TODAY’S HEADLINES

Working smarter rather than harder nearly always seems like a good idea...................more in “The Strategy”.

 

Trackchasing offer so many “fork in the road” decision-making opportunities, there is never a dull moment…………details in “The Trip”.

 

What European trackchaser spent the evening at my boyhood home track?....…….more in “The People”. 

Ever been to Moonie’s Pub?  You need to go there!....…….details in “Race Review – Peoria Speedway”. 

Click on these links or paste them in your browser to take you to today’s Trackchaser Report via my website at www.ranlayracing.com

 

http://www.ranlayracing.com/iowaspeedwayirl.htm

 

http://www.ranlayracing.com/1213butlermotorspdwy.htm

 

http://www.ranlayracing.com/peoriaspdwyjun07.htm

 

 

GREETINGS FROM NEWTON, IOWA AND THEN BUTLER, MISSOURI (SUNDAY) AND FINALLY PEORIA, ILLINOIS (MONDAY)

 

 

 

 

 

TRACKCHASING TOURIST ATTRACTION

 

Yes!  See below.

 

 

WE WOKE UP IN WEBSTER CITY, IOWA THIS MORNING.  WE WENT TO SLEEP IN KANSAS CITY, KANSAS (SUNDAY).  CAROL WENT HOME AND I WENT TO SLEEP IN VILLA PARK, ILLINOIS (MONDAY).  THIS IS WHAT TRANSPIRED SUNDAY AND MONDAY.

PEOPLE/STRATEGY/TRAVEL NEWS

 

The Strategy     

 

Wouldn’t everyone’s life strategy be to get maximum results with minimal effort?  It’s the classic “work smarter, not harder” idea.  It’s exactly this strategy that motivated me to develop both a right-handed AND left-handed forehand shot in tennis.  I could get to more balls and run less!

 

I try to practice this life strategy not just in trackchasing but anywhere and everywhere that I can.  Today, I will give you two examples of how the “work smarter, not harder” theory was applied in my everyday trackchasing life.

 

Today was the first ever Indy car race at the Iowa Speedway.  To Iowans, it was a big deal.  All of the good seats had been sold long ago.  We didn’t have any tickets for the event, when we pulled into the back of a long traffic line several miles from the speedway.  The traffic was bad.  We would do well to get to the track by the time the green flag dropped at 12:15 p.m.

 

How would we get tickets?  What would we do?  I simply pulled out my “need two” ticket sign from my briefcase.  Carol quickly chewed a piece of gum.  We used the gum to stick the sign to the driver’s side window.  In less than five minutes, a woman was waving two tickets out the window of a black Ford Expedition. 

 

When the traffic slowed to a stop, the driver got out of the car and walked back to my car.  His tickets were in the upper level just at the entrance to pit road.  He wanted face value ($75) for the tickets.  That seemed fair given the existing traffic circumstances.  I gladly dug into my pocket for $150 cash.  We didn’t even have to get out of our car for premium tickets at face value to the biggest event ever held at the Iowa Speedway.  I’m telling you, it’s all about systems!

 

We were in four lanes of traffic crawling toward the rain soaked grass parking lots of the Iowa Speedway.  These four lanes narrowed down to just one lane headed into the main parking lot.  They allowed about 20 cars from one lane and then another of the four total lanes to move forward at one time.  At this rate, it was going to take forever to get in.  The start of the race would not be delayed.  They were committed to starting on time for the TV audience.

 

As I looked in my rearview mirror, the traffic was backed up for as far as I could see.  The traffic backup was probably more than three miles.  There were going to be a large number of people who were going to miss a big part of this race.

 

There were just 20 minutes before the green flag would fly.  What would we do?  How would we get into the track in time for the start of the race?  My theory regarding parking spaces is “there is always room for one more at the inn.”  Yes, I guess that comes from my Bible reading.  I was able to perfect my parking strategies as the Eldora Speedway during several World 100 events.    It’s an easier theory to implement when I’m not driving my own car!

 

I quickly nudged my way into a spot just wide enough for the Dollar Rental Car Racing Dodge Charger.  Carol and I snuck past a security guard who was about ready to arrest a guy who had tried a similar but less stealth move.  We put it into Olympic walking mode.  I’m glad Carol goes to aerobics 5-6 times a week.  She can easily keep up.

