NM Motorsports Report April 2017

new mexico

april 2017

Vo l # 2 i s s u e # 3

new mexico

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NASCAR

heads West... and it

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Report blimp is more than a goodyear

gets Wild the fuel that drives

Daniel SuĂĄrez

lucas oil drag boat racing Scott Welch, Motor Sports Photojournalist Š 2016/2017

G OT P L U M B I N G P R O B L E M S ?

Call the Exper ts.

341 Eubank ne albuquerque, nm 87123 (505) 293-9190 Toll Free (855) 411-YWPC WWW.YEARWOODPERFORMANCE.COM 2 NMMotorsportsReport.com

new mexico

march 2017 volume 2 issue 3

Nitrochondriac Story and photographs’s by: Scott Welch, Motor Sports Photojournalist ©2016/2017

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Publisher RaDine William, LLC

Editor Dominic Aragon

Design & Layout David Lansa DL Graphic Design

Photographers

Adam Mollenkopf w/ Dirt Racing Syndicate & Melons Photography Daniel “Matt” Courson David Swope Getty Images Scott Welch, Motor Sports Photojournalist, scottwelchphoto.com

Blimp is more than a Goodyear

By Stan Creekmore | Outside the Box StanCreekmore.com

Editorial Contributors

Daniel Suarez

By Isabel Gonzalez TheRacingExperts.com

IF YOU ARE INTO IT, WE ARE INTO IT! Whether it has 2 Wheels or 4, asphalt or Dirt track racing, off-roaD or park anD shine. We coVer it all The New Mexico Motorsports Report (NMMR) on ESPN Radio 101.7 FM, The TEAM, is hosted by David Swope every Saturday morning from 8am to 9am. The NMMR radio show focuses on motorsports and related automobile activities around the state and on the national scene each and every week. You are invited to get involved by calling 994-1017 during the show, e-mailing dswope@1017TheTEAM.com, following us on twitter @NMMReport and liking us on Facebook. Join in the fun with your comments on the topics and questions for the guests.

This is New Mexico’s only show devoted to motorsport related eVery saturDay 8am-9am activities with a full hour devoted to our passion. Podcasts of exclusiVely on 101.7 fm shows are available on demand at 1017TheTEAM.com. Check out our new website at NMMotorsportsreport.com.

WWW.1017theteam.com

Adam Mollenkopf David Swope Dominic Aragon Geoff Bodine Jim Costa Scott Welch, Motor Sports Photojournalist, scottwelchphoto.com Isabel Conzalez Stan Creekmore

Publication Sponsors

ABQ Dragway, Car Crafters NAPA Auto Parts, Unser Racing Museum Yearwood Performance, Amsoil Seductions, Maverick, Auto & Fabrication, CST Solar, Jackson Compaction

Cover Photo

Daniel “Matt” Courson, Daniel Courson Photography

NM Motorsports Report copyright 2017®. All contents of this magazine are copyrighted by NM Motorsports Report, alls rights reserved. Reproduction of any articles, advertisement or material from this issue is forbidden without permission of the publisher. Publisher assumes no responsibility and is not to be held liable for errors beyond the cost of the space occupied by advertisers.

NMMotorsportsReport.com • 3

Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing

Story and photographs’s by: Scott Welch, Motor Sports Photojournalist © 2016/2017

S

EMA 2016 was awesome as usual. I have been blessed to be invited as Media to the last seven SEMA shows. The show continues to grow and the 50Th anniversary was a true spectacle. So many things going on that it is impossible to see it all or even half for that matter. I had decided early on to wrap it up on Thursday this year, a day earlier than normal, to make the beautiful drive through Nevada, south into the Grand Canyon State for more beautiful noise and some wild and fast custom painted fiberglass at the Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series 2016 World Finals.

As I drove into north Phoenix I was starting to think about my remote ESPN interview coming up Saturday morning with my buddy Bryan Sanders, driver of the Tommy Thompson owned, Nitrochondriac Top Fuel Hydro. I text Bryan to let him know I was in town and would see him early in the morning for our meeting to discuss our interview Saturday morning with David Swope on ESPN’s, New Mexico Motorsports Report.

Fri. morning at the liquid speedway I picked up my credentials and headed to meet with Bryan at the Nitrochondriac pit. Owner: Tommy Thompson, Driver: Bryan Sanders, Crew Chief: Todd Haas and the awesome “Nitrochondriac” Top Fuel Hydro team had already sown up their first World Championship earlier in the season.

So the focus here was solely on winning drag boat racings most prestigious event, the World Finals. The team had pulled out the big nitro 4 NMMotorsportsReport.com

breathing HEMI, freshened it up and where in the final stages of installation back into the H20 dragster. I caught up with Bryan and was able to sit and discuss our plan for the NM Motorsports Report in the morning. He let me know that they had to be on the ramp at 2pm today for the first round of qualifications.

I made my rounds in the pits greeting everyone and getting the latest updates. The one consistent issue that stood out for all the race teams was that everyone is very concerned for Spirit of Texas Top Fuel Hydro Pilot, Scott Lumbert, since his tragic accident in Marble Falls. Everyone is racing in Scott’s honor this weekend. Bryan Sanders has Scott’s name on the capsule in support of him as well.

First round of qualifying proved to be in line with the season. The boat launched out nice and flat, planted, and crossed the finish line with a 3.5384 @ 250.54 MPH. Things are looking good. There would be no more runs till in the morning after our live remote.

