><br />What are the keys to running well and winning at O’Reilly Raceway Park?<br />You got to handle really well because you are in the corners so long and you got to not be hard on your tires which sounds really easy to do but it’s not.<br /><br />What is your best memory from racing here?<br />Last year was a really good year one, winning the Night Before the 500. I loved winning the Silver Crown race out here but so far last year was a pretty good one.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/ShRGvIQ6zAI/AAAAAAAAAI4/8WBmTVTSrtk/s1600-h/P4180421.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337969233827122178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/ShRGvIQ6zAI/AAAAAAAAAI4/8WBmTVTSrtk/s320/P4180421.JPG" border="0" /></a>How has the season been going?<br />It has been going pretty good so far. We have two wins so far and second in the points and down a bit there but we are happy. We have a lot of confidence in our stuff and have a lot of racing left and things have been going pretty good so far.<br /><br />How was being on the Bob and Tom show?<br />That was fun it was a cool experience those guys are cool and funny. It was just a cool deal.</div></div></div>Lucas Oil Racewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742882512148863749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076153728183818988.post-73739309690468676322009-05-09T16:53:00.000-07:002009-05-09T17:00:44.464-07:00First oval race of the season<div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SgYYpkoatAI/AAAAAAAAAIA/DIWEMiIC44Q/s1600-h/ARA1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333977911153832962" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 242px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SgYYpkoatAI/AAAAAAAAAIA/DIWEMiIC44Q/s320/ARA1.JPG" border="0" /></a>The first oval race of the 2009 racing season is taking place tonight, Saturday, as the Advance Racing Association returns for another year. These racers are people that truly enjoy the sport of racing and spend countless hours getting their equipment to perform to peak level. These people might be your co-workers, neighbors, friends, family, and if they invite you out to the track for a night of racing take them up on it. They always put on great races and would enjoy people seeing you in the stands.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SgYYqb_yvvI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/uAofMXiO2oQ/s1600-h/ARA3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333977926015827698" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SgYYqb_yvvI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/uAofMXiO2oQ/s320/ARA3.JPG" border="0" /></a>The oval is a busy place during the month of May as we have another ARA race on the 16th and on the 23rd we have the TourHendricksCounty.com Night Before the 500, presented by Comfort Suites of Brownsburg, USAC Midget Series race. This is the 64th running of the race and driver such as A. J. Foyt, Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon have all found victory lane during this event.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SgYYqEEbO1I/AAAAAAAAAII/kYrah_THYiU/s1600-h/ARA2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333977919592807250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 210px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SgYYqEEbO1I/AAAAAAAAAII/kYrah_THYiU/s320/ARA2.JPG" border="0" /></a>All of these events are very affordable for families and many take advantage of our hill outside of Turn 1. People bring blankets, chairs and picnics and make memories with friends and family during the course of the night. As I child I spent many a night watching racing at the track and now I enjoy watching families take advantage of this during the course of the year. </div></div></div>Lucas Oil Racewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742882512148863749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076153728183818988.post-54770443640504457452009-04-28T12:54:00.000-07:002009-04-28T13:52:11.610-07:00IMSTEA High Mileage Challenge<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SfdljZRj27I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/jFwI7iLQ2JE/s1600-h/NASCARIMSTEA.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329840342770637746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SfdljZRj27I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/jFwI7iLQ2JE/s400/NASCARIMSTEA.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>On Monday the Indiana Mathematics Science and Technology Education Alliance (IMSTEA) made their yearly visit to O’Reilly Raceway Park with the running of the High Mileage Challenge. On the left is a shot of two Nationwide cars during the race in 2007 and on the right is one of the IMSTEA cars that were here. Just looking at the two you can tell it is something that is out of the norm for us. Seeing all the hard work these students put into their cars is truly amazing.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SfdnhHfmuCI/AAAAAAAAAHY/R-dA-Slzqqs/s1600-h/P3310227.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329842502661224482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SfdnhHfmuCI/AAAAAAAAAHY/R-dA-Slzqqs/s320/P3310227.JPG" border="0" /></a>Also the competitors and their families are so nice and appreciative of what we do. I had four or five different parents and students stop me and say thanks for letting them hold the event at the facility.<br /><br />President Jim Thompson took a few minutes out of his day to explain the event.<br /><br />I was very curious with an event like this what is the biggest thing he hopes the students walk away with?<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SfdnhWJiucI/AAAAAAAAAHg/eaor87mAAt8/s1600-h/P3310229.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329842506595219906" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SfdnhWJiucI/AAAAAAAAAHg/eaor87mAAt8/s320/P3310229.JPG" border="0" /></a>“I want the students to get the knowledge of how to weld together math science and technology and how to get something done. Also they learn how to get things done in their community because they have to go out and get sponsors and raise the money to build the cars. Those two things are the most critical.”