 

We arrived in our seats just seven minutes before the race started.  We would have missed the first 50 laps had we not been assertive with our parking arrangement.  The fellow I bought my tickets from showed up a little later than we did.  He said, “I saw that spot you parked in.  I thought about taking it myself.  Good move!”

 

So…..what have we learned from all of this?  First of all, no one looks out for your own well-being more than you do.  Secondly, it’s better to have a good system than a good shovel.  Finally, it’s important to abide by all rules and regulations.  Therefore, when you win you will have the inner self-satisfaction of a problem well solved.  Yes, these are pearls of wisdom.  Be smart enough to bend over and pick them up.

The Trip

 

Following the afternoon race, Carol did most of the driving down to Missouri.  I spent the time on cell phone arranging standby flights for Carol.  She’ll be flying back to San Clemente from Kansas City on Monday.  The flight availability looks good.  Maybe I’ll stay out on the road a little longer.

 

On Monday morning, after a quick breakfast at the Waffle House, I dropped Carol off at the Kansas City airport.  She would be back in Los Angles before I could get to this evening’s track in Illinois!  Just minutes after leaving Carol, I saw a sign for the Harry Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Missouri.  Since one of my missions while on the road is to “see stuff”, I had to stop.  You can read more details about that stop in the Trackchasing Tourist Attraction below.

 

I was undecided about my return trip home.  I had several factors pointing in opposite directions.  The plan was for Carol to be out four nights and me five.  Here are some of the dilemmas I faced.

 

My extra night out would be because I wanted to go to the Peoria Speedway.  There were two reasons for this.  First, I wanted to surprise Belgium’s Roland Vanden Eynde who is on a nearly three-week U.S. trackchasing trip.  Secondly, Peoria Speedway is my all-time favorite track for several reasons mentioned in this report.

 

However, there were some significant factors going against a trip to Peoria.  First, the one-way drive from Kansas City to Peoria was 433 miles.  Secondly, the rain forecast called for a 40% chance of showers.  It would have been easy to bag Peoria and hop on the plane from Kansas City to Los Angeles with Carol.

 

However, I was obligated to return my rental car to Chicago.  Leaving it in Kansas City would have resulted in a large drop-off charge.

 

Therefore, I drove to Peoria.  It poured down rain for nearly an hour as I drove through St. Louis.  Would this long drive be for nothing? 

 

I checked flights for my return home on Tuesday.  The only thing that was semi-guaranteed was a 7:30 a.m. departure from Chicago’s Midway Airport.  There were several drawbacks to this plan.  First, I would not get out of the Peoria Speedway until 11 p.m. on Monday night.  It was a 162-mile drive from Peoria to the Midway airport.  I needed to have my rental car returned by no later than 6:30 a.m.  You do the math.  There was hardly any time left to sleep in a motel room.

 

I considered going without a motel on Monday night.  However, after having driven 595 miles for the day, sitting out in 90-degree weather for five hours and sitting through one of the dirtiest/dustiest shows of the year, the idea of going without sleep and a shower didn’t seem like it would be very appealing to my fellow airline passengers or even to me!

 

I am amazed at the feedback I’ve gotten from some trackchasers regarding the apparent ease of my trackchasing.  As the “Bill Gates” of trackchasing, some have fostered a perception of me eating caviar to and from the track.  As James Brown was the hardest working man in show business, I believe I am the hardest working man in trackchasing.

 

Because of the lack of time to sleep following Monday night’s races, I considered staying out on the road for a couple more days.  I would have done that EXCEPT I had two problem areas.  First, I had to get back to join Carol for a Tuesday night Angel’s game.  She would have let me slide on that if I wanted too.  Secondly, and probably more importantly, I had only one viable Tuesday trackchasing alternative.  Unfortunately, (fortunately?), the weather forecast for that Ohio track was poor.

 

There you have the travel plan.  I got about three hours and 45 minutes of sleep on Monday night in Chicago.  Then it was up and at ‘em for a flight from Chicago to Vegas and then to Orange County.  From there it was home for a few hours and back up the freeway for the Angels game.  Just another week in the life of the “World’s #1 Ranked Trackchaser.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRACKCHASING TOURIST ATTRACTION

 

I only had 90 minutes to spend at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Museum & Library.  That wasn’t enough time especially when I learned the 45-minute film about his life and times was being delayed an hour due to a movie projector failure.

