Brooke Tatnell captured his fourth career Jerry Richert Memorial Saturday at Cedar Lake Speedway near New Richmond, WI
(Bill W) September 16, 2020, Monroe, IA – This week, a guest columnist who chooses to be anonymous chimes in on several things that we all may be passionate about (I agree strongly on the PPV speed cameras).
What’s Bugging Me?
Listen, can we be serious here? I want to talk about the near death experiences I’ve had at some tracks. While sitting in the stands. Because the bleachers were literally FALLING APART. If you have been to these tracks you get it. If you have seen your life flash before your eyes as you climb the rickety hot messes some tracks try and pass off as seating, you know what I’m talking about. These are the grandstands that you have to coordinate with your friends who will stand when because your seriously afraid if both of you stand at once you will fall to your death. The bleachers that are wooden and half broken in half. It’s time track owners. Time to put some money into these death traps. I’d gladly pay $5 more for a safe seat, rather than spending hours fearing for my life.
BTW…How in holy heaven do these stands get insured? And if they aren’t insured, if I do fall to my death, what will happen to my kids? These are important questions. I love sprint car racing, and I’m sure I will continue to literally risk my life at some tracks watching the races, but I implore you…if you see me sitting up there on some broke down seat, leave some room between us. Even weight distribution is important in these scenarios.
Here’s the truth, sometimes we don’t know the rules. We have all been in those super awkward social situations when we aren’t exactly sure how to act or what to do. So today, Imma help you out and reduce your anxiety with some simple race etiquette. I want to help you to avoid being inadvertently rude to those around you. I’m a giver like that.
Sit your ass down.
When you’re at a race, I know it’s exciting. I also understand that we all have some important things to do when we are sitting in the stands. We want to capture that perfect cell phone picture so you can tweet your seat or post to social media, or capture the perfect selfie with your friends. (And let’s be honest, that 4 wide shot is something to behold). But please. PLEASE. Sit yourself down. It’s rude to stand when a race is going on. Truth is, we all want to see. All of us paid to see the race and the rules for open wheel racing are that YOU STAY SEATED. And if everyone sits, everyone sees. I don’t know why that’s the rule at dirt track racing, but it is. I like the rule… because I like to see.
On a quick side note, this is one that I still have to remind myself. When you are at a race, generally there is a support class or two that you could give two craps about. When those cars are on the track, it’s easy to forget that people around you are actually watching a race that you have disregarded. BUT, if it’s green flag racing, wait to pee. I get it- you’ve gotta go, we’ve all been there. Or you need a drink, a snack, but PLEASE try to remember that when you stand and try to get in and out of your seat, you are interrupting someone else’s experience.
Wasted time. I go to bed early. I'm broken that way. I have kids and a job that requires me to be up and at it in the morning. Many of the races I attend are at least three hours away from home, so if a track or series wastes time during a show, it's frustrating and rude. And, ultimately... if it's a consistent thing, I won't go back to that track. I understand, some nights are filled with yellows and cautions or waiting on ambulances-which I get. It's the constant delays, long unnecessary down time, getting started late, that do not honor my time and I'm not about it.
We are in a pandemic. Which has motivated me to take in more races on PPV. It's a great option and I'm happy to be able to see racing while safely at home. HOWEVER. Can we just decide from here on out that while it's super neat, the track camera that shows cars passing by but not the race (speed camera) is ridiculous? I get invested in what is happening on the track and all of a sudden I'm staring at wheels and dirt. Super fantastic for when they are pushing off or replays. Have at it. But during a race. Hard pass. In this same vein... a mile track needs more than one camera. It's just the truth. Pay for an extra camera man so I can see the race I'm paying to watch. We finally got rid of the in-car cameras during green flags, taking away our enjoyment of the race, let’s do the same for the camera at the flag stand!
Want to know another thing that I notice and consider before going to tracks? Probably not, but I'm going to tell you. Bathrooms. I need decent restrooms. Not fancy. Just clean and working. I'm not here for nasty ass restrooms that I have to fear for my health entering. Also, food. Weird segway, but when I consider tracks, I remember them mostly for the banking and the food. I will pay good money for unique food options at tracks. Be creative. Everyone has cheeseburgers. You can do better. Oh, and RC is not a proper soda option. It just isn't.
