By T.J. Buffenbarger
Essexville, MI — (April 8th, 2001) — What a difference a week makes. Last weekend saw myself and a guest freeze at Attica through a tremendous feature, warm up slightly only to have it rain before the heat races at Eldora, and then see snow on the way home when we should have been seeing a double dip with USAC Worldcom National midgets and Stoops/Freightliner Sprint Cars. The Anderson event was rescheduled for one week later, and at the last moment Mudclodbob, Patrick Poor, and myself hopped in the car and headed down to the Glen Niebel Classic.
There is also something very special about open wheel racing on Sunday afternoons at paved speedways. Traditionally up in my home territory the only open wheel shows at many of the major paved racetracks were on Sunday afternoons with midgets and sprints. My father took me to these specials since I was a small child, so it just seems natural, yet very special.
Anderson is one of the many fine historical racing facilities we have in State of Indiana. One cannot go to Anderson without thinking of the world’s largest pavement sprint car race, the Little 500. The high-banked ¼-mile speedway makes for very close quarters racing and requires a tremendous amount of patience to finish and event. While the USAC stars of yesterday were beating their way around the short track at Martinsville, it was appropriate the current USAC hero’s were beating and banging at Anderson. If one is not patent racing at Anderson, their day can end with disastrous results against Anderson’s new and unforgiving concrete walls.
Mid 11 second laps might not sound impressive, but in the tight confines of that facility with the walls surrounding it is something to behold. Mudclodbob’s first comment after the midget hot laps was how television does not do the sheer speed of Anderson any justice. This was Bob’s first visit to Anderson, as I had atteneded the track a couple of years ago for the Tyson 50. .
Great fields of cars greeted fans for the Glen Neibel Classic as 42 Midgets and 37 sprint cars checked in for the daytime double header. Walking through the pits after some practice was amazing seeing all of the great looking racecars in the pit area for both divisions. It used to seem as if the midgets were always a step above the pavement sprint cars in their appearance, but the sprint car teams have stepped up their appearance the past couple of years to make for a pit full of classy looking race cars. Among the best looking cars were Bobby East’s Consani/East racing midget, J.J. Yeley’s ride in the ABC Sand & Rock Beast with a little different style hood on the car, and Brian Gerster’s uniquely peach colored Beast for long time midget owner Jerry Coverington.
One thing many onlookers thought was a shame was the lack of smaller midget teams in the field. In fact Dale Ballinger and Davey Ray were the only Autocraft powered cars in the field. Ballinger retired his car even before time trials, and Ray fought diligently all day and came form the last chance race to make the program. Ray ended up dropping out of the B-Main later in the day, but look for Davey to make a splash if he ever gets a top-notch midget ride. Ray when he was younger almost notched a big NAMARS win at Lawnerenceburg, and has always impressed me with his aggressive style.
The major heros by the day were Jerry Coons, Jr, and Derek Davidson. It would be difficult to find two more deserving racers to have won at Anderson on Sunday. Coons always runs well, but last year seemed to bounce around in many different cars and never really had a steady ride. One of midget races other super teams with John Lawson racing made a triumphant return with Jerry Coons, Jr. behind the wheel, winning the 50-Lap feature. Lawson had Billy Boat behind the wheel when Boat made his amazing runs in the USAC National and Western States series. Coons indicated at Anderson that he with the Lawson team would be making a run at the 2001 Worldcom National Midget title. Right now I would have to pick them as the early favorite.
Derek spent last year coming back from a severe injury to his arm and shoulder at Terre Haute the year before. This was Derek’s first win on pavement, and his first National series win since breaking his arm at Terre Haute in 1999. 2001 could be the year 1999 should have been now with Davidson back with BWB Racing, and now having pavement equipment that is on par with the other top teams. Unlike many of the other top teams, Davidson did not test at Anderson. Derek is also his own crew chief this year, which makes the feet even more rewarding Double D. Davidson has always been a good friend to us at TJ Slideways.com, and it was great to see him pick up the big victory.
Also walking through the pits brought on our first Tyler Walker sighting in quite some time. Tyler was on hand in Johnny Vance’s Evernham Motorsports sponsored Beast that was formerly shoed by Ryan Newman. This is far from Walker’s first pavement sprint car start however as during his rookie year in the sprint cars Walker won Rookie of the Year at the Little 500 at Anderson and has also made a pavement start at the Winchester Speedway. After starting 19th Walker moved up to finish fifth in the A-Main. Look for Tyler to be strong on the pavement as the season wears on, especially in the longer races when the tires wear down. This is when Walker will really shine. Tyler’s next outing will be May 5th at Indianapolis Raceway Park in the Coors Light Silver Bullet Series.
Second generation Bobby East made his third full size midget start at Anderson. After Tracy Hines blown motor, East got to start on the front row for the midget feature. East put serious pressure on early leader Brian Gerster before riding over Gerster’s right rear wheel and slamming into the turn three protective barrels. East’s car hit so hard into those barrels that it took the safety crew several minuets to remove parts of the car in the wall. Bobby East I feel though is the real deal, and is going to be a tremendous racer in the years to go. East’s downfall right now seems to be patience, but the most time he gets in the midget the patience should come.
Bobby’s father Bob and the Steve Lewis team also struggled at Anderson. Dave Darland was heading to the front when he was involved in an incident, while Kasey Kahne was in two separate incidents that eventually put him out of the event. So after two events on the National Midget circuit neither of the Lewis cars is even in the top ten in points.
The more unfortunately and scariest incident of the day happened when Brandon Petty tangled with a car during his heat race and pounded the turn three wall. The ironic part was the contact was almost in virtually the same spot where Brandon severely broke his arms in a terrible testing crash preparing for the Little 500 two years ago. Brandon this time however walked away from his badly damaged racecar uninjured after a ride to the hospital for a checkup on his sore neck.
Tim Cox also announced that himself with the B & D racing team would be going for Auto Value Super Sprints rookie of the year. Jack Calabrase has put together another tremendous program for the rookies in 2001. Also Steve Surniak’s trailer adorned a brand new top wing, and also plans on doing quite a bit of AVSS racing in 2001.
In closing I have to thank everyone at Anderson Speedway for the great experience on Sunday. Hopefully I can make it back later this spring for my first Little 500. I still cannot fathom how that race is even run, but now I am very curious.
This week it’s off to Eldora. Hopefully I can get my Big E WoO preview done in time for the big race. I have my motel set for both nights, so look for lots of photos, notes, and my first full race reports since Chili Bowl. I am already to blow of some stress, and do some racin’ this weekend!