410 Final at Lincoln

Last night was the final points race for the 410s at Lincoln Speedway. The drama built as Niki Young had problems with his car all night and had to qualify through the consi. Unfortunately, Niki did not finish the consi, but was named the first alternate, and Pat Cooper dropped out to give Niki his spot. Niki had been 3rd in points.

The four drivers in contention: Chris Eash, Brian Montieth, Fred Rahmer and Niki Young

Had Fred Rahmer not gone to Knoxville he probably would have been able to breeze through with some breathing room. Both Eash and Rahmer qualified through their heats, but failed to finish in a handicap spot, and had to start the feature outside of the top 12. Fred Rahmer and Niki Young faced an uphill battle in the feature....with Niki not finishing and Fred going to the pits after an early caution, reporting out for the remainder of the race.

After an entertaining feature that kept the drama building, Alan Krimes came home in victory lane. Brian Monteith was able to finish in front of Fred Rahmer, and was thereby named Points Champion. What a wonderful racing season it has turned out to be!

Copied from Lincoln Speedway Message Board
Feature (25 laps) - 1. 87-Alan Krimes; 2. 89-Cody Darrah; 3. 59-Jim Siegel; 4. 21-Brian Montieth; 5. 6W-Josh Wells; 6. 30-Doug Esh; 7. 22-Greg Hodnett; 8. 17E-Cris Eash; 9. 25O-Aaron Ott; 10. 45L-Scott Geesey; 11. 38N-Nick Schlauch Jr.; 12. 4-John Rudisill; 13. 51-Fred Rahmer (DNF); 14. 5-Adam Lawrence (DNF); 15. 71-Brian Leppo (DNF); 16. 10N-Niki Young (DNF); 17. 71X-Bill Stine (DNF); 18. 9-Craig Keel (DNF); 19. 45-AJ Michael (DNF); 20. X-Bobby Weaver (DNF); 21. 49-Bobby Howard (DNF); 22. 12-Mike Bittinger (DNF); 23. 28-Chad Jumper (DNF); 24. 25-Chad Layton (DNF). No Time

Williams Grove 8-22 SportsPlus Video

While lurking on the Williams Grove Speedway message boards-as I usually do....I heard about this amazing race a couple of Fridays ago.

During the final laps of the A-Main on August 22nd, Fred Rahmer and Brian Monteith were racing for the lead. Coming down the backstretch, Fred made contact with a lapped car, and -- let's just say, it's hard to beleive what occurred. Fred never missed a beat - never slowed down - and won the race.

Now, I am really not one who purchases tapes of races-since I would rather attend with that money. Matter of fact, I have 3 or 4 tapes that I purchased from SportsPlus Video and 2 that I taped when TNN came to the Grove for an Outlaw race...we made signs.

Anyway, after hearing this amazing save from those I know who were at the Grove (and on the backstretch) I HAD to get this race and see for myself. It is a "miracle" that Fred saved his car after riding up the lapped car. Those who were on the backstretch could actually see the bottom of his car. Fred NEVER slowed, racing Monteith for the lead.

Now, I don't consider myself to be a Rahmer fan, but all I can say is....what a talented driver! Cheers to him on the win. He certainly desrved it.

Another cheer to Fred for the mention of Jeff Shepard. I know the entire racing community wishes him well, but it is special when a fierce competitor recognizes someone.

Chain of Flowers

I decided since I don't feel well to do a personal blog about my favorite band-The Cure. Ever since I was 8, I have loved Cure songs. No matter what kind of day I've had, I can listen to The Cure and feel better.

My favorite website featuring the latest news is Craig Parker's-Chain of Flowers. He recently created a blog just for his news page.

Craig has given me an idea to list a few of my favorites about The Cure. So read on if you want....

My 5 favorite Cure albums:
Pornography
Wish
Bloodflowers
The Top
Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me

My 5 favorite Cure songs:
Letter to Elise
Strange Day
In Between Days
The Empty World
A Night Like This

My 5 favorite Cure videos:
A Night Like This
Just Like Heaven
Lovecats
Hanging Garden
Hot Hot Hot


Many of you only know the band as those with crazy hair and make-up, but once upon a time, Robert had a crewcut. And not that I am nitpicking my favorite band or anything, but they made the right choice not to have synth-

Balto County Schools-What?

