Hilltop has decided to drop the Saturday night shows so all divisions will now be back to Friday night action as it was last season. It will be a shame to lose the Limited Late Models, but I just don't think there's enough of them around to split between Hilltop and Lakeville. Hilltop will still offer up 5 classes for your entertainment on Friday nights, and some special events on Saturdays. The first flat track bike and quad show of the season will be held this Saturday May 10th. Also this weekend on Friday night, Hilltop will hold their first Pure Stock Showdown of the season, with $500 going to the winner. This show should be a bit different than past versions with the new rules that were put in place for the 2008 season at Hilltop. All cars must fit these rules to compete, and that should make for a much better show if you ask me. If you've got a LEGAL Pure Stock and want to take a shot against the weekly regulars, by all means, get to Hilltop this Friday night. If your car doesn't fit the 2008 Hilltop Pure Stock rules, you're out of luck. Nothing personal, but it's time to face facts. Those other cars simply aren't considered "Pure Stocks" anywhere other than Lakeville any more. Say "it's just a name" if you want, but facts are facts. Hell, if Lakeville ever really gets serious about enforcing their rules, I would bet some wouldn't be legal there either. I wish Lakeville and their version of Pure Stocks the best of luck. Sprint fans should also get down to Lakeville now that they've been added to the weekly lineup.

Obviously there used to be another track that not only offered those other Pure Stocks a place to race with no rule changes, but even promised them an increased payout in 2008. Over the years that track (and NOT just the latest owners) was responsible for most of what happened to the Pure Stock class. Lack of inspections and enforcement lead to these cars becoming a totally different class. The rules that were close to other track's Pure Stock rules slowly got ripped out of the rules at WCS. Add to that the fact that teams went beyond what was left of the rules, and nobody bothered to stop them, and this class was headed downhill fast. Sure the cars looked nicer and went faster, but the car count suffered when teams could race a Modified or even a Late Model for less money than the top Pure Stock teams were investing. Other teams stopped building Pure Stocks when it stopped being fun running as one of the very few playing by the rules. As I've said before, the tracks are as much to blame as the racers for ending up with cars that can currently only be run at one area track. With financial times as they are, it seems that it only makes sense that the best hope to revive this class is to make it more affordable again. I say it's way past time to put some limits or a claim on the engines to keep this class alive. That's enough on that whole subject.

Now, back to WCS. As most of you know by now, they've locked the gates after just 1/2 of a show and a practice this year. The official reason given was Ernie's health, and I'll take that for what it's worth. Lord knows I've not been a big fan of Ernie or the way he does business, but maybe, just maybe he's sick of all the bullshit it takes to run a race track. Sure, some (and probably even most) of the trouble was of his own making, but it's his right to run a business the way he thinks is best. It's your right to either go to his track, or go some place else if you don't like the way the place is run. I chose to go somewhere else, as did many others. Some folks seemed to love the abuse that they bitched about weekly, and kept going back for more. That just made them more pissed off and they hounded him by telling him how to run the track, their way. Again, that's their right I guess, but I'm not sure it makes sense after a certain amount of time. It make about as much sense as paying somebody to kick you in the balls every week, thinking one week it will feel good. After you've voiced your opinions to improve things, and they're ignored, it's time to move on, or get used to paying to be pissed off. Now to the confusing part. After reading some online forums lately, I'm absolutely stumped as to how the legal system and even the neighbors are being blamed by racers for shutting down WCS. Some seem to believe there's a group of neighbors suing WCS to get rich or shut the place down. Even after being pointed to public records of the legal case against WCS, they still don't seem to get it. I'll try one last time to simplify the situation for those folks. The legal problem relates to WCS going against court orders that have been in place for many years that dictate when and how the track is legally allowed to operate. Now, you can hate the rules if you want, but these rules have been in place for previous owners without major problems. For going against the court orders, WCS was given a penalty that involved fines and suspension of operation for part of a season. Ernie chose to appeal the decision as he has every right to do, and those appeals have dragged on since last year. They're currently awaiting a decision on an appeal as public records show. That is the extent of the "legal situation" as shown by public records. There is no evil conspiracy by the neighbors to collect some cash and turn the place into a strip mall. Just a delay in the case as Ernie continues to appeal the court decision. If you still don't get it, or think I'm full of shit, all this information is public record. Go read it for yourself if you'd like. The worst part of this whole deal is that one of the best tracks in the area is now closed, and that sucks. Blame that final decision on whatever or whoever you want, just not the legal system or those evil neighbors, other than the constant hassle with them didn't help. It's time to look ahead in hopes that somebody else will take this track in the right direction in the near future. I'm more than eager to see that!

