NM Motor Sports Report Champions Edition 2022

ALBUQUERQUE

STACKINGTRACKCHAMPIONSHIPS

By David Swope Photos by Cherry Bomb Photoworks

Drag racing is meant to be a challenge between drivers but ultimately it is a battle with the clock. Points Championships are won by the combination of accumulated rounds and consistency. The Points Champion of the Pro Division for 2022 has been there before. Ron Rios has won 2 - Southwest Drag Racing Association (SWDRA) Pro Championships, 5 - Albuquerque Dragway Pro Championships, 4 - Albuquer que Dragway Sportsman Championships and over 25 Wally’s. A very decorat ed 19 years in racing.

The 2021 Pro Champion was Mike Stewart. “Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” Mike took up drag racing at the age of 57, as a bucket list item to check off. 10 years later he has 2 championships to show for it. Winning in 2019 and 2021. His wife Lisa helps him with his 68 Camaro.

The 2022 season for the Pro Division at Albuquerque Drag way had 13 races scheduled but the weather had other ideas and cancelled 3 of them. Ron Rios won another Pro Cham pionship with 4,937 total points. Tyler Brush had 4,025 and Wayne Mathews had 3,987 for second and third in points.

There was a total of 73 different competitors who scored at least 100 points.

Rios’ Orange 1968 Camaro is hard to miss. With a stout 434 small-block, Powerglide tranny and 9-inch rear-end, the beast runs mid 10.5s. Just in case something breaks, Rios has an other Camaro waiting. “It’s just a foot pedal car with no trans brake or anything. I’ve been running that for about six to seven years and then I have a few other cars that I race at the track. I try to kind of rotate them, but I don’t wear them out too quickly,” Rios said with a smile during an interview on the NM Motor Sports Report on ESPN Radio.

“I used to run in Sports man a couple times probably 4 to 5 years ago and then I started running a 69 Chevelle that I have with a procharger and a 67 Chevelle that I also ran in Sportsman,” said Rios.

Clearly a Bowtie guy. “Well actually, when I was a kid, I had a brother, he’s no lon ger with us, he’s gone home (referring to heaven), his name was Enrico Anthony Rios. When he came back from Vietnam, he always had a muscle car. I just love muscle cars. At that point, they all had Roadrunners and Cudas, with four-speeds, six packs and it was a big Mopar following back then,” Rios clarified. “We blew-up a bunch of Mopars and it just got too expensive to fix them and Chevy blocks and parts were cheaper.”

ALBUQUERQUE DRAGWAY

Congratulations to the 2022 Champi on in the Real Outlaw Door Slammers (RODS) Division, Mike Keenan. McKin ney Motor Company Super-Pro Cham pion James Gonzales. Seductions Sports man Champion Reyes Romero. Torco Race Fuel Jr Dragster Champion, Mason Tuck. Law Tigers Outlaw 2-Wheeled Champion, Dominic Flores.

Complete Season Points Available at ABQDragway.com

Moriarty MX would like to congratulate all of our 2022 Lucky 13 Race Series winners. After a season of hard work and dedication, these riders attended 7 out of 13 races, and were the highest point earners, in their individual classes. The award ceremony will take place on February 19, 2023, in honor of these participants.

Moriarty MX runs a full race series every March - October. We are also proud to be the head coordinators of the New Mexico State Championship and are honored to host the AMA Monster Energy Loretta Lynn Southwest Area Qualifier, each year. Our riders put their hearts into their skill, and it shows with every passing season. We are so proud of the progress that we see each year. The upcoming season will consist of two series within 2023. The Southwest “7” shootout will begin in March and continue through July. Then, we will begin the Fast “5” Best of the West Series, August - October. We are excited to try something new in the 2023 season and we think our riders are excited too.

We appreciate the support given from New Mexico riders, and beyond. This is what makes our track such a success, and pushes our riders to strive to reach and beat their goals. We plan to premiere a brand new track design for all of the riders to enjoy, in February of 2023. At Moriarty MX, we believe that change is good. Every time we present riders with a new track design, it challenges them in so many different ways. We have consistently changed the track for the past 8 years and counting. A warm up race weekend will be held, to introduce the riders to the new track and to also prepare them, for the first series race of the season.

Moriarty MX would like to thank all of our EMS, Tower, Flag, Gate, Score, and Administrative staff, for all of their hard work throughout the season. We would also like to thank the Twisted Throttle Cafe for keeping our riders and their families full of delicious food, for each MMX event. We look forward to seeing you all in the new year. From all of us at MMX, thank you for your continued support of the track and support of this amazing sport.