Our interview went pretty well but with a couple of technical difficulties. David wanted Bryan and me to split up to insure no feedback on the air. I stayed in the Nitrochondriac racing lounge while Bryan headed over to Tommy’s trailer for our interview. Once I got on the air David tried to add the Champ and somehow disconnected

me. No worries, I called right back in and got back on the air. I felt we still did a decent job of the interview.

Now, it was back to qualifying. The crew was thrashing looking for an electrical problem. The motor would not fire. After about a half hour of testing they found the culprit. It was time to warm the beast for round 2 of qualifying. The big HEMI must be first warmed on methanol alcohol before the nitro methane is introduced into the fuel system or the motor could explode.

Experiencing this process is one of my favorite things about top fuel racing. Firing the motor on methanol makes around 3500 horsepower and is impressive enough on its own. But when the fuel valve is actuated and nitro hits the cylinders it goes immediately to 10,000 horsepower! It is simply incredible to be in the presence of this process. It’s not for everyone, but certainly for me. I dig it!

Round 2 of qualifying turns out great as well.

The setup is consistent and Bryan lays down a 3.4509 with a 255.21 MPH. Todd and crew have this thing dialed in and ready for competition.

The big day is here. Round 1 will be Bryan up against Lee Warren in the Whisky River 2 Top Fuel Hydro. Although Lee’s reaction time is slightly better than Bryan’s, Lee is no match for the Champ. The Nitrochondriac lays down what will be the best MPH pass of the weekend with a 3.4581 ET and 266.4236 MPH. Just a fraction

off Scott Lumbert/David Kirklands world record of 266.335 MPH! With that, it’s back to the pits for the preparation of Jarrett Silvey and the all new Speed Sports TFH. The Semi’s turn out another win for Bryan and the Nitrochondriac team. Jarrett has problems right away. Lucky for the team because it turns out to be the slowest pass of the weekend at 3.6514 ET @ only 240.65 MPH. It will be Mike Robbins in the Nitro Nuts TFH against Bryan in the final showdown.

It has been a fantastic season for Tommy Thompson and the Notrochondriac Top Fuel Hydro team. Not only have they won the World Championship but they have also set the ET record at 3.38 seconds. No matter what happens, it’s been a successful season. Now comes what we have all waited for all weekend, The Top Fuel Final. Bryan has lane choice and stays with the inside. The cackle of the nitro beasts begins, the lids close, and they’re off! Once again the Todd Haas prepared Nitrochondriac TFH dominates and crosses the finish line the victor. A 3.4600 ET and 260.28 MPH wins the World Finals!

Congrats to Tommy Thompson, Bryan Sanders, Todd Haas, and the entire Nitrochondiraic Top Fuel Hydro racing team for a stellar season. And thank you all for your kindness for allowing me to be a part of it all!

LucasOilDragBoats.com and MAVTV

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Weekly Racing Series, Saturday, July 22, 2017 Summer Sizzle, Friday-Saturday, July 28-29, 2017.

Weekly Racing Series, Saturday, August 5, 2017 Weekly Racing Series, Saturday, August 12, 2017 Weekly Racing Series, Saturday, August 19, 2017 Weekly Racing Series, Saturday, August 26, 2017 USAC vs. NMMRA Non-Wing Labor Day Fling, Saturday-Sunday, September 2-3, 2017 Weekly Racing Series, Saturday, September 9, 2017 Weekly Racing Series, Saturday, September 16, 2017 Weekly Racing Series, Saturday, September 23, 2017 Southern New Mexico State Fair, Friday-Saturday, September 29-30, 2017 Monster Truck Madness, Friday-Saturday, October 6-7, 2017 18th Annual USRA Fall Nationals, Thursday-Sunday, October 19-22, 2017

29-April - Points 6-May - Points 13-May - Points May 27 - 28 Founders Day/Weekend 3-June - Points 10-June - Points 17-June - Points June 30 - July 1 Witten Warriors 8-July - Points 15-July - Points 22-July - Points 29-July - Points 5-August - Points 12-August USRA Show 26-August - Points 2-September - Points 9-September - Points 16-September - Final Points September 29-30 Last Race Weekend State road 605 north Milan, NM 87021

DIRECTIONS: I-40 TO EXIT 79, THEN 0.2 MILE NORTH, THEN 0.3 MILE WEST, THEN 2 MILES NORTH

Change your oil, Change a life.

2017 schedule

With each oil change participating NAPA Autocare Centers will be making a donation to the UNM Children’s Hospital,

4/8/2017 - Sandia Speedway Albuquerque NMMRA Sprints: NMMRA

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4/29/2017 - Sandia Speedway Albuquerque NMMRA Sprints: NMMRA

7/22/2017 - Sandia Speedway Albuquerque NMMRA Sprints: NMMRA

5/5/2017 - Fairgrounds Speedway Cortez,CO NMMRA Sprints: NMMRA

7/28/2017 - Fairgrounds Speedway Cortez,CO, NMMRA Sprints: NMMRA 7/29/2017 - Fairgrounds Speedway Cortez, CO, NMMRA Sprints: NMMRA