Umm-what is Baltimore County Schools saying?

I understand why Baltimore County is instituting a policy that was already in place. No matter what this article states, when I lived in Baltimore County (until Dec 07) I had to prove residency EVERY year.

My children are 5 1/2 years apart. So while one was in Middle, the other was in Elementary--

EVERY year, I had to take my ID, a bill with my name, and other evidence to prove I lived two streets from both schools. When my younger child came to the same middle school (my daughter was in high school) I had to prove I still lived in that house. I even had to prove residency at the high school every year until she graduated in 07.

This was a huge problem one year-they sent a residency officer to my home (an auditing check, so they claim). This officer for the school system strolled through my home to see if I, and my two children really lived there. I was inconvenienced because I had to go into work late and lose money...when every year, I submitted the exact same requirements.

Until my daughter went to high school (where she caught the bus right down the street from our house)-both of my children were walkers. To follow them home, would lead a block and a half to our home.


Now I live in Carroll County. I had to prove where I lived, especially since I moved in the middle of the school year, but this year.....I did not have to take time out of work to re-prove where I lived.

We Did It! Shepard is home!

Wow! All I can say, is wow!

It amazes me that Jeff Shepard fans and the racing community in general have raised enough money to pay off his air ambulance bill AND physical therapy bill.

($17,000 + $12,000 = $29,000) Wow!

I beleive that this really helped the Shepard family. Im sure it alleviates alot of the stress of having the money issue hanging over them while trying to get through a difficult time anyway. Money can certainly stress you out and hinder recovery. If you dont beleive that, talk to me sometime.

Jeff certainly improved enough that he is able to leave the hospital in Baltimore and return home. He will still have to go to therapy several times a week, but being home is a huge improvement.

As I have mentioned many times before, even though I personally know those who didnt root for Jeff, they still came forward to support someone who provided years of racing entertainment. Last Saturday night, when Rahmer came into our section, even those who openly boo him, clapped and gave him money for Jeff.

It is also worth noting that money to help the family didnt all come from Central PA. Not only did racetracks all over the US raise money, but money was raised even in Australia!

Even though it is sad when the racing community has to come together like this, it is also why I love the sport so much.

There is no other sport like this.

ND Family Tradition Continues

College football season is upon us once again. I, for one, am all excited. Of course, my favorite team, The Notre Dame Fighting Irish, do not play until September 6th.

I have been a ND fan for a long time...watching many develop into great football players. If you go into the alumni of the Fighting Irish, you will see that many of them became huge NFL stars.

This year, Notre Dame has an Offensive Center listed on their roster that has a name familiar to many of us. Mike Golic Jr.

I was about 15 or so when Mike Golic Sr. started in the NFL. I remember watching ND games with my grandfather when he was a defensive player for the team. By the time Golic was hosting the sports blooper show, I had kids. I would be able to watch it if my daughter happened to be awake at that time of the night!

I dont watch the current show that he co-hosts on the duce. (Mike and Mike)

The Golics are starting a family dynasty. Mike Golics brother, Bob, also was drafted out of Notre Dame. With an uncle and father coming from Notre Dame and being drafted out of the NFL, it was almost a given that Mike Jr. would be as well. I sincerely hope that he is just as successful as they were.

Labor Day Weekend Traffic Woes

During the inspection of the Bay Bridge after the accident where a tractor trailor went throught the concrete jersey wall barrier and into the Bay, officials decided that this area was dangerous.

These brainiacs decided that they needed to repair the area NOW. Not next weekend when traffic would be calmer. Mind you, this is the first time that any vehicle went OVER the bridge.

So, yesterday afternoon, officials suspended the tolls because traffic was horrible. All week long, we saw the traffic woes of those who sat for hours in traffic just to get home from work. Even with the drop in fuel prices-(who thinks 3.50 a gallon is cheap?) sitting in traffic for up to 4 hours can be a budget breaker.

However, who came up with the idea to suspend the tolls? This may have alleviated traffic during rush hour, but what about the revenue generated? The state could have kept collecting tolls to support the work being done on the bridge. Instead, there could be a shortfall because thousands of vehicles passed through during one of the busiest travel weekends.

Our Governor, Martin OMalley, announced busses that will cross the bridge. HAHA! Is this for real? Who crosses the Bay Bridge and doesnt need their car on the other side?