2022 Lucky 13 race SerieS PointS

125

1st - Matthew Berry #12

2nd - Jaydon Romero #629

3rd - Christopher Segura #611

250B

Cody Lucky #14

250 Beginner

1st - Brandon Griffin #45

2nd - Jordan Ramirez #120

3rd - Mystik Skeet #369

250C

1st - Jaydon Romero #629

2nd - Ezekiel Rodriguez #22

3rd - Carlos Quintana #11

250 Open

1st - Steven Copeland #97

2nd - Matthew Berry #12

3rd - Mathew Gonzales #34

450B

1st - Riley Evans #52

2nd - Seth Mitchell #28

3rd - Cody Lucky #14

450 Beginner

1st - Drew Miller #83

2nd - Gerard Martinez #331

3rd - Jarod CDeBaca #94

450C

1st - Carlos Quintana #11

2nd - Dylan Mitchell #530

3rd - Ezekiel Rosriguez #22

450 Open

1st - Joe Rodriguez #761

50 4-6 Main

1st - Wyatt Adams #12

50 4-6 Mini

1st - Wyatt Adams #12

50 7-8 Main

1st - Domenic Dominguez #656

2nd - Tyler Forsberg #27

50 7-8 Mini

1st - Tyler Forsberg #27

50 Beginner Mini 4-6

1st - Hayden Beck #469

2nd - Oliver Chavez #11

50 Beginner Mini 7-8

1st - Logan Dickson #188

50 Open Main

1st - Domenic Dominguez #656

2nd - Tyler Forsberg #27

50 Open Mini

1st - Alijah Horne #277

2nd - Tyler Forsberg #27

3rd - Theodore Temple #139

50 PW Shaft

1st - Theodore Temple #139

2nd - Brayden Hale #12

3rd - Hayden Beck #469

4th - Tate Diaz #181

65 10-11

1st - Uriah Lahair #37

2nd - Garrett Leavengood #419

3rd - Damien Aplin #17

65 7-9

1st - Victor Alba #521

2nd - Colton Adams #99

3rd - Milo Schooley #007

4th =- Mercedes Wganer #8

5th - Caleb Wright #118

65 Beginner

1st - Mason Hale #89

65 Open

1st - Victor Alba #521

2nd - Colton Adams #99 3rd - Uriah LaHair #37

4th - Garrett Leavengood #419 5th - Milo Schooley #007

85 12-16

1st - Aiden Leavengood #40

2nd - William Berry #99h

3rd - Culbert Hoskevek #3

4th - Jordan Ball #997

5th - Joseph Filip #541

85 9-11

1st - Cobee Serak #38

2nd - Victor Alba #521

3rd - Uriah LaHair #37

4th - Jordyn Marrs #21

5th - Daniel Wagner #45

85 Beginner

1st - Cobee Serak #38

2nd - Culbert Hoskevek #3 3rd - Adam Candelario #21

4th - Hunter Kelly #31

5th - Monica Griffin #39

85 Open

1st - William Berry #99h

2nd - Victor Alba #521

3rd - Cobee Serak #38

4th - Daniel Wagner #45

5th - Joseph Filip #541

College

1st - Seth Mitchell #28

Girls 11 and Under

1st - Jordyn Marrs #21

2nd - Mercedes Wagner #8 3rd - Nina Holmes #207

Junior 25+

1st - Mathew Gonzales #34

Masters 50+

1st - David Lucero #269 2nd - Leonard Feit #369

Mini Quad Open

1st - Own Chavez #899

Open Beginner

1st - Brandon Griffin #45

2nd - Jordan Ramirez #120 3rd - Gerard Martinez #331

Open Pro

1st - Peter Dulkerian #484

2nd - Tim prawitz #397

Patriot

1st - Gilbert Garcia #88 2nd - Blake Youngs #906

Schoolboy

1st - Steven Copeland #97

2nd - Matthew Berry #12 3rd - Carlos Quintana #11

Senior 40+

1st - Adolph Candelario #477 2nd - Gilbert Garcia #88 3rd - Lee Cole #259

STACYC 16e

1st - Chase Tays #100

2nd - BaileyJo Franzoy #28

Supermini

1st - Aiden Leavengood #40 2nd - William Berry 3rd - Jordan Ball #997

Vet 30+ A/B

1st - Joe Rodriguez #761

2nd - Riley Evans #52

3rd - Chris Payne #66

Vet 30+ C

1st - Josh Rodriguez #277

2nd - Josh Lott #561

Womens 12+

1st - Alana Canales #767

2nd - Mystik Skeet #369 3rd - Montana Garcia #506

cHeck out More 2-WHee

INSIDE OUTLAW DESERT RACING

By Don Tyler

Chad Drummond, a 38 year old who is married with one child and two dogs. He grew up in Litttleon, Colorado where he graduated from high school in 2002. There cross town rival was Columbine HS, and they came to Chad’s school to finish out the school year after the mass shooting.

Chad moved to Arizona shortly after he graduated high-school to pursue an education in automotive repair and welding. Once he grad uated tech school he moved back to Colorado and decided to move up to summit county to be a ski bum.

He landed a job with Ford where that really set him on the path he’s currently on. After about 8 years of working at Ford he truly learned that being a mechanic was more of a hobby than a profession. His career was on a downward spiral, he hated what he did and he didn’t care about the quality of work he did any longer.

He was hit by a golf cart in a parking lot at motocross race late at night. That accident left him with two broken fingers in his left hand-being a Mechanic, he couldn’t work and he lost his job.

That’s exactly what he needed. He got involved with a community college to start a career in the fire service. After years of trying he landed a job in New Mexico where he has been in the fire service for just over 10 years.

Over the last ten years he has achieved 5 college degrees. Three Associates, one Bachelors and one Masters degree.

During Chad’s free time he works a small repair/welding shop. He also runs a pro sxs racing team that runs in a pro circuit in south ern Texas with Chad as the driver.

Chad feels lucky and thankful to be where he is today. Outlaw Desert Racing is involved with his racing and provides pit support for this awesome first responder. Next race is the revenge 200 in Texas Decem ber 2nd-4th.

WITH UTV PRO DRIVER: CHAD DRUMMOND

Rio Rancho Offroad is an off roading club that was started to support local offroading and the local offroad community. The club leads 4x4 runs throughout the year, supports local non-profit events and has a goal of fun with everything they do. Runs are always family oriented, having events that provide something for every skill level from the first tim er to the experienced off-roader. Check out Rio Rancho Offroad on Facebook.

