06-14-2003-ARCA FLAG
Well, it never ceases to amaze me the way an over-the-wall crew will sacrifice themselves to get their driver out of the pits to gain as many positions as possible, especially in ARCA.
In ARCA, the field freezes when a caution is displayed; so therefore, it is up to the pit crew to improve their driver's position on his return to the track after completing a successful pit stop.
This past weekend was no exception, when the pit crew of the ARCA #89 driver, A.J. Alsup, performed the necessary pit duties; and while attempting to make adustments, one of the crew members(crew list not complete at time of this press release)"Kyle", while attempting to remove wedge on the right rear, and in doing so, took the ride of his life as his driver left the pitbox while Kyle was attempting to remove his tools from the car's adjustment points.
Kyle took a hard hit to the pit road surface, with his head hitting the ground with such force, knocking his safety helmet from his head.
Kyle received no serious injury, proving that helmets and firesuits are by all means necessary for crew members to maintain their safety during the organized chaos of a successful pit stop.
The crew consisted of Winston Cup personnel from Jimmy Spencer's #7 Ultra Motorsports team; providing a jackman; gasman; Todd Bodine's #54 provided a tire carrier, and as stated before this press release, we did not receive the complete names of crew members involved with the stop. This story will be updated, and we will have all personnel involved listed as soon as possible.
Chris Cook, a regular with Race Crew Jobs, and a full time student at the University of Ohio/Northwestern, served as front tire carrier for the team.
Chris has come a long way since his first over the wall experience at Atlanta; serving as a tire changer for Wayne Peterson Motorsports on March 8th, 2003.
Chris Cook will step up to any task handed to him; he served as a catchcan man for Mike Harmon at Nashville for both his ARCA and Nascar Busch efforts; gasman for Mike Koch (pronounced Cook) at Salem, In.; spotter for Brian Conz at Berlin, Mi.; and tire changer at most other events. Chris has given the meaning of on-the-job training a new twist...a true Gladiator!
The tenacity of the #89 crew paid off this past weekend; they were awarded Gladiators of the Race by the Gladiator Works Company; showing the crew with truly the most heart can prove their mettle to others in the sport.
Congratulations Gentleman!!!
Race Summary: Casey Mears took the victory, Hermie Sadler, 2nd, and Frank Kimmel finished 3rd.
A.J. Alsup lost his engine on lap 41; also lost an engine during happy hour. This team made the most of their efforts!
Race Crew Jobs next assignment will be at Milwaukee on June 29th, 2003, with the #84 of Brian Weber running the Milwaukee Mile in the Nascar Busch Series.
Ed Simmons/06-16-2003
Nashville Busch Series Update06-08-2003TIRED AND BUSCHED OUT!
What a weekend; rain, what a suprise!
I should of had 10,000 rain ponchos with Race Crew Jobs.Com printed on same to hand out to crew personnel and the fans in the pit/garage areas for much of the season.
We have experienced some type of precipitation factor in just about every event our crew personnel have worked this season.
I almost felt rain gear will end up having to be made of nomax material so the crew can end up working events in the rain and still retain the safety factor of fire protection.
Of course, with the sprinklers from the skies going all the time, fire should be the least of our worries.
Ed Simmons received a midnight call on Wednesday from the #84 Nascar Busch Team of Brian Weber, needing a transport driver and a spotter for the weekend event at the Nashville Superspeedway.
Tim Turner, ARCA/Busch Series Driver, served as spotter for Brian Weber.
Ed Simmons drove the transporter, along with crew chief Amos French and team member Lee Tallent as passengers.
Forty-Four cars came to the show; one car went home, that being our team!
It was the first time in years that I had packed up and left the track before the actual running of the race...it was a racing deal soured by the rainout; so we did not have enough owner points to take one of the alloted provisionals, so we listened to the race on the radio on the way home...
I never want that to happen again; it was like a bad dream to say the least...
So, that is why my update is about the weather instead of racing.
There will be another day for the Weber Team; hopefully during the appearance at the Milwaukee Mile on June 29th.
I would also like to thank all the folks that showed up at Pocono for the ARCA Race; which was also rained out and resheduled to run as a companion race to the July Race.
We would like to thank our volunteer and paid staff alike; you folks make all the difference in the world!
Everyone have a safe week; and folks remember; there may be a bummed out transport driver out there staring off into space when you decide to merge without looking; you know whom you are!!!! So, be careful on our interstate system!
Until next time....
Ed Simmons
06-08-2003
2331
RACE CREW JOBS AT KANSAS SPEEDWAYTHE IMPORTANCE OF Dateline: Kansas Speedway/06-01-2003
Volunteers, they truly make their mark in all parts of life; whether it is building a house for a needy family; or collecting donations for their favorite local charities; delivering meals to the elderly; ringing the bell at Christmas at your local shopping center.
Volunteers that show up at the track have the same goal, to help a person in need; a team that is under funded, or just short of personnel due to the travel distance and conflicting schedules.
Such great volunteers made their presence known this past weekend at the Kansas Speedway.
Mike Koch and family, Trisha, Justin and Amber; and the Peterson Motorsports troupers, Wayne Peterson, Gerald Smith, and driver Brian Conz realized the importance of volunteers that came in on their on dime and time to help out the two car team in need of personnel.
Thanks for scoring; thanks for pushing the car(s) through tech; thanks for dealing with the muscle aches; thanks for caring about your fellow humans in the world of racing; just thanks for helping!!!
The volunteers for the deal (some may call it an ordeal) were Dan Twining, Van C. VanDruff, Linda VanDruff, Todd Moran, Julie Moran.
They are like many other folks in the racing industry that come when the call is put out; but, their mettle is that of folks that would show up to help anyone in their community in time of any great needs. They are the hidden asset in the racining industry, not that shiny transporter, or that new set of stickers; they are the real deal!
May you know the feeling of helping out your fellow man; if not in racing; put rubber on those feet and walk for you local March of Dimes; or just visit someone that cannot get out in the world to come and see you.
Until the next time, may God Bless each and everyone of you!