 

This attraction is located in Independence, Missouri.  It was dedicated all the way back in 1957.  Harry Truman was president when I was born in 1949.  He was president from 1945 to 1953.  He assumed the presidency after the untimely death of Franklin D. Roosevelt.  Roosevelt died just three months after being elected for a record fourth time. 

 

Compared to my most recent presidential library visit (Ronald Reagan) this was a modest affair.  Nevertheless, I found it very entertaining and will return again, when I have more time to enjoy everything they have to offer.

 

 

The People

 

I drove nearly 500 miles out of my way because I wanted to surprise Belgium’s Roland Vanden Eynde.  Roland is out on an 18-day trackchasing trip where he expects to see more than 20 tracks in the U.S.  I knew in advance that Roland had the Peoria Speedway on his list. 

 

He told me that I had already visited every track on his itinerary for this trip.  Therefore, I don’t think he expected us to meet up.  Even though the air quality was questionable (lots of dust and dirt), the racing was very good.  I hope Roland enjoys the rest of his trip.  Safe travels, Roland.

 

 

 

 

CAROL’S COMMENTS

 

The Iowa Speedway is a gorgeous facility with three countable tracks at one location.  Editor’s note:  She’s always thinking ahead!  The legroom in the grandstands was outstanding.  The bathrooms were beautiful.  They even had a lady in the bathroom pointing out which stalls were available!  I liked the Indy cars because they go fast and they’re somewhat delicate.  They remind me of sprint cars.  I thought I would be fried in the sun, but it was quite pleasant under the overcast skies.  I wasn’t too happy when the track security staff took my little umbrella away upon entering.  At least I got it back on the way out of the track.  It’s always entertaining watching my husband maneuver us in and around the world’s obstacles. 

STATE RANKINGS

The Iowa Speedway was Carol’s sixth new track to see in the Hawkeye state.  This was not a new track for me.  I was here for the speedway’s inaugural race on September 15, 2006.  Carol is now tied for 30^th place in Iowa with Steve Kinser among others.

 

The evening portion of our trackchasing day yielded my 34^th lifetime Show Me state track.  This moves me into a tie for fourth place with Roger Ferrell of Majenica, Indiana.  The track improves my lifetime NGD score by one more position.  That gives me a net gain of two positions so far on this trip.

 

The Butler Motor Speedway was Carol’s sixth Missouri track.  She is now tied with trackchasing luminaries Pappy Hough and John Osowski, among others, for 26^th place.

 

National Geographic Diversity results are updated below.

 

 

RACE REVIEW – IOWA SPEEDWAY

 

Indy car racing today is not the Indy car racing of your father’s era.  That’s too bad.  They started just 19 cars today on a nearly one-mile oval.  They rarely passed.  When they did, they usually crashed.  There were 69 yellow flag caution laps today out of the races total of 250 laps.  Only ten cars finished.

 

I went to the inaugural race more than 10 years ago at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.  The IRL was racing that day in front of a capacity crowd of approximately 75,000 people.  It took us three hours to go 12 miles to get to the track.  Based upon the quality of that race as well as the traffic problems, only 10,000 people showed up for the IRL race the next year.  That must show how well the fans liked the IRL.  The IRL no longer races at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

 

I doubt the same fate will be in store for the Indy cars at the Iowa Speedway.  The racing wasn’t much better, but I suspect Iowans don’t have as many entertainment options as the people in and around Las Vegas.  They will likely remain more loyal to the track, even if that means going to a somewhat boring follow the leader style of racing as we saw today.

 

The Iowa Speedway itself is spectacular except for the traffic management and parking areas.  When I was here last September, the grassy parking lots were bordering on being a quagmire.  Today, after hard rains during the past couple of days, I suspect they were terrible.  We parked on an access road and avoided those grass lots.

 

I’d come back for a NASCAR Busch race.  I’ll definitely come back for their road course and small oval racing.  That won’t be because I like that type of racing.  It will be because I am a trackchaser.  I’ve learned to check my entertainment preferences at the door when I go trackchasing.