5/6/2017 - Fairgrounds Speedway Cortez, CO NMMRA Sprints: NMMRA

8/5/2017- Sandia Speedway Albuquerque NMMRA Sprints: NMMRA

5/13/2017 - Sandia Speedway Albuquerque NMMRA Sprints: NMMRA

8/19/2017 - Sandia Speedway Albuquerque NMMRA Sprints: NMMRA

6/10/2017 -Sandia Speedway Albuquerque NMMRA Sprints: NMMRA

Put your name on a Childrens Miracle Network Balloon to show your support at your favorite NAPA Auto Care Center

6/24/2017 - Sandia Speedway Albuquerque NMMRA Sprints: NMMRA

9/2/2017 - Southern New Mexico Speedway Las Cruces, NM, NMMRA Sprints: NMMRA with USAC Southwest

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7/1/2017- Roadrunner Speedway Carlsbad, NM , Tentative NMMRA Sprints: NMMRA

9/3/2017- Southern New Mexico Speedway Las Cruces, NM, NMMRA Sprints: NMMRA with USAC Southwest

7/2/2017- Roadrunner Speedway Carlsbad, NM , Tentative NMMRA Sprints: NMMRA

9/16/2017- Sandia Speedway Albuquerque NMMRA Sprints: NMMRA 10/14/2017- Sandia Speedway Albuquerque

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By Stan Creekmore | Outside the Box StanCreekmore.com

I

mage relaxing in your favorite lounge chair, washing away the pressures of your life and simply enjoying every moment of your life.

Then take a ride in the Goodyear Blimp.

Blimp

is More Than a

Goodyear

Sit in the seat of an airplane and feel the pressure of every move from take off to landing.

Sit in the seat of the Goodyear Blimp and enter total relaxation. If one were to close their eyes they might never notice as the Blimp glides from down on the ground to approximately 1000 feet above the earth.

The ride went east to the Atlantic Ocean from the New Smyrna airport and then turned south towards Cape Canaveral. The view of the beaches showed swimmers, dolphins, turtles and sharks – who were not very far away from the swimmers. The ride south stopped just before the NASA facilities, turned north, a provided a marvelous view of the Intercoastal area. A circle back around the airport then led to a touch down on the ground where riders exited as new riders entered.

The ride on the Goodyear Blimp was simply “Heaven on Earth”!

Goodyear shows appreciation to members of the media during the Daytona Speedweeks. offering up the rides to heaven.

The Blimp holds two pilots and eight passengers. The schedule calls for 12 rides over a two day period giving a maximum of 96 media a rare chance of a lifetime.

Simply amazing!

In addition to providing rides to the most fortunate. Goodyear uses the blimp to help provide overhead coverage of a variety of sports, including the racing at Daytona International Speedway.

FOX mounted a camera on the nose of the Blimp which will hovered over DIS on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A look from heaven above during the Can-Am qualifying races, the Camping World Truck Series race, the Xfiniity Series race and finally the prestigious Daytona 500.

In the weeks following the 500, the Blimp will be looking down over two major golfing events.

Once spring breaks and summer knocks on the door, the Blimp will head north up to the New York area where it will share space with its fellow brother Blimp, one based in Akron, Ohio. There is also a third Blimp based outside of Las Angeles California.

10 NMMotorsportsReport.com

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BuschvLogano

By David Swope NMMotorsportsReport@gmail.com

Round One

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ach year NASCAR makes its “West Coast Swing” in March. The young season only has completed two races by the time the drivers roll into Vegas. The 1.5 mile track at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway is the second track in two consecutive weeks at that distance but they could not be more different. What makes the Swing so interesting is that the teams often do not return home between the races with Vegas at 1.5 miles, Phoenix at 1 mile and Fontana at 2 miles in length, testing both the team’s preparation and resilience.

Should that test not be enough, Martinsville, which is a .5 mile is the first track after the Swing.

The Daytona 500 winner for 2017 was Kurt Busch with an improbable win after Chase Elliott had dominated the majority of the race. Elliott ran out of fuel as well as a couple other contenders in the final laps. Atlanta was dominated by Kevin Harvick until a late race penalty for speeding on pit lane was issued to him allowing Brad Keselowski to claim victory. Martin Truex won in Vegas, a race dominated by Brad Keselowski (suspension failure), and Ryan Newman won in Phoenix, a race dominated by Kyle Busch (blown tire on Logano allowed pit strategy to shuffle the field).

This theme of the dominating car not winning the race continued until Fontana when Kyle Larson won the pole on Friday, the XFINITY race on Saturday and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday. Jimmie Johnson is the only other driver to win from the pole at Auto Club Speedway and that was in 2008, coincidence Johnson won the Championship that year (not to get ahead of ourselves).

2017 saw a bunch of rule changes, starting with the Chase being changed to a Play-Off format. Points become more important as segment winners got Stage points and play-off points for running up front. The 5 minute repair clock also was introduced and saw favorites out of the Daytona 500 early and added to the stress on the teams and drivers. Stewart Haas Racing changing from Chevrolet to Ford was the biggest single team change but the Silly Season had new drivers, charters and team alliances.

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Toyota is off to a slow start as Ford won both of the first two races and with Chevrolet winning races 4 & 5, tensions are running high. Traditional top 10 drivers are out of the playoffs, if the season ended after the Auto Club 400 in Fontana. Toyota driver and 2015 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Champion Kyle Busch May have been feeling a little more pressure than anyone during the Kobalt 400.