<br /><br />Some of the schools have been involved in this event for a handful of year and I also wanted to know how long it took to complete the cars?<br />“The schools that have done a previous event can get there cars done is a school year they usually start in September and get it ready to go here in April. First year schools actually won’t make it the first year because they will try to get their car together and won’t get it done but they will bring the kids out here and they will get motivated and then they will come back the next year and they will be able to come back year after year.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SfdnhbWFdmI/AAAAAAAAAHo/aTyf3z1BroM/s1600-h/P3310239.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329842507990005346" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SfdnhbWFdmI/AAAAAAAAAHo/aTyf3z1BroM/s320/P3310239.JPG" border="0" /></a>Jim has been involved with this event for a handful of years and has seen it grow and the cars change through the years.<br />“The development of the cars from the first year we had this we had a car made of 2x4s, needless to say it didn’t do very good on mileage. Now we have several carbon fiber cars and seeing that progression over the year is neat. We also started at 270mpg and last year we were at nearly 1200mpg and this is pretty neat.”<br /><br />The last thing we talked about was if students had taken what they learned and have they applied it to their careers.<br /></div><div><br />“We have a few kids who go on into technology education they will say they learned how to do technology education by doing this. I have had a couple of kids who went into engineering schools and they say it was a big help because it helped me learn how to do something practical because you don’t need to know a lot of thermal dynamics to do this. It helped them to learn something practical.”<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/Sfdnh9Ci4KI/AAAAAAAAAH4/wD9jekWirVg/s1600-h/P3310248.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329842517034852514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/Sfdnh9Ci4KI/AAAAAAAAAH4/wD9jekWirVg/s320/P3310248.JPG" border="0" /></a>Winners were Greenfield Central High School in Stock in the car they created that got 1048.79 mpg.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/Sfdnhp4dRQI/AAAAAAAAAHw/O67NZbV0dZM/s1600-h/P3310242.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329842511892268290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/Sfdnhp4dRQI/AAAAAAAAAHw/O67NZbV0dZM/s320/P3310242.JPG" border="0" /></a>Mater Dei High School won the Unlimited Class with a car that got 1293.09mpg. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />More photos can be found on our <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21955465@N05/sets/72157617440976218/">Flickr</a> pageLucas Oil Racewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742882512148863749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076153728183818988.post-37180402010700013022009-04-26T11:41:00.000-07:002009-04-26T12:15:22.196-07:00NHRA Lucas Oil race coming to a close<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SfSvIoxKTvI/AAAAAAAAAHI/x7YQ6Z6jILw/s1600-h/P3300168.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SfSvIoxKTvI/AAAAAAAAAHI/x7YQ6Z6jILw/s320/P3300168.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329076822003568370" /></a>The NHRA North Central Lucas Oil race is rapidly coming to a close and only a few cars remain to take to the track. It has been a great weekend of racing with temperatures in the mid-80's and a great car count. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SfSuCtrXeUI/AAAAAAAAAG4/ivnSW2BO_0Y/s320/P3300172.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329075620730599746" /><div>The track has been in great condition and much of the credit goes to a great drag crew we have. Chuck D. and John D. inspect the track after each run and sweep off any debris or clean up any fluid that has gotten onto the racing surface. </div><div><br /></div><div>Also remember early in the season when I showed you all this picture and we talked about how rubber was yet to get onto the track? </div><div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SfSuCyGBvwI/AAAAAAAAAHA/3eNAjVBMaVE/s320/P3300179.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329075621916163842" /><div>Well take a look at it now! You can see where each tire track heads down the track and the rubber that it lays down. This helps the driver have the best traction possible and helps them remain 'In the Groove.'</div><div><br /></div><div>The IMSTEA High Mileage challenge will be at the track in the morning and you will be surprised about what cars are on the oval in the morning. </div></div>Lucas Oil Racewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742882512148863749noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9076153728183818988.post-13991124169132342722009-04-23T12:32:00.000-07:002009-04-23T13:27:34.708-07:00NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing series at O'Reilly Raceway Park<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SfDDpyUp2dI/AAAAAAAAAGY/fJY10mSDS20/s1600-h/P3270121.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327973481829751250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SfDDpyUp2dI/AAAAAAAAAGY/fJY10mSDS20/s320/P3270121.JPG" border="0" /></a>The NHRA Lucas Oil drag racing series is at O'Reilly Raceway Park and we will be putting up photos and information up from the event as the weekend progresses.<br /><br />Today was a test session and let racers from across the area get valuable track time leading up to the race.<br /><br />Video from the test can be found on our <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PWDA6TiKPw&feature=channel">You Tube channel</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SfDDqLrAf1I/AAAAAAAAAGg/0IL3GstBkMo/s1600-h/P3270120.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327973488634396498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mEqzNcdk1vM/SfDDqLrAf1I/AAAAAAAAAGg/0IL3GstBkMo/s320/P3270120.JPG" border="0" /></a>Lucas Oil Racewayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16742882512148863749noreply@blogger.com0