That’s all for now…
As for me, congratulations to Brooke Tatnell and the TKS Motorsports team for their win at the Jerry Richert Memorial! I was able to see some great racing at I-80 Speedway, where Sam Hafertepe Jr. and Roger Crockett traded the lead before Sam took it for good over 41 cars. It was great fun to see Randy Martin win $2,500 with the Sprint Invaders in Moberly on Sunday as well.
Action in the Midwest Thunder Sprint Series presented by OpenWheel101.com commences at Jacksonville Friday and Beaver Dam on Saturday this week. In 360 action, Huset’s has a big doubleheader, the Jesse Hockett/Daniel McMillin Memorial commences in Wheatland, and the Sprint Invaders hit Donnellson for a make-up event on Saturday.
Join us to support our drivers!
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Up Next for the Midwest Thunder Sprints…
Fri, Sept 18 – Jacksonville Speedway (IL)
Sat, Sept 19 – Beaver Dam Raceway (WI) (IRA)
Fri, Sept 25 – Dodge County Fairgrounds (WI) (IRA)
Sat, Sept 26 – Plymouth Dirt Track (IRA)
2020 Midwest Thunder Sprint Cars presented by www.OpenWheel101.com Point Standings (Feature Wins)
1. Kerry Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Aust., 696
2. Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA, 660 (11)
3. Bill Balog, Hartland, WI, 567 (7)
4. Brian Brown, Grain Valley, MO, 556 (3)
5. Rico Abreu, St. Helena, CA, 479 (3)
6. Austin McCarl, Altoona, IA, 419
7. Dominic Scelzi, Fresno, CA, 414
8. Ian Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Aust., 399
9. Tim Kaeding, Campbell, CA, 332
10. Gio Scelzi, Fresno, CA, 330
11. Shane Stewart, Bixby, OK, 321
12. Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO, 304 (1)
13. Matt Juhl, Tea, SD, 285
14. Cory Eliason, Visalia, CA, 256 (2)
15. Paul Nienhiser, Chapin, IL, 247 (2)
16. Kasey Kahne, Enumclaw, WA, 245
17. Jordan Goldesberry, Springfield, IL, 237
18. Justin Henderson, Tea, SD, 232 (1)
(tie) Josh Schneiderman, West Burlington, IA, 232
20. Scott Neitzel, Beaver Dam, WI, 231
21. Lynton Jeffrey, Prairie City, IA, 227
22. Aaron Reutzel, Clute, TX, 214 (2)
(tie) Sammy Swindell, Germantown, TN, 214
24. Jake Blackhurst, Hanna City, IL, 207
25. James McFadden, Warrnambool, VIC, Aust., 191
26. Russel Borland, Kewaskum, WI, 181
27. Brooke Tatnell, Sans Souci, NSW, Aust., 164 (1)
28. Jeremy Schultz, Beaver Dam, WI, 160
29. Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA, 158
30. Davey Heskin, St. Michael, MN, 139
(tie) Scott Biertzer, West Bend, WI, 139
32. Paige Polyak, Tiffin, OH, 123
33. Scotty Thiel, Sheboygan, WI, 116
34. Blake Nimee, Oswego, IL, 109
35. Trey Starks, Puyallup, WA, 108
36. Tucker Klaasmeyer, Paola, KS, 100
(tie) Mike Reinke, Howards Grove, WI, 100
38. Paul McMahan, Nashville, TN, 88
39. Sam Hafertepe Jr., Sunnyvale, TX, 85
40. Rob Pribnow, Lomira, WI, 80
41. Tyler Courtney, Indianapolis, IN, 77
42. Cale Thomas, Fairland, IN, 72
(tie) Sawyer Phillips, Pleasantville, IA, 72
44. Ayrton Gennetten, Gravois Mills, MO, 71
45. Brent Marks, Myerstown, PA, 70
(tie) Spencer Bayston, Lebanon, IN, 70
(tie) Tasker Phillips, Pleasantville, IA, 70
48. Dave Uttech, Kenosha, WI, 69
49. Joe B. Miller, Millersville, MO, 66
(tie) Sean Rayhall, Woodstock, GA, 66
51. Ryan Bunton, Morton, IL, 60
(tie) Zach Daum, Pocahontas, IL, 60
(tie) Joey Moughan, Springfield, IL, 60
54. Anthony Macri, Dillsburg, PA, 58
55. Jacob Patton, Bethalto, IL, 56