2022 FINAL POINTS STANDINGS

Anthony Sosa Roofing Late Models

1. #004 Devan Smith

Las Cruces, NM 1064 Pts

2. #5m Eric McNutt Las Cruces, NM -6

3. #5J Jeremy Stamper Las Cruces, NM -47

4. #29 Mercedes Abercrombie Deming, NM -92

5. #5 Shane McNutt Las Cruces, NM -159

Devan Smith: 2 Wins, 10 Top-5s, 11 Top-10s, 13 Starts

Hacienda Carpet & Tile USRA B-Mods

1. #12 Justin Allen

Las Cruces, NM 1576 Pts

2. #11 Lucas Ward El Paso, TX -36

3. #07 Donavon Flores Las Cruces, NM -186

4. #23H Hector Barraza El Paso, TX -272

5. #44 Christy Barnett El Paso, TX -293

Justin Allen: 1 Win, 15 Top-5s, 18 Top-10s, 20 Starts

Hobby Stocks

1. #B52 Michael Hartman Las Cruces, NM 100 Pts

2. #28x Jaden Manick Gallivan Las Cruces, NM -5

3. #52 Jimmy Skoog Alamogordo, NM -9

4. #21 Robert Dominguez El Paso, TX -55

Michael Hartman: 1 Win, 1 Top-5, 1 Top-10, 1 Start

Hulsey Racing Legends

1. #48z Zach Rodriguez

Las Cruces, NM 2088 Pts

2. #01 Dusty Riggs Hatch, NM -267

3. #65 Mike Money Duncan, AZ -286

4. #96 Cale Riggs Hatch, NM -404

5. #0 Jacob Masterson Las Cruces, NM -412

Zach Rodriguez: 3 Wins, 21 Top-5s, 23 Top-10s, 24 Starts

Johnstone Supply Super Trucks

1. #44 Christy Barnett

El Paso, TX 1797 Pts

2. #14 Dawson Manicki Las Cruces, NM -215

3. #82 Sherman Barnett El Paso, TX -234

4. #98 Rusty Bowen Las Cruces, NM -256

5. #004 Devan Smith Las Cruces, NM -290

Christy Barnett: 10 Wins, 17 Top-5s, 18 Top-10s, 20 Starts

S.H. Automotive Pure Stocks

1. #9 Jeremy DuBois

Las Cruces, NM 1646 Pts

2. #B52 Michael Hartman Las Cruces, NM -10

3. #8811 Diego Alvarado El Paso, TX -16

4. #67 Sharrii Minks El Paso, TX -142

5. #48 Kristen Denman Las Cruces, NM -222

Jeremy DuBois: 7 Wins, 15 Top-5s, 17 Top-10s, 21 Starts

Photos by James Adams, Vado Speedway Park

POWRi 360 Wing Sprint Car Desert Series

1. #1HA Caleb Saiz

Albuquerque, NM 537 Pts

2. #18 Lorne Wofford Alamogordo, NM -14

3. #22B Jesse Baker Grants, NM -48

4. #45x Don Grable El Paso, TX -53

5. #2B Brett Becker Odessa, TX -67

Caleb Saiz: 1 Win, 3 Top-5s, 4 Top-10s, 4 Starts

POWRi Sunset Grill 360 Non-Wing Sprints

1. #21 Caleb Stelzig

Albuquerque, NM 1017 Pts

2. #1HA Caleb Saiz Albuquerque, NM -83

3. #20z Rick Ziehl Las Cruces, NM -93

4. #2 Michael Fanelli Rio Rancho, NM -156

5. #7x Troy Treharn Peralta, NM -179

Caleb Stelzig: 5 Wins, 7 Top-5s, 7 Top-10s, 8 Starts

POWRi Jackson Compaction 305 Winged

1. #131 Royal Jones

Las Cruces, NM 1559 Pts

2. #77 CJ Hulsey El Paso, TX -37

3. #1 Dylan Harris El Paso, TX -145

4. #8 Aydan Saunders El Paso, TX -216

5. #20z Rick Ziehl Las Cruces, NM -223

Royal Jones: 1 Win, 9 Top-5s, 13 Top-10s, 13 Starts

Rancho Milagro USRA Modifieds

1. #G17 Fito Gallardo

2. #J17 Jake Gallardo

Las Cruces, NM 1712 Pts

Las Cruces, NM -6

3. #131 Royal Jones Las Cruces, NM -126

4. #9 Jimmy Ray Las Cruces, NM -232

5. #44 Christy Barnett El Paso, TX -347

Fito Gallardo: 6 Wins, 14 Top-5s, 15 Top-10s, 20 Starts

S&J Automotive USRA Stock Cars

1. #M17 Rob Moseley

Los Lunas, NM 1781 Pts

2. #00 Jonathan Burton Las Cruces, NM -47

3. #10 Bryan Bennett Tularosa, NM -118

4. #37 Fred Gibson El Paso, TX -412

5. #82 Sherman Barnett El Paso, TX -433

Rob Moseley: 5 Wins, 18 Top-5s, 19 Top-10s, 20 Starts

2022 FINAL POINTS STANDINGS

Street Stocks

1. #5x Rick Boelter Los Lunas, NM 1687 Pts

2. #77 Raynie Hughes Albuquerque, NM -16 3. #66 David Hand Los Alamos, NM -232

4. #2x Ken Curts Rio Rancho, NM -635

5. #51 Bobby Sandy Edgewood, NM -875

Stock Cars

1. #53 RC Combs Albuquerque, NM 1492 Pts

2. #6R Rick Combs Albuquerque, NM -99

3. #5x Rick Boelter Los Lunas, NM -109

4. #5T Trevor Combs Rio Rancho, NM -154 5. #96x Herman Garcia Espanola, NM -504

A-Modifieds

1. #98 Burton Fisher Albuquerque, NM 1279 Pts

2. #27 Jacob Pape Bosque Farms, NM -40 3. #33 Tracy Harris Albuquerque, NM -73 4. #28 Ronnie Leathem Jr Albuquerque, NM -310 5. #4 Chris Hooper Albuquerque, NM -485

Winged 360 Sprint Cars

1. #26 Randy Smith Peralta, NM 1710 Pts

2. #7 Lorne Wofford Alamogordo, NM -94

3. #4 David Dykes Los Lunas, NM -269

4. #619JR Claudia Saenz Pena Blanca, NM -271

5. #72D Derrick Black Albuquerque, NM -456

X-Modifieds

1. #7s Hunter Sandy Albuquerque, NM 1680 Pts

2. #98 Burton Fisher Albuquerque, NM -122 3. #33 William Lynch Albuquerque, NM -312 4. #27 Jacob Pape Bosque Farms, NM -154 5. #4 Chris Hooper Albuquerque, NM -581

Non-Wing Micro Sprints

1. #19s Samantha Hanes Albuquerque, NM 1460 Pts

2. #23L Lilly Genson Bosque Farms, NM -68 3. #1st Bob Harrington Albuquerque, NM -134 4. #72D Derrick Black Albuquerque, NM -381 5. #667 Arnie Donner Albuquerque, NM -504

Cruiser/Hornet

1. #33 Dennis Cosens Mentmore, NM 3272 Pts 2. #28 Aiden Frazier Bosque Farms, NM -204 3. #44 Arthur Hurley III Rio Rancho, NM -382 4. #21R Riella LaRae Fanning Albuquerque, NM -505 5. #19 Leo Chavez Albuquerque, NM -583

305 Winged Sprint Cars

1. #23z Zach Hanes Albuquerque, NM 1442 Pts 2. #11 Jerry Mosher Corrales, NM -100 3. #619JR Claudia Sigala Santa Fe, NM -265 4. #18 Lorne Wofford Alamogordo, NM -537 5. #99 Chuck Jackson Albuquerque, NM -616

Open Vintage Flat Track Motorcycle

1. #69 James Hosier Albuquerque, NM 1776 Pts 2. #28Y Vic Yarbrough Tijeras, NM -174 3. #21 Crystal Simpson Rio Rancho, NM -401 4. #58 Mark Sutton Albuquerque, NM -1077 5. #240 Thaisen Garcia Albuquerque, NM -1103

Open Modern Flat Track Motorcycle

1. #69 James Hosier Albuquerque, NM 1780 Pts 2. #47G JR Dowell Rio Rancho, NM -457 3. #29 Shawn Benavidez Albuquerque, NM -895 4. #10 Marcel Hersh Edgewood, NM -1157 5. #313 Hunter Lang Albuquerque, NM -1425

Knobby Open CC Flat Track Motorcycle

Open Twin Flat Track Motorcycle

1. #47G JR Dowell

Rio Rancho, NM 1110 Pts 2. #240 Thaisen Garcia Albuquerque, NM -457

Powder Puff Flat Track Motorcycle

1. #21 Crystal Simpson

Rio Rancho, NM 1452 Pts 2. #333 Rachael Peterson Albuquerque, NM -290 3. #23R Aurora Simpson Rio Rancho, NM -897

Pee Wee Flat Track Motorcycle

1. #7 Connor Crosby Tijeras, NM 270 Pts 2. #188 Logan Dixon Albuquerque, NM -85 3. #16 Reece Apodaca Albuquerque, NM -95

1. #242 Paul Campos

Rio Rancho, NM 360 Pts 2. #117 Jordan Smith Rio Rancho, NM -139 3. #242x Jesse Silos Rio Rancho, NM -140 4. #X Nevil Bernard Tijeras, NM -175 5. #188 Anthony Dickson Albuquerque, NM -175

1. #28Y Vic Yarbrough Tijeras, NM 1780 Pts 2. #44 Jerry Schenamsgruber Mesa, AZ -10 3. #411 Alan Reed Roswell, NM -18 4. #70+ Harry Hammer Apache Junction, AZ -1157

