11-11-99
Well sprint fans, I know it has been quite a while since I've written a column, but the sprintfreak has been quite busy here in the later part of '99. I found the time, so i decided it was time to catch up a bit. There are a lot of tid bits floating around so lets cover some of them.
First of all, it is great news to hear that Dale Blaney has teamed back up with brother Dave and the new Amoco team for 2000. I will promise you this, Dale will win at least five races next year and finish in the top five in points. Mark it down, you heard it hear first. The reason I am making such a bold statement is this, Dale is back with D.J. Lindsay, someone who he feels comfortable with. D.J. and Dale just seem to click personality wise and besides that, they will be utilizing the powerful combo of Maxim chassis and Mopar engines. This will be a great comeback year for Dale and the whole Amoco team!
Joey Saldana is supposed to be forming his own team. I think the verdict is still out on this one. I haven't had any firm confirmation from anyone close to Joey yet, so for now we'll just leave this one as rumor.
Greg Hodnett as expected has finished out the year in the Forbrook #5. Plans are not set in stone, but from what I've heard they will take a shot at the Outlaws next season! If not, look for Greg to be back with the Apple team in Central Pa.!
On the Ohio/Western Pa. scene, Sharon Speedway is switching to Friday nights in 2000 so that they, along with Mercer Raceway Park and Tri-city Speedway can form a three track alliance to improve car counts at all three tracks. Bravo! I wish more local tracks around the country would try to work together rather than against each other! This leaves Lernerville Speedway out in the cold as far as the local scene goes. Lernerville is way behind the times as far as purse goes, they are still paying the same purse structure that they were paying eight years ago! Lernerville is by far the nicest facility in the midwest or east, and they put on a great show when the Outlaws or All-stars come to town, but as far as local racing goes, they need to catch up with the times!
Californian Brad Furr has announced he will be running full-time with the new Outlaw support series next season. I think Brad will be one the real up and comers over the next couple of seasons. Brad is a real good qualifier, and when you run with a traveling series that is extremely important! Good luck Brad!
Jeff Shepard and Danny Wood are the first two drivers to announce that they will be competing for the G-man rookie of the year award with the Outlaws. Jeff has really shown this last month of the season that he is ready to be a contender with the World of Outlaws. Danny Wood who I got to see race several times this year, will also make a welcome addition the the Outlaw tour, Danny qualifies well and is a very smooth driver. I look for Jeff "the jet" to capture a win or two and win rookie of the year, unless someone else steps up to run for rookie of the year before the season starts!
As far as Central Pa. is concerned, I look for much of the same next year. Fast Freddie and Lance DeWease dominating the Grove and Lincoln and Port Royal. Both of these drivers will probably win at least 20-25 times in 2000. I look for Lance to be even stronger in the Harz #88 next season, that team really put it together in the second half of '99. Look for Dave Ely to turn some heads next season. The young driver of the #77 won an all-star race near the end of this season and will be looking to climb to the upper ranks of Pa. posse racing next season! The driver who seemed to be over looked this year was Cris Eash. The guy had a great year, in both 410 and 358 competition! Cris won about 20 races including an Outlaw show at the Grove. I wouldn't want to have to race agaist this guy all season long, maybe, just maybe he will give Fast Freddie a run for his money at Lincoln next season? We'll just have to wait and see.
A driver who really deserves a shot in a top calibur ride is Ohio's Butch Schreoder. The young man can drive on any type of track, short,long,flat,banked,tacky, or slick. He has won with the All-stars and against some of the best drivers in Ohio and Michigan. Butch also ran real well at Eldora earlier this season in his own equipment, riding home to a thrid place finish against the World of Outlaws. This is someone who has a bright future in sprint cars if someone will take a chance on him! Good luck Butch in 2000!
Well that's all for now, I will try to write again in a couple of weeks with more scoop on whats happening in the world of sprint car racing. Hopefully, I will have some good news of my own by then, but we will talk about that later! See ya for now, until later, happy sprintcar racing!
The sprintfreak