(tie) Zeb Wise, Angola, IN, 56
(tie) Skylar Prochaska, Lakefield, MN, 56
58. Shane Golobic, Fremont, CA, 55
59. Mark Dobmeier, Grand Forks, ND, 52
(tie) Terry Babb, Decatur, IL, 52
(tie) Scott Bogucki, McLaren Vale, SA, Aust., 52
(tie) Todd King, Sheboygan Falls, WI, 52
63. Korey Weyant, Springfield, IL, 50
(tie) Danny Schlafer, Sussex, WI, 50
65. Todd Daun, Pleasant Prairie, WI, 48
(tie) Skylar Gee, Leduc, ALB, Can., 48
67. Tim Shaffer, Aliquippa, PA, 44
(tie) Wayne Modjeski, Oak Creek, WI, 44
69. Kyle Schuett, Philo, IL, 40
(tie) Kris Spitz, Salem, WI, 40
71. AJ Moeller, Rockwell City, IA, 39
72. Brian Bell, Gallaway, TN, 38
(tie) Joey Saldana, Brownsburg, IN, 38
(tie) Jade Hastings, Grand Forks, ND, 38
75. Brayton Lynch, Springfield, IL, 36
76. Riley Goodno, Knoxville, IA, 35
(tie) Greg Wilson, Benton Ridge, OH, 35
(tie) Daison Pursley, Locust Grove, OK, 35
79. Josh Walter, Plymouth, WI, 34
80. Austin O’Dell, Rochester, IL, 32
(tie) Dustin Barks, Farmington, MO, 32
82. Kevin Ingle, Huron, SD, 28
(tie) Tim Estenson, Fargo, ND, 28
84. James Broty, Lonsdale, MN, 26
85. Robbie Standridge, Springfield, IL, 25
(tie) Gerard McIntyre Jr., New Oxford, PA, 25
87. Jeff Asher, Park Hills, MO, 24
88. Jereme Schroeder, Lake Villa, IL, 22
(tie) Hunter Custer, Chippewa Falls, WI, 22
90. Matt VanderVere, Zion, IL, 20
(tie) Tony Stewart, Columbus, IN, 20
(tie) Chris Martin, Ankeny, IA, 20
93. Bobby Mincer, Burlington, IA, 18
(tie) Kameron Key, Warrensburg, MO, 18
(tie) Wade Nygaard, Grand Forks, ND, 18
(tie) Cory Bruns, Lincoln, IL, 18
(tie) Jordan Adams, Reynolds, ND, 18
(tie) Dan McCarron, Britton, MI, 18
(tie) Ryan Ruhl, Coldwater, MI, 18
100. Zach Hampton, Indianapolis, IN, 16
(tie) Danny Dietrich, Gettysburg, PA, 16
(tie) Brock Zearfoss, Jonestown, PA, 16
(tie) Blake Egeland, Climax, MN, 16
(tie) Carson McCarl, Altoona, IA, 16
105. Bryce Schmitt, Plymouth, WI, 14
(tie) Corbin Gurley, Hebron, IN, 14
(tie) John Fahl, Brown Deer, WI, 14
(tie) Bret Tripplett, Lincoln, IL, 14
(tie) Mitchell Davis, Auburn, IL, 14
110. Josh Baughman, Odessa, TX, 12
(tie) Carson Short, Marion, IL, 12
(tie) Greg Nikitenko, Minot, ND, 12
(tie) Brinton Marvel, Lizton, IN, 12
(tie) Jack Routson, Waterman, IL, 12
(tie) Scott Uttech, New Berlin, WI, 12
116. Jeremy Standridge, Springfield, IL, 10
(tie) Tony Kaus, Bloomington, MN, 10
(tie) Chris Klemko, Bristol, WI, 10
(tie) Justin Standridge, Springfield, IL, 10
(tie) Austin Pierce, Grand Forks, ND, 10
(tie) Jason Keith, Fredericktown, MO, 10
122. Roger Crockett, Broken Arrow, OK, 8
(tie) Adam Miller, Plymouth, WI, 8
(tie) Tony Wondra, Campbellsport, WI, 8
(tie) Chris Urish, Elkhart, IL, 8
(tie) Jack Croaker, East Grand Forks, MN, 8
127. Alan Gilbertson, Kasson, MN, 6
(tie) Steve Short, Farmington, MO, 6
(tie) Preston Perlmutter, San Antonio, TX, 6
(tie) Tom Egeland, Climax, MN, 6
(tie) Brendan Mullen, Grand Forks, ND, 6
132. Ryan Giles, Grimes, IA, 4
(tie) Jac Haudenschild, Wooster, Oh, 4
(tie) Jody Rosenboom, Rock Rapids, IA, 4
(tie) Jeff Swindell, Memphis, TN, 4
(tie) Colton Fisher, Mediapolis, IA, 4
(tie) Austin Deblauw, Ventura, CA, 4
(tie) Tyler Shoemaker, Clinton, IL, 4
(tie) Zach Omdahl, East Grand Forks, MN, 4
140. Logan Faucon, Elkhart, IL, 2
(tie) Nick Omdahl, East Grand Forks, MN, 2
(tie) Justin Peck, Monrovia, IN, 2
World of Outlaws member wins…
6, Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA
3, Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, OH
2, Logan Schuchart, Hanover, PA
2, David Gravel, Watertown, CT
1, Parker Price-Miller, Kokomo, IN
Tentative 2020 Races that will be counted for points with the Midwest Thunder Sprint Cars presented by OpenWheel101.com
Fri, June 5 – Beaver Dam Raceway (WI) WoO (Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA)
Sat, June 6 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (Brian Brown, Grain Valley, MO)
Sat, June 6 – Beaver Dam Raceway (WI) WoO (Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA)
Fri, June 12 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) WoO (Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA)
Sat, June 13 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) WoO (Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA)
Sat, June 20 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (Aaron Reutzel, Clute, TX)
Thur, June 25 – Jackson Motorplex (MN) Nationals (Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA)
Fri, June 26 – Jackson Motorplex (MN) Nationals (Logan Schuchart, Hanover, PA)
Sat, June 27 – Jackson Motorplex (MN) Nationals (Logan Schuchart, Hanover, PA)
Fri, July 3 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (Brian Brown, Grain Valley, MO)
Fri, July 3 – Cedar Lake Speedway (WI) (WoO) (Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA)
Sat, July 4 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (Justin Henderson, Tea, SD)
Sat, July 4 – Cedar Lake Speedway (WI) (WoO) (Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA)
Sun, July 5 – 141 Speedway (WI) (IRA) (Bill Balog, Hartland, WI)
Fri, July 10 – 34 Raceway (IA) (WoO) (Parker Price-Miller, Kokomo, IN)
Sat, July 11 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (Brian Brown, Grain Valley, MO)
Sat, July 11 – Wilmot Raceway (WI) (WoO) (David Gravel, Watertown, CT)
Fri, July 17 – Lincoln Speedway (IL) (MOWA) (Rico Abreu, St. Helena, CA)
Sat, July 18 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (Rico Abreu, St. Helena, CA)
Sun, July 19 – Wilmot Raceway (WI) (IRA) (Bill Balog, Hartland, WI)
Fri, July 24 – Jacksonville Speedway (IL) (MOWA) (Rico Abreu, St. Helena, CA)
Sat, July 25 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (Aaron Reutzel, Clute, TX)
Thurs, July 30 – Plymouth Dirt Track (WI) (All Stars/IRA) (Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA)
Fri, July 31 – Langlade County Speedway (WI) (IRA) (Bill Balog, Hartland, WI)
Fri, July 31 – 34 Raceway (IA) (All Stars) (Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA)
Sat, Aug 1 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (All Stars) (Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA)
Sun, Aug 2 – Huset’s Speedway (SD) (All Stars) (Cory Eliason, Visalia, CA)
Fri, Aug 7 – I-55 Raceway (MO) (WoO) (Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, OH)
Sat, Aug 8 – I-55 Raceway (MO) (Ironman 55) (Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA)
Sat, Aug 8 – Wilmot Raceway (WI) (IRA) (Bill Balog, Hartland, WI)
Sun, Aug 9 – Jacksonville Speedway (IL) (Paul Nienhiser, Chapin, IL)
Thurs, Aug 13 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (WoO) (Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA)
Fri, Aug 14 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (WoO) (David Gravel, Watertown, CT)