2022 FINAL POINTS STANDINGS

IMCA Sport Compact

1. #K8T Katie Barthel Ignacio, CO 296 Pts

2. #7 Mylee JoAnn Farmington, NM -5

3. #77 Jenna Wilson Cortez, CO -11

4. #22 Randa Bentsen Mancos, CO -52

5. #5 Tess Greenwood Aztec, NM -65

Katie Barthel: 2 Wins, 8 Top-5s, 8 Top-10s, 8 Starts

IMCA Northern SportMod

1. #97 Julie Keeler Farmington, NM 306 Pts

2. #22k Joey Klemish Farmington, NM -2

3. #46 Jackson Harpole Farmington, NM -14

4. #43 Waylon Hale Mancos, CO -44

5. #AK47 Rex Higgins Bloomfield, NM -84

Julie Keeler: 1 Win, 8 Top-5s, 8 Top-10s, 8 Starts

Dwarf Car / Mod Lite

1. #787 Tyler Wilson Cortez, CO 255 Pts

2. #18 Cauy Ludwig Bayfield, CO -14

3. #10c Joe Esquibel Monte Vista, CO -16

4. #117 Rafe O’Brien Cortez, CO -16

5. #9c Nina Esquibel Monte Vista, CO -19

Tyler Wilson: 2 Wins, 5 Top-5s, 6 Top-10s, 7 Starts

IMCA Stock Car

1. #26 Allen Bradley

Farmington, NM 284 Pts

2. #25L Nathan Lemons Aztec, NM -8

3. #16 Aaron Spangler Dove Creek, CO -58

4. #07 Mark Rogers Farmington, NM -70

5. #03 Darell Cordary Hesperus, CO -74

Allen Bradley: 0 Wins, 6 Top-5s, 8 Top-10s, 8 Starts

IMCA Hobby Stock

1. #6 Ryan Greenwood Aztec, NM 255 Pts

2. #33 Jason Duggins Farmington, NM -41

3. #1 Hunter Ferrell Bayfield, CO -52

4. #06 Kaison Zufelt Hesperus, CO -124

5. #93 Leon Shim Kirtland, NM -157

Ryan Greenwood: 0 Wins, 5 Top-5s, 8 Top-10s, 8 Starts

2022 FINAL POINTS STANDINGS

Hobby Stock

1. #69 George Baisden Milan, NM 206 Pts 2. #XX Clyde Boardwine Grants, NM -23 3. #01 Ariel Bonesteel Albuquerque, NM -92 4. #038 Leo Antonio Grants, NM -126 5. #33 Dennis Cousins Kirtland, NM -132

Stock Car

1. #42D Donny Carey Gallup, NM 169 Pts 2. #42 Andy Goodenough Gallup, NM -3 3. #95 Aaron Wheeler Grants, NM -57 4. #96x Herman Garcia Espanola, NM -85 5. #27N Nathaniel Cruz Grants, NM -106

X-Mods

1. #25c Cory Polen Grants, NM 198 Pts 2. #24 Scott Morlang Grants, NM -46 3. #17 Chris Morlang Grants, NM -77 4. #7s Hunter Sandy Albuquerque, NM -98 5. #5 Jake Darby Grants, NM -118

A-Mods

1. #81J Jay Niver

Show Low, AZ 138 Pts 2. #7s Hunter Sandy Albuquerque, NM -41 3. #M17 Rob Moseley Los Lunas, NM -65 4. #27 Jacob Pape Bosque Farms, NM -78 5. #90 Trevor Steed Eagar, AZ -90

NOW 600 Micro Sprint

1. #11T Jerry Campbell Gallup, NM 87 Pts 2. #11 Brandon Martin Gallup, NM -13 3. #51 Joshua Huish Farmington, NM -24 4. #21 Caleb Stelzig Albuquerque, NM -43 5. #22T Robert Turner Albuquerque, NM -51

Zoom Zoom

Southwest Motorsport (SWMS), New Mexico’s oldest and largest sports car road racing series, ended their sev en-race weekend series on October 22-23 with an event featuring the Spec Miata division. The SWMS Miata Mayhem event was held on the road course at Sandia Speedway in Albuquerque. On any given race weekend, SWMS has four race groups racing including Contem porary and Vintage sports cars, Shifter Karts, and the fun, affordable, and growing Spec Miata division. Spec Miata cars are production vehicles, modified for safety, with very limited modifications to the Mazda production engines.

The racing was fast and furious at the 2022 Miata May hem event. Sponsored by University Mazda, Car Craft ers, and Travers Mechanical, the main event race was won by road course ace Mike Travers, followed closely by John Colbert in second, and Bryan Grandin, a new Spec Miata racer, in third. Colbert, in his fifth year racing with SWMS, took home the 2022 SWMS Spec Miata season championship on the strength of consistent race finishes including one main event victory, and a total of ten topthree finished in the thirteen races held during the 2022 season.

SWMS Ends 2022 Season with Miata Mayhem Race

The SWMS Spec Miata race group, which typically had ten drivers participating during the 2021 season, saw the addition of two full-time racers joining the group during 2022. Four additional racers bought cars at the end of the 2022 season. SWMS now expects over fifteen Spec Miata cars and drivers competing for the championship in the upcoming 2023 season.

The other SWMS champions in 2022 were Andrew San ford in the Contemporary division, Gordon Self in the Vintage division, and young Gabe Cahan in the Shifter Kart division.

For more info on Spec Miata or other SWMS divisions, visit www.SWMS.org........Zoom, Zoom!

Simple. Fair. Easy.

Drag racing on nitro is a big game changer in the sport of drag racing itself. No other type of racing requires maintaining control of the extreme violent attitude towards the American drag race. Just the nitromethane (nitro) fuel itself has the potential to create nearly a 3 times multiplication in the power made by the specifically designed nitro burning power plant. Competing and maintaining safety in this extreme genre of drag racing requires de vout dedication to a scientific approach that includes acquiring technical data down to the fraction of a second on every pass.

Local drag racing guru, Lyle Greenberg, has been drag racing cars for most of his life. Lyle has graduated to his current Hot Rod version of the somewhat now famed “Cone Hunter” name to the “Nitro Cone Hunter”. Lyle has put together an extremely competitive nitro racing team on what some may call a limited amount of resource. Just about five short years ago Lyle made the decision to enter the super competitive, Nitro Nostalgia, AA fuel, Funny Car (F/C) racing competition. And in the 2022 season has won two of the most iconic and competitive Nitro Nos talgia F/C events in the world!

When Lyle decided to go nitro racing he made the decision to do it in such a manner that he would concentrate on not hurting as much equip ment as most nitro teams do in the nostalgia F/C genre. When he and the Cone Hunter team headed west to the hugely famed “March Meet” event, Lyle chose the Nitro Pro Comp, 5.90 second index class, for the 1/4 mile race. This ended up a smart choice as Lyle and the team nailed the combination to win the iconic event with a series of high 5.00 and low 6.00 second passes.

(Story continues on Pg. 20)

After traveling back to the Cone Hunter shop here in Albuquerque, the team had two short weeks off to prepare the car for a totally different combination and set up. The following week was the big time 1/8th mile “run what you brung” mentality of the ever popular “Funny Car Chaos” event in Ennis Texas, at the famed Texas Motorplex.

58 Funny Cars from all over the country came to compete in this all out, virtually unlimited Funny Car event. Lyle and the team once again found themselves in the final with Dexter Tuttle’s “Nitro Bandit” contemporary “Big Show” F/C, but the “Nitro Bandit” team could not get the car ready in time and Lyle won the event with a bye-run. Lyle’s best run in the event was a 3.72 ET @ 202 MPH for the eighth mile.