The Vegas winner, Martin Truex, won both Stage 1 & 2 and eventually the race (Stage 3?) even though Brad Keselowski was the dominate car in Stage 3. It was a tactical race and might be considered boring by the casual fan. Kyle Busch struggled most of the day and came back from a pit lane speeding penalty that put him a lap down to a chance to win.

Coming out of turn 4 on the final lap, contact from Joey Logano sent Busch into pit lane and ended his day a lap down.

To the surprise of most people except Jeff Gluck who recorded the whole post-race incident on his cell phone, Busch went into Logano’s pit and took a swing at Joey’s face. Logano reported, “No punches landed, at least not on me.” Busch did come up from the bottom of the scrum with a bloody gash on his face. The “fight” lasted ten seconds with NASCAR officials holding Busch back and Logano sharing words. The Fight became the new topic for 2017 which may be a relief for NASCAR with sluggish TV ratings and attendance numbers.

Busch had little to say until Phoenix where he said five times, “Everything is great” following a meeting in the NASCAR Hauler with Logano, sincerity was lacking.

Tune-in Saturday morning 8am – 9am to the NM Motorsports Report on ESPN Radio 101.7FM or listen to our weekly Podcast at NMMotorsportsReport.com. We will keep you up to date including Busch v Logano, Round Two.

14 NMMotorsportsReport.com

Daniel Suarez

By Isabel Gonzalez TheRacingExperts.com

F “

amilia” and “Adrenalina” are the two things that fuel Daniel Suárez.

He may be classified as a rookie, but the Mexican-born driver is one to watch as he has already left his mark in the world of racing.

In 2015, his first year in the Xfinity Series, Suárez took home the Rookie of the Year award. The following year, he became the first foreignborn driver to win a NASCAR national series championship by claiming the title of 2016 NASCAR XFINITY Champion.

This year, Suárez was able to climb up the ladder when he got offered to take over the No. 19 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, following the retirement of Carl Edwards.

Suárez’s love for cars began way before he could get a driver’s license. His passion for motor vehicles was born in his father’s restoration shop, where the two would spend hours working together. Eventually climbing into the driver’s seat was a natural transition for Suárez.

At age 11, he began Go Karting as a hobby. It might have started out as a way to pass the time, but today, racing is clearly more than that. Mexico is not exactly known for racing, but this never mattered to him.

“I did every kind of sport,” he said. “But racing was the one I have always liked the most. Racing in general.”

There are several reasons for this, but the biggest one is the rush that can only be achieved behind the wheel. Suárez described the sport as having many “altibajos,” which means there are several ups and downs.

“My favorite part is probably the adrenaline,” he said. “You have to be mentally strong, you really do, because the adrenaline is pretty high most of the time.”

Like in any other career, some sacrifices have to be made in order to become successful.

Suarez was part of NASCAR Mexico but admits that the sport in his country and in the US are not very similar at all, in fact, they are “dos mundos totalmente diferentes.”

Although Suárez saw success in Mexico, he eventually decided that if he wanted to reach the top, he was going to have to move to a more competitive environment.

So at the age of 19, Suárez left the city of Monterrey, which is more well-known for soccer and baseball. He traveled about 1,500 miles to Charlotte, the center of NASCAR. Although it helped his career, the driver admitted that making the move was not easy to do.

Learning English proved to take quite a bit of effort. The driver speaks the language fluently now but he still feels more comfortable with his native tongue in many occasions, including interviews.

Another tough challenge for Suárez, perhaps the toughest, was having to live so far away from his family. However, at the end of the day, he knows he can count on their support.

Suárez said he feels everything has been worth it and that he is grateful for the opportunity of living his dream, which not many people get to do.

“Estoy muy contento de estar aquí,” he said, which is a non-English way of saying “I’m very happy to be here.”

NASCAR Coverage Your Top Source of Auto Racing News since 2010

#TheRacingExperts www.theracingexperts.net NMMotorsportsReport.com • 15

2017 NASCAR SCHEDULES

MARCH

MARCH

MARCH

Atlanta - Mar. 5 - FOX - 2:30 PM ET Las Vegas - Mar. 12 - FOX - 3:30 PM ET Phoenix - Mar. 19 - FOX - 3:30 PM ET Auto Club - Mar. 26 - FOX - 3:30 PM

Atlanta - Mar. 4 - FS1 - 1:30 PM ET Las Vegas - Mar. 11 - FS1 - 4 PM ET Phoenix - Mar. 18 - FOX - 4 PM ET Auto Club - Mar. 25 - FS1 - 4 PM ET

Atlanta - Mar. 4 - FS1 - 4:30 PM ET

APRIL Martinsville - Apr. 1 - FS1 - 2:30 PM ET

APRIL

APRIL

MAY

Martinsville - Apr. 2 - FS1 - 2 PM ET Texas - Apr. 9 - FOX - 1:30 PM ET Bristol - Apr. 23 - FOX - 2 PM ET Richmond - Apr. 30 - FOX - 2 PM ET

Texas - Apr. 8 - FOX - 1:30 PM ET Bristol - Apr. 22 - FS1 - 12:30 PM ET Richmond - Apr. 29 - FS1 - 12:30 PM ET

Kansas - May 12 - FS1 - 8:30 PM ET Charlotte - May 19 - FS1 - 8:30 PM ET

MAY

MAY

Talladega - May 7 - FOX - 2 PM ET Kansas - May 13 - FS1 - 7:30 PM ET Showdown - May 19 - FS1 - 6 PM ET All-Star Race - May 20 - FS1 - 6 PM ET Charlotte - May 28 - FOX - 6 PM ET

