Pay It Forward

Episode 103

April 24, 2016

Pay it Forward Seminar at Wiscasset Speedway today. The seminar was run by Bobby Alexander front and center. WAR photo

Pay it Forward Seminar at Wiscasset Speedway today. The seminar was run by Bobby Alexander front and center. WAR photo

Pay It Forward Seminar at Wiscasset Speedway

Alexander agreed to teach interested racers how to set up their race cars utilizing knowledge he gleaned over the  years. The effort was funded in part by track owners Richard and Vanessa Jordan knowing that such information will increase the competence and confidence of their racers, which will in turn lead to a better show for their fans.

Approximately 30 racers and crew members attended the educational event held at the speedway.

The Wiscasset season opened before one of their best opening day crowds in years Saturday. As mentioned earlier I plan to follow Wyatt Alexander Racing (WAR) in 2016 since they have a County connection.

WAR did not have great season opener at W iscasset. After losing a power steering hose in his heat race Wyatt started 12th in the ProStock feature. He moved from 12th to 4th by lap 15 and experienced some set backs but was holding his own until lap 33 when he could not stop in time to avoid an on-track incident involving six cars.

Wyatt Alexander #96 ended it's race on lap 33 when the young man got caught up in a six car pileup at season opener at Wiscasset Speedway. WAR photo

Wyatt Alexander #96 ended it’s race on lap 33 when the young man got caught up in a six car pileup at season opener at Wiscasset Speedway. WAR photo

Frenchville Native Wins Best Looking ProStock at Oxford Plains Speedway

After finishing 11th in last weeks PASS race at Oxford Plains Speedway (OPS), the Shawn Martin crew had the #94 ProStock polished and ready to go in the OPS season opener. Martin’s car was named “Best of Show” and received a trophy as a reward for their efforts.

"Best of Show" trophy awarded Shawn Martin prior to Oxford Plains Speedway's opening races. Photo by Tim Akers

“Best of Show” trophy awarded Shawn Martin prior to Oxford Plains Speedway’s opening races. Photo by Tim Akers

Martin said, “Decent day at the track. Got a terrible draw for qualifying and then the left front control arm almost fell off during the heat. Started 14th in the feature and finished 5th in a caution free race. Also won “Best Appearing Car”. Thanks to my crew and awesome sponsors. Back at it next Sunday.”

Swanson Wins At Waynesfield Raceway Park

Kody shares winners circle accolades with his wife Jordan and son Trevor at Waynesfield Raceway Park, Waynesfield, Ohio. Swanson won the non-winged sprint car feature. Photo courtesy J&T Photos

Kody Swanson shares winners circle accolades with his wife Jordan and son Trevor at Waynesfield Raceway Park, Waynesfield, Ohio. Swanson won the non-winged sprint car feature Saturday night. Photo courtesy J&T Photos

I will be following the races of Kody Swanson, last year’s USAC Silver Crown Champion, as he attempts to win three titles in a row.  I met Swanson some time ago when he was an FFA member at his hometown chapter in Kingsburg, California.

I have followed his career since that time. He was very accommodating to my FFA members when we were at the National FFA Conventions in Indianapolis. He invited us to private use of a friend’s kart track both years he was at the Convention. Those students talk about those times even today.

Swanson lives in Zionsville, Indiana, just outside Indianapolis, with his wife Jordan and their newborn son Trevor.

The Swanson family at Terre Haute Action Track earlier this month. Swanson family photo.

The Swanson family at Terre Haute Action Track earlier this month. Swanson family photo.

Swanson at work at the Terre Haute Action Track site of the first USAC  Silver Crown race in 2016. Photo courtesy K Chapman Photography

Swanson at work at the Terre Haute Action Track, site of the first USAC Silver Crown race in 2016. Photo courtesy K Chapman Photography

USAC Silver Crown podium finishers at Terre Haute Action Track season opener. left to right Kody Swanson third, race winner C.J. Leary, and second place Justin Grant. Jordan Swanson photo

USAC Silver Crown podium finishers at Terre Haute Action Track season opener.
left to right Kody Swanson third, race winner C.J. Leary, and second place Justin Grant. Jordan Swanson photo

Sad to Report

"Helmet Headed" Hale Brothers watching the Daytona 500. Yours truly on the left and brother Bob on the right. Photo by Fred Fletcher for HTF Motorsports

“Helmet Headed” Hale Brothers watching the Daytona 500. Yours truly on the left and brother Bob on the right. Photo by Fred Fletcher for HTF Motorsports

My dear friend from childhood, Fred Fletcher, died unexpectedly this past Wednesday. He was the photographer in the above photo. It was from his apartment that the “helmet heads” watched this year’s Daytona 500 and the NASCAR  Camping World Truck race featuring Austin Theriault. I am very sad to lose such a close friend and Brother in Christ who I shared many racing moments as well as much, much more. I miss you Fred. You cannot be replaced.

Earlier this spring at Maine Maple Days at Salmon Brook Valley in Perham with Fred Fletcher on the right . HTF Motorsports photo.

Earlier this spring at Maine Maple Days at Salmon Brook Valley in Perham with Fred Fletcher on the right . HTF Motorsports photo.

Next week results from JRT and Carl Theriault exploits at the Ohio Mile as well as Austin Theriault’s first road course race and a schedule of some motorsports events in the County this summer.

Let’s go racing,

Tom Hale

Soli Deo Gloria

 

 

 

 

Tom Hale

About Tom Hale

Tom wrote 14 years as freelancer for the Bangor Daily Sports covering motorsports in Maine. Now blogging and concentrating on human interest stories about people and places in racing. He races Champ Karts and owns HTF Motorsports in remote Westmanland, Maine