It’s been a wild and successful season for our awesome nitro home team! I am personally thankful for being able to make the final couple of races for the Cone Hunter this year. “The Night of Fire and Thunder” in Denver at the incredibly awesome Bandimere Speedway, (thanks Ronnie Kohrt!) where Lyle set the quickest ET of the meet at 5.83 seconds and his personal best MPH of 246! That’s right! I said the quickest car at the event..period! Then it was back home here in Albuquerque, to our vintage home track “Albuquerque Dragway” where Lyle set the quickest ET ever recorded by a nitro car at the facility, at 6.46 seconds!!

A big congratulations goes out from all of us here at the NM Motorsports Report to the whole Cone Hunter team for an incredible 2022 season!

Story & Photos From Pg. 19 by Scott Welch, ScottWelchPhoto.com

WORLDOFOUTLAWSCROWNS3CHAMPIONSINCHARLOTTE

BySpencerHill Photos by World of Outlaws / WHM Photography

As fireworks erupted over the skies of Concord, North Carolina above The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway, three champions elevated their resumes and etched their names deeper into the history books of the greatest show on dirt.

Grass Valley, California’s Brad Sweet was able to capture his fourth straight World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series title (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022), while Matt Shep pard secured his second straight and ninth Super Dirtcar Series title (2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022). Perhaps the highlight of the year would come from Carpentersville, IL native, Dennis Erb Jr. who was able to earn his first career World of Outlaws CASE Construction Late Model Series championship.

NOS ENERGY DRINK SPRINT CAR SERIES

Brad Sweet and his Kasey Kahne Racing No. 49 team en tered the final weekend of the season just 16 points above David Gravel in one of the closest championship title races that the series has seen in some time. With points being so close, it made for cutthroat action every time cars hit the track. For Sweet, the clinch scenario was as simple as stay ing ahead of the No. 2 car all weekend long, which he was successfully able to do all three nights by finishing third on Thursday and Friday and fifth on Saturday.

Although it wasn’t the season he had hoped for in the wins column, Sweet’s team showed that perseverance pays off in a season with nearly 100 races. Sweet ended the year +48 to Gravel with 5 wins (1st season victory coming at Vado Speedway Park), 41 top fives and 59 top tens.

“It’s pretty surreal honestly,” Sweet said. “To grow up around this sport… to get one… it feels like it’s flashed by really quick. I don’t know why that is because it’s been a lot of hard work out here on the road. But every year it just goes by quick and is a lot of work. To sit back and think four in a row, I just would have never imagined to really string something like that together. But this team is pretty unreal because we didn’t even have that good of a year and we’re still champions. I think that says a lot about the resil ience of my race team.”

CASE CONSTRUCTION LATE MODEL SERIES

Dennis Erb Jr’s previous best finish in the season stand ings was fourth, which he collected twice in his career. The 50-year-old wouldn’t be denied in 2022, however, as he won his first career championship in dominating fashion in a career-best performance. Mathematically, Erb had nothing to freight as he entered the gates of Charlotte as he had already clinched the title prior to World Finals. For Erb though, there was nothing better than finally standing tall on the stage hoisting the championship trophy after a season-high four wins, 21 top fives and 33 top tens.

Another highlight behind the story of Erb’s season was that he was able to also bring his one and only crew member, crew chief Heather Lyne her first ever series title. Lyne also officially became the first ever female crew chief to win a national motorsports championship in North America.

“It feels really good,” Erb said. “It’s great actually. All the hard work and running up and down the road. A great season this year. Just running good and running up front, being able to win this now and being able to knock a check list of things I want to do, it’s a great feeling.”

SUPER DIRTCAR SERIES

Much like Erb, Waterloo, New York native, Matt Sheppard, entered the weekend with his second-straight champi onship already secured after winning the illustrious 50th annual Super DIRT Week Big Block Modified title earlier this season.

Although Sheppard’s No. 9s suffered mechanical issues during World Finals weekend, he was still able to collect 7 series wins, 13 top fives, and 15 top 10s in the 2022 season.

“It’s a testament to this team and how good we were all sea son long,” said Sheppard who got to take home the $60,000 championship check. “When you’re having as good of a year as we’ve had, get some big wins, that ninth champion ship is definitely special.”

Force, Capps Capture Nitro Titles On Final Day Of 2022 NHRA Season

rooting for her. I hope she’s the champ. We shot ourselves in the foot a long time ago. We didn’t peak at the right time of the year. I thought we dug ourselves out of the hole, but we jumped right back in it at Dallas.”

By Susan Wade Photos Courtesy NHRA

Improbable finishes in the NHRA’s Camping World Drag Racing Series gave Brittany Force and Ron Capps come-frombehind championships at the 2022 Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, Calif.

The Nov. 13 finale ended Steve Torrence’s four-year Top Fuel reign and dealt a disappointing blow to Robert Hight and his bid for a fourth Funny Car title. Pro Stock’s Erica Enders already had clinched her fifth championship, and Pro Stock Motorcycle’s Matt Smith claimed his sixth. It marked the first time in the sport’s history that two women shared the champions’ podium.

Five years ago, Torrence was be yond perturbed when he watched the Top Fuel championship slip

through his grasp and go to Force, who benefited from the sanctioning body’s points manipulation. This time, his iron grip loosened gradu ally as he spent the regular season experimenting for the Countdown to the Championship. On the eve of eliminations, Torrence surpris ingly declared, “Brittany Force has kicked our butts all year long. I’m

Force had dug herself in a hole by Dallas, too, starting the Countdown with four straight second-round defeats. She rebounded with a vic tory at Las Vegas to regain the lead. At the Finals, first-round losses by closest challengers Justin Ashley and Mike Salinas sealed the deal for her. She became the second wom an (behind Shirley Muldowney) to earn more than one Top Fuel championship. Force joined Enders and Angelle Sampey (Pro Stock Motorcycle) as the fourth woman to win multiple titles.

Capps capitalized on eight-time winner Hight’s tire-smoking sec ond-round loss to ensure his third series championship, first as a team

owner, and second in a row. Hight fell short by three points. It was the first time in 20 years a Funny Car racer has scored back-to-back titles, since John Force won in 2001-2002.

Enders secured her fifth Pro Stock championship at the previous race, at Las Vegas, capping her “No More Nice Erica” campaign. But in the final round at Pomona, nemesis Greg Anderson beat her for his class-record 101st victory. He hit the 100-victory plateau in Septem ber at the U.S. Nationals at India napolis.

Smith led the bike standings throughout the final four races for his third consecutive title.

By John Haverlin Photos Courtesy Formula 1

It’s been Max Verstappen’s world, and we’re all just living in it.

The 25-year-old Dutchman repeated as Formula 1 world champion in 2022 after winning his maiden title last season. He and the Red Bull Racing team swept the Driver’s and Constructor’s Championships with the help of Mexican veteran Sergio Perez, who fin ished third in the standings.

