18 replies to this topic

[One_Track_Mind]

Spent the evening on Sunday watching one of the most prestigious racing events on dirt at the West Virginia Motor Speedway in Mineral Wells, WV: the 42nd Annual running of the Hillbilly 100.

Hometown favorite, Parkersburg, WV’s Steve Shaver, who has won this race already, set fast time. One thing they did different was they qualified four cars at once for two laps.

Steve knows the fast way around this racetrack and received the honors of spinning a wheel to see how many positions get inverted; the wheel stopped at four. So the four fastest cars in the heat race get inverted. Steve finished fourth in his race, but started the feature in 14th. Still can’t understand that?

But once the racing started Steve was the fastest car on the track and made it up in the standings as high as third, before that right rear Hoosier tire let out all the air. A lot of cars suffered the same fate with flat tires. With the exception of the winner, the bad boy of dirt track racing Scott Bloomquist, who made no pit stops for fuel or tires This was the only major dirt track event Scott has never won, up until this year.
The track was prepared beautifully, with no ruts, and the dust was at a minimum. This made an exciting time race for all the fans to see.

I know Dokk loves to see these types of cars. If we could ever get him to a race his mind would be changed forever, the average speed around this 5/8 mile dirt oval was well over 112 MPH, and was probably close to 125-130 MPH down the chutes.

I’ve seen lots of the Hillbilly 100 races over the years and it's such a joy to see yet another one.

Took a few pictures, some came out good, others not so good. But I saved the best ones for you fellas to see. Check 'em out!!










99 Donnie Moran Dresden, OH

Earl Pearson, Jr. Jacksonville, FL


Davey Johnson Greensburg, PA



Scott Bloomquist Mooresburg, TN

[Mr. Frank]

Love those Late Mods!!! Great-looking pictures, Brian.

Mr. Frank.

[Jacob Shiplet]

I hate Bloomer with a passion.

I will be at the World 100 starting Wednesday night, can't wait!

Talked to Owens the other day, he said he's ready. Tim McCreadie was racing online with us the other day, he wants to win the whole shebang so we will see. He had a rough go at it this weekend, but he should be OK for the coming weekend.

Bloomer, Francis, Richards, and Chub definitely have to be favorites for this weekend. Personal favorite Rob Blair is questionable after what happened at Tri-City this weekend.

[One_Track_Mind]

Bloomquist on dirt is like Dale E. on pavement: you either like him or you hate him!

Another notable that may get Dokk's attention the horsepower under the hood of Bloomquist's car is a Roush Ford powerplant.

The pace vehicle we were told is the most expensive pace vehicle in any race EVER. The price tag was $61,000!!

The fella telling us the story was from PA, don't recall his name but he was deemed Mr.Pennsboro as he was a writer for Speed Sport and News. The dealership in PA had only two of these vehicles. Ben Rothelesberger, quarterback for the Steelers, got second dibs on the two vehicles there.

I'm thinking of going back to Mineral Wells for the Dirt Track World Championships in Oct.

[Rick]

Brian, if you are going to travel that far, save the trip and go a little further for the World Finals in Charlotte!! WAYYYYYyyyyyyyyy better racing and they are having the Late Models and SPrints and this year have added the Big Block Modifieds to the program. Some the best dirt racing you will ever see and the best facility in the country. Across the road from Lowes Speedway

We were going to go to WVa Moto Speedway but Tyler ran real late and we didn't get home until 5:30 AM. HAd to blow off WVMS for recouperation, LMAO.

Btw, been there on October, bring some heat, LOL, that place gets reallllllllllll cold.

Cya Saturday...............

[Ron Hershman]

The pace vehicle we were told is the most expensive pace vehicle in any race EVER. The price tag was $61,000!!

Me thinks some of those "special" built Vettes used at Indy and Daytona cost a bit more.

Oh maybe you meant for "this" race????

[Jacob Shiplet]

Brian, if you are going to travel that far, save the trip and go a little further for the World Finals in Charlotte!! WAYYYYYyyyyyyyyy better racing and they are having the Late Models and SPrints and this year have added the Big Block Modifieds to the program. Some the best dirt racing you will ever see and the best facility in the country. Across the road from Lowes Speedway

We were going to go to WVa Moto Speedway but Tyler ran real late and we didn't get home until 5:30 AM. HAd to blow off WVMS for recouperation, LMAO.

Btw, been there on October, bring some heat, LOL, that place gets reallllllllllll cold.