Talladega - May 6 - FOX - 1 PM ET Charlotte - May 27 - FS1 - 1 PM ET

JUNE Dover - Jun 4 - FS1 - 1 PM ET Pocono - Jun 11 - FS1 - 3 PM ET Michigan - Jun 18 - FS1 - 3 PM ET Sonoma - Jun 25 - FS1 - 3 PM ET

JULY Daytona - Jul. 1 - NBC - 7:30 PM ET Kentucky - Jul. 8 - NBCSN - 7:30 PM ET New Hampshire - Jul. 16 - NBCSN - 3 PM ET Indianapolis - Jul. 23 - NBC - 3 PM ET Pocono - Jul. 30 - NBCSN - 3 PM ET

AUGUST Watkins Glen - Aug. 6 - NBCSN - 3 PM ET Michigan - Aug. 13 - NBCSN - 3 PM ET Bristol - Aug. 19 - NBC - 7:30 PM ET

SEPTEMBER Darlington - Sep. 3 - NBCSN - 6 PM ET Richmond - Sep. 9 - NBCSN - 7:30 PM ET Chicagoland - Sep. 17 - NBCSN - 3 PM ET New Hampshire - Sept. 24 - NBCSN - 2 PM ET

OCTOBER Dover - Oct. 1 - NBCSN - 2 PM ET Charlotte - Oct. 7 - NBCSN - 7 PM ET Talladega - Oct. 15 - NBC - 2 PM ET Kansas - Oct. 22 - NBCSN - 3 PM ET Martinsville - Oct. 29 - NBCSN - 1 PM ET

NOVEMBER Texas - Nov. 5 - NBC - 2 PM ET Phoenix - Nov. 12 - NBC - 2:30 PM ET Homestead-Miami - Nov. 19 - NBC - 2:30 PM ET 16 16 NMMotorsportsReport.com NMMotorsportsReport.com

JUNE Dover - Jun 2 - FS1 - 5:30 PM ET Texas - Jun. 9 - FS1 - 8 PM ET Gateway - Jun. 17 - FS1 - 8:30 PM ET Iowa - Jun. 23 - FS1 - 8:30 PM ET

JUNE

JULY

Dover - Jun 3 - FS1 - 1 PM ET Pocono - Jun 10 - FOX - 1 PM ET Michigan - Jun 17 - FS1 - 1:30 PM ET Iowa - Jun 24 - FS1 - 8:30 PM ET Daytona - Jun. 30 - NBCSN - 7:30 PM ET

Kentucky - Jul. 6 - FS1 - 7:30 PM ET Eldora - Jul. 19 - FS1 - 9 PM ET Pocono - Jul. 29 - FS1 - 1 PM ET

JULY Kentucky - Jul. 7 - NBCSN - 8 PM ET New Hampshire - Jul. 15 - NBCSN - 4PM ET Indianapolis - Jul. 22 - NBCSN - 3:30 PM ET Iowa - Jul. 29 - NBC - 3:30 PM ET

AUGUST Watkins Glen - Aug. 5 - NBCSN - 2 PM ET Mid-Ohio - Aug. 12 - NBCSN - 3:30 PM ET Bristol - Aug. 18 - NBCSN - 7:30 PM ET Road America - Aug. 27 - NBC - 3 PM ET

SEPTEMBER Darlington - Sep. 2 - NBCSN - 3:30 PM ET Richmond - Sep. 8 - NBCSN - 7:30 PM ET Chicagoland - Sept. 16 - NBCSN - 3:30 PM ET Kentucky - Sep. 23 - NBCSN - 8 PM ET Dover - Sep. 30 - NBCSN - 3 PM ET

OCTOBER Charlotte - Oct. 6 - NBCSN - 8 PM ET Kansas - Oct. 21 - NBC - 3PM ET

NOVEMBER Texas - Nov. 4 - NBCSN - 8:30 PM ET Phoenix - Nov. 11 - NBC - 3:30 PM ET Homestead-Miami - Nov. 18 NBCSN - 3:30 PM ET

AUGUST Michigan - Aug. 12 - FS1 - 1 PM ET Bristol - Aug. 16 - FS1 - 8:30 PM ET

SEPTEMBER Canadian Tire - Sep. 3 - FS1 - 2:30 PM ET Chicagoland - Sep. 15 - FS1 - 8:30 PM ET New Hampshire - Sept. 23 - FS1 - 1 PM ET Las Vegas - Sep. 30 - FS1 - 8:30 PM ET

OCTOBER Talladega - Oct. 14 - FOX - 1 PM ET Martinsville - Oct. 28 - FS1 - 1:30 PM ET

NOVEMBER Texas - Nov. 3 - FS1 - 8:30 PM ET Phoenix - Nov. 10 - FS1 - 8:30 PM ET Homestead-Miami - Nov. 17 - FS1 - 8 PM ET

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d i atoR a R B J- 6400 2nd st. nw 44-1458 3 5 0 5 New & RecoNditioNed RadiatoRs custom Built RadiatoRs coppeR & BRass RadiatoRs Build to oRigiNal specs foR Hot Rods all alumiNum RadiatoRs foR Race caRs (custom Built & seveRal iN-stock)