It marked the first time since 2013 that Red Bull and one of its drivers took both titles on the F1 grid. It was last done when Sebastian Vettel clinched his fourth consecutive championship with the team in his penul timate season with it before his move to Ferrari.

Verstappen won 15 of the 22 Grands Prix and finished 146 points ahead of runner-up Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc. After winning the Constructor’s Champion

ship for eight straight seasons, Mercedes took an un expected step back and finished third in the standings. In his first season with the team, George Russell won his first race at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix but finished behind both Red Bull drivers and Leclerc in points.

Lewis Hamilton finished sixth in the standings and failed to win a race during the season for the first time in his 16-year career. Statistically, it was the worst sea son he’s ever had, as he never secured a pole, finished outside the top five in points for the first time, and led a career-low 46 laps throughout the year.

Looking ahead to 2023, the grid will have a drasti cally different appearance. Vettel has announced his retirement from F1, and Fernando Alonso will take his place at Aston Martin. Pierre Gasly will take over Alonso’s seat at Alpine, and Daniel Ricciardo will reunite with Red Bull to be the team’s reserve driver. McLaren will replace Ricciardo with incoming rookie Oscar Piastri, who won the 2021 Formula 2 title.

Nico Hulkenberg will return to full-time competi tion as he pairs with Kevin Magnussen at Haas. Mick Schumacher and Nicholas Latifi will not be on the grid, and for the first time since Alexander Rossi’s brief stint in 2015, the United States will have repre sentation in motorsports’ top series as Logan Sargeant joins the Williams team.

F1 set TV viewership records again this season in the U.S., as ratings were up 28% from 2021. Next year, the series will have three races in the States: Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas.

Through Chaotic IndyCar Silly Season, Alex Palou Resolves His Career’s Future

By John Haverlin, TheCircuitJournal.com

Team Penske continued its winning ways in 2022. Josef Newgarden, Scott McLaughlin, and champion ship victor Will Power won nine of the series’ 17 races and occupied three of the top-four places in the standings when all was said and done.

Six-time champion Scott Dixon was the lone non-Penske driver to finish in the top four. The Chip Ganassi Racing veteran won two races and one pole award, while his teammate Marcus Ericsson won his first Indianapolis 500.

Sounds like a typical IndyCar season, right? Statistically, it was nothing out of the ordinary. But away from the track, there was much controversy surrounding Ga nassi, Arrow McLaren SP, and 2021 IndyCar champion Alex Palou.

It started with a statement on July 12 from Ganassi which said Palou would return to the team in 2023. About three hours later, Palou denied the statement and said the quotes used in the team press re lease were inaccurate. Shortly after, McLaren announced Palou to a deal that would begin in 2023.

Gentlemen,startyourlawsuits.

Ganassi opened a civil lawsuit against Palou and his management

team. The complaint said Palou was signed with Ganassi through 2023, but Palou wanted to pursue a different opportunity with McLar en, thinking it could lead to a seat in F1.

Palou continued to race with Ga nassi, despite being sued by his em ployer. Meanwhile, Alexander Ros

si signed with AMSP for 2023, and Patricio O’Ward would be retained to continue his IndyCar career. Felix Rosenqvist’s future became uncertain. He wanted to remain with AMSP, but it was looking less likely as Palou’s potential entrance to the team would make the Swed ish driver the odd man out.

AMSP knew it would expand to three full-time cars in 2023. With two seats taken, who would get the third? The idea of Rosenqvist de parting IndyCar and returning for a second stint in Formula E seemed plausible as McLaren was acquir ing Mercedes’ team in the electric racing series.

Palou won the finale at Laguna Seca for Ganassi and embraced his team owner in Victory Lane. The Spanish driver announced that he would race for Ganassi in 2023 after all but does plan to join

McLaren eventually. He ran a practice session for McLaren’s F1 team at the United States Grand Prix in October, and he is expected to join McLar en’s IndyCar team in 2024.

Rosenqvist will stay with AMSP in 2023. All-in-all, nothing around Palou’s situa tion changed during the twomonth legal saga. A whole unusual bunch of nothing, wasn’t it?

SEASON REVIEW

Joey Logano Becomes 17th Multi-time NASCAR Cup Champion

By Dominic Aragon, TheRacingExperts.com Photos By The Racing Experts, NASCAR

Joey Logano’s victory in the Cup Series Championship race Sunday (Nov. 6) at Phoenix Raceway secured the Team Penske driver his second championship in NASCAR’s premier series.

Logano, driver of the No. 22 Ford Mustang, became the first driv er since Kyle Busch to earn more than one title (2015 and 2019). Logano previously won the champion ship in 2018.

“Man, I can’t say enough about this race team,” Logano said. “They just grind it out. They’re so amazing, Paul Wolfe, everybody that puts so much time and effort into the last few weeks. “And not just this 22 team, this goes so much deeper when you think of Roush Yates Engines and the motor that’s in this bad boy. You think of everyone at Ford, all the employ ees at Shell and Pennzoil, everyone that’s supported me. It’s been 10 years with Shell, and to get a couple championships and 31 wins is special.”

Logano posted four points-awarding wins in 2022 (Dar lington, Gateway, Las Vegas and Phoenix). The title was team owner Roger Penske’s third in NASCAR Cup Series competition. Team Penske won the title in 2018 with Logano and Brad Keselowski in 2012.

Logano’s crew chief, Paul Wolfe, earned his second title as a Cup Series crew chief, winning the 2012 title with Kesel owski.

“A lot has happened in those 10 years for sure,” Wolfe said. “A lot has changed. Different driver, totally different car. The racing is totally different in my eyes from what it was back then.

“It’s almost like that happened in my second year in Cup racing; it’s almost like I didn’t know better, didn’t un derstand how difficult it really was to compete for a championship in this series with the best teams and drivers.”

Herb Thomas was the first driver in NASCAR history to become a multi-champion, win ning titles in 1951 and 1953.

SEASON REVIEW

Ty Gibbs Becomes 32nd Xfinity Series Champion

By Dominic Aragon, TheRacingExperts.com Photos By The Racing Experts

By winning the Xfinity Series Championship Race Saturday, Ty Gibbs became the 32nd champion of the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Gibbs led the field on seven occasions for 125 of the 200 laps, besting the trio of JR Motorsports drivers.

“We made some good moves,” Gibbs said “Me and the 7 (Justin Allgaier) were racing really hard.

“Hopefully we put on a good show for you fans, thank you for all of what you guys do.”

Gibbs is the fourth different champion in the last four years. The last driver to win back-to-back titles was Tyler Reddick (2018 and 2019).

The other Championship 4 drivers — Noah Gragson, Justin Allgaier and Josh Berry — finished second, third, and 13th respectively.

Since the series’ inception in 1982, nine drivers have won the Xfinity Series title twice, the most all time.

SEASON REVIEW

Zane Smith Earns Truck Title in Third Championship 4 Appearance

By Jonathan Fjeld, TheRacingExperts.com Photos By The Racing Experts

In both 2020 and 2021, Zane Smith left Phoenix Race way with a runner-up finish in the NASCAR Truck Se ries championship and no plans set up for the following year.

wall in turn 3.