In the Modified class, it was Rory Reed that had my full attention all night. At noon on race day, there was still no body on his car, and the motor was yet to be fired. Once at the track we hustled to get his numbers put onto the car while the crew got to those finishing touches on the rest of the car. I only wish we could have gotten the rest of his new vinyl on the car before the heat race because it would have made for a better picture in the the winner's circle. ;-) Rory fought his way to the lead early and never looked back. The feature would be bit tougher, but he fought just as hard. He did manage to take the lead briefly but spent most of the race battling for 2nd and 3rd. A bit of a slip on the last lap cost him 3rd place right at the stripe, but it was one hell of a run for a team with so little preparation time before hitting the track. The car should look a bit nicer for that next winner's picture. Maybe next week??? ;-)

The Pure Stock class brought more than one pleasant surprise on Friday. First off, with the new rules in place, there was plenty of doubt on how many cars would show up. The car count was very close to some nights in the past, but this time the field was actually made up of real Pure Stocks. Sure, they weren't all as "flashy" as we've grown to expect from this class over the years, but then again these things aren't supposed to look and run like Late Models now are they? I'm told that there are more of these cars in the works and hopefully once word gets out that you can actually afford to run a Pure Stock without a Late Model budget, this class will not only survive, but thrive once again. From what I hear of the car counts elsewhere, something tells me that this might not be just a dream after alll. Let's hope not.

The standout in the Pure Stocks had to be Jeff Facemire. After missing most of last season due to engine problems, this guy was eager to prove that his last strong run was no fluke. Mission accomplished! In the heat race, he quickly found himself once again battling Fred Snyder and this time he used what he learned from their last battle to take the lead away. Jeff picked up his first ever heat race win, and quickly went hunting for that feature win. Starting beside Brandon Gardner on the front row would be a real test, and Jeff was up for the challenge. The first few laps had Jeff glued to the rear of the 27 car and even looking for a way around him, but the traction started to go away for Facemire later in the race. He was still able to finish a very strong 2nd when it was over. NICE RUN Hoss!! Denny Shear returned for another season of action, but he didn't have as much luck as Facemire. Right off the trailer mechanical gremlins jumped out and bit him in the ass. Later in the night while making a mad dash towards the front, he was nailed from behind, and he was done for the night. I'm hoping the damage isn't bad enough to keep Denny from action next week.

Racing action was cancelled at Hilltop for Saturday night so we'll have to wait another week to see the Steel Block Late Models, Mini Stocks, and Mini Trucks in action. The Steel Blocks will be racing for $800 to win this Saturday. BE THERE!!

Well, those of you that were hoping for some extra time to finish those cars got your wish. Catching up with a few racers this past weekend showed me that many of those folks are making the best of the extra week off. Rory Reed has been thrashing to get his Modified ready for action, While Randy Pollock is working on those finishing touches on his ride. He may still get a late start to the season, but hopefull not by much. Probably the best news from the weekend was seeing the #45 Pure Stock of Denny Shear under construction again, in hopes of making opening night. Just when it seemed"Mr. Consistency" might miss some racing action this year, the folks of PWT Racing got busy to see that won't happen. HOT DAMN! ;-)

As you can see in the pictures above, some folks are already ready to get this season started. Brandon Craver is more than eager to get back to action and get to chasing yet another track championship (or two???). Look for him towards the front of the pack again at Lakeville and Hilltop this year. Give 'em hell Brandon!

