By Bob Burbach
Marysville- This observer became aware of an announcement by MRP Winged Sprint Car driver Robby Hight. The announcement in its entirety is as follows:
“After 42 years of racing. Winning 285 mains, over 20 championships, National championships, regional championships, state championships and club championships, way too many to count trophies including track records, some still standing. I’ve raced in 40 States, and made a lot of friends. Traveled to many race tracks across this country, I am sad to say that after this last flip and breaking my back in 4 places, my driving career is over. I will still be involved in racing somehow maybe as a owner for a bright young star. Thank you to Paul and Kathy and all the staff and a special thank you to the fire crew. I got to know them up close and personal more than I wanted, but so glad they were there. See ya at the track” -Robby Hight 14h
This announcement ended Robby Hight’s racing career as a driver. Hight’s career in Modified Midget racing may be one of the most successful in the history of the class. The numbers that Hight alluded to in the announcement referred primarily to his legendary success in that class. Hight closed his Modified Midget career and went sprint car racing. Hight is a fixture at Marysville Raceway Park along with his dad Fred and the family. The elder Hight told this observer Wednesday afternoon prior to the announcement that the Hight family’s involvement in the sport would not end with Robby’s coming retirement.
Fred Hight said, “We’ve got the car going over to Hall’s (racer/builder Heath Hall) and he’ll be working on it and drive it in the season ending races.” Fred Hight continued, “Maybe its time we put somebody else in the seat, maybe some talented kid.”
Fred Hight and this observer talked for quite some time about the future of the Hight family’s racing enterprise. Actually, Fred Hight had a hand in creating what is now Marysville Raceway Park and had a fine career as a driver in his own right.
While the news of any driver leaving the sport is unfortunate, we are glad that the Hight family and Robby with Fred in particular will still be around MRP in another capacity. Considering the announcement, here’s a big tip of the straw hat to driver Robby Hight and his many racing accomplishments.
From 8.21.12:
Paul and Kathy Hawes’ Marysville Raceway Park will host Yuba City Scrap and Steel Ice Cream Night at the Races this Saturday. The mighty MRP Winged Sprint Cars will head the card. The MRP Super Stocks will return along with the BCRA Full Midgets and the Pro 4 sprinters.
It will be Yuba City Scrap and Steel’s 13th Ice Cream Night at the Raceway. Richard Lovell and the staff at Yuba City Scrap and Steel will celebrate the birthday of MRP sprint car standouts, twin brothers Korey and Kevin Lovell by providing ice cream for everyone in attendance Saturday night. Korey, MRP’s own and only “5-time” sprint car champion will be racing along with twin brother Kevin in a pair of Yuba City Scrap and Steel Specials. The Yuba City Scrap and Steel cars have been a part of northern California sprint car racing since 1975. Their cars have carried such national stars as Tim Green, Chuck Gurney and Jimmy Sills along with a host of others way too numerous to name. Car owner Richard Lovell and his brother Ronnie were the “original” Lovell brothers and started off by fielding modified stock cars in this area.
In the early 90s Korey and Kevin started racing modified midgets and when they were ready, started racing sprint cars. The 40-year love affair with the sport still gets Richard Lovell excited. This observer had an opportunity to speak with Richard Lovell the other day and he still can go on and on and on about racecars and racing in general. It was good to see the spark was still there even though son Korey now heads the “Scrap and Steel” racecar operation.
This year Korey is out of the championship picture and Richard said he is preparing Kevin’s entry with a win it or wear it sort of an attitude. Both drivers will be out to win Saturday. There will be no “point racing” done by the Lovell Brothers this weekend according to Richard. Though Richard Lovell in this week’s discussion suggested that the end of Korey’s illustrious career may be on the distant horizon, it was apparent last week that Korey hasn’t lost the touch. Maybe without the pressure of point racing Lovell turned up the wick a bit. Last Saturday night after a 3 week hiatus Korey came back with a sizzling lap that placed him 3rd in time trials last weekend.
Defending champion Billy Wallace looks for another trophy in the MRP Winged Sprint Car class Saturday. Championship point leader Wallace has been smokin’ hot lately, but challenger Jeremy Burt has been monster quick as well. Burt’s efforts last week chopped 2 points off of the margin. With 50 points available to win in each event Wallace’s 18 point lead is still not secure. There are two championship point races to go and it looks like a two horse race for the title. Cort Dozier may have a bone to pick with that assessment, but he needs a little help from Lady Luck if he’s going to secure the championship.
Brent Dothage will make the long tow to MRP to seek another win in this prestigious event. He’s won 4 Scrap and Steel Night trophies. Brent is also a 3 time champion in the division. Kyle Hirst, winner of MRP’s latest Mel Hall Memorial Race and Sherm Toller Classics will be getting a ride in John Michael Bunch’s feature winning hot rod for this Saturday night’s Scrap and Steel event. 3-time champ Colby Wiesz will be making a stop at MRP as well. Wiesz also has 4 wins on Scrap and Steel Night. Wiesz has won a record 50 sprint car feature events at MRP. At this point it looks like a star-studded field will be in the house this weekend.
In other sprint car news, it was learned that Robby Hight was released from the hospital after his tough flip last Saturday night. It is reported that Hight sustained back and rib injuries in the jarring ride. Hight has had a trio of very hard tumbles over the last couple of seasons and this observer wishes him well in his recovery.
As always this week’s MRP Winged Sprint Car event on Yuba City Scrap and Steel Ice Cream Night at the Races is a Contingency Connection event. The Contingency Connection offers some $1500 weekly to the winner in additional awards above the raceway’s cash purse payouts.
The BCRA Midgets and their hottest star Greg Bragg will make their final appearance of 2012 at MRP. Bragg has notched the last two feature event wins in the division. The USAC/CRA star is back in the midgets after two years in the wingless 410 sprinters. Bragg had particular success at Perris Auto Speedway winning several feature events. Amazingly enough, 60-something Floyd Alvis leads the points in BCRA. The midgets should be an awesome show on the new MRP clay.
The MRP Super Stocks will be back with another outstanding program. Former champion Phillip Shelby got back into the winner’s circle with a charge from 7th starting position last week. He’ll be back in his black #86 to see if he can do it again. Brent Hall extended his lead in the points again last Saturday night with a butter smooth run. Look for another full, fast field of Supers this Saturday. If “rubbin’ is racin’”, then these drivers have it down to a science. The fenders and the clay will fly Saturday.
In addition the $100 Richmond Gear “Weekend Warrior” prize packages will be available to each winner for the next 2 races in the MRP Super Stock division. Richmond Gear Weekend Warrior prize packages are in house for presentation to winners at the next 2 Richmond Gear Weekend Warrior race nights at MRP. Each box contains a $100 retail value gift inside…including a $75.00 gift certificate, NEW official Richmond Gear T-Shirt, bottle opener, pen, and decals.
The Pro 4s will be back to round out the program. If anybody’s got anything for Tim Maclaughlin…they’d better show it. Joel Giusti, Misty Castleberry and surprising newcomer Charlie Holt are expected to give the champ a run for his money as the Pro 4 season begins to wind down.
Don’t forget to monitor our facebook page during the coming week; we’d love to hear from you. Updates are constantly being forwarded to the page on race night. Every Thursday night at 8PM MRP gives away 2 free tickets to the following week’s events. So, pop on to facebook (marysvilleracewaypark) and try to grab a couple of freebees on Thursday.