Pit stops put Zane in 11th, behind championship competi tor Ben Rhodes who put on two tires, as well as Ty Majeski and Chandler Smith who put on four, for the restart with 10 to go.

On the restart, in turn 3, Zane made a four-wide move on Chandler Smith that vaulted him toward a run for the front that put him in second. Majeski battled Zane for the position but didn’t survive, as he spun and hit the wall with two to go.

Zane took the lead from 3rd on the overtime restart with a quick move on Ben Rhodes. On the final lap, Rhodes tried a last-ditch move on the final lap but came up in second as Zane Smith cruised to his first Truck championship with Chandler Smith in third and Ty Majeski in fourth for the championship.

Zane Smith is the 20th different champion in NASCAR’s Truck Series. He’s also the 12th and final Camping World/ Gander Outdoors Truck champion.

After his runner-up championship finish, Chandler Smith will move up to the NASCAR Xfinity Series and race the Kaulig Racing No. 16 Chevrolet in 2023.

No official plans have been announced for Ben Rhodes and Ty Majeski in 2023.

This year, Smith leaves Phoenix with a championship to de fend and some Cup and Xfinity starts in 2023, as he finally broke through Friday night to claim his first NASCAR Truck Series championship.

Smith bested Chandler Smith, Ben Rhodes and Ty Majeski for the championship. He led the championship for 119 of 154 laps in the overtime-extended Lucas Oil 150 finale at Phoenix Raceway.

Zane Smith won both stages, led a race-high 77 laps and comfortably led with 15 laps to go in regulation. Then, a caution fell for Hailie Deegan blowing a tire and hitting the

SEASON REVIEW

Wrapping Up the WIld 2022 NASCAR Season

By Jonathan Fjeld, TheRacingExperts.com Photos By The Racing Experts

The 2022 NASCAR season is over and three champions have been crowned.

Joey Logano fulfilled his 13-year ascension from fiery freshman at age 19 to full-fledged veteran with his second Cup championship at age 32.

At just one year older than Logano was as a Cup rookie, Ty Gibbs used a Logano-esque brand of tact to harness his overflowing, competitive fire into a farewell Xfinity title.

Zane Smith bid farewell to uncertainty with the 2022 Truck title and Cup, Xfinity and Truck plans for 2023 – in contrast to 2021 when he faced unemployment after his second narrow title loss.

Late model ace Josh Berry lost out on the 2022 Xfinity title but not his future. He’s locked in for his 2023 JRM ride after a strong title attempt that included a Round of 8 win at Las Vegas.

Midwest short track phenom Ty Majeski clinched a Championship 4 spot in his first full-time NASCAR season that came after five part-time years. Majeski secured that with his first two NASCAR wins in the threerace Round of 8.

No one stole a spot – or the show – better than off-season watermel on farmer Ross Chastain. Chastain’s now-coined “Hail Melon” move snagged a Championship 4 spot from Denny Hamlin at the Martinsville cutoff race.

Although none of three drivers wrapped up the title in 2022, they joined series mainstays Chase Elliott (Cup), Justin Allgaier (Xfinity) and Ben Rhodes (Trucks) and young drivers Christopher Bell, Noah Gragson and Chandler Smith in representing how competitive NASCAR is, especially in Cup.

Bell was one of four Cup drivers to earn their first top-10 points finish, in 3rd. The other three – Chastain (2nd), Chase Briscoe (9th) and Dan iel Suarez (10th) – all earned their first win in 2022 and were among five first-time winners that also included Tyler Reddick and Austin Cindric.

Overall, the Cup Series had a record-tying 19 different winners, not in cluding Brad Keselowski, Martin Truex Jr., and Ryan Blaney who failed to win for the first time since 2010, 2014 and 2016, respectively.

The new Gen 7 car elevated Trackhouse’s Chastain and Suarez, Richard Childress Racing’s Reddick and Austin Dillon, RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher and 23XI Racing’s Bubba Wallace and Kurt Busch.

Kurt and Kyle Busch are among the biggest silly-season moves as Red dick will replace Kurt at 23XI while Kyle will replace Reddick at RCR.

As Ty Gibbs replaces Kyle Busch in 2023, he’ll be embraced with open arms after unexpectedly losing his father, Coy, the night after winning the Xfinity title. Grace will be more than adequate for Ty as his life has changed since his last race.

Some grace may also be in order for NASCAR as they aim for a safer Gen 7 car that races better on short tracks and road courses amid driver feedback on the safety and fan feedback on the racing.

Joining the competition in 2023 will be rookies Gibbs and Gragson, as well as second-chance drivers A.J. Allmendinger and Ryan Preece.

USAC CROWNS THREE CALIFORNIA CHAMPS

By Spencer Hill

By WHMphotography

The United States Auto Club recently crowned their newest champions across its premier divisions for 2022. Justin Grant was able to claim his first career USAC AMSOIL Sprint Car National Championship while Buddy Kofoid and Kody Swanson each collected another title to add to their impressive careers in the USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget Series and USAC Silver Crown division.

AMSOIL Sprint Car National Champion: Justin Grant

After cover a decade of trying, Ione, California’s Justin Grant finally captured his first USAC National Sprint Car Championship in 2022 while becoming just the 14th driver in history to earn both a USAC National Sprint Car and Silver Crown title in their career (2020).

The 31-year-old had quite the season in route to his title run as Grant was also secured the 2022 Indiana Sprint Week title, arguable the most prestigious accomplishment in non-wing sprint car racing. The 2010 rookie of the year was also able to get Rochester, Indiana’s TOPP Motorsports their first career championship for the lon gest-tenured pairing of team and driver currently on the USAC tour, being together since the 2018 season. Together, they have won 26 times and rank the 5th highest team/driver pairing in series history.

“We’ve spent the last couple of years working really hard trying to

become a championship caliber team,” Grant explained. “Hiring (crew chief) “Paul Bunyan” Dylan Cook was huge, and we didn’t have a single DNF all year. I went to work pretty hard on myself trying to keep myself mentally sharp and keep my head in the game and in the right spot. (TOPP Motorsports owner) Kevin Birchmeier gives us everything we need go out and compete every night. We have plenty of fast cars and plenty of spares and there’s so many who contribute to this operation to make it possible for us to be prepared and ready to race as we are.”

Grant finished the season with 6 victories, 37 top tens, and zero DNFs in 39 starts. Grant also joined Logan Seavey as the only driver to compete in every event across the three national series.

Photos

As Penngrove, California’s Michael “Buddy” Kofoid busted off for the feature at Merced Speedway, he officially clinched his second consecutive USAC National Midget Championship for his Keith Kunz-Curb-Agajanian No. 67 team.

In true Kofoid fashion, he wasn’t content without ending the season on a high note although the title was already wrapped up as he capped things off with his 13th win of the season at Merced Speed way and nearly winning the season-ending Turkey Night Grand Prix at Ventura Raceway before getting upside down on the back straightaway.

“It was kind of fun,” Kofoid admitted after his win at Merced. “I don’t want to say falling back is fun but having to dig your way out and finding something is kind of satisfying. I’d love to win it 10 times out of 10 running the cushion like that.”