Cya Saturday...............

I am not a big fan of the sprints anymore, but the LM's is a good time. BB mods is some of the best/fastest/craziest racing you will ever see. LOVE going to some of the big dollar BBM races. Those guys are nuts and those cars are nothing but a hand full.

[Rick]

I agree Jacob, Sprints are not a very good show, after first lap, it's foillow the car in front of you, very little passing going on. Shorter tracks are more action that big tracks. Late Models usually put on a great show, usually.

But last year at Charlotte, Shotz and Jason Myers put on a show Friday, second to none, period. The track was real heavy and fast as hell, 12 second race laps, LOL. Of course they shoveled up about 15 cars because it was so fast and stuck, Saturday for TV they slicked her up real good for less cautions for time constraints.

We try to never miss The Dirt Track at Charlotte..............

[DaveM]

You just haven't been to the right sprint show ...Winged sprints are best on 3/8 or smaller tracks ...........Imo............And my personal favorite unwinged sprints (USAC) always seem to put an exciting show on...Nothing like an unwinged sprint car runnin the cushion at Eldora............

[One_Track_Mind]

Brian, if you are going to travel that far, save the trip and go a little further for the World Finals in Charlotte!!

Hey Rick,
You musta forgot, I'm a Hillbilly and this is my hometown! I went to visit my parents over the weekend and the track is actually only about a half hour drive away from there farm. So, the travel distance is not an option. Too have and stay in Charlotte would cost me money!!
I've actually seen it snow there in Oct for a race one year, so it does get cold in the holler.

Hi Ron,
I bet your correct...the statement would be the most expensive pace vehicle for this type of dirt track racing.

Jack Hewitt was the first sprint car I ever seen to motor around the WVA track and it was on the floorboard the entire lap. It was fast, but when all of them got out there it was follow the leader.

Where's Dokk? I figured he would Love to see these cars!

[Jacob Shiplet]

You just haven't been to the right sprint show ...Winged sprints are best on 3/8 or smaller tracks ...........Imo............And my personal favorite unwinged sprints (USAC) always seem to put an exciting show on...Nothing like an unwinged sprint car runnin the cushion at Eldora............

Your right, sprint cars at Attica is pretty darn good. I also like going to the little guy nationals over at Mercer in PA. Good racing over there for the "true" sportsman racer.

[TSR]

I know Dokk loves to see these types of cars.

Brian,
I may not like the way they look because to me they look like stapled-together garbage cans, but watching them is great fun and I really enjoy these races. They are fast, no doubt.

[Ron Hershman]

Brian,
I may not like the way they look because to me they look like stapled-together garbage cans, but watching them is great fun and I really enjoy these races. They are fast, no doubt.

I am sure you will appreciate this then........lol

[One_Track_Mind]

Ron,
I believe this picture shows a dirt car on pavement, with dirt tires. They ran extremely well like this. Some cars breaking track records on pavement.

My first introduction into seeing these wedge type cars with high side boards was at the legendary Pennsboro Speedway when “Chargin” Charlie Swartz showed up in I believe 1982 at either the Hillbilly 100 or the Dirt Track World Championships with a car under a tarp, everyone was fascinated as to what Charlie had created this time, and when the tarp came off and the racing started Charlie easily won the race. It was just like ‘slot car rules’ he read in between the lines of the rules and then everyone started building the side dams taller and taller. What a mess for the push trucks to clean up after they tangled up a few of them together with all those large heavy pieces of plexiglass, it didn’t do well for the tires either when chunks of it were still scattered on the track.

Charlie was the cause of the STARS (Short Track Auto Racing Series) to come up with the rules that banned this type of racing bodies and now give us the current stapled together garbage cans as we see today.

You suppose they remind Philippe of the Wing cars, this is why he doesn't like them?

I have in my collection a book written and signed by Charlie Swartz, I will confirm the exact year and race later IF anyone is interested?

[Mr. Frank]

Brian,
I may not like the way they look because to me they look like stapled-together garbage cans, but watching them is great fun and I really enjoy these races. They are fast, no doubt.

STAPLED TOGATHER GARBAGE CANS!!!!! Glad that's your opinoin, cause I myself think that is some of the BEST short track racen ever... Love too see the left front wheel off the ground , in the turns, about a foot , is just AWSOME. At night you can see the brake rotors GLOW RED HOT.... TOOO COOOOL !!!!!