RACE TRACK STATS:

 

IOWA SPEEDWAY – CAROL’S TRACK #324

 

Track details

 

Website:  http://www.iowaspeedway.com/

 

Weather:  The forecast called for a high temperature of 85 degrees.  We were pleased that the weather stayed heavily overcast with a temperature of just 73 degrees.

 

Track type:  oval

 

Surface:  Asphalt

 

Length:  7/8- mile

 

Grandstands:  The place seats about 50,000 folks now.  Just about every seat in the tall aluminum grandstands is a good one.

 

P.A.:  Solid.  We could here the track’s announcer very well.

 

Announcer:  Professional and knowledgeable.

 

On time:  They started about 10 minutes later than the advertised start time of 12:15 p.m.  I wish I could get a copy of Monday’s Des Moines paper.  They are going to roast the track for its inability to get fans into the track for the start of the race.  The track was lucky there was a wreck on the first lap.  Had there not been a caution, as many as 100 laps (about three laps are run per minute) would have been completed before all the fans would have reached their seats.

 

Pit area:  Located the infield of the track.  Pit road was easy to see from everywhere.

 

Classes:  Indy Racing League – 19 starters, only ten finished.

 

Radio Frequency:  Don’t know.  My race scanner battery went dead because I left it on overnight  L

 

Concessions:  We ate at McDonalds for fear of being stuck in long food lines at the track.  As it was, since so many people were still out in traffic, there were no lines at the food booths.

 

Scoreboard:  Yes

 

Extras:  The track ran several ads over the P.A. including ads for the Knoxville Raceway and the I-35 Speedway in Mason City.  I was surprised that a track of this size ran a 50/50 contest.  I can’t imagine there being a 50/50 contest at the Daytona 500!

RACE REVIEW – BUTLER MOTOR SPEEDWAY

 

It was a toasty Sunday evening in Butler, Missouri.  I’ve drive by this track a few times in the past, as it is located just off Highway 71.  The track has been in and out of business a couple of times in the past few years.  I believe they started out this year as a Friday night track and have since switched to Sundays.

 

The most notable features about tonight’s racing were how warm it was and how dry everything in the area is.  Our car was parked just beyond turns three and four.  When we left, it was smothered in dirt.

 

The pit area is located behind the main straight seating area.  During a break in the action, I was looking over the pit area.  Just at that moment, I noticed a hot radiator spewing boiling water into the air, like “old faithful”.  At the moment, I didn’t think much of it and returned to my grandstand seat.

 

A short time later one of the drivers came running up to our section of the grandstand.  He told the woman sitting next to us that her driver/husband had been burned in the pit area from an overheating radiator.  This prompted a mini-panic as several folks in the grandstands ran to the pit area.  When it was all said and done, we learned the driver had been burned (not too seriously) and had suffered both a broken wrist and broken ribs from his recoil after being hit with the boiling water!  Sometimes, it doesn’t pay to get up in the morning.

 

The features for the five divisions of racecars began at 8:05 p.m.  That was early enough.  We stayed until the final feature of the night hit the track, the modifieds.  We still had 100 miles or so to get back to the airport so we headed for the exits. 

RACE TRACK STATS:

BUTLER MOTER SPEEDWAY – TRACK #1,214 (CAROL’S #325)

Website:  http://www.butlerracetrack.com/

 

Weather:  It was 90 degrees when we arrived at the track

 

Track type:  oval

 

Surface:  Dirt and dusty.

 

Length:  3/8- mile, banked but narrow.

 

Grandstands:  10 row aluminum bleacher grandstand,

 

P.A.:  Good

 

Announcer:  Kept the crowd entertained

 

On time:  The show was scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.  Following the checkered flag at the Iowa Speedway, we had a 250+-mile drive down to Butler.  We arrived at 7 p.m.

 

Pit area:  Located behind the front stretch grandstand

 

Classes:  Mini stocks - 7, Factory stocks – 12, Street stocks – 13, Sprint cars – 6, Modifieds – about 16.

 

Radio Frequency:  Did not use the radio

 

Concessions:  Tasty cheeseburger

 

Scoreboard:  No

 

Extras:  The ladies restroom was adorned with several paintings and wall decorations.  How do I know this?  Trackchasing’s First Mother was kind enough to take a photo, which can be viewed at www.ranlayracing.com.