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EVENT LISTING

NMCCC SPONSORED EVENTS MEMBER CLUB-SPONSORED EVENTS and OTHER NEW MEXICO EVENTS

FOUNDED IN 1977 TO REPRESENT THE AUTO HOBBY IN NEW MEXICO www.nmcarcouncil.com APRIL April 1 Smokin’ Oldies Show & Shine – Courthouse Park, Deming – Otis (575)4567798 April 2 Races – Arroyo Seco Raceway, Arroyo Seco – Roger (575)494-4794 www. arroyosecoraceway.com April 4 Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steak Burgers Cruise – 10201 Central NE, Albuquerque. Starts at 5:30pm – Get a free frozen custard – DJ music by Rockin’ Rob – Tips are appreciated – Joe Mascarenas 235-5900 April 8 Car Show for “Bridge the GAP” – Hope Christian High School, 8005 Louisiana Blvd. NE, Albuquerque – 9am-3pm – Entry $20/car – Open to all vehicles – Benefits Hope’s Annual Fund – misty10771@gmail.com April 18 Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steak Burgers Cruise – 10201 Central NE, Albuquerque. Starts at 5:30pm – Get a free frozen custard – DJ music by Rockin’ Rob – Tips are appreciated – Joe Mascarenas 235-5900

RESTORATION & CUSTOM SHOP General Fabrication• Repair & Service•Trailer Parts & Service Aftermarket Parts•A/C• Electrical Suspension•Upgrades•Modifications Custom Exhaust Work

April 21-22 14th Annual Ford Show – Alameda Park, Alamogordo – Open to Fords – Pat Stevenson (575)430-7216 April 22 Annual Spring Thaw Worldwide Automotive/Old Car Garage, 3322 Girard NE, Albuquerque Appointment is needed – Desiree at 881-2722 or wwauto@aol.com April 23 11th Annual Spring Cruise & Schmoose – Sonic Drive-In, 5000 San Mateo NE, Albuquerque – 10am- 3pm – No entry Fee – Dash Plaques, first 100 – Ron,Su,and Sheila

MAY May 7

324 INDUSTRIAL AVE. NE 505-244-1149 MILDTOWILDINC.COM MILDTOWILDINC@GMAIL.COM 18 NMMotorsportsReport.com

Route 66 Rodders Swap Meet – Morris Field, Los Lunas – Details available later – Save the date May 8 Driving Divas All Woman Car Shine & Show – Fastinos (between Menaul and Candelaria), Albuquerque – 5pm to dark – Karen Campbell or Melinda Otzenburger. karencampbellwithrt66@hotmail.com

2015 Schedule

INDYCAR SCHEDULE March 12

May 28

DATE RACE Firestone Grand Prix of St.

2017

Iowa Speedway

LOCATION 101st Indianapolis 500

Indy Car Schedule April 9

5:30 PM TIME

Petersburg presented Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Streets of St. Petersburg July 1612:30 PM Streets of St. Petersburg Indianapolis Motor Honda Indy Toronto Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Streets of Long Beach 4:30 PM Speedway 12:30 PM Exhibition Place

March 12 April 9

April 23

Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama

Barber Motorsports Park

12:21 PM

3:30 PM

3:30 PM

Toyota Grand Prix of Long June 3 July 30 May 13 Angie's List Grand Prix of Chevrolet Indianapolis Dual in Indianapolis 3:50 PM Detroit Motor Speedway Beach Honda Indy 200 The Raceway at Indianapolis Belle IsleMotorMid-Ohio of Long Beach 500 presented MayStreets 28 101st Indianapolis Speedway Sports Car 12:21 PM Course Park The Raceway at Belle Isle Park 3:30 PM 3:50 PM 4:30Chevrolet PM Dual in Detroit June 3 April 29

June 4

Phoenix 250

Honda Indy Grand Prix of Firestone 600 Alabama June 25 Kohler Grand Prix Barber Motorsports Park 3:30Iowa PMCorn 300

July 9 July 16

Honda April 29Indy Toronto

Phoenix 250 Honda Indy 200 Phoenix International ABC Supply 500 Raceway

July 30

August 20 August 26

August 20 The Raceway at Belle Isle Park 3:50 PM June 4 ABC Supply 500 Texas Motor Speedway 8:30 PM

Chevrolet Dual in Detroit America The Raceway at Road Belle Isle Park Iowa Speedway

St. Louis 250

2:30 PM

1:00 PM 5:30 PM

August 26

3:50 PMExhibition Place

September9:303PM

Gateway Motorsports Park

8:30 PM

MayGrand 13Prix at The Glen

September 3

September Angie’s 17 List GoPro GrandGrand PrixPrix of of Sonoma

3:50 PM

Pocono Raceway

3:30 PM St. Louis 250 June 10 Gateway Motorsports Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course 3:30 Park PM Firestone 600 9:30 PM 2:30 PM Pocono Raceway Texas Motor Speedway

9:30 PM

Indianapolis Indianapolis Motor Speedway

9:30 PM

3:50 PM

April 23 Dual in Detroit Chevrolet

June 10

Phoenix International Raceway

Grand Prix at The Glen Watkins Glen International 1:30 PM June 25 Watkins Glen International 7:00 PM Kohler GrandSonoma Prix Raceway 1:30 PM Road America 1:00 PM

September 17

GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma Sonoma Raceway .com 7:00 PM