Sat, Aug 15 – Knoxville Raceway (IA) (Capitani Classic) (Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA)
Fri, Aug 21 – Wilmot Raceway (WI) (All Stars/IRA) (Cory Eliason, Visalia, CA)
Fri, Aug 21 – River Cities Speedway (ND) (WoO) (Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA)
Sat, Aug 22 – Wilmot Raceway (WI) (IRA) (Bill Balog, Hartland, WI)
Sat, Aug 22 – Red River Valley Speedway (ND) (WoO) (Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA)
Fri, Aug 28 – Tri-City Speedway (IL) (MOWA) (Paul Nienshier, Chapin, IL)
Sat, Aug 29 – US36 Raceway (MO) (WoO) (Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, OH)
Sun, Aug 30 – I-80 Speedway (NE) (WoO) (Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA)
Fri, Sept 4 – Dodge County Fairgrounds (WI) (IRA) (Bill Balog, Hartland, WI)
Sat, Sept 5 – Plymouth Dirt Track (WI) (IRA) (Bill Balog, Hartland, WI)
Sat, Sept 5 – Huset’s Speedway (SD) (WoO) (Sheldon Haudenschild, Wooster, OH)
Sun, Sept 6 – Huset’s Speedway (SD) (WoO) (Kyle Larson, Elk Grove, CA)
Fri, Sept 11 – Outagamie Speedway (WI) (IRA) (Hunter Schuerenberg, Sikeston, MO)
Sat, Sept 12 – Cedar Lake Speedway (WI) (Jerry Richert Memorial) (Brooke Tatnell, Sans Souci, NSW, Aust.)
Fri, Sept 18 – Jacksonville Speedway (IL)
Sat, Sept 19 – Beaver Dam Raceway (WI) (IRA)
Fri, Sept 25 – Dodge County Fairgrounds (WI) (IRA)
Sat, Sept 26 – Plymouth Dirt Track (IRA)
Fri, Oct 2 – Jacksonville Speedway (IL) (MOWA)
Fri, Oct 16 – Lakeside Speedway (KS) (WoO)
Sat, Oct 17 – 34 Raceway (IA)
Sat, Oct 17 – Lake Ozark Speedway (MO) (WoO)
The Rest TBD…
2019 Midwest Thunder Sprint Cars presented by www.OpenWheel101.com Final Point Standings (Feature Wins)
1. Kerry Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Aust., 954 (2)
2. Bill Balog, Hartland, WI, 947 (7)
3. Brian Brown, Grain Valley, MO, 731 (5)
4. Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA, 713 (2)
5. James McFadden, Warrnambool, VIC, Aust., 592 (2)
6. Austin McCarl, Altoona, IA, 505 (1)
7. Parker Price-Miller, Kokomo, IN, 484 (1)
8. Jeremy Schultz, Beaver Dam, WI, 471 (3)
9. Paul Nienhiser, Chapin, IL, 427 (5)
10. Rico Abreu, St. Helena, CA, 400 (2)
2018 Midwest Thunder Sprint Cars presented by www.OpenWheel101.com Point Standings (Feature Wins) Top Ten
1. Kerry Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Aust., 866 (7)
2. Brian Brown, Grain Valley, MO, 686 (7)
3. Austin McCarl, Altoona, IA, 602 (5)
4. Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA, 565
5. Brooke Tatnell, Sans Souci, NSW, Aust., 420 (1)
6. Scotty Thiel, Sheboygan, WI, 398 (4)
(tie) Davey Heskin, St. Michael, MN, 398
8. Bill Balog, Hartland, WI, 390 (2)
9. Cory Eliason, Selma, CA, 386 (1)
10. Matt Juhl, Tea, SD, 365 (1)
2017 Midwest Thunder Sprint Cars presented by www.OpenWheel101.com Final Point Standings (Feature Wins) Top Ten
1. Kerry Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Aust., 1086 (5)
2. Ian Madsen, St. Mary’s, NSW, Aust., 1031 (7)
3. Donny Schatz, Fargo, ND, 800 (6)
4. Brian Brown, Grain Valley, MO, 760 (6)
5. Brad Sweet, Grass Valley, CA, 760 (2)
6. Brooke Tatnell, Sans Souci, NSW, Aust., 533 (1)
7. Shane Stewart, Bixby, OK, 529 (2)
8. David Gravel, Watertown, CT, 481 (3)
9. Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA, 437 (1)
10. Tim Kaeding, San Jose, CA, 425 (2)
Bill Wright
Bill W Media
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