RACE REVIEW – PEORIA SPEEDWAY

I am interviewed frequently when I go trackchasing.  Some of these interviews are recorded and most are not.  One of the questions I get most often is, “What is your favorite racetrack?”  My answer is always, “the Peoria Speedway.” 

 

There are a number of reasons why I say this.  Spectators sit right on top of the cars.  Tonight we were sitting in the fifth or sixth row.  We were only 20-25 feet from the racing surface.  Peoria has always had good car counts in a relatively few divisions.  The track is high-banked and normally has excellent side-by-side racing lap after lap.  My favorite track configuration is the quarter-mile high-banked dirt track.

 

If all of the above were not enough, the Peoria Speedway is the track where I first saw racing.  I began my race viewing days at the “old” Peoria Speedway out at the Mt. Hawley Airport.  That was probably in about 1955.  In 1964, the “new” Peoria Speedway was built.  It’s been here every year since except for one year it flooded.  I can’t remember if they ran any races that year or not.

 

Tonight was special.  Belgium’s Roland Vanden Eynde was coming to the Peoria Speedway.  Surprisingly, I had been mistaken for Roland at a Peoria bar earlier in the evening!  No, I don’t think I look muck like Roland.  No, as far as I know Roland had never been in this bar.  Let me share some background.

 

Although I am not the “Bill Gates” of trackchasing, I may be the “Donald Trump” of trackchasing as it regards working with the media.  I have a good deal of media contacts in the trackchasing world.  I contacted Don Baker, sports writer from the Peoria Journal Star, my all-time favorite newspaper.  I told Don about Roland’s impending arrival and asked if that might make a good story for local readers.  Don thought it would and began corresponding with Roland about his trackchasing background.  That story ran in the paper a few days before tonight’s race.  I’m working to get a copy and will share the contents when I get it.

 

Anyway, I was in the Moonie’s Pub located just down the street from the Peoria Speedway.  Moonie’s is home to the Peoria Speedway Old Timers Club and their large collection of memorable, mainly photographs.  I ordered a Bud Light and began strolling down memory lane with the large number of photos of my long ago Peoria heroes.  There were names like Rocky Nohl, Lloyd Caldwell, Jerry Roedell, Herbie Shannon, Fibber McGee, Ed Bolen, Verlin Boken and Johnny Beauchamp (he ran second to Lee Petty in the first ever Daytona 500 in the famous photo finish in 1959 and won the Peoria Speedway track championship for two straight years in the mid-60s.)  I could go on and on about this (and already have).

 

Just as I was leaving, a fellow at the bar yelled at me.  “Hey, come over here.”  I did as requested.  The bar patron asked, “Are you that guy they wrote about in the paper?  That guy from Belgium?”  “No, I’m not, but I am a trackchaser,” I told him.  The man stuck out his hand and said in a very loud voice, “They called me Wimp, although I’m not a wimp.”  Who was I to argue, since he was with a group of his pals?  We began to talk.

 

“Wimp” was impressed that I was the “World’s #1 Ranked Trackchaser.”  Soon, the whole bar knew it.  Wimp was the bar’s ringleader and began yelling for his buddies to come from all points within the building to meet me.  I was introduced to the Moody’s Pub manager, a nice young woman who offered me drinks.  It was 90 degrees out and I could have stayed here all evening, drinking with these boys, and talking about the “good ole” days at the Peoria Speedway.  However, I had a race to see.  I thanked everyone and was off to the races.

 

I have seen the Peoria Speedway’s track surface in better condition than it was tonight.  There may have been extenuating circumstances.  It had been extremely warm and sunny today.  The track looked dry because it was.  Also, this was a special show not promoted by the Peoria Speedway.  A private individual was promoting tonight’s race for the UMP Summernationals.  Sometimes the traveling groups ask for a dry track.  The promoter must has done pretty well because he had a nearly sold out grandstand at 20 bucks a head.

 

The downside to tonight’s racing was the dirt and dust.  We were fortunate in one regard, there was no wind.  Still, the amount of dust and dirt made it one of the dirtiest shows I’ve seen in more than 75 races this year.

