Indianapolis. Indiana Sometimes you just gotta love technology! After I returned from Eldora Speedway yesterday afternoon and had Easter brunch with my family over from Illinois, I spent the rest of the evening trying to figure out what was wrong with my computer. Stumped, I retired for the evening and fought with my Sony VAIO up until about 30 minutes ago. It's funny how dependant I am on this computer, the Internet and all technology anymore for work!
Now with all systems a-go, I am able to report on the happenings in the racing world from the weekend.
Before I get to how the Ringers' supporters did this weekend, Ringers' would like to extend our get well wishes to Darren Hagen. Hagen crashed hard in turn three at Eldora on Saturday during his USAC Sprints heat race. He was airlifted to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, where he has been treated and is expected to be released tomorrow. He sustained a couple broken ribs and a partially collapsed lung. Daily updates can be found at his website www.darrenhagenracing.com.
After not transferring out of his heat race, Ringers' supporter Bud Kaeding won the 12-lap semi-feature race to transfer to the A Main of the Don Branson/Jud Larson Classic. At the end of the 30-lap event, Kaeding was scored in seventh.
The USAC Sprints head to I-69 Speedway in Gas City, Ind., on Friday for their next event.
Since it was Easter weekend, only the NASCAR Nationwide Series raced on Saturday at the Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tenn. After qualifying with a career-best ninth place, Penske Racing's Justin Allgaier battled a tight No. 12 Verizon Wireless Dodge throughout much of the 300-mile event. With only 28 laps to go, Allgaier lost control of his car and hit the wall, forcing his No. 12 to pit road under the green flag. While in the pits, he lost three laps and finished 29th; Allgaier now sits in seventh in the Nationwide Series points.
Ringers' supporter Brendan Gaughan finished 17th in the event.
Both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series will head to Phoenix International Raceway for their respective races this weekend.
The NHRA community mourned the loss of a friend and photographer this past week. Bob Hesser, a resident of nearby Winchester, Ind., died April 7. Hesser, 46, was a member of the Auto Imagery team for the past four years and if NHRA had an off weekend, it was likely you could catch him at a circle track around Indiana or Ohio. I know I saw him at a couple the past few years. He is survived by his wife, Vicky; daughter, Courtney and sons Lonnie, Robert and Lee.
The Full Throttle Drag Racing Series resumes action this weekend at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Ga.
Ringers Gloves, an ISO 9001:2000 certified company, is the Official Gloves of NHRA and title sponsor for the Ringers Gloves Pro Bike Battle. Ringers Gloves 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, UnderX Performance gear, crew shoes, as well as a full line of accessories for every need. Isn't it time you bring in the Ringers? Check us out at www.ringersgloves.com.
