BROWNSBURG, Indiana -- Here I am, coming to you live from US Route 51 South heading towards Memphis, Tenn., for the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series O’Reilly Mid-South Nationals event at Memphis Motorsports Park. The NHRA had last weekend off, so I ventured over to Tony Stewart’s famed Eldora Speedway for one of the most prestigious dirt late model races in the country, the World 100.
A total of 203 late models timed in on Friday night with plans to run the 37th annual World 100 on Saturday. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had a different agenda and consistent rain showers hammered the area most of the day, forcing Eldora officials to postpone the race until Sunday afternoon.
Heat races got underway at 1 p.m. and in the second heat race, Ringers racer Chub Frank encountered a wreck that put him completely out of contention to even be in the World 100. Chubzilla took the mishap with style though, as he knows when coming to Eldora to compete in one of the most prestigious races, everyone is going all out to make the 28-car field. However, eight Ringers supporting racers were able to advance from their heat races and consolation races to vie for the $40,000 paycheck.
Ringers’ racer Steve Francis had the money within his reach, but couldn’t stay ahead of quick qualifier Jimmy Owens to seal the deal. Francis held on for a second place finish, with Darrell Lanigan in third and Jeep VanWormer, who transferred out of the first B main, finishing fifth. Other Ringers’ notables in the field were Shannon Babb, sixth; Donnie Moran, ninth; Josh Richards, 19th; Rick Eckert, 20th and Brian Birkhofer, 26th.
Ryan Newman pulled double-duty last weekend at Richmond International Raceway in both the Emerson Radio 250 and the Chevy Rock ‘n Roll 400. The Richmond race marked Newman’s final Busch Series race of the season in the No. 12 Penske Racing Dodge. He closed out his Busch season with a third-place finish on Friday night. On Saturday night, Newman took his No. 12 Alltel Dodge to an 11th place finish, while his teammate and Chase contender Kurt Busch brought home a ninth place in his No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge.
Everyone at Ringers Gloves would like to extend a continued get well and speedy recovery to David Powers Motorsports Matco Tools dragster team member Adam Hiller. Adam was injured in a freak pit accident the Thursday of U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis when the rail was rolling through the tech line. He has already had a couple facial reconstructive surgeries and just underwent another one on Monday. On a personal note about Adam, he is truly a great and genuine guy. Over this past year with Ringers being associated with both DPM teams, I have become friends with Adam and when you are around this guy, it is never a dull moment! He is always in good spirits and can always put a smile on someone’s face. Donations for his recovery fund are being accepted at the David Powers Motorsports hospitality area in the Pro pit area and at the Harley-Davidson display on the NHRA Manufacturer’s Midway at every NHRA national event.
About Ringers Gloves
Ringers Gloves, Official Gloves of NHRA and title sponsor for the Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle, is a full-line manufacturer of high-end, task specific gloves, SFI 3.3/1, 3.3/10, 3.3/20 racing gloves, UnderX protective undergarments and rdigs pit boots.
Keep up with your favorite Ringers racers in ‘07 by logging onto the newly redesigned www.ringersgloves.com for photos and highlights!