Mike Miller was actually lucky enough to get some track time last weekend, unlike all the dirt guys. It was only a test day, but that's exactly what he needed. We chased the setup all day, but things are certainly headed the right direction, and the lap times were more than respectable by the end of the day. A few nights in the garage, and we were ready to hit the track with a few improvements, but Mother Nature put those plans on hold. Well, there's always next week. ;-)

Speaking of folks that are ready for the racing season, I finally made the trip to Lakeville this Sunday to check out the new and improved track. NICE!!!!! I was a bit skeptical about plans to cut down the banking, but I'm more than happy with the finished product. The "evil humps" coming out of the turns are gone, and that should sure as hell improve the racing action down there. Now all I have to do is make it down there on a race night to see it for myslef. Are you folks keeping a sloppy joe aside for me or what?? ;-)

I know there's been a shortage of updates this winter on here, but I hope to return to weekly updates once the season gets rolling. It's been plenty busy around here this off-season, but I'm not complaining. My busy schedule hasn't allowed me to work as much as I'd like to with some teams, but I've been able to put some time in working to get Miller's ride ready to roll. There really wasn't any time off for Mike this winter. Soon after the last race the car was stripped bare to have the chassis clipped. As soon as the chassis came back, it was time to get busy putting things back together. Sure, many teams can throw one back together in a couple nights, but that's simply not the way Mike works, and for good reason. He's been doing this long enough to know there are no shortcuts on your way to the front. All the hard work is starting to pay off now that the car is nearly completed. A couple weeks ago the air over Clinton was filled with that familiar thunder and those sweet sweet fumes. Ahhhhh,,, those fumes! There's still plenty to be done to get if finished before practice day, but I have no doubt it will be ready by then. Let's hope he has a smoother season this year than he did in 07.

I finally made the trip down to Lakeville this weekend to check in on Jeff Facemire and Denny Shear. Both of them have been busy, and Jeff's car is about ready for action. It got some fresh paint while I was there and only minor things are left on the "to do list". He should be ready for practice day at Hilltop unless something silly pops up. Here's another guy that needs a much smoother season than he had in 07. He didn't get to race many nights, but when he showed up they all knew he was there. I'd love to see him start out where he left off last year. Hell a repeat of last year's opening night would be a nice start. Well,,, except for the final outcome of the feature. ;-)

On the way to Lakeville I made a stop to check in on Chet Alexander to see if they were ready. The car was on the scales when I got there and their "to do list" is getting pretty short too. The 16 car is sporting a new look this year with vinyl provided by Wengerd Enterprises. I have to say I'm more than a little proud to have my name associated with such a class act team. I hope to see Chet in action this year at Hilltop. He's overdue for a feature win down there damn it! ;-)

Some of the racers I've talked with have been pretty busy on their cars for weeks, while some others are just getting started on them. Either way, the thought of hitting the track soon, has them all motivated by now. Those with the most work to do didn't really get a break at all since the end of last season. Mike Miller was one of those unlucky folks. Soon after the final race of 07, the car was stripped to a bare chassis, and sent back to Dillon's shop for replacement of the front and rear clips. The good news is that the seat and steering wheel were still reusable. ;-) That tells you how bad the car was by the end of the 07 season, and he was still running strong! We've been busy since the chassis returned and it's finally starting to look like a race car again. The power plant should be back about the time the body is hung, and things will really start to come together quickly from there. Dillon talked Mike into some changes for this year, so there may be a bit of a learning period at the start of the season, but look for him to once again lead the pack at Midvale when it gets dialed in.

I'm told that the Pure Stock of Chad Craver will be collecting dust this year, and not the kind you get at the track. That would be a real shame. Maybe we can talk the "old man" into strapping on a helmet a few times this year if nothing else. ;-) Brandon Craver is getting his truck ready for another kickass season, and has already stopped by to work on graphic designs for a bit different look. He's scheduled to bring the truck for graphics and scaling in mid March, so ya better get busy young man!

Now that the racing season is getting closer, it might be a good idea to look into a season pass and pit spot at your favorite tracks. Both Hilltop and Lakeville have the needed information posted on their websites. They've also got their schedules posted so that you can get started on those summer plans right now. Is it time to race yet?????