With his win at Merced, Kofoid also notched his 22nd career USAC National Midget victory, which ties him with series champions Tom Bigelow, Bobby East and Shorty Templeman for 27th on the all-time win list for the series.

Kody Swanson of Kingburg, California was able to capture his seventh career USAC Silver Crown National Championship in 2022, making him just the third driver in USAC history to have that many titles in a single division along with A.J. Foyt between 1960-1979 and Mel Kenyon between 1964-1985.

Swanson is also the first driver in series history to wheel the No. 1 car to this accomplishment. Swanson competed for Doran Racing as well as Chris Dyson Racing in his 2021 title run, and this year, the two teams combined for an effort with Swanson to form Doran-Dys on Racing with one goal in mind: share the glory of a series title together. In a combination effort unheard of in prior years, they also did so out of two different race shops as Doran provided the pave ment car while Dyson led the dirt track efforts.

Unlike years prior, Swanson came into the final 100-lap race of the season at Indianapolis Raceway Park at a deficit of -3 to Logan Seavey. After a dominating race for Swanson and a broken oil pump belt for Seavey, the checkered flag waved with Swanson winning the title by 41 points over Seavey.

“We struggled at the beginning of the year; it was just kind of the way it went,” Swanson recalled. “We didn’t have the dirt race finishes that we wanted, and it was the same with the pavement. We strug gled at Madison, but we got hot there in that stretch of summer to resurrect it, but I hate that I made an error at Eldora and almost gave it all away.”

In all, Swanson finished the year off with 3 wins, 8 top fives and 10 top tens in 12 starts.

NOS ENERGY DRINK MIDGET NATIONAL CHAMPION: BUD DY KOFOID

SILVER CROWN NATIONAL CHAMPION: KODY SWANSON

A

Q&A WITH OWNER, GIL CHAVEZ QUESTIONS

BY DAVID SWOPE

Dave - Would give us a short synopsis of how much the private security business has changed in the last couple years? I always think of security guards when I think of private security.

Gil - I am retired law enforcement from the Albuquerque Police Department and over the last 25 -30 years private security has in high demand for a couple of reasons. The manning levels of the police department have stayed the same with no increase of officers on the streets and being able to handle all the calls.

The volume of citizen’s calls that come from alarm compa nies, calls from citizens who are requesting police response for things like a trespasser or something suspicious in the area have not changed. Those type of calls which the police department labeled a priority three call. They didn’t have a great response to them before but it’s almost non-existent now. It could take hours before the police will respond to those priority three calls. They’ve kind of had to shift their response to higher prior ity calls like the priority zero calls where life-threatening situations need a police response. So, that’s where private security has changed, and the need is now greater from the public in Albuquerque. I am not putting down the police depart ment, they are spread too thin. We are here to fill in the areas that they can’t get to.

Dave – It also sounds like you might be limited on per sonnel, especially trained and experienced personnel. How do you staff your business to handle all the calls?

Gil - Here with AOP Security, we have gone beyond an on-site standing security guard and security guard patrols by also offering high-tech security surveillance equipment that creates a perimeter around a commercial building. It alerts our 24/7 dispatch center for a potential break in or a trespass situation. The system has an intercom system that allows our dispatchers to give out a verbal notice and let the person who’s trespassing, letting them know that they are being watched and recorded. Depending on what the

individual or individual do then create a response from our Patrol Team to that location. We can surveil a property with technology, watching multiple locations with stateof-the-art perimeter alerts that give us a notice only when they have been penetrated. This allows us to dispatch an appropriate response.

Dave - So, Albuquerque crime has continued to go up, property crime, specifically for businesses. You can see somebody outside the property that you know trying to break in? You just described the ability to have a speaker and communicate with that person, different than surveil lance cameras capturing a crime for future litigation should the perpetrator be caught. Other security companies seem

to use cameras to use after the fact to try and catch a crim inal versus the ability of you to stop something before it happens, Is that accurate?

Gil - Right, basically that’s like that. We try to be pro active in preventing crime. We’re trying to catch the events before they break into the building so that we can start a response. A lot of surveillance companies will install the equipment, alarm systems and surveillance cam eras. If you already know you have a trespassing problem or have a breaking problem and you put the cameras up there, all you’re doing is seeing it. There’s nothing there to try to prevent that break-in. A lot of surveillance companies, that’s what they do. They’re going to put a camera system up and you’re going to be able to watch the event and hopefully you collect enough evidence to be able to give to the police. Now, you have a good sur veillance system that has a high-end quality video, that’s it.

AOP Security provided security services for the Hooter’s Halloween Spooktacular Car Show and is the on-going alarm monitoring company for the Hooter’s locations in Albuquerque & Rio Rancho.

AOP Security and Gil Chavez can be reached at 505-8971307. 3636 Meanul Blvd. NE, Bldg. C Ste. 321, Albuquer que, NM 87110. AdvanceOSPS.com.

Teaching Automotive

By David Swope Photos Courtesy CNM Community College

We talk many times in this magazine and on the radio show about racing but not enough about mechanics. Some of us, talking specifically about me, are not gifted in the mechanical sciences (and magic arts) of getting a car to go fast. “You can’t go fast in a slow car,” said Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Ford Mustang for Stewart Hass Racing (SHR) in the NASCAR Cup Series. The engineers, mechanics and crew members are vital to a winning team. “The unfair advantage” described by Mark Donohue in his book by the same title provides insight into his journey in auto racing from amateur to professional including an Indy 500 victory for Roger Penske. Basically, Donohue described how superior preparation, engineering and mechanical precision can elevate an average team to a great team.

Greatness does not start overnight for most of us. Whether it is a class, a friend or in today’s world – YouTube – learn ing how to do something is taught, shared or by trial and error. The trades are so important and keep the world moving including the world of transportation.

“The Central New Mexico (CNM) Community College Automotive Program is based on six core values which are be caring, be connected, be courageous, be ethical, be exceptional and be inspiring. Those are our goals as far as a career in the automotive field,” said Curtis Garand, Trans portation Chair.

“That includes students that may have or may have not ever worked on a car, give them the opportunity to come in and do things to cars that they never thought that they could

do. We take the students with very little experience, some experience or whatever the case may be. We take them pretty much bumper to bumper through a car. By the time they graduate, we hopefully get them employed into the automotive career field. We are an ASE Automotive Service Excellence accredited training program. We also work with Snap-On through NC3 training, and the students will go through various courses.”

“In first term, they’re able to get a certificate in what we call Automotive Fundamentals which is an introduction to automotive basics including brakes, steering, suspension and electrical. In the second term, they will go into engine repair, automatic transmissions, manual transmissions and electronics. In third term, the term, they’ll graduate to engine performance, air conditioning and heating,” ex plains Garand. “Anybody familiar with ASE sees those are the eight areas in which that your certified as a technician when you get out in the field.”

Curtis Garand, AAS. Transportation Chair & Lead Au tomotive Instructor, ASE Master Technician, L3 Hybrid. CNM Community College. cgarand@cnm.edu.