Come on people! This emergency repair job could have waited until after this weekend. We could have possibly collected revenue on a busy holiday that would have helped pay for this repair job. Instead, we get traffic problems and waived tolls.

Never Forget

I, like so many others in the USA, will never forget September 11, 2001. Those images are burned into my memory, in the same manner that my g-parents and parents remember Kennedy's assasination in the 60s.

Back in 2001, I was generally "doin my own thing". I was working for what is now CCBC-Catonsville as a Database & Records Specialist for their Continuing Education Department under the Dean. (I designed and then trained people how to use the database) I received a call from Frank informing me about the first plane. Of course, EVERYTHING shut down except for the county schools. My mother-in-law (RIP) went and picked up the kids from the elementary and middle school.

I found myself sitting on the couch, riveted - as well as repulsed - by what I was witnessing. As more details came throughout the day, I began to "simmer". Long story short, I became very active politically. My local political club started a flag waving every day, which continued for several months. It became monthly once daily wavings weren't possible for many club members.

Now it is 2008 and it has been 7 years that the club has been waving the flag on that overpass. Those who are able to come-show up, and those out of town or working show up when the 11th is on a weekend.

Many who drive by honk or wave. It gives you a sense of one-ness - We are Americans!
There are some however, that apparently do not like seeing our flag...this past month (July) a state police officer stopped and threatened arrest if they didn't leave because an anonymous complaint was made stating they were in the streets.

First, if you need to remain anonymous you are a coward. None of the club members are in any way violent or abusive. For crying out loud, most of them are older. There is no need to lie and get innocent people threatened with going to jail. How disrespectful of a former Navy captain! Have you NO class at all?

Secondly, are you out of your mind? If you are in America-which Maryland still is- why are you so offended by a few people standing there, holding a flag? If that offends you, let me be the first to say -


GET OUT OF MY COUNTRY!


I am proud to be an American, no matter if our country is -- screwing up-at war-disagrees with me on moral issues. This list could go on.

I am also proud to have been: a part of the PVRC- As member, Secretary, Committee Chair or Member, Webmaster. I spent 8 years or so being involved in a club that would choose to show our patriotism in this manner - and I am proud that the "tradition" continues.


Thankfully, nothing like this occurred August 11th. Besides those who were flag waving, the only other person to show up was a reporter - not a cop.

RickRoll

Don't worry - You won't see any viral videos here.

Let me just set up the situation.....last night I got the Rick Astley song stuck in my head. I have NO idea how it got there...but that's always the case when a particular song gets stuck on repeat.

I commented something along the lines of -- "Man, who RickRolled me?" I hear in response- "What are you talking about?"

Now, we live in the same house...pretty much watch the same shows...and I heard about it.

During my initial shock, I said, Now your going to tell me you never heard of -and then I referenced some other viral videos. - Now we both watch Best Week Ever where they made fun of all the reaction videos - how did he miss this?

Well, he not only hadn't heard of that video, along with several others - he didn't even remember them being mentioned.

So, I went and got my daughter - who then proceeded to RickRoll him!


I have no idea how this "fad" started. Granted Rick Astley's song WILL get stuck in your head...but who coined the term RickRoll? And to that end, who started faking people out?

Regarding viral videos....why do these people do what I have heard they are doing in these videos? And who got the idea to video reactions to the video? Even if you don't watch the actual video, the reaction videos will tell you how horrifying some of them are.

YCRC at Lincoln / collection for Shepard

I was pleasantly pleased to see EVERY driver collecting money for Jeff Shepard. This is one of the reasons I love this sport so much. The entire racing community comes together to support their own when something occurs.

While at Lincoln on Saturday, I stopped by the YCRC trailor. I was talking to them about those of us donating to honor Jeff - even though the money goes to all YCRC members. During the first Legend feature, there were a page and a half of names donating in Jeff's honor....by the time they had their heats, there was a considerable amount of racing fans supporting our injured drivers.

Vicki Leppo and Debbie Rahmer both told me that next week, they will be passing the helmet.

I have to say, support for Jeff has been overwhelming. I can only imagine that Shepards garage and Helen and Judd's mailboxes will be overflowing. Fans have been wearing Shepard shirts to show their support.

Even though there are times when fans and drivers disagree, we can all come together at times like this.