 

The UMP boys start the fastest cars in the front.  That is never a good idea and it wasn’t tonight.  The 12-car late model heats were simply a parade along the inside lane.  Then when a caution came out they re-started the cars single file.  Talk about disregarding the fan’s preference and kowtowing to the drivers, this was it.

 

However, when the modifieds (a local Peoria division) came out to race, things were different.  These guys raced side by side with some terrific battles.  When they had to restart, they started the cars two abreast.  This forced the drivers to race side by side. 

 

With 47 late models and 39 modifieds, I probably would have bagged the street stock division on a Monday night.  Nevertheless, the track did not take a break, ran times trials for 47 late models, ran 10 heat races, three consies and three features and finished at 10:30 p.m.  That’s very good.

 

The 24-car, 40-lap late model feature, although a dust bowl that would never pass the surgeon general’s guidelines on good lung health, was excellent.  There were only one or two cautions.  Billy Moyer Sr. and Shannon Baab are probably two of the top five dirt late model drivers in the country.  They both came within a couple of car lengths of being lapped by tonight’s winner, Dennis Erb Jr.  Billy Moyer Jr. beat his dad by several positions in what appeared to be identically prepared cars.

 

I’ve just reviewed my list of 75 new tracks I’ve seen in 2007.  I don’t believe any of those tracks surpassed the quality of hard racing I saw tonight at the Peoria Speedway.  The races in New Zealand and maybe those at the Tazewell Speedway and L A Raceway might have matched Peoria.  Therefore, Peoria Speedway can stay as my all-time favorite track, although they might want to look a little harder for the keys to the water truck.

RACE TRACK STATS:

PEORIA SPEEDWAY – NOT A NEW TRACK FOR ME

Website:  http://dirtslingin.com/bwd/peoriaspeedway/

 

Weather:  It was 90 degrees when I arrived at the track and 80 when I left at nearly 11 p.m.  There was nary a breeze and it was humid.

 

Track type:  oval

 

Surface:  High-banked, relatively smooth.

 

Length:  3/8- mile

 

Grandstands:  20 row wooden bleacher grandstand.

 

P.A.:  Excellent

 

Announcer:  I’m a big fan of Scott Schults’ announcing.  He is a former driver at the track.

 

On time:  The website said racing would begin at 6 p.m.  I’m always hoping that means wheel-to-wheel racing.  Sometimes it does not.  Tonight, it meant hot laps and then time trials for the late models.  Considering the car counts, they still got finished at a very reasonable hour (10:30 p.m.).

 

Pit area:  Although the pit area at the “new” Peoria Speedway (opened in 1964) used to be located in the track’s infield, it is now positioned outside of turn two and behind the backstretch.

 

Classes:  UMP Late Models – 47, Modifieds – 39, Street Stocks – 13

 

Radio Frequency:  Did not listen to the radio

 

Concessions:  Peoria Speedway has some excellent concessions.  I always go with the pork chop sandwich (sold at a separate location from the main concession stand).  If you don’t like pork chops, the speedway has had port tenderloins for years and they’re good.  Tonight I also went with a tamale.  How many short tracks sell tamales, especially in the Midwest?  I treated Roland to a Mountain Dew on the warm and sultry night.  I almost never drink anything other than diet soda.  The Mountain Dew was almost too sweet to drink.

 

Scoreboard:  Used to have one, but not now.  They need one.

 

Extras:  If you go to the Peoria Speedway, don’t miss Moonies’ Pub.  The tavern is located about a mile from the track along Farmington Road.  It’s hard to miss.  This establishment houses the Peoria Old Timer’s memorabilia collection.  They have more than 100 8’ by 10’ photos of the old-time cars and drivers.  Since I grew up at the Peoria Speedway, this was a treasure for me.  Thanks to Scott Schults for turning me on to this.

 

RENTAL CAR UPDATE

 

Chicago – Thursday-Tuesday

 

The Dollar Rental Car Racing Dodge Charger has one minor little feature I like.  You simply need to tap the turn signal lightly and it will emit 3-4 “blinks” to signal a lane change.  Carol’s view of the Dodge Charger?  “It’s basic, but it does the job.”  I guess Dodge won’t be having her be their spokesperson anytime soon.