July 9 PrintYourBrackets Iowa Corn 300

2015 Sched

Formula 1 2017 Schedule

RaceRace # #1 Grand Prix

Date Race #11

1 Australian Australian Grand PrixGrand Prix March 26 2 Chinese Grand Prix Race #2 3 Bahrain Grand Prix Chinese Grand Prix 4 April 9Russian Grand Prix

March 26 Hungarian Grand Prix July 30 April 9

5

Race #3Spanish Grand Prix

7

Race #4Canadian Grand Prix

Race #12 April 16

Belgian Grand Prix April 3027 August

Race May #13 14

Bahrain Grand Prix 6 Monaco Grand Prix April 16

Italian Grand Prix May 28 September 3 June #14 11 Race

Russian Grand Prix Grand Prix 8 Azerbaijan April 30 9 Austrian Grand Prix Race #5 10 British Grand Prix Spanish Grand Prix 11 May 14Hungarian Grand Prix

Singapore Grand Prix June 25 September 17 July 9

Race #15

JulyGrand 16 Malaysian Prix October July 30 1

Race #6Belgian Grand Prix

Race #16 August 27

12

Monaco Grand Prix 13 May 28 Italian Grand Prix

Japanese Grand Prix September October 83 Race #17 17 September United States Grand Prix October 1 October 22

Race #7Singapore Grand Prix

14

Canadian Grand Prix 15 Malaysian Grand Prix June 11

Race #8Japanese Grand Prix

October 8 Race #18

16

17 UnitedPrix States Grand Prix Azerbaijan Grand 18June 25 Mexican Grand Prix

Race #9

19

Brazilian Grand Prix

Austrian Grand Prix 20 July 9Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Race #10

22 Prix MexicanOctober Grand October October29 29

Race #19

November 12

Brazilian Grand Prix November12 26 November

Race #20

Abu .com Dhabi Grand Prix PrintYourBrackets

British Grand Prix July 16

November 26

NMMotorsportsReport.com • 19

32 years in business

Complete Driveshaft Repair and Exchange For Your Car, Truck, and other Vehicles Custom Work and Fabrication C.V. Axles Installed • C.V. Axle Boot and Service Custom Fabricated • Driveshafts

417 Summer Ave. NW Albuquerque, NM 87102 (505) 247-0736

AlbuquerqueDriveshaft.com

Taking pracTical To new heighTs SpeciAlizing in FOur WHeel Drive AnD cuStOM FAbricAtiOn Will eppS, OWner - JASOn bryAnt, MAnAger

Maverick auto & Fabrication 3612 HigH St • Albuquerque

505.974.9541 www.MavericknM.coM Facebook.coM/MavericknM 20 NMMotorsportsReport.com

Josh Jackson A

A Story of Courage

s a former track racer, promoter and manager, I have seen many things at the track. One thing I am glad that I have never seen is a tragic accident or even an accident that was so horrific that you left praying that those involved survived until the next day, other than on TV. Weekly it seems like we watch accidents that drivers walk away from without a scratch, safety equipment so good that it is surprising when someone gets hurt.

In August of 2015, Indy Car driver Justin Wilson died when a part off of a competitor’s car struck him in the helmet. The discussion started about “halos” keeping objects out of the driver’s compartment but to date, no changes have been made. In August of 2016, Brian Clauson died in a Sprint Car accident after colliding with another car and another Sprint Car driver, David Steele, passed away the weekend I was writing this article.

On August 8th, 2015, 17 year old Joshua Jackson from Albuquerque, NM was racing at Southern New Mexico Speedway (SNMS) in Las Cruces, in a 360 non-wing sprint car and made contact with a spinning car in front of him, flipped and then was hit in the cage by another car. Jackson was unconscious and transported by air to the hospital. “He drifted in and out of consciousness until Monday, August 17,” Joshua’s mother Ginger told the Albuquerque Journal in an interview following the accident.

On Saturday March 18th, 2017 Jackson returned to racing, this time in a Legend car, back at SNMS. “We ran 8th – 9th. Other people were faster.

We need to figure out how to get more speed so we can get back to first,” remarked Josh like it was not big deal that just 19 months ago he was in an accident that almost took his life. In a 22 car field, 8th or 9th is pretty good.

When asked about his short term goals, “I want to get back to the front in Legend cars for now. I might go and race something else but not sure if it will be Sprint Cars. Might be asphalt or dirt. Maybe a Modified,” Josh said with confidence.

I have known Josh since he was one of the kids that would come over to the “Big” track from the Quarter Midget track at Sandia Speedway. He always wanted to go fast and win. Josh always had a smile on his face just like he did the day we had this interview. His positivity is contagious.

As many of his fans believe, and I count myself as one of them, Josh’s courage alone may be his ultimate victory. #37Strong

Accessories

Unlimited

The accident still lingers for Josh’s mom, Ginger. “She still worries about me. She doesn’t want me to wreck again and get hurt. I told my mom I would be fine. I told her I want to race so she is pretty much is getting over it,” commented Josh as he looked over to see if Ginger agreed. Ginger did agree but you could still see a mom’s love and protective nature.

Josh used the vision of getting back to racing as a motivation for all the therapy and surgeries he had to endure. It only took 5 months to get back in a go-kart. “Joe’s Karting in Iowa was the first place I went back to and I was going as fast as anyone there,” Josh said with that competitive glimmer in his eye. “At the time my arm was kind of nub feeling. I need to figure out how to move my arms better. I drove the kart backwards on the track to feel the movement.”