Mr. Frank

[Ron Hershman]

Ron,
I believe this picture shows a dirt car on pavement, with dirt tires. They ran extremely well like this. Some cars breaking track records on pavement.

Actually it is a pavement car on pavement tires. Randy Sweet of Sweet MFG. built this car for exhibition purposes and to promote Sweet MFG. in the early 80's. The chassis was built by Junior Hanley of Canada ( one of the finest short track chassis builders of all time ) and I think it had a Baker motor in it.

I seen this car run at Winchester Speedway.... the only car to ever run wide open all the way around and at the time set the absolute track record that may still stand today.

There is also a picture of this car being ran at Kalazoo Mi with Randy going through turns three and four wide open and both of his hands up in the and air off the steering wheel..... that's how well and hard this car turned left.

Randy took this car all over the midwest back then setting track records everywhere.

After a year or two they put a "normal" type body on the car and raced it here and there. Larry Zent of Fort Wayne purchased the car and ran it in weekly shows at Baer Field raceway in Fort Wayne. That car was awesome and unbeatable.

A good friend of mine purchased the car a couple of years later and still has it today.


Chargin Charlie was a innovator and was the first guy to run the wedge bodies and everyone soon followed.

Those were wild times.

[Jacob Shiplet]

Actually it is a pavement car on pavement tires. Randy Sweet of Sweet MFG. built this car for exhibition purposes and to promote Sweet MFG. in the early 80's. The chassis was built by Junior Hanley of Canada ( one of the finest short track chassis builders of all time ) and I think it had a Baker motor in it.

I seen this car run at Winchester Speedway.... the only car to ever run wide open all the way around and at the time set the absolute track record that may still stand today.

There is also a picture of this car being ran at Kalazoo Mi with Randy going through turns three and four wide open and both of his hands up in the and air off the steering wheel..... that's how well and hard this car turned left.

Randy took this car all over the midwest back then setting track records everywhere.

After a year or two they put a "normal" type body on the car and raced it here and there. Larry Zent of Fort Wayne purchased the car and ran it in weekly shows at Baer Field raceway in Fort Wayne. That car was awesome and unbeatable.

A good friend of mine purchased the car a couple of years later and still has it today.


Chargin Charlie was a innovator and was the first guy to run the wedge bodies and everyone soon followed.

Those were wild times.

Well I believe that was the start of outlaw super late models of today. I believe the car pictured had a big block in it correct? For those that have outlaw late models in their area, will know what im talking about. The knifed nose, huge spoiler/wing in the back, cut down roof, very aero/downforce type car. I am not talking the ones that run at Irwindale or Memphis.


As for the winchester record, I know Sarah Fisher had it at one time in a sprint car. I know USAC and 410 sprint guys would go there just to go fast.

[Ron Hershman]

As for the winchester record, I know Sarah Fisher had it at one time in a sprint car. I know USAC and 410 sprint guys would go there just to go fast.

That car I pictured went 14.79 122 mph at Winchester in Oct of 1984.... never lifting off the throttle all the way around.

Winged Sprint car record today is 13.61 132 mph Super Late model record today is 15.189

A second faster for the winged sprints and 26 years later.

Back in 84 they didn't race much at Winchester other than Midgets and ASA stock cars. But running a 14.79 26 years ago was flying and history at the time.

Sarah Fisher's fast time of 14.686 on 10/24/99 in a USAC Midget race was indeed a track record for midgets at Winchester at the time until it was broken by Ryan Newman a year later with a 14.597.

So it took Sarah 15 years later to pass Sweet's record.

[Jacob Shiplet]

That car I pictured went 14.79 122 mph at Winchester in Oct of 1984.... never lifting off the throttle all the way around.

Winged Sprint car record today is 13.61 132 mph Super Late model record today is 15.189

A second faster for the winged sprints and 26 years later.

Back in 84 they didn't race much at Winchester other than Midgets and ASA stock cars. But running a 14.79 26 years ago was flying and history at the time.

Sarah Fisher's fast time of 14.686 on 10/24/99 in a USAC Midget race was indeed a track record for midgets at Winchester at the time until it was broken by Ryan Newman a year later with a 14.597.

So it took Sarah 15 years later to pass Sweet's record.

Dont forget Ron, Midgets are wingless and a 4cyl. I forgot about Newman being that fast. I know Jeff Gordon has the sprint car record at Columbus Motor Speedway locally until 2004. It stood for 20+ years.