 

 

Carol and I drove this car 2,096 miles.  We paid an average price of $2.97 per gallon.  The Charger gave us 26.1 M.P.G. in fuel mileage at a cost of 11.4 cents per mile.  The car cost only 9.6 cents per mile to rent, all taxes included. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading about my trackchasing,

 

Randy Lewis

Alberta’s #1 Trackchaser

A good system is better than a good shovel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CUMULATIVE TRAVEL DISTANCES:

 

AIRPLANE

 

Los Angeles, CA – Chicago, IL (Midway) – 1,709 miles

 

 

RENTAL CAR – CHICAGO

 

Midway International Airport (yes, he said Midway) – trip begins

Memphis, MO – 319 – miles (rained out L)

Grain Valley, MO – 621 miles

Jamaica, IA – 924 miles

Rockwell City, IA – 979 miles

Webster City, IA – 1,023 miles

Newton, IA – 1,128 miles

Butler, MO – 1,383 miles

Peoria, IL – 1,914 miles

Midway International Airport – 2,096 miles - trip ends

 

 

AIRPLANE

 

Chicago, IL – Las Vegas, NV – 1,516 miles

Las Vegas, NV – Orange County, CA - 226 miles

 

 

Total Air miles – 3,451

 

 

Total auto and air miles traveled on this trip – 5,547 miles

 

 

 

TRACK ADMSSION PRICES:

 

Valley Speedway - $8 ($2 senior discount)

Jamaica Raceway – Free (pit passes were $8)

Calhoun County Exposition Fairgrounds - $7

Hamilton County Speedway - $5 (discount for late arrival)

Iowa Speedway - $75

Butler Motor Speedway - $10

Peoria Speedway - $20

 

 

 

Total racetrack admissions for the trip – $125

 

 

RANKINGS

 

 

LIFETIME TRACKCHASER STANDINGS UPDATE:

 

There are no trackchasers currently within 100 tracks of my lifetime total. 

 

1.  Randy Lewis, San Clemente, California – 1,213

 

 

 

 

Other notables

 

These worldwide trackchasers are within 10 tracks (plus or minus) of Carol’s current trackchaser total.

 

30.  Carol Lewis, San Clemente, California – 325

 

31.  Dwight Bucks, Topton, Pennsylvania – 324

 

 

 

2007 TRACKCHASER STANDINGS

 

1.  Randy Lewis, San Clemente, California - 75

 

2.  Ed Esser, Madison, Wisconsin – 47

 

3.  Roland Vanden Eynde, Vilvoorde, Belgium - 35

 

4.  Carol Lewis, San Clemente, California – 30

 

5.  Mike Knappenberger, Reading, Pennsylvania - 25

 

6.  Guy Smith, Effort, Pennsylvania - 20

 

7.  Gordon Killian, Sinking Springs, Pennsylvania – 18

 

8.  Paul Weisel, Orefield, Pennsylvania – 17

 

9.  Pam Smith, Effort, Pennsylvania – 16

 

10.  Roger Ferrell, Majenica, Indiana – 15

 

 

Tracks have been reported by 37 different worldwide trackchasers this season.

 

 

LIFETIME NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY STANDINGS

 

2007 (current thru 6/29/07)**

 

 

1. Randy Lewis, San Clemente, California – 6.65

2. Gordon Killian, Sinking Springs, Pennsylvania – 6.86

3. Allan Brown, Comstock Park, Michigan – 7.57

 

**Until the end of the year, NGD rankings are unofficial.  Rankings are affected not only by the leader’s activities but also by other trackchasers impact on the leader’s position in each state. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Past trackchasing reports are available at:

www.ranlayracing.com

 

 

Official trackchaser standings can be viewed at:

www.trackchaser.net

 

 

Some of the data in this report comes from www.trackchaser.net

and my Garmin GPS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UPCOMING TRACKCHASING PLANS

 

Should I try for one more trackchasing trip before coming home to San Clemente for the fourth of July?  I am never away from the “city by the sea” on this holiday.  The fourth of July is the biggest holiday of the year in San Clemente.

 

 

 

 

 

 

RACETRACKS VISITED IN 2007 (** not the first time to visit this track)

 

 

1,139.  Meremere Dirt Track Club, Meremere, New Zealand - January 1

 

1,140.  Meeanee Speedway,