This weekend is indeed a great weekend to be a fan of sprint car racing in Florida. No matter the size of car or your surface of choice, you’re covered.

First up, let’s talk IPSCA at Citrus County Speedway for the simple fact that you need to listen to this radio spot that’s been running on the local country station up in those parts.

Now there might not be much we’re good at around here, recording podcasts in anything approaching a professional manner for starters, but if there’s one thing we’re good at it’s giving drivers nicknames.

We though it was cool when we heard Troy DeCaire referred to as “Travelin’ Troy DeCaire” up in Indiana last year, since we coined that gem, but Mickey Kempgens being referred to as “The Smooth Operator” on a radio spot, well, that takes the cake.

We can only hope that when His Holiness Dave Steele is standing in victory lane up at Milwaukee this weekend (that’s right, Steele is back in USAC action!) during the USAC goings on, that they will refer to him by his proper nickname.

But alas, we digress!

Back to Citrus County, the pavement wingless sprint car traveling circus known as IPSCA is back in action. As we’ve mentioned before, every man, woman and child that enjoys pavement sprint car racing needs to motivate themselves to the track and pack the stands and show that pavement sprint cars put butts in seats. It happened last time out and we hear a very positive announcement is coming at Citrus County Speedway regarding next year, but this should be a barn burner of a race. Last time winner and recent returnee from Indiana Collin Cabre will be back to try and go two-for-two, and the star of the above radio clip “The Smooth Operator” Mickey Kempgens wants another IPSCA win as well. Throw in Butler Motorsports entries for 2010 TBARA champ “The Bushnell Bullet” Shane Butler and his father Stan Butler amongst the other wingless entries we’ve come accustomed to – Tommy Nichols, Shane Miller, the Alvis family, Skeeter Faulconer, Frankie Hurst, Ray Bragg II, Darrin Miller, “Slick” Rick Voisey, Trent Bos, Mike Koss, Jason Bradford, etc. and we’re hearing that Channing Conley is a maybe, Larry Brazil Jr. will be in a Mac Steele entry and Wendy Mathis is working on bringing out the #80 that your website staff used to crew in the TBARA.

Then there’s the Jack Miller Memorial sprint car race going down at Volusia Speedway Park this weekend. There’s lots of reasons you should go to this and top on the list is honoring Jack’s memory. Jack Miller did a lot for sprint car racing and was an all around great guy. This is the first time for this race and if you like sprint car racing on dirt, you should be there to help make sure this becomes an annual event. Our own Factory Driver “Flyin’” Ryan Partin has recovered from his injuries last time out at VSP and wants this one bad as does Mark Ruel Jr. who has been running extremely well this year. We also hear Sport Allen wants this one in a bad way. But of course, everyone is gunning for the big dog on the porch – Danny “The Hammer” Martin Jr. But as we saw last time out at VSP, people can run The Hammer down AND rumor has it there may be some out of state invaders towing in to win the Jack Miller Memorial. We even hear a Florida driver that’s been up in Pennsylvania may run as well…we’ll see…

And there’s going to be some sprint car match racing…you damn well should be there if you like some dirt in your beer. Do it – honor Jack Miller.

But hey, you live up in the northern part of the state and like dirt. That’s cool. Set your GPS for North Florida Speedway and take in some FMSA action. David Pleaugh and Chris Pacetti have been going at it hammer and tong for points supremacy with Pleaugh having the upper hand as of late. The FMSA always puts on a good show at NFS, so check it out if you’re in the region.

But you’re saying to yourself, “that’s great, but I live down south and like small cars on pavement…” while standing in line at ABC with a 12 pack of Genesee Cream Ale under your arm. That’s cool, Punta Gorda Speedway and the FMARA has got you covered. The big question of course is can Mike Belusar be stopped? Truck on over by the Punta Gorda Airport and find out.

Of course when one speaks of inaugural memorial events, one must speak of the first Parade of Champions, held in 1984 shortly after the passing of David Von Erich, he the first of many Von Erichs not to live long, fruitful lives.

The lowlight of this card was of course this match…

A backslide, the one thing even Kerry Von Erich couldn’t screw up, to paraphrase Ric Flair…