Off_The_Wall

Dayton, OH. - It has been so long since I have penned a column that I almost forget how to use the ole computer. Well, not quite but quite frankly and honestly when Mid-American Auto Racing News ceased publication in March I also ceased doing a column. It was like losing a member of the family after thirty-nine years of publishing.

Supposedly Waynesfield promoter Dean Miracle and Carl Short have purchased the rights to Mid-American and earlier reported they were going to resume the much needed paper but so far that has not happened. Using websites such as this is great and the latest way to go but having a fully printed paper in hand to me is like a kid in a candy store. I know a lot or paper readers dispose of their copy after they have read it but not me. I guess you could title me as a pack rat as I keep almost everything for future reference and it has paid off many times over. And of course looking at the photos and story's of say ten, twenty years ago is pure entertainment to me.

Any way we are finally getting fired up again and figured it is about time to be sharing some of our racing experiences and getting back into the swing of a fairly regular column. I always try to attend some ten to twelve area tracks in a season and so far we have been to six so we are half way to our goal.

Numerous times I have been asked which area track is my favorite and I usually surprise some when I say they all are. Each track has it owns personality so to speak, some start their shows on the advertised time, some do not. Some are more efficiently run than others with a rapid moving program while others drag theirs out. Some run an abbreviated program while others give the fans a full program for their hard earned bucks. Some have announcers that keep the fans fully informed while others show they are not well prepared for the events and drivers they are talking about. Some take forever to clean the track after an accident while others are a whiz in doing so. And some have better popcorn than others.

Seriously, as long as they have cars going around in circles I can endure most circumstances as just like in a restaurant, if I don't like the food I am served I don't have to patronize that joint and the same applies to tracks. But ya know what, I'll be back time and again.

And mentioning popcorn, readers of Mid-American know I always test the popcorn when I visit a track and so far Mt.Lawn, Waynesfield and Eldora are about neck to neck for the best so far. Kil-Kare is not far behind while Lawrenceburg was like eating chewing gum and Columbus was way over salted. But the season is far from over and I'll announce the winner at seasons end. By the way last year Eldora edged out Kil-Kare for the best.

Melanie Dunlevy asked me where I was going last Saturday night and I had no idea at the moment but afterwards a little light bulb lit up and whispered in my ear "let's go to Mt.Lawn". Why Mt.Lawn, well it is a pleasant and easy 77 mile trip from my house almost straight across interstate 70 to New Castle, Indiana plus it is a very unique facility, probably not another like it in the world.

As we drove down the access road which reminds me of Flowing Well Road at Shady Bowl which is narrow and tree lined suddenly you come upon the track. As you turn into the facility first thing noticed is how well manicured the whole facility is, from the parking lot, grandstands, the infield, to the pit area. Of course promoter Rick Swigart lives on the facility and I am sure that is the main reason for the way the facility looks.

The track is unique in that it was originally built around a baseball diamond and when you look at it, it resembles the shape of an egg. 3/10ths mile flat asphalt with a history that dates back to 1934 and probably was best known for the old Mutual Racing Roaring Roadster days when they use to pack the 4000 plus seats.

The late model field was on the slim side and you could have called it Jeff Marcum night as the Morristown, Indiana driver set fast time, won his heat and then capped the night with a feature win.

Not to be outdone by Jeff, Neil Marcum was the star of the thunder cars setting fast time, taking the dash and heat and then closed the night with a feature win.

To me the best and exciting division was the four cylinder Hornet division which had 22 cars start the feature and by some miraculous reason with their wild driving antics they ran all 20 laps without a caution. In fact their was only one caution flag thrown all night. A dash and three heats preceded the feature which was won by Ryan Amonett as the cars at times ran three wide on the narrow racing surface. Several girls participated which saw Emily Henderson pick up her first heat win in the Hornets much to the pleasure of the fans.

One feature I like is that they stop each events winner on the frontstretch and present them with a trophy, snap their picture and while they are doing this the next event is lined up on the backstretch ready to go just as soon as the trophy presentation is done.

Yes I highly recommend taking a trip to Mt.Lawn Speedway and I applaud them for running a well organized and rapid paced night of racing. To get a good view of the track visit www.mtlawn.com. And oh yes, they have probably the best cheeseburgers of any track I have visited.

Well folks this is what you might say is a short and sweet column but we'll be back soon. Until then attend a local track, they need your support. Catch ya later from Jlwahl1@hotmail.com.