Josh has no memory from before the accident till about two weeks later, “I remember talking to the guys that were involved in the accident earlier in the pits but I do not remember the accident. I remember they told me in the hospital I was never going to walk, was never going to race. I told them I was going to find a way,” explained Josh. “I still want to make it in NASCAR, I am going to go to school and to work here (referring to the family business),” Josh said when I asked him what his long terms goals were. I am not sure I would bet against him.

Josh started his racing career at 4 years old when he tried driving a Quarter Midget. “He would not get out of the car,” clarified Ginger. “Papa (Grandpa Bobby Jackson) bought me a Quarter Midget after we went out and saw Josh Hodges at the track,” said Josh. From Quarter Midgets (5 National Championships) to Bandoleros to Legend Cars. “Truman West gave me a chance to drive his Sprint Car and I didn’t hit the wall or nothing so he let me drive.”

ENTERTAINMENT ELECTRONICS

BlackJax 5

PERFORMANCE UPGRADES INTERIOR STYLING TRUCKS 4 X 4’S

$300

installed

2322 Candelaria Rd NE• Albuquerque, NM 87107

505.888.5811 | accessoriesunlimited.com Friendly service • Honest diagnosis• Fair prices NMMotorsportsReport.com • 21

“TRICKS of the TRADE” Story By Jim Costa – owner Yearwood Performance Center

Fuel Injection Revisited

It’s been a while since we talked about aftermarket self-tuning fuel injection and replacing your carburetor. I mentioned in the June 2016 NMMR article that inexpensive fuel injection units were going to hit the market with a full head of steam. And did they ever, we now have both the Holley Sniper and the FITech units in stock. I feel comfortable enough to say that we have sold a number of these units with success. We haven’t had any comebacks from either of the units. I was somewhat concerned at first. I think it is hard to complete the same task for half the price. With both of these starting under $1000, they are a lot cheaper than their predecessors.

Not only do they come with the ability to maintain a proper air/fuel ratio on your hot rod, you can also play with timing controls if you choose to. They even offer units that can handle power adders such as boost from a blow-through turbo, centrifugal blower, or single roots supercharger up to 25 pounds of boost or they can also take a single wet stage of nitrous oxide. Looking for that dual carb set-up without the hassles of getting two carbs to work together, look no further these units can handle that for you as well, even duals on 8-71 roots style blower on your big block Chevy El Camino. Oh sorry, just fantasizing. I would love to do that to my ’68 Elco.

It’s finally springtime, which means it is going to be getting warmer, both the FITech and the Sniper will control up to two electric fans and even bump up the idle when you kick on that air conditioner and while making sure you are cruising around burning just the right amount of fuel. Might even find you will get better gas mileage after installing one, if you can keep your foot out of it. Good luck with that, I find that when my cars are running better I want to drive them more, and isn’t that why we have them, to drive them?

Speaking of getting warmer, the one problem we have had in the past with any fuel injection unit regardless of the brand is the fuel pump vapor locking. This can happen when an in-line fuel pump is installed and the fuel gets so warm that it can no longer cool the pump. In-line pumps have a small cavity around the windings that passes the fuel to keep the pump cool. When the fuel gets returned back to the tank, it is warmer, it has traveled from the gas tank, up past the hot exhaust into the very hot engine bay and then what isn’t used gets send back to the gas tank, past the same hot exhaust pipes, eventually mixing with the fuel in the tank. Do this enough and the fuel in the tank becomes warner and warmer, now we can’t cool the pump off enough and it overheats. One solution is to install a pump inside the gas tank so it will be submerged in the fuel to keep it cooler, like they do in newer cars. Another option is to install a secondary fuel cell in the engine bay. It is fed by the mechanical pump that you use for your carburetor. It has a float inside that will shut the incoming fuel off just like the float in your carb does. Inside this cell is a high pressure pump that will feed the fuel injection with the proper psi, the mechanical pump has the volume needed, just the wrong pressure.

This might not even be a problem with your install. It seems to happen in about 10% of the units we sell.

Come to Yearwood Performance and check out these new, less expensive, self-tuning, fuel injection units today. This might be exactly what you’ve been wanting for your ride.

22 NMMotorsportsReport.com

Gear up at Intellitec College

By David Swope NMMotorsportsReport@gmail.com

L

aunch your career as an Automotive Technician at the Albuquerque campus of Intellitec College. Conveniently located West of San Mateo & North of Montgomery (behind Burlington), you can receive industry-specific training in a small, personalized learning environment. The supportive staff will train and guide your career success including graduate employment services and are dedicated to producing skilled automotive technicians. Class schedules can be customized to your unique schedule, even if you are currently employed.

Many students work full time already at an auto shop and are looking for career advancement. ASE Certification Preparation, Vehicle Diagnosis Process and Shop Safety are among the many class offerings at Intellitec College. Day and evening courses are available as well as financial aid (for those that qualify). Industry experienced instructors provide the classroom instruction.

Intellitec College celebrated with its first graduating class from the Albuquerque campus this February. For more information about graduation rates, the median debt of students who complete the program and other important information, visit www.intelliteccollege. com/consumer-information.php or call 505-508-5225.

Improve your life with a meaningful career!

www.intelliteccollege.com

NMMotorsportsReport.com • 23