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txtom

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Posts posted by txtom

  2. Majeski DQ at 417

    in Short Track Racing outside the Lone Star State

    Posted

    9 minutes ago, rebelracewriter said:

    My question is.....Who just has gun drilled bolts laying around to begin with and why?

    thinking-face_1f914.png.300e8376dca3cadd378c5c046e0fd55f.png

    In years past, gun drilled bolts were legal. The issue is really not that the bolt is drilled, but more it is how much. It is one thing to take a 3/4 inch diameter bolt and drill about a 1/4 out of the center. .750-.250 leaves .500, which means you have .250 wall thickness. In that instance, it actually gives a bit of strength to the bolt being a tube rather than a solid. But, 1/4 inch was OK, so lets put on the racer hat and decide a few more ounces can be saved if we drill it out a half inch.  .750 - .500 leaves .250, or a 1/8 inch wall thickness. And that is the shank. remember the entire bolt is drilled. Lets go out to the threads and measure the wall diameter in the thread valleys. It is going to be less than the 1/8 inch. So if you look at the bolt in question, it is significantly drilled. This leaves a potential for the threaded area to crack, break,  and release the bolt, giving it a chance to vibrate out. This has happened. That is why every SLM sanctioning body in the country has a no drilled bolt in the suspension clause, and some go so far as to ban them over the entire car. As for a DQ over one bolt, where do you draw the line? If you are on this forum, you have something to do with racing. OK, one bolt, we'll let it slide. you will say, well, its only two bolts. then only three bolts. You all have seen a scenario played out like this. 

     

  5. Fatal NASCAR hauler crash in Texas

    in Texas Auto Racing

    Posted · Edited by txtom
    Correction

    Taylor Gray (and his brother Tanner) are Johnny's Grandsons. Their Dad, Shane Gray, was a NHRA Pro Stock driver, following in Johnny's footsteps. Ya'll may also remember Tanner was the NHRA Pro Stock Champion a few years ago before switching to stock cars. 

    19 hours ago, ron.brown11 said:

    Do you know if he ever ran any of the Winter Heat races in Tucson in the late 90s? The first year there were 8-10 TIDA drivers that made the trip.

      Ron, Johnny did not, he was out of stock cars by then. He raced late models into the late 80's or so, and that was mostly the TROC and Texas Grand Prix events at Texas World. He then entered the drag racing world; he has raced in several classes.

  6. NASCAR

    in Texas Auto Racing

    Posted

     “The sound of his conversation prior to the spin led me to believe he spun on purpose.  He asked someone to look at the replay before the said something he shouldnt.  The crew chief said he looked at it and he could say what he wanted.  A few laps late, the spin.”         
    I could write a book on how much of this goes on in racing. Listen to enough scanners and you can pick the code words they use. Driver says “ I got a tire going down”  Spotter says “ We need a caution” Sound innocent enough?  Well, the drivers spins himself or someone else to get a caution. Heard it at every short track I’ve been to where radios are involved, and heard it at the Snowball Derby by some of the most recognizable names that run there. And, yes, I have heard it in the Cup, Xfinity and Truck Series in the few races I have attended at that level. Now  in no way am I bashing Elliott by this, but he is not above doing things  like creating his own caution. 

  13. Darrell Godfredson

    in Prayer Warriors Room

    Posted · Edited by txtom
    Add info

    Thoughts and prayers to the Family of Darrell Godfredson. Darrell was a long time racer and later helped his son Chip, and more recently could be seen in the pits of his Grandson Garrett. He also promoted Shady Oaks Speedway many years back. Rest in Peace Darrell.

  14. Texan Aaron Reutzl suspended and fined by WoO for illegal chassis

    in Texas Auto Racing

    Posted

    Reading further on this, it is apparent that Roth Motorsports supplies the hauler and cash. Ruetzel supplies car, engines and crew. Everything about the car was under control of his guys. Not anyone from Roth. And Reutzel had a tech issue just a couple months ago in that series. Dennis and Theresa  Roth are stand up folks that rarely travel to the races anymore. I do not believe that they had any knowledge of what Reutzel and his guys did. Ruetzel admitted what happened  was his doing, And hopefully the Roth’s will move on to another driver with more morals and appreciation for what the Roth organization means to sprint car racing.

  19. Austin Street Races

    in Texas Racing History

    Posted

    On 3/22/2021 at 3:48 PM, RodneyRodriguez said:

    I seem to remember the Stock Cars did that as well? Seem to recall Friday night races at Speed-O-Rama and they would head downtown the next day, probably would have been the Late Model Sportsman cars.

    Yes, Lots of Late Models that you saw at the short tracks. Funny story from back then-- on  a practice day, "Moose" Bowen and Luke Griffin are standing watching an open practice. Some guy in a sports car (SCCA style racer) come pulling back into the pits, gets out of his car fairly near where Moose and Luke are standing. Remember both were pretty large size men. The guy gets out all shaken and mad and when his crew asked him what was wrong, he went into a tirade about the true late model guys; how fast they were going, how close they were racing each other and others, and how loose the cars were. He went on to say they were dangerous and should not be out there. Luke and Moose started laughing, and when the sporty guy asked why they were laughing, Griffin said, "Hey, they are out there just having fun, wait until tomorrow when they get serious". Would have loved to see the guys face when Luke said that.  

    I have no idea if anyone out there has any results from those Aquafest races; also do not know who promoted them.

     

  21. Pics of Corpus Christi Speedway being torn down

    in Texas Auto Racing

    Posted

    2 hours ago, top_shelf_12 said:

    Agree 100% Rodney, now every track I grew up with is gone, CCS, SAS, and Longhorn. Only made a few trips to THR/CTS. At least the carcass of SAS is still there, not sure if that's a good thing or not. I'd like to think it is. At least looking at the track, the movie replays in my head. I think Longhorn is still there but haven't seen anything from it recently. CCS first track I ever turned laps at in my own car, now STS is the only one left. Granted my laps are very few but it's like watching your childhood home get bulldozed. Thankful for the ALS challenge at CCS as that was something very near to me and was a successful night.

    Longhorn is now a field. It was plowed up last fall. Here is a pic taken from turn three back towards turn 1.

    IMG_5004[1004].jpg

  22. Pics of Corpus Christi Speedway being torn down

    in Texas Auto Racing

    Posted · Edited by txtom

    Back abound Christmas/New years, I went by there and ran into a guy that stated he was the new owner. We talked for several minutes and the basic story then was it was going to be torn down. That man I talked to is the owner of a prominent CC Wrecker business;  That would validate the thought that it will be a wrecker yard. 

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