Archive for Bruce Durden
Sep
25
An explosion of sprint car racing this weekend! KABOOM!
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My goodness, the options you fine people have for taking in some high quality sprint car racing this weekend, it is astounding.
Let’s get things kicked off tonight. Ladies, you got a bra to throw at a mini sprint driver? Head on over to Ocala Speedway for the return of our Editor at Speed, as the one, the only, “The Hot Foot” Brian Penrose returns to mini sprint action! And he’s had a small army of people helping him out lately.
The crew from Wendy Mathis Racing scaled up his car and gave it the once over last night, Steve Heisler did some work on Brian’s motor to solve the issues he’s been having, Don Heckman was seen bending Brian’s ear about shocks, we hear Paulie Millum may have been consulted, and our own FSCF.com Factory Driver Flyin’ Ryan Partin has been pitching in with setup advice.
No pressure though Brian.
Ladies of the greater Ocala watershed area, we once again ask that you please refrain from throwing your bras at Brian during hotlaps. Please form an orderly line at the Team Penrose hauler and he will sign your undergarments at that time.
Then comes Saturday night. Wings, no wings, pavement, dirt, big, small…you’ve got it all.
Itching for some dirt in your beer? Truck on up to Lake City, friends. Our own Flyin’ Ryan Partin has got his motor fixed up, lovingly tuned for more ponies, mounted and ready to go and maintain his Top Gun points lead. And if that alone were not reason enough to go (because maybe you woke up and fell on your head this morning or something) check out this list of drivers scheduled to show:
Mike Schroeder. Troy Knowles. Tony Agin. Rich Alexander. Matt Kurtz. Mark Ruel Jr. Gene Lasker. Dan Jones. Bruce Durden. Ashlynn Durden. Rocky Sullivan. And the return to dirt of Amanda Ferguson!
KABOOM!
Down the road at Citrus County, you are going to see an explosion of wingless sprinters on the pavement. This is shaping up to be a major barn burner as well. You want drivers? The CFWS is looking to have about 20 of them.
Travelin’ Troy DeCaire. His sister Traci. Dakota Stephens. Steve Heisler. Dennis Misuraca. Channing Conley. Mike Jenkins Jr. Dude Teate. (!) Lil Jimmy Alvis. Big Jimmy Alvis. Mark Gimmler. Stan Butler. Tommy Nichols. Sonny O’Sullivan. Steven Bradley. Blaze Martin. Joey “The Ace” Aguilar. Could be more, but these are the names we’re hearing.
KABOOM!
Down at CCMP the TQs are back in action. Though I’m not sure if your Bobby Bucks are still valid since Bobby Diehl is stepping down and Gary LaPlant is taking over. Gary Bucks doesn’t roll off the tongue quite as well…
So where will the FSCF.com staff be? Who knows? We appear to be a house divided at the moment. 66% of our staff will be at Ocala tonight. On Saturday, 100% of us may be at Citrus County, or there might be 33% of us at Lake City and 66% at Citrus County, or there could be 66% of us at Lake City and 33% of us at Citrus County.
We’re just thankful to have such tough decisions to make! This is going to be an awesome weekend of sprint car racing people! Round up your posse and mobilize on Saturday!
Don’t let the infighting of our staff distract you. It won’t turn into this, I assure you. Well, hopefully not. If Josh looks at me wrong, it might. Doubtful. I’m just saying Josh, learn from Ole Anderson’s mistakes. Don’t let history repeat itself.
Sep
23
Champ is Crowned and other FSCA news.
Posted by: | Comments“The Hot Foot” Brian Penrose checks in with the following FSCA updates:
First and foremost – Bruce Durden was crowned the 2009 FSCA Points Champion.
Congratulations Bruce! Bruce is a hell of a nice guy and a long time supporter of sprint car racing here in Florida so we’re glad to see Bruce add another feather to his cap.
Second, here is a post from Alan Kaluzniak on the FSCA website about his ride at Volusia back in July.
Jul
27
TGSS Race Report – 07.27.09
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DATE: July 25
SERIES: Top Gun Sprint Series
TRACK: Volusia Speedway Park
NUMBER OF SPRINT CARS: 20
WHO WON: Matt Kurtz
CROWD GRADE: D This one is hard to criticize because of the very inclement weather in the area…but I’ve been in the stands at Auburndale when the sprints didn’t even start heat races until after 10:00 PM and the place was packed. Why didn’t the fans pack the place for the wrestling alone? Shame…
TRACK GRADE: C The track prep crew did a great job doing their best with a really bad situation. I didn’t think there was any way that they were going to race, especially with that much water on a clay track.
SERIES GRADE: B The Top Gun Sprint Series is consistent with at least one thing, getting good car counts on a regular basis. Not only are there a good number of cars, but a lot of quality equipment.
FOOD AND DRINK GRADE: N/A We actually swung by ol’ faithful (Mickey D’s) on the way to the track, sorry Volusia. But I did see that they brag about their sweet tea, so I look forward to trying it out.
NEWSWORTHY NOTES: Even with the due diligence of the VSP track prep crew, the racing surface was still a little slimy and slick. It seemed to be basically a one groove track for the most part. But there were some adventurous drivers that used all of the track to their advantage. As much as I would like to say everyone had a good night, it just wasn’t so.
After a pair of red flags and an ambulance ride, the race was shortened by four laps. The first red was brought out on lap 3 when the 27 car spun on the backstretch at the exit of turn two and was hit by the Wee3. Both cars were towed back to the pit area. The second, and more severe red, was brought out on lap 21. As a result of the 56 and the 02 making contact, the 56 took a series of tumbles on the front-stretch. While trying to avoid being collected in the debris, the 14 slammed into the inside retaining wall very hard. The driver of the 56 was taken away by ambulance.
As I watched the extraction of the driver, I had to cringe in disbelief at the techniques used to secure the drivers safety. I will address this issue soon in another report! We do wish the driver of the 56 a speedy recovery.
DRIVER OF THE RACE: After collaborating with a fellow FSCF.com staff member, we collectively choose Gene Lasker as the Driver of the Race. Gene, put us on your “we owe you one” list. I firmly believe that had the race went back green, we would have had different results to report.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Bruce Durden and Keith Butler both received votes for the title. Kudos gentlemen.
RACE REPORTER: Josh